The three are Emmanuel Appiah Amoah aka Soldier Ba, Eugene Nuamesi and Kwabena Kwarteng Amaniampong aka Zongo Chief.
This brings to five the total number of students arrested out of the 62.
Luv FM’s Emmanuel Bright Quaicoe, who was in court on Friday, September 23, reports that the students were charged with rioting and causing unlawful damage.
Lawyers for the accused prayed the court to grant bail to the three but the court refused to grant the bail.
The court presided over by Hilda Esther Wryter ordered the prosecution to make adequate provisions for the students to sit for their ongoing exams while they stay in custody.
Defence counsels are, however, unhappy with the court’s decision, casting doubts that the suspects might not be allowed to sit for exams.
This was after it had remanded two suspects in custody for the second time to allow the prosecution to arrest other suspects and gather enough evidence.
The two, Daniel Osei Bonsu and Francis Atuahene, were slapped with four charges of conspiracy to commit crime, rioting with offensive weapons, causing unlawful damage and causing unlawful harm.
Head of Legal and Prosecution at Ashanti Regional Police Command, ACP Kofi Blagodzie, presented the names of eleven more suspects as well as evidence of the destruction caused by the riots.
“We substituted the charge sheet and presented the court with a new charge sheet so we are on with the matter”, he said.
Prosecution further argued the suspects should remain in custody as investigators go after other suspects.
Defense counsels argued otherwise, insisting the two should be granted bail.
They argued suspects Daniel Osei Bonsu and Francis Tutu Atuahene will have to report for the examination and work respectively.
However, the court denied them bail and asked them to reappear on September 19, 2022, for the trial to continue.
The two suspects were among a group of students who clashed on the university campus during the hall week celebration of the University Hall.
The confrontation led to the destruction of many properties, including vehicles at the Unity Hall of residence of the KNUST, and injuries to some of the students.
Bibiani Goldstars will take on Bechem United at Duns Park on Sunday as they look to return to winning ways to revive their campaign.
The miners, who are in their second season of the Ghana Premier League are without a win after two matches into the 2022/23 league season.
They suffered a 1-0 defeat to both Dreams FC and Nsoatreman FC in their first two Ghana Premier League games respectively.
Goldstars after two defeats will be looking forward to their first win when they face Bechem United in matchday 3 of the Ghana Premier League.
Meanwhile, Bechem United who finished 3rd last season goes into the much-anticipating game with fresh energy after getting enough rest. The Hunters play no part in matchday 2 due Asante Kotoko’s African campaign.
Having suffered defeat in their season opener against Great Olympics at the Accra Sports Stadium, Kasim Mingle and his outfit will hope to record their first win of the season in the domestic top-flight.
Bechem United and Bibiani Goldstars sits 15th and 16th position respectively after two matches into the campaign.
Following a tip from local residents who observed the strange behavior of the foreigners in the vicinity, the arrest was made.
Members of the community allegedly spent months observing the foreigners’ “suspicious activities” before deciding to submit them to the police for more inquiry.
The move followed the “See something, say something” campaign being spearheaded by National Security as a citizens’ awareness campaign aimed at protecting the country against terrorist attacks.
The campaign, dubbed: “See something, say something”, encourages the public to be vigilant of the activities of suspicious characters and report such activities and characters to the security agencies.
The campaign forms part of the ministry’s border counter-terrorism strategy aimed at sensitising the public to terrorism threats and encouraging the citizenry to collaborate with state security agencies to reduce the threat of terrorism in the country.
Related: ‘See something, Say something’ campaign launched
One of the community leaders, Mohammed Ali said they reported them to the police because they believe they pose a security threat and want the security agencies to probe their operations.
“For several times, I entered and asked them, what are they doing. They said that they were learning. In the evening, you see them making phone calls, different phone calls, everybody making a phone call. Maybe they are trying to convince someone or I don’t know, so that is what they have been doing around here,” Ali said.
There are few things in life that damage your self-esteem as much as betrayal does. You begin to question everything. From your partner’s love to their grand gestures to every word they uttered. You can’t help but wonder if it was all one big lie. At some point, you may even find yourself wondering, “Do cheaters miss their ex?” The answer to this question becomes important when dealing with the aftereffects of infidelity.
Cheating is soul-shattering, irrespective of gender and sexual preference. According to Divorce Magazine, 60-75% of couples who experience infidelity remained together. But there’s a catch here. Not all those couples chose to stay together out of love. For some, the reasons varied from fear of being alone to not having anywhere else to go, financial issues, fear of traumatizing their children, and so on.
It’s plain to see how complicated a couple’s dynamics can become in the aftermath of cheating. Whether you choose to stay together or part ways, an understanding of a cheater’s mindset can help make the journey somewhat easier. Figuring out how a cheater feels about an ex is an important part of it.
When do cheaters realize they made a mistake?
Do cheaters miss their ex? How do cheaters feel after a breakup? When do they realize the magnitude of their actions? The answers to these questions depend on the personality of the person who has cheated.
Serial cheaters don’t ever realize they made a mistake. They go on about their life as if nothing happened. They love the thrill of meeting new people and making them fall in love. It boosts their self-esteem. It validates their being. On the other hand, people who cheat while being in a long-term relationship, do have a tinge of regret for their actions. There are some shocking things cheaters say when you confront them and often describe their romantic liaison as:
Nothing. It meant nothing
It was just a one-off thing
I was too drunk to think straight
It won’t happen again
But don’t worry, cheaters get their karma. If not immediately, then one day down the road, they will reflect upon the hurt they caused you and it will make them miserable.
A Reddit user describes cheating aptly. They shared, “It’s like you separate the consequence of hurting the person you love from the thrill of doing the horrible thing. They are totally different things. You expect to not get caught and don’t realize how much it would hurt until it DOES and you see it first hand. Only then do you feel bad and sorry. It’s selfish. Truly unforgivable. “Once a cheater, always a cheater” because there is this disconnect between the action and the consequences.”
However, this is not to say that anyone and everyone who cheats is an unthinking, unfeeling monster who isn’t affected by the consequences of their actions. Some people are truly remorseful, and you can spot in them the following signs they regret cheating:
They take accountability for their actions
They go out of their way to rectify their mistakes
They are willing to seek professional help
Their actions will speak louder than words
They cut ties off with the person they cheated on you with
They are more caring, loving, and affectionate toward you
You can sense they are changing
When I was betrayed by my former partner, he cheated and chose her. He went on about his life as if nothing happened and he didn’t destroy my confidence. I won’t sugarcoat it. It was heartbreaking and I was furious. It made me question the very nature of love. There were so many questions to ask my ex.
Did he even love me?
Was everything a lie?
Did I and the relationship mean nothing?
Where are the karmic consequences of cheating?
Do cheaters get their karma?
How could he move on without a tinge of remorse or guilt?
I even thought of getting back together and becoming a cheater after being cheated on because I wanted him to go through the same pain he caused me. But such damaging questions and thoughts only gave rise to a lot of insecurities and self-doubt. There was another question that contradicted all the tumultuous things I was feeling at that time: Will my cheating ex ever miss me? When do guys start to miss after a breakup? In my question for an answer, I have discovered some instances when cheaters begin to miss their ex:
1. When they regret cheating
When does an ex start to miss you? When they regret cheating on you. At some point, they are bound to look back. When they do, they might regret hurting you and that’s when they will miss you. You reap what you sow. Cheaters will eventually get their karma. You don’t have to make a plan on how to get revenge on an ex. The universe will do it for you.
Nathan, a software engineer from New York, says, “If it was just a one-time thing, then he might miss you because there is no contact after being cheated on. He will wonder if you are doing okay. But if he is a narcissist, he won’t regret hurting you. If anything, he’d be angry that he got caught, that he has lost control of you and the narrative.”
2. When they are alone
When do cheaters miss their ex? When they are feeling lonely. Even if she/he cheated and chose her/him, they might miss you when they are alone. They might even think of ways to reach out to you, talk to you, and find out if you are still waiting for them.
3. When they get cheated on
This is one of the things narcissistic cheaters can’t tolerate. Cheaters do miss their ex when their current partner cheats on them. It’s nothing short of hypocrisy. In my case, when he cheated and chose her, he would call me once a week to apologize. When his new girlfriend cheated on him with someone else, he completely lost it.
All that validation and self-esteem booster shots he snorted from cheating on me were shattered when the karmic consequences of cheating slapped him real hard. A study also confirms this theory. It has been found that people who cheat are more likely to dump their partner if they do the same thing.
4. When they go to places that remind them of you
When does an ex start to miss you? When something reminds them of you. Memories last when people don’t and erasing memories and saying goodbye after a breakup isn’t as easy as turning a page. When you’re dating someone, you make tons of memories with them. Happy memories, memories of pain, and memories where the two of you were madly in love. You went to fancy restaurants for date nights, took long walks on the beach, and went dancing in clubs.
Will my cheating ex ever miss me, you wonder? If an ex ever revisits the places they have shared fond memories with you, they’re bound to miss you. They will also miss you when they come across the things you left behind. Or when they read your chats, look at your pictures, or come across the gifts you gave them.
5. When they see their ex with someone else
Do cheaters miss their ex? Yes, when they find out the ex has moved on and is dating someone new. They don’t know how to get over someone despite cheating on you because you were their safety blanket. You can call this jealousy as well. They can’t digest the fact that a person can get over them. When I finally tried to move on and started dating a guy my friends set me up with, my ex felt a little thrown. It bruised his little ego.
He thought I would still be thinking about him and crying in my room. I had no contact after being cheated on yet he would call and beg me to see him one last time. When I went to meet him, all he did was talk about this new man I am dating. He dug up everything about him and tried to prove he wasn’t good enough for me. I replied, “As if you were.” He never asked me to meet him again.
Do cheaters usually come back?
Cheaters come back, well, usually. They will either offer to be your friend or they will ask you to give them one more chance. Either way, they want to be a part of your life. They will go around hooking up as much as they want, but at the end of the day, they crave security. They crave comfort. Will your ex come back? If they regret cheating, then yes. Below are some of the reasons why an ex comes back after having cheated on you:
They want both – the real one and the sidekick
It’s too difficult to move on. You’ve both shared a lot of ups and downs and they are not ready to lose it all because of their infidelity
Cheaters come back because they have fulfilled their fantasies. They had their fun and it’s time to get back to reality
They love you but not the person they cheated on you with
To use you again
They are honestly repentant and are trying to get their act together
Can A Cheater Love Their Partner?
There are many reasons why you cheat on someone. According to a study titled Motivations for Extradyadic Infidelity Revisited, cheating is motivated by various factors such as:
Lack of love and feeling neglected by a partner
Falling out of love with one’s partner
Low self-esteem
A desire to be more popular
Need for sexual variety
Inability to think rationally due to intoxication
None of the above-mentioned reasons can justify cheating, except maybe the last one. I realized something when I was trying to heal and learn how to survive betrayal. I think a person can love the way someone else makes THEM feel without actually caring about how the other person feels. They don’t love you but they love how you make them feel.
They call that love but they don’t actually know what love is. They are in love with how THEY feel and can cheat to experience that feeling. The feeling of being wanted, of being desired by as many people as they want gets their blood pumping.
When they say that they love you and can’t live without you, they may even mean it, but what they really mean is that they can’t live without how you make them feel. When they get caught cheating, they feel shame and fear at the prospect of losing you because you are their main source of love and validation. So, they may stop with their delinquent shenanigans temporarily. However, most cheaters are fundamentally broken people, so they may end up falling into their old patterns again.
Key Pointers
Cheaters can’t stand being cheated on
One of the signs they regret cheating is when they make efforts to rebuild the relationship
A cheater comes back because they want their safety blanket back
A cheater may miss you, especially when they are alone, get cheated on, revisit places that bring up memories of you, or see you with someone new
While moving on from so much hurt and pain, we often do a lot of things that impact our mental health negatively. We doubt ourselves, we want to take revenge, and we even think of becoming a cheater after being cheated on. But is it even worth it? Trust me, it’s not. The best revenge is to be unlike the one who caused you hurt.
FAQs
1. Is cheating a mistake or a choice?
It’s a choice. You can call it a mistake if they were drunk or weren’t in control of their senses. But it’s a conscious choice when they have been cheating on you for a long time. You can’t call that a mistake ever. It’s an act of cowardice and has nothing to do with you. It speaks about their nature and the fact that they need validation from more than one person.
2. How do cheaters feel after cheating?
They feel guilty. But the degree of guilt varies from person to person. The guilt could either be so high that they would mend their ways and never cheat on their partner. Or they are way too selfish to care about their partner and ignore the feeling of guilt that is nibbling at their rationality.
3. How do you know if he is truly sorry for cheating?
When he is sincerely sorry for what he did and wants to take responsibility for causing you pain. His actions will align with his words and he will prove to you that he is a changed man.
According to Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ghana will not recognize any area that Russia forcibly annexed from Ukraine.
As a result, she has urged Russia to cease all operations in Ukraine immediately and without conditions. This includes pulling out its forces and respecting Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders.
The Minister further asked Russia to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and political independence while speaking at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly on Thursday in New York.
For her, “Ghana does not and will not recognise any territory that is unilaterally and forcefully acquired as dismembered from a sovereign entity.”
Ms. Ayorkor Botchwey said there was the need for Russia and Ukraine, to chart diplomatic course to resolve the impasse between them.
She noted that the two nations cannot resolve their differences through the barrel of a gun, adding that the use of gun to resolve differences only “leads to needless bloodshed on both sides.”
She expressed the concern that with the rising death tolls of the civilian population and growing reports of war crimes in Ukraine, including human rights violations, there was the need to investigate such issues and perpetrators sanctioned.
“We must uphold our responsibilities as a country and send a clear message that the perpetrators of the atrocities will be held to account,” she noted.
There are people in the world who are incapable of love. Sadly, it happens more often than anyone would like to admit.
People who are incapable of love don’t love themselves. Without that, they can’t possibly love another person or even know how to experience love if they haven’t learned to love who they are first. Therefore, maintaining a loving relationship is nearly impossible for them.
Can a person be incapable of love?
The answer is yes, they can. The reasons some people are incapable of love could stem from their negative childhood experiences, past relationship traumas, or even their personality traits.
However, people can work on themselves and get out of that situation given enough determination and want of it.
Here are some tell-tale signs someone is incapable of love.
1. They blame others.
People who are not capable of love have a tendency to blame problems on other people. They lack insight into how they may be contributing to the problem.
They are narrow-minded and only focused on how a situation or relationship benefits them or holds them back. They rarely put fault in themselves for things not working out as they planned.
2. They have no accountability or responsibility for their mistakes or wrongdoing.
People who lack the ability to fully love someone have a limited ability to see their fault in situations or relationships. Instead of working on things in the relationship as a two-way street, it’s often one-sided.
If someone can’t even love themselves, how are they supposed to see fault in their limited and narrow mind? They can’t. And they won’t even try.
3. They make excuses.
For both current or future relationships.
Again, having to own up to something would take some sort of self-awareness and knowledge about yourself. Instead, people who can’t love will make excuses for their behavior: “Oh I was drunk, don’t take it personally,” “I don’t usually act like that,” and, my personal favorite, “You just made me so mad.”
You became so mad you didn’t recognize yourself? Please justify your behavior some more.
Justification and making excuses are common in those who lack a sense of self and have no capability of loving another person.
4. They give up easily.
They simply give up if something or someone doesn’t benefit them anymore. They don’t think about the other person. To be quite frank, they don’t really care.
When something no longer serves a purpose that favors the loveless person, their interest in a person and the relationship diminishes.
5. They show less interest in growing as a person.
As a result of the above statements, this person will not show much interest. As time goes on, you’ll notice their attention span shortening almost as if they are saying they don’t care without speaking the words out loud.
6. There is a lack of communication.
As a result of someone being unable to love and their general close-minded nature, they communicate infrequently.
They will allow upset or hurt feelings to stir up inside of them until they can’t handle it anymore and they explode. This frustration is within them so they really shouldn’t be blaming someone else.
7. They emotionally withdraw.
They will emotionally withdraw from the relationship while you may or may not be aware of what is happening in their mind due to their emotional difficulties. You may be working on the relationship while they move further and further away from you.
8. They are unhappy.
People unable to love are also unhappy. They may explain this is a new thing or that it’s been progressive.
But here’s the truth: The unhappiness started with the person and not having a clear foundation of who they are. They become unhappy because they don’t know who they are.
9. They are self-absorbed.
Me, me, me. It’s always about them. It’s always what they want first. No compromise. They don’t care to find out who they are but they will take, take, take. It is always about them.
10. They are close-minded.
These folks are often very rigid and stuck in their ways. If you can’t open yourself up for love, then you’re nowhere near ready for a relationship.
If they don’t love themselves or have a certain level of respect for themselves, they are not going to have a successful relationship and you should run… like, yesterday.
11. They care too much about other people’s opinions.
They rely too heavily on making people like them that they won’t have any time to care for your needs or wants. Rather you may end up being the “support system” for them.
You will be the one they look to you to boost their ego when someone doesn’t like them.
12. They could have emotional deprivation disorder.
Emotional Deprivation Disorder is “a syndrome (a grouping of symptoms) which results from a lack of authentic affirmation and emotional strengthening by another.”
That is, people with EDD were deprived of feeling his or her own uniqueness or goodness while growing up causing them to stunt their emotional development. They can’t possibly maintain a healthy relationship because they don’t have the necessary “education” or “knowledge” to do so.
It’s like if you tried performing brain surgery without going to school for it. You don’t know what to do, where to start, or how to react, right? That is what it is like for these people with this disorder.
They were never allowed to understand their feelings, so they have no idea what to do about it, and they are incapable of feeling love because they’ve never experienced it (or don’t realize that they have). Therefore they have an inability to form mature relationships.
What does lack of love do to a person?
A person who is lacks love could end up having a horrible life. Not having love in your life by giving it or receiving it can lead to a deeply unhappy person.
These people can end up feeling more lonely since falling in love isn’t really an option for them. Not only that, but they are more likely to experience depression and stress; and, in general, can be in worse health than those who live with love in their lives.
People who live without love in their lives end up with intimacy issues making for failed relationships. Most of the time they fear love because they have never known it.
Tariq Lamptey is set to make his senior international debut when Ghana play Brazil in an international friendly at Oceane Stadium in Le Havre, France.
Both nations will be using the game to shape up ahead of the 2022 World Cup to be played in Qatar from November 20 to December 18.
Ghana are among the five Africa nations in the prestigious competition alongside Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Cameroon.
Who is Tariq Lamptey?
The youngster was born in Hillington, England on September 30, 2000, to Ghanaian parents. His father Ahmed Lamptey named him Tariq meaning ‘Morning Star’ in Arabic. The skillful wing-back is second-born to a family of three, all brothers.
Ghana legend Michael Essien was Lamptey’s role model and at the age of eight, he joined the Chelsea Academy to make his dream of becoming a professional footballer a reality.
In the 2016/17 campaign, he helped the U18s win the Premier League and went on to win several individual awards as a teenager.
When did Lamptey make his Chelsea senior debut?
After his exploits in the youth team, the Ghanaian was promoted to the senior team by the then Blues coach Frank Lampard in 2019. His debut came on December 29 of the same year when he replaced Fikayo Tomori in the 2-1 Premier League win against Arsenal.
He made two more senior team appearances for the Londoners – against Nottingham Forest and Hull City – both in the FA Cup, before leaving the club for his current team Brighton & Hove Albion.
When did Lamptey join Ghana?
Despite his undoubted talent, the skillful defender could not break into the England national senior team despite being a regular for the U18s and later on the U21s.
The Ghanaian FA contacted the player in July 2020 urging him to consider representing the Black Stars in the senior team category. However, he was undecided on the move and was even part of the England U21 team that played in the 2023 European U21 Championship qualifiers.
Eventually, the defender was convinced to switch his allegiance to represent Ghana internationally in July 2022.
“I am happy that everything is completed with Fifa and I am able to play for Ghana. I thank God for giving me this opportunity, I would like to say a big thank you to everyone involved in making this happen,” Lamptey said via Twitter on September 7.
“I am really excited to start this journey and looking forward to representing Ghana. I can’t wait to play in front of you amazing fans. Thank you for the warm welcome let’s go!”
What is the immediate assignment for Lamptey?
After playing against the Samba Boys on Friday, September 23, Lamptey is expected to feature again for the Black Stars against Nicaragua four days later. There is another friendly scheduled for November 11 with Switzerland.
The biggest assignment for Lamptey will be to help Ghana perform well in the World Cup. The team has been placed in Group H alongside Portugal, Uruguay, and North Korea.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA), Dr. Michael Oquaye Jnr., has urged for research into the creation of coconut goods to add value and generate the most revenue for the nation.
He claimed that by conducting research on the use of coconuts as a food, fuel, and medicinal source, Ghana may improve its market share in the worldwide coconut sector.
“I will encourage all the organizations in the industry to perform more research and development that can be commercialized and used domestically as well as for export,” said Dr. Oquaye Jnr., the former high commissioner of Ghana to India.
Speaking at the second edition of the International Coconut Festival Ghana, which was organised by the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) and the African Coconut Group, he indicated that the GFZA was committed to the coconut sector.
“GFZA focuses on export-led industrialisation and we wish to assure all businesses willing to export more than 70 per cent of their products to come to Freezones for the monetary and non-monetary incentives,” he said.
Mr Sampson Abankwah, Head of the Greater Accra Regional Ministry Office for Trade and Industry, speaking on behalf of the sector Minister, Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, said the Ministry was committed to growing the sector through industrialisation.
An agenda of industrialisation within the sector, he said was geared towards reducing unemployment, improving balance of trade, and creating a self-reliant notion amid disruption of global supply chain due to COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.
“It is, therefore, the hope of the Ministry that we continue to strengthen existing institutional synergies and use every available opportunity to promote coconut production,” he said.
He also called for networking among players to create the needed exposure for SMEs in the industry to thrive.
Mr Samuel Dentu, Deputy Director in Charge of Operations and Finance at the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), said the Authority in 2017 launched the Coconut revitalisation programme to revamp the then ailing Coconut industry and to improve the supply capacity of the value chain.
The intervention, which he noted was in line with the mandate to develop, facilitate and promote Ghana’s export through product and market diversification, had yielded positive results as the 2021 Non-Traditional Export (NTE) performance showed that Coconut raked in $11.44 million with coconut oil generating $7 million in export revenue.
“These represented an increase of 132 per cent and 133 per cent respectively over the 2020 figures,” he said.
GEPA, he said was working in line with the National Export Development Strategy (NEDS) to ensure that the country could earn about $2.8 billion from semi-processed to processed coconut annually by 2030.
The festival seeks to facilitate market links within the coconut value chain, boost local trade among players in tourism, hospitality and art and creative industries and create direct and indirect jobs for economic empowerment.
Ten cooking oil products have been suspended by Kenya’s standards regulator over health and quality concerns.
In a letter to the retail shops and supermarkets, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) said the brands failed routine quality tests.
It ordered that the brands be withdrawn from shelves immediately.
The standards body however clarified that the directive was not a ban, but a temporary suspension until the manufacturers meet specified quality requirements.
In the letter to the Retail Traders Association of Kenya, a body comprising supermarkets and large-scale retailers, Kebs says the listed products should undergo fresh verification before they can be released back to the market.
The 10 brands listed are manufactured by Bidco Africa, Pwani Oil Products, Kapa Oil Refineries and Menengai Oil Refineries – the four largest edible oil companies in Kenya.
The BBC has reached out to two of the companies but they are yet to respond to the allegations.
Industry sources say Kebs and the oil manufacturers are meeting on Friday to iron out the issues.
Deputy Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture Mr. Mark Okraku-Mantey has encouraged more collaborations between Ghanaian and Nigerian musicians.
Speaking in an interview with Doreen Avio on Daybreak Hitz, Mr. Okraku-Mantey described the seeming competition between the two West African countries as “outmoded.”
According to Okraku-Mantey, the musical relationship between Ghana and Nigeria is one that has to be protected since it is an envious one amongst other African countries.
“I hear this conversation on Ghana and Nigeria. Are we not tired of asking the same question for far too long? The truth is that the thing between Ghana and Nigeriais outmoded.
“We are supposed to talk about how our collaborations can us forward and not the competition between Ghana and Nigeria.”
He went on to refer to the African Continental Free Trade Area signed in 2018.
“We have signed a treaty called the African continental free trade area which means that Africans are supposed to work together. Now we are even breaking the boundaries of the countries. 55 countries signed this treaty and Ghana signed first.”
Mr. Mark Okraku Manteybelieves the conversation about who is better between these two countries has to be put to rest.
He believes that all energies should be channeled toward pushing collaborations amongst other African countries.
“I think I am here to make that conversation rest. Let’s begin to think of how to do more things together to compete against other parts of the world.”
Communications Director of Hearts of Oak, Kwame Opare Addo says his side are ready to face Asante Kotoko in match week three of the Ghana Premier League.
The Phobians are yet to win a game this season after picking up only one point against Aduana Stars and Great Olympics in their first two matches.
Kotoko will open their 2022/23 Premier League campaign against the Phobians at the Baba Yara Stadium. The game is scheduled to kick off at 15:00 GMT.
“We (Hearts of Oak) are ready and the team is in good shape to face Kotoko on Sunday we will surely beat Kotoko on Sunday, Kwame Opare Addo told Original 91.9FM.
The Porcupine Warriors head into the Super clash on the back of a shock elimination from the CAF Champions League qualifiers.
Kotoko lost 3-1 on penalties to Burkinabe side RC Kadiogo at the Baba Yara stadium last Sunday.
“We are very disappointed in Kotoko for their exit in the CAF Champions League against Kadiogo,” Opare Addo added.
Zambia’s Football Association (Faz) has opened an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse in the women’s game following various claims on social media.
The news comes just two months after the highs of Zambia qualifying for the Women’s World Cup for the first time in the team’s history.
Faz says it has received no official complaint as yet but has launched an inquiry in a bid to address any possible issue.
“Although we have no record of official complaints from anyone on the allegations, we consider these allegations very serious and have opened an inquiry into the matter,” Faz General Secretary Adrian Kashala said in a statement.
“We shall collaborate with the Zambia Police Service and other relevant stakeholders in dealing with this matter.”
“We have since written to the Zambia Police to invite anyone with evidence to help with investigations. The nation shall be notified of the outcome of the inquiries once concluded.”
“Until then, we shall provide no further comment on this matter.”
Kashala added that preparations for the 2023 Women’s World Cup ‘remain on course’, with a friendly on 6 October against the Netherlands in Breda unaffected.
Women’s football in Zambia has been on the rise in recent years, with the women’s team playing at the Olympics for the first time last year before reaching their first Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals in July.
This achievement came with automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Earlier this month, the team won the Cosafa Women’s Championship for the first time in its history, with recently-recalled Barbra Banda scoring 10 goals in just five games.
Local football authorities has requested that anyone with any information that can help with the inquiry should ‘come forward and report either to Faz or law enforcement agencies.‘
Zambia is the third African country to probe sexual allegation claims in the last 12 months.
Earlier this year, five individuals were arrested, with some later released, over allegations of paedophilia in Gabon while Sierra Leone suspended its women’s football coach last year as it investigated abuse claims.
This month, a former Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) official was banned from football for five years for sexually harassing three female referees.
To “enable the decision on the policy rate to benefit from the broader talks to be held over the period,” it has been decided to reschedule the meeting to fall on the same day as the IMF mission’s conclusion.
The Bank of Ghana provided this information in a press release on September 22, 2022.
The Bank of Ghana’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) was scheduled to hold its 108th regular meeting from Monday, September 20, 2022, to Friday, September 23, 2022, to discuss economic developments.
The meeting was expected to conclude with a press conference on Monday, September 26, 2022, to announce the committee’s decision.
But the BoG has said, “a decision on the stance of monetary policy will be announced on October 7, 2022.”
Meanwhile, inflation for the month of August hit 33.9% with food and transportation being the major contributors.
With the rise in inflation, it is expected that the committee will further hike the policy rate.
Gabby Otchere-Darko, the founder of the Danquah Institute (DI) and a prominent figure in the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has stated that the administration and the Ministry of Finance (MoF) deserve praise for the way they have managed the nation’s economy despite the ongoing difficulties.
Following the government’s signature of an agreement with 13 Participating Financial Institutions, Mr. Otchere-Darko made this statement (PFIs).
The GH10 billion YouStart entrepreneurship program’s commercial component will be implemented with the help of the deal.
According to the DI founder, government deserves commendation because in spite of the challenges, salaries are still being paid and the various interventions by government have not been altered.
In a tweet on Thursday, 22 September 2022, Mr Otchere-Darko said: “The Akufo-Addo government and in particular, MoF, deserve the nation’s commendation for their handling of the economy in these most challenging times.
“Despite slump in revenues, bills are being paid, including salaries, roads being fixed, & money found for programmes like YouStart.”
Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association [GFA], Henry Asante Twum says Otto Addo is building a team that will be difficult for opponents to crack down on.
Otto Addo’s side will be tested when they come up against Brazil in an international friendly at the Le Harve in France.
New players who switched nationality, Inaki Williams, Tariq Lamptey, Mohammed, and other players are expected to make their debut for the team.
“I think we have a good team. I think we are building a very strong team. A team with Joseph Wollacot, Tariq Lamptey, Alidu Seidu, Baba Rahman, Gideon Mensah, Ambrosius, Salisu, Dziku, Inaki Williams, Issahaku, etc,” the Communications Director told SVTV Africa.
“These are top professionals, and if you can build a team out of these names, you will be unbeatable. We have quality in the team. Age is on our side. On average, we have a team that has 22-year-olds. It indicates that the future is bright and the future stars tomorrow.”
He added that he doesn’t expect any new additions to the team ahead of the World Cup.
“As things stand, I can confidently say no. We’ve gone through a long journey with the qualifications and have tested the players. I’m sure your question has to do with bringing in some of the players whose names have popped up, but as things stand, I don’t think that is likely to happen.
“I wouldn’t say when a player is doing well in Europe or the domestic front, he wouldn’t be given the chance. I’m not in a position to say that. Anything is possible,” Henry added.
The game has been scheduled to kick off at 18:30GMT. The Black Stars will take on Nicaragua on Tuesday in another friendly game.
The games form part of Ghana’s preparations for the 2022 World Cup which kick off from November 200 to December 18.
Childhood diseases such as measles, tetanus and polio are on the rise in Ethiopia‘s Tigray region after vaccination rates declined amid the ongoing war in the region, according to regional health officials.
Data from the Tigray Health Bureau shows that the percentage of children in the region receiving routine vaccines has fallen below 10% this year.
“Infants and children are denied access to life saving medicines and supplies including access to vaccination leading to witnessed major outbreak of measles, pertussis and diarrheal disease, meningitis, neonatal tetanus and polio,” the bureau said in a letter this month to the global vaccine alliance Gavi.
The regional health bureau is blaming the decline in vaccination supply on the ongoing conflict in the region, power outages that have disrupted vaccine cold chains, and the inability of people in rural areas to reach health facilities.
Measles outbreaks have been reported in 10 out of 35 districts in the region. There have been 25 neonatal tetanus cases reported in 2022 from zero in 2018.
President Akufo- Addo‘s at the UN about a lopsided international financial framework that disadvantages developing and rising economies are not convincing, according to Prof. John Gatsi, dean of the University of Cape Coast Business School (UCCBS).
His remarks follow President Akufo- Addo’s speech at the 77th UN General Assembly, in which he accused foreign financial market participants and framers of prejudice towards African nations.
The President said that obstacles are purposefully put up to deny Africa the assistance given to other emerging nations during times of crises.
But speaking on the Morning Starr with Francis Abban Thursday, the UCCBS Dean stated that the International Community is aware of the modus operandi of African leaders and how they do not take governance seriously on the continent.
“In 2000 and 2001 the International market led by the IMF and World Bank granted debt forgiveness and many other packages in terms of managing their debt. As soon as African countries got out of the HIPC initiative they were doing worse than what led them to apply for the HIPC initiative.
“The market is aware of the corruption and the power-drunk nature of most African countries and their leaders. The market is aware of how they don’t take any instruction even from the World Bank in their fiscal management. They (International market) know how they (Africa) conduct their elections.
“They know how they spend State money to win elections and after that they go back to difficulties. The market is aware that when we borrow we do not show value for the borrowing. We borrow for things that are not necessary,” Prof John Gatsi argued.
The UCCBS Dean also mentioned how most African countries mismanaged COVID-19 funds that were disbursed by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund including the West African nation.
“The IMF is not satisfied with the way African countries including Ghana spend that money. So to the extent that in the Article 4 Registration report in 2021 they demanded Ghana to do COVID-19 expenditure audit,” Prof. Gatsi added.
Relatives and friends are grieving over the death of a 30-year-old man who was allegedly shot and killed in a suspected robbery at Ohwim in the Ashanti Region.
The deceased, Ibrahim Abdul-Wahab, a mobile phone dealer, died at the hospital after some unknown armed men attacked him at his residence.
The incident according to the family of the deceased happened at about 1:30 am on Thursday.
The deceased according to reports was rushed to a private facility and was later referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital where he died.
A spokesperson of the family, Ali Musah appealed to the police to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure the perpetrators are arrested.
He also appealed to the police to expedite processes to release the body for burial.
Friends who are trooping to the family house of the deceased described him as humble and calm.
Police at Suame have begun investigations into the incident, while the bereaved family is waiting for the body to be released for burial according to Islamic rites.
Nigerian disc jockey Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola, professionally known as DJ Cuppy, has opened up about the struggles of dating being the daughter of a billionaire.
In an interview, DJ Cuppy said that many of the guys she has found herself dating are more interested in her father, billionaire Femi Otedola, than in her.
She explained that she does not want to be in a relationship where people are fixated on her father instead of the relationship they are building.
“Back home, I feel like so many guys don’t want me, they want my dad. They just love my dad. I met a guy recently and the next thing he asked me was, ‘so when am I going to meet your dad.’ I was shocked,” DJ Cuppy said.
She added that “I have met guys in the UK; when I tell them that I am from Nigeria, they ask me what village, I know the person is not really Nigerian…I want someone to love me a lot and be happy and my dad would be like a by-product.”
This is not DJ Cuppy’s first time talking about relationships, her struggles and what she looks for in a partner.
Earlier in August 2022, she noted that she needed a partner that compliments her.
“I really think I have to find a partner that compliments me but still pushes me and is better at some things than I am, so they can inspire me to improve myself as a person,” DJ Cuppy wrote in a post on Instagram.
UK rapper of Ghanaian descent, Stormzy featured celebrated football coach Jose Mourinho in his latest music video.
The ‘Special One’ was part of a host of superstars’ who featured in the video for the song ’Mel Made Me Do It.’
Fans were shocked to see the former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss in the ten-minutes video released on Thursday evening.
Stormzy in his song captured Mourinho’s popular phrase “I prefer really not to speak. If I speak, I’m in big trouble” in his masterpiece.
Mourinho made the iconic quote after a defeat during his time at Chelsea in 2014.
In a post on social media, the coach posted a picture of himself and Stormzy with the caption, “Was great fun doing this cameo for Stormzy’s new music video out today. I had a great time.”
Stormzy is known to be a huge fan on Premier League side, Manchester United.
Originally named Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr. the British musician was born to Ghanaian parents in London.
It claimed in a statement that the accusation is false.
On September 19, 2022, the Managing Director appeared on Kokrokoo on Peace FM.
He made the following comment regarding the nation’s strategic reserves.
As we speak there are no strategic stocks in storage. The strategic stocks levy was zeroed out in the year 2006. The fuel stocks in our tanks are financed through arrangements with financial institutions which require we sell within a reasonable time to avoid refinancing. Instead of the expected minimum of six weeks of national demand in storage as per the second mandate, BOST currently has stocks which can only last 13 days in the event no further imports of products are carried”.
“The reference to stocks was about BOST-owned products in our tanks. At any material moment, the total quantities of product available in the country, thus across all tank farms as tracked by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) includes BOST stocks and stocks of private Bulk Distribution Companies (BDCs). The NPA estimates that the total volumes available in the country as of today September 20th, 2022 is equivalent to 43 days of national demand”.
Of the quantity, BOST said it holds what can last 13 days, whilst the BDCs together are holding close to 30 days of national demand.
It pointed out that the publication is therefore misleading, adding, “It equates BOST stocks to total product stocks available in-country and concludes that there is imminent danger of product shortage.
“We wish to assure the general public that there is no such thing as an eminent shortage of petroleum products in the country in the days ahead”, it concluded.
Government has released just one out of the ten months’ arrears to be paid to trainees of the just-ended Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) programme.
NABCO beneficiaries had not received their allowances since November 2021.
In a statement, the NABCO trainees Association of Ghana (NABTAG), revealed that “one month’s payment is only a speck of the total amount owed them,” however, are grateful to the government for taking a step “in ameliorating the unfortunate situation in which we find ourselves.”
The recent payment implies that nine months, counting from December 2021, are still outstanding.
In view of this, President of the Association, Dennis Opoku Katakyie, has implored government, particularly the Ministry of Finance, to “affix trainees’ outstanding arrears into its subsequent allocations to enable the Secretariat to effect payment for the remaining months.”
Failure to do so, the leadership has threatened to “recruit another draconian measure to forcibly ensure that we are paid.”
“We have done it before, so we can do it again,” the Association stressed.
Before the end of the NABCO programmeon September 1, 2022, several protests were embarked by the aggrieved trainees to demand payment of their allowance.
Meanwhile, another faction, the Coalition of NABCO trainees, has decided to petition Parliament over the matter when the House reconvenes in October this year.
Should they be unable to receive their arrears, the Coalition has threatened to drag the government to court.
Meanwhile, the government has entreated beneficiaries of the just-ended programme (about 57,000) to take advantage of the YouStart programme it has put in place to address unemployment.
The programme seeks to encourage entrepreneurship in the country.
The arrest of more than 76 accused illicit forex operators (black market), according to Joseph Ade Coker, the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), is not a remedy to the depreciation of the cedi.
This assertion is consistent with the Accra-area arrests of over 76 accused “black market” currency operators who were operating illegally.
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) conducted the activity, called “Special Operation on Foreign Exchange Parallel (Black Market Operators),” in coordination with the police.
The exercise in Accra took place around Rawlings Park, Tudu, Cowlane, Circle, Kimbu Market and Lava.
According to a statement issued by the BoG, the purpose of the operation was to clamp down on individuals and entities engaging in the business of buying and selling foreign exchange without a license from Bank of Ghana in violation of Ghana’s foreign exchange laws and regulations.
The Head of the Foreign Exchange Bureau Examinations Office, at the Bank of Ghana, Adjoa Konadu Torto, indicated that the exercise would continue in other parts of the country in the coming days.
In an interview on Atinka TV’s Morning Show “Ghana Nie” with host Ekourba Gyasi, Ade Coker noted that just like corruption, the operations of the ‘black market’ has been a part of the forex business from time immemorial.
Ade Coker hinted that if the foreign currencies are available at the forex bureaus, the black market will become “useless”.
“When the fundamentals are wrong, your foreign exchange will expose you. That is the truth of the matter. The forex business is run on a supply and demand basis, and these black market men give good rates. That is why people patronize them.
“It is a matter of making the currency available. If foreign currencies are always available at good rates, no one will patronize the services of these black marketers. “Some bank officials even direct clients to the black market,” Ade Coker added.
In a new piece he penned for The Players’ Tribune, Los Angeles Clippers point guard John Wall revealed he almost had to have his foot amputated.
Breaking down some of the struggles he’s been through during his time in the NBA, he said that he found himself in a place “that was so dark that suicide felt like the only option.” As for what led to him feeling such a way, he said it all came to a head when he suffered various injuries that required surgery.
“In the span of three years, I went from being on top of the world to losing damn near everything I ever cared about,” he wrote. “In 2017, I’m jumping up on the announcer’s table in D.C. after forcing Game 7 against Boston, and I’m the king of the city. I’m getting a max extension, thinking I’m a Wizard for life. A year later, I tore my Achilles and lost the only sanctuary I’ve ever known—the game of basketball. I ended up with such a bad infection from the surgeries that I nearly had to have my foot amputated. A year later, I lost my best friend in the whole world, my mom, to breast cancer.”
Wall was forced to go through with a season-ending surgery on his left heel in January 2019, which later developed into an infection. He then suffered a ruptured left Achilles tendon after falling in his home, and the whole situation left him unable to play for 12 months. His mother, Frances Pulley, died after a short battle with breast cancer in December, 2019. Wall did not return to playing until after the conclusion of the 2019-20 NBA season.
Elsewhere in the feature, Wall spoke about his experiences with therapy following his mother’s death. “I still talk to my therapist to this day, and I’m still unpacking a lot of the crazy shit that I’ve been through. I’m never going to stop doing it, because I really don’t know when the darkness could come back,” he added. “Right now, though? I’m feeling better than I’ve felt in years.”
At an oil and gas roadshow in Houston, Texas in the United States, Ghana’s Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, underlined the nation’s readiness for investors in the oil and gas sector.
The Minister reiterated Ghana‘s stable political and business climate, highly prospective sedimentary basin with correspondingly high exploration success rate, guaranteed and attractive fiscal terms, and in fact, the well-defined legal and regulatory framework at a strategic roadshow event held on Wednesday, September 21, 2022.
According to him, the country possesses the infrastructure needed to facilitate exploration driven by infrastructure, which reduces the period between exploration and production.
The Ghanaian delegation attending the event will be highlighting the prospects of the Deep-Water Cape Three Points Block, Offshore Cape Three Points South Block and Shallow Water Cape Three Points Block.
It also includes the Southwest Saltpond Block as well as the Expanded Shallow Water Tano (ESWT) Block.
While in the United States of America, the Minister will attend the maiden Africa-Houston Summit involving colleague sector ministers from across the world where he deepen these investment-driven engagements.
Read Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh’s statement below:
I am currently leading a Ghanaian delegation on an oil and gas roadshow in Houston, Texas in the United States. Supported by the Petroleum Commission, the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, GOIL and Base Energy, the Ministry of Energy is seeking to promote offshore oil blocks and farm-in opportunities for investment. The visit to Houston coincides with the maiden Africa-Houston Summit involving colleague sector Ministers from across the world.
The Ghanaian delegation is highlighting the prospects of the Deep-Water Cape Three Points Block, Offshore Cape Three Points South Block and Shallow Water Cape Three Points Block. It also includes the Southwest Saltpond Block as well as the Expanded Shallow Water Tano (ESWT) Block.
In my remarks at a strategic roadshow event on Wednesday 21st September, 2022, I re-emphasised Ghana’s stable political and business climate, our highly prospective sedimentary basin with its commensurate high exploration success rate, our guaranteed and attractive fiscal terms and indeed, our well defined legal and regulatory framework. I also highlighted the availability of an existing architecture to support infrastructure-led exploration, which shortens the time between exploration and production.
I am encouraged by the interest shown in Ghana’s upstream petroleum space, evident in the probing questions on Ghana’s petroleum systems by the investors at the event. I will continue to deepen these investment-driven engagements at the Africa-Houston Energy Summit, especially as I will join colleague Ministers at a round-table discussion.
I am hopeful that the Ghanaian delegation which includes two Members of Parliament from both sides of the House, through these engagements will clinch the necessary deals to drive the needed economic growth, for the progress and prosperity of Ghanaians.
A reverend minister and another person have been brought before an Accra High Court for their alleged involvement in the recent galamsey activities involving the Chinese illegal miners in the country.
The 59-year-old minister, Rev. Wallace Dela-Brown, and Wilberforce Essien have been arraigned on two counts of conspiracy to mine without a licence and contracting non-Ghanaians to undertake mining operations and services without a licence granted by the minister.
They have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The two were subsequently admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢2 million each with two sureties by the court, presided over by Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh.
Per the bail conditions, the sureties should be justified with landed properties and must be residents of Accra.
The accused are also to deposit their passport, and passport pictures with the registrar of the court.
They are also to report to the police once every week.
Per the brief facts of the case presented to the court by an Assistant State Attorney (ASA), Derick Ackah were that on September 8, 2022, police had information about illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, at Teleku-Bokazo near Nkroful in the Western Region involving some Chinese who were residing at Esiama.
He said that based on the information gathered, the police mounted an operation at Esiama where suspects, Huang Qian Xi, LiJian Wen, Huang Qian Sheng, Shi Zhong Qi and Wei LinXi, who are all Chinese, were arrested.
He told the court that an excavator and other mining equipment were also seized.
Ghanaians are feeling confident about the Black Stars beating Brazil in an international friendly on Friday, September 23, 2022.
Ghana kick off their preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup with a big test against the five-time world champions, whom they have not beaten in four meetings.
Ghanaians on social media are in an optimistic mood as many believe the Black Stars are capable of recording their first victory over Brazil today at the Stade Oceane.
Meanwhile, there is a who opined that the World’s number one ranked team will take Ghana for a ride and trash the four times African Champions.
The match is set at 18:30 kickoff time at the Stade Océane in France.
Check out some reactions below:
The way Ghanaians get vim give the Brazil game dey bee me waa . The love is truly back
Queen Mothers in the Savannah Region have been asked to provide reports on how the government has handled petroleum funds since 2011 by the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC), the statutory body with oversight authority over the wise administration and use of petroleum resources.
The purpose of the forum—the first for the group in the Savannah Region and the second of its sort with the Queen Mothers Association of Ghana—was to inform the queen mothers about the work of PIAC.
It brought together Queen Mothers from the many traditional councils in the Region and was planned in accordance with PIAC’s second mandate, which is to provide a venue and a platform for public discussion on the administration and use of petroleum earnings.
A video documentary on the ten (10) years of petroleum production and revenue management in Ghana was shown, and a presentation on highlights of petroleum revenue management since 2011 which extensively focused on oil production, the revenues accrued, and its utilization, issues arising out of PIAC’s project inspections, public engagements, key findings and recommendations in the 2021 PIAC Annual Report was presented by Mr. Eric Defor, a member of the committee.
He also provided a background to PIAC’s mandate and membership composition.
Chairman of the forum, Sawlawura Abdulai Idrissu Nugbaso expressed gratitude to the Committee for coming to educate the Queen Mothers on the use of petroleum revenues. He said the session had been an eye-opener and there was therefore the need to demand accountability from government and its agencies.
The Chairman also advised the Queen Mothers to be involved in PIAC’s activities and follow discussions on the management and use of petroleum revenues, which should benefit all Ghanaians.
Honouring a Representative
At the forum, the representative of the Queen Mothers Association of Ghana on PIAC, Hajia Dr. Kansawurche Azara Bukari whose tenure ends this month, was honoured for her diligent service to Ghana.
Recounting her journey with PIAC, the Vice Chairman of PIAC, Mr Nasir Alfa Mohammed indicated that Hajia Dr Kansawurche Azara Bukari was sworn in on 14th December 2018, to serve a 2-year term. After her tenure ended in September 2020, she was re-nominated to serve for another two (2) year term, which ends in September 2022.
Mr Alfa Mohammed added that during Kansawurche’s tenure with PIAC, she served on the Public Affairs and Communications Sub-Committee, and the Finance, Administration and Procurement Sub-Committee where she contributed immensely to the work of these sub-committees leading to the introduction of various interventions to boost the Committee’s work.
She has been active in almost every aspect of the committee’s work, from District Engagements, Project Inspections, and various meetings of the Committee. The Committee is grateful for Kansawurche’s contribution to its work and will forever cherish the time she shared with us.
In response, Hajia Dr. Kansawurche Azara Bukari expressed gratitude to her mother association for nominating her to serve on PIAC. She said her experience with PIAC was different from what she was accustomed to as a health worker.
She, therefore, took the challenge on and gave off her best during her tenure. She also expressed gratitude to her fellow Queen Mothers for their support.
After successfully planning and executing four previous awards, amidst pomp and pageantry, Globe Productions Limited, organisers of the Ghana Business Awards have opened nominations for the fifth anniversary of the awards.
The event which would be preceded by a business summit and exhibition will be climaxed with the awards night and dinner at the Gold Coast Kempinski Hotel on Friday, October 27, 2022.
Considered a benchmark of excellence, the event has been arguably the biggest and most prestigious gathering of businesses and business owners in Ghana.
Categories
Some of the award categories that promise to be the toast of the night are the awards Company of the Year, Personality of the Year, CEO of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year.
Themed “Promoting Investment in Ghana and Africa,” and supervised by a team of technical experts (Awarding Board) and independent consultants, the award categories are modelled to recognise industry players and businesses that have stood out and made significant contributions to the business sector and the economy at large.
Criteria
The criteria for shortlisting successful nominees’ would be based on some selected key performance indicators (KPIs) in the standards of excellence, including information technology, innovation, competitive pricing and healthy practices.
The awards which is being organised in partnership with the World Leader Summit, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre and the Institute of Directors (IoD), with support from the Graphic Communications Group Limited and Media General seeks to promote business excellence nationally and internationally, and as well as provide an unparalleled opportunity for networking among industry players.
It would recognise and reward excellence across all sectors of industry in Ghana and provide the platform for individuals and companies that played significant roles in the growth and development of the business sector.
Summit and Exhibition
Explaining the summit and exhibition part of the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Globe Productions, Mr Latif Abubakar said the awards would be preceded by a business summit that would bring together selected industry experts and players to deliberate on issues affecting the business sector and recommend workable solutions to deal with them.
He said the summit would also promote open dialogue between relevant stakeholders in the public and private sectors on adopting the right strategies to promote investment in Ghana, stimulate economic recovery, and ensure a future of hope and shared prosperity for all Ghanaians.
On exhibition, the Globe Productions CEO explained that there would be stands available at the event centre for businesses to exhibit their product and services to guests at the summit and awards.
This he said was aimed at bringing goods and services offered by the exhibitors closer to their clients and customers.
“We are not just rewarding excellence but bringing products and services close to you,” he said.
In attendance will be the Ministers of Trade and Industry, and Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyeremateng and Dr Awal Mohammed with support from the Spanish Ambassadors to Ghana, Javier Gutiérrez.
This information was provided by BOST in a disclaimer that was published in response to media reports that claimed the gasoline supply would last only 13 days.
The corporation claims that the actual amount of fuel on hand exceeds what is reported in the media and dispels any concerns about a fuel shortage.
In its press statement, the company drew the figure from the National Petroleum Authority’s (NPA) estimates on the volume of fuel available in the country as of September 20, 2022.
It thus urged the public to disregard the publications attributed to its managing director that there was an imminent fuel shortage in the country.
“We have taken notice of a publication attributing a prediction of imminent fuel shortage in the country to our Managing Director, Edwin Alfred Provencal.
“The allegation is unfounded, and we wish to dispel it,” the release said.
According to the release, the publication misinterpreted the managing director’s comments.
The managing director said “as we speak, there are no strategic stocks in storage. The strategic stocks levy was zeroed out in the year 2006.
“The fuel stocks in our tanks are financed through arrangements with financial institutions which require we sell within a reasonable time to avoid refinancing.
“Instead of the expected minimum of six weeks of national demand in storage as per the second mandate, BOST currently has stocks which can only last 13 days in the event no further imports of products are carried.”
However, in their explanation to the statement of the managing director, BOST said the comment was in regards to the company’s products currently in stock and not total stocks available in the country.
“At any material moment, the total quantities of product available in the country, thus across all tank farms as tracked by the National Petroleum Authority, includes BOST stocks and stocks of private BDCs.”
Brazilheld their final training session on Thursday ahead of the friendly game against Ghana on Friday, September 23 in Le Havre.
The five-time world champions will lock horns with the Black Stars as part of their preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup to be staged in Qatar.
According to Brazil’s biggest newspaper Globo, Tite is set to approach the game with a 3-2-4-1 position against the four-time African champions.
Liverpool shot-stopper, Alisson, is expected to start in goal for the Samba boys while Marquinhos, Thiago Silva and Eder Militao will be the three centre-backs.
The head coach is also reported to have settled on a midfield two with Alex Telles partnering Casemiro.
Raphinha, Lucas Paqueta, Neymar and Vinicius Jr are expected to play behind Richarlison, who will be the head of the attack.
Here is Brazil’s possible starting line-up for the game: Alisson, Militão, Marquinhos, Silva; Telles; Casemiro; Raphinha, Paqueta, Neymar, Vinicius; Richarlison.
Usher, an American artist, has arrived in Ghana in advance of his performance on September 24, 2022.
With a visit to the Chorkor village in Accra, it appears that the R&B artist is enjoying his time in the West African nation.
Usher and artist SZA, who will both perform at the Global Citizen Festival, were seen touring a basic school in the nation’s capital in pictures released by the Ghana Tourism Authority.
The pupils that met Usher couldn’t contain their enthusiasm as they talked to the celebrity and alternated snapping pictures with the “U Remind Me” singer.
“Today, the Global Citizen Festival Artiste Usher and Sza visited BASICS International and toured the Chorkor community. BASICS International is an education-focused NGO in Chokor, Accra, engaged in making education and childcare accessible in vulnerable communities. The organisation is also one of Global Citizen’s regional response partners for the End Extreme Poverty NOW campaign for Global Citizen Festival: Accra,” the Tourism Authority wrote.
Artistes including Sarkodie, TEMS, Neil Young with Crazy Horse, Foo Fighters, The Black Keys, Band of Horses, K’Naan will perform at the Global Citizen Festival.
On the Interbank forex rates from the Bank of Ghana today, September 23, 2022, the Ghana Cedi is trading against the dollar at a buying price of 9.2367 and a selling price of 9.2459.
As compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 9.0355 and a selling price of 9.0445. At a forex bureau in Accra, the dollar is being bought at a rate of 10.15 and sold at a rate of 10.45.
Against the Pound Sterling, the Cedi is trading at a buying price of 10.3931 and a selling price of 10.4054 as compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 10.3086 and a selling price of 10.3198.
At a forex bureau in Accra, the pound sterling is being bought at a rate of 11.20 and sold at a rate of 11.90.
The Euro is trading at a buying price of 9.0675 and a selling price of 9.0766 as compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 9.0268 and a selling price of 9.0366.
At a forex bureau in Accra, Euro is being bought at a rate of 10.05 and sold at a rate of 10.42.
The South African Rand is trading at a buying price of 0.5236 and a selling price of 0.5242 compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 0.5098 and a selling price of 0.5103.
At a forex bureau in Accra, South African Rand is being bought at a rate of 0.45 and sold at a rate of 0.80.
The Nigerian Naira is trading at a buying price of 47.1211 and a selling price of 47.2044 as compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 48.0951 and a selling price of 48.2279.
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.
Former Black Stars player, Anthony Baffoe believes playing against Brazil’s world-class players alone is a big motivation for the Black Stars.
He noted that players like Manchester United’s Casimero and Paris Saint Germain’s Neymar are enough to psyche the Black Stars up for their big game against the Brazilians.
“I think in a game like that you don’t need a lot of motivation, you are playing the Casimeros, the Neymars who are great players who have world-class representation, this is a very big motivation,” he said.
According to him, coach Otto Addo’s tactics would be put to a test in this game. He also noted that he is eager to see how the blend of new players plus experienced ones would fare in the game.
“Come back to our squad, I have a lot of confidence in our squad, we have speed in our squad, experience mixed with youngsters and we have a fantastic coaching team.
“It’s an important game, how we get our tactics right against a world-class team so I’m very eager to see how we will operate. We have a lot of newcomers in the team…
“I’m very happy with the current form of Kudus, Kamaldeen, Denis Odoi…,” Tony Baffoe said.
The Black Stars will take on the five-time world champions, Brazil on Friday, September 23 in Le Harve at 18:30 GMT [6:30 pm].
According to Associate Professor of Finance at the University of Ghana Professor Elikplimi Agbloyor, the likelihood of the world’s largest economy, the United States of America (USA), going into recession could have a severe impact on Ghana’s attempt to navigate its current economic downturn.
Due to strong social, political, and economic linkages, Prof. Agbloyor fears that the local economy could suffer and that there could be a dramatic rise in portfolio reversals as higher rates make US bonds more alluring.
Furthermore, a pronounced economic slump would lead to a reduction in the level of foreign direct investments (FDIs), imports and remittances from the US.
Hitherto, analysts had offered divergent views on if the American economy – which had a value of US$23trillion at the end of 2021 – was heading toward a recession after it recorded two consecutive quarters of economic contraction.
The US Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contracted by 1.6 percent on a year-on-year basis in the first quarter of the year and 0.9 percent in the second; a development some market watchers have described as a qualification for the traditional definition of a recession.
Others, however, have described the economy as “strong”, arguing that other primary indicators of a recession, such as the unemployment rate, are not high enough to warrant an official declaration.
But America’s inflation rate for August was higher than expected – rising by 0.1 percent to 8.3 percent over the past year and leading the Fed to, this week, raise its benchmark rate for the fifth time in 2022 to a range of 3 percent to 3.25 percent.
Commenting on the development, Prof. Agbloyor maintained that all indications are pointing to a certain recession in the U.S.
“I think it is likely that the US will experience a recession; it has already experienced a decline in GDP for two consecutive quarters, although it has not technically been classified as a recession,” he noted.
“The Fed is also on record to have stated that it does not mind if the economy goes into a recession to fight the record high inflation,” he added.
American dream fizzling?
According to data available from the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), FDI from the US for 2021 stood at US$35.26million across 13 projects; a figure likely to dip if the American economy contracts.
Also, official data from the US Census Bureau suggests that as of end-July more than US$2billion worth of trade had already occurred between Ghana and the United States of America (up from US$1.8billion in 2019) with Ghanaian exports at US$1.56billion and imports at US$661million.
Top export categories from Ghana include minerals, fuels, cocoa and cocoa products, rubber and allied products, knit apparel, and vegetables.
Already, the cost of American goods into Ghana has risen sharply on account of the cedi’s rapid depreciation against the US currency, with the former dropping by more than 35 percent from beginning of the year.
Furthermore, there are heightened concerns about a fall in the value of inward remittances into the country. In 2021, remittances into Ghana stood at US$4.6billion, just under 7 percent of the annual GDP – with a study from digital cross-border remittance – WorldRemit – showing Ghana was the third-highest destination for remittances originating in the US during the period.
Global ‘warming’
There is now growing concern that the recession will not be regional but global, as central banks the world over continue to raise rates in sync with the World Bank now warning of a possible global slump in 2023.
“As central banks across the world simultaneously hike interest rates in response to inflation, the world may be edging toward a global recession in 2023 and a string of financial crises in emerging market and developing economies that will do them lasting harm,” the Bank said, following the conclusion of a new, comprehensive study on the subject.
The World Bank warned that unless supply disruptions and labour-market pressures subside, the interest-rate increases could leave the global core inflation rate (excluding energy) at about five percent in 2023 – nearly double the five-year average before the pandemic.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has stated that Ghana will not recognize any annexed territory of a sovereign state.
Her comment comes on the back of plans by Russia to hold a controversial referendum to annex four Ukrainian regions – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
Speaking at the United Nations (UN) Security Council meeting held on September 22, the minister reiterated Ghana’s strong position against the invasion of Ukraine.
She bemoaned the various atrocities which has occasioned the war. Ayorkor Botchwey said for instance that some 14 million people have been displaced from their homes as well as women and children subjected to sexual and gender-based violence.
She described the effects the war as ‘intolerable’ and called for urgent steps to be taken to halt the war.
“Some 14 million people, mostly women and children, have been displaced from their homes and face heightened risk of conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence. Human trafficking, filtration processes and forced disappearances, torture and other violations of the right and freedom of the people are widespread,” Ayorkor Botchwey said.
“The suffering in Ukraine is abhorrent and should not be dismissed as the mere consequence of war. To do so, we will be endorsing the atrocities and sanctioning impunity. In this regard, we underscore the importance of ensuring accountability for all war crimes committed in Ukraine. Accountability is fundamental to preventing impunity,” she further added.
The Minister urged the Russian Federation to withdraw it troops from Ukraine in mutual respect for the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, which was once a member of the Soviet Union.
She stated that Ghana will not recognize territories which are forcefully acquired from countries which are sovereign.
“We have expressed several times our principled position against the aggression on Ukraine which we consider to be a disregard for rules of international law and the principles of the charter.
“Ukraine as a sovereign state and a member of this organization has every right, we believe, and indeed a responsibility to defend its territorial integrity and political independence. We recognize the tremendous courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people.
“Ghana does not and will not recognize any territory that is unilaterally and forcefully acquired as dismembered from a sovereign entity.
“We reiterate the call on the Russian Federation to immediately and unconditionally cease its operations, withdraw it troops, from the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine and respect it neighbours sovereignty and political independence,” Ayorkor Botchwey remarked.
Background
Russia invaded Ukraine in February this year after the latter had shown signs of joining the European security bloc, Nato. The war has been condemned by a majority of world leaders.
The government of Ghana has also been partly blaming the ongoing war for it economic challenges.
Speaking on Wednesday, September 21, 2022; at the UN General Assembly Meeting, President Akufo-Addo indicated that the ‘bombs and bullets’ being launched at Ukraine was hitting the pocket of African countries.
“As we grappled with these economic challenges, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine burst upon us, aggravating an already difficult situation.
“It is not just the dismay that we feel at seeing such deliberate devastation of cities and towns in Europe in the year 2022, we are feeling this war directly in our lives in Africa.
“Every bullet, every bomb, every shell that hits a target in Ukraine, hits our pockets and our economies in Africa. The economic turmoil is global with inflation as the number one enemy this year,” he added.
As there is a rising global market for fruit, the Ghana Sale Promotion Authority (GEPA) has stated that it is targeting an annual revenue of US$2.8 billion from the export of semi-processed and processed coconut.
At the second International Coconut Festival in Accra, Deputy CEO of GEPA Samuel Dentu said the Authority has prioritized the coconut business for the past five years while speaking to dignitaries on behalf of GEPA CEO Dr. Afua Asabea Asare.
“In 2017, GEPA started the coconut revitalization intervention with the obvious goal of reviving the at-the-time-ailing coconut business to increase the value chain’s supply capacity.
Since then, the crop’s potential for profit has increased,” he stated.
According to GEPA’s 2021 non-traditional export statistics, coconut raked in US$11.44million while coconut-oil earned Ghana some US$6.99million. These figures represent an increase of 132 percent and 33 percent respectively over the 2020 figures.
“With these potentials, our goal is to work toward achieving an annual revenue of US$2.8billion in the very near future,” Mr. Dentu indicated.
Indeed, Indonesia and other countries in South-East Asia make revenues of more than US$3billion in coconut export yearly. Indonesia alone has almost 17 varieties of coconut for export.
“This tells us that with more strategic aggression in promoting more derivatives of coconut, we can gain a lot more ground”, he said, adding, “GEPA’s collaborative effort with the African Coconut Group, the Trade Ministry, MoFA, Ghana EXIM Bank and the Tree Crops Development Authority has contributed to the growing gains of the sector.”
The Minister of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, said coconut is one of the tree crops that the ministry is promoting under its Food and Agriculture Development Policy.
He said the sector had been identified by government as a major driver of the economy into the next decades based on the economic potential of the crop – including food security, environmental protection and poverty alleviation.
He indicated that growing interest in the health benefits of coconut and its value-added products has resulted in a growing demand for its consumption, alongside its various industrial uses.
“Global emerging trends in the coconut industry point toward value addition, and taking advantage of this countries such as Indonesia, Philippines, India and others have either transformed or are transforming their economies through value addition to coconut,” he added.
The Chairman of African Coconut Group, Davies Narh Korboe, expressed the Group’s continuous collaboration to stimulate trade and investment in the agri-food sector of Ghana in order to improve productivity and value as well as job creation.
It is estimated that about 500,000 people are currently employed in the coconut value chain across the country.
About the International Coconut Festival
Organised by Africa Coconut Group in collaboration with GEPA, the event’s second edition was on the theme ‘Repositioning Ghana’s Coconut Sector for Accelerated Industrialisation’, and called on industry players to help promote and develop the coconut industry while making it a significant and reliable revenue source.
With its maiden event in 2019, the festival’s objective is to bring investors from across the world to export coconut from Ghana.
The event was characterised by exhibitions of high and low-level technologies in the coconut industry, business seminars, financial support platforms, networking, talks and field visits.
Long before Dr. Hilla Limann rose to become President of Ghana, his youthful days were filled with many inspiring moments.
And one of the ways he unconsciously prepared himself for the position of President of Ghana was by taking up low-hanging positions in his native community in the Sissala District.
According to excerpts of his autobiography, “Hilla Limann. Scholar, Diplomat, and Statesman” Ivan Addae-Mensah, who authored the book, described one momentous occasion when Limann rejected a job offer from none other than Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
In the accounts of the book in possession of GhanaWeb, Dr. Hilla Limann met Kwame Nkrumah in 1952, not long after he had left teacher training school.
Impressed by the performance of the young Limann, Nkrumah immediately made him a job offer, but this was outrightly rejected by the former.
“As a young teacher in a village, he was selected by his local people to act as interpreter for Dr. Kwame Nkrumah during a visit to that village in 1952 as part of his political campaign. It is said that Kwame Nkrumah was so impressed with Limann’s performance that before he left the rally grounds, he called Limann and asked him if he could take up the task of organizing the CPP in that district.
“Limann politely declined and told Nkrumah that he had only that year completed his certificate B Teachers course and was anxious to continue with his education. Nkrumah fully understood Limann’s wish since he himself had travelled a similar route, teaching for a while after his teacher at Achimota before going to the United States of America to continue with his education. He wished Limann well in his future endeavours,” excerpts of the book on page 11 said.
It continued that the news of Limann’s rejection of the job offer from Kwame Nkrumah spread around his community, so much so that his elders believed that he was the right person to lead them in council meetings.
“This story spread like wildfire throughout the Sissala District, and Limann’s friends and compatriots started putting pressure on him to get involved in the exciting politics of the time. His village elders eventually succeeded in convincing him to try to become a Local Councillor for the area.
“‘ Anybody who had been able to stand by Nkrumah and act as an interpreter should be able to represent the interest of the villages in higher counsels,’ they contended. He, therefore, contested the Local Council elections and was elected a member of the Local and District Councils in Tumu, the Sissala District Capital, in 1952, the sale years that he left college,” it added.
And as the story would go, after sojourning for long years, trying without end to get himself the best education, and then trying out his luck at political positions, he rose to become Ghana’s president in the third republic.
Although he was seen by many as a novice in politics, Limann, perhaps, shocked many by beating the more “popular” Victor Owusu of the Popular Front Party (PFP) in the run-off of the 1979 elections.
Limann polled 62 percent of the votes against 38 percent by Owusu. In the Parliamentary election, the PNP, Limann’s political party, won 71 seats against 42 by the PFP, 13 by the United National Convention, 10 by the Action Congress Party, three by the Social Democratic Front, and one by an independent candidate.
He was sworn into office as President of Ghana on September 24, 1979. One of Limann’s first acts as president was to replenish food stock, which had been depleted by the AFRC’s three-month rule.
His government also launched the Gold Endowment Fund to get investors to Ghana.
Hollywood celebrities Usherand Sza have caused a stir on the internet when they were sighted in Chorkor and its surroundings visiting residents in their homes and spending time with some elementary school students.
The pair will take the stage at the Global Citizen Festival.
According to reports, the celebrities came to Chorkor on an NGO’s behalf in order to assist the Global Citizen Festivals’ mission to empower the needy and fight poverty “NOW.”
In a post shared by the Ghana Tourism Authority, the Hollywood artistes were spotted enjoying their tour in the country, being led by organisers of the festival and authorities from the Tourism Authority.
More details are emerging about the murder of a 25-year-old lady, Georgina Asor Botchwey, at Mankessim in the Central Region.
Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of the deceased, whose body has been exhumed from the house of one of the suspects.
The two suspects are Michael Darko Amponsah, a self-styled pastor who is also a fiancé of the deceased’s sister and a local chief, Nana Onyaa Clark.
Dailyguidenetwork reports that a new development indicates that, the would-be-in-law of the deceased sold her off to the chief to be used for rituals.
The family of Georgina became alarmed after their daughter went missing days after she left Yeji to attend an admission interview at Ankarful Nursing Training College in Cape Coast.
Georgina, after her interview, was reportedly picked up by her sister’s fiancé, who resides at Mankessim.
Dailyguide further reports that Joseph Dade, an uncle of the late Georgina narrated that when this information got to the family, a soldier brother of the deceased was contacted to launch investigations into the disappearance of his sister.
Her family, following her disappearance, tracked down the said fiancé of the girl’s sister, Michael Darko Amponsah also known Osofo Kofi, to a village where he had gone into hiding.
Her uncle further indicated that it was during the interrogations that the pastor confessed to the crime, revealing that Georgina had been sold to a chief in the Central Region.
He confessed to selling off the deceased to Nana Clark, the other suspect who is the chief.
“Following her disappearance, our “brother-in-law” was arrested in connection with that and he confessed that she had been sold to a chief in the Central Region, Nana Clark, but when they went there she had been killed,” an uncle of the deceased, Joseph Dade according to a Dailyguidnetwork.com report said.
The deceased’s body was later exhumed from the local chief’s house at Adumadze in Mankessim.
Nana Clark was subsequently arrested and arraigned together with Michael Amponsah. The two have been charged with two counts, namely: conspiracy to commit a crime, to wit murder and murder, contrary to section 46 of the Criminal Offenses Act 1960, Act 29.
The Cape Coast District Court II remanded them into custody to reappear on October 4, 2022.
In April 2022, M.I Abaga announced his plans to marry after he unveiled to the world his girlfriend whom he had been secretly dating since December 2020.
The 41-year-old rapper’s wishes came to be on Thursday, September 22. M.I Abaga and his fiancé, Eniola Mafe, tied the knot traditionally.
Taking to his Instagram story, the rapper announced he and Miss Mafe were tying the knot. Later in the day videos of the couple began circulating on social media.
The wedding ceremony took place in Lagos and was attended by family members, friends, and some high profile personalities in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
In an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, former President Donald Trump said that presidents can declassify documents “by thinking about it.”
“Different people say different things but as I understand it, if you’re the President of the United States you can declassify just by saying it’s declassified, even by thinking about it,” he told Hannity in an interview that marked his first TV appearance following the FBI raid of his Florida home last month. “Because you’re sending it to Mar-a-Lago or wherever you’re sending it. There doesn’t have to be a process. There can be a process, but there doesn’t have to be. You’re the president, you make that decision.”
His comments come just a day after New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against Trump, his company, and his three eldest children over alleged business fraud. Speaking with Hannity, Trump called the lawsuit a politically motivated “witch hunt,” in a comment that echoes one he’s maintained against many of his critics over the years. He said that if there was any discrepancies in his business finances, then the banks should have done their job better. Trump has been accused of either inflating the value of his properties in order to gain more favorable loan rates, or deflating the value in order to pay less taxes.
Following the FBI raid, it has been alleged that Trump mishandled classified documents. However, he told Hannity that he “declassified everything” and that he did not personally pack boxes of documents as he left the White House, pinning the blame on the General Services Administration employees.
The World Bank Country Director (Ghana),Pierre Frank Laportehas affirmed an assertion by the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, that unreasonable energy sector agreement by the Mahama government, which the present government has been paying, has had a significant negative effect on the country’s economy.
At a recent lecture in Accra on the economy, Vice President Bawumia referred to what he called “the quadruple whammy”, as factors which have contributed to challenges the Ghanaian economy has been facing lately.
The quadruple whammy, the Vice President explained, were the effects of the twin global crisis of covid-19 pandemic and the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the whopping financial sector clean-up payments as well as a staggering Ghc 17 billion payment as energy sector debt bequeathed to the Akufo-Addo administration by the erstwhile Mahama regime, which negotiated questionable take-or-pay deal experts have faulted.
Following Dr. Bawumia’s quadruple whammy speech, the IMF, through its Managing Director, has affirmed the Vice President’s claim by insisting that the twin global crises; the covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, have indeed impacted negatively on the downturn of the Ghanaian economy in the past two years.
The World Bank, in what is another vindication of Vice President Bawumia has added its voice, by saying that the over GH₵17 billion which the Akufo-Addo government has paid as cost of excess energy capacity charges, in other words, energy the country doesn’t need which the Mahama Government signed for, has contributed in suffocating the economy.
In an interview with television station TV3 on the Ghanaian economy, the World Bank Country Director pointed out the whopping losses in the energy sector as well as covid-19 difficulties, as factors making Ghana’s economic challenges worse.
“The big issue has been on the fiscal side. Before the current crisis happened, we observed certain challenges on the budget side that really has been the area more hit by everything. Also where actions are required now to deal with them. For instance, on the revenue side, we have always been saying that this is an area where Ghana should do better. We are encouraged by the fact that this should be one of the areas for potential programmes and support from the World Bank. The problem is fiscal, not just revenue.
“The problem is that there are also spillovers from other sectors, or instance, the energy sector. There are about one billion dollars going to the energy sector because of losses. The sector itself is not financially viable and to keep it going you have to subsidize.
“Actions are required. Of course with Covid-19, the general business environment is been a bit more difficult.”
He added action is required and Ghana is likely to receive about $600 million as a balance of payment support for the next budget.
“If Ghana is able to meet all the criteria and is going to get a budget support from the World Bank, how much are we looking at.
“Normally, there is a hard rule and soft rule, we can give around 30 to 40 per cent of the country’s budget support and for Ghana, we are looking around $600million. Ghana’s envelope for the next three years is $1.5billion,” he added.
Since the assumption of office of the current Government, Ghana has enjoyed a stable electricity supply in 2017, a clear departure from the almost five-year energy crisis under the previous government from 2012 to 2017, which was attributed to the then government’s inability to make financial commitments to Independent Power Producers.
But the more recent stability, experts have said, have been as a result of the current government’s unfailing financial commitment to these power producers.
The stability has also been suffocating and draining government coffers as a result of the unavoidable yearly payment of nearly 1 billion Dollars for power the country doesn’t need, which was signed by the previous government.
Former NFL quarterback Brett Favre has been called out by his former teammate Sage Rosenfels over allegations he engaged in welfare fraud.
“Since retirement, I have been lucky to avoid stealing millions of dollars from the poorest people in my state,” wrote Rosenfels in a tweet that did everything but mention Favre by name. “Of course, this is partially because I had already stolen millions from the richest people in our country,” he added later.
Rosenfels and Favre both played for the Minnesota Vikings in 2009, and the former is clearly not happy about the latter’s alleged fraud. While Favre has denied any wrongdoing, a new extensive report from The New York Times claims that he texted a question to the head of a nonprofit that was sending out funds intended for welfare recipients.
“If you were to pay me,” he wrote in the 2017 text, “is there any way the media could find out where it came from and how much?” Favre is allegedly involved in a scheme that saw $5 million in welfare money diverted from a project that was intended to build a volleyball stadium at the University of Southern Mississippi. Favre reportedly got $1.1 million in welfare funds, and he denied any involvement despite later paying back the money. He is now facing a lawsuit over unpaid interest on the surrendered funds.
Vice-President of IMANI Africa, Bright Simons has described the 2021 Auditor-General’s report as empty and valueless.
Mr. Simons noted that the yearly Auditor-General’sreport is not detailed to effectively audit some of the government’s flagship programmes.
He said the auditor general’s reports in some instances are full of errors with no outright coverage of most essential aspects of the country’s economy.
He argued that for a national auditor report, auditing should revolve around what is causing the nation to be on its knees.
According to him, “a lot of people then make agitations when we have the Auditor General’s reports but the Auditor General’s reports are very hollow.”
“It has nothing in it, a lot of the issues that we really face in Ghana those of us that really work on them day by day, they do not get reported. I have given you few examples, look at one village, one dam when was the last time we had a serious analysis of the spending on one village, one dam in the auditor general’s report, look at one district one factory, look at the electoral registration, the EC, an organization that claims to have thrown away over 2000 laptops, nobody has done an asset audit to find out where that equipment went.
“The auditor general’s reports are not detailed as we think it is, sometimes there are errors and lack of quality and outright coverage…in a national auditor report, you go for materiality, what are the things that make difference to Ghana’s bottom lines,” he said during a speech at the 2022 Baah-Wiredu Memorial lecture on Thursday.
Mr. Simmonsfurther explained that the majority of the country’s spending does not pass through the central accounting system known as the Ghana Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS).
This, he noted has caused the country’s accounting system to be in disarray as a lot of the country’s money is not under control.
“A lot of the money is not passing through the central accounting system. In fact, it is quite frightening because when you look at the totals about 80% of the money is not passing through GIFMIS, it is kind of crazy but those are the numbers that the auditors find. These all discrepancies,” he added.
The 2022 Baah-Wiredu Memorial lecture was organised by the Ghana Institute of Public Policy Option in partnership with The Multimedia Group.
It took place at the Kofi Annan India ICT Centre under the theme: “Buying for the Public Good from the Public Purse. Redeeming Ghana’s Fiscal Sanity in the Asylum of Public Financial Reforms.”
Ruben Poolchund, the head of the International Trade Center’s Office for Africa, has stated that West Africa needs to prioritize its agricultural sector more in order to prevent any future food shortages.
According to him, some items, like mangoes and cassava, should have value added to them in order to increase their appeal for export.
The International Trade Centre, according to Ruben Poolchund, is dedicated to promoting trade through bolstering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Speaking at the West Africa Connect programme on September 20, 2022, the Chief, Office for Africa at International Trade Centre said, “We all know that the mango and cassava are very important Agri sectors for the West Africa region. In the wake of global food shortages and supply, there is an urgent need to develop these sectors, given the great potential for value addition and export.”
He added that, “Across all three priority sectors, ITC has conducted a number of studies and initiatives in West Africa and beyond, supporting the promotion of these agrisectors through exports, as well as enabling the creation of a number of tech hubs for ICT SMEs and agritech start-ups, in support of the immense potential in the region.”
“The overall aim and objective of our interventions in the region, which is to ensure that ITC is contributing its quota to the development of priority value chains in the region and the strengthening of SME competitiveness for greater export. ITC remains committed to playing its role in the promotion of trade through the strengthening of SME competitiveness,” he added.
Mr Poolchund entreated SMEs present at the West Africa Connect programme to build commercial linkages and establish business connections.
This, he said, will help in the creation of jobs, especially for the youth and women in the ECOWAS sub-region.
His comment comes on the back of the negative impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on African economies and global economies at large.
Russian President, Vladimir Putin, on February 24, 2022, ordered a military operation in Ukraine after it emerged that the country was seeking entry into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization – which Russia sees as against its security interests.
Russian forces have been in Ukraine trying to take control of the capital and second largest city – Kiev and Kharkiv respectively.
The resulting chaos has led to people fleeing their homes into neighbouring countries. A major issue that has come up is the racist mistreatment of Africans seeking to escape – it has been condemned by African countries and the AU.
Most African countries have started evacuating their nationals – mostly students – by having them cross land borders into neighbouring countries where they are given consular assistance.
Initial talks between the two warring parties took place on February 28, with a second-round taking place on March 3.
An exciting international friendly between Ghana and Brazil is on the horizon, and many are excited to see how the game will unfold on Friday, September 23, 2022, at the Stade Oceane in France.
The game will feature superstars going head-to-head in a battle for their country’s victory.
Although there will be many battles to enjoy tonight, here are four key battles that could decide the game.
Here are four key battles that could decide Ghana vs Brazil friendly
Denis Odoi vs Vinicius
One of the battles to watch is the one between Ghana’s right fullback Denis Odoi and Brazil’s left winger Vinicius on the flank.
Denis Odoi has stood firm in every battle he has fought in a Black Stars shirt. He has impressed and earned the position of first choice for Otto Addo.
Today, he faces his toughest test in Vinicius, a winger with pace, quick feet and one of the best in the world.
Whoever wins the flanking battle will set his team up for success.
Thomas Partey vs Casemiro
The fight between Partey and Casemiro will resume today after a long while.
Today at the Stade Oceane, the debate over who is better would be settled.
Both coaches would like to win this battle in the middle of the park because it is the most important aspect of the game.
Richarlison, Neymar vs Mohammed Salisu and Alexander Djiku
Richarlison could play as a false 9 while Neymar sits behind him as the playmaker, making inroads into the box as needed.
The two could face the Ghanaian centre duo of Salisu and Djiku, who will look to limit the Brazilians’ attacking threat.
It’s unquestionably one of the battles to watch.
Otto Addo vs Tite
When compared to developing Otto Addo, who is currently in charge of his first major job as head coach, Tite is a top manager.
Many Ghanaians are waiting to see if Otto can outwit Tite tactically. Many will assess Otto Addo’s tactical acumen as he faces one of the best in the business.
The battle on the dugout should be one for the cameras.
In October 2021, STC’s managing director, Nana Akomea, observed that every two weeks, his company spent GH2 million on fuel.
He also lamented the market’s constant price hikes for fuel products.
We give GHC 2 million to Goil every two weeks, Nana Akomea remarked on PeaceFM’s kokrokroo show.
The CEO of STC, Nana Akomea, has made a startling admission about the company’s fuel costs.
The Price Stabilisation and Recovery Levy (PSRL) should be eliminated, the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) recently demanded, in order to stop the ongoing price increases for petroleum products.
In this second pricing window of September 2021, “the two primary indicators, namely international market prices and foreign exchange differentials, are all projected to affect average pump prices of petroleum products by between 2% and 3%, or (10p/Litre for both products).”
“This would likely translate to reviewed figures by the various Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) as those selling at current prices for gasoline and gasoil at GH¢6.38 could be reviewed upwards to between GH¢6.45/-GH¢6.52/L for both Gasoline and Gasoil,” a COPEC statement read.
Nana Akomea, like COPEC, is equally worried about the petrol price increases.
The Minority in Parliament has denied accusations that Ghana is seeking a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) due to unreasonable energy sector agreements undertaken by the Mahama government.
The Minority says media reports attributed to the Country Director of the World Bank that, bad power purchase agreements saddled the country with huge debts in the energy sector are unfounded.
A statement issued by the Ranking Member on the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament, John Jinapor, says the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government handed over a vibrant and well-resourced energy sector to the current administration.
Here is the full statement:
The attention of the Minority in Parliament has been drawn to a Daily Guide publication with the headline “Mahama Energy Sector Agreements Drowning Ghana-World Bank.
A careful reading of the story will reveal that at no point did the World Bank country director mention or blame the former President for the current economic mess the country finds itself.
This deliberate misrepresentation and spin on an otherwise cautious statement from the World Bank can only be the handiwork of an NPP tabloid at the behest of a misguided, confused and clueless government that has lost its way in finding solutions to the current hardship the ordinary Ghanaian is facing.
On the contrary, the caution from the World Bank only goes to confirm our longstanding warning on the unnecessary political interference, corruption and mismanagement of the Akuffo-Addo/Bawumiah led governmentin the energy sector since assuming office.
Not long ago the Vice-President, Mr Bawumia at an official programme stated that his government has paid a whopping GHS17 billion cedis in so-called excess capacity payments, today we are being told the figure has metamorphosed into GHS12 billion cedis.
It will be recalled that the Minister for Finance, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta appearing before Parliament to answer questions made claims that government has paid a total of $937.50 million to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) as excess capacity charges between 2017 and 2020, and this figures was inclusive of power
and Gas supplied as well as payment for the mandatory 20% reserve margin.
These contradictory and inconsistent figures can only come from a very confused and dishonest government.
For the records, the NDChanded over a vibrant, well resourced and functioning energy sector to the NPP without Dumsor (as corroborated by Dr. Bawumiah himself in a joy fm interview and very recently by the Majority Leader, Hon Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu)
We also handed over the energy sector levies to the NPP Government which has accrued over GHS24 billion cedis in revenues. The critical question to the NPP Government is what has happened to the promise of scraping ESLA, a levy that has since been increased by over 30% under this administration.
We also wish to place on record that the OCTP Gas field has been supplying over 210MMscf of gas im recent times which is far above the contractual volume of 170MMscf. Therefore, the narrative that the Government is paying for unutilised gas from the field is therefore false and cannot be substantiated.
In the Power sector, the Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATCC) losses have risen from 21% under Mahama to over 30% under the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government. Payment for these huge losses by Government does not, and cannot amount to excess capacity payments.
We wish to state emphatically that Ghana is in this current mess because of mismanagement, corruption and political interference in the energy sector (Example: PDS, Ameri, BOST, TOR, AKER etc scandals) by the Akufo- Addo/Bawumiah led Government.
Rather than taking pragmatic steps towards solving the economic hardship that the ordinary Ghanaian is experiencing with inflation skyrocketing, the Bawumia-led Economic Management Team has decided to use the little resources at Ghana’s disposal to engage in unnecessary and constant vilification of the former President through their assigns and hirelings.
President Akufo-Addo must note that the fixation on tarnishing the image of Mr. Mahama will not solve the economic problems of Ghana.
Government needs to stay focused and work towards the ensuring better lives for Ghanaians.
Signed
John Jinapor
Ranking Member; Mines and Energy Committee
