Kofi Ahovi

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Chamber of Mines Disputes ‘20%’ Forex Repatriation Claim, Says Mining Sector Returns Majority of Export Proceeds

The Ghana Chamber of Mines has rejected claims that large-scale mining companies repatriate less than 20 per cent of their export proceeds to Ghana, describing the figure as “materially misleading” and incomplete. In a statement issued on May 2, the Chamber said the widely circulated statistic—attributed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board—fails to account for the full scope of foreign exchange inflows generated by the mining sector. According to the Chamber, the 20 per cent estimate is based solely on gold and foreign exchange sold directly to the Bank of Ghana, thereby capturing only one of the channels through which mining companies return export proceeds to the country. The cited statistic reflects only transactions with the Bank of Ghana and excludes substantial inflows through the commercial banking system. Consequently, it significantly understates the large-scale sector’s contribution to Ghana’s foreign exchange position,” the Chamber stated. The associ...

Blue Skies urges media to highlight responsible businesses on World Press Freedom Day

The Head of Corporate Affairs and Foundation at Blue Skies Products (Ghana) LTD., Alistair Djimatey, has called on the Ghanaian media to be more intentional in spotlighting responsible businesses that are contributing meaningfully to national development. He made the call during a media tour of the company’s production facility, organised by the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC) in collaboration with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and Institute of Financial and Economic Journalists (IFEJ), as part of activities to commemorate this year’s World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) in Ghana. Speaking on the WPFD theme, “Shaping a World at Peace”, Djimatey remarked that “Too often, the media narrative focuses on what is going wrong. But there are many businesses doing the right things – creating jobs, supporting communities, and maintaining high standards. These are the stories that also deserve to be told.” He noted that Blue Skies’ operations in Ghana reflect the WPFD theme t...

Ghana Increasingly Imports Pineapples, Mangoes as Farmlands Give Way to Real Estate

Ghana’s fruit processing industry is facing mounting pressure as companies turn to importing pineapples, mangoes and other fruits from neighbouring countries to sustain production, largely due to the rapid loss of agricultural lands and declining interest in farming among the youth. Head of Foundation, Brand, Communication and Public Relation at Blue Skies Ghana Limited, Alistair Djimatey, disclosed that prime pineapple-growing areas, particularly around Samsam in Nsawam, have been overtaken by real estate developments, significantly reducing local fruit supply. He made these remarks during a media tour of the company’s processing facility to commemorate World Press Freedom Day 2026 which was on the theme, “Shaping a World at Peace”. The tour was organised by the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Ghana Journalists Association and the Institute of Financial and Economic Journalists. Djimatey painted a concerning picture of how urban expansion is steadily ...

New tax updates in Ghana bring relief to businesses

Businesses in Ghana are beginning to feel a sense of relief following recent tax updates, a development that is gradually translating into reduced costs for consumers, according to Mary Kwarteng Darko, an Associate Director in PwC Ghana’s tax practice. Speaking during a UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce and PwC Ghana webinar on “Tax Updates in Ghana”, Darko noted that the changes marked a clear shift in the country’s tax regime from an aggressive stance towards a more business-friendly environment. She remarked that overall sentiment is that the country is taking a more balanced approach to taxation, shifting from a period of heavy tax imposition to one where the system is being rationalised, simplified, and made more business-friendly. She pointed to the abolition of the Emissions Levy, COVID‑19 Health Recovery Levy, and the E‑levy as particularly welcome developments. According to her, these measures directly affect pricing structures and, ultimately, the cost borne by consumers. Al...

The Shadow That Stayed

Written By: Beatrice Shine Ayroe A Mother's Story of Tuberculosis, Loss, and Hope (Based on a true account. Names have been withheld out of respect for the living and the dead. This story is dedicated to all those lost to TB, and to all those still fighting.) Before I Knew Before I joined the Stop TB Partnership Ghana, tuberculosis was just a word, a word that meant nothing to me, until it meant everything. I come from a family that believed sickness was something you could see coming. A fever announced itself. Malaria had its signature. But TB? TB crept in like a thief in the night, and by the time we knew it was there, it had already taken what it came for. My brother left for Accra with dreams stuffed into a small bag. Like so many young people, he went to hustle, to find something bigger. We didn't hear much from him after he left, the occasional phone call, that was all. No money came home. No promises kept. Just silence, and then longer silence. When he came back, he wa...

GFA to receive $2.5m from FIFA to prepare for World Cup and $10m for qualifying for tournament

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) will receive $2.5 million to prepare the Black Stars for the 2026 World Cup after FIFA increased the prize money for participating teams by over $100 million. The figure is a $1 million increase from what was previously offered to teams as preparatory money for the competition. Ghana will receive a further $10 million for qualifying for the competition, an increase from $9 million from the previous tournament. FIFA will increase payments to teams taking part in the 2026 World Cup to almost $900 million, the world soccer governing body said on Tuesday, citing the commercial success of its expanded flagship men's tournament. The FIFA Council, meeting in Vancouver ahead of the 76th FIFA Congress, approved a 15% increase in resources to be distributed to all 48 participating member associations at next year's tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The total pot will rise to $871 million, FIFA said, with each participating team re...