Author name: Business Outlook Africa

Legal practitioner Dr John E Baiden has expressed his disappointment with some findings made by the 2025 Constitution Review Committee, arguing that the recommendations appear to pay little attention to key economic issues affecting citizens. Passing on his remarks as the Chairman of the Public Lecture organized by the School of Communication Studies of Wisconsin International University College on the 2025 Review of Ghana’s Constitution: Findings and the Way Forward, Dr Baiden stated that the committee’s findings seemed to focus more on non-economic matters while overlooking the economic challenges that many Ghanaians face. According to him, the growing disconnect between citizens and the constitution is largely rooted in economic conditions rather than purely legal or political issues. He emphasized that one of the most pressing economic concerns is the stability of the country’s currency, noting that a stable currency is central to economic growth and public confidence in the system. “ And my disappointment also is that the findings appear to be short or rather short on economics.I mean it’s more on non-economic matters. But you see the disconnect between the constitution and the people’s feeling is economic. The economy’s central challenge is the lack of a stable currency, and that really should be our focus,” he said. He also questioned the extent of public engagement carried out by the committee, stating that he and many others did not feel the committee’s presence in their communities during the consultation process. “I’m a bit disappointed in the findings. I don’t really know where the committee was meeting. I never felt your presence in my area, and I’m sure many people feel the same way,” he remarked. The legal practitioner also raised concerns about what he described as excessive taxation in the country, particularly at the ports. He argued that importers are often confronted with numerous taxes and levies that are compounded, making business operations difficult. “It looks like in this country we are overly taxed. Even at our ports, if you try to bring something in, you go through about 30 tax gates, and all these are compounded. These are issues affecting our survival and our future,” he stated. He further stressed the importance of supporting small businesses, explaining that economic growth and national prosperity are often driven by small and medium enterprises. He therefore called on government to provide stronger institutional support for entrepreneurs. The 2025 Constitution Review Committee has been tasked with reviewing Ghana’s 1992 Constitution and making recommendations aimed at strengthening the country’s democratic governance and institutional framework.

President Mahama has commissioned the World’s largest Calcined Clay plant here in Ghana to reduce the amount of clinker used in cement production The facility which was commissioned on Thursday, 5th March ,2026 in Tema will see to the reduction of carbon emissions by providing an alternative to traditional clay based cement production which accounts for about 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions while maintaining the strength and quality required for more than construction. Speaking at the event, President Mahama stated that the project which has already created 109 direct jobs is expected to cut the country’s import reliance by more than 10% and boost local production while also retaining more value with the local economy. “ This innovation marks a significant advancement for both industrial growth and environmental responsibility.Traditional clay based cement production accounts for about 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions,making it one of the most carbon intensive industrial processes.By introducing limestone calcined clay cement technology, this facility significantly reduces carbon emissions while maintaining the strength and quality required for more than construction. Even more importantly, this innovation enables us to replace large amounts of imported clinca with locally sourced Ghanaian clay processed and refined right here in Ghana. This means that we have lower production costs,we have reduced import dependency and we have more value retained within the Ghanaian economy.” The president also added that the project will not only serve domestic production and consumption but will also position Ghanaian cement to compete effectively in regional markets and also support the country’s accelerated export development program. “ I’m advised that the cement produced here will comply with the rules of origin requirements of the African continental free trade area because of the amount of local material that is included in the production. This positions Ghanaian cement to compete effectively in regional markets and support our accelerated export development program. Through such investments Ghana is not merely producing for domestic production and consumption. We’re establishing industries capable of serving the entire African market.” He added that the facility has also been designed to operate within the 24 hour economy framework. “This facility has been designed to operate continuously 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It therefore is very symbolic of our 24-hour economy policy, which aims to optimize productivity, increase employment, and unlock Ghana’s full industrial capacity.” President Mahama then stated the government in partnership with the private sector is set to rehabilitate the entire Tema Industrial Zone to make the facility worthy of its name. “ I’m also happy to inform you that we’re going to rehabilitate the entire thermal industrial zone in partnership with the private sector. We’re going to re-engineer the roads, the drains, the water waste treatment plants, and everything. All the partners have already signed an MOU. And so soon you’re going to see very good improved roads, good drainage system, waste treatment plants, and everything to make Ghana’s industrial area worthy of its name. To the young men and women working in this facility, thank you.” The facility which was constructed by Heidelberg Materials in partnership with CBI Ghana Ltd is a $110 million USD investment with an annual capacity of 1.5 million tonnes of environmentally friendly calcined clay cement .

The National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has directed oil marketing companies to charge the same fuel prices at all stations within their networks beginning March 16, 2026, effectively ending the practice of selling fuel at discounted rates at selected outlets. The move follows a petition by former Power Minister Kwabena Donkor, who argued that the selective discount schemes introduced by some companies undermined Ghana’s uniform pricing framework and placed consumers in lower-volume regions, particularly in northern parts of the country, at a disadvantage. Under the updated Petroleum Products Pricing Guidelines, all Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and LPG Marketing Companies (LPGMCs) must ensure that the pump price at every station corresponds exactly with the price submitted to the regulator. This means companies will no longer be allowed to reduce prices at certain outlets while charging higher rates at others. To improve transparency, the NPA says it will begin publishing all ex-pump prices submitted by OMCs on its official platform, allowing the public and regulators to easily detect any breaches of the directive. The authority has scheduled a meeting with industry stakeholders on March 11 to clarify details of the revised guidelines before they take effect. It also plans to strengthen monitoring across fuel stations, including checks on product quality. Companies that fail to comply risk facing sanctions. The decision brings an end to discount programmes that had gained momentum earlier this year. For consumers, the new directive means the disappearance of the lowest pump prices currently offered at discounted stations. As of the March 1–15 pricing window, petrol sells at a minimum of GH¢10.46 per litre, while diesel is priced at GH¢11.42 per litre.