President John Dramani Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has expressed strong confidence that Ghana will successfully complete its $3 billion Extended Credit Facility (ECF) program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by its scheduled end in April 2026, without the need for an extension.

Speaking at an aftermath conference of the Kwahu Business Forum with business leaders, President Mahama reiterated his commitment to maintaining fiscal discipline throughout the IMF-supported program and beyond.

“I can assure you that we will maintain fiscal discipline and prudence during the IMF program, but our discipline will not end there,” he said. “Even after we exit next year, my hope is that we will have implemented the program so effectively that there will be no need for an extension beyond April 2026,” he said.

The president emphasised that responsible economic management would continue even after the programme concludes, helping to create a more stable environment for private sector growth.

“After we complete the program, we will continue to manage government expenditure responsibly and maintain disciplined economic management, creating more space for private sector growth,” he noted.

He also reaffirmed his commitment to empowering the private sector, describing it as the engine of economic recovery and a critical player in addressing the country’s unemployment challenges.

“If the private sector thrives, the economy thrives. If the private sector is happy, government is happy. It is the private sector that can absorb and employ the teeming youth graduating from all levels of our educational system,” he stated.

His comments come as Ghana continues its efforts under the IMF program to stabilise the economy, improve public finance management, and restore investor confidence.

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President John Mahama has appointed nine people, including former Minister for National Security, Kofi Totobi Quakyi and former Electoral Commission Chairperson Charlotte Osei as members of the Board of Directors of the Ghana National Gas Limited Company (GNGLC).

With Mr Quakyi to serve as the Chairman, other members of the board include, acting CEO Judith Adjobah Blay, Emmanuel Vincent, Nasira Afrah Gyekye (MP), Samuel Kwame Borlu, Awulae Agyefi Kwame II, Baba Abdul Jamal Adama and Sekondi MP, Blay Nyameke Armah.

In a statement dated April 30, Ghana Gas lauded the appointments as a reflection of the President’s confidence in the new board’s ability to lead the company effectively.

“We look forward to working with the new board to enhance the company’s operations, address challenges, ensure quality standards, and foster peaceful coexistence,” the statement added.

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.

In furtherance of the significant strides for women in leadership and Ghana’s financial services sector, Matilda Asante-Asiedu has been appointed the 2nd Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana. Her appointment makes her the third woman in the nation’s history to occupy this high office.

What sets Mrs. Asante-Asiedu apart is her remarkable career transformation from the newsroom to the boardroom. As a former journalist and Editor of Ghana’s most influential JOYNEWS brand, she played a pivotal role in shaping Ghana’s public discourse during the country’s transition to multiparty democracy. Her media career, which included stints with the BBC World Service and extensive editorial leadership, earned her numerous accolades, including the BBC World Service Award and Ghana Journalists Association recognition.

Fifteen years ago, she transitioned into the world of finance, joining Access Bank Ghana as a founding executive. She has since served in various senior management roles Head of Corporate Communications, Head of Exclusive Banking, overseeing Private Banking, Embassies and NGO’s. Her last role was Group Head for Retail Banking, and this cemented her influence in shaping retail strategy, product innovation, and financial inclusion.

Mrs. Asante-Asiedu is celebrated for her pioneering leadership of Access Bank’s “W Initiative,” an award-winning financial inclusion program targeting women. Under the initiative thousands of women entrepreneurs across the country benefitted from financial and business literacy programs, grants, and concessionary lending to expand their businesses. These interventions earned the Bank global acclaim, including recognition by The Banker Magazine and the World Economic Magazine.

Mrs. Asante-Asiedu also led landmark digital lending partnerships with Ghana’s biggest telecommunication company MTN. Under this partnership millions of Ghanaians can now own smart phones under a high purchase scheme in line with Ghana’s digital transformation agenda.

She also led Access Bank’s partnership with Autochek, to facilitate consumer access to credit for vehicle purchases.

In her new role as 2nd Deputy Governor, Mrs. Asante-Asiedu will oversee banking operations, banking supervision, and financial stability and these are core responsibilities critical to Ghana’s macroeconomic health and regulatory integrity.

Her academic credentials are as impressive as her professional achievements. She holds an MBA from the GIMPA Business School, and a Master’s in Journalism from Cardiff University. In addition, she obtained executive education from the Oxford Saïd Business School, the Wharton School, at the University of Pennsylvania and the Marquette University. She is a Chartered Banker and an adjunct lecturer at the University of Professional Studies (UPSA-Accra).

She Is a seasoned conference speaker on digital innovation, women’s empowerment, SME growth and financial inclusion.

Matilda Asante-Asiedu’s appointment reinforces President John Mahama’s commitment to gender inclusion and representation across the various sectors of the economy. This appointment has been hailed by various stakeholders

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.

Accra, April 30, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has nominated 33 individuals for appointment as district chief executives for the Eastern Region, pending approval by their respective district assemblies. 

A statement signed by Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, copied to the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday, said the nominations were made in accordance with Article 243(1) of the 1992 Constitution and Section 20(1) of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936). 

The nominees are; Kate Mawusi Babanawo, Kwahu Afram Plains North, Moses Tangmee, Kwahu Afram Plains South, Samuel Asamoah, Kwahu East, David Effah Osei Bonsu, Kwahu South, Tamimu Halidu, Kwahu West, Hakeem Antwi Abdul, Birim North, Ernest Owusu Ntim, Atiwa East, Amo John Anom, Atiwa West, Eric William Ayettey, Okere,  

Emmanuel Kofi Nti, Kweabibrim, Mercy Korang, Fanteakwa South, and Osumanu Abubakar, Fanteakwa North. 

The rest are Brim Central, Solomon Kusi Brako,  Birim South, Taaju Rahim, Achiase, Samuel Owusu Brako, Akyemansa, Linda Ahenkora, Denkyembour, Umar Ahmed, Asene-Manso Akroso, Eric Ahinakwa, Upper West Akim, Rebecca Chissah, Lower West Akim, Paulina Akabila, Lower Manya Krobo, John Martey, Nsawam Adoagyiri, Philibert Amenorpe Selorm Fumey, Kraboa Coatal, Joshua Lartey, and New Juaben North, Samuel Adongo. 

The others are New Juaben South, Ransford Owusu Boakye, Akuapem North, John Evans Kumordzi, Akuapem South, Paul Osae Offei, Abuakwa South, Nana Adu Sarpong Addo Aikins, Abuakwa North, Charles Darko Yeboah, Suhum, Lydia Ohenewa Sarah, Yilo Krobo, Francis Addo Akumatey, Upper Manya Krobo, Emmanuel Kwesi Lawer, and Asuogyaman, Godwin Bobobee. 

GNA 

ABD 

Market capitalisation hits GH¢135.97bn on the GSE

The Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) extended its bullish run on the back of gains recorded in select banking and telecom equities, as the benchmark GSE Composite Index (GSE-CI) advanced by 30.47 points to close at 6,095.57 points.

This pushed the index’s Year-to-Date (YTD) return to 24.69%.

The Financial Stock Index (GSE-FSI) also closed higher, rising by 12.83 points to 3,112.17 points, reflecting a YTD return of 30.72%, buoyed by renewed investor interest in financial sector stocks.

Market capitalisation surged by GH¢369.34 million to settle at GH¢135.97 billion, driven by price appreciations in telecom and banking stocks.

Trading activity recorded a sharp rebound, with the volume of shares traded increasing by 94.88% to 341,936 shares.

This translated into a total trade value of GH¢15.2 million.

MTN Ghana (MTNGH) and Société Générale Ghana (SOGEGH) emerged as gainers for the session, closing at GH¢3.02 and GH¢1.76 respectively.

However, the Ghana Stock Exchange-listed gold ETF (GLD) continued its losing streak, closing the session lower at GH¢450.45.

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) led trading activity with 199,183 shares valued at GH¢175,281.04, topping the volume chart.

Other equities that featured in the top five most traded stocks were CAL Bank (CAL), GLD, SOGEGH, and MTNGH, in descending order of trade volumes.

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TechnoServe, a leader in business solutions, has launched the implementation of grant support for 168 microentrepreneurs and agri-SMEs along the poultry, tomato, rice, and soybean value chains in Ghana as part of the Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth (HAPPY) Program.

The HAPPY Program is an initiative of the Mastercard Foundation in partnership with Agri-Impact Limited and is being implemented by a consortium of eight partners, including the Ghana National Service Authority (NSA), Newage Agric Solutions Limited, the Ghana Enterprise Agency (GEA), MiDA Ghana CARES “Obaatan Pa” Programme, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, TechnoServe, and Jobberman.

The initiative aims to increase agricultural productivity across the poultry, rice, soybean, and tomato value chains.

The HAPPY Program is a four-year initiative that seeks to create sustainable job opportunities for 326,000 young people between the ages of 15 and 35, with a 70% focus on women and persons with disabilities.

Speaking at the two-day kickoff event, held on 28th and 29th April 2025 at the Golden Bean Hotel in Kumasi, to commence the implementation of the grant disbursement, the Deputy CEO of Agri-Impact Limited, Juliana Asante-Dartey, noted that the successful implementation of the HAPPY Program is geared toward significantly boosting agricultural production and reducing imports.

“Even though we have increasingly gotten better at being self-reliant, we are still bringing in a lot of rice. Ghana’s demand for poultry is over 400,000 metric tonnes. The country is doing less than 20% of that, so most of it has to be imported. Even tomatoes—we still bring them in from neighbouring countries. The situation is not any different with soy, even though it’s needed in the poultry and food processing industries.

“We still are not self-sufficient and, from time to time, need to import to supplement. That is why the HAPPY Program, which is being supported by the Mastercard Foundation, is seeking to improve productivity and production in all four value chains.

“So that at the end of the four years, not only would we have enabled dignified and fulfilling jobs for young people—70 % of whom are young women—but we would also have opened up output and other business opportunities along these four value chains.”

“We are seeking to improve outputs from the value chains to the tune of over 189,000 metric tonnes over the four years. And in terms of import substitution, we hope that we will be able to reduce importation by $200 million by the end of the four years of the programme,” the Deputy CEO of Agri-Impact Limited explained.

Mr. Daniel Ninson, Agriculture Lead for the Mastercard Foundation in Ghana, also speaking at the even,t said the Foundation’s vision is rooted in the belief that young people are the key to Africa’s prosperity.

“Through programs like HAPPY, we are investing in young entrepreneurs, women-owned businesses, and growth-oriented enterprises that are building the backbone of our economies, especially in the vital agricultural sector.

He added, “Our goal for convening here over the next two-days in support of the HAPPY Program is clear; to support Agri-SMEs and Micro Businesses across key regions in Ghana, to create and sustain dignified jobs for youth, with 70% of these opportunities specifically targeted toward young women and to work together with business leaders like yourselves to strengthen ecosystems where young people can thrive.”

“It is an undeniable fact that agriculture remains one of Ghana’s largest employers, yet many young people see it as unattractive or inaccessible. HAPPY is changing that narrative—unlocking opportunities across the agricultural value chain: from processing to logistics, distribution to input supply, agritech solutions to climate-smart farming. Already, we are seeing transformational stories.”

Frank Obiora Mgbemena, HAPPY Program Director, TechnoServe, also said TechnoServe recognize that the vehicle to drive economic growth in Ghana lies in supporting small and medium enterprises, led by bold entrepreneurs, energised by the creativity of our youth, and strengthened by the resilience of women.

“Over the next two years, TechnoServe will work alongside your businesses to support business re-engineering efforts by providing technical assistance, grants, market linkages, crop business services, and developing the financial resilience of your businesses to attract more investment.”

One of the microentrepreneurs and a team lead at Hakama, a tomato processing company, Zainab Acheampong, expressed hope about the project, noting that the technical support and grant will help expand their business.

“When it started, the company was introduced to technical support, which we felt was in the right direction. Now we are looking at grant funding, meaning that we are looking at growth, we are looking into tomorrow, we are looking at what will benefit us as a people today and in the future. So it’s a very good thing for us as a business,” said Zainab Acheampong.

Bawku peace talks postponed, Manhyia Palace to confirm new date

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President Mahama appoints Charlotte Osei, 8 others to Ghana Gas Board

President John Dramani Mahama has appointed former Electoral Commission Chairperson, Charlotte Osei, and eight others to the Board of Directors of the Ghana National Gas Limited Company (Ghana Gas).

The appointments, announced in a statement released by Ghana Gas on Wednesday, April 30, are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the company’s leadership and operational oversight.

In the Ghana Gas statement sighted by GhanaWeb Business, the company expressed confidence in the newly appointed board’s capability to steer the company toward improved performance and stability.

“We look forward to working with the new Board to enhance the company’s operations, address challenges, ensure quality standards, and foster peaceful coexistence,” the statement read.

Here is the full list of the board members

1. Kofi Totobi Quakyi – Chairman

2. Judith Adjobah Blay – Acting CEO

3. Emmanuel Vincent

4. Nasira Afrah Gyekye (MP)

5. Charlotte Osei

6. Samuel Kwame Borlu

7. Awulae Agyefi Kwame II

8. Baba Abdul Jamal Adama

9. Blay Nyameke Armah (MP)

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Charlotte Osei has been appointed to Ghana Gas Board

President John Dramani Mahama has appointed former Electoral Commission Chairperson, Charlotte Osei, and eight others to the Board of Directors of the Ghana National Gas Limited Company (Ghana Gas).

The appointments, announced in a statement released by Ghana Gas on Wednesday, April 30, are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the company’s leadership and operational oversight.

In the Ghana Gas statement sighted by GhanaWeb, the company expressed confidence in the newly appointed board’s capability to steer the company toward improved performance and stability.

“We look forward to working with the new Board to enhance the company’s operations, address challenges, ensure quality standards, and foster peaceful coexistence,” the statement read.

Here is the full list of the board members

1. Kofi Totobi Quakyi – Chairman

2. Judith Adjobah Blay – Acting CEO

3. Emmanuel Vincent

4. Nasira Afrah Gyekye (MP)

5. Charlotte Osei

6. Samuel Kwame Borlu

7. Awulae Agyefi Kwame II

8. Baba Abdul Jamal Adama

9. Blay Nyameke Armah (MP)

SP/AE

Meanwhile, watch as frustrated Ghanaians speak out on poor network challenges

Featured

Jemima Okang Addae

Business News

May – 01 – 2025 , 08:20

In furtherance of the significant strides for women in leadership and Ghana’s financial services sector, Matilda Asante-Asiedu has been appointed the 2nd Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana. Her appointment makes her the third woman in the nation’s history to occupy this high office.

What sets Mrs. Asante-Asiedu apart is her remarkable career transformation—from the newsroom to the boardroom. As a former journalist and Editor of JoyNews brand, she played a pivotal role in shaping Ghana’s public discourse during the country’s transition to multiparty democracy. Her media career, which included stints with the BBC World Service and extensive editorial leadership, earned her numerous accolades, including the BBC World Service Award and Ghana Journalists Association recognition.

Fifteen years ago, she transitioned into the world of finance, joining Access Bank Ghana as a founding executive. She has since served in various senior management roles—Head of Corporate Communications, Head of Exclusive Banking, overseeing Private Banking, Embassies and NGO’s. Her last role was Group Head for Retail Banking, and this cemented her influence in shaping retail strategy, product innovation, and financial inclusion.

Mrs. Asante-Asiedu is celebrated for her pioneering leadership of Access Bank’s “W Initiative,” an award-winning financial inclusion program targeting women. Under the initiative thousands of women entrepreneurs across the country benefitted from financial and business literacy programs, grants, and concessionary lending to expand their businesses. These interventions earned the Bank global acclaim, including recognition by The Banker Magazine and the World Economic Magazine.

Mrs. Asante-Asiedu also led landmark digital lending partnerships with Ghana’s biggest telecommunication company MTN. Under this partnership millions of Ghanaians can now own smart phones under a high purchase scheme in line with Ghana’s digital transformation agenda.

She also led Access Bank’s partnership with Autochek, to facilitate consumer access to credit for vehicle purchases.

In her new role as 2nd Deputy Governor, Mrs. Asante-Asiedu will oversee banking operations, banking supervision, and financial stability and these are core responsibilities critical to Ghana’s macroeconomic health and regulatory integrity.

Her academic credentials are as impressive as her professional achievements. She holds an MBA from the GIMPA Business School, and a Master’s in Journalism from Cardiff University. In addition, she obtained executive education from the Oxford Saïd Business School, the Wharton School, at the University of Pennsylvania and the Marquette University. She is a Chartered Banker and an adjunct lecturer at the University of Professional Studies (UPSA-Accra).

She is a seasoned conference speaker on digital innovation, women’s empowerment, SME growth and financial inclusion.

Matilda Asante-Asiedu’s appointment reinforces President John Mahama’s commitment to gender inclusion and representation across the various sectors of the economy.

This appointment has been hailed by various stakeholders.

The Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Jeroen Verheul paid a courtesy call on Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak at his office in Accra.

A statement issued by the Interior Ministry said the meeting provided a platform for both parties to exchange views on enhancing cooperation between Ghana and the Netherlands, particularly in area of security and governance.

Hon. Muntaka and H.E. Verheu explored potential areas of collaboration for the Ghana Prisons Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, the Narcotics Control Commission as well as capacity building opportunities for officers of the Ministry and its agencies.

According to the statement, that this meeting underscores the commitment of both countries to fostering a strong and productive relationship, and highlights the potential for increased cooperation in various fields.