••
Speaking at Jackson Park in Koforidua, President John Dramani Mahama announced a total overhaul of the public sector compensation system to ensure economic gains reflect in worker pockets. The administration's 'Resetting Ghana' agenda includes the immediate hiring of 20,000 teachers and nurses, a 24-hour economy policy to drive industrial transformation, and the finalization of a new Labour Bill to protect gig economy and remote workers. He also pledged to review the tiered pension system to address inadequate retirement payouts.
This represents the first major labor policy shift under the Mahama administration (which took office in Jan 2025), attempting to reconcile macroeconomic stability with the high cost of living that has fueled recent labor unrest.
President Mahama, who returned to power in the 2024 elections, is pushing the 24-hour economy as a flagship policy to reduce unemployment. The May Day event was held outside Accra for the first time in years to signal a focus on regional development.
A heated dispute has emerged between Old Tafo MP Vincent Ekow Assafuah and Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor over the status of law school entrance exams. Assafuah accuses the government of betraying students by setting an exam date for July 31, 2026, despite previous promises to abolish the requirement. Dafeamekpor maintains the requirement is still legally valid as the Legal Education Bill has not yet fully taken effect.
Prospective law students face significant uncertainty; watch for a potential parliamentary intervention or a deadline extension to allow for more preparation time.
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) reported an operational loss of GHc15.6 billion (~$1.42 billion USD) for 2025. While the bank attributes this to aggressive inflation-taming measures—which successfully dropped inflation to 3.3%—critics like Dr. Gideon Boako allege the loss is a "wealth transfer" to commercial banks via high-interest Open Market Operations. Former Finance Minister Dr. Amin Adam claimed the true loss would have exceeded GHc25 billion (~$2.27 billion USD) if not for the sale of 18 tonnes of gold which generated GHc40.3 billion (~$3.66 billion USD).
The central bank's negative equity has escalated to GHc93.82 billion (~$8.53 billion USD), raising questions about long-term fiscal resilience, even as auditors affirm its operational status.
Monitor the BoG's liquidity management strategy; the high cost of OMOs (GHc16.73 billion/~$1.52 billion USD) suggests that while inflation is down, the cost of maintaining currency stability remains prohibitively high.
COCOBOD is cracking down on Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) using state funds to buy smuggled Ivorian cocoa. Ivorian beans cost GHc1,200 (~$109 USD) per bag compared to GHc2,587 (~$235 USD) for Ghanaian beans, creating a massive incentive for illicit trade. Meanwhile, fuel consumers see relief as petrol prices at GOIL and Star Oil dropped to GHc13.25 (~$1.20 USD) per litre.
Remittances currently carry strong purchasing power (1 USD = GHc11). Lower fuel and easing average inflation (down to 14.6% in 2025) may slightly reduce the financial burden on family members back home, though core costs remain high.
NACOC intercepted five million Tapentadol tablets destined for Niger, while police in Nkwanta arrested two individuals transporting 11,000 rounds of AK-47 and pump-action ammunition hidden in a truck. Separately, police dismantled a robbery syndicate in the Upper East Region, killing two suspects in a shootout and recovering a G3 rifle and seven stolen motorbikes.
The Upper East Region has seen a rise in violent attacks at mining sites and on public transport. These operations signal an intensified intelligence-led approach by the Ghana Police Service to secure the northern corridors.
The Ghana Health Service is investigating the death of 26-year-old Abigail Opoku and her unborn child at Kasoa Mother and Child Hospital following allegations of medical negligence. In Greater Accra, the GNFS battled a massive industrial fire in Prampram, and in Winneba, firemen saved a four-bedroom apartment from destruction.
The GHS investigation is being closely monitored by the Presidency; results could lead to new protocols for maternity bed management and emergency C-section access.
Sports Minister Kofi Adams has pledged full support for the Black Stars' 2026 World Cup campaign in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Ghana is in Group L with England, Croatia, and Panama. The team kicks off against Panama on June 17, 2026. However, criticism persists regarding the lack of transparency over coach Carlos Queiroz's salary and the lack of local players in the squad.
Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo, who is of Ghanaian descent, has signed a deal until 2031, keeping him a high-profile target for potential future Black Stars interest, though he remains committed to England for now.
The GFA has banned Hohoe United FC for three seasons (until 2029/30) after the club unilaterally withdrew from the Ghana Premier League. All Hohoe players are now free agents. In match news, Bechem United boosted their survival hopes with a 3-1 win over Eleven Wonders.
Today we covered the Mahama administration's bold new labor reforms, the intense debate over the Bank of Ghana's GHc15.6 billion loss, and significant security victories against drug trafficking and illegal arms. 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.