Ghana News
UN Strongly Condemns Attack on Ghanaian Peacekeepers in Lebanon, Mpox Outbreak in Ghana and Other Trending Issues in Ghana Today (March 9, 2026)
Stay informed with the latest developments from Ghana and beyond. This rolling update brings you key stories as they unfold. Check back regularly for fresh additions.
UN Chief Strongly Condemns Attack on Ghanaian Peacekeepers in Lebanon
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned an attack that injured three Ghanaian peacekeepers serving with UNIFIL in southern Lebanon on March 6, 2026. The soldiers came under heavy gunfire while at their outpost in Al Qawzah, with one seriously injured and evacuated to Beirut. Guterres demanded full accountability, describing attacks on peacekeepers as potential war crimes, and called for immediate de-escalation amid rising regional tensions linked to the broader Middle East conflict.
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Government Bans Land Transit of Rice, Sugar and Seven Other Essential Commodities
Ghana’s Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has imposed an immediate ban on the land transit of nine key commodities, including rice, sugar, flour, cooking oil, pasta, canned tomatoes, frozen products, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. Importers must now route these goods exclusively through Ghana’s seaports to curb revenue leakages and strengthen border security. The directive, issued after consultations with the Ghana Revenue Authority, is expected to significantly reshape import logistics and clearing processes in the country.
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Mobile Money Vendor and Customer Killed in Armed Robbery at Fufulso Junction
Two people — a mobile money (MoMo) vendor and his customer — were shot dead in a violent armed robbery at Fufulso Junction in Ghana’s Savannah Region on Sunday evening. Three other persons sustained gunshot injuries and are in critical condition at Buipe District Hospital. The attack triggered angry youth in the community to set fire to several homes, prompting the deployment of security personnel to restore calm.
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CID Reopens Investigations into Multiple High-Profile Murder and Disappearance Cases
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has reactivated its Cold Case Unit to reopen investigations into several unresolved high-profile cases, including the disappearance of NDC Women’s Organiser Paulina Lamisi Akambodipo, the murder of Stella Adjoa Potake Donkor in Tema, and the killing of Anthony Cudjoe Ahiama at Oyarifa. The move, announced by CID Director-General COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, aims to bring fresh intelligence and forensic resources to deliver justice for victims and their families.
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Former COCOBOD CEO Returns Official Vehicle Amid Ongoing Audit Probe
Former Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) Chief Executive Joseph Boahen Aidoo has returned an official vehicle he retained for over 14 months after leaving office. The return comes amid heightened scrutiny and an ongoing audit investigation into COCOBOD’s finances, including major procurement irregularities inherited by the new administration. The case has been referred to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for further probe.
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Temporary Lane Closure at Tetteh Quarshie Interchange Starts March 9 for Bridge Expansion Works
The Ghana Highway Authority has announced a temporary closure of lanes on the N4 northbound carriageway of the Accra–Madina road at the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange, effective March 9, 2026, lasting approximately four months. The measure supports ongoing T-beam launching for the interchange bridge expansion under the Accra–Tema Motorway and Extension Projects, overseen by the Ministry of Roads and Highways. The southbound carriageway will be reconfigured into two lanes in each direction to maintain flow between Accra and Madina. Authorities emphasize safety for construction workers and road users, urging motorists to follow traffic signs, exercise caution, and cooperate with officials.
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Mpox Outbreak in Ghana: Eight Deaths and Over 1,000 Confirmed Cases Since May 2025
Ghana has recorded 1,038 confirmed mpox cases and eight deaths since the outbreak began in May 2025, according to the latest update as of March 3, 2026. Most fatalities involved individuals with underlying conditions, with one active case currently under admission and no critical cases reported. Cases span 124 districts across all regions (47.5% of the country), with Greater Accra and Western regions recording the highest numbers. The Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service have led a multi-sectoral response, supported by international partners, including enhanced surveillance, contact tracing with 21-day monitoring, laboratory testing at key facilities, and vaccination of 31,231 people (over 95% coverage) in 12 hotspot districts across Ashanti, Greater Accra, and Western regions using 33,600 doses from Africa CDC and WHO. Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh noted a significant decline in cases following interventions, with sporadic occurrences in recent months. Medical costs are covered by the state, and officials urge accurate information dissemination to strengthen public health security.
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Poor Hygiene and Sanitation Practices Drive Rising Pediatric UTIs in Ghana, Expert Warns
Paediatrician Dr. Beatrice Nyann of the University of Ghana Medical Centre has highlighted poor hygiene and sanitation as the primary root causes behind the increasing cases of urinary tract infections (UTIs) among children in Ghana, affecting even those from affluent households. Girls face higher risk than boys, with pre-schoolers particularly vulnerable due to neglect. Contributing factors include delaying urination during play, prolonged use of diapers containing urine or faeces (allowing germs to enter the urinary tract), and poor school sanitation exposing pupils to germs from unclean facilities. Dr. Nyann warned that extended time in soiled diapers can lead to severe infections potentially impacting the kidneys. Prevention focuses on frequent diaper changes for infants and promoting strong hygiene and sanitation habits in schools for older children.
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CLOGSAG Starts Indefinite Nationwide Strike Today Over Delayed Conditions of Service
The Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) has commenced an indefinite nationwide strike effective March 9, 2026, citing prolonged delays in implementing agreed conditions of service. Despite previous engagements and a National Labour Commission directive to suspend action and negotiate, the union reports no formal government response since issuing their strike notice last week. The industrial action disrupts administrative operations across ministries, departments, agencies, and local government offices. CLOGSAG’s Public Relations Officer urged all members to stay away from work.
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MP Challenges President Mahama to Lead Salary Cuts Starting from Jubilee House Amid Cocoa Price Slump
Akim Oda MP Alexander Akwasi Acquah has dared President John Dramani Mahama to initiate salary reductions for himself and other appointees beginning at Jubilee House in solidarity with cocoa farmers hit hard by falling prices. Farmers, who met with the Minority Caucus in the Eastern Region, expressed frustration over unfair compensation despite their contributions to the sector, with some unable to celebrate Ghana’s Independence Day. The call references past salary trims under former President Akufo-Addo and urges the burden not fall solely on COCOBOD executives.
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Cabinet Greenlights Fresh Nationwide SIM Registration Exercise
Ghana’s Cabinet has approved a new round of mandatory SIM card registration, described as a complete reset rather than a continuation of prior efforts. Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George announced the move following reviews that highlighted issues like weak biometric enforcement, data inconsistencies, and fraud in the previous process. The National Communications Authority (NCA) will serve as the central data repository with mandatory biometric verification, and a Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) will enable cross-network blocking of stolen or fraud-linked devices. Telecom operators have welcomed the initiative but noted operational concerns; a revised Legislative Instrument is in preparation.
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Economist Urges Government to Convert Middle East War Oil Price Gains into Relief for the Poor
Amid escalating Middle East conflict driving up global crude oil prices, economist Dr Adu Owusu Sarkodie has called on the government to channel potential revenue windfalls—Ghana being an oil exporter—into targeted support for vulnerable groups. He suggested measures like fuel coupons for trotro, taxi, and ride-hailing drivers to cushion rising transport costs and stabilize fares. The expert highlighted risks from prolonged disruptions, drawing parallels to the Russia-Ukraine war’s effects on supply chains, fertilizer, and wheat imports, and stressed the need to boost local production in agriculture and industry to reduce import reliance.
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Import Dependency Poses Threat to Ghana’s Economy Amid Iran Conflict, Warns Economist
Economist Dr Adu Owusu Sarkodie has cautioned that Ghana’s heavy reliance on imported essentials—such as fertilizer and wheat—jeopardizes economic stability if the Israel-Iran conflict escalates and disrupts global supply chains. Referencing past shocks from the Russia-Ukraine war, he noted vulnerabilities in food security and input costs, while acknowledging potential oil revenue benefits from higher prices. Recommendations include using extra earnings for targeted relief (e.g., transport sector support) and accelerating domestic production of key goods like fertilizer, poultry, and sugar to build long-term resilience.
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Ghana’s Gold Export Reliance on Dubai Exposes Cedi to Risks from Iran Conflict Trade Disruptions
Ghana’s dependence on Dubai for over 72% of small-scale gold exports (with India taking most of the rest) has left the cedi vulnerable as the Israel-Iran conflict disrupts Middle East airspaces and slows shipments. In 2025, small-scale exports totaled over 103,000 kg via the Ghana Gold Board, but airspace issues could reduce foreign currency inflows critical for forex market stability. Experts note the lack of traceability limits access to premium markets, forcing reliance on Dubai and potential discounted sales, with broader implications for currency pressure despite Bank of Ghana reserves. Efforts to diversify routes and improve local refining continue.
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Self-Styled Marriage Counsellor Remanded for Alleged Child Sexual Abuse Material Offences
Rev Dr Ebenezer Conduah, a self-styled international radio marriage counsellor, has been arrested and remanded into custody for three weeks by a court to facilitate ongoing investigations. The charges relate to child sexual abuse material under sections 62 and 63 of Act 1038, stemming from allegations of abusing a 17-year-old minor over approximately four years, including recordings and postings on international porn websites. The arrest was executed by the Cyber Security Authority in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service following cyber investigations.
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In a powerful demonstration of local ownership, Ghanaian research institutions and pharmaceutical manufacturers are contributing an additional €425,000 of their own money to implement innovative health projects, signaling a robust commitment to advancing homegrown medical solutions beyond relying on foreign aid alone.
The co-funding is part of a €2 million grant package awarded under the PharmaVax Ghana program, backed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU).
The initiative is designed to bridge the critical gap between scientific discovery and industrial-scale manufacturing within Ghana.
While the grants provide vital financial fuel, the local co-investment—which ranges from €10,000 to €150,000 across the eight winning projects—represents a crucial “skin in the game” approach.
It shows that local institutions are not merely passive recipients of aid, but active stakeholders willing to risk their own capital to bring products to the market. This practical commitment underscores the sustainability of the projects, ensuring they are not abandoned once international funding cycles end.
The projects span a wide range of medical priorities, including fast-dissolving oral tablets for child-friendly malaria treatment, AI-powered diagnostic tools for Mpox and malaria, standardized herbal treatments for hypertension and liver disease, and stability data for locally produced tetanus-diphtheria vaccines.
Highlighting the importance of this local participation, Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, Chief Executive Officer of the National Vaccine Institute (NVI), emphasized that the funds are meant to catalyze local capabilities.
“Ghana has the scientific talent, the research institutions and an increasingly capable pharmaceutical industry to develop health solutions that respond to our own priorities,” he stated. “By bringing these strengths together, we are creating the foundation for medicines and vaccines that are developed in Ghana, manufactured in Ghana, and have the potential to benefit the wider region.”
Ghana’s Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, echoed this sentiment, noting that the initiative marks a journey where researchers and manufacturers collaborate to transform scientific discoveries into life-saving products.
The €425,000 in local contributions—combined with the €2 million in grants and technical assistance from the EU and Germany—positions Ghana as a rising hub for pharmaceutical industrialization in West Africa, moving the nation closer to health security and economic self-reliance.
Ghana News
From Default to Discipline: How Ghana is Legally Binding Itself to Prevent the Next Debt Crisis
Fresh off a landmark agreement with Belgium that eases its debt burden, Ghana’s Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has unveiled a sweeping package of legal and institutional reforms designed to permanently prevent the country from sliding back into the fiscal chaos that triggered its 2022 sovereign default.
The deal with Belgium to restructure €163 million in debt owed to the country’s Export Credit Agency marks a pivotal step towards completing Ghana’s broader debt restructuring program. Crucially, the agreement frees up much-needed “fiscal space” by slashing the amount of national revenue consumed by debt servicing. Minister Forson revealed that Ghana’s debt-service burden has fallen drastically from a crippling peak of roughly 50% to 55% of national revenue to less than 20% today—a shift that directly impacts the government’s ability to fund schools, hospitals, and roads.
However, the most significant aspect of Ghana’s strategy is its attempt to codify fiscal prudence into law, ensuring that the discipline learned from the crisis is not lost by future administrations.
A Three-Pronged Strategy for Fiscal Discipline
1. The Commitment Authorization Regime
At the core of the immediate controls is a strict mandate for all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). Under the amended Public Financial Management Act, no government institution can initiate a contract for goods, services, or works without first securing commitment authorization from the Finance Minister . This process, integrated with the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), acts as a “roadblock” to prevent overspending and the accumulation of hidden arrears—a practice that historically poisoned the country’s finances.
2. Binding Fiscal Rules in Law
Beyond day-to-day controls, the government has instituted statutory targets to ensure long-term solvency. The Public Financial Management Act has been amended to require a minimum annual primary surplus of 1.5% of GDP and to cap the national debt-to-GDP ratio at 45% by 2034 . These are not policy recommendations but binding legal requirements, with the Finance Minister potentially facing censure for breaching these targets.
3. Independent Oversight Institutions
To guarantee that fiscal responsibility is maintained even after Ghana concludes its International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, the government has established two powerful oversight bodies:
- The Value for Money Office: Parliament passed the Value-for-Money Office Bill in March 2026, creating an independent body to scrutinize major public expenditure. This office will combat inflated contracts, cost overruns, and abandoned projects by issuing mandatory “Value for Money Certificates” before major contracts are awarded.
- The Independent Fiscal Council: The government is establishing a council composed of locally appointed experts to provide advisory support on financial controls and fiscal decision-making . This council, scheduled to take effect after the IMF programme ends, aims to strengthen domestic oversight and accountability, ensuring that Ghana owns its fiscal destiny.
From Recovery to Sustainability
Finance Minister Ato Forson is clear about the goal: “We want to ensure that the fiscal rules that we have instituted today are enshrined in law, so that even if this government is not there, the next government will have to make sure that these fiscal rules are respected” .
The Belgium agreement is the immediate piece of good news that provides tangible relief—allowing Ghana to redirect more resources towards essential public services. But the real measure of Ghana’s recovery will be its ability to enforce these new legal shackles.
By moving from crisis management to institutionalized discipline, Ghana is attempting to break the cycle of over-borrowing, arrears, and economic collapse that has plagued the nation for decades.
In a significant boost to Africa’s push for pharmaceutical self-reliance, the European Union (EU) and Germany have injected €2 million into Ghana to bridge the critical gap between laboratory research and industrial-scale manufacturing.
The funding, awarded under the PharmaVax Ghana programme, has been distributed to eight groundbreaking research partnerships aimed at developing and manufacturing medicines and vaccines locally, drastically reducing the continent’s historical reliance on imported drugs.
The announcement came during the “Research Meets Manufacturing” Award Ceremony in Accra on August 19, co-hosted by Ghana’s National Vaccine Institute (NVI) and the German development agency GIZ.
The grants are jointly funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU) as part of the broader Team Europe Initiative on Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Technologies in Africa (MAV+).
This strategic geopolitical and economic move underscores Western Europe’s commitment to backing local African manufacturing ecosystems, countering the long-standing structural imbalance where Africa imports over 90% of its pharmaceuticals.
“A ceremony marks the beginning of an important journey—a journey that brings researchers, manufacturers, government and international partners together to transform scientific discoveries into medicines and vaccines that save and improve lives,” said Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Ghana’s Minister of Health, during the event.
Innovation Across the Health Spectrum
The eight winning projects, selected from 43 competitive proposals by an independent committee of nine Ghanaian experts, represent the breadth of the nation’s scientific talent. They include:
- AI-driven monoclonal antibodies and diagnostics for Mpox and malaria, using a Ghanaian artificial intelligence platform.
- Fast-dissolving oral tablets for the treatment of malaria in children, addressing critical issues of accurate dosing.
- Clinical trials for locally developed herbal treatments for prostate health, hypertension, and alcohol-related liver disease.
- Stability data generation to support regulatory approval of locally produced tetanus-diphtheria vaccines, snake venom antiserum, and pain management therapies.
A Foundation for Health Sovereignty
Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, Chief Executive Officer of the National Vaccine Institute, emphasized that the grants go far beyond financial aid.
“Ghana has the scientific talent, the research institutions and an increasingly capable pharmaceutical industry to develop health solutions that respond to our own priorities,” Dr. Sodzi-Tettey stated. “By bringing these strengths together, we are creating the foundation for medicines and vaccines that are developed in Ghana, manufactured in Ghana, and have the potential to benefit the wider region.”
Notably, Ghanaian partners are contributing an additional €425,000 towards implementing their projects, demonstrating a strong local commitment to advancing homegrown innovation. Alongside the direct funding, the projects will also receive technical assistance, networking opportunities, and knowledge exchange to ensure long-term commercial viability.
As the global health community increasingly looks to localized manufacturing to secure supply chains, this €2 million initiative serves as a pivotal case study.
It represents a concrete, actionable blueprint for how international development capital can ignite the “Made in Africa” pharmaceutical industrial wave, securing the continent’s health security and driving economic development from within.
Ghanaian Firms Inject €425,000 of Own Funds to Ignite ‘Made in Ghana’ Health Innovation
From Default to Discipline: How Ghana is Legally Binding Itself to Prevent the Next Debt Crisis
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Ghana News2 days agoFrom Default to Discipline: How Ghana is Legally Binding Itself to Prevent the Next Debt Crisis
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