AGP Executive Report

Sustainable Sand Mining: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) convened a Tamale forum on protecting the White Volta River, linking illegal sand mining and riverbank farming to declining water quality and quantity for Greater Tamale. Human Trafficking & Galamsey: At Aflao, immigration and partners urged Ghana to add victim protection to anti-galamsey enforcement, warning that raids without identification and support can disrupt trafficking networks without dismantling them. Marine Conservation Finance: Fisheries and marine experts began talks on a Payment for Ecosystem Services framework to fund coastal and marine conservation, arguing for inclusive, sustainable ocean resource use rather than strict exclusion. Mangabey Protection: WAPCA will mark Mangabey Awareness Day at Cape Three Points on Aug 1, spotlighting threats from illegal mining, logging, hunting and calling for healthier forests and communities. Sanitation & Waste: Ashaiman’s MCE pushed waste segregation at source as the municipality generates about 150 tonnes of waste daily, while Ghana’s EPA moves to intensify public education ahead of the styrofoam ban. Vehicle Import Safety: The Ghana Standards Authority set Oct 1, 2026 for Pre-Export Verification of Conformity to block flood-damaged, burnt and over-aged used vehicles. Climate Risk: Ghana Red Cross warned climate change is intensifying flood disasters and launched an emergency response for 30,000 victims. Economy & Cocoa Pressure: IMF says Ghana’s $3bn programme is complete and gains are more durable, while COCOBOD projects cocoa output could fall by at least 16% next season due to disease, aging farms and weather.

Clean Air & Health: A 2025 State of Global Air report says open waste burning killed over 32,000 people in Ghana in 2023, with campaigns like Breathe Adentan pushing schools to stop “borla” burning that worsens coughs and asthma. Human Trafficking Watch: The Gender Minister warns traffickers now use fake jobs, online relationships and scam migration offers to exploit youth, urging parents and communities to report suspicious activity. Sanitation Crisis in Schools: Parliament’s PAC hears only about 7,000 of 125,000 school projects have toilet facilities (a 94.5% deficit), hitting hygiene and especially girls’ attendance during menstruation. Cocoa Under Climate Pressure: COCOBOD projects Ghana’s cocoa output will drop at least 16% in 2026/27 due to El Niño-linked weather, swollen shoot disease, ageing farms and galamsey encroachment. Urban Resilience Push: Government launches a 10-year National Urban Policy to tackle housing shortages, flooding, congestion and slums, with the World Bank estimating Ghana needs US$37bn yearly for infrastructure. VALCO Not for Sale: Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah says VALCO won’t be sold—government is only seeking a strategic investor to revive the plant, which needs over US$700m and is weighed down by power debts. Cocoa Law Update: Parliament passes the COCOBOD Bill guaranteeing farmers at least 70% of FOB price and requiring local processing, plus funds and a cocoa tribunal to manage sector disputes.

Wildlife Protection: Ghana’s Wildlife Division declares the 2026 closed season from August 1 to December 1, banning hunting, capturing and killing of wild animals (except grasscutter), with penalties for violators. Mangrove Restoration: ActionAid Ghana and partners launch a mangrove restoration drive in Ada West, targeting 38 hectares and about 95,000 seedlings to boost coastal protection and biodiversity. Sanitation & Disaster Readiness: Upper East sanitation officials cite weak waste management and enforcement by district assemblies, while NADMO steps up school safety audits to prevent floods, fires and building hazards. Cocoa Farmers’ Share: Parliament passes the Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026, guaranteeing farmers at least 70% of FOB export price and strengthening COCOBOD’s role across the cocoa value chain. Road Tolling Upgrade: Parliament approves a 20-year concession for nationwide electronic road tolling at 66 locations across 13 corridors, with government taking 70% of gross toll revenue. Hepatitis Push: Government reaffirms its goal to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030, citing millions living with hepatitis B and C and calling for wider testing, vaccination and treatment. Youth Clean-Up: NYA announces a nationwide National Youth Clean-Up Exercise on August 1 in all district capitals to improve community sanitation. Mining & Jobs: VALCO is not for sale; government seeks a strategic investor to revive the plant, while calls continue for stronger protection against illegal mining and environmental damage.

Styrofoam Ban: Ghana’s EPA is moving to ban Styrofoam products from early 2027, with environmental experts calling it a long-overdue step to cut decades-long waste and protect public health. Urban Living & Flooding: The NDPC says the Revised National Urban Policy (2026–2035) and slum upgrading strategy will only work if MDAs, RCCs and assemblies coordinate well, with clear monitoring and accountability. 24-Hour Economy Markets: Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipal Assembly has received an MoU with the Ghana Prisons Service to release prison land for a 24-Hour Economy Market, with construction already underway and facilities planned to boost jobs and local trade. Agriculture & Soil Health: MoFA has signed an MoU with OMANBAPA AgriTech to set up an organic fertiliser plant in the Bono Region, turning crop residues into fertiliser to improve soil and reduce reliance on inorganic inputs. Health Access: The Ghana Medical Trust Fund is exploring partnerships with diagnostic providers to expand timely, specialised testing for beneficiaries. Energy Security: A deputy energy minister assured investors of more reliable power for industry, citing debt clearance to IPPs and improved generation and transmission performance. Digital Push: MTN Ghana plans US$1.1bn over three years to expand network coverage, scale digital services and strengthen Mobile Money. Labour & Work of the Future: The National Labour Commission is being urged to build capacity to respond to AI, climate and digital-driven changes in jobs. Rights in the Digital Space: CHRAJ urges Ghanaians to challenge rights abuses in court, saying one successful case can shift how institutions act. Trade Rules: Parliament has passed the Customs Bill, 2026, to modernise customs procedures, strengthen border security and improve revenue.

Plastic & Waste Action: Eco-Plastic Week in Tamale pushed community-led solutions to plastic pollution, with art and public dialogue aimed at cutting waste at source. Mining & Water Protection: Bono REGSEC ordered mining firms to submit licences and permits by Aug 3 after a viral video alleged pollution of the Atronie River, with EPA and WRC tasked to assess impacts. Textiles Waste (Global): A Las Vegas waste crisis report highlights how fast fashion drives huge textile landfill volumes, pointing to reuse and upcycling as practical pressure valves. Housing & Urban Resilience: Ghana’s housing and urban strategy assessment has begun using the VIRAL framework to improve coordination, regulations, and affordable housing delivery—key for tackling housing gaps and flooding-linked stress. Green Maritime (Policy/Jobs): Dakuku Peterside argues decarbonising shipping is both a regulatory must and a competitive advantage as carbon rules tighten. Biodiversity Win (Global): Nepal’s tiger numbers reportedly rose about 20% to an estimated 429, credited to better habitat protection. Local Accountability: Accra’s AMA arrested a coconut trader for allegedly turning a bus stop into storage, reinforcing efforts to reduce street obstruction and improve public space use.

Medical Leadership: The Society of Medical Laboratory Managers, Ghana (SMLM‑G) elected Dr. Stephen Justice Adusu as Board Chair (2026–2028) after a 99% mandate, as members push for better staffing, equipment reliability, reagents, and quality systems. People vs. Machines in Health: A keynote at the SMLM‑G AGM stressed that “machines do not produce quality laboratory results by themselves, people do,” calling for investment in laboratory professionals. Forests & Climate Policy: Ghana’s forestry delegation benchmarked Korea’s forest restoration and digital forest management at the Korea Forest Service, including lessons from nationwide public participation. Waste & Climate Skills: GAIA Africa and GAYO launched the in-person Africa Zero Waste Academy 2026 in Kpong to train future zero-waste and climate practitioners through field learning. Mining, Communities & Royalties: Gold Fields defended its Tarkwa lease renewal, saying about 74 cents of every dollar stays in Ghana via taxes, procurement and community investment, while the Ghana Chamber of Mines argues host communities should get at least 30% of mineral royalties. Environmental Accountability: The Auditor-General flagged GH¢94.6m losses and control weaknesses in the Green Ghana Project, urging stronger oversight to protect Ghana’s tree-planting goals. Local Environmental Harm: Residents in Bekwai protested Day Shine Quarry over blasting vibrations, dust and health risks, demanding action and compensation. Sanitation & Public Health: Jospong Group urged full citizen participation ahead of National Sanitation Day, backing media-led accountability to end open defecation. Press Freedom Under Threat: IPI reported 26 attacks and threats against environmental journalists across sub-Saharan Africa, with illegal mining, logging and oil reporting among the most dangerous beats.

Sanitation Accountability Push: Jospong Group’s Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong backs a more “everyone-in” National Sanitation Day, with media monitoring of MMDCE sanitation performance. Construction Safety & Skills: Ghana Standards Authority urges certification and continuous training for artisans to prevent “concrete time bomb” failures and improve built-environment safety. Dog and Cat Slaughter Ban: Institute of Community Sustainability plans to petition Ghana’s Supreme Court to enforce the law against slaughter and consumption of dogs and cats, citing animal welfare and public health risks. Plastic Pollution Fight: GMA and health advocates renew calls to extend styrofoam bans to single-use plastics to curb environmental and public health harm. Mining & Environment: Minerals Commission steps up anti-galamsey cooperation with China, while cocoa-driven deforestation in Liberia raises fears of EU import bans under the EUDR. Urban Planning for Climate Resilience: Government launches National Urban Policy (2026–2035) and Slum Upgrading and Prevention Strategy (2026–2035), stressing implementation at local level. Critical Minerals Governance: A high-level Accra conference pushes a transparency-first charter so critical minerals bring citizen benefit, not conflict. Water & Waste Solutions: Community and policy efforts highlight sanitation and waste recycling as practical routes to cleaner, healthier environments.

IMF Deal: The IMF has completed its sixth and final review of Ghana’s $3bn ECF, approving a final disbursement of about $371m (SDR 265.9m) and saying Ghana’s performance is broadly satisfactory, with inflation down and debt risks moderated. Heat & Power Gap: A new Climate Impact Lab report warns Ghana could face a “mortality-cooling trap,” with rising heat but not enough electricity growth to power cooling, projecting thousands of extra heat-related deaths by 2050. Floods, Waste & Planning: IOM urges Accra to integrate migration and climate change into local planning, including flood risk reduction and waste-to-livelihood solutions in Old Fadama. Plastics & Public Health: The Ghana Medical Association calls for extending Ghana’s Styrofoam ban to all single-use plastics, linking plastic waste to choked drains and worsening flooding. Energy Transition & Grid Reliability: Energy and Green Transition Minister Dr John Jinapor says financing is the biggest barrier to unlocking Africa’s energy potential, while Lauritz Knudsen highlights solutions to cut downtime costs from unreliable power. Education Shift: Ghana’s Education Ministry says it will end the double-track system within 24 months, supported by a World Bank facility focused on infrastructure. Green Agriculture: FAGE and COCOFEG donate coconut seedlings for UG Green Week, pushing climate-smart horticulture and youth agribusiness. Mining Debate: Gold Fields defends its Tarkwa lease renewal, arguing most value stays in Ghana through taxes, royalties, local procurement and community investment.

Water & Sanitation: Gold Fields Ghana Foundation and World Vision handed over a sustainable water system to Damang residents, adding rehabilitated boreholes, a 100-cubic-metre reservoir, solar pumping, standpipes and household connections for 200+ homes, schools and health facilities. Lagoon Restoration: The Tema Traditional Council is calling for urgent action to restore Sakumo Lagoon’s ecological health, warning siltation, weeds and human activity are worsening flooding and threatening the Ramsar wetland. Climate-Ready Cities: IOM Ghana urged Accra authorities to fold migration and climate change into local planning, including better migrant data and flood-risk and waste-to-livelihood solutions in Old Fadama. Community Health: AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi backed preventive care with its second 2026 Community Mini Clinic, saying 20,000+ people have benefited since 2021. Plastic & Waste Skills: GAIA Africa and GAYO began the in-person Africa Zero Waste Academy in Kpong to train young waste practitioners on local zero-waste systems. Mining Governance Clash: ICU-Ghana and other groups are pressuring President Mahama over the proposed sale of a 70% VALCO stake, while GIADEC denies claims linking Ibrahim Mahama to any acquisition. Policy Watch: NDPC started a workshop to firm up Ghana’s Human Capital Development Strategy, targeting skills, health and education outcomes.

IMF Greenlights Ghana’s Next Step: The IMF Executive Board is set to approve Ghana’s final ECF review and a 36-month Policy Coordination Instrument, unlocking about US$318m and guiding reforms after the bailout. Sanitation Push: Oforikrom’s MCE is urging more funding for household toilets to tackle open defecation, while Accra-Tema residents call for stricter sanitation law enforcement. Plastic Pollution Fight: The Ghana Medical Association wants Ghana to extend the styrofoam phase-out to all single-use plastics, linking waste to blocked drains and flooding. Mining & Land Rights: Apinto Divisional Council urges government not to renew Gold Fields’ Tarkwa lease, citing degraded Apinto lands and calling for Ghanaian ownership and community stakes. Climate-Smart in the West: Friends of Nation pilots climate-smart solutions in Ellembelle, Jomoro and Nzema East, including school roofing and fish-pond fencing. Agriculture Under Pressure: Upper East women farmers get hope from biochar training as fertiliser prices keep rising. Road Safety Court Case: A lawyer sues DVLA and NIC over registration, licensing and insurance of Toyota Voxy Noah vehicles, alleging non-compliance with standards. Jobs vs Growth Debate: An editorial and budget commentary warn that macro recovery must translate into youth jobs, not just improved indicators.

Flood Governance & Planning Failures: A new feature argues Ghana’s recurring urban flooding is not just about rainfall, but about weak enforcement of planning rules, drainage neglect, and encroachment on wetlands—calling for sustained implementation, not post-disaster reactions. Local Climate Action: Eight district assemblies pledged to speed up climate adaptation plans after recent floods, moving from risk assessments to financing and real projects. Sanitation Accountability: M-CODE urged stronger sanitation education and tougher assembly action—regular drain dredging, waste collection, and enforcement of sanitation by-laws—while another report calls for sanctions against officials who approve illegal developments in waterways and flood-prone areas. Women in Mining: Friends of the Nation pushed for at least 30% of the Mineral Development Fund to support women’s needs in mining communities through gender-responsive guidelines. Green Cover in Sunyani: ASA Savings and Loans donated 500 seedlings to schools to restore fading greenery and improve resilience to heat and storms. Creative Economy Funding Gap: A critique says Ghana’s promised Film Fund and Creative Arts Fund are missing from the Mid-Year Budget Review updates.

Autism Care Access: Ghana is being urged to set up community autism units so families don’t have to travel long distances for support, with advocates warning that isolation and stigma can limit children’s independence. Flood Risk & Accountability: A call is growing for strict sanctions against officials who approve illegal developments in waterways and flood-prone areas, as experts say flooding is driven by poor environmental management and weak enforcement—not just rainfall. Local Climate Action: Eight district assemblies have pledged to speed up climate adaptation plans, moving from risk assessments to financing and real projects after recent floods. Aviation & Wildlife Safety: A landfill near Sunyani Airport is raising bird-strike fears, with regulators warning it should meet international distance standards to protect aircraft. Energy Transition Financing: Ghana’s energy minister says financing is the biggest barrier to unlocking Africa’s energy potential, urging coordinated investment and stronger regional power trade. Housing Pressure: Government officials highlight a 1.8 million unit housing deficit and rapid urbanisation, calling for affordable housing, slum upgrading, and climate-resilient urban planning. Creative Economy Funding Gap: The creative sector is questioning whether promised Film and Creative Arts funds are being released, as the mid-year review reportedly omitted updates. Youth & Agriculture Innovation: Youth are being pushed to see agriculture as an opportunity, with cocoa-focused innovation efforts linking academia and industry. Tree Planting for Heat Resilience: A Sunyani greening push is underway through school-based seedling donations to restore lost green cover and improve learning conditions.

Flood accountability: Eco Impact Network is calling for sanctions against officials who approve illegal developments in waterways and flood-prone areas, saying Ghana’s flooding is driven by poor environmental management and weak enforcement—not just rainfall. Sanitation enforcement: Accra-Tema residents want stricter sanitation law enforcement, including action against landlords and businesses that fail frontage cleaning, with calls for faster prosecution of repeat offenders. Open defecation push: In Upper West, traditional leaders are urged to lead behaviour change to end open defecation, but with stronger support from MMDAs. Mining and land impacts: Apinto chiefs oppose renewal of Gold Fields Tarkwa’s lease and demand Ghanaian ownership and community participation, citing large-scale land degradation. Galamsey justice: Commentators say Wontumi’s sentencing should open the floodgates for more galamsey prosecutions. Energy transition: The Energy and Green Transition Minister says financing is the biggest barrier to Africa’s energy potential, urging coordinated investment and regional power trade. Renewables and access: REA targets universal electricity access by 2060 and unveils a 3.7GW renewable manufacturing plan. Food safety: FDA shuts down dozens of food facilities over safety breaches. Water and climate: A personal account from Germany highlights how forest destruction and environmental neglect worsen flooding at home. Youth and jobs: Volta Youth Development Fund disburses GH¢100,000 to youth entrepreneurs, while MPs warn economic gains won’t matter without jobs. Agri inputs: Yara launches new fertilisers to boost yields and support sustainable farming. Trade calm: ECOWAS helped resolve Ghana-Nigeria onion truck detentions, releasing consignments to avoid further losses. Creative sector funding gap: A critique says Ghana’s promised Film Fund and Creative Arts Fund are missing from the mid-year review updates.

Oil Palm Deal: Ghana is finalising a $500m World Bank financing agreement to scale large-scale commercial oil palm, with land banks and drone-surveyed land in the Western Region to cut investment risk. Gas-to-Power Push: Government is also advancing a modular gas processing facility (100m scfd) and a 1,200MW state gas-fired power plant, with environmental and financial work underway for deals before end-2026. Methane Cuts Across Africa: A new report says methane reductions are achievable in Ghana and other oil-and-gas countries using existing tools like leak repair and better flaring—though costs depend on regulation, infrastructure and financing. Galamsey Accountability: A 20-year jail term for Chairman Wontumi is being framed as a turning point, with experts urging enforcement to target financiers who fund illegal mining that damages water, forests and farmland. Food Safety Crackdown: The FDA shut down 44 food facilities, including sachet water and cold stores, for operating without licences or under unhygienic conditions. Drowning Prevention: WHO launched the “PROTECT” package with seven strategies, warning that climate change and flooding are raising drowning risks. Climate Local Action: Ghana’s climate minister urged MMDAs to set up climate units and act locally, since impacts vary by community. Research Capacity: University of Ghana commissioned a $500,000 upgraded HPC facility to boost climate research and AI. Energy & Environment Jobs: The 24-hour economy programme says it is moving from policy to delivery, with major projects including solar and industrial parks aimed at jobs and industrial growth.

Waste Emergency Call: Jospong Group’s Dr Joseph Siaw Agyepong says Ghana’s escalating waste crisis should be treated as a national emergency, citing about 13,000 tonnes of waste daily and weak collection—urging urgent, coordinated action. Sanitation Leadership: Chiefs in the Upper West are urged to champion an end to open defecation, with traditional leaders leading by example as sanitation becomes a key performance indicator for MMDCEs. Floods, Not Afterthoughts: A CSIR-backed push argues Ghana must stop treating floods like surprises and instead plan with science—mapping flood-prone areas, clearing drains, and building early warning systems. Plastics Pressure: A new look at Ghana’s plastic problem highlights low recycling rates and the scale of daily plastic waste, warning that what happens after disposal is the real crisis. Mining & Land Damage: Apinto Divisional Council in Tarkwa accuses Gold Fields of degrading over 4,000 hectares and falling short on roads, schools and healthcare—while calling for stronger local mining benefits. Cocoa Governance: Government plans a new COCOBOD Bill guaranteeing farmers at least 70% of gross FOB price, aiming to modernise cocoa pricing and financing. Energy Transition Debate: ASEC welcomes mid-year energy moves but warns against expanding thermal power without matching renewables investment. Flood Relief: The UAE launches urgent humanitarian support for victims of Ghana’s June 29 floods, including food and emergency shelter.

Wafcon Kick-off in Morocco: The Atlas Lionesses’ Women’s Africa Cup of Nations starts Sunday in Rabat, running to Aug 16, with 16 teams in four groups and Morocco chasing a first title after recent finals heartbreak. Energy & Environment Watch: Ghana’s Mid-Year Budget flags a 100m standard cubic feet/day modular gas processing push and a 1,200MW state gas plant at Kafodzidzi-Abrobeano—moves aimed at energy security, jobs and lower generation costs. Flood Relief: The UAE launches urgent humanitarian aid for flood-hit Ghana, targeting food and shelter for tens of thousands displaced after last month’s deadly rains. Sanitation as Security: GAMA-SWP says sanitation is a national security and economic issue, urging stronger national coordination and accountability beyond municipal blame. Green Business Spotlight: Ghana Garden and Flower Movement unveils the 2026 theme “Green Means Business, Beauty and More,” linking green spaces to tourism, jobs and climate resilience. Cocoa Rights Alarm: Swiss chocolate maker Lindt faces a US lawsuit over alleged child labour in cocoa sourced from Ghana and Ivory Coast. Transport Upgrade: Government sets GH¢400m for high-capacity buses to improve public transport and reduce commuter pressure. Rail in Kumasi: KMA and GRDA renew plans to protect railway lands and integrate rail into Kumasi’s long-term urban mobility plans. Youth & Health: UNFPA urges families to equip adolescent girls with sexual and reproductive health knowledge to cut preventable maternal deaths.