AGP Executive Report

Climate Diplomacy: African climate negotiators are in Accra to lock in priorities for COP31, focusing on the Global Just Transition Mechanism, climate finance, adaptation, technology transfer and implementation issues. Coastal Heritage Protection: South Korea has committed $4.5m via KOICA to help Ghana protect UNESCO forts and castles from coastal erosion and climate impacts, using hybrid ecosystem-based approaches plus monitoring and restoration for nearby fishing communities. Sanitation & Food Safety: Hohoe Municipal Assembly will screen and educate food and drink vendors from Aug 17 to Sept 25, charging GHS 50 per vendor, with sanctions for non-compliance. Water & Health Systems: Rotary Club of Wa is pursuing a USD 106,875 WASH grant for rural communities in Upper West and Savannah, targeting safe water and sanitation access. Energy Policy: The IMF urges Ghana to keep quarterly electricity tariff adjustments to reduce energy-sector fiscal risks as the sector shortfall remains a major pressure. Galamsey Impact (Opinion): A new piece argues galamsey is destroying water, land and livelihoods, and calls for a deeper conversation beyond jobs and gold. Tourism Economy: Ghana’s tourism receipts hit $4.34bn in 2025 with international arrivals rising to 1.3m, alongside growth in domestic visits. Cocoa Sector: Cocoa prices edged up as El Niño-linked weather concerns and expectations of lower West African output support the market. Digital Inclusion: MTN Ghana reiterates its push for digital inclusion and community impact as it marks 30 years in Ghana.

Sanitation & Waste Management: An environmental communication expert says Ghana’s sanitation crisis is rooted in years of underinvestment, calling for better waste collection equipment, logistics, engineered landfill sites and stronger enforcement across all districts. Galamsey & Forest Recovery: Ghana Gold Board CEO Sammy Gyamfi says GoldBod will support reclamation of three devastated forest reserves in 2027 and blames the galamsey crisis on decades of weak formalisation, limited safeguards and poor traceability in gold buying. Plastics & Greener Connectivity: Telecel Ghana launches a biodegradable Eco-SIM made with 90% less plastic, pushing the telecom industry to cut single-use plastic waste. Corporate Nature Accountability: A new report warns directors across Africa could face legal penalties if they ignore nature-related risks like biodiversity loss and land degradation. Health Safety Standards: Ghana’s Health Service will require all facilities to keep functional oxygen and pulse oximeters to close gaps in emergency respiratory care. Debt & Gold Dependence: The IMF cautions Ghana’s heavy reliance on gold exports leaves the economy exposed to global gold price swings, while IBA warns debt restructuring gains could face pressure in 2027/28.

Healthcare Leadership: Western Region welcomes Dr. Godfred Kwabena Sarpong as Regional Health Director, following the transfer of Dr. Marion Okoh-Owusu to GHS HQ in Accra. Emergency Care Boost: MTN Ghana Foundation cuts sod for a new 60-bed Accident and Emergency block at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Hospital, Asikuma, to ease overcrowding and reduce preventable deaths. Disability Rights: A Ho mother of a child with cerebral palsy speaks out on housing and school stigma, urging the public to end discrimination. Youth Skills & Jobs: Social Welfare Girls’ Technical Institute graduates 94 in Cape Coast, with a push for digital skills and AI-ready professionalism. Culture & Climate/Mining Awareness: Bono CNC holds maiden STUDRAFEST, with school drama tackling drug abuse, indiscipline, climate change and illegal mining. Governance & Inclusion: Oti presiding members praise the Regional Minister’s inclusive leadership and closer ties with assemblies. Environment & Food Security Alarm: Archbishop Duncan-Williams calls for prayers over polluted water and degraded lands, warning galamsey could poison soil and threaten Ghana’s food supply. Galamsey Fight (Policy): Eric Adjei urges a united, non-partisan national front against illegal mining as a “pandemic” harming water, health and livelihoods. Plastics & Flood Risk (Accra): Pink Flamingo Beach Club says it remains open despite a 21-day REGSEC eviction order tied to the Laboma/Kpeshie Lagoon buffer zone. Education Infrastructure: Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu announces Apam SHS upgrade from Category B to A under STARR-J, plus plans to complete stalled GETFund projects. Cocoa Law Controversy: NPP raises concerns that Clause 81 of the Cocoa Board Bill could infringe farmers’ property rights by restricting farm conversion without approval. Waste Solution Idea: An opinion piece argues Ghana needs a rail-integrated system for moving large volumes of municipal waste out of major cities to cut health and drainage problems.

Flood Risk Watch: NADMO has issued a preemptive alert for Ghana’s North East after Burkina Faso’s Bagre Dam is expected to be opened on August 11, raising White Volta flows and threatening low-lying communities, farms and fishing. Illegal Mining Pressure: In Berekum, residents plan a major protest against galamsey over destroyed farmlands and polluted water bodies, demanding action to stop illegal operations and protect food security. Plastics & Disaster Recovery: Traders at Accra’s Circle Plastic Market are still rebuilding after June 29 floods and a subsequent fire left shops destroyed, with many now operating from temporary structures. Renewables Update: Bui Power Authority says it nearly doubled solar capacity to 105MWp and posted US$66.2m net profit in 2025, pointing to a cleaner energy push. Cocoa & Forests: Touton’s cocoa and forests report claims sustainability gains, including support for hundreds of thousands of farms, agroforestry expansion, and thousands of workers in empowerment schemes. Digital Health: WHO donated laptops to strengthen Ghana’s disease surveillance and faster outbreak reporting using IDSR tools. Energy Policy Debate: Prof. Godfred Bokpin urges transparency and clearer private-sector roles in ECG reforms, warning energy-sector weaknesses still threaten fiscal stability. Youth & Climate Learning: KOA Green Initiative ran an environmental challenge among SHSs, backing student solutions to local school environmental problems.

Environment & Governance: Acting Environment Minister Emmanuel Kofi Buah led an Adua prayer for late Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, linking his legacy to environmental sustainability and national development, as Ghana marks the first anniversary of the Aug 6, 2025 helicopter crash. Illegal Mining & Water: Dr Joshua Zaato says galamsey must be treated as the core issue behind the crash memorial, warning that forests and water bodies are still being destroyed. Climate & Education: Western Region’s STUDRAFEST 2026 drama festival for SHS students included climate change themes, while KOA Green Initiative ran an environmental challenge to fund student-led solutions. Food Security & Agriculture: Sekondi-Takoradi residents have started receiving poultry birds under the Nkoko Nkitinkiti Programme to boost local production and reduce import dependence. Health & Public Safety: WHO donated laptops to strengthen Ghana’s disease surveillance, and KNUST warns hypertension is rising fast, calling for urgent public health action.

Flood Response in Ningo-Prampram: 7,566 residents in 10 communities were affected by the June 29 floods, with 1,318 houses hit; NADMO assessed damage and relief was distributed, while the assembly keeps monitoring and pushing sanitation to cut disease risks. Air Pollution From Delayed Works: Experts warn that stalled road projects—like the Adentan–Dodowa upgrade—leave communities in dust and harmful pollutants, raising health risks and pointing to payment delays and weak oversight. Climate Governance Push: A Northern stakeholder meeting framed climate change as an economic and public health threat, urging stronger sub-national action aligned with Ghana’s sustainability agenda. Green Cities & Waste: A national dialogue on green urban development stressed practical, bankable projects, with experts calling for waste segregation at source and circular-economy planning. Plastics Policy Update: EPA Deputy CEO backs naming Ghana’s plastics law after Murtala Mohammed, as the country debates affordability versus pollution control. Used-Vehicle Standards: From Oct 1, 2026, GSA will strictly enforce import guidelines for used vehicles, blocking flood-damaged, fire-damaged, and other unsafe categories. Energy Sector Accountability: Energy Minister Jinapor urged aggressive electricity bill collection from state institutions not exempt, saying unpaid bills unfairly shift costs to paying consumers.

Flood Risk & Enforcement: Spear Institute is urging Ghana to overhaul flood management by shifting from disaster response to long-term prevention and climate resilience, pointing to weaknesses exposed by the June 29 Accra floods. Urban Flood Control: Heavy security was deployed at Laboma Beach ahead of a demolition exercise meant to clear unauthorised structures blamed for blocking drainage and worsening flooding. Illegal Mining & Food Security: GEM warns galamsey is eroding farmland and undermining long-term food security, while agricultural advocates say it’s also pushing up food prices by disrupting production. Standards & Environment: Ghana Standards Authority says it will strictly enforce used-vehicle import guidelines from October 1, 2026, targeting flood-damaged, fire-damaged, salvaged and other unsafe vehicles. Renewables Push: Government reaffirmed a target of at least 10% renewable energy penetration by 2030, with Bui Power Authority expected to spearhead expansion. Energy Sector Performance: Bui Power Authority reported US$66.2m net profit for 2025, citing solar capacity growth alongside hydropower reliability. Policy & Governance: President Mahama named Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings as Environment, Science and Technology Minister-designate, and Kenneth Gilbert Adjei as Defence Minister in a major reshuffle.

Climate Governance: Northern Regional Minister Ali Adolf John Mburidiba says climate change is now an economic and public health threat, pushing for stronger sub-national action under Ghana’s Reset agenda. Water & Infrastructure: Ghana Water Limited begins a three-day maintenance shutdown of the Kpong–Tema transmission pipelines, with weakened sections needing urgent replacement and supply disruptions across parts of Greater Accra and Eastern regions. Cocoa Sector Reform: COCOBOD rolls out education on the newly passed Cocoa Board Bill, 2026, including tighter controls on felling cocoa trees and protections meant to stabilise the sector amid illegal mining concerns; farmers’ groups welcome the reforms while watching how pay and conditions will be implemented. Carbon Markets Push: Türkiye, Ghana and Luxembourg join the Coalition to Grow Carbon Markets ahead of COP31, aiming to boost demand for high-integrity carbon credits and unlock climate finance. Health Access Partnership: Ghana Medical Trust Fund signs a partnership with MDS-Lancet and Quest Medical Imaging to expand access to quality diagnostics, especially for chronic and non-communicable diseases. Road Safety for Tourism: GHATEX launches a $400,000, five-year road safety and tourism project focused on behaviour change to reduce crashes and protect Ghana’s visitor economy.

Education Infrastructure: GETFund-backed Saka Homes has broken ground for a 250-bed boys’ dormitory at Achimota School, with solar power, disability access and other eco-friendly design features. Healthcare & Tech Governance: Ghana’s Ministry of Health is drafting a National AI Health Policy and Guidelines to set rules for safe, ethical AI use in healthcare. Public Health Safety: The Ghana Health Service says all facilities must have functional medical oxygen and working pulse oximeters as minimum standards for emergency and respiratory care. Sanitation & Clean Water: Civil servants joined a clean-up at the Ministerial Enclave, while the Lands Ministry says water quality in the Pra, Ankobra and Birim rivers is showing marginal improvement after anti-illegal mining efforts. Marine Conservation Angle: A new push links surfing “wave reserves” with marine protection, arguing that cleaner coastlines can boost biodiversity. Illegal Mining Accountability: EPA officials and civil society renewed calls to intensify action against galamsey, framing it as an ongoing ecocide tied to human suffering. Youth & Environment: Telecel Ghana launched a biodegradable Eco-SIM to cut plastic waste from SIM production. Cocoa & Livelihoods: Cocoa prices fell as Ghana reported higher harvest volumes, adding pressure on farmers and the sector’s disease and weather risks.

Illegal Mining & Accountability: One year after the Aug 6, 2025 helicopter crash that killed eight officials on an anti-galamsey mission, Ghanaians are still asking what has changed—and the NPP is demanding measurable progress and updates on the crash probe. Water & Pollution Watch: The Water Resources Commission reports a slight 2025 improvement in water quality (to 60.6%), but warns illegal mining remains a threat; Ghana Water Limited also plans a three-day Kpong-Tema pipeline maintenance water cut affecting parts of Accra and Eastern. Sanitation & Waste Management: Government moves to formalise waste transfer loading stations and integrate tricycle waste collectors, with Zoomlion transfer stations reopening to speed up evacuation. Health & Environment: WHO donated laptops to strengthen Ghana’s disease surveillance and response; Upper West Regional Hospital commissioned an expanded dialysis unit, boosting access for patients. Climate Finance & Carbon Markets: Türkiye, Ghana and Luxembourg join the Coalition to Grow Carbon Markets ahead of COP31, pushing demand for high-integrity carbon credits. Agriculture for Resilience: About 150 Bono smallholder vegetable farmers trained on better agronomy and safe agrochemical use. Finance Stability: Bank of Ghana directs banks to cut non-performing loans to below 10% by end-2026, while the Ghana Reference Rate edges up to 10.61%. School Safety: Education Ministry orders investigations and sanctions after violence at Obuasi SHTS.

Urban Environment & Waste Work: Labour Minister Dr Abdul Rashid Pelpuo urged ministries, assemblies and recycling firms to work with the newly launched National Informal Waste Worker Union to strengthen Ghana’s circular economy and protect informal waste workers’ welfare. Food Safety & Sanitation: Ho Municipal Assembly supervised the destruction of expired and unwholesome beverages and food products after court action, underscoring enforcement at the Integrated Recycling and Compost Plant. Agriculture & Climate Resilience: MoFA and the African Agribusiness Consortium will set up a 750-acre irrigated vegetable hub for 118 RUDN graduates, while CSIR called for more research and climate-resilient varieties to cut tomato and ginger imports. Wildlife & Biodiversity: A report warns a rare monkey’s disappearance signals a wider biodiversity crisis in West Africa. Water & Health Equity: Speaker Bagbin commissioned an expanded GH¢4m dialysis unit at Upper West Regional Hospital, adding six machines to reduce long-distance travel for kidney care. Cocoa & Weather: El Niño and heavy rains are linked to a cocoa “bull market,” with production risks tied to erratic rainfall and disease pressure.

Wildlife Protection: Ghana’s Forestry Commission starts the 2026 closed season (Aug 1–Dec 1), urging the public to stop hunting and killing wild animals, with penalties including fines and prison. River Flood Control: VRA begins stakeholder engagements for dredging the Lower Volta River to tackle siltation and water hyacinth and reduce future flood risk. Food Security & Farming Jobs: Government allocates 750 acres at Pwalugu to 118 Russia-trained graduates for commercial vegetable production under Feed Ghana, with irrigation support and logistics. Maternal Health: Access Bank and UNFPA deepen their partnership to end obstetric fistula, launching a Fistula Trust Fund to expand surgeries and rehabilitation. Agriculture Prices: TCDA sets August producer prices for oil palm and rubber to guide fair marketing for farmers. Biodiversity Warning: A rare West African monkey’s possible disappearance is flagged as a sign of a wider biodiversity crisis, urging stronger ecosystem protection. Energy & Environment: Ghana Gas reports strong 2025 results and pushes for more gas infrastructure to support the Gas-to-Power agenda.

Methane Rules for Oil & Gas: EPA has launched national guidelines to cut fugitive methane emissions, tightening leak detection, reporting and repair timelines and adding stricter controls on venting and flaring. Plastic & Waste Policy: EPA is pushing ahead with the styrofoam ban timeline, while government also moves to stabilise Accra sanitation—Zoomlion says transfer stations are back online and tricycle waste collectors will be formalised into the long-term waste system. Circular Economy & Livelihoods: Green Africa Youth Organisation has launched a national union for informal waste workers to give pickers a stronger voice on safer work, social protection and policy participation. Water Supply Reliability: Ghana Water Ltd will shut Kpong Treatment Plant for three days for pipeline maintenance, warning of temporary interruptions and lower pressure in parts of Accra. Sand Mining Watch: Stakeholders have validated a draft regulatory framework for sustainable sand mining in the White Volta River Basin to curb illegal, unregulated extraction and protect riparian lands. Wildlife & Environment Governance: A forum in Tamale backed a community-based approach to sand mining, while conservation groups continue urging stronger wildlife protection.

Marine Conservation & Data Sharing: The Fisheries Commission’s Prof. Berchie Asiedu urges Gulf of Guinea countries to share fisheries and marine biodiversity data to unlock international funding for ocean protection and coastal livelihoods. Illegal Mining & Forest Governance: The Forestry Commission admits 84 students into its Natural Resources Management programme to build skills for tackling illegal mining, illegal logging and biodiversity threats. Cocoa Sector Reform: Parliament’s Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee chair Dr Godfred Seidu Jasaw defends passing the Cocoa Bill urgently ahead of the 2026/27 season, citing climate change, illegal mining and financing gaps. Public Health & Environment Safety: A controversy over a proposed anthrax-burial-site development at Kwabedu has raised fears of a public health disaster, with veterinary officials warning of cross-border epidemic risk. Climate-Resilient Food Systems: Ghana secures $18.8m from the AfDB to boost local rice production under the REWARD project, aiming to cut import dependence and strengthen value chains. Waste & Sanitation Enforcement (Regional): Oyo State begins enforcing mandatory waste bins for buildings, warning of penalties for unapproved waste disposal. Biodiversity Restoration (Global): Earthshot Prize progress reports highlight measurable gains in ocean protection, land restoration and clean energy, including large-scale waste diversion and recycled water.

Energy & Industry: President Mahama commissioned the refurbished Crude Distillation Unit at Tema Oil Refinery, ending a 10-year dormancy and aiming to lift processing capacity to about 45,000–55,000 barrels per stream day, after plans to lease TOR for US$22m were dropped. Cocoa & Livelihoods: Parliament’s Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee fast-tracked the new Cocoa Bill under urgency so reforms can start before the September buying season, as climate change, illegal mining and declining yields squeeze farmers. Environment & Water: Researchers say rice farmers can cut irrigation water use by over 30% using Alternate Wetting and Drying without losing yields—good news for water-stressed farming. Sanitation & Waste: Government moves to regularise waste transfer stations as long-term sanitation reforms gain momentum. Climate Governance: Northern Regional Minister pushes local stakeholder action on climate change and sustainability to build resilient communities. Health & Community: MTN Ghana Foundation’s 60-bed maternity and child health block in Keta continues improving newborn and maternal care. Youth & Stewardship: A Paramount Chief urged youth to be faithful environmental stewards, linking environmental justice to human rights.

Sanitation & Public Health: President Mahama reacted to a viral Tema New Town fish-processing video, urging citizens to take responsibility for keeping communities clean and warning that poor waste disposal worsens flooding and environmental harm. Cocoa Sector & Land Use: Cocobod’s public affairs director proposes steep $50,000 fines for each cocoa tree destroyed, as farmers face disease, climate stress and sector reorganisation; meanwhile Akim Swedru MP Kennedy Osei Nyarko says the new COCOBOD Act’s land-use restrictions could unfairly limit farmers’ rights. Energy & Industry: Mahama says Tema Oil Refinery is “back,” commissioning refurbished units and directing a plan to expand capacity from 40,000 to 100,000 barrels per day—aimed at stronger energy security and industrial growth. Power Grid Reliability: Government stakeholders discussed unreliable electricity and coping strategies, alongside plans for more generation and a second gas processing plant at Atuabo to cut fuel dependence and boost jobs. Climate-Health Link: Experts warn climate change is accelerating infectious diseases like dengue, chikungunya and malaria as extreme weather events intensify. Biodiversity & Food Security: Ghana deposited 422 crop genetic samples into Norway’s Svalbard Seed Vault to safeguard plant diversity against climate and disease threats. Tourism & Conservation: Ghana moves to develop a geotourism programme, linking geological heritage to sustainable tourism, jobs, science education and environmental conservation.