By: Francis Ofori

Accra, Aug.03, GNA – Strategic Plus, in partnership with LYF Arena and the National Sports Authority, has officially launched the 2025 LYF Festival, aimed at promoting health and wellness nationwide.

This year’s festival, fixed for August 30,2025 introduces the first-ever Eastern Marathon featuring a 10km race, a 5km race, and other top categories.

The race route will start from Ayimensah and lead directly to the Aburi Botanical Gardens, with hundreds of participants expected to also grace the one-day event.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Hubert Leo Mensah, Acting Head of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at the National Sports Authority, shared his enthusiasm for partnering with the organizers to advance Ghana’s sports ecosystem and promote holistic wellness.

He emphasized that health plays a central role in Ghana’s development agenda, making it essential to lead such a campaign.

“It comes as good news for the National Sports Authority to support such a great venture to the point where we can use this means to promote tourism. In the past few months, the Authority has been putting in efforts to promote tourism through sports,” he said.

Mr. Mensah extended heartfelt appreciation to Strategic Plus and LYF Arena for their collaboration in bringing up such a meaningful initiative.

Mr. Nana Essel, a representative of LYF Arena, stated that the event, which began in 2023, has experienced remarkable growth and is now regarded as Ghana’s premier wellness and fitness event.

He explained that multiple categories have been introduced by the organizers to accommodate participants of all backgrounds and abilities.

He added that alongside the races, participants will enjoy free wellness education, yoga, health screenings, and expert health talks.

“We are honoured to have the backing of esteemed institutional partners including the office of the Okuapehene, NSA, Ghana Athletics, among others who have expressed strong interest in strategic collaboration”, he said.

Nana Kwesi Osew, Okuapehene Sompahene, noted that the Okuapeman Traditional Council has backed the LYF Festival in recent years, recognizing its benefits to surrounding communities.

“I am happy that the health walk is now progressing into a marathon and with the cool weather, this is going to be big”, he said.

He urged Ghanaians to participate in this year’s festival, emphasizing its role in promoting physical well-being and offering a chance to experience the rich traditions of Okuapeman.

GNA

Kenneth Odeng Adade

Controller and Accountant-General’s Department signage

The Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) has suspended the salaries of 5,673 government employees as part of a nationwide effort to clean up the public payroll and protect state funds.

This development follows the 2025 Nationwide Payroll Headcount Exercise conducted by the Ghana Audit Service, which uncovered that 53,311 individuals listed on the government’s payroll were “separated staff”.

Separated staff means these individuals were no longer in active service but were still receiving salaries.

While 47,638 of those separated staff have already been removed from the payroll, the remaining 5,673 salaries processed for payment in July 2025 have now been suspended pending further investigations.

The CAGD has directed heads of institutions across the public sector to initiate recovery procedures for any unearned salaries paid due to wrongful validation.

Additionally, any affected employee whose salary has been stopped but is still at post is required to obtain a letter from their institution addressed to the Auditor-General, with a copy sent to the Ministry of Finance.

This documentation will allow for proper remedial action to reinstate legitimate cases.

This audit initiative is part of a broader effort by the government to promote transparency and accountability in payroll management and reduce leakages from the national budget.

SA/EB

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The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Mr. Samuel Nartey George, has criticised MultiChoice Ghana’s proposal in response to demands for reduced DStv subscription fees, describing it as illogical.

According to the Minister, MultiChoice—the operators of DStv Ghana—proposed to retain existing subscription fees but offered to halt the repatriation of revenue to its headquarters.

His comments follow a statement issued by MultiChoice on Sunday, August 3, and signed by its Managing Director, Alex Okyere, in which the company argued that reducing subscription fees, as requested by the Minister, was not tenable.

The company described the Minister’s previous directive to the National Communications Authority (NCA) to suspend DStv’s broadcasting licence as “regrettable,” noting ongoing efforts to engage constructively with the government in good faith.

MultiChoice also disclosed that it had submitted a proposal to the Minister and the NCA outlining alternative avenues for engagement—chief among them being the retention of current pricing while foregoing the transfer of revenue to its parent company.

But in a sharp response posted on Facebook on Sunday, August 3, Mr. George rejected the offer, insisting that it fails to address the core issue of pricing.

“They proposed that I allow them to maintain the collection of the exorbitant bouquet prices as they stand, but order them not to send the revenue to their headquarters. In all honesty, that offer lacks any logic in my estimation. The essence of my action is to see Ghanaians pay a fair price for the services offered. How does this proposal solve the real issue?” he stated.

The Minister further expressed frustration over what he described as years of exploitation of Ghanaian subscribers and reiterated his determination to ensure pricing reforms.

“I remain open to ‘constructive engagements’ that are centred on PRICE REDUCTION. Anything else is tangential and of no consequence,” he added.

The ongoing standoff between the Ministry and MultiChoice has sparked public debate over the affordability and value of pay-TV services in Ghana.

Read below the statement by Sam George on Facebook

For God and Country.

President John Mahama has moved to calm fears among Nigerian nationals residing in Ghana and their government, assuring a special envoy dispatched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that there will be no mass deportations.

During a courtesy call from Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who is Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, President Mahama assured that Ghana has no intention of resorting to mass expulsions, emphasising the shared history and inter-dependence of the two countries.

He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to ECOWAS protocols, dismissing any anxieties in Nigeria over any potential mass deportation of its citizens from Ghana following the emergence of a viral video.

Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu conveyed the “anxieties” of the Nigerian people and government, citing the viral video, widespread apprehension of mass deportations, and fears of shops belonging to Nigerian traders being burned.

The concerns, she noted, have led to emergency sessions in Nigeria’s National Assembly and traditional rulers instructing relatives in Ghana to return home.

President Mahama acknowledged the historical relations between Ghana and Nigeria, describing them as “siblings of the same parents, and so our destinies are joined together.”

He invoked past unfortunate incidents of mass deportations in both countries—Ghana in the 1960s and Nigeria in the 1980s—, stating, “I think that that is a part of our past, and it’s an unfortunate past that we want to put behind us, and I believe that none of our two countries should mass deport our citizens ever again.”

“We are members of the ECOWAS, and we have the ECOWAS protocol that allows our citizens to travel freely between our countries.”

He also clarified that, although there have been isolated incidents and some individuals involved in criminal activity, such cases are addressed through proper legal procedures, not through collective punishment or mass expulsion. He stated that foreign residents in Ghana who engage in criminal activities shall be held individually liable and sanctioned.

President Mahama traced the recent tensions to the resurfacing of a 2013 video featuring an “Igbo king” discussing land acquisition for a kingdom, which was widely misinterpreted as a recent development.

He dismissed this as “a bit of a storm in a teacup,” assuring the Nigerian delegation that Ghanaian law governs the establishment of traditional councils, making such external claims impossible.

Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu commended President Mahama for de-escalating a potentially volatile situation, noting that the initial fears of widespread unrest upon their arrival in Accra proved unfounded.

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.

Samuel Nartey George is the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation

The Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has issued a sharp rebuttal to a recent statement from MultiChoice, which claimed that reducing DStv subscription fees is untenable.

According to Sam George, MultiChoice’s response reinforces his position that the company does not take Ghanaians seriously, stating that his advocacy for price reduction is aimed at ensuring fair pricing for consumers.

In a post on X, the minister noted that the government’s “reset agenda” calls for a new style of public service that is fiercely protective of the interests of the Ghanaian people.

“I have read the release by DStv Ghana and taken full consideration that they vindicate my earlier position that they simply do not take the Ghanaian people serious enough.

“They proposed that I allow them to maintain the collection of the exorbitant bouquet prices as they stand but order them not to send the revenue to their headquarters. In all honesty, that offer lacks any logic in my estimation. The essence of my action is to see Ghanaians pay a fair price for the services offered,” part of his post read.

While criticising what he described as the company’s failure to genuinely address the issue of exorbitant subscription fees, Sam George stated that he remains open to constructive engagements provided MultiChoice is focused on price reduction.

He emphasized that any other proposals are “tangential and of no consequence.”

Sam George also expressed empathy for the Ghanaian staff of MultiChoice, but urged them to support the broader public interest.

“I believe that they should stand with the rest of us as we demand what is right for us,” he said.

The minister noted that in April this year, DStv implemented a 15% increase at a time when the Ghanaian cedi had appreciated by roughly 10% against major currencies, inflation had dropped by over 5%, and fuel prices had declined.

On Sunday, August 3, 2025, MultiChoice issued a press release signed by Managing Director, Alex Okyere and sighted by GhanaWeb Business, stating that reducing DStv subscription fees is not tenable given current economic conditions.

The company also dismissed claims that it had referred to the recent cedi appreciation as a “fluke”, a claim made by the minister during the Government Accountability Series on Friday, August 1, 2025.

Meanwhile, MultiChoice faces a possible suspension of its broadcasting license effective Thursday, August 7, 2025, if it fails to comply with the price reduction directive.

SA/EB

Read Sam George’s post below:

I have read the release by DStv Ghana and taken full consideration that they vindicate my earlier position that they simply do not take the Ghanaian people serious enough.

The same Group operating in Nigeria reversed price increases in Nigeria when the Nigerian authorities sued… pic.twitter.com/0Gfgvu7VDP

— Sam ‘Dzata’ George 🦁🇬🇭 (@samgeorgegh) August 3, 2025

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Ewurabena Aubynn and her pastor

A pastor at the Trinity Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Kwashieman has commended Member of Parliament for Ablekuma North, Ewurabena Aubynn, for what he described as an act of faith ahead of her electoral victory.

Speaking during Sunday’s service on August 3, 2025, the pastor recalled that prior to the parliamentary rerun in the constituency, Ewurabena Aubynn gave an offering of GH¢10,000 to the church.

He revealed that this act of generosity took place when the Electoral Commission had yet to announce a date for the rerun.

“Because I deal in second-hand goods, I believe in deposits, before the rerun, she came to church and gave an offering of GH¢10,000. And because of the faith I have in God, I knew she was going to emerge victorious,” he stated.

The pastor further expressed confidence that the newly elected MP would address pressing local issues.

“I believe she will fix the bad roads in Kwashiebu, her victory is not just political, it is a fruit of faith”, he added.

Ewurabena Aubynn was officially sworn into Parliament earlier this month following a fiercely contested rerun held in 19 polling stations.

The Electoral Commission nullified the initial December 2024 results due to widespread irregularities, including unsigned pink sheets and discrepancies in vote tallies.

At the rerun, Aubynn secured a narrow victory with 34,090 votes, edging out the New Patriotic Party’s Akua Afriyie, who polled 33,881.

Watch the video below:

LIVE | The pastor of the Ablekuma North MP recounts how she once gave a GHS 10,000 offering during the election impasse, when the EC had yet to announce a date for the rerun, saying that act of faith convinced him she would eventually win the seat. pic.twitter.com/u0vctxeQl2

— ThisIsNeneOdompleh (@The1957News) August 3, 2025

JKB/EB

Meanwhile, watch as Prophet Worlasi shares bombshell prophesies on Bawumia and NPP on The Lowdown:

Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has expanded its nationwide food safety campaign to Kumasi Wesley Girls’ Senior High School in the Ashanti Region, prioritizing youth education to combat foodborne diseases.

Partnering with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the initiative adopts a year-round approach beyond World Food Safety Day (June 7), targeting regions with high vulnerability to contamination.

FDA Director of Food Safety and Consumer Education, Mrs. Faustina Atupra, emphasized practical measures: “70% of foodborne illnesses stem from handlers. Proper hygiene—like handwashing and clean utensils—can prevent most cases.” The campaign, already active in Upper East and Upper West Regions, next targets Western and Central Regions.

Students learned critical practices: avoiding unhygienic street food, thorough produce washing, and safe storage. “I’ll educate my siblings too,” pledged one attendee, reflecting heightened awareness. The push responds to 420,000+ foodborne disease cases recorded in 2023, with diarrheal illnesses dominating child outpatient visits.

Outreach includes training market vendors and plans to scale to more schools and food hubs under the theme “Food Safety: Science in Action.”

Featured

Mohammed Ali

Aug – 03 – 2025 , 11:33

2 minutes read

Charterhouse Productions has unveiled the Gastro Feastival, a pioneering national initiative set to reposition Ghana’s food ecosystem as an engine for economic growth, cultural preservation, and social inclusion.

Spearheaded by CEO Theresa Ayoade, the December 5–6 event at Accra’s Palms Convention Centre will align with National Farmers’ Day, targeting stakeholders across farming, processing, distribution, and consumption.

“Food is culture, industry, and economic power,” declared Ayoade, framing the festival as a catalyst to address food security, youth employment, and women’s inclusion in agribusiness.

The initiative builds on Charterhouse’s 25th-anniversary “Business Elevate Series,” leveraging Ghana’s culinary heritage—from traditional dishes to beverages like asana and palm wine—while promoting digital innovation and sustainable practices.

Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare endorsed the vision, noting agribusiness employs 60% of Ghana’s workforce despite persistent challenges like post-harvest losses. “Collaboration is key to unlocking our potential,” she urged, as Benjamin Gyan-Kesse of Kosmos Innovation Center highlighted women’s critical role, citing programs like the ‘Empire Her’ Bootcamp for female entrepreneurs.

The festival will blend B2B/B2C engagements, live culinary demonstrations, and seminars focused on six pillars: Sustainability, Women in Agri-Business, Youth Involvement, Export, Funding, and Innovation. Stakeholders including the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Association of Ghana Industries emphasized its potential to drive systemic change.

By bridging farmers, tech innovators, policymakers, and consumers, Gastro Feastival aims to cement Ghana’s position as a global agribusiness leader while celebrating its culinary identity.

Samuel Nartey George is the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation

Following the announcement by the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, that DStv’s broadcasting license will be suspended if the company fails to reduce its prices by August 7, 2025, MultiChoice has issued a formal response to the directive.

In a statement signed by Managing Director, Alex Okyere, and sighted by GhanaWeb Business, MultiChoice stated that reducing DStv subscription fees is not tenable under the current economic conditions.

The company also dismissed claims that it referred to the recent appreciation of the cedi as a “fluke,” contrary to assertions made by the minister during the Government Accountability Series on Friday, August 1, 2025.

“While we appreciate the recent appreciation of the Cedi (which we have never referred to as a ‘fluke’), it is not tenable to reduce the DStv subscription fees in the manner proposed by the Minister,” part of MultiChoice’s release read.

MultiChoice further reiterated its commitment to constructive engagement with Sam George and to complying with all relevant laws and regulations in Ghana.

“MultiChoice values its subscribers and endeavours at all times to keep DStv subscription fees as low as possible, despite the extremely challenging competitive and macroeconomic environment in which we operate—without compromising on customer choice and the quality of the services we offer,” the statement added.

This development follows remarks made by Sam George on Friday, August 1, 2025, in which he criticized pricing disparities in DStv packages across African countries, including Ghana.

According to the minister, Ghanaians are paying nearly 30 percent more than neighboring countries, arguing that citizens deserve fairer treatment.

He pointed out that the premium bouquet package offered to Ghanaians at the equivalent of $83 is available to Nigerians for just $29.

In June last year, MultiChoice reportedly implemented a $30 price reduction on premium packages in Liberia, despite prices there being comparable to Ghana’s.

Lower-tier bundles were also reduced by $17.

The minister added that MultiChoice cited a 240 percent depreciation of the cedi to justify its pricing, even though the Nigerian naira depreciated by 490 percent during the same period.

He warned that failure to comply with the directive would result in suspension of DStv’s broadcasting license effective Thursday, August 7, 2025.

SA/EB

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By Simon Asare

Accra, Aug. 3, GNA – Thousands of fans gathered at the Independence Square in Accra for the national candlelight vigil in memory of legendary musician Daddy Lumba, who died last week at the age of 60.

It was a solemn atmosphere, with many fans in bewilderment about what had happened over the previous few days.

The candlelight vigil opened with a gospel musical performance by Rev. Thomas Lawson, followed by a spoken word by Oswald the Poet.

There were also prayers said in different languages, including Christian, Akan, and Ga prayers to bless the soul of deceased musician.

Fans were treated to Daddy Lumba’s musical compositions, which elicited emotions, with several crying and others collapsing in the venue.

Mr. Gideon Aryeequaye, Executive Secretary of the Creative Arts Agency, was grateful to Daddy Lumba’s family for joining them at the Independence to celebrate the music icon.

Mr. Aryeequaye asserted that Daddy Lumba was a unique music icon, leaving a void that would never be filled.

Mr. Aryeequaye also pledged governmental support for the final funeral rites of Daddy Lumba, as they were keen on properly honouring the music icon.

The candlelight vigil also witnessed tribute from his wife, Akosua Serwaa, and also his sons and daughters as they eulogised the great music icon.

“How do I begin to speak of a man whose voice carried the soul of a nation? You were not just Ghana’s musical treasure but also my heart’s companion, my protector, and my joy,” excerpts of the wife’s tribute said.

Mr. Bessa Simons, President of the Musicians Union of Ghana, in his tribute, expressed condolences to the family of Daddy Lumba following their gigantic loss.

He said that Daddy Lumba was a music icon that inspired a movement and a musical talent once in a generation.

Mr. Simons added that his kind of music resonated in the life of all Ghanaians while expressing the beauty of Ghanaian culture and language.

The national candlelight vigil witnessed top music stars from the older to younger generation in attendance; notable among them was legendary Pat Thomas, Sarkodie, Kwabena Kwabena, DSP Kofi Sarpong, and many more.

GNA

Kenneth Odeng Adade

OPEC+ has agreed to boost oil production by 548,000 barrels per day starting September 2025, potentially lowering global prices and offering relief to fuel-dependent economies like Ghana.

The move reverses 2023 supply cuts and aims to reclaim market share amid recovering demand, with Brent crude currently near $70 per barrel.

For Ghana which imports most of its fuel the increase could translate to reduced pump prices, easing transport costs, inflation, and pressure on the cedi. However, experts warn geopolitical volatility could undermine stability. Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of sanctions on Russian oil buyers, if enacted, might abruptly reverse price trends.

While the decision signals short-term optimism, Ghana’s fuel market remains vulnerable to external shocks. The government and businesses must navigate fluctuating global dynamics to sustain domestic benefits.

MultiChoice Ghana has expressed concern over recent public remarks made by the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam George, regarding the pricing of DStv subscription packages in the country.

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, issued a stern ultimatum to DSTV, warning that the broadcaster’s licence will be suspended by Wednesday, August 7, should it fail to reduce its subscription prices in Ghana in line with regulatory expectations.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Friday, August 1, the Minister revealed that he had formally written to the National Communications Authority (NCA), instructing it to initiate the suspension process if DSTV continues to disregard calls to revise its pricing.

In a statement issued on Sunday, August 3, MultiChoice described the Minister’s comments as regrettable, particularly given the company’s ongoing efforts to engage in open and constructive dialogue with the Minister and the National Communications Authority (NCA) over the matter.

“It is regrettable that the Honourable Minister has taken this stance, notwithstanding our ongoing endeavours to engage with him candidly and in good faith,” the company stated.

MultiChoice indicated that it had submitted a formal proposal to both the Minister and the NCA, suggesting an alternative avenue for further engagement aimed at resolving the issue amicably.

With over 30 years of operation in Ghana, MultiChoice reaffirmed its commitment to its Ghanaian workforce, including employees, dealers, agents, retailers, and installers.

The company acknowledged the potential economic impact an unresolved standoff could have on these stakeholders and assured all parties of its intention to pursue resolution.

“We are mindful of the dire implications that an impasse may have on you and your livelihoods, and we assure you that we are committed to working together with the Honourable Minister and the NCA to resolve this matter,” the statement added.

The company defended its current subscription pricing model, noting that it has made every effort to keep fees as low as possible, even in the face of a highly competitive market and significant macro-economic pressures.

While welcoming the recent appreciation of the Ghanaian Cedi, MultiChoice rejected the suggestion that it had dismissed the currency’s rise as a “fluke”, an accusation implied in earlier commentary.

However, the broadcaster maintained that the type of fee reduction being proposed by the Minister is not “tenable” under current conditions, given the need to sustain service quality and customer choice.

“MultiChoice values its subscribers and endeavours at all times to keep DStv subscription fees as low as possible… without compromising on customer choice and the quality of the services we offer,” the company noted.

The company further reiterated its readiness to continue engaging constructively with the Ministry and relevant authorities.

It also emphasised its commitment to full compliance with Ghanaian laws and regulations.

“MultiChoice remains committed to constructive engagement with the Honourable Minister and to complying with all applicable laws and regulations in Ghana and trusts that the authorities will do likewise,” the statement concluded.

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

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

Ghana’s economy is on track to outperform its 2025 growth projections, fueled by robust industrial expansion and policy reforms like the upcoming 24-Hour Economy Programme, according to a mid-year review by Deloitte Ghana.

The country recorded 5.3% GDP growth in Q1 2025 surpassing both Q1 2024’s 4.9% and the government’s annual 4.0% target signaling strengthening macroeconomic resilience despite global headwinds.

The industry sector, expanding by 6.8%, drove the gains, reflecting returns on recent infrastructure investments and sector-specific support. Deloitte cited this as evidence that “previous investments in industry are yielding results,” positioning Ghana to achieve or exceed its yearly growth goal.

The firm highlighted the 24-Hour Economy Programme as pivotal for sustaining momentum, noting its potential to boost round-the-clock productivity in manufacturing, agro-processing, and logistics.

“If effectively implemented, this initiative will enable government-private sector collaboration to drive sustainable growth with tangible benefits for Ghanaians,” Deloitte stated.

For citizens, this could translate to job creation and improved living standards; for SMEs, opportunities to scale operations in a 24-hour market. As Ghana prepares to roll out the flagship program, Deloitte anticipates a new phase of economic resilience where growth becomes a shared national experience.

Oliver Barker-Vormawor is a political activist

Political activist and commentator Oliver Barker-Vormawor has criticised the handling of the Unibank case.

According to him, it reflects a broader pattern of impunity among Ghana’s elites.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, August 2,2025, Barker-Vormawor said the trend where powerful individuals involved in financial scandals are not made to face consequences of thier actions is fast becoming a routine.

“Unibank case: it seems we’ve grown accustomed to elites getting away with crimes. I perceive lack of consequences for powerful individuals implicated in financial scandal”, he said.

He argued that while ordinary citizens often face swift and severe penalties, elites benefit from prolonged court proceedings or dropped charges.

“When the powerful can navigate the justice system with impunity, you lose faith in governance itself,” Barker-Vormawor indicated.

He called on the Attorney General’s Department and the courts to ensure such cases are handled transparently and in accordance with the rule of law.

According to him, swift and fair adjudication is necessary to restore credibility to Ghana’s justice system.

MRA/EB

Meanwhile, watch as Prophet Worlasi shares bombshell prophesies on Bawumia and NPP on The Lowdown:

Ghana is positioning its Feed Ghana agricultural initiative as a prime investment platform for modernizing farming and scaling climate-resilient food production.

At the Ghana-Nebraska Agribusiness Chamber forum in Accra, Eric Hatudson Asamani, Greater Accra Regional Director of Agriculture, outlined high-value opportunities across the value chain—from mechanization and irrigation to commodity processing—amid growing climate and food security pressures.

Asamani spotlighted critical gaps ripe for investment, noting Ghana’s mere five central pivot irrigation systems as insufficient given the country’s agricultural potential. “Climate change makes this a huge opportunity.

We have water bodies; investors can develop dugouts for commercial farming,” he stated, emphasizing needs in soybean, maize, poultry, and tree crop infrastructure. He also highlighted Ghana’s competitive advantages: political stability, English proficiency, and strategic West African positioning.

The forum deepened U.S.-Ghana agribusiness ties, with GNEBCham Co-Founder Alberta Nana Akyea Akosa advocating collective action: “We’re pursuing commercial farm projects to export sustainably at volume.” Ken Schilz, former Nebraska State Senator and fellow co-founder, confirmed American partners are developing smaller, practical machinery for Ghana’s needs while stressing long-term collaboration. Ongoing talks with Ghana’s Agriculture Ministry aim to align bilateral efforts.

As climate threats intensify, the Feed Ghana program emerges as a central policy tool to attract technology transfers and build resilient food systems through strategic investment.

Accra’s cultural scene opens August with a national candlelight vigil honoring late highlife icon Daddy Lumba at Black Star Square on Saturday, August 2.

The tribute, featuring musical homages, celebrates the legend’s enduring legacy—a theme echoed in Tuesday’s “Highlife Tuesday” event at Bella Afrik, where timeless classics will fill Liberation Road.

Film enthusiasts can immerse in visions of the future at the Accra Indie Filmfest’s “Disruption” showcase, running daily from August 4–9 at Alliance Française. Meanwhile, theater takes center stage with “Makola Queens – The Musical” at the National Theatre on August 1, a community production weaving story, music, and lyrics by Nii Dromo Yartey and Poetra Asantewa.

Live music pulses across the city: Slow Jamz’ 90s classics at Exhale Lounge (August 1), soulful interludes by Esikyere Band at Gold Coast Restaurant (August 1), and Palm Wine sessions with Kwanpa Band at Zen Garden (August 5). The month crescendos on August 16 with Afro Cari Soul Food Experience in Osu—a fusion of art, conversation, and Caribbean-inspired dining.

In a poignant footnote, Hiplife star Sarkodie’s reverent bow to Daddy Lumba at a February concert resurfaces, symbolizing the generational bridges Ghanaian music continues to build.

Business confidence in Ghana continues its sustained recovery, with companies expressing growing optimism about their prospects and the broader economic landscape.

According to the Bank of Ghana’s Summary of Macroeconomic and Financial Data, the Business Confidence Index rose from 88.8 in September 2024 to 105.5 by June 2025, crossing into optimistic territory (above 100) in March. This upward trajectory signals increasing corporate trust in the operating environment, reflecting expectations of near-term stability.

The improved sentiment aligns with strengthening real economic indicators. Ghana’s GDP grew 5.3% year-on-year in Q1 2025, accelerating from 3.6% in Q4 2024. Growth spanned all major sectors: industry expanded by 5.1%, services by 5.9%, and agriculture also recorded gains. The Composite Index of Economic Activity, tracking pulse points like port traffic and energy consumption, maintained a 6.0% annual growth rate through mid-2025.

Easing inflation has further bolstered confidence. Headline inflation dropped steadily from 23.8% in December 2024 to 13.7% by June 2025. Food inflation cooled sharply from nearly 28% to 16.3%, while non-food inflation slid to 11.4%. These declines have reduced cost pressures for businesses and created more predictable conditions for investment planning.

With output rising, price pressures moderating, and broader signs of stability emerging, Ghanaian firms increasingly focus on forward planning rather than defensive measures against economic shocks.

Kennedy Agyapong is a businessman and a politician

Ghanaian businessman and politician, Kennedy Agyapong, has advised entrepreneurs to avoid involving family members in their businesses to avoid collapse.

Speaking on the Connected Minds Podcast, Kennedy Agyapong said it is important for these business owners to take calculated risks and invest wisely.

He warned that relying on relatives in Ghana could be detrimental.

Kennedy Agyapong explained that some family members mismanage businesses or siphon funds to start their own ventures, leaving the original enterprise vulnerable.

He said, “You have to take risk and invest the money, but make sure if you want to succeed here, this side of the world, especially Ghana, don’t rely on your relatives. No, don’t, don’t involve your brothers, sisters, family members in your business, except maybe your children or wife.”

“Because this side of the world, your brother, when you set up your business and leave it in the hands of your brother to manage, he would then take the money and go and establish his own and you also collapse.”

Agyapong added that such betrayal often sparks even deeper frustrations, as the wider family may side with the wrongdoer when the original business owner speaks out.

“When you complain, your whole family will go against you. So please don’t get them involved,” he cautioned.

SA/EB

Family will kill your business don’t involve them… 👀

Conversation with Hon Ken Agyapong on Konnected Minds Podcast pic.twitter.com/3mzrFe218D

— Derrick K Abaitey (@deeabaitey) August 3, 2025

How Virtual Reality is enhancing business and customer experience