Gospel musician, Ewura Abena

Ghanaian gospel musician Ewura Abena has recounted a disappointing experience in which a pastor refused to give her the monies she raised during a church event where she performed.

In an interview on Neat FM, the “This Far” hitmaker revealed that after releasing her sixth album, she was invited by the pastor to perform at his church.

According to her, she took several copies of her CDs along, which sold out during the service.

“The pastor even announced a special offertory for anyone who wanted to sow into my ministry. A lot of people gave. After the service, he said he would call me later, but I never heard from him for days,” she recalled.

How I got sacked from my job a few days after releasing a song – Ewura Abena

She narrated that after several unanswered calls, she even texted him, begging for at least the money from the sales of her CDs, a plea that fell on deaf ears.

“I even begged him to just give me the money from my CD sales and keep the rest, but he never replied,” she said.

Sometime later, following the release of another music project, Ewura Abena said she received a surprise.

“My manager asked me to check my Facebook messages; a pastor was inviting me to perform at his church. When I checked, it was the same pastor. I told my manager, ‘Never. I am done with that pastor,’” she said.

Ewura Abena stressed that such experiences have taught her valuable lessons about professionalism and boundaries.

“Since that incident, I don’t handle any dealings personally anymore; everything goes through my manager,” she explained.

The gospel star also revealed that even her father, who is a pastor, ensures he compensates musicians he invites to minister, adding that it is only fair to support artistes who invest their own resources to perform.

She concluded by saying she now prays for divine provision to fund her music, rather than relying solely on performances for survival.

Watch the video below:

ID/MA

Guinness Ghana Breweries will hold its 53rd annual general meeting virtually on October 29, giving shareholders their first opportunity to vote on the new board composition following the brewer’s ownership transition to Castel Group. Four directors appointed in July await shareholder ratification as the company settles into its post Diageo era.

The meeting, scheduled for 10:00 AM through the company’s dedicated AGM website at www.guinnesghanaagm.com, marks a significant governance milestone. Shareholders will vote on electing Frédéric Feraille, Erwan Conan, Gregory Clerc and Laurence Dequatre, all appointed on July 4 when Castel Group completed its acquisition of Diageo’s 80.4 percent stake in the Ghanaian brewer.

The board overhaul followed Castel’s purchase of 247.3 million ordinary shares at GH¢5.15 per share, a transaction that reshaped one of Ghana’s most prominent listed companies. Former Managing Director Felicite Nson and several Diageo appointed directors resigned, replaced by Castel executives including new Managing Director Frédéric Feraille and Finance Director Erwan Conan.

Shareholders will also vote to re-elect Dr. Felix Addo, who’s retiring by rotation under the company’s articles of association. Dr. Addo serves as board chairman and has maintained his position through the ownership change, providing continuity during the transition period.

The virtual format continues practices adopted during the pandemic that many companies have retained for convenience and cost efficiency. Access to the AGM portal opens at 9:00 AM, one hour before the meeting commences. Shareholders will receive unique tokens via email or SMS starting October 1, allowing them to participate and vote electronically.

Universal Merchant Bank Ghana Limited, serving as the company’s registrar, will distribute these access credentials. Shareholders can direct questions in advance to the registrar’s designated email address, with responses provided during the meeting or through follow up communications.

For those unable to attend virtually or preferring alternative voting methods, proxy forms must reach the registrar at least 48 hours before the meeting, meaning submissions close on October 27. The company has also enabled USSD voting, allowing shareholders to cast votes by dialing a designated code during the meeting, accommodating those with limited internet access.

The AGM agenda includes standard annual business: receiving the directors’ report and audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2025, along with the auditors’ report. The 2025 financial statements are available on the AGM website for shareholder review ahead of the meeting.

Shareholders will vote on approving fees for non-executive directors for 2025 and authorize the board to fix auditors’ remuneration for the coming year. These routine matters rarely generate controversy but remain essential governance requirements under Ghana’s corporate law framework.

The meeting represents Castel Group’s first AGM as majority shareholder since securing an exemption from mandatory takeover requirements granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 3. That exemption allowed Castel to acquire control without launching a mandatory offer for remaining shares, based on strategic growth plans the group presented to regulators.

Castel Group ranks among Africa’s largest beverage companies, operating across the continent from Ethiopia to Angola and Madagascar. The group employs 40,000 people and brings extensive African market experience to Guinness Ghana’s operations, potentially opening new distribution networks and operational synergies.

The ownership change hasn’t disrupted Guinness Ghana’s commercial momentum. The brewer recorded strong financial performance during fiscal 2025, the year covering the transition period. Operations continued smoothly despite the significant shareholder and board changes, suggesting effective transition management.

For minority shareholders holding the remaining 19.6 percent of shares, the AGM provides an opportunity to assess the new board’s plans and question management about strategic direction under Castel ownership. Ghana’s corporate governance code encourages active shareholder engagement, particularly during ownership transitions.

The virtual format removes geographical barriers to participation. Shareholders anywhere in Ghana, or even abroad, can join the meeting with internet access. However, the digital divide means some smaller shareholders, particularly older investors or those in rural areas, may find virtual participation challenging despite the USSD voting option.

Phone lines will open from October 20 for shareholders needing assistance with registration or technical support. Universal Merchant Bank has designated staff to handle inquiries through multiple channels, recognizing that virtual meetings require more shareholder education than traditional physical gatherings.

The notice, dated September 25, provides shareholders with 34 days’ advance warning, exceeding minimum legal requirements. That extended timeline gives investors adequate opportunity to review financial statements, consider resolutions and arrange proxy voting if needed.

Board composition matters significantly for listed companies. Directors oversee strategy, monitor management performance and protect shareholder interests. The wholesale board change following Castel’s acquisition represents standard practice when majority ownership shifts, but shareholders still must formally approve these appointments.

The four new directors bring Castel Group’s operational expertise and African market knowledge. Their appointments signal the new owner’s hands on approach to managing the Ghanaian operation, rather than maintaining an arms length relationship. Whether this proves beneficial depends on how effectively they navigate Ghana’s unique market dynamics.

Dr. Addo’s retention as chairman provides valuable institutional memory and local market understanding. His re-election by shareholders would reinforce continuity amid the broader board transformation, balancing fresh perspectives with established relationships and market knowledge.

As Guinness Ghana settles into its new ownership structure, October’s AGM marks the formal governance transition. Shareholders voting to ratify the new board will effectively close one chapter and officially open another in the company’s evolution from Diageo subsidiary to Castel Group affiliate.

The meeting’s outcome is essentially predetermined, given Castel’s 80.4 percent stake ensures board resolutions pass comfortably. However, the process matters symbolically and legally, affirming shareholder democracy and corporate governance principles even when voting results aren’t in doubt.

Ruth Seddoh is the Acting-Director General of the National Service Authority

The Acting Director-General of the National Service Authority (NSA), Ruth Seddoh, has announced that registration for the 2025/26 service year will officially begin on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, following a complete overhaul of the digital portal to enhance transparency, efficiency, and security.

Addressing the press on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, she urged prospective personnel to register between Wednesday, October 8 and Wednesday, October 15, 2025, emphasising the importance of adhering to this timeline.

“The online registration portal is ready to commence the process for all new registrants for the 2025-2026 service year. It starts from tomorrow, Wednesday, October 8, 2025, and ends on Wednesday, October 15, 2025,” she said.

Business News of Friday, 3 October 2025DisclaimerSource: Faisal Mustapha, ContributorYEA rolls out bold interventions to tackle youth unemployment

Seddoh added, “It’s going to be for a period of one week. Our prospective national service personnel, and I believe you all know why, because we are already behind schedule. And of course, the entire process has been subjected to necessary scrutiny because it’s about accountability and the taxpayers’ money.”

The new portal features a personalised dashboard for each user, displaying posting details, institution information, duty reports, and a QR-coded certificate for instant verification.

‘Let us remember our promise to women, youth’ – Samira Bawumia at AFRIWOCC 2025

The official start date for the 2025/26 service year is Saturday, November 1, 2025, with formal duties commencing on Monday, November 3, 2025.

JKB/MA

Meanwhile, catch the highlights of Sarkodie x Shatta Wale’s epic performance at Rapperholic Homecoming on GhanaWeb TV below:

Abstract

This article examines the emergence and expansion of Keep Fit clubs in Ghana and analyses their role in fostering social cohesion, health promotion, and local development; framing recent advocacy by public figures such as Hon Julius Debrah as a contemporary policy and community-practice nexus.

Drawing on policy announcements, media reporting, and peer- reviewed studies of sport and community health in Ghana, the paper argues that organized, low-cost physical-activity groups (keep-fit clubs, walking groups, community sports days) function as inexpensive yet powerful social infrastructure that can bridge ethnic, generational, and socioeconomic divides if supported by clear policy, inclusive design, and community leadership. Introduction

On many Saturday mornings across Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, Cape Coast, Sunyani, Koforidua, Tamale, Wa, and in other cities and towns around Ghana, people from diverse backgrounds lace up trainers and gather for a brisk walk, an aerobics session, or a community soccer game.

These gatherings; often organized informally as Keep Fit clubs, walking groups, or by longstanding institutions such as El-Wak Keep Fit do more than improve cardiovascular health.

They create public space for interaction, conversation, and mutual support, developing habits and social ties that matter for both individual well-being and communal resilience (El-Wak Keep Fit).

In recent months and years, national public servants and policymakers have underscored this potential: Julius Debrah, Ghana’s Chief of Staff, has publicly championed walking and organized fitness events as part of a broader health-and-unity message, linking personal fitness to national cohesion. (Elwak Keep Fit Club)

Background: Keep Fit Clubs in Ghana — origins and policy context

“Keep Fit” as a public phenomenon in Ghana predates the current decade. Media reporting and government statements from the 2010s show formal interest from ministries (Youth & Sports, Health) to encourage the formation of Keep Fit clubs in regional capitals, districts, and schools as a vehicle for public health promotion.

Grassroots clubs such as El-Wak Keep Fit predate or parallel such policy interest; they demonstrate how local civic leadership (including civil servants, retired professionals, and faith or occupational groups) can sustain recurring fitness activities that accumulate social capital over time.

More recently, sport and community-health policy discourse in Ghana has emphasized the potential for community sport and physical activity to contribute to social inclusion and local economic stimulus—especially when public bodies coordinate with NGOs and community associations (policy briefs and academic analyses of sport implementation reveal persistent implementation gaps but strong design potential).

Why Keep Fit clubs build social cohesion: theorising the mechanisms

Social cohesion refers to the quality of relationships within a community: trust, reciprocity, shared identity, and capacity to act collectively (Putnam, 2000; local sport-development literature).

Keep Fit clubs foster cohesion through several interlocking mechanisms:

1. Regular, structured social contact. Weekly walks and classes produce repeated inter- personal encounters—essential for trust and network formation.

2. Cross-cutting ties. Fitness groups often bring together people who would not otherwise meet (different ages, occupations, ethnicities), reducing social distance and stereotyping.

3. Collective rhythm and rituals. Shared routines (warm-ups, post-walk refreshments) create group identity and rituals that cement belonging.

4. Low barriers to entry. Because walking and group calisthenics are low cost and require little equipment, they can include lower-income participants more readily than organized club sports requiring fees or gear.

5. Publicness and visibility. Outdoor activity reclaims public spaces (parks, stadia, beaches), signalling communal claim to civic life and enabling chance encounters across neighbourhoods.

Empirical work from Ghana and comparable contexts supports these mechanisms: community physical-activity initiatives have been used intentionally to bring groups together and to build civic trust in settings where formal institutions alone struggle to do so.

Evidence from Ghana: health, inclusion, and social outcomes

While the literature on “Keep Fit clubs” specifically in Ghana remains emergent, several relevant strands of evidence point toward positive outcomes:

• Increased participation and market growth. Ghana has seen growth in gyms, keep- fit clubs, and community fitness events since the 2010s—indicative of rising demand for group physical activity and associated communal spaces (feature reporting and market surveys).

• Perceptions of fitness services. A 2023 study of Ghanaian clients’ perceptions of fitness instructors and service delivery found growing patronage and diverse motivations; health, socialization, and wellbeing which suggests Keep Fit clubs meet both health and social needs. (PMC)

• Community sport for social inclusion. Case studies of community health games and GPAN (Ghana Physical Activity Network) initiatives show that community events using sport and play have successfully mobilized cross-community participation and civic dialogue.

These events are not a panacea but have measurable effects on contact across groups and local cooperation.

At the same time, systematic reviews and policy analyses note important caveats: unequal access (women and girls often face cultural and structural barriers), inconsistent funding, and weak institutional coordination can limit impact unless programs are explicitly inclusive and resourced (Charway, 2024; sport inclusion policy analyses).

The Julius Debrah Agenda: public leadership, symbolism, and policy leverage Public leadership matters.

When recognizable leaders; political officeholders, religious figures, or local celebrities participate visibly in Keep Fit activities, they confer symbolic weight that can normalize and scale participation.

Julius Debrah’s recurring public walks and calls for walking as “a tool for healthy living, unity, and national progress” are a case in point: such acts simultaneously promote a behavioural norm (walk for health) and attach an explicit civic frame (walking as a unifying national act). Media outlets and chief-of-staff engagements have amplified these messages, connecting personal fitness with national narratives of unity and progress.

Leadership alone is not sufficient: to convert public enthusiasm into lasting social cohesion requires policy scaffolding; financial support for community organising, safe public spaces for activity, gender-sensitive programming, and monitoring of inclusion outcomes. Ghana’s ministry announcements from 2014 proposed establishing nationwide

Keep Fit clubs in regional and district centres and schools an early policy template that could be revived and adapted to current priorities. Practical design principles for Keep Fit clubs with cohesion outcomes.

To maximise social-cohesion effects, Keep Fit clubs should be designed with intentionality.

Below are practical principles, drawn from Ghanaian practice and sport-for-development literature:

1. Deliberate inclusion: schedule sessions at times accessible to women, older adults, and shift workers; provide women-only sessions where cultural contexts require them.

2. Low or no cost access: eliminate or subsidize fees; partner with local businesses or district assemblies to underwrite basic logistics (first aid, water). (allAfrica.com)

3. Public-space partnerships: coordinate with municipal authorities to secure parks, stadia, beaches and market squares for activity; invest in lighting and safety. (SOCO Project)

4. Volunteer leadership + small grants: train community volunteers as facilitators and provide micro-grants for starter kits (megaphone, mats, simple audio). (ResearchGate)

5. Cross-group programming: design events that combine fitness with civic conversations, health screening stalls, or markets—creating multiple incentives for diverse attendance. (sportanddev)

6. Monitoring inclusion: collect simple demographic attendance data (age, gender, locality) and run periodic perception surveys to ensure the clubs are not replicating existing inequalities. (PMC)

Challenges and limits

Despite promise, Keep Fit initiatives face obstacles:

• Sustainability and funding. Volunteer energy can wane without modest financial support or institutional backing. Governments often announce programs but struggle to move from pilot events to sustained local funding. (Modern Ghana)

4 • Inclusion gaps. Cultural norms, caregiving responsibilities, and safety concerns reduce access for many women and people with disabilities unless intentionally addressed. (SAGE Journals)

• Measurement. Robust evidence linking Keep Fit club participation to long-term social cohesion (trust, vertical civic engagement, reduced intergroup conflict) is limited; many studies offer plausible pathways but not causal proof. There is a clear need for longitudinal and mixed-method evaluations. (ResearchGate)

Recommendations

For policymakers, civil society, and community leaders who wish to adopt a Julius Debrah- style national Keep Fit agenda focused on cohesion, We offer six pragmatic recommendations:

1. National framework with local flexibility.

Re-establish a national Keep Fit framework (policy, starter grants, training) while giving districts flexibility to tailor activities to local contexts. (Modern Ghana)

2. Equity targets and monitoring.

Make inclusion (gender parity, youth engagement, disability access) explicit in funding criteria; require simple reporting. (SAGE Journals)

3. Leader-to-community pipelines.

Use high-visibility leaders to catalyse interest, but pair symbolic acts with small, sustained investments in community organisers and safe spaces. (GBC Ghana Online)

4. Integrate health and economic activities.

Combine fitness sessions with health screenings, micro-enterprise stalls, or skills demonstrations so events provide compound benefits. (sportanddev)

5. Research partnerships. Fund universities and NGOs to run mixed-methods evaluations that measure both health and cohesion outcomes over time to build an

6. evidence base for scale-up.(PMC)

Religious leaders, particularly within churches, have a unique influence on the daily lives, values, and behaviours of their congregants. To promote national health and contribute to the revival of Ghana’s fitness culture, churches are encouraged to integrate keep-fit walks and regular exercise into their community programmes.

By framing physical activity as a form of stewardship of the body; a “temple of God” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20) leaders can inspire members to embrace fitness as both a spiritual and social responsibility.

Churches could organise monthly or quarterly “Faith and Fitness Walks”, combining prayer, fellowship, and light exercise to strengthen both spiritual and physical well-being.

These events can be structured to include health education, medical screenings, and fun sporting activities for youth and adults alike.

Beyond improving health outcomes, such initiatives will foster stronger bonds among members, encourage discipline, and contribute to community unity.

Importantly, by publicly endorsing and modelling participation in exercise, pastors and church leaders will normalise active lifestyles, reduce stigma around fitness, and complement national campaigns for healthier citizens.

In this way, churches can become vital partners in national development — promoting wellness, reducing the burden of lifestyle-related diseases, and rekindling Ghana’s collective enthusiasm for active living and sport.

Conclusion: human stories and national potential

Beyond policy briefs and programmatic frameworks, the heart of a Keep Fit agenda is human: the elderly man who uses his morning walk to exchange news with neighbours; the young mother who found a supportive circle and child-minding swap while exercising; the neighbour- stranger who becomes a civic ally after months of side-by-side aerobics.

These small, quotidian encounters add up. If guided intentionally, Keep Fit clubs can be both a pragmatic public-health tool and a low-cost civic investment; advancing the twin national goals of healthier citizens and a more cohesive Ghana.

Julius Debrah’s public advocacy taps into this dual promise: when leaders walk with their citizens, they symbolically and practically invite the nation to come together step by step. (GBC Ghana Online)

Cocoa is a key export commodity for Ghana

The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has reaffirmed its commitment to providing timely and continuous fertilizer supplies to cocoa farmers across the country, aiming to boost yields and strengthen the cocoa sector.

Jerome K. Sam, Head of Public Affairs at COCOBOD, emphasised that the timely provision of farming inputs is critical to the sector’s success.

COCOBOD addressed farmers’ concerns during a meeting organised by the Cocoa, Coffee, and Sheanut Farmers Association (COCOSHE) in Kumasi on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.

Representing COCOBOD’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Randy Abbey, Jerome Sam assured farmers that their grievances would be compiled and addressed.

“We have taken all their concerns. As major stakeholders, it’s our duty to compile their grievances and ensure they are addressed,” he said.

He added, “The farmers had expressed concerns about the supply of fertilizers, which COCOBOD is already working to address.”

Jerome Sam also highlighted the government’s commitment to improving cocoa production through close collaboration with industry stakeholders.

“They raised issues related to their work, for instance, calling on the government to supply more fertilizers, something COCOBOD is already working to achieve,” he noted.

The Executive Secretary of the National Film Authority, Mrs Kafui Danku-Pitcher, has been inaugurated as the Chairperson of the Ahoe Community Development Project in Ho, pledging to lead with integrity and commitment towards the completion of the initiative.

Speaking at the event attended by traditional leaders, dignitaries, and residents, Mrs Danku-Pitcher expressed deep gratitude to the community for the honour bestowed upon her.

She praised the leadership of Togbe Kasa III, Dufia of Ahoe, and the efforts of the community in advancing the project from its humble beginnings to its current stage.

Mrs Danku -Pitcher recalled witnessing the early stages of the project as a young girl and commended the community’s unity and dedication.

“Together, we can not only complete this project but build a legacy that will endure for generations,” she said.

Mrs Danku-Pitcher urged chiefs, elders, youth, and residents to rally behind the initiative with renewed energy, emphasising that the success of the project would secure a brighter future for children.

“If we raise them well, peace and stability will remain in our homes and communities,” she added.

By Frank Kwame Abbor

Ho, Oct. 7, GNA – Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has embarked on a tour to key heritage and ecological sites in the Volta Region to highlight their tourism potentials and attract investors. 

The tour was aimed to draw attention to the region’s cultural and ecological assets and call on stakeholders to support tourism infrastructure development in line with Ghana’s emerging Blue Economy strategy. 

Madam Gomashie emphasised the need for the urgent improvement in road access to major tourist sites, describing poor infrastructure as a key constraint to tourism growth.  

“What we lack most is infrastructure support. Road access to our sites must be improved. It makes promotion easier and encourages return visits,” she told journalists. 

She urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to invest in tourism from their Common Fund allocations.  

“The President has approved the release of 80 per cent of the Common Fund to local assemblies. I encourage you to dedicate part of it to developing and promoting tourism infrastructure,” she noted. 

The Minister also highlighted the role of youth engagement in promoting sustainable tourism and asked schools to integrate heritage site visits into their educational programs, saying, “We want students and young people to experience these sites firsthand, learn about our history, and develop a passion for traveling and exploration.”  

The Minister’s delegation toured several notable sites, including Fort Prinzenstein in Keta, the Avu Lagoon in South Tongu District, and the Hedranawo Slavery Museum in Ketu South District. 

The Minister stressed the importance of community participation, saying, “Tourism is not the business of government alone. Communities must take ownership of their sites and ensure that visitors have memorable experiences.” 

She linked the tourism agenda to Ghana’s Blue Economy vision, emphasizing that coastal attractions had great potential for unlocking investment opportunities. 

During a community interaction, Torgbui Sape Agbo V, Avaklasuga of the area, revealed that land had already been allocated to an investor for hotel development.  

He assured that the community remained open to more partnerships and investment to enhance local development. 

Participants experienced a boat ride on the lagoon and observed sugarcane-based alcohol production, which showcased the region’s eco-tourism and cultural wealth. 

Students from Keta Senior High School and Some Senior High School that joined the tour, described the trip as educational and inspiring.  

GNA 

Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Linda Asante Agyei 

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) remains one of the most significant trade initiatives between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa. First passed around the year 2000 under President Bill Clinton, AGOA provided duty-free access into the U.S. market for many product categories, which included everything from textiles and apparel to agricultural goods.

For many African countries, AGOA had been more than just a trade law. It has served as a development policy tool, offering an opportunity to integrate into global value chains, attract investment, and create jobs. Ghana, in league with its peers, has leveraged AGOA to diversify exports and expand its non-traditional exports such as apparel, cocoa derivatives, and handicrafts.

Yet, the promise of AGOA remains largely unfulfilled. Why? Because while Ghana and many of its West African peers had a rare opportunity to transform their export base while pushing nontraditional exports to scale, that window was only faintly used. Ghana’s export portfolio continues to hinge on the same familiar triad: cocoa, gold, and oil, which together accounted for over 80 percent of total export value in 2021.

This is not a mere statistic; it is a mirror of an inchoate industrial base, a symptom of policy inertia, and a call to decisive action. Even more concerning, the pattern of poor nontraditional and value-added products export showing has barely shifted over the years, suggesting that AGOA’s vast potential remains grossly underutilised, and the country’s export gains, under-beneficiated.

The Dilution of AGOA’s Impact

The gains of AGOA were weakened in recent years when the United States introduced bilateral tariffs in August 2025 that imposed taxes ranging from 10% to 30% on products that previously entered its jurisdiction duty-free. For countries like Ghana, this meant that competitiveness in the U.S. market would be eroded, undermining a core benefit of AGOA.

This underscores the reality that AGOA is not a one-way street, requiring African economies to build stronger negotiating positions and present attractive trade value to the United States.

Ghana’s Experience and Challenges under AGOA

Despite Ghana’s eligibility and its access to a vast U.S. market under AGOA, the country has faced several challenges:

1. The first is Low Utilisation Rates: Although AGOA covers over 1000s of products, Ghana’s exports have been concentrated in a narrow band, mainly cocoa derivatives, apparel, and a few agricultural items.

2. Structural constraints, like high energy costs, weak industrial infrastructure, and logistics bottlenecks, make Ghanaian exports less competitive compared to those from Kenya, Ethiopia, and Lesotho, which have stronger apparel and textile value chains.

3. The third is Limited Private Sector Capacity: Many Ghanaian firms struggle to meet stringent U.S. standards on packaging, quality, and certification, which limits their ability to scale exports. While this appears to be a challenge, it is equally an opportunity to firm up quality.

4. Lastly, Policy Uncertainty: The unpredictable nature of AGOA, renewed several times but always at risk of expiry, creates uncertainty, discouraging long-term investment in export-oriented industries.

Recommendations for Ghana

• Diversify Exports Beyond Raw Materials: Ghana should expand into high-value agricultural processing, textiles, and light manufacturing.
• Improve Industrial Infrastructure: Reducing energy costs, investing in ports and logistics, and strengthening special economic zones would improve competitiveness.
• Strengthen Trade Support Services: Capacity-building programs for SMEs on U.S. regulatory requirements can enhance compliance and scale-up exports.
• Forge Strategic Partnerships: Ghana can leverage partnerships with U.S. firms and diaspora investors to improve product quality and market penetration.

Navigating the Uncertainty: Beyond AGOA

With AGOA set to expire in 2025 or only a likely one-year extension being discussed, policy and business actors in Ghana must prepare for a post-AGOA era. These would include;

Policy-Level Actions such as:

• Bilateral Trade Agreements: Ghana should actively engage the U.S. for a more permanent bilateral trade framework that replaces the uncertainty of AGOA.
• Leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): As the host of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Ghana should champion regional value chains that strengthen bargaining power with the U.S. and other global markets.
• Negotiate Tariff Relief: Ghana’s diplomacy should focus on securing sector-specific tariff waivers for key exports like cocoa products, textiles, and processed foods.

Business-Level Actions

• Market Diversification: Ghanaian exporters must reduce overdependence on the U.S. by expanding into European, Asian, and other African markets.
• Value Addition and Branding: Instead of exporting raw cocoa or shea, Ghana should aggressively push for branded chocolate, processed shea cosmetics, and finished apparel. Business actors must leverage a relatively stronger local currency to invest in manufacturing.
• Private Sector Investment: Businesses should invest in quality improvements, certifications, and supply chain efficiency to remain competitive regardless of U.S. trade preferences.

Finally

AGOA has offered Ghana and Africa significant opportunities for trade and development. However, its benefits have been undercut by structural weaknesses and recent U.S. trade policies.

As its expiration looms, Ghana faces a pivotal moment. The path forward requires policy agility, private sector innovation, and strategic international partnerships.

Ghana should take decisive steps now by diversifying exports, strengthening industrial capacity, and preparing for life after AGOA; in doing so, the country will not only cushion itself from potential shocks but also position itself as a leading African exporter in a global economy that is rapidly shifting.

——————
About the author: Gilbert Atsu Torsu is an Agribusiness Consultant with a decade of experience in agriculture-related matters in West Africa. He is also the head of policy and research with the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana.

Professor Isaac Boadi is the Executive Director of IERPP

The Institute of Economic Research and Public Policy (IERPP) has urged the government to remain focused on its fight against galamsey, warning that distractions could undermine ongoing efforts.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, the institute welcomed President John Mahama’s recent appeal for collective national support in tackling galamsey, describing it as a commendable step toward safeguarding Ghana’s environment and natural resources.

However, the institute expressed concern over the growing emphasis on mining license statistics, particularly comparisons between licenses issued under the NPP government and those granted by the current administration.

“Functionaries of this government seem to think that the fewer mining licenses issued, the fewer cases of galamsey activities. This is an error of judgment when considering the situation on the ground,” the statement read.

‘They have no interest in ending galamsey!’ – Bentil slams Mahama and appointees

IERPP noted that while nearly 90% of licensed small-scale miners are reportedly engaged in illegal mining, thousands more operate without any form of authorisation.

The institute highlighted that many of the destructive activities occurring in Ghana’s forests and along water bodies are being carried out by unlicensed miners.

“It is true, close to 90% of licensed small-scale miners are engaging in galamsey; there are thousands of others in the trade who have no licences at all,” it added.

SP/MA

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A 19-year-old scrap dealer has appeared before the Adabraka District Court for stealing items at the SIC yard, South Industrial Area branch.

Kwaku Issahaku is alleged to have stolen a one-door unit air conditioner, valued at GHC4,000, a Hyundai Santafe bumper, valued at GHC800 and Hyundai Santafe door, valued at GHC1,000 belonging to the SIC.

Issahaku, charged with unlawful entry and stealing, pleaded not guilty.

He is said to have told the police that he scaled the wall of the SIC yard on September 27, 2025, to fetch firewood.

The court has admitted him to bail in the sum of GHC5,000 with two sureties.

The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Apeweh Achana, said the complainant was the System Administrator of a security firm at North Industrial Area, Kaneshie, while the accused person was a resident of Konkomba, Accra.

On September 27, a witness in the case, Sakibu Fataw, who works with Lions Security Company, was detailed as a private security guard at SIC, South Industrial Area.

The court heard that at about 5:30 pm, the security guard heard a strange noise inside the yard, upon which he followed up.

The security guard spotted Issahaku carrying the one-door unit Air-conditioner, one Hyundai Santafe door, and a Hyundai Santafe bumper belonging to the SIC.

The accused person was arrested together with the items and sent to the Kaneshie Police Station.

During investigations, he admitted the offence and said he scaled the company’s fence wall in search of firewood.

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.

Kofi Adams is the Minister of Sports and Recreation

Ghana’s Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has announced plans by the government to introduce a new Sports Levy, aimed at sustainably funding sports development across the country.

Speaking in an interview with Citi FM, Kofi Adams revealed that the proposed levy will serve as the main financial backbone of a National Sports Development Fund, designed to address longstanding funding challenges faced by athletes and sporting associations.

“The government is introducing a sports fund that will make us have a well-structured funding for sports. We do not have that currently, and because of it, our support for sporting activities has been very limited,” the minister explained.

According to him, the lack of a dedicated fund has often hindered Ghanaian athletes from competing internationally despite qualifying for tournaments.

Jordan Ayew, Messi and Haaland lead in 2026 World Cup qualifiers goal involvements

“Young people qualify, they struggle, they go through all the processes, and yet we are unable to push them to participate in competitions. So, the government has decided to establish a sports fund,” he added.

When asked if the initiative would mean the introduction of a new tax, Adams said “You can’t establish a fund without a levy. Every fund must have a form of levy that contributes into it.”

The minister added that the proposal will be laid before Parliament once it reconvenes.

If approved, the Sports Levy will mark Ghana’s first-ever dedicated mechanism for financing sports at all levels, from grassroots talent to elite competition.

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Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has announced that a new Sports Levy will soon be presented to Parliament when it reconvenes.

He explained that the levy forms part of government’s plan to sustainably finance sports development nationwide, serving as the main… pic.twitter.com/PxB6zaWPKJ

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Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has raised the alarm over the severe funding crisis facing the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), warning that millions of displaced people could lose access to essential services.

Addressing the 76th Annual Plenary Session of the UNHCR Executive Committee in Geneva, the Minister expressed grave concern over what he described as “a test of our shared humanity.”

“Ghana is gravely concerned about the severe reduction in funding at a time that there is an unprecedented increase in displaced persons,” he said.

He noted that due to a shortfall of about $1.4 billion, the UNHCR has been forced to suspend or scale down vital programmes, leaving millions of refugees without life-saving aid.

“With over 11 million refugees at risk of losing access to food, shelter, and healthcare, and six million children facing the loss of education and medical support, the consequences are dire,” he warned.

Mr. Mohammed-Mubarak called on the international community to renew its commitment to burden sharing and ensure that the UNHCR is adequately resourced.

“This funding crisis is not just a financial challenge; it is a test of our shared humanity and the world’s resolve to stand with those who have lost everything,” he stressed.

The Minister added that despite the global funding challenges, Ghana continues to work closely with neighbouring countries, including Togo, Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire, to develop a sub-regional strategy that reinforces national security while guaranteeing refugee protection and facilitating durable solutions.

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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.