AGP Executive Report

BECE & Community Pride: Gomoa Brofoyedur’s Omanhene, Obrempong Nyanful Krampah XI, praised Nana Esoun Abonyi Kwaata II for peace efforts and for recording no teenage pregnancies in this year’s BECE. Foreign Travel Safety: Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry advised Tijjaniya pilgrims heading to Senegal to avoid risky road corridors to Dakar and choose air travel instead. Culture & Fashion: Accra hosted Miss Tourism Ghana’s Regional Costume & Talent Night, spotlighting Ghanaian heritage through kente, smock, batakari and more. Education & Privacy: A warning is growing over teachers livestreaming classrooms and exposing children’s faces, names and locations online. Climate Legal Push: Young lawyers launched Ghana’s chapter of the Young Lawyers Voice on Climate Change Foundation to drive climate justice through legal advocacy. Health Innovation: PharmaVax Ghana awarded €2m for eight research projects, including AI-led work on malaria and Mpox diagnostics and locally made medicines. Tech & Daily Life: GRA is deepening data analytics for tax collection, while GOtv/DStv users complain about subscription activation delays. Money Pressure: Ghana Mineworkers Union petitioned the Bank of Ghana to release over GH¢380m trapped in distressed institutions. Global Politics: A US judge struck down Trump’s 75-country immigrant visa pause as unlawful.

Fashion & Identity: Accra Technical University final-year fashion students staged a 366-student exhibition under “Wear Your Culture: Tradition Meets Modernity,” urging graduates to build businesses without copying Western styles. Coastal Clean-Up: Buzz Stop Boys, Obokese Foundation and FanteFest London 2026 partnered with Ghana’s EPA for a “Clean Our Coastline” campaign starting in Greater Accra, Central and Western. Public Health After Floods: Zoomlion launched fumigation and disinfection across 14 Western Region MMDAs, while an Environmental Health Officer urged serious post-flood disinfection to prevent outbreaks. Education & Child Protection: The Education Ministry ordered investigation and support after alleged sexual abuse of a 14-year-old autistic student at Bolgatanga Girls SHS, including restoring her boarding status. Data & Enforcement: Ghana’s Data Protection Commission bought vehicles to boost enforcement and plans regional offices. NSMQ Spotlight: Several schools booked One-Eighth stage tickets, including St. Francis Xavier, Tamale SHS, Labone SHS, Winneba Secondary and Anglican SHS. Finance & Trust: Ghana Mineworkers Union petitioned the Bank of Ghana to release over GH¢380m trapped in distressed institutions. Culture & Heritage: TanoBoase Sacred Grove is set for commissioning before end of 2026, with tourism and ecology tied to Bono spiritual history. Creative Economy: USPTO urged stronger IP protection to help monetize Africa’s music and creative industries.

AfCFTA Watch: AfCFTA’s big promise is hitting a tougher phase as implementation shifts from signing to customs, central banks, regulators and company boardrooms—turning “one market” into real-world bargaining. Mining & Jobs: Ghana’s mineworkers are demanding release of $34.5m in trapped savings, warning retirees and dependants are stuck while financial-sector clean-up issues linger. Anti-Corruption: The NCCE says Ghana loses over US$3bn yearly to corruption, urging youth to push accountability beyond speeches. Agroecology & Food Security: A Northern Ghana agroecology project launched in Bolgatanga targets 360 farmers (at least half women) and plans radio outreach in local languages to build resilient livelihoods. Culture Abroad: Stonebwoy’s BHIM Festival London is spotlighted as cultural diplomacy—music, fashion and Ghanaian symbols winning global attention. Health & Parenting: A new focus on childhood prevention highlights rising non-communicable risks as screen time and diet patterns change. Education & Youth Pathways: HOPin Academy rolls out Plan B Phase III in Tamale to help young footballers build careers beyond the pitch through skills and employability. Religious Tolerance: President Mahama warns religious leaders to avoid inciting hatred amid recent pastor–imam tensions. LGBTQ & HIV: A global AIDS conference session warns that LGBTQ criminalisation fuels HIV spread and drives people away from care. Road Safety & Infrastructure: Calls grow for better school infrastructure and stronger action to curb preventable road deaths.

Education & Child Safety: The Education Ministry has ordered GES to reinstate the boarding status of a 14-year-old BOGISS student with autism after alleged sexual assault by two watchmen, and to ensure medical care and counselling while police investigations continue. Public Health: AMMREN marks World Mosquito Day with a warning that malaria gains are fragile, citing WHO data that Africa carries 94% of global cases and 95% of deaths, with insecticide resistance and climate shifts worsening the threat. Youth & Policy: Youth Development Minister George Opare Addo opens the National Youth Forum 2026 in Accra, urging young people to share challenges and propose solutions for jobs, entrepreneurship and skills. Governance & Corruption: The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition says corruption risks remain despite 2025 gains, warning enforcement and public perceptions still lag. Energy & Culture: Ghana pushes nuclear workforce readiness and energy security, while the Ghana International Book Fair (Aug 27–30) spotlights reading culture and publishing. Sports: GFA Congress reaffirms “Power to the Youth” with new Colts investment and pathways for young players.

KFC Stampede: A KFC GH¢15 promo (one piece, two tenders, small fry) sparked chaos at multiple Ghana outlets, with crowds arriving as early as 3am, overcrowding, property damage and police stepping in to restore calm. Business & Media Loss: Kumasi entrepreneur and media boss Stephen Kwabena Boateng (Kessben/Kwabena Kesse) has died at 68, leaving behind a wide empire spanning media, education, transport and hospitality. Education Safety: GES has interdicted two Bolgatanga Girls SHS watchmen over an alleged assault on a special needs student, with police investigations ongoing. Early Childhood Access: TV3’s Ghana’s Most Beautiful 2025 winner Isabella Etornam Gagblezu has cut sod for a two-unit early childhood school block in Aloyi, Central Tongu. Galamsey Action: Methodist Church Ghana urges stronger, measurable action against illegal mining, citing farmland destruction and water pollution. Roads & Youth: A drama festival in Koforidua pushes arts to curb indiscipline, while NACOC warns youth to stay away from drugs. Water Crisis: In Prusu, students still trek over three kilometres daily for unsafe water, disrupting school and health. Finance Update: BoG inaugurates a Non-Interest Financial Advisory Council to guide Islamic banking rollout.

Education & Youth Support: Qatar Charity (QC) launches Education Campaign 2026 “Science as Stewardship” to help up to 123,000 students with backpacks, uniforms, school feeding, sponsorships and school repairs at home and abroad. School & Skills: Ghana’s Education Ministry says it will commit about GH¢2.8bn from the STARR-J fund to expand secondary infrastructure, while urging stronger focus on foundational learning. Youth Employment: The National Apprenticeship Programme trained 14,000 youth in 2025 and targets 100,000 by end-2026, mixing 30% classroom with 70% workplace training. Child Safety Online: Cyber Security Authority training spotlights child online protection risks, from grooming to unsafe “private chats.” Health & Women: AMMREN marks World Mosquito Day urging more science investment to beat evolving mosquito threats; a report warns many women take antibiotics monthly, fuelling antimicrobial resistance. Culture & Sports: Opoku Ware and St. Hubert Seminary reach quarterfinals in the LUV FM High School Debate; Stonebwoy backs “Mother Ghana” through music after BHIM Festival London. Governance & Media: Deputy spokesperson Shamima Muslim praises media-government partnership for Ghana’s democracy and accountability; NMC appoints new boards for state media. Regional Tensions: Nigeria urges South Africa to end xenophobic/Afrophobic attacks, with AU action discussed.

Ukraine War Fallout: Ghana says 62 citizens have been killed and 15 are missing after being recruited into Russia’s forces, with Russia agreeing to work with Accra to stop illegal recruitment. Migration Pressure: Liberia will accept up to 1,200 third-country deportees from the U.S. over a year, with an initial 20 expected to arrive Thursday—sparking fresh debate on safety and asylum. Culture & Heritage: Agortime Kente Festival in Volta renews calls to preserve authentic weaving and protect the craft from cheap imitations. Faith & Community Care: Methodist Church Ghana (Sekondi Diocese) launches a Health Trust Fund to support members with chronic illnesses. Music & Entertainment: Alex Acheampong drops new gospel single “Afa” featuring Celestine Donkor, while MTV’s removal of a Best Afrobeats category fuels industry talk. Education & Work: GES meets teacher unions over concerns about 2025 promotion dates; unemployed graduates with disabilities plan to press their case at Jubilee House. Health & Development: Mercy Ships returns to Ghana with its Global Mercy hospital ship; Upper West gets a GH₵4m expanded renal care unit. Public Safety: Stakeholders demand action after deadly road crashes, including calls to ban “aboboyas” from major highways. Food Safety: A woman is arrested at Madina Market over alleged sale of unapproved fruit-ripening chemicals. Urban Planning: Ghana outlines UN New Urban Agenda priorities, from affordable housing to climate-resilient cities.

Antibiotic Alarm: A Greater Accra survey finds 7 in 10 women take antibiotics monthly after menstruation, fueling antimicrobial resistance fears and echoing similar misinformation in Liberia. Public Safety: Fire gutted about 27 wooden structures at Spintex (behind Absa), with firefighters containing the blaze and urging residents to keep extinguishers and emergency contacts. Retail Protection: GIPA and GUTA agree on tougher monitoring to stop “fronting” that hides foreign control in Ghanaian-reserved informal retail. Women in Leadership: At the CAMFED CAMA Summit, young women were urged to refuse stereotypes, keep high standards, and claim seats in decision-making. Mining Local Content: Government has laid mining local-content reforms before Parliament to boost Ghanaian business participation and value retention. Education & Housing: KNUST hostel operators reject rent control price caps, warning of a student housing crunch. Health Research: Ho Teaching Hospital is testing Hepatitis B among pregnant women, with early results showing 13 positives from first 90. Diplomacy & Mobility: Russia doubles scholarships for Ghanaian students to 240, and Ghana-Russia visa waivers for diplomats are expanding. Community & Faith: Interior Minister says Ghana is reviewing arms-transfer controls, while religious leaders face fresh calls for calm as authorities warn against inciting content. Culture & Media: Socrate Safo challenges OBTV over alleged copyright movie broadcasts, arguing prayer isn’t a licence. Tech for Real Life: DTI students wowed Accra with capstone projects from assistive devices to upcycled fashion.

Politics & Infrastructure: Oti Region NPP executives say Akufo-Addo-era projects are “gathering dust” under the NDC, citing stalled Agenda 111 hospitals and road stretches like Worawora–Jasikan and Borae–Chinderi. Food Safety: FDA warns traders against using chemicals to force-ripen plantain after a viral Madina Market video; it says improper use can leave harmful residues and regulatory action is underway. Education & Youth: Students in TotalEnergies Foundation’s VIA Safe Mobility programme flag road safety hazards around schools, urging action plans to cut reckless driving and unsafe pedestrian conditions. Culture & Entertainment: Stonebwoy makes history by headlining London’s OVO Arena Wembley with BHIM Fest, becoming the first Ghanaian to do so. Women in Leadership: Avance Media Africa releases the 2026 Top 100 Ghana’s Women Board Directors ranking, highlighting women’s board representation and chair roles. Ghana–Russia Ties: Russia doubles scholarships for Ghanaian students to 240 annually and Ghana and Russia sign a visa waiver for diplomatic and service passport holders. Human Rights & Society: A study in Eastern Region links illegal mining to child labour, with children pulled into hazardous pits and exposed to toxic chemicals. Religion & Governance: EPCG endorses a nine-member ad hoc committee to review its constitution, citing election and grievance-process challenges.

Road Safety Crisis: Ghana’s crash numbers keep climbing, with calls to move from reaction to prevention as infrastructure gaps and enforcement weaknesses fuel tragedy. University Labour Dispute: Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu meets GAUA leadership to push an end to the strike, urging a return to talks before the new academic year. Cocoa Sector Overhaul: COCOBOD deploys directors to all 16 regions to tighten coordination and monitoring for better cocoa production. Food Safety Watch: FDA warns traders against using chemicals to force-ripen plantain after a viral market video, stressing residue and safety risks. Community Education Support: Osu youth queen mother launches “Leave No Child Behind” to fund vulnerable, brilliant children so money never blocks schooling. Culture & Heritage: Gbese Traditional Council appoints Naomi Borley Alabi curator for the Oobakɛ Experience at Homowo in Newark, spotlighting Ga culture for Gen Z. Youth & Skills: Ghana marks National Youth Week, spotlighting youth unemployment and the need for tech-driven, disruptive approaches to education and opportunity. Health Alert: Study flags hepatitis B as a silent epidemic, with a huge treatment gap and rising deaths. Music & Film Buzz: Black Star International Film Festival unveils 2026 key art, while Netflix’s “A Different World” trailer brings a new Hillman College generation. Transport Access: New DVLA office opens in Asuogyaman to improve licensing access and curb fake documents.

Film & Culture: Otumfuo Osei Tutu II throws his weight behind REFFA, backing Selassie Ibrahim’s Regal Film Festival and Awards to revive Ghana’s film industry through masterclasses and Ghana–Nigeria Nollywood collaborations. Sports & Women’s Empowerment: Ghana’s Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection wins the 2026 Civil Service Inter-Ministerial Women’s Football Tournament, sealing victory with a free-kick at Accra Sports Stadium. Corporate Governance: Avance Media Africa releases the 2026 Top 100 Ghana’s Women Board Directors ranking, noting 232 women on 895 board seats (25.9%) and a rise in women board chairs to 19. Faith & Peacebuilding: A former Armed Forces Imam urges Christians and Muslims to stop inflammatory talk, stressing Jesus and Isa belong to the Abrahamic faiths. Religion, Politics & Expression: Another piece warns against using polls as propaganda, arguing it can distort Ghana’s democratic succession debates. Connectivity & Lifestyle Tech: MTN Ghana pledges US$1.1bn over three years, including 80 new sites in Northern, Savannah, Upper East and North East regions, to boost digital inclusion. Maternal Health: Health officials say Ghana’s maternal mortality has improved but remains above the 2030 target, with government pushing “no woman dies giving birth” as a national priority. Road Safety: A road-safety commentary calls for prevention over reaction, urging real enforcement and planning to stop normalising deaths. Tourism & Heritage: Aburi Botanical Gardens generates revenue potential, but a new look asks if Ghana is truly maximising the site’s tourism and conservation value. Local Tradition: Abeka’s Nii Boi IV calls for unity during Homowo, urging residents to shun family conflicts and settle differences. Music & Faith: Reggae-dancehall artist Lexikon drops “I Burn,” framing inner spiritual fire as empowerment and transformation.

Interfaith & Safety: Ghana’s IGP met religious leaders after viral videos inflamed Christian–Muslim tensions, including arrests and an assault in police custody, urging visible unity beyond sermons. Primary Healthcare Reform: A push to formally integrate community pharmacists into Ghana’s primary healthcare system to ease overwhelmed facilities and improve patient safety. Campus Protection: The Education Ministry told tertiary schools to move from sexual-harassment policies to real prevention, reporting and survivor support systems. Youth & Skills: Students were urged to upskill for an AI-shaped job market, while GES IT coordinators in Greater Accra received digital training to strengthen ICT in schools. Culture & Fashion: ATU fashion students showcased African fabrics through modern designs, and Agortime celebrated its 31st Kente Festival with calls to preserve the craft and back youth livelihoods. Community Development: CENPOWER redeemed GH₵233,180 for Cape Coast’s eight-year development plan; Kadjebi stakeholders renewed calls for a bridge over River Asukwakwa. Church Leadership: EPCG elected Rev. Prof. Frederick Mawusi Amevenku as 15th Moderator, as the church also reported clearing over GH₵11.7m in inherited debts. Health Research: A study found high drug-resistant urinary pathogens among Ghanaian elderly in care homes. Showbiz: Stonebwoy made history by headlining a sold-out BHIM Festival at London’s OVO Arena Wembley.

Education Expansion: Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu says plans are advanced to establish a University of Science and Technology in Damongo (Savannah), with President Mahama committing US$30m for design and build, and government considering 2–4 more public universities across regions like Oti, Ahafo and Western North. Youth & Learning: The 2026 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) is launched with 174 SHSs set for the national championship at UCC, while Citi FM/Channel One TV’s Literacy Challenge begins today with a written aptitude test for 100 shortlisted JHS students. Public Service Integrity: Vice President Opoku-Agyemang urges civil servants to put citizens at the centre of decision-making as Transparency International Ghana calls for full decentralisation of the GES payroll system to curb ghost names and payroll fraud. Culture & Entertainment: Takyi Kay and King Paluta drop “Fa Ma Me,” and a Locarno Film Festival project, “Too Much Music,” spotlights Ghanaian keyboardist Kiki Gyan and the fight over credit and narratives. Faith & Community: Deeper Life Bible Church’s Elevation 2.0 targets 5,000 participants for mentorship and spiritual growth in Accra. Health & Society: A Ghanaian evacuee dies within an hour of landing in Accra after repatriation from South Africa, adding to the human cost of xenophobic violence. Maritime Trade: Ghana Maritime Authority pushes a maritime single window and port call optimisation to reduce delays at Tema Port.

Education & Youth: Plans are advanced to establish a University of Science and Technology in Damongo, with Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu saying design work is done and President Mahama has committed US$30m to kick-start the project. Peace & Community Life: President Mahama says sustained peace in Bawku could restore the town’s status as a major commercial hub, after gunfire eased and residents began returning. Public Health & Nutrition: Government reaffirmed its push to improve meals under the School Feeding Programme, training caterers and cooks to boost nutrition, food safety and hygiene. Sports & Youth Development: WABs Athlete Development Camp in Sunyani trained young athletes on building performance beyond the game. Culture & Creativity: Wode Maya’s two-day masterclass in Liberia drew nearly 200 creators, while Ghana Jazz Foundation-linked efforts point to a new Ghana Jazz Orchestra launch in September. Society & Safety: Police engaged religious leaders at headquarters to strengthen dialogue and prevent religious tension. Entertainment & Lifestyle: Denise Scott returns to travel storytelling in “Origin Odyssey,” and cardiologist-author Shirlene Obuobi promotes her romance novel “Die for Me.” Regional Human Stories: Ghana reported the death of an evacuee shortly after arriving from South Africa amid xenophobia concerns. Road Safety: Fresh commentary urges Ghana to move from reacting to crashes to preventing them.

Academic Integrity & Mental Health: Cambridge’s youngest Black professor, Jason Arday, 41, was found dead in south London days after resigning amid plagiarism allegations and intense media scrutiny, reigniting debate on race, education and accountability. Education & Youth Development: President Mahama inaugurated the completed E-Block at Paga SHS and promised it will become a boarding school next year, with GETFund support for dorms and dining. Anti-Corruption Push: TI-Ghana calls for sustained, not stop-start action, pointing to Ghana’s corruption perception scores that have stalled over recent years. Road Safety Reality Check: Two opinion pieces urge Ghana to move from reaction to prevention, stressing that insurance and the law should replace fist-fights after crashes. Mining & Environment: Lands Minister Kofi Buah defends tougher mining regulation, including reducing large-scale lease terms and tightening controls on excavators at ports, amid claims of 8,900 hectares of forest reserve loss. Culture & Community: Togbe Afrika announces a Dzodze-Penyi homecoming concert on Aug. 29 after nearly 20 years away, with Enam and Jah Phinga on the bill. Health Spotlight: Pediatric oncologist Dr. Emmanuella Amoako wins IHME’s 2026 Roux Prize for evidence-driven improvements in childhood cancer care in Ghana. Regional Trade: ECOWAS engages border communities on free movement to cut delays between Ghana and Togo. Religion & Peace: Clergy leadership is credited with calming tensions after a pastor was slapped in police custody, with calls for restraint and responsible speech.

Interfaith Calm: Christian and Muslim clerics reconciled in Accra after arrests tied to Prophet Mohammed-related videos, with the National Peace Council urging restraint to protect Ghana’s peaceful coexistence. Campus Safety: POS Foundation warns about student cohabitation and sexual harassment across public universities, calling for safer campus policies and stronger enforcement. Education & Labour: TUTAG gives Government an Aug. 31 deadline to clear post-retirement salary arrears, while TEWU threatens action over non-teaching staff grievances and unpaid overtime. Health Access: Free Primary Health Care is set to reach all 261 districts by end-2028, with thousands of medical kits and equipment planned. Creative Health & Arts: Accra Arts and Health Festival ends with a partnership to build Ghana’s first Creative Health Curriculum for nursing students. Youth & Purpose: Afenyo-Markin urges young people to treat Ghana’s youth bulge as opportunity, not a burden, at the Empower Vault Summit. Governance & Development: Mahama summons Tema MCE Ebi Bright and TDC boss Courage Nunekpeku over a Tema project dispute, and announces a 2027 referendum alongside District Assembly elections. Fashion & Culture: A feature exposes fraud risks in fast fashion, while Ghana’s Black Star International Film Festival outlines pillars for 2026.