AGP Executive Report

Road Infrastructure Finance: President Mahama says the Accra-Kumasi Expressway will be fully funded with $2bn already set aside in a Bank of Ghana account, with government insisting it is “our own money” and no borrowing involved. Project Delivery & Specs: The expressway is set for 198.7km, with 8 grade-separated interchanges, 11 overpasses, 55 mainline bridges, 8 tolling points and service areas—while the Ghana Armed Forces Engineer Regiment is lined up as a major subcontractor. Farmer Compensation: Over 800 farmers in the right-of-way are expected to receive compensation as payments continue for those already valued and cleared. Port & Trade Pressure: IEAG warns Ghana could lose import trade to Abidjan if port congestion and clearance bottlenecks aren’t urgently fixed, calling for high-level coordination. Energy & Refining Strategy: COMAC says global supply disruptions may push IOCs to refine closer to crude production in sub-Saharan Africa—an opportunity for Ghana and other import-dependent economies. Cocoa Supply Risks: Heavy rainfall at the wrong stages is flagged as a major threat to cocoa yields, while Ghana’s cocoa sector also gets a boost via Meiji’s LOI to support sustainable, circular-economy cocoa development. Digital Growth for SMEs: MTN Ghana wraps up its sixth SME Business Clinic in Accra, pushing digital tools like Yellow Biz and WebWiz to help small businesses scale. Cyber Talent Focus: A push for more African women in cybersecurity links workforce investment to national risk management as digitisation accelerates. Environment & Enforcement: Groups demand Atewa Forest be declared a national park over illegal mining pressure, while Ghana’s galamsey fight faces calls for impartial enforcement. Housing Finance: The National Homeownership Fund announces a housing finance conference to tackle Ghana’s large housing deficit and financing barriers.

Tax Reform for SMEs: Ghana Revenue Authority proposes extending the Modified Taxation Scheme to small limited liability companies with turnover up to GH¢750,000, aiming to cut compliance burden for young and women-led firms. Port & Logistics Expansion: Hapag-Lloyd signs with DP World to secure long-term terminal capacity across Africa and support infrastructure at key ports, as African volumes are expected to top 1m TEU in 2026. Cross-border Payments for Trade: XTransfer signs agreements with CZ Bank and CIB at CIFIT to ease FX settlement and local-currency collection for African SME exporters and importers. Road Infrastructure Jobs: Government says the cleared 175.6km right-of-way for the Accra–Kumasi Expressway will unlock construction and support major trade gains. Horticulture Push: Vice President calls for investment across horticulture’s full value chain—production, processing, storage, logistics and markets—to grow jobs and exports. Illegal Mining Crackdown: NAIMOS launches “Operation Water Shield” to protect major rivers and watersheds from illegal mining through sustained, intelligence-led enforcement. Fuel Price Watch: GOIL says global crude at $100 doesn’t automatically mean pump hikes, as it studies scenarios and considers consumer impact. Capital Markets: Dangote Refinery opens its $1.6bn IPO order book for retail investors across Africa, targeting broad-based ownership.

Expressway Push: Ghana Armed Forces engineers cleared 175.6km right-of-way at Kwaso for the Accra–Kumasi Expressway; President Mahama will preside over the handover to unlock the 198.7km build. Housing & Construction: JoyNews–Republic Bank Habitat Fair ends at Marina Mall after three days of heavy turnout, with mortgage, building materials and home security/renewables on display. Fuel & Transport Costs: COPEC projects petrol up 4.24% and diesel up 10.23% from Sept 16, citing global crude and refined product price jumps. Mining & Environment: Ghana and China agree a three-point strategy to tackle illegal mining, including sanctions for offenders and cooperation on green mining and mapping. Water & Flood Control: Post-flood mitigation demolishes illegal structures at Laboma Beach/Kpeshie Lagoon; ISD links the Tse Addo flooding to reduced lagoon capacity from reclamation. Procurement for Industry: GIPS calls for strategic procurement to drive inclusive industrial growth and pushes for a Procurement Practicing Bill. Agriculture & Exports: VP Opoku-Agyemang backs the Ghana Garden and Flower Show as a horticulture and green business platform. Health Systems: KATH lauds GMTF for over GH¢4m in equipment to strengthen specialised care. National Cathedral Funding: Mahama says Christians could contribute GH¢1,000 each and insists taxpayers’ money should not fund the project.

Higher Education & Skills: UTAG-UG warns low pay is pushing PhD and industry-experienced talent away from universities, urging better conditions of service instead of outsourcing recruitment to GTEC. Regional Development: Upper West has received GH¢101.9m DACF (about 25% of expected annual allocation) for projects spanning CHPS compounds, classrooms, boreholes, and road networks. Utilities & SMEs: PURC brings SMEs and utility providers together in its “Time with SMEs” push, including energy-efficiency guidance and tariff tools to cut operating costs. Infrastructure (Roads): Roads Minister assures Wa West chiefs the Wa-Dorimon-Wechiau-Ga road will be built under Big Push phase two. Energy Sector: ACEP’s Ben Boakye says ECG inefficiencies are deepening fiscal strain and inequality, with losses exceeding GH¢20bn yearly. Housing Market: JoyNews–Republic Bank Habitat Fair enters final day at Marina Mall, spotlighting mortgages, construction and home security. Digital Divide: A new report highlights uneven internet access across Ghana, leaving students and small businesses offline or unreliable. Cocoa & Farm Income: Cocoa prices ease after Ghana’s proposal for higher farmer pay, while forecasts suggest producer-price paths under different scenarios. Governance & National Cathedral: Mahama reiterates taxpayers’ money should not fund the National Cathedral, citing financing, location and demolition concerns.

Upper West Infrastructure Push: President Mahama inspected the proposed Upper West Regional Airport site in Wa and toured GETFund projects, including works to convert Han SHS into a boarding school and progress on the Wa–Han Road, with officials saying procurement is complete and construction should begin soon. 24-Hour Economy & Markets: He also inspected 24-Hour Economy Markets at Poyentanga and Nadowli-Kaleo, framing them as engines for local trade and reliable outlets for farmers. Horticulture Export Drive: Government is positioning the 24-hour economy to turn greenhouse and cut-flower production into export-ready supply chains, linking Daboya to the Tamale Air Cargo Hub and cold storage/logistics for Europe, West Africa and the Gulf. Food Security Through Seeds: A push is growing to fix Ghana’s seed system—quality, timing, affordability and access—so farmers can boost yields and resilience. Health System Clarity: Mahama said Free Primary Health Care complements NHIS (NHIS cards still needed for higher-level care), while regional hospitals report staffing and funding gaps. ECG Customer Focus: ECG held a digital services clinic at Central EXPO to help customers use the ECG Power App and settle billing issues. Galamsey Security Call: WACCE urged a state of emergency in galamsey-prone areas, warning weak governance can be exploited by extremists. Women & Youth Health/Industry: FEAD-Ghana called for removing taxes on menstrual products to support local eco-friendly production, and Asene-Manso-Akroso intensified veterinary services to protect livestock and public health.

Drug Trafficking: French customs seized nearly 3.9 metric tons of cocaine worth about €225m hidden in plastic-waste shipments from Ghana, with prosecutors opening a case into organised importation and a wider network. Mining Value Addition: Ghana’s ambassador to China, Kojo Bonsu, reiterated a shift from exporting raw minerals to local beneficiation, while Ghana courts Australian investors for lithium, bauxite and iron ore processing. Critical Minerals Push: Ghana pitched a post-gold “critical minerals” future at the Africa Down Under summit, seeking partners beyond the dig-and-ship model. Public Health & Food Safety: A new look at typhoid shows how dirty water, informal food vending and weak enforcement keep the disease circulating. Health Workforce Incentives: President Mahama activated the Deprived Area Incentive, adding 20% basic pay for health workers posted to underserved communities, alongside better roads and utilities. Roads & Construction: Mahama promised asphalt sealing for the Wa–Bolgatanga trunk road after double surface dressing, and defended the phased “Big Push” approach. Cement Supply Chain: Govt moved to avert cement price hikes by securing an extra Tema Port berth to clear clinker congestion and cut demurrage pressure. Illegal Mining Crackdown: NAIMOS launched Operation WATER SHIELD to target financiers, facilitators and equipment suppliers behind galamsey, not just miners. Plastic Pollution Implementation: EPA says Ghana must move from plastic policies to coordinated implementation with measurable results. Digital & Telecom: NCA met Ericsson on 5G rollout, cybersecurity and enterprise connectivity, as Ghana’s digital agenda advances. Transport & Logistics: Transport Minister outlined a multimodal plan to decongest Tema Port using rail and inland water routes. Housing Market: JoyNews–Republic Bank Habitat Fair Day 2 runs at Marina Mall, spotlighting mortgages, construction and home improvement. Education Infrastructure: Mahama inspected GETFund projects and announced Han SHS will become a boarding school, with facilities first. Agriculture Risk: A dry spell is threatening maize fields in Sissala East and West, raising fears of crop failure. Fisheries Enforcement: Ghana’s fisheries enforcement system is under the spotlight for protecting fish stocks, jobs and food security. Ride-hailing Market: Uber exits Nigeria and Uganda, leaving Ghana among the remaining active African markets.

Telecom & Connectivity: NCA clears MTN Ghana, Telecel Ghana and Goal to proceed in Ghana’s 5G spectrum licensing, while Infrava fails qualification—pushing the next stage of faster mobile services. Ports & Construction Costs: GPHA rejects claims that Tema Port congestion alone drove cement price hikes, pointing to berth allocation rules and trucking capacity as key bottlenecks. Energy Transition: Energy Commission says Ghana will pursue transition on its own terms—prioritising energy efficiency, renewables and nuclear, with natural gas as a bridge. Mining Value Addition: Ghana calls on China to shift from raw mineral exports to processing, technology transfer and skills—while Minerals Commission drafts wage and tender floors to curb underbidding in contract mining. Oil & Gas Deals: Eni and Vitol sign MoUs with Ghana for two offshore Tano Basin blocks (GH WB 3 and GH WB 8), moving exploration forward. Digital Economy & Growth: GSS reports Ghana’s economy grew 6% in Q2 2026, led by ICT and communications. Finance & Payments: BoG says remittance services led payment product approvals in 2025, highlighting cross-border digital money demand. Logistics Expansion: SolitAir launches new Ghana freight services via Accra, strengthening its African cargo network. Health & Industry Skills: Health Minister commends Upper East Hospital staff and backs decentralised postgraduate training; UPSA VC pushes ethical entrepreneurship for engineers. Infrastructure Delivery: LaDMA takes over a stalled classroom block project and hands it to a contractor to complete by December.

SOE Financial Strain: The IMF says 10 Ghana SOEs posted a combined net loss of GH¢8.8bn in 2024 (about 1% of GDP), with ECG alone driving 85% of losses; it flags financing costs, tariffs below cost recovery, and quasi-fiscal activities as key drags. SOE Governance Risk: The Fund also warns that politicised board and CEO appointments—often centralised in the Presidency—are undermining independence and professionalism, raising fiscal and accountability concerns. Energy Efficiency Finance: AGI urges banks to offer tailored financing plus technical support for energy-efficiency projects, so firms can prove costs, returns and savings before borrowing. Digital Inclusion: Communications Minister Sam George backs Girls in ICT as a pipeline for AI, cybersecurity, software engineering and data science, pushing for more women in tech. Telecom & 5G: NCA clears MTN Ghana, Telecel Ghana and Goal for the next stage of 5G spectrum licensing; Infrava fails qualification. Ports & Trade Costs: Government orders shipping firms to collect the GH¢720 container administrative charge before talks resume, while GPHA rejects claims that Tema Port congestion alone explains cement price hikes. Upstream Oil Moves: Eni and Vitol sign MoUs with Ghana for Tano Basin blocks GH WB 3 and GH WB 8, paving the way for petroleum agreements. Mining Partnerships: Ghana renews calls to deepen China mining cooperation beyond raw exports toward processing, skills and industrialisation. Roads & Heavy Vehicles: Roads Minister Agbodza proposes restricting oversized vehicles to controlled mining enclaves to protect public roads from overloading. E-commerce for SMEs: Three students launch Panta, letting small businesses build phone-based storefronts and take payments without costly websites.

Mining & Justice: The Tribunals Bill, 2026 is framed as a constitutional push to fast-track enforcement against galamsey and fraud, not political intimidation. Gold Sector Power: Gold Fields’ Tarkwa lease renewal spotlights who really holds decision power in Ghana’s mining architecture—statute, regulators, contracts, customary influence and leverage. Cocoa Labour: SEND Ghana urges cocoa stakeholders to measure child-labour interventions by real changes in children’s lives, with community-led action at the centre. Digital Growth: Ghana’s real GDP growth hits 6% in Q2 2026, led by services and ICT, while agriculture slows. Banking Health: Bank of Ghana data shows NPLs fall to GH¢19.9bn and the NPL ratio improves, though agriculture still worsens. Energy Mix: PURC says thermal power dominates July generation (74.33%), keeping pressure on costly liquid fuels. Ports & Cement Costs: GPHA rejects congestion-only blame for the GH₵12 cement price rise; Tema Port congestion is also driving calls for more berths to cut clinker demurrage. Payments & Fintech: dLocal secures an Enhanced Payment Service Provider licence, enabling direct Ghana operations and faster settlement. Connectivity Gap: Smartphone penetration rises to 71.8% by June 2026, but network site expansion lags rural demand. Aviation Fares: An MP urges opening aviation fuel supply beyond a duopoly to cut airfares. Women’s Finance: NETRIGHT calls for the Women’s Development Bank to finally serve rural women and MSMEs with workable modalities. Critical Minerals Pitch: Ghana courts Australian investors on battery and green-tech minerals at Africa Down Under. Agriculture Skills: UEAS pushes modern, practical agri-education and technology-linked training to drive transformation.

Digital Economy & Growth: Ghana’s economy grew 6.0% in Q2 2026, with ICT driving 41.5% of growth, while non-oil growth slowed and services remained the biggest contributor. Financial Regulation: The Bank of Ghana named 20 unlicensed digital loan apps and warned banks and payment providers not to process transactions for them. Energy & Utilities: Government says ECG private sector participation will be decided after a transaction advisor’s report due in early October, as revenue collection and sector shortfalls stay under scrutiny. Infrastructure & Transport: A $350m Weija Dam spillage flood control project is set to start in December, and the Ghana Highway Authority will correct defects on parts of the Eastern Corridor Road. Agri & Food Systems: Ghana wastes 40–50% of fruits and vegetables; Agrofresh is pushing solar-powered refrigeration to cut post-harvest losses. Tourism & Creative Industries: The “70 Slate Initiative” launches to produce three films ahead of Ghana’s 70th anniversary, and the UK High Commissioner urged joint state-private investment in Ghana’s creative industry. Health & Industry: Indo-Ghana begins local liquid oxygen supply to hospitals using storage-based systems to reduce cylinder logistics delays. Governance & Safety: The GNFS appealed for urgent PPE and firefighting tools for the 2026/2027 bushfire prevention campaign launching Sept 25.

Domestic Revenue Push: B5 Plus handed GRA a GH¢400m tax cheque, with the tax authority urging more firms to back domestic revenue mobilisation for roads, schools and hospitals. Infrastructure Delivery: The Accra–Kumasi Expressway is getting a “faster-than-usual” right-of-way push, with Ghana Armed Forces engineers clearing 175.6km in 19 weeks and cutting costs versus contractor baselines. Port & Trade Costs: Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe moved to reduce Tema Port container clearance delays to curb demurrage and lower the cost of doing business. Health & Consumer Safety: FDA warned the public against falsified “Dr Alfred Capsules” adulterated with sildenafil, saying suspects are on police bail. Energy & Jobs: World Bank urged Ghana to sustain recovery with fiscal discipline, stronger domestic revenue and transport reforms to unlock quality jobs. Digital Finance Watch: Bank of Ghana flagged 20 mobile loan apps operating without licence, warning the public not to engage them. Mining Governance: Minerals Commission response to an RTI request says mine-support-service contracting doesn’t automatically equal mineral-right assignment—relevant to Wontumi’s appeal. Public Health Systems: KATH praised GMTF after a GH¢4m equipment handover, including an endoscopy tower. Media & Credibility: GJA Ashanti launched 2025 Media Excellence Awards, calling for credible reporting in the age of AI.

Ports & Logistics: Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe says a new Volta Lake port at Mpakadan will shift containers from rail to barges, decongest Tema and cut freight costs for Northern Ghana and landlocked neighbours. Trade Facilitation: He also moved to reduce Tema Port container clearance delays by engaging Meridian Port Services to speed inspections and processing. Power Sector Planning: The Energy Commission led stakeholders to validate the 2026 Integrated Power System Master Plan, focusing on demand, reserve capacity and potential electricity exports. Digital Skills & Connectivity: Cybersecurity leads enrolment in Ghana’s One Million Coders programme (8,570 learners), while GCTU signs MoUs for smart campus connectivity and government pushes network expansion and 5G rollout. Education Access: GIFEC blames stalled E-block school projects for CSSPS access issues under Free SHS, as MP Patricia Appiagyei calls for urgent fixes to placement glitches. Local Industry & Revenue: B5 Plus urges import bans on goods Ghana can produce and presents a GH¢400m tax cheque to GRA. Health: KATH hails the Ghana Medical Trust Fund for GH¢4m medical equipment support, including an endoscopy tower. Security: IGP Yohuno warns criminals: “No matter where you hide, we will come for you,” after intelligence-led arrests including gold-related attacks. Sports Infrastructure & Football: Mahama reiterates plans for 10 new stadia and calls for rebranding Ghanaian football to meet international standards.

Cocoa Value Push: Germany backs Ghana’s 50% local cocoa processing policy, urging a move from beans to finished chocolate to unlock jobs and higher export earnings. EV Skills for Mechanics: Lands Minister Armah-Kofi Buah calls for an EV capacity building centre to train Ghanaian mechanics as electric vehicles expand. Food Security Meets Energy: A new push argues Africa can’t reach food security without reliable power for irrigation, cold storage and processing. Accra–Kumasi Expressway: Government begins detailed design and procurement after full corridor clearing, with the Armed Forces engineering regiment credited for the fast work. Telecom Cost Shock: Ghana recorded 8,578 fibre cuts in 2026; road works (49%) and galamsey (25%) drive damage, costing operators over US$20m to repair. 5G Rollout: NCA is set to complete 5G spectrum assignment before end-2026 and start deployment, alongside customer remediation frameworks. Digital Skills Drive: 11 universities sign up to integrate One Million Coders certifications into degree and diploma programmes; Girls in ICT urges AI-led problem solving. Logistics Expansion: SolitAir launches freight services to Ghana via Accra, boosting cargo capacity for gold and perishables. Cement & Competition Watch: CUTS raises cartel concerns over a GH¢12 cement demurrage surcharge. Security & Mining: Police bust an armed robbery gang targeting gold dealers in Ashanti and Western regions, recovering AK-47s and ammunition.

Petroleum Governance: Ghana’s Petroleum Commission is deepening upstream oil cooperation with Uganda through peer-learning on regulation, cost control, safety, environmental standards and local content. Digital Skills: Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George opened the Girls-In-ICT Open Day, pushing girls toward AI, cybersecurity and software creation. Markets & Investment: Ghana Stock Exchange strength continued, with the GSE-CI up 71.90% year-to-date and trading volumes surging. Security for Mining Trade: Police dismantled an armed robbery gang targeting gold dealers, recovering AK-47s and ammunition, and also arrested suspects linked to a Nsawam highway robbery. Telecom Resilience: Ghana recorded 8,578 fibre cuts; road construction drove 49% and galamsey 25%, with operators spending about US$20m to repair. Agribusiness Supply: Deputy Food and Agriculture Minister John Dumelo says tomato prices should fall as farmers begin harvest and dry-season production ramps up. Industrial Productivity: GEA and UNIDO celebrated enterprise excellence at the 3rd Ghana National Kaizen Awards. Automotive Workforce: Hyundai, KOICA and Plan International launched the Hyundai KOICA NextGen Project to train young people for EV and emerging auto tech. Capital Markets Watch: Dangote Refinery advanced its $1.6bn IPO process, setting a minimum subscription of N5,250.

Youth & Skills: SebAid Foundation announces its National Entrepreneurship & Skills Acquisition Conference (26 Sept, British Council Accra) with AI-for-business training and practical tracks like paper bag making and digital marketing. Health Manufacturing: Ghana signs an APPM MoU with Africa CDC to position local vaccine and pharma firms for bigger, steadier continental demand. Trade & Customs: ICC Ghana flags port inspection delays as a cost driver and pushes for faster clearance via the AEO programme and better agency coordination. Transport & Logistics: GARID warns of Pamprom Junction road closure worsening Kaneshie traffic; Abossey Okai spare parts dealers reject claims that spare parts prices justify a 30% fare hike. Finance & FX: Bank of Ghana expects cedi stability into late 2026, citing FX interventions and remittances, with GoldBod targeting US$1.4bn in September. Industry & Jobs: Olive Africa Partners buys Vlisco’s stake in TexStyles Ghana, bringing GTP and Woodin back under Ghanaian ownership; Hyundai-KOICA NextGen launches EV/auto skills training (2026–2030). Mining & Environment: Forestry Commission arrests 12 illegal miners in Atewa Forest Reserve as galamsey enforcement intensifies.

Youth & Policy: An International Youth Forum in Accra pushed debt cancellation and reparations, arguing Africa’s young must shape economic emancipation beyond slogans. Health Evidence for Decision-Making: A new “spectrum approach” maps how tacit and scientific knowledge combine in real health policy rooms, aiming to broaden what counts as evidence. Packaging & Trade: Institute of Packaging Ghana joins World Packaging Day, spotlighting packaging’s role in food protection, innovation, sustainability and intra-African trade. Cocoa & Climate Risk: A study finds Ghanaian cocoa farmers often feel prepared for climate hazards, but measured preparedness is low—raising urgency for better support. Energy & Transport: Rising fuel prices are driving an electric motorcycle boom, with two-wheelers increasingly switching to cleaner charging options. Mining & Community Safety: In Gbane, tensions are rising over a mining dispute, with youth groups warning of possible violence if state security doesn’t step in. Illegal Mining Crackdown: Forestry Commission’s Rapid Response Unit arrested 12 suspected galamsey operators in Atewa Range Forest Reserve and seized equipment. Oil & Gas Investment: WAEP says it will ramp up production and gas monetisation within 24 months, targeting 1.6bn barrels of oil in place. Education Infrastructure: Kumawu MP calls for urgent action on SHS infrastructure deficits, including classrooms and student accommodation. Poultry Value-Chain Finance: 24-Hour Economy Secretariat mobilised over GHS1bn to boost poultry from feed and chicks to processing and veterinary services. Skills & Food Industry: Abrantie College won Best Catering School of the Year at the Ghana Cake Business Awards 2026. Road Delivery: Ghana Armed Forces cleared 175.6km right-of-way for the Accra–Kumasi Expressway ahead of schedule.