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.
KGL Foundation proudly announced its continuous support for juvenile football by championing the just ended U-17 Football Tournament, aimed at nurturing young talent and promoting sportsmanship among the youth in Ghana. This significant initiative reflects the KGL Foundation’s commitment to empowering the next generation through sports, education, and community engagement.
Launched in 2021 and now in its fifth edition, the KGL U-17 inter-regional championship has firmly established itself as Ghana’s premier platform for identifying and nurturing emerging football talent. The nine-day tournament showcased some of Ghana’s best young football talent, with the finale held on September 27, 2025 at the McDan Teshie Sports Complex, marking the culmination of an inspiring tournament, reinforcing the Foundation’s dedication to nurturing future sports stars.
Greater Accra’s prodigy Jeremiah Abalo emerged the Overall Best Player, and although the midfielder’s team missed out on the trophy, his exceptional performances throughout the championship was duly recognised, earning him the top award. Throughout the tournament, Jeremiah Abalo starred with his displays, exciting supporters with his skill and vision at both the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence and the McDan Teshie Sports Complex.
His outstanding performances inspired Greater Accra to a commendable fourth-place finish as the side finished behind bronze medalists Central Region, dethroned champions Western Region, and the Ashanti Region team that eventually finished as champions.
The 2025 KGL U-17 Inter-Regional Championship came to an end last Saturday, with Ashanti Region crowned champions for the second time following a 2-1 victory over defending champions Western Region in a thrilling finale.
Among the individual award winners, Western Region’s Frank Abu claimed the Best Goalkeeper Award after a series of commanding displays that not only helped his team reach the final to secure the silver medal but also caught the eye of many who followed the tournament.
Ashanti Region’s attackers Agyei Duah and Alidu Issah shared the Top Scorer honours, after each scored seven goals to lead their team to clinch the trophy. Their teammate, Kelvin Baffoe, was also named Most Promising Player, underlining Ashanti’s dominance in both team and individual awards.
The 2025 edition saw an expansion, featuring 12 teams that included all ten Regional Football Associations, along with the two GFA Elite Academies. This ensured a full nationwide representation and intense competition that provided a platform for top talents.
The tournament, which is backed by a five-year, $1 million partnership with the KGL Foundation, continues to serve as a cornerstone of the Ghana Football Association’s grassroots development strategy.
Highlighting his commitment to youth development, the CEO of the KGL Foundation, Elliot Dadey underscored the foundation’s commitment to the U-17 football tournament. “At KGL Foundation, we are deeply committed to empowering our youth through sports. This tournament was not only about competition but also about fostering teamwork, discipline, and leadership among young athletes,” Elliot Dadey reiterated.
Established as the corporate social responsibility arm of the KGL Group, the Foundation was created not just to give back, but to reimagine what social responsibility looks like in the Ghanaian landscape. It was a response to a deeper calling: that true transformation doesn’t come from the outside— it begins from within.
Elliot Dadey, CEO of the KGL Foundation, aptly puts it: “Our approach is simple, yet deeply intentional: we go into communities, we listen, we learn, and we co-create. We engage not as distant donors, but as equal partners—collaborating with those who live the realities we seek to improve. Together, we design solutions that are rooted in local context, cultural relevance, and shared ownership.”
With a strong focus on innovation, connection, and people empowerment, the Foundation operates across five key thematic areas in sports, arts and culture, youth empowerment, health and education, where their interventions are making a lasting difference.
The KGL Foundation has been the title sponsor for the Millennium Marathon for three years. This arrangement does not imply ownership, and no corporate contributions from other sponsors have been directed to our accounts.
The KGL Group values its partnership with the NLA and remains committed to supporting its initiatives, including ongoing contributions to the Good Causes Foundation. Our key contributions include:
1. GH₵6,000,000.00 paid to the NLA Good Causes Foundation (2021-2024).
GH₵9,000,000.00 paid to the NLA Stabilization Fund (2022-2024).
Over GH₵6 million spent on NLA Live Draws and Brennan Hall rehabilitation.
Over GH₵7 million in sponsorships for the NLA’s conferences and staff welfare.
In alignment with Section 2(3) of the National Lotto Act, 2000 (Act 722), the KGL Foundation has committed millions towards:
1. Constructing a new Mental Health Facility in Kumasi.
Developing infrastructure for the Accra Psychiatric Hospital.
Supporting national health institutions with donations.
Providing aid for Keta flood victims.
Renovating developmental schools nationwide.
Offering scholarships to over 150 brilliant but needy children annually.
The KGL Group is dedicated to maintaining a strong working relationship with the National Lottery Authority and will continue collaborating with the Authority to support its commendable efforts in the area of corporate social responsibility.
The Ministry of Education has announced the rollout of Subject-Specific Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications for Senior High Schools (SHS) across the country to improve the teaching and learning of the new SHS curriculum.
The initiative, which is expected to support more than 68,000 teachers in delivering lessons to over 1.4 million learners, is aimed at enhancing education delivery without compromising Ghana’s ethical and cultural values.
The apps were co-created by the Ghana Education Service (GES), the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), the National Teaching Council (NTC), the National School Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA), and the Centre for National Distance Learning and Open Schooling (CENDLOS).
The design also received input from Playlab AI, with support from Transforming Teaching, Education, and Learning (T-TEL) and the Mastercard Foundation.
In a statement issued on October 1, the Ministry stated that the apps are built on Ghana’s curriculum materials, including teacher manuals, learner resources, and frameworks that promote national values, gender equality, and social inclusion.
According to the Ministry, the Apps are designed to help teachers plan lessons and conduct assessments more efficiently while providing learners with interactive and tailored resources.
The statement said the introduction of the AI-based subject apps will play a critical role in strengthening curriculum delivery, bridging gaps in teaching, and equipping both teachers and students with innovative tools to achieve quality learning outcomesSource:Leticia Osei
Accra, October 1, 2025 – The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, has underscored that the future of telecommunications will be driven by technology platforms and digital innovation, not just by providing connectivity.
Mr.Stephen Blewett
He emphasized that Artificial Intelligence (AI), coding, and the creativity of young innovators will define the next wave of growth in the industry.
Speaking on an Accra radio station, Mr. Blewett highlighted that while telecommunication networks serve as the foundation for innovation across industries, the real value lies in the platforms and solutions built on top of them. “The real growth in telecoms won’t just come from providing connectivity. It will come from the platforms, solutions and innovations built on top of those networks. Think about it, Facebook, WhatsApp and Uber, none of these would exist without the network. That’s where the future lies”, he said.
He noted that AI and coding are not just buzzwords but engines of future growth, reinforcing the central role of telecommunications in Ghana’s economic and social transformation. “The telecom sector will remain central to economic and social transformation because we provide the backbone that allows all other sectors to innovate and thrive”.
He reiterated the company’s commitment to its Ambition 2025 strategy, which focuses on digital platforms, fintech innovation, and inclusive growth. “At MTN, we’re not just chasing profits, we are chasing impact. Our goal is to create opportunities, to enable young people, businesses, and communities to thrive in a digital economy”.
First and foremost,
“If Sulemana Briamah and Fourth Estate care so much about the State & Poor, they should set up a private company and apply to the NLA as a Lotto Marketing Company, generate GHS 3 billion and share the money with the State, poor, orphans, and destitute children.”
From a very reliable sources, Seidu Agongo, owner of Class Media Group and Onassis Lotto, alleged operator of illegal NLA 5/90 USSD and Web online lottery(*859#) is the one chiefly behind the diabolic agenda of the Fourth Estate against NLA-KGL licensing Agreement.
Sulemana Briamah is a very close associate and secret confidant to Seidu Agongo, and since NDC came into government, Seidu Agongo behind the scenes has been putting pressure on Chief of Staff, Minister of Finance, Board Chairman of NLA and Director-General of NLA to revoke the licensing agreement of KGL so that Mahama’s government can give that contract to his company known as Onassis Sports Limited Company, a company which has been operating Caritas lottery in partnership with the National Lottery Authority(NLA) since 2024.
All attempts by Seidu Agongo to force Mahama’s government to offer NLA-KGL deal to his company has been unsuccessful so far, and he therefore decided to use his friend Sulemana Briamah to create a mischievous agenda against KGL Technology Limited in the name of investigative journalism aims at creating bad public image for NLA-KGL deal as well as discredit the deal.
Meanwhile, on 15th September 2025, a fintech professional by the name, Jamal Iddrisu petitioned the Fourth Estate against the illegal lottery operations by Seidu Agongo yet Sulemana Briamah has decided not to even acknowledge the receipt of the Petition against his friend, Seidu Agongo.
When NDC came back to Power, Seidu Agongo allegedly decided to operate NLA 5/90 USSD and Web online via *859# without a license from National Lottery Authority(NLA).
The Real Issues at NLA that should get attention of Fourth Estate instead of NLA-KGL deal are as follows:
Seidu Agongo alleged operations of NLA 5/90 USSD and Web online lottery without license from the National Lottery Authority(NLA) via *859#, Onassis Lotto.
How much has Seidu Agongo paid to NLA and GRA within this period of allegedly perpetuating illegal lottery operations against the State because his Party is in power?
The payments of GHS 553, 014, 988(over 500 million Ghana Cedis) by NLA to Lotto Marketing Companies from 2013-2020 as commission while Consolidated Fund received only GHS 182, 009, 000(182 million Ghana Cedis).
Below is the breakdown of payments made by NLA to Lotto Marketing Companies operating in the Kiosks as commission:
2013 – GHS 50, 984, 840.78
2014 – GHS 63, 183, 675.61
2015 – GHS 73, 117, 538.80
2016 – GHS 79, 551, 022.65
2017 – GHS 80, 342, 434. 62
2018 – GHS 76, 207, 804.49
2019 – GHS 69, 886, 836.56
2020 – GHS 59, 740, 834.49
Payments of GHS 153, 302, 459(over 150 million Ghana Cedis) to technical service Providers such as Lots Services Ghana Limited and Simnet Ghana Limited from 2013-2020, and how such bad contracts are negatively affecting the revenue mobilization efforts of the National Lottery Authority(NLA).
Below is the breakdown of payments made by the National Lottery Authority(NLA) to Technical Service Providers from 2013-2020:
2013 – GHS 9, 144, 528
2014 – GHS 14, 215, 933
2015 – GHS 19, 454, 838
2016 – GHS 23, 275, 491
2017 – GHS 23, 893, 388
2018 – GHS 22, 825, 259
2019 – GHS 21, 263, 713
2020 – GHS 19, 229, 309
The 15years contract of Lots Services Ghana Limited, 10years contract of Simnet Ghana Limited, 10years contract of Alpha Lotto Limited and others at the National Lottery Authority(NLA).
Non-payment of taxes to Ghana Revenue Authority(GRA) by companies transacting businesses with the National Lottery Authority(NLA).
Existing procurement contracts at the National Lottery Authority which are detrimental to the state.
The public would like to know for the purposes of Accountability how much Media Foundation for West Africa(MFWA) has been sourcing funding for their operations, and how much they have taken from:
1. STAR-Ghana
2. UNESCO
3. ifex
4. United States of America(Ghana Embassy)
5. OXFAM IBIS
6. MTN Ghana
7. Global Partners Digital
8. Seidu Agongo and Class Media Group
9. Kingdom of the Netherlands
10. World Wide Web Foundation
From 2022-2024, KGL has paid 6 million Ghana Cedis to NLA Good Causes Foundation, and NLA during the official launch of KGL Foundation decided to make a donation of 200 Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis to the KGL Foundation. How do you equate this to corruption?
As a Country, we should not entertain any form of unethical and unprofessional journalism at all.
Issued by: Ahmed Abdullah, Tamale, Northern Region.
Former Energy Minister, Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko, has formally declared his intention to contest for the position of National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
In a statement issued on September 30, 2025, Mr Agyarko said his decision followed extensive consultations with his family, close associates, and party faithful who would be most affected by his political choices.
He noted that after careful reflection, he considered it his “bounden duty” to respond to the calls urging him to take up the challenge of leading the party at the national level.
Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko
“I have also listened carefully to what the broad masses of our party people, and indeed many outside our party, are asking of me.
“Having factored in all the considerations, I see it as my bounden duty to respond to this call to duty, and hereby announce that I will contest for the position of National Chairman of my party upon the opening of nominations,” the statement read.Source: Prince Adu-Owusu
The government has approved an increase in the daily feeding allowance for prisoners from GH¢1.80 to GH¢5, marking the first upward adjustment in 15 years.
The Minister for the Interior, Mr Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, announced this when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
He explained that the new rate had received presidential approval and would be captured in the 2026 Budget, with GH¢10 million expected to be released to cover the last quarter of this year.
Members of the committee described the GH¢1.80 allocation, which has remained unchanged since 2010, as grossly inadequate for providing three meals a day to inmates.
Mr Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak
The Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Mrs Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, told the committee that poor feeding arrangements affect the health and well-being of prisoners.
A committee member, Mr Sebastian Fred Deh, drew comparisons with the GH¢2.50 per child per day under the school feeding programme, arguing that the situation violated the Mandela Rules, which require adequate food for inmates. He urged the government to release the approved funds without delay to ease the burden on the prison system.
Mrs Baffoe-Bonnie revealed that the Prisons Service has been supplementing meals with produce from gardens, fish ponds, and poultry projects in various facilities, as well as occasional support from churches.
She cautioned that food shortages remain the main cause of unrest in prisons and emphasised the need for improved rations to safeguard both inmates and prison officers.
She added that although the new GH¢5 rate had been approved, the Service would continue to push for further adjustments in the 2026 fiscal year to reflect the real cost of feeding adults in custody. Source: Myjoyonline
