Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been officially listed on INTERPOL’s Red Notice database following a renewed request by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). The move comes amidst ongoing corruption investigations and intensifies efforts to bring the former minister to justice.

The Red Notice, made public on June 6, 2025, describes Ofori-Atta as a 65-year-old Ghanaian male, born on November 7, 1959, in Accra. He is 1.7 metres tall with black hair and black eyes and speaks both English and Twi.

According to INTERPOL, he is wanted on the charge of “Using Public Office for Profit.” The OSP believes he is currently in the United States receiving medical treatment and is seeking international assistance to locate and provisionally arrest him, pending extradition or voluntary surrender.

This marks the second time the former minister has been declared a wanted person by the OSP. In February 2025, he was labelled a “fugitive from justice” for failing to appear before investigators after being summoned in relation to several high-profile corruption cases. These include matters linked to the controversial National Cathedral project and a revenue assurance deal with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML).

At a press briefing in Accra on June 2, the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, disclosed that his office had formally initiated procedures for the INTERPOL Red Notice just 30 minutes before the announcement.

“I triggered processes for the issuance of an INTERPOL red notice for the location and provisional arrest of Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta in whichever jurisdiction, pending extradition or his surrender,” Mr. Agyebeng stated.

Timeline of Events

• January 2025: The OSP formally notified Ofori-Atta that he was a suspect in five separate cases and requested his presence on February 10.
• January 31: His lawyers responded that he was abroad indefinitely for medical treatment and offered to represent him in his absence.
• February 5: The OSP rejected the claim of indefinite absence, demanded a firm return date, and reminded the former minister that legal counsel cannot respond to criminal charges on behalf of a client.
• February 10: A doctor’s note was submitted on Ofori-Atta’s behalf, indicating he was undergoing tests and potentially surgery, but without a definite timeline for return.
• February 12: The OSP officially declared him a fugitive from justice and activated an arrest warrant.
• February 18: Ofori-Atta appealed to the OSP, offering a return date in May. The OSP accepted and removed his name from the wanted list.
• March 2025: Ofori-Atta filed a lawsuit against the OSP and the Special Prosecutor, claiming unlawful treatment and requesting removal of related content from the OSP’s platforms.
• March 28: The Human Rights Court heard an interim application from Ofori-Atta, seeking to restrain the OSP from issuing future wanted declarations.

Despite these legal challenges, the OSP’s renewed action – culminating in the INTERPOL listing – signals a serious escalation. The public Red Notice encourages law enforcement agencies across INTERPOL’s 196 member countries, including Ghana and the U.S., to locate and provisionally detain the former minister.

What a Red Notice Means

While not an international arrest warrant, a Red Notice is a critical tool for international police cooperation. It allows a member state to request the location and provisional arrest of a fugitive for prosecution or to serve a sentence. INTERPOL reviews all requests to ensure compliance with its rules, verifying that they are not politically, religiously, or racially motivated and do not target refugees.

Once approved, the notice is distributed to all member states and includes identifying information such as name, age, physical characteristics, language proficiency, and the charges against the individual.

Implications for Ghana’s Anti-Corruption Drive

The listing significantly raises the stakes for Ken Ofori-Atta, who served as Ghana’s Finance Minister from 2017 until early 2024. His tenure was marked by both praise and criticism – including allegations of financial mismanagement and controversial policy decisions.

With this international move, the OSP is demonstrating its resolve to pursue accountability beyond Ghana’s borders. It remains unclear how soon Ofori-Atta will respond or whether extradition proceedings will follow.

Meanwhile, the Special Prosecutor is urging members of the public with relevant information to contact national or local police. The OSP has also reinstated Ofori-Atta’s name on its official list of wanted persons.

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.

Plan International Ghana has officially launched the She Leads Social Movement, a bold new platform to sustain advocacy for girls’ rights and leadership following the successful completion of its three-year She Leads Project.

The launch at the Monarch Hotel in East Legon brought together development partners, civil society actors, traditional leaders, and girls from across Ghana’s regions to mark a transition from project to movement.

Speaking at the launch, Project Manager for the She Leads Project, Joyce Obenewaa Darko, said the decision to launch the She Leads Social Movement stems from the overwhelming impact and momentum the project generated since 2021.

“It has been very transformative. We have touched lives and built the capacities of girls across senior high schools and communities,” she said.

She credited the movement’s success to the collaborative work with religious and traditional authorities, whom she described as “champions of change” for using their platforms to promote girls’ leadership and speak out against harmful gender norms.

Darko emphasised that the movement is not only a legacy of the project but a sustainability strategy to ensure that girls’ voices remain strong and unified even beyond donor funding.

“In all our engagements, we were able to mobilize groups from school clubs, community clubs, and regional platforms into a national movement. We believe it is time they come together as one She Leads Social Movement to champion the cause of girls’ rights and women’s leadership,” she explained.

 “We see the She Leads Social Movement as a sustainability plan beyond the She Leads Project. The needs of girls will not disappear because a project ends. This movement gives them one big voice to continue advocating for education, equality, and leadership,” she further added.

Madam Joyce also praised the recent passage of Ghana’s Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, which the She Leads Project had actively advocated for. She revealed that the movement would play a role in educating girls and young women about the new law to ensure they are prepared to benefit from the spaces it opens up.

“We contributed to the bill’s passage through petitions, consultations, and by creating spaces for girls to input into the legislative process. We are now working to ensure its implementation by sensitizing women and girls to prepare themselves for the leadership roles it supports,” she said.

Also speaking at the event, Deputy Chief of Staff Nana Oye Bampoe Addo reaffirmed the government’s support for the movement, noting “We are committed not only to listening, but to acting.”

She announced several key government initiatives, including the GH¢51.3 million Women’s Development Bank and the GH¢292.4 million Free Sanitary Pad Initiative, aimed at breaking systemic barriers to girls’ empowerment and inclusion.

Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Wendy Van Mel, applauded the She Leads partners for their coalition-building efforts and celebrated Ghana’s milestone in passing the Affirmative Action law.

She encouraged the next generation to use technology to amplify their advocacy.

“The Dutch government remains your reliable partner in advancing gender equality now and in the future.”

The She Leads Social Movement now serves as a unified national platform for over a thousand girls and young women across Ghana to push forward the unfinished agenda of gender equality, inclusive leadership, and protection of girls’ rights.

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.

Zambia’s former President Edgar Lungu has died at the age of 68, his party has said in a statement.

He had “been receiving specialized treatment in South Africa” for an undisclosed illness, the Patriotic Front (PF) added.

Lungu led Zambia for six years from 2015, losing the 2021 election to the current President Hakainde Hichilema by a large margin.

After that defeat he stepped back from politics but later returned to the fray. He had ambitions to vie for the presidency again but at the end of last year the Constitutional Court barred him from running, ruling that he had already served the maximum two terms allowed by law.

In a short video, Lungu’s daughter Tasila said that the former head of state, who had been “under medical supervision in recent weeks”, died at a clinic in South Africa’s capital, Pretoria, at 06:00 (04:00 GMT) on Thursday.

“In this moment of grief, we invoke the spirit of ‘One Zambia, One Nation’ – the timeless creed that guided President Lungu’s service to our country,” she added in an emotional statement.

Transport operators threaten strike on June 10 if government fails to reverse the GH¢1 energy levy

The Commercial Transport Operators, including the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), are calling on the government to immediately reverse the GH¢1 Energy Sector Levy recently imposed on petroleum products.

Parliament, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, approved the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which introduces a GH¢1 levy on petroleum products.

But speaking at a press conference on Thursday, June 5, 2025, the Public Relations Officer of GPRTU, Abass Ibrahim Moro, described the levy as a burden that threatens the survival of the transport sector.

According to him, the new charge comes just weeks after a nationwide reduction in transport fares, creating a financial strain on operators already grappling with high operational costs.

“This levy will significantly increase our operational expenses, leading to a loss of income, which directly affects our livelihoods and that of the commuting public,” he stated.

The GPRTU and its allied transport unions are urging the government to reconsider the decision and engage transport stakeholders in dialogue over a sustainable solution to challenges in the energy sector.

“We are, therefore, calling on the government to reverse this levy immediately and engage us as major stakeholders on the way forward,” Abass added.

The union further warned that should the government fail to respond positively, drivers will, on June 10, 2025, embark on industrial action until their concerns are addressed.

“In the event that our call is not heeded, we will be compelled to take an industrial action and park our vehicles on June 10, 2025. We urge the government to consider reversing the levy on the transport sector or be ready for the consequences of our actions,” he said.

SP/AE

Legendary Ghanaian broadcaster, Mike Eghan, famed for his 1970s television show, The Mike Eghan Show, has passed away, aged 89..

He passed away in Accra on June 5, a source close to the family has confirmed to the Graphic Online.

Born in Sekondi-Takoradi, Eghan, also referred to as the “The Magnificent Emperor,” was among the pioneering hosts of electronic media and show business,  in a career that spanned for 60 years, starting off as a disc jockey, then a radio presenter and also a television host.

He hosted programmes for the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) as well as the BBC World Service in London. 

Long after his retirement, he autographed a book, “The Emperor’s Story – From the Centre of the World,” in 2019, cataloguing his life, work and impact in the media terrain.

Besides the media work, he also worked as a Entertainment Manager with the Volta River Authority, returned to London to work with the BBC, before returning home to revive the Mike Eghan Show.

In his latter years, he ventured into hotel business.

Media work

In the early 1960s, Mike Eghan was a regular co-host of Radio Dance Time with David Larbi on Radio Ghana, the only radio station in Ghana at the time.

He underwent a period of nurturing and polishing up during his five-year stint with the British Broadcasting Corporation between 1965 and 1970, after which he returned home to join the commercial service of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, GBC 2, where he made a seismic impact with his innovative style of presenting musical programmes on radio known as disc jockeying.

Among the likes of Joe Lartey and Eddie Faakye, Eghan was a popular household name, not just because there was only one television, Ghana Television, during their time, but because of their command of the English language, dexterity and professionalism which endeared them to both young and old.

Welcome to the show

His popular 1970s talk show, The Mike Eghan Show, ran for more than a decade and featured some of the continent’s legends as guests, including Miriam Makeba, Dr Ephraim Amu among others.

Aired on Saturday nights,  the show blended education with entertaining, hosted with the GBC Dance Band providing background music and performances for guests who would perform on the show.

It was a show for legends and iconic personalities and one which also strongly brought to the fore, Eghan’s superb interviewing skills, a clear indication of the depth of research that drew the kind of responses his guests shared on the show.

The Mike Eghan Show was famed for its one-line catch phrase which became the signature tune, “Welcome, welcome, welcome to the show”, and became the most popular in almost every Ghanaian home. 

In 1971, he again showed his class, when as the master of ceremonies (MC), he hosted the historic concert in Ghana Soul to Soul, held at the Black Star Square in 1971 and which featured many prominent African-American artists alongside Ghanaian musicians.

The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah, has called on the Mahama administration to focus on eliminating waste and corruption in the energy sector instead of imposing new taxes on Ghanaians.

His remarks come in response to the recently passed Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which introduces a GHS1 levy on fuel. The government said the tax is necessary to raise funds to clear debts in the power sector and stabilise the electricity supply.

In a post on X, Braimah criticised the move, arguing that increased taxation only benefits a corrupt elite at the expense of ordinary citizens.

“Resetting Ghana shouldn’t be about new taxes to continue to enrich elite looters. It should be about curbing the waste and looting in all sectors. If you know very well about the looting and waste at the National Petroleum Authority, why such a new levy? The scandal at NPA is far bigger than the National Service Scandal.”

His comments echo broader public criticism, including from the Minority in Parliament and the New Patriotic Party’s 2024 presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who have also condemned the new fuel levy.

IPGG backs GH¢1 fuel levy as lifeline for power sector

…..

Explore the world of impactful news with CitiNewsroom on WhatsApp!

Click on the link to join the Citi Newsroom channel for curated, meaningful stories tailored just for YOU:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCYzPRAYlUPudDDe53x

No spam, just the stories that truly matter! #StayInformed #CitiNewsroom #CNRDigital

Bank of Ghana’s new headquarters

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has recorded a loss of GH¢9.49 billion resulting from a fall in total operating income in the 2024 financial year.

This is the third consecutive fiscal pressure for the central bank, having posted GH¢60.9 billion and GH¢10.5 billion in losses for the 2022 and 2023 financial years, respectively.

For 2024, the total operating income of GH¢9.40 billion was outpaced by total operating expenses of GH¢18.89 billion, leading to the deficit.

Factors accounting for the loss this time around include GH¢8.60 billion spent to manage excess liquidity and support monetary tightening in the form of open market operations.

FX revaluation and exchange losses amounting to GH¢3.49 billion, which include GH¢1.82 billion linked to the government’s Gold-for-Oil Programme.

During the period under review, currency issuance costs rose to GH¢1.01 billion, up from GH¢690 million in 2023, which means an increased cost of maintaining currency circulation.

In addition to these are accounting adjustments arising from the treatment of foreign exchange gains and losses from revalued assets, including gold holdings, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), and foreign securities.

Despite the loss, the central bank reported a GH¢4.02 billion improvement in its equity position, which closed the year at a negative GH¢61.32 billion.

This is an improvement from 2023, though still deep in negative territory.

SP/EB

Watch the latest edition of BizTech below:

Click here to follow the GhanaWeb Business WhatsApp channel

There’s a new motorsport arms race unfolding on the continent, one with global attention and local pride at stake.

South Africa’s iconic Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit is edging closer to an F1 comeback. Recently granted the green light for FIA Grade 1 upgrades, Kyalami isn’t just reengineering its tarmac—it’s reigniting decades of history.

The last time Formula 1 raced on African soil, it was right here in 1993. For many, a return to Kyalami feels not just overdue… but necessary.

But while South Africa plays the legacy card, Morocco is betting big on ambition.

A $1.2 billion motorsport megaproject is underway near Tangiers, aiming to build a state-of-the-art racetrack, luxury real estate, and an entire economic zone around it.

Backed by aggressive planning and strategic infrastructure development, Morocco is making a loud and clear pitch: Africa’s future F1 hub belongs in the north.

Then there’s Rwanda—quietly positioning itself with political will, strategic diplomacy, and continental branding clout. They may not have a track… yet. But the country has shown time and again that it knows how to build globally relevant experiences from the ground up. The long game is in motion.

So the question isn’t if F1 will return to Africa. That ship has sailed.

The real question is: Who will win this race off the track?
South Africa with its motorsport heritage?
Morocco with its financial muscle?
Or Rwanda with its diplomatic agility?

Each has a different strategy:

South Africa: Proven history, existing circuit, strong fanbase.
Morocco: Infrastructure investment, economic ecosystem, bold vision.
Rwanda: Government coordination, soft power diplomacy, long-term play.

As someone who works in marketing, events strategy, and is also a motorsport advocate, I see a huge opportunity here: Africa doesn’t need just one Grand Prix.

The continent is big enough, passionate enough, and growing fast enough to host multiple motorsport events—each showcasing a unique cultural identity, landscape, and economic potential.

But let’s be real… legacy alone won’t cut it. Neither will flashy promises. This is a test of logistics, lobbying, investment confidence, and vision.

F1 is coming back to Africa.
Whether it lands in Gauteng, Tangiers, or Kigali will depend on who treats this not just as a race—but as a continental statement.

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 Minister of Transport, Joseph Nikpe Bukari, has raised concerns over the growing influx of heavy-duty machinery, revealing that Ghana receives over 200 excavators through the Tema Port each day.

He described the trend as an “invasion” that poses serious regulatory and environmental challenges.

“We receive over 200 excavators on a daily basis into our port,” he said.

Speaking on JoyFM’s News Night on Thursday, June 5, Mr. Bukari noted that the sheer volume of excavators entering the country demands urgent policy attention, especially amid concerns about illegal mining and unregulated construction.

The Minister revealed that more than 1,200 excavators have been held at the port in just three weeks following a temporary halt in their clearance.

“We, the Ministry of Transport in our support in the fight against illegal mining, known as galamsey – we are putting in place this ban or prohibition of importation of excavators into our country,” he said.

“For three weeks today, when I visited the port and asked for a halt in clearing of the excavators, we have had over 1200 plus in the Tema port.”

Mr. Bukari added that intelligence reports suggest nearly 3,000 more excavators are currently en route to Ghana by sea, describing the development as “disturbing and worrying.”

The Government of Ghana has imposed an immediate ban on the importation of excavators. The Transport Ministry, in a statement signed by Mr. Nikpe, announced the implementation of a new policy dubbed “No Permit, No Excavator”, which takes effect immediately.

“The directive is aimed at protecting our water bodies and forest reserves,” the statement said, citing the devastating environmental impact of unregulated mining activities, particularly the use of heavy-duty earth-moving equipment in unauthorised mining operations.

On the back of this, Mr Bukari stated that the government’s ban on excavator imports is a critical step in stopping illegal mining at its source.

However, the Minister clarified that the ban is not absolute, saying that licensed mining firms and legitimate contractors may still import excavators, but only with proper vetting and permits.

“If you come and you are a mining company or a contractor and we are convinced that you need excavators to engage in your activities, then you can access a permit. But if you are not in that category, we advise that you do not attempt because we will either confiscate it or we will not allow it to be cleared at the port,” he added.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Hassan Tampuli is a former Deputy Minister of Transport

The former Deputy Minister of Transport, Hassan Tampuli, has criticised the government for introducing a new tax after scrapping the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy).

He noted that the “Dumsor Levy” is a repackaged version of the Electronic Transfer Levy, adding that the government has gone back on its word not to introduce new taxes after abolishing others.

“This government promised to remove what they described as nuisance taxes which included E-Levy, Betting Tax, which was never collected and the Emissions Levy, which, all put together, do not come anywhere near what they are asking Ghanaians to pay. They simply took out E-Levy and brought E-Levy Pro Max,” Tampuli was quoted by myjoyonline.com.

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has defended the introduction of the new petroleum levy, describing it as a necessary intervention to rescue Ghana’s ailing energy sector from collapse and safeguarding national productivity.

He made this known when the National Economic Dialogue Planning Committee presented its final report to him on June 4, 2025.

He revealed that the energy sector currently shoulders a debt of over $3.1 billion with an additional $1.8 billion needed in the coming months to procure fuel for uninterrupted thermal power generation.

“Our energy sector carries a debt burden of over $3.1 billion, with an estimated US$1.8 billion more required to finance fuel procurements for uninterrupted thermal power generation in the coming months. If left unaddressed, this situation significantly threatens national productivity and industrial growth.

“While we have devised a strategy to liquidate this debt and stop the bleeding in the power sector, we must take advantage of recent gains created by appreciation in the value of our currency to accelerate the solution to our energy sector challenges.

“In line with the dialogue’s recommendation to boldly tackle the crisis in the energy sector, Parliament yesterday approved an amendment to the Energy Sector Levies Act and the certificate of agency, introducing a one Ghana cedi increase in the energy sector recovery levy. This decision, though difficult, is necessary and justifiable”, he added.

SSD/AME

This blog is managed by the content creator and not GhanaWeb, its affiliates, or employees. Advertising on this blog requires a minimum of GH₵50 a week. Contact the blog owner with any queries.

Ted News Ghana Blog of Thursday, 5 June 2025

Source: TEDDY VAVA GAWUGA

Betway, a global leader and pioneer in the online gaming and sports betting industry, is proud to announce the launch of the first Aviator Legends Tournament in Ghana: an exciting new competition that invites players to test their skill, bravery and timing in the high-flying world of Aviator.

The Aviator Legends Tournament is set to be the biggest crash game event of the year, offering players across Ghana the chance to compete for the massive grand prizes, free flights every day and the ultimate chance to be named as the Aviator Legend of 2025.

From the 2nd to 30th June 2025, Ghanaian crash game enthusiasts will battle it out for who becomes the 2025 Aviator Legend. With a grand prize of GHC 500,000 for the ultimate winner and guaranteed daily free flights, the tournament which is exclusive to Betway promises a mix of competition, non-stop entertainment and game play strategy.

Players will participate in daily Aviator sessions over the month of June, where they must wager and then strategically cash out before the plane flies away. The longer the flight, the higher the multiplier and the more points you can accumulate. But wait too long, and it’s game over. Points are awarded based on multipliers and consistency and the top 8 performers on the leaderboard at the end of the tournament will advance to the grand finale in Accra where they can win the grand prize of GHC 500,000 and be named Aviator Legend 2025.

Kwabena Oppong-Nkrumah,Country Manager – Marketing from Betway adds, “We want to create a memorable experience by launching a tournament that will encourage players to take a shot at winning and promote a healthy competition against one and another.”

Developed by SPRIBE, Aviator has become a firm favourite in Ghana for its fast-paced gameplay and sky-high winning potential.

Giorgi Tsutskiridze, Chief Commercial Officer at SPRIBE, adds “Aviator has redefined what a crash game can be — simple, social and incredibly engaging. Partnering with Betway to launch the firstever Aviator Legends Tournament is an exciting step forward in bringing this unique experience to an even wider audience. This competition isn’t just about winning prizes — it’s about building a community of players who dare to push their limits and chase that perfect flight. We’re proud to be part of this milestone.”

With Betway’s seamless platform and trusted reputation, the Aviator Legends Tournament promises to deliver an unforgettable experience for both seasoned players and newcomers.

With high cash prizes up for grabs and the chance to become an Aviator Legend, Betway is encouraging players to take to the skies and join the legends by logging in or registering at www.betway.com.gh/aviator-legends . The challenge begins on 2nd June! Whether you’re a casual flyer or a high-stakes gamer, this is your chance to rise above the rest.

-ENDS

About Betway

Betway is part of Super Group: the global digital company which provides first class entertainment to the worldwide betting and gaming community.

Super Group (SGHC) Limited is the holding company for leading global online sports betting and gaming businesses: Betway, a premier online sports betting brand, and Spin, a multi-brand online casino offering.

Listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE ticker: SGHC), the group is licensed in over 20 jurisdictions, with leading positions in key markets throughout Europe, the Americas and Africa. The group’s successful sports betting and online gaming offerings are underpinned by its scale and leading technology, enabling fast and effective entry into new markets. Its proprietary marketing and data analytics engine empower it to responsibly provide a unique and personalized customer experience. For more information, visit www.sghc.com

Betway Group is a leading provider of innovative and exciting entertainment across sports betting, casino and esports betting. Launched in 2006, the company operates across a number of regulated online markets. Betway prides itself on providing its customers with a bespoke, fun and informed betting experience, supported by a safe, secure, fair and responsible environment.

Betway is a member of several prominent industry-related bodies, including International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), iGaming European Network (iGEN), the Independent Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS), Sports Wagering Integrity Monitoring Association (SWIMA) and the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), and is ISO 27001 certified through the trusted international testing agency eCOGRA.

For more information about Betway please visit: www.betway.com.gh

In Accra, the price of a kilo of tomatoes is up nearly 40% compared to last year. Inflation may be easing, but at 22.4% in March 2025, everyday costs still bite hard.

Friends in London tell a similar story: although the UK’s official inflation rate has fallen to 2.6%, most people don’t feel any richer; their wages haven’t really kept pace, and bills continue to climb.

In the US, inflation is slightly lower at 2.4%, but that hasn’t stopped rents, healthcare costs, and the endless drip of monthly subscription fees from squeezing wallets thin.

No wonder we mutter the same phrase from Kumasi to Kensington: “Nowhere cool.”

That phrase has become a kind of shorthand, a way to sum up the shared, simmering frustration that something is out of balance almost everywhere. It reflects not just economic discomfort but something deeper. There is a global unease with how modern life is structured.

The cost of living is only part of the story. Beneath it runs anxiety about precarity, systems under strain, and a growing sense that today’s cities, even in their gleaming modernity, aren’t built for human thriving.

Why BNPL Signals a Deeper City Crisis.

Something unusual is happening in how we pay for everyday things. In the UK and US, you can now buy a simple burger and split the cost into about four payments. It’s not just for fashion or tech anymore. Basic meals and even concert tickets are increasingly being paid for in installments.

At this year’s Coachella festival, around 60% of general-admission tickets were bought on credit through Buy-Now-Pay-Later (BNPL) services. That whole BNPL sector is expected to cross $560 billion globally this year.

BNPL can help people manage tight budgets, yes, but if you need a loan to have dinner, it’s a warning sign. It means more people are living on borrowed comfort, not actual security.

In African cities, BNPL is growing fast too. It’s powered by mobile phones, informal jobs, and the pressure to keep up. But here’s the concern: if credit becomes the main way to feel included or “modern,” we’re building cities on shaky ground. True dignity shouldn’t rely on debt for basic needs. We need systems that let people thrive without stretching their wallets to breaking point.

Persons of Concern: the club no one queued for.

Once used to describe refugees, the term Persons of Concern (POCs) is quietly expanding to include teachers, nurses, and even software engineers. It now includes anyone living a paycheque away from arrears. It now includes everyday hardworking people who find themselves increasingly poorer and poorer, year after year, through no fault of their own.

When survival dominates the lives of 60% of a city’s residents, innovation, ambition, and investment all falter.

What makes this shift more concerning is how invisible it is. Many POCs wear the mask of normalcy. They show up to work, smile at clients, and meet KPIs, all the while quietly rationing electricity, skipping meals, or delaying essential health checkups. The social contract weakens when middle-income earners become the working poor.

The Three-pillar antidote

In 2018, I argued that African cities must become:

1. Regionally Productive
2. Worldwide Connected
3. Self-Reliant

The framework still holds. However, the stakes are higher now, so it is important that we unpack these pillars again through a 2025 lens.

1. Regional Productivity

Productivity doesn’t just mean more output. It means useful output in sectors that matter, at scales that are inclusive, and with systems that reward long-term value.

• Ease borders inside the border. Ghana ranks fairly well for starting a business, yet contract enforcement and customs friction drag GDP. World Bank simulations suggest that streamlining these could lift national output by up to 2%. Businesses in Kumasi shouldn’t face more red tape sending goods to Accra than they would be exporting to Abidjan.
• Skill up, spin up. Intra-African trade has reached $192 billion. There’s robust demand for goods made and branded on the continent. Yet our technical training systems often lag. There is a huge difference between a local skilled artisan and a local export-ready manufacturer. Yet, the gap is actually narrower than we think. We can bridge this gap, but only with the right support systems like maker spaces, certification hubs, and co-investment from diaspora networks.
• Localise supply chains. Cities must cultivate internal resilience. If 80% of a hospital’s PPE must come from abroad, then every border shock becomes a health crisis. Regional production hubs, especially for essentials like food, medicine, and construction inputs, are both strategic and economic priorities.

2. Worldwide Connectivity

Africa has often been plugged into global systems only as an extraction point. Examples are mining, raw exports, and data harvesting. But AfCFTA changes the game. It creates a platform for cities to negotiate their integration terms.

Thirty-seven African states are shipping under AfCFTA’s Guided Trade Initiative. Digitised customs, harmonised standards, and single-origin certification let businesses comply once and then access 54 markets. Cities that plug in early will enjoy network effects down the line.

But connectivity also means digital. Broadband penetration in some African capitals remains under 50%. Without reliable, affordable internet, everything from fintech inclusion to remote learning collapses. Urban investment must include fibre optics and public access points as basic infrastructure.

Let’s not forget cultural exports: Nollywood films, Ghanaian music, and Francophone fashion. These connect the continent to global youth culture. Policies should help creative industries formalise, scale, and retain ownership.

3. Self-Reliance

Africa still produces only around 80% of the food it consumes. But we have tools like AI-driven fertiliser maps, solar-powered cold chains, drought-resilient seeds, and many others. Urban-centred “agro-rings” could shield populations from price shocks and retain value locally.

This is where decentralised infrastructure becomes key. Imagine a circular economy that doesn’t just recycle plastic but repurposes organic waste into biofertiliser for peri-urban farms. Or rooftop gardens on housing estates linked to local feeding programmes. This can happen in real life, not just in sci-fi movies.

Self-reliance also includes energy. With falling solar prices and battery innovation, cities can aim to power health clinics, schools, and small factories independently. Mini-grids paired with local cooperatives can create jobs while ensuring reliability.

Five practical moves

1. Regulate micro-credit and BNPL.I own a micro-credit enterprise, but I am still an advocate for sustainable policies. Cap effective interest rates, enforce plain-language contracts, and link repayments to credit scores so users build a financial footprint.
2. Create Earn-Save-Spend-Later wallets. Match savings with credit access to nudge behaviour away from impulsive debt. Think of it as financial literacy embedded in design.
3. Bundle infrastructure with founder spaces. Every road built should add a solar mini-grid or a fabrication hub, letting SMEs capture value from the uplift. Industrial parks shouldn’t be isolated zones but integrated economic corridors.
4. Tie export rebates to SDGs. Reward firms whose shipments bear low-carbon tags and decent-labour stamps. Make ESG compliance not just moral but profitable.
5. Launch an African Food-Security Bond. Peg its returns to local crop yields, so farmers, citizens, and investors all gain when harvests do. This is not charity. This is climate-aligned finance.

Closing thought

If Persons of Concern don’t win, none of us will. But the scaffolding is already up. We have continental trade corridors, digital finance rails, climate-smart agriculture, and more. The work ahead is to weave these into self-sustaining cities/regions.

Where a burger or your groceries are paid for outright because wages cover the basics. Where BNPL funds tomorrow’s machinery, not yesterday’s lunch. Where regional exports, not remittances, drive household security.

Let’s get to work. Because somewhere ought to be cool. For now, it’s looking like #NowhereCool!

I hope you found this article both insightful and enjoyable. Your feedback is greatly valued and appreciated. I welcome any suggestions for topics you would like me to cover or provide insights on. You can schedule a meeting with me through my Calendly at www.calendly.com/maxwellampong. Alternatively, connect with me through various channels on my Linktree page at www.linktr.ee/themax.

Subscribe to the ‘Entrepreneur In You’ newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/d-hgCVPy.

If you want to explore this subject matter more thoroughly, I have compiled a list of reading materials and references that provide greater detail and focus on particular areas.

1. Reuters, ‘Ghana consumer inflation eases to 22.4% in March’ (Accra, 2 April 2025) https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ghana-consumer-inflation-eases-224-march-2025-04-02/ accessed 23 April 2025.
2. Office for National Statistics, Consumer Price Inflation, UK: March 2025 (16 April 2025) https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/consumer-price-inflation-uk-march-2025 accessed 23 April 2025.
3. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index – March 2025 (10 April 2025) https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cpi.pdf accessed 23 April 2025.
4. Patti Villegas, ‘Consumers Urged to Use Caution With Eat Now Pay Later Financing’ Dallas Express (29 March 2025) https://dallasexpress.com/business-markets/consumers-urged-to-use-caution-with-eat-now-pay-later-financing/ accessed 23 April 2025.
5. Jack Kelly, ‘The BNPL Boom at Coachella: Signs of Stretched Wallets’ Forbes (16 April 2025) https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2025/04/16/the-buy-now-pay-later-boom-at-coachella-signs-of-stretched-wallets/ accessed 23 April 2025.
6. FinTech Futures, Buy Now Pay Later Global Business Report 2025 (25 March 2025) https://www.fintechfutures.com/press-releases/buy-now-pay-later-global-business-report-2025 accessed 23 April 2025.
7. World Bank, Doing Business Simulation for Ghana 2024 (World Bank 2024) section 4.
8. Afreximbank, Annual Trade Report 2024: Intra-African Trade Trends (Afreximbank 2025) 17-18.
9. AfCFTA Secretariat, ‘Guided Trade Initiative Dashboard’ (2025) https://afcfta.au/int/GTI accessed 23 April 2025.
10. Food and Agriculture Organisation, ‘Africa Regional Food Balance Sheet 2024’ (FAO 2025) table 3.

The author, Dr. Maxwell Ampong, serves as the CEO of Maxwell Investments Group. He is also an Honorary Curator at the Ghana National Museum and the Official Business Advisor with Ghana’s largest agricultural trade union under Ghana’s Trade Union Congress (TUC). Founder of WellMax Inclusive Insurance and WellMax Micro-Credit, Dr. Ampong writes on relevant economic topics and provides general perspective pieces. ‘Entrepreneur In You’ operates under the auspices of the Africa School of Entrepreneurship, an initiative of Maxwell Investments Group.