Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah

Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has declared that Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy Policy cannot succeed without the expertise of logistics, transport, and supply chain professionals.

Speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama at the 60th Anniversary of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Ghana on August 21, 2025, Debrah said the vision of a round-the-clock economy rests on strong logistics systems, efficient transport networks, and reliable supply chains.

“Without CILT, the 24-hour economy cannot become a reality. You are the professionals who will design the systems, manage the flows, and ensure that goods and services move without delay, waste, or inefficiency,” he told the gathering.

Debrah emphasised that ports, airports, warehouses, and road networks must function seamlessly day and night, powered by professionals dedicated to excellence.

24-Hour Economy is a business revolution, not just extended working hours – Mahama

The celebration showcased how Ghana’s logistics sector is set to be reshaped by digitalisation, artificial intelligence, automation, and climate resilience.

Speakers noted that the 24-Hour Economy Policy is designed to unlock Ghana’s full productive capacity, boosting exports, attracting investment, creating jobs, and positioning Ghana as a global trade and logistics hub.

President Mahama’s “Big Push Agenda” was also highlighted as a complementary driver of economic transformation, focusing on modernising infrastructure to support continuous economic activity.

CILT Ghana was challenged to; Build capacity for a digitally skilled 24-hour workforce; partner with government to modernise transport and supply chain infrastructure and provide thought leadership to reduce inefficiencies and align Ghana with global best practices.

FULL TEXT: Goosie Tanoh’s speech at the 24-Hour Economy policy launch

“For sixty years, CILT Ghana has been a beacon of foresight, resilience, and partnership. Today, you are called upon once again to shape the future, to modernise our systems, and to ensure Ghana competes and wins on the global stage,” Debrah said.

Back in 2022, a high-quality pineapple variety from Ghana was introduced to export markets around the world. “We launched the Sugarloaf variety, a unique pineapple with soft white flesh, unlike the typical yellow-fleshed pineapples most people are familiar with,” explains Kingsley Ansong, President and Founder of Elefante Farms. “The Elefante Sugarloaf stands out for its delicate texture, refreshing juiciness, and exceptionally sweet flavor with very low acidity, making it enjoyable even for those who find traditional pineapples too sharp,” adds Juliane Krug, Vice President of Elefante Farms. According to the company, customer feedback consistently highlights that the Elefante Green Gold® Sugarloaf is admired for its distinctive appearance and cherished for its honey-sweet taste.

© Marieke Hemmes | FreshPlaza.comKingsley Ansong and Juliane Krug showing both pineapple varieties at Fruit Logistica Berlin 2025.

Elefante Sweet Gold™ MD2: The premium yellow-flesh variety
Building on the success of the rare Elefante Green Gold sugar loaf pineapple, the company has expanded its portfolio with the Elefante Sweet Gold™- the traditional pineapple variety MD2. Just like the most well-known pineapples, Elefante Sweet Gold is a premium MD2 variety with vibrant yellow flesh. It is distinguished by its high juice content, aromatic profile, and naturally sweet flavor.

“The Elefante Sweet Gold MD2 complements the Sugarloaf variety, giving customers two options suited for different markets, from wholesale and retail to processing,” Krug shared. “By adding Elefante Sweet Gold, we provide our partners with greater variety, reliable quality, excellent flavor, and multiple uses.”

“Because of the virgin, highly nutrient soils our fruits grow on, we are able to produce high quality MD2 without excessive fertilization. Our MD2 has a unique taste without the acidity that you would traditionally find in MD2 pineapples”, Ansong explained.

© Elefante Farms
The new Elefante Sweet Gold variety.

Year-round supply
Both the Sugarloaf and Sweet Gold varieties are grown in Ghana’s Central region, where fertile soils and tropical climate create ideal conditions for pineapple production. Through staggered planting cycles, year-round availability is ensured. Production peaks between September and March, aligning with high-demand seasons in international markets.

Expanding markets
Since its first shipments, Elefante Farms has established strong market presence in France, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the U.S. Recently, exports have expanded to include the UAE, parts of Asia, and additional select markets. “We’re responding to a strong growth in demand from fruit wholesalers, distributors, and processors,” Ansong noted.

To guarantee freshness, the pineapples are shipped by air directly from Accra to their global destinations. In Europe, Brussels serves as the central logistics hub, enabling the pineapples to reach supermarket shelves quickly. This rapid speed-to-market ensures customers receive fruit at peak freshness while maintaining reliable quality standards. Elefante Farms will also be starting their MD2 pineapple sea program next month.

All Elefante pineapples are fully traceable and cultivated using ethical and sustainable farming practices. The company is currently adding GRASP accreditation to its certifications, underscoring its commitment to responsible labor practices and fair treatment of workers.

With its dual offering of Sugarloaf and Sweet Gold MD2, the company is positioning Ghana as a source of premium tropical fruit for a wide range of markets worldwide.

© Elefante Farms

For more information:
Kingsley Ansong
Elefante Farms
[email protected]
www.elefantefarms.com

Fitch Rating flags six undercapitalised banks in Ghana

International ratings agency, Fitch Ratings, has noted that six banks in Ghana are likely to merge or be acquired by better-capitalised banks.

According to the agency, this is because those banks are unlikely to achieve capital compliance through internal capital generation alone.

In its latest release on August 13, 2025, Fitch stated, “They will need to seek capital injections, merge with or be acquired by better-capitalised banks, or be granted extended forbearance to allow time to retain sufficient earnings to comply.”

Most Ghanaian banks to remain capital-compliant by end of 2025 – Fitch Ratings

The report further noted that two of the undercapitalised banks are government-owned and have already received capital injections from the authorities.

“We expect them to receive further capital support to achieve capital compliance, although this may not materialise before end-2025,” Fitch added.

See the full release by Fitch below:

Most Ghanaian Banks to Be Capital-Compliant When Forbearance Ends

Fitch Ratings-London-13 August 2025: The vast majority of Ghanaian banks are on track to be capital-compliant once regulatory forbearance relating to the treatment of Ghana’s domestic default expires at end-2025, Fitch Ratings says. This is due to strong profits, low risk-weighted asset growth and, in some cases, capital injections.

Ghana’s domestic debt exchange programme (DDEP), which was launched in December 2022 and concluded in 2023, imposed large losses on the banking sector and had a significant impact on banks’ capitalisation given their high exposure to sovereign fixed-income securities.

In response, the Bank of Ghana eliminated the capital conservation buffer of 3%, which reduced the minimum total capital adequacy ratio requirement to 10% from 13%. It also allowed banks to phase in losses relating to cedi government bonds into their regulatory capital evenly over four years, starting from end-2022. Cedi-denominated government bonds accounted for the bulk of the debt subject to the DDEP.

The favourable treatment of losses on cedi government bonds has enabled the vast majority of Ghanaian banks to remain capital-compliant and helped preserve confidence in the banking sector. No forbearance was granted in respect of losses on other bonds subject to the DDEP, or Ghana’s Eurobonds, which were restructured in October 2024, given banks’ relatively low exposure to these instruments.

The banking sector’s capitalisation has recovered considerably since the DDEP. Fitch estimates that the sector’s tangible common equity/tangible assets ratio improved to 10.3% at end-1Q25 from 7.4% at end-2022.

The recovery has been driven by strong profitability due to high interest rates, and therefore high yields on treasury bills, which were excluded from the DDEP.

It has also been influenced by low credit growth and the more than 40% appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi against the US dollar since end-2024, which has deflated foreign-currency-denominated assets in cedi terms and therefore boosted solvency metrics. Some government-owned banks have received capital injections, but private banks have generally not needed capital support from their shareholders.

The banking sector’s capital adequacy ratio excluding the benefit of forbearance was first disclosed by the Bank of Ghana at end-February 2024, as 8.7%.

It increased to 18.2% at end-1H25, indicating that the vast majority of banks will be comfortably compliant when the remaining 25% of the losses incurred on cedi government bonds is phased into regulatory capital at end-2025.

Fitch estimates that six banks are unlikely to achieve capital compliance through internal capital generation alone. They will need to seek capital injections, merge with or be acquired by better-capitalised banks, or be granted extended forbearance to allow time to retain sufficient earnings to comply.

Two of the banks that remain undercapitalised are government-owned and have already received a capital injection from the authorities. We expect them to receive further capital support to achieve capital compliance, although this may not materialise before end-2025.

SSD/MA

18TH MEETING OF EXPERTS FROM WEST AFRICAN NATIONAL REGULATORY AUTHORITIES FOCUSES ON ROAMING IMPLEMENTATION ACROSS PUBLIC MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS

Lomé, the capital of the Republic of Togo, is hosting a two-day hybrid meeting beginning August 20, 2025, organised by ECOWAS. The meeting is dedicated to monitoring and evaluating the implementation of Regulation C/REG.21/12/17 on roaming across Public Mobile Communications Networks. This event also marks the 18th gathering of Roaming focal points from across the region.

This hybrid meeting brings together focal points from the National Regulatory Authorities of ECOWAS Member States, representatives from the Secretariat of the West African Telecommunications Regulators’ Assembly (WATRA), representatives from the ECOWAS Commission’s Directorate of Digital Economy and Post, representatives from UEMOA, and the ECOWAS National Office in Togo.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on behalf of Mr Sediko DOUKA, ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation, Ms Folake Olagunju, Acting Director of Digital Economy and Post, welcomed the full participation of Member States’ focal points at this important meeting.

She highlighted the progress made since the regulation’s adoption, particularly through bilateral tariff agreements between Member States. “This meeting is more than a checkpoint; it is a catalyst. It offers a valuable platform for Member States to exchange experiences, share lessons learned, and offer practical insights, especially for those still navigating the implementation process… The ECOWAS Commission remains fully committed to supporting Member States in this endeavour… ” said Ms Folake Olagunju.

In his address to participants, Mr Musa Jalloh, Deputy Director of Regulation at the National Telecommunications Authority of the Republic of Sierra Leone, emphasised the importance of digital integration and a unified regional market. He praised the growing number of bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding between Member States, reflecting the commitment of authorities to significantly reducing telecommunications costs and improving interoperability for the benefit of citizens across the ECOWAS region.

The meeting was officially launched by Mr Michel Yaovi Galley, Director General of the Electronic Communications and Postal Regulatory Authority (ARCEP) of Togo, represented by Mr Cabo Amar Vinyo, Director of Markets and Data Regulation. Mr Vinyo called for the full implementation of the regulation across all Member States to enhance consumer satisfaction, improve connectivity, democratise internet access, and promote regional integration.

Throughout the meeting, focal points will present updates on roaming service implementation, assess compliance with community price caps based on national monitoring, and review progress on tasks assigned during the 19th Meeting of ECOWAS Ministers on Telecommunications/ICT/Digital Economy. Discussions will also address delays in bilateral agreements and explore operator concerns related to fraud and other issues.

Experts will evaluate regulatory proposals, review the ECOWAS Commission’s progress in updating the Regulatory Framework, and examine WATRA’s engagement with the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) to provide technical assistance for community roaming.

As a reminder, Regulation C/REG.21/12/17 was adopted by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in December 2017. It aims to establish a harmonised legal and tariff framework for roaming within ECOWAS Member States, reduce high costs for voice, SMS, and data roaming, and determine the rights and obligations of community roaming service providers and regulators.

Julius Debrah is Ghana’s Chief of Staff

The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has announced that Ghana is not only spearheading healthcare innovation but has also become a magnet for global investment across multiple sectors.

Speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama at the opening of the 2025 China–West Africa Health Expo in Accra, Debrah urged investors to see Ghana as “Africa’s best expo centre and gateway to the continent’s new age of innovation, youth leadership, and sustainable growth.”

The event, jointly organized by the Health Community of West Africa Association (HCOWA) and the Ghana Health Service, brought together stakeholders from China, West Africa, and beyond, including manufacturers, academics, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and investors.

The expo highlighted Ghana’s vision of combining innovation, youth empowerment, and international collaboration as the foundation for Africa’s transformation.

Underscoring President Mahama’s vision, the Chief of Staff emphasised that Ghana is not only addressing health system challenges but also creating an investment-friendly ecosystem that empowers young innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs to develop solutions across diverse sectors.

I inherited over $200 million debt – DVLA boss reveals financial crisis

“Looking ahead, our vision is to position Ghana as the medical technology hub of West Africa. By attracting investment, encouraging innovation, and building world-class facilities in Accra and across our regions, we can ensure Ghana serves as a center of excellence for the entire sub-region,” he declared.

Debrah added that Ghana is creating platforms where youth-driven innovation intersects with global capital, driving sustainable progress in healthcare, agribusiness, technology, renewable energy, sports, and industrialisation.

This year’s Expo shone a spotlight on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in diagnostics and healthcare, showcasing how smart technology can bridge the gap between rural and urban health delivery.

However, he stressed that while technology is crucial, Africa’s greatest asset remains its human capital, its youth.

“We must also invest in people, our doctors, our nurses, our technicians, our researchers, and our young students who are training to carry the torch forward. The solutions we adopt must be sustained for generations to come,” he noted.

The 2025 China–West Africa Health Expo is being positioned as more than a healthcare gathering, it is a launching pad for investors seeking both impact and profitability in Africa’s fastest-growing region.

SP/MA

‘Last Wave’: Defence Press Corps captures Dr Omane Boamah’s final assignment

Julius Debrah is Ghana’s Chief of Staff

The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has announced that Ghana is not only spearheading healthcare innovation but has also become a magnet for global investment across multiple sectors.

Speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama at the opening of the 2025 China–West Africa Health Expo in Accra, Debrah urged investors to see Ghana as “Africa’s best expo centre and gateway to the continent’s new age of innovation, youth leadership, and sustainable growth.”

The event, jointly organized by the Health Community of West Africa Association (HCOWA) and the Ghana Health Service, brought together stakeholders from China, West Africa, and beyond, including manufacturers, academics, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and investors.

The expo highlighted Ghana’s vision of combining innovation, youth empowerment, and international collaboration as the foundation for Africa’s transformation.

Underscoring President Mahama’s vision, the Chief of Staff emphasised that Ghana is not only addressing health system challenges but also creating an investment-friendly ecosystem that empowers young innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs to develop solutions across diverse sectors.

I inherited over $200 million debt – DVLA boss reveals financial crisis

“Looking ahead, our vision is to position Ghana as the medical technology hub of West Africa. By attracting investment, encouraging innovation, and building world-class facilities in Accra and across our regions, we can ensure Ghana serves as a center of excellence for the entire sub-region,” he declared.

Debrah added that Ghana is creating platforms where youth-driven innovation intersects with global capital, driving sustainable progress in healthcare, agribusiness, technology, renewable energy, sports, and industrialisation.

This year’s Expo shone a spotlight on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in diagnostics and healthcare, showcasing how smart technology can bridge the gap between rural and urban health delivery.

However, he stressed that while technology is crucial, Africa’s greatest asset remains its human capital, its youth.

“We must also invest in people, our doctors, our nurses, our technicians, our researchers, and our young students who are training to carry the torch forward. The solutions we adopt must be sustained for generations to come,” he noted.

The 2025 China–West Africa Health Expo is being positioned as more than a healthcare gathering, it is a launching pad for investors seeking both impact and profitability in Africa’s fastest-growing region.

SP/MA

‘Last Wave’: Defence Press Corps captures Dr Omane Boamah’s final assignment

Abeiku Aggrey Santana

DEPUTY CHIEF Executive Officer of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Abeiku Aggrey Santana, has stated that Ghana is a proud custodian of Pan African heritage as the country represents African values, resilience, and unity, inspiring generations.

Speaking at the Joint Annual Conference of the African Marketing Confederation (AMC) and the Technology and Information Confederation Africa (TICON Africa), the Deputy CEO reiterated that Ghana is the home of Pan Africanism, the gateway to Africa.

“Ghana is the home of rich heritage and our tourism is more than just a destination. Ghana is an experience. Our country is blessed with diverse tourism potentials; from the historic forts and castles that tell our story of resilience and freedom to the breathtaking natural wonders such as the Kakum National Park, the Volta Lake, which is the largest man-made lake in the world,” he added.

Mr. Aggrey entreated participants to explore Accra and beyond to encounter the vibrant soul of Ghana, its cuisine, rhythm, and the richness of Ghana through traditional dishes.

“Most importantly, experience the friendliness of Ghanaians, hospitality that is second to none in Africa. We are also delighted that beyond the discussion on marketing technology and the future of Africa, you will also have the chance to enjoy Ghana’s cultural heartbeat,” he added.

The AMC and TICON Africa are Pan-African professional bodies of experts in the Marketing and Information Technology fields dedicated to unlocking the potential of Marketing and ICT across the African continent.

The 2025 conference focuses on fostering synergy between marketing, technology, and supply chain, ensuring Africa remains competitive in the global digital economy.

BY Prince Fiifi Yorke