TIG Post

Tag: United Kingdom

  • Former TOR boss Asante Berko arrested in UK over alleged bribery scheme

    A former Managing Director of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), Asante Berko, has been arrested in the United Kingdom over alleged bribery.
    Recall that in 2020, he was sued over the same conduct by the Securities and Exchange Commission in the U.S.

    According to Bloomberg reports, Mr Berko, who is also a former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. was arrested on charges that he orchestrated bribes to Ghanaian officials while employed at the investment bank.

    He was arrested at Heathrow Airport, reports further indicate, and he is facing six counts on an issue dated August 2020.

    Details of the alleged bribery a federal court in Brooklyn, New York, accuses Berko of conspiring with at least two Ghanaian officials and four others in a bribery scheme that benefited Goldman, himself, and a Turkish energy company that sought to build a power plant in the African nation.

    However, the identities of the two other persons involved are yet to be revealed. Meanwhile, the lawyer for Mr Berko, Carl Loewenson, and
    the spokesperson for Brooklyn US Attorney Breon Peace, John Marzulli, have declined to comment.

    The indictment claims that Berko was a member of the Goldman team in charge of arranging and overseeing financing for the power
    plant project at the time of the conspiracy.

    He allegedly paid the bribes to obtain the necessary approvals for the Turkish company, in which Goldman held a 16% stake. Prosecutors also claim Berko laundered the bribe money through US financial institutions.

    Berko allegedly helped a client secure a government contract to build and operate an electrical power plant in the Republic of Ghana, in contravention of the US Foreign Corrupt Practises Act of 1977.

    As alleged in the complaint that the SEC made on April 13, 2020, Asante Berko, who according to the Wall Street Journal was an executive of a foreign-based subsidiary of Goldman’s until 2016, arranged for his firm’s client, a Turkish energy company, to funnel at least US$2.5 million to a Ghana-based
    intermediary to pay illicit bribes to Ghanaian government officials in order to gain their approval of an electrical-power-plant project.

    The complaint further alleges that Berko helped the intermediary pay more than $200,000 in bribes to various other government officials
    and that he personally paid more than $60,000 to members of the Ghanaian parliament and other government officials.

    According to the complaint, Berko took deliberate steps to prevent his employer from detecting the bribery. He misled his employer’s compliance personnel about the true purpose of the intermediary company.

    Berko consented to the entry of a final judgement that permanently enjoins him from breaking the FCPA and Section 30A Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and orders him to disgorge $275,000 in ill- gotten gains, plus $54,163.92 in prejudgment interest.

    This matter was resolved by (Mr Berko) agreeing to pay more than $329,000 to regulators without admitting or denying the allegations, court records show.

    According to the SEC, Berko was a vice president in Goldman’s natural-resources group before he resigned in December 2016. After his resignation in 2016, he proceeded to head Ghana’s state- owned Tema Oil Refinery Ltd. but stepped down after the SEC suit was filed.

    In another foreign-bribery case, Goldman paid more than $2.3 billion for its role in the looting of Malaysia’s 1MDB sovereign wealth fund. It was the largest penalty in US history for a violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

  • Economic woes: UN warns of worsening food crisis in Sri Lanka

    UN agencies in Sri Lanka say they have raised $79 million in aid, but they need another $70 million to help the country’s growing poor.

    According to the UN, the number of people in Sri Lanka who need immediate humanitarian assistance has more than doubled to 3.4 million, indicating a worsening food crisis in the south Asian island nation, which declared bankruptcy in July amid an unprecedented economic crisis.

    UN agencies working in Sri Lanka said in a joint statement on Tuesday that they had raised $79 million to feed those in need, but that the growing number of poor people required an additional $70 million.

    “Food insecurity in Sri Lanka has increased dramatically due to two consecutive seasons of poor harvests, foreign exchange shortages, and reduced household purchasing power,” the statement said.

    UN agencies had estimated in June that 1.7 million out of the 22 million population in Sri Lanka required help.

    The UN said its revised plan aims at feeding 2.1 million people, including pregnant mothers and school children and providing livelihood support to 1.5 million farmers and fishermen.

    Worst crisis

    Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since its independence from the United Kingdom in 1948 and has been enduring soaring inflation, power blackouts, and fuel rationing since last year.

    The country defaulted on its $51bn external debt in mid-April and is in talks with the IMF for a $2.9bn bailout.

    Months of protests against high prices and shortages of food and medicines led to the toppling of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in July.

    The UN has said that the poverty rate in the South Asian nation has doubled to 25.6 percent this year, up from 13.1 percent last year.

     

  • Just in: ‘Terrorists planning attacks on US,’ UK warns citizens

    The United Kingdom has warned that terrorists are planning to attack the United States while advising its citizens in the country to be vigilant and avoid public gatherings.

    According to the UK, in an updated travel advisory to its citizens in the US on Friday, the terrorists might target places where foreigners gather or crowded areas as well as transportation channels.

    This is coming barely a week after the US and the UK issued security alerts that terrorists were planning to attack Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja.

    It could also be not unconnected with the security alert by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to Americans in New Jersey that terrorists were planning to attack synagogues.

    The FBI said it received credible information about a “broad” threat to synagogues in New Jersey urging them to “take all security precautions to protect your community and facility.”

    The UK said, “Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in the USA. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners, crowded areas, and transportation networks. You should monitor media reports and be vigilant at all times.”

    “The main threat comes from individuals who may have been inspired by terrorist ideology to carry out so-called ‘lone actor’ attacks targeting public events or places. Attacks could take place with little or no notice.”

    In connection the alert, the UK government said the US might deploy security agents in public places to foil possible attacks adding that the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued information on credible threats.

    “The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides public information about credible threats. Expect an increased presence of law enforcement and tight security at public places and events.

    “This may include a heavy police presence, additional restrictions and searches on bags, and the use of screening technologies. For all current alerts within the USA and its territories, visit the DHS website.

    “There’s a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals, from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. You should be vigilant at this time,” it said.

     

    Source: Vanguard News

  • ‘We do not believe any progress has been made to alleviate concerns about the Northern Ireland Protocol,’ says the DUP leader

    Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the DUP leader, has stated that his party does not believe any progress has been made to alleviate concerns about the Northern Ireland Protocol, and thus will not support the nomination of ministers to the executive.

    Speaking to reporters today, Sir Jeffrey said: “We were given a clear mandate in the assembly elections that we would not nominate ministers to an executive until decisive action is taken on the protocol to remove the barriers to trade within our own country and to restore our place within the United Kingdom internal market.

    “That remains our position.

    “And so today we will not be supporting the nomination of ministers to the executive.”

    He went on to say he would “not rest” until the issue was resolved.

     

  • Ford to stop producing Fiesta cars as it expands its electric vehicle lineup

    Ford has announced the end of the Fiesta, one of the most popular cars ever sold in the United Kingdom.

    No more Fiestas will be produced in the manufacturer’s factory in Cologne, Germany, by the end of June next year.

    Since 1976, more than 22 million have been produced worldwide, and the model has been sold in over 50 countries.

    The withdrawal of the popular vehicle comes as Ford makes changes to its portfolio to make space for more electric cars.

    Production of the S-MAX and Galaxy models will also end in Ford’s factory in Valencia, Spain, by next April.

    Ford is to only produce electric cars by 2030 and all vehicles it makes are to be electric by 2035.

    Three new electric car models and four commercial vehicles are to be launched in Europe by 2024, Ford said.

    The plans are part of the maker’s aim to sell more than 600,000 electric vehicles in the region by 2026.

     

  • ‘1.4 billion Indians’ are celebrating the first British Asian prime minister

    The arrival of Rishi Sunak as the first British Asian and Hindu prime minister is being celebrated “by people of Indian origin all over the world.”

    Lord Bilimoria, a British Indian businessman, told Sky News that the last decade had seen “glass ceilings shattered” in front of his eyes.

    He said: “This is something that we should be celebrating as a country.

    “The Indian community here, one-and-a-half million strong, is the largest ethnic minority community, and I would say the most successful, reaching the very top in business, in politics, at the cabinet table and now prime minister.

    “So that is wonderful news, it’s being celebrated by the 30 million people of Indian origin around the world, and it’s being celebrated by the 1.4 billion people in India.

    “So it’s a matter of great pride, it’s a sign of how wonderful this country the United Kingdom is, how much it’s changed since I came from India as a 19-year-old student in the early 80s when I was told by my family and friends, if you decide to work in the UK after your studies, just remember you will never get to the top because you won’t be allowed to get to the top as a foreigner.”

     

  • Economic hardship: Nurses ‘run away’ to greener pastures abroad

    More Ghanaian nurses are in the process of securing visas to practice abroad, a situation most of them say is born out of poor working conditions in the country.

    Over the past year, there have been increased cases of Ghanaian-trained nurses and other health professionals travelling outside the country.

    A general nurse, who wishes to be known as Alawani, last month secured a job and visa to the United Kingdom. Prior to the new appointment, she had been practicing at a hospital in the Eastern Region for over seven years.

    Asked why she chose to leave, she indicated that she has nothing to show for the years she has been working in Ghana as a nurse. She lamented the meagre salary, poor conditions of service, and risks nurses have to endure in Ghana’s health facilities.

    “I am very passionate about my job and I work really hard, but the economy is too hard on us. A lot of nurses are leaving Ghana to countries like the UK and US for many reasons, including good salaries and better employment contracts.

    “I am for the idea of nurses seeking opportunities overseas, because we live in a country where nobody cares about you as a nurse and you are underpaid for overworking. You cannot even take good care of yourself and your family,” she said.

    According to Ms. Alawani, leaving the country to practice in the UK was her only option after furthering her education and obtaining a degree in nursing.

    Comparing some conditions of service for nurses in Ghana and the UK, Ms. Alawani said: “In Ghana, the normal work hours are between 8-9 hours a day – and sometimes you even end up working for up to 14 hours or more and earn a monthly salary. It is the same salary even if you work extra hours, and nobody really cares about your efforts.

    “Here in the UK, it is totally different. If you do more hours you get more pay, and every company has its own number of work-hours per week – which is usually between 39-42 hours. So, for instance, if you do your 39 hours before the week-end, you have more hours to do extra-time for extra pay,” she added.

    As regards earnings, she noted that salaries in the UK are far better and more encouraging than what nurses earn in Ghana.

    “For instance, back home (Ghana) if you work for 9-12 hours a day for maybe 4 days in a week, you earn a monthly salary of about GH¢2,000 regardless how long your shifts last. But in the UK, you could earn a minimum of £12 or £13 pounds per hour. So, if you are working for 12 hours in a day for 4 or 5 days, you can imagine how much you earn in a month.”

    Another nurse, who for the purpose of this article wants to be known as Adora, has been practicing as a nurse at a facility in Accra for 10 years.

    She also wishes to leave the country, as according to her is the right decision because the salary abroad is better and worth the effort put in.

    “You will enjoy better living conditions. I will leave this country if I have the opportunity,” she stated.

    When asked whether they are aware their decisions to leave the country to practice elsewhere may affect Ghana’s health sector negatively, responses from these nurses varied.

    For Ms. Alawani, even though more nurses are being trained in institutions each year she believe the country will lose out on experienced personnel, and that should be of major concern to authorities.

    “Most of my colleagues have left and others are willing to leave, too. The situation will affect the health sector in Ghana because you end up losing competent and experienced health personnel. Our leaders may think that if you leave there are always people in the queue seeking employment, but they forget that experience is very important in the field.”

    Adora on the other hand feels that: “There are a lot of people being trained, and immediately the economy becomes stable the remaining will stay”.

    Minority calls for action

    Meanwhile, the Minority group in parliament last month directed government’s attention to prioritise the welfare of health personnel in the country, so as to curb high attrition among the workforce.

    A statement signed by the Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, on 6th September 2022, said the situation of healthcare practitioners leaving the country has become critical and needs government attention.

    “Contrary to the propaganda and noise government makes on addressing the welfare needs of health professionals, most professionals will confirm that their conditions of service have deteriorated over the years.

    “Government’s lack of concern for public health workers in this hyperinflationary period has exacerbated an already bad economic situation, leading to high attrition among the workforce.

    “In June this year, the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) informed Ghanaians that in the first quarter of 2022, over 3,000 trained nurses and midwives left the shores of Ghana to seek greener pastures abroad.

    “The story is not different among practicing doctors in Ghana. Alarmingly, General Practitioners, specialists and consultants have all joined a long line of Ghanaian health professionals waiting for clearance or job offers from abroad in order to leave this country. The situation has become critical – to the point that Ghana is currently experiencing losses of general practitioners and specialists needed to handle cases across the healthcare continuum,” the statement said.

     

  • ‘I have accepted’ – Kwasi Kwarteng’s emotional statement after his sack

    Kwasi Kwarteng has written to the Prime Minister of the UK, Liz Truss, indicating that he has accepted her decision to sack him.

    The outgoing Chancellor of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom was at post for only six (6) weeks, making him only second in the history of the country to have served this briefly in the office.

    In an earlier report by the BBC, it said that Kwasi Kwarteng’s sacking was influenced from a mini-budget he presented that has since sparked financial turmoil and revolt from Conservative Members of Parliament.

    In a response to the news, the British-born Ghanaian politician said that even before taking up the job, he knew he could not tow the lines of those before him, thereby the need to adopt more drastic approaches.

    Accepting the decision, he added that he knew the country’s fight against its current difficult economic challenges would be a tough one.

    “You have asked me to stand aside as your Chancellor. I have accepted.

    “When you asked me to serve as your Chancellor, I did so in full knowledge that the situation we faced was incredibly difficult, with rising global interest rates and energy prices. However, your vision of optimism, growth and change was right.

    “As I have said many times in the past weeks, following the status quo was simply not an option,” he wrote in a statement.

    Kwasi Kwarteng also explained that while the challenges exist, he is optimistic in the vision of the Prime Minister, knowing too from many years of friendship with her that she is making the right decision.

    “For too long this country has been dogged by low growth rates and high taxation – that must still change if this country is to succeed.

    “The economic environment has changed rapidly since we set out the Growth Plan on September 23. In response, together with the Bank of England and excellent officials at the Treasury we have responded to those events, and I commend my officials for their dedication.

    “It is important now as we move forward to emphasise your government’s commitment to fiscal discipline. The Medium-Term Fiscal Plan is crucial to this end, and I look forward to supporting you and my successor to achieve that from the backbenches.

    “We have been colleagues and friends for many years. In that time, I have seen your dedication and determination. I believe your vision is the right one. It has been an honour to serve as your first Chancellor,” he wrote.

    Kwasi Kwarteng’s six-week tenure as the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the UK has been dogged with a few major incidences, including the British press calling him out for smiling during the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

    Kwasi Kwarteng became the first black person to become UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer (Finance Minister) following his appointment by UK Prime Minister, Liz Truss, on September 6, 2022.

    Kwarteng was born Akwasi Addo Alfred Kwarteng in Waltham Forest, East London, in May 1975 to Ghanaian parents, Alfred and Charlotte, who had both immigrated to the United Kingdom a decade earlier as students.

    His parents, who went on to become an international economist and a barrister respectively, sent him to an expensive private prep school that produced numerous Cabinet-level politicians. He then attended the famous Eton college – a production line for British leaders including Boris Johnson and David Cameron.

  • Mr Jinapor appointed Co-chair of forests & Climate Leaders’ Partnership

    The United Kingdom has appointed Ghana’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, as Co-Chair of the Forests and Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP), the flagship programme on climate change mitigation.

    He will Co-Chair the programme with Mr John Kerry, the United States’ Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and former Secretary of State.

    Ms Harriet Thompson, the British High Commissioner to Ghana, announced this on Thursday when she paid a working visit to the Minister, in Accra, to formally present the letter to him to Co-Chair the programme.

    The FCLP is a new political forum, established by the United Kingdom, to enable governments and partners to work together to implement solutions that would help reduce forest loss and land degradation as well as promote sustainable development.

    It seeks to mobilise high-level political leadership on forests, land-use and climate to increase restoration and ensure accountability for the pledges made by stakeholders.
    She said Mr Jinapor had shown continued support to forests and other nature-based climate actions since his appointment as Minster.

    Ms Thompson acknowledged Ghana’s active involvement in the Forest Agriculture and Climate Trade (FACT) Dialogue at COP 26, noting that the appointment of a Ghanaian Minister provides an opportunity for the country to maintain a high-level recognition on climate action and re-galvanise the international community to scale-up climate action.

    Mr Jinapor accepted the appointment and commended the UK Government through the High Commissioner for the honour and confidence reposed in him, the Ministry, and Ghana as a whole.

    He said President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was passionate about climate change, which he demonstrated when he joined world leaders to sign the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use on the sidelines of COP26 in Scotland.

    Mr Jinapor said it was in the same spirit that the Ministry had been implementing many initiatives to contribute to nature-based climate action.

    These include the Green Ghana Project, the FACT Dialogue, REDD+ programme, the Cocoa and Forest Initiative, and the Forest Investment Programme.

    He pledged his commitment to the new role by working with Mr Kerry to achieve the programme objectives.

    On June 1, 2022, Mr Jinapor attended the High-level Ministerial meeting on Political Action for Climate, Forests and Land Use in Stockholm, Sweden, where he had side meetings and engagements with John Kerry, the Right Honourable Alok Sharma, 26th President of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, and Lord Goldsmith, the UK’s Minister for Asia, Energy, Climate and Environment.

    His appointment comes as a follow up to this Ministerial Meeting.

    Mr Jinapor took the opportunity to call for collective action by all countries to provide a unique space for intergovernmental collaboration and coordinated action with partners and stakeholders to contribute towards the global fight against the adverse effects of climate change.

    Source:GNA

  • Two health institutions in UK award £10 million to fight non-communicable diseases in West Africa

    The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), United Kingdom (UK) and the Department of Health and Social Care, UK, have scaled up efforts to combat Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) with approximately £10 million in funding for NCD research in Ghana, Burkina Faso and Niger.

    NIHR, an institution at the forefront of tackling health issues, will provide support for the establishment of a Global Health Research Centre for Non-Communicable Disease control in West Africa to address the scourge of NCDs over a five-year period.

    The centre will also develop the skills of local researchers and clinicians and will run a PhD and master’s programme to provide formal training for students in all three countries.

    The centre will comprise the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) as the co-lead institutions working in partnership with other institutions, namely Ashesi University, Ghana; Catholic University of West Africa (UCAO-UUB), Burkina Faso and Laboratoire d’Etudes et de Recherche sur les Dynamiques Sociales et le Développement Local (LASDEL), Niger.

    Dr Sylvia Anie at National Institute for Health and Care Research, UK, commented, “NIHR Global Health Research Centres will provide a sustainable platform for high-quality applied health research in low-and low middle-income countries (LMIC) to address the burden of NCDs and improve health outcomes. It is time to shift the centre of gravity to LMIC-led research.”

    Two health institutions in UK award £10 million to fight non-communicable diseases in West Africa

    NCDs, also known as chronic diseases, are not passed from person to person. They include heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease.

    Across the world, NCDs kill 41 million people yearly, equivalent to 74% of all deaths globally.

    A report by WHO in April 2022 highlighted the alarming rate of deaths from NCDs in Africa, and the NCDs are increasingly becoming the main cause of mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, where the diseases were responsible for 37% of deaths in 2019, rising from 24% in 2000.

    This project aims to improve the health and well-being of populations by developing the capacity for high-quality research to inform improved prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of inter-connected NCDs (hypertension, diabetes and co-existing stress, anxiety, and depression).

    President of the International Union of Immunological Societies and Chair of the NIHR Global Health Research Centres Funding Committee, Professor Faith Osier, said “these new centres are truly ground-breaking – it’s the first time we’ve seen anything like this level of investment in non-communicable disease research in low and middle-income countries. The potential for this truly equitable partnership working between researchers in LMICs and in the UK is immense and we’re so excited to see the advances that the next five years will bring.”

    Two health institutions in UK award £10 million to fight non-communicable diseases in West Africa

    On her part, the Director for NIHR Global Health Research Centres West Africa, Prof. Irene A. Agyepong welcomed the project and said the centre will make a difference in addressing challenges of non-communicable diseases.

    “The fifteen countries of ECOWAS, like most LMICs, are increasingly challenged by rising illness and deaths related to NCDs.

    “This is additional to their long-standing challenges from communicable diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis. Research is at the heart of the innovation needed to address these problems, and establishing the centre is a timely and welcome effort to make a difference”.

    Co-Director for NIHR Global Health Research Centres West Africa, Professor Tolib Mirzoev said the project will go a long way to improve the control of non-communicable diseases.

    “I am delighted to jointly lead the Stop-NCD programme together with Professor Agyepong from the GCPS. Our programme addresses an important and urgent need for high-quality research to improve the control of NCDs in West Africa.

    “Through excellent science, comprehensive capacity strengthening and equitable partnerships involving research teams and key stakeholders, we will ensure the longer-term legacy of African-led research for improved policy and practice in NCD control.”

    The official announcement and launch of the project was held in Accra, Ghana, on Wednesday, October 4 with the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu as the special guest of honour.

    Also present were the representative of the Minister of Health for Niger, M. Sabo Hassane Adamou, Deputy Secretary General and the representative of the Minister of Health for Burkina Faso, Baperman Abdel Aziz Siri.

    Scientists, researchers and officials in the health sector from the UK and various West African implementing countries were present in Accra to grace the occasion.

  • GCPS obtains £10m grant to conduct in-depth research into NCDs in West Africa

    The Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS) has obtained a £ 10 million grant to conduct in-depth research into the scourge of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the West African sub region.

    Awarded by the United Kingdom’s Department of Health and Social Care and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the project is expected to inform enhanced prevention, diagnosis and treatment strategies on inter-connected NCDs in three countries; Ghana, Burkina Faso and Niger.

    It would span a five-year period and see to the establishment of a “Global Health Research Centre for NCDs control in West Africa, “which would among others coordinate research, provide training and horn  skills of clinicians in the effective management of NCDs to improve the general health and wellbeing of the populace.

    Co-led by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), the centre would have other implementing institutions namely; Ashesi University, Ghana; Catholic University of West Africa (UCAO-UUB), Burkina Faso; and Laboratoired’Etudes et de Recherchesur les DynamiquesSociales et le Développement Local (LASDEL), Niger, on the project.

    The Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, in an address, said the research project was timely in the face of high prevalence of NCDs globally, with lower and middle-income countries being worst affected.

    According to him, despite an increasing trend in NCD-related mortalities, implementation of interventions by African government had been slow and segregated.

    “There are clear indications that a scientific approach by the sub-region is required to improve the health and well-being of the population,” he noted.

    Mr Agyeman-Manu said the scope of the project which considers strengthening individual skills and expertise, organisational systems, networking capabilities and leadership of researchers while promoting partnership, would go a long way to support the realisation of the global NCD compact and the 2022 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)resolution on NCDs.

    The Minister added that Ghana’s newly developed policy on NCD, aligned with the international goals had an appreciable political commitment to ensure implementation and “there is the need to work collectively across sectors within the frameworks of health-in-all policies to tackle this health and developmental challenge confronting us as a country.”

    The Senior Programme Manager at the NIHR, Dr Sylvia Anie said the “Global Health Research Centres” would provide a sustainable platform for high-quality applied health research in low-and low middle-income countries (LMIC) to address the burden of NCDs and improve health outcomes.

    “It is time to shift the centre of gravity to LMIC-led research and this is the only grant awarded that looks at the issue in such in-depth manner,” she noted.

    Professor Irene Agyepong, the Director of the Centre noted that the 15 countries of ECOWAS, like most LMICs were increasingly challenged by rising illness and deaths related to NCDs.

    “This is additional to their long-standing challenges from communicable diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis. Research is at the heart of the innovation needed to address these problems, and establishing the centre is a timely and welcome effort to make a difference.”

    NCDs, also known as chronic diseases, are not passed from person to person. They include heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease.

    Across the world, NCDs kill 41 million people yearly, equivalent to 74 percent of all deaths globally.

    According to the WHO, of all NCD deaths, 77 percent are in low- and middle-income countries.

    Cardiovascular diseases account for most NCD deaths, or 17.9 million people annually, followed by cancers (9.3 million), chronic respiratory diseases (4.1 million), and diabetes (2.0 million including kidney disease deaths caused by diabetes).

  • Inflation-linked bonds proposed to boost market confidence

    A growing number of people are advocating for the introduction of inflation-indexed securities to the domestic market as a result of the long-term high levels of inflation that are eroding investors’ real returns and purchasing power.

    The term “inflation-linked bonds” (ILBs) refers to financial instruments whose capital growth or coupon payments are correlated with inflation rates, allowing the variables to be changed in tandem with price changes.

    The United States’ Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS), which are among the most widely traded ILBs, are frequently issued by central governments. Other nations that do so include the United Kingdom, Canada, and India.

    Over the past decade, the asset class has grown in emerging markets with Israel, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey all issuing various ILBs, with the total tradable ILBs outstanding amounting to approximately US$3trillion at the end of 2020.

    Describing the introduction of such securities as paramount, a Senior Research and Compliance Analyst at Tesah Capital, Joshua Adagbe, has argued that it is time to issue Ghana’s maiden inflation-linked bonds as they will provide a range of benefits to different classes of stakeholders.

    “Aside from the benefits of offering protection against inflation, ILBs can be used as good security for diversification in a multi-asset portfolio because of their low correlation to other asset classes.

    “ILBs have a low tendency to move in the same direction as equities and nominal bonds, and therefore lower the overall volatility of a portfolio.”

    He noted this as crucial to driving investor confidence and deepening the capital markets.

    He added that with current inflation above the central bank’s inflation target band of 8±2 percent, the Bank of Ghana would benefit from the inflation risk protection by ILBs and also make savings on its interest expense.

    “The central bank, which is the largest issuer of nominal bonds, bears a high degree of inflation risk when servicing its debt,” he added.

    Providing contrary thoughts, president of the local arm of the Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) Society, Nana Wiafe Boamah, said while he understands the appeal, a number of factors including historically high and volatile inflation would make its introduction improbable.

    “In this economy where inflation is almost always high, even when compared to some of our peers, who would be willing to offer inflation plus a premium?” he quizzed – adding that such an instrument would saddle government with too much debt and effectively rule out corporate issuances.

    “When you have your inflation under control and the fiscals are looking good and we want to attract investors who need to see positive real returns, by all means then we can issue such bonds as an incentive.

    “What we have had historically has been too volatile for it to be worth it; we should be working at getting the macroeconomy to a point of sustained stability,” he remarked.

    The World Bank in a recently published study on the subject noted that from the cost perspective, ILBs can lower financing costs if the inflation premium of conventional bonds exceed the liquidity premium of the ILBs.

    Additionally, medium- and long-term ILBs permit governments to lengthen the debt’s average maturity and allow for the substitution of riskier debt instruments, such as foreign currency (FX) linked securities or short-term local currency bonds – thus helping to reduce market and refinancing risks.

    It however warned that emerging markets with underdeveloped savings industries and/or limited borrowing requirements may find that introducing ILBs further fragments the domestic debt market – driving up the liquidity premia for both ILBs and conventional securities, and increasing government funding cost.

    “Economies prone to supply shocks may find that ILBs increase the debt service at times when the economy stagnates, worsening government’s financial position,” the World Bank added.

    Inflation has climbed to 33.9 percent on an annualised basis in August from 31.7 in July; and despite the 91-day Treasury bill rate rising to 30.1 percent, the trend of negative real returns continues.

  • Canada removes  vaccination entry requirements and makes the Arrive Can  optional

    All remaining Covid border restrictions, including the requirement for traveller vaccinations, have been lifted, Canada reports.

    As of 1 October, travellers will also no longer need to provide proof of Covid vaccination, undergo any testing, or isolate and quarantine.

    The mask mandate on planes and trains will also be lifted.

    The ArriveCan app – used to upload health documents when entering Canada – will become optional.

    Federal health minister Jean-Yves Duclos said in an announcement on Monday that Canada is “in a much better position” than it was earlier in the pandemic, in part due to the availability of Covid-19 vaccines and treatment options.

    The country’s high vaccination rate – with around 82% of the population having received two doses – and a falling death rate are also factors.

    Around 32 Canadians are currently dying each day from the virus.

    Covid-19 cases are slowly rising in Canada and signs point to a resurgence ahead of autumn, Mr Duclos said, but he added this is “largely explained by the domestic transmission of the virus”.

    He said Ottawa is open to reintroducing measures, especially if a new, highly-transmissible variant emerges.

    Vaccine mandates for travellers entering the US remain in place, and some American lawmakers have urged President Joe Biden to drop the remaining restrictions.

    Other countries, including the United Kingdom, dropped Covid entry requirements earlier this year.

    Covid-19 mandates were opposed by some in Canada and were the subject of the ‘Freedom Convoy’ protests in Ottawa, which were held in support of truckers who refused to get vaccinated to cross the US-Canada border.

    The February protests gridlocked Canada’s capital for two weeks.

    Supporters of the convoy also staged blockades at key border crossings between the US and Canada, disrupting the flow of goods between the two countries.

    The protests were eventually cleared after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the never before used Emergencies Act, which gives the government additional powers in times of national crisis.

    The World Health Organisation declared in early September that Covid-19 deaths have hit their lowest point but experts have warned about the ongoing threat of the virus, especially if new variants emerge.

    Despite the end of the restrictions, Mr Duclos urged people to get their booster shots and encouraged people to continue wearing masks in public.

  • ‘Containerised’, bulk shipment of cocoa freight charges increased

    All overseas destinations, with the exception of the United Kingdom, will now incur a 5% rise in freight costs for shipping cocoa from Ghana.

    Similarly, the Cocoa Marketing Company (CMC), Ghana Shippers Authority, and 18 shipping lines have agreed to an increase in mega bulk shipments of 10% for the 2022–2023 cocoa season.

    According to the agreement, the rate for both bagged and bulk cocoa shipping to the United Kingdom (UK) is now £31.50 per tonne, while the rate for bagged and bulk cocoa shipping to the Northern Continent is €54.02 per bag and €56.60 per tonne.

    For Estonia, it is €61.74 for bagged and €64.70 for bulk; Mediterranean Europe €60.64 for bagged and €63.53, for bulk; the Far East, US$100.44/106.09 for bagged and Brazil US$116.24 for bagged and US$121.78 for bulk.

    Subsequently, Bunker (Fuel) Adjustment Factor (BAF) to all destinations apart from the UK has been increased by two percentage points from 28 – 30 percent.

    Those were the agreements reached after a meeting at this year’s Cocoa Freight Negotiation Conference held at the Hilton Sorrento Palace, Sorrento, Italy on Tuesday, September 20, 2022.

    Global developments in the shipping market, including increasing charter rates, container shortage, and rising bunker prices accounted for the new upward rates in freight charges.

    Again, the need to keep a competitive freight rate for Ghana’s cocoa, especially in the light of competition from neighboring countries was considered in the decision-making.

    Commenting on the recent charges, Mr Vincent Okyere Akomeah, the Managing Director of CM, said he was confident that the agreed rates would be “a win-win for the Government and the shipping lines.”

    Mr Akomeah was hopeful of a good cocoa year with the help of key stakeholders such as the Ghana Standard Authority, the shipping lines, buyers, and insurers.

    Ms Benonita Bismarck, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Shippers Authority, expressed appreciation to the shipping lines for their support and cooperation.

    She also thanked them for keeping faith with Ghana, promoting trade, and serving as trusted conduits between CMC and the buyers for the international transportation of Ghana’s cocoa.

    Shipping lines present at the conference included Maersk Line, Mediterranean Shipping Company, ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd, Grimaldi, COSCO Shipping Lines, Messina Lines, Ocean Network, CMA-CGM, and Arkas.

  • Cocoa freight charges up 5% for all destinations, but UK stayed

    The cost of shipping cocoa from Ghana to markets worldwide, excluding the United Kingdom (UK), has gone up by 5%.

    The Cocoa Marketing Company (CMC), the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), and 18 shipping lines that will transport the nation’s cocoa exports the following year came to an agreement on the adjustment, which will take effect on October 1 of this year.

    The deal was made last Wednesday at the Cocoa Freight Negotiation Conference in Sorrento, Italy.

    Shipping costs per tonne

    Consequently, the rate for shipment per tonne to the Northern Continent (part of North America, Scandinavia and parts of Asia) is up from €51.45 to €54.02, while that to Estonia is up from €57.75 to €61.74, with that to the UK staying at £31.50.

    Shipment to Mediterranean Europe, which includes Albania, Andorra, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia and Southern France, has increased from €58.80 to €60.64, with shipment to the Far East rising from $94.19/$99.48 to $100.44/$106.09, while that to Brazil has gone up from $109 to $116.24.

    The bunker adjustment factor (BAF) — an additional charge levied on the shippers to compensate for fluctuations in the price of the ship’s fuel — has also been increased from 28 to 30 per cent for all destinations, except the UK, which was maintained, and the Far East and Brazil, which have already been added to the freight rate.

    The adjustment has become necessary as a result of recent events on the global shipping market.

    Last year, the negotiating partners agreed to increase the rates for the current season by five per cent due to a rise in charter rates, persistent container shortage and increasing bunker prices.

    Reason behind adjustment

    Announcing the new charges at the end of the 2022/23 Freight Negotiation Conference, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GSA, Benonita Bismarck, said the rate increment was also in consideration of the need to keep a competitive freight rate for Ghana’s cocoa, especially in the light of competition from neighbouring countries.

    She explained that basic freight and the BAF for shipment to the UK remained unchanged because lines which called at UK ports would be compensated with additional volumes to other destinations.

    Ms Bismarck said in response to feedback from stakeholders, it had been decided that the liner and mega-bulk rates be differentiated, as was done in 2005.

    “Basic freight for containerised shipments to all destinations except the UK has been increased by five per cent. Freight rate for mega bulk shipments to all destinations except the UK has been increased by 10 per cent,” she said.

    All-inclusive freight rate

    She noted that shipping lines would quote an “all-inclusive” freight rate, taking into account the new adjustment and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) shore handling (or receipt and delivery) charges and other incidental loading costs.

    “All freight payments will be made in US dollars. The exchange rate for conversion, where applicable, shall be sourced from Reuters at bill of lading date,” she said.

    “The participating shipping lines are required to submit written confirmation of their bank details at the beginning of each season to the CMC,” Ms Bismarck added.

    The CEO said with the agreement made under the negotiation, the CMC was to ensure uniformity of lift-on/lift-off charges by the service providers, and that the price of other materials was not increased within the season.

  • Charles makes first statement as King of United Kingdom

     King Charles III, the newly crowned monarch of the United Kingdom, has made his first speech.

    In his opening remarks, King Charles paid tribute to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth, describing her passing as “a moment of greatest sadness for me and all members of my family”.

    King Charles III expressed awareness and acknowledgment of the messages of commiserations from around the world.

    He said that his family will find comfort in the “respect and deep affection in which The Queen” was widely held.

    After Queen Elizabeth II passed away on Thursday, September 9, as such,  King Charles III was proclaimed King of England.

    The throne passed immediately and without ceremony to the heir, Charles, the former Prince of Wales following confirmation of the demise of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, September 8, 2022.

    According to BBC, there are several protocols and traditional steps that he must go through to be crowned King.

    There will be a new title for Charles’ wife, whose full title will be Queen Consort – consort is the term used for the spouse of the monarch.

  • UK economy shrinks between April and June – ONS reveals

    The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that the UK economy contracted by 0.1% in the second quarter of the year.

    However, the figure recorded according to the ONS, was much better than the 1.3% fall predicted by economists.

    For June alone, the ONS stated that the economy shrank by 0.6% due to the extra bank holiday to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

    But the ONS revealed that it had “little impact” on the quarterly figure.

    Commenting on the 0.1% contraction, the ONS said that the biggest contributor was from “human health and social work activities” as COVID test and trace and vaccination programmes were wound down.

    Areas such as tourism, bars and entertainment showed strong growth.

    “Health was the biggest reason the economy contracted as both the test and trace and vaccine programmes were wound down, while many retailers also had a tough quarter,” said director of economic statistics at the ONS, Darren Morgan.

    “These were partially offset by growth in hotels, bars, hairdressers and outdoor events across the quarter, partly as a result of people celebrating the Platinum Jubilee.”

    The Chancellor, Nadhim Zahawi, told the BBC that these are “challenging times”.

    “What the numbers show today is that the contraction is partly because of some of the COVID activities reducing but also real resilience in the private sector which actually in many ways bodes well… But nevertheless these are challenging times,” he said.

    But Labour accused the Conservatives of “losing control of the economy”.

    Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “With the Bank of England forecasting a recession lasting the whole of next year, the Conservative leadership contenders need to stop playing to the gallery and start coming up with a serious plan to get Britain’s economy back on track.”

    The Bank of England has forecast the UK will fall into recession towards the end of this year and the downturn will last for the entirety of next year.

  • Never travel abroad without learning any skill – Man reveals how he is making it with his skill in UK

    UK-based Ghanaian, Paul, has urged Ghanaians, who prefer to work abroad, to learn a skill because that is the only way to thrive in the UK or the western world.

    Speaking on Daily Hustle In The UK with DJ Nyaami, the builder indicated that to be able to make a good living abroad, one must have a learned skill; otherwise, they may be forced to do menial jobs like cleaning, etc.

    “If you travel abroad and you have your certificate or skill, you can create a business if there are no jobs. If you go somewhere and you have a talent or skill, you don’t become a burden to the country.

    “So I would urge anyone who wants to come here to go to a technical school to learn something. It won’t only help you here but anywhere in the world,” he said on SVTV Africa.

    Paul is into building and construction in London. He takes contracts to construct buildings for clients.

    Kindly watch the full interview below:

    Source: SVTV Africa

  • Coronavirus infections continue to rise across UK

    Coronavirus infections continue to rise across the UK, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics.

    It estimates cases have risen by a quarter to more than 35,200 a day in England.

    Infection rates have been highest among older teenager and adults in recent weeks.

    It comes as stricter rules come into force for millions more people across the UK.

    Around one in 130 people you meet in the street in England had coronavirus in the week to 16 October, data from the ONS infection survey suggests.

    This compares to one in 180 in Wales and Scotland, and one in 100 in Northern Ireland.

    The highest levels of the virus continue to be in the north west and north east of England.

    The ONS figures are based on a survey of people in random households whether they have symptoms or not, giving one of the most accurate pictures of the epidemic.

    These figures are much higher than the lab-confirmed cases recorded by the UK government every day. Another 21,242 cases and 189 deaths were confirmed on Thursday.

    Another source of data, the Covid Symptom study app, suggests there were more than 36,000 new daily cases in the UK over the two weeks to 18 October up from nearly 28,000 a week ago.

    The numbers are based on app users logging their symptoms and positive tests on the app.

    Source: BBC

  • Birmingham stabbings: Police declare ‘major incident’ as several injured

    A number of people have been stabbed in Birmingham city centre and police have since declared a “major incident”.

    West Midlands Police said they were called to reports of a stabbing at around 00:30 BST on Sunday.

    A number of other stabbings were reported in the area shortly after and officers said a number of people had been injured.

    A “major incident” describes any situation involving serious harm or a security risk to the public.

    It also means special arrangements are in place for all of the emergency services to work together now.

    Witness Cara, who was working in the area at the time as a club promoter, told the BBC it had been busier during the evening than it had been at any time since the start of lockdown.

    ‘People having fist fights’

    She said she had finished her shift at about 00:30 BST and was drinking with colleagues when she heard a “loud bang and quite a lot of commotion”.

    She added: “I found multiple people having fist fights… people from inside pubs and clubs came out and started to see what was going on.

    “There were females, males, old people, young people, such a mix of people, didn’t seem real at the time.

    “Working on the club scene for over two years, I’ve always seen quite a lot of fights but it was nothing like tonight. The body language and demeanour was quite different.”

    The force said: “We are aware of a number of injured people, but at the moment we are not in a position to say how many or how serious.”

    It said emergency services were working together at the scene, and making sure that those who were injured received medical care.

    Remain ‘calm but vigilant’

    The West Midlands Police statement continued: “Work is still going on to establish what has happened, and could take some time before we are in a position to confirm anything.

    “At this early stage it would not be appropriate to speculate on the causes of the incident.

    “The emergency services have well-rehearsed plans for dealing with major incidents. Our response is ongoing in Birmingham city centre and will be for some time. Cordons are in place, and there are some road closures.”

    People are being asked to remain calm but vigilant, and to stay away from the area.

    The police cordon is near the area known as the Gay Village in the centre of Birmingham, the BBC’s Simon Jones said.

    Many people had been seated at outdoor tables eating and drinking on Saturday evening.

    The streets in the area had already been closed to traffic due to coronavirus restrictions.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Reading stabbing attack suspect is Khairi Saadallah

    The man held on suspicion of killing three people in Reading is Khairi Saadallah.

    The 25-year-old from the town was arrested at the scene and police say they are not looking for anyone else over the terrorist incident.

    Security sources told the BBC he is originally from Libya.

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “appalled and sickened” by the attack in a park on Saturday evening.

    The prime minister praised the bravery of the unarmed officers who arrested the suspect.

    A witness told the BBC he saw a man moving between groups of people in Forbury Gardens, a park in Reading town centre, trying to stab them.

    Three other people were injured in the attack at about 19:00 BST on Saturday.

    Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, head of counter-terrorism policing, described it as an “atrocity”.

    Saturday’s horrifying killings may be another example of what security chiefs call “lone actor” attack where a single individual turns extremist beliefs into murderous actions.

    In November last year, the UK’s official threat level from terrorism was reduced from “severe” to “substantial” – meaning it remained likely – but there was no intelligence of an immediate risk to life.

    Since then, there have already been three major incidents in which two people have died. Two of those attacks were carried out by lone individuals.

    Today, detectives will be interviewing their suspect – and a huge operation will have swung into operation.

    Electronic analysts will delve into any social media accounts linked to the suspect; they’ll trawl every call and text message going back years, looking for contacts with extremists.

    Intelligence officers at MI5 will review both their open and closed case files on so-called “subjects of Interest”.

    A picture will emerge of the suspect’s movements. What led to the attack may be very difficult to identify.

    Presentational grey line

    Thames Valley Police said on Sunday morning that the attack was now being treated as terrorism and that counter-terrorism police would be taking over the investigation.

    The force’s chief constable, John Campbell, told reporters later that a man was arrested within five minutes of the first emergency call made to police – at 18:56 BST on Saturday.

    He said lives had been “devastated” by the incident, but added that there was not believed to be a wider risk to the public and there was nothing to suggest anyone else was involved in the attack.

    Of the three injured people, one was seen at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, where they were discharged without being admitted to hospital.

    Two were admitted to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading. One has been discharged, while another remains in a stable condition under observation.

    The UK’s terrorism threat level of “substantial” is the third of five ratings at which the threat level can stand.

     

    Source: BBC 

  • UK doctor who urged PM to provide protective gear dies of virus

    A British doctor who warned United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson that health workers on the front line did not have enough personal protection equipment (PPE) has died of Coronavirus.

    Abdul Mabud Chowdhury, a 53-year-old consultant in the urology department at Queen Elizabeth hospital in Romford, worked for the NHS for more than 20 years after migrating from Bangladesh.

    He died on Wednesday aged 53 after spending 15 days in hospital.

    In a Facebook post on March 18 directly addressing Johnson, Chowdhury urged the prime minister to provide PPE for “each and every NHS health worker in the UK”, as he called for him to fast-track testing for medical staff.

    Doctors, nurses and other workers who are in direct contact with patients were trying to help, he wrote, “but we are also human beings [with] human rights like others [trying] to live in this world disease free with our family and children.”

    While he appreciated moral support being given to NHS workers, “we have to protect ourselves and our families and kids in this global disaster crisis by using appropriate PPE and remedies,” he said.

    “I hope we are by default entitled to get this minimal support for our safe medical practice.”

    Adnan Pavel, Chowdhury’s friend, described him as an “enthusiastic” mentor to young British Bangladeshi men in the UK and a selfless philanthropist to vulnerable people in Bangladesh.

    “He was such a good man. He was always very helpful to everyone. He was a man with life,” Pavel told Al Jazeera.

    Last year, Pavel and Chowdhury delivered a motivational speech to British Bangladeshi men who had just graduated or were about to apply to university.

    “He wanted to inspire them so that they could fulfil their calibre and become a successful doctor, engineer, journalist, academic, lawyer or accountant,” he said.

    “Because Dr Chowdhury was a senior doctor, he always actively helped junior doctors so that they could fulfil their career aspirations as well.”

    “He personally initiated many medical projects in remote villages in Bangladesh [providing] free medical treatment.”

    On February 8, Pavel interviewed Chowdhury for a TV programme on a Bangladeshi community channel, NTV Europe, about concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.

    “Dr Chowdhury started talking about the [coronavirus] issue from the very beginning, asking why the British government and other European countries weren’t taking rigorous and strict measures to control it.

    “He was worried developing countries like Bangladesh will be the worst victim of this crisis because of economic issues and improvised healthcare issues,” said Pavel.

    Chowdhury’s death came amid mounting concerns that medical workers are not receiving adequate PPE.

    Some have claimed that they have had to share PPE, while reports in UK media suggest some nurses have resorted to using bin bags as aprons.

    Asif Munaf, an acute medical registrar at Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham, told Al Jazeera: “We’ve learned from the countries such as Taiwan and South Korea that full PPE for front line staff is absolutely crucial in circumventing the patient-staff spread as well as more general surface contact spread.

    “This has resulted in fewer healthcare staff deaths than would otherwise have transpired.

    “Despite the stark warnings from Italian doctors as well as our own NHS front line, most notably Dr Chowdhury who has passed away this week after his posting a Facebook status about his concerns, the government seem to be deploying an ‘it will be ok’ attitude in the face of a growing crisis.

    “How many more front line deaths will we have to seen before adequate PPE is rolled out across the NHS?”

    Source: aljazeera.com