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Tuesday, 30 June 2026
Ghana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Tuesday, 30 June 2026
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Ghanaian press · Organization

Mastercard Foundation

Organization supporting workforce development and youth employment in Africa, partnering on initiatives including agricultural, health innovation, and financial inclusion programs in Ghana.

2026-04-252026-06-30
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In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. June 2026

  2. Joy Online

    … The conference is on the theme: “Africa’s Time, Africa’s Terms: Learning for Sovereignty, Strength, and Solidarity.” He said that government collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship supported 36 Ghanaian EdTech ventures, reaching over 690,000 learners, with …

    Ghana pushing digital transformation in education to meet 21st-century skills – Haruna Iddrisu

  3. Joy Online

    … Program Context: A Multi-Partner Vision for Rural Ghana Implemented by Temple Investments in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, FILMA is a four-year, multi-partner initiative (2024–2028) designed to empower 100,000 young Ghanaians. …

    Building Economic Resilience: How FILMA is creating dignified livelihoods in rural Ghana

  4. Daily Guide

    … A scene during one of the community engagements Program Context: A Multi-Partner Vision For Rural Ghana Implemented by Temple Investments in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, FILMA is a four-year, multi-partner initiative (2024–2028) designed to empower 100,000 young Gh …

    Building Economic Resilience: How FILMA is Creating Dignified Livelihoods in Rural Ghana In the landscape of rural development, the transition from subsistence to sustainability is often cited as a goal; however, it is rarely measured with the precision of a fintech operation. Reflecting on the insights shared during the inaugural Financial Inclusion for Last Mile Actors (FILMA) Learning Event at the Accra Marriott Hotel, which hosted over 230 stakeholders, it is clear that the “last mile” is no longer the end of the road, but rather the starting point for systemic economic transformation. A scene during one of the community engagements Program Context: A Multi-Partner Vision For Rural Ghana Implemented by Temple Investments in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, FILMA is a four-year, multi-partner initiative (2024–2028) designed to empower 100,000 young Ghanaians. The program specifically targets young women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) by providing access to affordable credit, inclusive financial services, and market opportunities. Central to this mission is the Last Mile Actor (LMA), defined as the essential yet often overlooked players at the end of the agricultural value chain. This demographic primarily comprises young women, youth, and PWDs serving as smallholder farmers, processors, and traders. These actors have historically been excluded from formal financial systems due to systemic barriers: a lack of traditional collateral, limited financial footprints, and the high perceived risk of rural enterprises. The program operates with a precise mandate: ensuring that 70% of LMAs are women and 5% are persons with disabilities, focusing its efforts across 18 districts in the Volta, Oti, Bono East, and Northern Regions. To achieve this scale, the program is driven by a strategic consortium led by Temple Investments, providing strategic leadership and managing the Catalytic Facility for Inclusive Finance (CFIF). This ecosystem is fortified by the specialized expertise of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), AV Ventures, SEND Ghana, and Enterprise Life, which provides tailored insurance solutions to de-risk the financial landscape for rural actors. More than just an intervention, FILMA serves as a critical test case for a high-impact sustainability model. It marks a definitive departure from traditional grant-based modules, aiming instead to transform agricultural and agri-adjacent value chains, including production and the introduction of emerging technology, into self-sustaining hubs of economic resilience. Solid Evidence: Operational Milestones and Alternative Livelihoods Two years into the four-year program, FILMA’s data reflects deep structural changes. The program has enrolled 77,868 LMAs; representing 78% of the total life-of-project target, and successfully transitioned 44,476 youth into dignified and fulfilling work, with young women making up 90% (40,028) of this total. Additionally, 2,151 persons with disabilities are actively participating in the program’s pathways. The average monthly income of an LMA has more than doubled, rising from a baseline of GH¢1,334 to GH¢2,793, while the portion of LMAs able to self-secure a financial product has jumped from 3% to 38%. Crucially, the program is de-risking rural life by introducing microinsurance and promoting diversified, non-traditional income streams to hedge against agricultural volatility. To date, this includes specialized training and equipment distribution for 1,099 individuals in beekeeping, 500 in mushroom production, and 2,661 in dry-season vegetable production. Voices from the Last Mile: The LMA Youth Panel A powerful session at the forum brought five last-mile actors to the stage to share their real-world transformations. Sakina, a young participant, described how saving was once a distant dream, as she struggled to manage the small allowances provided by her parents. Following the financial literacy and saving guides provided by the program, she began consistently saving 30% of her funds, turning a dream into an active, empowering daily practice. Gifty, a university graduate, shared how she turned to mushroom farming in the Oti Region due to the scarcity of formal employment. Although she managed to build a basic farming structure using her national service allowance, she lacked the capital to purchase compost and spawn. Initially dismissing Voluntary Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) as groups meant only for older community members, Gifty joined the program, mobilized other young people, and formed a VSLA. The collective savings from this group provided the critical capital needed to purchase compost and launch her commercial operations, highlighting how local, structured savings can bypass traditional borrowing barriers. Redefining the Ecosystem: Systemic Debates and Institutional Commitments The final stakeholder panel confronted the harsh economic realities facing rural and local producers. Caleb Edwards, Managing Director of WAMI AGRO, offered a sobering view on the impact of import liberalization, pointing out that local producers struggle to compete with importers backed by cheaper foreign capital, subsidies, and tax exemptions. He shared that local companies have faced six-figure impairments due to these policies, forcing a local rice farm to let go of 18 workers, and emphasized that credit access will fail without corresponding market protection and hedging strategies. Addressing lending risks, panel representatives from Absa and Maroon Capital discussed the necessity of digital lending to offset last-mile delivery costs, but warned of a culture of default that led to a bank taking a 32 million GHS impairment. They called for a unified shift in borrower mindset toward “contractual faithfulness” and robust data literacy. These provocations led to critical institutional commitments. The Central Bank representative pledged to move beyond simple gender‑balance metrics to develop and launch an active, value-chain-wide inclusive policy specifically for women by mid-2027. The Ministry of Finance committed to crafting highly actionable, solution-oriented policies within the upcoming National Financial Inclusion and Development Strategy (NFIDS). Concurrently, disability advocates and WAMI Agro announced a collaborative framework with international disability facilitators to train financial institutions on accessible services, ensuring local PWD structures are intentionally integrated into future outreach. The Women Behind the Work: From Survival to Destiny “For us at Temple, these women are not a video. They are the reason we are here. They are not characters in a story; they are the story,” noted Cecilia Hesse, Managing Director of Temple Investments, during her opening address. Her words underscored a fundamental shift in how development is measured: moving away from distant spreadsheets toward the lived realities of the women who are the bedrock of the nation. She also shared a proverb that captures the resilience of the program’s target demographic: “Even if the housefly has nothing, it rubs its hands together in anticipation.” This spirit of preparation and work is what FILMA seeks to harness. By recognizing the brilliance and drive of these women, the program ensures they no longer have to struggle just to survive, but are instead empowered to build a lasting destiny for their families and communities. A FILMA beneficiary

  5. Joy Online

    … In Ghana, the programme is being implemented by the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations in collaboration with Light for the World, the African Disability Forum and the Mastercard Foundation. …

    First cohort of We Can Work Academy begins life skills training in Ashanti and Bono Regions

  6. Joy Online

    The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), in partnership with the Africa Health Collaborative (AHC) and the Mastercard Foundation, has hosted the maiden edition of FemSTEM Africa 2026. …

    KNUST hosts FemSTEM Africa 2026 to empower women health innovators

  7. Business & Financial Times

    … Through the Mastercard Foundation’s BRIDGE-in Agriculture programme, the bank disbursed GH¢66.9million in 2025 – supporting more than 22,000 smallholder farmers and helping create or sustain over 24,000 jobs. …

    Economy out of the valley, not yet on the plateau

  8. Joy Online

    … It also highlighted its BRIDGE in Agric Programme, implemented with the Mastercard Foundation, which provides single-digit interest financing to agribusinesses, alongside an export desk to support international market access. …

    Access Bank Ghana accelerates growth agenda with strategic engagements in Kumasi

  9. Business & Financial Times

    … In his opening remarks, Paul Kasanga, Country Director of Mastercard Foundation highlighted the partnership between KIC and the Mastercard Foundation under the Initiative for Youth in Agricultural Transformation (IYAT) Program that is creating dignified and fulfilling work for yo …

    Kosmos Innovation Center marks 10 years of impacting young people through job creation

  10. Joy Online

    … Its portfolio includes collaborations with 15 international universities, the World Bank, IFAD, national and international financial institutions, Mastercard Foundation, USAID, GIZ, UNDP, ECOWAS, NEPAD, and several embassies and development partners. …

    Daniel Acquaye leads Agri-Impact Delegation to Ghana-UK Investment Summit in London
  11. May 2026

  12. Joy Online

    … Organized by the Africa Health Collaborative in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, the festival reflects growing recognition that young innovators are central to shaping the future of healthcare across the continent. …

    Health Innovation Festival 2026 to convene Africa’s next generation of health innovators in Ghana
Society

Mastercard Foundation challenges 130 AIMS Ghana graduates to lead

The News

At AIMS Ghana's 14th graduation ceremony, the Mastercard Foundation's head of workforce development told 130 graduates—35 of whom were Foundation scholars—to view their graduation as the start of a lifelong commitment to solving Africa's challenges. The Foundation aims to enable 30 million young people, particularly women, to access dignified employment by 2030 through its Young Africa Works strategy.

27 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Saturday 27 June

  1. Mastercard Foundation challenges 130 AIMS Ghana graduates to lead

    At AIMS Ghana's 14th graduation ceremony, the Mastercard Foundation's head of workforce development told 130 graduates—35 of whom were Foundation scholars—to view their graduation as the start of a lifelong commitment to solving Africa's challenges. The Foundation aims to enable 30 million young people, particularly women, to access dignified employment by 2030 through its Young Africa Works strategy.

    27 June 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. AIMS Ghana graduates record 130 students from 24 African countries

    The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) Ghana held its 14th graduation ceremony on 27 June 2026, conferring Master of Science degrees in Mathematical Sciences to 130 students — its largest graduating class — drawn from 24 African countries. The cohort comprised 49 graduates from the regular MSc programme and 81 from the Master of Mathematical Sciences for Teachers programme, with 30% female representation overall.

    27 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 22 June

  1. Young entrepreneurs showcase health innovations at 2026 festival

    The Africa Health Collaborative Health Innovation Festival 2026 convened over 100 participants from nine countries in Accra to develop healthcare solutions for Africa. Seven ventures competed for prize money, with KAARAANGE's AI-powered biomedical waste management system and HerbIma's anaemia-combating supplement winning top prizes in their respective categories.

    22 June 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Amahoro Fellowship's fourth cohort: 41 refugee entrepreneurs selected

    The Amahoro Coalition has selected 41 refugee and displaced entrepreneurs for its fourth fellowship cohort, with women making up 24 of the fellows (63%). The founders, from 15 countries across Africa and the Middle East, are building ventures in 16 African host countries across sectors including agriculture, education, technology, and health, with each fellow able to access up to US$160,000 in funding.

    22 June 2026 · Daily Guide →

Saturday 20 June

  1. NHIS urged to cover prescription glasses after eye care gap

    A four-day free eye care outreach in Bono Region screened 867 people but could not attend to over 500 others due to limited capacity, prompting calls for the National Health Insurance Scheme to extend coverage to prescription glasses and low-vision aids.

    20 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 18 June

  1. Yilo Krobo Municipality reports infrastructure and service improvements

    The Yilo Krobo Municipality has achieved significant infrastructure expansion and improvements in public service delivery within the first year of the NDC administration, according to the MCE. Key accomplishments include completion and commissioning of healthcare facilities, and the assembly's focus on healthcare, education, sanitation, roads, agriculture, and employment creation.

    18 June 2026 · The Chronicle →

Sunday 14 June

  1. KNUST Nkabom Collaborative holds pitch session for young agripreneurs

    The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Nutrition and Sustainable Agri-food Collaborative, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, organised a business pitching session for 32 participants who completed its one-year Multi-purpose Integrated Programme training in greenhouse vegetable production, agribusiness management, poultry production, and related areas.

    14 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 11 June

  1. Over 600 young women join HAPPY Programme for agriculture in Savelugu

    More than 600 young women from Savelugu Municipality gathered for a pre-season durbar under the HAPPY Programme, a four-year partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and Agri-Impact Limited, to prepare for 2026 soybean and rice production and create employment opportunities in agricultural value chains. Participants received training on production planning, farm management, and agronomic best practices.

    11 June 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. HAPPY Programme mobilises 600 young women farmers in Savelugu

    Over 600 young women farmers gathered in Savelugu on June 6, 2026, for a pre-season durbar under the HAPPY Programme, a four-year partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and Agri-Impact Limited aimed at creating employment opportunities across rice, soybean, tomato and poultry value chains. The event brought together traditional authorities, government agencies and the private sector to strengthen agricultural productivity and prepare farmers for the 2026 farming season.

    11 June 2026 · Joy Online →

  3. Kintampo Community Bank delivers strong 2025 growth across metrics

    Kintampo Community Bank Plc's total income grew 20.14 percent to GH¢35.31 million in 2025, while total assets surged 41.71 percent to GH¢185.73 million and profit before tax increased 35.13 percent to GH¢13.9 million, driven by expansion in loans, deposits, and investments.

    11 June 2026 · Business & Financial Times →

Friday 5 June

  1. Ghana advancing digital education through STEM, apps, and devices

    Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu said the government is digitalising Ghana's education system with initiatives including the Basic STEM programme (launched August 2025) with coding and robotics, EdTech ventures reaching over 690,000 learners, and tablet deployment expanded to over 420 senior high schools within one year.

    5 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 4 June

  1. FILMA program aims to empower 100,000 young rural Ghanaians

    Implemented by Temple Investments and the Mastercard Foundation, FILMA is a four-year initiative (2024–2028) providing young women, youth, and persons with disabilities access to affordable credit, inclusive financial services, and market opportunities in rural Ghana.

    4 June 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. FILMA program doubles income for 77,868 rural actors in Ghana

    Temple Investments' four-year FILMA initiative (2024–2028) has enrolled 77,868 last-mile actors—primarily young women, youth, and persons with disabilities—across 18 districts, more than doubling average monthly income from GH¢1,334 to GH¢2,793 while transitioning 44,476 youth into dignified work and raising financial product self-uptake from 3% to 38%.

    4 June 2026 · Daily Guide →

Wednesday 3 June

  1. First We Can Work Academy cohort trains disabled youth in life skills

    Young women and men with disabilities have begun Core Life Skills training through the We Can Work Academy, which commenced on June 1, 2026, at three centres in Ashanti and Bono Regions. Over six weeks, participants will develop confidence, communication, and workplace readiness before moving into specialised pathways in employability, entrepreneurship, or technical skills.

    3 June 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. KNUST hosts FemSTEM Africa 2026 conference for women health innovators

    KNUST, in partnership with the Africa Health Collaborative and Mastercard Foundation, hosted the maiden edition of FemSTEM Africa 2026, a two-day conference bringing together over 300 female students from STEM-focused Senior High Schools across Ashanti Region, university students, and emerging entrepreneurs. The initiative aims to nurture the next generation of women leaders in health innovation and entrepreneurship, addressing the underrepresentation of women among founders, innovators, and investors in the health sector.

    3 June 2026 · Joy Online →

  3. Ghana achieves macroeconomic stability but faces structural challenges

    Senior financial sector figures at The Money Summit 2026 agreed that Ghana has restored macroeconomic stability after a difficult adjustment period, with inflation falling to 3.4 percent and interest rates declining significantly, but warned that significant structural weaknesses continue to threaten the recovery's sustainability.

    3 June 2026 · Business & Financial Times →

Tuesday 2 June

  1. Access Bank Ghana expands Kumasi operations, reports 36.7% loan growth

    Access Bank Ghana conducted a five-day strategic visit to Kumasi in May 2026, reaffirming its commitment to expanding operations and supporting businesses. The bank recorded significant growth in 2025, including total assets of GH¢19.0 billion and a 36.7 per cent increase in its loan book to GH¢5.06 billion.

    2 June 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Kosmos Innovation Center celebrates ten years of youth entrepreneurship

    The Kosmos Innovation Center has marked a decade of work in youth entrepreneurship, innovation, and agricultural transformation in Ghana, impacting thousands of young people and communities. The organization launched its 10th Anniversary celebration under the theme "A Decade of Youth Impact, Innovation and Agricultural Transformation," bringing together government officials, development partners, and entrepreneurs to reflect on its journey.

    2 June 2026 · Business & Financial Times →

Monday 1 June

  1. Agri-Impact CEO to lead delegation at Ghana-UK investment summit

    Dr. Daniel Fahene Acquaye, CEO of Agri-Impact Limited and Chairman of the CSIR–Crop Research Institute, will lead a delegation to the Ghana-UK Investment Summit in London on 1–2 June 2026, where he will participate in a high-level panel on positioning Ghana as an agribusiness investment hub and meet with potential investors and development partners.

    1 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 25 May

  1. Health Innovation Festival 2026 to convene African innovators in Ghana

    The Africa Health Collaborative will host the Health Innovation Festival (HIFest) 2026 in Accra from June 4–6, 2026, co-hosted by Ashesi University and KNUST. The festival will bring together over 100 participants from nine African countries and Canada, including 36 young health entrepreneurs, innovators, and students, alongside investors, mentors, and ecosystem leaders to foster collaboration and support locally driven health solutions.

    25 May 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Africa faces choice: biggest workforce or criminal force by 2030

    An employment expert warns that if African economies fail to create jobs fast enough for the continent's growing youth population—projected to comprise over 40 percent of global youth by 2030—Africa risks becoming a breeding ground for organised crime and instability, as unemployment already pushes young people toward cybercrime and human trafficking.

    25 May 2026 · Business & Financial Times →

Friday 22 May

  1. National Service Authority seeks partnerships for youth skills

    The Director-General of the National Service Authority says the agency is open to strategic partnerships with public and private sector organisations to equip service personnel and graduates with practical skills and entrepreneurial capacity, particularly in agriculture. She noted the Authority has recently expanded collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, selected banks, and other partners.

    22 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 18 May

  1. Youth skills and mentorship vital for Ghana's economic growth

    Ghana faces a demographic challenge with over one-third of the population under 15 and a youth unemployment rate around 12.1 percent. Of nearly 360,000 secondary school graduates annually, only 35 percent advance to tertiary education, leaving over 240,000 young people unable to find jobs, highlighting a structural mismatch between academic training and market-ready skills.

    18 May 2026 · Business & Financial Times →

  2. Access Bank disburses GH₵1bn for cocoa production

    Access Bank PLC in partnership with the International Finance Corporation has disbursed approximately GH₵1billion to support cocoa production and purchases as part of efforts to boost agricultural development and strengthen the country's export sector. The bank's Managing Director said the initiative began with an annual allocation of GH₵100million, grew to about GH₵900million last year, and now exceeds GH₵1billion with the IFC partnership.

    18 May 2026 · Business & Financial Times →

Friday 15 May

  1. Nkabom bootcamp aims for 55,000 agri-food jobs via SME empowerment

    The Nkabom Venture Quest Bootcamp aims to empower 3,000 Small and Medium Enterprises in Ghana's agri-food ecosystem to create 55,000 jobs over 10 years. The initiative, a collaborative effort involving the Mastercard Foundation and the University of Ghana, targets youth-led businesses in a sector valued at US$10 billion and expected to reach US$13 billion in 5 years.

    15 May 2026 · Business & Financial Times →

  2. Access Bank Ghana allocates GH¢1bn for cocoa purchases 2025

    Access Bank Ghana, partnering with the International Finance Corporation, has set aside GH¢1 billion in 2025 to support cocoa-licensed buying companies and value chain actors. The bank also plans to extend support to other cash crops including cashew and shea, and has disbursed single-digit-rate loans to agribusinesses through the Mastercard Foundation.

    15 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 13 May

  1. KNUST appoints Prof Christian Agyare as next Vice-Chancellor

    The Governing Council of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has appointed Professor Christian Agyare as the next Vice-Chancellor, effective August 1, 2026, making him the 13th Vice-Chancellor since the university's establishment in 1951. He succeeds Prof Rita Akosua Dickson and brings more than 25 years of academic and administrative service at KNUST, where he currently serves as Provost of the College of Health Sciences.

    13 May 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Youth education and skills critical for Ghana's economic growth

    Ghana faces a demographic challenge with over one-third of its population under 15 and youth unemployment around 12.1%; nearly 360,000 secondary school graduates complete their studies annually, but only 35% progress to tertiary education, leaving more than 240,000 young people entering a job market unable to absorb them. Education, vocational training, and mentorship are essential to bridge the gap between academic training and market-ready skills required by employers.

    13 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 11 May

  1. Youth skills and mentorship crucial for Ghana's economic future

    Ghana faces a demographic challenge with more than one third of the population under 15 and youth unemployment around 12.1 per cent; the country must improve education and skills training, as nearly 360,000 secondary school graduates complete their studies annually yet only 35 per cent progress to tertiary education, leaving over 240,000 young people unable to find jobs.

    11 May 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Sunday 10 May

  1. Tamale Mayor outlines development agenda, pledges transparency

    The Mayor of Tamale Metropolitan Assembly has announced plans covering infrastructure, agriculture, education, and youth employment as part of efforts to improve transparency and strengthen public participation in governance. The initiative is designed to enhance accountability, deepen citizen engagement, and enable residents to track government projects.

    10 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Mastercard Foundation — Ghanaian press coverage · Ghana Minute