The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), in partnership with the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP), has commenced a three-day capacity-building workshop to strengthen the integration of gender considerations into planning and budgeting processes at the sub-national level. The workshop, which began on Monday, 31 August 2026, at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) Conference Centre, University of Ghana, brings together planning, budget and gender officers from Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Greater Accra Region, as well as representatives from relevant national and regional institutions, and focuses on the practical application of NDPC’s Gender-Responsive Planning and Budgeting Toolkit to integrate gender considerations throughout the planning and budgeting cycle. Opening the workshop, the Director-General of NDPC, Dr. Audrey Smock Amoah, said the training was intended to help translate commitments to gender equality into practical action through planning and the allocation of public resources. She noted that although women constitute more than half of Ghana’s population and account for 53 percent of the country’s labour force, they continue to face unequal access to economic opportunities and decision-making. “The challenge before us is to move from policy commitment to practical implementation,” she said, urging participants to critically assess whether public resources were reaching the people and communities that needed them most. Dr. Amoah also expressed appreciation to AFIDEP for its support towards the development and implementation of the training. Speaking on behalf of AFIDEP, Dr. Maame B. Peterson said the workshop has deliberately been designed to be practical, with participants working with actual planning and budgeting documents to apply the concepts to their respective districts and regions emphasising that decisions on the allocation of public resources had implications for different groups within society and therefore needed to be examined through a gender lens. "How money moves, who it reaches, and who it actually serves is not a neutral question. It is a question of fairness,” she said. Dr. Peterson explained that the training curriculum was developed through collaboration between AFIDEP, NDPC and the Ministries of Finance and Gender, Children and Social Protection, following an assessment of gaps in gender-responsive planning and budgeting at the regional and district levels. She encouraged participants to actively engage throughout the training and openly discuss the challenges they encounter in applying gender-responsive approaches in their work saying, “Come with your own questions, not the polite ones,” she urged, stressing the importance of honest discussions to ensure that the training responds to the realities officials face in their respective institutions. The training forms part of ongoing efforts by the NDPC and its partners to strengthen institutional capacity for inclusive and gender-responsive national development planning. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Director-General of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Dr Audrey Smock Amoah, has called on participants at a technical assessment of selected 2026–2029 Medium-Term Development Plans (MTDPs) to actively contribute to efforts to strengthen the integration of population variables into development planning. Speaking at the opening of the four-day technical assessment in Accra on Monday, August 24, 2026, Dr Amoah stressed the importance of ensuring that development plans go beyond preparation to achieve tangible results for the people they are intended to serve. “It’s very good to have a good plan, but it is best to have the plan implemented and ultimately the plan having effect on the people the plan is intended to serve,” she said. She highlighted the importance of updating the Population Integration Models to reflect Ghana’s current demographic realities, adding that population size and growth, age structure, fertility, mortality, migration and spatial distribution have significant implications for the provision of social services, infrastructure, employment opportunities and other development needs. The Executive Director of the National Population Council (NPC) noted that the review was necessary because it had been over a decade since the integration models were last utilised. The availability of data from the 2021 Population and Housing Census, she noted, provides an opportunity to update the models and make them more relevant to current planning needs. She emphasised that the exercise was not simply about replacing old population figures with new ones, but about ensuring that population evidence is effectively translated into development planning and decision-making at the local level. Mr. David Agyemang, a Programme Analyst, on behalf of the UNFPA representative, also welcomed the assessment, describing population dynamics as central to development planning. He said the exercise will examine not only whether population variables were included in development plans, but whether population evidence was actually informing priorities, implementation and decision-making. The technical assessment, being undertaken by the NDPC in collaboration with the National Population Council, brings together selected representatives from MDAs and other institutions to examine how population variables have been applied in selected areas of the 2026–2029 MTDPs. The findings are expected to inform the review and update of the Manual on the Integration of Population Variables in Development Planning, as well as related capacity-building support for planners. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), Divine Selase Agbeti, has urged journalists to geolocate digital material where possible and cross-check information with credible official and community sources before publishing reports, particularly on national security, communal conflicts and public emergencies. According to him, the rapid spread of digital content has made it increasingly important for journalists to establish the authenticity and origin of information before amplifying it to the public. Mr. Agbeti said unverified videos, photographs, social media posts and other digital materials could easily be taken out of context or misrepresented, with the potential to create fear, escalate tensions and undermine public confidence. He made the call at the closing ceremony of a two-day residential training workshop organised for members of the Private Newspapers and Online Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) at the Platinum Bay Hotel, Abokobi. The workshop was held under the theme “Media as a Strategic Partner in National Security.” The CSA Director-General urged journalists to adopt the principle of “verify before amplifying”, stressing that speed should not come at the expense of accuracy, especially when reporting matters with potential security implications. He encouraged newsrooms to use available digital verification techniques, including geolocation, while independently cross-checking information with credible official institutions, eyewitnesses and trusted community sources. Mr. Agbeti also cautioned journalists against publishing sensitive operational information that could compromise security investigations or expose individuals to danger. He advised media practitioners to exercise caution when reporting tactical positions, identities of protected persons, sensitive investigative details and other information that could potentially be exploited by criminals or hostile actors. While acknowledging the media’s responsibility to inform the public, he said journalists must strike a careful balance between the public’s right to know and legitimate national security considerations. Mr. Agbeti further urged media organisations to issue prompt and prominent corrections whenever inaccurate information is published, noting that corrections should be given enough visibility to reach audiences who may have already encountered the original report. He said responsible journalism was not necessarily about avoiding every mistake, but about responding transparently and professionally when errors occurred. The CSA boss also called on PRINPAG to establish a dedicated newsroom protocol for national security and cyber-incident reporting, with clear guidelines on verification, source protection, sensitive information, corrections and engagement with relevant authorities. He noted that the ultimate measure of the training would be the extent to which participants translated the lessons into improved newsroom practices and more responsible reporting. The workshop forms part of broader efforts to strengthen collaboration between Ghana’s media and security institutions while equipping journalists with the skills needed to operate responsibly within an increasingly complex digital information environment. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) has engaged the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) to identify key road-safety challenges, priorities and interventions to inform the preparation of the Strategic National Development Plan. The engagement, held on Thursday, 27 August 2026, formed part of the Commission’s consultations with key institutions to identify development challenges that should be addressed through the Strategic National Development Plan. Discussions focused on persistent road indiscipline, enforcement, institutional capacity, road-crash data, behavioural change and inter-agency coordination, as well as measures to improve road-safety outcomes. Opening the engagement, Chairman of the NDPC, Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, said road safety must be viewed within the broader context of national development, stressing that weak enforcement and disregard for regulations have consequences for public safety, productivity and the returns on public investments. He observed that Ghana’s challenge was not necessarily the absence of laws or institutions, but the ability of those institutions to translate their mandates into measurable results. “What is the conveyor belt at this Authority? Is it broken? If it’s broken, why is it broken? How can we fix it?” he asked, underscoring the need to identify and address institutional bottlenecks that impede effective delivery. Dr. Thompson also emphasised that institutional effectiveness must be accompanied by behavioural change, noting that laws and regulations alone could not produce the desired outcomes without compliance by citizens and institutions. “The institutions and behavioural change have to go hand in hand,” he said, adding that sustainable development could not be achieved in an environment where disregard for laws and regulations was tolerated. He further stressed that road-crash victims should not be viewed merely as statistics, as every life lost or seriously injured has implications for families, communities and the wider economy. He said concerns emerging from the engagement would inform the Commission’s work on governance, law and order, and effective institutions under the Strategic National Development Plan. Responding, the NRSA’s Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Alexander Ayeta, outlined the Authority’s interventions across education, enforcement, engineering and emergency response. He said the Authority was pursuing technology-based approaches to enforcement, including the piloting of automated traffic enforcement systems. He also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve the availability and reliability of road-crash data to support planning, enforcement and decision-making. Mr. Ayeta, however, identified inadequate funding and operational logistics as major constraints affecting the Authority’s ability to effectively deliver on its mandate. In her remarks, the Director-General of the NDPC, Dr. Audrey Smock Amoah, said the Commission would explore areas of technical support, particularly in strengthening coordination, data collection and reporting on road safety at the sub-national level, including across the 261 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs). She also proposed the incorporation of appropriate road-safety indicators into existing local government performance frameworks to strengthen monitoring and accountability and provide a clearer basis for assessing road-safety outcomes at the local level. Senior officials of the NRSA also highlighted the need to strengthen decentralised road-safety structures, improve road design and pedestrian infrastructure, secure sustainable financing for emergency care for crash victims, and enhance coordination among institutions responsible for road safety. They stressed that improving road-safety outcomes would require sustained collaboration among the NRSA, the Ghana Police Service, road agencies, health institutions, MMDAs and other relevant stakeholders. The issues and proposals emerging from the engagement will inform the Commission’s ongoing consultations towards the preparation of the Strategic National Development Plan. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Ghana Police Service is stepping up enforcement and monitoring of armoured bullion vehicles (ABVs), with motorists also being urged to cooperate with operators of the specialised vehicles to improve safety on the roads. Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, said road users should exercise patience and give way when they encounter bullion vehicles, stressing that the safe movement of the vehicles was important to protecting their crews, police personnel, cash and other valuables being transported. He made the call in a speech read on his behalf by D-G/PSO, COP Dr. Daniel Kwame Afriyie at a one-day sensitisation workshop organised by the Ministry for the Interior in Accra on Thursday. The programme brought together private security companies, cash-in-transit operators, vehicle importers and retrofitting firms to examine the standards governing the importation, certification, use and eventual decommissioning of ABVs. Mr Yohuno said the growing reliance on armoured bullion vehicles required strict adherence to safety and security standards to reduce risks associated with cash-in-transit operations. According to him, the regulatory framework covers several areas, including vehicle construction, certification, crew training, operational safety, tracking and surveillance, inspection and decommissioning. He disclosed that the Police Service had established enforcement teams at the regional and district levels to support compliance and strengthen monitoring of bullion vehicles across the country. A major development, he noted, was the removal of soft-skinned cash-in-transit vehicles from operations nationwide. Mr Yohuno said the move followed a directive from the Minister for the Interior instructing financial institutions and businesses involved in cash-in-transit services to discontinue the use of such vehicles. “I am pleased to inform you that there are currently no soft-skinned cash-in-transit vehicles in operation,” he said. The IGP linked the tougher measures to lessons from five attacks on cash-in-transit vehicles between 2021 and 2023, incidents which resulted in the deaths of three police officers. He said the Police Service had subsequently developed a standard operating procedure based on the ABV guidelines. The procedure would complement the Bank of Ghana’s own operating framework and provide a clearer basis for regulating cash-in-transit vehicles. Mr Yohuno further tasked regional, divisional and district police commanders with supporting enforcement teams to verify the legitimacy and certification of ABVs operating within their jurisdictions. He directed that stakeholders found operating outside the prescribed requirements should be reported to Police Headquarters or the Ministry of the Interior for the necessary action. The IGP also cautioned companies involved in importing and retrofitting bullion vehicles to comply fully with the required technical and safety specifications. He said the standard of work carried out by such companies had direct implications for the safety of police officers, cash-in-transit crews and other road users. Beyond enforcement, Mr Yohuno stressed that the protection of cash and valuables during transportation could not be left to security agencies and operators alone. He therefore appealed to motorists to cooperate with bullion-vehicle crews, particularly by giving them sufficient space and avoiding actions that could interfere with their movement. He described the secure transportation of cash and valuables as a shared responsibility requiring cooperation among the Police Service, financial institutions, cash-in-transit operators, vehicle manufacturers and the general public. The workshop was therefore expected to deepen stakeholders’ understanding of the new requirements and promote greater compliance across the cash-in-transit sector. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith and Priscilla Dodoo

The Accra Turf Club has called for urgent government intervention following the alleged forceful entry, demolition and takeover of its race course at Borteyman in Accra. The Club said the incident occurred on Saturday, August 22, 2026, when about 200 armed men allegedly entered the Accra Race Course, near the Borteyman Stadium, with nine bulldozers and an excavator. According to the Club, the group was led by individuals identified as Clement Dzato and another person known as Azuma, and was accompanied by police officers, including a senior officer identified as DSP Malaika. The Accra Turf Club, in a statement issued on August 24, said the group proceeded to demolish several structures and facilities on the premises, resulting in what it described as extensive destruction of the race course. The Club alleged that approximately 100 horse stables were demolished, while other buildings, horse racing facilities, vegetation and utility services were also destroyed. It further claimed that horses were forcibly removed from their stables and jockeys ejected from residential facilities on the premises. The Club also alleged that its office equipment and other properties were destroyed, while track railings, roofing sheets, water tank stands and other valuables were removed from the facility. According to the statement, the items were allegedly sold on the premises. The Accra Turf Club said its officials contacted the Lakeside Police Station and other police patrol teams after the demolition began, seeking their intervention to halt the destruction. It said officers who arrived at the scene confronted the persons allegedly leading the takeover. The Club claimed that Clement Dzato told the police that the land had been given to them and that they had taken possession of it. It further alleged that DSP Malaika informed the responding officers that the claimants had documents purportedly establishing ownership of the land and that the police team was at the location to provide protection during the takeover. However, the Club said neither the alleged ownership documents nor any court order authorising the takeover and demolition was produced to the responding officers. The Club said attempts by the Lakeside Police and other patrol teams to stop the demolition were unsuccessful, adding that the destruction continued after the officers left the scene. Club cites relocation agreement The Accra Turf Club says its presence at Borteyman is backed by a long-standing history and a relocation arrangement with the Government of Ghana. The Club traces organised horse racing in Accra to around 1876 and says it was formally established in 1923. It explained that its current race course at Borteyman was established after the Government decided to redevelop its former race course, which was located on land now occupied by the National Security Secretariat, the Accra International Conference Centre and the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City. According to the Club, the relocation was formalised through a Relocation Agreement with the Government dated May 24, 2006. It further said the Borteyman site forms part of land compulsorily acquired by the Government under Certificate of Title No. 214/40. The Club also cited a court case, Suit No. AE/32/2004, involving the Lands Commission, and said a March 8, 2005 order granted the Lands Commission permission to enter the land and demarcate 46.64 hectares for the Accra Turf Club. It maintains that the court order recognised its right to occupy the land and operate a race course there. The Club has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama and relevant state institutions to intervene in the dispute. It specifically called on the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak; Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah; Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine; Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno; and National Security Coordinator, COP Abdul-Osman Razak. Among other demands, the Club wants the alleged encroachers removed from the property and its possession and access restored to enable horse racing activities to continue. It is also demanding an investigation into the events of August 22 and appropriate action against anyone found responsible for the alleged destruction, trespass and takeover. The Club has further urged authorities to prevent any attempt to transfer, alienate or otherwise interfere with the land it says was earmarked for its use. The Accra Turf Club says the dispute goes beyond ownership of a piece of land, arguing that the race course represents an important part of Ghana's sporting heritage. It estimates that more than 30,000 people within the equestrian fraternity, including jockeys, trainers, horse owners and groomers, depend on activities linked to horse racing for their livelihoods. The Club has therefore urged the government to act swiftly to protect the facility, safeguard the horses and personnel and preserve horse racing as a sporting tradition in Ghana. It said it remains committed to pursuing all lawful avenues to protect its property, rights and heritage. The allegations were contained in a statement issued by the Accra Turf Club. The statement did not contain responses from the persons accused of leading the alleged takeover or from the police authorities. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Ghana is set to benefit from ten months of free surgical and dental services following the arrival of the Global Mercy, the world’s largest civilian hospital ship, at the Port of Tema. The latest Mercy Ships field service marks the organisation’s fifth mission in Ghana and is expected to provide between 1,950 and 2,600 free surgeries, alongside an estimated 1,610 to 2,145 dental treatments for patients. Speaking at the welcome ceremony in Tema, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh said the initiative forms part of Ghana’s long-standing partnership with Mercy Ships and will support the country’s efforts to expand access to safe and equitable surgical care. He said the programme should not be viewed as an isolated humanitarian intervention but as a partnership designed to strengthen Ghana’s health system and advance national priorities under the National Surgical, Obstetric and Anaesthesia Plan (NSOAP). According to the Minister, the success of the mission will ultimately be measured by its lasting impact on patients, healthcare professionals and health institutions even after the vessel leaves Ghana. The field service is also expected to train between 100 and 250 Ghanaian healthcare professionals through clinical mentoring, education and placements aboard the ship. Mercy Ships CEO, Dr. Michelle White, said the organisation’s return to Tema carries special significance, recalling that its first hospital ship, the Anastasis, docked in Ghana more than three decades ago. She said Mercy Ships has trained nearly 3,000 Ghanaian healthcare professionals and supported more than 2,500 surgical procedures in the country since 1991. Dr. White added that the organisation would continue working with Ghana’s Ministry of Health, universities and professional institutions to ensure the current mission contributes to long-term improvements in healthcare delivery. The mission will also utilise the HOPE Center, which provides support to patients before and after surgery while creating opportunities for Ghanaian health professionals to collaborate with international medical volunteers. The arrival of the Global Mercy is expected to provide much-needed specialist surgical care while strengthening local expertise through training, mentorship and institutional partnerships. Mercy Ships says its broader approach has increasingly shifted from direct humanitarian intervention towards sustainable health-system strengthening through education, partnership and locally led capacity development. All pre-operative and postoperative work can be done on board rather than ashore, which minimizes the Mercy Ships footprint when operating in busy ports. The new ship will more than double its annual medical capacity and is designed to carry out a wide range of surgeries including, but not limited to, maxillofacial and reconstructive surgery, tumour removal, cleft lip and palate repair, plastics, orthopaedic surgery, cataract removal, and obstetric fistula repair. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Ghana’s producer price inflation increased to 4.0% in July 2026, up from 3.5% in June, signalling renewed pressure on the cost of producing goods and delivering services across the economy. The latest figures, contained in the July 2026 Producer Price Index (PPI) released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), show a 0.5 percentage-point increase in year-on-year producer inflation. Presenting the data, Government Statistician, Alhassan Iddrisu (PhD), explained that the Producer Price Index serves as an important early-warning indicator of inflationary pressures because it captures price movements at the producer or factory-gate level before they potentially filter through to consumers. The July figures also point to a significant short-term acceleration in producer prices. Producer inflation increased by 2.0% between June and July 2026, compared with a 3.7% decline recorded between May and June. According to Iddrisu, the sharp month-on-month movement was largely driven by developments in the mining and quarrying sector, where producer prices increased by 12.4 percentage points over the period, reflecting higher gold prices. Mining and quarrying, which carries the largest weight in Ghana’s PPI basket at 43.7%, recorded year-on-year producer inflation of 3.5% in July, compared with 2.6% in June. The sector consequently made the largest contribution to the overall increase in producer inflation, accounting for 1.5 percentage points of the 4.0% headline rate. Manufacturing, with a weight of 35.0%, also contributed to the increase. Producer inflation in the sector edged up from 3.5% in June to 3.7% in July, contributing 1.3 percentage points to the headline figure. Electricity and gas recorded one of the highest year-on-year inflation rates, rising from 12.5% to 13.3%, while water supply, sewerage and waste management recorded 10.1%. Transport and storage also remained elevated at 10.1%, while accommodation and food service activities recorded 9.9%. By contrast, information and communication recorded significantly lower producer inflation at 0.7%. The latest PPI data could have important implications for businesses, particularly manufacturers, mining companies, transport operators and other enterprises exposed to changes in production and operating costs. The GSS has cautioned that rising producer prices can increase production costs and may eventually translate into higher prices for consumers if businesses pass those costs through the supply chain. Iddrisu therefore urged businesses and investors to pay close attention to producer-price developments as they make pricing, inventory, investment and procurement decisions. Businesses have been encouraged to improve operational efficiency, maintain adequate inventories of critical inputs, secure reliable suppliers and consider longer-term supply contracts as strategies for managing potential cost increases. The three broad sectors recorded different inflationary trends during the month. Industry, excluding construction, saw year-on-year producer inflation rise sharply from 3.3% in June to 5.6% in July. Construction, however, eased marginally from 4.9% to 4.8%, while services declined from 2.6% to 2.5%. Within construction, building activities recorded the highest producer inflation at 7.9%, followed by specialised construction activities at 4.3% and civil engineering at 3.5%. The services sector also recorded notable variations among its sub-sectors, although telecommunications recorded no change in producer prices during the month. The strong month-on-month increase in producer inflation was particularly pronounced in mining and quarrying. The sector moved from a 9.4% month-on-month deflation in June to 3.0% inflation in July, representing a 12.4 percentage-point swing. This development underscores the importance of commodity-price movements to Ghana’s domestic production environment, particularly given the substantial weight of mining and quarrying in the country's producer-price index. While the PPI measures prices received by producers rather than retail prices paid by households, sustained increases at the producer level can eventually feed into consumer prices. The GSS consequently warned that consumer price pressures could increase if higher factory-gate and production costs are passed on to consumers. Households have therefore been advised to budget carefully for essential services, particularly electricity, water and transport, where producer-price pressures remain relatively high. The July PPI figures also provide policymakers with an important indicator for assessing emerging cost pressures within the economy. According to the GSS, rising producer inflation calls for prudent policies aimed at containing production costs while supporting sustained economic growth. The Statistical Service has recommended targeted support for sectors experiencing persistent price pressures, particularly transport, utilities and food services, while encouraging measures that can lower production costs and improve business competitiveness. Despite the July increase, the GSS described producer inflation as moderate but persistent, with mining and quarrying remaining the principal driver. The July 2026 PPI was based on monthly price data collected from 603 producers covering 2,639 products across Ghana, with the index using March 2020–February 2021 as its base period. The July figures are provisional and may be revised as additional data becomes available. The Government Statistician, Alhassan Iddrisu (PhD), said reliable producer-price statistics remain critical for government, businesses, investors and other economic stakeholders because they provide evidence for planning, pricing and policy decisions. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Government of Ghana has paid GH¢10.82 billion to bondholders under the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), marking the third consecutive coupon payment made entirely in cash. The Ministry of Finance said the government paid GH¢10,816,840,318.26 to DDEP bondholders on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, in line with the scheduled payment date. The latest payment brings the total amount disbursed to bondholders under the DDEP since 2025 to GH¢41.36 billion, according to the Ministry. The government said the full and timely settlement of the coupon obligation reflects its commitment to maintaining fiscal discipline and meeting its debt-servicing responsibilities. It added that the payment is expected to help strengthen investor confidence in Ghana's domestic debt market, lower concerns about sovereign default risk and improve the country's financial credibility. The Ministry of Finance stressed that the latest payment is part of government's broader commitment to restoring confidence in Ghana's financial markets following the implementation of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme. According to the Ministry, bondholders, investors and the general public can expect future DDEP obligations to be settled in full and on schedule. The government has been using the DDEP as a key component of its debt restructuring strategy aimed at restoring debt sustainability and creating fiscal space for economic recovery. The latest GH¢10.8 billion payment therefore represents another significant financial commitment as government seeks to maintain confidence in the country's debt management framework and reassure investors of its ability to honour restructured domestic debt obligations. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has challenged mining companies and other industry stakeholders to ensure that communities hosting mining operations are left with sustainable livelihoods and development gains long after mineral extraction has ended. He said mining must not be viewed only as an avenue for generating revenue and foreign exchange, but as an activity that carries significant responsibilities towards the people and environments in which it takes place. King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II made the call at the National Mining Dialogue 2026 in Accra, where stakeholders examined ways of strengthening local participation and rebuilding public confidence in the mining sector. He stressed that land remains a critical inheritance and the foundation of community life, arguing that mining activities must therefore be undertaken in ways that protect the interests of present and future generations. According to the Ga Mantse, responsible mining can create lasting development opportunities when revenues and investments are channelled into infrastructure, education, healthcare, potable water, skills development and employment for people in host communities. He cautioned mining companies against focusing narrowly on immediate commercial returns while leaving behind environmental degradation, weakened livelihoods and communities with limited economic opportunities after mine closure. The Ga Mantse’s position formed part of broader calls at the dialogue for a mining sector that delivers greater value to Ghanaians and host communities. Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, called for deliberate policies to increase Ghanaian ownership and participation throughout the mining value chain. Mr Gyamfi said Ghana’s mining agenda should go beyond increasing gold production to ensuring that Ghanaians have meaningful stakes in exploration, mine development, mining services, refining, processing and other downstream activities. He argued that the country continues to lose significant economic value through foreign ownership, imported inputs, external financing and limited domestic processing. He cited the mining town of Obuasi as an example of why mineral extraction must be more closely connected to local economic transformation and reinvestment. Mr Gyamfi advocated increased local ownership, expanded refining and processing capacity and greater domestic manufacturing to ensure that a larger share of the wealth generated from Ghana’s minerals remains within the economy. He also proposed an “Involve, Protect, Expand” approach to rebuilding confidence among mining communities, with particular attention to creating opportunities for young people and local residents to participate in and benefit from the industry. Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Dr Alhaji Yusif Sulemana, speaking on behalf of sector Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, said the government’s assessment of mining success must extend beyond production figures, investment, exports and revenue generated for the state. He said the real measure should also include the extent to which mining contributes to the economic and social advancement of communities where mineral resources are extracted. Dr Sulemana said local content should not be reduced to the employment of Ghanaians. It must also create opportunities for Ghanaian businesses, strengthen skills, facilitate technology transfer and increase the amount of value retained within the country. He pointed to the Catchment Compact as a mechanism for bringing mining companies, communities and other stakeholders together to identify and agree on practical development priorities. The Deputy Minister maintained that companies could not secure a lasting social licence to operate through donations and corporate social responsibility projects alone. He said trust would have to be built through transparency, accountability, meaningful community engagement and tangible development outcomes. Government, he added, was strengthening regulatory measures, including requirements for major mining operations to develop Community Engagement and Social Impact Assessment Plans. Development Agreements were also being considered to establish clearer and more binding development commitments between mining companies and affected communities. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Support Services at the Minerals Commission, Emmanuel Anyimah, warned large-scale mining companies that mineral rights granted by the state come with legally binding obligations. Mr Anyimah said companies must comply with the terms of their mineral agreements, environmental permits and approved mine operating plans, while meeting reporting requirements and paying royalties, fees, ground rent and taxes within the prescribed periods. He also stressed the need for stronger health, safety and environmental practices, warning that breaches of licence conditions could lead to regulatory action, including administrative penalties, suspension or revocation of mineral rights. On local participation, Mr Anyimah said the Minerals and Mining (Local Content and Local Participation) Regulations, 2020 (L.I. 2431), required mining companies to create meaningful opportunities for Ghanaians through employment, procurement, skills development, technology transfer and business partnerships. He encouraged companies to deepen collaboration with Ghanaian enterprises, including through joint ventures and technology transfer, to enable local businesses to move higher up the mining value chain. The Minerals Commission, he said, would also intensify monitoring, inspections and compliance audits from the fourth quarter of 2026. The National Mining Dialogue was held under the theme “Mining, Local Content and the Catchment Compact: Rethinking the Social Licence to Operate.” The discussions focused on how Ghana can derive greater economic and social value from its mineral resources while protecting communities and the environment. The common thread running through the discussions was the need to move from extraction-focused mining to a model that delivers lasting economic opportunities, stronger local participation and sustainable development for communities long after mining operations have ceased. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Ghana has long been recognised for its religious diversity and peaceful coexistence among Christians, Muslims and followers of African traditional religions. Churches and mosques operate alongside one another, religious leaders participate in national events and political leaders regularly engage different faith communities. This tradition of religious tolerance has contributed to democratic stability, social cohesion and national identity. Recent events, however, demonstrate that this harmony cannot be taken for granted. The controversy involving Pastor Daniel Junior Yaw Adjei, also known as Apostle Daniel Adjei and Imam Masud Abdullah has renewed attention to religious sensitivity, freedom of expression, public order, national security and the rule of law. Pastor Adjei was arrested after a video allegedly showing derogatory comments about Prophet Mohammed circulated on social media. Imam Abdullah was also arrested following a sermon at Ntensere in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District of the Ashanti Region in which he allegedly advocated violence against individuals who insulted or spoke against Prophet Mohammed. The situation became more disturbing when a video emerged showing the pastor being assaulted in police custody. Police subsequently arrested 63-year-old Sibamay Zakaria, captured in the video allegedly assaulting the suspect. Available reports do not establish Imam Abdullah's responsibility. The Pilgrims Affairs Office also clarified that Zakaria has no official connection with the Ghana Hajj Board. This distinction matters because attributing individual conduct to an entire religious community can deepen suspicion, provoke retaliation and undermine social cohesion. Freedom of expression, religious freedom and public order Articles 21 and 26 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana form part of the constitutional framework protecting fundamental human rights and freedoms. Article 21 protects freedom of speech and expression, thought, conscience and belief, religious practice and movement. Article 26 protects cultural rights while prohibiting practices that dehumanise or injure a person's physical or mental well-being. These protections apply equally to Christians and Muslims. A Christian has the right to profess and practise Christianity, just as a Muslim has the right to profess and practise Islam. Religious freedom requires protection from discrimination and intimidation because of faith. At the same time, freedom of expression is not an unrestricted licence to threaten, incite violence or encourage harm. The challenge is to protect controversial expression while intervening when speech crosses into conduct capable of producing violence or serious disorder. Religious offence cannot justify vigilantism or violence. From religious controversy to national security The national security dimension emerges when inflammatory speech moves beyond disagreement and creates conditions for communal mobilisation, intimidation, violence or radicalisation. When speech encourages followers to attack perceived enemies of the faith, its consequences extend beyond the speaker and congregation. The recent arrests demonstrate that authorities regard the alleged statements as matters affecting public order and safety. Police involvement in investigating the imam's video further illustrates the security dimension of inflammatory religious content circulated through social media online. Yet the security response must remain anchored in constitutionalism. National security cannot justify arbitrary arrests, discrimination or collective punishment. The law must be applied to individuals on the basis of evidence and conduct, not to religious communities because of particular members' actions. The Interior Ministry's intervention Following the video showing the assault of the pastor in police custody, the Ministry condemned the incident and directed the Inspector-General of Police to investigate how civilians gained access to a person under police protection. It stressed that no allegation of wrongdoing, however serious, justifies assaulting a suspect in custody. This reinforces the principle that the state must protect every person in custody, regardless of allegations. It also separates alleged religious incitement from unlawful physical retaliation. The Interior Ministry also highlighted the danger posed by statements on both sides of the religious dispute, particularly calls for violence against people considered to have offended religious sensibilities. It unequivocally rejected violence against Christians, Muslims or any other persons on religious grounds. This is an important message for Ghana's security architecture: the state must protect religious communities without allowing religious sentiment to replace the criminal justice system. The IGP's engagement with religious leaders A significant development has been the decision by Inspector-General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno and the Police Management Board to engage directly with religious leaders at the National Police Headquarters. The meeting brought Christian and Muslim leaders together with senior police officials to promote calm and cooperation. The engagement represents a shift from a purely enforcement-based response towards one combining policing with conflict prevention. The IGP reportedly emphasised that arrests alone cannot guarantee lasting peace and called on leaders to promote unity, restraint and respect for the law. He also warned against religious bigotry and inflammatory social-media material. This approach matters because religious leaders possess influence security agencies do not. Religious leaders can help change the emotional atmosphere within communities. They are therefore partners in early warning, conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Lessons from the Wesley Girls' High School controversy Ghana has experienced similar tensions before. The 2021 controversy surrounding Wesley Girls' High School in Cape Coast demonstrated how questions about religious practice can quickly become national issues. The dispute arose after concerns that a Muslim student had been prevented from observing the Ramadan fast at the Methodist-founded school. The Ghana Education Service subsequently directed schools to allow Muslim students who wished to fast to do so, while the Methodist Church defended the school's existing policy. The controversy drew in Muslim organisations, the Methodist Church, politicians, education authorities and religious leaders. The National Peace Council called for restraint and dialogue. The episode demonstrated how an institutional disagreement can rapidly acquire a broader Christian-Muslim character. Once an issue is framed as “Christians versus Muslims” rather than as a specific legal, institutional or administrative question, the risk of communal tension increases. The lesson for national security is clear: conflict prevention must begin before disagreements become crises. Religion, politics and national cohesion Religion is deeply intertwined with Ghanaian public life. Religious organisations contribute to education, healthcare, welfare, peacebuilding and civic education. Political leaders attend churches and mosques, participate in religious celebrations and regularly consult religious leaders. This relationship is generally beneficial, but it creates opportunities for political actors to exploit religious identity. Ghana's democratic stability depends partly on citizens believing that the state belongs equally to all religious communities. Political leaders must therefore resist turning religious differences into electoral instruments. A political environment in which one community feels permanently favoured and another permanently excluded can create grievances that undermine national cohesion. The same responsibility applies to media organisations and social-media users. Allegations should be distinguished from established facts and individual misconduct should never automatically be presented as the conduct of an entire religious community. Social media as a security frontier The present controversy demonstrates how quickly social media can transform a local incident into a national security concern. A sermon delivered to a small congregation can be recorded and viewed thousands of times within hours. A provocative statement can be removed from context, edited and circulated as evidence that an entire religious community is under attack. This creates a challenge for Ghana’s Security and Intelligence Agencies. National security must increasingly include digital monitoring, rapid verification and community engagement. Such measures must respect constitutional rights and avoid treating legitimate religious expression as automatically suspicious. Citizens also have responsibilities. Before sharing inflammatory material, users should consider whether it is authentic, whether it has been taken out of context and whether its circulation could place others at risk. The state must apply the law fairly to all The central principle must be equality before the law. If a Christian leader makes statements amounting to unlawful incitement, the law should apply. If a Muslim leader does the same, the law should equally apply. Violence against Christians or Muslims should be treated as criminal regardless of religious identity. As the Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, emphasises: “Let us treat crime as crime.” From tolerance to mutual constitutional respect Ghana's religious diversity should not merely be tolerated; it should be actively protected. The objective should be mutual constitutional respect: the recognition that people of different faiths possess equal dignity, rights and protection under the law. The IGP's engagement with religious leaders offers a constructive model. Policing alone cannot preserve interfaith harmony. Security institutions need community cooperation, while religious leaders need an environment where followers trust the law. Religious communities can therefore become part of Ghana's early-warning and peacebuilding architecture. A test of Ghana's democratic maturity The Pastor-Imam controversy should not be viewed simply as a dispute between two individuals or religious communities. It is a test of Ghana's democratic and security maturity. The country must reconcile freedom of expression, religious freedom, public order, personal dignity, national security and the rule of law. A Muslim should affirm Islam without threatening Christians; a Christian should proclaim Christianity without hostility towards Muslims; and critics should question beliefs without inciting violence. Police should arrest suspects while ensuring dignity and protection from assault. The Interior Ministry's condemnation and the IGP's engagement point towards Ghana's required balance: firm enforcement combined with dialogue and prevention. The deeper challenge remains: Can Ghana preserve Christian-Muslim coexistence while protecting freedom of expression, religious dignity and national security? The answer depends on Parliament, the judiciary, security agencies, religious leaders, politicians, journalists and citizens. The task is to make differences in faith opportunities for dialogue rather than sources of intolerance and division. Ultimately, Ghana's security will be strengthened by managing religious differences peacefully. Freedom of expression must be exercised responsibly, religious beliefs treated with dignity, political actors must resist exploiting religious divisions and security agencies must protect citizens impartially. This balance matters because neither religious sensitivity nor national security should weaken constitutional rights, justify violence, or undermine equal protection under Ghanaian law. Christian-Muslim relations require trust, constitutional rights, responsible religious leadership, professional Security and Intelligence institutions, effective conflict prevention and a shared commitment to peaceful coexistence. This balance protects religious harmony and strengthens Ghana's democracy and national security. Credit: Patrick K. Yeboah, Analyst/HR/Generalist/Systems Administrator and Ebenezer Godwyll-Addison, Crime and Intelligence Analyst, Crisis and Hostage Negotiator

The Member of Parliament for the Bole-Bamboi Constituency, Alhaji Yusif Sulemana, has engaged newly elected branch executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as part of efforts to strengthen the party’s grassroots structures ahead of the 2028 general elections. The engagement formed part of the MP’s second phase of visits to branches following the recently concluded branch reorganisation exercise. Alhaji Sulemana used the meetings to congratulate the newly elected executives on their victories and encouraged them to approach their new responsibilities with commitment, unity and a strong sense of duty. According to him, the effectiveness of the branch executives would be critical to the party’s ability to consolidate its support at the grassroots and secure a decisive victory for the NDC in the 2028 elections. “As the MP and leader of the party in the constituency, I took the opportunity to share with them some of the interventions being undertaken by the government led by His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama,” Alhaji Sulemana said. He explained that the engagements also provided an avenue to brief the executives on government initiatives and projects that directly affect residents of the constituency. Key areas discussed included employment opportunities, education, healthcare and road infrastructure, among other development interventions. Alhaji Sulemana urged the branch executives to remain accessible to constituents, mobilise effectively at the grassroots and communicate government policies and achievements to party members and residents. He stressed that a strong and united grassroots structure was essential to sustaining the NDC’s presence in the constituency and translating government interventions into electoral support. The MP’s latest engagements covered branches in Bole town, the Bamboi Zone and the Jama areas, forming part of his broader effort to reconnect with the party’s grassroots following the reorganisation exercise. He further encouraged the newly elected executives to work collaboratively, prioritise the interests of the party and constituency, and maintain close engagement with members as preparations gradually build towards the 2028 elections. The visits, according to Alhaji Sulemana, are intended not only to congratulate the new executives but also to strengthen internal party organisation and ensure that the NDC remains firmly connected to communities across the Bole-Bamboi Constituency. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith