1. Point-and-Kill catfish can’t swim against the business tide
Simons opens the year with a vivid metaphor drawn from Ghana’s catfish industry, popularly known as “point-and-kill.” Using the struggles of fish farmers and restaurant operators, he highlights the harsh realities small businesses face in Ghana: high operational costs, unreliable power, poor infrastructure, and limited access to finance.
The piece paints a wider picture of how entrepreneurs are being “suffocated” by structural inefficiencies, showing that even the most resilient can’t survive when policy and environment work against them.
“Point-and-Kill” catfish can’t swim against the business tide – THE SCARAB
2. Attorney General embarrasses Ghana with bad GRA math at Tullow Arbitration
In this exposé, Simons reveals how Ghana’s Attorney General’s office, during an international arbitration against oil giant Tullow, relied on flawed data supplied by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). The case, meant to defend Ghana’s tax claims, instead became a national embarrassment as the inconsistencies in the figures weakened the country’s credibility before arbitrators.
Simons frames this as a case study of bureaucratic negligence and how poor technical preparation undermines Ghana’s reputation in high-stakes international disputes.
Attorney General embarrasses Ghana with bad GRA math at Tullow Arbitration – THE SCARAB
3. Shangri-La: the most twisted hotel saga in Ghana
Here, Simons unravels a decades-long legal and business drama surrounding Accra’s Shangri-La Hotel, once envisioned as a beacon of luxury hospitality. The story, full of court battles, ownership disputes, and political interference, exposes the darker side of Ghana’s property and investment ecosystem. He uses the saga to illustrate how weak institutions, opaque land systems, and elite influence can turn prime national assets into playgrounds for power and corruption, stifling investor confidence in the process.
Shangri-La: the most twisted hotel saga in Ghana – THE SCARAB
4. Ghana’s Finance Minister-designate grilled over tax promises
Simons covers the intense vetting of Ghana’s new finance minister-designate, zeroing in on his pledges to reform taxes and grow revenue. He juxtaposes these promises with Ghana’s deep fiscal challenges, ballooning debt, rising inflation, and overreliance on external borrowing. The article reads like a cautionary tale, questioning whether the nominee’s rhetoric aligns with economic realities. Simons warns that populist tax cuts and loose fiscal talk could derail Ghana’s fragile economic recovery.
Ghana’s Finance Minister-designate grilled over tax promises – THE SCARAB
5. Ghana’s ‘socialites’ charge $200 million to clean up obsolete Saltpond oilfield
This investigative piece exposes a $200 million decommissioning project for Ghana’s defunct Saltpond oilfield, awarded to individuals with strong political and social connections. Simons dissects how the inflated costs, poor due diligence, and lack of transparency mirror a familiar pattern of elite rent-seeking. The article underscores how public resources are often siphoned through projects disguised as technical clean-ups, turning national liabilities into lucrative opportunities for the well-connected.
Ghana’s “socialites” charge $200 million to clean up obsolete Saltpond oilfield – THE SCARAB
6. From Gold-4-Oil to GoldBod; can you trust the process?
In one of the year’s most discussed economic commentaries, Simons examines Ghana’s transition from the Gold-for-Oil programme to a new gold aggregation framework under the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod). He acknowledges the policy’s stated goal, to stabilise foreign exchange and formalise gold trade, but questions whether the state machinery behind it can be trusted. Simons warns that without transparency and strong oversight, GoldBod could morph into another patronage-driven apparatus, repeating the same mistakes of previous interventions.
From Gold-4-Oil to GoldBod; can you trust the process? – THE SCARAB
7. Pwalugu Dam & political ‘loot’ recovery (ORAL) in Ghana
Simons turns his attention to the long-troubled Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam project, revealing how millions of dollars were disbursed with little to show. He argues that Ghana’s political class often treats abandoned or failed projects as “loot recovery” schemes, using new committees, audits, or bureaucratic processes to recycle funds already lost. The piece is both biting and witty, exposing how public projects morph into political theatres of waste and impunity.
Pwalugu Dam & political “loot” recovery (ORAL) in Ghana – THE SCARAB
8. Someone very powerful wants to flood Ghana with poisons
A hard-hitting exposé that reads like a thriller. Simons reveals attempts by powerful business and political figures to weaken Ghana’s chemical import controls, a move that could allow toxic pesticides and fertilizers to flood the market. He frames it as a direct threat to public health and food safety, calling it one of the most dangerous forms of elite capture yet. His investigative tone underscores how regulatory institutions are being compromised in favor of profit and patronage.
Someone very powerful wants to flood Ghana with poisons – THE SCARAB
9. All that glitters is not gold – initial comments on Ghana’s Gold Board
This article builds on his earlier warnings about the GoldBod initiative. Simons offers a technical and governance-oriented critique of the new Ghana Gold Board Act, pointing to design flaws and lack of institutional independence. He cautions that unless the board is shielded from political manipulation, it risks becoming another bureaucratic façade that benefits insiders while failing small-scale miners and the wider economy.
“All that glitters is not gold” – initial comments on Ghana’s Gold Board – THE SCARAB
10. Ghana provides a lesson in how not to nationalise a gold mine
Simons dissects the government’s botched attempt to nationalize a Gold Fields-operated mine. He shows how poor planning, lack of due diligence, and political interference turned what could have been a strategic move into an embarrassing policy failure. The article highlights the involvement of politically exposed persons, including the president’s relatives, illustrating how power dynamics often override sound economic logic in Ghana’s resource politics.
Ghana provides a lesson in how not to nationalise a gold mine – THE SCARAB
11. What the opioids boom in Ghana says about the cocaine circus
Here, Simons turns to Ghana’s growing opioid crisis, linking it to the country’s weak narcotics control systems. He draws parallels with earlier “cocaine scandals,” arguing that corruption, porous borders, and poor enforcement have made Ghana a hub for both legal and illegal drug trade. The piece underscores how systemic dysfunction and complicity within law enforcement allow a dangerous drug economy to flourish beneath official silence.
What the opioids boom in Ghana says about the cocaine circus – THE SCARAB
12. When the President’s Brother Sues You
In this rare first-person reflection, Simons announces that he has been sued by President Mahama’s brother, Ibrahim Mahama, for alleged defamation over an earlier article about the Gold Fields mine nationalization. He breaks down his defence, arguing that his remarks were factual, fair, and in the public interest. Simons calls the lawsuit a classic “SLAPP” tactic, meant to silence critics through fear and financial intimidation, and vows to fight it as part of a broader struggle for accountability and free speech.
When the President’s Brother Sues You – THE SCARAB
13. Afreximbank gripped by identity crisis amid surging growth
Simons shifts focus to the continental stage, analyzing how the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is expanding rapidly but losing clarity of purpose. Originally created to boost African trade, the bank is increasingly acting like a development finance institution, lending to governments and mega projects. Simons warns that this drift could erode its efficiency and credibility, turning it into a political tool rather than a trade enabler.
Afreximbank gripped by identity crisis amid surging growth – THE SCARAB
14. Chaos after helicopter crash in Ghana highlights ‘katanomics’ theory
Following a tragic helicopter crash involving top mining executives, Simons revisits his “katanomics” concept, the study of how overlapping networks of political and business power breed confusion, inefficiency, and risk. He uses the accident to show how Ghana’s regulatory failures and opaque decision-making processes create dangerous, real-world consequences in both business and public safety.
Chaos after helicopter crash in Ghana highlights “katanomics” theory – THE SCARAB
15. Katanomics disrupts African Union plan to put Africa on the World Map in a bigger way
Expanding his “katanomics” theory beyond Ghana, Simons applies it to the African Union’s struggles with integration and global positioning. He argues that Africa’s continental ambitions are repeatedly undercut by the same forces of fragmented governance, elite competition, and institutional weakness, all features of the katanomic order that keeps Africa from acting cohesively on the world stage.
Katanomics disrupts African Union plan to put Africa on the World Map in a bigger way – THE SCARAB
16. The Bare Facts in the Black Volta Saga
Bright Simons clarifies misinformation about the Black Volta goldmine, showing that Ibaera Capital, not E&P, has invested decades and tens of millions of dollars to make the project viable. E&P joined in 2023 but contributed little value while attempting to convert a partnership into outright acquisition. The public interest lies in building a sustainable, job-creating mine and ensuring fair, transparent mining practices free from political influence. Simons warns that shortcuts for political gain, or “katanomics,” risk delaying or destroying the project.
The Bare Facts in the Black Volta Saga – THE SCARAB
17. ECOWAS Bank jumps into Big Gold Mine Fight in Ghana
The Ecowas Bank (EBID) claims to be financing the Black Volta Gold Mine, but Ibaera Capital, the owner via Azumah Resources, denies any such deal. Political influence is evident, with presidential appointees involved on both EBID and Azumah’s boards, raising concerns about governance. Bright Simons stresses the need for transparent, strategic solutions to benefit the Upper West region and maintain Ghana’s credibility as a mining destination. He warns that shortcuts or political maneuvers could undermine national interests and investment confidence.
ECOWAS Bank jumps into Big Gold Mine Fight in Ghana – THE SCARAB
18. Furious Swiss Investors accuse Springfield & Kevin Okyere of Fraud
Swiss trader Petraco accuses Springfield and Kevin Okyere of misusing a $100M loan and a $29M oil cargo, which Springfield denies. The case exposes flaws in Ghana’s Gold-for-Oil program and weak oversight. Poor governance risks Ghana’s investment reputation, highlighting the need for clear rules and accountability in managing national resources.
Furious Swiss Investors accuse Springfield & Kevin Okyere of Fraud – THE SCARAB
19. La Beach Towers: A Dream That Haunts Accra
La Beach Towers, envisioned as a luxury beachfront complex, stalled due to poor financing, flawed designs, and weak pre-sales. Changing banks, rising costs, and lack of institutional support left only one tower partially built. Today, the abandoned structure raises safety concerns and reflects broader challenges in Ghana’s real estate sector, from financing gaps to planning and regulatory weaknesses.
La Beach Towers: a dream continues to haunt Accra’s waterfront – THE SCARAB
20. Ghana’s Attorney General Has Recovered Only 10.6% of Unibank Liability
Bright Simons challenges the Attorney General’s claim of recovering 60% of Unibank’s losses, showing instead that only about 10.6% has been recouped. He explains that Unibank’s real liabilities were far greater than the government admits, nearly $1.5 billion unaccounted for after its collapse. Simons argues that the government’s “settlement” massively undervalues the losses and that both the Bank of Ghana and the Receiver must clarify the true financial picture. He concludes that Ghana’s lenient handling of elite financial scandals reflects a “katanomic” system where accountability bends to power.
So what?
So far in 2025, Bright Simons’ reporting has highlighted key lessons from Ghana’s economy, politics, and governance, from real estate failures and market innovations to tax disputes and regulatory challenges. These stories show the importance of transparency, planning, and accountability as the year continues.
