AGP Executive Report

AFCON 2027 Venue Update: Accra Sports Stadium has been cleared by CAF for international qualifiers, with Ghana set to host Gambia on 27 September; Somalia and Niger have also requested/received permission to use the venue, raising the prospect of multiple group matches in Accra. Cedi Watch: The Ghana cedi is under renewed pressure against the US dollar as dollar demand rises for energy imports and ahead of Christmas, following earlier Bank of Ghana support. Border Security Push: The Presidency will hold a high-level meeting on 17 September to plug gaps in border security and narcotics control across ports, airports and borders. Sports Discipline: Bibiani Gold Stars CEO Kwasi Adu has been charged by the GFA over alleged improper post-match comments after Hearts of Oak’s win. Cocoa Value Addition: Government is targeting at least 50% local cocoa processing, with Japan’s Meiji marking its 100th anniversary and reaffirming support for Ghana’s cocoa communities. Environment & Flooding: Kpeshie Lagoon restoration begins after illegal structures were demolished, while the EPA calls for stronger enforcement to tackle Ghana’s plastic pollution crisis. Economy Outlook: Fitch Solutions raised its 2026 current account surplus forecast to 7.8% of GDP on stronger trade performance.

Prostate Cancer Awareness: Urologist Dr John Nana Nkrumah warned against prescribing sex or a specific “ejaculation frequency” as a way to prevent prostate cancer, stressing risk factors and limits of research. Petroleum Cooperation: Ghana and Uganda are deepening upstream petroleum ties through peer learning on governance, regulation, operations and local content. Crime Fight: CID Director-General COP Lydia Yaako Donkor says Ghana is making strides with INTERPOL-backed operations, leading to arrests, recovered assets and disrupted cross-border networks. Education Policy: President Mahama reiterated plans to end the Double-Track SHS system by end-2027, citing dedicated funding and a World Bank facility. Anti-Illegal Mining: NAIMOS launched “Operation Water Shield” to protect key rivers from illegal mining with intelligence-led enforcement. Football (GPL): Hearts of Oak and Kotoko kept unbeaten starts; Hearts beat GoldStars 2-1 and Kotoko edged Lions 2-1, while Ashantigold recorded a historic first win with a Gyamfi hat-trick. Sports Governance: GFA says it will take Mahama’s refereeing concerns seriously and defends anti-match-fixing efforts. Economy & Finance: Banks wrote off GH¢1.23bn in bad debts in H1 2026; T-bills auction slightly overshot target as yields eased. Health & Youth: World Heart Day campaigns in schools intensified anti-drug sensitisation as substance abuse spreads.

Ghana Premier League: Asante Kotoko beat Heart of Lions 2-1 at Baba Yara, ending a decade-long winless run over the side; Emmanuel Mamah and Isaac Opoku Agyemang scored, with Francis Odoom replying from the spot late. League results: Hearts of Oak came from behind to beat Bibiani GoldStars 2-1 at Dun’s Park; Young Apostles edged Basake Holy Stars 1-0; Karela United rallied to beat Bechem United 3-1; Berekum Chelsea bounced back to beat Dreams FC 3-1; Samartex won 1-0 at Aduana with a stoppage-time strike. CAF setback: Nations FC were eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup after a 1-1 draw with FC Diarra, leaving Ghana without CAF representation after Medeama’s earlier exit. Accra flood control: Demolition of illegal structures at Laboma has started, with the Deputy Chief of Staff ordering ecological restoration and tree planting along Kpeshie Lagoon to improve flood retention. Fuel prices: COPEC projects petrol up 4.24% to about GH¢16.26 and diesel up 10.23% to about GH¢19.07 from Wednesday, Sept 16. Customs update: GRA says there’s no “two-phone law”; duty depends on whether phones are genuinely for personal use. Crime fight: Ghana, via INTERPOL cooperation, says it has made strides against transnational organised crime.

Judiciary Watch: Newly sworn Supreme Court Judge Justice Sophia Bernasko Essah tells President Mahama the court will stay independent and decide “according to law,” as Ghana’s top bench takes shape. Economy & Planning: NDPC boss Dr. Nii Moi Thompson urges Ghana’s “New Economy Plan” to turn stability into jobs, productivity and structural transformation, ahead of the 2027 Budget. Gender-Responsive Policy: NETRIGHT pushes for gender-progressive tax laws, saying current trade and tax rules hit women in agribusiness harder. Education & Access: GNAPS wants the 15% SHS priority placement quota scrapped, arguing it unfairly advantages public-school pupils and undermines private schools. Security & Governance: WACCE warns galamsey areas should face a state of emergency, saying weak enforcement creates insecurity extremists can exploit. Sports: Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Solomon Agbasi bids farewell ahead of a move abroad; Black Princesses crash out of the U-20 Women’s World Cup after a 4-0 loss to France. International Investment: IFC boss Makhtar Diop to visit Ghana Sept 15–17 to discuss boosting private investment and jobs.

National Cathedral: NDC’s Mustapha Gbande says Ghana must first investigate the National Cathedral project properly before any talk of reconstruction, warning against “politics without principles.” Education & Youth: A private legal practitioner says students placed in SHSs they didn’t choose need counselling and orientation under CSSPS to prevent emotional distress and distractions. Health Policy: President Mahama announces a 20% basic-salary incentive for health and education workers who accept postings to deprived areas, alongside plans for health kiosks at markets and lorry stations. Infrastructure & Jobs: During his Resetting Ghana Tour, Mahama inspects GETFund works at Han SHS (to move toward boarding status) and the 24-Hour Economy Market at Nadowli-Kaleo, plus the Wa-Han Road. Sports: Ghana’s Black Princesses are eliminated from the U-20 Women’s World Cup after a 4-0 loss to France; in CAF Champions League, Medeama crash out to TP Mazembe while Club Africain advance. Culture: Veteran gospel musician Bernice Offei dies at 63.

Galamsey Crackdown: NAIMOS launches Operation WATER SHIELD to target not just illegal miners, but the financiers, facilitators and equipment suppliers behind river pollution. Drug Busts: France seizes nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine shipped from Ghana to Dunkirk, worth about €225m, as prosecutors open investigations. Health & Social Protection: President Mahama announces a 20% salary incentive for health workers posted to underserved areas, while the Ghana Medical Trust Fund expands into cardiac, oncology and diagnostic centres. Education Integrity: The Ministry of Education warns of fake, digitally altered CSSPS placement slips circulating online. Governance & Faith: The Christian Council forms a technical committee to revive the stalled National Cathedral project and propose a funding model. Economy & Infrastructure: Transport Minister outlines a multimodal rail–lake–road plan to decongest highways, and Mahama defends phased road delivery under the Big Push. Sports: Iñaki Williams retires from Ghana’s national team; Black Princesses face France in a must-win U-20 World Cup Group C match.

Illegal Mining Crackdown: NAIMOS launches “Operation Water Shield” to protect Ghana’s rivers from illegal mining, targeting key river systems and source areas with sustained, intelligence-led enforcement. SOE Governance Debate: An IMF report praising Ghana’s SOE reforms also flags rising liabilities as a fiscal risk, while a legal scholar rejects claims the IMF is targeting the NDC, calling it a bipartisan governance problem. Education & SHS Placement: Education officials and politicians trade blame over CSSPS placement chaos; the Education Minister says 20 Category B schools will be upgraded to Category A and 10 new model Category A schools built to ease pressure. National Cathedral Process: The Christian Council of Ghana forms a technical committee to review the stalled National Cathedral project’s funding and location within a month. Road Safety: Seven killed and 21 injured in a crash on the Hwideim-Acherensua Highway after a tyre burst. Sports (GPL): Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak meet in a major derby as Kotoko push for a “fortress” Baba Yara; Medeama face TP Mazembe in the CAF return leg needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit. Business/Green Finance: Finance and industry leaders urge more private capital to drive Ghana’s green industrial transition, citing limits of public budgets and donor funding.

Supreme Court & Judiciary Reform: President Mahama swore in three new Supreme Court justices and urged the Judiciary to cut delays, embrace appropriate technology, and make justice more accessible—while the new judges pledged independence and impartiality. Road Safety & Transport Rules: The Transport Minister says new amendments to the Road Traffic Act and Regulations aim to curb crashes and enforce discipline as Ghana’s road deaths remain a heavy burden. Kidnapping & Public Safety: In Assin Fosu, kidnappers allegedly abducted and brutally assaulted a man, demanding GH¢45,000 (later reported as GH¢50,000) and sending WhatsApp audio/video to relatives. Mortuary Accountability: MoFFA has given Battor Catholic Hospital Mortuary Annex 14 days to account for a missing body, after process gaps were flagged. Economy & Digital Growth: Ghana’s economy grew 6.0% in Q2 2026, with ICT/communications driving much of the expansion. SOE Governance: Mahama announced a new national salary framework tying SOE pay to performance, and challenged boards to deliver public value. Digital Push: MTN launched DigiFest 2026 to showcase digital innovation and support SMEs. Local Development: Zongo communities should be upgraded without evictions, the Local Government Minister says. Sports: Nations FC host FC Diarra at Accra Sports Stadium needing at least two goals to overturn a 1-0 deficit.

Supreme Court Access: President Mahama swore in three new Supreme Court justices and urged them to make constitutional justice feel closer to everyday Ghanaians through faster, independent, accountable rulings. State Enterprise Watch: Mahama disclosed SOEs’ assets at GH¢407.85bn in 2025 but warned liabilities are heavy, urging boards to fix finances and stop using public profits for perks. Ports & Prices: GPHA pushed back on claims that Tema Port congestion alone explains cement price hikes, pointing to multiple cost drivers and operational factors. Transport Safety: Transport Minister Nikpe called road crashes a national crisis, citing 2,949 deaths in 2025 and urging stricter compliance. Digital Divide: Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George said smartphone use is up but network expansion lags, with plans to add more sites in 2026. Mental Health: WHO reported 3.8% of Ghanaian adults have considered suicide and 2.3% attempted it, calling for stronger prevention and support. Road & Jobs: Finance officials said the Accra-Kumasi Expressway could create far more than 30,000 jobs, while rail and maritime reforms aim to improve connectivity. Education Pressure: MPs and education voices renewed calls for more GETFund and boarding facilities to ease SHS placement stress. Regional Security & Displacement: Togo hosted talks with Ghana and others on Sahel-linked refugee protection and coordination.

Women’s Football: Ghana’s Black Princesses bounced back from a 3-0 Ecuador loss to beat South Korea 3-1 at the U-20 Women’s World Cup, with Sarah Nyarko scoring after the break and Ivy Owusu Ansah adding a stunning long-range strike; coach Charles Sampson says the team showed real character as they now face France in a decisive final group match. Telecom Regulation: Ghana’s NCA has cleared MTN (Scancom), Telecel and Goal to advance in the 5G spectrum licensing process, disqualifying Infrava and moving the three qualified firms to the next stage for best price offers. Ports & Transport: Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe says port congestion is worsening as container volumes surge, directing action to remove overstayed containers and urging shipping lines to bring more vessels; he also blamed delays to the Mpakadan inland port on fish farming activities in the enclave. Local Sports & Community: The Tampico Accra Inter-City Marathon returns on October 10 with plans for at least 2,000 participants, including skaters and athletes living with disabilities. Health & Rights: CHRAJ is pushing stronger stakeholder collaboration and public education to tackle HIV stigma and discrimination, warning that confidentiality breaches and myths still block access to care.

Education & Placement: GNACOPS says Ghana should treat day schools as a first-choice option, urging government to shift boarding subsidies to build and upgrade quality day secondary schools to ease CSSPS pressure. School System Reform: Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin calls for an urgent national education conversation after WASSCE/BECE results and placement gaps leave many students without proper SHS seats, warning that portals are not classrooms. SHS Selection Defence: GES insists the revised SHS selection approach hasn’t worsened placement, while parents still report queues and confusion at resolution centres. Digital Finance Crackdown: Bank of Ghana warns the public against 20 unlicensed loan apps and tells banks not to process transactions for them. Economy Watch: Ghana’s GDP grew 6% in Q2 2026 (slower than 6.6% in Q2 2025), with ICT driving growth. Accra Transport: GAPTE repaired and deployed 48 grounded Aayalolo buses, raising operational fleet to 128 to tackle congestion. Sports (U-20 Women’s World Cup): Ghana’s Black Princesses beat South Korea 3-1 to revive knockout hopes ahead of France. Health Supply: Indo-Ghana begins local liquid oxygen supply for hospitals, aiming to cut cylinder logistics delays. Telecom: NCA clears MTN, Telecel and Goal to proceed in the 5G spectrum licensing process.

AFCON Focus: Carlos Queiroz is set to return to Ghana this week to lead the Black Stars for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, with Ghana starting away to Côte d’Ivoire on 24 September and hosting The Gambia three days later; the GFA says Accra Sports Stadium rehabilitation will be ready in time. Women’s Football: Black Princesses coach Charles Sampson says the team has “shaken it up” after a “weird” 3-0 loss to Ecuador and is ready to respond against South Korea in a must-win Group C game. Local Football Reform: President Mahama says Ghana is “too fast to sell” young talents abroad and wants refereeing improved, warning poor officiating is destroying confidence and attendance. Health & Development: KATH hails the Ghana Medical Trust Fund after receiving GH¢4m in endoscopy and other medical equipment; meanwhile Free Primary Health Care has expanded to 135 districts, with equipment and outreach kits rolling out. Education Policy: Eduwatch urges removing qualification barriers for Free SHS transition and says Ghana needs an extra GH¢45bn to meet SDG 4 education targets. Energy Governance: PUWU challenges IMF/World Bank to look beyond ECG and focus on IPP pricing in Ghana’s power crisis. Mining & Investment: Britain and Ghana agree to deepen cooperation on mineral extraction, while Lands Minister Armah-Kofi Buah warns foreign miners not to cut corners on environmental standards.

Education & Placement: GIFEC CEO Rashid Tanko Computer says the NPP’s failure to keep building E-block schools worsened access challenges for the Computerized School Placement System after Free SHS increased pressure on infrastructure. Teachers’ Pay: GES says 2024 teacher recruits’ salary arrears have been processed, but sets up a Help Desk in Accra (plus hotlines) for unresolved individual cases. Travel Scrutiny: Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Ablakwa says government is tightening checks on Ghanaians travelling abroad after the South Africa evacuation, with extra focus on group travel and recruitment risks. Public Safety: Weija Dam spillage resumes Wednesday, Sept 9; GWCL warns downstream communities to prepare for possible evacuation. Power Planning: The Energy Commission leads stakeholders to validate the 2026 Integrated Power System Master Plan to secure long-term electricity supply. Fiscal Oversight: President Mahama launches the five-member Independent Fiscal Council to independently review fiscal decisions. Crime & Justice: Police arrest suspects in murder and gold-related attacks, while Accra High Court rejects Abdul Hamid’s adjournment plea and sets trial to resume. Sports (Local & Diaspora): Mahama backs Ghana clubs in Africa with GH¢684,000 via the Sports Development Fund; Jordan Ayew completes a one-year Sheffield United deal; FC Basel loans Vincent Klu Adjei to Austria Wien. Accra Trade & Transport: Transport Minister targets Tema port container clearance delays and backs a new Mpakadan port to move cargo via rail and barges to decongest Tema.

Digital Skills for Girls: The Communications Minister urged 50 girls from Volta and Upper West to use AI and ICT to solve social problems, and encouraged them to enrol on the One Million Coders programme. Telecom Reliability: Ghana recorded 8,578 fibre cuts in 2026, with road construction causing 49% and illegal mining 25%, costing operators about US$20m in repairs. 5G Rollout: The NCA is set to complete 5G spectrum assignment and begin deployment before end-2026, alongside upgrades to rural 2G/3G networks. Foreign Affairs & Diaspora Support: Ghana’s evacuation from South Africa has ended with nearly 1,900 returnees, and the Foreign Affairs Ministry will launch a Diaspora Consular Fund for emergency assistance abroad. Human Capital & AI in Government: Ghana and Burkina Faso are holding HR Café talks on public sector reforms, AI adoption and administrative cross-learning. Road Safety Policy: A mandatory towing regime is planned for 2027 to remove broken-down vehicles and reduce crashes. Football—AFCON Focus: The GFA says it will keep Carlos Queiroz and push for a quick return to AFCON; Jordan Ayew is expected in the qualifiers squad. Sports—Continental Clubs: Medeama are confident of overturning TP Mazembe in the CAF Champions League return leg. Health & Lifestyle: A doctor warned that nearly half of Ghanaian women and one in five men are overweight or obese, calling it a public health concern.

Judiciary Under Scrutiny: Ghana’s Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie faces fresh calls for restraint and even resignation after remarks during visits to SSNIT and MIIF sparked fears of political bias, with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference saying visits were proper but the “past eight years” line could be read as partisan. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Ghana Water Ltd says Weija Dam will resume spillage from Sept. 9 due to rising water levels, urging downstream residents to evacuate early; meanwhile, GNFS and GWL inspected fire hydrants around Makola Market and High Street to improve response readiness. Security Update: Police say they’ve dismantled armed robbery gangs across regions, recovering AK-47s and arresting a key suspect linked to the murder of Dr Jesse Amuah and his wife. Health & Social Services: Free Primary Healthcare begins in 135 districts with 4,574 facilities joining, as the Health Ministry rolls out equipment and training. Digital & Telecom: Ghana will introduce biometric verification for SIM registration before end-2026 after Parliament passed the needed instrument; MTN also plans over US$1.1bn network expansion and 5G rollout. Economy & Business: Deloitte Ghana urges SMEs to prioritise “bankability” to attract funding, while Ghana reports 8,578 fibre cuts in 2026 costing operators over US$20m, largely tied to road works and illegal mining. Diaspora & Crisis Response: Foreign Affairs Minister Ablakwa details GH¢49.72m spent evacuating nearly 1,900 Ghanaians from xenophobic attacks in South Africa and says a Diaspora Consular Fund is coming for citizens in distress abroad. Sports: Aduana FC coach Samuel Boadu won’t promise a league title yet after a goalless start; Hearts coach Nebojsa Kapor backs Alex Banso as a future star, urging patience.

Galamsey Crackdown: Ghana’s Forestry Commission says it arrested 12 illegal miners in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve after a dawn operation, seizing motorbikes, shovels, hoses and petrol. Poultry Push: Government-backed financing has secured over GH¢1bn for poultry development, targeting feed, chicks, processing, storage and veterinary services to cut chicken imports. Bank of Ghana Crypto Rules: The BoG says it will soon roll out guidelines for virtual assets to enable licensing and regulation under the Virtual Assets Service Providers Act, 2025. NPP Party Politics: The NPP will hold balloting for its 2026 national officers’ elections on September 9 at Asylum Down, after vetting 47 aspirants. Road Safety Drive: NRSA and partners launched the “Safe Journey” 2026 campaign in Accra amid 2,949 road deaths in 2025, focusing on motorcycle and tricycle riders. Education Calendar: Basic schools are set to re-open nationwide on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Interfaith & Environment: Local Government Minister Mahama Ayariga urged the Christian Council to use its pulpit and network to tackle environmental degradation. Transport & Trade: Transport Minister directed VLTC to fast-track a Tema–Mpakadan–Buipe container route to ease Tema Port congestion and reduce road pressure.