Business
Ghana Unveils Ambitious Plan to Build $25 Billion ‘Economic War Chest’ with Gold
ACCRA, Ghana — Ghana’s government has unveiled an ambitious economic policy aimed at transforming the West African nation’s financial future by leveraging its gold resources to build a $25 billion “economic war chest,” Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced Tuesday in a parliamentary address.
The Ghana Accelerated National Reserve Accumulation Policy (GANRAP) 2026-2028 seeks to increase the country’s international reserves to 15 months of import cover by the end of 2028—far exceeding the conventional three-month benchmark recommended for developing economies.
“This is Ghana’s first national policy deliberately designed to build external reserves and secure the future of our country,” Forson told lawmakers, describing the initiative as essential to “break the cycle of economic downturns” that have historically plagued the economy.
Strategic Shift from Borrowing to Gold
At the heart of the policy is a fundamental shift away from what the government describes as unsustainable borrowing practices that characterized previous reserve-building efforts.
According to the policy document presented to Parliament, between 2017 and 2024, Ghana borrowed approximately $21.7 billion to support reserve accumulation, incurring interest costs of $3.84 billion alone—plus additional billions in local currency payments.
“We cannot continue borrowing our way to stability,” Forson said, pointing to expensive swap arrangements, sale-and-buy-back agreements, and Eurobond issuances that left the country with crippling debt service obligations.
In 2026 alone, Ghana is required to pay $1.5 billion to Eurobond holders from previous borrowings.
Instead, the government is betting on gold—specifically, historically high global prices that have seen the precious metal trade at unprecedented levels. The policy targets the purchase of approximately 3.02 tonnes of gold per week, which at projected prices of $5,000 per ounce would generate annual gross receipts of approximately $25.28 billion.
How the Gold Will Be Acquired

The strategy operates on two parallel tracks. First, the newly established Ghana Gold Board will acquire a minimum of 2.45 tonnes of gold weekly from the Artisanal Small-scale Mining (ASM) sector—effectively mopping up about 127 tonnes annually. This alone is projected to generate over $20 billion in foreign exchange each year.
Second, the government will invoke “preemption rights” under the Ghana Gold Board Act and Minerals and Mining Act to purchase 20 percent of large-scale mining output—approximately 0.57 tonnes per week. Crucially, these transactions will be conducted in Ghanaian cedis at prevailing interbank rates, supporting local currency demand while building reserves.
The gold acquired from large-scale miners must be in doré form and processed in-country, supporting local refineries in their quest for London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) certification.
Learning from History
Forson placed the policy within a broader historical context, drawing parallels to Asian economies following the 1997 financial crisis.
“After the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, the most affected countries embarked on aggressive foreign reserve accumulation as a key policy response,” he noted. “This was driven by a desire for self-insurance against future sudden capital reversals and crises.”
Those reserves, he argued, helped Asian economies weather the 2008 Global Financial Crisis without depleting their buffers—a model Ghana now seeks to emulate.
The policy also responds to what the government describes as Ghana’s historically problematic reserve trajectory: episodic accumulation linked to opportunistic external borrowings and seasonal cocoa exports, followed by rapid drawdowns to meet obligations. Reserves plummeted from 5.4 months of import cover in April 2021 to under 2.3 months by September 2023 following a Eurobond issuance.
Safeguards Against Past Failures
To address governance concerns that have plagued Ghana’s mining sector—particularly illegal mining, or “galamsey”—the policy incorporates multiple safeguard mechanisms.
An Inter-Agency Committee co-chaired by the Finance Minister and Lands Minister will oversee compliance. Crucially, gold acquired under the preemption arrangement can only be sold by the central bank with prior approval of both Cabinet and Parliament.
The government also outlined risk management strategies addressing price volatility through hedging mechanisms, production risks through modernization of mining technology, and environmental concerns through intensified enforcement against illegal mining and targeted land reclamation programs.
Broader Economic Context

The announcement comes as Ghana experiences what the government describes as a “decisive macroeconomic turnaround” following the 2022-2023 economic crisis. According to the policy document, real GDP growth averaged 6.1 percent in the first three quarters of 2025, inflation declined sharply from 23.8 percent in 2024 to 3.8 percent in January 2026, and public debt fell from 61.8 percent of GDP in 2024 to 45.3 percent.
The current account posted a surplus of $9.1 billion in 2025—up from $1.5 billion the previous year.
“These macroeconomic gains have delivered meaningful relief to households and businesses through reduction in fuel prices, food prices, cost of doing business, and cost of living,” Forson told Parliament.
International Context
Ghana is not alone in leveraging high gold prices. The policy document notes that major producers including China, Russia, and Australia are all capitalizing on elevated prices to strengthen external buffers. China continues to expand domestic refining capacity, while Russia channels proceeds into reserve accumulation as a shock absorber against financial sanctions.
For Ghana, the stakes are existential. With cocoa production undermined by price volatility and climate risks, and oil output declining due to years of underinvestment, gold has emerged as the most reliable instrument for rapid reserve accumulation.
“If Government had borrowed $10 billion at the 2025 yields of 8.0 percent, the cost to the nation would have been $800 million in just one year,” Forson said, contrasting this with the Ghana Gold Board’s 2025 performance of bringing in $10 billion at a cost of just $214 million.
The policy now awaits parliamentary approval. If implemented, Ghana would join a small group of nations with reserve buffers sufficient to withstand severe external shocks—a transformation Forson framed in generational terms.
“We seek to build lasting national prosperity for future generations,” he said.
Business
Ghana’s Mega Infrastructure Push: 10 Game-Changing Projects Set to Transform the Country in 2026
Accra, Ghana – March 3, 2026 – Ghana is in the midst of one of the most ambitious infrastructure drives in its history, with ten massive projects—ranging from railways and highways to solar parks, gas processing plants, and a landmark petroleum hub—poised to reshape transportation, energy, trade, and economic opportunity across the country and West Africa.
A recent viral video breakdown highlights these “megaprojects” as the backbone of Ghana’s development agenda under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, emphasizing their role in modernizing mobility, boosting industrial output, ensuring energy security, and positioning Ghana as a regional economic powerhouse.
Top 10 Megaprojects Driving Ghana Forward
1 Big Push Roads Network
The flagship of Ghana’s GH¢30.8 billion infrastructure plan, this nationwide programme includes over 32 major road projects—dual carriageways, bridges, and interchanges—along critical corridors such as Accra–Kumasi, Tema–Aflao, and Cape Coast–Takoradi. Sod-cutting ceremonies began in 2025, with rapid progress expected in 2026. The network aims to slash congestion, cut transport times, lower logistics costs, and unlock trade, agriculture, and manufacturing growth.
2 Ghana Petroleum Hub
A $60 billion mega-development in the Jomoro Municipality near the western border, the hub integrates exploration, refining, storage, and export facilities. Groundwork accelerates in 2026, promising thousands of jobs, foreign investment, and a shift from net importer to regional energy leader.
3 Big Push Road Interchanges
Eight major interchanges along the Accra–Kumasi corridor target chronic urban congestion, supporting the 24-Hour Economy by improving traffic flow, reducing delays, and boosting productivity for commuters and businesses.
4 Trans-ECOWAS Railway
A proposed 530 km standard-gauge corridor linking Ghana’s eastern and western borders to Togo and Côte d’Ivoire. Feasibility studies continue, with potential construction start in 2026, aiming to revolutionize regional trade and connectivity.
5 Dawa Solar Park Phase 1
Ground broken in November 2025, this 100 MW solar facility in the Dawa Industrial Enclave near Accra is set for completion by December 2026. Phase 2 will double capacity to 200 MW, offering industrial users a 10% energy discount and significantly cutting carbon emissions.
6 OCTP Gas Processing Upgrade
Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP) facility expanded to 270 million standard cubic feet per day in 2025, supplying ~70% of Ghana’s domestic gas and ~34% of electricity. The upgrade strengthens energy security and reduces reliance on imported fuels.
7 Amer Power Plant Relocation
Relocation of the Amer plant from Aboadze to Anwomaso in the Ashanti Region (ongoing since 2024) optimizes distribution, reduces transmission losses, and improves reliability for northern regions.
8 Bui Hydro-Solar Hybrid Phases 2 & 3
Adding 150 MW of solar to the existing Bui hydroelectric plant in the Bono Region, this hybrid expansion enhances renewable output, preserves water resources, and provides stable power even during low-rainfall periods.
9 Wiawso–Sankore Road
A 195 km highway across Bono East, Savannah, and Upper West regions, divided into seven lots for faster construction. Part of the Big Push initiative, it will accelerate agri-freight, connect regional capitals, and open rural markets.
10 Kojokrom–Manso Railway
A standard-gauge mineral freight line in the Western Region, 16% complete by 2023 and targeted for full operation by May 2026. Designed to move bulk cargo (gold, bauxite, manganese) efficiently to ports, reducing road congestion and transport costs.
These projects collectively aim to modernize Ghana’s transport backbone, secure reliable energy, integrate renewables, boost agricultural and industrial value chains, and position the country as a West African trade and logistics hub. Many are already under construction or in advanced planning, with 2026 marking a pivotal year of acceleration.
Business
Ghanaians Warned to Brace for Possible Fuel Price Hikes Amid Escalating Middle East Conflict
Accra, Ghana – March 3, 2026 – Ghanaian motorists and households have been cautioned to prepare for potential increases in petroleum product prices as the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict continues to destabilise global energy markets, according to industry leaders.
Dr. Riverson Oppong, Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC), told the Business & Financial Times (B&FT) that while Ghana currently faces no immediate risk of fuel shortages, prolonged geopolitical instability in the Middle East will inevitably drive up costs for consumers.
“The impact on Ghana will obviously be reflected in rising prices. There will certainly be a surge,” Dr. Oppong said.
He explained that Ghana remains a net importer of refined petroleum products, sourcing more than 60% of its domestic needs externally despite local production from the Jubilee and TEN fields and partial refining at the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR).
The warning follows the opening of the first pricing window for March (March 1–15, 2026), which already recorded marginal increases: petrol projected to rise 2.89% to approximately GH¢12.04 per litre, diesel up 0.86% to GH¢13.22 per litre, while LPG is forecast to dip slightly to GH¢13.87 per kg. The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) confirmed the price floor adjustments, with petrol now at a minimum of GH¢10.46 per litre (up from GH¢10.24) and diesel at GH¢11.42 per litre.
Dr. Oppong and other experts attribute the upward pressure to Brent crude’s surge past US$80 per barrel in early March trading—spiking more than 10%—driven by fears of supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of global crude flows. Recent attacks by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on oil tankers in the Gulf, combined with the shutdown of a major refinery in Qatar (capacity 550,000 barrels/day) and damage to infrastructure in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, have tightened supply expectations.
Justice Ohene-Akoto, CEO of the African Sustainable Energy Centre, warned that four additional price hikes could occur in the coming weeks if tensions persist. He noted that even regional refineries like Dangote in Nigeria are unlikely to offer discounted prices to neighbours, meaning premium global rates would still apply.
Both leaders pointed to Ghana’s limited refining and storage capacity as a structural vulnerability. Dr. Oppong lamented that a fully operational large-scale refinery could transform Ghana into a net exporter, earning foreign exchange and ensuring availability. He urged the government to consider temporary relief measures, such as suspending or reducing the Price Stabilisation and Recovery Levy (PSRL), to cushion consumers from the expected cost surge.
The National Petroleum Authority has reassured the public that operational buffers—regular imports, daily discharges, TOR output, and Atuabo LPG production—will prevent shortages, but affordability remains the critical challenge. With Brent crude potentially climbing toward US$90 if the Strait of Hormuz faces further threats, Ghana’s import-dependent fuel market remains highly exposed.
Industry stakeholders and consumers alike are watching global developments closely, as any prolonged disruption could quickly reverse recent gains in inflation control and cedi stability.
Business
OPEC+ Boosts Oil Output as Markets Reel from US-Israel Strikes That Killed Iran’s Khamenei
London / Accra – March 1, 2026 – OPEC+ has agreed to increase oil production by 206,000 barrels per day starting in April, a modest move aimed at calming volatile global oil markets following the dramatic escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict, including joint US-Israeli air strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and triggered widespread retaliatory missile barrages across the Gulf.
In its latest dispatch, the Financial Times reports that the decision—slightly above market expectations but far below levels needed to offset potential supply disruptions—was made amid fears that Iran’s threats to close the Strait of Hormuz could choke off 20% of the world’s seaborne oil trade.
With Khamenei confirmed dead by Iranian state television, the power vacuum in Tehran has intensified uncertainty, with no successor yet named and President Masoud Pezeshkian vowing “vengeance and revenge.”
The strikes and counter-strikes have already caused significant disruptions: shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed to a near standstill as insurers warned of policy cancellations and premium surges; a Saudi Aramco-chartered tanker (MKD Vyom) suffered an explosion and flooding off Iran’s coast; and another vessel (Skylight) was hit, injuring four crew.
Major Japanese shipping lines halted Gulf passages, while CMA CGM suspended Suez Canal transits, diverting vessels around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope—adding weeks and millions in costs to global trade routes.
Oil prices have spiked amid the chaos, with analysts warning that even OPEC+’s additional barrels “serve little purpose if there are no serviceable sea lanes,” as noted by Helima Croft of RBC Capital Markets and Jorge Leon of Rystad Energy. Middle East stock markets plunged—Saudi Arabia’s TASI fell nearly 5% before partial recovery, Egypt’s EGX 30 dropped nearly 6%—while European gas contracts are expected to rise 25%+ due to LNG supply risks from Qatar and the UAE.
The conflict has extended beyond Iran and Israel: US bases in Iraq and the Gulf were targeted; ports in Dubai and Oman sustained damage; Bahrain’s navy base and airport were hit; and GPS jamming affected over 1,100 vessels, raising sanctions compliance concerns for banks and insurers.
For emerging markets like those in Africa—including Ghana—the fallout could be severe.
Higher oil and LNG prices would inflate import bills, push up fuel and electricity costs, fuel inflation, and pressure currencies already strained by global volatility. Shipping diversions via the Cape of Good Hope could raise freight rates for African exports and imports, while broader energy market instability risks derailing post-pandemic recovery in oil-importing nations.
OPEC+’s output increase is seen as symbolic rather than substantive in the face of geopolitical risk. As one Barclays strategist put it, investors may be “underpricing a scenario where containment fails.”
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