In an effort to get the Vice President to respond to six delicate questions, the esteemed lecturer did so at a time when Ghana’s economy is facing significant difficulties.
Dr. Kofi Mensah posed a series of thought-provoking questions, and the Senior Lecturer dared the Veep to describe the real situation of Ghana’s economy.
He also urged the Vice President to respond to the recent downgrade from Moody’s and other international rating agencies.
“Dear Vice President,
I think it’s about time some of us began to question your commitment to the economic agenda you proudly paraded on your Bawumia Speaks platforms leading to the 2016 elections, which culminated into your now infamous nickname ‘the economic wizard’. This title, which was conferred on you by the President and perhaps, roundly applauded by the middle class of Ghana, contributed hugely to the campaign success of your party. Today, none of those economic frameworks and theories you propounded is working, and the majority of those who touted you as an ‘economic wizard’, including the President, I am sure, are surprised. I am particularly surprised about your loud silence. At least, Ghanaians deserve to hear from you on the way forward, but what we are getting is rather another round of campaigning, as if to say we are just a bunch of jokers in this country.
Firstly, I understand you were up-north, touring and surreptitiously campaigning at these crucial and difficult times of economic malaise instead of signalling to the people of Ghana how you and your team are solving the problems. Just as you posed some questions to the then Vice President, Kwesi Amissah–Arthur, of blessed memory and may Allah keep him warmly, I have a few questions of my own which I believe you should be far more capable of answering. Kindly attempt to answer all of the following questions, hoping that you will do so in about 48 hours. Please, you are allowed to open and refer to any book of your choice, including your notes from when you were campaigning in opposition leading to the 2016 elections.
1. What is the True state of the Ghanaian economy?
2. What is your take on Moody’s downgrade of the Ghanaian economy to junk status?
3. What is your Plan to get us out of our current economic misery?
4. Why are you now claiming to be inspecting Hospital projects – Agenda 111, instead of concentrating on the economic issues? Just recently, you left the economic issues for digitalisation, itself a fantastic area that I particularly adore but wasn’t part of your platform for which reason the majority of Ghanaians followed you. Now, you are inspecting Agenda 111 when you are not the Health Minister.
5. At a time when Ghanaians are suffering a high inflation rate, depreciation of our currency, threats of losing their bonds, and joblessness from the banking sector clean-up, are you not expected to observe a period of austerity? It is reported that in your agenda 111 tour, there are over 40 V8 vehicles with appointees. Is this the time to go about inspecting projects that are yet to commence with over forty Land Cruiser vehicles and ministers who are expected to sit and work?
6. Are you not campaigning instead of focusing on navigating us through our economic challenges in your capacity as a supposed ‘economic wizard’?
Mr. Vice President, just like many Ghanaians, I am very concerned for the livelihood of my family and so many others who depend on some of us. Please, I am looking forward to your response, hopefully in the next 48 hours upon receipt of this letter.
God save Ghana!” The statement reads.
The Vice President is currently touring the Northern belt of the country.
The National Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress, Sammy Gyamfi, has reacted to taunts by New Patriotic Party followers after he was slapped with a GHȼ500,000 damages in a libel suit, by ridiculing the economic prowess of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, in the face of the recent sharp depreciation of the Ghana Cedi.
Followers of the New Patriotic Party, especially fans of Matthew Opoku Prempeh, MP for Manhyia South and Minister for Energy, have been trolling Sammy Gyamfi since Thursday when a court found him guilty of libel and imposed the damage, in addition to a GHȼ50,000 cost.
In a Facebook post on Friday however, the NDC spokesperson said the legal battle was far from over, and rather asked those taunting him to worry about the national economy instead.
Sammy Gyamfi asked of the whereabouts of the Veep and head of government’s economic management team, who he said has been paraded by his supporters as an ‘economic wizkid’.
He said that no amount of distractions would derail him.
“Knowing your long-standing hatred for me and your determination to see my downfall, I can understand the desperation on display.
“For your information, I remain focused, unshakable, impregnable and unbreakable. None of these things move me. Know this truth and stop wasting your time and data on me.
“The dollar has shattered the 8 and broken the 12. Where is your economic wizkid, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia now?”, portions of the post read.
The comments by Sammy Gyamfi also follow news of the Cedi’s further depreciation against the dollar on Friday.
The Ghana cedi breached the ¢12 to the dollar mark on Friday, October 14, 2022; selling at ¢12.10 at most forex bureaus or the retail market.
This development comes within a week after the cedi earlier depreciated against the dollar.
A visit by Joy Business to some forex bureaus indicates that most of the operators are selling the dollar for more than ¢12. They claim supply of dollars has reduced significantly.
Again, the cedi is losing grounds quickly against the pound and euro. Whilst a pound is going for about ¢12.70, one euro is selling at ¢11.10.
Within a week (October 10-October 14), the local currency has lost more than 6% value to the dollar. This means the year-to-date depreciation of the cedi is hovering around 46%.
By this rate of depreciation, the working capital of businesses, particularly manufacturers that depend on raw materials from overseas, have gone down by about 46% since January 1, 2022.
Meanwhile, scores of Ghanaians have taken to social media to bemoan the situation; urging government to take urgent steps to address the consistent depreciation of the country’s currency.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, vice president, has praised the Ghanaian and Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commissions (SEC) for their achievements in developing their respective securities markets.
Additionally, Dr. Bawumia praised them for promoting the agenda for capital market integration.
Dr. Bawumia gave the compliment, according to a statement released in Accra by the SEC of Ghana, when a delegation from the securities markets of Ghana and Nigeria paid him a courtesy visit at the Jubilee House.
The visit was to officially inform the Vice President about the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Securities and Exchange Commissions of Ghana and Nigeria.
Dr Bawumia emphasised the importance of having a robust and vibrant domestic securities market to support the private sector and the economy to thrive.
He urged the heads of the two regulatory bodies to urgently accelerate the integration agenda and operationalise cross-border transactions to enable the private sector to access capital for growth.
The Vice President urged the West Africa Securities Regulators Association to foster closer relationships with the African Export-Import Bank and the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System for mutual benefit and assured the delegation of the government’s support for the sector.
Rev. Daniel Ogbarmey Tetteh, the Director-General of SEC Ghana, expressed gratitude to the Vice President for their continuous support of the securities market.
Mr Lamido Yuguda, the Chairman of the West Africa Securities Regulators Association and Director General of SEC Nigeria, said the securities markets of Ghana and Nigeria continued to enjoy close collaboration for 19 years following the signing of an MoU in 2003.
Mr Yuguda emphasised the need to tap into the vast opportunities offered by the securities market to solve infrastructure deficits that had bedevilled the West African Region.
He said the operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) would offer good opportunities for capital and the securities market.
The delegation also visited the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) to inspect the trading floor of the Exchange and interact with GSE staff and market operators.
The Director Generals of the two countries were accompanied by Mrs Deborah Mawuse Agyemfra, Deputy Director General Legal of SEC Ghana; Mr Paul Ababio, Deputy Director General Finance of SEC Ghana, and Mr Ekow Afedzie, Managing Director of Ghana Stock Exchange.
The rest are Ms Abena Amoah, Deputy Managing Director of Ghana Stock Exchange; Mr Temi Popoola, CEO of Nigerian Stock Exchange (NGX); Directors and Heads of Department from SEC Ghana, and other dignitaries from SEC Nigeria, NGX, GSE and some staff of the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana.
As part of his official business tour to the Upper West Region, the Vice President paid a courtesy call on the family and was conferred the title.
Dr. Bawumia has shown characteristics similar to their late father, according to Chief of Duori Naa Dombo III, who gave the justification for the enskinment.
He charged the Vice President to continue blazing the trail of the late co-founder of the Northern People’s Party.
“We acknowledge your intervention in re-establishing the link between the Dombos and the Bawumias. I am by this tasking you to pursue the vision of your father Dombo from where he left off. You have henceforth been tasked with the responsibility as a true son to achieve this dream that was birthed decades ago,” 3news.com quoted the Chief of Douri as saying.
Additionally, Dr. Bawumia was made co-chairman of the SD Dombo Foundation. An elated Bawumia laid a wreath at the grave of the NPP founding member and prayed for his peaceful rest as a fitting tribute to him.
Taking to his Facebook page, Bawumia expressed his profound gratitude to the family of S.D Dombo adding that it was nostalgic to have returned to the home of the NPP stalwart.
“At Douri, it was nostalgic as I visited the home and family of our father, the selfless S. D. Dombo.
“The Chief of Duori (Son of Chief S. D. Dombo), on behalf of the Dombo family, enskinned me a Naa Lewa (Meaning the chief has come back). I thank the Dombo family and the Chief of Douri for the honour done me, and also urging me to continue to be guided by the remarkable traits of our father and other stalwarts of our great party,” he wrote.
Along with Mumuni Bawumia (the vice president’s father), S.D Dombo helped form the Northern People’s Party and served as its first chairman while Dr. Bawumia’s father was vice. Later on, the Northern People’s Party merged to become the United Party.
Following his election in the 1969 Ghanaian general elections, Dombo served as a representative for the ruling Progress Party in the first Parliament during the Second Republic.
During the Busia administration, he served as Minister of Health and later Minister of the Interior.
The government is spending $740 million on the “water for all” program, which provides access to potable water.
Speaking during the opening of a town water project in Tuna, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia noted that the government’s efforts to provide both rural and urban residents with portable drinking water had been successful in reducing the prevalence of cholera and other diseases linked to poor sanitation.
We are all aware that the sixth Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations is to provide access to clean water and adequate sanitation for all people.
The Akufo-Addo administration has a policy of “water for all” in this regard.
“This water for all policy has resulted in an investment program of about 740 million dollars in terms of investment in water systems in various towns and communities,” he said.
The Vice President intimated that Ghana has over the last five years not recorded a single case of cholera due to the huge investments made to provide clean drinking water and increasing the overall access to water to 87%, 96% for urban access while rural access stands at 74%.
“If you will all avert your mind, Ghana has not had a single case of cholera in the last five years. Not one single case of cholera,” he added.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has indicated that it came as a shock to him when the Auditor-General’s report revealed that some universities in Ghana are running unaccredited programmes.
He said the prestige of the country’s university system, the credibility and recognition of the certificates issued rest substantially on the time honoured and generally acknowledged quality assurance system.
The Vice President said it is therefore critical for the protection of the country’s higher education system.
He said this at the Fifth Investiture ceremony of the New Vice Chancellor of the University for Development Studies, Professor Seidu Alhassan in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital.
Dr. Bawumia said the country must have a zero tolerance for such lapses.
“As a country, we must have zero tolerance for such development. That is why I applauded the efforts of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) and the Ministry of Education (MoE) to ensure that there is strict adherence to the regulatory requirements of the education regulatory body’s Act 2020, Act 1023,” he said.
He charged all Vice Chancellor’s in Ghana to ensure they get all their courses accredited.
“So may I suggest to you Mr. Vice Chancellor that one of your immediate tasks should be to take inventory of your programs and make all ongoing and new ones accredited before you enroll students into them,” Dr. Bawumia said.
The Vice President also charged the leadership of the University for Development Studies (UDS) to realign their programs and research activities with the government priority agenda for creating a critical mass of impactful human capital.
He said as the Vice Chancellor assumes office, he expects the University to stay the cause it has carved a niche in and reinvent itself as a university that takes pride in its relevance.
He said the dual task for tertiary institutions is to achieve a gross tertiary enrollment ratio of forty percent overall and the proportion enrollment of science and technology programs relative to humanity ratio of 60:40 to 40 by the end of the year 2030.
“It is the expectation of government that the UDS will prioritise the role of programs in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines while re-accessing the relevance of others,” he noted.
Dr. Bawumia said the Ministry of Education is working to create a pipeline of well prepared students to feed into the tertiary system.
“The Free Senior High School policy, curriculum reforms, rolling out of specialised STEM senior High Schools and Technical Colleges are only but a few of these pipeline interventions,” he added.
He gave the assurance that government would continue to invest in the provision of appropriate infrastructure and the core personnel required for effective and efficient operations of the universities and other tertiary institutions.
“I am informed that the GETFUND has put together a plan to complete all ongoing infrastructure projects in tertiary institutions within 18 to 24 months,” he said.
He said investment in infrastructure through the educational system has been one of the very tangible interventions of the Nana Addo government and they intend to continue in spite of the current economic challenges.
The Vice Chancellor for UDS, Professor Seidu Alhassan said his aim is to provide effective leadership and a cordial environment that would further develop the University into a practical-oriented institution that is internationally recognised for academic excellence.
He said an excellent academic foundation has been laid already, hence the need to build on it.
Prof Seidu said the University’s academic planning must tap into the frontiers of knowledge that cut across, academic excellence and community service, especially in areas they have a comparative advantage.
He added that the overall goal is to strengthen existing programs and introduce innovative ones in line with current realities.
He said academic infrastructure will be enhanced, adding that the UDS strategic research plan will be actualised to guide research excellence.
In a speech read on behalf of the Overlord of Dagbon Yana Abukari by the Zangbalun Lana Naa, Dr. Jacob Mahama, said the UDS was created to address certain needs of the area and urged the new VC to be guided by the objective for which it was created.
He urged the University’s authorities to blend its academic work with the community in order to provide a constructive interaction between the two for the total development of Northern Ghana and Ghana as a whole.
The Yana said the role of the UDS in the development of the area is enormous, therefore he is ready to offer all the support they need to bring development to the area.
He thanked the VC and government for their assurance to transform the Yendi Campus of the UDS.
The Bolewura Sarfo Kutuge Feso (I) has made a bold and emphatic prediction about the political future of the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Welcoming the Vice President to his Palace in Bole on Monday October 10, 2022, the Bolewura commended the Vice President for his service and care to the region and nation, and capped his complimentary words with a bold statement on the future of the Vice President.
“Your Excellency, this is the 3rd or so time that you have familiarised yourself with this Palace. The first time you came here during the campaign, I gave you only one sentence; that victory is a foregone conclusion. So victory for you is a forgone conclusion,” the Bolewura boldly told Dr. Bawumia.
“Take that sentence from this place. Your victory is a foregone conclusion,” the Bolewura added.
Dr. Bawumia, who briefed the Bolewura on a number of projects the Government is undertaking in the Savannah Region, thanked the Bolewura for his warm words and encouragement.
The Vice President was accompanied by a number of ministers of State, including the Minister for Works and Housing and MP for Damongo Abu Jinapor, Minister for Interior Ambrose Dery, Minister for Defence Dominis Nitiwul, as well as some senior Government officials.
The Vice President and his delegation were given a rousing reception into Bole, which is the hometown of former President John Mahama.
Your victory is a forgone conclusion – Bolewura tells Dr. Bawumia
Dr. Bawumia, who briefed the Bolewura on a number of projects the Government is undertaking in the Savannah Region, thanked the Bolewura for his warm words and encouragement.
It is characteristic of Samira Bawumia, wife of the Vice President of Ghana to publicly display her emotions and appreciation for her husband on every occasion of his birthday.
This year wasn’t any different.
The beautiful spouse of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia didn’t mince words when she described her husband as her sweetheart.
On the occasion of his 59th birthday, Samira took to her Facebook page to pay glowing tribute to her own, acknowledging his role in the lives of herself and their children and his commitment towards nation-building.
“Happy 59th birthday, sweetheart Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.We’re grateful to Allah for protecting and guiding you throughout the years. The kids and I are proud of your commitment to our family and the entire nation,” she wrote.
Kofi Bentil, Vice President of Imani Africa, has eulogised Vice President Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on the occasion of his 59th birthday.
Bentil, who has been a strong critic of the Vice President and the government at large, described the second gentleman of the land as a strong tree that will stand through every storm.
He noted in a Facebook post with a photo of the Vice President that he [Dr Bawumia] is made of the right stuff.
“The strongest trees are those that bend in the storm but don’t break. You are a strong tree. You will stand through every storm.
“When it’s all done you will wave your leaves and branches in victory when the calm comes after the storm.
“I will be there clapping. I won’t be surprised. I know you’re made of the right stuff.
“Happy Birthday champ. You are blessed. It is clear,” Kofi Bentil‘s October 7 post concluded.
The Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is marking his 59th birthday.
As part of the activities marking the day, the politician has been captured in a video making merry with some close friends and families.
The video, shared on Facebook by KB Mahama, a staff at the Office of the Vice President, shows Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, dressed in all white and surrounded by people in equally white attire, showing off his dancing skills as he boogies to the popular Buga tune.
As he boogied, the people around him cheered him on.
One of the people seen in the video is the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso Central and Minister of the Greater Accra Region, Henry Quartey.
Watch the video of the vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, below:
The bodyguard of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Suleiman Salifu has presented 60 bags of cement and Ghc12,000 cash to victims of recent flood disaster at Koforidua Asokore Zongo community.
A taxi driver died after building collapsed on him having rescued occupants of the house trapped by the flood.
Dozens of residents were displaced by the flood caused by overflow of Nsukwao river.
A week after the disaster the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) is yet to provide relief items for the victims.
Suleiman Salifu bodyguard to the Vice President who is about to be outdoor as Chief of Koforidua Asokore Zongo, on Thursday October 6,2022 dashed to the community to make the presentation to the community.
He told Starr News Dr. Bawumia was disturbed by the situation hence supported him to mobilize resources to come to the aid of the victims.
Sulaiman Salifu said the Asokore Zongo community needs some basic social amenities hence about 200 streetlights will be provided to illuminate the community to improve security.
Additionally,he is engaging Zongo Development Fund for construction of boreholes and drainage facilities to curb the perennial flooding in the community.
“At this moment we trying to speak to Zongo Development Fund for Boreholes ,and then two toilets for the community .I have already written the letter so we will push it .We are looking for about 200 streetlights so that we can give it to the community because now we’ve realized that there are somethings going on in the community that is really disturbing .People are selling drugs here and it is giving us problem that is what we even have to put lights everywhere to take that thing out of Zongo” Sulaiman Salifu said.
Some of the victims were grateful to Vice President’s bodyguard for the kind gesture.
Assembly member for Asokore Zongo Electoral area Mumuni Laminu said the donation is timely given that most of the victims are struggling due to lack of support after the disaster.
Almost a week after the flood disaster occured in New Juaben North, victims are yet to receive relief items despite lossing everything to the floods.
203 households were both collapsed completely and partially damaged.
One person died whilst 2686 made up of 977 children and 1708 adults displaced by the floods.
Five basic schools in the municipality which include Akwadum M/A Junior High School and Islamic Basic JHS all in Akwadum and other communities have been shut down due to the floods.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President, has come under fire from Johns Hopkins University professor of applied economics Steve Hanke for how the economy has performed while he has been in office.
Dr. Bawumia, in the opinion of Prof. Hanke, has been a “unmitigated disaster” in charge of Ghana’s economy.
The US-based economist expressed his complete agreement with the viewpoint in a tweet that made reference to a GhanaWeb article where Felix Kwakye Ofosu had made a like statement.
“Former Deputy Communications Minister Kwakye Ofosu calls #Ghana’s VP Bawumia an “unmitigated disaster.” I couldn’t agree more. Today, I measure Ghana’s inflation at a punishing 87%/yr. That’s more than 2.5 TIMES the official rate,” Prof Stave Hanke tweeted.
In a September 20 tweet, the professor identified the Vice President as the cause of the country’s problems.
According to him, even though the Vice President rode on the back of coming to solve the problems of the country, he is rather doing the opposite by creating problems.
“#Ghana’s VP Bawumia says he’s ‘into politics to help people solve problems.’ SPOILER ALERT: Bawumia is the one CREATING the problems. Today, I measure GHA’s inflation at a stunning 81%/yr, nearly 2.5 TIMES the official rate,” he tweeted.
Second lady, Samira Bawumia, has extended a birthday message to her husband and Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
In a Facebook post on October 7, she thanked Allah for the protection and guidance granted to Dr. Bawumia.
Samira Bawumia added that she and their children were proud of Dr. Bawumia for his commitment to the family and Ghana as a whole.
She wrote: “Happy 59th birthday, sweetheart @mbawumia. We’re grateful to Allah for protecting and guiding you throughout the years. The kids and I are proud of your commitment to our family and the entire nation”.
Dr. Bawumia was born on October 7, 1963, in Tamale to the late Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia, former Chairman of the Council of State (1992–2000), and Hajia Mariama Bawumia.
Born into a large family, Mahamudu Bawumia was the twelfth of his father’s 18 children and the second of his mother’s five. Mahamudu Bawumia attended the Sakasaka Primary school in Tamale and gained admission to Tamale Secondary School in 1975. He was President of the Ghana United Nations Students’ Association (GUNSA) in 1981.
After graduating from Tamale Secondary School, he went to the United Kingdom where he studied banking and obtained the Chartered Institute of Bankers Diploma (ACIB). He took a First-Class Honours Degree in Economics at Buckingham University in 1987.
He then obtained a master’s degree in Economics at Lincoln College, Oxford, and obtained a Ph.D. in Economics at Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 1995.
His areas of specialization include Macroeconomics, International Economics, Development Economics, and Monetary Policy. He has numerous publications.
He became an economist and banker by training and went on to serve as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Ghana between 2006 and 2009.
Dr. Bawumia was running mate to Nana Akufo-Addo in the 2008 and 2012 elections which they lost. He became Vice President on his third attempt with Nana Akufo-Addo after winning the 2016 and 2020 elections.
Dr. Bawumia, in the opinion of Prof. Hanke, has been a “unmitigated disaster” in charge of Ghana’s economy.
The US-based economist expressed his complete agreement with the viewpoint in a tweet that made reference to a GhanaWeb article where Felix Kwakye Ofosu had made a like statement.
“Former Deputy Communications Minister Kwakye Ofosu calls #Ghana’s VP Bawumia an “unmitigated disaster.” I couldn’t agree more. Today, I measure Ghana’s inflation at a punishing 87%/yr. That’s more than 2.5 TIMES the official rate,” Prof Stave Hanke tweeted.
This is not the first time Professor Hanke has hit hard at Dr. Bawumia who doubles as the de facto head of the Economic Management Team (EMT).
In a September 20 tweet, the professor identified the Vice President as the cause of the country’s problems.
Professor Hanke was commenting on the depreciation of the Ghana Cedi against major trading currencies, especially the US dollar.
“#Ghana’s VP Bawumia says he’s ‘into politics to help people solve problems.’ SPOILER ALERT: Bawumia is the one CREATING the problems. Today, I measure GHA’s inflation at a stunning 81%/yr, nearly 2.5 TIMES the official rate,” he tweeted.
Madam Stella Gyimaah Larbi, a 34-year-old English Language Teacher from Adenta Community Junior High School (JHS) in the Greater Accra Region has been adjudged Ghana’s Most Outstanding Teacher at the 2022 Ghana Teacher Prize held in Tamale on Wednesday.
For her Prize, Madam Larbi will receive a three-bedroom worth GHc300,0000.00, as well as an educational trip to Dubai, promotion out of turn and a GETFund scholarship to study abroad.
Madam Fati from Buipe Girls’ Model School in the Central Gonja District of the Savannah Region emerged First Runner-up, and her prizes were a double cabin pick-up vehicle and promotion out of turn, whilst Mr David Harrison Mensah, from Sefwi Bekwai SDA JHS in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai District of the Western North Region, emerged Second Runner-up and his prizes were a saloon car, and promotion out of turn.
There were four other teachers at the Kindergarten, Primary, JHS and Senior High and Technical Schools (SHTS) levels who were also awarded.
They included Madam Enyo Adzo Dey from Dzelukope EP Basic School in the Anlo (Keta) District of the Volta Region, who emerged Best Kindergarten Teacher, Mr Samuel Yeboah from Asanteman ‘B’ D/A Primary and Kindergarten in the Bia West District of the Western North Region was awarded the Best Primary School Teacher category.
Mr Maclean Kwabena Owusu-Boateng from Naylor SDA Basic School in the Tema Metropolis won the Best JHS Teacher Award, and Mr Joseph Kwaku Agbevanu from Kinbu SHTS in the Greater Accra Region won the Best SHTS Teacher Award.
The Best Primary, JHS and SHTS Teachers received GHc8,000.00 as their prizes, while the Best Kindergarten Teacher received GHc6,000.00 as her prize.
There were also awards for non-teaching staff, where Mr Forster Oteng Kwadwo Amoako from Nkoranza SHTS in the Bono East Region emerged as the Best.
Mr Emmanuel Boye Ashitey, from Dzorwulu Special School in the Greater Accra Region, was the First Runner-up, and Mr Shamuna Mohammed Ahmed from Bono East Regional Education Office picked the Second Runner-up award, where they all received GHc15,000.00 while the Second Runner-up received GHc10,000.00.
In the Teacher in Leadership and Administrative Category, Madam Ivy Asantewa Owusu, Acting Bono Regional Director of Education was adjudged Best, while Mr Eric Boadi Sarpong from Atta Ne Atta D/A Basic School in the Kwahu East District of the Eastern Region emerged First Runner-up, and Madam Gifty Andoh from Accra Girls’ SHS took the Second Runner-up position.
They all received GHc15,000.00 each, while the Second Runner-up received GHc10,000.00.
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, joined by Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister for Education, decorated and presented the award to Madam Larbi, Ghana’s Most Outstanding Teacher at the 2022 Ghana Teacher Prize ceremony, which was attended by stakeholders in the education sector including development partners.
Madam Larbi expressed delight at the award and thanked the organizers and all the teachers who taught her, for their support, which helped to shape her life.
The National Best Teacher Award, instituted in 1995 and later christened Ghana Teacher Prize, is to motivate Teachers for higher performance and restore the respect the profession should enjoy.
It also aims to retain qualified teachers and improve their work performance and overall effectiveness in the classroom.
Dr Bawumia, in an address, said “The government remains committed to our teacher first policy in ensuring that our teachers, who are central to any education reform, are fully tooled, skilled and supported to deliver quality learning outcomes to support our development aspirations.”
He said the government acknowledged the value of education to human development and nation building, hence the massive investment in the education system including investing in teachers.
He said, “However, the massive investment in education will come to nothing if our teachers do not rise to the occasion and respond positively to the great vision of transforming our nation through education.”
Dr Bawumia spoke about the TVET sector and said “We have strategically created the Ghana TVET Service to focus on skills training and development. The government has equipped a lot of TVET institutions with state-of-the-art equipment to provide 21st-century skills to our learners. With the construction of 32 TVET institutions coupled with the introduction of free TVET, our nation is on the way to the fourth industrial revolution with more jobs to be created for the youth.”
The Paramount Chief of Bunkpurugu Traditional Area, Naba Alhaji Abuba Nasinmong, has urged the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, to focus on his good works for the country and not be discouraged by the negativity of his opponents, who he said, will always find negative things to say about the Vice President.
Welcoming Dr. Bawumia, who is on a working visit to the north, to his Palace on Tuesday, the Bunkpurugu Naba, commended the Vice President for his “indefatigable leadership,” and the recognition he has given to the people of Bunkpurugu and the north in general, adding that God will crown his efforts.
“I am excited to have you present at my Palace, once again, to pay a courtesy call on me and my people in the Bunkpurugu Traditional Area. We are highly delighted having you with us today, because of the recognition you have given us as a people in this part of our country,” Naba Abuba Nasinmong, who was flanked by his elders and indigenes of the community, said.
“You are a true statesman and an astute modern politician who has efficiently aided the first gentleman of the Ghanaian State, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to maintain law and order, peace and tranquillity, and implementation of people-centred policies that have touched the life of every Ghanaian, especially in the Bunkpurugu-Nakpanduri District such as Free SHS policy, Planting for Food and Jobs, an extension of electricity, an improvement on our roads, etc.”
As he lauded Dr. Bawumia and the Akufo-Addo Government, he expressed his support and “wholehearted” encouragement to the Vice President not to be discouraged by the negativity of his critics.
“Permit me to wholeheartedly express the following: your opponents would always find negative things to say about you, but continue with your good works and Almighty God will grant you victory.
“I wish to, on behalf of my people, assure you of our maximum support.”
The Vice President has been on a working tour of the northern part of the country since Sunday.
After touring the Northern Region on Sunday and Monday, paying courtesy calls on traditional leaders, and inspecting ongoing government projects, the Vice-president took his tour to the North East Region on Tuesday.
The Government’s construction of Agenda 111 District hospitals is among the key government projects the Vice President has been inspecting on his tour.
The Overlord of Mamprugu, Naa Bohagu Abdulai Mahami Sheriga has expressed appreciation to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and other Chiefs around the country, for protecting their son, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
The Nayiri welcomed Dr. Bawumia and his delegation, made up of members of Government from various parts of the country, to his Palace on Tuesday morning, before the Vice President commenced his working tour of the North East Region.
As members of the Vice President’s powerful delegation were introduced one after the other, the Nayiri realised that the delegation was made up of people from different parts of the country.
He acknowledged the diversity of the delegation during his address and commended Dr. Bawumia for being inclusive, adding that the diversity of the delegation is also an indication that the Vice President is widely accepted and also has a very good relationship with people.
To the members of the delegation, the Nayiri urged them to continue to work together with the Vice President until the right destination is reached.
“You have come far with the Vice President and since you have not yet reached your destination, you cannot complain of being tired. The plea to all of you is that, continue to lend support to the Vice President so that we will all get to our preferred destination.”
Expressing gratitude to all present and Chiefs for supporting the Vice President to serve, the Nayiri delivered a special message to the Asantehene, through members of the delegation from the Ashante Region.
“The Asantehene is a blood brother to the Nayiri and a very good friend. Each time they are together and they speak the same language. So those of you from Ashanti, when you get back, go to the Asantehene and tell him that his brother, his friend extends warm greetings to him and expresses his gratitude to him for protecting our son. I also request his continuous support for his son so that he can get to where he wants to get to.”
The Nayiri urged Dr. Bawumia to continue to work hard in service to the nation, assuring that God will reward his efforts.
The Vice President has been on a working visit to the since Sunday. After spending two days in the Northern Region, he started the a tour of the North East Region.
Members of his delegation is made up of Ministers, MPs, Senior Government and Party Officials, former party executives and other party stalwarts.
Building a resilient digital ecosystem is essential for national development and inclusive growth, the vice president said on Monday at the official launch of National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) in Accra. This is especially true in the age of the fourth industrial revolution, when new and emerging digital technologies and trends, such as social media and fifth generation (5G) networks, are fundamentally altering the business landscape and the nature of work.
“These are just a few examples to emphasise the point that in our current digitalised and interconnected environment, a single cybersecurity incident can affect an entire organisation, a whole nation or the world at large. Therefore, it is critical to build a strong shield against cyber threats and incidents that could undermine our capacity to act and develop,” Dr. Bawumia said in a keynote address delivered on his behalf by the Minister of Public Enterprises, Joseph Cudjoe, during the launch.
According to the World Economic Forum, cybercrime cost the world at least US$6trillion in 2021 and could lead to over US$10trillion in annual damages by 2025. Research by IBM also indicates that it takes 280 days to find and contain the average cyberattack, while the average attack costs US$3.86million.
Touching on the theme for this year’s NCSAM, ‘Regulating Cybersecurity: A Public-Private Sector Collaborative Approach’, Dr. Bawumia said cybersecurity development everywhere is a shared responsibility; and enhancing understanding of the provisions of the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) and building synergies among all relevant stakeholders to ensure compliance with them is absolutely critical.
“Creating greater awareness of the law and relevance of cybersecurity regulations among children, the public, businesses and government while highlighting the need for public-private sector cooperation must be paramount. This Awareness Month is therefore important to ensure that everyone is involved in cybersecurity activities to ensure a safer digital Ghana,” he stated.
Deputy Communications and Digitalisation Minister, Ama Pomaa Boateng, who spoke on behalf of sector minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, said activities earmarked for the month-long celebration are designed to enhance public-private sector understanding of the cybersecurity law and provide a platform for industry players and stakeholders to make inputs into activities currently being implemented by the CSA.
NCSAM, she further noted, is part of global efforts to raise awareness on cybercrime trends, cybersecurity issues and cyber hygiene practices; as well as to dialogue and highlight the growing cybersecurity issues under specific thematic areas.
“The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation is committed to this programme, and I urge public and private sector institutions and Civil Society Organisations to participate fully in the NCSAM 2022 activities this October by organising awareness programmes for their stakeholders and constituents,” she stated.
The Acting Director General of the Cyber Security Authority, Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako, said cybercrimes and cybersecurity-related matters are borderless and thus both local and international collaborations are paramount in tackling them; and collaborations with various stakeholders play a significant role in ensuring the CSA executes its mandate successfully.
He said the CSA looks forward to working closely with the Industry Forum, which is to be established under section 81 of Act 1038.
“The Industry Forum’s establishment and operationalisation will undoubtedly bring the private sector and industry players together to work closely with the Authority on cybersecurity matters. International cooperation has also been key to Ghana’s cybersecurity development, as we have benefitted enormously through exchange of experiences, joint exercises, capacity-building programmes as well as intelligence-sharing on cyber threats, among others,” he stated.
Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Okaikwei North, Fuseini Issah, has refuted assertions by some factions in the public that the Akufo-Addo government said it was not going to borrow.
He intimated that neither President Akufo-Addo nor Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia categorically stated that Ghana was never going to borrow money under their watch.
Speaking in a TV3 interview monitored by GhanaWeb on Tuesday, the ex-MP added that there is nothing wrong with borrowing money for development and that even advanced countries, including the US, borrow.
“Nobody said that we were not going to borrow. At no point did we say we were not going to borrow. Aid and borrowing are different.
“Borrowing is part of normal government business. No government on earth does not borrow; it is part of normal governance and normal fiscal policy. Nobody said that we were never going to borrow. It is not written anywhere,” he said.
Also, he said that the current hardships in the country can not be blamed on the Akufo-Addo government.
According to him, the main reasons for the hardship are the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war and the mess created by the government of ex-president John Dramani Mahama, which the Akufo-Addo administration is still fixing.
Prior to the 2016 election, Vice President Bawumia said that there was no need for the Mahama government to borrow because Ghana had enough resources.
“I worked at the Bank of Ghana, and so I know that Ghana is rich. It is because the managers of the economy are incompetent, and so all they think of is borrowing. The NPP, if voted in, will harness resources to develop Ghana. I am telling you we can develop Ghana without borrowing, the money is here,” he said.
He has since stated that the statement he made is being misconstrued and that he meant that an NPP government will borrow responsibly.
President Akufo-Addo also, before he came to power, said that Ghana has an abundance of money needed to transform Ghana.
“God has not placed us on this rich land to be poor. Ghana is not a poor country. The money is there in abundance. It’s just a matter of priority,” Akufo-Addo said.
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has called on the private sector to support the public sector in creating awareness on the relevance of cybersecurity in the country.
Speaking at the official launch of the National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) 2022, today, Monday, 3 October 2022 at the cedi conference centre, University of Ghana, Accra, on the theme: “Regulating Cybersecurity: A Public-Private Sector Collaborative Approach,” Dr Bawumia, said creating greater awareness of the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) and building synergies among all relevant stakeholders to ensure compliance with them is absolutely critical.
He noted that the law and the relevance of cybersecurity regulations among children, the public, businesses and government, whilst highlighting the need for public-private sector cooperation must be paramount.
The awareness month, therefore, he noted was important to ensure that everyone is involved in cybersecurity activities to ensure a safer digital Ghana.
Dr Bawumia noted that the government is not relenting in its efforts to crack down on cyber-criminal activities, “however, we all have a part to play for our collective security to ensure mutual benefits of the digital space to all users.”
He appealed to the public to relay relevant information to the appropriate authorities for cybercrime prevention and investigations. This he said includes issues that affect children.
“I am reliably informed that victims of child online abuses do not open-up to authorities for investigations and assistance, leaving abusers on the streets to continue their anti-social deeds. The National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the established sectoral CERTs are available for incident response and coordination, and I encourage businesses and government organisations to take advantage of them,” he noted.
The vice president added that “the Cybercrime/ Cybersecurity Incident Reporting Points of Contact is also available to the general public to report cybercrimes and to seek guidance.”
Ghanaians can call 292 freely and seek real time assistance on cybersecurity incidents and report same to the National CERT which operates within the Cyber Security Authority.
Dr Bawumia encouraged the public to utilise this contact as “we seek to promote preventive and cyber hygienic practices to protect our citizens and our digital assets.”
Read Dr Bawumia’s full speech below:
KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY THE VICE PRESIDENT, HIS EXCELLENCY DR. ALHAJI MAHAMUDU BAWUMIA, AT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH (NCSAM) 2022 ON OCTOBER 03, 2022 AT THE CEDI CONFERENCE CENTRE, UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, ACCRA
Hon. Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful,
Hon., Minister for National Security, Mr Albert Kan Dapaah,
Hon. Minister for Information, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah,
Members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Communications and other Members of Parliament,
Members of the Governing Board of the Cyber Security Authority,
Ag. Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority, Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako,
Members of the Joint Cybersecurity Committee (JCC),
Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Media personnel,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my pleasure to join you again to launch one of the most important national events in Ghana’s cybersecurity development, the National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM). In October 2018, I opened the National Cyber Security Awareness Month and launched the 5-year cybersecurity awareness programme dubbed “A Safer Digital Ghana,” an initiative of the then Ministry of Communications, which underpins Ghana’s cybersecurity awareness initiatives. Four years on, I must say that I am impressed with our achievements in cybersecurity development, leading to our progress on the Global Cybersecurity Index rating from 32.6% in 2017 to 86.69% in 2020 with respect to cybersecurity readiness.
I thank the Minister for Communications and Digitalisation and her team, the Governing Board of the Cyber Security Authority, the Ag. Director-General and staff of the Cyber Security Authority, Members of the Joint Cybersecurity Committee, and all relevant stakeholders; including the private sector and international partners, for the commitment in achieving this feat. We, however, need to do more towards cybersecurity development as we step up our efforts to transform the economy through digitalisation.
Ladies and gentlemen, I note that the theme for this month-long event, is “Regulating Cybersecurity: A Public-Private Sector Collaborative Approach.” Cybersecurity development everywhere is a shared responsibility, and enhancing understanding of the provisions of the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) and building synergies among all relevant stakeholders to ensure compliance with them is absolutely critical. Creating greater awareness of the law and the relevance of cybersecurity regulations among Children, the Public, Businesses and Government, whilst highlighting the need for public-private sector cooperation must be paramount. This awareness month is therefore important to ensure that everyone is involved in cybersecurity activities to ensure a safer digital Ghana.
Distinguished guests, in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, new and emerging digital technologies and trends, such as Fifth Generation (5G) networks, Quantum Computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud Computing, Mobile Web Services, Internet of Things (IoT) and Social Media, are radically changing the business landscape and reshaping the nature of work and business operations. Building a resilient digital ecosystem is therefore vital for national development. We need robust systems with relevant laws, directives, and guidelines to secure our digital ecosystem and we took a major step in this direction with the passage of Act 1038.
Ladies and gentlemen, the growing desire to accelerate inclusive growth through greater efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the delivery of public services has led to the implementation of national flagship digitialisation projects including Mobile Money Interoperability, the Digital Property Addressing System, Universal QR Code Payment System (GhQR), National Identification System, the Ghana.gov payment infrastructure, the Paperless Port System, e-Justice System, e-Procurement among others. The unique identification number for each citizen provides Ghana with a linked national database as the Ghana card is currently linked to Tax Identification Number, National Health Insurance Cards, Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Passports, and Sim Cards to provide seamless identification of all individuals and promote secure transactions. The Digital Property Addressing System has also solved the problem of lack of functional address systems in the country by leveraging on GPS technology to implement a digital address system which captures every square inch of our land. We can now identify every person and every property in this country and very soon, it will be difficult for criminals to hide behind the anonymity of technology to defraud anyone.
Ladies and gentlemen, notwithstanding these strides, we are keenly aware that the dependence on digitalisation to transform our economy comes with increased risk of cyber threats and attacks. According to the World Economic Forum, cybercrime cost the world at least $6 trillion in 2021 and could lead to over $10 trillion in annual damages by 2025. Research by IBM also indicates that, it takes 280 days to find and contain the average cyberattack, while the average attack costs $3.86 million. There have been a number of attacks on critical infrastructures around the world; recently the Holiday Inn was hit by cyberattacks which disrupted its “booking channels and other applications”. Earlier in the year, SpiceJet reportedly faced ransomware attacks causing several flights to be either delayed or cancelled. Toyota Motor supplier, Denso, was also hacked and sensitive data stolen. These incidents are increasing and affect all sectors of society. These attacks do not only affect the named institutions; they have effects on employment, company finances, national investments and on individuals who interact or do business with affected institutions. These are just a few examples to emphasise the point that in our current digitalised and interconnected environment, a single cybersecurity incident can affect an entire organisation, a whole nation or the world at large. Therefore, it is critical to build a strong shield against cyber threats and incidents that could undermine our capacity to act and develop.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Government of Ghana is committed to putting in place the needed structures to deal with cybercrimes that keep arising as a result of increasing digital connectivity. That is why in 2017, we set up the National Cyber Security Secretariat, which, in three short years, has now evolved into the Cyber Security Authority following the passage of the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038). I am delighted that the Authority has continued in efforts to develop cybersecurity in the country, and also, enhanced its awareness creation activities. As businesses and individuals, we must develop the needed cybersecurity consciousness to help mitigate cybercrimes, which according to statistics are caused by human actions in about 90% of the cases.
Ladies and gentlemen, Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) constitutes assets (real or virtual), networks, systems, processes, information, and functions that are so vital to the nation that their incapacity or destruction would have a devastating impact on national security, the economy, public health and/or safety. Thirteen (13) sectors of our economy have so far been designated as CII and these include: National Security and Intelligence, Banking and Finance, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Energy, Transport, Water, Health, Government, Emergency Services, Food and Agriculture, Manufacturing, Mining and Education. A Directive for the Protection of Critical Information Infrastructures (CIIs) was launched by the Authority on October 1, 2021 to assist CII owners in registering with the Authority and guide them to protect their critical systems. I will urge all operators to familiarise themselves with the Directives and comply. I am reliably informed that from January 2023, all Critical Information Infrastructure Owners, whether in the private sector or public institutions, will be required to undergo mandatory compliance checks and audits to ensure the protection of Ghana’s critical systems. This audit and compliance actions will be in line with regulations aimed at reinforcing the resilience and response capacities of these institutions against cyber threats and incidents, as well as to ensuring a resilient, secure economy. This will help protect our critical systems from rising malicious cyber activities in the global landscape. They are also important to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of controls/measures put in place to meet the requirements of the law. Designated CII owners who fail to comply with the regulatory measures to protect our critical databases and systems will be sanctioned in accordance with the Cybersecurity Act.
The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation is committed to the full enforcement of the Cybersecurity Act and from January 2023, no firm will operate a cybersecurity service in the country without a license granted by the Authority. We can no longer take chances to allow access to sensitive and critical data without the necessary legal and technical due process. There must be a way to ensure that the institutions and the people we engage to provide cybersecurity services meet the fit-for-purpose tests and can be held accountable for the services they provide.
Distinguished guests, cooperation is one of the strategic imperatives in our National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy. The Joint Cybersecurity Committee is enshrined in our law and has been duly inaugurated, I’m told. It comprises representatives from all sectors and agencies, both public and private, involved in cyber defence. As cyberspace is borderless and interdependencies keep widening, Ghana is committed to improving collaboration not only at the domestic level but internationally in the fight against cybercrimes. I commend all international and local partners who have been instrumental in Ghana’s cybersecurity development so far. Our modest strides in cybersecurity development have been acknowledged and Ghana is increasingly being noted as a hub for training and capacity building for our sub region by the European Commission, World Bank and ECOWAS.
Several African countries have shown a commitment to work with Ghana as part of efforts to improve cybersecurity in our respective countries and on the continent at large and I am informed that, we have had teams from Sierra Leone, the Gambia and Niger amongst others, visiting us to learn from our modest but significant achievements in cybersecurity. In Ghana, we believe that we will go far when we walk together, and are committed to walking with you all. We believe that international cooperation is an indispensable tool in countering cybercrime.
Today, representatives from Rwanda and Mozambique are here to support the event and sign Memorandums of Understanding for cooperation with Ghana on cybersecurity matters. I welcome you all to Ghana. The MoUs will provide for joint capacity building exercises and training in the relevant areas through the sharing of expertise. It also entails exchange programmes for staff to promote capacity building and talent development in both countries and conduct of joint cybersecurity exercises. The countries involved will learn, share, and promote effective cybersecurity practices to ensure resilience and cyber readiness on both ends.
Distinguished guests, indeed no country can tackle the world’s current challenges alone: from wars and other conflicts, climate change, poverty, inequality, lack of respect for human rights, food insecurity, unemployment – the list is endless and cybercrime ranks high up there. International cooperation is vital if we are to overcome these challenges.
Hon. Ministers, ladies and gentlemen, Government is not relenting in its efforts to crack down on cyber-criminal activities, however we all have a part to play for our collective security to ensure mutual benefits of the digital space to all users. I appeal to the public to relay relevant information to the appropriate authorities for cybercrime prevention and investigations. This includes issues that affect children. I am reliably informed that victims of child online abuses do not open-up to authorities for investigations and assistance, leaving abusers on the streets to continue their anti-social deeds. The National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the established sectoral CERTs are available for incident response and coordination, and I encourage businesses and government organisations to take advantage of them. The Cybercrime/ Cybersecurity Incident Reporting Points of Contact is also available to the general public to report cybercrimes and to seek guidance. I am reliably informed that, our citizens can call 292 freely and seek real time assistance on cybersecurity incidents and report same to the National CERT which operates within the Cyber Security Authority. I encourage the public to utilise this contact as we seek to promote preventive and cyber hygienic practices to protect our citizens and our digital assets.
Distinguished guests, in order to gain the full benefits of our digitalisation efforts, we must create a risk-aware cybersecurity culture. I have a lot of confidence in the work of the Cyber Security Authority in implementing its regulatory mandate and the government will ensure that the Authority is provided with the necessary resources to do its work. I urge all corporate bodies, faith based and civil society organisations and the media to collaborate with the Cyber Security Authority and get involved in the awareness creation and capacity building exercises in the month of October as we promote cybersecurity at the national level.
I hereby declare the 2022 National Cyber Security Awareness Month launched.
He was of the opinion that by taking on the duty of providing a platform for mentorship to the young generation, they would be able to mould their future and lay a strong foundation for them to prosper and take on leadership roles in future.
Dr Bawumia made the call at the Seventh Edition of the EMY Awards in Accra last Saturday.
“I implore everyone who has been recognised for their outstanding contributions to our society to keep up their responsibilities as mentors to the next generation so that we can create a healthy society based on hard work and sound principles.”
The Vice-President was pleased with the awards selection process, praising their strictness and transparency.
Winners on the night
Some of the winners on the night included Man of the Year, – Kofi Kinata, Woman of the Year -Prof. Elsie Effah Kaufmann, Woman of the Year Prof. Elsie Kaufmann, Communicator of the Year – Bernard Avle, Actor of the Year – Adjetey Annan, Young Achiever – Richie Mensah with Brand of the Year being won by Caveman Watches and ≈.
Other winners were Group of the Year- Rotary Club of Ghana, Continental Music Icon of the Year- Don Jazzy, Lifetime Achievement Award- Joe Lartey, and the ultimate winner on the night Man of the Year was Ibrahim Mahama.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, Mr Mahama said he felt honoured to have emerged Man of the Year adding that would urge him to even work harder.
“ I am very happy to win the highest award on the night, Man of the Year. In fact, the journey has not been easy, but winning this award will spur me on to do more. But I want to urge the young ones that what I have done they can do better” he said.
The event started at 9 p.m. with a performance from South African singer, Zahara, who did exceptionally well entertaining the awardees, industry players, guests and high profile people who made it to the event.
There were other great performances from the likes of Kwabena Kwabena, Efe Grace and Akwaboah.
Background.
Put together by Cabon AV, headed by Kojo Soboh, EMY Awards celebrates distinguished men every year.
Since 2015, EMY Africa has celebrated the best in men’s achievements across local industry, community, culture and public service. Dozens of men from all ages and walks of life have been honoured for their abilities, initiatives and contributions to society.
The Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Na Abubakari Mahama II, has praised the “competence, diligence and humility” of the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, describing him as a man “bound for greatness”.
Speaking at the Gbewaa Palace, Yendi on Sunday, the Ya- Naa highlighted many interventions facilitated by Dr Bawumia across a broad sphere of national life since becoming the Vice President of the Republic.
The revered chief said those interventions had not only improved the lives of the people in the northern sector of the country, but the nation at large.
“Mr Vice President, your achievements cannot be mentioned without outlining your zealous contribution to complement the efforts of the President to resolve the protracted Dagbon crisis.
“Today, we have peace in Dagbon as we expected, and we owe it an obligation to appreciate your efforts in realising this feat. Dagbon is grateful to you, Alhaji Dr. Bawumia,” Ya-Na Mahama stated.
He said the exceptional humility exhibited by the Vice President was worth emulating, saying; “You make us proud for not departing from the training your elders gave you.”
He said since Dr Bawumia occupied the second most important political seat in Ghana, he had shown sterling performance, worked very hard and made various sacrifices for the country.
“Remarkably, you have discharged and keep discharging your duties with great tolerance even when your opponents come after you and this proves your competence and how focused you are,” Ya-Na Mahama told the Vice President.
Alluding to the Vice President’s continued promotion of religious tolerance and acceptance, Ya-Na Mahama stated that Dr Bawumia had strived to ensure religious harmony.
“As a Muslim, you hold onto your faith at all times while you find it no harm to be amongst Christians and this speaks loudly about nothing but, the necessity of peace and tolerance amongst ourselves even when we disagree with each other,” he opined.
The Overlord of Dagbon also lauded the New Patriotic Party government for continuously working to bridge the development gap between the north and the south through various projects, including the setting up of the Northern Development Authority and the construction of the first-ever interchange in the north.
“Today, we can boast of countless infrastructure from roads, markets, factories, hospitals, schools, water and sanitation projects among others.
“All these were achieved through the Northern Development Authority which you were instrumental in its formulation”.
While wishing the Vice President travel mercies as he begins a tour of northern Ghana, Ya-Na Mahama urged Dr Bawumia to remain focused on improving the standards of living for the people.
“The people are keenly observing your contribution to national development and will make their voices heard at the right time.
“Your keen interest in seeing the north develop will always be remembered. I, as your father, will like you to continue to be a loyal servant of Ghana and the people of the five northern regions.
“Your reward is on the way because you are bound for greatness, my son,” Ya-Na Mahama stated.
The Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Naa Abubakari Mahama II, has praised the “competence, diligence and humility” of the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, describing him as a man “bound for greatness.”
Speaking at the Gbewaa Palace, Yendi on Sunday 2nd October 2022, the Ya- Naa highlighted the many interventions facilitated by Dr Bawumia across a broad sphere of national life since he became Vice President of the Republic, which have resulted in the betterment of the lives of the people of not just northern Ghana, but the nation as a whole.
“Mr Vice President, your achievements cannot be mentioned without outlining your zealous contribution to couple the efforts of the President to resolve the protracted Dagbon crisis. Today, we have peace in Dagbon as we expected and we owe it an obligation to appreciate your efforts in realising this feat. Dagbon is grateful to you, Alhaji Dr. Bawumia.
“Your exceptional humility is worth emulating and makes us proud of you for that. You have not departed from the training your elders gave you.
“Again, since your occupation of the second most important political seat in Ghana, you have shown sterling performance with your sacrifice and hard work which has achieved so much for mother Ghana.
“Remarkably you have discharged and keep discharging your duties with great tolerance even when your opponents come after you and this proves your competence and how focused you are.”
Alluding to Dr Bawumia’s continued promotion of religious tolerance and acceptance, Ya-Naa Abubakari Mahama stated:
“Your quest to harmonize the religious diversity of our country is also commendable. As a Muslim, you hold on to your faith at all times while you find it no harm to be amongst Christians and this speaks loudly about nothing but, the necessity of peace and tolerance amongst ourselves even when we disagree with each other.”
The Overlord of Dagbon again commended Vice President Bawumia for his and the NPP government under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s determination to bridge the development gap between the north and the south through various interventions, including the setting up of a special purpose vehicle for the development of the north.
“Through your efforts, our region has seen the construction of its first interchange. This is a promise you made and as expected of you, you have delivered. Under you as a Vice President, you have also supported the President to make our region and all the four other regions in our part of the country beneficiaries of the national cake through social interventions.
“Today, we can boast of countless infrastructure from roads, markets, factories, hospitals, schools, water and sanitation projects among others. All these were achieved through the Northern Development Authority which you were instrumental in its formulation.”
Wishing the Vice President travel mercies as he begins a tour of northern Ghana, Ya- Naa Abubakari Mahama II urged Dr Bawumia to remain focused on delivering for the people of Ghana, who are keenly observing his contribution to national development and will make their voices heard at the right time.
“Your keen interest in seeing the North develop will always be remembered. I, as your father, will like you to continue to be a loyal servant of Ghana and the people of the five northern regions.
“Your reward is on the way because you are bound for greatness, my son,” he declared.
Yaa-Naa Abukari Mahama II, the overlord of Dagbon, has informed Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Ghana’s vice president, that his genuine interest in seeing the North advance will always be remembered.
When highlighting the significant infrastructure improvements the Northern Region has undergone since Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia assumed the role of Vice President, Yaa-Naa Abubakari Mahama II made this point clear.
During a courtesy call on him at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi, Yaa Naa praised the development initiatives in the Northern Region, saying, “Through your efforts, our region has seen the construction of its first interchange.
You made a promise, and as would be expected of you, you kept it.
He added that “under you as a Vice President, you have also supported the President to make our region and all other four regions in our part of the country benefits of the National cake through social interventions.”
Yaa-Naa Abubakari Mahama II continued “Today, we can boast of countless infrastructure from roads, markets, factories, hospitals, schools, water and sanitation projects among others. All these were achieved through the Northern Development Authority which you were instrumental in its formulation.”
Yaa-Naa Abubakari Mahama II made this known when the Vice President of Ghana called on him Sunday as part of his working visit to the Northern Region.
He praised the Vice President’s focus on his work and his quest not to be distracted from his goals as something worth emulating.
“Remarkably you have discharged and keep discharging your duties with great tolerance even when your opponents come after you and this proves your competence and how focused you are.”
The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has described as “well-deserved”, the choice of former Minister of Defence, Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor as the new Chancellor of the Kumasi Technical University,
Speaking at the investiture of the new Chancellor, the Vice President said Dr. Addo Kufuor’s service to the country in various roles over the years, makes him an “excellent choice” for the honour bestowed on him.
^It is a well-deserved honour, Dr Bawumia said, adding, “as all that you (Dr. Addo Kufuor) have done for mother Ghana in the capacity as the former Board Chairman of Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), President of the Ghana Medical Association, Member of Parliament of Manhyia Constituency, Minister of Defence and Acting Minister of Interior establishes that it is entirely appropriate that you have been appointed as the Chancellor of the University.”
“I commend the authorities of this University, for the excellent choice of a distinguished person, one who is also happily a firm believer of academic freedom, and I am hopeful that the University will definitely fill the added benefit of your rich experiences.
“Nonetheless, I believe the University could not have picked a worthier leader than you. Your worth of experience, as a Board Chairman of Suame Magazine Industrial Development Organisation (SMIDO) indicates your in-depth knowledge and already established interest in Technical and Vocational Education.
The Vice President, who could not hide his admiration for Dr. Addo Kufuor, showered more commendations on the respected statesman, and spoke of how he inspires many.
“For me, today is a little emotional, because I personally know Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor,” Dr. Bawumia said.
“We all know him as a brilliant mind, high academic achiever, high professional achiever, a statesman, a family man, a God-fearing man. But for me there is one thing that crowns all of these defining characteristics of this eminent personality. Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor is a man of integrity, and therefore is a mentor for all of us in public service. And so for Kumasi Technical University to choose him as your Chancellor, you have virtually won the lottery. You can be assured of stellar leadership.”
While assuring the new Chancellor and the University of Government’s support, he urged him and the University to help in making technical and vocational education, which the Government has prioritised, better.
“I urge you Dr. Chancellor and all the heads of our tertiary institutions to continue to make adequate preparations towards the extensive call for prioritizing Technical Education in Ghana and beyond. The Free Senior High School and Free TVET Policies have become permanent features of our educational architecture and their foundations shall be embedded in other reforms in the TVET Education.
“I assure you of the government’s steadfast commitment and continuous support to the Kumasi Technical University and indeed to all other TVET institutions in the country.”
According to him, the future development will require stakeholders in the energy sector to hasten efforts aimed at enhancing production and utilisation of Ghana’s oil and gas reserves.
Addressing participants at the 5th Ghana International Petroleum Conference (GhIPCon) on September 28, the Vice President said Ghana remains committed to achieving zero net carbon emissions but will do so at a slow and sustainable pace.
“Let me add that Ghana has set a target of 2070 to fully transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. So, even though as a government, we are fully committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2070, we also have to take steps to accelerate the production and utilization of our oil and gas reserves,” he noted.
“What this means is that even though we want to contribute to reducing emissions, we are of the view that a balance must be struck and maintained in the context of our social, economic, and environmental requirements,” Dr Bawumia added.
He further pointed out that natural gas use will remain a key part of Ghana‘s energy mix in the short term.
“…So, fossil fuels, particularly natural gas will continue to be part of Ghana’s energy mix in the short term, whilst strategies will be put in place to increase the share of renewable energy in the mix from medium to long term,” the Vice president stated.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid said government will continue to ensure emissions from petroleum products are significantly reduced in the future.
“We at the NPA are committed to support government’s agenda in reducing the emissions from the energy products we consume in Ghana. And I’m glad to mention we were the first west African country to reduce sulphur content in transport and industrial fuels from a maximum of 5000ppm to a maximum of 50ppm,” Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid stated.
The Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has announced plans by the government to transition from the use of fossil fuel to renewable energy by 2070.
Towards that, he said, the National Energy Transition Committee had been established to draft a framework geared towards achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“So, even though as a government, we are fully committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2070, we also have to take steps to accelerate the production and utilisation of our oil and gas reserves,” Dr Bawumia said, when he opened the 2022 Ghana International Petroleum Conference (GhIPCon) in Accra yesterday[September 28, 2022].
At the three-day conference on the theme “Energy Transition in the African Petroleum Downstream Context: Prospects, Challenges and the Way Forward”, the Vice-President said that meant that although the country wanted to contribute to reducing emissions, it held the view that a balance must be struck and maintained in the context of social, economic and environmental requirements.
Fossil fuels include coal, petroleum, natural gas, oil shales, bitumen, tar sands and heavy oils which emit carbons when used, therefore not so environmentally friendly.
Renewable energy, on the other hand, are sourced directly from the earth’s elements such as the sun, water (hydro), wind and degradable materials such as plants and animal droppings, usually known as biomass. They are known to be environmentally friendly because they do not emit carbons that can destroy both the environment and the sun’s covering, the ozone layer.
Accelerate production
Vice-President Bawumia charged stakeholders in the energy sector to accelerate the production and utilisation of oil and gas reserves in the country.
“We ought to be forward thinking in a rapidly changing world, not only in terms of energy transition, but in terms of all aspects of the energy-mix,” he said.
He indicated that would enable the country to insulate its energy sector from global economic shocks, especially considering how the Russia-Ukraine war had affected the energy sector in the last few months.
“So, I expect this conference to become a sounding board for our governments in the West Africa region on how we can be full participants in the energy transition process, while remaining faithful to the needs and aspirations of our people,” Dr Bawumia said.
He expressed the hope that the petroleum downstream industry would continue to be the anchor for the transformation of the country.
Govt commitment
The Vice-President also reiterated the government’s commitment to reducing emissions from consumption of petroleum products.
“I am glad to mention that we were the first West African country to reduce sulphur content in transport and industrial fuels from a maximum of 5000 parts per million (ppm) of sulphur to a maximum of 50ppm,” he stated
The National Petroleum Authority organised the forum in collaboration with the African Refiners and Distributors Association and the Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors.
It attracted major players, including chief executive officers, experts and decision makers in the petroleum sector across the West Africa sub-region.
Based on a shared commitment to development, the two countries’ bilateral commerce volume reached a height of US$9.57 billion in 2021, up from US$6.67 billion in 2017, according to Lu Kun, the Chinese ambassador to Ghana.
China’s direct investment climbed by US$15 million, a 12% increase year over year, making Ghana its biggest trading partner in Africa.
At a durbar to commission a 22-km inner city road infrastructure in Cape Coast that was paid for by the Chinese government through the Sinohydro agreement, the Chinese ambassador made this disclosure.
He attributed the steady rise in trade and investments to the strong demand for Chinese products by Ghanaians as well as measures put in place by both countries to leverage the long-standing relations.
The Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, together with Mr Kwasi Amoako Atta, Roads and Highways Minister joined the chiefs of the Area to commission the road project aimed at expanding access to ease traffic and accelerate development.
Elated by the increasing trade volumes between China and Ghana, the Ambassador said: “These are not just numbers, but a symbol of China-Ghana friendship we value and cherish.”
“The China-Ghana ties have been kept on a sound momentum of high-level bilateral exchanges and ever-increasing trust built on mutual strong conviction for development.
“The decades of solid relations remain a springboard for a win-win China-Ghana cooperation hinged on consolidating bilateral traditional friendship, deepening pragmatic cooperation, and broad consensus building on issues of mutual concern,” he stated.
The Chinese Ambassador indicated that China and Ghana have always supported each other on issues concerning their core and major interests, keeping close cooperation in the international and regional arena and thus safeguarding the relationship.
Through that, Mr Kun said the Chinese government had financed, partnered, and executed several critical national projects relating to the economic growth and the livelihood of people in Ghana.
Key among them are the National Theatre, office complexes of the Foreign Ministry and Defence Ministry, the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho and the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.
Others are the Atuabo Gas Processing Project, Bui Dam, and Kpong Water Supply Expansion Project, Asogli Power Plant, and Africa World Airline (AWA) which have played a key role in resolving the power shortage and promoting the interconnection of the sub-region.
Lately, the Chinese equipment and technologies have accelerated the pace of integration with local enterprises and capital, bringing into being several local star enterprises and adding fuel to the enthusiasm for Ghana’s cooperation with China.
On people-to-people exchanges, he said cultural exchanges were close and ever-increasing on mutual understanding, as wood sculpture, music, and dance, among other forms of tourists, enjoyed high popularity among Chinese tourists.
Mrs Justina Marigold Assan said the completion of roads was key to the region’s investment drive to become the preferred investment destination in the country.
She said the Region remained the most preferred destination in Ghana’s quest to continuously attract investment from the Diaspora.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, vice president, urged energy sector participants to speed up the production and usage of Ghana’s oil and gas reserves during the official opening of the fifth Ghana International Petroleum Conference (GhIPCon) on September 28 in Accra.
This means that even while we wish to help reduce emissions, we believe that a balance between our social, economic, and environmental obligations must be reached and maintained, he explained.
“Let me add that Ghana has set a target of 2070 to fully transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
“So, even though as a government, we are fully committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2070, we also have to take steps to accelerate the production and utilization of our oil and gas reserves.”.
Dr. Bawumia added: “So, fossil fuels, particularly natural gas will continue to be part of Ghana’s energy mix in the short term, whilst strategies will be put in place to increase the share of renewable energy in the mix from medium to long term,”
Under the Domestic Gold Purchase Program, gold has begun to be sold by Ghanaian gold mining businesses to the Bank of Ghana (BoG).
Between now and December of this year, the businesses that are members of the Ghana Chamber of Mines will sell the BoG around 125,000 ounces of gold.
The central bank declared last year that it will start holding some of its reserves in gold in order to strengthen its international reserves.
The transaction is anticipated to support the cedi and reduce inflation.
Meeting
This was the outcome of a meeting between the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, other members of the Economic Management Team, the Bank of Ghana, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Minerals Commission and the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) on one hand ,and the leadership of the Ghana Chamber of Mines on the other.
“It was agreed that to help shore up the foreign exchange reserves of the Bank of Ghana, starting September 1, the Bank of Ghana will purchase a portion of the output of the gold mining companies on a continuous basis at world market prices but payment will be made in Ghana cedis,” Dr Bawumia said after the meeting.
Mining firms
In all, there are 10 mining companies that will sell gold to the BoG under the deal.
The firms are Newmont Ghana Gold, which operates the Akyem and Ahafo mines, Gold Fields, which operates the Tarkwa and Abosso mines, AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi, AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem, Perseus, Asanko, Golden Star Wassa and Adamus Gold Resources.
The central bank will buy the gold in cedis at $1,600 per ounce at the Bloomberg exchange rate of GH¢10.3 to the dollar.
According to the central bank it would pay market prices for the precious metal but make the payments in cedis.
Per the plan, the BoG wants to purchase about GH¢2.1 billion worth of gold by December this year.
Ahead of the meeting, Newmont Ghana had already sold 3,500 ounces of gold to the BoG as part of the deal.
Mutual benefits
The President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Joshua Mortoti, said in an interview with the Daily Graphic that the gold purchase programme was mutually beneficial to all the stakeholders.
“As good corporate citizens, the Chamber will support the BOG to ensure that the nation and mining companies benefit from the programme,” he said.
Also commenting on the deal, the Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, Sulemanu Koney, stated that members of chamber would further engage the central bank to fast-track the implementation of the programme.
Foreign reserves
The BoG is the latest central bank to announce plans to increase its gold reserves.
A survey from the World Gold Council last year showed that out of 57 central banks, more than 20 planned to add more gold to their foreign reserves.
Most of the demand is coming from central banks of emerging markets.
Analysts have stated that the gold purchase deal was a significant boost to the country’s foreign exchange reserves, and would strengthen the country’s balance of payments.
Ghana is Africa’s top gold producer and the world’s sixth largest producer, producing more than 117 tonnes of gold last year.
Dollarisation trend
Market analysts see the central banks’ growing appetite for gold as part of the general de-dollarisation trend that countries are trying to lower their exposure to the US dollar.
Ghana has been struggling to tame galloping inflation, reduce public debt and shore up the local currency.
Its balance-of-payments deficit swelled to nearly $2.5 billion by the end of June, this year, from around $935 million in March.
The government is also putting together a post COVID-19 economic programme that will form the basis for negotiations with the IMF.
The programme seeks to ensure debt and macroeconomic stability through key structural reforms and social protection.
Already in the country is an IMF team that is discussing policies and reforms with government officials and the central bank after the country requested a bailout from the Fund in July.
The BoG has therefore rescheduled its September 26 Monetary Policy Committee meeting to October 7 to coincide with the end of the negotiations between the government and the IMF.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has received plaudits for Ghana’s push toward digitalization from former Minister of Information and current Managing Director of the Intercity State Transport Company (STC), Nana Akomea.
Speaking on the Kokrokoo Morning Show on Peace FM, Akomea claimed that the Vice President’s digital agenda has set Ghana on a trajectory that puts it on par with the world’s most developed nations and far ahead of other African nations.
With his digital effort, he claimed, Dr. Bawumia is “actually altering the [Ghanaian] society.”
Speaking about the state of Ghana at the time, Nana Akomea noted that despite alleged difficulties, there is still much to be thankful for.
He pointed to Ghana’s unrivaled safety and security in comparison to other African countries and also, the digitalisation agenda.
“We are very stable. We are one of the most stable countries in West Africa, if not Africa. We have peace in this country. When you look at our tourism figures, it’s overwhelming. We have stability and security. We are modernizing rapidly. When you look at the digitization programme by Dr. Bawumia, it is changing society,” Nana Akomea said.
He added: “We are ahead of other African countries by far and now, in the world economy, if you don’t become digital; you will die. We are moving very, very quickly on this digital [economy]. When you take our security, we have maintained the peace and security and stability of this country…These are all the very good news that you can’t even calculate its value.”
Digital Agenda
Ghana has embarked on a digital drive since the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government took over power in 2017, with Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as its main proponent.
The Vice President argues that digitalisation is the only way for underdeveloped nations to fix the perennial problem of a domestic revenue shortfall.
“Many developing countries have found it difficult to reach high levels of domestic revenue mobilisation because their economies are characterised by a number of features. For these developing countries that we’re talking about, in the presence of these characteristics…you can have as many tax laws or tax increases as you want but you’re unlikely to achieve the goals of a significant increase in domestic revenue mobilisation,” Dr. Bawumia said during a speech at the 10th annual International Tax Conference of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Ghana.
“Our goal as a government on the assumption of office was to quickly transform our economy by leveraging on technological innovations as a means to leapfrog the development process, overcome legacy problems, and improve both economic and public sector governance.
“This is why we have focused on digitalisation to build this new system, this machinery that can address this problem of domestic revenue mobilisation. You need to have a machinery that is integrated that addresses these shortcomings….” he added.
Digitalisation has addressed these issues by widening the tax net via the Ghana card, which now serves as a tax identification number for every Ghanaian, widening the property tax net through the digital address system and other innovations.
Meanwhile digitising operations at state agencies such as the DVLA and the Passport Office has seen an exponential jump in revenue generation whilst eliminating the role of corrupt middlemen.
Ghost names eliminated from the SSNIT payroll have saved the nation GH¢320 million at SSNIT alone.
Digitisation of operations at the Passport office alone increased revenues to the state from GH¢1.1 million in 2017 to a current figure circa GH¢56.7 million.
Similarly, the DVLA increased year-on-year revenues by 100% from 2019 to 2020 following the introduction of digitalisation.
Gold producing member companies of the Ghana Chamber of Mines will, between now and December 2022, sell about 125,000 ounces of gold to the Bank of Ghana (BoG) under the central bank’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.
The decision followed a meeting between Vice President Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, some other members of the Economic Management Team, the Bank of Ghana, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Minerals Commission, PMMC as well as the leadership of the Chamber to consider the implementation of the BoG’s Gold Purchase Programme in the light of the country’s economic challenges.
Ahead of that meeting, Newmont Ghana had already sold 3,500 ounces of gold to the Bank of Ghana as part of the programme.
Vice President Dr. Bawumia noted after the meeting that “it was agreed that to help shore up the foreign exchange reserves of the Bank of Ghana, starting September 1st, the Bank of Ghana will purchase a portion of the output of the gold mining companies on a continuous basis at world market prices, but payment will be made in Ghana cedis”.
This will represent a significant and sustainable addition to Ghana’s foreign exchange reserves over time and strengthen the country’s balance of payments position”, H.E. the Vice President added.
President of the Chamber, Joshua Mortoti stated that “as good corporate citizens the Chamber supports the programme”. Noting that the Gold Purchase Programme will be mutually beneficial to all stakeholders.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, Dr. Sulemanu Koney, stated that members of the Chamber would further engage the Central Bank to fast-track the implementation of the programme.
Discussions on the Gold Purchase Programme started in 2020 between the BoG and gold producing member companies of the Chamber to support the Ghana’s foreign exchange reserves.
The Ghana Chamber of Mines is the main minerals industry association in Ghana. The Chamber represents the collective interests of companies involved in mineral exploration, production and processing in Ghana.
The vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has encouraged the National Muslim Conference (NMC) leadership to work with other faith-based organizations and partner governments to promote inclusive development for the benefit of the nation.
Under the leadership of the National Chief Imam and the Muslim Caucus of Parliament, the National Muslim Conference is an alliance of Muslim sects and interests.
The goal of the NMC is to unite all Muslims in order to make a meaningful contribution to the welfare of the community and to the advancement of the country.
Speaking at the opening of the second edition of the NMC in Accra on Thursday (22 September), Dr Bawumia lauded the NMC for its national development ideals, and also called on leadership of the NMC to help protect the enviable peace and unity between Muslims and Christians by joining hands with their Christian counterparts to strive for a collective national development, as key national stakeholders.
“Having carefully studied the Deed of the Conference, I came to the understanding that the NMC is seeking to galvanise the energies, human and material resources of the Muslim Ummah (community) in Ghana to spur national leaders of the Muslim Community into action for the collective growth of the Ummah and Ghana as a whole,” Dr. Bawumia said.
“The NMC could not have chosen any growth and developmental indicators better than the four thematic pillars and objectives captured under the Deed of the NMC, namely; Education, Health, Finance and Economic Empowerment of the Muslim Ummah in Ghana.
“The thematic areas would not only find space in the development agenda of Government, but are also in conformity with the developmental agenda of the African continent and the United Nations.”
The Vice President noted further that, for government, bridging the development gaps between less privileged communities and others, remains a priority, for the over all growth of the country.
“As a government, we believe that all efforts must be made to get rid of any form of exclusion, regardless of which community is involved, be it Christian, Muslim or any other community, as we are one people with a common destiny.”
“It is the reason our government has pursued an inclusive development agenda, through the creation of development vehicles for respective communities, such as the Coastal Development Authority, Middle Belt Development Authority, Northern Development Authority and the Zongo Development Fund.
Dr. Bawumia stressed that aside such inclusive development policies by government, there is the need for intra-faith dialogues, as well as greater engagements between the nation’s two leading religious grouos (Muslims and Christians) to proffer strategies and plans, in collaboration with government, to mitigate the day-to-today challenges facing the people.
“Ghanaian Muslims have always joined their hands with their Christian counterparts towards nation building. As far back as 1932, Muslims in the Gold Coast were alive to their responsibilities and had formed the Gold Coast Muslim Association, which was established as a welfare and social association.
“There is no doubt that Ghanaian Muslims and Christians are unique and are able to join hands, work together and excel in various fields – from sports to politics.
“The beautiful spectre of a Jummah congregation around Nima Roundabout in Accra extending to the frontage of a Church premises, the sight of a National Imam in a Chapel to exchange pleasantries with Christian leaders and a Christian President teaming up with a Muslim Vice President, in the case of my boss and I, are some of the beautiful examples of what Muslims and Christians can do together at our work places, communities and the nation, once we continue to tolerate each other and show respect to our religious diversity.”
While commending leaders of the NMC for their vision , Dr. Bawumia also urged them to prioritise education and get their community members to take full advantage of government’s expansion of free access to education, because “education is the surest way of empowering people, accelerating development and alleviating poverty.”
The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, stressed on the need for strengthening tolerance, peace and unity in the country, and urged the nation to continue to be grateful to God for the grace He has bestowed on the country as a peaceful nation in the midst of conflicts in the sub-region.
Ato Forson has been one of the most vocal and critical voices of the New Patriotic Party’s handling of the economy amid an economic downturn that has forced government to seek a programme with the International Monetary Fund, IMF.
The Ghana Statistical Service, GSS, recently announced that consumer inflation for August 2022 hit 33.9% from 31.7% in July.
This is the highest rate that has been recorded in 21 years. According to the GSS, food and transportation were the main drivers of inflation.
Ato Forson described the 21-year high rate of inflation as “terrible”. He wrote on his Twitter page on September 14, 2022: “inflation likely to hit 40% in November 2022 if the 30% increment in fares starts on September 21, 2022.”
According to him, even though the Vice President rode on the back of coming to solve the problems of the country, he is rather doing the opposite by creating problems.
Professor Hanke’s comment comes on the back of the depreciation of the Ghana Cedi.
“#Ghana’s VP Bawumia says he’s “into politics to help people solve problems.” SPOILER ALERT: Bawumia is the one CREATING the problems. Today, I measure GHA’s inflation at a stunning 81%/yr, nearly 2.5 TIMES the official rate,” he tweeted on September 20.
Professor Hanke who has taken a keen interest on economic issues of Ghana in a separate tweet said Ghana’s economy was tanking – an expression which means the economy is down and there are fears of a recession.
He has in the past blamed the Akufo-Addo-led administration for putting the economy in a dire situation.
“Ghana is in 8th place in this week’s inflation table. On Sep 8, I measured Ghana’s #inflation at a stunning 81%/yr–over 2x the official inflation rate of 34%/yr. #Ghana’s economy is TANKING. To rein in inflation, GHA must install a currency board,” he tweeted on September 19.
“Today, I measure #Ghana’s inflation at 81%/yr. As a result, Ghanaians don’t know the price of anything anymore. When Ghanaians see their grocery bills soar, they can thank Pres. Akufo-Addo,” Prof Hanke added.
He asserts that despite the Vice President’s stated intention to address the nation’s problems, he is actually doing the reverse by causing more of them.
Professor Hanke’s statement is in response to the Ghana Cedi’s decline in value versus major trading currencies, particularly the US dollar.
Professor Hanke who has taken a keen interest in the economic issues of Ghana in a separate tweet said Ghana’s economy was tanking – an expression which means the economy is down and there are fears of a recession.
He has in the past blamed the Akufo-Addo-led administration for putting the economy in a dire situation.
“Ghana is in 8th place in this week’s inflation table. On Sep 8, I measured Ghana’s #inflation at a stunning 81%/yr–over 2x the official inflation rate of 34%/yr. #Ghana’s economy is TANKING. To rein in inflation, GHA must install a currency board,” he tweeted on September 19.
“Today, I measure #Ghana’s inflation at 81%/yr. As a result, Ghanaians don’t know the price of anything anymore. When Ghanaians see their grocery bills soar, they can thank Pres. Akufo-Addo,” Prof Hanke further teased.
Ghana’s economy has been hard hit according to the government by the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and banking sector clean-up.
The rippling effect has been an increase in the cost of living, record high inflation rates and downgrades of the economy by rating agencies such as S&P and Fitch – a situation which has dealt a heavy blow to government’s ability to access the international capital market.
The Cedi has also been on a free fall compelling the Bank of Ghana to resort to hiking its monetary policy rate to deal with the situation.
The worsening economic situation compelled the government in July to initiate contact with International Monetary Fund for an economic support programme.
Ghana is said to be targeting an amount of US$3 billion over three years from the International Monetary Fund once an agreement on a programme is reached. The new amount requested as a loan was double the government’s initial target of $1.5 billion.
Government hopes to complete negotiations by end of the year in order to receive the funds in the first quarter of next year.
He claims that the Central Bank has started assisting with some steps meant to alleviate the ongoing economic issues that have led to a high cost of living.
“In Ghana, we are addressing the problems in the setting of a very constrained or constrained budget.”
The Central Bank is attempting to manage inflation through monetary policy. To address the issue, there have been several interest rate rises, according to Dr. Bawumia.
Prof. Kobina Annim, a government statistician, claimed that the high costs of fuels, housing, water, electricity, and other commodities were the main causes of the inflation spike.
Since then, the development has raised concerns that it will take longer to alleviate inflationary pressures.
Ghana agreed to approach the IMF for an economic support program in July of this year. Once an agreement is achieved, access to the program is anticipated in 2023.
Vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has said government’s Free Senior High School (Free SHS) initiative has improved the lives of families despite the economic crisis.
He claims that the initiative has “lessened the burden on families as the nation goes through one of its biggest economic meltdowns.
In an interview with KTN News, Kenyan private TV channel, Bawumia emphasized that the cost of living has increased dramatically over the world, with Ghana being no exception, and blamed the country’s economic difficulties on the negative effects of theCovid-19 outbreak and the Russia-Ukrainewar.
“Ghana has been no exception and I’m sure Kenya has not been an exception, either because food prices and energy prices have gone up and they have inflationary consequences and exchange rate consequences and they have really squeezed budgets in that respect.
“In Ghana, we are trying to deal with it in this context of the very squeezed and tight budget on the monetary policy side. The Central Bank is trying to contain inflation through their monetary policy.
“There have been a number of interest rate increases to try to contain the situation. Government continues to offer free senior secondary school education to our citizens which has also continued to lessen the burden on families in terms of cost of living. Otherwise, without it, it would have been much worse,” Bawumia contended.
The Vice President indicated that the way to resolve crises when they plague a country is to increase production.
“Ultimately, you deal with this crisis by expanding your production. If it is a food crisis, then we need to increase food production and that is how we want to tackle it in Ghana. The energy side is a little bit more difficult since we are net importers of oil and we are taking things at the dictates of the international market.
“So we hope that sooner or later, the Ukraine crisis will abate and bring down energy prices for all of us. But I think that government is continuously looking at ways to deal with it [economic crunch]” he said.
The government implemented the Free SHS programme in 2017 to eradicate financial barriers in accessing second cycle level education.
Amid an economic crunch, there have been growing calls for government to review the programme to allow some cost to be borne by parents.
On Monday, September 12, 2022, the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, is expected to open the Regional Meeting of African National Commissions for UNESCO on UNESCO’s Global Priority Africa Programme in Accra.
The conference is on the theme “Mobilizing Partnership for the Global Priority Africa Programme.”
The Conference is expected to bring together National Commissionsfor UNESCO from the African continent.
The UNESCOPriority Africa Programme is an initiative by UNESCO to provide solutions to the continent’s developmental challenges concerning youth unemployment, education, climate change, Africa’s cultural renaissance, heritage, history, democracy and peace.
The project aims to achieve its main objectives by 2063 through ‘The Africa We Want, Vision 2063. As such, key stakeholders of the Global Priority Africa Programme will deliberate on Africa’s collective actions toward a renewed implementation agenda.
Objectives of the meeting
The three-day meeting which climaxes on September 14 seeks to raise awareness of the five flagships for National Commissions to be able to prioritize, participate in the Global Priority Africa flagships and effectively implement them.
It also seeks to engage National Commissions and experts to share experiences on best practices and to share ideas on the implementation process.
The Vice President stated that the largest lesson from the pandemic should be the implementation of technology for the benefit of all people seeking justice, citing Ghana’s experience with Covid-19.
On Monday, September 5, 2022, he was giving a speech in Accra at the start of the 19th triennial session of the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association.
“The advancement in technology means that we do not have to be physically present to perform a task anywhere. We can reduce the man-hours required to perform any task. The Justice system in the commonwealth and around must fully embrace the power of digital tools in order to boost access to justice.â€
“It will be criminally negligent to ignore the latent hour we have and allow the situation to fester where our court is clogged and justice out of the reach of many.â€
He said government is fully committed to ensuring that justice is available to all through the effective use of digital tools.
“Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, the digitization of our courts was underway. We now have virtual courts for our citizens and justice for all system that remains heavily on technology.â€
Dr. Bawumia disclosed that the NPP government had put in place a number of clever policies that had greatly reduced gender imbalance in Ghanaian society.
Dr Mahamadu Bawumia pointed to several government policies which have contributed towards creating more gender parity in Ghana.
The Vice President cited the use of medical drones to deliver medical supplies all over the country as a policy that has contributed to reducing gender disparity.
“The medical drone delivery system, one of the finest in the world, has six centres undertaking 100 flights per day, supplying blood products and medical suppliers to rural areas and helping to save expectant mothers and ultimately reducing the maternal mortality rate in Ghana.”
The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has said that the Akufo-Addo administration is putting systems in place to check corruption.
Dr Bawumia noted that since independence, governments after governments have not focused on building systems to reduce bribery and corruption in the country.
He also said systems that will make the delivery of public service efficient, enhance domestic revenue mobilsation and the systems that will make life generally easier for Ghanaians are also lacking.
But Dr Bawumia said the current Akufo-Addo is fighting corruption through digitalization.
Speaking at the Ghana Baptist Convention 59th Annual Session in Ejura in the Ashanti Region on Tuesday August 23, Dr Bawumia said “The problems that we have as a nation are, we are largely undisciplined society, a corrupt society, a lawless society, an untrustworthy society, an inefficient government bureaucracy, a tax dodging society, an informal society and nontransparent society.
“These are elements that we see in our society. Unfortunately, as a country we have had no data and system to check the prevalence of these inimical elements to our development.
“In fact, since independence, governments after governments have, by and large, not focused on building systems to reduce bribery and corruption, the systems that will make the delivery of public service efficient, systems that will enhance domestic revenue mobilsation and the systems that will make life generally easier for Ghanaians.â€
He added “It is for this reason that our government had decided that we have have to bring light to the system to shine the light on the problems that we have been facing.
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has opined that the corruption and indiscipline are the major factors hindering the country’s development.
These problems, he noted, have been with the country since its independence because no government has come up with a data-driven solution to fix them.
“The problems that we have as a nation are, we are largely undisciplined society, a corrupt society, a lawless society, an untrustworthy society, an inefficient government bureaucracy, a tax-dodging society, an informal society and a non-transparent society.
“… since independence, governments after governments have, by and large, not focused on building systems to reduce bribery and corruption, the systems that will make the delivery of public service efficient, systems that will enhance domestic revenue mobilisation and the systems that will make life generally easier for Ghanaians,†3news.com reports.
The vice president said that it is for this reason that the government of President Akufo-Addo is investing so much to build the digital infrastructure of the country to block all the loopholes that encourage corruption in the country.
“This is why we have adopted the policy of digitalization. This government is building a system that will enhance transparency, promote accountability, discipline, trustworthiness and enable inclusiveness. You fight corruption with systems, you do not fight corruption with rhetoric.
We are trying to identify everybody uniquely, that is why we are issuing the Ghana Card,†Bawumia is quoted to have said at the Ghana Baptist Convention 59th Annual Session in Ejura in the Ashanti Region on Tuesday, August 23.
Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has said the government will continue to support the leaders of the Ga State to bring development to its people and the country as a whole.
The Vice President gave the assurance when he joined the people of the Greater Accra Region on Saturday, August 13, 2022, to commemorate the 2022 Homowo festival.
“It is a beautiful festival and our Chiefs are the custodians of our tradition and this is why on behalf of the government and our party I’m here to pay homage to all the key chiefs in the Ga state. Please continue to do all the things you’re doing to develop the Ga state. I want to assure you that we will be by your side to support you to continue to do the good work for the Ga state,” he is quoted to have said by MyJoyOnline.com.
The Vice President was whole-heartedly welcomed by the Sempe Chief Nii Apan Osaadu I and his subjects.
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia paid homage to some traditional authorities present.
On behalf of government, the Vice President donated an amount of GHS50,000.00, which is to support the construction of the Sempe chief’s palace.
The festivity was also graced by former President John Dramani Mahama, the National chief Imam of Ghana Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu, members of the diplomatic corp.
On his part, John Dramani Mahama supported the celebration with a donation.
The Ga people celebrate Homowo which is translated as ‘hooting at hunger’ in remembrance of a devastating famine arising from a drought that occured in their history in precolonial Ghana.
The festival starts in the month of August with the planting of crops (mainly maize and yam) before the rainy season starts.
During this period, noise making is prohibited or banned since it is believed that it will hinder the maturity of the crops.
Even though it is a Ga traditional festival, many other ethnic groups also partake in the celebrations.
Vice President Dr Mahamadu Bawumiawas hailed by supporters and young folks who had gathered to witness the commissioning a number of projects undertaken by the government under the Zongo Development Fund (ZDF) in the Ashanti Region.
At separate ceremonies at Asokore (Asokore Quranic Islamic School), and Effiduase (Hamdaniya Islamic School), both in the Sekyere East District and at Bantama in the Kumasi Metropolis.
He unveiled the fully furnished classroom blocks, a water system, and a Community Sports and Social Centre as part of my two-day visit to the Region.
Not only has the government implemented a comprehensive development of educational infrastructure to bridge the gap in Zongo communities.
But it has also intervened positively by improving health facilities, sanitation, and human resource development through skills training and educational grants and in improving the ambience, and visibility in developing communities.
The Nana Addo-Bawumia-led administration has taken it upon itself to widen and broaden its developmental scope by strengthening the educational systems.
Soldiers on the front lines in eastern Ukraine say sophisticated Western weaponry has stalled Russia’s furious bombardment. But is this merely a brief lull, or a sign that the tide is turning in the conflict?
Five plumes of smoke pierced a clear blue sky on a hillside just north of Bakhmut, an almost deserted farming town that has been under sustained Russian bombardment for weeks.
“This is no life for us. Nowhere is safe. I honestly wish my life was over,” said 86-year-old Anna Ivanova, bending low, with the help of a walking stick, to pull weeds from her garden, as two Ukrainian jets roared low overhead.
Ten minutes later, a succession of five or more loud booms rolled over the brilliant yellow sunflower fields to the west.
Image source, ReutersImage caption, Bakhmut has come under sustained Russian attack for weeks
For anyone driving close to the meandering front lines of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region – from the shattered city of Slovyansk in the north, to the abandoned farming villages near Donetsk in the south – it can feel as if Russia’s grinding, seemingly indiscriminate bombardments remain as frenzied as ever.
But in the corner of a wheat field outside Donetsk, the commander of a Ukrainian artillery unit who asked to be known only by his first name, Dmitro, was adamant. “They’re not firing as often. The rate of artillery fire [from Russian forces] has dropped by half. Maybe even more, maybe by two-thirds,” he said, patting the side of a large green vehicle beside him.
The vehicle – a self-propelled artillery piece with a huge barrel pointing south towards Russian-held territory – is a French manufactured Caesar, one of the growing number of sophisticated Western weapons that can now be spotted moving along country lanes throughout Donbas. Dmitro, and many others here, believe they are helping to turn the tide against Russia.
With a deafening blast, the Caesar fired the first of three shells at what Dmitro said was a Russian infantry unit and several artillery pieces 27km (16 miles) away.
“We’re much more accurate now. And we can hit them much further away,” he said, with a grin. Within a minute, the artillery team had fired two more shells, and the vehicle was already moving away, fast, before Russian artillery had a chance to track its position and return fire.
In recent weeks Ukrainian civilians and soldiers have watched, often gleefully, as drone footage and other videos uploaded on to the internet appear to have shown a series of massive explosions in Russian-held territory.
It is widely reported that these are large ammunition stores, kept far behind the frontlines, but now within reach of the newly arrived Western weaponry, including American Himars and Polish Krab howitzers.
“Listen to that silence,” said Yuri Bereza, a bearded 52-year-old commanding a volunteer unit tasked with defending Slovyansk. For well over an hour one recent morning, on a visit to a network of defensive trenches east of the city, not a single explosion could be heard.
“That’s all because of the artillery you’ve given us – because of its accuracy,” said Bereza. “Before, Russia had 50 gun barrels for every one we had. Now it’s more like five to one. Their advantage is now insignificant. You could call it parity.”
But Bereza, like Dmitro, emphasised that Ukraine needed far more Western weaponry in order to launch an effective counter-offensive.
Image caption, Yuri Bereza says Western arms have almost enabled Ukrainian forces to match Russian firepower
“They can’t beat us, and we can’t beat them here. We need more equipment, especially armour, tanks, aviation. Without these things there will be enormous loss of life. That’s the way Russia is used to waging war. They throw lives away,” said Bereza.
“Ideally, we’d like three times as many [Western weapons] as they’ve already sent us. And quickly,” confirmed Dmitro.
But a lack of weaponry is not the only thing potentially thwarting Ukraine’s determination to liberate captured territory. Despite the reduced Russian bombardment, the Kremlin’s forces continue to push closer to the strategic town of Bakhmut, raising concerns among Ukrainian forces about a lack of manpower and training.
“Here’s a simple trick,” shouted a burly figure, lying on a dirt track and aiming his rifle, surrounded by forty attentive Ukrainian soldiers.
“Bring your leg up like this,” said the man, a former British paratrooper, who was part of a private group offering support to a Ukrainian brigade that had recently arrived to reinforce the frontlines.
The Ukrainians were all volunteers, and had only had a couple of months basic training. Their commanders had reached an informal agreement with the Western trainers, for a five-day course.
“Of course, it’s scary. I’ve not seen war before,” said the unit’s 22-year-old commander, a lawyer, who asked that we not use his name.
“Worrying is the fact that these guys… lack the basic soldiering skills that the West is used to,” said another trainer, Rob, a former US marine.
Image caption, Private organisations are operating independently in eastern Ukraine, including the Mozart group
For now, Western governments have refused to send officials, or contractors, into Ukraine to help with military recruitment and training efforts. A handful of private organisations are operating here, independently.
“It’s a drop in the ocean. But it makes a difference, on a small scale,” said Andy Milburn, a retired US Marine colonel, as he watched a training session.
He stressed that his Mozart group had “zero” contact with, or support from, the US government, but he criticised Western nations for a “squeamish” and “short-sighted” refusal to engage more directly.
“It’s ridiculous. But these guys have lost so many people that they just don’t have [enough Ukrainian instructors],” he said. “The West needs to plan for that now.”
The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has revealed that over GH¢400 million has been lost by the state due to ghost names on the Social Security and National Insurance Trust SSNIT pension scheme and the National Service Scheme.
Speaking at the 2021 Civil Service Awards Night in Accra, Dr Bawumia, noted that the use of Ghana’s unique identification system helped government in identifying about 27,000 to 14,000 ghost names registered on SSNIT and NSS respectively.
“14,000 ghost names were recently found at the National Service because there was no unique identity. Just a couple of days ago, SSNIT found 27,000 ghost names, and they were being paid GH¢327 million. Just these two institutions have cost us over GH¢400 million,†Dr. Bawumia said while speaking at the 2021 Civil Service Awards Night in Accra.
The head of the economic management team noted that the unique identification system introduced by the Akufo-Addo government would deal with ghost names on the government’s payroll.
Highlighting the relevance of the Ghana Card, Dr Bawumia asserted that the growing menace especially in public institutions will be nipped in the bud.
For him, the National Identification Card is more beneficial than 1,000 interchanges.
“Today, we have 16 million Ghanaians with unique identities, and that is a major transformation. A lot of people sometimes do not appreciate its impact. If you gave me 1000 interchanges and the Ghana Card, I would choose the Ghana Card because it has more impact,†Dr Mahamudu Bawumia said.
Justifying his stand to choose the Ghana card over 1000 interchanges, Dr Bawumia stated that with the unique identification system, individuals who do not qualify to benefit from the scheme will be exposed.
“It seems my Ghana card statement was misinterpreted. I want people to think about it critically. For the first time in our history, we have a unique identity system which is biometric, and so we can identify individuals. With this, the case of ghost names on our public sector system will become a thing of the past,” he explained.
Spokesperson of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr. Gideon Boako, has said Ghanaians should not be despondent over the current situation of Ghana’s economy.
According to Dr. Gideon Boako, although the nation is experiencing lots of challenges, it is however not on the verge of collapse.
Speaking on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’, the Veep Spokesperson assured the citizenry saying, “despite the difficulties, the government has never defaulted on salary payments. Despite the difficulties, there is no policy that the government introduced that it says ‘I’m turning back on the policy’, maybe like Free SHS or anything . . . and I think that is the assurance that this government has offered to the Ghanaian people that it doesn’t matter the difficulties, we are still managing the situations.”
He asked Ghanaians not to despair stating that their condition is far better than other countries.
“Today, every Ghanaian knows that yes, there are challenges but at least he/she gets electricity when he/she goes home. Yes, there are challenges but they don’t queue before they buy fuel because it is so disheartening that you have money but can’t get fuel. It will be a problem . . . Although there are challenges, I think God has been good to us that, in Ghana, we are not seeing the economic challenges like hunger strike and so forth here,” he said.
“Yes, prices of goods have gone up in the market. Prices of plantain, kenkey, cassava are expensive but the good thing is that the one looking for plantain or cassava gets some and I think that is something good. The fact that there is food availability, then we work towards reducing the prices and making sure that the situation won’t deteriorate that a person with money can’t buy what he/she must eat. So, there are still [you know] rooms for improvement but I considerably think that things are not so bad,” he emphasized.
Dr. Boako added that the government is on track to ensuring a sound recovery of the economy.
“We admit the challenges but we know we are equally capable of facing the challenges,” he stated.
According to him, Dr Bawumia is loved in the Ashanti region, therefore, he will lead a charge on people who will try to make things unduly difficult for the Vice President’s emergence as NPP flag bearer.
Speaking on Wontumi TV on Wednesday, July 20, Dr Nana Ayew Afriye noted that, some rift between the people of the Ashanti region and the MPs is gradually creating disaffection for the Vice President, who hitherto is loved by the people in the Ashanti region.
“I believe we need to break the eight with Dr Bawumia, and I will stand by Dr Bawumia on any day but if you make things difficult for Dr Bawumia, we are not going to keep quiet and spare you.
“The current happenings in the party will create problems for Dr Bawumia if we don’t speak about it, because the Vice President is loved by the Ashantis. The Ashantis want the Vice President as the flagbearer of NPP but what is happening is creating some hatred for him and we won’t allow it to spoil his chances,” Dr Nana Ayew Afriye explained.
The MP had earlier served a warning that he will speak against all the happenings creating some disaffection between the MPs and the people of Kumasi.
“When I start going hard on the government, nobody should talk to me.”
Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, MP, Suame, was attacked by some angry residents within his constituency over the poor nature of the roads on Monday, July 18.
The MP, who was in his constituency was accosted by the angry residents with some throwing various items in his direction and hooting at him.
It took the timely intervention of the Police to calm tension and shield the MP from harm.
The residents had organised a demonstration and called on authorities to ensure work resumes on the stretch.
After escaping the attack, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu addressed the media, and assured stakeholders that efforts were being put in place to complete work on the road as early as possible.
He also said he understood the anger of his constituents.
“If they are really angry that it has been a while since the scraping of the surface and the dust is killing them, certainly when they see any government official, they will vent their spleen on the person. So I am not worried,†Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said.
