AGP Executive Report

Politics & Governance: The NDC has unveiled a six-volume history of the party and the 4th Republic ahead of a September 28 launch at UPSA, while the Vice President, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, dismissed talk of a 2028 presidential bid, saying the focus is delivering the current mandate. Security & Justice: A U.S. court convicted former Goldman Sachs executive Asante Kwaku Berko over a bribery and money-laundering scheme tied to a Ghana power project, and Northern Police have launched a full investigation into the deaths of two unidentified women found in a Tamale hotel room. Economy & Energy: The IMF warned Ghana faces elevated financing needs and limited room for fresh external borrowing, as the energy sector continues to draw scrutiny. Environment & Cities: Climate change was flagged as a major threat to livelihoods in Northern Ghana, and experts urged practical steps for “green cities,” including waste segregation and better planning. Sports: Ghana’s Black Queens advanced in WAFCON and are set for a quarter-final with Malawi, while CAF confirmed Ghana will host the 2027 U-20 AFCON. Business & Community: Ghana EXIM Bank commissioned an astro-turf park in Anloga, and MTN launched its month-long sustainability drive.

WAFCON Update: Black Queens captain Portia Boakye is being hailed by coach Kim Lars Björkegren as the “extra arm” behind Ghana’s quarter-final qualification, with Alice Kusi also stressing unity as Ghana prepares to face Malawi for World Cup qualification. Health & Infrastructure: A contractor has handed over the Weija Children’s Specialist Hospital to government, but residents say it’s still not operational and payments to the contractor remain unclear. Security & Crime: A car dealer was shot dead at Beach Drive Estate near Tuba in Ga South, while courts also jailed two Nigerians for human trafficking and cybercrime. Politics & Rule of Law: A lawmaker says threats against the President can’t be protected as free speech, as debate continues around the “Democracy Under Attack” protests and related legal actions. Economy & Policy: Ghana’s inflation eased to 4.6% in July, and the IMF warns financing pressures ahead in 2027–28 even as debt risk is upgraded to moderate. Energy & Business: PETROSOL gets approval to raise long-term capital on the GSE, and the Bui Power Authority reports US$66.2m profit as solar expansion boosts performance. Environment & Transport: EPA proposes naming the plastics law after late Murtala Mohammed, and GSA moves to enforce stricter used-vehicle import rules from Oct 1, 2026.

WAFCON 2026: Ghana’s Black Queens booked a quarter-final spot after a 1-1 draw with Mali, with Evelyn Badu scoring and Ghana advancing on goal difference; they now face Malawi with a World Cup place at stake. Sports & Clubs: Medeama SC and Nations FC will learn their CAF opponents in the 2026/27 inter-club draws in Cairo. Fuel Watch: The NPA says Ghana has enough fuel stocks despite Middle East tensions, while COPEC warns the new ¢2 diesel cushion is relief, not a long-term fix. Economy & Policy: The IMF urges the Bank of Ghana to end quasi-fiscal activities after GHS22bn losses under the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme, with DGPP shifted to GoldBod. Water Disruption: GWL plans a three-day water cut in parts of Greater Accra and Eastern regions for Kpong-Tema pipeline maintenance. Governance & Courts: Anti-corruption campaigner Vitus Azeem calls for scrapping the long judicial vacation to reduce case backlogs. Diaspora & Rights: President Mahama pushes for residency and citizenship pathways for Africans in the diaspora, framing repatriation as a right.

Politics & Protests: NPP supporters in Accra insist “the street is for Bawumia now” as the party holds its “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration, while the NPP says it will defend members against alleged political persecution and calls the protest peaceful. Economy Watch: Ghana’s inflation eased to 4.6% in July from 5.3% in June, driven mainly by slower food prices and steadier exchange rates. Education & Infrastructure: Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu directs GETFund to allocate at least GHS250m in 2027 for Category A schools’ classrooms, dormitories and labs, starting with Achimota’s 250-bed boys’ boarding house. Security: Bono East police shut Kwame-Danso Police Station after an attack on police and judicial staff during a court escort. Crime: Tema police intercept 866 parcels of suspected cocaine hidden in gari for export, arresting three suspects including a Dutch national. Sports (Women’s football): Mercy Tagoe Quarcoo urges the Black Queens to stay calm and composed in the final third ahead of the decisive WAFCON clash with Mali. Sports (Clubs): Medeama SC draw TP Mazembe in the CAF Champions League preliminary round; first leg in Ghana, return in Lubumbashi. Health & Society: Stakeholders push evidence-based social and behaviour change as a pillar of Free Primary Health Care, saying access alone won’t improve outcomes.

BoG Digital Lending Crackdown: The Bank of Ghana has warned the public against 20 unlicensed digital loan apps, saying they breach licensing rules and risk customer data privacy and weak consumer protection. Banking Stability: BoG also directed banks to cut non-performing loans to below 10% by end-2026, after NPLs fell to 16.1% by June 2026. Rates Watch: The Ghana Reference Rate edged up to 10.61% for August, suggesting borrowing costs may stay fairly steady. Gold Programme Oversight: The IMF backed moving Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme from BoG to GoldBod to improve accountability, while urging BoG to stop quasi-fiscal activities after reported GH¢22bn losses in 2025. Accra Flood Control: Greater Accra REGSEC says it will demolish structures on waterways at Laboma and Agbogbloshie next week to restore buffer zones and reduce flooding. Health Tech Boost: WHO donated laptops to strengthen Ghana’s disease surveillance and faster outbreak reporting. Education Safety: Education Ministry ordered investigations and sanctions after violence at Obuasi SHTS over alleged ritual claims. Sports—WAFCON: Black Queens captain Jennifer Cudjoe says Ghana is calm but must beat Mali to reach the quarter-finals. Football Transfers: Ghana midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi is set for a record move to Coventry City, while Enoch Akuffo joined Spain’s CF Pobla de Mafumet.

Aviation & Travel: Accra Airport’s Terminal 2 renovation is on track to be completed by December 2026, with a $15m upgrade covering baggage handling, check-in, security screening and retail spaces. Economy & Jobs: The IMF warns Ghana’s debt remains vulnerable to external shocks because of heavy gold dependence, while Haruna Iddrisu flags stubborn youth unemployment as a major barrier to development. Governance & Corruption: A GSS governance survey says bribe requests rose sharply in 2025 even as more people refused to pay; meanwhile, a retired fire officer was remanded over a GH¢303,200 fake GNFS recruitment scam. Cocoa & Food Security: COCOBOD begins nationwide stakeholder talks on the new Cocoa Board Bill, as CSIR urges more research and investment to cut tomato and ginger imports. Health & Inclusion: The Ministry of Health calls for stronger autism inclusion policies and reduced stigma, and the NBA pushes for a science-based regulatory framework to support vaccine manufacturing. Politics: NPP warns it will arrest anyone trying to disrupt its “Democracy Under Attack” protest. Sports: Black Queens must beat Mali to reach WAFCON quarter-finals. Tech & Finance: Bank of Ghana partners with CIB Ghana to strengthen banking ethics, fraud prevention and innovation.

Ghana–Jamaica Diplomacy: President John Dramani Mahama used a special joint sitting in Kingston to push deeper Ghana–Jamaica ties, urging practical partnerships that create jobs and expand trade, with plans to fast-track direct flights and maritime links. Reparatory Justice & Education: Jamaica and Ghana leaders met at UWI as Ghana’s education minister stressed youth must understand history and identity to advance reparatory justice. Accra Flood Response: CSIDT urged businesses to join long-term flood resilience efforts, warning repeated flooding hits jobs, supply chains and raises costs for consumers. Transport & Fuel Relief: GPRTU suspended a planned fare increase after government cut diesel by GH¢2, saying it will review after monitoring prices. Airport Crackdown: GACL dismissed two airport car park workers over alleged passenger extortion, calling for continued public reporting. Health Update: Ghana AIDS Commission said women make up more HIV cases due to biological vulnerability and health-seeking differences. Security & Safety: SONABEL announced controlled spillage at Burkina Faso’s Bagre Dam from Aug 11 if water levels rise, advising communities along the White Volta to follow safety guidelines.

Road Safety: The Etukrom multi-vehicle crash death toll has risen to three after an 11-year-old girl died from injuries; the collision involved an STC bus, fuel tanker, pickup and Kia Sorento, with seven others treated at hospital. Judiciary & Governance: Supreme Court Justice Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi says Ghana’s superior courts are carrying nearly 29,500 pending cases, while Nana Ato Dadzie backs the return of Public Tribunals to widen public participation in justice. Anti-Corruption Pressure: Ghana Statistical Service data shows bribe demands rose sharply in late 2025, with the share of citizens paying bribes climbing to 18%. Public Finance: Bank of Ghana directs banks to cut non-performing loans below 10% by end-December 2026. Water & Infrastructure: Ghana Water Ltd schedules a three-day Kpong–Tema pipeline maintenance shutdown from Aug 6–8, affecting parts of Greater Accra. Sports & Youth: Black Meteors begin Olympic qualifying preparations in Accra with a home-based camp and a 31-man squad; Black Queens must beat Mali to stay alive in WAFCON after a loss to Cameroon. International Ties: President Mahama’s Jamaica state visit advances health, tourism and air services cooperation and keeps the Africa–Caribbean reparations dialogue moving. Public Safety & Crime Prevention: GoldBod warns of AI deepfake videos of its CEO used in scams, urging the public not to share money or banking details.

Ghana-Jamaica Diplomacy: President John Dramani Mahama is in Jamaica for a four-day state visit, holding high-level talks with Prime Minister Andrew Holness and touring the Bob Marley Museum as both sides push trade, investment, cultural and education exchanges. Parliament & Tourism: Speaker Alban Bagbin announced the “Visit Ghana” brand will feature on Sunderland AFC jerseys in the 2026/27 Premier League season, backed by private investors to boost Ghana’s tourism visibility. Border Security: Ghana’s Immigration Service launched an EU-funded SHIFT project steering committee to strengthen and harmonise integrated border management across West Africa. Public Finance Watch: A new Value for Money Office is meant to safeguard projects like the Accra-Kumasi Expressway, but critics say it’s not yet fully operational. Economy & Trade: Ghana recorded a GHC148.3bn trade surplus in 2025, with gold dominating exports. Health: Hepatitis B is linked to about 75% of liver cancer cases in Ghana, with calls to decentralise treatment. Road Safety: A major crash at Birimso Bridge has blocked the Accra-Kumasi highway, with diversions in place. Sports & Culture: Ghana’s football legend Mohammed Polo says the country’s football issues are technical, not administrative; meanwhile, London’s “Ghana Party in the Park” saw a stampede after overcrowding, with multiple injuries reported.

Reparations Diplomacy: President John Dramani Mahama will join The UWI in Jamaica for a high-level public dialogue on reparatory justice with Sir Hilary Beckles. Fuel Prices & Policy: NPA CEO Edudzi Tameklo says pump prices rose mainly because refined diesel got pricier during the US–Iran conflict, while President Mahama orders a GHS2 per-litre diesel regulatory margin cut for one month to cushion consumers. Road Safety: A major crash at Birimso Bridge on the Accra–Kumasi N6 has blocked both lanes, with police diversions in place. Sanitation in Accra: Local Government plans to formalise waste transfer stations and bring tricycle waste collectors into the long-term system after closures worsened dumping. Cocoa Law: Parliament passed a cocoa farm protection bill that could jail farmers up to 20 years for repurposing cocoa land without approval. Sports & Youth Football: GFA engages clubs on youth integration and dual registration; Black Satellites coach Maxwell Konadu vows major changes after a WAFU B U-20 group-stage exit. Energy Sector: VRA CEO Ing. Obeng-Kenzo urges African utilities to collaborate and explore nuclear energy as part of the power mix.

WAFCON Shock: Cameroon beat Ghana 1-0 in Casablanca as Marie Ngah Manga scored a first-half penalty, leaving the Black Queens needing a win-or-draw scenario when they face Mali for second place. Public Finance: Bank of Ghana data shows Treasury bills were oversubscribed by about 79% last week, with GH¢10.51bn bids and GH¢8.65bn accepted, while yields were mixed. Energy Reset: President Mahama commissioned the refurbished Crude Distillation Unit at Tema Oil Refinery and reiterated plans to expand TOR’s capacity to 100,000 barrels a day while cutting political interference. Fiscal Warning: ISSER says Ghana’s mid-year stabilisation looks driven more by spending cuts than stronger revenue, with capital expenditure missing target by 41%. Governance Tensions: NPP says Ghana’s democracy is “under siege” amid claims of political interference in justice, while the Minority warns Parliament is becoming a “conveyor belt” on mining leases. Accra & National Security: EU-backed SHIFT border security project launches in Accra with €7.3m to tackle terrorism and transnational crime. Health & Rights: FIDA-Ghana says no budget line exists for domestic violence shelters, and SOGOG urges action to end preventable maternal deaths.

Power & Utilities: ECG says the Airport area will face a five-hour outage today (9am–2pm) for maintenance. Local Enforcement: AMA fines Rawlings Park food vendors GH¢1,000 each for ignoring National Sanitation Day directives. Border Governance: Ghana Boundary Commission completes a five-day Ghana–Togo border assessment in Oti Region, engaging communities on security and development needs. Energy Sector Reform: President Mahama says Tema Oil Refinery will be restructured to permanently eliminate political interference, and commissions refurbished units as TOR returns to full operation without a government bailout. Politics & Courts: Reactions continue after the Court of Appeal acquitted Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu; legal voices warn corruption cases must be handled with stronger prosecution standards. Sports: Flying Eagles lose 2-0 to Burkina Faso in WAFU B U-20; Ghana and Togo draw 0-0 in the group’s other match. Agriculture & Resilience: Ghana deposits 422 germplasm accessions at Norway’s Svalbard Global Seed Vault to safeguard crop diversity.

5G Spectrum: Ghana’s telecom regulator (NCA) has delayed the 5G spectrum auction timeline, citing tighter ownership and operational rules for operators. Coastal Protection: A regional workshop in Accra urged West African states to strengthen marine and coastal conservation using nature-based solutions and other effective area-based measures. Used-Vehicle Crackdown: The Ghana Standards Authority says its PVoC programme will start on Oct 1, 2026, requiring pre-shipment checks and refusing certain unsafe used vehicles. TOR Expansion: President Mahama has ordered a roadmap to expand Tema Oil Refinery capacity to 100,000 barrels per day after commissioning refurbished units. Public Safety: A “Ghana Party in the Park” festival in London was cancelled after overcrowding caused injuries, with police saying none were life-threatening. Sports—WAFCON: Nigeria beat Zambia 1-0 with Asisat Oshoala scoring early, keeping Group C tight. Tech Skills: Bountiful Technologies plans to launch the Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge for learners aged 6–19 nationwide. Gender Institutions: ECOWAS urged stronger national gender institutions, stressing financing and coordination gaps.

Land Reform Learning: A Sierra Leone land-sector delegation led by the Ministry of Lands’ Alusine Sesay wraps a five-day Ghana study tour and heads to Nairobi to continue land reform learning, including visits to Ghana Land Commission institutions and digital land systems. Church & Slavery Debate: Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally visits Cape Coast Castle, praying over the Church of England’s role in the transatlantic slave trade and reigniting reparations arguments. Cocoa Policy: Parliament enacts the COCOBOD Bill, 2026, locking in a framework that guarantees farmers at least 70% of the cocoa export FOB price and strengthens COCOBOD oversight. Parliament & Mining: Minority MPs accuse the Minerals Commission of poor due diligence on mining leases, including concerns around the Damang Mine transfer and calls for a bigger state stake. Road Safety: Police arrest two over a viral video showing a 12-year-old driving a heavy truck, while a separate Cape Coast–Takoradi highway crash kills two and injures eight. Sports Funding Push: Commonwealth Games boxing setbacks prompt calls for more pre-competition investment, with Sports Fund administrator Dr. Wuaku and coach Ofori Asare addressing technical gaps. WAFCON Focus: Black Queens coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren warns Cameroon will be tougher than Cape Verde as Ghana targets qualification. Accra Sanitation: AMA fines a coconut seller GH¢360 for dumping husks into a drain at Bubuashie.

Constitutional Reform: Ghana’s government backs a five-year presidential term and lowers the presidential age eligibility to 35, with a 2027 referendum set to follow. Cocoa Outlook: COCOBOD forecasts a 16% drop in cocoa output for the 2026–2027 season, blaming El Niño-linked weather stress, biennial bearing, disease and environmental pressures. Energy & Fuel Subsidy: Parliament passes the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Bill, 2026, raising fuel oil levies to curb abuse in the fuel subsidy system. Road Funding: Parliament approves a 20-year electronic road and bridge toll PPP deal aimed at more transparent, leak-proof revenue collection. Digital Skills & AI: University of Ghana moves AI into compulsory training under the One Million Coders Programme, starting next semester. Anti-Trafficking Push: Ghana Immigration says it rescued 400+ trafficking victims and arrested 29 suspects from January to July 2026. Sports: Joseph Paul Amoah finishes seventh in the men’s 200m at the Commonwealth Games; Ghana’s campaign misses a medal in that event.

Creative Economy: A new push argues Ghana’s creative industry must move from viral visibility to real wealth by building ownership, rights control and business systems. Commonwealth Games: Boxer Amadu Mohammed won bronze in the men’s 55kg, Ghana’s second medal at Glasgow 2026 after Zinabu Issah’s silver. Road Safety: Gender Minister Agnes Naa Momo Lartey assured full government support for children injured in the Dzorwulu–Accra Mall crash, including medical costs, as investigations continue. Digital Tax: Parliament approved controversial digital tax administration deals, with the Minority raising transparency and cost concerns. Transport Regulation: GSA sets 1 October for tougher used-vehicle import rules, banning flood-damaged and unsafe vehicles. Agribusiness Deal: Pangea Africa and Black Star acquired a majority stake in Eden Tree, aiming to expand production and cut post-harvest losses. Health & HIV: Ghana strengthens its health system for new HIV prevention tools as donor funding declines. Cocoa: COCOBOD warns cocoa output could fall at least 16% next season due to weather, disease and illegal mining. Power & Flood Relief: ECG cut annual losses sharply, while GAF and NADMO delivered flood relief to 297 personnel and civilians.