AGP Executive Report

Black Stars Coaching: The GFA’s Executive Council has unanimously recommended Carlos Queiroz for a long-term Black Stars role, though final approval and salary funding still rest with the Ministry of Sports. Education & Labour: Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu urged striking university administrators to pause action for one month while government validates outstanding allowances; GAUA says the strike remains, pending member consultations. Public Sector Pay Reform: Organised Labour pledged to actively support the move from FWSC to the Independent Public Emoluments Commission (IPEC), warning against a piecemeal approach. Economy & Finance: UBA Ghana reports strong H1 2026 growth, with customer loans more than doubling and non-performing loans dropping sharply. Gold & Mining: Ghana rises to sixth globally in gold production (185 tonnes in 2025); small-scale mining overtook large-scale for the first time. Regulation: GoldBod makes XRF gold purity testing mandatory from September 1. Energy & Infrastructure: GRIDCo plans power outages in parts of Greater Accra and Ashanti as it repairs transmission equipment. Sports: Asante Kotoko coach Eric Tinkler hints at more surprise signings; Ghana Premier League matchday 1 TV picks include Hearts of Oak vs Berekum Chelsea and Port City vs FC AshantiGold.

Banking & Courts: A Nigerian man, Augustine Okechuku Maazi, has appeared in an Accra court over an alleged plot to rob three banks in Labone, after police said they foiled the plan and a shootout killed two suspects—though GCB Bank later denied its branch was targeted. Party Politics: NPP’s Greater Accra reorganisation continues as Dr Bernard Okoe Boye is praised by Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as a unifier, while George Andah congratulates Dr Joseph Essibu on winning Central Regional chairmanship and analysts urge Abronye DC to improve leadership and communication in Bono. Education Labour: GTEC has ordered senior management officials at public universities to resume work after joining a strike, warning of conflicts of interest and demanding a register of non-compliant officials. Transport & Road Safety: DVLA commissions a new office in Asuogyaman to curb licensing fraud, and new road traffic rules allow drivers to record police interactions during stops. Energy & Infrastructure: GRIDCo will replace a damaged pylon on the Tema-Achimota line on August 23 after initial repairs restored power. Fuel Logistics: Petroleum tanker drivers begin a three-day sit-down strike over poor BOST Kumasi depot yard conditions and alleged offloading shortages. Economy & FX: The cedi strengthened against the US dollar over the past week, appreciating to about GHS10.94 per $1. Sports: GFA clears 14 venues for the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League, while Ghana’s Black Princesses prepare for Poland 2026 after drawing Ecuador, France and Korea Republic. Youth & Climate: Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and the Netherlands meet in Accra to move national climate adaptation plans into action.

Women’s Football: Cameroon won the first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title, beating Malawi 3-0 in Rabat with Marie Ngah scoring twice and Naomi Eto adding one. Cedi & FX: Ghana’s cedi posted four straight days of gains versus the US dollar, supported by improved Bank of Ghana interventions and easing dollar demand. Fuel Prices: Petrol is expected to drop (up to 2.90%) while diesel may rise (about 1.39%) in a mixed pump-price review from today, August 17. Education Disruption: A GAUA strike is disrupting exams at UHAS and other public universities, with concerns raised about exam procedures and integrity. Transport Safety: GNFS rescued a driver trapped in a trailer crash on the Kintampo–Tamale highway; VIP Jeoun also reported a coach fire with no casualties. Health Research: A Greater Accra care-home study found high rates of drug-resistant urinary pathogens among Ghana’s elderly. Cocoa Policy: COCOBOD banned LBCs from buying cocoa on credit from farmers, warning of licence revocation. Public Services: Thirty controversial ambulances at Burma Camp were handed to National Security for refurbishment and integration into emergency response.

GoldBod Prayer Call: Archbishop Nicholas Duncan‑Williams urged Ghanaians to pray for the Ghana Gold Board, saying it faces resistance from “very powerful” gold-trade interests and warning weak enforcement is harming rivers and farmlands. NPP Leadership Push: Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye won NPP Greater Accra chairmanship and vowed to help deliver Bawumia’s presidency in 2028. Airport Tragedy: A Ghanaian evacuee died moments after landing at Accra International Airport from South Africa; the Foreign Affairs Ministry says family notification is underway. Accra Fire Incident: Firefighters battled a blaze at an apartment in Accra New Town; no injuries reported so far. Road Safety Reform: NRSA says new road traffic rules will introduce separate licensing for private and commercial drivers, with different training needs. Human Trafficking Focus: Experts at a national launch urged victim-centred action against trafficking and other transnational crime, calling for safer reporting. Local Development Needs: Stakeholders in Kadjebi called for a bridge over River Asukwakwa at Dodo‑Bethel to end rainy-season isolation. Sports—Black Stars Prep: Ghana faces September qualifiers with uncertainty over Black Stars leadership and an approved home venue.

Weather Alert: GMet warns of a severe rainstorm moving into northern Ghana, with strong winds, frequent lightning and heavy downpours expected to hit the Upper East, North East, Northern, Upper West and Savannah regions tonight into Monday morning. Power Supply: GRIDCo says parts of Greater Accra will face a 15-hour outage on Sunday (3:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.) after a damaged transmission tower at Ashaiman Middle East needs emergency repairs, with renewed warnings against activities in transmission corridors. Maritime Trade: The Ghana Maritime Authority pushes for a maritime single window to cut vessel delays and improve efficiency at Tema Port, urging stakeholders to move from proposals to implementation. Public Sector Pay Reform: Organised labour backs the proposed Independent Public Emoluments Commission (IPEC) but insists it must be fully involved as Ghana reshapes public sector compensation. Politics (NPP): New regional chairmen were elected, including Dr Bernard Okoe Boye for Greater Accra and Alhaji Iddrisu Sulemana for Savannah, as the party reorganises ahead of 2028. Security: Ghana Prisons Service is on manhunt for escaped inmate Peter Kyeremeh. Sports (Local Focus): Ghana’s U-15 final screening begins with 51 players at Prampram, while three Ghanaian boxers take on foreign opponents in high-stakes bouts.

NPP 2028 Campaign Focus: NPP MP Frank Annoh-Dompreh says galamsey will be the core narrative for the party’s 2028 campaign, arguing illegal mining is a survival issue because it destroys rivers and livelihoods. School Feeding Nutrition: Government has reaffirmed its push to improve meal quality under the Ghana School Feeding Programme, with nutrition training for caterers and cooks across Greater Accra. Economy Shift to Growth: Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem says Ghana is moving from macro stability to investment, production, exports and job creation, with the private sector at the centre. Health Funding: NHIA says GH¢443m has been released to retool facilities for Free Primary Health Care, with direct payments to district facilities to cut delays. Power Disruptions in Accra: GRIDCo announces a major emergency restoration outage in parts of Greater Accra on Sunday, August 16, after damage to a transmission tower. Climate & Media: BEWDA and WaterAid train 30 WASH journalists in Upper East to strengthen climate justice reporting and amplify community voices. Sports & Heritage: Man City’s Antoine Semenyo says Ghana love drives him, while the NPP’s regional executive elections continue across the country.

Women’s Football: Ghana’s Black Queens stunned Ivory Coast 2-1 at WAFCON to keep their Women’s World Cup dream alive, with VAR playing a key role in the early penalty and the late winner. Sports Roadmap: Coach Desiree Ellis says Banyana Banyana need more time as they map out their FIFA World Cup play-off path, with October qualifiers and league restart shaping preparations. Housing Finance: The National Homeownership Fund proposes a levy on selected building materials to fund affordable housing and land infrastructure, citing models from Kenya and Morocco. Public Health: Wa Municipal Hospital is urgently seeking support over deteriorating infrastructure, obsolete equipment, and NHIS reimbursement pressures, including missing neonatal care machines. Governance & Justice: RANA has asked Ghana’s Ministry of Health for details on private partnerships for Agenda 111 hospitals, while Joy Prime’s Prime Insight will dissect legal vacation trial rules and the Berko bribery fallout. Trade & Payments: Stanbic Bank Ghana introduces direct access to China’s CIPS to speed up Yuan cross-border payments for eligible customers. Security & Migration: Ghana reports the death of a repatriated evacuee from South Africa shortly after arrival at Kotoka International Airport. Interfaith Peace: Clerics at the centre of recent religious tensions in Accra have reconciled, with calls for restraint and rule of law. Youth & Environment: NYA engages 200 youth in Ho with a clean-up drive to mark International Youth Day.

AU Agenda: Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa leads a 13-member expert committee to shape an African Union strategy and implementation document for President Mahama ahead of Ghana’s 2027 AU chairmanship. Power & Safety: Energy Minister Jinapor inspects emergency restoration on the damaged Tema–Achimota 161kV line after a fuel tanker explosion, warning against activities under transmission pylons and threatening enforcement on encroachers. Sports & Pride: Ghana’s Black Queens learn their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 playoff opponents on Aug. 20 after being placed in Pot 3; meanwhile, Ghana’s World Cup playoff fate is set for FIFA’s preliminary draw. Crime & Trust: Nigeria’s High Commission questions Ghana Police’s account of a foiled Labone bank robbery after GCB Bank denied any robbery, while police also face scrutiny over a Toyota Highlander allegedly impounded in 2019 with the same registration. Health & Services: Government plans to expand Free Primary Health Care to all districts by 2028, with thousands of medical equipment kits and funding released for rollout. Environment: Lands Minister Buah says about 8,900 hectares of forest reserves have been degraded, largely linked to illegal mining. Agribusiness: FAGE targets $10bn export revenue by 2030 and hosts Horticulture Expo 2026 from Sept. 3–5 to connect farmers, buyers and investors. Local Governance: Bono Regional Minister inaugurates a Local Organising Committee for the 42nd National Farmers’ Day in Sunyani.

Women’s World Cup Playoffs: Ghana’s Black Queens came from behind to beat Côte d’Ivoire 2-1 in Casablanca, while South Africa edged Nigeria 2-1—keeping both Ghana and SA alive for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil and setting up inter-continental playoff spots. Football Fixtures & Development: The Ghana Football Association says 2026/27 Division One League fixtures will be released on August 18, with the season set to kick off in September. Cocoa Policy: COCOBOD has banned Licensed Buying Companies from buying cocoa from farmers on credit, warning repeat offenders could lose their licences. 24-Hour Economy Debate: The Association of Ghana Industries backs the policy but warns against judging it by slogans, urging concrete, consultative implementation. National Theatre Upgrade: Ghana’s Tourism Minister says the National Theatre will be renovated and modernised with support from China. Security & Crime: Police say they foiled a planned bank robbery at Labone, killing two suspects and arresting one. WASH Funding: WaterAid Ghana launches a $150,000 climate-resilient WASH project in Ghana’s Upper East. TVET Leadership: Tsonam Akpeloo has been appointed Chairman of the Applied Technology Institute Governing Board.

Police Custody Assault: Ghana’s Interior Ministry has ordered the IGP to investigate a viral case where a suspect was allegedly assaulted while in police custody, including how civilians got access and whether officers on duty allowed it. Religious Tensions: Police arrested an Imam over alleged calls for violence against people who insult Prophet Muhammad, while another pastor accused of offensive comments was also assaulted in custody—sparking renewed calls for calm and lawful handling. Labone Bank Incident: Police say they foiled an attempted robbery at GCB Bank, Labone, killing two suspects and arresting one, but GCB Bank insists no robbery or breach occurred and customers are safe. Food Security Pressure: CSIR says Ghana’s tomato imports exceed $230m yearly and ginger dependence is about 99%, blaming weak seed systems, disease, and underinvestment—urging research-led recovery. Economy & Gold: IFS urges government to better tax small-scale gold mining, saying royalties are not matching the sector’s growing export contribution. Sports & Welfare: Sports Ministry rejects claims of unpaid Black Queens per diems, while players demand clearer communication and accountability. Infrastructure & Jobs: Mahama says Upper East Airport construction will start before end of 2026, aiming to cut travel to Tamale and boost investment. Identity Services: NIA launches 24-hour Ghana Card registration at its Prestige Centre, with weekend access.

Black Queens Funding Row: Ghana’s Sports Ministry says it has no outstanding per diem for the Black Queens, citing payments made July 29 and again Aug. 11, while bonuses are “being processed” and it denies a separate WAFCON qualification bonus. WAFCON Final Setup: Cameroon beat hosts Morocco 3-1 on penalties after a goalless semi-final to set up a final against Malawi, who earlier stunned Algeria 3-1. Gold Economy: Ghana’s gold boom widened its lead over Mali and Burkina Faso, with 2025 output and export earnings hitting record levels and gold dominating merchandise exports. Bank of Ghana Push: BoG Governor Asiama urged banks to create diaspora-focused investment products to turn remittances into savings and productive investment. Accra Market Pressure: Agbogbloshie traders at the Nzema Market ask for more time or an alternative space after AMA’s move to clear the area for a 24-Hour Economy Market. MTN Ghana Awards: MTN Ghana won six awards at PMI Ghana’s NPMC/PMEA, including top honours for its Fiber Go-Big FTTH project. Education Disruption: UCC postponed indefinitely the 2026 Sandwich students’ matriculation ceremony due to the GAUA strike.

Religious Freedom Under Scrutiny: Ghana Police, with the National Signals Bureau, has arrested an Imam in Ashanti for allegedly urging violence against people who insult Prophet Muhammad, and also arrested an “Apostle” over offensive comments in a separate video; investigations are ongoing and police warn religious leaders and social media users against inciting harm. Economy & Governance: The Institute for Fiscal Studies warns that weak 2026 budget execution—especially curbs on capital spending and arrears—could slow growth. Politics: Kwesi Pratt Jnr cautions the NDC against assuming automatic victory in 2028, saying political momentum and scandals can quickly change the landscape. Road Safety: Three people died in a head-on crash on the Kyebi–Asikam road, while another Accra–Kumasi highway crash at Asubuo left one dead and five injured. Women’s Football: Black Queens players demand unpaid bonuses and welfare support ahead of the WAFCON play-in against Côte d’Ivoire, as coach Kim Lars Björkegren says he feels no pressure. Local Courts/Administration: A Supreme Court challenge questions Ghana’s two-month legal vacation, arguing it delays justice. Business & Finance: CBG and SIF sign an agreement to disburse US$5m to women, youth and MSMEs.

Flood Relief: The UAE has donated relief items worth over GH¢12m to June 29 flood victims, including 13,000 food boxes, 20,000 rice packages, bottled water, blankets and sleeping mattresses, with distribution coordinated through NADMO. Tourism & Culture: Ghana will host the maiden African Festival of Arts, Culture and Creatives (AFESTACC) from Dec 9–12, while Cape Coast and Elmina Castles will open until 10pm under the 24-hour economy push. Local Governance: Vice President Opoku-Agyemang urged stakeholders to back decentralisation reforms under the NDPS 2026–2030 so local institutions can deliver better services. Power & Utilities: PURC reports gains from integrating 2,036 SHEP meters into NEDCo billing, alongside transformer and pole upgrades to improve supply reliability. Health: The Ghana AIDS Commission reiterates there is no cure for HIV, urging strict ARV adherence as treatment coverage remains low. Justice & Court: An Accra High Court ruled Dr Mustapha Hamid’s trial will continue during legal vacation, and the AG opposed bail for Wontumi on flight-risk grounds. Security & Trade: Ghana and Burkina Faso signed a defence cooperation deal to secure cross-border trade corridors. Sports: Medeama’s Yussif Mubarik says the club is ready for the CAF Champions League after being drawn against TP Mazembe; Ghana’s heritage sites and football fans get more reasons to celebrate this week.

Sports Transfers: VfL Osnabrück says Ghana forward Daniel Kofi Kyereh fits its recruitment plan and is being eased back after a long knee injury, with the club stressing he’s expected to contribute soon. Football Moves: Italy-Ghana midfielder Justin Kumi joins Juve Stabia on loan from Sassuolo until June 2027, while Ghana goalkeeper Brimah Razak returns to Linares for a second spell. Local Football: Accra Hearts of Oak withdraws from the 2026 GHALCA Top 4 tournament due to clashes with pre-season programmes. Governance & Courts: The Attorney-General opposes Chairman Wontumi’s bail pending appeal over his illegal mining conviction, and the Ghana Bar Association urges the Chief Justice to stop trials during legal vacation. Economy & Trade: Ghana’s fuel remains its biggest import despite oil production, underscoring the need to cut refined-fuel dependence. Security & Crime: Police intercept 118 bags of cocoa bound for Togo and arrest four suspects. Health & Safety: WHO hands Ghana Health Service 205 laptops to strengthen disease surveillance.

CAF Confederation Cup: Nations FC say they’re ready for Mali’s FC Diarra after the draw for the 2026/27 preliminary round, with the first leg in Bamako and the return in Ghana. Politics & Governance: Angry NPP supporters stormed party headquarters over Ayawaso Central’s electoral album, demanding access and clarification. Legal System: The Ghana Bar Association urged the Chief Justice to stop forcing lawyers to appear during the legal vacation, warning it could undermine court traditions. Energy & Economy: The IMF urged Ghana to keep quarterly electricity tariff adjustments to cut energy-sector fiscal risks. Mining: Government upheld revocation of Adamus Resources’ mining leases after breaches, including unauthorised assignments and work outside permitted areas. Health: Ho Teaching Hospital says it’s strengthening referrals and expanding digital health services. Local Development: Only 59.3% of households have improved toilets, the Local Government Ministry says, calling for faster sanitation investment. Sports (Women’s Football): Nigeria’s Nnadozie says Super Falcons still have a path to the 2027 World Cup despite WAFCON setbacks.

University Disruption: GAUA’s industrial action is set to disrupt salaries, admissions, procurement, promotions and appointments across public universities, while UTAG rejects claims of discrimination over market premium disparities. Health Partnerships: SDA says it will partner government to complete Agenda 111 hospital projects, focusing on trauma care, holistic wellness, oncology and rehabilitation. Education Policy: Government says the revised KG–Primary 6 curriculum is not yet adopted, with GES reviewing before Cabinet approval. Housing Rules: Rent Control will enforce mandatory rent cards from August 17, requiring landlords and hostel operators to regularise tenancy registration. Corruption Fallout: A Brooklyn federal jury convicted former TOR boss Asante Kwaku Berko over a $1m bribery scheme tied to a Ghana power plant; Ghana authorities say they’re working with US counterparts to trace others. Mining & Livelihoods: Cocoa farmers urge the President to delay assent to the COCOBOD Bill for wider consultations, warning of confusion over farm conversion rules. Climate & Diplomacy: African climate negotiators are in Accra to consolidate priorities for COP31 under Ghana’s chairmanship. Public Safety: Police have arrested two brothers over the Beach Drive Estate Tuba murder and shooting of a couple. Sports & Youth: MTN Elite U-19 Championship fixtures are out, and Ghana’s Daniel-Kofi Kyereh joins VfL Osnabrück on a free transfer.