Once seen as the stuff of sci-fi movies, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation have quietly made their way into boardrooms, banking halls, hotel systems, and customer service centres across Ghana. And for forward-looking businesses, they are proving to be a game-changer.

It took a global pandemic to jolt many business leaders into realising just how vital these technologies are—not just for innovation’s sake, but for real-world survival. Companies that embraced AI and automation early were more adaptable, more profitable, and more responsive to shifting customer needs during the toughest of times. Today, the smart use of digital intelligence is no longer optional. It’s the foundation of a great customer experience—something Ghanaian consumers now expect.

AI and automation: a dynamic duo

While often used interchangeably, AI and automation perform different, complementary roles in your business:

• AI helps understand what the customer wants. It thinks, learns, and analyses.
• Automation executes actions based on that understanding. It does the repetitive tasks.

Together, they reduce delays, improve service, and free up human employees to focus on high-value, complex customer issues—not answering “What are your working hours?” for the hundredth time. Forget the Hollywood vision of robots walking through your office. In reality, these technologies silently power call centres, chatbots, booking engines, and CRM systems—boosting efficiency and cutting costs.

Let humans be human

Customer-facing staff, especially in Ghana’s telecom, banking, and hospitality sectors, often feel overwhelmed with repetitive questions and long queues. AI and automation offer a new way of working—delegating routine questions to bots, and empowering staff to focus on personalised support. “Our staff used to spend hours handling simple requests,” says Akua Mensah, a customer service lead at a leading Ghanaian bank. “Now, our system handles the basics automatically, and our team handles the rest with more care and less stress.”

By reducing call times and avoiding long hold queues, businesses not only save money—they also make customers feel heard, valued, and respected.

Case study: Hotels and booking in the digital era

Consider a hotel group in Accra using automated services during peak travel season. Their AI-powered system scanned thousands of customer bookings, checked hotel availability, and sent real-time updates—all within seconds. No manual intervention. No errors. Just fast, consistent communication that elevated the customer experience.

Smarter conversations, better outcomes

Tools like agent-assist—now being explored in some Ghanaian contact centres—take AI even further. These systems listen to a live call, search multiple databases, and suggest the best next action to the agent in real time. For example, if a customer calls a local travel agency asking about a delayed trip, the AI system can pull up their file instantly, identify the issue, and suggest suitable alternatives—all before the caller finishes explaining. That’s the kind of seamless experience that builds customer loyalty in an age where brand switching is just one click away.

Data that drives growth

One of the most powerful benefits of AI and automation is data visibility. Every customer interaction becomes a data point—logged, tracked, and analysed in real time. This enables businesses to:

• Identify customer trends and needs
• Spot gaps in service delivery
• Monitor team performance
• Make smarter business decisions

With the right analytics in place, Ghanaian businesses can transform their service centres into intelligence hubs, helping leadership proactively improve services instead of reacting to complaints.

Digital experience is the new standard

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the vulnerability of businesses dependent on traditional models. Those with cloud-based customer service platforms adapted quickly to remote work, while others struggled to serve customers without access to physical infrastructure. In Ghana, businesses using outdated systems are finding it harder to compete with new digital entrants—nimble, mobile-friendly, and born in the cloud. Whether in fintech, delivery services, or e-commerce, the future belongs to those that can evolve quickly and intelligently.

What it all means for you

Whether you’re running a start-up in East Legon or managing a retail chain in Kumasi, AI and automation offer benefits you can’t afford to ignore:

• Faster response times
• Lower operational costs
• Happier, more empowered staff
• Smarter, data-driven decisions
• Loyal customers who come back again and again

In today’s competitive environment, customer experience is the new battlefield—and AI is your most valuable ally. “Businesses in Ghana that embrace digital intelligence now will not just survive—they’ll thrive,” says Kojo Oppong, a digital transformation advisor in Accra. “Those that don’t will struggle to keep up.”

Final thought

AI and automation are no longer future technologies. They are present-day necessities for any Ghanaian business serious about delighting customers, cutting costs, and staying ahead of the curve. The question is no longer if you’ll adopt them, but how soon.

>>>the writer is a seasoned cloud architect and systems administrator with expertise in leading technical teams to create innovative platforms. As CTO of eSolutions Consulting, he has spearheaded major projects like the Office 365 rollout for Ghana’s government and infrastructure deployment for the Ghana Revenue Authority. Recognized for his strategic use of emerging technologies, Allen has led his team to multiple Microsoft Partner of the Year awards, solidifying his role as a key leader in tech-driven business transformation. If you’d like to explore how these strategies can help your organization thrive, reach out to discuss tailored solutions for your business growth journey. He can be reached via [email protected] and or 0540123034

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh is a former MP for Manhyia South

Former Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has urged Ghanaians to take a rational approach when comparing governments, arguing that short-term assessments fail to capture the broader economic picture.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, as sighted by GhanaWeb Business, Dr Opoku Prempeh called for fair and constructive comparisons between governments, particularly when evaluating their performance.

He emphasised that a government that has been in office for just seven months cannot be accurately assessed against one that has served a full four-year term, noting that every administration experiences both progress and setbacks.

“Let’s allow rationality to sink in, and then we’ll see. You can’t compare a government that has been in office for seven months to one that has governed for four years,” he stated.

According to him, despite the cedi’s recent appreciation against the dollar by about 34%, the prices of goods continue to rise, which does not reflect a true improvement in the economy.

“The cedi has appreciated by about 34%, right? The dollar has come down. If you ask me, I should be very happy, but when goods and services that were priced when the dollar was at 15 cedis now have an even higher cedi equivalent than when the dollar was at 50 cedis, you begin to wonder what isn’t adding up,”

He further remarked, “Take a bag of cement, for example. It was 90 cedis before the elections. Now, it costs 140 cedis. Back then, the dollar was 15 cedis. Now, it is around 10 to 11 cedis, fluctuating daily. How do you justify a 90-cedi bag of cement when the dollar was 15 cedis, and then claim that things are getting better when the same cement now costs significantly more despite currency appreciation?”

It is too early to jubilate over the appreciation of the Ghana Cedis against the Dollar — Matthew Opoku-Prempeh pic.twitter.com/grLUa2TqUV

— ThisIsNeneOdompleh (@The1957News) May 27, 2025

SP/MA

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The African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption (AUABC) is set to undertake a State Party Review Mission in Ghana from June 1 to June 6, 2025, as part of efforts to assess the country’s compliance with the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC).

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Shamima Muslim announced the mission in Accra on Tuesday May 27, emphasising Ghana’s leadership in fortifying anti-corruption systems.

She described the review as an opportunity to evaluate progress, celebrate achievements, and identify strategic recommendations to enhance institutional effectiveness and public trust.

“This affords us the rare opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment to a future where governance is rooted in ethics, justice, and the unwavering resolve to combat corruption in all its forms,” Shamima Muslim stated.

The high-level AUABC delegation will arrive in Ghana on Sunday, June 1, and will engage with key institutions in the country’s anti-corruption ecosystem throughout the week.

These engagements will include consultations with government agencies, civil society organisations, and development partners such as the Office of the President, Ministry of Justice, Office of the Special Prosecutor, CHRAJ, EOCO, and the Ghana Audit Service.

The mission will culminate in a High-Level National Anti-Corruption Conference on Friday, June 6, at the Accra International Conference Centre. The event, themed “Revitalising the Anti-Corruption Architecture in Africa: Ghana’s Accountability Journey,” will bring together AU officials, legal experts, policymakers, and citizen voices to discuss strategies for strengthening transparency and accountability across the continent.

Muslim reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to combating corruption, stating that the review process will reinforce continental solidarity and mutual accountability.

She emphasised that the fight against corruption is a collective responsibility, requiring the participation of leaders, citizens, and institutions alike.

The AUABC mission is expected to provide valuable insights into Ghana’s anti-corruption framework while fostering peer learning among African nations.

Read also

NDC packing courts with loyalists to weaken judicial independence – Appiagyei

Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has openly criticised Members of Parliament for what he described as a collective failure to uphold accountability within the chamber following an offensive comment made months ago that remains unresolved.

Addressing the House during its sitting on Tuesday, May 27, Speaker Bagbin expressed deep disappointment over the inability of MPs to identify the colleague responsible for an insulting remark directed at Korle Klottey MP, Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, during a debate on February 4, 2025.

“…The investigations are still ongoing, but to be frank with you, I am very disappointed that a member seated in this House, surrounded by colleagues, could make such a statement and yet not a single member can point out who it was,” he stated.

He noted that three MPs seated in the area from which the voice emanated had already been identified, yet no one had come forward with a name.

He further questioned the inaction from both sides of the House, particularly the majority, which holds numerical strength.

“With all your numbers, watching the minority side, you mean to tell me that none of you can identify the person who spoke? The person did not speak once, but twice. Even the Minority Leader turned in that direction during the incident, and still, no one can identify the individual. I am very disappointed,” he added.

Speaker Bagbin also expressed concern over the lack of visual evidence, stating that even the CCTV systems in the chamber failed to capture the person responsible.

He noted that “these are serious matters, and when they are properly brought to me, I will take action.”

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

The Chamber of Aquaculture Ghana is making a call to global investors to capitalise on the country’s burgeoning mariculture sector, citing its vast potential to generate employment, boost seafood production, and drive economic growth.

At the recently concluded Aquaculture Spain 2025 conference held in Vigo, the Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Aquaculture Ghana, Mr. Jacob Adzikah, entreated investors and Cluster Acuiplus members to turn their attention to Ghana’s untapped mariculture sector with the chance to rake in more profit.

Speaking to a diverse international audience of aquaculture professionals, policymakers, researchers and investors, Mr. Adzikah highlighted the untapped potential of mariculture, an ocean-based aquaculture as a key investment opportunity in Ghana.

“Mariculture presents a significant opportunity for businesses equipped with the right technology. These opportunities must be explored if we are to enhance seafood production sustainably and meet growing national demand,” he said.

Ghana currently imports over $250 million worth of seafood annually to cover a domestic production deficit, underscoring the urgent need to scale up aquaculture production.

With marine fish stocks dwindling due to overfishing, pollution and climate pressures, aquaculture has become the most viable and sustainable alternative for ensuring national food security and promoting economic growth.

Mr. Adzikah emphasized that Ghana is open for business and offers a competitive investment climate and Incentives including a five-year tax holiday for aquaculture enterprises, tax exemptions on imported equipment and fishing gear, and a strong legal and regulatory framework designed to protect investments and ensure sustainability.

“With the right investments, Ghana can become a regional leader in sustainable farmed fish production, we encourage investors to consider Ghana as their preferred destination for aquaculture development,” he noted

The Chamber’s message at Aquaculture Spain 2025 comes at a pivotal time, as global interest in sustainable seafood solutions continues to rise.

The Chamber of Aquaculture Ghana believes by leveraging its rich marine resources, supportive policies, and investor-friendly environment, Ghana is positioning itself as a key player in the future of African aquaculture.

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This call was made during a courtesy visit to the Chief Executive Officer of Goldbod, Sammy Gyamfi

The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has urged the Ghana Gold Board (Goldbod) to remain steadfast in its efforts to ensure the continued appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi against the US dollar and other major international currencies.

This call was made during a courtesy visit to the Chief Executive Officer of Goldbod, Sammy Gyamfi, to formally congratulate him on his recent appointment.

Speaking on behalf of the association, Executive Secretary, Samson Asaki Awingobit commended Gyamfi, describing his appointment as a testament to his expertise, leadership qualities, and track record in the sector.

He expressed optimism that under Gyamfi’s leadership, Goldbod will witness significant progress and play an even more impactful role in stabilising the country’s currency through gold-related initiatives.

In response, Gyamfi expressed appreciation for the association’s visit and support.

He reaffirmed Goldbod’s commitment to implementing robust strategies aimed at supporting the local currency.

According to him, the continued operations and interventions by Goldbod, particularly will contribute significantly to sustaining the cedi’s appreciation and strengthening Ghana’s macroeconomic stability.

Featured

GNA

Politics

May – 27 – 2025 , 18:05

2 minutes read

CEO of COCOBOD, Dr Randy Abbey

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board, Randy Abbey has revealed how syndicated loan delays and poor financial planning plunged Ghana’s cocoa sector into a historic crisis, resulting in an estimated loss of $840 million.

Speaking on Hot Issues with Keminni Amanor, as monitored by MyNewsGH, Abbey explained that COCOBOD’s financial missteps during the 2023/2024 season not only weakened the industry’s performance but also severely undercut the earnings of cocoa farmers across the country.

According to Abbey, COCOBOD entered the 2023/2024 cocoa season by seeking a syndicated loan using a conservative pricing benchmark of $2,600 per ton, despite ongoing market volatility and liquidity challenges.

However, the real crisis emerged when the funds arrived in December 2023, three months after the official opening of the cocoa season.

“Licensed Buying Companies couldn’t get seed funds to buy cocoa for almost four months. This has never happened in COCOBOD’s history,” Abbey stated with alarm.

The delay in financing had a cascading effect. COCOBOD, having already committed to deliver over 333,000 tons of cocoa, was unable to fulfill those contracts, leading to a rollover into the 2024/2025 season. As global cocoa prices soared to $6,600 per ton, Ghana found itself servicing prior contracts at a $4,000 loss per ton.

“For every ton we used to service the rollover, we lost $4,000. As of April 2025, we had serviced 210,000 tons. That’s a loss of $840 million,” Abbey disclosed.

This massive shortfall, he explained, is a key reason the government could not significantly increase the cocoa producer price, despite mounting political and economic pressure.

“They increased it to GH¢3,100 just three weeks before the election, but that’s less than 50% of the world price,” he added.

The situation remains precarious. Abbey warned that Ghana is still rolling over another 120,000 tons into the 2025/2026 season, and while the president has expressed a desire to improve farmer incomes, broader economic instability, particularly the recent challenges facing the cedi, complicates any effort to adjust prices upward.

“This is not just about mismanagement,” Abbey said. “It’s about the collapse of confidence in the institutions that are supposed to protect our farmers and our economy.”

By Iddi Yire 

Accra, May 27, GNA – The African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption (AUABC) will from June 1st to 6th undertake a State Party Review Mission visit to Ghana, Madam Shamima Muslim, the Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, has announced. 

The Review Mission is meant to assess the implementation of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC) by Ghana as a State Party to the Convention. 

Speaking to the Presidential Press Corps at the Presidency in Accra, Madam Muslim said this Mission was a vital component of the African Union’s continental framework to strengthen integrity, assess compliance, and foster peer learning among Member States in the implementation of the AUCPCC. 

She said Ghana, as one of the earliest champions of this Convention, had demonstrated commendable leadership in fortifying its anti-corruption systems.  

She noted that this review presents an invaluable opportunity to evaluate progress, celebrate achievements, and identify strategic recommendations that will further enhance institutional effectiveness and public trust. 

“This affords us the rare opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment to a future where governance is rooted in ethics, justice, and the unwavering resolve to combat corruption in all its forms,” she stated. 

“Together, we continue to build an Africa that thrives on the principles of accountability and the rule of law.” 

As the nation prepares for this Mission, Madam Muslim reaffirmed their shared vision – an Africa where governance was rooted in fairness, where public trust was earned through action, and where the fight against corruption leaves no room for complacency.  

“Together, we continue to build a future defined not by the challenges we face, but by the integrity with which we overcome them.” 

She said the high-level delegation from the AUABC would arrive in Ghana on Sunday, 1st June, and from Monday, June 2nd, through the course of next week, the AUABC delegation will undertake a series of strategic stakeholder engagements with a cross-section of key institutions in Ghana’s anti-corruption ecosystem. Madam Muslim said these engagements would include consultations with the Office of the President, Ministry of Justice and Office of the Attorney-General, Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Ghana Audit Service, and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). 

Others are Parliamentary Committees – Public Accounts Committee, Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, Civil Society Organizations – Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) and Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC). 

The rest are Registrar-General’s Department, Judicial Service (Anti-Corruption Desk), Public Procurement Authority (PPA), development partners such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), GIZ, World Bank, DANIDA and other relevant actors. 

Madam Muslim said these meetings would provide an opportunity to share experiences, assess progress made under the AUCPCC, and collectively explore ways to strengthen Ghana’s fight against corruption.  

She said a central feature of this engagement includes a High-Level National Anti-Corruption Conference, scheduled to take place on Friday, 6th June, at the Accra International Conference Centre, on the theme “Revitalizing the Anti-Corruption Architecture in Africa: Ghana’s Accountability Journey.” 

Madam Muslim said this landmark event would convene African Union officials, legal experts, public officials, policy influencers, and citizen voices to share perspectives, identify challenges, and shape a more coordinated and courageous anti-corruption response across the continent. 

She said Ghana was proud to provide the platform for such an important dialogue—one that reinforces the African Union’s commitment to mutual accountability, encourages South-South cooperation, and reaffirms their collective resolve to combat corruption in all its forms. 

She reiterated that they look forward to welcoming the AUABC delegates, technical experts, and all our distinguished guests who will soon grace the nation’s shores.  

“We also look forward to a productive, transparent, and inclusive process—one that strengthens both our national integrity systems and continental solidarity,” she stated. 

“Let us all be reminded that the fight against corruption is not the task of a few, but the solemn duty of us all—leaders, citizens, and institutions alike.  

Ghana remains resolute in championing that cause, not just for our own people, but for the future of Africa.” 

GNA 

Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade 

President John Dramani Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Ghana’s total debt has been reduced by GH¢150 billion, largely due to the recent appreciation of the cedi.

According to the President, if this positive trend continues, Ghana could reach its debt sustainability target by the end of the year.

He made these remarks during a high-level presidential session at the 60th Annual Meeting of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the 51st Annual Meeting of the African Development Fund (ADF) in Abidjan.

“If that trajectory continues, the target of reaching 55 to 58 percent debt sustainability by 2028 will be achieved by the end of this year. That gives us the fiscal space to begin investing in the most productive sectors of the economy,” President Mahama said.

Ghana’s local currency, the cedi, has appreciated by 24.1% against the US dollar over the past four months, driven by improved fiscal policies and strong global commodity prices.

The President noted that a weaker cedi typically leads to an increase in the country’s debt stock, emphasising the importance of a stable currency in managing national debt.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to restoring economic stability and growth.

“We need to look inward, boost domestic revenue, cut wasteful government expenditure, fight corruption, and introduce stronger accountability in governance. That is the focus of my administration,” he said.

The AfDB Annual Meetings gather African leaders, policymakers, development partners, and financial institutions to discuss strategies for sustainable development and economic transformation across the continent.

SSD/MA

President Mahama unveils 8-pillar economic recovery plan

MP for Afigya Kwabre North, Collins Adomako-Mensah

The Minority in Parliament has called on the Minister of Energy, John Abdulai Jinapor, to appear before Parliament to explain how the over 1,300 ECG containers he claimed had gone missing from the Tema port have suddenly been found.

In a video snippet of a presser by the Minority shared on Metro TV’s X account on May 27, 2025, the Minority demanded answers to the issue which has courted public debate over the past few months.

“In a news item by the Daily Graphic on May 27, 2025, Ghanaians are being told that the missing containers have been retrieved but we vehemently reject this proposition. The containers were not retrieved, they have been found at the same port, they claimed it got missing at,” the MP for Afigya Kwabre North, Collins Adomako-Mensah, who led the Minority in the presser stated.

“We want the minister to appear before Parliament to explain to us how an earlier audit quoting over 1,300 ECG containers have now been found after investigations,” he said.

The Minority’s reaction comes on the heels of a disclosure by the Head of Communications for the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, Richmond Rockson, stating that the missing containers have been located at various terminals within the Tema Port.

The disclosure which was premised on a joint investigative committee did not just trace the containers to Tema port, it put the total number of containers at 2,637, a figure which far exceeds the initially reported 1,300.

In an interview with 3News.com, on May 27, 2025, the Spokesperson and Head of Communications for the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, Richmond Rockson, said the containers were located at various terminals within the Tema Port.

According to him, the probe, led by a committee comprising National Security, the Ministry of Transport, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), and Customs, discovered the containers as of April 30, 2025, at the following locations:

860 at Meridian Port Services

1,237 at GPHA Terminals

272 already evacuated by National Security

194 at Amaris Terminal 20 at ATLAS Manufacturing Terminal

20 at ATLAS Manufacturing Terminal

Further analysis revealed that 2,437 containers had overstayed the 60-day clearance window and incurred excessive demurrage charges.

ECG is thus, expected to engage with port authorities to settle outstanding fees.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, has directed that all located containers be evacuated to ECG’s secured warehouses with a full inventory taken.

Watch video below:

Minority demands Energy Minister Jinapor appear before Parliament to explain how ECG’s missing containers were found — and why they exceed the 1,300 initially reported.#MetroNews pic.twitter.com/Bj3j62yR0p

— Metro TV Ghana (@metrotvgh) May 27, 2025

VPO/MA

By James Amoh Junior  

Accra, May 27, GNA – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the reopening of the Embassy of Ghana in Washington DC, United States of America, following a closure due to internal restructuring and investigations into alleged financial and administrative malpractices. 

In a statement, the Ministry disclosed that the Embassy would resume  operations on Thursday, May 29, 2025, after a comprehensive overhaul of its systems, led by a team of seasoned diplomats and an Information Technology (IT) task force. 

The reopening follows the recall of all home-based staff and the suspension of local staff amid concerns over integrity lapses and unauthorized activities within the Mission.  

The Ministry said the newly deployed team would work to restore transparency, ensure accountability, and complete the structural reforms initiated at the Mission. 

According to the statement, the IT team has already taken steps to reconfigure  the Embassy’s website and payment platforms to eliminate unofficial and unauthorized links that had compromised the system’s integrity. 

The Ministry emphasized its regret for the inconvenience caused to the public, particularly passport and visa applicants, and assured that measures had been implemented to clear the backlog of applications. 

This reopening comes in the wake of an earlier announcement by Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Foreign Affairs Minister who revealed that the Auditor-General had been invited to conduct a forensic audit of all financial and operational transactions at the Embassy.  

The aim, he noted, was to determine the full extent of the alleged fraud and assess the total cost to the State. 

Mr Ablakwa had indicated that the closure of the Mission was part of a wider system overhaul aimed at rooting out corruption and abuse of office.  

“Any inconvenience these radical measures may cause visa and passport applicants is regretted. President Mahama’s government will continue to demonstrate zero tolerance for corruption, naked conflict of interest, and blatant abuse of office,” he said at the time. 

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment  to enhancing service delivery, safeguarding transparency, and protecting Ghana’s image internationally. 

GNA 

Edited by Christian Akorlie  

May 27, 2025 

Featured

Prince Dornu-Leiku

Sports News

May – 27 – 2025 , 14:27

2 minutes read

Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh is a former MP for Manhyia South

Former Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has urged Ghanaians to take a rational approach when comparing governments, arguing that short-term assessments fail to capture the broader economic picture.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, as sighted by GhanaWeb Business, Dr Opoku Prempeh called for fair and constructive comparisons between governments, particularly when evaluating their performance.

He emphasised that a government that has been in office for just seven months cannot be accurately assessed against one that has served a full four-year term, noting that every administration experiences both progress and setbacks.

“Let’s allow rationality to sink in, and then we’ll see. You can’t compare a government that has been in office for seven months to one that has governed for four years,” he stated.

According to him, despite the cedi’s recent appreciation against the dollar by about 34%, the prices of goods continue to rise, which does not reflect a true improvement in the economy.

“The cedi has appreciated by about 34%, right? The dollar has come down. If you ask me, I should be very happy, but when goods and services that were priced when the dollar was at 15 cedis now have an even higher cedi equivalent than when the dollar was at 50 cedis, you begin to wonder what isn’t adding up,”

He further remarked, “Take a bag of cement, for example. It was 90 cedis before the elections. Now, it costs 140 cedis. Back then, the dollar was 15 cedis. Now, it is around 10 to 11 cedis, fluctuating daily. How do you justify a 90-cedi bag of cement when the dollar was 15 cedis, and then claim that things are getting better when the same cement now costs significantly more despite currency appreciation?”

It is too early to jubilate over the appreciation of the Ghana Cedis against the Dollar — Matthew Opoku-Prempeh pic.twitter.com/grLUa2TqUV

— ThisIsNeneOdompleh (@The1957News) May 27, 2025

SP/MA

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Ghana’s embassy in Washington, D.C. has been closed down temporarily to allow for investigations into alleged corrupt practices carried out by a staff of the embassy.

The corrupt practices, including illegal extra charges, which had been occurring for nearly five years, were uncovered by a special audit team who assembled a few months ago to investigate alleged corrupt practices at the embassy.

A statement issued yesterday under the hand of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, in Accra said all staff members posted to the Washington embassy had been recalled immediately whilst the embassy’s IT department has been promptly dissolved.

The statement mentioned that Mr Fred Kwarteng, a staff member from the embassy’s IT department, has been dismissed for creating an unauthorised section on the embassy’s website that diverted visa and passport applicants to his company, Ghana Travel Consultants (GTC).

“The illegal extra charges, which were not approved by the ministry and Parliament as required under the Fees and Charges Act, range from $29.75 to $60 per applicant. Investigations reveal that he and his collaborators operated this illegal scheme for at least five years.

This conduct has been reported to the Attorney General for possible prosecution and the retrieval of funds obtained through fraudulent schemes,” the statement read.

It further noted that all locally recruited staff at the embassy have been suspended.

“Ghana’s embassy in Washington, D.C., will be closed for a few days starting today as we finalise the ongoing restructuring and systems overhaul.

We regret any inconvenience these radical measures may cause visa and passport applicants,” it emphasised.

The statement also affirmed that President Mahama’s government will continue to uphold a zero-tolerance policy for corruption, conflict of interest, and blatant abuse of office.

By Isaac Kwaku Gyedu

Sefwi Wiawso (WN/R), May 27, GNA – Mr Wilbert Petty Brentum,  the Western North Regional Minister, says the 15 per cent reduction in transport fares will boost the economy by lowering the prices of goods and services across all sectors.  

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview, the Minister said the reduction was attributed to favourable microeconomic conditions, particularly the continuous appreciation of the cedi against the dollar, which had contributed to the drop in fuel prices.   

He said: “The fare reduction is expected to improve food prices since traders often factored transportation cost into their pricing, so they should support this initiative by adjusting their prices downward to reflect this significant progress.” 

Mr Brentum continued: “Under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, some economic policies have fostered a more favourable financial environment, allowing the currency to gain strength against other international currencies.” 

These policies, he added, had a direct and positive impact on the cost of imported goods, particularly fuel which was a critical component of the transport sector.   

He appealed to the leadership of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and other authorities to take actions against drivers who failed to comply with the directives. 

GNA 

Edited by Justina Paaga /Kenneth Odeng Adade 

Cedi moves to sell at GH¢10.35 against the dollar according to Bloomberg FX data

Ghana’s local currency, the cedi, has continued its upward trajectory, appreciating marginally to trade at GH¢10.35 to the US dollar as of 12:00 noon on May 27, 2025.

According to data from Bloomberg, this recent appreciation is part of a broader trend of currency stabilisation, supported by a combination of domestic policy reforms and favourable external conditions.

The Bank of Ghana, along with economic experts, have attributed the cedi’s strengthening to several key factors, including the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board, continued support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and tighter macroeconomic controls.

These measures have boosted investor confidence and contributed to the relative stability of the local currency.

Despite these positive developments, analysts caution that long-term stability depends on addressing deeper structural issues such as the country’s high import dependency and vulnerability to global commodity price fluctuations.

To sustain the cedi’s resilience, experts are urging the government to prioritise export diversification, implement more effective monetary policies, and maintain strict fiscal discipline.

SP/MA

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