Ghanaian cocoa farmers are to enjoy GH¢400 increase in price per a bag of cocoa beans starting Friday, October 3, 2025, for the 2025/2026 season.
This comes, as government at its Cocoa Price Review Committee meeting decided to increase the producer price of cocoa to GH¢3,625 per bag and GH¢58,000 per tonne, equivalent to a 12.27% rise over the price announced in August.
A statement signed by the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, indicated that, margins, fees, and rates to all other stakeholders, including COCOBOD, remain unchanged.
“COCOBOD will continue to implement interventions to support cocoa production and improve the welfare of cocoa farmers.
“In particular, COCOBOD will intensify the supply of free cocoa fertilizers (liquid and granular), free insecticides, free spraying machines, free fungicides, and free flower inducers”, he intimated.
“In addition, COCOBOD remains on track to implement the new Tertiary Education Scholarship Scheme for children of cocoa farmers in the 2026/27 academic year.”
President John Mahama speaking at the launch of Accra Reset
By Adnan Adams Mohammed
Accra Reset, a bold framework aimed at re-engineering global development institutions, financing, and partnerships as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) era nears its close, launched.
During a side-event at 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York,co-convened by President John Dramani Mahama and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, set the Accra Reset in motion.
The event was heavily graced and witnessed by other heads of state, multilateral leaders, and private sector partners.
President Mahama, the African Union Champion for African Financial Institutions, in his opening remarks called the attention of global intelligence leaders to the reality that the current global development architecture is “fraying.” Citing that, COVID-19 wiped out two decades of progress in less than two years, extreme climate shocks have left nearly 735 million people at risk of hunger, and many developing nations now spend more on servicing debt than on health and education. With fewer than half of the 169 SDG targets on track, he stressed that “development-as-usual must end.”
“The world is only five years from 2030,” Mahama said. “The question is not simply what new targets should replace the SDGs, but how we design institutions and financing systems that actually work. ‘Workability’ is the name of the game now—innovative financing instruments, new business models, and smarter coalitions that multiply resources rather than ration them.”
The Accra Reset is anchored on sovereignty, workability, and shared value.
Health will serve as the entry point and proof of concept, shifting from aid dependency to health sovereignty, and building on commitments made at the Africa Health Sovereignty Summit in Accra in August 2025.
A Club of Accra coalition is expected to initiate pilot financing innovations and “geostrategic dealrooms” for investments in health, climate resilience, food security, and job creation.
The launch also unveiled the Global Presidential Council, a coalition of Heads of State and Government from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and beyond, tasked with providing political leadership and accountability. In parallel, a Global College of Advisors, comprising leading experts in health, finance, innovation, and business, will be established to design and oversee pilots and financing mechanisms.
The event drew strong endorsements from political and institutional leaders:
Olusegun Obasanjo, Co-Patron of AfroChampions, urged solidarity “fit for the new era” and a decisive shift away from aid dependency.
Gordon Brown described the Reset as “a plan for the future” and endorsed the vision for building health sovereignty.
President William Ruto (in remarks read on his behalf) emphasized financing national ambitions and holding the Global Presidential Council accountable for universal health coverage.
Prime Minister Mia Mottley pledged alignment on skills and industrial policy to make pharmaceutical manufacturing viable.
Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of Access Bank, committed significant private sector leadership and financing.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (WHO) and Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (WTO) expressed institutional support for “rewiring” global norms.
Concluding the launch, President Mahama recalled the Monterrey Consensus of 2001, which paved the way for GAVI and the Global Fund, noting that the world now requires “a new vision of multilateralism—one that moves from wish lists to engines of sustainable value creation.”
The Managing Director of the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) PLC, Mr. Edward Ato Sarpong, has commended Akuapem Rural Bank PLC for its strong focus on empowering women through credit financing.
This, he described as a key driver of financial inclusion and sustainable banking.
In 2024 alone, the Rural Bank advanced GH¢60.33 million, representing 49.93 percent of total loan disbursements, to 5,267 women. This marked a 23 percent increase over the previous year, with an impressively low non-performing loan ratio of 0.13 percent. While speaking as the Guest of Honour at the Bank’s 43rd Annual General Meeting (AGM), Mr. Sarpong praised the institution’s Credit with Education (CwE) programme, which has consistently directed about 50 percent of annual loan disbursements to women.
“This achievement is not only commendable but also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal of poverty alleviation, given its direct impact on households and communities”, he mentioned.
Mr. Sarpong encouraged the Bank to deepen its investment in the CwE programme while also strengthening risk management systems and incorporating technology to expand outreach and enhance financial inclusion.
He further applauded the overall performance of the Rural Bank, attributing it to strong governance, quality leadership, and the support of shareholders. “The quality of your Board is evident in the results achieved, and I urge shareholders to continue backing them to ensure further growth,” he noted.
The bank’s post-tax profit increased by 186% from GHS1.35million in 2023 to GHS3.85million in 2024 and total assets growing from GHS156million in 2023 to GHS208million in 2024.
The Board Chairman of the bank, Dr. Ernest Obuobisa-Darko noted deposit growth of 30.77% (from 137.1million in 2023 to 179.3million in 2024), loan growth of 29.01% and investment growth of 33.15% which all contributed immensely to the overall growth in profitability and assets.
He expressed gratitude to Management and staff for their hard work in achieving growth in all of its key financial indicators in 2024.
The 43rd AGM brought together shareholders, board members, management, and invited guests.
Professor John Gartchie Gatsi, Board Chair of Energy Commission
By Adnan Adams Mohammed
The Energy Commission of Ghana has graduated 340 at its 23rd Electrical Wiring Certification & Awards Ceremony with a call for improved customer services.
Clad in their graduation attire, the newly certified practitioners stood as a reflection of the hard work, training, and dedication required to meet the standards of professional electrical wiring in Ghana.
Held under the theme “Empowering Certified Practitioners: Securing L.I. 2008 Through Professional Authentication,” the ceremony reinforced the importance of professionalism and safety in the country’s energy sector.
The Board Chairman of the Commission, Professor John Gartchie Gatsi, in his remarks called for inclusion of customer service training as part of the soft skills training of the electrical wiring professionals to help them improve on customer service experience. Further indicating that, the Commission places high premium on the ceremony because it is one of the objective ways to ensure professionally skillful men and women involved in the electrical wiring industrial, commercial and domestic facilities are awarded and motivated.
“We are happy to carry out one of our mandates as a Commission under the Electrical Wiring Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 2008), and related regulations. Electrical wiring of our domestic, commercial and industrial facilities should be done within the context of safety and professionalism to build lasting trust and credibility”, he noted.
Prof Gatsi assured the Ghanaian public that the Commission will step up its regulatory efforts; including activating the sanctions regime to enhance the environment within which all actors in this industry operate in certifying more Electrical Wiring Professionals. Further indicating that, the Board had already directed management to review the curriculum to include customer relations and care which are key parts of the profession but with less attention being paid.
“We encourage women to go through the certification process as only 233 females have been certified in the past 12 years representing only 1.3% as against over 17,000 men over the same period.
“We will also ensure that the annual knowledge update (CPD)for those who have been certified is taken seriously before renewal of practicing licenses are granted.
According to the Board Chair, over the past 12 years, the Commission certified about 18,000 electrical wiring practitioners. Out of the number, 11,040 focus on domestic facilities while 5,788 on commercial facilities and 827 on industrial facilities. With less than 700 inspectors. We encourage more to enroll to increase safety and credibility in the electrical wiring profession.
“Regulatory sensitivity and reforms are needed to deliver professional electrical wiring and protect property and business assets. We will therefore strengthen regulatory collaboration and improve our public education. We will step up inspections at the ports of entry to ensure substandard electrical materials are cleared.”
He called on the graduates, as expected of them in accordance with the ethics of their profession, to report substandard electrical wiring materials which find their way into the marketplace.
“To our graduates, today’s gathering is not merely to celebrate your achievements, to serve professional ambassadors within the industry and also signal to the public to engage only professionals to undertake electrical wiring of their facilities.”
Characterised as one of the bravest speeches at the ongoing 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, President John Dramani Mahama called the blunt of the reluctance of the global powers (Western powers) for the failure to end the Palestinians suffering.
The speech, which earned global applauds made a strong call for an end to what he described as ‘crime’ against Palestinians in Gaza, urging world leaders not to shy away from naming the atrocities for what they are.
“For nearly two years, and for the fear of reprisal, we here in this General Assembly have been playing hide-and-seek with language to find the right words to help us avoid or excuse what we all know is taking place there.
“But here’s the thing, it doesn’t matter what you call it: if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, well then… It must be a duck. The crimes in Gaza must stop,” he declared.
The Ghanaian leader said the suffering of Palestinians could no longer be ignored, stressing that “hundreds of thousands of innocent people” were enduring “collective punishment and forced starvation for no reason other than the fact that they are Palestinian.”
Reaffirming Ghana’s recognition of Palestine since 1988, President Mahama reiterated his support for a two-state solution, rejecting claims that it would amount to rewarding Hamas.
Instead, he argued, it offered the best chance of delivering justice and relief to civilians caught in the conflict.
Mahama also condemned the recent decision to deny visas to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his delegation, describing it as a “bad precedent” and a direct threat to the integrity of the UN system.
While he acknowledged broader global challenges—including rising nationalism, economic instability, and the erosion of multilateralism—President Mahama warned that Gaza remained a moral test for the world’s leaders.
President of the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), David Tamakloe, is in New York to cover the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), which runs from September 23 to 30, 2025. He departed Accra on September 21 to join global leaders, diplomats, and journalists at this high-level gathering.
Mr. Tamakloe, a seasoned journalist, and governance advocate, will provide in-depth coverage of the Assembly, offering investigative perspectives on critical global issues such as peace and security, climate change, sustainable development, and Africa’s place in shaping the future of multilateralism. He will also feed PRINPAG members with timely and exclusive updates for publication across their platforms, ensuring the Ghanaian public receives accurate reports from the proceedings.
With more than two decades of professional practice in print, television, and digital media, Mr. Tamakloe has built a reputation as one of Ghana’s leading investigative journalists. His exposés on high-profile corruption scandals, including the controversial “Agyapa Deal” and questionable COVID-19 procurement contracts, have influenced governance reforms and accountability in Ghana. Beyond journalism, he has worked with international bodies such as Transparency International and the Global Integrity Initiative on governance and anti-corruption projects.
David is the founder of The New Republic Newspaper, co-founder of Whatsup News, and head of DST Global Consult Limited, Amicus Media, and Origin Variety Farms.
In a statement, PRINPAG’s Executive Secretary, Jeorge Wilson Kingson, described Mr. Tamakloe’s participation as “an opportunity to amplify Ghana and Africa’s perspectives on the global stage,” expressing confidence in his professionalism and commitment to impactful reporting.
Joining him at UNGA is Mr. Isaac Darko Boamah, Managing Editor of The Metro Lens Newspaper and a prominent PRINPAG member. Accredited to cover the Assembly, Mr. Boamah—who also serves as the Mawerehene of Akyem Adadientam in the Eastern Region—will support the coverage effort by providing timely reports for Ghanaian media.
Their joint invitation underscores PRINPAG’s commitment to ensuring that the Ghanaian public remains well-informed about key global decisions and discussions shaping international governance.
President John Dramani Mahama has formally designated the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) as the government’s primary focal institution for coordinating philanthropic and grant-based partnerships.
In a letter dated September 19, 2025, addressed to the Chairperson of MiDA and copied to the Ministers of Finance and Foreign Affairs, President Mahama cited MiDA’s track record of technical excellence, fiduciary discipline, and effective delivery as the basis for the new designation.
The move is intended to streamline and enhance the country’s engagement with major international philanthropic entities.
“This designation affirms Government’s confidence in MiDA’s institutional strength,” the letter stated, emphasizing MiDA’s historical success in implementing large-scale development projects such as the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compacts.
The new role empowers MiDA to serve as the central coordinating body for all government engagements with philanthropic partners.
This includes strategic alignment with national priorities like the Feed Ghana Programme and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As part of its expanded mandate, MiDA will now be responsible for acting as the lead institution for aligning philanthropic efforts with national development goals, managing secured funds grants, and implementing robust procurement systems.
MiDA’s designation specifically includes, but is not limited to, collaboration with global philanthropic giants such as the Open Society Foundation (OSF), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Mastercard Foundation, and other similar entities.
President Mahama has instructed MiDA to work proactively with the Ministry of Finance, relevant sector ministries, and designated organizations to unlock impactful development financing opportunities for Ghana.
“We are confident that under your leadership, MiDA will excel in this strategic role,” the President’s letter concluded, expressing optimism about Ghana’s potential to become a trusted global partner in international philanthropy.
This strategic shift is expected to bolster Ghana’s capacity to attract and manage international grants effectively, ensuring that partnerships deliver measurable, lasting benefits to the Ghanaian people
Bank of Ghana NIBF Expert Team meets reps of religious groups
By Adnan Adams Mohammed
The Bank of Ghana has reiterated commitment to operationalise Non-Interest Banking And Finance (NIBF) in Ghana which do not set stage for religious biases.
Dr Johnson Asiama, Governor of Bank of Ghana at the MPC press briefing last week, gave a resounding affirmation of launching a framework that will guide the operationalisation of the NIBF in Ghana before end of 2025.
Critical to achieving a coherent, comprehensive and ‘all onboard’ stakeholders towards the NIBF framework drafting, the Central bank’s expert team led by Professor John Gartchie Gatsi, has embarked on rigorous trainings, stakeholder engagements as well jurisdictional learning tour. The most recent of such engagement is the meeting with representatives of Christian and Muslim leaders at the Bank Square, last week Thursday, September 18, 2025.
The consultative meeting discussed pertinent topics and modalities towards the development of an ‘inclusive regulatory framework’ for the rollout of NIBF in Ghana. The meeting also discussed international regulatory standards, governance structures, and the establishment of both NIBF windows within conventional banks and fully fledged NIBF institutions.
Prof. Gatsi emphasised that NIBF would enhance financial inclusion, broaden economic opportunities, and expand consumer choice—ensuring fairness and non-discrimination.
Leaders of both faith groups expressed appreciation to the Bank for creating space for dialogue and collaboration on this important initiative.
“The Bank of Ghana remains committed to fostering a financial system that serves all Ghanaians”, Prof Gatsi assured the faith groups on behalf of the Governor.
It is envisaged that, the NIBF, amid its comprehensive and holistic financing system will focus on more productive results from money as against the conventional financial system which focuses on earning on money, provides secured, guaranteed and highly risk averse sources of funding tailored for specific projects at a time.
“NIBF is expected to finance big infrastructure projects, improve socio-economic activities, increase economic growth, deepen financial inclusion, and promote risk sharing in financial transactions”, Prof Gatsi has noted.
The Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) is witnessing growing unrest due allegations that its Chief Executive Officer, Ing. Mark Awuah Baah, has remained in office despite reaching the statutory retirement age.
A letter sighted by this paper, dated January 15, 2025, clearly directed Ing. Baah to proceed on compulsory retirement by June 15, 2025, in accordance with Article 12 of GRIDCo’s Conditions of Service.
The directive instructed him to vacate his post, settle all outstanding obligations, and relinquish the company’s accommodation.
However, three months after the deadline, the position remains unoccupied.
The development has sparked agitation among staff, who argue that his continued stay contravenes both GRIDCo’s internal policy and presidential directives on retirement.
“How can a man who has officially retired still be running this critical state institution? Who is protecting him, and why?” an irate worker queried.
According to insiders, Ing. Baah’s extended tenure has deepened suspicions that elements of the previous administration remain entrenched in the company’s structures. Some employees allege that backdoor recruitments and contract renewals continue to favour individuals with links to the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), further undermining President John Dramani Mahama’s Resetting Agenda.
Party grassroots have also raised concerns, questioning why a retired CEO, with perceived political ties to the NPP, is still steering a key state utility at the expense of loyal National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters. “Our youth fought for this government, yet those who should have retired are still signing contracts and making appointments,” one NDC insider lamented.
GRIDCo’s board has been accused of shielding Ing. Baah from the retirement directive, fueling growing discontent among staff and sections of the ruling party. While open protests remain muted, sources warn that frustrations are boiling beneath the surface.
With pressure mounting, lingering questions persist: Why has Ing. Baah’s retirement not been enforced, and who is enabling his continued stay in office?
1. Today marks the 116th anniversary of the birth of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President, founder of the modern Ghanaian state, and the towering Pan-Africanist who was rightfully celebrated as the African of the Millennium.
2. His life’s work was dedicated to liberation, unity, and the dignity of all oppressed peoples across the globe.
3. It is fitting and proper to commend the Government of Ghana under the stellar leadership of H.E John Dramani Mahama, for the reinstatement of this day as founder’s Day, contrary to the revisionist posture of the erstwhile President.
4. As we reflect on Nkrumah’s legacy, it is urgent to revisit his ideology and infuse it deeply into our educational system. His belief in the power of education as a tool of liberation and development remains timeless. In Consciencism (1964), he wrote: “Practice without thought is blind; thought without practice is empty.” This call for critical, purposeful education resonates today as we seek to build generations grounded in African identity, justice, and collective progress.
5. On this solemn occasion, we cannot remain silent about the ongoing genocide in Palestine. Nkrumah’s unwavering solidarity with all oppressed people is clear in his declaration: “Freedom is not something that one people can bestow on another as a gift. They claim it as their own and none can keep it from them.” The world must heed this truth and demand an immediate end to the bloodshed, recognizing the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to live in peace and dignity. Palestine must be free.
6. Above all, Nkrumah’s vision of African unity remains unfinished business. He warned: “The independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of Africa.”
7. Six decades later, Africa remains fragmented, vulnerable to external manipulation, and plagued by disunity. Yet his words still guide us: “It is clear that we must find an African solution to our problems, and that this can only be found in African unity.”
8. On this anniversary, let us renew our commitment to Nkrumah’s path—educating our youth in his ideology, standing firmly against injustice anywhere, and working tirelessly to achieve the unity of our continent.
9. Only then can we honor the enduring spirit of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and fulfill his vision of a free, united, and dignified Africa.
10. Freedom. Freedom. Freedom.
Long Live Ghana
Long Live the Pan African dream of African unity.
Abdul-Wahab Africa Zion
Exec Director, Think Africa Foundation
zionexisted4u@gmail.com
