AGP Executive Report

Beachfront Governance & Tourism: SSNIT says Labadi/La Beach demolitions were triggered by unauthorised encroachment, citing risks to guest safety, fire and public-health hazards, coastal ecosystem damage, and reputational harm to Ghana’s tourism. Mining Skills & Jobs: Newmont Ahafo’s Learnership Programme graduates 99 young people from host communities, bringing total completions since 2023 to 99, with training spanning haul truck, drill/blast and process plant pathways. Fashion Circular Economy: H&M, Inditex, BESTSELLER and adidas launch a second-hand clothing Apparel Recovery Coalition at Kantamanto, aiming to strengthen reuse, upcycling and responsible waste management. Health Workforce & Primary Care: GRNMA urges more nurses and better working conditions to sustain the Free Primary Healthcare push. Construction Costs Watch: Building cost inflation hits 4.6% (Aug 2026) as materials and plant/equipment costs rise. AI Procurement Control: Government introduces centralised technical review for public-sector AI acquisitions to protect data sovereignty and prevent vendor lock-in. Education Industrial Action: Teacher unions’ strike heads to FWSC talks on Oct 6; government also sets a committee to validate eligibility for the 20% deprived-area allowance. Regional Trade Push: Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister urges Ghanaian firms to exploit ECOWAS’s 300m market for processed agri, pharma, textiles, machinery and digital services. Maritime Innovation: Sunyani Technical University students visit Ghana Maritime Authority to prepare for a maritime drone identification contest. Fuel & Local Economy: Earth Energy opens a new fuel station in Akatsi South, expected to boost local business activity and jobs.

AI Oversight: Ghana will centralise technical review of public-sector AI deployments, with the Ministry coordinating requirements and NITA handling scoping on interoperability, data protection, cybersecurity, sustainability and local skills transfer. Digital Skills & Cybersecurity: GCTU and ManyTek sign an MoU to boost practical training, internships and applied research in cybersecurity and AI. Transport & Urban Planning: Accra’s Ayalolo contra-flow bus system is easing Kasoa/Adenta/Amasaman commutes, but the push is now for permanent high-capacity rail for the same corridors. Education Costs & Jobs: A new report flags graduate unemployment and “credential inflation,” while another highlights the hidden, rising cost of private education beyond school fees. Energy & Power: The 10th Ghana Energy Awards is launched for Nov 26, and Western Region backs extending Karpowership’s contract beyond Aug 2027. Mining & Trade Logistics: Boankra Inland Port completion is delayed by funding, while Gold Fields weighs a Northern Star takeover. Industry Safety: Fires at Avenor’s Duraplast/Ashfoam and James Town harbour waste/siltation underline urgent industrial and maritime cleanup needs. Security Governance: Interior Minister Muntaka urges MMDCEs to own local security councils and act early on threats including illegal mining.

Cocoa Pricing: Ghana has set the 2026/27 cocoa producer price at GH¢42,400 per metric tonne (GH¢2,650 per 64kg bag), a level COCOBOD says is 71.18% of realized FOB value—lower than several 2026 scenarios. Credit & Collateral: Bank of Ghana extends sensitisation on the Borrowers and Lenders Act (Act 1052) to Kumasi, pushing firms to use the Collateral Registry to unlock secured lending. Energy & Transport Costs: COMAC projects fuel price hikes from Oct 1—petrol up 2.12%–3.31%, diesel up 3.32%–5.60%—while government moves to suspend the GH¢1 D-Levy on diesel for Oct and Nov to keep total diesel relief at GH¢2/litre. Mining Policy: A draft Minerals and Mining Bill would let the mines minister require a free special state share with veto rights, shorten lease terms, and mandate more local processing. FX from Gold: GoldBod generated US$1.871bn in September ASM gold FX, exceeding its US$1.4bn target, with most sales to banks and the rest to BoG reserves. Industrial Safety: Fire breaks out at Duraplast in Accra’s North Industrial Area (Avenor), with thick smoke reported. Education for Industry: UEAS (Bunso) unveils a new engineering-agriculture campus aimed at practical, industry-linked training for 2026/27. Mobile Money: BoG reports 2025 mobile money transactions hit GH¢4.54trn, up 50.8%, with active customers rising to 26.7m.

Oil & Tax Arbitration: Ghana’s ICC tribunal upheld Tullow Ghana’s US$393.09m tax assessment, rejecting Tullow’s claims and affirming the Ghana Revenue Authority’s enforcement and penalties. Education & Skills: MTN Bright Scholarship helped Navrongo student Theobald Kambonga realise a Doctor of Pharmacy dream after family financing struggles. Child Protection: Ghana rolled out the digital Ghana Child Labour Monitoring System (GCLMS) to better identify, document and refer child labour cases, with training for regional and district stakeholders. Digital Safety: A new push is urged to tackle fake caller IDs and rising mobile money fraud, as reported electronic fraud cases surge. Transport & Urban Planning: Accra’s contra-flow Ayalolo BRT lanes drew criticism from a Roads and Transport MP, who called for a broader integrated transport plan. Energy & Power: Western Regional Minister backs considering Karpowership Ghana for a contract extension, citing reliability and grid stability. Trade & Industry: Eastern Expo opened in Koforidua to boost trade, investment and tourism, with a focus on agro-processing and finished-goods production. Agriculture & Nutrition: VACS Seed Systems project closed out in Tamale, highlighting improved access to climate-adaptive pearl millet varieties and stronger village advisory roles. International Cooperation: Ghana and Luxembourg agreed to begin talks on a possible visa waiver, alongside cooperation in value addition, digital tech and agro-processing.

Insurance & Risk Policy: Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia met IBAG and floated reforms to grow Ghana’s insurance brokerage market, including VAT relief for micro-insurance, a single regulator, agricultural insurance support, compulsory group life/workmen’s compensation, and decennial liability cover for road projects. Cocoa Value Chain: COCOBOD opened the 2026/27 cocoa season with a higher farm-gate producer price of GH¢42,400 per tonne (GH¢2,650 per 64kg bag), under the new Cocoa Board Act framework. Mining & Environment: Ghana’s environmental regulator flagged a pre-closure notice tied to a potential spill at the Namdini gold mine, as enforcement shifts toward proactive action. Oil & Tax Arbitration: Ghana won an ICC arbitration against Tullow over tax on business interruption insurance proceeds, with the tribunal upholding a US$393.09m assessment; government says it will enforce the award while protecting Jubilee and TEN operations. Construction Costs: GSS reported building costs rose 4.6% year-on-year in August 2026, with materials inflation driving the increase. Trade & Jobs: Ghana’s non-traditional exports to Africa hit about US$1.5bn in 2025, led by ECOWAS (US$767.8m) and Togo as top destination. Energy Supply: Western Regional Minister praised Karpowership’s role in stabilising Ghana’s power sector during a working visit to its Takoradi facility. Hospitality Demand: GSS says Ghana has millions of available accommodation room-nights, but occupancy remains uneven, with low demand in one-star hotels.

Energy & Skills: The Energy Commission urged electricians to keep upgrading as solar, battery storage and EVs reshape Ghana’s power sector, citing an 85% pass rate in the latest wiring certification exams in Kumasi. Cocoa & FX: Cocoa prices fell sharply as the dollar strengthened and Ivory Coast supply looked abundant, with inventories rising on ICE. Food Prices: Channel One’s market barometer shows vegetables easing (cabbage, garden eggs) while chicken and ginger stay under pressure. Ports & Compliance: The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) asked the FDA to clear delays in issuing import codes and permits, warning it can stall customs clearance and raise port costs. Fuel Costs: COPEC projected petrol and diesel price hikes from October 1, driven by global benchmarks and cedi weakness. Education Disruption: GES appealed to teacher unions to call off strikes as schools in parts of Volta and Bono remained shut over promotion arrears. Governance & Oversight: Ghana’s Boardroom Governance Summit is set for Oct 7 to focus on how board committees can improve accountability. Security & Trade: Parliament’s committee chair urged MTN and NCA to act on frequent northern network disruptions, stressing better consumer communication. Fire Safety: GNFS found 23 non-functional fire hydrants at Accra’s Ministries enclave, with only five fully functional. Industry Finance: Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson met AGI and executives ahead of the 2027 Budget, promising a $10bn strategic-sector push and lower cost of capital.

Aviation & Jobs: President Mahama says Ghana’s planned national airline revival could be operational within 18 months under a strategic Boeing partnership that goes beyond aircraft to training, technology transfer and possible a regional MRO hub. Utilities & Consumer Protection: PURC has ordered Ghana Water Limited’s Central Region office to publish a clear water supply timetable so households and businesses can plan around irregular supply. Mining & Supply Chains: A warning from WACAM-style analysis highlights how illegal mining distorts mineral supply chains far beyond mine sites, hurting lawful operators and complicating verification for buyers and investors. Environment & Governance: EPA is urged to enforce environmental laws transparently and fairly to restore public confidence, especially around illegal mining, water-body destruction and plastic waste. Labour & Education: Government appeals to pre-tertiary teacher unions to suspend strikes while negotiations continue over promotion arrears and conditions of service. Energy Skills: The Energy Commission certifies 141 electrical wiring practitioners with a 95% pass rate, stressing professionalism as EV and solar adoption grows. Digital Security: GCIF plans a major “Cyberfest” to boost public awareness of evolving cyber threats and scams. Agriculture & Food Security: Striga weed is ravaging northern cereal farms, threatening maize, millet and sorghum yields unless urgent control support reaches farmers. Circular Economy: Germany’s ambassador backs Ghana’s PET recycling push, pointing to a Tema facility producing food-grade recycled PET flakes and pellets. Industry Policy: Finance Minister Ato Forson pitches the “New Economy” programme to boost local production, cut import dependence and create jobs, with agriculture, mining and energy flagged as priorities. Fisheries: Ghana’s tuna hook-and-line fleet has collapsed, leaving only purse-seine vessels active and raising fuel and skills concerns for local processors. Macroeconomy: Bank of Ghana keeps the Monetary Policy Rate at 14%, citing a resilient economy and broadly balanced inflation risks.

Public Works Governance: A new deep-dive questions Ghana’s “contingency” line item in construction Bills of Quantities, flagging how unclear rules can inflate project costs and complicate mobilization advances. Education Disruption: Teachers in Sunyani and across Ghana stay on strike, leaving classrooms locked and pupils idle in Kumasi and beyond, as unions reject “promises” and demand action on promotion arrears, allowances and conditions of service. Skills for Industry: AAMUSTED’s VC urges graduates to move from certificates to practical, ethical problem-solving skills that drive innovation and jobs. Energy & Regulation: The Energy Commission certifies 884 electrical wiring professionals and trains Customs to enforce energy-efficiency rules for imported appliances. Energy Transition Debate: Nuclear energy is pitched as a strategic option for Africa’s industrialisation, with Ghana’s regulatory groundwork highlighted. Agriculture & Food Security: MoFA asks Finance to reverse Ghana’s withdrawal from a food resilience programme, warning of GH¢643.87m in contract risks. Environment & Waste: Local Govt Minister Ayariga to inspect Adipa landfill after residents’ health and groundwater contamination concerns. Finance & Risk: S&P holds Ghana at B-/B as fiscal risks persist, despite improved reserves and gold export support. SME & Trade: Telecel wraps SME Month with a Takoradi Business Runway for cashless commerce and mentorship.

Aviation & Logistics: President Mahama meets Boeing executives as Ghana pushes a national airline revival beyond aircraft purchases, aiming for maintenance, aviation training, technology transfer and a regional aviation/logistics hub. Infrastructure Accountability: A new challenge to the Accra–Kumasi Expressway clearance raises questions on who paid for the Army’s GH¢11bn-linked preparations and the missing budget lines behind the work. Finance & FX: Bank of Ghana keeps the Monetary Policy Rate at 14% while MPs and analysts warn Ghana’s “gold engine” FX model (GoldBod) must prove it can sustain reserves when conditions tighten. Food Systems & Agribusiness: NAFCO says next year’s budget should fund grain silos as Ghana targets stronger food security; TCDA urges chiefs to stop illegal mining on tree-crop lands. Environment & Enforcement: EPA is urged to enforce environmental laws transparently; fire safety concerns grow after only five of about 30 hydrants in Accra’s Ministries enclave were fully functional. Trade & Value Addition: ECOFEPA urges West African women to use technology to scale into export-ready businesses; cocoa supply pressure renews calls to protect nature and pollinators for higher yields. Health & Consumer Policy: Nutrition expert Anna Lartey backs taxes and tighter advertising rules on unhealthy foods to make healthier choices easier. Digital Health: OneHealthEHR goes live in Ghana and Liberia, expanding offline-first disease surveillance to more clinics.

Teacher Pay & Placements: CAGD says it received 6,079 completed promotion cases from GES (out of 58,620 expected) and processed/payed them with arrears in September—raising tough questions on the thousands still missing. Galamsey Governance: A rebuttal argues illegal mining doesn’t need a new “intelligence architecture” so much as enforcement and implementation of existing mining laws. Energy/Environment: A petroleum expert warns Ghana could lose EU gas market access if it doesn’t curb methane and end routine gas flaring. Roads & Trade Corridor: Tumu landlords give road encroachers a two-week ultimatum to relocate to speed up the Tumu–Burkina Faso route. Science-to-Jobs Push: CSIR announces an Oct 14–18 Scientific Conference and Innovation Fair to commercialise research in agriculture, food security, construction, water and industry. Aviation & Jobs: Boeing tells Ghana’s leadership the national airline could return within 18 months, with talks also targeting an MRO hub and broader aviation ecosystem. Housing & Finance: Republic Bank–JoyNews Habitat Fair Clinic wraps after three days at Junction Mall, Nungua, with strong mortgage and home-solution patronage. Tourism Tech: GHATOF urges GTA and private players to embrace digitalisation/AI and deepen regulator–industry collaboration. Agribusiness Deals: MoFA signs a $50m MoU for an Eastern Region organic fertiliser blending facility; Northern-Savanna and Complete Farmer seal a 500-acre sesame export partnership. Creative Economy: Black Sherif is hailed as Ghana’s next potential Grammy winner; Black Star Experience launches “You’re Ghana Laugh,” while debate rages over Rex Omar’s role and messaging.

Power & Energy Dealmaking: President Mahama says Ghana will sign agreements for a 1,200MW gas-fired thermal plant before end-2026, aiming to expand capacity and avoid stranded assets as the energy mix shifts. Grid Reliability & Safety: Fire Service finds only five of about 30 hydrants functional in Accra’s Ministries enclave, while electrification plans push power to 90 Oti communities via the REIP programme. Telecom Disruptions: NCA reports multiple fibre cuts hit voice and data services across Northern regions and parts of Oti, with restoration teams deployed. Agri-Industrial Push: MoFA and ABC Oyeasase Yie sign an MoU for a $50m organic fertiliser blending plant in the Eastern Region to support Feed Ghana and soil health. Digital Skills for Women: Absa backs the GirlCode Ghana Hackathon to grow young women’s participation in the digital economy. AI Governance & Cyber Risk: Ghana plans to regulate AI risks without killing innovation, as separate coverage warns AI-powered fraud and “AI vs AI” cybersecurity threats are rising. Education Labour Action: Education Minister to meet teacher unions Monday over strike demands tied to promotion arrears. Business & Housing: Republic Bank–JoyNews Habitat Fair clinic enters final day with mortgage, building materials and home security offers.

Telecom Disruption: The NCA says multiple fibre cuts have knocked out voice and data services (2G–4G) across Ghana’s Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Savannah and North East regions plus parts of Oti, with repairs underway by operators and NITA. Roads & Accountability: Builsa South MPs and residents raise concerns over delays and a reduced scope for the Chuchuliga–Sandema–Fumbisi road corridor, after earlier timelines slipped. Galamsey Response: President Mahama denies plans to declare a state of emergency to fight illegal mining, saying existing legal powers and targeted actions are being used. Education & Labour: Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu meets teacher unions Monday over a strike linked to unpaid promotion arrears. Agri & Food Security: Government orders NAFCO to release 50,000 bags of grain to settle a 2018 ECOWAS school-feeding obligation. Energy & Industry: IFC and LMI Holdings expand Solar for Industries to boost reliable power for 100MW solar in Tema and Dawa industrial zones. Business & Finance: Ecobank targets $2.6bn by 2030 for women-led and agribusiness lending; GCB retains the Citi Business Olympics crown. Fashion/Textiles: ITFP-Ghana calls for a dedicated standards, metrology and conformity assessment institute to lift textile and garment competitiveness.

Oil & Gas Dealmaking: Ghana moves to deepen upstream activity after Shell and Chevron sign MoU with GNPC on the South Deepwater Tano Cape Three Points block, including appraisal of the Nyankom discovery. Refining Linkages: GNPC also delivered 950,000 barrels of Sankofa crude to Tema Oil Refinery, a first step toward stronger domestic refining. Power Expansion: President Mahama says Ghana will sign an agreement for a massive 1,200MW thermal power plant before end-2026. Macroeconomic Pulse: Exports hit $22.4b by August 2026, led by gold, while gold shipments resumed after an August slowdown. Cocoa Industry: COCOBOD opens 2026/27 with a producer price of GH¢42,400/tonne (GH¢2,650 per 64kg bag), drawing fresh political pushback. Education Disruption Risk: Teacher unions begin a strike; the Education Ministry schedules an urgent meeting Monday. Digital & Data Governance: Ghana’s Data Protection Commission calls for stronger African regulator coordination as AI and data power concentrate among big tech. Maritime Integrity: MACN commends NIMASA reforms for transparency and anti-corruption momentum. Tourism & AI: GTDC’s Prof. Kobby Mensah urges AI to enhance, not replace, people in Ghana’s tourism. Business & Housing: Republic Bank-JoyNews Habitat Fair Clinic draws strong turnout for housing and financing solutions. Entertainment & Culture: Black Star Experience launches the Black Star Comedy Experience (“You’re Ghana Laugh”) to boost global exposure for comedians. Industry & Labor: Corporate Ghana gears up for Citi Business Olympics 2026, blending networking with sports.

Maritime Security & Gender: Ghana hosted the WIMOWCA regional conference on women, peace and security in the Gulf of Guinea, pushing stronger maritime cooperation and women’s leadership. Cocoa & Agriculture: COCOBOD set the 2026/27 cocoa producer price at GH¢42,400/tonne (GH¢2,650 per 64kg bag), with reforms under Act 1182 guaranteeing at least 70% of realised FOB value; meanwhile Wenchi’s assembly distributed 1,500 bags of fertiliser to farmer groups under Feed Ghana. Banking & Payments: Stakeholders backed digital transactions to help MSMEs build records and access credit, as Visa launched Visa Accept for merchant payments via mobile devices. Monetary Policy: Bank of Ghana kept the policy rate at 14% for the third straight time; PURC also said electricity and water tariffs won’t change in Q4. Energy & Industry Finance: ECG revenue collections improved but still lag by about GH¢700m monthly; Absa commissioned a new head office and pledged support for women and agribusiness/manufacturing clients. Education & Labour: Teacher unions began a nationwide strike over unpaid arrears and allowances; Minority MPs urged government to resolve issues fast. Infrastructure & Trade: Accra-Kumasi Expressway funding and road corridor clearance debates continued, while TOR received 950,000 barrels of Sankofa crude for domestic refining.

Energy & Transport: Ardova-led consortium agrees to acquire 100% stake in Powergas, expanding Africa’s CNG footprint, while Ghana’s Energy Commission moves to monitor licensed EV charging stations via a national management platform. Utilities & Policy: PURC keeps electricity and water tariffs unchanged for Q4 2026, and the BoG MPC maintains the policy rate at 14% amid inflation and energy-price risks. Education for Jobs: The Education Minister challenges universities to align programmes with the job market, as higher education leaders push transformation that links curricula to employers and research to industry. Agribusiness & Fertiliser: MoFA signs an MoU with ABC Oyasasee Yie for an Eastern Region organic fertiliser facility targeting 500,000 metric tonnes annually. Mining & Environment: Alan Kyerematen proposes a one-year ban on small-scale mining to enable cleanup and a new responsible-mining framework. Governance & Integrity: Corruption Watch petitions the AG over ownership and management of Hohoe and Agogo sports facilities, and Ghana’s engineering practitioners are urged to uphold integrity in practice. Digital & Skills: Absa backs the GirlCode Ghana Hackathon, and TVET Service partners with industry to boost skills for the economy.

Blue Economy & Fisheries Enforcement: Ghana Navy steps up collaboration with the Fisheries Commission to tackle IUU fishing, handing over intercepted gear for assessment. Agribusiness & Market Access: District leaders explore UK partnerships to boost post-harvest processing, packaging and market links for Ghana’s agricultural produce. Regional Investment Push: Volta Economic Forum shifts from showcasing opportunities to executing investments, targeting job-creating projects across agro-processing, fisheries, energy and logistics. Digital Trust & Cybersecurity: Ghana Cybersecurity Industry Forum expands awareness beyond classrooms, planning school, community and entertainment-industry engagements, plus a virtual assets workshop with the Bank of Ghana. 24-Hour Economy: Greater Accra backs a 24-hour market at Dodowa to create jobs and boost local trade, while the Agbogbloshie 24-hour market redevelopment is paused after trader concerns. Monetary Policy: Bank of Ghana keeps the policy rate at 14% for the third straight meeting as it weighs inflation pass-through against easing underlying pressures. Cocoa & Skills for Youth: Dry West African conditions lift cocoa prices; Cargill Ghana and ICI celebrate 111 youth completing vocational cocoa-related apprenticeships. Energy & Industry Skills: TVET Service partners Tema Oil Refinery to strengthen certification and work placements ahead of National TVET Week. UNGA Economic & Climate Agenda: President Mahama highlights Ghana’s economic recovery and presses for climate justice and Africa’s permanent UN Security Council representation.