West Africa News Desk — October 4, 2026 AM

Zach Martin

KMKT IR Hub Radio. West Africa News Desk.

Emily Martin

It's Sunday, October 4, 2026, and this is the morning desk. I'm Emily Martin.

Zach Martin

And I'm Zach Martin. We start in Ghana, where the New Patriotic Party has elected its national officers at the delegates conference in Kumasi.

Emily Martin

According to GhanaWeb and GBC Ghana Online, John Boadu was elected national chairman. Justin Frimpong Kodua, also reported as Justin Kodua, won reelection as general secretary.

Zach Martin

Hawa Koomson, the former Awutu Senya East MP, won national women's organiser. Abanga Fuseini Yakubu was elected national youth organiser.

Emily Martin

The party also approved 14 constitutional amendments. GhanaWeb notes that happened despite an earlier call for postponement.

Zach Martin

One hard note from the conference. GhanaWeb reports a stampede in Kumasi left at least three people injured.

Emily Martin

And a caution. The reports we have don't give full ballot counts or margins, so we won't guess at any.

Zach Martin

KMKT IR Hub Radio. West Africa News Desk.

Emily Martin

Now to Nigeria, and a security story with a clock attached. Naija News reports that the abductors of prospective National Youth Service Corps members have issued a 24 hour ultimatum for a ransom of 1 billion naira.

Zach Martin

The graduates were travelling from Ibadan toward orientation camps on Thursday when gunmen attacked two buses on the Owerri Onitsha Road, in Umunoha, Imo State. Kidnappers reportedly demanded 50 million naira for each person, which adds up to that billion.

Emily Martin

The transport company's managing director, Isiah Akpan, confirmed the demand on Friday. Parents say the kidnappers have been calling them on the victims' own phones.

Zach Martin

On Saturday, families visited the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, in Ibadan, along with the state police commissioner. They appealed for a safe release, and Ladoja told them the police are working round the clock.

Emily Martin

Now, the numbers don't match. Naija News and the families speak of 20 prospective corps members. But Imo police commissioner Audu Garba Bosso said operatives identified a camp holding 19.

Zach Martin

Bosso said police used drones on Friday and located the suspected camp, but delayed moving in because intelligence indicated it was mined with explosive devices. He said teams are preparing to go in with bulldozers and armoured personnel carriers, aiming to rescue the victims unhurt.

Emily Martin

KMKT IR Hub Radio. West Africa News Desk.

Zach Martin

Turning to Ghana's economy. GBC Ghana Online reports that Ghana has exited its IMF bailout programme and moved to a non financing policy support arrangement.

Emily Martin

President Mahama has also released 300 million cedis for flood relief and prevention.

Zach Martin

On the business side, the Ghana Revenue Authority says businesses with turnover above 750,000 cedis are required to register for VAT. That is per GhanaWeb. And GhanaWeb also reports that Ghana's new vehicle import standards are now in force.

Emily Martin

KMKT IR Hub Radio. West Africa News Desk.

Zach Martin

Next, infrastructure. Saudi Arabia and Ghana are in exploratory talks on railway and energy infrastructure, after Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in New York.

Emily Martin

Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the discussions cover railway development and energy infrastructure. Ghana is also courting Qatar and Bahrain on similar terms. But no specific corridors, financing figures, or signed agreements have been announced.

Zach Martin

On technology, Communication Minister Samuel Nartey George says every AI system bought by a Ghanaian public body will need central technical clearance, to prevent vendor lock in. A ten year National AI Delivery Framework is being prepared.

Emily Martin

And The Ghanaian Standard reports the Ghana Immigration Service arrested 1,055 West African nationals in an intelligence led operation against forced begging syndicates in Greater Accra and Ashanti.

Zach Martin

KMKT IR Hub Radio. West Africa News Desk.

Emily Martin

A short political note from Nigeria. Naija News reports that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike says he will resign if President Bola Tinubu does not win Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory in 2027.

Zach Martin

Speaking at a political reception in his honour, Wike also said Rivers will compete with Lagos in votes for Tinubu. Those are his claims, as reported.

Emily Martin

KMKT IR Hub Radio. West Africa News Desk. It's Sunday, October 4, 2026.

Zach Martin

A reminder that this is a news desk summary of published reports, and not investment advice.

Emily Martin

I'm Emily Martin.

Zach Martin

And I'm Zach Martin, for KMKT IR Hub Radio, West Africa News Desk.