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
BoG Governor Appoints Second Deputy to Represent Him on Ghana Gold Board
Dr. Johnson P. Asiama, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, has designated Second Deputy Governor Matilda Asante-Asiedu as his official representative on the Board of Directors of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod). The appointment was made official in a letter dated May 11, 2026, addressed to the Chairman of GoldBod’s Board of Directors. In the correspondence, Dr. Asiama announced that Mrs. Asante-Asiedu would attend and participate in all GoldBod Board meetings on his behalf, effective immediately. “Mrs. Matilda Asante-Asiedu, Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, is my authorised representative to attend and fully participate in all GoldBod Board Meetings on my behalf,” Dr. Asiama wrote. He further emphasized that Mrs. Asante-Asiedu is empowered to represent his interests, contribute to board deliberations, and exercise all the rights and responsibilities that come with his seat on the Board. Dr. Asiama also called on the GoldBod Board to provide Mrs. Asante-Asiedu with the necessary support and courtesies to help her fulfil her new duties. He concluded the letter by expressing confidence in the Board’s cooperation as the new appointment takes effect. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
NPP Challenges Government’s Cocoa Price Decision, Cites Broken Promises to Farmers
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has taken aim at the government’s newly announced producer price for cocoa, claiming it falls short of both legal requirements and campaign promises made to Ghana’s farmers. In a press statement dated September 27, the NPP criticized the decision to set the price for the 2026/27 cocoa season at GH¢2,650 per 64-kilogramme bag. The party described the increase, just GH¢63, or 2.4 percent above last season’s price, as inadequate, and alleged that it does not meet the minimum set by law. Citing the Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026 (Act 1182), the NPP argued that the law requires the producer price to be at least 70 percent of the Gross Free-on-Board (FOB) price realized by COCOBOD. While the government claims the new price stands at 71.18 percent of this benchmark, the NPP disputes the calculation and called for greater transparency in how the figures were determined. The party’s criticism comes on the heels of the government’s announcement of the new price on September 25. The NPP also accused the administration of failing to live up to promises made on the campaign trail in 2024, when prominent National Democratic Congress (NDC) figures, including President John Dramani Mahama and several ministers, pledged a producer price of GH¢6,000 per bag to farmers. At the time, opposition leaders had labelled the then-current price of GH¢3,100 per bag as exploitative and asserted that farmers deserved at least 70 percent of the world market price. The NPP maintains that the government’s recent pricing decisions have fallen far short of these pledges, leaving many cocoa farmers disappointed and frustrated as the new season approaches. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Finance Minister Unveils “New Economy” Vision to Spur Local Production and Jobs
Ghana’s Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has outlined an ambitious vision to transform the nation’s economy by boosting local production, cutting back on imports, and generating jobs. Meeting with leaders from the Association of Ghana Industries and top business figures, Dr Forson declared, “Our mission is to produce more of what we consume and create more jobs here at home.” He challenged the country to see every imported product as a call to action: “Every import is an opportunity to ask: why can’t we make it in Ghana?” This shift in thinking is at the heart of the government’s New Economy programme, which aims to channel investment into productive sectors and build a more self-reliant, prosperous nation. “That is the promise of the New Economy: Ghana producing. Ghanaians working. Prosperity growing!” Dr Forson emphasized. The programme, set to launch with the 2027 Budget, will deploy around US$1.6 billion, about one percent of Ghana’s GDP, into key sectors. The focus will be on commercial agriculture, adding value to mining, and expanding energy and transport infrastructure. These areas are seen as engines for sustainable growth and job creation, with investments designed to strengthen the economy and generate returns for future development. In particular, Dr Forson highlighted plans for the energy sector, such as gas-to-power and gas-to-fertilizer projects, aimed at bolstering energy security and supporting industry. The transport sector is also in the spotlight, with the Western Railway Line and other strategic projects poised for potential support. While details are still being finalized, Dr Forson assured that the New Economy blueprint would be unveiled alongside the 2027 Budget, promising more opportunities for the private sector and a new era of growth for Ghana. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
NACOC Declares Frank Danquah Wanted Amid Heightened Narcotics Scrutiny
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has officially declared Frank Danquah, born September 11, 1978, a wanted man in connection with suspected narcotics-related offenses. The announcement, made public on September 22, 2026, comes as authorities intensify efforts to clamp down on drug trafficking across Ghana. In its public notice, NACOC appealed to citizens for help in locating Mr. Danquah, encouraging anyone with information about his whereabouts to reach out via the Commission’s toll-free hotline, 0800 307 307. While details about the specific offenses remain undisclosed, NACOC’s wanted-persons page notes that individuals on the list are typically sought under the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019), a law covering importation, exportation, possession, and prohibited business involving narcotics. This latest development comes at a time when Ghana’s narcotics-control systems are under increased public scrutiny. Earlier this month, authorities began investigating the interception of approximately 3.9 tonnes of suspected cocaine shipped from Ghana to France. Six individuals have already been remanded in connection with the case, after prosecutors revealed that containers released from Tema Port for export had shown suspicious scan images. NACOC has not linked Frank Danquah to the France cocaine case in its notice. However, the timing of the wanted declaration underscores the broader efforts underway to strengthen enforcement and accountability within Ghana’s fight against illegal drugs. As the search for Frank Danquah intensifies, NACOC urges the public to assist in ensuring that those involved in narcotics offenses are brought to justice. Source: Apexnewsgh.com