Ghana News
AU Summit: President Mahama Channels Nkrumah in Call for Regional Manufacturing Hubs
President John Dramani Mahama has urged African leaders to prioritize the establishment of regional manufacturing hubs and local vaccine production capacity as critical steps toward economic self-reliance and health security across the continent.
Speaking during the 46th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa on Friday, February 13, 2026, the President emphasized that Africa’s continued dependence on imported manufactured goods and pharmaceuticals undermines the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and leaves the continent vulnerable to global supply-chain shocks.
President Mahama proposed the creation of strategically located regional manufacturing centers specializing in high-demand products — including pharmaceuticals, fertilisers, agricultural machinery, solar panels, and electric vehicle components — to serve multiple countries, reduce import bills, create jobs, and capture greater value from Africa’s raw materials.
Mahama’s call on Friday is reminiscent of Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s overarching pan-African agenda as succinctly captured in his timeless essay, Why Africa Must Unite. Nkrumah strongly advocated for a united Africa to achieve economic independence.
On vaccine production, Mahama highlighted the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that Africa imported over 90% of its vaccines during the crisis despite having raw material resources and scientific capacity. He called for accelerated investment in at least three continental vaccine manufacturing centres, with Ghana ready to host one hub leveraging its existing pharmaceutical industry, research institutions, and strategic location.
“Regional hubs will allow us to industrialise at scale, create skilled jobs for our youth, and build resilience against future pandemics,” Mahama stated. “We cannot keep exporting raw materials and importing finished goods forever. The time for value addition and self-sufficiency is now.”
The President linked the proposal to the AfCFTA, arguing that coordinated industrial policy would boost intra-African trade, strengthen negotiating power with external partners, and accelerate progress toward Agenda 2063. He also reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to supporting smaller economies through technology transfer, joint ventures, and capacity-building.
The remarks were delivered during the summit’s closed-door session on industrialisation and economic integration. Several leaders reportedly expressed support for the idea, with follow-up technical discussions expected in the coming months.
Ghana’s delegation, led by Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, is actively engaging partners on concrete steps to operationalise the proposal.
Ghana News
Ex-President Akufo-Addo and President Mahama Exchange Pleasantries on Easter
Kwahu, Ghana – Former President Nana Akufo-Addo paid a courtesy call on President John Dramani Mahama on Holy Saturday, April 4, 2026, while both leaders were in the Kwahu enclave for the annual Easter celebrations.
The meeting took place as President Mahama participated in activities linked to the Kwahu Business Forum, a major event held alongside the Easter festivities.
Akufo-Addo, who has maintained a nearly two-decade tradition of spending Easter in Kwahu, described the visit as a cordial engagement during the sacred period.
In a Facebook post, the former president wrote: “On the Holy Saturday of Easter, while in Kwahu where for almost two decades I have consecutively visited during the sacred period of Easter, I called on the President of the Republic, H. E. John Dramani Mahama who is also in Kwahu.”
The encounter highlights a moment of peaceful political civility between the current and immediate past leaders of Ghana amid the festive season. No further details about the substance of their discussion were made public.
The visit comes at a time when both leaders are actively involved in national and regional development conversations, with Mahama using the Kwahu platform to engage stakeholders on economic matters.
Ghana News
Mahama Calls Christ’s Birthplace an ‘Epicentre of War’, New Airport Concourse Planned and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today
We have curated the most relevant and impactful stories from Ghana to keep you informed.
‘It’s Painful Christ’s Birthplace Now an Epicentre of War’ – President Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has described the ongoing violence in the Middle East as a “painful irony,” noting that the birthplace of Christianity and the land where Christ preached love, forgiveness, and peace has become a major centre of conflict. In his Easter message delivered at Black Star Square on April 3, 2026, Mahama said the suffering in the Holy Land cannot be ignored during the season of Easter. He extended Ghana’s thoughts and prayers to the people of Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iran, and the wider Middle East region, urging world leaders to embrace restraint, dialogue, and respect for human dignity.
Read the full story here
Gov’t to Construct New Concourse at Accra International Airport to Ease Congestion
The Ghana Airports Company Limited will begin construction this month on an ultra-modern concourse linking Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 at Kotoka International Airport. The project aims to eliminate current operational bottlenecks, enable seamless passenger transfers, and significantly improve hub efficiency. Key features include five additional passenger boarding bridges, five passenger holding areas, bi-directional travelators, new escalators and elevators, a VIP lounge, four business lounges, and four retail and duty-free pods. The expansion forms part of a broader modernisation drive to provide world-class facilities and strengthen Ghana’s position as a competitive aviation hub in West Africa.
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Gov’t Procures Over 24,000 Medical Equipment to Support Free Primary Healthcare Rollout
The Ghanaian government has acquired 24,534 pieces of medical equipment to strengthen health facilities ahead of the nationwide rollout of its free primary healthcare policy. The consignment, inspected by Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, includes baby incubators, radiant warmers, oxygen concentrators, X-ray machines, ultrasound devices, laboratory analysers, vital signs monitors, glucometers, patient monitors, infusion devices, delivery beds, and hospital beds. The equipment will be distributed across government hospitals to improve diagnostics, newborn care, and overall service delivery at the primary level.
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Ghana to Manufacture First Vaccine with Support from Indonesia
Ghana is set to begin local production of its first vaccine with technical and partnership support from the Indonesian government. Honorary Consul of Indonesia to Ghana, Paskal A B Rois, confirmed that a high-level delegation from Ghana’s National Vaccine Institute, Food and Drugs Authority, and GIZ visited Indonesia late last year to finalise arrangements. Once operational, Ghana will become the third African country — after Senegal and South Africa — to manufacture vaccines domestically. The initiative is expected to enhance the country’s health security and reduce dependence on imported vaccines.
Read the full story here
No Business Thrives Without Trust in Justice System — Chief Justice
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has emphasised that trust in the judicial system is essential for business growth and investor confidence in Ghana. Speaking at the Kwahu Business Forum on April 4, 2026, he stated that contracts must be honoured, property protected, and disputes resolved fairly and predictably for any economy to flourish. The Chief Justice announced that the judiciary is repositioning itself to become an active partner in creating a business-friendly environment anchored in the rule of law. He warned that delays and uncertainty in the justice system carry real economic costs by discouraging investment.
Read the full story here
Ghana News
Ghana President Convenes Emergency Cabinet Meeting to Cushion Ghanaians from Soaring Fuel Prices
President John Dramani Mahama has convened an emergency cabinet meeting to address the sharp rise in fuel prices caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly the escalation involving Iran.
Speaking on Saturday, April 4, 2026, during the second day of the Kwahu Business Forum, President Mahama stated that the meeting will focus on practical interventions to ease the burden on citizens.
He specifically mentioned the possibility of adjustments in fuel margins and other components of the price build-up to help keep prices relatively stable while hoping for de-escalation of the conflict.
“I have called for this emergency cabinet meeting to decide on specific measures we can take to cushion petroleum prices,” Mahama said. “There are adjustments we can make, particularly in the margins, to help maintain relatively stable prices as we pray for the war to cease.”
The President assured Ghanaians that the government remains committed to protecting the economy from external shocks and has taken steps to build resilience.
“I can confidently tell you that the economy will not collapse because of the war in Iran,” he stated.
Mahama also commended transport unions for showing restraint by not immediately increasing lorry fares despite the fuel price surge.
He urged them to continue exercising patience as the government works on relief measures. Fuel prices rose significantly effective April 1, 2026, with petrol increasing to approximately GH¢13.30 per liter (a 15% hike) and diesel to GH¢17.10 per liter (a 19% hike) for the first half of April.
The government is reviewing options including reductions in margins and levies to provide relief to consumers.
This latest development highlights the direct link between global geopolitical tensions and domestic living costs in Ghana, as the government balances immediate relief with longer-term economic stability.
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Ghana News21 hours agoGhana President Convenes Emergency Cabinet Meeting to Cushion Ghanaians from Soaring Fuel Prices
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Ghana News21 hours agoMahama Calls Christ’s Birthplace an ‘Epicentre of War’, New Airport Concourse Planned and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today
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Ghana News21 hours agoEx-President Akufo-Addo and President Mahama Exchange Pleasantries on Easter
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