Ghana’s unemployment rate eased to 13.6 percent by the end of 2024, marking a modest one-percentage point improvement from the 14.6 percent recorded in 2023. The figures, released in the latest Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey (Fourth Quarter Labour Statistics 2024) by the Ghana Statistical Service, signal progress in the country’s labour market but also highlight ongoing issues beneath the surface. While the overall numbers point to positive momentum, the survey reveals that unemployment remains most acute among the youth. A striking 22.5 percent of Ghanaians aged 15 to 35 are currently unemployed, underscoring persistent pressures on first-time jobseekers and new graduates despite broader employment gains. The data for the fourth quarter of 2024 paints a complex picture: total employment rose year-on-year by 1.15 million to reach 12.73 million. However, the number of unemployed persons also climbed by roughly 200,000 compared to the same period in 2023. This suggests that while job opportunities are expanding, the rapid growth of the labour force continues to outpace the economy’s ability to absorb new entrants, leading to continued weaknesses in job quality. Gender dynamics have also shifted, with female employment consistently outpacing male employment through the end of 2024. The gap widened from about 632,000 in the first quarter of 2022 to approximately 1.12 million by the fourth quarter of 2024, highlighting strong gains for women in the workforce. Despite these advances, the report draws attention to persistent disparities in unemployment and underemployment by sex and locality, pointing to uneven job quality and differing access to stable, formal work. The Ghana Statistical Service further flags high levels of NEET (youth not in employment, education, or training) across age cohorts, identifying this as a major driver of youth exclusion and long-term underutilisation of the country’s labour potential. Overall, the data suggests that while Ghana is making headway in tackling unemployment, significant challenges remain, particularly for young people and in ensuring job quality and equitable access across society. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

MTN Ghana has voiced serious concern about the growing impact of galamsey (illegal mining), road construction, and other disruptive activities on its operations in the Ashanti region. Between January and August 2025, the telecommunications giant reported approximately 585 kilometres of underground fibre cuts in the region—a staggering figure that has directly affected the company’s ability to provide uninterrupted service. At an Editors Forum in Kumasi, Operations Manager Dickson Amoung-Yam revealed that 63 kilometres of these cable cuts had a particularly adverse effect on customer experience. As a result, 1,075 customers were impacted, with communication and related services hindered across the affected areas. To manage the fallout, MTN Ghana has spent GHS18 million on maintenance and repairs, a financial burden that underscores the seriousness of the issue. Mr Amoung-Yam described the situation as “a major concern for business,” emphasizing the strain placed on company resources and the challenge of maintaining service standards. He appealed to the public to exercise caution when encountering MTN’s fibre infrastructure, urging greater awareness and responsibility to help protect the network and ensure reliable service for all. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

President John Dramani Mahama has reassured Ghanaians and the international community that he will not contest the 2028 elections, pledging to respect Ghana’s constitutional two-term limit for presidents. During a three-day state visit to Singapore, Mahama addressed the issue in bilateral talks with Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. He noted that stepping aside after his second term would allow him the freedom to enforce strict fiscal discipline and avoid the common problem of election-year overspending. Mahama was candid in his criticism of governments that relax financial rules to secure electoral advantage. He pointed to his administration’s achievements, including falling inflation and interest rates, as well as a stronger cedi, as evidence of his commitment to sound economic management. His assurances come amid opposition claims suggesting he plans to seek a third term beyond his final mandate. To further dispel any doubts, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, also made a firm statement on the party’s commitment to the constitution. In an interview, Asiedu Nketiah emphasized that the NDC has no plans to present Mahama for a third term, reaffirming the party’s respect for constitutional limits and democratic governance. “We have never run our party in ways that conflict with the national constitution, and we don’t intend to do that,” Asiedu Nketiah declared. “We will stick by the tenets of the Constitution.” As Mahama’s administration continues to tout progress on the economic front, the president and his party are making it clear that constitutionalism and fiscal responsibility will guide his final term in office. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

At the recent Future of Energy Conference, Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, offered a glimpse into the evolving future of transportation: conventional petrol and diesel stations transforming into battery swap hubs for electric vehicles (EVs). Jinapor highlighted the pace of innovation in EV technology, noting that batteries are becoming smaller and more efficient. This, he explained, could soon allow drivers to exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones within minutes—eliminating the need to wait for charging at stations. “The batteries for these EV vehicles are getting smaller. What I see is that in the future, these petrol, diesel, or fossil fuel stations will become EV battery stations and people will no longer have to park their cars to charge their vehicles for minutes or hours. We should be able to drive through these same filling stations and just replace your battery and keep driving on. Through innovation, I am very confident that we can make use of these products or some of these filling stations,” Jinapor remarked. Supporting this vision, Ben Boakye, Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), urged private investors in existing filling stations to start preparing for this transition to electric mobility. Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, Boakye emphasized the importance of adapting infrastructure and business models to accommodate the growing influx of EVs. “A lot of EVs are coming into the system. It is up to the private people who have invested in filling stations to now begin to look at how to make that shift and be aggressive at it. Try to reengineer their business model to incorporate renewable and then also electric vehicle charging points so that they are not left stranded,” he advised. As Ghana and the world move toward a greener future, industry leaders believe that innovation and proactive adaptation will be crucial for fueling the next era of mobility. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced that the 2025 school placement exercise will officially kick off on September 17, 2025. The announcement was delivered by GES Director-General, Professor Ernest Kofi Davis, during a media briefing on Wednesday, August 27, following the release of provisional results for the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). According to Prof. Davis, students who secure placements are expected to report to their respective schools between October 18 and October 20, 2025, marking the beginning of a new academic journey for thousands of young Ghanaians. In a bid to minimize errors in the placement process, GES has introduced a special review window. From September 1 to September 8, 2025, candidates can log on to the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) portal to verify key details such as gender, school code, and programme code. This step is designed to allow candidates and parents to correct any mistakes before final placements are made. “To reduce the errors associated with school placement, candidates will have the opportunity to review the entries they have made; gender, school code, programme code, online,” Prof. Davis explained, noting that the process will be supported by an explainer video to guide parents through the verification steps. He further cautioned parents and candidates against making payments to secure placement in particular schools, emphasizing that the entire process will be fair, transparent, and based strictly on merit. As anticipation builds, the GES urges all candidates and parents to take advantage of the review window and prepare for the upcoming academic year with confidence. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

Rejoice Tsotso Bortei, a rotation nurse at Ridge Hospital, became the center of public attention following a viral video that captured a heated altercation between a patient’s relatives and hospital staff at the emergency department. The incident, which ignited national concern over the safety of healthcare workers, led to an official investigation ordered by Minister Mintah Akandoh. According to the committee’s report, Rejoice reported her injury to the hospital a day after the incident, on August 18th. Medical examinations and records found no evidence of a fracture in her left wrist or dislocation in her right shoulder, contrary to her initial claims. Instead, she was treated for her injuries, provided pain relief, recommended bed rest, and offered psychological support. These findings stand in direct contrast to the nurse’s assertion that she suffered a dislocation during the assault. The clarification comes as professional bodies and the public continue to condemn the violence highlighted in the viral footage. Amidst the ongoing controversy, Rejoice Tsotso Bortei has initiated a civil suit against social media personality Ralph Saint Williams, known popularly as “Ralph De Fellow Ghanaian.” She is seeking GHS 7 million in damages on grounds of alleged physical assault and defamation related to the incident. The committee’s report aims to shed light on the facts of the case while calls continue for enhanced protection for healthcare workers across Ghana. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

At the 8th Africa-Singapore Business Forum (ASBF) in Singapore, Grace Fu, the city-state’s Minister-in-Charge of Trade Relations, called on Africa and Southeast Asia to deepen their collaboration by strengthening people-to-people connections, a move she believes is essential for sustainable growth across both regions. Addressing delegates, Ms. Fu pointed to the Singapore Cooperation Programme as a model for fostering enduring partnerships through knowledge-sharing and mutual understanding. She highlighted that, since the forum’s inception, more than 14,000 African officials from 54 countries have participated in training programmes in Singapore. Just last year, officials from 11 African nations joined a Capacity Building Programme on Trade Negotiations, trading strategies and insights with their Singaporean counterparts. “These exchanges have proven invaluable in building cultural understanding and forging lasting friendships,” Ms. Fu remarked, underscoring the importance of interpersonal ties alongside formal business relations. She also spotlighted Enterprise Singapore’s instrumental role in connecting businesses via missions, workshops, and conferences with chambers and associations throughout Africa. Among recent initiatives, Ms. Fu cited Singapore’s first carbon credits business mission to Ghana in July 2023—an effort led by Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan to explore opportunities in carbon trading projects. Looking to the future, Ms. Fu announced that the Singapore Business Federation will lead an Overseas Market Workshop to Egypt this September, focusing on trade, transport, logistics, and urban infrastructure. Closing her remarks with the African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” Ms. Fu urged forum participants to take concrete steps toward deepening cooperation, building on the momentum of existing partnerships and exchanges. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, unveiled a significant government initiative to strengthen nursing education in Ghana. Addressing an audience gathered to honor Naomi Ohene Oti, Ghana’s own Oncology Nurse Specialist, who clinched the prestigious 2025 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, the Minister announced that at least 15 nursing tutors will be sponsored to upgrade their skills. Naomi Ohene Oti, who leads the Nursing Department at the National Radiotherapy, Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, stood out among more than 105,000 global nominees to win the $250,000 prize. Her achievement not only brought international acclaim to Ghana’s healthcare sector but also inspired renewed commitment from the government to invest in nursing professionals. Minister Akandoh praised Naomi’s accomplishment, emphasizing the global spotlight it cast on Ghanaian healthcare. He then outlined a range of initiatives designed to support nurses across the nation: Reduced training fees for nurses Professional development sponsorships for nursing tutors Expansion of specialist nurse training programmes Management of healthcare worker migration through government agreements In a gesture of appreciation, the Minister also announced a GHC 50,000 support package for Naomi to offset expenses related to the award process. “Nurses play a critical role in our healthcare system, and the government remains committed to their professional development and well-being,” Mr. Akandoh affirmed. He further reassured healthcare recruits that steps are being taken to ensure prompt placement on the government payroll. The Minister concluded by underscoring the importance of empowering nurses and healthcare staff through enhanced training and structured support, seeing it as vital to delivering high-quality, accessible healthcare for all Ghanaians. Source: Apexnewsgh.com