Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister seeks action on alleged attacks on Sam Jonah's properties in Nigeria
via GhanaWeb1 min read
Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called for an investigation into alleged attacks on properties belonging to Ghanaian business magnate Sir Sam Jonah in Nigeria. Ablakwa made the appeal on July 24, 2026, to Nigeria's High Commissioner-designate to Ghana, Shehu Ilyu Barde, upon receiving his letters of credence. The Minister highlighted reports concerning Mobus Investments, a company linked to Sir Sam Jonah, which came to his attention through Nigerian reports and civil society groups. Ablakwa emphasized the importance of African countries protecting and encouraging cross-border investments, stating that Ghanaian businesses operating in other African nations deserve the same support as Nigerian businesses. He added that improved support for businesses across the continent would help unlock the full potential of Africa's integrated market. Shehu Ilyu Barde assured Ablakwa that the matter would be followed up and feedback provided, promising to work together to resolve the issue.
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Dr Gideon Boako, the Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament's Finance Committee, stated that Ghana's improving macroeconomic indicators are meaningless if they do not lead to job creation for the youth. Speaking on NewsFile on Saturday, July 25, 2026, Dr Boako emphasized that economic success should be measured by improved lives for ordinary Ghanaians through employment, higher incomes, and greater economic opportunities, not solely by favorable fiscal and macroeconomic statistics. He described a growing economy with unemployed youth as a "factory of frustration." Dr Boako acknowledged the government's focus on declining inflation and stronger macroeconomic indicators but highlighted that many young people still struggle to find decent jobs after completing their education. He warned that economic growth without corresponding job creation could exacerbate inequality and erode public confidence in ongoing economic reforms. Dr Boako stressed that fiscal and economic policies should be evaluated by their ability to stimulate private sector expansion, support entrepreneurship, and create sustainable employment opportunities, not just by headline growth figures. His remarks were made during discussions on the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review, which assessed the government's fiscal performance and how economic improvements are translating into tangible benefits for Ghanaians.
Must ReadThe Ghanaian government has announced the resumption of evacuations for its citizens in South Africa due to ongoing xenophobic attacks. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on July 25, 2026, detailing that this phase of evacuations is expected to cover approximately 1,000 Ghanaians and will be conducted in groups. The first flights are scheduled to arrive in Accra on Sunday, July 26, and Monday, July 27, 2026. Priority for evacuation will be given to women, children, the elderly, individuals with medical conditions, and students. The Ministry advised distressed Ghanaians in South Africa to contact the Ghana High Commission for updates and urged all citizens to remain calm, avoid unrest areas, and cooperate with High Commission officials.
Ghana's Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has defended the government's decision to maintain tight public spending, attributing it to commitments under the International Monetary Fund IMF program. His remarks address criticism from the Minority, which claims the government is not spending despite improved economic indicators. Dr. Forson explained that the current administration inherited obligations from the previous New Patriotic Party NPP government's US$3 billion IMF bailout, which included a commitment to achieve a primary fiscal surplus of 1.5 percent of Gross Domestic Product GDP. He emphasized that IMF agreements are with the government, not political parties, and his administration is responsible for honoring these commitments to ensure Ghana successfully completes the program. The Minister also stated that government spending alone cannot resolve all economic challenges, particularly inflation driven by food prices and global fuel shocks. He noted that fiscal policy must work with monetary policy, highlighting an amendment to the Bank of Ghana Act to make inflation targeting a shared responsibility between the Ministry of Finance and the central bank. Dr. Forson expressed confidence that the government's disciplined fiscal approach would keep inflation within the target range, hoping to end the year with inflation at 5 percent.