Consumers and businesses in Ghana can expect noticeable relief in borrowing costs following a sharp cut in the Ghana Reference Rate (GRR). On August 6, 2025, the Ghana Association of Banks confirmed that the GRR had fallen from 23.69% in June to 19.67% in August — representing a 10.05 percentage point decrease.
Simultaneously, the Bank of Ghana implemented a historic 300-basis-point cut in its Monetary Policy Rate — reducing it to 25% — marking the largest reduction in the central bank’s history. This move reflects a cooling inflation rate, now at 13.7%, and an improving macroeconomic outlook.
John Awuah, CEO of the Ghana Association of Banks, pledged that borrowers with variable-rate loans will benefit almost immediately, while new loan agreements will be written at the lower rate. “If you have a loan linked to the Ghana Reference Rate, then you should expect your loan to go down by that margin,” he stated.
Economists and industry watchers see this as a positive step toward economic revival, encouraging business expansion and easing access to credit—especially for SMEs that have long struggled with high interest rates.
The Ghana Association of Banks (GAB) says consumers and businesses should expect a drop in lending rates in the coming weeks following the Ghana Reference Rate’s (GRR) recent downward adjustment. GAB CEO John Awuah confirmed that the recalibration, driven by improved macroeconomic indicators and a gradual reduction in inflation, will translate into lower borrowing costs.
Speaking on Accra-based radio, Awuah explained that banks are required to price new loans based on the GRR, making the adjustment a direct benefit to borrowers. “This is good news for businesses looking to expand and for individuals needing credit facilities,” he noted. The change is expected to stimulate private-sector growth by making capital more accessible, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Economic analysts welcomed the development but urged caution, pointing out that while lending rates may decrease, other factors — such as banks’ risk assessments, collateral requirements, and operational costs — still influence final interest rates charged to customers.
The Bank of Ghana’s latest Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) report indicated that inflationary pressures are easing, supported by a stable cedi and increased foreign exchange reserves. This environment, coupled with fiscal consolidation efforts, has allowed the central bank to maintain a more accommodative stance on credit.
Consumer advocacy groups are calling on banks to implement the rate reductions transparently and to avoid hidden charges that could erode the intended benefits. If sustained, the new lending environment could boost household consumption and spur investments across key sectors, adding momentum to Ghana’s post-pandemic economic recovery.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced a record-breaking prize package for the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season, with the winning club set to receive ₵2 million — the largest cash reward in the competition’s history. This marks a significant jump from the ₵500,000 awarded last season, reflecting the GFA’s renewed commitment to elevating local football’s competitiveness and professionalism.
GFA President Kurt Okraku said the financial boost is aimed at incentivising clubs to invest in player development, infrastructure, and welfare. “We want our clubs to match international standards, and this is one of the steps toward achieving that,” he stated at the press briefing in Accra. The runner-up and third-place finishers are also expected to see increased rewards, though details are yet to be finalised.
Sponsorship deals have played a key role in this cash injection. The GFA confirmed new multi-year partnerships with corporate entities eager to associate with the country’s most-followed sporting league. Industry analysts note that improved prize packages could also slow the trend of player migration to other African leagues by making domestic football more financially sustainable.
The announcement has been met with excitement from players, club owners, and fans, many of whom took to social media to celebrate what they see as a turning point for the Ghanaian game. However, some stakeholders cautioned that the increased prize money must be matched with better officiating, pitch conditions, and marketing to fully revitalise the league’s brand. The 2025/26 season kicks off in September, with reigning champions Medeama SC set to defend their title amid intensified competition.
Ghana’s Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations this week disclosed that it is drafting 15 pieces of legislation aimed at modernising broadcasting and media regulation. Minister Samuel Nartey George said the proposed laws will institutionalise media ethics, strengthen digital governance, and create clearer legal frameworks for broadcast licensing and content standards. Officials say the package seeks to align Ghana’s regulatory environment with evolving digital and social-media realities.
According to ministry briefings, the proposals draw inspiration from existing journalistic codes — including the Ghana Journalists Association code of ethics — but will convert voluntary standards into statutory obligations where necessary. The minister emphasised the need to balance press freedom with accountability, indicating some measures will target misinformation, unregulated political advertising, and abusive content on digital platforms. Civil society organisations and media houses have been invited to contribute views during the consultation phase.
Observers warned that while modern regulation is needed, any legislative package must protect independent journalism and avoid provisions that could be used to silence dissent. Media stakeholders signalled readiness to engage but stressed transparency, stakeholder consultation, and human-rights safeguards are essential. Parliament will ultimately decide the fate of the bills after public hearings; the ministry hopes to table the first set before year-end, though exact timetables remain tentative.
Seven people, including a soldier, have been remanded into police custody for their alleged role in the armed robbery of a fuel tanker carrying 54,000 litres of diesel worth GH¢769,500.
According to police reports, the incident occurred on August 6, when the suspects allegedly followed a DAF fuel tanker with registration number GT-2493-20 from Tema to Kumasi. The tanker was intercepted at gunpoint at Pampaso Number 1 in the Eastern Region.
The suspects allegedly redirected the tanker to the Pacific Fuel Station at Bunso Junction, where the fuel was transferred into an empty tanker. Meanwhile, the driver and his mate were taken away in a green pickup truck with registration number GX 2881-22.
The soldier, identified as Corporal Bortey Bernard, was later arrested at a police checkpoint in Ablekuma Borkorborkor after the victims raised the alarm. Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of five more suspects, while four others remain at large.
Police say efforts are underway to track down the remaining suspects and recover the stolen fuel.
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Two experienced U.S. law enforcement officers have shared their professional insights on the recent helicopter crash in Ghana, urging calm and patience as investigations continue. Their views were shared by former Minister of Education, Spio-Garbrah, in a detailed Facebook post.
According to Spio-Garbrah, one of the officers is a retired New York City police officer, while the other is an active federal agent. Both stressed the need for a meticulous and methodical forensic examination to ensure the truth is uncovered.
Thorough Forensic Work Needed
The experts highlighted that investigating burnt remains can be challenging, especially when trying to detect signs of toxic substances, ballistic impacts, or other foreign materials. They advised that every necessary tool should be made available to Ghana’s forensic team to complete a full autopsy and analysis.
They cautioned against rushing the process, explaining that detailed examinations—both on the victims and the wreckage—could reveal whether there were unusual injuries inconsistent with a typical crash, and help determine if any external factors were involved.
Exploring All Possibilities
While it is too early to make conclusions, the U.S. officers noted that the possibility of foul play should not be ignored. Witnesses reported the helicopter flying unusually low before impact, which could indicate mechanical issues, sudden pilot incapacitation, or another emergency.
They also advised that any available CCTV footage from the crash vicinity be reviewed, and that flight recordings or a “black box,” if available, could be crucial to the investigation.
A Call for Patience and Trust in the Process
Both officers emphasized that Ghana’s investigators should take the time needed to work carefully, preserve evidence properly, and avoid public pressure to deliver quick answers. Spio-Garbrah echoed their sentiments, reminding Ghanaians that patience and thoroughness are key to finding the truth.
“This is a time for unity, trust, and professionalism,” his post concluded. “With careful forensic work, we will understand what happened and give closure to the families of the brave men who were lost.”
In an emotional revelation, Nii Lante Vanderpuye, National Coordinator of Ghana’s District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), shared that Samuel Aboagye, Acting Deputy Director-General of Operations at NADMO and former NDC parliamentary candidate for Obuasi East, intended to travel to the United States—where his wife and child reside—rather than Obuasi, where the tragic helicopter crash occurred.
According to Vanderpuye, the two had confirmed travel plans “over the weekend” prior to the accident. Aboagye was said to be enthusiastic about the journey, including sending parcels for his young daughter. Vanderpuye, who referred to Aboagye affectionately as “a son,” expressed shock and disbelief over the sudden loss of someone he described as a “promising young man.”
Tragically, Aboagye was among the eight victims who perished in the helicopter crash while on official duty—a devastating blow that reverberated across government and public sectors.
This disclosure offers a poignant glimpse into Aboagye’s personal life, revealing a moment of joy abruptly cut short by calamity. It underscores the human stories behind headlines and reminds the public of the individuals lost in the crash: not only officials, but family members with dreams, responsibilities, and loved ones awaiting their return.
As investigations into the cause of the crash continue, Vanderpuye’s heartfelt account adds a personal dimension to the tragedy, encouraging reflection on how sudden, irreplaceable loss affects families, communities—and the country as a whole.
In a recent broadcast that has stirred national attention, well-known media personality Captain Smart posited that a bird strike may have caused the tragic helicopter crash near Obuasi on August 6, 2025. The crash claimed the lives of eight occupants, including several high-profile government officials.
Speaking on his popular platform, Captain Smart explained that preliminary aviation assessments and eyewitness reports often show bird collisions as a significant factor in aircraft accidents. While official investigations are ongoing, he emphasized the likelihood that a bird strike could have led to engine failure or critical system malfunction aboard the helicopter.
“Bird strikes are not uncommon, and they can cause sudden, catastrophic damage to aircraft engines,” Captain Smart noted. “If this is confirmed, it would highlight the urgent need for enhanced bird hazard management near flight paths, especially in areas like Obuasi where wildlife and aviation routes intersect.”
Official Investigation Still Underway
The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the military’s accident investigation unit have yet to release a definitive cause for the crash. Authorities have urged the public to await the official report before drawing conclusions.
In the meantime, the country mourns the loss of the Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and six other passengers on board. The tragedy has sparked calls for improved aviation safety measures and wildlife hazard mitigation across Ghana’s airspaces.
Expert Voices Call for Caution
Aviation experts have echoed the importance of careful investigation, explaining that bird strikes, while serious, are one of several potential causes of helicopter crashes. Weather conditions, mechanical failure, and pilot error are also thoroughly examined in such inquiries.
Captain Smart’s comments have fueled public discussion on social media, with many expressing a mix of concern, curiosity, and calls for transparency from the authorities.
As Ghana awaits the final findings, the tragic crash serves as a somber reminder of the complex challenges facing aviation safety and the critical importance of addressing all possible risk factors—including those posed by nature.
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In a bold and uncompromising statement, Prophet Daniel Jeddman has issued a stern warning to radio and television stations across the country: stop giving airtime to self-styled prophets who only surface when Ghana is gripped by high-profile tragedies.
According to Jeddman, these so-called men of God deliberately wait for national disasters, celebrity deaths, or government crises before rushing to the media with “visions” they claim to have received. “They wrongly allegorise and twist the truth in God’s word just to validate themselves,” he said, speaking from his ministry headquarters.
Jeddman believes this pattern is dangerous, both spiritually and socially. “When tragedy strikes, the nation needs comfort, prayer, and unity—not opportunistic prophecies designed to stir fear and boost someone’s popularity,” he declared.
Media Platforms Under Scrutiny
The prophet’s comments have sparked renewed debate over the role of Ghana’s media in amplifying sensational religious claims. Many broadcasters have been criticised for granting long, unfiltered interviews to prophets whose statements often cannot be verified but can influence public mood.
Jeddman insists that media houses have a moral responsibility to discern who they hand the microphone to. “The media must guard the airwaves. Not every voice that says ‘God told me’ is speaking for God,” he said.
Call for National Discernment
He urged Ghanaians to study the Bible for themselves and test every prophecy against scripture rather than blindly believing dramatic predictions tied to famous people or tragic events. “If a prophecy only appears after the news headlines, it is not a prophecy—it is opportunism dressed in church clothes,” Jeddman emphasised.
Religious watchdogs, civil society groups, and even some senior clergy have echoed his sentiments, warning that false prophecies erode public trust in genuine ministries and exploit the emotions of grieving families.
As the nation continues to mourn recent tragedies, Prophet Daniel Jeddman’s words ring with urgency: “In times of pain, we must be a voice of healing, not of fear. Ghana must rise above spiritual showmanship and return to the heart of true prophecy.”
In an electrifying turn of events, Prophet Jedidiah Henry Kore, widely known as Fire Oja, Founder and Senior Pastor of Zion Prayer Ministries International, has sent shockwaves across social media with a spine-chilling prophecy.
During a recent announcement, Fire Oja declared: “A president will be buried on the 31st night.” The foretelling—delivered with the solemn weight only a prophetic voice could carry—has set tongues wagging and hearts pounding across Ghana .
Spirits Stirred, Citizens on Edge
It didn’t take long for the fiery declaration to spark a flurry of reactions—from stunned disbelief to fervent debates and anxious speculations on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok . Comment threads are ablaze:
“Can this prophecy truly come to pass?”
“Is Fire Oja speaking truth—or fueling fear?”
The looming timeline—New Year’s Eve—adds an ominous edge. Whatever your belief, this proclamation has tapped into something primal: the suspense of the unknown and the urgency of impending revelation.
Fuel for the Fire
What makes this even more explosive is Fire Oja’s reputation. As the visionary behind Zion Prayer Ministries—established at age 10 and now a spiritual force across West Africa—he’s no stranger to stirring public emotion . His sermons, digital broadcasts, and prophetic declarations wield significant influence among followers both at home and abroad.
Will We Witness History—or Hype?
As Ghanaians brace for the countdown to December 31, the question on everyone’s mind is: Will this prophecy unfold—or will it be another chapter in the annals of fiery words that fizzle?
One thing is certain: whether you see Fire Oja as a herald or a provocateur, his words are commanding attention—shaping conversations and testing beliefs at a moment when both are precious.
