Author: Editorial Staff

A widening gap between benchmark interest rates and actual lending costs is raising fresh concerns about credit access in Ghana, even as monetary conditions improve significantly. Latest data from the Bank of Ghana shows the average lending rate declined to 19.7% in February 2026, down sharply from 30.12% a year earlier. Yet, the pace of reduction is lagging behind expectations, especially in the face of aggressive easing in key policy indicators. At the center of the disconnect is the Ghana Reference Rate, which has dropped dramatically to 14.58% from 29.96% over the same period—signaling a much faster improvement in underlying…

Ghana’s public debt profile in 2025 reveals a striking contrast, with a stronger cedi masking a sharp surge in external borrowing, according to latest data from the Bank of Ghana (BoG). The country’s total public debt in dollar terms jumped by $11.9 billion within the year, rising from $49.4 billion in December 2024 to $61.3 billion by December 2025. The increase reflects sustained borrowing and expanded fiscal activity despite ongoing economic reforms. However, in a surprising twist, the debt burden declined in local currency terms. Public debt dropped from GH¢726.7 billion to GH¢641 billion over the same period, largely due…

The Bank of Ghana has intensified efforts to stimulate economic activity, cutting its benchmark policy rate by 150 basis points to 14 percent in a move aimed at boosting lending and supporting growth. The decision, announced after the 129th meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), marks the second rate reduction in 2026 and signals a clear policy shift from tight monetary control toward easing conditions. Governor Johnson Asiama said the move reflects growing confidence in Ghana’s macroeconomic recovery, even as global uncertainties persist. According to him, the rate cut is designed to lower borrowing costs and improve access to…

Ghana’s economy recorded a strong six percent growth in 2025, highlighting a steady recovery and strengthening momentum despite persistent structural challenges. Latest figures from the Ghana Statistical Service show that economic activity gained pace, particularly in the fourth quarter, which expanded by 5.8% compared with 4% in the same period in 2024. The improved performance underscores growing domestic consumption, increased business activity, and a notable recovery across key sectors, reflecting resilience in the economy. In nominal terms, Ghana’s economy reached over GH¢1.43 trillion, reflecting the total value of goods and services produced at current market prices. This larger nominal GDP…

Ghana’s efforts to expand liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) usage to 50 percent of households by 2030 received a significant boost with the commissioning of a 40,000 cubic metre LPG vessel, ‘Asharami Ghana’, owned by Nigerian energy and infrastructure giant Sahara Group. The vessel was officially commissioned by President John Dramani Mahama during a side activity of his trip to South Korea. Speaking at the event, President Mahama described the vessel as a “major milestone in strengthening the infrastructure that underpins the regional LPG supply chain,” emphasizing that increased shipping capacity is critical for ensuring reliable and efficient supply for…

The sharp appreciation of the Ghana cedi has tempered what would otherwise have been substantial gains for investors in the Ghana Gold Coin, even as global gold prices have surged to record levels. Since the coin began official trading on November 28, 2024, investors have posted solid returns, primarily driven by the international gold market. However, the strengthening of the local currency has offset a portion of these gains, moderating returns when measured in cedi terms. The performance of the Ghana Gold Coin, issued by the Bank of Ghana (BoG), is influenced by two main factors: the global gold price,…

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has announced that a new nationwide SIM re-registration exercise will be undertaken later this year to establish a more secure and reliable mobile subscriber database. Speaking at a stakeholder engagement in Accra, he said the upcoming exercise would mark a significant departure from previous registration efforts, as it would, for the first time, incorporate biometric verification. “What we are about to do has never been done before. This will be the first time we are introducing biometric verification into the SIM registration process,” he stated. The Minister explained that…

MTN Ghana has launched a user-initiated SIM swap service, enabling customers to replace their SIM cards from anywhere in the world without visiting a service centre. The innovation is designed to enhance convenience, improve security, and reduce congestion at MTN offices, where SIM swap requests remain one of the most frequent customer interactions. Speaking at the launch in Accra, Chief Customer Experience Officer at MTN, Jemima Kotei-Walsh, said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to delivering seamless and customer-focused digital solutions. “We want to give our customers the freedom to access this essential service conveniently, independently, and securely—wherever they are—without…

MTN Group Chief Executive Officer, Ralph Mupita, has called for the allocation of 5G spectrum in Ghana, describing it as a critical step toward accelerating the country’s digital transformation and economic growth. Speaking during his first visit to Ghana in 2026, Mupita outlined the far-reaching impact of next-generation connectivity, positioning 5G as essential infrastructure for modern economies. He emphasized that 5G technology has the potential to transform home connectivity, enabling faster and more reliable broadband access for households across the country. With increasing demand for remote work, online education, digital entertainment, and e-commerce, Mupita noted that Fixed Wireless Access (FWA)…

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has defended its decision to sell a portion of the country’s gold reserves, insisting the move was a strategic step to rebalance its reserve portfolio rather than a loss of national wealth. Governor Dr. Johnson Asiama explained that the conversion of gold into foreign exchange assets forms part of prudent reserve management aimed at maintaining stability, liquidity, and resilience in the face of external economic shocks. He made the clarification while leading a technical team from the central bank to brief Parliament’s Committee on Economy and Development on the Bank’s 2025 Monetary Policy Report. According…