Fuel prices in Ghana are expected to record a slight decline from May 1, 2026, as the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) announces revised ex-pump price floors for petroleum products for the first pricing window in May.

The Government of Ghana continues to face mounting challenges in the domestic debt market, as its latest Treasury bill auction held on April 24 recorded a sixth consecutive undersubscription, highlighting persistent investor caution and tightening liquidity conditions.

The Environmental Protection Authority has issued a strong directive to mining companies across Ghana, warning that firms will face severe regulatory sanctions if they fail to prevent illegal mining activities within their concessions.

In a press statement released on Thursday, April 23, the Authority reaffirmed its legal powers under the Environmental Protection Act, 2025, and the Environmental Protection (Environmental Assessment) Regulations, 2025. It stressed that all licensed operators are legally obligated to protect the environmental integrity of their concession areas.

The EPA expressed growing concern over the increasing incidence of illegal mining—commonly known as “galamsey”—occurring within legally granted mining concessions. According to the Authority, this trend is significantly contributing to environmental degradation across the country.

Among the key impacts highlighted are the pollution of rivers and other water bodies, the destruction of forest reserves, and widespread land degradation. The EPA warned that these environmental harms are undermining national conservation efforts as well as the lawful operations of licensed mining companies.

In response to the situation, the Authority outlined a series of compulsory measures that all mining companies must implement without delay. These include strengthening security within concession areas to prevent illegal encroachment and establishing robust surveillance and monitoring systems.

Companies have also been instructed to promptly report all unauthorized mining activities to relevant state security and regulatory agencies. In addition, operators must strictly comply with all conditions attached to their environmental permits, including approved Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Environmental Management Plans.

The EPA emphasized that preventing pollution and environmental degradation within operational zones remains a core legal obligation for all licensed firms.

The Authority warned that any failure to adequately protect concessions or control illegal mining activities will be treated as a breach of permit conditions. Citing provisions under the Environmental Protection Act, 2025, the EPA indicated it is prepared to take firm enforcement action against non-compliant companies.

Sanctions may include suspension or outright revocation of environmental permits, imposition of administrative fines, and coordinated enforcement operations in collaboration with state security agencies.

The EPA said this tougher stance reflects a broader shift toward stricter environmental governance as Ghana intensifies efforts to combat illegal mining and its associated environmental damage.

As part of its enforcement strategy, the EPA announced plans to conduct a nationwide compliance monitoring exercise across all mining concessions. The exercise is scheduled to begin on May 10, 2026, and will assess whether mining companies are fully adhering to environmental regulations and permit conditions.

Mining firms have been urged to take immediate steps to ensure full compliance ahead of the inspections, which the Authority described as comprehensive in scope.

The EPA reiterated its commitment to enforcing environmental laws and protecting the country’s natural resources. It also called on mining companies to act responsibly and support national efforts to curb illegal mining.

“The Environmental Protection Authority remains committed to the strict enforcement of environmental laws and calls on all mining companies to uphold responsible environmental stewardship in support of national efforts to combat illegal mining,” the statement concluded.

Cocoa farmers in Ghana say delayed payments of up to six months are undermining their ability to harvest a rain-boosted mid-crop, despite improved yields in the world’s second-largest cocoa producer.

The Northern Electricity Distribution Company has seized more than 300 electricity meters in a sweeping anti-power theft operation conducted in Tamale, targeting residents accused of illegally bypassing their meters.

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has acknowledged gaps in its stakeholder engagement ahead of the rollout of the Publica AI customs valuation system, admitting that its outreach may not have sufficiently reached individual traders despite formal consultations with industry groups prior to the system’s launch in March.

The Minerals Commission of Ghana has issued a firm directive to major international mining companies, including Newmont, AngloGold Ashanti, and Chinese-owned Zijin Mining Group, requiring them to transition their mining operations to local contractors by December 2026 or face possible sanctions. This development was confirmed by five sources with direct knowledge of the matter, as well as supporting documents reviewed by Reuters.

A new National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Bill, yet to be laid before Parliament, is expected to introduce major reforms to petroleum pricing and funding structures, including the introduction of an $80 levy on every metric tonne of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to finance Ghana’s Cylinder Recirculation Model.

The Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations has expressed concern over the introduction of an artificial intelligence system at the country’s ports, saying key stakeholders were not adequately consulted before its rollout. The development has sparked debate within Ghana’s trading community about transparency, stakeholder engagement, and the potential economic impact of emerging technologies in trade facilitation.

Waste management challenges in the Ashanti Region are expected to intensify as recent global policy shifts in the plastics sector disrupt local recycling operations, forcing some recyclers to shut down while others significantly scale back their activities.

Ghana’s domestic debt rose moderately from GH¢309.8 billion to GH¢333.8 billion by the end of December 2025, even as the country recorded an improvement in its domestic debt-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio, according to the latest report by the Bank of Ghana.

The Director of Planning, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA), Philemon Laar, has strongly refuted claims by Member of Parliament Vincent Ekow Assafuah that the Authority directly manages pension funds in Ghana.