AGP Executive Report

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.

Marine Protection Upgrade: Ghana’s Maritime Authority has readied the MV Esther Ocloo, a multi-purpose oil-spill response vessel, after a ten-day work-up with the Ghana Navy—aimed at faster detection, monitoring and response to marine pollution as offshore activity and port traffic grow. Galamsey Crackdown: The Forestry Commission’s Rapid Response Unit arrested 12 illegal miners in Atewa Range Forest Reserve during a dawn operation, seizing motorbikes, shovels, hoses and petrol, with suspects handed to police for prosecution. Sanitation & Waste Stewardship: Local Government Minister Mahama Ayariga urged churches, citizens, businesses and political parties to treat sanitation as a national issue, calling out sachet-water dumping and waste around shops, while pushing plans to tackle major waste heaps. Rural Connectivity: A call to upgrade rural telephony from 2G/3G to at least 4G highlights the digital inclusion gap, with progress on site construction but reliability still a concern. Youth Skills for Green Jobs: The Hyundai-KOICA NextGen project will train Ghanaian youth for the EV/automotive shift, building TVET capacity in electric and hybrid systems and digital diagnostics. Education & Community Support: An MP donated 1,500 dual desks to Sagnarigu’s GES to reduce furniture deficits, part of a wider push to improve learning conditions. Policy Watch: CUTS warned that a uniform GH¢12 cement demurrage surcharge could signal cartel behaviour, even as congestion at Tema Port drives real cost pressures.

Illegal Mining Crackdown in Atewa: Ghana’s Forestry Commission Rapid Response Unit arrested 12 suspected galamsey operators in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve near Sagyimase, seizing five motorbikes, shovels, hoses and petrol, and handing suspects and items to police for prosecution. Sea Turtle Conservation: WHRO Ghana urged coastal communities to be treated as partners in sea turtle protection—“conservation with communities”—so residents help plan, monitor and steward nesting areas. Galamsey, Politics and Accountability: Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng says Ghana’s enforcement system punishes enforcers but shields non-enforcers, and he argues for personal criminal liability for officials who approve projects in wetlands and forest reserves. Restoration Cost Warning: Frimpong-Boateng estimates Ghana needs about $21bn to restore lands degraded by illegal mining and other destructive activities. Cocoa and Climate Readiness: A new study finds cocoa farmers in Wassa Amenfi East believe they’re prepared for climate hazards, but measured preparedness intensity is low—highlighting a gap between perception and readiness. Clean Air for People with Disabilities: PRESED expanded its anti-air pollution campaign by engaging persons with disabilities in Accra and Kumasi to reduce exposure and push community action. Korle Lagoon Redevelopment: Local Government Minister Mahama Ayariga says the Korle Lagoon slum will be cleared and redeveloped into high-rise container housing, with lagoon dredging and waste moved to Adepa. Youth, Debt and Reparations: An International Youth Forum in Accra linked Africa’s economic sovereignty push to debt cancellation and reparatory justice, calling on young people to shape the continent’s future.

UN Cartography Push: The UN General Assembly backs a more proportionally accurate world map for Africa, challenging the long-used Mercator distortion that can shape how people “see” the continent. Child Protection & Rights: A child advocate urges Ghana to create safe, child-friendly platforms so children can speak on issues affecting their education, health and safety, while the Environment Minister calls for stronger prevention systems to stop children being recruited or used in armed conflict. Clean Air & Sanitation: PRESED steps up clean-air outreach for persons with disabilities in Accra and Kumasi, and Zoomlion begins regional fumigation/disinfection across North East facilities after flooding. Korle Lagoon Redevelopment: Local Government Minister Mahama Ayariga says the Korle Lagoon slum will be cleared after a military-led evacuation and waste removal, with plans for high-rise container housing and lagoon dredging. Mining & Environment: MIIF targets about GH¢9bn in mineral royalties by end-2026 and says it is factoring ESG risks, especially illegal mining’s threat to water bodies. Maritime Safety: Ghana Maritime Authority’s oil-spill response vessel MV Esther Ocloo completes work-up training for deployment to protect the marine environment. Agriculture Tech: Google launches an AI farming project using satellite imagery to boost productivity and climate resilience.

Waste & Public Health: Local Government Minister Mahama Ayariga says the Agbogbloshie waste heap must be fully evacuated, calling it a national emergency and pointing to a multi-ministry plan to mobilise resources for removal. Flood Response: Zoomlion is stepping up disinfection and disinfestation across Bono East and the Upper West, targeting markets, toilets, drains and sanitation hotspots after heavy rains and flooding. Environment & Governance: MEST Minister Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings orders all ministry agencies to tighten transparency and accountability in spending, linking it directly to better environmental protection. Land Restoration: Nabdam stakeholders want a two-year indigenous land restoration project expanded, to cover more communities and support livelihoods while improving climate resilience. Maritime Safety: Ghana Maritime Authority’s oil-spill response vessel “MV Esther Ocloo” completes work-up training for deployment to protect the marine environment and offshore installations. Green Business Push: The 14th Ghana Garden and Flower Show opens a “green means business” theme, spotlighting greening as jobs, innovation and healthier communities. Skills for a Greener Economy: Hyundai-KOICA NextGen launches to strengthen TVET automotive training, aiming to equip youth with industry-relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship. Local Power Access: A Volta electrification project will connect 206 communities, with improved access to electricity framed as a driver for jobs and development.

Sanitation & Cleanliness Push: Local Government Minister Mahama Ayariga urged Ghanaians to stop blaming politics and take shared responsibility for cleaner communities, after calling out the “Go to Rwanda and learn cleanliness” narrative. Urban Environment Planning: University of Ghana’s Prof. Isaac Arthur cautioned against rushing Korle Lagoon enclave redevelopment into high-rise container housing without deep engineering and flood-risk planning. Waste Management Gaps: Residents in Akosua (Effutu) complained about inadequate bins and delayed collection, warning that rubbish in gutters worsens flooding and public health. Gender in Cooling Sector: UNDP and Ghana’s EPA called for gender mainstreaming in the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector to open training, jobs and leadership for women. Biodiversity & Plastics: MTN and Ghana Wildlife Society led a bird walk at Legon Botanical Gardens, urging Ghanaians to cut plastic use for “small actions, big impact.” Mining & Land Stability: A Tarkwa-focused piece warns that removing historic underground support pillars could threaten ground stability for thousands of residents. Agriculture & Seeds: MOFA inaugurated a new National Seed Council team to boost certified local seed adoption and cut the seed import bill.

Sanitation Push: Local Government Minister Mahama Ayariga and the Christian Council are urging Ghanaians to stop treating cleanliness as a one-off reaction, calling for sustained community action to prevent the next flood cycle. Waste & Enforcement: Accra’s AMA warns residents and traders to join the post-Homowo clean-up on Sept. 5 or face arrest, fines, and prosecution, with shops forced to close during the exercise. Road Durability: Somanya and nearby communities in the Eastern Region want asphalt overlays on key roads to withstand heavy limestone truck traffic and repeated deterioration. Plastic-Free Events: Climate Change Advisors Ghana and the Buzstop Boys clean Cape Coast ahead of Fetu Afahye, targeting plastic pollution and clogged drainage channels. Biodiversity in Focus: MTN Ghana and the Ghana Wildlife Society held a bird walk at Legon Botanical Gardens to boost public appreciation for wildlife and reduce plastic use. Youth & Health: AfriYAN Ghana trains adolescent girls as peer champions to tackle teenage pregnancy and GBV, while the GFA rolls out safeguarding education and welfare monitoring at the Elite U-19 tournament. Local Food Choice: Spring Agro Industries urges Ghanaians to patronise local rice to protect jobs and investment as imports dominate the market.

Environment Leadership: Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings formally assumed duty as MEST Minister, pledging science-and-technology-led development that protects Ghana’s natural resources amid climate change and ecological degradation. Illegal Mining & Water Pollution: Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah says Ghana is “turning the corner” on illegal mining after intensified, intelligence-led operations along the Ankobra River, while warning pollution must be tackled consistently for the river to recover. Waste Management in Accra: Local Government Minister Mahama Ayariga says government will mobilise state and private resources to clear Jamestown’s waste backlog, with equipment and contractors lined up after inspections of key waste sites. Marine & Biodiversity Pressure: A marine scientist warns Ghana’s marine ecosystems face mounting pollution, declining fisheries, habitat loss and climate stress, with mercury and microplastics reported in coastal waters. Plastic & Waste Solutions: Zanetor signals a push for waste segregation and local, research-backed alternatives to plastic waste, including CSIR-linked biological options. Fisheries Subsidy Enforcement: Fisheries Minister Emelia Arthur orders MMDCEs to stop Landing Beach Committees from selling premix fuel above approved prices, citing the need to protect subsidised support for artisanal fishing. Climate Adaptation: Mahama is considering capturing Bagre Dam spillage for dry-season farming instead of only evacuating and providing relief. Health & Breast Cancer: Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addai cautions pregnant and breastfeeding women not to ignore persistent breast lumps, urging prompt medical assessment.