Africa’s Richest Man Says He’d Rather Go to Prison Than Give Up His Phone
At a glittering event in Lagos, Nigeria, Aliko Dangote, the continent’s wealthiest man, stood before a crowd of business leaders and journalists. The air was thick with anticipation as he unveiled his ambitious Vision 2030 plan. But it wasn’t just Dangote’s plans for industrial expansion that fascinated the audience; it was a surprising confession about his most prized possession: his mobile phone. During a spirited question-and-answer session, Dangote was presented with a dilemma. If forced to choose, would he rather spend a week apart from his beloved mobile phone or give up access to his luxurious private jet? Without hesitation, the billionaire made his stance clear. “I think it’s easier you put me in prison than to take my phone away. So, you know, I mean taking my phone away is no-go area, okay?” Dangote declared, drawing laughter and applause from the audience. The remark revealed just how essential his phone is to his daily life, a tool he simply cannot live without. The audience’s curiosity turned to what made the device so indispensable. Dangote revealed that his mobile phone holds more than 13,000 contacts, a testament to the vast network he has cultivated over decades. “I have had that mobile number since 2000. I have more than 13,000 contacts on my phone,” he shared, explaining that he rarely blocks anyone and is always willing to answer calls, no matter who is on the other end. “I hardly…I don’t like blocking people, so a lot of people have my number. I answer my calls.” But who is the man behind this ever-buzzing phone? Aliko Dangote is the chairman of the Dangote Group—one of Africa’s largest industrial conglomerates, with interests ranging from cement and fertilizer production to oil refining. His empire has made him one of the continent’s most influential industrialists, shaping the future of manufacturing and energy from Nigeria to beyond. Dangote’s ambitions have recently extended to Kenya, where construction of his $16 billion oil refinery in Lamu County was officially launched. The massive facility, designed to process 700,000 barrels of crude oil daily, promises to reduce East Africa’s reliance on imported fuel and create thousands of new jobs. For Dangote, it seems, success is built on staying connected. His mobile phone, always within reach, is more than just a device; it’s a lifeline to the relationships and opportunities that continue to drive Africa’s richest man forward. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Minister Assures Akoefe Gadza of Improved Telecommunications: Major Rural Network Site Nears Completion
Residents of Akoefe Gadza and its neighboring communities received a major boost of hope this week as the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, visited the area with a promise to resolve their long-standing telecommunications challenges. During his tour of the community, Mr. Nartey George inspected an almost-completed rural telephony site located just a few metres from Akoefe Gadza. Standing before the chiefs, elders, and enthusiastic residents, the Minister explained that the project was part of a national push, championed by President John Dramani Mahama, to ensure every Ghanaian community enjoys reliable network coverage. “Just a few metres from here, we have a rural telephony site that is almost complete. The structure has been put up and, as we speak, the engineers are wrapping up and doing the ECG connection. I am confident that before the end of the weekend, that site will be up and it will boost the network in the area,” the Minister announced, earning applause from those gathered. He acknowledged the persistent efforts of both the Volta Regional Minister and the Member of Parliament for Ho Central, Richmond Edem Kofi Kpotosu, in advocating for better telecommunications infrastructure. With a touch of humor, Mr. Nartey George praised the MP’s tenacity: “Your MP does not sleep. He is constantly on my neck. I know it is not just me. When we meet in Cabinet and we talk about the troublesome MPs, his name always comes up. He is chasing every minister to make sure that we bring development to the people.” Mr. Nartey George assured the community that government intervention would not stop at improving network connectivity. Plans are also underway to enhance access to water, roads, and other essential amenities. He highlighted ongoing collaborations with the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) and the National Communications Authority (NCA) as well as major telecom operators like MTN and Telecel to address broader network challenges nationwide. He further revealed that the scale of telecommunication infrastructure being rolled out in 2026 far surpasses previous years. While approximately 600 new cell sites were constructed across Ghana in the last five years, this year alone is witnessing an even more ambitious infrastructure expansion. The Minister concluded his visit by pledging the government’s commitment to close the digital divide and bring reliable communication services to all, especially underserved communities. Accompanied by officials from GIFEC and other stakeholders, Mr. Nartey George’s visit left residents optimistic that Akoefe Gadza and its neighbors would soon enjoy the benefits of modern connectivity. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghana’s Economy Grows 7.4% in July 2026, Driven by Services and Industry Recovery
Ghana’s economic activity surged by 7.4% year-on-year in July 2026, marking a notable acceleration from the 4.9% growth recorded in the same period last year, according to the latest data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS). The strong performance was underpinned by robust expansion in the services sector and a significant recovery in industry, which together offset a pronounced slowdown in agriculture. The Monthly Indicator of Economic Growth (MIEG) index climbed to 121.6 in July 2026, compared to 113.2 a year earlier, signalling increased economic momentum. Services led the charge, expanding by 12.2% year-on-year, almost double the 6.7% growth seen in July 2025. The sector accounted for 63.8% of the overall growth, solidifying its role at the heart of Ghana’s economic progress, with the information and communication sub-sector as the main driver. Industry also bounced back, growing by 5.4% after eking out just 0.4% growth a year earlier. Mining and quarrying provided much of the impetus behind the sector’s recovery. However, agriculture lagged behind the broader trend. The sector grew by only 3.7%, a sharp drop from the 8.2% expansion recorded in July 2025, with crops and livestock leading the modest gains. The data highlight Ghana’s increasing reliance on services for economic growth, a trend that could pose risks should momentum in the sector wane. The Ghana Statistical Service has urged policymakers to not only sustain the gains in services but also intensify efforts to strengthen agriculture and broaden the contributions of other productive sectors to ensure balanced and resilient economic growth. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Government to Launch Social Housing Projects in 2027—National Housing Fund
The National Housing Fund has announced that the government is set to commence the construction of social housing projects in 2027, as part of a broader plan to improve access to affordable housing for Ghanaians. Chief Executive Officer of the Fund, Prosper Hoetu, revealed on the Citi Breakfast Show that preparatory work is well underway. Current efforts are focused on finalizing architectural designs, engaging with stakeholders, and identifying appropriate locations for the new developments. Hoetu explained that the groundwork being laid will ensure the proposed homes are both affordable and tailored to the needs of households that struggle to find decent accommodation in the conventional housing market. “Between now and the end of the year, we will be completing designs, discussions, locations and all that before we talk about numbers that we will be building, but I can assure you that these houses will be very reasonable and affordable,” he stated. He also highlighted the government’s commitment to working with local authorities and exploring cost-effective construction technologies. One of the innovative policy initiatives is the piloting of the District Housing Programme, which utilizes climate-resilient compressed earth bricks for building. According to Hoetu, these ongoing preparations are crucial to ensuring the success of the social housing programme and to delivering practical solutions for Ghanaians in need of affordable homes. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Navrongo Trade Hub Proposed to Empower Women and Boost Local Economic Development
A proposal for the establishment of the Navrongo Trade Hub (NATH), aimed at transforming women’s economic activities through value addition, market access and sustainable enterprise development, has been presented at the Navrongo FAO Development Dialogue 2026. The proposal, delivered on behalf of Lawyer Anatu Seidu Bogobiri, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), calls for the establishment of a centralised trade and processing hub in Navrongo to help women in the Kassena-Nankana area maximise the economic value of their agricultural produce, traditional crafts and other locally available resources. The proposal was presented under the theme, “Celebrating Culture, Driving Development: Harnessing Local Resources and Talent for Sustainable Development.” In her message to the gathering, Lawyer Bogobiri expressed her warm regards and apologised for her inability to attend the programme in person, reaffirming her commitment to the development of the people of Kassena-Nankana. She argued that the economic challenges facing many women in the area were not necessarily a result of a lack of hard work, talent or determination, but rather their limited access to markets and their position at the lower end of production and supply chains. Using the shea industry as an example, the message highlighted how women collect and sell shea nuts at relatively low prices, while much of the processing, branding, packaging and marketing takes place elsewhere, allowing others to capture a greater share of the final product’s value. “She picked it. She will never own it. And she cannot afford to buy it,” the message stated, illustrating the gap between the labour women contribute and the economic benefits they receive. According to the proposal, the establishment of NATH would help address this imbalance by moving women from supplying raw materials to participating in processing, manufacturing, branding and marketing. NATH: A One-Stop Centre for Production and Marketing The proposed Navrongo Trade Hub is envisaged as a strategically located physical facility where women and women’s groups can produce, process, package, brand and sell their products under an organised system. The hub would replace fragmented individual interventions with a cooperative-based structure designed to promote shared infrastructure, consistent product standards, market access and business continuity. It would also provide a central point where traders, exporters and companies could engage directly with organised groups of producers, inspect products, place orders and negotiate supply contracts. The initiative would initially focus on three sectors in which women in the area already possess considerable experience and potential: shea processing, commercial vegetable farming and smock weaving. Shea Processing: From Raw Nuts to Finished Products The first component of the proposal is the establishment of a shea processing park within the hub, equipped with modern crushing, roasting and extraction machinery. The facility would operate as a common-user centre, allowing registered women and their groups to access industrial processing equipment rather than depending on individually owned machines. Beyond shea butter production, the initiative seeks to facilitate the manufacture of finished products, including soaps, creams, lotions and oils, in Navrongo. The proposal also calls for strategic investors to partner with women in developing commercially viable enterprises rather than limiting their involvement to purchasing raw shea nuts. The message noted that Ghana’s drive to promote local processing and value addition creates an opportunity for Navrongo to position itself as an important centre for shea-based manufacturing in northern Ghana. It urged local stakeholders to align the initiative with national industrialisation priorities by retaining more of the value generated from locally sourced resources within the community. Vegetable Farming: Addressing the Market Challenge The second component focuses on commercial vegetable production, particularly by women farmers who could benefit from the Tono Irrigation Scheme. The proposal identified the availability of reliable markets as a major challenge that has discouraged farmers from cultivating vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, pepper, cabbage and garden eggs. Although the Tono Irrigation Scheme provides significant irrigation potential, the message observed that farmers have often concentrated on rice production because of uncertainty surrounding the marketing of alternative crops. It argued that previous interventions have frequently focused on distributing seeds, equipment and training without adequately addressing the question of who would buy the resulting produce. Under NATH, registered women and women’s groups would be organised into supply blocks, with off-taker agreements secured before planting begins. The hub would also facilitate access to improved seeds, farm inputs and agricultural extension services through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and development partners. Additional support would include subsidised access to tractors, power tillers, water pumps and other mechanisation services, alongside year-round irrigation opportunities through the Tono Irrigation Scheme and community gardens. The proposal further appealed to traditional authorities to help challenge cultural beliefs that discourage women from cultivating certain crops. “There is no crop that knows the gender of the hand that plants it. The soil only knows hard work. Farming must not be genderised,” the message emphasised. It maintained that changing such attitudes, alongside improving market access, would create opportunities for women to expand their agricultural activities and increase household incomes. Smock Weaving: Turning Cultural Heritage into an Industry The third pillar of the proposal centres on smock weaving, locally known as Fugu, which the message described as an important expression of cultural identity with significant commercial potential. The proposal seeks to bring women involved in the Fugu value chain under a cooperative structure that would strengthen their collective bargaining power and improve the consistency of their products. Through NATH, registered women and groups would be supported to access modern looms and improved weaving equipment, as well as training in contemporary weaving technology and quality finishing. A common finishing and branding centre would also be established to ensure that smocks produced in Navrongo meet consistent quality requirements and are better positioned for national and international markets. The initiative envisages a system in which buyers could place bulk orders for smocks of uniform quality, delivered within agreed timelines and marketed under a common brand. The message argued that such an approach would help transform the area’s cultural heritage into
NAFCo Trial Adjourned to October 20 as Court Grants Time to Access Seized Devices
The trial of the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food and Buffer Stock Company (NAFCo), Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, has been adjourned to October 20, 2026. The adjournment is to allow the accused persons time to access information contained on mobile phones and laptops that were recently released to them by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). The case was expected to commence on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, before Justice Francis Achibonga. However, the trial judge adjourned proceedings after lawyers for the accused argued that they needed to retrieve vital information stored on the electronic devices to adequately prepare their defence. According to counsel, certain documents and data on the phones and laptops are crucial to responding to the charges levelled against their clients. Justice Achibonga subsequently granted the request and adjourned the case to October 20, 2026, for the trial to begin. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Bank of Ghana Arrests Seven in Crackdown on Money Bouquets
In a coordinated operation with the Ghana Police Service, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) has arrested seven individuals in Accra for allegedly using cedi banknotes to create money bouquets and cakes for commercial sale. The suspects were apprehended at different locations across the capital as part of a targeted effort to curb the misuse of Ghana’s currency. Dianah Bondzi, Head of the Statistics Office at the Currency Management Department of the BoG, explained that the arrests form part of a broader enforcement campaign to protect the integrity of Ghana’s legal tender. “The Bank of Ghana wishes to issue a warning to the general public for using the banknotes and coins to create money bouquets, money cakes for weddings, for birthdays, for graduations, and other similar events, which constitutes the misuse and abuse of the currency, and it is illegal and unlawful,” Ms. Bondzi stated. She emphasized that the cedi must be treated with respect, and warned that anyone who engages in, aids, or promotes such activities risks arrest and prosecution. “From here, they will be prosecuted,” she confirmed, adding that sanctions under the Currency Act can include fines or imprisonment. The central bank’s action follows an earlier public notice issued on July 14, 2026, which cautioned against using currency notes and coins as decorations, including in money bouquets, jewellery, and other artistic creations. The notice also prohibits practices such as spraying money at events, scattering, stepping on, tearing, crumpling, or otherwise defacing banknotes and coins. According to Ms. Bondzi, the BoG, together with law enforcement agencies, has intensified enforcement to safeguard the quality and functionality of the cedi. She urged individuals, businesses, and institutions to handle the currency responsibly and to report any suspected violations to the authorities. “Today’s arrest should serve as a clear warning to the public. Let us all handle the Ghana cedi with dignity,” Ms. Bondzi concluded. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghana Catholic Bishops Sound Alarm Over Rampant Drug Abuse Among Youth
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has sounded the alarm over the growing crisis of drug abuse sweeping across the country’s youth. At the heart of their concern is the widespread misuse of tramadol, marijuana, and other easily accessible drugs, which the Bishops warn are having a devastating impact on young people and communities nationwide. Speaking at a recent press briefing, the President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, called for urgent and targeted action. He emphasized that while the fight against narcotics has largely focused on cocaine and other high-profile drugs, the real danger lies in substances that are readily available in Ghanaian villages and towns. “In our villages and towns, we know the young men and women have taken to drugs, tramadol, ‘Red’, marijuana, and this is destroying many, many young men and women,” Most Rev. Gyamfi stated, expressing deep concern over the toll these drugs are taking on the youth. He argued that the national response must recognize the scale and accessibility of these substances. “You should not concentrate only on drugs like cocaine, which is used, but not as massively as marijuana, tramadol, ‘Red’ and other similar drugs that are readily available on the shelves, and young people just go for it,” he noted. The Bishops’ Conference is calling for stronger laws and enhanced enforcement to restrict the importation and illegal sale of these drugs. “They should make laws to ban the importation of these drugs and ensure that they are cleared away from the shelves,” Most Rev. Gyamfi urged. Their plea forms part of a broader campaign to address the escalating drug menace and its consequences for Ghana’s future generations. The Bishops are urging authorities not only to intensify crackdowns on illegal drug supply, but also to expand efforts to prevent substance abuse among the nation’s youth, safeguarding their wellbeing and the health of communities across the country. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghana’s Bold Vision: Ablakwa Charts a New Path to Resource Sovereignty by 2030
At a high-profile panel discussion at Ruptures and Ramparts, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa painted a bold new vision for Ghana’s future. With passion and conviction, he declared that by 2030, Ghana would cease entirely the export of raw materials, a transformative step toward adding value to its rich natural resources and achieving true resource sovereignty. Mr. Ablakwa’s message was clear: it is time for Ghana, and indeed Africa, to look within. “With all your gold, your diamond, your bauxite, your cocoa. Waiting for what? Friends? What kind of friendship is that? Look within. Be resilient. Come up with homegrown solutions. Negotiate better, add value,” he urged. For decades, he lamented, Ghana’s wealth had been siphoned abroad through agreements that left the country with only a small share of the returns. In the gold sector, he noted, Ghana retains just 10% of the value, while the rest flows elsewhere. Oil and gas, discovered nearly two decades ago, brings only a modest 15% return. But change is on the horizon. The government, Ablakwa announced, is now renegotiating all upcoming leases under a new, tougher framework. “We have said that all leases coming up for renegotiation will not follow the same old template,” he emphasized, signaling a break from the past. Technology, too, plays a pivotal role in Ghana’s new approach. With advances like artificial intelligence and generative tools, he said, countries can now build their own internal capacity, ensuring that natural resources finally benefit the people. While acknowledging nostalgia for an older order of trust and international camaraderie, Ablakwa insisted that the new era offers Africans an unprecedented opportunity. “Smart leaders must take advantage and create new wealth for Africans. That’s how we see it.” With 2030 on the horizon, Ghana’s story is shifting, from exporter of raw materials to a nation determined to control its destiny and build prosperity from within. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
COPEC Warns of Steep Fuel Price Hikes, Urges Swift Action to Protect Consumers
Ghanaian motorists should brace for a sharp rise in fuel prices, the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) has warned. In a statement released today, COPEC projected that petrol prices could climb from GH¢16.90 to GH¢17.78 per litre, while diesel may see an even steeper jump from GH¢18.24 to GH¢22.42 per litre in the next pricing window. COPEC attributed the expected increases to rising international Free-on-Board (FOB) prices and a recent 1.2% depreciation of the cedi. Petrol’s FOB price rose by 4.26%, and diesel’s by a significant 8.51%, pushing pump prices higher. According to COPEC, petrol is expected to retail between GH¢16.89 and GH¢18.67 per litre, while diesel could range from GH¢19.40 to GH¢21.44 per litre, within a ±5% margin of their projections. To help cushion consumers from the impact, COPEC called on the government to fast-track expansion works at the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), aiming to boost refining capacity from 45,000 to 100,000 barrels per day. The chamber believes this move would reduce Ghana’s reliance on imported petroleum products and help stabilize prices in the long run. COPEC also appealed to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to consider reducing their profit margins temporarily, so as not to overburden consumers amid the looming price hikes. Source: Apexnewsgh.com