Sentuo Oil Refinery expansion will reduce fuel imports when completed – John Jinapor

June 26, 2026

• Ghana's High Commissioner to Malaysia urged Ghana to reduce reliance on Western economic models and instead learn from Asia's, particularly Malaysia's, long-term vision and policy consistency.
• A high-level delegation of Ghanaian financial regulators is undertaking a study tour in Malaysia to understand its globally acclaimed non-interest banking and finance ecosystem.
• Ghana is preparing to introduce non-interest banking, Sukuk bonds, and Takaful insurance as part of a broader financial sector transformation.
• The country is signaling its readiness to attract both local and international investment into its emerging non-interest finance sector, with the framework for Sukuk bonds reportedly complete.
• Malaysia's four-decade success in integrating non-interest finance into its dual-banking system is seen as a model for Ghana to mobilize capital for infrastructure and strategic national projects.

June 26, 2026

• An international virtual conference on AI, data science, and analytics, led by Ghanaian Professor Andy Asare from Calgary University, is scheduled for June 27, 2026.
• The free event aims to bridge theoretical knowledge with real-world impact, focusing on driving global impact through inclusive AI and data science pathways.
• A major focus will be on how emerging technologies can revolutionize sectors in developing nations, particularly Africa, amidst its digital transformation strides.
• The conference is timely for Ghana, following its recent launch of a $250 million National Artificial Intelligence Strategy aimed at economic growth.
• Professor Asare, a Ghanaian academic, has a strong track record of leading capacity-building initiatives and curriculum development in data science and AI across Ghanaian and other African universities.

June 26, 2026

• The GH¢1 levy on petroleum products has been instrumental in clearing long-standing energy sector debts in Ghana.
• These funds, estimated at $8 billion, were used to settle arrears owed to independent power producers and gas suppliers.
• The levy also helped restore risk guarantees with international partners, including the World Bank, and improved Ghana's credit rating.
• Specific payments were made to gas suppliers like Sankofa Gye Nyame and Jubilee Partners to secure gas supply.
• Despite these debt-clearing efforts, the Ministry of Finance must still provide an average of $92 million monthly to maintain consistent electricity supply.