In 2017, the previous government passed the Earmarked Funds Capping and Realignment Act, 2017 (Act 947) to free up public resources and give the government greater fiscal policy flexibility.

This capping policy limited the percentage of tax revenue that is automatically allocated to statutory and earmarked funds, such as National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), GETfund among others.

But the then candidate, John Mahama, during the 2024 electioneering campaign promised to set these statutory funds ‘free’, which he did immediately he assumed power in 2025.

President Mahama, who was addressing delegates at the opening ceremony of the 79th World Health Assembly in the Swiss capital, said having freed the funds from the control of the Act passed in 2017 his administration was now focusing on how to eliminate fraud in system.

According to him, his government was leveraging digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, to detect fraudulent claims and improve efficiency within the health insurance system.

He further highlighted the establishment of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as “Mahama Cares,” which is designed to support people suffering from non-communicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, liver conditions and kidney failure.

“Specialised high-cost care should not be a privilege for just a few, but a right for all,” he said.

The President also disclosed that Ghana was on track to transition away from support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance by 2030 as part of efforts to strengthen domestic vaccine financing and local manufacturing capacity.

Turning his attention to the world stage, the president called for a fundamental restructuring of the global health financing system, declaring that Africa must move away from dependence on foreign aid and build sovereign, self-sustaining healthcare systems capable of responding to the continent’s growing health challenges.

President Mahama said recent cuts in international humanitarian assistance and overseas development aid had exposed the fragility of Africa’s health systems and underscored the urgent need for reform.

“The old system of donor dependency is past its sell-by date,” President Mahama declared. Adding “these cuts in humanitarian assistance and ODA, as painful as they are, serve as the final clear signal that the old paradigms of dependency must give way to a new era of health sovereignty.”

His remarks come amid growing concerns over declining global health funding following the withdrawal or reduction of support from several major Western economies, including the United States.

According to the President, Ghana alone lost approximately $78 million in health financing after the closure of U.S. aid programmes, affecting malaria interventions, maternal and child healthcare, nutrition programmes, and HIV/AIDS treatment services.

He noted that the abrupt withdrawal of global support has already had devastating effects in some African countries, citing South Africa, where the reduction in PEPFAR funding reportedly led to the closure of clinics and disruptions in HIV treatment services for over a million people.

“By 2030, nine million preventable deaths could occur due to these shifts. It is estimated that the direct consequences of this aid suspension could push about 5.7 million Africans into poverty by the end of 2026,” he said.

Despite the gloomy outlook, Mahama stressed that African countries were not at the Assembly to lament their circumstances, but to chart a new path for the future of healthcare delivery.

The Ghanaian leader used the platform to advocate strongly for the “Accra Reset Initiative,” a movement aimed at promoting African health sovereignty and reforming the global health architecture.

He explained that the initiative was born out of frustrations with a fragmented international health system that often leaves developing countries dependent on donors while limiting their ability to independently finance and manage their healthcare systems.

“I come from a continent that has too often been the subject of global health policy rather than its author,” Mahama stated.

He also criticised what he described as the excessive fragmentation within global health institutions, arguing that many developing countries spend more time satisfying donor reporting requirements than building effective healthcare systems.

“Ministers of Health in the Global South often spend more time writing donor reports than designing and fixing primary healthcare. This is a system that has confused the multiplication of institutions with the multiplication of impact.”

President Mahama further warned against attempts to water down ongoing discussions on reforming the global health architecture.

Referring to proposals before the Assembly, he expressed concern that some reform efforts appeared designed to protect existing institutional structures rather than pursue genuine transformation.

“If we launch a process of reform that is prohibited from recommending actual reform, we are merely performing a ritual. We cannot prioritize institutional comfort over human survival,” he noted.

The President highlighted several healthcare reforms currently being implemented in Ghana as evidence of the country’s commitment to building a more resilient and self-reliant health system.

He said Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme currently covers approximately 66 per cent of the population, while a newly introduced free primary healthcare programme is aimed at extending essential healthcare services to underserved rural communities.

He stressed that Africa’s overdependence on imported vaccines and medicines remains a major threat to the continent’s health security.

“A continent that manufactures less than one per cent of its vaccines while carrying 25 per cent of the global disease burden is not sovereign,” Mahama said. He concluded by urging world leaders and international health institutions to embrace bold reforms that prioritise practical investments in healthcare systems rather than rhetoric.

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The rebuttal comes amid growing public debate over the future of the Gold Fields Ghana Tarkwa mine lease, which expires in April 2027. While civil  groups including the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA)and some individuals have urged government not to renew the lease, the Ghana Chamber of Mines has cautioned that any move to deny renewal could undermine investor confidence in Ghana’s mining sector.

Speaking in an interview with journalists, Executive Secretary of the Foundation, Abdel Razak Yakubu, said the recent accusations circulating in sections of the media came as a surprise to the Foundation.

“The comments recently in the media that Gold Fields in Tarkwa has not been implementing any corporate social responsibility programmes are simply not factual,” he said.

According to him, the criticism stems largely from a lack of awareness of projects undertaken by the foundation across its host communities. “We have done a lot of publicity around what we do, but we do not want to spend money meant for community development on excessive public relations,” he said adding, “That may be why some people have not heard about us.”

Executive secretary Abdel Razak Yakubu argued that the impact of the Foundation’s work extends beyond visible infrastructure projects, pointing to healthcare outreach programmes and economic opportunities created through investments linked to mining activities.

“If we do a medical outreach and save two lives, it is difficult years later to bring those people before cameras to testify. Human dignity matters and it is not appropriate for a multinational company to constantly parade beneficiaries for publicity,” he said.

The Foundation Executive Secretary disclosed that Gold Fields had invested more than $110 million in development initiatives across sectors including roads, education, healthcare and community livelihoods.

Among the flagship projects cited was the construction of the Nana Angu bypass road, an intervention he said has significantly reduced traffic congestion in Tarkwa.

“The traffic situation in Tarkwa is very serious, but for the intervention of Gold Fields through the Foundation, it would have been worse,” Yakubu noted.

He also referenced the ongoing construction of the Budo Junction to Bogoso Junction road, as well as the rehabilitation of the 19km Awudua Junction to Awudua road, which he said was completed nearly a decade ago under the Foundation.

On education, Razak Yakubu highlighted the construction of a 360-bed dormitory facility for girls at Hunni-Valley Senior High Technical School, aimed at supporting female students in the area. “With about 68 percent of the student population being girls, Gold Fields identified the need and stepped in to provide accommodation,” he explained.

Yakubu further stressed that the benefits of mining activities should not only be measured through infrastructure, but also through the livelihoods created for ordinary residents.

He cited economic activity generated during football matches in Tarkwa, where local food and water vendors reportedly experienced shortages due to increased demand.

Gold Fields in 2024 constructed the Tarkwa and Aboso Stadium as part of its corporate social responsibility. The 16.2 million dollar stadium, with an 8400 seats capacity is home to local premiere league side Medeama SC.

“To a woman selling water at the stadium, that is a livelihood created because of the presence of mining,” he said.

The Foundation encouraged journalists and members of the public to engage directly with beneficiary communities to assess the impact of its projects rather than relying on what it describes as politically charged commentary in urban media discussions.

The debate over the future of the Tarkwa mine lease is expected to intensify in the coming months as government weighs competing concerns over local development, environmental stewardship and investor confidence in one of Ghana’s most strategic economic sectors.

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Speaking at the opening of the 130th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in Accra on Monday, Dr. Asiama said although Ghana’s economy has shown strong signs of recovery and resilience in recent months, worsening global conditions are creating new uncertainties that could threaten recent gains.

“The protracted Middle East conflict and sustained energy price elevation, the convergence of domestic energy supply disruptions and external cost-push pressures risks, which if not addressed could dislodge inflation expectations before they are firmly anchored,” the Governor said.

He explained that when the MPC last met in March 2026, the committee had hoped the Middle East conflict would be short-lived.

However, the situation has deteriorated, with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz leading to sustained increases in global crude oil prices and renewed inflation concerns across many economies.

According to the Governor, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has already revised downward its 2026 global growth projection from 3.3 percent to 3.1 percent due to the economic consequences of the conflict.

He noted that several central banks around the world have also been forced to pause or reverse monetary easing measures as inflation pressures re-emerge.

“For a commodity-exporting, energy-importing economy such as Ghana, the transmission channels of this external shock are multiple and material,” Dr. Asiama stated, pointing to rising fuel prices, transportation costs, import bills and consumer prices as key concerns.

Despite the external challenges, the Governor highlighted a number of positive developments within the domestic economy. He disclosed that inflation has recorded its first increase since December 2024, while Ghana’s economy continues to expand according to the IMF’s April 2026 World Economic Outlook report.

He further revealed that Ghana’s current account surplus for the first quarter of 2026 exceeded the same period in 2025 by approximately US$652 million. The government has also successfully resumed domestic treasury bond issuances, a move he described as evidence of renewed investor confidence in the economy.

Dr. Asiama also announced that government intends to raise US$1 billion through local currency bonds to finance cocoa purchases for the 2026/2027 crop season, reducing dependence on foreign lenders and dollar-denominated borrowing. In addition, temporary reductions in regulatory margins on petroleum products have been introduced to cushion consumers from rising global crude oil prices.

The Governor said the recent IMF mission to Ghana acknowledged the country’s macroeconomic progress under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme, citing lower inflation, improved external reserves, stronger confidence in the cedi and enhanced debt sustainability. However, the IMF also warned that the ongoing Middle East conflict could push up global energy, food and fertiliser prices.

Dr. Asiama stressed that the central issue confronting the MPC is how to maintain low inflation while preventing inflation expectations from becoming unanchored amid both domestic energy supply challenges and external price shocks.

He cautioned that risks such as elevated energy prices, domestic power supply disruptions, fiscal pressures and current account vulnerabilities remain key threats to the economy and will dominate discussions during the three-day MPC meeting.

On Ghana’s future engagement with the IMF, the Governor confirmed that discussions have advanced toward a new 36-month non-financing Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI), which would succeed the current ECF programme.

According to him, the PCI will focus on sustaining fiscal discipline, safeguarding debt sustainability, strengthening governance and transparency, reinforcing financial sector stability and supporting inclusive economic growth.

Dr. Asiama said the programme would also support reforms within the Bank of Ghana, including improvements in monetary policy transmission, liquidity forecasting and foreign exchange management.

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The inspection tour formed part of efforts to monitor the progress of key development initiatives aimed at improving socio-economic conditions in the area.

The inspection team comprised the Municipal Chief Executive and officials of the Asokore-Mampong Municipal Assembly.

Among the projects inspected was the construction of the 24-hour market at Aboabo.

According to the MP, the project is expected to enhance local economic activities, create employment opportunities and provide traders and residents with a modern and conducive trading environment.

The team also visited the Aboabo Middle B School, where refurbishment works are currently ongoing. The renovation project is intended to improve teaching and learning conditions for both students and teachers by upgrading the school’s infrastructure.

Speaking after the inspection, Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of work being undertaken by contractors on both projects.

Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak commends progress on Aboabo Market and School Refurbishment Projects and described the developments as a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to improving infrastructure, enhancing livelihoods, and accelerating development in the Asawase Constituency.

The Interior Minister further reaffirmed his commitment to working with stakeholders to ensure continuous progress and improved living conditions for residents of the constituency.

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Team Ghana ended the competition with only one silver and four bronze medals, placing far below expectations, despite enjoying home advantage at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium. The nation’s only silver medal came from high jumper Esther Obenewaa, while bronze medals were secured in the men’s and women’s 4x100m relays, the men’s 800m and the women’s 400m.

For a country that has repeatedly promised to revive lesser-funded sports, such an outcome is difficult to defend. The African Senior Athletics Championship is not an ordinary competition. Since its establishment in 1979, it has served as the continent’s highest stage for track and field excellence. Ghana, therefore, had every reason to prepare adequately and demonstrate serious ambition.

Unfortunately, what unfolded in Accra exposed troubling weaknesses in the nation’s sports administration system. Questions are now being asked about athlete preparation, logistics, welfare, technical readiness and event coordination. These concerns cannot simply be brushed aside.

Disturbingly, the championship itself became overshadowed by complaints from athletes and officials over poor accommodation conditions, inadequate feeding arrangements and technical failures. Reports of rationed meals, lack of warm water, faulty plumbing and missing essentials at the Games Village painted an unfortunate picture of a country hosting a major continental event without adequate operational planning.

Equally worrying were reports of malfunctioning scoreboards, delays in publishing results, internet connectivity challenges, and technical problems during events. Such lapses undermine the integrity of the competition and tarnish Ghana’s international reputation.

The Chronicle believes these developments should serve as a wake-up call for the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, the National Sports Authority and all agencies responsible for organising sporting events in the country. Ghana cannot continue to market itself as a sporting destination while failing to meet basic organisational standards.

The disappointing performance also raises concerns about the effectiveness of the newly established Ghana Sports Fund, which was introduced to provide sustainable financing for sports development, athlete welfare, infrastructure, and elite competition preparation. If this intervention is to be meaningful, Ghanaians must begin to see measurable improvement in performance, administration, and athlete support.

Sports Minister Kofi Adams assured the nation during his vetting that he would prioritise lesser-funded disciplines such as athletics. That commitment was widely welcomed because Ghana’s overdependence on football has long undermined the growth of other sporting talents. However, the outcome of the championship suggests that much more work remains to be done.

Athletics development cannot be achieved through rhetoric alone. It requires long-term investment in coaching, nutrition, sports science, talent identification and athlete welfare. Above all, it demands competent administration and accountability.

The Chronicle is convinced that Ghana possesses enormous athletic potential. Yet talent alone cannot deliver medals without preparation, planning, and discipline. Hosting a continental championship should have inspired national pride. Sadly, the event has instead exposed institutional weaknesses that demand urgent correction.

Ghana must learn from this embarrassing experience and ensure that future international events reflect the professionalism, efficiency and hospitality for which the country is known. Anything short of that will continue to damage the nation’s sporting credibility within Africa and beyond.

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The delegation included Board Chairperson, Ama Sarpong Bawuah; Head of Financial Control & Strategy, Akosua Biama Aboagye and Head of Consumer Banking Ama Boateng.

During the visit, Ms. Pearl Nkrumah, the Managing Director of Access Bank Ghana Plc, unveiled plans to expand the bank’s presence and support development in Kumasi.

She described Kumasi as the central point of commerce, housing strategic economic activities like agriculture, hence the bank’s intention to develop the city’s prospects, by improving the local economy.

The MD disclosed that the bank intends to invest in infrastructure, education, agriculture and industry in the coming years, to support Asanteman.

According to her, the bank had supported 20,000 Small and Medium-scale Enterprises in the past 16 years in the Kumasi metropolis.

Otumfuo on his part, expressed confidence in her appointment, hoping she could do the work because she is capable.

The King was also happy that the leadership of the bank is dominated by females and called for more empowerment of women.

Otumfuo encouraged the leadership to explore avenues for profit, while positively impacting economic development.

The Bank’s profits used to depend on treasury bills, which are not viable now. Buying and selling money is not very economically beneficial,” he said.

Otumfuo proposed the reintroduction of a policy that would enable banks to access offshore funding to offer long-term loans to local industries and businesses.

The Asantehene also urged the bank to find ways to reinstate people’s confidence in saving with financial institutions.

At the meeting, the bank reaffirmed its commitment to supporting economic growth, entrepreneurship and community development in the Ashanti Region.

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The launching ceremony, held at Suhum Kraboa Coaltar, brought together health officials, local government authorities, community leaders and residents, all united behind the goal of strengthening Ghana’s healthcare delivery system and advancing universal health coverage.

Speaking at the event, the Eastern Regional Director of NHIA, Mr. Frank Addo, described the initiative as a transformative intervention that would significantly improve primary healthcare delivery and reduce financial burdens on citizens seeking basic medical attention.

According to him, the initiative represents a major milestone in Ghana’s healthcare agenda and aligns with the government’s broader objective of ensuring equitable healthcare access for all citizens, regardless of their economic status or geographical location.

Mr. Addo explained that the programme is specifically designed to strengthen the country’s primary healthcare system by removing financial barriers that often prevent people, particularly those in deprived and underserved communities, from seeking medical attention at the early stages of illness.

He noted that many preventable health complications worsen because individuals are unable to afford basic healthcare services at the point of entry, adding that the Free Primary Healthcare Initiative seeks to change that narrative by ensuring that essential medical services are accessible without financial constraints.

He, therefore, encouraged residents of Suhum and surrounding communities to regularly renew their National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) subscriptions and actively utilize health facilities to fully benefit from the programme.

“The success of this initiative depends largely on the participation of the people. We encourage everyone to renew their NHIS cards and take advantage of the free primary healthcare services available under this intervention,” he stated.

Mr. Addo further stressed that strengthening preventive and primary healthcare services remains one of the most effective ways of reducing pressure on referral hospitals and improving overall public health outcomes.

The Municipal Chief Executive for Suhum, Lydia Sara Ohenewa, also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery and ensuring that quality medical services become accessible to every Ghanaian.

She emphasised that the health and well-being of citizens continue to remain a major priority for the government, adding that the initiative demonstrates a strong commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable healthcare system.

According to her, access to healthcare should not be determined by one’s financial status, and government remains determined to promote equity and accessibility within the health sector.

Hon. Ohenewa commended the NHIA and the Ghana Health Service for collaborating effectively to roll out the initiative in the municipality and the wider Eastern Region.

She expressed optimism that the intervention would help improve early healthcare-seeking behaviour among residents, while reducing avoidable health complications and deaths.

“This programme is not just about free healthcare services, it is about protecting lives, promoting preventive healthcare and ensuring that no one is left behind,” she stated.

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Each of the 650 girls received a 3-month supply of menstrual pads to help them manage their menstruation safely, so they do not miss school for lack of pads.

The event, which was the 3rd edition, had the theme: “Supporting Menstrual Health, Securing the Future of Girls”. It was organised by the Medical Students Association of the Family Health University, in collaboration with the Ledzokuku Municipal Education Directorate.

The presentation of the pads and the health education was part of activities marking this year’s World Menstrual Hygiene Day, which is celebrated on 28th May of every year.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Ledzokuku Municipal Director of Education, Mrs Theresa Tetteh, was full of praise for the medical students and the Family Health University for their regular support to the girls in the municipality.

She used the occasion to commend all stakeholders who keep collaborating with the Ghana Education Service towards the training and the promotion of education in the municipality and the country as a whole.

“Your period is not a weakness. It is a sign of good health. It is not a reason to stay home. It is not a reason to be teased. You deserve to manage it with safety and pride.

“Pad the Girl is not just about handing out products to the girls. It is about handing back days, dignity and dreams. When we support menstrual health, we are not just managing a cycle,” Mrs Tetteh said.

The Municipal Director added that, “we are securing attendance lists, graduation rolls and future boardrooms. This is something we can all do by going the extra mile with our energy, ideas, resources and time to shape the future of the young girls, to reach their lifetime dreams”.

She appealed to parents to make it a priority to ensure that their daughters are provided with pads, clean water and other resources needed during their menses, so they do not miss school and examinations, since it could affect their education and future dreams.

The Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku, Benjamin Ayiku, eulogised the Medical Students and the Family Health University for complementing the government’s efforts at providing sanitary pads to female students across the country.

He stated that the government has already distributed over 5,000 sanitary pads to female students in the municipality this year, all geared towards ensuring a safe and healthy menstruation for the girls.

Dr. Leticia Appiah, Community Health Department at the Family Health University said “supporting menstrual health is a shared responsibility. When we ensure that every girl has access to sanitary products, proper education and a supportive environment, we are not just addressing hygiene needs but we are protecting education, confidence and future opportunities”.

She explained that a girl should never have to choose between her dignity and her schooling, and by standing together, they were securing a healthier, stronger and more equitable future for all girls.

The President of the Medical Students Association, Bernard Opoku Jnr., commended the various sponsors for supporting them so they could also assist the female students with the pads.

He pledged the student’s readiness to continue partnering with the Ledzokuku Education Directorate to continue providing support to the girls.

On hand were health experts who spent quality time educating the girls on their menstrual health and other health issues so they could stay healthy at all times.

A team from the Ledzokuku Municipal Assembly Polyclinic were present to also educate and demonstrate to the gathering the proper use of the pad, as both male and female students were offered the opportunity to exhibit their skills in how to use the pad to the admiration of the audience.

Madam Issahaku Humu, Girl Education Officer for the Ledzokuku Education Directorate, said the proper upbringing of the girl child was the responsibility of all and called for more support towards the welfare of both girls and boys.

She pledged to continue collaborating with various institutions towards the proper upbringing and training of all children, irrespective of their gender, ethnicity, religion, political and other affiliations.

By Felix Baidoo

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The campaign is designed to shift the market dynamic from passive consumption to active verification, giving consumers the tools to check products before purchase. It is open to partnerships with trade associations, consumer groups and development partners willing to adopt the verification standard.

Mr. Francis Ameyibor, CDA Consult Executive Director, speaking during a strategic engagement in Accra with a potential partner, said the advocacy seeks to distribute consumer protection responsibilities among three key actors: consumers, regulators, and law enforcement.

He explained that the campaign targets a problem cutting across markets, shops and online platforms, counterfeit goods, expired products, mislabelled items and outright fraud, which persist because responsibility for verification remains unclear.

He disclosed that, “Verify Before You Buy” redistributes that responsibility across consumers, retailers, regulators and law enforcement, creating a shared standard for safety and authenticity.

The framework is built on four interlocking pillars – education, awareness, action and protection – and positions regulators and law enforcement as the verification backbone and enforcement backstop.

According to Mr. Ameyibor, the goal is to make pre-purchase verification a social norm, while ensuring that violations trigger fast and credible consequences.

It seeks to equip consumers with the knowledge, tools and mandate to verify product integrity before purchase.

This, he said, reduces harm, eliminates dangerous assumptions, and drives higher standards across manufacturers, dealers and retailers.

He expressed concern that many consumers fail to take basic precautions when purchasing goods.

“Don’t use your money to buy a bad product that will end up affecting your health. A simple verification could save your life,” he warned.

Mr. Ameyibor encouraged consumers to verify batch numbers, manufacturing and expiry dates, examine seals and confirm supplier legitimacy before buying.

He reiterated that when you get to the shop or market, do not be in a hurry to pick items and rush to the counter.

Examine the product carefully, check the packaging, instructions, labelling, and medium of communication on the product. Don’t take things for granted before you pay.

He noted that traditional consumer protection systems have relied on post-harm remedies and assumed that manufacturers and sellers would self-police, creating information gaps at the point of sale and delayed enforcement.

He indicated that “Verify Before You Buy” addresses these gaps by making verification a pre-purchase norm, not an after-the-fact legal remedy.

Mr. Ameyibor stressed that the campaign is a holistic consumer empowerment initiative aimed at disarming fraudsters and creating a safer marketplace.

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In a remarkable show of patriotism and corporate responsibility, the company donated USD100,000 the equivalent of more than GH¢1.13 million to the Black Stars World Cup 2026 Fundraising Committee, during a presentation ceremony held at the Ministry of Finance.

The donation is being regarded as one of the biggest corporate contributions so far, towards Ghana’s World Cup preparations, as the nation intensifies efforts to ensure the Black Stars are adequately resourced ahead of football’s biggest tournament.

Ghana’s qualification for the Mundial sparked celebrations across the country, rekindling hopes of another memorable performance by the senior national team on the world stage.

However, stakeholders have repeatedly stressed that transforming qualification into a successful World Cup campaign requires substantial financial support, strategic preparation and national unity.

The gesture by Zijin Golden Ridge Limited, therefore, comes at a crucial moment, reinforcing growing confidence in the national fundraising drive established to mobilise resources for the Black Stars.

Speaking during the presentation, Vice President for Sustainability and External Relations at Zijin Golden Ridge Limited, Jason Zhang, said the company’s decision to support the national team was driven not merely by business interests, but by a deep sense of belonging and commitment to Ghana’s development.

According to him, the company sees itself as part of the Ghanaian story and believes supporting the Black Stars is a way of contributing to national pride and unity.

“We did not make this decision simply as a business gesture. We made it as a company that has put down roots in this country. We made this decision as a company that works alongside Ghanaian communities employs Ghanaian talent and considers Ghana’s progress our progress,” he stated.

He added that whenever the Black Stars compete internationally, they carry the aspirations and identity of the entire nation.

“When the Black Stars take the field on the world stage, they carry the hopes, pride and identity of every Ghanaian. We want to be counted among those standing behind them,” he emphasised.

The donation ceremony also highlighted the increasing support being shown by corporate Ghana towards the Black Stars’ World Cup ambitions, with government officials urging more institutions and individuals to contribute before the fundraising window closes.

Receiving the cheque on behalf of the fundraising committee, Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, expressed profound appreciation to Zijin Golden Ridge Limited for responding positively to the national call.

He described the contribution as timely and patriotic, while appealing to other companies that are yet to support the initiative to do so before the end of May.

“We want to use this opportunity to thank all those who have responded to this call. We are calling on those who are yet to respond to do so before the end of this month. On behalf of the fundraising committee, we say, ‘God bless you,’” he stated.

Mr. Ampem further disclosed that donations made towards the Black Stars World Cup campaign are tax deductible, encouraging corporate organizations and philanthropists to take advantage of the policy in their 2026 tax filings while contributing to national development through sports.

The fundraising campaign forms part of broader national efforts to ensure the Black Stars receive the financial backing needed for camping, logistics, player welfare, technical preparations, and international engagements ahead of the tournament.

With momentum steadily building around the campaign, many football enthusiasts believe contributions such as the one made by Zijin Golden Ridge Limited could inspire other corporate entities to support the team, as Ghana seeks to make a strong statement at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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