The Minority in Parliament has accused the government of deliberately blocking the reintroduction of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly referred to as the anti-LBGTQ bill.

According to the caucus, it has been five weeks since the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, announced that the revised bill was undergoing final fine-tuning to facilitate its passage and implementation. However, the bill has yet to return to the House for consideration.

Raising the issue on the floor of Parliament on Friday, November 21, the lead sponsor of the bill and Member of Parliament for Assin South, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, called for the bill to be reprogrammed on the order paper next week.

“It is five weeks since Mr Speaker gave that ruling, and since then no attempt has been made by this House to have the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill addressed, even as the cancer of LGBTQ continues to devastate our norms and culture and threaten our family values in this country,” he said.

“There seems to be complete silence on this. The House must not create the impression that what was a priority in the Eighth Parliament has suddenly been thrown under the carpet.

“The Speaker declared that it should be on the order paper, but this attempt by the government to block the bill from being featured is a big disappointment to the people of this country. We demand that if it was an oversight or error, it must be corrected, and the bill added to the order paper so that it will be laid and presented for first reading.”

In response, the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, rejected the allegation, insisting that the government has no intention of obstructing the bill’s reintroduction.

He assured the House that the Mahama administration remains committed to ensuring the passage of the anti-LGBT bill.

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.

A flag of the New Patriotic Party

Electoral area coordinators in the Assin South Constituency of the Central Region, have said that one of the main causes of the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 election, was the utterances of some party leaders against the party.

Speaking on Thursday, November 20, 2025, during the campaign tour of Dr Bawumia in the constituency, 22 out of 25 electoral area coordinators of the constituency who openly declared their support for Bawumia, said propaganda is being waged against Bawumia as being responsible for the NPP’s defeat, adding, however, that the real reasons for the defeat are known.

NPP Primaries: Dr Bawumia receives widespread endorsements in Central Region

“We are not paying attention to the propaganda against him that he caused the defeat of the NPP. We the electoral area coordinators have been asking ourselves that for the number of parliamentary candidates who lost across the country, was it also the cause of Bawumia?,” the group said.

“The real reason for the party’s defeat is known. Some people’s utterances against the party really caused us. Also greed and neglect were some of the reasons, not the propaganda against Bawumia.”

The group reiterated it’s confidence in Dr Bawumia to transform the country as a leader, should he be given the nod.

“We have seen that Dr Bawumia is blessed with the vision to transform our country. So many good things he did when he served as Vice President are today benefiting the country, even under the NDC government.”

Electing Dr Bawumia as flagbearer will show NPP is open to all – Professor Sikanku

“We are 25 in number. Only 2 are not with us and one has passed away, so the remaining 22 are here to pledge our support for Dr Bawumia to lead our party to victory.”

Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum is the Minister of State for Special Initiatives

In an effort to tackle the country’s spiralling youth unemployment and earn foreign exchange, government – through the Ghana Labour Exchange Programme (GLEP) – is aiming to export 800,00 to one million skilled and unskilled labour in three to four years.

Briefing media on the programme in Accra, Minister of State for Special Initiatives, Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, said GLEP is projected to generate foreign exchange in excess of US$10billion annually.

“I’m looking at more than US$10billion coming into this country – probably three times the IMF bailout. This is something that can easily be done,” he said.

According to him, this would be a panacea to the debt-laden country that has gone to the IMF for a bailout 17 times since independence – and is currently under a US$3billion IMF bailout programme until 2026.

He stressed that these potential earnings are projected to surpass earnings of the country’s traditional exports like cocoa and gold.

The Bank of Ghana Governor, Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama, indicated that gold alone has brought in about US$8billion since the GoldBod was established in March.

This saw total international reserves surge to US$12billion, bringing relative stability to the local currency. The cedi appreciated by 37 percent year-to-date, according to Dr Asiama.

He however pointed to the Philippines, which he said earns about US$135billion annually from its overseas workers; and India, which garnered US$130billion in 2023 to prove the programme’s economic potential.

“Closer to home, Egypt now makes about US$35billion from labour export – more than the Suez Canal. Kenya made US$5.08 billion,” he added.

The programme, which he said is the “vision” of President John Mahama, is designed to reduce domestic unemployment, inject massive forex into the economy and upskill the national workforce.

“We are looking at a holistic approach. Some people think that labour export is brain-drain. But I tell people it is rather a brain-gain,” the minister intimated, pushing back against critics who label such initiatives as “brain drain”.

“You cannot stop it. We live in a global village,” he argued, maintaining that workers who go abroad refine their skills, attitude and mentality. According to the minister, this will benefit the country when they return, confirming that “the likelihood of these workers coming back to Ghana is about 80-90 percent”.

The Ghana Labour Exchange Programme targets both highly skilled professionals and unskilled labourers.

The minister said doctors, nurses, lab technicians, pharmacists and IT experts are in high demand in other countries and can be exported.

He also noted that carpenters, steel-benders, bricklayers and welders capable of working in industries like shipbuilding are also in high demand.

“For the non-skilled, we are looking at people who can go as helpers, labourers, seasonal farm helpers, or even those who can work on a ship with just a basic training of about six weeks,” he explained.

The minister revealed there is immediate demand for workers worldwide, citing aging populations in several western and Asian countries that need active youth to take up jobs. However, he didn’t state explicitly where these workers will be taken.

Parliament adopts report for review of Petroleum Revenue Management Act

He cited continuous demand for Ghanaian workers, stating that “1,000 to 2,000 nurses” are being recruited for specific locations and 654 drivers already recruited for a single country.

Agyekum indicated that plans are far advanced to streamline travelling processes and ensure the workers safety, stating that dedicated desks will be put at various embassies to handle issues and queries and fast-track the acquisition of travelling documents for these workers.

“The safety of our people is the paramount thing. All our embassies are going to have a desk officer,” he said, adding that government is signing memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with host countries to protect the workers’ rights.

The minister emphasised that some training may be provided for people seeking jobs without prior training, adding that the workers will be given initial contract periods ranging from 9 months to 2 years – after which they can return to Ghana or opt for a contract renewal.

However, he expressed his outfit’s commitment to collaborating with other ministries and government agencies in ensuring that the programme achieves its intended purpose of stemming the unemployment canker and securing the livelihoods and welfare of Ghanaians youth while earning foreign exchange for the country.

All you need to know about Ghana’s new vehicle number plates |BizTech:

The University of Ghana has initiated an internal review into a widely circulated video capturing a heated confrontation between two senior faculty members, Professor Ransford Gyampo and Dr George Domfeh, during a live appearance on TV3’s The Key Points on Saturday, November 15.

The viral footage, which has sparked intense discussion on social media and within academic circles, shows a fierce verbal exchange between the Political Science lecturer and the Development Economist. Their debate quickly escalated into personal attacks, shocking viewers and raising concerns about professional conduct.

In a statement issued on Friday, November 21, the University confirmed that internal processes have begun to assess the conduct of both academics in line with the University’s Statutes (2024) and the Code of Conduct for Academic Senior Members (2011). These regulations outline expected standards of integrity, respect, and decorum for all senior staff.

“The University of Ghana demands high standards of professionalism and integrity from all its faculty and staff,” the statement said. “We expect every member of the University community to uphold these values, not just in their professional roles but also in their private and public engagements.”

The incident occurred during a segment of The Key Points, a current affairs programme known for robust debates on national issues. The on-air disagreement between the two academics quickly deteriorated from policy arguments to a personal confrontation.

The University emphasised its commitment to maintaining the dignity of the institution and preserving public confidence.

“Management remains firmly dedicated to safeguarding the reputation of the University, ensuring that the high standards expected of its members are consistently met,” the statement continued. “The University will take necessary disciplinary actions based on the outcome of the internal review.”

The institution has reiterated its dedication to promoting a culture of mutual respect, integrity, and professionalism values it says must guide both internal relations and the public engagements of its staff.

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.

Telecel Ghana has officially opened its newest retail outlet at the Takoradi Mall. The new retail shop marks another significant step in Telecel Ghana’s commitment to expanding access and convenience for customers in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis.

The Telecel retail shop at the Takoradi Mall, the 493rd outlet of the telco, provides a comprehensive range of services, including SIM registration and replacement, fixed broadband and mobile connectivity, Telecel Cash transactions, enterprise business solutions, and device sales. Customers will also enjoy personalised support from trained staff ready to assist with technical issues and provide product guidance.

As part of its growth strategy, Telecel is implementing an innovative partnership model with local entrepreneurs. Mercy Dawn Akude, General Manager for Commercial Operations at Telecel Ghana, emphasised the company’s ongoing investment in retail partnerships that empower local businesses and bring products and services closer to customers.

“Our retail model strengthens existing businesses by enabling owners to offer a broader range of services, attract more footfall, and upgrade their retail spaces,’ Mercy Dawn explained.

“This approach expands our reach and ensures customers can access support where they live and work. We believe collaborating with local business owners who understand their communities best is the right way forward.”

The local partner for the Takoradi Mall retail shop, Buadac Company Limited, said Telecel’s presence is enriching the variety of services available to customers, creating more revenue streams for the business and strengthening the Takoradi Mall’s position as a central hub for both business and leisure in the twin port city.

National Retail Manager, Anita Yayra Akoto, addressing attendees at the Takoradi Mall, said the opening of the shop reflects Telecel Ghana’s goal of being more accessible and responsive to customer needs.

“We encourage everyone in and around Takoradi to visit our new retail shop at the Takoradi Mall. Our team is ready to welcome customers, assist with their needs, and share the positive, connective energy that defines our brand,” she said.

The launch of the Telecel retail shop at the Takoradi Mall forms part of the telco’s broader retail expansion plan, which includes upgrading existing outlets through partnerships across the country to enhance accessibility and customer satisfaction.

Customers who walked into the new Takoradi Mall Retail Shop throughout the opening week received rewards, including branded souvenirs, as they accessed Telecel Ghana’s full range of products and services.

Telecel Ghana expands retail footprint with new shop at the Takoradi Mall.

2026 Budget: 141% CAPEX ambitious and unrealistic — CPS warns

Ghana’s proposed spending plan for next year reflects a fundamental change in how government intends to use the country’s renewed economic stability, according to analysis from professional services firm KPMG.

After experiencing significant financial turbulence over the past two years, the administration is now positioning the budget to translate recovered stability into tangible improvements for households and businesses. The analysis suggests this marks a departure from emergency response mode toward deliberate investment in living standards.

Economic indicators show measurable progress, with inflation declining from 24 percent last year to 9.4 percent by September, while the cedi has strengthened by 37 percent against the dollar as of mid-October. The International Monetary Fund attributes much of the inflation improvement to exchange rate stability, noting how currency movements significantly influence price levels across African economies.

The fiscal framework outlined in the budget demonstrates commitment to sustained discipline. Government aims to achieve a primary surplus of 1.5 percent of gross domestic product on a commitment basis, aligning with the country’s fiscal responsibility framework. This target represents a critical signal following debt restructuring and fiscal challenges experienced in the previous year.

KPMG’s assessment emphasizes how policy interventions now directly target areas affecting ordinary citizens. The analysis points to several strategic focuses including agricultural development to reduce food costs and generate employment, energy infrastructure improvements to lower production expenses for businesses, and transportation projects to connect communities with economic opportunities.

The 24-Hour Economy initiative features prominently in agricultural planning, with government establishing processing zones that will operate continuously to handle cocoa, rice, palm oil, and cassava into finished products. These facilities will utilize modern equipment, cold storage, and renewable power systems. The broader program carries an estimated cost of four billion dollars initially, with government committing 300 million as seed capital and the remainder mobilized through public-private arrangements.

Revenue projections show government targeting 268.1 billion cedis in total collections, representing an 18.3 percent increase over the previous year’s figure of 226.7 billion. Non-oil tax revenue will provide the largest contribution at 216.1 billion cedis, supported by compliance improvements and enforcement measures.

KPMG connects Ghana’s budget to broader continental efforts to mobilize domestic resources for economic transformation rather than depending on external emergency support. The firm concludes that maintaining focus and discipline could enable the country to both preserve stability gains and generate meaningful improvements in citizens’ daily economic experiences.

Ghana is prepared to begin a controlled rollout of its central bank digital currency (CBDC) following significant progress made by the Bank of Ghana (BoG), according to Abena Osei-Poku, Managing Director of Ecobank Ghana.

Osei-Poku made the remarks at the Currency Anniversary Conference in Accra on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, as part of the Cedi at 60 celebrations. She emphasized that stakeholders in the financial sector have observed meaningful strides from the central bank regarding the introduction of the eCedi.

The Ecobank executive stated that the introduction and full implementation of the eCedi, together with broader digital payment reforms, will be crucial in strengthening Ghana’s monetary sovereignty and reducing dependence on foreign currencies. Her comments align with recent statements from BoG Governor Dr. Johnson Asiama, who announced intensified efforts by the central bank to curb dollarization and reinforce the Cedi as the country’s sole legal tender.

Dr. Asiama cautioned that rising currency substitution threatens the long term stability of the Ghanaian economy. The governor’s position underscores the strategic importance of the eCedi as a tool for maintaining monetary control and reducing reliance on foreign currencies in domestic transactions.

Osei-Poku said Ghana’s ongoing work in payment modernization and digital currency development reflects a strong commitment to building a resilient financial system. She noted that other African countries have demonstrated the regulatory benefits of digital currencies.

The Ecobank Managing Director added that countries such as Nigeria have demonstrated how central bank digital currencies can improve regulatory oversight, stating that digital currencies give the central bank better visibility and control over the entire payment ecosystem. Nigeria launched the eNaira in October 2021, becoming Africa’s first country to introduce a CBDC.

The Bank of Ghana first announced its plans for the eCedi in August 2021, entering into a partnership with Giesecke and Devrient to conduct feasibility studies and develop a prototype. The central bank conducted a pilot program in 2022 that ran for four months in select areas including Accra, Tarkwa and Sefwi Asafo, testing both online and offline functionality to accommodate users without internet access.

The pilot involved approximately 2,750 people making real transactions in their everyday lives. The trial was designed to test whether the CBDC could be used to digitize payments, strengthen the economy, increase financial inclusion and address emerging risks from unregulated private currencies or virtual assets.

Ghana had been among the frontrunners in Africa’s CBDC race, with its digital currency research more advanced than most nations. However, progress has stalled since the initial pilot. The planned 2023 launch was delayed due to high inflation experienced at that time. Former BoG Governor Ernest Addison stated that high inflation was not the context in which to launch a digital currency, prompting officials to slow down the process and refocus efforts on the macro environment.

According to recent reports, the Bank of Ghana expects to launch a retail CBDC in 2025 pending the enactment of necessary legislation. The timeline represents a two year delay from the original target despite the successful pilot program.

Kwame Oppong, who heads fintech and innovation at the BoG, has emphasized that offline payment capability was one of the key features the central bank wanted in its CBDC. He stated that the bank wanted to create an instrument that allows people to live off grid and use it as they would use cash. This feature is particularly important given that approximately 47 percent of Ghanaians lack internet access.

The eCedi will function beyond the last mile of cell connectivity, addressing a critical barrier to financial inclusion. Without offline functionality, a CBDC would exclude nearly half the population and undermine financial inclusion efforts. Oppong noted that while mobile connectivity in Ghana exceeds 100 percent, internet connectivity stands at around 70 percent, with those without internet access mainly residing in rural areas.

Unlike some central banks that have explored distributed ledger technology (DLT) for their CBDCs, Ghana will steer clear of decentralized technology, at least in the initial phase. The BoG has opted for a centralized model, though the eCedi will be flexible to allow interoperability with DLT systems in the future.

The digital currency has received international recognition, securing the Innovation in Digital Currency Design for Financial Inclusion award during Payment and Innovation Week in London. The central bank won the award for its compelling demonstration of the eCedi’s design elements, encompassing governance, accessibility including online and offline capabilities, interoperability and infrastructure with the potential to promote financial inclusion.

The eCedi forms part of the Digital Ghana Agenda, which aims for digitization of Ghana’s 30 million people and government services. The digital currency is designed to complement the Ghanaian cedi and serve as an alternative to physical cash, supporting the Cashlite Agenda. Electronic tokens backed by the Ghana government will replace coin minting or printing paper notes.

Ghana’s new regulatory framework for digital assets is also progressing. Governor Dr. Asiama announced that the Bank of Ghana will begin regulating cryptocurrency platforms and virtual asset service providers by September 2025 through the Virtual Asset Providers Act. The legislation will introduce comprehensive licensing rules and cybersecurity standards, marking a transition from informal adoption to institutional governance.

The BoG is establishing a dedicated unit to oversee digital assets and ensure compliance within the sector. The regulatory framework will require mandatory registration for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), enforce anti money laundering protocols and implement enhanced security measures.

Dr. Asiama emphasized that the central bank cannot prevent blockchain technology, so it must move quickly to regulate it. The proactive approach positions Ghana among Africa’s leaders in developing structured digital finance regulation.

Osei-Poku, who became Managing Director of Ecobank Ghana and Regional Executive for the Anglophone West Africa Region in January 2024, brings over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Her expertise spans corporate and investment banking, business banking and risk management at the regional level. She previously served as Managing Director of Absa Bank Ghana, where she successfully led the transition from Barclays to Absa.

The executive currently serves as Chairperson of the Advisory Board of the College of Health Sciences at the University of Ghana and is a member of the executive councils of the Ghana Association of Banks and the National Banking College. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Manchester Business School and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Statistics from the University of Ghana.

Ecobank Ghana operates as part of the pan African Ecobank Group, which maintains presence across 33 African countries. The bank has 65 branches, numerous point of sale terminals, many Quick Response (QR) codes in stores and over 248 Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) across Ghana.

The successful implementation of the eCedi will depend on its ability to drive financial inclusion, enhance payment efficiency and build public trust while avoiding the adoption challenges experienced by Nigeria’s eNaira, which by March 2024 accounted for just 0.36 percent of total money in circulation.

Undoubtedly, Ghana is a country full of surprising developments, especially in the political arena. But was it my imagination, or did I see a TV news clip of President John Mahama expressing initial comments that seemed to blame the system used under the previous government, for the ghastly recruitment stampede that caused the deaths of six ‘Ghana royals’ on November 12, 2025?

And did I really hear President Mahama, Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), say that the exercise should have been better organised, but that it had been done according to the existing format which his administration had inherited; and they would now improve it?

But even without an investigation, isn’t it natural to think that those who organise an exercise should be the first to be held responsible for its outcome, good or bad?

Anyway, the Accra exercise which was suspended after the stampede tragedy, is to resume on Thursday, November 20, 2025. President Mahama directed that it should be on hold for the process to be reviewed. However, the exercise in other regions continued.

According to media reports, the deceased were six young women who were among the 34 stampede victims rushed to the 37 Military Hospital on that fateful Wednesday morning. In response to media advertisements, some 21,000 young men and women had thronged the El-Wak Stadium, Accra, for screening for possible enlistment into the various arms of the GAF.

A statement issued by the GAF said preliminary investigations indicated that the stampede was triggered by an unexpected surge of applicants who rushed to enter the stadium at 06:20 a.m., ahead of the commencement.

Briefing Parliament on November 12, Finance Minister and currently Acting Minister for Defence, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, confirmed the six deaths, and a number injured, some critically and on admission at the 37 Military Hospital.

Dr. Forson noted that the recruitment process, had been decentralised to ease congestion and ensure transparency.

“The Ministry of Defence has extended its condolences to the bereaved families,” and he assured the public of a thorough investigation into the incident.

Under the new arrangements the resumed Accra exercise will take place at eight sub-centres within five locations, including El-Wak. Qualified applicants in batches of 600 persons would each receive a text message with details.

One wishes that the revised procedure will ensure minimum inconvenience for the applicants.

Nevertheless, the deaths of six young women in a manner one wouldn’t want to hear about even in a nightmare, is a huge blot on the image of the GAF.

How was it possible for applicants for recruitment into our GAF, noted globally for efficiency and discipline, to meet such a terrible fate?

Should the organisers not have assessed the existing system to see if it needed changes?

Furthermore, surely, those in charge of the exercise knew what numbers to expect, going by the thousands who had bought the GH¢

200 application form?

Did they factor in the numbers, said to be 21,000? That figure is a stark, terrifying reflection of the gravity of the country’s unemployment problem; realistically, to be tackled by private sector jobs.

Why was it not possible to stagger the recruitment, to cater for a manageable number each day, possibly even allowing for the provision of seating?

Were there any toilets? Reportedly, some applicants had started queuing the previous night!

From the images, most applicants were wearing white t-shirts, meaning that perhaps they had received an instruction about a dress code. So why didn’t the same dress code thinking extend to ensuring the well-being, health and safety of the applicants?

Not surprisingly, a Board of Inquiry was immediately announced, to find out the answers to the inevitable questions about the stampede; a country in shock and needing answers.

But the general skepticism about investigation verdicts, evident in online comments, is quite understandable. Ours is a country where we are quick to set up investigation bodies, with fanfare, but the conclusions are usually slow in coming; and, worse, hardly ever do we get to know the identified offenders and their punishment.

Take the example of the recurrent fire outbreaks in markets, why are there always immediate promises of an investigation, but the outcome is hardly ever made known?

Usually, investigation findings are in the ‘non-stick’ realm; no charge sticks to anybody; nobody is held accountable, what I term ‘Teflon verdicts’ – to borrow a tag from the nickname first given to the 40^th US President, Ronald Reagan, ‘Teflon President’. (Teflon is a kind of plastic used to coat pots and pans so that the food will not stick to the bottom during cooking.)

According  to reference sources, it was “Representative Patricia Schroeder, a Democrat from Colorado, (who in 1983) coined the term “Teflon President” in reference to Ronald Reagan. She said, “He’s just like a Teflon frying pan: Nothing sticks to him”. Schroeder was frustrated by the president’s ability to evade blame for political and economic issues, unlike other politicians.”

If no blame for anybody, how can there be punishment to serve as a deterrent?

Anyhow, I hope that the revised recruitment format is hassle free for the already conceivably stressed applicants.

Notably, the GAF November 12 trauma has highlighted the supremacy of the mobile phone in our lives. These days it appears that every employment opportunity depends on a job-seeker having a sophisticated mobile phone!

It’s interesting, and disturbing, that the assumption is that every young person, every aspiring GAF recruit has a smartphone, capable of undertaking the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tasks required by the application process!

Perhaps the fact that as many as 21,000 were able to manouvre their way through the online process and qualify for the 2025 screening, indicates that it is ‘doable’.

But does it mean that it is a level playing field? Is it truly an all-inclusive opportunity?

Should it be assumed that every potential applicant has a smartphone? Or that everyone lives in an area with good mobile phone network?

Does this state of affairs take account of the digital divide (“the gulf between those who have ready access to computers and the internet, and those who do not”); the importance of inclusivity “equal access to opportunities and resources”?

Thus, I see as a factor for consideration the need to devise an avenue for would-be applicants who don’t have smartphones or ICT expertise – surely, there will be some?

Another issue on my mind: in the resumed exercise, are the November 12 applicants required to go through the same application process? Are they to pay the same fee? Why didn’t the release about the resumption provide information about that?

So many questions needing answers!

I can’t help thinking that perhaps it was such perplexing issues that inspired American singer Johnny Nash’s 1972 hit, ‘There are more questions than answers’.

But, hopefully, the Board’s findings will not merit the ‘Teflon verdict’ description.

By Ajoa Yeboah-Afari

The cedi has depreciated slightly to trade at GH¢11.08 to the dollar on the interbank market as of Friday, November 21, 2025.

This shows the pressure the local currency is facing from major foreign currencies.

However, the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, during the 2026 Budget presentation in Parliament announced that government is targeting a primary surplus of 1.5% of GDP next year, signaling a firm commitment to fiscal discipline.

He further noted that the overall fiscal deficit is projected at 2.2% of GDP on a commitment basis and 4% on a cash basis.

According to Dr Forson, this approach underscores government’s goal of balancing fiscal consolidation with economic growth, ensuring financial stability while continuing to invest in critical development projects.

Inflation back to single digits – Dr Ato Forson ‘brags’

Here’s how the cedi is faring on the Bank of Ghana interbank market:

• Dollar – Buying at GH¢11.07, Selling at GH¢11.08

• Pound – Buying at GH¢14.48, Selling at GH¢14.50

• Euro – Buying at GH¢12.75, Selling at GH¢12.77

Here’s how the cedi is trading at the forex bureaus

• Dollar – Buying at GH¢11.80, Selling at GH¢12.20

• Pound – Buying at GH¢15.30, Selling at GH¢16.20

• Euro – Buying at GH¢13.30, Selling at GH¢14.20

All you need to know about Ghana’s new vehicle number plates | BizTech:

By Hafsa Obeng, GNA  

Accra, Nov. 21, GNA – The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has held a stakeholder meeting to advance preparations for the 2025 edition of “December in GH,” a flagship pillar of the broader Black Star Experience.  

The meeting brought together event organisers, security agencies, industry partners and other players within the tourism and creative sectors.  

Addressing participants, Mrs Maame Efua Houadjeto, Chief Executive Officer, GTA, underscored the need for stronger coordination and disciplined execution as the country readies itself for another highly anticipated festive season.  

She said the “Black Star Experience”, powered significantly by “December in GH”, had evolved into a national driver of tourism growth, investment, and creative industry expansion, adding that the 2025 calendar reflected growing international confidence in Ghana as a premium destination.  

Mrs Houadjeto, however, noted that the sector’s growth must be matched with responsibility, stressing the need to reinforce safety, compliance and operational excellence across all events.  

She said visitors continued to choose Ghana for its authenticity and quality of experience, and stakeholders must work collectively to safeguard that reputation.  

The engagement provided a platform for institutions to strengthen inter-agency collaboration, identify operational gaps, anticipate risks and align on the standards required to ensure smooth implementation of activities for the season.  

The CEO outlined three critical priorities for the 2025 festivities: strengthening compliance and safety across event venues, ensuring timely communication to avoid last-minute disruptions, and improving data collection to support evidence-based planning and impact assessment.  

She also assured participants of the Authority’s support through enhanced facilitation, responsive coordination and the swift resolution of bottlenecks to ensure an efficient and successful festive period.  

The GTA CEO reaffirmed the GTA’s commitment to sustaining the credibility of the “Black Star Experience” and delivering a December season that continues to capture global attention.  

GNA  

Christian Akorlie   

The Senior Rent Officer and Head of Public Relations at the Rent Control Department, Emmanuel Xove Kporsu, has attributed the rising cost of rent in Ghana to unregulated agent activities.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Friday, November 21, Mr Kporsu said the conduct of some agents and brokers continues to distort the rental market, pushing tenants to pay far more than they should.

He explained that the Real Estate Agency Act, passed in 2020, and a subsequent stakeholder engagement held in October, are intended to sanitise the sector by regulating fees and operations of agents. According to him, a council has already been established to oversee the implementation of the law.

Mr Kporsu noted that under the new framework, the council will prescribe approved fees for anyone operating as an agent or broker, issue licences and certificates, and ensure only qualified persons operate within the space.

“You cannot sit under a tree and call yourself an agent. It is an offence to call yourself an agent if you do not have your licence. The space will be regulated,” he stressed.

He further linked high rental charges to collusion between landlords and unregistered agents, explaining that although the law prohibits landlords from demanding more than six months’ rent advance, some agents influence landlords to request as much as two years.

“The agent is a contributor to the high rent in Ghana. The law says the landlord does not have the right to demand more than six months’ rent advance, but the tenant has the right to pay more than six months.

“The issue is that the agent colludes with the landlord to demand two years because they feel their fees are small if they take only six months,” he said.

Prof Eric Yirenkyi Danquah, Founding Director of West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement, has emphasised that the Feed Ghana Programme (FGP) must aim for transformative change rather than mere improvement.

He stressed that the FGP, government’s flagship initiative designed to accelerate the transformation and modernisation of the agricultural sector should be a catalyst for revolutionary change in the sector.

The professor of Plant Molecular Genetics at the University of Ghana said this while delivering his keynote address at the Food, Agriculture, Technology and Sustainability Conference at Ho Technical University (HTU) themed: “Rethinking the Future of Food and its Allied Systems in an Era of Sustainability and Circularity.”

“FGP is a good start but Ghana needs transformation, not another improvement plan. Our greatest opportunity is to build a science-led, innovative-driven, market-ready agricultural economy,” he said.

He said the FGP must succeed and not fail “because if this fails, we’re doomed for life,” outlining that its success would mean Ghana feeding itself, farmers producing for markets, not survival, youth entering agribusiness profitably, climate-resilient, data-driven farming and, Ghana becoming a net exporter, not an importer.

The globally recognised plant geneticist and science leader suggested that things be done differently for the desired change, including more science, innovation and modern breeding, strengthened seed systems and breeder seed pipelines, fixed agricultural financing, strong irrigation and water management, and data and digital tools for decision-making.

Cedi closes week at GH¢11.08 to $1 on interbank market

“Agriculture, you know is central but growth slowed down terribly over a very long time, imports rise in over $2.5 billion. And when you look deeper, you see that yields are too low, post-harvest losses. There is weak irrigation, limited finance. And we need to reset Ghana and I’m happy that we have a government which is talking about resetting Ghana. What do we mean by resetting Ghana? Past plans failed. Why did they fail? Weak execution. With weak execution, what do you expect?”

He called for visionary investment, turning knowledge into national power through sustained investment in science, technology and innovation saying, “The prosperity of nations is written in their budgets for research.”

Prof Danquah wondered why Ghana would wait for planes to arrive from Paris and Tel Aviv to give vegetable seeds to farmers to plant and said the time had come to start pressing charges of crime against humanity “for politicians who do not invest in science and technology to face the law because of course, many die of their inaction.”

Prof Ibok N. Oduro, an astute researcher and professor of Post-harvest Technology at the Department of Food Science and Technology at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in her presentation described Ghana’s food system as a story of both “progress and paradox,” saying where there were notable strides, there were still challenges of food security, poverty and sustainability issues.

She noted the country had potential for agricultural growth but needed to address factors like climate change, limited access to modern farming techniques and market infrastructure, warning that “We cannot continue as usual. We must innovate not only in laboratories, but in policies, practices and mindsets.”

Mr Eric Opoku, Minister of Food and Agriculture was grateful for the conference and said the insights, experiences and the dialogue from the conference aligned with the FGP initiative, designed to ensure that Ghana was able to produce food sufficiently to feed her citizens and to ensure the agriculture sector was repositioned to guarantee incessant supply of raw materials for agro-industrial operations.

He assured of government’s readiness to mobilise all the resources available, material and human, to make an impact, saying, “We have the brainpower, except that we are not making maximum use of the brainpower that we have.”

Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and Caretaker Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, through his representative, said the transformation of the agriculture sector could not occur in silos but required a coordinated ecosystem that linked research, industry, students, entrepreneurs and policy makers.

“It requires that knowledge generated in universities and research institutions is translated into usable technologies and commercially viable solutions that benefit farmers, agribusinesses and households.”

Dr Marindame Kombate, a representative from Ghana Circular Economy Centre, said circular economy was not a side conversation but central to the future of Ghana’s food and agriculture systems, urging, “Let us design a future where waste becomes value, innovation becomes opportunities and a future where Ghana leads Africa in the secular transition.”

Prof Ben Q. Honyenuga, Vice-Chancellor, HTU said the conference was in line with the university’s vision to become a hub of practical education, advancing sustainable global development and alluded to its breakthrough research which reduced the gestation period of baobab plant from between 20 to 30 years to only two and a half.

“Additionally, our niche area in hospitality and tourism management positions us to explore the intersection between food systems and its value chain. We cannot talk about hospitality without talking about food and agriculture technology and allied fields.”

James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, assured the Vice-Chancellor that the Regional Coordinating Council was ready to collaborate with the university.

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Senyo Hosi is an economic policy analyst

Economic policy analyst and entrepreneur, Senyo Hosi, has praised the Mahama government for demonstrating fiscal prudence and restoring macroeconomic stability since assuming office in January.

He however cautioned that much more must be done to make the recovery sustainable and inclusive.

Speaking at the 2025 Deloitte Economic Dialogue on the 2026 Budget, Hosi described the budget as “great” and reflective of discipline and progress, but stressed that Ghana has yet to achieve meaningful transformation.

He noted that while revenue outturns in 2025 exceeded projections — GH¢226 billion against a forecast of GH¢211 billion — and expenditure was contained, the 2026 budget “is not transformational.”

“There’s brilliance in this budget, especially in capital expenditure plans meant to drive growth. But the question is whether that infrastructure will stimulate sustainable growth,” he said.

Hosi commended government’s restructuring of mineral royalties and avoidance of the controversial Agyapa deal, arguing that Ghana would have lost billions annually had the deal gone through.

He also endorsed the Gold Board’s traceability policy, describing it as one of the most significant economic reforms in the past decade.

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He warned that inequality, food insecurity, and unemployment remain deep-rooted challenges.

Senyo Hosi cited IMF and census data showing youth underemployment at 50 percent, with poverty levels largely unchanged and food insecurity affecting 15 million people, up from 11 million in 2016.

On agriculture, he lamented that the sector employs over 38 percent of the workforce but contributes only 21 percent to GDP, calling it “structurally weak and underproductive.”

Hosi also downplayed the government’s “24-hour economy” initiative, saying it should be the outcome of sound policy rather than a slogan.

“You don’t declare a 24-hour economy. You create conditions for it,” he argued.

He urged government and the private sector to prioritize research, industrialization, and transparency as pillars of long-term growth.

“Beyond applause and slogans, we must make Ghana productive again — research-driven, transparent, and fair,” he said.

The Deloitte Economic Dialogue brought together policymakers, academics, and industry leaders to analyze Ghana’s annual budget and its implications for growth and fiscal management.

The 2025 edition focused on the theme “Resetting Growth, Jobs, and Economic Transformation” under Ghana’s IMF-supported stabilization program.

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