Category: Daily Guide Network

The Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr. Jonson Pandit Asiama has called on banks to expand credit to productive businesses, especially Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to drive inclusion and help build a resilient economy.

Speaking at the post Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), engagement with heads of commercial banks in Accra, he said the banking sector is expected to consolidate the gains in the financial sector to improve credit allocation to help strengthen governance.

‘We call on banks to support the real sector, expand credit to productive enterprises, especially SMEs, and drive innovation that enhances access and inclusion, while managing risk. Let us turn this recovery into a financial system that is both stable and catalytic in shaping Ghana’s prosperity.

‘Colleagues, our task is to consolidate these gains by deepening financial intermediation, improving credit allocation, and strengthening governance,’ he stated.

According to him, after a period of significant strain, banks have demonstrated resilience, sound liquidity, improved capital strength renewed profitability.

The gains, the Governor explained reflect stronger governance, improved risk management, and a regulatory framework that continues to evolve toward a more forward-looking approach.

He stated that while challenges remain, particularly in asset quality, the banks commitment to responsible risk management is evident stating that the Central bank will therefore continue to work closely with the players in the industry to safeguard stability and support sustainable credit growth.

The Governor added that external buffers have rebuilt considerably to enhance the country’s ability to withstand future shocks coupled with the positive response of the cedi that is also showing renewed resilience.

He noted, ‘Ghana’s external sector has emerged as a pillar of resilience. Strong export performance, led by gold and supported by cocoa, delivering substantial trade surpluses and strengthening the current account position.’

Dr. Asiama also indicated that the Central Bank will consolidate regulatory gains through strict enforcement, expanded training, and deeper engagement with the industry as part of its programmes.

That, he mentioned, will be the next phase of reforms which will include new directives spanning stress-testing, recovery planning, and risk management to further enhance the sector’s resilience and alignment with global best practices.

He said the country’s economy is charting a confident path forward though the international environment remains fragile, shaped by lingering trade tensions and policy uncertainty.

FIFA has announced the introduction of a new Supporter Entry Tier ticket priced at $60, aimed at making the 2026 FIFA World Cup more accessible to fans following their national teams across the tournament.

The new pricing initiative comes amid unprecedented demand, with FIFA confirming that 20 million ticket requests have already been submitted during the ongoing Random Selection Draw sales phase.

The Supporter Entry Tier tickets will be available for all 104 matches, including the final, and are specifically reserved for supporters of nations that have qualified for the tournament.

Distribution of these tickets will be handled by the Participating Member Associations (PMAs), with each association responsible for setting its own eligibility criteria and application process. FIFA has urged PMAs to prioritise loyal fans who have a strong connection to their national teams.

Under the allocation structure, 50% of each PMA’s ticket quota will fall within the most affordable categories.

This includes 40% for the Supporter Value Tier and 10% for the newly introduced Supporter Entry Tier. The remaining tickets will be split evenly between the Supporter Standard Tier and the Supporter Premier Tier.

FIFA also confirmed a refund incentive for fans applying through their PMAs. Supporters whose teams fail to progress to the knockout stage will have their administrative fees waived when refunds are issued for unsuccessful ticket applications.

A shooting incident that occurred at a mining company’s site at Adelekezo near Dadwen in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region has led to the death of a 14-year-old boy.

The unfortunate incident happened on Saturday, December 13, 2025.

According to sources in the community, the deceased, a final year Junior High School student, was going to fetch water around the mining site when he met his untimely death.

Police preliminary investigations revealed that some youth from the farming community wanted to invade the company’s concession on that fateful day.

In the process, a misunderstanding ensued between the private security men of the company and the youth.

According to the police, the youth attempted to take one of the security men’s pump-action gun, but the security man resisted and fired, and the bullet hit the 14-year-old boy.

He was quickly rushed to the Axim Government Hospital for treatment, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

The death of the boy (name withheld) infuriated the youth of Adelekezo, who went on rampage at the company’s site and set some properties ablaze, and threatened to lynch the workers.

The police team was able to rescue 11 of the workers and arrested five suspects – Gyenyame Owusu, 38; Matthew Asmah, 24; Nana Yaw, 15; Yaw Opoku, 16 and Kojo Adjei, 21.

They were arrested for causing harm and unlawful damage.

A statement issued by the Western Regional Police Command and signed by its Head of Public Affairs Unit, Supt Olivia Ewurabena Adiku, said the police has since commenced investigations into the incident.

The statement said the police team which went to the scene found two 4/4 SUV vehicles and two tipper trucks burnt. A Toyota Land Cruiser and a pick-up vehicle were also damaged by the youth.

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has dismissed as untrue recent claims about remuneration for soldiers on United Nations (UN) peacekeeping duties.

The $300 per day claims, according to the military, is a ‘deliberate attempt to incite personnel against the military high command.’

The Acting Director-General of Public Relations of the Ghana Armed Forces, Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin, stated during a press conference that the UN pays an average of $46 per day to troop-contributing countries, amounting to about $1,428 per month per soldier, figures which she said are verifiable online.

She said that out of the $46 per day, the government pays $35 directly to the soldier, while the remaining $11 is used to support troop welfare and mission-related logistics.

‘These funds go into several areas, including pre-operational training, logistics support, welfare provisions in the mission area such as internet services, and morale-boosting activities,’ she said.

Before deployment, troops undergo six weeks of pre-operational training at Bundase, which requires significant logistical and financial investment. She added that additional support is provided during festive seasons, including Christmas programmes for battalions on mission, all funded by the government.

She further disclosed that delegations are periodically sent from Ghana to mission areas to boost morale, assess conditions on the ground, and assure personnel that the command is closely monitoring their welfare and performance.

‘These monies and more are what the remaining $11 is used for. Beyond that, the government adds extra funding to ensure the safety, welfare and comfort of our troops before, during and after missions,’ she explained.

She called for the rejection of misleading stories which seek to undermine the Ghana Armed Forces.

When the integrity of the military is put on the line through such mischievous stories, national security is undermined and therefore the whole country, she added.

The Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana (PAOG) has released updated health requirements and guidelines for prospective pilgrims ahead of the 2026 Hajj (1447H), following new directives from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In a press release dated December 15, 2025, PAOG announced that strict compliance with the updated health regulations is mandatory and forms a key prerequisite for the issuance of a Hajj visa.

According to the guidelines, only pilgrims who are medically fit will be allowed to undertake the pilgrimage. Persons suffering from major organ failure such as kidney failure requiring dialysis, advanced heart failure, chronic lung disease requiring oxygen support, or advanced liver cirrhosis are not eligible to perform Hajj 2026.

The directive also excludes individuals with severe neurological or psychiatric disorders, elderly persons with dementia, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy, persons with active infectious diseases including tuberculosis, and pregnant women in their last three months or those with high-risk pregnancies.

PAOG further outlined mandatory immunisations required for all prospective pilgrims. These include vaccination against meningococcal meningitis, yellow fever, polio, and COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccination is particularly emphasised for persons aged 65 years and above, and individuals with chronic medical conditions, with the most recent dose required to have been administered between 2021 and 2025. Proof of vaccination through valid certificates will be strictly verified.

In addition, all intending pilgrims are required to undergo comprehensive medical screening at accredited health facilities only. Medical examinations conducted at unaccredited facilities will not be accepted. Upon successful completion of all medical requirements, eligible pilgrims will be issued a Medical Fitness Certificate, which is compulsory for visa processing.

The statement also noted that Saudi authorities will conduct health checks at all ports of entry, warning that pilgrims who fail to meet the health requirements may be denied entry, isolated, or subjected to further medical assessment.

PAOG has encouraged pilgrims to make timely payment of their Hajj fares, explaining that early payment will allow adequate time for medical screening, vaccination, and preparation of health documentation, thereby avoiding last-minute delays in visa processing.

The Medical Director of PAOG and Member of the Hajj Board, Dr. Abdul Samed Tanko, urged all intending pilgrims to cooperate fully with the guidelines to ensure a safe and successful Hajj.

The recent disclosure by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) that a Ghanaian national, popularly referred to as Abu Trica, faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment in the United States for allegedly masterminding an $8 million romance scam has once again reignited public outrage over cyber fraud.

Predictably, public discourse has focused on the individual accused. Yet this focus risks obscuring a more profound policy failure: the persistent weaknesses within Ghana’s financial system that allow cyber fraud to pass undetected until foreign authorities intervene. Cyber fraud is often framed as an online crime. In truth, it is fundamentally a financial crime.

No scam of this magnitude can succeed without banks-accounts must be opened, funds must be received, transferred, layered, withdrawn, or converted. At every stage, the formal banking system is involved. The real question, therefore, is not merely who committed the crime, but how the system failed to stop the money early.

Banks as Gatekeepers of Financial Integrity

In advanced financial systems, banks are legally designated as gatekeepers. This role is not optional. It is codified in law and reinforced through regulation and sanctions. Ghana’s own banking laws reflect this principle. Section 3 of the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions Act, 2016 (Act 930) mandates the Bank of Ghana to ensure ‘the safety, soundness and stability of the banking system.’ Financial integrity is inseparable from this mandate.

Further, Act 930 places a clear responsibility on banks to conduct their operations in a manner that does not expose the system to abuse. Section 56 empowers the Bank of Ghana to take supervisory action where a bank’s practices ‘are unsafe, unsound or pose a threat to depositors or the financial system.’ Cyber-enabled fraud clearly falls within this scope.

AML/CFT Obligations: Clear in Law, Weak in Practice

The Bank of Ghana’s Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Guidelines are explicit about banks’ responsibilities. They require institutions to adopt a risk-based approach, under which customers and transactions must be assessed according to their risk profile. Crucially, the Guidelines state that institutions must apply ‘enhanced due diligence where the risk of money laundering or terrorist financing is higher.’

This includes situations involving unusual transaction patterns, large foreign inflows, or activities inconsistent with a customer’s known economic background. In plain terms, a customer with no discernible income stream suddenly receiving large or repeated foreign transfers should automatically trigger heightened scrutiny. The law does not merely permit this-it requires it. Yet cases like the alleged $8 million romance scam suggest that such scrutiny is often delayed or ineffective. Funds move through multiple accounts, sometimes across several banks, before action is taken. By then, the damage is done.

Transaction Monitoring: Where the System Falls Short

The weakness lies not only in customer onboarding but in continuous transaction monitoring. The BoG’s Risk Management Directive requires banks to maintain systems capable of ‘identifying, measuring, monitoring and controlling risks inherent in their activities.’This includes operational and financial crime risks. However, many banks still rely heavily on rule-based thresholds-flagging only single large transactions-rather than advanced behavioural analytics.

Fraud networks understand this and deliberately structure transactions to avoid detection, sending funds in smaller tranches or cycling them rapidly across accounts.Romance scams are particularly adept at exploiting this gap. The sophistication of these schemes means that only dynamic, behaviour-based monitoring systems can detect them early. Static compliance tools are no longer sufficient.

Reporting Obligations and the Role of the Financial Intelligence Centre

Under Ghana’s AML framework, banks are required to file Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) with the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) whenever they ‘know, suspect or have reasonable grounds to suspect’ that funds are the proceeds of crime. This threshold is intentionally low. Suspicion, not proof, is enough to trigger reporting. The law is designed to err on the side of caution. The challenge, however, is that delayed reporting undermines the entire system. If reports are filed after funds have already been withdrawn or transferred abroad, the preventive function of the AML regime collapses. At that point, enforcement becomes reactive rather than preventive.Ghana travel guide

Accountability: The Missing Deterrent

The Payment Systems and Services Act, 2019 (Act 987) further strengthens the regulatory framework by placing responsibility on payment service providers including banks to ensure the integrity of electronic transactions. Act 987 requires providers to operate systems that are ‘safe, efficient and secure’ and empowers the Bank of Ghana to issue directives where payment systems are used in a manner that threatens financial stability or consumer protection. In an era where cyber fraud is increasingly digital and cross-border, this Act gives regulators ample authority to demand stronger controls.

The question is not whether the Bank of Ghana has the legal tools but whether they are being used forcefully enough. One of the most uncomfortable realities is the issue of enforcement intensity. In Europe and North America, banks have paid billions of dollars in fines for AML failures. Senior managers have lost jobs. Reputational damage has been severe. In Ghana, enforcement actions are less visible and penalties are often modest. Without meaningful deterrence, compliance risks being treated as a box-ticking exercise rather than a core governance issue. This creates a permissive environment-one that fraudsters quickly identify and exploit.

Why This Matters Beyond One Case

Persistent cyber fraud has broader consequences. It damages Ghana’s international reputation, threatens correspondent banking relationships, and increases scrutiny on legitimate transactions. The cost is borne not only by the state, but by ordinary businesses and citizens who face delays, higher compliance costs, and reduced trust in the financial system.Ironically, the gains from cyber fraud accrue to a few individuals, while the losses are socialised across the economy. If Ghana is serious about tackling cyber fraud, reform must move beyond rhetoric: The Bank of Ghana must visibly enforce its AML/CFT directives using the full powers granted under Acts 930 and 987.

Banks must invest in modern, behaviour-based transaction monitoring systems, not merely compliance software. KYC must evolve into continuous customer risk assessment, as envisaged under BoG’s risk-based supervision framework. Intelligence sharing across banks, coordinated through the FIC, must become the norm rather than the exception.

Conclusion: Prevention Is the Real Test

High-profile arrests make headlines, but they do not fix systems. Prevention is quieter, harder, and far more effective. As long as illicit funds can move faster than oversight, cyber fraud will persist-regardless of how many individuals are prosecuted. Ghana’s laws are clear. The Bank of Ghana’s mandates are explicit. Banks’ responsibilities are well defined. The challenge lies in implementation, enforcement, and accountability. Cybercrime thrives where money moves faster than control. In Ghana’s fight against cyber fraud, banks are not peripheral actors-they are the front line. The only remaining question is whether policy action will finally reflect that reality.

The Rotary Club of Accra-Odadee AOGA has once again demonstrated its enduring commitment to compassionate service with a generous donation of learning aids and essential supplies to the Awaawaa2 Centre, a facility dedicated to the care and development of children with special needs.

Rotarian President, Mother Teresa Brew, who presented the items on behalf of the board and members, said the donation was aimed at strengthening early learning, therapeutic interventions and daily care at the Centre.

It comprised an all-in-one computer, a printer, projectors and a whiteboard to enhance teaching, learning and administrative work.

To further support holistic care, the Club also provided a wide range of essential items, including toiletries, hand sanitisers, sanitary products, kitchen towels and toilet tissues.

Therapy and sensory balls were donated to aid developmental therapy sessions, while assorted toys were supplied to promote play-based learning and cognitive stimulation. Fans were also included to improve comfort within the learning environment.

Mother Teresa Brew indicated that the initiative reflects her vision and leadership which places strong emphasis on projects that improve learning outcomes and empower vulnerable groups.

According to her, the donation aligns closely with Rotary International’s areas of focus, particularly basic education and literacy, with special attention to children with developmental differences.

She said through this intervention, the Club has reaffirmed Rotary’s timeless creed of ‘Service Above Self’, advancing inclusion, dignity and equal opportunity for all children, regardless of ability.

Founder/Director of the Awaawaa2 Centre, Nana Akua Victoria Owusu who received the items, expressed deep appreciation to the Rotary Club, describing the support as timely, thoughtful and transformative.

She noted that the donated items would greatly enhance the children’s day-to-day learning experiences while equipping caregivers and therapists with the tools needed to deliver more effective and responsive care.

Nana Akua further commended the Club for recognising the critical importance of investing in children with developmental challenges and for exemplifying genuine community partnership.

The Rotary Club of Accra-Odadee AOGA is an alumni-based club that originally drew its membership from former students of Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School (PRESEC), Legon, and Aburi Girls’ Senior High School, but has since opened its doors to the wider public.

Operating under Rotary District 9104, the Club continues to champion impactful community service initiatives in health, education, sanitation and youth empowerment.

The Second Vice-President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has held high-level talks with officials of the United States Chamber of Commerce as Ghana intensifies preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be staged in North America.

The meeting, which took place in Washington, D.C., brought President Simeon-Okraku together with Rick C. Wade, Senior Vice President for Strategic Alliances and Outreach at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Dr. Guevera Yao, Vice President of the U.S.-Africa Business Center.

Discussions centred on areas of shared interest and explored opportunities for collaboration in the lead-up to the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The engagement forms part of a wider strategy by the GFA President to forge strong international partnerships that will support Ghana’s World Cup campaign both on and off the field.

Key focus areas included institutional cooperation, commercial partnerships, fan engagement, logistics, and the use of the World Cup platform to enhance Ghana’s economic and cultural presence in North America.

During his visit to the United States, Mr. Okraku also met with several key stakeholders. Prior to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce engagement, he held discussions with Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith and his team, as well as officials from the State of Maryland.

Ghana has been drawn in Group L of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the Black Stars will begin their campaign against Panama in Toronto, take on England in Boston, and wrap up the group stage with a match against Croatia in Philadelphia.

Fresh attention has been drawn to the family of late highlife icon Daddy Lumba after a video surfaced online showing Odo Broni dining with the singer’s children from his first wife, Akosua Serwaa.

The short video, which has quickly gained traction on social media, shows Odo Broni seated with the children at a dining table in a calm and friendly atmosphere. The relaxed interaction has surprised many observers, especially following the intense controversy that surrounded Daddy Lumba’s funeral arrangements.

Reactions online have been divided. While some users have welcomed the scene as a positive sign of harmony and healing within the family, others believe it may be an attempt to lower tensions after weeks of public disagreement and scrutiny linked to the burial.

The footage comes at a time when discussions about Daddy Lumba’s family affairs remain fresh in the public space. Prolonged legal disputes and internal disagreements had delayed the burial, turning the funeral into a major national conversation.

Despite the challenges, the family went ahead with the final funeral rites on December 13, 2025.

Hundreds of Sacred Heart Technical Institute students have been educated on how to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV), as part of MTN Ghana’s 2025 16 Days of Activism campaign, in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service’s Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU).

General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, Isaac Martey, noted that the event was not simply the end of a global campaign, but part of a continuous effort to shape responsible future leaders, reaffirming the telecommunication company’s commitment to combating GBV through youth empowerment.

According to him, engaging students early is crucial to breaking the cycle of violence, saying, ‘We know that our young people grow up to be men and women, so when we get them to understand gender-based violence at this age, we believe they will grow to become responsible men and women.’

Mr. Martey noted that although the formal 16-day calendar had ended, the work of advocacy, sensitisation, and partnership continues throughout the year.

Speaking about online bullying, he said the company is strategically focusing on creating meaningful change in the hearts and minds of young people, while incorporating digital literacy into its GBV campaigns to help young people navigate both the opportunities and risks of online spaces.

The Director of DOVVSU, ACP Owusuaa Kyeremeh said that although the official campaign period had ended, the commitment to advocating against violence must continue throughout the year.

ACP Kyeremeh emphasised that while women and girls are often the primary victims, boys and men also experience various forms of abuse and must not be forgotten in national protection efforts.

She announced new reforms aimed at making DOVVSU more accessible to the public, including the launch of a dedicated helpline and a toll-free number, 800900, to ensure that individuals can easily seek help or report cases.

ACP Kyeremeh reiterated DOVVSU’s commitment to responding quickly and protecting vulnerable groups across the country.