Kofi Ahovi

A  Ebenezer Asante, Senior Vice President of MTN Group, called for stronger alliances between academia, government and industry to foster a generation of African innovators prepared to shape the continent’s technological future. He made this address at the 2025 graduation ceremony of Accra Technical University (ATU), themed “Emerging Technologies: How Prepared is the ATU Graduate?” During his speech, Asante urged young African graduates to take the initiative in shaping the continent’s technological destiny by becoming creators and innovators rather than mere consumers of digital technology. He stated, "The curious, tech-savvy graduate of the 21st century will not only use technology but will also shape it with foresight and a sense of shared human purpose." Referring to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) 2023 Report, Asante noted that Africa's share of global technology patent filings has decreased from 4.4% a decade ago to 3.2% in 2023, despite the cont...

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) are at odds over the Ghana Water Company Limited's (GWCL) admission that a 24/7 water supply remains unattainable, even with the new tariff structure. The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has made it clear that while it will strive to maintain water flow across the country, Ghanaians should not expect a continuous supply of water under the newly approved 15.92% tariff. This increase, sanctioned by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), is deemed insufficient to support the necessary investments for uninterrupted water service. In a recent appearance on PM Express, GWCL's Communications Manager, Stanley Martey, expressed concerns about the sustainability of operations with the current tariff. He stated, “The new tariff is far too little to sustain the level of investment required to guarantee uninterrupted water.” Martey pointed out that even the PURC acknowledges the inadequacy of this increment, wh...

  The German Development Cooperation, in partnership with Ghana's Ministry of Finance, has concluded the Support to the Private and Financial Sector (PFS) Programme, achieving significant milestones in promoting inclusive economic growth and sustainable development. Launched in 2023, the PFS Programme aimed to expand access to finance, promote green and sustainable business models, and improve employment opportunities for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Over three years, the programme has reached over 6,000 MSMEs, contributing to the creation of 500+ jobs. It has developed 25 financial products with 15 financial institutions, benefiting 2,400 MSMEs, with 74% of these being women-led businesses. "We developed financial products together with financial institutions. We reached about 6,000 micro small medium enterprises with our intervention, and created more than 550 jobs," said Dr. Christian Jahn, Head of the PFS programme. He also noted that the programme ha...

  The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has issued a stern warning to the Ghanaian government, urging an immediate halt to the ratification of the Revised Lithium Agreement with Barari, currently before Parliament. The IEA's stance is clear: the agreement, in its present form, is a dangerous echo of past failures, potentially jeopardizing Ghana's future prosperity. The IEA warns that this agreement mirrors the exploitative models seen in Ghana's gold and oil sectors, failing to align with international frameworks that Ghana has committed to. Drawing lessons from nations like Norway, Chile, and Botswana, the IEA underscores the importance of resource sovereignty. The IEA emphasizes that the current agreement violates the spirit and intent of key international agreements, including the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1803 (1962), the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3281 (1974)...

  President John Dramani Mahama is actively urging international vaccine manufacturers to collaborate with the Ghanaian government in establishing a Ghana Vaccine Manufacturing Hub. This strategic initiative aims to enhance health security not only for Ghana but for the entire African continent. During his address at the WHX Leaders Conference, Mr. Mahama highlighted the vulnerabilities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly Africa's heavy reliance on imported vaccines. He stated, “We cannot continue to depend entirely on imports for vaccines that determine our survival. We are calling on manufacturers and investors to collaborate with government to make this hub a reality.” The proposed hub is expected to significantly boost Ghana’s capacity to produce vaccines locally, thereby strengthening the region's preparedness for future health emergencies. Mr. Mahama emphasized that Ghana's existing pharmaceutical capabilities, combined with its strategic location in West A...

  Ghana’s housing sector, grappling with an estimated two million-unit deficit, is poised for a significant boost as the State Housing Company Limited (SHC) and Republic Bank have signed a new mortgage partnership. This initiative aims to alleviate long-standing affordability challenges and enhance access to home financing for Ghanaians. The memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed in Accra, is expected to broaden mortgage accessibility across various income brackets, tackling one of the most persistent bottlenecks in the country’s real estate market. Despite a strong demand for housing, many potential homeowners find themselves locked out of the formal housing system due to limited access to mortgage financing. According to the World Bank, Ghana requires between 70,000 and 133,000 new housing units each year. However, only about a third of this demand is currently met, with much of the available supply skewed towards high-end properties that are often unaffordable for middle- and...