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

A wave of relief swept through Ghana’s trade community this week as importers, exporters, and associated businesses welcomed the decision to postpone the much-anticipated Smart Port Note (SPN) initiative. The announcement, made by the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) in a widely circulated public notice, came after industry stakeholders raised concerns about the need for deeper consultation and clarification before the system’s rollout. The SPN, originally slated to take effect on February 1, 2026, was unveiled by the GSA on December 23, 2025, with the promise of modernising port operations and stamping out inefficiencies. However, as the implementation date approached, unresolved issues, particularly around operational logistics, regulatory compliance, and the introduction of new fees, prompted calls for a careful reassessment. According to the GSA, the postponement is intended to allow more time for meaningful dialogue with all affected parties. “This is a careful adjustment of one of our major port digitisation initiatives,” the Authority stated. “We want to ensure that operational, regulatory, and implementation concerns are fully addressed before the system goes live.” For industry leaders, the pause is not only welcome but necessary. Samson Asaki Awingobit, Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, explained to Citi Business News why the deferment was critical: “Messages have gone out globally to exporters and suppliers, alerting them to a potential new charge that would ultimately be passed on to local importers. When we examined the proposed figures, some of the values were quite high. It was clear we needed to defer the rollout, reconvene, and ensure all stakeholders, including those raising cost concerns, had a seat at the table.” Michael Obiri-Yeboah, Convenor of the Coalition of Concerned Exporters, Importers and Traders, echoed this sentiment, describing the delay as “a step in the right direction.” He stressed the importance of inclusive discussion: “We’ve seen prominent voices within the port community express reservations about the SPN. This postponement validates our concerns and opens the door to proper stakeholder engagement. Now, we can clearly articulate why the SPN may not be necessary in its current form, or work collaboratively to shape a more effective policy.” With the postponement in place, the mood among stakeholders is one of cautious optimism. Many believe that sustained engagement and open dialogue will ensure that any future digitisation of Ghana’s ports is both efficient and equitable, balancing the needs of government with the realities faced by those who keep the nation’s trade flowing. As the GSA prepares for renewed consultations, the business community is hopeful that the next version of the Smart Port Note will reflect a broader consensus, one that truly supports Ghana’s ambitions as a modern hub for international commerce. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

The atmosphere was one of transparency and resolve as Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Ghana’s Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, addressed the nation during the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, January 21. At the heart of her address was a significant development in the country’s efforts to tighten financial oversight and ensure the prudent use of state resources: the recovery of GH¢107 million in loan repayments and a fresh investigation into questionable loan disbursements by the Ghana EXIM Bank. Standing at the podium, Minister Ofosu-Adjare outlined the government’s multi-pronged approach to strengthening the credit system. She explained that, in 2025, Ghana EXIM Bank disbursed a total of GH¢304 million in loans under a stringent new policy. “This is not money for the boys or money for the girls,” she emphasized, underscoring the seriousness with which her ministry now approached credit creation. “You must satisfy requirements. You must show the credit you are taking will benefit the economy, and above all, you must demonstrate your ability to repay.” Her remarks reflected a shift toward greater accountability in public lending. The Bank’s stricter credit policy was already bearing fruit: GH¢107 million had been successfully recovered from loans that had long gone unpaid. “Recovery efforts on legacy loans are ongoing,” she continued. “We have initiated legal proceedings on several cases, and others have been referred to the appropriate security agencies for further action.” But even as the government celebrated these achievements, the Minister did not shy away from ongoing challenges. She revealed that some loan disbursements remained shrouded in mystery, with officials unable to account for how the funds had been issued or used. These cases, she said, had been swiftly referred to security agencies for thorough investigation. “There are loans that we do not know how they were disbursed,” Ofosu-Adjare admitted candidly. “We have referred them to the appropriate quarters to be dealt with expeditiously.” The Minister’s address was a clear signal that, under her watch, financial stewardship would not be taken lightly. With GH¢107 million recovered and further investigations underway, the government was not only reclaiming lost funds but also restoring public confidence in Ghana’s financial institutions. As the session concluded, observers noted a renewed sense of accountability—a promise that every cedi lent by the state must serve the nation’s interest, and that those who violate this trust will face the full scrutiny of the law. Source: Apexnewsgh.com