AGP Executive Report

Education & Skills: GNAT gives GES until Sept 7 to fix teachers’ promotion and conditions of service, warning of possible strike action. Energy & Power Reliability: Obuasi East Municipal Assembly procures two 200KVA/33KV transformers to restore electricity to Kwabenakwa and Asonkore after nearly six months of instability. Energy Reform Watch: Prof. Godfred Bokpin urges transparency and consultation on ECG and other SOE reforms, warning inefficiencies could push Ghana back to the IMF. Debt & Macroeconomy: IMF upgrades Ghana’s debt distress risk to moderate, citing improved debt indicators, but warns external shock sensitivity remains high due to gold dependence. Governance & Accountability: Ghana’s AG Dominic Ayine is working with US authorities to pursue more suspects in a power-plant bribery scheme after Asante Berko’s US conviction. Industry & Business: Firefighters contain a major blaze at Pantang Trasaco Furniture factory; offices and key machinery are salvaged. Agribusiness & Jobs: STMA distributes poultry birds under the Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme to boost backyard poultry and reduce import dependence. Digital Economy: DPC boss tells GCTU graduates to use AI to extend capacity, but never replace independent thinking.

Central Banking & FX: Bank of Ghana says Ghana’s foreign exchange reserves remain strong at about $12.9b, with gold and cocoa exports supporting a higher trade surplus, while credit to the private sector has grown sharply. Port & Trade Logistics: GPHA moves to ease Tema Port congestion by boosting empty container evacuation, adding trucks, and tightening yard and traffic management. Infrastructure Delivery: Engineers warn delayed road works under the “Big Push” are worsening air pollution and health risks, citing the stalled Adentan–Dodowa upgrade. Energy Sector Governance: Energy Minister Jinapor urges tougher revenue collection from non-exempt state entities to protect utilities like Bui Power Authority from unpaid bills. Corruption & Power Deals: A US court convicts former Goldman Sachs executive Asante Berko over a bribery scheme tied to a Ghana power plant, with sentencing pending. Cocoa & Prices: Cocoa futures soften as Ghana harvest data shows larger supplies and inventories rise, keeping prices under pressure. Education & Labour: GAUA calls a nationwide strike from Aug 10 over pay disparities in market premium for university administrators. Standards for Imports: GSA begins strict enforcement from Oct 1, 2026 on used-vehicle import compliance, targeting safety and environmental risks.

Mining & Investment: Newcore Gold has filed its Enchi Gold Project pre-feasibility technical report in line with NI 43-101, outlining a conventional open-pit plan at 5.5m tonnes per year and noting ongoing drilling aimed at expanding high-grade potential. Port & Logistics: GPHA says Tema Port congestion is worsening due to higher imports, more empty container exports and road traffic, and it’s rolling out urgent steps to speed empty container evacuation and tighten yard/traffic management. Standards & Trade: Ghana Standards Authority will strictly enforce used-vehicle import guidelines from Oct 1, 2026, targeting flood/fire/salvage damage, major chassis issues and right-hand-drive imports. Energy & Capital Markets: PETROSOL Platinum Energy gets approval to raise long-term capital on the Ghana Stock Exchange to fund expansion, including renewables and EV charging. Governance & Compliance: GSA begins nationwide sensitisation on mandatory ICUMS shippers’ registration to improve cargo clearance and data for policy. Food Security Pressure: GEM warns galamsey is eroding farmland and pushing communities toward market dependence, with knock-on effects on food prices. Anti-Corruption (Global): US jury convicts former Goldman Sachs executive Asante Berko over a bribery and money-laundering scheme tied to a Ghana power plant deal. Local Governance: NALAG urges MMDAs to deliver visible results and accountable leadership, not promises.

Inflation Watch: Ghana’s headline inflation eased to 4.6% in July, down from 5.3% in June, with food inflation falling to 3.1% and services inflation easing to 8.5%, while imported goods saw lower inflation than locally produced items—an encouraging sign for households and firms. Payments & Trade: Stanbic Bank Ghana becomes the first in Ghana to offer direct Yuan settlement via the China Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS), enabling eligible RMB transactions from cedi accounts for remittances and business payments. Tourism & Air Connectivity: Uganda Airlines’ planned direct flights to Kigali and Accra from October are welcomed as a boost for visitor arrivals, trade, and investment across the region. Cocoa Industry Reform: COCOBOD launches a nationwide campaign to explain the new Cocoa Board Bill, including tighter controls around cocoa tree felling and farm protection measures. Fuel Market Stability: NPA reassures Ghanaians of adequate fuel stocks amid Middle East-driven price risks, stressing continuous supply planning. Galamsey Enforcement: Forestry Commission remands 12 suspected illegal miners after operations in the Bosomtwe Range Forest Reserve, with equipment seized and an alleged leader still being sought. Mining Security: Global (Ghana) Ore Industries Limited reports alleged interference with operations at its Aboso-Bompieso concession and calls for police investigations. Health & Innovation: UHAS research highlights cassava leaves’ antioxidants as potential protection against oxidative stress, while an AI-in-healthcare push targets major market growth by 2030.

Education Infrastructure: GETFund-backed Saka Homes breaks ground on a 250-bed boys’ dormitory at Achimota, with disability access, solar power and sustainable design—while the Education Minister directs at least GHS250m in the 2027 GETFund formula for Category A school upgrades. Health Systems & AI: Ghana’s Health Service will require functional oxygen and pulse oximeters in all facilities; meanwhile, UCC/UHAS-linked experts push AI governance and local innovation to scale healthcare AI and diagnostics. Galamsey & Water: Lands Ministry says water bodies like Pra, Ankobra and Birim show marginal improvement, but illegal mining remains a major threat; calls also grow for stronger enforcement and resources. Gold & Compliance: Ghana Chamber of Mines urges GoldBod to tighten gold traceability to keep illegal gold out of the formal market. Economy Watch: Inflation eased to 4.6% in July as food prices cooled, and BoG says growth prospects remain positive. Business & Trade: Importers are urged to insure cargo locally for faster claims and better risk management. Energy/Power: Obuasi East Assembly hands over two transformers to restore electricity stability after months of outages.

Galamsey & Child Protection: Justice Livingstone Ameevor says illegal mining is increasingly linked to defilement, teenage pregnancy and child exploitation, warning that some miners are allegedly misled by “spiritualists” into abusing underage girls. Water & Sanitation: Water Resources Commission reports water quality inched up to 60.6% in 2025, but illegal mining remains a threat; meanwhile Local Government plans to formalise waste transfer loading stations and integrate tricycle waste collectors, while Ghana Water Ltd schedules a three-day Kpong–Tema pipeline maintenance water disruption. Energy & Transport: Volta Economic Corridor talks begin between VRA and GIIF under the 24-Hour Economy push, aiming to turn the Volta Lake into a trade and jobs engine; on the roads, a major Accra–Kumasi N6 blockade shows how one crash can paralyse the corridor. Finance & Banking: BoG warns the public against 20 unlicensed digital loan apps; Ghana Reference Rate edges to 10.61% for August; GSE trading value jumps 251% on MTN dominance. Cocoa & Agriculture: COCOBOD data points to larger harvested volumes, but cocoa price direction stays sensitive to Ghana’s projected output decline; 150 Bono farmers trained in modern vegetable production. Digital Skills & Health: GETFund and UNESCO sign MoU to train TVET teachers in AI and digital tools; Korle-Bu emergency cases surge past 100 daily, with questions raised about possible links to illegal mining impacts. Regional Deals & Industry: Ghana and Morocco renew cooperation plans across hydrocarbons, mining, energy efficiency and agriculture, including a private-sector economic and investment forum.

Retail & Sports Culture: Ghana’s malls are turning into fan zones, with Westfield Accra-style setups bringing match-day energy to shopping centres. Regional Trade & Migration: SADC’s 2026 summit in Durban is urged to tackle migration and xenophobia directly to protect regional integration. Payments & Remittances: Maplerad is rebuilding rails to cut Africa’s high remittance costs, where fees can swallow a big share of money sent home. Power & Industry Continuity: ECG schedules a two-hour Tema Region outage on Aug 6 for emergency maintenance, affecting several communities and businesses. Agribusiness & Jobs: MoFA and AAC will set up a 750-acre vegetable hub for 118 RUDN graduates, pushing commercial farming under Feed Ghana. Formalisation Drive: ORC, Tema MA and UMB Bank run a five-day business registration clinic (Aug 10–14) to help SMEs register and renew on the spot. Media Collaboration: GNA and Russia’s Sputnik sign a cooperation pact for news exchange and journalist training. Poultry Expansion: EKMA begins distributing 400 poultry birds to beneficiaries under the Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme. Cocoa Market: El Niño and heavy rains are linked to a cocoa bull market as prices jump on production risk. Energy Policy Debate: NPP questions the GH¢2 diesel relief, saying it’s temporary and doesn’t undo earlier fuel price hikes. Macroeconomic Risk: IMF warns Ghana’s gold dependence leaves debt and growth vulnerable to global commodity shocks. Health Pressure: Korle Bu A&E sees emergency cases rise sharply, with doctors flagging worsening medical emergencies. SME Reality Check: Accra Street Journal highlights how rents, power costs and permits squeeze small businesses even as they adapt to survive.

Gold & Macroeconomic Outlook: The IMF says Ghana’s gold push is reshaping the external position, with gold now the dominant export driver as smuggling falls, while it also flags how debt targets can be met by 2034 with credible reforms. FX & Banking: Bank of Ghana will auction up to $1bn in August to ease cedi pressure, and Stanbic becomes the first Ghana bank to enable direct China Yuan (CIPS) settlements. Energy & Fuel Security: Ghana Gas reports strong 2025 results and Jinapor points to more gas infrastructure for Gas-to-Power; meanwhile, experts warn local refining still can’t fully stop global fuel shocks. Agribusiness & Jobs: Feed Ghana will place 118 Russia-trained graduates on 750 acres at Pwalugu for commercial vegetable production, and TCDA sets August producer prices for oil palm and rubber. Trade & Industry Growth: GEPA opens a London Trade House to boost non-traditional exports, while GNCCI urges faster execution of the 24-Hour Economy and Big Push. Digital Skills & Inclusion: UCC launches an online eCampus for working professionals, and Ghana’s education reform doubles down on AI and coding; IMF also notes youth unemployment stays near 30%.

Agribusiness & Value Chains: TCDA and GBC team up to boost public awareness of Ghana’s tree crops, using TV, radio and digital platforms in 27 languages to connect farmers, processors and investors. Food & Farm Support: Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor II backs the Agriculture Ministry’s Feed Ghana fertiliser push, praising 5,000 bags of NPK and urea for northern smallholders. Sanitation & Waste Jobs: Government moves to formalise tricycle waste collectors and expand waste transfer stations, while GAYO launches Ghana’s National Union for Informal Waste Workers to improve safety, market access and social protection. Ports & Trade Risk: Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority forums urge importers to insure marine cargo locally to protect business continuity and speed up claims. Digital Economy: MTN Ghana doubles down on fibre and mobile financial services, pushing MyMTN App self-service for bills, airtime/data and SIMs. Finance & Policy: Bank of Ghana directs banks to cut non-performing loans below 10% by end-2026, as GNCCI calls for sustained reforms to lock in recovery gains. Energy & Water Reliability: Ghana Water Ltd schedules a three-day Kpong plant shutdown for pipeline maintenance, warning of reduced pressure in parts of Accra. Cocoa & Industry Regulation: Parliament passes the COCOBOD Bill guaranteeing farmers at least 70% of FOB export price, alongside other measures to support local agro-processing. Capital Markets Watch: Dangote Refinery targets a $5bn IPO by October, with Ghana among exchanges reportedly in talks to participate.

Fuel Relief & Transport Costs: President Mahama orders a temporary GH¢2.00 diesel reduction for one month to curb transport fare hikes and inflation pressure. Central Banking Watch: Bank of Ghana warns the public against 20 unlicensed digital loan apps, citing risks to data privacy and consumer protection. Agribusiness Funding: AfDB backs Ghana’s rice push with $18.8m to boost productivity, processing and market access under the REWARD project. Cocoa Sector Rules: Parliament passes a tough Cocoa Bill protecting cocoa farms, with penalties up to 20 years for repurposing without approval—sparking farmer pushback. Energy & Industry Finance: Absa partners Mantrac to expand equipment financing for mining and construction firms, with tenors up to 60 months. Mining Governance: Chamber of Mines urges review of Ghana’s minerals royalty framework and a Minerals Revenue Management Act to improve fairness and transparency. Security & Tech Crime: INTERPOL flags AI-driven deepfake sextortion in Ghana, with young victims seeing losses surge. Bilateral Trade Moves: Ghana and Morocco deepen cooperation across trade, hydrocarbons, mining, energy efficiency and agriculture, including plans for a Ghana-Morocco Economic and Investment Forum. Public Safety & Compliance: NACOC arrests KTU students over alleged cannabis-infused drinks and ice cream sales during campus events. Local Infrastructure: GARID delays Kaneshie footbridge rehabilitation until drainage works finish, with temporary pedestrian controls in place.

Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) Revival: President Mahama commissioned the refurbished Crude Distillation Unit after a decade of dormancy, targeting 45,000–55,000 barrels per stream day and reducing reliance on imported refined products. Fuel Relief & Pricing: Government’s GH¢2 per litre diesel subsidy drew support from the oil sector, while analysts warned the weakening cedi may blunt pump-price gains; ECOWAS also flagged price-fixing risks across West Africa. Cocoa Sector Shock: Parliament fast-tracked a new Cocoa Bill under urgency, but MPs warn parts of the law could restrict farmers’ land-use choices; traders also watched cocoa prices jump on production concerns. Infrastructure Spending Watch: ISSER cautioned that capital expenditure is nearly 40% below plan, threatening long-term development and “Big Push” project momentum. Financial Sector Oversight: Bank of Ghana named 20 unlicensed digital loan apps and warned of consumer-data and protection risks. Youth & Skills Push: UCC inducted Prof. Denis Aheto as VC with a skills-based, applied-learning agenda; MobileMoney urged youth to pair education with practical digital skills. Community & Governance: Ayawaso North Assembly held social auditing on delayed school and drainage works; PURC assessed ECG and GWCL service quality in Ashanti.

Energy & Industry Revival: President Mahama says Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) is “back,” commissioning refurbished units and directing a plan to expand capacity from 40,000 to 100,000 barrels a day, alongside moves to restructure TOR to curb political interference. Petroleum Hub Push: Touchstone Capital Partners and PHDC reaffirm commitment to Lot One of Ghana’s $12bn Petroleum Hub, intensifying work toward execution in the Western Region. Downstream Policy & Transport: Ghana will enforce tougher standards on imported used vehicles from Oct 1 via PVoC checks, while Parliament approved a 20-year electronic road toll PPP with free-flow tolling across 66 sites. Cocoa & Land Rules: COCOBOD-linked proposals include $50,000 fines for cocoa tree destruction, and an MP warns the new COCOBOD Act restricts farmers’ land-use rights. Finance & Markets: GSE trading value jumped 251% week-on-week on MTN dominance; Enyan Denkyira Community Bank posts GH¢1.87m 2025 profit. Security & Compliance: 15 suspected galamseyers arrested near Obuasi after a viral school-area video; Minority criticises Minerals Commission over alleged defective mining leases. Skills & Digital Learning: UCC launches eCampus for working professionals and UCC/CCTU leadership pushes AI + soft-skills graduation requirements. Agri-Trade & Environment: Opinion highlights how the EU Deforestation Regulation could reshape Africa’s agricultural competitiveness, especially for cocoa and other covered commodities.

Tema Oil Refinery Revival: President Mahama commissioned refurbished TOR units and said Ghana will restructure the refinery to permanently cut political interference, with a roadmap to lift capacity to 100,000 barrels per day after processing one million barrels of Jubilee crude. Skills & Higher Education: UCC inducted Prof. Denis Worlanyo Aheto as VC, charging him to push skills-based, applied learning as AI makes purely theoretical training insufficient. Roads for Farmers: Central Tongu was selected for the World Bank’s GMACP feeder roads push, targeting better all-season market access and reduced post-harvest losses. Tourism & Investment: GTA endorsed Accra’s 6th Inter-Tourism Expo and a 24-hour conference linking tourism with agribusiness, digital sovereignty and AfCFTA industrial acceleration. AI in Health: Omaya Care won the maiden Ghana AI Innovation Challenge for an AI voice platform to triage high-risk postpartum complications via basic phone networks. Telecom Regulation: NCA delayed Ghana’s 5G spectrum auction and tightened ownership/operational rules, reshaping rollout timelines. Cocoa & Supply Chain Pressure: Reports highlight cocoa output risks, while lawmakers debate COCOBOD bill provisions affecting farmers’ land use. Energy Reliability: ECG announced a planned five-hour outage in Accra’s Airport area for maintenance. Food Systems Awards: WiFAI Global Awards 2026 opened nominations, spotlighting women driving food and agribusiness innovation worldwide.

Cocoa Reform: Parliament has unanimously passed the COCOBOD Bill 2026 under a certificate of urgency, aiming to overhaul cocoa governance ahead of the 2026/27 season and guarantee farmers 70% of the cocoa export price. Energy & Refining: President Mahama commissioned the refurbished Tema Oil Refinery CDU and directed TOR to draw up a roadmap to expand capacity to 100,000 barrels per day, with officials also pointing to one million barrels of Jubilee crude processed into finished products. Fuel Prices & Tax: OMCs including Star Oil raised petrol and diesel prices at the pumps under the bi-weekly review mechanism, while Parliament approved Energy Sector Levies amendments that sharply increased the fuel oil levy—sparking renewed debate on cost impacts and smuggling. Telecoms Regulation: Ghana delayed the 5G spectrum auction timeline as the NCA tightened ownership and operational rules for telecom operators. Standards & Imports: The GSA set October 1, 2026 for stricter used-vehicle import checks under PVoC, with outright refusal for flood/fire-damaged and unsafe vehicles. Circular Economy Finance: UNIDO urged Ghana’s banks to expand financing for circular economy businesses, stressing regulatory certainty and new financing products. Education for Industry: Cape Coast Technical University will make AI and soft skills mandatory for graduation, while Bebras Challenge partners plan a national computational thinking push for learners.

Downstream Oil & Energy Security: President John Dramani Mahama commissioned the refurbished Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), including the Crude Distillation Unit, and directed TOR to draft an expansion plan targeting 100,000 barrels per day—aimed at cutting fuel imports and reducing political interference. Cocoa Supply Shock: COCOBOD warns Ghana’s cocoa output could fall 16% in 2026/2027 due to El Niño-linked rains, Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus, aging farms and illegal mining—raising fears of higher global chocolate prices. Parliament & Sector Rules: Parliament passed the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Bill to close fuel-tax loopholes and curb smuggling, while also approving the COCOBOD Bill to guarantee farmers at least 70% of the FOB cocoa export price. Mining Governance Tensions: Minority MPs accuse the Minerals Commission of “shoddy” due diligence on mining leases, including Damang, and push for higher state equity stakes. Rail Safety: GRDA flagged rising threats on the Tema–Mpakadan line after a train hit six goats, stressing the corridor can’t be treated as a public space. Skills for Industry: Cape Coast Technical University will make AI and soft skills compulsory, while MobileMoney Fintech backs practical digital training to bridge the skills gap. Community Safety & Response: GNFS commissioned a new fire station at UMaT, and WINCCU announced CSR support for security, education and sanitation.

Mining Governance: Parliament adjourned without reconsidering the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, but lawmakers did pass the Ghana Cocoa Board Bill (guaranteeing farmers at least 70% of FOB) and key tax/customs measures—while the NPP Minority Caucus renewed pressure on the Minerals Commission over alleged “shoddy” mining lease work and demanded a better Damang Mine equity deal (30% vs 10%). Extractives Accountability: Ghana’s Extractive Sector Multi-Stakeholder Group urged Parliament to summon agencies over delays in mineral royalty disbursement to host communities, saying projects are stalling. Fuel & Industry Costs: Parliament passed the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Bill to tighten fuel subsidy abuse and raise fuel oil levies, aiming to curb smuggling and leakage. Cocoa Supply: COCOBOD forecasts a 16% cocoa output drop for 2026–2027, citing El Niño effects, biennial bearing, disease and environmental stress. Galamsey & Human Rights: Immigration officials urged victim protection to be integrated into anti-galamsey efforts, warning enforcement alone can displace trafficking networks. Digital Regulation: A fintech law expert welcomed Ghana’s Virtual Asset Service Providers Act for stronger oversight of crypto platforms and scam risks. Road Safety: Two died and eight were injured in a Dompoase crash on the Cape Coast–Takoradi highway. Agribusiness Support: An MP distributed 3,500 bags of fertiliser under the Feed Ghana programme to boost yields and cut food import dependence. Energy & Climate: A ministerial visit to traditional leaders highlighted local climate action partnerships.