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As President John Dramani Mahama completes his first year in office (2025-2026), the administration faces a complex audit of its performance. While supporters point to a drop in inflation and a competency-based governance style that has renewed democratic hope, the Minority in Parliament has slammed the administration for economic mismanagement. Specifically, they cite a $214 million loss in the 'Gold-for-Reserves' program and a perceived rise in national insecurity. Concurrently, the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) shows Ghana's score has declined to 42 out of 100, ranking it 80th globally—its worst performance in five years.
The conflicting narratives of economic recovery versus mismanagement will define the new administration's ability to maintain public trust and secure continued international support. The decline in the CPI score signals that systemic corruption remains a primary barrier to Ghana's development goals.
President Mahama took office in January 2025 following a victory for the NDC. His administration inherited a debt-restructured economy under an IMF program, making fiscal transparency a high-stakes requirement for both local voters and international lenders.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has petitioned the CID to investigate a plot to rig its upcoming presidential primary scheduled for January 31, 2026. This follows accusations from Ken Ohene Agyapong's campaign that EC officials are engaged in unlawful activities. Meanwhile, the Agyapong camp has dismissed the endorsement of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia by former candidates as an attempt to 'whitewash' his electoral record, citing his failure to secure wins in any of Ghana's seven regions in previous contests.
The internal cohesion of the NPP is at a breaking point. The outcome of the CID investigation and the January 31 primary will determine if the party can present a unified front for the next general election cycle.
Ghana's economy is projected to expand by 5.7% in 2025, outperforming IMF (4.0%) and World Bank (4.3%) estimates. Growth is being driven by strong household consumption and a resilient agricultural sector. The Bank of Ghana (BoG) reported record international reserves of $13.8 billion at the end of 2025, providing a significant buffer to stabilize the Cedi. As of January 8, 2026, the Cedi is trading at GHc10.67 (~$0.99 USD) to the US dollar, though forex pressure remains high at independent bureaus.
The fiscal surplus and high reserves are critical signals of stability. However, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has urged the BoG to work harder on lowering interest rates, which currently sit near 24.2%, to unlock private sector growth.
At the current exchange rate of GHc10.73, your remittances have strong purchasing power. A $1,000 USD transfer currently nets approximately GHc10,730, providing substantial support for family budgets and local investment projects.
Keep a close eye on the Ghana Reference Rate, which has dropped to 15.68%. This downward trend, combined with inflation hitting a 5-year low of 5.4%, indicates a maturing environment for corporate lending and market entry.
The Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) has secured strategic partners to modernize the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) and establish a new alumina refinery. This move is part of the state's strategy to move up the value chain from raw bauxite exports to finished aluminum products.
This signals a major opportunity in Ghana's industrial sector. The move toward 'value addition' reduces the economy's vulnerability to raw commodity price shocks and creates a more stable industrial base for manufacturing.
Health authorities have issued a devastating update on the impact of mercury used in illegal mining. Dr. Philip Ohemeng Anokye of Chiraa Government Hospital warned that mercury contamination in water and food is leading to a spike in babies born with cerebral palsy, cognitive impairments, and physical deformities. Separately, the Ashanti Region continues to struggle with HIV, recording 2,997 new cases in 2024—an average of nine new infections daily.
While 'galamsey' is often discussed as an environmental or economic issue, these reports reveal a brewing public health crisis that could affect Ghana's human capital for decades.
Despite multiple military-led 'operations' to stop illegal mining over the last decade, the practice remains widespread due to high gold prices and the involvement of powerful interests.
Police at the Asankare barrier intercepted a bus traveling from Accra to Tamale carrying 1,050 rounds of ammunition. This is the second such interception in a week involving identical quantities of ammunition, sparking fears of organized arms trafficking to the northern regions.
The repeat nature of these seizures suggests an established supply chain. Security analysts are monitoring whether this is linked to the ongoing chieftaincy tensions in Bawku or broader regional instability.
Ghanaian star Antoine Semenyo has completed a £65 million (~$82 million USD) transfer from Bournemouth to Manchester City. Semenyo leaves Bournemouth on a high note, having scored the winner against Tottenham on his birthday just days ago. He joins Pep Guardiola's side following a medical on January 8, 2026.
Black Stars context: Semenyo's move to a global powerhouse like City ensures he will be playing at the highest possible level ahead of the 2026 World Cup, providing a massive boost to the national team's attacking profile.
The quarter-finals of AFCON 2025 in Morocco are ready to kick off. Matchups include Mali vs. Senegal, Cameroon vs. Morocco, Egypt vs. Côte d'Ivoire, and Nigeria vs. Algeria. Nigeria's Victor Osimhen remains a player to watch after scoring twice in the 4-0 win over Mozambique.
Nigerian superstar Burna Boy has officially achieved nearly 2 billion streams on Spotify in 2025, the highest ever for an African artist in a single year. His dominance continues to bridge the gap between African sounds and global pop charts.
Burna Boy's success provides a blueprint for the 'Afrobeats' industry, encouraging further investment in African creative talent and distribution infrastructure.
In a unique rehabilitative effort, Kumasi Central Prison held its first-ever fashion show for inmates on December 29, 2025. The event showcased clothing designed and tailored by the inmates themselves as part of a vocational training program.
Today we covered the historic transfer of Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City, the legal detention of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta in the US, and the urgent health warnings regarding illegal mining. Thank you for reading the Ghana News AI Daily Brief!
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