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
Bawumia Pledges to Scrap Pre-shipment Policy for Imported Used Vehicles if Elected in 2028
The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has assured trade groups that he will abolish the proposed mandatory Pre-shipment Verification and Inspection policy for imported used vehicles if he wins the 2028 presidential election. The policy, which has been suspended, would have required importers of used vehicles to pay an importation certificate fee of around $300 per vehicle. Intended to regulate the importation of used cars into Ghana, the measure has faced strong opposition from the business community, who argue that it would increase costs for importers and ultimately for consumers. Following an engagement between Dr. Bawumia and members of the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA), Michael Okyere Baafi, Ranking Member on Parliament’s Trade, Industry and Tourism Committee, revealed the NPP flagbearer’s pledge. Okyere Baafi emphasized that the party views the inspection regime as unnecessary and is committed to scrapping it entirely if returned to power after the 2028 general elections. He noted that while the policy is currently suspended due to pressure from the Minority, there is a possibility it could be reintroduced in the future. “After the Minority’s pressure on them, they suspended the policy. The suspension means that they will likely reintroduce the policy, but the good news is that Dr. Bawumia met the GUTA people over the last three days and told them that he will scrap the policy outright when he wins the elections in 2028. The policy will not come back when the NPP assumes office,” Okyere Baafi stated. He also raised concerns about the financial burden the policy would place on both importers and final consumers, warning that such extra costs would ultimately be transferred to car buyers. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Energy Minister Reviews 2026 Sector Performance, Sets Ambitious Agenda for 2027
The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, has met with the leadership of agencies and institutions under his ministry to evaluate their 2026 performance and outline strategic priorities for the year ahead. During the session, stakeholders reviewed progress within the energy sector, discussed ongoing challenges, and explored ways to enhance operational efficiency, accountability, and service delivery in 2027. Dr. Jinapor noted that, despite persistent obstacles, the government had made meaningful strides to bolster Ghana’s energy security. He highlighted several key achievements, including plans to install 3,000 new transformers, advances in electricity generation capacity, a rise in national electricity access to 89.13 percent, and renewed momentum towards revitalizing domestic oil refining. The minister emphasized that agencies must go beyond policy pledges and deliver measurable results. “Accountability, efficiency, transparency, and value for money must underpin all operations,” Dr. Jinapor insisted, urging agency leaders to show tangible improvements in their performance. He warned that persistent underperformance and avoidable delays would no longer be tolerated. Looking ahead to 2027, Dr. Jinapor said the government’s focus would be on building a reliable, affordable, sustainable, and resilient energy sector that supports economic growth and enhances the livelihoods of Ghanaians. He concluded by stressing the need for stronger coordination among agencies under the ministry to ensure that planned interventions deliver real, practical benefits to households and businesses nationwide. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Catholic Bishops Renew Call for State of Emergency to Combat Galamsey Crisis
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has once again urged the government to declare a state of emergency over the country’s worsening illegal mining crisis, known locally as galamsey, warning that the situation is reaching dangerous new levels and demands urgent, radical action. Addressing the issue in an interview with an Accra-based station, President of the Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, called for intensified government efforts to tackle illegal mining in order to safeguard public health, the environment, and the livelihoods of ordinary Ghanaians. Most Rev. Gyamfi cautioned that the impact of galamsey extends far beyond environmental destruction, posing serious risks to water bodies, the food chain, and public health. “You cannot stop fighting galamsey. It is poisonous and very dangerous, creating other sicknesses, introducing illegal drugs into the water system, the food chain and etc,” he warned. He argued that the government must show stronger resolve in addressing the menace, insisting that the gravity of the crisis warrants extraordinary measures. “Since the president of Ghana held the sword and swore to protect and defend Ghana, we should see him do certain things radically and these are situations where we say a state of emergency should be declared on this deplorable and wicked situation so that Ghanaians will be seen to be really and clearly defended,” Most Rev. Gyamfi said. The Bishops’ Conference believes only a decisive national response can shield communities from the devastating consequences of illegal mining. Most Rev. Gyamfi emphasized that sustained commitment and firm government action are essential to overcoming the growing threat posed by galamsey to Ghana’s environment and the well-being of its people. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Cyber Security Authority Disputes FBI’s Account of Ghana Cybercrime Operation
The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has pushed back against the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)’s narrative of a recent intelligence operation in Ghana, asserting that the operation, dubbed “Operation Cyber Hunt”, was led and coordinated by Ghanaian authorities, not the FBI. The CSA’s response comes after FBI Director Kashyap Pramod Patel posted on X about “Operation Blackout” in Ghana, a move the CSA says misrepresents the true nature of the collaborative effort. According to a statement released on Thursday, October 8, the CSA emphasized that the operation was conceived, planned, and executed within Ghana’s legal and institutional frameworks. Ghana’s National Security Council, the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Immigration Service, and the Office of the Attorney-General were all key participants. International partners, such as the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, the FBI, Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the Joint Case Team on Cybercrime, also contributed to the operation. While the CSA acknowledged valuable intelligence from the FBI and the National Crime Agency, it stressed the importance of accurately representing each agency’s role. The Authority reiterated that foreign agencies like the FBI cannot independently exercise police powers or conduct arrests in Ghana, such actions must be authorized and overseen by Ghanaian authorities. The operation led to the discovery of suspected cybercrime centres in the Greater Accra Region, resulting in the arrest of eight suspects and the rescue of 120 individuals believed to have been trafficked and exploited for online fraud schemes. Intelligence received in late August pointed to specific locations, including Ubuntu Haven Estate in Kpone Katamanso and Franko Estate in Ga North, as hubs for organized cybercrime activities such as romance scams. Law enforcement officials seized 136 mobile phones, 130 laptops, internet devices, and four vehicles, one of which was reportedly stolen from Canada. Additional items recovered included jewellery, ten Nigerian passports, and other electronic equipment. The CSA noted that arrangements were being made to repatriate most of the rescued victims, who were identified as Nigerians, while investigations into the suspects and recovered devices continued. In closing, the CSA called on the FBI to clarify its public statements and to properly acknowledge the contributions of Ghanaian institutions and international partners in the successful operation. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Chairman Wontumi Sues Exim Bank, EOCO, and Attorney General Over GH¢18m Loan Dispute
Former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, familiarly known as Chairman Wontumi, has taken legal action against the Ghana Exim Bank, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), and the Attorney General. He is asking the High Court to halt criminal proceedings in a contentious loan dispute involving his company, Wontumi Farms, and the state-owned bank. Chairman Wontumi and Wontumi Farms, represented by lawyer Samuel Atta-Akyea, contend that the dispute, centering on a loan of over GH¢18 million granted for a farming project, should be treated strictly as a civil matter, not a criminal one. The plaintiffs are currently facing criminal charges that include defrauding by false pretences, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the state. According to their statement of claim, the plaintiffs argue that EOCO has overstepped its mandate by acting as a debt collector in what they insist is a contractual disagreement. They stress that Wontumi Farms used a 10,000-acre parcel of land as collateral for the loan and that Chairman Wontumi himself provided a personal guarantee for repayment in case of default. They further assert that Ghana Exim Bank agreed to secure insurance to cover the facility. Chairman Wontumi and his company deny any wrongdoing or deceit in acquiring the facility. They are urging the court to declare the case a civil debt matter and to direct Ghana Exim Bank to seek recovery through the mortgage, personal guarantee, or insurance cover, rather than through criminal prosecution. Source: Apexnewsgh.com