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President John Dramani Mahama was awarded an honorary PhD in Public Administration by Yonsei University in Seoul. During the visit, a symbolic exchange of 'giant Ghana chocolate' with South Korean officials highlighted the brand's nostalgic value in Korean culture. Domestically, the National Youth Authority (NYA) has appointed musician Medikal as a pro bono ambassador for the 'Red Means Stop' campaign to combat the rise of synthetic drug abuse among youth. Medikal has pledged to tour schools nationwide without financial compensation to mentor the next generation.
Under the Mahama administration, there is an increasing focus on leveraging celebrity influence for social policy while maintaining strong diplomatic ties with Asian economic partners like South Korea.
Ghana's current administration, which took office in January 2025, has prioritized youth agency and digital transformation as part of its 'reset' agenda for the nation.
The Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) reports that petrol will rise to GHc14.32 ($1.30 USD) per litre and diesel to GHc16.10 ($1.46 USD) on March 16, driven by global crude volatility. Conversely, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) announced that electricity and water bills will drop in April. Electricity for residential consumers will fall to 196.88 GHp/kWh, influenced by the cedi's projected rate of GHc11.19 to $1 USD.
If you are paying utility bills for family back home, expect a roughly 3-5% reduction in costs starting next month. However, family transport budgets will need to increase immediately due to fuel costs.
The divergence between rising energy input costs and regulated utility drops may squeeze margins for local manufacturers. Watch the Bank of Ghana's policy rate, as experts like Prof. Peter Quartey urge a hold at 15.50% to buffer against this energy volatility.
The Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) market capitalization has reached a record GHc292.58 billion ($26.6 billion USD). This surge in investor confidence coincides with COCOBOD's disbursement of GHc4.2 billion ($381 million USD) to Licensed Buying Companies to clear pending payments to cocoa farmers. Additionally, the Timbuktoo Agritech Hub was launched in Accra with UNDP support to mobilize $1 billion (~$90.9 million USD) for African startups.
The record market cap signals strong liquidity in the Ghanaian market, particularly in the financial and extractive sectors. The COCOBOD injection should also revitalize rural consumer spending in the coming months.
Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has terminated the license of McDan Aviation at Terminal 1, citing non-payment of rent and royalties. McDan Aviation, which invested over $3 million (~$272,727 USD) in the private terminal, has sued GACL, alleging the move is an attempt to collapse an indigenous business despite having settled all arrears.
The High Court's ruling will be a critical indicator for the safety of private capital in state-concessioned infrastructure.
Police killed two suspects during a shootout on the Obuasi-Dunkwa highway and arrested four others in Asankragwa for a GHc200,000 (~$18,181 USD) robbery at a Chinese machinery firm. In Tema, Ghana Water Limited intercepted a massive illegal connection where treated water was being siphoned from a 15-inch main line to private tankers.
Increased police patrols on major highways through the Ashanti and Western regions as they crack down on 'on-sight' targets following these breakthroughs.
The George Bush Highway (N1) will face weekend closures starting March 14 for the expansion of the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange Bridge. Work is expected to last four months, with Madina-bound traffic being the most affected.
If you are visiting or have family commuting through Accra, advise them to use alternative routes through East Legon or Boundary Road on weekends to avoid 4-hour delays.
Shatta Wale announced a new single 'Ain't Nobody' featuring John Legend, while Stonebwoy revealed that the 2026 BHIM Fest will move to London to engage the diaspora. Meanwhile, highlife legend Daddy Lumba's burial at his East Legon residence has sparked a dispute with Ga Dangme traditional leaders, who claim residential burials violate local customs.
These moves represent the continued professionalization and international expansion of 'Brand Ghana' in the creative economy.
Today we covered the upcoming fuel price hike, the relief coming via utility tariff cuts, and the legal dispute at Kotoka Terminal 1. Thank you for reading the Ghana News AI Daily Brief!
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