Category: Daily Guide Network

The country’s non-traditional export (NTE) sector recorded robust growth in 2025, with earnings rising sharply on the back of increased value addition and strong global demand for processed goods.

A report by the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) shows that total NTE earnings climbed to $5.006 billion in 2025, up from $3.83 billion in 2024, representing a 30.7 per cent increase.

The strong performance was largely driven by higher exports of processed cocoa products, particularly cocoa butter and cocoa powder, which continue to attract significant demand from global industries, including chocolate manufacturing, beverages and cosmetics.

At the launch of the report in Accra, the Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, described the milestone as a significant step in Ghana’s economic transformation agenda.

‘I’m excited to share that Ghana’s non-traditional exports have reached $5.006 billion in 2025, a growth of over 30 percent from 2024,’ she said, stressing that export diversification remains critical to reducing the country’s dependence on traditional commodities.

She noted that while non-traditional exports now account for about 16 percent of total exports, government policy is focused on gradually reducing reliance on gold, oil and raw cocoa.

The Minister also highlighted growing opportunities within the African market, pointing to strong performance in regional trade as a key driver of expansion for Ghanaian exporters.

In terms of export destinations, the Netherlands emerged as Ghana’s leading market for non-traditional exports in 2025. Export value to the country rose markedly from $477.4 million in 2024 to $831.1 million in 2025, underlining deepening trade relations with Europe.

The aluminium subsector also contributed significantly to the sector’s growth. Exports of aluminium plates, sheets and coils recorded notable increases, supported by expansion in the country’s downstream aluminium industry.

Key industry player, Volta Aluminium Company Limited (VALCO), was among firms that boosted output to meet international standards, particularly those required in European markets.

Despite the impressive growth in earnings, the sector’s share of the country’s total exports declined to 16.1 percent in 2025, down from 18.75 percent in 2024.

The drop was attributed to faster growth in traditional exports, especially minerals and raw cocoa beans, which outpaced gains in the NTE sector.

To sustain the momentum, Ms. Ofosu-Adjare reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting exporters through improved production capacity, strengthened quality standards, and enhanced access to financing.

She cited interventions by institutions such as the Ghana EXIM Bank and the Ghana Standards Authority as critical to boosting competitiveness in international markets.

Over the longer term, the outlook for the sector remains positive. A ten-year trend analysis in the GEPA report indicates that Ghana’s non-traditional exports expanded at an average annual growth rate of 7.53 percent between 2016 and 2025.

SOME EIGHT individuals who posed as personnel from the National Security have been arrested by the Assin North Police Command after storming illegal mining sites to seize unspecified quantity of gold, cash and mobile phones from the miners.

Among the eight suspects, one is alleged to be the son of the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the community. The suspects stormed the mining community last Friday afternoon using a black Mitsubishi pickup (GS 8293-18) and a Toyota Voxy for their operations.

The illegal miners, angered by the repeated extortion by ‘fake’ national security operatives, together with some community members, confronted the suspects and launched an attack.

Reports suggest that the residents deflated the tyres of the vehicles and attempted to lynch the individuals, who were dressed in National Security uniforms. The situation was brought under control through the intervention of community leaders, who handed the suspects over to police in Awisam.

The police immediately deployed officers to the scene, preventing the eight suspects from been lynched by the residents. The suspects were subsequently secured and transported to Assin Foso police station.

During initial interrogation, the suspects reportedly admitted taking some mobile phones but denied stealing any gold.

All eight suspects are currently in custody at the Assin North Regional Police Command, assisting with investigations.

The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has launched the Made-in-Ghana FIFA World Cup 2026 Expo, describing it as a strategic platform to project Ghanaian products and innovation onto the global stage.

The initiative, unveiled in Accra, is expected to provide a major boost to the nation’s non-traditional export sector by linking local businesses with international markets ahead of the global football spectacle.

According to the Minister, the Expo is scheduled to take place from June 22 to 23, 2026, in Boston, and will bring together Ghanaian entrepreneurs, international buyers, investors and members of the diaspora under one platform.

She noted that the event presents a unique opportunity for Ghanaian businesses to expand their reach, attract investment and build strategic partnerships that can enhance production and competitiveness.

Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare emphasised that the initiative aligns with government’s broader agenda to promote export diversification and reduce reliance on traditional exports such as gold, oil and raw cocoa.

‘This Expo will connect Ghanaian businesses to international buyers, investors and the diaspora, while boosting non-traditional exports and economic growth,’ she stated.

She commended Litina Travel and Tour for spearheading the initiative, noting that private sector collaboration remains essential in driving Ghana’s trade ambitions.

The Minister further urged Ghanaian businesses across sectors to take advantage of the opportunity by showcasing high-quality products and services that meet international standards.

‘I encourage all Ghanaian businesses to seize this opportunity and position themselves for global competitiveness,’ she added.

The Made-in-Ghana Expo forms part of efforts to leverage global events such as the FIFA World Cup 2026 to promote Ghanaian enterprise and deepen participation in international trade.

Nigerian singer, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has sang about his struggles at a young age, including claims that women gave him drugs.

Rema gained prominence in 2019 after signing with Mavin Records and releasing his debut EP at the age of 19.

In his new song ‘Moviestar,’ a collaboration with French musician Sofiane Pamart, the singer reflected on his early rise to fame and the challenges that came with it.

He suggested in the lyrics that he was exposed to difficult experiences after becoming famous, including situations where women allegedly gave him drugs when he was still young.

Rema also expressed that many fans do not fully understand his personal struggles because they do not know what he went through early in his career.

‘Girls always give me drugs. My happiness is zipped in their little purse. Friends always make me feel robbed,’ he sings.

He further indicated in the song that adjusting to fame was difficult after signing his record deal, saying he was expected to focus on performing and entertaining fans despite his personal experiences.

The Principal elders and Kingmakers of the Aduana family in Etwereso and Osenase are urging the Aduana family and all Ghanaians to disregard the purported break way of the Odau group from the Akyem Abuakwa State.

At a press conference held at Etwereso and addressed by the Head of Aduana Family in Osenase, Opanyin Kwabena Aniagyei, the family reaffirmed their allegiance to the Ofori Panin Stool and its occupant, the Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin.

Members of the Aduana family held placards with inscription, ‘Okyeman Tease’, ‘Adauman Is Not For Ayebiahwe’, ‘Okyenhene Is Our Overlord’, ‘Etwereso Is Still Part Of Akyem Abuakwa’, ‘Our Ancestors Served The Ofori Panin Stool, So Shall We.’

The family described an earlier press conference held by a section of the family members in Etwereso, majority of whom he said are not from Akyem, declaring Odau as an independent state or traditional council, as fraudulent.

According to them, the purported spokesperson, one Kwame Afrifa, who made the declaration is not a member of the Aduana family.

‘We have heard and watched with dismay the statement and video authored by a certain spokesperson for the Aduana family, one Osei Afrifa, declaring a breakaway and independence of the Odau group from Akyem Abuakwa.

‘Their declaration is fraudulent. That guy is an imposter. Osei Afrifa is from Asante Juaso and he is not a member or an elder of the Aduana family, he doesn’t belong to our family, not in Osenase or Etwereso so how can you come from Juaso to declare a breakaway for us,’ asked Opanyin Aniagyei.

Opanyin Aniagyei said, the Aduana family in Osenase and Etwereso disassociates itself from the divisive action against Okyeman and will continue to hold on to the culture and tradition which has kept them together.

‘It is important to clear the distortion of our time-tested history that Odau predates Akyem Abuakwa. This assertion is false and must be corrected for the purpose of history. Akyem Abuakwa existed in the 1300, centuries before Odau came.

The Odau group sought refuge at Akyem Abuakwa from Asante retribution. We fled from Asuminya and took refuge in Akyem Abuakwa. The Okyenhene settled us in various islands within the Akyem Abuakwa State including Banka, Chia, Boadua, Pramkese among others providing intelligence work for the Akyem Army. And we have served diligently. These are historical facts and verifiable.’ Opanyin Aniagyei noted.

The Aduana family stated without any ambiguity that their allegiance remains solely and wholly with the Okyenhene, His Royal Majesty Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, the overlord of Akyem Abuakwa.

‘From time immemorial, our stool and allegiance have been subordinate to the Ofori Panin Stool. No Chief, however loud his voice or bold his declarations, can sever what customs and ancestry have joined us together over these centuries.

‘We hereby state in no uncertain terms that we have never given our consent to any break away from Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council under the leadership of Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin and we never shall,’ the family affirmed.

He said, the family will soon determine the fate of the Etweresohene in the face of his earlier action and take both legal and customary steps to bring the matter to finality.

‘This action of Ofosu Kwabi Ayebiahwe would have led us into war if we were in the olden days. Today, we use diplomacy, law, customs and tradition in resolving these issues and we shall use the same process to bring finality to this matter,’ Opanyin Aniagyei noted.

It is now widely accepted that African countries, like those in the West, the Gulf and Asia, cannot solve their developmental challenges without strong collaboration with a robust and resilient private sector.

Globally, entrepreneurs create jobs, finance infrastructure through taxes and fees, and deliver practical solutions to local problems. Yet in many Africa countries, private sector development has benefited mostly privileged foreign firms, who are often backed by their home governments, while local entrepreneurs struggle with limited support, unfair competition and regulatory hostility.

In some cases, governments turn openly against their own businesspeople in a sad spectacle that was almost being normalized across our country.

More heartbreaking is the basis for those hostilities. They are often rooted in suspicions of political differences and ties to adversaries, resulting in years of sweat and budding ideas being grounded or destroyed, using the state’s power. In every practical sense, I have, sadly lived this experience in recent years.

For those who know me, it is clear I did not begin my business journey in cozy offices. For brevity, it is fair to say I began in the buzzling Nima Market in Accra, trading rice, sugar and cooking oil during which I played every role there is to help sustain the business. I offloaded rice, helped manual trucks cart them to market women and traders, some of whom still remember it and jokingly describe me in those hustles, and also acted as accountant, driver and CEO all put together.

Back in those days, I was just an ordinary person trading ordinary goods for ordinary people. Those early years shaped my outlook, which, as you will see later, became handy when adversity came roaring about nine or so years ago.

From Opportunity To Ambition

Trade teaches discipline in a way life and classrooms can sometimes fail to. It teaches money movement, trust, and resilience. From the Nima Market, the opportunities had grown into ambition, strengthening my belief that indigenous resources, if properly governed, could build institutions that would outlast individuals.

With support from fellow committed partners, the belief and ambition started translating into investments across media, finance, education, manufacturing and services.

Every business created increased the number of jobs available to our compatriots, taking more families out of a scorching unemployment market and giving them hope. Of course, taxes were paid and expansion plans were drawn.

Burning Dreams

By 2017, growth felt natural, if not inevitable. Like many Ghanaians with the country at heart, I believed that operating within the law, strengthening governance, and committing capital locally were enough to guarantee protection and continuity.

But time soon showed me that I was wrong, totally!

From 2017 through 2024, my businesses entered a prolonged period of contraction. Growth was grounded and existing operations weakened and we were forced to switch from momentum to survival.

Over time, the monetary losses turned into watching my years of disciplined effort, sweat and dreams break under forces that were sudden but overwhelming.

One moment captured the cruelty of that period. Class FM, part of a media platform that hosted our multiple stations and sustained dozens of livelihoods, was destroyed by fire.

There was also the collapse of Heritage Bank Limited, perhaps the most significant one, to many readers.

Heritage was a licensed, operating bank with staff, depositors, assets and obligations with astute people heading it. The venerable Prof. Kwesi Botchwey as Chairman, using his years of experience as finance minister among others to steer affairs.

The bank was solvent and resilient, as Bank of Ghana reports confirmed and a plan to make it a tech-driven consumer centered bank was in full plan. Then the Bank of Ghana pulled the plug, shocking us and all fair-minded people.

With one regulatory stroke, I was rendered financially untouchable. I was unable to transact, operate, and function as a normal businessperson.

This went beyond banking, as company registrations were blocked on grounds of alleged non-compliance. Opening new bank accounts became impossible.

Inequality In Business

Heritage’s assets were later auctioned and properties, including branches acquired, refurbished and equipped with millions of cedis, were abandoned. Some of those buildings remain vacant and deteriorating to this day, serving as silent monuments.

From where I stood, the treatment felt unequal. And as I have said before, when inequality enters regulation, confidence exits the system.

What is often missing in conversations about business failure is the human cost. Businesses are not abstractions but institutions filled by humans – workers whose dreams and hopes depend on the survival of the business. When they collapse, lives are shattered and those affected will have to hope a miracle comes up.

Lessons And Picking Up The Pieces

For seven years, I watched people who trusted my leadership struggle with uncertainty they did not create. That weight stays and can sometimes be haunting.

But it teaches lessons. I learned that optimism does not replace sustenance, and that legality and compliance alone does not guarantee protection in our society. For indigenous businesses, rules may exist but their application can be selective and I also learned that resilience is not about quick recovery, but about enduring without surrendering your values and life goals.

To young entrepreneurs, I advise you build with resilience, not bravado. Document everything and prepare emotionally for reversals, because in our environment, shocks often arrive without warning. To the political class, business has no party colors. When companies collapse, families face the high possibility of life without a decent meal, lifesaving drugs and relevant educations for kids – the future of Ghana.

But I do not regret building. I regret only the innocence with which I assumed that good faith was permanent and reciprocal.

And so, I wrote this not in anger. Like air, life roles fizzle out but the consequences of our actions remain and endure . Power must be exercised with discretion and absolute commitment to the true interest of the state.

And if there is a message for policymakers from my experience, it is that business confidence is fragile. Indigenous enterprise should not become collateral damage in the exercise of authority.

For when one business is weakened unfairly, the many youngsters question why they should stay and potentially become the next victims.

Fortunately, I am still standing, believing in Ghana and hoping to pick up the pieces.

Nigerian entrepreneur, executive coach and fashion icon, Chioma Ikokwu, better known as Chioma Goodhair, has stated that she has no plans to venture into full time acting, as it is time consuming.

Chioma Goodhair made her acting debut in the Nollywood film The Return of Arinzo, produced by Iyabo Ojo. She played a detective role in the movie and was a prominent guest at the premiere on March 29, 2026, at Filmhouse Cinemas.

Reacting to whether she has plans of pursuing a full time career in acting, Chioma said she will rather venture into fashion business than go into full time acting.

‘Acting is not necessarily a life work for me, it is not something that I will necessarily be doing all the time, because it’s very time consuming; it takes a lot of efforts and I feel like it really comes natural to certain people, but I think it does not come natural to me, so I’m venturing into the business of fashion,’ she said.

She is also known for her role in the Real Housewives of Lagos (RHOL) reality show. She founded the Chioma Ikokwu Start-up Fund Initiative, which focuses on providing capital for small businesses with innovative ideas. She also runs an executive coaching programme where she mentors entrepreneurs in business creation, branding, and marketing.

Dreams FC will face Nations FC in the final of the 2025/26 MTN FA Cup after both sides battled through intense semi-final ties at the Swedru Sports Stadium.

Nations FC made history on Friday, April 17, securing their first-ever FA Cup final appearance with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Aduana FC.

The breakthrough came early, as Emmanuel Annor found the net in just the eighth minute-a goal that ultimately proved decisive for the Abrankese-based side.

A day later, Dreams FC delivered a thrilling performance to edge past Medeama SC 3-2 in a pulsating encounter. Kelvin Ahiable opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, before Suraj Seidu doubled the lead 12 minutes later, putting Dreams firmly in control.

Medeama, however, refused to back down. Prince Owusu pulled one back deep into first-half stoppage time, shifting the momentum heading into the break. Just minutes after the restart, Richard Appiah brought Medeama level, setting up a tense and unpredictable second half.

With the game hanging in the balance, experienced striker John Antwi stepped up in the 58th minute, restoring Dreams FC’s lead with a clinical finish that ultimately sealed their place in the final.

Former champions Dreams FC now turn their attention to Nations FC in what promises to be a fiercely contested showdown. The Ghana Football Association is yet to confirm the date and venue for the much-anticipated final.

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has issued new guidelines to provide regulatory clarity and operational direction regarding the maintenance and use of Vostro Accounts and Non-Resident Margin Accounts (NRMAs) with resident banks in the country.

According to the central bank, the guidelines, issued on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, supersede and replace the earlier guidelines for the operation of Vostro Accounts by non-resident banks, which were issued on March 5, 2026.

It said the objectives of the new framework are to preserve the integrity and orderly functioning of the domestic foreign exchange market, support the monetary operations of the BoG, and strengthen the interbank foreign exchange market.

The guidelines are also expected to enhance transparency, auditability, traceability and regulatory oversight of cross-border foreign exchange flows, while mitigating the risk of regulatory arbitrage and the circumvention of existing foreign exchange controls.

‘The guidelines are issued pursuant to the Foreign Exchange Act, 2006 (Act 723), and shall be read together with the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions Act, 2016 (Act 930), as well as all other applicable laws, directives and prudential requirements issued by the Bank,’ it stated.

The directive applies to all resident banks licensed by the Bank of Ghana, as well as all non-resident banks that maintain Vostro Accounts and Non-Resident Margin Accounts with resident banks in Ghana.

According to the BoG, Vostro Accounts shall be used exclusively for investment capital transactions, defined as financial activities involving the inflow, holding, deployment or repatriation of capital for investment purposes in Ghana.

The central bank further indicated that transactions permitted on Vostro Accounts will be restricted to non-resident portfolio investments directed at the purchase of medium- to long-term Government of Ghana securities, corporate bonds, public and private equities, and other capital market instruments approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Bank of Ghana or any other relevant regulatory authority.

It added that such accounts may also be used for the receipt of investment income, including coupon payments, dividends and other approved returns, as well as proceeds arising from the sale, maturity or redemption of approved investment instruments, including their repatriation.

The guidelines further state that permissible inflows into Vostro Accounts shall arise only from capital inflows involving the sale of foreign currency to a resident bank, where the non-resident bank transfers foreign currency to the resident bank’s Vostro Account.

‘Permissible outflows from Vostro Accounts shall only arise from the purchase of foreign currency from a resident bank for the repatriation of investment proceeds, the purchase of medium- to long-term investments, as well as any other transaction designated by the Bank of Ghana as an investment capital transaction,’ parts of the guidelines read.

Engineers and Planners Limited (E and P) has assured the public that it will continue to invest in the Damang Mine, which it recently acquired from Gold Fields Limited following a competitive bidding process.

Speaking at the official handover ceremony in the Western Region on Saturday, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of E and P, Ibrahim Mahama, said the company’s planned investments would be undertaken with the support of all stakeholders.

He outlined several proposed investment projects, including infrastructural developments such as the construction of a road from Damang to Cape Coast, sports facilities, and the development of an airport to boost economic activity in the area.

‘We have applied for the mine to have an airport, and within six months, Damang will have one, making it easier to fly to Accra,’ he said.

‘In the next two years, we will be able to drive from here to Cape Coast on a concrete or asphalt road. This is not political talk; this is real. If we all put our minds together, this will be a success story. The plan I have for Damang Mine is not a joke. I just want to prove that we can invest in ourselves in this country,’ he added.

Mr. Mahama explained that the opportunity to acquire the Damang Mine was initiated by Gold Fields Ghana Limited as part of its plans to exit the area when its lease expires.

‘Point of correction: I didn’t just decide to own the mine. Gold Fields indicated in 2022 that it intended to close the mine and wanted us to take over,’ he explained.

He said initial sale discussions later evolved into broader negotiations involving government, regulatory approvals and technical assessments to ensure the mine’s continued operation.

According to him, Engineers and Planners conducted feasibility and financial assessments, including a bankable study, and secured financing commitments from lenders.

‘We did a bankable study and realised we could undertake the project. We approached a number of banks; one has committed $650 million, and another $600 million,’ he emphasised.

Mr. Mahama noted that the move was driven not only by business considerations but also by a national objective to promote Ghanaian participation in large-scale mining, sustain jobs and improve livelihoods.

He also expressed gratitude to former President Nana Akufo-Addo for supporting the process, noting that government played a key role in facilitating the takeover.

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah, who officially handed over the mine, urged the company to make significant investments to benefit surrounding communities and the country.

He cautioned, however, that the acquisition is a lease arrangement and not an outright sale, stressing that the mineral resource remains the property of the state.

‘Engineers and Planners, you are not just taking over a mine; you are carrying a nation’s confidence. This is only a leasing right, not a sell-off. The Republic of Ghana remains the owner of this mineral asset, and the lease will be reviewed when its term expires,’ he stated.

The government announced on April 7, 2026, that Engineers and Planners Limited had emerged as the preferred bidder to take over the Damang Mine following a tender process supervised by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission.

According to the Ministry, only E and P and Heath Goldfields Limited met the mandatory requirements, including proof of Ghanaian ownership and valid statutory clearances, out of four companies that submitted their bids.

Engineers and Planners Limited ultimately met all technical and financial criteria, demonstrating access to $505 million in financing from Absa Bank and Stanbic Bank, exceeding the minimum requirement for the project.