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Tag: debate

  • Parliament to debate on the 2026 mid-year budget review on Tuesday

    Parliament to debate on the 2026 mid-year budget review on Tuesday

    Parliament is expected to debate on the fiscal policy document presented by the Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson on Tuesday, July 28.

    This year’s Mid-Year Budget by Dr Cassiel Ato Forson centered on economic recovery, fiscal discipline and managing debt.

    During the presentation, the Finance Minister stated that nearly one million (1 million) Ghanaians have been lifted out of poverty since President John Dramani Mahama’s administration returned to office.

    According to him, multidimensional poverty declined from 24.9% in the third quarter of 2024 to 21.9% in the same period of 2025, reflecting a reduction in the number of people facing deprivation in areas such as education, health, employment and living conditions.

    “This simply means that about 950,000 Ghanaians moved out of multidimensional poverty in just one year,” he said. “Behind these statistics are the hundreds of thousands of families who now enjoy better living conditions and greater hope for the future.”

    He noted that Ghana’s inflation has fallen sharply from 23.8% in December 2024 to 5.3% as of June 2026.

    Additionally, strengthened reserves and complemented inflation-targeting efforts.

    He announced this while presenting the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament on Thursday, July 23, noting that the initiative generated an additional $15 billion in foreign exchange inflows.

    The policy, he stated, has helped curb gold smuggling, formalise the gold trade and ensure that a greater share of the country’s mineral wealth benefits the Ghanaian economy.

    He said the GoldBod was introduced as part of broader fiscal reforms aimed at supporting inflation targeting, ensuring exchange rate stability and strengthening Ghana’s external reserves.

    He argued that the government’s GoldBod policy is not merely a mining-sector initiative but a macroeconomic reform with broader economic benefits.

    “Central to this reform was the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) to curb gold smuggling, formalise the gold trade and ensure that a greater share of Ghana’s mineral wealth benefits the Ghanaian people. 90. Through this intervention, Ghana generated an additional US$15 billion in foreign exchange inflows from gold, significantly strengthening reserve accumulation and supporting exchange rate stability,” he told Parliament.

    According to him, the policy also contributed to a marked improvement in the country’s current account balance, which increased from a surplus of 1.9% in 2024 to 8.3% in 2025.

    “This single policy measure improved Ghana’s current account balance by 6.4 percentage points, from a surplus of 1.9 percent of GDP in 2024 to 8.3 percent of GDP in 2025. 92. This represents a fourfold increase in the current account surplus in just one year,” he stated.

    He went on to laud the programme as “macroeconomic stabilisation policy designed to strengthen the cedi, build external buffers and restore confidence in the Ghanaian economy”.

    To sustain the gains, he said government has developed the Ghana Accelerated National Reserve Accumulation Policy (GANRAP), which seeks to increase Ghana’s international reserves to the equivalent of 15 months of import cover by the end of 2028.

    “The Finance Minister also disclosed that government has amended the Bank of Ghana Act to make inflation targeting a shared responsibility between the Ministry of Finance and the central bank, a measure he said would strengthen coordination between fiscal and monetary policies and consolidate macroeconomic stability”, Dr Forson added.

    He further announced that government has reached an agreement with large-scale mining companies to purchase 30% of their annual gold production for refining by local refineries, a move aimed at boosting domestic value addition while supporting reserve accumulation.

    “In a landmark initiative, Government has also reached agreement with large-scale mining companies to purchase 30 percent of their annual gold production for refining by local refineries, strengthening domestic value addition and supporting reserve accumulation” he continued.




  • No Mahama, no presidential debate – Miracles Aboagye

    No Mahama, no presidential debate – Miracles Aboagye

    Spokesperson for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s 2024 presidential campaign, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has announced that the Vice President will only participate in the upcoming presidential debate organized by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) if his main rival, former President John Dramani Mahama, is also present.

    The IEA has scheduled two presidential debates ahead of the 2024 general elections, set for October 22 and November 19.

    Speaking in an interview on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News, Mr Aboagye emphasized that while Dr. Bawumia is ready to engage in debates on national issues, he believes Mahama’s participation is essential for a comprehensive discussion.

    “Dr. Bawumia is eager to participate, but there is no debate if Mahama is absent. The December polls will be a contest between Dr. Bawumia and Mahama, and both must engage to provide voters with a balanced discourse,” Aboagye stated.

    The IEA outlined its debate schedule in a statement, detailing two presidential debates, one vice-presidential debate, and five evening encounters with the candidates ahead of the December 7 elections.

    The vice-presidential debate is slated for November 5, while the evening encounters will kick off on Wednesday, September 18, with the last one scheduled for October 15.

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, have expressed a preference to focus their campaign efforts on engaging with the electorate.

    The NDC has argued that its resources are better spent promoting its policies to voters rather than participating in debates with the ruling party’s candidate, who, they claim, has failed to deliver on economic promises.

    As the date for the first debate approaches, the participation of key contenders remains uncertain, with Dr. Bawumia’s involvement hinging on Mahama’s presence. The outcome of these deliberations will determine the structure of the debates as Ghana heads towards a critical election.

  • IEA’s presidential debate comes off on Oct 22

    IEA’s presidential debate comes off on Oct 22

    The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has unveiled its schedule for the upcoming presidential debates, setting October 22 and November 19, 2024, as dates for the first and second debates, respectively. Additionally, a Vice Presidential Debate is planned for November 5, 2024.

    In preparation for the December 7 elections, the IEA will also host five Evening Encounters. The series will commence on Wednesday, September 18, and conclude on Tuesday, October 15.

    However, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced that their flagbearer will not participate in the debates, citing concerns over the credibility of the organizers.

    Below is IEA’s full notice.

  • We hope that you participate in the presidential debate – IEA to NDC

    We hope that you participate in the presidential debate – IEA to NDC

    Director of Research at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Dr. John Kwakye, has expressed hope that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will join the upcoming presidential debate set for October and November this year.

    This follows sharp criticism from the Mahama 2024 Campaign, which rebuked the IEA for announcing the debate without first extending a formal invitation to the NDC.

    Joyce Bawah Mogtari, the spokesperson for the Mahama 2024 Campaign, criticized the IEA, arguing that the organization does not have the legal mandate to organize election-related events.

    She stressed that the IEA’s decision to proceed without consulting the NDC casts doubt on its motives.

    “The Mahama 2024 Campaign strongly condemns the recent announcement by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Ghana regarding a presidential debate for the 2024 elections. It is completely unacceptable that the IEA would make such an announcement without engaging or informing the National Democratic Congress, one of the major political parties in Ghana.

    “The Constitution of Ghana does not grant the IEA any authority to organize election-related activities. The fact that the IEA has not shown the decency or respect to at least inform the NDC of its plans raises serious questions about its motives,” she said in a statement.

    In response, Dr. Kwakye clarified that the IEA is currently in talks with the NDC following the debate announcement.

    “Because our announcement of the presidential debate came after the NPP presidential candidate had made a similar request, the NDC accused us of doing the bidding of the NPP, but it was just a mere coincidence. We have issued a rejoinder to that effect, denying the same,” Dr. Kwakye said in an interview with TV3.

    He explained that the timing of the announcement, which followed a similar request by the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential candidate, led to accusations from the NDC that the IEA was biased towards the NPP.

    “We can’t say everything in the media, but we hope that the NDC will participate in the debate,” he concluded.

  • IEA did not consult us before announcing presidential debate – Mahama’s campaign

    IEA did not consult us before announcing presidential debate – Mahama’s campaign

    The Mahama 2024 Campaign has issued a sharp rebuke to the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Ghana following its recent announcement of a presidential debate ahead of the December elections.

    In a statement, the campaign criticized the IEA for failing to engage or inform the National Democratic Congress (NDC) before making the announcement. The NDC, one of Ghana’s major political parties, was taken by surprise by the IEA’s plans.

    The campaign’s spokesperson, Joyce Mogtari, emphasized in a press release that the Constitution does not grant the IEA any authority to organize election-related activities.

    “The Constitution of Ghana does not grant the IEA any authority to organize elections-related activities. The fact that the IEA has not shown the decency or respect to at least inform the NDC of its plans raises serious questions about its motives,” Mogtari stated.

    The Mahama 2024 Campaign, in its Friday release, accused the IEA of lacking the decency and respect to inform the NDC of its debate plans, which they believe raises questions about the institute’s intentions.

    Furthermore, the campaign alleged that the IEA is “acting as a front for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and seeks to manipulate the electoral process in favor of the ruling party.”

    Highlighting Mr. Mahama’s commitment to addressing the needs and concerns of the Ghanaian people, the statement mentioned that his campaign conversations have targeted a wide range of audiences.

    The campaign accused the IEA of using the NDC’s name to promote its activities, describing this as a blatant attempt to misrepresent the party.

    The Mahama 2024 Campaign concluded by assuring Ghanaians of the NDC’s dedication to meaningful and respectful engagement with the public, ensuring that all voices are heard and their needs addressed.

    Meanwhile, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has dared former President Mahama to a debate on the economy.

    The NDC has however criticised the Vice President of prioritising a presidential debate over ensuring the recovery of the economy.

  • I want to publicly debate with Mahama on Ghana’s economy – Bawumia

    I want to publicly debate with Mahama on Ghana’s economy – Bawumia

    Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has expressed willingness to engage in a debate with his main rival, John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress, focusing on economic and governance issues ahead of the 2024 general elections.

    During a rally in Bunkpurugu, Dr. Bawumia emphasized the importance of such a debate for providing clarity on their respective policies to the Ghanaian electorate.

    “I am looking forward to a debate with John Mahama on the economy, on the country, on the government. But I am afraid that he is running away from a debate. His people say he doesn’t want to debate. But he doesn’t want to debate because he knows I’ll expose the emptiness of his policies.

    “He says he has a 24-hour economy that he cannot explain. It is as empty as an empty barrel. He cannot explain, none of his people can explain. They say they will be exporting lions and elephants. But when we meet, we can debate, and Ghanaians will see where our policies lie. And that is the way we should go,” he said.

    He criticized Mahama’s 24-hour economy proposal, calling it empty and challenging Mahama and his team to justify its feasibility.

    In response, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, spokesperson for former President John Mahama, dismissed the debate calls, arguing that Bawumia had not sufficiently justified the need for such a debate.

    Despite this, Mogtari expressed confidence that Mahama would excel in any debate against Vice President Bawumia or any other presidential contender.

    Calls for a debate between the two candidates have grown among Ghanaians, particularly following Mahama’s recent media interaction addressing national issues.

  • Mahama is refusing a debate with me because I will expose him – Bawumia

    Mahama is refusing a debate with me because I will expose him – Bawumia

    The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has proposed a national debate with the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s flagbearer, former President John Dramani Mahama, focusing on general issues and policies.

    Dr. Bawumia argues that such a debate would enable Ghanaians to evaluate the proposed policies of both presidential candidates.

    Addressing supporters at a rally in Bunkpurugu during the second phase of his nationwide campaign tour, Dr. Bawumia expressed disappointment that the former President has declined to engage in a debate with him.

    He criticized the opposition, describing their “24-hour economy” policy as hollow and indefensible.

    “I am looking forward to a debate with John Mahama on the economy, on the country, on the government. But I am afraid that he is running away from a debate. His people say he doesn’t want to debate. But he doesn’t want to debate because he knows I’ll expose the emptiness of his policies,” he said.

    “He says he has a 24-hour economy that he cannot explain. It is as empty as an empty barrel. He cannot explain, none of his people can explain. They say they will be exporting lions and elephants. But when we meet, we can debate, and Ghanaians will see where our policies lie. And that is the way we should go.”

  • Trump and Biden to debate on television

    Trump and Biden to debate on television

    President Donald Trump have different opinions on many issues, including immigration, healthcare, and climate change. They both have strong beliefs and ideas about what is best for the country, but they often disagree on how to achieve those goals. Their differing opinions have led to intense debates and disagreements between their supporters and critics.

    Despite their differences, both men have a strong influence on American politics and policy. President Donald Trump said yes to having two debates for the election. The first one will be on June 27 and hosted by CNN. The second one will be on September. ABC is hosting a big event where the first presidential debate will happen soon.

    The Democrats quickly agreed on a schedule to meet after one of them said he won’t be joining the presidential debates in the fall that are organized by a nonpartisan commission. Biden’s team suggests that media companies should set up the debates with the Democratic and Republican candidates. The first debate would be in June and the second in September before people start voting. Trump posted on his Truth Social site that he is ready and willing to debate Biden at the times that were proposed.

    A few hours later, Biden agreed to debate on CNN on June 27 after getting an invitation. He also challenged Donald to join him. Trump said on Truth Social that he will be there no matter when or where. He also said, “Let’s get ready to Rumble. ”

    And then they decided to have another debate on ABC. Trump said on his new social media platform, Truth Social, that he was very honored to agree to the debates.

    Biden said he also got the invitations and said yes to them. “Trump says he will find his own way to get there. ” I will also bring my airplane. “I want to keep it for four more years,” he wrote on X.

    However, both sides seem to have some differences in how to set up the debates. This includes deciding on who will moderate and what rules to follow. These were the same issues that led to the creation of the Commission on Presidential Debates in 1987.

    Biden’s team wanted to keep other candidates, like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., out of the debates. According to the debate commission’s rules, Kennedy or other third-party candidates can take part in the debate if they have enough support from states to get 270 Electoral Votes and if they have at least 15% support in some national polls.

    CNN announced that the debate will take place in Atlanta and there will be no audience. They will announce the moderators and other details at a later time. The group said Kennedy could join if he met their rules about polling and being on the ballot, like everyone else.

    Just this morning, Trump said he wants a big crowd of people to watch him.

    “I think there should be more than two debates and they should be held in a very big place. Biden might be nervous around big crowds, but that’s just because he’s not used to them,” Trump said. “Just let me know the time, and I’ll come over. ”

    Trump wants to have more debates and have them earlier. He thinks voters should be able to see the two men debate before early voting starts in September. He has said many times that he is willing to debate Biden anywhere and anytime, and even suggested they have the debate outside the courthouse where he is currently on trial. He has been teasing Biden by using an empty podium at his rallies.

    Biden’s team is mad at the nonpartisan commission because they didn’t make Trump follow the rules in the 2020 debates. They’re talking to TV networks and some Republicans to find a way around the commission’s control of the debates.

    Biden’s campaign leader, Jen O’Malley Dillon, wrote a letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates. She said Biden’s campaign doesn’t like the dates for the fall debates because they come after some people have already started voting. Trump’s campaign also doesn’t like the dates. She also complained about the rule breaking and the commission’s decision to have the debates with a live audience.

    “She said the debates should be for the American voters, not for entertaining a noisy crowd of supporters and donors. ” “Like the first televised debates in 1960, it’s better and saves money to have just the candidates and moderators in a TV studio, so the focus can be on what voters want. ”

    Trump didn’t like the commission because of problems at his first debate with Hillary Clinton in 2016. He was also upset when a debate with Biden was canceled in 2020 because he got COVID-19. The Republican National Committee said they won’t work with the commission for the 2024 elections.

    The commission didn’t answer a request for comment on Wednesday.

    The Trump campaign said they don’t like when debates are scheduled after people start voting. They think voters should hear from the candidates before they vote.

    O’Malley Dillon said there should be a debate between the two candidates who have the best chance of winning the election, and not waste time on candidates who have no chance of becoming President.

    The Democrat said the two candidates could choose some dates. They also made a joke about Trump’s trial, saying he has free time on Wednesdays.

    The president said he would debate Trump in an interview with Howard Stern on the radio last month. He told him, “I am, somewhere. ” I don’t know when it will happen. “But I’m willing to argue with him. ”

    Biden said last week that he was getting ready to debate and told reporters to make the arrangements.

  • Property Rights of Spouses Bill under review in parliament

    Property Rights of Spouses Bill under review in parliament

    Parliament convened a stakeholder engagement session to deliberate on the Property Rights of Spouses Bill, 2024, a significant legislative initiative aimed at regulating spousal property rights in alignment with Article 22 of the 1992 Constitution and other relevant matters.

    The primary objective of the session was to provide interested parties with an opportunity to propose amendments to the Bill as deemed necessary.

    Prominent lawmakers such as Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Member of Parliament for Techiman North; Patricia Appiagyei, Member of Parliament for Asokwa; and Gizella Tetteh-Agbotsui, Member of Parliament for Awutu-Agbotui, spearheaded the session.

    In addition to parliamentarians, the engagement witnessed the active participation of legal experts representing academia and civil society organizations.

    Their involvement emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in shaping legislation that safeguards the rights and interests of spouses within the constitutional framework.

    The engagement served as a forum for in-depth discussions and deliberations, with stakeholders offering valuable insights and recommendations to enhance the proposed Bill.

    Through this collaborative process, Parliament aims to ensure that the final legislation comprehensively addresses the complexities of spousal property rights, promoting fairness and equity in accordance with constitutional principles.

  • KNUST, UG, others gear up for Independence Day debate on March 5

    KNUST, UG, others gear up for Independence Day debate on March 5

    On March 5th, 2024, representatives from four prominent public universities in Ghana—University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University of Cape Coast, and University of Development Studies—will engage in a spirited debate at the University of Ghana School of Law Auditorium.

    The debate, themed “Africa Must Decolonise to Effectively Address the Scourge of Climate Change,” is part of Ghana’s Independence Day celebrations.

    Organized jointly by the University of Edinburgh School of Social & Political Science, University of Ghana School of Law, Africa Earth Alliance, and the National Union of Ghana Students, the National Independence Debate aims to showcase youth perspectives on decolonization, climate change, and sustainable development.

    Esteemed judges include Prof. Baffour Agyeman-Duah, Dr. Kwabena Oteng Acheampong, Dr. Atudiwe P. Atupare, Mrs. Julia Elysa Selman-Aryeetey, and Mr. Daniel Kyeremeh Oppong.

    The event, funded by the University of Edinburgh Principal’s African Partnership Fund, aligns with the University of Edinburgh’s commitment to fostering informed leaders shaping the future.

    This collaborative initiative forms part of a series of events between the UK-based university and institutions in Ghana and Zimbabwe.

    Before the debate, a “Responsive Engagement and Academic Leadership” workshop is scheduled in Accra on March 4th and 5th, 2024. Additionally, an “Empowering African Researchers – Workshop” will be held in Harare, Zimbabwe, from March 11th to 15th, 2024.

    These events aim to bring together academics, students, Pan-African institutions, and policy leaders to deliberate on critical subjects like climate change and sustainability, incorporating a decolonial perspective.

    Initiated in March 2023 during a visit to Ghana, the University of Edinburgh’s Principal’s African Partnership Fund seeks to explore innovative educational opportunities for African students and foster responsive research partnerships across the continent.

    Aligned with the University’s strategic research priorities, the fund aims to drive innovations in healthcare, technology utilization, and environmental sustainability.

  • “You should be capable of producing 12 children as a wife” – Social media user says

    “You should be capable of producing 12 children as a wife” – Social media user says

    In a thought-provoking post on Facebook, user John-Paul Ugwu has ignited a passionate debate by expressing his unconventional beliefs about marriage and family size.

    According to Ugwu, a woman shouldn’t consider getting married unless she is willing to have at least 12 children.

    Ugwu’s assertion has generated a flurry of reactions from users across the platform, with many expressing disbelief and others engaging in lively discussions about the merits of his argument.

    In his post, Ugwu stands firm in his belief, stating that anything less than twelve children would render the husband’s payment of the bride price a waste of money.

    The bold declaration has sparked a range of opinions, with some users agreeing with Ugwu’s stance, while others vehemently oppose it.

    Many have taken to the comments section to share their own perspectives on marriage and family planning, leading to a diverse exchange of viewpoints.

    Ugwu’s post serves as a catalyst for introspection and debate, challenging societal norms and prompting individuals to reconsider their notions of marriage and parenthood.

    As the discussion continues to unfold, it underscores the diversity of opinions within the online community and the importance of open dialogue on complex issues.

    “Dear women, you have nothing to do with marriage if you can’t give birth to at least 12 children. It is a waste of bride price to give birth to children below 12 in number.”

  • Tins of Peak milk powder and ovaltine discovered half full after purchase

    A customer who bought tins of Peak milk powder and Ovaltine discovered that the content of the two products were reduced.

    The customer’s post on social media has stirred up debate particularly at a time when prices of products have nearly doubled as a result of inflation and the dollar rate.

    “This is not right!!! Prices of these are higher than before, yet you reduce the content? Why? At least be considerate knowing as school reopens now, this is gonna be the preferred breakfast for the children. Sometimes, we too, we’re the problem. Cheating each other” the customer posted on social media platform Facebook.

    Several people have shared their thoughts over the post, with several claiming to have experienced the same thing.
    Others falsely accused Nestlé, however it was later found that the involved items are not theirs.

    Although the product’s manufacturers have been informed, there has still not been any official reaction from the company.

    I’m sorry about your experience, but it’s a real thing, unfortunately. It’s called “shrinkflation”. Sometimes, to not raise prices too high, consumer goods companies resort to reducing the volume / size of the product. For example, instead of a 10-cedi raise, the company may apply a 5-cedi raise and in parallel reduce the volume of product. Other times, companies resort to re formulation and using more affordable ingredients. That was partly what we saw in the recent Ideal curding issue. These are hard times.

    I was going to write on Ideal Milk, Carnation Milk, etc and Beta Malt. It’s like they have divided the original contents into two, then topped up with Water to sell back to us at higher cost.

    I think it’s time we start to call them out.

    I will do the post today…. With pictures. It’s sooo irritating…. Those things are so diluted.