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President John Dramani Mahama delivered a pivotal address to Parliament on February 27, 2026, focusing on healthcare accountability and industrial revitalization. The President issued a stern executive directive banning the 'no-bed syndrome' and announced that the Ministry of Health is drafting penalties for facilities that deny emergency care. He also defended setting the cocoa producer price at GHc41,392 (~$3,762.91 USD) per tonne, calling it a "difficult but necessary" step for industrial stability, while allocating GHc20 million (~$1.82 million USD) each to the National Film Authority and Creative Arts Agency.
The "no-bed" directive signals a major policy shift toward patient rights, while the cocoa price adjustment highlights the administration's priority on fiscal stability over agricultural subsidies ahead of the election year.
The "no-bed syndrome" is a long-standing crisis where public hospitals reject emergency cases due to lack of space; the recent death of 29-year-old engineer Charles Amissah served as the catalyst for this reform.
Guinea has released 16 Sierra Leonean security personnel who were detained during a border post construction dispute at Kaliyereh. The move follows high-level diplomatic talks between the two neighbors, who share a 700-kilometer border that has been a source of friction for two decades.
For Ghana, regional stability within ECOWAS is critical for trade and security cooperation. This de-escalation prevents a localized dispute from threatening the Mano River Union's peace.
In his 2026 SONA, President Mahama revealed that remittances from Ghanaians abroad hit a record $7.8 billion USD in 2025. This influx has surpassed institutional foreign aid as a primary driver of the economy, providing a direct safety net for households and bolstering the national currency.
This shift indicates that the diaspora is now Ghana's most reliable development partner, providing unencumbered foreign exchange that bypasses traditional donor conditions.
At the current exchange rate of GHc11 per dollar, your $7.8 billion contribution is the backbone of Ghana's currency stability. Your investments are effectively replacing multi-lateral debt in the national development framework.
Telecommunications giant Scancom PLC (MTN Ghana) recorded a 55.9% increase in profit after tax for the 2025 fiscal year, totaling GHc7.8 billion (~$709 million USD). The growth was fueled by a 36.2% rise in service revenue, primarily from digital and mobile money (MoMo) services.
MTN's decision to invest GHc6.4 billion (~$581.8 million USD) into 4G infrastructure and digital innovation signals long-term confidence in Ghana's digital economy. The recommended dividend of GHc0.40 (~$0.036 USD) per share is a significant jump for shareholders.
Ghana has successfully renegotiated Power Purchase Agreements with nine Independent Power Producers, resulting in $250 million USD in immediate savings and the restructuring of $1.1 billion USD in legacy debt to be repaid by 2028.
This restructuring is part of the ongoing energy sector recovery program designed to address the high capacity charges that have historically burdened the national budget and led to frequent power sector arrears.
A fire at the Kasoa Old Market destroyed two container shops, but the situation turned violent when a mob pelted firefighters from the Weija station with stones. The community expressed anger over a perceived delay, though officials noted the delay was caused by broken equipment at the local Kasoa station.
MCE Seth Serwono Banini has called for arrests, and the Ghana National Fire Service intends to seek compensation for damaged engines. Watch for potential protests or increased police presence in the Kasoa municipality.
Police conducted a raid in the Birim North District, arresting 38 suspects at an illegal mining (galamsey) site hidden within a palm plantation. The group includes foreign nationals and several minors who were reportedly working with high-powered gold washing machinery.
"Galamsey" refers to illegal small-scale mining which has caused massive environmental degradation and water pollution across Ghana. The presence of minors highlights a growing trend of child exploitation in the sector.
President Mahama has rallied the nation to support the Black Stars as they head to Bryant University in Rhode Island, USA, for their final 2026 World Cup training camp. The President reminded fans that their conduct in North America is critical to maintaining Ghana's current five-year visa status with host nations.
Black Stars context: This is Ghana's fifth World Cup appearance. The team is looking to replicate the historic quarter-final run of 2010.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has appointed a new Board of Directors for Asante Kotoko, chaired by James Osei Brown. The board includes corporate heavyweights like Kofi Amoa-Abban, signaling a move toward professionalizing the club's administration.
Gyimah Peterson, son of Highlife legend Dada KD, has refuted claims that his father left a suicide note. He clarified that while a broken glass was found near the body, there was no written message, and he urged the public to focus on his father's musical legacy rather than sensationalized reports.
Dada KD was a pillar of the Highlife genre; these clarifications are essential for the preservation of his cultural legacy and the dignity of his family.
Today we covered the President's landmark directive to end the 'no-bed' hospital crisis, the historic $7.8 billion diaspora remittance milestone, and the ongoing security challenges in Kasoa and the galamsey sector. Thank you for reading the Ghana News AI Daily Brief!
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