Ghana has eliminated gambiense Human African Trypanosomiasis, commonly known as Sleeping Sickness, as a disease of public health concern.
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Director General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in a tweet, congratulated the government, health workers and communities for working towards the elimination of the disease.
“This is a historic achievement, proving once again that with dedication and team work we can,” he said in the tweet.
In West Africa, Togo in 2020 received validation from the WHO for having eliminated human African trypanosomiasis or “sleeping sickness” as a public health problem, becoming the first country in Africa to reach this milestone.
Sleeping Sickness is a vector-borne parasitic disease.
It is caused by infection with protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Trypanosoma.
They are transmitted to humans by tsetse fly ( Glossina genus) bites, which have acquired their infection from human beings or from animals harbouring human pathogenic parasites.
The disease is found in 36 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, untreated sleeping sickness is almost always fatal.
The people most exposed to the tsetse fly and to the disease live in rural areas and depend on agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry or hunting with limited access to adequate health services.
The disease is transmitted through Mother-to-child infection, where trypanosome can cross the placenta and infect the fetus.
It is also transfered through mechanical transmission through other blood-sucking insects.
Accidental infections have occurred in laboratories due to pricks with contaminated needles.
Transmission of the parasite through sexual contact has also been reported.
Immediate-past Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu was captured on January 29, 2023 engaging in sporting activities in Accra.
It is the first time he has been seen publicly since his replacement as Minority Leader in Parliament, a decision that has split the caucus he had led for six years.
Photos circulated on social media of the Tamale South Member of Parliament purportedly engaging in early morning excercise at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Later in the day, photos shared on Twitter showed Haruna interacting with players of Karela FC, a club that he owns.
He was also spotted at the Accra Sports Stadium later in the afternoon watching Karela play Accra Great Olympics in their Ghana Premier League fixture.
Unfortunately Karela lost the game by a lone goal to their hosts. It was the fifth defeat in six games for the Western Region based side.
The NDC, through its General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, wrote to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to announce the replacement of three members: the Minority Leader, the deputy Minority Leader, and the Minority Chief Whip.
The NDC picked Ato Forson to replace Haruna Iddrisu as leader of the Minority Caucus.
Other changes included Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembele, who is the new deputy Minority Chief Whip.
While Kwame Governs Agbodza, MP for Adaklu, will replace Asawase MP Muntaka Mohammed as the Chief Whip.
Ahmed Ibrahim, MP for Banda, has been maintained as the First deputy Minority Chief Whip, while Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, MP for Ada, is also retained as second deputy Minority Chief Whip.
Head coach of Niger Harouna Doula shared his excitement following his sides win over Ghana in the quarterfinals of the 2022 CHAN tournament.
Niger stunned the Black Galaxies on Saturday with a 2-0 win to progress to the semifinals of the tournament in Algeria.
An own goal from Ghana defender Konadu Yiadom in the 11th minute and a sublime finish by Soumana Hainokye Boubacar secured the win for Niger.
After the game, Harouna Doula hailed his players for their outstanding performance that saw his outfit eliminate the Black Galaxies.
“After such a game, one can only feel joy and satisfaction thanks to these players. These players have made Niger reach this stage. People asked us how far we wanted to go.
“At this stage, I can say that these youngsters are writing history. It is the first time for Niger to reach this stage at the CHAN. It is satisfying for my players. I believe that every Nigerien is content,” Doula told the media in a very passionate manner.
He continued, “Tournaments like this one do not come by every day. Our last participation in the knockout stages was in 2011. We need to believe that we can go as far as possible. If our players can take away any form of restriction, then we will do our best.
“We have been growing in this tournament. Against Congo, the players were intimidated. Against Cameroon, I felt that they were free. Against Ghana, they believed in their talent.
“Aziz [Abdoul Ibrahim] can win us a game if only he gives it his best and this is why I keep saying that players need to set themselves free and to express themselves because I know them and what they can do. He needs to relax.
“We need to set ourselves free from negative pressure and be confident in our abilities. Many teams are stiff because they are not used to playing at such a tournament.
“There is a difference between Team A and Team B. At this level, he can play at any position. This is what I am talking about. With no pressure. We are playing in a more relaxed way while being focused on our target.
“I believe that after today’s game, we can expect a beautiful game against Algeria. We started the tournament slowly with a goalless draw against Congo and then against Cameroon, we scored a goal and today, against Ghana, we scored twice.
“This shows that we are achieving the progress that we wanted. We will not play a closed game. We will rely on our strengths. We need to give the people of Oran a beautiful game.”
Niger sail through the semifinals with a 2-0 win and will face hosts Algeria on Tuesday.
The new platform, which is expected to make payments more convenient, is also aimed at checking revenue leakages and reducing alleged corruption while promoting voluntary compliance and a conducive rate-paying environment.
The Mayor of Accra, Elizabeth Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey, disclosed this last week when she led a team of officers from the assembly to sensitise traders on the roll-out of new receipts for payment of markets and lorry park tolls in the metropolis. The new receipts to be issued have holograms in them for easy identification of which tickets were purchased.
She disclosed that about 23 banks have been integrated into the new revenue collection platform to give users the flexibility of payment options, adding that: “Apart from using the banks, ratepayers can equally pay their bills via mobile money on all networks, QR codes, and a USSD code”.
She noted that prior to the introduction of the new revenue collection system in March, all traders and market women in the metropolis would be registered and given special Quick Response (QR) codes to be used for payment of bills from the assembly. She admonished the market women and the business community to embrace innovation to bring development to the people of Accra.
Metro Director of Budget, Noble Atsu Ahadzie, emphasised that with the new system bills and receipts would be sent electronically to ratepayers without any human interference. He added that AMA was rolling out a well-detailed stakeholder engagement plan to ensure that all stakeholders are well-informed ahead of the commencement of the digital revenue collection system.
The AMA boss was accompanied by the Presiding Member and Assemblyman for the Avenor Electoral Area, Alfred Adjei; the Chairman of the Revenue Sub-Committee and Assemblyman Amaamo Electoral Area, Muzah Ziyad; Francis Anaba, Metro Finance Director; among others.
The Ghana Education Service has announced that preparations are ongoing for the release of Senior High School (SHS) Placement for the 2023/2024 academic year.
It has therefore cautioned the public not to fall prey to what it describes as deceitful persons that may ask them to pay money to be placed in an SHS.
The GES said such persons must be reported to the Police immediately.
It assured the public it was committed to ensuring a smooth and merit based SHS placement.
Liverpool wanted a fresh start in 2023 but Andrew Robertson says the Reds have been “nowhere near good enough” this season and played “worse” since the World Cup.
The Scotland international captained Jurgen Klopp’s side at Brighton and Hove Albion as Kauro Mitoma’s last-minute strike dumped the FA Cup holders out in the fourth round.
Liverpool had taken the lead through Harvey Elliot before Lewis Dunk’s fortuitous first-half equaliser paved the way for Mitoma’s deserved late winner in Sunday’s 2-1 triumph.
Klopp’s men are out of both domestic cups and sit only ninth in the Premier League, having won just eight of their opening 19 top-flight games.
Having lost nine times already in 31 outings across all competitions this campaign, Robertson bemoaned Liverpool’s abject performances that have continued after the World Cup break.
“This season has been nowhere near good enough,” Robertson told ITV Sport.
“At the start of the year, we wanted a fresh start, but that hasn’t happened – we’ve been worse. In the league, we haven’t been good enough and now we’re out of both cups.”
The Reds’ downfall may have appeared somewhat of a surprise after falling narrowly short of an unprecedented quadruple last term.
Liverpool missed out in the Champions League final to Real Madrid and saw Manchester City secure the Premier League title on the last day of the season, though they lifted the FA Cup and EFL Cup.
Sadio Mane’s sale to Bayern Munich and Roberto Firmino’s diminishing role should be factored in, while Mohamed Salah has failed to hit his usual lofty heights after scoring just nine goals in 19 league games.
Luis Diaz has been out injured after a promising first campaign at Anfield and signings Darwin Nunez and Cody Gapko are still settling in, yet Robertson struggled to explain why Liverpool continue to falter.
The left-back added: “It’s really disappointing. You can’t put your finger on one thing that’s gone wrong. It’s more than that. It’s about trying to put a performance together where all these things click and that’s proving difficult right now.
“You can tell we’re not as confident in front of goal, and defensively we’re still a wee bit open in certain areas.
“We were on the back of two clean sheets, which was positive, but today, two disappointing goals and they had a couple of big chances as well.
“We need to try and get the confidence back. It’s easier said than done but that’s the only way we can pick up results. You have to be able to score goals and you have to be able to keep clean sheets.
“We’re not managing that just now and we need to do it. We keep saying that and it doesn’t help the fans. I feel sorry for them, the way we’re putting on a show for them just now.
“We let them down again and we’re obviously disappointed to be falling out of the cup.”
The move according to the Central Bank Governor, Dr. Ernest Addison is based on macroeconomic adjustments aimed at driving down inflationary pressures.
Dr. Ernest Addison made this known speaking at the 110th MPC press briefing in Accra on Monday, January 30, 2023.
A Ranking Member on the Education Committee of Parliament Dr. Clement Apaak has slammed President Akufo-Addo and accused him of failing the test in the fight against corruption.
He said although the President campaigned on the pledge to fight against corruption, he has failed in doing so.
Dr. Apaak who represents the Builsa South constituency said is unattainable for the president to pretend not to have seen the report by the Auditor-General on the Covid-19 expenditure.
He stated that the President’s silence on the issue is troubling considering the level of rot, misapplucation and malfeasance discovered.
“Even so, given the nature and magnitude of what the Special Audit has uncovered, and the public anger and revulsion it has created, the President’s loud silence is most revealing, not shocking.”
He has asked him to learn the President of Malawi and take an action against those who have been captured in the report to have misapplied funds.
Read the full statement below
COVID-19 EXPENDITURE AUDIT REPORT AND AKUFO-ADDO’S POSTURE
In some African nations, like Malawi (see attached video), the President addressed his nation on the back of an audit report on COVID-19 expenditure. The President of Ghana, who won an election in 2016, largely on a promise to fight corruption, seems lethargic to acknowledge an audit report on COVID-19 expenditure, even in passing. Not even a tweet or facebook post.
The President of Malawi addressed the people of Malawi in relation to exposed corruption, malfeasance, and misappropriation of COVID-19 funds. He passionately told his nation what consequences and sanctions awaited those responsible, including some of his own ministers and other appointees. In Ghana it is the opposite. The President doesn’t seem interested in the content of the COVID-19 expenditure Auditor-General’s Report, which has equally exposed acts of corruption, malfeasance, and misappropriation of COVID-19 funds in Ghana.
Trying to excuse the nonchalant posture of the President of Ghana, Akufo-Addo, with regards to this scandalous Auditor-General’s Report on COVID-19 expenditure, is untenable. Claims made by NPP apologists, that Akufo-Addo is only being cautious because infractions captured in the Auditor-General’s report have usually been resolved at sittings of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, is fallacious.
Yes, lots of funds have been retrieved as a result of disallows by the Auditor General and recommendations made by the Public Accounts Committee at it’s sittings. The Public Accounts Committees of the 7th and 8th Parliaments have made several recommendations for the prosecution of persons whose conducts have offended the procurement laws of Ghana, or have led to the loss of public funds. And it’s important to state, that when the Public Accounts Committee recommends prosecution, the Attorney General is expected to act.
Even so, given the nature and magnitude of what the Special Audit has uncovered, and the public anger and revulsion it has created, the President’s loud silence is most revealing, not shocking.
Unlike the President of Malawi, Akufo-Addo, the President of Ghana, by his refusal to comment on the Auditor-General’s Report indirectly confirms the widely held belief that he has no interest in fighting corruption. This is the conclusion of known Anti-corruption crusaders in Ghana.
The legitimate expectation of the people of Ghana is, that those who have embezzled, dissipated, and misappropriated COVID-19 funds be held accountable – nothing more nothing less.
In Solidarity, Dr. Clement Apaak, M.P, Builsa South January 29th, 2023
After Guinea was stripped of its rights to host the AFCON in 2025, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had to restart procedures to select a host. Many countries declared official interest in hosting the event, amongst them Morocco.
Land of football, Morocco has the ambition to host one of the best African Cup of Nations, in order to celebrate the best of African football, its values of tolerance, unity and respect, to serve the development and the influence of African football as a whole, and finally, to share an authentic and human experience.
Morocco’s candidacy is legitimate, firstly, because the national team has offered unparalleled influence to African football by having reached the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Secondly, because the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF) is very committed to the development of African football and to the cooperation with more than 45 African partner federations, and this, within the framework of the Enlightened Vision of His Majesty the King, which promotes greater involvement in South-South and win-win development, particularly in Africa.
Finally, Morocco is the only African country to have successfully passed the prerequisite required by FIFA concerning all the criteria established in its specifications, namely, sports infrastructures, hotels, hospitals, …etc
Indeed, when Morocco’s bid for the 2026 World Cup was presented, a task force composed of dozens of experts had crossed the country for several months before awarding it a mark above the average which made its bid eligible for the World Cup under the new format of 48 teams. The AFCON 2025 will be a 24-team event, which means that Morocco is de facto well beyond the requirements of the AFCON 24-teams.
In organising the AFCON 2025, Morocco guaranteed accessibility for football fans from their countries of residence, richness and diversity of the tourist experience, and safety within the Kingdom. And for the players and their staff, the comfort and quality of the hotel facilities, the modernity of the sports infrastructures, and an ideal and temperate climate.
Six iconic host cities were selected to celebrate the best of African football, namely, Rabat, Marrakech, Casablanca, Agadir, Tangier and Fez. The choice was based on operational and logistical excellence, notably in terms of sports, residential and transport infrastructures meeting the requirements of CAF. The 6 cities have the following capacities: Tangier (60,000 seats), Fez (35,000 seats), Rabat (65,000 seats), Casablanca (65,000 seats), Marrakech (45,000 seats) and Agadir (45,000).
Thus, all the host cities, located within a radius of 465 km around Casablanca, are connected through optimal transport networks, including the air network which covers the six host cities of the competition with an average of one-hour flight.
These cities are characterized by strong and unique identities, reflecting Morocco’s diversity and passion for football, each with its own historical, geographical and social identity. Among these cities, some of them are on the coast, or historical and mountainous destinations, this diversity will not fail to offer the African Cup of Nations a magical setting for the show.
Having a strong experience in the field of tourism (more than 12 million tourists in 2019), the Kingdom is endowed with a high-quality hotel infrastructure and in sufficient quantity (90,000 rooms distributed among the host cities) to welcome national teams, official delegations and supporters in favourable conditions. Morocco’s accommodation offer will make it possible to accommodate all the players in the competition by offering rates adapted to all budgets.
The Kingdom of Morocco has the ideal conditions for the organization of one of the best African Cup of Nations, due to its diversity, its geographical position, its legendary hospitality, its political stability and its security.
At the same time, Morocco benefits from one of the best football infrastructures in Africa. All the selected stadiums have been approved by FIFA (as part of the bidding process for the 2026 World Cup), as well as by CAF, as part of the World Cup and African Cup of Nations qualification.
Finally, Morocco is committed to the development of African football and continues its activities in continuity with the bid to organise the 2025 African Cup of Nations, in order to show its capacity to organize a safe African Cup, in the best conditions and to the standards of the most prestigious international competitions. The 2025 AFCON guarantee a magical and unforgettable experience for players, supporters, guests and viewers around the world.
Morocco aim to share its expertise in the organization of major sporting events, to inspire the younger generation for a world of solidarity, justice, tolerance and care for the planet, and to celebrate the universal values of football through a multicultural and unifying continental event.
Over the next two weeks, the price of gasoline, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas is expected to rise by 7 to 13 percent, according to the Institute for Energy Security (IES).
Petrol prices are anticipated to be adjusted by Oil Marketing Companies to sell for about GH15 per liter, while diesel sells for about GH17 per liter.
“On the basis of the rising international fuel prices as observed on the global S&P Platts platform, linked with the local currency’s value decline against the greenback, the Institute for Energy Security (IES) estimates a 7% to 13% jump in the prices of Gasoline [petrol], Gasoil [diesel], and LPG over the next two weeks ending February 14, 2023,” the IES said in a statement.
“The rise in domestic fuel prices would be occasioned in spite of government’s receipt of approximately 41,000 metric tonnes of Gasoil under its “Gold for Oil” programme, and that consumers must be prepared to buy for instance, a litre of Gasoline [petrol] for roughly GH¢15 in the coming days”, it added.
Meanwhile, government has taken delivery and begun to sell petroleum products under its ‘Gold for Oil’ policy.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu has disputed the National Cathedral Secretariat’s explanation that they took a loan from secretary to the Board of Trustees, Reverend Kusi Boateng.
The GH¢2.6 million loaned amount has been contested by the MP who insists it was an irregular payment for no work done.
Ablakwa revealed on the January 27, 2023 edition of the Good Morning Ghana programme that it turns out that JNS Talent Center, a company Kusi Member is connected to, had received monies from COVID-19 funds, out of which they allegedly loaned a portion to the cathedral.
“This claim that he did us a favour and he gave the Cathedral Secretariat a loan …even though the Cathedral bank statement I have secured, at the time they said they were in distress and needed GH¢2.6 million desperately, they had GHC6 million sitting in their account.
“The bank statement of the National Cathedral at ADB, they had six million sitting in that account, so that story doesn’t add up,” he stressed.
He continued: “We now know that they (Kusi Boateng and JNS Talent Center) did their country no favour. It was our own money GH¢3.5 million COVID cash which he received for supplying tissue paper.”
He also tasked the Auditor-General to review their current report on COVID funds and capture the said transaction because there were doubts as to whether the tissue paper supplies were even honoured.
Member of Parliament for Ketu South, Abla Dzifa Gomashie has lamented the lack of free movement between countries within the continent particularly in the ECOWAS sub-region.
According to the former broadcaster, it was time for African leaders to actualize free movement within the region and between countries because that used to be the case before colonialism came to partition different countries.
In a video shared by influential African Wode Maya, the MP said: “We have to tell the story of who we are. That we can continue blaming colonialists for all we want but they have been gone for so long and we need to wake up and smell the coffee.
“We need to wake up, all these seemingly hen coop thing we are doing business in, against ourselves is depressing, truly truly depressing. I am willing to break a few protocols speaking the way I am,” he added alluding to her role as a member of the regional commission on Ewe.
“The excuses are too much, when they go and sit on our behalf, I expected them to do better than they are doing… you owe it to us as citizens and we are demanding that you do better by us,” he added.
Wode Maya had gotten into violent exchanges with immigration officials at the Ghana – Togo border as he tried to have his passport stamped.
“This is me fighting to save my camera at the Togolese border because I refused to pay a bribe of CFA 2000 in order for my passport to stamped,” he captioned a tweet that showed him in a confrontation with supposed border officials.
The final was initially scheduled to be played at 19:00 GMT on Saturday, February 4 but the continent football governing body has now made changes to the kickoff time with the game now moved to 19:30 GMT.
The change in timing was confirmed by the Organising Committee of the competition.
The final will be played at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers.
The competition is currently in the semifinal stage with Algeria, Senegal, Madagascar and Niger all booking their place in the last four.
The hosts will face Madagascar while Niger and Senegal will go head-to-head after eliminating Ghana’s Black Galaxies in the quarterfinals.
Husband of a food vendor at Oyibi, Yellow Sisi Special Waakye, has lamented the impact a recent food poisoning incident will have on the operations of his wife’s business.
The unnamed man speaking on condition of anonymity with Accra-based Citi News said the incident has left his wife traumatized and that he is unsure that the business will bounce back again despite being a major source of livelihood for his family.
His wife, he said, haboured no ill intentions and would never had deliberately put people in harm’s way: “My wife can’t do anything bad to her family nor her customers because we eat the same food anytime it’s prepared.
“My wife, one of her sales ladies and my daughter also reported to the hospital for treatment after eating the food. There is no way she will do anything to harm her customers,” he stated.
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) confirmed in a statement that only one person died from the incident contrary to the earlier report that five people had died. They added that about 53 persons were hospitalized as a result.
According to Citi News, the deceased man was the landlord of the parcel of land where the waakye joint is located at a place called Bush Canteen.
The wife of the deceased told Citi FM: “my husband ate the food on Friday [January 20, 2023] and was subsequently rushed to the hospital a day after when he was pronounced dead after a short while.”
The husband of the waakye seller also revealed that he had tried to get the landlord to seek medical attention to no avail.
“All attempts by my wife to convince the landlord to seek medical attention immediately after the situation happened were not heeded.
“It is very sad that the landlord passed. My wife did all she could to convince him to visit the hospital, but he declined. His death has left my wife and I disturbed but all we can say is sorry,” he added.
Speaking on Happy FM’s ‘Epa Hoa Daben’ programme, he said the country’s GDP could double in the next 10 years if nothing is being done about the influx of counterfeit and substandard goods in the country.
He also mentioned that most Ghanaians make buying decisions on pricing forgetting value and the negative impact such choices have on Ghanaian industries.
Read the full story originally published on August 30, 2019, on GhanaWeb
Speaking on Happy FM’s ‘Epa Hoa Daben’, Prof. Boateng said the collapse of most Ghanaian industries is as a result of the influx of fake, counterfeit and substandard goods in Ghana.
He also mentioned that most Ghanaians make buying decisions on pricing forgetting value and the negative impact such choices have on Ghanaian industries and the future generation.
According to him, Ghana’s GDP can double in 10 years if we are able to rein in fake, counterfeit and substandard goods in Ghana.
Prof. Douglas Boateng is Africa’s first ever appointed professor Extraordinaire for supply and value chain management (SBL UNISA), is an International Professional certified Chartered Director and an adjunct academic.
Independently recognized as one of the vertical specific global strategic thinkers on procurement, governance, logistics, and industrial engineering in the context of supply and value chain management, he continues to play leading academic and industrial roles in supply chain strategy development and implementation, both in Africa and around the world.
He is also the author of the yet to be launched Compendium of Supply and Value Chain Management.
Despite Joao Felix’s loan move to Chelsea, Barcelona are keeping an eye on the Portuguese player for next season.
Joao Felix is temporarily in London. Without finishing his career with Atletico Madrid, the ‘Colchoneros’ sent him to Chelsea in the second half of the season.
Barcelona, prior to his arrival at Stamford Bridge, had been looking to bring him in, even more so when Atletico Madrid and Barcelona agreed on the transfer of Memphis Depay.
Despite being in England, the ‘Cules’ have not forgotten about the Portuguese player. ‘Sport’ explained that Joao Felix is still an option for next season.
The good relationship between the club and Jorge Mendes, the Atletico Madrid player’s agent, could facilitate his arrival at Camp Nou. Everything will depend on Joao Felix’s willingness to come to Barcelona.
Barcelona’s delicate financial situation, however, means that they cannot afford to pay the price that Atletico Madrid are asking. But there could be a swap deal to facilitate his arrival.
He asserts that the threat deprives Africa of important resources that could be utilised to advance the continent.
President Akufo-Addo advocated for strong tax collection policy measures last week while speaking at the first African Prosperity Dialogue to address illegal financial flows out of Africa.
“We must urgently and collectively institute comprehensive and unambiguous tax policies to combat tax-motivated illicit financial flows, strengthen legal and law enforcement systems and bring together national agencies to stem such flows,” President Akufo-Addo stated.
He further entreated African countries to take advantage of the ongoing African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
This, he said, will facilitate trade among African countries and boost the development on the continent.
Board Member of Hearts of Oak, Dr Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe has questioned the level of quality in the Ghana Premier League.
This comes after the country’s shocking elimination at the ongoing 2022 African Nations Championship [CHAN] in Algeria.
Ghana suffered a 2-0 defeat against Niger in the quarterfinal game on Saturday evening.
The Black Galaxies opened their campaign with an astonishing defeat against Madagascar before fighting back to beat Sudan 3-1 in their second Group C game.
The Galaxies were however awarded three points after Morocco pulled out of the tournament.
Following the team’s elimination, the former Ghana Football Association [GFA] chairman has questioned the quality in the topflight.
“The level of quality in the Ghana Premier League is very poor and it is real problem,” Dr Tamakloe said on Asempa FM.
The Black Galaxies are expected to arrive in the country later today. The team has been awarded a $400,000 for finishing at the quarterfinal.
The Ghana Customer Service Index (GCSI) released its fifth press release on January 26, 2023, at the British Council, and Ms. MacCarthy made this statement in an exclusive interview with Prince Benjamin of Class News.
“I suggested this year that businesses examine the inside-out method as one of my recommendations.
Simply put, that proves that you are effectively serving your internal clientele.”
The board chair of the West African Association of Customer Service Professionals (WAACSP) illustrated her point by citing the COVID-19 pandemic and how it impacted customer experience negatively.
“There were a lot of people [internal customers; workers] who suffered burnout,” she recalled. “There were a lot of people who suffered emotionally and that actually went on to affect the experience that they gave the [external] customer.”
“The idea is for organisations to start looking at the people they have employed as human capital,” she said, arguing that: “Anything you see as capital, you want to nurture and develop but the minute you start seeing it as human resource, it [becomes] something that needs to be consumed or used.”
“So develop and nurture, instead of use and consume,” she emphasised.
The GSCI, a yearly survey and analytic publication of customer service performance, launched in 2018, is the brainchild of Yvonne Ohui MacCarthy.
E-Commerce was revealed as the sector with the best customer service delivery (85.01%) for the year 2022. Ghana as a whole scored a C+ (69.37%) on the customer service front.
Women who use skin bleaching products have been advised to desist from the practice as it may increase the risk of breast cancer.
Skin-lightening products that contain mercury have been identified as having possible breast cancer effects among women of African descent.
The President of Breast Care International (BCI), Dr. Mrs. Beatrice Wiafe-Addai, who made the disclosure, has therefore advised women on the use of the products.
She said research conducted by Peace and Love Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Kumasi and Accra made that revelation.
The research was funded by National Cancer Institute (NHI), in the USA, according to Dr Mrs. Beatrice Wiafe, who is also the CEO of Peace and Love Hospitals.
She said this during a free breast cancer education and screening at the Kwadaso SDA Nursing and Midwifery Training College – Kwadaso Campus, in the Atwima Nwabiagya North district of the Ashanti region.
The program held on Sunday, January 29, 2023, was part of Delta Airline’s sponsored “Kick Breast Cancer Out” campaigns, in collaboration with BCI and Peace and Love Hospitals.
“Ghana Breast Health Study conducted revealed that the use of skin lightening (bleaching) agents like creams, pills and injection may increase the risk of breast cancer,” she warned.
“Apart from contracting skin cancer, using skin bleaching agents may also put the person at breast cancer risk. I, therefore, advise women to desist from the habit,” Dr. Wiafe Addai appealed.
The students were advised also to adopt self-breast examination to avoid contracting the dreadful breast cancer disease.
She said most women got the disease without being aware and the only way to avoid is through self-examination and clinical screening.
“Regular screening of the breasts helps in detecting lumps as well as reporting any changes of the breasts to the hospital would lead to early diagnosing and treatment,” she stated.
The nursing trainees who had their breasts clinically screened expressed their profound gratitude to Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai and believed that the education will go a long way in shaping their lifestyles.
The Principal of Kwadaso SDA Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Daniel Atta Tuffour, said the knowledge acquired in the program would help the nurses to also educate their families on the disease.
He also added his voice on the adaptation of regular self-examination and clinical breast cancer screening to avoid the late stage of the disease.
A section of the Muslim community in the Asawase Constituency in the Ashanti Region over the weekend held special intercessory prayers for Member of Parliament for area, Mohammed Mubarak-Muntaka.
The prayers were led by an Imam who gave a brief sermon for the purpose of the gathering. It is not known whether the MP asked for the prayers but he was not in attendance per our monitoring.
In a Facebook LIVE video shared by Asawase Lens portal, the Imam is heard speaking extensively about the importance of such prayers.
The post was captioned: “AL QUNUT PRAYER AGAINST EVIL MACHINATIONS DIRECTED AT HON. MOHAMMED MUBARAK MUNTAKA – MP FOR ASAWASE.”
Speaking in Hausa, he prayed elaborately for the Member of Parliament and against all his perceived enemies, be they human beings or other creatures.
“Allah in your own ways, by virtue of your all Knowing, all Seeing, all Hearing attributes; we submit before you all detractors of the Hon. MP, deal with them as you deem fit.”
The session, known as Qunut, involved a two-unit prayer after the sermon. It typically involves lengthy prayers said for a specific purpose or intervention.
Muntaka has been in the news recently after it emerged that he had been removed from the Minority Chief Whip position he has occupied for the past years.
He is among a bloc of MPs who are protesting the leadership changes citing the lack of engagement and consultation in arriving at the decision.
NDC rings changes in parliamentary leadership
The NDC, through its General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, wrote to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to announce the replacement of three members: the Minority Leader, the deputy Minority Leader, and the Minority Chief Whip.
The NDC picked Ato Forson to replace Haruna Iddrisu as leader of the Minority Caucus.
Other changes included Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembele, who is the new deputy Minority Chief Whip.
While Kwame Governs Agbodza, MP for Adaklu, will replace Asawase MP Muntaka Mohammed as the Chief Whip.
Ahmed Ibrahim, MP for Banda, has been maintained as the First deputy Minority Chief Whip, while Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, MP for Ada, is also retained as second deputy Minority Chief Whip.
She stated during a news conference in Accra, “We don’t play politics, and we want the president to know that. We are only concerned with the expansion of businesses in Ghana. We will remind him of a similar circumstance in the past where we witnessed some people disobey the business community and suffer as a result if he ignores our cries and relentless calls.”
Queen mother for members of Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Okaishie, Agyeiwaa Kodie, has cautioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his administration to desist from rolling out policies that may have negative implications for business or face their wrath.
Speaking at a press conference organised by umbrella body of traders in the country over the implementation of the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) policy, she said, traders are not politicians and would not be engaging in politics but will also not entertain policies that may have serious implications for the businesses.
GUTA had planned a nationwide strike action which supposed to start on Monday-Wednesday but President of GUTA, Dr. Joseph Obeng announce the suspension of the strike following a successful meeting with President Akufo-Addo on Wednesday.
The Cargo Tracking Note is to streamline activities at the port in maximizing port revenue and track importation of goods that comes into the country.
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) introduced the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) System on the 1st July 2018 for all shipments to Ghana (transit cargo included), Shippers/Exporters/Forwarders at the various Ports of Loading around the World are required to obtain a validated CTN number using the global online platform provided and submit same together with Shipping Instructions (SI) to their Shipping Lines.
But commenting on the latest development, Madam Kodie said traders would have carried out the strike action and followed with other industrial actions.
‘’The president has acted well. We will be monitoring the extension of the deadline from September 1-October 15, 2018. We are speaking from Okaishie. I represent the Accra Business District Importers. We want the president to understand that, we don’t engage in politics. We are only interested in Ghana’s development and growth of businesses. If he fails to heed to our cry and persistent call, we will remind him of a similar situation in the past where we saw some people ignore business community and suffered for it.
‘’Truth be told, after Nana Addo took over, we have suffered. Some officials have described us as thieves but we have kept mute due to our desire to see Ghana develop. We will not complain but we want the president to roll out policies that will benefit traders.’’
She added, ‘’I want to tell the president that he did not choose the right people to fight with. We chose not to talk but embark on the strike action and see the consequences. However, our men went ahead to meet the president and he [Nana Addo] has promised to address our concerns. We appreciate his word of assurance but we will monitor and ensure it is fulfilled.’’
A driver of a Benz G-Wagon vehicle has driven into a fenced wall of a house at Batsona in Accra after he left a drinking spot at about 1:30am on Saturday.
The car with registration number ‘ODUMA 1 – 21’ crashed into another car which was parked in the house.
According to citineswroom.com, an eyewitness said he suspects the driver was under the influence of alcohol.
Videos available to Citi News showed “the broken wall and a smashed Opel car with the front part of the black G-Wagon in the broken wall.”
Eyewitnesses say that personnel from the Ghana police patrol team were called in to investigate the incident.
Owner of the property Daniel Asare said the driver promised to replace the damaged Opel car, and other damaged items in the garage, and also fix the broken wall.
Despite the promise, Mr Asare said there must be a proper arrangement in the presence of the police which he looks forward to on Monday, January 30.
Members of the Ashanti regional communication team of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) have called off their intended strike, which was set to start Monday, January 30, 2023.
This follows an engagement by the General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Frimpong Koduah, with leaders of the communication team late Sunday night.
Speaking to the EIB’s Ashanti regional correspondent Isaac Justice Bediako, the NPP’s General Secretary Justin Koduah, said the communicators agreed to call off the strike and wait for the plan the national executives had in mind for them for just a week.
He said, “I assured them that engagement with key stakeholders is ongoing and and very soon the support will start coming.”
The General Secretary said the role of the communicators was vital to the projection and promotion of government programmes and policies, adding that he does not take their work lightly.
“I believe their call is legitimate, and as a party, we would do what we can to work out something for them to make them secure and motivated to work for the progress of the NPP.”
He, however, expressed gratitude to other party executives who showed interest in appealing to the communicators to call off their intended strike action, which was announced last night.
Dennis Kwakwa, Ashanti Regional Director of Communications, confirmed the suspension of the strike action in an interview.
He said the National Communications director asked for a week’s suspension to allow for a further discussion with National executives.
The Directorate, he inferred would meet after a week and decide on what next to do if nothing concrete comes out from engagements with the National Executives.
This follows the Finance Minister’s meeting with the Individual Bondholders’ Forum (IBF) on January 27, 2023.
“The Finance Ministry is aware of the special status of each person listed by the IB leadership. On Monday, the Finance Minister will make a revised DDE offer available for everyone who wishes to study it. Senyo Hosi, the convener of the IBF, stated in a press release that it is entirely optional.
“For this matter, the Finance Minister cannot assure market liquidity for the old bonds,” the IBF’s statement explained, adding “He believes the benchmark bonds will be more tradable as more will be in circulation.
But the statement said the IBF technical committee will review the Finance Minister’s position above and advise members accordingly.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance (FM) welcomed the IBF recommendations from its report submitted to the MoF which advises that Debt sustainability should be attained through Fiscal adjustments, revision of the DDE proposal to structured groups, and a committed fight against corruption among others.
Victor Lindelof will not be leaving Manchester United. Despite Inter Milan’s insistence on signing the Swede to replace Milan Skriniar, the defender will remain at Old Trafford.
Inter Milan will have to look elsewhere if they want to find a centre-back to replace Milan Skriniar. Victor Lindelof will not be the one arriving at the Giuseppe Meazza this January.
The ‘Nerazzurri’ are looking for a player to take the Slovakian’s place, who has already confirmed that he has an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain but does not know when he will play in France
Lindelof was Inter’s preferred option, explained Gianluca Di Marzio. However, Erik ten Hag has given the order that his defender has to stay at Manchester United.
The Dutch coach does not want him to leave either on loan or on transfer. He counts on Lindelof as one of the rotation players and does not want him to leave for any reason, Fabrizio Romano said.
Without swift action and long-term resolve, the local poultry industry could collapse due to sustained rises in price of inputs.
Currently, feed alone accounts for about 70 percent of farms’ daily production cost – having jumped from 35 percent since the third quarter of 2022. The situation is further compounded by competition from cheaper imports, outbreaks of disease or pests, poor access to finance and high electricity bills.
As a result, industry players say the once-buoyant industry is experiencing one of its worst times, with as many as 80 percent of farmers in Accra losing their livelihoods due to high production costs, according to the Greater Accra Poultry Farmers Association.
Joseph Boakye-Yiadom, Chief Executive Officer of Joerees Farms – who boasts 35,000 layers and 10,000 broiler birds and with more than a decade experience being a farmer – noted that just a little over a year ago feed cost was about 30 percent – 35 percent of the total daily production cost, but it has now jumped to 70 percent. This, he said, has made it nearly impossible for most farms to stay afloat.
“In the past, after deducting production cost including labour and utilities, the farmer was left with 50 percent profit. Therefore, even if the flock-production of eggs is at 80 percent, the farmer still gets a significant profit,” Mr. Boakye-Yiadom said.
The story today, he narrated, is a completely different one as most farms have had to either shut-down or diversify to stay in business due to rising cost of production.
It is estimated that over 10 million people in Ghana eat a meal with chicken every day. This translates to over 2 million birds. However, less than 3 percent of the meat is locally produced.
With the sector’s ongoing plight, it is feared the poultry products market could be lost completely to imports.
“Even if 50 percent is locally produced, says Mr. Boakye-Yiadom, “it will directly create sustainable employment for farm hands, transporters, processors and distributors.”
Similarly, Chairperson of the Greater Accra Poultry Farmers Association, Gifty Rodor, sharing her sentiments about the plight of poultry farmers indicated that 80 percent of her members have lost their means of livelihood due to high cost of production, particularly feed.
“Some of us are resilient – we still have about 20 percent of our members in the poultry sector in operation, so it has not totally collapsed. But then, government needs to show a lot of commitment in order to sustain us. We have had several meetings with government concerning the rising cost of inputs and how it is affecting us negatively, but nothing has changed.
“At the behest of government, we have also provided a 10-year-strategic-plan in the form of a proposal outlining strategic means by which the poultry sector can be revamped – which we have sent copies of to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) as well as Ministry of Trade and , but that has also not yielded any results. The Poultry Farmers Association of Ghana have also written in-depth proposals for government to work on; but government has turned a deaf ear to their pleas,” she lamented.
Worryingly, she said, the School Feeding Programme that has potential to partially sustain the sector has stopped buying eggs from local farmers, and instead is importing mackerel and sausage from China to feed schoolchildren.
“They have stopped procuring the eggs,” she lamented: “They are now feeding students with imported mackerel and sausage from china.
“How can you reject local eggs that are so nutritious and go for imported mackerel and sausages that are sodium-laden to feed schoolchildren? Is it because somebody wants to make undue profit at the expense of local jobs?” she asked.
Recommendations
On ways to revamp the industry, Madam Rodor recommended government should consider a policy that compels importers to obtain about 40 percent of chicken from local farmers while the remaining 60 percent comes from imports. This, when done, could ensure the industry’s survival over the next 5 to 10 years.
“Government can also bring large-scale maize and soya producers together and help enable them to access loan facilities from banks at lower interest rates, empowering them to go into full-scale mechanisation and irrigation systems. We have proposed this to the sector ministry and Agricultural Development Bank – emphasising that if they do this, then the cost of inputs will stabilise,” she noted.
She further underscored the need for government to shift from rain-fed agriculture, which in her estimation is no longer sustainable due to climate change and its attendant erratic weather pattern changes – to adopting an irrigation system of agriculture, so as to ensure the availability of soya and maize.
“Government needs to focus on irrigation and mechanisation for commercial farms as well as large-scale farming activities; and empower the Grains Development Authority or the buffer stock to procure maize and soya from commercial grain farmers when it is produced, and then store them in warehouses or silos so that poultry farmers can go there and buy their feed. This will ensure stable prices throughout the year.
“Farmers themselves do not have the facility and financial muscle needed to procure the grain and store all-year-round,” she advocated.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of Joerees Farms added that the poultry value chain has a lot of potential to create sustainable employment for many people – if given the needed support and attention.
He argued that these higher denominations do not add value to the local economy.
Joe Jackson continued that the release of the higher cedi notes defeats the cashless society agenda being pushed by the Akufo-Addo led government.
Read the full story originally published on November 30, 2018 by 3news.
Financial analyst, Joe Jackson, has described as unnecessary, the introduction of new high-value cedi denominations, arguing it adds no value to the economy.
The 100 and 200 cedi banknotes announced by the Bank of Ghana Friday, he said, defeats the cashless society agenda the Akufo-Addo government has been pushing.
Speaking on the issue on TV3 news analysis programme, The Key Points, Saturday, Mr Jackson who is the Chief Operations Officer of Dalex said “creating new denominations is not going to do anything to the underlining parameters of the economy.”
He said the move only contradicts government’s talks of creating a cashless society with seamless use of money via digital platforms.
“…I don’t think it’s appropriate,” he said.
He said “moving towards cashless and making cash more convenient is at odds with that strategic objective we have”.
“I want to make people use less cash and more digital forms of money so why would I make cash more convenient?” Mr Jackson quizzed.
He said government should be more focused on coming up with more ways through which businesses can be transacted without physical cash, and not introduce new cedi notes.
“There is mobile money…If you want the informal sector to work it’s mobile money. Come out and tell me about how you are making mobile money more secure,” he said.
The financial analyst said the use of physical cash by informal sector business owners further draws them away from the tax system.
Contributing to the discussion, Executive Director of the Institute of Development and Economic Research, Felix Larry Esilfie, identified digital and electronic means as one of the mechanisms in expanding the informal sector.
For his part, Development Economist, Dr. George Domfeh, said although running a cashless society is a good idea, government has a lot to do in terms of educating people on some of the digital payment platforms.
“You need people to have appreciable level of education in order to appreciate the use of some of these things. Research has indicated it works best in societies where you have considerable level of education. Even though cashless is good, we cannot do it one day, it should be a process.”
Dr. Domfeh’s suggested he supports the introduction of the new banknotes because it cost less to print the 200 and 100 cedi notes.
The Dean of School of Graduate Studies at the University of Professional Studies (UPSA), Dr. Kwaku Mensah said BoG should come clear with the amount of money spent on printing the new cedi notes.
Head coach of Kotoku Royals, John Eduafo is confident his side will survive relegation at the end of the Ghana Premier League campaign.
Despite suffering a 5-1 defeat to Kotoko, John Eduafo believes his outfit will maintain their status in the top-flight.
The Ghana Premier League debutants are currently in the relegation drop. They find themselves at the foot of the league log on 7 points.
After the game, John Eduafo expressed optimism about his sides surviving relegation at the end of the season.
“We are picking it game by game and gradually we’re coming. Despite the fact that we have lost a game against Kotoko doesn’t mean that we should lose hope of surviving in the relegation. We will still survive. I believe in this.” He told StarTimes.
This is according to the Ghana Petroleum Funds (GPF) report which explained that about $492.186 million was secured from oil lifting between July 2022 and December 2022.
The report disclosed about five liftings in total occurred with the 66th Jubilee recording the highest amount of $119.83 million.
In addition to this, Ghana received about $202.55 million as corporate tax between July 2022 and December 2022.
These corporate taxes, the report detailed were paid by Tullow Oil, Kosmos, and PetroSA which operate in some of Ghana’s oil fields.
In terms of interest income generated from the Petroleum Holding Fund, the figure was estimated at $2.07 million.
Meanwhile, Ghana accrued $1.06 billion as petroleum investments as of December 31, 2022, comprising of the Ghana Heritage Fund and the Ghana Stabilisation Fund.
The report further said the estimated figure accrued from Ghana Stabilisation Fund was $143.6 million while, $363.76 million has been withdrawn since Ghana commenced commercial oil production in 2011.
The Ghana Heritage Fund on its part accrued $918.2 million as of December 2022.
National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has challenged critics over the modus operandi the national leadership used in changing head of the Minority Caucus in Parliament.
A number of the critics and opponents of the manner in which the change was effected, said even though the party has the right to ring changes, there was a problem with the lack of consultation and engagements.
One of opponents is Mohammed Muntaka-Mubarak, Member of Parliament for Asawase and immediate-past Minority Chief Whip, said the decision was taken by a few personalities instead of going through the National Executive (NEC) and Functional Executive Committees (FEC).
“I have heard also some people are questioning the method, and I ask them, let them tell me the method which we have flouted. Such decisions have never been taken at National Executive Committee meetings or Functional Executive Committee meetings.
“There are consultative processes that get the list and the list is announced. So, if anybody is asking for the minutes or NEC or FEC that approved that decision, let them produce the minutes of NEC or FEC that approved their own appointment, so we can them produce the minutes of the NEC or FEC that endorsed their removal.
“So, the decisions have been taken and these are the decisions of the NDC,” he stressed.
NDC rings changes in parliamentary leadership
The NDC, through its General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, wrote to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to announce the replacement of three members: the Minority Leader, the deputy Minority Leader, and the Minority Chief Whip.
The NDC picked Ato Forson to replace Haruna Iddrisu as leader of the Minority Caucus.
Other changes included Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembele, who is the new deputy Minority Chief Whip.
While Kwame Governs Agbodza, MP for Adaklu, will replace Asawase MP Muntaka Mohammed as the Chief Whip.
Ahmed Ibrahim, MP for Banda, has been maintained as the First deputy Minority Chief Whip, while Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, MP for Ada, is also retained as second deputy Minority Chief Whip.
A video of a pretty lady struggling to exit a vehicle due to her fitting sleeveless dress has emerged on social media. The lady arrived in the whip to attend an occasion.
In the footage spotted by YEN.com.gh, she is seen donning a beautiful dress styled with pearls. The lady’s outfit was above her knees when she finally managed to exit the vehicle.
The clip captured one person, who seemed like a man, helping the lady to come down from the whip after she arrived.
The Galaxies exited the ongoing 2022 African Nations Championship [CHAN] after suffering a 2-0 defeat against Niger on Saturday in the quarterfinal game.
Ghana recorded one win and two defeats at the ongoing tournament.
Speaking on the performance of the team, the Hearts of Oak Board Member insisted that the country’s football governing body must ensure age cheating will be a thing of the past.
“There is one thing we must get clear. Until we get our age right, we shall always lack behind,” he told Asempa FM.
“If you watch carefully, our players were older than our opponents and I can say with confidence that 75 per cent of our players were more than 35 years old.
“Our biggest problem is age cheating. We have been doing that for years and not it is catching up on us.
“Modern football is about speed and stamina if you don’t have it, forget about it and the younger ones are those who can do that.
“If the players were to go through MRI scan, you would see their real ages.
“The players look old when you look at them and they have no stamina and no speed.
“If you look at the various countries at the tournament, our players are older than them and we must stop this age cheating,” he added.
The Black Galaxies will take home $400,000 for finishing at the quarterfinals stage.
National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has given another reason for which the party reshuffled its leadership in Parliament.
Having earlier defended the decision to ring the changes amid the backlash from some Members of Parliament, the former party General Secretary revealed at a party gathering in London that a key reason was lack of cooperation between the outgone leadership and Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament.
He explained that there was no need to fight to elect a Speaker from the party yet turn round and be giving the Speaker problems at a time even the Majority Caucus maintained a cordial relationship with him.
What Asiedu Nketiah said:
“My priorities in Parliament, is to see our parliamentary caucus working together and also cooperating with the Speaker of Parliament.
“Why did we struggle to get an NDC person elected as the Speaker of Parliament? There are certainly some advantages and those advantages can be tapped into when your leadership is cooperating with the Speaker,” the National Chairman stated.
He continued: “So we cannot have a situation where the NPP leadership is cooperating with the Speaker while our leadership the NDC have challenges in cooperating with the Speaker.
“If you are given a party whose leadership in Parliament is not working together what will you do? You make the changes or you resign and I am not ready to resign.”
Asiedu Nketiah was addressing the NDC UK/Ireland Chapter during a visit to London where he accompanied former president John Dramani Mahama for a public lecture engagement at Chatham House.
General Mosquito as he is referred to, also stated that the party held consultations contrary to the view out there, but that it was the national executives who eventually took the decision because they are clothed with the capacity so to do.
Bagbin appoints Asiedu Nketiah to PSB
Asiedu Nketiah is a member of the Parliamentary Service Board (PSB), a position that he assumed when Bagbin became speaker.
Speaker Bagbin has routinely gotten into heated exchanges especially with Member of Parliament for Asawase Mohammed Mubarak-Muntaka, who incidentally was very influential in the processes that led to the election of Bagbin into office on the morning of January 7, 2021.
Bagbin had cause to ‘threaten’ Muntaka in November 2022 when they clashed over the procedure Bagbin wanted to adopt in a Censorship Motion brought by the Minority against Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta.
Muntaka during proceedings on November 11 vehemently disagreed with Bagbin’s decision to refer the censorship motion to a committee, interrupting him a number of times much to Bagbin’s chagrin
“Mr. Speaker, I come to second the motion with the clear indication that any attempt to move this matter to a committee will be a travesty of justice done to the chamber of this House.
Then the Speaker retorted again: “Hon. Members, I direct that all that the Minority Chief Whip has said after I have told him to withdraw and apologize, be expunged from the records. I so direct. Hansard expunge everything from the record.
“Minority Chief Whip, you’ll have a difficulty in catching my eye again,” reference to getting to speak again during the session.
A beautiful Nigerian bride employed top talented Ghanaian vendors for her luxurious traditional ceremony in Somanya. The happy bride with an infectious smile wore two different outfit peculiar to her country and that of her husband for the event.
The beautiful bride slays in a timeless bridal robe
The pretty bride looked radiant in a vintage bridal robe that can be worn to a date night after the wedding. The off-shoulder Chantilly lace robe features floral designs and beading patterns.
The Nigerian bride and her handsome show off their dance move
The pretty bride Angela turned heads with her second aseobi look. She was seen in a brown corseted lace dress styled with beautiful gele style.
She wore two expensive beaded necklace that matched the designs in her lace dress. Angela’s fashionable dad wore a three-piece kente apparel for the glorious ceremony.
The GSFS, which was announced by the Finance Ministry in collaboration with the Financial Stability Council, has a seed fund value of GH15 billion, but economists doubt that this sum will be adequate to cover any prospective program losses.
The policy think-tank however expressed concern that the fund’s value falls too short of estimated losses to the sector; the GH¢15billion is only 23 percent of what the banking industry alone might require.
“The question, however, is whether the seed money of GH¢15billion is adequate, especially when banks alone are reported to expect a financial impact of around GH¢65billion,” the IEA noted.
The Institute was also critical of the Bank of Ghana’s direct involvement in funding the GSFS, describing it as “concerning”. Its fear stems from the significant expenditure undertaken by the central bank in recent times – including GH¢10billion as its COVID-19 contributions in 2020 and budget support of GH¢42billion in 2022.
“Printing more money to support the GFSF will not only further heighten the public debt, but also inflation and currency depreciation as well,” it warned.
According to the IEA, it also remains unknown whether all expected contributions will be received – especially as the nature of contributions from development partners remain a mystery, and whether they will be in grants or loans is unknown.
“There is no free lunch,” IEA said, as it warns there will likely be trade-offs and that contributors will possibly have specific conditions to be met.
IEA’s sentiments were corroborated by the Dean of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) Business School, Professor John Gatsi, who told B&FT that the likelihood of interest payments for accessing the fund makes its counterproductive for financial institutions.
“We must look at this carefully. How can a government that owes these institutions and cannot pay say it is setting up a fund to support those it owes – and will likely charge them interest on the facilities? I find that puzzling,” he remarked.
In as much as development partners have been touted as major would-be contributors to the GFSF, Prof. Gatsi believes the identity of these partners – beyond the World Bank – and their level of commitment should have been communicated already.
The BoG has, so far, taken only the first step in providing regulatory forbearance on liquidity and solvency, and standardisation of the accounting treatment to be applied regarding the DDEP.
Furthermore, the apex bank will apply a reduction of cash reserve requirement ratio to 12 percent on local currency deposits; a reduction in the Capital Conservation Buffer to zero percent from 3 percent; and a slashing of Capital Adequacy Ratio to 10 percent from 13 percent, in addition to suspension of dividend payments and other payouts to shareholders.
Meanwhile, during the announcement of agreements reached between the Ministry of Finance and Ghana Association of Bankers (GAB) as well as the National Insurance Association (NIA) – regarding the terms of their participation in the DDEP – it was mentioned that clarity on the operational framework and terms of access to the fund had been spelled out.
According to him, Africa only accounts for less than 4% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and even if the continent consumes all of its available gas, it will still make up less than 4%.
On the topic of “Energy Transition: Reflections on the State of Ghana’s Oil and Gas Industry,” the Energy Minister was speaking at the University of Ghana.
He reminded the gathering that the National Energy Transition Framework launched by H.E. the President in Egypt during COP27 has been developed to provide the path to achieving net zero emission by 2070.
I reminded the gathering that the National Energy Transition Framework launched by H.E. the President in Egypt during COP27 has been developed to provide the path to achieving net zero emission by 2070. This is to be pursued while ensuring socio-economic growth and the utilization of natural resources.
I further rehashed Ghana’s position, which is, to be allowed to use our natural resources to develop our nation, providing jobs and security in the overall context of our economic development.
I also indicated that what makes the African case much more logical is that we contribute less than 4% of total Green House Gas (GHG) emissions and even if we burn our combined gas resources, we will still contribute less than 4%.
This, I believe is the more reason we must not shy away from attracting the needed investment for our oil and gas resources.
I congratulate warmly, the University of Ghana for 75 years of uninterrupted provision of quality education to men and women of our nation, who have contributed to nation building across every spectrum of life. Ayekoo!
The pair were captured having a conversation, as the photo shows. Today, January 30, 2023, who would have been the 100th birthday of J.K Siaw, established the first wholly-owned Ghanaian brewery, Tata Brewery Limited.
J.K Siaw was instrumental to Ghana’s industrialization drive post-independence. The era saw many business ventures establish their footholds in the country to provide primary services that mainly served the indigenous people.
His rise and fall story is captured in excerpts from a book by B. Agyeman-Duah titled; ‘General Acheampong: The Life and Times of Ghana’s Head of State.’
The birth of Tata Brewery Limited began when J.K. Siaw decided to venture into business with a loan of 50 pounds sterling, which he used at the time to set up a cocoa brokerage firm.
In 1950, J.K. Siaw became a siding clerk who usually transported cocoa from Kwaku Praso in the Eastern Region to Accra. After learning and engaging in the trade for some time, he moved on to work with the Cocoa Purchasing Company and later became a cocoa and timber transporter.
According to the book, J.K. Siaw, in 1967, shifted his interest into the brewery sector which had huge prospects at the time. Prior to this, he applied for a business operating license under the NLC regime which deposed Kwame Nkrumah in February 1966.
The NLC regime had earlier requested that Siaw become a junior partner to some German investors who would run the company he decided to establish – a demand that did not sit well with him.
While still unhappy with the proposition, he persisted for a long period until his operational license was approved on July 26, 1969.
That year, he established the Tata Trading Company which first focused on trading key items. After operating for a while and making significant gains, Tata Brewery Limited was later inaugurated on January 30, 1973, to help provide more jobs and boost the local economy.
The inauguration ceremony was held on J.K. Siaw’s 50th birthday with then Head of State, Col. Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, present at the event. The former military leader, in his speech, gave his unconditional support to J.K. Siaw to run the wholly Ghanaian-owned company.
At the time when Ghana shuffled through various military regimes, the new leader, Jerry John Rawlings, upon taking office, confiscated all the assets of J.K. Siaw and his brewery establishment after it was alleged he was evading taxes.
The move impacted the brewery’s technical and financial operations, leading to J.K. Siaw escaping from Ghana to London to avoid being jailed and tortured under the military regime.
In what would be a self-imposed exile, J.K. Siaw who was now based in London sent numerous petitions to the PNDC regime of J.J. Rawlings for a return to Ghana without arrest.
His pleas, however, fell on deaf ears as Tata Brewery Limited was later sold to private foreign investors and was renamed the Achimota Brewery Company (ABC) which today stands as Guinness Ghana Breweries in Accra, a fully foreign-owned entity.
The PNDC regime labelled J.K. Siaw as a fugitive although there were no charges proffered against him, nor was he invited to stand trial for the alleged crime of tax evasion.
A few years later, Joshua Kwabena Siaw became indisposed due to ill health and later died while in exile in October 1986.
Although still a son of the land, the PNDC regime, following his demise, allowed for his remains to be brought home for burial despite still refusing to return J.K. Siaw’s assets to his family.
Brief profile of JK Siaw
He was born in 1923 at Obomeng in the Kwahu Mountains of the Eastern Region. He enrolled in school at the age of twelve after working on cocoa farms to support his education.
J.K. Siaw, as a young boy, learnt how to weave and sell baskets to make a living and support his education. At 19 years old, he became a teacher and later worked with the Bremang Gold Dredging Company near Bogoso in the Western Region.
His love for teaching and education saw him return to the New Juaben Grammar School which was later set up to be the Christ College in 1946 and then moved to the Ghana Secondary School in Effiduase by 1976.
A video of Kumawood actresses Borga Silvia and Nana Ama McBrown kissing passioantely has caused a frenzy on social media.
The video was captured at the funeral rites of Borga Silvia’s senior sister’s funeral ceremony which was held on Saturday, January 28, 2023 in Kumasi.
Clad in black attires, Borga Silva welcomed The Empress as she arrived to the funeral grounds. They embraced each other as Borga Silva grabbed Mrs McBrown Mensah’s face and gave her a kiss on the lips.
They later on hugged very tight before McBrown moved away from Borga Silvia’s section.
Watch a video of Borga Silvia and her twin sister welcoming guests to the funeral rites of their elder sister, Cynthia Amankwah Gyamfi.
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Reactions from Ghanaians as video of Borga Silvia and McBrown share passionate kiss popped online
Eno Abena commented:
In the western world, when someone appreciate another person so much, you show it with lip touch. That’s how much Sylvia appreciates and cherish Nana Ama. Poleeno, please no need for that caption.
Princess said:
This is no news. It’s called sisterly love and affection. #Travel&See
Priscilla Yeboaa639 said:
Borga Silvia, her love for Nana Ama is very deep
Wofa Yaw Duncan remarked:
There’s nothing wrong in this kiss, Ghana Wey we be Jon, like this be normal.
Manicci stated:
Travel and see, villagers
user5007917884597 opined:
Borga Silvia got genuine love for McBrown
Akosua Boss Queen❤️ said:
You ppl no travel before ryt
As others see something wrong with the gesture, others who have explored cultures in other countries claim this is not news.
Expressing concern about the rising debt stock under the Akufo-Addo government, Mahama accused government of showing little for the loans it has taken.
“The recommended debt to GDP profile for a middle-income country is that we should remain not more than 60 percent debt to GDP. If you pass 60 percent and you go to 70 percent and above, you are becoming highly debt distressed, which is the same as HIPC. If we take that debt and divide it amongst all Ghanaians, including children, everybody owes almost GH¢9000,” he said.
Read the full story originally published on October 30, 2020 by Dailymailgh.
The presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has expressed concern about the rising debt stock under the Akufo-Addo regime, especially as the government has very little to show for the loans it has taken.
Addressing residents of Kakasunaka in the Kpone Katamanso constituency on Wednesday as part of his campaign tour of the Greater Accra Region, Mr Mahama said the government has since the year 2017 borrowed GH¢157 billion, thereby increasing the debt to GDP ratio to an unprecedented 76.7 percent.
“The recommended debt to GDP profile for a middle-income country is that we should remain not more than 60 percent debt to GDP. If you pass 60 percent and you go to 70 percent and above, you are becoming highly debt distressed, which is the same as HIPC. If we take that debt and divide it amongst all Ghanaians, including children, everybody owes almost GH¢9000,” he said.
He said when the NPP was in opposition, it created the impression that Ghanaians were sitting on money but were hungry as a result of the policies of the Mahama administration.
“But today we are hungrier than we were in 2016. How many people can eat three square meals a day today? And the question you ask is, where is the money, GH¢ 157 billion, what have you done with it? Show us”, he said.
Mr Mahama said his government developed the country with the GH¢56 billion it took in loans, adding the evidence can be seen all over the country that his government invested in roads, school blocks, hospitals, water and power expansion projects, among others.
The NDC’s presidential candidiate said the time for accountability is however near and 7th December 2020 is the opportune time for Ghanaians to make the right decision by voting for the NDC to win the elections and create opportunities and prosperity for all.
Mr Mahama said, among others, the next NDC governement will focus on job creation, implementation of Free Primary Healthcare to ensure universal access to healthcare, rolling out Free Technical and Vocational Education and Training (T-VET) as well as state-sponsored National Apprenticeship Programme.
Rev. Christian Kwabena Andrews, popularly known as Osofo Kyiri Abosom, has declared that he and his wife have parted ways with each other.
The founder and leader of the Life Assembly Worship Centre claimed during a televised sermon that his estranged wife left the marriage after accusing him of adultery.
However, he acknowledged that he had a different child outside of his marriage.
The well-known priest, who is also known for founding the Ghana Union Movement (GUM) political party, claims that his wife has started divorce proceedings against him in various courts.
According to Kyiri Abosom, his wife has tried every legal strategy in order to inherit all of their assets, including his house, as well as have custody of their children, but she had failed in her endeavors.
However, he urged with his church members to continue supporting him and to focus on their religious convictions rather than listening to what others had to say about him and his personal life.
“You know why Sofomaame is no longer present as you will always find her sitting behind me on the altar; she hasn’t been here for nearly a year now, she won’t be here again, she’s gone,” she told his congregation.
He continued, “She once joined forces with a few pastors to accuse me of using “juju” in my ministry; she later came to apologize, and I forgave her. She began doing it again, but this time I was being cautious since I knew what she was capable of.”
The Nigerian billionaire businessman, who ended the year 2022 with a total wealth loss of $1.1 billion as his net worth fell from $6.7 billion to $5.6 billion, is off to a strong start just 26 days into the new year, according to data tracked by Billionaires.Africa.
The multimillion-dollar boost in his net worth can be attributed to the market value of his privately held businesses, including his investments in the telecom company Globacom Limited and in the Nigerian oil industry through Conoil Producing and Conpetro Limited.
Adenuga owns 74.4 percent of Conoil Plc, a leading petroleum marketing company that manufactures and sells lubricants under the “Quarto” brand in addition to founding Globacom, one of Nigeria’s largest telecom service providers.
Conoil is a major supplier of fuels such as diesel, kerosene, low-pour fuel, aviation fuel, and gasoline. The petroleum marketing company’s retained earnings have increased to more than $45.7 million as a result of its strong performance in recent years.
In 2022, Adenuga received a substantial payout of $3.1 million in dividends from his significant stake in Conoil. With a net worth of $6.2 billion, Adenuga is ranked as one of the world’s most affluent billionaires, placing him at 409th on Forbes’ global wealth list.
Nollywood actress,Patience Ozokwor, popularly known as Mama G, has revealed that following the death of her husband, she stayed single because her children pleaded with her to not remarry.
As someone who married at an early age and would have loved to enjoy it to the fullest, she said it was a huge sacrifice she had to make for her children.
“I actually wanted to remarry, but it was too late because my children were already grown and they pleaded with me and said ‘stay with us and we will be the husband you want and take care of you.
‘Because our friends will laugh at us and say at our age our mother wants to remarry’ so I understood and stayed,” Patience Ozokwor recounted.
Patience Ozokwor and her children
The veteran actress made this revelation during a popular cooking show, ‘Mercy’s Menu’, hosted by her colleague, Mercy Johnson Okojie.
Admitting her children might have been selfish at the time, the actress said the decision worked perfectly for her.
When Mercy asked what might have been a huge sacrifice, Patience replied, “there is no sacrifice too huge for the family.”
The film star who reportedly married at the age of 19 to Nduka Ozokwor, a mechanical engineer, is said to have lost her husband to a terminal ailment.
Legendary Highlife musician Daddy Lumba is making an effort to improve his relationship and view of the Ghana Police Service.
The singer, born Charles Kojo Ofosu, in making this effort paid a courtesy call on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, at the Police Headquarters in Accra.
The visit took place on Wednesday, January 25.
This was Daddy Lumba’s first to the police headquarters since the appointment of Dr Dampare as IGP.
Daddy Lumba in a short interaction with the Police chief said the visit was to foster closer relations with the police service.
One year after she called it quits with her media broadcasting career, Jessica Opare Saforo has disclosed what necessitated her decision.
Jessica, who has currently ventured into full-time digital media (YouTubing), after 17 years of media practice with her immediate past firm, said the timing was just right.
Narrating her story on her channel, the broadcaster cum voice over artiste said she had decided to quit her job at age 40 onwards.
She said the media job took the better part of her life and as such, there was the need to break free and explore herself better.
Jessica also refuted several rumors that she fell out with her former boss.
“On the 28th of January 2022, I quit my job. Media outlets were reporting it all over the place, social media was ablaze. To be honest, working in the media took the best part of my life, the best years of it. There were rumors swirling up all over the place, some said I had fallen out with my boss, you know, and that kind of thing. things being said on my behalf that I knew nothing about. None of them were true. I’m still very much in good terms with my boss. there’s no bad blood. I left Citi because It was time.
“It was time to truly explore being me. I had hit 40 years and a few months earlier, and I just felt I knew that as soon as I hit 40, I was going to quit. It was just a matter of time and it was a decision I made,” she stated.
Jessica, who currently has close to 1 million subscribers on YouTube, described her new venture as fulfilling adding that she Is finally living her dreams.
“Has it been a rewarding journey so far? Absolutely, Absolutely. some of my wildest dreams have come true. Things I never thought I’d have been able to do. I’m not the type that shows things on social media and I’m happy to share my successes with those who are really close to me. do I miss my former job? No.”
Shatta Wale has shared his two cents on Samini and Sarkodie’s feud that resulted in the former tagging the rapper as ‘fake and disrespectful’.
Ghana’s award-winning rapper, Sarkodie has been admonished never to forget the impact ‘his father’, Samini had on his career now that he is famous.
Shatta Wale in a Facebook Live session on January 28 took on Sarkodie for disrespecting the same artiste who offered a helping hand and also blessed him with a verse on his 2014 hit single ‘Love Rock’ without hesitation.
According to Shatta, Samini will forever remainSarkodie‘s icon and legend no matter the rapper’s achievements in the music space.
“How can Samini and Sarkodie be fighting? Samini and Sarkodie shouldn’t be fighting but ask yourself why? Right now Sarkodie feels like he has the people so he has forgotten about Samini.
“Hey Sarkodie, Samini be your father, forever and ever. Hey Sarkodie, Samini be your legend, icon, superstar forever and ever. Forget everything, I have a beef with him but even with that, I give him respect. Forget yourself, nonsense!” he charged.
Shatta added that he was displeased with the turn of events at Hitz FM when Samini was called on the phone during Sarkodie’s interview with Andy Dosty.
He noted that Sarkodie should have accorded Samini respect by shutting up to hear him speak instead of defending his action.
As earlier reported by GhanaWeb, Samini in a series of tweets accused Sarkodie of ignoring his WhatsApp messages.
Shatta added: “He (Samini) is talking to you on the radio as your father…you see what fame can cause? You guys play with everything…Samini is the guy that when he is speaking on radio, you have to shut up and listen because he has been on that forkin journey. The road he (Samini) has cleared for some of us to enjoy mustn’t be taken for granted. It is very nonsense and stupid something. It is not your fault but those 12 people in the music industry.”
Ghanaian star Gospel artiste, Nicholas Omane Acheampong has disclosed he is releasing a new album in the first quarter of 2023.
The singer-songwriter granted a phone interview to the Church Groove team led by host Rev Thompson, Sunday, January 22, on Class 91.3 FM.
“[A] full album is on the way,” he said. “Very soon.”
Pressed for a definite time for release, he replied: “Oh, [the fans should give me] latest by March.”
He refused to reveal titles on the impending album explaining that: “As is typical of my songs, day in and day out, I am receiving fresh directions. Due to this, names change.”
“I don’t, by my will, choose the songs,” he stressed, insinuating the choice is divinely inspired. “If you’ve noticed, a song can be given four names or more but there is [always] a particular word in it that must be the theme for the song and the album.”
The seriel hitmaker asked for fans to be patient and rest assured that: “the music coming is big.”
Noting that it has been very long since he last released music, he categorically stated he will not release any cliche “Hallelujah, Hosanna,” song. He joked that he has left that for his “fellows to sing.”
He stressed that he will not “release a song my mother can already sing.
“I may do a small interpolation of an old song [occasionally] but certainly not for a new release.”
The ‘Tabitha Kum’ hitmaker said producing covers and rehashed songs may possibly be another Gospel artiste’s spiritual assignment but certainly “it is not my calling.”
Due to the constraints of his said calling and its demand for original music compositions, he revealed that: “This is why it takes a long time before I put out a song.”
“That said, it’s now imperative to release the album,” he quickly added.
Omane Acheampong obliged and shared that his next album is an 8-tracker.
He predicated that: “Upon release of the project and subsequent one-on-one interviews on-air, bombs will go off,” hinting at the usual stir which attends his releases. He laughed and indicated that he knows people like controversy so “I assure you that’s what I will bring.”
Ghanaian businessman,Ibrahim Mahama loves the finest things in life which includes luxury cars and jet skis, private jets, the list never ends.
It seems that Mr Mahama who randomly pops up on social media lives by the mantra: “If you’ve got it, you flaunt it”.
In a video published on the official Twitter account of Dzata Cement, Ibrahim Mahama is captured displaying some of his finest collection of cars.
“The Man, The Myth, The Legend. Happy birthday in advance,” read the caption of the video in anticipation of his birthday on January 29, 2023.
The business mogul in his leisure time, takes a break from the stress to fly jets, cruise in his sports cars or takes a trip out of town to admire nature.
The latest video that chronicled his luxury lifestyle put on display his fleet of cars including the Porsche 911 Turbo S which won a car race competition held during the festive season last year.
