TIG Post

Tag: Government

  • Government urged to check discretionary spending

    Professor Lord Mensah, a political strategist and marketer at the University of Ghana Business School, has urged the government to control its discretionary expenditure and focus on spending on projects that will keep the country afloat.

    He explained that the construction of the Agenda 111 project to build hospitals across the country, should not necessarily build 111 hospitals across the nation but ration expenditure to ensure the country was kept afloat.

    “I expect the government to look at statistical data regarding discretionary spending, so it does not necessarily have to provide 111 hospitals,” Prof. Mensah said.

    Bright Simons, Vice President of IMANI Africa, noted that the Minister of Finance must admit failings with some of the policies that were resisted in Parliament, especially the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) since investors would be looking at whether the government made the recognitions or they just engaged in posturing.

    “Ken Ofori-Atta must also be humble and admit domestic programmes are not doing well as they stated it will because some of that will be an acknowledgement of revenue handles that they are talking about and their performance.

    “Where I will be most interested in whether or not is sufficiently candid in admitting some of the policy restrictions that were fiercely resisted are also having a negative effect, not just they are under-performing, I think E-levy has a cross effect on other revenue mentions because of its impacts on sentiments.

    “We are going to start seeing that in Consumption Taxes, so, some of us will be looking very closely at VAT and its performance, Corporate Taxes and its out turn, whether the government recognises it is beginning to lose credibility as being capable of taking decisions in good faith or simply posturing.

    “If investors get the view they are posturing, they do not tend to tackle issues fundamentally different, they will not be able to achieve their most important policy objectives right now which is to reduce cost of our debt and if they do not bring down the international rate it will affect everything else,” Mr Simons indicated.

    Joe Jackson, a Financial Analyst and Chief Operations Officer at Dalex Finance, asked the government to cut spending on some programmes especially the feeding component of the free Senior High School (SHS) because the country was broke.

     

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Budget trebled for North rail improvements

    The government has committed to trebling the money being pumped into upgrading rail links between Manchester, Leeds and York.

    Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced between £9bn and £11.5bn for the Transpennine Route Upgrades, which had been a £2.9bn project.

    He said the extra cash would enable the full route to be electrified, cutting journey times to just over an hour.

    Mr Shapps said it would “revolutionise” the journey across the Pennines.

    He added: “This is the single biggest investment any government has ever made in Britain’s railways.”

    Critics said the promise had come too late and demanded more action to bring down “rip-off” ticket prices.

    The improvements, expect to take between 10-15 years, would see a journey from Manchester to Leeds take just over 30 minutes, instead of up to an hour, the government said.

    • Multi-billion-pound rail upgrade scheme approved
    • Rail improvements in north to get £600m kick-start
    • HS2 rail extension to Leeds scrapped

    The line, connecting two of the UK’s largest and busiest cities, has long been criticised for its slow speeds and propensity for delays and other problems, in contrast to many key services in the south.

    Mr Shapps said the fresh plans would also see the route fitted with digital signalling as well as extra track, and would “address this historic lack of balance” between spending in the north and south.

    The minister said the upgrades could be delivered faster than previous plans to build a new line, and more cheaply.

    He said services had not “kept pace with the times” but the upgrades, set to begin next year, would make them more reliable, less crowded, better for the environment and more like commuting in and around London.

    He said the north would receive more investment per head than the Midlands or the south, which was “all part of our plan to level up the whole country”.

    Almost £1bn will be spent on the remaining electrification of the railway between Stalybridge and Manchester.

    The funding is the first detailed expenditure from the £96bn Integrated Rail Plan investment, Mr Shapps said.

    ‘Welcome funding’

    Tony Miles, from Modern Railways magazine, said: “It’s good news the government has formally committed the money needed to complete the project.

    “Network Rail now needs to keep a tight control on costs to make sure the project can be delivered.”

    However, Manuel Cortes, general secretary of transport union TSSA, said it was “yet another re-announcement of existing funding from a headline-seeking Transport Secretary”.

    He continued: “The funding is of course welcome, but if this government was serious about backing our railways, then it needs to do much more to tackle rip-off ticket prices and improve reliability and end-to-end journeys.”

    Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh said the northern economy had been held back by a “decade of broken promises” and plans to upgrade the line had already come too late.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Government invests US$17.5m to procure 100 buses for Metro Mass

    Government has procured one hundred (100) intercity buses at the cost of 17.5 million United States Dollars for the Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMTL) since 2017.

    According to the sector minister, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah “a total of 100 new intercity buses have so far been supplied to the MMTL at a total cost of US$17.5million. This was financed by the Government”.

    He again revealed that the government has also signed a contract with VDL Bus Roeselare for the supply of 100 intercity buses, spare parts, and training services.

    Under the same contract, a total of 50 broken down VDL buses at MMTL would be repaired to augment the fleet.

    He said “this Project is also being financed with a €25.49 million mixed credit facility from the Government of Belgium and Belfius Bank SA/NV.

    He made this known on the floor of Parliament on 1st March, 2022 when answering a Parliamentary question post by MP Adaklu, Kwame Governs Agbodza as to how many buses have been procured for the MMTL since 2017 and how much the buses cost and how it was funded.

    The Minister again noted that, “as I speak, the first batch of 45 buses are in production and expected to be delivered by the second quarter of this year.

    We are also pursuing other avenues to bring in more buses to revamp the operations of the MMTL. 

    Currently, Value for Money Assessment is being undertaken for the supply of 300 Hyundai Buses from Korea and additional 200 buses from China”.

    “We expect to add a total of 600 new buses within the short-medium term period”, he added.

    The Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMTL) as we all know, was established with an objective to provide intra-city, inter-urban and rural-urban bus services in the country.

    The policy framework for the financing and operations of the MMTL was that the Government will provide support for the acquisition of buses to enable MMTL to provide relatively cheaper and affordable mass transportation services to the public as a necessary social service.

    Source: gbcghanaonline.com

  • Government urged to constitute boards of statutory organisations

    Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Leader in Parliament, has called on the Government to, as matter of urgency, constitute the boards of the statutory organisations like the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETfund) and National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

    He said boards must also be constituted for District Assembly Common Fund and Ghana Road Fund as expected of the President.

    Mr Iddrisu, in a submission in Parliament on Wednesday, drew the attention of the Government on the effects of the delay, and urged it to quickly name the boards yet to be established.

    He described the issue as a matter of public importance and cited the Road Fund, that when properly constituted, would make Ghanaian contractors get their monthly releases.

    He said government had a responsibility to protect the Ghanaian private sector and that duty must be extended to Ghanaian contractors who the Road Fund owed.

    “Even if government cannot find money to pay them they should let the administrative machinery work,” Mr Iddrisu, the MP for Tamale South, said.

    “Why is the Road Fund Board not constituted, why is it not functioning, how do we expect contractors to survive…from January to now,” he queried.

    He asked the Government to explain why chief executives for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies had not yet been appointed by government.

    “I do not share the view that this function or roles be reduced to ministerial role. I cannot imagine the Minister of Education wanting to come to Parliament to present the GETfund… that would not be acceptable,” Mr Iddrisu said.

    “It must be the GETfund Board, solely constituted by the parent Act creating it”.

    Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Majority Leader, said the matter raised by the Minority Leader was of public importance, which the House must dialogue on.

    He called for further engagement with government to resolve the matter.

    Source: GNA

  • Stop worrying about votes and enforce laws – Opanyin Agyekum tells gov’t

    Dean of the School of Performing Arts of the University of Ghana, Professor Kofi Agyekum, popularly known as Opanyin Agyekum has partly blamed the government for the numerous road accidents in the country.

    The professor tasked that the government must be serious to crack the whip on drivers and motor riders misbehaving on the roads.

    Discussing road accidents on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’ programme on Wdnesday March 14, Opanyin Agyekum wondered why some people drive or ride with reckless abandon and yet go without any sanctions.

    To him, governments are too busy searching for votes but he believes should there be a government that will care less about votes but rather take bold decisions against bad habits, the nation will make a headway against road accidents and other challenges confronting the nation.

    “Until we have a bold government that will say, whether you vote for or against me; this is the way I want to do it, we will remain in this situation,” he said.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Government deploys smart workplace virtual working platform

    More than 300 government agencies are currently on the Smart Workplaceâ„¢ platform, which is supported by Government for use by all public institutions.

    A statement signed by Richard Okyere-Fosu, Acting Director-General, the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), which is carrying out the rollout of the Smart Workplaceâ„¢ said it was working to facilitate the onboarding of the next batch of agencies.

    The Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Communications and its implementing agency, NITA, is deploying the Smart Workplaceâ„¢ solution to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

    The pilot of the Smart Workplaceâ„¢ solution commenced in 2018. However, the Government accelerated its deployment in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic to enable public sector workers work remotely to reduce personal contact, curb the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safety of public servants.

    Commenting on the development, the Minister for Communications, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful urged public servants to utilize the platform, which is supported by Government, for use by all public institutions, especially during the pandemic period.

    “Changing our way of doing things is not easy but with practice, we will become more comfortable using these digital tools, and at such a time as this, Smart Workplace™ will help with the transition safely, without sacrificing speed and efficiency”, said Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful.

    She called on all public institutions to give NITA the necessary support to ensure a successful implementation of the project.

    The Smart Workplaceâ„¢ solution has over 19 features and several benefits. It provides Staff with a highly efficient virtual work environment with a single access point to all resources by interfacing with MDAs and MMDAs internal (in-house) systems.

    These include Enterprise Email, Calendar, Microsoft Teams (video conferencing), Document Management, Correspondence Management, and Electronic Memos.

    Others are Corporate News/Announcements, Enterprise Search, Task Management, Knowledge Management, and Workflow Automation.

    Other features include Business Intelligence and Analytics, Timesheet, Project Monitoring, Business Application Access, Notifications, Survey, Media Gallery and Mobile Access.

    Smart Workplaceâ„¢ can also automate manual business processes such as Leave schedules, Vehicle and Payment requests, as well as Stores Requisitions.

    NITA will submit forms to all MDAs and MMDAs for collation of information which will be used for onboarding of institutions onto the Smart Workplaceâ„¢ platform, the statement added.

    Source: GNA

  • Government seeks $166 million loan to buy armoured vehicles

    The government of Ghana is seeking a loan of over $166 million for the purchase of armoured cars.

    Government wants approval from Parliament after three separate agreements were laid before the House on Monday.

    The agreements were referred to a joint committee on Finance, Defence and Interior.

    An Oder Paper from Parliament shows the first facility is between the Ministry of Finance and Israel Discount Bank Limited for an amount of $166,120,000 to finance the supply of Armoured cars.

    Government is also seeking Parliamentary approval for a Commercial Loan Agreement from the same Israel Discount Bank for an amount of $12million for supply of Armoured vehicles.

    The third facility is a contract Agreement between Government of Ghana and Elbit Systems Land Limited of Israel.

    This, however, entails a deal for an amount of $80 million for supply of Armoured Vehicles to the Government of Ghana.

    Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul took charge of laying all three facilities before Parliament.

    Gov't seeks $166 million loan for the purchase of armoured vehicles

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • Government is determined to improve basic school infrastructure – MP

    Kwaku Ampratwum Sarpong, the Member of Parliament for Asante Mampong, has reiterated the government’s commitment to improving infrastructure at the basic school level.

    He said after much investment in the expansion of infrastructure at the senior high school level to cope with the increasing number of students following the implementation of the free senior high education programme, the government was now turning its attention to the basic level to strengthen the base of education.

    Mr Sarpong stated this at separate ceremonies to cut the sod for the construction of classroom blocks for the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) and New Daaman Basic schools in the Mampong municipality.

    The construction of the six-unit classroom block each for the schools by the Municipal Assembly was to ease congestion and also replace old classroom blocks in the schools.

    Mr Sarpong said the construction of the classroom blocks would help ease congestion and strengthen teaching and learning in the schools to improve outcomes.

    He asked the school management committees to work to protect and maintain the classroom blocks to prolong their lifespan.

    Mr Thomas Appiah Kubi, the Asante Mampong Municipal Chief Executive, said the assembly was working to replace all dilapidated classroom blocks which had become death traps, with modern ones to improve teaching and learning.

    He said the government was committed to addressing all challenges facing educational delivery in the municipality to improve performance of pupils at the basic level.

    Source: GNA

  • Government, Uganda Cancer Institute sued over indicted lab technologist

    The government has been taken to court in Kampala for allegedly interdicting a laboratory technologist illegally.

    The respondents in the case before the High Court are the Attorney General (AG) and Uganda Cancer Institute where he worked.

    In his lawsuit , Mr David Wycliffe Mpiima claims that he was on July 1, 2014 appointed by the Health Service Commission to work under the Institute as the laboratory technologist receiving a monthly gross salary of about Shs1 million.
    On March 28, 2019, he was suspended from duty on allegations that he was running an illegal laboratory and carrying out investigations in a manner that was contradicting the Uganda Cancer Institute Laboratory and private service guidelines.

    “When I was called, I told them my story and the committee promised to start investigations into the matter and also start hearings into the allegations immediately,” Mr Mpiima states.

    However, to date Mr Mpiima states that he has never been called for disciplinary action neither has any court process been instituted against him.
    Mr Mpiima further narrates that on various occasions he had been assigned to do various duties by the Institute which he performed to its satisfaction.

    According to the court documents, copies of which were seen by this publication, Mr Mpiima states that on March 28, 2019, he was put on a half pay by the Institute , restricted his movements outside the country with permission of the executive director of the institute and his access to the entity.

    He states that this has caused him severe suffering and anguish for the last one year while awaiting the illegal interdiction to be lifted but to no avail.
    Mr Mpiima contends that the decision was not only erroneous in law and fact, unreasonable, illegal or unfair and an abuse of power but also in breach of principles of fair hearing.

    “I have written various communications to the first respondent (Institute) requesting to appear before the disciplinary committee or notify me about the status of the allegations against me but in vain,” he narrated.
    He now wants an order quashing the decision of the Institute of interdicting him from his job.

    He also wants an order restraining the institute and AG and all their agents, servants, agencies, departments, authorities and officials from interfering with his execution of lawful duties and travelling outside Uganda without permission from the responsible officer.

    Source: monitor.co.ug

  • Government reduces ‘talk tax’ from 9% to 5%

    Government has eased the cost of the Communication Service Tax (CST) from nine percent to five percent due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, announced this reduction in parliament on Thursday, July 23, 2020, when he presented the Mid-year budget review statement.

    Addressing the august House, he noted, “In the short term, we will reduce the CST from 9% to 5% to reduce the cost of communication services to the consumer as more and more people work remotely and utilize online services.”

    He urged telecommunication providers to adhere to the directive and reduce the tariffs for consumers.

    “We will count on the Telcos to match this reduction in the CST by reducing their tariffs. This is important for our youth, entrepreneurs and the burgeoning FINTEC industry.”

    Background

    The government in 2019 increased the Communication Service Tax to nine percent from the initial six percent.

    This increment, according government, was to develop the foundation for the creation of a viable technology ecosystem in the country.

    However, the government announced a reduction to limit the economic burden due to coronavirus pandemic

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Government seeks to amend Minerals Income Fund law

    A bill to amend the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) Act has been laid in parliament and referred to the Finance Committee for consideration and report.

    The aim of the amendment is to clarify the parameters for the operation of the fund, which was established in 2018.

    The fund was set up to manage the equity interests of the state in mining companies, to receive mineral royalties and other related income due the state from mining operations, and to provide for the management and investment of the assets of the fund.

    The ultimate objective is to maximise the value of the income due the state from the mineral wealth of the country for the benefit of citizens, by monetising the minerals income accruing to the state in a beneficial, responsible, transparent, accountable and sustainable manner.

    In the existing act, the fund may create and hold equity interests in a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in any jurisdiction in furtherance of its objects, and the SPV shall be free to operate as a regular, commercial company.

    The President, Nana Akufo-Addo, in 2019 inaugurated a nine-member board to manage the fund. He urged the board to use the financial resources entrusted to them to raise indigenous players in the mining sector, which hitherto has been dominated by international corporations.

    He observed that after a century of mining in Ghana, the industry could not boast of a dominant local player and indicated that the situation was not good enough.

    Source: thebusiness24online.net

  • Tax appeals board to cost government GH¢2.5m in first year

    The establishment of an independent tax appeals board, under the Revenue Administration (Amendment) Bill 2020, to hear and determine appeals against tax decisions made by the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is estimated to cost government GH¢2.5m for the first year, a parliamentary report has noted.

    In pursuit of measures that will improve revenue administration and tax compliance in Ghana, the government has proposed the introduction of an alternative dispute resolution mechanism to resolve tax disputes.

    Alternative dispute resolution is widely accepted as the best and most cost-effective approach to resolving tax disputes.

    The establishment of the independent tax appeals board to hear tax matters prior to adjudication in the courts is expected to instill confidence in investors and reduce the time spent on litigation for both taxpayers and revenue administrators.

    Moving for the adoption of the report during the second reading of the bill, a Deputy Finance Minister, Kwaku Kwarteng, said the bill also seeks to promote voluntary tax compliance and will introduce a voluntary disclosure programme, whereby taxpayers who voluntarily file their taxes, or voluntarily disclose errors or omissions on their filed tax returns, would not be made to pay any penalties that would otherwise have resulted.

    This is expected to lead to an increase in the number of corrected returns and of registered taxpayers, especially individuals.

    Source: thebusiness24online.net

  • NPP is hot; Government sends a high-powered delegation to Aflao Traditional Council

    Minister of Chiefs and Religions affairs and his deputy are leading a high-powered government delegation to Ketu South.

    According to the letter copied to Accra News and delivered to Aflao Traditional council, the ministry of religious and Chiefs affairs was directed to hold meetings with the traditional council to discuss the fallout from a military ‘siege’ in the border areas in Volta regions in recent times.

    Minister of Chiefs and Religions affairs and his deputy are leading a high-powered government delegation to Ketu South.

    According to the later copied to Accra News and delivered to Aflao Traditional council, the ministry of religious and Chiefs affairs was directed to hold meetings with the traditional council to discuss the fallout from a military ‘siege’ in the border areas in Volta regions in recent times.

    Portions of the later, also confirmed the minister of information and his deputy are also to attain the plan meeting expected to take off 6th July 2020.

    Excerpts of the full later below

    Meanwhile, Accra News sources can confirm NPP is very hot in Aflao, Ketu South.

    The government is sending the Minister for Chieftancy, Mr. Kofi Dzameshie, Information Minister Hon Kojo Oppong Nkrumah and his Deputy Pius  Hadzide to go and apologise to Torgbuiga Adzongaga Amenya Fiti V, Paramount Chief of Aflao Traditional area for disrespecting his people and community.

    In a related development, government forces are largely withdrawn from the border areas to according to a source speaking on condition of anonymity.

    Source: opera.com

  • Government issues caution over land acquisition in Volta Basin

    Government through the Lands Ministry has cautioned individuals desirous of acquiring land in the Volta Basin to contact the Lands Commission prior to acquiring any such lands.

    The Lands and Natural Resources Ministry, in a statement made available to DGN Online, said any individual, private or public establishment be it local or foreign intending to acquire land in the subject area for any developmental land usage is requested to contact the Lands Commission Secretariat in the region where the land is situate or the head office of the Lands Commission in Accra for the needed guidance and assistance.

    The records of the Lands Commission will indicate the availability or otherwise of such land. Failure to comply with the notice herein mentioned and stated, would render all transactions on the purported acquisition null and void, the statement noted.

    A source told Daily Guide that the directive became necessary due to alleged acquisitions of lands in the basin by foreigners.

    Source: Daily Guide network

  • Government initiates probe into alleged demolition of Nigerian High Commission property

    The Government Sunday condemning the alleged demolition living quarters being constructed by the Nigerian High Commission, announced that investigations into the alleged breach of the premises of the Commission, in Accra, had begun for the offenders to be brought to book.

    A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said such acts breached the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR, 1961).

    Consequently, the investigations would unravel the facts of the matter for the perpetrators to be brought to book.

    Meanwhile, the statement said security at the said facility had been beefed up and the situation was under control.

    It reassured the Diplomatic Community, particularly the Nigeria High Commission, that Ghana remained a law-abiding country, adding that, it was “committed to upholding the principle of the rule of law, where due process is followed at all times.

    “The Government will, therefore, not relent on its primary obligation to guarantee the safety of Members of the Diplomatic Corps in Ghana”.

    On Friday, June 19, 2020, some unidentified individuals allegedly breached the premises of the Commission, and demolished its property under construction around 2230 hours.

    The building is earmarked to serve as a living quarters for some of its staff.

    The security guards who were on the ground during the incident later told reporters the perpetrators said they were acting on behalf someone who claimed to have legal ownership of the land.

    Source: GNA

  • Government tops up grants of LEAP beneficiaries

    Government, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), has topped-up grants of beneficiaries under its Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme to enable them to purchase basic COVID-19 personal protective equipment.

    The top-up was due to the change in the mode of payment of the beneficiaries as a result of the social distancing measures instituted by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    In view of the COVID-19 preventive protocols, beneficiaries are to visit banks and cash points to access grant, instead of the usual mode of disbursement through LEAP payment points.

    According to the Gender Ministry, the top-up was to enable beneficiaries to purchase face masks, hand sanitizers and reduce the burden on the cost of transportation to the banks.

    Mr Myles Ongoh, Assistant Director of the LEAP Programme, Ministry of Gender an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra explained that one eligible member of the LEAP beneficiaries would receive GH¢64.00, two eligible member households would receive GH¢76.00, while three eligible member households would receive GH¢88.00 and four or more, GH¢106.00.

    For the transportation, LEAP beneficiaries from rural communities received a top-up of GH¢20.00 and GH¢7.00 for urban communities and all households are also given a flat top-up (for both urban and rural communities) of GH¢10.00, he said.

    Mr Ongoh said: “We would want to express our gratitude to the Gender Minister, Mrs Cynthia Mamle Morrison for making issues of vulnerability and disability dear to her heart and insisting that we do the right thing with our proposals, and readily ensuring that these beneficiaries are paid their monies”.

    The Assistant Director also thanked the development partners of the programme World Bank, the Department for International Development, and UNICEF for their support in ensuring that MoGCSP achieved most of its objectives.

    Mr Colson Akanbasiam, Head of Communications of the LEAP Programme, said the District Social Welfare Officers, would ensure the successful implementation of the changes.

    He said the officers were tasked to sensitise beneficiaries and were available to provide them with sensitisation materials at the banking halls and hand washing areas to support in the efforts to mitigate COVID-19.

    He explained that the LEAP programme, as part of measures to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on its beneficiaries, paid them two months of their grants during the period of restriction of movement.

    He said the secretariat also embarked on field monitoring to ensure that staff of the LEAP Management dealing directly with the beneficiaries adhere strictly to the safety protocols and gave the beneficiaries the amounts due.

    The LEAP, implemented in 2008 by the MoGCSP, is a soft-conditional cash transfer programme to reduce poverty by smoothening consumption and promoting human capital development among extremely poor households.

    Beneficiaries of the intervention are orphans and vulnerable children, persons aged 65 and above without support, persons with a severe disability who cannot work, and extremely poor pregnant women with infants (under one year).

    Source: GNA

  • Government agrees with investors to postpone interest payment Fitch

    The government of Ghana has agreed with investors to postpone interest payment on non-marketable domestic bonds held by public institutions to fund the financial sector clean-up for about GH¢1.2 billion (US$207 million), approximately 0.3% of Gross Domestic Product.

    According to Fitch Solutions, the government of Ghana plans cutting spending on goods and services, transfers, and capital investments this year.

    This also reflects the lower absorption capacity of the economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic, for a total of at least GH¢1.1 billion (US$189 million), 0.3% of GDP.

    “To reduce the financing needs, the government will also draw US$218 million from the Stabilisation Fund and will borrow up to GHS10 billion (USS1.7 billion) from the Bank of Ghana. As a result of all these fiscal policies in place, we anticipate GDP growth to shrink in 2020”, Fitch Solutions forecast.

    Healthcare spending

    Fitch emphasized that the government of Ghana has increased healthcare spending in order to address the coronavirus pandemic.

    The government committed US$100 million to support preparedness and response, and about US$210 million under its Coronavirus Alleviation Programme to the promotion of selected industries including the pharmaceutical sector supplying COVID-19 drugs and equipment.

    Additional funds have also been reserved to address the availability of test kits, pharmaceuticals, equipment, and bed capacity.

    On April 26, a major investment in healthcare infrastructure was announced, including the construction or upgrade of 100 district and regional hospitals.

    Fitch said an increase in healthcare spending will equate to more testing kits, pharmaceuticals, equipment and bed capacity available to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Source: Class FM

  • Government working with oil companies to protect workers from coronavirus

    Deputy Minister of Energy in charge of Petroleum, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, has said the government is supporting oil companies that are operating in Ghana to protect their workers from contracting the coronavirus.

    His comment come after over 50 workers of Tullow oil have tested positive for the COVID-19.

    Tullow in a statement last week announced that fifty-eight workers at the Jubilee field tested positive for COVID-19.

    The company however said production remains unaffected.

    But speaking to Joy News, Dr Amin Adam assured the public that the government is acting to ensure that workers of the oil firms and Ghanaians in general are protected from the pandemic.

    “We have worked with the oil companies t ensure that they adopt the protocols to ensure the safety of their workers in this COVID-19,” he said.

    Source: laudbusiness.com

  • Sing with face mask – Government outlines guidelines for church activities

    Due to President Akufo-Addo’s announcement on the resumption of religious activities as part of easing the COVID-19 induced restrictions, the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has outlined some detailed guidelines for churches that will be operating.

    Mr Samuel Kofi Dzamesi, at a media encounter on Monday evening, June 1, 2020, stated, amongst the advisories for various religions, elderly persons have been discouraged from attending services whilst all other persons involved in singing and preaching are to wear face masks.

    “Form COVID-19 Task Force comprising of members who are preferably health workers. They must be trained in health promotion measures, infection prevention and control and evacuation procedures by Ghana Health Service.

    “The COVID-19 Task Force should call 112 or 311 for support to enable evacuation anyone develops fever, coughs and difficulty in breathing during service,” he said.

    Find below, the full guidelines:

    I. Thermometer guns or thermal scanners are to be provided for checking the temperature of congregants at entry points.

    II. No mask: No entry Policy to be enforced

    III. Provision of handwashing facilities with running water and soap and/or FDA approved alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

    IV. Provision of adequate waste management facilities (bins, cans, bin-liners and single-use tissues).

    V. Provision of adequate toilet facilities for use by members.

    VI. Regular cleaning and disinfection of frequently used communal places (like toilet surfaces) and frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs/handles, preferably every 1-2 hours depending on the rate of utilization.

    VII. Designate a holding room or area where a person who becomes sick at the premises/event can be isolated from others while making arrangements for evacuation.

    VIII. Regular disinfection of venues used by churches, preferably once every month. For example, fumigation and disinfection must be carried out with recognized entities like Zoomlion.

    IX. Trained cleaners with the necessary personal protective equipment and cleaning items to clean the facilities regularly and handle waste appropriately.

    X. Provide adequate ventilation, i.e. open windows to allow for the maximum circulation of fresh air, if possible, avoid confined air-conditioned rooms.

    XI. Display approved health promotion materials on COVID-19 at vantage points to remind congregants to keep to social distancing protocols, wearing of the masks, regular handwashing, coughing and sneezing etiquette.

    XII. Ensure a No handshake, No hugging and No Spitting policy at all time.

    XIII. Follow established evacuation procedures (as outlined in Annex 1) to enable evacuation if a congregant becomes sick during the event and has to be evacuated.

    XIV. Form COVID task force comprising of members who are preferably health workers. They must be trained in Health Promotive prevention measures, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Evacuation Procedures by Ghana Health Service.

    XV. The COVID task force should Call 112 or 311 for support to enable evacuation if anyone develops fever, cough, and difficulty in breathing during service.

    XVI. Unwell Persons are not allowed to attend church

    XVII. Older persons and people of any age with underlying medical conditions, heart diseases, diabetes, liver disease, and asthma are advised to stay away from church service

    XVIII. Sharing personal items such as watches, jewellery, pens and phones should be discouraged.

    XIX. If an individual is confirmed positive for COVID-19, all contacts must be traced and screened.

    XX. No crowd dancing and waving of handkerchiefs during church services.

    XXI. Sanitize microphones immediately after each use.

    XXII. All who speak/sing in churches (including Pastors, Sunday school teachers, Singers and Announcers) must wear facemask during service.

    XXIII. Discourage singing in groups. Pre-recorded songs or solos should be used.

    XXIV. Pre-packaged communion bread and wine should be picked up by members at the point of entry.

    XXV. Place offering bowls at the entrance and exit points for members to give offerings and tithes when entering or on their way out of church premises. Encourage cash transfers via mobile money or mobile banking as forms of giving offerings.

    XXVI. In observance of social distancing protocols, laying on of hands should not be allowed.

    XXVII. Spend at least 5 minutes of church service time to educate church members on COVID-19.

    XXVIII. Provide separate sitting areas for the aged and for families that are together.

    XXIX. The church is encouraged to mobilize resources to help individuals in need including offering church health facilities.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Government to site Military Base at Agogo to check illegal activities of Fulani herdsmen

    As part of measures in curbing the increasing insecurity in the area such as illegal activities of nomadic Fulani herdsmen and other heinous crimes, the government plans to build a military base in Asante Akim North District capital, Agogo in the Ashanti Region.

    “There have been a number of consultations and engagements with the chiefs and the government to get the military base sited in the area”, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Asante Akim North, Hon. Francis Oti Boateng revealed in an interview monitored by MyNewsGh.com

    According to the Chairman of the District Security Committee (DISEC), the move is one of the mechanisms to curb the long-standing dispute between the herdsmen and indigenes of the area.

    “We are determined to alienate cattle rearing activities from the district and we have the support of the residents of the area”, Hon. Francis Oti Boateng told the host of Oyerepa FM.

    The DCE also revealed that the chiefs have allocated 1000 acres of land for the construction of the military base. This, he said would scare the nomadic herdsmen from destabilizing the peace in the area.

    Meanwhile, the DCE has revealed that complaints from indigenous farmers about the activities of Fulani herdsmen in the district is reducing following the support received from the government and assured the assembly readiness to give it almost support in protecting the people.

    Hon. Francis Oti Boateng said happenings in regards to insecurity has over the period suppressed the growth of agriculture in the municipality.

    In his words, the situation was volatile. “The destruction of farms by cattle of Fulani herdsmen was alarming. The assembly based on that took steps to address them.”

    Source: My News GH

  • Eid-al-Fitr: Government declares Monday, May 25 public holiday

    Monday, May 25 is to be observed as a statutory public holiday, the Interior Ministry has said.

    The day marks the Eid-al-Fitr celebration by Muslims worldwide to mark the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.

    The Interior Ministry in its statement said: “The general public is hereby notified that Sunday, 24th May, 2020, marks Eid-al-Fitr which is a Statutory Public Holiday.

    “However, 24th May, 2020, falls on a Sunday and by Executive Instrument {E.I}, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana, in accordance with section 2 of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act, 2001 (601) has declared Monday, 25th May, 2020 as a Public Holiday and should be observed as such throughout the country,” the statement read further.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Govt impose curfew on Saboba township and its environs

    The government of Ghana has imposed a curfew on Saboba township and its environs in the Northern region.

    The curfew which took effect on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, the Interior Ministry indicated that it is from 10.00 pm to 4.00 am.

    “Government continues to urge Chiefs, Elders, Opinion Leaders, Youth and people of the area to exercise restraint in the face of the challenges confronting them as well as to use non-violent means to channel their energies into ensuring peace in the area,” the statement from the ministry read.

    Meanwhile, there is a total ban on all persons in the afore-mentioned communities and its environs from carrying arms, ammunition or any offensive weapon and any persons found with any arms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Government will continue to ensure reliable power supply Amewu

    Energy Minister, Mr John Peter Amewu, has assured Ghanaians that the government of Ghana will work to ensure constant and reliable power supply.

    He said the administration is poised to ensure that all the bottlenecks, which include the payment of the debts owed the ECG, in the energy sector are dealt with.

    “As of December 2016, when the NDC (National Democratic Congress) left office, then under former President John Dramani Mahama, the entire bills owed ECG by government at that time was GHS2.63 billion”, he said at a press briefing in Accra on Tuesday at 19.

    “I am happy to report that under the energy sector reform programme, government will continue to work towards a reliable and effective electricity company in this period,” the Minister said.

    “Today, at the end of 2019, all government bills with ECG have been paid and government has a credit of ¢500,000.00 with ECG.

    “With an average bill payment of about ¢100,000.00 per month, the credit balance of over ¢500,000.00, is enough and more than enough to pay for government bills from January to April 2020,” Mr. Amewu said.

    Mr Amewu recounted that Government has already made some payments to ECG as a result of the Covid-19 (energy) subsidy that was introduced for a period of three months.

    “You will recollect that President Akufo-Addo made a broadcast to the nation that as part of the alleviation strategy during the period of the COVID-19 Ghanaians are expected to enjoy some reliefs from utility companies,” he said.

    “And I am happy to announce that that process is currently ongoing. Customers throughout the country have demonstrated and testified that this relief from the Government is actually real,” Mr. Amewu added.

    Source: laudbusiness.com

  • Government shouldn’t rush into reopening schools amid coronavirus – NDC National Youth Organizer

    National Youth Organizer of the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), George Opare Addo has said any attempt at reopening schools anytime soon amid the coronavirus pandemic is a plan by government to achieve an ulterior motive.

    He argued on UTV’s ‘Adekye Nsroma’ discussion segment that such preparations by the ruling government is never the best and must not be encouraged.

    ” . . plans by government to reopen schools anytime soon is an agenda to set a common goal that the pandemic is no more with us which is never true. Government is just setting ways to achieve its political gains,” he said.

    The NDC National Youth Organiser wondered how children could hold out against the disease that is even very difficult for adults to withstand it.

    “Seriously I can’t imagine how a child will be quarantined for two weeks, can this be possible in our part of the world,” he asked.

    Mr. Opare Addo noted that the risk of contracting Coronavirus in Ghana is still high and the government should “not rush” into reopening schools.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Withdraw 18% tax on electricity now Minority to government

    The Minority in Parliament is demanding the immediate withdrawal of over 18 per cent tax on electricity as it warns of dire consequences on domestic consumers.

    Their demand comes after the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) tasked the ECG to charge Value Added Tax, (VAT) on domestic consumers.

    Until now, electricity for consumers has been zero-rated for VAT since 2001.

    Addressing the media in Parliament, the minority spokesperson on Mines and Energy, Adam Mutawakilu, accused the president of giving 50 perfect rebates to consumers with one hand and taking it back with another.

    The Damango MP warned that both consumers and ECG will be worse off with the move.

    “That means that you will pay more for electricity, it will deny you from the food that you buy because you have to do your scale of preference and consumers will be burdened the more…so this 50 per cent was just to deceive Ghanaians, so you gave it to Ghanaians with one hand and then you take it with another hand.”

    The decision to impose VAT on electricity for consumers comes a month after the President reduced electricity consumption by 50 per cent to commercial and domestic consumers and free lifeline consumers

    Source: Starr FM

  • COVID-19: Inject GHs18 bn into economy to mitigate losses TUC to government

    The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is asking the government to inject about GHS 18 billion into the various sectors of the economy to help mitigate the losses associated with the COVID19 pandemic.

    According to the TUC, research by its Labour Research and Policy Institute showed the devastating effects of the COVID-19 health crisis on jobs and livelihoods in both the formal and informal segments of the economy.

    Speaking to Citi News, Director of Labour Research and Policy Institute of the TUC, Dr. Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, said the government needs to do more to revive the economy and also manage the potential job losses.

    “One of the things we did was to estimate the loss of GDP that we are likely to experience because of COVID-19 and our estimation is based on the data provided by the Minister for Finance when he told Parliament that the 2020 GDP growth which was initially estimated at 6.6% will now be 1.5%.”

    “When we look at the numbers we are looking at an output loss of about GHs 18 billion and our proposal is for government to find the resources that will fully restore us in terms of the output loss so we are asking government to invest about GHs 18 billion into the economy between now and December.”

    Dr. Kwabena Nyarko Otoo added that the TUC recognises that the government finds itself in a difficult situation due to the impact of the COVID-19 on the economy.

    However, he said, the government can either print more money or borrow from the Ghana Heritage Fund (GHF) to support the economy at this moment.

    He added: “We went to borrow from the IMF with all the conditionality. If we were able to borrow from the IMF, it should be safer to ask government to borrow from the future. So that we replenish that fund when the COVID-19 storm is over.”

    Source: citinewroom.com

     

  • Minoritys claims on COVID-19 response plan are untrue and without basis Government

    Government has rejected claims by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) that it is giving Ghanaians “false hope” by hiding the actual figures about the spread of the Coronavirus infection and saying the country’s situation is under control.

    Deputy Information Minister Pius Enam Hadzide, at a press conference in Accra on Friday, said the assertion by the NDC is false and without basis.

    Contrary to the claims, Pius Hadzide said the NPP government had been swift and decisive with broader stakeholder consultations in the battle to defeat the flu-like coronavirus.

    Pius Hadzide said government has defended its COVID-19 response by showing strong leadership and has been effective and transparent in its management of the pandemic.

    At a press conference on Thursday, Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu accused government of not being forthright with the coronavirus figures in Ghana.

    “Government should desist from selling false hope of a situation under control and using its management of information as a cover for this farce,” he stated.
    He was of the view that it insults the intelligence of Ghanaians.

    “We are at 3,000 and you say that we should wait, all is well. All was not well when we were at 200 and 300 (cases). How can it be well at 3000 (cases) and counting?” he queried.

    The Minority Leader also claimed that science had been relegated to the background by the President, who is instead relying on signs and wonders.

    Responding to this assertion, Mr Hadzide said that could not be true.

    He indicated that scientists and health experts had been offering regular updates and briefing, and, therefore, any suggestion about lack of transparency in the COVID-19 fight was mind boggling.

    “The NDC cannot be allowed to approbate and reprobate on this matter,” he lamented.

    Mr Hadzide noted that government, from the onset, has put in place measures to deal with the pandemic, including the constitution of a taskforce made up of technical persons, “including epidemiologists, virologists, medical doctors, Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, security heads, and so on.”

    “It is this taskforce of persons of reputable background knowledge and expertise that advise the president on the policy options in fighting Covid-19, and not politicians masquerading as medical doctors in partisan Covid-19 teams,” he noted.

    The Deputy Minister added that President Akufo-Addo has led “from the front and continues to address the nation honestly and regularly.”

    He also debunked claims by the NDC that the government made “no provision for the eventuality of an outbreak”, and cited the initial investment of GH¢35 million announced by the President, which was later ramped up to US$100 million.

    According to the Deputy Minister, the minority NDC’s claim of “worsening COVID-19 situation and the national response” was just to cover up its “flagbearer, John Mahama, who has been badly bruised by his politicisation of the COVID-19 pandemic”.

    “The misinformation, deliberate distortions and warped analysis put out by the NDC flagbearer has been bemoaned and roundly condemned by many well-meaning Ghanaians,” he added.

    Mr Mahama, in a recent political broadcast on Facebook, questioned why the government should go for an IMF facility, and went on to say that no other African country had done so.

    In response to that, the Deputy Minister dismissed that as untrue, saying 20 other African countries, including all the ones specifically listed by the former President, had accessed a total of US$18 billion from the IMF to help cushion them through the crisis.

    He said it was disappointing that the NDC was unable to provide any practical use alternatives, but continued to propagate the same baseless and unfounded allegations made by its leader.

    Source: thefinderonline.com

  • Nine die in care home fire outside Moscow

    A fire broke out in a retirement home in the Moscow region, killing at least nine people with several more in intensive care in hospital, local authorities said Monday.

    The fire in the privately-owned care home in the town of Krasnogorsk started around midnight Sunday to Monday and was extinguished within an hour, emergencies services said.

    “Nine people died on site and nine more were rushed to hospital in serious condition and are treated in intensive care,” the Krasnogorsk municipal government said in a statement.

    Russian agencies said 37 people were in the building at the time of the fire.

    Kommersant newspaper said many of the care home residents were not mobile and the employees were unable to carry them out from the smoke despite the fire being small.

    The fire is the second such incident around Moscow in just over a month: investigators are probing another fire in an upscale retirement home in Moscow, which caused the deaths of six people in April.

    Source: france24.com

  • Disregard publication on government protocol scholarship – Commission

    The Office of the Public Services Commission has urged the public to disregard any publication titled “Government Protocol Scholarship” form purported to come from the Commission.

    A statement signed by Dr Janet Ampadu Fofie, Chairman of the Commission and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra said: “the form is fake and is not from the Commission, neither is it from government to the best of our knowledge”.

    It calls on the security agencies to investigate the source of the form for possible prosecution of the culprit to serve as a deterrent to others.

    Source: GNA

  • Government accepts GHS849m for 3 year bond

    The government of Ghana accepted all bids submitted for the 3-year bond auctioned on Thursday, 16 April 2020.

    According to the results, the government accepted all the GHS849.24 million total bids submitted for the debt instrument which will mature in 2023.

    The initial pricing guidance was between 18.50% and 19.00%.

    But the clearing coupon rate is estimated at 19.00%.

    Class Business understands that the majority of the funds raised will be used to settle the maturing debt.

    The instrument was opened to both resident and non-resident investors.

    Each Bond has a face value of GHS1, whereas the minimum bid was GHS50,000 and multiples of GH1,000 thereafter.

    Absa, Databank, Fidelity, IC Securities and Stanbic Bank were the joint book runners.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Government has no justification to use Heritage Fund to fight coronavirus – Dr Manteaw

    The Chairman of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC), Dr Steve Manteaw says the government has no justification to use the Heritage Fund for the COVID-19 fight.

    There has been a proposal from the government to use part of the Heritage Fund to finance the fight against the coronavirus disease in the country.

    Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta on March 30, 2020, proposed the amendment of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act to allow the government to utilize portions of the Heritage Fund

    This proposal has been shot down by the Minority already as they believe it is not yet time for the government to touch the Fund.

    Dr Manteaw has joined the Minority calls and other civil society organizations who believe the government can find other ways of generating funds to fight COVID-19 and using the Heritage fund is not the best option now.

    “There is no justification to touch the Heritage fund now, I believe we can do without touching the Heritage fund. The situation we find ourselves in is what the President describes as we are not in normal times, so that calls for cost-cutting measures. We have seen some attempts from the government but that is not enough, let’s cut government bureaucracy further and all major infrastructure projects can wait”.

    The Heritage Fund is a creation of section 10 of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act 815 enacted in 2011.

    The purpose of the establishment of this fund is to provide an endowment to support the development of future generations when the petroleum reserves have depleted, according to Act 815 (2011) and amended Act 893 (2015).

    The fund receives a percentage of oil revenue accrued to the Petroleum Holding Fund.

    In view of this Parliament of Ghana pegged this figure at 9%. This means that out of the total oil revenue received into the Petroleum Holding Fund, the Heritage Fund receives only 9%.

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • GNECC urges government to rollout distance learning on traditional media

    The Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC) has urged government to fast track its proposed distance learning programme, using traditional media, especially radio and television.

    This, the Coalition said, would increase the possibility of every child benefitting from the programme.

    “We recommend the use of television and radio, which have an extensive reach so that no child is left out of the learning process.”

    This was contained in a statement signed by Mr. Joseph Atsu Homadzi, Interim Chairman of GNECC, and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra.

    The coalition also called on the government to intensify public education on the various interventions being introduced to address the fallouts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    It also urged government to ensure that the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) was well resourced to engage in extensive education on the pandemic nationwide.

    It was necessary for government to intervene in calling to order businesses and individuals taking advantage of the unfortunate situation to hike prices of commodities such as disinfectants and sanitizers in the critical period, it the statement said.

    “Finally, we call on government to use this opportunity to establish a comprehensive emergency response system for the education sector to better manage the effects of similar future occurrences on the delivery of education.”

    According to the statement, the GNECC had followed with concern the developments with the COVID-19 pandemic, which had reached alarming levels globally. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has affected all aspects of our social lives including education delivery.

    “As a Coalition promoting the Ghanaian child’s right to free, quality pre-tertiary education, we use this opportunity to commend the President and his government for the bold directives aimed at combating the spread of this disease by curbing educational, social and religious activities in the country.

    “We also remind parents of their important role in ensuring that children, and indeed the entire family, are protected whilst staying at home during this period,” the statement said.

    It said parents have a responsibility of making decisive choices to protect children against the pandemic and keeping them calm.

    “All parents and guardians must make a conscious effort to ensure that they themselves and their children practice all the necessary precautions such as social distancing, washing of hands with soap under running water, the use of disinfectants and hand sanitizers,” it advised.

    Source: GNA

  • Government taking good care of us, paying all expenses COVID-19 victims

    The government has been commended for it immense support persons who have tested positive for the deadly coronavirus disease and their family members, MyNewsGh.com reports.

    “Since we tested positive for the virus, President Akufo-Addo and his NPP government has taken care of the cost of our medical treatment, the food we eat and support being given to our family we cannot reach them for now”,  a  victim spoke on Nhyira FM monitored by MyNewsGh.com from the Ridge Hospital in Accra where he is being quarantined.

    According to Nii, [not his real name], life in his quarantined base can be described as happy despite restrictions of movement for him contrary to rumours government has neglected them.

    “We are served delicious food that is boosting our immune system. … We eat a lot of food that contains cabbages and Vitamins and we are happy here like any individual living home”, he told host urging people to submit themselves to the test if they suspect they have contracted the diseases.

    According to him, he never showed signs and symptoms of the deadly virus but results came out positive when a test was run on him.

    “I have shown no symptoms of any virus; I have no flu, cold or anything like that but when I submitted myself for a checkup and I was eventually tested positive for the conoravirus”.

    Source:MyNewsGh.com/Stephen Zoure

  • Government spent GH¢68.4 billion in 2019

    The government of Ghana spent GH¢68.4 billion in 2019, representing 19.8% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    This is compared with the GH¢59 billion (19.6% of GDP) recorded for the corresponding period in 2018.

    According to the January 2020 Monetary Policy Report, the pace of spending was broadly within the projected outturn.

    This outturn represents a year-on-year growth of 15.9% and constituted 96.4% of the expected target for the period.

    Of the total expenditures, interest payments amounted to GHS19.7 billion (5.7% of GDP) for the review period compared with GH¢15.8 billion (5.3% of GDP) for the same period in 2018.

    This outturn was 0.8% above the projected target of GH¢19.5 billion, about 5.7% of GDP.

    Compensation of employees for the period amounted to GH¢22.0 billion, representing 6.4% of GDP.

    This was below the programmed target by some 1.9% but represented an annual growth of 12.3%.

    Of this, wages and salaries amounted to GHS19.5 billion (5.6% of GDP), below the envisaged target by 1.4 percent.

    The Use of Goods and Services for the period under review amounted to GHS6.1 billion (1.8% of GDP) compared with the target of GH¢6.9 billion (2% of GDP).

    Grants to government units during the period under review also amounted to GH¢11.4 billion, about 3.3% of GDP, against the target of GH¢13 billion, about 3.8% of GDP.

    Capital expenditures was GH¢6.1 billion (1.8% of GDP) compared to the target of GH¢6 billion (1.7% of GDP).

    This represented a year-on-year increase of 29.8%.

    Domestically financed capital expenditure accounted for some 41% of the total with the rest financed from foreign sources.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • No government has ‘spiced up’ education like we have in the last 3 years NAPO brags

    Education Minister, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has professed that since time immemorial no government has been able to make education look attractive to Ghanaians as the NPP government has done.

    According to him, after the New Patriotic Party (NPP) resumed office in 2017, the leadership spearheaded by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo deemed it worthy to make education their priority, hence, the introduction of the well-known Free Senior High School education to give room for all to attend SHS irrespective of their backgrounds.

    He pointed out that President Akufo-Addo has been able to deliver his promise on revamping the educational sector by providing vehicles to MMDCEs, Ministry of Education, education directorates among others to aid their work in a bid to provide quality education.

    The Education Minister stressed that “since 2017, the government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has made education his priority and he believes fundamentally that Ghana would only prosper if education prospers and so he believes that opportunity and prosperity would only happen if we get education on a sound footage. …the last three years have witnessed a complete transformation of our educational sector. If it is to do with the infrastructure, we can boldly say since independence no government has put in place infrastructural development that the education is witnessing in the last three years”.

    He made these comments at the Black Stars Square in Accra on Thursday during the distribution of 365 pickup trucks and 493 motorbikes to various districts of the Ghana Education Service (GES) by the Vice President of the Republic, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia.

    Out of the 365 Isuzu pickup trucks distributed, 206 have been allocated to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), 105 to the Ministry of Education and its various agencies. The remaining trucks will be given to some selected Senior High Schools.

    The 493 motorbikes are to aid the work of circuit supervisors in various districts.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Government imports stone from Jerusalem to sanctify National Cathedral foundation

    A Stone has been imported from Jerusalem to lay a foundation for the construction of the Ghana National Cathedral.

    Israel’s Ambassador to Ghana, Shani Cooper presented the stone to President Akufo-Addo at the sod-cutting ceremony to pave way for the actual work which is expected to begin on Friday, March 6, 2020, in the heart of Accra.

    The stone, according to her, will symbolize the sacredness of the land earmarked for the project as Christians regard Jerusalem to be the most sacred site in the world.

    She added that Isreal’s involvement in the construction of the Ghana National Cathedral will strengthen ties between the two countries.

    The interdenominational Christian Cathedral, when completed, will have a 5,000 seating capacity with chapels, a baptistery, a music school, an art gallery, and a Bible museum.

    It will also serve as a venue for formal state occasions of religious nature such as state funerals, thanksgiving services among others, according to President Akufo-Addo.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Government voted GHC 24 million for Swedru Akora River Project – Minister

    Government has approved an amount of GHc24 million for repackaging and re-awarding of Swedru Akora River dredging Project after it was stalled for more than five years.

    The approval of that colossal amount of money will help ease the huge traffic jam that hit Swedru town, particularly on market days on Mondays and Thursdays.

    Mrs Cynthia Mamle Morrison, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection and MP for Agona West made this known when she joined a five-hour clean-up exercise at the banks of Akora River.

    The exercise, organised by Concerned Youth of Agona Swedru saw the people weeding and collecting huge plastic bottles and sachet water bags piled-up alongside the river.

    According to the MP, the Contractor would move to site to commence work before the end of March.

    Mrs Morrison said apart from dredging of the river, three more steel bridges were added to the contract to be constructed at Desuenem/Owani/ Mangoase to join Old Sawmills.

    Another one will be constructed at Swedru Post Office to Pentecost Prayer Centre to join Nkubem bye-pass road and Swedru Zabo Zongo to Swedru Mahodwe.

    The Gender Minister said the contact would also cover Woraba Estate and Swedru Mangoase roads and other parts of Swedru Township.

    Additionally, talks are on-going with roads and Highways Ministry to include the roads at Mahodwe community, which were not originally in the contract.

    She said the construction of asphalt roads were started at Swedru town and expressed the hope that the contractor completed on schedule to enable Swedru to become beautiful and vibrant.

    The Minister stated that the Akora River banks would be used as a recreational centre, where holidaymakers could go instead of travelling all the way to Winneba and Kokrobite in Accra and other beaches for fun.

    The MP debunked rumours being peddled in the Swedru township and the rest of the Constituency that she threatened to arrest anyone who would reconstruct the wooden bridge swept away by torrential rains last October.

    According to Mrs Morrison, the demonstration staged by the Concerned Youth of Swedru, as a result, was their legitimate right.

    She expressed satisfaction that the asphalt road works in Swedru Texaco to Swedru Government Hospital Mortuary, Junction which began recently would soon be completed and appealed to the residents to cooperate.

    She said the Nyakrom roads were constructed and tarred to facilitate transportation of goods and services in the area.

    The Minister said the government had kept faith with of the people of Agona West and the entire nation as well, adding that everything possible would be done to ensure that the national cake was equally distributed to ensure quality living for Ghanaians.

    Source: GNA

  • Government pushes laws for Automotive Industry

    Government is pushing for the passage of a law to facilitate the birth of the Ghana Automotive Industry.

    The law which is an amendment to the Customs Act, 2015 (Act 891) will provide legal backing for the incentives that Ghanaian car manufacturers will enjoy under the Ghana Automotive Industry Policy.

    The implementation of the Policy will make Ghana a fully integrated and competitive industrial hub for the Automotive Industry in the West Africa sub-region.

    Messers Kojo Oppong Nkrumah and Allan Kyeremanten Ministers for Information and Industry respectively, leading a debate on the subject in parliament on Tuesday both stressed on the importance of the new laws in supporting the Automotive Industry.

    Mr. Nkrumah said “the Policy is critical because it spells out the broad framework for promoting the automotive industry in Ghana and becomes a clear blueprint for any potential investor while delivering value to them and the Ghanaian people”.

    He said claims that the policy was going to effect a ban on the importation of second-hand vehicles and render dealers jobless are incorrect.

    Mr. Nkrumah explained that the policy was rather appropriate in checking salvage vehicles for roadworthy purposes.

    The Minister for Trade and Industry Allan Kyerematen said some local vehicle manufacturers in the automotive industry like Kantanka have already been engaged on how to benefit from this Policy. He said ghanaians will have the opportunity to acquire new vehicles under this policy as their choice of preference.

    “There are many benefits from this policy, it will bring Foreign Direct Investment and create diverse economic linkages” he added.

    The strategic objectives of the policy to establish a fully integrated and competitive industrial hub for automotive manufacturing in collaboration with the private sector global, regional and domestic, generate highly skilled jobs in automotive assembly and the manufacture of components and parts, with spill over effects into other sectors of the economy and to establish an asset-based vehicle financing scheme for locally manufactured vehicles to ensure affordability for vehicle buyers.

    It will also improve balance of payments through competitive import substitution and export market development, improve vehicle safety and environmental standards; and to transform the quality of the national road transport fleet and safeguard the natural environment.

    Some of the policy thematic areas include Incentive and Regulatory Framework Market Development and Trade Facilitation, Environment, Standards and Safety, Access to Industrial Infrastructure, Automotive Skills and Technology Upgrading, Developing Local Component Supply Chain, Labour Relations and Productivity, Legislative Measures.

    Source: kasapafmonline.com

  • Government spends GH¢2bn on Free SHS annually

    Government spends GH¢2 billion annually on the Free SHS programme, Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia has said.

    “This underscores the importance government attaches to education which is the key to development without which no country can prosper,” he added.

    “We are spending a lot; currently about two billion cedis every year on free senior high school alone. We believe it is money worth spending because the President has said there is no alternative than to invest in education,” he pointed out.

    He was speaking to teachers and students of the Presbyterian Model Cluster of Schools at Suhum in the Eastern Region.

    He made the remarks when addressing students and teachers as guest of honour at the centenary celebration of Suhum Presbyterian Model Cluster of Schools.

    President Akufo-Addo since assuming office, he said, had placed emphasis on education as evidenced from the investments being made in that sector.

    Speaking at the event, he said hundred years of any institution is worth celebrating, adding that the Cluster of Schools having lasted this long gives credence to its strong foundation as laid down by its founding fathers.

    He expressed gratitude to the founders of the school, particularly the Presbyterian Church, for their great vision and seeing it throughout the hundred years of its existence.

    He entreated staff of the school to keep working hard after achieving such great feat. He advised the students to study hard and be disciplined.

    The Vice-President expressed the hope that the successes chalked up would be sustained for future generations.

    The Chief of Suhum, Osaberima Ayeh Kofi, on his part, entreated government to totally decentralize education.

    He pleaded with the government to delegate powers to traditional rulers to play major roles in ensuring a better education system in the country.

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Government spends GHC2bn on Free SHS annually

    Government spends GH¢2 billion annually on the Free SHS programme, Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia has said.

    “This underscores the importance government attaches to education which is the key to development without which no country can prosper,” he added.

    “We are spending a lot; currently about two billion cedis every year on free senior high school alone. We believe it is money worth spending because the President has said there is no alternative than to invest in education,” he pointed out.

    He was speaking to teachers and students of the Presbyterian Model Cluster of Schools at Suhum in the Eastern Region.

    He made the remarks when addressing students and teachers as guest of honour at the centenary celebration of Suhum Presbyterian Model Cluster of Schools.

    President Akufo-Addo since assuming office, he said, had placed emphasis on education as evidenced from the investments being made in that sector.

    Speaking at the event, he said hundred years of any institution is worth celebrating, adding that the Cluster of Schools having lasted this long gives credence to its strong foundation as laid down by its founding fathers.

    He expressed gratitude to the founders of the school, particularly the Presbyterian Church, for their great vision and seeing it throughout the hundred years of its existence.

    He entreated staff of the school to keep working hard after achieving such great feat. He advised the students to study hard and be disciplined.

    The Vice-President expressed the hope that the successes chalked up would be sustained for future generations.

    The Chief of Suhum, Osaberima Ayeh Kofi, on his part, entreated government to totally decentralize education.

    He pleaded with the government to delegate powers to traditional rulers to play major roles in ensuring a better education system in the country.

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Government releases GH¢5bn to settle customers of defunct Savings & Loans firms

    Government through the Ministry of Finance has released GH¢5 billion to the receiver of the defunct Savings and Loans and microfinance companies to “fully settle all validated claims due depositors”.

    This was contained in a statement issued by the Ministry on Monday, February 24.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had hinted in his message on the state of the nation in Parliament last Thursday that measures have been put in place to settle the customers from Monday.

    According to the statement, by the release of the funds “all depositors will now be paid in full”.

    This comes after government spent GH¢6.1 billion to settle customers of up to GH¢20,000 each, pending the sale of assets of the defunct financial institutions.

    So far, a total GH¢17.7 billion has been spent in the settlement of customers since the clean-up of the financial sector.

    The statement disclosed that sale of assets of the defunct institutions has been slow.

    “We expect that the recent accelerated pace of the prosecutions and an intensification of the civil recovery process under the receivership will result in substantial recovery of these monies for the Treasurer.”

    The funds will be disbursed to the customers through Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG).

    Depositors have been told that the receiver and CBG will provide a detailed plan and procedures on how to settle them.

    Source: 3news.com

  • You have 72 hours to evacuate Ghanaian students in China Minority to government

    The Minority Caucus has called on the Government to as a matter of urgency, evacuate Ghanaian students currently locked up in China, to a less coronavirus-prone area or back to Ghana.

    They have in effect, given the Akufo-Addo-led government a three-day ultimatum to take action.

    Failure to that, they noted, will see them reconvene and tell the world their next line of action.

    According to them, France, United State of America, Switzerland, Philippines, Russia, Libya among other countries have all evacuated their nationals from China as a result of the CoronaVirus.

    The United States of America, they noted, is even doing a second round evacuation of their nationals, urging the Government to swiftly move in to save the Ghanaian students before anything bad befalls on them.

    Over 400 Ghanaian students are estimated to be in China.

    At a press briefing on the sidelines of Parliamentary sitting, Tuesday, the Ranking Members of the Foreign Affairs and Health Committees, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, said Ghana has the capacity to evacuate their students from China, especially, those trapped in Wuhan, the epicenter of the CoronaVirus.

    They cited war ravaged Libya as an example to buttress their argument, stressing that during the war nine years ago, Ghana was able to evacuate her nationals who were more than a thousand back to Ghana.

    According to them, records released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicates that 1,016 people have been confirmed dead with 43,000 infested with the Corona Virus.

    “The Government cannot be insensitive to the plight of Ghanaians. This is a humanitarian issue and the earlier the government acts, the better”, they noted.

    Source: kasapafmonline.com

  • Aburi rockslide: Act now or risk serious disaster Geologist warns government

    A geologist at the University of Ghana, Dr. John Kusimi has called on the government to act with urgency to avoid what he describes as a looming disaster on the Aburi-Ayi Mensah road.

    “A soon as possible within the capacity and the means of the state, we should act to do something before the next rainy season comes this year. If not we will be waiting for this looming disaster to strike,” he said.

    Assessing the situation on the road which has seen multiple incidents of rockslide within the last two years, Dr. Kusimi told Ghanaweb in an interview that, even though the Aburi Mountain falls within a fault line making it prone to earthquakes, the current situation on a stretch of the road is as a result of the infiltration of water.

    He said the construction of the road which saw parts of the mountain being scrapped off allowed water to permeate the mountain overtime. This he said has resulted in the mountain gaining more weight than it can hold.

    According to the earth scientist, the gradient slope of the mountain which was rendered steeper due to the road construction, coupled with the penetration of water into the rocks is what has brought about the current situation of mass wasting currently being experienced.

    “When the rocks were cut into and got exposed, we have a process we call weathering. The rocks were not exposed to water, now they are exposed to water. So the rocks got weathered and became loose.”

    Speaking more on the factors influencing the situation of the rocks falling off to GhanaWeb, Dr. Kusimi said the erection of building structures on top of the mountain is serving as a major factor as it compounds to the weight of the mountain gained through the penetration of water.

    He cautioned that should the right measures not be adopted in time to handle the situation, the risk of having a major disaster occur on the road stands very high, especially with the coming of the rainy season.

    Proposing some measures that can serve as long term solutions to the recurrent incidents of a rockslide on the road, Dr. Kusimi said authorities should start by demolishing the structures which have been put up on the mountain.

    “The time they were constructing the road was the time they should have done the netting. Now they should scrape all the loose materials, do a concrete spraying on the surfaces of the exposed rocks and then fix the net. So the few rabbles of loose stones that will fall the net will trap it. As for the removal of the buildings that is the first thing that has to be done.”

    Furtherance to the scrapping of the rock surface and spraying concrete on it, some short rooted plants should be planted on the surface of the rocks to reduce any possible infiltration of water into the rocks, he proposed.

    Dr Kusimi also called for the immediate seizure of all human activities such as quarrying on the mountain.

    “Quarrying is taking place there, quarrying also has an effect that can trigger these things, especially if they are using very strong materials like dynamites to blow them up. It has a similar effect like the earthquake. So the quarrying has to stop, the building and construction of human infrastructure and all those human activities that are going to expose the rocks to weathering should be stopped.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Minority mounts pressure on government to evacuate Ghanaian students in China

    The Minority caucus in Parliament has called on the government to immediately evacuate Ghanaians living in Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak in China.

    The Minority Ranking members on the Health and Foreign Affairs, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa made the call when they spoke to the members of the parliamentary press corps on Tuesday afternoon [February 11, 2020].

    They argued that it was unfathomable that President Akufo-Addo has remained quiet on the matter since the outbreak while his administration seems unmoved by the distress calls by Ghanaian students in Wuhan.

    Admitting that they were mindful of the available World Health Organisation (WHO) protocols on evacuations, they insisted those protocols could be followed in the evacuation process.

    ”We have convened this press conference to renew our demands on the Akufo-Addo led government to immediately evacuate our nationals in Wuhuan, particularly students who are stranded and continue to cry out for help. The leadership of this country, cannot be callous, cannot be insensitive… when it is about the life of our nation. It is in times like these that we asses the value that leadership places on the life of our citizens. We hereby call on the Akufo-government to immediately evacuate our students, particularly those under lock and key.”

    “We have discussed as a Minority and the leadership of the Minority caucus have asked that we give a three-day ultimatum to the Akufo-Addo government. They have three days, latest by Friday, the evacuation of Ghanaian students should take place and these students should be brought to us. We owe them. We should not be callous and insensitive to their plight,” Mr Ablakwa said.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Murder cases: No fears, Ashanti region is safe Minister assures

    The Ashanti Regional Minister Hon Simon Osei Mensah has assured that there is no cause for alarm over murder cases that have occurred in recent times in the region.

    According to the Regional Minister Hon Simon Osei Mensah, the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) is working tirelessly to deal with armed robbers and criminals in the region.

    Since January 2019, seven women have been murdered, including a community nurse who was gang-raped and murdered last week at Ayuom in the Ashanti Region.

    The Ashanti Regional Minister Hon Simon Osei Mensah speaking to the media in Kumasi said adequate security measures have been put in place by the security agencies to protect law-abiding citizens in the region.

    The Minister explained that though the Region has recorded several cases, armed robbery, murder, and other crimes have reduced drastically with the help of the security.

    “When you start doing swoop and parading criminals, people get frightening that is why nowadays the police do not parade arrested people after swoop. The region is safe because we are putting in much effort to deal with criminals and armed robbers. The most important thing is to reduce it drastically even if we cannot eliminating it” the Minister said.

    “The crime rate in the region has reduced down as compared to the previous. The security agencies are ready to protect lives and properties in the region. There is no cause for alarm” He added.

    The Region Minister Hon Simon Osei Mensah revealed that police in the region have commenced serious investigations into murder cases that have occurred in the region especially the nurse who was allegedly murdered at Sewua.

    The Minister, however, appealed to the general public to be security-conscious and also assist the police to fight criminals and armed robbers.

    Source: kingdomfmonline.com

  • Government’s sectorial performance since 2017

     

    Photo Credit: delivery.gov.gh

     

    Photo Credit: delivery.gov.gh

    Source: backend.theindependentghana.com

  • Government to ban importation of accident and overaged vehicles into Ghana

    Government has initiated processes to pass the Customs Amendments Bill into law to regulate the importation of vehicles into Ghana.

    Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Majority Leader and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs disclosed this in a radio interview on Okay FM, an Accra based Radio Station Tuesday morning.

    He said the decision to ban importation of accident and overaged vehicles into Ghana is to create the enabling environment and market for the many automobile companies about to establish outlets in Ghana. Not only that, he also said they are the reasons why we have so many accidents on our roads.

    Currently, overaged vehicles are allowed into the country after the payment of penalty but Government is considering a complete ban of the importation of vehicles which are 10 years old and also prevent the importation of salvaged vehicles. (Salvage vehicles are those that have been involved in an accident or vehicles that are flooded).

    German car-maker, Volkswagen, Nissan and Toyota are various vehicle manufacturing companies that have plans to set up assembling plants in Ghana to serve the Ghanaian market and other countries.

    Source: gbcghanaonline.com

  • Government secures US$250m World Bank funds to start National Development Bank in 2020

    The National Development Bank is expected to commence operations in 2020 to provide access to cheaper and long-term funding to some key companies operating in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors.

    The Finance Minister delivering the 2020 budget statement to Parliament said the government is set to complete discussions with the World Bank and other development partners to capitalize the bank in 2020 for it to commerce operations.

    World Bank Board of Directors approve $150m for education in Ghana

    “We have secured US$250 million from the World Bank as initial capitalization to kick-start the operations of the NDB and an interim board was set-up.”

    “In view of the high level of interest generated, other donors such as DFID, KFW, AfDB are expected to provide additional capitalization for the Bank once it becomes operational in 2020.”

    “The National Development Bank as envisioned will refinance credit to industry and agriculture as a wholesale bank, and also provide guarantee instruments to encourage universal banks to lend to these specific sectors of the economy,” he added.

    The Bank is expected to act as an independent institution with a strong corporate governance framework and would be globally rated to enable it to leverage foreign private capital for industrial and agriculture development in the country.

    Increase IDA Funding to US$100m Ken Ofori Atta to IMF/World Bank

    Mr Ofori-Atta said the government will also provide periodic dedicated funds for intervention in key areas of the economy such as large scale agro-processing, housing, through various schemes and funds as needed for economic and social development and jobs.

    2020 Budget Statement and Economic Policy by The Independent Ghana on Scribd

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Government pledges GHC12.2m for Kumawu roads

    Government is expected to construct 5.2 kilometers road in the Kumawu township of the Ashanti Region.

    The construction process is to cost the State an amount of GH¢ 12.2 million.

    Minister of Roads and Highways, Amoako-Atta, made this known on Friday, October 11, 2019, in Kumawu.

    Sinohydro money will come Government

    He made the announcement after the Omanhene of Kumawu, Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua, Omanhene of Kumawu Traditional Area, pleaded with President Nana Akufo-Addo to address the road challenge in the area.

    The Minister said by June 2020, the roads will be completed.

    The roads include Market square link road, Krobo Adusei, Kumawu Anglican Church, he said.

    President Akufo-Addo assured the Chief that the three factories expected to be built in the area would be completed.

    World Mental Health Day: Support nurses at psychiatric hospitals Abena Korkor to government

    The President is on a tour of the Ashanti Region.

    He was accompanied by the ministers of education, food and agriculture, health, among others.

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Government urged to enforce fishing by-laws

    SEND-Ghana, a non-governmental organisation, has called on government to enforce bye-laws to properly regulate the fishing industry and reduce illegal activities.

    A Field Officer of SEND-Ghana, Nana Kwesi Barning-Ackah said application of the laws had become necessary to ensuring that the fisher folk increased their yield.

    He made the call at a national dialogue on a situational analysis of farmers and fisher-folk in Accra.

    The meeting, held in partnership with Oxfam, brought to the fore the challenges crop farmers and fisher-folk face with potential gender differences.

    Stealing of waste bins a greedy and selfish act Sanitation Minister

    It was on the theme: “Promoting Economic Justice, Food, Security and Agricultural Governance Using Gender Responsive Budgeting.”

    He said to effectively patrol the over 300 landing sites dotted along the coast, the laws must work and people who flouted it must be dealt with accordingly.

    Nana Barning-Ackah appealed to government to assist by subsidising the cost of fishing inputs such as outboard motors and fishing nets, fast-track the construction of landing beaches, particularly in James Town, and strengthen sensitization of fisher-folk on new fishing methods.

    Reporting on the findings of the agricultural sector, he said food security was important to the economy and, therefore, the need for government to commit resources to increase yield.

    He said farmers were constantly faced with the challenges of land acquisition, marketing, agricultural inputs, storage facilities and loans to enhance their work.

    It was, therefore, important for government to recruit more extension officers and equip them with the needed tools to assist farmers to ensure best practices, Nana Barning-Ackah said.

    He said government should dialogue with traditional authorities to limit encroachment on dedicated agriculture lands as there were not enough lands for farming activities.

    “Government should fast-track the construction of warehouses/storage facilities to help farmers store their produce during bumper harvests and have reserves for the dry season as well as create avenues for farmers and fisher-folk to easily access loans,” he said.

    Akufo-Addo cuts sod for construction of Axim mini fishing harbour to begin

    Dr Emmanuel Ayifah, the Deputy Country Director SEND-Ghana, said the dialogue was to increase evidence to inform public policy debates on gender-responsive budgeting in agriculture and the fisheries sector.

    Rev. Enock Baodu Amo, the Deputy Director/Acting Head, Research, Statistics and Information Management Directorate, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, commended SEND-Ghana for carrying out the research.

    He said the Ministry had taken note of the various challenges in the sector and was working to mitigate them.

    Mr Amo said plans to build fishing harbours at the landing beaches and inland were underway to ensure proper storage.

    He noted that the close season had come to stay and urged fishermen to adhere to it to reduce the over-exploitation of fish stocks in marine waters.

    Mr Robert Nettey, a Fisherman at James Town, called on government to ensure that all forms of illegal fishing methods were stopped to give meaning to the close season.

    Chief Osman Fukuyama, a Farmer at Bereku in the Central Region, called for organic agriculture to enhance the sector, saying; “We need to keep our lands fertile to increase yields if not Ghana would soon have to import food to feed her citizens.”

    Source: Myjoyonline.com