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Parliament has officially passed the Security and Intelligence Agencies Bill 2025, a key component of the Mahama administration's "Resetting Agenda." The legislation renames the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) back to the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI) to avoid confusion with the National Investment Bank and abolishes the standalone Minister for National Security position in favor of a direct presidential appointee. Simultaneously, Kotoka International Airport has been renamed Accra International Airport to align with national identity, while the National Identification Authority (NIA) has issued binding new rules for banks and telcos on the storage of personal data from the National Identity Register (NIR).
These structural changes signal a centralization of intelligence oversight and a return to traditional institutional identities. For citizens, the new NIA guidelines are critical for ensuring that personal data linked to the Ghana Card is not mishandled by private entities.
The NIB was renamed from BNI under the previous Akufo-Addo administration in 2020. This reversal is part of the NDC's policy to restore what it terms "original institutional integrity."
During his 'Resetting Ghana' tour, President Mahama conducted a sod-cutting ceremony for a new airport at Nsoatre featuring a 2.4km runway and inaugurated the first 24-hour model market in Dormaa Ahenkro. To address regional trade tensions, the President pledged to engage Burkinabe President Ibrahim Traore regarding the recent destruction of GHc10 million (~$909,091 USD) worth of Ghanaian eggs by authorities in Burkina Faso. Additionally, District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) allocations for the Bono Region have surged from GHc11 million (~$1 million USD) to over GHc122 million (~$11.1 million USD).
The expansion of the Sunyani/Nsoatre aviation corridor and the 80km Jinijini-Sampa road asphalting (due 2027) will significantly lower logistics costs for cashew exporters and trans-border traders.
The government has issued a stern ultimatum to State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs): submit audited financial statements by April 30, 2026, or face dissolution. This comes as Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang announced a total ban on bonuses for management in loss-making entities. However, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) faces scrutiny from former Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam over the 2025 sale of 50% of the nation's gold reserves, which generated $1.5 billion USD. While the BoG defends the move as strategic portfolio management, critics allege it was used to mask central bank losses.
The energy sector alone drains $1.47 billion USD annually from the state. Tightening SOE management is essential to meeting IMF-backed fiscal targets and stabilizing the cedi.
At the current exchange rate of 1 USD = GHc11, the transparency of BoG's gold reserves is a key indicator of long-term currency stability, which affects the value of your remittances and investments back home.
Parliament has ratified a 15-year lithium mining lease with Barari DV Ghana Limited for extraction in Mankessim. The deal secures a 12% royalty rate and 13% free carried interest for the state. Separately, the University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences Bill 2025 was passed to decentralize technical education to Bunsu and Kenyasi.
The lithium deal terms exceed standard African mining royalties, signaling Ghana's intent to extract higher value from its green mineral transition. Watch for secondary processing opportunities in the Mankessim area.
The Ghana Police Service arrested 12 suspects linked to high-profile robberies in Kumasi, including three men connected to the murder of the Kusasi Chief in Asawase. In a separate operation, a highway robbery syndicate was dismantled after stealing over GHc57,000 (~$5,182 USD) in February. In Accra, a 40-year-old pastor was arrested for the serial abuse of his stepdaughter, while a church treasurer confessed to mismanaging GHc3 million (~$272,727 USD) in funds.
The Asawase murder has been a point of high tension due to the underlying Kusasi-Mamprusi conflict dynamics, though police are treating this specific case as a criminal robbery motive.
Investigation is underway following the crash of a Sky Arrow microlight aircraft in Tema, which killed Captain Frank Donkor and his brother. Parliament has observed a minute of silence and demanded a review of private aviation safety protocols over urban areas. This tragedy coincides with a fatal bee attack at Effutu A.M.E Zion Girls SHS, which killed a final-year student after local fire services were unable to respond due to broken equipment.
The Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB) probe led by Captain Paul Forjoe. Results could lead to stricter licensing for private recreational flights.
Ghana's Ambassador to the US, Victor Smith, met with the White House Task Force to address high visa refusal rates for Ghanaian fans ahead of the 2026 World Cup. On the pitch, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has named a full-strength squad to face the Black Stars on March 30. Domestically, Mohammed Kudus and Kamal Deen Sulemana have donated trophies and kits for the upcoming Sheikh Sharubutu Ramadan Cup.
Black Stars context: The Germany friendly is the ultimate litmus test for the technical team before World Cup qualifiers resume.
In a shocking boardroom decision, CAF has stripped Senegal of their 2025 AFCON title and awarded it to Morocco. The ruling follows a technical forfeiture after Senegal players briefly walked off the pitch to protest a penalty. Senegal has filed an emergency appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Sarkodie remains the most decorated artist in TGMA history with over 28 wins as the 27th edition approaches on May 9. However, controversy is brewing as Lasmid's management petitions the board over his exclusion from the Best Afrobeats category despite 111 million Spotify streams in 2025.
The TGMA remains the primary commercial driver for Ghanaian music; a "snub" can significantly affect an artist's booking fees and international leverage.
Today we covered the government's aggressive new fiscal rules for SOEs, President Mahama's infrastructure blitz in the Bono Region, and the major security overhaul passing through Parliament. Thank you for reading the Ghana News AI Daily Brief!
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