Ghana’s IMANI Centre for Policy and Education has intervened to correct public misperceptions about government-imposed cement price controls, following July reports that falsely claimed a mandatory cap of GH¢95 per bag.

After direct consultation with Roads Minister Kwame Agbodza, IMANI confirmed no such policy exists—only aspirational price targets. The clarification comes amid government drafts of a Legislative Instrument (LI) empowering the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to regulate cement prices, a move IMANI warns would harm consumers and producers alike.

Cement prices in Ghana reflect structural challenges: volatile forex rates, import duties on clinker, high transport costs, and electricity tariffs. IMANI argues that artificial price caps would distort supply, deter investment, and force smaller players out of the market.

Critically, the think tank exposed flaws in GSA’s legal justification, noting that European precedents cited by the authority address anti-competitive cartels (under EU Treaty Articles 101/102)—not proactive price fixing.

Instead, IMANI proposes a multi-stakeholder task force including manufacturers, logistics firms, and economists to conduct a full value-chain analysis and identify efficiency-driven cost reductions. Minister Agbodza has welcomed collaborative solutions, stating: “We want to lower construction costs fairly and sustainably.”

The intervention has garnered rare bipartisan praise. Parliament’s Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga lauded IMANI’s impartiality, while Speaker Alban Bagbin commended its contributions to evidence-based policymaking.

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

The Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has criticised the pricing disparity of DStv subscription packages across African countries, including Ghana.

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

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

Sam George disclosed that in June last year, MultiChoice implemented a $30 price reduction on premium packages in Liberia, even though prices in that country were comparable to those in Ghana.

He further said lower-tier DStv bundles were also reduced by $17.

Speaking during the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Friday, August 1, 2025, Sam George said, “In my letter, I compared Ghana, Nigeria, and Liberia. Ghana has a larger population than Liberia, Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, and South Africa… Yet, Ghanaians are asked to pay $82.40, Nigerians pay $29, Liberia $61, Angola $33, Botswana $61, Eswatini $52, and South Africa $51.”

“Clearly, Ghana is paying far more. There is no justification, it’s the same content, the same old movies that are being shown,” he stated.

“MultiChoice made a $30 premium price cut in Liberia last June. Their prices were comparable to Ghana’s. They also reduced lower bundles by $17. What is good for Liberians and Nigerians is good for Ghanaians,” he stated categorically.

Sam George added that DStv must adhere to price reductions in Ghana, noting that during the same period when MultiChoice cited a 240 percent depreciation of the cedi, the Nigerian naira had depreciated by 490 percent.

He warned that DStv’s failure to reduce subscription prices in Ghana would result in the suspension of its broadcasting license effective August 7, 2025.

SA/MA

Julius Debrah (M), Afeafa Nfojoh (2nd L), Kurt Okraku (3rd L), Mahama Ayariga, Kofi Adams (2nd R) at the launch

THE GHANA Football Association (GFA) and Adesa Productions Limited (APL) have officially launched a landmark partnership that prioritises sustainability, innovation, and private-sector collaboration.

This landmark agreement designates APL as the new organisation for the production of the upcoming 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season.

GFA President c, at the launch of the partnership, said for the first time, the association is building a structure where games not only entertain but also pay for themselves, sustain clubs, and build wealth for all stakeholders.

“This initiative will generate high-value content that can be marketed, broadcast, and monitored to support the long-term growth of our clubs”, he said. “With the full backing of the government and in collaboration with the private sector, we aim to make football in Ghana not just a passion but a viable economic enterprise.”

Kurt Okraku further announced that through this unique partnership with Adesa Productions, each of the Premier League clubs will receive GH₵1 million before the start of the season, emphasising that the partnership marks a new purpose for Ghanaian football, driven by the private sector and supported by the government.”

Kurt Okraku stated, “We’re introducing a price structure that rewards every club based on their league position at the end of the season, not just the champion. Every game will matter, and every team’s efforts will yield financial benefits. This new model keeps the competitive spirit alive, is rooted in merit and equity, and creates an environment where clubs can compete, grow, and flourish.”

He further added that, “We’re not just asking clubs to survive; we’re enabling them to retain their best players, attract new talent from beyond our borders, and showcase the undisputed talent of Ghanaian players. This partnership will bring significant benefits to Ghanaian football, and we’re confident it will drive growth and success for all stakeholders.”

General Manager for APL, Afeafa Nfojoh, stated that the goal is to turn the passion of Ghanaian football into “world-class content” by deploying multi-camera setups, high-definition broadcast quality, and real-time match analytics.

APL will air at least three live matches each weekend and produce a wide range of layered content, including pre-match analysis, player profiles, and fan-zone engagement. “The company has invested heavily in crew training and equipment to ensure consistent, high-quality delivery that boosts viewer engagement both in Ghana and internationally,” she added.

The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, stated that the partnership is a direct reflection of a vision to reposition sports as a “viable growth sector” and an “engine of economic growth, youth employment, and national unity”.

The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams praised the initiative as a “strategic reengineering of how football is financed, structured, and marketed in Ghana.”

BY Prince Fiifi Yorke

Sector-wide achievements

CEO of Tree Crops Development Authority, Dr Andy Osei Okrah

To position six tree crops — cashew, shea, rubber, mango, oil palm, and coconut — as key pillars of Ghana’s national transformation agenda, the Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA) has launched its Communication Strategy alongside the Ghana Tree Crops Investment Fair 2025.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, Dr Andy Okrah, emphasised that the future of Ghana’s economy depends on the successful development of these six crops, which have the potential to diversify the country’s export base and reduce over-reliance on cocoa.

According to him, these crops hold vast potential and present significant opportunities for job creation if properly regulated and promoted.

Speaking at the launch on July 29, 2025, Dr Okrah stated, “We believe that if Ghana wants to diversify and transform its economy, continued over-dependence on cocoa will not help. Focusing on these six crops alone can lift us out of our economic woes.”

The Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Setor Dumelo, also pledged his ministry’s support for the TCDA, noting that the six tree crops are well-positioned to enhance exports and support industrial development.

The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, noted that these crops could generate billions of dollars in revenue for the Ghanaian economy. She stressed that value addition was critical for job creation and sustainable growth.

“These crops have the potential to diversify our export base, increase revenue, generate jobs for our youth, promote inclusive growth across rural communities, and boost agribusiness in Ghana. Yet, for too long, our tree crop value chain has remained largely underdeveloped. Raw exports dominate the trade landscape, limiting income, jobs, and industrial expansion,” she said.

The Ghana Tree Crops Investment Fair 2025 is scheduled to take place from September 29 to October 3, 2025, at the Accra International Conference Centre.

The event will bring together industry players, farmers, stakeholders, and development partners to showcase the numerous investment and value-chain opportunities within the tree crop sector.

SSD/MA

Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry

The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Innovation, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has expressed concern over Ghana’s continued exportation of raw materials, which she says results in significant revenue losses for the country.

According to her, the six tree crops identified by the government have the potential to transform Ghana’s industrial and export sectors.

Speaking at the launch of the Ghana Tree Crop Investment Fair and Exhibition 2025 on July 29, 2025, she described the event as a landmark occasion and a strategic platform that showcases Ghana’s progress and potential in the tree crop sector.

“These crops have the potential to diversify our export base, increase revenue, generate jobs for our youth, promote inclusive growth in rural communities, and boost agribusiness in Ghana. Yet, for too long, our tree crop value chain has remained largely underdeveloped. Raw exports dominate the trade landscape, limiting income, job creation, and industrial expansion,” Ofosu-Adjare said.

The Minister emphasised that value addition is no longer optional.

“We cannot afford to lose billions of dollars in export value by shipping raw cashew nuts while neglecting the cashew apple. We cannot continue to export or only minimally process shea when we could be supplying premium shea butter to our cosmetics industry, using it in pharmaceutical production, and exporting value-added products,” she said.

She stressed that the government’s vision is to position Ghana as a continental hub and global leader in tree crop production, processing, packaging, and exports.

SSD/MA

By Elsie Appiah-Osei 

Accra, July 31, GNA— A heated debate erupted in Parliament between the Minority and Majority Caucuses over the Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr. Thomas Ampem Nyarko’s response to concerns raised during the conclusion of the mid-year budget review debate. 

Minority Leader Osahen Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin accused the government of undermining the parliamentary process and denying members a fair opportunity to respond to criticisms. 

He said: “Mr. Speaker, we debated the budget on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and today is the conclusion of the debate. Both sides presented their debates, and now the Deputy Minister is taking on every debater on the side of the Minority,” Osahen Afenyo-Markin stated on the Floor of the House, in Accra, 

Osahen Afenyo-Markin emphasised the importance of fair hearing and proportionality in parliamentary debates.  

“You cannot make allegations against a member and respond to them without giving them a chance to rebut,” he added. 

In a related development, while addressing the Parliamentary Press Corps after a walkout during the ongoing address of the Deputy Finance Minister on Thursday, Dr. Abdul Kabiru Tiah Mahama, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Walewale, also accused First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor of being complicit in the government’s actions, alleging that he was siding with the Majority. 

He said: “The Speaker is supposed to remain impartial, but it seems he’s taking part in the debate,” stressing the need for the First Deputy Speaker to maintain neutrality. 

“We want the Ghanaian people to know that this is not a normal procedure. We are available to debate, but not in this manner,” Dr. Tiah Mahama stated, emphasising that the government’s actions were unacceptable and undermined the democratic process.  

He highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in government, particularly in the parliamentary process. 

According to the Walewale MP, the government’s actions have raised questions about its commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law.  

“Our concerns as a minority underscore the need for reform and greater accountability in the parliamentary process, ensuring that all members have a fair opportunity to participate and contribute to the country’s development,” he noted. 

GNA 

Edited by Benjamin Mensah 

In today’s interconnected world, the digital gap between small businesses and large corporations is quickly closing—thanks to cloud technology. Whether you’re running a fashion brand in Osu, a logistics firm in Tema, or a food distribution startup in Tamale, embracing the cloud can give your small business a significant boost in productivity, cost savings, and competitiveness. Cloud technology isn’t just for multinationals or tech giants. It’s a flexible, affordable, and scalable solution that can futureproof your business—especially in a country like Ghana, where digital transformation is gaining rapid momentum.

A smarter way to compete

For too long, many Ghanaian small businesses have believed that adopting advanced technology is a luxury only big players can afford. Not anymore. With cloud solutions, your business can operate like a larger, more established company—without the large overheads. You can streamline operations, store data securely, and provide services faster and smarter.

“Cloud solutions level the playing field,” says Kwesi Boateng, an IT consultant based in East Legon. “Even a team of five people can now access the kind of computing power that used to be exclusive to large enterprises.” What’s more, implementation doesn’t require months of planning or large upfront investment. Tailored cloud packages are available through local IT partners, and many setups can be done overnight with zero disruption to daily operations.

Flexible solutions for local challenges

Small businesses in Ghana often face challenges like inconsistent power supply, limited physical infrastructure, and the need to operate remotely. Cloud computing solves these problems by allowing teams to access business systems from anywhere—with just a smartphone or laptop and an internet connection. 

Whether you run payroll, inventory, sales, or accounting, the cloud integrates your functions into one accessible platform. You no longer need to chase paper trails or worry about who updated what. You get real-time visibility into how your business is performing. As your business grows, cloud systems can scale with you—whether you’re hiring more staff, expanding to new regions, or managing high customer demand during festive seasons.

Cost savings that make sense

One of the biggest misconceptions about digital transformation is that it’s expensive. In fact, the cloud can save your business money.

• Instead of buying expensive computers for everyone, staff can use their own devices, reducing hardware costs.
• With more businesses embracing hybrid and remote work, smaller offices mean lower rent and utility bills.
• Cloud platforms often come with built-in sustainability benefits, using less energy and reducing environmental impact—a growing consideration for eco-conscious businesses in Ghana.

“We moved to a cloud-based invoicing system last year, and our electricity and printing costs dropped by nearly 40percent,” says Mabel Owusu, owner of a boutique furniture business in Kumasi.

Work from anywhere, hire from everywhere

In the past, recruitment was largely limited to candidates within commuting distance of your office. But cloud technology has eliminated location barriers, allowing you to recruit top talent from anywhere in Ghana—or even beyond. Collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, and Zoom allow seamless communication, meetings, file sharing, and project tracking. Whether your team is in Ho, Sunyani, or working from home in Dansoman, everyone can stay connected and productive.

Building resilience for the future

Every business faces unexpected challenges—whether it’s flooding, fire, hardware failure, or a cybersecurity scare. But with cloud systems, your data is automatically backed up and protected, reducing downtime and ensuring business continuity. This kind of digital resilience is critical for small businesses, where even a brief disruption can lead to customer dissatisfaction, lost revenue, or permanent closure.

A simple step that leads to big results

The idea of “going to the cloud” might sound overwhelming, but in reality, it’s easier than registering your business with the Registrar General’s Department. Most local cloud providers offer user-friendly onboarding, training, and support to get you started quickly and with confidence. Whether your goal is to improve cash flow visibility, run remote teams, attract better staff, or simply cut costs, cloud technology is the next logical step in your business journey.

In summary

Ghanaian small businesses have never had more opportunity to grow, scale, and compete globally. With the cloud, you’re not just catching up—you’re leaping ahead.

Cloud adoption means:

• Lower operational costs
• Greater flexibility
• Real-time insights
• A wider talent pool
• And the peace of mind that your business is prepared for tomorrow.

The cloud is not the future—it’s the now. And it’s ready for you.

>>>the writer is a seasoned cloud architect and systems administrator with expertise in leading technical teams to create innovative platforms. As CTO of eSolutions Consulting, he has spearheaded major projects like the Office 365 rollout for Ghana’s government and infrastructure deployment for the Ghana Revenue Authority. 

Recognized for his strategic use of emerging technologies, Allen has led his team to multiple Microsoft Partner of the Year awards, solidifying his role as a key leader in tech-driven business transformation. If you’d like to explore how these strategies can help your organization thrive, reach out to discuss tailored solutions for your business growth journey. He can be reached via [email protected] and or 0540123034 

The Akufo-Addo government bought AirtelTigo at $1

The Minister of Communication and Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, says the government will announce a decision on the future of AirtelTigo within the next 30 days.

Speaking during the Government Accountability Series on August 1, 2025, he stated that the Ministry of Communications and Digital Innovation is working with the Attorney General’s Department to assess the company’s financial position and determine the best course of action.

“We are working closely with the Attorney General’s Department to evaluate the financial viability of AirtelTigo, and we are currently in negotiations with other parties regarding the way forward,” he said.

“I’m sure that within the next 30 days, we will make a national announcement on what will happen with AirtelTigo,” he added.

The decision will provide clarity on how the government intends to engage with private sector players involved in the delivery of essential national services.

In March 2025, Sam George labeled those responsible for the onerous AirtelTigo deal as “enemies of the state,” condemning the near‑symbolic $1 sale amidst mounting debts exceeding GH¢3.5 billion.

DR/MA

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