AGP Executive Report

Virtual Assets Regulation: Bank of Ghana says Ghana will fully operationalise the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, 2025 (Act 1154) by 2027, with BoG and SEC finalising guidelines and running policy sandboxes, alongside the Cyber Security Authority and Financial Intelligence Centre. Galamsey Accountability: GhIE urges a clearer, results-driven strategy to tackle illegal mining, saying the fight must be measurable and visible to the public. Local Governance Watch: A renewed focus on local government performance questions whether attendance registers alone equal real service delivery, pushing for better ways to measure output and outcomes. Food & Public Health: FDA seized flood-damaged bottled water and soft drinks allegedly being washed and repackaged for sale, warning of serious water-borne disease risks. Youth & Safety: Mental Health Authority cautions students against mixing food or drinks with drugs, warning of unpredictable effects and mental health harm. Economy & Investment: GIPA invites investors to the Invest Ghana Summit, while the World Bank warns prolonged Middle East tensions could weigh on Ghana’s macro-financial stability. Sports Administration: GFA to train Premier League match commissioners ahead of the 2026/27 season, and stakeholders stress sports security as the league returns.

Mining Dialogue: Asempa 94.7 FM’s National Mining Dialogue 2026 at Kempinski drew far more than planned, with over 500 people agreeing mining must deliver fair benefits to communities, not just quiet operations. Digital Finance: Bank of Ghana says Ghana will fully operationalise the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act by 2027, with regulators finalising guidelines and sandboxes. Investor Support: GIPA launches a Focal Persons Network to speed up resolution of investor complaints across taxes, customs, permits, utilities and land. Maritime Trade: GPHA begins activities to mark 40 years of service, growth and trade facilitation. Security & Vigilantism: National Security Coordinator warns vigilante groups haven’t vanished; they’re shifting into less visible online and encrypted networks. Politics & Ethics: ACEPA’s Dr Rasheed Draman urges Parliament to include independent voices in any probe of the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme. Sports: Antoine Semenyo makes history as the first Ghanaian named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year. Tourism: Tourism Minister urges Africa World Airlines to share Ghana destination info with passengers to boost domestic travel.

Youth Football & Match Safety: Ghana’s next generation of referees arrives for the MTN Elite U-19 Championship, with 20 young officials (10 referees, 10 assistants) set to officiate the 11-day tournament, while the GFA also plans a virtual safety and security seminar for Premier League clubs ahead of the 2026/27 season. Health Crisis: Ghana is facing a “silent” rise in sexually transmitted infections among adolescents and young adults, and kidney disease is being flagged as an emerging national emergency driven by preventable causes like hypertension, diabetes and delayed care. Energy & Power: Ghana eyes expanding electricity exports to Nigeria as it pushes its West African energy hub goal, and WAGP maintenance will temporarily halt gas flows from Nigeria to Togo and Benin (Ghana’s Tema supply continues). Economy & Governance: Finance Minister Ato Forson says Ghana will borrow only with discipline to protect debt sustainability, while Parliament’s GoldBod/Bank of Ghana “$1.7bn loss” dispute deepens with defamation suits and calls for accountability. International Spotlight: Mahama tells Ghida Fakhry Israel’s Gaza war amounts to genocide, demanding consistent global justice.

Anti-Graft & Parliament: Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor says it is assessing extortion allegations involving Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin after petitions linked to GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi, while Afenyo-Markin insists he will submit to investigations and has sued Gyamfi for defamation; Govt & Economy: Producer Price Inflation rose to 4.0% in July, and investors heavily favoured the 364-day Treasury Bill at an auction; Mining & Jobs: Government moves to review the Minerals and Mining Act to tighten licensing, while the Mineworkers’ Union demands suspension of contract mining directives over precarious employment; Road Safety: From September, routine police roadside checks for many offences will end as a digital enforcement system rolls out; Health: Global Mercy hospital ship arrives in Tema for 10 months to boost surgical care, and Health Ministry plans to decentralise specialist training; Energy & Trade: Petrobras begins talks on four offshore exploration blocks in Ghana; Security Advisory: Foreign Affairs warns pilgrims against overland convoy travel to Senegal, urging flights; Local Development: Residents in Akokora Kwadjom appeal for drainage fixes after a trench collapse risk.

Prisons Reform: Ghana Prisons Service plans to set up five prison-based industries—tailoring, cabinetry, shoemaking, packaging and prefabrication—plus creative units like music and video production to help inmates earn and reintegrate. Security Tech: The Police will roll out 700+ digital enrolment stations nationwide by end-2026 to boost intelligence-led policing, alongside systems like TRAFITECH and biometric identification. Economy & Markets: Government treasury bills drew 162% oversubscription, with interest rates easing on the yield curve; the 364-day bill was most demanded. GoldBod Row: Parliament’s Minority rejects Sammy Gyamfi’s claims as false and says it will pursue formal action, while COPEC’s Duncan Amoah urges GoldBod to engage criticism constructively. Road Safety: GES clarifies newly promoted teachers don’t need to submit documents for salary adjustments. Sports & Culture: Asante Kotoko signs Cameroonian attacker Solomon Nsoh Asaah; Barosky appeals for help after revealing homelessness in Manchester. Power Update: Parts of Accra face a planned outage Sunday (3am–6pm) for transmission tower replacement.

Galamsey Accountability: A surveyors’ warning and a new galamsey “extortion” claim are both in the spotlight, with the Ghana Institution of Surveyors urging case-by-case handling of compensation disputes, while Ken Ashigbey alleges some MMDAs collect fees from illegal miners—fueling illegality. Energy & Infrastructure: Energy and Roads updates keep coming: GRIDCo plans major power interruptions in parts of Greater Accra, and the Accra–Kumasi Expressway is nearing Kumasi with less than 20km of clearing left. Oil & Mining Policy: Energy Minister Jinapor flags declining production and reserve depletion as threats to Ghana’s upstream sector, while government lays mining local-content reforms before Parliament and the Petroleum Commission marks its 15th anniversary. Bank of Ghana GoldBod Row: Parliament’s Minority presses for a full inquiry into reported DGPP losses, with Afenyo-Markin rejecting defamatory attacks and insisting public funds must be scrutinised. Women’s Football: FIFA has released 2027 Women’s World Cup playoff fixtures, with Ghana and South Africa drawn in the preliminary phase. Health & Society: Ghana’s Global Mercy Hospital Ship is set for a 10-month free medical mission, and WHO/UNICEF data highlights poor sanitation in health facilities. Sports Abroad: Rahim Ibrahim scores again for Slovan Bratislava as Ghanaian footballers continue to make moves overseas.

Non-Interest Banking Push: Bank of Ghana has issued its guideline for regulating and supervising non-interest banking and inaugurated the Non-Interest Financial Advisory Council, marking a major step for Ghana’s financial system. Health Insurance Access: NHIA has opened a new office in Komenda to make it easier for residents to register and renew NHIS cards, cutting travel stress for people seeking care. Public Health Preparedness: Ghana Health Service launched a Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) framework with new strategic and operating documents to strengthen outbreak response and coordination. Sanitation Call: Chief of Staff Julius Debrah urged Ghanaians to treat cleanliness as a daily habit, saying government alone cannot solve sanitation and environmental problems. Drug Bust at Tema: Police seized cocaine worth about US$6.9m hidden in gari sacks at Tema Harbour and arrested suspects, showing continued pressure on trafficking networks. GoldBod Row: GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi rejected claims he insulted Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin, saying his response was tied to serious allegations. Sports—NSMQ: Kumasi Sec. Tech. denied St. Mary’s a One-Eighth Stage spot after a late finish, while Asanteman SHS also booked its place with a clean sweep of awards. Football Abroad: Ghana defender David Oduro joined French side Annecy on loan from Barcelona, and Black Stars coach talks are ongoing as the GFA seeks a next head coach.

Water Access: Kirinyaga’s eWATER model is drawing global interest as a World Bank and Mozambique delegation visits to benchmark its smart-tap approach, community participation, affordable tariffs and tech-enabled distribution. Tax Administration: Ghana Revenue Authority is deepening data analytics to boost compliance and revenue, saying traditional tools are no longer enough in a digital economy. Utilities Regulation: PURC’s new head office in Accra is set to strengthen enforcement and consumer protection across electricity, water and gas. Mining & Jobs: Ghana Mineworkers Union has petitioned the Bank of Ghana to release over GH¢380m in locked-up funds for more than 19,000 workers after the financial sector clean-up. GoldBod Debate: Fresh commentary reignites the GoldBod/Bank of Ghana controversy, with calls for clearer accountability on reported losses and the DGPP. Climate Policy: Ghana is building capacity for COP31 through a national roster of climate negotiation experts, with access to climate finance a key concern. Health Innovation: PharmaVax Ghana awarded €2m to eight research projects to strengthen local vaccine and medicine manufacturing, including malaria and Mpox work. Football (Local & Diaspora): Northampton Town has signed Ghana forward Nathan Opoku, while Ghana’s Prince Kwabena Prempeh joins Inter Bratislava in Slovakia.

Cocoa Logistics: CMC launches a 24-hour cocoa operations model under “Offload 24, Load 24, Export 24” to cut delays and boost exports. Public Health: Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh reaffirms Ghana’s push to strengthen disease surveillance, labs, genomic sequencing and emergency readiness with Africa CDC. Governance & Finance: CAGD warns ministries and agencies not to open bank accounts without prior written approval, or face closure and transfer of funds to the Consolidated Fund. Transport Services: DVLA begins decentralising licence printing to regional offices to end long waits for drivers’ licences. Mining & Jobs: Government grants Adamus Resources a 12-month reprieve and orders a turnaround roadmap, including settling liabilities to GRA, MIIF, banks and suppliers. Energy Regulation: PURC commissions a new head office to deepen oversight and consumer protection in electricity, water and gas. Labour: CLOGSAG Executive Secretary Dr Isaac Bampoe Addo dies after a brief illness. Sports: Asante Kotoko completes the permanent signing of Moroccan goalkeeper Abdel Wadie Mourad; Berekum Chelsea confirm Vincent Klu Adjei’s move to FC Basel. Education & Youth: NSMQ: St. Francis Xavier, Tamale SHS, Labone SHS and Winneba Secondary School qualify for the One-Eighth stage after tense preliminaries.

Housing & Urban Development: President John Dramani Mahama says the first 700 units of the revived Saglemi Housing Project will be ready by March 2027, with commissioning expected around Easter. Public Health & Sanitation: WHO/UNICEF report shows only 16% of Ghana health facilities meet basic sanitation standards, with sanitation and accessibility gaps hurting patient dignity. Oil Revenue Oversight: Parliament’s Isaac Adongo warns PIAC could be weakened unless its funding is secured by law, after reforms changed its traditional financing. Mining & Accountability: Adamus Resources disputes claims behind its lease revocation, while mineworkers demand release of $34.5m in trapped savings. Sports & Football: Ghana’s Thomas Partey is set for a one-year move to Saudi side Al Shabab; Joseph Paintsil and Maxwell Woledzi both earn MLS Team of the Matchday spots. Ghana Football Infrastructure: President Simeon-Okraku updates Congress on progress at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence, including completed tennis and gym works and plans for 40-bed accommodation. Media & Governance: GJA urges journalists to verify information and demand accountability as digital media reshapes the profession.

Power Woes: Parliament is being urged to summon GRIDCo and the Energy Minister after a second nationwide blackout in a month, with MPs demanding answers on what’s failing in the system. Interim Fixes: The Energy Ministry says a temporary power control room will be ready by end-September, while a permanent facility is still coming. Tax Payments Glitch: The Ghana Revenue Authority says intermittent technical issues on Ghana.gov payment channels are being fixed and won’t stop tax filing. Health Costs: Medical-legal claims against the Ghana Health Service and facilities are estimated at about GH¢400m over three years, with cases rising sharply. Corruption Watch: The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition warns corruption risks remain despite gains, and says irregularities in public boards jumped 109.3% in 2024. Education Safety: GES interdicted two watchmen at Bolgatanga Girls SHS over an alleged sexual assault, with police investigations underway. Football Pathways: Sports Minister Kofi Adams tells club leaders to tackle hooliganism beyond just blaming supporters. Youth Football: GTEC trains tertiary partners on a new affiliation quality assurance framework. Sports Transfer Buzz: Ghana defender Manu Duah is linked with a move to Stoke City.

Power Restoration: GRIDCo says it’s working to restore full electricity after a major fault on the Akosombo–Volta transmission line triggered automatic tripping of Akosombo units and some thermal plants, with supply already back in some areas and reconnection ongoing nationwide. Youth & Health: NACOC boss Major Gen. Maxwell Obuba Mantey urged young Ghanaians to stay away from drug abuse, warning that emerging substances can damage vital organs and calling for prevention and treatment support. Education Support: Chiana-Paga MP Nikyema Billa Alamzy presented GH¢9,000 scholarship support to medical student Tangom Maxwell, covering tuition, hostel and a stipend. Public Debate on GoldBod: Former Suame MCE Maxwell Ofosu Boakye accused GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi of double standards in the DGPP loss debate, after IMF figures were cited. SRHR Access: A SHARE project endline evaluation highlights how boys aged 15–19 in Saboro were denied condoms due to being “too young,” showing gaps between knowledge and service access. Business & Legacy: Kessben Group CEO Stephen Kessben dies at 68, ending decades of business and media leadership in Kumasi.

Media & Democracy: Deputy Government Spokesperson Shamima Muslim says the media’s scrutiny and right-to-information work has strengthened Ghana’s democracy and accountability, urging institutions to respond to legitimate criticism. Mining & Health: GMTF boss Adjoa Darko-Opoku challenges mining firms to invest more in healthcare for mining communities, warning that “at 2AM, money cannot buy time.” GoldBod Row: GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi rejects claims of $1.7bn losses, pointing to an Auditor-General report showing a 2025 operational surplus and profit, as MPs trade accusations over the figures. Youth Skills: The National Apprenticeship Programme trained 14,000 youth in 2025 and targets 100,000 by end-2026, while the Youth Development Minister says government will listen and turn ideas into policy. Digital Safety: Cyber Security Authority training highlights child online protection gaps and the risks of phishing and unsafe links for journalists and families. Crypto Regulation: SEC expands Ghana’s Virtual Asset Sandbox to 20 firms, nearly doubling the cohort. Sports: Elisha Owusu joins Erzurumspor after Auxerre, while Ghana’s chess instructor Miracle Morris Stephen wins GH¢25,000 after a court overturns his suspension.

Road Safety Pressure: Stakeholders are demanding tougher action after the Ofankor crash, calling for bans on “aboboyas” (motorcycles/tricycles) from major highways to curb preventable deaths. Education & Teachers: The Ghana Education Service has started talks with teacher unions over concerns about the substantive dates for the 2025 promotion exercise. Ghana Card Fees Clarified: The NIA says revised Ghana Card fees were approved by Parliament and took effect on Feb 2, 2026, while stressing 24-hour Prestige services are optional. Petroleum Update: The Petroleum Commission marks its 15th anniversary, as Energy Minister Jinapor says crude oil output has risen from about 90,000 to 126,000 barrels per day. Mining Social License: GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi urges mining communities to be treated as development partners and economic shareholders, not land donors. Economy & Budget Scrutiny: The IFS says 2026 mid-year growth and revenue projections are unrealistic and need review. Sports & Talent: Asante Kotoko coach Eric Tinkler criticises Ghana pitch standards, while Ghana’s Emmanuel Abrokwa signs for Sevilla until 2029 and Andy Yiadom joins AFC Wimbledon.

Fire Safety: A blaze at Spintex’s Frimpomaa Estate destroyed about 27 wooden structures, but firefighters contained it quickly and stopped spread to a nearby church and other buildings. Mining & Accountability: The Ghana Journalists Association and the Ga Mantse urged Ghana to tackle illegal mining beyond miners—targeting financiers, equipment suppliers and gold buyers—while calling for fact-based reporting and fair handling of community grievances. GoldBod Debate: Policy analyst Dr Steve Manteaw and others argue GoldBod is closing past gold export loopholes, while Prof Bokpin warns GoldBod’s operations may be creating losses for the Bank of Ghana. Youth & Jobs: Government plans to engage young people at the National Youth Forum, focusing on jobs, skills and entrepreneurship. Sports: Hearts of Oak completed Prince Amevor’s permanent signing; Asante Kotoko coach Eric Tinkler says pitch quality is hurting play but insists on rebuilding for trophies. Digital Push: Government targets 70% 5G population coverage by 2028 as it reviews spectrum policies.

Road Safety Clarification: Ghana Police debunked a viral flyer claiming AirPods/earphones use while driving is banned, saying the document is fake and urging road users to avoid distractions under L.I. 2519. Politics & Courts: NPP’s Kwadwo Poku alleges NDC officials are hunting loopholes for President Mahama’s third term and urges the Supreme Court to dismiss suits on presidential term limits. Galamsey & Forests: President Mahama says military detachments will stay in reclaimed forest reserves to stop illegal miners returning after earlier “clear-and-leave” failures. Flooding & Planning: KNUST researcher warns unplanned urban sprawl is worsening flooding and driving up infrastructure costs, calling for compact development and stronger land-use planning. Gold Sector Update: GoldBod orders XRF gold purity testing from September 1, replacing the water density method and tightening records for licensed buyers. Foreign Affairs: Ghana demands Russia stop illegal recruitment of Ghanaians for the Ukraine war, citing 62 deaths and 15 missing, after Moscow talks. Agriculture: TCDA begins nationwide distribution of tree-crop inputs for the 2026 planting season, targeting about 1.6 million households. Sports: Black Princesses U-20 Women’s team leaves for Poland for World Cup preparations; meanwhile, Ghana Premier League credibility and sponsorship concerns resurface ahead of the 2026/27 season.