Category: Daily Guide Network

The Deputy Managing Director for Operations and Support Functions at Fidelity Bank Ghana, Atta Yeboah Gyan, has called for a deliberate and coordinated effort to channel more capital into productive sectors of the economy, arguing that the nation’s recent macroeconomic gains will only yield lasting prosperity if businesses in key sectors gain better access to credit.

Speaking at the Business and Financial Times’ Money Summit 2026 on the theme, ‘Building Trust, Capital and Stability for Ghana’s Economic Future,’ Mr. Gyan said significant structural barriers continue to prevent many enterprises from accessing formal financing despite their contribution to economic growth.

He acknowledged the nation’s economic recovery, noting that real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth reached six percent in the fourth quarter of 2025, inflation declined from 23.8 percent in December 2024 to 5.4 percent by the end of 2025, while gross international reserves stood at US$13.9 billion in April 2026, representing 5.5 months of import cover.

However, he pointed to persistent challenges within the financial sector, particularly the disconnect between credit allocation and productive sectors such as agriculture.

According to him, although agriculture played a key role in expanding the nation’s trade surplus by 26 percent year-on-year to US$5.28 billion in April 2026, the sector recorded a non-performing loan ratio of 54.7 per cent as of February 2026.

‘There is a fundamental mismatch between where our export strength comes from and where our credit is going,’ he said.

Mr. Gyan identified a growing trust deficit as a major challenge facing the financial sector.

He explained that existing credit assessment models often fail to capture the realities of Ghana’s economy, leaving many economically active individuals outside the formal financial system.

He also cited the lingering effects of the banking sector clean-up and the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme, which weakened public confidence in financial institutions.

He highlighted several Fidelity Bank initiatives aimed at supporting underserved sectors.

Through the Mastercard Foundation’s BRIDGE-in-Agriculture programme, the bank disbursed GHS66.9 million last year, supporting more than 22,000 smallholder farmers and creating or sustaining over 24,000 jobs.

The bank also supported climate-smart businesses and young entrepreneurs through its GreenTech Innovation Challenge and Orange Corners Innovation Fund.

Mr. Gyan urged stakeholders to establish risk-sharing mechanisms for agricultural lending, adopt alternative credit assessment systems using digital and mobile money data, and expand patient capital through grants and concessionary financing.

‘Ghana has done something genuinely hard. It came back from the edge. Now the question is what we build with the stability we have earned,’ he said.

The government has released GHS5 million out of the GHS20 million allocated to the Film Development Fund but the National Film Authority (NFA) says not every filmmaker will have access to the money.

The amount, which forms part of the government’s commitment to revive Ghana’s film industry, has been paid into the NFA’s account.

The Executive Secretary of the NFA, Kafui Danku, has reportedly confirmed in an interview that the government had so far released GHS5 million of the GHS20 million promised in the 2026 Budget.

While many industry players have welcomed the release of the funds, the NFA has cautioned that the money is not available to all filmmakers.

According to the Authority, only eligible applicants and qualifying projects will be considered for support under the scheme.

‘It is not a ‘wonkye nni’ fund,’ the NFA explained, stressing that beneficiaries will be required to repay funds received for their projects.

The Authority noted that the Film Development Fund has a specific mandate under the Film Act and is designed to support selected feature films, television productions, cinema theatre development, research, training and public education projects.

To qualify, applicants must be licensed by the NFA, belong to recognised industry associations and be tax compliant. Filmmakers must also meet other requirements outlined under the fund’s guidelines.

In addition, the Board of the fund can approve support for only up to 60 per cent of a project’s total budget.

The GHS20 million allocation was announced by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson in the 2026 Budget as seed funding to help revive Ghana’s struggling film industry, including Kumawood and other film sectors.

With only GHS5 million released so far and strict eligibility requirements in place, many filmmakers may have to wait to see whether they qualify for support under the new initiative.

The Government of Ghana has formally protested Canada’s decision to deny a temporary residence visa to Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey and is pursuing diplomatic and legal avenues to overturn the ruling before Ghana’s opening 2026 FIFA World Cup match against Panama on June 17.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday, the government described the decision as ‘high-handed and extremely unfair,’ arguing that it was based on ongoing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom that have not resulted in a conviction or any judicial finding of guilt.

Canadian immigration authorities reportedly rejected Partey’s application under provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act relating to inadmissibility.

Ghana, however, contends that relying on unresolved allegations undermines the principle of presumption of innocence, which it says is fundamental to democratic justice systems.

While acknowledging Canada’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, the government questioned the fairness and proportionality of the decision, noting that the case against the player remains before the courts.

The Foreign Ministry disclosed that it has already taken up the matter through diplomatic channels, including the submission of an official note of protest to Canadian authorities on June 11, requesting a review of the ruling.

According to the statement, Ghana is also prepared to explore all available legal and administrative remedies under Canadian and international law, including seeking a judicial review before the Federal Court of Canada if necessary.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has reportedly engaged Canadian officials, including the Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, in efforts to resolve the issue.

The government emphasised the importance of Partey’s presence in Ghana’s World Cup squad and urged Canadian authorities to reconsider the decision in the interest of fairness, due process and established legal principles.

Ghana reiterated its commitment to constructive dialogue, the rule of law and the presumption of innocence as discussions continue.

Richard Oti-Aboagye, Chairman of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Sweden Branch, has announced his intention to contest for the position of National First Vice Chairman of the NPP when nominations officially open.

In a statement issued on Monday, Oti-Aboagye said his decision followed ‘deep reflection and consultation’ with party members and stakeholders in Ghana and the diaspora.

‘I make this declaration with humility, conviction, and a clear sense of duty to the Party we all love,’ he said.

Oti-Aboagye has served as founding Chairman of the NPP Sweden Branch since 2016. He said his tenure has focused on strengthening the party’s international presence, mobilising support, and deepening ties between external branches and the party at home.

He said feedback from grassroots members, delegates, external branches, and party elders shows that ‘the NPP must unite, rebuild trust, strengthen its structures, protect member welfare, and prepare decisively for victory in 2028 and beyond.’

He anchored his campaign on three pillars: Unity, Strength, and Renewal.

‘Unity, because a divided party cannot win. Strength, because victory requires disciplined, active, and well-resourced structures from polling station to national level. Renewal, because the NPP must listen, adapt, energise its grassroots, and renew public confidence in our tradition,’ he stated.

Oti-Aboagye asked for ‘prayers, goodwill, support, and, when the time comes, your mandate,’ adding, ‘Together, let us unite, renew our strength, and secure victory for 2028.’

He is campaigning under the slogan, ‘The New Voice, New Hope.’

A photo of Burna Boy and Shakira sharing a warm hug backstage has attracted attention on social media.

The image, which surfaced online after the pair’s performance at the World Cup opening ceremony in Mexico, shows the two singers embracing and smiling for the camera.

Shakira appears to have one foot lifted off the ground as they hug, while people around them continue with their activities backstage.

The photo has generated different reactions online, with some social media users commenting on the friendly interaction between the two global music stars.

Others have offered various interpretations of the moment, including suggestions that Shakira was excited to see Burna Boy or was simply maintaining her balance during the embrace.

The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana has called on the government to urgently release subsidized fertilizers to farmers, warning that delays are straining smallholder farmers and threatening food production.

The farmers said the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has been unable to supply subsidised fertilisers because funds from the Ministry of Finance have not been released.

The situation, they add, has left thousands stranded with nothing but just promises during a critical period of the farming season.

They argue that the development has cut crop production and reduced yields, raising concerns about food security.

Association President, Douglas Annor, said many farmers are struggling to sustain operations.

‘The situation has made farming increasingly difficult for many households that depend on agriculture for their livelihoods,’ Mr. Annor said in an interview.

Mr. Annor said the delay in releasing fertilisers under the 2025/2026 subsidy programme has disrupted farming activities in several communities.

Community visits

Visits to farming communities in Ejura, Nkoranza, Techiman, Goaso, and Sefwi Wiawso showed growing frustration. Several farmers said they expected the current administration to prioritise agriculture but claim they have been left to face rising production costs alone.

Farmers reported that the absence of subsidised fertilisers have weakened crop growth and hurt harvests, leading to losses and lower incomes. Some said they have cut the size of their farms because they can no longer afford the required quantities of fertiliser.

Others warned that continued delays could drive young people away from farming. At Goaso in the Ahafo Region, farmer Opanin Kwaku Ntiamoah said conditions are the toughest he has seen in more than 30 years of farming.

‘The farms are hungry,’ he said. ‘Without fertilizer, the crops cannot grow well, and without good harvests, we cannot take care of our families. We are suffering and we do not know how long we can continue like this.’

The Association is therefore appealing for immediate government intervention to make subsidised fertilisers available.

Mr. Annor said timely support would improve productivity, sustain livelihoods, and encourage more people to remain in agriculture.

Kumawood actress, Benedicta Gafah, has threatened to release all secret conversations she had with founder and leader of International God’s Way Church, Bishop Daniel Obinim, concerning matters of relationship between them.

This threat comes after the man of God disclosed that he ended communication with the actress after she allegedly fell out with his wife, gospel musician Florence Obinim.

Speaking during a church service, the outspoken cleric said he chose to distance himself from the actress because he was displeased by the manner in which she allegedly treated his wife during their reported disagreement.

According to Obinim, his decision was motivated by loyalty to Florence, whom he described as the only woman in his life.

‘The very day I heard that our sister Benedicta Gafah had some misunderstanding with Florence Obinim, I was hurt by the way she disrespected Florence, so I blocked her,’ he said.

Benedicta Gafah, in reply, referred to the man of God as ‘liar’, stressing that the pastor and his wife have been spreading untrue stories about her for some time now, which needs to stop.

She further indicated that claims by Bishop Obinim that he had to block her due to the feud with his wife is false.

‘Standing on a platform and confidently claiming that you blocked me, when the reality is that I blocked you, because you kept trying to contact me and I chose not to engage, is simply dishonest.

‘More importantly, was it even necessary to mention my name? At this point, it feels like I’m being pushed to release certain audios and conversations into the public domain just so people can understand the truth.

‘The irony is that I have consistently stayed in my lane, minded my business, and chosen silence over unnecessary drama. I have my own relationship, and I have even introduced my partner to my family. Yet somehow, every single time, my name still finds its way to issues that have absolutely nothing to do with me.’

A court injunction filed by aggrieved members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ahafo Ano North Constituency is threatening to derail ongoing internal electoral processes within the party.

The members, operating under the banner of Concerned Patriots, are challenging the conduct of recent polling station and electoral area elections, alleging widespread irregularities and breaches of the party’s electoral regulations.

At a press conference in Tepa, the group’s Secretary, Ayisi Asare Awuah, accused constituency executives and a representative of the Ashanti Regional Executive Committee of manipulating the electoral process and sidelining legitimate party structures.

According to him, the constituency’s leadership structure has effectively been ‘hijacked,’ rendering many party officers unable to perform their constitutional duties.

The group has therefore petitioned the court to halt all subsequent constituency elections until elections are conducted in 23 polling stations where, they claim, no voting took place despite results allegedly being declared.

They are seeking a declaration that the failure to conduct elections in the affected polling stations was unlawful and unjustified.

The Concerned Patriots are also asking the court to compel the party to organise elections in the outstanding polling stations before any further constituency-level elections are held.

Additionally, they want the court to order the removal of the regional representative who supervised the elections and direct that all future electoral processes be conducted in accordance with the party’s constitution and guidelines.

Ayisi Asare Awuah explained that the decision to seek legal intervention followed unsuccessful attempts to resolve the matter through the party’s internal dispute-resolution mechanisms.

‘We reported these anomalies to the Election Committee, but our concerns were ignored. We believe the court is now the only avenue left to ensure fairness and transparency,’ he said.

The group alleged that several election guidelines were breached, including the release of nomination forms, the vetting of aspirants and the publication of notices of poll.

They further claimed that polling station committees were improperly constituted and that ballot processes were manipulated in some areas.

Among the allegations is the selective use of voter albums during the elections. The group claimed that some unverified individuals, including students from Tepa Senior High School and nursing training institutions in the area, were allowed to vote.

The Concerned Patriots also condemned what they described as the deployment of ‘macho men’ to intimidate party members during the elections.

The group linked the alleged atmosphere of intimidation to recent violent incidents during internal party elections, including clashes at Tepa Akwasiase where two persons were reportedly stabbed.

According to the group, the alleged irregularities have weakened confidence in the party at the grassroots level, with some dissatisfied members reportedly defecting to other political groupings.

They warned that if the issues are not addressed, the NPP could suffer electoral setbacks in future elections in the constituency.

The group is therefore calling on the national leadership of the NPP to institute an independent investigation into the conduct of the elections and the role played by officials who supervised the process.

Until elections are conducted in the outstanding polling stations, the Concerned Patriots insist they will continue to pursue legal action to stop all subsequent electoral activities in the constituency.

NAB Consulting announces the successful completion of a EUR 250 million structured finance facility for the Republic of Niger. Co-arranged with Coris Bank Niger, the funding was provided by the African Export-Import Bank, Afreximbank.

Granted to the Republic of Niger through the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the financing forms part of the Government’s economic recovery programme. It is intended to provide strategic resources for priority initiatives aligned with national development objectives and designed to strengthen the country’s economic resilience , including agriculture, energy, healthcare, infrastructure and the productive economy, with particular emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises and industries.

‘The completion of this EUR 250 million facility represents an important milestone in the mobilisation of resources for Niger’s economic recovery programme. It reflects the State’s ability to work with credible financial partners in order to advance strategic development priorities within a structured framework aligned with national objectives,’ said Dr Maman Laouali Abdou Rafa, Minister of Economy and Finance.

Within this framework, NAB Consulting played a central role in the design and execution of the transaction. The firm contributed to the financial architecture, coordinated discussions among key stakeholders, refined the financing approach and supported the negotiations that led to Afreximbank’s approval and the subsequent completion of the facility.

The transaction is supported by a structure based on eligible export revenue flows, to be assigned and secured in favour of Afreximbank. This mechanism was designed to enhance the credit quality of the financing, strengthen its bankability and provide the lender with appropriate comfort through clear visibility over identified repayment sources. It also demonstrates how structured finance can align sovereign funding requirements with the risk-management expectations of international financial institutions.

More broadly, the completion of this facility highlights the growing relevance of structured finance solutions for African sovereigns seeking to mobilise substantial resources for priority development programmes. It also underlines the importance of credible repayment sources, appropriate security mechanisms, disciplined transaction execution and effective stakeholder coordination in delivering complex financing operations.

It’s important to note that NAB Consulting has built a significant track record in financing transactions across Africa. Over the past three years, the firm has originated or arranged 29 transactions, either completed or approaching completion, with a value of approximately EUR 2.93 billion. These mandates cut accross several African markets, including Niger, Guinea, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Burundi, Mauritania, Cameroon and Sierra Leone.

The firm’s experience covers a broad range of financial instruments and transaction types, including trade finance facilities, term loans, credit lines, public receivables discounting arrangements, guarantees, swaps and financings linked to infrastructure, energy, road construction, petroleum products, SMEs, agro-industry and priority public-sector projects.

Among the notable transactions supported by NAB Consulting are TECMON Energy in Burkina Faso, for a facility dedicated to the importation of spare parts and critical equipment under an electricity maintenance contract; Trade Oil in Côte d’Ivoire, for the financing of petroleum product imports through guarantees and letters of credit; GUITER SA in Guinea, on a receivables discounting transaction backed by accepted receivables for road works; and the Bank of the Republic of Burundi, on a swap transaction designed to reinforce local-currency liquidity and facilitate trade-related operations.

Taken together, these references demonstrate NAB Consulting’s ability to advise on diversified and technically demanding mandates. They also reflect the firm’s capacity to combine financial structuring expertise, deep knowledge of African markets, a strong understanding of lender requirements and the ability to design security and risk-mitigation mechanisms adapted to the economic realities of African sovereigns, banks and corporates.

‘This transaction marks an important step in the ability of African sovereigns to mobilise structured finance on the basis of credible security mechanisms. NAB Consulting contributed to the design of a financial architecture backed by identified export revenue flows, thereby strengthening the bankability of the transaction and enabling the mobilisation of a EUR 250 million facility for the Republic of Niger,’ said Dr Ismaila Kamara, President of NAB Consulting.

About NAB Consulting

NAB Consulting is a financial advisory firm specialising in the origination, structuring, mobilisation and execution of financing transactions across Africa. Founded and led by Dr Ismaila Kamara, an international finance expert with more than 26 years of experience in originating and structuring financing transactions, including in collaboration with Afreximbank and other leading financial institutions, NAB Consulting advises sovereigns, African banks, corporates and economic operators involved in development-oriented projects.

The firm assists clients throughout the financing lifecycle, from the preparation of funding packages and the design of appropriate financial structures to the identification of suitable instruments, coordination with financial institutions, and transaction follow-up through approval, documentation and financial close.

Through this integrated approach, NAB Consulting helps clients convert financing needs into bankable and executable transactions. Its advisory model is grounded in a strong understanding of African market dynamics, lender expectations, sovereign and corporate funding requirements, and the practical conditions required to structure, secure and complete complex financing transactions.

Shareholders of Mobile Money Fintech Limited (MMFL), operators of MTN Mobile Money, have approved key corporate and governance resolutions, including a dividend of GHS0.03 per share for the first quarter of 2026.

The resolutions were approved at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held in Accra, where shareholders reviewed the company’s performance and endorsed measures aimed at enhancing governance and positioning the business for long-term growth.

Board Chair of MMFL, Victoria Bright, said shareholders granted critical approvals required for the company’s continued operations following its transition to Mobile Money Fintech Limited.

‘MTN Ghana had already declared dividends in a similar amount of three pesewas per share. Together, for the first quarter alone, our shareholders will receive six pesewas per share from the two companies combined,’ she disclosed.

Chief Executive Officer MMFL, Shaibu Haruna, said the company had moved from semi-annual dividend payments to a quarterly dividend structure, reflecting improved performance and a commitment to rewarding shareholders more frequently.

‘The three pesewas per share that have been declared are a reflection of the company’s performance in the first quarter,’ Mr. Haruna said.

He added that MMFL would continue to invest in innovative solutions to improve customer experience and strengthen the digital payments ecosystem.

‘Our service is going to continue to be strong in terms of the innovation that we bring into the ecosystem,’ he stated.

Mr. Haruna also highlighted the growing threat of digital fraud and reiterated the company’s commitment to working with industry stakeholders to address the challenge.

‘We are working with our partners and ecosystem actors to combat the digital fraud we continue to see in the market. It is something we have taken very seriously,’ he said.

He referenced the company’s recently launched white paper, Uniting Against Digital Fraud: Strengthening Ecosystem Collaboration in Ghana’s Digital Financial Services Sector, describing it as a demonstration of MMFL’s commitment to tackling fraud across the industry.

‘The white paper reflects how critical this issue is for us and for the industry as a whole. We will continue to work with our partners to ensure that we collectively address these challenges,’ he added.