
Samuel Nartey George, Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation and MP for Ningo-Prampram, has criticized the Ghana AIDS Commission for distributing lubricants to "men to have anal sex with men." Speaking on April 23, 2026, during discussions on the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, Sam George, the lead sponsor of the Bill, questioned the rationale behind the Commission's actions. He argued that resources used for such interventions would be better spent addressing gaps in maternal healthcare. George stated, "We have evidence of Ghana AIDS Commission officers meeting with pro-LGBTQ groups and giving them lubricants. If the Ghana AIDS Commission is supposed to fight HIV, why are you giving lubricants to men to have anal sex with men?" He dismissed the explanation that the supplies aim to limit HIV spread among those already infected, calling it an activity that "continues to perpetuate anal sex between men." The Minister maintained that public health funding should be redirected to pressing needs, specifically maternal care, suggesting funds be used for "maternal beds for women who do not have beds for delivery."
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
Must ReadTwo Ghanaian nationals, Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, a former Ghanaian government spokesperson on governance and security, and Emmanuel Kotin, a counter-terrorism and security analyst, have reportedly petitioned the International Criminal Court ICC to investigate attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa. They describe these incidents as xenophobia or Afrophobia and allege they constitute crimes against humanity. The petitioners accuse the South African government, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, of failing to prevent these "widespread and systematic" attacks and to punish those responsible. They state that African individuals have been killed, beaten, and displaced from their homes in South Africa for years. South Africa's Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, has reportedly called the petition "opportunistic," asserting that South Africa possesses a robust legal framework against discrimination. Recent months have seen renewed attacks and protests targeting foreign nationals in South Africa, often linked to concerns over unemployment, crime, and public services. These events have led to attacks, intimidation, looting, and displacement of migrants. A Ghanaian national, Bashiru Isak, was reportedly killed in Cape Town's Khayelitsha township, with Ghanaian authorities linking his death to anti-immigrant tensions, while South African authorities are investigating it as an extortion-related crime.

Joe Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of Dalex Finance, has characterized Ghana's economic performance in the first half of 2026 as positive, citing improved stability in key macroeconomic indicators. He noted declining inflation, lower interest rates, and relative exchange rate stability as factors creating a more predictable environment for businesses and consumers. Jackson emphasized that stability is crucial for robust and resilient growth, and for private sector investment. He stated that the true measure of the economy's performance will be whether the current stability translates into increased private sector activity and job creation. His comments precede the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review, which Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson is scheduled to present in Parliament on July 23, 2027. The review will assess the economy's performance against the 2026 Budget targets, which aimed for sustained economic growth and fiscal discipline. Since the budget's presentation in November 2025, key economic indicators have shown stronger-than-expected outcomes, including inflation declining to 5.3 percent and improvements in fiscal consolidation, the external sector, and debt sustainability. The review is also expected to provide updates on Ghana’s transition from the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Credit Facility program to the Policy Coordination Instrument.
Must ReadThe Economic and Organised Crime Office EOCO, in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, rescued 39 individuals during an intelligence-led operation in Hohoe, Volta Region. The operation targeted an alleged travel fraud and human trafficking scheme, as announced by EOCO on July 22, 2026. Two groups, operating under the names "Model Q" and "Ignite," were targeted for allegedly luring individuals with false promises of overseas travel. Of those apprehended, 14 are suspected to be connected to the scheme, while 25 are believed to be victims. These victims reportedly originated from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, and Côte d’Ivoire. During the operation, mobile phones, travel documents, and identification cards were recovered. EOCO reiterated its commitment to combating human trafficking, travel fraud, and organized crime, urging the public to be cautious of suspicious recruitment and travel arrangements.