The Rent Control Department has invited Ghanaians to submit memoranda regarding the draft rent bill for consideration. In 2022, the Cabinet approved the draft rent bill and forwarded it to parliament for discussion.
Mr. Emmanuel Kporsu, the Public Relations Officer for Rent Control, emphasized the importance of receiving memoranda from individuals, groups, and stakeholders to refine the new rent bill.
He encouraged all concerned Ghanaians to actively participate in the review process and share their recommendations and expectations with their respective members of parliament, as the House prepares to debate the draft bill.
The proposed bill includes provisions that make it unlawful for landlords to demand rent in advance for more than one month in a monthly lease or tenancy less than one month, and for more than one year in a year tenancy exceeding one year.
Any tenant found paying rent in excess of one year after the bill becomes law will be in violation of the legislation.
Mr. Kporsu highlighted that the new bill is the result of thorough discussions and proposals, aiming to bring much-needed improvements to the rental sector.
He also pointed out that the existing rent law, enacted 59 years ago, has become outdated and needs to be replaced to better serve the current needs of tenants and landlords.
“As parliament debates the bill, we encourage Ghanaians to submit their suggestions and memoranda.”
This suggestion can be made to your MP, the Ministry of Works and Housing, and the Rent Control Department.
Ghanaians should take advantage of this opportunity to submit suggestions before the bill is considered and passed. We don’t want a situation where the law is approved and Ghanaians complain about not being consulted,” Mr Kporsu said.
Some traders, particularly Ghanaian onion vendors, have been left stuck as a result of the Benin border shutdown.
If the border is not opened quickly, these onion vendors worry that their products would spoil before they can sell them on the Ghanaian market.
Therefore, they pleaded with the Ghanaian government to intervene by starting talks with the Beninese government to reopen the border so that stranded traders may enter Ghana.
The Niger coup has sealed down the border with Benin, leaving the drivers of the onions stuck there for days.
The sellers of roughly 15 trucks of onions expressed concern that the onions might spoil if the President did not get involved by speaking with those in charge at the Benin border.
During an interview on Eyewitness News, the spokesperson for the onion sellers association, Yakubu Akpeneda said, “We have loaded onions from Niger, and they have parked at the Benin border, they are now in Benin, but the border has been locked. They said they locked the border because of the Niger coup. On August 2, they promised to open the border at midnight, but we didn’t hear anything.”
“We are calling on the authorities to intervene in the matter, else the onions will rot if they keep long on the road. The authorities should help us by talking to authorities in Benin to open the border for us to bring our onions to Ghana. Our trucks are plenty, the trucks are more than 15. And they are all carrying onions”.
He suggested that the predicament might have an impact on onion pricing in several markets.
Obaapa Christy, previously known as Christiana Love, has confessed to missing Ghana’s local dishes the most whenever she travels abroad.
In an interview with the media, she expressed her longing for the unique flavors of Ghanaian cuisine.
Christy highlighted the special treatment she receives from Ghanaians, which makes her feel cherished and loved.
While she appreciates the affection she gets outside of Ghana, the warmth from her fellow countrymen holds a special place in her heart, akin to the sentiment of “Home sweet home.”
She enthusiastically shared her joy in experiencing the adoration of her fans while in Ghana. Christy humorously mentioned, “I can even use the fans I get from people as my food.” The love and support from her fans greatly inspire her music and career.
The media has engaged some Ghanaians to gather their thoughts on the arrest of Cecilia Dapaah by the Special Prosecutor yesterday, July 24, 2023.
This action follows a court filing accusing two housekeepers of the former minister of stealing goods valued at $1 million, $300,000, and numerous additional millions of Ghana cedis from Cecilia Dapaah and her husband.
The Office of Special Prosecutor was commended and given the public’s support for making an arrest.
Others demanded an extensive investigation into Cecilia Dapaah‘s income and added that no honest or clean money should be stored at home rather than in the bank.
“She deserves to be arrested. The arrest is in the right direction. Whether she has resigned or not, she needs to be arrested. Even if it is her money, Ghana needed help and she could assisted but she didn’t,” one of the citizens said.
This youngman really let it all out on this Cecilia Dapaah matter.
Ghanaian Politician Clement Apaak states that the Office of the Special Prosecutor must go beyond the arrest of Cecilia Dapaah as just arresting her isn’t enough.
He questions why someone would have such a large amount of money in their house when we have banks. pic.twitter.com/PgLQYYCyNp
A candidate for the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer position, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has vowed to put a stop to what he calls corrupt practices in Ghana’s fishing industry, which he claims are harmful to the nation’s development.
The member of parliament for Assin Central, who claims to run the largest cold store in Africa, said in a speech to NPP delegates that such corrupt practices in the local business have forced him to import goods for his store.
“Today I was reading a comment where somebody I claim to have built a cold store but I import fish for the cold store. Let me explain to them why. We live in Ghana here where Ghanaians have become the source of our woes. When you go to Tema fishing harbour Ghanaians are the ones fronting for foreigners by acquiring fishing license for them to fish in our seas.
“What is sad is that every fishing vessel has a blast freeze machine that the fish is stored to be frozen at -40 degrees before it is packaged and sold. Instead of them bringing the fish here to sell they send it abroad to sell and when they finish, they pay the Ghanaians fronting their business a thousand dollars a month. So we end up losing all the revenue,” he said.
I patronize foreign fish for my cold store because of some corrupt practices Ghanaians are leading foreigners to do, these practices prevent our fishes from meeting international standards. pic.twitter.com/ifdDyWEGjt
— Hon. Ken Ohene Agyapong (@honkenagy) July 20, 2023
Kennedy Agyapong pointed out that because of this method, Ghanaian fish does not match international standards, depriving the country of the necessary foreign currency.
He emphasized, however, that once he is elected president, these abuses will stop.
In a recent statement, the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has declared its unwavering determination to shut down its plants in regions affected by illegal mining activities (galamsey), particularly when the turbidity levels of raw water exceed critical thresholds.The
Managing Director of GWCL, Clifford Braimah, raised serious concerns about the significant adverse effects of illegal mining on the company’s operations. During a Public Accounts Committee hearing, he appealed for united efforts to combat this pressing issue.
The utility company defended its proposed 334% tariff increase, emphasizing that the primary goal is to encourage Ghanaians to take responsibility for deterring illegal mining within their communities.
Mr. Braimah stated, “If I had my way, Ghanaians will go and chase away all the galamsayers out of their areas because once the turbidity goes up, we shut the plant. And if you have no alternative access to water, you will take the situation seriously because we stay with the people who pollute the water. And if we [GWCL] shut down, you will not even know where to go to get the water.”
He further added, “If you pollute the water and the cost of treatment goes up, why don’t you pay for it because you are making money in one breath polluting the water?”
GWCL’s firm stance on combating illegal mining underscores the gravity of the situation and the necessity for collaborative actions to protect the country’s water resources.
CEO of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Henry Kwabena Kokofu, has called on Ghanaians to approach the recent allegations against former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, with caution.
The accusations pertain to the alleged theft of funds amounting to US$1 million, €300,000, and 350,000 Ghana cedis from her residence. While acknowledging that keeping such substantial amounts of money at home is inappropriate, Dr. Kokofu advised against rushing to judgment and prematurely passing verdicts in the court of public opinion.
He stressed the importance of allowing the proper investigative processes to unfold before arriving at any conclusions.
“For me, that should not give way to a court of public opinion where people will be roasted and sentenced, judged before the actual investigations have begun,” he said.
Speaking on a panel discussion on TV3 over the weekend, he highlighted the opportunity to legally amass such wealth, particularly through the sale of land in some pricey regions of the nation.
“The practice of keeping money at home is not to be encouraged, I for one, I don’t know how I will be able to do that because I can’t sleep even though I don’t have [such funds].”
He added “The point is until investigations prove otherwise, we are here in this country and you go to East Legon and other lands are being sold for $150,000 per plot…and even more, so $200,000 per plot, so if somebody has five plots and sells them, $1,000,000 is on hand easily…I am trying to say that, how you can realize money in the scheme of things, legally without necessarily engaging in corruption…”
The former minister indicated in her letter of resignation to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo that she had made the decision to leave because the problems with the money could have a negative impact on the administration.
She did point out that many media have greatly overstated the theft that has occurred in her home.
“Since yesterday, Friday, July 21, 2023, social and traditional media have been full of stories about a court case involving a theft that took place last year in the home I live with my husband and daughter. The stories sought to suggest that I own various huge sums of foreign currencies and millions of Ghana cedis which have been stolen from my home. Whereas I can state emphatically that those figures do not represent correctly what my husband and I reported to the Police, I am very much aware of the import of such stories around someone in my position.
“I am resigning therefore because I do not want this matter to become a preoccupation of government and a hindrance to the work of government at such a crucial time,” parts of the letter read.
Background
As per an official charge sheet from an Accra Circuit Court, audacious thefts took place at the residence of Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband in Abelemkpe, a suburb of Accra, spanning three months from July to October 2022.
The accused individuals, identified as Patience and Sarah, are facing grave charges, including conspiracy to commit a crime and multiple counts of stealing, involving staggering amounts of money.
Not only were significant sums of money stolen, but the accused also allegedly made off with Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah’s personal belongings, such as valuable clothing, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry, amounting to an astonishing value of GH¢95,000 and US$95,000.
In addition, Patience stands accused of acting alone in the theft of cultural treasures, which include six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH¢90,000 and six sets of men’s suits valued at US$3,000, belonging to the minister’s husband.
The court has also pressed charges against three other individuals connected to the thefts, indicating the complexity of the case.
It is alleged that the stolen funds were utilized by the accused to finance various properties and purchases, including renting a 3-bedroom apartment and a store in Tamale, acquiring vehicles, and funding other personal expenses.
The court has adjourned the case to August 2, 2023, to allow ongoing investigations to continue.
In a latest Ghana Economic Update report titled “Price Surge: Unraveling Inflation’s Toll on Poverty and Food Security,” launched in Accra on Wednesday, the World Bank has expressed concern about the impact of rising prices of goods and services on the well-being of Ghanaians. The report indicates that approximately 850,000 Ghanaians were driven into poverty in 2022 due to these inflationary pressures.
The Bank highlights that the escalating inflation has not only eroded living standards but also exacerbated poverty and food insecurity among households in Ghana. To address this pressing issue, the World Bank recommends that policymakers take decisive action to restore economic stability. They also suggest measures to alleviate the challenges faced by farmers, such as the high cost of fertilizers, and to expand social intervention programs that offer support to vulnerable populations.
Additionally, the Bretton Wood Institution emphasizes the importance of focusing on long-term solutions, particularly investments in agriculture research and technology transfers. These targeted investments aim to boost domestic production, reduce production costs, and enhance the quality and safety of food in the country.
Mr. Paul Corral, a Senior Economist with the World Bank, elaborated on the bank’s approach, stating that they utilized monetary indicators to measure annual household income and expenditure. The findings revealed that inflation has significantly contributed to the rise in poverty levels in Ghana, affecting a substantial number of people.
Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts from policymakers and stakeholders to protect the welfare of the Ghanaian population and foster economic stability in the country.
Speaking at the launch of the report, Mr Kwabena Gyan Kwakye, a World Bank Economist, explained that the 2022 macroeconomic shocks, particularly inflation, had more adverse impact on the poor.
He said the next two years (by 2025), where the country was expected to recover from the current economic crisis, would “be very tricky for Ghana’s poverty reduction efforts”.
“Without bringing the economy back on track, no meaningful poverty reduction can happen. Concurrently, safety nets to protect the most vulnerable need to be enhanced to ensure sustainable poverty reduction and shared prosperity,” he said.
“Expanding and increasing transfers of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) could ensure the poorest are able to cope and build resilience to future shocks,” the World Bank Economist and co-author of the report said.
The World Bank’s Senior Agricultural Economist, Mr. Ashwini Sebastian, asked for assistance for farmers so they can respond to market possibilities and adjust to global demand.
She said that should be a long-term focus by policymakers to mitigate the impact of inflation on food security.
“This is particularly relevant since many of the poor are farming households. Policies should, therefore, be evidence based and aimed at alleviating the different constraints farmers face,” he added.
In the 2017 Ghana Living Standards Survey by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), 45.6 per cent of Ghana’s population was multidimensionally poor, with 23.4 per cent others being consumption expenditure poor.
In essence, they were deprived of electricity, water, housing, sanitation, including access to toilet facilities, school attendance and attainment, nutrition and health insurance.
Mr John Foster Agyaho, a Principal Statistician, GSS, explained during a panel discussion that about a third of the items in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) basket for measuring inflation was food.
He, said it was important for the Government to prioritse connecting road networks to farmers by addressing the transportation and storage bottlenecks, and implement proactive measures to attract more youth into agriculture.
Ghana’s inflation stood at 54.1 per cent in December 2022, which was characterised by a surge in food costs, a report by GSS showed.
It was during that period that a Ghana News Agency report revealed that workers, formal and informal, had resorted to walking long-distances, riding bicycles, and engaging in carpooling to manage the economic hardship.
Meanwhile, the World Bank report signalled that Ghana’s economy would recover to its potential growth by 2025.
This depends on the government putting structural changes into place to address the underlying causes of the economic crisis, accelerate economic growth, and increase economic resilience through the nation’s US$3 billion 17th financial bailout program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“Growth will begin to recover to its potential by 2025 as drag from fiscal consolidation fades and macroeconomic stabilisation and structural reforms start bearing fruit,” Mr Pierre Frank Laporte, World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, said.
The World Bank’s report has revealed that the soaring inflation rates in 2022 led to a staggering 850,000 Ghanaians falling into poverty.
The economic crisis significantly affected food security and poverty levels in the country.
Notably, the year-on-year inflation surged from 14% to an alarming 54% between January and December, reaching the highest level seen since the early 2000s.
The impact was particularly severe on food prices, which increased at a higher rate than non-food items.
This resulted in a significant decrease in the real purchasing power of Ghanaians, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable segments of the population.
“Simulations conducted during this period revealed alarming results, showing that approximately 850,000 Ghanaians were pushed into poverty solely due to the escalating prices in 2022. For these individuals and families, temporary declines in incomes and consumption became entrenched, leading to a situation where poverty became entrenched and, in some cases, even permanent. The situation worsened when it came to food security,” the World Bank report read in part.
“Another disturbing disclosure was that the number of food-insecure Ghanaians surged from 560,000 in the last quarter of 2021 to a staggering 823,000 during the same period in 2022. As food prices continued to climb, a significant portion of the population struggled to afford sufficient food to meet their dietary needs, let alone maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.”
The report urges the government to implement focused policies and coordinated efforts, aiming for Ghana’s recovery and a more stable, prosperous future for its citizens.
A Legal Team Member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, has expressed support for the cultivation of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes.
In an interview with media, Edudzi revealed that a lot of businessmen are acquiring large plots of land across the country for hemp production.
“I am aware of a lot of business men who are today, buying large tracks of land in many parts of the country to grow cannabis, I think we may all end up being ganja farmers”
Edudzi Tameklo is optimistic that the legislative measures governing the production of cannabis will lead to positive outcomes and help prevent the improper use of hemp.
“The issue of enforcement, compliance among other things, is like someone who is working on the job, you still want to give the person the benefit, maybe at this time, all of us must ensure that the various skill set at the Narcotics control commission will be enhanced, because we can’t do this without the corporation of standards authority”
Parliament has approved the Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill 2023, introducing significant modifications to the cultivation of cannabis for industrial and medicinal purposes.
The amended bill empowers the Ministry of Interior to grant licenses for cannabis cultivation, facilitating its utilization in diverse beneficial applications.
The member of parliament for Kpone Katamanso, Joseph Akuerteh Tettey, has pleaded with the government to repair the area’s numerous poor roads.
According to him, residents of the area pay taxes and should receive the benefits of good roads.
His appeal comes in response to comments from constituents about how poor the majority of their roads are.
Mr. Tettey lamented the government’s failure to pay contractors to resume work on the numerous roads in his district in an interview with the media.
“I want to appeal to the Road Minister and the government that Kpone Katamanso is also part of Ghana. The constituents are also part of Ghanaians. I’m appealing that they should release the needed funds to the contractors so that they move to site. It’s not as if I’m not engaging the right authorities for the road to be fixed. But mostly when you approach them they have a particular excuse they give,” he stated.
Tetteh emphasized government’s commitment to fix Kpone-TOR road, ease tanker and drivers’ plight.
“We need some commitment from the government,” the MP said.
“With the Kpone Katamanso road, that is where the tanker drivers normally load to send fuel to other parts of the country. There are a lot of businesses, companies within that enclave. If I tell you the taxes these companies pay, you will be surprised, yet still, the government doesn’t see the need or the urgency to work on the roads, let’s hope so, as I said the roads in Kpone Katamanso need to be fixed,” Member of Parliament for Kpone Katamanso, Joseph Akuerteh Tettey expressed hope.
General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Nana Yaa Jantuah, has clarified that only two out of the five individuals who showed interest in the presidential position have submitted their forms within the filing deadline.
She mentioned that the vetting committee is yet to schedule a date for reviewing the two potential candidates before the party’s delegates’ congress.
With a focus on revitalizing the CPP prior to the 2024 general elections, Jantuah stated that the party aims to secure the presidency as part of its well-designed plan to alleviate the economic difficulties faced by Ghanaians.
She strongly believes that the CPP will have a significant impact in the 2024 election, prompting the party to commence its procedures ahead of the usual timeline.
“We are focused on capturing the presidency in the 2024 general elections. We will soon fix a date to vet our presidential aspirants,” she noted.
Today, July 5, parliament is scheduled to discuss the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021, referred to as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
The proposed legislation aims to outlaw LGBTQ+ activities and prohibit the promotion or advocacy of such activities.
It also includes provisions for the protection and support of children and individuals involved in LGBTQ+ activities.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ho West and a supporter of the bill, Emmanuel Bedzrah, expressed optimism that it would receive bipartisan support from lawmakers.
“We have agreed with the Speaker, Alban Bagbin and leaders of the house, that the second reading of the bill will be taken today. It is our expectation that after today the consideration will also follow as well. And so we are very optimistic that we will have the reading, which is long overdue.”
“The committee has agreed by consensus that this bill should be passed. And so there will not be any struggle at all. I would have loved that those who are against it should be bold enough and tell Ghanaians, but you will be surprised that everybody will support this bill today,” Member of Parliament for Ho West expressed hope.
The Minority in Parliament has informed the Speaker that they will abstain from participating in the House proceedings on court days concerning their colleague, James Gyakye Quayson.
The leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, stated that they will instead accompany their colleague during his court hearings.
This announcement was made by the Ajumako Enyan Essiam lawmaker on Tuesday, July 4, following the swearing-in of the Assin North MP.
“We wish to serve notice that the entire Minority will accompany our colleague today and any other day that he is to appear in court and we are solidarising with our colleague and we will not participate in the business of the House anytime our colleague is in court and we will be withdrawing from the Chamber after this ceremony if the court processes happen today.”
The former Deputy Finance Minister highlighted that Mr. Quayson’s electoral success is a clear indication that Ghanaians are dissatisfied with the Akufo-Addo government.
He emphasized that this victory demonstrates that Ghanaians cannot be influenced solely by financial incentives or virtual projects in exchange for votes.
“The people of Assin North have sent a clear message to all politicians and the government of the day especially, that they cannot be lured with money not be intimidated by threats and it is the same message that Ghanaians are sending to us that in the year 2024, they will exercise their franchise based on their conscience and no amount of threats will dissuade them from voting out the administration that we are witnessing.”
“Ghanaians are really appalled by the abysmal economic mismanagement, poor governance, and increasing level of corruption leading to the unprecedented economic hardship being experienced by the people of Ghana and the time has come for the political class to have a rethink about the worsening monetization of our elections and its negative impact for our democracy,” Dr Forson added.
James Gyakye Quayson has been officially sworn in as the Member of Parliament for Assin North on Tuesday, July 4. This follows his victory in the by-election held on Tuesday, June 27, after the Supreme Court ruled his previous election illegal.
Quayson’s main opponent, Charles Opoku of the New Patriotic Party, secured the second position with 42.15% of valid votes. The Liberal Party of Ghana’s Bernice Enam Sefanu received a minimal number of votes.
The voter turnout was reported to be high at 74.23%, according to officials of the Electoral Commission.
Quayson is currently facing charges of forgery, perjury, deceiving a public officer, and making a false declaration regarding his Canadian citizenship during the 2020 election. He has filed a motion at the High Court for a stay of proceedings pending an appeal, seeking to halt the ongoing trial until the appeal is determined.
A Brand Communications Expert, Dr. Ike Tandoh, has stated that books like Yvonne Nelson’s autobiography, “I am Not Yvonne Nelson,” which reveal personal secrets and intimate details, are not yet fully embraced by Ghanaians.
According to him, Ghanaian culture has not fully accepted such candid writings, leading to the surprise and controversy surrounding the book.
Speaking to the media, Dr. Tandoh acknowledged that Yvonne Nelson’s book may have unsettled some individuals due to its emotional content, but he believes she did not have malicious intent towards anyone.
“Communication is also culture. Our culture has not come to accept that tell-it-all kind of book writing. It is not part of the Ghanaian culture. That is why that kind of surprise element is there…I think that she was not on a destructive mission in writing the book,” he said.
Yvonne Nelson’s book, “I Am Not Yvonne Nelson,” has sparked a debate on the boundaries of disclosure in literature. The revelation within the book that she became pregnant in 2010 by rapper Sarkodie, but chose to terminate the pregnancy due to his alleged reluctance to take responsibility, has stirred up social media.
This was followed by Sarkodie’s response in a song, suggesting that she was promiscuous and questioning the paternity of the pregnancy.
The book primarily focuses on Yvonne Nelson’s relentless quest to uncover her father’s identity, which has remained elusive.
It also delves into her acting and directing career in the movie industry, as well as her personal relationships.
In his Republic Day message, former President John Dramani Mahama, who is also the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), emphasized the importance of upholding Ghana’s core values of “Freedom and Justice.”
He encouraged Ghanaians to embrace these principles as they strive for a fair and prosperous future. Furthermore, Mahama called on citizens to actively combat injustice and support freedom of speech, regardless of social status.
Below is Mr. Mahama’s full message
“Freedom and Justice” is not and cannot just be a mere adornment on our Coat of Arms. It must be a moral compass and a guiding light leading every Ghanaian.
Imagine a Ghana where freedom and justice are not just empty words but a powerful force guiding every citizen towards a brighter future.
A Ghana where every person, no matter their background or circumstance, is protected and provided for.
A Ghana where our institutions and courts are trusted to defend constitutional rights and deliver impartial justice.
A Ghana where speaking up against injustice is not criminalised but allowed and encouraged.
Let us renew our commitment to building this flourishing Ghana we all dream of, with the bold colours of our flag as a constant reminder of our shared values and ideals.
1st July is and shall remain Ghana’s Republic Day.
The US Secretary of the Treasury, Janet L. Yellen, has lauded President Akufo-Addofor his unwavering dedication to Ghana’s economic reforms.
That, she said, was of essence to boost economic growth and resiliency, particularly in the wake of the country’s progress on debt restructuring under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programnme.
Ms. Yellen commended the President during a meeting with the latter on the sidelines of the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact, in France, on Thursday, June 22.
President Nana Akufo-Addo was one of the key global personalities invited for the Summit, organised by French President, Emmanuel Macron.
A report by Reuters on the sidelines of the meeting, monitored by the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said the two personalities discussed efforts to evolve the multilateral development banks to combat 21st Century global challenges.
They also deliberated on work to mobilise climate and infrastructure financing for Ghana and other African countries during the engagement.
The IMF, in May this year, congratulated the West African nation on the US$3 billion IMF-supported programme approved by the Executive Board.
“We stand with Ghana as it implements reforms to address the current economic and financial crisis and help build a better future for all Ghanaians,” a statement by the Fund noted.
The June 2023 Summit for a New Global Financial Pact is borne out of the cascading consequences of concurring climate, energy, health and economic crises, particularly in the most vulnerable countries.
It aims to propose solutions to finance issues that go beyond the climate question, including access to health and the fight against poverty.
The COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and their successive consequences have reduced the fiscal and budgetary space of many countries – affecting their ability to finance their populations’ access to basic social services.
As a result, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) noted a decline in human development in nine out of ten countries around the world in 2022, mainly due to a drop in life expectancy and an increase in poverty.
In a statement, the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, declared the Summit would aim to “build a new contract with the North and the South”, in order to facilitate the access of vulnerable countries to the financing they needed to address the consequences of ongoing and future crises.
Issues at stake at the Summit encompass restoring fiscal space to countries facing short-term difficulties, especially the most indebted countries, as well as fostering private sector development in low-income countries.
The event also seeks to encourage investment in green infrastructure for the energy transition in emerging and developing countries, and mobilising innovative financing for countries vulnerable to climate change.
Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s citizenship, has become a subject of debate in recent times, with allegations of dual citizenship raised by his political opponents.
This controversy was ignited by claims made by former ambassador Sam Pee Yalley, who accused Bawumia of holding British citizenship while serving as a director of the Ghana International Bank Plc in London.
In this article, The Independent Ghana delves into the details of the controversy and presents the statements provided by both sides to shed light on the matter.
Accusations and evidence:
Sam Pee Yalley alleged that Vice President Bawumia acquired British citizenship during his tenure as a director of the Ghana International Bank Plc in London. He based his claims on information from the UK Companies House website, which listed Bawumia as a British national and a former director of the bank. According to the website, Bawumia was appointed as a director on 18 October 2006 and resigned on 15 April 2009.
Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s citizenship, has become a subject of debate in recent times, with allegations of dual citizenship raised by his political opponents. This controversy was ignited by claims made by former ambassador Sam Pee Yalley, who accused Bawumia of holding British citizenship while serving as a director of the Ghana International Bank Plc in London. In this article, The Independent Ghana delves into the details of the controversy and presents the statements provided by both sides to shed light on the matter.
Accusations and evidence:
Sam Pee Yalley alleged that Vice President Bawumia acquired British citizenship during his tenure as a director of the Ghana International Bank Plc in London. He based his claims on information from the UK Companies House website, which listed Bawumia as a British national and a former director of the bank. According to the website, Bawumia was appointed as a director on 18 October 2006 and resigned on 15 April 2009.
Dismissing the claims:
A spokesperson for Vice President Bawumia, Dr Gideon Boako, vehemently denied the allegations and clarified that his boss neither holds nor has ever held British citizenship. Dr Boako emphasized that Bawumia was only seconded to the Ghana International Bank Plc by the Bank of Ghana and did not require British citizenship to fulfil his responsibilities there.
Here is an appointment form, obtained from a reliable source, where Bawumia has indicated his nationality as Ghanaian.
The precedent and constitutional prohibitions:
The controversy surrounding Bawumia’s citizenship arises in the aftermath of a Supreme Court ruling that nullified the election of James Gyakye Quayson, an MP for Assin North, due to his dual citizenship status at the time of filing his nomination with the Electoral Commission. This ruling has sparked discussions regarding the eligibility of other public office holders who may hold dual citizenship. The Ghanaian constitution prohibits dual citizens from occupying specific public offices, including members of parliament, ministers of state, ambassadors, and judges.
The controversy surrounding Vice President Bawumia’s citizenship has stirred debates and raised questions about the qualifications of public office holders in Ghana. As the matter unfolds, further scrutiny and clarification may be required to address concerns regarding the eligibility of individuals serving in public office and ensure adherence to constitutional provisions.
The Vice President and James Gyakye Quayson are not the only public office holders whose citizenship has been contested under the 4th Republic. The following individuals amongst others have also been accused of holding dual citizenship at some point in their political journey.
Adamu Daramani Sakande: The NPP MP for Bawku Central was convicted in 2012 for holding dual citizenship at the time he contested for the seat in 2008. He was found guilty of perjury, false declaration of office, and deceiving a public officer. He was sentenced to two years imprisonment and fined GH¢12,000. He was also stripped of his parliamentary seat and ordered to refund all salaries and allowances he received as an MP.
Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings: The NDC MP for Klottey Korle was challenged in 2016 by another NDC aspirant, Nii Armah Ashitey, for not being a registered voter at the time she filed her nomination to contest for the seat. Ashitey also alleged that Zanetor held dual citizenship of Ghana and Germany. However, Zanetor denied holding dual citizenship and said she had renounced her German citizenship before filing her nomination. The High Court dismissed Ashitey’s case and upheld Zanetor’s candidacy
Richard Anane: The NPP MP for Nhyiaeso and former minister of health and roads and transport was accused in 2007 by a US-based Ghanaian lawyer, Kwame Mayor, of holding US citizenship in addition to his Ghanaian one. Mayor claimed that Anane had acquired US citizenship through naturalization after marrying a US citizen in 1996. However, Anane denied holding US citizenship and said he had never applied for naturalization or taken an oath of allegiance to the US.
Dorcas Affo-Toffey: The NDC MP for Jomoro Constituency in the Western Region was sued by a resident of Jomoro, Joshua Emuah Kofie, for holding dual citizenship of Ghana and Ivory Coast at the time she filed her nomination to contest for the seat in 2020.
The petitioner claimed that she had not renounced her Ivorian citizenship before filing her nomination, which violates the 1992 Constitution. However, she denied holding any other citizenship apart from Ghanaian and said she had renounced her Ivorian citizenship before filing her nomination. She also said she had never acquired American citizenship as alleged by the petitioner. The Sekondi High Court dismissed the petition and affirmed her eligibility as an MP.
A spokesperson for Vice President Bawumia, Dr Gideon Boako, vehemently denied the allegations and clarified that his boss neither holds nor has ever held British citizenship. Dr Boako emphasized that Bawumia was only seconded to the Ghana International Bank Plc by the Bank of Ghana and did not require British citizenship to fulfil his responsibilities there.
Here is an appointment form, obtained from a reliable source, where Bawumia has indicated his nationality as Ghanaian.
The precedent and constitutional prohibitions:
The controversy surrounding Bawumia’s citizenship arises in the aftermath of a Supreme Court ruling that nullified the election of James Gyakye Quayson, an MP for Assin North, due to his dual citizenship status at the time of filing his nomination with the Electoral Commission. This ruling has sparked discussions regarding the eligibility of other public office holders who may hold dual citizenship. The Ghanaian constitution prohibits dual citizens from occupying specific public offices, including members of parliament, ministers of state, ambassadors, and judges.
The controversy surrounding Vice President Bawumia’s citizenship has stirred debates and raised questions about the qualifications of public office holders in Ghana. As the matter unfolds, further scrutiny and clarification may be required to address concerns regarding the eligibility of individuals serving in public office and ensure adherence to constitutional provisions.
The Vice President and James Gyakye Quayson are not the only public office holder whose citizenship has been contested under the 4th Republic. The following individuals amongst others have also been accused of holding dual citizenship at some point in their political journey.
Adamu Daramani Sakande: The NPP MP for Bawku Central was convicted in 2012 for holding dual citizenship at the time he contested for the seat in 2008. He was found guilty of perjury, false declaration of office, and deceiving a public officer. He was sentenced to two years imprisonment and fined GH¢12,000. He was also stripped of his parliamentary seat and ordered to refund all salaries and allowances he received as an MP.
Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings: The NDC MP for Klottey Korle was challenged in 2016 by another NDC aspirant, Nii Armah Ashitey, for not being a registered voter at the time she filed her nomination to contest for the seat. Ashitey also alleged that Zanetor held dual citizenship of Ghana and Germany. However, Zanetor denied holding dual citizenship and said she had renounced her German citizenship before filing her nomination. The High Court dismissed Ashitey’s case and upheld Zanetor’s candidacy
Richard Anane: The NPP MP for Nhyiaeso and former minister of health and roads and transport was accused in 2007 by a US-based Ghanaian lawyer, Kwame Mayor, of holding US citizenship in addition to his Ghanaian one. Mayor claimed that Anane had acquired US citizenship through naturalization after marrying a US citizen in 1996. However, Anane denied holding US citizenship and said he had never applied for naturalization or taken an oath of allegiance to the US.
Dorcas Affo-Toffey: The NDC MP for Jomoro Constituency in the Western Region was sued by a resident of Jomoro, Joshua Emuah Kofie, for holding dual citizenship of Ghana and Ivory Coast at the time she filed her nomination to contest for the seat in 2020.
The petitioner claimed that she had not renounced her Ivorian citizenship before filing her nomination, which violates the 1992 Constitution. However, she denied holding any other citizenship apart from Ghanaian and said she had renounced her Ivorian citizenship before filing her nomination. She also said she had never acquired American citizenship as alleged by the petitioner. The Sekondi High Court dismissed the petition and affirmed her eligibility as an MP.
The Municipal Immigration Commander forAshaiman, Nii Ofoli Wilson, has urged the public to refrain from offering tips in order to access public services including getting passports, birth certificates, and driver’s licenses.
Mr. Wilson was speaking at a community education forum in Ashaiman, organised by Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) to sensitize and inform residents of channels to report corrupt activities.
He indicated that the practice, which was coined to mean “protocol” on many occasions, did not render the service for which the tipping or bribery was paid.
Mr. Wilson revealed that aside from tips and bribery, people also used their family or social contacts to skip lines or gain quicker and better access to schools and hospitals.
The ImmigrationCommanderassociated the bad act with the attitudes of some Ghanaians who willingly gave out money without request when seeking public service, with intentions to strengthen social bonds.
“People should not encourage the practice so that it becomes normalized because everyone has an equal opportunity to be served. But in the minds of some, tipping is something that implies better service, which is very wrong.
“There’s no reason to pay your way through if indeed you’re qualified for any position or service,” he added.
Mr. Wilson said that as part of the solution to do away with the canker, the public must exercise patience and follow the due process even when the service providers deliberately delay them, which he indicated was better than trying to cut corners and having problems later.
He advised the public to avoid falling into traps where attitudes and beliefs about tipping lead to better service.
Mr. Wilson said it was important on the part of public institutions to have clear rules about the modalities of seeking services.
The Chairman of the Council of State, Nana Otuo Siriboe II, has urged Ghanaians to unite in support of the government’s recovery programme, and see the light ahead in Ghana’s economic trajectory.
During a Council of State meeting attended by Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, Chairman Otuo Siriboe II said it is time Ghanaians to stick together and rally behind government as the country embarks on a path of renewed growth.
“There is light ahead for Ghana. We must remain optimistic and steadfast in our belief that our country will overcome the challenges it currently faces,” Nana Otuo Siriboe declared.
“The IMF Programme approval marks a turning point, which will energise our path to renewed growth and catalyse further opportunities for economic recovery.”
The Chairman expressed his optimism about the country’s prospects, highlighting the approval of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Programme as a turning point that would invigorate Ghana’s growth trajectory and open doors to further opportunities for economic recovery.
He stressed the need for unity, resilience, and unwavering belief in Ghana’s potential to overcome the challenges it currently faces.
He said the IMF’s $3 billion bailout presented a unique opportunity for Ghana to reboot its economy, and encouraged Ghanaians to embrace this opportunity and work together to optimise its benefits.
He emphasised that by joining forces, Ghana can achieve remarkable progress and build a prosperous future for all its citizens.
The meeting, which was attended by key government officials including the Finance Minister and members of the Council of State, aimed to educate stakeholders about the details of Ghana’s Growth Agenda and the IMF Programme, while also soliciting input for effective implementation.
On his part, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, acknowledged the significant strides already made in Ghana’s recovery journey.
“We have come a long way, and we are determined to continue on this path of progress. The IMF Programme will provide the necessary support to restore our economy and set us on a trajectory of sustained growth,” the Minister affirmed.
He took time to outline Ghana’s Post Covid-19 Programme for Economic Growth (PC-PEG).
The economic blueprint encompasses four key objectives. The first objective, he said, focuses on restoring macroeconomic stability, including managing inflation, stabilizing the exchange rate, and creating a favorable business environment.
The second pillar of the PC-PEG addresses Ghana’s fiscal challenges. The Minister highlighted the government’s commitment to bringing fiscal operations and public debt to sustainable levels. Measures such as comprehensive tax administration reforms and prudent fiscal policies will be implemented to ensure a sound economic foundation.
Structural reforms comprise the third objective of the PC-PEG. The Minister emphasized the importance of improving the business environment, attracting private sector investments, and bolstering infrastructure development. The financial sector will also receive support through regulatory forbearances and the operationalization of the Ghana Financial Stability Fund (GFSF).
The final objective of the PC-PEG centers around promoting strong and inclusive growth while safeguarding the poor and vulnerable. The government plans to stimulate economic activity, create job opportunities, and attract investments. Concurrently, social safety nets and targeted support programmes will protect the most vulnerable members of society, ensuring that the benefits of recovery are widely shared.
Nana Otuo Siriboe II expressed his gratitude to the Finance Minister and his team for their dedication and tireless efforts in formulating the growth programme and securing IMF support.
He encouraged the government to continue spreading the message of hope and progress throughout the nation.
The Electricity Company of Ghana has issued a warning against planting trees under low voltage lines as a precaution to prevent future electricity supply disruptions as Ghanaians celebrate Green Ghana Day with tree-planting activities.
The Western Regional Manager of the ECG, Engineer Emmanuel Justice Ofori while leading staff of ECG to sensitize and plant trees at the All Saint Anglican School in Takoradi said the ECG is targeting to plant 5,000 trees in the region.
He added that the public must, however, be cautious not to plant trees under the Low Voltage lines as the grown trees may disrupt the power supply when it comes in contact with the lines.
“We are advising those planting trees that we should go about planting the trees but we should be careful not to plant them directly under the lines especially the LV lines (Low Voltage lines).”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, in collaboration with the Forestry Commission, has urged all Ghanaians and residents to actively participate in the national tree-planting exercise.
The event forms a vital component of an ambitious afforestation and reforestation agenda aimed at restoring the country’s depleted forest cover.
During the inaugural edition, the target was set at planting five million trees. However, the enthusiasm and commitment of the participants surpassed expectations, resulting in the planting of over seven million trees.
Building on this success, last year’s Green Ghana Day witnessed an even greater achievement, with over 26 million trees planted, surpassing the intended goal of 20 million.
This year, the nation aspires to plant an additional 10 million seedlings throughout the country, while nurturing the over 30 million trees planted in 2021 and 2022.
Upon the resumption of Parliament, the Minority declared its intention to submit an urgent question seeking clarification regarding the proposed divestment of Ghana’s stake in Jubilee Oil Holdings (JOHL) to the Petroleum Gas Corporation of South Africa (PetroSA).
It has been alleged that the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) under the Chairmanship of Mr Freddie Blay, is working on a transaction to relinquish about 50% of shares of JOHL to PetroSA.
Mr Blay has, however, denied any wrong doing.
Reacting to this claim, the Minority said apart from filing an urgent question for clarification of this saga, it is concerned with the manner in which the JOHL assets are being held and managed.
The Minority in a statement signed by its leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson claimed that the JOHL revenues are currently being used as “slush fund” to pursue all manner of business that has not been approved by Parliament under the usual GNPC budget approval process.
“The recent lodgment of $100 million of oil revenues in the accounts of JOHL which sparked concerns about the state being deprived of taxes accruing from these revenues leads credence to our concern,” the statement stated.
Even more troubling, according to the Minority, is the Energy Minister’s references in his letter to the Executive Secretary to the President, an attempt to try to refinance GNPC’s current debts by using JOHL’s asset to do so with LITASCO.
The Minority noted that it can presume that the intent is to forward sell JOHL’s production share to raise money.
To this end, they are calling on the Akufo-Addo-led government to transfer the shares held by JOHL to GNPC without delay, in order that Ghanaians can be assured that appropriate oversight is being exercised on these assets by parliament and other stakeholders.
This they say will ensure proper accountability and effective monitoring of the revenues accruing from the country’s petroleum resources.
President Akufo-Addo has stated that Ghanaians can now embrace and shake hands with one other in public with ease.
The review of COVID-19 safety measures comes at a time when the World Health Organisation has stated that COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency.
The president revealed the ease with COVID restrictions when he addressed the country on Sunday, May 28, 2023, in his last update on the country’s preparedness towards the fight againstCOVID-19.
“That culturally defining Ghanaian symbol, the handshake, was prohibited and frowned upon and we were advised not to hug our children and our loved ones…
“… Fellow Ghanaians, throughout these trying times, I kept urging all of you to believe that this, too, shall pass. Dare I say that this too has passed? The emergency is over, and we can safely lift many of the oppressive restrictions we have had to endure, we can shake hands, we can hug, we can visit, and we no longer have to wear masks,” he said.
The president, however, urged that such practices as the “regular hand washing and other personal hygiene measures” be maintained “so they become entrenched national habits.”
In 2020, Ghana sternly enforced safety protocol measures such as social distancing, no public gatherings, use of sanitizer and washing of hands regularly with soap.
The North Tongu constituency lawmaker, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has appealed to President Akufo-Addo to sympathize with the struggles faced by Ghanaians.
This was in reaction to the president’s address to the nation on Sunday, May 28, 2023, where he lifted all COVID-19 restrictions and proclaimed an end to the disease as a health emergency.
But the lawmaker has expressed worry that throughout the 37-minutes-long address of Akufo-Addo, there was no hint of scrapping the burdening COVID-19 levy and the E-levy, due to the IMF bailout.
In a Facebook post, the MP stated that “Ghanaians expected President Akufo-Addo to have announced the scrapping of the unjustifiable COVID-19 levy as he lifts all covid restrictions.
“Ghanaians also expected the awful E-Levy to be abolished since his government has opted for an IMF bailout.”
Ablakwa also pleaded with President Akufo-Addo to be sincere and sensitive to the sufferings of Ghanaians in these hard times.
“President Akufo-Addo must be sincere and sensitive to the plight of suffering Ghanaians,” he stated.
The MP for North Tongu also emphasized the need for lawmakers to unite to remove the COVID-19 and E-levies to address the plights of Ghanaians.
“I hope all parliamentarians will come together in the national interest, and take advantage of the mid-year budget review to expunge those two obsolete taxes.
“As President Akufo-Addo continues to let Ghanaians down, Parliament cannot afford to fail. May we be the people’s saving grace,” he added.
Gun regulation and racial crime have been two of the most contentious problems in the United States of America in recent years.
Mass shootings, racially or religiously motivated gun attacks have always brought to the fore how the country should treat guns in private hands but before the politicians agree on anything, the next attacker or assailant strikes.
Ghanaian immigrants and or Ghanaian Americans have been victims of gun violence in the last few years, GhanaWeb tracking shows that three Ghanaians have so far been killed in the US this year alone.
They are:
May 2023 – Ghanaian cab driver murdered by three teenagers in New Jersey
A cab driver was shot and killed by a group of young teenagers during a robbery incident in New Jersey, with police identifying the victim as 57-year-old Ghanaian immigrant, Koffi Addo.
Addo came to the U.S. from Ghana in 2006 determined to work hard — and he did, six days a week, driving a school bus by day, a taxi by night. On the night he died, three teenagers reportedly called All Brunswick Taxi and said they needed a ride to the movie theaters. But evidently, their motives were much more sinister.
“He was a beautiful soul to be taken away from us so soon. He had so much more on this Earth to do,” said his widow, Kecia Banks.
Addo had done so much already, having brought his two sons here from Ghana to give them a better life. He also worked to send money back to his village to help others do the same.
He was behind the wheel of his taxi the night of May 18 when he got the call to come to a quiet block of Franklin Township — unaware that three teenagers, just 13 and 14 years old, allegedly lay in wait.
The three teenagers who are charged with killing him are in juvenile detention. His widow, an educator, said that despite her family’s pain, she prays for them.
“Those are someone’s babies and my heart goes out to their families as well. I pray they have strength,” said Banks.
February 2023 – Ghanaian-American councilwoman killed in New Jersey
The New Jersey Republican Party (NJGOP) in the United States issued a statement confirming the murder of one of its members, Councilwoman, Eunice Dwumfuor, a Ghanaian-American.
According to multiple reports by news portals in the US, the 30-year-old, from Sayreville, New Jersey, was found inside her car with multiple gunshot wounds just before 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 1, 2023.
The police have since said they believe she was the intended target of the shooting, but they do not have a clear motive, the report added.
Eunice Dwumfour, who was a business analyst and part-time EMT, is said to have been elected to the council in 2021.
January 2023 – Ghanaian-American soldier killed at Alabama military base
A Ghanaian-American family based in the US is mourning the passing of their son who died under strange circumstances at a military base in Alabama.
According to the military, the 21-year-old soldier, Pvt. Abdul-Nafsu Latifu was killed in an “altercation with another soldier” at the Alabama Army post, Fort Rucker where he was training to become an Army air traffic control operator.
A source close to the family revealed that news about his demise was published on local websites in Alabama as early as 11:30 am CST, even though his next-of-kin was officially called four (4) hours later to report that he had been hospitalized and in critical condition.
Pvt. Abdul N. Latifu until joining the US Army lived in New York. He is described as very smart and respectful by all who have encountered him. As relatives, friends, and neighbours visit his New York home to mourn with the family, eulogies and questions continue to pour in.
Ghanaians anticipating for a 10% drop in transport fares may have their hopes shattered due to some drivers’ refusal to lower fares.
In a surprising turn of events, theGhana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has appealed to the general public to continue paying the existing fares until the leadership of the various transport unions convene to determine the way forward.
The reduction in fares, which was set to take effect on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, brought about a sigh of relief among users of public transport.
The announcement had come as a result of consistent marginal reductions in the price of fuel, providing an opportunity for operators to pass on some savings to commuters.
However, it appears that some drivers have chosen not to comply with the directive.
In reaction to the development, theIndustrial Relations Officer of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, Abass Imoro in a Citi Business News interview said “There was a problem which came out with the reduction of 10%, so we said there should be cease-fire. We are pleading with the general public to continue with the old fares till our leadership meets on Monday to look at the way forward.”
Chief Director of the Ministry of Finance (MoF), Eva Mends, has stated that her organization believes in transparency and the necessity for Ghanaians to be informed about the US$3 billion loan approved by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
According to her, the availability of data and information from the finance ministry would help squash false information and fake news within the public domain.
Addressing journalists during a technical briefing session on Ghana’s IMF programme in Accra Thursday, May 18, 2023, Eva Mends said, “Today, we are commencing the first in the series of updates to Ghanaians on our US$3 billion Extended Credit Facility with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). We expect to sustain this partnership with the Ghanaian people and you as you prove timely and accurate information on this new path toward economic stability and building a resilient economy.”
She further said, “We are fully aligned with the Ministry of Information’s #Verifyfirst campaign, recognizing the potential harm that false information can cause to the public and the overall development of our nation. By providing you with accurate and verified information, we aim to ensure that Ghanaians have access to reliable sources of news and updates.”
“We understand the power of transparency and believe that by working together, we can achieve our shared goals of economic growth, financial stability, and improved living standards for all Ghanaians,” the Chief Director of the Ministry of Finance stated.
On Wednesday, May 17, 2023, the IMF Executive Board approved Ghana’s US$3 billion bailout programme.
The US$3 billion programme which translates to SDR 2.242 billion is a 36-month ECF arrangement for Ghana.
According to IMF, the approval will enable an immediate disbursement equivalent to SDR 451.4 million – about US$600 million.
The IMF financial bailout programme is aimed at restoring Ghana’s macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability.
The 2023 Green Ghana Day has been officially launched in Kumasiby the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
The event, scheduled for June 9, 2023, aims to encourage all Ghanaians and residents to actively participate in the national tree planting initiative.
He said the Green Ghana Day presents an opportunity to show patriotism, exhibit our commitment to the protection of our forest resources, and to demonstrate our resolve to leave our children with a richer and greener Ghana.
The Asantehene lauded the government for initiating the Green Ghana Project. He underscored the importance of trees to environmental protection, climate change mitigation, and the survival of the planet.
He said it was because these benefits that he committed to plant some 2.5 million trees towards the protection of Lake Bosomtwe, in the Ashanti Region.
The Green Ghana Day was first launched by Government in 2021, under the auspices of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, as part of an aggressive afforestation and reforestation agenda, to restore the lost forest cover of the country.
The maiden edition targeted to plant five million (5,000,000) trees, but over seven million (7,000,000) trees were planted. Last year, over twenty-six million (26,000,000) trees were planted, exceeding the target of twenty million (20,000,000).
The Asantehene bemoaned the wanton destruction of forests due to illegal mining and illegal logging. He said chief and members of the local communities cannot feign ignorance about those involved in this destruction. He promised to drive around the Ashanti Region and call all chiefs whose lands have been degraded to come and answer.
“Government cannot do it alone. We must all get involved and support Government to come to grips with these matters,” Otumfuo said.
On his part, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, said over years, there has not been any concerted effort to restore our lost forest cover.
He said between 2010 and 2015 alone, the country lost one hundred and sixty thousand, two hundred and ten hectares (160,210 ha) of forest. But between 1963 and 2016, only one hundred and fifty-seven thousand, three hundred hectares (157,300 ha) of forest was cultivated.
The Minister said even though government has, since 2017, been taking several measures to restore our lost forest cover, the Green Ghana Project was necessary to create enhanced national awareness of the necessity for collective action towards restoration of degraded landscapes in the country, inculcate values of planting and nurturing of trees in our citizens, particularly among the younger generation, mitigate climate change and beautify communities and the environment.
He thanked all those who have supported the Programme for the past two years and reiterated the call for all residents in the country to come out in their numbers to support the tree planting exercise on June 9, 2023.
Speaking at the launch of the third edition of the Green Ghana Day, the chief executive officer of the Forestry Commission, John Allotey said, for the past two years, Ashanti Region has been planting the most trees on Green Ghana Days.
He said over eighty-one percent of the trees planted in 2021 have survived while seventy-two percent (72%) of the those planted last year have survived.
The event was also attended by the Chairman of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Council as well as the Vice Chancellor of the University.
Cosmetologist and hairstylist, Josephine Jacksonhas explained why it is important to constantly wash your hair with warm water.
According to her, hair care is dependent on the type of hair. She asserts the different types of hair have different products on the market for them.
Speaking with the media, she said, “Each strand of hair under the microscopic view appears the way a roofing sheet is lined up so, when washing your hair, you need warm water to open up that roof ( pores) so all the impurities can come out.”
She revealed that the mistake most hairdressers make is to always use normal or cold water to shampoo which is the wrong way of washing hair.
“The pores need to open to rid the hair of dirt and after the dirt is out, and it is still opened, then the conditioner is used to give the hair all the nutrients it lost while the hair was being washed with the shampoo,” she explained.
She added that it is after all these that cold water is used to lock all the nutrients in the hair, hence cold water should only be used after using the conditioner.
Per her observation, Ghanaians have little regard for hair dressingprofessionalswhich shouldn’t be.
“Due to this, we don’t learn the ethics of the work well. These things are basic things that should be taught in various salons. We shouldn’t wait for it to be taught in beauty school because hairdressing goes beyond just knowing how to shampoo and style the hair,” she emphasized.
Josephine believes that a lot more goes into hairdressing “and it is high time Ghanaians embraced cosmetology so we can understand what it entails that way, it becomes easier to know the products, hair and treatment needed for each type of hair.”
The nine pupils who drowned at Weija-Gbawe will be buried on Monday, May 15, according toGreater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey.
He explained that the burial is coming in early due to the commencement of the ban on drumming and dancing on Monday 15.
He again urged parents in these two communities to ensure that their children are protected before using the estuary or in the interim accompany their children to and from school.
Henry Quartey, Regional Minister
The Regional Minister made this know after he led a team to the area.
“All the deceased parents have agreed that the bodies should be buried on Sunday since the ban on drumming and dancing commences on Monday 15. None of them is doing this under duress. Government will ensure that their children are given a befitting burial. One of the three survivors is very traumatised so I have asked the police to get him a psychologist,” he said.
The Greater Accra Regional Security Council also formed a committee to determine the suitability of habitation atFaana or otherwise.
The council has also pledged the provision of a canoe with an outboard motor to facilitate the transport of school children as it prohibits the operation of canoes by underaged persons.
“We have assured to come back and donate a canoe to ferry the children to school which will be managed by the assemblies. We will deliver life jackets as well. The security agencies has been tasked to come out with a report on the suitability of the area for habitation, the amenities they need here. we are all Ghanaians and everybody needs good amenities to live.
“We want to have data about the people who live here to help us map out a long term strategy. Going forward all operators of canoes shall be registered by the assemblies and should be known. Nobody will be allowed to go to the canoe without life jackets,” Greater Accra Regional Minister Henry Quartey stated.
He also urged the two Municipal Assemblies the Weija -Gbawe and the Ga South Municipalities to collaborate and put the interest of the people within Wiaboman and Faana into consideration before the estuary is opened.
This he believes is one of the ways of preventing another calamity.
The nine children drowned on Wednesday, May 10, after a boat they were in capsized.
8 of the bodies were retrieved on Wednesday while the body of the 9th child was retrieved on Thursday, May 11, after a thorough search.
Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) has apologized to Ghanaians who were affected by the recent power outage.
Recently, some parts of the country especially Accra experienced power cuts.
Head of Corporate Communications at GRIDCo,Dzifa Bampoh said the situation was a result of a generational challenge that is out of the control of GRIDCo
Speaking on News 360 on TV3 Wednesday, May 10, Dzifa Bampoh said “Sincerely, we apologize for the erratic power supply that many Ghanaians may have suffered for the last couple of days.”
She added “GRIDCo is a transmitter and we are not a generator however, we do have a view of what the generation is like, that is the generation coming from our power plants whether they are hydro or they are thermal or they are solar.
“Unfortunately, there has been a shortfall in generation capacity, meaning we have not been able to generate as much power as Ghanaians demand.
“That is out of the control of GRIDCo and it is partly because we don’t have enough gas coming in to power some of these plants. That is why we had some intermittent power supply, so there is no load-shedding.
“What has happened is, on some occasions, gas supply has been low and as a result, we have had to reduce supply to ECG.”
The European Union (EU) has revealed that plans are underway to ensure that unemployed Ghanaian youth find jobs.
The initiatives are the EU-Ghana Pact for Skills worth €25 million and the Jobs, Migration and Development project worth €9 million.
Mr lrchad Razaaly, the EU Ambassador to Ghana made this known at a reception and an exhibition event to commemorate the Europe Dayin Accra.
Europe Day held on May 9, every year celebrates peace and unity in Europe.
It is to commemorate the Schuman Declaration in 1950, only five years after the most horrific war in modern history in which 50 million people lost their lives.
The Ambassador said the Union recently inaugurated the Ghanaian-European Centre for Jobs, Migration and Development, together with Germany and the Ghanaian government.
The centre provides direct support to returning migrants and resident Ghanaians looking for jobs and training in Ghana and in Europe.
He said young people were ready to jump at new opportunities and this had been seen through their projects and initiatives, with over €3 billion currently invested in Africa on youth, skills and education at large.
He said in Ghana, “we support over 100,000 young job seekers to gain skills and training through a number of projects.”
He said the Union had seen that young people were open to learning and this was through the ever increasing applications to the EU’s Erasmus+ programme.
Last year, the Union sent off 45 talented Ghanaian students to European universities, the highest number of Ghanaian students eager to start rich academic and cultural experiences.
He said through the same Erasmus+ programme, hundreds of students in Ghana would also benefit from high-quality training and support to enter a competitive job market.
“When we put together all the scholarships served by the EU and its Member States, it is several hundreds of Ghanaians getting the opportunity to acquire world-class knowledge and training, foster long-lasting links between Ghana and Europe and find new opportunities for exchanges and investments,” he added.
The Ambassador said through their GrEEn worth €20.6 million and WACOMP worth €6.2 million projects were jointly supporting over 500 young entrepreneurs and youth-led enterprises and they have seen their innovativeness and creativity.
Mr Mustapha Ussif, Minister of Youth and Sports, expressed gratitude to the Union for their continuous support of the youth in the area of education through the provision of scholarships for Ghanaian students to study in various European universities.
“We are hopeful that other EU projects in the pipeline, aimed at empowering and developing the youth will be launched soon for mutual benefits,” he added.
Former commander of the Ghana Police Service‘s Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), ACP (rtd) Victor Tandoh, has stated that the Accra-Tema Motorway has exceeded its value.
The 19-kilometre highway that links the harbour city Tema to Accra is replete with deep potholes and road markings have been wiped off.
Several attempts by the government to rehabilitate the Accra-Tema Motorway have over the years proven futile.
Attempts to also use foreign contractors to fix the deplorable motorway have failed due to lack of funds.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, May 10, Tandoh said: “It [the expressway] is no more a motorway, it has become an urban road.”“Dual carriage roads provide safety, and it also provides security, because when you are driving on it, the speed limit is quite different from driving on any other roads, but now I am afraid, I don’t know if we can call it motorway,” the former police chief said.“Seriously speaking, the motorway is no longer safe, the speed at which you can drive on the road has reduced because of the deteriorating [nature],” Tandoh said.
The Accra-Tema Motorwayis an essential artery for Ghana’s economy, linking the largest port in the country with the capital city.However, years of neglect and lack of maintenance have left the N1 in a state of disrepair, leading to accidents and traffic congestion.
In line with #SeeSomethingSaySomething and the government’s efforts to urge all Ghanaians to be active “citizens, not spectators”, the #SafeMotorway4All campaign will identify key challenges to the smooth working of the N1 and push for action to address these.Don’t forget to join the campaign by sharing your experiences, appeals and solutions on social media with the hashtag #SafeMotorway4All.
Aspirant flagbearer of the oppositionNational Democratic Congress(NDC), Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, has stated that the large reduction in Ghana’s cocoa production is concerning, given that the commodity represents the foundation of the economy.
Ghana achieved a historic feat of more than 1.14 million tons of cocoa production, about 45% increase in the 2020/2021 crop season.
However, dropped significantly in the 2021/2022 crop season though COCOBOD was yet to provide official figures.
The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) recent report said cocoa production during 2021/2022 dropped in the two world leading cocoa countries – Cote D’Ivoire (-6%) and Ghana (-34%) owing to multiple factors including devastating effect of swollen shoot disease and climate change.
Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has forecasting about 750,000 tons of cocoa production in the 2022/2023 crop season higher than the 2021/2022 production.
According to Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, his sources indicate Ghana may not meet this target for the season.
He said current happenings in the cocoa sector will ultimately affect the economy and cocoa farmers.
“Our leaders have failed us. What I am hearing is that Ghana may not be able to get 500,000 metric tons of cocoa this year. In 2010/2011, we had one million metric tons. We decided to sustain the gains and increase it so we become number one producer of cocoa in the world. We came up with a policy to distribute 20 million free cocoa seedlings to farmers annually. It was captured in the 2011 budget and we started implementing it. So hearing that we may not get 500,000 metric tons saddens me. It means cocoa farmers are going to suffer”.
Dr. Duffuor stated that “NDC is going to win the election at all cost and when we assume power, we will resume the distribution of 20 million free cocoa seedlings annually so we beat Ivory Coast to occupy the top spot as world largest producer of cocoa. We can’t let the cocoa industry collapse. It is the backbone of the economy”.
Dr. Kwabena Duffuor said this when addressing delegates of the NDC in Akim Manso in Asene Manso Akroso constituency in the Eastern region as part of his 4-day campaign tour.
At Upper West Akyem Constituency, Dr. Duffuor assured Cocoa farmers in the area that the next NDC government will help bring to life an abandoned 48-million-dollar Jute Factory at Adeiso.
The factory established by an Indian group call Ganges in partnership with government in 2008 sits on a 12-acre size land at the Upper West Akyem District.
When completed would be the largest jute factory in Africa with a monthly capacity of 600,000 sacks. This would have reduced Ghana’s $215million annual spending on importation of jute sacks to about $70 million.
Again, the factory was expected to provide job opportunities for 2,000 people.
Successive governments after President Kuffuor made efforts to ensure the project is completed for operationalization of the factory, however, the Akufo-Addo led government has failed to pay attention to the final stage of completion leaving the fledging factory to rot in the bush.
Chiefs, cocoa farmers and youth in the area continue to demand state attention to the factory but to no avail.
Former President,John Dramani Mahamahas pledged to wage a vigorous anti-corruption campaign when voted into power.
Mr Mahama contends corruption is one of the channels through which state resources are wasted.
Addressing NDC delegates at Garu in theUpper East Region, the NDC flagbearer hopeful stressed that any individual found engaging in corrupt practices under his administration will be dealt with regardless of his or her party affiliation.
“NDC is going to come into office, and we are going to launch a strong fight against corruption because we all know that corruption is one of the waste pipes in this country. People who appropriate the money of the state must be brought to book and sanctioned and NDC is going to do that”.
“It doesn’t matter whether the people are our own or from some other party, we will make sure that the sword is slammed equally and anyone who takes the people’s money must suffer for it.”
Mr Mahama also promised to repair Akufo-Addo’s problematic Free SHS policy and the National Health Insurance Scheme if he is re-elected President in the 2024 elections.
He said reviewing the two policies will ameliorate the plight of Ghanaians and enhance the policies.
“Free SHS is not working properly, the benefit it is supposed to give the parents, they are not getting. I can tell you today that the money we are spending on our children to go to school is far more than when we used to pay school fees”.
“We are going to repair the free SHS and make it better and create the situation when where school reopens, all the children will go together and when they vacate they all come home together.”
Rapper Medikal has been lauded by some Ghanaians on social media after he ignored Shatta Michy, the mother of dancehall superstar Shatta Wale during a confrontation.
Diamond Michelle Gbagonah, popularly known as Michy, the mother of Shatta Wale’s 6-year-old son, Majesty, confronted Medikal over his claim that Shatta is a responsible father when she has always maintained that he doesn’t live up to expectations.
What initially seemed like a friendly conversation escalated real quickly when the rapper who had had enough from Michy who had a camera to his face advised her to act responsibly at the party of blogger, GhKwaku on April 29.
Medikal who was in attendance at the party with his wife, Fella Makafui, walked away when Michy lost her cool and started hurling insults at the rapper.
The video of Michy confronting Medikal which has gone viral has since courted praises from netizens whom according to them, showed respect to the baby mama of his close friend, Shatta Wale.
One netizen said, “Shatta Michy was just bitter. Medikal didn’t want to mind her. That’s a man respecting his negger’s baby mama.”
Another also wrote, “Medikal acted maturely cos of the respect and love he has for Shatta Wale…Michy is the baby mama so I will give it to MDK…The Video sent only one message across…” Michy still harbours a lot of hate for Shatta and to some extension the people close to Shatta”..
Below are some of the comments
Medikal acted maturely cos of the respect and love he has for shatta wale…Michy is the baby mama so I will give it to MDK..The Video sent only one message across,,,;”Michy still harbours a lot of hate for Shatta and to some extension the pple close to shatta”..
— BiG JiGGa🔰🇬🇭🥷🏻 (@JIGGGA_MAN) April 30, 2023
But that issue was for island er anaaa,.???
The fact that he walked out & said respect yourself was top top .
— SHEILA IRENE 🦋 (@abena_mooley) April 30, 2023
Aswear michy drink things come dey move to innocent person. If wale was there like she go keep quiet too
— Zygote (@lilzygote) April 30, 2023
Despite whatever he said and michy feels it’s not right or not truth you can call him privately to discuss this than rather chasing him in public to question him. I like the way medikal handled himself. I think this can be done privately not on social media
— YOHANE (@Nanayawyohane) April 30, 2023
The stories have changed significantly in recent years as women all around the world continue to break down barriers in professions that have historically been controlled by males.
From top positions in banks, the military, and the apex judicial courts of the world, among others, the new trend is the emergence of many women at the helm of affairs.
Joining the pack of these formidable women is a Ghanaian named Afua Kyei, who is the current Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director at the Bank of England-UK.
The 40-year-old rose through the ranks at the UK Central Bank after joining in 2019 and currently sits on a balance sheet of about 1 trillion pounds.
Afua Kyei also oversees the Bank of England’s Asset Purchase Facility Fund and its Alternative Liquidity Facility. She also serves as a Co-Executive Sponsor, leading the Bank’s approach to climate change and is focused on Diversity and Inclusion.
Her rise to the top position began in 2019 when she joined the Bank of England from Barclays Bank, where she served as a Finance Director from 2012-2019.
During her tenure at Barclays, Afua Kyei worked across three divisions; Group Operations and Technology, the Investment Bank, and later worked in the Retail Bank as Chief Financial Officer (mortgages).
Kyei was instrumental in the Strategic Cost Transformation Programme and was an Ambassador for Diversity and Inclusion for the Bank’s Group Finance Director functions.
Prior to joining Barclays, she held a Strategic Advisory position at UBS during its mergers and acquisitions. From 2007 to 2009, Kyei served as Investment Banker for UBS at its financial institutions’ group. She also covered the UK, Benelux, Central and Eastern Europe arms of the bank from 2009-2011.
Her diverse experience and roles occupied helped her to become part of the team that helped to provide advisory services to RBS during the financial crisis about its divestments mandated as part of European Union State Aid remediation, participation in HM Treasury’s £282 billion asset protection scheme and its capital issuance of £33.5 billion to HM Treasury.
Afua Kyei studied at Somerville College, Oxford University reading Chemistry and holds a Master’s degree. She was also awarded a Junior Research Fellowship honour by US-based Princeton University in Organic Chemistry.
Share some details of her personal journey in an article published on the BoE website, Afua noted that “Growing up, I wanted to be doctor and then decided to read Chemistry here in the UK at Oxford and specialised as an Organic Chemist. My thesis focussed on using organic synthesis to create anti-tumorous molecules that occur in nature.
I wanted to do research in the US and was awarded a Junior research fellowship in the US at Princeton. Then I decided I wanted to do something more fast-paced, so I changed paths and decided to move into the financial sector. I then went on to apply my problem-solving skills through building a career in banking and financial services in the private sector.”
She continued, “Fast forward, I joined the Bank of England as their CFO, four years ago. The reason I was attracted to the Bank, is because it was a wonderful opportunity for me to combine my innate desire to help people, whilst using my skills to do something purposeful in the public sector, helping society as a whole. My diverse set of experiences has helped me to shape my role as CFO and co-executive sponsor of DEI.”
“At the time I joined the Bank, I was the only executive of colour. I was 36, and was the youngest member of the executive team. I was the first black executive to be appointed in the 329 year history of the Bank. When I was appointed, Sir Bradley Fried was the Chairman, Mark Carney was the Governor. I was inspired by them and about what I had learned about the Bank – this drew me into the organisation. At the time, the CFO reported into the COO. Then, two years ago, Governor Andrew Bailey changed this and I now report into him directly,” Kyei recounted.
She further shared that striking a balance between her work and personal life is of grave importance to her adding that when she is not occupied with work, she enjoys spending time with her three children, family and friends.
Afua Kyei is a qualified Chartered Accountant (ICAS) with Ernst & Young in the UK.
She was recently named in the 2023 list of 100 Most Reputable Africans complied by Reputation Poll International (RPI), a leading global reputation firm.
The former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, has been challenged by the Director of Operations at the Presidency, Lord Commey, to give proof of his involvement in an unlawful small-scale mining practice (galamsey).
According to Lord Commey, the allegation made by Prof. Frimpong Boateng that he (Commey) is involved in illegal small-scale mining should be ignored by Ghanaians.
In a statement copied to GhanaWeb, the director of operations at the presidency said that he has never been involved in galamsey, and has never used his position to protect someone in the menace.
“For purposes of setting the records straight, I wish to state without shred of doubt that I have never engaged in or supported illegal mining as contained in the said report. There is no point prior, during and after the appointment of the said Minister have I called, text or even assigned anyone to seek favour in respect of engaging in illegal mining to warrant his unsubstantiated allegations against me.
“I therefore challenge him to prove beyond reasonable doubts claims that I was either promoting or engaging in illegal mining or I would use available legal means to protect my hard-won reputation.
“Until proven otherwise, I would urge all to treat the claims of Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng with the contempt they deserve,” parts of the statement read.
Background
A former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Prof Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, named members of parliament and top government officials who are allegedly involved in illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) in Ghana.
Portions of a report on illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) in Ghana by Prof Frimpong Boateng, indicated that these MPs and government officials were either directly involved in galamsey or were using their power to protect relatives who were involved in the menace.
The 36-page report, which Prof Frimpong addressed to the Chief of Staff and the Ghana Police Service, according to myjoyonline.com, implicated the former MP for Manso Nkwanta, Joseph Albert Quarm; director of operations at the presidency, Laud Commey; executive assistant and head of social media at the presidency, Charles Nii Teiko; and Frank Asiedu Bekoe, director of political affairs at the Office of the Chief of Staff.
“He (the former NPP MP) used his position as a member of the Minerals Commission to acquire several dozens of large-scale concessions in his district, ostensibly for community mining purposes. He ended up selling these concessions to private individuals, including party members for GH¢2000 per concession.
“Throughout our struggle with illegalities in the small-scale mining sector, what baffled me was the total disregard of the president’s commitment to protecting the environment. I can state without any equivocation that many party officials from the national to the unit committee level had their friends, PAs, agents, relatives, financiers, or relatives engaged in illegal mining. Most of them engaged Chinese working for them.
“There are appointees in the Jubilee House that are doing or supporting illegal mining or interfering with the fight against the menace. Examples are Laud Commey, Charles Nii Teiko, and Frank Asiedu Bekoe (Protozoa),” parts of the report read.
The report also indicated that members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) had also acquired several mining concessions, especially in the Western Region.
“In the Wassa East District, a former NDC Deputy Minister who is also MP for the Wassa East constituency has been actively mining in the Subri forest for years,” the report also stated.
According toErnest Owusu Bempah, the NPP’s deputy communications director, President Akufo-Addo’s initiatives have already placed the party in a strong position to govern the country come 2024.
According to him, Akufo-Addo’s sterling performance has given the NPP a message that it can use to convince the people of Ghana to help the NPP ‘break the 8’.
Speaking in an interview on Onua TV, on Monday, monitored by GhanaWeb, Owusu Bempah added that one of the policies that Ghanaians will be forever grateful to Akufo-Addo for is the “almighty” Free Senior High School (Free SHS).
“Akufo-Addo has laid a foundation for us to take a very critical message to the people of Ghana (for the 2024 elections).“He (Akufo-Addo) has done a lot of things. First of all, you can speak of the social intervention policies including the almighty Free SHS policy.
“This policy will have a sterling impact on the ordinary Ghanaian.Today people who could not dream of having secondary education are in school,” he said in Twi.
He also said that the major opposition political party, which is the National Democratic Congress (NDC), said the implementation of the Free SHS policy was impossible, but today it has been rolled out and ordinary Ghanaiansare benefiting from it.
“Free SHS policy is very important, it is a key fundamental … forget about the problems we are facing including the shortage of food and infrastructure issues. The most important thing is that the policy has been implemented,” he added.
Director general of the National Lotteries Authority (NLA), Sammi Awuku, has endorsed vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) candidate for the 2024 general elections.
Awuku, who is also the former National Organizer of the NPP, stated that he does not believe in the “aduru woso” (it is your time) principle when it comes to choosing a flagbearer for the party.
Instead, he believes in selecting someone who can do the job well.
Speaking in an interview with Movement TV on April 17, 2023, he maintained that Dr. Bawumia possesses all the qualities needed to lead the party effectively.
According to him, the Vice President is accommodating, religiously tolerant, and humble.
“I have said that theVice Presidentis a personal friend, I think he possesses some values, some virtues that I believe if he wants to contest, and Ghanaians support him, he will go far.
“I don’t believe in the ‘aduru woso’ (it is your time) principle, every election goes with its own strength and whenever there is vacancy people fight for it, with his politics of inclusion, he draws everyone closer, you will also realize that he is tolerant religiously.
“This is a man that when you invite him to church programs he goes to, you will see him in the Mosque and in the Church, he doesn’t discriminate and he respects everyone also.
He emphasized that as a one-time organizer at the youth and national levels, he has an eye for successful mobilization and campaigning.
“When he consults, and the party opens nominations and he wants to go, I will support him if he comes to me for my support,” he said.
He added that Bawumia’s leadership style has been evident in the various roles he has played in the party and the government.
Awuku’s endorsement comes at a time when the NPP is yet to hold its primaries to select a flagbearer for the party ahead of the 2024 elections.
Former president John Dramani Mahama has pokedPresident Akufo-Addo for failing to provide Ghanaians a stable economy despite claiming ‘we have the men’.
According to him, the NPP lacks the credibility to be trusted to turn around the economy.
During the 2012 and 2016 electoral campaigns, the then-presidential candidate Akufo-Addo that his team had the human resource to develop Ghana.
But, speaking to delegates during his visit to Kpone Katamanso on Friday, Mr Mahama stated that the NDC has come to the conclusion that this is not the case.
“In 2016, our colleagues, the NPP told a lot of lies about us. They labeled us as incompetent and they came with a lot of big and sweet promises to the people of Ghana and use that to persuade people that there will be a better government than we were.
“And so the people of Ghana tried them by voting for them. They said they should try them, ‘try me and see’. And that was a mistake the people of Ghana made because we have come to realise that after all, we have the men, we have the men. They were station boys, they don’t know anything,’” Mr Mahama said.
According to former President Mahama, the ministers who served during his administration performed better than the current administration.
Mr Mahama commented on the power purchase agreement, noting that the NDC had been chastised by the NPP for signing too many power purchase agreements.
As a result, he questioned why the government is adding to the power purchase agreement if there are so many.
“Just last week, they signed another power purchase agreements were signed to many power purchase agreements. Why are you signing another one today?”
He went on to say that the government promise of one district, one factory – one village, one dam was a hoax to sway Ghanaians’ votes. This, he explained, is because the factories are currently not operational.
“Recently, I was watching a documentary on Joy and most of those factories are not even working,” he added.
He also described as troubling the findings of a recent US State Department report on human rights violations in Ghana.
“The US Human Rights Report has come out and it makes it very bad reading, human rights abuses, corruption, torture, so many things, discrimination, everything go and read that report.”
According to him, when he assumes office, his government “will set up a governance Advisory Council. And that governance advisory council would include civil society organizations, religious leaders, chiefs, and ordinary grassroots people.
And every year, that council will release a report on the state of human rights corruption and everything in Ghana.”
Kristalina Georgieva, the IMF’s managing director, is confident that the fund’s Executive Board would quickly give Ghana’s bailout request its final clearance.
Ms Georgieva said at the ongoing World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings in Washington D.C. that her optimism stemmed from the swelling goodwill that the country was getting from the international community, including its creditors.
Graphic Online’s Maxwell Akalaare Adombila who is covering the World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings in Washington D.C., USA reports Ms Georgieva told journalists Thursday that her outfit was pushing the bilateral creditors to quickly provide the financial assurance needed for the board to approve the deal.
Ghana secured a staff-level agreement (SLA) for the $3 billion request in December but efforts to move pass the final lap have dragged as bilateral creditors haggle over the terms of the debt restructuring exercise.
Sources had told Graphic Online at the Spring Meetings that a deal in May was closer as China softened its stance on the need for multilaterals to share debt losses.
The IMF MD, when asked about when Ghanaians should expect a deal, said: “We have been urging Ghana’s creditors to act swiftly.”
“To tell you the truth, I am optimistic that we are going to move swiftly and so stay positive,” she said.
Ghana needs a deal to stabilise the cedi further, contain inflationary pressures and tap into the international capital market for loans to fund development. It would be the country’s 17th bailout programme after joining the IMF in September 1957.
The continuous enactment of new levies, according to the Ghana Federation of Labour(GFL), poses a risk to the country’s economic growth.
Mr Abraham Koomson, the GFL Secretary General, who spoke to the Ghana News Agency in Tema, said companies had employees and paid their salaries, as well as social security, contributing to the improvement of the standard of living for Ghanaians hence the numerous taxes could have adverse effect on their operations. .
He advised that government not to compel factories to move from the country because some companies had already begun to reduce their workforce, while others were planning to shut down soon.
Mr Koomson stressed that the closure of the companies would adversely affect government revenue all for its development programmes and increase the unemployment rate in the country.
He cautioned that if the local companies would not be revived for the survival of the country, foreign countries investing in the country must not be discouraged.
The GFL Secretary General urged the government to consider the implications of the Excise Duty Bill of 2022 on manufacturing industries, saying it would cripple companies and increase unemployment.
“The GFL continues to receive calls from Chief Executive Officers of companies and other stakeholders raising concerns that the new laws are rushed and passed without proper consultation to weigh the implications on industry, and by extension the fate of workers whose job security is guaranteed if industries break even,” he stated.
Mr Koomson said the products involved in the taxation among several others on the market, were already barely affordable because of the high cost of unit prices triggered by a combination of factors including water and electricity tariffs which saw an upward adjustment at the beginning of this month.
He added that high import bills for raw materials and the depreciation of the Ghana Cedi were all squeezing out capital by the day.
He said times had been hard, leading to companies having to adjust salaries of workers, break even to sustain operations; and the suspension of the new 20 percent bill would boost investor interest, guarantee sustained revenue inflows, and create more jobs.
According to research, many Ghanaiansare exposed to harmful health issues like liver and kidney damage as a result of the misuse of mercury by small-scale miners.
The chemical is used to extract precious minerals but researchers say it more often than not becomes a toxic substance with the potential to cause damage if not handled properly.
Mining and its impact continue to engage the attention of key stakeholders with unending calls for modern techniques to save the environment.
During his inaugural lecture, Vincent Kodzo Nartey, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Ghana, highlighted some major challenges associated with coming into contact with the chemical.
“Mercury never dies, thus the metal is rather converted to a more toxic and stable form in the environment and perceives forever and this is where the danger lies.
“As mercury is extensively used in gold extraction by both small scale and illegal miners, their activities expose Ghanaians to mercury contamination through drinking and inhaling of this mercury which is absolved to the blood, once in the circulatory system, it can pass through the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the brain-damaging the central nervous system,” he explained the effects of the mercury in the system.
He noted that the research observed that “the critical target of elemental mercury is the adult and fatal brain, adding that “the critical target of lethal mercury are the brain and the kidneys.”
“With this background information, mercury is known to one – deteriorate the nervous system, impair hearing, speech, and vision.”
He went on to say that mercury abuse causes involuntary muscle movement, corrodes the skin and locus membranes, causes chewing and swallowing difficulties, it reduces reproductive access, impairs growth and development and causes liver and kidney damage and neurobehavioral effects and eventually death.”
As a result, he wants thegovernmentto restrict the sale and usage of mercury.
“The team calls on the government to enforce tighter control over the sales and usage of mercury. Tighter control over the activities of illegal gold mining should be implemented and sustained.”
He also urged the government to enforce accelerated adoption of cleaner technologies in gold mining in the refinery.
He also advised the government to start a health surveillance programme in mining communities to screen citizens for mercury exposure.
TheNational Democratic Congress(NDC), which is in opposition to the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has been advised to be accurate in its evaluations of Ghana’s economic predicament.
The NPP is of the view that notwithstanding its excellent handling of the Ghanaian economy, the NDC has grown accustomed to concealing the government’s economic gains using dishonest tactics, a practice it wants the NDC to put an end to.
The NPP National Chairman, Stephen Ntim in an address on Tuesday said, the NDC’s hunger for power cannot be satisfied by lies.
“The NDC must desist from the habit and strategy of deceit in its quest for power. Such methods are often short-term but have long-term ramifications for democracy, public confidence, and, not least, the global perception and embrace of our dear country, Ghana”, he said.
The NPP adds that the NDC’s ploy will not persuade the government to abandon its efforts to better its economic record.
“Let me end by passing this piece of advice through you to the NDC. As a political party, the NDC has a sacred responsibility, to be honest, and upfront with Ghanaians in all things”, he further added.
Stephen Ntim thus urged party members to assist in spreading the NPP’s goodwill.
“I call on the rank and file of the NPP to arise and mobilise behind our government to defeat the onslaught of the NDC propaganda. This means that all of us in the NPP, from polling stations upward, must become canvassers and communicators to help disabuse the minds of our fellow Ghanaians from the misinformation that the NDC is feeding the nation.”
Despite undertaking the historic Debt Exchange Programme and seeking a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the NPP has hailed the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration for diligently managing Ghana’s economy.
Stephen Ntim, echoed claims that the current crippling economic crisis is due to the impact of Covid-19 and the effects of the Russia-Ukraine War and not the incompetence of the economic management team as propagated by the opposition National Democratic Congress.
“The plain truth is that this government has managed the economy diligently and well. The hardships we are experiencing in Ghana are being experienced everywhere because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine War. Workers in some of the world’s biggest economies are demanding salary increases due to historic global inflation.”
Claims that the Akufo-Addo-led administration disregarded requests to shrink its size have been disputed by Stephen Ntim, national chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
According to him, Akufo-Addo has been listening to Ghanaians about how to manage expenditures while maintaining a dynamic team of ministers and appointees to deliver its mandate.
Speaking at a press conference, he said, “Therefore, it is not true that the government has ignored calls to reduce its size. Instead, the government has been listening to Ghanaians, establishing a more robust control mechanism to manage expenditure while maintaining a dynamic team of ministers and appointees to deliver on its mandate.”
He also dismissed claims that the government has appointed people to needless positions, adding that the NDC government employed more presidential staffers.
“The NDC has been promoting the view that this government has appointed people to needless positions and is paying them for doing nothing. It must be stated on record that many of the workers at the Presidency are public sector employees. Today, out of the 995 workers at the Presidency, 658 (66%) are public sector employees.
“The NDC government had more presidential staffers than this administration. While we have 44 presidential staffers and 1 Minister of State at the Presidency, the Mahama-NDC Administration had 61 presidential staffers, 6 Ministers of State, and the 3 “wise men,” he added.
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has advisedGhanaians to disregard speculations that the institution plans to soon make a GH500 coin the official unit of exchange in the country.
Reports are rife on social media alleging that such a coin, with samples already viral, is in the works.
But the apex bank said it has no such intentions.
The Director for Currency Management at the Bank of Ghana, Dominic Owusu, dismissed the reports and described them as false.
“When there is a currency issuance or change, the Bank of Ghana will come with an appropriate press release to inform the public. We saw on social media that the central bank will issue a GH¢500 note or coin, but the bank has not done any such thing. So it’s not true,“ Mr Owusu clarified.
Mr. Owusu also responded to reports that the one pesewas coin is no longer legal tender.
“The central bank has not demonetised the one pesewa coin,” he said in a Joy News interview.
Mr. Owusu further urged Ghanaians to handle the cedi notes with care to prevent them from getting worn out easily.
“We want the education out there for people to learn how to handle the cedi not to worn out. That’s why you journalists are here, and I want you to help the central bank in that quest. The bank is also doing its part and will make sure all is done to save the cedi”, Mr. Owusu stressed.
The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) deputy communications director George Krobea Asante, has indicated that President Nana Akufo-Addo, fiercely defends Ghanaian cultural values and will not do anything within his power to destroy such rich values as the nation proceeds to approve the anti-LGBTQ Bill.
According to him, Ghanaians must rally support behind the President and parliamentarians as they lead the passage of this bill.
President Akufo-Addo has come under some public flak after what people say was his attempt to distance his government from the anti-LGBTQ Bill during a media engagement after hosting the United States of America Vice President, Kamala Harris at the Jubilee House in Accra on Monday.
But speaking on Original TV, the outspoken NPP Communicator, George Krobea Asante reiterated the earlier position of the President that under his watch as President, Ghana is never going to approve or allow such devilish act of LBTQI+.
“This has been the clear and emphatic position of the President and same has been expressed by him on many occasions and on different platforms. So what again do the NDC communicators seek to hear from the President before they will be convinced that Nana Addo detests such acts of LGBTQI+? This is a clear case of mischief and dishonesty on the part of the NDC.
“Again, let me ask this simple question, which of the things the President said in his reaction to a question by the New York Times journalist regarding the pending bill in parliament can be said to be untrue? Or the NDC expected the President to subvert or subdue the legislative powers of parliament? Fellow Ghanaians, let’s not fall for the mischief and the propaganda of the NDC.”
George Krobea Asante noted that the President mentioned the sensitivity of the human rights issues as well as the mood and the sentiments of the Ghanaian people as key considerations of parliament before the passage of the bill.
“And I vehemently believe that parliament after analyzing the bill will pass it and the President will also assent to its execution. LGBTQI+ is a threat to our existence and cultural values as people and cannot have any space in our society,” he added.
Mr Krobea Asante called on Ghanaians to continue to have confidence in the President and also rally support behind him to turn around Ghana’s economic fortunes by overcoming the devastating impact of the Covid 19 and the Russia – Ukraine war.
The minority is against the new income legislation currently before Parliament, according toMahama Ayariga, the member of parliament from Bawku Central.
He said the Minority will vote against the bill when the time comes.
Mr. Ayariga indicated that, unlike the approval of the ministerial nominees where a secret vote was used, a headcount will be conducted to determine whether the new tax bills should be accepted or not and that will help in the rejection of the bills.
Making the declaration on Eyewitness News on Citi FM, Mr. Ayariga disclosed that “it is going to be a voice vote where if you are not satisfied, we call for a division and then there will be a headcount and the matter will be determined, and I am very confident that all our members will be in the House and vote in line with our position to vote against the bill.”
“You will stand and be counted and everybody including your constituents will be watching and so if you don’t go with your constituents, they will see and measure you accordingly,” he further explained.
Mr. Ayariga stressed that the Minority would have been considerate if the government was making efforts at cutting down on its expenditure but so long as it is “only interested in asking Ghanaians to pay more taxes and not cutting down on the consumption of the taxes,” it will not allow such burden on Ghanaians.
Government is under pressure to have three new revenue bills passed by Parliament as it seeks to rake in GH¢4 billion per year to shore up revenue to fix the ailing economy and secure a Board approval for a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The bills which include the Excise Tax Stamp and Excise Duty amendment bills, Income Tax amendment bill and Growth and Sustainability levy bill are already being rejected by some business groups.
The Catholic Bishops Conference has urged the government to forgo any business with the United States that is premised on the acceptance of the LGBTQ community in Ghana.
Speaking in an interview with Catholic Trends, the President of the Catholic Bishop Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, said that accepting aid from the US government with any LGBTQ conditions would amount to the government selling the country’s birth right.
He added that the government must tell the people of Ghana what the conditions for the $139 million are before accepting it.
“This is a very serious issue. It is at the gate of who we are as Ghanaians and nobody should toy with it with money. And if that should be the case (the aid is tied to Ghana accepting LGBT), let the government reject the money and tell the people, this is what they are saying. Should I take it? So that you do this or not and let the people decide.
“This is not the first time. We have seen the European Union, the United States and these rich countries sometimes push down our throats with certain reforms and certain things and they say if only you do these things, we would give you the money.
“I know the government has done that over and over and over, and many Ghanaians know it. It is not only I who is saying it. So when it comes to something that makes a people, a people. That is their culture and tradition, then if you sell your birth right, culture and tradition, if you sell who you are for money when you get the money who are you again?” Most Rev. Gyamfi said.
The office of the United States Vice President indicated that the US government will support Ghana with $139 million for the 2024 fiscal year.
According to Aljazeera, the $139 million is an addition to the $100 million security support, Vice President Kamala Harris announced for five West African countries including Ghana.
