General News
COCOA FARMERS, MASSES and INVESTORS and Left Behind in Mahama’s February 2026 SONA
Over the past week, President John Dramani Mahama had a constitutional opportunity in his 2026 State of the Nation Address to inspire confidence, reengineer the national conversation and articulate a bold roadmap for Ghana’s economic recovery and growth. Instead, Mahama’s address felt more defensive than visionary. It was the usual speech so heavy on partisan self-congratulation and light on transformative direction.
A State of the Nation Address must rise above political applause lines. It must speak to our national realities like the anxieties of our hardworking cocoa farmers, the difficult calculations of investors, and the quiet frustrations of ordinary citizens on the ever rising electricity cost, among others. On that test, this address fell far short.
No mention of Land Reform and imposing a Maintenance Culture
Perhaps the most unsettling aspect of the address was the suggestion that reducing cocoa producer prices was necessary to avoid returning to an IMF programme. That argument may satisfy fiscal technocrats, but it does little to comfort the cocoa farmer whose livelihood already hangs in delicate balance.
It is trite, that cocoa farmers operate within a narrow margin of survival; contending with rising input costs, ageing farms, uncertain climate and volatile global prices. Asking our long suffering cocoa farmers to carry a nation’s burden without a clearly defined long-term productivity strategy reflects a troubling imbalance in national priorities. Fiscal discipline cannot become synonymous with shifting the burden onto those least able to bear it. What good then do farmers derive from state control if they must bear the brunt of bad times?
If agriculture is truly the backbone of the economy, then policy must treat farmers as partners in growth, not as shock absorbers for macroeconomic adjustment.
Equally concerning was the promise of increased taxation at a time when Ghana desperately needs more private capital in infrastructure, manufacturing and technology.
Indeed, taxation is not inherently problematic; irresponsibility is, in our case. Raising taxes without a parallel demonstration of expenditure discipline, regulatory certainty and institutional reform risks dampening investor confidence. Capital flows where policy is predictable and governance is credible. Without those assurances, higher taxes may yield short-term revenue but long-term stagnation.
Investment thrives on clarity and hence President Mahama in the last State of the Nation’s Address, missed a golden opportunity to indicate a comprehensive strategy for broadening the tax base through growth, rather than deepening it through pressure.
More disappointing still, was the absence of a serious assault on the structural weaknesses that continue to undermine Ghana’s democratic and economic architecture.
Indiscipline and corruption within public institutions, cronyism in appointments, selective enforcement of laws, and an uneven application of justice erode public trust. Investors do not merely examine tax rates; they assess the strength of institutions and the predictability of the rule of law. Citizens do not merely listen to government PR spewing out growth statistics; they evaluate fairness. Hence credible reform agenda must confront these issues directly. Silence, however polished, does not amount to reform.
On illegal mining; commonly known as galamsey, the pledges sounded familiar and hollow. Ghana has heard successive administrations promise decisive crackdowns while rivers turn poisonous and farmlands disappear.
This crisis we behold demands more than rhetoric. It requires institutional insulation from political interference, transparent enforcement mechanisms, technological surveillance, and the political courage to confront financiers and enablers at the highest levels.
Without a concrete framework, repeated assurances risk reinforcing public scepticism rather than restoring confidence.
A State of the Nation Address should be distinct from a campaign rally. It is a constitutional moment; a platform to level with citizens about challenges and to articulate a bold, measurable path forward. Ghana needs leadership that is compassionate toward farmers through disciplined fiscal management that is attractive to investors, resolute against environmental destruction, and uncompromising in strengthening institutions.
It is unfortunate President Mahama’s 2026 address did not rise to that standard. And in moments of economic and environmental fragility, presentational leadership is not enough.
Ghanaians deserve more than mere words. We need to see a credible roadmap anchored in reform, fairness and forward thinking.
Ing Kwabena Agyei Agyepong,
1st March 2026.
6 Anang Loop, East Legon, Accra
The United States Embassy in Accra has announced the release of more than 2,000 additional visa interview appointments over the next two weeks for applicants seeking B1 and B2 visas.
According to the Embassy, the newly opened slots are intended to support individuals planning temporary travel to the United States for business, tourism, family visits, and participation in major international events. Among the anticipated events is the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place across North America.
In an official statement, the Embassy encouraged prospective applicants to secure interview dates as soon as possible due to sustained demand for B1 and B2 visas. These visa categories cover short-term travel for business purposes under B1 and tourism or family visits under B2.
Applicants who already have appointments scheduled later in the year are also advised to log into the visa scheduling system to check for earlier availability and, where suitable, reschedule their interviews.
The Embassy indicated that the additional appointment slots are expected to help reduce existing backlogs and provide greater flexibility for travelers with time-sensitive plans.
Further details on application procedures, requirements, and appointment scheduling are available on the Embassy’s official visa information page at: https://gh.usembassy.gov/visas/
Ghana’s telecommunications sector may soon witness increased competition in the 5G space following a move by the National Communications Authority to amend the licence of Next-Gen Infraco.
In a press release dated March 4, 2026, the regulator announced it had issued a Notice of Proposed Licence Amendment to NGIC, seeking to remove the exclusivity clause that grants the company sole rights to operate in Ghana’s 5G segment. The Authority said the action was taken pursuant to Section 14 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775).
If approved, the amendment would open the 5G market to other operators, allowing them to deploy the technology independently.
According to the NCA, the proposed amendment is in the public interest and intended to promote competition and innovation, enhance consumer choice and service quality, accelerate nationwide digital transformation, and ensure efficient use of spectrum as a national resource.
Under the law, the amendment will take effect 90 days from the date of the notice unless, after reviewing any representations submitted by NGIC within the statutory period, the Authority determines otherwise. The NCA emphasized that the process complies with due procedure and aligns with its mandate to regulate communications services in the national interest.
NGIC’s Commercial Rollout
The proposed regulatory change comes shortly after NGIC announced it had received clearance from the NCA to commence full commercial operations as Ghana’s wholesale 4G and 5G infrastructure provider. The company said the approval followed technical inspections confirming compliance with its Wholesale Electronic Communications Infrastructure Licence.
NGIC has deployed 49 operational 5G sites across the country. Of these, 43 are located in Greater Accra, with the remaining sites spread across the Ashanti, Western, Northern, Bono and Central regions. The network is currently live in selected parts of Accra, Kumasi and Tamale under a wholesale-first model, where NGIC builds and manages shared radio and core infrastructure, while mobile network operators provide retail services to customers.
Chief Executive Officer Tenu Awoonor described the rollout as a transition from planning to execution, stating that the shared backbone is now commercially active and positioned for expansion. He noted that the model is designed to coordinate infrastructure investment nationally while preserving competition at the retail level.
Chief Operating Officer Nenyi George Andah said the company’s immediate focus is on scaling coverage in a coordinated and sustainable manner. He maintained that the wholesale model supports faster national reach and more efficient capital deployment.
Technology partner Nokia also reaffirmed its role in the deployment. Mustapha Salah, Head of Central West and East Africa, Mobile Networks at Nokia, said the partnership would support the rollout of Ghana’s first neutral-host 4G and 5G network, enabling operators to deliver high-speed data services and new enterprise solutions.
Licence Fee Default
In a related disclosure, the NCA indicated that NGIC is in default of an installment payment under its agreed licence fee schedule. The regulator said it is addressing the matter in accordance with applicable statutory provisions.
The combination of a potential policy shift on 5G exclusivity and concerns over fee compliance marks a significant moment for Ghana’s telecoms industry. While NGIC’s wholesale model remains central to national broadband expansion plans, the regulator’s proposed amendment signals a possible recalibration aimed at deepening competition and optimizing spectrum management.
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