••
President John Dramani Mahama addressed Parliament today, February 27, in accordance with Article 67 of the Constitution. The address focused on economic stabilization, rising youth unemployment, and the stabilization of the cedi. While the Majority emphasized development goals in health and education, the Minority in Parliament demanded immediate solutions for cocoa sector mismanagement and high electricity tariffs. Specifically, MPs Ralph Poku-Adusei and Damata Ama Appianimaa Salam called for the restoration of cocoa prices to GHc3,600 (~$327.27 USD) to support struggling farmers.
This address serves as the definitive policy blueprint for the Mahama administration's first full year, signaling to both citizens and international partners the government's fiscal priorities and approach to addressing the cost-of-living crisis.
President Mahama took office in January 2025 following the 2024 elections. This SONA is a critical moment for the NDC government to differentiate its economic management from the previous NPP administration's IMF-led recovery phase.
Parliament's debate on the address over the coming days will reveal the depth of political consensus on fiscal reforms and the government's willingness to adjust cocoa and utility pricing.
The Ghana Police Service has successfully secured a High Court order to prohibit the "Stop Galamsey" protest originally scheduled for today. Authorities cited public order concerns, warning of a crackdown on unauthorized gatherings to ensure the safety of the proceedings in Parliament. This move comes as the government faces pressure to account for seized illegal mining equipment; Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah recently assured Parliament that all confiscated excavators are accounted for and that a new digital tracking system is being launched.
'Galamsey' (illegal small-scale mining) remains one of Ghana's most contentious environmental and political issues, having caused significant pollution to major water bodies like the Pra and Birim rivers.
Ghana is pivoting its agricultural strategy with a $500 million (~GHc5.5 billion) commitment to expand oil palm cultivation by 100,000 hectares. The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) aims to create 250,000 jobs and reach an annual export target of $12 billion across six crops: cashew, coconut, rubber, mango, shea, and oil palm. Each crop is projected to eventually contribute $2 billion annually to the national treasury.
Diversifying away from cocoa, which has historically been Ghana's primary export earner, will insulate the economy from global price volatility and climate risks affecting cocoa yields.
This initiative signals a major opening in the agribusiness sector, particularly for processing facilities and logistics providers. The TCDA is actively seeking private sector partnerships with land and capital commitments already in the pipeline.
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to explain the rapid depletion of prepaid units. This comes as the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) projects early March fuel price hikes: petrol is expected to reach between GHc11.8 (~$1.07 USD) and GHc13 (~$1.18 USD) per litre, while diesel may climb to GHc14 (~$1.27 USD). Conversely, LPG prices are expected to drop by 1.57%.
Increasing utility and fuel costs directly affect the cost of living for family members in Ghana. At the current GHc11 exchange rate, $100 USD converts to GHc1,100, but these gains are being eroded by rising service tariffs and transportation costs.
Ibrahim Mahama, CEO of Engineers & Planners (E&P), announced that his firm now controls 45% of Ghana's mining operations. Simultaneously, the government is moving forward with the Ghana Accelerated National Reserve Accumulation Policy (GANRAP 2026–2028), aiming to add $9.5 billion annually to reserves by purchasing 3.02 tonnes of gold weekly from local miners.
The strategic shift from USD-denominated assets to gold holdings, as urged by local economists, indicates a push for greater monetary sovereignty and protection against global financial shocks.
Seven individuals were arrested in Ada and Winneba for operating a fake electronic traffic violation scheme. The syndicate used a custom app to send fraudulent violation notices, prompting victims to pay 'fines' via digital links. Police seized GHc10,978 (~$998 USD) in cash and multiple Telecel cash SIM cards registered under false names. The suspects include Prosper Otumfour, Christian Akplehe, and five others.
The Ghana Police Service is expected to tighten oversight of digital payment gateways used for government services to prevent similar exploitation of digital infrastructure.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Ablakwa revealed that 272 Ghanaians have been lured into the Russia-Ukraine conflict since 2022, with 55 confirmed dead. On the home front, an ISSER study warns that Ghana loses GHc6.2 billion (~$563.6 million USD) annually to sanitation-related diseases, which cause over 177,000 deaths each year.
Sports Minister Kofi Adams confirmed a GHc146.3 million (~$13.3 million USD) budget for the 2026 World Cup. The team will be based at Bryant University in Providence, Rhode Island, for their training camp. Friendly matches against Germany, Austria, and Mexico have been secured ahead of their Group L opening match against Panama on June 17.
Black Stars context: This performance-based budget covers logistics and player bonuses as Ghana seeks to improve on their previous group-stage exit and restore their status as a global football power.
Nigeria's head coach Eric Chelle has confirmed a $130,000 monthly demand to cover his entire technical crew following the Super Eagles' third-place finish at AFCON 2025. This negotiation is being closely watched as a benchmark for high-level coaching compensation in West Africa.
To support northern Ghana's weaving industry, the government has declared Wednesdays as 'Fugu Day,' encouraging the wearing of traditional hand-woven smocks. Private school associations (GNAPS) have already begun implementing this in schools across the Wa Municipality.
This cultural policy aims to create a sustainable local market for traditional artisans and protect the heritage of northern Ghana from being overshadowed by imported textiles.
Today we covered President Mahama's landmark State of the Nation Address, the ambitious $500 million tree crop investment strategy, and the urgent 48-hour ultimatum issued to the ECG regarding prepaid meter concerns. Thank you for reading the Ghana News AI Daily Brief!
Have feedback or suggestions? We'd love to hear from you at info@ghananews.ai
AI-curated news briefs delivered to your inbox every morning. Free forever.