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The Macallan introduces redesigned whisky collections to Ghanaian market
The Macallan, one of the world’s most acclaimed single malt Scotch whisky brands, on Monday, April 21, 2026 unveiled a redesigned visual identity for its Double Cask and Sherry Oak Collections at an event held in Accra, marking the Ghanaian leg of its Timeless Collection launch across West Africa.
The occasion, held at the Gallery 1957 in Kempinski Hotel Accra under the dress code ‘Timeless Elegance’, brought together forty guests, a purposefully assembled mix of Ghanaian socialites, tastemakers and trade partners, for an evening of guided tasting, product education and brand storytelling.
It was the first major brand activation by The Macallan on Ghanaian soil in this period of portfolio renewal and sets the tone for a deeper engagement with Ghanaian consumers going forward.
The redesign, which follows the brand’s Nigerian debut in Lagos on 17 April, represents what The Macallan describes as a brand evolution rather than a departure, a deliberate and thoughtful update that enhances how consumers interact with the brand while leaving the whisky entirely unchanged.
The new packaging was developed in collaboration with internationally recognised graphic designer David Carson.
Key design features include a bottle silhouette inspired by the curved roof of The Macallan Distillery in Speyside, a retained triangular shoulder label now explicitly referencing Spain’s Sherry Triangle, and revised rear labels carrying cask origin symbols to help consumers better understand the flavour profiles of individual expressions.
Commenting on the significance of the launch, Hammed Adebiyi, Senior Brand Manager for West and Central Africa at Edrington, stated,
“The Timeless Collection launch is an exciting moment for The Macallan in West Africa. It reflects our commitment to evolving thoughtfully while staying true to the heritage and craftsmanship that define the brand.”
He added that “For consumers, trade partners, and whisky enthusiasts, the new visual identity offers a clearer, more engaging way to experience the portfolio without altering the exceptional whisky they have come to know and trust.”
The redesign also incorporates several sustainability considerations.
The packaging is fully recyclable, with foiling, plastic and unnecessary glass weight all reduced. Advanced anti-counterfeit measures and individual QR codes on each bottle further strengthen product integrity in the market.
The Macallan has emphasised throughout the rollout that the whisky itself has not been altered. The Double Cask Collection retains the smooth, balanced profile shaped by both European and American sherry-seasoned oak casks, while the Sherry Oak Collection continues to express the depth and richness associated with European oak.
The Accra launch is the latest stop on a West African rollout that will continue across Abuja and Port Harcourt in Nigeria. For Ghana, the arrival of the Timeless Collection on the local market reflects the country’s growing stature as a destination for premium international brands and a rising consumer base that values craftsmanship, heritage and modern design in equal measure.
About The Macallan
Founded in 1824, The Macallan is renowned worldwide for its extraordinary single malt whiskies. Their outstanding quality and distinctive character reveal the uncompromised excellence pursued by The Macallan since it was established by Alexander Reid, on a plateau above the River Spey in north-east Scotland.
In 2018, The Macallan opened a new chapter in its history with the launch of its award-winning Speyside distillery. Designed by internationally acclaimed architects to promote sustainability, the building takes inspiration from the surrounding ancient Scottish hills.
It stands near Easter Elchies House, the Highland Manor built in 1700 which is The Macallan’s spiritual home and remains the heartbeat of The Macallan’s beautiful 485-acre Estate. Crafted wit
A new international whitepaper on democracy in Africa has placed Ghana’s Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, at the centre of a major research study on the role of opposition parties in strengthening democratic governance across the continent.
The study is being conducted by the African Chamber of Content Producers (ACCP) in partnership with the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Ghana.
It uses Ghana’s 2025/2026 parliamentary session as a case study to examine how opposition parties can contribute to peace, development and democratic stability.
President of the ACCP, Nana Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin, said the research forms part of a wider continental project aimed at identifying successful governance models in Africa.
He explained that the chamber is interested in promoting positive African stories and finding practical democratic systems that other countries can adopt.
Mr. Dwomoh-Doyen said political differences should not create division or hostility among leaders and citizens.
He stated that despite belonging to different political sides, people must work together in the interest of national development.
According to him, Ghana’s democratic journey and parliamentary system made the country an important case for the study.
The whitepaper, titled “A Strong and Responsible Opposition in Africa: A Ghanaian Case Study (2025/2026 Review)”, reviews the Minority Leader’s parliamentary activities, including his statements, motions and media engagements.
Researchers are also conducting public opinion surveys in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale as part of the study.
Head of ACCP’s Liberia branch, Dr. Murphy T. Jackson, said African countries should formally recognise and support the office of the Leader of the Opposition through legal structures and institutional resources.
He noted that such systems would help reduce the chances of unconstitutional changes of government on the continent.
Head of Research at ACCP Ghana, David Adofo, described Ghana’s opposition institution as one of the strongest in Africa.
He said although the current research focuses on Ghana, future studies would examine opposition institutions in other African countries.
Deputy Secretary General of UPF-Ghana, Tegha King, stressed the importance of a responsible opposition in national development.
Speaking on behalf of the Universal Peace Federation and the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), he said opposition parties should not be seen as enemies of progress.
According to him, respectful debate, alternative policy ideas and cross-party dialogue are necessary for strong democratic institutions and national peace.
The research comes at a time when some African countries are experiencing political instability and military takeovers.
Despite these challenges, Ghana continues to be recognised as one of Africa’s stable democracies, having recorded several peaceful transfers of power since 1992.
The completed whitepaper will later be submitted to an international peer-reviewed journal, while the abstract has already been made available upon request.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
NuGhana Expat Center to launch ‘AfroTango Platform’ to support diasporans in Ghana and Africa — Nana Kofi Opoku-Agyemang
The Executive Director of the NuGhana International Expat Center, Nana Kofi Opoku-Agyemang, has disclosed that the organisation is preparing to launch the “AfroTango Platform” to support diasporans with integration in Ghana and across Africa.
According to him, the platform is intended to help diasporans navigate African systems, which many often find difficult to understand after relocating from Western countries.
“The AfroTango Platform will provide a structured bridge, offering orientation, vetted service referrals, and a trusted community to help them integrate smoothly for business or relocation,” he said.
Mr. Opoku-Agyemang made the disclosure while speaking about a proposal submitted by the NuGhana International Expat Center to the government of President John Dramani Mahama for the establishment of a specialised multi-agency Diaspora Protection and Human Capital Task Force.
According to their statement, the proposal has been submitted to the President and shared with key institutions, including the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI), the Ministry of the Interior, the Office of National Security, the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of Diaspora Affairs, and the Black Star Experience Secretariat.
Mr. Opoku-Agyemang explained that the proposed task force would help protect diasporans and foreign nationals from organised fraud and exploitation while also helping the country benefit from their expertise, investments, and professional skills.
He noted that many diasporans relocating to Ghana often face challenges such as land disputes, business fraud, and difficulties finding trusted people to guide them through local systems.
President of the African Chamber of Content Producers (ACCP), Nana Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin, who endorsed the proposal, described the initiative as timely and necessary.
According to him, the leadership of NuGhana understands the realities and expectations of diasporans because of their experience living in Western countries.
He appealed to the government to consider the proposal seriously, stating that it could help protect lives and investments while encouraging more diasporans to contribute to national development.
The statement identified key challenges facing diasporans, including organised land and business scams, the absence of a unified system to engage skilled professionals entering the country, and fears over investment security.
Some diasporans who spoke on condition of anonymity also welcomed the initiative and said a state-backed protection system would give them more confidence to relocate and invest in Ghana.
NuGhana said it has already built a human capital and risk database over the past four years to catalogue diasporans and foreign nationals according to their professions, skills, investment interests, and reported incidents.
The organisation added that it is ready to engage the President’s designated team to demonstrate its database and begin a pilot phase of the proposed framework.
By: Jacob Aggrey
