Kofi Ahovi

  Ghana has been plunged into widespread power disruptions following the complete shutdown of the Akosombo Dam after a devastating fire destroyed key infrastructure at the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) substation at Akosombo. The Ministry of Energy confirmed that the blaze caused extensive damage to the dam’s critical switchyard system, forcing authorities to halt operations entirely — a move that has significantly affected electricity supply across the country. Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, April 27, the Ministry’s spokesperson, Richmond Rockson, described the scale of destruction as severe and unprecedented. The switchyard at the Akosombo Substation is completely burnt down and not salvageable. The primary control room is gone. It was even difficult for us to access the site when we went to assess the situation,” he said. He explained that the damage to the switching system — a critical component for transmitting power from the dam — made it impossible to continue ...

  An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff mission is scheduled to arrive in Accra on April 29, 2026, to begin Ghana’s sixth and final review under its Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme. The mission, expected to stay for about two weeks, will commence formal engagements on April 30, marking a critical step toward Ghana’s planned exit from the IMF-supported programme in August 2026. The country signed onto the three-year ECF arrangement in May 2023 to stabilise its economy and restore fiscal discipline. This final review will assess Ghana’s performance since the fifth review earlier this year, with particular focus on whether outstanding targets and structural reforms have been met or are close to completion. On the fiscal front, discussions will centre on developments in the energy sector, especially debt management and ongoing structural reforms. The IMF team is also expected to scrutinise government spending priorities, including allocations to key social protection prog...

  In a strategic move to deepen financial inclusion and support the resilience of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), StarLife Assurance, in partnership with MTN Ghana, has announced a comprehensive insurance package for each winner of the 2025 SME Ghana Awards (SMEGA). The initiative, unveiled during the 2025 SMEGA Awards ceremony, provides each award-winning entrepreneur with a dual-layer security net: GHS 100,000 in Life Insurance coverage for one year, alongside robust Business Protection against fire and allied perils. While recognition is vital, this intervention shifts the focus toward long-term economic sustainability. In Ghana, SMEs account for most of the workforce, yet they remain the most vulnerable to financial shocks. By providing formal risk-mitigation tools, StarLife and MTN are transforming award recognition into meaningful financial sector impact. According to Alex Twumasi, Head of Commercial Distribution, StarLife Assurance, the partnership with MTN Ghana ...

  Nkawkaw Salvation Army Primary School delivered a statement performance to emerge champions of the 2026 MILO Under-13 Champions League, capping a thrilling national finals held at the Essipon Stadium in Sekondi. The competition, organised by Nestlé Ghana Ltd, once again demonstrated its growing impact on grassroots football in Ghana, drawing more than 5,000 young footballers to the national stage. With over 100,000 pupils engaged annually through district, zonal, and national phases, the tournament has evolved into a key pipeline for identifying and nurturing future football talents. Salvation Army Primary School’s journey to the title was defined by discipline, precision, and attacking brilliance. They booked their place in the final with a resounding 4-0 victory over Wenchi Methodist Primary School in the semi-finals, setting the tone for what would become a dominant campaign. In the final, the Nkawkaw-based side maintained their composure against Kwabenya Primary School from t...

  MobileMoney Fintech LTD is shifting its strategic focus from expanding access to deepening usage across its ecosystem as it works to accelerate financial inclusion and build a stronger digital financial services platform. Chief Products and Services Officer Sylvia Otuo Acheampong shared the update at MTN Ghana’s Media and Stakeholder Forum in Accra, which brought together the media, civil society organisations, regulators and banking partners to discuss the future of digital connectivity and financial services. She said that while the platform has achieved significant scale in registrations and access, the next phase will prioritize active usage and customer engagement. “We have achieved significant scale, but now the focus is on driving usage—ensuring customers actively engage with services beyond basic transactions,” she said. According to her, MobileMoney Fintech LTD is deepening financial inclusion by expanding services such as credit, insurance and advanced payment solutions...

  MTN Ghana has announced a US$1 billion investment plan to significantly improve network quality, expand coverage nationwide and strengthen the digital infrastructure that supports Ghana’s economy. The commitment, unveiled by the the Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Blewett, will be rolled out over the next three years and is expected to deliver clearer calls, faster data speeds and more reliable connectivity for millions of customers, including those in underserved communities. “Customers are using more data than ever before, and we must continue to invest to meet that demand and improve service quality”, Blewett said. He added that the network investment demonstrates MTN’s confidence in Ghana and its commitment to contributing meaningfully to the digital transformation of the economy. As part of the programme, MTN Ghana plans to deploy about 800 new cell sites in 2026, boosting network capacity and coverage to meet rapidly growing demand for data services. Beyond improving custo...

  A newborn baby has been rescued after being abandoned in a bush at Dichemso-Hafia in the Manhyia South Constituency of the Ashanti Region. Residents discovered the infant on the morning of Sunday, April 26, and immediately alerted authorities. The baby was subsequently rushed to the Manhyia Government Hospital for urgent medical attention. Confirming the incident to Citi News, Assembly Member for the Dichemso Electoral Area, Ahenkan Baako, said he was informed that a woman who had gone to the bush to attend nature’s call spotted the baby. He added that he promptly notified the police, who arrived at the scene and rescued the infant. The Assembly Member disclosed that the baby is currently receiving treatment at the Manhyia Government Hospital. He urged pregnant women facing difficulties to seek help rather than abandon their babies and called on security agencies to intensify efforts to curb the practice and bring perpetrators to justice. He also appealed to residents and the gen...

  Treasury bills remained undersubscribed last week, with the government missing its target by GH¢577 million, reflecting continued tight liquidity conditions in the market. Latest data from the Bank of Ghana show that investors submitted GH¢4.43 billion in bids across the 91-day, 182-day, and 364-day instruments. Of this, the Treasury accepted GH¢3.89 billion. This extends the streak of under-subscription in government securities to seven consecutive auctions. Demand remained heavily skewed toward short-term instruments. The 91-day bill recorded the strongest interest, attracting GH¢2.76 billion in bids, with GH¢2.71 billion accepted. The yield inched up slightly, with the weighted average interest rate settling at 4.9244 percent. The 182-day bill also posted firm demand, with GH¢717.64 million tendered and GH¢664.37 million accepted. Its weighted average yield rose marginally to 6.9630 percent. In contrast, appetite for the 364-day bill weakened considerably. Of the GH¢960.08 mil...

  The Government of Ghana has strongly condemned the recent coordinated terrorist attacks in Mali over the weekend, which reportedly resulted in the death of Mali’s Defence Minister, General Sadio Camara, and has advised Ghanaian traders and drivers to suspend travel to the country until further notice. In a statement issued on Sunday, April 27, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed solidarity with the Government and people of Mali following the deadly assaults on multiple military installations, including sites in the capital, Bamako. Violent extremism must have no place in our world, and we must step up collective efforts to end this horror,” the government said. The attacks, which targeted several strategic locations, are reported to have left multiple casualties, including senior military officials and civilians. General Camara, a central figure in Mali’s military leadership, is said to have been among those killed. The development marks one of the most significant se...

  Adamus Resources Limited has pushed back strongly against the government’s decision to revoke its mining leases, arguing that the action was taken without due process and is based on claims that do not reflect its operations. In a statement, the company said it had taken note of the revocation affecting its concessions at Akango, Salman and Nkroful, and was responding “in the interest of accuracy and public clarity.” Adamus maintained that it remains a fully licensed operator within Ghana’s regulatory framework, with valid approvals from the Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency in line with the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703). The company strongly rejects the allegations that have been cited as the basis for the revocation and states that they do not reflect the true facts surrounding its operations,” the statement said. The company further raised concerns over what it described as a lack of procedural fairness, insisting it was neither formally not...

 The Parliamentary Select Committee on Sanitation and Water Resources has continued its stakeholder engagements across the Central Region, meeting officials of the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipal Assembly and key sanitation sector players to assess sanitation service delivery and strengthen collaboration. The engagement, held at Komenda on Friday, brought together officials from Zoomlion Ghana Limited, the Community Water and Sanitation Agency, Ghana Water Company Limited, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other stakeholders in the sanitation and water (WASH) value chain. Chairman of the Committee and Member of Parliament for Nkwanta North, Hon. John Oti Bless, explained that the visit formed part of the Committee’s oversight responsibilities as captured in a formal communication earlier sent to relevant assemblies and institutions. He said the Committee’s mission was to assess the state of sanitation services in various districts, understand operational challeng...

  The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) is deepening collaboration with Swiss partners to expand cocoa value addition through innovative juice production, following a high-level visit to the KOA Impact processing facility in Achiase. The Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Dr. Ransford Abbey, together with the Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Benin and Togo, Simone Giger, toured the facility to assess progress in extracting cocoa “sweatings” — a liquid byproduct traditionally discarded — for the production of premium cocoa juice. Driving value beyond cocoa beans The visit focused on evaluating the technical and commercial potential of scaling the process, which captures cocoa pulp before fermentation without affecting bean quality. The initiative is creating an additional revenue stream for farmers while transforming what was once waste into a marketable product. Discussions during the tour centred on expanding the model to other cocoa-growing regions, increasing the range of value-added cocoa product...

  A Relationship Manager at a private bank in Accra, Christopher Arthur, has pleaded not guilty to charges of stealing GH¢12 million from a businessman whose accounts he managed. Arthur appeared before the Circuit Court, presided over by His Honour Eyram Fumey, where he denied allegations that he diverted the funds for personal use, including spending about GH¢600,000 on the sports betting platform SportyBet. According to prosecutors, Arthur allegedly manipulated the client’s accounts over an extended period and forged bank statements to conceal the transactions. Investigators claim he later admitted to the offence and made partial refunds. The court has admitted Arthur to bail in the sum of GH¢12 million with four sureties, three of whom must be justified. His counsel, Samuel Laryea, successfully applied for bail, which was not opposed by the prosecution led by Chief Inspector Jonas Larwer. Irregularities and alleged fraud Court documents indicate that the complainant, a businessm...

  MTN Ghana has announced the appointment of Esi Mmirba Wilson as Chief Human Resource Officer, effective 15 April 2026. The appointment reflects MTN Ghana’s continued focus on strengthening its people strategy and building a high‑performance, future‑ready organisation to support the delivery of its Ambition 2030 strategy. Esi is a seasoned Human Resource executive and transformational business leader with over 23 years of experience driving people strategy, organisational transformation and culture change across multiple sectors. She is widely recognised for her pivotal role during Ghana’s banking sector consolidation, where she led the successful integration of seven banks, overseeing the recruitment, transition and cultural alignment of more than 2,500 employees, while embedding a performance‑driven and values‑led culture supported by leadership development, strategic workforce planning and data‑driven HR practices. Esi holds an MBA in Human Resource Management from the Universi...

  MTN Ghana has organized a knowledge-driven Masterclass Series in Accra aimed at equipping customers with practical tools for sustainable living, financial independence, and long-term success. The initiative, which brought together industry experts, health professionals, and business leaders, forms part of MTN Ghana’s broader strategy to go beyond connectivity and deliver meaningful value that supports customers’ overall development. Speaking at the event, the General Manager for Marketing and Consumer Services at MTN Ghana, Nana Asantewaa Amegashie, said the programme reflects the company’s commitment to empowering customers with knowledge that enhances both their financial and personal well-being. It’s not just about providing connectivity to our customers, but adding value to their lives by equipping them with practical insights to live well and build sustainable wealth,” she stated. She explained that the Masterclass was delivered in a hybrid format, allowing both physical par...

  Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMTL), will deploy their latest fleet of buses to the 24th African Senior Athletics Championship scheduled to open in Accra on Monday, May 11, 2026. Kale Cezario, Managing Director of MMTL has assured the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), that “in demonstration of our commitment to excellence, we will deploy our new fleet of buses to facilitate transportation operations throughout the event period.” The new fleet is expected to be used for the first time for the championship which Ghana is hosting for the first time in four decades. The buses are expected to be deployed for the transportation needs of the teams, athletes, backroom and technical personnel expected for the championship dubbed, Accra 2026.   Kale Cezario, Managing Director of MMTL Cezario said the “Management of MMTL is confident that, this collaboration will not only ensure seamless transportation for participants but also contribute significantly to delivering a memorable champions...

  A refresher course for technical officials for the African Senior Championship held in Accra. 70 participants took part in the course The refresher course had a theory and practical components aimed at preparing the officials for the championship. The course has facilitators including Chief Supt. Bawah Alhassan who took the participants through focused areas for the championship. Dr. Timothy Mensah Director of Sports at KNUST, and Cynthia Wise, National Deputy PE Coordinator, Ghana Education Service took participants through different drills. The four-day event saw participants going through a series of test cases, theoretical and practical in a bid to abreast them with current standards, trends and requirements for such high profile events. Ghana is hosting the biannual event for the first time in its over four decades history. The championship, dubbed Accra 2026 is set to open with a grand ceremony on Monday, May 12, at the Legon Sports Stadium.

  Nestlé Ghana has launched its ‘Nestlé for Good’ campaign, a regional initiative aimed at telling real beneficiary stories while delivering measurable impact in nutrition, environmental sustainability, and community development. Described as “how we translate our purpose into action in Ghana,” the campaign is Nestlé’s commitment to proactively share stories that make a positive difference for people and communities while running a responsible, sustainable business. Ghana becomes the third market to roll out ‘Nestlé for Good’ after Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria. Other West African countries are set to launch soon, with plans to scale to Central Africa. Three Pillars, One Umbrella The campaign rests on three key pillars: 1. Nutrition & Healthy Living: Tackling malnutrition through quality, affordable, fortified products. Examples include CERELAC variants — the regular option and CERELAC with No Refined Sugars — giving parents choices based on dietary preference. 2. Communities: Buil...

  A new report by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) is warning that while most households in the country appear food secure, many are increasingly struggling behind the scenes to cope. Findings from the Mobile Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (mVAM) survey show that about 91 percent of Ghanaians maintain acceptable food consumption levels, pointing to relative national stability. However, the report cautions that this masks deeper stress, with nearly one in three households adopting medium to high coping strategies to meet their food needs. These patterns highlight the importance of looking beyond national averages to understand disparities and emerging risks,” the report stated. Households are increasingly reducing portion sizes, switching to cheaper foods, and borrowing  clear signs of pressure on livelihoods. More concerning, about one in four households is engaging in crisis or emergency coping strategies, including selling productive assets and cutting spending on hea...

  A strong consensus is emerging across Ghana’s mining sector on the need to shift from reliance on royalties to local procurement and industrial development, as key industry leaders back new standards aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing. At the launch of the Ghana Standards for Grinding Media in Accra, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, said the country’s greatest opportunity to maximise value from its mineral resources lies in strengthening local supply chains rather than focusing primarily on fiscal revenues. Local procurement represents the most significant pathway for Ghana to benefit from its mineral resources,” he said, noting that nearly half of mining companies’ revenue—about 46.4%—is spent on goods and services, compared to just 18.71% from taxes and royalties. “This clearly demonstrates that the real engine for development is not royalties, but how much of the mining value chain we can localise,” he added. From extractio...

  The Ghana Chamber of Mines has called for measured public discourse over Ghana’s planned transition to contract mining, cautioning against alarmist reporting that suggests an imminent shutdown of mining operations. Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, in an interview said ongoing engagements between the Minerals Commission and industry players are part of a structured policy dialogue—not a crackdown on mining firms. His comments come in response to reports that major mining companies, including Newmont Corporation, AngloGold Ashanti, and Zijin Mining Group, have been given until December 2026 to transition their operations to local contractors or face sanctions. There is a conversation ongoing between the industry and the Minerals Commission. It is not as if the Commission is coming to shut down mines,” Dr. Ashigbey clarified. “We must avoid presenting these issues in a way that creates unnecessary panic.” Policy shift, not punishment Under Ghana’s revised local content...

  Senior executives of Stanbic Bank Ghana have shared insights into Ghana’s rapidly evolving financial ecosystem with participants of the GIBS INSETA IMPD Women Immersion Programme, highlighting how digital innovation, capital markets and inclusive banking are shaping economic growth across emerging markets. The discussions formed part of the leadership immersion programme organized by the Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA) in partnership with the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS). The initiative brings together women leaders from South Africa’s insurance sector for a year-long development programme that combines academic training with international learning experiences. During the session, Kobby Bentsi-Enchill, Head of Investment Banking at Stanbic Bank Ghana, provided participants with a broad perspective on Ghana’s financial infrastructure and how it continues to evolve within the realities of a largely informal economy. He noted that digital fi...

 Have you ever paused beneath a tree on a scorching afternoon, letting the shade wash over you? That quiet moment of relief is just the beginning of what trees give us. Beyond the shade, beyond the rustling leaves, trees are quietly doing something remarkable, absorbing the very gases that are warming our planet. Trees are carbon sinks. Through photosynthesis, they pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and lock it away. Why does that matter? Because carbon dioxide accounts for approximately 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and can linger in the atmosphere for hundreds, sometimes thousands, of years. That is not a small problem. That is a generational one. Several greenhouse gases drive global warming: methane, nitrous oxide, fluorinated gases, and carbon dioxide, the most widely emitted of them all. Together, they are disrupting weather patterns, threatening ecosystems, and placing enormous pressure on the natural systems we depend on daily. Here is how it works. The sun se...

 After enduring one of the most severe economic crises in a generation, Ghanaian businesses are finally experiencing a resurgence. The most significant sign of this turnaround are interest rates. The Bank of Ghana has trimmed its benchmark Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), which stood at a punishing 30% at the close of 2023, in consecutive reductions through 2025 to reach 14.0% by March of this year. Inflation, meanwhile, has plunged to 3.30% well below the central bank's target band and the cedi has appreciated over 40% against the US dollar from 2025 to date. This confluence of improved macroeconomic fundamentals is a structural opening for industry, manufacturing, and enterprise to flourish. KEY INDICATORS AT A GLANCE ↓  14.0%                       3.30%  ↓                    ...

    Marian Amartey, Head, Women’s Banking, Business and Commercial Banking, Stanbic Bank Ghana Women-led businesses in Ghana are being encouraged to move beyond passive online activity and strategically use social media as a critical tool for growth, visibility and access to finance. This call was made by the Head of Women Banking at Stanbic Bank Ghana, Marian Amartey, during the MTN SME Accelerate Webinar Series, where she spoke on the topic, “Breaking Barriers to Growth for Women in Business.” Her remarks highlighted a growing gap between the potential of women-owned enterprises and their ability to position themselves effectively in an increasingly digital business environment. According to her, while many women entrepreneurs are active on social media platforms, few are fully utilizing these tools to build credible business profiles that can attract customers, partners and even financial institutions. Social media presence is no longer optional; it plays a key role in vali...

 ZEN Petroleum Holdings PLC has officially began trading on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), marking a major milestone in Ghana’s capital market and the company’s growth trajectory. The indigenous downstream petroleum firm listed 640 million ordinary shares on the Exchange, following what is being described as one of the most significant capital raises in recent years. The listing comes after a successful book-building exercise that raised GH¢640 million, with 128 million shares offered at GH¢5.00 each representing 20 percent of the company’s enlarged share capital. Speaking at the listing event, Managing Director of ZEN Petroleum Holdings PLC, William Tewiah, described the move as a defining moment in the company’s journey. Today’s listing is not the end of that journey; it is a new phase. It reflects how far we have come and signals our readiness to build a truly enduring Ghanaian enterprise,” he said. According to the company, proceeds from the offer will be channeled into expand...

  Minerals Commission has given international companies Newmont, AngloGold Ashanti, and Chinese-owned Zijin until December 2026 to shift mining operations over to local contractors or face sanctions, according to five sources with direct knowledge of the matter and documents. The three companies currently operate the mines with their own staff. They are the only ones still doing so after many firms outsourced mining operations ahead of Ghana, Africa's top gold ​producer,  revising local ownership  rules in January 2025 and requiring all miners to switch to contract mining. Under the rules, surface mining must ​be undertaken by fully Ghanaian-owned firms, while underground mining must be carried out by companies with at least ⁠50% Ghanaian ownership. Apart from Newmont, Zijin and AngloGold Ashanti’s smaller Iduapriem gold mine, almost all large miners in Ghana have already transitioned to ​contract mining, two government officials and three mining executives said. African ...