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Health Minister Kwabena Minta-Akandoh has officially launched the Free Primary Healthcare Programme at the Shai-Osudoku District Hospital in Dodowa. This landmark policy aims to achieve universal health coverage by 2030 by removing financial barriers to preventive care, routine screenings, and early diagnosis. To support the rollout, the government has already procured over 24,000 pieces of medical equipment for 150 districts and established 350 community service points.
This fulfills a core campaign promise of the current administration and aims to drastically reduce hospital congestion while shifting the focus from curative to preventive medicine.
The program builds on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) framework but seeks to eliminate the 'copayment' gaps that have historically deterred the poorest citizens from seeking early treatment.
This policy may reduce the financial pressure on the diaspora to remit 'emergency' health funds for family members' basic medical consultations back home.
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Ministry of Finance have formed a technical committee to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into customs operations. The initiative involves the deployment of 'Publican AI' to automate data analysis and minimize human error in trade processing. A multi-party committee will hold its inaugural meeting on April 16 to oversee the transition, which is expected to reduce revenue leakages at the borders.
For a country managing high debt levels, maximizing domestic revenue collection through efficient technology is a critical economic survival strategy.
This signals a move toward a more transparent, predictable, and faster port clearing process, potentially lowering the 'hidden costs' of doing business in Ghana.
Bank of Ghana Second Deputy Governor Matilda Asante-Asiedu has called for ethical leadership in the adoption of AI within the financial sector. Speaking at GIMPA, she warned that while AI can revolutionize agritech and finance, it risks widening the digital divide if small businesses—the backbone of Ghana's economy—are excluded. She encouraged youth to use AI to scale local initiatives like the 'Fugu Wednesday' campaign to boost domestic productivity.
As the financial sector digitizes, the BoG is signaling that it will prioritize inclusion and ethical guardrails to prevent AI-driven economic displacement.
Ghana's economy is projected to follow a regional trend of slowing to 4.2% growth in 2026, according to the IMF, making technological efficiency vital for maintaining competitiveness.
Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture John Dumelo has announced a new partnership with the Netherlands to revitalize Ghana's vegetable seed sector. The agreement focuses on technical cooperation and research to improve local seed quality. Simultaneously, local initiatives have distributed 6,000 palm seedlings in New Juaben North and 10,000 chickens in Yilo Krobo under the 'Nkoko nkitinkiti' poverty alleviation programme.
The vegetable seed sector represents a significant opening for agribusiness investment as Ghana seeks to reduce its reliance on imported produce.
An Accra Circuit Court has remanded six suspects for a violent robbery at an Adabraka jewellery shop where 12.5kg of gold valued at GHc14 million (~$1.27 million USD) and GHc400,000 (~$36,363 USD) in cash were stolen. Simultaneously, an anti-narcotics raid in Dzorwulu led to the arrest of three individuals and the seizure of 22 blocks of cocaine along with GHc800,000 (~$72,727 USD) in cash. One suspect allegedly attempted to bribe officers with GHc420,000 (~$38,181 USD) during the arrest.
The high value of the seized assets and the brazen nature of the gold robbery highlight the sophisticated challenges facing the Ghana Police Service.
The court proceedings for the gold robbery suspects, Salim Mohammed and Alhassan Iliyasu, as the state seeks to send a deterrent signal against violent crime.
In the Central Region, over 50 armed land guards attacked a chieftaincy celebration in Gomoa Main, leaving three people in critical condition. Meanwhile, in the Bono Region, a 23-year-old suspected illegal miner, Kwabena Agyei, was killed during a confrontation with an anti-galamsey taskforce. The death sparked massive unrest, leading residents to block the Dormaa Ahenkro-Berekum highway.
The 'land guard' phenomenon in Ghana involves the use of private, often armed individuals to enforce land claims or chieftaincy disputes, a practice the current administration has vowed to eliminate.
Increased police deployments in Gomoa Main and the outcome of the investigation into the taskforce’s use of force in the Bono Region.
The GFA has appointed 72-year-old Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz on a short-term, four-month contract to lead Ghana through the 2026 World Cup. Queiroz will earn roughly $100,000 per month. The appointment comes after high-profile candidate Hervé Renard reportedly rejected a $60,000-per-month offer, citing a significant salary gap compared to his previous roles.
Black Stars context: Queiroz faces an immediate crisis as star midfielder Mohammed Kudus is sidelined with an injury ahead of crucial matches against Panama, England, and Croatia.
Ghanaian football is in mourning after 20-year-old Dominic Frimpong was shot and killed during an armed robbery on a team bus returning from a match against Samartex. In response, IGP Christian Tetteh Yohuno has ordered that all Ghana Premier League clubs be provided with armed police escorts for team travels.
This is a drastic but necessary intervention to protect athletes on Ghana's highways following a surge in road insecurity.
Former President John Mahama and the current First Family are celebrating the birth of granddaughter Thanina Gyamfua Mahama, born to Shafik and Asma Mahama. In the business community, mourning continues for Oko Nortei Omaboe, Managing Director of Nowak Developments, while Akyem Swedru prepares to bury Mrs. Elizabeth Wireduaa Asiedu, who passed away at the age of 103.
These events capture the social fabric of the nation, from the growth of political lineages to the passing of centenarian icons who bridged the colonial and post-independence eras.
Today we covered the launch of the Free Primary Healthcare Programme, the tragic security incident that has reshaped GPL team travel, and the appointment of Carlos Queiroz to lead the Black Stars. Thank you for reading the Ghana News AI Daily Brief!
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