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Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine has formally presented the government's White Paper on the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) recommendations. Key proposals include extending presidential and parliamentary terms from four to five years, capping ministerial appointments at 60, and mandating that the President pay taxes on his salary. Furthermore, the reforms propose the direct election of all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and a cap on the Supreme Court at 19 justices. A national referendum on these entrenched provisions is slated for 2027.
These reforms represent the most significant attempt to restructure Ghana's Fourth Republic governance, aimed at reducing executive overreach and enhancing local accountability. However, the five-year term extension remains a point of contention regarding leader accountability.
The finalization of amendment bills is expected by October 2026, leading into the 2027 referendum.
In a 5-2 majority ruling, the Supreme Court has declared the traditional delegate-based electoral college system unconstitutional. The court ruled that every registered party member in good standing must be allowed to vote in presidential and parliamentary primaries, citing Article 55(5). Political parties have been given one year to amend their constitutions to comply with this universal suffrage standard.
This decision aims to curb 'money politics' by making it harder for candidates to buy the influence of small delegate pools. However, the NDC and NPP have warned that mobilizing millions for primaries will impose immense financial and logistical burdens.
Ghana's current system has long been criticized for the high cost of 'inducing' delegates, which many argue fuels corruption within the top political echelons.
The Court of Appeal has unanimously overturned the 10-year prison sentence of Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, the former CEO of MASLOC. The court ruled that the prosecution failed to prove charges of stealing and money laundering totaling GHc93 million (~$7.97 million USD) beyond a reasonable doubt. The ruling has drawn condemnation from the NPP, which labeled it a 'travesty of justice,' while Attorney General Dominic Ayine has filed an immediate appeal and a stay of execution at the Supreme Court.
The case is a major test for the government's 'Operation Recover All Loot' (ORAL) initiative and has intensified public concerns about a 'two-tiered' justice system where political elites appear to evade accountability.
Ghana's economy continues its recovery trajectory, recording a 6.4% GDP growth and a massive trade surplus of GHc148.3 billion ($12.71 billion USD) for the 2025 fiscal year. This trade performance was driven by a surge in gold exports, which accounted for GHc252.4 billion ($21.63 billion USD). Additionally, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a final US$371 million disbursement, signaling confidence in the Bank of Ghana's success in ending direct government financing.
The trade surplus and IMF approval indicate stabilizing macroeconomic fundamentals. However, the cedi's 7.9% depreciation in the first half of 2026 remains a key risk factor for inflation and import costs.
At the current rate of GHc11.67 per USD, your purchasing power remains strong. The 6.4% growth suggests improving domestic conditions for family-run businesses and returnee investments.
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) reported a loss of GHc2.52 billion (~$216 million USD) for 2025 despite a 16.2% revenue increase. Operational challenges were highlighted by a recent gas disruption at the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCO), which triggered nationwide power outages and subsequently halted water supply from Ghana Water Limited (GWL).
The energy-water nexus continues to be a bottleneck for industrial productivity. The government's target of 100% monthly payments to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) is essential to ending this debt cycle.
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has raised fuel price floors for August. Petrol will now cost at least GHc14.53 ($1.24 USD) per litre, up 9.4%, while diesel is pegged at GHc16.97 ($1.45 USD) per litre. These hikes are attributed to international crude price volatility and the cedi's depreciation.
A tipper truck rammed into the rear of a school bus carrying lower primary pupils on the Dzorwulu stretch of the N1 Highway. Eleven children were injured, with one currently in critical condition in the Police Hospital's ICU. The pupils were returning from an excursion when the incident occurred.
Investigations are ongoing into the truck driver's conduct. This incident has reignited calls for stricter enforcement of safety protocols for school transport on major highways.
The Ghana Immigration Service rescued 85 victims of human trafficking and arrested 17 suspects in a raid on a suspected cyber fraud syndicate in Dawhenya. The victims were found living in deplorable conditions and suffering physical abuse. Separately, 93 Nigerian women were detained in a sex trafficking crackdown.
Human trafficking in West Africa is increasingly shifting toward digital forced labor, where victims are lured by fake job offers and forced into online scam operations.
Zinabu Issah has secured Ghana's first medal at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, winning silver in the Women's Para Shot Put T57 with a throw of 8.65m. On the track, Joseph Paul Amoah qualified for the Men's 200m final with a season-best time of 20.24 seconds.
Black Stars context: The GFA is currently reviewing a technical report to decide the long-term future of head coach Carlos Queiroz following the recent World Cup qualifiers.
Ghana's Black Queens defeated Cape Verde 2-0 in their opening Group D match of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. Goals from Doris Boaduwaa and an own goal from Vierra secured the points.
Today we covered historic governance shifts with the proposed 5-year constitutional terms, a landmark Supreme Court ruling on internal party democracy, and a resurgent 6.4% GDP growth alongside critical utility challenges. Thank you for reading the Ghana News AI Daily Brief!
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