A falling inflation rate doesn’t mean that prices of goods and services have gone down drastically. A falling inflation means that prices of goods and services are rising at a slower pace than before.
Official data from the Ghana Statistical Service(GSS) indicate that, the Consumer Price Index(CPI) rose from 229.4 in August 2024 to 255.7 in August 2025. In practical terms, this means that households are spending GHS 26.30 more on the same basket of goods and services than they did in 2024.
Razak Kojo Opoku
For example, in August 2024, a family spent GHS 50 per week on food under 19.1% food inflation but in August 2025, the same basket of food costs around GHS 56 under 14.8% food inflation.
Yes, food inflation slowed but the family is still worse off because prices never revert to old levels. For instance, Kenkey that climbed from GHS 2 to GHS 5 under 19.1% food inflation has not dropped back to GHS 2 simply because food inflation has lowered to 14.8%.
In response to Hon. Eric Opoku, Food has rather become extremely expensive in 2025, and the facts are as follows:
1. Gari rose from GHS 12 in 2020 to GHS 25 in 2025.
2. A bag of maize rose from GHS 150 in 2020 to GHS 400 in 2025
The illusion of “lower food inflation of 14.8%” has several explanations including:
1. Base Effects
Prices were already abnormally high in 2024. Comparing 2025 against 2024 inflated base makes the rate look smaller even though prices remain high.
Imported versus Local Goods
IMF-backed currency stability has made imported rice and wheat slightly cheaper.
Conclusion
The Food Inflation debate favours the New Patriotic Party(NPP) because:
CPI at 229.4 in August 2024 proves that prices of food were at record low and stable under NPP even though Food Inflation was 19.1%.
A lower Consumer Price Index(CPI) indicates:
(a). increasing purchasing power of money
(b). lower cost of living
(c). falling prices for goods and services.
CPI at 255.7 in August 2025 proves that prices of food are at record high under NDC even though Food Inflation is at 14.8%.
A higher Consumer Price Index(CPI) indicates:
(a). reduced purchasing power of money
(b). higher cost of living
(d). increasing prices for goods and services.
True relief will come only when:
1. Prices stabilize or fall
2. Incomes rise to match living costs
3. Social protection cushions the most vulnerable in society.
Until then, celebrating “lower inflation” is premature at best, and misleading at worst.
…. Signed….
Razak Kojo Opoku
Founding President of UP Tradition Institute
Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman hopeful, Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah (COKA), has issued a strong rebuttal after his name was caught up in a political storm triggered by a statement from the Ken Ohene Agyapong Campaign, stating categorically that he is not the ‘Koka’ they refer to.
The Ken Agyapong Campaign, in a press release dated Thursday, October 2, 2025, and signed by its Communications Director, Kwaku Amoh-Darteh, Esq., had warned Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s camp against “reckless defamation and personal attacks” being peddled by his surrogates. The statement singled out one Kwaku Osei Korankye Asiedu (popularly known as KOKA) as a loyalist of Dr. Bawumia who had allegedly “launched vicious and unprovoked attacks” on the person of Hon. Ken Ohene Agyapong.
COKA. KOKA
The release read in part: “Our campaign has consistently focused on ideas, vision and principle. We have not resorted to personal vilification. Yet, in a recent and widely circulated video on Wontumi Television, one Kwaku Osei Korankye Asiedu (popularly known as ‘KOKA’), a well-known loyalist of Dr. Bawumia, launched vicious and unprovoked attacks on the person of Hon. Ken Ohene Agyapong.”
It added: “It is therefore both astonishing and hypocritical for any of Dr. Bawumia’s followers to portray him as a ‘peaceful person’ while his camp tolerates and benefits from intimidation, bullying and abusive rhetoric. Silence in the face of such conduct is itself an endorsement. By failing to repudiate these attacks, Dr. Bawumia and his inner circle have, through inaction, condoned them.”
The campaign further warned that the Agyapong team would not sit idle if such attacks persisted. “Let there be no ambiguity; the Ken Ohene Agyapong Camp knows too much to allow reckless defamation to go unanswered. If they choose instead to drag this campaign into the gutter of personal vilification, they will awaken consequences they will come to regret,” the statement cautioned.
COKA Provides Clarity:
But the use of the nickname “KOKA” in the release sparked a flurry of confusion, with many party faithful and the public wrongly assuming the statement was targeted at the respected Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah (COKA), the Ashanti NPP stalwart.
Reacting swiftly to dispel the confusion, COKA set the record straight, insisting that he was not the individual being referred to in the Ken Agyapong Campaign’s statement.
“I have been receiving many calls regarding a statement issued by Hon. Ken Agyapong’s team over KOKA. Please be informed that the statement made by Hon. Ken Agyapong’s team is not in reference to me (Chairman COKA). The person in reference is Kwaku Osei Korankye Asiedu (KOKA). I kindly ask everyone to take note,” he clarified.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman aspirant emphasized that his political track record is well known and that he does not engage in reckless insults or unprovoked attacks. Instead, he reaffirmed his focus on promoting unity, discipline, and the strengthening of the New Patriotic Party.
COKA’s intervention comes at a sensitive time as internal competition between Dr. Bawumia’s and Ken Agyapong’s camps intensifies ahead of the party’s leadership race slated for January 31, 2025.
The members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) have been busy celebrating a single-digit inflation of 9.4% for the month of September 2025, creating an impression that they have better records of inflation data than the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Razak Kojo Opoku PhD
However, Facts and Data prove that the governments of UP Tradition/New Patriotic Party (NPP) hold the best inflation data when it comes to single-digit inflation.
Below are the FACTS & DATA regarding single-digit inflation rates (0-10%) recorded in the history of Ghana:
Busia’s Government (UP Tradition)
3.03% achieved in 1970
7.32% achieved in 1969
9.56% achieved in 1971
10.07% achieved in 1972
Kufuor’s Government (UP Tradition)
9.36% achieved in 2002
10.73% achieved in 2007
Akufo-Addo’s Government (UP Tradition)
7.81% achieved in 2018
7.14% achieved in 2019
9.89% achieved in 2020
9.97% achieved in 2021
Now, let’s check the records of NDC Governments in terms of achieving a single-digit inflation (0-10%):
Rawlings’ Government
4.87% achieved in 1999
10.06% achieved in 1992
10.31% achieved in 1985
Mills’ Government
8.73% achieved in 2011
10.73% achieved in 2010
Mahama’s Government (2013-2016)
The first term of Mahama’s government from 2013-2016 NEVER achieved a single-digit inflation data. The best inflation rate recorded under the first term of Mahama’s government was 11.67%, achieved in 2013.
Therefore, the 9.4% single-digit inflation rate recorded in the month of September 2025 is a significant achievement for H. E. John Mahama, but the NDC should stop making unnecessary noise about it because this is the first time a single-digit inflation has been achieved by John Mahama’s government both in his first and second term.
We are hoping that, Mahama’s government will be able to achieve the yearly Inflation target of 11% as captured in the 2025 Budget Speech.
Conclusion
So far, the facts and data indicate that:
Busia government is the overall best in terms of achieving single-digit inflation rates.
Akufo-Addo’s government is the second best in terms of achieving single-digit inflation rates, and this achievement can largely be credited to Ken Ofori-Atta, and Governor Ernest Addison, who were strictly responsible for the management of the Fiscal Policy and Monetary Policy of Akufo-Addo’s government.
Rawlings’ government is the 3rd best in terms of achieving single-digit inflation rates.
Mills’ government is the 4th best in terms of achieving single-digit inflation rates.
Kufuor’s government is the 5th best in terms of achieving single-digit inflation rates
Mahama’s government during the first term (2013-2016) will be the 6th best in terms of achieving single-digit inflation.
H. E. John Mahama under his second term now has every opportunity to achieve better results in terms of single-digit inflation rates, and we hope that he will be able to deliver and perform better than his first term in government.
NPP/UP Tradition has achieved the lowest single-digit inflation of 3.03% whereas the NDC best inflation rate ever achieved was 4.87%.
Therefore, until NDC achieves a single-digit inflation better than 3.03%, the NPP/UP Tradition still holds the title as the best achiever of single-digit inflation rate in the history of Ghana.
Also, until Mahama’s government achieves a single-digit inflation rates throughout the 4-year mandate just like Akufo-Addo’s government achieved from 2018-2021, the NDC can NEVER say that Mahama’s government is better than Akufo-Addo’s government in terms of Single-digit inflation data.
… Signed….
Razak Kojo Opoku(PhD)
Founding President of UP Tradition Institute.
Government Secures ¥3 Billion JICA Grant to Transform Kumasi’s Inner Ring Road
Government of Ghana has signed a ¥3 billion (Japanese Yen) grant agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to overhaul the Inner Ring Road in Kumasi.
The agreement, signed today by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, promises to drastically ease traffic congestion and improve mobility in Ghana’s second-largest city.
The Inner Ring Road is a critical artery linking the N6 and N8 within Kumasi and forming part of the Takoradi/Tema Ports–Ouagadougou Corridor. Sadly, growth in traffic has turned sections of this road into bottlenecks, with congestion, delays, and safety risks for road users. This project directly tackles those challenges.
The comprehensive road improvement initiative will deliver:
• Widening of 3.2 km of road between Santasi and Ahodwo Roundabouts,
• Upgraded intersections with modern traffic signals,
• Enhanced pedestrian walkways and drainage systems, and
• Improved connectivity between Santasi Roundabout and the N8.
Some scenes during the event
When completed, travel speeds on this stretch are expected to more than triple, slashing journey times for commuters, while boosting efficiency for both passenger and freight transport.
Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, welcomed the JICA support, stressing that the Inner Ring Road upgrade is part of a broader transformation plan for Kumasi’s transport system.
“We are deeply grateful to JICA for this generous support and continued partnership with Ghana. But this is only one piece of the puzzle. From the Suame Interchange to the Konongo Bypass and the forthcoming 45km Kumasi Outer Ring Road, our vision is to reshape Kumasi’s transport landscape and unlock economic and social opportunities for millions,” he said.
Mr. ODA Ryotaro, senior representative of JICA Ghana, highlighted the broader significance of the grant.
“This project is especially significant as it marks the first Grant Aid to be newly delivered from the Government of Japan after TICAD 9 in August. It aligns directly with the Yokohama Declaration, which emphasizes improving transport connectivity as a driver of growth and prosperity,” he said.
Beyond easing congestion, Mr. Ryotaro underscored that the project will strengthen access to schools, hospitals, and markets, reduce accident risks, and foster a safer, healthier urban environment in Kumasi.
The Private Newspapers and Online Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) extends its warmest congratulations to Sir Benedict Batabe Assorow and Alhaji Haruna Attah on their recent appointments as Ambassadors of the Republic of Ghana by the Government.
Some scenes from the event
Sir Benedict Assorow – a former Editor of the Catholic Standard newspaper has been designated as Ghana’s Ambassador to the Vatican, while Alhaji Haruna Attah of the Daily Mail newspaper will serve as Ghana’s Ambassador to Namibia.
Both appointees are distinguished and longstanding members of PRINPAG whose contributions to journalism, publishing, and public discourse have been exemplary. Their elevation to such high diplomatic offices is a testament not only to their individual dedication and competence but also to the recognition of the pivotal role media practitioners play in national development.
PRINPAG expresses its profound appreciation to the Government of Ghana for entrusting two of our own with these prestigious responsibilities. We are confident that Sir Benedict Batabe Assorow and Alhaji Haruna Attah will discharge their duties with utmost professionalism, integrity, and distinction, thereby bringing further honor to our country.
On behalf of the Association, we wish them every success in their new assignments and look forward to witnessing the positive impact of their service in advancing Ghana’s diplomatic interests and strengthening international relations.
Signed:
Jeorge Wilson Kingson
Executive Secretary
David Tamakloe
President
For Media Interviews, contact:
Emmanuel Opare Djan
Public Affairs and External Relations Officer
0244699294
The Minority in Parliament has called for the dismissal of Communications Minister Sam George, accusing him of misleading Ghanaians and mishandling negotiations with MultiChoice over DStv pricing.
At a press conference in Accra on Thursday, October 2, Deputy Ranking Member on the Communications Committee, Charles Owiredu, stated that the minister’s claim of securing a 30% price reduction on DStv subscriptions was false, as MultiChoice later clarified that the offer was only a temporary promotion.
Sam George
According to Mr Owiredu, the incident showed “poor judgment and a lack of candour” on the part of the minister.
“His failure to grasp key issues during meetings and communicate the actual negotiated outcomes to Ghanaians or a deliberate fabrication of what he was never able to broker is evident,” he said.
“MultiChoice publicly challenged him for inaccurately claiming that there had been an agreed reduction in prices. They issued a press release denying this assertion.”
Mr Owiredu said the company’s latest clarification confirmed that the supposed breakthrough announced by the minister was only a promotional package.
He added that Sam George’s conduct demonstrated “a lack of temperament and emotional intelligence” for such a sensitive role.
He further accused the minister of sidelining regulators like the National Communications Authority (NCA) and adopting what he described as an “arbitrary decision-making posture” that threatens the growth of the digital industry.
The minority is also pressing the minister to account for fines he claimed to have imposed on MultiChoice during the standoff.
“The minister owes Ghanaians clarity on how much was collected, where the money is, and how it has been applied,” Mr Owiredu stated.
He added that Sam George’s actions amounted to “a breach of the president’s code of conduct that requires candour and respect to all persons.”
The minority stated three key demands: that the minister issue an apology to Ghanaians, provide full disclosure of the fines allegedly imposed on MultiChoice, and step down from his position or be dismissed by the President.
“For this display of ineptitude, incompetence, and penchant for deceit, we of the Minority demand that the minister render an unconfined apology to Ghanaians,” Mr Owiredu said.
“We deem him unfit to continue as Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation and therefore call on him to resign, or for the President to fire him.”
The Government of Ghana has announced a significant increase in the producer price of cocoa for the 2025/2026 season, raising the price from GHS3,228.75 to GHS3,625 per bag.Ghana travel guide
This represents a 12.27% increase and translates to GHS58,000 per metric tonne, up from the earlier GHS51,660 per tonne.
The decision was made during a meeting of the Producer Price Review Committee (PPRC), chaired by Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, and comes after consultations with key stakeholders in the cocoa industry.
The new price will take effect on Friday, 3rd October 2025, and aims to improve the incomes and livelihoods of Ghana’s cocoa farmers.Ghana travel guide
“This increase of about GHS400 per bag reflects Government’s continued commitment to ensuring farmers receive fair value for their efforts, especially amid rising global cocoa prices,” the Minister stated.
The initial price, announced on August 4, 2025, was based on 70% of the average Free-on-Board (FoB) price of cocoa at US$7,200 per tonne, which translated into GHS3,228.75 per bag. The revised price still aligns with the Government’s pledge to give farmers a substantial share of international market earnings.
Despite the price adjustment, all margins, fees, and rates for other stakeholders, including the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), remain unchanged.Ghana travel guide
Ongoing Support for Cocoa Farmers
COCOBOD will continue to implement support measures to boost productivity and welfare among cocoa farmers. These include:
Continued free supply of cocoa fertilizers (both liquid and granular)
Free insecticides, fungicides, flower inducers, and spraying machines
The upcoming Tertiary Education Scholarship Scheme for children of cocoa farmers, set to begin in the 2026/27 academic year
Dr. Ato Forson emphasised that Government remains steadfast in its commitment to building a “robust and resilient cocoa industry that provides sustainable and optimal benefits to all stakeholders.”
The Coalition of Unpaid Nurses and Midwives has staged a protest on Thursday, October 2, 2025, to demand the payment of salary arrears owed by the government.
According to the group, over 7,000 nurses and midwives have been working without salaries for the past nine to 10 months, despite being formally recruited through official government processes.
The protest, which began at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park, will see demonstrators march to the Ministry of Finance and later the Ministry of Health, where petitions will be submitted to demand immediate resolution of the matter.
Convenor of the coalition, Stephen Kwadwo Takyiah, expressed frustration over the situation, describing it as unfair and unsustainable.
“We are not comfortable hitting the streets, but it has become necessary. We are citizens, trained as professional nurses and midwives from nursing training colleges and universities.
“We graduated in 2020, completed our rotations, and waited at home for three years. In July 2024, the Ministry of Health announced it had secured financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance for our employment.The portals were opened, we registered, and by October 2024, we received postings and reported to work in December. Out of the 15,000 announced, about 13,000 took up postings.
“But in April 2025, only some of our colleagues started receiving salaries. As we speak, just over 6,500 have been paid, while nearly 7,000 of us have worked for close to 10 months without pay,” he lamented.
The coalition insists the government must act swiftly to address their plight, warning that the delay in payments is demoralising and undermines healthcare delivery nationwide.
BY: Kyei Kwadwo Yamoah, Executive Director of HELP Foundation Africa
In Ghana, illegal small-scale mining (“galamsey”) has become a major national security, environmental, and public health crisis. It has polluted major rivers (Pra, Ankobra, Offin, Birim), destroyed forests, undermined food security, and contributed to social conflicts.
Despite multiple interventions, galamsey persists, driven by powerful financiers and facilitated by weak enforcement also traditional regulatory measures have not yielded the desired impact
The author
A State of Emergency is an extraordinary constitutional tool that could be invoked to address galamsey, but it comes with both opportunities and risks.
Here is how State of Emergency (SoE) could be used:
Legal Basis
Under Ghana’s 1992 Constitution (Article 31), the President can declare a State of Emergency when:
Ghana is at war or under threat of invasion,
There is a breakdown of public order and safety,
Natural disasters or other emergencies threaten the life of the nation.
If galamsey is recognized as an existential environmental and security threat; polluting rivers, destroying forests, undermining food security, and fueling armed conflicts. it could justify the declaration of State of Emergency (SoE) Against Galamsey.
Potential Uses of a State of Emergency Against Galamsey
a) Enhanced Security Deployment
o Military and police forces could be legally empowered to establish restricted zones in heavily affected galamsey areas.
o Security could dismantle illegal mining operations, confiscate equipment, and secure rivers/forests without the usual bureaucratic/legal delays.
b) Fast-Tracking Environmental Protection Measures
o Emergency powers could allow the state to suspend or override licenses, leases, or permits being abused.
o Rapid reclamation programs could be implemented with less red tape.
c) Strict Control of Mining Equipment and Chemicals
o Ban or tightly regulate the importation of excavators, dredges, and mercury.
o Emergency powers could allow for immediate seizure and destruction of illegal machinery used for galamsey.
d) Protection of Water and Food Security
o Rivers like Pra, Ankobra, and Offin are national lifelines. By framing galamsey as a public health emergency, emergency orders could criminalize river pollution at the highest level.
e) Coordinated National Response
o A State of Emergency would allow the government to mobilize extraordinary budget allocations, direct coordination between agencies (Forestry, Minerals Commission, EPA, security services), and establish special task forces with sweeping powers.
o Deploy a real-time monitoring system (drones, satellite data, citizen hotlines).
Advantages of State of Emergency Against Galamsey
Decisive Action: SoE provides extraordinary powers to override bureaucratic delays, mobilize resources, and coordinate agencies.
Sends a strong political signal that the government prioritizes the environment and national survival.
Cuts through the bureaucratic bottlenecks that galamsey actors exploit.
Mobilizes national and international support (donors, UN, ECOWAS) for anti-galamsey efforts.
Can deter powerful actors (including politicians and business elites) who profit from galamsey.
Risks and Concerns of State of Emergency Against Galamsey
Human rights abuses: Security crackdowns could lead to violence, loss of livelihoods, or victimization of poor miners instead of targeting the “big men” behind galamsey.
Political misuse: Could be abused for political gain, silencing dissent, or targeting opponents.
Economic backlash: Tens of thousands depend on small-scale mining; without alternatives, unrest may grow.
Sustainability: Emergency powers are temporary without structural reforms, galamsey could resurge.
Complementary Measures Needed
Declaring a State of Emergency alone is not enough. To be effective, it should be combined with:
Alternative livelihoods (agriculture, youth employment programs, eco-tourism, community skills programs, etc). Emergency funds for smallholder farmers affected by water pollution.
Legal reforms to tighten mining regulations and close loopholes.
Community-based monitoring with chiefs and local assemblies.
Public education to shift cultural acceptance of galamsey.
Accountability at the top: target financiers and political patrons, not just miners on the field.
Safeguards Against Abuse
· Time-bound and targeted : Limit SoE to a defined period (e.g., 6 months, renewable only with Parliamentary approval). Restrict scope to affected mining districts, not the entire country.
· Human Rights Protections : Establish independent oversight committees with civil society and traditional leaders. Provide grievance mechanisms for communities and small-scale miners.
· Accountability for Financiers: Focus enforcement on financiers, political patrons, and equipment suppliers, not only poor miners in the pits.
· Transparency: Monthly public reporting by the Task Force on actions taken, arrests, reclamation progress, and funds spent.
In summary: A State of Emergency in Ghana could be legally justified if galamsey is framed as a national survival crisis affecting water, food, and security. It could allow decisive security, environmental, and legal action. However, without safeguards, it risks abuse, human rights violations, and temporary fixes. The best path is to use it as a catalyst for deep reforms, not as a standalone solution.
