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Baba Jamal to win Ayawaso East by-election win 75%

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Baba Jamal

Global InfoAnalytics has predicted a strong win for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Baba Jamal, in the Ayawaso East by-election scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in its latest survey.

According to Global InfoAnalytics, the poll was conducted between February 28 and March 1 and sampled 972 voters within the constituency.

The polls projected Baba Jamal to win with a massive 75% while his closest rival, Baba Ali of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is expected to trail behind with a total of 21% of the votes.

Independent contender Umaru Sanda Muhammed, who recently parted ways with the NDC, is estimated to secure about 3 per cent. The remaining aspirants, Ibrahim Iddrisu and David, are each tipped to obtain less than one per cent of the ballots cast, reflecting a race largely dominated by the two main political parties.

This follows the passing of the sitting Member of Parliament, Mahama Naser Toure, who died in January while receiving treatment at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, creating a vacancy in the Ayawaso East Constituency.

Baba Jamal was declared winner in the National Democratic Congress primaries despite controversies surrounding votes buying and his recall as the Ghanaian ambassador to the Republic of Nigeria

By: Janice Opoku Agyemang

Heart failure accounts for a staggering 88% of cardiac admission – GHS

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Dr. Adomako-Boateng

The Ashanti Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Fred Adomako-Boateng, has revealed that heart failure has become a common reality in hospitals. 

Speaking at the 8th Annual General Scientific Meeting of The Ghanaian Society of Cardiology, the health director revealed that the average age of a heart failure patient in Ghana is 50 years, which is nearly a decade younger than their Western counterparts. 

He cautioned that the situation is critical because it poses a threat to the Ghanaian workforce and brings unprecedented household burdens to several families.

He added that data from the Sub-Saharan African region shows that hypertension is the predominant driver of heart failure, contributing to nearly 40-50% of heart failure cases

Dr Adomako-Boateng also said in specialised facilities like KATH, heart failure accounts for a staggering 88% of cardiac admissions. 

At the event, he stressed the need to increase awareness, educate more people, and implement policies that are suited to Ghanaian culture and people.

The Ashanti Regional Health Service director also pointed out the lack of resources, such as echo and specific lab tests, in many district health facilities, as well as the economic difficulties patients face during treatment.

Dr Adomako-Boateng urged policymakers to consider including heart-related diseases in the health insurance policy to absorb some costs and relieve patients.

By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang

Education in Ghana: Government Expands Free Sanitary Pads, TVET Centers, and New Universities

By
Ivy Hollys
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The Ministry of Education, Ghana
The Ministry of Education, Ghana

Education in Ghana is undergoing sweeping reforms as the government rolls out fresh investments targeting access, infrastructure, skills training, and gender equity across the country.

Speaking during the State of the Nation Address, President John Dramani Mahama reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to removing barriers that prevent children, especially girls, from staying in school.

One of the key highlights under the education agenda is the continuation of the free sanitary pad initiative for schoolgirls. In 2025 alone, a total of 12.2 million packets of sanitary pads were distributed to girls in public schools nationwide.

For the 2026 financial year, the government has allocated 292.4 million Ghana cedis to sustain the program. The president said the initiative is designed to improve menstrual hygiene and reduce absenteeism among female students, ensuring that no girl’s education is interrupted due to menstrual challenges.

Beyond basic support interventions, the government is also addressing congestion in senior high schools. As part of efforts to ensure parity and expand access, 30 Category C secondary schools will be upgraded to Category B, while 10 Category B schools will be elevated to Category A status. Facilities in existing Category A schools will also be expanded to accommodate more students.

President Mahama further announced that six new regional TVET centers of excellence will be constructed across the country. These centers are expected to equip young people with practical, industry-relevant skills aligned with the demands of the evolving job market.

In addition, the government is reviewing the national curriculum to align with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Future of Education and Skills Framework. The review is aimed at making technical and vocational training more adaptive and resilient to global changes.

At the tertiary level, the government has entered international partnerships to establish two new public universities—one in the Bono East Region and another in the Oti Region. A grant from China has also been secured to establish a new public university in Damongo in the Savannah Region.

The President further announced plans to establish three new technical universities to strengthen skills development, enhance innovation, and support Ghana’s industrialization drive. Technical universities, he noted, play a critical role in closing the skills gap and reducing youth unemployment through industry-aligned, practice-oriented training.

As part of measures to improve teacher welfare under the broader education reforms, the government is rolling out the Teachers’ Housing Initiative, also known as “Teacher Dabre.” The program is a partnership involving District Assemblies, the GETFund, and other stakeholders, with the goal of building 50,000 housing units for teachers nationwide.

The initiative aims to improve living conditions for teachers, particularly in rural and remote areas, and boost retention while ensuring they can live and work with dignity.

Ghana Basic Education Reform: Government to Build 600 Schools and Introduce AI, Coding in Curriculum

By
Ivy Hollys
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oresident John Mahama on basic education
President of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama

Basic education in Ghana is set for a major transformation following President John Dramani Mahama’s latest policy announcement aimed at strengthening the country’s foundation of learning.

Delivering the State of the Nation Address before Parliament, President Mahama described basic education as the most critical entry point in Ghana’s education system. He noted that it is at this level that children acquire foundational literacy, numeracy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills that determine their academic and professional future.

As part of a broader reform agenda, the government is undertaking a policy shift to rebalance national education investments in favor of basic education. The president said this move reflects the government’s recognition that strong secondary and tertiary outcomes begin with a solid base.

One of the key pillars of the basic education reform is a review of the Standards-Based Curriculum for Kindergarten to Primary Six. The revised curriculum will incorporate robotics, coding, and the responsible integration of generative artificial intelligence.

According to President Mahama, artificial intelligence will be introduced in an age-appropriate and developmentally sensitive manner. The focus will go beyond technical knowledge to include ethical use, digital responsibility, critical thinking, and the promotion of human values within the basic education system.

In addition to curriculum reforms, the government is targeting infrastructure expansion to address the long-standing challenge of schools under trees. For the 2026 financial year, the government has programmed the construction of 200 kindergarten blocks, 200 primary school blocks, and 200 junior high school blocks nationwide.

The president confirmed that adequate budgetary allocation has been made to support these projects, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to strengthening basic education infrastructure across the country.

On the financial front, President Mahama announced that all outstanding capitation grant arrears owed to public basic schools have been fully cleared. In addition, arrears related to BECE registration subsidies due to the West African Examinations Council have been settled.

He further disclosed that legacy debts owed to the examination body from previous years have also been cleared, restoring stability and confidence in the administration of national examinations at the basic education level.

The president emphasized that education for learners with special needs remains a priority under the basic education reform agenda. He described inclusive education as both a moral responsibility and a practical investment in Ghana’s human capital development.

GDP Growth: Ghana Enters Top 10 African Economies as Debt Falls 

By
Ivy Hollys
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Sona 2026: gdp
President John Dramani Mahama

Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth has taken center stage following President John Dramani Mahama’s State of the Nation Address, where he declared that Ghana is once again among the top 10 largest economies in Africa.

Delivering the constitutionally mandated address before Parliament, President Mahama said the country’s economic fundamentals are strengthening, positioning Ghana as open for business and ready for sustained growth.

According to the President, Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product is projected to hit 113 billion dollars in 2025, a sharp rise from 83 billion dollars at the end of 2024. This growth places Ghana among the top 10 African countries with the largest economies, a milestone he described as evidence that the Resetting Ghana Agenda is yielding results.

He reported that the average GDP growth for the first three quarters of 2025 stands at 6.1 percent. The primary surplus reached 2.6 percent of GDP, exceeding the government’s target of 1.5 percent. The fiscal deficit closed at 3.1 percent, below the projected 3.8 percent.

President Mahama noted that these figures reflect what he called disciplined governance. He said the government chose expenditure control over waste and reforms over excuses, tightening commitment systems and conducting a comprehensive audit of 2024 financial commitments to restore credibility to public finances.

The president emphasized that the economic turnaround is already benefiting households and businesses. “We tightened expenditure and commitment controls. We improved payables reporting and conducted a comprehensive audit of 2024 commitments to restore credibility and discipline. Mr. Speaker, these measures have begun to deliver some of the most remarkable economic outcomes in decades,” he said. 

Reflecting on Ghana’s recent challenges, President Mahama described December 19, 2022, as one of the darkest days in the country’s economic history. On that day, Ghana declared its inability to honor debt obligations and placed a moratorium on domestic and foreign debt repayments, triggering a complex restructuring process.

He criticized previous debt arrangements, noting that large repayment obligations had been pushed into the 2025 to 2028 period, creating pressure for the current administration. However, he said decisive action was taken to confront the crisis.

Government interventions included the establishment of sinking funds, restructuring of obligations, and the pursuit of bilateral agreements. As a result, public debt fell by 82.1 billion Ghana cedis, reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio from 61.8 percent to 45.3 percent. The president described this as one of the sharpest debt reductions in Ghana’s history.

He also revealed that on January 2 this year, Ghana settled a 709 million dollar Eurobond ahead of schedule, completing 1.4 billion dollars in debt service initially due in 2025.

As Ghana approaches its 69th Independence Anniversary, President Mahama said the country does so with renewed hope, insisting that sound policy, fiscal discipline, and inclusive growth are laying the foundation for a more resilient and prosperous economy.

24-Hour Economy: Bill approved, 110 million allocated to start 24-hour economy authority 

By
Ivy Hollys
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24-hour economy bill passed

The 24-Hour Economy policy has officially moved from proposal to implementation, following President John Dramani Mahama’s signing of the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill into law.

Speaking during the State of the Nation Address before Parliament, President Mahama announced that Ghana’s economy is regaining strength and resilience on the global stage, with the 24-hour economy and accelerated export development program positioned as the boldest economic transformation initiative in recent history.

The legislation, passed by Parliament on 6 February 2026, establishes the regulatory framework and legal mandate required for full implementation of the policy. The president confirmed that he signed the bill into law after Cabinet approval, clearing the way for operational rollout.

The 24-Hour Economy Ghana initiative is designed to unlock round-the-clock economic activity, deepen value chains across key sectors, boost productivity, and support export growth. It is also expected to create quality jobs in agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, and services.

In the 2026 budget, the government has allocated 110 million Ghana cedis to begin the setup and implementation of the 24-Hour Economy Authority. The funds will support businesses to operate beyond traditional working hours and attract investment through partnerships with institutions such as the Development Bank of Ghana and the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund.

President Mahama said the initiative is aimed at building prosperity and restoring hope, particularly for young people seeking employment opportunities.

He revealed that the government recently took what he described as a painful but necessary decision to revise the cocoa producer price to ensure competitive pricing and address liquidity challenges in the sector. According to him, failure to act would have forced the government to borrow billions, potentially dragging the country back into economic instability.

President Mahama noted that previous decisions had left behind a 32-billion-cedi debt burden in the cocoa sector. While acknowledging concerns and protests from farmers, he assured them that ongoing reforms would transform the sector and guarantee fair and transparent pricing that reflects production costs and provides decent margins.

Beyond the 24-hour economy policy, the president announced plans to introduce new legislation to tighten procurement processes. This will include banning sole-source contracts except under exceptional circumstances.

With the legal framework now in place, implementation of the 24-Hour Economy Ghana program is expected to begin in earnest, marking what the government describes as a major shift in the country’s economic direction.

Government Reverts Kotoka International Airport to Accra International Airport 

By
Ivy Hollys
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Kotoka-International-Airport-now-Accra-International-Airport

The government reverts Kotoka International Airport to Accra International Airport, marking a major shift in Ghana’s aviation sector under a sweeping $800 million airport modernization program.

In a statement issued in Accra, the Ministry of Transport explained that restoring the airport’s original name aligns with its historical identity and international recognition. The facility was originally known as Accra International Airport before it was redesignated.

The renaming also forms part of President John Dramani Mahama’s broader economic reset agenda, combining infrastructure expansion with a renewed national conversation about history and political legacy.

$800 Million Aviation Modernisation Plan

Beyond the name change, the government has initiated a large-scale $800 million, equivalent to GH¢12.8 billion, aviation upgrade programme aimed at transforming passenger experience and strengthening Ghana’s position as a regional hub.

Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) is set to introduce 3D analogue baggage scanners at Terminal 2 to enhance airport security screening. Managing Director Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare confirmed that the new technology will eliminate the need for passengers to remove liquids and electronic devices during security checks.

She disclosed this at the 5th Aviation Ghana Breakfast Meeting, emphasizing that Ghana must modernize its aviation infrastructure to match global standards.

According to her, GACL is also working towards repealing the rule that requires passengers to remove their shoes at security checkpoints, further improving convenience and reducing delays.

Airport Infrastructure Development Charge Introduced

To fund the modernization program, the government has introduced the Airport Infrastructure Development Charge (AIDC), which takes effect from April 1.

Approved under the 2026 national budget, the levy applies a $100 charge for international return trips, $15 for ECOWAS travel, and $30 for other African routes.

The passenger-based funding model is expected to generate $800 million over a ten-year period to address structural financing gaps within Ghana’s aviation sector. Authorities say the strategy moves away from the previous cross-subsidisation system, where revenue from the main international hub supported smaller regional airports.

However, the Board of Airline Representatives (cross-subsidization) has cautioned that the new charges could affect Ghana’s competitiveness within the regional aviation market.

Despite the concerns, GACL maintains that the objective of the charge is not merely revenue generation but direct reinvestment into airport infrastructure, technology upgrades, and passenger comfort.

The Ministry of Transport has assured the public, aviation stakeholders, and international partners that the renaming and modernisation process will not affect airport operations, safety standards, or international travel arrangements.

COPEC Projects Fuel Price Increase for March 2026 Pricing Window

By
Ivy Hollys
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copec

The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) fuel price increase projection for March 2026 indicates marginal rises in petrol and diesel prices, while LPG may record a slight drop.

COPEC in its latest report dated February 24, 2026, cited rising international crude oil prices as the primary driver of the projected adjustments.

According to COPEC, petrol prices could increase by approximately 3.59 percent, while diesel is expected to rise by about 1.52 percent. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), however, is projected to decline marginally by about 1.57 percent.

The Chamber explained that the increases are largely influenced by upward trends in global fuel prices despite a slight appreciation of the Ghana cedi against the US dollar within the current pricing window.

Based on the projections, petrol may sell between GH¢11.80 and GH¢13.00 per litre, while diesel could range between GH¢12.73 and GH¢14.00 per litre.

LPG is expected to sell between GH¢11.48 and GH¢12.69 per kilogram.

Executive Secretary of COPEC, Duncan Amoah, has urged oil marketing companies to maintain stable pricing to avoid placing additional financial pressure on consumers.

COCOBOD Denies GH¢12 Million Black Stars Sponsorship Claim

By
Ivy Hollys
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Cocobod on black stars sponsorship

The Ghana Cocoa Board, COCOBOD, has denied a GH¢12 million Black Stars sponsorship claim, insisting that no funds meant for cocoa farmers have been diverted to support the national team.

COCOBOD said it did not channel twelve million Ghana cedis into sponsoring the Black Stars at a time when the cocoa sector is facing financial strain.

In a public notice, COCOBOD described the allegation as false, misleading, and without any factual basis.

The Board categorically rejected suggestions that funds earmarked for cocoa farmer payments were redirected to sporting activities.

The clarification comes amid heightened public scrutiny of government spending and growing concerns within Ghana’s cocoa industry.

COCOBOD reiterated that its core mandate remains centered on the welfare of cocoa farmers, including prompt payments for cocoa purchases, provision of farm inputs, extension services, and sustained investment in the sector.

The Board urged the public to disregard the circulating claims and rely solely on its official communication platforms for verified information.

PURC Summons ECG Over Fast Depletion of Prepaid Electricity Units After Tariff Adjustment

By
Ivy Hollys
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PURC

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has summoned the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) over the fast depletion of prepaid electricity units following widespread public complaints after the January tariff adjustment.

The PURC has directed the ECG to appear before it to explain reports that prepaid electricity credits are running out unusually fast.

In a formal letter, PURC Executive Secretary Dr. Shafic Suleman asked ECG’s Managing Director and senior officials from the technical, commercial, ICT, and customer service departments to attend an emergency meeting on Wednesday, February 26.

The Commission said it has taken note of widespread media reports and public complaints alleging rapid depletion of prepaid units after the implementation of the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) in January.

The development has triggered public concern, with many consumers questioning whether the tariff adjustment has led to hidden increases.

However, ECG has denied any wrongdoing. The Communications Director of the ECG, William Boateng, stated that the company applies only tariffs approved by PURC.

According to him, increased electricity consumption due to hot weather conditions and the growing use of electrical appliances may be responsible for the fast depletion of prepaid credits.

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