Ghana Signs Major Agro-Industrial Deal to End Fertiliser Imports and Boost Food Processing
Ghana has taken a significant stride toward transforming its agricultural sector, with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) signing a landmark partnership agreement with Sentuo Group Limited aimed at industrialising the country’s food production and ending decades of dependence on imported fertilisers. The signing ceremony, held in Accra on Monday, April 13, 2026, was accompanied by a media engagement at which Minister for Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku described the deal as a “bold and deliberate step” toward repositioning Ghana’s agriculture under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama. At its core, the agreement rests on two key pillars: the development of large-scale agro-processing infrastructure and the establishment of a national fertiliser manufacturing plant backed by an integrated agricultural input supply system. The initiative will target key commodities, cashew, maize, rice, soybean, and oil palm, with the overarching goal of shifting Ghana away from a raw commodity-based economy toward a value-driven, industrialised agricultural sector. Perhaps the most consequential aspect of the deal is its fertiliser component. For decades, Ghana has relied heavily on fertiliser imports, leaving farmers vulnerable to global price fluctuations, supply chain disruptions, and the pressures of foreign exchange constraints. “With this agreement, we are taking a decisive step toward fertiliser independence,” Minister Opoku declared, noting that the project will enable local production of a wide range of fertiliser types, including NPK, urea-based, blended, organic, and specialty formulations. The Minister also highlighted the government’s existing support for farmers through the 2026 budget, which includes the distribution of 272,000 metric tonnes of fertilisers nationwide, targeted supplies exceeding 164,000 metric tonnes for intensified crop production, and a GH¢2.7 billion allocation for cocoa fertiliser support benefiting over 661,000 farmers. He was quick to stress, however, that government support alone is not sustainable without local production, making the Sentuo Group partnership what he described as “strategic and transformational.” The Minister commended Sentuo Group’s representative, Ningquan Xu, for the company’s commitment to finance, design, construct, and operate the proposed facilities under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement, a structure aligned with Ghana’s Public-Private Partnership Act 2020. He said the deal signals growing investor confidence in the country’s economic direction. Mr. Opoku was also keen to reassure the public about safeguards built into the agreement. The Memorandum of Understanding signed is a non-binding framework, he clarified, with all subsequent stages subject to feasibility studies, environmental and social assessments, regulatory approvals, and government oversight to ensure transparency and protect national interest. Beyond fertiliser production, the partnership is expected to catalyse broader development across Ghana’s agro-industrial ecosystem through the establishment of processing plants, warehousing systems, packaging facilities, and export-oriented production infrastructure. The anticipated benefits are wide-ranging: reduced post-harvest losses, increased export earnings, stabilised input costs, job creation, improved food security, and stronger economic resilience. The Ministry also plans to align the project with key national initiatives, including the Feed Ghana Programme and the 24-Hour Economy Policy. “Today’s signing is not just an agreement, it is a signal that Ghana is ready for serious, long-term industrial investment,” Mr. Opoku stated, reaffirming the government’s commitment to building a modern agricultural economy capable of delivering sustainable benefits for generations to come. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Warehouses Full, Promises Empty: Asutsuare Rice Farmers Cry Out for Help
Rice farmers in Asutsuare, Kadjanya, and Akuse in the Shai Osudoku District of the Eastern Region are sinking into a financial crisis, as large quantities of harvested rice sit unsold and post-harvest losses mount with each passing day. The situation is most acute at the Asutsuare rice irrigation scheme, one of Ghana’s major rice-producing hubs, spanning over 4,000 hectares and supporting thousands of smallholder and commercial farmers. Warehouses have been filled to capacity, leaving farmers with no choice but to leave excess produce exposed to the elements, where it risks spoilage. Despite significant investments in mechanisation and irrigation, farmers say the absence of a reliable market is steadily eroding their hard work and livelihoods. The hardship has gone beyond financial strain. Reports indicate that a farmer identified as Zola allegedly died by suicide after struggling to repay a bank loan tied to his farming activities, a tragic development that has cast a dark shadow over the farming communities. Authorities have yet to publicly confirm the details surrounding the incident. The story of Zola, however, has put a human face on what might otherwise be seen as an economic statistic, underscoring the very real and personal consequences of the crisis gripping the region. Philip Akpoka Anumah, President of the Osudoku Rice Farmers Association, has been vocal about the pricing crisis at the centre of the problem. He pointed out that buffer stock authorities are offering just GHS350 per bag, a figure that falls below production costs, meaning farmers are effectively selling at a loss. The situation is made worse by the continued influx of imported rice, which farmers say is suppressing demand for locally produced rice and driving prices even lower. Adding to the frustration is what farmers describe as unfulfilled assurances from the highest levels of government. The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, and the Minister for Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, reportedly visited the area and pledged interventions, including buffer stock purchases. Those promises, farmers say, have yet to translate into action, deepening their sense of abandonment. Compounding the crisis further, rehabilitation works on sections of the irrigation scheme have stalled, leaving more than a thousand farmers idle for over a year, unable to farm, unable to earn, and increasingly unable to cope. With their backs against the wall, the farmers are now issuing an urgent call for government intervention. Their demands are straightforward: improved market access, fair and realistic pricing for their produce, and the completion of long-delayed infrastructure projects. They warn that continued inaction will not only devastate local rice production but could permanently damage rural livelihoods across the district, a consequence, they say, that the government cannot afford to ignore. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
UTAG Demands Sacking of GTEC Top Officials Over Governance Failures
The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has issued a bold ultimatum to the government, demanding the immediate dismissal of the Director-General and Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai and Augustine Ocloo, over what it describes as persistent overreach and governance lapses threatening the stability of Ghana’s public universities. Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, UTAG President Vera Fiador revealed that the association had first raised the alarm through a formal petition to the Presidency on February 17, 2026, outlining serious concerns about unilateral decision-making and an increasingly coercive leadership style at the Commission. Nearly two months on, UTAG says it has received no response, a silence that has now compelled the association to take its grievances public. At the heart of UTAG’s frustration is what it sees as a systematic overstepping of GTEC’s regulatory boundaries. The association argues that the Commission’s actions are eroding institutional autonomy, academic freedom, staff welfare, and the overall stability of public universities — values it considers non-negotiable in a healthy tertiary education system. UTAG levelled a string of specific accusations against the GTEC leadership, including interference in internal university governance, overriding decisions made by governing councils and academic boards, introducing unapproved appointment requirements, and disregarding established institutional statutes. The association further alleged that GTEC has wielded excessive discretionary powers, including threats to withdraw accreditation and funding, and the abrupt abolition of certain administrative roles without due process. UTAG also trained its sights on directives issued by GTEC in September and October 2025, particularly those affecting post-retirement contracts and salary administration. According to the association, these measures directly conflict with agreed conditions of service, breed uncertainty among staff, and are disrupting core academic functions including teaching and research. The association warned that the deteriorating situation is straining labour relations and could tip over into industrial action if the government fails to act. Pointing to reputational damage already done, UTAG cited a 2025 incident involving the University of Cape Coast, where GTEC temporarily withdrew accreditation services before reversing course, a move that, according to the association, created significant uncertainty for students and damaged Ghana’s standing with international academic partners. UTAG’s demands are unambiguous: the removal of GTEC’s top officials, the reversal of all contentious directives, and the swift passage of a Legislative Instrument to give full effect to the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020. The association also called for the protection of existing post-retirement arrangements and meaningful stakeholder engagement in future regulatory decisions. In a firm closing warning, UTAG gave the government 14 days to act, making clear that failure to address these concerns within that window will trigger further, unspecified action. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghana’s Growth to Slow in 2026, But Stability Holds Firm — World Bank
Ghana’s economy is set to cool slightly this year, with the World Bank forecasting GDP growth of 4.8 percent in 2026, down from an estimated 6.0 percent in 2025. The dip signals a moderation in momentum following a strong post-pandemic rebound, but it is not a cause for alarm, stability, rather than rapid expansion, is now the defining theme of Ghana’s economic trajectory. According to the Bank’s latest Africa Economic Update, the slowdown is driven by tightening domestic conditions and mounting external pressures, even as the country’s broader macroeconomic fundamentals continue to improve. Inflation on the Way Down One of the brighter spots in the outlook is inflation. The World Bank projects Ghana’s end-of-year inflation rate for 2026 at around 9 percent, firmly consolidating the country’s position in single-digit territory. This continued disinflation is expected to be underpinned by improved currency stability, tight monetary policy, and easing external pressures, a combination that should provide meaningful relief to households and businesses alike. A Mixed Picture for Business For the private sector, the outlook cuts both ways. On one hand, weaker domestic demand, cautious investment sentiment, and global economic uncertainty could constrain expansion across key sectors. On the other, easing inflation holds the potential to boost consumer purchasing power and reduce operational costs for firms — offering a silver lining amid the broader slowdown. The World Bank, however, sounded a note of caution: Ghana remains exposed to global shocks, including commodity price volatility, uncertain financial conditions, and geopolitical risks affecting trade and energy markets. Left unmanaged, these risks could erode both growth and inflation gains. Ghana in a Regional Context Ghana’s moderation mirrors broader trends across the continent. Sub-Saharan Africa’s growth is projected at 4.1 percent in 2026, unchanged from 2025, though the World Bank warns that downside risks are mounting. The region’s recovery from successive global shocks is losing steam, with growth projections revised downward by 0.3 percentage points from the October 2025 forecast. Heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, heavy debt-service burdens, and deep structural challenges are all weighing on growth and job creation across the region. The report further highlights that escalating conflicts, including attacks on energy facilities and disruptions to global shipping routes, have intensified these risks considerably. Steady, Not Spectacular Despite the projected slowdown, Ghana’s medium-term outlook remains relatively stable, with growth expected to hover around 5 percent in subsequent years and recover gradually over time. The World Bank’s data paints a picture of a country entering a phase of measured recovery, one where consolidating gains and building resilience takes precedence over chasing rapid expansion. For Ghana, the road ahead may be steadier than it is swift, but the direction remains firmly forward. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
AfCFTA Could Lift 40 Million Out of Poverty by 2035 — But Key Barriers Remain, Says World Bank
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) holds the promise of raising real incomes across the continent by 7–9% and pulling 40 million people out of extreme poverty by 2035, but that promise remains largely unfulfilled, the World Bank has warned. Launched in January 2021, the AfCFTA is a landmark trade agreement among African Union member states designed to create a single continental market for goods and services. Despite its ambitious vision, the World Bank’s April 2026 Africa Economic Update paints a sobering picture: the agreement’s transformative impact has yet to materialise. According to the report, unlocking the full potential of the AfCFTA will not happen on its own. It will require frontrunner countries to take the lead on implementation, backed by robust monitoring, strict enforcement of commitments, and targeted investment in regional public goods. The World Bank was candid about where the real obstacles lie. “While tariff reductions under the AfCFTA will help intraregional trade, the most significant constraints stem from internal trade costs,” the report noted. These internal costs include inadequate transport and logistics infrastructure, inefficient customs and regulatory systems, limited digitalisation, and high domestic finance and logistics expenses, structural challenges that tariff cuts alone cannot resolve. Adding to these hurdles, non-tariff barriers such as selective export bans remain widespread across the region, further dampening the flow of trade between African nations. Looking ahead, the World Bank urged that Phase II of the agreement prioritise investment, intellectual property, competition policy, and the meaningful inclusion of women and youth in trade, areas seen as critical to tackling the deep-rooted internal cost barriers. Even so, the Bank struck a note of caution, warning that implementation is likely to be gradual given the substantial investment requirements and the need for far-reaching institutional and regulatory reforms. The message from the World Bank is clear: the AfCFTA’s potential is real and significant, but turning that potential into tangible gains for African people will demand sustained political will, coordinated action, and long-term investment across the continent. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Volta Regional House of Chiefs Condemns EOCO’s Conduct Over Dr. Kwamigah-Atokple Case
The Volta Regional House of Chiefs has fired a strong broadside at the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), criticising the anti-crime body’s handling of matters involving Dr. Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, the Volta Region’s representative on the Council of State. In a press statement dated Tuesday, April 7, 2026, the House did not attempt to hide its displeasure, describing EOCO’s actions as fundamentally at odds with the principles of constitutional democracy and the rule of law — a rebuke that laid bare the growing tension between the traditional authority and the state agency. The chiefs pointed to a recent High Court ruling that had found EOCO guilty of acting without a lawful mandate and in violation of constitutional principles of fairness in its handling of the case. To the House, the court’s verdict was not a matter open to interpretation; it was, in their words, unequivocal. Yet, despite that ruling, the trouble did not end there. Dr. Kwamigah-Atokple alleged that EOCO had pressed on regardless, maintaining its investigation and even going so far as to publicly question the legitimacy of the judgment. For the House of Chiefs, this was a step too far. Such conduct, they argued, amounted to a direct assault on the court’s authority and could not go unchallenged. The chiefs were equally pointed in their message to EOCO: if the agency took issue with the ruling, the proper and lawful course of action was to appeal the decision through the appropriate legal channels, not to act in ways that gave the appearance of defying the court’s authority. The statement drove home a principle that the House considered non-negotiable: that no institution, however powerful, stands above the law. The decisions of the courts, they stressed, must be respected at all times, without exception. In its strongest terms, the House condemned EOCO’s posture, warning that it posed a serious threat to administrative justice and risked eroding public confidence in Ghana’s legal system. Bringing its statement to a close, the Volta Regional House of Chiefs issued a clear call to EOCO: exercise restraint, and demonstrate full and unambiguous respect for the authority of the courts. The House also took the moment to reaffirm its own unwavering commitment to upholding justice, due process, and the integrity of Ghana’s constitutional institutions. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ken Ofori-Atta Released from U.S. Immigration Custody After Months of Detention
Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is no longer in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), bringing a new twist to a case that has gripped public attention on both sides of the Atlantic. The development emerged from ICE’s own detainee tracking system, which no longer lists the former minister as being held. It was further confirmed by prominent activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor, who cited sources indicating that Mr. Ofori-Atta walked free on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. His ordeal in U.S. custody began in January 2026, when he was arrested in the United States over concerns related to his immigration status. He was detained in the Virginia area, with his legal representatives later clarifying that the matter centred on the legality of his stay in the country. For several weeks, he remained held at a detention facility in Virginia as legal proceedings unfolded around him, including immigration hearings and an extradition request filed by Ghana. During that period, a U.S. court denied him bail as he mounted a legal challenge against the case. His detention drew considerable public and political attention, largely owing to his high-profile tenure as Ghana’s Finance Minister, a role that placed him at the centre of some of the country’s most consequential economic decisions. Yet, even as the news of his release circulates, many questions remain unanswered. The circumstances under which he was freed are still unclear, and it is not yet known whether he will be permitted to remain in the United States or whether the extradition process will be revived. As of the time of this report, neither U.S. authorities nor his legal team have issued any official statement regarding the terms of his release. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Leadership Change at IGP’s Special Operations Team Amid Assault Investigation
The leader of the Inspector General of Police’s (IGP) Special Operations Team, DSP Bawah Abdul Jalil, has been removed from his post as investigations continue into an alleged assault case against him and members of the team. Jalil and his colleagues are being probed for allegedly assaulting renowned Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama. In a formal ceremony held on April 7, 2026, at the National Police Training School in Accra, DSP Bawah Abdul Jalil officially handed over command responsibilities to his successor, Superintendent Augustine Dawson Amoah, who will be supported by three other senior officers, marking a new chapter in the team’s leadership. Speaking at the ceremony, the outgoing DSP Jalil called on personnel to extend their full cooperation and support to the incoming leadership, stressing the importance of continuity and operational effectiveness within the team. Superintendent Amoah, in his maiden address to the team, struck a tone of resolve and commitment. He assured personnel of his dedication to effective leadership and called for unity, discipline, and professionalism in the execution of their duties as the team moves forward under new command. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Mahama Nominates Five to Ghana’s Fiscal Council in Bold Push for Fiscal Discipline
President John Dramani Mahama has nominated five distinguished individuals to serve on Ghana’s newly constituted Fiscal Council. The announcement, made on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, signals the government’s firm commitment to entrenching fiscal discipline and transparency in the management of the country’s economy. The nominations were communicated through a statement issued by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the President’s Spokesperson and Minister for Government Communications. According to the statement, the appointments were made pursuant to Section 11D of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), as amended by the Public Financial Management (Amendment) Act, 2025 (Act 1136). Leading the pack of nominees is Dr. Emmanuel Oteng Kumah, who has been designated as Chairperson of the Council. A seasoned international economic consultant and adviser, Dr. Kumah brings with him a wealth of experience drawn from his time at the International Monetary Fund and his tenure as former Board Chairman of Standard Chartered Bank Ghana. Joining him is Associate Professor Patrick Opoku Asuming of the University of Ghana Business School, nominated to represent academia on the Council. A development economist with a PhD from Columbia University, Prof. Asuming has published extensively on health economics and public policy in Ghana, making him a fitting voice for evidence-based fiscal governance. Rounding out the nominees are J. Kweku Bedu-Addo, a former public policy expert from the Finance Ministry, and Dr. Henry Akpenamawu Kofi Wampah, who brings deep central banking experience to the table. Dr. Wampah previously served as Governor of the Bank of Ghana from 2013 to 2016, an appointment made by President Mahama during his first term in office. The Fiscal Council itself is a product of the 2025 amendment to the Public Financial Management Act, which repealed the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2018 (Act 982) and replaced the Presidential Fiscal Advisory Council that had been in place since 2018. Under the amended law, the Fiscal Council is established as an independent statutory body with the mandate to supervise the government, particularly the Ministry of Finance, in the application of fiscal rules. Notably, the law bars members from holding any position within government, a deliberate measure to protect their independence and ensure impartial oversight. All five nominees are subject to parliamentary approval before the Council becomes operational. Once inaugurated, the Fiscal Council is expected to play a critical role in promoting transparency, accountability, and prudent economic decision-making, helping to ensure that Ghana’s hard-won fiscal gains are sustained well into the future. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
IGP Urged to Act as Extortion Racket Hits Bolgatanga Screening Centre
A dark cloud has descended on the Bolgatanga Jubilee Park, where desperate job or recruitment applicants are being squeezed for extra cash in what many are calling a brazen extortion scheme. The park, turned into a screening centre, was meant to be a place of fair process. Instead, it has become a scene of financial anguish. Applicants who had already saved GHC 1,400 for mandatory lab tests are now being told, at the gate, without warning, that they must pay an additional GHC 150. For many young men and women who travelled from remote villages, the news hit like a thunderbolt. Having scraped together the original fee, they now found themselves stranded, phones pressed to their ears as they called parents and relatives back home, begging for emergency money to be sent via mobile transfer. On the fringes of the park, so-called “connection men” are doing brisk business. These middlemen promise one thing: jump the queue and get screened quickly. For a price. They approach anxious applicants, whispering arrangements that bypass the normal process. Those who can pay get ushered ahead. Those who cannot… wait, or walk away broken. “It is pure extortion,” one applicant, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal, told our reporter. “We are being milked dry, and there is nobody to stop it.” Local witnesses say the atmosphere is thick with frustration and helplessness. Some applicants have camped at the park for days, uncertain if even the extra payment will guarantee their place. In response, civil society voices and concerned citizens are now calling on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to intervene immediately. They want plain-clothed officers deployed to the Bolgatanga screening centre to arrest the connection men and stamp out the illegal levies. “The IGP must act now,” a youth leader in Bolgatanga pleaded. “These are our children, our brothers and sisters. They are being robbed in broad daylight.” As of press time, officials running the screening had not issued any statement, and the connection men continued their trade, cash changing hands, no questions asked, no receipts given. Source: Apexnewsgh.com