Newspaper Headlines, August 28, 2026
Daily Graphic
1. MAIN HEADLINE: Property rate can yield GH¢20bn yearly – Local Government Minister-designate says at vetting
Summary: The Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, told Parliament’s vetting committee that Ghana can raise GH¢20 billion annually from property rates. He said he will introduce a technology-driven system to help Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) identify, value and collect property rates to boost local revenue.
2. President Mahama cuts sod for multiple airport projects – Page 13
Summary: President John Dramani Mahama has cut the sod for the construction/expansion of several airport projects across the country. The story on page 13 gives details of the locations and the expected boost to air travel and the economy.
3. I’ll fight galamsey, environmental crimes – Dr Agyeman-Rawlings – Page 15
Summary: Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings has vowed to take a strong stance against illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) and other environmental crimes. This was her commitment during her vetting or public address. Details on page 15.
4. GCB Bank ranks top in 4 industry metrics – Page 13
Summary: GCB Bank has emerged as the leading bank in Ghana in four key performance indicators in the banking industry. The report on page 13 highlights its performance in profitability, assets, deposits and other metrics.
Ghanaian Times
1. MAIN HEADLINE: Trotro operators defy fare directives; Commuters pay up to 30% more on some routes – Page 12
Summary: Despite official directives on transport fares, commercial drivers (trotro operators) are charging more. Commuters are now paying up to 30% extra on some routes in Accra and other cities. Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe is pictured.
2. NTC board inaugurated – Targets financial sustainability, digital transformation – Page 12
Summary: A new board for the National Teaching Council (NTC) has been sworn in. The photo shows Dr. Charly Binka (seated middle) and Dr. Isaac Ofori Nia (seated right) with other board members. Their mandate is to ensure financial sustainability and drive digital transformation of teacher regulation.
3. GCB staff to deliver 95 social impact projects nationwide – Page 24
Summary: Staff of GCB Bank are set to undertake 95 social impact / CSR projects across the country as part of the bank’s community development initiatives.
4. Poor roads, crashes cost Ghana $4.55bn annually — World Bank – Page 14
Summary: The World Bank reports that Ghana loses about $4.55 billion every year due to poor road infrastructure and road accidents. The cost includes health, productivity loss, and damage.
5. Minister-designate to overhaul property rate collection; plans nationwide property identification exercise – Page 13
Summary: Same as Daily Graphic story – The Local Government Minister-designate, Mahama Ayariga, plans to overhaul property rate collection with a nationwide exercise to identify and value all properties to increase internally generated funds for assemblies.
Daily Guide
1. MAIN HEADLINE: Appointments Committee Okays 3 SC Nominees As Minority Boycotts Vetting – Page 3
Summary: Parliament’s Appointments Committee has approved 3 nominees for the Supreme Court of Ghana. The approval came even though the Minority in Parliament boycotted the vetting process. The nominees pictured are Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah, Justice Kweku Amoako Adusei and Anthony Gosan Inu.
2. John Boadu Files NPP National Chairman Nomination
Summary: Former General Secretary of the NPP, John Boadu, has officially filed his nomination to contest for the position of National Chairman of the party. Photo shows him submitting forms to Fred Oware.
3. New Excise Law Threatens 80,000 Farmers, 5,000 Jobs – Analysts Warn – Page 5
Summary: Analysts are warning that the new Excise Duty law will have severe economic consequences. It could threaten the livelihood of about 80,000 farmers and lead to the loss of 5,000 jobs in affected industries.
4. SML/GRA Scandal: OSP Gets More Time To Serve Ofori-Atta
Summary: In the SML/Ghana Revenue Authority scandal case, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has been granted additional time by the court to serve former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta. Kissi Agyebeng is the Special Prosecutor.
The Chronicle
1. MAIN HEADLINE: Osahen: Epitome Of Honesty
Sub: …Mahama Ayariga Eulogises Minority Leader – Stories on pages 2 & 3
Summary: Outgoing Majority Leader and Local Government Minister-designate Mahama Ayariga has eulogised Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, describing him as “Osahen” and an epitome of honesty. Ayariga praised Afenyo-Markin’s integrity and leadership during his vetting in Parliament. The photo shows Ayariga in a smock and Afenyo-Markin with a microphone.
2. AFAG Demands Forensic Audit Of GoldBod
Summary: Pressure group Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) is demanding a forensic audit of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod). The call comes amid controversy over the reported GH¢1.7bn loss. Photo shows a leading member of AFAG, Dr. Samuel Kwabena Frimpong (middle), addressing the media.
3. Annoh-Dompreh Grills Zenator On Plastic Waste, Climate Finance
Summary: MP for Nsawam Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, during the vetting of Environment Minister designate Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, questioned her on plastic waste management, mercury pollution and climate finance.
New Weekend Crusading Guide
1. MAIN HEADLINE: GH¢1.7BN GOLDBOD LOSS CLAIM DOESN’T ADD UP
Sub: …IEA Disputes, Says Figure Represents Revenue, Foreign-Exchange Valuation Differences, Not Actual Loss – Pages 3,9 & 10
Summary: The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has challenged claims that the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has lost GH¢1.7 billion. The think tank says the figure being quoted does not represent a real loss but rather differences in revenue accounting and foreign exchange valuation. The paper carries the full analysis on pages 3, 9 and 10.
2. Armed Soldiers Attack Mining Site With ‘Orders From Above’
Sub: …Kill One, Take Over Narawa Mine Concession In Heman
Summary: Some armed military personnel have allegedly attacked a mining site at Heman, claiming they were acting on “orders from above.” The report says one person was killed in the operation, and the soldiers took over the Narawa Mine concession.
3. LET’S PROTECT MAHAMA’S LEGACY, REBUILD PARTY FROM GRASSROOTS – Says Opong-Fosu Ahead Of Formal Declaration – Page 10
Summary: Presidential staffer and NDC stalwart, Kofi Opong-Fosu, has called on members of the NDC to protect President Mahama’s legacy and focus on rebuilding the party from the grassroots. He said this ahead of his formal declaration for a party position. Story on page 10.
4. ‘Publish The NIB Report’ – Birim Youth Association Petitions Chief Of Staff Over Extortion Allegations Against MCE
Summary: The Birim Youth Association has petitioned the Chief of Staff to publish the National Investigation Bureau (NIB) report on extortion allegations levelled against a Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) in the area.
5. Mahama Ayariga’s Fair Assessment Of Minority Leader: Afenyo Markin Is Paragon Of Honesty, Fortitude, And Integrity!
Summary: During his vetting, Local Government Minister-designate Mahama Ayariga described Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin as a paragon of honesty, fortitude, and integrity. The photo shows Ayariga in Kente during vetting, with Afenyo-Markin inset.
The Daily Searchlight
1. MAIN HEADLINE: PROBE GOLDBOD OVER ALLEGED GH¢78.6M EXPENDITURE!…AFAG Demands
Summary: The Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) is demanding a probe into the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) over alleged GH¢78.6 million expenditure. The group made the call at a press conference addressed by its leading member. Photo shows AFAG executives at the conference.
2. Minority Walks Out Over ‘Rushed’ Vetting Of Supreme Court Nominees – Page 8
Summary: The Minority in Parliament staged a walkout in protest over what they described as a rushed vetting process for Supreme Court nominees. The Minority says due process was not followed.
3. Labour Dispute Looms as Teacher Unions Warn GES Over August 31st Deadline for Promotion Placements – Page 9
Summary: A labour dispute is brewing as teacher unions have warned the Ghana Education Service (GES) over the August 31st deadline for promotion placements. The unions say they will take action if GES fails to meet the deadline.
4. ‘Missing’ Catholic priest is a Police Recruit, found at Police Training Centre in Koforidua – Page 8
Summary: A Catholic priest who was reported missing has been found. Reports indicate he is currently a police recruit at the Police Training Centre in Koforidua.
The Informer
1. MAIN HEADLINE: We Warned BoG About GoldBod Losses
Sub: IMF Reveals; But Central Bank Succumbed To Pressure Of Higher Authority – Page 3
Summary: The IMF has revealed that it warned the Bank of Ghana (BoG) about potential losses at the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod). The report says the Central Bank succumbed to pressure from a higher authority. The paper pictures GoldBod Acting CEO Sammy Gyamfi, BoG Governor Dr. Johnson Asiama, and IMF Ghana Boss Dr. Adrian Alter.
2. “The OSP Is Back!” – Kissi Agyebeng Declares Rebirth, Fires Warning At Critics As He Names 5 Persons of Interest in Berko Probe – Page 4
Summary: Special Prosecutor William Kissi Agyebeng says the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) is back. He declared a rebirth of the office, warned his critics, and named 5 persons of interest in the ongoing investigation involving former TOR MD, Asante Berko.
3. ‘Galamsey Now Youth Employment’ – Catholic Bishops – Page 5
Summary: The President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, has lamented that illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) has now become a form of youth employment in Ghana due to lack of jobs.
4. In this Issue… Ghana’s Growth Faces Fresh Threat …As World Bank Flags High Cost of Doing Business – Page 6
Summary: The World Bank is warning that Ghana’s economic growth faces a new threat because of the high cost of doing business in the country, which is discouraging investment.
5. CDD-Ghana Demands New Law …To Rein In Political Party Financing And Campaign Spending – Page 2
Summary: The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) is calling for a new law to regulate how political parties are financed and how much they spend on campaigns. William Nyarko of CDD is pictured.
The Metro Lens
1. MAIN HEADLINE: Ayariga Praises Afenyo
Sub: …He is a Paragon of Honesty, Fortitude and Integrity – Page 9Summary: Local Government Minister-designate Mahama Ayariga has praised Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin during his vetting. Ayariga described Afenyo-Markin as a paragon of honesty, fortitude and integrity. Photo shows Afenyo-Markin in Kente speaking, with an inset.
2. “GoldBod’s $1.7bn Loss Is Not All Real Money Lost” – IEA
Sub: Prof. Alexander Bilson Darku, IEA Director of Research
Summary: The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) says the reported $1.7 billion loss by the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) is not entirely a real cash loss. According to IEA Director of Research, Prof. Alexander Bilson Darku, part of the figure is due to accounting and valuation differences.
3. Annoh-Dompreh Grills Agyeman-Rawlings Over Mercury, Plastic Waste And Climate Finance – Page 8
Summary: Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, MP for Nsawam Adoagyiri, grilled Environment Minister-designate Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings during her vetting on issues of mercury use in galamsey, plastic waste management and climate finance.
4. Parliament Approves Mahama Ayariga, Zanetor as Ministers
Summary: Parliament has approved Mahama Ayariga as Minister for Local Government and Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings as Minister for Environment after their vetting.
The Ghanaian Publisher
1. MAIN HEADLINE: Ayariga Hails Afenyo-Markin’s Integrity – Page 3
Summary: Outgoing Majority Leader and Local Government Minister designate, Mahama Ayariga, has praised Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s integrity during his vetting. Ayariga described Afenyo-Markin as honest and full of fortitude. Photos show Ayariga in a white smock and Afenyo-Markin in Kente.
2. GH¢1.7b DGPP Loss: It’s Accounting, Not GoldBod Loss – IEA
Summary: The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) says the GH¢1.7 billion being reported as loss by GoldBod is not an actual loss. According to IEA, it is an accounting issue related to the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP) and foreign exchange valuation, not real money lost.
3. John Boadu’s Big Vow: ‘I’ll Rebuild NPP And Mobilise For Bawumia’ – Page 2
Summary: Former NPP General Secretary John Boadu, after submitting his forms to NPP Election Committee Chairman Mr. Fred Opare Ansah, has vowed to rebuild the New Patriotic Party and mobilise grassroots support for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for 2028.
4. Abanga Files Nomination …Unveils 4m-Vote, 70-Seat Agenda – Page 2
Summary: A youth organiser known as Abanga has filed his nomination for a party position. He has unveiled an ambitious agenda to deliver 4 million youth votes and 70 parliamentary seats for the party.
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