Ghana Grapples with Governance Challenges: Regional Minister Controversy, Labor Unrest, and Diplomatic Tensions

President Mahama Signals Major State-Owned Enterprise Reshuffle Amid Infrastructure Funding Debates and Fiscal Reforms

President John Mahama is set to undertake a significant reshuffle of Chief Executive Officers across state-owned enterprises (SOEs) following the release of the 2025 State Ownership Report. The report, published by the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), revealed a combined net profit of GH"19.8 billion for 2025, yet highlighted persistent losses in five key institutions, including the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). President Mahama has cautioned that underperforming entities face potential mergers or closures as his administration seeks to align institutional leadership with national objectives. Simultaneously, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has launched a National VAT Compliance Campaign, reducing the VAT rate to 20% while aiming to raise the tax-to-GDP ratio to 18-20% by 2027 to stabilize the economy. These moves coincide with broader calls for labor rights advancements by the TUC and enhanced environmental research commercialization led by Sector Minister Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings.\n\nThe government’s $4 billion Accra-Kumasi Expressway project has become a focal point of political contention. While President Mahama confirmed that $2 billion has already been allocated for the commencement of the 175.6-kilometre road, United Party leader Alan Kyerematen has criticized the use of public funds, advocating instead for a private-sector investment model. Kyerematen also challenged the narrative that global factors caused the recent economic crisis, attributing debt exchange requirements to reckless domestic borrowing by the previous administration. In the energy sector, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy, led by Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, is advocating for a GH"5.6 million release to the Petroleum Commission for a new data center. The committee has also signaled an October review to address currency mismatches affecting local refineries like the Sentuo Oil Refinery, supported by the Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union.\n\nLocal governance and sanitation initiatives remain active under Minister Mahama Ayariga, who recently inspected emergency waste evacuation at Agbogbloshie and met with officials regarding 24-hour model markets. However, the government has suspended plans for the Agbogbloshie 24-hour market redevelopment to allow for further stakeholder consultations following trader concerns. Meanwhile, the Convention People’s Party (CPP) has formally petitioned President Mahama for the restitution of assets confiscated during the 1966 coup, emphasizing that such a move is essential for the party’s rebuilding efforts. Amidst these developments, a group known as ‘Ghanaians Abroad’ staged a protest at the UN Headquarters in New York, demanding greater accountability regarding campaign promises and the government’s handling of illegal mining and human rights, while political figures like Akwasi Opong-Fosu begin vying for the NDC National Chairmanship.\n\nInstitutional reform and public safety have also dominated the national discourse. Women’s rights groups like NETRIGHT are demanding a 30% quota in Parliament as part of the ongoing constitutional review, while the Citizens’ Platform on Constitutional Reform has urged an end to the allocation of the District Assemblies Common Fund to MPs. In the legal sphere, high-profile cases continue, including the adjournment of the GH"30 million Exim Bank fraud case involving Bernard Antwi-Boasiako and ongoing cyber theft investigations involving GH"127 million. In a moment of high drama, Madina MP Francis-Xavier Sosu is reportedly recovering after collapsing during a speech at GIMPA, an incident that prompted widespread public concern. These events collectively underscore a period of intense institutional scrutiny and political realignment as the Mahama administration moves through its first year in office.