Ghana economic recovery has made meaningful progress following the country’s recent macroeconomic challenges, but the gains remain fragile and should not be viewed as a permanent turnaround, according to audit and advisory firm PwC.

In its review of the 2026 Mid-Year Budget, presented by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, PwC acknowledged that Ghana has achieved notable improvements in key macroeconomic indicators during the first half of 2026. However, the firm cautioned that maintaining the recovery will require continued fiscal discipline, structural reforms, and resilience against increasing global economic risks.

According to PwC, the Finance Minister was justified in highlighting the country’s stronger economic performance compared to the same period last year.

“The Minister for Finance is right to argue that macroeconomic conditions in the first half (H1) of 2026 were significantly better than a year earlier,” the firm stated.

However, PwC stressed that the critical issue is whether these improvements are sustainable enough to attract long-term investment.

“The more important question for everybody, including business leaders, is whether the improvement is structural, durable and investable.”

Improved Indicators Signal Recovery

PwC noted that several economic indicators have recorded significant improvements, including:

* Higher economic growth
* Lower inflation compared to previous years
* Stronger fiscal balances
* Improved foreign exchange reserves
* Better debt sustainability indicators

The firm explained that some of these gains are the result of prudent fiscal management and progress made under Ghana’s debt restructuring programme.

However, it also pointed out that other positive developments have been supported by temporary factors such as:

* Favourable statistical base effects
* Delayed government expenditure
* Lower domestic interest rates
* Improved foreign reserve accumulation

PwC warned that these supportive conditions may become more difficult to sustain during the second half of 2026 as government increases spending on capital projects, inflationary pressures rise, and external economic uncertainties persist.

Inflation Risks Remain

While PwC believes the government’s year-end targets for real GDP growth and primary surplus remain achievable, it expressed concern over inflation.

The firm warned that recent increases in inflation, coupled with rising global crude oil prices and escalating geopolitical tensions, could push inflation towards the upper end of the government’s target range before the end of the year.

Businesses Urged to Remain Cautious

PwC advised businesses and investors not to assume that the current macroeconomic stability will continue without challenges.

“For business leaders and investors, our message is straightforward: Ghana’s macro picture is much improved, but this is not yet a no-risk operating environment.”

The report predicts that the second half of 2026 is likely to be characterised by:

* Mild reflation
* Selective acceleration in government spending
* Continued external economic vulnerabilities
* Less room for additional monetary policy easing than markets currently anticipate

Fiscal Strategy Viewed as Credible

PwC described the government’s fiscal strategy as broadly credible, noting that the administration has maintained its original revenue and expenditure projections without introducing a supplementary budget or significantly relaxing fiscal policy.

Nonetheless, the firm said long-term fiscal sustainability will depend on several critical reforms, including:

* Strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation
* Improving governance of state-owned enterprises
* Resolving persistent financial challenges within Ghana’s energy sector

PwC concluded that although Ghana’s fiscal position has improved, it cannot yet be considered fully repaired.

“Our independent judgment is that fiscal sustainability is improving, but it is not conclusively repaired.”

The report added that part of the stronger fiscal performance recorded during the first half of 2026 may have resulted from delayed government spending rather than permanent improvements in expenditure efficiency.

“Part of the fiscal strength reflects opportune timing rather than permanent efficiency.”

According to the firm, fiscal savings achieved earlier in the year could narrow as government ramps up spending on flagship programmes during the remainder of 2026.

Outlook Remains Positive but Requires Discipline

Despite the risks, PwC believes Ghana’s current macroeconomic environment offers better opportunities for businesses than in recent years.

Lower interest rates, stronger investor confidence and improved exchange-rate stability are expected to support investment and economic activity.

However, the firm urged businesses to adopt what it described as “disciplined optimism” by taking advantage of improving conditions while continuing to hedge against currency volatility, safeguard profit margins and prepare for a potentially more challenging second half of the year.

PwC’s assessment suggests that while Ghana economic recovery is gaining momentum, sustaining the progress will require consistent policy implementation, continued fiscal discipline and successful structural reforms to withstand both domestic and global economic pressures.

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has announced that the government is developing a 1,200-megawatt combined-cycle gas-powered plant at Kafodzidzi in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipality.

Speaking during the midyear budget review in Parliament, the Finance Minister said visibility studies have confirmed the project’s viability, with environmental, engineering and permitting processes already completed.

According to him, the first 600MW phase of the project is expected to become operational in 2028, marking a major milestone in government’s efforts to boost electricity generation capacity.

Dr. Forson disclosed that to cut project costs, the government secured gas turbines directly from the manufacturer, GE Vernova, instead of using third-party procurement channels. He said the approach is expected to deliver cost savings of between 35% and 45%.

He added that once completed, the project will significantly reduce electricity generation costs, paving the way for a 10% to 20% reduction in electricity tariffs.

The Finance Minister also revealed that the first phase of the project is expected to create more than 3,000 direct and indirect jobs, providing a major boost to employment while strengthening Ghana’s energy security.

By Maurice Otoo

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has issued a public notice warning traders, transport operators, businesses, and individuals that refusing to accept Ghana cedi coins as payment is unlawful and may attract criminal sanctions.

The notice, numbered BG/GOV/SEC/2026/23, addresses the growing practice of rejecting coins in commercial transactions across the country. According to the central bank, this behavior undermines the legal status of Ghana’s currency and violates existing laws.

Coins Remain Legal Tender

The Bank of Ghana stated that all coins it has issued—including 1 pesewa, 5 pesewa, 10 pesewa, 20 pesewa, 50 pesewa, GH¢1, and GH¢2 coins—remain valid legal tender throughout Ghana.

The central bank emphasized that none of these coins have been demonetized or withdrawn from circulation. Therefore, they must be accepted for the settlement of debts and payments for goods and services.

The notice follows an earlier BoG directive (Notice No. BG/GOV/SEC/2026/17), issued on July 14, 2026, which focused on the misuse, abuse, and illegal handling of Ghana cedi banknotes and coins. While the earlier notice dealt with physical damage and defacement of currency, the latest directive specifically addresses the unlawful refusal to accept coins.

Refusal to Accept Coins Is Illegal

The Bank made it clear that no trader, transport operator, business entity, or individual has the right to reject legal tender simply because the coins are considered inconvenient, of low value, or due to personal preference.

Businesses that refuse to sell goods or provide services because customers choose to pay with legal Ghana cedi coins may be committing an offence under the Currency Act, 1964 (Act 242).

Criminal Penalties

According to the notice, persons convicted of unlawfully refusing legal tender may face:

• Imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years;
• A fine;
• Or both imprisonment and a fine.

The Bank also warned that anyone who instructs, encourages, or assists another person to reject coins—for example, a business owner directing employees not to accept coins—may be held equally liable under the law.

Additionally, individuals caught committing the offence may be arrested without a warrant.

Enforcement Measures

The Bank of Ghana announced that it will collaborate closely with the Ghana Police Service and other law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with the law.

The central bank warned that individuals and businesses that continue rejecting coins risk arrest, prosecution, fines, and possible imprisonment.

Members of the public experiencing difficulties with businesses refusing coins are encouraged to report such incidents to the nearest Bank of Ghana office, the Ghana Police Service, or through the Bank’s official communication channels.

Call to the Public

The Bank of Ghana urged all individuals, businesses, and institutions to support national efforts by accepting and responsibly handling Ghana’s currency in all its denominations.

The notice was signed by Aimee Vyda Quashie (Ms.), Secretary of the Bank, and is dated July 22, 2026.

Investor demand for Ghana’s Treasury bills surged last week, with the latest primary market auction attracting bids worth GH¢10.03 billion—almost double the government’s fundraising target of GH¢5.67 billion.

Results released by the Bank of Ghana show that the auction was oversubscribed by 77%, reflecting strong investor demand for short-term government securities and renewed confidence in the domestic debt market.

The Treasury accepted GH¢7.38 billion of the total bids, exceeding its financing target by GH¢1.71 billion after taking up a larger share of investor subscriptions.

The 364-day Treasury bill remained the most sought-after instrument, attracting GH¢5.65 billion in bids. The government accepted GH¢4.53 billion of that amount, making it the largest contributor to the funds raised during the auction.

The benchmark 91-day Treasury bill recorded bids of GH¢2.98 billion, with GH¢1.80 billion accepted, while the 182-day bill received GH¢1.40 billion in subscriptions, of which GH¢1.06 billion was accepted.

Yields were mixed across the three tenors. The 91-day bill eased slightly by one basis point to 5.86% from 5.87% at the previous auction, while the 182-day bill remained unchanged at 7.79%. The yield on the 364-day bill, however, climbed seven basis points to 12.99% from 12.92%, indicating continued investor preference for higher returns on longer-term government securities.

The latest auction represents a significant turnaround from the previous sale, which attracted just GH¢4.16 billion in bids. The sharp rise in subscriptions signals growing investor confidence in Treasury bills despite the prevailing interest rate environment.

Looking ahead, the government is targeting GH¢7.36 billion in its next Treasury bill sale under Tender 2016 to finance its short-term borrowing requirements.

Thousands of traders at the Odawna Market in Accra have been left devastated after a massive fire tore through the market on Monday, June 29, 2026, destroying an estimated 3,000 shops.

The blaze, which ripped through one of the capital’s busiest trading hubs, reduced businesses and valuable goods to ashes, leaving many traders with nothing to salvage.

Speaking to Maurice Otoo of kpdonline after the incident, the leader of the Plastic Traders Association, George Ohene Agyei, revealed that the market has about 4,250 shops, with nearly 3,000 of them completely destroyed by the inferno.

He praised President John Dramani Mahama for his swift response and assurance to reconstruct the market to help affected traders get back on their feet.

The association’s head also appealed to civil society organisations, philanthropists, corporate institutions, and the general public to support victims, stressing that many traders financed their businesses through loans and have now lost their only source of livelihood.
As investigations into the cause of the fire continue, affected traders remain hopeful that government and well-meaning Ghanaians will provide the support needed to rebuild their businesses and restore livelihoods.

By Maurice Otoo