Kofi Ahovi

MTN Ghana Foundation Marks 30 Years with 500 Scholarships for Students and Teachers

2026-10-20T12:29:23.193-07:00

The MTN Ghana Foundation will award 500 scholarships to brilliant but needy students and teachers in public tertiary institutions this October 2026, reaffirming MTN’s longstanding commitment to education, youth empowerment and national development.

The scholarships are designed to ease financial barriers, enabling beneficiaries to pursue their academic goals, advance their professional development and realise their full potential.

Of the 500 scholarships, 300 will go to students, while 200 will support teachers in their academic and professional advancement.

The award ceremonies will be held in two sectors:

Southern Sector: Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Accra.
Northern Sector: Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) campus, Kumasi.

The ceremonies will celebrate the beneficiaries’ achievements and highlight the role of education in shaping Ghana’s future. They also form part of activities marking MTN Ghana’s 30th anniversary, commemorating three decades of connecting people, expanding opportunities and improving lives as a force for good.

Chief Justice Among The People Above Politics: The Baffoe-Bonnie Judicial Leadership Test

2026-10-20T04:33:59.239-07:00

By Joel Abendeni Abanginiriba

I have taken a particular interest in the leadership of Ghana’s Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Paul Kwadwo Baffoe-Bonnie. This interest has been heightened by recent criticisms which, in my view, make it necessary to examine his tenure not through political lenses, personalities or conjecture, but against the actual decisions and reforms emerging from the Judiciary under his leadership.

It may still be early days, but the evidence so far presents an interesting picture: a Chief Justice seeking to restore confidence in the Judiciary, protect its institutional independence, make justice delivery more efficient and accessible, and yet dissociate himself and his outfit from the old trajectory of public fear of the leadership of the judiciary through a socialization approach.

From the Era of “Unanimous FC”
Not too long ago, the expression “Unanimous FC” entered Ghana’s political and legal vocabulary as a derisive reference to perceptions surrounding a succession of unanimous Supreme Court decisions. The expression became sufficiently established that it even entered Ghanaian legal scholarship, where it was explained as reflecting perceptions among some opposition sympathisers that certain Supreme Court decisions favoured the then-governing New Patriotic Party (UGSLJ, 2023).

Whether those perceptions were justified in every instance is another matter. What cannot be denied is that concerns about public confidence in the Judiciary became part of the national conversation.

Indeed, then National Security Minister, Hon. Albert Kan-Dapaah, publicly warned about the national-security implications of perceptions of biased justice (Myjoyonline, Ghana News Agency etc., 2022). His concern was essentially that where judicial interpretation was persistently perceived and seen as favouring government, confidence in the Judiciary could be undermined.

This historical context matters when assessing Justice Baffoe-Bonnie.
The true test of an independent Judiciary is not whether its decisions please the government or opposition. It is whether the law can operate against the political expectations of either side.

On that score, some developments under Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie deserve serious attention.

Kpandai MP, Jean Mensa and Her Deputies: A Significant Test
When it became apparent that the Member of Parliament for Kpandai, Hon. Matthew Yandam, could lose his seat in court, potentially relieving the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and disappointing the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Chief Justice faced a politically sensitive matter. Yet, rather than letting political considerations, emotions, or the circumstances surrounding his own appointment influence the process, he turned to the law, constitutional principles, and the dictates of justice. He applied the law as he found it, irrespective of which political party stood to benefit or suffer from the outcome.

The petition was filed at the High Court outside the constitutionally prescribed 21-day period following the gazetting of the election results. Consequently, the Supreme Court essentially quashed the High Court’s orders on the basis that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the petition under the circumstances.
Furthermore, the Chief Justice did not sit as part of the coram that determined the certiorari application.

Consider the petitions seeking the removal of Electoral Commission Chairperson Madam Jean Adukwei Mensa and her deputies, Dr. Bossman Eric Asare and Mr. Samuel Tettey.
Seven petitions seeking their removal were referred by President John Dramani Mahama to the Chief Justice in accordance with the constitutional process. After examining them, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie determined that no prima facie case had been established to warrant further investigation. The removal process therefore went no further.

Pause and consider the political significance and this is the person some Ghanaians want us to believe has bruised the independence of the judiciary? Come on!
These were officials appointed during the previous NPP administration, many of whom had, over the years, come under considerable criticism from sections of the NDC and those who were open-minded in their thoughts.

What should, however, be evident to these critics is the fact that the NDC, while in opposition, repeatedly vowed to remove the Electoral Commission Chairperson and her deputies once it assumed office.

They (the critics) must therefore explain to Ghanaians who, in the circumstances, is allegedly compromised. Because, on the face of these facts, it certainly cannot be Justice Paul Kwadwo Baffoe-Bonnie. Despite the clear biases of the aforementioned Nana Addo appointees, an NDC administration, including a Chief Justice appointed by President Mahama, examined petitions against them and concluded that the constitutional threshold for proceeding against them had not been met.

That is precisely why judicial independence must be assessed by conduct rather than political association.
If Justice Baffoe-Bonnie were simply an appendage of the Executive, as some of his critics seek to portray him, this outcome becomes difficult to reconcile with that narrative.

Kissi Agyebeng and the Office of the Special Prosecutor
The same principle arose in relation to Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng Esq. Three petitions seeking his removal were also referred to the Chief Justice. Again, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie found that they failed to establish a prima facie case warranting further investigation.

Whatever anybody’s political opinion of the Special Prosecutor, the institutional principle is more important.

A constitutional democracy becomes stronger when officeholders are protected not because they are politically useful to somebody, but because the legal threshold required for their removal has not been satisfied.

Interestingly, even some figures associated with the governing NDC publicly indicated that, although disappointed by the decision concerning the Electoral Commission leadership, they accepted the Chief Justice’s determination.

That is how institutions mature.

Beyond Judgments: Reforming Justice Delivery
Paul Baffoe Bonnie is fiercely liberated in his convictions and this is reflected in both his public speeches and his judgments. In 2005, when the NPP government sought to frustrate a civil servant by transferring him from the Ghana Immigration Service to an uncertain organisation, Baffoe Bonnie ruled that the action of the then President amounted to constructive dismissal. He ordered the reinstatement of the officer and ordered the payment of his salary arrears. President Kufour recognized this trait of speaking to power in him and nominated him for promotion to the Supreme Court. The NDC was not pleased and opposed his nomination. Yet when, in 2013, the NPP felt he was one of their own, he again voted according to his conscience and solely on the evidence to keep the NDC in power.

In Sept 2025, when he was only acting as the Chief Justice, he publicly chastised the Mahama government with his famous speech on galamsey at the bar conference in Wa.
But Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s emerging legacy cannot even be measured only by politically sensitive decisions or his public utterances because he is a human being and not the law itself.

His reform programme may ultimately prove even more consequential.

[caption id="attachment_73693" align="alignleft" width="300"] Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Paul Kwadwo Baffoe-Bonnie[/caption]

Under his leadership, the Judiciary has moved towards morning and afternoon court sessions to reduce congestion and case backlogs. His administration has also pursued expanded Alternative Dispute Resolution, specialised courts, accelerated E-Justice, reforms to the Rules of Court and dedicated judicial mechanisms for areas including environmental and illegal-mining cases.

The Judiciary has further introduced a Specialised High Court Division aimed at improving efficiency through judicial specialisation rather than requiring individual judges to handle an unnecessarily broad range of subject matters.

These may not generate dramatic political headlines, but this is where the everyday Ghanaian experiences the justice system.
A litigant waiting a year for a case to be heard is interested in speed. A business trapped in commercial litigation wants efficiency and certainty. A citizen living outside Accra wants accessibility. And an ordinary Ghanaian appearing before a court wants to believe that justice does not depend upon political connections, wealth or status.
That is why Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s own insistence that justice must become faster, clearer and more accessible deserves attention. He has acknowledged that delays, cost and distance continue to weaken access to justice and public confidence in the courts.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has rather brought a refreshing and impeccable sense of relief, openness and renewed confidence to Ghana’s judicial system. For far too long, the concentration of power in the hands of a few created an atmosphere in which some members of both the Bar and the Bench felt constrained, intimidated and unable to express themselves freely. Today, his leadership offers a different narrative, one that seeks to bring the judiciary closer to the people, not as an intimidating institution of fault-finders, but as a friend, a partner in justice and a pillar of hope for the ordinary Ghanaian. His willingness to attend funerals, weddings and other social gatherings, including the recent funeral in Techiman, demonstrates a Chief Justice who understands that judges are not detached figures seated on elevated benches, but human beings who belong to the very communities they serve. More importantly, he speaks his mind, stands by his convictions and engages issues with a measure of independence that deserves to be judged on its merits. So, one is compelled to ask: How does a Chief Justice who is making deliberate efforts to humanise the judiciary, restore confidence in the institution and bring the Bench and the Bar closer to the people suddenly become a “puppet of the Executive” in the eyes of some Ghanaians? Is it now wrong for a Chief Justice to be accessible, sociable, outspoken and willing to engage the public beyond the courtroom? Surely, the independence of the judiciary must be assessed by its decisions, constitutional fidelity and institutional conduct, not by the mere fact that its head is visible among the people or willing to speak his mind. Justice Baffoe-Bonnie deserves to be assessed fairly, on the strength of his leadership, his actions and his record, rather than reduced to a political label that may say more about the prejudices of his critics than about the man himself.

Independence Must Work Both Ways

There is a deeper lesson here.
We cannot defend judicial independence only when a court reaches a decision we like and suddenly discover political interference when it reaches one we dislike.
Neither should the independence of a Chief Justice be judged merely by who nominated him.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie was nominated by President Mahama. That is a constitutional fact. But nomination by a President does not make a Chief Justice the judicial representative of that President.

Indeed, upon assuming office, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie publicly pledged to uphold the rule of law, respect the separation of powers, protect the Constitution and preserve the independence of judges from improper influence and that is what is being done against all odds.

Those commitments must ultimately be measured against his record.
So far, the decisions concerning Jean Mensa, her deputies and Kissi Agyebeng provide important evidence. When petitions against politically sensitive officeholders reached his desk, the constitutional threshold, rather than presumed political convenience, determined the outcome.
That fact should matter to both his supporters and his critics.

Let History Judge Him on the Evidence
I do not suggest that Justice Paul Kwadwo Baffoe-Bonnie, or indeed any Chief Justice, should be insulated from criticism. Far from it.
The Judiciary exercises enormous constitutional power and must therefore remain open to rigorous public scrutiny. Judges, including Chief Justices, should be assessed by their decisions, administrative leadership, fidelity to the Constitution and commitment to justice.

But criticism must equally be fair.
If we accuse a Chief Justice of surrendering the Judiciary to the Executive, we should be prepared to reconcile that accusation with decisions in which the same Judiciary refuses outcomes that might politically benefit people associated with the government of the day.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s tenure is still unfolding. History will eventually make the fuller assessment.
But if he sustains an independent Judiciary, deepens the reforms already underway, reduces delays, expands access to justice and preserves a Supreme Court whose decisions cannot simply be predicted according to which political party occupies the Jubilee House, then his tenure may indeed come to be regarded as one of the defining periods of judicial leadership in contemporary Ghana.

For me, that is the standard by which he should be judged.

Not rumours. Not political affiliation. Not who appointed him. Not his private associations or what he has said honestly somewhere to address a situation.
But whether, when the difficult moments came, the law was allowed to remain the law

IGNITE Expands Product Ecosystem at Atlantis Dubai, Appoints Media Mogul 'Bola Ray' to Global Advisory Board to Drive African Entrepreneurship

2026-10-19T13:45:12.031-07:00

IGNITE Social Enterprise has announced the expansion of its lifestyle and wellness product ecosystem alongside the official unveiling of its Global Advisory Board, featuring Ghanaian media icon and CEO of EIB Network Group, Nathan Kwabena Anokye Adisi, popularly known as Bola Ray.

The announcement was made on stage during a regional launch event at the Atlantis Dubai, underscoring IGNITE’s mission to connect African micro-entrepreneurs, digital creators, and trade leaders to global social commerce pipelines.

Advancing Ghana’s Digital Economy and Entrepreneurial Landscape

Ghana continues to establish itself as a prominent hub for youth-led enterprise, digital commerce, and innovation across West Africa. As informal trade transitions rapidly into structured digital economies, IGNITE’s social commerce model provides micro-entrepreneurs and brand affiliates with structured training, turn-key digital tools, and consumer product lines to build resilient independent businesses.

The appointment of Nathan Kwabena Anokye Adisi (Bola Ray) places an influential Ghanaian voice at the strategic core of IGNITE’s global roadmap. Known for driving creative enterprise, media innovation, and youth empowerment across the continent, Bola Ray bridges local market dynamics with global trade strategy.

Across Ghana and Africa, thousands of ambitious individuals are seeking practical pathways to acquire digital skills, launch viable businesses, and generate sustainable wealth," said Bola Ray, Global Advisory Board Member at IGNITE. "IGNITE is not merely introducing consumer items; it is architecting an enduring socio-economic ecosystem. By pairing practical AI-based learning platform with curated, high-demand lifestyle products, we are unlocking meaningful earning avenues for local entrepreneurs and elevating African participation in the global marketplace."

Unveiling a Strengthened Lifestyle and Wellness Product Portfolio

On stage at the Atlantis Dubai, IGNITE revealed four core product lines engineered to address everyday modern lifestyle, skin health, and wellness needs:

Aria Wellness Pendant: Designed around Sanarey Fusion Technology (SFT), Aria features a calibrated activated wafer core utilizing frequency coherence to address environmental electromagnetic and 5G exposure, support biofield balance, focus, and recovery.
BRIGHT Skincare: A premium skincare range developed in South Korea, formulated with high-performance Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) regenerative compounds and cutting-edge skincare science.
SENA Timepieces: A line of Malaysian-assembled automatic watches blending heritage craftsmanship with everyday durability, built with Japanese Miyota movements, sapphire crystal, and 316L surgical stainless steel.
brAInify, AI-Powered Digital Learning: Specialized digital tools and AI-driven skill acquisition modules tailored to help affiliates navigate modern social selling, customer acquisition, and business management.

Product rollouts across West African territories will be introduced systematically in alignment with local regulatory approvals and market readiness.

Strategic Global Governance

The IGNITE Global Advisory Board serves as an independent consultative body guiding ethical corporate governance, sustainable expansion, and cross-border trade ethics across Asia, the Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Chaired by Malaysian corporate leader Dato’ Sri Subahan Kamal, the board unites interdisciplinary leaders including:

Dr. Konstantin Korotkov, biophysicist, pioneer of electro-photonic imaging, and developer of the Bio-Well system.
Dr. Beverly Rubik, Ph.D., biophysicist, biofield researcher, and former advisory panel chair at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Nathan Kwabena Anokye Adisi (Bola Ray), CEO of EIB Network Group and founder of Empire Group.

As IGNITE scales across Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, our growth must remain grounded in ethical transparency and tangible socio-economic value for the communities we enter," said Dato’ Sri Subahan Kamal, Chairman of the IGNITE Global Advisory Board. "Bola Ray’s deep insight into African enterprise and youth culture will ensure IGNITE's footprint in Ghana and across the continent is built on sustainable, long-term foundation."

Experts urge stronger regulation, community action to protect Ghana’s blue economy

2026-10-19T09:02:56.922-07:00

Researchers, environmental regulators and civil society leaders have called for stronger enforcement of environmental laws, greater community participation and improved ocean data systems to protect Ghana’s marine resources and the livelihoods of coastal communities.

They warned that plastic pollution, illegal mining, coastal erosion, harmful fishing practices and declining fish stocks were undermining the health of the ocean and threatening the economic activities of thousands of people along the coastline.

The call was made at the Ghana Ocean Dialogue, organised by Emerging Climate Frontiers (ECF) and the Ghana Marine Climate Innovation Hub, in partnership with the University of Cape Coast (UCC), in Cape Coast on October 15, 2026.

Held under the theme “Shaping Our Blue Economy,” the dialogue brought together researchers, policymakers, environmental regulators, civil society representatives and youth advocates to explore ways of protecting Ghana’s marine environment while expanding the economic opportunities it offers.

Land-based pollution threatens coastal communities

Delivering a solidarity message, Prof. Simon Mariwah, Provost of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies at UCC, said plastic pollution along the coast could not be addressed without tackling waste disposal practices in inland communities.

He noted that much of the plastic washed ashore did not originate from beachgoers or fishermen but from communities farther inland.

Participants also identified illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey, as a major threat to marine ecosystems. Mining activities can introduce heavy metals and sediment into rivers that eventually flow into the sea.

Other concerns included the use of banned chemicals such as DDT and relabelled toxic agrochemicals in fishing, alongside shoreline erosion, rising sea levels and overfishing.

These challenges, they said, were damaging beaches, threatening homes and heritage sites, reducing fish catches and putting pressure on the livelihoods of fishing communities.

Experts call for stronger ocean governance

Speaking on behalf of the Centre for Coastal Management, Dr Dorothy Khasisi Lukhabi said Ghana’s ocean future depended on deliberate action and the effective implementation of policies designed to build a resilient blue economy by 2035.

She called for stronger coordination among institutions, public accountability and evidence-based decision-making, as well as the protection of natural coastal defences.

The dialogue proposed a sustainable ocean economy framework built around five pillars: Blue Wealth, Blue Health, Blue Knowledge, Blue Finance and Blue Equity.

The framework seeks to connect economic opportunities from marine resources with environmental protection, research, financing and fairness in the distribution of benefits.

Edem Alipo, a Carbon Dioxide Removal Fellow at ECF, also launched the Ghana Marine Climate Innovation Hub, which aims to bridge the gap between academic research and policymaking.

Community participation key to conservation

During a panel discussion moderated by Prisca Kuworde, Strategic Coordinator at ECF, participants stressed that environmental policies would be difficult to implement without the trust and active involvement of coastal communities.

The panel included Dr. Mabel Anim, a coastal geomorphologist at UCC; Prof. Benjamin Kofi Nyarko, Principal Investigator for the Ghana Climate University Network; Monica Tampuri, Executive Director of Banyani; and Priscilla Djaba, Programmes Officer at the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

Prof. Nyarko said indigenous traditions, including spiritual and customary practices associated with the sea, should be incorporated into modern coastal governance.

He argued that direct engagement and clear communication were necessary to help communities understand the purpose of environmental regulations and their role in protecting livelihoods.

Panellists observed that resistance to conservation initiatives often arose from fears of losing income, unfulfilled promises or a lack of consultation.

Tampuri called for greater public education on sustainable practices and the involvement of schoolchildren in ocean stewardship. She also urged researchers to communicate their findings in local languages and ensure that communities hosting research projects received practical benefits.

Caution urged over emerging climate technologies

Dr. Anim cautioned that emerging climate interventions, including ocean alkalinity enhancement — a proposed method of increasing the ocean’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide — should undergo rigorous feasibility assessments before being introduced.

She stressed the need to consider local conditions and combine scientific evidence with indigenous knowledge when evaluating such interventions.

The discussion highlighted the importance of ensuring that climate solutions do not create additional risks for coastal ecosystems or communities whose livelihoods depend on the sea.

Better data and financing needed

Djaba outlined the EPA’s efforts to develop data vulnerability hubs and collaborate with academic institutions on a shared geospatial database.

The proposed data systems are expected to strengthen evidence-based policymaking and support access to carbon markets.

On financing, Prof. Nyarko and Dr. Anim called for a coordinated ocean financing framework that could bring together resources from different sources.

They identified opportunities through the Green Climate Fund, carbon credits from mangrove conservation, and blue bonds or loans offered through financial institutions.

They emphasised that financing arrangements should ensure that coastal communities receive a fair share of the benefits, with recognised community leaders involved in the process.

Waste management and youth employment

Obed Osabutey of the National Disaster Management Organisation called for expanded training in sustainable waste management to help communities reduce pollution entering rivers and the sea.

Prof. Nyarko proposed youth-led plastic collection initiatives that could create income opportunities while helping to clean coastal areas. He also urged the EPA to intensify action against the illegal relabelling and sale of toxic chemicals used in fishing.

Tampuri suggested that collected plastic waste could be converted into artistic products for sale, creating opportunities for local enterprise while reducing pollution.

Participants agreed that protecting Ghana’s blue economy would require more than national policies and institutional commitments. They called for practical action at the community level, stronger enforcement of environmental regulations and greater collaboration among government agencies, researchers, businesses and coastal residents.

They stressed that a resilient ocean economy would depend on protecting marine ecosystems while ensuring that the people whose livelihoods rely on the sea participate in decisions and benefit from conservation efforts.

Public Services Commission reschedules 13th annual conference to December

2026-10-19T08:51:54.448-07:00

The Public Services Commission (PSC) has rescheduled its 13th Annual Conference of Chairpersons of Governing Boards and Councils, Chief Directors and Chief Executives of Ghana’s Public Services to December 14–17, 2026.

The conference, which was originally scheduled for October 20–23 at the Western Serene Atlantic Hotel in Takoradi in the Western Region, will now take place at the Eastern Premier Hotel in Koforidua, Eastern Region.

In a notice dated October 15, 2026, the Commission informed invited participants and stakeholders of the revised dates and venue, urging them to make the necessary arrangements to attend.

President John Dramani Mahama is expected to officially open the conference on Tuesday, December 15, and deliver the keynote address.

The annual gathering brings together leaders of public institutions, including governing board and council chairpersons, chief directors and chief executives, to participate in discussions concerning Ghana’s public services.

The Commission expressed regret over any inconvenience the changes might cause and appealed to participants for their understanding and cooperation.

It also urged all invited participants to take note of the new arrangements and plan accordingly.

Ghana to end raw mineral exports by 2030 — Mahama

2026-10-19T08:29:22.839-07:00

President John Dramani Mahama has reiterated plans to phase out exports of unprocessed mineral ores by 2030 as part of efforts to boost local processing, accelerate industrialisation and retain more economic value from Ghana’s mineral resources.

The proposed policy will cover minerals including bauxite, manganese, iron and lithium, with the government planning a phased prohibition supported by legal measures, mineral-specific requirements and clear implementation timelines.

Speaking at the Mining in Motion Conference on Monday, October 19, 2026, President Mahama said Ghana must move beyond extracting minerals for export and develop the capacity to process them locally.

I’ve set a clear goal that by 2030, raw mineral ores should no longer leave our shores. Our bauxite, manganese, iron, lithium, and other minerals must support processing and industrial development here at home,” he said.

The President said the government would establish clear processing obligations for investors seeking access to the country’s mineral resources, making local value addition a key consideration in the sector.

We will pursue a phased prohibition on exports of unprocessed ores, supported by the necessary legal measures, mineral-specific requirements, and transparent implementation timetables,” he said.

He added that Ghana had already banned the export of iron scrap and non-ferrous metals, stressing that investors must understand the processing obligations attached to access to the country’s resources.

The proposed restrictions are intended to encourage investment in domestic mineral processing, strengthen local industries and create more economic opportunities along the mining value chain.

Gold refining push

Alongside the proposed restrictions on raw mineral exports, President Mahama said the government was taking steps to expand Ghana’s capacity in gold assaying, refining and related services.

The initiative, being pursued through the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) and the country’s gold refining policy, is intended to ensure that more value from gold production is retained within the domestic economy.

Through the Ghana Gold Board and our gold refining policy, we are working to retain more value through assaying, refining, and related services,” he said.

Expanding local gold processing is expected to create opportunities for businesses and professionals while strengthening Ghana’s participation in activities beyond mineral extraction.

The policy direction signals a broader shift towards using the country’s mineral wealth to support domestic industrial development rather than relying predominantly on exports of raw materials.

However, achieving the 2030 target will require the development of adequate processing infrastructure, investment and effective implementation of the proposed regulatory measures.

MTN Ghana, Nova Business School Africa Equip 88 Entrepreneurs To Scale Businesses And Drive Economic Growth

2026-10-19T08:09:21.512-07:00

MTN Ghana, in partnership with Nova Business School Africa, has empowered 88 entrepreneurs with advanced business management skills, strategic tools and practical growth frameworks to strengthen their enterprises, create jobs and contribute to Ghana's economic development.

The entrepreneurs graduated from a rigorous 13-week Mini MBA programme under MTN Business' flagship SME Accelerate initiative at a ceremony held at Palms by Eagles on Friday, October 9, 2026.

The annual programme is designed to build the capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which remain the backbone of Ghana's economy. By equipping business owners with the skills needed to navigate increasingly complex and competitive markets, the initiative helps to unlock growth, improve business sustainability and strengthen entrepreneurial resilience.

Participants received intensive training in strategic finance, digital transformation, market research, organizational development and sustainable business management. The programme also challenged participants to develop practical solutions to real business challenges through capstone projects aimed at driving measurable improvements within their enterprises.

Selected through SME clinics organised across the country, participants were grouped into three cohorts: Women, Men and Hybrid, creating opportunities for peer learning, collaboration and knowledge sharing among entrepreneurs from diverse industries.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, MTN Ghana's Chief Enterprise Officer, Angela Mensah-Poku, reaffirmed MTN Business' commitment to supporting SMEs beyond connectivity and technology solutions.

At MTN Business, we believe that when SMEs succeed, communities prosper, industries grow and economies become stronger. SMEs account for a significant share of employment and economic activity in Ghana, making their success critical to national development. Our role therefore goes beyond providing products and connectivity. We are committed to equipping entrepreneurs with the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to grow sustainable businesses and create lasting impact. Today, we celebrate not just 88 graduates, but 88 businesses with the potential to transform lives, create jobs and contribute meaningfully to Ghana's future."

The impact of the programme was evident in the experiences shared by participants, many of whom described significant shifts in how they approach business planning, operations and growth.

Emmanuel Wesom Achiom, owner of 1st Koko Spot in Sowutuom, said the programme's focus on practical business challenges had transformed his decision-making and leadership approach.

Similarly, Nana Abena Oforiwaa Kwao-Adotey, founder of beauty brand Since Shea, said the training had provided actionable tools that were already yielding positive results.

From digital tools and proper bookkeeping to structured team building and our 90-day execution blueprints, I am walking away with practical solutions that I can immediately implement. My business has already started recording growth in key areas, and I am excited about what lies ahead."

President and Chief Executive Officer of Nova Business School Africa, Prof. Mathew Tsamenyi, underscored the critical role entrepreneurs play in national transformation.

If Ghana is to achieve sustainable economic growth, the private sector must lead the way. Entrepreneurs are the engine of innovation, productivity and job creation. Programmes such as SME Accelerate are helping to build the strategic leadership and business capabilities required to accelerate enterprise growth and strengthen Ghana's economy."

He noted that the strategic frameworks, business models and capstone projects developed during the programme position participants to drive growth within their organisations while contributing to broader economic transformation.

To ensure the benefits of the programme extend beyond the classroom, MTN Ghana and Nova Business School Africa will continue to support participants through structured post-graduation mentorship and performance tracking. The support framework will help graduates implement their capstone projects, embrace digital transformation, improve operational efficiency and unlock new business opportunities.

Through SME Accelerate, MTN Ghana continues to demonstrate its commitment to empowering local businesses and fostering entrepreneurship. By investing in the growth of SMEs, the company is helping to create stronger businesses, sustainable jobs and a more resilient economy, advancing its purpose of enabling the benefits of a modern connected life for all.

Ghana banks record GH¢9.2bn profit as earnings growth slows

2026-10-19T05:59:02.214-07:00

Ghana’s banking industry recorded GH¢9.2 billion in profit after tax (PAT) in the eight months to August 2026, despite a slowdown in earnings growth and a decline in key profitability indicators.

The figure represents a 5.7 per cent decline from the GH¢9.7 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, when the industry’s profit after tax grew by 46.1 per cent.

Profit before tax (PBT) also contracted by 5.7 per cent year-on-year, reversing the strong growth recorded in the same period last year.

According to the October 2026 Banking Sector Development Report, the moderation in profitability reflected slower growth across the banking industry’s major income sources, alongside higher provisions for bad debts, depreciation and impairment losses.

Fees and commissions support income

Fees and commissions income was a notable exception to the broader slowdown, growing by 17.9 per cent in August 2026, compared with 13.1 per cent in August 2025.

However, net interest income, a major source of earnings for banks, contracted by 4.2 per cent, reversing the 21.8 per cent growth recorded a year earlier.

The report attributed the decline largely to the low-interest-rate environment, which dampened banks’ interest earnings.

Growth in other income also slowed compared with the corresponding period of 2025, adding to the pressure on overall earnings.

Operating costs rise at a slower pace

The growth in operating expenses moderated during the review period, increasing by 6.4 per cent in August 2026, down from 19.5 per cent a year earlier.

The slower growth reflected more moderate increases in staff costs and a contraction in non-staff expenses.

However, provisions for depreciation, bad debts and impairment losses rose sharply by 76.3 per cent, reversing the 46.0 per cent contraction recorded in August 2025.

The increase in provisions added pressure to banks’ earnings, despite the slower growth in operating expenses.

Return on equity and assets decline

The slowdown in earnings was also reflected in the industry’s profitability ratios.

Return on Equity (ROE), which measures the returns generated on shareholders’ funds, fell to 22.2 per cent in August 2026 from 32.2 per cent a year earlier.

Similarly, Return on Assets (ROA), which measures how effectively banks use their assets to generate profits, declined to 4.3 per cent from 5.6 per cent over the same period.

The declines indicate that banks generated lower returns on both shareholders’ funds and their assets compared with August 2025.

Interest spread narrows

The banking industry’s interest spread, which measures the difference between interest earned and interest paid, narrowed to 5.9 per cent in August 2026 from 7.9 per cent in August 2025.

Gross yields also declined to 8.1 per cent from 11.6 per cent over the period.

The report further showed that the ratio of gross income to total assets, known as asset utilisation, fell to 7.3 per cent from 9.2 per cent.

Meanwhile, the profitability ratio recorded a marginal decline to 25.3 per cent in August 2026 from 25.4 per cent a year earlier.

The figures point to a banking sector that remained profitable but faced weaker interest earnings, narrowing spreads and higher impairment-related costs during the first eight months of 2026.

Pluralistic ignorance and the need to unlearn, learn, and relearn in Supply Chain Management

2026-10-19T05:41:04.703-07:00

Introduction

Pluralistic ignorance occurs when people privately question or reject a group norm but mistakenly believe that most others support it (Mendes, Lopez-Valeiras & Lunkes, 2017). Because each person remains silent, the group's false perception of consensus becomes self-reinforcing.

In supply chain management, this dynamic can allow outdated routines to survive. Employees, suppliers, and managers may doubt a forecast, sourcing policy, inventory assumption, or resilience plan, yet continue to support it publicly because they believe that senior leaders or other supply-chain partners endorse it. The direct literature linking pluralistic ignorance to supply chain management is still limited; research has not yet adequately connected the phenomenon's causes and consequences to organizational management processes (Mendes et al., 2017).

When silence makes obsolete practices look rational

Supply chains depend on distributed knowledge. Information about supplier constraints, quality failures, demand changes, transport bottlenecks, and customer requirements is dispersed across functions and organizational boundaries. When people do not voice concerns, decision-makers receive an incomplete picture of reality.

Research on pluralistic ignorance in organizational settings shows that employees may suppress their genuine opinions when they believe their views are in the minority. This weakens knowledge sharing and can reduce the quality of group decisions because the adopted solution may not have genuine support across the organization (Chumg, 2024).

The same mechanism can operate between companies. A buyer may assume that a supplier accepts a delivery requirement; the supplier may assume that the buyer understands a capacity constraint; and both may avoid raising the issue because they believe the other side already has the necessary information. In supply-failure studies, these "hidden expectations" are described as a relational problem in which both parties have incomplete information about the other's intentions and preferences (Kauppi et al., 2023). The result is not necessarily deception. It may be a shared failure to question assumptions.

This is particularly dangerous when a supply chain is successful for long enough to normalize a particular way of working. Low-cost sourcing, long lead times, single sourcing, narrow supplier relationships, or functionally isolated decision-making may become treated as common sense. The challenge is not merely to acquire new information. It is to make the organization willing to recognize that familiar knowledge may no longer fit its environment.

Unlearning is a strategic capability

Unlearning is the deliberate questioning and abandonment of knowledge, beliefs, or routines that obstruct adaptation. In supply chains, it may involve replacing adversarial supplier relationships with strategic collaboration, treating logistics as a source of business value rather than only a cost centre, or abandoning reactive risk management in favour of visibility beyond the first tier.

Practitioner evidence gathered during the COVID-19 period identified long lead times tied to offshore sourcing and "I win, you lose" supplier relationships as practices that organizations needed to reconsider ("Unlearning Supply Chain Management", 2021).

Academic work in food supply chains makes the case more cautious. Strategic unlearning can enable product and process innovation, business-model change, sustainability, and responses to emerging customer requirements. Yet unlearning can also destroy knowledge that remains essential. Manning, Morris and Birchmore (2023) argue that organizations must manage unlearning, learning, and relearning as an integrated knowledge process rather than simply discarding the past.

This distinction matters because resilience is not the same as constant change. A resilient supply chain must know which routines are obsolete, which capabilities should be retained, and which new practices require testing before they are scaled. A 2026 study found that resilience and robustness emerged from multiple configurations of absorptive capacity, unlearning, resource reconfiguration, and supply-chain memory; no single capability was universally sufficient (Alvarenga & Andrade Guedes, 2026).

Learning across the Supply-Chain Network

Learning in supply chain management is interorganizational. It occurs between focal businesses, suppliers, customers, logistics providers, and other partners.

Silvestre, Gong, Bessant and Blome (2023) describe four forms of supply-chain learning: captive, consortium, selective, and distributed. Their concept of the "learning supply chain" goes beyond occasional training or post-event reviews. The entire network continuously develops and diffuses knowledge through different learning arrangements (Silvestre et al., 2023).

This perspective exposes a weakness in organizations affected by pluralistic ignorance. If silence is mistaken for agreement, learning networks become channels for reproducing established assumptions rather than challenging them. Learning can even be harmful when organizations absorb outdated or irrelevant knowledge. Supply-chain learning research warns that the wrong knowledge can direct a supply chain toward inappropriate actions or overload its capacity to identify information that is more relevant to its strategy and context (Silvestre et al., 2023).

[caption id="attachment_73661" align="alignright" width="300"] Atoapem Frimpong Barimah, Head, Procurement, Stanbic Bank Ghana[/caption]

The design of the network also matters. A simulation study of a multi-tier supply chain found that better communication and rewards for participating companies could reduce learning costs and increase knowledge spillovers. Training, technology support, and supplier preferences were also found to shape learning behaviour across the network (Gong et al., 2024). These findings suggest that companies cannot rely on goodwill alone. They must create incentives and communication structures that make it worthwhile to disclose problems, exchange knowledge, and challenge dominant assumptions.

Relearning after disruption

Relearning means turning revised understanding into dependable practice. A supply chain may recognize that its supplier map is incomplete, learn about an alternative source, and still fail to change its operating model. Relearning closes that gap by incorporating new knowledge into planning, contracts, routines, performance measures, and relationships.

Studies on paradox cognition and supply-chain resilience support this iterative view. A study of 277 Chinese manufacturers found that paradox cognition, or the ability to recognize and work through competing demands, enhanced organizational unlearning, which then promoted both proactive and reactive dimensions of supply-chain resilience. Market turbulence strengthened the relationship between paradox cognition and unlearning (Zhang, Zhang & Feng, 2024).

The implication is that resilience depends partly on the ability to hold competing objectives together: efficiency and flexibility, standardization and experimentation, cost control and redundancy, and local optimization and system-wide performance.

The evidence also counsels against treating unlearning as a guaranteed solution. In a survey of organizations in Germany and Austria during the COVID-19 crisis, organizational learning positively affected resilience, particularly adaptive capacity, but the proposed moderating effect of unlearning was not supported (Orth & Schuldis, 2021). The supply-chain lesson is to treat unlearning as a capability to be developed and evaluated, not as an automatic source of resilience.

Building a culture that can change its mind

Supply-chain leaders can reduce pluralistic ignorance by making disagreement visible and safe. Useful routines include anonymous challenge channels, rotating "devil's advocate" roles, pre-mortems for sourcing and continuity plans, structured reviews of weak signals, and post-disruption discussions organized around three questions: what should stop, what should continue, and what should be redesigned?

These mechanisms work only when leaders distinguish silence from consensus. A meeting in which nobody objects does not demonstrate that a plan is understood or supported. Leaders should ask for independent judgments before group discussion, disclose uncertainty, invite evidence that would change the decision, and reward early escalation rather than retrospective blame. Such practices are consistent with studies showing that pluralistic ignorance is intensified by weak dialogue, restricted feedback, and power asymmetries, while inclusive and empowering leadership can help curb it (Mendes et al., 2017; Chumg, 2024).

Supply chains need to expose false consensus, unlearn routines that no longer fit, learn from partners and weak signals, and relearn by embedding tested alternatives. But they must preserve critical memory and avoid confusing novelty with improvement. Resilience comes from disciplined renewal: knowing when to challenge the status quo, what to retain, and how to make new knowledge usable across the entire supply-chain network.

Ghana must mobilize more domestic capital to finance economic growth – Stanbic CE

2026-10-19T05:23:28.005-07:00

Ghana must strengthen its capacity to mobilize domestic capital to finance economic growth and reduce its exposure to external financial shocks, President of the Ghana Association of Banks and Chief Executive of Stanbic Bank Ghana, Kwamina Asomaning, has said.

He said domestic savings could provide a more sustainable source of funding for productive sectors if the country developed appropriate investment opportunities and maintained the confidence of investors.

Speaking at the official listing of Cocoa Capital PLC’s inaugural commercial paper in Accra on October 14, 2026, Asomaning said government alone could not meet the country’s investment needs, making collaboration among banks, capital markets and domestic investors increasingly important.

Our economic aspirations require sustained investment in agriculture, infrastructure, manufacturing, trade and technology. Government cannot finance these requirements alone. Neither can traditional bank lending or external borrowing,” he said.

He noted that although external financing would continue to support Ghana’s development, mobilizing funds locally would strengthen the economy’s resilience to currency fluctuations and international refinancing risks.

The listing marked the first issuance under Cocoa Capital PLC’s GH¢16.3 billion note programme and the admission of its inaugural commercial paper to the Ghana Fixed Income Market.

The Series 1, Tranche 1 issuance attracted approximately GH¢3.59 billion in investor demand, of which GH¢3.395 billion was accepted and allocated at an annual interest rate of 11 per cent.

Asomaning said the transaction demonstrated the potential of coordinated action among financial institutions, regulators and investors to direct capital towards economic activity.

We therefore need a financial system in which banks and capital markets are not viewed as competitors, but as complementary parts of the same architecture for growth,” he said.

The proceeds will support the Ghana Cocoa Board’s (COCOBOD) cocoa bean purchasing requirements for the 2026/27 crop season. Mr. Asomaning said timely financing would help move cocoa from farmers through the licensed buying and marketing chain to international markets, supporting livelihoods, exports and foreign-exchange earnings.

He, however, cautioned that attracting investment would depend on transparency, accountability and the ability of borrowers to meet their obligations.

Capital follows confidence, and this confidence cannot be taken for granted. It must be earned through transparency, accountability, disciplined execution and the consistent fulfilment of obligations,” he said.

Asomaning also stressed that innovative financing instruments must be supported by reforms to address the cocoa sector’s structural challenges.

Kwamina Asomaning, Chief Executive, Stanbic Bank Ghana/ President, Ghana Association of Banks

He welcomed the legislative backing given to cocoa-sector reforms announced by the Minister for Finance, but urged their full and consistent implementation to provide greater certainty for investors and businesses across the value chain.

Asomaning said the success of the commercial paper programme would ultimately depend on the prudent use of proceeds, transparent administration and timely repayment.

He expressed hope that the inaugural issuance would deepen Ghana’s domestic capital market and demonstrate how collaboration across the financial sector could support productive growth.

On her part, the Managing Director of the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), Abena Amoah, urged Ghanaian businesses and institutions to explore the Exchange’s capital-raising opportunities to finance their growth.

She said the GSE offered multiple financing options, including equity, corporate bonds, commercial paper and sustainable financing instruments, which businesses could use to broaden their funding sources. “We hope this will encourage other public and private sector institutions to come talk to us and raise funds locally,” she said.

Amoah further disclosed that since January 2025, Ghana’s public capital markets had mobilized about GH¢6.8 billion for businesses and institutions through equity and debt issuance.

She also announced that the GSE was preparing to introduce the GSE Academy to help companies prepare for investment, improve engagement with investors and deepen public understanding of investment opportunities and risks.

“Customer experience must have a seat at the table” – Marketing Expert

2026-10-19T05:13:02.934-07:00

Head of Brand and Marketing at Stanbic Bank Ghana, Chidinma Braye-Yankee, has called on businesses to give customers a stronger voice in corporate decision-making, stressing that customer insights must shape business outcomes rather than serve merely as feedback for management.

She made the call at the CXP Ghana Conference & CXX Awards 2026, held at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, where she participated in a panel discussion on “How Leadership Drives Customer-Centric Transformation”.

She said organizations seeking to deliver meaningful customer experiences must move beyond listening to customers to ensuring their views influence the decisions that affect them. “Customer experience must have a seat at the table, but beyond that, it must have the necessary influence,” she said.

According to her, it is the responsibility of leaders to translate customer insights into practical improvements in products, services and business processes.

She noted that organizations often gather valuable information about customer needs and preferences but fail to use it to shape decisions. She argued that customer experience teams should be empowered to influence outcomes, ensuring that business strategies reflect what customers need.

Chidinma Braye-Yankee cited Stanbic Bank Ghana’s approach to naming its digital lending product, Instacash, as an example of how customer participation can inform business decisions.

She explained that, rather than relying exclusively on an internal naming exercise, the bank sought input from customers on what they would prefer the product to be called.

The feedback revealed different preferences, with female customers favoring a name associated with cash, while male customers leaned towards the idea of instant access. The bank brought both preferences together to arrive at the name Instacash.

She said the decision demonstrated the value of involving customers early in the product development process, even when it meant setting aside a name the organization had already considered.

We were willing to set aside a name we had already put on the product, just so customers could relate to it, understand it and appreciate it,” she explained.

Chidinma Braye-Yankee, Head, Brand and Marketing, Stanbic Bank Ghana

For Braye-Yankee, the experience illustrates why customer participation should extend beyond surveys and consultations. Businesses must be prepared to act on what they learn, including reconsidering existing decisions when customer feedback points to a better option.

She also distinguished between good customer service and a good customer experience, noting that the latter requires organizations to examine how their operations are designed, not simply how employees interact with customers at the frontline.

She referenced Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ practice of reserving an imaginary seat for the customer in boardroom discussions as a reminder that customer needs should remain central to business decisions.

Beyond strategy, she challenged leaders to personally experience the products and services they approve for customers. She said this would help identify shortcomings before offerings reach the market and reinforce accountability for service quality.

Leaders must begin to experience what we approve. We must begin to live what we preach,” she said.

The discussion highlighted the role of leadership in making customer-centricity part of everyday business practice, rather than treating it as a standalone customer service function.

MMFL pledges to improve MoMo services through customer feedback

2026-10-18T01:41:16.184-07:00

Mobile Money Fintech Limited (MMFL) has pledged to use customer feedback to improve its services and help users derive greater benefits from digital financial solutions.

The company gave the assurance at the maiden MoMo Cashless Conversations forum in Accra, an engagement platform designed to hear customers’ experiences, concerns and expectations regarding the use of the mobile money platform.

In a pre-recorded video message played at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of MMFL, Shaibu Haruna, said the company was committed to developing solutions that addressed customers’ needs and helped them improve their financial well-being.

Our promise is to help you do more with MoMo. That means going beyond payments to financial services,” he said.

Haruna said the company wanted customers to use digital finance to save and borrow responsibly, invest, plan for the future and grow their businesses with greater confidence.

He said the future of digital finance must be inclusive, secure and built on trust, adding that MMFL would continue to work with customers, regulators and partners to create opportunities across Ghana.

He also urged customers to observe security precautions when using the platform.

Never share your PIN or one-time password and never approve a transaction you did not initiate,” he cautioned.

Customer engagement

The Chief Customer Relations Officer of MTN Ghana, Jemima Kotei Walsh, said the forum was an opportunity for the company and its partners to engage customers directly and understand their concerns.

She said the engagement formed part of MTN Ghana’s 30th anniversary celebrations and the customer service month activities. Walsh added that the company wanted to understand what worked well for customers, the difficulties they encountered and the areas where they needed additional guidance.

She explained that customer experience depended on the collective efforts of agents, merchants, banks, fintech companies, lenders, technology providers and service teams.

Customer service months should be demonstrated, not only through messages, but through the practical improvements that customers can see and feel,” she said.

She encouraged participants to ask questions, explore the products on display and share their challenges, assuring them that their feedback would help improve communication, support and service delivery.

Tackling fraud

In an interview at the event, Papa Osei, Chief Legal, Regulatory Affairs and Reputation Management Officer at MMFL, said fraud awareness was among the key issues discussed with customers.

He said social engineering accounted for about 90 per cent of fraud-related activities and urged customers to report incidents promptly.

“First of all, customers need to protect themselves,” he said, adding that the company also had a responsibility to intensify public education.

He said MMFL would extend its awareness campaigns to markets, schools and churches to educate people on how to protect themselves, identify warning signs and avoid actions that could expose them to fraud.

Osei said the forum would continue, with customer feedback helping the company identify areas for improvement and show participants what had been done in response to their concerns.

He said a QR code was provided at the event to enable customers to share feedback and suggest improvements to the platform.

We want to be as close to the customer as possible,” he said, stressing that the initiative was about understanding customer needs and working collaboratively to address them.

Expanding financial services

Osei emphasized that the forum also provided an opportunity to educate customers on the advanced services available through the MoMo platform, including loans and investment. He encouraged customers to download the MoMo application and use the available services to their benefit.

He said MMFL worked with 23 banking partners, alongside other payment service providers, to deliver services to customers.

The Senior Manager for BankTech at MMFL, Yaw Saifa, said the forum was organised to celebrate customers and understand their challenges, concerns and ideas for improving service delivery.

He said the company wanted to reinforce confidence in MoMo as a platform for transactions, storing value and accessing financial services.

Saifa encouraged customers to reach out to the company whenever they had concerns, saying their feedback was important to helping MMFL serve them better.

Make the fraud angle more prominentTighten the story for publicationStrengthen the headline with fraud

MTN FA Cup: Historic two-legged final aldded to 2026/27 campaign as draw produces intriguing clashes

2026-10-15T04:43:16.972-07:00

The 2026/27 MTN FA Cup promises a historic twist, with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) introducing a two-legged final for the first time in Ghanaian domestic football as the road to the trophy begins on October 23.

The landmark announcement was made during the preliminary-round draw held at the GFA headquarters in Accra on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, where clubs from the lower divisions discovered their opponents for the opening stage of the competition.

The new final format will see the first leg played between June 5 and 7, 2027, with the return leg scheduled for June 12–13. According to Frank Nelson of the FA Cup Committee, the initiative will be introduced on a pilot basis, giving both finalists the opportunity to host a major cup fixture before their home supporters.

The two-legged final is a pilot project; however, if it works, it goes on,” he said, stressing the importance of community participation in this year's competition.

The draw, attended by football administrators, club representatives and the media, grouped participating clubs into 10 zones, setting the stage for a series of potentially exciting regional rivalries. Among the standout preliminary-round fixtures are Victory Club Warriors FC against Eleven Wonders FC, Real Tamale United versus Yapei United, Okwawu United against Kotoku Royals, Great Olympics versus MSK Zilina Africa FC, and Golden Kick SC against Attram De Visser.
Accra Lions FC will also face John Paintsil FC, while Tamale City FC take on Wa Power SC in another attractive northern-zone encounter. The pairings are expected to generate considerable interest among supporters and provide a platform for emerging talents to make their mark.

The preliminary round involves lower-division clubs competing for places in the Round of 64, where the 18 Ghana Premier League sides will join the contest. The competition will then progress through the Round of 32, quarter-finals and semi-finals before culminating in the historic two-legged final next June.

This year's campaign is being promoted under the theme “My MTN FA Cup, My Community,” with organisers encouraging chiefs, traditional authorities and residents to rally behind their local clubs and help create an exciting but peaceful tournament.

The FA Cup, which dates back to 1958, has long provided opportunities for clubs outside the traditional elite to challenge established football giants. MTN Ghana became headline sponsor ahead of the 2010/11 season, when Nania FC defeated Asante Kotoko 1–0 in the final, ushering in a new era for the competition.

The sponsorship continues to provide a national platform for local football talent, while the winning club earns the opportunity to represent Ghana in the CAF Confederation Cup, subject to the applicable qualification requirements.

Nations FC enter the new campaign as defending champions after defeating Dreams FC on penalties following a 1–1 draw after extra time in last season's final.
With community pride, local rivalries and the prospect of a new final format adding to the excitement, the 2026/27 MTN FA Cup promises another compelling journey towards the country's coveted knockout trophy.

IFEJ, Lands Ministry to Collaborate on Mining and Natural Resource Reporting

2026-10-14T05:19:55.173-07:00

The Institute of Financial and Economic Journalists (IFEJ) is seeking closer collaboration with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to strengthen specialised journalism on mining, forestry, land administration and natural resource governance in Ghana.

The initiative was discussed during a courtesy call by IFEJ on the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, to introduce the Institute and explore areas of cooperation with the Ministry and its agencies.

The engagement focused on improving journalists’ access to technical information, strengthening their understanding of sector policies and reforms, and promoting accurate, evidence-based reporting on the natural resources sector.

IFEJ proposed the establishment of an annual conference with the Ministry on mining, gold and natural resource governance, alongside training workshops, research publications and field visits to mining communities, galamsey-affected areas and sites undergoing land reclamation.

The Institute also proposed closer engagement with agencies under the Ministry and the possible signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide a framework for sustained collaboration.

IFEJ expressed its readiness to support public education by helping communicate government policies and initiatives through informed and responsible journalism.

Minister backs specialised journalism

Buah welcomed the initiative and expressed support for closer engagement between the Ministry and journalists specialising in economic and financial reporting.

He outlined ongoing and proposed reforms in the lands, forestry and mining sectors, including efforts to modernise land administration through technology, restore degraded forests and strengthen governance and accountability in mining.

The Minister highlighted the Tree for Life initiative, which seeks to restore degraded forest areas and promote tree planting, including among schoolchildren.

On mining, he said a new mining policy had received Cabinet approval, while further reforms were being pursued to strengthen governance, increase local participation and encourage responsible investment in the sector.

The proposed reforms also include community mining agreements designed to establish clearer development commitments between mining companies and host communities.

Other measures seek to strengthen Ghanaian participation in the mining industry, support medium-scale mining and increase local content. Proposed changes to mining licence arrangements are also intended to discourage speculative acquisition of licences and encourage genuine investment in mineral development.

Buah underscored the importance of specialised journalism in helping the public understand the complexities of the sector, including government policies, implementation challenges and the economic and social implications of mining and other natural resource activities.

Workshop to deepen journalists’ knowledge

As an initial step towards formal collaboration, the Minister agreed to facilitate a half-day workshop for IFEJ members, bringing together officials of the Ministry and heads of relevant agencies.

The workshop is expected to provide journalists with detailed briefings on sector policies, ongoing reforms, achievements and challenges, while offering an opportunity to ask questions and identify areas requiring further investigation and reporting.

The Minister also expressed his willingness to support subsequent engagements between IFEJ and the relevant agencies.

The proposed collaboration is expected to help journalists develop a deeper understanding of natural resource governance, improve access to technical expertise and produce more informed reports on developments in the lands, forestry and mining sectors.

For IFEJ, the engagement forms part of efforts to strengthen economic journalism in Ghana through professional development, institutional partnerships and responsible reporting on issues critical to the country's development.

Celebrating Customers: 30 Years Of Connection, Progress And Shared Impact - Customers Take Centre Stage During MTN Ghana Customer Service Month

2026-10-13T02:07:22.952-07:00

MTN Ghana is celebrating Customer Service Month by recognising the customers whose trust, feedback and loyalty have powered 30 years of connection and progress. Throughout the month, customers will be celebrated, rewarded and given more opportunities to shape how MTN serves them.

Under the theme, “Celebrating You: 30 Years of Progress, Powered by You,” the month-long programme brings together customers, employees and communities for engaging experiences across MTN Ghana’s physical and digital channels. It is both a celebration of the journey so far and a renewed commitment to listen, improve and deliver more meaningful customer experiences.

Customers will enjoy interactive activities at service centres, on digital platforms and across social media. Customer Fora and community outreach will create direct channels for listening and feedback; a Self-Service Webinar will help customers resolve needs more quickly and conveniently; and trivia on the MyMTN App and social media, Lucky Seat Challenges and the Wheel of Surprises will reward customers while making each interaction more engaging. Together, these activities are designed to equip customers with useful information, improve access to support and turn feedback into better experiences.

A key highlight will be “MoMo Made My Business,” a celebration of entrepreneurship and the real impact of mobile financial services. Three outstanding SME merchants will be recognised and rewarded for compelling stories of how MTN MoMo has helped their businesses grow, reach more customers and create opportunity. The winners will be announced during the month.

Commenting on the celebration, Jemima Kotei Walsh, Chief Customer Experience Officer of MTN Ghana, said: “This month is about celebrating the people who have powered our progress—our customers. For 30 years, their trust, loyalty and honest feedback have challenged us to keep improving. We are using this occasion not only to say thank you, but also to listen more closely and make every interaction simpler, more seamless and more meaningful.”

She added: “Every employee has a part to play in creating the experience our customers deserve. As we celebrate together, we are recommitting ourselves to turning customer feedback into action and ensuring that every touchpoint reflects how much we value them.”

The celebration also reinforces customer service as a shared responsibility across MTN Ghana. By bringing employees and customers closer together, the activities will provide practical insights to improve products, services and support, while giving customers more ways to engage, learn and be heard.

Customer Service Month goes beyond a calendar event: it is a celebration of shared progress and a promise to keep putting customers first. As MTN Ghana marks 30 years, it remains committed to learning from every interaction and building experiences that respond to customers’ evolving needs.

MTN climaxes 2026 Suncity Fest with football gala, music concert

2026-10-12T08:19:28.616-07:00

MTN Ghana has climaxed its 2026 Suncity Festival in Sunyani, Bono Region, with a community football gala and music concert as part of activities marking the telecommunications company’s 30th anniversary.

In the inter-community soccer gala, Odumase defeated Baakoniaba 2-0 in the final to lift the trophy. The match, played at the Twene Amanfo Senior High School Park on Sunday, saw Derrick Frimpong and Raphael Bona score to secure victory for Odumase.

The champions received GH¢30,000, while runners-up Baakoniaba took home GH¢20,000. Osman Kingsley of Baakoniaba was adjudged the tournament’s overall best player, while Derrick Frimpong, popularly known as Oman, emerged top scorer with three goals. Players also received MTN-branded souvenirs.

The competition featured 16 communities, including Sunyani Town, Area One, Fiapre, Penkwasi and Abesim Koonum.

The festival also featured a music concert at Sunyani Coronation Park on Saturday night, attracting thousands of patrons. Headline performers Fancy Gadam and Dope Nation, alongside other artistes, entertained the crowd.

Other activities included a walkathon and free health screening to promote healthy living, with the festival combining sports, music and health initiatives to encourage community engagement.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, MTN’s Bono Regional Manager, Kofi Owusu, described the event as a success, citing strong public interest and participation compared with last year’s edition.

He commended the teams for their discipline and sportsmanship, adding that MTN would address shortcomings identified during the competition to improve future editions. He also reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote community cohesion.

The Chief Executive Officer of Suncity Group of Companies, Ransford Antwi, commended the participating teams and football fans for their involvement in the three-week programme.

The 2026 MTN Suncity Festival was jointly organised by MTN Ghana and Suncity Group of Companies.

REAC urges stakeholders to comply with Act or face sanctions

2026-10-12T08:00:12.851-07:00

The Real Estate Agency Council (REAC) has urged real estate practitioners, developers, brokers, agents, and other industry stakeholders in Ghana’s real estate sector to comply with the Real Estate Agency Act, 2020 (Act 1047), cautioning that breaches could attract administrative sanctions, licence suspension or revocation, and criminal penalties.

Speaking during a UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Akka Kappa Ghana LTD. webinar on “Building Trust in Ghana's Real Estate Market: The Role of the Real Estate Agency Council (REAC), Compliance Requirements, and Enforcement”, the Head of Anti-Money Laundering and Compliance at REAC, David Pappoe, explained that administrative sanctions included a fine of 1,000 penalty units, which he put at GH¢12,000, for such breaches as failing to comply with requirements or display a certificate or licence in an office.

For criminal offences such as operating or advertising without a license, falsifying documents, and accepting cash payments, Pappoe said the penalties ranged from 5,000 to 10,000 penalty units or five to 10 years’ imprisonment.

Section 22 says that no person must provide real estate services as a broker or agent, or engage in any transaction without a license from REAC. So, that means when you operate without a license, it’s a criminal offense”, Pappoe remarked.

He added, “It is a cashless sector now for real estate. Not even GHS1 must be taken in the form of cash…When you accept cash, then it means you are in breach of the Act”.

He, therefore, urged members of the public to verify the licence status of real estate practitioners before engaging them, and to report suspicious/cash transactions to the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) and issues involving clients, developers, brokers, or agents to REAC.

Understanding Act 1047 and REAC’s regulatory mandate

Pappoe explained that Parliament enacted the Real Estate Agency Act, 2020 (Act 1047) to regulate real estate practice and commercial real estate transactions, including the sale, purchase, rental and leasing of property. The law also established REAC as the statutory regulator of the sector.

He said the council’s mandate includes licensing and registering practitioners, maintaining a national register of real estate operators, publishing lists of licensed practitioners in good standing, setting professional standards, inspecting premises, and enforcing discipline across the industry.

The Act regulates developers, brokerage firms, brokers, agents, property managers, marketers, salespersons and any individual providing real estate services.

On compliance obligations, he stated that all practitioners must use REAC-issued forms, maintain a cashless operating environment, keep separate client accounts, preserve records for at least five years, submit quarterly transaction reports and annual audited accounts, and obtain professional indemnity cover.

Support from industry stakeholders

A lawyer at Legal Ink in association with Clyde & Co, Ethel Elizabeth Abruquah, agreed that stronger regulation is critical to improving confidence in Ghana’s property market and protecting buyers from fraudulent transactions. She encouraged prospective property purchasers to retain lawyers and undertake extensive due diligence before committing funds.

Before committing to acquiring property in Ghana, it is very important to make your own independent verifications,” she said, adding that buyers should verify ownership, conduct searches at the Lands Commission, and undertake additional checks where necessary.

On anti-money laundering obligations, she explained that brokers, agents and lawyers are designated accountable institutions under Ghana’s anti-money laundering framework and must report suspicious transactions, conduct customer verification and comply with record-keeping requirements.

For his part, Director of Akka Kappa LTD., Edoardo Castagna, remarked that “The introduction of REAC has been extremely important,” describing it as a major step towards professionalising the industry. He said the Council was helping to establish baseline standards, introduce accountability, and distinguish licensed professionals from informal operators.

Castagna, however, noted that trust challenges- a major issue in the property market, often stem from information asymmetry, difficulties verifying property ownership, and the continued presence of informal operators.

He was optimistic that greater public awareness of REAC’s role would help sanitise the sector and improve confidence among investors, buyers and tenants.

The two panellists urged the public to undertake proper due diligence, work only with licensed practitioners and make use of available legal and regulatory channels when concerns arise.

From regulation to implementation

The Acting Chief Executive Officer of REAC, Emmanuel Jeffrey, said the Council was working to strengthen implementation of the Act through licensing, collaboration with other institutions, public education, and increased regulatory oversight.

He identified licensing as a key priority because it enabled the Council to establish a database of people operating in the sector.

The most important thing for me is the licensing,” he said, explaining that the objective was to ensure that everyone practising real estate in the country was registered and that the Council had data on practitioners.

Jeffrey also highlighted the Council’s collaboration with institutions including the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), Bank of Ghana, Lands Commission, Ghana Revenue Authority and other stakeholders to ensure compliance with the Act.

We don't work in isolation. We work in collaboration with institutional bodies to ensure the right thing is done”.

The Council is also taking steps to address unregistered operators advertising properties, as well as working with assemblies and other stakeholders on measures to ensure compliance with the Act.

Jeffrey assured the public that the Council will continue its sensitisation efforts to promote awareness of the Real Estate Act, and entreated the public to engage with only REAC-licensed agents, brokers, and developers.

The webinar, moderated by Michael Taabavi, Trade and Investment Advisor for Infrastructure and Energy at the UK Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, also explored how practitioners can obtain REAC licences, the different licensing routes and requirements; Ghana’s Anti-Money Laundering Act and its relationship with the Real Estate Act; and the Council’s code of conduct and ethics.

MMFL Eyes Fractional Gold Investments to Expand Access for Ordinary Ghanaians

2026-10-12T03:24:31.600-07:00

MobileMoney Fintech Limited (MMFL) is exploring opportunities to use digital assets and tokenisation to make investment products, including gold, more accessible to ordinary Ghanaians, potentially allowing people to build assets through small, regular contributions.

The initiative forms part of the company’s broader strategy to deepen financial inclusion by integrating investment, savings and insurance services into everyday digital transactions.

Chief Executive Officer of MMFL, Shaibu Haruna, said tokenisation could help overcome the financial barriers that prevent many people from investing in assets such as gold, which often require substantial upfront capital.

Speaking at a stakeholder engagement with the media on Friday, Haruna said digital technology could enable investors to acquire fractional interests in assets, allowing them to invest according to their financial capacity.

Why don’t we individually have gold?” he asked, highlighting the gap between Ghana’s position as a major gold producer and the ability of ordinary citizens to invest in the precious metal.

He explained that tokenisation could make it possible for individuals to purchase small fractions of gold rather than having to acquire an entire unit or a large quantity at once.

If you fractionalise gold and say you have, like, a GH¢10 gold, somebody can decide to buy GH¢10 every day as a fraction that they want to invest in gold,” he said.

According to him, such an approach could allow individuals to gradually build investment portfolios and liquidate their holdings when necessary, subject to the design and regulation of the products.

Haruna said MMFL was interested in partnering with regulated financial institutions to explore opportunities in the digital asset market as Ghana develops the regulatory framework for such activities.

He expressed optimism that clearer regulatory guidelines would support the safe introduction of digital asset services, potentially opening up new investment opportunities for consumers.

Embedded finance to widen access

Beyond digital assets, Haruna said MMFL was exploring embedded finance as another means of making financial products more accessible.

Embedded finance involves integrating services such as insurance, savings, credit and investments into platforms or transactions that consumers already use.

He explained that customers could be given the option to direct small amounts from routine purchases towards investment or insurance products, reducing the need to make separate payments. For instance, a customer could choose to allocate a portion of money spent on everyday purchases towards a savings or investment product.

Haruna said the approach could help reduce barriers to participation in formal financial services, particularly for people who find it difficult to commit larger amounts to savings or insurance at once.

He added that partnerships with other financial service providers would be important to developing and delivering such products.

Digital finance beyond payments

The MMFL chief executive said Ghana had made significant progress in mobile money adoption, but the next phase of development should go beyond basic transfers, cash-ins and cash-outs.

He said the industry needed to develop services that responded more directly to the financial needs of individuals and small businesses, including access to investments, insurance and other financial products.

Haruna also highlighted the importance of improving digital platforms to make services easier to access and use.

He said MMFL was working towards a more integrated mobile application that could bring together services from different partners and provide customers with a simpler way to access them.

The company, he added, would continue to serve customers using USSD while encouraging smartphone users to adopt the application for a more convenient digital experience.

Regulatory safeguards remain critical

The expansion of digital assets and embedded financial services will require appropriate safeguards to protect consumers and maintain confidence in the financial system.

At the same engagement, a representative of the Bank of Ghana’s FinTech and Innovation Department urged the media and the public to verify whether financial service providers were properly licensed to offer the products they advertise.

The regulator stressed that the use of technology or the availability of an application does not automatically authorise a company to provide every category of financial service.

For MMFL, collaboration with regulated institutions and compliance with applicable requirements will be essential as it explores new digital financial products.

Haruna said the company remained committed to working with regulators and industry partners to expand access to financial services while maintaining the security and trust required for the digital finance ecosystem to grow.

MobileMoney Targets Micro Businesses for Growth, Eyes Digital Investment Services

2026-10-12T02:33:39.267-07:00

MobileMoney Fintech Limited (MMFL) has pledged to deepen support for Ghanaian micro and small businesses through tailored financial services, digital solutions and improved access to investment products, as it seeks to advance financial inclusion and strengthen the country’s digital financial ecosystem.

Chief Executive Officer of MMFL, Shaibu Haruna, said the company was shifting greater attention towards micro-enterprises, many of which continue to face challenges separating personal finances from business funds, accessing credit and adopting digital payment systems.

Speaking at a stakeholder engagement with the media on Friday, Haruna said the company intended to develop solutions that addressed the specific needs of small businesses rather than treating them solely as individual consumers.

We need to evolve our businesses, our micro businesses,” he said, stressing the importance of helping small-scale entrepreneurs move beyond subsistence operations towards sustainable growth.

He said although Ghana had made significant progress in digital financial services, many micro-enterprises remained underserved and continued to rely heavily on cash transactions.

According to him, MMFL would work with industry partners to identify promising small businesses, understand their challenges and provide services that could support their growth.

Haruna cited the example of a woman selling avocados who had used money intended for her business to meet personal expenses during a period of illness.

The experience, he said, illustrated the difficulties faced by entrepreneurs who did not maintain a clear separation between household finances and business capital.

The separation is very necessary as a key step to unlocking growth in our businesses,” he said.

He added that MMFL wanted to profile and support such entrepreneurs through a more deliberate approach to micro-enterprise development, helping them build stronger businesses and create employment.

Digital payments and investment opportunities

Haruna said the company was also exploring ways to integrate financial services into customers’ everyday transactions, making products such as savings, insurance and investments more accessible.

He explained that embedded finance could allow customers to allocate small amounts from routine purchases towards investment or insurance products, reducing the barriers associated with making separate financial commitments.

For instance, customers could choose to direct a portion of their spending towards an investment or insurance product through a digital platform.

He also highlighted the potential of digital assets, particularly the tokenisation of assets such as gold, to expand investment opportunities for ordinary Ghanaians.

Tokenisation could allow investors to purchase fractional interests in assets rather than having to buy them in large quantities, potentially making investments more accessible to people with limited incomes.

Haruna said the company was interested in working with regulated institutions to explore these opportunities as Ghana’s regulatory framework for digital assets develops.

He expressed hope that the relevant guidelines would be introduced and operationalised to support the safe development of the market.

MMFL pushes mobile money app adoption

The MMFL chief executive also outlined plans to improve customers’ experience through its mobile money application, describing the move as part of efforts to modernise access to digital financial services.

He said the traditional Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) platform remained important, particularly for customers who did not use smartphones, but its menu-based structure could make it cumbersome to navigate.

The mobile application, he explained, could provide a more intuitive experience by allowing customers to access frequently used services more easily and bringing offerings from different partners into a single digital environment.

“The app provides the opportunity for us to intuitively provide services to customers,” he said, adding that the company would encourage smartphone users to migrate to the application while continuing to serve customers who depended on USSD.

He said the objective was to make digital financial services easier to access without excluding customers who lacked smartphones or faced other barriers to adoption.

Fraud prevention and cybersecurity

Haruna identified fraud prevention and cybersecurity as central to the company’s operations, emphasising that customer trust was essential to the growth of digital financial services.

He said MMFL continued to invest in security systems and worked with the Bank of Ghana and other stakeholders to strengthen the protection of digital transactions.

However, he noted that safeguarding the ecosystem required cooperation among service providers, partners and customers.

He urged customers to adopt safe digital practices, explaining that weaknesses in one part of the ecosystem could expose other participants to risks.

Earlier, Anita Ayivi, Head of the Licensing and Authorisation Office at the Bank of Ghana’s FinTech and Innovation Department, urged journalists to verify the regulatory status of digital financial service providers before reporting on or promoting their products.

She said the Payment Systems and Services Act, 2019 (Act 987), provides for licensing, authorisation, technology security, oversight and reporting requirements for payment service providers.

An institution uses technology; that does not necessarily mean it is authorised to provide every financial service,” she cautioned.

Ayivi also urged the media to distinguish between fraud, cybersecurity incidents, service disruptions and regulatory breaches, noting that the terms describe different situations and should not be used interchangeably without verified facts.

She encouraged journalists to consult the Bank of Ghana’s published information on licensed institutions and seek clarification where the regulatory status of a provider or product was unclear.

Media urged to support financial inclusion

Chief Executive Officer of the Digital Chamber Ghana, Sylvia Ankomah, called on journalists to deepen their understanding of developments in the fintech sector and ask informed questions about emerging products, risks and opportunities.

She said Ghana had made considerable progress in digital financial services but still had opportunities to expand access to insurance, pensions, savings and other financial products.

Ankomah noted that collaboration between industry players, regulators and the media would be important in educating consumers and strengthening confidence in legitimate digital financial services.

Paapa Osei, Head of Legal & Reputation Management at MMFL, also welcomed the media engagement, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen collaboration and improve public understanding of the company’s operations following its structural separation from MTN Ghana.

He said constructive engagement with the media could help promote accurate reporting and contribute to stability in the digital financial services sector.

Haruna said MMFL remained committed to working with regulators, fintech companies and other partners to expand financial inclusion, support Ghanaian businesses and make digital financial services safer and more accessible.

AWARFA-N Ghana Donates 31 Crates of Eggs to Ga North Assembly, Promotes Healthy Eating

2026-10-12T00:58:27.379-07:00

The African Women in Animal Resources Farming and Agribusiness Network Ghana (AWARFA-N Ghana) has donated 31 crates of eggs and 300 cooked eggs to the Ga North Municipal Assembly as part of activities marking World Egg Day 2026, while urging Ghanaians to embrace egg consumption to improve nutrition and strengthen food security.

The celebration, held on Friday, October 9, at the Assembly’s conference room, brought together Assembly Members, Unit Committee Members, management, staff and workers to raise awareness of the nutritional benefits of eggs and their contribution to employment and livelihoods.

Speaking on behalf of AWARFA-N Ghana, the organisation’s General Secretary, Dora Kwarteng, encouraged participants to make eggs a regular part of their diets, describing them as an affordable source of essential nutrients for healthy living.

The egg is a simple but highly nutritious food. It provides quality protein and important vitamins and minerals needed for the growth and development of children, the strength of adults, and the overall well-being of families,” she said.

She noted that eggs contributed not only to household nutrition but also to employment and income generation for poultry farmers, traders, transporters, processors and other businesses along the poultry value chain.

Supporting egg production, therefore, means supporting food security, employment and livelihoods,” Ms Kwarteng said.

She urged consumers to support local poultry farmers by purchasing locally produced eggs, adding that stronger demand would help sustain businesses and improve livelihoods across the industry.

Promoting nutrition and local poultry production

The celebration was held under the theme, “The Egg for a Healthy Life and a Stronger Future,” to highlight the role of eggs in human nutrition, public health, food security and sustainable livelihoods.

Kwarteng explained that World Egg Day provided an opportunity to educate the public about the benefits of egg consumption while recognising the contribution of farmers and other actors who ensure that eggs reach consumers.

She also called for safe production practices, the supply of quality eggs, proper handling and hygienic preparation to protect consumers.

One egg provides quality protein and essential nutrients. One egg can support the growth and development of a child, and one egg can provide income for a farmer, trader or processor,” she said.

The distribution of 31 crates of eggs and 300 cooked eggs formed part of AWARFA-N Ghana’s public education and community engagement efforts to encourage greater appreciation and consumption of eggs.

Women’s role in agribusiness

The Greater Accra Regional President of AWARFA-N Ghana, Florence Kotey Dzokoto, also highlighted the nutritional benefits of eggs and encouraged community members to incorporate them into their daily meals.

Other national executives who participated in the celebration included the National Organiser, Rose Awuye.

Established in 2019, AWARFA-N Ghana is the Ghana chapter of a continental network initiated by the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) under the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa (Live2Africa) project.

The network seeks to empower women to establish viable livelihoods and competitive enterprises in the animal resources sector through advocacy, training, capacity building, and improved access to finance and markets.

It also aims to strengthen women’s skills in animal resources farming and agribusiness, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to food security and economic development.

Kwarteng said empowering women in the poultry value chain was essential to building sustainable businesses and strengthening the sector’s contribution to the national economy.

Call for collective action

AWARFA-N Ghana expressed appreciation to the Ga North Municipal Assembly for hosting the delegation and providing a platform to engage Assembly Members, staff and workers on the importance of eggs to healthy living and economic development.

The organisation called for greater collaboration among consumers, farmers, government and industry stakeholders to make eggs more accessible and affordable in Ghanaian households.

It reiterated its commitment to promoting egg consumption, supporting women in animal resources farming and agribusiness, and advocating a stronger and more sustainable poultry industry.

The celebration ended with a call to action: “Eat an Egg Today for a Healthy Tomorrow!”

MTN Ghana’s Mini MBA Equips SMEs with Digital, Financial Skills for Growth

2026-10-11T09:08:36.203-07:00

MTN Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with business management training, digital solutions and post-training monitoring to help entrepreneurs improve their operations, create jobs and contribute to economic growth.

The commitment was highlighted at the graduation of participants in the MTN NOVA Business School's Mini MBA programme, a 13-week capacity-building initiative under its year-long SME Accelerate programme.

Mohamed Abubakar Siddiq, Senior Manager for SME Sales, Business Partnership and Fibre Broadband at MTN Ghana, said the programme was designed to address business management gaps identified through the company’s SME clinics.

Strategically, the Mini MBA is part of the year-long SME Accelerate programme that we have put together. Throughout the journey, we have identified certain gaps within the SMEs through what we call SME clinics,” he said.

He explained that while the SME clinics typically lasted two days, the Mini MBA provided more extensive training in strategic financing, business sustainability, bookkeeping and digitalisation.

This is a build-up on the SME clinics that we had. We are doing capability building to bring them together for a longer period of 13 weeks so that they can be taught strategic financing, sustainability, how to keep their books and how to adopt digitisation as part of their business for them to grow,” Siddiq said.

The programme was organised in collaboration with NOVA Business School Africa to help participating businesses address identified weaknesses and develop the skills needed to scale their operations.

According to Siddiq, MTN Ghana organised six SME clinics in 2026, through which businesses were assessed and participants identified for additional support based on their needs.

He said the Mini MBA was open to the general public, with particular attention given to entrepreneurs who had participated in the SME clinics. The graduates were then organised into three groups comprising men, women and a mixed cohort.

MTN to track impact on businesses

Siddiq said MTN Ghana would work with its partners to monitor participants after graduation to ensure they applied the knowledge acquired during the programme.

We are going to monitor them and ensure that whatever they have learnt, they are really putting it into practice so that all the good things they have learnt will not fall through the cracks,” he noted.

NOVA Business School Africa is responsible for following up on Mini MBA participants, while SMEGA supports monitoring for businesses that participated in the SME clinics.

Siddiq said MTN Ghana intended to continue the Mini MBA annually, describing the 2026 graduation as the culmination of the year-long SME Accelerate programme.

MTN urges entrepreneurs to apply lessons

Angela Mensah-Poku, Chief Enterprise Business Officer of MTN Ghana, challenged the graduates to translate the knowledge gained into practical improvements in their businesses rather than treating the graduation ceremony as the end of their learning journey.

She said SMEs needed to strengthen their capacity to respond to changing customer expectations, increased competition, digital disruption and economic pressures.

At MTN, we believe that when SMEs succeed, communities succeed, industries thrive and economies become stronger. Small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of economic activity,” she said.

Mensah-Poku explained that business support should go beyond providing technology and productivity tools to include the knowledge and skills entrepreneurs need to build sustainable enterprises.

She encouraged graduates to implement their learning, share knowledge with their teams, create employment and mentor other entrepreneurs.

As you return to your businesses, take your teams with you, share the knowledge, implement your ideas, create jobs, mentor other entrepreneurs and continue to contribute to a stronger private sector,” she urged.

She added that MTN Ghana measured its contribution not only by the products and services it offered but also by the growth of the businesses it supported.

Graduate cites improvements in business management

One of the graduates, Nana Abenaa Oforiwa Kwao-Adotey, founder of SinceShea, a beauty and personal care brand producing eco-friendly skin and hair care products using shea butter, black soap and essential oils, said the programme had changed her approach to financial management, digital marketing and team building.

She said the training helped her identify weaknesses in her business, particularly in bookkeeping and the use of digital tools to measure performance.

Coming on board, I thought I was doing the best, but I wasn't seeing results in terms of my numbers and also my statistics. But coming on board, I realised that there was so much I wasn't doing,” she said.

Kwao-Adotey said she had learnt the importance of keeping accurate financial records to understand her business performance and make informed decisions.

I have learnt to keep the right records because if I don't know my numbers, then obviously I cannot tell where my business is going to,” she said.

She also identified branding and digital marketing as areas requiring further investment, explaining that the programme had encouraged her to go beyond an earlier rebranding exercise.

As part of her 90-day business improvement plan, she said she had begun developing a comprehensive catalogue for her business WhatsApp page and working to optimise her website.

The training also changed her approach to recruitment, particularly the tendency among some women entrepreneurs to employ family members and friends without adequately assessing their skills.

She said she now recognised the importance of recruiting people with the right competencies to achieve business objectives.

I'm working out of this programme better than I came on board, and my business has already started seeing growth in the right areas,” she said.

Building a stronger SME sector

The SME Accelerate programme reflects MTN Ghana's efforts to combine technology with practical business education to help entrepreneurs strengthen their operations.

Through training in financial management, sustainability, digital adoption, marketing and leadership, the initiative seeks to equip business owners with the tools to improve competitiveness and build more resilient enterprises.

The programme's emphasis on post-training monitoring is also intended to help participants turn classroom lessons into practical changes that can support long-term business growth.

For entrepreneurs such as Kwao-Adotey, the next phase will involve implementing their business improvement plans, strengthening internal systems and using digital tools to reach customers and manage operations more effectively.

World Egg Day: WIPVaC Donates Eggs to Madina Assembly, Pushes for a Stronger Poultry Industry

2026-10-11T03:11:48.313-07:00

The Women in Poultry Value Chain (WIPVaC-Apex Ghana) has marked World Egg Day with an egg donation to the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly, calling for increased support for women in the poultry industry to boost production, create jobs and strengthen Ghana’s food security.

The donation formed part of the organisation’s corporate social responsibility activities aimed at promoting egg consumption, raising public awareness of its nutritional benefits and strengthening relationships with stakeholders.

The National President of WIPVaC, Mavis Wobill, said the celebration was an opportunity to recognise the enormous contribution of eggs to nutrition, livelihoods and food security, while highlighting the important role women play in poultry production.

She said women in the poultry value chain remained critical to ensuring access to nutritious food for families and communities, adding that sustained support for local egg production was necessary to strengthen the industry and improve livelihoods.

Madam Wobill called on the public, government and industry stakeholders to promote egg consumption, support local poultry farmers and empower more women to participate and succeed in the sector.

Let us continue to support local egg production, promote the nutritional benefits of eggs, and empower more women to participate and succeed in the poultry industry.” She noted.

Emmanuela Kpeli, National Secretary of the WIPVaC Apex Body, said the organisation decided to share eggs with staff of the Assembly in appreciation of its continued support, including providing office space for its regional meetings.

She said World Egg Day, celebrated on the first Friday in October, offered an opportunity to educate the public on the nutritional value of eggs and encourage greater consumption.

Emmanuela Kpeli, National Secretary of the WIPVaC Apex Body

According to her, eggs provide high-quality protein and other essential nutrients that contribute to a balanced diet, including for pregnant women.

We believe we should not enjoy the benefits of eggs alone. We want to share them with our stakeholders and partners who have supported us over the years,” she said.

Madam Kpeli disclosed that this year, WIPVaC extended the celebration to the Madina Market, where it distribute boiled eggs to kayayei (head porters) to enable them to benefit from the nutritional value of eggs.

She said the organisation had undertaken similar outreach activities over the years, donating to schools, orphanages and psychiatric hospitals, while engaging media organisations to promote public education on poultry production and egg consumption.

Despite its outreach efforts, Madam Kpeli said the poultry industry continued to face significant operational and financial challenges that threatened the sustainability of businesses, particularly those owned by women.

She identified fluctuating feed prices as one of the major concerns confronting poultry farmers, explaining that unpredictable production costs made business planning difficult and affected profitability.

Access to credit also remained a challenge, she said, as some financial institutions considered poultry farming a high-risk venture and were reluctant to provide loans to operators in the sector.

The industry had also experienced periods of egg glut and declining sales, forcing some farmers and traders to depend on personal resources to sustain their businesses.

Madam Kpeli called on the government to introduce policies that would strengthen the poultry industry, improve access to affordable financing and provide greater support for women entrepreneurs.

She urged women not to regard poultry farming as an occupation reserved for men, stressing that increased female participation could contribute significantly to agricultural development, job creation and national food security.

For her part, Emmanuella Ayeboah, Principal Human Resource Manager of the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly, expressed appreciation to WIPVaC for the donation and the public education accompanying the initiative.

She said the engagement had helped highlight the health and nutritional benefits of eggs, which remain a common food in many Ghanaian households.

Ayeboa reaffirmed the Assembly’s appreciation for its relationship with WIPVaC and expressed hope that the partnership would continue to grow.

WIPVaC represents women engaged in various aspects of the poultry value chain, including poultry farming, egg trading, processing, feed milling, imports and the supply of poultry inputs. The organization would continue collaborating with stakeholders to promote egg consumption, support women in the poultry value chain and contribute to Ghana’s food security agenda.

WIPVaC, AWARFA-N Ghana Push Egg Consumption, Call for Stronger Poultry Industry

2026-10-11T02:53:37.356-07:00

The Women in Poultry Value Chain (WIPVaC-Apex Ghana) and the African Women in Animal Resources Farming and Agribusiness Network Ghana (AWARFA-N Ghana) have called for increased egg consumption and stronger support for local poultry farmers, particularly women, to improve nutrition, create jobs and strengthen Ghana’s food security.

The calls were made during activities to mark World Egg Day 2026, which highlighted the nutritional benefits of eggs and the contribution of the poultry industry to livelihoods and economic development.

As part of its corporate social responsibility activities, WIPVaC donated eggs to the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly in recognition of the Assembly’s support for the organisation, including the provision of office space for its regional meetings.

The organisation also extended its outreach to the Madina Market, where it distributed boiled eggs to kayayei (head porters) to promote awareness of the nutritional benefits of egg consumption.

The National President of WIPVaC, Mavis Wobill, said World Egg Day provided an opportunity to recognise the contribution of eggs to nutrition and food security while drawing attention to the important role women play in poultry production.

She called on government, the public and industry stakeholders to support local egg production and create more opportunities for women in the poultry value chain.

Let us continue to support local egg production, promote the nutritional benefits of eggs, and empower more women to participate and succeed in the poultry industry,” she said.

WIPVaC highlights challenges facing poultry farmers

The National Secretary of the WIPVaC Apex Body, Emmanuela Kpeli, said the organisation’s donation to the Assembly was intended to share the benefits of eggs with stakeholders who had supported its activities over the years.

We believe we should not enjoy the benefits of eggs alone. We want to share them with our stakeholders and partners who have supported us over the years,” she said.

Kpeli explained that eggs provided high-quality protein and other essential nutrients needed for a balanced diet, adding that public education was necessary to encourage greater consumption.

She said WIPVaC had undertaken similar outreach activities over the years, including donations to schools, orphanages and psychiatric hospitals, while engaging media organisations to promote public awareness of poultry production and egg consumption.

Emmanuela Kpeli, National Secretary of the WIPVaC Apex Body

However, she noted that poultry farmers continued to face operational and financial challenges that threatened the sustainability of their businesses, particularly those owned by women.

Among the major concerns were fluctuating feed prices, limited access to affordable credit, periods of egg glut and declining sales.

She said unpredictable feed costs made production planning difficult and affected profitability, while some financial institutions were reluctant to lend to poultry businesses because they considered the sector risky.

These challenges, she explained, had forced some farmers and traders to rely on personal resources to keep their businesses running during difficult periods.

Kpeli therefore called on the government to introduce policies that would strengthen the poultry industry, improve access to affordable financing and provide targeted support for women entrepreneurs.

She also encouraged more women to enter the sector, stressing that poultry farming should not be regarded as an occupation reserved for men.

In her view, greater female participation in poultry production and related businesses could contribute to agricultural development, employment generation and national food security.

AWARFA-N Ghana highlights nutrition and livelihoods

Separately, the General Secretary of AWARFA-N Ghana, Dora Kwarteng, urged Ghanaians to make eggs a regular part of their diets and support local poultry farmers, describing eggs as an important source of nutrition and income.

The egg is a simple but highly nutritious food. It provides quality protein and important vitamins and minerals needed for the growth and development of children, the strength of adults, and the overall well-being of families,” the General Secretary said.

She noted that the benefits of eggs extended beyond household nutrition, as the industry provided employment and income opportunities for farmers, women, young people, traders, transporters and processors.

Supporting egg production, therefore, means supporting food security, employment and livelihoods,” she said.

The General Secretary also urged stakeholders to promote safe production, ensure the supply of quality eggs, and observe proper handling and hygienic preparation practices.

She encouraged consumers to recognise the connection between supporting local poultry farmers and strengthening the domestic economy.

One egg provides quality protein and essential nutrients. One egg can support the growth and development of a child, and one egg can provide income for a farmer, trader or processor,” she stressed.

AWARFA-N Ghana was established in 2019 as the Ghana chapter of a continental network initiated by the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources under the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa (L2Africa) project.

The network seeks to support women in building viable livelihoods and competitive enterprises in the animal resources sector through advocacy, training, capacity building, and access to finance and markets.

Madina Assembly welcomes initiative

The Principal Human Resource Manager of the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly, Emmanuella Ayeboah, expressed appreciation to WIPVaC for the donation and its efforts to educate the public about the nutritional benefits of eggs.

She said the engagement had helped draw attention to the health benefits of eggs, which remain a common food in many Ghanaian households.

Ayeboah reaffirmed the Assembly’s appreciation for its relationship with WIPVaC and expressed hope that the partnership would continue to grow.

WIPVaC represents women engaged in various segments of the poultry value chain, including poultry farming, egg trading, processing, feed milling, imports and the supply of poultry inputs.

Both organisations reaffirmed the importance of collaboration among government, industry players, farmers and consumers to improve egg consumption, strengthen local poultry production and expand opportunities for women in agribusiness.

The celebration ended with a call for Ghanaians to embrace the message: “Eat an Egg Today for a Healthy Tomorrow!”

Government challenges MTN to use One TV to build Ghana’s creative economy

2026-10-08T12:20:28.488-07:00

Government has challenged MTN Ghana to position its newly launched MTN One TV as more than a streaming platform by investing in local content, talent development and the wider creative industry ecosystem.

Deputy Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Mohammed Adams Sukparu, said the platform should not only distribute Ghanaian content but also help creators earn sustainable incomes and build viable businesses from their work.

Speaking at the launch of MTN One TV, Sukparu, who represented the sector Minister, Sam George, said Ghanaian creative works had already demonstrated their ability to travel beyond the country.

Our creatives have demonstrated that Ghanaian stories can travel,” he said. “The question is how we ensure that these stories reach wider markets while creators receive fair and sustainable value from their work,” he added.

He said the growth of digital technology had fundamentally changed how creative content was produced, distributed and consumed, allowing Ghanaian creators to reach global audiences directly from the country.

Beyond content distribution

Sukparu said MTN had the networks, technology, platforms and audience to play a bigger role in developing Ghana’s creative economy.

Its significance should go beyond being another streaming service. It should become part of an ecosystem that expands access to Ghanaian content, strengthens distribution, creates better monetisation pathways and connects our creators to larger audiences,” he said.

He therefore encouraged MTN Ghana to look beyond distributing existing productions and consider commissioning new Ghanaian content, supporting emerging talent and working with government to strengthen initiatives for the creative sector.

MTN has the networks, technology, platforms and audience, and therefore I encourage MTN Ghana to see its role beyond content distribution,” Sukparu urged.

He said a portion of the value generated from Ghanaian content on local digital platforms should be reinvested in the ecosystem that produces the content.

According to him, Government had identified the creative industry as an important contributor to employment, enterprise development and economic growth and had established a Film Development Fund with seed funding of GH¢20 million.

Government cannot do it alone,” he said, calling on corporate Ghana, particularly companies operating within the digital ecosystem, to increase investment in the sector.

Success should go beyond views

The Deputy Minister also cautioned against measuring the success of Ghana's digital creative economy solely by audience numbers.

He said high viewership was important but should not be considered the ultimate measure of success.

Global reach is not the same as sustainable revenue,” he observed.

“Our measures of success must therefore go beyond audience numbers. We must ask: how much do creators earn, how many jobs are created, how much investment is attracted and how much value remains within Ghana?”

He said the creative sector should enable artists, filmmakers, producers and other professionals to build sustainable livelihoods from their work.

Sukparu said the decline of traditional distribution channels such as CDs and VCDs, combined with Ghana's reliance on international digital platforms, had created challenges for local creators.

He said locally controlled digital platforms could help address some of these challenges by creating additional avenues for distribution and monetisation.

Government calls for stronger collaboration

The Deputy Minister for Arts and Culture, Yussif Issaka Jajah, who represented the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, also called for stronger collaboration between telecommunications companies, producers, actors, regulators and digital platforms.

He said the creative sector needed to move beyond cultural preservation towards creating livelihoods and economic value.

Culture is the soul of a nation, but if that soul is to remain vibrant, it must not only be preserved; it must also create opportunities, livelihoods and value for the very people who give it life,” he said.

Jajah said Ghana had a long history of producing stories that travelled beyond its borders, but the financial value generated from those stories did not always remain in the country.

He said digital transformation provided an opportunity to change that situation.

With MTN One TV today, you are taking a bolder step by giving content a home and Ghanaian creators a platform that is only Ghanaian and truly global,” he said.

He urged private-sector players to increase investment in local content while working with government and regulators to create an enabling environment for the creative industry.

Intellectual property and local content

Jajah said Government was also working to strengthen intellectual property protection, local content and training to enable Ghanaian creative works to meet international standards.

We need collaborations among telecom companies such as MTN, producers, actors, regulators and digital platforms,” he said.

He urged stakeholders to use digital technology to tell Ghanaian stories confidently while ensuring that creators and communities benefit from the commercial value generated.

Technology has given us the camera, technology has given us the data and screens. Let us use them to tell our stories boldly and profitably,” he urged.

AI presents opportunities and risks

Sukparu also highlighted the growing influence of artificial intelligence on the creative sector. He said AI could support creators in areas such as production, editing, translation, animation, music, audience analysis and distribution.

However, he cautioned that the technology should be used in a way that protects creators and their intellectual property.

Technology must empower the creator, not erase the creator,” he said.

He said Government would work with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts to promote responsible use of AI while protecting the image, voice, identity and intellectual property of artists.

He also cited Government's digital skills initiatives, including the One Million Coders programme, as part of efforts to prepare young people for opportunities in the digital economy.

Local languages and affordable access

The Deputy Minister further urged MTN Ghana to explore ways of making digital entertainment more affordable, including innovative data and content packages.

He also called for greater representation of Ghanaian languages in digital content.

Ghanaian languages must also have a strong presence in the content ecosystem,” he said.

Sukparu said the launch of MTN One TV presented an opportunity for the private sector and government to work together to build a more sustainable creative economy.

“Do not simply build a platform for Ghanaian content, but help build the ecosystem,” he said.

That means commercialising Ghanaian content sustainably, investing in talent, supporting local production and helping ensure that Ghanaian creators are not left behind in the value chain.”

He said a stronger creative industry would contribute to Ghana's digital transformation, employment creation and economic growth.

When the creative industry grows, Ghana grows; when the digital economy grows, Ghana grows; and when Ghanaian stories reach the world, Ghana grows its influence,” he said.

MTN One TV to open new monetisation opportunities for Ghanaian content creators

2026-10-08T11:47:25.176-07:00

MTN Ghana has launched MTN One TV, a new digital entertainment platform aimed at giving Ghanaian filmmakers and content creators wider access to audiences while opening new opportunities to monetise their productions.

The platform will host a mix of local, African and international content, including linear channels, video-on-demand programmes, series and drama productions.

Chief Digital Officer of MTN Ghana, Ibrahim Misto, said the platform formed part of the company’s transformation from a traditional telecommunications provider into a broader digital platform business.

MTN evolved from just years back connecting people and then providing just voice and data, today to becoming a platform business where we help customers, enterprises, governments, providing connectivity, providing financial services and then also digital services and platform business towards enhancing the digital economy,” he said.

Misto said MTN One TV was being positioned as a home for local productions and would provide filmmakers and creators with access to MTN’s large customer base and wider African audiences.

We’re inviting the industry, filmmakers, creators to put their local content and their production into the platform,” he said.

He added that MTN intended to work with industry players to develop solutions that would help content creators expand their reach and generate revenue.

We are here today to launch that and then invite all the industry players to come and then share their challenges with us and co-create together solutions by monetizing platforms that MTN is providing today,” Misto said.

Free access initially

Misto explained that MTN One TV would initially offer free access to basic content, with the platform generating revenue through advertising.

Today it’s free to watch, so you can watch the free channels, you can watch the FAST channels, but you will be having advertising,” he said.

He said advertising revenue would subsequently be shared between MTN and participating content creators.

The company also plans to introduce subscription-based access to premium content as the platform develops.

Later on, we’ll be introducing subscription for premium kind of content,” he said.

Customers would require data to access the platform, while the service would provide both free and premium content options.

Platform to support creators

Senior Manager for Digital Services and Verticals at MTN Ghana, Dr Bless Sefenu Agordzo, said the platform was created with the creative industry in mind and was intended to strengthen the relationship between content producers and audiences.

He said Ghana had a rich storytelling tradition that had evolved from traditional forms of storytelling to radio, television and now digital platforms.

There were firesides before the cameras. There were storytellers, and long before television, Africa was already telling a story through music, folklore and the voices of generations before us,” he said.

According to Dr Agordzo, MTN One TV would provide greater visibility and distribution opportunities while creating new avenues for content creators to earn from their work.

MTN One TV is designed to connect quality content with audiences in new and more flexible ways and to create greater opportunities for the people who make that content,” he said.

He stressed that audience numbers alone would not be enough to build a sustainable creative industry.

We also know that a strong creative industry needs more than audiences. It needs sustainable revenue, investment in quality production and talent to grow,” Dr Agordzo said.

MTN seeks industry collaboration

Dr. Agordzo said MTN wanted to develop the platform in partnership with producers, filmmakers and other creative industry players.

That is why we want to build MTN One TV with you and not simply for you,” he said.

He explained that the launch event was designed as an industry conversation to enable MTN to understand the concerns and expectations of content creators.

Today is as much about listening as it is about presenting. We want to hear you, your ideas, your concerns and your hopes for the future of Ghanaian content,” he said.

Misto similarly said MTN would provide support and investment to help scale productions.

“We’ll be working, we’ll be co-creating, let’s say, a lot of content with them and surely that comes with support as well,” he said.

At the end, you need investment for such kind of industry to thrive and then once investment comes, the revenue will be coming, which we as well share with players as well.”

Personalised content

MTN One TV will also provide users with personalised viewing options based on their preferences and viewing history.

Misto said customers would be able to create different profiles, including profiles for children and adults, while the platform would recommend content based on individual tastes.

The beauty of such platform is that it will be able to personalize for you certain content based on your taste, based on your watch history and others,” he said.

He said the platform would combine Ghanaian, African and international productions and make content discovery easier for customers.

It’s a combination of local content and then regional African content as well as international content,” he said.

The platform is expected to allow users to access content “anytime, anywhere, at any device”.

Misto said the ultimate objective was to bring together MTN, creators, filmmakers, regulators and other industry players to develop a stronger digital creative ecosystem.

If you come in, we help you scale up, Ghana wins, we win too and then it’s a win-win and you will be able to have better reach by using that platform,” he said.