••
President John Dramani Mahama has officially opened a modern market complex in Asesewa, Eastern Region, as part of a broader national strategy to develop 261 modern market centers. The facility includes 100 lockable stores, 150 stalls, a daycare center, and a dedicated Women’s Bank, aiming to facilitate a continuous '24-hour economy' that supports local traders and small businesses.
This project is a flagship of the Mahama administration's economic policy, designed to boost local commerce and increase financial inclusion for women in rural trade hubs.
The '24-hour economy' was a central campaign pillar for the NDC, aimed at increasing productivity and job creation by incentivizing businesses to operate around the clock.
The African Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) has warned that intermittent power outages are inevitable due to structural weaknesses in Ghana's national grid. Executive Director Ben Boakye criticized the failure to upgrade the aging Akosombo substation—dating back to the 1960s—which recently suffered a preventable fire disaster due to manual response failures.
Sustained energy instability (often referred to as 'Dumsor') poses a significant risk to industrial productivity and the newly launched 24-hour economy initiatives.
Whether the government implements transparent load-shedding schedules as requested by civil society to allow businesses to plan effectively.
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) reported a loss of GHc15.63 billion (~$1.42 billion USD) for 2025, an increase from GHc9.49 billion (~$862.7 million USD) in 2024. Officials stated that without the strategic sale of 870,000 ounces of gold (valued at $3.6 billion), the loss would have reached GHc33.2 billion (~$3.02 billion USD). The bank is currently navigating a negative equity of GHc93.82 billion (~$8.53 billion USD) with a recapitalization plan slated through 2032.
The loss reflects the high cost of monetary policy interventions used to mop up liquidity and fight inflation, which peaked at 54% in late 2022.
Monitor the 2026-2032 recapitalization plan; the bank's decision to trim gold holdings to 20% of reserves signals a shift toward more liquid assets to maintain macroeconomic stability.
Trade relations between Ghana and South Korea surged to $380 million in 2025, supported by 20 Korean firms now operating in Ghana's manufacturing and construction sectors. Parallel to this, the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) is seeking investment to utilize 2 million metric tonnes of cashew apples wasted annually, which could be converted into juice, wine, and ethanol.
The expansion of value-added agriculture like cashew processing offers unique micro-investment opportunities in rural communities where family-owned farms can transition to agro-processing.
The Multimedia Group's annual Egg Market provided direct relief to consumers, selling crates for GHc40 to GHc55 (~$3.64 to $5.00 USD). The event connected poultry farmers directly with buyers, bypassing middlemen to offer high-quality protein at affordable rates during a period of high food inflation.
These private-sector initiatives are becoming vital as household budgets are squeezed by rising costs of living.
A special police team neutralized a notorious gang in the Upper East Region, recovering a G3 rifle and stolen motorbikes. Meanwhile, in the Western Region, the NAIMOS anti-illegal mining taskforce was ambushed by armed miners at the GREL rubber plantation in Adiewoso. A follow-up operation led to the arrest of 49 suspects.
The pursuit of the robbery suspect 'DJ' and the potential for increased conflict as security forces intensify 'Galamsey' (illegal mining) crackdowns.
Severe tidal waves in the Anlo District, particularly Fuveme, have displaced residents and destroyed local crops due to saltwater intrusion into the River Volta. NADMO has deployed relief supplies including food and mosquito nets.
Many coastal families in the Volta region are facing long-term displacement. Remittances for 'climate-proofing' family homes or relocation may be increasingly necessary.
The Black Stars' World Cup fundraising has reached GHc27.4 million (~$2.49 million USD), highlighted by a $2 million (~GHc22 million) donation from Ibrahim Mahama. GFA President Kurt Okraku is currently monitoring injuries to Mohammed Kudus (West Ham) and Mohammed Salisu (Monaco) ahead of the June tournament.
Black Stars context: Ghana is in Group I against England, Croatia, and Panama. Newly appointed goalkeepers trainer Daniel Gasper is arriving this week to begin assessments.
In Denmark, 18-year-old Prince Amoako Jnr scored his 8th goal of the season for FC Nordsjælland. In Belgium, 20-year-old Joseph Opoku continued a four-match scoring streak for Zulte Waregem, totaling 10 goals this season.
Jeneral Ntatia’s 'That Jamestown Boy' sold out the 3,550-seat UPSA auditorium on May 1, with tickets priced at GHc150 (~$13.64 USD). On the global stage, media professional Tera Carissa Hodges is representing Ghana at AfroCannes in France to discuss cultural sovereignty and narrative authenticity for Black creatives.
The success of large-scale comedy events shows a maturing local market capable of supporting high-production values without external sponsorship.
Today we covered the Bank of Ghana’s multi-billion cedi policy losses, President Mahama’s launch of the Asesewa modern market, and the significant financial boost for the Black Stars ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Thank you for reading the Ghana News AI Daily Brief!
Have feedback or suggestions? We'd love to hear from you at info@ghananews.ai
AI-curated news briefs delivered to your inbox every morning. Free forever.