AGP Executive Report

Kpeshie Lagoon Restoration: The Deputy Chief of Staff has ordered ecological restoration of reclaimed Kpeshie Lagoon sections after demolition of illegal structures at Laboma Beach, with the Forestry Commission and EPA to replant trees and restore the wetland’s flood-control role. Plastic Pollution Push: EPA boss Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse is calling for urgent, coordinated action to close gaps between plastic policies and enforcement, warning that plastic waste is blocking drains and harming rivers, coasts, livelihoods and biodiversity. Atewa Forest Protection: A Rocha Ghana urges government to fast-track Atewa Range Forest Reserve’s conversion into a national park, with community involvement to secure both conservation and green jobs. Rabies Vaccination Drive: VSD launches a mass rabies vaccination campaign targeting 25,000 dogs and cats across high-risk areas to prevent human deaths. Climate-Smart Farming Tech: CSIR scientists will use 3D subsurface imaging to track underground water and nutrients in real time, aiming to boost climate-resilient crop yields. Cocoa Climate Shock: A study highlights heavy rainfall as a major cocoa risk, adding to pressure on Ghana’s cocoa sector as farmers face extreme weather swings. Maternal Health Plan: VP Opoku-Agyemang launches PRIMER, a five-year maternal and newborn emergency response initiative focused on faster, better-quality care and referral systems.

Illegal Mining & Forest Protection: Environmental groups are pushing for Atewa Range Forest Reserve to be upgraded to National Park, citing rising illegal mining that threatens biodiversity, rivers and nearby communities. Coastal Flood Resilience: Authorities have ordered ecological restoration of reclaimed Kpeshie Lagoon buffer zones after demolition of illegal structures, including debris removal and tree planting to help the wetland retain floodwaters. Plastic Pollution Push: Ghana’s EPA is calling for stronger coordination to tackle plastic pollution, linking policy to implementation and financing as the country moves toward biodegradable alternatives. Cocoa Under Climate Stress: A new study highlights how heavy rainfall at the wrong stage can cut cocoa yields, with Ghana’s district-level production records used to show the risk. Sustainable Cocoa Partnership: Meiji Holdings signed a Letter of Intent with Ghana to support a more sustainable cocoa industry and a circular economy, marking Meiji’s 100th anniversary. Health & Safety Nets: Government targets a 20% annual reduction in maternal deaths through PRIMER/MMAP, while LEAP coverage is set to expand to 450,000 households under BIG LEAP. Mental Health Reform: The Mental Health Authority urges suicide prevention to shift from stigma and punishment to early intervention, treatment and support. Horticulture & Green Business: The 14th Ghana Garden and Flower Show opens in Accra, spotlighting horticulture’s jobs potential and the need to integrate greening into development planning.

Plastic Pollution Push: EPA boss Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse calls for urgent, coordinated action to curb plastic pollution, warning gaps between policy and enforcement are choking drains, rivers, beaches and coastal areas. Wetland Restoration: Government orders ecological restoration of reclaimed Kpeshie Lagoon sections after illegal structures were cleared, with Forestry Commission and EPA to reintroduce vegetation to cut flooding risks. Illegal Mining Crackdown: NAIMOS launches “Operation Water Shield,” a sustained campaign to protect key rivers and upper catchments (Birim, Ankobra, Tano, Bia, Pra, Offin, and Black/White Volta) from illegal mining using intelligence-led enforcement and support for recovery. Horticulture for Jobs & Exports: Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang urges investment in horticulture as a full value chain—production, processing, logistics and markets—to create jobs and boost exports, including a cut-flower corridor plan. Cleaner Materials Innovation: The Or Foundation will unveil Foose Materials, a recycled textiles platform turning post-consumer garment waste from Kantamanto into circular building and design products. Transport Safety Debate: Nana Dwomoh Sarpong urges a rethink of Ghana’s road management, targeting congestion, encroachment and unsafe mixing of motorcycles/tricycles with faster traffic.

Illegal Mining Crackdown: NAIMOS has launched “Operation Water Shield,” shifting from one-off raids to a sustained, intelligence-led enforcement push to protect Ghana’s threatened rivers and upper catchments from galamsey damage, with focus on systems like the Birim, Ankobra, Tano, Bia, Pra, Offin and parts of the Black and White Volta. Coastal Flood Protection: The Deputy Chief of Staff has ordered ecological restoration of reclaimed sections of Kpeshie Lagoon after illegal structures were cleared at Laboma, with Forestry Commission and EPA support to plant coconut and other species and help the lagoon recover its floodwater-holding capacity. Laboma Demolition Fallout: REGSEC has begun demolishing beachfront hospitality structures at Laboma Beach in the Kpeshie Lagoon buffer zone, including the Pink Flamingo Lounge, after a 21-day notice—while the Laboma director says thousands of workers and businesses are at risk and urges a halt. Galamsey-China Cooperation: Ghana and China agreed to strengthen collaboration on illegal mining enforcement, including policing Chinese nationals, plus green mining, environmental protection, and geological mapping. Green Business Spotlight: Vice President Opoku-Agyemang praised the Ghana Garden and Flower Show for 14 years of promoting horticulture, environmental stewardship and green jobs, under the theme “Green Means Business, Beauty and More.” Nature-Friendly Weed Control: UENR research validated fermented human urine as an effective, safer natural herbicide for weed control, offering a locally available alternative to synthetic chemicals.

University Funding & Talent Pipeline: UTAG-UG warns low lecturer pay is pushing universities to struggle to attract PhDs and specialised industry experts, arguing GTEC should not take over recruitment without better conditions. Energy & Inequality: ACEP’s Ben Boakye says ECG losses keep worsening and that more government money is only deepening waste and fiscal strain, with the burden ultimately falling on the public. New Economy Plan: NDPC’s chair urges Ghana’s “new economy” to move from macro stability to real structural change—jobs, productivity, and long-term planning beyond election cycles. Cocoa Producer Prices: Cocoa prices slipped after Ghana’s regulator proposed a higher farmer pay rate for 2026/27, with farmers watching for better returns. Climate-Smart Agriculture: CSIR-SARI distributed 2,500 seedlings (mango, cashew, moringa) to 14 communities to support agroforestry, restore degraded lands, and boost food security. Plastic Accountability: A global study using volunteer beach audits links most branded plastic pollution to just 56 companies, with Coca-Cola among the biggest contributors. Gender-Responsive Tax: NETRIGHT urges Ghana to make tax laws more gender-progressive, saying current policies disproportionately hit women and agribusiness. Education Placement Fairness: GNAPS calls for scrapping the 15% SHS priority placement quota, arguing it unfairly disadvantages private school students. Weather Watch: GMet forecasts thunderstorms and rain in parts of Ghana, with mist and fog patches possible early Sunday.

Climate Adaptation, Community-Led: A new GNA feature highlights how Northern Ghana farmers’ lived experience is shaping climate adaptation priorities, pushing government to listen to smallholder realities. Food Security, Seed Systems: Another GNA feature argues Ghana must fix its seed system—quality, timing, access and affordability—if it wants resilient yields under climate stress. Child Protection in Schools: A Bolgatanga Girls’ SHS abuse case is reigniting calls for survivor-centred safeguarding, not just prosecution, with counselling built into school systems. Health Workforce Incentives: President Mahama says health and education workers posted to deprived areas will get a 20% basic salary incentive, aiming to improve staffing where it’s hardest. WASH Funding Pressure: WaterAid Ghana warns delays in releasing WASH funds are undermining the $1.7bn annual need and SDG 6 progress. Greening for Development: Vice President Naana Jane urges greening to be part of development—linked to waste control, drainage, and horticulture jobs—so flood lessons don’t fade. Weather Alert: GMet forecasts thunderstorms and rain across parts of Ghana tonight, with mist and fog patches early Sunday and a rough sea—stay safe.

Mining Value Addition Push: Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Kojo Bonsu, says the country will not settle for exporting raw ore, urging investors to align with local beneficiation and processing capacity as part of President Mahama’s mineral strategy. Critical Minerals Pitch: Ghana courts Australian investors for a post-gold critical minerals future, highlighting lithium, bauxite and iron ore while stressing responsible development. Plastic Pollution Implementation: The EPA says Ghana must move from plastic policies to coordinated action, calling for stronger multi-stakeholder coordination and resources to cut pollution’s impacts on drainage, coasts, biodiversity and public health. Fisheries Enforcement: A look at Ghana’s sea and landing-beach enforcement system shows how illegal fishing threatens fish stocks, jobs and food security—making enforcement central to conservation. Climate Stress on Farms: A prolonged dry spell is withering maize and soybeans in Sissala East and West, raising fears of crop failure after weeks of inadequate rainfall. Transport Decongestion Plan: Government plans a multimodal rail–inland water–road system to ease pressure on highways and Tema Port, including a new port at Mpakadan for container transfers. Cardiovascular Health Drive: NCTC launches World Heart Awareness Month, warning hypertension can hide and urging regular screening and early detection. TVET Skills Scaling: Ghana is part of a wider push to expand AI and digital skills training across TVET institutions, aiming to reach educators and learners nationwide. Green Finance Move: CBG says it’s repositioning financing with ESG standards, targeting renewable energy and climate-smart agriculture to mobilise private capital for sustainable growth.

Climate-Smart Farming: CSIR and partners are using geophysics to help Ghanaian farmers adapt to climate change, with a two-year project deploying low-cost soil sensing to track water dynamics and support resilient farming. Drought Watch: A prolonged dry spell is withering maize and soybean in Sissala East and West, raising fears of crop failure after weeks of poor rainfall. Coastal Resilience: Ghana is targeting 200 hectares of degraded mangrove restoration by October under the IRCC project, with over 100 hectares already planted in Ada and Anloga to protect shorelines and fish habitats. Green Finance Push: Consolidated Bank Ghana says it’s repositioning financing with ESG standards, backing renewable energy and climate-smart agriculture to mobilise private capital for sustainable growth. Cocoa Risk: Fairtrade warns El Niño conditions could disrupt rainfall and heat across West Africa, threatening cocoa communities and the wider supply chain. Port Costs Relief: Government plans to ease Tema Port congestion by dredging an extra berth to reduce clinker delays and demurrage costs for cement makers. Education for Skills: The Education Minister is calling for stronger private-sector partnerships to modernise TVET and make agricultural training more relevant to jobs. Health Reminder: Korle-Bu’s National Cardiothoracic Centre launches World Heart Awareness Month, urging Ghanaians to prioritise screening for hypertension and heart disease.

Waste & Cleanliness Push: Togbe Ghana drops “USE THE BIN” song and video to stop littering at source and protect beaches, drains and waterways. Mining & Jobs (Local Content): Ghana’s Minerals Commission is drafting minimum wage and tender benchmarks for contract mining to curb underbidding that can cut pay and job security. Water Security: Ghana Water Limited says the Tamale–Damongo Water Supply Project will start mid-2027, with consultations and a PAP cut-off set for Oct 1, 2026. Climate Equity: Youth at LCOY Ghana 2026 demand at least 40% of climate adaptation funds go to the four northern regions, with community scorecards to track spending. Coastal Resilience: A call to shift investment inland to ease pressure on the coast and strengthen flood resilience in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Public Value in SOEs: President Mahama warns SOE board chairs not to meddle in day-to-day management, stressing strategic oversight and measurable public value. Health & Safety: Rural farmers face serious snake-bite risks, especially where access to care is limited. Infectious Disease Capacity: GC Labs completes a Lee Jong-wook Fellowship training for infectious disease experts from Ghana and other countries.

Green Finance & Energy Efficiency: The Association of Ghana Industries urged banks to offer tailored financing for energy efficiency projects, saying firms also need technical support to prove costs, returns and savings. SOE Governance & Accountability: The IMF flagged politicised board and CEO appointments as a major weakness in Ghana’s state-owned enterprises, warning it undermines independence and professionalism. Clean Air in Schools: Six Greater Accra SHSs are piloting waste segregation and anti-open-burning measures under the Schools for Clean Air and Waste Segregation project, with composting and recycling support. Flood Aftermath Health Response: In Volta Region, Zoomlion is running disinfection and disinfestation across markets, schools and public facilities after floods to cut disease risks. WASH Funding Push: GWJN and WaterAid Ghana called for higher public investment in water, sanitation and hygiene, citing the need for about $1.7bn yearly to meet targets. Air Pollution & Waste Burning: Accra residents are being urged to report open waste burning as part of a campaign linking waste control to cleaner air. Road Safety Crisis: Transport Minister Nikpe said road fatalities hit 2,954 in 2025 and crashes rose sharply, calling it a national emergency. Mining Partnerships (China): Ghana is seeking deeper mining cooperation with China beyond raw exports, pushing processing, skills and greener practices. Galamsey & Forest Protection: Forestry Commission actions in Atewa Forest Reserve reported arrests of illegal miners, keeping pressure on illegal mining. Ports & Trade: GPHA said Tema Port congestion alone can’t explain cement price hikes, pointing to operational factors and dredging depth improvements.

Health & Aid: Mercy Ships has returned to Ghana after 19 years, with the Global Mercy starting free surgeries in Tema and staying until June 2027, including training for Ghanaian healthcare professionals. Mining & Land Use: A Ghana Gold Intelligence deep-dive examines how the Tarkwa lease renewal process shows the gap between formal mining authority and political, customary and economic influence. Cocoa Livelihoods: Ghana’s cocoa farmers are ageing fast, and the question now is who will farm when today’s producers can’t keep up. Education & Skills: The Complementary Education Agency and partners are pushing stronger lifelong learning and second-chance education so people aren’t left behind by digital change. Child Labour in Cocoa: SEND Ghana urges measurable, community-led action to reduce child labour in cocoa-growing areas. Clean Air in Schools: Six Accra schools are piloting waste segregation and cleaner school environments under the SCAWS project. Climate Finance: Government secured a $7m Green Climate Fund grant for climate-resilient agriculture and early warning in Northern Ghana. Renewables for Campuses: Plans are underway to put solar power systems and streetlights on Ghana’s public universities. Air Pollution Costs: EPA reports air pollution is costing Ghana about US$1.9bn annually, with enforcement against open burning expected. Connectivity Gap: Smartphone use is rising, but network expansion is lagging—rural areas still rely heavily on older 2G/3G coverage.

Bushfire preparedness: The Ghana National Fire Service has appealed for urgent logistical support ahead of the 2026/2027 National Bushfire Prevention Campaign, set to launch Sept. 25 in Atebubu, asking for PPE and firefighting tools plus patrol and community logistics. Food waste & climate-smart storage: Social entrepreneur Mathias Yabe says Ghana wastes 40–50% of fruits and vegetables along the value chain, and is pushing solar-powered refrigeration to cut post-harvest losses. Small-scale mining reforms: DAAD alumni propose policy steps to better manage artisanal and small-scale mining in northern Ghana, including formal community entry processes and stronger coordination for environmental protection. Flood protection for Weija: A $350m Weija Dam spillage flood control project is set to start in December, with a levee canal to route excess water to the Atlantic and protect downstream communities. Sanitation enforcement: Ho authorities move to prosecute alleged human excreta dumping in an open space, while Swedru chiefs warn residents against indiscriminate refuse dumping to curb pollution and disease. Medical oxygen shift: Indo-Ghana begins local liquid oxygen supply using hospital cryogenic storage to reduce cylinder logistics delays and shortages. Coastal erosion warning: Harvard research says West African coasts can lose up to 30 feet of land yearly, and hard barriers may protect one area while worsening erosion elsewhere.

Independent Oversight: President Mahama has inaugurated Ghana’s five-member Independent Fiscal Council, tasking it to scrutinise fiscal decisions, enforce compliance with rules, and protect public money with objective, evidence-based recommendations. Public Health & Safety: FDA warns the public against falsified “Dr Alfred Capsules” sold online after lab tests found undeclared sildenafil; investigations are ongoing. Education Support: Suhum MCE backs 650 BECE graduates for SHS with school items and prizes, expanding an earlier 500-beneficiary plan. Mining, Environment & Accountability: Lands Minister Armah-Kofi Buah urges foreign miners to “not cut corners,” stressing strict environmental compliance. Women in Mining Decisions: Wacam, with partners, holds forums in seven lithium communities to strengthen women’s participation in mining and human-rights decisions. Sanitation & Disease Control: Zoomlion intensifies disinfection in Sefwi Wiawso public facilities after flooding and rainy-season risks. Raptors Conservation: A tagged osprey shot in Ghana spotlights threats to migratory birds and calls for protection across the full flyway. Air Pollution Costs: EPA figures link air pollution to major annual losses in lives and money, urging stronger enforcement. WASH Funding Gap: WaterAid says 90% of WASH projects are donor-funded, calling for more domestic investment and stronger sanitation institutions. Climate Finance for COP31: AGN chair urges Africa to secure adaptation-focused climate finance and shape COP agendas around African priorities. Youth & Peace: VP Opoku-Agyemang calls for investing in young people—education, skills, and decent jobs—to strengthen peace and stability. Energy Sector Debate: PUWU argues Ghana can fix power problems without over-reliance on IMF/World Bank, focusing on generation costs and IPP contracts.

Independent Fiscal Oversight: President Mahama has inaugurated Ghana’s 5-member Independent Fiscal Council, tasked with scrutinising fiscal decisions and boosting transparency to strengthen investor confidence and public service delivery. Environmental Governance & Media: Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah urged journalists to keep spotlighting illegal mining, calling galamsey a threat to forests, water bodies, farmlands and national security. Bushfire Readiness: Ghana’s National Fire Service says bushfire prevention is a national emergency and is setting up the 2026/2027 anti-bushfire campaign launch for Sept 25 in Atebubu, with wide stakeholder involvement. Coastal Climate Impacts: A Keta story shows how storms and sea erosion are swallowing homes and even graves, as coastal balance is disrupted and climate change intensifies damage. Air Quality Pressure: A new Africa air quality brief warns many countries, including in West Africa, still breach WHO air pollution limits for days each year—fuelled by dust and everyday pollution sources. Mining & the Environment: Armah-Kofi Buah points to Zijin’s reclamation approach in China as a model, urging Ghanaian mining firms to protect water, restore land and conserve biodiversity. Digital Access for Rural Youth: The Hunger Project launched an ICT centre in Domi Achiansa to train young people and bridge the rural digital divide. Clean Transport Push: CPCG calls for scaling up electric buses to cut commuting costs and reduce pollution.

Blue Economy Governance: Ghana is set to establish a Blue Economy Commission, with a draft bill under review, to coordinate marine, coastal and inland water management under one legal and institutional framework. Clean Air & Waste in Schools: The Schools for Clean Air and Waste Segregation (SCAWS) project has launched in Accra, selecting six SHSs to pilot waste segregation, organic recovery and cleaner-air practices. EV Skills for Jobs: Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah is pushing for an EV Capacity Building Centre to train Ghanaian mechanics to service and repair electric vehicles as the sector grows. Investigative Watchdog Role: Armah-Kofi Buah also urged Ghanaian journalists to intensify specialised, data-driven scrutiny of mining and natural resource management. Galamsey & Enforcement Pressure: Forestry Commission reports of arrests of illegal miners in Atewa Forest Reserve keep the spotlight on environmental enforcement and land protection. Digital Connectivity: NCA is scheduled to complete 5G spectrum assignment before end-2026 and begin deployment, while Ghana also plans more cell sites to improve rural connectivity. Diaspora Emergency Support: Foreign Affairs will launch a Ghanaian Diaspora Consular Fund to finance emergency evacuations and repatriations for Ghanaians abroad. Packaging & Recycling Investment: Coverage highlights Africa’s packaging growth and the rising business case for recycling, recovered materials and packaging infrastructure.

Upstream Oil Governance: Ghana’s Petroleum Commission hosted Uganda’s Petroleum Authority board for peer learning on petroleum governance, cost control, health & safety, and environmental standards—plus stronger local content. Digital TV Costs: Ghana will introduce a new cost-sharing framework for stations on the DTT platform from January 2027, with an initial US$7,000 monthly payment per station. Climate Diplomacy & Food Systems: AGN chair Nana Dr Antwi-Boasiako Amoah urged COP planning to reject a false choice between feeding Africa and climate action, centring agriculture and food systems. Illegal Mining & Water/Environment Pressure: A call for urgent parliamentary scrutiny of an alleged US$1.7bn gold loss also tied the issue to galamsey’s damage to water and the environment. Biodiversity & Marine Conservation: Western Region GNA journalists were honoured for marine conservation reporting, highlighting fisheries and environmental protection. Tree Planting Push: Ghanaians were urged to sustain afforestation and protect new trees to fight climate change. Sanitation Enforcement: Kpone-Katamanso Assembly plans stricter enforcement of sanitation by-laws in Akansah after repeated breaches. Community Climate Inclusion: A gender-responsive adaptation workshop stressed women and underrepresented groups must shape climate planning and financing. Science for Environment Monitoring: KNUST’s new photonics and optics lab aims to build local capacity for advanced instruments, including soil and water heavy-metal detection. Health & Safety Education: Pregnancy School initiative in Kwabre East praised for improving maternal care through structured guidance.