Category: Daily Guide Network

Former Finance Minister, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, has launched a scathing attack on the 2026 Budget, describing it as economically incoherent, fiscally unrealistic and a document that ‘promises much but delivers nothing.’

Contributing to the budget debate in Parliament yesterday, Dr. Amin Adam said investor sentiment toward the economy had deteriorated sharply, contrary to the government’s self-congratulatory tone.

He revealed that out of 45 Treasury bill auctions conducted since January, 25 failed, a 55 percent failure rate that he said signals ‘a collapse in confidence in the management of the economy.’

More worrying, he noted, was that two days after the budget presentation, the market rejected 30 percent of the government’s treasury instruments. ‘That is a vote of no confidence in the economy by investors,’ he stressed.

Inflation Numbers ‘Mask Hardship’

While the government touted single-digit inflation as a sign of recovery, the former minister argued that the figures conceal severe hardship at the household level.

Citing data from the Ghana Statistical Service, Dr. Amin Adam said inflation for essential items had surged far above national averages.

According to him, water inflation rose from 2.8 percent in September 2024 to 3.6 percent this year, milk and eggs jumped from 8.6 percent to 20.1 percent, and cooking oil inflation skyrocketed from 7 percent to 44 percent, hitting 53 percent in August.

‘Behind this single-digit inflation is a real struggling economy depriving people of decent livelihoods,’ he said.

Critique of Government Priorities

The Minority MP accused the government of abandoning its social democratic values by prioritising the purchase of ‘luxury aircraft’ while urging citizens to tighten their belts.

He criticised the announcement that government will acquire two executive jets, four helicopters and a vessel in 2026, saying conservative estimates put the cost at US$1.2 billion.

‘At a time when workers are suffering, farmers are struggling, and teachers are barely coping, this government wants to buy helicopters and executive jets,’ he said.

‘Budget Cannot Create Jobs or Growth’

Dr. Amin Adam argued that the proposed 3.6 per cent of GDP capital spending in 2026 is insufficient to stimulate growth, especially when compared to 4.6 per cent in 2024.

‘Capital investment is too low to build long-term economic sustainability. This budget cannot produce the growth or jobs Ghanaians need,’ he said.

He questioned the government’s growth projections, noting that while the economy reportedly expanded by 6.3 percent in the first half of 2025, full-year growth is projected at 4.8 percent, the same rate forecast for 2026.

‘The maths does not match the message. There is no economic logic to support this,’ he argued, suggesting the numbers may be understated or that the government is concealing serious risks.

Revenue Targets ‘Unrealistic’

The former minister said the government’s revenue projections were unachievable, describing them as built on ‘behaviour change, enforcement miracles and administrative strength that do not exist.’

With revenue and grants at GHS154.9 billion, 11.1 per cent of GDP, by September, he said the government would need GHS71 billion in the final quarter to hit its target.

‘This is not proper forecasting. This is wishful arithmetic,’ he told Parliament.

The Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr. Johnson Asiama has called on stakeholders to see the management of the cedi as a shared responsibility.

Addressing over 800 delegates comprising policy makers, economists, industry leaders at the Cedi at 60 currency International Conference, the Governor said currency management spans across many disciplines hence requires a collective efforts.

‘May we always remember that protecting the Cedi is not the task of any one institution, it is a shared endeavour rooted in our belief in Ghana’s future,’ he said.

Dr. Asiama stated that the bank is also strengthening efforts to re-anchor the Cedi as an absolute medium of exchange to address the pressures toward currency substitution and dollarisation that threaten the country’s economic sovereignty.

But according to the governor, it is therefore important for policymakers, technicians, and leaders to ensure that the Cedi, however it is accessed, continues to serve their aspirations especially at a time when the landscape of money is shifting.

He said payments modernisation and the eCedi reflects the bank’s commitment to secure and interoperable forms of value grounded in the country’s realities.

The conference hosted by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) in Partnership with Currency Research started on Tuesday, November 18 and ends on November, 20, 2025.

Global cooperation is crucial at the upcoming G20 Summit in South Africa, especially on topics like development finance, economic stability, climate action, and geopolitical coordination.

The United States, one of the most powerful economies in the world, has historically had a major influence on the course and results of G20 discussions.

Its absence, whether at the highest level of leadership or the presidency, invariably prompts concerns about the potential impact on the summit’s decision-making process and the larger global agenda.

Global Economic Consequences:

Being the largest economy in the world, the US frequently takes the lead on projects pertaining to international monetary coordination, global taxation, debt restructuring, and financial reforms.

The process of reaching a consensus on these matters might be slower or more dispersed if the United States is not directly represented at the highest level.

Proposals spearheaded by the United States, like global minimum tax reforms, frameworks for technology governance, and coordination of sanctions, might also falter in talks.

However, the institutional mechanisms of the G20 are still in place. With or without high-level U.S. participation, working groups, sherpa meetings, and ministerial sessions continue to take place, guaranteeing that technical discussions continue. Changes in Geopolitics and Strategic Impact Other major powers have the chance to increase their influence when the United States is not present at a G20 summit. In influencing narratives and negotiating outcomes, China, the European Union, India, and Russia could assume more significant roles.

This change may also give emerging economies-especially those in the Global South-more confidence to express their views on trade, security, and development without the immediate pressure of US preferences. Although such a vacuum can gently shift the center of gravity toward a more multipolar influence pattern, it does not always destabilize the G20’s decision-making process.

Increased African Leverage South Africa and Africa as a whole gain a high-profile diplomatic platform by hosting the summit. A conspicuous absence of the United States might intensify this impact.

There might be more space for African states to pursue priorities like technology transfers, debt restructuring, energy transition partnerships, and climate finance. It might also support BRICS-aligned demands for international financial institution reform and the advancement of a more just global economic system.

Africa’s leadership position might be reinforced in this situation, enabling the continent to influence the agenda in ways that are consistent with its goals for development. Sustainment of G20 Activities. It is crucial to remember that the G20 is not a body that makes treaties; rather, its decisions are based on political pledges rather than binding contracts.

As a result, the summit’s operational capability is unaffected by the United States’ notable absence. Policy commitments will still be stated, decisions will still be adopted, and communiqués will still be sent.

However, these choices might lose their overall political clout and international influence if the United States does not lead or support them.

The tone and course of the G20 Summit in South Africa will surely be impacted by America’s absence. It might lessen American policy leadership, make room for other international players, and increase Africa’s diplomatic clout at a pivotal juncture.

However, the G20’s fundamental operations will continue. Even if the strategic balance of power shifts momentarily, the forum will still discuss, negotiate, and make decisions.

The impact ultimately depends on how the G20’s decisions are received around the world without the direct presence of one of its most influential members, not on whether the group can take action.

Fidelity Bank has called on Ghanaians to make the most of their money today by investing.

The bank, has however, noted that the investment should be done wisely.

Business Development Manager at Fidelity Securities, Mimi Anane-Appiah, disclosed this during a training programme on financial reporting organised for some selected journalists in the Western and Central regions.

The journalists were taken through an overview of the banking sector and practical guide to interpreting financial statements for accurate reporting.

The rest included investment tools and how the money market operated, and ethical reporting to enhance financial literacy.

She indicated that investments carry some level of risks and urged the public to make sure they understand the market before they go ahead to invest.

‘You need as low as GHS10 to invest. So do it wisely, diversify, and understand the market to appreciate the risk associated with the various investment,’ she pointed out.

During an open forum, it was made known that banks served as financial intermediaries, credit creators and helps individuals, communities and businesses to have an opportunity to financial advice.

The journalists were encouraged to be ethical in churning out stories concerning the financial sector to restore more confidence after the banking sector crisis and the domestic debt exchange programme.

The International Perspective for Policy and Governance (IPPG) in partnership with the Ghana Chamber of Clean Energy (GCCE) has organised a media training and workshop on the theme ‘The Energy Transition and its Implications for Ghana’ in Accra.

The workshop brought together journalists and media practitioners to enhance their understanding of the country’s clean energy transition and its broader social, economic, and policy implications.

The training forms part of IPPG’s efforts to build the technical capacity of the media to accurately report on Ghana’s energy transition agenda and support national conversations on sustainability, climate action, and green growth.

Speaking at the workshop, Senior Research Fellow for Climate and Energy at IPPG, Seth Owusu-Mante, emphasised that the energy transition represents not just a shift in technology but a structural transformation of the country’s economy for job creation and economic prosperity.

He highlighted the role of journalists in contextualising this transformation and bridging the information gap between policymakers and citizens.

The workshop also featured presentations from Dr. Robert Bright Mawuko Sogbadji, Deputy Director for Nuclear and Alternative Energy at the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition; Dr. Charles Gyamfi Ofori, Policy Lead for Climate Change and Energy Transition at the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP); and Mr. Yaw Appiah Lartey, Africa Head of Infrastructure, Capital Projects and Real Estate at Deloitte and Touche.

In his address, Dr. Sogbadji commended IPPG and GCCE for creating an avenue to engage the media on the country’s new energy and green transition agenda, underscoring the importance of clear communication and stakeholder collaboration to drive public support for the country’s climate and energy ambitions.

He added that the country’s Energy Transition Framework will require an estimated US$562 billion through 2070 and is projected to create more than 1.4 million new jobs, driven by the deployment of advanced technologies such as CCUS, nuclear power, hydrogen, and electric mobility.

Dr. Ofori emphasised the need for evidence-based reporting on the economics of the transition and its implications for employment, energy access, and industrial competitiveness.

He also stressed that Ghana and Africa must be intentional about leveraging its renewable resources, critical minerals, and technological innovations to unlock sustainable economic growth through the energy transition.

Mr. Yaw Ofosu Lartey provided insights on financing opportunities and the private sector’s role in accelerating Ghana’s transition and emphasized that clear policy signals, bankable project pipelines, and strengthened regulatory frameworks are essential to unlock the scale of capital required.

More than 200 athletes and Physical Education instructors from seven Senior High Schools in the Savannah Region have been left stranded in Buipe after failing to secure the funds required to travel for the 32nd Inter-Regional Senior High School Sports Festival in Sekondi-Takoradi.

The contingent, which has been in camp since November 3, was scheduled to leave on Saturday, November 15.

However, JoyNews reported that not a pesewa of their estimated GH?15,000 budget had been released.

Officials say they have managed to keep the athletes in camp for 12 days with limited support from the Ghana Education Service (GES) and individual schools, but resources have now run out.

‘We need GH?15,000 to enable us to participate like the other regions,’ one frustrated official told JoyNews. ‘The camping period is over, and the resources we need to relocate to Takoradi are not forthcoming.’

The 32nd Inter-Regional Sports Festival-organised by the National Schools and Colleges Sports Federation-runs from November 15 to 24, 2025, under the theme ‘Ghana’s future champions lie in school sports.’

Despite weeks of preparation, officials say appeals to the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council, district assemblies, CEOs, prominent natives, and traditional authorities have all failed.

‘Until now, not a single intervention has come from anybody,’ another source lamented. ‘Nobody has even called to ask how Savannah Region is participating. It’s a shame to us as a region.’

There are fears that without immediate financial support, the athletes will be sent back to their various schools across districts such as Bole and Salaga-effectively ending Savannah Region’s participation in this year’s competition.

The stranded athletes and officials are appealing to individuals, institutions, and philanthropists-both from within and outside the region-to urgently assist so they can travel and represent Savannah Region at the national event in Sekondi.

The presidential directive is a clarion call, a constitutional signal fired in the battle for economic sovereignty. President John Mahama’s mandate, compelling all schools, from basic to secondary, to purchase only Ghanaian-produced rice, maize, chicken, and eggs, is a powerful intervention designed to forge a stable, captive market for local farmers. It is a vital non-cash subsidy that guarantees demand and arrests the perilous glut of surplus food that has recently crashed farm-gate prices.

?However, a great policy, like a magnificent ark, must be built to withstand the turbulent waters of the market. The essential question, and the crucial pivot of this new dawn, is the pricing paradox.

?The public’s critique is sharp and justifiable: local rice remains relatively more expensive than its imported counterpart. This juxtaposition reveals the true challenge.

The imported grain, often benefiting from foreign subsidies and economies of scale, sets a deceptive price ceiling. The Ghanaian farmer, in contrast, grapples with high domestic production costs, from the cost of quality certified seeds and fertiliser to mechanisation and post-harvest losses.

?To decree mandatory purchase without comprehensively addressing the cost of production is to replace one market distortion, cheap imports, with another, potentially overburdening the national school budget.

The directive is the demand shock our agricultural sector needs, but without an accompanying supply-side revolution, the cost burden risks being simply shifted from the farmer’s post-harvest loss to the state’s procurement ledger.

?The administration, in its wisdom, has not been blind to this dual challenge. The policy’s strength lies not just in the mandate, but in its accompanying interventions: The immediate release of GHS200 million to the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFBC) is the government’s commitment to mop up surplus food. This action acts as a floor price mechanism, protecting farmers from catastrophic price drops and ensuring a baseline profit. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture is actively working on a nationwide policy to standardise the pricing of key produce like maize and rice.

Furthermore, the 2026 Budget details plans for interest rate subsidies for agribusinesses in value chains like rice and poultry, alongside the establishment of Farmer Service Centres providing affordable machinery and technical support. These are direct assaults on the high cost of production.

?This systemic approach is an acknowledgement that the price of local food is not a moral failing of the farmer, but a structural problem of the market. The policy transcends mere school feeding; it is a profound step in securing national food self-sufficiency.

Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has rightly advocated for broadening this mandate to all state institutions, not just schools. The government is the largest spender, and this vast purchasing power, when directed internally, becomes a powerful engine for growth.

?The ultimate goal is not just to sustain farmers, but to create a virtuous cycle: guaranteed demand leads to increased production, which, combined with reduced production costs via subsidies and mechanisation, leads to higher volumes and, critically, lower unit costs over time. This is the only path to making Ghanaian rice, maize, chicken, and eggs genuinely cost-competitive with the imported variety, without sacrificing the farmer’s livelihood. ?The presidential directive is a profound assertion of national will. It is the seed of a new economic paradigm.

But for this seed to bear the fruit of both prosperity and competitive pricing, its roots must be nourished by rigorous enforcement, unyielding investment in farm-to-market infrastructure, and an unwavering commitment to driving down the cost of production.

The policy has provided the market; the government must now provide a fair price. The success of this mandate is the measure of our commitment to our own land and our own people.

Absa Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to developing Africa’s creative economy with the unveiling of a striking solo exhibition by Ghana’s 2023 Absa L’Atelier Ambassador, Edward Lawerh Dugbartey.

The exhibition, titled ‘The Things the Street Made Beautiful,’ opened at The Mix Design Hub in Accra and continues the bank’s long-standing tradition of supporting emerging artistic talent across the continent.

The showcase forms part of the Absa L’Atelier Pan-African Visual Arts Money Museum (VAMM) Exhibition Series, an initiative that offers young artists a platform to tell African stories through bold, innovative, and culturally resonant visual expressions.

Representing Ghana on the continental stage, Edward Lawerh’s work delves into themes of resilience, human experience, and the hidden beauty of everyday street life. His unconventional use of fabric, aged photographs, image transfers, and even insecticide solutions as artistic material creates layered pieces that capture memory, identity, and the poetry of survival.

Speaking at the opening, Dr. Paul Bayliss, Senior Specialist Art Curator at Absa, described the artist’s work as ‘a powerful interpretation of the African lived experience – honest, emotional and visually compelling.’ He emphasised Absa’s continued investment in nurturing talent, noting that the L’Atelier programme remains one of the most influential art development initiatives in Africa.

Ghana has consistently excelled within the Absa L’Atelier ecosystem, producing five winners since 2019, demonstrating the country’s growing impact on contemporary African art. As a 2023 Ambassador, Edward Lawerh received year-long mentorship, professional development, and continental exposure, culminating in this highly anticipated solo exhibition.

Reflecting on his journey, Edward expressed gratitude for the platform Absa provided.

‘This exhibition captures the stories we often overlook – the textures, emotions, and lives found on our streets. I am honoured to share these narratives and to represent Ghana through Absa L’Atelier.’

The exhibition adds to Absa’s wider efforts to empower young African creatives, offering them visibility, resources, and pathways to international artistic engagement. Through initiatives like L’Atelier, the bank continues to champion the role of art in shaping social dialogue and cultural identity.

GOSPEL MINISTER, Obaapa Christy, has stated that her attitude of not responding to rumours and pleasing people with an explanation of her struggles in life was based on advice given to her by the late legendary musician Daddy Lumba, known in real life as Charles Kojo Fosu.

Speaking on Flight Time show on Guide Radio 91.5 FM, hosted by Lord Sly, Obaapa Christy recounted her relationship with Daddy Lumba while he was alive, stating that he always advised her not to reveal her intentions to the world, especially when they were a work in progress.

‘Daddy Lumba was a father to many while alive. He was a gift to me in life. He advised me some time ago, and that has helped me today. He made me know that life is not all about talking, but about concentrating on what you can provide, and what you bring to the table tells people what you are made of.

‘He made me know that no matter the situation, whoever you meet along your life, whatever people will talk about you, and what you will hear, you have the right to your own self, that you need to decide for yourself-nobody can decide for you. So what you think is good for you is what you have to do. You can’t always go explaining yourself to please people. This and many other things he taught me have helped me till today,’ she disclosed.

Obaapa Christy’s submission on ignoring rumours feeds into her recent snubbing of presenter Fiifi Pratt on Kingdom FM after questioning her about the divorce rumours.

According to Obaapa Christy, she is focused on nurturing her current marriage and moving past the split with her first husband, Pastor Love, who divorced her about a decade ago. She emphasised that she is unbothered by critics, stressing that the details of their separation remain private.

The gospel star also highlighted that she and Pastor Love still share a cordial relationship for the sake of their children, and even exchange pleasantries when they meet.

Obaapa Christy has been calling out people to stop judging couples who choose to divorce, which reinforced her stance of ignoring the noise.

ENROLLMENT AT Ghana’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions has risen dramatically from 25,091 students in 2020 to 73,434 in 2024 due to collaborative initiative between Planet One Group and the Ministry of Education.

Chairman of Planet One Group, Mr. Sanjeev Mansotra, in a statement, said the first phase of the TVET transformation initiative saw the modernisation of 38 national vocational training institutions, established two new foundry and machining centres, and upgraded the Opportunities Industrialisation Centre in Accra.

The initiative also witnessed the enhancing of infrastructure, including hostels, classrooms, ICT labs, workshops, and industrial-grade equipment, expanded capacity and made TVET accessible to students from both urban and rural communities.

He stated that nearly 700 teachers and trainers have received up-to-date training, while new curricula have been introduced to align with Ghana’s industrial growth needs across 28 trades, including sectors vital to the country’s economic development.

According to Mr. Mansotra,Planet One Group is also collaborating with the Ministry of Education to develop state-of-the-art TVET centres across the country, aninitiative aimed at further transforming Ghana’s vocational education landscape and strengthening the broader ecosystem.

Mr. Mansotradisclosed that the continued development of Ghana’s vocational education system is essential for the nation’s progress.

‘The transformation underway in Ghana’s TVET sector is enabling the country to tap into the vast potential of its people and laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and prosperous future. The remarkable surge in enrollment reflects the aspirations of Ghana’s next generation and underscores the power of a holistic approach to education,’ he said.

He added that vocational education was once viewed as a less attractive alternative to university, saying, the initiative has removed barriers to access and created an aspirational environment for young people, including women who were previously underrepresented.

He stated that TVET is currently recognised as a gateway to opportunity, equipping students with practical skills and digital literacy for employment and entrepreneurship in key industries.

Mr. Mansotra also indicated that phase two of the initiative, now underway, will further expand and modernise vocational training at the polytechnic level, introducing advanced workshops and laboratories to meet the demands of Ghana’s evolving economy.

‘As new graduates step into key industries, the positive impact of the government’s efforts will resonate throughout the Ghanaian economy, advancing national goals for industrialisation and inclusive growth. The ongoing transformation of Ghana’s vocational education system is opening doors for the next generation and laying the groundwork for sustained prosperity,’ concluded Mr. Sanjeev Mansotra.