PURC Central Region resolves 95% of consumer complaints in first half of 2026

October 12, 2026

• Ghana has renewed its call for a country-led global health system, advocating for international health policies to be designed with, not imposed on, nations.
• This position follows Ghana's rejection of a proposed US$109 million health compact with the United States over concerns regarding health data, financing obligations, and regulatory authority.
• President Mahama highlighted issues with provisions related to Ghana’s pathogen profile, citizens’ medical records, counterpart funding, and restrictions on the Food and Drugs Authority.
• Ghana emphasizes health sovereignty, strengthening domestic capacity, and building resilience to health emergencies through initiatives like the Mahama Cares programme and increased domestic resource mobilisation.
• The US has approached Ghana to review the rejected compact, with Ghana indicating readiness to engage on provisions it deems unacceptable, keeping the discussion open.

October 12, 2026

• Ghana's Interior Minister disclosed that 84 people are in custody facing narcotics charges.
• Approximately 73 suspected assets linked to individuals under investigation have been frozen.
• The judiciary and Attorney-General's Department are supporting reforms, including dedicated courts for narcotics cases.
• The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has been granted direct prosecutorial powers, allowing its officers to handle cases.
• A new approach to asset recovery involves identifying and securing suspected proceeds of crime earlier in investigations, with assets transferable to the state upon conviction.

October 12, 2026

• Cocoa farmers and traditional leaders in the Ashanti Region expressed satisfaction with the Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026 (Act 1182), following engagements with COCOBOD.
• Participants acknowledged the rationale behind the new cocoa producer price, despite initial expectations for a higher amount, after receiving explanations on the determination process.
• They called for sustained public education on the new Act, particularly provisions protecting farmlands from illegal mining and unauthorized sand winning, and urged depoliticization of cocoa issues.
• Farmers requested improvements in the free distribution of agricultural inputs, speedy implementation of the Farmer Pension Scheme, and transparency in the cocoa tertiary education scholarship scheme.
• COCOBOD committed to continuous dialogue and stakeholder participation, with further engagements planned on input distribution and disease control, and will submit farmer concerns to management.