AGP Executive Report

IMF Exit & Fiscal Focus: The IMF has completed Ghana’s final ECF review, releasing the last $371m, shifting the spotlight to keeping inflation down, protecting buffers, and sustaining revenue gains without Fund support. Power Shock: A national grid disturbance at about 3:11am triggered widespread outages; GRIDCo says restoration is underway and investigations have started, while Ghana Water Ltd apologised for water supply interruptions tied to the power disruption. Fuel Costs: NPA raised August fuel price floors—petrol +9.4%, diesel +18.3%, LPG +8.5%—a direct hit to transport, mining, construction and manufacturing costs. Food Safety Push: FDA is urging stronger, more decentralised food-chain monitoring after crackdowns on unsafe fish processing, with calls for MMDAs to step up enforcement. Downstream Petroleum Oversight: Parliament’s Economy Committee praised NPA’s regulation of downstream petroleum, signalling tighter oversight as reforms continue. Agri Connectivity Politics: NPP demands answers over Upper East’s exclusion from a $500m World Bank feeder-road project aimed at cutting post-harvest losses. Local Industry Boost: Parliament passed the Excise Bill, 2026, zero-rating excise taxes on locally produced fruit juices to lower prices and support agro-processing. Maritime Green Advantage: A maritime compliance expert argues green maritime and decarbonisation can become a competitive edge for shipping. Governance & VALCO: Parliament’s Minority warns of “state capture” risks in VALCO restructuring, calling for full disclosure. Tech & Skills: UG is embedding AI and digital certifications into undergraduate training under the One Million Coders Programme. Printing Upgrade: Ghana Publishing Company buys a rare six-colour digital press to expand premium commercial printing capacity. Mining Compliance: Bono REGSEC orders mining firms to submit licences and permits by Aug 3 after pollution allegations. Women’s Finance: The Women’s Development Bank is moving forward, with stakeholders highlighting the need to close women-led business funding gaps.

Power & Utilities: GRIDCo says a pre-dawn national transmission disturbance on July 29 triggered tripping of generation plants, plunging parts of Ghana into darkness, as engineers move to restore supply and investigate the cause. Energy Governance: An Auditor-General report flags ECG’s GH¢170m unapproved spending under Dubik Mahama, renewing pressure on board oversight and accountability. Mining & Local Value: Gold Fields defends Tarkwa lease renewal, arguing about 74% of value stays in Ghana via taxes, royalties, local procurement and community investment; meanwhile, Apinto chiefs and residents keep pushing for stronger community stakes and fairer royalty shares. Digital & Finance: PwC says easing inflation should eventually lower borrowing costs, but warns high lending rates may still choke private investment. Tech Skills: Government urges Corporate Ghana to back the One Million Coders Programme with internships, mentorship and equipment. Agribusiness: Agric ministry and Omanbapa sign an MoU to set up an organic fertiliser processing plant, with $10m investment planned. Road Safety & Transport: Dorcas Affo-Toffey and Akrobeto back a road safety sensitisation push tied to Road Traffic Regulations reforms. Consumer Costs: Parliament’s Finance Committee deputy Gideon Boako calls the cross-border e-commerce VAT a “social media tax,” warning of higher prices and possible double taxation. Health & Testing: A study warns HbA1c diabetes tests may underdiagnose in Ghana due to sickle cell trait prevalence, recommending methods that account for hemoglobin variants. Environment & Jobs: Africa Zero Waste Academy 2026 launches in-person training in Kpong to build practical zero-waste skills for climate resilience and green jobs. Security: Police arrest a suspected romance scammer over alleged marriage fraud and intimate-image blackmail.

Downstream Petroleum Oversight: Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee commended the National Petroleum Authority for regulating Ghana’s downstream oil sector after a working visit to verify operations and strengthen collaboration. Procurement & Accountability: MP Patrick Boamah accused Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson of contradicting procurement reform claims, alleging sole-source and restricted tenders for major constituency-linked projects including the Mankessim–Ajumako–Swedru road and other facilities. Ghana–Gabon Strategic Push: Ghana and Gabon signed MoUs in Accra covering political consultations and diplomat training, with cooperation spanning trade, mining, energy, agriculture, maritime, transport, tourism, health and security. Construction Skills: Ghana Standards Authority urged certification and continuous training for construction artisans to cut structural failures and improve built-environment safety. Sanitation Drive: Jospong Group called for a more holistic National Sanitation Day, pushing citizens and institutions to take shared responsibility and support media-led accountability. Returnee Support After Xenophobia: Government announced GH¢5,500 reintegration support per evacuee from South Africa, plus NHIS registration and SIM services. VALCO Rumours: VALCO board chair Horace Nii Ayi Ankrah denied any interest by Ibrahim Mahama and warned that unresolved GIADEC–VALCO separation could keep fuelling protests and misinformation. Telecom Growth: Telecel launched the M’ahitti Promo (three millionaires) and announced major 2026 network expansion; MTN also warned dealers against selling SIMs above GH¢10. Mining & Anti-Galamsey: Minerals Commission intensified talks with China to attract investment, boost local content and technology transfer while strengthening the fight against illegal mining. Urban Planning: Government launched the National Urban Policy (2026–2035) and Slum Upgrading and Prevention Strategy (2026–2035) to guide housing, governance and climate-resilient city management. Energy Safety Incident: A gas tanker leak at Tema Community 7 triggered an emergency response as firefighters secured the area while authorities investigated the cause.

IMF Deal: The IMF has completed its sixth and final review of Ghana’s $3bn ECF, approving about $371m for disbursement and setting the stage for a 36-month Policy Coordination Instrument to lock in reforms. Education Infrastructure: Government says it will abolish Ghana’s double-track system within 24 months, backed by a $300m World Bank facility focused on secondary school infrastructure. Energy & Industry: Energy and Green Transition Minister Dr John Jinapor argues financing is the biggest hurdle to unlocking Africa’s energy potential, calling for coordinated investment and deeper regional power trade. Digital Economy: MTN says reliable home connectivity will define Ghana’s digital future as households shift to remote work, learning and home-based businesses. Water Systems: Ghana Water Limited begins rehabilitation of three water treatment plants (Bonsa, Daboase, Sekyere-Hemang) under a GH¢8.4m GoldBod-funded project. Transport Costs: Transport unions meet the Ministry of Transport over a proposed 30% fare increase as fuel and spare-part costs bite. Agribusiness: MoFA signs an agreement to establish an organic fertiliser plant in Ghana, aiming to reduce dependence on synthetic fertilisers. Mining & Jobs: ICU-Ghana and VALCO workers protest the proposed sale of a majority stake in VALCO, warning it threatens jobs and national industrial interests. Trade & Logistics: Importers push GSA to sanction shipping lines still charging above the GH¢720 container fee cap. Investment Promotion: GIPA launches a regional investment roadshow across Bono, Bono East and Ahafo to package projects in agribusiness, agro-processing, logistics and mining-linked value addition.

VALCO Showdown: ICU-Ghana and VALCO workers protested in Tema against plans to sell a 70% stake, warning the move could shift control to private hands and threaten jobs; GIADEC also denied claims that Ibrahim Mahama is seeking to acquire VALCO. Tarkwa Lease Fight: Gold Fields filed a Tarkwa gold lease renewal proposal, defending its record and community investment as Apinto chiefs and others push for different outcomes. Energy & Fuel Relief: COMAC urged government to suspend the extra GH¢1 fuel levy as pump prices rise, arguing the justification has changed. Banking Growth: Bank of Ghana data shows strong H1 2026 performance—assets, deposits and loans up, non-performing loans down, and liquidity/capital improving. Agri Inputs Push: MoFA signed an MoU to set up an organic fertiliser plant, while Yara Ghana launched crop-specific fertiliser solutions for better yields. Digital Infrastructure: MTN said reliable home connectivity is key to Ghana’s digital future as households shift to remote work, learning and home businesses. Human Capital Planning: NDPC began a workshop to firm up Ghana’s Human Capital Development Strategy, targeting skills, health and education gaps. Climate Action (Savannah): A forum in Damongo focused on locally-led climate projects and setting up hubs/units at district level. Gold Governance: The Ga Mantse met GoldBod to strengthen traditional-state collaboration on responsible gold sector oversight. Public Safety: Police arrested 93 narcotics suspects in Ashanti Region operations.

Legal & Transport Safety: An Accra lawyer has sued DVLA and NIC over the registration, licensing and insurance of Toyota Voxy/Noah vehicles, alleging unlawful approvals of converted right-hand-drive operations and non-compliance with customs, road traffic and GSA standards. Mining & Community Rights: Apinto traditional leaders in Tarkwa are urging government not to renew Gold Fields’ Tarkwa lease in April 2027, pushing instead for Ghanaian ownership and a shared-prosperity model after claims of thousands of hectares degraded. Macroeconomy & Jobs: A mid-year budget review update from Finance says growth and inflation are improving, but an editorial warns youth unemployment remains high and jobs must catch up with recovery. Sanitation & Public Health: An Oforikrom MCE is appealing for more funding to expand household toilet access to curb open defecation. Food Safety Enforcement: FDA shut down unlicensed sachet water and cold storage facilities in Greater Accra for hygiene and water treatment breaches. Energy & Industry: The 24-Hour Economy Secretariat says it has engaged investors on US$11.5bn projects, including solar, a pharmaceutical park and industrial parks, to drive jobs and industrialisation. Monetary Policy Transparency: Bank of Ghana launched a Monetary Policy Committee educational programme letting UG students observe how policy decisions are made. Environment & Plastics: GMA is calling to extend Ghana’s styrofoam phase-out to all single-use plastics to reduce flooding and drain blockages. Digital Payments: BoG data shows mobile money wallet balances hit a record GH¢40bn in June 2026, reflecting deeper use of mobile money as a store of value.

Anti-Corruption & Governance: Deputy AG Dr Justice Srem-Sai says ORAL is still active and points to the Wontumi illegal mining prosecution as proof the initiative is working. Urban Resilience & Planning: Accra’s floods keep repeating, with new calls to stop treating drainage and waterways as afterthoughts and to hold officials who approve illegal developments accountable. Climate Adaptation Execution: Eight MMDAs pledge faster implementation of climate adaptation plans after recent Greater Accra floods, shifting focus from plans to projects and financing. Mining & Local Ownership: Apinto chiefs oppose Gold Fields’ Tarkwa lease renewal and push for Ghanaian ownership and community partnership as lease talks near April 2027. Women in Mining: FoN urges at least 30% of the Mineral Development Fund for women-focused programmes, backed by draft gender-responsive guidelines. Skills & Industry Readiness: MiDA CEO tells youth they are partners in development now, while GIMPA graduates are urged to build digital tools and stay cyber-safe. Energy & Power Ambition: Ghana’s downstream and power expansion themes continue, including calls for faster shifts to solar and broader energy investment. Creative Economy & Film: US Embassy backs policy support for Ghana’s creative sector; meanwhile, actress Iyabo Ojo alleges unauthorised TV broadcast of her film, reigniting IP and distribution concerns. Education & Jobs Reality: A debate piece argues government can’t employ every graduate, urging graduates to look beyond public-sector waiting. Tech & Talent Pipeline: Tech4Dev opens Women Techsters Sprint applications in Ghana for data science, cybersecurity and software development. Cocoa & Agriculture: COCOBOD reaffirms cocoa sector support, including payment assurances and farm rehabilitation, while youth are urged to see agriculture as opportunity. Business & Trade: Namport rejects a Ghanaian businessman’s N$4bn port proposal, highlighting stricter requirements for port supply-base deals. Regional Integration: AfCFTA is moving from negotiation to implementation, but the focus now is making it usable for firms.

Energy & Finance: Energy and Green Transition Minister John Jinapor says financing is the biggest bottleneck to unlocking Africa’s energy potential, urging coordinated investment and deeper regional power trade. Oil & Gas Skills: Halliburton Ghana, with the Petroleum Commission and KNUST, signs an MoU worth about US$15.1m to donate petroleum engineering software and fund training and research for Ghana’s upstream workforce. Education & Industry Pipeline: Government earmarks GH¢50m to fully operationalise UMaT Kenyasi Number Two campus, while also pushing “No Stress Free” education support. Mining & Local Ownership: Apinto chiefs renew calls for Gold Fields Tarkwa Mine lease handover to a Ghanaian-owned company, citing land degradation and weak local benefits. Flood Risk & Accountability: Eight district assemblies pledge faster climate adaptation implementation; meanwhile, Eco Impact Network urges sanctions for officials who approve illegal developments in waterways. Aviation Safety: A landfill near Sunyani Airport is flagged for attracting birds, raising strike fears. Creative Economy & Film Funding: U.S. Embassy-backed creative economy push calls for policy, IP protection and fair creator pay; meanwhile, filmmaker Leila Djansi questions Ghana’s Film Fund model, and actress Iyabo Ojo alleges unauthorised TV broadcast of her film. Governance & Rule of Law: Wontumi’s conviction sparks renewed debate on judicial process and galamsey enforcement.

Flood Governance & Accountability: ECO Impact Network is calling for strict sanctions against officials who knowingly approve illegal developments in waterways and flood-prone areas, arguing Ghana’s flooding is driven by weak enforcement and poor planning, not just rainfall. Engineering & Industrial Talent: NSBE launched the Engineering in Africa Conference 2026, aiming to position Ghana as an engineering and innovation hub with a September 10–12, 2026 event. Mining & Local Ownership: Apinto chiefs in Tarkwa are pushing government to hand over the Tarkwa Mine to a Ghanaian-owned company when Gold Fields’ lease ends in April 2027, citing land degradation and weak community benefits. AI for Development: University of Ghana urged the 2026 graduating class to lead with AI, innovation and integrity, while Prof. Kwofie says Africa must turn “data into gold” for equitable solutions in health, agriculture and climate. Creative Economy Funding Gap: A mid-year budget review update reportedly omitted the promised GH¢40m Film and Creative Arts Funds, raising concerns for Ghana’s film and creative sector. Cocoa Sector Support: COCOBOD says it has released funds for cocoa beans and warns purchasing clerks and LBC officials against manipulating prices. Energy Access & Power Planning: REA says 48 interconnected mini-grid projects are under construction across 19 states, showing how regulatory changes can scale off-grid electricity. Digital Infrastructure Investment: Telecel says it is accelerating network expansion in Ghana as it targets stronger digital services and enterprise growth.

Oil Palm Finance: Ghana is finalising a US$500m World Bank financing deal to scale large-scale commercial oil palm via private lending, with land banks and drone-surveyed hectares in the Western Region. Gas-to-Power Push: Government is advancing plans for a modular gas processing facility (100m scfd) and a 1,200MW state gas-fired power plant, with land secured and studies underway for financial close before end-2026. Energy & Emissions: A new methane report says Africa and Latin America can cut oil-and-gas methane using existing measures like leak detection, flaring improvements and pneumatic replacements, but success depends on infrastructure, rules and financing—Ghana is included. Food Safety Crackdown: The FDA shut down 44 food facilities, including sachet water and cold stores, for operating without licences or under unsafe, unhygienic conditions. Financial Stability: Bank of Ghana reiterates there are no immediate plans to recapitalise struggling savings and loans firms, saying the regulatory framework is enough to manage systemic risk. Skills for Industry: GES opens applications for Study Leave With Pay for 2026, prioritising STEM, engineering and technical courses to plug staffing gaps. Logistics & Trade: Togo’s customs brokers’ union joins FIATA, signalling stronger alignment with global freight and supply-chain standards. Creative Economy: A summit highlights policy, IP protection and business training as key to turning Ghana’s creative sector into a bigger jobs and export engine.

Flood Response & Urban Resilience: Ghana’s Flood Mitigation Task Force has started phased demolition of illegal structures and dredging of silted drains/waterways in Accra, including work around the Tesa Dam, with Armed Forces engineers supporting to restore water flow and cut flood risk. Creative Economy Policy Push: At a Creative Economy Summit in Accra, the US Embassy urged government to back the sector with smart tax policy, strong IP protections, and infrastructure so creators can capture value and investors can commit. Mining Investment & Accountability: Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah is in Hong Kong to woo investors for responsible mining and value addition, while the Apinto Divisional Council in Tarkwa criticized Gold Fields’ development record, citing land degradation and weak community benefits. Power & Industry Readiness: Energy Minister Dr John Jinapor inspected the Kumasi–Anwomaso transmission upgrade, moving from a single-circuit line to a higher-capacity double-circuit system to boost reliability for industry and households. Agribusiness & Jobs: Seed Systems Group trained agro-input dealers to improve distribution of quality cowpea and pearl millet seeds in northern Ghana, and SMEs were encouraged to use the Agribusiness Launchpad to scale food processing and value addition. Governance & Rule of Law: Legal scholar Kwaku Azar defended the use of circumstantial evidence in criminal cases, amid ongoing public debate around illegal mining convictions. Bilateral Trade & Logistics: Ghana and Morocco signed 11 cooperation agreements across sectors, and Togo’s customs brokers’ union joined FIATA to strengthen professional logistics links.

Mid-Year Budget Push: Ghana’s Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson says GH¢400m will buy high-capacity buses for state transport, while reforms and upstream oil-and-gas investments are driving growth. Energy & Gas Projects: Government advances a modular gas processing facility (100m scfd) and a 1,200MW state gas-fired power plant, targeting lower generation costs and jobs. Tax & Agro-Processing: Excise duty on locally manufactured fruit juices has been scrapped to support agro-processing and jobs. Monetary Policy: Bank of Ghana holds the policy rate at 14%, citing Middle East-driven inflation risks. Public Health Rollout: Free Primary Healthcare begins in 150 underserved districts, with equipment, outreach logistics, and expanded screening. Infrastructure Transparency: CoST Sekondi-Takoradi backs open contracting and beneficial ownership transparency as it releases its independent review report. Child Labour Lawsuit: Swiss chocolate maker Lindt faces a US suit alleging child labour in Ghana and Ivory Coast cocoa supply chains. Trade & Regional Integration: ORO urges Ghana to release detained Nigerian onion trucks at Kotoku Market to protect perishable trade flows. Health Sovereignty at AU: AU leaders call for stronger implementation and Africa-led health financing as adolescent pregnancy prevention gets renewed focus.

Monetary Policy: Bank of Ghana’s MPC meets with inflation risks, liquidity conditions, policy transmission and Middle East-driven oil volatility in focus, as it weighs whether the current framework still fits. Mid-Year Budget Push: Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson says government has started 87 transport projects under the Big Push, while rejecting underspending claims and detailing major outlays across health, education, debt service and electricity stability. Energy & Oil: Government reports GH¢12.4bn paid into the energy sector and announces US$3.5bn-plus new upstream oil and gas investment commitments, citing rising output at Jubilee and Sankofa. Export Finance: GEXIM and GHIB sign an MoU to expand trade finance and export readiness support for Ghanaian exporters and SMEs. Environment & Sanitation: GAMA-SWP argues sanitation is a national security and economic issue, calling for a stronger National Sanitation Authority. Forestry & Timber: Timber stakeholders meet in Kumasi to boost legal, traceable and sustainable timber supply chains for tougher international market demands. Capital Markets: Databank says GSE sentiment into August will hinge on corporate earnings and guidance, with the policy rate held at 14%. Food & Agribusiness: Togo’s mango sector eyes European markets from 2026, but flags weak coordination and value-chain gaps. Digital Identity: Ghana’s Ghana Card checks now require biometric verification, tightening compliance for banks, telecoms, health and schools. Corporate Accountability: A US lawsuit alleges Lindt used child labour in Ghana and Ivory Coast cocoa supply chains.

Petroleum Quality Control: Ghana’s Auditor-General flags major fuel marking lapses at the National Petroleum Authority, citing about 87 million litres of petrol distributed without mandatory marking and potential GH¢78.6m losses to the UPPF—raising consumer safety and revenue concerns. Health Sovereignty: At the AU Extraordinary Summit in Accra, African leaders push for domestic financing and local pharmaceutical production to end AIDS and TB, cut maternal deaths, and strengthen health systems amid aid cuts and the Ebola threat in DR Congo. Inflation Watch: Ghana’s Producer Price Inflation eases to 3.5% in June, with industrial producer prices down and mixed manufacturing pressures across 23 industry groups. Digital Payments & Fraud: Hubtel’s Ebenezer Boffour warns payment service providers operate in silos, limiting fraud-fighting coordination and even information sharing. Lottery Digitisation: The National Lottery Authority partners Fidelity Bank to roll out 5,000 POS terminals nationwide, moving licensed operators from paper tickets to electronic sales from Aug 1. Mining & Local Authority: Apinto chiefs inspect Gold Fields ahead of a key lease renewal decision, with their position expected to influence government. Climate Governance: Government plans climate change units in all MMDAs to strengthen local resilience and integrate climate action into development plans. Education for Industry: NaCCA presents a revised KG–Primary 6 curriculum adding AI literacy, coding, digital citizenship and civic education, plus earlier language options. Agribusiness Skills: UNESCO highlights the BEAR vocational model training youth in agriculture and food processing for jobs and small businesses.

Monetary & Debt Watch: Bank of Ghana kept the policy rate at 14% and flagged global risks, while public debt rose to GH¢720.8bn (45.1% of GDP) by end-May 2026. 24-Hour Economy Scrutiny: NPP’s Kojo Oppong Nkrumah says job claims are “audio announcements,” urging proof of payroll jobs as the programme cites US$5.5bn in deals and multi-shift operations. SEC Crackdown on Scams: SEC blacklisted 23 unlicensed online investment firms, warning the public to avoid them and verify licences. Gold & Liquidity Shift: BoG stopped GoldBod gold purchase pre-financing from July 1, adjusting domestic liquidity management. Mining & Rule of Law: Chairman Wontumi’s Tano Nimri case was adjourned to July 31; RMG denies allegations over the Apinto concession. Shea Industry Push: Government reaffirmed support for Ghana’s shea sector, while Global Shea Alliance urged restoration of shrinking parklands. Floods & Water Bodies: Accra flooding will persist without protecting rivers, lagoons and wetlands, as experts blame encroachment and weak waste management. Health Sovereignty: AU leaders in Accra pushed for more domestic financing and local production of medicines and health tech. Export Finance: GEXIM and GHIB signed MoUs to expand trade finance for exporters. Cyber & Power Standards: Cyber Security Authority praised ECG’s standards programme; ECG also announced planned outages in multiple regions.

Galamsey & Justice: Ghana’s EOCO-linked detention story stays in the spotlight as NPP communicator Denis Miracles Aboagye describes his EOCO custody as “discomforting,” while the wider legal fight over Chairman Wontumi’s 20-year illegal mining sentence intensifies with claims of political motivation, selective justice, and constitutional concerns. Responsible Mining: Ghana and the World Gold Council move to formalise artisanal and small-scale gold mining with a US$250,000 grant aimed at cleaner production and traceable, legal supply chains. Gold Sector Deal: AngloGold Ashanti signs a US$66.5m transition agreement to take over operations at the Iduapriem Mine, ending an eight-year services partnership. Aviation Safety: A landfill near Sunyani Airport is flagged for bird-strike risk, with calls to meet international distance standards. Digital Finance & Retail: NLA partners Fidelity Bank to digitise lottery operations, including instant payouts up to GH₵30,000. Health Policy: AU leaders open an Accra health summit urging higher domestic health financing and faster progress on ending AIDS and preventable maternal deaths. Education & Jobs: Parliament approves a US$300m IDA credit to expand secondary schools and end Ghana’s double-track system. Industry & Connectivity: MTN pushes home connectivity for digital jobs, while SIMS reports strong 2025 performance across its collective investment schemes.