AGP Executive Report

Ghana–UK Investment Push: President Mahama says Ghana is seeing renewed growth and investor confidence after inflation fell to 3.7%, reserves rose to nearly US$14bn, and the economy is being repositioned around industrialisation, agro-processing, exports and digital transformation. Digital Sovereignty & Education: Ghana is set to teach coding, AI and augmented reality from early school years, while officials at eLearning Africa urged Africa to own its data, infrastructure and AI systems. Climate Finance for Action: Germany signals direct funding support for WASCAL’s Climate Change Action Now (CCAN) after Accra floods disrupted business and livelihoods. Healthcare Access Pressure: “No Bed Syndrome” remains a major hospital bottleneck, with patients waiting in corridors and emergency areas due to overcrowding. AgriConnect Funding Fight: A public dispute erupts as Finance says GH¢1.677bn (85%) was released to MoFA, while MoFA rejects the figures and points to different allotment and execution records. Environment & Corporate Greening: Telecel Ghana plants 10,000 trees for World Environment Day, adding to its 43,000-tree tally. Business & Trade: GEXIM urges more maritime investment and financing to unlock AfCFTA trade, and Standard Bank targets becoming the largest bank in East Africa by 2030. Energy & Regional Markets: Dangote’s refinery test lifts throughput above nameplate, reshaping Africa’s fuel trade flows. Shareholder Returns: Unilever Ghana declares a final dividend of GH¢1.00 per share (GH¢62.5m total). Sports & Para Sports: Ghana’s para swimmer Promise Aheto qualifies for Glasgow 2026, with Team Ghana para athletes rewarded ahead of the Games. Public Safety: GH₵15,000 cash support is provided to families affected by the Accra Central Police Barracks fire.

Sports & Tourism: Ghana launched the Black Star Balloon Tour to boost patriotism and tourism, with traditional leaders and youth groups backing the initiative as a community-unifier. Media & Governance: The National Media Commission appointed Dr Isaac Okpoti Nai as Managing Director of New Times Corporation, tasking him with professionalism, integrity and team ownership. Diaspora & Trade: A presidential advisor urged UK-based Ghanaians to invest back home to fund export value chains and skills transfer under the 24-Hour Economy push. Agribusiness Funding: Finance says it released over GH¢1.6bn (85% of MoFA’s 2026 goods/services and CAPEX) while MoFA disputes the figures, sparking a budget execution clash. Cedi Watch: The cedi weakened 4.6% against the US dollar in May. Port & Logistics Policy: Traders’ groups rejected claims on port health and trade systems, while frozen foods exporters warned against reintroducing the Cargo Tracking Note/Smart Port Note due to added costs. Environment & Industry: Savannah authorities ordered by-laws to curb commercial charcoal production; Ghana’s timber output hit 952,000 cubic metres in 2025. Health & Infrastructure: 37 Military Hospital opened Ghana’s first Philips BlueSeal helium-free MRI under a public-private partnership. Migration & Security: South Africa xenophobia escalated, prompting more regional repatriations and warnings.

Ghana–Belarus Ties: President John Dramani Mahama begins a four-day state visit to Belarus, with talks expected to deepen cooperation in agriculture, education, commerce and industry. Energy & Power Contracts: Guyana is reportedly following Ghana’s path on a hidden powership deal, raising renewed questions about parliamentary scrutiny and “take-or-pay” risks. Waste-to-Energy Deal: Accra’s AMA signs a binding feedstock agreement with Numatter Recycling Technologies (NRTL) for Ghana’s first industrial plastic-to-fuel pyrolysis plant, targeting over 100 tonnes of plastic waste daily and 1,500 jobs. Education Accountability: GES launches an investigation into alleged extortion at Terchire SHS over WASSCE-related fees, setting up a committee of enquiry. Trade & Integration: Ghana’s e-Visa push and visa-free steps for Africans aim to boost tourism and business under AfCFTA momentum. Agriculture Jobs Drive: Government releases 85% of MoFA’s 2026 budget and backs the AgriConnect Compact, targeting 2.6m jobs and US$3.5bn for food security. Mining Investor Signals: Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah tells investors Ghana will not nationalise mining, while Finance Minister Ato Forson warns against lease “renew-and-sell” asset-flipping practices. Telecom Reliability: Telecel Ghana urges public support against fibre cuts and theft threatening network reliability. Capital Markets: BoG’s post-IMF doctrine stresses trust, capital and stability, as Ghana’s GSE performance and fixed-income yields remain in focus.

Agriculture Funding Gap: Food and Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku says many African governments are missing the Maputo 10% budget target, with some allocating under 1% to agriculture—warning this undermines jobs, food security and industrialisation. Border Security & Human Trafficking: A human security analyst urges calm as Interior Minister flags over 100 unauthorised entry routes in Volta; meanwhile GIS prosecutes a Nigerian trader sentenced to seven years for trafficking and illegal entry after victims were lured into prostitution. Local Governance Accountability: CDD-Ghana commends South Tongu Municipal Assembly for resolving 2024 audit issues, including non-remittance of statutory deductions to GRA and SSNIT. Jobs & Circular Economy: Accra Metropolitan Assembly signs a feedstock deal for a 100-tonne/day plastic recycling plant, projecting 1,500 jobs and aiming to cut plastic in drains that worsen flooding. Mining Revenue Pressure: Chamber of Mines says ASM produces about 52% of Ghana’s gold but pays under 2% of mining tax, calling for stronger formalisation. Energy Sector Outlook: Energy Minister John Jinapor claims Ghana has secured $3.5bn upstream oil and gas investment and expects crude output to rise after years of decline. Digital Banking Push: Interswitch partners Temenos to expand managed banking services across Africa, starting with Nigeria, Ghana and others. Ghana-UK Investment Drive: At the Ghana-UK Investment Summit, Trade Minister Ofosu-Adjare reiterates Ghana’s investor-friendly reforms and sector opportunities. Commonwealth Games: NPC Ghana unveils five para-athletes for Glasgow 2026 with a “target the podium” message. Inflation/Cedi Watch: June 4 forex rates reported as cedi pressure persists.

Hyundai Deal for Industrial Push: Ghana has secured a Hyundai automotive manufacturing plant under a South Korea partnership, with government saying it will serve the West African market, create jobs, and support skills transfer alongside other projects like a new university and solar irrigation. Inflation Watch: Ghana’s inflation edged up to 3.7% in May (from 3.4% in April), driven mainly by higher food prices, while non-food inflation eased slightly. Investment Pitch in London: President Mahama opened the Ghana-UK Investment Summit and urged global investors to back Ghana’s reforms, citing improved macro stability and a more predictable investment environment. Capital Markets Activity: Trading on the Ghana Fixed Income Market hit GH¢853.96m, dominated by treasury bills as yields ease. SME and Trade Finance Boost: IFC and Standard Chartered launched a $300m risk-sharing facility to expand supply chain finance across eight African countries including Ghana. Power Disruptions: ECG announced planned and emergency outages for June 4 affecting parts of Tema and other regions due to maintenance. Local Industry Pressure: Footwear and leather manufacturers protested alleged unfair import practices and high port duties, calling for immediate government intervention. Electric Mobility Rollout: DACF and Wahu Mobility plan to deploy 5,000 smart electric motorcycles nationwide, starting with a 280-eMoto pilot for MMDAs. Mining Governance Signal: Government reassured mining investors to ignore “noise” around Gold Fields’ Tarkwa lease renewal, stressing fiscal and legal certainty. Education and Safety Alerts: GTEC flagged 70 unrecognised tertiary institutions, while fire safety checks targeted Takoradi market hazards.

Banking & Currency: Bank of Ghana says inflation has eased to single digits and urges discipline to protect gains as cedi pressure returns; meanwhile, cedi rates show mild depreciation on forex markets. Nature Finance: Ecobank launches a $450m ICMA Nature Bond for biodiversity protection, routing funds to sustainable agriculture and water systems. Power & Infrastructure: ECG advances network upgrades in Greater Kumasi to improve voltage stability and reliability. Flood Control: Accra’s AMA launches June 6 “Operation free choked drains” to desilt drains and clear refuse, with trading suspended during enforcement. Agribusiness & Food Security: Agriculture Minister unveils a roadmap to end Ghana’s rice deficit within a decade, including satellite mapping and a producer-importer quota approach to cut imports. Sports Investment: Ghana Sports Fund courts investors in London to build sports infrastructure and talent pipelines. Education & Skills: Africa Skills Hub transitions to ASH Africa, expanding its youth, women and SME support across Africa. Health & Social Support: WFP says school meals keep 60,000 children in class in Northern Ghana as funding nears end. Energy Access Innovation: A Ghanaian wind-solar system powers rural health centres, cutting diesel costs and earning an engineering innovation shortlist. Governance & Courts: Court sets July 3 judgment day for Chairman Wontumi’s illegal mining trial. Business Climate & Trade: Ghana-UK Investment Summit ends with renewed calls for investment, including a focus on tourism projects like Marine Drive.

Banking Results: Lower Pra Community Bank says 2025 profit before tax hit GH¢35.1m, up 61%, with assets rising to GH¢491.7m and NPLs at 3.29%. Jobs & Living Costs: Oppong Nkrumah tells Parliament that IMF exit won’t help youth unemployment and cost pressures, citing Greater Accra youth joblessness at 49.3%. Healthcare Access: SSNIT launches nationwide Telehealth for 267,000 retirees, offering remote consultations and e-prescriptions via partner pharmacies. Governance & Finance: At The Money Summit 2026, BoG’s Matilda Asante-Asiedu stresses policy consistency as Ghana moves from IMF ECF to a Policy Coordination Instrument; B&FT’s Acquaye urges trust and local capital. Industrial Push: Ghana and South Korea plan a West Africa Hyundai plant and a new university in Ghana, alongside deeper AI, energy and minerals cooperation. Cocoa Financing Reform: COCOBOD advances a locally funded commercial paper programme to replace syndicated loans, using pension funds, banks and value-chain players. Maritime & Water: Ghana Maritime Authority extends clean water via six mechanized boreholes in Upper West communities. Business & Trade: Ark Group International launches an SME funding database to connect firms with grants, loans and investors. Policy Watch: BoG denies plans to sell its new headquarters. Investment & Infrastructure: UK-Ghana Growth Partnership includes a £101m Takoradi floating dock project, targeting up to 430 jobs.

Ghana–UK Growth Partnership: President Mahama met UK PM Keir Starmer at No. 10 Downing Street as Ghana pushes a £215m growth deal aimed at jobs, infrastructure and skills, with trade and investment momentum to continue through the Ghana–UK Business Council. Cocoa Financing Reset: Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson says COCOBOD will replace syndicated cocoa loans with an £/US$ commercial paper programme, issued in tranches across the cocoa season and repaid from cocoa sales via escrow to widen the investor base. Banking & Credit: Bank of Ghana Governor Dr Johnson Asiama says the central bank is working to expand private sector credit and make projects investment-ready, after years of high lending rates and banks’ preference for government securities. Food Security Push: Vice President Opoku-Agyemang urged bigger investments in West Africa’s rice value chain, while government also plans an import quota policy linking rice permits to verifiable local procurement. Mobile Network Woes: Tema consumers and businesses complain of deteriorating network quality affecting calls, internet and mobile money transactions, urging urgent action by regulators and operators. Governance & Courts: Accra High Court dismissed TMPC’s bid to stop a case by GAMPA, allowing the substantive dispute over regulation of complementary and alternative medicine to proceed. Trade & Industry Diplomacy: Ghana and South Korea plan deeper cooperation including a West Africa Hyundai automotive manufacturing plant in Ghana, plus AI, energy and critical minerals collaboration. Public Finance Trust: Bank of Ghana denies reports it plans to sell its $260m headquarters, calling them false and misleading. Xenophobia Fallout: Ghana continues evacuations from South Africa amid attacks, with Foreign Affairs Minister Ablakwa defending the swift action to protect lives. Local Economy Upgrade: Wiawso MP and Asawinso MCE cut sod for a 24-hour economy market at Asawinso, with added services like a clinic, police post and women’s development support.

Women in Leadership: Ghana Employers Association (GEA) graduates 61 women leaders in Accra under its Female Future Programme, backed by the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise. Creative Economy & Branding: Bozoma Saint John urges Ghanaian creatives to treat marketing as a core business function, not just social media posting. Anti-Trafficking & Repatriation: Ghana Immigration Service reports rescuing 112 suspected trafficking victims in Asankragwa and repatriating 105 foreign nationals. Court & Mining Accountability: An Accra High Court admits a supplementary witness statement from former Western Regional Minister Kwabena Darko-Mensah in the Wontumi illegal mining case. Travel Advisory Amid Xenophobia: Ghana’s Foreign Affairs warns citizens to avoid non-essential travel to South Africa and says it will work with authorities on evacuations. Education for Fishing Communities: Stakeholders call for targeted scholarships to train teachers and nurses from Volta Lake fishing areas. Health Access: Western Region launches Free Primary Health Care, with five districts selected for phase one. UK-Ghana Growth Deal: President Mahama signs a £215m Growth Partnership, including a £101m Takoradi ship repair facility and a £5m green project preparation fund. Digital Skills Push: One Million Coders Program records 12,623 course completions. Finance & Risk: Equity Savings and Loans customers report being stranded after a suspected collapse. Markets: Ghana Stock Exchange slips as turnover surges, led by telecom activity. World Cup Money & Tickets: Sports Minister Kofi Adams says FIFA will release $2.5m for Black Stars preparations and Ghana has secured 1,000 tickets, with transparency promised. Mining Sovereignty Debate: Renewing Tarkwa lease and “mineral sovereignty” arguments heat up as stakeholders clash over Gold Fields’ next steps. Water & Jobs: Republic Bank commissions mechanized boreholes in Pwalugu and Dingoni, and Ghana’s Foreign Affairs secures 120 jobs for evacuees from South Africa.

Youth & Sports Sponsorship: QNET and Manchester City coaches run an elite football clinic in Accra for 25 kids aged 7–11, mixing training with mentorship and life skills. Education & Compliance: GTEC lists 70 unrecognised institutions, including 14 operating in Ghana, warning the public to verify certificates before enrolment. Banking Stability: BoG probes reports of frozen deposits and locked branches at Equity Savings & Loans after depositors say they’ve struggled to withdraw for over a year. Monetary Policy & Credit: BoG keeps the policy rate at 14% as global risks rise; economists flag Ghana’s real interest rate gap as unusually wide, squeezing private credit. Public Finance: A T-bill auction records a GH¢1.03bn shortfall versus target, with yields edging up on some tenors. Investor Pitch: President Mahama tells the Ghana–UK Investment Summit Ghana is pursuing a 24-Hour Economy and export-led industrialisation, citing improved macro indicators and stronger investor confidence. Foreign Policy & Security: Ghana advises against non-essential travel to South Africa amid xenophobic attacks, while also pushing for protection and evacuation support. Corporate Governance: ORC urges firms to meet Companies Act governance requirements, warning non-compliance can bring legal and financial risk. Digital Identity & Power: ID4Africa highlights risks of DPI concentrating control, stressing interoperability and safeguards for digital ID systems.

Korea-Africa Diplomacy: South Korea hosted the first ministerial meeting with 50 African countries in Seoul to deepen cooperation on shared growth, supply-chain disruptions and energy/food security, with Ghana’s Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa co-chairing. Diaspora & Governance: President Mahama told Ghanaians in the UK Ghana is a “poster boy” for recovery and vowed to prosecute audit offenders—refund stolen funds or face prison—while also backing constitutional changes to widen diaspora participation in Parliament and Cabinet. Energy & Industry: Tema Oil Refinery will start processing Ghanaian crude in June 2026 to boost local value addition; ECG is spending GH¢34m to upgrade Batsona transformers to cut outages; and COMAC projects petrol and LPG price increases while diesel may ease. Mining & Compliance: GoldBod says it will intensify anti-galamsey enforcement with 10 speedboats and a traceability system, as Lands Minister Armah Buah pushes mining CSR beyond “words on paper.” Business & Markets: GIPC warns against “fronting” for foreign investors; Access Bank and Deloitte train women entrepreneurs; and Ghana’s FMCG market grew 15% in Q1 2026 as consumers slowly return to broader spending. Tech for Traders: SellQuic launches Ghana’s AI customer assistant for online vendors, answering inquiries instantly across WhatsApp, Instagram and its website.

African Unity Under Strain: President Mahama condemns xenophobic attacks in South Africa as a setback to African unity, as Ghana continues evacuations of nationals amid rising tensions. Sports & Governance: Ghana Broadcasting Corporation explains its handling of forensic audit queries tied to the 13th African Games, while Sports Minister Kofi Adams confirms USD 100,000 appearance fees for each Black Stars player for World Cup 2026. Trade & Inflation: Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare urges firms to cut prices as inflationary pressures ease, warning against keeping “crisis-era” pricing. Mining Investment: Damang Gold Mine begins a US$250m heavy-equipment expansion with new excavators and dump trucks to boost production and efficiency. Energy Access: A World Bank-backed power programme reports electricity access for over 3 million people across West Africa through grid interconnections and transmission upgrades. Healthcare Support: MoH receives pulse oximeter donations worth over US$100,000 to strengthen Free Primary Healthcare at frontline facilities. Tourism & Creative Economy: Tourism ministry launches the 2026 Afro-Gastro Festival and a National Heritage Photography Competition to boost tourism and youth creativity. Bilateral Labour Mobility: Ghana and Jamaica sign an agreement to deploy about 400 Ghanaian nurses to support Jamaica’s healthcare system. Ports & Regional Trade: Finance Minister says Takoradi Port will serve as the main Sahel cargo corridor, with plans for a railway to Hamile to ease road pressure. Power Outages: ECG announces scheduled and emergency outages in parts of Tema and Accra West on Sunday, May 31.

Fisheries & Subsidy Oversight: The Ministry of Fisheries is tightening controls on the premix fuel subsidy after concerns about diversion and profiteering, with COMAC pushing for stronger collaboration to protect genuine fisherfolk. Power Reliability: ECG says key sub-transmission upgrades in Greater Kumasi will be completed by June 5, aiming to improve voltage quality and supply to several communities. Industrial Safety: GNFS warns that fire-safety lapses at the Kpone power enclave could trigger an energy and economic shock, citing critical oil, gas and power installations. Banking & Growth Ideas: Fidelity Bank founder Edward Effah proposes a National Economic Transformation Council to drive reforms and industrialisation, backed by a dedicated delivery unit. Education Workforce: Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu tells Parliament Ghana needs at least 50,000 more teachers, with priority subjects still facing shortages. Digital Skills Push: Over 12,000 learners have completed courses under Phase Two of the One Million Coders Programme. Petrol Price Outlook: COMAC projects petrol and LPG increases from June 1, while diesel should decline. Sports Integrity: The Gender Minister urges sports bodies to strengthen accountability and ethical recruitment to prevent sports trafficking. Ghana–South Africa Fallout: Ghana continues evacuations amid xenophobia concerns, while officials push for compensation for affected businesses.

Rural Roads Boost: The World Bank approved a US$500m package for Ghana to upgrade and maintain at least 1,000km of rural agricultural and market access roads, targeting 550,000 people and creating thousands of jobs to cut transport costs and post-harvest losses. Mobile Money Fee Fight: Ghana’s Minority in Parliament escalated its push against the 0.75% wallet-to-bank/bank-to-wallet charge, demanding a permanent halt unless backed by an Act of Parliament, after BoG ordered a suspension pending consultations. Cocoa Financing: Bank of Ghana Governor Asiama says cocoa purchases for 2026/27 will be funded with $1bn raised from the domestic bond market to reduce dollar borrowing and stabilise farmer incomes. Transport Costs: GPRTU announced a 20% increase in public transport fares from June 2, citing fuel and maintenance pressures. Football Tech Push: GFA sealed a TECNO partnership with smartphones and performance-tracking devices to modernise player monitoring. Anti-LGBTQ Bill: Parliament passed a bill criminalising promotion of LGBTQ+ activities, with prison terms up to 10 years, awaiting President Mahama’s assent. Power Reliability: ECG said Greater Kumasi sub-transmission upgrades will be completed by June 5 to improve voltage quality.

World Bank Funding: The World Bank approved a US$500m package for Ghana’s rural roads and market access, targeting at least 1,000 km of feeder roads to cut transport costs, reduce post-harvest losses and create jobs for rural communities. Regulatory Accountability: Ghana’s Court of Appeal upheld a High Court order requiring the FDA to pay Tobinco Pharmaceuticals GH¢30m over unlawful detention of drugs, in a case tied to alleged abuse of public office. Education Workforce: Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu told Parliament Ghana needs at least 50,000 more teachers, with 7,000 teachers and about 3,000 lecturers/tertiary staff being recruited as budget clearance allows. Consumer Safety Push: CDA Consult praised GSA and FDA for stronger enforcement against substandard products, aligning with its “Verify Before You Buy” consumer protection campaign. Digital Finance & Banking: Bank of Ghana Governor Dr Johnson Asiama urged CEOs to back digital innovation, while MobileMoney Fintech scheduled an EGM for June 12 to approve its first quarterly dividend and new directors. Infrastructure & Power: ECG began upgrading the Akwatia Bulk Supply Point to improve power stability in parts of the Eastern Region. Business & Skills: Vivo Energy Ghana signed an MoU with the Applied Technology Institute to expand technical apprenticeships for young mechanics. Trade & Mobility: Egypt delivered the first batch of 100 buses under a US$200m contract to modernise Ghana’s public transport via Metro Mass Transit. Policy & Cost Pressure: Parliament is set to weigh the education allowance backlog as government engages UTAG to prevent disruption.

Renewable Energy Push: Ghana plans to scale up solar, mini-grids, rooftop solar and other off-grid renewables nationwide, moving from pilots to large-scale, bankable projects at constituency level. Parliament Leads by Example: Parliament will install solar panels at its enclave to shift the country “from awareness to action” on clean energy. IMF Exit Signal: Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson told Parliament Ghana won’t need another IMF bailout “in the foreseeable future,” shifting to a non-financing Policy Coordination Instrument to sustain reforms. 24-Hour Economy Execution: The Presidential Advisor urged CEOs and the private sector to drive the 24-hour economy through alignment between policy, production, finance, infrastructure and exports. Digital Finance Relief: Bank of Ghana suspended the proposed 0.75% wallet-to-bank transfer fee after public backlash, pending further consultations. Investment Rules: GIPC is awaiting assent on a new investment law and warned against “fronting” for foreign investors. Tourism Access: Tour operators backed Ghana’s new e-visa platform and fee waivers for African passport holders to cut entry friction. Health & Community: MTN’s Y’ello Care returns June 1–21 to equip health centres and expand equitable health access. Xenophobia Fallout: EFF leader Julius Malema criticised Ghana’s South Africa evacuation as too quick, while Ghana’s envoy said it was necessary to protect citizens. Markets & Trade: Kupulima Market in Sissala West reopened to boost cross-border livestock and trade with Burkina Faso. Tech & Work: JICA urged Ghana to institutionalise Kaizen to lift productivity, not just fund infrastructure. AI Jobs Warning: A global outsourcing report says Ghana must use an “AI transition window” to build youth digital employment. Business Climate: Deloitte Ghana warned graduate unemployment is worsening and called for bolder reforms and tech-led job creation.