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Ghana eyes egg powder production to solve recurring glut

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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egg glut in ghana

The government is taking decisive steps to tackle a persistent oversupply of eggs in the poultry sector, with plans to process surplus eggs into powder and other value-added products, while leveraging the national School Feeding Programme to absorb excess stock.

The initiative is a central pillar of a proposed national poultry master plan, a long-term blueprint designed to stabilise farm-gate prices, cut post-production losses, extend the shelf life of perishable products, and unlock new commercial opportunities across the poultry value chain.

A Glut With Deep Roots

Poultry farmers across Ghana have long battled the boom-and-bust cycle of egg production. Periodic oversupply regularly floods the market, forcing producers to slash prices well below the cost of production — sometimes with devastating financial consequences.

Government officials say the problem has been partly amplified by their own agricultural policies. Kwesi Etu-Bonde, Chief Technical Advisor to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, explained that last year’s state support for maize and soya production had significantly lowered the cost of poultry feed, making the sector more attractive to new entrants.

“The egg glut has come to our attention. Last year, the ministry supported the production of grains such as maize and soya, and that has brought feed prices down. As a result, more people have been incentivised to go into poultry production,” he said, speaking to journalists following a stakeholder dialogue on the proposed master plan.

Processing as a Long-Term Fix

At the heart of the government’s proposed solution is investment in value addition — transforming raw eggs into shelf-stable products such as egg powder that can be stored, traded, and consumed over longer periods, reducing the pressure of oversupply on fresh markets.

“Eggs can be processed into powder, and that is part of the value addition we want the poultry master plan to address,” Etu-Bonde said. The plan also calls for expanded cold and dry storage infrastructure to better manage production surges before they trigger market crises.

School Feeding Programme Drafted as Emergency Buffer

As a more immediate intervention, President John Mahama has directed the School Feeding Programme to begin purchasing eggs directly from the market — providing poultry farmers with a guaranteed institutional buyer while also improving the nutritional quality of meals served to schoolchildren.

“The President has instructed that the School Feeding Programme should purchase eggs from the market as part of the effort to support poultry farmers,” Etu-Bonde confirmed.

A Master Plan for the Sector’s Future

The national poultry master plan, once finalised, is expected to offer a comprehensive roadmap for strengthening every link in the poultry value chain — from feed production and farm management to processing capacity, market access, and price stabilisation mechanisms.

Industry stakeholders, who have raised concerns about egg oversupply for years, have broadly welcomed the government’s renewed engagement, though many will be watching closely to see how quickly the plan translates from policy dialogue into concrete action.

By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang

Ghana Police Service arrests 50 suspects in an intelligence-led anti-narcotics operation

By
Ivy Hollys
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narcotics

The Ghana Police Service has arrested 50 suspects in an intelligence-led anti-narcotics operation carried out at the Madina Market enclave in the Greater Accra Region.

The operation, conducted on Thursday, May 7, by the Inspector-General of Police Special Operations Team, targeted the supply and distribution of narcotic substances in the area.

Addressing a press briefing on Friday, Director-General of Police Operations, COP Emmanuel Teye Cudjoe, disclosed that the suspects include 46 males and four females.

According to him, preliminary screening showed that 25 of the suspects are Ghanaians, while the others comprise 13 Nigerians, nine Nigeriens, one Malian, one Togolese and one Burkinabe national.

Police investigations also identified 26-year-old Abigail Oku and Nigerian national Mohammed Zaya as alleged kingpins within the criminal network operating in the enclave.

COP Cudjoe further named Yousef Abubakar, 25, and Ahmadu Alfani, 43, both Nigerians, as shop owners allegedly involved in the sale and distribution of narcotic substances.

Items retrieved during the operation include 230 boxes of tramadol valued at 130 thousand cedis, 49 boxes of wrappers worth 26 thousand cedis, 10 parcels of Indian hemp valued at 15 thousand cedis, 13 boxes of crashes, mobile phones, scissors, knives and other suspected narcotics-related materials.

Police say the estimated street value of the recovered exhibits is about 200 thousand cedis.

All 50 suspects, together with the retrieved items, have been transferred to the National Operations Directorate Headquarters to assist with ongoing investigations and further action.

Government turns to $1 billion bond to revive cocoa sector in 2026/2027 season

By
Ivy Hollys
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$1 billion bond

The government is set to raise a $1 billion bond in Ghana cedis to finance cocoa purchases for the 2026/2027 crop season as authorities move to address persistent funding and production challenges within the cocoa sector.

The planned bond issuance, expected before August this year, is aimed at reducing Ghana’s dependence on foreign banks for cocoa financing while ensuring that adequate funds are available to purchase cocoa beans from farmers ahead of the next crop season.

The move comes at a time when Ghana’s cocoa industry has been battling several setbacks over the past two years, including declining production levels, irregular weather conditions, cocoa-related diseases, and the growing impact of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Analysts say many cocoa farmers have abandoned their farms for illegal mining activities due to delayed payments, lower returns from cocoa farming, and uncertainty within the sector.

The industry has also faced declining global demand as some international chocolate manufacturers increasingly turn to synthetic cocoa alternatives amid supply challenges and rising costs.

Another major setback to the sector has been the impact of Ghana’s Domestic Debt Exchange Programme, which affected access to financing after some investors suffered losses through haircuts. This has made it more difficult for the government and COCOBOD to secure the required funding to support cocoa purchases and operations.

Despite these challenges, industry observers say production levels are gradually improving as the government introduces measures to stimulate output and stabilize the sector.

Reports indicate that although the $1 billion bond will be equivalent to about one billion dollars, it will be denominated in Ghana cedis. Authorities believe raising the funds locally could reduce exchange rate risks and lower the country’s dependence on dollar-denominated borrowing.

While borrowing externally often comes with high repayment costs, especially when the cedi weakens against the dollar,  with the cedi showing relative stability in recent months, the government believes raising funds locally could provide a more sustainable financing model while helping secure enough resources to purchase cocoa beans on time for the next crop season.

Women’s Development Bank To Offer Low-Interest Loans And Business Support – Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare

By
Ivy Hollys
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elizabeth ofosu adjare on women's development bank

Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, says the proposed Women’s Development Bank will provide low-interest financing, flexible collateral requirements, and tailored business support for women-led enterprises.

Speaking at the 2026 Ghana Female CEO Summit, the minister described the initiative as a major economic intervention aimed at positioning women-owned businesses for expansion and job creation.

“As such today, the 2026 national budget has allocated 401 million Ghana cedis to capitalize this institution,” she revealed.

According to her, the bank is being established because many traditional financial institutions have failed to adequately serve women entrepreneurs.

She explained that the Women’s Development Bank will provide low-interest credit, flexible collateral requirements, mentorship, and business development support tailored specifically to women and women-led enterprises.

Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare argued that increasing women’s participation in business and trade is critical to Ghana’s economic transformation, noting that women remain one of the country’s most underutilized economic assets.

Ghana Becomes Africa’s 8th Largest Economy After Strong GDP Growth

By
Ivy Hollys
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gdp ghana 2026

Ghana has climbed to become the eighth-largest economy in Africa in 2026 following a significant expansion in the country’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP.

According to the latest April 2026 World Economic Outlook report by the International Monetary Fund, IMF, Ghana’s economy grew to an estimated 118.29 billion dollars in nominal GDP terms, up from 108.1 billion dollars recorded in 2025.

The latest figures move Ghana two places higher on the continent’s economic rankings, reinforcing the country’s growing influence within the West African sub-region and the broader African economy.

The growth was largely driven by strong performances in the mining, Information and Communication Technology, ICT, and financial services sectors.

The mining sector, particularly gold production, recorded major gains as high global commodity prices boosted export earnings and strengthened foreign exchange inflows.

Ghana’s gold industry continues to serve as a key pillar of economic growth, benefiting from sustained international demand and favourable market prices amid global economic uncertainty.

Beyond mining, the ICT and financial services sectors also recorded strong growth, highlighting the increasing importance of digitalisation and technology-driven financial services in Ghana’s economic transformation agenda.

Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training Service announces nationwide recruitment teaching and non-teaching staff

By
Ivy Hollys
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Gtec opens teaching roles

The Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training Service has announced a nationwide recruitment exercise for both teaching and non-teaching staff for the 2026 employment cycle.

The recruitment process officially began today, Friday, May 8, following the approval of financial clearance by the Ministry of Finance. The exercise is being conducted in collaboration with the Public Services Commission.

Available positions have been grouped into two categories—teaching and non-teaching roles.

Under the teaching category, vacancies include Senior Tutor or Facilitator and Tutor positions.

Applicants seeking appointment as Senior Tutor or Facilitator are required to possess at least a Master’s degree in technology, engineering, Education, social sciences, or a related field, in addition to a professional education qualification and a minimum of one year post-bachelor’s work experience.

Candidates applying for Tutor positions must also hold at least a bachelor’s degree in technology, engineering, or a related discipline, together with a professional qualification in education.

The non-teaching category includes vacancies in administration, catering, security, transport, and facility support services.

Available roles include administrative managers, assistant managers, senior assistants, matrons, catering officers, security guards, drivers, and cleaners.

Qualification requirements vary depending on the role, ranging from BECE and WASSCE certificates for entry-level positions to Master’s degrees for senior appointments.

at 44 Boundary Road, East Legon, Accra. Applications can also be submitted online through the Service’s approved recruitment portal at https://tvets.organiseteam.com.

The closing date for applications is Friday, May 22, 2026.

Charles Amissah: Health Minister Orders Disciplinary Action Against Health Professionals

By
Ivy Hollys
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Charles Amissah death

Ghana’s Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has directed disciplinary action against several health professionals following the release of a committee report into the death of Charles Amissah. Presenting the findings, the minister said the report revealed serious failures within the country’s trauma response system.

According to the report, Charles Amissah sustained severe upper arm injuries in a motorcycle accident on February 6, 2026. Post-mortem findings showed that he died from catastrophic blood loss caused by damage to the axillary and brachial arteries and veins. The committee concluded that Charles Amissah died from exsanguination and that his life could likely have been saved through relatively basic interventions, including wound compression, fluid resuscitation, and blood transfusion.

The report noted that the patient reportedly arrived alive at the Police Hospital, the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, and the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, but was not properly triaged or stabilised at any of the facilities.

It further stated that at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the ambulance crew was reportedly redirected to the University of Ghana Medical Centre while the patient remained critically unstable.

Kwabena Mintah Akandoh said he initially constituted a three-member committee but later approved the addition of more members to strengthen the work of the committee.

He commended the committee chaired by Dr. Agyeman Badu Akosa and reiterated his promise to make the findings public.

The minister stressed that the focus now is to prevent avoidable deaths in the future.

“And therefore, without wasting much time, I want to accordingly direct my Chief Director, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, to write to the following people, the following health professionals, and their hospitals, and their regulators, that disciplinary actions be taken against them,” he added.

The health professionals named by the minister include Dr Anne-Marie Kudowo, Dr Nina Naomin Eyram, Dr Aida Druante, Dr Genevieve Adjah, Ms Akosua B. Turkson, Joy Daisy Nelson, and Salamatu Alhassan.

According to the minister, the individuals are to be referred to their respective hospitals as well as the Medical and Dental Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Council, for further action.

Kwabena Mintah Akandoh acknowledged that some of the affected facilities had already begun disciplinary processes and urged them to expedite action.

He also disclosed that the Ministry of Health had already started implementing an electronic bed management system involving the barcoding and inventory tracking of beds at regional and teaching hospitals.

The minister added that the Critical Care and Emergency Centre at the Ghana Armed Forces would also be opened to the public following directives from President John Mahama. According to him, the facility, supported by the World Bank and the World Health Organization, is a national asset that must be optimised for the benefit of all Ghanaians.

“The fact that you are in opposition does not mean you oppose the obvious” — Solomon Owusu fires at critics 

By
Ivy Hollys
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solomon owusu on opposition

Solomon Owusu has criticised what he described as unnecessary political attacks on government policies, insisting that being in the opposition should not mean rejecting every national initiative.

Speaking during a heated discussion on TV3 on May 7, 2026, over issues surrounding the IMF programme, the Bank of Ghana, and galamsey, Solomon Owusu, the director of communications of the United Party, said some political actors continue to ignore facts simply because they are in opposition.

According to him, the current style of politics being pursued by some opposition figures is one of the reasons their parliamentary representation continues to decline.

“By the way, let’s remind the NPP representative at this table that it is the same argument that is the reason why they have no MPs in four regions,” he stated.

He added that the trend could eventually benefit his party if it continues.

“If they are going to continue on this trajectory, it’s an advantage to the United Party because then we would fill in the gap and get serious-minded people to occupy the Parliament of Ghana and advance the cause of this country,” he said.

Solomon Owusu stressed that the role of the opposition should not be to “oppose the obvious,” especially when policies are in the national interest. He explained that the current period should focus more on nation-building rather than partisan politics.

“The time will come when we will deal with this whole issue of politics when we are getting closer to the campaign. But now it is nation-building,” he noted.

Touching on the discussion surrounding the Bank of Ghana and gold reserve policies, Solomon Owusu questioned critics who had previously credited former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia for introducing the gold-for-oil and gold reserve initiatives.

He questioned where the gold used for those policies was sourced from. On the performance of the cedi, Solomon Owusu also disputed claims that the dollar traded at 13 cedis at the end of 2024.

“That the end-of-year December cedi to the dollar in 2024 was never 13 cedis as peddled. It was rather 14.72,” he said.

He further dismissed a letter reportedly written by former Finance Minister Mohammed Amin Adam to the IMF mission chief, describing it as unserious. “In fact, his opening paragraph makes me see the letter as not serious,” he remarked.

According to him, the letter has generated unnecessary controversy without substance.

Family of Charles Amissah Calls for Accountability After Investigative Report

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Charles Amissah death

The family of the late engineer Charles Amissah has expressed satisfaction with the findings of the investigative committee that examined the circumstances surrounding his tragic death. However, they are calling for disciplinary measures against those identified as responsible.

In an interview with Channel One Newsroom on May 6, Dr Matilda Amissah, the sister of the deceased, acknowledged the emotional toll of revisiting the report’s findings. “We are grieving; it will not bring Charles Amissah back, but we hope disciplinary action will be taken against the culpable individuals,” she stated. Dr Amissah noted that the report’s release reignited painful memories for the family, saying, “I am not very good. I am very sad. It reminds me of all that happened previously.”

Despite the sorrow, she praised the investigative committee’s thoroughness and professionalism, commending its chairman, Agyeman Badu Akosa, for his dedication in uncovering the facts surrounding her brother’s death. Dr Amissah also expressed gratitude to Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and the Ministry of Health for treating the issue with the seriousness it deserves.

“The investigative committee has conducted excellent work. We appreciate their professionalism, commitment, and dedication to the truth,” she emphasised.

The family’s response follows the committee’s findings, which suggest that Charles Amissah’s death, resulting from a hit-and-run incident earlier this year, might have been avoidable with timely medical intervention. This revelation has sparked renewed calls for reforms in emergency healthcare delivery and heightened accountability within the healthcare system.

By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang

Godfred Dame Expresses Concern Over Ghana’s Criminal Prosecution Practices

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Godfred Dame

Former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame has voiced serious concerns regarding what he deems troubling trends in Ghana’s criminal prosecution and law enforcement processes. His remarks come in light of the recent rearrest of Abdul-Wahab Hanan, the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), along with his wife. This incident has ignited a vigorous public discourse about due process and the integrity of the justice system.

In an interview with Joy News, Godfred Dame criticised the handling of some criminal prosecutions, asserting that individuals frequently endure public humiliation and suffer reputational damage before solid evidence is presented by the state. He emphasised that the case involving Hanan and the other accused raises significant concerns about fairness and the safeguarding of individual rights within Ghanaian law.

Dame expressed his dismay at the legal processes, stating, “After damaging their reputation in the public eye and subjecting them to unjust treatment, proclaiming they have committed theft and similar offences, it turns out there is no evidence to support these claims. When the prosecution becomes problematic, the state opts to withdraw the case and instead resorts to extrajudicial harassment. This is unacceptable.”

His comments underscore the urgent need for reform in how criminal prosecutions are conducted, advocating for a system that upholds the rights of individuals accused of crimes while ensuring justice is served fairly and transparently. The rearrest of Hanan and the accompanying public outcry highlight critical issues that need to be addressed to restore faith in Ghana’s justice system.

By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang

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