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The 2026 African Prosperity Dialogues in Accra concluded with urgent warnings from Prof. Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba and Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko. Lumumba critiqued the 'empty rhetoric' of continental integration while conflicts persist in Sudan and the DRC, calling security a non-negotiable prerequisite for trade. Otchere-Darko identified youth unemployment as the greatest threat to stability, noting that Africa's workforce will reach 1.3 billion by 2040, requiring the immediate removal of restrictive borders to allow labor mobility.
As Ghana hosts the AfCFTA Secretariat, its leadership in regional integration is tested by these persistent security and economic barriers. For professionals and investors, this signals that regulatory harmonization across borders may remain slow due to political instability in neighboring regions.
The AfCFTA is designed to create the world's largest free trade area by connecting 1.3 billion people. However, the 'Silencing the Guns' initiative has struggled to meet its goals, hindering the movement of goods in the Sahel and Central Africa.
Following a state visit by President John Dramani Mahama to Zambia on February 6, 2026, the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) announced an import duty waiver for 'fugu' (Ghanaian traditional smocks) imported for personal use. The garment became an overnight sensation in Zambia after the presidential delegation showcased them, prompting President Hakainde Hichilema to praise the attire. The ZRA clarified that while single units are exempt, commercial quantities intended for resale will still attract standard taxes.
President Mahama, who began his second non-consecutive term in January 2025, has made cultural exports a pillar of his foreign policy. The fugu, traditionally from Northern Ghana, has become a symbol of Ghanaian identity and resilience.
Two officers from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service went viral after being filmed filling potholes with sand on a major highway to prevent accidents and ease traffic. While many netizens praised their patriotism, critics argued that the spectacle highlights the failure of the Ghana Highway Authority and local assemblies to maintain critical infrastructure.
Deteriorating roads are a major cause of the high accident rate in Ghana. This incident reflects a growing trend of public servants stepping outside their formal roles to address infrastructure gaps.
Dr. Randy Abbey, CEO of COCOBOD, has confirmed a massive systemic crisis. Despite selling 530,000 tonnes this season, 50,000 tonnes remain stranded due to a 'market paralysis' caused by a price mismatch: international prices are ~$6,400 USD per tonne while local farmgate prices remain below $4,000 USD. The board is also saddled with GHc32.91 billion (~$3.07 billion USD) in debt and has missed out on $1 billion USD (~GHc10.73 billion) in revenue due to sales contract defaults. Long-term projects, including cocoa roads and tree rehabilitation, have seen significant budget cuts.
Cocoa is Ghana's primary export. A liquidity crisis at COCOBOD affects the entire economy, including the strength of the cedi and the purchasing power of rural communities.
If you have family in the cocoa-growing regions (Western, Ashanti, Eastern), be prepared for potential remittance requests as many farmers are facing delayed payments for their produce.
Monitor the upcoming COCOBOD Act and new funding models proposed for the 2026/27 season. The sector is seeking a shift toward a more sustainable, less debt-heavy financial structure.
Amma Gyampo, CEO of the Ghana Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (GVCA), has warned that Ghana is losing long-term investment capital to Mauritius and Nigeria. The absence of a Limited Partnerships Act forces fund managers to register their structures outside Ghana, resulting in lost tax revenue and fewer jobs. The GVCA is currently lobbying the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the President for the swift passage of this legal framework.
The current reliance on the Companies Act is seen as inadequate for private equity. Passage of the Limited Partnerships Act would be a major 'buy' signal for those looking at long-term industrial projects in Ghana.
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is prioritizing the Cash Waterfall Mechanism (CWM) to ensure revenue is distributed fairly among Independent Power Producers (IPPs). This comes as the Aksa Power Plant in the Ashanti Region begins its first phase of 205 MW generation, aimed at reducing transmission losses and meeting demand in Kumasi.
Following a forensic audit concluded on February 5, 2026, the National Ambulance Service (NAS) refuted claims that it refused to transfer a newborn from Kukuom District Hospital. The audit found that the hospital never activated the dispatch system. The baby was instead transported in a taxi—a move the NAS described as medically reckless. The service emphasized that it cannot respond to emergencies when hospitals bypass standard operating procedures.
This case highlights a critical lack of coordination between district hospitals and the national emergency response system. It underscores the need for better training for healthcare administrators to ensure patient safety.
Expect a review of the inter-facility transfer protocols at the Ministry of Health to prevent future reliance on private vehicles for critical care transfers.
Security concerns have spiked after a female student from Osino Presbyterian SHS was allegedly gang-raped, and a student from Koforidua SECTECH was stabbed with a machete during the Eastern Regional Inter-School Sports Festival. Simultaneously, police in Tarkwa arrested two suspects and recovered significant quantities of Tramadol and cannabis in a major narcotics bust.
Inter-school competitions, once purely celebratory, have recently seen a rise in 'hooliganism' and gang-related activities. This mirrors a broader national struggle with youth substance abuse.
At least 162 residents were killed in the Woro community of Kwara State, Nigeria, by jihadist militants. The attack, which involved the razing of homes and businesses, followed a failed attempt by militants to infiltrate the village under the guise of preaching. This incident highlights the volatile security situation in West Africa and the role of local informants in aiding terrorist attacks.
Immigration consultant Marie Keita Amarteifio has cautioned Ghanaian fans that World Cup match tickets do not guarantee entry to Canada, Mexico, or the US. Applicants must still prove strong financial capacity and ties to Ghana. Meanwhile, the Black Stars are preparing for a high-profile friendly against Austria in March.
If you are planning to host family members for the tournament in North America, ensure they start their visa applications immediately using official channels to avoid fraudulent schemes.
The Paramount Chief of Buipe presented an elephant tusk and 100 bags of cement to the King of Dagbon at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi. This gesture reinforces historical bonds between the Gonja and Dagbon kingdoms, providing a model for traditional peacebuilding in Northern Ghana.
Media veteran Adesope Olajide predicts that Ghanaian music will dominate global charts by 2025, driven by the #PlayGhana initiative. This movement prioritizes homegrown content on local airwaves, empowering artists to move from 'guest features' to headlining their own concerts.
This shift represents a successful model of cultural protectionism that is translating into economic power for Ghanaian creatives.
Today we covered the multi-billion dollar debt crisis facing Ghana's cocoa sector, the critical security and unemployment warnings from the African Prosperity Dialogues, and the National Ambulance Service's refutation of negligence claims. Thank you for reading the Ghana News AI Daily Brief!
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