Ghana is back on track with investment opportunities - Veep woos foreign investors

Accra, June 6, GNA-Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia says Ghana's economic opportunities for private sector investors are back on track as the country is navigating its way out of the global economic meltdown. 

Dr Bawumia stated that the Government was relentlessly re-focusing on economic growth and working hard to regaining the trajectory Ghana was on and get back to pre-Covid growth numbers.

Vice President Bawumia made the remarks at the Third Ghana Investments and Opportunities Summit in London.

The summit, on the theme: "Post Covid Economic Recovery: Opportunities for the Investor" was being organised by the Ghana High Commission in UK, in collaboration with the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) 

Vice President Bawumia said: "we are living in extraordinary times. Over the past two years, inflation has surged. Its rise has been large, sudden, and global. In many parts of the world, it is now at levels unseen for generations".

He said financial systems had come under strain for the first time in recent decades, with high rate of inflation and financial stress emerging in tandem.

The Vice President noted that the world continued to face difficult moments caused by several factors, including climate change, disruptions in the supply chain of manufacturing goods due to the pandemic, among others.

 "These issues as projected by the World Bank are sinking some developed and developing countries into recession.  Just when the world was recovering from the ravages of Covid-19 pandemic, which came to shake the foundation of the world's economy, causing it to a standstill through its devastating effects, resulting in the fall of Global Gross Domestic Product by over 78%, war also broke out between Russia and Ukraine. 

"Its consequence has not only affected the two countries but also extended to other parts of the world, including Ghana," he explained.

Ghana, he said, had been hit by mainly three major external forces, saying; "The Covid-19 pandemic hit our capacity to access fundamental goods, and the response put a burden on public finances. 

"The war between Russia and Ukraine hit fertilizer and grain prices, among others, and increased the prices of commodities back home. And the US Federal Reserve’s move to hike interest rate severely hit our capacity to borrow and repay debt in the international market".

The investment summit seeks to woo foreign investors to take advantage of opportunities created in the various sectors of the Ghanaian economy in a road up to a total economic recovery. 

Vice President Bawumia said the Government was balancing sound fiscal management with strategic public investments that would unlock growth. 

"The private sector is the engine of growth, and we are only here to support you. Our government is acting as your facilitator. We will unlock bottlenecks and prioritise limited resources to strategic sectors and projects. We think this is an exciting time to be part of Ghana’s economic growth," he said.

"We are organizing this Investment and Opportunities Summit exactly in that context. First, we want to show that Ghana is back on track and that strong opportunities exist for profitable private investments in key sectors. "

"Ghana is home to one of West Africa’s most prominent and efficient ports, Tema, on the eastern serves as a feedstock to the landlocked ECOWAS countries. There is also the Takoradi port on the western coast, which serves logistics, oil and gas, and allied industries. Takoradi is undergoing a significant transformation and requires significant investment to help decongest Tema and establish a commercial case for more vessels berthing there," he added.

Dr Bawumia cited the Brownfield, Greenfield, and Public Private Partnerships as tangible and bankable projects championed by the private sector in Ghana and abroad.

GNA

Adidome-Sogakope Zonal Director of EPA calls for protection of the environment

By Stanley Awalime

Sogakope (V/R), June 7, GNA- Mr Maxwell Zu-Cudjoe, the Sogakope Area Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has called on the public to contribute their quota to the protection of the environment since its sustainability needs a collective responsibility.

He said the environment had been exposed to a lot of challenges that bothered sustainability and if not addressed early could leave rippling effects on all occupants of Mother Earth.

Mr Zu-Cudjoe, who was speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview mentioned the June 5, set aside by the United Nations as the World Environment Day, aimed to commemorate and highlight issues of the environment.

“Climate change, Waste management, Deforestation among others are issues of the environment that need urgent attention, he said.”

The Sogakope Area Director added that Plastic Waste Pollution and Global warming had been on the increase, and it had become necessary to inculcate the attitude of waste segregation among the youth.

“What someone might call waste might be a resource to someone else, just as it's being said that one man’s poison is another man’s meat,” he said.

He said the Sogakope Area Office had donated dustbins to selected schools around North, South and Central Tongu, Anloga, Akatsi-South and Keta Municipalities to inculcate the attitude of waste Segregation in pupils.

Mr Zu-Cudjoe called on all stakeholders to help mobilize resources to address issues endangering the environment since the protection of the Environment had become a collective responsibility.

This year’s world environment day has been on the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution.”

Plastic pollution can alter habitats and natural processes, reducing ecosystems ability to adapt to climate change, directly affecting millions of livelihoods, food production capabilities and social well-being.

The costs of plastic pollution including environmental clean-up, ecosystem degradation, shorter life expectancy and medical treatment exceeded US$100 Billion per year, according to research on growing global plastics crisis.

GNA

Industrialisation goes with reliable electricity- Deputy VRA CEO

By George-Ramsey Benamba

Accra, June 7, GNA- Mr Kenneth Mensah Arthur, Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Services at the Volta River Authority (VRA) has asserted that without reliable and affordable electricity, the potential industrial growth cannot be realized. 

“Ghana’s industries consume about 33 per cent of the electricity produced which is very significant’. 

Mr Arthur stated this during the seventh Ghana International Trade and Finance Conference (GITFiC) held at Senchi in the Eastern Region and attracted patrons from over 10 African countries and beyond.

The conference was on the theme: “Sovereign Economic Vulnerabilities; An Endorsement for a Single Trading Currency for Africa – with ECOWAS as a case study.

He said the VRA had over the years continued to increase its generation capacity while improving reliability of supply, to meet the growing electricity needs of the country. 

“VRA expects to obtain competitively priced financing from banks to enable VRA continue to develop new power plants at competitive prices to meet the growing electricity needs. 

“Reliable and affordable electricity also helps to promote regional trade because it helps to give a competitive advantage to counties that exhibit these qualities.

The conference which dwelt on building a single currency for the sub-region also made strides in the intra-African trade to reduce import bills for member countries.

On a single currency for the sub-Region, he said the VRA believed that the concept of a single currency was in sync with electricity generation and trading. 

“Electricity does not know any boundaries; all it needs is for the two systems to be connected and it flows. The electrons that form the electricity is the same in Ghana, Burkina Faso, Togo and any other country for that matter. The electrons behave like a single currency and so we do appreciate the push for a single currency to promote trading.

On VRA’s role in Promoting International Trade, he said since its inception, it had been promoting international trade through electricity exports and also natural gas supply Power Export. 

He said the VRA started exporting power to Cote d’Ivoire from 1984, to Togo/Benin from 1984 and to Burkina Faso from 2003 and now exported about 250 MW to neighbouring countries.

With respect to natural gas, he said VRA had been a foundation customer to the West African Gas Pipeline Project (WAGP) which led to the construction of a natural gas pipeline from Nigeria through Togo/Benin to Ghana and VRA’s role was a major boost for realization of the needed volumes of natural gas to make the WAGP project viable. 

“Today gas supply from Nigeria plays a critical role in power generation in Ghana”.

He said VRA was a pioneer member of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) seeking to promote cross border trading of electricity within West Africa and played a key role in WAPP, serving on various technical committees, and special task forces to help WAPP in its operations.  

“Realization of the full potential of WAPP will improve reliability of power supply within the sub-region, reduce the overall investment requirement for additional power plants of countries (because countries can import without building a new power plant) and also increase trading amongst the countries that are in a position to export power. 

Mr Arthur said the VRA had maintained High Standard in Power Operations in its hydro, thermal and Renewable Energy Operations and maintained high availability standards and adopted best practices, which was a key attraction to neighbouring countries for supply of power.  

He said the Energy Transition also presented some opportunities for the power sector and industries and the target of the government of Ghana was to achieve net-zero by 2070. 

“This, the government intends to achieve by implementing nuclear power generation, using natural gas and increasing the Renewable Energy in the generation Mix. We in VRA are partners with GoG in the development of the Nuclear Power Plant. These initiatives we believe also present opportunities to industries in the Renewable Energy space”. 

Mr Arthur said the VRA supplied over 50 per cent of the country’s electricity with 87 per cent penetration and hoped to achieve Universal access by 2030

On generation Mix for 2022, he said Hydro was 36.8 perr cent, Thermal: 62.9 per cent, Solar: 0.1 per cent and Imports amounted to 0.2 per cent.

GNA

Prosecute Transnational Organized Crimes and money laundering – Ndego

By Laudia Sawer 

Tema, June 1, GNA - Mr. Benjamin Ndego, a criminologist, has called for concurrent investigations and prosecution of Transnational Organized Crimes (TOC) with money laundering to enable relevant institutions to recover proceeds of such crimes. 

 

Mr. Ndego, who is also an Expert in Organized Crime and Money Laundering, said the current practice of institutions focusing only on predicated crimes before going to tackle money laundering would give the perpetrators enough time to divert the monies and cover them up. 

 

He made the call during the ongoing two-week Maritime Security and Transnational Organized Crime (MSTOC) programme organized by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) with support from the German Government. 

 

He said that the proceeds of all TOCs activities such as drug trafficking, arms trafficking, human trafficking and smuggling, and terrorism, among others, end up in money laundering. 

 

He said it was a vicious cycle in which the crime generated monies that needed to be laundered as a way to avoid detection, and those monies were then used to sponsor more crimes to generate higher proceeds. 

 

"Arresting people and jailing them without collecting the monies involved in the proceedings is just a waste of time and national resources, as they go and come back to enjoy the money they made from those crimes," he said. 

 

Mr. Ndego said the criminals wash their dirty monies by initially injecting the illegal cash into banks or security companies and sometimes transforming it into other assets, and they also remove the monies far from the location of acquisition to avoid detection. 

 

He said they lay the money through its conversion into monetary instruments such as bonds and also sell the initial assets acquired. 

 

The criminologist said the last part of the money laundering involved integrating it into real estate, buying properties, and buying loss-making enterprises, among others. 

 

Touching on the types of money laundering, he said some laundered the monies through third parties who were not involved in the committing of the crimes, whiles some do self-laundering as well as stands alone. 

 

He said some of the features of money laundering were having monies from a criminal origin, with the aim of obscuring the origin while making the funds appear legitimate, using front companies, strawmen, and philanthropic activities, and co-mingling the money as a cover. 

GNA 

Hypertension in pregnancy could lead to premature delivery

By Angela Ayimbire, GNA  

Tema, June 01, GNA – Hypertension in pregnancy, if not managed, could lead to complications including seizures, coma, premature delivery, and an increased chance of intrauterine growth restriction in the baby, Dr. Derrick Darko, a Medical Officer, has cautioned. 

 

Other consequences include detachment of the placenta, bleeding in pregnancy, and a higher probability of remaining hypertensive after delivery. 

 

Dr Darko, a medical officer at the International Maritime Hospital (IMaH), noted that among maternal deaths that occurred during delivery, about 50 percent were attributed to hypertension.  

 

Speaking at a weekly health discussion programme called "Your Health! Our Collective Responsibility,  Dr. Darko said even though the causes of hypertension were yet to be established, some contributory factors included a high intake of salt and fatty foods, a hereditary condition, and a sedentary lifestyle. 

 

"Your Health! Our Collective Responsibility is Ghana News Agency Tema Regional Office initiative aimed at promoting health-related communication and providing a platform for health information dissemination to influence personal health choices through improved health literacy 

 

The Office developed the public health advocacy platform "Your Health! Our Collective Responsibility" to investigate the components of four health communication approaches: informing, instructing, convincing, and promoting. 

 

He explained that there are four categories of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia-eclampsia, and chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia. 

 

Dr. Darko said apart from recording high blood pressure readings, other signs to look out for were protein in the urine, which could be picked up through the various tests done during pregnancy. 

 

Others include severe frontal headaches that could not be reduced with the intake of painkillers, visual blurriness, flashes of light on the face, continuous nausea and vomiting, experiencing pain just beneath the breast or right side of the abdomen, and a sharp increase in weight with swellings of the hands and feet that look shiny. 

 

He explained that hypertension in pregnancy could be categorized in two ways: those who were already diagnosed as hypertensive before getting pregnant and those who developed it during pregnancy. 

 

He said those already diagnosed must seek pre-pregnancy counselling from their doctors before getting pregnant, adding that, with that their medications and dietary needs could be checked to avoid complications. 

 

He urged women to start antenatal care immediately after they recognized that they were pregnant to enable their blood pressure to be taken, recorded, and monitored to help in the early detection of any symptoms of hypertension and its related complications and to help save the lives of both mother and baby. 

GNA 

Bank Managers call on gov’t to flush out ‘black market’ operators

By Dennis Peprah

Sunyani, May 31, GNA – The heads of banking institutions in the Bono Region have called on the Government to be proactive enough and flush out money exchangers in the ‘black market’ for the Ghana cedi to regain its strength.

They observed that the illegal money exchange business was flourishing in Sunyani, the regional capital, and thereby putting undue pressure on the cedi, saying, because their exchange rates were high, they had high patronage from the public.

“I think the Government must do more to restrict the activities of the black marketers because their illegal businesses have a huge devastating toll on the banking business,” Mrs. Gloria Mensah Atakora, the Bono Regional Manager, GCB Bank PLC stated.

The Bank Managers made the call when they interacted with Madam Justina Owusu-Banahene, the Bono Regional Minister in a meeting in Sunyani.

Mr Charles Eshun, the Bono Regional Manager of the Agriculture Development Bank (ADB), also advised the public to desist from exchanging foreign currencies in the black market to support government efforts to strengthen the Ghana cedi.

The Bank Managers also called on the National Identification Authority (NIA) to be expeditious in the issuance of the Ghana cards to the public, particularly Ghanaian residents abroad.

“Because they find it difficult to access the Ghana card, many Ghanaians who returned home from abroad are unable to open bank accounts and most of them also patronise the activities of the black marketers,” Mr Foster Frimpong, the Bono Regional Manager of the Zenith Bank stated.

They also appealed to the Regional Security Council to intervene and help increase Police presence at the Sunyani central business district (CBD) where most of the major banks were situated to enhance security in the enclave.

On her part, Madam Owusu-Banahene commended the managers for their frank discussions and assured that the Bono Regional Coordinating Council would also work hard in tackling some of the challenges impeding their operations in the region.

The Regional Minister called on the banks to open cash outlets in some of the major rural communities in the region to serve the rural population.

Madam Owusu-Banahene indicated that about 60 per cent of the regional population were farmers spread in the local communities, hence the need for the banks to extend their services to them too.

Meanwhile, activities of the illegal money exchangers are very common and rife, as several ‘black marketers,’ mostly nationals from Niger and Burkina Faso are dotted around corners of the CBD.

They transact their illegal businesses in the open as they approached visitors in the enclave for foreign currency exchange, with emphasis on the Euro and US dollar.

Good governance guarantees national stability - Former National Security Coordinator

By Dennis Peprah 

Sunyani, May 31, GNA - Mr Francis Poku, a former National Security Coordinator has said good governance and regime protection is a guarantee to national security and stability. 

"If we are able to ensure good governance, then we wouldn't have problems with threats of violent extremism and radicalism in the country," he stated. 

Mr Poku said the high unemployment rate and underdevelopment create dissatisfaction and thereby undermined national peace and stability. 

The former national security coordinator under the former President John Agyekum Kufuor's government was speaking at the Regional Dialogue session on trending conflict issues in Sunyani. 

The National Catholic Secretariat organised the day's session, attended by traditional leaders, representatives of religious bodies, security services, youth groups, policy implementers, trade associations and Senior High School students. 

It was on the theme: "Trending Conflicts in Ghana, Fertile Grounds for Violent Extremism: A Call for Action," and was in line with the Sahel Peace Initiative project being implemented by the Secretariat with funding from the Catholic Relief Services, a non-governmental organization. 

Citing Burkina Faso as an example, Mr Poku said about 60 per cent of that country had been taken over by rebels where people could not go on with their normal lives. 

"In fact, Ghana must ensure we don't run into that kind of situation where traditional chiefs had been slaughtered openly before their subjects," he stated. 

Insecurity, Mr Poku emphasized, remained a serious problem, hence the need for the nation to do more by tackling its security threats proactively to sustain national stability. 

Mr George Agbozo, a Senior Lecturer at the Catholic University of Ghana and an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Practitioner, expressed regret that the citizenry had certain misconceptions about governance, with some gradually losing faith in the judicial system. 

This, he added, had the potential to breed the culture of violence and extremism, if not tackled proactively. 

Madam Justina Owusu-Banahene, the Bono Regional Minister mentioned chieftaincy conflicts, illegal mining, unemployment, and activities of nomadic Fulani herdsmen as some of the security challenges, which needed attention in the region. 

She commended the organisers for the dialogue and expressed the hope that it would strategised and help provide realistic interventions to tackle the threats of security, not only in the region, but the nation by extension. 

Deputy Foreign Minister pays tribute to UN Peacekeepers

By Iddi Yire, GNA

Accra, May 29, GNA - Mr Thomas Mbomba, a Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, has paid tribute to United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers on their day of recognition and commended them for the contributions towards the maintenance of global peace.

The Deputy Minister gave the commendation during a flagraising and wreath laying ceremony in Accra in commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers on the theme: "Peace Begins With Me: 75 Years of UN Peacekeeping."

This year's theme recognises the service and sacrifice of peacekeepers, past and present, including more than 4,200 who have given their lives under the UN flag. 

Mbomba said it was a great pride and honour to pay tribute to the remarkable achievements of the UN Peacekeepers who had selflessly dedicated themselves to the cause of peace, security, and stability across the globe.

As one of the pioneering Troop Contributing Countries of the UN peacekeeping efforts, Ghana recognises the key role that the UN plays in the maintenance of international peace and security. 

"We have volunteered approximately 100,000 uniformed personnel as well as civilians in various capacities in more than 35 UN Missions around the world," Mr Mbomba said.

"Our uniformed personnel have served with pride and distinction since the 1960s, working in diverse and challenging conflict and post-conflict situations". 

Their contributions had not only brought hope to conflict-affected regions but had also brought honour and pride to the nation.

He said for 75 years, UN peacekeepers had played a vital role in saving lives, protecting civilians, and rebuilding communities torn apart by conflict. 

The Deputy Minister said those brave men and women had faced immense challenges and danger while striving to achieve extraordinary outcomes. 

He said their unwavering commitment, sacrifice, and dedication deserve their utmost admiration and gratitude.

Ghana had witnessed firsthand the impact of its peacekeepers in restoring stability, promoting dialogue, and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance. 

Mr Charles Abani, the UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, reaffirmed that the UN would continue to be a reliable partner in the agenda for peacekeeping adding: "I call on everyone; man, woman, young and old, to join the global movement for peace.”

“Let us become the catalyst for peace and change makers. Achieving peace is a goal for all."

Mr Dominic Nitiwul, the Defence Minister, in a speech read on his behalf, urged member nations to recommit themselves to the noble ideals of the UN and forge a future where generations could live in a world of lasting peace.

GNA

Selorm Dzramado to contest as independent candidate

By Iddi Yire, GNA

Accra, May 29, GNA - Mr Selorm Dramani Dzramado, a political activist, has declared his intention to contest the Tongu Central parliamentary seat as an independent candidate in the 2024 general election.

Mr Dzramado announced his intention on Monday in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency.

"I declare to run as an independent parliamentary candidate for Central Tongu in the upcoming 2024 general election after giving it enough thought and consulting with a wide range of people within and outside the constituency," he said.

"As a selfless political activist who has consistently held governments accountable for 23 years, I have exceptional understanding of the real challenges the residents of Central Tongu Constituency are facing as well as the effective solutions to those challenges."

Mr Dzramado said his leadership would be echoed in forward-thinking ideas and the 'servant leadership' principle, which prioritised the needs of the group over the interest of the individual.

"I shall soon articulate my vision and objectives for the residents of Central Tongu when I officially launch my campaign."

Kwadaso MP cuts sod for construction of reproductive and child health block

Professor Kingsley Nyarko, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kwadaso, has cut the sod for work to commence on a reproductive and child health block for the Nwamase Health Centre.

The project, comprising of a ward, two-unit office with washroom, is being executed by Nana Banahene Company Limited, a local contractor in the Kwadaso Municipality.

It is expected to be completed within six months, with funding from the central government.

Prof. Nyarko, addressing residents of Nwamase during the sod-cutting ceremony, said he remained committed to making health care accessible to the people of Kwadaso.

He noted that the project when completed, would help enhance healthcare delivery in the area and beyond.

Currently, the health centre has inadequate space for reproductive and child health services, making it difficult for effective and efficient health delivery.

The MP asked the people to remain patient and support him to continue to bring more development projects to the Municipality.

Mrs Grace Billi Kampitib, the Kwadaso Municipal Director of Health Services, said the project was timely and commended the MP for the intervention.

According to her, the project would have a great impact on healthcare delivery in the area and urged the contractor to work within the stipulated time for the contract.

Mr Richmond Agyenim Boateng, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), said the Assembly would supervise and support the contractor to ensure speedy completion.

 

Accident claims four lives at Akatsi Yaluvi-Junction on Aflao Highway

 By Agbaxode Emmanuel, GNA

Akatsi (V/R), May 26, GNA - Four people on Friday lost their lives in an accident at Akatsi Yaluvi Junction stretch of the Accra-Aflao Highway. 

The deceased, Rita Foli and Dzodzi Agbemenya, both residents of Torve within Akatsi South, and two other unidentified males, were crushed by a Lexus 4x4 vehicle with registration number UW 200-22.

Chief Superintendent Isaac Baah, the Akatsi South Municipal Police Commander, who confirmed the fatal accident to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said Rita Foli, onboard a tricycle with registration number M-19- GW 467 died on the spot.

The remaining two unidentified males; one on board the tricycle and the other riding the motorbike, and Dodzi, who was riding the tricycle, were pronounced dead upon arrival at the St Paul’s Hospital at Akatsi.

Mr Baah said the tragedy, which happened at about 0800 hours, involved a Lexus 4x4 vehicle, an unregistered Boxer-type motorbike, a tricycle, and one stationary tipper truck.

He said investigations were ongoing to establish the cause of the accident.

However, Assistant Divisional Officer Grade II, Mr Clemence Kponyo, the Akatsi South Municipal Operations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, during their rescue operation, disclosed to the GNA at the scene of the accident that the Lexus vehicle was moving from Accra towards Aflao.

The five passengers onboard escaped unhurt when the accident occurred.

He said the driver in charge of the Lexus, in an attempt to swerve an object, hit the motor rider before running into the tricycle, and finally hitting the tipper truck in the process.

The tipper truck driver, who sustained some injuries, is currently receiving treatment, whilst the bodies of the deceased had been deposited at the St Paul’s Hospital Morgue awaiting autopsy, Mr Kponyo said.

GNA

AU Day: Ghana's ‘Jollof’, ‘Waakye’ receive high patronage in Morocco

 By Edward Acquah, GNA

Rabat (Morocco), May 26, GNA- It was an interesting sight to behold at the King Mohammed V Theatre in Rabat, Morocco, as many queued to taste Ghana's local dishes and beverages served as part of the commemoration of the "Africa Day" in Rabat, Morocco.

Ghana's ‘Waakye’ and ‘Jollo’, served with indigenous pepper sauce and spicy beverage known as ‘Sobolo’ attracted many participants at the exhibition coordinated by Ghana's Embassy in Morocco.

The swift manner in, which some patrons completed their first course and opted for another turn was indicative that their tongues had had a memorable encounter with a good meal.

"This is very good. I'll taste it again. We also prepare jollof in our country but this is more spicy," Philip, a participant from Cameroon, said.

Fasouma, a Nigerien student in Morocco, told the Ghana News Agency that: "I have heard about Ghana's jollof so I wanted to have a taste of it. This is really good and I wish your people can teach me how to prepare it."

Nasiru, a Nigerian journalist, revived the Ghana-Nigeria jollof debate, but admitted in the end that "Ghana's jollof is almost as good as that of Nigeria”. 

Earlier, some Ghanaian students in Morocco performed Ghanaian cultural dances at a ceremony that preceded the food exhibition.

The Kingdom of Morocco on Thursday held series of events to mark the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now African Union (AU) in 1963.

In an interview with the GNA, Mr Samuel Jojo Effah-Broni, Ghana's Ambassador to Morocco, said the country's rich local meals demonstrated its unique culture and identity.

He said many Moroccans and other foreign nationals were in love with Ghana's local dishes and beverages.

"Everybody enjoys the taste of Ghanaian food. Ours is unique . Other countries prepare waakye and jollof, but they are not smooth like ours," Mr Effah-Broni said.

He said the country must package and market its local dishes well to drive cultural export and to reap benefits for the country in the area of tourism.

GNA

ActionAid supports agriculture in two Districts in Upper East

 By Godfred A. Polkuu

Zebilla (U/E), May 25, GNA-ActionAid Ghana (AAG), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), has presented 60 bicycles to female Agriculture Extension Volunteers in two Districts in the Upper East Region to boost agricultural activities.

The two districts, Bawku West and Nabdam Districts, each received 30 bicycles for the women, as part of the Northern Ghana Integrated Development Project (NGIDP) implemented by AAG together with Urbanet and Tree Aid with funding support from the European Commission.

The NGIDP directly empowered 13,500 women smallholder farmers, some young people and persons with disabilities, strengthened 300 women farmer groups, 15 farmer networks and trained 1,050 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and group leaders.

The project also reached a total of 825,000.00 people, directly and indirectly in 15 selected districts in Northern Ghana including all districts in the Upper East Region.

It ensured improved delivery of extension services, increased awareness on rights to land, social protection and decent work.

At two separate ceremonies at Zebilla and Nabdam to present the bicycles, Mr Alhassan Sulemana, the Regional Manager of AAG, said 240 Female Extension Volunteers were trained by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) to support their communities and catchment areas with basic extension services.

He said the Female Extension Volunteers would help improve the ratio of agriculture extension service personnel and as they were indigenes within the communities who would directly work with farmers in their respective communities, it would be most beneficial to the farmers.

He said the bicycles were to facilitate movements of the volunteers to augment the services of the few overburdened Agriculture Extension Officers within their catchment areas.

“So, the essence of these bicycles is for them to be able to move from farm to farm to offer extension services as to what to do, and how they are supposed to do it to get some better yields,” Mr Sulemana said.

He said the four-year project, expected to end in June 2023, had the overall objective “To contribute to rural poverty reduction in Ghana through economic development, adoption of environmentally sustainable agriculture policies and practice, and greater access to social protection.”

Mr Rasheed Imoro, the Nabdam District Director of MoFA, said even though the NGIDP had ended, MoFA would continue to train more women groups to serve as community extension services volunteers.

He said the Ministry’s Extension Officers could not reach all the communities, therefore, the services of the volunteers were relevant, as they would offer first-hand advice to farmers in the communities based on what they were taught.

He said even though MoFA could not supply bicycles to volunteers, it would continue to build the capacities of more volunteers, “Going forward, we need to train more of them, so that they can give first-hand help to the farmers before technical advice by Extension Officers.”

Some volunteers after receiving their bicycles, expressed gratitude to AAG for the training and the bicycles presented to them.

According to them, farmlands within their catchment areas were far apart, so the bicycles would facilitate their movement within the communities to assist farmers improve on their yields, especially as the rains had set in.

GNA

Akatsi Police retrieves suspected bones and skull of missing motor rider

 By Agbaxode Emmanuel, GNA

 

Akatsi (V/R), May 25, GNA- The Akatsi South Police Command has retrieved some human parts believed to be the remains of a 28-year-old  motor rider, Louis Agbogli, who went missing on April 21, this year.

 

Louis Agbogli, a native of Atidzive  who resides at Akatsi, all within the Akatsi South Municipality of the Volta Region reportedly went missing after he was seen picking a female pillion rider on Friday, April 21 from Akatsi to the Kpetoe area.

 

Chief Superintendent Isaac Baah, the Akatsi South Municipal Police Commander, briefing the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on developments relating to the incident, said on Thursday, April 27, Mr Lumor Agbogli, father of the deceased, made a complaint to the Police about the disappearance of his son.

 

Mr Baah said  the Police in their preliminary investigations, said the suspect, Regina Dagba, an 18-year-old girl from Asafotsi-Dagbakope, a village within Akatsi South on Thursday, April 20, sought the service of a motor rider ostensibly to pick her to Adetsewui, where she was to meet her boyfriend. 

 

He said the charge for transportation of the suspect could not meet her financial status at that time, “so the deceased willingly added Ghc 3.00 to help aid her departure to the village.”

 

Mr Baah said the suspect, after taking the deceased’s contact, called him the next day to offer gratitude for his assistance and asked him to pick her to Kpetoe, which he obliged, “even though his colleagues riders discouraged him from offering that service.”

 

“Upon reaching Kpetoe, the suspect appealed to the deceased to take her to a village called Nyatsive, where the deceased had since not returned, causing fear and panic among his relations and friends,” he said.

 

Mr Baah further disclosed that the suspect, together with Etse Datsomor, her 20-year-old boyfriend from Adetsewui, was lured from his hideout at Nyatsive in the Republic of Togo, and arrested around the Wute stretch of the Akatsi- Ziope road on Monday, May 15, where they both admitted to having murdered the victim after interrogation.

 

He said his outfit in connection with their Togolese counterpart after a court order was obtained, Etse led a team of both Police officers from Ghana and Togo to a gravel pit site located between Kpetoe and Nyatsive, near Togo, where bones and a skull was retrieved.

 

“Suspect pointed the scene to the police and after a careful inspection, it was found that the body had decomposed, leaving behind only the bones and skull.”

 

Police sources revealed that the suspect also led the Police team to a nearby bush to retrieve the deceased’s motorbike, which was close to where he was allegedly murdered.

 

Mr Baah said efforts were underway to forward the bones to Accra for Forensic Laboratory examination, whilst the suspects would reappear in court on Friday, June 2.

GNA

GRA invite more shop owners over VAT compliance

 

Officials of the Enforcement Units of the Ghana Revenue Authority has invited some shop owners for questioning as part of its efforts to ensure voluntary Value Added Tax (VAT) compliance.

 

The GRA expects that all suppliers of taxable items, goods, or services, issue VAT invoices as required by law, and in the same vein, the customer is required by law to obtain an invoice if such transactions attract VAT.

 

Mr Joseph Annan, Area Enforcement Manager of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in charge of Accra Central, said it was an infringement on the tax laws if businesses failed to issue the VAT when they were registered with the Authority.

 

Mr Annan was speaking during the ongoing tax 

 

invigilation exercise being conducted at the Authority in Accra.

 

He said the shop owners had clearly violated the regulations of VAT.

 

On Tuesday, the team visited u-Fresh Company Limited, Computer Land Ghana Limited, Vegetable and Fruits Supermarket, Sulas Enterprise, and Mahalia Kollections, among others.

 

Two of the shops were closed by the officials and some documents taken from the rest of the shops for assessment of their records.

 

He said the exercise or operations were part of an ongoing nationwide VAT Invigilation exercise by the authority to retrieve some taxes due the State.

 

The Enforcement Officer said all these shops visited failed to issue the VAT invoice when the team tested them hence the arrest and handing over to the Police for investigation and possible prosecution.

 

He told the Ghana News Agency some of these 

 

shops were selective in the issuance of the VAT invoice to their customers.

 

He said these individuals would be assessed and made to pay immediately and after that “we will commence a full audit on the companies.”

 

He said the exercise would continue until sanity prevailed or was restored in the system.

 

Mr Annan said the GRA as part of the nationwide invigilation would continue to embark on mystery shopping exercises across the country to apprehend culprits evading tax.

 

Traders in Kumawu cashing in on by-election

 Traders at Kumawu in the Ashanti Region are cashing in on the ongoing by-election as they make good sales from the huge number of visitors in the town. 

 
Most of the traders, especially food and beverage vendors, could be seen making brisk business in the area.  
 
Madam Sarah Adwapa, a bottled and sachet water seller, told the Ghana News Agency that sales had increased in the last 24 hours as she had sold close to 80 packs and boxes of water by midday Tuesday. 

“In fact, this is my best sales in a very long time, I don’t even sell two packs or a box of water in a day!" she exclaimed. 

 
"Though the death of our dear MP is a great loss to the whole Constituency, my water business has been excellent."  
 
Bismark Opoku, an ice cream seller, was  also excited about the volume of sales he made even before noon.  
 
He was optimistic of making good sales by the close of the day without trekking to other nearby communities to sell, which is his daily routine.  
 

 Abena Serwaa, fried yam seller, said she started selling earlier than usual due to high patronage, an indication that she could make more profit.  

 

“Mostly people will come and buy from me after noon, but today before I could finish frying my fish, people were waiting for me to fry the yams. 

I am hoping the demand for fried yam sustains till the day ends," she said.  

 

Other vendors of soft drinks, toffees and biscuits admitted making good sales and expressed optimism that patronage would continue to increase to make some profit. 

GNA 

AerCap signs lease agreements with ASKY for two Boeing 737 Max Aircraft

 AerCap Holdings N.V. has signed lease agreements for two Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft with ASKY, The Pan-African Airline, headquartered in Togo.  

A statement issued in Accra by the Airline said the aircraft were scheduled to be delivered in June through August 2023.   

It said in attendance at the signing ceremony were Mr Esayas W. Hailu, CEO of ASKY, Mr Aengus Kelly, the CEO of AerCap, Mr Girma Wake, the Board Chairman of Ethiopian Airlines Group and Aviation Advisor to Togo, Board members of ASKY, and other distinguished guests.    

“We are delighted to welcome ASKY as a new customer to AerCap and particularly pleased to place the first MAX in Togo,” Mr Kelly said.  

He said “AerCap is the largest lessor in Africa with 14 airline customers on the continent, and we are pleased to continue to support the growth and development of African aviation. We wish the ASKY team every success and look forward to working with them as these aircraft deliver.”  

 “I consider it an honour to introduce state-of-the-art B737-8 MAX aircraft into the ASKY fleet, which will support our wide regional network in our continuous endeavour to serve our esteemed customers,” Mr Hailu said.  

He said he was confident that the introduction of B737-8 MAX would further enhance ASKY’s brand image before the eyes of the traveling public and the airline felt great to be the region’s leading customer to AerCap, the world’s largest owners of commercial aircraft.  

GNA  

 

Organized Labour is interested in how IMF money will be applied – GFL

Mr. Abraham Koomson, Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), has said Organized Labour, and all Ghanaians, are interested in how the Government will utilise the $3billion loan facility from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). 

 

Ghana received approval from the IMF for a three billion US dollar bailout last Wednesday, May 17th, and on Friday, May 19th, the first disbursement of 600 million dollars hit the accounts of the country, which was expected to be released in tranches. 

 

Mr. Koomson, reacting to the IMF Board approval, told the Ghana News Agency that workers were not much enthused about the approval but rather were interested in its application as that would influence them. 

 

He said they doubted whether the bailout would be beneficial to the public, as the conditionality attached to such bailouts often brought hardship rather than comfort to the people. 

 

"It won’t impact positively on the fortunes of workers; the hardships are going to worsen, and it will erode the gains that the unions have fought for over the years," he added. 

 

He stated, for instance, that the introduction of the three new excise duties, even though there were over 17 taxes companies were paying, was an indication of what lay ahead for companies and workers with approval. 

 

Mr. Koomson urged the economic management team of the Government to be forthright with the people on the conditionality and its implications instead of being evasive on the matter. 

 

Meanwhile, IMF Press Release No. 23/151, titled "IMF Executive Board Approves US$3 Billion Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement for Ghana," obtained by the Ghana News Agency in Tema, stated that the authorities’ economic programme, supported by the ECF-arrangement, builds on the government’s Post COVID-19 Programme for Economic Growth (PC-PEG). 

 

The PC-PEG aims to restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability and includes wide-ranging reforms to build resilience and lay the foundation for stronger and more inclusive growth. 

 

According to the IMF, large external shocks in recent years have exacerbated Ghana’s pre-existing fiscal and debt vulnerabilities, resulting in a loss of international market access, increasingly constrained domestic financing, and a reliance on monetary financing by the government. 

 

"Decreasing international reserves, Cedi depreciation, rising inflation, and plummeting domestic investor confidence eventually triggered an acute crisis.  

 

"The authorities have taken bold steps to tackle these deep challenges, including by accelerating fiscal adjustment.  

 

"The government has also launched a comprehensive debt restructuring to address severe financing constraints and the unsustainable public debt.  

 

"Securing timely debt restructuring agreements with external creditors will be essential for the successful implementation of the new ECF arrangement," the statement stated. 

 

Key policies under the authorities’ programme include large and frontloaded fiscal consolidation to bring public finances back on a sustainable path, complemented by efforts to protect the vulnerable. 

 

The adjustment effort will be supported by ambitious structural reforms in the areas of tax policy, revenue administration, and public financial management, as well as steps to address weaknesses in the energy and cocoa sectors. 

 

Appropriately tight monetary and exchange rate policies will help bring inflation back to single digits and rebuild international reserves. The programme also has a strong focus on preserving financial stability and encouraging private investment and growth. 

 

The programme would help Ghana overcome immediate policy and financing challenges, including through its catalytic effect in mobilizing external financing from development partners and providing a framework for the successful completion of the ongoing debt restructuring.