Kofi Ahovi

  By Samuel Dowuona The news is out that American Tower Corporation (ATC) Ghana has secured a victory in international arbitration at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), against Airtel Ghana with respect to over GHS1 billion in tower and utility bills arrears, which piled up over several years.   The ICC ruling was issued exactly on March 17, 2026 . The reliefs granted ATC Ghana in that ruling are mainly three-fold: That Airtel Ghana owes ATC Ghana GHS1.1 billion as of August 2025 That Airtel Ghana also owes an additional one-month tower fee for September 2025, the month ATC finally cut them off That they must also settle the arbitration cost and legal fees of ATC Ghana. In the ruling, ICC gave Airtel Ghana ten (10) days from the day of ruling to pay all the moneys to ATC Ghana. If they fail to do so in ten days, an interest of about 4% will be added to the total for every month they delay. This means that on March 27, the first interest was added, and as Apr...

  ...While most workplaces chase productivity, this health tech company is building Africa’s future of healthcare by slowing down, thinking deeper, and living the discipline it promotes. By Michael Amankwa (Don Milla)   For as long as most people can remember, healthcare has followed a simple pattern: something goes wrong, then you act. But what if that model is already behind us? That’s the question a Ghanaian health tech company,  Knoxxi Health , is quietly building around — not just in theory, but in practice. And interestingly, it starts with something unexpected. Every weekday at noon, everything stops. No calls. No emails. No meetings. For 30 minutes, the team reads. They call it “The Noon Reset.” It sounds simple, almost trivial. But inside Knoxxi, it’s treated as a serious part of how the company operates. “We’re not trying to be the fastest. We’re trying to think better,” says Michael Amankwa, also known as Don Milla, Founder and CEO of Knoxxi Health. Amankwa is ...

  By Oliver Tackie When Jasent Enterprise asked their bankers for GHS 50,000 to restock their trade, the answer was no. No audited books. No land title. Too risky. Last month they tried again. This time the CEO’s Ghana Card and two years of MoMo transactions got her approval in 48 hours. Jasent’s story shows Africa’s big contradiction: Small and medium enterprises create over 80% of jobs, yet they remain shut out of formal credit. That is changing – fast – as banks rethink how they lend. Why Banks Still Say No For decades, the problem was simple: no traceable identity, no loan. Banks lend deposits, so they fear default. Most SMEs run informal books and cannot offer collateral. Digital ID systems are fixing the first hurdle. Ghana’s upgraded Ghana Card now links citizens to verifiable, traceable identities and even works for payments. Nigeria’s NIN and BVN, Kenya’s Maisha Namba, and Rwanda’s national digital ID do the same. “Once we can authenticate and trace a borrower online, we c...

  By: Ing Joseph Koranteng Ghana’s economy is rapidly becoming more digital. Each day, millions of transactions flow through mobile money platforms, banks depend on real-time systems to serve customers, and businesses increasingly operate through digital channels. This digital shift has delivered greater speed, efficiency, and new opportunities. Yet it has also deepened our dependence on something many people rarely notice — the underlying infrastructure that makes it all possible. As this dependence grows, a more important question begins to emerge. Who controls the systems behind Ghana’s digital economy? This is what we mean by digital sovereignty. It is often explained as where data is stored, but that is only part of the story. Sovereignty is about control. It is about ensuring that data, systems, and digital services operate within an environment that is secure, reliable, and independent. It is about making sure that critical parts of the Digital Ecosystem are not exposed to r...

  By: Isaac Aidoo In classrooms across Ghana, pupils are failing tests not because they lack intelligence, but because they lack iron. Ama is 10 years old and struggles to stay awake in class. She isn’t lazy. She isn’t unintelligent. She’s iron deficient — like thousands of schoolchildren nationwide. Her teacher says Ama often rests her head on the desk by mid-morning, too drained to follow the lesson. Behind every child nodding off at a desk may be an empty plate, not an empty mind. New research from the University of Ghana, based on a 2024 and 2025 field study in Kyekyewere in the Ayensuano district of Ghana’s Eastern region, is reframing poor academic performance as a nutrition emergency. The study links iron deficiency in school-aged children to lower concentration, slower cognitive processing, and weaker memory retention — all critical for learning. “We found children who were anemic were twice as likely to score below average in comprehension tests,” says Professor Matilda St...

  The Ghana Chamber of Mines has called for the complete removal of the Growth and Sustainability Levy (GSL) on mining companies, arguing that the current fiscal regime is placing excessive pressure on the sector. In a statement issued on April 20, 2026, the Chamber said that although the recent reduction of the levy from 3 percent to 1 percent is a step in the right direction, it does not go far enough to ease the cumulative tax burden on mining firms. The adjustment of the GSL from 3% to 1%, while directionally appropriate, is inadequate to offset the cumulative burden imposed by the current fiscal structure,” the Chamber stated. It explained that both the GSL and mineral royalties are applied on gross revenue, making them cost-insensitive and particularly burdensome for high-cost and marginal mining operations. Both royalties and the GSL are levied on gross revenue and are cost-insensitive, thereby compounding the pressure on mining operations, particularly for high-cost, mature...

  The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in the Western North Region has seized more than 155 packs, approximately 15,523 units of unapproved baby diapers from 21 outlets within the region. The operation, conducted with support from the Ghana Police Service and Consumer Protection Agency, targeted sellers within Dwenase, Bekwai, Asawinso, Bibiani and Juaboso markets. The Western North Regional Director of the FDA, Albert Ankomah, during the exercise, said the move formed part of the Authority’s week-long market surveillance aimed at controlling the influx of unapproved and second-hand baby diapers on the market. He explained that it was to ensure babies were protected from harm caused by these substandard diapers. He advised parents to consider the safety of their children and buy only approved baby diapers by the Food and Drugs Authority. Parents should buy diapers registered and well packaged to ensure the safety of their children,” Ankomah said. He also encouraged wholesalers and re...

  The Ghana Chamber of Mines has strongly rejected claims that the country’s mining sector is undertaxed, insisting instead that Ghana imposes one of the highest fiscal burdens on mining companies worldwide. In a statement issued on April 20, 2026, the Chamber said Ghana’s current mining fiscal regime results in an effective tax rate of nearly 60 percent under prevailing conditions, placing it among the most heavily taxed mining jurisdictions globally. The response follows recent assertions by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), which described Ghana’s framework as overly reliant on royalties and raised concerns about recent changes to the Growth and Sustainability Levy (GSL). However, the Chamber dismissed this characterisation, clarifying that Ghana operates a comprehensive royalty–tax regime—not a royalty-only system—with multiple layers of taxation applied across revenue, profits, and dividends. These include mineral royalties ranging between 5 and 12 percent, a 1 percen...

  Apple has named John Ternus as its new chief executive to replace Tim Cook who is stepping down after 15 years of leading the technology giant. Ternus, currently the head of hardware engineering who has been at Apple for 25 years, will take over on 1 September and Cook will become executive chairman. Cook has been chief executive of Apple since 2011 after co-founder Steve Jobs resigned for health reasons, shortly before his death. Cook will stay as chief executive through the summer to work with Ternus on the transition after which he will “assist with certain aspects of the company, including engaging with policymakers around the world”. Cook’s decision to step away from the chief executive role follows months of speculation that Apple was looking for a successor. He described the job as “the greatest privilege of my life” and during his tenure he led the company to become one of the most valuable in the world. In 2018, Apple became the first public company to be valued at $1 tr...

  The rise reflects government’s plan to borrow to build buffers to meet its financial obligations. According to the March 2026 Monetary Policy Report by the Bank of Ghana, the increase in domestic debt came largely from the short-term instruments. Also, the external debt increased in foreign currency terms to reflect new loan disbursement. However, in local currency terms, it decreased from GH¢416.8 billion in December 2024 to GH¢307.2 billion in December 2025. The decline was mainly driven by strong performance of the Cedi and principal repayments of both Eurobonds and multilateral debt, resulting in a reduction in the external debt stock denominated in local currency by GH¢125.2 billion (9% of estimated GDP). Meanwhile, the provisional debt stock of central government and guaranteed debt stood at GH¢640.99 billion (45.3% of GDP) at end-December 2025 from GH¢726.7 billion (61.8% of GDP) at end-December 2024. Out of the total public debt, external debt was GH¢307.2 billion (21.7% ...

  Former Orlando Pirates coach Roger De Sa will join Carlos Queiroz as his assistant coach ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. According to the South African website  Kickoff , Roger De Sa, who previously assisted Queiroz at previous jobs, has concluded negotiations with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) after agreeing on personal terms. Although the terms are not clear, De Sa's agreement with Ghana is expected to be co-terminus with Carlos Queiroz four month contract with the GFA. I will fly out on Thursday to Accra to start working straight away," says the erstwhile Bafana Bafana goalkeeper, speaking to  KickOff . "I think when the previous coach left, the Ghana FA looked at Carlos Queiroz, and obviously it happened very quickly. Within four to five days, it was done." De Sa has been Queiroz's sidekick, notably assisting him as he led Egypt to the AFCON 2021 final and with Iran during the FIFA World Cup 2022. Despite accepting the role, De Sa acknowledged its ...

  …as Fibre Sabotage knocks 157 MTN Sites Offline By Kofi Ahovi The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, has sounded the alarm over what he describes as a growing crisis of fibre-optic cable cuts, revealing that recent disruptions have taken 157 network sites offline across the country. Speaking at the MTN Ghana Accra Media and Stakeholder Forum on April 17, 2026, Blewett said the scale of the damage goes far beyond isolated service interruptions, significantly affecting connectivity for millions of users. It’s not just about cutting fibre to a home. When fibre is cut, it brings down multiple sites, and that’s problematic. The experience becomes poor, and we have to proactively manage that,” he explained. He noted that many consumers underestimate the impact of fibre cuts, assuming disruptions are limited to the immediate area. However, due to the interconnected nature of modern telecom infrastructure, a single cut can trigger widespread outages across several com...

  A fire outbreak at the Kumasi New Kejetia Market has caused significant damage to goods at a retail shop on the first floor before it was brought under control by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS). According to a post shared on Facebook by the Service, the fire affected shop F2230 and resulted in extensive smoke damage to stock, including hundreds of boxes of matches and other flammable retail items. Nine firefighters, led by Station Officer I Maxwell Partey, arrived at the scene within two minutes of receiving a distress call. On arrival, they were met with thick smoke emanating from the shop, prompting an immediate response to prevent the fire from spreading further. The firefighters deployed portable extinguishers and used the market’s installed hose reel system to bring the situation under control. The fire was contained at about 08:48 a.m. and fully extinguished by 09:00 a.m. Despite the swift response, the shop recorded notable losses. Items destroyed or damaged includ...

  The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has disclosed that only GH¢362 million was released to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) throughout 2024 by the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF). However, the Minister indicated that the situation improved remarkably in 2025, with a total of GH¢5 billion disbursed to assemblies across the country. Speaking at the government’s Accountability Series on Monday, April 20, the Local Government Minister gave a structured quarterly distribution aimed at ensuring consistency and predictability in funding. In the first quarter, GH¢790,372,058.40 was released, followed by GH¢1,464,983,309.60 in the second quarter. The third quarter recorded GH¢1,188,921,640.80, while the fourth quarter saw the highest allocation of GH¢1,592,706,391.20. The Minister explained that the increased and timely release of funds was tied to specific development obligations expected of all MMDAs. These i...

  The National Service Authority (NSA) has reduced its annual payroll from about GH¢1.6 billion to GH¢700 million following the introduction of tighter verification systems. Deputy Director-General of the NSA, Lieutenant Colonel Moses Dok Nach Kpeungu, disclosed that the Authority has strengthened its payment processes to ensure that only duly verified personnel receive allowances. He explained that the new system is designed to eliminate irregular payments, particularly those linked to ghost names, by enforcing stricter checks before disbursements are made. According to Lt. Col. Kpeungu, the significant savings were achieved not by reducing the number of service personnel deployed across the country, but by tightening controls around how monthly allowances are processed. He noted that under the revised regime, every national service person must undergo a monthly evaluation, which must be duly endorsed by a supervisor at their place of posting before payment is approved. The Deputy...

  Zambia’s Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati, has praised Ghana’s progress in financial technology and digital systems, saying his country is seeking closer collaboration to strengthen its own innovation ecosystem.  Mutati, who is in Ghana with a delegation of about 16 innovators and startups, said the visit is aimed at engaging businesses and players within the same ecosystem to exchange ideas and build partnerships. The visit is expected to deepen cooperation between the two countries in technology and innovation, as African nations increasingly look to share solutions to accelerate digital transformation. Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, April 20, 2026, Mutati highlighted Ghana’s strides in fintech, particularly in digital identification infrastructure.   For us, the collaboration and things to learn are for us to deal with some of our own priorities in Zambia, particularly when it comes to fintech platforms. Because there are mostly system...

  Oil prices have risen sharply following attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and conflicting messages about the prospect of renewed negotiations between the United States and Iran. Brent crude futures, the primary benchmark for global prices, jumped more than 7 percent in Asia on Monday as the outlook for peace between Washington and Tehran darkened. Prices eased somewhat later in the morning, with the benchmark at $94.69 a barrel as of 02:05 GMT, up from just under $90.40 on Friday. The latest price surge came after US President Donald Trump said US forces seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel that had attempted to evade the US blockade of Iran’s ports.   Trump’s announcement followed reports by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre over the weekend that two vessels came under attack while transiting the strait. Iranian gunboats fired on a tanker, while an “unknown projectile” struck a container ship, according to the UKMTO. After dec...

  The Government has recorded its fifth consecutive undersubscription in the Treasury bills market, signaling sustained investor caution even as interest rates continue to edge upward. According to the latest auction results released by the Bank of Ghana, the government fell short of its target by 8.2 percent, marking a slight improvement from the previous week but extending the streak of weak demand. The government aimed to raise GH¢4.8 billion but received bids totaling just over GH¢4.48 billion. Of that amount, approximately GH¢4.0 billion was accepted. The 91-day bill remained the most attractive instrument, accounting for GH¢2.55 billion in bids—about 56.9 percent of total submissions. However, only GH¢790 million was accepted. The 182-day bill saw bids worth GH¢771.16 million, with nearly all—about GH¢758 million—accepted, indicating relatively stronger uptake in that segment. For the 364-day bill, investor interest remained subdued, with bids totaling around GH¢1.1 billion, ...

 Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has reaffirmed government’s commitment to investing in critical infrastructure to boost agribusiness, with a strong focus on tomato production and value addition. She gave the assurance during a meeting with GB Foods executives in Barcelona, as part of efforts to reduce Ghana’s dependence on tomato imports while expanding exports of processed tomato products. The Vice President stressed that government’s support for investments across the agricultural value chain will enhance domestic production capacity and strengthen agro-processing in Ghana. “We look forward to mutually beneficial relationships and sustained business as we expand to other areas and encourage local farmers. We want to ensure smaller farmers are also included, so no one feels left out. We are committed to building and sustaining an inclusive system,” she said. She noted that such partnerships would not only stabilise supply but also create sustainable jobs, improve rural l...

  Ghana’s Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) recorded its highest-ever mineral royalty inflows of GH₵5.43 billion in 2025, underscoring stronger compliance and improved oversight across the mining sector. The figure represents a 10.8 percent increase over the GH₵4.91 billion recorded in 2024, marking a significant milestone in efforts to maximize returns from the country’s mineral resources. Chief Executive Officer of MIIF, Justina Nelson, described the performance as a reflection of strengthened systems and institutional discipline. I am pleased to report that the Fund recorded total mineral royalty inflows of GH₵5.43 billion, the highest in MIIF’s history,” she announced. She added that the growth was driven by “disciplined enforcement, strategic oversight and strong institutional commitment,” highlighting a shift toward more effective revenue mobilization within the sector. Speaking at the Fund’s Civil Society Organizations roundtable engagement in Accra, Ms Nelson noted tha...

 Ghana’s equities market wrapped up the trading week ending April 17, 2026, with a stunning rally that pushed the GSE Composite Index up by over 357 points to close at 14,024.22. The financial sector benchmark, the GSE-FSI, also climbed nearly 242 points to settle at 8,314.05. The rally translated into a significant boost in market wealth, with total capitalisation jumping more than 7.5 per cent week-on-week to exceed GH¢266 billion, up from the prior week’s GH¢247.7 billion. Trading activity was feverish. Total volume surged nearly 47 per cent to over 12.7 million shares, while total value traded for the week came in at approximately GH¢62.3 million. The week’s star performers Leading the pack of gainers for the week was Clydestone, which added 33 pesewas to close at GH¢1.44, representing a nearly 30 per cent weekly gain. Ecobank Transnational followed closely, climbing 43 pesewas to GH¢2.10, a 25.8 per cent jump. SIC Insurance also delivered a powerful performance, rising 90 pese...

  MTN Ghana has been named the fastest mobile network in Ghana and the best fixed network in both Ghana and West Africa, sweeping three Ookla Speedtest Awards at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona earlier this year. MTN Ghana was named Fastest Mobile Network in Ghana and Best Fixed Network in Ghana and also took home the title of Best Fixed Network in Western Africa . The awards are based on independent data drawn from millions of real consumer speed tests conducted through Ookla's Speedtest platform, the world's most widely used benchmark for real-world internet performance. MTN Ghana recorded a Speedtest Connectivity Score of 67.16 , outperforming multiple operators across West Africa, including those in Mauritania, Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria. This result places MTN Ghana among a select group of network operators worldwide to meet Ookla's rigorous performance benchmarks. Commenting on the awards, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Stephen ...

  By: Herman Kwame Kumatsey Across Africa, governments are increasingly turning to mobile money as a revenue lever as fiscal pressures intensify and digital transactions become more visible, yet evidence from multiple markets shows a consistent outcome: usage declines, financial inclusion weakens, and the tax base ultimately shrinks. Mobile money has expanded financial access at a scale few systems have achieved, bringing millions into the formal economy and reshaping how individuals and small businesses transact. That progress depends on consistent, everyday usage, which is highly sensitive to cost, and industry analysis shows that when the cost of transacting rises, behaviour adjusts quickly. The Same Pattern, Repeated The experience across markets follows a familiar sequence in which a tax is introduced, transaction costs increase, users adjust how they transact, and volumes decline. The expected revenue gains do not materialise at scale, which then leads to revisions or the eve...

  Dr. David Tetteh has been elected and sworn in as a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NDC Professionals Forum , in a move seen as strengthening the Forum’s policy and technical capacity. Dr. Tetteh, a pharmacist and marketing professional, currently serves on the Governing Board of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA). He brings extensive expertise in pharmacy practice, pharmaceutical marketing, and health policy implementation, particularly in support of ongoing reforms within Ghana’s health insurance system. His election comes at a pivotal time for the Professionals Forum, which is seeking to deepen its engagement in policy formulation, professional mobilisation, and strategic support for the party’s broader national agenda. Over the years, Dr. Tetteh has held several key roles within the Forum and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), including Branch Chairman, National Operations Coordinator for the Young Professionals Forum, Director of R...

 Nestlé Ghana has officially launched the 2026 edition of the Milo U-13 Champions League, reaffirming its commitment to developing young football talents and strengthening grassroots football across the country. The launch event, held at the company’s head office in Accra, brought together key stakeholders in sports and youth development, alongside Ghanaian football legends Stephen Appiah and Asamoah Gyan. Both icons engaged with the young players, sharing inspiring messages centered on discipline, dedication, and the value of perseverance. This year’s competition will feature sixteen basic schools selected from all regions of Ghana, highlighting the tournament’s national appeal and inclusivity. The teams will compete for a newly unveiled trophy, representing excellence and the future of Ghanaian football. Over the years, the Milo U-13 Champions League has produced notable winners and helped shape the foundation of grassroots football in Ghana. Bepong Kwahu Methodist Primary School...

  Ghanaian niche fragrance house Maison Yusif has made a landmark appearance at Paris Perfume Week , positioning itself as a bold voice in redefining the global narrative around perfumery. Marking a historic first, the brand became the first niche fragrance house from Ghana to participate in the prestigious event, using the platform not only to showcase its products but to celebrate African identity, culture, and heritage. Clad in traditional attire including kente, agbada, and fugu, the team delivered a striking visual and cultural statement that resonated strongly with attendees. Founder Yusif Jnr Meizongo described the moment as more than a showcase, emphasizing its deeper cultural significance. We didn’t just come to exhibit fragrances — we came to tell a story. Every scent we presented carried a piece of Africa’s identity, history, and creativity.” The participation also served as a platform to challenge long-standing global perceptions about the origins of perfumery. Accordi...

 The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Real Estate Festival (AREF), Desmond Kwesi Oteng, has stated that the era of outsourcing Africa’s real estate narrative is over. Addressing over 1,500 delegates at the inaugural AREF 2026 in Accra on Saturday, April 18, he argued that for too long, the most important conversations regarding African land and luxury have taken place in boardrooms in London, Dubai, or the United States. The two-day event (April 18–19, 2026) brought together state regulators, diaspora investors and industry titans under the theme “Innovation Meets Identity: Designing Africa’s Next Living Experience.” Who builds Africa?” Oteng challenged the audience, signaling an end to “narrative outsourcing.” He applauded the leadership of the Ministry of Works & Housing, noting that the most powerful signal a government can send to the global market is not just incentives, but “certainty.” The event was organised by AREF in collaboration with Nilex Propertie...