Members of the Agona royal family of Denkyira, Old Juabeng, and New Juabeng filed the petition

Correspondence from Central Region

A dispute has emerged within the Denkyira Traditional Area in the Central Region following the installation of a new Paramount Chief.

The installation has prompted concerns and legal challenges regarding adherence to traditional protocols and customary law.

Members of the Agona royal family of Denkyira, Old Juabeng and New Juabeng have filed a petition with the Regional House of Chiefs contesting the nomination of Oscar Kesse, also known as Kwame Mensah, for the position of Paramount Chief.

The petition, filed by Abusuapanyin Precious Kwame Mensah, Sampson Delali Mensah, and Alice Afia Mensah, alleges that Oscar Kesse is not a member of the Agona royal family and, therefore, is not eligible for nomination and installation as chief.

The petition further alleges that the Queenmother of the Denkyira Traditional Council, Nana Ama Ayensua Sara III, nominated Oscar Kesse despite his not having appeared before a vetting committee. It also states that principal kingmakers were allegedly excluded from the selection process.

The petition outlines that the Paramount Stool of Denkyira became vacant in 2015 upon the death of Odeefuo Boa Amponsem III.

It asserts that traditionally, the occupant of the stool is selected from the Agona royal family, emphasizing the requirement for a candidate of proper lineage from that clan.

The petitioners claim that the Queenmother and Kwame Mensah, niece and nephew of the immediate past Paramount Chief, are not members of the Denkyira Agona royal family but belong to the Fante Asona family from Cape Coast.

The petition alleges that the Queenmother proceeded with the nomination of Kwame Mensah without following the established customs and procedures.

The petitioners are seeking the following declarations:

• That Nana Ama Ayensua Sara III is ineligible to be Queenmother, not being a member of the Agona royal family.

• That Kwame Mensah is ineligible to be nominated, enstooled, or installed as Paramount Chief, not being a member of the Agona royal family.

• Restraining orders preventing Nana Ama Ayensua Sara III from acting as Queenmother and managing stool properties.

• An order preventing further ritual acts related to the installation.

Adding that they do expect the Regional House of Chiefs to review the petition and address the concerns raised by the Agona royal family.

Source: Agona royals of Denkyira/Old and New Dwaben

See screenshots of the petition below:

According to Ibrahim, the first phase of the distribution covered 114 farmers

The Coordinator for the Coconut Federation in the Oti Region, Husein Ibrahim, has commended President John Dramani Mahama for launching the nationwide distribution of coconut seedlings to farmers under the Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness (PIAA).

Speaking in an interview on October 18, 2025 on behalf of the Jasikan, Guan and Biakoye District Assemblies, Ibrahim expressed his gratitude to the President and highlighted the positive impact of the initiative on local agriculture.

“I speak on behalf of the Jasikan, Guan and Biakoye District Assemblies and on behalf of the Agric Directors, Sandy Kobla Fiator for Guan, Harrison Adoglosu for Biakoye, Moses Elorm Agbanyo for Jasikan, Rashad Shaibu for Kadjebi as well as the DCE for Biakoye, Eric Kwaku Opong.

“This is a very good initiative and I thank the President for the distribution.

“We also hope that in subsequent years, the President will continue to support us,” he said.

President Mahama directs distribution of 3 million coconut seedlings to farmers

Ibrahim revealed that the seedlings have already been distributed to farmers for planting, with monitoring measures in place to ensure successful growth.

“We have shared the seedlings with the farmers to plant them and we are monitoring to ensure their successful growth,” he added.

According to him, the first phase of the distribution covered 114 farmers, while the second phase benefited 123 farmers.

“The person who received the highest number of seedlings so far is the Volta Region Manager, who had 2,500 seedlings. The rest received between 1,000 and above,” he disclosed.

In a bold, nation-transforming move, President John Dramani Mahama recently launched the distribution of three million elite coconut seedlings under the PIAA.

This flagship programme, financed by the Ghana Exim Bank, is jointly implemented by the Coconut Federation of Ghana (COCOFEG) with support from the Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE).

According to Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of PIAA at the Office of the President, “This initiative is designed to position coconut as a game-changer in Ghana’s agricultural space.

“By targeting over 20,000 farmers across 11 regions, we are not just planting trees we are planting sustainable futures and inclusive prosperity.”

Ghana’s coconut sector currently contributes more than $12 million in annual export value.

However, the growing global demand for coconut and its derivatives including water, oil, coir, husk, milk and cosmetics presents multi-billion-dollar opportunities for the country.

AM/

Watch as Ghanaians share bold ideas to end galamsey

By Prince Acquah, GNA  

Saltpond (C/R), Oct. 18, GNA – The Mfantseman-Saltpond Development Alliance (MSDA), a community-led development group, has cut the sod for the construction of a sustainable water project for the Saltpond Municipal Hospital to resolve persistent water challenges at the health facility.  

Perennial water shortage has been the bane of the ancient hospital for ages, affecting the delivery of quality health care, sanitation, and attendance. 

As the referral centre for the Mfantseman Municipality serving more than 125,000 residents, the Hospital is sometimes forced to refer patients to other facilities.  

Relatives of inpatients are sometimes compelled to carry water to the hospital owing to the severity of the water situation.  

But patients and staff of the Hospital can now have a sigh of relief because the solar-powered project, which has already began, will provide the hospital with a permanent and self-sufficient water supply system to improve service delivery.  

The project includes the drilling of underground water sources, installation of high-capacity storage tanks, and an electrical pumping and boosting system fully integrated into the hospital’s existing water distribution network.  

The water system is being constructed as a legacy project for the Alliance’s maiden Saltpond Homecoming Festival on the theme: “Rebuilding, reconnecting, rising together.”  

Mr Ernest Egyir De-Graft, the President of the Alliance, highlighting the importance of water to health care, expressed the hope that the project would permanently transform the delivery of health care in the Municipality.  

He explained that the water system would guarantee a reliable, clean, and continuous water supply to sustain healthcare services.  

“This is what community leadership looks like when citizens come together to solve their own challenges rather than wait for others to act.  

“This initiative is a testament to what unity and purpose can achieve,” he noted, adding that when people shared a vision, gave their resources, and acted in faith, transformation became inevitable. 

Mr De-Graft expressed gratitude to all members of the MSDA, both at home and abroad, for supporting the project, and assured that the homecoming festival would be celebrated every year, pledging a new project for each year.  

Mr Paul Amponsah Agyakwa, the Administrator of the hospital, described the project as a timely intervention, recounting the struggles of the facility over the years.  

He recalled that from October 2024 to March 2025, water scarcity reached its peak, compelling patients carry water along with them to the hospital while many others were referred.  

It also took a dire toll on the finances of the hospital as more than GHS4,000 was spent every week on water purchases.  

“Sometimes, you have the money, and you might not even get water to buy and it affected service delivery,” he said.  

Mr Agyakwa was hopeful that the project would fully resolve the situation and the confidence of the community in the hospital.  

“We are grateful to the Mfantseman-Saltpond Development Alliance for this project, and we are hoping that it will go a long way to support quality service delivery for the people of Mfantseman and Saltpond,” he stated.  

Aside from the water challenges, the Administrator also appealed for the renovation and expansion of the hospital to befit its status as a municipal hospital.  

Madam Gifty Ankrah, the Mfantseman Municipal Director of Health, also joined the hospital to thank the Alliance for the project.  

“When cholera broke here, it was a devastating situation because our main challenge has been water.  

“You have really saved us, and we are very grateful,” she stressed.  

GNA  

Edited by Alice Tettey/Linda Asante Agyei  

The Founder of the Tanko Foundation and Member of the Council of State for the Volta Region, H.E. Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, has called for stronger partnerships between government, civil society, and the private sector to sustain youth-focused initiatives like the Duamenefa Regional Tournament, describing it as “a living model for social transformation.”

Speaking at the Grand Finale of the 2025 edition of the tournament, held at the Dzodze Penyi Senior High School, H.E. Tanko commended Evangelist Emmanuel Ketaman Evortepe and the Duamenefa Foundation for using sports as a vehicle for peacebuilding, unity, and talent development across the Volta Region.

He explained that the Tanko Foundation’s sponsorship was a “purposeful and deliberate investment in human capital, community safety, and economic growth,” emphasising that the returns were visible in “lives transformed, families lifted, and communities made more cohesive.”

According to him, the partnership has produced tangible outcomes, from scholarships and vocational training to improved healthcare and sports opportunities. “Players from Ave Xevi and other communities now play professionally in Europe. More than a hundred young people have benefited from educational support. Hospital wards have been renovated, and single parents empowered,” he said.

H.E. Tanko urged government and regional authorities to institutionalise support for youth tournaments and to integrate the Duamenefa model into development plans, stressing that sustainable funding and structured talent pathways can turn youth energy into long-term productivity.

He also encouraged the private sector to invest in sports development, describing every cedi spent on youth as “a multiplier investment in peace and productivity.”

“Nation-building is not an abstract exercise,” he concluded. “It is the daily choice to invest in people and create systems that uplift. The Duamenefa Tournament is one such system, a platform for long-term transformation.”

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.

By Francis Ofori, GNA

Accra, Oct.18, GNA-MTN Ghana has congratulated the senior national football team, the Black Stars, for their qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing the achievement as a true reflection of the team’s indomitable spirit, hard work, and unity of purpose.

Ghana wrapped up their qualifying campaign with a 1-0 victory over Comoros, securing their fifth appearance at the mundial.

According to MTN, the team’s determination throughout the campaign was a testament that with focus and teamwork, success is always within reach.

It reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to supporting Ghanaian football at all levels, while standing firmly behind the Black Stars in their quest to make history on the world stage.

The telecommunication network further emphasized that its vision goes beyond sponsorship, aiming to elevate Ghanaian football to the highest international standards while inspiring the next generation of players and fans.

MTN Ghana, which took up the mantle as the main sponsor of the Black Stars months back, has been instrumental in supporting the team’s journey to the global stage.

Through financial support, logistical backing, and motivational initiatives, MTN has played a key role in creating an environment that has enabled the team to perform with confidence and pride.

Beyond the Black Stars, MTN’s sponsorship extends across all the national football teams both male and female, reinforcing its deep-seated commitment to the holistic growth and development of Ghana football.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has on numerous occasions lauded MTN’s long-term investment and partnership, describing it as a cornerstone of football’s revival and sustainability in the country.

GNA

Kenneth Odeng Adade

Ghana’s senior women’s national team, the Black Queens, have received multiple nominations for the upcoming CAF Awards 2025, a recognition that highlights the team’s impressive resurgence and outstanding performances over the past year.

The Black Queens’ remarkable journey under head coach Kim Lars Björkegren has earned both individual and team accolades, showcasing Ghana’s resurgence in women’s football on the continent.

Head coach Kim Lars Björkegren has been nominated for the CAF Women’s Coach of the Year, following his impressive leadership and tactical brilliance that guided the Black Queens clinch bronze medal in the WAFCON 24.

Captain Portia Boakye, has been shortlisted for the Women’s Player of the Year award. Boakye’s leadership, experience and decisive contributions have been instrumental to the team’s success.

Young midfield sensation Stella Nyamekye has been shortlisted for the CAF Young Player of the Year award. Her creativity, composure and consistency at just a young age have made her one of the most exciting talents in African women’s football.

In the goalkeeping aspect, Ghana’s number one, Cynthia Findiib Konlan, has earned a nomination for CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year. Her commanding presence, crucial saves and reliability between the posts have been instrumental to the Queens’ recent success.

Crowning the list, the team, Black Queens have been nominated for the CAF National Team of the Year, following the outstanding performances and steady rise on the continental stage.

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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.

Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has pledged government partnership with the Catholic Church to complete the Legacy of Hope Paediatric and Childhood Cancer Hospital, addressing a critical gap in Ghana’s healthcare infrastructure for children battling cancer.

The Vice President made the commitment during her address at the Closing Mass of the 2025 Rosary Congress in Accra on Saturday, October 18. The congress, which ran from October 16 to 18 at Christ the King Catholic Church, marked the first such gathering in Accra following the historic maiden congress held in Tamale earlier this month.

The hospital project, situated at Adjen Kotoku in the Ga West District of Greater Accra Region, represents the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra’s ambitious effort to address severe paediatric healthcare shortages in the capital. Currently, Accra relies primarily on Princess Marie Louise Hospital in the city center, with paediatric units scattered across Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, 37 Military Hospital, Greater Accra Regional Hospital, and the University of Ghana Medical Centre.

According to the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, the healthcare facilities available for millions of children in the capital remain woefully inadequate, placing enormous strain on medical teams and limiting access to specialized care. The Legacy of Hope Hospital specifically targets paediatric and childhood cancer treatment, a field where Ghana’s resources are particularly stretched thin.

The project’s journey has been complex. Originally planned for a site at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, the hospital location was moved to Adjen Kotoku in 2023 due to contractual obligations with the commission. Archbishop John Bonaventure Kwofie, who launched the initiative with a sod cutting ceremony in January 2022, confirmed that due diligence had been completed for the new site on land owned by the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra.

This isn’t the first time government has shown interest in the project. Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia pledged support in June 2025, acknowledging the hospital requires substantial funding to finish. Bawumia highlighted government programs like the one constituency, one ambulance initiative and Agenda 111, while noting efforts to extend health insurance coverage for childhood cancers, sickle cell disease, and kidney dialysis.

Professor Opoku-Agyemang’s renewed commitment comes at a significant moment. The government is emphasizing partnerships between church and state to meet socioeconomic needs of citizens, a theme the Vice President has articulated in meetings with various religious organizations since taking office in January.

The Rosary Congress where she made her pledge holds special significance for Ghana’s Catholic community. It was part of a broader spiritual awakening sweeping through the country during the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, organized under the theme “The Holy Rosary: A Path to the Jubilee Grace.”

The maiden Rosary Congress in Tamale, which concluded on October 12, attracted over 5,000 participants and was described by Global Rosary Network founder Fr. David Obeng Paintsil as only the third such congress in Catholic Church history, following events in Poland in 1979 and the United States in 1988. The Accra congress continued that momentum, bringing together faithful for prayer, reflection, and community building.

Whether the government’s partnership with the Catholic Church translates into tangible progress on the hospital construction remains to be seen. The project represents not just infrastructure development but a test of whether collaborative approaches between religious institutions and government can address critical healthcare gaps.

For families whose children need specialized cancer treatment, the hospital cannot come soon enough. Currently, complex paediatric cases often require sending patients abroad, a reality that underscores both the medical and financial barriers facing Ghanaian families dealing with childhood cancer.

The Vice President’s commitment adds political weight to a project that has been years in development. With government backing, adequate funding, and the Catholic Church’s determination, the Legacy of Hope Hospital could eventually provide specialized paediatric cancer care that countless families desperately need.

MTN Group is positioning itself at the center of Africa’s digital transformation conversation as Mobile World Congress Kigali 2025 unfolds from October 21 to 23 at the Kigali Convention Centre. The telecommunications giant’s presence at the continent’s premier technology gathering reflects its evolution from traditional operator to platform-led digital ecosystem.

Ralph Mupita, MTN Group President and CEO, will deliver the opening keynote titled “Africa’s Future First: Determining the Path to a Digital Future,” examining how the continent navigates its digital evolution at a crucial juncture. The discussion takes on added weight given projections that Africa’s unique mobile subscribers will surpass 700 million by 2030, creating both massive opportunities and persistent infrastructure challenges.

The keynote will explore familiar yet unresolved issues: closing the usage gap, expanding broadband access, and harnessing emerging technologies like 5G, fintech, and generative artificial intelligence. These aren’t new challenges, but Mupita’s perspective carries particular authority given his role as Deputy Chair of the GSMA and his position on the UN and ITU-affiliated Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development.

Beyond Mupita’s headline appearance, MTN executives will participate in panels addressing infrastructure investment, fintech adoption, AI innovation, and online safety. The company’s exhibition stand promises an immersive experience centered on three flagship platforms that embody its strategic pivot.

MoMo, the mobile money solution that has become synonymous with financial inclusion across MTN’s markets, takes center stage alongside Bayobab, which strengthens continental infrastructure and connectivity. Chenosis, perhaps less familiar to consumers, supports developers through open APIs designed to stimulate innovation across the digital ecosystem.

The stand will also feature the MTN Skills Academy, a capacity-building initiative that has attracted over 228,000 subscribers who have completed more than 97,000 learning activities. These numbers suggest genuine engagement rather than mere registration, though whether the academy translates to meaningful employment pathways remains an open question.

In partnership with Ericsson, MTN will demonstrate several 5G applications that move beyond theoretical benefits. HADO, an augmented reality game being showcased in Africa for the first time, will illustrate low latency capabilities relevant for interactive learning, remote clinical support, and entertainment. A 5G connected robotic dog will demonstrate how such technologies might improve safety and operational efficiency in mining, utilities, and energy sectors.

Ray-Ban smart glasses featuring neural gesture control will point toward future possibilities in accessibility and workforce productivity, though their practical application in African contexts may require creative adaptation. These demonstrations aim to show how 5G can transform education, health, agriculture, energy, and manufacturing across the continent.

The event brings together leaders from government, industry, and technology sectors under GSMA hosting, with Rwanda serving as an increasingly important technology hub. President Paul Kagame will formally open the conference, underscoring the political importance African governments attach to digital transformation narratives.

As a founding partner of MWC Africa, MTN has consistently valued the platform for listening, learning, and exchanging ideas with peers and partners. The company’s participation reflects what it describes as a long-standing commitment to building networks and platforms that deliver value today while advancing technologies that will shape tomorrow.

Whether these demonstrations translate to tangible improvements in connectivity, affordability, and access for ordinary Africans remains the ultimate test. The technology exists, the platforms are being built, and the vision articulates clearly. Implementation across diverse markets with varying infrastructure capabilities, regulatory environments, and consumer purchasing power presents the real challenge that no exhibition stand can fully capture.

For now, MTN’s message emphasizes progress, partnership, and platform thinking as the pathway forward. The three days in Kigali offer a stage to reinforce that narrative to policymakers, partners, and competitors alike.

Alan Kyerematen has pushed back against suggestions that Ghana’s monetized political culture poses a threat to his newly launched United Party, arguing that the vast majority of Ghanaians have grown weary of vote buying and cash-driven campaigns.

Speaking in a TV3 interview monitored, the former Trade and Industry Minister insisted that political monetization primarily benefits a narrow elite within the country’s two dominant parties. According to Kyerematen, out of Ghana’s 13 million registered voters, fewer than half a million actually profit from what he described as the money culture pervading Ghanaian politics.

“If we’re talking about delegates, they don’t even make up one million people,” Kyerematen explained. He contended that this small group capturing financial benefits from political parties represents a tiny fraction of the electorate, while most Ghanaians remain excluded from such arrangements.

The United Party leader believes this widespread frustration creates a natural opening for his centrist political project. The party, which officially received its registration certificate from the Electoral Commission on October 3, was unveiled publicly on October 16 at the Coconut Grove Hotel in Accra.

Kyerematen drew a distinction between legitimate campaign financing and what he termed vote buying. Every political organization needs regular financing to function, he acknowledged, but paying voters directly for their support crosses a line his party refuses to approach. “There’s regular financing, which every political group needs, but monetization, paying to secure votes, is something we reject entirely,” he stressed.

The stance reflects the United Party’s broader positioning as what Kyerematen calls a credible centrist alternative to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC). He suggested that Ghanaians naturally gravitate toward consensus and balance rather than political extremes, characteristics he claims his party embodies.

“Ghanaians are not extreme people,” Kyerematen said. “They gravitate toward consensus, toward balance, and that’s exactly what we represent.” The party has adopted “Ghana First” as its guiding motto, emphasizing national interest over partisan or personal considerations.

The United Party’s launch comes with ambitious economic promises, including Vision 2040, also known as the Paradise Project, which aims to make Ghana the economic powerhouse of Africa within fifteen years through transformation focused on job creation and business development.

During the TV3 interview, Kyerematen emphasized the urgency of breaking what he called the political duopoly, noting that increasing divisiveness in Ghanaian politics demands a party that can bridge the divide and provide equal opportunities regardless of age, religion, or ethnic affiliation.

Whether the United Party can translate its anti-monetization stance and centrist positioning into electoral success remains uncertain. Interim General Secretary Yaw Buaben Asamoa described the party as offering a home for Ghana’s silent majority, particularly the millions who abstained from voting in the 2024 elections out of frustration with the traditional parties.

Kyerematen’s political journey took a dramatic turn when he resigned from the NPP in 2023 to establish the Movement for Change, which has now transformed into the United Party. His departure from one of Ghana’s two major parties adds weight to his criticism of the existing political structure, though it also raises questions about his ability to build a viable third force.

The former minister’s confidence in overcoming financial disadvantages suggests he’s betting that voter frustration with money politics runs deeper than the resources his opponents can mobilize. Time will tell whether that calculation proves accurate when Ghanaians next head to the polls.

New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has pledged to deliver world-class development if elected President, citing his record of innovation and digital transformation as proof of his ability to deliver results.

Wrapping up his campaign tour of the Bono East Region, where he visited all eleven constituencies, Dr Bawumia said, “Ghana has shown that we can lead the world in digital innovation. What we have achieved so far is just the beginning.”

He highlighted key initiatives such as the Ghana Card, Mobile Money Interoperability, and the Zipline drone delivery system, saying these have positioned Ghana as a model for digital transformation in Africa.

“The Ghana Card has placed us ahead of countries like the UK, which is now working to build a similar system,” he said.

“Mobile money accounts have grown from 8 million to 24 million, and agents have increased from about 107,000 to nearly 900,000 — all because of the interoperability system.”

Dr Bawumia added that his presidency would build on these gains to drive greater innovation, improve public services, and enhance the lives of Ghanaians.

“When you vote for me, I will bring world-class development,” he assured.

“What I have done as Vice President shows that I can, and will, do even more as President.”

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Over 590,000 first-year students have begun reporting to Senior High Schools across Ghana for the 2025/2026 academic year, with the Ministry of Education urging them to approach this crucial phase of their lives with dedication, discipline, and enthusiasm.

The massive influx began Saturday, October 18, 2025, with students expected to complete reporting by Monday, October 20, 2025. In a statement signed by Hashmin Mohammed, Press Secretary to the Minister for Education, the Ministry described the moment as a major milestone in the students’ academic journey and congratulated them on reaching this significant achievement.

“We urge the students to approach this next phase of their education with dedication, discipline, and enthusiasm,” the Ministry stated, emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus during what many consider the most formative years of academic development.

The Ministry also expressed appreciation to parents and guardians for their patience and cooperation throughout what proved to be a challenging school placement exercise. With over 300,000 students seeking placement but only 76,000 vacancies available in Category A and B schools, the process tested the resolve of families across the country.

The statement announced that placement into schools and residential status for the new academic year has officially closed. Parents were encouraged to proceed to their assigned schools to complete enrollment processes and help their wards settle in smoothly for the commencement of academic work.

Reaffirming its commitment to equitable and inclusive education, the Ministry assured Ghanaians it’s taking all necessary measures to ensure a smooth start to the new school year. However, that assurance comes against a backdrop of significant infrastructure challenges and financial constraints facing the education sector.

The 2025/2026 academic year operates under a blended track system, with both single-track and transitional double-track schools in place. According to schedules released by the Ghana Education Service, single-track schools will end the academic year on August 21, 2026, while double-track transitional schools will close on September 4, 2026.

Under the single-track system, first and second-year students reported on October 18, 2025, while third-year students resumed earlier on October 11, 2025. The first term will run until February 27, 2026, with a Christmas break set for December 20, 2025, to January 4, 2026. The second term begins on May 4, 2026, and closes on August 21, 2026.

For transitional schools, the timetable differs slightly. First-year students reopened on October 18, 2025, while third-year students return on October 27, 2025. Second-year students are expected back on January 5, 2026, for a blended term that includes five weeks of online learning before fully resuming in May.

The 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination will take place from April 20 to June 20, 2026, and the 2026/2027 academic year is expected to begin on September 11, 2026.

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu recently admitted to major challenges in the SHS placement process and outlined urgent interventions. Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Monday, October 14, 2025, he revealed that although over 300,000 students sought SHS placement this year, only 76,000 vacancies exist within Category A and B schools, creating a significant shortfall that triggered widespread public concern.

“What we are witnessing is one of the greatest challenges in the SHS placement process,” Iddrisu said. “The arithmetic simply does not add up. We do not have enough vacancies at the Category A level for the number of desirous and qualified applicants.”

To correct this imbalance, the Minister announced that the Ministry will pursue aggressive infrastructure expansion across selected Senior High Schools, beginning in 2026, to increase intake capacity. He confirmed he’s already initiated discussions with the Minister for Finance for budgetary support and funding allocations to begin implementation.

Beyond placement challenges, schools continue facing serious financial constraints that place overwhelming burdens on school heads. The Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools has reported that recurrent funds required for smooth running of schools have been in arrears since 2021, making it extremely difficult, especially in day schools, to procure even basic administrative materials such as stationery and examination supplies.

Similarly, feeding grants for perishable and non-perishable food items have been in arrears since June 15, 2025. The one hot meal for day schools is also a challenge, with caterers threatening to stop feeding students if their arrears aren’t paid.

The Ministry of Education set up school placement resolution centers in major regional capitals on Friday, September 18, 2025, to receive complaints from parents and guardians. These centers handle complaints, verify placement details, and provide quick redress.

Speaking to media after visiting the National School Placement Resolution Centre in Accra on Thursday, October 9, 2025, Mohammed expressed satisfaction with the progress made. He noted that the Ministry had significantly reduced the large crowds that initially gathered at the center by moving in more personnel to attend to issues swiftly.

The Mahama administration intends to expand the Free SHS program started in 2017 by the erstwhile Akufo-Addo government to ensure access for all Ghanaian students while improving upon the quality of teaching, learning, and infrastructure.

For the 590,000 students now beginning their SHS journey, the challenges facing Ghana’s secondary education system may seem distant concerns. What matters most is the opportunity before them: three years to develop academically, discover their strengths, and prepare for whatever comes next.

The Ministry’s call for discipline and dedication isn’t empty rhetoric. It reflects recognition that these students face a complex educational landscape marked by infrastructure gaps, financial constraints, and systemic challenges that won’t disappear overnight. How they navigate these realities while maintaining focus on their studies will determine not just their individual futures but Ghana’s collective prospects.

Whether the government can deliver on promises of infrastructure expansion and financial stability remains uncertain. What’s clear is that the class of 2028 has begun their journey, and regardless of the obstacles ahead, their success will depend largely on the dedication and discipline the Ministry has urged them to embrace.

Guinness Ghana Breweries PLC has announced the payment of a final dividend of GH¢0.098 to all shareholders.

This is in respect of the financial year ended June 30, 2025.

According to a circular from the Ghana Stock Exchange, all shareholders registered in the books of GGB PLC as of the close of business on Monday, October 27, 2025, will be eligible for the final dividend.

The register of shareholders will, however, be closed on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

In view of the foregoing, the ex-dividend date has been set as Thursday, October 23, 2025.

Consequently, an investor purchasing GGB PLC shares before this date will be entitled to the final dividend.

However, an investor buying GGB PLC shares on or after Thursday, October 23, 2025, will not be entitled to the final dividend.

The final dividend of GH¢0.098 per share will be paid on December 30, 2025.

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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.

Ghana’s utility regulator has pledged to strike a delicate balance between consumer affordability and utility company sustainability as it finalizes tariff adjustments for the next five years, following intense public consultations that revealed deep anxiety over proposed rate increases.

Speaking at a public hearing on the 2025–2030 Major Tariff Review held in Sunyani, the Executive Secretary of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Shafic Suleman, said the Commission remains resolute in building a resilient, transparent, and cost-effective utility framework that promotes fairness and efficiency for both service providers and consumers.

“Our duty is to ensure that every Ghanaian receives value for money through fair tariffs that support quality service delivery,” Suleman stated during the engagement. He assured participants there would be strong equilibrium between utility company requests and consumer demands, emphasizing transparency and accountability as guiding principles.

The Sunyani hearing brought together an impressive cross-section of stakeholders, including traditional authorities, local government officials, utility company representatives, market and farmers’ associations, tertiary institutions, and security agencies from the Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo Regions. The gathering provided a crucial platform for participants to dissect proposed tariff adjustments, voice concerns, and contribute to what PURC describes as a participatory tariff-setting process.

Suleman highlighted the strategic importance of reliable utilities to the Bono Region’s economic vitality, describing it as Ghana’s agricultural hub. He noted that farmers depend heavily on electricity and water for mechanized processing, irrigation, and cold storage facilities. Consistent utility supply also remains essential for educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and industrial operations across the region.

“A stable utility sector is the backbone of economic growth,” Suleman added. “When our farmers, hospitals, schools, and industries have reliable electricity and water, productivity increases, and communities thrive.”

He assured participants that feedback gathered during the nationwide hearings would be instrumental in informing the Commission’s final policy decisions for the 2025–2030 Multi-Year Tariff Order. Every submission, question, and recommendation represents the lived experiences of Ghanaian consumers, he said, promising that inputs would be considered carefully alongside utility company proposals to ensure the final tariff decision is both economically sound and socially responsive.

The Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboa, commended the PURC for its open and consultative approach, describing it as an important step toward strengthening public confidence in the tariff-setting process. He noted that the Commission’s engagement with citizens promotes transparency and inclusiveness, assuring people that their voices truly matter in decisions affecting their livelihoods.

The Omanhene of the Sunyani Traditional Area, Odeefour Ogyeamansan Boahen Korkor, also praised the PURC for its outreach efforts while urging utility providers to intensify public education on tariff adjustments to help consumers better understand the basis for changes.

Representatives from Ghana Water Company Limited, Northern Electricity Distribution Company, Volta River Authority, and GRIDCo attended to justify their proposed tariff revisions. The utility companies explained that adjustments are necessary to maintain infrastructure, replace obsolete equipment, and manage rising operational costs, particularly the increasing expenses associated with treating polluted water sources and sustaining power generation.

William Boateng, Director of Communications at the Electricity Company of Ghana, revealed that ECG has invested $460 million to improve electricity supply but currently faces a $400 million debt, which has necessitated the proposed tariff adjustment. He said customers should understand that the increment aims to help sustain operations and continue delivering reliable power.

Seth Eric Atiapah, Chief Manager of Special Duties at Ghana Water Limited, highlighted the impact of illegal mining and pollution on water company operations. He explained that polluted water bodies significantly increase electricity consumption during treatment, damage equipment, and contribute to operational debt. These challenges are crippling the company’s ability to provide consistent water supply, he said, adding that the tariff increment will help address these issues, pay off debts, and ensure delivery of clean water.

However, not everyone left the hearing satisfied. Some participants, including teachers, health professionals, and traders, voiced concern over the magnitude of the proposed increases. They appealed to the PURC to consider moderate adjustments and recommended that tariff reviews be conducted twice annually instead of multiple times per year, which would allow consumers and businesses to plan their budgets more effectively.

The stakes are substantial. ECG has proposed a 225% increase in its Distribution Service Charge over the 2025–2030 tariff period, requesting an adjustment from the current 19.0875 pesewas per kilowatt hour to 61.8028 pesewas. Such dramatic increases, if approved, would significantly impact household and business expenses across Ghana.

Suleman was appointed Acting Executive Secretary of PURC by President John Dramani Mahama earlier this year. A Senior Lecturer at the Institute for Oil and Gas Studies at the University of Cape Coast, he holds a PhD in Energy and Sustainability from De Montfort University in the UK and specializes in energy economics, energy policy and law, climate change, and risk management.

The public hearing in Sunyani forms part of the PURC’s nationwide consultation process designed to foster transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in determining fair and sustainable utility tariffs for the next five years. The Commission has been conducting similar hearings across all regions, gathering diverse perspectives before finalizing the Multi-Year Tariff Order that will govern utility pricing through 2030.

Whether PURC can satisfy both cash-strapped consumers and debt-laden utility companies remains the critical question as the Commission moves toward its final determination.

The Oti Regional Minister, John Kwadwo Gyapong, has commended Ecozoil Limited for its dedicated efforts to improve safety and protect lives on the Volta Lake, pledging full support for the renewal of the Volta Lake Transport Safety Project.

The praise came when a delegation from the company, a subsidiary of the Jospong Group, donated 200 life jackets to schoolchildren and residents in the Krachi West District on Friday. The initiative, led by the National Coordinator of the Volta Lake Transport Safety Project, Yaa Ofriwaa, and Business Development Manager Daniel Lamptey, was a direct response to the recent boat disaster that claimed 15 lives.

Gyapong applauded the Jospong Group and Ecozoil for their consistent commitment to community safety, calling them a model of corporate citizenship. “Ecozoil has demonstrated what it means to be a responsible partner in national development,” he stated. “Their response after the recent tragedy shows compassion, leadership, and a genuine commitment to saving lives. I am ready to support them wherever necessary to ensure this initiative continues.”

The minister also pledged his full support for the renewal of the Volta Lake Transport Safety Project, highlighting its crucial past role in safety education and enforcement. “This project made a difference. It improved safety awareness and helped reduce accidents. I strongly support its renewal and will work with the relevant ministries and agencies to make that possible,” he assured.

With the Volta Lake covering over 22 percent of the region, Gyapong stressed the need for a well regulated water transport system to drive growth. “Transport on the lake must be as safe and organised as transport on land,” he emphasized. “We must empower local communities, enforce safety regulations, and make sure every passenger has access to life saving tools.”

The Minister’s call comes amid persistent challenges with safety compliance on the lake. Speaking earlier on The Pulse, Gyapong expressed frustration over the continued refusal of residents in riverine communities to wear life jackets despite several public education efforts and the distribution of hundreds of life jackets.

“It is very difficult to handle this situation. No matter how we try to enforce the laws, no matter the number of life jackets that we give, they don’t want to use them,” he stated, noting that NADMO has brought many life jackets to the communities. The minister described the situation as disheartening, especially following the recent boat tragedy near Kete Krachi.

He revealed that the victims of the recent Volta Lake boat tragedy were travelling a short distance to attend a family funeral, moving from one island to another nearby island when the accident occurred. The minister explained that ongoing rehabilitation works on the Akosombo stretch have caused water from the Volta River to spread into several settlement areas, creating new islands across parts of the Oti Region.

The Transport Minister, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has announced that personnel will soon be deployed to all boarding points along the Volta Lake to ensure strict compliance with safety protocols, especially the mandatory wearing of life jackets. The directive followed the recent boat disaster on the Oti River, which left many families devastated.

“Anyone who refuses to wear a life jacket will not be allowed to board a canoe or boat,” Gyapong revealed. He added that the deployed officers will also educate passengers and operators on water safety, including the approved passenger limits and other maritime regulations to curb overcrowding and negligence.

As part of a recent visit, Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, officials from NADMO, and the Ghana Maritime Authority donated over 100 life jackets to residents in the affected community and an additional 500 to adjoining areas, including Krachi Nchumuru. NADMO has also pledged to support the enforcement exercise and sustain public education efforts.

However, Gyapong expressed concern that many residents ignore safety advice despite previous sensitisation efforts by NGOs and local authorities. “The locals are stubborn and difficult to control,” he noted, highlighting child labour on the lake as another challenge, with many children seen paddling or operating canoes at an early age.

The minister assured that the Oti Regional Coordinating Council will work closely with the Transport Ministry and other agencies to strengthen enforcement and ensure lasting safety reforms along the Volta Lake. The coordinated approach involves multiple stakeholders including the Ghana Maritime Authority, which is responsible for regulating water transport.

Gyapong concluded by acknowledging the essential role of the private sector in addressing safety challenges. “Government alone cannot do it all. We need committed private sector partners like the Jospong Group and Ecozoil to help us achieve lasting safety and sustainable development for our people,” he stated.

The donation by Ecozoil forms part of the company’s ongoing campaign to promote safe practices and save lives on Ghana’s inland waterways. The initiative demonstrates how corporate social responsibility can complement government efforts in addressing critical safety challenges, particularly in underserved rural and riverine communities.

The challenge facing authorities is balancing enforcement with community engagement. While strict regulations are necessary, success ultimately depends on changing deeply ingrained behaviours and convincing residents that life jackets are essential safety equipment, not optional accessories. The planned deployment of enforcement officers represents a shift toward mandatory compliance, but sustainable change will require continued education alongside enforcement.

For the Oti Region, where more than a fifth of the territory is covered by the Volta Lake, water transport safety isn’t just a regulatory issue but a matter of economic survival and development. Improving safety standards could encourage more economic activity on the lake, facilitate regional trade, and protect the lives of thousands who depend on water transport for their daily needs.

Ghana’s economic transformation has entered a decisive phase under President John Dramani Mahama. His recent engagements in China have deepened Ghana’s strategic partnerships, secured significant investments, and reaffirmed the nation’s readiness to embrace an inclusive and sustainable 24-hour economy.

With clear policy direction, strong diplomatic ties, and dedicated leadership, Ghana is positioning itself as West Africa’s next great centre of industrial growth and innovation.

A vision rooted in purpose

President Mahama’s diplomacy has always been purposeful, grounded in a belief that international partnerships must deliver practical benefits at home. His official visit to Beijing, where he met President Xi Jinping, epitomised that approach turning goodwill into tangible outcomes.

The discussions produced a series of landmark agreements focused on sustainability, infrastructure, and trade. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to promoting green transitions, tackling illegal mining, and expanding renewable energy investments.

“Diplomacy must deliver real dividends for our people. Every engagement must bring Ghana closer to industrial strength, sustainability, and shared prosperity.” – President John Dramani Mahama stated.

Strategic gains for national development

The outcomes of the Beijing visit have been both immediate and substantial. China has granted Ghana 400 million RMB in development support this year alone, including 200 million RMB already allocated for a new modern market in Aflao in the Volta Region. Another 200 million RMB will finance new projects selected by the Mahama administration.

Perhaps most significant is the decision to finalise a zero per cent tariff agreement by 28 October 2025, which will make Ghana only the second African country to enjoy such preferential access to China’s vast market. This milestone, combined with Ghana–China trade volumes exceeding 11.8 billion US dollars, promises a new era of enhanced exports and investment flows.

The big push and 24h+: driving Ghana’s economic engine

Central to President Mahama’s development agenda are two flagship programmes. The first is the National Infrastructure Development Programme popularly known as “The Big Push”, a multi-billion-dollar initiative targeting the modernisation of roads, railways, water systems, and key industrial infrastructure across the country.

The second, the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme (24H+), is designed to ensure that Ghana’s economy operates efficiently around the clock, boosting production, exports, and employment. Together, these programmes form the cornerstone of a new industrial renaissance, connecting opportunity with productivity.

President Mahama’s recent diplomatic gains with China directly support these programmes- ensuring that infrastructure development and continuous economic activity move hand in hand.

The green city: a model for sustainable growth

Among the initiatives championed by President Mahama is the Green City Project, a transformative plan to create an eco-friendly, high-tech metropolis spanning the Greater Accra, Volta, and Eastern Regions. The Green City will integrate renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and sustainable architecture, setting new standards for urban living in Africa.

An inter-ministerial committee and a transaction advisor have already been appointed to guide its development. The project will not only reduce Ghana’s carbon footprint but also generate thousands of jobs in construction, energy, and technology.

“This city will embody the future we are building – clean, digital, and inclusive,” President Mahama noted. “It is a symbol of what Ghana stands for: progress with responsibility.”

Promoting investment through professional leadership

The drive to attract global investors is being expertly led by Mr Simon Madjie, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC). A lawyer and a seasoned investment promotion professional, Mr Madjie has been instrumental in positioning Ghana as one of Africa’s most competitive and investor-friendly economies.

At the Presidential Investment Forum in Beijing, Mr Madjie invited Chinese firms to explore opportunities in electric vehicle production, renewable energy, and value-added manufacturing. He underscored Ghana’s strategic advantages from its skilled workforce and renewable energy potential to its rich deposits of lithium, bauxite, and manganese.

“Our message to investors is clear,” Mr Madjie said. “Ghana is open for business, ready for innovation, and committed to protecting your investment through sound policies and strong institutions.”

Mr Madjie also highlighted the potential of Ghana’s industrial zones, including the Dawa Industrial Zone and Appolonia City, as ideal locations for electric vehicle assembly and high-value manufacturing.

The 24-hour economy in motion

The 24-hour economy concept is not a distant aspiration, it is already taking shape. By encouraging industries, logistics, health, digital services, and manufacturing sectors to operate efficiently beyond traditional working hours, the policy is designed to expand employment, strengthen exports, and keep the economy active at all times.

Through the 24H+ framework, Ghana is developing the human capital and infrastructure necessary to sustain round-the-clock productivity. It is a model that supports both large-scale enterprises and small businesses, ensuring that no capable Ghanaian is left without opportunity.

Ghana’s confident march into the future

President Mahama’s engagements in China reflect a leader who understands that effective diplomacy must align with national priorities. His focus on the 24H+, The Big Push, and the Green City demonstrates a coherent, long-term vision for Ghana’s transformation.

Under his leadership, Ghana is regaining momentum, creating jobs, deepening international partnerships, and building infrastructure that will serve generations. With professionals like Mr Simon Madjie(Esq.) advancing Ghana’s investment agenda, the nation stands ready to seize the opportunities of the modern global economy.

President Mahama’s diplomacy has become more than statecraft; it has become a catalyst for sustainable progress. Ghana is not waiting for the future – it is building it, 24 hours a day.

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 Bank of Ghana has cut its monetary policy rate from 25% to 21.5% in September, with the 91-day Treasury Bill rate falling to 10.3% and average lending rates dropping to 24.15% by August. On paper, these developments suggest businesses and individuals can borrow at lower costs to expand and drive economic activity.

But what if there’s actually no money available to borrow? That’s the paradox Prof. Godfred Bokpin of the University of Ghana Business School is highlighting, arguing that aggressive central bank interventions to defend the exchange rate are absorbing liquidity that could have been available for businesses to borrow at low cost.

The central bank has managed to bring the cedi-dollar rate down significantly, with the currency appreciating more than 40% earlier this year, though it’s experienced volatility, swinging between levels before settling around current rates. These interventions are meant to inspire confidence and demonstrate policy effectiveness.

However, as Prof. Bokpin warns, the billions of cedis used to defend the currency through Bank of Ghana interventions have come at the expense of credit availability. “That credit, which could have been available for businesses to borrow at low cost, expand, and create jobs, is no longer available,” he explained in a recent interview.

The economist describes this as achieving exchange rate gains “at a great cost to private sector competitiveness.” He’s pointed out that while the Bank of Ghana’s interventions have helped stabilize the cedi, they’ve drained liquidity from the financial system, leaving banks cautious and credit scarce.

Speaking at Prudential Bank’s Cedi Appreciation Seminar, Prof. Bokpin said “the kind of interest rate we have can only fund imports and not production or manufacturing”, highlighting how the current environment remains misaligned with growth objectives despite lower policy rates.

He’s drawn comparisons with Kenya, where businesses can borrow at around 10%, contrasting sharply with Ghana’s environment where lending rates remain elevated despite headline improvements. “If our rates are not aligned, we are denying private capital the opportunity to expand and employ,” he noted.

Prof. Bokpin argues that policymakers have become overly fixated on the exchange rate rather than real growth indicators like job creation, business expansion, and productive capacity. He’s cautioned that “32 million people are obsessed with a low exchange rate,” even as this obsession drives destructive activities like illegal mining.

The economist emphasizes that true economic strength should be measured by tangible outcomes, not symbolic victories. Businesses and investors, especially those in the diaspora, care about stability and predictability, not whether the exchange rate is artificially maintained at a particular level.

Prof. Bokpin has also noted that when exchange rate adjustments are too sharp, “projects are put on hold,” as businesses struggle to plan effectively. Gradual, predictable movements would allow firms to make better long-term decisions.

The current situation creates a troubling disconnect. Policy rates signal that borrowing should be getting cheaper and credit should be flowing to productive sectors. The central bank has projected headline inflation will fall within its medium-term target band of 8%, plus or minus 2 percentage points, by year-end, theoretically creating space for even more easing.

GDP grew 6.3% in the second quarter of 2025, with non-oil output expanding 7.8%, led by services and agriculture. External balances have strengthened considerably, with gross international reserves standing at $10.7 billion at end-August, equivalent to 4.5 months of import cover.

Yet despite these improvements, the transmission mechanism from policy rates to actual credit availability appears broken. Banks remain conservative, businesses report difficulty accessing affordable financing, and the productive sectors that government says it wants to support struggle to secure the capital they need.

Prof. Bokpin has credited the current administration for fiscal discipline and economic management, noting clear signs of direction and leadership. He’s acknowledged that inflation fell sharply from 23.8% in December 2024 to 13.7% by June 2025, faster than previous disinflation cycles.

However, he’s urged policy managers to focus on measures that support sustainable growth and ensure adequate credit availability, rather than chasing symbolic victories through exchange rate manipulation. The concern is that short-term optics are undermining long-term development and private sector confidence.

Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Johnson Asiama has called on banks to “stimulate credit to productive areas of the economy” including agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure and SMEs, while maintaining prudent risk management. The question is whether banks can actually do this when liquidity is being absorbed elsewhere in the system.

The paradox Ghana faces is this: all the technical indicators suggest the economy is stabilizing and credit should be flowing. Interest rates are falling, inflation is moderating, the currency has strengthened, and fiscal discipline has improved. But if the mechanisms used to achieve exchange rate stability are simultaneously draining the liquidity needed for private sector lending, then the headline numbers mask a more complex reality.

Prof. Bokpin’s fundamental message is that economic policy should prioritize real outcomes over optics. How many jobs are being created? How many businesses are expanding? How productive is the economy becoming? If policymakers lose sight of these fundamentals in pursuit of exchange rate targets, the technical achievements may prove hollow.

The billions of cedis locked in currency defense could alternatively have funded manufacturing expansion, agricultural modernization, or small business growth. That’s the opportunity cost the economist is highlighting, even as he acknowledges the government’s overall economic management efforts.

For businesses watching from the sidelines, the message is sobering: rates may look cheaper on paper, but accessing actual credit remains challenging. The system appears to be caught between competing objectives, stabilizing the currency versus providing liquidity for growth, and for now, the former seems to be winning.

Seven million Ghanaians under the age of twenty-five are already online, navigating a digital landscape that offers genuine opportunity alongside genuine danger. Some are learning new skills, launching small businesses, or finding mentorship across borders. Others are encountering cyberbullying, exploitation, and content that harms their mental health. This tension defines the challenge Ghana faces as it grapples with protecting youth in the digital age.

The question isn’t theoretical anymore. Governments worldwide are moving from discussion to action. Australia just became one of the strictest enforcers of youth digital boundaries when it introduced legislation requiring social media platforms to prevent Australians under sixteen from creating or maintaining accounts, effective December 2025. The law targets specific harms including cyberbullying, grooming, sexual extortion, and the documented link between certain online experiences and youth suicide rates.

Ghana hasn’t gone that far. Instead, the country launched the National Child Online Protection Framework in October 2024, developed by the Cyber Security Authority and championed by Second Lady Samira Bawumia. This approach emphasizes collaboration between schools, parents, platforms, and government agencies rather than outright prohibition. The framework aims to guide young people toward safer online behavior while preserving their access to legitimate digital opportunities.

The distinction matters because Ghana’s circumstances differ fundamentally from Australia’s. While Australia has built-in advantages like sophisticated telecommunications infrastructure and high institutional capacity, Ghana operates in a different reality. Many Ghanaian families share single devices across multiple age groups. Internet cafés function as digital classrooms in rural areas where they may be the only access point available. A ban would eliminate opportunity alongside risk.

The enforcement challenge exposes deeper complications. Australia’s approach can work partly because the country has the regulatory infrastructure and resources to audit global platforms and levy penalties reaching fifty million Australian dollars for violations. Ghana hasn’t yet built equivalent capacity. Without enforcement teeth, legislation becomes performative, generating headlines while solving nothing.

Enforcement would also require age verification on a scale Ghana hasn’t attempted. This means collecting biometric data, birth records, and personal identification information from millions of young people. Ghana’s Data Protection Act, while important, remains relatively young, and the institutional capacity to secure that volume of sensitive personal data hasn’t been fully tested. The risk of exposure through inadequate security could create the very harm officials claim they’re preventing.

The digital inequality dimension cuts sharpest. A blanket ban would disproportionately harm rural youth who depend on social media for educational resources, skill development, and job networking. Urban teenagers with resources and technical knowledge could find workarounds. Rural young people would simply lose access. This transforms a protection argument into a mechanism of exclusion that widens rather than closes Ghana’s digital divide.

Evidence from other countries suggests bans don’t solve underlying harms anyway. Young people locked out of regulated platforms don’t suddenly become safer. They may shift to less moderated spaces where actual dangers escalate. Meanwhile, those who genuinely benefit from online connection, learning, and opportunity lose without gaining meaningful protection.

Ghana’s collaborative framework approach offers an alternative. It demands more sustained investment, more stakeholder coordination, and more patience than legislation. But it preserves access while building genuine digital literacy. Young people learning to navigate complex digital environments develop critical thinking skills. Schools and parents equipped with tools become active participants rather than passive regulators. Platforms responding to collaborative pressure implement safety features designed for local context.

The real conversation Ghana needs isn’t whether to ban social media for young people. It’s whether the National Child Online Protection Framework receives adequate resources, consistent stakeholder commitment, and mechanisms to actually work. Because a law that looks good in policy documents but fails during implementation would damage both youth protection and digital access.

Ghana’s seven million young people are already online. The question is whether policy will protect them where they actually are, or simply pretend they don’t exist.

University of Ghana economist Prof. Godfred Bokpin has warned that Ghana’s policy managers have turned exchange rate management into a competition for political praise rather than a tool for building productive capacity, with billions of cedis spent defending the currency potentially better deployed in growth-generating sectors.

The Professor of Finance has consistently cautioned that the aggressive strengthening of the cedi is coming at great cost to the country, with policies sustaining it eroding private sector competitiveness and threatening environmental sustainability. His comments reflect growing concern that short-term currency gains are masking fundamental structural problems.

According to Prof. Bokpin, Ghana has become “too fixated on the exchange rate, rather than the fundamentals of the economy”, describing recent sharp currency movements as disruption rather than stability. He’s argued that policymakers treat a temporarily strong cedi as a political trophy, using it to project economic competence even when underlying fundamentals remain weak.

The economist explained that resources pumped into defending the currency could have been channeled into productive sectors to stimulate investment, create jobs, and expand domestic production. He warned that the drive to maintain a low exchange rate has contributed to environmental damage, noting that “people are dying, and we are destroying our water bodies, all because 32 million people are obsessed with a low exchange rate”, referencing illegal mining activities.

Prof. Bokpin drew comparisons with China’s economic strategy, noting that despite holding one of the world’s largest foreign exchange reserves, China has historically maintained a managed, stable exchange rate rather than chasing an artificially strong currency. That approach reflects strategic vision focused on long-term productivity, not reactionary obsession with a single indicator.

The drive to keep the cedi strong has drained liquidity, pushed interest rates higher, and weakened business confidence, conditions that ultimately hurt growth more than they help, he noted. Speaking at Prudential Bank’s Cedi Appreciation Seminar, he said “the kind of interest rate we have can only fund imports and not production or manufacturing”, highlighting how currency policy has broader economic consequences.

Prof. Bokpin acknowledged that the Central Bank has been targeting the exchange rate but noted the pace of appreciation was “too aggressive to enable planning and the entire economy to adjust effectively”. He emphasized that economic stability doesn’t mean a fixed exchange rate but rather predictable and moderate variations that allow businesses to plan.

Ghana’s approach, he argued, reflects short-term thinking that focuses on symbolic wins at the expense of long-term resilience. He warned that “any sharp appreciation that is not backed by productivity or structural reforms reverses in a matter of months. It is not sustainable”.

The economist has consistently emphasized that real economic strength isn’t about short-term numbers but about creating jobs and opportunities. While he’s credited the government and Bank of Ghana for fiscal discipline and monetary coordination, he’s cautioned that these gains must translate into affordable financing for businesses and productive investments.

Prof. Bokpin has also highlighted that “Ghana’s economic orientation is not structured to promote exports but to encourage imports”, pointing to deeper structural issues that exchange rate policy alone cannot fix. He noted that the financial system itself is designed to enable imports rather than production.

His warnings come as Ghana’s cedi has experienced significant volatility in 2025. The currency appreciated sharply from GHS 15.45 in March to GHS 10.45 by July before trending back upward to GHS 12.20 by September, illustrating the cyclical pattern he’s described.

Prof. Bokpin urged policy managers to focus on what’s economically right rather than what looks good politically, stressing that short-term optics are undermining development and real sector confidence. He’s called for Ghana to strengthen economic fundamentals and institutions rather than relying on exchange rate management as the primary tool for demonstrating economic competence.

The challenge, according to the economist, is thinking long term and building productive capacity rather than celebrating temporary currency gains that may not reflect genuine economic transformation. Without addressing structural weaknesses in manufacturing, agriculture, infrastructure, and the financial sector’s lending patterns, Ghana risks remaining import-dependent regardless of exchange rate levels.

Ghana’s cocoa farmers are now receiving better prices than their Ivorian counterparts in foreign currency terms, thanks to a combination of farmgate increases and the cedi’s sharp appreciation against the dollar, a development that could significantly reduce cross-border bean smuggling.

Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson recently announced an increase in the farmgate price to ₵3,625 per 64-kilogram bag, up from ₵3,228.75. That translates to roughly $338.32 per bag at current rates, marking the second upward adjustment this cocoa season. The announcement came just one day after Ivory Coast raised its state-set price by 27% to 2,800 CFA francs per kilogram, the highest in that country’s history.

But here’s where currency dynamics changed everything. When converted at the new exchange rate of ₵10.70 to the dollar, Ghana’s cocoa price now equals approximately $5.29 per kilogram, or around 3,247 CFA francs. That actually exceeds Ivory Coast’s benchmark price, reversing what had been a persistent disadvantage for Ghanaian farmers.

The shift is dramatic when you consider where things stood earlier this season. When the cedi was trading at ₵12.54 per dollar, the same Ghanaian farmgate price translated to just $4.52 or 2,545 CFA francs per kilogram. At that exchange rate, Ivorian beans were about 20% more profitable, creating a massive incentive for smuggling.

According to Ivorian regulators, between 100,000 and 150,000 tonnes of cocoa beans were smuggled across borders last season alone as farmers chased better prices. The cedi’s rebound has essentially closed that arbitrage window, potentially keeping more Ghanaian cocoa within official channels.

The situation highlights how currency movements can reshape agricultural trade patterns without any change in domestic pricing policy. Ghana earns its cocoa revenues in dollars but pays farmers in cedis, so when the local currency strengthens, each dollar converts into fewer cedis. That lifts the crop’s foreign exchange value and makes Ghanaian cocoa more competitive internationally.

However, there’s a flip side to this currency strength. While it discourages illicit trade and supports macroeconomic stability, it could squeeze Cocobod’s profit margins if export earnings can’t keep pace with higher local payouts in dollar terms. The cocoa marketing board will need to carefully balance farmgate pricing with exchange rate trends to maintain both farmer incentives and sustainable operations.

Ivory Coast’s price increase also carries political undertones. The adjustment comes just weeks before a presidential election, a traditional moment for governments to court rural voters through higher producer prices. Ghana’s move, by contrast, appears more economically defensive, responding to both market pressures and the smuggling drain.

Yet even with better pricing parity, Ghana’s fundamental cocoa challenges haven’t disappeared. Production has declined steadily over the past five years, undermined by poor yields, climate pressures, chronic under-investment, and the devastating loss of farmlands to illegal mining activities. Some industry analysts warn that Ecuador could soon overtake Ghana as the world’s second-largest cocoa producer if current trends continue.

For now, though, the cedi’s firm footing has delivered Ghana a short-term tactical advantage. The stronger currency, combined with strategic price adjustments, has narrowed the smuggling window and improved the country’s competitive position in the global cocoa market. Whether that advantage can be sustained depends largely on how long the cedi maintains its current strength and whether Ghana can address its deeper production challenges.

The cocoa sector remains vital to Ghana’s economy, and maintaining farmer confidence through competitive pricing will be essential as the country works to reverse its production decline and protect its position among the world’s top cocoa exporters.

Dr. Peter Boamah Otukunor, the Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness, has called for a fundamental shift in how Ghana approaches agricultural development. Rather than maintaining production-focused subsidies, Otukunor argues Ghana must build an agribusiness ecosystem centered on market demand, finance access, and integration into regional trade networks.

“We can no longer treat agriculture as a subsistence activity,” Otukunor stated during recent engagement with agribusiness stakeholders. “Agriculture must be seen as a business, one responsive to market signals, consumer demand, and global competitiveness.” His position reflects growing frustration among policymakers that decades of investment in agricultural inputs and extension services have yielded limited productivity gains because smallholders lack the financial tools and market linkages to scale.

The challenge he identifies cuts to the heart of Ghana’s agricultural dysfunction. Approximately 60 percent of Ghana’s agricultural workforce consists of smallholder farmers who remain systematically excluded from formal credit systems. High interest rates, stringent collateral requirements, and lender perceptions of agricultural risk combine to lock farmers out of the financing needed for equipment, irrigation infrastructure, and quality inputs.

Without accessible credit, smallholders cannot escape rain-fed, low-yield farming systems that perpetuate poverty and food insecurity. Otukunor has advocated for redesigning agricultural finance models to match smallholder realities. Blended finance structures, micro-leasing arrangements, and cooperative credit schemes offer mechanisms to de-risk lending while channeling private capital toward rural agriculture.

Land tenure insecurity compounds the financing problem. Many smallholders, particularly women and youth, face substantial barriers to acquiring or securing long-term leases. Without tenure security, farmers cannot use land as collateral, cannot plan multi-year investments, and cannot attract partnership capital from agribusinesses. Otukunor has pushed for policy reforms that digitize land records, decentralize land administration, and simplify acquisition processes to transform land from a social inheritance into a productive asset.

The third pillar involves deliberate market integration. Ghana’s agriculture has historically operated disconnected from reliable consumer and export markets, generating recurring crises of surplus production followed by price collapse and post-harvest losses. Otukunor emphasizes building supply chain infrastructure including logistics networks, processing facilities, cold storage systems, and regional trade connections that link farmers to buyers across West Africa.

The African Continental Free Trade Area presents significant opportunity if Ghana can position its farmers within structured value chains supported by quality standards and certification systems. Otukunor has noted that Ghana ranks as Africa’s largest coconut producer and the twelfth globally, producing approximately 600,000 metric tons across 90,000 hectares spanning eleven regions. Yet this output remains undermonetized through inadequate downstream processing and market development.

Recent initiatives reflect these principles operationally. The government has launched a Coconut Seedling Distribution Initiative to distribute three million coconut seedlings nationwide, with registration opened in September 2025, aimed at diversifying Ghana’s export sector and accelerating agro-industrialisation.

Otukunor has emphasized that youth and women, who form the backbone of Ghana’s agricultural sector, remain marginalized from opportunity despite their central role in food production and processing. President Mahama is set to launch a school farm initiative on October 21, alongside poultry and livestock training targeting 20,000 young people in modern animal production, and a Youth Agricultural Estate Programme providing commercial farming, irrigation and market access for young graduates.

The transformation strategy Otukunor advocates requires coordinated action across government ministries, financial institutions, private investors, and development partners. Rather than maintaining an input-subsidy model that creates dependency, he envisions Ghana transitioning toward a market-oriented agribusiness economy that attracts young people, empowers women, and generates inclusive prosperity through commercial opportunity rather than welfare redistribution.

His positioning as Director places agricultural modernization at the center of Ghana’s development agenda. Whether the administration can simultaneously address the macro constraints limiting agricultural competitiveness exchange rate volatility, port inefficiency, regulatory complexity will determine whether agribusiness transformation becomes reality or remains aspirational policy.

Members of the MTN Yellow Network, on Saturday, embarked on a five-kilometer health walk to raise awareness about breast cancer in Ghana.

Over 150 members from various branches of the company in Accra took part in the walk, which started at MTN Head Office at Ridge through the National Theatre to Accra Sports Stadium and back.

After the walk, participants were taken through aerobics and other fitness techniques.

The network, which was formed last year, seeks to promote the welfare of women and career guidance of women.

The event aimed at raising GH₵100,000 to support breast cancer awareness initiatives in the country.

Some of the MTN management members who participated in the walk included the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, Madam Adwoa Afiriye Wiafe.

In her address, the Chairperson of the network, Madam Antoinette Kwofie, who doubles as  Chief Finance Officer, praised the  MTN CEO, Mr Stephen Blewett for his massive support for the network.

According to the National Institutes of Health and the University of Ghana, Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer mortality among women in Ghana.

Supporting data: A 10-year review of cancer deaths at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital found that breast cancer was the leading cause of cancer death for women.

Contributing factors: Several factors contribute to the high mortality rate, including late diagnosis due to a lack of awareness, cultural attitudes, and limited access to screening facilities. Many women are diagnosed at advanced stages (III and IV), which lowers survival rates.

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.

Ghana is advocating for a fundamental shift in its economic relationship with Türkiye, moving from conventional trade arrangements toward joint industrial ventures, technology sharing, and strategic co-investment. The call came at the 5th Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum in Istanbul this week, where Ghana’s delegation outlined how Africa and Türkiye can deepen partnerships to navigate global economic turbulence and create sustainable prosperity.

Speaking at the forum under the theme “Leveraging Türkiye-Africa Relations for Mutual Gains,” Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Sampson Ahi, emphasized that both regions must evolve beyond traditional import-export models. He stressed that meaningful progress requires trust, policy alignment, and structures that ensure mutual benefit rather than one-sided transactions.

Ghana highlighted Africa’s substantial untapped potential through several key assets. The continent’s rapidly expanding young population represents both a demographic dividend and consumer market opportunity. Additionally, the African Continental Free Trade Area, headquartered in Accra, creates unprecedented opportunities for integrated continental commerce. Ghana itself is advancing industrial competitiveness through initiatives including the Accelerated Export Development Programme, Feed the Industry Programme, Made-in-Ghana Promotion Campaign, and the Rapid Industrialisation for Jobs Programme.

Agribusiness remains central to Ghana’s economic transformation strategy, with government policies targeting stronger value chains, increased productivity, and greater small business participation in export markets. Deputy Minister Ahi pointed out that the continent’s global agribusiness market, valued at approximately 3.5 trillion dollars in 2024, is projected to reach nearly 5.8 trillion dollars by 2033, presenting substantial opportunity for ambitious partnerships.

Türkiye has evolved significantly from a trading partner to a strategic investor in Ghana’s economy. Turkish investment now spans infrastructure, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors. Bilateral trade between the nations reached 888 million dollars in 2023 and is projected to exceed 900 million dollars by 2025. Both governments are targeting one billion dollars in trade by 2027, signaling confidence in deepening ties.

However, Ghana indicated that future growth must extend beyond current trading patterns. At present, Ghanaian exports consist primarily of gold and cocoa while Turkish goods dominate manufactured imports. The Deputy Minister called for economic focus to shift toward joint industrial ventures in high-value sectors, particularly pharmaceutical production, renewable energy, agri-food processing, and digital infrastructure.

Achieving this transformation will require deliberate policy harmonization, investment mechanisms that reduce business risks, and strengthened public-private collaboration to attract and retain long-term capital. These structural changes, Ghana argued, are essential for sustained growth beyond cyclical commodity trade.

Ghana characterized Türkiye and Africa as “natural partners,” pointing to Türkiye’s geographic position bridging Europe and Asia, and Africa’s emergence as a global growth frontier. The Deputy Minister proposed a new South-South economic cooperation framework built on shared ambition and innovation rather than traditional donor-recipient dynamics.

Ghana also emphasized its readiness to deepen engagement with Türkiye in turning forum outcomes into tangible investment partnerships that accelerate industrialization. The government appears committed to translating dialogue into concrete action, particularly through mechanisms supporting technology transfer, skills development, and joint ventures that benefit both nations.

The forum represented Ghana’s broader push to reshape its international economic partnerships. While housing, infrastructure, and trade discussions dominated Ghana’s involvement at TABEF, the overarching message centered on transforming relationships from transactional commerce into transformational co-creation that builds institutional capacity and shared prosperity across sectors.

Odinga’s body was flown from Nairobi to Kisumu on Saturday for a final public viewing

Dozens of mourners were injured on Saturday at a memorial service for Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga as crowds swelled, with some in critical condition taken to a nearby hospital, a Kenyan Red Cross official told Reuters.

A Reuters witness saw injured people receiving treatment at the scene in the city of Kisumu in western Kenya, the political heartland of Odinga’s Luo tribe.

Two people were killed and more than 160 others were injured at Odinga’s state funeral in Nairobi on Friday, aid group Doctors Without Borders said.

Odinga, a major figure for decades in Kenyan politics who was once a political prisoner and ran unsuccessfully for president five times, died on Wednesday aged 80 in India, where he had been receiving medical treatment.

He commanded a passionate following in the East African nation and a public viewing of his body on Thursday turned deadly when officers opened fire to disperse huge crowds after they breached a gate at a stadium hosting the ceremony. Three people were killed, according to the police.

His body was flown from Nairobi to Kisumu on Saturday for a final public viewing.

Large crowds of people could be seen crying, waving Kenyan flags and at one point pushing one another in a scuffle at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu.

A road procession had been planned from Kisumu to his Bondo homestead, but following the incident, his body will instead be flown to Bondo, the Standard newspaper said.

Ghana international defender Nathaniel Adjei has expressed his delight after making a timely return to the FC Lorient squad ahead of their Ligue 1 clash with Stade Brestois on Sunday.

Adjei was sidelined for several months after sustaining a serious injury earlier in the season, a setback that halted his impressive start to life in France following his move from Swedish side Hammarby IF.

The 23-year-old’s absence was deeply felt by FC Lorient, who have been inconsistent at the back since the start of the season.

His return to the matchday squad is a major boost for manager Olivier Pantaloni, who has consistently lauded the young defender’s discipline, work ethic, and leadership qualities beyond his years.

Reports indicate that Adjei impressed the technical team with his sharpness and commitment in training, convincing them that he is ready to return to competitive action.

The Orange lads will be counting on Adjei’s physical presence and composure at the back as they aim to climb up the Ligue 1 table.

Speaking to GHANASoccernet.com after being named in the squad, Adjei said he was over the moon and expressed both gratitude and determination.

“It’s been a tough period, but I’m thankful to God, my family, and the club’s medical staff for standing by me. I’ve worked hard to get back, and now I just want to help the team,” Adjei remarked.

Sunday’s match against Brest will not only test Lorient’s defensive resolve but also serve as a symbolic moment for Adjei, who is keen to re-establish himself as one of the most promising young defenders in French football.

If he features, it will mark his first competitive appearance since his injury layoff, and a significant step in what he hopes will be a strong comeback season.