By Boakye Stephen, Kumasi | Reporting for Ghanaian News, Canada
Accra, February 17, 2026
Ghana is witnessing a dynamic week in both domestic policy and regional security, with significant developments in agriculture, legislation, and the safety of Ghanaian citizens abroad.
Mahama: End of Raw Crop Exports, Boost for Local Industry
President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to transform Ghana’s agricultural sector, ending the export of raw cashew, shea, and rubber, while prioritizing local processing. Speaking at the Ghana Tree Crop Investment Summit, Mahama outlined a target of 50-60 per cent annual local processing for key tree crops.
“I want to travel and be able to buy cashews and see the produce of Ghana, not the produce of India or some third-party country,” the President stated.
To achieve this, the government plans to:
Expand agro-industrial parks nationwide.
Introduce incentives for private sector processors.
Strengthen regulatory oversight via the Tree Crops Development Authority.
President Mahama also highlighted plans under the National Policy on Integrated Oil Palm Development, describing oil palm as “red gold.” The government will invest $500 million to develop 100,000 hectares of plantations and create 250,000 direct jobs.
Analytical Commentary: This initiative reflects a strategic shift toward industrialization and value addition in Ghana’s agricultural sector, which has long suffered from exporting raw commodities while importing processed goods at higher costs. If effectively implemented, it could increase domestic employment, reduce trade deficits, and strengthen Ghana’s position in global agribusiness. However, achieving 50–60 per cent local processing will require strong private sector engagement, infrastructure development, and consistent regulatory enforcement, challenges that the government must anticipate and address proactively.
Anti-LGBTQ Bill Laid Before Parliament
Ghana’s Parliament is considering the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, commonly known as the anti-LGBTQ bill. Sponsored by 10 Members of Parliament across party lines, the bill seeks to criminalize activities related to LGBTQ persons.
Following its First Reading, Speaker Alban Bagbin referred the bill to the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee for further review. Lead sponsor John Ntim Fordjour stressed that the bill is a bipartisan private members’ initiative, and urged swift passage, citing its previous review by the Supreme Court, which found no constitutional violations.
Analytical Commentary: The introduction of this bill underscores the continuing tension between traditional societal values and global human rights discourses. From a journalistic perspective, the bipartisan backing signals broad political support, but the bill will likely attract international attention and scrutiny. Parliament’s handling of this legislation will test Ghana’s ability to balance domestic social norms with evolving global human rights expectations, and it presents an opportunity for informed, principled debate in the national discourse.
Burkina Faso Attack: Ghanaian Death Toll Rises to 8
The death toll among Ghanaian traders in Burkina Faso has risen to eight following the jihadist attack in Titao on February 14, 2026. Seven members of the Ghana National Tomatoes Traders and Transporters Association were initially killed, with a fourth injured victim succumbing to injuries after treatment.
President Mahama and the Government of Ghana condemned the attack as a senseless act of terror, expressing solidarity with Burkina Faso. On the President’s instructions, the Ghana Air Force is conducting an immediate medical evacuation of victims back to Ghana.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued travel advisories urging Ghanaians in high-risk areas to limit movement, maintain embassy contact, and prepare identification for consular assistance.
Analytical Commentary: This tragic incident highlights the vulnerability of Ghanaian traders in unstable regions and underscores the urgent need for coordinated regional security strategies. Ghana’s proactive response, including immediate evacuation and diplomatic engagement with Burkinabe authorities, demonstrates responsible governance and concern for citizen welfare. At the same time, the attack signals the growing threat of jihadist violence in the Sahel, and should prompt both regional and national authorities to reassess security protocols for cross-border trade.
Concluding Journalistic Insight
This week illustrates Ghana at a crossroads: a country striving for industrial and agricultural transformation, debating social and legal norms, and facing regional security challenges. Each of these developments reflects broader themes of governance, citizen welfare, economic independence, and societal values.
From a media perspective, reporting on these stories is not merely about chronicling events, but also about contextualising them for citizens, investors, and policymakers, highlighting opportunities for national growth, debate, and vigilance.
