The founder and CEO of the largest beauty and cosmetics conglomerate in the country said that she had taken severe measures to stay afloat in the face of the current global economic issues by closing 80% of her businesses, which had an impact on many of her employees.
The discovery was made by Mrs. Amey-Obeng in Ho when she gave a speech at a memorial lecture to mark the tenth anniversary of President John Evans Atta Mills’ passing. The talk was held at the University of Health and Allied Sciences’ Cedi Auditorium (UHAS).
“I have closed 80 per cent of my businesses, and I have laid off 70 per cent of staff. We are now working three days a week. The situation is too stressful”, she said.
“We want our Ghana back. This is not the Ghana we want. We cannot be paying people for no work done,” she lamented.
The Group CEO, who had worked with the late President on several women’s support initiatives, said he would be remembered for his support for the development of the gender, and which she noted was evident in several top women appointments he made while in office.
“In these times, the old President is like Christ,” Mrs Amey-Obeng stated.
The memorial lecture was organised by the JEA Mills Memorial Heritage, and was titled “The Man John Evans Atta Mills, Ten Years On”.
It was attended by past and present political leaders, traditional leaders, students, and the public.
Professor Fred Newton Binka, Foundation Vice Chancellor of UHAS advocated renaming the University after the late President.
He said the unfading legacy of President Mills, who died in office in July 2012, should be cemented to guide the nation.
“The legacy of Professor Mills is so critical and important in today’s Ghana,” he said while eulogising the memory of the late President in layers of praise.
Alex Segbefia, Chairman of the memorial heritage, said it was established as a “nonprofit, non-partisan, independent organisation” aimed at preserving and promoting the ideologies of Prof. Mills.
“We work and incorporate the values and principles that President Mills lived for,” he said.
The event had poetry recitals and cultural displays, and a video documentary displaying his legacy was screened.
A book titled “Atta Mills Speaks”, which carries his speeches, including State of the Nation Addresses he delivered, was launched and auctioned at the event.
According to the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, two out of every ten employment in the nation are now being created by the hospitality subsector.
The sub-sector, which ranks after cocoa and oil and gas in terms of the country’s overall productivity as assessed by the GDP, was also disclosed by the President.
According to the President, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a decline in the sector’s growth in 2020, as evidenced by a 75% drop in international tourist arrivals for that year and a 45% drop in 2021, but this year’s recovery of the sector was dependent on very strong initiatives by the government to boost growth.
At the opening of the Tema branch of the indigenous hotel range, Alisa Hotel, in Tema last Friday, President Akufo-Addo indicated that the government was a cheerleader for the private sector and would continue to introduce policy initiatives aimed at creating an enabling environment for the private sector to flourish.
The 52-bed hotel, an addition to the Alisa Hotels Group, now brings to three the group’s hotel offerings, having started with a small branch in Labone and then its signature facility at North Ridge, both in Accra.
President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the economic difficulties confronting the country and said in spite of the current difficulties, “we will continue to build a business friendly environment that will enhance entrepreneurship, a vital component of economic growth and development which has been globally embraced as an important driver of economic activity and transformation.”
To that end, the government would use tourism as an effective tool for economic transformation to create jobs and prosperity for the people, the President stated.
“That is why the government, with the support of international partners, is investing heavily in key tourism attractions which will in turn boost tourism arrivals this year and beyond,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo reiterated plans to build a state of the art tourism and hospitality training school in Accra, and stated that the $10million facility would serve West Africa and provide customer care training to operators in the hospitality value chain.
He emphasised that the development of the capacity of tourism players was critical to Ghana’s quest to be the best tourism destination in West Africa.
“When customers are happy and delighted they do not only stay longer in hotels but also spend more, hence our focus in the next 18 months is to exploit our culture, heritage, history, hospitality and beautiful natural scenery to attract tourists, fun lovers and leisure seekers to gain an experience in our country,” the President said.
The President pointed out that as part of a product improvement initiative, several tourist sites, including the Aburi Botanical Garden, the Yaa Asantewaa Memorial Museum and the Kente Museum in Kumasi, were being rehabilitated.
“This year alone, it is expected that some $25 million will be expended to upgrade some of our iconic sites, including the Elmina and Cape Coast Castles, the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, the Mole and Kakum National Parks and Cultural Museums in Yendi, Ejisu, Akropong and Ho under the Ghana Tourism Development Project supported by the World Bank,” President Akufo-Addo stated.
He commended management of the Alisa Group, particularly its Group Chairman, Kwame Ofosu Banfo for the investments and noted that the new facility and other associated investments were as a result of dedication, commitment and hard work which he said, would go to support the government’s vision to market the country as an exciting destination for leisure, conferences, sports, health, education and cultural tourism.
Training
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Art and Culture, Mark Okraku Mantey, indicated that the ministry was determined to train about 2,000 people in the sector, particularly in the area of customer service.
So far, he said, about 800 people had undergone training aimed at improving service delivery which had been lacking in the sector.
Alisa
Alisa Tema has standard facilities such as conferencing halls, a swimming pool with cabbanas, a tennis court, gym, bars and restaurants, a sky bar which offered a scenic view of the Tema Township, among other facilities.
Mr Bamfo, said the defunct Meridian Hotel provided an inspiration for the Alisa Tema dream.
He said the company had grown significantly and succeeded in providing employment for over 750 persons as a group, with the Alisa range of hotels alone employing up to 500 people.
The hospitality industry, Mr Bamfo said, was a powerful generator of career opportunities.
“Ghana is no exception and the hospitality industry has great prospects in assisting the government to achieve one of its key agenda of employment creation,” Mr Bamfo said.
He also appealed to the government to offer some incentives to the industry in relation to access to cheaper credit to help boost operations in the industry and create more jobs for the youth, both skilled and unskilled.
Ibrahim Mahama, brother of former president John Dramani Mahama was adjudged Man of the Year at the 2022 EMY Africa Awards which took place on October 1, 2022, at the Grand Arena
The business mogul who is CEO of Engineers and Planners and Dzata Cement was feted by the organizers for his leadership in the area of business.
The award ceremony was a black tie event that saw lots of business people in attendance. Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia was the special guest of honour.
Over twenty plaques were given to winners across different categories amid lots of music, food and drinks.
After the event, Ibrahim Mahama was spotted at the Twist Nightclub in Accra apparently celebrating his award with close associated.
In a video posted by blogger Ghhyper, the Dzata Cement boss is seen partying with Nigeria’s Burna Boy, the African Afrobeats star.
Here’s the full list of winners at EMY 2022:
Man of The Year (Health) – Dr. Elikem Tamakloe
Man of The Year (Agriculture) – Alhaji Mashud Mohammed
Man of The Year (Technology) – Andrew Takyi-Appiah
Man of The Year (Sports) – Benjamin Azamati
Humanitarian Award – Alex Dadey
Discovery of the Year Award – Free The Youth (FTY)
Guardian Guard Award – Lanre Olusola
Lifetime Achievement Award – Joe Lartey
Designer of the Year – Ezekiel Yartel
Young Achiever (Female) – Audrey Maame Esi Swatson
Settler Award – Amaar Deep S. Hari
Man of Courage Award – Nii Quaye Brown
Creative Arts and Support Award – Tony Tometey
Actor of the Year – Adjetey Annan
Media Excellence Award – Ayo Animashaun
Group of the Year – Rotary Club
Man of the Year (Music) – Kofi Kinaata
Brand of the Year – Caveman Watch
Young Achiever (Male) Award – Richie Mensah
Continental Film Icon Award – Richard Mofe Damijo
Continental Music Icon Award – Michael C. Ajereh (Don Jazzy)
Man of Style – Trevor Sturrman
Green Corporate Star Award – Coliba Ghana
Magnate of The Year – Kwame Ofosu Bamfo
Man of the Year (Africa)- Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina
Woman of the Year – Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo claims that since taking office in 2017, his administration has implemented policies and programs that have helped Ghana develop a vibrant tourism industry.
“We want to use tourism as an effective vehicle for economic development, which will help to create jobs and wealth for the people,” said President Akufo-Addo.
To increase tourist arrivals this year and in the future, the government is spending extensively on key tourist attractions with the help of international partners.
Speaking at the formal opening of the Tema Branch of the Alisa Hotel, on Friday, 30th September 2022, the President indicated that the hospitality sector is the third largest contributor to the country’s GDP, after cocoa and oil and gas, accounting for two (2) out of every ten (10) jobs in the country.
Following the rebounding of the hospitality and tourism sectors, “after government undertook some bold and decisive measures, which saved lives, livelihoods and businesses, as well as through the global easing of (COVID-19) restrictions”, President Akufo-Addo told the gathering that Government has put in place plans to build a state-of-the-art tourism and hospitality training school in Accra.
“The ten-million-US-dollar (US$10 million) facility will serve West Africa, and provide customer care training to operators in the tourism and hospitality value chain. When customers are happy and delighted, they do not only stay longer in hotels, but also spend more, and likely to return in the future with family and friends. Building the capacity of tourism players is, therefore, important in our quest to be the tourism destination of West Africa,” he said.
The President noted that government’s focus, over the next eighteen (18) months, is to exploit Ghana’s culture, heritage, history, hospitality and beautiful natural scenery to attract tourists, fun-lovers and leisure seekers hoping to find a unique experience in Africa.
In addition to the abundance of natural resources, he stated that Government has embarked on a product improvement plan, where several tourist sites in the country are currently undergoing site renovations. These include the Aburi Botanical Gardens, the Yaa Asantewaa Memorial Museum and the Kente Museum, both in Kumasi.
“This year alone, it is expected that some twenty-five million United States dollars ($25 million) will be expended to upgrade some of our iconic sites, including the famous Elmina and Cape Coast Castles, the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, the Mole and Kakum Parks, and cultural Museums in Yendi in the Northern Region, Ejisu in the Ashanti Region, Akropong in the Eastern Region, and Ho in the Volta Region, under the Ghana Tourism Development Project, supported by the World Bank,” he said.
The President continued, “this Project, in all of a value of forty-million-US-dollars ($40 million), is expected to position the tourism and hospitality sectors as key drivers of social and economic development. Some of the benefits that the project is expected to bring are an enriched access to Ghana’s tourism market, better provision of tourism products and services, and the upgrading of skills in the labour force in the tourism, arts, and culture sectors.”
Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko was at the Emirates Stadium, in London, to watch Arsenal play against Tottenham Hotspurs on October 1 in the North London derby.
The game ended 3 – 1 in favour of the Gunners with Ghana international Thomas Teye Partey grabbing the first goal through a sublime curler from outside the box.
Gabby, a known Arsenal fan, has exclusive access to the backroom at the Emirates after the game and shared photos of himself and Arsenal players at the facility.
It is believed that his close relationship with Partey may have been what gave him the access to interact with some of the players.
In photo shared on his Twitter handle, Gabby is seen chatting with or posing for photos with Partey, Gabriel Jesus (who was also on the scoresheet on the day) as well as Emmanuel Saliba.
He captioned one set of the photos: “Feels like a good weekend. Spurs losing, Liverpool drawing. Arsenal topping, Emirates buzzing!”
He also took photograph with Zinchenko, Granit Xhaka, another goal scorer on the day, as well as with Gabriel Martinez.
“Basking in the 3-1 glory against Spurs. We rule North London and we are on top of the EPL!” he captioned another set of photos.
Feels like a good weekend. Spurs losing, Liverpool drawing. Arsenal topping, Emirates buzzing! pic.twitter.com/jo2FSvRRAc
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan support for Ghana’s domestic economic program would restore macroeconomic stability, which will enable domestic investors to maintain their faith in the economy and prosper.
When a debtor (in this case, the Government of Ghana) realizes they will not be able to pay the debt as originally planned, they may negotiate with the lender for assistance. This is known as debt restructuring.
In such a situation, the debtor (government) negotiates with the lender (financial institutions) to either extend the time of payment or agree to reduce the amount that is supposed to be paid back by the lender (which is referred to as a haircut).
Dr Asuming, who is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana, told the Ghana News Agency that the Government would go for domestic debt restructuring as part of the negotiations for an IMF loan support programme.
He said the Government would avoid external debt restructuring because it would affect the country’s reputation in the external capital market and its ability to quickly return to the market – which is currently closed to Ghana.
“When you have a treasury, and you want to liquidate before the maturity, you’re going to lose some money. But this should not be a situation where anyone would act in panic and say they’re going to take their money from any financial institution,” Dr Asuming said.
“The Government is really between a rock and hard place, but it’s more likely to have a domestic debt restructuring. The Government has been borrowing a lot and our interest costs have been rising, with Treasury Bills at upwards of 30. Therefore, it’s expensive to pay the debt,” he noted.
The Senior Lecturer said the Government would have to negotiate with domestic financial institutions for either an extension to pay its debt or reduce the amount to pay back – be it the principal or interest payment.
He noted that: “Whether the debt restructuring is going to be a delay in payment or reduction, it’s going to affect their (the banks) bottom line – profit, and hamper domestic investors,” the Economist said, but cautioned against panic withdrawals.
He explained that it was important for the Government to put out information to avoid speculations and said: “The Government must communicate and assure the citizens that people are not going to lose their money.”
The Economist said once the implementation of the IMF programme starts, times would be tough in Ghana with citizens having to endure some hardship for about three years.
He said: “An IMF programme would only help us restore macroeconomic stability. We must have a complete reset and change in mentality that we can depend on foreigners to finance our development.”
“Ultimately, we must look to generate more domestic revenue and build a more financially sustainable public finance system that is rooted in a structurally more diverse economy. We must do domestic production,” he encouraged.
At a press briefing in Accra on Wednesday, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, the Finance Minister, said the Government was yet to conclude processes for debt restructuring with the IMF.
He said, “We simply have not reached any agreement with the Fund on the parameters of any debt operations as we are in the process of completing the debt sustainability analysis.”
The Minister noted that the Government was still working with the IMF Team to update the country’s medium-term macro-fiscal framework to inform the programme’s design.
Ghana is negotiating with the IMF for an expected $3 billion loan facility for its homegrown economic programme, which is to help the country navigate through the current economic hardship and improve its fiscal balances sustainably.
The personnel of Ghana Railway and the Ghana Railway Development Authority have been urged to work relentlessly to guarantee that the nearly bankrupt corporation returns to profitability by Western Regional Minister Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah.
He gave the workers the responsibility of ensuring efficiency in their work so that the Railways might reclaim its formerly enviable position in the nation’s transportation system.
Speaking in Essikado at the UmaT School of Railways and Infrastructure Development as part of the Rail Transport Observance Day commemoration under the theme, Ghana’s Rail Transport, Challenges, and Future Prospects, the Minister requested they ensure the trains get moving fast and appropriately.
Hon Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah further underscored the commitment of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to ensure the Railways is revived.
He assured that soon, the Western Rail line will get to Nsuta to deliver the needed wealth creation to minimize joblessness.
Increased efforts have been made by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to boost tax compliance and improve state revenue.
It has, among other things, implemented an electronic (e) invoicing system that does away with the various abuses that taxpayers have used to deny the state a significant amount of money.
The value-added tax (VAT) authority began rolling out the e-invoicing system on October 1 in a staged procedure that would initially cover 600 major taxpayers.
The 600 corporations targeted as part of the phase include listed enterprises, and they produce more than 90% of the VAT revenue and 80% of the domestic revenue collectively.
The e-invoicing exercise is expected to cover medium-sized taxpayers by 2023 before being extended to all businesses in 2024.
Unlike the manual system, the e-invoicing system allows the GRA to monitor live transactions in companies where it has been deployed, thereby making it impossible for taxpayers to either under-invoice or dodge the payment of VAT.
GRA estimates show that the country‘s VAT contributions to tax revenue could be increased to 30 percent from the current 18 percent if the various abuses that the manual invoicing system is prone to are decisively dealt with.
The system was rolled out simultaneously with an electronic tax clearance certificate (TCC) system that also seeks to remove the abuses the current system is prone to.
The Head of the Domestic Tax Revenue Division (DTRD) at GRA, Edward Apenteng Gyamerah, told journalists on Friday that the two programmes formed part of a tax digitalization agenda being championed by the authority.
He said the authority was optimistic that the e-invoicing and the e-TCC would help increase revenue generations by removings the malpractices that the manual systems have been subject to.
Last month, GRA swoops and mystery purchases in various companies led to the discovery of non-compliant institutions and the temporary closure of their operations.
Me Gyamerah said together with the e-invoicing, the GRA was hoping to raise VAT contribution to total revenue from the current 18 percent to 30 percent by 2024.
He said while VAT collections in Ghana’s peer nations amounted to 30 percent per annum, that of Ghana was around 18 percent.
This, he said meant that VAT more revenue was being lost through the abuses that the manual system was subjected to.
To help deal with this, the Head of DTRD said authority and government amended Section 42 of the VAT Act, (2013) Act 870 as amended to make e-invoicing compulsory and the only medium for issuing VAT invoices.
“Through this, we will be able to improve upon compliance, we will have an audit trail and that will allow us to know the volume of transactions every minute for us to assess the taxes appropriately,” he said.
Speaking on the node of implementation, Mr. Gyamerah said the system would be deployed using two different routes.
He said for businesses that have their own platform for issuing VAT, GRA connects its software for generating the e-VAT invoices into theirs to allow for take-off.
But for businesses that do not have their own systems, he said the authority would give its software to them at no cost.
On the e-TCC, he said businesses only needed to enter their details into the e-TCC portal created by GRA for the certificates to be generated automatically.
Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku-Mantey, has said observations made within the public domain suggest a great sense of entitlement among creatives.
Okraku-Mantey’s comments are in response to the ongoing debate about the lack of support for the creative arts industry. According to the politician, individuals within the creative arts industry do not promote Ghana alone. The government and other stakeholders, he said, contribute immensely to the industry.
“I do not know why there is a feeling that it is only the people in the art who work for Ghana,” he said.
The government appointee highlighted that it is a daily chorus sung by many creatives in Ghana and thus needs to be stopped.
“I often hear, ‘we (creatives) are the ones who sell Ghana’. I have been hearing this even before I became a minister in the creative industry.
“Everybody in this country in the workforce contributes to the image of Ghana. The politicians who go to UN to speak, do so in the interest of Ghana. Therefore, the entitlement that we are the only ones who sell Ghana is not entirely true. I want us to change that conversation,” he expressed.
Okraku-Mantey was responding to recent social media posts by musicians and other creatives about their role in influencing tourism in Ghana.
The minister was particularly responding to a tweet by Sarkodie where the rapper bemoaned the lack of support for creatives despite their roles in putting Ghana on the map.
Okraku-Mantey made these comments during the entertainment review show with Kwasi Aboagye on Peace FM.
The Ghana Highway Authority in the Eastern Region has served notice to motorists travelling between the DVLA roundabout in Efiduase, Koforidua to Suhum that due to the heavy downpour over the weekend, a section of the road is temporarily unmotorable.
The Highway Authority has advised motorists from Koforidua to Suhumto “take a turn at the traffic light at the SSNIT Estate to Nyamekrom-Supriso Road then through Obourtumpan to Nkatenkwan and link the road back at the outskirts of Akwadum.”
“Motorists from Suhum to Koforidua are to observe this and turn at the outskirts of Akwadum and follow the same route to Koforidua.”
Ghana Highway Authority apologized to road users for the inconvenience caused.
The world’s longest-serving president, Teodoro Obiang of Equatorial Guinea, announced this week that he plans to run again in the polls in November to extend a 43-year rule that started following a coup he led in 1979, bringing attention to African elections once again.
Filipe Nyusi, the president of Mozambique, was elected for a third five-year term this week despite the fact that the country’s constitution only permits a maximum of two mandates.
While his term as the country’s president ends in 2024, Nyusi is expected to lead his party until 2027. Both nations struggle with poverty fueled by widespread corruption despite the wealth of fossil fuels and other minerals which make up a sizable portion of revenues.
Both are also likely to experience some growth as pandemic pains recede and domestic demand improves. The current search for alternatives to Russian gas should also boost FX inflows to gas-rich Mozambique and shore up its reserves.
The sharp decline came even as Nigeria’s central bank hiked rates by 150 basis points to 15.5% as it seeks to combat high inflation, which the bank says has been exacerbated by worsening insecurity, broken critical infrastructure and high import costs on items such as wheat.
Destruction of farmland and livestock due to recent flooding is also threatening shortages of agricultural produce. In the short term, we expect the Naira to continue its depreciation against the dollar amid increased demand for FX in the parallel market.
Cedi at new low as Fitch warns Ghana default ‘probable’
The Cedi dived to a new record low this week, trading at 10.38 from 10.11 at last week’s close. Ghana said it had started discussions with the IMF this week as it seeks to secure a $3bn three-year loan package to stabilise its economy, given that surging borrowing costs have shut the country out of global capital markets.
The IMF is expected to conclude an 11-day mission to the country at the end of next week. Market watchers predict that Ghana will need to restructure its debt to unlock any IMF financing.
Fitch Ratings cut Ghana’s credit rating one notch to CC, signalling a ‘default of some kind appears probable’. Against that backdrop, we expect the Cedi to continue weakening beyond the 10.50 level in the near term.
Rand sinks beyond 18 in ‘risk assets’ selloff
The Rand depreciated against the dollar this week, trading at 18.02 from 17.95 at last week’s close—the first time it has traded weaker than 18 since May 2020. The latest decline came as risk assets continued to sell off following the US Federal Reserve’s 75 basis point rate hike last week.
On the domestic front, South Africa’s economy lost 1.6 million work days in the first half of the year due to strike action, predominantly over wages. Public sector workers may strike for the first time in a decade over poor pay.
Given the global risk-off sentiment and the country’s domestic challenges, we expect the Rand to remain under pressure in the near term.
Egyptian Pound touches all-time low as FX reserves fall
The Pound hit a record low 19.53 against the dollar this week, before recovering to trade at 19.48—marginally stronger than last week’s close of 19.49.
Dollar scarcity is ongoing in the country, with Egypt’s net FX reserves standing at $33bn in August, the lowest level since 2017. The government is seeking to raise up to $6bn by June next year from the partial sale of as-yet-unnamed government-controlled entities through a series of IPOs.
Given the dollar’s strength, increased tensions around Russia’s war in Ukraine and strained economic conditions domestically, we expect the Pound to weaken further in the coming weeks.
Kenyan Shilling at fresh low as dollar soars
The Shilling fell to a fresh low against the dollar this week, trading at 120.50/120.70 from 120.35/120.65 at last week’s close as FX demand remains elevated and the greenback continues strengthening on the back of last week’s US rate hike.
While we expect the Shilling to remain under pressure overall in the week ahead amid month-end dollar demand from importers, Kenya may see some benefit from recent financial turmoil in the UK, which plunged the Pound to a record low against the dollar.
Although Kenyan exports to Britain, such as cut flowers, may fall, the country may see lower costs on imports from the UK including cars, machinery, alcoholic beverages, pharmaceuticals and electronics. Around 2.3% of Kenya’s external debt burden is denominated in Sterling.
Shilling slides amid Uganda Ebola outbreak
The Shilling depreciated against the dollar this week, trading at 3861 from 3820 at last week’s close, pushed lower by the Fed-driven stronger greenback. Ebola infections have risen across the country, with almost two dozen suspected deaths recorded at the start of the week.
Interns at the hospital that is handling the most cases also went on strike this week, citing a lack of appropriate safety gear, risk allowances and health insurance.
Meantime, Uganda said coffee production could hit a record level in the 2022/23 growing season due to better rainfall and crop plantings. Overall, we expect to see the Shilling continue weakening in the near term.
Tanzanian Shilling touches 3-month high
The Shilling touched 2328 this week, its strongest dollar level since June, before dipping back to 2332—in line with last week’s close.
Tanzania this week said it is partnering with India to build irrigation systems across the country to increase agricultural output. It has already started constructing more than a dozen large dams in preparation.
Meantime, the Bank of Tanzania said will continue to gradually reduce liquidity in the market until the end of October to tackle rising inflation. Following a recent US investor trip to Tanzania, we expect inflows to strengthen the Shilling in the near term.
Roberta Annan, CEO of Annan Capital Partners, says private businesses will have to prepare for more turbulence and tighten their belts as a result of Fitch’s latest downgrading of the nation’s credit rating to a “CC,” as the rating agency’s action exacerbates the already-existing credit crunch on the market.
Due to worries that Ghana may restructure its public debt due to rising interest rates, Fitch Ratings further downgraded Ghana’s credit rating to junk.
Ghana’s long-term issuer default rating was reduced by the rating agency from “CCC” to “CC,” or four categories below investment grade.
The assessment signifies a “very high level of credit risk”, where a “default of some kind appears probable”, according to Fitch’s rating scale.
In an interview with B&FT, the CEO of Annan Capital Partners indicated that, by extension, this downgrade will impact cost of credit to the private sector; as the banking sector, a significant holder of government debt securities, will be heavily hit by the debt restructuring if it does happen.
“There is now undoubtedly a strong argument for domestic debt restructuring if there is sufficient policy support to counter systemic risk to the banking sector,” she said.
“Companies are going to have to look for cost savings wherever they can be found. And by that, I do not mean cutting back on investment but channeling whatever capital can be scraped together specifically to invest in the various kinds of local production,” Ms. Annan stated.
She explained that, currently, there is insufficient lending available for the private sector to be able to grow and support the national economy, as available credit is being continually accessed by government – adding that the stifling of growth in the real economy is also putting significant pressure on the cedi, leading to the local currency being devalued by more than 40 percent against its major trading counterpart, the US dollar.
“The unavoidable result of reducing consumer spending due to rising prices,” she noted.
As of mid-2022, the banking industry’s exposure to credit risk moderated marginally in June 2022 relative to the same period of 2021, following a decline in the non-performing loans (NPL) ratio during the review period.
The stock of non-performing loans however increased between June 2021 and June 2022, indicating that asset quality risks persisted in the industry.
Accordingly, the industry is projected to further tighten its overall credit stance on loans to enterprises in the coming months; which is expected to apply to all the sub-categories of enterprise loans.
The analyst pointed out that debt restructuring cannot be an end in itself, but must be done as a means of achieving these developments.
“We need to kick-start local production in the sectors where we can be really effective. We have to focus on removing ourselves from a situation wherein so much of our financial resources is going on servicing loans,” Ms. Annan said.
Phyna has been announced the winner of this year’s Big Brother Naija (BBNAIJA2022).
This comes after three months of being housed together with other housemates for a period of three months.
This year’s edition was dubbed the “Level Up Edition”.
Phyna goes home with prizes worth N100,000 and will be celebrated in Nigeria for the feat achieved.
After she was announced the winner of the competition, Phyna in a tweet congratulated her fans for ensuring that she was crowned winner of the competition.
“Phynation una dey here? your queen is grateful.”
How Many Housemates are in BBNAIJA
Fourteen Housemates were contesting for the crown. These housemates were made to live their lives albeit restricted and at the end of the day, one person emerged as the winner of the competition.
The Six Who Made It to the final
After three months of being in the Big Brother House, Adekunle, Chichi, Bryan, Phyna, Daniella and Bella were the individuals who made it to the final of the programme.
With its strategic positioning as a market leader in the delivery of top-notch drone surveying and mapping services, Axis Drone Surveys has been in operation since 2019.
The economic areas of agriculture, health, urban planning, infrastructure, mining, and energy are all affected by these services.
The business sees the need for drone technology in various sectors and offers quick, precise, safe, and highly affordable solutions.
Additionally, Axis has a flawless safety record and has received the proper certification from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) as needed by law.
Axis Drone Surveys’ service offerings are tailored to address the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its Recent projects have tackled the SDGs of Climate Action, No Poverty, Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and Sustainable Cities and Communities.
The company has made significant contributions to the energy sector by working with institutions that deploy electricity to rural communities both in Ghana and Liberia. In the agricultural sector, Axis Drone Surveys collaborates with developmental institutions to create project monitoring, audit and evaluation systems for farm project financing.
Axis has grown organically over time through client referrals and recommendations.
However, challenges are inevitable for a young start-up especially in its budding stage.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on its business growth and operations. Nevertheless, through innovation and improvisation the company was able to explore new avenues for revenue generation, such as the mining sector.
According to Goldman Sachs Research, the global drone business market opportunity was worth $100 Billion between 2016 and 2020. This projection is steadily growing with key opportunities being created in drone manufacturing and sales, drone services and drone training.
Ghana is a significant player in the African drone space because it currently has the largest drone delivery network in the world.
This has created a conducive environment for young Ghanaians to excel in the industry.
Axis Drone Surveys recognizes the importance of technology in economic transformation. With that focus, the company facilitates mentorship programs for the youth in partnership with academic institutions such as Open Labs.
The business hopes to develop new collaborations and have a greater impact on Africa and the world. Ultimately, the company aims to RESHAPE AFRICA WITH DRONE DATA
According to the Ghana Civil-society Cocoa Platform (GCCP), uncompetitive cocoa prices on the global market are encouraging cocoa farmers in gold-producing regions to surrender farmlands for illicit mining activities.
Given that cocoa has historically been the primary cash crop and the foundation of the economy, the situation is pretty alarming.
Ghana currently ranks second to Cote d’Ivoire in terms of cocoa production.
According to GCCP, Ghana’s common cocoa farmers are feeling the effects of the uncompetitive cocoa prices on the global market.
As a result, landowners and cocoa farmers are selling their land to miners for cash.
“They do not feel that their efforts and toil are being properly and fairly compensated, hence they cash-in and move out of the cocoa space,” the group stated.
The emerging development, the group said, remains a threat to long-term survivability of the cocoa industry.
In a statement issued by the independent campaign and advocacy platform for civil society actors in the cocoa sector, they argued that based on the working assumption of the Producer Price Review Committee (PPRC) of COCOBOD, cocoa farmers should receive a minimum of GH₵838 (US$98) per bag (62.5kg) of cocoa beans.
This figure was arrived at using the lowest projected values available including a LID of US$400 per tonne as agreed, according to the GCCP.
“As we always do, we have also looked at the numbers; and based on our very modest and somewhat conservative estimates, have arrived at a minimum 15-20 percent increment in the farm-gate price of cocoa for this season,” the statement captured.
Furthermore, they said this expectation was reached while taking note of all the challenges posed by the unstable Ghanaian cedi, threats posed by mining and the need for farmers to be paid adequate and commensurate prices for their efforts.
The current International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) world cocoa market price – which averages Europe, New York and London futures stands at US$2,248 per tonne of cocoa beans.
“We also acknowledge the fact that Ghana is ‘forced’ to sell cocoa on the terminal market at a discounted price. Again, there has been a drastic drop in the origin differential/country premium – from over US$400 to a current US$65.
“In effect, the expectation is that the net country cocoa selling price (producer price) will be not less than US$2,103. Based on the 2020/2021 parameters for calculating the net FoB for cocoa beans, GCCP observed that the net FoB for the 2022/2023 cocoa season to be not less than 80 percent of the prevailing producer price, which should be around US$1,682.
“By applying the PPRC working assumption of a minimum of 70 percent of net FoB going to farmers, this translates into US$1,178 per tonne for the farmer. This figure is less than the US$400 LID that was instituted and charged by COCOBOD on all futures for the 2020/2021 cocoa season.
“Assuming COCOBOD gives all the US$400 LID to the farmers, it brings the farm-gate price to US$1,578 per tonne for the 2022/2023 cocoa season. Using the year-on-year Bank of Ghana (BoG) exchange rate of US$1 to GH₵8.5, cocoa farmers are expected to receive not less than GH₵13,413 per tonne of cocoa beans – which should translate into a minimum GH₵838 per bag of cocoa beans.”
It further reiterated that these estimations are based on the minimum projected figures, and the assumption that farmers will receive a minimum 100 percent of LID.
Professor Ransford Gyampo, a Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana wants the Electoral Commission to dialogue with the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) on the use of the Ghana card as the source document for voter registration.
The NDC has vehemently opposed the use of the Ghana cardsaying many voters will be disenfranchised.
It is on the back of this that the University of Ghana Professor thinks it will be advisable for the Electoral Commission to “make room for the suggestions from the NDC.”
The current mode of identification for registering to vote include a passport, a national ID, an existing voter ID or two guarantors.
The EC is seeking to review the law to replace these documents with the Ghana Card.
The draft C.I. titled: Public Regulations 2021 is expected to regulate the upcoming continuous voter registration exercise.
The new Constitutional Instrument that could enforce this change is in Parliament and has been referred to the Subsidiary Legislation Committee of Parliament.
The NDC is worried because not all Ghanaians of voting age have the Ghana Card.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) wishes to invite the sports media to the launch of the Talent Identification program on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at the GFA Secretariat at 11am.
The National Elite Talent Identification and Development Program is to identify and develop the best-talented youth players (male and female) in the country to form the base of the various national teams.
The Directorate has put together a comprehensive Youth Development Plan that seeks to address all the shortfalls in the Ghanaian football ecosystem.
This well thought out blueprint which is ready for implementation across the various Districts and Regional Football Associations would be unveiled at the program.
Scouts, Coaches and Talent Developers would be deployed to work with the Regional Football Associations to hunt for young talented footballers who will form the base of the national youth teams.
The Technical Directorate led by Bernhard Lippert will address the football fraternity on plans, strategies, programs, policies and selection criteria that have been earmarked to select the best football talents from the woods of Ghana to form the national Academy.
“The current vision of government for the Kwadaso College of Agriculture is to upgrade the institution into an agricultural university, with collaborative support from the prestigious Mendel University of the Czech Republic.
“And here, I want to recognise in our midst the presence of our compatriot, Professor Samuel Darkwa, a lecturer and representative of the Mendel University, at this occasion. Professor, I have been apprised of your tireless efforts to help bring about the desired transformation of Kwadaso College, for which we are grateful.”
These were the words of the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Friday, 30th September 2022, at the centenary celebration of the Kwadaso Agricultural College, in Kwadaso, in the Ashanti Region.
With the Kwadaso College established in 1922 to help maintain the then Gold Coast’s enviable position of being the leading producer of cocoa in the world, the President noted that the College has, since, evolved into a centre of excellence, with increased capacity for training.
According to President Akufo-Addo, “the Kwadaso College of Agriculture can, to date, boast of having trained some one hundred thousand (100,000) young people as agricultural assistants, who have since been absorbed by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Local Government Service, Ghana Cocoa Board, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, as well as the private sector, over the years.”
Having produced a significant number of graduates, who have moved on to leadership positions in industry, academia, civil society and entrepreneurship, he noted that “the record of the College in contributing to the human resource development of this country is testament to its strength”.
One hundred (100) years after the establishment of the College, the President stated that the time is ripe to reposition the institution to harness its full potential, and that is why the decision has been taken to upgrade Kwadaso Agricultural College into an agricultural university, with collaborative support from the prestigious Mendel University of the Czech Republic.
“It is my understanding that the agricultural university will take care of the academic and professional development of our human resource for the agricultural sector. If successful, the plan will include establishing satellite campuses in Ejura and Wenchi Agricultural Colleges,” he said.
The President continued, “The reason why the establishment of this University, dedicated to agriculture, excites me very much is because we will produce the requisite numbers of human resource to support research, impart knowledge and provide leadership in the sector.”
Stressing the need for the country to scale up consciously the number of middle level professionals who provide hands-on support in the sector, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the fact that the Kwadaso College of Agriculture, and, indeed, other colleges, are already laying the foundation for developing such category of human resource, as some graduates of these institutions have begun benefiting from training in Government’s greenhouse internship programme in Ghana and Israel.
“The trainees at such centres are prepared for entrepreneurship by being equipped with academic knowledge and practical skills in greenhouse technology. Once established, the transformed agricultural university and other colleges will serve as incubators for the development of more agricultural professionals in the country,” he said.
The President, therefore, pledged the continuing support of Government to make the upgrade of the College into a University a reality, and charged the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to step-up efforts, and strengthen the partnership and collaboration with the Mendel University to realise this vision.
“The collaboration between the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and Mendel University exemplifies the wisdom of collaborating to make our institutions very valuable to our developmental efforts. I am confident that this celebration will ignite that spirit of togetherness and make this a reality,” he added.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations estimates that around 1.6 billion tonnes of the main product equivalent are wasted as the globe observes the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste.
According to the FAO’s Food Wastage Footprint and Impact on Natural Resources report, 1.3 billion tonnes, or 81 percent of this total, are edible.
The FAO stated in a report posted on its website that “the total volume of water used each year to produce food that is lost or wasted (250km3) is equivalent to the annual flow of Russia’s Volga River, or three times the volume of Lake Geneva.” “Food wastage’s carbon footprint is estimated at 3.3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent of GHG released into the atmosphere per year.”
According to the paper, food that is lost or wasted is produced on 1.4 billion hectares of land annually, or 28% of the world’s agricultural area.
The report said a low percentage of all food wastage is composted and that much of it ends up in landfills, and represents a large part of municipal solid waste resulting in Methane emissions, one of the largest sources of GHG emissions from the waste sector.
“Developing countries suffer more food losses during agricultural production, while in middle- and high-income regions, food waste at the retail and consumer level tends to be higher. The direct economic consequences of food wastage (excluding fish and seafood) run to the tune of $750 billion annually,” the report said.
In this regard, a research Scientist at the Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), Dr. Stella AgyemanDuah, has asked that the quality of food produced in the country should not be compromised.
She said causes of food loss and waste could not only be attributed to post-harvest losses but warm or humid environments which promote insect, pest, and microorganism infestation.
In her view, consumer rejection due to aesthetic defects of produce especially fruits and vegetables is equally high in developed countries contributing to food loss.
“In reducing these challenges, shortening the food supply chain, and promoting food security, the standards of food produce should not be compromised,” DrDuah said in an article to mark the day.
Governments’ investment at the local level to reduce food losses and waste, she said, must be visible and reflective in the farmers’ lives.
To this end, Dr. Duah said the global trend of food insecurity in the world should necessitate the provision of storage facilities like silos by governments for staples to avoid glut in bumper seasons.
“On the part of consumers, it is important to promote planetary health by making a shopping list and buying what is needed. Consumers who decide to shop in bulk should be sure of adequate storage in their homes. It is kind to share leftovers with the needy. Do not throw them away, it contributes to global warming,” she advised.
A British Member of Parliament (MP) from the Labour Party, Rupa Huq, publicly apologized to Ghanaian-born British MP, Kwasi Kwarteng, who also doubles as the UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer (Finance Minister).
According to news.sky.com, the party suspended Rupa Huq for describing Kwasi Kwarteng as a “superficially” black man.
Huq almost immediately tweeted her apology on September 23. It read: “I have today contacted Kwasi Kwarteng to offer my sincere and heartfelt apologies for the comments I made at yesterday’s Labour conference fringe meeting.
“My comments were ill-judged and I wholeheartedly apologise to anyone affected,” her post read.
The controversial comment:
A report indicated that the suspended MP made the racist comments against the chancellor in an audio recording posted online by the Guido Fawkes website.
“Superficially he is a black man. He went to Eton, I think, he went to a very expensive prep school, all the way through, the top schools in the country.
“If you hear him on the Today programme, you wouldn’t know he is black,” Rupa Huq was quoted to have said by news.sky.com.
The Labour Party condemned the remarks.
Background on Kwesi Kwarteng:
Kwasi Kwarteng became the first black person to become UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer (Finance Minister) following his appointment by UK Prime Minister, Liz Truss, on September 6, 2022.
Kwarteng was born Akwasi Addo Alfred Kwarteng in Waltham Forest, East London, in May 1975 to Ghanaian parents, Alfred and Charlotte, who had both immigrated to the United Kingdom a decade earlier as students.
His parents, who went on to become an international economist and a barrister respectively, sent him to an expensive private prep school that produced numerous Cabinet-level politicians.
He then attended the famous Eton college — a production line for British leaders including Boris Johnson and David Cameron.
According to Maximo Torero Cullen, Chief Economist at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), if the crisis between Russia and Ukraine persists into next year, the availability of rice and other staple foods will suffer in 2023 due to the rising price of fertilizer on the global market.
In an interview with the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) quarterly bulletin, the Finance and Development Journal, Mr. Cullen claims that shortages of wheat and fertilizer have already increased food import costs for the most vulnerable nations by more than US$25 billion this year, putting 1.7 billion people at risk of going hungry in the future.
“If the war continues in 2022 and 2023, we could potentially have a food access problem coupled with a food availability problem, because Ukraine and Russia will further reduce their exports, including fertiliser. This is a situation we have to avoid,” he cautioned.
Under the current conditions, Cullen said Ukraine could reduce its exports of wheat and maize by around 40 percent – and Russia might do similarly.
Equally, the FAO observed that rice production and availability will slump to its lowest from 2023 due to the increase in cost of fertiliser, as prices of the cereal are starting to rise.
This situation, according to the FAO, could deteriorate further as a poor monsoon season is potentially affecting rice planting in India.
“These developments pose risks because rice is a key staple around the world, including sub-Saharan Africa,” Cullen indicated.
The way forward
The FAO’s chief economist suggests that key exporters of rice be prioritised to access fertilizer, as they will supply the rice needed by the world to minimise food access problems in the next year and prevent a full-blown catastrophe.
Cullen’s analysis of the situation in Russia-Ukraine
The FAO has said the high natural gas prices and rising food prices could make the difference between life and death for millions of people around the world.
Cullen said though the FAO admitted the crisis in Russia and Ukraine is the main driver behind present food price problems, it maintains that most countries having a food crisis also have internal conflicts.
“The second is economic downturns: COVID-19 is one of the major reasons most poor countries are facing significant challenges. And the third, of course, is climate change,” he added.
Growing effects of the Russia-Ukraine crisis
The war has exacerbated the already-existing problem of a global food crisis, as it stopped exports from two key exporters of cereals.
Around 50 countries depend on these two exporters for at least 30 percent of their cereal imports. For about 20 of these countries, it is more than 50 percent.
Another factor is that Russia is the world’s leading exporter of nitrogen, as well as the second-largest exporter of potassium and third of phosphorus fertiliser.
So when it halted the export of fertiliser, prices shot up – and since they were already high before the war, this has created a significant problem for farmers.
So the impact on food-importing countries is two-fold: they face a steeper food import bill and higher cost of fertilizer – which has quadrupled and many farmers cannot afford it.
Impact on vulnerable economies
In the case of Africa, the key net food importers are northern African countries – more than 50 percent of their wheat imports come from Russia and Ukraine. However, sub-Saharan Africa is different as it does not have wheat as a main staple.
However, maize and wheat are used for livestock in sub-Saharan Africa, with rice as the main staple.
“In the 62 most vulnerable countries of the world, we are talking about a roughly US$25.4billion increase in the food import bill compared to last year. And this is affecting 1.7 billion people,” Cullen reiterated.
To put a stop to the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party’s 30-year duopoly control, the Party is fervently trying to reorganize its internal structures (NPP).
Ms. Bridget Dzogbenuku, the 2020 flagbearer of the PPP said the two parties have demonstrated gross economic management, incompetence and governance ineptitudes that have created despondency and hopelessness among the populace, particularly the youth.
She gave the reassurance at an impressive ceremony to commemorate the Day at the historic Nana Kobina Gyan Square in Elmina in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipality of the Central Region where the party was birthed in March 2012, a decade ago.
The national event was on the theme: “10 years of progressive focus to bring change in Ghana’s democratic governance – the way forward.”
Before that scores of party loyalists clad in red and white with craving zeal, processed through the principal streets of Elmina.
To the fondness of all, many onlookers cheered the party’s motto “pre papa preko, Awake, actor, peace, perfect peace.”
Rallying support for the Party, Ms. Dzogbenuku said: “Support the party with your resources in cash or kind. Put yourselves up to work, speak, or run for the Party in any position you can to bring the change you yearn for in 2024.”
“The PPP is the only third force in Ghana so let’s vote for the party to witness the change we seek. If all of us who need an alternative vote massively for PPP, the change we seek will materialize,” she advised.
The 2020 flag bearer of the Party discredited the notion that a vote for a political party order than NDC and NPP was a waste and emphasized that “a wasted vote is the one that ends up either not serving one’s interest or one that gets voter poor leadership and broke.”
She reminded Ghanaians of the unfulfilled and empty promises of a ‘Better Ghana’ and Real Change’ that amounted to two sides of the same coin that had exacerbated the widening gap between the rich and poor, literate, and illiterate, and the employed and unemployed.
Moving forward, she appealed to the electorate to believe in the well-thought ten-point agenda of the Party to restore national hope, cultural values, discipline, and patriotism to save the country from the economic quagmire ot was in.
They will also lead an incorruptible government, ensure a Free Compulsory Basic Education, constitutional review, peace and security, and an all-inclusive leadership.
Mr. Paa Kow Edmundson, the National Secretary in rendering accounts of stewardship, said the party was formed following a declaration on December 2011 by the founder, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, the founder of the Party.
The defiant pronouncement, metamorphosed into the assembling of all progressive and independent-minded people to rise and cause to be formed a third dominant political movement in the country.
The founding fathers were motivated by the national urge and the present need for a new political party to be born as a credible alternative to be elected to office and to demonstrate practical transformational leadership in serving the people of Ghana.
Mr. Edmundson recounted the Party’s successes and failures since its formation including the introduction of practical youth empowerment policies, championing anti-corruption campaigns, and institutional reforms to reduce the powers of the President, among others.
Others are; the urgent prohibition of Members of Parliament from being appointed as Ministers of State, strengthening the office of the Attorney-General by separating it from the Minister of Justice, and establishment of a public declaration of Assets regime.
The rains which started yesterday became worse after the Densu river which flows through the community went over its banks at around 10am on Sunday.
Thousands of properties have been lost in the process. Residents say the situation may get worse if the rains do not stop.
Personnel from the Eastern Regional Headquarters of the National Fire Service and the Ghana Police Service responding to distress calls from residents were left helpless when they arrived at the scene as they could not get access to the community due to the floods.
Travellers and commuters around the Koforidua Suhum stretch have since been left stranded. In an interview with Citi News, some home and business owners who have abandoned their homes and shops appealed to government to “assist them in these trying times.”
National Communications officer of the governing New Patriotic Party, NPP, Richard Ahiagbah has asked the opposition National Democratic Congress, NDC, to ’employ’ an American economist and academician, Prof. Steve Hanke.
Ahiagbah holds that Hanke who has become a serial economic critic of the government was engaging in actions that inured to the NDC’s benefit hence his call.
“Perhaps it is time for the NDC to formalize and announce their partnership with Steve Hanke because it is obvious,” he tweeted.
Days before, the Communications Director had also suggested that the NDC should replace outgoing General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah with Prof. Hanke.
“The NDC’s Steve Hanke is a perfect replacement for General Mosquito,” his tweet of September 30, 2022 read.
Among Steve Hanke’s recent diagnosis of the economy is that it was tanking – an expression which means the economy is down and there are fears of a recession.
He has in on numerous occasions blamed the Akufo-Addo-led administration for putting the economy in a dire situation.
He has separately taken swipes at the Vice President, the governor of the Bank of Ghana, the Minister of Finance and more recently, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, a leading member of the NPP.
The construction of avenues to create job possibilities for young people is a government priority, according to Mr. Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Minister of Employment and Labor Relations.
All players in the employment-generating industries would be brought together to discuss the next steps through the creation of the National Employment Coordinating Committee, he said.
Mr Baffour-Awuah was speaking in Sunyani at the ‘Ghana Job Fair 2022 (Green Edition),’ on the theme: “Connecting Talents and Opportunities.”
The two-day fair is under the auspices of the Ghanaian German Centre for Jobs, Migration and Reintegration, in collaboration with the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations.
It provides a platform for job seekers to acquire skills and tools to enhance their creativity and employability.
Mr Baffour-Awuah said the Ghana Job Fair was anchored on the government’s agenda of; Creating Prosperity and Equal Opportunity for all (2017-2024), and since its inception in 2018 a significant number of jobseekers had gained employment.
He said of the more than 10,000 participants in the previous job fairs, 47 per cent were jobseekers, 39 per cent were individuals interested in training opportunities for entrepreneurship, digital economy and technology, and 14 per cent were in search of employable skills.
Out of the 1,455 declared job vacancies, 561 were qualified for placement with 358 being males and 203 females.
Mr Awuah said the government, between 2017 and 2021, created an estimated 5,306,899 jobs, both formal and informal, and assured that it would continue to roll out programmes for decent employment outcomes.
Ms Favour Carlos, a graduate of the University of Energy and Natural Resources, who majored in Information Technology, told the Ghana News Agency that she expected to meet companies that were hiring and hopefully get a job.
Richard Ahiagbah, the national communications officer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has requested that Prof. Steve Hanke, an American economist and professor, be “employed” by the rival National Democratic Congress (NDC).
According to Ahiagbah, Hanke, who has become a frequent opponent of the government’s economic policies, was acting in a way that benefited the NDC, which is why he made the call.
He tweeted, “Perhaps it’s time for the NDC to announce and formalize their collaboration with Steve Hanke because it’s evident.
Days before, the Communications Director had also suggested that the NDC should replace outgoing General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah with Prof. Hanke.
Among Steve Hanke’s recent diagnosis of the economy is that it was tanking – an expression which means the economy is down and there are fears of a recession.
He has in on numerous occasions blamed the Akufo-Addo-led administration for putting the economy in a dire situation.
He has separately taken swipes at the Vice President, the governor of the Bank of Ghana, the Minister of Finance and more recently, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, a leading member of the NPP.
The Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Naa Abubakari Mahama II, has praised the “competence, diligence and humility” of the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, describing him as a man “bound for greatness.”
Speaking at the Gbewaa Palace, Yendi on Sunday 2nd October 2022, the Ya- Naa highlighted the many interventions facilitated by Dr Bawumia across a broad sphere of national life since he became Vice President of the Republic, which have resulted in the betterment of the lives of the people of not just northern Ghana, but the nation as a whole.
“Mr Vice President, your achievements cannot be mentioned without outlining your zealous contribution to couple the efforts of the President to resolve the protracted Dagbon crisis. Today, we have peace in Dagbon as we expected and we owe it an obligation to appreciate your efforts in realising this feat. Dagbon is grateful to you, Alhaji Dr. Bawumia.
“Your exceptional humility is worth emulating and makes us proud of you for that. You have not departed from the training your elders gave you.
“Again, since your occupation of the second most important political seat in Ghana, you have shown sterling performance with your sacrifice and hard work which has achieved so much for mother Ghana.
“Remarkably you have discharged and keep discharging your duties with great tolerance even when your opponents come after you and this proves your competence and how focused you are.”
Alluding to Dr Bawumia’s continued promotion of religious tolerance and acceptance, Ya-Naa Abubakari Mahama stated:
“Your quest to harmonize the religious diversity of our country is also commendable. As a Muslim, you hold on to your faith at all times while you find it no harm to be amongst Christians and this speaks loudly about nothing but, the necessity of peace and tolerance amongst ourselves even when we disagree with each other.”
The Overlord of Dagbon again commended Vice President Bawumia for his and the NPP government under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s determination to bridge the development gap between the north and the south through various interventions, including the setting up of a special purpose vehicle for the development of the north.
“Through your efforts, our region has seen the construction of its first interchange. This is a promise you made and as expected of you, you have delivered. Under you as a Vice President, you have also supported the President to make our region and all the four other regions in our part of the country beneficiaries of the national cake through social interventions.
“Today, we can boast of countless infrastructure from roads, markets, factories, hospitals, schools, water and sanitation projects among others. All these were achieved through the Northern Development Authority which you were instrumental in its formulation.”
Wishing the Vice President travel mercies as he begins a tour of northern Ghana, Ya- Naa Abubakari Mahama II urged Dr Bawumia to remain focused on delivering for the people of Ghana, who are keenly observing his contribution to national development and will make their voices heard at the right time.
“Your keen interest in seeing the North develop will always be remembered. I, as your father, will like you to continue to be a loyal servant of Ghana and the people of the five northern regions.
“Your reward is on the way because you are bound for greatness, my son,” he declared.
Illegal mining (Galamsey) is not only one of the greatest existential threats to our country but also the presence of foreigners in that enterprise gravely insults our dignity and conscience as citizens in a sovereign nation. The questions that most Ghanaians keep asking are:
Is the political class complicit and does the class hold the solution to this problem?
In this piece I intend to contribute to the discourse on the politics of Galamsey by applying principles and theories from marketing.
To assist our understanding of this piece I conceptualize the relationship between a government and citizens as service provider-customer relationship. I argue that, fundamentally, trust and integrity underpin all forms of government-citizen relationships: leaders show integrity and that translates into citizen’s trust and confidence.
The president of Ghana in 2017 made a promise to Ghanaians to eradicate illegal mining “once and for all”. Relevant comments attributable to the president in that direction have been;
“It will be a betrayal of the trust reposed in me if I fail to end this.”
“I put my presidency on the line for Galamsey fight”
Essentially, the promise to put the presidency on the line for Galamsey fight had effectively created what is referred to in marketing as: SERVICE GUARANTEE
A political policy/service guarantee is a statement explaining what citizens can expect (the promise) and what the president and his team will do if they (the president and his team) fail to deliver.
The role of service guarantee in political marketing has been to help citizens form relatively accurate service expectations from the incumbent. The guarantee by the president had given Ghanaians the right to complain.
The promise or guarantee to put the presidency on the line had two major political consequences:
For the citizens to vote the president out of office if he fails to deliver on his promise
For the president to honorably resign if he fails to deliver
The “POLITICAL MOMENT OF TRUTH” are those times during which citizens expect their government to fulfil promises that have been made before, during or after national elections.
I intimate that all too often, we have seen politicians pay lip service to the citizens while preparing their party/government for short-term payoffs (power and money).
After five years in office the president and his team have passed through several moments of truth; enough time to demonstrate to their electors that they are capable and willing to deliver on the Galamsey promise.
Illegal mining is a negative practice that socially and politically significant groups of people in Ghana believe to be caused by avoidable and blameworthy failures of the president and his team.
The actions and inactions that give rise to political policy/ service failure are;
The missing excavators: seized excavators purportedly looted by party supporters
The death of Major Mahama: the wheel of INJUSTICE grinding slowly but
painfully in the hearts of the deceased`s family
The return of Aisah Huang: the state filed “do not prosecute”
The president says “I`m not still sure whether
she was deported or….”
The government needs money comment: ‘abayn hiya sika’ attributable to a party officer
What are the consequences of POLITICAL SERVICE FAILURE for the incumbent?
“I put my presidency on the line….”: The questions that fair-minded Ghanaians ask are :
HAS THE PRESIDENT GOT ANY MORAL REASONS TO CONTINUE TO BE IN OFFICE?
Does the failure of the president to act (maybe resign) not provoke CONFIDENCE CRISIS? What exactly did he have in mind when he made the promise?
“It will be a betrayal of the trust…”: The questions are:
WHAT IS THE HONORABLE THING FOR A LEADER TO DO WHEN HE BETRAYS CITIZENS` TRUST?
Does the sense of betrayal Ghanaians now feel not provoke CREDIBILITY CRISIS?
What are the POLICY/ SERVICE RECOVERY options for the president and his party?
Apologize to Ghanaians and resign. Though the most honorable option I am unwilling to believe any leader in Africa will ever contemplate resigning his office. In the UK Boris Johnson did.
Apologize to Ghanaians and admit that the government had underestimated the magnitude of the problem. We cannot end Galamsey “once and for all”. The former president J. A. Kuffour did this over his zero tolerance for corruption when he intimated that the canker started at the time of Adam.
Apologize, admit failure and then commit the government to a new Galamsey fight strategy.
Though the best strategy, option three will require sincere and genuine commitment from the presidency. I am not sure if this is possible because of the obvious complicity of the political class in the matter.
This third approach will demand sincere and honest engagement of all stakeholders along the Galamsey value chain. More importantly, a bottom-up approach that empowers affected communities to support the new initiative will ensure policy success.
Let those who peddle rhetoric know that their audiences are no longer morons.
******************
The author, Anas Sulemana is with the Tamale Technical University. He can be reached via mail – anasgh@yahoo.com.
Our forex bureau rates are provided by Afriswap Bureau De Change in Osu, Accra.
On the Interbank forex rates from the Bank of Ghana today, October 3, 2022, the Ghana Cedi is trading against the dollar at a buying price of 9.6000 and a selling price of 9.6096.
As compared to Friday’s trading of a buying price of 9.5537 and a selling price of 9.5633. At a forex bureau in Accra, the dollar is being bought at a rate of 10.46 and sold at a rate of 10.68.
Against the Pound Sterling, the Cedi is trading at a buying price of 10.6954 and a selling price of 10.7080 as compared to Friday’s trading of a buying price of 10.5502 and a selling price of 10.5626.
At a forex bureau in Accra, the pound sterling is being bought at a rate of 11.60 and sold at a rate of 12.00.
The Euro is trading at a buying price of 9.4100 and a selling price of 9.4194 as compared to Friday’s trading of a buying price of 9.3364 and a selling price of 9.3466.
At a forex bureau in Accra, Euro is being bought at a rate of 9.90 and sold at a rate of 10.30.
The South African Rand is trading at a buying price of 0.5334 and a selling price of 0.5337 compared to Friday’s trading of a buying price of 0.5307 and a selling price of 0.5309.
The Nigerian Naira is trading at a buying price of 45.4866 and a selling price of 45.5095 as compared to Friday’s trading of a buying price of 45.6955 and a selling price of 45.8168.
At a forex bureau in Accra, Nigerian Naira is being bought at a rate of 12.00 Naira for every 1 Cedi and sold at a rate of 15.50.
Minority leader and Tamale South Member of Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, has berated President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his appointees over management of the economy.
Speaking to veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr in an interview on Pan African TV, he posited that the economy has grossly been mismanaged by ‘incompetent’ people placed at the helm of affairs.
The situation he lamented has forced many to reel under economic pressures while the government has also resorted to ‘irresponsible, reckless borrowing.’
He mentioned for instance that President Akufo-Addo’s promise to protect the public purse during his inauguration in 2017 has not seen the light of day.
The legislator premised his remark on the number of ministers the president appointed in his first term, referencing the infamous terminology of an ‘elephant size government’.
He feared that given how the economy and the country at large was being managed, the situation may degenerate into scenes that were witnessed in South Asian country, Sri Lanka, months back.
Haruna Iddrisu made the comment while making a case for a cap to be placed on the number of ministers a president can appoint.
“When you hear President Nana Addo Dankwa say that he will protect the public purse and come and appoint an elephant-sized government, that’s incongruous. I mean you cannot reconcile that and then you see him spend profligately on travel when other heads of states will be on business class and either first class, you want to fly with the comfort of a private jet that adds to the cost.
“What is now catching up with them is that they didn’t keep faith with the Ghanaian electorate. At the time the NDC and President Mahama explained that they will not be able to pay allowances, it will affect the compensation budget, to be able to recruit more to the public service….there are those who think we need a downsizing of the Ghanaian public sector.
“I have read Professor Wood’s book and he is very articulate that our public sector is too large. 700,000 workers but how do you downsize it when you are not even providing an enabling environment for the private sector. What is happening today in Ghana and Kwesi, I am afraid Ghana may dip into a Sri Lankan situation even before the end of December,” he said in the October 1 interview.
Sri Lanka dominated the news following days of massive protests by citizens over an economic downturn.
The situation culminated in the protesters storming deposed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s residence in July.
Amidst the upheaval, Rajapaksa resigned and fled the country to Maldives, BBC reported.
At present, Sri Lanka’s consumer inflation according to official data showed surged to an annual record 69.8% in September.
Ghana’s economy has also in recent times faced a downturn with economists pointing to inflation rates, hike in petroleum products, and increased cost of living.
The worsening economic situation has compelled government to initiate contact with the International Monetary Fund for a programme owing to downgrades of the economy by rating agencies which prevented it from accessing the international capital market.
The General Manager, External Communications at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG)has said that the power distribution company is conducting an audit into its systems.
According to Charles Nii Ayiku Ayiku, the audit will help ascertain what caused the interruptions in the purchase of electricity credits by customers using both new and old prepaid metres, in some parts of the country.
Speaking on The Probe on Sunday, he said that “for every system when there are issues you do a system audit and that is what we are doing now, trying to make sure we audit the system to understand what happened.”
Mr Ayiku added that “I am sure at the end of the day we will come to a conclusion but for now, effort and concentration are to make sure that we get our systems up and running.”
Despite the challenges, the General manager insisted that the ECG systems are not vulnerable and believes the audit will clearly spell out what went wrong.
This comes after some ECG prepaid consumers were left in the dark after a technical challenge affected the purchase of credits for their meters.
Customers in Volta Region, Takoradi, Tema, Cape Coast, Kasoa, Winneba, Swedru, Koforidua, Nkawkaw and Tafo were affected.
On October 1, ECG said they had fixed the vending challenges, however, some consumers were still reporting challenges on Sunday morning.
Again, Mr Ayiku apologised to consumers noting that although most of the challenges have been fixed, some consumers in the Ashanti Region may still have issues.
“We are very sorry and apologise to our customers, we do understand what they’ve gone through, we as a company we are not happy about the situation, we are very sorry and we are working very hard to make sure that we will not experience this again.”
Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George, has alleged that the technical challenges the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG)is currently facing is a deliberate attack on its system.
According to him, the challenge which has left many prepaid consumers in the dark for days was carried out by some “criminal” personnel in the institution.
In a post on Facebook, Sam George wrote “my information points to a group that has been siphoning over GH200 million, you read that right. Every month! Yes, you read that right.”
He, therefore, called on the state to investigate these corrupt activities at the office of the ECG.
“The State security apparatus must take this matter up and ensure the safety and protection of the MD and his team seeking to uncover the mess,” he added.
Yaa-Naa Abukari Mahama II, the overlord of Dagbon, has informed Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Ghana’s vice president, that his genuine interest in seeing the North advance will always be remembered.
When highlighting the significant infrastructure improvements the Northern Region has undergone since Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia assumed the role of Vice President, Yaa-Naa Abubakari Mahama II made this point clear.
During a courtesy call on him at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi, Yaa Naa praised the development initiatives in the Northern Region, saying, “Through your efforts, our region has seen the construction of its first interchange.
You made a promise, and as would be expected of you, you kept it.
He added that “under you as a Vice President, you have also supported the President to make our region and all other four regions in our part of the country benefits of the National cake through social interventions.”
Yaa-Naa Abubakari Mahama II continued “Today, we can boast of countless infrastructure from roads, markets, factories, hospitals, schools, water and sanitation projects among others. All these were achieved through the Northern Development Authority which you were instrumental in its formulation.”
Yaa-Naa Abubakari Mahama II made this known when the Vice President of Ghana called on him Sunday as part of his working visit to the Northern Region.
He praised the Vice President’s focus on his work and his quest not to be distracted from his goals as something worth emulating.
“Remarkably you have discharged and keep discharging your duties with great tolerance even when your opponents come after you and this proves your competence and how focused you are.”
After being excluded from Ghana’s plans for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the goalkeeper appeared to be considering switching nations in a message on his verified Twitter account.
“Time to swap nationalities,” he tweeted. The goalie removed the tweet shortly after posting it.
Abalora cannot change his nationality from Ghana once he has participated in four FIFA-approved games, though.
The 26-year-old made his debut in a 5-1 win over Qatar two years ago on October 12, 2020. He was also in post for Ghana’s 2021 AFCON qualifiers against South Africa which ended 1-1 and 3-1 win over Sao Tome and Principe.
The former WAFA goalkeeper’s last game for Ghana was a 1-0 win over Morocco in a friendly match on June 18, 2021.
According to FIFA’s regulation, a player can only switch nationalities if they played a maximum of three matches.
The institution would reach its full potential once it became a university, he claimed, adding that discussions with the Mendel University of the Czech Republic had started in order to realize that ambition.
At the college’s 100th Anniversary celebration in Kumasi, the President delivered the announcement to a large durbar of students and other stakeholders.
The anniversary, which was on the theme: “Kwadaso Agricultural College – 100 Years of Agricultural Education in Ghana,” was to celebrate the achievements of the school which has produced about 75,000 professionals since its establishment in 1922.
President Akufo-Addo, the Guest of Honour, said the plan was to create satellite campuses at the Ejura and Wenkyi Agricultural colleges once the university was established.
“The reason why the establishment of this university dedicated to agriculture excites me very much is because it will produce the requisite numbers of human resources to support research, impart knowledge and provide leadership in the sector,” he said.
“I pledge the support of government to make this dream a reality and I charge the Ministry of Agriculture to step up efforts and strengthen the partnership and collaboration with Mendel University to realise this vision,” the President stated.
He said more than 50 per cent of the population were engaged in agriculture with the poorest engaged in food crop farming, stressing the need to revamp the sector to ensure a meaningful change in the lives of the people.
He said the college was central to the transformative agenda of Ghana’s agriculture through the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ).
By its design, the PFJ targeted smallholder farmers, modernised all sectors of agriculture, increased overall productivity, reduced import dependency, established a strong linkage with industry, and ultimately reduced poverty.
Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, the Minister of Agriculture, said the Ministry was committed to upgrading the college and would work with relevant stakeholders to achieve that.
He applauded past and present managers of the college for their significant contributions to the development of agriculture in the country.
Ayew reached the joint-most caps for Ghana on Tuesday in a friendly match against Nicaragua in Lorca, Spain.
Ayew didn’t start the game, but he was added in the 82nd minute.
As Ayew onto the field at the Estadio Francisco Artés Carrasco, Ghanaian supporters cheered him, showing their admiration for the Al Sadd star’s commitment to the Black Stars and hard work.
The impressive numbers behind Ayew’s latest achievement
Ayew accomplished the impressive feat in one year less than Asamoah Gyan.
Gyan took 16 years to reach 109 appearances, while Ayew took 15 years. This is because Gyan made his Black Stars debut in 2003, while Ayew made his debut in 2007.
Only the legendary Karim Abdul Razak has scored more goals for Ghana than Ayew (25). Ayew will undoubtedly surpass him.
Ayew is fifth on Ghana’s all-time top scorer list, but he tops the list in the Africa Cup of Nations because he has scored more goals than any Ghanaian in the competition’s history. The 32-year-old has scored 10 goals.
Ayew is Ghana’s all-time appearance leader in the Africa Cup of Nations (33).
The former Swansea City and West Ham United player has played over 7500 minutes for the Black Stars.
After his stunning strike against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, claims that they have been waiting to see Thomas Partey produce a long-range goal in the Premier League.
The 29-year-old scored two headers for Arsenal in the Premier League last season. He is known for hitting stunning long-range goals.
The former Atletico Madrid man was an imposing figure as Arsenal ran out 3-1 victors, and Arteta expressed his delight at witnessing Partey end his open-play hoodoo.
As the only Ghanaian artiste to enter the Boomplay Golden Club and currently a BET nominee, he definitely struck the iron while it was hot and swiftly ramped up the pace in his current trend to release his new single Soja, which is swiftly becoming a global anthem.
The three-minute song which recalls the young rapper’s life from his early years and challenges tells of his quick rise to fame, something he is yet to learn to accept.
As he expresses his fragility and need to put aside insecurities in a catchy rhythmic pattern, he also portrays a side of him in the song that has been mentally strengthened.
He doesn’t stray too far from his typical genre of songs and lyrics, but he does provide the listener a real-life glimpse into his life and how he decides to fight anxieties to find success in the world.
Blacko, as he is fondly called, reveals in the lyrics: My mystery box is somewhere very near. I feel it inside me, I’m feeling very weird. Something wey I dey chase. For years back in the days. If you told me I would see this flag waving I won’t believe you, Cause how far could I go? How far could I go? I’m too close I can feel it. Something is vibrating inside me. I’m celebrating. But outside them dey kill me.
Soja has been well-received and as of press time yesterday, Wednesday, September 28, it had peaked at number one on the Apple Music Top 100 Ghana Chart and is currently at number 14 on the Apple Music Top 100 Nigeria Chart.
It has also impressively outperformed Kizz Daniel’s Lie, Piesie Esther’s Wayε Me Yie, Stonebwoy’s Gidigba and other global hits to land in the 68th position on Boomplay Top 100 Africa Chart.
The song also made a remarkable quick entry into Boomplay’s Top 100 Ghana chart, earning the 17th spot while outperforming songs that had been on the chart for longer.
On YouTube, Soja is number one on trending for music, with the official visualiser clocking over 1.5 million views.
Given the song’s outstanding response from music fans, the song is likely to up the charts in coming days.
Several influential figures in the industry, including entertainment pundit Arnold Asamoah Baidoo, Highlife artiste Rex Omar among others have responded favourably to him and are praising him for making strides.
Rex Omar on his Facebook page remarked that Black Sherif wrote the song to portray reality, and it was a fine one as such.
He said: “Black Sherif is writing and singing from a higher plane. A real artiste, he needs all our support and prayers.”
Both songs will appear on his upcoming 14-track debut album, The Villain I Never Was, scheduled for release on Thursday, October 6.
With top singles such as First Sermon, Destiny, Money, Second Sermon, Golddigga, Adwenfii, Ade Akye and Assignment, the new Sherif in town is already garnering international attention and music devotees hope Soja will increase his popularity on the international front.
Former England and Arsenal defender Matthew Upson has warned Mikel Arteta that if the Gunners are to continue challenging for the title, he must do all in his power to prevent Thomas Partey from suffering another injury.
This season, Partey has already missed four games due to injury, including his team’s lone loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
At the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, the Ghanaian midfielder scored his team’s first goal of the year as Arsenal defeated Tottenham 3-1 in the north London derby.
“He was man of the match for me,’ former Arsenal defender Upson told Stadium Astro. “I thought he was excellent, obviously in terms of the goal contribution which is a big deal for a defensive midfield player.
“But just the simplicity. He’s that rock in midfield, that anchor allowing Xhaka to go and pick up those positions, allowing Odegaard to drift into those roles, knowing they’ve got the responsibility of someone like him sat behind them.”
“Definitely, it’s a big thing they have to achieve. Whether that’s the manage his minutes, adjust his training schedule, whatever they need to do I feel they have to keep him fit ready for occasions like today.”
He always sends ribs splitting whether he is on radio or television, and that has endeared Giovanni Caleb to the hearts of both the young and old, making him one of the affable and humorous presenters around.
The bubbly radio and TV personality who hosts Date Rush and Showbiz 360 on TV3 and 3FM Drive on 3FM steers his programmes with humour, resulting in them being so much fun to listen to or watch.
Talking to the Daily Graphic on Monday, September 26, Giovanni was more than willing to share how it started for him because he says he doesn’t even know how he does it.
‘’Growing up, I have always been the class clown, I was like the guy who would bring big trouble for the class. I can recount the number of times teachers would walk me out or cancel a whole session because I was making noise.
‘’I always found a way to lighten up the mood in the classroom and some of the teachers couldn’t stand that, while others would accommodate and let you know your limit. Generally I was always in trouble.
“I was looking at some of my report cards from primary school and one of the comments read, ‘He should be more serious with his academic work’; the way my Dad beat me for that comment.
‘’I come from a very serious Christian home. My mum went to Bible school so she is almost like a pastor but she is loud. She is the life of the party. My dad is extremely quiet but anytime he speaks, you can feel that deep-seated humour. I think I took that side from him,” he said.
Comedy as a profession?
Has he considered doing stand-up comedy? ‘’Comedians are not taken seriously in this country so I won’t. I will rather inculcate that in my presenting. A lot of people, including comedians and my former CEO Bola Ray, have been telling me to take a look at comedy. They tell me, ‘Giovanni you are sitting on something.’
“When I went on South Africa Tourism, a sponsored trip with some Nigerian comedians, everyone said I made the trip exciting because they always thought it was Nigerians who were fun to be with because they were always bringing in the humour, and that Ghanaians were dull but I proved them all wrong. The thing is I don’t have to think about it, it just happens,” he said.
When Giovanni was about to take over hosting of Date Rush, people were a bit sceptical as to whether he would be able to fit into the shoes of his predecessor, Nii Kpakpo, but he has fitted in so well.
“I think with the success of Date Rush, it will be selfish on my part to take all the credit. I have been hosting some shows in the past that were related to blind date, etc. so I just had to fall back on those experiences. Date Rush is one of the shows that even the presenters are not told what to expect. I think the foundation Kpakpo laid was strong enough, so it was much easier for me to relate.
‘’Again, I have an excellent interpersonal human relations, I relate very well with just anybody so that too plays a very major role. Also, because I don’t force my opinions on them, they speak freely and some of them really go to the extreme. The producers also allow us to operate freely.”
A school of thought also has it that Giovanni overdoes it sometimes but he says, ‘’I don’t even measure how I do some of these things, let’s face it, I am human, I‘ve got my down days and my up days. There are times I may be sad but the job calls on me to make someone who is having a sad day liven up. Spontaneous humour is not like the scripted ones, sometimes you say it and realise this did not go well but you’ve already said it.”
Giovanni Caleb with his family
Media journey
Throwing light on his media journey, Giovanni said it started in 2008 during his second year at the University of Ghana, Legon with Radio Univers. “Right from there, I did my national service with Global Media Alliance where I worked at YFM and then I continued till I became their Programmes Manager.
“That is also where I started my TV journey from. I hosted the Late Night Celebrity Show and a few others, then they took me to South Africa. Then we had this whole partnership with Kajiso Media, they gave me a few training programmes in radio.
“I was later poached by EIB Network to Live FM as Programmes Manager then I continued to GHOne Television. I did Starr Drive also on Starr FM then I joined Media General in 2019,” he added.
A typical day in the life of Giovanni starts from midday: “I am not a morning person, my kids are home-schooled so I spend a lot of time with them.”
Touching on some of the challenges that come with the job, Giovanni stated, ‘’It is the energy. You know I am not growing any younger, we are in a very competitive space so staying relevant all these years, constant upgrade, I still learn a lot in my field. I taught myself how to DJ, I taught myself how to produce. I actually produce some of my shows as well, it is a lot of work, a lot of pressure.
“Also trying to stay relevant is a huge one, then being a family man and a full-time worker is also another thing but I guess I balance it quite well. I do a lot of social media influencing and I try not to be stale with all of my creativity and find fresher ways to remain appealing to my audience,’’ he revealed.
Giovanni, who grew up in the Volta Region, attended Amazing Love School at Denu, then to Bishop Hermann College, both in the Volta Region, then to the University of Ghana, Legon where he studied Psychology and Linguistics. He also did HRM, UK, a short diploma course, and he is currently at the University of Ghana Business School.
Giovanni is the second of three children born to now retired civil servant Clement Adjomah and retired educationist Stella Adjomah. He comes from the Akatsi District in the Volta Region but grew up at Denu. He is married to Belinda Boadu and they have been blessed with two children, a boy and a girl.
To young people out there, Giovanni says, ‘’When you hear that voice within telling you to go for something, just do it; as long as it is not illegal and criminal, just go for it,’’ he concluded.
Giovanni Caleb joined the Media General Group some three years ago and he is currently the host of Date Rush and Showbiz 360 on TV3 and the 3FM Drive on 3FM which is on every weekday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Fast rising stand-up comedian, Jerry has always known that he had something unique in him for comedy and the more he pulled away from it, the more it kept chasing him.
Although Comedian Jerry trained to be a journalist at Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), the comic, born Jeremiah Ashinyo Oluwaudara had no option than to pursue his passion for comedy.
Today, he is doing quite well with his astounding stage persona.
Even though Ghana has not yet fully embraced stand-up comedy, Comedian Jerry believes taking his chances and exploring the comedy space will give him the satisfaction he needs after sharing the stage with a number of prominent comics from Ghana including OB Amponsah, Foster Romanus, and Lekzy DeComic.
The budding funnyman had been a practicing journalist with an Accra-based radio station and an online writer for a couple of years before he made his way into the comedy space.
Speaking with Graphic Showbiz on the changeover, Comedian Jerry said he had a big appetite for the comedy profession and has no regrets making such decision.
“Sometimes, I get people asking why as a GIJ graduate, I am now doing comedy and my response has always been that I’m being driven by extreme passion for comedy. The shift was worth it and I have not regretted pursuing it at all even though it came with some difficulties. But I will maintain that it was the best decision ever,” he said.
Speaking about his goals, he expressed confidence that with time and effort, he would be able to create a loyal following and promote Ghana to a global audience.
“Building my own space and achieving that level of international acclaim are currently my main goals, and I have faith that I will succeed to a point that I can even start developing other people who have a passion for comedy.”
He however told Graphic Showbiz that practicing journalism was still in his plans but for now, his concentration was on building a solid comedy brand adding, “I still have eyes for the inky fraternity. I won’t say I have stopped journalism. Just that comedy requires a lot of my input and efforts at the moment. When the time is due, I will surely go back to it.”
Experience
Sharing his experience, the journalist turned comedian says his entry into the comedy scene was not an easy journey but with support from seasoned acts who embraced and encouraged him, he has been able to carve a niche for himself in the comedy scene.
“The major challenge was with people saying Ghanaian comics were not funny, but now, that is not there anymore. And thanks to the support of my ‘big brothers’ who encouraged me, I have been able to gain the confidence to shape my craft,” he added.
Being a comedian is certainly bringing lots of fulfilment to Comedian Jerry but was that what he always wanted to do?
“I knew that I had the talent for comedy and will do it someday but it will interest people to know that while growing up, the only ‘profession’ I admired was to be a shop attendant. Can you imagine?
“I developed the interest when as a little kid. There was this girl who used to sell in a shop in front of our compound and she would always give me sweets and so I wanted to grow up and be like her,” he said.
However, Jerry’s choice of career kept changing until he enrolled at the Ghana Institute of Journalism for his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communication.
With the requisite knowledge, he was empowered to start a promising career in journalism but that all changed when his love for comedy kept increasing and he had no choice than to go for it.
But there was an obstacle to overcome; convincing his parents that comedy was what he wanted to do.
“I never informed my parents about my intention to shift from journalism to comedy until I started doing my own thing on stage and TV. That was when people started informing them that I was now a comedian.
“So my dad called and asked me what I have been doing on TV and I told him about the comedy thing and since then, has been very supportive,” he said.
Comedian Jeremiah who is of Ghanaian and Nigerian parentage was born in Nigeria and lived there till 2011 when his family relocated to Ghana.
He intends to stay as long as he can most importantly for his rapidly growing comedy career though he says he misses “omo Naija” a lot of times.
Apart from comedy and journalism, Comedian Jerry plays the keyboard, clarinet and he is also a voice coach.
Accrding to him, Ghanaian comedians have been underrated in comparison to their Nigerian counterparts. However, they must be supported and not discouraged with destructive criticisms.
“Ghanaians need to believe in our artistes, sometimes the bashing is too much. I can confidently say that every platform a Nigerian comedian can mount, a Ghanaian comedian can do it a million times over so we should not disregard our own,” he stated.
Increasing popularity
At the moment, Comedian Jerry is growing his popularity as part of comedy show, Half Serious Show on GH One which features the likes of OB Amponsah and Lekzy Decomic.
He has also thrilled patrons at a number of comedy shows including Popular But Broke and Too Cute To Be Mute.
In the Gunners’ 3-1 victory over Spurs at the Emirates stadium on Saturday, Partey scored his first goal of the year.
With the victory, Arsenal is awarded three points and Mikel Arteta joins George Morrell and Terry Neill as the only managers to have won their first three home games in the north London derby.
“He was man of the match for me,” former Arsenal defender Upson told Stadium Astro.
“I thought he was excellent, obviously in terms of the goal contribution which is a big deal for a defensive midfield player.
“Today he was excellent involved in a lot of passing in the build-up, to me that’s a man of the match performance from a midfield player.”
Partey, who has missed four games due to injury this season, including his side’s only defeat of the campaign so far at Old Trafford against Manchester United has made five league appearances for Arsenal this season and scored one goal in the process.
In Saturday’s 2-1 loss to the Blues in match week eight of the English Premier League, Ayew assisted Palace.
This season, the 31-year-old has made seven league appearances for the Eagles and has contributed two assists.
According to Ayew’s post-game comments, “Frustration, everyone is frustrated,” the club website.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve given up in the final seconds.
“I think we were close. We deserved at least a point, but we are still a young team. We need to improve in a lot of things. We are improving but we need to improve quickly because the Premier League is ruthless.
“We did well, we controlled the game. It was a nice game for the spectator, but for us it’s a positive performance but it’s not the result we wanted. There is something missing, and we need to work hard.”
Perhaps the saying that “Money makes love sweeter” has become a good ammunition for ladies to demand financial support from their partners.
The tendency for constant arguments and break up is high when the man is not in good financial standing create a “sweet” union.
Tunnel Music Group’s signee Eldeezy believes men are always disadvantaged in relationships in situations they can’t support their partners.
It is from this background that Eldeezy got the inspiration for the lyrics of his latest song Aku. The Afrobeats tune is heralding Eldeezy’s maiden Soul EP.
The title “Aku” is from “Aku Sika”; a book published in 1999 by Professor Martin Otchere.
“Aku” is an entertaining piece that encourages women not to define the potentials of a suitor by their financial strength. It equally highlights the need for couples to resort to communication as a major tool to tackle conflicts.
Eldeezy, born Andy Osei Peprah, is a rapper, singer, songwriter from the Eastern Region of Ghana who currently resides in Accra. Eldeezy describes himself as a body of art who has lots of interest in visual arts, music, film, philosophy, and classics. He is a graduate of the University of Cape Coast, where he graduated with First Class Honours in 2020.
Eldeezy made commercial entry into music in 2019.
He first caught attention on social media when his freestyles went viral and got lots of thumbs up from mainstream artistes including Jayso and E.L.
His rapping abilities earned him the favour to feature on Jayso and EL’s albums.
Among the many songs he is known for are ‘Fear’, ‘The Rise’, ‘Don’t Know’ and ‘Six Figures’ all of which have earned good praises from critics. Love and Sacrifices are also singles of his eight track Soul EP.
The Soul project ushers listeners into the world of Eldeezy where people get to understand his vision, principles and what he stands for and the heights he wants to attain with music.
“I know I’ve got it and also what it takes to excel. I only need huge support for that international hit to be on the world stage. I’m an asset because I don’t do it like how others do or compete, I’m unique,” he said.
Although Ayew put up a strong performance, the Eagles were defeated at Selhurst Park.
With his first goal for the team, substitute Gallagher, who excelled while on loan at Palace last season, lashed home a magnificent right-footed effort to snatch the victory for Chelsea.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also scored his first Chelsea goal on his Premier League return after Odsonne Edouard had poked Palace into an early lead.
However, there was controversy surrounding Aubameyang’s goal as it was set up by Thiago Silva, who Palace felt should have been sent off for a deliberate handball which denied Jordan Ayew a possible goalscoring opportunity.
Ayew has made seven league appearances for Crystal Palace this season and provided two assists in the process.
Media personalities Frema Adunyame and AJ Akuoko-Sarpong of Citi FM and Citi TV will be attending the prestigious Cape Wine 2022 event in Capetown, South Africa from the 2nd of October to the 8th of October.
Frema who is the Host of CNR and Upside Down on Citi TV and AJ Sarpong who is the Host of Brunch in the Citi and Sister Sister will attend the series of events as part of Citi FM and Citi TV collaboration with Wines of South Africa to cover the biggest wine roadshow in Africa, Cape Wine 2022 in October 2022.
AJ Sarpong
Citi FM and Citi TV have partnered to give an exclusive behind-the-scenes of the wineries, and winemaking process and showcase the many incredible South African wine brands and producers that are enjoyed on the Ghanaian market.
The partnership will see Frema and AJ and their camera crew from Citi FM and Citi TV covering the various aspects of Cape Wine 2022 and showing the many incredible sights and sounds of Cape Town and how the wine-making process of South African wines are achieved.
As the world reopens to travel, tourism, renewal and new opportunities, the South African wine industry is readying itself to open its doors in welcoming wine industry fraternity from across the globe as they prepare for their biggest showcase event, CapeWine 2022 from October 5th to 7th 2022 in Capetown South Africa.
Frema Adunyame
Speaking on the partnership Market Manager Africa for Wines of South Africa, Matome Mbatha explained that it is important to collaborate with Media and there is no better partnership than that of Omni Media (Citi FM and Citi TV) to showcase what will be an incredible series of events marketing, showcasing and promoting South African Wines at Cape Wine 2022. He added that he looks forward to increased partnerships between Ghana and South Africa, as Ghana remains an integral market in the export industry of South African Wines.
The showcase of Cape Wine 2022 is in collaboration with Wines of South Africa and Jon Williams Consults, with support from South African Airways.
The Citi FM and Citi TV reps will also visit some of the Cape’s most prestigious wineries, meet and taste wines with award-winning winemakers, dine in some of South Africa’s iconic restaurants and explore the wonderfully diverse cuisine on offer – all against the backdrop of some of the world’s most breathtakingly beautiful Winelands in Cape Town, South Africa.
Mohammad Mahfud also consoled families who lost their loved ones in the riot and assured victims of government support.
“To the victims family, our condolences. We also hope that the victims’ families will be patient and continue to coordinate with the government officials in the field.
“I need to emphasize that the tragedy of Kanjuruhan is not a clash between Persebaya supporters and Arema. Because Persebaya supporters can’t watch at that match. Supporters in the field are only from Arema.
“Therefore, the victims generally died from pushing, squeezing, trampling, and shortness of breath. There were no victims of beating or harassment between supporters.
“The government has made improvements to the implementation of football matches over time and will continue to improve.”
The Asantehene bemoaned the negative effects of the illegal operation on several facets of personal and societal life while giving the American ambassador a private audience at the Manhyia Palace.
Asantehene further questioned why the taskforce established by the government and the security apparatus in these “galamsey” districts had not been able to end the menace in a video aired by Opemsuo Radio and seen by GhanaWeb.
“Galamsey is an albatross on our necks, it is rather unfortunate that it has happened this way. Ghana was known as the Gold Coast and therefore it was known. But during that time, it wasn’t like the galamsey that we are talking about,” he stated.
He explained that the small-scale mining of decades back was the menial ones, stressing that in contemporary times, the unfortunate use of equipment and carelessness of environmental implication has become a headache. “But who is control from district to national level,” he quizzed.
He continued: “The government set up the military cum police to do it, why have we not been able to stop it. Why? That is the point, why have we not been able to stop it?” he emphasized.
He intimated that small-scale mining was something that had been done for serval years but never to the detriment of the environment.
Wontumi’s company embroiled in ‘galamsey’ war
Meanwhile, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has directed the Forestry Commission to cease the operations of Akonta Mining Company in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve of the Amenfi West Municipal Assembly.
According to a statement issued by the Public Affairs of the Ministry on Friday, September 30, 2022, the Company owned by the ruling NPP Chairman for Ashanti Region, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, alias Wontumi, has been engaging in mining activities in the forest without a permit.
“The attention of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has been drawn to publications about certain operations by Akonta Mining Limited in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in the Amenfi West Municipality in the Western Region.
“Records available to the Ministry shows that while Akonta Mining Ltd has a mining lease to undertake mining operations in some parts of Samreboi, outside the Forest Reserve, the company has no mineral right to undertake any mining operations in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve,” the statement said.
According to the Ministry, while Akonta Mining Company had applied for a permit to mine in the said forest reserve, the Minister had yet to give approval to any such application hence rendering the activities of the firm in the said forest reserve illegal.
She noted that her refusal to do so was based on the partisan nature of the organization that represents all lawyers in the nation.
She addressed concerns about Ghana’s justice delivery system in an interview with Accra-based TV XYZ earlier this week, urging the bench to accept criticism and the GBA to get its act together.
“I will pay my dues when I feel the GBA will be fair, a true arbiter of the interest of all lawyers in Ghana,” she emphasized.
With respect to the Judiciary, she tasked them to take a recent critique by former president John Dramani Mahama in good faith and to work towards cleaning up their image and better serving the people of Ghana.
“Article 125 of the Constitution says quite clearly that the administration of Justice is vested in the people of the Republic of Ghana and it is the judiciary who is to administer that.
“If you don’t listen to the people, how on earth can you administer justice for us? They need to listen to us. This should be a wakeup call,” she stressed.
She also scolded current Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame for using the recent Bar Conference in Ho to attack Mahama for his views on the Judiciary and the need for reforms.
“Very unfortunate for a young Attorney General, Godfred Dame to come out with such statements about our former President. He was disrespectful and very upsetting to me, having held that position before.
“I forgive him because I am a Christian and its an act of charity…” Betty Mould told IDEAS Exchange show host Eric Ahianyo on Thursday, September 29.
“I chaired that conference of NDC lawyers John Mahama addressed. And all of us enthusiastically support his remarks about the perception of Ghanaians waning confidence in the judiciary.”
She cautioned Dame further that being Attorney General and by extension leader of the Bar does not give anyone the right to use a Ghana Bar Association meeting to create such chaos.
In his address at the recently held Bar Conference in Ho, Dame stressed that it was worrying that National Democratic Congress, NDC, lawyers had failed to call Mahama to order despite having made the comments at a party event.
“Non-lawyer Mahama made the comments at a meeting of the legal committee of his party, none of the lawyers raised a finger to contest the wrong and dangerous propaganda by the former president. By their silence, they became abettors of the propagation of hate against the judiciary,” Dame submitted.
He reiterated the fact that lawyers needed to be the loudest and strongest defenders of an independent judiciary and by extension defenders of the most crucial arm of government.
“I find it worrying because lawyers ought to be the loudest and strongest defenders of the independence, integrity and importance of the judiciary rather than serving as tools for its destruction,” he added.
Mahama told a gathering of NDC lawyers at a conference in Ada that a judiciary needed to be trusted by the public at all times because such trust had wide-ranging implications on the security of the state.
He took aim at the current Chief Justice stating that it would take a new CJ to carry out needed reforms in the judiciary because of growing lack of trust in their work.
The NDC has strongly stood by his views whiles the NPP have slammed it as unwarranted and needless.
Asonaba Kwadwo Nomafo wrote an opinion piece for GhanaWeb on September 29, 2022, in which he claimed that the government will lose a significant amount of money from the mining industry due to the actions of some Chinese companies.
He notably brought up the situation with Golden Star Resources, GSR, a company that is part of the Chifeng Jilong Group of Companies.
The fight against illicit mining, also known as galamsey, has turned into an albatross around our neck as most of those involved in this conduct are Chinese nationals, and their activities constitute a significant threat to the deterioration of our ecosystem.
“But information gathered by www.asonabamediaonline.com indicates some Chinese Nationals in Golden Star Resources have taken over local positions which are meant to be occupied by Ghanaians thereby causing financial loss to the state and since most of their operations in the financial department are known to them the likely falsifying of revenue document against the state comes to bare,” the article said among other allegations.
In a rejoinder sent to GhanaWeb on October 1, GSR debunked the allegations stating that it was, “a law-abiding external company into lawful mining operations through its 90% owned subsidiary company, Golden Star Wassa Limited (GSWL) incorporated under the laws of Ghana.”
Social media users posted numerous footage of people outside the Embassy trying to enter the building and lighting bonfires there.
A day after the Captain Ibrahim Traore-led group announced the removal of Lt. Col. Sandaogo Damiba, several hundred additional people can be seen protesting outside the building.
According to an October 1, 2022 statement read on national TV, RTB, a member of the new junta, Sous-Lieutenant Jean-Baptiste Kabre, said the former leader of the MPSR – name of the junta, had refused to leave power quietly.
Kabre alleged that Sandaogo Damiba was planning a “counter-offensive” and claimed further that he’s doing this from a French base.
In an October 1, 2022 statement from the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, France denied the allegation and said it was not hosting Damiba in any of its facilities.
“France formally denies any involvement in the events underway since yesterday in Burkina Faso.
“The camp where the French forces are located has never hosted Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, nor has our embassy,” the statement read.
Read the complete statement below:
STATEMENT BY THE SPOKESPERSON OF THE MINISTRY FOR EUROPE AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Burkina Faso
October 1, 2022
France formally denies any involvement in the events underway since yesterday in Burkina Faso.
The camp where the French forces are located has never hosted Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, nor has our embassy.
New junta leader Captain Traore’s announced the takeover of executive power and deposition of Damiba, barely 10 months after the later seized power from democratically elected Christian Roch Marc Kabore.
The junta dissolved the government and the transitional national assembly as well as imposed a curfew and closed all the country’s borders.
The overthrow was premised on continued deterioration of the insecurity situation even as terrorists continue to launch deadly raids on security forces and the local population.
“Motorists from Suhum to Koforidua are to observe this and turn at the outskirts of Akwadum and follow the same route to Koforidua.”
In an interview with Citi News, some home and business owners who have abandoned their homes and shops appealed to government to “assist them in these trying times.”
