The Ho stadium in the Volta Region is hosting this year’sIndependence Day festivities.
Ghana is celebrating 66 years since it attained independence from its colonial masters on March 6, 1957.
Ghana’s Independence
On March 6, 1957, exactly 66 years ago today, Ghana declared its independence from colonial rule after several decades of under British governance.
But it was not until some three years later that Ghanaians assumed full reins of government with an actual government made up of Ghanaians as leaders.
Thus, Ghana became a republic on July 1, 1960.
But prior to becoming a republic, Ghana under Prime Minister Kwame Nkrumahwho later became the country’s first president had to take steps to define the constitutional and governance structure of the nation.
Consequently, on March 6, 1960, Dr Nkrumah’s address to the country on the occasion of the country’s third independence anniversary largely outlined a roadmap designed by his Convention Peoples Party in bringing Ghana to full republic status.
On 6th March, 1957, Ghana gained independence after 83 years of British colonial rule – becoming the first sub-Saharan African country to achieve independence from the British.
Since that day, every March 6 is celebrated across the country and amongGhanaians abroad with various activities, some of which are observed throughout the month.
Today marks 66 years since the West African country gained independence – and this year’s celebration is being held at Ho in the Volta Region for the very first time.
President Akufo-Addo in 2017 decided the Independence celebration be held on rational basis to open each of the 16 regions of Ghana to the world to boost the local economy.
Since the launch of the celebration last month, the Volta Regional Coordinating Council has been working feverishly to put the necessary arrangements in place to make this year’s event themed “Our Unity, Our Strength, Our Purpose” memorable.
The Special Guest of Honour for this year’s celebration is President Umaro Sissoco Embalóof Guinea Bissau, who is also the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Over 5,000 people from across the country, including members of the diplomatic corps, the clergy, traditional rulers and other dignitaries will be present at the Ho Municipality to participate in the event.
A total of 22 contingents from the various Security Agencies and 12 from the various schools in the Volta Region would be on parade, aside from other performances.
The 66 Artillery Regiment in Ho is in charge to lead preparations for the march past.
All roads leading to the Ho Municipality as well as the streets of Ho have been decorated with the Ghana flag, with several workplaces also draping their buildings in Ghana colours (red, yellow, green and black) to mark the occasion.
Also, the Ho township roads as well the Atimpoku-Ho road are being fixed. The streetlights on the road leading to the Youth Resource Centre at Adaklu have also been fixed.
Police armoured vehicles and armed personnel of the various security agencies have been positioned at various intersections and vantage points to ensure law and order.
According to Dr. Clement Apaak, the Member of Parliament for Builsa South, most Ghanaians want Mahama as president because he is the only experienced one to save the economy.
The lawmaker said our debt to GDP is in a terrible state following the recklessness and incompetence of the Nana Addo-led administration.
He lamented our national debt has ballooned from 122 billion to about 500 billion with nothing to show for this reckless borrowing.
He said the current president, when in opposition, promised mouth-watering policies and programmes, promised Ghanaians heaven and earth but has delivered nothing but hellfire.
”When you take our debt at Ghc122 billion, and you ballooned it to about Ghc500 billion, and you have nothing significant to show for it; clearly you cannot expect people to think that it is okay.”
According to Dr. Apaak, the cost of living in Ghana has reached unsustainable levels, with the prices of goods and services rising all the time.
He claimed that we are all suffering and that when you go to the market to buy, you are not charged differently depending on which party you belong to.
For him, looking at what is going on and the kind of experience former president John DramaniMahamahas acquired and considering that he has been out of the office and had time to appreciate the issues and had not been an armchair observer but time without number, he proposed solutions including and admonishing this government to have gone to the IMF much earlier walking upright and not having to wait and go there in a wheelchair”.
He lamented that Ghana is literally begging China to cancel our loans, asking the Germans to intercede with the Chinese on our behalf so that they can put in a good word for us to get a bailout from the IMF that this government swore not to go to for bailout.
Ghana, he says, needs an experienced hand, someone who has had time to sit back, reflect, and analyse the issues, as well as the ability to turn things around.
As a result of John Dramani’s campaign launch,Builsa South MP, Clement Apaak, has pondered what the current administration will do next.
According to him, the NPP held an emergaency meeting when John Mahama declared his intention to contest, and they are likely to hold a retreat this weekend after his campaign launch.
In a Twitter post, Clement Apaak said;
“When JM met NDC MPs to declare his intentions to contest for the Flagbearership of the NDC YAANUM called an urgent meeting. Now that JM has launched his campaign YAANUM will likely hold a retreat over the weekend. JM is the IT, they know it, we know it, Ghanaians know it #JM2024.”
Ghana’s former president, John Dramani Mahama officially launched his campaign towards the 2024 general elections on March 2.
This comes barely a week after he picked up nomination forms once again to contest the vacant position in the party.
The event was held at Ho, in the Volta Region as he prepares to win the party primaries and work towards wrestling power from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Today, Monday, February 27, 2023, President Akufo-Addois scheduled to meet with the family of late Christian Atsu as well as representatives of the Ghana Football Association, and Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif to discuss the final burial arrangement for the deceased.
Following the 7.8 magnitude catastrophe, Christian Atsu was discovered dead under the debris at his residence in the Turkish province of Hatay.
His body was subsequently brought to Ghana with government representatives, members of the football community, colleagues, supporters, and Ghanaians, in general offering their condolences to the bereaved family.
On March 4, 2023, the deceased footballer will be remembered with a one-week memorial observation at Adjiringanor in Accra.
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Yussif told the media that: “We will call on the President on Monday. Once we do that, the plan that the family has tabled before the Ministry and GFA would be made public because it is subject to the confirmation of the president. A funeral planning committee has also been set up to ensure a befitting funeral.”
The government has vowed to fully engage with the family in giving Atsu a proper burial.
Last Friday, discussions were completed between the Atsu family, Ghana Football Association representatives, and Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif ahead of the late footballer’s final funeral rites.
Meanwhile, the family says it is incredibly grateful for the affection and support shown to them in the wake of the tragic passing of their relative in the devastating earthquake in Turkey.
The Twasams are especially appreciative of the assistance received from the government, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and Ghanaians during this difficult time.
Robert Ani, a family spokesman, told Citi News that the family’s gratitude for Christian Atsu’s demise cannot be adequately expressed in words.
“The support of government and Ghanaians has been overwhelming. First, I want to thank President Akufo-Addo for taking a keen interest right from when the incident occurred. The President has been very helpful. We just want to say thank you to him and Ghanaians also. The support has been overwhelming. People have been calling, visiting and offering the support they can. So far, I will say that it has been overwhelming”, he said.
Government has expressed gratitude to Ghanaians for their patience and support shown to the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), which ended on Friday, February 10, 2023, with more than 80% of eligible bonds participating.
The Finance Ministry in a press release dated Tuesday 14 February 2023 and entitled “Participation in the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme”, noted that government is extremely impressed with and grateful for the high patronage the voluntary programme has received.
“The Government wants to thank the people of Ghana for their forbearance and support throughout these very difficult times” the press release signed by the finance minister; Ken Ofori-Atta read.
“The DDEP is being done to help protect the economy and enhance our capacity to service our public debts effectively. The alternative of not executing the DDEP would have brought grave disorder in the servicing of our national debt and exacerbated the current economic crisis.
“The Government is, therefore, grateful for the overwhelming participation of all bondholders. Your support and contributions have gotten your country much closer to securing the IMF programme” the finance minister’s statement further read.
Burden-sharing The finance minister in his statement further noted that even though the DDEP was a voluntary exercise, under the prevailing economic circumstances in the country and in the globally space, Government had to make “a strong but humble appeal to bondholders to participate in the DDEP;
“Seeing it as a very critical act of burden-sharing in the ongoing national effort to tackle the economic crisis, bring back macroeconomic stability and guarantee sustainable growth and prosperity for the people of Ghana”.
“Government in addition, offered alternatives to encourage individual bondholders and retirees to tender for the new bonds which will have wider secondary market circulation.
“The Government is grateful to those who took part in the advocacy in securing an improved offer for participants” the press release by Ken Ofori-Atta noted.
There are 1,622,718 Ghanaians who are 15 years or older are cohabiting or living as married couples informally.
According to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) 2021 Population and Housing Census report, about 8.2% of the country’s population 15 years and older live together as married couples, but in actual sense are not married.
Of the 1.62 million cohabiting, 46.2% are males while the remaining majority are females – 53.8%.
A disaggregation of the data at both urban and rural levels shows about 6.8% of Ghana’s urban population 15 years and above cohabitate while the rate is relatively higher at the rural level- 10.1%, which is significantly greater than the national average of 8.2 %.
At the regional level, Ashanti region topped with about 348,045 people cohabiting followed by the Greater Accra region with 294,795 while North East recorded the least – 9,239 which is about 37 times smaller than what was recorded in the Ashanti region.
The latest data from the 2021 Population and Housing Census (PHC) also revealed that 553,065 persons in Ghana have had their marriages dissolved while 405,090 have separated.
As much as some may have decided to live in denial, perhaps a way to cope as times have become really hard for all, no level of partisanship will insulate any of us from the plagues and harsh realities that the failing economy has come with. The debt restructuring programme tailored for domestic bondholders is like a pebble in the shoes of Ghanaians.This is so ridiculous and feels like a dream.
In the heat of all the turmoil, our president is bent on building a cathedral. If he has failed woefully in building an economy, what could be the source of his motivation of building a cathedral for God. At least I know pleasing humans is far more easier than pleasing God. What happened to our dear president? What happened to our priorities as a nation? I am at a fix.
As I judiciously manage what I have in hand, I can’t help but share my daily experience. Each day my phone rings, my heart beats faster as it is most likely to be another contact that may eventually say the words “can you do me a favor”. No disrespect intended but times are really hard and people who respect themselves, very independent, responsible and self reliant have been humbled by the difficult times and can’t help but ask for financial assistance from others. People are becoming destitute. “Helpers” are looking for help themselves so how can they even be helpful to others?
And I have seen and heard divided opinions about the popularity of religious fellowships like “Alpha Hour”.However, this is very much a sign that things are hard.The religiosity of Africans appreciates in the face of hardship.Religion remains “the opiate of the masses”.
In times like this, it is surprising that government is still showing opulence and seem detached from the terrible experience of the masses.It feels Ghanians are being taken for granted and government seems insensitive.Times are hard yet decisions of our leaders continue to be bad.
Couple of days ago, two ministers resign from the present administration,with the hope of being elected as presidential candidates for the 2024 elections.Well wish them the best.
I am sure the president will soon make appointments to fill the void. However, as a well meaning Ghanaians, Mr President, may I know when you intend to shrink your government? Ghanaians are growing LEAN but your government is not LEAN. Ghanaians are struggling to eat three square meals. The pattern for eating lately has become 011,101,001,010 for many.
Why will you be defiant in down sizing your herd of elephants to have a LEAN government? Many ministries in your government are a duplication of others and a wastage. This may save the taxpayers money and inspire confidence in resuscitating the economy but you have taken an entrenched position.
With 30 ministries, packed with 30 ministers and about 2 or 3 deputy ministers. 16 regional ministers with their deputies and more who haven’t given Ghanaians value for the tax payers money and yet they remain leaches on our economy.
This is a government of “elephants” who have a big appetite naturally so it has taken a fortune to maintain them.Now they are eating Ghanaians out of their own home.A lot of ministers and ministries bring nothing to the table and are white elephants.Yet our government refuses to downsize.
The economy we have toiled to build is facing structure failure.The weight of running the government in itself is to huge.It is costing tax payers too much and the president must be bold to down size his cabinet. GHANAIANS ARE GROWING LEAN,BUT THE GOVERNMENT REFUSES TO BECOME LEAN. May God help Mother Ghana.
Source: Dumenu Charles Selorm
DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author’s, and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana
Global CEO of the HuD Group, Dr. Yaw Perbi, is calling for an audit on the amount spent so far on the National Cathedral project.
Since 2022, the National Cathedral project has been marred with a number of scandals. The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has been on a quest to uncover what he deems dishonesty at the National Cathedral Secretariat.
He alleges that around GH2.6 million was given to a business controlled by Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, a member of the cathedral’s board, without reasonable explanation.
Amidst the allegations, Mr Perbi has suggested that government should halt ongoing works on the project in order to give a vivid update to Ghanaians, as well as clear the air.
“If we decide to move forward after the audit, I suggest we give it time. If it is not Nana Akufo-Addo’s cathedral but Ghana’s, then let’s take our time to do it. We also need to be transparent. There is too much darkness surrounding the project. Let us also allow God’s people to build God’s church.”
“Lastly, we must be as passionate about our software as we are about the hardware bearing in mind that God does not just require the building but is interested in our values, behaviours, attitudes, and systems,” he added.
The National Cathedral project was launched by the Akufo-Addo-led administration in March 2017 as a concrete expression of the nation’s societal harmony, spirituality, and unity.
The $360 million interdenominational cathedral will have a 5,000-seat auditorium, chapels, and a baptistery. Its completion has been scheduled for March 2024, but currently, construction works have been suspended due to lack of funds.
Amid an economy deemed to be in crisis, some Ghanaians believe constructing a cathedral is not the optimal way to utilise the country’s scarce resources.
Despite the criticisms against the President, he has pledged to complete the construction of the building.
Dr Kobby Mensah, a lecturer at the University of Ghana and a political communication expert, has ranked the Akufo-Addo-led administration as the worst in history.
According to the lecturer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s legacy as president is disastrous.
He likened Nana Addo’s government to that of former President John Agyekum Kufour, arguing that before Nana Addo was elected, Many Ghanaians believed that he would be a better leader than the latter.
“Before Nana Addo came, I think within the NPP, most people to be honest with you a lot of people with all due respect, didn’t even think that president Kufour was better than Nana Addo. For a lot of people within the NPP,” he said.
Speaking in an interview on Neat FM monitored by GhanaWeb, Dr Kobby Mensah added that due to Ghanaians’ high hopes for President Akufo-Addo, they held the opinion that Kufuor’s administration was paving the path for him to engage in a significant economic upturn.
“It was as if president Kufuor was John the Baptist and Nana Addo was Jesus Christ. That he was coming to prepare the way for Nana Addo’s government. So, the majority of people in NPP were actually expecting Nana Addo’s presidency more than they expected Kufour’s presidency. And they did not give the due to president Kufour until Nana Addo came to power. So, the question is where is the legacy?
He concluded by saying that Nana Addo’s administration is an abject failure and there is no way for future generations to compare its accomplishments to that of the previous presidents.
“…in history or some years to come, we’re going to refer to president Kufour’s NPP and Nana Addo’s NPP. I don’t think you can actually compare the two. So, the cost again is that the legacy that Nana Addo is going to leave, I think that is going to be very disastrous.
According to Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a member of parliament for North Tongu, there is justification to assume that American rapper Meek Mill’s apology to Ghanaians is genuine.
In a Facebook post sighted by GhanaWeb, the MP has called on Ghanaians to forgive the rapper, who has been under heavy criticism for sharing snippets of a music video with shots from Ghana’s presidency.
“It does appear Meek Mill’s multiple apologies to Ghanaians are quite sincere & should be accepted by all,” he wrote.
The rapper, following widespread criticism coupled with allegations of him desecrating the Jubilee House, issued an apology to Ghanaians, saying he never meant to disrespect the country or the presidency.
“To the people of Ghana no video I drop is ever meant to disrespect the people of Ghana …. The fastest way to make connection is thru music and I wanted to do that with displaying art … im in my 30’s from America and didn’t know much about the lifestyle here,” his first apology shared in a series of tweets on Monday, January 9, 2023 said.
“My apologies to the people if any disrespect! We still gonna push to make the connection between black people in America and Africa … what I’m trying to do is more than a video and you should see coming soon! My apologies to the the office also!” it read.
“I don’t think they knew it was video footage when we asked to shoot its a small camera and one kid … in America we didn’t know this existed and was excited to show because they don’t show Ghana on our media much! So I’ll take responsibility for my mistake! Not intentional,” he added.
Despite asking that the rapper be forgiven for his gaffe, Mr. Ablakwa, who has asked for a probe into the incident and appropriate sanctions to be applied to culpable individuals, said the admission by Meek Mill has further justified his call.
“My only serious reservation, however, is his claim that he engaged in all that deplorable desecration & major security breach on the blind side of officials.
“Is the President safe? Is Ghana safe?” he questioned.
“This has, without a scintilla of doubt, further justified earlier demands for urgent investigations & severe sanctions,” the opposition MP added.
Meek Mill shared the video on his Instagram page after he visited the presidency following his recent trip to Ghana.
In the video shared by the rapper on his Instagram page, Meek Mill is captured in different places at the presidency from the frontage, through the main corridors, in the main conference hall—at a point positioned behind the presidential lectern—and later in a sitting area rapping.
His critics have cited security and moral concerns about the rapper’s actions.
Meanwhile, Meek Mill has since deleted the video, which has gone viral on social media.
The leader of the minority caucus of Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, has said that the House failed Ghanaians in 2022.
He explained that the house failed Ghanaians because it did not check the unbridled borrowing of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government.
Haruna Iddrisu, who said this in a TV3 interview monitored by GhanaWeb, added that the huge debt accumulated by the government is the cause of the economic challenges in the country now.
“Where the country is today, you will hear everybody talking about unsustainable debt. It means we overborrowed. We borrowed excessively.
“Parliament, under Article 181 of the Constitution, exercises that mandate (to check the executive) for and on behalf of the people of Ghana. So, it simply means that Parliament has failed the people of Ghana. We didn’t hold the executive to check to say that don’t borrow any longer or borrow at this limit.
“We all know that when debt exceeds 70 percent of GDP you are debt distressed. So now Ghana is a debt-distressed high-risk country,” he said.
Haruna Iddrisu, the Member of Parliament for Tamale South, however, indicated that the minority caucus cannot be blamed for failing to hold the executive in check.
“There are those who have been very critical of the minority including me, saying that why did we pass the budget. It was because we don’t want the country to come to a standstill. A budget means a lot not just for government or the New Patriotic Party (NPP) but for citizens,” he added.
Deputy ranking member of the Education Committee of Parliament, Dr. Clement Apaak, has slammed the New Patriotic Party government for the reintroduction of the quota system for colleges of education.
The Builsa South legislator believes the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration owes Ghanaians an apology for breaking a promise made to the people of Ghana.
“The current NPP government promised to, and restored a diluted form of teacher trainee allowance. And they assured Ghanaians that they would not reintroduce the quota system that restricted more teachers from being trained. They have since made a U-turn.
“From the foregoing, it smacks of dishonesty when the same government that made a promise to win an election has turned back on its words and is now doing what was not even close to what it condemned to win the 2016 election.”
“I strongly insist that the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government has an obligation to tell Ghanaians the justification for the reintroduction of a quota system they promised not to introduce, and admitted will close the door to many prospective teachers.”
Below is the full statement from the Dr. Clement Apaak
Return of quota system for Colleges of Education and Matters Arising (1)
The Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government owes Ghanaians an apology, and an explanation for abandoning mid-stream a promise made to the people of Ghana. The current NPP government promised to and restored a diluted form of teacher trainee allowance. And they assured Ghanaians, that they will not reintroduce the quota system that restricted more teachers from being trained. They have since made a U-turn.
As evident in the leaked GTEC letter to the Principals of Colleges of Education, the cardinal reason for the introduction of the admission quota system for Public Colleges of Education for the 2022/2023 academic year, is due to government’s inability to fund the feeding grant and allowances for as many who qualify and want to train as teachers.
The GTEC letter – with the list of allocations per College – dated December 16, 2022, states categorically, that allocations to various Colleges cannot be varied and must be adhered to. The letter added, that “for the avoidance of doubt, payment of feeding grants and trainee allowances will be guided by these numbers.”
On the face of the allocations list attached to the GTEC letter to the Principals of the Colleges of Education, the highest number allocated to a College is 320 students, while the lowest number is 160 students. Based on the list of allocations given, the impact of this sudden policy change is reflected in the fact, that only a paltry 12,002 prospective teacher trainees will be admitted into the 46 Colleges of Education for the 2022/2023 academic year. This means 260 students per College on average, a clear waste of space, and an obvious hindrance to training more and much needed teachers.
So no doubt, that the quota system announced for admission will prevent many prospective applicants from getting admission into Colleges of Education. And this is bound to have negative consequences. With thousands of qualified applicants chasing few spaces, partisan-influenced protocol admissions and the ‘whom-you-know’ syndrome will deny many qualified and worthy applicants who truly desire to become teachers a fair opportunity to gain admission.
Below are two reasons, culled, courtesy citinewsroom.com, which I believe, justify my call on government to apologise to Ghanaians for the U-turn as far as the promise to pay trainee allowances and still allow as many who qualify to train as teachers to do so. Evidently the reintroduction of the quota system has badly exposed the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government as captured in the words of the then Minister of State in Charge of Tertiary Education:
1) “Professor Kwesi Yankah, then Minister of State in Charge of Tertiary Education in 2017, said Colleges of Education could admit as many qualified applicants as their available facilities can allow but without compromising quality and standards.”
2) “He insisted that the Ministry of Education under the Akufo-Addo government will not introduce a quota system for admission which could prevent many prospective applicants from getting admission into teacher training colleges.
From the foregoing, it smacks of dishonesty when the same government that made a promise to win an election has turned back on its words and is now doing what was not even close to what it condemned to win election 2016.
I strongly insist that the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government has an obligation to tell Ghanaians the justification for the reintroduction of a quota system they promised not to introduce, and admitted will close the door to many prospective teachers.
Truth Stands! Dr. Clement Apaak
M.P, Builsa South and Deputy Ranking Member On Education Committee of Parliament
A former secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Tain constituency, Adama Coulibaly, has described Ghanaians as ungrateful.
He said Ghanaians are ungrateful because they have failed to commend the government following the appreciation of the cedi against the dollar, and reduction of fuel prices, among other things.
He claimed that Ghanaians slammed President Akufo-Addo when the cedi fell against the dollar and food prices skyrocketed.
They have, however, refused to commend the President after things have stabilized. Ghanaians must come out in support of the President. Those who attacked him on social media should go back and commend him for what he is doing,” he added.
He believed that while Ghanaians had various opinions about the government when things were bad, they should also praise it when efforts were made to alleviate the problems.
According to him, he was taken aback by Ghanaians’ silence now that things are improving in the country, but when things were worse, people were insulting the government.
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa-Akufo-Addo, has urged Ghanaians in privileged circumstances to give back to the less fortunate individuals in society during this holiday season.
He further urged Ghanaians to offer some comfort to people who are in distress to avert any untoward circumstances in their lives.
The President believes the gesture will put some smiles on the faces of the poor and the needy.
“I urge all of us, to celebrate the season safely and responsibly, if you are in a more fortunate position, remember to lend a helping hand to those who are in need, let each one of us do our bit to help feed those who are hungry and offer comfort to those who are in distress,” the President said this his Christmas message to Ghanaians.
He expressed hope that Ghana will rise up again as his government works around the clock to prudently manage the economy.
“I am happy that in spite of it all, we are beginning to emerge out of the difficulties which encourages me to say that with hard work, dedication and continued prudence in the management of the affairs of our nation, we will rise up again,” the President added.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has hailed Ghanaians for their contributions at the recently concluded National Democratic Congress (NDC) Delegates Congress.
Mr. Mahama also commended Ghanaians for responding to his appeal and helping the largest opposition party raise some GHC 1,083,000 in donations in 12 days to assist in hosting its 10th National Delegates Congress.
In a Facebook post on Monday, December 19, 2022, Mr. Mahama said: “I wish to express my appreciation to all donors who helped us make up the shortfall in our budget for the Congress.”
He noted that “this is a demonstration of the love Ghanaians generally and members of the NDC have for our party and the worthy cause we are embarking on.”
Mr. Mahama solicited funds to help with the party’s 10th National Delegates Congress, held on Saturday, December 17, 2022, where the NDC elected a new set of national executives for the party.
The former president, through social media, invited 500,000 willing Ghanaians, NDC supporters, sympathisers and friends to donate a minimum of GHC 10 each to help the NDC fund the congress.
According to a recent research from the Environmental Justice Foundation, widespread illegal fishing and overfishing by Chinese-owned industrial trawlers are putting the livelihood of millions of Ghanaians at danger, and a culture of corruption has allowed these crimes to go unpunished (EJF).
EJF’s investigations expose widespread corruption and intimidation that lead to shocking unlawful fishing and atrocious human rights violations on fishing vessels in Ghanaian waters.
In order to bring the industry out of the shadows, avert the ecological and social crises, and ensure sustainable, moral, and legal fisheries in the Ghanaian fleet, EJF calls on the Ghanaian Government and its international partners to collaborate and take urgent action.
Ghana is home to over 200 fishing communities, with almost 3 million people in the country reliant on small-scale fisheries for their livelihoods. These livelihoods are now at risk, in large part, because of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing by the industrial trawl fleet. This is believed by EJF to be at least 90 percent owned by Chinese beneficiaries, flouting Ghanaian laws on foreign ownership.
EJF has previously documented these trawlers illegally targetting small pelagic species – including those referred to as ‘the people’s fish’ – and selling them back to the communities who would have caught them, a practice known as ‘saiko’ fishing. This illicit trade was originally conducted at sea, largely under the cover of darkness. Trawlers transferred frozen blocks of fish to specially adapted canoes which went on to sell it to local markets.
Following government action to halt the illegal trade in September 2021, this practice appeared to have stopped. However, instead of disappearing, the activity has only become more open. EJF investigators tracked large volumes of small pelagic species and juvenile demersal fish, placed in cartons and sold at the country’s major industrial port for onward distribution across the country.
The report draws on interviews with a Ghanaian crew who witnessed abuses first-hand and filmed evidence, a network of informants and analysis of vessel tracking data. All of those interviewed said that there was insufficient food on-board vessels, 94 percent had restricted access to clean water, and 81 percent had witnessed or experienced physical violence. Furthermore, 92 percent had seen fish illegally dumped at sea, 81 percent stated they had witnessed their captains illegally entering waters reserved for canoe fishers, 64 percent had seen the illegal targetting and capture of non-target species, and 53 percent testified to the use of illegally adapted fishing gears.
The picture which emerges, EJF claims, is one of systemic corruption enabling illegal fishing and human rights abuses to go unreported and unpunished in the country’s waters, with almost 90 percent of crew interviewed witnessing corruption from authorities. EJF believes that the web of corruption is so deep and entangled that sustainability and the defence of human rights is impossible without substantial reforms.
The Ghanaian Government, particularly the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, can reverse this and ensure sustainable fisheries; but it must act by building on its laudable recent positive actions to reform parts of the industry, according to the report.
Steve Trent, EJF CEO and Co-Founder, said: “In recent months, the Minister of Fisheries, Mavis Hawa Koomson, has taken several positive actions and these are to be applauded. However, the extent of illegal fishing and corruption in Ghana’s fisheries across its largely foreign-owned industrial fleets remains highly damaging, presenting a direct threat to the livelihoods and food security of millions of Ghanaians, and threatening the collapse of Ghana’s fisheries. The illegal targetting and landing of small pelagic species and juvenile fish completely undermines the livelihoods and food security of millions of small-scale fishers.
“Although the need to act is urgent, the Ghanaian Government can take practical, cost-effective measures to ensure sustainable, transparent fisheries. Stronger oversight actions to tackle illegal fishing and an end to illegal landings will have immediate, lasting benefits for all Ghanaians.”
A new version of the GH1 coin with improved security measures has been introduced, according to the Bank of Ghana (BoG).
“The upgraded GH¢1 coin is bi-metallic with an outer gold and inner silver. The coin has a pronounced rough edge and incorporates a latent image, which appears in a rectangular form below the Scale of Justice at the back,” parts of a statement issued by the BoG read.
Ordinary, this announcement should be welcomed news to Ghanaians because it will help prevent fraud and help ensure that the country’s currency is secured.
But Ghanaians on social media are not taking the announcement of the new GH¢1 coin, which will be in circulation from Monday, December 12, 2022, well.
Some Tweeps have been questioning the time of the move by the BoG and the amount it might have cost the country, given the current economic hardships.
“Useless people, how much will this cost us huh? as for Nana Addo the least said about him the better,” one Twitter user wrote.
Some also said that the BOG should focus on stabilising the value of the Ghana cedi rather than issuing new currencies.
“Under Akufo Addo our currency has depreciated badly n he has introduced new denominations new features on our currency n wiping out some…what development paaa will this bring to the nation, of what benefit is this…Total waste,” another Ghanaian wrote.
The executive director of the Alliance for Social Equity ‘ASEPA’, Mensah Thompson, has cautioned that, worse days may be experienced by Ghanaians in 2023.
Speaking on the recent 2023 budget read by the finance minister, Ken Ofori Atta, the director asserted that, the policies in the budget presented provide no relief for Ghanaians, but rather unprepared hardship.
He also cautioned the government to focus on restructuring the Ghanaian economy, rather than suppressing the freedom of speech in the country, and making unnecessary arrests, citing the case of Kwaku Rafiki, a social media activist who was arrested over comments he made on social media.
“When you read the 2023 budget, Ghanaians should prepare for the worse, right now, this is the advice that we will give to Ghanaians: when you’re preparing, prepare for the worse, because the next few years, especially 2 years, its going to be a very crucial and difficult year for the people of this country.
“Already we have started seeing the consequences, and the 2023 budget, there is nothing in the budget that shows that this government, is ready to tackle problems facing Ghanaians, difficulties, crises in the nation. If not, he won’t run a deficit of 61 billion in times of a crises. This means that the government doesn’t care about our problems,” Mensah Thompson said.
“This is not the time for unnecessary witch hunting, this is not the time for an attack on free speech,” he added. “I use your medium to condemn the needless arrest of Kwaku Rafiki, a social media activist, because he said something and he was arrested; it is purely unnecessary and unacceptable.”
Mensah Thompson made these comments when he appeared on Critical Issues on UTV.
Former President Mahama’s special aide, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, has described the Akufo-Addo government as “clueless” when it comes to the current economic turmoil and reducing the worsening plight of Ghanaians.
According to her, this government is to be blamed for the high cost of living, inflation, corruption among others and ought to find measures in resolving them.
Speaking on the Good Morning Ghana show monitored by GhanaWeb, she indicated that government lacked sensitivity when it comes to the current cost of living which continues to worsen.
“… for an administration that was propelled to this level of popularity on the back of demonstrations in regards to the reduction of VAT, it is mind-boggling that today we speak about a 2.5 per cent increment. Ghanaians know what the difference is. VAT is now 15 per cent. Go out to the market and see how businesses are closing down, letting staff go because they can no longer afford to pay them, buy one item and see the number of taxes on it.
“There is nothing such as burden sharing and there is nothing about the government taking responsibility, there is nothing about any sensitivity on the part of government. Government is currently clueless regarding what to do.” She said on Good Morning Ghana
She added, looking at the state of the economy, “Ghana is ranked at par with Sri Lanka and yet the government is increasing the contingency vault from where it was to GHC1.4 billion, a figure larger for all the ministries put together at the time where Ghana is almost at a standstill.”
Ghana Black Stars have once again failed to live up to expectations and have left Ghanaians in shambles as a result.
Ghana faced Uruguay today in the ongoing World Cup tournament with hopes of progressing to the round of 16.
Just as hopes were built, dreams came crashing down when Uruguay tossed and ravaged Ghana.
What was to be a revenge game turned into an eyesore, particularly when captain Andre Ayew missed a penalty that would have put Ghana in a lead position.
Luis Suarez’s side scored a few minutes after Dede Ayew missed a penalty in the 21st minute.
G. de Arrascaeta took advantage of a confusion that hit Ghana and scored in the 26th minute.
Arrascaeta doubled his side’s dominance in the 32nd minute.
Ghana’s defense proved to be porous.
Uruguay’s victory however did not materialize as they missed the bullseye, which is a place in the round of 16.
South Korea ensured Uruguay’s absence when they won their game against Portugal which took place simultaneously.
South Korea beat Ronaldo’s side by two goals to one. Portugal led Group H with 6 points.
South Korea and Uruguay followed with 4 points. Ghana was at the bottom with 3 points.
The producer of award-winning film Borga, which has just started streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime, has told the BBC that its reception was markedly different in Ghana and Germany – the two countries in which it is set.
“The film is a Ghanaian film in that it is in Twi, but it’s not a typical Ghanaian film in that it’s not a slap-stick comedy; it’s not a supernatural comedy; it’s not a romantic comedy – it’s an emotionally driven film about subject matter that is very dear to Ghanaians,” Danny Damah says.
It has allowed Ghanaians to see themselves on the big screen following a widespread ambition to travel overseas – in this case to Germany “where the Western dream is actually a nightmare”, he says.
“Borga” is a word used to describe a Ghanaian who has travelled abroad and returns, trying to keep up a lavish lifestyle.
Damah says the word is short for Hamburg, a city in Germany: “In the 80s there were so many Ghanaiansthat migrated to Hamburg and when they returned to Ghana they were obviously very wealthy and really showed off their gains.”
The film was inspired by German director York-Fabian Raabe’s visit to Ghana 12 years ago as well as the 2012 hit Borga Borga by Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie, which explores these migration issues.
For audiences in Germany, the scenes of Borga set in the Agbogbloshie electric waste dump site in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, have been an eye-opener.
Danny DamahCopyright: Danny Damah
Danny Damah says it is rare for Ghanaians to see locations like Agbogbloshie on the big screenImage caption: Danny Damah says it is rare for Ghanaians to see locations like Agbogbloshie on the big screen
Germany refers to Ghana as a “digital dumping ground” and is one of the biggest producers of toxic e-waste sent to the West African country, Damah says.
The movie tells the story of brothers Kojo and Yoofi, who grew up on Agbogbloshie. To make ends meet, they extract valuable metals by burning the dumped devices – and one of them eventually makes it to Germany.
Filming the scenes in Agbogbloshie were the most difficult but the most powerful as it is rare to see locations like this in the cinema, Damah says.
“It’s a very toxic area to be in. We’d go there in the morning and by evening time we would have changed about four different industrial masks throughout the day, and we would have to wash and rinse our eyes and wash our skin. It was just so horrible. And we had to do this for a couple of weeks.
“Agbogbloshie looks like an apocalyptic neighbourhood but you’re seeing it in real life – even though it’s cinematic, it’s a little gut wrenching to actually know that people have to do this for a living.”
In order to preserve our culture and traditions, Ghanaians should speak their native tongues, this is according to Nana Opare Kwafo I, the Kyedomhene of Aburi Atwiasin.
The traditional chief believed that because language is an integral element of culture, Ghanaians, especially the younger generation, would learn much more about their culture and tradition if they spoke their native languages.
The suggestions were given by Nana Opare Kwafo during his speech at the inaugural Home Builders Africa Awards, which took place over the weekend at the Ohene Konadu Auditorium of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).
He noted that it was absurd for anyone to believe that using one’s mother tongue is embarrassing because in Ghana today, people only speak English at home and in public settings.
Nana argued that Ghanaians in metropolitan areas are more familiar with the customs and cultures of other nations than those of their own because they speak English when they interact with one another, this, he said, is a disturbing trend.
He emphasized that if the dominant culture is foreign, the younger generations will grow up either forgetting or not knowing about Ghana’s culture and traditions.
“Speaking in our native tongues will help our country advance, so let’s adopt this practice. There are several nations that do not speak English in addition to their own tongue, like China where they speak their own language. It is imperative that we start speaking Twi in everything we do in order to preserve the cultural values and beliefs of the nation,” the chief declared.
Meanwhile, Nana Opare Kwarfo received the “International Humanitarian Hero” award from the Home Builders Africa Awards.
He used the opportunity to thank the Home Builders Africa Awards organizers for taking the initiative to acknowledge the significance and relevance of people and companies that are making various contributions to creating tranquil homes.
The event, which was organized by Build Forward Africa with support from AfCFTA’s Young Entrepreneurs Federation (AfYEF), was focused on creating a strong home from the ground up so that it could be inhabited and lived in.
Abel Antonio Cardenas Tuppia, the Peruvian ambassador to Ghana, Dr. Chris Agyemang, the president of Taabea Group, and Jane Reason Akushika Ahadzi, the CEO of Stopover JRA Enterprise, were among dignitaries in attendance at the occasion.
Dr Kyeremeh Atuahene, Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, has warned Ghanaians against engaging in transactional sex.
Speaking to Joy FM, the AIDS Commission boss said Ghana’s target of achieving zero HIV infections by 2030 is achievable, but only if the youth of the country desist from transactional and commercial sexual activities.
“Some young people see sex as a means of making income. We have hookups, which entail young men and women offering themselves as sexual providers to sugar mummies and daddies. All these expose them to HIV/Aids,” he said.
According to Dr Atuahene, HIV, unlike other diseases such as COVID-19 and tuberculosis, is contracted through deliberate actions, hence the need for the youth to be cautious in their sexual escapades.
“Nobody can force the pathogen into your body. You decide to have sex and it does not come out of the blue,” he noted.
He also urged the youth to practice abstinence and safe sex, while noting the availability of HIV/AIDS treatment.
In the first half of 2022, 495 Ghanaians tested positive for HIV.
The figure represents two per cent of the total number of 948, 094 who got tested for HIV within the period in review.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has said that Ghanaians made a mistake by voting out his government in the 2016 presidential elections.
According to him, in spite of the achievements of his government, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was able to convince Ghanaians that he was incompetent, which led to his being booted out of office.
Mahama, who made these remarks while addressing constituency and regional executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Upper West Region, added that Ghanaians are now suffering the consequences of the wrong choice they made in 2016.
“Whatever happens in this country affects everybody. When we make a wrong choice, it affects us not today, but tomorrow and tomorrow next, and next year and the year after.
“We made that wrong choice in 2016. Despite everything we did, the people of Ghana were convinced that we were incompetent, and so they voted against us. And the effects of that decision in 2016 are continuing to follow us every day till now,” he said.
Mahama also said that Ghanaians should not accept the excuses of the government that the Russia-Ukraine war and the COVID-19 pandemic are what caused the hardship in the country.
He implied that the government’s poor management is causing unprecedented hardships for Ghanaians.
The former president, therefore, urged the executives of the party, from the polling stations to the national level, to work hard to rescue Ghanaians from the current NPP government.
The Alliance for Social Equality and Public Accountability (ASEPA) has asked the government to rescind its decision to purchase oil from the world market using gold.
Instead, it called on the government to put in place measures to strengthen the local currency that had depreciated against the US dollar by 50 per cent this year.
Mr Mensah Thompson, Executive Director of ASEPA who made the call, said barter trading gold for oil would deplete the country’s forest reserve.
He said this while addressing a news conference on the 2023 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government, in Accra, on Monday.
The government last week disclosed that it intends to purchase oil from the world market using gold instead of the dollar due to the depreciation of the Cedi against the US dollars.
Official data also shows that Ghana’s gross international reserves have fallen from $9.7 billion at the end of 2021 to around $6.6 billion at the end of September 2022.
Mr Thompson explained that gold was a commodity which had an extremely high price volatility on the world market and indicated that should the value of the commodity (gold) decline on the world market, government would require more gold to make the purchase.
“The sad situation about this is that Ghana has an oil refinery which has been abandoned since 2017.”
He added that: “The volatility of gold prices set another stage for the fast depletion of the mineral resources the country has if the prices of the commodity fall.”
Mr Mensah Thompson also urged the government to revise the 2.5 per cent VAT rate as maintaining the current rate would worsen the already precarious economic situation of Ghanaians.
He said: “Inflation is currently at 40.4 per cent, Producer Price Index sits at 61.7 per cent, the 2.5 per cent increase in VAT would skyrocket prices even further in such a precarious situation which would fuel inflation to unprecedented levels.
“In response to the skyrocketed inflation in 2023, the Central Bank would automatically increase the Policy Rate to curb inflation, this would worsen cost of borrowing in 2023, people would not be able to borrow due to the high interest costs, those who would be able to borrow risk falling into a debt trap, NPL sitting on the books of banks would skyrocket leading this country into a recession.”
He also emphasized the need for the government to cut down on expenditure to avoid incurring more debt.
The government, among other things, froze recruitment, purchasing vehicles and printing calendars to cut down on its expenditure.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, wants the government to be open and candid with Ghanaians as its negotiation with the International Monetary Fund nears completion.
Mr. Bagbin said the government must bring all Ghanaians on board to find solutions to the challenges.
Speaking to journalists in Ho in the Volta Region, Mr. Bagbin said the Finance Ministry must show openness in all its dealings.
“The absence of openness and transparency can lead to suspicion and a profound sense of despair and hopelessness. It is in this regard that I call on the Minister of Finance to muster the courage to be candid, open and to speak truth to power,” he said.
“Don’t come and repeat what we have been told already, We know it. Give us policy alternatives,” Mr. Bagbin added.
Critics of the government have accused it of not being forthright about the country’s finances.
The opposition National Democratic Congress, for example, accused the government of fiscal recklessness and creative accounting as Ghana’s economic crisis took shape.
The government is currently seeking $3 billion from the International Monetary Fund to support the economy.
The government sought the International Monetary Fund’s support months after being urged by the opposition to do so amid worsening inflation and forex challenges.
Before going to the International Monetary Fund, the government had claimed it was on sound financial ground and did not need International Monetary Fund support.
The Ministry of Interior has declared Friday, December 2, 2022, as a public holiday to be observed by Ghanaians across the country.
“The general public is hereby reminded that Friday, December 2, 2022, which marks Farmers’ Day, is a Statutory Public holiday and should be observed as such throughout the country,” the Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery, in a statement said.
The first Friday in December every year is set aside in Ghana to honour and recognise farmers and fisher folk in the various regions, for their efforts in the promotion of agriculture.
Last year’s National Farmers’ Day was celebrated in Cape Coast in the Central Region.
The farmers reaffirmed that a box of eggs will now cost 45 Ghana cedis on their farms.
The association’s Public Relations Office (PRO), Mr. Asiedu Kwame, warned the Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm that the country’s chicken business would collapse if the association failed to sell it at the aforementioned price.
He pleaded with Ghanaians to be patient as the cost of doing business continues to rise, and failure to raise the price would jeopardize their operations.
A former legislator, Fuseini Issah, has called on Ghanaians to be patient with the 2023 budget and the new policies announced in them.
While he believes the budget largely meets the needs of Ghanaians, Mr. Issah assured that the government would be open to feedback on its new policies.
“You try to implement it [policy], you get feedback, you put the feedback into the system until you perfect the policy,” the former MP said on The Big Issue on Citi TV.
“It is not the case that every policy, right on the onset, we are going to get right. It is a process, but what we need to do is put in the feedback and perfect the policies over time.”
“So these are really evolving things that we should be looking at as a nation,” Mr. Issah added.
Among the new policies proposed in the budget, which is likely to be implemented under an IMF programme, will be a freeze on public sector employment and new tax measures as the government moves to cut down expenditure and boost revenue.
Among the notable proposals, the Electronic Transfer Levy headline rate is to be reduced to 1 percent, Value Added Tax will be increased from 12.5 percent to 15 percent, the benchmark discount policy is to be fully phased out in 2023 and an additional income tax bracket of 35 percent is to be introduced.
The review of the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) was received with disappointment by some Cape Coast residents in the Central Region, and they renewed their requests for the government to rescind the policy entirely.
They bemoaned that the already shaky economy would not be improved by the proposed revision of the revenue collection policy.
The E-Levy was implemented by the government in 2022 as part of efforts to boost revenue. It is a 1.5 percent deduction from a set list of electronic transactions with a daily threshold of 100 Cedis.
In view of this, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, while presenting the 2023 budget in Parliament on Thursday, November 24, announced a reduction in the rate of the policy from 1.5 percent to one percent without the threshold.
The review, among other fiscal and austerity measures, is targeted at salvaging the country’s southbound economy.
This means that subject to approval by Parliament, Ghanaians will pay E-Levy of one percent on all affected forms of transactions despite the amount involved.
Speaking to some citizens on the development, they expressed disappointment at the policy and questioned the sensitivity of government to their plights.
Madam Abigail Mensah, a trader at the Kotokuraba Market, said she did not want the policy in any form and that it must be scrapped off immediately.
“Already, we can barely afford to feed ourselves and our families and the best government can do is to push us off the cliff with taxes?” she queried with a visibly livid expression.
Comparing the E-levy in its current form to the proposed review, Madam Lordina Ackah, also a trader, preferred it to be left untouched because the percentage removed was an insult.
In an interesting twist, another market woman, Madam Gertrude Dadzie who also called for the levy to be scrapped, suggesting that the government found better means of easing the plight of Ghanaians.
A taxi driver, Mr Francis Awotwe, called on the government to cancel the E-Levy and bring back the tollbooths.
Lamenting the hardship in the economy, he said he made nothing from his taxi business because every money he made went into buying fuel.
“I buy a gallon of petrol for more than 80 Cedis and I do not make up to 300 Cedis in a day. How much do I give my car owner and how much do I take home to cater for my family?” he retorted.
“In spite of this, the government still wants to take away the small money I send to my poor old mother in the village.”
Meanwhile, some mobile money vendors have said the development would collapse their businesses even further.
Mr Nii Armah Tagoe indicated to the Ghana News Agency that his average daily profit of 80 Cedis had dropped to 20 Cedis since the introduction of the levy.
He said even though transactions conducted were not affected by E-Levy, customers’ activities had dropped significantly due to the lack of proper education on the policy.
“We have not made any profit since the E-Levy came and the trend now is that many people no more do withdrawals and deposits than money transfer.
“The review is worse, and it is going to kill us more,” he added.
Another vendor, Mr Ahmed Yussif, said he did not expect any significant effect on his business, adding that the impact, if any, would be felt after a month.
Former Deputy Communications Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu has alleged that holders of government bonds will not be paid any interest for the whole of 2023.
Speaking in an interview on Good Morning Ghana, monitored by GhanaWeb, Kwakye Ofosu also said that foreigners who have invested in government bonds will also see their investment slashed.
He urged Ghanaians who live on interest from bonds they have invested in to prepare themselves for a hard time because the ‘haircut’ the government has denied will be happening.
“It is almost cast in stone that external bondholders are going to suffer a 30 percent cut in their principal and a 20 percent cut in their coupon rate or interest rate. The maturity date for their bonds will be extended by 20 years.
“For domestic holders, for the whole of 2023 there will be no interest payment, In 2024 they will get 5 percent, (and) in 2025 they will get 10 percent. This is not what you agreed with them, this is a haircut,” he said.
He accused President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of lying to Ghanaians when he said his government would buy off government bonds at rates lower than their expected returns, i.e., “haircut on Government bonds.”
“… the president of Ghana has stood on national television and told us that there will be no haircuts. So even the credibility of this government is in tatters. You cannot believe what the president tells you,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance has announced the government is looking into the possibility of conducting a debt operation that will cover the terms of payments of principal and interest on public debts (government bonds) – ‘Haircut’.
The ministry indicated that the move will help reduce the pressure on the government’s budget and also make the nation’s debts sustainable.
In a press release dated November 24, 2022, the ministry added that it will announce details of the debt operation in due course.
A Deputy Communications Director of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Abdul Kamal Deen has said that the government acknowledges that times are hard for Ghanaians hence, drastic measures taken in the 2023 budget statement.
Speaking on the Big Issue with Roland Walker on TV3 Friday November 25 while discussing the budget presentation, he said regarding the embargo placed on employment into the public and civil service that it means “those who have reached retirement age must go for them to be replaced.”
He added “drastic measures needed to be introduced, times are are hard, we have had the president acknowledging that fact, Finance Minister acknowledging, Vice President acknowledging that we are not in normal times.”
The Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta announced in the 2023 budget a freeze on employment into the civil and public service.
He also said there shall be no new government agencies established in 2023.
He said these while presenting the budget in Parliament on Thursday November 23.
Mr Ofori-Atta said as a first step toward expenditure rationalisation, government has approved a number of directives which takes effect from January, 2023.
These are “All Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and State-Owned-Enterprises (SOEs) are directed to reduce fuel allocations to Political Appointees and heads of MDAs, MMDAs and SOEs by 50%. This directive applies to all methods of fuel allocation including coupons, electronic cards, chit system, and fuel depots. Accordingly, 50% of the previous years (2022) budget allocation for fuel shall be earmarked for official business pertaining to MDAs, MMDAs and SOEs;
“A ban on the use of V8s/V6s or its equivalent except for cross country travel. All
government vehicles would be registered with GV green number plates from
January 2023; Limited budgetary allocation for the purchase of vehicles. For the avoidance of doubt, purchase of new vehicles shall be restricted to locally assembled vehicles;
“Only essential official foreign travel across government including SOEs shall be
allowed. No official foreign travel shall be allowed for board members.”
The Finance Minister added “Accordingly, all government institutions should submit a travel plan for the year 2023 by mid-December of all expected travels to the Chief of Staff; As far as possible, meetings and workshops should be done within the official environment or government facilities; Government sponsored external training and Staff Development activities at the Office of the President, Ministries and SOEs must be put on hold for the 2023 financial year; Reduction of expenditure on appointments including salary freezes together with suspension of certain allowances like housing, utilities and clothing, etc.;
“A freeze on new tax waivers for foreign companies and review of tax exemptions for free zone, mining, oil and gas companies; A hiring freeze for civil and public servants, No new government agencies shall be established in 2023; There shall be no hampers for 2022; There shall be no printing of diaries, notepads, calendars and other promotional, merchandise by MDAs, MMDAs and SOEs for 2024; All non-critical project must be suspended for 2023 Financial year.”
Having presented the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Ghana to parliament in the last 6 years, the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has become known for one profound, unmistakable thing: quoting biblical scriptures.
Like the typical white attires that the minister has been synonymous with in his administration, many have always looked forward to which scripture he would state in his addresses to parliament.
And while he did not disappoint again this time, there was a new addition that perhaps, is the expectation that Ghanaians would be consoled by.
In his concluding words while presenting the 2023 budget to parliament, on Thursday, November 24, 2022, the minister shared some words in the local Ga language.
Not a typical reader of the Ga language, Ken Ofori-Atta attempted to read the words, ‘N) fiaa n) baa hi,’ to wit, ‘everything will be fine or alright.’
The consoling words from the minister were perhaps, intended to communicate to Ghanaians that regardless of the current economic downturns the country is faced with, there is light at the end of the dark tunnel.
Ghana has been at one of its lowest economically in many decades, with unprecedented statistics in such areas as the performance of the Ghana cedi to the US dollar, fuel prices, as well as debt to GDP figures.
A Deputy Ranking Member on Finance Committee in Parliament, Isaac Adongo has taken a dig at the government, following its announcement on cut in hampers, diaries and notepads usually printed by Municipal Metropolitan and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and State Owned Enterprises (SOEs).
Mr. Adongo stated that the country’s problems are way bigger than the cut in these frivolous items announced by the Finance Minister in the 2023 budget statement, on November 24, 2022.
He said the government failed to announce measures put in place to cushion Ghanaians against the hardships they are faced with.
“Ghana’s problems are not about cut in diaries and note pads printing, an economy where people’s businesses are collapsing, an economy where people are struggling to keep their families together. You will have a government that says that I will still put my hands in your pockets, and take twice as I took in 2022, even if your businesses are dying, I don’t care… He came and announced cut in diaries, notepads, and hampers, is the problem of our economy about diaries and hampers?,” he asked on Eyewitness News.
He wondered why the government in its 2023 budget refused to cut down on expenditure, which has taken a toll on the ailing economy.
The Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central Constituency in the Upper East Region, fumed on the Eyewitness News, “ordinarily, you would have expected that the government will reduce expenditures, so that the little that it raises, it will be able to manage and get you out of your difficulty.
He stressed, “I have never seen this group of people before, it’s quite clear why the Finance Minister doesn’t want to move. I can’t see any economy in trouble that doubles its expenditure. When we ask you if you are going to cut down on expenditure, you keep talking about diaries, how do diaries and hampers solve our problems?”.
2023 Budget
Presenting the budget, the Finance Minister said, “Mr. Speaker, grants to other government units are estimated at GH¢30,079 million, representing 3.8% of GDP. Mr. Speaker, Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) is projected at GH¢27.694 million representing 3.5% of GDP. Mr. Speaker, Other Expenditure, mainly comprising Energy Sector Levies (ESL) transfers and Energy Sector Payment Shortfalls is estimated at GH¢26,739 million”.
“Total Revenue and Grants is projected at GH¢143,956 million (18.0% of GDP) and is underpinned by permanent revenue measures – largely Tax revenue measures – amounting to 1.35 percent of GDP as outlined in the revenue measures. Mr. Speaker, Total Expenditure (including clearance of Arrears) is projected at GH¢205,431 million (25.6% of GDP). This estimate shows a contraction of 0.3 percentage points of GDP in primary expenditures (commitment basis) compared to the projected out turn in 2022 and a demonstration of Government’s resolve to consolidate its public finances,” Mr. Ofori-Atta stated in the 2023 budget.
“Mr. Speaker, Compensation of Employees is projected at GH¢44,990 million (5.6% of GDP). Mr. Speaker, Use of Goods and Services is also projected at GH¢8,048 million (1.0% of GDP). Mr. Speaker, Interest Payment is projected at GH¢52,550 million (6.6% of GDP),” the budget added.
The managing editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has bemoaned the instance of Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta staying at post despite the many calls for him to step down.
Speaking in an interview on Peace FM, monitored by GhanaWeb, Pratt wondered why the minister who claimed he resigned from the Data Bank on health grounds is healthy enough to be a minister of state.
He added that Ofori-Atta should resign because the position in the finance ministry is not his personal business.
“If I were Ofori-Atta, I would have resigned long ago. He said he works for free but he is refusing to resign. He said he resigned from Data Bank because of his health.
“And so if you cannot do the work at Data Bank because of your health, how is it that you are healthy enough to be the finance minister of the whole of Ghana,” he said in Twi.
The veteran journalist further stated that he still holds the view that sacking Ofori-Atta will not make any significate difference but it is time for him (the finance minister) to go.
“The minister can choose not to resign but he must know that his decision must meet the demands of Ghanaians because he is not running a private business,” he said.
Meanwhile, the government has indicated that it will present the 2023 budget in Parliament on Thursday, November 24, 2024. However, the person who presents the budget has become an issue.
This is because 98 MPs of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) have indicated that they will boycott the reading of the budget if Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is the one to present it.
Also, an ad hoc committee of Parliament set up to investigate a vote of censure motion against Ofori-Atta by National Democratic Congress MPs is expected to present its report to the house on Tuesday, November 22.
The ranking member of the Works and Housing committee of parliament, Vincent Oppong Asamoah, has cautioned private developers against buying the Saglemi Housing Project from the government.
According to him, the project will be taken from them when the NDC government assumes power if they go ahead to acquire it.
“We the minority are stating our position very clearly that we wouldn’t want any private developer to come in at all. In 2025 we are very confident that the NDC will form the next government, so any private developer that will partner the government to complete this project, project will be taken from them because it should remain affordable and the mortgage system.”
On November 13, 2022, the minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso Boakye, revealed that the government has decided to wash its hands off the Saglemi housing project to allow a private developer refurbish the housing units and sell them to potential owners.
The Saglemi housing project was started in 2012 under the NDC government to build 5000 housing units at affordable prices.
The project was meant to give Ghanaians affordable housing in a bid to bridge the housing deficit in the country.
However, the minority is against this development stating that they will resist any attempt by government to profit from poor taxpayers unduly as the government has not explained why the project should not be given to the public or civil service but instead of some faceless people.
The President of the Ghana Road Contractors Association of Ghana, John Afful, says most road projects in the country have stalled due to the non-payment of funds for already executed projects.
Ghanaians over the last few months have complained bitterly over the deteriorating nature of most roads in the country and some road projects which have been abandoned.
Despite some road projects progressing smoothly, several other roads have not received any facelift in the last few years, despite the government declaring 2021 as the year of roads.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, November 22, Mr Afful said the failure of the Ministry of Roads and Highways to pay contractors has saddled them with huge debts.
“Most road projects have stalled, and the contractors are not on-site, mainly because of non-payment of previous work done. If you go to the Road Fund of the Ministry of Roads and Highways, you will notice that there are huge arrears not paid to the contractors from as far back as 2016,” Mr Afful told sit-in host Nathan Quao.
He added, “It is something that is very worrisome that we are chasing, so when people go around, and they find out the projects are not being done, it is mainly because the projects are not being paid for, and it has affected all contractors in the country, and they have huge debts to pay.”
But the head of Public Relations at the Ministry of Roads and Highways, Ahmed Yartey, in a reaction said claims that all Government of Ghana-funded projects have stalled are not entirely factual.
According to him, some GoG-funded projects are progressing smoothly, however, due to inflation and increasing cost of living some projects have stalled.
“I can also say that about 95 percent of the asphalt overlay you see around are GoG-funded projects and not foreign-funded projects.”
Mr Yartey also admitted that some contractors are struggling with non-payment of already executed projects, but added that the government is putting in place measures to pay the contractors.
“Some local contractors are struggling, I will not say it is not a fact some are going through it…prices have gone up, prices of bitumen are up and all those things affect road construction and the capital of contractors.”
Five suspects made up of three Nigerian nationals and 2 Ghanaians have been re-arrested after attempting to escape police custody.
The escapees were in detention following their arrest for various offences such as stealing mobile phones, and air-conditioners among others.
According to a Dailyguidenetwork.com report, the suspects made their move on Monday, November 21, 2022, at about 1 am with the help of a chisel and a hammer.
Their attempt was in a bid to evade court arraignment within the week.
The suspects succeeded in breaking the iron bars of the cell but saw their efforts thwarted by the officers on duty who became alarmed by the unusual noise emanating from the cells.
The Awutu Bereku Police Command has since rounded up the suspects and transferred them to a different police station for safekeeping pending their trial.
Five individuals made up of three Nigerians and two Ghanaians, who attempted to escape from police custody at the Awutu Bereku District Police Command have been re-arrested.
The five suspects who had been behind bars for various offences ranging from stealing mobile phones, and air-conditioners among others attempted to break the cell where they were being kept around 1 am on Monday morning with a chisel and a hammer but the intervention of officers on duty prevented them from escaping.
A Citi News source said the suspects were due for court this week, but attempted to escape to avoid a jail term.
The individuals according to sources were almost through with their escape plan as they had already broken the metal bars of the cell but were re-arrested by the officers on duty who heard a loud noise from the cells and decided to check only to find out that the suspects were almost done with their escape plan.
They were subsequently re-arrested and taken to a different cell. Officers on duty have, however, refused to comment on the issue.
Dr Amoako Baah, a leading member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has stated that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is unconcerned about the difficulties Ghanaians are facing.
Speaking in a Neat FM interview monitored by GhanaWeb, Dr Baah said that all the president cares about is the pageantry that comes with the presidency.
Dr Baah, who was reacting to viral pictures of the president with the British monarch, King Charles III during his private visit to the UK, said that Akufo-Addo only wants to be like Ghana’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
“This is what he (Akufo-Addo) likes (meeting powerful people). He is called Nana Show boy. He likes beautiful things. He wants to be a statesman.
“In spite of the fact that Nkrumah was the one who locked up his grandfather, he really likes him (Nkrumah). And so, he wants to be like Nkrumah in everything he does. He wants to be like a stateman; standing in front of people and giving speeches and so on, that is what he likes to do,” he said in Twi.
“The thing is that Nana Addo does not have the genes of the NPP in him… Because why will someone like a person who locked up his grandfather which led to his death?
“He (Akufo-Addo) does not have a good character. His grandfather died bitterly at the hands of Nkrumah but that does not disturb him. He only wants to be a show boy just as Nkrumah was,” he added.
President Akufo-Addo has asked Ghanaians to keep with his government to turn the current economic crisis around.
He said his government are determined to change the situation.
According to him, the citizenry will soon witness results from some of the decisions and actions taken to ameliorate the problems.
The President said his engagements with relevant institutions and agencies are part of moves to address the current economic hardship.
“I know times are hard. But whatever we need to do to bring the nation out of the state it is in is being done. We are confident that we will soon come out of it.”
“Just keep faith with us and pray with us. All will be well,” he told congregants at the Presbyterian Church of Ghana Akyem Abuakwa Presbytery on the occasion of the Centenary Thanksgiving Service and Dedication of Centenary Complex in Kyebi on Sunday.
Recently, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, apologised to Ghanaians for the hardship being suffered in recent times.
According to him, the brunt borne by the populace due to the ongoing economic turmoil is unfortunate.
He said this when he appeared before the Ad-hoc Committee that heard the motion of censure against him.
“Let me use this opportunity to say to the Ghanaian people what I believe, with courage, every Finance Minister around the world may wish to say to their people now. I am truly sorry,” he told the Committee.
The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta has expressed fear that the cedi will continue to be under pressure if Ghanaians’ taste for imported goods is not ceased.
Mr. Ofori-Atta advised Ghanaians to as a matter of urgency change their voracious appetite for imported goods.
It is estimated that majority of the country’s products are imported from other countries.
The local currency has taken a downturn in the past months, with prices of goods and services, fuel among other consumables soaring high.
But appearing before the ad-hoc committee of Parliament on Friday, November 18, 2022, the Finance Minister indicated that the country does not earn much from imported products which require foreign exchange.
“Hon. Co-Chairs, it is time to have an honest national conversation on the patterns of expenditure as a people. Our preference for imported goods, which requires foreign exchange that we do not earn enough of, implies that our cedi will continue to be under pressure. It has become clear that we cannot continue in a business-as-usual mode. We have to significantly change our consumption,” he advised.
Ghana spends billions of cedis annually to import products from other countries.
Ghana imports mostly industrial supplies, capital and consumer goods and foodstuffs. Its main import partners are China, the United States, Belgium, the United Kingdom and France.
Former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Koku Anyidoho, has praised Ghanaians for their high sense of humour despite the current economic condition in the country.
Anyidoho, who was reacting to a video of some market women dancing to music composed from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s famous quotes during his recent address to the nation, “Sika Mp Dede,” said that one of the reasons he loves Ghana is its humour.
In a tweet shared on Friday, November 18, 2022, the former NDC deputy general secretary added that it is his wish that he will be Ghanaian again in the next world.
“I’ve not stopped laughing since I saw this of Ghana. I can’t stop loving Ghana because of our great sense of humor. I pray to God that in the next world I will still be a Ghanaian,” parts of the tweet read.
The woman singing the ‘Sika Mpɛ Dede’ song was skilfully using previous pronouncements made by both Akufo-Addo and ex-President John Dramani Mahama to give hope to Ghanaians.
Market women and other persons passing by could not help but joyfully dance to the music.
President Akufo-Addo came under some criticism when he said the speculation was Ghanaians is the main reason for the depreciation of Ghana’s currency (the Ghana Cedi); saying ‘Sika Mpɛ Dede’ literally translates: money does not like noise.
According to him, the change in expenditure pattern will ease the pressure on the cedi as goods would be patronized from local manufacturers.
He called on Ghanaians to invest in local businesses to enhance their production capacity for exports.
Appearing before the ad hoc committee in parliament on Friday, November 18, 2022, Ken Ofori-Atta said, “It is time to have honest conversations on the patterns of expenditure as a people, our preference for imported goods which require foreign exchange that we do not earn enough of implies our cedi will continue to be under pressure.”
“It has become clear that we cannot continue in a business usual mode, we have to significantly change our consumption patterns and support investments in local capacity for production and export,” he added.
The cedi has in recent times depreciated against major trading currencies.
In a Bloomberg report, it makes the total loss of the cedi in 2022 almost 52%, the highest recorded in 22 years.
The free fall of the cedi now places the currency at the 148 position of worst performing currencies in the world.
Meanwhile, on the interbank forex rates from the Bank of Ghana, the cedi is trading against the dollar at a buying price of 13.0991 and a selling price of 13.1123.
Against the Pound Sterling, the Cedi is trading at a buying price of 15.4216 and a selling price of 15.4462
A communications team member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kafui Amegah, has chided the Minister for Works and Housing Francis Asenso Boakye over the proposed sale of the Saglemi Affordable Housing Project.
According to him, it does not make sense for the government to sell the Saglemi Housing Project only to invest proceeds in another affordable housing unit.
“The Works and Housing Minister should not joke with Ghanaians. The Minister and his advisors should put off the idea as it doesn’t make sense. Gov’t should find money and complete the project and not take Ghanaians for granted.”
“Selling the Saglemi Affordable Housing Project doesn’t make sense. I am pained at this sort of thing. The taxpayer’s money was used to construct over 1,500 housing units and now you want to sell them because you don’t have the money to complete it? Does the private person have more money than the government? Many people in the NPP do not agree with the Minister’s idea to privatize the Saglemi project so he should stop it now,” Kafui Amegah exclusively told Kwaku Owusu Adjei(Patoo) on Adwenekasa on Accra-based Original FM 91.9
“They are many security agencies in Ghana like Police, Prisons whose personnel do not have any place to stay so why don’t you give them a place to stay? he quizzed.
Kafui Amegah asserts that instead of government selling off the Saglemi Housing Project, it should free up monies used in running ministries and departments, slash government expenditures, and use those monies to complete the project.
Background
Government has decided to wash its hands off the Saglemi Housing Project to allow a private developer to refurbish the housing units and sell them to potential owners, according to the Ministry of Works and Housing.
Sector Minister, Francis Asenso Boakye revealed this at a meet-the-press session in Accra on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
He said the government is exhausted and handicapped and can’t commit further to the Saglemi project.
On this basis, “we’re allowing for a private sector developer to take up the initiative to build and sell the housing units,” he said.
The Minister asserted that “a committee will be commissioned to guide the process and ensure transparency in the bidding process”.
Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe, a founding member of the New Patriotic Party, has wondered why President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is hesitant to dismiss Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, despite calls from NPP lawmakers.
According to him, this can be interpreted to mean that, the finance minister is sitting on some rot the president trusts that he is the only one who can fully protect.
He noted that a new minister might expose what the president and the finance minister are hiding from Ghanaians.
Speaking on Accra-based Joy FM, the former soldier added his voice to the numerous calls for the dismissal of the minister.
He said, after the minister had bragged that Ghana is a sovereign nation and it is capable of managing its own affairs and does not need any external help, he would have resigned the very day Ghana decided to seek support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“So you ask yourself, why is he still there? When a person is in position and the populace says ‘we’ve had enough of you, go away’ and still he wants to be there, the simple thing that should come to the mind of any ordinary Ghanaian is that he is sitting on the rot. When he’s not there, we’ll see how massive that rot is,” Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe explained.
When asked who Ofori-Atta is covering up for, Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe said, “Who is the appointing authority of this country? And has the President approved of his removal?
“The President should have asked him to go away. Here we have a situation where even an ordinary person in the streets says, ‘Ofori Atta must leave’.”
Three Nkrumahist political parties have kick-started talks to join forces to wrestle power from the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The three Nkrumahist parties are the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Progressive People’s Party (PPP) and the People’s National Convention (PNC).
The National Chairman of the PPP, Nana Ofori Owusu, gave this hint on Accra 100.5 FM’s 6 a.m. news on Wednesday, November 16, 2022.
According to him, there is a need for the Nkrumahist parties to unite to prosecute the 2024 general elections with one accord.
The Nkrumahist political parties are parties that believe in the ideologies and principles of Ghana’s first President Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
He charged that the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is not a reliable alternative as he decried how abysmally the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has managed the affairs of the country under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
He asserted that the NPP/NDC will not take Ghanaians anywhere, adding that it is only the Nkrumahist party that has the track record of driving the country’s industrialisation agenda as evidenced in the First Republic.
Government Spokesperson on Governance and Security, Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, has expressed optimism for Ghana’s economy to rebound soonest despite the prevailing economic challenges.
Palgrave Boakye-Danquah assured Ghanaians that the Akufo-Addo-led government would leverage the economic policy initiatives to drive growth and prosperity.
The government, he indicated, had outlined a series of economic measures, including seeking the assistance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in the short term, to help repair our finances.
The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Palgrave Boakye-Danquah stated, had greatly compromised the country’s economy.
He stated that “the government would revive and revitalize the country’s economy and put it back on the path of rapid growth,” Palgrave Boakye-Danquah exclusively told Kwaku Owusu Adjei (Patoo) on Adwenekasa on Accra-based Original FM 91.9.
He attributed the situation to “so many malevolent forces,” which he said have come together at the same time to cause the current economic turmoil bedeviling the country.
He mentioned that no party in Ghana has displayed the organizational skills and capacity that the NPP has.
Ghanaians say the government and ordinary citizens share responsibility for fighting climate change, the latest Afrobarometer survey shows. While fewer than half of citizens have heard of climate change, a majority of those who are aware of the phenomenon say it is making life in the country worse and requires urgent government action.
Citizens also call on other key stakeholders – including business and industry, developed countries, and ordinary citizens – to do a lot more to limit climate change.
Key findings
▪In Ghana, 44% of adults say they have heard of climate change (Figure 1).
▪ Among Ghanaians who are aware of climate change:
o Six out of 10 (60%) say it is making life worse, a 12-percentage-point increase since 2020 (Figure 2).
o More than three-fourths say that ordinary citizens can help curb climate change (77%) and believe that the government needs to take immediate action to limit climate change, even if it causes some job losses or other harm to the economy (87%) (Figure 3).
o Views are divided as to whether the government (43%) or ordinary citizens (42%) have the primary responsibility for fighting climate change and limiting its impact.
Far fewer place this responsibility mainly on business and industry (9%), rich or developed countries (3%), and traditional leaders (2%) (Figure 4).
o But a slim majority (53%) say the government is performing “fairly badly” or “very badly” in handling climate change (Figure 5).
o Strong majorities say the government (81%), business and industry (74%), developed countries (69%), and citizens (67%) “need to do a lot more” to limit climate change (Figure 6).
Afrobarometer surveys
Afrobarometer is a pan-African, non-partisan survey research network that provides reliable data on African experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life.
Eight survey rounds in up to 39 countries have been completed since 1999. Round 9 surveys (2021/2022) are currently underway. Afrobarometer’s national partners conduct face-to-face interviews in the language of the respondent’s choice.
The Afrobarometer team in Ghana, led by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development, interviewed a nationally representative sample of 2,369 adult Ghanaians in April 2022. A sample of this size yields country-level results with a margin of error of +/-2 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.
Previous surveys were conducted in Ghana in 1999, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2017, and 2019.
