Category: Daily Guide Network

The country is facing an urgent family planning commodity crisis following the exit of USAID, which previously supplied 45% of the country’s contraceptives, as stakeholders meet to chart a sustainable way forward.

Speaking at a High-Level Stakeholders’ Summit convened by MSI Reproductive Choices Ghana with support from UNFPA, Dr Doris Amarteifio, Programmes Manager, Family Planning, Ghana Health Service (GHS) said the withdrawal created a major funding gap.

Before the exit, support stood at USAID 45%, UNFPA 40%, Government of Ghana 10% and WAHO 5%. Government has since increased its share from 5% to 20% for 2025, with UNFPA also stepping in, but stock levels remain critically low.

‘We have 11 commodities that partners procure for us. Our minimum stock level is six months, but some commodities are less than one month,’ Dr. Amarteifio stated. ‘Depot-Provera currently stands at 0.11 months, female condoms at 2 months, and male condoms, which are highly patronized, at 1.4 months. As we speak, that figure keeps going down.’

The summit brought together about 50 senior participants from government, development partners, civil society, the private sector, academia, and traditional and religious leadership to agree on practical, time-bound actions to strengthen financing, coordination, and commodity security.

The meeting also created the platform to share findings of a new research on income flows from family planning services and private sector engagement with participants.

Presenting the findings, Project Consultant, Dr. Godfred Bonnah Nkansah, said the results showed that facilities collect small fees for service delivery, but policies on revenue sharing are not being followed. Per policy, 50% should stay at facility level, with 10% each to district and regional levels and 30% to national level.

‘In practice, facilities are not adhering to that arrangement, so we don’t really know how the money is utilised,’ Dr. Nkansah said, warning that the country could be losing substantial funds.

He added that some facilities are charging over 300% above the Ghana Health Service (GHS) cap.

To address the gaps, the research recommended the establishment of a domestic fund, a digital tracking system from facility to national level, and local production of family planning commodities.

The research also urged Ghanaians to enroll on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), noting that while commodities are free, service delivery costs can be reimbursed through NHIS to sustain facilities.

‘Without a sustainable funding mechanism, commodities, transport and consumables will not get to the last mile,’ Dr. Nkansah said.

The Ghana Health Service and Ministry of Health said they will investigate reports of overcharging, stressing that family planning commodities are supposed to be issued free of charge.

The General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Ghana, Rev. Stephen Yenusom Wengam, has addressed the 22nd Biennial General Council Meeting of the Guyana Assemblies of God in Georgetown.

Rev. Wengam, who also serves as a Cabinet/Executive member of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, spoke on the theme ‘The Awesome Deeds of Prayer.’

He told the gathering that, ‘intense, consistent, deliberate and prolonged praying births unequaled revival. More prayer provokes the release of fresh revival.’

Citing biblical and historical examples, Rev. Wengam noted that prayer birthed the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, USA, which led to the formation of the Assemblies of God in 1914.

He also referenced Acts 1:14, where 120 disciples prayed for 10 days in the Upper Room before the Holy Spirit was poured out.

‘The Holy Spirit did not fall on the first or second day because it takes much prayer for great revival to take place, like what happened on the day of Pentecost,’ he emphasised, referring to Acts 2.

Following the sermon, Rev. Wengam led the congregation in intense prayer, resulting in what attendees described as a tangible manifestation of the Holy Spirit and a wave of revival.

Testifying after the session, the General Superintendent of the Guyana Assemblies of God, Bishop John Smith, said the church had experienced, ‘the visitation of the Holy Spirit in an unusual manner.’

Wellness entrepreneur Amal Fashanu, founder of Matchame, hosted a soft launch of her boutique matcha brand in Accra on Saturday, July 11, introducing Ghanaians to what she calls a lifestyle rooted in health, creativity, and calm.

Speaking after the launch event, Amal Fashanu said her entry into wellness was personal. The journey began with her ’30 Juice Book,’ a curated 30-day guide for 30 organs of the body.

‘When I started doing my juice book, I then started to get into the wellness side of my health because I was severely overweight. Part of the journey was to try things that would help me stabilise my weight, become part of my lifestyle, and also be fun and dynamic. That is what matcha is for me,’ she said.

She noted the health benefits that kept her committed: ‘It’s an antioxidant, anti-cancerous, and it helps your nails, your skin, your general well-being. It helps your organs. Green tea and matcha are from the same camellia plant. It’s just that matcha is shaded and processed differently. That’s why strong matcha has a taste similar to green tea.’

Amal Fashanu revealed that Matchame has been open quietly for three months. She described the space as intentional and serene.

‘It’s very boutique, elegant, and high up. It’s not for the masses. It’s for somebody to come, enjoy, relax. It’s Japan meets Africa in a relaxed manner. The music is a curated playlist. Customers who come here are seeking peace, quiet, and moments to chill,’ she added.

Saturday’s event was a teaser of what’s to come. It featured a beginners’ introductory masterclass where guests learned how to whisk matcha at home. Matchame also retails whisks, bowls, and ladles.

‘This masterclass was tailored for beginners. If you don’t know anything about matcha, if you want to get healthier, this is for you,’ she said.

Amal Fashanu announced monthly programmes including; 1-2 times every month, among other collaborative events such as ‘Paddle and Matcha,’ ‘Nails and Matcha,’ ‘Sip and Paint with Matcha,’ and ‘Skincare with Shea Butter.’

Hundreds of residents across parts of the Western Region joined the nationwide clean-up exercise over the weekend, as communities rallied to improve sanitation and support the government’s post-flood mitigation efforts.

The two-day exercise, organised in the wake of recent flooding in parts of the country, aimed to clear waste, desilt drains and promote cleaner, healthier communities to reduce the risk of future floods and disease outbreaks.

Zoomlion Ghana Limited, the country’s leading waste management and environmental sanitation company, played a key role by deploying personnel and providing equipment to support the exercise.

The clean-up also attracted personnel from the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service and the Ghana Armed Forces, alongside officials from public and private institutions, senior high school students and residents.

A visit to Sekondi, Shama and the Effia Kwesimintsim Municipality (EKMA) showed teams desilting choked drains, sweeping streets and public spaces, clearing refuse dumps and cutting overgrown weeds.

Many residents described the exercise as timely and necessary, saying it would help improve sanitation and minimise the impact of flooding during the rainy season.

They commended Zoomlion for its commitment to the exercise and urged other corporate organisations to support similar environmental initiatives.

The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, stressed that maintaining a clean environment required sustained collaboration between citizens and local authorities.

He said environmental sanitation was a shared responsibility and encouraged residents to take ownership of sanitation activities by actively participating in future clean-up exercises.

Mr. Nelson noted that indiscriminate disposal of refuse and the failure to maintain drains remained major causes of flooding and the spread of preventable diseases, particularly during the rainy season.

The Chief of Apremdo in the Effia Kwesimintsim Municipality, Nana Egya Kwamena, called on residents to make sanitation a daily responsibility rather than limiting clean-up efforts to periodic national exercises.

He also advocated a greater role for traditional authorities in sanitation campaigns, arguing that their involvement would help improve public participation and strengthen community ownership of environmental management.

According to him, communities respond more enthusiastically when traditional leaders champion clean-up exercises than when such activities are driven solely by central or local government authorities.

The National Association of Ghanaian Communities in Nigeria (NAGHACON) has expressed concern over the alleged destruction of properties belonging to Ghanaian-owned JonahCapital at the River Park Estate in Abuja despite a pending court case over the matter.

The association, in a press statement signed by its National President, Lukman Tetteh, and General Secretary, Edwards Domfe, warned that the situation could have implications for relations between Ghana and Nigeria if it is not addressed at the highest level.

It therefore called on President John Dramani Mahama and his Nigerian counterpart, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ‘to call those responsible for these actions to order and allow the court to determine this matter.’

According to the association, it had observed the destruction of JonahCapital’s properties, including the Gallery Clubhouse, gatehouse and other structures, while other companies operating within the River Park Estate remained unaffected.

‘We have observed that several other companies continue to operate undisturbed within River Park Estate, with the exception of JonahCapital. We have also observed the various walls that have been erected around properties belonging to JonahCapital,’ the association stated.

The group said it stood in solidarity with the company over what it had endured and continued to endure.

NAGHACON also stated that it was aware of the challenges JonahCapital had faced since last year, when a police investigation allegedly accused the company of forgery, a matter which it said required the intervention of Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation, who investigated the case and declared the company’s directors innocent.

‘We are concerned that a matter currently before the courts is not being allowed to run its course, while these actions continue to be taken against JonahCapital’s staff and assets,’ the statement said.

The association linked its concerns to the broader issue of xenophobic attacks against African migrants, citing incidents in South Africa where several African migrants have been killed.

‘As Ghanaians in Nigeria, we are equally concerned that these actions against the only prominent Ghanaian company in Abuja could have unintended consequences, both in Nigeria and in Ghana,’ it added.

NAGHACON further warned that the dispute could escalate into a situation similar to that experienced in South Africa. It also expressed concern about the safety and security of Ghanaians connected with the company and the estate.

‘We use this medium to appeal to the Presidents of both Ghana and Nigeria to call those responsible for these actions to order and to allow the court to determine this matter. We also ask that the safety and security of the Ghanaians involved be guaranteed,’ the statement added.

Nigerian actor, IK Ogbonna, has denied reports linking him to an alleged $75,000 romance scam.

Reports circulating online claimed the actor was being invited for questioning by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in collaboration with the FBI over a complaint allegedly filed by a 49-year-old American woman, Kimberly Ann. The woman reportedly claimed she had been in an online relationship with someone posing as the actor since 2025.

Reacting to the reports on his Instagram Stories, IK Ogbonna described the claims as false.

‘This report is completely false, malicious, and without any factual basis. I don’t support or participate in any form of internet fraud, romance scams, or any other fraudulent activity,’ he wrote.

The actor explained that his name and images have repeatedly been used by imposters operating fake social media accounts to scam unsuspecting people.

He stressed that he has never authorised anyone to represent him online, request money on his behalf or engage in private conversations pretending to be him. He also urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid interacting with fake accounts using his identity.

Ghanaian socialite, Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and another count of conspiracy to commit money laundering in a United States District Court following, accusation of using fraudulent means to swindle about $8 million from elderly Americans.

Abu Trica was extradited to the United States last Thursday after his multiple legal challenges against the extradition failed.

There was an emergency application to halt the grant of the extradition request as well as a notice of appeal against the High Court decision which granted the extradition at the time he was flown out of the country.

Abu Trica is accused of conspiring with one Daniel Yussif and others to operate an alleged fraud scheme that used artificial intelligence tools to create fake identities, establish relationships with victims and solicit money under false pretences.

Information available indicates that Abu Trica has opted for a jury trial and a Northern District Court of Ohia presided over by Judge John R. Adams, has set August 25, 2026, for pre-trial while jury trial commences on September 8, 2026.

Court documents indicate that any plea negotiation must be completed before the pre-trial date.

‘Accordingly, the court will not accept plea agreements after the pretrial,’ the document also stated.

The documents further pointed out that the trial will begin at 9am and continue until 4:30pm, ‘unless circumstances dictate otherwise.’

Stipulation of Facts

The trial court has also directed lawyers in the matter to confer with one another in order to prepare written stipulations as to all uncontested facts to be presented at trial to the jury or to the Court, as the case way be.

‘Stipulations of fact are strongly encouraged in order to eliminate the need for testimony of witnesses to facts which are not in dispute. Said stipulations shall be signed by both counsel as well as the defendant and filed with the Court no later than three (3) business days prior to the trial date,’ the court ordered.

Abu Trica’s Lawyer

Abu Trica, according to reports is being represented by Henry Hilow, a veteran Ohio criminal defence attorney.

Mr. Hilow, is said to have decades of courtroom experience and previously served as an assistant county prosecutor for 11 years.

Further reports suggest that Mr. Hilow declined to make any official public statement on the case but said the defence team was looking forward to reviewing the evidence the prosecution is required to provide during the discovery process.

Extradition

Abu Trica was flown out of the country on July 9, 2026, aboard Delta Airlines flight DL 157, bringing an end to the numerous legal challenges mounted by his lawyers against the extradition process.

He has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and faces up to 20 years in prison, according to the US Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Ohio.

According to recently unsealed indictment, Kumi is accused of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) software to assume false identities and form close personal relationships with victims, through social media and online dating platforms, and gain their trust before extorting them of their money and valuables.

A High Court in Accra, on July 2, 2026 affirmed the extradition of Abu Trica to the United States to face trial.

This followed the decision of the court to dismiss an application filed by his lawyers challenging the decision of the Gbese District Court which had earlier granted a request by the Attorney General to extradite him to the US for the alleged crimes.

His lawyer, Oliver Barker-Vormawor confirmed the development on Facebook, describing it as a fast-tracked process and hinted going all the way to the Supreme Court to appeal the decision.

‘I am out of Ghana for work. I just heard that the case of Abu Trica has been fast tracked and a judge has just ordered his extradition. Hmmm. FBI 1 – Abu 1. I guess this issue goes to the Supreme Court,’ the lawyer wrote.

The lawyers subsequently filed an application seeking to halt the extraction pending the determination of an appeal against the order.

The military acts on orders given by politicians who formulate defence policies.

These policies may be developed with inputs from the military, whose expert advice may or may not be adopted by the politicians who appoint military officers to command positions.

The West African sub region has never been on such tenterhooks as it is today, and defence and security experts are under no illusion about this.

Despite years of military campaigns, extremists have not been subdued, notwithstanding the overwhelming firepower deployed against them, including by the sub region’s strongest military, Nigeria.

In Mali and Burkina Faso, they remain active and are nowhere near abandoning their objective of destabilising and eventually toppling the governments of the countries in which they operate.

When soldiers seized power in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, they created the impression that they had the wherewithal to eliminate the Al Qaeda and JNIM-linked extremists. So far, that has not been the case.

In Mali, just a four-day drive from Accra, JNIM-linked extremists have not been stopped by the Russian African Corps, which is operating there at the behest of the junta. Instead, reports suggest that the Russian mercenaries and the extremists have reached an understanding under which the former ceded control of a swathe of Malian territory to the latter. The extremists had earlier killed Mali’s Defence Minister.

Given the foregoing, it is important that we take seriously the warning by our Chief of Defence Staff about the southward movement of extremists from their bases in Mali and Burkina Faso.

When the head of our Armed Forces issues such a portentous warning, it should serve as a wake-up call for all Ghanaians to remain alert to the security threats confronting the sub region, particularly our part of it.

The politicians, to whom the military is answerable, must also play their part diligently and sincerely by ensuring that the Armed Forces are adequately equipped and that professional military advice is given the attention it deserves in matters concerning the protection of the country’s territorial integrity.

Preparing for and countering the ominous southward movement of extremists is not the responsibility of the military alone. It also requires the active participation of citizens, especially those living along the country’s borders.

Such citizens should be regularly sensitised on the importance of remaining vigilant and reporting any unusual movement of people from neighbouring countries where extremist groups are active.

Security agencies operating along the nation’s borders must also earn the trust of these communities, from whom invaluable intelligence can be gathered and properly analysed.

In Ghana, security issues have been taken for granted for far too long. We have repeatedly raised concerns about the ease with which nationals of neighbouring countries, particularly Niger, enter Ghana, establish themselves and quickly become assimilated into local communities.

While we know little about the security backgrounds of these individuals, the fact that many come from a country severely affected by violent extremism is sufficient to warrant concern and heightened vigilance.

It would be relatively easy for extremists to infiltrate Ghana because, in addition to our well-known hospitality towards foreigners from neighbouring countries, many of these migrants already have relatives and acquaintances here, enabling them to blend seamlessly into local communities.

As we have pointed out in previous commentaries, a significant number of okada riders in Accra are Nigerien nationals whose backgrounds are unknown to us. We do not seek to encourage xenophobia; far from it. However, our national security is paramount and must be protected by all through a security-conscious approach to migration management.

‘Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.’ – Psalm 71:9

The tragedy of aging is not that people grow old; the tragedy is what society often does to them when they do. There comes a time in every life when strength gives way to frailty, and those who once carried us in their arms need our hands to support them.

Some sit by the window each day, hoping that someone will visit. Some smile when they hear their children’s voices, not because they need money, but because they need to feel remembered. Others say, ‘We are fine,’ even when they are not, because they do not want to be a burden to their families.

Many older persons need help to walk, to eat, to bathe, and to take their medication, yet they suffer in silence because no one is there to assist them. Perhaps the saddest reality is that many of them endure these hardships quietly after spending the greater part of their lives ensuring that others did not suffer.

They sacrificed their strength, their dreams, and often their comfort to raise families and build communities, only to find themselves alone and forgotten in the evening of their lives. Old age should never become a punishment for having lived long. It should be a season marked by dignity, care, companionship, and gratitude, a time when society honours those who once gave so much and ensures that no elderly person is left to suffer in loneliness or neglect.

Aging is an inevitable stage of life. The aged among us are living treasures whose sacrifices, wisdom, and love have shaped our families, communities, and the nation.

Every elderly person we see today was once a young dreamer, a hardworking parent, a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher, a banker, a politician, a farmer, a nurse, a trader, or a public servant. They spent their productive years nurturing families, educating generations, building communities, contributing to national development, and making sacrifices that continue to benefit society, yet now spend the twilight of their lives in uncertainty, poverty, isolation, neglect, and inadequate support systems.

In some rural communities, accusations of witchcraft and social exclusion still haunt many elderly people, especially women, forcing them into lives of fear and humiliation. Many spend their later years battling loneliness, neglect, financial hardship, and ill health, yearning not for riches but for compassion, dignity, and companionship.

Caring for the aged is therefore not merely a social responsibility; it is a moral obligation and a heartfelt expression of gratitude to those who spent their best years caring for us. Retirement, which should symbolise a period of rest and fulfilment, has become a source of anxiety for many.

Rising healthcare costs, delayed pensions, limited access to social protection, and the absence of specialised elderly care facilities have left many older people vulnerable. How we treat our elderly today reflects not only our humanity but also the kind of society we aspire to build for generations to come.

There is a quiet tragedy unfolding in many homes across Ghana, a tragedy that does not always announce itself with noise but with silence. It is the silence of fathers and mothers who once carried entire families on their shoulders, educating generations, building communities, contributing to national development, and making sacrifices that continue to benefit society, who are now sitting alone for long hours, waiting for attention that rarely comes.

It is the silence of once-strong men and women whose lives were defined by sacrifice, responsibility, and endless giving, now gradually becoming dependent on those they once raised and protected.

Today, many of them sit for long hours in solitude, watching life pass them by. Men who once commanded respect and provided for entire families sometimes eat alone in silence and sleep alone. Days pass without meaningful conversation. Nights stretch long, filled only with reflection and loneliness. The homes they built with effort and pride become too quiet.

The children they once worked tirelessly for become distant, not necessarily out of cruelty, but often because of the pressures and demands of modern life. The race to build careers, pursue wealth and fame, and keep up with the ever-increasing expectations of society leaves little time for meaningful connections with aging parents.

Parents who once spent sleepless nights worrying about the well-being of their children now spend sleepless nights waiting for a phone call, a visit, or a simple reminder that they are not forgotten.

For many elderly women, there is at least some continuity of belonging. Their children often invite them to assist in caring for grandchildren. Their presence remains woven into the fabric of daily family life. They are needed in the kitchen, in childcare, in storytelling, and in preserving family memory. Even in old age, they remain visibly connected to the rhythm of the household. But for many elderly men, old age is often accompanied by a deeper silence. The once lively household becomes a space of memories rather than presence.

Even for those who are fortunate enough to live in their children’s homes, the household becomes active in the morning, but the elderly person is often left behind in stillness. Children leave for school. Adults leave for work. The house becomes empty.

The elderly father or mother remains seated, sometimes unable to move freely, sometimes unable to perform the simplest daily tasks without assistance. The deepest pain of aging is not physical weakness, poverty, or illness. It is invisibility. It is the slow feeling of becoming unnecessary in a world one helped to build.

The Legal Framework

Despite these realities, Ghana’s legal and social protection systems have not yet fully responded to the lived experiences of older persons. Ghana has demonstrated a commitment to the welfare of older persons through the National Ageing Policy and social interventions such as the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme and the National Health Insurance Scheme.

In addition, SSNIT’s introduction of telehealth services reflects efforts to improve access to healthcare and social support for the elderly. Nevertheless, these measures remain largely policy-driven and fragmented and have not translated into a comprehensive legal framework capable of adequately protecting and promoting the rights and dignity of older persons.

Article 37(6)(b) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana provides that the state shall provide social assistance to the aged, such as will enable them to maintain a decent standard of living. While the constitution mandates that the aged are offered special care and assistance, there remains no comprehensive legal framework specifically designed to guarantee dignity, care, and structured support for the elderly as a vulnerable group.

Recognising the growing challenges associated with population aging, the United Nations General Assembly resolved in 1978 to address issues affecting older persons. This led to the convening of the First World Assembly on Aging in Vienna, Austria, in 1982, where participants adopted the Vienna International Plan of Action on Aging.

The Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing called upon governments to adopt policies and programmes that would enable older persons to live in dignity, enjoy adequate healthcare and social protection, remain integrated within their families and communities, and participate fully in society.

It laid the foundation for subsequent international initiatives, including the United Nations Principles for Older Persons (1991) and the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (2002).

The United Nations Human Rights Council on April 3, 2025, began an intergovernmental process to draft an international human rights treaty on older people aimed at resolving a wide range of human rights violations, which include violence and mistreatment; age-based discrimination; social, economic, and political exclusion; denial of access to care and support services; inadequate social security; exclusion from climate change responses; and abuses in armed conflict.

In 2016, the African Union adopted the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Older Persons in Africa, a landmark instrument aimed at protecting the dignity, independence, and welfare of older persons. The Protocol obliges member states to safeguard older persons from discrimination, neglect, abuse, harmful traditional practices, and social exclusion.

Ghana has ratified almost all international legislative instruments aimed at enhancing the welfare of the elderly. At the domestic level, the country has formulated and implemented policies that seek to improve the lives of the elderly.

Nonetheless, these measures continue to be largely disjointed and policy-driven and have not yet developed into a unified and comprehensive legal framework that can adequately protect and advance the rights and dignity of older persons.

A society that fails to protect its elderly is ultimately failing to protect its future self. A society is measured not merely by how it treats its strongest members but by how it cares for those who are most vulnerable. Older persons deserve more than sympathy; they deserve rights that are enforceable and systems that are responsive.

Aging is not merely a social issue. It is a question of dignity. It is a question of justice. It is a question of human rights. Older persons do not cease to be human because their hair turns grey. Their rights do not diminish because their bodies have weakened.

Their need for love, companionship, healthcare, housing, food, social protection, and respect does not disappear because they have retired from active work. They deserve opportunities for social engagement and support against loneliness and mental health challenges. Above all, they deserve respect and dignity.

According to the 2021 Population and Housing Census conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service, 4.3 percent (1,325,776) of Ghana’s total population of 30,832,019 are aged 65 and above. The proportions are higher in six regions than the national average: Volta (6.8%), Upper East (6.3%), Eastern (5.7%), Upper West (5.3%), Central (4.6%), and Bono (4.5%). Behind these figures are countless elderly persons who do not seek pity or sympathy but guaranteed dignity, care, structured support for the elderly, and an enforceable legal and social obligation.

As Ghana’s population ages, an important question confronts the nation: Are we truly ensuring that our elderly citizens’ age with dignity? The growing number of older persons in Ghana makes the need for a comprehensive legal framework urgent rather than optional. Such legislation should establish clear rights and obligations, provide mechanisms for protection against neglect and abuse, strengthen social security systems, and promote access to healthcare and community support services.

Equally important is the need to cultivate a culture that honours and values older persons. Families, communities, religious institutions, and policymakers all have roles to play in ensuring that aging is not accompanied by fear and indignity.

The African private equity landscape, once hailed as the next frontier for high-growth returns, is confronting a sobering reality. As firms contend with currency volatility, post COVID migraines, regulatory bottlenecks, and the sheer complexity of infrastructure finance, high-profile setbacks involving former heavyweights such as Emerging Capital Partners (ECP), The Carlyle Group, and Helios Investment Group illustrate how quickly the promise of Africa can turn perilous.

Helios Investment Group and the Tema LNG Debacle

Perhaps no single investment better captures the perils of African infrastructure finance than Helios Investment Group’s failed Tema LNG project in Ghana. Eight years ago, Helios aimed to construct Africa’s first LNG terminal, a project expected to position Ghana as a regional gas hub . The cost is estimated to be over $300 million . Today, the project stands as a cautionary tale.The terminal, which was expected to start operations in 2020, has never become operational. One of the two custom-designed vessels for storage and regasification now sits idle in Tema, gathering seaweed and hosting birds’ nests instead of processing LNG . The second vessel remains in Asia and has never been commissioned.

Helios recently announced a significant write-down on the Tema LNG Terminal investment as its fate sits in the hands of the State owned oil company (GNPC). Helios also allegedly owes millions of dollars to South African banks due to loans guaranteed by one of its funds and is desperately trying to shed the asset. All the while local and international suppliers await overdue payments. To compound the pain, the legal exposure stemming from the Tema LNG project appears to be substantial and may have reputational ramifications for the Helios Founders and the finely tuned Mayfair PR machine . Reports indicate that a lawsuit is being filed against Helios by a partner for breach of contract and non-payment issues in the US courts . This comes on top of earlier calls from African NGOs to the Ghana Government for the project’s initial suspension, with groups including the African Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) and IMANI Centre for Policy Education alleging ‘perverse bid-rigging and attendant procurement irregularities’ .

ECP and the Exit conundrum

At their peak, Emerging Capital Partners (ECP) was the gold standard for PE in Africa. However, ECP’s Oragroup investment, its largest, was held for over a decade due to failed sale attempts . In 2020, a regional regulator blocked ECP’s initial sale of its Oragroup stake to an Ivorian pension fund. To finally exit Oragroup, ECP had to accept a ‘substantial discount’ to its initial valuation.

In Kenya the Government ruled that ECP owed $19.3M in taxes from the Java House sale, asserting that value was created ‘locally’ regardless of offshore structure . ECP Kenya subsequently filed for liquidation

Carlyle’s Group’s failed African safari

The Carlyle Group’s trajectory in Africa offers perhaps the clearest illustration of the challenges facing large-scale buyout strategies. In 2014, Carlyle raised nearly $700 million for its Sub-Saharan Africa fund, built a best in class team while betting on growth, scale, and multiple expansion investments.

However, by 2019, the central issue was no longer finding deals but exiting them by any means necessary. Large-ticket realisations were slow, highly sensitive to currency movements, and dependent on a limited pool of strategic buyers . The chapter effectively closed in 2020 when the Africa deal team spun out, and Carlyle raised the white flag and called an abrupt end to their African safari by winding down this dedicated pan-African buyout platform.

In summary, private equity in Africa case studies reveal a fundamental truth: the continent’s structural complexity demands much more than capital. It requires deep deal knowledge, Olympic scale stamina and a localized new approach.

The experiences of ECP, Carlyle, and Helios in Africa demonstrate the fact that the most sophisticated investors do not have all the answers and even the most admired outfits can be caught off guard.