A former secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Tain constituency, Adama Coulibaly, has described Ghanaians as ungrateful.
He said Ghanaians are ungrateful because they have failed to commend the government following the appreciation of the cedi against the dollar, and reduction of fuel prices, among other things.
He claimed that Ghanaians slammed President Akufo-Addo when the cedi fell against the dollar and food prices skyrocketed.
They have, however, refused to commend the President after things have stabilized. Ghanaians must come out in support of the President. Those who attacked him on social media should go back and commend him for what he is doing,” he added.
He believed that while Ghanaians had various opinions about the government when things were bad, they should also praise it when efforts were made to alleviate the problems.
According to him, he was taken aback by Ghanaians’ silence now that things are improving in the country, but when things were worse, people were insulting the government.
On December 22, 2022, in Accra, at a ceremony where a memorandum of understanding was signed between the government and organized labor regarding the exclusion of pension funds from the Domestic Debt Exchange program, Dr. Baah, who represented organized labor, thanked President Akufo-Addo and his administration for paying attention to the country’s workers’ plight.
In his speech, Dr. Baah expressed his sincere gratitude to the Council of State for its contribution towards the exemption of pension funds.
In addressing the media, he acknowledged the role played by the Council of State under the leadership of Nana Otuo Siriboe II.
He stated that the Chairman of the Council of State personally worked tirelessly by engaging both government and Labour to ensure that there was peace in the country.
The statement by Dr. Baah on the impact of the Council of State in the exemption of pension funds from the domestic debt exchange programme has come at a time when the Council has been under serious criticism for its relevance and there has been calls for the scrapping of the or replacing of the Council of State with the senate system which others believe will be more effective.
The current Council of State has been working tirelessly in line with its mandate as stipulated by chapter 9 of the 1992 Constitution. It has had several engagements with the government and other stakeholders especially during these financial crises on the way forward.
The Council has had series of meetings with the Finance Ministry, the Bank of Ghana and other stakeholders in the trade and industry sector on measures to improve the strength of the cedi to other major foreign currencies. Possibly, the current appreciation of the cedi against major foreign currencies could be some of the outcomes of the Council’s work.
It must be noted that the Council of State is unable to make known most of its work to public as a result of provisions of the constitution which limits the public activities of the Council of State.
Prof Godfred Bokpin, an Economist and Finance Lecturer at the University of Ghana, has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to as a matter of urgency reduce the size of his government.
According to him, if the president thinks he will not be able to manage Ghana’s economy with at most 40 ministers of state, he should step down.
He added that some ministers and their ministries have become idle and should be merged to other ministries, myjoyonline.com reports.
“As a matter of urgency, a reduction in the size of ministers… if our President cannot govern with less than 40 ministers and the other reforms, he should resign and give Ghana a chance.
“.. with the number of ministers and associated calls, State Owned Enterprises, new agencies being created, some of them are actually not doing anything but their lifestyles are loaded on the public purse,” Prof Bokpin is quoted to have said on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Friday.
The Economist added that the president must also temporarily suspend some emoluments given to political office holders including ex-gratia.
He reiterated that if President Akufo-Addo wants Ghanaians to sacrifice to help the country get out of the current economic situation he must lead by example by cutting the government’s expenditure drastically.
Bismark Boateng, the chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ayawaso Central constituency, believes breaking the 8-year jinx is a possibility for the party in 2024.
The party’s chair indicated that the unprecedented achievements of President Akufo-Addo will make it easier for the NPP to win the 2024 general elections.
According to him, what the party needs are to unite its front, avoid the infightings and any differences and unite its front for victory in 2024.
In his opinion, the party should improve its communication and communicate its achievements so that Ghanaians are aware of what the president has accomplished, making it easier for them to vote for the NPP in 2024.
He was speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm.
He admitted that there had been some economic challenges, but the current administration is putting in measures to address these challenges.
“Breaking the eight is possible. Nothing has changed. The belief we had and the factors that gave us hope of breaking the eight have not changed. We still have hope. We are doing a lot to make this country run smoothly. We must deal with our conflicts and remain united in order to break the eight.”
Despite financial difficulties, the president is building roads. Despite the fact that we are experiencing hardship, we are seeing massive works across the country. President Akufo-Addo has accomplished much, and we are confident that we will surpass the eight-year mark as a result of his efforts.
According to the party chair, the NPP would have an easier time winning the general elections in 2024 as a result of President Akufo-Addo’s historic accomplishments.
In his opinion, the party should improve its communication and communicate its achievements so that Ghanaians are aware of what the president has accomplished, making it easier for them to vote for the NPP in 2024.
He was speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm.
He admitted that there had been some economic challenges, but the current administration is putting in measures to address these challenges.
“Breaking the eight is possible. Nothing has changed. The belief we had and the factors that gave us hope of breaking the eight have not changed. We still have hope. We are doing a lot to make this country run smoothly. We must deal with our conflicts and remain united in order to break the eight.”
Despite financial difficulties, the president is building roads. Despite the fact that we are experiencing hardship, we are seeing massive works across the country. President Akufo-Addo has accomplished much, and we are confident that we will surpass the eight-year mark as a result of his efforts.
The death of my good friend, Dr. Kwesi Botchwey, is a very sad development.
My contemporary, in the mid-1960s, at the University of Ghana, Legon, Dr. Botchwey was a longstanding public servant, who discharged his duties thoughtfully and with dignity, and became Ghana’s longest-serving Minister for Finance and Economic Planning.
A Ghanaian patriot and a committed Pan-Africanist, politics was, for him, an avenue to serve his nation and continent, not a vehicle for venting his personal dislikes and embarking on vendettas against others.
We subscribed, in our adult lives, to different ideological persuasions, differences that did not diminish the respect we had for each other or for our friendship.
I will miss him and his urbane, civilized conduct and demeanour.
The thoughts and sympathies of my wife, Rebecca, the First Lady, and I are with his partner, Gwendy, children and family.
I extend my deepest condolences to them, and also to the National Democratic Congress, of which he was a prominent and much respected member.
Ghana has lost a fine gentleman and exceptional public servant. May his soul rest in perfect peace in the Bosom of the Almighty until the Last Day of the Resurrection when we shall all meet again.
Some Ghanaians, including President Akufo-Addo, requested that traders lower the cost of their goods when the Ghana cedi’s value increased in relation to the US dollar, but in vain.
Although Nana Prempeh said that prices for commodities have decreased after transportation costs had decreased, he also claimed that the CFA and the dollar’s volatility make it challenging to lower prices for imported goods.
He was speaking in an interview with Class 91.3 FM’s Elisha Adarkwah on Friday, December 23, 2022, when the traders at the New Kumasi Kejetia Market donated some assorted items to six orphanage homes, Kumasi Central Prison, and 150 widows as part of the Christmas celebration.
He was quick to add that the two main foreign trading currencies have started appreciating against the cedi.
He also refuted the claims that they are sabotaging the government by not reducing the price of their commodities.
For her part, the Ntoma Hemaa of the Ashanti Region, Nana Yaa Boadu, said they cannot reduce the price of their goods because of the current appreciation of the CFA to the cedi.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will on Wednesday, December 21, attend the dinner night of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) as the Special Guest of Honour.
The event will take place at the forecourt of the Ghana International Press Centre.
“…All members of the GJA are to put their pens and microphones down on Wednesday night and come dine, wine and be fine at the Press Centre,” a statement signed by Mr Kofi Yeboah, the General Secretary, GJA, said.
The event is to: “promote solidarity and camaraderie among members of the inky fraternity after a hard year’s work.”
Upon assumption of office in June 2022, the National Executives of the GJA decided to decouple the Annual GJA Media Awards/ Dinner Night, with the Media Awards being organised separately from the Dinner Night, it said.
Other prominent personalities to grace the occassion include ministers of state, members of Parliament, members of the diplomatic corps and media partners, who would be treated to good music by the Ghana Police Band.
The GJA Media Awards was held at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, this year, on November 12.
According to him, it came as a surprise to realize that the government is using its reserves to strengthen the dollar.
In a tweet on December 19, 2022, he wrote: “Okay, I was wrong. I told folks at various times that the govt of Ghana will not suspend payments on the external debt until it formally engages creditors on a plan next year. I did not anticipate that it will burn thru its reserves to reinforce a run on the dollar.”
The Ghana cedi has, in the last two weeks, gained about 63% against the dollar. The currency raced from behind to become the strongest performer against the dollar in the past week.
The government has associated the appreciation with the announcement of the debt exchange programme and the staff-level agreement reached with the International Monetary Fund.
Meanwhile, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has stated that the appreciation of the cedi against all major trading currencies is a result of deliberate policy interventions introduced by the government over the last few months.
There is some jubilation on the streets as the Ghana Cedi surges against the dollar.
Interbank exchange rates announced by the central bank on Friday, October 16, 2022, saw the Ghana cedi continuing its steady appreciation on the forex market, selling at less than GH¢10 to the dollar.
“I add my voice to those of GUTA, GRTCC and others, to appeal to manufacturers, traders and transport operators, that with the height of the cedi’s recent depreciation and increased prices of goods and services, to reduce their prices of goods and services now that the cedi is regaining much of its strength. I believe this is not only a fair request but also a just one.”
Meanwhile, Akufo-Addo has said the appreciation of the cedi against all major trading currencies is a result of deliberate policy interventions introduced by Government over the last few months.
According to President Akufo-Addo, “the strengthening of the cedi has not happened by chance, but through the implementation of deliberate policies by Government, in collaboration with the Bank of Ghana.”
President Akufo-Addo has again justified his decision to construct the National Cathedral.
He insists that the controversial project will signify an appreciation to God who he believes has spared the country from conflicts and plagues over the years.
According to him, the project whose 2023 budgetary allocation approval has been suspended will be geared toward thanking God for “sparing us the ravages of civil war that have bedevilled the histories of virtually all our neighbours and the outbreak of deadly mass epidemics but also as a rallying point for the entire Christian community of Ghana, which represents seventy-plus per cent of the population.”
He spoke during the centenary celebration of the Ga Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at the Black Star Square in Accra on December 18.
Addressing the congregants, President Akufo-Addo further courted the support of Ghanaians to make the country a better place for all.
“I need the support of every Ghanaian, together with the prayers of the church, to help me and my government carry out our mandate successfully,” he added on Sunday.
Key among the clergy present at the event were the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Prof. Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante.
On December 13, the Trades and Industry Committee of Parliament put on hold the approval of ₵80 million allocated for the construction of the National Cathedral.
The allocation, which was made to the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), failed to receive endorsement by the Committee because members want more answers from the sector Minister.
According to Tamale Central MP, Murtala Mohammed who disclosed this to JoyNews, until the Committee is satisfied, they will approve the Ministry’s estimates without the funds allocated to the National Cathedral.
“What the Committee decided was that we cannot just approve this GH₵80 million, we must know how the other ¢339 million was spent. What did it constitute?
“The ¢80 million you want us to approve, how did it find space in the budget line of the Ministry of Tourism when the Minister and the directors could not speak to the questions we were asking? What constitutes the ¢80 million, they should give us a breakdown,” he disclosed in an interview with JoyNews.
In the wake of the economic downturn, many are asking why the construction of the National Cathedral remains the subject of big-ticket spending in the spending plans of the government.
Already, some ¢339 million has been spent on the project, an edifice that President Akufo-Addo says is his personal pledge to God.
But, the Okyehene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin II has pleaded support for the building of the National Cathedral so as not to bring shame to President Akufo-Addo.
President Akufo-Addo has defended the need to complete the construction of the National Cathedral.
He insists that the controversial project will signify an appreciation to God who he believes has spared the country from conflicts and plagues over the years.
According to him, the project whose 2023 budgetary allocation approval has been suspended will be geared toward thanking God for “sparing us the ravages of civil war that have bedevilled the histories of virtually all our neighbours and the outbreak of deadly mass epidemics but also as a rallying point for the entire Christian community of Ghana, which represents seventy-plus per cent of the population.”
He spoke during the centenary celebration of the Ga Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at the Black Star Square in Accra on December 18.
Addressing the congregants, President Akufo-Addo further courted the support of Ghanaians to make the country a better place for all.
“I need the support of every Ghanaian, together with the prayers of the church, to help me and my government carry out our mandate successfully,” he added on Sunday.
Key among the clergy present at the event were the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Prof. Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante.
On December 13, the Trades and Industry Committee of Parliament put on hold the approval of ₵80 million allocated for the construction of the National Cathedral.
The allocation, which was made to the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), failed to receive endorsement by the Committee because members want more answers from the sector Minister.
According to Tamale Central MP, Murtala Mohammed who disclosed this to JoyNews, until the Committee is satisfied, they will approve the Ministry’s estimates without the funds allocated to the National Cathedral.
“What the Committee decided was that we cannot just approve this GH₵80 million, we must know how the other ¢339 million was spent. What did it constitute?
“The ¢80 million you want us to approve, how did it find space in the budget line of the Ministry of Tourism when the Minister and the directors could not speak to the questions we were asking? What constitutes the ¢80 million, they should give us a breakdown,” he disclosed in an interview with JoyNews.
In the wake of the economic downturn, many are asking why the construction of the National Cathedral remains the subject of big-ticket spending in the spending plans of the government.
Already, some ¢339 million has been spent on the project, an edifice that President Akufo-Addo says is his personal pledge to God.
But, the Okyehene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin II has pleaded support for the building of the National Cathedral so as not to bring shame to President Akufo-Addo.
The remarks made by President Akufo-Addo against the Wagner group in neighboring Burkina Faso will be investigated by parliament, according to Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu.
“I have information that our Ranking Member of Foreign Affairs, and members on the Foreign Affairs Committee will ask for details briefly to parliament on this reckless, irresponsible, unprofessional statement by the President of our Republic. If he cannot provide us with food, he should not let them bring guns on us as a country,” the Minority Leader said in an address at the NDC’s 10th Delegates Congress ongoing at the Accra Sports Stadium.
He further accused the President of creating foreign policy crisis for Ghana.
“He’s simply failed momentarily to have impulse control and to ensure balance between foreign policy and the security of our state when he openly condemned Burkina Faso and mentioned the Wagner group of Russia.
Burkina Faso summoned the Ghanaian ambassador on Friday morning for “explanations” after Ghana’s president alleged that Burkina Faso had hired the Russian mercenary group Wagner, Burkina Faso’s foreign ministry said.
Speaking to reporters alongside U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday, Akufo-Addo also alleged that Burkina Faso had offered Wagner a mine as payment.
In a statement issued after the meeting with the ambassador, Burkina Faso’s foreign ministry said it had “expressed disapproval” about the statements made by the Ghanaian president.
“Ghana could have undertaken exchanges with the Burkinabe authorities on the security issue in order to have the right information,” it said.
However, it did not confirm or deny the allegations. In a separate message to Reuters, the foreign ministry spokesperson said, without elaborating: “In any case, Burkina has not called on Wagner”.
Burkina Faso also recalled its ambassador from Ghana for a meeting, the spokesperson said.
Burkinabe authorities have not commented publicly on whether or not they are working with Wagner, a mercenary group that was hired in neighbouring Mali to help fight Islamist militants.
Meanwhile, Security Analyst, Adib Saani has questioned the propriety of the comments made by Ghana’s Leader, Akufo-Addo on the Wagner Group.
Commenting on the fallout from the development, Adib Saani said since independence, Ghana has maintained a non-aligned posture in the global political chess games between the East and the West thus “Our decision not to take sides has helped us gain respect and favor from both sides of the divide.”
He opined “But it’s absolutely demeaning for the President, flanked by his ministers, to sit infront of a Secretary of State to report on Wagner, a group that has not in any way neither threatened to invade Ghana, nor has it done anything that poses any threat to the security of Ghana.”
Saani who is also Head of the Jatikay Centre for Human Security and Peace Building maintained that Burkina Faso is a sovereign country and can decide to call on whoever to help it fight any threat to their nation.
“When Ghana hosted the Americans through the defence cooperation agreement, no country in the sub-region complained. So why does our President make such a mockery of us by going to report on an issue that has nothing to do with us hence, bring us international disrepute,” he questioned.
Burkina Faso summoned the Ghanaian ambassador on Friday morning for “explanations” after Ghana’s president alleged that Burkina Faso had hired the Russian mercenary group Wagner, Burkina Faso’s foreign ministry said.
Speaking to reporters alongside U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday, Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo alleged that Burkina Faso had hired the mercenaries.
“Today, Russian mercenaries are on our northern border. Burkina Faso has now entered into an arrangement to go along with Mali in employing the Wagner forces there,” Akufo-Addo said, adding that it was a distressing development for Ghana.
Akufo-Addo also alleged that Burkina Faso had offered Wagner a mine as payment.
In a statement issued after the meeting with the ambassador, Burkina Faso’s foreign ministry said it had “expressed disapproval” about the statements made by the Ghanaian president.
“Ghana could have undertaken exchanges with the Burkinabe authorities on the security issue in order to have the right information,” it said.
The Government of Burkina Faso has reportedly recalled its ambassador to Ghana over President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s accusations that the country is hiring Russian mercenaries.
According to security analyst Adib Saani, who disclosed this to GhanaWeb, the Burkinabe government has also summoned Ghana’s ambassador to Burkina Faso to answer questions about President Akufo Addo‘s comments.
BBC Journalist Lalla Sy, who confirmed the move by the Burkinabe government, said that Burkina’s ambassador to Ghana was recalled for consultation over President Akufo-Addo’s accusations.
Lalla Sy, in a report on the BBC website, on December 16, 2022, said that Ghana’s ambassador to Burkina Faso was summoned for a meeting on Friday morning over the allegations Akufo-Addo made.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on the US government to help deal with the threat of Russian mercenaries on Ghana’s border with Burkina Faso.
According to the president, Ghana’s security apparatus has noticed the activities of these Russian mercenaries along its borders in the north who have been contracted by the Burkinabe government.
Addressing officials of the US government, including Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, at a meeting in Washington, Akufo-Addo said that the Burkinabe government had contracted these mercenaries to help them fight Islamic militants in their country and is paying them by giving them a mining concession.
“I think that beyond everything, there is a matter that I want to urge upon you. Today, Russian mercenaries are on our northern border. Burkina Faso has now entered into an arrangement to go along with Mali in employing the Wagner forces there.
“I believe a mine in southern Burkina has been allocated to them as a form of payment for their services. Prime minister of Burkina Faso in the last 10 days has been in Moscow. And to have them operating on our northern border is particularly distressing for us in Ghana,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo and his wife Rebecca Akufo-Addo both paid a courtesy call on the US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden at the White House in Washington DC.
The President among over 40 African leaders attending the US-Africa Leaders’ summit hosted by Joe Biden.
Aside the crucial diplomatic, bilateral and multilateral meetings that the leaders had with the US government and other development partners, the African leaders were hosted to a dinner by the US president.
Photos shared on the President’s Facebook timeline shows the moment he arrived with Rebecca at the White House for the dinner as well as photos they took with Joe and Jill Biden.
Since Biden became president, Akufo-Addo has officially visited Washington but he was hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris.
The 2022 US-Africa’ Leaders summit started on the 13th of December and ends on the 15th. It is the second such gathering with the first hosted by Barack Obama, whose Vice President at the time was Joe Biden.
In 2014 when the Obama White House hosted African leaders, Ghana was represented by then President John Dramani Mahama who was accompanied by wife Lordina Mahama.
Ghanaian president, Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, this week received a standing ovation after delivering a speech in the United States of America.
The president was addressing the opening ceremony of the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit held in Washington DC.
Drawing inspiration from Jamaican reggae star Peter Tosh, Nana Akufo-Addo, charged Africans in the diaspora that they remain an important part of the quest to change the African story.
“Let us remember that the destiny of all black people no matter where they are in the world is bound up with Africa. We should never forget that famous admonition of the celebrated Jamaican reggae star Peter Tosh and I quote don’t care where you come from, as long as you are a black man, you are an African.”
It is on this premise that Nana Akufo-Addo, charged all blacks in the diaspora to help make Africa a place for investment, progress, and prosperity and not where the youth flee with the mirage of a better life in Asia of the Americas.
Nana Addo said the time had come for all Africans both home and abroad to help change the African narrative. He said the characterization of Africa as the home of diseases, hunger, poverty and illegal mass migration must end.
Nana Addo used the Chinese diaspora and how they helped China’s resurgence into a global manufacturing giant through direct forex investments as a test case.
According to the president of Ghana, this will help the continent attain the respect it deserves on the global stage.
He added that this agenda is what has driven his government to rally Africans in the diaspora to come home as part of the “Beyond the Return campaign’.
“If we stop being beggars and spend African money inside the continent, Africa will not need to ask for respect from anyone, we will get the respect we deserve. If we make it prosperous as it should be, respect will follow,” the president said.
Describing the people of Africa as resilient, the president further called for solidarity amongst countries within the continent to attain their shared aspirations.
“Africans are more resilient outside the continent than inside. We must bear in mind that to the outside world, [there’s] nothing like Nigeria, Ghana or Kenya, we are simply Africans. Our destiny as people depends on each other,” he said.
According to the president, the continent possesses the needed skill and manpower but requires a concerted political will to “work”.
A number of African leaders have travelled to Washington to join a discussion aimed at strengthening the continent’s cooperation with the US amid concerns about Chinese and Russian influence.
NDC’s deputy National Youth Organiser, Edem Agbana, has cast doubt over President Akufo-Addo’s ability to bring the dwindling economy back on track.
According to Mr Agbana, the government does not have a workable policy to deal with the economic challenges bedeviling Ghana.
Speaking with Roselyn Felli on Prime Morning, Monday, he indicated how unpredictable the government is when it comes to planning for the country.
“President Akufo-Addo and his government, and their management team are very inconsistent, and they do not have any clear-cut policy to help Ghanaians out of the economic mess.” Edem Agbana said.
His comment comes on the back of government’s decision to reintroduce the road tolls less than a year after it was scrapped.
“Because a year ago, you read the budget and you gave reasons why you needed to scrap the tolls…what happened to those reasons? Why are you now reintroducing the road tolls?” the Deputy NDC Organiser quizzed.
Mr. Agbana indicated that the government is a populist one that does not think beyond propaganda and that their policies are just a pretence to gain political capital.
“But again, it points out to the fact that we have a populist government…Every policy, every initiative that they pretend to be introducing is to help them get some political capital,” he added.
The NDC Organiser further said that the government claimed to have scrapped the road tolls just so they could introduce the e-levy.
He said that this was to make Ghanaians believe that they have reduced their tax burdens.
According to Edem Agbana, the government wanted to raise about GH₵6.9 billion from the e-levy but after some months, they realised they were unable to raise even 10% of the proceeds, so they sought after the IMF for pecuniary aid.
He thus believes that the government is clueless as to how to bring the economy back to life.
He said, “I don’t have a problem paying road tolls, but the challenge is that government is consistently inconsistent when it comes to their economic policies.”
“This is a very confused government, a government that is clueless, and just jumping on doing trial and error, but try and error cannot run the economy,” he stressed.
The NDC Deputy Youth Organiser suggested that “We must have consistent policies, dedicate ourselves to pursuing those policies, and ensure that we bring Ghanaians out of the economic mess that we find ourselves in.”
The Member of Parliament for Tamale North, Alhassan S. Suhuyini has advised the New Patriotic Party (NPP) led government to do away with its “arrogant posturing” amidst talks about the debt exchange programme.
In an interview on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, Mr Suhuyini stated that government should desist from projecting itself as “knowing it all” and also stop making decisions on behalf of the public without consultation.
“This is where we should all put our patriotic caps on and look at how we can help the government to at least, get the staff-level agreement. But we will hope that moving forward, they will shed off that arrogant posturing of knowing it all and taking decisions on our behalf without consulting us and expecting to consult us after they have taken some of these decisions,” he said.
Speaking about the budget, Mr. Suyuhini who indicated that government’s approaches are not “comprehensive enough”, stated that they have adopted interventions which they opposed during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) regime.
Sharing his perspective on the debt exchange programme, the legislator said activities of the Akufo-Addo-led government have vindicated the Minority.
He explained that despite their vindication, “better engagement” would reduce the level of opposition emanating from the public in respect of the debt exchange programme.
The prevailing level of opposition, he said could hamper the IMF negotiations.
The Tamale North legislator therefore urged government to show concern by cutting down expenditure.
“But most importantly, they must demonstrate that they are willing to take a haircut themselves,” he concluded.
Ghana’s negotiation with the IMFis expected to reach its peak with Ken Ofori-Atta leading the charge after a failed censure motion to remove him.
The debt exchange programme has been rejected by many individual and corporate bondholders since it was announced by government. The programme seeks to stabilize the hard-hit economy which many, including experts have said is the fault of the Finance Minister, hence the call for his removal.
Due to the debt restructuring, domestic bondholders will receive interest payments that are zero percent in 2023 and five percent in 2024.
In an effort to re-establish the country’s ability to service its debt, existing domestic bonds as of December 1, 2022, will also be swapped for a series of four new bonds expiring in 2027, 2029, 2032, and 2037.
Although the bond market has recently experienced a modest uptick, distressed debt in emerging nations continues to be a severe weakness in the world economythat is gearing up for a downturn.
Governments in developing countries need to refinance $215 billion of debt coming due in the next two years.
But many can no longer borrow. Among those most exposed to distressed debt are asset managers such as Allianz SE, BlackRock Inc and Fidelity Investments.
“We expect the borrowing conditions for emerging markets to stay difficult and rates to remain high,” said Guillermo Osses, head of emerging-market debt strategies at hedge fund manager Man GLG, which has run the best performing EM fund this year.
“Around 15 countries have sovereign bonds trading at distressed levels, and there is no option for them to refinance the current level of debts at these rates. They will have to either go to
the IMF, devalue their currencies or restructure the debt.”
Along with dozens of other developing countries Ghana benefited from a debt-relief initiative run by the IMF and World Bank in the early 2000s, which wiped about $4 billion off its debt stock by 2006. That shift from mostly concessional funding before 2007 to largely commercial borrowing afterwards was transformational for Ghana, says Bright Simons, an analyst at the Accra-based think tank Imani Centre for Policy and Education.
“This new source of funding was completely different from what we’d experienced in the past — this money was going directly to the budget like a steroid injection straight into
the bloodstream,” said Simons.
The cathedral “is the perfect example of the spending spree: Ghana behaving like a fabulously
rich sultanate in the Gulf rather than a developing country just attaining frontier market status.” Erasing the ‘stigma of default’ Ghana spent years pitching itself as a business-friendly country that offered political stability, and a place for foreign investors to make outsized returns that they would easily be able to repatriate.
Foreign Direct Investment soared to nearly $4 billion in 2019, regularly outstripping neighboring
Nigeria, which has an economy over five times larger.
But, as Simons notes, Ghana’s FDI-stock-to-GDP ratio of nearly 80% — compared with a continental average of around 25% — makes it “highly vulnerable to global shifts in sentiment.”
Those shifts have caused domestic problems for President Nana Akufo-Addo. Store closures and street protests over the cost-of-living crisis have sprung up around the country.
And the majority of his own ruling party has called for the resignation of Ken Ofori-Atta, the finance minister, who faces a censure motion from parliament over his management of the economy, including spending on the cathedral.
The beginning of commercial oil production in 2010 helped shape Ghana’s economic ascent, but stresses in the system have become more apparent. Crude production figures have never matched government projections — it sits at under 200,000 barrels per day, less than half of earlier predictions — and investment in the sector has slowed in recent years.
Along with the impact of the pandemic and the Ukraine war on the economy the government and opposition largely blame each other’s overspending for the crisis that the country finds itself in. Some current ministers point to a slew of lucrative take- or-pay power contracts awarded by the previous government between 2013 and 2015.
Designed to solve a short-term electricity crisis, the deals resulted in private producers setting up plants that can supply 4,600 megawatts, nearly double national peak demand of 2,700 megawatts — leaving the country paying $500 million a year for power it does not use and cannot store.
Debt owed to fuel suppliers and the power companies could reach $12.5 billion by 2023.
Two out of President Akufo-Addo’s candidates have received approval recommendations after being publicly vetted by the Appointments Committee of Parliament.
On the fate of the remaining two others nominees: Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu and Justice George Kingsley Koomson, the Committee did not indicate any reasons for not recommending them for approval.
And as many would recall, one of the two unconfirmed judges, Ernest Yao Gaewu, is the man who was linked to the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
After he was nominated for to the Supreme Court of Ghana, GhanaWeb sighted documents that proved that he was a one-time parliamentary candidate of the NPP for the Ho central constituency seat.
However, appearing before the Appointments Committee of Parliament, where he was taken through a very tough time, Justice Yao Gaewu told the panel that he had renounced his membership of the NPP before his nomination.
According to him, he is not in a position where his political history will interfere in the discharge of his duties and that he will not relent to recuse himself from a case that conflicts with his ideas.
“Mr Chairman, luckily, I am not a member of the NPP for now. I am no longer a member of the NPP. I have sworn a judicial oath to do right to all manner of persons. My lord if I am empanelled and to the extent that well it will conflict with my ideas, I may ask to be recused.
“I ceased to become a member of the NPP on the 16th day of September 2020,” he told parliament’s Appointment Committee during his vetting on Wednesday, October 19, 2022.
However, it appears his past political life may just have come in the way of his advancement to the Supreme Court.
While this has not been clearly stated in the document released by the parliamentary committee on the vetting of the nominees, the reasons for recommending Justice Barbara Frances Ackah-Yensu and Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu, were stated.
In its reasons, the Appointments Committee of Parliament said that the confirmed two justices “demonstrated dexterity in the knowledge of the law and showed character and competence.
They pledged to interpret the law without fear or favour and eschew partisanship in their rulings.”
The report of the Appointments Committee did not indicate the fate of the remaining two nominees, Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu and Justice George Kingsley Koomson.
It can be recalled that four nominees, including Justice George Kingsley Koomson, Justice of the Court of Appeal;
Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu, Justice of the Court of Appeal; Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu, Justice of the High Court; and Justice Barbara Frances Ackah-Yensu, Justice of the Court of Appeal, were vetted in October 2022 after their nomination by President Akufo-Addo.
He claims that the government is wasting a ton of money on some deputy ministers who are doing almost nothing to stop the nation’s economic decline.
Using the Food and Agriculture Ministry’s deputy ministers as an illustration, Dr. Fokuo stated he does not understand why President Akufo-Addo would allow them to continue buying and selling plantains like other market women.
The senior lecturer believes non-performance by some appointees and ministers serving under the incumbent administration has rendered them redundant.
Speaking on the Kumasi-based OTEC 102.9 FM’s breakfast show “Nyansapo”, on Wednesday, December 6, 2022, Dr. Forkuo said it was highly unnecessary for the government to keep many ministers, at the time the country is dealing with debt restructuring and haircuts on bonds.
“Many sector ministers and their deputies whose performance in the past year is nothing good to write home about should not be entertained by the President”
The senior lecturer believes non-performance by some appointees and ministers serving under the incumbent administration has rendered them redundant.
Speaking on the Kumasi-based OTEC 102.9 FM’s breakfast show “Nyansapo”, on Wednesday, December 6, 2022, Dr. Forkuo said it was highly unnecessary for the government to keep many ministers, at the time the country is dealing with debt restructuring and haircuts on bonds.
Governance is serious business, therefore, any minister or appointee who fails to focus in their respective fields of endeavor to bring the government’s vision to fruition must be sacked without delay,” he told the host, Captain Koda.
“Many sector ministers and their deputies whose performance in the past year is nothing good to write home about should not be entertained by the President”
Ghana and the British government are poised to sign a nurse-for-cash contract.
Health Minister Kweku Agyeman-Manu stated on the floor of parliament on Monday, 5 December 2022 during a discussion of the 2023 budget that each nurse Ghana sends to the UK will likely cost the West African nation £1,000 once the arrangement is finalized.
In accordance with a previous agreement reached between the two nations, nurses from Ghana are already being dispatched to Barbados.
“Mr. Speaker, as you are aware, we have begun sending our nurses abroad on a bilateral basis, and the second cohort of nurses has been dispatched to Barbados as a result of the agreement we struck with that country.
Why would they come for both, Mr. Speaker?
Now that we’re hearing about it in Barbados, patients are asking for Ghanaian nurses to be by their bedsides, and I think that’s good news for us,” said Mr. Agyeman-Manu.
“And, out of these nurses, Ghana is going to benefit from some little monies that the UK government will pass on”, he noted, explaining: “For every single nurse that goes away – when we finish the agreement – it’s likely we’ll get a £1,000 to come back to support our health system”.
Ninety-five Ghanaian nurses (49 women and 46 men) on Thursday, 30 July 2020 arrived in Barbados on an Azores Airlines chartered flight for a two-year contract.
They were to help the Caribbean country’s healthcare system.
In March 2022, the Prime Minister of the Island nation, Mia Motley, said during Ghana’s 65th independence anniversary in the Central Region, at which she was the special guest of honour, that: “I stand here on your Independence Day to thank the people of Ghana for being able to support us in our need for nurses, with the first 95 nurses having gone to Barbados in July 2020.”
“We thank you, the government of the people of Ghana, for that most generous gesture, and we are heartened that they have made a huge difference to our public healthcare system; so much so that we have completed an interview for another 200 nurses to come to Barbados in the near future,” she added.
In November 2019, the Foreign Ministers of Ghana and Barbados, on behalf of the governments and peoples of their respective countries, signed an agreement for the recruitment of a total of 120 nurses from Ghana to complement the staffing needs of the island nation.
The agreement was signed on Friday, 15 November 2019 at Ghana’s Jubilee House, when the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, paid a courtesy call on the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, as part of her official visit.
The objective of the agreement is to provide the framework for the provision of nurses by the Republic of Ghana to Barbados, taking cognisance of the existing commitment of Barbados to accepted international workforce policies and practices, as well as the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Code of Ethics for nurses.
The scope of services and responsibilities include Ghana providing registered nurses to Barbados with a level of expertise as agreed to by both countries, with Barbados providing Ghanaian nurses safe and secure working conditions for professional practice, and medical treatment where needed.
Remuneration is commensurate with the terms and conditions of Barbadian local registered nurses. Barbados is also to provide professional support to Ghanaian nurses to comply with the guidelines and rules of the Nursing Council of Barbados.
A total of 150 short-listed candidates underwent interviews, out of which 120 were to have been chosen.
The qualified nurses possess a minimum of three years of experience, with specialities in the following areas: critical care, cardiac catheterisation, emergency room, operating theatre, and ophthalmology.
It will be recalled that on 15 June 2019, during an official visit to Barbados, as part of activities to promote the declaration of 2019 as the Year of Return, President Akufo-Addo, in principle, agreed to a request by Prime Minister Mottley to send some nurses to work in a number of medical facilities in Barbados.
Addressing a press conference in the aftermath of the bilateral discussions, and with Barbados facing an acute nursing shortage, the Barbadian Prime Minister stated that “we have indicated that we are searching for just under 400 nurses, so it is not a small number, and we really do believe that this is a wonderful opportunity of co-operation between our two countries.”
In addition, she noted that there was also an initial promise to secure the nurses and provide joint education programmes going forward, all in an attempt to secure Barbados’ healthcare sector.
For his part, President Akufo-Addo indicated that “we have a surplus of nurses in Ghana, and placing them all in our public health system is one of my headaches. There have been a lot (of nurses) produced, which, for several years, we have not been able to do anything with.”
He continued, “So, I am going back. I will be back in Accra on Monday, and, the week after, the Prime Minister will hear from me on this matter of nurses.”
President Akufo-Addo has defended the government’s decision to raise funding for its Free Senior High School (SHS) policy.
Despite the nation’s economic difficulties, the budgetary allocation for the policy’s implementation has increased from GH₵2.3 billion to GH₵2.96 billion, signifying a 28.6 percent increase.
Speaking at the 70th Anniversary of Opoku Ware School in Kumasi last week, President Akufo-Addo argued that the policy has proven to be most effective following the results from the past two West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for the past two years.
“The 2022 WASSCE results of the third batch of Free SHS graduates show 60.39 percent of students recording A1-C6 in English as opposed to 51.6 percent in 2016. 62.5 percent recording A1 to C6 in Integrated Science in 2022 as opposed to 48.35 percent in 2016 with this year’s results being a slight regression from the 2021 pass rate of 65.7 percent”, he said.
He continued touting the efficiency of the policy, stating that “61.39 percent recorded A1 to C6 in Mathematics as compared to 33.12 percent in 2016 and 71.5 percent recorded A1 to C6 in Social Studies as compared to 54.5 percent in 2016.”
“Lest we forget the 2021 batch of students who also obtained very commendable results were the pioneers of the double track system which elicit a lot of vilification and unfounded criticism on its introduction,” the President added.
The government seeks to give full effect to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, with the Free SHS Policywhich was implemented in 2017.
Goal 4, Target 1 of the SGD also states that “by 2030, all boys and girls complete free equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes”.
The policy has somehow removed cost barriers through the absorption of fees and the provision of core textbooks.
Currently, the government is working to expand physical school infrastructure and facilities to accommodate the expected increase in enrolment.
According to reports, as of January this year, SHS enrolment has reached more than 1.2 million students since the implementation of the government’s flagship educational policy.
However, in July 2022, Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Anthony Boateng, noted that some 22,000 students offered admission to SHS each year are unable to go to school since their parents are not capable of buying them chop boxes, trunks and other basic needs to take up the admission offered them.
“There are people in this country whose daily incomes are less than GH₵30, and under the free SHS, there are 22,000 qualified students who always cannot take up their places at SHS because they cannot buy chop boxes, trunks, and other basic needs for them to go to school. This is how serious the situation can be,” he said.
On Sunday, December 4, 2022, in the Greater Accra area, he gave an interview after preaching at the God’s Love Presbyterian Church’s 10th Anniversary celebration in Satellite, Kutunse.
Since the President said that we are in a crisis, we have not been treated as such. When you are in abnormal times, you don’t use regular standards.
“If the President admits that we are in crises, we want to see that . . . now our confidence level is low.
“We have reached a point where we are calling for collective responsiblity, approaches towards a crises,” he said.
“. . with where we have reached now it is not about the NPP is in power, it won’t help, let us listen to every Ghanaian, the crises affects everbody and not only NPP members . . . people are really suffering,” he told UTV in an interview.
“We need a more visible approaches calling for collective response, and humbly I want to say we are not seeing that,” he said.
He said the President should listen to the masses and stop the situation whereby the party in power feels it is the only one that can solve the current economic situation.
“Senchi consensus approach was good, if the current government would use it during this difficult times it would be to the benefit of all of us . . .”
From May 12 – 15, 2014, 140 Ghanaians drawn from organized labour, Ghanaian private sector, professional associations, financial institutions, security services, traditional leaders, political parties, parliamentarians, the clergy, policy think tanks, academia, civil society, and government ministries met in Senchi in the spirit of our shared interest and commitments for Building a National Consensus for Economic and Social Transformation as well as our collective pursuit of inclusive and sustainable development.
God’s Love 10th Anniversary
The God’s Love Presby Church since the launch of its anniversary committes on 7th November, 2021, has undertaken various activities in a year long program which was climaxed today, December 4, 2022.
Some of the activities included: Business Seminar on the 7th January, 2022, a visit on the 8th January, 2022 to the Rhema Orphanage and Rehabilitation Center, championed by the Young People’s Guild (YPG) with sports activities and special donation of various items by the church. Also the YPG organized a vocational training on the said date for the children in handy-crafts.
The church also visited the Dzorwulu Special School on 5th February, 2022 to make presentations of various items.
The Pulpit Ministry for Children’s Service, Evangelism Float, Bible Quiz, Basel Day, Flash Sales and Food Bazaar. Health Screening was organized at the Gatsikope Park by the Congregation in partnership with the M&D Medical Centre.
All of these was to acknowledge God’s Love for humanity.
Present at the celebration was the Chief of Kade and Chairman for the Thanksgiving Service, Nana Osabarima Agyare Tenadu II, Member of Parliament (MP) for Amasaman Constituency, Hon. Akwasi Owusu Afrifa-Mensa, Chief of Kutunse, Nii Noi among other dignitaries.
A technical advisor at the Office of the Vice President, Dr Kabiru Mahama, has condemned some cabinet ministers and NPP MPs who abandoned parliamentary work to cheer the Black Stars in Qatar.
Parliament on Tuesday, November 29, began the debate on the 2023 budget, which is considered crucial to the government’s efforts to reach an agreement with the International Monetary Fund for a bailout.
But on the day the debate commenced, less than 30 NPP MPs were in the Chamber to participate in the Budget debate.
Subsequently, photos of some leading cabinet ministers in Qatar including the Minister for Communications and Digitalisation Ursula Owusu-Ekuful surfaced online, attracting condemnation by some Ghanaians who described the development as insensitive.
Speaking on the Big Issue on Citi TV/Citi FM, Dr. Mahama said President Akufo-Addo would be appalled by the lack of critical reflection by the MPs.
“I am sure that this is something the President will be very appalled at because the Members of Parliament are expected to sit through the debate of the budget.
“That exercise of discretion by the cabinet ministers involved in this particular case was exercised without critical reflection on the situation because nothing justifies the fact that you are in this situation, and you go to Qatar to cheer the Black Stars.”
Franklin Cudjoe, the founding president of the think tank Imani Africa, has criticised Kwaku Rafiki’s imprisonment over remarks he made on social media concerning the financial industry.
Cudjoe believed that those who had stated that the nation would not request a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and those who had stated that there would not be “haircuts” should also be detained.
National Security agents detained Kwaku Rafiki, an activist who supports the National Democratic Congress (NDC), for reportedly inciting fear and terror through his social media posts.
After much engagement between Kwaku Rafiki’s lawyers and the National Security and the Ghana Police Service, he was granted bail.
Reacting to the news, Franklin Cudjoe wondered who gave the order for his arrest.
“Who gave the order for Kwaku to be picked up? I have a few recommendations. Those who said we were not going to the IMF and No Haircuts on investments could be invited too. The economy is stupid,” he wrote.
He said that the tonnes of grain—including maize, rice, and soy—exported to the nearby countries of Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire over the past three years was proof that Ghana could have an impact on the local food chain.
To this purpose, the President presented a bill to the legislature for approval that would amend the former Grain Development Authority Act of 1970 (Act 234) to include provisions for the creation of a body corporate to oversee, promote, and coordinate the growth of the grain industry.
He was speaking at the 38th Farmer’s Day Celebration at Koforidua in the Eastern Region on Friday.
The Day was held on the theme: “Accelerating Agricultural Development Through Value Addition.”
This would also maximize the benefits from the grain sector through effective regulation.
The President emphasized that agriculture would remain a top priority of his administration.
He indicated that the massive investments made in the sector attest to the fact that Ghana was better prepared and had demonstrated resilience to the current adversities threatening to destabilise food systems.
“This has been possible because of the sound, pragmatic policies and programmes rolled out at the inception of my stewardship.”
President Akufo-Addo affirmed that the flagship programme, Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ), with its focus on improving farm productivity, through the use of technology, had succeeded in increasing Ghana’s food security, and opened up new opportunities for diversifying agricultural exports.
The PFJ, he stated, had promoted six tree crops for future substantial foreign exchange earnings.
“In 2016, Government inherited production levels of 1.7 million metric tonnes of maize and six hundred and sixty-five thousand metric tons of rice (665,000).
“Under the PFJ, maize production reached 3.4 million tonnes by 2021 and rice to 1.2 million metric tonnes… The credit must go to our gallant farmers, fishers and value chain actors who embraced the PFJ policies, and leveraged the opportunities created by the enabling environment for agricultural development,” he said.
Adei bemoaned the way in which Ofori-Atta’s character had lately been called into question by portions of Parliament, highlighting how unfair it was to the extent that it aimed to cast doubt on his hard-won integrity.
“Our leaders [Members of Parliament] must exercise extreme caution when they want to call into question the individual’s moral character and virtually paint him as a robber.
Weighing in on the Minority’s vote of censure motion that in part accused the Minister of engaging in a conflict of interest relative to Ghana’s bond issuance on the international markets, he said:
“The charges on conflict of interest and the fact that he was supposed to have stashed some 100 million dollars elsewhere which impugn on his integrity. I have known Mr. Ofori-Atta for almost 23 years, I can say that he is a friend, a businessman of high integrity and therefore, for me, those two charges were very troubling.
“I believe that the NPP came into power over-committing themselves, there is over-borrowing and you know, you might disagree with policy and of course, there were internal and external factors, but I do not think that it is fair to impugn on the integrity of Ken Ofori-Atta. I know him personally as a Christian, as a businessman and as a politician,” he added.
Aside from the Minority’s vote of censure, which report is to be debated in Parliament, Ofori-Atta is also under pressure from a group of NPP MPs who are calling for him to be dismissed.
President Akufo-Addo is set to decide on their request which he promised will be looked into after the passage of the 2023 Budget and appropriation of same and conclusion of negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), relative to support the fund will give to Ghana to support the current budget.
Thus, the former president has urged all concerned parties to work together to help the government find a solution to the situation.
He is confident that Ghana wouldn’t be in its current economic predicament if the president had access to the kind of sound advice that he used to receive.
At a discussion with some clergy at his Cantonments office, Mahama declared that there was no use in taking political advantage of the difficulties the administration was experiencing.
“All the political parties are in competition for leadership and so you cannot be happy that one party’s administration is going through economic difficulty and you stand and gloat over it.
The economy is facing major headwinds that have been characterized by galloping inflation, consistent depreciation of the cedi and general high cost of living and of doing business.
The government is hoping to reach a deal with the International Monetary Fund, IMF, for an economic support programme aimed at shoring up the economy and easing the burden on ordinary Ghanaians.
President Akufo-Addo and his government have come under heavy scrutiny for failing to address the current economic challenges in the country.
The prices of goods and services have been continuously rising all year round, with inflation currently at over 40 per cent.
The Ghana cedi has been ranked the worst currency in the world among 148 currencies tracked by Bloomberg, overtaking Sri Lanka’s rupee, having depreciated by nearly 50 per cent so far in 2022.
The Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Dr Yaw Baah has said the congress does not have details of the government’s plan to freeze hiring next year as stated in the 2023 budget statement.
He said they do not know whether or not this forms part of the conditions the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is giving to Ghana.
Again, he said, they are unable to tell whether this is a net freeze or total.
Speaking in an interview with TV3’s Daniel Opoku on the sidelines of a post budget analyses forum held by the TUC in Accra on Monday November 28, Dr Yaw Baah said “we still don’t have the details of the IMF conditionality but you will not be wrong if you think this is part of IMF conditions. Since 1965 when Ghana Government started going to IMF, employment freeze has always been part, in the last one that ended, employment freeze was one but in that case it was net.
“Net meant that if somebody retires you can replace the person. So the net freeze is what we need. But this one, we don’t know the details, whether it is the net freeze or total freeze.
“If it is a net freeze then it is like the previous one but if it is a total freeze it is another ball game all together. There are 644,000 people on the single spine. Let us assume without admitting that about 5 per cent of them retire yearly.
“If only five percent retire every year, we are talking now about over 30,000 people retiring and if the 30,000 people retire and they don’t replace them it will affect service delivery. If you reduce numbers by over 30,000 and they are not replaced then your effectiveness in service delivery will be affected.”
The Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta announced in the 2023 budget a freeze on employment into the civil and public service.
He also said there shall be no new government agencies established in 2023.
He said these while presenting the budget in Parliament on Thursday November 23.
Mr Ofori-Atta said as a first step toward expenditure rationalisation, government has approved a number of directives which takes effect from January, 2023.
These are “All Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and State-Owned-Enterprises (SOEs) are directed to reduce fuel allocations to Political Appointees and heads of MDAs, MMDAs and SOEs by 50%. This directive applies to all methods of fuel allocation including coupons, electronic cards, chit system, and fuel depots. Accordingly, 50% of the previous years (2022) budget allocation for fuel shall be earmarked for official business pertaining to MDAs, MMDAs and SOEs;
“A ban on the use of V8s/V6s or its equivalent except for cross country travel. All
government vehicles would be registered with GV green number plates from
January 2023; Limited budgetary allocation for the purchase of vehicles. For the avoidance of doubt, purchase of new vehicles shall be restricted to locally assembled vehicles;
“Only essential official foreign travel across government including SOEs shall be
allowed. No official foreign travel shall be allowed for board members.”
The Finance Minister added “Accordingly, all government institutions should submit a travel plan for the year 2023 by mid-December of all expected travels to the Chief of Staff; As far as possible, meetings and workshops should be done within the official environment or government facilities; Government sponsored external training and Staff Development activities at the Office of the President, Ministries and SOEs must be put on hold for the 2023 financial year; Reduction of expenditure on appointments including salary freezes together with suspension of certain allowances like housing, utilities and clothing, etc.;
“A freeze on new tax waivers for foreign companies and review of tax exemptions for free zone, mining, oil and gas companies; A hiring freeze for civil and public servants, No new government agencies shall be established in 2023; There shall be no hampers for 2022; There shall be no printing of diaries, notepads, calendars and other promotional, merchandise by MDAs, MMDAs and SOEs for 2024; All non-critical project must be suspended for 2023 Financial year.”
The Minority in Parliament has described the government’s flagship policy, One District One Factory, as a failed programme.
According to the Minority, the policy has failed to drastically cut down on the country’s imports.
The comment by the Minority comes on the back of the government’s withdrawal of FX support to importers of some food items such as rice and poultry.
Speaking to journalists, the Ranking Member on the Trade, Industry and Tourism Committee of Parliament, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah said the government must initiate policies that inure to the benefit of the citizenry.
“Unfortunately, as we speak, this government’s flagship policy of One District, One Factory…has that been able to really address one problem of the things we import? Can we point to one factory in the last seven years and say because of 1D1F, we are no longer importing rice or poultry?”
Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament has also served notice that it will thoroughly scrutinize the amount of money the government is pumping into the National Cathedral.
Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, said there are so many controversies and lack of openness in the building of the project that needs to be answered and assured that no stone will be left unturned when the 2023 budget is tabled for debate on Tuesday, November 29.
The project has seen a lot of controversies, as many Ghanaians continue to question the prudence of the state financing an edifice that is said to be President Akufo-Addo’s personal pledge to God.
While assuring that the Minority Caucus is not against the building of such a monument, Haruna Iddrisu at a post-budget engagement in Ho, observed what he said were needful answers on the budgetary allocation, procurement, and other matters, missing from the conversation.
“Ghana is a secular state and a Republic which guarantees freedom of faith, freedom of conscience, and freedom of religion but when you make a budgetary allocation for the construction of a national cathedral at GH¢80 million, we must know what is the total cost of that project, how were procurements undertaken to assure value for money, what is the duration of the project, how much will it cost the State and when will the project be completed.”
“These are needful questions we will ask while we support it,” he added.
Research Fellow at the Centre for Social Policy Studies (CSPS) at the University of Ghana, Legon, Dr. George Domfe says, President Akufo Addo is a better manager of the economy than former president Jonh Dramani Mahama.
According to the renowned Economist, despite the global challenges, figures from the 2023 budget statement show the Akufo-Addo lead government has been superior management of the economy than its immediate predecessor.
Reacting to the 2023 financial statement on the Kumasi-based OTEC 102.9 FM’s morning show, “Nyansapo”, on Friday November 24, 2022, the Development Economist and a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Social Policy Studies (CSPS) at the University of Ghana said
Budget 2023 will spur Economic Recovery and Strengthen Fiscal Responsibility Focused on economic recovery and fiscal responsibility.
Growth rate
Speaking on the country’s Growth Rate in the first three quarters, Dr. George Domfe praised the government for chalking up an impressive rate in the midst of global turmoil.
“The Mahama lead government in 2016 had a 2.3 percent growth rate compared to the 4.8 recorded in 2022, proven that there is a vast difference between the two regimes”
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta during the 2023 budget presentation said the Economy is expected to expand by 2.8% in 2023
This according to him forms part of the government’s macroeconomic targets for next year.
He added that the Non-oil real Gross Domestic Product growth rate will however grow at a rate of 3% in 2023.
The Finance Minister further revealed that Ghana’s Economy gr
According to the renowned Economist, despite the global challenges, figures from the 2023 budget statement show the Akufo-Addo lead government has been superior management of the economy than its immediate predecessor.
Reacting to the 2023 financial statement on the Kumasi-based OTEC 102.9 FM’s morning show, “Nyansapo”, on Friday November 24, 2022, the Development Economist and a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Social Policy Studies (CSPS) at the University of Ghana said
Budget 2023 will spur Economic Recovery and Strengthen Fiscal Responsibility Focused on economic recovery and fiscal responsibility.
Growth rate
Speaking on the country’s Growth Rate in the first three quarters, Dr. George Domfe praised the government for chalking up an impressive rate in the midst of global turmoil.
“The Mahama lead government in 2016 had a 2.3 percent growth rate compared to the 4.8 recorded in 2022, proven that there is a vast difference between the two regimes”
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta during the 2023 budget presentation said the Economy is expected to expand by 2.8% in 2023
This according to him forms part of the government’s macroeconomic targets for next year.
He added that the Non-oil real Gross Domestic Product growth rate will however grow at a rate of 3% in 2023.
The Finance Minister further revealed that Ghana’s Economy grew by 4.8% in quarter 2 of the 2022 fiscal year.
“Ghana’s economy expanded by 4.8% in the second quarter of this year, higher than the 3.4% recorded in the first quarter, data from the Ghana Statistical Services has revealed”
“The appreciable growth rate was driven by Manufacturing (8.8%), Crops and Cocoa (4.5%), Mining and Quarrying (4.4%), Information and Communication (12.4%) as well as the Education (13.2%) sub-sectors”
“Other sectors which accounted for the growth include, the Services sector (5.2%) expanded more than the national average. It was followed by Agriculture (4.6%) and Services (4.4%)”. He added
Dr. Domfeh is of the view that measures outlined in the 2023 budget will address the impact of the economic shocks on Ghanaians through the exponential cut in some major government expenditures.
The government’s commitment to reaching its Sustainable Development Goal of encouraging affordable and clean energy sources has been reaffirmed by deputy energy minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam.
He claims that the country of Ghana’s energy requirements have greatly increased over the last few decades as a result of population growth, fast urbanisation, and industrialization initiatives.
The deputy energy minister stated that the electricity sector, for example, has seen growing demand translating to regular expenditures in transmission lines and bulk supply points, among others, at the 6th Ghana Energy Awards (GEA) on November 25, 2022.
“In 2007, the discovery of oil, off Ghana’s shores in commercial quantities along with the first production in 2010, put a new dimension on the economy and this important sector continues to witness significant expansion in the upstream and downstream areas,” the Deputy Energy Minister said.
He explained that the framework will among others guide the country on the path towards energy transition in a just manner and way which does not jeopardize Ghana’s developmental needs.
“Our job in the coming years is to ensure we work toward government’s vision for the power sector which is to secure a safe, reliable and affordable energy that is able to propel Ghana’s industrialisation agenda on a sustainable path,” Amin Adam concluded.
Ghana remains committed to its SDG goal of Affordable and Clean energy
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The Ghana Energy Awards was held to recognise the efforts, innovations and excellence of stalwarts in the sector. The awards scheme further seeks to celebrate the tremendous work of competing players under the various award categories.
The 6th edition of the award scheme was under the theme: “Global Decarbonisation: A Just and Equitable Energy Transition in Ghana.”
It was organised by the Energy Media Group, in partnership with GP Business Consulting and endorsed by the Ministry of Energy, World Energy Council Ghana, with validation by Mazars.
After the game, he praised the team’s efforts in a Facebook post, calling it a “gutsy performance.”
He claimed that despite the team’s inability to score the requisite points, they nevertheless showed their mettle and demonstrated their capacity to overcome any other challenge.
On that point, he asked Ghanaians to support the Black Stars, reiterating his belief that Ghana can advance to the competition’s next round.
“The Black Stars gave a brave showing against Portugal tonight. I’m so happy for the whole team. They have demonstrated that they are capable of blending it and living to fight another day.
“Looking forward to the next game against South Korea, and I urge all Ghanaians to rally strongly behind the team. I am confident we can qualify from this group. #GoBlackStarsGo”, he added.
The Black Stars’ performance against Portugal in their initial Group H matchup has been praised by many as being “spirited.”
However, the Portuguese managed to win by a slim margin of three goals to two after the whole 90 minutes.
Some football fans and analysts claimed that Ismail Elfath, a US referee, was biased, which contributed to the Europeans’ triumph. Elfath has since come under fire for his “bad officiating.”
President Akufo-Addohas congratulated the Black Stars of Ghana, following the team’s World Cup opener against Portugal.
In a Facebook post after the match, he described the team’s efforts as a ‘gutsy performance’ worthy of commendation.
According to him, even though the team could not secure the necessary points, they still proved their mettle and displayed their ability to withstand every other opposition.
On that note, he urged Ghanaians to throw their weight behind the Black Stars; stressing that he believes Ghana can progress to the next stage of the competition.
“Gutsy performance by the Black Stars in today’s match against Portugal. Very proud of the entire team. They live to fight another day, and have shown they have what it takes to mix it up against any team in the tournament”, Akufo-Addo remarked.
“Looking forward to the next game against South Korea, and I urge all Ghanaians to rally strongly behind the team. I am confident we can qualify from this group. #GoBlackStarsGo”, he added.
On Thursday, the Black Stars put up what many have described as a ‘spirited performance’, in their opening Group H game against Portugal.
however after the end of 90 minutes, the Portuguese managed to carry the day by a slender lead of three goals to two.
According to some football fans and pundits, the victory of the Europeans was aided by the bias of US referee, Ismail Elfath, who has since been heavily criticised for his ‘poor officiating’.
Manager of the side, coach Otto Addo also believes that the referee did his team a lot of damage with some questionable decisions.
In a post match press conference, he described the penalty which gave the Portuguese the opening goal, as a ‘gift from the referee’.
He therefore berated the referee for his officiating on the day.
The Black Stars currently sit at the bottom of Group H with no points to their name.
Meanwhile, the team will play South Korea on Monday, in their second Group H encounter, as they seek to grab some points to enhance their chances of progressing to the next stage of the competition.
The match against the Taegeuk Warriors of South Korea will be played at 1:00pm on Monday 28th November 2022, at the Education City Stadium in Doha, Qatar.
He therefore urged Ghanaians to take a positive role in helping the country fully recover by never losing sight of their greatest strengths, which are their resiliency, entrepreneurial drive, faith, courage, and hope.
“Ours is a country with real prospects and the challenges notwithstanding, Ghana will rise again, and my faith is premised on the fact that a lot has already been achieved, especially over the course of the Fourth Republic and our policy, as outlined in this budget to reset the economy, if supported will ensure that, indeed, we have not wasted the current global crisis, but used it to make our economy stronger and the progress and prosperity of our people even more assured,” Mr. Ofori-Atta during the presentation of the 2023 budget statement on Thursday, November 24, 2022.
Assuring Ghanaians that the government is working hard to change this negative narrative, he said: “We have demonstrated this many times in our country, but more recently between 2017 and 2019. We are resolved that in the next two years, Government would work with you all, with a restless determination, to turn around this economy.”
“This budget reflects our resolve to reset the economy and restore macroeconomic stability. But, to do so, we need the support of the people of Ghana and the cooperation and approval of this Parliament. Our goal now is to significantly enhance revenues, significantly cut down the cost of running government, significantly expand local production, invest more to protect the poor and vulnerable, continue expanding access to good roads, education and health for every Ghanaian everywhere in Ghana and the diaspora,” he stated.
Budget anchored on seven-point agenda
The 2023 Budget is, therefore, anchored on a seven-point agenda aimed at restoring macro-economic stability and accelerating our economic transformation as articulated in the Post-COVID-19 Programme for Economic Growth (PC-PEG), observed the minister.
These comprise an agenda to:
Aggressively mobilize domestic revenue;
Streamline and rationalise expenditures;
Boost local productive capacity;
Promote and diversify exports;
Protect the poor and vulnerable;
Expand digital and climate-responsive physical infrastructure;
And Implement structural and public sector reforms.
To achieve these, there are three (3) critical imperatives, the minister said and they are; successfully negotiating a strong IMF programme; coordinating an equitable debt operation programme; and attracting significant green investments.
“This will enable us to generate substantial revenue, create needed fiscal space for the provision of essential public services and facilitate the implementation of the PC-PEG programme to revitalise and transform the economy,” he assured.
The projected Ghana Gold Company, as opposed to the Agyapa one, was supposed to be held entirely by the Ghanaian government and its citizens.
According to the Agyapa agreement, Ghana owns only 51%, with the remaining 49% being held by unidentified outside parties, according to John Mahama.
The presidential Candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has indicated he will audit any person or firm that made financial gains from the Agyapa Gold Royalty transaction.
“The difference is that the proposed Ghana Gold Company was going to be 100 percent owned by the government and the people of Ghana and not the Agyapa one. With the Agyapa deal, Ghana owns only 51 percent and 49 percent held by other people we don’t know,” John Mahama said.
He continued, “Ghana Gold Company was being registered here in Ghana but Agyapa was registered in an offshore tax haven so that the identities of the shareholders will be hidden. Civil society organizations and right-thinking Ghanaians have all expressed misgivings with this Agyapa deal. And I have said and my advice to president Akufo-Addo is that they should desist immediately from signing that deal because as we have said clearly, we are going to oppose it, and we will do everything legitimate to frustrate that agreement in the interest of Ghanaians.”
“If I become president and by the will of God, I will become president, I will not respect that agreement. They should bring that agreement back and hold a meeting with Civil Society Organizations, the chiefs, and all the stakeholders to whom that gold royalties belong and let us achieve consensus on how we want to monetize our gold royalties and every penny that has gone underhand will be retrieved. I assure you. So, they (government officials) should return those monies,” he cautioned.
The former president said this while addressing a gathering of chiefs and people on a tour of the Mampong constituency in the Ashanti Region on Saturday, November 21, 2020.
Prior to approving the Agyapa Royalties transaction, Parliament in 2018 passed the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) Act 2018 which establishes the Fund to manage the equity interests of Ghana in mining companies and receive royalties on behalf of the government.
The sole purpose of the fund is to manage and invest these royalties and revenue from equities for higher returns for the benefit of the country and government through the MIIF.
In exchange for that, the Agyapa Royalties Limited aims to raise between US$500 million and US$750 million for the Government on the Ghana and London Stock exchange’s intended for developmental projects.
The statement was delivered by Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta when he testified before the ad hoc committee of Parliament in response to the allegations made by the minority that served as the foundation for their motion of censure.
Speaking on Friday, November 18, 2022, the embroiled Minister acknowledged the hardship of the country and said that he was acutely aware of how the crisis was affecting the average Ghanaian and how it was further forcing businesses to close.
“That is what gives me the strength to press on to find solutions and relief for Ghanaians to the myriad of problems that our country and the rest of the world are facing especially in march 2020,” the minister added.
On November 18, he told media in Parliament that he anticipated to be the one to present the budget, highlighting the fact that he had not been formally informed of the opposition to that action by legislators from his own party.
He had just finished testifying before the parliamentary ad hoc committee, which is now looking into a resolution of censure made by the Minority Caucus against him. The committee’s report will be delivered to the House today.
Asked about the work of the committee, he responded: “I guess it is democracy in play and we just seek fairness and we are confident in how the process will evolve.”
“I don’t know, I haven’t heard that officially but we will see,” was his response when asked about the group of 98 New patriotic Party MPs who were opposed to him presenting the budget.
An economy in distress
The economy is facing major headwinds that have been characterized by galloping inflation, consistent depreciation of the cedi and general high cost of living and of doing business.
The government is hoping to reach a deal with the International Monetary Fund, IMF, for an economic support programme aimed at shoring up the economy and easing the burden on ordinary Ghanaians.
The prices of goods and services have been continuously rising all year round, with inflation currently at over 40 per cent.
The Ghana cedi has been ranked the worst currency in the world among 148 currencies tracked by Bloomberg, overtaking Sri Lanka’s rupee, having depreciated by nearly 50 per cent so far in 2022.
Amb. Boateng shared the dynamics and success stories of female leaders who have brought about change while addressing the inaugural gathering of SIGA’s leadership and networking forum for female CEOs and Board Chairs of Specified Entities. She also urged those in attendance to be inspired and strive for change regardless of the difficulties they may encounter.
“No organisation is perfect; however, the new addition is you, the appointed head. And therefore it is expected that you drive and cause the required change. Do not be limited by challenges that may be in your way. They are steps that can be surmounted, and once you are able to jump those hurdles the ultimate prize will be attained,” he said.
The Special Guest of Honour at the maiden edition, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare- Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, congratulated all participants present and added that their appointments were based on competency, and therefore it’s in their best interests to achieve set targets and soar higher.
“You are all here because of your competency, and so it is in your best interests to deliver and cause change. It is indeed a testament to the diligence and excellence women possess,” she added.
She also highlighted the conscious and deliberate effort by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to project women and provide equal opportunities for them in leadership; and hence encouraged all present to work at achieving the president’s vision to make Ghana a centre of excellence.
She pledged her unflinching support to the projection of female leaders and thanked Ambassador Edward Boateng, Director-General of SIGA, for initiating the strategic and futuristic forum.
Participants expressed their profound gratitude and appreciation to SIGA and the Chief of Staff for creating a unique platform to address their concerns and spur them to success.
Present at the maiden edition were Dr. Edith Dankwa, Board Chairperson of Ghana Museums and Monuments Board; Rev. Dr. Nana Yaa Prempeh, Board Chairperson of Ghana Domain Name Registry; Nana Serwaa Bonsu Amoako, Chairperson of National Fertiliser Council; Dr. Afua Asabea Asare, CEO of Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA); Kosi Yankey-Ayeh, CEO of Ghana Enterprises Agency, and other notable female leaders.
Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin says President Akufo Addo’s pursuit to build a National Cathedral is a similar wish nurtured by the late Okyenhene Nana Sir Ofori Atta.
Addressing congregants at the centenary celebration of Akyem Abuakwa Presbytery of The Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin explained late Nana Sir Ofori Atta who was a staunch Christian and Presbyterian wanted to build a temple for God having stopped the persecution of Christians in the traditional area.
This, he says is heartwarming that a great-grandson of Nana Sir Ofori Atta (President Akufo Addo) is also pursuing similar love for God’s work and fulfilling the wish of his late grandfather by building a house for God (Cathedral) at this particular time.
He said the whole arrangement happening at the back of the centenary celebration of Akyem Abuakwa Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at a time grandsons of Nana Sir Ofori Atta – he (Okyenhene) as overlord of Akyem Abuakwa, whilst Akufo Addo is President of Ghana and Ken Ofori Atta as Finance Minister are at the helm, is divine.
“Hundred years later, the grandson of Nana Ofori Atta (Akufo Addo) is President of the Republic of Ghana. More surprisingly, the President’s brother’s son is also the Finance Minister. So it is a divine arrangement that God has made for us to contribute to the development of the country”.
Okyenhene continued, “It is same perseverance that President Akufo Addo is pursuing to build a house for Ghana to the glory of God. A vision that came to man through God …He said I will build a house for God. Historically, someone met Nana Ofori Atta and said you are the only Christian King in Akyem Abuakwa, you must leave a legacy. Nana Ofori Atta then promised to build a temple in Kyebi. So if President Akufo Addo is building a temple (Cathedral) in Accra, let’s assume it is in fulfillment of the promise made by Nana Ofori Atta” Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin said.
Okyenhene reiterated and justified his decision in 2019 declaring “Okyeman for Christ” as a pursuit to honour God for how far he has brought Okyeman.
“I stand here to boldly declare Akyem Abuakwa is solely for Christ.”
Okyenhene said this Sunday, November 20, 2022, when addressing congregants at the climax of the Centenary celebration of Akyem Abuakwa Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at Kyebi in the Eastern region.
Presbyterian Church missionaries in Akyem Abuakwa in the 1800’s faced persecution by then Okyenhene Amoako Atta I over Christianization and the abolition of slavery which he says was causing him to lose his source of power and revenue.
Nonetheless, Odehyee Susana Gyankroma, a royal at Kyebi accepted Christ and was baptized together with her husband Okyerema Yaw Boakye, who was a drummer at the then Okyenhene’s palace in 1876.
Having been baptized into the Presbyterian faith, the couple thus became missionaries winning souls for Christ, as a result, they were banished from Akyem Abuakwa and suffered persecution for standing for the faith.
As the persecution festered, the couple lost their four-month-old baby who fell from the back of her mother whilst escaping on foot from their persecutors at Akyem Asuom.
Odehyee Gyankroma was the mother of Nana Sir Ofori Atta, a late Okyenhene, who gave birth to Paa Willie, a Ghanaian political doyen and Mrs Adeline Yeboakua Akufo-Addo, the former first lady of Ghana and mother of President Akufo-Addo.
Nana Sir Ofori Atta, after ascending the stool as Okyenhene in 1912 leveraged on his Christian faith and power as a traditional ruler to help the Presbyterian Church blossom in Akyem Abuakwa.
Nana Ofori Atta was the grandfather of Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo Addo, current President of Ghana, Ken Ofori Atta, current Finance Minister, Samuel Atta Akyea, Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South.
President Akufo Addo
Addressing the congregants, President Akufo Addo stated that, he is inspired that “our great grandparents Akua Gyankroma and his husband Yaw Boakye thought us one thing that still remains dear to my heart. If you have faith in God and lean on Him, whatever any man will do or say about you will never come to pass.Just continue to hold on to your faith for there is light after the tunnel. That is what we are all witnessing today”
President Akufo Addo assured Ghanaians that the current economic hardship will soon be over due to various policy interventions being implemented by government.
Moderator
Ministering at the service, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, Rev Prof.Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante said the crucifixion of Jesus Christ despite his good works on earth epitomizes that not all human beings will appreciate what leaders do therefore every leader must rather focus on God to do things that please Him(God), not mankind.
The Moderator eulogized the late Okyenhene Nana Sir Ofori Atta for his vital role in accepting Christianity to Akyem Abuakwa and helping the Presbyterian Church grow despite opposition and persecution of the Church by his predecessor.
The Chairperson of Akyem Abuakwa Presbytery of Presbyterian Church, Ghana Rev. Dr. Seth Kissi together with the Moderator presented honours to some individuals who have contributed to the growth of the Presbytery.
President Akufo Addo joined Okyenhene and leaders of the Church to commission and dedicate a centenary office Complex.
A communications team member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kafui Amegah, has condemned Mr. Otchere-Darko for his recent utterances on social media, which always trigger controversies against the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
According to him, the situation is affecting the image of the government, and the NPP must not look unconcerned.
He opined that Gabby is part of the reason why the president and his government have come under intense scrutiny; hence, he should refrain from commenting on internal issues within the New Patriot Party (NPP), which will trigger controversies.
“Gabby, although not part of the government but your name smells in all that is going on. You are part of the reasons why this government is being scolded,” Kafui Amegah exclusively told Kwaku Owusu Adjei (Patoo) on Adwenekasa on Accra-based Original FM 91.9.
“Every tweet from Mr. Otchere-Darko causes pain in the heart and the neck of NPP; his reckless tweets always cause controversies in the country which our opponents use against us.”
“This is a problem the government is facing, when Gabby Otchere Darko tweets, then it becomes a government position or policy. The last time I checked Gabby does not have any official position in government. We’ve made Gabby more powerful than the government and it’s affecting the image of the government, and as a political party, we must not sit down for this to happen.
He has his right to talk, but the media is doing a great disservice to the country. Gabby doesn’t hold a position in government; he’s not the Finance Minister. He’s not the Chief Advisor to the President, and yet we’ll be reporting on and discussing what he’s saying as opposed to that of the other ministers.”
He said such utterances would ruin the chances of the NPP in the 2024 elections.
Mr. Otchere-Darko, who is the nephew of President Akufo-Addo, has been viewed by many as a powerful member of the government because he appears to have a great deal of knowledge about government decisions.
Government’s 2023 budget and economic statement will be presented to Parliament by Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, on Thursday, November 24, 2022.
The Finance Minister affirmed this when he interacted with the media after appearing before the ad hoc committee tasked by Speaker Alban Bagbin to probe the censure motion last Friday.
“Expect so,” the Finance Minister briefly said after being questioned by journalists on the 2023 budget statement.
The 2023 budget was earlier scheduled to be presented on November 15, but due to ongoing negotiations between Ghana and the International Monetary Fund, it was rescheduled.
It is believed that whatever may have resulted in the rescheduling of the budget statement presentation has been resolved by the government.
Next Thursday, some Ghanaians expect the government to cut down on its expenditure as its current debt stock is alarming.
According to Mr Ofori-Atta, Ghana’s total debt stock has shot up to GH¢450 billion in 2022 from a total of GH¢120 billion in 2017.
Again, it is believed that the budget statement to be presented will be fortified to withstand any form of internal or external shock.
This is because the 2022 budget statement failed to live up to expectations, according to the president.
Addressing the nation on the state of the economy on October 30, President Akufo-Addoannounced that “the budget drawn for the 2022 fiscal year has been thrown out of gear,” thereby disrupting the balance of payments and debt sustainability, as well as further exposing the structural weaknesses of the economy.
With both the Majority and Minority sides in Parliament calling for the removal of Mr Ken Ofori-Atta as the Finance Minister due to the current economic hardships, it is uncertain if any of the sides would boycott the presentation of the budget.
A spokeswoman for the Majority MPs, Andy Appiah-Kubi, said on October 25: “It’s not only the budget that we will boycott, we will no longer be a part of any government business. That is the position we have taken.”
However, days later, the NPP MPs have wavered in their call for Mr Ofori-Atta’s removal after engagements with President Akufo-Addo, who has asked that the Finance Minister be given the opportunity to work.
Meanwhile, after the 2023 budget statement is read, Parliament will commence debate on the budget on Tuesday, November 29, and conclude on Tuesday, December 6.
President Akufo-Addo has asked Ghanaians to keep with his government to turn the current economic crisis around.
He said his government are determined to change the situation.
According to him, the citizenry will soon witness results from some of the decisions and actions taken to ameliorate the problems.
The President said his engagements with relevant institutions and agencies are part of moves to address the current economic hardship.
“I know times are hard. But whatever we need to do to bring the nation out of the state it is in is being done. We are confident that we will soon come out of it.”
“Just keep faith with us and pray with us. All will be well,” he told congregants at the Presbyterian Church of Ghana Akyem Abuakwa Presbytery on the occasion of the Centenary Thanksgiving Service and Dedication of Centenary Complex in Kyebi on Sunday.
Recently, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, apologised to Ghanaians for the hardship being suffered in recent times.
According to him, the brunt borne by the populace due to the ongoing economic turmoil is unfortunate.
He said this when he appeared before the Ad-hoc Committee that heard the motion of censure against him.
“Let me use this opportunity to say to the Ghanaian people what I believe, with courage, every Finance Minister around the world may wish to say to their people now. I am truly sorry,” he told the Committee.
Private legal practitioner, Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo has described the latest documentary by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas and titled “Galamsey economy” as an entrapment.
President Akufo-Addo terminated the appointment of the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry Charles Adu Boahen in connection with the investigative piece.
“After being made aware of the allegations levelled against the Minister in the exposé, “Galamsey Economy”, the President spoke to Mr. Adu Boahen, after which he took the decision to terminate his appointment, and also to refer the matter to the Special Prosecutor for further investigations,” the statement of his termination said.
Reacting to the development on Asaase 99.5 Accra’s news analysis and current affairs show – The Forum – on Saturday (19 November), Addo said the Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng cannot handle the case.
Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo
“Journalism isn’t about trapping people,” Addo said. “It’s not about setting people up. It’s about filming people in their natural state; that is why I sued the GJA [Ghana Journalists’ Association] for awarding him [Anas] Journalist of the Year. I’m happy that Kennedy Agyapong went out there.”
“Now there are rules, but I think we need to do more. Journalists need to do more. What I see is not journalism, it’s entrapment.
“I don’t think Kissi Agyebeng will be able to handle this thing because he was Anas’s private lawyer and his firm still represents him,” Addo said.
Misleading piece
Speaking on the same programme, the deputy general secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Antoinette Tsiboe-Darko described the investigative piece as misleading.
Dr Antoinette Tsiboe-Darko
“I find something wrong with the legality of the whole exposé. I think that an investigative piece professionally and legally is based on fact. Some of the things being said in the voiceover, where are they from?” she asked.
Ofori-Atta hinted that all the administration had attempted to accomplish had been intended to improve people’s lives when he appeared before the ad hoc committee of Parliament considering the censure resolution presented against him.
He also gave the committee his word that he would be honest in his comments in order to help them discover the truth.
He claimed that the motion made derogatory remarks about his character and integrity and committed to work to present Ghanaians with a fair picture of the situation.
“Hon Co-Chairs, during the course of my remarks this morning, you can expect forthrightness. The proponents’ motion of censure has accused me of many things and includes some very disparaging remarks and attacks on my person and integrity,” he said.
“I am certain that Ghanaians will have a more balanced view of the events that led us here as I take the opportunity to speak to the matters raised,” he said.
He was hopeful that the “truth” would help dispel any unfounded doubts about his motives, competence, and character.
He, therefore, apologized to Ghanaians for the current hardships they are experiencing.
“Before I proceed with my detailed responses, I would like to make a personal comment to the Ghanaian people: Since the Akufo-Addo government came into office in 2017, everything we have sought to do was aimed at making the lives of the people better.
“We have been focused on this vision to improve lives and in the first four years, our efforts were leading to a realization of the vision,” he said.
He added, “…Let me use this opportunity to say to the Ghanaian people what I believe, with courage, every Finance Minister around the world may wish to say to his people now: I am truly sorry.”
He continued his opening remarks by outlining the achievements of the government prior to global events that have torpedoed the development agenda.
The embattled Finance Minister says the controversial National Cathedral project belongs to Ghana fully.
Ken Ofori-Atta said the project does not belong to President Akufo-Addo as asserted in some circles.
According to him, Ghanaians will enjoy the full benefits of the project and not the President.
“National Cathedral is 100 per cent owned by the state and is not the President’s cathedral as described by the proponents,” he said when he appeared before the Ad hoc Committee hearing the censure motion against him on Friday.
Touching on the expenditure for the controversial project, he said he has not breached any laws in that regard.
He disclosed that the monies that have been disbursed for use for the project were from the contingency vault.
According to him, this practice is not new as was done by the previous Mahama-led administration.
Mr Ofori-Atta said he has in his possession several pieces of evidence to prove his claim.
“Expenditures in respect of the National Cathedral were made from the contingency vault under the other government obligations vault as has been the practice before my tenure.
“I have several copies of payments from the contingency vault dating back to 2015 to share.
“Honourable co-chairs as Finance Minister I am fully aware of the approval procedures for use of the contingency funds and I have not breached its requirements,” he added.
Ofori-Atta hinted that all the administration had attempted to accomplish had been intended to improve people’s lives when he appeared before the ad hoc committee of Parliament considering the censure resolution presented against him.
He also gave the committee his word that he would be honest in his comments in order to help them discover the truth.
“Hon Co-Chairs, during the course of my remarks this morning, you can expect forthrightness. The proponents’ motion of censure has accused me of many things and includes some very disparaging remarks and attacks on my person and integrity,” he said.
“I am certain that Ghanaians will have a more balanced view of the events that led us here as I take the opportunity to speak to the matters raised,” he said.
He was hopeful that the “truth” would help dispel any unfounded doubts about his motives, competence, and character.
He, therefore, apologized to Ghanaians for the current hardships they are experiencing.
“Before I proceed with my detailed responses, I would like to make a personal comment to the Ghanaian people: Since the Akufo-Addo government came into office in 2017, everything we have sought to do was aimed at making the lives of the people better.
“We have been focused on this vision to improve lives and in the first four years, our efforts were leading to a realization of the vision,” he said.
He added, “…Let me use this opportunity to say to the Ghanaian people what I believe, with courage, every Finance Minister around the world may wish to say to his people now: I am truly sorry.”
He continued his opening remarks by outlining the achievements of the government prior to global events that have torpedoed the development agenda.
