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July 9, 2026
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Mahama pokes fun at Black Stars players over anthem silence at World Cup
Policy
Key Points
- President John Mahama humorously criticized Ghana’s Black Stars for not singing the national anthem during their recent World Cup matches.
- He observed that some players remained silent, contrasting their behavior with other nations' teams who sang with visible pride.
- Mahama jokingly suggested that the ability to sing the national anthem should become a mandatory qualification for national team selection.
- His remarks were made at Jubilee House following Ghana's elimination from the World Cup after a 1-0 loss to Colombia.
- Despite the light-hearted tone, the comments touch on a broader public expectation for national representatives to visibly display pride in state symbols.
Why This Matters
This article highlights a significant cultural and patriotic sentiment within Ghana, particularly concerning its representatives on the international stage. It underscores the public's expectation for national teams to embody national pride and identity through symbolic actions like singing the anthem, beyond just their athletic performance.
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August 24, 2026
GoldBod denies GH¢1bn BoG overdraft claim, demands retraction and apology from Boako
- The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has vehemently denied claims by MP Dr. Gideon Boako that it owes the Bank of Ghana (BoG) a GH¢1 billion overdraft.
- Dr. Boako, a Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Finance Committee, questioned GoldBod's reported GH¢907 million profit, stating an outstanding overdraft would reflect a loss.
- GoldBod labeled Dr. Boako’s claim as “totally false,” a “deliberate and malicious smear campaign,” and demanded a retraction and apology.
- This dispute is set against a broader political and economic debate concerning GoldBod’s financial performance and the accounting treatment of GH¢22 billion losses from the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP).
- GoldBod asserts it has never taken any loan, overdraft, or debt instrument from the Bank of Ghana or any financial institution since its establishment.
August 24, 2026
GoldBod losses remain key on Minority agenda as Parliament reconvenes – Afenyo-Markin
- The NPP Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, reaffirmed the caucus's commitment to investigate a reported US$1.7 billion loss linked to the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme and the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod).
- This commitment was reiterated after Afenyo-Markin met with NPP flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in Accra.
- Dr Bawumia commended the Minority Caucus for its accountability efforts and encouraged their continued work.
- The reported loss, equivalent to about 1.5% of Ghana’s GDP, will be a key issue for the Minority as Parliament reconvenes.
- The Minority is resolute in pursuing the matter to get answers for the Ghanaian public regarding the circumstances of the loss.
August 23, 2026
Why celebrate $2.62bn FDI while losing $1.7bn under the Domestic Gold Programme? IERPP asks
- The Institute of Economic Research and Public Policy (IERPP) welcomes Ghana's US$2.62 billion Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as a sign of investor confidence.
- However, IERPP tempers this optimism with concern over an estimated GH¢22 billion (US$1.7 billion) loss from the Domestic Gold Purchase Program (DGPP).
- The DGPP loss is significant, equating to about 65 cents for every US$1 of FDI attracted, highlighting a major resource management issue.
- IERPP emphasizes that while FDI is crucial, it cannot substitute for prudent management and protection of existing public resources.
- The Institute calls for greater transparency, a clear breakdown of DGPP losses, and intense scrutiny from accountability institutions, Parliament, and civil society.