Tensions are escalating in Burkina Faso a week after the attempted coup.
World military expenditures reached $2.72 trillion in 2024, marking a 9.4 percent increase from 2023. This represents the largest year-on-year rise since at least the end of the Cold War, according to a report released yesterday by a leading conflict think tank.
Like many Catholics around the globe, I received the news of His Holiness Pope Francis's passing on Easter Monday with great sadness. While the news was heartbreaking, it did not come as a surprise to many due to his advanced age and recent health issues.
In Ghana, discussions around the climate crisis continue, highlighting who suffers the most. A week after the coup attempt in Burkina Faso, tensions still prevail in Ouagadougou, particularly among the armed forces. Meanwhile, malnutrition remains an ongoing issue both in Burkina Faso and worldwide, referring to the deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person's energy or nutrient intake.
Adopt key lessons from the imf/world bank meeting
The 2025 World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Spring Meetings present a crucial opportunity for Ghana to enhance its development trajectory. As the country navigates the complexities of economic growth, these meetings serve as a platform for engaging with global leaders, policymakers, and experts. This interaction can provide valuable insights into best practices, innovative solutions, and strategic partnerships that can advance Ghana's development agenda.
One key focus for Ghana is prioritizing green wealth valuation. By recognizing the economic potential of its natural resources and biodiversity, Ghana can unlock new avenues for sustainable development. This approach not only promotes environmentally friendly practices but also attracts investments in sectors such as eco-tourism, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture. As the country aims to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on traditional industries, green wealth valuation can play a vital role in driving growth while ensuring environmental sustainability.
According to the Graphic Business, essential areas for Ghana's focus include strengthening resilience through fiscal reforms and domestic revenue mobilization. Implementing effective tax policies, enhancing public financial management, and reducing reliance on external aid are crucial steps toward establishing a more stable economic environment. By fortifying its fiscal framework, Ghana can better withstand economic shocks, improve its creditworthiness, and create a more favorable business environment. This, in turn, would attract investments, stimulate economic growth, and enhance the lives of Ghanaians.
Fostering private sector-led growth through regional trade integration is also critical for Ghana's development. By reducing trade barriers and harmonizing regulatory frameworks within the West Africa region, Ghana can create larger markets, increase economic efficiency, and attract investments. Regional trade integration would facilitate the development of regional value chains, enabling Ghanaian businesses to compete more effectively in the global economy. This approach would also promote economic diversification, increase trade volumes, and create new opportunities for Ghanaian entrepreneurs and businesses.
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The 2025 World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings offer a timely opportunity for Ghana to engage with the global community, share experiences, and learn from others. By leveraging these meetings, Ghana can access cutting-edge knowledge, forge strategic partnerships, and stay informed about the latest developments in global economic governance. As Ghana seeks to accelerate its development journey, the insights and connections gained from these meetings can significantly shape its economic future.
Ultimately, the success of Ghana’s development agenda depends on its ability to translate global knowledge into local action. By prioritizing green wealth valuation, strengthening resilience, and fostering private sector-led growth, Ghana can create a more sustainable and prosperous future for its citizens. The 2025 World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings provide a critical platform for advancing this development agenda, and the country must leverage this opportunity to drive meaningful change and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Bank Of Ghana Is Generating Interest In Cryptocurrency.
The opportunities that virtual assets can provide, if managed responsibly, include improved access to financial services, more efficient cross-border transactions, and increased innovation in the financial sector. “Nonetheless, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) remains committed to implementing strong safeguards to protect the financial system,” said the Governor. “The Bank is aware of the existence of virtual asset activities within Ghana’s market. The regulatory framework seeks to bring these activities into a supervised environment to mitigate associated risks while harnessing potential benefits,” he added.
In 2018, the BoG issued a public notice warning the public about engaging in cryptocurrency transactions, citing the lack of a legal framework. However, the bank softened its stance a couple of years later when it published an announcement seeking input from experts and the general public as it prepared to draft a framework to guide the use of cryptocurrencies in the country.
Since that announcement, institutions like Binance, the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange, have expressed their readiness to help Ghana draft comprehensive regulations to ensure the country maximizes the advantages of the ever-growing blockchain industry. This move by the central bank has heightened excitement among industry players, who view it as a welcome development.
The Ghana FinTech and Payments Association (GFPA) praised the BoG’s plan to regulate digital currencies, considering it a necessary step to formalize a rapidly growing sector. Martin Kwame Awagah, the President of the Association, emphasized that regulation would provide much-needed legal clarity, reduce fraud risks, and attract investment. He advocated for a collaborative approach to ensure that compliance does not stifle startups or push transactions underground.
“Lessons from other markets show that overly strict regulations can hinder growth. For instance, Nigeria’s 2021 crypto ban led to a 38 percent drop in peer-to-peer volumes before later revisions. Ghana’s framework should instead follow progressive models practiced in other countries, where licensing is tiered based on risk,” Mr. Awagah stated. “We advocate for sandbox testing, clear tax guidelines, and proportional anti-money laundering (AML) rules to ensure a thriving, compliant ecosystem,” he added.
Meanwhile, Gillian Darko, Chief of Staff and Director of Strategy at YellowCard, mentioned that her organization has been preparing for the formalization of regulations while expanding across Africa.