News Guide Africa

Tag: President John Dramani Mahama

  • Zambia, Ghana elevate ties to comprehensive economic partnership

    Zambia, Ghana elevate ties to comprehensive economic partnership

    LUSAKA, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) — Zambia and Ghana have elevated their bilateral relationship to a comprehensive economic partnership, aiming to deepen trade, investment and productive cooperation, according to a communique released on Friday.

     

    The communique followed bilateral talks between Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and his Ghanaian counterpart, John Dramani Mahama, who is on a three-day state visit to Zambia.

     

    According to the communique, the two leaders committed to enhancing private sector participation, facilitating the movement of goods and capital, and promoting joint ventures for value addition, industrial development and job creation.

     

    They identified priority areas of cooperation, including agriculture and food systems transformation, with a focus on agro-processing and value addition, energy cooperation, particularly renewable energy and power trade, trade and investment promotion, as well as financial technology and digital financial services.

     

    The communique noted that the two leaders expressed satisfaction with the successful conclusion of business transactions valued at seven million U.S. dollars between Zambian and Ghanaian fintech companies during a joint business forum.

     

    They also talked about ongoing business negotiations estimated at 65 million dollars, with the potential to generate about 8,000 jobs in both countries.

     

    The two presidents emphasized the importance of strengthening African-led partnerships amid uncertainty in the global environment and persistent economic challenges facing developing countries. They called for expanding intra-African trade, mobilizing African capital and enhancing policy coordination.

  • Mahama ranked 5th most powerful global figure in development and changemaking

    Mahama ranked 5th most powerful global figure in development and changemaking

    Respected international development publication Devex has named Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, as the 5th Most Powerful person in the world of development and changemaking, citing his leadership in advancing the Accra Reset agenda.

    The recognition places President Mahama among a select group of global figures shaping the future of development at a time of major shifts in international aid, financing and global cooperation.

    President Mahama assumed office in January, 2025, marking his second term as President, though not a consecutive one. He previously served as President from 2012 to January 7, 2017, Vice President, a Member of Parliament, and held ministerial positions. He was also the first co-chair of the United Nations Advocacy Group on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    According to Devex, President Mahama has emerged as a leading voice calling for a new deal for African development, pushing back against traditional aid-dependent models and advocating reforms in debt relief, trade, and climate finance.

    His central argument, Devex noted, is that Africa must renegotiate its place in the global economic order, rather than simply adapt to shrinking foreign aid.

    The publication described the Accra Reset as a key pillar of Mahama’s influence. In August last year, he brought together African leaders, policymakers, and global health experts in Accra to launch a new vision for health sovereignty, built on national ownership and fairer global cooperation.

    That vision was later expanded beyond health to development more broadly during the United Nations General Assembly in September, positioning the Accra Reset as a global agenda, not just an African one.

    Devex described the Accra Reset as a bold effort to declare an end to “development-as-usual”, especially in response to cuts in U.S. foreign aid, and to push for new governance, business and financing models. President Mahama, the publication said, has been a hands-on and leading advocate of the initiative, with former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo serving as a key adviser.

    Recognised as first, second, third, and fourth respectively, are Benjamin Black, Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation; Sidi Ould Tah, President of the African Development Bank; Anna Makanju, Vice President, Global Impact | Openai; and Alexander Berger, Cofounder and CEO of Coefficient Giving.

    Introducing its Power 50 list, Devex said the development sector has undergone “tectonic shifts” over the past year, as major donors retrench and new actors step in.

    The list, it explained, focuses on individuals who are transforming development in a post-aid era, including figures in government, philanthropy, multilateral finance, artificial intelligence and global health.

    Devex noted that as bilateral aid declines, attention is increasingly shifting to philanthropy, development finance institutions and the private sector, while emerging donors, including countries in the Persian Gulf, are reshaping the aid landscape.

    The publication also highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence as a potential force multiplier in development, if deployed responsibly.

    While acknowledging that ranking influence is not an exact science, Devex said its newsroom’s deep engagement with the sector informed the list, which it describes as a guide to the key individuals shaping global development in 2026.

    President Mahama’s inclusion in the top five underscores Ghana’s rising profile in global development debates and positions the Accra Reset as one of the most influential ideas redefining international cooperation in the years ahead.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • GH¢10bn infrastructure bonds in 2026: a boost for BIG PUSH

    GH¢10bn infrastructure bonds in 2026: a boost for BIG PUSH

    By Toma Imirhe

    In a move aimed at addressing the nation’s pressing infrastructure deficit, the Government of Ghana has announced plans to issue GHc10 billion in infrastructure bonds across two tranches in 2026.

    The bonds are expected to play a pivotal role in financing key infrastructure projects, including road networks, energy generation, and urban housing.

    The bonds will be offered in two tranches of GHc5 billion each, with the first set to be issued in the second quarter of 2026 and the second in the final quarter of the year.

    Details of the offering, along with other domestic bond issuances are expected to be published in an issuance calendar later this month.

    The issuance is designed as an integral source of financing for the President John Dramani Mahama administration’s Big Push initiative which aims to mobilize US$10 billion for major infrastructural projects. The government has already scaled up funding, with the Finance Ministry allocating GHc30 billion for the plan in the 2026 budget more than double the GHc13.8 billion earmarked last year.

    Said a Ministry of Finance official on condition of anonymity: “The GHc10 billion infrastructure bonds will not only address immediate needs but also lay the foundation for sustainable development for future generations. We are particularly focused on projects that will generate long-term returns and boost productivity.”

    It is believed that the funds raised will be directed towards critical sectors such as road construction and energy infrastructure although government has not formally provided a list of projects to be financed with the proceeds of the issuance.. These investments are expected to improve the ease of doing business in Ghana, enhance regional connectivity, and create much-needed jobs.

    However Economy Times learnt that one of the projects would entail the completion of the Eastern Corridor Road Project, which is expected to link northern Ghana with the southern regions.

    The GHc10 billion bonds are expected be structured as 10-year and 15-year instruments, offering attractive returns to institutional investors, including pension funds, insurance companies, and commercial banks. According to (unconfirmed) sources at the Ministry of Finance, the first tranche of GHc5 billion will be offered at a coupon rate of 13.5%, while the second tranche will likely have a slightly higher rate, reflecting market conditions closer to the issuance date.

    The bonds will be tax-exempt for both local and foreign investors, a move designed to attract a broad spectrum of institutional and individual investors. The repayment of the bonds will be backed by the revenue generated from government infrastructure projects, with a strong focus on projects expected to generate significant returns, such as the tolls on new road networks and the revenues from energy production.

    The government has outlined a robust strategy for amortizing the bonds. Payments will be made from a combination of revenues from the infrastructure projects funded by the bonds, as well as government fiscal resources. In particular, tolls and other user fees will be key contributors to the repayment structure. Analysts believe this approach ensures that the burden on taxpayers will be minimal, while also generating a consistent stream of revenue to service the debt.

    The Bank of Ghana and the Ghana Stock Exchange will manage the bond issuance, with the issuance process being overseen by the Securities and Exchange Commission

    Investors have expressed keen interest in the bond issuance, with some analysts optimistically predicting that the bonds will be oversubscribed, given the government’s focus on high-yielding infrastructure projects. Kwame Boadi, an economist at Ghanaian Investments, notes that infrastructure bonds have become increasingly popular in emerging markets due to their long-term stability and the attractive returns they offer.

    “Investors are always looking for instruments that offer stable returns, and with the government’s strong backing and the underlying infrastructure projects expected to generate reliable cash flows, these bonds are highly appealing,” Boadi asserts.

    But Ghana is seeking to leverage investor confidence as it recovers from a debt crisis under the previous administration which culminated in a 2022 default that cut the country off capital markets. Recently however, investor confidence has strengthened with yields on Ghana’s cedi bonds due in 2039 falling more than 10 percentage points to around 16%.

    However most analysts point out that to ensure the success of the Infrastructure Bonds, the government must go beyond high-interest rates and implement robust strategies to fully re-establish confidence:

    The government must provide absolute legal and fiscal assurance that the funds raised will only be used for the stated infrastructure projects and cannot be restructured or accessed for general budget needs. The establishment of a Sinking Fund specifically for these bonds could guarantee timely coupon payments and principal redemption.

    Some analysts argue that continuous and detailed communication about the bond’s performance, the use of the funds, and the progress of the underlying infrastructure projects is vital. Regular, accessible updates will show investors that the government is fully committed to transparency and accountability.

    Crucially, the government must maintain a flawless record of timely coupon payments on all existing debt, particularly the new bonds issued under the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme, DDEP. Recent payments made to DDEP bondholders are already helping to restore market confidence, but this discipline must be sustained over the long term.

    The International Monetary Fund has welcomed Ghana’s efforts to deepen domestic capital markets but cautioned that infrastructure bonds must align with debt-sustainability goals. An IMF spokeswoman, in an emailed response to an enquiry from Bloomberg, said: “The IMF welcomes steps to deepen the domestic capital markets and is engaging with the government on reopening the local bond market in a prudent, carefully calibrated and sequenced manner. If well designed and directed to high-return projects, infrastructure bonds can support growth and private sector activity.”

    The GHc10 billion bond issuance is expected to be a critical step in addressing Ghana’s infrastructure challenges and supporting the country’s long-term economic development.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • NPA remains resolute on transformative agenda …as CEO Outlines 2026 Focus in New Year Message

    NPA remains resolute on transformative agenda …as CEO Outlines 2026 Focus in New Year Message

    The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) is set to build on its gains in 2026, with CEO Godwin Kudzo Tameklo outlining the organization’s focus areas for the year.

    In his new year message, Tameklo emphasized the NPA’s commitment to the growth and development in Ghana’s petroleum downstream industry.

     

    While specific details of the focus areas were not provided, the NPA has previously highlighted its efforts to improve regulatory processes, enhance consumer protection, and promote innovation in the sector.

    In 2025, the NPA acquired ISO certification for key areas of its regulatory mandate and introduced technological innovations to improve service delivery.7

     

    The NPA’s goals for 2026 align with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision for the country, which includes7 accelerating reforms in education, health, agriculture, energy, and housing.

    The President has also emphasized the importance of fighting corruption and promoting national unity.

     

    By Shine Demordzi

  • Mahama confident in 2026 expansion as IMF cautions on bond market return

    Mahama confident in 2026 expansion as IMF cautions on bond market return

    As the International Monetary Fund (IMF) urges caution regarding Ghana’s return to the international bond market, President John Dramani Mahama is exuding confidence in the nation’s economic trajectory, outlining an ambitious roadmap for accelerated growth and expansion throughout 2026.

    The divergence in tone highlights a delicate balance between leveraging recent economic stability, bolstered by strong domestic investor sentiment and a rallying cedi, and heeding international advice to manage future fiscal risks carefully.

    The IMF’s Measured Warning

    Ghana’s government has signaled its intention to resume the issuance of treasury bonds in early 2026, a strategic move aimed at lengthening the average maturity of its debt and easing rollover risks following the 2023 domestic debt restructuring.

    However, the IMF, in recent advice to the government, has counselled a gradual and cautious approach. The international body points to a narrowing spread between bond yields and the central bank’s monetary policy rate. Furthermore, while the secondary bond market advanced strongly last week, the primary market for government paper has seen a receded appetite in recent auctions, a factor the IMF believes warrants prudence.

    Since the debt restructuring, treasury bills have been the primary source of budget financing. The IMF’s advice underscores a need to ensure sustainable market appetite before fully committing to larger bond issuances.

    Investor Confidence Remains High in T-Bills

    Despite the caution surrounding the long-term bond market, investor sentiment in short-term instruments remains robust. Data from the Bank of Ghana for the week of December 29, 2025, shows that Treasury bills were oversubscribed by 18.48%.

    Investors submitted total bids of GH¢3.91 billion, exceeding the Treasury’s target of GH¢3.30 billion. This strong demand, particularly for the 91-day bill, reflects a rebound in bank participation and suggests a high degree of confidence in the government’s short-term fiscal management. Interest rates edged up slightly across all maturities, indicating sustained market appetite.

    President Mahama Charts a Confident 2026 Roadmap

    In his New Year Message to the Nation on January 1, 2026, President Mahama focused squarely on expansion and delivery, signaling that the government is confident enough in its 2025 gains to accelerate reforms.

    The President outlined a broad agenda aimed at transforming key sectors:

    Social Services: Operationalizing Universal Health Coverage through the Free Primary Health Care Programme and continuing the digitalisation of schools.

    Agriculture and Energy: Transforming farming into a commercially viable sector and working towards a 30% share of renewable energy in the national mix to reduce costs.

    Governance: Intensifying the fight against corruption with “no sacred cows” and implementing recommendations of the Constitutional Review Committee.

    “The gains made in 2025 provide a foundation for building the Ghana that citizens desire,” the President stated, projecting a sense of certainty and control over the nation’s economic future that appears to contrast with the IMF’s more measured risk assessment.

    As Ghana navigates its recovery, the government faces the challenge of balancing its ambitious growth agenda and confidence in its own policies with the cautious, risk-averse guidance of its international partners.

     

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Minority MP praises Mahama govt’s economic management in first year …as Felix Kwakye reviews status of the economy inherited

    Minority MP praises Mahama govt’s economic management in first year …as Felix Kwakye reviews status of the economy inherited

    Ghana’s political arena is alive with a fiery debate over economic legacy and current performance, with the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) trading accusations over who inherited the worst national balance sheet and who is proving better at fixing it.

    The exchange, which played out on a TV discussion program last week, saw NDC Minister for Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, describe the current John Mahama administration as inheriting a “complete shambles” from the previous NPP government, while NPP MP Kojo Oppong Nkrumah acknowledged that the new government had “started well” on economic management, albeit with transparency concerns.

    Mahama Inherited “Worst Economic Situation in History”

    Felix Kwakye Ofosu, MP for Abura Asebu-Kwamankese, laid the blame for the nation’s fiscal woes squarely at the feet of the previous NPP administration. He argued that President Mahama assumed office under the most severe economic conditions Ghana has ever experienced.

    “So you can say that President Mahama inherited the worst possible economic situation in Ghana’s history, and that was superintended by the NPP,” Ofosu asserted.

    He pointed to the NPP government’s inability to service national debts, leading to unprecedented debt defaults between 2022 and 2023, as clear evidence of fiscal mismanagement.

    “The moment a country fails to pay its debts, you know the economy is in complete shambles. In the last 40 years or so, nothing of that sort had happened,” he added.

    Beyond the economy, Ofosu highlighted deep-rooted challenges in the energy sector, education, health, and infrastructure, stressing that any fair assessment of the current government’s performance must be contextualised by the scale of neglect it inherited.

    “Fair to Say” Government Has Started Well, But Lacks Candour

    In a rare cross-aisle acknowledgment, NPP Member of Parliament for Ofoase Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, admitted that the current government has made positive strides in its first year of economic management.

    “I think it is fair to say that this government has started well on the economic management front,” the former Information Minister stated, acknowledging the importance of recognizing progress where it occurs, particularly regarding currency stability and the potential reduction in the cost of living.

    Oppong Nkrumah takes on the approach

    However, Oppong Nkrumah quickly pivoted to criticism regarding the methods used to achieve this stability, specifically concerning the cedi’s appreciation.

    He raised serious concerns about transparency, accusing government officials of initially denying the use of specific market interventions to stabilize the currency.

    “Initially, they were of the view that they should hide that fact… The president also denied it,” Oppong Nkrumah recalled. He argued that the government only admitted to the strategy after being forced to change its approach and introduce a clearer framework.

    The Sustainability Question

    For the NPP MP, while stability is welcome, the sustainability of the methods remains the crucial question. He suggested that the current administration’s ability to intervene in the market is largely due to the programmes inherited from the NPP government which helped accumulate foreign reserves and improve the balance of payments.

    “They are able to do that because they inherited a particular programme that helps with the accumulation of reserves,” he claimed.

    As 2026 begins, the political narrative remains divided. The NDC is focused on highlighting the progress made in stabilizing an economy they describe as shattered, while the NPP is focused on questioning the transparency and long-term viability of the current administration’s recovery strategy, setting the stage for continued economic debate in the years to come.

     

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • “God Bless JM” — Akatsi South NDC Vice Chairman Backs Mahama’s Urbanisation Drive for Volta

    “God Bless JM” — Akatsi South NDC Vice Chairman Backs Mahama’s Urbanisation Drive for Volta

    The Vice Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Akatsi South, Hon. Anthony Solo Adotevi, has lauded President John Dramani Mahama for what he describes as a bold and people-centred development vision aimed at accelerating growth in the Volta Region.

     

    Reacting to President Mahama’s directive to upgrade Ho and Hohoe to Metropolitan status, the party’s local financier, Hon. Adotevi said the move clearly demonstrates the government’s renewed focus on addressing the developmental needs of the party’s world bank.

     

    In a message shared with party supporters, the NDC stalwart praised the President’s leadership, noting that the proposed elevation of the two municipalities goes beyond administrative restructuring and opens the door to enhanced infrastructure development, increased resource allocation and job creation.

     

    “I can see the NDC now focusing on Volta to bring the needed development to our people. God bless JM,” Hon. Adotevi stated.

     

    According to him, the decision affirms the strong bond between the NDC leadership and its grassroots support base in the Volta Region, adding that the party has once again shown its readiness to respond to the aspirations of its loyal supporters.

     

    Hon. Adotevi, philanthropist also a key grassroots mobiliser in Akatsi South, noted that the urbanization agenda aligns with the broader objectives of the NDC’s governance philosophy, which prioritises inclusive development and decentralization.

     

    He stressed that the elevation of Ho and Hohoe to metropolitan status will position the region to attract greater investment, improve public service delivery and create economic opportunities for the youth.

     

    Speaking to Awake News, the business mogul cum politician emphasised that with initiatives such as the proposed 24-hour economy and major infrastructure investments, the NDC is positioning itself to deliver sustainable development and improved livelihoods for Ghanaians.

  • Ghana’s emergent industrial investment opportunities for 2026

    Ghana’s emergent industrial investment opportunities for 2026

    As direct investors, both domestic and foreign, prepare their investment strategies for 2026, the President John Mahama administration’s bid to achieve both import substitution and non-traditional export expansion presents major opportunities. TOMA IMIRHE provides guidance for investors seeking to take advantage of them

    The twin 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development initiatives have been explicitly designed by the President John Dramani Mahama administration to shrink the import bill, scale up value-added manufacturing and triple non-traditional export earnings before the end of this decade. For direct investors, both domestic and foreign, the combination creates a rare window of opportunity comprising predictable state support, new financing lines, trade-facilitation reforms and a clear sectoral focus that together lower some of the old entry constraints to the establishment of industrial and export projects.

    A pro-industry, pro-export economic strategy

    Two elements of the government’s programme matter most. First, the 24-Hour Economy, (24+), an operational push to keep factories, processing lines and export services running longer hours, deepen logistics throughput and align public services such as customs and inspection of standards, with continuous trade. Second, the Accelerated Export Development Programme (AEDP) which sets explicit targets and special service windows for exporters and value-adding firms, with budgeted institutional support from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Agribusiness. Together they are designed to marry both enhanced supply-side incentives in the forms of financing, infrastructure, and regulatory incentives with widened demand-side access made possible by both domestic and export markets development, particularly linkages to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

    President John Mahama has set a key quantitative target: “We aim to grow Ghana’s non-traditional export earnings from US$3.5 billion annually to at least US$10 billion by 2030.” By this, government is sending clear signals that export-oriented projects and those that rely on high local value added for substituting hitherto imported goods will be prioritized for support.

    At a practical level, three things are changing for the better for investors.

    One is that they now stand to enjoy improved access to development finance and guarantees with Ghana Export-Import Bank (GEXIM) having repositioned to provide instruments such as development loans, guarantees, and both buyer and supplier credit, that bridge typical working-capital and pre-export financing gaps which inhibit manufacturers and agricultural processors.

    The second is streamlined, digitalized export processing and trade facilitation, fast-track inspections and special service windows for small and medium sized enterprises targeting specific export products, and these shorten time-to-market and reduce informal transaction costs.

    The third is government’s prioritization of import-substitution products such as rice, poultry, cement and select consumer goods – with incentives for domestic processing and local inputs, thus creating demand certainty for investors who can supply domestic markets or export-ready products.

    The lowest hanging fruits

    The AEDP and 24-Hour Economy initiatives have already identified several “low-hanging” clusters that should be on any investor’s radar.

    The most internationally competitive for Ghana is agro-processing. This includes rice milling and parboiling, poultry feed and processing, cassava and yam processing for starch and flour, horticulture value chains and fruit processing with regards to pineapple, mango and avocado in particular. These can replace processed agricultural products currently still being imported or staples exported as low-value raw commodities.

    Fast-moving consumer goods offer huge opportunities for investors too. These include packaged foods, edible oils, dairy and beverages where scale and refrigerated logistics can undercut imports. Here again, investors can count on a supportive government.

    Import-substitution opportunities with regards to cement, steel and construction inputs, linked to Ghana’s US$10 billion “Big Push” infrastructural development programme and a rapidly expanding real estate sector present veritable investment opportunities too.

    Then there are the opportunities in light manufacturing and assembly. Textiles and garments with local value-added for African markets and durable household goods where domestic demand and regional exports overlap, present potentially commercially lucrative options.

    Pharmaceuticals and chemicals are targets for local production with Ghana having realized the immense potential that its pharmaceutical industry has for both import substitution and sub-regional export to other West African countries.

    Non-traditional agricultural exports are the other area of immediate, clear opportunity. Potential products in this regard include processed cocoa products, cashew, shea derivatives, processed fishery products and horticulture (chilled/frozen) aimed at high-value markets in Europe and intra-African markets under AfCFTA.

    Taking advantage of financing windows, risk-sharing and incentives

    Investors should seek out deals that can take advantage of Ghana’s financing and investment incentive ecosystem.

    At the centre of this is GEXIM’s development loans, export credit, and guarantees which can be used to de-risk offtake and working capital. Commercial banks and local investment financing syndicates can serve as a key source of investment finance too.

    But blended financing structures combining local bank and development bank debt financing with equity capital are likely to be the most competitive.

    Importantly, there are several tax and non-tax incentives available to investors. AEDP and the Ministry of Finance list special service windows and export acceleration measures. Investors can secure written confirmation on tax treatment, VAT refunds on inputs for exports, and concessions for export zone-based manufacturing based in Export Processing Zones. Public-private procurement and off-taker deals for projects aligned to import substitution – cement for government infrastructure for example – can be structured with government as the off-taker or for anchor orders from private sector clients, in order to reduce demand risk.

    Practical guidance for investors

    There are several practical steps that will materially improve the odds of success for investors.

    One is to do a two-track feasibility analysis, considering both import substitution for domestic markets and exploitation of export markets. This means modelling production plant economics for import substitution in domestic markets at conservative local prices, and separately modelling export returns once product quality and certification are achieved.

    Another is to secure local partners for production inputs and aggregate the supply-chain. Successful projects in Ghana rely on aggregators who can manage raw material quality – such as farmers’ cooperatives for cassava, cocoa, shea, and cold-chain logistics for horticulture. Joint ventures with experienced local processors shorten the time needed to learn the ropes.

    Investors should plan for acceptably high product standards and certification from day one. Non-traditional export markets demand consistent quality so it is prudent to invest in Ghana Standards Authority compliance, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) for food, and European Union and United States market certifications early, to avoid costly retrofits.

    New business operations setting up in Ghana, going forward, need to design workforce and shift models for 24-hour operations. The 24-Hour Economy encourages longer operating hours and that affects Human Resource management, requiring shift work wage premiums, local security and transport arrangements. These should be factored into unit economics since businesses that can run two or three-shift models will get better asset utilization and faster payback.

    Investors are also advised to use trade facilitation and digitized export corridors, integrating their IT systems with the digital customs portals as they roll out to avoid paperwork delays.

    Just as importantly as all these, investors should hedge macroeconomic and foreign exchange exposure prudently. While the government is focused on import substitution and expansion of exports, Ghana’s macro-economy remains shaped by fiscal constraints and external financing negotiations. The economy has recently undergone stabilization efforts tied to International Monetary Fund arrangements and faces a delicate balancing act between fiscal consolidation and growth stimulus. Investors should expect some degree of volatility in interest rates and periodic currency pressure, which affect cost and availability of working capital.

    It is advisable to include local currency financing where possible, using GEXIM for partial foreign exchange cover, and structuring export receipts to match foreign-denominated obligations.

    Investors should also connect with local chambers and industry associations such as the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Association of Ghana Industries, exporters’ associations and the likes to stay ahead of operational changes and to access the AEDP special windows

    Planning scalable capital expenditure is also advisable, starting with modular plants that can scale up as the domestic and regional markets pick up.

    The successes investors stand to make

    For investors, success will be plants operating at over70% capacity with stable domestic or growing export sales – preferably both – fueled by transparent trade-processing with digitized customs, and active risk sharing with GEXIM Bank, Development Bank Ghana or commercial financing partners. President Mahama’s public pledge to prioritize export growth signals a political environment that will reward fast-moving investors who align their projects to the 24H+ and AEDP roadmaps.

    Ghana’s new policy architecture offers competitive long-run returns for investors who commit to build local ecosystems founded on raw-material aggregation, skills, standards, and trade logistics. Short-term traders may find themselves victims of macro-economic volatility, but structural investors who align financing, offtake and capacity expansion with multiple shift activities, the AEDP service windows and preferential financing terms, stand to be the winners.

    Ultimately, investors who are evaluating a project, are advised to start with a “policy fit” memo which describes how their proposed plant advances import substitution or export growth, listing the exact AEDP or GEXIM instruments they will need, and attaching a six-month roadmap for certification and digitized customs integration. That exercise alone will reveal whether their plan is opportunistic or investable in Ghana’s new policy era.

     

  • Mahama unveils plan to modernise Ghana’s health facilities

    Mahama unveils plan to modernise Ghana’s health facilities

    President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled plans to retool and modernise health facilities across Ghana, positioning the country at the forefront of Africa’s health transformation agenda.

     

    The initiative, Mahama explained, aligns with continental priorities under Agenda 2063, Africa’s New Public Health Order, and global commitments outlined in SDG 3, all of which call for African nations to move from ambition to concrete action.

     

    Speaking at the WHX Leaders Africa Summit in Accra on Tuesday, December 9, the president highlighted that the retooling programme will be implemented through strategic public–private partnerships, focusing on upgrading critical systems, including strengthening dialysis services and other specialised care.

     

    “MahamaCare positions Ghana as a regional hub for special care, advanced research, and cutting-edge innovation. To complement this, we will also implement a universal free primary health programme, ensuring that cost never prevents a Ghanaian from accessing essential health services,” he said.

     

    President Mahama also called on global vaccine manufacturers to partner with African governments to establish vaccine production hubs on the continent.

    “We urge vaccine manufacturers to collaborate with us to build African vaccine production hubs. We also call on pharmaceutical companies to expand into biological generics for essential medicine manufacturing in Africa,” he added.

  • PRINPAG applauds government’s plan for National Media Fund, urges swift implementation

    PRINPAG applauds government’s plan for National Media Fund, urges swift implementation

    The Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) has expressed appreciation to the Government of Ghana for its proposal to establish a National Media Fund.

    The Association described the initiative as timely, coming at a period when the media industry is facing escalating operational costs, dwindling advertising revenue, limited access to training opportunities, and sustainability challenges particularly among smaller and privately owned outlets.

     

    PRINPAG noted that these constraints pose a threat to media independence, vibrancy, and long-term viability, making the establishment of the Fund essential.

     

    The Association acknowledged President John Dramani Mahama for his longstanding commitment to media development, recalling that “he first introduced the concept of a national media support mechanism during his first term in office, although its objectives could not be fully realized before the conclusion of that administration in 2016.”

     

    According to PRINPAG, the President’s renewed leadership and dedication to national progress give confidence that the vision he once championed for media advancement will now be realized. The Association stated it remains hopeful that this new effort to activate and implement the Media Development Fund will come to fruition.

     

    While welcoming the proposal, PRINPAG urged government to expedite processes toward the establishment and operationalization of the Fund to ensure timely support for journalists and media institutions nationwide.

     

    To guarantee transparency and independence, PRINPAG proposed that the Fund be anchored on strong governance structures, including a dedicated Secretariat, a Fund Administrator, and an Independent Board of competent and experienced individuals to ensure professional management.

     

    The Association further called on media stakeholders, development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector, and the general public to support the initiative and rally behind efforts to strengthen Ghana’s media ecosystem. It stressed that a resilient and independent media is critical to deepening democracy, enhancing accountability, and advancing national development.

     

    PRINPAG reaffirmed its commitment to working with government and all stakeholders to build a free, vibrant, and sustainable media environment in Ghana.