Newspaper Headlines, September 1, 2026

This is what the papers say:

Daily Graphic

1. Africa must fund own peace agenda — President Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama at the 21st AU Extraordinary Session in Luanda, Angola, on August 30 said Africa must stop depending on external funding for peace and security. He called for sustainable and predictable African-owned financing, full implementation of the AU Peace Fund with its $1 billion target, including the 0.2% import levy, plus money from African financial institutions and the private sector. He also said early warning systems must lead to early action and welcomed the plan to use UN contributions to fund AU peace operations.

2. SOEs generate GH¢176.4bn revenue in 2025

State-owned enterprises made GH¢176.4 billion in revenue in 2025, a 28% rise from GH¢137.64bn in 2024. Net profit was GH¢19.8bn, reversing a GH¢2.3bn loss in 2024. This is the first profit after 4 years of losses. Profit before tax was GH¢25.5bn. Better performance came from agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, a stronger cedi, and 42% drop in finance costs.

3. SHS placement out Sept 4

The placement for Senior High School will be released on September 4, 2026.

4. BoG, SEC approve UMB’s Virtual Accounts offering

Universal Merchant Bank (UMB) is now the first bank in Ghana approved by both the Bank of Ghana and the SEC to offer virtual accounts to businesses in the virtual asset space, including fintechs and crypto companies. This lets them use regulated banking services under proper rules.

Ghanaian Times

1. Main Headline: Poultry industry gets $270m boost

Summary: The 24-Hour Economy Secretariat and 4 partners – Agrium Capital UK, Petra Trust, Axis Pension Trust and EXIM Bank Ghana – have signed a $270m deal for the National Poultry Transformation Programme. It is described as the largest UK agrifood investment in Ghana. The project will cover feed, breeding, hatchery, broiler production, processing and cold chain. First phase to produce 20,000 tonnes scaling to 50,000 tonnes. Ghana currently spends $400m importing 270,000 tonnes of chicken a year. Expected to create 12,000 jobs. Adviser is Mr Goosie Tanoh ghanamma.com

2. 47-year-old woman arrested over alleged burial of grandchild – Page 3

Summary: Police at Akyem Oda have arrested Akua Abrokwaa, 47, for allegedly burying her newborn grandchild alive in a cocoa farm at Akoroso near Koforidua. The incident happened on Sunday after her daughter gave birth. The chief summoned her, but she refused to appear, so residents reported to the police. Both grandmother and mother are in custody at Oda, assisting investigations

3. Ghana Military Academy corrects application fee

Summary: The Ghana Military Academy says the cost of its application voucher for 2025/2026 enlistment is GH¢320 and not GH¢250 as advertised on August 31, 2026. Public advised to note the correction when applying for admission

4. TVET expansion not translating into jobs — Survey – Page 13

Summary: A new survey says the expansion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Ghana is not leading to job creation for graduates

5. Pit collapse kills 7 illegal miners at Asaman Tamfoe – Page 3

Summary: Seven illegal miners died when a galamsey pit collapsed at Asaman Tamfoe in Atewa East District, Eastern Region on Saturday night, August 29, 2026 around 11pm. 11 miners were in the pit; 4 left before the collapse. Bodies were retrieved after an all-night rescue by police, NADMO, the Ambulance Service, and residents. 5 of the dead are from Moseaso, 2 from Asaman Tamfoe

Daily Guide

1. GoldBod Targets $1.4bn In September

Summary: The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) says it will generate $1.4 billion in foreign exchange in September 2026 after making $1.315bn in August under its new financing model GANRAP. Out of the projected amount, $700m will go to commercial banks to stabilize the cedi and $700m to the Bank of Ghana for reserves. CEO is Sammy Gyamfi

2. Abu Jinapor Writes On Domestic Gold Purchase Programme

Summary: Former Lands Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor says the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP) was the brainchild of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and was launched June 17, 2021, to deal with forex pressure after COVID. He says it grew Ghana’s gold reserves from 8.77 tonnes to 30.53 tonnes by Dec 2024 and that the current government’s GANRAP is just a rebranding of the DGPP

3. AG, OSP ‘FIGHT’ Over Cases – Lead Story

Summary: There is a legal tussle between the Attorney General’s office and the Office of the Special Prosecutor. In April 2026, a High Court ruled that the OSP cannot prosecute cases without authorization from the AG and ordered the AG to take over all OSP cases. OSP boss Kissi Agyebeng rejected it. Deputy AG Dr Justice Srem-Sai says the AG will wait for the Supreme Court ruling before taking over. Supreme Court case was later decided 7-0 in favour of OSP’s mandate on July 29

4. 6 Nabbed For Armed Robbery In Kumasi

Summary: Police in Kumasi have arrested 6 suspects for armed robbery. Three of them are pictured on the front page. Full details on page 6

5. AG Ghana Launches 2026 World Congress At Local Level

Summary: Assemblies of God Ghana has launched its 2026 World Congress at the local level. Rev and Mrs Wengam were present at the launch. Details on page 3

The Chronicle

1. My ‘Wansena Pobre’ Proverb Did Not Target Bawumia – Boakye Agyarko – Main Headline Page 3

NPP National Chairman aspirant Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko says his proverb about ‘Wansena Pobre’ was not aimed at flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. In his campaign on August 30 said there is no rift between them, that Agyarko visited Bawumia at home to inform him about his chairmanship bid on October 3, and that he has instructed his team not to attack any fellow party member. He said Bawumia is his friend and they have worked together since 2008.

2. National Security Seeks Stronger Partnership With Media – See Page 4

National Security is calling for stronger collaboration with the media. At a workshop for Private Newspapers and Online Publishers Association (PRINPAG) at Platinum Bay Hotel, Abokobi on August 30-31 themed “Media as a Strategic Partner in Preventive Security and Early Warning”, officials including National Security Coordinator Osman Abdul-Razak, Cyber Security Authority Boss Divine Agbeti and Felix Kwakye Ofosu said Ghana’s peace is not guaranteed and needs media support. They said media should not be seen as a nuisance, that free press is a security strategy, and proposed timely official information in exchange for verification and no sensationalism.

3. Adamus Resources Welcomes Gov’t Reprieve, Reaffirms Commitment To A Sustainable Future – See Page 7

Adamus Resources Limited has welcomed the government’s 12-month reprieve to revive its mine. In April, the government revoked 3 leases – Akanjo, Salman and Nkroful – for alleged breaches. After a Presidency meeting on August 21, the government gave Adamus 12 months to restructure. A 6-member team (3 from government, 3 from Adamus) will supervise. The roadmap will include settling debts to GRA, Minerals Income Investment Fund, banks and suppliers, and finding new investors. Adamus says this protects jobs, contractors and host communities in Western Region.

Daily Searchlight

1. Transport Fares Likely To Go Up Again as Fuel and Operating Costs Increase! – GPRTU Warns – Page 5

The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) says it may increase transport fares again. They say fuel prices are projected to go up from September 1 – petrol by 4.8% and diesel by 2.1%. The government gave a GH¢2 relief on diesel in August to stop a 30% fare hike, but that relief is temporary. GPRTU says every cost has gone high – spare parts, lubricants, insurance, DVLA fees.

2. FUEL PRICE HIKES: WHO IS REALLY PAYING THE PRICE? – Main Story Page 2

Lead story on the fuel crisis. It says from the GH¢1 energy levy introduced in June 2025 to the GH¢2 diesel “relief” in August 2026, Ghanaians are still paying more. Government says the GH¢2 cut comes from regulatory margin, not taxes, but opposition NPP says people have paid GH¢1 extra per litre for 13 months and only get GH¢2 back on diesel for one month. Fuel is still higher than January 2025.

3. Government Should Tighten GoldBod Controls Amidst Reported GH¢22 Billion Loss! – Afenyo Markin – Page 6

Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin says government must tighten controls on the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) after IMF reported $1.7bn / GH¢22bn loss from the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme. He is calling for a probe.

4. Ghana Teacher Unions Call Off Strike Threat as Government Moves to Adjust Salaries for Nearly 80,000 Teachers – Page 7

GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG have called off their planned strike after meeting Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu on August 31. Nearly 80,000 promoted teachers will now be placed on their correct salary scales with effective date January 2026. Teachers will not need to travel to district offices to submit payslips. GES will send data to Controller and Accountant General to pay in September.

5. 2026 – Mining Kills 30 In Eastern Region! …Nadmo – Page 7

NADMO reports 30 people have died from mining-related incidents in Eastern Region in 2026, including the 7 who died when a galamsey pit collapsed at Asaman Tamfoe on August 29.

The Insight

1. TOR RECORDS GH¢1.093.06M NET PROFIT FOR 2025 …In Massive Turnaround Gain After Years Of Losses

Tema Oil Refinery has made its first profit in 10 years. MD Edmond Kombat announced at the 18th AGM that TOR made GH¢1.093 billion net profit after tax (GH¢1.42bn before tax) in 2025, after a GH¢745.27 million loss in 2024. Revenue grew 18.2% to GH¢285.9m. The profit is mostly from GH¢1.38bn foreign exchange gain, not refining. TOR still has negative equity of GH¢4.53bn and $517m debt, but debt is down 13% and payables down. It resumed refining in December 2025 with 600,000 barrels. The company is now asking government to release GH¢1.6bn owed to it from Energy Sector Levy.

2. BEER TAX – Govt Rejects ABL’s Threat Of 2,000 Job Losses

Government has rejected Accra Brewery PLC’s warning that new beer excise tax will cost 2,000 jobs. Accra Brewery said budget impact is $7.5m and asked to keep old rates. Finance Ministry on August 31 said ABL has not shown how it got 2,000 jobs figure, and that old concession cost Ghana GH¢1.75bn in lost revenue in 3 years. Under new Excise Act, beer with more than 70% local raw materials now pays 25% instead of 10%, 50-70% pays 40% instead of 32.5%, standard is still 47.5%. Government says 85% of ABL production was already in top band so incentive was not working, but they still have 22.5% advantage over imports.

3. At Israel’s Failed Cinema Diplomacy THE EMPTY SEATS SPOKE AGAIN: SO WHO SENT OUR CHILDREN?

Opinion piece by Abdulaiq Ibrahim on the Israeli Film Festival at Silverbird Cinema, Accra Mall on August 30. Festival showed Israeli films The Milky Way and Matchmaking with Ghanaian student films. The article says Ghanaians boycotted it for a second year, with empty seats, and that activists protested with Palestinian flags. It asks why Ministry of Education and UniMAC sent students to an embassy-sponsored event while war in Gaza continues.

4. Strike Averted As Teacher Unions Resolve Differences In Talks With Govt – Page 3

GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG have called off their strike threat after meeting Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu on August 31. Government agreed to place nearly 80,000 promoted teachers on correct salary scales by September 2026 with effective date January 2026, and that teachers won’t need to travel to district offices to submit payslips.

The Catalyst

1. ‘NO FEE STRESS’ MUST REACH THE POOREST – EDUWATCH – Main Headline

Africa Education Watch boss Kofi Asare is calling on government to change how the No Fee Stress policy works. Government says it has spent GH¢900.353 million to support 317,841 first-year students including law students for 2024/2025 and 2025/2026. But Eduwatch says the current system pays students after they have already found money to pay admission fees and get refunded. He says this leaves out the poorest students who cannot raise the upfront money to even secure admission. He wants government to move from refund to waiving fees upfront for eligible poor students.

2. GH¢22.05BN SOEs TURNAROUND UNDER MAHAMA – SIGA FIGURES SHOW STATE ENTERPRISES FROM GH¢2.25bn Loss To GH¢19.8bn Profit – Page 3

State Owned Enterprises have turned around. From a GH¢2.25bn loss in 2024 to GH¢19.8bn profit in 2025. SIGA report says this is a GH¢22.05bn turnaround, driven by improved performance in public sector companies under President Mahama.

3. IGP DECORATES POLICE OFFICER PROMOTED FOR SAVING LIVES AT ABOSO – Page 2

IGP Christian Tetteh Yohuno has decorated Inspector Hance Atubra of Tarkwa Divisional Headquarters who has been promoted to Chief Inspector for bravery. On August 26, 2026 fire broke out at Aboso Main Lorry Station in Western Region burning several shops. Atubra was the first officer on scene and entered the fire to evacuate trapped people and directed them to safety. He was decorated at National Police Headquarters on August 31.

4. MEDIA IS NOW A NATIONAL SECURITY FRONTIER – COP ABDUL-RAZAK – Page 6

COP Abdul-Razak has said the media space is now a national security frontier and must be handled with responsibility.

The Spyder

1. Mahama delivers: Financial Irregularities crushed by 62.9% – Page 3

Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem says government has cut financial irregularities by 62.9% according to 2025 Auditor-General’s Reports. Irregularities across 5 sectors fell from GH¢20.72 billion in 2024 to GH¢7.69 billion in 2025 – a GH¢13.03 billion reduction. Government target was 50% but achieved 62.9%. Biggest drop was in Public Boards and State-Owned Enterprises 87.8% and Colleges of Education 95.8%, but MDA’s increased by 156.3% and MMDAs by 125.6%.

2. Govt Extends Diesel Relief as Fuel Prices Threaten to Spike – Page 6

Government has extended the GH¢2 per litre diesel relief as fuel prices are projected to rise again from September 1. This is to prevent transport fare increases after GPRTU warned of a 30% hike. The relief first started August 4 after Cabinet decision.

3. Train Journalists or Risk National Security – COP Osman – Main Story

National Security Coordinator COP Osman Abdul-Razak says journalists must be trained or national security is at risk. At PRINPAG workshop at Platinum Bay Hotel, Abokobi on August 29-30, he told journalists to prioritize accuracy and verification and not stay in the middle when facts are clear. He said information space is part of security perimeter and terrorists exploit irresponsible reporting. He promised periodic training, access to security chiefs and field trips for journalists.

4. “Verify Before You Amplify” – Cyber Security Authority Boss tells Newsrooms – Page 6

Cyber Security Authority Senior Manager Alex Awere-Kyere and Boss Divine Selase Agbeti told journalists to verify before amplifying stories on security incidents, communal conflict and cyber incidents. He said premature disclosure can disrupt investigations and help criminals. He proposed 5 commitments: verify before amplifying, protect security operations, build cyber-resilient newsrooms, correct misinformation quickly, and strengthen structured engagement with security agencies.

5. “I Rate My Chances as Good” – Paul Akofo Upset after NPP Chairmanship Vetting – Page 7

NPP National Chairman aspirant Paul Awentami Afoko says his chances are good after vetting at Greater Accra Regional HQ on August 31. He said process was fair and firm with frank discussion, chaired by Cecilia Dapaah, and he signed a confidentiality agreement so cannot disclose details. He said he learned from mistakes and is best to lead. National Council had earlier dismissed a petition to block him from contesting on June 25.

About The Author