"Bimbilla MP Sounds Alarm: Farmers Struggling to Survive Amidst Soaring Production Costs" The Member of parliament for Bimbilla, Mr Dominic Bingad Nitiwul says Ghanaian farmers are really struggling with the rising costs of production. Highlighting how the prices of essential inputs like fertilizer, transportation, and chemicals have gone up, but the prices of the farmers' produce haven't increased correspondingly. Debating on the 2026 State Of the Nation statement by H.E John Dramani Mahama,he said this is squeezing the farmers, making it hard for them to afford even basic things like motorbikes. He appealed to the government to reduce prices of these inputs to ease the burden on farmers. Mr Nitiwul further emphasized the government's responsibility to help Ghanaian citizens, especially those who are stacked in Dubai due to the recent US-Iran war. He mentioned the inadequacy of the current efforts by the government, for purchasing an aircraft that can carry only a number

Ghana’s Reserves Rise to $13.8bn, Cabinet Approves New Accumulation Policy The Finance Ministry Casiel Ato Baah Forson has indicated that, Ghana’s gross international reserves have climbed to US$13.8 billion, providing 5.7 months of import cover, up from US$8.9 billion—equivalent to four months—reflecting improved external buffers. Addressing Parliament, the Finance Minister noted that the current reserve position exceeds the traditional benchmark of three months of import cover. However, he cautioned that the level remains inadequate to fully shield the economy from major shocks, citing the sharp currency depreciation experienced in 2022 and 2023 as a reminder of Ghana’s vulnerability. To strengthen resilience against future disruptions and stabilise the exchange rate, Cabinet has approved the Ghana Accelerated National Reserve Accumulation Policy. According to the Minister, the policy provides a structured approach to building reserves sustainably, drawing on recent macroecon

Ato Forson Proposes Value for Money Framework to Strengthen Fiscal Discipline and Accountability The Member of Parliament for Adjumako Eyan Essiam and Minister for Finance, Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson, has announced plans to introduce a Value for Money Framework aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in public spending. Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Hon. Ato Forson stated that the proposed bill seeks to ensure that every cedi earned by the government delivers the maximum possible benefit to citizens in terms of economy, efficiency, effectiveness, equity, and sustainability. He explained that the bill will establish an independent Value for Money Office with a specialized technical mandate to conduct value-for-money assessments. The office will be responsible for issuing Value for Money certificates before major government contracts are awarded, monitoring compliance, and enforcing sanctions where violations occur. According to the Minister, the overarching objective

Old Tafo MP Demands Criminal Probe into Atlas Commodities Over Cocoa Regulation Concerns The Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has addressed the media on concerns surrounding cocoa pricing and regulatory compliance within Ghana’s cocoa sector. Speaking at a press briefing, the MP indicated that the Minority in Parliament is preparing to intensify scrutiny of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) over alleged irregularities involving Atlas Commodities Limited. Hon. Assafuah called for a full criminal investigation into the operations of Atlas Commodities, alleging that the company operated in warehouses registered under the Produce Buying Company (PBC) without proper authorisation. He further raised concerns about possible regulatory breaches and potential conflict of interest. According to him, the matter is serious and warrants thorough scrutiny. He referenced the 2015 Regulations and Guidelines for Internal Marketing of Cocoa, stating that Atlas Commodities Limi

Majority Leader Announces Legislative Agenda; President Mahama to Deliver State of the Nation Address on February 27 The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, has outlined Parliament’s business for the week, highlighting key legislative activities and preparations for the President’s State of the Nation Address. Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Hon. Mahama Ayariga stated that in accordance with Orders 159 and 160, several bills may be presented to the House for First Reading, with urgent ones expected to be taken through the various stages in a single day. Pursuant to Order 96, papers may also be laid during the week, while committee reports will be presented for consideration. He added that motions may be debated, and consequential resolutions taken within the week. The Majority Leader further announced that John Dramani Mahama is scheduled to deliver the Message on the State of the Nation on Friday, February 27, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., in accordance with Article 67 of the 1992 Constit

Annoh-Dompreh Questions Majority Leader Over Delayed Committee Referrals in Parliament The Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has raised concerns over delays in the processing of committee referrals in Parliament. Speaking on the floor of the House, Hon. Annoh-Dompreh suggested that the Majority Leader appeared frustrated over the backlog of referrals. He noted that the Majority Leader’s recent appeal to committee leadership to expedite work on programmed referrals seemed inconsistent with earlier communications. According to him, committee heads were previously subjected to strict measures due to the growing number of pending referrals, which currently stand at 294 — a situation he described as unprecedented in the history of Parliament. He expressed concern that such a high number of referrals remain unaddressed within the framework of the government’s proposed 24-hour economy agenda, describing the development as worrying. Hon. Annoh-Dompreh question

Majority Caucus Raises Alarm Over COCOBOD’s Financial Strain, Announces GH¢855 Billion Debt Settlement and Reforms The Majority Caucus in Parliament has expressed concern over the financial condition of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), citing a significant funding gap in the Board’s accounts. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, 19 February 2026, the Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central, Hon. Isaac Adongo, revealed that substantial amounts were owed to cocoa farmers. He stated that the government has released GH¢855 billion to enable cocoa buying companies to settle outstanding debts owed to farmers. According to him, the government has also introduced a series of long-overdue reforms aimed at restructuring the cocoa sector. He noted that the sector has suffered enormous financial strain over the years due to operational inefficiencies, excessive debt accumulation, and structural weaknesses, particularly between 2017 and 2024. Hon. Adongo explained that in February

WATER SCARCITY:Works and Housing Minister assures Ghanaians of Swift Action on Nationwide Water Crisis The Minister for Works and Housing, Kenneth Adjei, has assured Ghanaians that the Government is taking decisive steps to address the nationwide water crisis. The Works & Housing Minister gave the assurance when the Parliamentary Committee on Sanitation and Water Resources convened a meeting with key stakeholders in the water sector in addressing challenges. The Ghana Water Company Limited and the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission, community water representatives and non-governmental water organizations. The meeting focused on identifying practical solutions to the ongoing water shortages affecting several parts of the country by especially communities affected by the mining activities. According to the minister, the current water challenges began under the previous administration, which he said did not adequately address the underlying issues. However, he emphasized tha

OVER 200 DISTRICT ASSEMBLIES YET T O GAZETTE THEIR BY- LAWS- Committee Chairman The chairman for the select committee on Sanitation and water resources have highlighted a pressing concern. According to Mr John Oti Bless, over 200 MMDAs' bylaws are not gazetted, making enforcement challenging. The over 200 district assemblies bylaws that are yet to be gazetted is hindering accountability and punishment for environmental offenses. According to him, he will meet the Local Government Minister to address the issue and Official letter to be sent to MMDAs to fast-track gazetting of bylaws. The chairman emphasizes the importance of gazetted bylaws for effective governance and environmental management.

*Government Transfers Cocoa Road Liabilities to Ministry of Roads and Highways* The Minister of Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has updated Parliament on the status of cocoa roads in Ghana. According to Agbodza, the government has taken a strategic policy decision to transfer responsibility for all ongoing cocoa road projects from the Cocoa Board to the Ministry of Roads and Highways. This decision aims to address the challenges facing the cocoa road program, including severe disruptions to construction activities, deterioration of road infrastructure, and disruption of the cocoa value chain and farmers' livelihoods. The suspension of the program has also led to economic and social strains on communities, loss of contractor confidence, and higher future costs. Agbodza explained that discussions are ongoing to conclude the process, and the relevant agencies have been directed to review the entire cocoa road program and present a report to the government for action. The

Parliamentary Committee to Push for Water Sector Funding The chairman of the parliamentary committee on water resources and sanitation Mr Oti Bless has announced plans to invite the finance minister to discuss ways to increase funding for the water sector. After a meeting between the committee, Ghana Water and Community Water under the works and housing and water resources ministry, the committee identified significant challenges in the sector, including a broken system and inadequate access to clean drinking water, with 40% of Ghanaians struggling to access potable water. According to him, the committee's efforts were previously praised by the majority leader, who acknowledged their vibrant work in addressing these issues. The chairman emphasizes that the committee is aware of the problems and is working to push for more resources to improve the water sector and sanitation. He also revealed that, they met a lot of debt from the previous government.

Minority Leader Demands Restoration of Cocoa Price, Cites Legal and Contractual Obligations The Minority Leader of Parliament, Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has demanded that the government immediately restore the producer price of cocoa, citing legal and contractual obligations. Speaking in Parliament, Mr Afenyo-Markin emphasized that the cocoa sector calendar runs from October 1 to September 30, and the government cannot vary the minimum guaranteed price to the disadvantage of cocoa farmers or other stakeholders. "The minimum guaranteed price is legally destined to run the full cost of the 2025-2026 crop season," Afenyo-Markin stated. He explained that the Producer Price Review Committee determines the producer price and FOB share for stakeholders, based on the achieved weighted average of aggregated volumes and prices of cocoa already traded and contracted. Afenyo-Markin noted that the Finance Minister had announced an FOB price of $7,200 per ton in October 2025, with a prod