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Trade

Sachet Water Price Hike Suspended as Government Schedules Talks with GPMA & NASPAWAP for April 8

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The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry has suspended the planned sachet water price increase following engagement with the Ghana Plastic Manufacturers Association (GPMA) and the National Association of Sachet and Packaged Water Producers (NASPAWAP). In a statement released on Monday ,April 6,2026, the Ministry commended GPMA and NASPAWAP for their cooperation and agreement to the suspension despite the planned increment earlier. This development comes after NASPAWAP announced a planned increase of sachet water prices, effective Monday, April 6, 2026. The Ministry the announced that it is scheduled to meet with GPMA and NASPAWAP on April 8 to address key challenges facing the sector and sustainable ways to address them. This Ministry expressed its commitment to protecting consumers and ensuring market stability.      

Economy

Last Year Was Good but Expensive’ — BoG Governor Reflects on Cost of Bringing Inflation to 5.4%

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The Governor of the Bank of Ghana ,Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama, has explained that explained that achieving the right balance between policies affecting growth and inflation is crucial . Speaking during the Kwahu Business Forum Governor’s Roundtable session over the weekend, the Governor acknowledged the positive impact of the strong macroeconomic performance in 2025 on the broader economy but noted the associated costs to the central bank. “Last year was good but expensive for the central bank. It took us a lot of money to mop up excess liquidity and bring inflation down to 5.4% by December 2025.” The Governor said He further explained that the central bank’s monetary operations aimed to drain excess liquidity, expressing optimism that even though the cost was high in 2025, he was confident that 2026 would be different. “If you look at where inflation was at the end of December 2024 and where it is now, it wouldn’t involve the same level of resources to keep it low and stable going forward.” He stated Dr Asiama concluded by emphasising the importance of collaboration, assuring the business community that the central bank aims to strengthen the markets. “When banks are strong, they can give more credit.” The Governor’s Business Roundtable which aimed at exploring how the central bank’s decisions affects businesses concluded the 2026 Kwahu Business Forum, which started on 3 April. The event brought together business owners, industrialists, investors, policymakers, and development partners to discuss policies stimulating business growth.

Transportation

Free Visa Doesn’t Mean Free Entry— Ablakwa Clarifies Ghana’s African Visa Policy

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Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa, has moved to clarify widespread misconceptions surrounding the government’s plan to introduce a free visa regime for African nationals, stressing that the waiver of visa fees does not translate into automatic entry into the country. In a post on X on Friday, April 3, 2026, the Minister explained that while Africans will not be required to pay visa fees when seeking to visit Ghana, they will still be required to complete a formal visa application process ,the same process applicable to all other nationalities with the only distinction being that their applications will be processed at no cost. Ablakwa further disclosed that the Free Visa for Africans initiative forms part of a broader e-Visa system which the government intends to roll out next month. Under this arrangement, all visa applicants including African nationals will be required to apply through the designated e-Visa platform, in line with an earlier announcement by President John Mahama. The Minister was emphatic that individuals with criminal records or otherwise unsatisfactory backgrounds will be denied entry into Ghana. He revealed that the new e-Visa system will be integrated with Ghana’s newly established Advance Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record (API-PNR) system, as well as international crime databases. This linkage, he noted, will significantly enhance the capacity of consular officers to conduct thorough background checks and provide the necessary vetting to safeguard national security. Ablakwa stressed that the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, and Transport have made substantial investments to ensure that a robust and technologically advanced architecture underpins the new system. Addressing questions about the previous administration’s similar announcement, the Minister confirmed that former President Nana Akufo-Addo had indeed announced a Free Visa for Africans policy in 2024, but that it never took off because the requisite mechanisms and security safeguards had not been established at the time. He indicated that the current Mahama-led administration is committed to putting in place the appropriate security and technological frameworks before implementation.

Transportation

Ghana Shuts VIP Lounge at Accra Airport for One-Week Renovation

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ghana has announced the temporary closure of the of the VIP Lounge at the Accra International Airport. In a statement released on Friday,April 3,2026 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that this is to allow for a scheduled renovation exercise aimed at enhancing the safety, comfort and overall functionality of the facility. The Ministry added that the Lounge will hence be closed from Friday, 3rd April 2026 and the facility is expected to be reopened for use on Friday, 10th April 2026. The Foreign Affairs Ministry added that the planned renovation forms part of government’s efforts to upgrade key national infrastructure and improve service delivery to high-level dignitaries and official guests. The Ministry then apologized to the general public for any inconvenience this may cause and reiterated its commitment to delivering efficient and high-quality public service.

Transportation

Ghana to Introduce Free Visa Regime for All Africans by May 2026

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President John Dramani Mahama has announced the government’s plan to introduce a free visa regime for all Africans wishing to visit Ghana, effective May 25, 2026. He made this declaration during the inaugural state visit of Emmerson Mnangagwa to Ghana. According to the government, the new policy will form part of a broader e-visa system to be launched by the Mahama administration next month. It will waive visa application fees for travelers holding passports from member states of the African Union. President Mahama described the initiative as a deliberate effort to strengthen Ghana’s position as a cradle of Pan-Africanism, while also generating tangible economic benefits for the country. He further assured that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would continue its intentional and sustained efforts to secure more visa waiver agreements for holders of Ghanaian passports.

World

IMF Chief Kristalina Georgieva Names Zeine Zeidane to Lead African Department

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International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has announced plans to appoint Zeine Zeidane as Director of the African Department, succeeding Abebe Aemro Selassie, who will retire on May 1, 2026. Mr. Zeidane, a Mauritanian national, brings over 20 years of experience in macroeconomic policy and international cooperation. He currently serves as Deputy Director in the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia Department and previously held a similar role in the African Department. Before joining the IMF in 2012, he served as Prime Minister, Central Bank Governor, and Economic Advisor in Mauritania, and also worked with the World Bank and in commercial banking. Ms. Georgieva highlighted his strong policy expertise and leadership, expressing confidence in his ability to lead the department effectively. “I have informed the Executive Board of my intention to appoint Mr. Zeine Zeidane as the Director of the African Department, Zeine will bring deep institutional knowledge, sound judgment, and strong policymaking experience to the department as it continues to respond to sub-Saharan Africa’s growing demands for tailored policy advice, financing, and capacity development. Zeine’s calm and measured approach has proven especially effective in addressing difficult and sensitive challenges,I am confident that he will successfully lead AFR with a shared sense of purpose in advancing its mandate and serving our membership.” She stated Mr. Zeidane holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics and a postgraduate degree in Macroeconomics from the University of Nice.

Telecommunications

MTN Ghana Completes Structural Separation of Mobile Money Business

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MTN Ghana has completed the structural separation of its mobile money business, following the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions precedent and receipt of the required regulatory approvals. In a statement issued, the telecommunications giant explained that the separation was driven by the company’s strategic objective to scale its fintech operations and comply with the localization requirements of the Payment Systems and Services Act, 2019 (Act 987) with the transaction becoming effective on March 31, 2026. The transaction involved the statutory merger of MobileMoney Ltd., the former operator of the mobile money business, with MobileMoney Fintech Ltd. (MMFL), a newly incorporated entity established under the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992) to take over operations of the mobile money business. The statement added that no new shares were issued by MTN Ghana as part of the transaction, and the company’s shareholding structure remains unchanged. MTN Ghana continues to operate its core telecommunications business. Going forward, the mobile money business will be operated exclusively by MobileMoney Fintech Ltd. Speaking on the development, MTN Ghana Chief Executive Officer Stephen Blewett said the milestone reflects the company’s commitment to driving innovation and strengthening digital infrastructure. “The structural separation positions us to scale our fintech ambitions while continuing to invest in Ghana’s digital future,” he added. Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of MobileMoney Fintech Ltd. Shaibu Haruna,described the transition as a new chapter in the company’s mission to deepen financial inclusion. “We remain committed to empowering individuals and businesses across Ghana with reliable, innovative fintech solutions,” he said. The separation is expected to position both businesses to operate with greater strategic focus, while maintaining full regulatory compliance and enhancing long-term value creation for stakeholders.

Uncategorized

GRA Launches Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS)

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The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has official launched its  Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS),a unified platform set to replace the existing GITMIS and Taxpayer Portal. Speaking at the launch which took place  at the Accra West Area Office and Kaneshie Taxpayer Service Centre (TSC), the Commissioner-General of the GRA,Mr. Anthony Kwasi Sarpong praised the ITAS project team for their exceptional pace, noting that the project was delivered in  roughly 9 months, 9 months less than the eighteen months projected timeline. “For too long, we have relied on manual and semi-manual ways of doing things. This comprehensive digital platform is a great milestone that will drastically improve revenue mobilisation.” He said The Commissioner-General  also reaffirmed GRA’s commitment to ease of use of its systems, pledging that the bureaucracy of the past would not follow the Authority into its digital future. According to the Authority, the project marks the beginning of a pilot phase that signals a definitive shift from manual and semi-manual tax administration processes toward a streamlined, taxpayer-centric future. The pilot phase at Kaneshie TSC is expected to run for two months, with a gradual rollout to all other TSCs with a full national rollout is targeted for September 2026.

Agriculture

MTN Ghana Foundation Commits GHS1.2 Million to Empower Women Farmers, Youth in Agriculture

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The MTN Ghana Foundation has committed GHS1.2 million to support smallholder women farmers and unemployed youth through a modern farming initiative aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and skills development. The pledge was made as part of activities marking the 2026 International Women’s Day under the theme “Give to Gain,” with the Foundation announcing plans to establish a model farm at Pantang Hospital in the La Nkwantanang Municipality. The project implemented in collaboration with the La Nkwantanang Municipal Agriculture Department and Defarmercist telecommunications giant is designed to equip an initial group of 60 smallholder women farmers with advanced agricultural techniques to improve both yield and efficiency. Speaking at the launch in Pantang, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer of MTN Ghana, Adwoa Wiafe, described the model farm as central to MTN’s commitment to empowering women and promoting inclusivity in agriculture. She added that the project fulfils MTN’s promise to establish a hands-on training platform in modern agricultural practices for women farmers in La Nkwantanang, with participants expected to transfer the skills acquired within their communities. “The first cohort of 30 unemployed youth is undergoing training at the Vegetable Hub of Excellence at the University of Ghana, Legon Farms,” Wiafe added, noting plans to replicate the model across Ghana and expand access to innovative farming methods. Head of the Agriculture Department at the La Nkwantanang Municipal Assembly,Lydia Aku Fiatuho,commended MTN for backing the initiative adding that women constitute over half of the agricultural workforce and are frequently recognised for their contributions during Farmers’ Day celebrations, urging beneficiaries to take ownership of the project and commit to its long-term success. The model farm initiative forms part of MTN Ghana Foundation’s broader efforts to modernise the agricultural sector. In line with MTN’s strategic vision to lead digital solutions for Africa’s progress, the Foundation is piloting smart farming initiatives with plans for nationwide replication.  

News

Sachet Water Prices to Rise from April 6 as NASPAWAP Cites Polymer Shortage

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The National Association of Sachet and Packaged Water Producers (NASPAWAP) has announced an increase of sachet water prices, effective Monday, April 6, 2026. The increment announced by the association on Thursday, April 2,2026 was attributed to a global shortage of polymers, a key material used in sachet water production as a result because f the ongoing conflict in Iran. With the Middle East being the world’s largest exporter of polypropylene, accounting for 42% of total global exports in 2025 and Africa being the second-largest destination for Middle East polypropylene exports, Ghanaian sachet water producers importing polymer are now feeling the squeeze directly . Under the new pricing structure, a bag of 30 sachets (500ml) will sell at GH¢8 ex-factory, GH¢10 ex-truck, and a maximum retail price of GH¢15. The Association has urged retailers and consumers to adhere to the revised prices to maintain fair trade practices across the distribution chain.