Mali are into the AFCON 2025 quarter-finals after a nerve-shredding penalty shootout win over Tunisia, edging the Carthage Eagles 3–2 on spot kicks following a 1–1 draw over 120 breathless minutes in Casablanca.

The result sets up a West African showdown with holders Senegal in the last eight.

The game swung wildly in the closing stages. Reduced to ten men after Wayo Coulibaly’s first-half red card, Mali dug in under intense pressure before finally cracking in the 88th minute, when Firat Chaouat rose to head in Elias Saad’s cross for Tunisia.

Just as Jalel Kadri’s side seemed certain to advance, a VAR-reviewed handball by Yassine Meriah deep into stoppage time gifted Mali a lifeline. Lassine Sinayoko kept his nerve from the spot in the 90+6th minute, netting his third goal of the tournament to force extra time.

With chances scarce in the additional thirty minutes, the tie went to penalties, where Mali held their composure better. Djigui Diarra, outstanding throughout, crowned his night by decisively influencing the shootout as Mali converted three kicks to Tunisia’s two, sparking jubilant celebrations from the Eagles’ players and fans.

Senegal rallied from behind to beat Sudan 3-1 in Tanger in the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, booking their place in the quarter-finals in the process.

The 2021 champions found themselves a goal down after only six minutes when Aamir Abdallah shot Sudan ahead from the corner of the penalty area. It sent the Sudanese fans into a frenzy; hoping that it could spark an upset against the powerful Senegalese.

Senegal settled into the game, laying siege in Sudan’s half, creating several good opportunities.

The Teranga Lions drew level when Papa Gueye found the corner of the Sudanese goal after half an hour following a lovely cut back from Sadio Mane. Gueye was on hand again after a delightful team move to put Senegal ahead at the interval with a powerful left-footed drive late in first half stoppage time.

Senegal then put daylight between themselves and Sudan in the 77th minute when teenager Ibrahim Mbaye latched onto another Sadio Mane ball to seal the 3-1 win. That assist from the veteran took him to the top of the assist charts with eight, ahead of Yaya Toure who had been top with seven assists.

The victory means Senegal progress to the quarter-finals and will face Mali, while Sudan bow out.

A feature by Raymond Acquah

Accra, Jan 3, GNA – The year 2025 is etched in Ghana’s economic history as the moment the long-awaited reset truly began.

When the Mahama Administration assumed office, it inherited an economy burdened by inflation above 23 percent, interest rates exceeding 30 percent, a rapidly depreciating cedi, weakened investor confidence and unsustainable debt dynamics. The response was swift.

With clear political backing from President John Dramani Mahama, the Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, led a stabilisation drive aimed at restoring macroeconomic balance, rebuilding confidence and laying a firmer foundation for growth.

What follows are 20 key macroeconomic reforms and outcomes recorded in 2025 that collectively marked a turning point for Ghana’s economy.

Growth reignited

Economic activity rebounded strongly. Gross Domestic Product expanded by 6.1 percent in the first three quarters of 2025, compared to 5.7 percent over the same period in 2024, representing the fastest pace of growth since 2019.

Non-oil GDP growth accelerated to 7.5 percent, signalling broad-based expansion across sectors that generate the bulk of employment.

Inflation brought under control

Price pressures eased sharply during the year. Headline inflation declined from 23.8 percent in December 2024 to 6.3 percent by November 2025, the lowest level since February 2019.

Food inflation fell by 21.2 percentage points to 6.6 percent, while non-food inflation eased by 14.2 points to 6.1 percent. Inflation on locally produced items dropped from 26.4 percent to 6.8 percent, and imported inflation fell to 5.0 percent from 18.0 percent.

For households, the easing of inflation translated into restored purchasing power and relief at market centres across the country.

Interest rates ease sharply

Treasury bill rates declined dramatically from above 30 percent at the end of 2024 to about 11 percent in 2025. The reduction lowered government borrowing costs and improved credit conditions for the private sector.

Cedi records rare appreciation

For the first time in several years, the cedi posted an annual appreciation against all major trading currencies. It gained 40.7 percent against the US dollar, 30.9 percent against the pound sterling and 24.0 percent against the euro, reversing the steep depreciation experienced in 2024.

External position strengthened

The trade balance recorded a surplus of US$8.5 billion by end-October 2025, compared to US$2.8 billion a year earlier. The current account also improved, posting a surplus of US$3.8 billion in the first three quarters, up from US$0.6 billion in 2024.

Gross international reserves increased to US$11.41 billion, equivalent to 4.8 months of import cover.

Debt turnaround achieved

Public debt declined from GH¢726.7 billion, representing 61.8 percent of GDP in December 2024, to GH¢630.2 billion, or 45.0 percent of GDP, by October 2025. The reduction ranks among the sharpest debt reversals in the country’s history.

Investor confidence returns

International confidence in Ghana’s fiscal management improved markedly. Fitch, Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s each upgraded Ghana’s credit ratings, marking the first triple upgrade in several years.

Fiscal discipline restored

Fiscal performance strengthened as the primary balance recorded a surplus of 1.9 percent of GDP by October 2025, triple the initial target of 0.6 percent.

Pro-growth reforms rolled out

A series of tax and structural reforms were implemented to stimulate growth and ease the cost of doing business. These included the abolition of the COVID-19 Levy, reduction of the VAT rate to 20 percent, restoration of VAT input deductions, an increase in the VAT registration threshold to GH¢750,000 and the zero-rating of textiles to 2028.

Fiscal rules were also tightened through amendments to the Public Financial Management Act, introducing a debt ceiling of 45 percent of GDP by 2034 and a minimum annual primary surplus requirement of 1.5 percent.

Several nuisance taxes, including the Betting Tax, Emission Tax and e-Levy, were abolished. Oil revenues, mining royalties and District Assemblies Common Fund transfers were redirected towards priority infrastructure under The Big Push, while at least 80 percent of transfers were channelled directly to local governments.

Financial sector reset

The financial sector underwent a broad reset. The National Investment Bank was recapitalised with GH¢1.92 billion, while total funds under management rose to GH¢85.53 billion.

The Ghana Stock Exchange Composite Index delivered a return of 27.82 percent, with trading volumes increasing by 146 percent. Fixed income trading rose by 51 percent year-on-year to GH¢108.23 billion.

Together, these outcomes reflect a decisive shift in Ghana’s economic trajectory in 2025. The challenge ahead lies in sustaining discipline, deepening reforms and ensuring that the gains recorded become a durable platform for jobs, growth and shared prosperity.

GNA

Edited by Beatrice Asamani Savage

Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa

Ghana has commenced diplomatic negotiations with Ukraine to secure the release of a Ghanaian national (name withheld) who is being held by the Ukrainians as a prisoner of war.

“The Ukrainian Government has notified us of the arrest of our national and provided his identity which we have now verified, “ the
Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA) , Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has disclosed.

He said evidence made available indicates that the Ghanaian arrived in Moscow, Russia on July 7, 2024 where records show he signed a contract to join the 2nd Assault Company of the 71st Motorised Rifle Regiment of the 42nd Motorised Rifle Division.

On his Facebook post , the Foreign Minister said Ghanaian national subsequently participated in hostilities in the Zaporizhzhia direction.

“Yesterday, I held a meeting with the Acting Ambassador of Ukraine to Ghana, Ivan Lukachuk and appealed for his release to Ghana.

A special message has been sent to Kyiv.

I am also scheduled to travel to Ukraine in the coming weeks to continue with negotiations for his release. “

Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa said Ghana has objected to the potential of “our national being added to a prisoners of war exchange between Ukraine and Russia considering that could make him even more vulnerable. “

He continued: we are hopeful that our intense diplomatic efforts would yield the expected results, particularly, leveraging our cordial relations, and Ghana’s strong advocacy for peace and a cessation of the conflict.

May I use this opportunity to passionately appeal to the youth of Ghana to be alert to the modus operandi of these criminal recruitment and human trafficking networks operating clandestinely and often through the dark web. Please do not fall prey. It is extremely dangerous to get involved in any conflict, you can be killed or captured, “ he added.

The Mahama administration, he said would keep prioritising the welfare of all Ghanaians and ensuring that no one was left in harm’s way.

BY NORMAN COOPER