A groundswell of advocacy is emerging from Ghana’s Upper East Region, where youth leaders are urging lawmakers to amend the National Peace Council Act to secure formal youth representation at the national level. The demand comes amid rising consensus that sustainable peacebuilding must reflect Ghana’s youthful demographic and empower young people as central actors in national security policy. The call gained momentum during a two-day consultation in Bolgatanga, where youth, community stakeholders, security agencies, and civil society organisations gathered to contribute to Ghana’s National Action Plan (NAP) on Youth, Peace, and Security. The event, organised by the National Youth Authority (NYA) with support from international and national partners, offered young people a platform to share their experiences, propose policy reforms, and advocate for a more inclusive peace governance structure. While youth are present on local peace committees, participants noted that the absence of a statutory guarantee for their representation at the national level leaves their influence subject to goodwill rather than law. They argued that codifying youth participation in the National Peace Council would elevate their role from symbolic presence to institutional accountability, ensuring their voices help shape crucial peace and security decisions. Discussions drew on United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250, which recognises youth as vital agents in conflict prevention and peacebuilding. With one in four young people worldwide living in or affected by conflict, participants emphasized the urgency of embedding youth voices in peace structures at every level. Francis Takyi-Koranteng, Upper East Regional Director of the NYA, highlighted that young Ghanaians have long been marginalised or unfairly stereotyped as sources of instability. He stressed that, with Ghana’s large youthful population, inclusion is not optional but essential, and the quality of engagement at the consultation demonstrated young people’s readiness to contribute meaningfully to national peace frameworks. UNDP officials commended the consultative process for fostering genuine dialogue and co-creation, moving youth engagement from tokenistic to transformative. They noted that legal backing for youth representation would reinforce the legitimacy and resilience of Ghana’s peace architecture. The Upper East engagement is part of a nationwide effort to craft a National Action Plan that taps into youth creativity and leadership for peaceful, inclusive development. Stakeholders agreed that amending the National Peace Council Act to guarantee youth representation would build trust, accountability, and long-term stability. As Ghana advances its Youth, Peace, and Security agenda, the message from Bolgatanga is clear: young people are not just beneficiaries of peace, they are vital partners whose place at the national table must be protected by law. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

Dr. John Jinapor, Ghana’s Minister of Energy and Green Transition, recently sat down with representatives from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) for a pivotal discussion on the future of Ghana’s energy sector. The atmosphere was one of collaboration and shared vision as both parties reflected on their partnership’s achievements and mapped out new horizons together. The meeting centered around ongoing and forthcoming projects, with a strong focus on advancing reforms and making investments that foster sustainable growth and transform the energy landscape in Ghana. Dr. Jinapor emphasized the importance of building on the momentum of current initiatives, particularly those designed to improve efficiency, broaden access to electricity, and quicken the shift towards greener, more sustainable energy solutions. Throughout the conversation, AFD was applauded for its steadfast commitment as a development partner. Over the years, AFD’s support has been instrumental in shaping Ghana’s energy infrastructure and informing critical policy decisions. Dr. Jinapor acknowledged the profound impact of this partnership, noting that AFD’s contributions have been vital in helping Ghana achieve key energy development objectives. He also highlighted the need for continued collaboration, especially as the government pursues new strategies to modernize the sector and ensure that every Ghanaian benefits from reliable, sustainable power. The meeting concluded on a hopeful note, with both Dr. Jinapor and the AFD team expressing optimism about deepening their partnership. United by a common goal, they reaffirmed their commitment to building a resilient and sustainable energy sector that aligns with Ghana’s broader development agenda. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

The government has unveiled plans to rename Ghana’s main aviation gateway, Kotoka International Airport (KIA), to Accra International Airport. The announcement was made by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga during a leadership media briefing held ahead of the Ninth Parliament’s resumption on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Ayariga revealed that the proposed name change would be formalized through legislation to be introduced in Parliament by the Minister for Transport. “We are changing the name of our airport from Kotoka International Airport to Accra International Airport. A bill will be brought by the Minister for Transport for the name to be changed,” he stated. This move follows years of advocacy by civil society organizations and members of the public who argue that the current name, which honors General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, a leader in the 1966 coup that toppled Ghana’s first government, does not align with the country’s democratic ideals. Ayariga noted that the renaming is part of a broader legislative agenda for the new parliamentary session. The Minister for Transport is also expected to introduce several bills, including the Maritime Offences Bill and the Road Traffic Bill, which will address issues such as the legalization and regulation of commercial motorcycle operations, popularly known as okada, as well as the Ghana Shippers Council Regulation Bill. Parliament is set to debate the airport’s proposed name change and other transport-related legislation in the coming session, marking a significant step in Ghana’s ongoing efforts to align national symbols with contemporary values. Source: Apexnewsgh.com  

Ghana’s reputation for warmth and hospitality suffered a serious blow as the nation’s customer service performance plunged to a D+ in the 2026 Ghana Customer Service Index (GCSI), unveiled at the British Council in Accra on Thursday, January 29. The event, hosted by Class News’ Prince Benjamin, marked the 8th edition of the annual assessment, which is spearheaded by the Institute of Customer Service Professionals (ICSP) under the leadership of renowned service expert, Yvonne Ohui MacCarthy. The latest index underscores a dramatic decline from previous years: Ghana had earned a C- in 2021, a C+ in 2022, and then climbed to B grades in 2023 and 2024, before slipping to a D+ (59%) in 2025. This year’s results, therefore, reflect mounting challenges for a country celebrated for its friendly citizens. According to McCarthy, most of the 5,308 survey respondents in 2026 were non-Ghanaians—a sign, she said, of the vital need to protect Ghana’s image through quality service and customer care. She emphasized that as customers’ income rises, so do their expectations for professionalism and trust, which she described as the ultimate measure of service. The Ghana Customer Service Index, an innovative feedback mechanism, gathers input via in-person interviews and its online platform. It reviews customer satisfaction across 11 sectors, which in 2026 were ranked as follows: Insurance, Banking, Utilities, Retail, Petroleum, Hospitality, Healthcare, Transportation, Public Institutions, E-Commerce, and Telecommunications. Data analyst and GIMPA lecturer Emmanuel Djaba, who also serves as lead consultant at Apercu Consulting, detailed the rigorous methodology behind the index. The GCSI employs a cause-and-effect model, measuring factors such as trust, competence, professionalism, ease of doing business, and customer-focused innovation, all feeding into the central customer satisfaction score and, ultimately, customer loyalty. The night concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing sector leaders for outstanding service. Honourees included Activa International, Stanbic Bank, Ghana Water Ltd, Melcom, TOTALEnergies, Aqua Safari, Family Health Hospital, Bolt, Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Hubtel, and MTN. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

In the aftermath of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), the Bank of Ghana (BoG) found itself grappling with significant balance sheet losses, a blow that raised urgent questions about its financial stability and future independence. For months, the debate about how best to restore the Central Bank’s capital raged on, with Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson previously ruling out the use of taxpayer funds and instead championing internal restructuring as the path forward. However, a shift in tone emerged at the 128th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) press briefing, where Governor Dr. Johnson Asiama offered fresh insight into ongoing efforts to recapitalise the BoG. Addressing journalists, Dr. Asiama revealed that discussions with the government had been constructive and expressed confidence that state support would help repair the Bank’s battered balance sheet. “I believe in the commitment of government to recapitalise the Central Bank following the hit it took to protect the economy amid the domestic debt restructuring programme,” Dr. Asiama stated, assuring that the collaborative approach was geared towards safeguarding the Bank’s policy credibility and operational independence. The Governor emphasized that restoring the Central Bank’s capital was not just a matter of financial housekeeping; it was essential for ensuring the BoG could continue to deliver on its mandate of price stability, sound supervision, and effective macroeconomic management. “It is only fair that the wounds suffered as a result are addressed,” he noted, highlighting the importance of recapitalisation for maintaining confidence in Ghana’s monetary policy. Dr. Asiama also pointed to broader signs of resilience in the financial sector. By the end of December 2025, 21 out of 23 licensed commercial banks had met capital adequacy requirements, with the final two given until the end of March 2026 to comply. “Overall, we have made significant progress on the recapitalisation strategy, and we are monitoring closely to ensure full compliance,” he concluded, signalling a renewed sense of stability and optimism for Ghana’s financial system. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

President John Dramani Mahama delivered a stirring appeal to African leaders: move swiftly beyond political independence and rhetoric to real, practical economic reforms that will transform lives across the continent. The summit, which also welcomed São Tomé and Príncipe’s President Carlos Manuel Vila Nova, became a stage for President Mahama’s vision of an Africa where governments prioritize the well-being and safety of their people through deliberate development strategies. In a Facebook post reflecting on the summit, President Mahama underscored that democracy and political freedom mean little without concrete efforts to build sustainable livelihoods. “Political freedom without economic transformation remains incomplete,” he reminded his audience, urging governments to embrace reforms that bring tangible benefits to their citizens. Central to his message was the need for industrial growth and job creation—goals that, he acknowledged, require significant capital. President Mahama pointed out that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the backbone of Africa’s industrial workforce, still face significant barriers due to limited access to long-term, affordable financing. He proposed a solution: African nations should rethink how they mobilize and direct domestic resources. Instead of allowing pension funds, insurance companies, and sovereign wealth funds to sit idle or be invested abroad, President Mahama urged that these vast resources be channeled into productive ventures through mechanisms like industrial bonds, infrastructure funds, and diaspora financing. Such investments, he argued, could unlock the capital needed to fuel industrial expansion, boost intra-African trade, and accelerate economic transformation. With strengthened regional cooperation and innovative financing, President Mahama expressed confidence that Africa could secure inclusive growth and long-term prosperity for all its people. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

In a recent wake-up call to the public, the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) of Ghana has sounded the alarm for Windows users, warning of a dangerous new threat lurking in the digital shadows. The culprit: a sophisticated banking malware campaign that is making its rounds through WhatsApp Web, putting both individuals and organisations at risk of devastating financial loss. Known as Astaroth, the malware has been identified as a major concern by the CSA. The attackers’ method is deceptively simple yet highly effective—they begin by sending malicious ZIP files to potential victims through WhatsApp messages. Disguised as legitimate documents or shared under seemingly innocent pretexts, these files are designed to lure unsuspecting users into downloading and opening them. The real danger begins after the ZIP file is extracted and executed on a Windows computer. Once inside, Astaroth quietly installs itself, immediately connecting to WhatsApp Web to harvest the victim’s contact list. In a matter of moments, the malware sends similar malicious messages to everyone in the contact list, spreading itself further, all without the user’s knowledge. While the malware operates in the background, it conducts extensive data harvesting, stealing sensitive information such as banking login credentials, one-time passwords (OTPs), browser cookies, and even keystrokes. With this trove of stolen data, cybercriminals can gain unauthorized access to financial accounts, commit fraud, and orchestrate further crimes. The CSA urges anyone who suspects they have been targeted or affected by such attacks to reach out for help. Victims and concerned individuals can report incidents and seek guidance by calling or texting 292, using WhatsApp at 0501603111, or emailing report@csa.gov.ghOpens a new window. The message from the CSA is clear: stay vigilant, be wary of unexpected files received via WhatsApp, and report suspicious activity promptly to help combat this growing cyber threat. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

It was a momentous occasion at the 2026 Africa Trade Summit, where President John Dramani Mahama stood before a distinguished audience and painted a bold vision for Africa’s industrial future. At the heart of his address was the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which he hailed as the most ambitious integration project ever undertaken on the continent. With passion, President Mahama described the AfCFTA as a game-changer, uniting over 1.3 billion people into a single market and positioning Africa as a serious player in global manufacturing and investment. He emphasized that, for decades, African economies had remained fragmented, limiting their ability to compete on the world stage. But with the AfCFTA, he explained, countries now had a unique opportunity to build industries capable of serving both regional and international markets. Ghana, he proudly noted, had the honour of hosting the AfCFTA Secretariat and was among the first countries to trade under the agreement’s new preferences. Yet, President Mahama cautioned, the benefits of a continental free trade area would not materialize automatically. He urged African leaders to anchor the AfCFTA within robust development strategies, linking it to industrial policies, infrastructure investment, support for enterprise growth, and trade facilitation reforms. “Without these complementary measures,” he warned, “market integration will remain a theory rather than a driver of prosperity.” He went on to stress that true industrialisation could not thrive within the confines of isolated national markets. Instead, Africa’s future, he argued, depended on building regional value chains—integrating production processes across borders so that, together, African countries could develop strong and competitive industries. President Mahama outlined the vital enablers needed for this transformation: investment in transport corridors, energy and digital infrastructure, and harmonised regulations. These, he said, would lower business costs, boost connectivity, and make seamless intra-African trade a reality. As his speech drew to a close, President Mahama left his audience with a challenge: to move beyond signing agreements and to focus on implementation that would drive industrial growth and shared prosperity. The AfCFTA, he said, was more than a vision—it was Africa’s historic opportunity to reshape its economic destiny. Source: Apexnewsgh.com