Ghana Nears Completion of Debt Restructuring with Successful Exchange of SADEREA Notes
Ghana has taken a major step toward completing its external debt restructuring programme after successfully exchanging the outstanding Savings and Development Economic Recovery Agreement (SADEREA) Notes, the Ministry of Finance announced. According to the Ministry, the transaction was settled on Monday, July 13, 2026, with a value date of July 10, 2026, marking the resolution of the last outstanding component of Ghana’s sovereign bonded debt restructuring. In a statement, the Ministry described the successful exchange as a significant milestone in the country’s economic recovery efforts. The SADEREA Notes, 12.5% Senior Secured Amortising Bonds, were originally issued to finance capital expenditure in Ghana’s health sector. The original issuance totaled US$253.2 million, with about US$117.8 million in principal remaining as of January 2026. The Ministry emphasized that completing the exchange demonstrates the government’s commitment to restoring debt sustainability, boosting investor confidence, and maintaining macroeconomic stability. This achievement comes as part of Ghana’s broader debt restructuring efforts, aimed at reducing debt burdens and restoring fiscal sustainability after a period of severe economic challenges, including high debt levels and constrained access to international capital markets. The Ministry of Finance reaffirmed its commitment to prudent debt and public financial management to safeguard Ghana’s long-term economic stability. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
US-Iran Tensions Keep Ghana’s Fuel Market on Edge
Renewed tensions between the United States and Iran are putting Ghana’s fuel market on high alert, as uncertainty in the Middle East threatens the stability of petroleum prices, according to the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC). COMAC CEO Dr. Riverson Oppong told the media that ongoing developments in the region are fueling volatility in global crude oil markets. However, he expressed optimism that prices would not surge past $100 per barrel. “We’re just hoping, and fingers crossed that this does not escalate the price above $100, which I believe we’re not going to see,” Oppong told Citi News. Dr. Oppong explained that COMAC had earlier projected crude oil prices would stay in the $70-$80 range if geopolitical conditions remained stable. “I was optimistic with the forecasts… We came to $74, $75, and it is still within the forecast that was made because the concern was that if everything was equal, that’s what we were going to see in the market,” he said. He acknowledged that geopolitical decisions by world leaders make accurate forecasting challenging, noting, “In forecasting, nobody can predict the mindset of any leader who is geopolitically strong like Trump. That’s the only disadvantage we have during our forecasting.” Dr. Oppong added that, under normal conditions, crude prices could have dropped further, possibly to between $65 and $67 per barrel. He also revealed that renewed instability has triggered panic buying of fuel in Ghana, but assured consumers that the country currently has enough stocks. “We’ve observed panic buying, but it is not anything to worry about. We still have stocks in the country,” he said. He criticized some businesses for increasing fuel prices prematurely in anticipation of higher import costs, calling the move unjustified since the products were imported earlier at lower prices. He explained that while panic buying is unlikely to directly impact consumers, it may be intended to safeguard the revenues of oil marketing companies. Global oil markets remain volatile as investors closely watch US-Iran developments, with fears that any escalation could disrupt supplies and drive up energy prices worldwide. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
EOCO Links Dennis Miracles Aboagye’s Arrest to GH¢55 Million Financial Probe
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has revealed that the recent arrest of Dennis Miracles Aboagye, former Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCoD), is connected to alleged financial and procurement-related irregularities involving approximately GH¢55 million. Aboagye was arrested along with Gerald Appiah, the former accountant of the IMCCoD Secretariat, following ongoing investigations into suspected misappropriation, misapplication, diversion, and theft of public funds at the Secretariat. EOCO’s statement, issued on Monday, July 13, 2026, explained that the probe was initiated after the current Executive Secretary of IMCCoD petitioned for further inquiries into a forensic audit covering August 1, 2022, to February 2, 2025. According to EOCO, Aboagye, Appiah, and others are being investigated for offences including conspiracy to steal, using public office for profit, causing financial loss to the State, fraud, and money laundering. EOCO stated that Aboagye was arrested after new findings emerged last week regarding suspected fraud and theft. The agency noted that Aboagye was already aware of the investigation and had previously visited EOCO. He was placed on a stop order a week prior to his arrest but had left the country. Upon his return at the Accra International Airport on Saturday, July 11, Immigration officers executed the stop order and handed him over to EOCO investigators on Sunday morning. Aboagye subsequently accompanied EOCO officials on a search operation, which is ongoing. EOCO confirmed that he would be granted bail according to Ghanaian law. Appiah is also expected to complete bail procedures and be released as investigations continue. EOCO disclosed that Appiah has voluntarily begun refunding funds linked to the alleged offences but clarified that such recoveries do not conclude the investigation or absolve suspects of wrongdoing. The agency assured the public that investigations would be conducted professionally and impartially, with respect for the constitutional rights of all involved. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Okatakyie Kwame Afrifa Mensah Hospitalised Under Police Guard After Election Disturbances
Police in the Ashanti North Region have confirmed that media personality Okatakyie Kwame Afrifa Mensah and another suspect, Osman Awuni, are under police guard at the Mampong Government Hospital following disturbances during the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Ejura Sekyedumase East Constituency executive elections at Wiamoase. According to a statement from the Ashanti North Regional Police Command on Monday, July 13, both Afrifa Mensah, 43, and Awuni, 44, complained of ill health after their arrest on Sunday, July 12, and were admitted for treatment. “The two suspects remain under police guard while receiving treatment. Investigations are ongoing, and the public will be updated on any further developments,” the statement said. Afrifa Mensah was arrested with six others after a violent disruption at the SDA Church polling station, where the constituency elections were taking place. Police allege that at about 7:45 a.m., Afrifa Mensah led about 30 men to the polling station. When questioned by security personnel, the group allegedly became aggressive, attacked police officers, and disrupted the process by throwing electoral materials on the ground. The remaining members of the group reportedly fled, and police say efforts are ongoing to apprehend them. Preliminary police investigations revealed that Afrifa Mensah claimed some of his supporters had been sidelined in the electoral process and that he had secured an interlocutory injunction to halt the elections. However, police and the Electoral Commission reported that no such court order or injunction had been received. Calm was eventually restored after police intervention, allowing voting to continue under tight security. The election ended peacefully at about 4:00 p.m., with the Electoral Commission duly declaring the results. The Ashanti North Regional Police Command has assured the public that investigations are ongoing and further updates will be provided as the case progresses. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
NPP to March to EOCO Over Arrest of Dennis Miracles Aboagye
The National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, has announced that the party will march to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on Monday, July 13, to demand answers regarding the arrest of Dennis Miracles Aboagye. Nana Boakye stated that the demonstration aims to seek clarity on the circumstances of Miracles’ arrest, which the party views as an attempt to intimidate opposition members. Speaking to the media, he alleged that Miracles was detained without any prior invitation or notice from EOCO about an investigation or alleged misconduct. He voiced concern over what he called the growing use of state institutions to harass political opponents, arguing that such tactics threaten Ghana’s democratic values. “Miracles has not received any invitation from EOCO. He has not been informed of any wrongdoing. He has not been told that he is under any form of investigation,” Nana Boakye said. He emphasized that while the NPP supports accountability and will cooperate with legitimate investigations involving its members, due process must be observed. His remarks follow a Facebook post by the NPP’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, who claimed that Dennis Miracles Aboagye was arrested by EOCO officers, assisted by Immigration officials, at the Accra International Airport. The post indicated that Miracles’ lawyers have been denied access to him, his whereabouts are unknown, and no charges have been filed. As of publication, EOCO had not publicly commented on the arrest or responded to the allegations from the NPP. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah Remains in Police Custody After Arrest at NPP Elections
The communications team of broadcaster and political commentator Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah has confirmed that he remains in police custody at the Asante Mampong Divisional Police Command following his arrest on Sunday. In a statement titled “For The Records” and shared by the team, it was revealed that Afrifa was arrested at about 7:40 AM. According to the team, Afrifa’s family, lawyers, and campaign team were not informed of his whereabouts for several hours after the arrest, causing anxiety among his supporters. He was eventually transferred to the Asante Mampong Divisional Police Command around 5 PM, where he remains in custody pending what the team described as “further lawful processes.” The communications team clarified that Afrifa was accompanied by peaceful, unarmed supporters and denied allegations of his involvement with any vigilante group. The statement also alleged that four members of Afrifa’s team sustained severe gunshot injuries during the incident and are currently receiving treatment. The team urged supporters and the public to remain calm and law-abiding, expressing confidence that due process would be followed. Further updates, they said, would be communicated through Afrifa’s legal representatives and authorised spokespersons. Background Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah was arrested during disturbances at the New Patriotic Party (NPP) constituency executive elections in Afigya Sekyere East, where violence broke out. Reports indicate that Afrifa had gone to the election venue to present a court injunction to halt the process over concerns about the delegates’ register. The situation escalated into chaos, prompting police intervention and his subsequent arrest. Afrifa is also reported to have intentions to contest for the parliamentary seat in the Afigya Sekyere East constituency. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
NPP Alleges Arrest of Dennis Miracles Aboagye by EOCO
On Sunday, July 12, 2026, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) claimed that Dennis Miracles Aboagye, a member of its communications team, was arrested at the airport by officials from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), with assistance from the Ghana Immigration Service. The party’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, made these allegations in a statement released on social media. According to the NPP, Mr. Aboagye was taken into custody, and, as of publication, EOCO had not released an official statement or clarified the reason for the arrest. The party further alleged that lawyers had been denied access to Mr. Aboagye and that his whereabouts were unknown. No charges had been filed against him. Mr. Kodua described the incident as “intimidation,” suggesting that the arrest was politically motivated, especially since Mr. Aboagye recently announced his candidacy for National Communications Officer. He highlighted Mr. Aboagye’s outspoken criticism of the government, particularly on issues like galamsey and the administration’s record. The NPP has demanded Mr. Aboagye’s immediate release and called for him to be granted access to legal counsel and his family, citing Article 14(2) of the 1992 Constitution. The party also urged the government to end what it described as a pattern of politically motivated arrests targeting opposition members. Source: Apexnewsgh.com