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In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has abolished the delegate system, mandating that presidential and parliamentary primaries be decided by all registered party members. Simultaneously, the Court upheld the constitutionality of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) Act, 2017, but clarified that the Attorney-General maintains the ultimate power to halt any prosecution.
This shift to a "one member, one vote" system aims to dilute the influence of "money-cracy" and vote-buying, though political parties warn of the massive financial burden of organizing mass-scale internal elections.
The OSP was established to be an independent anti-corruption body, but institutional friction with the Attorney-General has led to several high-profile legal challenges regarding its true autonomy.
The Court of Appeal has quashed the 10-year prison sentence of Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, the former CEO of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC). The three-member panel ruled that the prosecution failed to prove charges of stealing and money laundering involving GHc 90 million (~$7.71 million USD) beyond a reasonable doubt, criticizing the trial court for shifting the burden of proof onto the accused.
The ruling has triggered a political firestorm; the NPP has labeled it a "travesty of justice" and planned a national protest for August 6, 2026, while the NDC views the acquittal as a correction of a politically motivated trial.
Attorney-General Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine presented a reform package proposing an extension of presidential terms from four to five years. The reforms also suggest capping Parliament at 300 members, taxing the President, and allowing dual citizens to hold parliamentary office.
A national referendum is planned for 2027 to decide on these issues. The opposition NPP remains suspicious, alleging the term extension could facilitate a third-term agenda for the incumbent, which President Mahama has denied.
President Mahama has commissioned the refurbished CDU at the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), aiming to expand production to 100,000 barrels per day. Parallel to this, Parliament passed the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to curb fuel smuggling that causes annual losses of US$25 million (GHc 292 million). The bill increases the levy on fuel oil from GHc 0.24 ($0.02 USD) to GHc 1.93 (~$0.17 USD) per litre to narrow the tax gap used by smugglers.
The revitalization of TOR without a government bailout signals improved state-owned enterprise management. However, the fuel levy hike may increase operational costs for industries relying on fuel oil.
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has granted its first three-year licenses for medicinal and industrial cannabis cultivation to MJ Adom Limited and Juliopta Limited. These licenses are restricted to cannabis with a THC concentration of 0.3% or less.
This pilot program aims to position Ghana in the high-value global industrial hemp market, generating new tax revenue and scientific research opportunities.
Ghana’s 2025 trade surplus tripled to GHc 148.3 billion ($12.7 billion USD), primarily driven by GHc 253.3 billion ($21.68 billion USD) in gold exports. Despite this, the nation faced a GHc 36.5 billion (~$3.12 billion USD) food import bill in 2025.
Your remittances carry strong weight as the trade surplus supports currency stability, but local food inflation remains a challenge. The 2025 trade surplus reflects commodity wealth that economists like Prof. Godfred Bokpin argue must now be translated into visible improvements in quality of life and youth employment.
President Mahama led a state funeral for veteran diplomat James Victor Gbeho and visited Yendi for the enskinment of Kampakuya Naa Yakubu Abukari as the new Regent of Dagbon. In security news, the Ghana Armed Forces provided relief items and financial aid to 297 personnel affected by the severe June 29 floods.
The Dagbon Kingdom is one of Ghana's most significant traditional states. The enskinment of a Regent is a critical transitional step following the passing of an Overlord (Ya-Na) to ensure peace in Northern Ghana.
Antoine Semenyo made a significant impact for Manchester City during their pre-season tour in Hong Kong, providing a crucial assist in a 1-1 draw against Inter Milan on August 1. Semenyo's pace and playmaking continue to cement his role in the Premier League champions' setup.
Black Stars context: Semenyo's top-flight form is a vital signal for the national team ahead of upcoming continental assignments.
At the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, boxer Amadu Mohammed secured a bronze medal in the 55kg category. However, Ghana’s men’s 4x100m relay team was stripped of their bronze medal after a successful appeal by Canada reinstated the original race standings. In domestic news, Asante Kotoko has begun a massive squad overhaul, reportedly releasing striker Kwame Poku ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Today we covered the Supreme Court's radical democratization of party primaries, the launch of a new era for the Tema Oil Refinery, and the first-ever licenses for medicinal cannabis in Ghana. Thank you for reading the Ghana News AI Daily Brief!
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