World Bank Warns Majority of Ghanaians Still in Poverty Amid Uneven Economic Growth
Despite recent economic growth, more than half of Ghanaians continue to live in poverty, according to new findings from the World Bank. At the launch of the World Bank Group’s 10th Ghana Economic Update, Dr. Robert Taliercio O’Brien, Division Director for Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, revealed that 56.4% of Ghanaians remain poor, with growing spatial disparities highlighting a worrying disconnect between the country’s economic performance and everyday living conditions. “56.4% of Ghanaians remain in poverty. And spatial disparities are widening,” Dr. Taliercio O’Brien stated. He pointed out that while Ghana has recorded headline growth, the benefits have yet to reach a broad base of the population. “It’s a disconnect between the headline growth that is yet to reach most of the population,” he added. The World Bank’s report also cited the structure of Ghana’s economic growth as a major concern. According to Dr. Taliercio O’Brien, the sectors driving growth have limited capacity to create jobs, a problem that is becoming more pronounced as Ghana’s youthful population enters the labour market. “Growth is led by sectors with limited employment absorption relative to its growing young population entering the labour market in the next decade,” he explained, describing the situation as a “structural imbalance that also demands urgent attention.” The findings underscore the need for targeted policy interventions to ensure that economic gains translate into real improvements in living standards for all Ghanaians, not just a select few. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
President Mahama Signs 10 Major Bills into Law, Ushering in Wide-Ranging Reforms
President John Dramani Mahama has given his assent to 10 significant Bills passed by Parliament during the Second Meeting of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament, paving the way for sweeping legislative reforms across key sectors of the Ghanaian economy. The presidential endorsement, which took place following the parliamentary sitting that concluded on July 31, 2026, officially transforms the approved Bills into law. This move enables relevant government agencies and institutions to begin implementing the new measures contained in the legislation. The newly enacted laws span a diverse range of areas, including taxation, revenue mobilisation, justice administration, national defence, maritime regulation, and the cocoa sector. The Acts signed include the Customs Act, 2026; Community Service Act, 2026; Tribunals Act, 2026; Maritime and Related Offences Act, 2026; National Defence University, Ghana Act, 2026; Income Tax (Amendment) Act, 2026; Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Act, 2026; Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026; Value Added Tax (Amendment) Act, 2026; and Excise Act, 2026. Among the most impactful are the Income Tax (Amendment) Act, Value Added Tax (Amendment) Act, Excise Act, and Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Act, which are set to shape Ghana’s approach to taxation and revenue collection going forward. The passage and enactment of these laws underscore the government’s commitment to strengthening justice delivery, regulating vital economic activities, ensuring national security, and enhancing government revenue. The reforms are expected to have far-reaching implications for trade, the cocoa industry, and the administration of justice in Ghana. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ayitey Powers Remanded Over Alleged Threat Against NSA Boss
Former Ghanaian boxing star Michael Ayitey Okai, widely known as Ayitey Powers, has been ordered into police custody for one week as investigations continue into an alleged death threat against the Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah. The Dansoman Circuit Court issued the remand order on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, after Ayitey Powers was brought before the court following his arrest by the Accra Regional Police Command a day earlier. His arrest came in the wake of a viral social media video purportedly showing him threatening the life of Mr. Ampofo Ankrah. Ayitey Powers is scheduled to make his next court appearance on September 2, 2026. The case has attracted the attention of the Ghana Boxing Interim Management Committee (GBIMC), which had earlier called for his arrest and prosecution over the alleged remarks. Police investigations are ongoing as the court considers the appropriate course of action in the high-profile case. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
NPP Vows Relentless Pursuit of Answers Over $1.7 Billion Gold Programme Loss
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has declared its unwavering commitment to seeking full accountability over the US$1.7 billion loss reported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in connection with Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP). Addressing journalists on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, NPP National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye emphasized that the party would not relent in its demands for answers until every detail of the reported loss is publicly explained and scrutinized. “We are not backing off. Not now, not tomorrow, not until every question is answered in full, and in public, and under proper scrutiny,” Nana Boakye stated. He called on the Minority Leader and NPP members in Parliament to use all available parliamentary procedures to extract the truth from government and relevant institutions. “Use every relevant law in the books, every question on the floor of Parliament, every committee hearing, every request for documents, every order paper, every point of order. Fight for the people of Ghana in the court of public opinion as well. Fight until the Ghanaian people receive all the answers they deserve, in writing, under oath if necessary,” he urged. The NPP’s renewed push for transparency follows the IMF’s assessment of a significant loss linked to the DGPP, sparking calls for deeper scrutiny of the programme’s transactions and their impact on public finances. Nana Boakye assured that the NPP would persist through Parliament and other appropriate channels until the circumstances surrounding the reported loss are fully addressed. The party insists that only thorough and public accountability will satisfy the concerns of the Ghanaian people. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Tragedy in Ashanti: 23 Lives Lost to Abandoned Galamsey Pits, Including 11 Children
The Ashanti Region is mourning after at least 23 people, including 11 children, lost their lives by falling into abandoned illegal mining pits, locally known as galamsey pits, over recent months. The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, revealed the grim statistics on Monday, August 24, 2026, during the commissioning of a new ultramodern Minerals Commission office complex in Kumasi. According to Dr. Amoakohene, 19 of the bodies have so far been recovered, with four victims still trapped underground. Most of the fatalities were residents who inadvertently fell into the uncovered pits while using pathways to their farms. “Twenty-three lives have been lost only because they were on their way to their farms and fell into pits that were left uncovered by miners within the various areas. Only 19 have been recovered from the pits; the remaining four we have not been able to recover,” he stated. The Minister lamented the loss of young lives, pointing out that 11 of the victims were children. “Eleven of them are children whose future has been cut short because someone, in his quest for money, left a pit uncovered within some of these areas that lead to farmlands,” Dr. Amoakohene said. In response to the tragedy, the Regional Security Council, with support from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, has initiated a programme to reclaim and cover abandoned illegal mining pits across the affected communities. Dr. Amoakohene called on all stakeholders to support these efforts, stressing the urgent need to secure abandoned mining sites and prevent further loss of life. He emphasized that immediate action is essential, especially in communities where residents and children frequently traverse routes that pass by or through dangerous, uncovered pits. The Regional Minister’s call to action highlights the ongoing hazards posed by illegal mining and the critical importance of reclaiming and securing such sites to safeguard lives in the region. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Appointments Committee to Vet Mahama Ayariga and Other Presidential Nominees
The Appointments Committee of Parliament is set to vet Majority Leader and Chairman of the Business Committee, Mahama Ayariga, on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, following his nomination by President John Dramani Mahama as Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs. Mr. Ayariga is among three high-profile nominees scheduled to appear before the committee as Parliament advances its review of recent presidential nominations to key ministerial and judicial positions. Also appearing for vetting on Tuesday is Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, nominated as Minister-designate for Environment, Science and Technology, alongside a nominee for appointment to the Supreme Court. During parliamentary proceedings on Monday, August 24, Mr. Ayariga, in his capacity as Business Committee Chair, outlined the timetable and procedures for the upcoming vettings. “On Tuesday, August 25, 2026, the Appointments Committee should consider the two ministerial nominees and one justice of the Supreme Court. And then on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, the Appointments Committee should also consider the nominations of two justices of the Supreme Court. So those are the schedules that the Business Committee is recommending for adoption by this House.” According to the proposed schedule, the committee will begin with the two ministerial nominees and one Supreme Court nominee on Tuesday, and follow up with two additional Supreme Court nominees on Wednesday, August 26. Mr. Ayariga’s vetting will allow committee members to scrutinise his qualifications, experience, and policy positions, and assess his suitability for the Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs portfolio. The vetting process is part of Parliament’s broader consideration of several presidential nominations that require approval. To facilitate the process, Parliament’s Business Committee requested a waiver of the Standing Orders’ usual publication requirement for nominations, enabling the committee to proceed with the vetting schedule without delay. Following the vetting sessions, the committee’s reports on the nominees will be presented to the full House for consideration and approval, in accordance with parliamentary procedures. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Finance Minister Forson Vows Disciplined Approach to Project Financing to Safeguard Ghana’s Economy
Ghana’s Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has pledged a more disciplined and strategic approach to financing development projects as the country moves to protect its economic stability and avoid another debt crisis. Speaking at the Fifth Session of the Ghana–China Joint Commission on Economic, Trade and Technical Cooperation, Dr. Forson outlined a new set of priorities for government spending and borrowing. “Ghana will now proceed with discipline. We will not borrow simply because financing is available,” Dr. Forson asserted, signaling a shift in policy from past practices that contributed to rising national debt. He emphasized that all projects, whether roads, railways, power plants, or industrial enclaves, must be economically justified, transparently procured, and capable of boosting growth, generating revenue, or reducing costs. “Any road, railway, power plant, industrial enclave or other infrastructure financed through this cooperation must improve productivity, create jobs, increase exports and strengthen Ghana’s ability to repay its obligations,” he said. Dr. Forson stressed the need for measurable economic benefits from every project funded, particularly in partnership with international stakeholders such as China. He also announced that government would diversify its financing sources while maintaining a firm focus on debt sustainability. “We will diversify our financing sources, protect debt sustainability and avoid a return to the conditions that led to the 2022 debt crisis,” he stated, underlining the administration’s commitment to prudent fiscal management. As Ghana looks to the future, Dr. Forson’s remarks set a tone of accountability and discipline, aiming to ensure that development projects deliver real value and that the nation’s finances remain secure. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
BoG Governor Dr. Asiama: Reserve Build-Up Shields Economy from Global Shocks
Bank of Ghana (BoG) Governor, Dr. Johnson Asiama, has highlighted the vital role played by Ghana’s international reserves in protecting the nation’s economy from recent global turbulence. Addressing Economics students from the University of Ghana and the University of Ghana Business School during “Time with the Governor,” Dr. Asiama reflected on the country’s response to mounting external pressures, particularly those stemming from tensions in the Middle East. “In the past three to four months, we have faced significant challenges with our international reserves,” Dr. Asiama noted, referencing a US$1.2 billion decline that saw Ghana’s reserves fall from US$14.1 billion to US$12.9 billion, according to the latest Bank of Ghana data. “I am therefore not surprised that we lost 1.2 billion reserves.” Despite the losses, Dr. Asiama credited last year’s strategic decision to build up reserves as a crucial buffer. “One of the good things we did last year was to build some high reserves for interesting times like this,” he told students attending the 131st Monetary Policy Committee meetings as part of the MPC Educational Observership Programme. He explained that the reserve build-up has given the central bank the flexibility to respond to global economic shocks and continue supporting critical sectors. “Managing the impact of external shocks involves difficult choices,” Dr. Asiama said, emphasizing the importance of strengthening Ghana’s foreign exchange earnings. Looking ahead, the Governor called for increased focus on cocoa and non-traditional exports as drivers of reserve growth. He revealed that non-traditional exports currently make up about 10% of total exports but should be pushed to 15%. Dr. Asiama also identified remittances as a potential avenue for bolstering reserves and economic development. He urged that more of the over US$8 billion received annually through remittances be directed into productive investments rather than consumption. As Ghana continues to navigate a challenging global environment, Dr. Asiama’s message was clear: prudent reserve management and strategic export growth are essential to safeguarding the country’s economic stability. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Medical and Dental Council Registrar Highlights Regulation as Key to Universal Health Coverage at AMCOA Conference
The 28th Annual International Conference of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA) opened in Accra with a resounding message from Dr. Divine N. Banyubala, Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Ghana. Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Dr. Banyubala underscored the indispensable role of health professional regulation in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Ghana and across the continent. This year’s conference, themed “Responsive Regulation for Safer Communities towards Universal Health Coverage,” brought together over 350 delegates at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel from August 23-27, 2026. The gathering aims to strengthen regulatory frameworks to ensure safer, more accountable healthcare for all Africans. Dr. Banyubala drew a direct link between the conference theme and President John Dramani Mahama’s free primary healthcare policy. “Universal health coverage, as His Excellency the President eloquently laid out and anchored on his free primary health care policy, means there should be no barrier to access to care by anyone in Ghana,” he explained. However, Dr. Banyubala cautioned that expanding access alone is not enough. “At the heart of it as regulators is not simply just expanding access. If you expand access and the care is not safe or that the practitioner providing the care is not properly trained or is not registered and licensed, or when there is misconduct with no accountability mechanism, then access in this sense may be harmful.” He emphasized that regulation forms the foundation of quality and safe universal access. “We set standards for training, for practice, for entry into the profession, and for professional and ethical conduct. Where things do not go well, we have the statutory obligation to ensure accountability mechanisms work,” Dr. Banyubala noted. According to the Registrar, health professional regulators are, above all, public interest regulators. “Our primary object is to protect the public, the patients. We are all potential patients, and so all of us have a role to play in health professional regulation in general.” Dr. Banyubala concluded by reiterating that regulation is at the heart of the President’s free primary health care policy and is essential for ensuring universal access to quality, basic, and safe care for every Ghanaian. As the AMCOA 2026 conference continues, delegates are set to deliberate on ways to make health regulation even more responsive, building safer communities and moving closer to the goal of universal health coverage. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin Finally Sues GoldBod CEO Over Extortion Allegations
Parliament resumed on Monday, August 24, 2026, under a cloud of controversy as Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin announced that he had begun legal proceedings against Sammy Gyamfi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod). The Effutu MP’s lawsuit, revealed on the floor of Parliament, marks a new escalation in the ongoing dispute over the financial management of the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP). At the heart of the matter is a reported US$1.7 billion loss recorded by the Bank of Ghana in 2025, which Mr. Afenyo-Markin has repeatedly cited in his calls for government and GoldBod accountability. Mr. Gyamfi, however, has staunchly defended his agency, rejecting the Minority Leader’s interpretation and insisting the losses cannot be laid at GoldBod’s door. Tensions reached a boiling point when Mr. Gyamfi described Mr. Afenyo-Markin as an “extortionist” amid intensifying scrutiny of the gold purchasing initiative. The Minority Leader responded by informing Parliament that he has not only sued Mr. Gyamfi but has also initiated legal action against media outlets that published or broadcast the disputed remarks. “I am ready to submit myself to the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the other agencies for more investigations,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin said, confidently asserting that the courts would determine the truth based on evidence and the law. He stressed the importance of maintaining decorum in public discourse, stating, “There is a limit to political discourse and there are lines that must not be crossed, and once crossed, there must be dealt with.” Mr. Afenyo-Markin further affirmed his commitment to integrity, hard work, and service to Parliament and his constituents, declaring his readiness to defend his actions and statements in court. He revealed details of the lawsuits, stating, “I have accordingly caused writs to be filed in Suit Number GT/1029/2026, titled Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin versus Samuel Adu Gyamfi and Multimedia Group Limited at the Accra High Court, and Suit Number GR/ACH/CC/C5/02/2026, titled Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin versus Eric Adjei and Peace FM at the Achimota Circuit Court.” Throwing down the gauntlet, he challenged his accusers to “muster courage to report the issue to the various security agencies for further investigation.” As the legal battle unfolds, the nation watches closely, with the outcome likely to set a precedent for the boundaries of political debate and accountability in Ghana’s Parliament. Source: Apexnewsgh.com