Kofi Ahovi

  A major power outage has disrupted electricity supply across several parts of Ghana, leaving homes, businesses and other facilities without power in the early hours of Thursday, August 20, 2026. The outage was widely reported in Accra, with residents in Adabraka, Weija, Tesano, Achimota, Dzorwulu, Legon, Madina, Adenta, North Kaneshie and Oyarifa experiencing interruptions from around 4:15 a.m. Reports also indicated power disruptions in parts of the Eastern, Central and Ashanti regions. As of the time of reporting, the cause of the widespread outage had not been officially established. Power sector authorities had also not announced a definite timeline for the restoration of electricity to all affected communities. The disruption left residents and businesses waiting for updates, with several affected customers taking to social media to express frustration over the sudden loss of power. The latest outage comes barely three weeks after a major power interruption on July 29, which...

  The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has raised concerns over persistent VAT compliance challenges among businesses, saying some firms collect the tax from customers but fail to remit it to the government. Commissioner-General of the GRA, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, said the challenge remained a major gap in the country’s efforts to improve domestic revenue mobilisation. Speaking at the 14th Annual International Tax Conference 2026, Mr Sarpong said the Authority’s assessment showed significant weaknesses in VAT registration and compliance among businesses. So today, we are saying that four out of every business in Ghana correctly charges VAT. The remaining six, they do not register. Or when they register, they collect their money and it doesn’t end up with government,” he said. He said the GRA was therefore combining technology with stronger compliance measures to improve VAT collection. Sarpong said the implementation of the Fiscal Electronic Devices Act would allow most businesses to c...

  The Ghana Investment Promotion Authority (GIPA) and the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) have outlined a collaborative roadmap to strengthen the protection of Ghana’s informal retail sector, which is reserved for Ghanaian citizens under the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Act, 2026 (Act 1173). At a strategic meeting convened under the directive of the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry (MoTAI), GIPA CEO, Simon Madjie, reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to strengthening oversight and preventing unauthorised participation in reserved activities. The meeting also addressed concerns over “fronting”, where Ghanaian individuals or entities are used to conceal foreign ownership or control of businesses operating in reserved sectors. As part of the way forward, GIPA and GUTA proposed strengthening an inter-agency task force, establishing a dedicated monitoring and enforcement mechanism, introducing a direct reporting channel for suspected violations, and undert...

  Freight forwarders at the country’s ports are warning of rising operational costs as persistent internet and banking system disruptions delay customs duty payments and the clearance of imported goods. The disruptions, which reportedly began last Friday, have affected freight forwarders’ ability to make and confirm duty payments, creating bottlenecks in port operations. Some freight forwarders say they have repeatedly sought assistance from Customs officials at the Long Room, but the technical challenges remain unresolved. They warn that a prolonged disruption could result in significant additional costs for importers, particularly through demurrage charges imposed by shipping lines when cargo remains uncleared beyond the allowed grace period. The situation is particularly concerning because importers are unable to complete the payments required to clear their goods, while shipping lines may continue to charge demurrage even when the delays are caused by technical challenges beyon...

 By Kofi Ahovi The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) has intensified efforts to deepen public understanding of nuclear energy, with officials highlighting the safety features and flexibility of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as Ghana advances plans to introduce nuclear energy into its power generation mix. Speaking to journalists during a familiarisation tour of selected facilities at the GAEC, Manager of the Localization and Stakeholder Support Centre at Nuclear Power Institute-GAEC, George Kofi Appiah, said modern nuclear technology had evolved significantly, with multiple layers of safety systems designed to prevent and manage accidents. The journalists visited the Energy Exploration (E2) Centre - Africa's first small modular reactor (SMR) control room simulator, the Radioactive Waste Management Centre and the Ghana Research Reactor-1 as part of efforts to help the media better understand Ghana’s nuclear power programme and the operations of the GAEC. At the E2 Centre, Appiah...

 The Head of Distribution and Channels at Prudential Bank LTD, Kojo Nteh has encouraged young professionals to develop disciplined financial habits and make informed money decisions as the foundation for long-term financial security and wealth creation. Speaking at the National Youth Mentorship Summit held in Accra, Nteh called on young professionals to adopt disciplined financial habits early in their careers, warning that without a plan, money will find its own plan to leave. Addressing the audience on the theme “Personal Finance Tips for the Young Professional,” he noted that while earning an income is important, financial success ultimately depends on how effectively individuals manage their finances. He introduced the concept of "paying yourself first"; setting aside a portion of your income for savings before spending on anything else. It doesn’t matter how much you save,” he said. “What matters is consistency. Before you pay everyone else, make sure you pay yourself. T...

    Barbara Dede Ama Okai-Tettey, Head of Business Enablement, Business and Commercial Banking at Stanbic Bank Organizations seeking to remain competitive in an increasingly volatile global environment must move beyond traditional approaches to risk management and intentionally build institutions that are resilient by design, Barbara Dede Ama Okai-Tettey, Head of Business Enablement, Business and Commercial Banking at Stanbic Bank LTD, has said. Delivering an address at Risk Summit 2026,  Okai-Tettey challenged business leaders, policymakers and governance professionals to rethink resilience, arguing that it is not defined by an organization's ability to respond to crises but by the quality of its thinking long before disruption occurs. Speaking on the topic, "Thinking Beyond Risk: The True Foundation of Institutional Resilience," she noted that while geopolitical instability, cyber threats, artificial intelligence, climate change, financial crime and economic uncertaint...