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Attorney-General Dr. Dominic Ayine has detailed a comprehensive reform package that includes extending presidential terms from four to five years, lowering the age limit for the presidency to 35, and capping the number of ministers at 60. The government has also accepted recommendations for the President to pay taxes on salaries and for the removal of the Attorney-General from the Cabinet to ensure prosecutorial independence. A nationwide referendum is scheduled for 2027 to finalize these shifts.
The proposed 60-minister cap directly addresses long-standing public concerns regarding the ‘size of government’ and fiscal wastage, while the five-year term is intended to provide administrations more time to implement long-term developmental policies.
These reforms are the culmination of years of work by the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) and represent President Mahama’s flagship governance agenda since his inauguration in January 2025.
The Court of Appeal has overturned the 10-year prison sentence of former MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, ruling that the prosecution failed to prove charges of stealing GHc90 million (~$7.7 million USD) beyond a reasonable doubt. The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has labeled the acquittal a ‘travesty of justice’ and announced a nationwide protest for August 6, 2026, alleging political interference by the current administration.
The Attorney-General has already filed an appeal with the Supreme Court. The outcome will be a major test for the judiciary’s perceived independence under the current administration.
Kampakuya Naa Yakubu Abukari has been officially enskinned as the Regent of Dagbon following the passing of Ya-Na Abukari Mahama II. President Mahama and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia attended the ceremony at the Gbewaa Palace, urging the new Regent to maintain the peace and development legacy of his predecessor during this transition.
The Dagbon traditional area has enjoyed a period of relative peace since the 2019 roadmap that ended a decades-long chieftaincy dispute. Maintaining stability during this interim regency is critical for the Northern Region’s security.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has announced a shift from stabilization to growth for the 2027 budget, proposing to lower the primary surplus target from 1.5% to 0.5% of GDP. This comes as Ghana records a trade surplus of GHc148.3 billion ($12.7 billion USD) for 2025, driven by gold exports. However, the cedi remains volatile, selling at GHc12.30 per dollar, leading to a projected petrol price hike to GHc15.23 ($1.30 USD) per litre starting August 1.
The reduction in the surplus target signals that the government believes the worst of the economic crisis is over and is now prioritizing youth employment and rural development.
Strong mid-year GDP growth of 6.4% suggests a resilient recovery, but persistent currency depreciation remains a primary risk for import-heavy sectors.
At the current rate of GHc11.68 per USD, remittances for domestic projects remain favorable, but be wary of rising fuel costs impacting family budgets in Ghana.
Parliament has passed the COCOBOD Bill 2026, which guarantees farmers at least 70% of the FOB export price and mandates that 50% of production be reserved for local processing. Simultaneously, the government is seeking a strategic investor to inject $700 million USD to modernize the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO), aiming to expand the workforce from 800 to 5,000 employees.
This dual focus on cocoa and bauxite value-addition is central to the ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ philosophy of industrializing raw resource exports.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) will enforce a 10-year age limit on imported vehicles effective October 1, 2026. The move aims to improve road safety and protect the environment from substandard salvaged units. A new digital platform, VEDIS, will facilitate real-time verification to prevent the registration of stolen or hazardous vehicles.
If you are planning to ship a vehicle home, ensure it is manufactured after October 2016 to avoid seizure at the port. This policy may increase the cost of used cars in the local market.
The Accident Victims Support Foundation has issued an alert following a surge in road carnage, including a tipper truck collision on the Dzorwulu highway that injured 11 schoolchildren. In a separate incident at Bukom Junction, a brake failure killed one pedestrian, Esther Arthur. The Gender Ministry is currently working with National Security to remove graphic images of the victim from social media.
Increased police enforcement and calls for stricter heavy-duty vehicle regulations are expected following this spike in fatalities.
The National Health Insurance Authority has released GHc219.8 million ($18.8 million USD) to settle vetted claims for private, public, and faith-based healthcare facilities. This brings the total payout for 2026 to nearly GHc1.2 billion ($102.7 million USD).
Timely payments are crucial to preventing ‘cash and carry’ practices at hospitals, ensuring NHIS cardholders don’t face out-of-pocket expenses for basic care.
Chelsea has reportedly labeled 20-year-old English-Ghanaian defender Josh Acheampong as ‘untouchable,’ rebuffing interest from other Premier League clubs. Meanwhile, Antoine Semenyo expressed strong enthusiasm for Enzo Maresca’s detailed tactical approach at Manchester City during the club’s Asian tour.
Black Stars context: Acheampong’s rising profile makes him a key target for the GFA to secure his international allegiance ahead of the next AFCON.
Defending champions Medeama SC have received CAF Category 2 approval for the Tarkwa and Aboso (TnA) Stadium, allowing them to host continental matches in their home town for the first time.
Media personality Ayisha Modi revealed she provided $15,000 USD to help highlife legend Ofori Amponsah relaunch his career. Separately, she commented on the ongoing internal disputes between the spouses of Daddy Lumba following his one-week observance.
Today we covered the launch of Ghana’s most ambitious constitutional reform package, the burial of Apostle Safo Kantanka, and the Supreme Court’s move to democratize party voting. Thank you for reading the Ghana News AI Daily Brief!
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