The Sankofa Brief

This Week in Ghana ยท 1 to 7 November 2026

The week in eight stories

What happened, and why it matters to you. Read it in ten minutes and walk into any meeting, staff room or trotro conversation fully informed. A new brief arrives every Sunday afternoon.

The week in one breath

The IMF gave Ghana's economy a pass mark, inflation ticked up to 5.5% and all eyes turn to the 2027 Budget on 12 November. Abroad, Cabinet approved a bid to become a BRICS partner while the President pushed Africa and Caribbean trade at the Commonwealth summit. At home, speed cameras went live, transport unions called off a strike, and from 12 November every arriving traveller must file a health form.

01

Economy

IMF staff sign off on the first review of Ghana's new programme

After two weeks of talks in Accra, IMF staff and the government reached agreement on 5 November on the first review of Ghana's 36-month Policy Coordination Instrument. The IMF said performance was broadly satisfactory and most targets were met. It also warned that foreign reserves had fallen in recent months, and noted that the government has moved foreign exchange trading from the Bank of Ghana to GoldBod and raised the share of gold large miners must sell locally. The deal still needs approval by the IMF's Executive Board.1

Why it matters: this programme involves no IMF money, so its value is reputation. A clean review tells investors and lenders that Ghana's recovery is real. The reserves warning is the one to watch, because reserves are what protect the cedi. New to the PCI? See our Economy page.
02

Economy

Inflation rises for a third month, to 5.5%

The Ghana Statistical Service reported on 4 November that inflation rose to 5.5% in October, from 5.2% in September. Food inflation fell to 2.8%, but transport inflation jumped to 14.1% and services to 11.5%. Ashanti recorded the highest regional rate at 9.7%.2

Why it matters: food is getting cheaper to buy, but getting around and paying for services is costing more. Inflation remains below the Bank of Ghana's 6% to 10% target band, which matters for its interest rate decision on 18 November.
03

Policy

The 2027 Budget, "The New Economy", comes on 12 November

Majority Leader James Agalga announced that Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson will present the 2027 Budget Statement to Parliament on Thursday, 12 November. A post-budget workshop for MPs follows from 15 to 17 November.3 According to the IMF, the budget targets a primary surplus of 0.5% of GDP.1

Why it matters: the budget sets taxes, spending and priorities for next year. For businesses and professionals, it is the single most important policy document of the year. We will explain it in next week's brief.
04

International relations

Cabinet approves a bid to become a BRICS partner country

President Mahama said this week that Cabinet has approved Ghana seeking partner status with BRICS, following a recommendation from a ministerial committee set up under the previous government. Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said Ghana would begin as a partner and move towards full membership later. Approval by Cabinet does not mean Ghana has been admitted; Russia said it would seek consensus among BRICS founding members.4 The President insisted the move does not change Ghana's long-standing policy of non-alignment.45

Why it matters: BRICS began with Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. With Asia already buying half of our exports (see our Economy page), closer ties could open trade and finance doors. The diplomatic test is keeping good relations with every side at once.
05

International relations

Mahama takes reparations and trade to the Commonwealth summit

President Mahama arrived in Antigua and Barbuda for the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, where he planned to advance his advocacy for reparatory justice and discuss trade and investment.6 In talks with Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis on 4 November, he called for stronger trade and investment links between Africa and the Caribbean.7

Why it matters: the Commonwealth links 56 countries, many of them former British colonies like Ghana. Africa and the Caribbean share deep historical ties, and turning those ties into trade is an opportunity for Ghanaian exporters.
06

Road safety

TraffiTech speed cameras go live, but only where limits are posted

TraffiTech-GH, a camera system that detects speeding and sends electronic fines to vehicle owners, launched on 2 November. After a meeting with ministers and transport groups, the National Road Safety Authority said cameras will operate only on roads with clear, visible speed limit signs.8 President Mahama rejected calls to fix roads first, saying, "the roads are not perfect in the UK, yet they have speed cameras."9

Why it matters: if you drive, watch for speed limit signs, especially 50 km/h in towns. Fines arrive electronically, with no roadside stop.
07

Cities and transport

Transport strike called off as Accra moves on bus stops and billboards

The GPRTU and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council called off a planned sit-down strike on 4 November after meeting the Interior, Transport and Local Government ministers over trading on roads. They gave government 30 days to act.10 The Accra Metropolitan Assembly then gave hawkers 48 hours to leave bus stops, which the Union of Informal Workers Associations rejected. Separately, billboard owners must label their structures by 13 November, and removal of unauthorised billboards starts on 14 November.11

Why it matters: this is a classic policy balancing act between orderly, safe roads and the livelihoods of informal traders. How it is handled over the next 30 days will affect commuters and traders across Accra.
08

Health and travel

From 12 November, every arriving traveller must file a health form

The Ghana Health Service announced on 7 November that from Thursday, 12 November, every passenger arriving in Ghana must complete an online health declaration before departure and show the QR code it produces to Port Health on arrival. Parents file for children under 12. The Ministry of Health says Ghana has no confirmed Ebola case; the step is a precaution after cases elsewhere in Africa, including Nigeria.12 The form is at ehds.ghs.gov.gh.13

Why it matters: if you, your family or your clients are travelling to Ghana, fill the form before boarding. False answers can lead to action under the Public Health Act, 2012.12

Diary for the week ahead

  • Thu 12 Nov: 2027 Budget in Parliament; health declaration becomes mandatory for arrivals.
  • Fri 13 Nov: deadline for billboard owners in Accra to label their structures.
  • Sat 14 Nov: removal of unauthorised billboards begins.
  • Mon 16 to Wed 18 Nov: Bank of Ghana policy meeting, with the decision on 18 November.

Sources

  1. IMF, Staff-level agreement on the first review under the PCI (5 November 2026)
  2. Ghana News Agency, Ghana's inflation edges up to 5.5 per cent in October
  3. 3News, 2027 Budget to be presented on November 12
  4. 3News, Ghana's BRICS partnership began under Akufo-Addo committee
  5. Pulse Ghana, Ghana's BRICS partnership does not change non-aligned status
  6. The Presidency, President Mahama joins Commonwealth leaders at CHOGM 2026
  7. GBC, President Mahama pushes for stronger Africa and Caribbean economic ties
  8. Yen.com.gh, TraffiTech-GH cameras to target only roads with speed limit signs
  9. Graphic Online, We cannot wait for perfect roads before rolling out TraffiTech
  10. MyJoyOnline, GPRTU and GRTCC call off planned sit-down strike
  11. 3News, Accra bus-stop order and billboard removal
  12. 3News, Health declaration form compulsory for every arrival from November 12
  13. Ghana Health Service, Ghana Health Declaration portal

Covers 1 to 7 November 2026. Last verified: 7 November 2026.