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Government is exploring partnerships to re-establish national airline – Transport Minister

By
Ivy Hollys
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joseph nikpe transport minister on new national airline

As part of efforts to re-establish Ghana’s national airline, transport minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe says the government is engaging Boeing and other stakeholders.

Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday, May 20, the minister said a task force set up by the government is currently working with interested international partners toward the revival of a Ghanaian national carrier.

According to him, recent discussions involving Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States and aircraft manufacturer Boeing form part of those efforts.

“This is a topic that is interesting to every Ghanaian. We want to have that pride of having our national flag being flown in the air,” the minister stated.

He explained that the task force has been mandated to engage entities interested in doing business with the Government of Ghana in relation to the proposed national airline project.

Mr. Nikpe revealed that as recently as Monday, the chairman of the task force, together with Ghana’s ambassador to the United States held discussions with Boeing executives on possible areas of collaboration with Ghana.

While declining to provide details of the engagement, he maintained that the discussions form part of ongoing activities aimed at re-establishing a national airline (carrier).

The minister also clarified concerns surrounding the recently launched Air Ghana aircraft, stating that it is not a state-owned airline.

According to him, Air Ghana is a privately owned cargo transport company seeking to operate within the sub-region.

He added that although the company currently focuses on cargo services, there are plans to eventually introduce passenger transport operations.

Mr. Nikpe noted that the government is willing to collaborate with the private company to help strengthen Ghana’s cargo transport services, but stressed that it is not part of any government national airline initiative.

All you need to know about Abena Osei-Asare and Sam George Clash at PAC

By
Ivy Hollys
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abena osei-asare vs sam george at pac

A heated exchange erupted between Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George and Public Accounts Committee Chairperson Abena Osei-Asare during proceedings of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday, May 18, over the persistent issue of poor network connectivity across the country.

The tense moment occurred while the minister was responding to questions on the quality of telecommunications services, particularly the performance of telecom giant MTN.

Presenting figures before the committee, Sam George disclosed that MTN rolled out 134 new network sites in 2016, 352 in 2017, 300 in 2018, and 352 in 2019. According to him, the numbers declined significantly in recent years, with only 30 sites added in 2024 and 50 in 2025.

He, however, stated that government directives issued this year had compelled telecom operators to scale up infrastructure expansion.

“With our directive this year, they are doing 800 new sites,” he told the committee.

But Abena Osei-Asare questioned whether the investments being made by MTN matched the revenue the company generated from subscribers.

“So with all this that is going on, the monies that they get from users, is it commensurate with the infrastructure that they are building? Absolutely no,” she argued.

The PAC Chairperson further expressed frustration over poor connectivity in her constituency, saying residents struggled to make MTN calls.

“In my constituency, minister, it’s like you just cannot make an MTN call,” she stated.

Responding, Sam George insisted the current administration was dealing with the effects of years of inaction in the telecom sector.

“Madam Chair, we are dealing with a decade of rot and lack of action,” he said, adding that telecom companies naturally prioritize profits unless regulators enforce stricter standards.

The exchange became increasingly heated after the minister accused some committee members of interrupting him while he attempted to respond.

“If it’s your committee, then don’t invite us. But if you invite us to ask us a question, if you ask us a question, you listen to us as well. It’s not a monologue,” Sam George remarked during the proceedings.

Abena Osei-Asare, however, maintained that the committee was only emphasizing the seriousness of the situation facing Ghanaians.

“When you come here and we address issues, it is not that we want to talk anybody down, never. But minister, the situation is serious,” she responded.

The Communications Minister later explained that although directives had been issued for telecom operators to improve their networks, the process involved technical and logistical procedures that could not produce immediate results.

According to him, MTN is expected to roll out 800 new sites while Telecel is set to add 350 sites this year.

“Serious situations require serious actions,” he said, noting that equipment procurement and installation take time before consumers begin to experience improvements in service quality.

Following the tense exchange, Sam George downplayed suggestions of hostility between himself and Abena Osei-Asare, describing her as a friend.

“Abena is a friend and maybe that’s part of the reason why our exchanges are very heated, because we do this in our regular conversations,” he said after the session.

The minister added that tough questioning was part of parliamentary oversight and acknowledged that he had similarly scrutinized ministers when he previously served on the committee.

“I’ve sat on this committee for eight years. I’ve been someone that has toughly questioned people. And I know that my colleagues are only returning the favor for what I did to NPP ministers,” he stated.

Sam George stressed that there were no hard feelings after the exchange, revealing that the lawmakers were in good spirits after the session.

“You saw after the program, the three of us huddling together and laughing. No hard feelings, no bad blood. I’m going to join them for lunch,” he added.

Ghana Standards Authority shuts down sections of Ashaiman china mall warehouse

By
Ivy Hollys
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ghana standards authority

The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has shut down sections of the Ashaiman China Mall warehouse over suspected substandard products.

The affected products include mattresses and electrical appliances believed to have been manufactured with inferior materials.

The exercise formed part of the Authority’s second day of operations aimed at clamping down on companies producing and distributing substandard goods on the Ghanaian market.

Speaking during a media engagement after the operation on Tuesday, May 19, the Regional Manager of the Ghana Standards Authority, Clement Kubati, disclosed that some products, including electrical bulbs and mattresses, failed quality tests conducted by the Authority.

The Authority says the exercise forms part of efforts to protect consumers and ensure that products sold on the market meet approved safety and quality standards.

Ghana’s public debt rises to GH¢674.1 billion in February 2026

By
Ivy Hollys
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ghana's public debt gdp

Ghana’s public debt stock increased to GH¢674.1 billion as of February 2026, according to the latest Summary of Economic and Financial Data released by the Bank of Ghana.

The figure represents 42.2 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In dollar terms, the public debt stock stood at US$63.1 billion in February 2026.

The data showed that Ghana’s debt stood at US$61.3 billion, equivalent to GH¢641.1 billion, in December 2025. In January 2026, the figure increased to US$60.6 billion or GH¢663.4 billion.

Despite the increase in the debt stock, the debt-to-GDP ratio in December 2025 stood at 44.7 percent.

According to the report, Ghana’s external debt stood at US$29.3 billion in February 2026, slightly lower than the US$29.4 billion recorded previously. This represents 19.6 percent of GDP.

However, domestic debt rose sharply to GH¢360.4 billion in February 2026 from GH¢341.0 billion in January, accounting for about 22.6 percent of GDP.

Rent Control freezes hostel fee increases for 2026/2027 academic year

By
Ivy Hollys
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hostel fees

The office of the rent commissioner and the rent control department have directed all private student hostel operators across Ghana to suspend any planned increases in accommodation fees for the 2026/2027 academic year.

The directive follows growing concerns over the rising cost of student housing across the country.

In a statement issued on May 19, the acting Rent Commissioner and Head of the Rent Control Department, Frederick Opoku, announced a temporary freeze on all proposed hostel fee increments in and around tertiary institutions nationwide until further notice.

According to the department, the decision comes after mounting public complaints over what it described as persistent and excessive increases in hostel accommodation charges by private operators.

The department warned that the continuous hikes are placing significant financial pressure on students, parents, and guardians.

Speaking on the issue, Kwame Owusu Danso, running mate to Alan Kyerematen in the 2024 election, lawyer, and executive director of Lands and Mines Watch, also weighed in on the development.

Greater Accra Dominates Ghana’s Lowest Poverty Rankings in New Report

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Ghana Statistical Service

A new report by the Ghana Statistical Service has highlighted a widening development gap between urban and rural districts, with municipalities in the Greater Accra Region emerging as the country’s strongest performers in reducing multidimensional poverty.

The latest Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) rankings, covering the period from 2021 to 2025, show that districts in Greater Accra and parts of the Ashanti Region recorded the lowest levels of deprivation in areas such as education, healthcare, employment, sanitation and access to basic services.

According to the report, Ablekuma North Municipal ranked as Ghana’s best-performing district overall, maintaining one of the lowest poverty levels nationwide throughout the five years. The municipality recorded an average multidimensional poverty incidence of 8.5 per cent and consistently remained among the top ten districts each year.

Ablekuma West Municipal followed with an average poverty incidence of 8.6 per cent, while Korle Klottey Municipal recorded 8.8 per cent.

Other high-performing districts included La Dade-Kotopon Municipal, Tema West Municipal, Ayawaso Central Municipal, Ayawaso West Municipal, Krowor Municipal, Ledzokuku Municipal and Asokwa Municipal.

The report further revealed that Ayawaso North Municipal recorded the single lowest multidimensional poverty rate in Ghana in 2025, at 5.5 per cent.

Analysts say the rankings reflect the concentration of economic activity, infrastructure and social services in urban centres, particularly in Greater Accra. Improvements in access to healthcare, quality education, sanitation facilities, electricity and employment opportunities were identified as major factors contributing to the strong performance of the top-ranked districts.

However, the report also pointed to persistent inequalities across the country, noting that districts in northern Ghana continue to experience significantly higher poverty and deprivation levels compared to urban municipalities in the south.

The Ghana Statistical Service says the MPI rankings are intended to support evidence-based policymaking by helping government and development partners identify areas requiring urgent social intervention and investment.

The findings are expected to influence future decisions on poverty reduction programmes, infrastructure expansion and the allocation of public resources across districts.

By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang

US Tightens Travel Restrictions Over Ebola Outbreak in Africa

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Ebola

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has announced new temporary travel restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of Ebola into the United States following a rise in infections in parts of Central and East Africa.

The emergency order, signed by CDC Director Jay Bhattacharya, places a 30-day suspension on the entry of certain non-U.S. travellers who have recently been in outbreak-affected areas, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

Health officials said the move is intended to reduce pressure on the country’s public health response systems while authorities strengthen screening, monitoring and containment measures.

Under the order, travellers classified as “covered aliens” who have been present in the affected countries within the previous 21 days will be temporarily barred from entering the United States. However, the restrictions do not apply to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, military personnel, government officials or individuals granted special exemptions on humanitarian or public health grounds.

The CDC stressed that the measure is preventive rather than a response to any active Ebola outbreak within the United States. Officials say the temporary pause will allow federal and state agencies to focus resources on monitoring returning American citizens and residents who may have been exposed to the virus.

Public health authorities are particularly concerned about the spread of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has recently been recorded with increased cases in affected parts of Africa.

The virus has an incubation period of up to 21 days, prompting authorities to intensify airport health surveillance and contact tracing efforts for travellers arriving from high-risk regions.

The Department of Homeland Security is working alongside the CDC and the United States Department of State to enforce the new measures at major international airports, including John F. Kennedy International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, O’Hare International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport.

International health agencies, including the World Health Organisation and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, are continuing containment and response efforts in affected countries.

U.S. authorities say the 30-day measure will also provide time to review long-term border health strategies and improve preparedness in case the outbreak expands further.

By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang

Ghana Risks Losing Policy Control Under New IMF Arrangement – ISODEC

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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ISODEC
Dr. Adamu Abile

Policy advocacy group Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC) has raised concerns over the government’s decision to pursue a new Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI) arrangement with the International Monetary Fund, warning that the move could weaken Ghana’s control over its own economic policies.

Speaking in an interview on Monday, May 18, economist Dr Adamu Abile argued that Ghana’s recent economic improvements were largely driven by internal measures rather than support from the IMF’s current $3 billion Extended Credit Facility programme.

According to him, policies such as gold reserve accumulation, tighter foreign exchange controls and stronger domestic resource mobilisation efforts played a more significant role in stabilising the economy.

“It is not necessarily the IMF programme that brought us here,” Dr Abile stated.

The economist maintained that Ghana’s continued return to IMF-supported programmes points to long-standing structural weaknesses within the economy and an overreliance on external policy guidance.

He also criticised arguments that the PCI arrangement would improve investor confidence and strengthen Ghana’s standing with international credit rating agencies. In his view, such reasoning mainly supports the country’s continued dependence on borrowing from international markets.

“When you talk about giving us policy credibility so that we have market confidence to go back and borrow, ISODEC has a serious objection to that,” he stressed.

Dr Abile further called for a development strategy focused on greater local ownership of strategic sectors, especially mining and gold resources. He argued that Ghana has the capacity to manage its economy independently without relying heavily on policy direction from international institutions.

“We are trying to outsource our policy sovereignty to Washington,” he warned.

Government officials, however, have defended the proposed PCI arrangement, insisting that it is not another bailout programme. According to the government, the agreement is intended to serve as a technical framework to help maintain fiscal discipline, monitor reforms and prevent economic setbacks after Ghana exits its current IMF support programme.

The proposed arrangement has reignited debate over the country’s long-term economic direction, with critics questioning whether repeated IMF engagements promote stability or deepen Ghana’s dependence on external financial institutions.

By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang

Bank of Ghana Says Forex Support Remains Strong Despite Recent Cedi Losses

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Johnson Asiamah

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has moved to calm growing concerns over the recent depreciation of the cedi, assuring businesses and commercial banks that it has sufficient foreign exchange reserves to support the market when necessary.

The Central Bank says its Foreign Exchange Intermediation Programme remains active and will continue to be guided by economic data and prevailing market conditions rather than speculation or market sentiment.

The assurance comes after renewed pressure on the local currency over the past two weeks, raising concerns among importers and businesses about dollar availability and exchange-rate stability.

Some commercial banks had earlier indicated that not all of their foreign exchange requests submitted in recent central bank auctions were fully satisfied, fueling fears of tightening dollar liquidity in the market.

However, sources close to the Bank of Ghana insist there is no immediate threat to the country’s reserve position or the broader forex market.

According to the Central Bank, the recent depreciation of the cedi should be viewed as part of normal market adjustments rather than a sign of deeper instability.

Officials argue that exchange rates naturally fluctuate and that a currency that only strengthens continuously without periodic corrections would itself raise concerns for regulators.

The Bank of Ghana further stressed that there are currently no plans to alter its forex intervention strategy for the year, maintaining that the existing programme remains adequate to support market stability.

The Central Bank says it is closely monitoring developments in the foreign exchange market and will only step in when economic indicators justify further intervention.

The latest market pressures come after a strong performance by the cedi earlier in the year.

Bank of Ghana data showed the local currency appreciated by about 24 per cent during the first five months of 2025, making it one of the strongest-performing currencies in the region during that period.

Despite that earlier rally, recent losses have triggered fresh anxiety among businesses that depend heavily on imports and foreign exchange access.

Market data from commercial banks indicate that the cedi has now depreciated by nearly 7 per cent year-to-date following the latest decline.

Even so, the Bank of Ghana maintains that it has adequate reserves and remains capable of providing support to ensure orderly market conditions.

By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang

Ghana On Course To Exit GAVI Support By 2030—Mahama

By
Ivy Hollys
-
Mahama on GAVI

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Ghana is on track to transition out of funding support from GAVI, the global Vaccine Alliance, by the year 2030.

Speaking at the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva on Monday, May 18, President Mahama said Ghana’s progress in strengthening healthcare systems and vaccine financing capacity has positioned the country to gradually move away from dependence on international vaccine support.

According to the president, Ghana could eventually become a contributor to global vaccine support initiatives in the future.

President Mahama also highlighted the government’s efforts to improve access to specialized healthcare through the MahamaCares initiative, which seeks to make advanced and expensive medical treatment more accessible to ordinary citizens.

The president made the remarks during his address on healthcare reforms, universal health coverage, and health sovereignty for African nations at the high-level gathering organized by the World Health Organization.

GAVI, officially known as the Vaccine Alliance, is a global public-private partnership established to improve access to life-saving vaccines in low-income countries.

Over the years, the organization has supported Ghana’s immunization programs by helping finance vaccines for diseases such as measles, polio, pneumococcal infections, rotavirus, yellow fever, and human papillomavirus, also known as HPV.

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