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The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has summoned former Health Minister Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye over a GHc20 million (~$1.82 million USD) payment for a Parliamentary Service Hospital that was never built. Additionally, the committee is investigating a GHc8.2 million (~$745,454 USD) 'Toilet for All' project where funds were disbursed without work being completed, and GHc21 million (~$1.91 million USD) spent on Black Star Square renovations despite a change in event venue. These revelations have prompted anti-corruption groups to warn of systemic failures in public procurement.
These probes signal a high-stakes push for fiscal transparency by the Mahama administration, potentially deterring future misappropriation but also highlighting the scale of waste in previous cycles.
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has announced clearance to recruit 7,000 new teachers starting April 10, 2026, alongside 1,200 faculty members for public universities. In a major policy shift, BECE candidates will now select their Senior High Schools after results are released to ensure better academic matching. However, the think tank Eduwatch has criticized plans for a new College of Education in Ezinlibo, arguing that existing institutions are currently operating 30% below capacity.
The shift in the school selection process addresses a decade-long grievance regarding the placement system, while the recruitment drive aims to resolve the staffing crisis in rural schools.
The GHc16 billion (~$1.45 billion USD) education financing gap remains a persistent challenge, even as the government pushes for infrastructure expansion like the Ghana Awards House.
President John Dramani Mahama welcomed Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa for a three-day state visit to bolster trade in agriculture and tourism. Simultaneously, Vice-President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang finalized a landmark Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union to combat regional jihadism and piracy. Domestically, the government is preparing for the April 15 launch of Free Primary Healthcare while navigating a 48-hour ultimatum from GPRTU to scrap fuel taxes.
The April 15 deadline for the 24-hour economy roadmap from energy agencies will indicate how quickly the administration can move on its signature job-creation policy.
Ghana has recorded its 15th consecutive month of disinflation, with the annual rate dropping to 3.2% in March 2026. This stability has pushed the Ghana Reference Rate (GRR) down to 10.06%, offering significant credit relief to the private sector. Major banks are reporting record performance; GCB Bank PLC achieved a historic GHc3.2 billion (~$291 million USD) profit before tax for 2025, while the National Investment Bank (NIB) saw a staggering 12,280% profit surge.
At the current exchange rate of GHc11 per USD, the low inflation environment means your remittances are maintaining significantly higher purchasing power for family consumption and local construction projects compared to last year.
While the GSE index saw a minor sell-off, the move toward single-digit lending rates and the proposed reduction in foreign investor capital requirements ($200,000 from $1 million) signals an aggressive opening of the Ghanaian market.
Effective April 1, 2026, the PURC has reduced electricity tariffs by 4.81% and water by 3.06%. To incentivize the green transition, a new commercial rate for Electric Vehicle (EV) charging has been set at GHc2.016 (~$0.18 USD) per kWh. Meanwhile, the NPA has signed an MOU to transition the petroleum sector to 24-hour operations, supported by the recovery of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) which has cleared much of its $517 million (~GHc5.69 billion) debt.
Reduced utility costs directly lower the overhead for manufacturing, supporting the government’s industrialization drive and providing immediate relief to households.
Ghana is moving toward a total ban on the export of raw minerals by 2030. As part of this shift, the government is restricting the sale of the Damang Gold Mine to 100% Ghanaian-owned firms. A new 600-ton capacity refinery near Accra airport is expected to begin construction this year, alongside the 'Golden Kilometre' retail hub project.
The transition from raw gold to refined bullion creates massive opportunities in the processing and jewelry manufacturing sectors, though the 'highest in the world' mining tax burden remains a point of contention for the Minority.
Eight people were killed in two accidents involving Sprinter buses. On the Buipe-Tamale highway, four died after a trailer truck struck a bus and fled the scene. In the Western North Region, a brake failure caused a bus to veer into a culvert, claiming another four lives. Police are searching for the hit-and-run trailer driver.
Highway safety remains a critical concern for the diaspora and travelers; these routes serve as the primary conduits for goods and people between the north and south of Ghana.
Ghana has launched its first Maternal Mental Health Policy to integrate psychological support for postpartum depression. This comes as mid-year 2025 data shows 1,173 suicide attempts, already exceeding the 2024 total. Experts suggest socio-economic pressure and better reporting following decriminalization are driving these figures.
This policy shift marks a milestone in recognizing mental health as a core component of the national healthcare system, potentially reducing maternal mortality.
In a shocking move just 72 days before the 2026 World Cup, the GFA has sacked head coach Otto Addo following losses to Austria and Germany. Ghana has dropped to 74th in FIFA rankings. Over 600 applications have been received, with Hervé Renard and Walid Regragui among the rumored candidates. Midfielder Francis Abu is fighting to prove his fitness following a leg fracture.
Black Stars context: The coaching instability so close to the tournament raises fears of a repeat of the 2014 or 2022 campaign disruptions. Expect an appointment within 14 days.
Regional: DR Congo has qualified for the 2026 World Cup for the first time since 1974. Africa will have a record 10 nations represented, including Ghana, Morocco, and newcomers Cape Verde.
Communications Minister Sam George has announced a GHc2.75 billion (~$250 million USD) investment for a national AI Research Center. The strategy, launching April 24, aims to use AI to bolster agriculture and healthcare. Meanwhile, youth from Academic City and the Telecel Foundation are already using robotics to tackle the galamsey crisis and automated irrigation.
Today we covered the historic drop in inflation to 3.2%, the high-profile PAC probes into GHc20 million (~$1.82 million USD) in missing project work, and the shock dismissal of Black Stars coach Otto Addo. Thank you for reading the Ghana News AI Daily Brief!
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