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News

DVLA Denies Alleged GH¢308K Theft Involving National Service Personnel

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The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has reacted to recent media publications concerning its operations. In a statement released on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, the Authority denied reports by some media houses that a National Service Personnel stole from its coffers. According to the earlier media reports, the National Service Personnel in question allegedly stole GH¢308,000 to purchase a Hyundai Elantra saloon car, a 50-inch Samsung TV, and to pay a sibling’s school fees. The Authority however sought to clarify that that that the alleged money involved does not belong to the DVLA and was not stolen from any of its official accounts. The institution however stated that the matter under investigation is a purely personal dispute involving a former National Service Personnel who is currently on a contract role with them. “The matter under investigation is a personal dispute involving an individual who happens to be a former National Service Personnel assigned to the DVLA and currently on contract. At no point has the Authority suffered any financial loss in relation to this case.,” the statement read. The management then urged media houses and the general public to exercise restraint and accuracy “in reporting on the matter to avoid creating the erroneous impression that public funds belonging to the DVLA have been misappropriated.” DVLA then expressed its commitment towards upholding the highest standards of integrity and cooperating fully with the police. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority  is the public institution responsible for the registration and licensing of vehicles and drivers in Ghana. It operates under the Ministry of Transport, ensuring road safety and standard compliance across the country while running secure financial systems for all its public transactions.

Africa

World Bank approves US$225m for urban resilience and jobs project in Madagascar’s Antananarivo, Toamasina

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The World Bank Group has approved US$225 million in financing for the Integrated Urban Development and Resilience Project for Jobs (PRODUIRE2), aimed at strengthening climate resilience, improving infrastructure, and creating more and better jobs in Greater Antananarivo and Greater Toamasina. In a press release dated July 6, 2026, the World Bank stated that Madagascar’s rapidly growing cities are facing mounting challenges, noting that cyclones Fytia and Gezani caused damages estimated at 3.4% of the country’s GDP in early 2026. The Bank further disclosed that in Greater Antananarivo, extreme urban poverty has more than doubled over the past decade, despite the capital generating close to 44% of the country’s GDP. It added that recurrent flooding, inadequate infrastructure, and insecure land tenure continue to deter private investment, limit economic opportunities, and keep the city’s most vulnerable residents locked in poverty. As a response to this the World Bank believes that PRODUIRE2 will deepen investments in flood protection, drainage, solid waste management, neighborhood upgrading, and land administration in Greater Antananarivo. In Greater Toamasina, where cyclone Gezani damaged 70% of the housing stock, the project will focus on rebuilding resilient housing and rehabilitating critical public infrastructure such as schools and health facilities, the Bank stated. By 2032, the project aims to bring climate-resilient infrastructure to 1.5 million people, reconstruct 20,000 homes to resilient standards, issue land documentation for 50,000 parcels, and generate approximately 17,000 jobs, according to the Bank. The World Bank further disclosed that the project will also address the insecure land tenure, noting that nearly half of the land in Antananarivo lacks formal titles, a key barrier to urban development and investment by supporting land regularization and digital land services. This according to the world bank will help residents obtain legally recognized documentation and streamline transactions, with at least 40% of new land documents issued expected to include women as sole or joint rights holders. The World Bank noted that PRODUIRE2 reflects a long-term partnership between the Government of Madagascar and the institution, and will support Antananarivo and Toamasina in becoming more resilient, inclusive, and dynamic engines of growth. It added that the project is supported by the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) and the Quality Infrastructure Investment (QII) Partnership, financed by the Government of Japan, which provide technical and analytical assistance to strengthen Madagascar’s framework for disaster risk management, urban resilience, and infrastructure quality.

News

Newspapers Are an Endangered Species in Ghana — High Commissioner Harruna Attah

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Ghana’s High Commissioner to Namibia and Botswana, H.E. Abdul-Rahman Harruna Attah, has called for stronger self-regulation within Ghana’s media industry, cautioning against government interference as a solution to declining content quality. Speaking with Business Outlook Africa,on the state of the media landscape, the veteran journalist, publisher and author stated that professional associations within the industry currently have no bite, noting that questionable content often goes unchecked despite being in bad taste. “There’s so much around but so very little quality sadly yeah so very little quality in our media. It has to go with the professionals i realise we have um professional associations that have no bite,until the professionals will sit up and insist.And see the government can’t do much the government when it does something to interfere will be called being anti-media yeah.” he stated Abdul-Rahman Harruna Attah, also described newspapers as an endangered species in Ghana, attributing their decline to a broader lack of reading culture within society. “You see, the society we serve is not very sophisticated, so to speak. They don’t buy newspapers.We don’t love reading. That’s the thing. We don’t like reading.We don’t read. So newspapers are an endangered species.,” he stated. Harruna Attah cautioned that the trend reflects a deeper problem with Ghana’s educational system, stating that children must be motivated to read not merely to pass examinations, but to expand and open their minds. “So we have to improve our educational system. When you go round and round, it comes down to the educational system. To motivate our children to read.Not necessarily to pass exams, but just to read, to expand their minds.” He added The High Commissioner also added that even though he finds Technology and AI as an interesting development and part of human development,we cannot afford to overly rely on it citing inaccuracy in some situations as an extreme caution. “So AI, I find very, very interesting.But we can’t also rely on it for everything we do.Because sometimes AI gets it wrong, really, really wrong. And that’s when the problems start coming.” The Commissioner added He therefore urged media practitioners to embrace AI as a tool to advance the cause of their work, arguing that it represents an inevitable dimension of human progress that cannot be ignored. “The time has come, and we have to make use of it. I think AI is part of human development. So we have to hold it tight,” he cautioned.

News

Government settles US$700m Eurobond obligation ahead of schedule

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The Ministry of Finance has fully settled its Eurobond obligation of US$700 million ahead of schedule. In a press release dated July 6, 2026, the Ministry stated that the payment which was made on Thursday, July 2, 2026, comprises of US$525.2 million in principal repayments and US$174.8 million in interest payments. With this latest payment, Ghana has now paid a total of US$2.1 billion to Eurobond holders since January 2025, in accordance with the terms of the Eurobond Debt Exchange Programme. It further stated that the payment was made through the Government’s planned financing arrangements, without undue pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves. The Ministry noted that the settlement reduces Ghana’s outstanding Eurobond debt, strengthens investor confidence, and demonstrates the Government’s commitment to prudent debt management and macroeconomic stability. It stated that the Ministry will continue to implement sound public financial management practices to ensure the timely servicing of Ghana’s debt obligations.

News

Fire guts Melcom warehouse at Tema Free Zones; company confirms no injuries

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Melcom Limited has officially confirmed a fire outbreak at one of its warehouse facilities on Saturday, July 4, 2026. In a statement released on July 5, 2026, the retail giant stated that no casualties or injuries were recorded as a result of the incident. “We are deeply thankful that there were no casualties or injuries resulting from the incident. The safety and well-being of our employees, partners and surrounding communities remain our highest priority,” the company stated. Melcom further commended the Ghana National Fire Service, NADMO, the Ghana Police Service, and other emergency personnel for their swift response to bring the situation under control. It added that its management team is collaborating with the relevant authorities to establish the cause of the fire, while conducting an internal assessment of the damage and implementing measures to secure the facility. The company cautioned that although the incident has heavily impacted its operations, it remains committed to restoring operations with minimal interruptions and ensuring the availability of stock for customers. The retail giant then expressed its appreciation to its employees, customers, business partners, and members of the public for their concern and messages of support during the period.

Africa

World Bank Group Appoints New Country Manager for Gabon

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The World Bank Group has announced the appointment of Mr. Sylvain Kakou as its new Country Manager for the Republic of Gabon. According to the global banking institution,Kakou’s appointment reflects its “commitment to strengthening country‑level leadership and enhancing the development impact of its programs.” In his new role, Mr. Kakou will work to strengthen partnerships with the government, private sector, civil society, and development partners whiles also leading the designing and implementation of country engagement programs and coordinate the country team’s efforts to advance poverty reduction and shared prosperity. Speaking on the back of his appointment, Sylvain Kakou expressed confidence in carrying out his mandate diligently. “I am confident that our strengthened presence will help generate more opportunities for youth, women, and communities across the country.” He stated The Cote d’Ivoire national ,joined IFC in 2006 and has held leadership and technical roles across Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, including positions as Investment Officer, Country Head, Resident Representative, and Country Manager respectively in South Africa, Zambia, Haiti, Central Africa and Sahel. His professional background also includes investment banking experience at Citibank and HSBC., as well as project development expertise at the National Bureau of Technical Studies and Development (BNETD) in Côte d’Ivoire. Mr. Kakou holds an MBA in Finance from Drexel University in Philadelphia and a Master’s in International Project Management from ESCP Paris. He brings extensive experience in country strategic  engagement and partnerships, corporate finance, project structuring and execution including in fragile and conflict‑affected contexts.

News

MoFA to replace flood-damaged and lost passports within a week

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced an expedited replacement process for Ghanaians whose passports were lost or damaged in this week’s floods across the country. In a press release dated July 3, 2026, the Ministry stated that it was aware of the scale of destruction caused by the flooding, including loss of lives and property. “We extend our sincere and deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased,” the Ministry stated. The Ministry added that it recognises many Ghanaians may have either lost their passports or had them damaged as a direct result of the disaster. It further stated that affected individuals should contact the Ministry between Friday, July 3 and Friday, July 17, 2026, via the dedicated line, 055 936 8563. Callers have been asked to provide their name, date of birth, and gender as they appear on the affected passport, along with a working phone number for easy contact. The Ministry emphasized that it intends to replace all lost and damaged passports within a week of application. It cautioned that the exercise forms part of the government’s broader recovery efforts following the floods, further stating that it remains committed to supporting affected persons through this difficult period.

Economy

Dr. Pamela Graham sworn in as Ghana’s first female Auditor-General

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President John Dramani Mahama has sworn in Dr. Pamela Graham as Ghana’s new Auditor-General, urging her to discharge her constitutional mandate with independence, integrity and courage in safeguarding the nation’s public resources. Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony at the Presidency, the President said the occasion reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to transparency, accountability and sound public financial management. He noted that the Office of the Auditor-General plays a vital role in ensuring the prudent management of public funds, preventing waste and strengthening public confidence in state institutions. Congratulating Dr. Graham on her appointment, President Mahama reminded her that her duty is to serve the Constitution and the people of Ghana, stressing that every audit report must be guided by facts, evidence and the law. President Mahama also expressed appreciation to the outgoing Auditor-General, Mr. Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu for his dedicated service and contribution to strengthening public accountability over the years. The President also reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening the Audit Service through investments in modern audit technologies, digital systems, institutional reforms and capacity building. He further called on all public institutions to cooperate fully with the Auditor-General and implement audit recommendations promptly. Dr. Graham not only the 11th individual to constitutionally assume the office but also becomes the first female Auditor-General of the Republic of Ghana. With over 25 years in the private sector, where she spent over two decades at EY Ghana, joining the firm in 2001 and later becoming the firm’s first female Partner,Dr. Graham is recognized as a leading expert in institutional governance, public financial management, and corporate auditing. She holds an MBA from the Alliance Manchester Business School and a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) completed through a joint program between IPAG Business School and NiBS University. Dr. Graham assumed office following the retirement of her predecessor, Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu. In her capacity as the head of the Ghana Audit Service, she is tasked with the constitutional mandate under Article 187 of the Ghanaian Constitution to audit all public accounts and safeguard the state’s public purse

News

COCOBOD Releases GH¢2.6 Billion to Pay Cocoa Farmers and Clear Debts

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The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has released GH¢2.6 billion for payment to cocoa farmers for cocoa purchases across all cocoa regions. In a statement released on Thursday,July 2,2026,COCOBOD added that this amount brings the total amount given out since the beginning of the 2025/26 Crop Season to GH¢34,523,447,255.64 Accordingly, out of the GH$2.6 billion released, approximately GH$1.4 billion is expected to be used to clear the remaining balance LBCs owe cocoa farmers for cocoa taken on credit. COCOBOD added that it is not only actively “working closely with the Licensed Buying Companies to ensure that all affected farmers receive their payments” but also has put in place monitoring mechanisms to ensure that the funds reach the farmers who are owed. Farmers with outstanding payments were also encouraged to engage the relevant Licensed Buying Company through which they sold their cocoa adding that COCOBOD is committed to ensuring the full settlement of outstanding obligations.

Economy

GRA Extends Deadline for Filing 2nd Quarter Tax Returns to July 6

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The Ghana Revenue Authority has extended the deadline for the filings of second quarter Corporate Income Tax (CIT), Personal Income Tax (PIT) and May 2026 Value Added Tax (VAT), National Health Insurance Levy (HIL), and Communications Service Tax (CST) following the heavy downpours on June 29 2026. The GRA stated that the deadline which according to the tax calendar is usually due on the last working day of the month following the tax payable period, has been extended to Monday,July 6,2026 to help support affected parties of the floods. The authority further assured tax payers who file within the stipulated deadline of not being liable for late filing penalties. It however stressed that “normal penalties will apply to returns made after the extended deadline”. GRA also encouraged the use of its Taxpayer’s Portal to file returns to minimize travel and avoid delays. It also added that the move “is a targeted relief measure intended to assist taxpayers affected by the flooding to meet their tax obligations without incurring immediate penalties”. The GRA then expressed its commitment to maintaining uninterrupted tax administration while supporting businesses during this difficult period.