Kofi Ahovi

  When communities face the impacts of mining, access to justice often remains out of reach. Legal processes can be expensive, complex and inaccessible to many of the people most affected by environmental degradation, land disputes and human rights violations. To bridge this gap, the Building Resilient and Active Communities in Extractive Landscapes (BRACE) Project convened a strategic coordination meeting with legal experts, providing pro bono services and implementing partners, marking another important step towards expanding access to justice for mining-affected communities across Ghana. The engagement brought together legal practitioners and project partners to strengthen collaboration, streamline referral systems and enhance the delivery of legal support services to vulnerable individuals and communities. Discussions focused on how pro bono lawyers can work more closely with trained community paralegals to ensure that community grievances are effectively documented, referred a...

  How the adidas TRIONDA is changing the game For generations, football fans have viewed the match ball as the simplest piece of equipment on the pitch. Round, leather-covered, and designed to be kicked. But at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the official match ball is proving that football has entered a new technological era. The official ball for the tournament, known as TRIONDA, is far more than a beautifully designed football. Developed by adidas in collaboration with FIFA, it contains sophisticated technology that helps referees make better decisions, improving the accuracy of officiating and offering deeper insights into every movement of the ball. As the world watches the first-ever World Cup hosted jointly by three countries — the United States, Canada and Mexico — the ball itself has become a symbol of innovation and the future of football. Why is it called TRIONDA? The name “TRIONDA” comes from the Spanish words meaning “three waves,” representing the three host nations of the 2...

  MobileMoney Fintech LTD (MMFL) says its structural separation from Scancom PLC will position the company to accelerate innovation, strengthen security and governance, and deliver greater value to customers as it embarks on a new phase as an independent fintech business. The company made the announcement following its Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) in Accra, where shareholders approved key resolutions establishing MMFL's independent governance and operational framework. Chairperson of MMFL, Victoria Bright, described the completion of the separation as a major milestone in the company's evolution and its ambition to become one of Africa's leading fintech companies. The separation gives MMFL greater agility and operational focus. It creates the opportunity to strengthen governance, improve efficiency and accelerate initiatives that deliver meaningful value to customers while supporting long-term sustainable growth," she said. According to Bright, the EGM approved ...

  The COP31 Presidency has announced an ambitious global target to increase the share of final energy demand met by electricity from just over 20 percent today to 35 percent by 2035, as part of a broader Action Agenda aimed at accelerating climate action and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. COP31 President-Designate and Türkiye’s Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, unveiled the target during the Bonn Climate Change Conference, describing electrification as a key pillar in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and keeping global warming within 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The proposed "35% by 2035" target is backed by analysis from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The COP31 Presidency also announced plans to build a global coalition to support countries in implementing policies and investments needed to achieve the goal. Beyond electrification, the Presidency introduce...

Zoomlion Ghana Limited, in partnership with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Dredge Masters Gh. Ltd and other partners on Wednesday, June 17, intensified its flood prevention and drainage desilting exercise across several vulnerable communities in the Greater Accra Region as the country enters the peak of the rainy season. The large-scale intervention, which forms part of a broader disaster preparedness strategy, is aimed at reducing the impact of seasonal flooding that continues to threaten lives, property and economic activity across the capital. The exercise has brought together sanitation personnel, engineers, heavy equipment operators, local authorities, security agencies and community members in a coordinated effort to improve stormwater flow and strengthen flood resilience. Early in the morning teams were deployed to critical flood hotspots including Teshie-Nungua, the Osu Castle beachfront area, Achimota and Abokobi for debris collection, Desilting and dre...

  The National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) has recorded one of the most dramatic financial recoveries by a State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) in Ghana, posting a net profit of GH¢91.7 million in 2025 after reporting a loss of GH¢19 million the previous year. The achievement has earned commendation from the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), which described the performance as a testament to the impact of strong corporate governance, strategic leadership and institutional reforms. According to NAFCO’s 2025 audited accounts submitted to SIGA, the company significantly improved its financial performance across key indicators. Gross profit margin rose from 1.61 percent in 2024 to 13.96 percent in 2025, reflecting stronger revenue generation and enhanced cost management measures. The company also recorded a remarkable turnaround in asset utilisation, with its Return on Operating Assets improving from a negative 63.80 percent in 2024 to a positive 26.29 percent in 2025. In a...

 As MTN Ghana marks its 30th anniversary and commences its annual employee volunteer programme, 21 Days of Y’ello Care, employees across the country are stepping out in service to communities. From trading their desks for paintbrushes and repair tools to engaging directly with residents through outreach activities, MTN volunteers are helping to improve access to healthcare and restore dignity to patients in underserved communities. The nationwide campaign, running from June 1 to June 21, 2026, is being implemented under the theme “Expanding Equitable Health for Every Community.” This year’s initiative carries special significance as it forms part of MTN Ghana’s 30th anniversary celebration, underscoring the company’s enduring commitment to creating shared value and giving back to the communities that have supported its journey over the past three decades.   Angela Mensah-Poku, Chief Enterprise Officer and some MTN Staff working on the hospital beds, chairs at the Achimota Hosp...

  MTN Ghana has announced an exclusive FIFA World Cup experience for select customers as part of its ongoing 30th anniversary celebrations, reinforcing its commitment to rewarding loyalty and creating unforgettable moments. As part of this initiative, 30 high-value customers will be given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend the FIFA World Cup in North America. The all-expense-paid experience will offer winners the chance to witness the world’s biggest sporting event live, creating lasting memories while celebrating their journey with the MTN brand. This premium reward forms part of MTN’s anniversary programme, themed “30 Years of Progress, Powered by You ”, which recognises the unwavering support of customers over the past three decades. Speaking on the initiative, Noel Kojo Ganson, MTN Chief Consumer Officer, noted that the experience reflects MTN’s commitment to going beyond connectivity to deliver real value and meaningful experiences for it...

  The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) will on Thursday, 18th June 2026, convene a sensitisation forum in the Keta Municipality to engage stakeholders on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Port of Keta project. This forum follows the recent approval granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the EIA of the project, marking a pivotal step in the development of Ghana’s third commercial port. The engagement aims to update stakeholders on the next phase of the project and outline opportunities for investment and collaboration. The Director General of GPHA, Major General Paul Seidu Tanye Kulono, recently received the final EIA report and permit from the Coastal and Reclamation Engineering Services Ghana Limited, the consulting firm responsible for the assessment which was presented by Nii Tackie Oblie. Major General Tanye Kulono described the approval as a “significant milestone” in GPHA’s strategic vision to expand Ghana’s maritime infrastructure an...

  Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire have reaffirmed their commitment to transforming the cocoa sector and improving the livelihoods of farmers, with Presidents John Dramani Mahama and Alassane Ouattara pledging deeper cooperation to address longstanding challenges facing the industry. The commitment was contained in a Joint Declaration issued after the Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana High-Level Summit on the Future of the Cocoa Economy held in Abidjan on June 16, 2026. The two leaders underscored the strategic importance of the cocoa sector, noting that Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire together account for about 60 percent of global cocoa production, placing on them a shared responsibility to shape the future of the industry. The summit reviewed progress made under the 2018 Abidjan Declaration, highlighting key achievements including the establishment of the Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative (CIGCI), the implementation of the Living Income Differential (LID), harmonised producer price announcements, cocoa tra...

  By Oliver Tackie When the Bank of Ghana holds its policy rate at 14%, it can appear to be a distant, technical decision, one that lives in the realm of economists, central bankers and financial analysts. Yet beyond boardrooms and policy briefings, the effects are far more intimate. For thousands of Ghanaians, particularly pensioners who depend on steady post-retirement income, the consequences are immediate, tangible, and often unsettling. At the heart of this issue lies a simple mechanism. The policy rate, set by the Bank of Ghana, serves as the benchmark for interest rates across the economy. It shapes how much banks charge borrowers and crucially, how much they reward savers. When this rate rises, borrowing becomes costly but savers: especially those with fixed deposits benefit from higher returns. Conversely, when the rate stabilises at lower levels or declines over time, lending becomes more affordable, but returns on savings begin to shrink. It is within this shift that a q...

Francis Ayisi, Head Sustainability, Stanbic Bank Ghana   As the world marks World Ocean Day, the call to “sustain what sustains us” carries particular urgency in Ghana. Recent severe flooding in Accra, triggered by heavy rainfall and worsened by controlled spillage from the Weija Dam, has once again exposed the fragile intersection between environmental neglect, urban planning, and economic stability. These events are not isolated; they are signals of a deeper systemic challenge that Ghana can no longer afford to ignore. While conversations around climate change and sustainability are gaining momentum, plastic pollution and marine litter remain among the most immediate and interconnected threats to the country’s future. This is no longer just an environmental concern; it is a financial, social, and developmental imperative. From Drains to Oceans In Ghana, the story of ocean pollution begins far from the coastline. It starts in our cities, particularly in rapidly expanding urba...

  Ghana’s banking sector continues to navigate a difficult credit environment. While progress has been made in reducing non-performing loans (NPLs), levels remain elevated, posing ongoing risks to financial stability, credit expansion, and the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). As of April 2025, the sector’s NPL ratio stood at 23.6%, with private sector borrowers, predominantly SMEs, accounting for more than 93% of distressed credit. By October 2025, this had declined to 19.5%, and further to 18.9% by December. Although the downward trend is encouraging, the underlying structural vulnerabilities remain. A closer look at sector performance reveals that SMEs in agriculture, transportation, and construction continue to record the highest default rates. These patterns point to systemic challenges that go beyond access to finance, underscoring the need for a more holistic approach to credit risk management. Strengthening Regulation and Industry Response In response to ...

Desmond Bredu, Head of Client Coverage, Stanbic Investment Management Services (SIMS)  Stanbic Investment Management Services (SIMS) has called for stronger collaboration between rural and community banks, fintech firms and mobile money operators to deepen financial inclusion and improve livelihoods across Ghana. Speaking during a panel discussion at The Money Summit held in Accra on June 2, Head of Client Coverage at SIMS, Desmond Bredu, said financial inclusion must go beyond simply giving people access to financial services and focus more on delivering practical solutions that improve everyday lives. Contributing to the topic, “Deepening Financial Inclusion: The Strategic Role of Rural Banks in Ghana’s Economic Transformation,” Mr. Bredu stressed that partnerships within the financial ecosystem would be critical to expanding investment opportunities and banking access, especially for underserved communities. According to him, collaboration between rural and community banks (RCB...

  Stanbic Bank Ghana, in partnership with Visa, has rewarded customers who emerged as winners of its FIFA World Cup Experience Campaign while simultaneously launching a new Local Card Usage Initiative aimed at accelerating digital payments, supporting merchants and rewarding customers for spending locally. The event, held under Stanbic Bank's 2026 Bank the Moment campaign, celebrated customers whose consistent use of their Stanbic Visa debit and credit cards earned them unforgettable experiences, including the opportunity to attend the FIFA World Cup in person. Speaking at the event, Chidinma Braye-Yankee, Head of Brand and Marketing at Stanbic Bank Ghana, said the campaign demonstrates the power of partnerships and the Bank's commitment to creating meaningful value for customers. "Since April this year, Stanbic Bank has been on an exciting journey through our 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, themed Bank the Moment. This campaign goes beyond sport. It is a deliberate effort t...

  Standard Bank’s Head of Africa Research projects Ghana's economy will expand by 5.9% to 6.1% in 2026, buoyed by structural support from gold mining expansion, critical infrastructure projects, and improved foreign exchange buffers. The economy's stronger-than-expected 2025 performance, achieving 6% growth against initial forecasts of 5.6-5.8%, has strengthened confidence in the medium-term outlook. Speaking at a webinar organized by Stanbic Bank Ghana on “Positioning for What’s Next: Navigating Ghana’s Evolving Market Landscape. Growth exceeded our expectations, printing at 6% for 2025. Given the base has changed now and is higher than we had expected, we still believe that growth in 2026 will be between 5.9% and 6.1%, with potential to pick up to between 6.2% and 6.3% in 2027,” Jibran Qureishi stated. This revised outlook reflects an upgraded assessment of Ghana’s growth trajectory, underpinned by both public investment and private sector expansion in key economic drivers. S...

  The Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Randy Abbey, has called for deeper trust, transparency, and commitment between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire as the two countries seek to strengthen cooperation and secure greater value for cocoa from the two countries on the international market. Addressing stakeholders at a meeting of the Côte d’Ivoire–Ghana Cocoa Initiative (CIGCI) in Abidjan, Dr. Abbey stressed that sustained collaboration between the world’s two largest cocoa-producing countries remains critical to improving farmer incomes, enhancing market influence, and promoting the long-term sustainability of the cocoa sector. According to him, while both countries have made significant strides in advancing their shared interests through the Initiative, the success of future efforts will depend largely on the ability of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire to deepen mutual confidence and maintain a common strategic direction on key industry issues, particularly cocoa pricing. Ghan...

 Prudential Bank LTD has once again demonstrated its keen dedication to customer growth beyond the banking hall, organising an international business trip to Turkey and China for its Commercial Banking customers and prospects. The tour, in its second year running and facilitated in partnership with Nita Travel and Shipping Company, introduced the Ghanaian business leaders to new trading opportunities, supplier networks and cross border partnerships. The trip was structured to give participants direct access to high-level trade fairs, product sourcing tours and investor engagements. Each stop was carefully curated to match the import and export needs of the Ghanaian businesses on board. In Turkey, the delegation attended the African Business Forum and Expo (AFEX), a two-day international trade fair that connected them with investors, manufacturers, and enterprises from Turkey and beyond. The forum provided a platform for Ghanaian participants to explore joint ventures, secure distri...

  Elevate Africa has officially opened applications for the Threads of Africa Fashion Film Prize 2026, a pan-African initiative aimed at preserving the continent's rich textile heritage by encouraging creatives to tell compelling stories through fashion and film. The competition, which brings together fashion, culture, and storytelling, invites designers, filmmakers, students, and creative teams from Africa and the diaspora to document and reimagine endangered or forgotten African textiles, garments, and traditional techniques through short fashion films. The announcement comes at a period when African fashion continues to gain global recognition. While the industry has witnessed remarkable international growth and increasing interest, many indigenous textiles and craftsmanship traditions remain at risk of disappearing due to inadequate investment, limited infrastructure, and declining transmission of traditional skills. With the 2026 edition themed "Stories of Rebirth," ...

  A majority of Ghanaians believe it is time for younger leaders to take up national leadership roles, according to the June 2026 tracking poll conducted by Global InfoAnalytics. The survey found that 57 per cent of respondents prefer young people to lead the country, while 26 per cent opposed the idea. A further 19 per cent said they had no opinion on the matter. When respondents were asked about the age they consider too old for someone to be elected president, 46 per cent said above 65 years. Another 36 per cent indicated that ages between 50 and 64 are too old, while 21 per cent said age should not be a determining factor in leadership. The poll also showed regional variations, with most voters across all regions except Ashanti, Bono, and Western North expressing a preference for younger leaders. On education and discipline, the survey revealed strong public support for stricter measures against examination malpractice. Sixty-seven per cent of respondents backed proposals to pu...

  Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been found guilty of two counts of rape and given four years in prison. The three judges in courtroom 250 at Oslo District Court cleared him of two other counts of rape, but found him guilty of many of the other offences of which he had been accused. Høiby was not in court for the verdict, but joined the session via video link. Prosecutors had called for Høiby to be given seven years and seven months in prison. His defence lawyers had called for a lesser term of 18 months, and he can appeal against the verdict. Marius Borg Høiby's mother married into the royal family when he was four, and although he grew up within the family, he is not himself a royal figure. Mette-Marit is very ill with a form of pulmonary fibrosis and has recently been placed on a lung transplant list. Her son's lawyers have repeatedly sought his release from prison so he can spend time with his mother because of her dec...

  Motorists are set to enjoy significant relief at the pumps from June 16, as fuel prices are projected to fall sharply nationwide. The latest pricing outlook released by the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) and sighted by Joy Business indicates that petrol, diesel and LPG will all record reductions during the second pricing window of June. Petrol Leads Price Decline Petrol is expected to see the largest reduction, with prices projected to fall by up to 9.31%. If oil marketing companies fully apply the projected reduction, a litre of petrol could sell for about GH¢14.72, making it one of the steepest fuel price cuts seen in recent times. Diesel prices are also expected to decline, with a litre likely to sell around GH¢17.02, particularly among oil marketing companies that procure products on credit from Bulk Oil Distributors. LPG prices are projected to ease marginally, with a kilogram expected to sell at about GH¢17.20. Joy Business understands that the reduction margin ...

  The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has extended the deadline for the registration of International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) operating in Ghana to July 31, 2026, giving existing operators additional time to comply with regulatory requirements. In a notice issued to IMTOs, banks, Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions (SDIs) and Payment Service Providers (PSPs), the central bank said the extension follows its earlier directive issued in January 2026 on the registration and operations of money transfer companies in Ghana. The Bank is urging all existing IMTOs that have not yet completed the registration process to take advantage of the extension and submit the required documentation before the new deadline. However, the regulator warned that operators that fail to comply within the stipulated period will not be permitted to continue operating in Ghana. “Consequently, any existing arrangements or partnerships with Banks, Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions (SDIs), and Payment Servi...

  The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and its partners have committed more than $3.5 billion in investments to increase oil and gas production as Ghana seeks to meet growing energy demand and strengthen energy security. Speaking at the West Africa Gas Summit (WAGS) 2026 in Accra, Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Finance, Commercial and Administration of GNPC, Hamis Ussif, disclosed that partners in the Jubilee and TEN fields have committed $2 billion by 2028 to increase oil and gas production, while Sankofa partners have pledged an additional $1.5 billion to boost gas output. We are working with the Jubilee and TEN partners to increase investment. They have committed to $2 billion investment by 2028 to increase both oil and gas production. We are doing the same with the Sankofa partners where they have committed $1.5 billion to also increase gas production mainly,” he said. Ussif warned that despite the planned investments, Ghana could still face a widening gap betwee...