The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has unveiled plans to license fully fledged financial institutions dedicated exclusively to non-interest banking and finance (NIBF) services, marking a significant step toward diversifying the country’s financial landscape.Under this initiative, once the supporting regulatory framework is finalised, both new and existing financial institutions will be permitted to apply for licences to offer non-interest financial products. Although the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions Act, 2016 (Act 930) already recognises non-interest banking as a legitimate activity, implementation has been stalled for years due to the absence of operational guidelines.To bridge this regulatory gap, the central bank has begun extensive engagements with financial sector stakeholders, aimed at building technical expertise and preparing the industry for a structured rollout of NIBF services.At a stakeholder engagement session in Accra, Professor John Gatsi, Advisor on Non-Interest Banking and Finance at the BoG, noted that Ghana was drawing insights from countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, Togo and Benin, where non-interest finance models are already well established. He emphasised the BoG’s commitment to providing clear regulatory direction to support both standalone NIBF institutions and specialised NIBF windows within existing banks.<h3>Regulatory Clarity</h3>Prof. Gatsi underscored that the renewed push by the BoG aims to provide long-awaited regulatory clarity for a model that legally exists but has lacked implementation guidelines.“Act 930 already makes room for non-interest banking as a permissible activity, but without regulations, nobody could operationalise it,” he explained.He added that the central bank was now focused on issuing the directives required to allow both new entrants and established financial institutions to operate confidently within the NIBF framework.<h3>Building Capacity</h3>As part of the preparatory work, Prof. Gatsi revealed that the BoG is engaging industry players and bolstering capacity across the financial sector to ensure institutions are sufficiently equipped ahead of licensing.“What we are doing today is capacity-building because if you don’t have people who are knowledgeable in the non-interest banking space, then you cannot give them a licence,” he said.Some institutions, he noted, have already started training staff locally and internationally to align with global best practices. The BoG expects a broad spectrum of financial entities — including Fintechs, microfinance companies, rural and community banks, savings and loans firms, and capital market operators — to take similar steps.<h3>Learning From the Region</h3>Prof. Gatsi highlighted that Ghana is benefiting from lessons across the subregion, where non-interest banking has matured.“Nigeria, Kenya, Togo and Benin have all implemented versions of this model, and we are learning from their experiences,” he said.He noted that Ghana and Liberia remain the only West African countries yet to operationalise non-interest banking fully, although Liberia is also preparing to roll out its framework. The model, he stressed, is not designed to replace conventional banking but to complement it.“It is not coming to overshadow the conventional banking system. It is an alternative model based on risk-sharing and profit-sharing, with the potential to transform the financial sector’s support for the real economy,” he added.<h3>Collaboration and Inclusivity</h3>Ismail Adam, Head of the Banking Supervision Department at the BoG, attributed the progress on NIBF to an inclusive engagement process that involved both Christian and Muslim stakeholders to ensure the model aligns with Ghana’s secular values.This collaborative approach, he said, has enhanced regulatory coordination with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the National Insurance Commission (NIC).“Both Christians and Muslims have agreed to call this novel concept non-interest banking and finance to reflect the secularity and common principles that we share as a nation,” he noted.He urged financial institutions to intensify staff training and strengthen technical readiness, stating that the stakeholder-driven approach places Ghana in a strong position to introduce NIBF in a way that fosters financial stability and broad participation.<h3>SEC Prepared for Rollout</h3>The acting Director-General of the SEC, Dr James Kludze Avedzi, reaffirmed the commission’s readiness to support the introduction of non-interest financial instruments. He noted that the SEC has been part of the process “from day one,” collaborating closely with the BoG through joint learning and capacity-building.Drawing on examples from Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania, where non-interest bonds have been successfully issued, Dr Avedzi revealed that the SEC is developing guidelines to regulate similar instruments locally.“We are ready as a commission, and we are equipping our staff to ensure we can effectively guide and supervise the issuance of Sukuk and other non-interest products,” he said.<hr>

Bank of Ghana moves to license non-interest banking institutions

The Government of Ghana has announced a significant increase in cocoa producer prices, offering farmers an additional GH₵400 per 64 kg bag for the 2025/2026 crop season.At the start of the season, farmers were receiving GH₵3,225 for every bag. With this latest adjustment, they will now earn GH₵3,625 per bag, marking a major boost to farmer incomes.<h2>Government’s Assurance to Farmers</h2>Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson, speaking at an emergency press briefing in Accra, emphasised that the upward review was aimed at improving the livelihoods of cocoa farmers.He noted that the Producer Price Review Committee (PPRC) made the decision after reviewing updated government forecasts.Read Also:<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="text-blue-600 hover:text-blue-800 underline" href="https://www.ghnewsmedia.com/news/ghanas-nursing-conundrum-politics-over-practicality"> Ghana's nursing conundrum: Politics over practicality</a>“This means that for every bag sold, a cocoa farmer will now take home an additional GH₵400,” the minister explained. He further assured that the government will continue to monitor global cocoa market dynamics and adjust policies in ways that will maximise the benefits for local producers.<h2>Early Start to 2025/26 Cocoa Season</h2>This year, Ghana launched the cocoa season in August—two months earlier than usual—to ensure farmers had quicker access to cash. The move appears to have paid off, as deliveries to licensed warehouses quadrupled compared to the same period last year.Read Also: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="text-blue-600 hover:text-blue-800 underline" href="https://www.ghnewsmedia.com/news/julius-malema-convicted-faces-15-year-prison-sentence">Julius Malema convicted, faces 15-year prison sentence</a>According to Bloomberg, cocoa arrivals for the four weeks ending September 4 reached 50,440 metric tonnes, compared to just 11,000 tonnes during the same period in 2024.<h2>Global Market Implications</h2>Ghana, the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, recently raised farm-gate prices by 4.2% to GH₵3,228.75 ($261) per bag in the 2025/26 season. Analysts believe the price increase could reduce incentives for cross-border smuggling, a recurring challenge for the sector.The global cocoa market has faced a severe supply crunch in recent years, with poor harvests driving futures prices to record highs. While a small surplus is projected in the 2024/25 season, prices remain elevated, and market players are closely tracking output from West African producers.Read Also: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="text-blue-600 hover:text-blue-800 underline" href="https://www.ghnewsmedia.com/news/biography-of-coach-daniel-annor-walker">Annor Walker: The tactician whose legacy outlives him</a><h2>Cocoa Output Forecast</h2>For the 2025/26 season, Ghana has projected a harvest of 650,000 metric tonnes, up from 600,000 tonnes recorded in the previous crop year. Most of the beans will be exported, although a portion will be allocated to local processing companies.This upward review of cocoa prices reaffirms the government’s commitment to supporting farmers while safeguarding Ghana’s critical role in the global cocoa supply chain.

Ghana raises cocoa price to GH₵3,625 per bag for 2025/26

Elon Musk has been dethroned as the world’s richest person, with Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison now claiming the top spot.According to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="text-blue-600 hover:text-blue-800 underline" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-10/oracle-co-founder-larry-ellison-closes-in-on-elon-musk-as-world-s-richest-man">Bloomberg</a>, Ellison’s fortune soared by $101 billion to reach $393 billion following Oracle’s exceptional earnings report on Tuesday evening, overtaking Musk’s net worth of $385 billion.Oracle’s (ORCL) stock skyrocketed 41% on Wednesday—its biggest single-day gain since 1992—driven by overwhelming demand for data center capacity from artificial intelligence (AI) clients.CEO Safra Catz revealed after markets closed on Tuesday that Oracle secured four multibillion-dollar contracts during the quarter and expects more in the coming months.The company’s momentum is powered by its strategic role as a backbone for AI infrastructure, supplying cloud services and database software to meet the sector’s vast computing needs.In July, Oracle announced a landmark deal to supply<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="text-blue-600 hover:text-blue-800 underline" href="https://openai.com/index/chatgpt/"> ChatGPT </a>creator OpenAI with 4.5 gigawatts of electricity to support its AI operations.“This will be remembered for years,” said Ben Reitzes, analyst at Melius Research, describing Oracle’s $455 billion AI services backlog as “staggering.”Ellison, Oracle’s largest shareholder, could further extend his lead if the stock continues its extraordinary rally. With a market capitalization nearing $1 trillion, Oracle is poised to join the ranks of mega-cap tech giants like Nvidia and Microsoft, both of which recently surpassed $4 trillion in valuation.Bloomberg reports that Ellison’s wealth surge marks the largest single-day increase ever recorded on its Billionaires Index, which will update again after Wednesday’s market close.The AI-driven tech boom has transformed Oracle’s trajectory, with its stock climbing 103% this year alone. Reitzes noted, “Microsoft and Oracle really aren’t software companies anymore – they are AI cloud infrastructure stocks that happen to sell software too.”Musk, who first claimed the “world’s richest” title in 2021 through his stakes in Tesla and SpaceX, has seen his crown slip several times, including to LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault in 2021 and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in 2024.Despite setbacks, Musk continues to secure massive compensation packages, including one potentially worth nearly $1 trillion should Tesla achieve key milestones.For Ellison, now 81, the achievement is the culmination of a journey that began in 1977 when he co-founded Oracle after dropping out of college.Beyond his business empire, he owns 98% of the Hawaiian island of Lana’i and revitalized California’s Indian Wells tennis tournament, now dubbed the sport’s “fifth slam.”Ellison has also maintained close ties with political leaders, including former U.S. President Donald Trump, and has previously been linked to potential bids for companies such as TikTok.

Larry Ellison becomes world’s richest person, surpassing Elon Musk after oracle’s $101B AI boom

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has cautioned the public and businesses against unauthorised foreign exchange transactions, particularly the use of United States dollars (USD) and other foreign currencies for domestic payments.In a communiqué issued on Wednesday, August 27, the central bank reiterated that pricing, advertising, issuing receipts, or making payments in foreign currency without proper authorisation is a breach of the Foreign Exchange Act, 2006 (Act 723). The directive applies to both public and private institutions, as well as individuals engaged in such practices.The BoG reaffirmed that the Ghana cedi remains the country’s only legal tender and warned that no resident—unless duly licensed or authorised—should price, invoice, or receive payment in foreign currency for goods and services. The prohibited activities cover a wide range of sectors, including:<ul><li>Payment of school fees</li><li>Sale and rental of vehicles</li><li>Sale and rental of real estate</li><li>Purchase of airline tickets</li><li>Domestic contracts</li><li>Retail and online shopping</li><li>Hotel accommodation</li><li><div class="max-w-full h-auto rounded-lg shadow-sm border border-gray-200 my-4"><div class="relative w-full" style="padding-bottom: 99.6%;"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2Fthebankofghana%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0P7XfZfTWwzPPcEBJRbAP2TSbzLkXmqyXweHUDC6jYF7nnwAccisWUG6Udh9N6Pdjl&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=500" width="500" height="498" title="Embedded content" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" class="absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full rounded-lg border border-gray-200 shadow-sm"></iframe></div><div class="mt-2 text-xs text-gray-500 text-center">Embedded content from: www.facebook.com</div></div></li></ul>The central bank clarified that foreign currency invoicing is permitted only for expatriates and non-residents, with proceeds required to be deposited into Foreign Exchange Accounts (FEAs) at licensed banks. It further directed that all such invoices must reflect commercial bank exchange rates benchmarked against the Bank of Ghana’s published reference rate, not arbitrarily determined rates.The BoG assured the public that legitimate foreign exchange transfers for external payments will continue to be facilitated through the banking system, in compliance with existing regulations and thresholds.

BoG bans dollar payments for school fees, rent, airline tickets & more

The Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, has announced that cryptocurrency traders in Ghana will not be exempt from taxation as the Authority prepares to roll out new digital tools to monitor gains from virtual assets.Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition on Thursday, Mr Sarpong highlighted the growing relevance of cryptocurrency in Ghana’s economy. He noted:“One interesting area is crypto. The crypto is evolving and growing very well. And today we have people who are dealing with cryptocurrency, and they are making money. That area is evolving.Our laws are coming up. So again, we are working with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Bank of Ghana to bring the regulation. But in terms of tax laws, one, the tax law is still not a new one. If you make a profit or gain, you’re supposed to pay that.”He further explained that the GRA is enhancing its systems to track and capture digital transactions. According to him:“So today, the technology we are going to deploy will be able to bring in all the crypto accounts into focus, and then we will work with these individuals to make sure that we bring them into the tax net.”Mr Sarpong emphasised that this initiative forms part of a broader agenda to align Ghana’s tax regime with the fast-growing digital economy. He stated:“Digitisation and the digital economy are here with us and into the future, and most importantly, even the taxpayer of the future is digital. And that’s why we as GRA are preparing ourselves to be digitally ready for today and into the future, so we can continue to deliver on our mandate of revenue mobility.”The Commissioner-General added that beyond cryptocurrency, the Authority is also seeking to close gaps in online transactions to ensure compliance with existing tax rules. He pointed out that:“So today, online business tax rules already exist, which is, for example, the VAT. If you are buying as you walk into a physical shop, you pay VAT. In the same way, when you are buying online, you pay VAT.So what we are doing is using the technology so that when people buy online, we can access the VAT and the tax at the point of payment so that today’s challenge of not finding them to come and follow, or not even knowing what they have done online, will be a thing of the past.And that introduction of technology we are working on, again, that’s something we believe that by September, we will deploy that technology and run a pilot for the end of the year and scale it up.”He stressed that the government’s strategy is not to create multiple new taxes but to strengthen the enforcement of existing ones. As he concluded:“So you know the policy of President Mahama and the Finance Minister is that we are not introducing so many new taxes because we already have within our tax laws sufficient measures that, once implemented, will help us deepen and expand the tax net.”In essence, the GRA’s renewed focus on cryptocurrency and online transactions reflects Ghana’s determination to adapt its tax system to the realities of a digital economy.

GRA set to tax cryptocurrency traders in Ghana with new system

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has enacted a new directive to tighten regulations on the foreign exchange market.This measure specifically prohibits banks from processing foreign currency (FCY) cash withdrawals for large corporate clients, unless the transaction is backed by an equivalent FCY deposit from the same company.The central bank identified this growing trend, particularly among bulk oil distributors and mining firms, as a significant drain on foreign exchange liquidity, which has undermined efforts to stabilize the local currency.In its <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="text-blue-600 hover:text-blue-800 underline" href="https://www.bog.gov.gh/news/foreign-currency-cash-payments-to-large-corporates/">official statement</a>, the BoG elaborated,“This practice exerts avoidable pressure on the foreign exchange market and undermines efforts to ensure stability. Accordingly, with immediate effect, all banks are directed to discontinue the payment of FCY cash to large corporates unless such transactions are fully supported by equivalent FCY cash deposits lodged by the same institution. Banks must retain proper documentation to confirm the source of funds for every payout.”To ensure compliance, the BoG has warned that non-adherence will result in regulatory sanctions. Simultaneously, the Bank assured stakeholders of its continued support for critical sectors like petroleum and mineral exports, noting that government-partnered mechanisms exist to provide forex for legitimate import needs.The directive is framed as a necessary step to protect the broader market. The release concluded by stating,“These measures are designed to safeguard market stability while ensuring that vital supply chains remain uninterrupted. We expect all banks to comply strictly with this directive and to cooperate fully with the Bank of Ghana in ensuring that available foreign exchange resources are applied efficiently and transparently. Non-compliance will attract appropriate regulatory sanctions.”<h2>The bigger picture</h2>The Bank of Ghana's decisive move to curtail foreign currency cash withdrawals represents a critical intervention aimed at fortifying the nation's economic defences.This directive is not merely a restrictive measure but a strategic recalibration designed to safeguard Ghana's forex reserves, bolster the cedi, and promote greater transparency in the financial system.By targeting specific practices that drain liquidity, the BoG demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the pressures within the foreign exchange market.

Bank of Ghana directs halt to foreign currency cash withdrawals for corporates

MTN Ghana has announced a scheduled system upgrade that will result in a temporary suspension of all Mobile Money (MoMo) services for six hours on Sunday, August 17, 2025.

The telecom leader stated that the downtime will occur from 12:00 am to 6:00 am to facilitate essential maintenance and system improvements. 

During this period, all MoMo functionalities — including deposits, withdrawals, person-to-person transfers, and merchant payments — will be unavailable.

This brief outage carries significant implications for Ghana’s financial ecosystem, where MTN Mobile Money has become the dominant transaction platform, processing billions of cedis annually and playing a crucial role in driving financial inclusion.

In an interview with Citi FM, Charles Asamoah Assah, Chief Technology & Service Delivery Officer of Mobile Money Limited, emphasised the importance of the planned upgrade.

"Please be informed of a planned system upgrade on 17th August 2025, from 12 midnight to 6 am. During this period, all Mobile Money services will be unavailable. 

This upgrade is to improve our services to you. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your understanding."

According to MTN, the upgrade is part of ongoing efforts to enhance customer experience, following previous modernisation projects aimed at improving transaction speed, strengthening fraud prevention measures, and introducing innovative digital services.

The company assured customers that all funds will remain safe and services will be restored immediately after the maintenance window. 

MTN is advising individuals and businesses to complete any urgent transactions ahead of the scheduled downtime to avoid disruptions.



MTN Mobile Money system upgrade to cause 6-hours service disruption on August 17, 2025

The Board of the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems Limited (GhIPSS), a subsidiary of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), has announced the appointment of Mrs Clara B. Arthur as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective September 1, 2025.

Mrs Arthur is a seasoned professional with extensive experience spanning the financial services and technology sectors. Her career is marked by a consistent record of leadership, innovation, and growth-driven strategy.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Law and History from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and a Master of Science in Finance and Administration from Thames Valley University in the UK. 

With more than 20 years of industry experience, she has held various high-level positions in reputable financial institutions.

Her previous roles include Head of ATM and Card Technology at Ecobank and Head of E-banking at Fidelity Bank. She has also served in international consultancy positions, notably as a Digital Financial Services Consultant with the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP) and as a Remittance Expert with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).

Prior to joining GhIPSS, Mrs Arthur held senior leadership positions at Fidelity Bank Ghana and E Process International S.A. (the technology arm of the Ecobank Group) and worked as a private consultant, where she led teams in delivering technical expertise in IT infrastructure and payment systems.

Governor of the Bank of Ghana and Board Chairman of GhIPSS, Dr Johnson Asiama, commented on her appointment, saying:

“We are confident that Mrs Arthur will bring a fresh perspective and strategic vision to GhIPSS and will help lead the institution into the next phase of growth and success.”

In her acceptance remarks, Mrs Clara Arthur stated:

“I am honoured to step into this role at this pivotal time. It is more of a return for me, and I look forward to working alongside this talented team to continue the legacy of GhIPSS. Together, we will continue to drive meaningful impact, embrace new opportunities, and shape a future in the payments industry that we can all be proud of.”

She takes over from Mr Archie Hesse, who previously served as Chief Executive Officer of GhIPSS for over 17 years. 



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