Ghana Minute.
Sunday, 23 August 2026
Ghana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Sunday, 23 August 2026
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Ghanaian press · Person

Thomas Nyarko Ampem

Also known as: Mr Thomas Nyarko Ampem · Mr. Ampem · Mr Ampem · Mr Nyarko Ampem · Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem · Mr. Nyarko Ampem · Deputy Minister for Finance Thomas Nyarko Ampem · Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem

Deputy Minister of Finance addressing parliamentary and regional matters including gold sector formalisation, tax administration, and political finance reform.

2026-05-012026-08-23

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. June 2026
  2. Joy Online

    Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem has advised stakeholders participating in the 2026 West Africa Rice Investment Roundtable in Accra to close the gap between rice production and consumption to reduce huge imports of the grain.

    US$4bn rice imports by West African countries untenable – Dep. Finance Minister
  3. May 2026
  4. Joy Online

    The Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, whose address was delivered by the Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, stressed the importance of stronger collaboration between governments, regulators, and market practitioners in safeguarding the future of emerging e

    Ekumfi MP honoured for outstanding contribution to global financial market
  5. The Ghanaian Times

    The Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, urged African countries to build credible and sophisticated financial markets to mobilise long-term capital for infrastructure, technology, and sustainable development.

    Africa must harness AI ethically to transform financial markets  – Vice President
  6. Joy Online

    The Deputy Finance Minister, Mr Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has called on African leaders to make the continent a destination for investment rather than a recipient of aid in financing its development agenda.

    Africa must become a destination for investment, not aid — Deputy Finance Minister
  7. Business & Financial Times

    Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem said the fundraising committee has entered the final phase of mobilisation, with about two weeks left before the team’s preparations and travel arrangements intensify ahead of the tournament, which begins on June 11.

    BoG, GRA, SIC Insurance, Timeline and Innovations anchor Black Stars world cup funding push
  8. The Chronicle

    Mr Thomas Nyarko Ampem, the Deputy Minister of Finance, announcing the partnership, said hosting the 2027 WCF Partnership Meeting went beyond organising an international conference, adding that it symbolised Ghana and Africa’s continued leadership within the global cocoa economy.

    Ghana to Host 2027 World Cocoa Foundation Partnership Meeting
  9. Joy Online

    Mr Thomas Nyarko Ampem, the Deputy Minister of Finance, announcing the partnership, said hosting the 2027 WCF Partnership Meeting went beyond organising an international conference, adding that it symbolised Ghana and Africa’s continued leadership within the global cocoa economy.

    Ghana to host 2027 World Cocoa Foundation Partnership Meeting
  10. The Ghanaian Times

    Speaking at the launch of the report in Accra yesterday, the Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr Thomas Nyarko Ampem, said the findings provided critical data to help government and policymakers better target interventions and ensure equitable distribution of resources.

    Ghana records decline in multidimensional poverty — GSS report
  11. The Chronicle

    Receiving the cheque on behalf of the fundraising committee, Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, expressed profound appreciation to Zijin Golden Ridge Limited for responding positively to the national call.

    Zijin Golden Ridge donates $100k towards Black Stars World Cup campaign
  12. The Ghanaian Times

    The Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson and his Deputy, Mr Thomas Nyarko Ampem both on Thursday filed their annual tax returns as part of this year’s celebration Tax and Good Governance Month.

    Finance Minister, Deputy promotes tax compliance …file 2025 returns

Tuesday 18 August

  1. DVLA opens 25th district office in Asuogyaman, fights fraud

    A new Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority office has been commissioned in Asuogyaman District to bring licensing services closer to residents and curb fraudulent documents. The facility is the 25th of 40 district offices being established nationwide under the DVLA's decentralisation programme.

    18 August 2026 · Joy Online

Friday 14 August

  1. JICA volunteers strengthen Ghana-Japan ties through service

    Thirty-two Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers serving in Ghana paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Minister of Finance to deepen Ghana-Japan relations through volunteerism and cultural exchange, ahead of the 50th anniversary of the JICA volunteer programme in Ghana in 2027. Over 1,550 Japanese volunteers have served in Ghana over the past five decades in health, education, agriculture, sports and community development.

    14 August 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

Saturday 1 August

  1. First Atlantic Bank opens branch in Liberia amid regional expansion

    Ghana's Deputy Minister for Finance called First Atlantic Bank's expansion into Liberia a milestone in African economic integration and evidence that Ghanaian financial institutions are increasingly competing across borders. He characterized the move as African capital investing in Africa and part of President Mahama's commitment to enabling Ghanaian businesses to become regional and global champions.

    1 August 2026 · Joy Online

Friday 31 July

  1. Parliament passes Ghana Cocoa Board Bill ahead 2026 season

    Parliament passed the Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026 under certificate of urgency to establish a new legal framework for the Ghana Cocoa Board before the 2026/2027 cocoa season begins in September. The law will regulate the cocoa value chain, support cultivation, and undertake buying, selling and export of cocoa, while implementing reforms including a domestic financing model and guaranteed payment of 70 percent of the Free-on-Board price to cocoa farmers.

    31 July 2026 · Daily Guide

  2. Parliament approves COCOBOD Bill to reform cocoa sector

    Parliament has approved the Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026, which restructures the cocoa industry under a new governance framework and includes a statutory guarantee that cocoa farmers will receive not less than 70 per cent of the Free-On-Board price of cocoa. The legislation replaces the fragmented legal regime governing the sector with a single, modern framework to regulate, supervise and promote activities across the cocoa value chain.

    31 July 2026 · Joy Online

Wednesday 29 July

  1. Parliament approves zero excise duty on local fruit juices

    Parliament has approved the Excise Bill, 2026, removing excise duty on locally manufactured fruit juices to make products more affordable and strengthen Ghana's agro-processing sector. The law also introduces an incentive-based excise regime for beer and other beverages, with tax rates linked to the proportion of locally sourced raw materials used in production.

    29 July 2026 · Joy Online

Tuesday 21 July

  1. Tourism Ministry receives former Finance Annex Building in Accra

    The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts has taken over the former Ministry of Finance Annex Building in Accra, which comprises 97 offices, three conference rooms, furniture and equipment. The handover is intended to strengthen the Tourism Ministry's institutional capacity and improve service delivery.

    21 July 2026 · Joy Online

Monday 20 July

  1. ECG inaugurates refurbished tennis court at Power Tennis Club

    The Electricity Company of Ghana and the Power Tennis Club have inaugurated a renovated tennis court in Accra to promote sports development and community engagement. The facility, originally built in 1994, was upgraded through contributions from the club's executives, patrons, and donors.

    20 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

  2. ECG reopens renovated Power Tennis Court in Accra

    The Electricity Company of Ghana has officially reopened the renovated Power Tennis Court in Accra, a facility originally constructed in 1994 that has served members of the Power Tennis Club for more than three decades. The reopening was made possible through collaboration between ECG management, the club's executives, donors and supporters.

    20 July 2026 · Joy Online

Thursday 16 July

  1. Government plans fresh budget allocation for Bank of Ghana recapitalisation

    The government will allocate funds in the 2027 Budget to continue the Bank of Ghana's recapitalisation under a long-term programme running until 2032, as part of broader macroeconomic reforms aimed at preserving central bank independence and strengthening economic recovery.

    16 July 2026 · Joy Online

  2. Parliament approves Regina House London lease renewal

    Parliament has approved renewal of the head lease of Regina House in London for another 150 years, a strategic national asset housing the Ghana International Bank and other tenants. The renewal will cost the government £17.25 million.

    16 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

Tuesday 14 July

  1. Ghana urges African political finance reforms to protect democracy

    Ghana has called for urgent reforms to political financing across Africa, warning that growing money influence is undermining democratic integrity, excluding capable leaders, and weakening public trust in institutions. Deputy Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem told attendees at a regional convening in Accra that rising campaign costs are preventing competent citizens, women, and young people from participating in politics.

    14 July 2026 · Joy Online

Thursday 9 July

  1. SSNIT launches Membership Value Programme with new Visa card

    The Social Security and National Insurance Trust has launched a Membership Value Programme in partnership with Ecobank Ghana, offering members and pensioners a free SSNIT-branded prepaid Visa card with access to digital healthcare, business discounts, reduced airfares, and cashless payments. The initiative aims to improve members' quality of life during their working years and attract new contributors, particularly from Ghana's informal sector.

    9 July 2026 · Joy Online

Friday 26 June

  1. Ghana Gold Board spends $16.11bn on gold purchases

    The Ghana Gold Board has spent $16.11 billion between January 2025 and May 2026 purchasing gold from licensed artisanal and large-scale miners, as part of efforts to formalise the gold trade and combat smuggling. The Deputy Minister of Finance noted that Ghana lost approximately $11.4 billion to gold smuggling between 2019 and 2023, and Goldbod is working to reverse this trend through a traceability system and formalisation of supply chains.

    26 June 2026 · Joy Online

Thursday 25 June

  1. ASM sector supplies 99.5% of GoldBod gold purchases

    Artisanal and small-scale miners have supplied about 99.5 percent of all gold purchased by the Ghana Gold Board since its establishment, Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem disclosed in Parliament. GoldBod purchased 135.843 metric tonnes of gold between January 2025 and May 2026, with 135.221 metric tonnes originating from the ASM sector.

    25 June 2026 · Daily Guide

  2. GoldBod exported 104 tonnes, earned over $10bn in 2025

    Ghana's Gold Board generated more than $10 billion from gold exports in 2025 by purchasing, aggregating and exporting 104 metric tonnes from artisanal and small-scale mining, a contribution the Deputy Finance Minister credited with strengthening the cedi by 41 percent and increasing foreign reserves to $13.8 billion by year-end.

    25 June 2026 · Joy Online

Wednesday 17 June

  1. Ghana's tax-to-GDP ratio rises to 14 percent in 2025

    Ghana's tax-to-GDP ratio increased to about 14 percent in 2025 from roughly 12.3 percent in 2024, driven by tax administration and public financial management reforms. The government says stronger tax collection is critical to reducing borrowing reliance and supporting long-term growth, though Ghana's tax performance remains below comparable countries.

    17 June 2026 · Business & Financial Times

Tuesday 16 June

  1. Ghana's tax-to-GDP ratio rises to 14 percent in 2025

    Ghana's tax-to-GDP ratio increased to about 14 percent in 2025 from roughly 12.3 percent in 2024, reflecting gains from tax administration and public financial management reforms, Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem said. Despite the improvement, the ratio remains below that of countries at similar development levels, highlighting the need for continued reforms.

    16 June 2026 · Business & Financial Times

Wednesday 10 June

  1. Ghana launches women and youth employment programme for 30,000 jobs

    Ghana has officially launched the Ghana Women and Youth Employment and Social Cohesion (GWYESCO) Programme, funded by the African Development Bank, to create more than 30,000 jobs and economic opportunities for women and young people across the country.

    10 June 2026 · Joy Online

  2. Ghana launches women and youth employment programme for 30,000 jobs

    Ghana has officially launched the Ghana Women and Youth Employment and Social Cohesion (GWYESCO) Programme, funded by the African Development Bank, aimed at creating more than 30,000 jobs and economic opportunities for women and young people. The initiative, implemented through the Social Investment Fund, seeks to address youth unemployment, promote women's economic empowerment, and strengthen social cohesion in vulnerable communities.

    10 June 2026 · Business & Financial Times

Tuesday 9 June

  1. Deputy Finance Minister says government safeguarding economic gains

    The Deputy Minister for Finance has assured Parliament that the government is safeguarding economic achievements since 2025 and implementing deliberate measures to prevent a return to economic challenges experienced between 2022 and 2024, with the Ministry focusing on fiscal discipline and growth-enhancing investments.

    9 June 2026 · Joy Online

  2. Ghana launches AgriConnect Compact for jobs and food security

    The Government has launched the AgriConnect Compact, a national framework supported by the World Bank aimed at improving food security for nearly three million people and creating more than 2.6 million jobs by 2035 through increased agricultural investment and transformation. The first phase from 2026 to 2030 requires about US$3.5 billion in financing from government, development partners, and the private sector, and prioritises commodities including cocoa, oil palm, rice, maize, and poultry.

    9 June 2026 · Daily Guide

  3. Ghana launches $3.5bn AgriConnect agriculture programme to 2030

    The government has launched the Ghana AgriConnect Compact, a major agricultural transformation programme expected to improve food security for nearly three million people and create more than 2.6 million jobs by 2035, requiring an estimated $3.5 billion for its first phase from 2026 to 2030.

    9 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

Sunday 7 June

  1. Ghana launches AgriConnect Compact for food security and jobs

    Ghana, with World Bank and development partner support, has launched the AgriConnect Compact, a national framework to strengthen food security, create jobs, reduce food imports, and mobilize investment across priority agricultural value chains including cocoa, oil palm, rice, maize, and poultry. In its first phase (2026–2030), the Compact aims to improve food and nutrition security for an estimated 2.99 million people and support the creation of more than 2.6 million jobs by 2035, requiring estimated financing of about US$3.5 billion.

    7 June 2026 · Joy Online

Friday 5 June

  1. Ghana launches AgriConnect Compact framework for food security and jobs

    The government, with World Bank Group support, has launched the AgriConnect Compact, a national framework aimed at strengthening food security, creating jobs, reducing food imports, and mobilising investment across priority agricultural value chains including cocoa, oil palm, rice, maize, and poultry. In its first phase from 2026 to 2030, the Compact targets improved food and nutrition security for an estimated 2.99 million people and the creation of more than 2.6 million jobs by 2035, with estimated financing needs of about US$3.5 billion.

    5 June 2026 · Joy Online

Thursday 4 June

  1. Finance Ministry releases 85% of agriculture budget for 2026

    The Ministry of Finance has released GH¢1.677 billion to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in 2026, representing 85 percent of the ministry's approved budget for Goods and Services and Capital Expenditure. The Deputy Minister for Finance said the release demonstrates government commitment to agricultural transformation, food security, and job creation.

    4 June 2026 · Business & Financial Times

  2. Finance Ministry releases GH¢1.677 billion to Agriculture Ministry

    The Ministry of Finance has released GH¢1.677 billion to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in 2026, representing 85% of the ministry's approved budget for Goods and Services and Capital Expenditure. The Deputy Minister for Finance announced the allocation during the launch of Ghana's National Pact for Agricultural Transformation, Food Security, and Employment.

    4 June 2026 · Joy Online

  3. Ghana seeks long-term investment to transform rice sector

    Ghana's Deputy Finance Minister called on investors and development partners to commit long-term capital to transform the rice sector into a major driver of economic growth and food security, saying the government is creating the right policy and macroeconomic environment to attract investment and reduce import dependence.

    4 June 2026 · Joy Online

Wednesday 3 June

  1. Africa must invest in agriculture to reduce food import reliance

    Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called on African countries to take greater control of their food systems by investing strategically in agriculture, reducing dependence on food imports and strengthening regional cooperation. She noted that Africa spends more than US$50 billion annually on food imports despite having fertile land and abundant water resources, and stressed that transforming agriculture into a modern commercial industry is essential for job creation and economic growth.

    3 June 2026 · The Chronicle

Tuesday 2 June

  1. Government links rice import permits to local farm investment

    Ghana's government announced a new policy requiring rice importers to demonstrate verifiable partnerships with local rice producers before receiving import permits, aiming to accelerate progress toward self-sufficiency and reduce the import bill.

    2 June 2026 · Joy Online

Thomas Nyarko Ampem — Ghanaian press coverage · Ghana Minute