Kofi Ahovi

 A finance director in Accra still remembers a loss that should never have happened. Let's say the business earned in cedis but imported in dollars, the setup of most businesses in Ghana that borrow or trade in hard currency. Essentially, his team saw the risk, discussed it, and waited for a better rate. When the cedi moved, the margins that looked protected on paper simply disappeared. It was the worst kind of loss: not the one you fail to see, but the one you see coming and still invite to the meeting. That story is more common than most finance teams admit. Every business runs an exchange-rate assumption through its budget, and every dollar payment settles at the rate on the day. The gap between the two decides whether the cedi quietly supports the year or quietly erodes it and closing that gap is precisely what treasury exists to do. The job is not to predict the market, but to act while doing so is still cheap, before volatility makes certainty expensive. The executive blind s...

 Stanbic Bank Ghana has been named Ghana’s Best Investment Bank at the prestigious Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026, contributing to Standard Bank Group’s impressive tally of 17 awards across Africa. For more than 30 years, Euromoney’s Awards for Excellence have recognised financial institutions that set the global standard in performance, innovation and client impact. The recognition highlights Stanbic Bank Ghana’s continued leadership in delivering innovative corporate and investment banking solutions that support economic growth, facilitate investment and enable businesses to achieve their strategic ambitions. Standard Bank Group was recognised for its excellence across securities services, corporate and investment banking, and SME banking in Africa’s key markets, reaffirming its position as the continent’s leading financial services provider. The accolades awarded to the Group include Africa’s Best SME Banking Ecosystem, Africa’s Best for Securities Services and Africa’s Be...

 By Adade Gyamfi Building green cities is not simply about planting more trees. It requires a deliberate transformation of how cities generate energy, manage waste, finance infrastructure, move people and protect natural resources. That was the consensus among policymakers, sustainability experts and development partners during a high-level dialogue on green urban development, where participants stressed that Ghana must move beyond policy ambitions to practical, bankable projects capable of attracting long-term investment. They argued that while Ghana has developed several policies on climate action, energy transition and urban development, implementation remains slow because of inadequate planning, fragmented institutional coordination and limited financing. Waste segregation & circular economy Senior Sustainability Officer at the Jospong Green Transitions Office, Dr. Gloria Boamah Kusi, said efficient waste segregation at source remains the foundation of any successful circul...

  The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has assured Ghanaians that the country has enough fuel stocks to withstand potential supply disruptions arising from escalating tensions in the Middle East. The assurance comes as fears grow over the impact of possible conflict involving major oil-producing countries on global petroleum prices and supplies. It also comes days after the government announced a ¢ 2-per-litre cushioning for diesel following another round of petroleum price increases. Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express Business Edition on Thursday, the Director of Economic Regulation and Planning at the NPA, Abass Tasunti, said ensuring the availability of petroleum products remains the regulator’s highest priority. We keep saying at NPA that our topmost priority as a regulator is to ensure availability of petroleum products at all times, because trust me, if the fuel was not available in the first place, I’m not sure people would be more concerned about the price you are paying at ...

  MTN Ghana has more than doubled the prize fund for its flagship community-recognition programme, a move that lands at the intersection of corporate anniversary marketing and a broader question facing the telecoms group: how it manages its public standing as its footprint in Ghanaian life continues to grow. The company raised the top prize in its Heroes of Change initiative to GH¢400,000 from GH¢200,000 as it opened nominations for an eighth season this week, alongside increases to category-winner awards, to GH¢200,000 from GH¢60,000, and finalist payouts, which rise fourfold to GH¢100,000 from GH¢25,000. The changes were unveiled in Accra as part of MTN Ghana's 30th anniversary programming and the company's designated Sustainability Month. Scale as signal The size of the increase is the notable data point. A quadrupling of finalist awards is a significant step up for a programme already in its seventh successful cycle, and it comes with the operational apparatus to match: up ...

  President John Dramani Mahama has nominated two Ministers of State and reassigned two substantive ministers in a reshuffle aimed at strengthening the delivery of government priorities. In a statement issued by the Presidency on Friday, August 7, President Mahama nominated Dr. Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, MP, as Minister of State for the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, while Mahama Ayariga, MP, has been nominated as Minister of State for the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs. The nominations, made in accordance with Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution, have been submitted to Parliament through the Speaker for prior approval. The President has also reassigned Kenneth Gilbert Adjei from his current portfolio to become the new Minister for Defence, while Ahmed Ibrahim, MP, has been moved to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources. The changes are expected to strengthen leadership across the affected ministries and enhance the...

 MTN Ghana has launched its 2026 Sustainability Month campaign as part of activities marking its 30th anniversary celebrations, reaffirming its commitment to creating shared value, driving responsible business practices and contributing to Ghana's sustainable development. The month-long campaign, themed "Together for a Sustainable Future: Small Actions, Big Impact," encourages employees, partners, customers and the public to adopt simple, consistent actions that collectively deliver positive environmental and social outcomes. Speaking at the launch, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, said the decision to expand the annual sustainability observance from one week to an entire month reflects the growing importance of sustainability in business and society. Sustainability is not a department. It is a discipline. When we get it right, we build a business that is trusted, resilient and relevant for the future while making a stronger contribution to Ghana...

 MTN Ghana has increased the overall prize for its flagship Heroes of Chang e initiative from GH¢200,000 to GH¢400,000 as it launched the eighth edition of the programme, aimed at recognising individuals making significant contributions to their communities. The company has also increased the prize for the 10 finalists from GH¢100,000 to GH¢200,000 each, while runner-up finalists will receive GH¢100,000 each. Speaking in an interview after the launch in Accra, Adwoa Wiafe, Chief Sustainability Officer of MTN Ghana, said the increased rewards were intended to provide meaningful support to individuals whose work was creating positive change in their communities. This year, we have taken it a notch higher. We have increased the prize money for the overall winner from GH¢200,000 to GH¢400,000. The finalists get GH¢200,000, up from GH¢100,000, and the runner-up finalists get GH¢100,000 each,” she said. She explained that the Heroes of Change programme was consistent with MTN’s broader ...

  The Daniel A. Twum Jnr. Fellowship has officially inducted its Pioneer Cohort, marking the formal commencement of a transformative journey for the next generation of Ghana's marketing communications professionals. The induction ceremony brought together fellows, faculty members, industry leaders, and distinguished guests to celebrate the beginning of a Fellowship built on mentorship, learning, industry exposure, and leadership development. More than a ceremonial welcome, the event set the tone for an immersive experience that will equip participants with the skills, knowledge, and perspectives needed to thrive in Ghana's evolving creative industry. Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Fellowship, Joel Nettey, encouraged the fellows to embrace every opportunity to learn, collaborate, and challenge themselves throughout the programme. He emphasized that the Fellowship represents more than professional development—it is a platform to cultivate purpose-driven leaders who...

 Maison Yusif Fragrance proudly marked another defining chapter in its journey as The Beast made its London debut at Akara London, bringing together an exceptional gathering of creators, tastemakers, fragrance lovers, and cultural voices. The intimate launch was more than the unveiling of a new fragrance—it was a celebration of craftsmanship, African creativity, and the power of scent to connect people across cultures. Throughout the afternoon, guests explored The Beast, shared conversations with the Maison Yusif team, and experienced firsthand the artistry behind one of the house’s most anticipated creations. Influencers and distinguished guests from across London joined the experience, capturing moments, exchanging stories, and discovering the inspiration behind the fragrance. Their presence reflects the growing global appreciation for authentic African luxury and artistic perfumery. What began as a dream in Ghana continues to resonate far beyond our borders. Every city we visit,...

 The African Agribusiness Consortium (AAC), a subsidiary of the Jospong Group of Companies, has secured 750 acres of irrigated land at Konadu in the Kwahu Afram Plains from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) to establish a large-scale vegetable production facility. The land allocation forms part of an agreement between the Ministry and AAC aimed at translating investment in agricultural infrastructure and human capital into increased food production, job creation and commercial agribusiness development. Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, announced the agreement when he welcomed 118 Ghanaian graduates sponsored by AAC to pursue postgraduate studies at the People’s Friendship University and RUDN University in Russia. The Konadu Irrigation Project is an agricultural infrastructure site located in the Kwahu Afram Plains South District of Ghana, featuring center-pivot systems managed under the Afram Plains-Export-LED Agricultural Enhancement and Irrigation Project (A...

 The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has directed banks and specialised deposit-taking institutions to reduce their non-performing loan (NPL) ratios to no more than 10 per cent by the end of December 2026, as the central bank pushes for stronger credit risk management and financial stability. Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama, said although the banking sector’s NPL ratio had improved significantly, the current level remained too high and continued to constrain the ability of banks to extend fresh credit to businesses. Dr. Asiama disclosed this at the BoG-CIRIP Ghana Forum on Non-Performing Loans and Post-Commencement Financing, held at Bank Square on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. According to him, the industry’s NPL ratio declined to 16.1 per cent in June 2026 from 23.1 per cent a year earlier, while the sector’s Capital Adequacy Ratio stood at 20.4 per cent. That is progress, not sufficiency, and 16.1 per cent remains too high,” Dr Asiama said. He said regulatory measures wer...

  Ghana's dominant mobile money operator is pressing the country's fintech industry to accelerate its shift from text-based USSD services to smartphone apps, arguing that the change is essential both to improve customer experience and to blunt a wave of increasingly sophisticated fraud. Shaibu Haruna, chief executive of MobileMoney (MoMo) Fintech Limited, told a gathering of industry executives including members of the Journalists for Business Advocacy (JBA) at the Fintech Partners Exchange Dialogue in Accra that payments infrastructure remained lopsided: about seven in ten customers now own smartphones, yet barely 1.2 per cent of transactions run through mobile apps, with the vast majority still processed via USSD, the menu-driven text protocol that has underpinned mobile money since its launch in Ghana more than a decade ago. The disparity, he suggested, is no longer simply a matter of consumer habit. It has become a structural vulnerability. As mobile money has grown into th...

  The Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama, has directed all regulated financial institutions to reduce their non-performing loans (NPLs) to not more than 10 percent by the end of December 2026, warning that high levels of bad loans continue to constrain lending and weigh on Ghana's economic development. According to the Governor, although the banking sector has made significant progress in cleaning up its balance sheets, more work is needed to strengthen credit quality and create room for increased lending to businesses. Speaking at the Chartered Institute Of Restructuring and Insolvency Practitioners (CIRIP) Ghana–Bank of Ghana Forum in Accra, Dr. Asiama disclosed that the industry's NPL ratio had declined to 16.1 percent at the end of June 2026, down from over 23 percent during the same period last year, while the sector's Capital Adequacy Ratio stood at 20.4 percent. He said the improved capital position gives banks greater capacity to take car...

  Telecom giant, MTN  Ghana, recorded a profit before tax of GH¢7.4 billion in the first-half of 2026.   This represents 44.5% growth over the GH¢5.1 billion posted in first half of 2025.   Service revenue also reached  GH¢14.9 billion from GH¢11.3 billion recorded last year, representing a 32.3 % growth. The numbers were captured in MTN’s half-year financial performance released to the investing public on July 31, 2026. Drivers of Growth and S terling F inancial P erformance According to MTN Ghana, the 32.3% growth in service revenue was driven by strong execution across its connectivity and fintech businesses. This was due to sustained demand for data services and further reinforcing the diversification and resilience of its revenue base. This growth, according to MTN, was also supported by disciplined investment in network expansion, platform modernisation and customer experience initiatives. Another line of operations that contributed significantly to i...

  The Government Statistician, Dr Alhassan Iddrisu, has said building cost inflation rose to 3.1 per cent in June 2026 as higher material and plant costs pushed up   construction expenses, although the pace of increases remained significantly lower than levels recorded a year earlier. The latest Prime Building Cost Index (PBCI) released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) showed that annual building cost inflation increased from 2.7 per cent in May to 3.1 per cent in June. However, construction costs eased during the month, with the month-on-month inflation rate declining by 0.1 per cent in June from 1.4 per cent in May. The PBCI measures changes in the cost of key construction inputs, including materials, labour and plant, using 2023 as the base year. The index is used by developers, contractors, investors and policymakers to monitor cost movements and guide contract pricing and investment decisions. Cost pressures The June rate represented a major slowdown from the ...

  Dickson Amoung-Yam, MTN Ghana’s Field Service Manager (Network) in Kumasi, has urged   customers of the Mobile Money (MOMO) to repay the   loans they borrow from their accounts. He stated that “Borrowers who take loans and refuse to pay can no longer escape because of the Ghana Card they used to register on their accounts.” Mr Amoung-Yam gave the advice in an interview with the Ghana   News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of a media and stakeholders’ engagement organised by the MTN Ghana in Sunyani. He expressed worry that: “previously, some people used their SIM cards to access loans and later disposed them off for new ones to avoid repayment,” warning that if such persons tried to register another SIM card, they would be detected because their details are already in the service system”. Amoung-Yaw encouraged all those who had borrowed money from the MOMO services to pay back on time so that other individuals could also benefit. He reiterated that ...

 The Queen Mother of Ho-Dome in the Asogli Traditional Area in the Volta Region, Mama Atrato II, has made explosive allegations of widespread vote-buying in Ghana's Council of State election, claiming some delegates accepted GH¢5,000 each in exchange for their votes during the selection process in the Volta Region. Speaking at the JoyNews' Impact Makers Foundation "Democracy Is Not for Sale" public forum held in Ho on Friday, July 31, the traditional leader described her experience as a former Council of State aspirant in the Volta Region as deeply disappointing, arguing that money has become the determining factor in securing public office rather than competence or commitment to public service. According to her, the monetisation of the electoral process has deprived the Volta Region of effective representation and contributed to its slow pace of development. When I went to bother myself to stand for Council of State [election], what is happening there is so pathetic...

 By Faustina Dagadu The ECOWAS Commission has begun the final stage of its institutional self-assessment under the Gender Equality Seal for Public Institutions (GES-PI), with the Commission targeting the highest, gold-level certification. The three-day technical meeting, being held in Accra from August 3 to 5, 2026, is reviewing and validating evidence submitted by various departments and institutions of the ECOWAS Commission as part of the self-assessment process. The initiative, implemented in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and German cooperation, is designed to strengthen gender equality across the Commission's policies, programmes, systems and workplace culture. Director of the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre, Sandra Oulaté Fattouh, speaking in an interview during the meeting, said the exercise was intended to ensure that the Commission practised the gender equality principles it promotes across the West African region. We need to practise bet...