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World Bank projects 7.5 % growth of Ghana’s economy

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Ghana’s economy is projected to grow by 7.5 per cent in 2019 from the 6.3 recorded last year, a study by the World Bank has stated.

Henry Kerali

The growth is expected to be driven by both the oil and non-oil sector, which would remain high at 6.2 per cent, owing to revitalised productive sectors due to policy interventions in agriculture and industry.

Although government sustained its fiscal consolidation efforts in 2018, despite shortfalls in revenue, it was expected to slow in 2019 with an intact overall outlook within the medium term.

Presenting the report in Accra on Friday, Michael Geiger, Senior Economist and Co-Author of the report, said there was the need for the government to invest Ghana’s current natural resource wealth in non-natural resource sectors for sustainable growth in the medium to long term.

He said an effective domestic resource mobilisation strategy was an urgent priority as the reduction of expenditures, including public investment, in response to revenue under-performances would not be sustainable.

The upcoming 2020 elections, he explained, was a test for the country’s fiscal sustainability as election-related spending, negative developments in the already vulnerable financial sector and unfavourable external financing conditions could be a threat to fiscal and debt dynamics.

Carlos Vicente, Senior Financial Sector Specialist and Co-Author, said addressing vulnerabilities in the financial sector was urgent and would require additional expenditure of GH¢5.5 billion to solve all challenges related to microfinance institutions, savings and loans among others.

“It is encouraging to note that the authorities are strengthening supervision, including through enforcement of prudential standards, implementation of new capital requirements directives, introduction of risk management and corporate governance, among others. These will strengthen resilience and stability of the banking system in the medium term,” he added.

Kwabena Gyan Kwakye, an economist, said the roll out of interoperability payment platform across the various networks resulted in the growth of the financial sector assets from 53 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 78 per cent in 2017.

He recommended to the government to digitise government and utility payments to drive financial inclusion, specifically in the area of government collections and utility payments as well as promote agent banking and other low-cost models to increase their accessibility in the country.

Mr Kwakye called for concerted efforts to improve financial capability through financial literacy programmes to empower financial consumers with the needed information to identify the benefits and risks of financial products.

To improve access to finance, he urged the government to take the lead in developing sound policies and legal frameworks to mandate data-sharing and link informal businesses with formal financial services to improve inclusion.

Country Director of the World Bank, Henry Kerali, said it was imperative to leverage the momentum created by the fiscal responsibility law to ensure fiscal sustainability was maintained across economic and political cycles.

BY CLAUDE NYARKO ADAMS

Newspaper Headlines Monday 17th June 2019

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Pres to consider Barbados’ request for 375 Ghanaian nurses

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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has agreed in principle to a request by the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, to send about 375 Ghanaian nurses to work in medical facilities in Barbados.

This came up in bilateral talks between President Akufo-Addo and Prime Minister Mottley on Friday in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Addressing a press conference after the bilateral talks, the Barbadian Prime Minister stated that “we have indicated that we are searching for just under 400 nurses, so it is not a small number, and we really do believe that this is a wonderful opportunity of co-operation between our two countries.”

In addition, she noted that there was also an initial promise to secure the nurses, and provide joint education programmes going forward, all in an attempt to secure Barbados’ healthcare sector.

On his part, President Akufo-Addo, indicated that “we have a surplus of nurses in Ghana, and placing them all in our public health system is one of my headaches. There have been a lot (of nurses) produced, which, for several years, we have not been able to do anything with.”

He continued, “So, I am going back. I will be back in Accra on Monday, and, the week after, the Prime Minister will hear from me on this matter of nurses.”

With President Akufo-Addo being the first leader of Ghana to visit Barbados, the two leaders agreed to reactivate a 2005 cultural, technical and scientific agreement signed between the two countries, an agreement which has been dormant for 14 years.

The discussions also touched on tourism and transportation, with Ghana and Barbados agreeing to work on an air services agreement, which will establish direct air links between the two countries, so as to boost trade and people-to-people contact.

On the issue of renewable energy, President Akufo-Addo expressed Ghana’s desire to collaborate with Barbados, a country which is a giant in that field, and reiterated Ghana’s commitment to increase the renewable energy component of her energy generation mix.

As a demonstration of the close ties between Ghana and Barbados, the President expressed his commitment to the establishment of an Honorary Consulate in Barbados, with Barbados set to establish a High Commission in Accra by the end of 2019.

By Times Reporter

FIRST LADY CALLS FOR INTEGRATION OF ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE IN THE HEALTH SYSTEM

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The First Lady Mrs. Rebecca Naa Okaikor Akufo-Addo has called for greater integration of alternative and conventional medicine into the health care system to enhance efficiency in medical treatments for all persons.

 

She said there was also the need to create an accessible health system, using conventional medicine, homeopathic and well researched and safe alternative remedies in the nearest future.

 

Speaking at the commissioning of the new Nature’s Cure Centre, a division of Impact Diagnostic Centre in Accra, Mrs. Akufo-Addo said alternative medicine had much to offer the country as it continued to provide great benefits to communities.

 

“What we must do is to endeavour to contribute and share the best that alternative medicine has to offer as an alternative and complementary system, and strive to continue integrating conventional and alternative medicine, for the ultimate benefit of all,” she said.

 

Mrs. Akufo-Addo said while alternative medicinal treatments like homeopathy which was popular in the twentieth century died down, the numerous benefits directly linked with the practice had created a wave of interest, with more people resorting to alternative medicine as complementary to orthodox medicine.

 

She stated that although alternative medicines consistently received some criticisms, its proven efficacy at treating many medical conditions had compelled its garnering of more followers.

 

She expressed optimism that with the establishment of the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Directorate at the Ministry of Health that provided guidance and direction for the practice in Ghana, more Ghanaians would feel comfortable to resort to both homeopathy and conventional medicines.

 

“Already, health facilities like LEKMA, Police Hospital, Komfo Anokye and La Polyclinic are running pilot projects, incorporating alternative medicine with conventional medicine,” the First lady stated.

 

She, therefore, congratulated the management of Nature’s Cure Centre for setting up the place and for their determination to enhance confidence in homeopathy as alternative medicine, through responsible and professional practice.

 

She said that the move was in line with the government’s objective to provide safe comprehensive health services to Ghanaians.

 

Mrs. Aku Sika Bediako, Group Chief Executive Officer of Impact Medical and Diagnostic Centre, Dashen opticians and Nature’s Cure, said the facility was well resourced with homeopathic specialists who have been trained to administer homeopathy as an alternative medication to conventional medicine.

 

She, therefore, urged the public to feel free to patronise the services for better well-being.

 

Source: GNA

Minister Honours Winner Of Talented Kids

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The winner of Talented Kids 2019, Nakeeat Dramani, on Tuesday met the Minister of Water & Sanitation, Cecilia Dapaah, to be honoured for her great ideas and concerns for the environment.

During her participation in the competition, the winner was an advocate of the environment and sanitation practices as her key message, which finally helped her emerge as the ultimate winner of the competition.

Madam Dapaah said she was thrilled when she saw Ms. Dramani’s performance and what captured her most was one of her poems on sanitation and the environment.

In view of that, she decided to invite Ms. Dramani to congratulate and honour her for having a big agenda since Ghana is currently being faced with sanitation problems.

The minister has also appointed her as the sanitation ambassador of the Ministry of Water & Sanitation for the next two years.

She stated that the initiative started by Ms. Dramani is a good one and since she’s a minor, she would have the opportunity to educate her peers and everyone in Ghana to orchestrate a massive change in sanitation practices.

The minister added that she would help repeat the message the contestant was sending across to keep the environment clean and avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste.

“Let us encourage our children and help them know their interest for them to be supportive in society” she said, as she thanked the TV3, organisers, for organising it for the past 10 years and unveiling precious talents.

Back to the Hanfu-ture: Young Chinese revive ancient fashion

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Dressed in a flowing long robe adorned with beaded floral embroidery from a bygone era, stylist Xiao Hang looks like she surfaced from a time machine as she strides across the bustling Beijing metro, attracting curious glances and inquisitive questions.

China has embraced Western fashion and futuristic technology as its economy boomed in recent decades, but a growing number of young people like Xiao are looking to the past for their sartorial choices and donning traditional “hanfu”, or “Han clothing”.

These historic costumes of the Han ethnic majority are enjoying a renaissance in part because the government is promoting traditional culture in a bid to boost patriotism and national identity.

Period dramas have also contributed to the surge in interest for traditional Chinese garb — “The Story of Minglan”, a TV series set in the Song Dynasty, garnered more than 400 million viewers in three days when it debuted earlier this year.

China has embraced Western fashion and futuristic technology as its economy boomed in recent decades, but a growing number of young people are opting for sartorial gems from the past 

There is no uniform definition of what counts as hanfu since each Han-dominated dynasty had its own style, but the outfits are characterised by loose, flowing robes that drape around the body, with sleeves that hang down to the knees.

“When we were little, we would also drape sheets and duvets around ourselves to pretend we were wearing beautiful clothes,” Xiao told AFP.

Xiao, who used to work at a state-owned machine manufacturing company, now runs her own hanfu business, where she dresses customers for photo shoots and even plans hanfu-style weddings.

– Ancient style, new fashion –

In modern China, the hanfu community spans the gamut: from history enthusiasts to anime fans, to students and even young professionals.

Yang Jiaming, a high school student in Beijing, wears his outfit under his school uniform.

“Two-thirds of my wardrobe is hanfu,” he said, decked out in a Tang-style beige gown and black boots at a hanfu gathering, adding that his classmates and teachers have been supportive of his style.

A government-supported revival in Chinese culture has given the hanfu community a boost: since he entered office in 2012, President Xi Jinping has supported the idea of promoting a Han-centric version of heritage.

The historic costumes of the Han ethnic majority are enjoying a renaissance in part because the government is promoting traditional culture in a bid to boost patriotism and national identity

In April, the Communist Youth League of China launched a two-day conference for traditional Chinese garb, including hanfu.

A live broadcast of the event drew some 20 million viewers, alongside a visceral outpouring of emotions.

“Chinese people have abandoned their own culture and chosen Western culture. The red marriage gown has now become a wedding dress,” wrote on user on Bilibili, a video streaming platform popular among young anime, comic and gaming fans in China.

Clothes are the “foundation of culture,” said Jiang Xue, who is part of Beijing-based hanfu club Mowutianxia, which has received funding from the Communist Youth League.

“If we as a people and as a country do not even understand our traditional clothing or don’t wear them, how can we talk about other essential parts of our culture?” she said.

– ‘Strange clothes’ –

There is some way before the style reaches mainstream acceptance in China.

In March, two students in Shijiazhuang Medical College in northern China were reportedly threatened with expulsion for wearing the outfits to school.

Others say they’re deterred by the odd looks they get when wearing hanfu in public.

In modern China, the hanfu community spans the gamut: from history enthusiasts to anime fans, to students and even young professionals

“I used to be very embarrassed to wear (hanfu) out,” screenwriter Cheng Xia told AFP.

The 37-year-old said she overcame her reservations after going out dressed in a full outfit last year.

Meanwhile, the movement to revive Han ethnic clothing is raising questions about nationalism and Han-ethnocentrism –- a sensitive issue in China where the government is wary of any inter-ethnic conflict.

For instance, within the hanfu community, there is long-running opposition towards the qipao, the high-collared, figure-hugging garment that used to be a staple of women’s wardrobes.

Also known as cheongsam in Cantonese, the qipao — meaning “Qi robe” — began as a long, loose dress worn by the Manchus or “Qi” people who ruled China from the 17th century to the early 1900s.

Its popularity took off in 1920s Shanghai when it was modified into a fitted must-have, favoured by actresses and intellectuals as a symbol of femininity and refinement.

“Some people… think that the cheongsam was inspired in the Qing Dynasty, which is not enough to represent China. There are nationalist undertones in this issue,” said Chinese culture scholar Gong Pengcheng.

“It is a good trend to explore traditional culture and clothing culture… There are many things we can talk about, and we need not shrink to nationalist confrontation.”

Yang, the high school student, is more upbeat.

He said: “At the very least, we can wear our own traditional clothes, just like the ethnic minorities.”

 

Source:  AFP

Aim At Zero Accident – NPA Tells OMCs

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The National  Petroleum Authority (NPA) has urged all stakeholders in the downstream industry to aim at zero accidents.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NPA, Alhassan Tampuli, made the call at the third edition of the Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMCs) Safety Week Celebration held in the Ashanti Region on Tuesday, June 11, 2019.

The Safety Week Celebrations bring together key stakeholders with the objective of educating all on safety matters in the petroleum downstream industry.

Mr. Tampuli applauded the commitment of the Association in an ensuring safety in the industry, but was quick to add that there was the strong need for a zero accident.
He observed that “I believe it is not just the NPA that is concerned about the increase in petroleum related accidents which have occurred in the country over the years.”

He noted that “such accidents which are mostly avoidable do not only result in physical loss of lives and properties but have psychological consequences as well.”

According to him, “it is therefore crucial for all stakeholders in the downstream industry to aim at zero accidents.”

He explained that the NPA was committed to developing and improving safety standards and measures to conform to international best practices and ensure all operators strictly adhere to such.

To achieve this, he said, NPA has “undertaken some activities to ensure that this aim is realized.”

He indicated that “safety is a shared responsibility. It is therefore very important that all stakeholders including the general public adhere strictly to all safety measures to prevent avoidable accidents from occurring.”

District Assemblies must enforce laws to ensure community discipline

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The Member of Parliament (MP) for Domeabra-Obom Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, Sophia Karen Ackuako, has urged local assemblies to enforce their by-laws to ensure discipline in communities.

She was optimistic enforcement of the laws would prevent indiscipline in communities and control indiscriminate dumping, when the laws are effectively and efficiently enforced.

Some parts of Accra got flooded again on Friday morning after a heavy downpour that started around midnight and some suburbs such as Adentan, West Legon, Avenor, Sahara Ghetto, Adabraka, and the Weija areas also got flooded after the rains.

On the Accra-Kasoa highway, floods had completely inundated the Accra-bound dual carriageway, forcing motorists heading to Accra to drive on the opposite side of vehicles heading to Kasoa.

Reacting to the destruction after the rains, Ms Ackuako, who is also a member of the Committee of Water, Works and Housing of Parliament, bemoaned the activities of some residents such as dumping refuse in open drains and building on waterways, and stressed that such acts are the reasons floods kept occurring in Accra and its environs.

“The District Assemblies should enforce the laws to stop the floods, people build on waterways and the authorities look on instead of telling them the right thing to do to save all of us, such acts should be controlled by the assemblies by enforcing the laws.

“Once the assemblies look on for residents to do what pleases them, combating flooding will be difficult in the country, especially as the Ghana Meteorological Agency keeps predicting more rains in the coming days.

“The government must expedite measures to prevent floods in Accra and its environs, I commend the Mahama-led administration for embarking on projects such as the construction of drains in the constituency that has reduced flooding in the area”.

Vodafone Marks Cash Month

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Vodafone’s Mobile Money Service is preparing to celebrate its customers this June in what has come to be known as “Vodafone Cash Month.”

The telecoms company will be giving out various cash rewards to its loyal customers and agents, as well as other incentives for inactive customers whenever they activate the service.

Vodafone Cash also collaborated with over 100 selected shops and restaurants across the country to deliver heavy discounts to customers when they purchase items using the service.

Customers should look out for the ‘Vodafone Cash is Accepted Here’ signage when shopping or eating at the favourite restaurant.

Additionally, a new campaign has been launched to excite and reward agents with fantastic prizes, including motorbikes, LED TVs and smart phones.

Several engagement sessions will be held across the country to educate agents and customers on guarding against fraud and intensifying operational security.

Commenting, Martison Obeng-Agyei, Head of Vodafone Cash said: “We are excited that we can engage our customers, agents and other stakeholders within the mobile money ecosystem this month. As we celebrate our achievements over the years, we would like to reiterate our commitment to providing Ghanaians with the safest and most convenient mobile money platform. As part of this year’s celebration, we are also transforming the lives of thousands of agents across the country with amazing prizes.”

Vodafone’s mobile money service continues to experience a steady growth since its inception in Ghana three years ago.

To date, it remains the only mobile money operator that allows unlimited transactions throughout the month without charges.

The product, known as Vodafone Ahotor, deducts only GHC3 from the customer’s account at the beginning of the month.

Customers can subscribe to this offer by dialling *110#.

Vodafone Cash Service is robust and not susceptible to fraud.

The telco has put in place security measures and restrictive processes, which make it impossible for successful exploitation either from actors within or without.

Gov’t Assures Diplomats Of Safety Measures

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A government delegation led by the National Security Minister Albert Kan-Dapaah, has met with the diplomatic community on safety measures.

The delegation briefed the diplomats on the successful national security operation that has led to the rescue of the two kidnapped Canadian women and the arrest of the alleged criminals involved in the abduction.

Government also used the opportunity to assure the diplomatic community of the general preparedness of the security agencies to deal with all kinds of crime.

Government in a statement on Wednesday announced that National Security Operatives have completed an operation which successfully rescued the two Canadian women abducted in the Ashanti Region on June 4.

The statement encouraged the media and commentators to be circumspect in public commentary on security matters in order not to compromise other related operations.

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