Category: Daily Guide Network

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB Ghana) have reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening collaboration, strengthening ethics and professionalism, and building a more resilient and trusted banking sector.

The commitment was made when the Governing Council of CIB Ghana paid a courtesy call on the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama, on Friday, July 31, 2026, at Bank Square in Accra.

The visit also provided an opportunity to formally introduce the Institute’s new leadership and express appreciation to the Governor for his leadership of the banking industry and continued support for CIB Ghana.

Discussions centred on raising standards of ethics and professionalism, customer protection, cybersecurity, and fraud prevention. The meeting also explored digital assets, banking sector reforms, the future of technology, and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing in shaping the future of banking.

Both institutions underscored the importance of closer collaboration in addressing emerging risks and strengthening the standards and human capital required to sustain confidence in the banking sector.

The Governing Council also briefed the Governor on key CIB Ghana initiatives, including the Branch CEO Programme, the Chartered Banker for Executive Leadership (CBEL) Programme, industry-wide ethics certification, anti-fraud campaigns, and research initiatives.

These programmes form part of the Institute’s commitment to developing competent, ethical, and future-ready professionals for Ghana’s financial services industry.

The incoming President of CIB Ghana, Dr. Ellen Ohene-Afoakwa, outlined her vision to strengthen ethics and professionalism, rebuild the Bankers’ House, and host a successful World Conference of Banking Institutes (WCBI). Ghana is scheduled to host the 2028 edition of the conference in Accra.

The event will provide an important platform for Ghana to showcase its banking sector, professional education ecosystem, contributions to global banking development, and how the future of banking is being redefined in Africa.

For his part, Dr. Asiama said that, just as professionals in the health sector are expected to uphold high standards, those working in the banking industry must demonstrate competence, professionalism, and ethical conduct.

He commended CIB Ghana for supporting the efforts of the Bank of Ghana, the Ghana Association of Banks (GAB), and other industry stakeholders in combating fraud and addressing emerging risks that threaten public trust in the financial system.

The Governor also outlined the Bank’s efforts to strengthen verification processes across the banking sector and ensure the successful implementation of community banking reforms.

Access Bank (Ghana) Plc has partnered with Points Africa, a mobile-first rewards platform, to enhance its Rewards by Access loyalty programme by expanding the network of locations where customers can earn and redeem loyalty points.

Through the partnership, Rewards by Access members will enjoy greater flexibility and more opportunities to redeem points across a growing network of participating merchants, including restaurants, retail outlets, wellness providers, entertainment venues, and other lifestyle destinations across Ghana.

The partnership forms part of Access Bank Ghana’s commitment to delivering innovative, customer-centric banking solutions that reward customers for their everyday transactions.

By leveraging Points Africa’s established merchant ecosystem, the Bank is enhancing the Rewards by Access experience and creating more meaningful ways for customers to benefit from their card usage.

With more than 65 participating locations currently available on the Points Africa platform, eligible Access Bank customers will continue to earn loyalty points automatically whenever they transact with their Access Bank cards and can seamlessly redeem those points across an expanded range of lifestyle and retail experiences.

Commenting on the partnership, Eugene Ocansey, Executive Director of Retail and SME Banking at Access Bank Ghana, said, ‘Rewards by Access was designed to deliver tangible value to our customers through their everyday banking activities.’

‘Our partnership with Points Africa allows us to extend that value by giving customers access to more relevant and rewarding experiences. It reflects our commitment to continuously innovating and collaborating with strategic partners to enhance the banking experience for our customers,’ he added.

Speaking on the collaboration, Adam Meghji, Chief Commercial Officer at Points Africa, said the partnership is designed to bring practical, everyday value to Rewards by Access members.

‘This partnership brings rewards closer to the everyday lives of Access Bank customers. By expanding where customers can redeem the points they earn from their regular card transactions, we are creating a more practical and engaging rewards experience that delivers real value,’ he stated.

Thousands of New Patriotic Party( NPP) supporters and activists are clad in red and black for the #DemocracyUnderAttack’ demonstration to protest what they described as political persecution and democratic backsliding under the Mahama administration.

The procession began at the Supreme Court premises and moved toward Jubilee House, with protesters pressing home demands for accountability and the rule of law.

NPP General Secretary Justin Frimpong Koduah, popularly known as JFK, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Weija-Gbawe MP Hon. Jerry Ahmed Shaib, NPP National Youth Organizer Salam Mustapha, Former Health Minister Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye among other big names joined hundreds of party supporters at the start of the protest.

Addressing some journalists, Salam Mustapha said the NDC was handed a working democracy by the NPP and must protect it.

‘The NPP equipped the NDC with a working democracy, hence they must protect it. Our democracy is failing and they must sit up!’ he declared. An NPP supporter known as ‘Walewale Boy’alleged that President Mahama is causing the arrest of anyone who speaks against him, expressing frustration over what he described as the purported political persecution of NPP members.

The protesters are calling for alternatives to jail sentences for people involved in political insults. They suggested fines or signing bonds instead, adding that the focus should be on creating jobs for the youth.

The NPP says the ‘#DemocracyUnderAttack’ protest is to highlight concerns over selective justice, alleged inaction on corruption, and what it describes as threats to Ghana’s democratic institutions.

The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, has commissioned two mechanised boreholes for Anfoega Senior High School and Vakpo Senior High School as well as cut the sod for six major educational infrastructure projects in the North Dayi District as part of government’s commitment to improving educational facilities and enhancing the welfare of students in the Volta Region.

The projects form part of government’s efforts to improve access to quality education by expanding educational infrastructure while ensuring a reliable supply of potable water to schools.

The commissioning and sod-cutting ceremonies were attended by the Member of Parliament for North Dayi, Joycelyn Tetteh Quarshie, the District Chief Executive, Ernest Adevor, traditional authorities, education officials, opinion leaders and residents of the beneficiary communities.

The newly commissioned mechanised boreholes, each with a 10,000-litre storage capacity, were constructed under Phase II of the Water for All Project to address water challenges in the two senior high schools.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremonies, Mr. Gunu said the facilities are powered by both the national electricity grid and solar energy to guarantee an uninterrupted supply of safe drinking water, even during power outages.

He noted that access to clean water is critical to improving sanitation, safeguarding the health of students and creating a conducive environment for effective teaching and learning.

The Regional Minister urged the management of the two schools to institute proper maintenance measures to ensure the sustainability of the facilities.

The minister also advised students to remain committed to their studies, assuring them of government’s resolve to continue investing in modern educational infrastructure to improve learning outcomes.

Following the commissioning of the boreholes, the minister cut the sod for the commencement of six educational infrastructure projects across the district.

The projects comprise an 18-unit classroom block and a two-storey boys’ dormitory for Vakpo Senior High Technical School, a two-storey girls’ dormitory for Anfoega Senior High School, as well as three-unit classroom blocks for Avevi-Denui D/A Junior High School, Tsrukpe Zanukofe D/A Junior High School and Botoku Bradafornu D/A Junior High School.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Gunu assured residents that funding had been secured for all six projects and that work would commence without delay.

He stressed that the projects would be closely monitored to ensure their timely completion in line with President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to eliminating abandoned public projects while expanding access to quality education across the country.

According to the Regional Minister, the provision of modern educational infrastructure remains a key priority of government as it seeks to reduce classroom deficits, improve teaching and learning, and enhance academic performance, particularly in underserved communities.

As part of activities marking the visit, Mr. Gunu also donated two footballs and a set of jerseys each to Anfoega Senior High School, Vakpo Senior High School and Vakpo Senior High Technical School to promote sports development and encourage young people to combine academic excellence with sporting activities.

The Member of Parliament for North Dayi, Joycelyn Tetteh Quarshie, commended government for prioritising education in the constituency.

She reaffirmed her commitment to working closely with government and other stakeholders to ensure that educational institutions in the district continue to benefit from critical development interventions.

Ms. Quarshie expressed optimism that the projects, when completed, would significantly improve learning conditions and provide students with the infrastructure needed to excel academically.

The commissioning of the mechanised boreholes and the launch of the six educational projects underscore government’s continued investment in education and human capital development, while addressing critical infrastructure and water supply challenges confronting schools in the North Dayi District.

Internet sensation, Adu Safowah, has warned rumour mongers on social media spreading unverified news about her brand, stating that she will not engage in such controversies.

According to her, over the past week there have been comments about her concerning a wig vendor, but she is in no position to respond to those allegations.

‘With the current controversy surrounding me now, I know a lot of people are expecting me to come on TikTok Live and explain myself to the world, but that will not happen. Guess what? Where I have gotten to now, I am above controversies because it won’t benefit me.

‘You don’t know the office you will be visiting for a favour, and the person you were having an exchange of words with on TikTok may be working at that office. That is the twist about life, so let us be mindful of what we say,’ she cautioned.

Telecommunications giant, MTN Ghana, has assured customers that it is intensifying efforts to combat mobile money (MoMo) fraud by strengthening its security systems and deepening collaboration with state security agencies to track and prosecute fraudsters.

The company said it continues to invest in technology and strategic partnerships to safeguard the growing volume of transactions processed on its mobile money platform.

Speaking at the MTN Media Stakeholders Forum in Sunyani, the Manager in charge of Mobile Money for Northern Ghana, David Nana Addai, said the company was committed to staying ahead of fraudsters by enhancing the robustness and stability of its systems.

He disclosed that MTN has incorporated customers’ biometric data into its security architecture to help prevent fraudulent activities and protect users.

Mr. Addai said the telecommunications company was also working closely with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Cybercrime Unit of the Ghana Police Service to identify, track and apprehend individuals involved in mobile money fraud.

‘We are collaborating with EOCO and the Cybercrime Unit of the Ghana Police Service to track down fraudsters. MTN is also working with other telecommunications networks to establish a centralised system that will make it easier to detect and combat mobile money fraud across the industry,’ he said.

Responding to concerns that MTN had stopped registering new MoMo agents, Mr. Addai explained that the company had no such policy but was instead regulating the distribution of agents to ensure business viability.

He said MTN currently has about 350,000 MoMo agents and 300,000 merchants nationwide and seeks to avoid concentrating too many agents within the same locality.

According to him, the company maintains an ideal agent-to-subscriber ratio of one agent to every 80 subscribers.

Meanwhile, the Senior Manager for Customer Experience Planning and Enablement at MTN Ghana, Lawrence Akosen, paid tribute to the media for supporting the company’s growth over the past 30 years.

He said the media had played a key role in communicating MTN’s vision and helping the company connect millions of Ghanaians to the digital economy.

Mr. Akosen also announced plans to make significant investments in network expansion to improve service quality and resilience.

He said MTN intends to invest between US$380 million and US$1.1 billion in infrastructure development, including the construction of 800 new network sites across the country.

Under the expansion programme, the Bono Region will receive 39 new sites, while the Ahafo and Bono East regions will each benefit from 27 sites to improve network coverage and customer experience.

We have reached where we are today because of the heroic efforts by cherishers of democracy, some of whom did so by shedding their blood.

At the time the culture of silence permeated all facets of the Ghanaian society, it took such heroes of democracy to stand up to be counted as those who wanted a non-dictatorial political ambience for the country.

When eventually the seismic change we yearned for came, replacing the culture of silence, the wind of democracy blew without inhibition.

Nobody thought the milestone would not remain a permanent feature of our political life. Time has proven that with persons spotting questionable integrity taking over the mantle of leadership, things would change.

Elections, it is said, have consequences -positive or negative. Today, a reversal of that critical feature of democracy, free speech, has never been so threatened as in recent times. And to think this followed the outcome of an election proves the saying that, indeed, there are consequences to how we choose our leaders.

Those who have cause to express themselves regarding governance must be wary of being arrested and jailed because the times have changed.

So many people have been arrested roughly and some denied access to lawyers simply because their expressions were unpalatable to the government.

All of a sudden the clock of democratic progress has been set back. Many have even lost count of the number of persons arrested so far through the irresponsible use of the powers of the state.

Of course this is not right and doubtlessly a threat to free speech. Ghanaians would not have voted for the NDC and President John Mahama if they had understood the implication of the latter’s reset agenda.

As we compose this commentary, another person has been picked up. The whereabouts of Richard Nana Basoah of Ahwenepa FM are unknown, part of the ongoing spate of arrests.

The Government Spokesperson, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, has served notice that anybody who threatens the President would be arrested. It is a crime to threaten anybody irrespective of the status of such persons in society. Those who breach the law by threatening others must be taken through due process, not picked up by hooded security officers and hidden in unknown locations. Assaulting women suspected to have offended the President and even deceiving them to plead guilty when they know not the implication therein is not the law.

Today, one of the two dominant political parties in the country is demonstrating against selective justice and, of course, the threat to free speech.

The threat to free speech and selective justice are rife today. Paradoxically, President Mahama in his open letter to President Akufo-Addo in 2022 expressed disgust at the antiquated practice of arresting persons because of their unpleasing expressions.

In any case, the number of persons arrested over free speech within the less than two years of the John Mahama administration has surpassed the number recorded in the eight years of the Akufo-Addo presidency.

That the President has told Ghanaians that those who express hate speech would be traced and arrested through their IP addresses is enough to tell all that free speech is under threat.

Reports circulating on various media platforms reveal that the government has increased the entry fee from GHS1 to GHS10 for people who pray in the Achimota Forest.

The new fee, which took effect on August 1, 2026, pegged GHS10 for adults while kids over three years are to pay GHS5 for use of the forest reserve located in the Greater Accra Region.

As of now, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Forestry Commission have not announced any fee or levy for religious activities in the forest.

People who visit the Achimota Forest for daily prayers have expressed strong dissatisfaction over the sharp increase in the entry fee.

Speaking to Nana Kwasi Ampofo of Oman FM, the Public Relations Officer of the Achimota Pastors Association, Prophet Samuel Asare, said the association has petitioned Parliament and the Forestry Commission over the increment and is awaiting a response after Parliament resumes from recess.

Prophet Asare lamented the lack of basic facilities at the prayer grounds, including traffic lights to prevent accidents, washrooms, and shelters, forcing worshippers to pray at the mercy of the weather.

He added that, aside from the daily GHS1 entry fee, worshippers also pay a monthly permit fee of GHS20. He further alleged that the association was informed on Wednesday that worshippers who declined to pay the new GHS10 fee could continue paying GHS1 without being issued tickets.

However, he said the association could not accept such an arrangement, insisting that worshippers should be issued tickets after paying to access the prayer grounds. ‘Stealing and prayer do not mix because dishonesty breaks trust with God and others. True prayer requires a clean heart, therefore they cannot compromise.’

He further disclosed that the Forestry Commission also rents chairs to worshippers at GHS2 per chair in addition to the daily entry fee. Prophet Asare said the prayer grounds attract no fewer than 2,000 worshippers every day.

He appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene by reviewing the charges, stressing that worshippers are not refusing to pay but believe the tenfold increase is excessive. He also expressed concern that children between the ages of 3 and 18 who accompany their parents to pray are now required to pay GHS5 before being allowed entry.

He noted that the Forestry Commission has designated about 120 prayer porches within the forest for religious activities, and argued that maintaining the previous GHS1 charge would have encouraged patronage instead of driving people away.

Over the years, one issue drawing public attention is the use of sections of the forest for religious activities, including prayer camps, overnight vigils, and large gatherings. Conservationists argue that protected forest reserves should not be used for activities that may damage fragile ecosystems. They cite littering, vegetation clearing, open fires, human waste, and noise pollution as consequences of such gatherings.

While government is yet to issue official statement, the focus, according to the Lands Ministry, remains on restoring protection and preventing encroachment and misuse of the reserve.

The Ghana Manganese Company (GMC) has projected that its monthly production will reach 700,000 tonnes this month.

According to the company, the major operational milestone is being driven by declining rainfall and the progressive commissioning of new heavy equipment.

‘This marks a significant step forward in the company’s journey towards its annual production target of eight million tonnes,’ it said.

As Ghana’s sole manganese miner and exporter, GMC operates the Nsuta open-pit mine in the Western Region, where seasonal rains typically affect haulage and processing throughput.

Historical data show that shipments between May and July experienced a temporary slowdown due to wet-season disruptions.

However, with the onset of August, rainfall has declined significantly, leading to improved pit conditions.

A statement issued by the company said that, with a century-long mining heritage, GMC remains focused on maintaining its position at the lower end of the cost curve through operational innovation.

The statement added that, beyond serving as a critical supplier of iron ore feedstock to the global steel industry, the company’s high-grade carbonate manganese ore is increasingly being recognised as a strategic resource for the new-energy battery supply chain.

‘With higher output, GMC aims to secure a stable supply to international markets while supporting the Government of Ghana’s value-addition strategy, including the planned manganese refining plant, which is expected to generate greater local economic benefits,’ it said.

The company said it expects that, with August production approaching 700,000 tonnes, its overall operational performance in the second half of the year will improve significantly.

‘The company will continue to monitor weather conditions and leverage its newly deployed high-efficiency fleet to ensure its full-year production target is achieved,’ the statement said.

Fidelity Bank Ghana has called for bold reforms to expand pension coverage to the country’s vast informal sector and diaspora communities, arguing that broader participation in retirement savings is essential for improving financial inclusion while generating long-term capital for national development.

The Deputy Managing Director for Operations and Support Functions of Fidelity Bank, Atta Yeboah Gyan, made the call during the 2026 Africa Pension Supervisors Association (APSA) Annual Conference in Accra.

The conference was held on the theme: ‘Unlocking Informal Sector and Diaspora Pensions: From Financial Inclusion to Sustainable Retirement Security.’

Addressing policymakers, regulators and pension industry leaders from across Africa, Mr. Gyan described Ghana’s pension system as facing a ‘coverage paradox,’ noting that although the informal sector accounts for more than 80 percent of the country’s workforce, less than one percent actively contributes to the Tier One pension scheme.

He said millions of market traders, artisans, farmers, commercial drivers and head porters remained outside the formal pension system, not because they were unconcerned about retirement, but because existing pension products were designed mainly for salaried workers with predictable monthly incomes.

Mr. Gyan observed that while pension assets across Ghana’s three-tier pension system had grown to an estimated GHS114 billion, participation had failed to keep pace with the country’s expanding workforce.

‘The priority is no longer only to grow pension assets but to ensure that millions of hardworking Ghanaians have access to retirement security through products designed around the way they earn, save and live,’ he said.

He also identified Ghana’s diaspora as an untapped source of pension financing, noting that remittances reached US$7.79 billion in 2025. According to him, directing just 10 per cent of those inflows into structured diaspora pension schemes could generate nearly US$780 million annually, or about US$4 billion over five years, to support long-term investment.

Mr. Gyan said digital remittance platforms already provide the infrastructure needed to make diaspora pension contributions simple and convenient.

To improve pension participation, he advocated flexible contribution models that would allow informal sector workers to save daily, weekly, seasonally or through lump-sum payments without penalties for irregular contributions.

He cited Rwanda’s Ejo Heza voluntary savings programme and Kenya’s mobile-enabled pension initiatives as examples of successful approaches that Ghana could adopt.

Mr. Gyan proposed the introduction of a dedicated diaspora pension product, pilot flexible pension schemes using mobile money platforms and the integration of pension enrolment into Ghana Card registration.

He said financial institutions have a key role to play in expanding pension coverage, pointing out that Fidelity Bank serves more than 2.2 million inclusive banking customers, many of whom operate in the informal sector.

Mr. Gyan reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting pension mobilisation through its extensive customer network, digital banking platforms and international payment partnerships.