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Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has announced that the government will launch its ambitious Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) policy on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Supported by a GHc1.5 billion (~$136 million USD) budget allocation, the program will initially cover 150 districts. The policy focuses on preventive screenings for chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes, utilizing over 24,000 units of newly procured medical equipment and 350 container-based clinics. While basic curative and preventive care will be free with a valid national ID, the Ministry emphasized that this does not replace the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), which remains mandatory for secondary and tertiary referrals.
This policy shifts the national health burden from expensive emergency care to prevention, potentially saving the state billions in the long term. However, the estimated GHc1.2 billion (~$109 million USD) annual cost will test the sustainability of the national budget as Ghana approaches its post-IMF era.
The "No Bed Syndrome" refers to a recurring crisis in Ghanaian healthcare where patients are turned away from major referral hospitals like Korle-Bu and Komfo Anokye due to lack of space. The FPHC is designed to treat these patients at the community level before they reach critical stages.
A United States District Court in Nevada has cleared the way for the extradition of former MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, who was convicted in absentia for causing a GHc90 million ($8.1 million USD) loss to the state. Concurrently, the state is prosecuting former National Service Authority (NSA) head Osei Assibey Antwi on 21 counts including money laundering. Prosecutors allege a GHc431.7 million ($39.2 million USD) fraud involving over 63,000 "ghost names" in the national service payroll.
These high-profile cases signal a heightened institutional appetite for fiscal discipline. Successful extradition and prosecution could recover significant public funds and restore trust in public sector management.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson is leading a delegation to the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington D.C. to finalize Ghana's exit from the IMF program by August 2026. Domestically, the government is defending its new Publican AI customs valuation system against claims of lack of transparency. While the Ghana Union of Traders' Associations (GUTA) suspended its strike to allow for dialogue, the state maintains the AI system is essential to curbing revenue leakages that cost the state GHc600 million (~$54.5 million USD) in the petroleum sector alone last year.
The strengthening of fiscal rules under the newly established Fiscal Council may lead to greater currency stability. If the IMF exit is successful, it could signal a more predictable environment for those looking to invest in property or start businesses in Ghana.
Monitor the outcomes of the Treasury bill auctions. Recent auctions have been undersubscribed by 29%, indicating that while macro indicators like inflation have dropped to 3.2%, investor appetite for long-term domestic debt remains cautious.
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) is introducing a new off-peak electricity tariff for businesses operating between 11:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. This move is supported by a massive infrastructure upgrade at the Afienya Substation, where GRIDCo has commissioned a new 145MVA transformer to stabilize supply for industrial zones in Accra and Tema.
Reduced energy costs at night are a critical pillar of the Mahama administration's 24-Hour Economy policy, aimed at increasing industrial output and job creation without increasing peak-load pressure on the grid.
A high-speed collision between a VIP bus and a trailer at Mile 44 on the Accra-Kumasi Highway left ten people injured on Monday. The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has subsequently issued a warning against using Toyota Voxy vehicles that have been converted from right-hand to left-hand drive for commercial purposes, identifying them as high-risk for long-distance travel.
Increased police enforcement at dawn hours on major highways. The Ghana National Fire Service is advocating for stricter "wrongful overtaking" penalties following this latest incident.
The National Service Authority confirmed the disbursement of February 2026 allowances through GhanaPay. Meanwhile, in the Krachi West Municipality, health officials are sounding the alarm as 20 out of 25 health workers have refused postings to remote island communities, leaving four CHPS compounds completely unstaffed.
CHPS (Community-based Health Planning and Services) compounds are the frontline of Ghana's rural healthcare. Worker refusal often stems from the lack of basic amenities like electricity and safe water in "over-bank" (island) areas.
The Ghanaian football community is reeling from the death of 20-year-old forward Dominic Frimpong. Frimpong was shot and killed during an armed robbery on the team bus while returning from a match against FC Samartex. The attack occurred on the Bibiani-Goaso road, where six armed men opened fire on the vehicle.
Black Stars context: The GFA is facing mounting pressure to mandate security escorts for all domestic league travel following this tragedy.
Veteran Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz has been appointed to lead the Black Stars. His immediate mission is the 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, starting with a match against Wales on June 2, followed by a difficult group stage against England, Croatia, and Panama.
Daniel-Kofi Kyereh made an emotional return to the pitch for SC Freiburg II after a three-year injury layoff, contributing an assist. In Spain, Oscar Naasei earned high ratings for Granada, while Thomas Partey (Villarreal) and Kudus Mohammed (West Ham) are currently managing minor injuries ahead of the international window.
Producer Killbeatz has officially received his Grammy recognition certificate for his work on Ed Sheeran's album 'Divide.' In Kumasi, the MTN Ashantifest 2026 concert drew massive crowds to Jubilee Park, featuring standout performances by Ypee and DopeNation.
The continued international recognition of Ghanaian production talent like Killbeatz serves as a significant soft-power export for the nation.
Today we covered the launch of the GHc1.2 billion Free Primary Healthcare policy, the significant progress in the MASLOC and NSA accountability trials, and the tragic loss of Berekum Chelsea's Dominic Frimpong. Thank you for reading the Ghana News AI Daily Brief!
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