TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • Ghana will get US$234 million starting in 2024 to tackle HIV, TB, and malaria

    Ghana will get US$234 million starting in 2024 to tackle HIV, TB, and malaria

    Between 2024 and 2026, the Global Fund will invest 234 million USD in the control and prevention of HIV, TB, and malaria.

    The funding was allocated based on Ghana’s illness load and income level, and it is anticipated that it will aid in the development of Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH) there.

    From January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2026, about 95 million USD of the entire sum will go toward HIV preventive and control measures, 18 million USD for tuberculosis, and 120 million USD for tuberculosis.

    To access the funds, Ghana is requested to submit applications that captures the opinions, concerns, and suggestions on HI, . TB and malaria from a wider section of the populace.

    Mr Samuel Hackman, General Secretary of the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) of the Global Fund to fight ADIS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, said a resilient RSSH would accelerate progress in the fight against the three diseases and enable health services to be delivered in an integrated, sustainable, equitable, efficient, and effective way.

    He was speaking at the launch of the CCM country dialogue, which will take place in all 16 regions across the country as part of preparations towards the development of a funding request to access the funds.

    He said the Global Fund had asked Ghana to develop a funding request through inclusive and transparent country dialogue with a broad range of stakeholders, including key and vulnerable populations.

    Mr Hackman said due to high co-infection of TB and HIV, Ghana was required to submit TB/HIV as a joint funding request.

    Mr Ernest Amoabeng Orstin, Vice Chairman of CCM, who spoke on behalf of the Health Minister, who is the Chair for the CCM, expressed concern about the resurgence of HIV in the country in the last few years.

    He stressed the need for all to get involved to ensure a reduction in new infections in the three diseases, and end stigma and discrimination against persons living with the diseases.

    Dr Francis Kasolo, World Health Organization Ghana Representative, in a speech read on his behalf, said an inclusive and transparent country dialogue with a broad range of stakeholders, including key and vulnerable populations was essential in ensuring effective programming and utilisation of investments towards the attainment of TB, HIV and Malaria-free Ghana by 2030.

    “The dialogue when properly done shall produce a technically sound funding application, which is people centered and helps to accelerate national progress towards the elimination of the three diseases,” he said.

    He urged the CCM to exhibit a high sense of nationalism and respect for differing opinions throughout the country dialogue process.

    Ghana needs to find and place on treatment over 100,000 additional Persons Living with HIV to reach epidemic control.

    “We need to find the missing TB cases and accelerate efforts towards malarial elimination,” he said.

  • What the 1.5% E-Levy drop means for Ghanaians

    What the 1.5% E-Levy drop means for Ghanaians

    On Wednesday, January 11, 2023, mobile money (MoMo) service providers started enforcing the 1 percent Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) on electronic money transfers.

    The government’s request to reduce the levy’s initial 1.5 percent rate to 1 percent was accepted by Parliament, and as a result, the revised E-Levy charge is now in effect.

    The government’s plan to eliminate the GH100 daily threshold that triggers the Electronic Transfer Levy, however, was rejected by Parliament.

    So how will Ghanaians’ quality of life be affected by the decrease in the E-levy rate?

    Only GHC 50 can be charged the 1% E-Levy if a MoMo user transfers GH 150 to another MoMo user in a same day.

    So, the person will now be charged only GH¢0.5 (GHp 50) compared to GH¢0.75 (GHp 75), s/he will be paying when the levy was 1.5 percent.

    For a GH¢500 transfer, GH¢400 will be charged E-Levy which correspondence to GH¢4 compared to the GH¢6 the person will have paid when the levy was 1.5 percent.

    Below is a table of E-Levy transactions and their corresponding changes plus the saving (reductions) Momo users are enjoying now:

    But E-Levy is not the only tax, mobile money users are going to pay. In addition, to the levy, MoMo users are also supposed to pay telecommunication (telco) charges depending on their service provider.

    So, for example, using the telco charges of the largest MoMo issuer in Ghana, MTN, 0.75 percent, an accumulative daily transfer of GH¢150 will attract an E-Levy of GH¢0.5 and a telco charge of GH¢1.125, making the total tax on the transfer GH¢1.625.

    Below is a list of the total charges MoMo users will be paying with the new 1 percent E-Levy:

  • Ghana’s economy has been “driven into the gutter” by Ken Ofori-Atta – Kwame Pianim

    Ghana’s economy has been “driven into the gutter” by Ken Ofori-Atta – Kwame Pianim

    Akufo- Addo’s administration is allegedly in charge of overseeing the current economic difficulties without likely finding a way to address them, according to renowned economist Kwame Pianim.

    He wants the Finance Minister [Ken Ofori-Atta], in particular, to apologize for the poor economic management since he thinks it is to blame for Ghana’s situation.

    Kwame Pianim claimed in an interview with Accra-based TV3 that Ofori- Atta’s carelessness and irresponsibility put the nation in trouble; as a result, the country is planning to restructure its debt in order to secure a bailout from the IMF.

    “…I would have been proud as a Ghanaian to contribute to the debt restructuring exercise but I will not contribute one pesewa for Ken Ofori-Atta leading this, he led us into the gutter…” he stressed.

    Kwame Pianim further questioned the rationale behind President Akufo-Addo’s decision to maintain belief in the Finance Minister despite the economic challenges.

    “He should have said I apologise, this is the result of economic mismanagement. I apologise to Ghanaian people, look there are pensioners who have put their resources into government bonds, you’re asking them, I’m not going to pay, look at the exchange programme and think about it carefully when you are talking to your colleagues. Ken is saying, I’m not going to pay any interest on this for these years whiles I’m Minister of Finance and while President is still President but afterwards then you’re going to take a look at it.”

    The renowned economist added that should the president continue to keep Ofori-Atta in charge of the economy, his administration will simply go down.

    “The IMF, three billion that they’re going to give is, I want them to frontload it, so that I chop it before I go, is that genuine? Are you serious that this is genuine? If the President wants Ken Ofori-Atta to continue there, this government will go down with Ken Ofori-Atta”.

    Touching on the appointment of Ofori-Atta as the caretaker minister of Trade and Industry, Kwame Pianim opined that the move was wrong on the part of the president.

    “The first time Ken Ofori-Atta started, he said he was going to transform this economy from the Guggisberg economy to a new economy. He did not even understand what the Guggisberg economy was,” Pianim said.

    He continued, “In the Guggisberg economy, he had a plan for cocoa, distribute cocoa, built roads into the villages, where there was timber he built the roads, then he built railways, he built the ports, he built Achimota school, built Legon infrastructure, by the time we got independence we had plenty of reserves.

    “So, Ken Ofori-Atta if the monies he borrowed, if he was running a Guggisberg economy, we could have seen that cash flow coming out from the monies he was borrowing so that we can be able to repay. All the time he was borrowing recklessly. At the back of his mind was that he was not going to pay,” he bemoaned.

  • Afia Schwarzenegger has no brother, she’s lying – Tonardo warns

    Afia Schwarzenegger has no brother, she’s lying – Tonardo warns

    Nana Tonardo has reacted to Afia Schwarzenegger’s claims that she has lost her brother.

    Afia, in the last few days, has consistently shared posts to announce the death of a certain man whom she identified as her brother, with captions that seemingly captures her in a broken state.

    In one of the posts, Afia stated that she is going through a difficult period as the death of her brother happened almost at the same time she was due to commemorate the first anniversary of her father’s passing.

    “My brother Richard Osei Bonsu is dead. Just exactly 1 week to my father’s 1 year. Please I beg everyone to give me and my family privacy in this difficult time. Thank you. It is well. Rest in peace Abban,” she wrote on Instagram.

    Afia has since been sharing videos of fond memories with the deceased on social media with captions that depict that she is really in pain.

    “God, forgive me if I have wronged you. Please God please,” one of the captions to her post read.

    Following the development, scores of individuals including celebrities have commiserated with her.

    But Nana Tonardo, who has been keeping tabs of the event has stormed social media with a barrage of revelations.

    According to him, the deceased was Afia’s friend and they were not in any way related by blood.

    In a video shared on Instagram, Tonardo also claimed that Afia has an agenda to solicit public sympathy and make money from the gentleman’s death, just as she did with her father.

    “She uses the least opportunity to beg for stuff. I have seen that Afia Schwarzenegger is going round peddling some heavy lies. She is claiming that her brother is dead and I have seen that some shallow minded people are also falling for it.

    “They have started sympathizing with her and its sad. You’re doing all these because of public sympathy. Do you have a brother? We’ve been together for more than 14 years and you don’t have any brother.

    “The guy isn’t her brother. He was a Kumasi boy who was based in South Africa. He is a known tailor in Ahensan, Kumasi. When did he become your brother? You want to take advantage of Richard’s death to beg for money like what you did with your father’s funeral,” he asserted.

    That’s not all, Tonardo also raised another damning allegation pertaining to the deceased’s cause of death.

    “I have heard that the family wants to bury him as soon as possible. We both know he was very strong and healthy. It has been alleged that before Richard died he disclosed that he was poisoned by a close friend. He complained of severe stomach pains.

    “We all know Richard was living with Afia Schwarzenegger. According to reports, Richard complained he wasn’t feeling well and Afia transported him to Agogo hospital in Kumasi, exactly two weeks after, he died. Conduct an autopsy to check what really happened. Don’t bury him now,” he added.

  • Why pension payments may rise by 20% in 2023 – ACRR explains

    Why pension payments may rise by 20% in 2023 – ACRR explains

    The Social Security Administration reveals the new rates by which monthly pensions of current retirees will be enhanced in January, making it the most crucial month of the year for pensioners and their dependents.

    The purpose of indexation is to give retirees back the purchasing power they lost the prior year.
    Therefore, an inflation-adjusted index is used to examine pensions that are already being paid.

    As a result, it is anticipated that SSNIT will soon announce the revised pension indexation rate for 2023 after consulting with the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA).

    How is the Pension Indexation Provision Applied by SSNIT?

    Pension indexation (as provided in section 80 of Act 766), as a means of restoring the purchasing power lost by pensioners in the previous year, is largely dependent on the price inflation index.

    In practice, SSNIT uses consumer price inflation as the main variable for increasing pensions. The Trust, in consultation with the Board of the National Pensions Regulatory Authority, agrees on what is termed as the ‘Overall Rate’ by which pensions will increase for the coming year.

    The overall indexation rate is based on the analysis of several variables which include in particular the projected increase in the cost of benefits for a given rate, and the resulting impact of the proposed indexation rate on the fund (fund ratios).

    Given the Agreed ‘Overall Indexation Rate’, the ‘Fixed Rate’, which is equivalent to the Annual Average Price Inflation Rate of the previous year, and the ‘Flat Amount’ are determined.

    EXPECTED INDEXATION RATE OF 2023

    Likely Fixed Rate of Increase

    As required by the Social Security Act, the Trust awards a fixed rate of increase for each pensioner based on average price inflation. In 2021, the consumer price inflation averaged 9.68% and therefore pensions were increased by a fixed rate of 9.68% in January 2022. In 2022, global economic challenges have eroded the purchasing power of pensioners due to rising prices of goods and services as measured by inflation.

    The consumer price inflation averaged 29.40%. If SSNIT sticks to the provisions and practice (spanning from 1992), each pensioner on the pension payroll as at 31st December 2022 could see a commensurate monthly increase rate of 29%.

    This level of indexation (29% fixed rate) could however expose the scheme to serious financial sustainability challenges (high inflationary risk). The Trust may apply a scheme sustainability adjustment factor (SSAF) in this year’s indexation.

    The scheme sustainability adjustment factor essentially ensures that the awarded Fixed Rate of increment is lower than the actual average inflation rate of the previous year.

    It is there expected that SSNIT might increase pensions by a fixed rate ranging between 20% to 25% in January 2023.

    In 2023, and from a policy perspective, if pensions would be increased at a rate lower than the annual average price inflation (29%), it is expected that the Trust will clearly explain or communicate the reasons for changes in the basis of indexation to stakeholders, especially contributors and pensioners.

    The minimum pension amount must be reviewed upward in 2023

    Both the Social Security Law, 1991, (PNDCL 247) and the National Pension Act, 2008, Act 766 have provided for the payment of minimum pension to poor pensioners (poverty relief).

    To practically sustain the economic welfare of pensioners, the minimum pension, which has stayed at GH¢300.00 for four successive years (2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022) needs to be reviewed significantly upward in 2023.

    Note that the minimum pension of GH¢300.00 represents 30 dollars (using the current exchange rate) per month. This pension amount represents 50% of the value of the national poverty line.

    Trend analysis shows that the minimum pension had consistently increased each year since 2000, and in some cases doubled (2013 and 2014). For the period 2016 to 2021, the minimum pension grew by only 9% whilst the minimum salary of active contributors increased by 47.75% within the period.

    If the level of benefits provided by social protection systems is insufficient in terms of minimum living standards, or are not deliberately designed to protect the poor, and to minimize the social and economic inequalities between the rich and the poor the effort to reduce old age poverty will be jeopardized.

  • 1% E Levy – GRA to reimburse impacted customers for overpriced fees

    1% E Levy – GRA to reimburse impacted customers for overpriced fees

    Following the implementation of the 1% levy on electronic transfers starting on Wednesday, January 11, 2022, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has guaranteed that it will repay all mobile money users who have been overcharged.

    The 2023 Budget and Economic Policy Statement, delivered on the floor of Parliament in 2022 by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, disclosed the levy cut.

    In the beginning, the Electronic Transfers Levy (E-Levy) was 1.5% on electronic transfers that were above the daily threshold of GHS100.00.

    In April 2022, after the levy’s adoption, telecommunications firms recorded a loss of almost 300,000 mobile money subscribers, according to a Citi Newsroom article.

    The levy was however reviewed and approved by parliament upon submission of the 2023 Budget by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta and with a new rate of 1% instead of 1.5% decided on. The new rate took effect from Wednesday.

    Speaking to Citi News, a Member of the E-Levy Technical Committee GRA, Opoku Afriyie Asante said they have put adequate measures in place to deal with the challenges of the revised levy.

    “I would like to assure the general public that the Commissioner General is doing all that he can and if there are any system glitches the GRA would be available to reimburse if you are wrongfully deducted,” Afriyie Asante noted.

    The authority is therefore calling on all mobile money customers and users of other electronic payment platforms to remain calm because all overcharged fees will be duly refunded.

  • Debt exchange: Bondholders can sue but may struggle to get their money – Economist

    Debt exchange: Bondholders can sue but may struggle to get their money – Economist

    There are two choices, according to economist Dr. Badu Owusu-Sarkodie, even though bondholders can choose whether or not to participate in the debt exchange program.

    He claimed that Ghana must now restructure its loans in order to avoid reaching unmanageable levels of debt.

    He did point out that the nation would go into default on its debts if bondholders chose not to participate in the program.

    When the government defaults, bondholders can sue it and win; however, they might face difficulties getting their money back.

    “There are just two options here at the domestic market, either you go for the debt exchange or government defaults. That is also a worrying situation. So yes, I agree that government must deepen negotiations. I think they are listening to us, they will go all out to negotiate with the individuals with Pensions Funds or whoever is involved.

    “I understand that there are about 4000 individual bondholders which are contributing about 8billion Cedis, and then the Pensions Funds were contributing about 11billion Cedis. So you see why the Pensions Funds was unsuccessful and the government decided to substitute that for the individual bondholders,” 3news quoted him.

    He also added that even though accepting the programme is challenging, the alternative is equally scary.

    “So yes, people’s sweat, people’s money, either you go for the debt exchange or government defaults and when government defaults, you can sue but it will be difficult to retrieve access from government. This conversation is not easy at all,” Dr. Sarkodie said.

    Government had initially exempted individual bondholders from the debt exchange but later announced their addition on December 24, 2022.

    However, the individual bondholders have said they would not partake in the programme.

  • Golden Globes 2023: The winners and nominees in full

    Golden Globes 2023: The winners and nominees in full

    Ke Huy Quan
    Image caption, Ke Huy Quan was named best supporting actor for his performance in Everything Everywhere All At Once

    The 80th annual Golden Globe Awards have taken place in Los Angeles, with The Banshees of Inisherin leading the winners.

    Some of the best film and TV shows of the past year were honoured at the ceremony in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles.

    Best motion picture – drama

    • WINNER: The Fabelmans
    • Avatar: The Way of Water
    • Elvis
    • Tár
    • Top Gun: Maverick

    Best motion picture – musical or comedy

    • WINNER: The Banshees of Inisherin
    • Babylon
    • Everything Everywhere All at Once
    • Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
    • Triangle of Sadness

    Best actress in a motion picture – drama

    • WINNER: Cate Blanchett – Tár
    • Olivia Colman – Empire of Light
    • Viola Davis – The Woman King
    • Ana de Armas – Blonde
    • Michelle Williams – The Fabelmans

    Best actor in a motion picture – drama

    • WINNER: Austin Butler – Elvis
    • Brendan Fraser – The Whale
    • Hugh Jackman – The Son
    • Bill Nighy – Living
    • Jeremy Pope – The Inspection

    Best actress in a motion picture – musical or comedy

    • WINNER: Michelle Yeoh – Everything Everywhere All At Once
    • Lesley Manville – Mrs Harris Goes to Paris
    • Margot Robbie – Babylon
    • Anya Taylor-Joy – The Menu
    • Emma Thompson – Good Luck To You, Leo Grande
    Angela Bassett
    Image caption, Angela Bassett won best supporting actress for her performance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

    Best actor in a motion picture – musical or comedy

    • WINNER: Colin Farrell – The Banshees of Inisherin
    • Diego Calva – Babylon
    • Daniel Craig – Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
    • Adam Driver – White Noise
    • Ralph Fiennes – The Menu

    Best supporting actress in any motion picture

    • WINNER: Angela Bassett – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
    • Kerry Condon – The Banshees of Inisherin
    • Jamie Lee Curtis – Everything Everywhere All At Once
    • Dolly de Leon – Triangle of Sadness
    • Carey Mulligan – She Said

    Best supporting actor in any motion picture

    • WINNER: Ke Huy Quan – Everything Everywhere All At Once
    • Brendan Gleeson – The Banshees of Inisherin
    • Barry Keoghan – The Banshees of Inisherin
    • Brad Pitt – Babylon
    • Eddie Redmayne – The Good Nurse

    Media caption,

    Watch: A night at the Golden Globes

    Best director – motion picture

    • WINNER: Steven Spielberg – The Fabelmans
    • James Cameron – Avatar: The Way of Water
    • Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert – Everything Everywhere All At Once
    • Baz Luhrmann – Elvis
    • Martin McDonagh – The Banshees of Inisherin

    Best screenplay – motion picture

    • WINNER: Martin McDonagh – The Banshees of Inisherin
    • Todd Field – Tár
    • Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert – Everything Everywhere All At Once
    • Sarah Polley – Women Talking
    • Steven Spielberg, Tony Kushner – The Fabelmans
    Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson with the award for best animated picture for Pinocchio
    Image caption, Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson with the award for best animated picture for Pinocchio

    Best motion picture – animated

    • WINNER: Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
    • Inu-Oh
    • Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
    • Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
    • Turning Red

    Best motion picture – non-English language

    • WINNER: Argentina, 1985 – Argentina
    • All Quiet on the Western Front – Germany
    • Close – Belgium/France/Netherlands
    • Decision to Leave – South Korea
    • RRR – India
    2px presentational grey line

    See more on the Golden Globes:

    2px presentational grey line

    Best original score – motion picture

    • WINNER: Justin Hurwitz – Babylon
    • Carter Burwell – The Banshees of Inisherin
    • Alexandre Desplat – Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
    • Hildur Guðnadóttir – Women Talking
    • John Williams – The Fabelmans

    Best original song – motion picture

    • WINNER: Naatu Naatu – RRR (MM Keeravani – music, Kala Bhairava, Rahul Sipligunj – lyrics)
    • Carolina – Where the Crawdads sing (Taylor Swift)
    • Ciao Papa – Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (Alexandre Desplat – music, Roeban Katz, Guillermo del Toro – lyrics)
    • Hold My Hand – Top Gun: Maverick (Lady Gaga, BloodPop, Benjamin Rice)
    • Lift Me Up – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Tems, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Göransson)
    Quinta Brunson
    Image caption, Quinta Brunson was one of several actors recognised from popular school comedy Abbott Elementary
    • WINNER: House of the Dragon
    • Better Call Saul
    • The Crown
    • Ozark
    • Severance

    Best actress in a drama series

    • WINNER: Zendaya – Euphoria
    • Emma D’Arcy – House of the Dragon
    • Laura Linney – Ozark
    • Imelda Staunton – The Crown
    • Hilary Swank – Alaska Daily

    Best actor in a drama series

    • WINNER: Kevin Costner – Yellowstone
    • Jeff Bridges – The Old Man
    • Diego Luna – Andor
    • Bob Odenkirk – Better Call Saul
    • Adam Scott – Severance
    US actor Tyler James Williams and US actor and comedian Eddie Murphy
    Image caption, US actor Tyler James Williams (pictured with Eddie Murphy) was recognised for his performance in Abbott Elementary

    Best TV series – musical or comedy

    • WINNER: Abbott Elementary
    • The Bear
    • Hacks
    • Only Murders in the Building
    • Wednesday

    Best actress in a TV series – musical or comedy

    • WINNER: Quinta Brunson – Abbot Elementary
    • Kaley Cuoco – The Flight Attendant
    • Selena Gomez – Only Murders in the Building
    • Jenna Ortega – Wednesday
    • Jean Smart – Hacks

    Best actor in a TV series – musical or comedy

    • WINNER: Jeremy Allen White – The Bear
    • Donald Glover – Atlanta
    • Bill Hader – Barry
    • Steve Martin – Only Murders in the Building
    • Martin Short – Only Murders in the Building

    Best supporting actress in a musical, comedy or drama TV series

    • WINNER: Julia Garner – Ozark
    • Elizabeth Debicki – The Crown
    • Hanna Einbinder – Hacks
    • Janelle James – Abbott Elementary
    • Sheryl Lee Ralph – Abbott Elementary

    Best supporting actor in a musical, comedy or drama TV series

    • WINNER: Tyler James Williams – Abbott Elementary
    • John Lithgow – The Old Man
    • Jonathan Pryce – The Crown
    • John Turturro – Severance
    • Henry Winkler – Barry
    Jeremy Allen White
    Image caption, Jeremy Allen White was named best actor in a TV series (musical or comedy) for his performance in The Bear

    Best limited series or TV movie

    • WINNER: The White Lotus
    • Black Bird
    • Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
    • The Dropout
    • Pam & Tommy

    Best actress in a limited series or TV movie

    • WINNER: Amanda Seyfried – The Dropout
    • Jessica Chastain – George & Tammy
    • Julia Garner – Inventing Anna
    • Lily James – Pam & Tommy
    • Julia Roberts – Gaslit

    Best actor in a limited series or TV movie

    • WINNER: Evan Peters – Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
    • Taron Egerton – Black Bird
    • Colin Firth – The Staircase
    • Andrew Garfield – Under the Banner of Heaven
    • Sebastian Stan – Pam & Tommy
    Indian film composer MM Keeravani accepting the best original song award for Naatu Naatu, from the film RRR
    Image caption, Indian film composer MM Keeravani accepted the best original song award for Naatu Naatu, from the film RRR

    Best supporting actress in a series, limited series or TV movie

    • WINNER: Jennifer Coolidge – The White Lotus
    • Claire Danes – Fleishman is in Trouble
    • Daisy Edgar- Jones – Under the Banner of Heaven
    • Niecy Nash – Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
    • Aubrey Plaza – The White Lotus

    Best supporting actor in a series, limited series or TV movie

    • WINNER: Paul Walter Hauser – Black Bird
    • F Murray Abraham – The White Lotus
    • Domhnall Gleeson – The Patient
    • Richard Jenkins – Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
    • Seth Rogen – Pam & Tommy
  • 4,700 cars have already been built locally – Oppong Preprah

    4,700 cars have already been built locally – Oppong Preprah

    According to Jeffery Oppong Preprah, the president of the Automotive Assemblers Association of Ghana, 4,700 vehicles have been built in Ghana as of this point.

    He estimates that the 4,700 domestically built cars have expanded Ghana’s auto market to 9.7% of total sales.

    He declared that this was admirable and a positive move.

    He added that Ghana produces high-quality newly manufactured cars.

    Announcing this at the inauguration of Ghana Automotive Industry Development Centre in Accra on Thursday, January 12, 2023, Mr Oppong Preprah said, “Our brand new vehicles locally assembled in Ghana is giving us a high quality standard of products and also a value for money…Looking at an account of this auto industry since 2019, 2020, to date, we have seen a total assembly of vehicles of 4,700 which is amounted to about 9.7 of our new car capacity, new car market in Ghana…”

    “This is really a great start and we believe that this is going to continue whiles we have the implementation fully implemented..Some of our OEMs have already reached countries like Ivory Coast and Senegal as an export. this tells us we are going forward in the right direction,” he added.

    The Ghana Automotive Industry Development Centre was inaugurated by the outgoing Minister of Trade and Industry.

  • The government contributes $8 million to the Ghana Automative Development Center’s building

    The government contributes $8 million to the Ghana Automative Development Center’s building

    According to Alan Kyerematen, the outgoing minister of trade and industry, the Ghana Automative Development Center was established in Accra using about US$8 million.

    He stated this at the center’s inauguration on January 12, 2023, and claimed that the government’s action aims to turn Ghana into the region’s center of the automobile industry in West Africa.

    He continued by saying that the newly opened Ghana Automotive Development Centre would act as the sector’s secretariat.

    “Ghana is serious about becoming the manufacturing hub for auto at least in West Africa and that is why government has invested an amount of about US$8 million to acquire this facility to ensure that under one roof, the ecosystem to support this industry is present and provided,” Alan Kyerematen said.

    “So this building is going to be the secretariat for the auto industry development council,” he added.

    Alan Kyerematen also disclosed that a vehicle financing scheme would be rolled out to give room for Ghanaians to be able to afford made-in-Ghana vehicles.

    Speaking in the same vein, the President of the Automotive Assemblers Association of Ghana, Jeffery Oppong Preprah said about 4,700 vehicles have been assembled so far in Ghana.

    The vehicles, he said, are of high quality, and buyers would have value for their monies after purchasing the locally assembled vehicles in the country.

    Government invests US$8m into construction of Ghana Automative Development Centre – Alan Kyerematen

  • Isaac Dogboe anticipates tough match against Ramirez

    Isaac Dogboe anticipates tough match against Ramirez

    Former World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Super Bantamweight champion, Isaac Dogbe, says Cuban boxer Robeisy Ramirez Carazzana would be a difficult opponent as they face off for the WBO featherweight title. 
     
    With reigning champion Emanuel Navarrete’s decision to move up to super featherweight and fight Liam Wilson on February 3, 2022, the WBO featherweight title would become vacant. 
     
    The WBO has, therefore, ordered a showdown between Dogboe and Ramirez on April 1st for the vacant title, with the venue yet to be decided. 

    Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Dogboe stated that his opponent was one of the top rising boxers in the world but was optimistic about a positive outcome as he looked to become a two-time world champion. 

    “He is a great fighter, and at this level, everyone is sharp and sleek, and I see it as a battle between kings. He is a good fighter with two Olympic medals, and his career is on the rise. He has been in some good fights as well. 

    “We have done our homework well; we know what we are up against, and come April 1st, we would represent very well and make our country proud. 

    “There are no guarantees in boxing; you have to decide what you want and train hard for it, and then you take what you want, and that is my mission,” he said. 

    Dogboe, who defeated Joet Gonzalez to secure the WBC International title in July last year, further stated that he was open to unification in the near future if he should emerge champion on April 1, 2023. 

  • I can’t stay with one woman – Don Jazzy

    I can’t stay with one woman – Don Jazzy

    Fans of record label executive Micheal Ajereh, aka Don Jazzy, who are looking forward to his wedding, may have to wait longer owing to his strong opinions on fidelity in marriages and open relationships.

    The beat maker, who married Michelle Jackson, a United Kingdom-based model, at 20 and divorced at 22, was a guest on The Honest Bunch podcast, where he spoke on the topic, ‘Marriage; A Poverty Alleviation Scheme?’

    Speaking on the qualities he finds attractive in a woman, Jazzy, who has repeatedly fantasised about having a relationship with American singer, Rihanna, said that they include understanding, calmness, and someone peaceful

    He, however, was quick to point out that he does not see himself sticking with one woman and does not expect his partner to do the same.

    Explaining further, the former owner of the defunct Mo-Hits Records said that “somebody like me, I haven’t been able to process the fact that if I like this person and I’m with this person, every other person should go to hell.”

    “I don’t know how people get to that point where you see somebody, then the thing that makes you like other people, you put it off,” he said.

    The 40-year-old singer gave an example of liking a beautiful lady, and the lady also has an equally beautiful friend. According to him, nothing stops him from going after his friend’s friend.

    He also noted that the said friend is also free to go after other people she fancies other than himself.

    “It is possible that you would like someone, then another person comes, and since ‘ashewo dey my eye’, I will start looking at them.”

    “I use myself to judge other people. If by any standards I can do that to somebody else, I don’t mind if they do it to me,” he said.

    He further pointed out that the notion might change as time goes on.

  • CHAN 2022: Morocco pull out of tournament

    CHAN 2022: Morocco pull out of tournament

    African Nations for Championships (CHAN) defending champions, Morocco, have pulled out of the tournament.

    Their withdrawal comes only a day to kickoff of the biennial tournament which will be hosted in Algeria.

    Ironically, their decision to withdraw from the tournament comes on the back of a stand-off with the host country over travel arrangements.

    Despite the cancellation of direct flights between the two countries over political tensions, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FMRF) were insistent of a direct flight from Rabat to Constantine.

    Morocco’s withdrawal means CAF is now without its defending champions for one of its flagship competitions.

    Equally, it now leaves the 2022 edition of the tournament solely reserved for ‘local’ players, with three groups of only three competitors.

    Groups D and E originally had Angola, Mali and Mauritania and Cameroon, Congo, Niger respectively. However, Ghana, Madagascar and Sudan in Group C, now join the list.

  • Meet Kanye West’s alleged new girlfriend

    Meet Kanye West’s alleged new girlfriend

    American rapper Kanye West is making headlines after he stepped out with a BBL lady with blonde hair.

    Recall that it was reported that the rapper Kanye West had gone missing. After two weeks of ghosting everyone, he was later seen in a black car with a mysterious lady in the front seat.

    After he stepped out with the woman yesterday, some paparazzi have alleged that the two might be dating. There have been reports from Media Takeouts that the alleged girlfriend of Kanye West may be a pretty prominent fashion designer.

    According to multiple online reports, the woman seen out with Kanye is believed to be Australian swimwear designer Bianca Elouise Anstiss; although not confirmed.

    The young lady who appeared in Forbes’s top 30 list is reported to be the owner of her own label Myra Swim.

    It has been alleged that Bianca has “Jewish heritage.” Many people have expressed shock because Kanye West has been in trouble recently for making very inflammatory comments about the Holocaust, which many are calling antisemitic.

    Bianca Has however been silent on her religion as rumors keep peddling and never mentioned her religious background in any public interviews.

  • Government will pay bondholders a 2% cash charge as part of a debt exchange

    Government will pay bondholders a 2% cash charge as part of a debt exchange

    According to the Finance Ministry, bondholders would be compensated in cash at a rate of 2%.

    The Ministry claims that this is done to make up for the maturities being extended after it launched the debt exchange program.

    The government announced 12 new bonds—instead of four—with a revised coupon rate structure are included in the Amended Exchange in an Amendments to the Invitation to Exchange sent to bondholders.

    “Given that holders of Eligible 2023 Bonds are being asked to extend the maturities of what are now effectively short-term instruments, investors will receive a cash tender fee of 2% of the outstanding amount of such 2023 Bonds tendered and accepted, to compensate for the maturity extension,” it explained in the Amendments to the Invitation to Exchange.

    The Ministry also added that the accrued interest up to January 24, 2023, will be paid to all Eligible Holders participating in the exchange, in a capitalized form.

    “Investors indicated a preference for having more numerous bonds with standard bullet bonds, instead of fewer, larger, and more liquid bonds (the previous structure), which has been reflected in the amended exchange. In the same spirit, the amended coupon structure for the new bonds has been designed to mimic a yield curve with a standard shape,” the statement said.

    The government announced on December 24, 2022, that individual bondholders who were initially exempt from the debt exchange programme were now included.

    That meant that only Treasury bills are exempt from the programme.

    Meanwhile, the individual bondholders have rejected the government’s decision.

  • Majority caucus will meet to determine fate of Ofori-Atta after recess – Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

    Majority caucus will meet to determine fate of Ofori-Atta after recess – Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

    The majority leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has said that his caucus will be holding a final meeting to determine the next set of actions on their demand for the removal of Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

    Speaking in an Oyerepa TV interview monitored by GhanaWeb, the majority said that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament would engage the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, after the meeting.

    “The decision for Ofori-Atta’s removal was a caucus decision… As a leader, I will be talking to the MPs on an individual basis, and we will put together their reservations.

    “We still must have a caucus meeting (upon return) after which we will meet the president. And I believe that the right thing will be done,” he said in Twi.

    The leadership of the NPP signed an agreement with the Members of Parliament of the party, which obligated them to be present for the reading of the 2023 budget by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

    A meeting between the lawmakers and leaders of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was held on November 23, at which some agreements were reached.

    The main points are that Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, will be supported in presenting the budget and seeing through its appropriation, as well as allowed to see through the current phase of negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    The meeting was held on the back of a renewed call by some 98 NPP MPs, who threatened to boycott the budget presentation if Ofori-Atta presented it.

    Meanwhile, Ofori-Atta has also been made caretaker minister for the Ministry of Trade and Industry after Alan Kyerematen’s resignation.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • The best dressed stars at the 2023 Golden Globes

    The best dressed stars at the 2023 Golden Globes

    The Golden Globes are back — and so is all the glamour! Hollywood’s biggest stars stepped out in head-turning style and delivered plenty of memorable looks. See the most fashion-forward outfits of the night

    01of 21

    Rihanna

    NBC's 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Show
    Christopher Polk/NBC via Getty

    The mega-star, who’s nominated for best original song for her work on “Lift Me Up” in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, skips the red carpet — but still gives us the biggest fashion moment of the night in a black ruched gown with voluminous velvet wrap, diamonds by Cartier and Reza, Giuseppe Zanotti shoes and a Roger Vivier clutch.

    02of 21

    Jessica Chastain

    80th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals
    Amy Sussman/Getty

    The George and Tammy nominee won our hearts in this sheer, embellished Oscar de la Renta gown which featured an intricate jewel-encrusted web-like pattern and a captivating circular neckline.

    03of 21

    Margot Robbie

    Margot Robbie 2023 golden globes
    Daniele Venturelli/WireImage

    The Babylon nominee is pretty in a pink chantilly lace and silk tulle Chanel dress. The custom look — embellished with feathers, sequins and bugle beads — took 750 hours to create.

    04of 21

    Selena Gomez

    Selena Gomez attends the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 10, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California.
    Frazer Harrison/WireImage

    The Only Murders in the Building nominee steals the show in a velvet Valentino column with a high slit and statement sleeves. Santoni platform sandals elevated the look, which was finished with De Beers jewels.

    05of 21

    Jennifer Hudson

    NBC’s 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Red Carpet
    Todd Williamson/NBC/NBC via Getty

    Golden girl! Presenter Jennifer Hudson rocks an embroidered CD Greene gown, Pomellato jewelry and Giuseppe Zanotti heels.

    06of 21

    Andrew Garfield

    Andrew Garfield attends the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 10, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California.
    Amy Sussman/Getty

    The Under the Banner of Heaven nominee goes bold in head-to-toe Zegna Made-to-Measure and a timeless timepiece: OMEGA’s Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M Co-Axial Master Chronometer 38 mm.

    07of 21

    Michelle Yeoh

    Michelle Yeoh arrives at the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 10, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California.
    Todd Williamson/NBC/NBC via Getty

    The Everything Everywhere All at Once nominee shines in a navy and silver sequin Armani Privé dress, accessorizing the strapless design with a necklace, bracelet and ring by Moussaieff Jewellers that made us do a double-take.

    08of 21

    Anya Taylor-Joy

    80th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals

    The Menu nominee brightens up this year’s gray carpet in a yellow Dior top and skirt and bold Tiffany & Co. jewelry.

    09of 21

    Jenna Ortega

    80th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals
    Jenna Ortega. Amy Sussman/Getty

    Beauty in Gucci! The Wednesday nominee picked a draped, beige design from the fashion house, pairing the pleated, metal-accented dress with several breath-taking Tiffany & Co. pieces.

    10of 21

    Salma Hayek

    Salma Hayek
    Amy Sussman/Getty

    The presenter pulls out all the stops in this custom Gucci corset gown, from elaborate beading to delicate fringe to black straps that perfectly balance the look.

    11of 21

    Ana de Armas

    Ana De Armas 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards, Arrivals, Fashion Highlights, Beverly Hilton, Los Angeles, USA - 10 Jan 2023
    David Fisher/Shutterstock

    The Blonde nominee and presenter selects an eye-catching custom black velvet and white embroidered Louis Vuitton gown, which she accessorized with pieces from the Louis Vuitton High Jewelry Collection.

    Angela Bassett

    Angela Bassett attends the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 10, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California.
    Amy Sussman/Getty

    All hail the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever nominee for gleaming in a silver sequin Pamella Roland gown featuring a halter neckline and cascading crystal back detailing. Jaw-dropping Chopard jewelry and custom dyed silver satin Sarah Flint “Mihaela 120” platform heels complete her look.

    13of 21

    Michelle Williams

    80th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals

    When it comes to The Fabelmans nominee’s gown, it’s all in the details, such as countless champagne pleats accented with a metallic hem plus strappy black platforms that mimic the cascade of her dress and dainty Tiffany & Co. jewelry.

    14of 21

    Lily James

    80th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals
    Amy Sussman/Getty

    Lady in red! The Pam & Tommy nominee chooses a show-stopping custom Atelier Versace gown with stomach cutouts, and accessorized her look with a natural diamond choker and earrings from Harry Winston (she’s a global ambassador for the The Natural Diamond Council).

    15of 21

    MJ Rodriguez

    80th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals
    Amy Sussman/Getty

    The presenter wowed in a royal blue Balmain dress and Christian Louboutin “So Kate” gold pointed toe pumps.

    16of 21

    Coleman Domingo

    80th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals
    Amy Sussman/Getty

    The Euphoria and Fear the Walking Dead star is ravishing in an embellished black Dolce & Gabbana suit and matching glittering bling.

    17of 21

    Letitia Wright

    BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: 80th Annual GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS -- Pictured: Letitia Wright arrives at the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 10, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. -- (Photo by Todd Williamson/NBC/NBC via Getty Images)
    Todd Williamson/NBC/NBC via Getty

    “Prada princess,” is what Wright’s stylist Shiona Turini calls the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever star in this sunset orange gown designed by the fashion house.

    18of 21

    Quinta Brunson

    80th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals

    The Abbott Elementary nominee may star in a sitcom, but she’s bringing all the drama in this custom two-tone, fit-and-flare Christian Siriano gown and Neil Lane jewelry.

    19of 21

    Jamie Lee Curtis

    Jamie Lee Curtis attends the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 10, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California.
    Amy Sussman/Getty

    The Everything Everywhere All at Once nominee, who’s also presenting, made an entrance in a strapless black jumpsuit lace cape and major bracelets.

    20of 21

    Sheryl Lee Ralph

    80th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals
    Jon Kopaloff/Getty

    Shining star! The Abbott Elementary nominee turns heads in a custom purple Aliétte turtleneck dress. (The reflective design took 960 hours to create, the actress’s stylist Jason Rembert told E!’s Zana Roberts Rassi.) On the carpet, Ralph thanked her daughter Ivy (who she affectionately calls Coco) for helping her pick another exquisite fit: “I said you get me, you get the style, and let’s do this. And she’s been winning!”

    21of 21

    Rhea Seahorn

    80th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals

    The Better Call Saul star summons spring in a black sequin Naeem Khan gown covered in floral appliqués, and adds an extra pop of color with a Tyler Ellis “Veronica” emerald satin clutch.

    Source: People.com

  • MP supports about 150 needy students with GH¢200,000

    MP supports about 150 needy students with GH¢200,000

    The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Asuogyaman Constituency, Thomas Ampem Nyarko has given support to about 150 needy students in his constituency.

    The Member of Parliament, who was re-elected for a second consecutive term as MP for Asuogyaman Constituency issued a check of GH¢200,000.00 to support the students.

    According to a report on Atinka Tv, beneficiaries of the MP’s philanthropy include Senior High School graduates and students at the tertiary level who are finding it difficult to pay their fees. The report further explained that the support covers both tuition and hostel fees.

    Thomas Ampem Nyarko also requested tertiary institutions to be considerate sometimes and consider the ability of students to pay for their fees.

    “I know that every university’s wish is to have enough funds to enable them run and provide good education but it is necessary to also look at all sides’ ability to pay fees, which is also very important. So, they should take it in good faith and be considerate,” he stated.

    The MP further expressed joy about the government’s directive to all universities to refund overcharged fees to students.

    “It is refreshing to know that government has directed heads of universities that charge fees exceeding what has been approved by government to return the surcharges to the students. It is very necessary because looking at the hardship in Ghana, we need to be considerate”.

    Some of the students at the meeting also expressed their gratitude towards the Member of Parliament for his kindness.

    “If the Member of Parliament had not decided to support us financially, I doubt I would have been able to go to school this year,” one of the beneficiaries said.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Stop degrading the nation – NPA leader urged Ghanaians

    Stop degrading the nation – NPA leader urged Ghanaians

    Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, the Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has encouraged Ghanaians to recommit themselves to the country’s development and to desist from corrupting it.

    He urged public servants once more to quit exploiting the nation for their own benefit.

    According to the NPA Boss, Ghana has more options for higher education than the industrialized nations like America and Britain.

    He claimed that the advantages had been established by succeeding administrations since Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and voiced concern that those who had benefited from such pro-poor educational programs were not expressing their gratitude to the nation.

    For instance, Dr Abdul-Hamid said many Ghanaians had benefited from the Northern scholarship scheme, free basic education, the current free Senior High School program, tertiary educational loans and scholarships from the GETFund and Scholarship Secretariat to study abroad.

    He said many of the beneficiaries had refused to pay back the loans while others had refused to return to Ghana after completing their sponsored studies.

    He said instead of lauding Ghana for making them who they are, such people are rather badmouthing the country.

    Dr Abdul-Hamid made the call at the unveiling of a refurbished conference room for the Bono Regional Coordinating Council (BRCC) in Sunyani on Tuesday.

    The conference room was refurbished by the NPA as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility upon a request by the BRCC.

    The conference room, which is used for Regional Security Council Meetings, conferences and workshops, was in a poor state as the desks and seats were broken, window glasses smashed and curtains faded and torn.

    Using himself as an example, the NPA Boss said he could not have been who he is today but for the educational opportunities he enjoyed, such as the Northern Education Scholarship Scheme, and the low cost of tertiary education from the First Degree through to PhD.

    He said many youth in America and Britain could not attain tertiary education because it cost more than $100,000 to finish First Degrees.

    Dr Abdul-Hamid said many people who ventured to pursue tertiary education in America and Britain were saddled with loans that they pay for the rest of their lives.

    However, he said, the cost of tertiary education in Ghana was far far less.
    Besides, Dr Abdul-Hamid said people were being paid for pursuing nursing and teacher training courses.

    “This country is a blessing. We have no choice as Ghanaian people but to contribute whatever we can and the little we can in whatever corner we find ourselves for the betterment of our country”, he said.

    In her address, the Bono Regional Minister, Ms Justina Owusu Banahene, said the poor state of the conference room compelled the Council to rent conference rooms to hold Regional Coordinating Council meetings and conferences.

    That, she said, was a drain on the Council”s limited finances aside the security threat it posed.

    Ms Banahene thanked the NPA, especially Dr Abdul-Hamid for spearheading the refurbishment of the conference room in a record time, and promised to maintain it for present and future use.

    The NPA team included a Board Member, Ms Diana Mogre, and the Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Maria Oquaye.

  • Kotoko coach Seydou Zerbo blames loss of concentration for stalemate against Tamale City

    Kotoko coach Seydou Zerbo blames loss of concentration for stalemate against Tamale City

    Asante Kotoko coach Seydou Zerbo says his sides inability to concentrate to the final minutes of the game led to their stalemate against Tamale City.

    The Ghana Premier League newcomers held the Porcupine Warriors to a 1-1 draw in their Ghana in Week 11 on Wednesday, January 11, 2022.

    It was a barren 45 minutes of action in the first half as both side created few chances at goal.

    Kotoko broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute when Issah Nyaabila scored an own goal.

    The Porcupines were on the verge of earning their first win of the year till Tamale City FC restored parity in the game.

    The hosts equalized three minutes after conceding courtesy of a strike from Babamu Ibrahim to force the match to end in a 1-1 stalemate.

    After the game, the Burkinabe trainer blamed loss of concentration for his outfit draw at away.

    “We have drawn three consecutive matches and this is individual mistakes from the defense play. We were leading and six minutes to the end of the game we loss concentration and they had the equalizer”

    The Porcupine Warriors are 2nd on the table with 20 points but could drop back depending on the results of today’s matches.

  • Akufo-Addo receives visiting Harvard University students at Jubilee House

    Akufo-Addo receives visiting Harvard University students at Jubilee House

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has hosted students from Harvard Business School on a study tour at the Jubilee House in Accra.

    He said the agreement with the IMF will put the country in a better position to undertake initiatives, enable the country to repair its public finances, and boost public confidence in the economy.

    Addressing the students, President Akufo-Addo who discussed various issues on the economy said, “Ghana is also exploring innovative ways to maximise benefits of hydrocarbons from the oil fields.”

    President Nana Akufo-Addo said Ghana, like many other nations, has felt the brunt of the global economic crisis, stressing that the agreement with the IMF, which will see Ghana receive a $3 billion bailout, will help overcome the country’s economic crisis.

    He indicated that talks with the IMF are going well and the government is working towards wrapping up a deal by the end of January or mid-February.

    A Senior Lecturer of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School, Prof. Hakeem Belo-Osagie said the visit to the seat of the government is part of an Africa field course which enables students to get first-hand information on Africa and the impact the international community has had on them.

    The students from Harvard Business School have been in the country for two weeks as interns at some selected companies in Ghana.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • GIZ partners BRAVE for E-Waste and entrepreneurship training

    GIZ partners BRAVE for E-Waste and entrepreneurship training

    Non-profit organisation BRAVE has partnered with the German Development Agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Ghana for a successful E-Waste Training and Entrepreneurship Programme in Accra.

    The series of events were partly held at the University of Ghana and the offices of Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly (LEKMA) from November 28 to December 9, 2022.

    It was followed by a Hackathon and Internship Drive on December 10 and 19-23 respectively.

    A cohort of some 50 women including 25 from the municipality and another 25 from the University of Ghana aged between 18-35, received training on E-Waste. They were also offered Entrepreneurship lessons.

    GIZ partners BRAVE for E-Waste and entrepreneurship training

    Officials of BRAVE say they settled on E-Waste as an area of interest because of the increasing amount in Ghana, which mostly can be attributed to population growth and the use of electronic equipment.

    These materials they say, contain harmful substances that pose health and environmental hazards if not handled properly.

    BRAVE Founder, Tracy Owusu Addo says“Together we will successfully implement an environmentally friendly waste electrical and electronic equipment system and draw a step closer to achieving #SDG3, #SDG6 and #SDG12.”

    She added that “We’re looking to identify challenges within the E-Waste sector and build capacities for women at the University of Ghana and within the Ledzokuku Krowor community to create business cases in the space for prosperity and entrepreneurship development.”

    GIZ partners BRAVE for E-Waste and entrepreneurship training

    As Managing Partners, BRAVE’s involvement is a result of having won the project by GIZ, who provided the budget to run the training for the 50 women.

    “We are supporting four business cases, building capacity for the women and also giving 11 internship opportunities to the university students within the green space to identify the opportunities after school and get them to understand that there are opportunities and revenue generation models to be explored in the green sector.”

    The trainees were full of praise for the BRAVE and GIZ teams for putting this together. “The programme has helped me a lot. Initially, I was just going to attend casually but when I got here, I was blown away by the amount of knowledge and training on offer,” said one of the trainees.

    Founded by Tracy Owusu Addo, BRAVE is an NGO and an opportunity hub – that seeks to connect, inspire and empower young Ghanaian women through education, entrepreneurship and health – with a strong focus on those from underserved/underprivileged communities.

    It works in three key thematic areas; practical skills training, economic empowerment, health advocacy and support.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Moesha wasted a lot of money on Pena – Nana Tonardo exposes Afia Schwar

    Moesha wasted a lot of money on Pena – Nana Tonardo exposes Afia Schwar

    Controversial actor and entertainer, Nana Tonardo, has exposed Afia Schwarzenegger for abandoning her good friend Moesha Boduong after falling sick.

    According to Nana Tonardo, Moesha considered Afia a great friend prior to getting sick and would often visit her house to play with her daughter, Penalistic Pena.

    Tonardo claims Moesha often bought gifts for Pena when she made these trips.

    Yet, Afia Schwarzenegger recently came out to claim Moesha is not her friend.

    Moesha had a sort of mental breakdown last year and has since been erratic and difficult to deal with.

    After spending months out of the public eye to heal, Moesha has returned with a vengeance and gone back to her old ways.

    Recently, Afia tried advising her to stay out of the public eye but Moesha refused her advice.

    The comedienne then came out to claim Moesha is not her friend and Tonardo is fuming at that.

  • CHAN 2022: Algeria tournament won’t be the last edition – CAF General Secretary

    CHAN 2022: Algeria tournament won’t be the last edition – CAF General Secretary

    Confederation of African Football (CAF) General Secretary Mr. Veron Mosengo-Omba assured the CHAN tournament won’t be abrogated as purported to be.

    At a press conference at the new established Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers on Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Mosengo-Omba emphasized the importance of the CHAN tournament and the need for its organization every two years.

    According to him, the continental football governing body intends to develop the tournament and not to cancel it.

    “We can reassure you that this is not the last edition of CHAN. The Executive committee is meeting tomorrow, and part of the agenda has the organizing committee of CHAN mapping a way forward and the next steps in growing the competition.”

    The tournament, which was first held in 2009 in Cote d’Ivoire, is held every two years and this year’s event will be the 7th edition and will start from January 13 to February 4, 2023.

  • Ghana’s inflation will reach its high in March 2023 – Economist

    Ghana’s inflation will reach its high in March 2023 – Economist

    Ghana may have a peak in inflation in March 2023, according to a forecast made by Courage Boti, an economist and research lead at GCB Capital.

    He asserts that the inflation rate may be slower during the first two months of the year before picking up steam in March.

    We could be headed for a high in March 2023 if inflation continues to climb considerably more slowly than expected, at least in January and February of 2023.
    Myjoyonline.com quotes him as saying, “But things are still really fluid right now.

    He hinted that Ghana’s inability to obtain an IMF bailout and the depreciation of the cedi could cause the economy to face new difficulties.

    “We saw from March [2023], April [2023] last year, the rate of inflation was easing but then the depreciation [of the cedi] pressures set in. It appears if we could not achieve an IMF programme as soon as possible, the agitations could reemerge soon and that might mean more currency pressures,” he added.

    The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) announced that Ghana’s consumer inflation for November this year has hit 54.1%%.

    The 54.1% is an increase from the 50.3% recorded the previous month – November.

    The consumer price index, according to Ghana Statistical Service measures changes in the price of a fixed basket of goods and services purchased by households.

    It further said the assumption is that the basket is purchased each month, hence as the price changes each month, the total price of the basket will also change.

    In a press release sighted by GhanaWeb, it said, “year-on-year inflation rate for December 2022 was 54.1%. This means that in the month of December 2022 the general price level was 54.1% higher than in December 2021. Month-on-month inflation between November and December 2022 was 3.8%.”

    Food inflation shot up from 55.3% to 59.7% whiles non-food inflation also rose to 49.9%.

    Five divisions recorded inflation rates higher than the national average.

    They were Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, and Other Fuels (82.34%); Furnishings, Household Equipment (71.52%); Transport (71.42%); Personal Care, Social Protection, and Miscellaneous Goods and Services (60.94%) and Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (59.71%).

  • CHAN 2023: Black Galaxies arrive in Constantine ahead of opener against Madagascar

    CHAN 2023: Black Galaxies arrive in Constantine ahead of opener against Madagascar

    Ghana’s Black Galaxies have arrived in Constantine ahead of their opening game against Madagascar at the Championship of African Nations tournament in Algeria.

    The team left Algiers to their camp base, Constantine on Thursday morning where they will be playing their Group games.

    The Black Galaxies played two friendlies in Algiers against Algeria and Mozambique before their departure.

    The team shared the spoils with Algeria whiles the Mozambique clash ended abruptly.

    Ghana led by coach Annor Walker will continue preparations before Sunday’s clash against Madagascar.

    The home-based national team, who are competing in the tournament for the first time since 2014, are expected to face a challenging test in their quest to win the title.

    Ghana will open their campaign on 15 January against Madagascar before taking on Sudan four days later.

    Their final Group C match will be against tournament-favourites Morocco on 23 January 23.

    Meanwhile, it is said Morocco has pulled out of the tournament due to flight issues between host country, Algeria.

    All three matches will be played in the city of Constantine.

    The tournament is scheduled to kick off on January 13, 2023.

    Ghana were in the final of the inaugural tournament, losing to DR Congo in the final before suffering another defeat to Libya in 2014.

  • Desist from invading Commonwealth Hall on reopening day – UG management

    Desist from invading Commonwealth Hall on reopening day – UG management

    The Management of the University of Ghana has cautioned continuing students residing in all-male Commonwealth Hall to desist from invading the premises.

    In a statement, the management said it had received reports that some Old Vandals are inciting students to “pack all their belongings and report at the entrance of Commonwealth Hall” on the basis of an order of injunction issued by the High Court.”

    It has, however, asked students to refrain from the act noting that the High Court injunction did not direct or authorise students to converge at the Hall.

    “The University also wishes to clarify that it has not implemented a so-called residential policy ‘dated 26 October 26, 2022’ as contained in the order of injunction issued by the High Court.

    “The University wishes to place on record that, by January 6, 2023, when the order of injunction was secured, almost 86% of students who were legally resident in Commonwealth Hall in the 2021/22 academic year, including four of the eight students who secured the order of injunction against the University, had formally accepted allocation to other Halls of residence in the University,” parts of the statement read.

    “…I am very encouraged by your words on the National Cathedral. I am very determined that come what may, I have two more years, whatever the case, the National Cathedral will be at a very advanced stage before I leave office. I think it is important that we do it.”

    Source: myjoyonline.com

  • Nigeria rule on unmarried pregnant officers quashed

    Nigeria rule on unmarried pregnant officers quashed

    A Nigerian court has struck out a police regulation that forbids unmarried female officers from getting pregnant, local media report.

    In a landmark judgment, a judge ruled that the regulation, which calls for the dismissal of any unmarried officer who gets pregnant, was “discriminatory, illegal, null and void”.

    It followed a suit by a sacked policewoman who challenged her dismissal on grounds of discrimination since her male counterparts are not dismissed in similar circumstances.

    “The court finds and holds that the provision [of the regulation], which applies to unmarried women police officers getting pregnant while in service but does not apply to unmarried male police officers impregnating females while they are in service, is discriminatory,” Justice Dashe Damulak ruled on Wednesday.

    The court also awarded her 5m naira ($11,100; £9,100) in compensation for the violation of her fundamental right to freedom from discrimination.

    The University also accused the plaintiffs of using ‘blatant falsehoods’ to secure the said injunction.

    “Students and members of the public are further reminded that the ban placed by the University on meetings, processions and gatherings on the University’s campuses is still in place.

    “Any student or other person or group that attempts to disturb the peace and congenial teaching and learning environment on any of the University’s campuses will be dealt with appropriately.”

    It however ruled that she could not be reinstated to the police service, as she had sought, as she was on probation at the time of her dismissal.

    Source: BBC

  • 20% more pension contributions are anticipated by ACRR for 2023

    20% more pension contributions are anticipated by ACRR for 2023

    According to the Africa Centre for Retirement Research (ACRR), which cited inflation, pension payments are expected to increase in 2023 by at least a fixed rate of 20%.

    Its forecasts come as the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) prepares to reveal new rates by which existing retirees’ monthly pensions will be boosted on Friday.

    The goal of indexation, according to ACRR’s executive director Abdallah Mashud, is to give retirees back the purchasing power they lost owing to inflation the preceding year.
    He continued by saying that SSNIT establishes the new pension indexation rate each year after consulting with the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA).

    For instance, last year SSNIT in consultation with the NPRA indexed monthly pensions upward by 10 percent in line with Section 80 of the National Pensions Act 2008 (Act 766), resulting in a projected expenditure of GH¢3.5billion for 2022.

    Per the Trust, all pensioners on its pension payroll as of December 31, 2021 had their monthly pension increased by a fixed rate of 9.68 percent – with an additional redistributed flat amount of GH¢3.44.

    “If SSNIT sticks to the provisions and practice (spanning from 1992), each pensioner on the pension payroll as of 31st December 2022 could see a commensurate monthly increase rate of 29 percent. This level of indexation – 29 percent fixed rate – could however expose the scheme to serious financial sustainability challenges like high inflationary risk,” he said.

    Pension indexation, as a practice, refers to an upward review of pensions in payment at regular intervals – in line with an index of consumer prices or changes in average earnings of active contributors or a combination of both. It serves as a means of preserving the purchasing power of pensioners by annually adjusting monthly pension benefits.

    Given that the 29 percent rate could pose a risk to the scheme, the Executive Director suggested that the Trust will most likely apply a scheme sustainability adjustment factor (SSAF) in this year’s indexation.

    “The scheme sustainability adjustment factor essentially ensures that the awarded fixed rate of increment is lower than the actual average inflation rate of the previous year. It is expected that SSNIT might increase pensions by a fixed rate ranging between 20 percent and 25 percent in January 2023,” Mr. Mashud projected.

    As required by the Social Security Act, the Trust awards a fixed rate of increase for each pensioner based on average price inflation in the previous year. The overall indexation rate is based on the analysis of several variables – including the projected increase in the cost of benefits for a given rate, and the resulting impact of the proposed indexation rate on the fund (fund ratios).

    It is expected that SSNIT, from a policy perspective, will likely communicate the reasons for changes in the basis of indexation to stakeholders – especially contributors and pensioners, given the likelihood that pensions will be increased at a rate lower than the annual average price inflation of 29 percent.

    ACRR anticipates that in addition to the expected increase in pensions, the minimum pension amount will be reviewed upward in this year. Both the Social Security Law, 1991, (PNDCL 247) and the National Pension Act 2008, Act 766, have provided for the payment of minimum pension to poor pensioners – also known as poverty relief.

    “The minimum pension, which has stayed at GH¢300 for four successive years (2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022) needs to be reviewed significantly upward in 2023 to sustain the economic welfare of pensioners. This amount represents 50 percent of value for the national poverty line,” the Executive Director said.

    Trend analysis shows that the minimum pension has consistently increased each year since 2000, and for some cases doubled in 2013 and 2014.

  • He used and dumped her – Fans react as Efia Odo expresses hatred for Kwesi Arthur

    He used and dumped her – Fans react as Efia Odo expresses hatred for Kwesi Arthur

    Actress and recently outdoored musician, Andrea Owusu popularly known as Efia Odo, has soured on Kwesi Arthur all of a sudden.

    Efia Odo, who used to describe herself as Arthur’s biggest fan and throw herself at him every chance she gets, now claims she’s not his biggest fan.

    Odo says Kwesi Arthur’s personality has turned her off.

    The actress granted a recent interview to Felicia Osei on Media General’s Onua Fm.

    The conversation covered many topics and eventually turned to the Grind Day hitmaker.

    According to Odo, she still loves Kwesi’s music but she’s no longer his biggest fan.

    She also said he did something which has turned her off him.

    Fans quickly concluded that whatever Arthur did was simple – he used Efia and then dumped her, making her bitter.

    Meanwhile, the duo no longer follow each other on Instagram.

    Reacting, one fan said: “He finish ch*pping am way he unfollow am herh this gender,”

  • German paraglider dies in hospital after crashing into lion’s head

    German paraglider dies in hospital after crashing into lion’s head

    A German paraglider who was airlifted to hospital after crashing into Lion’s Head on Tuesday has reportedly died from his injuries.

    The man believed to have been a solo recreational pilot and a member of the South African Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (Sahpa) reportedly died on Wednesday morning.

    Several emergency services responded to the call of the accident and provided advanced life support to the victim.

    “He was treated and provided with advanced life support interventions before he was airlifted to Groote Schuur Hospital for urgent care,” said ER24.

    Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) who assisted with the helicopter rescue said the tricky part was getting the patient down from the mountains, as it proved very technical.

    “A small WSAR team on board the rescue helicopter was flown to the accident site and hoisted down to the patient.

    “He was placed onto a stretcher, and short-hauled from the scene, together with the rescuers. The short-haul technique involves hanging the rescue team from a purpose-made strop, or rope, from under the helicopter, for a short distance,” WSAR said in a statement.

    According to police spokesperson, FC Van Wyk the 47-year-old foreign national died at a nearby hospital at 05:00 on Wednesday after being involved in a paragliding incident.

    Van Wyk said Woodstock police were investigating an inquest case.

    Meanwhile, SAHPA chairperson, Louis Stanford said the deceased was a solo recreational pilot and a member of SAHPA, which was bound by the Civil Aviation Act and associated regulation, the report said.

    “The reason for this accident is unknown, but will be investigated by the Civil Aviation Authority,” the report quoted Stanford as saying.

  • Individual bondholders keep refusing DDEP

    Individual bondholders keep refusing DDEP

    Individual bondholders continue to oppose being included in the government’s proposed Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), claiming, among other things, that it is punitive and as such places them at an unfair disadvantage compared to institutional companies.

    The government modified the original Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) in late December of last year, asking individual bondholders to agree to a “voluntary” exchange of their domestic bonds for new bonds.
    There are other groups that have developed with different viewpoints as the January 16 admittance deadline approaches.

    The Individual Bondholders’ Forum (IBF), a voluntary group of individual bondholders, has raised concerns about the programme; claiming it irreversibly takes away the wealth and livelihoods of its members.

    The group also accused government of showing total disregard for their contractual rights, as well as making no effort to structure reasonable consultation or dialogue with them.

    “This is only possible because of the absence of effective representation and the perceived ease of oppressing a dispersed section of investors into submission,” it stated in a statement – calling the situation “deeply troubling and wholly untenable”.

    It is of the view that the medium- to long-term prospects and outlook of the domestic investment culture in the country will suffer badly if the DDEP initiative is allowed.

    “The medium- to long-term prospects and outlook of the domestic investment culture in Ghana is going to be affected by this DDEP initiative, and we call on government to demonstrate the needed sensitivity to enable a constructive resolution in the best interests of all,” the group said.

    Consequently, the IBF has taken immediate steps in response to the DDEP, as it urges direct bondholders to reject and refrain from complying with the mandatory deadline.

    The Group also encouraged indirect bondholders – such as investors in mutual funds, cash trusts and balanced funds – to inform their fund managers to reject the DDEP.

    “The Domestic Debt Exchange Programme has been met with criticism and concern from various stakeholders in Ghana. This new development highlights the need for government and all stakeholders to engage in open and transparent dialogue in order to find a solution that will be beneficial for all. The Ghanaian economy is an important driver of the regional economy, hence any negative development in the country will have an impact on the region as well,” IBF added.

    Pensioners

    In a similar vein, another group – Pensioner Bondholders Forum – has petitioned government to exempt all pensioners holding sovereign Bonds from the DDEP; similarly to what was done for Pension Funds being regulated by the National Pensions Regulatory Authority.

    The Forum, with a membership of over 200 pensioners and counting, strongly believes that the basis for exemption granted to pension funds holds good for exemption of the investments by pensioners in government bonds from the DDEP.

    The basis for exemption of Pension Funds was to ensure that pension incomes to would-be retirees are not impaired for them to become a burden on others when on retirement.

    The Convener of the Pensioner Bondholders Forum, Dr. Adu Antwi – a former Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) – passionately appealed for government to exclude all pensioner government bondholders from the DDEP, as the programme’s impact on pensioners who are bondholders will be very severe.

    “We have no regular source of income to support us in terms of our feeding, buying regular medications, paying medical bills and meeting other critical expenses. Most of us have made investments in Government of Ghana securities with the expectation that the coupons will supplement the meagre pensions we receive through the Tier One Pensions Scheme under the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT),” he explained.

    Highlighting the reason for opting to invest in government bonds, the Convener added: “These government bonds are considered everywhere as gilt-edged and the safest securities to invest in; and as pensioners we had the greater motivation to invest in these securities for both safety and liquidity considerations.

    “Our monthly pensions from SSNIT have been eroded by inflation – to the extent that these coupons have become our core income while waiting for payment of the principal amount upon maturity,” he added.

    Government’s initial announcement of invitation to the DDEP on December 5, 2022 affected only institutional bondholders. However, this was later extended to individual bondholders in the final week of last month. The deadline is 4:00 pm (GMT) on January 16, 2023.

    Given the Amended and Restated Exchange Memorandum terms of the DDEP is an extension of 15 years, the Convener noted that most of the pensioner – who are equally vulnerable in society – will not live long enough to receive their investments in these government securities.

  • Kwadwo Nkansah Liwin responds to doom prophecies over his life – video

    Kwadwo Nkansah Liwin responds to doom prophecies over his life – video

    Kwadwo Nkansah Liwin, a popular Ghanaian comedian and actor, has responded to recent doom prophecies surrounding his life.

    In a video posted across social platforms, Liwin is seen unbothered and laughing off the claims made by a self-proclaimed prophet.

    The prophecies, which have been circulating on social media, claim that Liwin will soon face serious financial issues and even death.

    However, the actor has made it clear that he is not taking these predictions seriously.

    Many of Liwin’s fans have expressed their support for the actor and applauded him for his positive attitude.

    Some have also criticized the prophets for spreading false information and causing unnecessary panic.

    In the end, Liwin believes in living his life to the fullest and not paying attention to any negative prophecies.

    His fans are also happy to see him healthy and happy, and they will continue to support him in all his endeavors.

    Check out the video below:

    https://www.instagram.com/reel/CnRUI_6BAxz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

  • Cedi sells at GH¢12.45 to $1 on forex market, GH¢9.03 on BoG interbank market

    Cedi sells at GH¢12.45 to $1 on forex market, GH¢9.03 on BoG interbank market

    Our forex bureau rates are provided by Afriswap Bureau De Change in Osu, Accra.

    The Interbank forex rates from the Bank of Ghana today, January 12, 2023, have shown that the Ghana Cedi is trading against the dollar at a buying price of 9.0252 and a selling price of 9.0342.

    As compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 9.0052 and a selling price of 9.0142. At a forex bureau in Accra, the dollar is being bought at a rate of 11.75 and sold at a rate of 12.45.

    Against the Pound Sterling, the Cedi is trading at a buying price of 10.9611 and a selling price of 10.9739 as compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 10.9359 and a selling price of 10.9487.

    At a forex bureau in Accra, the pound sterling is being bought at a rate of 13.80 and sold at a rate of 14.70.

    The Euro is trading at a buying price of 9.7181 and a selling price of 9.7286 as compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 9.6581 and a selling price of 9.6685.

    At a forex bureau in Accra, Euro is being bought at a rate of 12.00 and sold at a rate of 12.80.

    The South African Rand is trading at a buying price of 0.5318 and a selling price of 0.5323 as compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 0.5278 and a selling price of 0.5282.

    At a forex bureau in Accra, South African Rand is being bought at a rate of 0.60 and sold at a rate of 1.00.

    The Nigerian Naira is trading at a buying price of 51.0061 and a selling price of 51.0903 as compared to yesterday’s trading at a buying price of 51.1604 and a selling price of 51.2115.

    At a forex bureau in Accra, Nigerian Naira is being bought at a rate of 12.50 Naira for every 1 Cedi and sold at a rate of 17.50.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • I chose Black Stars over Manchester City’s huge offer – Asamoah Gyan reveals

    I chose Black Stars over Manchester City’s huge offer – Asamoah Gyan reveals

    Former Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan says he always prioritized the national team over everything else.

    Gyan, who is the country’s all-time leading goal scorer was a key figure for the national team during his playing days.

    Opening up on his love for his country, the former Sunderland and Stade Rennais striker said he chose to play for Ghana over signing for Manchester City in 2008.

    He explained that the Premier League side wanted to sign him that year but moved on to sign Emmanuel Adebayor when he told them he wanted to play for Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) which was hosted in Ghana.

    “I always say I’m very patriotic. At the time Sheik Mansour had freshly bought Man City and they wanted to sign me,” Gyan told Dan Kwaku Yeboah on YouTube.

    “But I had the national team at heart. I chose the national team over everything. That’s why some things pain me.

    “People didn’t understand. But I’m sure after this interview they’ll understand why things panned out that way,” he added.

    Gyan insists he hasn’t retired yet but has also not been involved in active football since parting ways with Ghana Premier League side Legon Cities in 2021.

    The 37-year-old featured in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cups in Germany, South Africa and Brazil respectively with the Black Stars.

  • Under Mahama, Ghana’s IMF engagement was “one of the most transparent in the world.” – Oxfam

    Under Mahama, Ghana’s IMF engagement was “one of the most transparent in the world.” – Oxfam

    One of the world’s most transparent processes in 2015 was Ghana’s interaction with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), according to Oxfam, a coalition of international organizations working to end poverty.

    According to a report by Oxfam, the transparency was based on how the previous administration approached the fund by consulting with civil society organizations (CSOs).

    Oxfam claims that Ghana’s involvement with the IMF in 2015 was one of the most transparent in the world, with robust participation from CSOs pursuing a public interest agenda. IMANI Africa’s Bright Simons published an excerpt from the study on Twitter with the following caption.

    He added that as an actor in the CSO sector, he agreed with Oxfam: “I also find that the current IMF process is the opposite: with zero govt interest in openness & engagement.”

    Mahama government goes to IMF

    In 2015, Ghana’s economy was in trouble, hobbled by widening current account and budget deficits, rampant inflation, and a depreciating currency. Credit dried up as interest rates rose and banks’ bad loans piled up.

    At the root of Ghana’s woes was out-of-control government spending, largely to pay salaries of an overgrown civil service.

    The program

    In early 2015, Ghana turned to the IMF for a $918 million loan to help stabilize the economy. IMF advisors, working with the Ghanaian government, developed a three-part program:

    Extract from IMF report: Box 2: Ghana

    Of all the case studies, Ghana represented the most successful example of meaningful engagement between CSOs and the IMF. This success was due to several factors which collectively amplified the power of Ghanaian civil society with respect to the IMF.

    These included: the formation of a joint coalition of over 11 CSOs in 2014, known as the Civil Society Platform on the IMF Programme – now the Economic Governance Platform (EGP); structured preparation and capacity building among the coalition prior to and during IMF engagement; the support of Global North actors such as Oxfam in accessing IMF decision makers and political stakeholders at headquarters level; detailed research and published analysis of the issues up for discussion;*# and public-facing awareness and advocacy campaigns which included experts and stakeholders from different sectors.

    These combined factors meant the coalition’s goals and concerns could not be ignored.

    The Civil Society Platform on the IMF Programme [the Platform’) was principally responsible for ensuring the success of civil society negotiations with the IMF.

  • CHAN 2023: Algeria is well prepared for the tournament – CAF General Secretary

    CHAN 2023: Algeria is well prepared for the tournament – CAF General Secretary

    The General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Mr. Veron Mosengo-Omba believes Algeria has done enough to host the 2023 CHAN tournament which start on Friday, January 13.

    On Wednesday, a press conference was held at the newly established Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers in a bid to provide update for the tournament.

    Mr Mosengo-Omba alongside the LOC Chairman, Rachidi Oukali in their statement expressed all requirements of hosting a major CAF competition have been met, as Algeria prepares to welcome Africa to its shores.

    The CAF General Secretary said he was impressed over how the LOC has met and in certain areas, exceeded expectations in their preparations for hosting such a tournament.

    “We have been working quite closely with the LOC and are proud to confirm that they have done amazingly well in preparing and meeting the high standards that have been set by CAF.

    “We must also thank the governors of Algeria for their support. Everything that they had promised to CAF, has been fulfilled. They are doing a great job and must be applauded,” said Mosengo-Omba

    The LOC Chairman also said, “With the continued guidance of CAF, we have worked hard and well in ensuring that the tournament meets the high standards that have been set by CAF in hosting a world-class competition,” Oukali expressed.

    “We recently concluded our visit with the CAF Secretary-General to all four cities and we are glad to report that he was quite impressed with the state of readiness,” insisting that it allows Algeria to possibly host more CAF competitions in the future.

  • Naija Serwaa Amihere look-alike causes a stir at a program with her provocative dressing

    Naija Serwaa Amihere look-alike causes a stir at a program with her provocative dressing

    Naija Serwaa Amihere Look-Alike, Influencer Bybronx is causing a stir with her huge ass coupled with her outfit for the Jenny’s Glow, Ghana Branch Opening Ceremony.

    Bybronx who looks just like Serwaa Amihere with a bigger ass turned the place upside down with her provocative outfit.

    Fully aware and purposely planned to flaunt her humongous backside and hips, Miss Bronx appeared in a long dress which only covers her back and front view.

    Her thighs to the hips were left for the public to feast on. It was indeed a spectacle when she walked in.

    Meanwhile, Netizens in reaction to the video said she should have come to the program na*ked.

    Bybronx is a Content Creator, Influencer and a Fashion Enthusiast.

    Check the video below.

    https://www.instagram.com/reel/CnPa7yyAt9K/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

  • The economy is being managed by competent individuals – Ofori-Atta

    The economy is being managed by competent individuals – Ofori-Atta

    Ken Ofori-Atta, the minister of finance, stated in December 2021 that the government had qualified personnel to handle economic matters.

    He claimed that the difficulties facing Ghanaians would be addressed by these capable individuals managing the country’s economic affairs.

    “The future looks promising and the personnel in charge of managing the economy is quite skilled.
    This budget, in my opinion, puts us on an unstoppable path toward independence from the government and individual enterprise.
    Generations of job searchers and job creators have passed, “Declared Ken Ofori-Atta.

    Read the entire article
    initially released by GhanaWeb on December 6, 2021

    Government committed to addressing Ghanaians’ challenges, Ofori-Atta

    2022 budget sets the country on the path of irreversible transformation

    Ghana recovering from the impact of COVID-19

    Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has quashed claims that the local economy is in shambles.

    According to him, the Ghanaian economy is being managed by a team of competent people.

    Speaking at a press conference Monday, December 6, 2021, the finance minister stated that the Akufo-Addo-led government is committed to addressing the problems of Ghanaians amidst the economic challenges.

    Ken Ofori-Atta noted that the acceptance of the reviewed 2022 budget will set the country on a transformational path.

    He said, “Government is very committed to addressing the challenges we face as a nation in sustaining our recovery from the impact of the pandemic within our fiscal consolidation and debt sustainability.”

    “We have a very competent team managing the economy and the prospects are bright. I believe this budget sets us on the path of irreversible transformation from dependence on the state to individual enterprise. From generation of job seekers to generation of job creators,” he stated.

    The budget presentation is in accordance with Article 179 of the 1992 Constitution and section 21 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921).

  • Zionfelix reportedly begging Mina to be his second wife – Details

    Zionfelix reportedly begging Mina to be his second wife – Details

    Ghanaian blogger Zionefelix is trending back-to-back!

    It’s been a whole week of drama about him and his love triangle story involving his two mistresses.

    About a week ago, Zionfelix’s first baby mama Mina came out with a long message claiming she has broken up with him.

    She also noted that she is not pregnant and has not given birth to her second baby with Zionfelix as it is being speculated.

    In a nutshell, Mina hinted that she wasn’t treated fairly in the relationship and so she is out of it to allow Erica and Zionfelix to wallow in their own guilt.

    Zionfelix has not particularly responded to Mina’s breakup message.

    The blogger has turned a blind eye.

    According to reports, he is begging Mina to rescind her decision and continue to be in a relationship with him.

    Blogger Tutugyagu has disclosed that Zion is acting hardcore but he is begging Mina lowkey to take him back.

    But as Erica is accepted by the family and has taken the lead as Zion’s Mrs, Mina coming back into that complex relationship means she has only one slot, and that is to become the second wife!

  • As the value of the pound drops to record lows, the wealth of Egyptian millionaires is in jeopardy

    As the value of the pound drops to record lows, the wealth of Egyptian millionaires is in jeopardy

    The recent depreciation of the Egyptian pound has alarmed analysts and investors greatly, and its effects are anticipated to be felt not only by ordinary citizens as their real incomes decline, but also by the nation’s billionaires and top businessmen as the value of their assets, particularly those domiciled in the country, is anticipated to decline significantly.

    On Wednesday, January 11, 2023, during trading hours, the Egyptian pound dropped more than 13% versus the US dollar as the central bank changed to a more flexible exchange rate in accordance with a financial support package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    According to Reuters, the Egyptian pound hits a new low of 32.14 to the dollar from about 27.60 at the opening of trade on Wednesday, with Refinitiv data showing the currency has fallen by a cumulative 51 percent against the dollar since March 2022.

    The decline of the pound has prompted speculation as to how far the currency might fall. While some analysts hope that a weaker pound will attract foreign investment and encourage Egyptians working abroad to send more of their money back home, the reality is grimmer, as many are also concerned about the negative impact that the devaluation of the pound may have on the economy and the net worth of Egyptian businessmen, as well as their ability to attract foreign investments.

    According to a recent report by Forbes, the Sawiris family, known as Egypt’s wealthiest family and the wealthiest family in the Arab world, saw their net worth drop by $800 million in 2022.

    The combined wealth of the Sawiris family, which includes the fortunes of three Egyptian billionaires — Naguib, Samih, and Nassef Sawiris — fell by $800 million over the course of the year to $11.2 billion as a result of economic struggles faced by Egypt, including shortages of foreign currencies and a decline in the value of the local currency.

    The Sawiris family was not the only African billionaire family to see a significant drop in net worth in 2022, as many, with the exception of the Egyptian billionaire Mansour family, saw a similar drop in net worth.

    Ahmed Ezz, whose steel company Ezz Steel is listed on the Egyptian Exchange, is also one of Egypt’s richest men, whose equity investments saw a significant decline in market value in 2022 due solely to the depreciation of the Egyptian pound, and with the local currency’s recent decline to a new low, his net worth is expected to follow the downward trajectory.

    Egypt turned to the IMF for assistance after Russia’s war in Ukraine pushed up its bills for wheat and oil while dealing a blow to tourism from two of its largest markets, Ukraine and Russia, a key source of hard currency.

    The country reached an agreement with the IMF for a $3 billion financial support package in October, in which it agreed to shift to a “durably flexible” exchange rate. The rebound of the pound to about 29.60 to the dollar offered some relief, but the overall trend of devaluation continues to cause uncertainty and concern among those impacted by it.

    The devaluation of the pound is a major concern for Egyptian billionaires and leading businessmen in the country, as it affects their net worth and the value of their assets. It’s also an indication of the broader economic struggles that Egypt is facing.

  • Mane could be fit for Champions League clash with PSG -Nagelsmann

    Mane could be fit for Champions League clash with PSG -Nagelsmann

    Julian Nagelsmann expects to be without Sadio Mane for the first leg of Bayern Munich‘s Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain but says there is a chance he could feature in the second.

    Mane was ruled out of the World Cup in Qatar after suffering a fibula injury in November.

    The Senegal forward, who joined Bundesliga champions Bayern from Liverpool last June, underwent surgery and is on the road to recovery.

    Bayern head coach Nagelsmann does not envisage Mane playing a part in the clash against PSG at the Parc des Princes on February 14.

    However, if Mane does not suffer any setbacks, Nagelsmann hopes he may be able to call upon the 30-year-old for the showdown with the Ligue 1 champions at the Allianz Arena on March 8.

    Nagelsmann said during a press conference in Doha on Thursday: “He’s [Mane] an important player. If everything goes well, then it could be the case that he returns in time for PSG.

    “We will see how he reacts to the workload. Personally, I’m not yet considering him for the first leg.”

    Bayern will face Salzburg on Friday in a friendly before resuming the Bundesliga season with a trip to RB Leipzig next Friday.

    Matthijs de Ligt will not face the Austrian side due to an ankle injury, but new signing Daley Blind will be included after joining the Bavarian giants following his release by Ajax.

    Nagelsmann said of the Netherlands full-back: “He will play tomorrow. He still needs some time, because the intensity in training is a bit higher.

    “You can tell that he has a lot of experience and he looks confident on the ball. He will be the player that we imagined he’d be.”

  • Minerals Commission officially begin its fifth edition of procurement list

    Minerals Commission officially begin its fifth edition of procurement list

    The Minerals Commission has started implementing the new procurement list’s fifth edition, which now includes 50 items for the provision of goods and services.

    This replaces the fourth edition of the procurement list, which the Commission released in the first half of 2022.

    According to Mr. Martin Kwaku Ayisi, Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, the Minerals and Mining (Local Content and Local Participation) Regulations, 2020(L.I. 2431) went into effect on December 22, 2020.

    Pursuant to Regulation 7 of L.I. 2431, the Commission is required to publish a local procurement list which stipulates the goods and services with Ghanaian content which are to be procured in the country. Regulation 7(3) of L.I. 2431 further states that the Commission shall review the procurement list annually.

    For instance, all mining companies are expected to ensure that at least sixty percent (60%) of financial services including revenue from the sale of minerals go to the local Banks. He indicated that the receipts from the sale of minerals is over US$ five (5) billion dollars a figure which is likely to go up significantly as new mines come on stream and the existing ones are expand their operations, the local banks such as CBG, National Investment Bank, Ghana Commercial Bank and Agricultural Development Bank are likely to benefit greatly.

    The same applies to insurance services which also require a minimum of 60% of all insurance and reinsurance placements be made with Insurance companies exclusively owned by Ghanaians.

    Mr. Ayisi, in a statement said the increase in the items on the list comes at the time when receipts from mineral revenues and investments hovers around US$ 10 Billion. For instance, there are four huge new projects with investment of about US$ 1.7 billion.

    The new projects are the US$ 850 million Ahafo North gold mine project by Newmont Ghana Gold Limited, US$ 500 million gold project currently under construction by Cardinal Namdini Mining limited in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region, the US$ 200 million gold mine to be constructed in the Upper West Region and the US$ 125 million lithium project at Ewoyaa in the Central Region.

    Additionally, Mr. Ayisi stated that some mines are undertaking expansion and redevelopment. The undergoing expansion include the Ahafo South mine of Newmont which now covers the Subika underground. Golden Star Resources is spending about a billion dollars to expand the Wassa underground mine.

    The mines being redevelop are the Anglogold Ashanti Obuasi mine where a billion dollars has been expended and the the Bibiani mine of Mensin Gold Ghana Limited which started production in the last quarter of 2022. The redevelopment of the Bibiani mine is over US$200 million dollars

    It is the expectation of the Minerals Commission that these investments will support the growth of the economy and boost local participation under the new procurement list.

  • Manchester United and Chelsea eye up Kyle Walker-Peters move

    Manchester United and Chelsea eye up Kyle Walker-Peters move

    Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly considering a move for Southampton right-back Kyle Walker-Peters.

    According to talkSPORT, the Red Devils are on the lookout for a replacement for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who could be allowed to leave this month.

    The Blues are also on the hunt for reinforcements at right-back with Reece James’ injury problems affecting their form this term.

    Walker-Peters, 25, is believed to be an ideal option for both outfits to fill the gap in that position. 

    Erik ten Hag wants strong competition for current first choice Diogo Dalot, while the Saints man is suited to Graham Potter’s style of play having featured at wing-back on several occasions.

    The natural right-sider showcased his versatility last night after playing at both left-back and right wing-back during his side’s superb 2-0 Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Manchester City.

    He is one of the best performers of a difficult season for lowly Saints, starting all 14 Premier League games he has been available for this term and scoring once.

    The South Coast club are aware they face a battle to keep hold of the two-cap England international after talks over a new contract stalled.

    Former employers Tottenham are also said to be keeping tabs on the Londoner’s situation though it is unclear whether he would be open to returning to Spurs.

  • Bondholders to receive 2% cash fee in domestic debt exchange – Finance Ministry

    Bondholders to receive 2% cash fee in domestic debt exchange – Finance Ministry

    Participating holders of the 2023 bonds will receive a 2% cash fee, the Finance Ministry has said.

    This is to compensate for the maturity extension.

    It said the investors will only get new bonds maturing between 2027 and 2033.

    “Given that holders of Eligible 2023 Bonds are being asked to extend the maturities of what are now effectively short-term instruments, investors will receive a cash tender fee of 2% of the outstanding amount of such 2023 Bonds tendered and accepted, to compensate for the maturity extension”, it explained In the Amendments to the Invitation to Exchange.

    It emphasised that the government has decided to proceed with paying interest accrued up to January 24, 2023 to all Eligible Holders participating in the exchange, in a capitalised form. This means that the accrued interest will be added to the notional amount of the new bonds.

    The Invitation to Exchange also stressed that there are 12 new bonds in the Amended Exchange, instead of four, with a new coupon rate structure.

    “Investors indicated a preference for having more numerous bonds with standard bullet bonds, instead of fewer, larger and more liquid bonds (the previous structure), which has been reflected in the amended exchange. In the same spirit, the amended coupon structure for the new bonds has been designed to mimic a yield curve with a standard shape”.

    Meanwhile, treasury bills remain still excluded from the domestic debt operations.

    Source: myjoyonline

  • 2023 CHAN: Black Galaxies squad revealed

    2023 CHAN: Black Galaxies squad revealed

    Ghana’s Black Galaxies jersey numbers have been confirmed 2023 Championship of African Nations (CHAN).

    Ghana are making a return to the tournament for the first time since 2014.

    Annor Walker and his charges have been preparing for the tournament with 25 players since the team left Ghana on Christmas Eve for Egypt.

    Goalkeeper Stephen Kwaku, who joined camp last weekend as a replacement for new Azam FC signing Abdulai Iddrisu, has been handed the No. 1 shirt while first-choice Danlad Ibrahim retains his favourite 16.

    Hearts of Oak defender, Dennis Korsah will be seen in No. 9 shirt while Daniel Afriyie Barnieh has been handed the No. 18 jersey.

    Captain for the team, Gladson Awako will be donning No. 11.

    Solomon Adomako, Konadu Yiadom, David Abagna, Jonathan Attuquaye and Razak Yusif will also wear numbers 4, 5, 8, 10, and 19.

    The Black Galaxies have switched camp base from Algiers to Constantine where they are scheduled to play all their group games – at the Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium.

    Ghana face Madagascar in their opening match in Group C at 19:00 GMT on January 15. Games against Sudan and defending champions Morocco will follow at four-day intervals at the same kickoff time.

    Ghana squad numbers for CHAN 2022:

    1 Stephen Odai Kwaku (Great Olympics)

    2 Augustine Randolf (Karela United)

    3 Benjamin Abaidoo (Medeama SC)

    4 Solomon Adomako (Great Olympics)

    5 Konadu Yiadom (Hearts of Oak)

    6 Kwame Otu (Vision FC)

    7 Sylvester Simba (Dreams FC)

    8 David Abagna (RTU)

    9 Dennis Korsah (Hearts of Oak)

    10 Jonah Attuquaye (Legon Cities)

    11 Gladson Awako (Hearts of Oak)

    12 Augustine Agyapong (Asante Kotoko)

    13 Dominic Nsobila (Accra Lions)

    14 Sherif Mohammed (Asante Kotoko)

    15 Henry Ansu (Berekum Chelsea)

    16 Danlad Ibrahim (Asante Kotoko)

    17 Augustine Boakye (Kotoku Royals)

    18 Daniel Afriyie Barnieh (Hearts of Oak)

    19 Razak Yusif (Great Olympics)

    20 Maxwell Arthur (Dreams FC)

    21 Razak Kasim (Great Olympics)

    22 William Essu (Legon Cities)

    23 Kofi Kordzi (Legon Cities)

    24 Suraj Seidu (Hearts of Oak)

    25 Kwadwo Addai (Karela United)

    27 Caleb Amankwah (Hearts of Oak)

    28 Amos Acheampong (Great Olympics)

  • Absa Bank unveils digital account opening

    Absa Bank unveils digital account opening

    From today, new and existing customers of Absa Bank do not need to go to the branch to open an account. 

    With a click of a button on its website, customers can now open an account without any physical intervention, anywhere, anytime and on any device. 

    Customer needs are changing globally, fueled by fast-paced digital services and products. Progressive banks are racing ahead to find innovative and creative ways to meet these needs in a very competitive banking landscape. 

    In Ghana, the pandemic paved the way for dynamic ways of engaging customers. Suddenly going to the branch became a challenge for some customers; who preferred to stay in the comfort of their homes and conduct transactions. 

    The new service simplifies the account opening process and provides huge relief and convenience for, especially new customers of the bank.

    The platform will also enable SME customers to submit applications online for processing in a seamless manner.

    Absa’s Director of Retail Banking, Charles Addo said, “We are always listening and innovating to meet the needs of our new and existing customers. The pandemic taught banks a lot of things.

    “The age of “branchless” banking is here and our digital account opening platform highlights the extent we are willing to go to make their lives better and more comfortable. A new way of banking is here, and we are excited to be an enabler.”

    Source: myjoyonline

  • EPA issues a permit for the construction of an airport at Kwahu

    EPA issues a permit for the construction of an airport at Kwahu

    Davis Ansah Opoku, a Mpraeso Member of Parliament, announced in March 2022 that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given its approval for Kwahu Airport’s construction.

    He claims that the projected Kwahu Airport Limited will be situated in the Kwahu East District of the Eastern Region at the Nkwantanag-Ahinase.

    Read the complete article as it appeared on www.ghanaweb.com on March 12, 2022.

    Davis Ansah Opoku, a Member of Parliament (MP) from Mpraeso, has revealed that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given its approval for the building of the Kwahu Airport.

    The proposed Kwahu Airport Limited will be located at the Nkwantanag-Ahinase in the Kwahu East District of the Eastern Region.

    Ansah Opoku disclosed this on his Facebook page where he shared a picture of the permit granted together along with a post that read “EPA Permit secured! Kwahu Airport Limited.”

    Abetifi MP Bryan Acheampong, previously stated that the airport will help propel development in the region as well as create jobs for the youth.

    “Kwahu Airport Limited will be a catalyst for development in Kwahu in the next 10 to 20 years to come,” Acheampong said in Twi.

    He further stated that the Kwahu Airport part was part of growth polls identified to help create between 50,000 to 150,000 jobs, in addition to farming and government jobs.

    He added that the airport was the first poll, followed by a rock city, then tourism development, sports facilities and expansion of educational infrastructure.

    On tourism development, he stressed that the airport will help boost tourism development in Kwahu which has the most tourist sites in the country.

  • 2023 CHAN: We will not disappoint Ghanaians – Black Galaxies captain Gladson Awako

    2023 CHAN: We will not disappoint Ghanaians – Black Galaxies captain Gladson Awako

    Black Galaxies skipper, Gladson Awako has assured that the team will put smiles on the faces of Ghanaians as they prepare for the 2023 African Nations Championship [CHAN].

    Ghana will begin their Group C campaign against Madagascar on January 15.

    The team have played four friendly games ahead of the tournament in Algeria.

    However, the Hearts of Oak midfielder speaking in an interview reiterated that the team will give their best to ensure Ghanaians are happy.

    “We have been treated well since we started camping and everything has gone as planned,” he told GFA Media.

    “We have played some good games as part of the preparations. We are feeling motivated and we will ensure we put smiles on the faces of Ghanaians,” he added.

    Ghana wrapped up their preparations against Mozambique, a game that ended abruptly after the Black Galaxies were awarded a penalty.

    Annor Walker and his charges recorded wins against Hearts of Oak, Legon Cities, and Egypt U-20 side, Al Ahly before sharing spoils with Algeria as part of preparatory games.

    Ghana will also come up against Sudan and Morocco in their group.

    The tournament kick-off on January 13 to February 4.

  • Cedi to witness more pressure if current account deficit is not checked – World Bank

    Cedi to witness more pressure if current account deficit is not checked – World Bank

    The World Bank has warned that the Ghana cedi may continue to come under pressure in 2023 against the U.S dollar if efforts are not directed at controlling the country’s current account deficit to a sustainable level.

    The caution was captured in the World Bank’s January 2022 Global Economic Prospects report.

    “Large current account deficits are likely to keep currencies under pressure in several countries, adding to inflation and external vulnerabilities (Gambia, Ghana)”, the report said.

    The report encouraged government to take extra measures to manage its current account deficit in 2023.

    It further pointed out the need to institute policies that will boost exports to narrow the current account deficit, while controlling imports.

    It stated that introducing these actions together with policies aimed at checking inflation in the coming months will help stabilise the economy and deal with some of the threats that will impact negatively on the local currency.

     Cedi recent performance

    The Ghana cedi was on January 10, 2023 selling at ¢12 to the US dollar in the retail or forex market, following days of sustained stability.

    This was about 0.86% loss in value since the beginning of the year.

    The Bank of Ghana, however quoted a dollar for ¢9.00 on the interbank forex market.

    Checks by Joy Business at some forex bureaus at the time indicated that the pound was the major currency that had lost more value so far in 2023. One pound was going for ¢14.20.

    The euro had also depreciated by a little over 1%, trading at ¢12.50.

    Source: myjoyonline