April 2025 inflation slows to 21.2%; fifth consecutive decline

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May 9, 2025
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Inflation for the month of April 2025 slowed marginally to 21.2 percent from 22.4 percent in March influenced by decline in food and non-food inflation compared to the same period for last year.

However, a month-on-month increase to 0.8 percent, following the 0.2 percent in March, suggest that vigilance was still required to tame inflation.

Speaking at News Conference in Accra, Government Statistician Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu noted that this was the fifth consecutive decline since December 2024.

He announced that inflation for locally produced items was 22.7 percent in April from 24.0 percent, while inflation for imported items stood at 17.7 percent from 17.7 percent.

Food inflation stood at 25.0 percent, showing a decline from 26.5 percent the previous month while Non-food inflation also declined to 17.9 percent from 18.7 percent compared to the previous month.

At the regional level, the year-on-year inflation rate ranged from 37.1 percent in the Upper West Region as the highest and 18.3 per cent in the Volta Region as the lowest.

Dr. Iddrisu advised that there was the need to sustain, macro-economic stability and pursue measures to reinforce the downward inflation trend.

“Government must also work hard to sustain social intervention programmes such as the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP), Capitation Grant, School Feeding and other programmes that can protect the real income of the poor,” he said.

He added that government must fast track the implementation of Agriculture for Transformation programme to reduce food inflation.

Source: GNA with excerpts from myjoyonline.com

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May 9, 2025
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3 minutes Read

Women at Chosen Rehabilitation Centre complete training by Vivo Energy Ghana

A group of women at the Chosen Rehabilitation Centre have successfully completed a two-month intensive bead-making training programme, part of Vivo Energy Ghana’s ongoing commitment to community empowerment under its Energising Hope initiative.

The programme was executed in collaboration with Engage Africa, a local NGO dedicated to social reintegration and skills development.

The training, which began following a visit by Vivo Energy Ghana staff on February 14th, aimed to equip women at the centre with marketable skills to support independent living and sustainable livelihoods post-rehabilitation. The training sessions, held throughout March and April, were led by experienced facilitators from Engage Africa.

Speaking at the close-out ceremony in April, Managing Director of Vivo Energy Ghana, Mr. Christian Li, congratulated the women on their achievements.

“We are proud to stand with you as you complete your journey of learning and growth. This training is not just about craft—it’s about confidence, dignity, and a fresh start,” he said.

Mr. Li emphasized that the initiative reflected the company’s broader mission: “At Vivo Energy Ghana, we believe true empowerment comes from equipping people with the tools and opportunities to unlock their potential.”

Corporate Communications Manager Shirley Tony Kum also commended the graduates, noting: “At Vivo Energy Ghana, true energy lies in the power to inspire hope and change lives. Through the Energising Hope initiative, we have witnessed transformation, determination, and a path to independence. We believe these skills will serve as a launchpad to brighter futures.”

Participants expressed gratitude to Vivo Energy Ghana and Engage Africa for the opportunity to rebuild their lives. Many described the experience as life-changing, as each bead symbolized patience, hope, and the promise of a better tomorrow.

The ceremony, attended by representatives from Vivo Energy Ghana and Engage Africa, featured a moving display of handcrafted beadwork. Attendees praised the women’s resilience and creativity, highlighting their readiness to apply their new skills for personal and economic growth.

The Energising Hope programme is one of several community investment projects spearheaded by Vivo Energy Ghana, reflecting the company’s dedication to inclusive growth and sustainable development in the communities it serves.

During the Valentine’s Day visit to Chosen Rehabilitation Centre, the Vivo Energy Ghana team donated essential supplies and bead-making materials, officially launching the initiative with a message of love and support.

Trainees were introduced to various techniques in bead crafting, learning to create jewellery, decorative items, handbags, keyholders, and more. For many participants, this was their first venture into the world of handcrafting, and their progress culminated in a vibrant exhibition showcasing their work.

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May 9, 2025
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2 minutes Read

BoG cybersecurity initiative to cover entire financial sector

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has announced plans to broaden the scope of its Financial Industry Command Security Operations Centre (FICSOC) to include all regulated financial institutions in the country.

This will be in partnership with sister regulatory bodies such as the National Insurance Commission (NIC), the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Announcing this development during the FICSOC Stakeholders Forum in Accra, the First Deputy Governor, Dr. Zakari Mumuni, explained that the expansion aimed to extend cybersecurity support, including early warning systems, situational awareness, and threat intelligence, to the entire financial ecosystem.

“Cybersecurity must be democratized. Every institution must be supported with the tools and visibility to protect their operations and their customers,” he said.

Dr. Mumuni cautioned that cyber risks were unlike any other; They are stealthy, adaptive, and borderless and a single weakness in one institution can cascade into systemic threats amplified by the interconnectedness of the financial sector.

“A breach in one part of our financial ecosystem could compromise operations, security, and the privacy of stakeholders across multiple institutions — regulators, partners, vendors, and customers alike,” he added.

In 2023, global financial cyberattacks surged by 38%, while annual money laundering flows exceeded $2 trillion. Ghana has not been spared. In 2024, cyber and technology-related fraud losses reached almost GHC10 million up from GHC8.9 million the previous year, according to the Bank of Ghana’s 2024 Fraud Report.

To this end, he stressed that no single institution, no matter how large or well-resourced, could face these threats alone, therefore, collaboration was not optional.

“We must share intelligence, align standards, and develop resilient systems to protect the integrity of our industry and the trust of those we serve,” Dr. Mumuni said.