General News
Food Inflation Falls to 4.9% — Mahama Credits Feed Ghana Programme for Economic Relief
President John Dramani Mahama has announced a significant decline in Ghana’s food inflation rate, crediting the government’s flagship Feed Ghana Programme under the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda for helping to deliver economic relief to households and businesses.
Addressing Parliament during the State of the Nation Address, President Mahama disclosed that food inflation, which reached an unprecedented peak of 61% in January 2023 and stood at 28.3% in January 2025, has now dropped sharply to 4.9%, marking a major turnaround in the country’s food security and macroeconomic stability efforts.
“Agriculture remains central to our national renewal. Since January 2025, this administration has embarked on a decisive reset of Ghana’s agricultural sector under our Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda, with the Feed Ghana Programme serving as a flagship vehicle for implementation,” President Mahama stated.
He explained that the government’s policy direction is focused on restoring food sovereignty, stabilizing food prices, reducing import dependency, and creating decent employment opportunities, particularly for Ghana’s youth population.
“Our objective is clear — to restore food sovereignty, stabilize food prices, reduce import dependence, and reposition agriculture as a strategic growth sector under our 24-hour economy policy,” the President added.
The President noted that the dramatic fall in food inflation has provided much-needed relief to Ghanaian families and businesses, helping to ease cost-of-living pressures that had previously threatened household welfare and economic stability.
“The decline in food inflation is providing real relief to Ghanaian families and businesses who have endured severe economic pressure over the past years. This is evidence that our agricultural transformation policies are working,” he said.
As part of measures to sustain the gains, President Mahama announced a GH¢300 million investment in the National Food Buffer Stock Company to strengthen national food reserves and stabilize market prices during periods of supply shocks.
“This year, we have committed GH¢300 million to the National Food Buffer Stock Company to mop up excess produce, stabilize prices, and build a strategic national food buffer against emergencies. This is the first time Ghana has deliberately built a food reserve for national resilience,” he said.
He explained that the buffer stock initiative is designed to protect both farmers and consumers by preventing seasonal price volatility and ensuring consistent market supply.
The President further emphasized that agriculture will remain a cornerstone of Ghana’s broader economic strategy under the 24-hour economy policy, which seeks to expand industrial production, agro-processing, and export competitiveness.
“We are repositioning agriculture as a strategic engine of growth, employment, and industrial transformation. The 24-hour economy policy will unlock new value chains and create sustainable opportunities for our young people,” he said.
Government officials and economic analysts have welcomed the decline in food inflation, describing it as a positive sign of economic recovery and policy effectiveness. However, they cautioned that sustained investment in agricultural productivity, irrigation infrastructure, and farmer support systems will be necessary to maintain long-term price stability.
The government has reiterated its commitment to deepening agricultural modernization, expanding access to farm inputs, and strengthening rural development programs to ensure continued food security and economic growth.
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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