Politics and Governance

President John Dramani Mahama’s second term has now completed its first 365 days. During this period, Ghana experienced a range of policy reforms, economic measures, and national initiatives. The infographic below offers a visual summary of the key developments over the past year. Key Highlights of Mahama's 1st year in office (Jan 2025 - Jan 2026) Policy and Governance Trends The first year of Mahama’s second term saw notable governance changes aimed at streamlining governmen

Ghana’s Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) has submitted a landmark set of proposals aimed at strengthening governance, accountability, democracy, and institutional independence. These recommendations, presented to the President, could significantly reshape how power is exercised and checked under the 1992 Constitution. This article explains the top 10 CRC recommendations we have sampled from the submitted report: Ghana's Constitution Review: Top 10 Recommendations 1. Exte

On December 17, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed a significant Proclamation expanding entry restrictions on foreign nationals. Citing the need to "protect the Nation from national security and public safety threats," the new order imposes stricter vetting and entry suspensions on countries identified as having deficient screening processes. While the Proclamation affects nations globally, the impact is heavily felt on the African continent. A total of 26 African countri

Kpandai’s electoral history mirrors a broader political shift seen across parts of Ghana: the gradual erosion of dominant-party strongholds and the rise of competitive swing constituencies. From 2000 to 2024, voting data from the Electoral Commission of Ghana reveals how margins tightened, candidates evolved, and voter behavior shifted. The Battle for Kpandai 2000–2004: The Era of Dominance In the early years of the Fourth Republic, Kpandai was firmly in the grip of the NDC.

On November 26, 2025, the military in Guinea-Bissau  dissolved the government, adding another nation to the growing list of African countries under military leadership. As of today, seven African nations  are under active military rule. More importantly, the data indicates that these are not short-term interim governments, but entrenched regimes with multi-year tenures. Our latest infographic visualizes this shift, highlighting both the geographic spread and the duration of

In a day thick with political tension and legal uncertainty, Ghana’s Parliament's Appointments Committee is, as of this morning, November 10, 2025, proceeding with the public vetting of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to become the 16th Chief Justice of the Republic. The move signals a climax in an 8-month constitutional drama that has seen the unprecedented removal of a sitting Chief Justice, a fierce executive-judiciary standoff, and legal battles stretching from Accra's Supreme

The fight against illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) in Ghana is not just an environmental and economic battle; it is increasingly a frontline security risk. Data compiled from news outlets between 2017 and 2025 reveals a stark and worrying trend: those tasked with enforcing anti-galamsey laws and the journalists reporting on them are facing violent attacks. With a total of 16 recorded attacks  occurred during this period, the visualized data, clearly identifies the Ashant

On November 1, 2025, a team from the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations (NAIMOS) was conducting a reconnaissance mission in a remote forest reserve at Hwidiem , Ahafo Region where they intercepted an excavator actively destroying farmland. After making several arrests, the team found their exit route blocked by an angry mob that had been mobilized from a nearby community. The crowd demanded the immediate release of the suspects, vandalized the taskforce's vehicle, and p

A recent parliamentary attendance report has revealed that several Members of Parliament (MPs) absented themselves from sittings without official permission, with some missing more than ten out of forty-three sittings held between January and March 2025. Absentee Report of Members of Parliament While absenteeism has long been a concern, this latest report highlights a more structural challenge; the increasing number of parliamentarians who double as Government Ministers , and

In 2023, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), the nation’s primary power distributor exceeded its approved expenditure by an astonishing GHS 189.77 million , representing a 133% overspend . Data presented to the Public Accounts Committee on October 28, 2025 , reveals striking variances between approved and actual spending across several key categories. Analyzing ECG's Budget Overspend Highlights from the Overspend Foreign Training  topped the list with an excess of GHS 60

Over the past decade, Ghana has witnessed a remarkable trend, almost 3,500 prisoners have been granted presidential pardons. These pardons are not random acts of clemency but reflect recurring national concerns: prison overcrowding, public health emergencies, and humanitarian grounds. The Numbers Behind the Pardons July 2016:  896 prisoners were released in one of the largest waves of pardons in recent history. March 2020:  808 prisoners were freed, partly influenced by growi

Africa’s political landscape is home to some of the world’s longest-standing presidents. As of 2025, five leaders have ruled their countries for more than three decades, some nearing half a century in office. Together, they’ve governed for a combined total of nearly 190 years. Here's a closer look at the top five, their age, tenure, and the political context surrounding their extended rule. Africa's Top 5 Longest-Serving Presidents 🧓 Top 5 Longest-Serving Presidents in Afric

Between July 2020 and July 2025, four sitting Ghanaian Members of Parliament (MPs) sadly passed away while still serving in office. All four belonged to the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and their ages ranged between 40 and 53 years. Three died due to health-related complications, while one was tragically killed during a robbery attack. This article analyzes their profiles, circumstances of death, and the broader implications for Ghana’s political and public health landscape. Gh

Introduction: Since the return to democratic rule in 1993, Ghana has seen 60 judges  appointed to its Supreme Court its highest judicial authority. These appointments, made by the President of the Republic, have varied significantly in number, gender representation, and political affiliation. This article dives deep into the trends behind these appointments, offering insights into the country’s evolving judicial landscape. Supreme Court Judges Appointments in Ghana 1993 - 202

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) remains a key pillar in Ghana’s economic growth strategy. From just $114.9 million in 2000 to a high of $3.9 billion in 2019, the country's ability to attract foreign capital has evolved significantly across presidential administrations. Ghana's Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) 2000 - 2024 1. The Kufuor Era (2000–2008): Foundations Amid Global Repositioning Kicking off the millennium, Ghana's FDI was relatively modest, with inflows below $1 bill

The US Department of Homeland Security’s 2023 Entry/Exit Overstay Report reveals startling disparities in visa overstay rates among African nations. While some countries maintain rates under 2%, others exceed 20% with Chad peaking at nearly 50%. But what drives these differences? US Visa Overstay Rate for African Countries High Overstay Rates: Poverty and Conflict as Catalysts Countries like Chad (49.54%), Congo-Brazzaville (29.63%), Sudan (26.3%), and Djibouti (23.9%) sit at

Introduction: Age is more than just a number, it shapes experience, decision-making, and representation. In Ghana's Parliament, the composition of ages across Majority and Minority parties tells a deeper story about leadership dynamics and generational diversity. Our latest visual breaks down the age distribution of MPs to show where each party’s strength lies. Age of Parliamentarians in Ghana - 9th Parliament Key Findings: The Majority  (183 members) is dominated by MPs aged

Over the past decade, Ghana’s media landscape has witnessed a significant expansion in FM radio broadcasting. According to the National Communications Authority (NCA), the number of authorized FM stations has risen from 481 in 2016 to 805 by the end of 2024, a near doubling in just nine years. Authorized Radio Stations in Ghana 2016 - 2024 The Trend in Numbers The most striking insights emerge when annual changes are examined: 2018  was the only year with a decline, seeing a

Introduction In 2023, Ghana made headlines with its unconventional approach to fuel importation, trading gold instead of U.S. dollars under the “Gold for Oil” program. The aim? To reduce the strain on foreign exchange reserves and stabilize a weakening cedi. But as the numbers roll in, the nation is left evaluating the real cost of this gold-powered gamble. Ghana's Gold for Oil Program What Was the Objective? Ghana’s economy has long grappled with forex shortages that strain

Ghana is poised to revolutionize its road toll collection system by introducing a cashless model that leverages the Ghana Card, mobile money (MoMo), and bank accounts. This initiative aims to enhance efficiency, reduce corruption, and align with the country's digitalization agenda. However, as with any significant policy shift, it presents both opportunities and challenges. Ghana's New Toll Booth System: Understanding the New System Under the proposed system, each vehicle wil