Ghana Minute.
Wednesday, 7 October 2026
Ghana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Wednesday, 7 October 2026
Accra—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Ghanaian press · Organization

IMANI Africa

Policy and governance think tank appearing in coverage of state enterprise performance, institutional accountability, and regulatory reforms.

2026-05-022026-10-07
Share on WhatsApp

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. May 2026

  2. Joy Online

    President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has called on the government to remain committed to fiscal discipline and policy reforms as Ghana transitions into a new Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI) arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). …

    Franklin Cudjoe urges discipline in implementation of IMF PCI programme

  3. Joy Online

    Senior Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has called for greater political tolerance and protection for Ghanaian businesses, warning that the country risks undermining its own economic progress if enterprises associated with political figures are targeted whenever gover …

    Kofi Bentil urges political tolerance to protect Ghanaian businesses and investment

  4. Joy Online

    Senior Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, is calling for a comprehensive review and renegotiation of all mining contracts in Ghana, arguing that the country is now in a stronger position to secure better terms than when many of the agreements were originally signed. …

    We must review and renegotiate all mining contracts – Kofi Bentil

  5. Joy Online

    Senior Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has cautioned against premature celebration of Ghana’s recent economic improvements under the International Monetary Fund programme. …

    IMF gains should not be celebrated yet – Kofi Bentil

  6. Joy Online

    IMANI Africa has defended the participation of civil society organisations (CSOs) in a Supreme Court case challenging the constitutionality of Ghana’s anti-corruption framework law, the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959). …

    IMANI Africa defends CSO intervention in Supreme Court case challenging OSP Act

  7. Joy Online

    … -corruption, institutional integrity, and the preservation of independent public institutions established to serve the Republic.” The organisations include the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development, Transparency International Ghana, Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, IMANI Africa …

    CDD, IMANI, 12 other CSOs file to join Supreme Court case challenging OSP Act

  8. Joy Online

    Lawyer and Senior Vice-President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has emphasised that the Bank of Ghana is neither a profit-making nor a loss-making institution, but a body mandated to stabilise the economy, raising questions over the sustainability of recent financial losses. …

    If BoG isn’t a profit-making institution, it also can’t be a loss-making one – Kofi Bentil

  9. Akosombo Dam returns to full capacity after fire damage bypass

    1. Joy Online

      … However, Lawyer and Senior Vice-President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has criticised authorities over what he describes as “insincere” communication regarding the persistent power outages. …

      Clear leadership demonstrated in managing recent power crisis – Dr Theo Acheampong

    2. Joy Online

      Lawyer and Senior Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has attributed Ghana’s recurring energy challenges to political interference rather than weak technical leadership. …

      Energy sector woes stem from political interference, not leadership failure — Kofi Bentil

    3. Joy Online

      Lawyer and Senior Vice-President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has criticised authorities over what he describes as “insincere” communication regarding Ghana’s persistent power outages. …

      Communication around power outages has been ‘insincere’— Kofi Bentil
Politics

ILEE launches 2026 Nyansapo Fellowship for young policy advocates

The News

The Institute for Liberty and Economic Education has launched the Nyansapo Fellowship to equip young Ghanaians with skills in policy analysis, advocacy, and economic development, targeting university students initially with plans to expand. The programme aims to train participants in policy evaluation, legal reasoning, media engagement, and market-based economic principles while identifying regulatory barriers to entrepreneurship.

5 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 5 October

  1. ILEE launches 2026 Nyansapo Fellowship for young policy advocates

    The Institute for Liberty and Economic Education has launched the Nyansapo Fellowship to equip young Ghanaians with skills in policy analysis, advocacy, and economic development, targeting university students initially with plans to expand. The programme aims to train participants in policy evaluation, legal reasoning, media engagement, and market-based economic principles while identifying regulatory barriers to entrepreneurship.

    5 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Saturday 3 October

  1. Kofi Bentil criticises La MP's response to beach demolition

    Lawyer and IMANI Africa Senior Vice President Kofi Bentil has questioned MP Rita Naa Odoley Sowah's claim of ignorance about the demolition of structures at Labadi beachfront, saying her position as Deputy Minister of Local Government raises questions about her competence or whether there was criminal negligence in failing to act on an issue affecting thousands of residents.

    3 October 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Lawyer questions arrest of Baffour Awuah without clear charges

    Kofi Bentil, a lawyer and Senior Vice President of IMANI Africa, has raised procedural concerns about the arrest of lawyer Baffour Awuah, stating that authorities have failed to clearly state the charge against him and that he had not been charged after several days in custody.

    3 October 2026 · Joy Online →

  3. MP Baffour Awuah qualifies for self-recognisance bail, says Kofi Bentil

    IMANI Africa's Senior Vice President Kofi Bentil argues that Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah should be granted bail on his own recognisance, citing his voluntary cooperation with the Economic and Organised Crime Office and his public profile as a parliamentarian.

    3 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 23 September

  1. IMANI, government discuss urban sanitation, revenue reforms

    IMANI Africa and the Ministry of Local Government discussed reforms on sanitation, local revenue mobilisation, urban mobility and market redevelopment in a September 2026 engagement. The proposals include reorganising waste collection in Greater Accra into three operational blocks with transfer stations and a two-bin household waste separation system.

    23 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Saturday 19 September

  1. MP, lawyer clash over nearly 3.9-tonne cocaine seizure from Ghana

    Member of Parliament for Akwatia Bernard Bediako Baidoo and lawyer Kofi Bentil disagreed on Saturday over a consignment of nearly 3.9 tonnes of suspected cocaine that originated from Ghana and was seized in France, with Bentil questioning how it passed through Ghana's port while Baidoo rejected what he called premature blame of the government before investigations conclude.

    19 September 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Arrest all involved in 3.9-tonne cocaine container case – Bentil

    Lawyer Kofi Bentil has called for the arrest of everyone in the handling chain of a container with nearly 3.9 tonnes of suspected cocaine seized by French customs at the Port of Dunkirk in September after departing from Ghana. Bentil argued the large quantity suggests those behind the shipment expected it to pass through Ghanaian security checks undetected, pointing to possible weaknesses or complicity within the system.

    19 September 2026 · Joy Online →

  3. Lawyer criticises large cocaine seizure in France as Ghana embarrassment

    Kofi Bentil, Vice President of IMANI Africa, has described the seizure of a reported cocaine consignment in France after it allegedly passed through Ghana as "scandalous" and an embarrassment to the country, questioning how authorities failed to detect the narcotics at Ghana's ports.

    19 September 2026 · Joy Online →

  4. Kofi Bentil questions Mahama's response to cocaine seizure in France

    Lawyer Kofi Bentil questioned President Mahama's purpose in meeting with security officials over nearly 3.9 tonnes of suspected cocaine seized by French customs at Dunkirk in September, which departed from Ghana. Bentil argued the focus should instead be on how the shipment left Ghana and on accountability within port and border-control systems, noting scanning procedures at Tema Port and six people, including four customs officers, have been denied bail in connection with the case.

    19 September 2026 · Joy Online →

  5. Police need court order to access suspect phones

    Kofi Bentil, Vice President of IMANI Africa, has cautioned the public against surrendering access to their mobile phones to police without a court order, stating that investigators must obtain court authorization before searching or accessing a suspect's phone contents, as phones contain sensitive personal and third-party information including financial, medical and professional records.

    19 September 2026 · Joy Online →

  6. State must distinguish insults from criminal offences

    Kofi Bentil, Senior Vice President of IMANI Africa, says the state should draw a clear distinction between objectionable conduct and criminal conduct, cautioning against using state institutions to address matters considered insulting or offensive rather than criminal.

    19 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 7 September

  1. SIGA report on state enterprises sparks debate between Simons and Kpessa-Whyte

    IMANI Africa Vice President Bright Simons and State Interests and Governance Authority Director-General Prof. Michael Kpessa-Whyte clashed on JoyNews over SIGA's report on Ghana's state-owned enterprises, with Simons questioning the figures, methodology and conclusions, while Prof. Kpessa-Whyte defended the report's integrity and data.

    7 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Saturday 5 September

  1. Bright Simons rejects AI-reliance claims in SIGA critique

    IMANI Africa Vice President Bright Simons denied accusations from SIGA Director-General Michael Kpessa-Whyte that he used AI to analyse a 448-page SIGA report, saying technology was used only for data extraction and that he has not delegated his professional judgment to AI over 20 years of policy analysis.

    5 September 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Bright Simons disputes SIGA's claim of SOE financial turnaround

    IMANI Africa's Bright Simons has challenged the State Interests and Governance Authority's portrayal of state-owned enterprises' financial performance, arguing that underlying data do not support the claim of a "massive" turnaround despite SOEs posting a combined net profit of GH¢19.8 billion in 2025 against a loss of GH¢2.25 billion in 2024. Simons cited indicators including the number of profitable entities, cumulative losses, current ratios and dividend payments as evidence that the turnaround narrative is not borne out by the data.

    5 September 2026 · Joy Online →

  3. SIGA's highest audited proportion claim disputed by IMANI Africa

    Bright Simons of IMANI Africa challenges SIGA's claim of recording the highest proportion of audited financial statements from state-owned entities, arguing that the 2021 figure of 68% exceeded the latest 66%. Simons also questions the report's presentation of profitability and claims the number of profitable entities declined.

    5 September 2026 · Joy Online →

  4. Chief Justice clarifies comments on state institutions amid public criticism

    The Judicial Service reaffirmed Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie's commitment to judicial independence after public criticism of remarks he made during outreach visits to SSNIT and MIIF, where he praised improvements in their operations and questioned Ghana's performance over the previous eight years.

    5 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 3 September

  1. Chief Justice must administer justice, not advance political agendas

    NPP Deputy General Secretary Haruna Mohammed has disagreed with IMANI Africa President Franklin Cudjoe's defence of Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie's recent comments on state institutions, arguing that the Chief Justice's constitutional role is to administer justice and protect judicial independence, not to safeguard any government's agenda.

    3 September 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. IMANI President says Chief Justice's comments backed by data

    Franklin Cudjoe of IMANI Africa defended Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie's recent comments praising state institutions' performance under the current administration, saying the remarks were factual rather than politically motivated and backed by available data.

    3 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 1 September

  1. SIGA's GH¢19.8bn SOE profit claim influenced by currency gains

    Vice President of IMANI Africa Bright Simons has questioned the State Interests and Governance Authority's reported GH¢19.8 billion combined net profit by Ghana's state-owned enterprises in 2025, arguing that currency-related gains significantly influenced the results and that removing currency movements reveals a less favourable underlying performance.

    1 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 31 August

  1. Ghana's state enterprises post first profit in four years

    Ghana's State-Owned Enterprises reported a consolidated net profit of GH¢19.80 billion in 2025, their first profit in four years, driven by 28.12% revenue growth to GH¢176.43 billion with non-energy sectors leading gains. However, analysis suggests the turnaround was driven more by macroeconomic tailwinds and accounting adjustments than operational improvements, with enterprises generating paper profits but returning virtually no cash to the treasury.

    31 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 27 August

  1. Africa short-changed in negotiations due to weak bargaining capacity

    Retired Colonel Festus Aboagye has said Africa is being short-changed because African governments fail to negotiate well with foreign partners, and that having abundant resources does not automatically give countries influence. He argued that Africa exports raw materials while capturing only a fraction of the value from finished products, citing gold, oil and cocoa as examples, and warned that the continent's large youth population is not automatically an economic dividend.

    27 August 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Kleeve founder urges policy certainty, infrastructure, human capital for Africa

    Senyo Hosi called for closer cooperation between governments and businesses, emphasizing the need for clear rules, public investment, and reliable institutions to drive Africa's economic transformation and create jobs.

    27 August 2026 · Joy Online →

  3. African unemployment crisis rooted in weak production capacity

    At SYPALA 2026, Kleeve and Tove Ltd founder Senyo Hosi argued that Africa's unemployment crisis extends beyond lack of jobs to a deeper problem of weak production, low productivity, and insufficient large-scale businesses capable of absorbing skilled young people. He noted that nearly three in four young adults aged 25 to 29 in sub-Saharan Africa were in insecure work as of 2023.

    27 August 2026 · Joy Online →

  4. Africa must prioritize job creation over headline GDP growth

    Senyo Hosi, founder of Kleeve and Tove Ltd, warned at SYPALA 2026 that African economies cannot achieve meaningful transformation through growth alone without creating jobs for young people, and that governments must shift focus from consumption-heavy budgets to production, enterprise, and productivity.

    27 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 25 August

  1. Rule of law, not military, best enforces discipline in Africa

    Lawyer and IMANI Africa Vice President Kofi Bentil argued that effective civilian law enforcement and the rule of law, rather than military intervention, are critical to maintaining order and discipline. He made the comments at the Students and Young Professionals African Liberty Academy (SYPALA) 2026, disagreeing with military leaders' calls for stronger military involvement in enforcing discipline across the continent.

    25 August 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Limited government essential to prevent abuse and oppression

    At SYPALA 2026, Kofi Bentil, Vice President of IMANI Africa, argued that government authority derives from citizens and must be limited to the specific powers they grant, warning that unchecked concentration of power leads to abuse and oppression.

    25 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 24 August

  1. Policy indiscipline and incompetence hamper Africa's economic growth

    Franklin Cudjoe, founding President of IMANI Africa, says Africa's development challenges stem not from a lack of policies or economic plans, but from governments' and institutions' failure to consistently implement and comply with established frameworks. He argues that African countries need greater consistency between policy formulation and implementation to achieve sustainable economic growth.

    24 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Saturday 22 August

  1. NDC government not trying hard enough on galamsey – Kofi Bentil

    Vice President of IMANI Africa Kofi Bentil has criticised the current government's approach to tackling illegal small-scale mining, arguing it is not doing enough compared to the previous Akufo-Addo administration, which tried but ultimately failed. He called for a more comprehensive response, questioning whether economic interests are influencing the government's enforcement efforts.

    22 August 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Power outages fixable if government prioritises solutions – Bentil

    IMANI Africa's Vice President Kofi Bentil says Ghana's recurring power outages can be resolved if government prioritises necessary interventions and resources, noting that technical expertise and solutions are already known. He cited a recent power outage at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital as an example of the risks posed by unreliable electricity supply and stressed that Ghanaian engineers have the capacity to address the challenges if given adequate resources.

    22 August 2026 · Joy Online →

  3. Ghana should prioritize power sector spending over market construction

    Lawyer Kofi Bentil called on the government to rethink its spending priorities, arguing that Ghana has the technical expertise and resources to fix recurring power outages but questions why interventions have not been prioritized. He contended that the government should focus on strengthening essential infrastructure rather than committing significant resources to deferrable projects like demolishing and constructing new markets.

    22 August 2026 · Joy Online →

IMANI Africa — Ghanaian press coverage · Ghana Minute