A high-stakes mining dispute between Engineers & Planners (E&P), the construction firm owned by Ibrahim Mahama, and Azumah Resources, a gold developer backed by global private equity, has exploded into an international legal showdown.

The battle, now before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), has escalated into claims and counterclaims exceeding $100 million.

At the centre of the storm is a terminated agreement tied to the Black Volta gold project in Ghana’s northwest, a site long viewed as a strategic addition to the country’s mining portfolio.

E&P had originally filed a claim in October 2024, accusing Azumah of unlawfully scrapping a 2023 agreement that gave it early-stage development rights and a potential equity stake.

But Azumah hit back hard in December 2024, terminating the agreement and accusing E&P of stalling progress.

The company alleges that E&P failed to raise financing, initiate EPC contracts or begin any significant site work—failures Azumah says delayed the mine’s timeline.

Now, Azumah has launched a blistering $100 million counterclaim, citing breaches of contract, unauthorised contractual activities by E&P agents, and alleged misuse of project funds.

In a press statement, Azumah said it “denies each and every allegation” made by E&P and insists it is now pushing ahead with mine construction on its own.

The legal battle has moved to a London-seated ICC tribunal chaired by top Nigerian advocate Funke Adekoya SAN, alongside Ghana’s Shadrack Arhin and the UK’s Edwin Glasgow KC.

E&P is represented by Robert Smith Law Group in Accra, while Azumah is being advised by international law firm Steptoe in London and Ghanaian heavyweight Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah.

The legal war is unfolding as E&P and its owner, Ibrahim Mahama, pursue a separate defamation lawsuit against policy analyst Bright Simons in Accra, over comments suggesting the firm had been financially strained and was influencing mining policy.

The outcome of the ICC arbitration could reshape not just ownership of the Black Volta gold project, but also the broader narrative around contractual discipline and corporate conduct in Ghana’s extractive sector.

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 Lebanese Scholarship Programme has supported brilliant but needy Ghanaian students

The School of Languages at the University of Ghana has hosted Lebanese writer Mrs. Fatima Hamdan Jouni at a mini seminar organized for students of the faculty.

The collaborative exchange formed part of the Lebanese Scholarship Programme and ongoing efforts to deepen relations between Lebanon and Ghana.

Delivering a presentation on the topic “Echoes of the Three Brave Souls,” renowned Lebanese writer Mrs. Fatima Hamdan Jouni shared insights into her work in an attempt to bridge the gap between Ghanaian and Lebanese literature.

The seminar was held in the presence of the Lebanese Ambassador, Maher Kheir; the Dean of the School of Languages, Prof. Josephine Dzahene-Quarshie; faculty members; students of the university; and representatives of the Lebanese community.

In his address, Ambassador Maher Kheir described the seminar as a stark reminder of the power, purpose, and potential of writing to unite people and transform communities.

“Writing changed the face of the world because it affects every aspect of social living. It is as old as the beginning of time, yet as relevant as ever. Writers are explorers, ambassadors, and culture shapers,” he said.

He emphasized that writers serve as a bridge between people and civilizations, adding:

“Through the writer’s mind, we can travel the world, touch new destinations and dimensions, experience and adopt new cultures, and change society.”

Ambassador Kheir noted that beyond their entrepreneurial acumen, the Lebanese are also gifted storytellers.

“It is no surprise that the Lebanese are great writers, as they trace their roots to the Phoenician civilization, which created the alphabet. I seize this opportunity to extend my profound appreciation to Mrs. Fatima Hamdan Jouni, an emerging Lebanese writer, for this significant lecture,” he stated.

He challenged the students to write more and explore their creativity in order to tell the Ghanaian story.

“I urge you, therefore, to start writing, no matter what. A word after a word is power. Find your inspiration and let it out. The world eagerly waits to read your story,” he emphasized.

The Ambassador also commended the growing partnership between the Embassy and the University of Ghana, urging continued collaboration to promote academic and cultural exchanges between Lebanon and Ghana.

For her part, Mrs. Fatima Hamdan Jouni delivered a presentation on her book, Echoes of the Three Brave Souls.

The book, among other themes, highlights the power of friendship, the essence of time and space, seizing opportunity, and the spirit of endurance in achieving life goals.

She challenged the audience to rise above obstacles and limitations that hinder individuals from achieving their potential.

A question-and-answer session followed the lecture, during which students and faculty exchanged ideas and reflections.

GA

GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey

Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has called for a national re-thinking on the use and management of plastic waste.

She said the nation required a paradigm shift “on how Ghana addresses plastic pollution,” saying “we should shift our perspective and view plastics not merely as waste, but as a valuable resource”.

Prof Klutse said: “Because when properly managed, plastic can significantly contribute to sustainable development,” when speaking at a forum on World Environment Day organized by the Department of Environmental Management of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), at Fiapre near Sunyani on the theme “Repurpose Plastic Use”.

Prof Klutse who addressed the forum virtually indicated that “Ghana generates over one billion tons of municipal waste annually, with only 58 percent properly managed, 42 percent incinerated, buried or irresponsibly discarded” and thereby impacting biodiversity, public health, and livelihoods reliant on natural resources.

She said: “These unmanaged plastics present serious environmental and health hazards, ranging from microplastic pollution to the contamination of our water bodies,” and called for the need for the nation to adopt the principles of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and more importantly, Refuse.

Prof Klutse said the EPA remained committed to driving the transformation agenda through enhanced regulatory measures, supporting innovative recycling businesses, and strengthening public-private partnerships.

She outlined a three-pillar strategy of policy-driven transformation, enforcement of the National Plastic Management Policy, and establishment of standardized extended producer responsibility.

Prof Klutse said the launch of Ghana’s Circular Plastic Innovation Hub, aimed at advancing biodegradable alternatives and waste-to-value initiatives including projects converting plastic waste into recycled construction materials.

She said plans were also advanced to expand the ‘Repurpose Ghana’ campaign, and urged households, educational institutions, and businesses to endeavour to segregate waste and adopt reusable packaging and support local recycling markets as well.

Dr Mary Antwi, the Head of Department of the Environmental Management of UENR stressed the need to change the narratives around plastics, saying that the “mismanagement of plastics, not the material itself, is the problem”.

She encouraged stakeholders to re-think “their relationship with plastics” and urged innovative solutions in “reusing plastic waste and reducing single-use plastics,” saying “these efforts are crucial in reducing plastic pollution in landfills and oceans”.

Dr Antwi said: “UENR is looking forward to collaborating with the EPA under a World Bank project, to establish a Center for E-waste Management and Environmental Sustainability to promote responsible environmental practices”.

 

1. Introduction

Climate change refers to the long-term shift in weather patterns, occurring in increasingly unusual ways and primarily driven by human activities such as pollution and deforestation (IPCC, 2007). These activities release greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere, which act like a blanket around the Earth, trapping heat and causing global warming. The impacts of climate change are non-excludable, affecting all nations regardless of geographic location. However, developing countries often bear the brunt of these effects due to their limited adaptive capacity.

The Paris Agreement represents a landmark achievement in the global response to climate change. As an internationally binding treaty governed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), it unites countries in a collaborative effort to address climate change and adapt to its effects. The core objective of the agreement is to limit the rise in global average temperature, ideally to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.

Under the Paris Agreement, each country is required to submit its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). These comprehensive national climate action plans outline specific commitments to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and enhance climate resilience. These NDCs form the basis of each country’s contribution to the global climate effort, detailing the mitigation and adaptation strategies they intend to pursue to achieve the goals of the agreement.

Ghana amended its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in 2021, setting a target to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 15% using domestic resources (unconditional actions), amounting to 24.6 million tonnes of CO₂ (MtCO₂e).

With international support (conditional actions), Ghana aims to achieve a further 30% reduction, amounting to 39.4 MtCO₂e. This brings the total emission reduction target to 64 MtCO₂e by 2030. To achieve these goals, Ghana intends to leverage carbon finance through the carbon market and actively engage the private sector.

2. The Emergence of Carbon Markets

Carbon markets have emerged as critical tools in the global response to climate change, offering a carbon pricing mechanism through which governments and non-state actors can trade GHG emission credits. Countries and corporations can offset their GHG emissions by purchasing carbon credits – emission reductions achieved through various climate mitigation projects. These projects can be nature-based, such as preventing deforestation or promoting carbon sequestration through cover cropping by farmers, or technology-based, such as the use of clean cookstoves and electric vehicles. The carbon markets play a critical role in the shift to a low-carbon economy. Article 6 of the Paris Agreement enables countries to trade carbon credits for meeting emission reduction targets.

A carbon credit equals one metric ton of carbon dioxide or the equivalent amount of other greenhouse gases, such as methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases, that have been avoided, reduced, or sequestered.

There are two (2) types of carbon markets. The compliance markets, also known as cap-and-trade or emission trading schemes, and voluntary carbon markets, also known as offsetting schemes. In compliance markets, the government imposes limits on greenhouse gas. Voluntary markets arose due to companies voluntarily committing to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

The carbon market incentivises emission reductions and creates financial flows to support sustainable development, especially in developing countries like Ghana.

3. Understanding Ghana’s carbon market dynamics

Ghana is strategically leveraging Article 6 of the Paris Agreement by emphasising cooperative approaches within the international carbon market. According to Ghana’s 2024 Annual Progress Report on Engagements in International Carbon Markets, the country has established bilateral cooperation with five nations: Switzerland, Sweden, Singapore, South Korea, and Liechtenstein.

Ghana has taken proactive steps to establish a national carbon market framework. The Carbon Market Office (CMO), which is part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) climate change unit, is the official national authority responsible for managing engagement in carbon markets related to climate change.  Ghana’s framework supports both compliance and voluntary carbon markets, providing clarity on approval processes and the conditions under which mitigation outcomes can be authorised for international transfer.

Ghana has implemented a structured authorisation process for carbon market participation. This includes project registration, approval by relevant ministries, and issuance of Letters of Authorization (LoA) for Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMO) transfers. These authorisations ensure alignment with Ghana’s NDCs and sustainable development goals.

The verification of carbon credits in Ghana follows international standards, including independent third-party validation and verification processes. These ensure transparency, accuracy, and credibility in emissions reduction claims. Ghana is building national capacity to ensure effective monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems to support market integrity.

4. Ghana’s GHG emissions.

 Figure 1: Trend of total GHG emissions over time.

Ghana officially joined the international carbon market in 2016. As illustrated in Figure 1, total GHG emissions, including LUCF (Land Use Change and Forestry), experienced a notable decline immediately after 2015, dropping sharply from around 60 MtCO₂e to below 10 MtCO₂e by 2016, and remaining relatively low through 2022. In contrast, total GHG emissions excluding LUCF have shown a steady increase over the same period.

Although the timing indicates a potential connection between Ghana’s participation in the carbon market and the decrease in total greenhouse gas emissions (including land use change and forestry), it is crucial to recognise that the significant drop is mainly attributed to shifts in land use and forestry emissions, instead of emissions from other sectors. This distinction underscores the role LUCF plays in Ghana’s total emissions profile and highlights the potential impact of carbon market mechanisms and forest-based mitigation strategies.

The reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions, including those from Land Use Change and Forestry (LUCF), since 2015 can be linked to Ghana’s participation in carbon markets, which has facilitated the development of emission reduction initiatives aimed at decreasing GHG emissions in the country. Consequently, if the Ghanaian Government offers adequate assistance to project developers, it will further lower its emissions and enhance the country’s carbon finance via the sale of carbon credits.

5. Ghana’s opportunities in the carbon market

Ghana’s active participation in international carbon markets presents a unique opportunity to align climate action with sustainable economic growth. By leveraging carbon finance, the country can attract foreign investment, accelerate green development, and unlock substantial financial resources. The following sub-sections outline key areas where Ghana stands to benefit economically, socially, and environmentally from its engagement in carbon trading mechanisms.

• Increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

Ghana’s readiness for the carbon market makes it an attractive destination for climate-related increased FDI, particularly in sectors such as renewable energy, forestry, and clean cooking technologies. Investors are more likely to fund projects that can generate verifiable emission reductions, providing both environmental and economic returns.

Carbon finance has the potential to foster the creation of green jobs, facilitate the transfer of technology, and support infrastructure development, particularly in sectors such as afforestation, agroforestry, and clean cooking stove projects. According to Ghana’s 2024 Annual Progress Report on Engagements in International Carbon Markets, the country expects to create over one million jobs and avoid 2,900 deaths due to improved air quality by 2030 (EPA, 2025). These developments will contribute to reducing unemployment and lowering mortality rates in Ghana. Additionally, Ghana’s participation in carbon markets will enhance its global competitiveness in climate-smart investment sectors.

• Climate Finance to Boost GDP

The carbon market offers a means to fill financing gaps and mobilise additional resources through the sale of carbon credits, which can significantly boost Ghana’s GDP. According to the 2024 Annual Progress Report on Engagements in International Carbon Markets, Ghana has the potential to unlock a minimum of US$9.3 billion by 2030 (EPA, 2025). These funds can be reinvested in climate adaptation, rural development, and environmental restoration projects.

6. Positioning Ghana to derive maximum benefits from the carbon market

To fully harness the economic and environmental opportunities presented by carbon markets, Ghana must go beyond policy commitments and establish a strong implementation framework. This involves creating an enabling environment that supports effective governance, active public participation, private sector investment, and sustainable project development. The following strategic actions outline how Ghana can position itself to maximize the benefits of carbon finance while advancing its climate and development goals.

• Enhance the efficiency of key institutions

Strengthening the operational and technical capacities of institutions such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Ministry of Energy (MoE), the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI), and the Forestry Commission is crucial. This will ensure the effective implementation of carbon market activities, reduce delays in processes, and improve overall efficiency. Efforts should include digitizing procedures, training personnel, and streamlining bureaucratic systems.

• Educate the general public on carbon markets

Raising public awareness through media campaigns, workshops, and educational programs is essential for building local support and participation in carbon market initiatives. An informed populace, including financial institutions, can facilitate smoother project implementation and improve access to credit for project developers. Public education is one of the most effective tools for building grassroots support and enhancing climate resilience.

• Provide government support to project developers

The Ghanaian government must provide financial, technical, and policy incentives to stimulate private sector involvement in the carbon market.  Streamlined regulatory frameworks and tax incentives can lower the entry barriers for local developers.  This initiative will enhance the number of project developers in Ghana and can play a pivotal role in helping the country attain its Nationally Determined Contributions objectives.

Awareness campaigns targeting end-users such as farmers, households, and local communities on the benefits of carbon market-linked products (e.g., improved cookstoves, solar panels) can foster greater acceptance and contribute to the adoption and long-term sustainability of climate projects. This will also support forest preservation and pollution reduction.

• Promote public-private finance partnerships

Public-private partnerships are essential in the carbon market space, as climate mitigation and adaptation projects require significant investment and face market uncertainties. These partnerships can mobilise capital, share risk, and foster innovation, ultimately enhancing Ghana’s capacity to implement scalable and bankable climate projects.

7. Conclusion

Ghana stands at a pivotal moment in its climate policy trajectory, where strategic engagement in the global carbon market can unlock significant environmental, economic, and social benefits. Through its structured framework, international partnerships, and commitment to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, Ghana has laid a solid foundation for leveraging carbon finance to meet its ambitious emission reduction targets.

To fully capitalise on these opportunities, however, targeted interventions are required. These include strengthening institutional capacity, increasing public awareness, incentivising private sector participation, and promoting inclusive public-private partnerships. Moreover, aligning carbon market activities with national development goals ensures that climate action translates into tangible gains such as job creation, improved air quality, and rural development.

As the world intensifies its shift toward low-carbon development, Ghana’s proactive participation in the carbon market not only enhances its climate resilience but also positions it as a leader among developing countries in mobilising innovative climate finance solutions. The challenge now lies in sustaining momentum, fostering transparency, and ensuring that the carbon market delivers equitable and lasting development outcomes for all Ghanaians.

References

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2025, March). 2024 annual progress report: Ghana’s progress report on engagements in international carbon markets. Carbon Market Office, EPA Ghana. https://www.cmo.epa.gov.gh
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2007). Climate change 2007: Synthesis report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (Core Writing Team, R. K. Pachauri & A. Reisinger, Eds.). IPCC. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar4/syr/
• World Resources Institute. (2023). Climate Watch: Ghana—Greenhouse gas emissions data (1990–2022). Climate Watch. https://www.climatewatchdata.org

About CERPA

The Centre for Economic Research and Policy Analysis (CERPA) is an independent, Ghana-based think tank dedicated to delivering policy-relevant research and actionable insights that support inclusive, sustainable economic transformation.

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The CEO of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI), says government’s proposed 24-Hour Economy cannot succeed on ambition alone if the cost of doing business remains crippling.

Mark Badu-Aboagye, speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Monday, July 7, argued that producing more means nothing if local products cannot compete in the global market.

“Launching a 24-hour economy will not change the harsh business environment that we are facing now,” he said, calling for a hard look at structural barriers confronting Ghanaian manufacturers.

When host Kofi Agyei pointed to recent macroeconomic improvements such as the cedi’s appreciation, a drop in inflation to 13.7%, improved business confidence, and growing international reserves, Badu-Aboagye was firm in his response.

“It is a good start, but it’s not enough,” he said. “Having inflation down to 13.7% is a necessary condition, but not sufficient to change the structure of the economy.”

He stressed that Ghana needs to see how lower inflation translates into real benefits for producers.

“We want to see how inflation, lower inflation will reduce the cost of credit. We want to see how lower inflation will reduce the cost of utility, electricity and water. These are key components when it comes to manufacturing.”

Mr Badu-Aboagye revealed that the current electricity tariffs for manufacturers in Ghana are among the highest on the continent.

“In Ghana, the cost per kilowatt hour per manufacturing company, ranging from 12 to 15 cents, is among the highest. In what hour for them is less than five cents.”

He warned that with a monetary policy rate at 28%, which translates into commercial interest rates above 30%, Ghanaian exporters are already priced out of competitive markets.

“No company would want to manufacture and export under these conditions.”

For Mr Badu-Aboagye, the 24-Hour Economy must not be reduced to a slogan for self-sufficiency.

“If it’s for local consumption, then we don’t need a 24-Hour Economy, because we can produce much to feed ourselves. We want to export. That is why the accelerated export is a component of the 24-hour economy.”

But exporting, he stressed, will depend on cost and quality, not patriotic labels.

“When you send your product abroad, people will not buy it because it’s coming from Ghana, because you have launched a 24-hour economy, hm? You will buy your product because one, it is competitive, yeah, two, it is of high quality.”

He urged policymakers to understand that Ghana’s products are competing with cheaper and equally high-quality goods from places like North Africa.

“So you produce and you send it there, and you won’t get people to buy because it’s very expensive.”

Mr Badu-Aboagye concluded by calling for a sharper focus on how the gains in inflation and currency strength can impact the policy rate.

“Let’s look at how the improvements we are seeing now—the lower inflation and the cedi appreciation—will impact the policy rate.”

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.

Mali claimed a vital 1-0 win over Tanzania in their opening Group C fixture

Mali claimed a vital 1-0 win over Tanzania in their opening Group C fixture at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, a result that has significant implications for Ghana’s Black Queens.

Saratou Traoré scored the only goal of the match in first-half stoppage time, finishing calmly from the centre of the box after a well-worked set piece. It proved to be enough in a tightly contested clash at the Stade Municipal de Berkane on Monday evening.

Tanzania had several chances to equalise in the second half but were denied by Mali goalkeeper Fatoumata Karentao, who produced a string of solid saves and controlled her area with authority. The East Africans also struggled with their final delivery and were frequently caught offside.

Mali’s victory lifts them into second place in Group C behind South Africa, who beat Ghana 2-0 earlier in the day. The result puts the Black Queens under immediate pressure ahead of their second group match against Mali, a fixture that now carries added weight.

With only the top two and the best third-placed teams progressing, Ghana must get a result against Mali to keep their qualification hopes alive. Another defeat could leave them with an uphill task when they face Tanzania in their final group game.

Coach Kim’s side will now need to respond with urgency, knowing that Mali have already shown the ability to manage games and take their chances.

International Monetary Fund boss Kristalina Georgieva [L] and Finance Minister Ato Forson

The IMF Executive Board has approved Ghana’s 4th Review under the ECF Programme, clearing the path for a substantial $370 million disbursement!

This landmark approval validates Ghana’s unwavering commitment to fiscal discipline and strategic economic transformation.

The Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson announced this in a post on X, formely known as Twitter.

He wrote “Our comprehensive macroeconomic policies and carefully crafted structural reforms are delivering real results that the international community recognizes and supports!

“Today marks another decisive step forward in Ghana’s economic recovery journey, demonstrating that our reform agenda is not just working – it’s exceeding expectations and rebuilding confidence in our nation’s financial future!”

The IMF Executive Board has just approved Ghana’s 4th Review under the ECF Programme, clearing the path for a substantial $370 million disbursement!

This landmark approval validates Ghana’s unwavering commitment to fiscal discipline and strategic economic transformation.

Our… pic.twitter.com/qqksOjpwDF

— Cassiel Ato Forson (PhD) (@Cassielforson) July 7, 2025

KA

Minister of Finance, Dr Ato Forson

The Government of Ghana has successfully fulfilled its Eurobond debt service commitments for 2025 with the payment of US$349.52 million on Thursday, July 3, 2025.

The Ministry of Finance announced the payment, made through the Bank of Ghana, as part of the country’s post-restructuring debt obligations.

This latest instalment brings the total Eurobond debt service payments for 2025 to US$699.04 million, following two earlier payments of equal value in January and July.

The government had previously made an initial payment of US$475.60 million in October 2024, shortly after concluding a comprehensive Eurobond debt restructuring deal.

In total, Ghana has now serviced US$1.17 billion in Eurobond payments since the restructuring, bringing it fully up to date on all scheduled debt obligations for the year.

The Ministry of Finance emphasised that the timely payment underscores the government’s commitment to macroeconomic stability, prudent debt management, and ongoing cooperation with external creditors.

Looking ahead, Ghana is scheduled to service US$1.41 billion in Eurobond debt in 2026.

According to the Ministry, this latest payment is expected to:

Positively impact Ghana’s credit rating outlook by reinforcing its post-restructuring fiscal discipline,

Strengthen investor confidence in the country’s sovereign creditworthiness and economic recovery programme, and

Support stability in the foreign exchange market, with the payment integrated into the Bank of Ghana’s reserves and liquidity management framework.

The government says it remains committed to meeting all future debt obligations as part of its broader economic recovery and reform agenda

Simon Madjie, interacting with the new MD of Mantrac Ghana Ltd., Pierre Hill

The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting investors through its Aftercare Division, a key mechanism for post-establishment assistance.

This assurance was given by the Chief Executive Officer of GIPC, Mr Simon Madjie, during a meeting with the new Managing Director of Mantrac Ghana Ltd., Mr. Pierre Hill, at the Centre’s office in Accra.

Mr Hill, who recently assumed leadership at Mantrac Ghana, emphasized the company’s long-standing investment in the country, with a workforce of over 1,000 employees.

He highlighted the need for strengthened collaboration with government institutions to resolve operational challenges and ensure business continuity.

Mr Madjie acknowledged the company’s significant contribution to Ghana’s industrial and economic development and reiterated the Centre’s readiness to support investors beyond the initial entry phase.

He noted that GIPC’s Aftercare Division plays a crucial role in helping companies navigate regulatory processes and address issues affecting their operations.

Mr Madjie also referenced ongoing efforts to review Ghana’s investment legislation, including the introduction of a proposed Investor Grievance Mechanism.

The latest development comes as a 90-day pause the White House placed on some of its most aggressive import taxes was set to expire this week.

The president renewed his threat of a 25% tax on products entering the country from Japan and South Korea and shared a batch of other letters to world leaders warning of levies from 1 August.

Higher tariffs had been set to come into effect on 9 July, having previously been suspended with White House officials saying they would look to strike trade deals.

When asked by a reporter whether the new August date was a hard deadline, Trump said: “I would say firm, but not 100% firm. If they call up and they say we’d like to do something a different way, we’re going to be open to that.”

The extension came as no surprise since trade agreements often take years to finalise, economist Adam Ahmad Samdin from research firm Oxford Economics told the BBC.

“Such deals are usually extremely detailed,” he said, adding that although Vietnam became only the second country after the UK to strike an agreement with the US, it was more of a “broad framework” speeding up talks, rather than a detailed deal.

Also on Monday, Trump shared letters addressing leaders of 14 countries on social media, informing them of his latest tariff plans, while adding that the rates could be modified “upward or downward, depending on our relationship with your country”.

Most of the tariff rates outlined by Trump were similar to those outlined in April, when he made his “Liberation Day” announcement, threatening a wave of new taxes on goods from various countries.

The comments suggested Trump would be open to further trade talks, investment strategist Vasu Menon from OCBC bank said.

“The expectations that Trump is once again engaged in a negotiating tactic rather than making serious tariff threats, offer hope to investors,” Mr Menon said.

The president argues that introducing tariffs will protect American businesses from foreign competition and also boost domestic manufacturing and jobs.

But economists say the measures will raise prices in the US and reduce trade. The three main share indexes in the US slipped on Monday, with Toyota’s US-listed shares down 4%.

Japan sent more than $148bn (£108.6bn) in goods to the US last year, making it America’s fifth biggest supplier of imports, after the European Union (EU), Mexico, China and Canada, according to US trade data. South Korea was also in the top 10.

As well as South Korea and Japan, Trump on Monday set out plans for a 40% tariff on goods from Myanmar and Laos, a 36% tariff on goods from Thailand and Cambodia, a 35% tariff on goods from Serbia and Bangladesh, a 32% tariff on Indonesia, a 30% tariff on goods from South Africa and a 25% tariff on goods from Malaysia and Tunisia.

“The president’s phone, I can tell you, rings off the hook from world leaders all the time who are begging him to come to a deal,” she said.

When the president first announced a raft of steep tariffs in April, turmoil broke out on financial markets, leading to the president suspending some of the highest duties to allow for talks, while keeping in place a 10% levy.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he expected “a busy couple of days”.

“We’ve had a lot of people change their tune in terms of negotiations. So my mailbox was full last night with a lot of new offers, a lot of new proposals,” he told US business broadcaster CNBC.

Trump had initially described his April tariffs as “reciprocal”, claiming they were required to fight back against other countries’ trade rules he saw as unfair to US exports.

He has separately announced tariffs for key sectors, such as steel and cars, citing national security concerns, and threatened to raise levies on other items, such as pharmaceuticals and lumber.

The multi-layered policies have complicated trade talks, with car tariffs a key sticking point in negotiations with Japan and South Korea.

Wimbledon has made changes to its electronic line calling system to remove the possibility of “human error” after it was accidentally deactivated in a controversial episode on Sunday.

An “operator error” meant the ball-tracking technology was turned off for one game in the fourth-round match between Britain’s Sonay Kartal and Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Centre Court.

“Following our review, we have now removed the ability for Hawk-Eye operators to manually deactivate the ball tracking,” the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) said in a statement to BBC Sport.

“While the source of the issue was human error, this error cannot now be repeated due to the system changes we have made.”

Kartal sent a backhand long when game point down at 4-4, but this was not detected by the line-call system, which instead made two automated calls of “stop”.

Umpire Nico Helwerth opted to replay the point – which Kartal won – but was criticised by Pavlyuchenkova and some pundits for not using his authority to overrule and call the ball out.

TV replays had shown the ball was well long and Pavlyuchenkova suggested there should be a video review system, similar to that in football, which would have enabled the umpire to make the call.

The AELTC said Helwerth had “followed the established process”, but later added that the issue of video reviews would be “among the matters considered” at the end of the Championships.

Club chief executive Sally Bolton said earlier on Monday that Helwerth was “having a rest day”.

“We have rotation of our umpires regularly. A little bit like the players, the umpires also need rest days throughout the tournament,” Bolton told BBC Sport.

“He’s having a rest day today. He’s fine.

“It’s really important to say that the umpire followed the protocols in place. He did what he needed to do on court and acted entirely correctly.”

Electronic line calling is used at many top-level tournaments, and the US Open and Australian Open also have a video review system.

When there were line judges at Wimbledon, players could challenge the calls by using an electronic review. The new technology is an “enhanced” version of the Hawk-Eye system that was used for player challenges.

There are no challenges under the current system and video replays are not used.

At the moment, replays of points can be shown on the big screens – but they are essentially replays of what the technology has determined and only show that something was a “close call”.

But with millions able to see the replays of points on their televisions at home, fans will always wonder why the umpire is not able to use that footage if they are unsure over a call.

Pavlyuchenkova suggested tennis should use video checks like football does “so that we can review the point”.

“On such a big event I think it is necessary, since this isn’t the first time this has happened,” she told BBC Sport on Sunday.

The AELTC said: “We do not have a video review system as part of our suite of officiating tools.

“As we do every year, we will fully review all aspects of The Championships’ operation following the event and this will be among the matters considered.”

There is a line-calling hub inside Wimbledon’s grounds, where 50 operators use 144 screens to monitor the ball-tracking footage from 12 cameras on each court.

‘When it’s activated, it works extremely well’

Wimbledon’s first week of electronic line calling system has been a big topic of discussion.

Some players questioned its accuracy, others said the calls were too quiet – and some simply missed the 147-year-old tradition of smartly dressed officials around the court.

Former British number one and BBC pundit Tim Henman pointed to the accuracy of the technology as a reason why video reviews were not necessary.

“The technology, when it’s activated, works extremely well,” he said.

“There’s another sort of narrative that the line calling has been inaccurate, and that’s just absolute rubbish.

“When you’re on the court, you’re hoping that it goes out, because if it goes out, you win the point.

“But actually, 100 times out of 100 when you go back and look at it, the human – the player – gets it wrong. The technology doesn’t.”

The AELTC said it continued to have “full confidence in the accuracy of the ball-tracking technology”.

In response to player concerns about not hearing the calls sometimes, the club added that it was “adjusting the volume all the time, given the ambient noise on court and around the grounds”.

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 number of reported measles cases in the US has reached a 33-year high, with nearly 1,300 confirmed infections across the country as of Friday.

The data, released by John Hopkins University, marks a new milestone in an ongoing outbreak of the highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that was once thought to be eliminated in the US.

Measles cases have been reported in 38 states and the District of Columbia this year. At least three people have died from the illness, and 155 others were in hospital.

A vast majority of the measles cases – 92% – were in people who were either unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown, according to the Centres for Disease Control (CDC).

The worst hit state is Texas, CDC data shows, where more than 700 cases have been reported. Other states with dozens of cases include Kansas and New Mexico.

Health officials say that measles spread is occurring mostly in neighbourhoods where vaccination rates are lower, such as Mennonite communities in Texas that opt out of modern medicine.

The outbreak comes as anti-vaccine sentiment in the US and elsewhere has grown in recent years.

Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr had previously spread misinformation about childhood vaccinations and had minimised the outbreak. He later endorsed the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine as illness spread, saying in a post on X that it is “the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles”.

Measles cases in the US were at their highest in recent memory in 1990, with nearly 28,000 reported infections, according to CDC data.

The illness was later declared eliminated around the year 2000, when cases sharply declined to less than 90 thanks to high vaccination rates and rapid outbreak response.

Cases started ticking up slightly in 2014 and again in 2019, when 1,274 confirmed infections were reported. But cases in 2025 have just surpassed that figure, with 1,277 infections now reported across the US.

Public health experts have said that the US will lose measles elimination status if there is continued spread of measles at the current rate for more than 12 months.

As a result of the current outbreak, more people are now getting the measles vaccine in the US. Between 1 January and 16 March, Texas gave at least 173, 000 measles doses compared to 158,000 in the same time period last year, state health department data shows.

The MMR vaccine is the most effective way to fight off the dangerous virus, which can lead to pneumonia, brain swelling and death. The jabs are 97% effective and also immunise against mumps and rubella.

Large measles outbreaks have been reported recently in other countries, including the UK. Last year marked the highest number of confirmed measles cases reported in England since 2012 at nearly 3,000.

Since January of this year, there had been 529 cases reported in England.

Canada is also experiencing a measles outbreak, with more than 3,000 cases reported in 2025 so far. The bulk of the cases are in the provinces of Ontario and Alberta.

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.

John Dramani Mahama is the current President of Ghana

The Africa Policy Lens (APL) has cast doubt on the feasibility of Fund24, the financial backbone of Mahama’s 24H+ economy agenda.

The Fund24, as part of Mahama’s 24H+ economy, aims to raise substantial money, and provide capital for SMEs, infrastructure projects and job creation.

However, in an an extensive review of the policy, the APL doubts the policy would meet its revenue target, stating, among other factors, that its reliance on external financial support makes it too fragile to raise the funding for the policy.

“The FUND24 was sold to Ghanaians as a bold transformation strategy, promising affordable capital for SMEs, massive infrastructure, and job creation. But behind the grand design lies a shaky Framework,” the APL said.

It continued; “Operating across three tracks, enterprise financing (via DBG and VCTF), infrastructure development (through GIIF’s SPVs), and technical assistance (offered by the 24H+ Secretariat), FUND24 aims to raise $4 billion by 2030 through blended finance and foreign institutional capital. On paper, it sounds promising. It’s structurally flawed and fundamentally incompatible with Ghana’s 24-hour economic ambitions.”

“First, let’s confront the elephant in the room: Ghana’s debt crisis. With public debt ballooning to $49.5 billion, 55% of GDP in March 2025, international development finance institutions (DFIs) are understandably cautious. In fact, in 2022, Ghana received absolutely nothing out of the $3.59 billion in infrastructure funding allocated to Sub-Saharan Africa. This is not a system that DFIs trust, and without them, FUND24’s capital flow collapses.”

‘”Add to that the cedi’s devastating 40% depreciation in 2022, and suddenly any foreign loan becomes a ticking time bomb. If DBG borrows in dollars and lends in cedis, a wave of defaults could drown the entire program.”

”Even worse, the proposal to channel Ghana’s GHS 42 billion pension fund into risky SME equity is reckless. Pension funds exist to protect retiree livelihoods, not to bankroll fragile startups. One wrong bet and the retirement security of an entire generation could vanish”, the APL added.

The APL also described the infrastructure track as “equally shaky” as well as the digital loan solution under Fund24.

“The touted Agbledu parks may never rise from the ground thanks to Ghana’s chaotic land tenure system, where over 80% of land is informally owned and legally untraceable.”

“And what of the digital loan revolution FUND24 promises? It assumes a tech-savvy population, yet only 58% of Ghanaians are even online. That’s not a digital revolution; it’s a digital delusion. You can’t run a loan portal on dreams when nearly half the population is offline or digitally excluded,” the APL further noted.

It also emphasised; “If the government truly wants a 24-hour economy, it needs a homegrown financing model, one not held hostage by foreign lenders or fictional SPVs. Ghana must unlock its own capital markets. Pension funds can play a role, yes, but through mandated low-risk allocations like South Africa’s Regulation 28.”

The APL also urged government to “issue diaspora bonds to capture part of the $4.7 billion in annual remittances”.

“…instead of chasing phantom foreign investors, it should incentivize real domestic giants, MTN, Dangote, Ghana Oil, to co-invest in SPVs. Most importantly, land reform and a push for local-currency lending must be urgent priorities if financial inclusion is to be real.”

“FUND24 is not just flawed, it is dangerous in its current form. Built on weak assumptions, overdependent on DFIs, and blind to Ghana’s on-the-ground realities, it is the most brittle pillar of the entire 24H+ economy.”

”Without urgent course correction, it will join the growing list of failed Ghanaian economic fantasies, SkyTrain, anyone?”

AME

John Dramani Mahama is the current President of Ghana

The Africa Policy Lens (APL) has cast doubt on the feasibility of FUND24, the financial backbone of Mahama’s 24H+ economy agenda.

The FUND24, as part of Mahama’s 24H+ economy, aims to raise substantial money, and provide capital for SMEs, infrastructure projects and job creation.

However, in an an extensive review of the policy, the APL doubts the policy would meet its revenue target, stating, among other factors, that its reliance on external financial support makes it too fragile to raise the funding for the policy.

“The FUND24 was sold to Ghanaians as a bold transformation strategy, promising affordable capital for SMEs, massive infrastructure, and job creation. But behind the grand design lies a shaky Framework,” the APL said.

It continued; “Operating across three tracks, enterprise financing (via DBG and VCTF), infrastructure development (through GIIF’s SPVs), and technical assistance (offered by the 24H+ Secretariat), FUND24 aims to raise $4 billion by 2030 through blended finance and foreign institutional capital. On paper, it sounds promising. It’s structurally flawed and fundamentally incompatible with Ghana’s 24-hour economic ambitions.”

“First, let’s confront the elephant in the room: Ghana’s debt crisis. With public debt ballooning to $49.5 billion, 55% of GDP in March 2025, international development finance institutions (DFIs) are understandably cautious. In fact, in 2022, Ghana received absolutely nothing out of the $3.59 billion in infrastructure funding allocated to Sub-Saharan Africa. This is not a system that DFIs trust, and without them, FUND24’s capital flow collapses.”

‘”Add to that the cedi’s devastating 40% depreciation in 2022, and suddenly any foreign loan becomes a ticking time bomb. If DBG borrows in dollars and lends in cedis, a wave of defaults could drown the entire program.”

”Even worse, the proposal to channel Ghana’s GHS 42 billion pension fund into risky SME equity is reckless. Pension funds exist to protect retiree livelihoods, not to bankroll fragile startups. One wrong bet and the retirement security of an entire generation could vanish”, the APL added.

The APL also described the infrastructure track as “equally shaky” as well as the digital loan solution under FUND24.

“The touted Agbledu parks may never rise from the ground thanks to Ghana’s chaotic land tenure system, where over 80% of land is informally owned and legally untraceable.”

“And what of the digital loan revolution FUND24 promises? It assumes a tech-savvy population, yet only 58% of Ghanaians are even online. That’s not a digital revolution; it’s a digital delusion. You can’t run a loan portal on dreams when nearly half the population is offline or digitally excluded,” the APL further noted.

It also emphasised; “If the government truly wants a 24-hour economy, it needs a homegrown financing model, one not held hostage by foreign lenders or fictional SPVs. Ghana must unlock its own capital markets. Pension funds can play a role, yes, but through mandated low-risk allocations like South Africa’s Regulation 28.”

The APL also urged government to “issue diaspora bonds to capture part of the $4.7 billion in annual remittances”.

“…instead of chasing phantom foreign investors, it should incentivize real domestic giants, MTN, Dangote, Ghana Oil, to co-invest in SPVs. Most importantly, land reform and a push for local-currency lending must be urgent priorities if financial inclusion is to be real.”

“FUND24 is not just flawed, it is dangerous in its current form. Built on weak assumptions, overdependent on DFIs, and blind to Ghana’s on-the-ground realities, it is the most brittle pillar of the entire 24H+ economy.”

”Without urgent course correction, it will join the growing list of failed Ghanaian economic fantasies, SkyTrain, anyone?”

AME