The Accra High Court has adjourned proceedings in the ongoing trial of former National Signals Bureau (NSB) Director-General Kwabena Adu-Boahene to Monday, August 17, 2026, after his defence lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, failed to appear for the scheduled hearing.
Judge Gives Adu-Boahene’s Lawyer One Final Chance to Appear
According to the report from GHOne TV/Star FM, Justice Francis Apangabuno Achibonga announced the new date during Tuesday’s proceedings and warned that if Mr Atta Akyea continued to stay away, Adu-Boahene could be required to conduct the trial himself.
“I am adjourning this case to 17th August. If your lawyer still refuses to show up, you will conduct the trial yourself.”
The development comes as the high-profile case continues at the Accra High Court, with Adu-Boahene and his co-accused facing allegations connected to the handling of state funds during his tenure at the National Signals Bureau.
Justice Achibonga takes over the trial
Justice Francis Apangabuno Achibonga took over as presiding judge in the case in March 2026, replacing Justice John Eugene Nyante Nyadu. The new judge assumed responsibility for the proceedings midway through the trial at the Accra High Court.
Since then, much of the proceedings have focused on cross-examination of prosecution witnesses by the defence. One of the major areas of contention has been the management and movement of National Security funds.
GH¢49.1 million at the centre of evidence
Earlier proceedings heard evidence concerning cheques totalling GH¢49.1 million. A prosecution witness, Edith Ruby Opokua Adumuah, told the court that the cheques, including amounts of GH¢1 million, GH¢27.1 million and GH¢21 million, had been authorised by the late National Security Coordinator, Joshua Kyeremeh, for Special Operations purposes.
The evidence has been vigorously challenged during cross-examination by the defence, with counsel arguing over the nature of the accounts involved and the authority under which various transactions were conducted.
In April, Atta Akyea rejected claims that funds in question had been diverted into a personal account belonging to Adu-Boahene, arguing that the account referenced in evidence was connected to National Security operations rather than private dealings.
Trial continues amid prolonged cross-examination
The court has previously expressed concern about the length of the cross-examination. Recent reporting indicates that one prosecution witness had already spent six weeks in the witness box, while Atta Akyea told the court that several outstanding issues remained to be addressed, including matters relating to disclosures ordered by the Court of Appeal.
The latest adjournment therefore adds another development to an already lengthy trial. The proceedings are expected to resume on August 17, when the court will determine whether the defence lawyer will appear and how the case will proceed.
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GhanaNews.org works with trusted service partners whose offerings are relevant to Ghanaians at home and across the diaspora. These partnerships allow our readers to discover useful travel and financial services while continuing to access credible news and current affairs.
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Former Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) President Ben Nunoo Mensah has fulfilled his pledge to reward Ghanaian boxer Amadu Mohammed following his bronze-medal performance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The 21-year-old boxer received a cash reward and food items from Nunoo Mensah in recognition of his achievement and contribution to Ghana’s boxing campaign.
Nunoo Mensah also encouraged the young boxer to remain committed to amateur boxing, stay humble and continue working towards winning gold at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Amadu Mohammed presents bronze medal
In appreciation of the former GOC president’s continued support, Amadu Mohammed presented his Commonwealth Games bronze medal to Ben Nunoo Mensah.
The gesture highlighted the relationship between the young boxer and one of Ghana’s prominent sports administrators, who has consistently advocated greater support and investment in Ghanaian athletes.
A promising boxing career
Amadu Mohammed has established himself as one of Ghana’s promising amateur boxers. He has previously represented Ghana at major international competitions and has been identified as one of the country’s notable boxing prospects.
Before the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Amadu was already regarded as a boxer with significant potential. His performances at previous competitions had earned him recognition within Ghana’s boxing fraternity and strengthened expectations surrounding his future with the Black Bombers.
Available boxing records also show Amadu’s involvement in Ghana’s national amateur boxing programme, including preparations for major international competitions.
Nunoo Mensah urges boxer to target Olympic gold
Beyond the immediate reward, Nunoo Mensah’s message to Amadu was focused on the boxer’s long-term development.
He urged the young athlete to remain in amateur boxing, maintain humility and use the experience gained at the Commonwealth Games as a foundation for an even stronger international career.
The ultimate target, according to the message, is the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, where Amadu will have another opportunity to compete for Ghana on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
Ghana’s boxing hopes
Boxing remains one of Ghana’s strongest medal-producing sports at major international competitions. The country has historically relied heavily on the Black Bombers to deliver medals at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games.
Amadu’s bronze therefore adds to Ghana’s boxing tradition while providing another indication that the country’s amateur programme continues to produce athletes capable of competing internationally.
The challenge now will be to provide the boxer and other emerging Ghanaian athletes with the preparation, competition opportunities and institutional support required to convert promising performances into gold medals.
A reward beyond the medal
For Amadu Mohammed, the reward from Ben Nunoo Mensah represents more than financial assistance. It is also an acknowledgement of the sacrifice and discipline required to represent Ghana at an international sporting event.
With the 2028 Olympics now becoming a longer-term target, the young boxer will be hoping to build on his Commonwealth Games experience and return stronger in his pursuit of Olympic success.
Our Partners
Ghana News is proud to work with trusted partners serving Ghanaians at home and across the diaspora. World Travel & Tours provides travel and tour services for individuals and families planning journeys, while UnityLink Money Transfer helps members of the West African diaspora stay financially connected with loved ones across borders. These partnerships support our mission of connecting our audience with useful services alongside credible news and information.
Burkina Faso’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has declared that there will be no Sharia law in the country, while affirming that every citizen has the right to practise their religion.
Traoré, who is himself a Muslim, made the remarks while addressing the question of religion and the direction of Burkina Faso, according to a Ghana News representative who was present and heard the statement firsthand.
“I am a Muslim, but everyone in Burkina Faso has the right to practise their own religion. There will be no Sharia law in this country,” Traoré said.
Traoré draws line between faith and state
The statement places emphasis on religious freedom and the separation of religious practice from the country’s system of governance. Traoré’s position is particularly significant in a country where Islam is the largest religion, alongside Christianity and traditional African beliefs.
Burkina Faso’s legal framework recognises the country as a secular state, meaning that the government does not establish a religious system as the basis of state authority. Recent developments under Traoré’s government, however, have brought religious affairs increasingly into the national debate.
In July 2026, reporting indicated that the relationship between Traoré’s military government and sections of Burkina Faso’s Muslim scholarly community had become increasingly strained following new legislation, arrests and government measures affecting religious affairs. [oai_citation:1‡Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/22/why-traore-has-opened-a-new-front-with-burkina-fasos-muslim-community?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
“Everyone has the right to practise their religion”
Traoré’s remarks therefore appear to frame the issue around individual religious freedom rather than the imposition of one religious legal system on the entire country.
His declaration also sends a message to Burkina Faso’s religious communities that practising Islam, Christianity or another recognised faith does not mean that the country’s laws will be replaced by religious law.
The position is consistent with Burkina Faso’s longstanding constitutional identity as a secular state, although the country’s political and religious environment has become increasingly contested under the current military-led administration.
A wider debate over religion and national identity
The discussion comes at a time when questions surrounding religion, education and national identity have become increasingly prominent in Burkina Faso.
Recent reporting has highlighted government measures concerning students studying Islamic law abroad and growing tensions between the authorities and some Muslim leaders. These developments have intensified debate over how religious education should relate to the country’s national priorities and governance. oai_citation:2‡Al Jazeera
Traoré has increasingly presented his administration as focused on national sovereignty, self-reliance and the restructuring of Burkina Faso’s institutions. His latest remarks on Sharia law add a religious dimension to that broader political position.
Ghana News was present
A representative of Ghana News was present when the remarks were made and directly heard Traoré’s statement. The report therefore does not rely solely on the social-media graphic circulating online; the quotation is based on the firsthand account of the Ghana News representative who attended the event.
The statement is expected to generate further discussion across Africa, particularly among audiences following Burkina Faso’s political transformation and Traoré’s increasingly prominent role in regional affairs.
Our Partners
Ghana News is proud to connect its readers and the wider African diaspora with trusted services that make international travel and cross-border connections easier. World Travel & Tours supports travellers with travel and tour-related services, helping individuals and families navigate journeys between Ghana and destinations around the world. For members of the diaspora sending financial support home, UnityLink Money Transfer provides fast, affordable and secure money-transfer services connecting the West African diaspora with loved ones worldwide. Together, these partnerships reflect Ghana News’ commitment to serving a globally connected Ghanaian and African audience.
Stay connected with Ghana News for more important developments from Ghana, Africa and the world.
Samsung Electronics has unveiled the new Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9, introducing a new generation of smartwatches designed to turn everyday health and fitness data into personalised, actionable insights.
Samsung’s New Galaxy Watches Turn Your Wrist Into A Health Hub
The new devices combine advanced health monitoring, artificial intelligence, improved performance and all-day comfort, positioning the latest Galaxy Watch lineup as a digital health companion that users can wear throughout the day.
Samsung says the new watches are built around a broader vision of proactive health management, allowing users to better understand patterns involving sleep, activity, cardiovascular health and recovery rather than simply recording individual measurements.
Galaxy Watch Ultra2: Built for extreme performance
The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is positioned as Samsung’s most powerful Galaxy Watch yet, targeting outdoor enthusiasts, athletes and users who demand high performance, durability and precise tracking.
The 47mm smartwatch features an 800mAh battery, representing a 35 per cent increase in capacity over the previous Ultra generation. It is powered by the Snapdragon Wear Elite Platform and supports advanced GPS tracking for demanding activities.
Samsung has also equipped the Ultra2 with a display capable of reaching up to 5,000 nits of brightness, designed to improve visibility in bright outdoor conditions. The watch retains a titanium casing and is built for demanding environments.
The Ultra2 also supports professional diving, with IP69K and 10 ATM ratings alongside EN13319 certification. When users enter the water, the watch can track information such as depth, elapsed time and water temperature.
Galaxy Watch9 focuses on everyday wellness
While the Ultra2 is aimed at demanding outdoor and sporting activities, the Galaxy Watch9 is designed as an everyday health and wellness companion.
Available in 40mm and 44mm sizes, the Watch9 combines a lightweight aluminium casing with a refined cushion-shaped design intended to provide a comfortable fit during extended wear. Its design is particularly suited to continuous activity and sleep tracking.
Samsung says the Watch9 is designed to help users build healthier routines by turning personal biometric information into useful health and lifestyle guidance.
AI-powered health insights
At the centre of both watches is Samsung’s AI-powered approach to health monitoring. The Galaxy Watch BioActive Sensor continuously captures biometric information that can be analysed to provide insights across several areas of wellbeing.
The health-focused features include Sleep Apnea monitoring, Vitals tracking, a Heart Health Score, Daily Cardio Load, a Fitness Index and hearing-related monitoring.
The Sleep Apnea feature uses AI algorithms to identify signs associated with breathing disruptions during sleep. Vitals monitoring can establish a personal baseline and provide alerts when significant deviations are detected.
The Heart Health Score is designed to provide users with a simplified view of cardiovascular wellness, while Daily Cardio Load can help users understand workout demands and estimated recovery requirements.
Samsung also says the Fitness Index provides a broader picture of physical fitness and can help users establish personalised goals.
Designed for continuous health monitoring
Samsung’s approach centres on making health monitoring part of everyday life rather than something users only check occasionally. The combination of comfortable designs, longer-lasting batteries and continuous sensors is intended to encourage users to wear the devices throughout the day and night.
According to Samsung, this creates a larger pool of personal data from which its AI-powered health features can generate more meaningful guidance.
Availability and colours
The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 comes in a 47mm configuration and is offered in Titanium Silver and Titanium Gray. The Galaxy Watch9 is available in 40mm and 44mm sizes, with colour options including Cream, Graphite and Silver depending on size and market.
Samsung announced the devices on July 22, 2026, with pre-orders beginning in selected markets and general availability beginning August 7, 2026. Availability, configurations and pricing may vary by market.
Our partners
As Ghanaian consumers increasingly connect technology, travel and cross-border lifestyles, World Travel & Tours and UnityLink Money Transfer continue to serve important needs within the international Ghanaian community. World Travel & Tours provides travel and flight-booking services, while UnityLink Money Transfer supports international remittances to Africa. Readers can explore their services through World Travel & Tours and UnityLink Money Transfer.
The launch of the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9 further reflects the growing convergence of technology, health, fitness and everyday lifestyle management, with Samsung positioning the wrist as an increasingly important gateway to personalised digital health.
Ghana recorded 965 institutional maternal deaths in 2025, highlighting what health authorities continue to describe as one of the country’s most urgent public health challenges.
The figure was referenced by Deputy Minister for Health, Prof. Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, during discussions on Ghana’s efforts to reduce maternal mortality and strengthen the country’s healthcare response.
Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, Deputy Minister for Health.
Prof. Ayensu-Danquah described maternal mortality as a major concern and stressed the need for urgent, coordinated and sustained interventions to prevent avoidable deaths during pregnancy and childbirth.
The latest data has intensified calls for stronger emergency response systems, better referral networks, improved access to essential medical supplies and closer monitoring of maternal health outcomes across the country.
The Ministry of Health has already launched a national strategy aimed at reducing maternal deaths by 30 percent within the next 24 months, with particular attention being given to 11 high-burden referral and teaching hospitals.
According to information released following the launch of the strategy, about 42 percent of the 965 institutional maternal deaths recorded in 2025 occurred across the 11 targeted facilities, underscoring the pressure faced by major referral centres.
The strategy is expected to focus on some of the leading causes of maternal deaths, including postpartum haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders and sepsis.
Health authorities are also seeking to strengthen the enforcement of clinical protocols while improving emergency response systems and referral arrangements to ensure that women experiencing complications receive timely care.
Another key component is the planned acceleration of the National Patient Referral Policy and its implementation guidelines. The policy is expected to improve coordination and efficiency when patients require transfers between health facilities.
The Ministry has also indicated that high-burden hospitals will be prioritised for retooling with essential medical equipment, blood products, emergency response systems and other critical healthcare supplies.
Prof. Ayensu-Danquah has urged stakeholders to move beyond discussions and focus on practical interventions capable of saving lives, particularly in situations where timely medical intervention can prevent maternal deaths.
The 2025 figure comes against a broader concern about the country’s maternal health performance and the need to strengthen services before, during and after childbirth.
Health officials, Ghana Health Service representatives, regional health directors, development partners and frontline healthcare workers have been brought together as part of efforts to develop a more coordinated response to the challenge.
The renewed focus also places greater attention on the ability of hospitals to respond rapidly to obstetric emergencies, including severe bleeding, hypertension-related complications and infections.
For many health professionals, reducing maternal mortality will require not only additional resources but also stronger systems for identifying complications early, ensuring timely referrals and maintaining adequate supplies and skilled personnel at facilities.
The government has therefore set the 30 percent reduction target as a major benchmark for the next two years, with the performance of the targeted high-burden hospitals expected to form an important part of the national response.
Beyond the statistics, the maternal mortality figures represent mothers whose deaths have affected families and communities across Ghana, reinforcing the need for sustained investment in maternal and emergency healthcare.
As Ghana intensifies its efforts, health authorities are expected to continue monitoring maternal deaths, identifying preventable causes and implementing corrective measures across the healthcare system.
Partner Information: GhanaNews.org also works with trusted partners serving Ghanaian communities at home and abroad. World Travel & Tours provides travel-related services, while UnityLink Money Transfer supports international money-transfer needs, helping connect members of the Ghanaian diaspora with their families and communities.
The fight against maternal mortality remains a national responsibility, requiring government, healthcare professionals, development partners, communities and families to work together to ensure that pregnancy and childbirth do not become preventable causes of death.
HAMBURG, GERMANY — A new collaboration involving Ghanaian media, music, business and diaspora-focused services is bringing together Daniel Jeddman, Ghana Media, Ghana News, UnityLink Money Transfer and World Travel & Tours in a partnership built around connection, community and opportunity.
Daniel Jeddman Partners with UnityLink and World Travel & Tours
The collaboration is being highlighted ahead of the upcoming Daniel Jeddman – The Hand of God Live Album Recording Experience, scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2026, in Hamburg, Germany.
The partnership reflects a broader effort to connect Ghanaian audiences and the African diaspora with trusted media, financial services, travel solutions and meaningful cultural experiences across borders.
A Partnership Connecting Media, Business and the Diaspora
At the centre of the collaboration is Ghana Media, a digital media platform serving audiences interested in Ghanaian news, business, entertainment, culture and developments affecting Ghanaians around the world.
Readers can follow the latest Ghana News, breaking developments through Ghana News Live, and major national and international stories through Top Stories.
For Ghanaian communities living outside the country, the importance of such connections goes beyond news and entertainment. The diaspora continues to maintain strong economic, family, cultural and social ties with Ghana, creating demand for reliable platforms and services that can bridge the distance.
UnityLink Brings the Money Transfer Connection
UnityLink is a money-transfer service focused on connecting the West African diaspora with loved ones across borders. Its official platform describes its services as fast, affordable and secure money transfers, including transfers to Ghana, Nigeria, Gambia and Kenya.
The partnership therefore brings an important financial-services dimension to the collaboration, particularly for Ghanaians and other Africans living in Europe and elsewhere who regularly maintain financial connections with families and communities back home.
UnityLink’s official platform also provides information on sending money to Ghana and its network of agents and collection points.
World Travel & Tours: The Travel and UnityLink Connection
World Travel & Tours, based at Wandsbeker Chaussee 126 in Hamburg, provides travel services including flight ticket sales and reservations for national and international airlines.
Importantly, World Travel & Tours’ own website states that the company is a SUPER Agent of UnityLink and provides money-transfer services through that relationship. Its money-transfer page also directs customers to UnityLink’s agent and collection-point network.
This makes World Travel & Tours an important bridge between the travel and financial-services sides of the collaboration, particularly for members of the African and Ghanaian diaspora in Germany.
The relationship is also reflected in official regulatory information. The Dutch central bank, De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), lists Unity Monetary Services B.V. as the statutory entity behind the UnityLink trade name and identifies World Travel & Tours as a controlling entity. The register also records Unity Monetary Services B.V. as a payment institution authorised for money remittance.
The Hand of God Live Album Recording Experience
The partnership will receive a major public platform through the upcoming The Hand of God Live Album Recording Experience featuring Daniel Jeddman.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Christhouse Charismatic Chapel (CCC Cathedral), Wandsbeker Zollstrasse 155, 22041 Hamburg.
The programme is scheduled to run from 17:00 to 20:00 and is designed as a live album recording experience centred on faith, worship, music, community and purpose.
Rather than being presented simply as a conventional concert, the experience is intended to create a lasting musical record while bringing members of the Ghanaian and wider African community together in Hamburg.
Daniel Jeddman sits at the intersection of the media, music and faith dimensions of the initiative.
As the founder and publisher behind Ghana Media, Jeddman’s vision extends beyond the publication of news. The broader objective is to build platforms capable of connecting Ghanaian stories, businesses, creators and communities with audiences in Ghana, Germany, Europe and the global diaspora.
His involvement in music adds another dimension to that vision, with The Hand of God serving as a major live recording project that combines gospel music, worship and community engagement.
The collaboration with UnityLink and World Travel & Tours therefore creates an intersection between media visibility, cultural engagement, travel and diaspora financial connections.
Why the Partnership Matters to the Ghanaian Diaspora
For many Ghanaians living abroad, staying connected to Ghana involves much more than following news.
Families send money home. People travel between Europe and Ghana for business, family responsibilities, education, ministry and holidays. Entrepreneurs seek opportunities to reach Ghanaian consumers, while communities continue to organise events that preserve culture and strengthen relationships.
This creates an ecosystem in which media, financial services, travel and community activities can work together to make cross-border connections easier and more meaningful.
That is the wider significance of the collaboration involving Ghana Media, Daniel Jeddman, UnityLink and World Travel & Tours.
More Than a Single Event
The partnership is not being positioned solely around the August 22 album recording.
Instead, it represents a broader opportunity to build relationships between businesses, media organisations, entrepreneurs, community leaders and the Ghanaian diaspora.
Ghana Media’s growing digital audience provides businesses with an avenue to communicate with people interested in Ghanaian news, culture, business, entertainment and diaspora affairs.
For businesses looking to reach Ghanaian and African audiences in Germany and beyond, collaborations of this nature can create opportunities for greater visibility while supporting community-focused initiatives.
An Open Door for Future Partnerships
The collaboration also signals that the door remains open for additional businesses and organisations interested in strategic partnerships, sponsorships, media visibility and community initiatives.
The objective is not simply to place a company logo beside a publication or event. The broader vision is to create partnerships capable of generating meaningful engagement between brands and the communities they serve.
For Ghanaian businesses, diaspora-focused companies, entrepreneurs and organisations, the growing connection between media and community platforms provides an opportunity to tell their stories and reach audiences across borders.
A Shared Vision of Connection
At its heart, the collaboration represents a simple idea: connection creates opportunity.
Ghana Media connects people with information.
UnityLink connects families and communities through money-transfer services.
World Travel & Tours connects people through travel while also operating within the UnityLink financial-services network.
Daniel Jeddman’s music and live recording project creates another point of connection through faith, worship and culture.
Together, these elements create a partnership that reaches beyond a single publication or event.
Appreciation to the Partners
Daniel Jeddman and the Ghana Media team have expressed appreciation to UnityLink Money Transfer and World Travel & Tours for coming on board and supporting the vision.
The collaboration is expected to provide further opportunities for media, business, community and diaspora engagement in the months ahead.
As The Hand of God Live Album Recording Experience approaches, the partnership offers a practical example of how media, business, travel, financial services and music can come together around a common community.
About Ghana Media
Ghana Media is a digital media platform covering Ghanaian news, current affairs, business, entertainment, culture and diaspora developments.
UnityLink provides money-transfer services connecting members of the West African diaspora with loved ones worldwide, including services for transfers to Ghana and other countries.
About World Travel & Tours
World Travel & Tours is a Hamburg-based travel agency offering flight tickets and airline reservations for national and international airlines. The company’s official website also identifies it as a SUPER Agent of UnityLink and outlines its money-transfer services.
Event Details
Event: The Hand of God – Live Album Recording Experience
The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has announced a series of urgent operational measures to tackle growing landside congestion at the Port of Tema, assuring importers, shipping lines, terminal operators and other stakeholders that efforts are underway to restore normal cargo flow.
Port of Tema congestion as GPHA rolls out measures to restore smooth cargo flow.
According to the Authority, the congestion has been driven largely by a significant increase in import volumes, a corresponding rise in exports of empty containers and growing road traffic challenges around the port enclave. GPHA said similar congestion-related difficulties are being experienced at several ports across the West African sub-region, affecting the evacuation of containers and the movement of both laden and empty units.
In response, GPHA said it has activated enhanced operational interventions and placed relevant stakeholders on heightened operational alert. The measures are being implemented in collaboration with shipping lines and terminal operators to improve cargo movement and maximise available terminal capacity.
Among the measures are efforts to accelerate the evacuation of empty containers through increased vessel calls, strengthen container transfer operations, deploy additional trucks, improve the handling and storage of empty containers, and optimise yard and traffic management systems within the port.
The Authority said the interventions are intended to reduce congestion, improve operational efficiency and ensure the uninterrupted flow of international trade through Ghana’s largest seaport.
GPHA has also appealed to importers, clearing agents and cargo owners to expedite the clearance and evacuation of their consignments from the port. The Authority stressed that prompt cargo removal is critical to creating additional terminal space and facilitating the smooth movement of goods.
“Prompt cargo evacuation remains essential to easing pressure on terminal space and supporting the continuous flow of trade through the port,” the Authority said.
The Port of Tema is Ghana’s largest port and handles a substantial share of the country’s international trade. GPHA says about 85% of Ghana’s trade is conducted through the country’s two main ports, Tema and Takoradi.
The latest congestion response also comes against the backdrop of continuing efforts to improve port efficiency. GPHA has previously highlighted measures aimed at streamlining processes, reducing turnaround times and strengthening coordination among stakeholders across the maritime value chain.
Recent independent shipping data has also indicated congestion pressures at Tema. Portcast reported a medium congestion level for the port in late July 2026, while industry operational updates earlier in the year cited yard congestion and other operational constraints affecting vessel movements.
GPHA said it is closely monitoring developments and will continue implementing the necessary interventions to address the situation and restore normal operating conditions as quickly as possible.
The Authority expressed appreciation to the trading community and the general public for their patience, cooperation and understanding during the period of congestion.
GPHA reiterated its commitment to maintaining a safe, efficient and competitive port system capable of supporting Ghana’s international trade ambitions and broader economic growth objectives.
For Ghanaian businesses with US dollar exposure, the most important currency question may not be where the cedi is heading, but how much it costs to remove uncertainty from the balance sheet.
For companies that earn in cedis but import, borrow or settle obligations in dollars, every exchange-rate movement can affect margins, cash flow and ultimately the reliability of financial forecasts. Yet many businesses continue to approach foreign-exchange risk primarily through market forecasts rather than through a structured treasury strategy.
That approach can leave companies exposed at precisely the moment protection becomes most valuable.
According to Andrew Arde-Acquah, Manager, Global Markets Sales, Corporate and Investment Banking at Stanbic Bank Ghana, the better approach is to recognise that the objective of treasury is not to predict the currency market perfectly, but to determine which risks the business is prepared to retain and which risks it should transfer.
The executive blind spot
Most management teams have an exchange-rate assumption embedded in their budgets. Far fewer have an explicit strategy for dealing with the uncertainty around that assumption.
The sharper question for a board or finance director is therefore not simply, “Where will the currency trade?” but rather, “How much of next year’s earnings depends entirely on where it settles?”
Businesses that navigate currency cycles effectively are not necessarily those with the most accurate forecasts. They are often the businesses that decide in advance which exposures are strategic, which risks can be transferred and which risks they are deliberately prepared to retain.
The exposure, in numbers
Ghanaian businesses operate in an economy with significant exposure to international trade and foreign currency.
Ghana recorded approximately US$1.35 billion in foreign direct investment inflows in 2023, according to UNCTAD data. China also accounted for approximately 22.5% of Ghana’s total imports in 2023, according to the Ghana Statistical Service.
These figures are not forecasts of the cedi. They are indicators of the scale of international capital and trade exposure running through Ghana’s economy.
For corporate treasurers, the implication is straightforward: foreign-exchange exposure should be identified and managed before the market forces the business to confront it.
Three behaviours that leave businesses exposed
There are three recurring approaches that can quietly increase currency risk.
Waiting for a better rate: waiting is itself an unhedged market position.
Confusing a market forecast with a treasury strategy: being right about the direction of the cedi does not necessarily mean the business has managed its exposure effectively.
Buying protection only after volatility arrives: protection can become more expensive precisely when the need for it becomes most obvious.
The central question is therefore not whether a company can predict the next currency move. It is whether management has decided how much uncertainty it is willing to carry.
Why the timing may be unusually favourable
One of the key arguments in the current environment is the narrowing interest-rate differential between Ghana and the United States.
A forward exchange rate is not simply a prediction of where the cedi will trade in the future. The forward price is influenced substantially by the interest-rate differential between the two currencies.
Ghana’s policy rate reached a peak of 30% during the period shown in the accompanying analysis before falling to 14% by 2026. Over the same broad period, the implied Ghana-US interest-rate differential narrowed significantly.
That change matters to corporate treasurers because a narrower interest-rate differential can translate into a smaller forward premium, reducing the cost of locking in future currency requirements.
In simple terms, the price of certainty has fallen.
That creates a potentially important window for companies with predictable dollar obligations to review their hedging policies rather than waiting for another period of currency stress.
Exhibit 1: The cost of carry has narrowed
Editor’s note: The accompanying graph supplied for this article should be inserted here as a separate article image. It illustrates the implied GHS-USD interest-rate differential from 2023 to 2026 and is derived from policy rates rather than representing a quoted forward price.
The graph shows the Ghana-US policy-rate gap falling from roughly the low-20 percentage-point range in 2023 and 2024 to approximately 10 percentage points by 2026.
The significance is not that a narrower differential guarantees a particular exchange-rate outcome. It does not. Rather, the changing differential can alter the economics of forward cover and therefore the price a company pays for certainty.
Andrew Arde-Acquah, Manager, Global Markets Sale, Corporate and Investment Banking, Stanbic Bank Ghana
Why the window may not stay open
The Bank of Ghana maintained its Monetary Policy Rate at 14% following its 131st Monetary Policy Committee meeting in July 2026. The Committee also highlighted renewed external risks to inflation amid heightened global uncertainty.
For corporate treasurers, the significance is the possibility that changing inflation and global risk conditions could eventually alter the interest-rate environment again.
If the differential between Ghanaian and US interest rates widens, the cost associated with forward cover could rise.
That is why a calm market can be precisely the environment in which treasury policies should be reviewed. Waiting for the risk to become obvious may mean waiting until the price of protection has already increased.
The danger of panic buying
Consider a familiar corporate scenario. A business has a dollar payment approaching. The market is calm, the cedi appears relatively stable and management decides to wait for a more favourable rate.
Then an unexpected event occurs: geopolitical tension, a commodity-price shock, a change in global monetary policy or a sudden movement in the cedi.
The company still needs the dollars.
But now the spot rate may have moved and the cost of forward protection may have increased. What was previously a routine treasury decision can become an urgent scramble to contain a financial exposure that has already become more expensive.
Panic buying at the top of a currency spike is not a strategy. It is the cost of having no strategy in place before the spike.
A worked example
Consider a Ghanaian importer with a US$500,000 payment due in 30 days.
For illustration, assume spot is GHS11.63 to the US dollar and the 30-day forward rate is GHS11.70.
If the company locks in the forward rate, the future dollar obligation becomes a known cedi amount of approximately GHS5.85 million.
That number can then be incorporated into the company’s budgeting, pricing and cash-flow planning.
If the cedi subsequently weakens to GHS11.90 per US dollar, the hedge has protected the company’s cost. If the cedi strengthens instead, the company gives up the benefit of purchasing dollars at the more favourable spot rate.
Exhibit 1: Implied cost of carry, the rate differential that drives the forward premium (derived from policy rates, not a quoted forward).
That is the fundamental trade-off.
Hedging is not designed to beat the market. It is designed to remove an unwanted variable from the business-performance equation.
Four questions every board should ask
For boards and senior management teams, the practical test is whether the business can answer four questions clearly:
How much of our earnings volatility is attributable solely to the cedi?
Which foreign-exchange exposures are strategic, and which are simply being retained by default?
Does our treasury policy reflect today’s market conditions, or yesterday’s?
If the cedi moved 10% tomorrow, would the outcome be planned or would it come as a surprise?
The objective is certainty, not prediction
Currency volatility will return. The uncertainty lies primarily in when and how it returns.
Every company therefore has an FX strategy, whether that strategy has been formally written down or has simply evolved through repeated decisions not to hedge.
The market does not distinguish between the two.
The companies that navigate currency cycles most effectively are those that decide beforehand how much risk they are prepared to retain and how much they are willing to transfer.
For corporate boards, the message is therefore less about predicting the next move in the cedi and more about understanding the cost of leaving that move entirely outside management’s control.
Treasury’s role is not to predict the future. It is to make the future less able to disrupt the business.
In volatile markets, certainty is not a luxury. It can be the difference between reacting to the cycle and leading through it.
Global Markets Executive Insights is a thought-leadership series for corporate leaders, finance executives and Boards, offering strategic insight rather than product promotion.
Andrew Arde-Acquah Manager, Global Markets Sales Corporate and Investment Banking Stanbic Bank Ghana
Research note: The numerical examples in this article are intended for explanatory purposes. The US$500,000 forward-rate example is illustrative and does not constitute a quotation or recommendation to enter into a transaction.
Vivo Energy Ghana PLC, the exclusive distributor and marketer of Shell-branded fuels and lubricants in Ghana, has reinforced its commitment to safety leadership and emergency preparedness during its 2026 Safety Day and Awards celebration held at the Airport City Shell service station in Accra.
Vivo Energy Ghana Hits 5,600+ Goal Zero Days
The event was held under the theme “Prepare to Respond” and brought together employees, regulators, transporters, contractors, retailers, business partners and other stakeholders to strengthen safety awareness across the downstream petroleum value chain.
Vivo Energy Ghana’s position as a major player in Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector makes safety a critical operational priority. The company’s official profile describes it as the exclusive marketer and distributor of Shell-branded products and services in Ghana, with operations spanning retail fuels, lubricants and commercial energy solutions. Read more about Vivo Energy Ghana.
The 2026 Safety Day focused on the importance of ensuring that people, systems and processes are not only designed to prevent incidents but are also prepared to respond quickly and effectively when emergencies occur.
Speaking at the event, Managing Director of Vivo Energy Ghana Christian Li reaffirmed the company’s commitment to embedding safety into every aspect of its operations. He said the company’s safety culture is guided by its values of Safety, Excellence, Caring, Respect and Integrity.
Mr. Li said Vivo Energy Ghana had surpassed 5,600 Goal Zero days without a workplace injury, describing the achievement as evidence of sustained discipline, accountability and collective responsibility across the organisation and its partners. Independent reports from the Ghana News Agency and Graphic Online corroborate the safety milestone.
“The future of safety will not be defined by luck, but by preparation,” Mr. Li said, stressing that safety must remain deliberate, disciplined and a collective responsibility.
He explained that Vivo Energy Ghana continues to invest in safety training, risk assessment, emergency response systems and Health, Safety, Security, Environment and Quality (HSSEQ) standards. The company also maintains emergency controls, including fire suppression systems, emergency shut-off mechanisms, response procedures, drills, audits and preventive maintenance.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency, Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, who served as the special guest of honour, commended Vivo Energy Ghana for its safety and environmental leadership.
Professor Klutse stressed that preparedness must extend beyond responding to emergencies to include prevention, regulatory compliance, vigilance and environmental protection. She noted that petroleum-sector operations can have significant consequences for ecosystems, water resources, public health and surrounding communities.
She urged industry players to strengthen environmental compliance and continuously improve their safety systems. Her remarks were consistent with the EPA’s regulatory role in protecting and enhancing Ghana’s environment while promoting sustainable development.
A major feature of the celebration was a panel discussion involving stakeholders from the downstream petroleum industry, including representatives of the Ghana National Fire Service, the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies, transporters and retailers.
The discussion examined emergency preparedness, risk management, communication and the need for stronger collaboration across the petroleum value chain. Participants emphasised continuous training, strict adherence to safety procedures and proactive intervention whenever unsafe conditions are identified.
The occasion also featured a Safety Awards ceremony recognising employees, contractors, transporters, retailers and other partners who had demonstrated outstanding commitment to safety and operational discipline.
The recognition reflects Vivo Energy Ghana’s broader Goal Zero ambition of preventing harm to people and minimising its environmental impact. The company previously marked 5,000 Goal Zero days in September 2024, demonstrating that the latest milestone represents a continuation of a long-term safety programme rather than a one-off achievement.
Vivo Energy Ghana has described safety as an ongoing responsibility involving not only its employees but also contractors, transporters, retailers, customers, regulators and other stakeholders across its operations. Its Ghana business continues to position safety, innovation and quality as central elements of its operations.
Through the 2026 Safety Day celebration, the company reinforced the message that effective safety management requires both prevention and preparedness. The emphasis on “Prepare to Respond” reflects the need for organisations operating in high-risk environments to ensure that emergency systems are tested, maintained and understood before an incident occurs.
GhanaNews.org Partner Spotlight
GhanaNews.org is also working with trusted businesses serving Ghanaians and the wider African diaspora in Europe. Our partner World Travel & Tours, based in Hamburg, provides flight-ticket sales and reservation services for national and international airlines. The company’s official website also identifies its relationship with UnityLink Financial Services and highlights money-transfer services. Visit World Travel & Tours for current services and contact information.
UnityLink Financial Services provides money-transfer services, including remittances to Ghana. Its current digital service is available through its official platform, while its corporate information identifies the company as a financial-services provider. Visit UnityLink Financial Services for current information about its services.
These partnerships form part of GhanaNews.org’s effort to connect readers in Ghana, Germany and the wider diaspora with relevant businesses and services.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Germany Branch is holding its branch elections in Saarbrücken, with members gathering at the designated Southern Election Center to participate in the internal electoral process.
The election is taking place on Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 10:00am to 3:00pm at Lutherhaus, Saarbrücken-Burbach, Noldplatz 2, 66115 Saarbrücken, according to information published for the election centre.
The Saarbrücken location has been designated as the Southern Election Center, forming part of the NPP Germany Branch’s internal electoral arrangements. The exercise is expected to bring together eligible party members in the region to participate in the selection of branch leadership.
Under the published NPP Germany Rules and Regulations, branch-level elections operate under a one-member, one-vote principle, with the candidate receiving the highest number of valid votes declared the winner.
The rules further state that voters must be members of NPP Germany in good standing and must have fulfilled their membership dues and other official financial obligations. The regulations also provide for an Electoral Board or Committee to organise and supervise the elections.
NPP Germany describes itself as the Germany Branch of the New Patriotic Party, with chapters across the country. Its official website currently lists 24 chapters, more than 700 members and more than 300 volunteers, reflecting the size of the party’s organised presence among its supporters in Germany.
The current election is taking place against the wider political backdrop of preparations for Ghana’s next general election cycle. Recent reporting has also highlighted discussions within NPP Germany chapters about strengthening party organisation, communication and unity ahead of the 2028 elections.
For members participating in today’s exercise, attention will be focused on the voting process, turnout and the eventual declaration of results. As voting remains ongoing, no winner should be declared until the appropriate electoral authorities officially announce the results.
GhanaNews.org will continue to follow developments from the NPP Germany Branch elections and update readers when verified results or significant developments emerge.
GhanaNews.org Partner Spotlight
As part of GhanaNews.org’s growing partnership network serving Ghanaians in Germany and across the diaspora, readers can also access services from World Travel & Tours and UnityLink Financial Services.
World Travel & Tours, based in Hamburg, provides flight ticketing and reservation services for national and international airlines. The company’s official website also states that it operates as a Super Agent of UnityLink and provides money-transfer services to Ghana and other destinations. Visit World Travel & Tours for its current travel and related services.
UnityLink Financial Services provides international money-transfer services, including transfers to Ghana. UnityLink states that it is authorised and regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority under the Payment Services Regulations 2017. Visit UnityLink for current information about its financial services.
Through these partnerships, GhanaNews.org is connecting its audience with businesses providing practical services to Ghanaians and the wider African diaspora in Europe and beyond.
Source: NPP Germany Branch rules and regulations, NPP Germany official information, and election-centre information supplied for the Saarbrücken exercise.
