Ghana is preparing to host more than 500 delegates from across West Africa and the global diaspora as Accra welcomes the 12th District 94 Conference of Toastmasters International. The four-day event, themed Lead With Purpose, Speak to Impact, is scheduled to run from April 29 to May 2, 2026.

The conference will officially open at Destiny Arena, with additional sessions and activities taking place at selected venues across the capital. Delegates are expected from over 12 West African countries, alongside participants from Central Africa, Europe, and the wider diaspora. Countries represented include Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and host nation Ghana.

Positioned as a major platform for leadership and communication development, the conference will address key global and regional issues such as the rise of artificial intelligence, cultural transformation, and evolving geopolitical trends. The programme features keynote speeches, leadership masterclasses, panel discussions, speech contests, and networking sessions aimed at strengthening participants’ public speaking and leadership skills.

District 94 Director, Fatou Sakho, described the event as more than a traditional conference, highlighting its role as a meeting point for culture, innovation, and purpose. She noted that Accra 2026 represents an opportunity for Africa to demonstrate its leadership voice on a global stage.

Conference Chair, Suzy Aku Puplampu, emphasized the significance of Ghana hosting the event for the second time in seven years, following the 2018 edition. According to her, the conference reflects the growing influence of Toastmasters across the West African region.

Programme Quality Director, Ibrahim Sory Keita, added that participants will experience more than professional development, with organisers planning to showcase Ghana’s renowned hospitality through curated cultural and social activities.

Veteran Ghanaian Toastmaster, Papa Arkhurst, noted that the conference presents a unique opportunity to highlight Africa’s leadership potential, the Toastmasters tradition of developing communicators, and Ghana’s welcoming “Akwaaba” spirit.

The event will conclude with the International Speech Contest and International Evaluation Speech Contest, where top speakers from across the region will compete for top honours. Additional highlights include tourism experiences, networking events, and a Hall of Fame Recognition Ceremony and Gala Night celebrating excellence in leadership and public speaking.

The conference will also feature contributions from prominent figures in business and law, including Alhassan Andani, David Dorte, Julian Opuni, and Kwamina Asomaning.

As anticipation builds, the Accra 2026 Toastmasters Conference is expected to stand out as one of the continent’s leading leadership gatherings, bringing together emerging and established voices to exchange ideas, build networks, and inspire meaningful change.

The Government of Ghana has announced a temporary intervention to absorb part of the cost of petroleum products, in a move aimed at cushioning consumers from rising fuel prices driven by global market volatility.

Effective April 16, 2026, the government will absorb GH¢2.00 per litre on diesel and GH¢0.36 per litre on petrol during the next pricing window. The measure is expected to ease the financial burden on households, transport operators, and businesses already grappling with increasing operational costs.

The decision, approved by Cabinet, comes in response to sustained increases in international oil prices, which have significantly impacted ex-pump prices across the country.

In a statement issued by the Minister for Government Communications and Spokesperson to the President, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the intervention was described as a short-term relief strategy to support Ghanaians amid external economic pressures.

The government indicated that the measure will remain in force for one month, during which it will closely monitor developments in the global oil market and assess the need for further policy adjustments.

Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining price stability, protecting livelihoods, and supporting Ghana’s broader economic recovery in the face of ongoing global uncertainties.

President John Dramani Mahama has officially launched Ghana’s Free Primary Health Care policy, a major initiative aimed at expanding access to basic healthcare services and accelerating the country’s drive toward universal health coverage.

Speaking at the launch at the Shai Osudoku District Hospital, President Mahama said the policy is designed to close gaps in healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved and rural communities.

“Every country is working to achieve universal health coverage… where every citizen has access to quality, affordable care,” he said. “But we still have pockets of underserved areas, especially in the rural areas.”

The President emphasised that the new policy will complement the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), rather than replace it. “The free primary health care is complementary to the national health insurance. It doesn’t replace it,” he stated.

Under the initiative, primary healthcare services including screening, diagnosis, and treatment of basic illnesses will be provided free of charge at CHPS compounds, health centres, and polyclinics. Citizens will not be required to present an NHIS card at this level but can access services with basic identification.

A central feature of the policy is preventive care, with a strong focus on early detection of diseases. President Mahama announced that all Ghanaians will be encouraged to undergo routine health checks. “At least every Ghanaian must be screened once a year,” he said, adding that screenings will cover conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases.

He warned that lifestyle-related illnesses are becoming the leading cause of disease in Ghana. “Non-communicable diseases have become the heaviest disease burden in Ghana… because of the change in our lifestyle,” he noted, calling for improved diets and increased physical activity.

For patients requiring more advanced treatment, referrals will be made to district hospitals under NHIS coverage. In cases involving specialised care, such as dialysis, the government will provide support through the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as Mahama Cares. “You’ll be referred to a kidney dialysis centre and you can go and do your kidney dialysis free of charge,” the President said.

To support the rollout, the government will deploy health volunteers, including national service personnel and trained health professionals awaiting posting, to deliver community-based screening and education. Mobile clinics and newly introduced health kiosks will also be used to reach remote communities.

The programme will begin in 150 selected districts this year, with a nationwide rollout expected by 2028.

President Mahama described the initiative as a transformative step in Ghana’s healthcare system, aimed at bringing services closer to the people and reducing the burden of preventable diseases.