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Tag: Akufo-Addo

  • Akufo-Addo was “over cautious” while speaking about LGBTQ in front of Kamala Harris – Sheikh Shiabu

    Akufo-Addo was “over cautious” while speaking about LGBTQ in front of Kamala Harris – Sheikh Shiabu

    Spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Armiyawo Shiabu, has expressed concerns over President’s inability to unequivocally condemn LGBTQ activities in Ghana during a joint presser with US Vice President Kamala Harris.

    On Monday, President Akufo-Addo stated that there is no LGBTQ legislation in Ghana yet, as the bill is currently before Parliament.

    “The legislation is a legislation that is being proposed as a Private Members Bill. This is not an official legislation of the government but it is one that is being mooted by a handful of private members,” the President said.

    According to Sheikh Armiyawo Shiabu, “the President was over cautions in trying to talk about it as if not wanting to offend a certain force that is coming from somewhere.”

    He noted that this so “because I have heard the president speak fought rightly with strong tone about certain things like some of his encounter with Macron.”

    For him, the president missed the opportunity to tell the world the stance of the majority of Ghana over the issue of LGBTQ.

    “He has not been that spot right in indicating his personal position and a certain feeling about how in our national mindset as somebody who is also a man of faith coming up clearly on the note of even Christian revulsion action to say no this thing is not something that I will ever support and I think we should have heard something like this from him.”

    He continued that “I was expecting that even on this particular case with is at the very core of the survival of the family system in both Christianity and Islam and Traditional I would have expected him to come up stronger and more definite on the issue.”

    On the other hand, he lauded the Speaker of Parliament for maintaining his promise to the Chief Imam by asserting that he will see to the passing of the bill.

    “I am very comfortable with the tone of the speaker and I support and commend him for that.

    “I go strongly with the speaker since he has remained consistent with the tone with which he has spoken against this LGBTQ and also speaking in support of the passing of this anti-LGBTQ bill,” he said on JoyNews.

    The spokesperson added that the push for the passage of the bill was not from that of human rights activists but that of a religious leader who had the mandate to ensure the continuity of the legacy of the family system.

    “The issue we are dealing with is from the faith community level and as a nation, we are not doing it from a human rights angle but viewing it as something that undermines the very survival of the family.

    “It is not so much of a human rights issue. The damage it does to the family and once you want to destroy a community you begin destroying the family and you succeed. That’s how God made it,” he added.

    According to Speaker Alban Bagbin, it is undemocratic for the US to intervene in Ghana’s national issues.

  • It’s unacceptable to take money from vulnerable retirees – Mahama

    It’s unacceptable to take money from vulnerable retirees – Mahama

    Former President John Dramani Mahama has criticized the Akufo-Addo-led administration for abusing pensioners due to its ineffective economic management.

    According to Mr. Mahama, after borrowing recklessly and irresponsibly, government has taken funds belonging to pensioners.

    “Our own pensioners who have finished active service to the nation and are going to rest, the money that they earned that is supposed to feed them, [money] that they used to buy government bonds, today, this government says they cannot pay them what is theirs,” he said.

    The former president was speaking at a campaign meeting with branch and constituency executives in the Awutu Senya West Constituency during his ‘Building the Ghana we want together” tour of the Central Region.

    “I ask myself: are you God to determine that the retiree will live that long to receive his or her money by 2035? Yet, that is how they have structured things. This is money that our pensioners use to purchase their little medicines to cater for themselves”, Mr. Mahama noted.

    President Mahama therefore called for Ghanaians to vote out the NPP government in 20204 for its lack of sensitivity and consideration.

    “If a government can behave like this to a segment of its most vulnerable population, that government does not deserve to remain in power,” he said.

  • Level of misinformation and ignorance in Ghana is unmatched – Afia Pokuaa reacts to Jubilee House ‘LGBTQ’ light

    Level of misinformation and ignorance in Ghana is unmatched – Afia Pokuaa reacts to Jubilee House ‘LGBTQ’ light

    Despite Media journalist, Afia Pokuaa alias Vim Lady has said that the rate of ignorance and misinformation in Ghana is at an epic stage.

    Her comment is in line with public reactions to the lighting of Ghana’s seat presidency with colours of the United States and Ghana flags.

    As part of the visit by US Vice President, Kamala Harris to Ghana, the Jubilee House on Monday, March 27, 2023, was lit with colours of the Ghana and American flag.

    However, some critics miconstrued the incident instead claiming that the two flags put side by side reflected the rainbow colours of the LGBTQ+ movement, going on to claim that the whole episode was an attempt to propagate homosexuality in the country.

    But reacting to this in a Facebook post sighted by GhanaWeb, Afia Pokuaa attributed the criticism to ignorance and misinformation while bitterly lamenting the fixation of Ghanaians on otherwise trivial matters instead of productive issues.

    “The level of IGNORANCE and MISINFORMATION in this country is at an epic level. How can anyone say that the jubilee house has been draped with LGBTQ+ colours yet the same people were jubilating when the Burj Khalifa in Dubai was lit with Ghana colours????? Seriously? It doesn’t take you taking an international relations class to understand these basic things oh?

    “Ghana has moved from producing tires, batteries, and glass to a state where we can’t even produce commercial starch from cassava and this is the issue that we are focusing on. ASSUMING IT WAS RAINBOW COLORS, SO GOD DIDN’T CREATE THE RAINBOW AFTER THE NOAH FLOOD EH,” she added.

    TWI NEWS

    Meanwhile, the US vice president during a joint address with President Akufo-Addo on Monday raised human rights concerns about the anti-homosexuality bill currently before Parliament.

    “Let me be clear about where we stand. First of all, for the American press who are here, you know that a great deal of work in my career has been to address human rights issues, equality issues across the board including those related to the LGBT community.

    “And I feel very strongly about the importance of supporting the freedom and supporting and fighting for equality among all people and that all people be treated equally.

    “I will also say that this is an issue that we consider and I consider to be a human rights issue and that will not change,” she stressed.

    In response to the subject, President Akufo-Addo assured that government had through the Attorney General made significant input into the legislation.

    He said that the anti-LGBT bill, which was championed by “only a hand full of MPs”, is currently being considered by Parliament.

    Akufo-Addo added that even if the bill is passed, it will still have to be ratified by him.

  • Be a president who accepts responsibility just like I did – Mahama tells Akufo-Addo

    Be a president who accepts responsibility just like I did – Mahama tells Akufo-Addo

    A National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate for 2024, John Mahama, has characterized the Akufo-Addo-led administration as a government that shirks accountability.

    According to him, accepting responsibility is a mark of good leadership, a quality that is lacking in President Akufo-Addo.

    “What is making it difficult for them to govern is that they are not people who listen to advice. They never accept their mistakes, so they are not able to learn from their mistakes. Notwithstanding the poor state of Ghana’s economy, still they are not accepting responsibility.“Nothing can be fixed if the leader cannot take responsibility,” he insisted.

    Speaking to branch and constituency executives of the NDC in the Awutu Senya East and West Constituencies on Tuesday, Mr. Mahama who is campaigning to lead his party to the 2024 presidential election said: “When you listen to them, they say it is not their fault. Are they saying it is the fault of Ghanaians? Who went for all those loans? It was them. Yet whenever you tune in to the news, they say it was Covid-19 that caused our problems. They say it was Russian-Ukraine that caused them.”

    He expressed surprise that the President did not follow his example but continues to refuse to accept responsibility for the woeful state of the nation.

    “When President went to parliament to deliver the State of the Nation Address, I thought he would accept responsibility the way I did when we had an energy crisis in this country. I did not cause it; it was caused by lack of addition to our (power) generation for many years. So, it got to a time, our demand had exceeded our ability to generate power” he explained.

    “I went to Parliament. I did not say I did not cause it. I said you elected me to take responsibility, so I take responsibility for it, and I will fix it. That is what leadership is about. This is a President who cannot take responsibility and if you can’t take responsibility, you can’t fix anything” he said to wild cheers.

    President Mahama is on a three-day ‘Building the Ghana we want together’ campaign tour of the twenty-three constituencies in the Central Region.

  • President Akufo-Addo turns 79

    President Akufo-Addo turns 79

    Today, March 29, 2023, marks the 79th birthday of President Akufo-Addo.

    The President was born March 29, 1944 in Swalaba, Accra, on March 29, 1944, to a prominent Ghanaian royal and political family as the son of Adeline and Edward Akufo-Addo.

    He is a lawyer and politician who previously served as Attorney General from 2001 to 2003 and as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2003 to 2007 under the Kufuor-led administration.

    He assumed office as President on 7 January 2017, after winning the 2016 elections. He won the 2020 general elections and is currently serving a second term.

    Many friends and loved ones including his wife, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, have taken to social media to extend their well wishes.

  • We will not relent on searching for those who voted for Akufo-Addo’s new ministers – Yamin

    We will not relent on searching for those who voted for Akufo-Addo’s new ministers – Yamin

    National Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Joseph Yamin, has declared that the party will take all necessary steps to ensure that the minority members who supported the president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s ministerial picks are removed.

    He claims that after those responsible are removed, the party would take action against them to dissuade others from engaging in similar behavior.

    “We won’t create a platform for you to be able to get to the house, only for you to turn against the actions and directives. We will not stop until we fish out who and who [did that] and if we find out, it’s going to be a step to deter others. We sometimes behave as if we are the only political party in this country,” the media quoted him.

    Joseph Yamin also added that the party will not create an opportunity of the MPs only to turn down directives of the party as he recounts the case of NPP MPs calling for the removal of Ken Ofori-Atta yet obeyed the directive of the party not to partake in the censure motion.

    “I remember that when the NPP MPs decided that the finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta should step down, the Minority supported their claim, and a decision was to be taken on the floor of Parliament. A directive from the head office of the NPP to the very MPs who said that the finance minister should resign asking them to go by the party’s position, and they did.”

    Parliament approves all six nominees, two Supreme Court Justices:

    Parliament on Friday, March 24 approved all six ministerial nominees as well as the nominees of the supreme court of President Akufo-Addo after a heated debate, 24 hours prior, and a tense voting process.

    Final results declared by Speaker Alban Bagbin showed that all nominees got more votes than the minimum of 138 votes required because out of the 275 eligible voters, there were three absent.

    Some Members of Parliament (MPs) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) did not adhere to the decision of the party to vote against the approval of the nominees.

    Kobina Tahiru Hammond (MP for Adansi Asokwa) was approved as the Minister of Trade and Industry and Bryan Acheampong (MP for Abetifi) as the Minister of Food and Agriculture.

    Other nominees who were approved include Stephen Asamoah Boateng, as Ministry of Chieftaincy; Mohammed Amin Adam, Minister of State (Ministry of Finance), and Osei Bonsu Amoah, Ministry of Local Government.

    Stephen Amoah, the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, was also approved as the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry.

    The Supreme Court nominees who were approved include George Kingsley Koomson, Justice of the Court of Appeal, and Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu, Justice of the High Court.

  • Asamoah Gyan, Depsite and others attend Akufo-Addo’s dinner for Kamala Harris

    Asamoah Gyan, Depsite and others attend Akufo-Addo’s dinner for Kamala Harris

    In honor of US Vice President Kamala Harris, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo threw a state banquet on Monday evening.

    On March 26, 2023, the US Vice President flew into Ghana on a three-day state visit. After a quick ceremony at the Kotoka International Airport, she was welcomed by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia.

    On March 27, President Akufo-Addo hosted a dinner for the US Vice President and her husband, Douglas Emhoff, as part of their visit.

    Several well-known Ghanaians from the corporate, political, sporting, and entertainment worlds attended the state banquet.

    Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, National Security and Defence Ministers, Kan Dapaah and Dominic Nitiwul, as well as Attorney-General Godfred Dame were present.

    Among the notable personalities were Osei Kwame Despite, Ernest Ofori Sarpong, Asamoah Gyan, and Zoomlion CEO Joseph Siaw Agyapong.

    Others included Church of Pentecost Chairman Apostle Eric Nyamekye, Electoral Commission Chairperson Jean Mensa, and former MP for Jomoro Samia Nkrumah.

    Music stars Amakye Dede, Wiyaala, and Efya were also present to deliver impressive performances on the night.

  • Ministerial approval: Party politics lost to patriotism – Annoh-Dompreh

    Ministerial approval: Party politics lost to patriotism – Annoh-Dompreh

    The Members of Parliament who voted in favor of the six ministerial nominees on Friday demonstrated patriotism, according to the Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh.

    Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Newsnight on Monday, he explained that the NPP MPs “went out there to preach patriotism and the fact that our President has shown demonstrable readiness to downsize… for a long time, deputy regional ministers we don’t have them and so for me, it is a significant beginning.

    “So we put all together and we reached out to our colleagues… ,” he said.

    He added that “at the end of the day patriotism won over partisan.”

    According to him, the outcome of the vote could mean that the NDC MPs “were tired of the party’s position.”,

    He said that when pushed to their breaking point, people have the propensity to react, and that’s exactly what happened on Friday.

    His comments come in the wake of criticism over the approval of Akufo-Addo’s ministerial nominees on Friday after some NDC MPs defied their party’s orders to vote to approve the nominees.

    Reacting to the bribery claims, he noted that the NPP MPs did not bribe the Minority as alleged by Cape Coast South MP, George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan.

    He, however, stated that the Majority appealed to their sense of patriotism, adding that “we spoke to their conscience. We took advantage of their friendship.

    He further challenged the Cape South MP to provide evidence to prove his claims.

    “He who alleges must prove, if he has a basis that somebody was bribed, he should prove it,” he challenged.

    “For us, we did not rely on any form of bribery, we spoke to their conscience, we took advantage of the friendship, we spoke and underscored the need for patriotism to win at the end of the day,” he clarified.

    He further stated that the issue will be raised in Parliament on Tuesday when the House meets.

  • Anti-LGBTQ Bill: Attorney-General’s intervention has led to some modifications – Akufo-Addo

    Anti-LGBTQ Bill: Attorney-General’s intervention has led to some modifications – Akufo-Addo

    President Akufo-Addo has indicated that the substantial elements of the Anti-LGBTQI bill, which is currently before Parliament, have been modified.

    He explained that the modification was done upon the intervention of the Attorney-General, adding that the final outcome is yet to be determined.

    The President said this during a joint press briefing with US Vice President, Kamala Harris at the Jubilee House on Monday.

    “My understanding with the recent discussion I had with the chairman of the committee is that, substantial elements of the bill have already been modified,” he stated while responding to a question from a New York Times journalist.

    President Akufo-Addo also dismissed claims that there is already a legislation governing the activities of the LGBQI+ fraternity in the country.

    Clarifying the matter, he noted that the Anti-LGBTQI bill has not been passed yet.

    “The statement that there is legislation to that effect is not accurate,” he emphasised.

    According to him, he has no doubt that Parliament will consider the sensitivity of the human rights aspect.

    “The legislation is a legislation that is being proposed as a Private Members Bill. This is not an official legislation of the government but it is one that is being mooted by a handful of private members,” President Akufo-Addo clarified.

    It would be recalled that on July 2021, eight members of Parliament introduced the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, popularly known as the Anti-LGBTQ bill.

    The bill seeks to criminalise Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) activities in the country.

    However, International organizations have raised concerns that the Bill could infringe on the rights of LGBTQ+ persons who are a minority group in the country.

    Although the bill is at the consideration stage in Parliament, the Attorney-General says portions are unconstitutional.

    Mr. Godfred Yeboah Dame explained that some of the “provisions will violate some fundamental human rights and freedoms, particularly the right to privacy.

    This is contained in a response to a request for memoranda on the position of government by the Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs of Parliament dated October 19, 2022.

    According to Godfred Yeboah Dame, the Anti-LGBTQI bill, in its current form, will therefore face some fundamental challenges during its implementation.

  • Kamala Harris meets Akufo-Addo at Jubilee House

    Kamala Harris meets Akufo-Addo at Jubilee House

    Vice President of the United States of America, Kamala Harris, will meet President Akufo-Addo today at the Jubilee House for bilateral talks.

    A number of ministers including Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, Lands Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor, are also present at the Jubilee House.

    Vice President Kamala Harris touched down in Ghana on Sunday afternoon, March 26, 2023, to begin her 9-day trip to Africa.

    On Tuesday, the US Vice President will deliver a speech to a young audience and visit the Cape Coast slave castle to speak about the brutality of slavery and the African Diaspora.

    On Wednesday, she will meet with women entrepreneurs in Accra to discuss the economic empowerment of women.

    From Accra, her next stop will be Tanzania and Zambia.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Dr. Mac-Palm, the primary suspect in Akufo-Addo’s attempted coup, has passed away

    Dr. Mac-Palm, the primary suspect in Akufo-Addo’s attempted coup, has passed away

    Dr. Frederick Mac-Palm, who was the main suspect in a treason investigation and was accused of attempting to overthrow President Akufo-Addo, has reportedly passed away.

    Although there are few specifics on how he passed away, he was reportedly found unconscious in the wee hours of March 25, 2023, according to a citinewsroom.com story.

    The report also stated that when he arrived at the hospital, he was already dead.

    Background

    Dr. Mac-Palm together with two others; Ezor Kafui and Bright Allan Debrah Ofosu, was on Friday, September 20, 2019, picked up by a joint team from the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) and the Criminal Investigative Department (CID) for plotting a coup against the presidency with the intent to destabilize the country.

    The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, in a press release revealed how state agencies detected and foiled a planned attack on the Jubilee House leading to the retrieval of several arms, explosive devices, and ammunition from Alajo and Bawaleshie in Accra and Dodowa respectfully.

    Following the alleged coup attempt, the three accused persons were today, September 24 arraigned before the Kaneshie District Court and slapped with five charges.

    Some of the charges they’re faced with are conspiracy to commit crimes; to wit manufacturing of arms and ammunition without lawful authority, possessing explosives and firearms without lawful excuse, and manufacture of firearms without lawful authority.

    But reacting to the charges after court proceedings, Dr. Mac-Palm while being escorted by the BNI to his vehicle shouted by pleading innocent to the charges levelled against him.

    According to him, he knows the truth will definitely come out for him to be vindicated so he is not in any way bothered about the whole issue.

    However, the Kaneshie District Court presided over by the magistrate, Rosemond Dodua Agyiri, has remanded the alleged coup plotters into BNI custody and ordered that family members and lawyers be allowed to visit the accused persons.

    This follows after the prosecutor, ASP Sylvester Asare asked the court to remand the three suspects into BNI custody to enable them to continue with investigations smoothly.

    The request was objected to by the defence attorneys who argued that the State should have been ready to prosecute the case if any, due to the number of days the accused person has been with them.

    But the magistrate granted the request by the prosecution and urged them to expedite their investigations.

    The case has been adjourned to October 9, 2019. A fourth suspect only named as Sulley is currently on the run.

  • PLAYBACK: MPs vote to approve K.T Hammond, OB Amoah, Bryan Acheampong and others

    PLAYBACK: MPs vote to approve K.T Hammond, OB Amoah, Bryan Acheampong and others

    Parliament is undertaking a secret ballot on the approval of ministerial nominees appointed by President Akufo-Addo.

    The Appointments Committee in February vetted the nominees which include Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, Kobina Tahiru Hammond, who is to head the Trade Ministry, Abetifi MP, Brian Acheampong, who has been appointed Minister-designate for Food and Agriculture.

    MP for Karaga, Mohammed Amin Adam, has been appointed Minister of State at the Finance Ministry.

    Nhyiaeso MP, Stephen Asamoah Boateng has been appointed Minister-designate for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.

    Mr Hebert Krapah, Deputy Minister at the Trade Ministry has been moved to the Energy Ministry as Deputy Minister-designate.

    Dr Stephen Amoah is Deputy Minister-designate for Trade and Industry. MP for Akuapem South, Osei Bonsu Amoah, has been appointed Minister of State at the Local Government and Rural Development Ministry.

    Meanwhile, the Minority have threatened to reject the approval of President Akufo-Addo’s appointees due to the size of his government.

    Parliament is expected to be involved in a heated debate today although Speaker Alban Bagbin has warned against recalcitrant behaviour.

  • Approval of 2 Supreme Court Justice nominees rejected by Minority in Parliament

    Approval of 2 Supreme Court Justice nominees rejected by Minority in Parliament

    President Akufo- Addo’s four candidates for the Supreme Court is up for debate in Parliament.

    Barbara Ackah-Yensu and Samuel Adibu Asiedu have already received the House’s approval, however,  Justice George Kingsley Koomson and Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu are yet to.

    The President stated that the appointments had gone via both the Judicial Council and the Council of State in his letter to Parliament in July of last year.

    The Minority says Justice Gaewu’s past as a Parliamentary candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) disqualifies him from such a position.

    Asawase MP, Muntaka Mubarak insisted his approval will be a bad reflection on the House.

    “When you set a bad precedent, tomorrow it becomes the yardstick for others to make this same demand,” he said on the floor on Friday.

    On the other hand, the opposition MPs are holding back George Koomson’s approval because “he just joined the appeal court.”

    “He also joined to meet so many senior colleagues,” he told the House.

    He told the Speaker that if these two nominees are allowed to pass, “what we are doing to this country is simply telling our judges to be sycophants.”

    Meanwhile, Ejisu MP, John Kumah says he is satisfied with the judges’ capacity to deliver on their mandate.

    If the stalemate persists, the House is expected to put the approval to a secret balloting process.

  • Gov’t must have a long-term plan for FSHS to prevent it from collapsing in coming years – Haruna

    Gov’t must have a long-term plan for FSHS to prevent it from collapsing in coming years – Haruna

    In the next ten years, if the government’s Free Senior High School (FSHS) program is not well structured, Haruna Iddrisu, a former minority leader, has warned, it may collapse.

    He contended that the program must include a means testing mechanism to determine who can pay and who cannot pay.

    The Tamale South MP indicated that organizations like UNESCO have all advised on the matter which the government has ignored for political expediency.

    “Mr. Speaker, we are doing what we ought to have done several years back, UNESCO was established somewhere 95 and Ghana has benefited enormously from them. Ghana needs to take advantage of UNESCO’s advice on secondary education. How accessible is it, what is the quality, are we running a secondary education that produces quantity and not quality?

    “Ghana needs a test mechanism to determine who can pay and who cannot pay. This political thing of wanting to please everybody at the detriment of quality will hang in this country in the next decade if we don’t look back,” he stated.

    Government has between 2017 and 2021 spent over 5 billion cedis on the free SHS policy.

    Reacting to the assertion of Haruna Iddrisu, majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh stated the program is work in progress and thus will in future accommodate the suggestions of means testing.

    The Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP however argued the policy has brought relief to many families.


  • EC appointee by Akufo-Addo is a member of NPP communications team in Bono – Kofi Adams alleges

    EC appointee by Akufo-Addo is a member of NPP communications team in Bono – Kofi Adams alleges

    A member of parliament for the Buem Constituency, Kofi Adams, has accused President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo of selecting an electoral commissioner who is a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    According to a 3newsonline story, he asserts that Dr. Peter Appiahene, one of the recently selected members of the EC, is a well-known NPP activist and a part of the party’s Bono Region media team.

    “Dr Peter Appiahene is known NPP activist in the Bono Region, he is a member of the NPP communications team in the Bono region…clearly, there is everything wrong with the persons the president has appointed. The President has appointed known activists of the NPP.

    “President Akufo-Addo has been appointing persons known to be NPP activists, we saw the Bossman Asares and the Jean Mensas,” he said.

    Speaking in an interview with TV3 on March 22, 2023, he further criticized the Council of State members for also giving the president the go-ahead for the said appointment.

    “The Council of State who are supposed to be advising the president gave the go-ahead to make such an appointment. I am not just disappointed in the president but also the Council of State, they gave the go-ahead.”

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo recently swore in three new members of the Electoral Commission (EC).

    The three are Dr. Peter Appiahene, Madam Salima Ahmed Tijani, and Reverend Akua Ofori Boateng.

    They took office at a short Jubilee House ceremony on Monday, March 20, 2023.

    The appointments have, however, seen some criticisms by some factions in the public with members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) accusing President Akufo-Addo of packing the commission with members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    Akufo-Addo appoints NPP man, two others as EC commissioners

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Monday (March 20) swore in three new Electoral Commissioners at the Jubilee House in a brief ceremony.

    The three were: Dr. Peter Appiahene, Salima Ahmed Tijani and Rev Akua Ofori Boateng.

    Out of the three, the appointment of Dr. Appiahene in particular has drawn a lot of political controversy.

    This is because of his known role as a patron of the New Patriotic Party’s tertiary institutions wing, TESCON, specifically the University of Energy and Natural Resources branch.

    Some Civil Society Organizations including the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) Ghana, have expressed misgivings over the appointment of Dr. Appiahene calling on the president to withdraw his appointment.

    In his comments on the appointment, Bright Simons of Imani Ghana tweeted: “Seeing how Ghana’s Electoral Commission is always on the defensive about being totally independent & professional, I expect the top bosses to inform the Prez that they’d rather resign than work with partisan activists as that’ll sully the EC’s reputation!”

  • Akufo-Addo has an unequaled track record in the field of education – Education Minister

    Akufo-Addo has an unequaled track record in the field of education – Education Minister

    The minister of education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has lauded the accomplishments of the President Akufo-Addo’s administration in the field of education.

    He claims that the Akufo-Addo administration has done the best job the nation has seen in the last 14 years in terms of educational progress.

    Speaking to the media in Accra, the minister said that the policies of Akufo-Addo have resulted in an unprecedented rate of transitioning of students to the various levels of education in the country.

    “The good people of Ghana know that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is moving full steam ahead in education transformation.

    “STEM schools are being oversubscribed, this is under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. If you look at enrolment in Senior High Schools, in 2015, 299,649 (students) were enrolled. In 2022, 465,000 students were enrolled in Senior High Schools.

    “Over and over again the accomplishment of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is unmatched… the records of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the last 14 years is unmatched,” he said.

    The minister added that people who want to contest the fact that Akufo-Addo’s government has been superior in the educational sector should check the records, which he said are sacred and do not lie.

  • Debt cancellation: Will Ghana’s engagement with China be productive?

    Debt cancellation: Will Ghana’s engagement with China be productive?

    Ghana is facing a severe economic crisis and seeking a $3 billion credit facility from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to avoid a potential collapse. 

    However, securing the support of its creditors is essential to obtain the IMF loan, and China is a significant creditor of Ghana. 

    As a result, Ghana’s President Akufo-Addo has appealed to Germany’s Finance Minister Christian Lindner to encourage China’s participation in the country’s economic recovery programmes. 

    Germany’s Finance Minister Christian Lindner

    “We have good relations with China. We would like you to encourage China to participate in these programmes as quickly as possible,” President Akufo-Addo said.

    In response, German Ambassador to Ghana, Daniel Krull, advised that Ghana reduces the size of her government to reflect the current economic challenges.

    “I can only compare with the other countries like mine and I can come to the conclusion that there is a huge number, the number is much higher than in my country, so that may bring me to the conclusion that there is room for improvement,” he said.

    Ghana’s Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta also initiated talks with China in February 2023 to discuss the former’s debt situation and explore possible solutions. 

    Ken Ofori-Atta
    Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta

    However, some experts are sceptical that Ghana’s engagement with China will be productive due to the country’s unique debt circumstances.

    According to Dr. Ishmael Hlovor, an international development expert, Ghana’s debt situation is more complicated than the debt of the 27 countries whose debts China cancelled in 2019. 

    These debts were getting to maturity, and there was something small left on them, whereas Ghana’s debt has more commercial lending components. 

    “In 2019 for instance, about 27 countries’ debts were cancelled. But if you scrutinise those loans, they were loans that were getting to maturation and there was something small left on them, but our situation is a little bit complicated because of commercial lending,” he told JoyNews.

    Therefore, Ghana should lower its expectations about debt cancellation and seek other ways to restructure its debts, such as extending the repayment period, lowering interest rates, or swapping debts with other creditors.

    Moreover, there is another school of thought that believes that Ghana’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine war could further complicate its negotiation with China, given China’s friendly relationship with Russia. 

    On February 24, 2023, Ghana supported a UN General Assembly resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, along with Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Egypt, and Kenya. 

    UN General Assembly

    President Akufo-Addo emphasized that “great powers trampling on small nations is not something that we welcome,” and Ghana would continue to hold its position. However, China has not directly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine or otherwise and called for a cease-fire and peace talks instead. 

    Prior to this, President Akufo-Addo ratted out Burkina Faso, accusing the neighbouring country inviting in mercenaries from Russian firm Wagner.

    “To have them operating on our northern border is particularly distressing for us in Ghana,” he said in December 2022.

    China has close ties with Russia, as evidenced by the “no limits” partnership agreement signed between Beijing and Moscow in February 2022. More interesting is Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Russia and their subsequent signage of another partnership agreement that seeks to deepen China-Russia relations. 

    Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin

    It remains uncertain how China will respond to Ghana’s request for debt relief. 

    However, Ghana’s engagement with China could provide an opportunity for both countries to strengthen their economic ties and collaborate on infrastructure and development projects. 

    Ghana could leverage China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to promote trade, investment, and connectivity between China and countries along the ancient Silk Road, to enhance its transport, energy, and communication infrastructure. 

    Nonetheless, Ghana must balance its engagement with China’s economic interests and its foreign policy objectives and ensure that it pursues sustainable and equitable development.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Your economy was ill before Covid – Sammy Gyamfi to Akufo-Addo

    Your economy was ill before Covid – Sammy Gyamfi to Akufo-Addo

    National Democratic Congress’ (NDC’s) national communications officer, Sammy Gyamfi, said it is a false claim that Ghana’s economy was thriving prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.

    He indicated that the economy was beginning to show signs of weakness before the pandemic.

    His remarks follow those of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who noted in his state of the nation address (SONA) on March 8 that Ghana’s economy was doing well before the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war broke out.

    The managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), according to the president, even acknowledged that Ghana’s economy was doing well before the pandemic.

    He said, “I have said, and the Managing Director of the IMF has also said, our economy was doing well until covid 19, and Russia Ukraine war.”

    But speaking on the Big Issue on TV3 Wednesday, March 22, Sammy Gyamfi said “These are people who are allergic to the truth. Before Covid, the government was already spending recklessly.

    “Before Covid what did the government have to show for the borrowing? Before covid, the economy was nothing to wrote home about.”

    He further attributed Ghana’s problems to wastage and corruption by the government.

  • Akufo-Addo’s government has unprecedented levels of corruption – Sammy Gyamfi

    Akufo-Addo’s government has unprecedented levels of corruption – Sammy Gyamfi

    The National Communications Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, has alleged that President Akufo-Addo is responsible for corruption in the country.

    He again accused President Akufo-Addo of promoting corruption to the extent of going ahead with investigations to exonerate his appointees accused of engaging in corruption-related cases.

    Sammy Gyamfi further slammed government officials for engaging in corruption which he said has taken a toll on the economy.

    In an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu, on Face to Face on Citi TV, Sammy Gyamfi claimed, “they have come to promote corruption. President Akufo-Addo came to enable corruption, if corruption was a human being, its name would have been President Akufo-Addo. If you wanted to see corruption, and you saw President Akufo-Addo you would have found your answers”.

    He stressed, “no President in the history of this country has promoted corruption than President Akufo-Addo. This President engages in corruption, his Vice President engages in corruption, and their officials engage in corruption. When they are caught by state agencies, they either fight them or even before investigations are done, the President comes out to whitewash himself and sometimes his corrupt officials”.

    He wondered why the President conferred a national award on the Health Minister, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, who has been indicted by the Auditor General for misusing COVID-19 funds.

    “As I speak with you, the Health Minister Kwaku Agyemang -Manu has been indicted by the Auditor General for paying $81 million for vaccines not supplied. Instead of sacking this man, President Akufo-Addo conferred a national award [Order of the Volta-Companion] on him. He also engaged in procurement breaches of Sputnik V vaccines,” he said.

  • Barker-Vormawor swears to make Akufo-Addo’s life miserable after office

    Barker-Vormawor swears to make Akufo-Addo’s life miserable after office

    The convener of the #FixTheCountry movement, Oliver Mawusi Barker-Vormawor, has vowed to make the life of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo unpleasant due to the alleged abuse of some people detained by the government in connection with the secession of Western Togoland.

    The activist claims to have knowledge that some people suspected of belonging to the successionist group are being held in the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) custody without being charged.

    “I heard a story today that several Ghanaians picked up in connection with Western Togoland have been held in BNI/NIB custody over a year without any charges brought against them.,” he wrote in a Facebook post sighted by the media.

    The activist also alleged that some of the suspects have died while in custody and the state without recourse to their families have since gone ahead to bury them.

    “Some have died and the bodies were not released to their families but buried by the state at its pleasure,” he alleged.

    He has thus vowed to make President Akufo-Addo pay for the treatment of the alleged suspects upon the completion of his term of office.

    “I am praying to God, that none of these grave allegations of abduction and disappearance against Nana Addo’s Government are true.

    “But if they are, I swear on my grandmother’s grave that when this man leaves office, I will make his life a living hell!” the activist said.

    Article 57 (4) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana stipulates that “…the President shall not, while in office, be liable to proceedings in any court for the performance of his functions, or for any act done or omitted to be done, or purported to be done, or purported to have been done or purporting to be done in the performance of his functions, under this Constitution or any other law.”

    Meanwhile, the Criminal Division of the High Court in Accra presided over by Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh, has sentenced five Western Togoland secessionists to a total of 25-years in prison.

    The suspects who were sentenced on Tuesday, March 21, 2022, were arrested by the police in September 2020 after they blocked the Aveyime road from Accra with sand and attacked the Aveyime and Mepe Police, Stations in the Volta Region.

    The High Court convicted the five accused persons on 17 March 2023 after finding them guilty of offences contrary to the Prohibited Organisations Act 1976 (Supreme Military Council Decree/SMCD20).

    The first two of the four charges under SMCD20 proffered against the accused were:

    Attending meetings of a prohibited organization contrary to Section 2(1)(b) of SMCD20, and Making contributions to the funds of a prohibited organisation contrary to Section 2(1)(g) of SMCD 20.

    The third and fourth charges were participating in the campaign of a prohibited organization, contrary to Section 2(1)(d) of SMCD20, and being a member of a prohibited organization, contrary to Section 2(1)(i) of SMCD20.

  • Akufo-Addo praises nine Voltarians for their outstanding contribution to Ghana

    Akufo-Addo praises nine Voltarians for their outstanding contribution to Ghana

    Regional Youth Resource Center at Adaklu in the Volta Region hosted Ghana’s 66th Independence Day celebration with the motto “Our Unity, Our Strength, Our Mission.”

    The president chose the region to host the yearly celebration in accordance with his personal pledge to rotate the event across the regions to strengthen national solidarity, according to Lord Commey, Director of Operations in the president’s office.

    The occasion was graced by the President of Guinea Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo who doubles as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as the special guest of honour, as well as some powerful chiefs in the region including Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, Togbui Sri III, Togbui Fiti among others.

    While speaking at the anniversary, President Nana Akufo-Addo praised some individuals from the region who have greatly contributed to the nation’s development.

    “Ladies and Gentlemen, this is part of Ghana has produced, arguably, the nation’s two greatest composers, Ephraim Amu, composer of that great anthem, Mia denyigba lorlor la (Yen Ara Asase Ni), who taught us to take pride in our culture, and Phillip Gbeho, composer of Ghana’s vibrant and much loved national anthem; Daniel Chapman Nyaho, one of Ghana’s most eminent administrators who, at independence, helped ensure a seamless transition when the British left; the Reverend Ametorwobla, that powerful orator who proved you could be both a priest and a politician; and Esther Ocloo, née Nkulenu, trail-blazer and industrialist extraordinaire, whose entrepreneurial spirit lives on.

    “This is the part of Ghana that also gave us Komla Agbeli Gbedemah, Ghana’s first Minister for Finance and one of the founding fathers of our nation, and the charismatic Jerry John Rawlings, first president of the Fourth Republic and Ghana’s longest serving head of state,” part of the president’s speech said.

    GhanaWeb has compiled a list of all the seven Voltarians lauded by the president during his speech at the 66th Independence Day celebration.

    1. Jerry John Rawlings

    John Jerry Rawlings was the first president of the Fourth Republic and Ghana’s longest-serving head of state. He was a Ghanaian military officer and a politician who led the country in 1979, and then from 1981 to 2001. He was born on June 22, 1947, and died on November 12, 2020.

    2. Ephraim Amu

    He was born on 13 September 1899 at Peki-Avetile of the Volta Region and died on 2 January 1995.

    Ephraim Amu was a Ghanaian composer, musicologist, and teacher. He is well known as the composer of one of Ghana’s most popular patriotic songs, ‘Yen Ara Asase Ni’.

    3. Komla Agbeli Gbedemah

    He was a Ghanaian politician and the first ever Ghana Minister of Finance in Nkrumah’s government between 1954 and 1961. He is popularly known as ‘Afro Gbede’. Gbedemah was born at Anyako in the Volta region on June 17, 1913, and died on July 11, 1998.

    4. Phillip Gbeho

    Philip Comi Gbeho was a Ghanaian musician, composer, and teacher

    He was born on January 14, 1904, in a fishing community at Keta in the Volta region and died on September 24, 1976.

    Philp Gbeho is also known as the composer of the Ghana National Anthem; God bless our homeland Ghana.

    5. Daniel Ahmling Chapman Nyaho

    Daniel Ahmling was a Ghanaian statesman and a diplomat. He was born on July 5, 1909, at Keta in the Volta region and died on July 13, 20221 at age 92.

    Chapman Nyaho was one of Ghana’s most eminent administrators who, at independence, helped ensure a seamless transition when the British left.

    6. Esther Ocloo

    Esther Afua Ocloo was a Ghanaian businesswoman, who was among the founders of Women’s World Banking in 1976. She was born on April 18, 1919, at Peki Dzake and died on February 8 2002 at age 82.

    7. Reverend Ametorwobla,

    Reverend Ametorwobla was a powerful orator who proved that one could be both a priest and a politician.

  • Akufo-Addo charges EC to prioritize credibility of 2024 polls

    Akufo-Addo charges EC to prioritize credibility of 2024 polls

    President Akufo-Addo has tasked the Election Commission (EC) to ensure that election 2024 is free, credible, and fair.

    According to him, a fair election will strengthen Ghana’s democratic credentials.

    “It is no secret that I have spent most of my adult life trying to fight for the establishment of democracy and human rights in this country and I have always fought and advocated for credible elections in Ghana. In emphasizing the importance of the credibility of elections, it must be pointed out that the counting, collation and declaration of the results, cannot and should not be more important than the sacred God-given rights of the citizen casting his or her ballot.”

    Nana Akufo-Addo made this statement at the swearing-in of two EC Board members at the Jubilee House.

    The President further charged that the electoral management body should not be intimidated by pressure from political parties.

    According to the President, criticisms are part of the country’s democracy and cannot be dismissed. 

    He asked the electoral management body to focus its efforts on the expectation of Ghanaians. 

    “Remember that now and ever, every single decision you take will be scrutinized to the letter.” That, however, should not scare you, and let no one try to coerce you into submission. On the contrary, let this expectation of the Ghanaian people spur you on to great heights, and above all, work to ensure that the will of the Ghanaian people is upheld.”

    President Akufo-Addo swore in three new members of the Electoral Commission (EC) at the Jubilee House.

    The newly inducted EC officials, namely, Dr Peter Appiahene, Salima Ahmed Tijani, and Rev. Akua Ofori Boateng, were inducted into office on Monday, March 20. 

    The President, however, urged them to uphold diligence in executing their mandate.

    Following the swearing-in, Dr. Appiahene, speaking on behalf of the members, declared that they were prepared to deliver and strengthen Ghana’s democracy.

    “We are, therefore, aware of the massive responsibilities and tasks that come with it.

    “We want to state that we are poised and more prepared to deliver and contribute to the development of our democracy, especially in this digital era.” he said

  • Three new Electoral Commissioners inaugurated by Akufo-Addo

    Three new Electoral Commissioners inaugurated by Akufo-Addo

    Three new members of the Election Commission (EC) have been sworn in by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    The three are Reverend Akua Ofori Boateng, Dr. Peter Appiahene, and Madam Salima Ahmed Tijani.

    On Monday, March 20, 2023, they were sworn in during a brief ceremony in the Jubilee House.

    The trio take office 21 months to the 2024 general elections.

    In his address to the new commissioners, President Akufo-Addo tasked them to put the national interest ahead of any other.

    “…indeed, let no one try to cow you into submission,” the President urged.

    “On the contrary, let this expectation of the Ghanaian people spur you onto great heights and above all the works of the will of the Ghanaian people is upheld.”

    Dr Appiahene, speaking on behalf of the others said: “This is not an appointment that one will take lightly especially looking at how important and sensitive the work of the Commission is.

    “We are therefore aware of the massive responsibilities and tasks that come with it. We want to state that we are poised and more prepared to deliver and contribute to the development of our democracy especially in this digital era.”

  • Asiedu Nketiah lists ‘wasteful’ items govt spends taxpayers’ monies on

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is bewildered by “wasteful” spending by the government being run by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    While delivering the “True State of the Nation’s Address” on Monday, National Chairman of the Party, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, listed a number of items the government spends a significant amount of taxpayers’ money on.

    Below is how much government allegedly spends and what it spends on:

    President’s operational enhancement expenditure – GHS59.4m

    Fuel Bills at the Presidency – GHS51.1m

    President Akufo-Addo’s regional tour last year – GHS16.9m

    Tyres and batteries for official vehicles at the Presidency – GHS15m

    A cabinet retreat outside Accra – GHS4.8m

    Payment for new vehicles – GHS6.5m

    Payment for networking and ICT equipment – GHS6.6m

    Independence Day celebration in the Central Region – GHS10.4m

    Telecommunications and data service from January to September – GHS20m

    Office furniture – GHS7m

    “Another reasons for Ghana’s economic collapse is the expenditure on the bloated size of government. Further evidence on the waste of taxes can be seen in the many needless political appointees at the Presidency in the midst of the worst economic crisis in living memory,” Mr Asiedu Nketiah added.

  • Ghanaians are tired of the flimsy excuses – Asiedu Nketiah to govt

    Ghanaians are tired of the flimsy excuses – Asiedu Nketiah to govt

    National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has entreated the government to take sole responsibility for the unpalatable state of the economy.

    While delivering what the party terms as the “True State of the Nation’s Address” on Monday at University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), he noted that Ghanaians are sick and tired of the “flimsy” excuses government has continued to preach.

    “Ghanaians want relief from the socioeconomic hardship visited on them by the NPP administration and not flimsy excuses Ghanaians want a government to be truthful even in difficult times and listen to them in humility,” he said.

    He noted that COVID-19 is not blame for the nation’s woes as purported by government. According to the NDC Chair, Ghana, way back as 2019 has recorded significant economic challenges.

    Mr Asiedu Nketiah said the public debt had increased from “120bn in 2016 to 225 in 2019, representing an increase of 105 bullion in the country’s debt stock.”

    “COVID was nowhere. Ukraine and Russia had not even thought about fighting,” he added.

    Source: The Independent Ghana


  • Putin subjected to international arrest warrant for war crimes committed in Ukraine

    Putin subjected to international arrest warrant for war crimes committed in Ukraine

    Vladimir Putin is wanted by the International Criminal Court after it accused him of committing war crimes in Ukraine.

    The arrest order aims to bring him before a court in The Hague, Netherlands for allegedly smuggling Ukrainian minors into Russia from seized territory.

    Human rights organizations and the UN have published reports describing a “vast network” of convoys and detention centers where Russian invaders routinely forcibly evict residents from their homes.

    Allegations include children, the elderly and people with disabilities being separated from their families, as well as detainees being beaten, electrocuted and threatened with execution.

    FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures while speaking at a news conference following a meeting of the State Council at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia on Dec. 22, 2022. Russia's economy has weathered the West's unprecedented economic sanctions far better than expected. But with restrictions finally tightening on the Kremlin's chief moneymaker ??? oil ??? the months ahead will be an even tougher test of President Vladimir Putin's fortress economy. (Sergey Guneyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)
    The 70-year-old is accused of personally overseeing the forced deportation of civilians.
    A young girl in the Russian-controlled Donbas region cries as she boards a train leaving her city last April.

    In one case discovered by Amnesty International, an 11-year-old boy from Mariupol was separated from his mum after they were captured last April and has not seen her since.

    Many of the children end up thousands of miles away, banned from contacting their parents and ‘re-educated’ to become pro-Russia, according to the US-based Conflict Observatory.

    A UN report in November said they are then placed up for adoption by Russian families and pressured into applying for Russian citizenship, which is sped up as officials falsely label them ‘orphans’.

    In its warrant, the International Criminal Court (ICC) says there are ‘reasonable grounds to believe that President Putin bears individual criminal responsibility’ for the ‘unlawful transfer’ and ‘unlawful deportation’ of people.

    A view of the town of Bakhmut, the site of the heaviest battles with the Russian troops, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Roman Chop)
    Bakhmut is the latest warzone city in which families have been forced to flee their homes.
    ZERNOGRAD, ROSTOV-ON-DON REGION, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 23, 2022: Children evacuated from Donbass and volunteers are seen at a temporary accommodation center at a dormitory of Azov Black Sea Engineering Institute. As tension escalated in east Ukraine on 18 February, 2022, the leaders of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics announced a mass evacuation of civilians to Russia. On 19 February 2022, the two republics announced general mobilisation. According to Russia's acting Emergencies Minister Alexander Chupriyan, over 70 Russian regions are ready to accommodate evacuated residents of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics. Maxim Grigoryev/TASS EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO COMMERCIAL USE. NO ADVERTISING (Photo by Maxim Grigoryev\TASS via Getty Images)
    Children ‘evacuated’ from Russian-controlled territory are allegedly subjected to ‘re-education.

    He is accused of directly ordering the scheme and ‘failing to exercise control’ over the soldiers and and officials running it.

    Also accused in the warrant is Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, who is also said to have been personally involved in the war crimes.

    The chances of the pair willingly appearing before the ICC are virtually nil, but the warrant means they would be arrested if they ever set foot in any of the 123 countries which have signed up to its laws.

    International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin

    Making Putin a ‘wanted man’ also sends a wake-up call to other war criminals that ‘their day in court may be coming, regardless of rank of position’, Balkees Jarrah of Human Rights Watch told Metro.co.uk.

    The 70-year-old is arguably the most powerful target of the court in its 21-year history, and the most high-profile leader to be formally accused of war crimes since the Nuremberg trials of Nazi officials.

    He is only the third Russian to be issued with such a warrant after a former general and former prison boss were indicted last year for torturing hostages and deporting civilians during the 2008 war between Russia and Georgia.

  • Mahama to submit nomination form March 21

    Mahama to submit nomination form March 21

    John Dramani Mahama, a candidate for the National Democracy Congress‘ (NDC) flagbearer position, will submit his nomination Tuesday, March 21 in order to participate in the May 13th primary elections.

    Originally planned for Monday, the John Mahama Campaign says it is “very sorry for the postponement, which is in response to a request from the party to reschedule because of the presentation of the party’s True State of the Nation Address on Monday.”

    Mr. Mahama will however continue his first phase tour of the Ashanti Region, which ends today, a statement by the aide to the former President, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, said.

    John Mahama who is a one-term former president is seeking to return to power after he was defeated by Akufo-Addo in the 2016 and 2020 general elections.

    Mr. Mahama believes the Akufo-Addo government has put the country into reverse gear.

    Below is the full statement from Mahama’s campaign team:

    PRESS RELEASE

    John Mahama to file nomination on Tuesday

    National Democratic Congress (NDC) aspiring presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, will file his nomination to contest the 13th May 2023 primaries on Tuesday at 1.00pm.

    Originally planned for Monday, the John Mahama Campaign says it is very sorry for the postponement, which is in response to a request from the party to reschedule because of the presentation of the party’s True State of the Nation Address on Monday.

    President Mahama will however continue his first phase tour of the Ashanti Region, which ends today.

    Joyce Bawah Mogtari
    Spokesperson
    Sunday, March 19, 2023.

  • Social media react over Akufo-Addo and John Mahama handshake photo

    Social media react over Akufo-Addo and John Mahama handshake photo

    Former president John Dramani Mahama and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo recently had a public meeting.

    The two were present during the funeral service for Black Stars footballer Christian Atsu, which was held on March 17 in Accra on the front lawn of the State House.

    President Akufo-Addo, the last guest to arrive before the programme officially kicked off went across the dais to greet other guests present before taking his seat.

    Mahama and his son Sharaf were among the first he greeted but it is his firm handshake with his predecessor that has gotten people on social media excited.

    The particular photo as shared on Mahama’s Facebook timeline showed the two men in a tight handshake whiles looking into each others faces.

    Commenters are employing jovial interpretations whiles others are making political predictions from the photo.

    It had received over 120 comments at the time of filing this report.

  • No IMF deal for Ghana by March – Ato Forson

    No IMF deal for Ghana by March – Ato Forson

    President Akufo-Addo is being mislead about the likelihood that the administration will receive an IMF Board clearance this month, according to the Minority leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson,

    He said that the procedure that would result in the IMF Board considering Ghana’s request had not yet begun.

    According to Dr. Ato Forson, these procedures won’t begin until China consents to provide Ghana with a debt financing assurance.

    Ghana won’t get IMF deal by close of March - Ato Forson
    President Akufo-Addo

    However, the Ajumako Enyan Essiam MP said China is currently not ready to accept the haircut being proposed by the Ghanaian government. 

    “Mr. Speaker, our President said on authority that Ghana would get an IMF Board approval by the end of this month, I don’t know who is briefing our President, but Ghana will not be able to get an IMF Board approval by the end of this month

    “We need to get China to give Ghana financing assurance and that they are ready to take a haircut and China has not agreed,” he said in Parliament on Friday, March 17. 

    Ghana is currently before the Bretton Woods Institution for a $3 billion bailout. 

    As a result, the government has renegotiated its domestic debt and on course with the foreign partners as well. 

    Due to this, President Akufo-Addo during the 2023 state of the nation address was confident the government can secure the deal by the end the month. 

    According to the President, the government is systematically fulfilling the terms of the staff-level agreement reached with the IMF. 

    “I am confident with the cooperation we’re receiv­ing from members of the Paris Club and the People’s Republic of China, which has sent a delegation from China’s Exim Bank to Accra over the weekend, to meet with officials of the Ministry of Finance, we shall be able to go to the board of the fund to conclude finally the agreement by the end of March,” he said.

    But the Minority Leader said Ghana is not likely to clinch a deal with the IMF in March and would be lucky to get a deal in April.

  • When it comes to economic management, the NDC is utterly incompetent – Majority leader

    When it comes to economic management, the NDC is utterly incompetent – Majority leader

    Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, the majority leader, asserted that the NDC administration is ineffective at managing the country despite the current economic crisis it is experiencing.

    Without taking into account COVID-19, he claimed that the Akufo-Addo administration was reforming Ghana’s economy, which saw growth of 7.0 percent in terms of ECOWAS GDP.

    The majority leader claimed that because there was no COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine war, the Akufo-Addo government outperformed the John Mahama administration in his final debate on the 2023 SoNA.

    “Mr speaker in 2019 the ECOWAS GDP averaged 3.5 per cent under Akufo-Addo the economy grew by 6.5 per cent which means that in the first 3 years of Akufo-Addo’s administration before COVID-19 struck GDP growth at an average of 7.0 per cent as compared to your shambolic performance of 3.9 per cent.

    “…Mr Speaker so the management of the economy you people (NDC) don’t come anywhere close.”

    He added that the economy is bouncing back especially in the industry and manufacturing sector in registering 4.8 per cent growth in the last 3 years.

  • Data on roads before Akufo-Addo assumed office available – Amoako-Attah

    Data on roads before Akufo-Addo assumed office available – Amoako-Attah

    According to sector minister Kwasi Amoako-Attah, the Ministry of Roads and Highways has records for every road built in Ghana, both before and after Akufo-Addo became president.

    He has therefore asked all persons doubting Mr Akufo-Addo’s comment that his administration has built more roads than any other government in the Fourth Republic to visit the Ministry for the data to do the analysis.

    He told Parliament on Wednesday, March 15 that Mr Akufo-Addo’s comment is factual, inconvertible and backed by data and further urged Parliament to set up a bipartisan committee, if need be, to interrogate the claim of the President.

    President Akufo-Addo in the address in Parliament on Wednesday, March 8, said that “Mr Speaker, I would like to state categorically that this Government has built more roads than any government in the history of the 4th Republic, and Mr. Speaker, the details of all these roads are attached in the annex to this message.”

    He added, “I have done so because, last year, when I made a similar pronouncement, I was met with howls and gasps of incredulity from the Minority benches, and so I thought it’s appropriate, this time, to present it as an annex to the statement, which will be part of Hansard.”

    But his comments were challenged by the Minority in Parliament.

    The Minority Chief Whip Kwame Agbodza said the President’s statement contained factual inaccuracies.

    He described President Nana Akufo-Addo’s comment as a ”barefaced lie.”

    In a statement, Mr Agbodza who is also the Ranking Member of the Roads and Highways Committee of Parliament said “the claim that the Akufo-Addo government has constructed more Interchanges between (2017 – 2022), than the NDC (2009 – 2016), is an unfortunate fabrication that should not be peddled by no less a person than President Akufo-Addo.

    “The attempt to expropriate for his government, the following projects, is most scandalizing and such dishonesty must be called out and condemned by all; Pokuase Interchange; Tema Motorway Interchange Phase 1; Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange Phase 1; Flowerpot
    5. Suhum Interchange

    “Funding for these projects was secured by the erstwhile Mahama/NDC administration, contracts signed and works ongoing before President Akufo-Addo and the NPP came into office in 2017. The Suhum Interchange project for instance was about 85% completed when the Mahama/NDC administration exited office in 2016. It is therefore disingenuous for the President to peddle such a confident lie and insist that this be recorded into the Hansard of Parliament as truth.”

    But Mr Amoako-Attah who is also lawmaker for Atiwa West said “The President stated categorically that this government has built more roads than any government in the history of the Fourth Republic. The details of all these roads are attached in the annex to his message.

    “These statements made by the president was factual, the statement was credible, the statement was dependable, the statement was incontestable, the statement was undisputed, the statement was incontrovertible and above all statement is verifiable by anybody who cares.

    “It is backed by empirical data which is available at the Ministry of Road and Highways. I challenge any member of this House or any member of this country. This House can set up an independent bipartisan committee to investigate the data.”

  • Edudzi Tameklo reveals why Marietta Brew and Fui Tsikata ‘refused’ Akufo-Addo’s National Honours

    Edudzi Tameklo reveals why Marietta Brew and Fui Tsikata ‘refused’ Akufo-Addo’s National Honours

    Legal practitioner Edudzi Kudzo Tameklo has explained why former Attorney-General Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong and Lawyer Fui Tsikata failed to accept National Honours from President Akufo-Addo on March 14, 2023.

    The president celebrated three groups of people at the National Honours and Awards event, from the COVID-19 heroes and heroines through to eminent Ghanaians and the group of lawyers, but his recognition was not accepted by all.

    In a Facebook post on March 14, Mr Edudzi Kudzo Tameklo stated that the former A-G and lawyer Fui Tsikata asked that some individuals be included in the list of those to be awarded as they contributed to the international boundary dispute case for which they were being honored

    According to Mr Edudzi Kudzo Tameklo, the duo’s request was not granted by the government, thus their inability to accept the honours.

    “The above mentioned individuals did ask the Award Committee to include the people they worked with during the litigation as part of the awardees. Mr Akufo Addo refused to include those individuals,” Edudzi wrote in reaction to a post by presidential staffer Charles Nii Teiko Tagoe.

    In honouring the two women, the president said these are “men and women who made sure that the maritime boundary dispute with our immediate, western neighbour, the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire ended favourably for the Republic of Ghana, thereby, ensuring that our western maritime resources, including its oil and gas potential, rightfully remained in our possession.”

    The 18-members of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Technical Team and Legal Advisors, who were awarded.

    In 2007, Ghana discovered oil and gas in commercial quantities, and this was followed by Côte d’Ivoire staking its claim to portions of the West Cape Three Points.

    The Special Chamber of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) was petitioned to look into the matter and in a unanimous decision of Saturday, September 23, 2017 it ruled that there has not been any violation on the part of Ghana on Côte d’Ivoire’s maritime boundary.

    The Chamber rejected Côte d’Ivoire’s argument that Ghana’s coastal lines were unstable.

    Justice Boualem Bouguetaia from Algeria, President of the Special Chamber in reading the judgement accepted Ghana’s argument of adoption of the equidistant method of delineation of the maritime boundary.

    About Marietta Brew:

    She became the 23rd Attorney General of Ghana and Minister for Justice of the Republic in 2013.

    Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong was appointed by former president Mahama in 2013 and she served in the role throughout the first term of the Mahama administration.

    She is also the second woman to hold this position after Betty Mould-Iddrisu.

    She served on the Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce from 1 July 2018 for a three-year term.

    About Fui Tsikata

    The Africa Arbitration Association, wrote of Fui: “Mr Fui Tsikata is senior partner at Reindorf Chambers, the Ghana member firm of the DLA Piper Africa Group of law firms.

    He has been a member of the Ghana Bar since January 1975.

    He was one of Ghana’s advocates in the proceedings at the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) relating to the maritime boundary between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire conducted between December 2014 and September 2017.

  • Akufo-Addo’s government is sabotaging my businesses – Kennedy Agyapong cries

    Akufo-Addo’s government is sabotaging my businesses – Kennedy Agyapong cries

    Flagbearer candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and member of parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has made claims that the Akufo-Addo administration is intimidating and harassing him.

    The billionaire claims that since entering the race to represent the NPP in the election of 2024, his companies have been subjected to unprecedented sabotage.

    “Let me state it clearly, they cannot use the system to intimidate me. It won’t work. It is so sad for me to make this statement. I operated businesses during all the regimes in the Fourth Republic, but I never went through any of this harassment and intimidation unlike under this Akufo-Addo government that I have been MP for six consecutive terms,” Kenndey Agyapong said while speaking on Kumasi-based Sompa FM.

    The lawmaker declared his intention to contest for the NPP presidential candidacy last year and has since been touring the country to convince party delegates to elect him.

    He has spoken against the NPP choosing either Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia or former Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kyerematen as its candidate will lead to defeat in the 2024 election.

    According to him, the party needs a clean and honest person like himself as a candidate to win the next election.

    In his view, anyone who has been part of the incumbent government is not fit to represent the party in the presidential election because of the bad record of the government in managing the country’s economy.

  • Clement Apaak requests a probe into Prof. Boateng’s claims that top NPP officials are involved in galamsey

    Clement Apaak requests a probe into Prof. Boateng’s claims that top NPP officials are involved in galamsey

    The member of parliament for Builsa South, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, has demanded an inquiry into some claims made by Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, a former minister of environment, science, technology, and innovation, that some NPP top officials are involved in galamsey.

    He asserts that these accusations cannot and must not be disregarded, particularly given that they are from a former member of the NPP government.

    “We demand an investigation into allegations by Prof. Boateng, a former NPP Minister, then head of the anti-galamsey fight, that “People in the NPP, people in gov’t and people at Jubilee House are engaged in galamsey”. Galamsey is a crime and those involved must be punished,” Clement Apaak tweeted.

    Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, a former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, who also chaired the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM),in an interview revealed that elements within both the governing New Patriotic Party and the Akufo-Addo government, conspired in a grand scheme to hound him out of office to pave the way for their free participation in illegal mining (galamsey).

    Prof Frimpong-Boateng said that the missing excavator story was trumped up against him by his own party and other government officials involved in galamsey, just to get him out.

    It is based on this that Clement Apaak has called for an investigation into the matter.

    “Ghanaians expect the requisite state agencies/institutions (OSP, BIN, CID) to show loyalty to Ghana by initiating investigations into the allegations made by Prof. Boateng. By his stature and previous position in this NPP gov’t, these allegations cannot and must not be ignored.

    “CSOs, organised labour, the clergy and all well-meaning Ghanaians must canvas for an investigation into these allegations that elements in the Presidency, gov’t and NPP are engaged in galamsey, and consequently, the pollution of our rivers and destruction of our environment,” he added.

    We DEMAND an investigation into allegations by Prof. Boateng, a former NPP Minister, then head of the anti-galamsey fight, that “People in the NPP, people in gov’t and people at Jubilee House are engaged in galamsey”. Galamsey is a crime and those involved must be punished. pic.twitter.com/LqW93NmZQf— Dr. Clement Abas Apaak (@DrApaak) March 12, 2023

  • “Keep making a difference for humanity -Dr. Bawumia

    “Keep making a difference for humanity -Dr. Bawumia

    As Rebecca Akufo-Addo celebrates her 72nd birthday on March 12, 2023, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has paid tribute to the first lady.

    Dr. Bawumia wished the first lady God’s continuous blessing and protection as she reached the milestone in a Facebook post.

    The Vice President addressed her as “Auntie Becky” and wrote, “Auntie Becky, my desire for you on this day is that may God continue to bless and protect you, and may you continue to touch humanity positively.”

    Prior to this, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, also in a Facebook post, celebrated his wife on her birthday.

    “Happy Birthday to my beautiful Rebecca,” he said while sharing two images of his wife on Facebook.

    Rebecca Akufo-Addo became First Lady after Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo won the December 7 elections in 2016 and was subsequently sworn in as president on January 7, 2017.

    She is using her office to champion the cause of women and children and as an ambassador for the fight against cancer.

    Rebecca Akufo-Addo was born on March 12, 1951.

  • Akufo-Addo honours his wife Rebecca Akufo-Addo on her birthday

    Akufo-Addo honours his wife Rebecca Akufo-Addo on her birthday

    President of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo honoured his wife Rebecca on her 72nd birthday.

    Nana Addo wished the country’s First Lady a happy birthday on Facebook.

    He wished his lovely Rebecca a happy birthday.

    Following the President’s victory in the December 7 election in 2016, Rebecca Akufo-Addo was appointed First Lady. On January 7, 2017, Rebecca Akufo-Addo was sworn in as President.

    She is using her Office to champion the cause of women and children and as an Ambassador for the fight against cancer.

    Rebecca Akufo-Addo was born on 12 March 1951.

  • Roads Ministry responds to Agbodza’s assertion on built-up roads

    Roads Ministry responds to Agbodza’s assertion on built-up roads

    Claims made by the Minority Chief Whip, Kwame Governs Agbodza, that the Akufo-Addo administration is expropriating projects developed by the previous Mahama administration have been deemed false by the Ministry of Roads and Highways.

    In response to Mr. Agbodza’s assertion, the Ministry released a statement in which it informed the public about the nation’s ongoing road construction initiatives.

    The minister claimed that the action was a part of efforts to provide accountability and transparency to Ghanaians.

    “The public is assured that in the spirit of transparency and accountability, the Ministry will continue to provide accurate information on road projects to the good people of Ghana,” a statement the Ministry issued on March 10, 2023 stated.

  • Data clearly shows that we have borrowed carelessly – Acheampong Theo

    Data clearly shows that we have borrowed carelessly – Acheampong Theo

    Economist, Dr. Theo Acheampong, is convinced that the Ghanaian government has been careless with its borrowing and spending.

    Contrary to President Akufo-Addo’s assertion that debts accumulated under the previous administration were to blame for the economy’s downturn, he claimed that the current administration bears a major share of responsibility for the dire state of the economy.

    According to statistics on the nation’s debt accumulation, a sizable portion of it was contracted under the current administration, he claimed.

    “If you look at the statement again that the President made that it is worth noting that the debts that we’re servicing were not only contracted during the period of this administration – yes that is true but if you look at it in the final details, a lot of it actually have been contracted during this administration,” he said.

    Explaining his assertion, Dr. Acheamong disclosed that the current government has borrowed three times as much as the Mahama administration and “almost about ten times” as much as former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s administration. This, he says defeats the President’s claim during his delivery of the 2023 SONA in parliament, where he explained that a chunk of the borrowed funds had been channelled into “the unprecedented road construction.”

    But Dr. Acheampong has questioned the quality of the roads said to have been constructed with such a huge amount of borrowed money.

    “So what is the quality of the roads that have been constructed,” he quizzed.

    According to the expert, borrowing is done to also service debt but currently, the country is broke to the extent that “we cannot service our debt.”

    He reiterated that data clearly shows that the country has been “on an unsustainable path that has led it down this way,” however, he said there are some positive sides to consider.

    He explained that when he takes into account state indicators such as GDP growth, inflation, lending rates, harmony on labour fronts and general sense of security, amongst others currently, he would rate the government 5 out of 10.

    He disclosed that in the last couple of years, the country has been exporting more than it imports, saying that the country exported 17.4 billion dollars’ worth of goods and imported just under 15 billion dollars.

    Although the country had recorded a positive trade balance which should have shored up its reserves, the “negative outflow from its capital account” has “offset those upflows,” according to the Economist.

  • Ato Forson sends another reminder to Akufo-Addo to reduce size of govt

    Ato Forson sends another reminder to Akufo-Addo to reduce size of govt

    Minority Leader in Parliament Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson has sent another reminder to President Akufo-Addo over the size of his government.

    He says President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has refused to cut down both government size and public expenditure despite the current economic challenges the country faces amidst defaulting in its debt repayment since January 2022.

    “Ghana has officially defaulted in the repayment of our debt since January 2022 yet Mr. President your government is failing to cut down the size of government and public expenditure”, Hon Cassiel Ato Forson who is also MP for the Ajumako Enyan Esiam Constituency told the president in Parliament yesterday after the President presented his State of the Nation Address (SONA).

    Dr. Ato Forson also accused the President of allowing the Bank of Ghana to print GHC 54 billion in less than two years which according to him is the reason why the country is witnessing hyperinflation.

    “Ghana is witnessing hyperinflation largely because your government allowed the Bank of Ghana to print GHC 50 billion for the year 2022 and another GHC 4 billion in the 2023 first quarter”, Hon Ato Forson revealed in Parliament.

    Backing his series of accusations on the President, the Minority Leader added “our position is that, inflation is currently rising monetary policy rate is also at 28% Ghana Cedi has depreciated by 20% in January alone, Mr President, unemployment is exceedingly high at the record levels and as we speak Mr President, lending rate is at 40%.”

  • Akufo-Addo ‘warned’ diplomatic call against government criticism at Peduase Lodge meeting – Sam George

    Akufo-Addo ‘warned’ diplomatic call against government criticism at Peduase Lodge meeting – Sam George

    Akufo-Addo has come under fire from Sam Nartey George, the member of parliament for Ningo Prampram, for claiming that Ghana has experienced a great deal of freedom of speech during his administration.

    Sam George claims that Akufo-Addo spread untruths when he summoned the diplomatic community to Peduase on January 28, 2020, and sternly warned them to refrain from commenting on domestic matters affecting our nation.

    Speaking on the 2023 SoNA debate in parliament on March 10, 2023, Sam George said “…Our friends on the other side, led by President Akufo-Addo, who have given the truth and facts a haircut. Mr Speaker, it appears that the government led by Akufo-Addo has engaged in a debt exchange programme with the truth but has decided to peddle the untruth in this house.”

    “President Akufo-Addo, in his statement in this house, said that indeed ‘freedom of speech has now reached such a height that even members of the diplomatic corp feel able to join in our national discourse’.

    “Mr Speaker Akufo-Addo has forgotten that he summoned the diplomatic community to Peduase on Tuesday, January 28, 2020, and issued them with a stern warning to stop commenting on national issues of our country, that is a record of Akufo-Addo, yet today he turns around and says there is freedom of speech and that there is an intolerant person who is unhappy about the descent.

    “You are begging the German government to help you beg China to forgive debt, and when the German ambassador tells you that your government is suffering from elephantiasis, you say your party symbol is an elephant, so he should leave you alone, and you are complaining about that,” Sam George added.

    President Akufo-Addo on Wednesday, March 7, 2023, fulfilled his constitutional mandate by addressing parliament about the current state of the nation under his stewardship.

    The president emphasised that but for COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, the country was headed in the right direction in terms of overall development.

    But according to the opposition minority, Ghana has suffered and continues to suffer from what they deem to be the incompetence of the current government.

  • Akufo-Addo has been fair to Ghanaians – Afenyo Markin

    Akufo-Addo has been fair to Ghanaians – Afenyo Markin

    The Deputy Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo Markin, has said that the Akufo-Addo-led administration has been very upfront with Ghanaians about its promises.

    He stated that President Akufo-Addo made the promise of a free SHS to Ghanaians during his campaign in 2016 and he has kept his word.

    This massive capital-intensive intervention will help to build the future of many Ghanaians who might not have had the chance to attend or complete senior high school.

    The Deputy Majority Leader further mentioned the reduction of utility tariffs especially on electricity which the then Mahama-led government failed to do same for Ghanaians.

    Mr Afenyo Markin further spoke about the numerous taxes which were abolished by the NPP government in 2017, 2018 and 2019 so as not to burden Ghanaians until the advent of Covid-19.

    He noted that despite the Covid-19 setback and the recent economic hardship occasioned by the Russia-Ukraine war, President Akufo-Addo is still keeping to his promises on most of his social interventions.

    Mr Afenyo Markin made these comments today in Parliament when he moved the motion for the commencement of debate on President Akufo-Addo’s presentation on the State of the Nation Address.

  • Gold-for-Oil: Fuel prices will continue to reduce – Akufo-Addo

    Gold-for-Oil: Fuel prices will continue to reduce – Akufo-Addo

    President Akufo-Addo has told Ghanaians to anticipate a further drop in the prices of petroleum products at the fuel pumps.

    Delivering the 2023 State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Wednesday, the president noted that the Gold Purchase Programme by the Bank of Ghana and the Gold for Oil Policy are already bearing fruit.

    According to him, the average price of petrol at the pump, which had risen to twenty GHS20 a litre, in the middle of December 2022, is now GHS18.30 a litre.

    “The price of diesel had risen to more than twenty-three cedis and seventy pesewas (GH¢23.70) a litre and is now selling on the average at thirteen cedis and eighty pesewas (GH¢13.80) a litre, which is a reduction of almost ten cedis a litre.”

    “We expect this trend of falling fuel prices to reflect soon in our daily lives, since transport fares affect the price of everything. I hope the trend of prices going up and coming down become a regular feature of our retail economy as is being demonstrated in the fuel prices. Because, as we all know, prices, especially of petroleum products, used only to go up in our country,” he added.

    The president is rest assured that the Gold Purchase Programme by the Bank of Ghana and the Gold for Oil Policy will help Ghana preserve its foreign exchange, especially the US dollar, as well as stabilise the price of oil products such as petrol and diesel on the domestic market.

    “We have already seen some success on both fronts with the price of US dollars and petroleum products falling since we announced the policy and began to implement it,” he added.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Akufo-Addo, cohorts should be grateful for COVID – Twifo Atti MP

    Akufo-Addo, cohorts should be grateful for COVID – Twifo Atti MP

    Member of Parliament for Twifo Atti Morkwa, David Vondee, has advised the NPP government to desist from painting a picture that sells COVID-19 as an evil phenomenon.

    According to him, the pandemic has provided them the opportunity to take more monies from Ghanaians through the COVID levy, hence they should be grateful.

    He made this known while speaking to the Independent Ghana following the delivery of the 2023 state of the nation address by President Akufo-Addo.

    Below is his conversation with the media:

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • NHIS paid GHS1.014bn claims in 2022 – Akufo-Addo

    NHIS paid GHS1.014bn claims in 2022 – Akufo-Addo

    According to President Akufo-Addo, the National Health Insurance System (NHIS) paid a total claim of GH1.014 billion to healthcare providers as of December 31, 2022.

    He claimed that was as a result of the program’s enhanced claims management procedures, which placed a focus on electronic claims and paperless systems at its Claims Processing Centers.

    In the State of the Nation Address (SONA) he gave on Wednesday in Accra, he predicted that in 2022, processing of electronic claims would account for roughly 70% (70%) of all submissions.

    “We must be cheered by the improvements being made in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to make access easier. The scheme is currently one of the better-digitalized institutions, and I hope they get the public support that they need,” he said. 

    The President lauded the NHIA for developing a self-enrolment mobile application (My NHIS App) that allowed Ghana Card holders to self-enrol in the scheme, as the application enabled registration and renewal for oneself and others by linking NHIS cards to Ghana cards. 

    “In 2022, over 5 million members’ data was linked to their Ghana card to enable them to access healthcare using the card,” he said. 

    He said his administration introduced drones in the delivery of critical medicine, vaccines, and blood to people in remote parts of the country “and today, Ghana has the largest medical drone delivery service in the world with six Zipline Distribution Centres in Omenako, Mpanya, Vobsi, Sefwi Wiawso, Kete Krachi and Anum”. 

    The President said Zipline, through the national-scale drone delivery services, had delivered some 14.8 million (14,809,463) units of life-saving medicals, vaccines, and blood products to health facilities in Ghana by the end of 2022.  

    He said childhood vaccines top the list with the delivery of 8.3 million doses, followed by 2.05 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines.  

  • Ashaiman-GAF brutality: Akufo-Addo is an irresponsible commander-in-chief – Sam George

    Ashaiman-GAF brutality: Akufo-Addo is an irresponsible commander-in-chief – Sam George

    Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram in the Central region, Sam Nartey George, has condemned President Akufo-Addo over his silence on the brutal and reckless treatment the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) subjected to indigenes of Ashaiman on March 7, 2023. 

    Residents of Ashaiman awoke to a brutal military invasion on Tuesday dawn following the murder of a 21-year-old military officer, Sherif Imoro.

    The move of the Ghana Armed Forces has been met with various reactions, some in support and others greatly condemning the actions of the military.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Akufo-Addo’s silence on Ashaiman happenings shows lack of leadership – Barker-Vormawor

    Akufo-Addo’s silence on Ashaiman happenings shows lack of leadership – Barker-Vormawor

    Convener of pressure group, #FixTheCountry movement, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, has criticised President Akufo-Addo over his continuous silence on the current trend of events in Ashaiman.

    Speaking to the media on Wednesday, he said it is unacceptable for the president to commiserate with blacks outside the country when they lose their loved one in a brutal manner but fail to do same for indigens.

    “We are in a time of national conversation about the role of the Ghana Army and what is done in our communities. Also, importantly, a young man has lost his life, a military official, has lost his life in a circumstance which does not benefit the kind of national image we have of ourselves. It is important as a President who has shown no hesitation in tweeting about deaths of people. George Floyd for example would keep mum and shut up about the death of a military officer. “

    “I think it is very unfortunate. As I understand now, he has not reached out to the family. It doesn’t show leadership and I am very disappointed. In the state of the nation address, he failed to tackle the issue,” he added.

    While delivering the 2023 state of the nation address, President Akufo-Addo failed to address the chaos that has befallen Ashaiman.

    Some Members of Parliament in the Minority, such as Sam Nartey George, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, criticised the president for omitting such an important issue from his address.

    Meanwhile, the police are investigating some residents who were detained by the military during their swoop on Wednesday to capture the individuals who murdered Sherrif Imoro, a soldier, in cold blood over the weekend.

    On the other hand, the public continue to discuss the happenings in Ashaiman. While a section believes the military did no wrong, others say otherwise.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • SONA 2023: One of the most inspiring speeches the president has ever given – Vincent Assafuah

    SONA 2023: One of the most inspiring speeches the president has ever given – Vincent Assafuah

    A member of parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has praised President Akufo- Addo’s 2023 State of the Nation Address (SONA) as one of the greatest since he took office in 2017.

    He said Akufo-Addo deserves praise for being quite open about the economy’s current plight.

    Speaking in an interview with Ghana’s Nimatu Yakubu Atouyese, he said, “I must say that since 2017, this is one of the best state of the nation addresses I have ever heard from President Nana Addo. Akufo-Addo did not just come to the house to come and fulfil Article 67 of the 1992 constitution; he came to indeed let us know the health of this nation. He gave us a trajectory of where we came from as a nation from 2017 to date, and you remember that before 2020, Ghana was seen as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, not in Africa.

    “…Akufo-Addo was very candid with Ghanian people, he was very clear about what is happening, and he did not mince words with whatever is happening and gave the true state of the nation address.”

    President Akufo-Addo appeared before Parliament to give the State of the Nation Address in accordance with Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

    SONA is a constitutional obligation and yearly tradition where the Commander-In-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces reports on the status of the country, unveils the government’s agenda for the coming year and proposes to Parliament certain legislative measures.

    Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana obliges Members of Parliament (MPs), the Speaker of Parliament and the Judiciary to receive the President’s SONA.

  • Vaccine Shortage: Akufo-Addo doesn’t appreciate the essence of urgency – Akandoh

    Vaccine Shortage: Akufo-Addo doesn’t appreciate the essence of urgency – Akandoh

    The Ranking member of the parliamentary health committee, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has expressed disappointment in President Akufo-Addo for failing to provide precise timetables for the purchase of children vaccines.

    Notwithstanding reports by the National Health Insurance Authority that more than GH70 million had been authorized for the purchase of the vaccines, certain regions of the country have been affected by a lack of vaccines in recent months.

    President Akufo-Addo in his State of the Nation Address on March 8, 2023, said steps have been taken to ensure the vaccines are procured and supplied as a matter of emergency.

    “In accordance with our desire not to become part of this global trend, Government has taken steps to ensure that stocks of these vaccines are procured and supplied, as a matter of emergency. The Ghana Health Service has developed an elaborate programme to catch up on children who have missed their vaccinations immediately stocks arrive.

    “I want to encourage all parents and caregivers to ensure that eligible children are vaccinated, once this programme begins. No child should be denied access to vaccination. Mercifully, so far, not a single child has died as a result of the outbreak,” the President said.

    But speaking to journalists, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh said the government is denying children access to good health care with the shortage of vaccines in the country.

    “What is the meaning of emergency? What is the meaning of soon? They should be telling us the timelines. In the first place, we shouldn’t have gotten here. It looks like the President doesn’t appreciate the essence of urgency. For me, I’m simply uncomfortable and disappointed”.

    “He had the opportunity to vaccinate his children and grandchildren. Children are born today and every minute, and they have no opportunity to be vaccinated. You are denying the people the right to good healthcare which is against the constitution of the land. In some jurisdictions, this is a crime for Christ’s sake, and I’m getting emotional about it,” the MP laments.

    However, the former Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, who currently serves as the Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Acheampong disagrees.

    “He [President] said that no child will be left out without a vaccination, that is a promise and that is what we have to follow through. By the end of the vaccination period, if a child is left unvaccinated, then we know that he lied to us, but this is so early to say so,” the former MP said.

  • SONA 2023: We can be justifiably proud of achievemnts – Akufo-Addo

    SONA 2023: We can be justifiably proud of achievemnts – Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has delivered the State of the Nation Address on March 8, 2023 expressing pride in his achievements over the past six years.

    The address was done pursuant to Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution which mandates the president to deliver a message on the State of the Nation to Parliament at the start of each session and before the dissolution of Parliament.

    In his address, the head of state mentioned that it may appear as though he made hasty decisions but his is however proud of achievements in the past few years occupying the presidential office.

    “Yes I have been in a hurry to get things done and this includes massive development in agriculture, education, health, irrigation, roads, rails, ports, airports, sea defence, digitization, social protection programs, industrialization and Tourism. We can be justifiably proud of the many things we have managed to do in the past six years,” he stated.

    Despite the achievements mentioned, president Akufo Addo indicated that he has heard the pleas of some Ghanaians concerning the need for the construction of schools, roads, hospitals, among others, together with the building of more drains as the rainy season comes but he wishes there were enough resources for him to d more.

    ”As I go around the country, i hear the pleas for roads, schools, hospitals and as the rainy season comes, I wish we had the resources to do more”

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, further stated that his administration has never been careless with its borrowing and spending.

    Ghana has faced difficult economic issues over the previous two years, which have caused nearly all indicators to be in distress. The situation compelled the government to request aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    Citizens, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and other stakeholders accused the government of misusing funds and causing suffering in response to the action, which drew strong criticism.

    Nonetheless, President Akufo-Addo has argued in defense of himself that, in contrast to some claims made by NPP administration detractors, the debt problem did not start during his presidency.

    Delivering the State of the Nation of Address in Parliament on March 8, 2023, he said “Mr Speaker, let me state emphatically that we have not been reckless in borrowing and in spending. It is worth noting that the debts we are servicing were not only contracted during the period of this administration.”

    Akufo-Addo explained that monies spent were used for “urgent” projects such as roads, bridges and schools in a bid to prepare the youth to face a competitive world.

    “Mr Speaker, we have spent money on things that are urgent, to build roads and bridges and schools, to train our young people and equip them to face a competitive world. Considering the amount of work that still needs to be done on the state of our roads, the bridges that have to be built, considering the number of classrooms that need to be built, the furniture and equipment needs at all stages of education, considering the number of children who should be in school and are not, considering the number of towns and villages that still do not have access to potable water, I daresay no one can suggest we have over borrowed or spent recklessly,” Akufo-Addo noted.

  • SONA 2023: Government to submit program for $3 billion facility from IMF by end of March – Akufo-Addo

    SONA 2023: Government to submit program for $3 billion facility from IMF by end of March – Akufo-Addo

    In the latest development on the government’s engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), President Akufo-Addo has disclosed that the government will submit a program for the $3 billion facility being secured from the IMF by the end of March. 

    He made this known during the 2023 State of the Nation’s address held in Parliament on March 8, 2023. 

    During the address the president indicated that the government is making progress with the deal. 

    “Mr. Speaker, we are also making progress on the external debt negotiations since the Government announced an external debt service suspension on 19th December 2022 for certain categories of external debt, to ensure an orderly restructuring. This suspension is an interim emergency measure toward a comprehensive external debt operation which will contribute to the restoration of our debt sustainability in line with our request for a debt treatment under the G20 Common Framework. 

    “I want to express our appreciation to the members of the Paris Club and to the Peoples’ Republic of China for the co-operation they have so far exhibited to us in attempting to reach an agreement, and in their attempt to establish an Official Credit Committee. We look forward to their fast-tracking the needed financing assurances for IMF approval. We are confident that, with their co-operation, we will reach our March deadline for going to the Fund,” he said.

    Government is still in talks with the IMF to secure a financial bailout for the country. According to the government, discussions with the Bretton Wood institution are far advanced, however, a few outstanding measures have hampered the government from securing the bailout. 

    “Mr. Speaker, having reached the Staff Level Agreement on 12th December, 2022, after five (5) months of intense negotiations, and completion of most of the prior actions required under the Agreement, we are on course for the IMF Staff to present to the IMF Executive Board Ghana’s Programme request for a three billion dollar (US$3 billion) Extended Credit Facility by the end of the month,” he said.

    “I thank the House for its support throughout this process, including the passage of key revenue laws. However, a few more of these measures, namely Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, Excise Duty & Excise Tax Stamp (Amendment) Bills, as well as the Growth and Sustainability Levy Bill, are outstanding, which need the urgent attention of the House and passage to complete the prior actions. This will put us in readiness for our presentation to the Fund Board, and, more importantly, bolster our domestic revenue mobilisation effort,” he said. 

    Addressing the House, the President acknowledged that given the extent of the fiscal and debt sustainability issue currently being addressed, it is clear that fiscal adjustment and structural reforms are not sufficient for restoration of debt sustainability.

    “A critical component of the measures we are implementing to address the current economic crisis is the debt operation, involving both domestic debt and external debt. The debt operation is aimed at returning the country to debt sustainable path by 2028, by reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio on a general classification basis and, in present value terms, from one hundred and three percent (103%) in 2022 to fifty-five percent (55%) by 2028; and reducing the external debt service-to-revenue ratio from twenty-nine percent (29%) in 2022 to eighteen percent (18%) by 2028.  

    In order to achieve these goals, the President said a decision was taken to execute a Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), in addition to fiscal adjustment, external debt operation and structural reforms.

    Touting the progress government has made with the DDEP, he thanked organised labour, pensioners, pension fund managers, the Ghana Association of Banks (GAB), Ghana Securities Industry Association (GSIA), Ghana Insurers Association (GIA), the Individual Bond Holders and Retirees Forum, and all others who have contributed to make the programme a success.

    “The participation rate of eighty-five percent (85%), representing tendered bonds of eighty-three billion cedis (GH¢83 billion) out of the total eligible bonds of ninety-seven point seven billion cedis (GH¢97,749,624,691), constitutes significant success for the DDE Programme. The eighty-three billion cedis (GH¢83 billion) bonds that were successfully tendered, also, represents sixty-four percent (64%) of the outstanding domestic debt stock of one hundred and thirty billion cedis (GH¢130 billion) at the end of December 2022, as pension funds have been expressly exempted from the DDEP,” he said.

    Source: The Independent Ghana