The government, through the Ministry of Finance, has refuted reports of debt restructuring with local contractors.
It said that those reports were false and should be disregarded by the public.
“The Ministry wishes to state categorically that no such restructuring has been contemplated during or after the domestic debt restructuring programme, which commenced in December 2022 and came to a firm close in October 2023,” the Ministry said in a press statement.
The statement stated that the Ministry had never engaged or invited contractors for debt restructuring discussions.
“To clarify, debt restructuring refers to the reorganisation of Ghana’s stock of debt, comprising loans and bonds.
“Domestic contractors’ liabilities, on the other hand, are payment claims, not loans or bonds, and do not fall under the category of obligations eligible for restructuring, ” the Ministry explained in the statement.
The statement noted that the completed Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) only covered domestic bonds held by the Central Bank, Pension Funds, and retail debt investors.
Following the DDEP, the Ministry has made significant progress in external debt restructuring, including completing an MOU with the Official Creditor Committee under the G20 Common Framework.
The Ministry said it had also launched the Consent and Exchange Solicitation process for Eurobond debt and commenced engagement with external commercial creditors to reach a beneficial solution in the coming weeks.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP)Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Mr Kennedy Agyapong, has called for the inclusion of more women, who are critical influencers, as the party strengthen its house -to -house campaigns.
He also told the delegates at Essikado -Ketan to desist from being complacent ahead of the December 7 elections.
“Victory is not going to come easily. In 2020, Joe Ghartey won with about 26,000 votes while the NDC candidate polled about 24,000 votes, so, please, do not be complacent. You need to be creative and re-strategise for the task ahead of the NPP, he said.’’
Mr Agyapong made the call at the campaign launch of the Essikado-Ketan constituency of the NPP, over the weekend at Essikado, to step- up momentum of the Parliamentary Candidate, Charles Cromwell Onuawonto Bissue.
The event also saw the inauguration of the Essikado-Ketan 2024 campaign team, led by the Member of Parliament, Mr Joe Ghartey.
Mr Agyapong spoke about reports of some divisions between Mr Bissue and party executives and urged that they were united and worked as a team for the ‘battle” ahead on December 7.
He believed that unity was critical for victory at Essikado– Ketan, adding “we need to work hard so that victory will be ours.”
“The NDC candidate is coming back, and it is no joke, so do not say it is your stronghold and assume that you have already won the elections. The Parliamentary Candidate, Bissue, must unite with executives and work hard, else our efforts will be in vain,” the Assin Central MP added.
Mr Agyapong again advised Mr Bissue to be a servant leader in dealing with the party executives and people in the constituency, no matter their political affiliations, to build bridges.
He charged “You should not be complacent with the crowd you see here today and conclude we have won. Do not underestimate these elections. Step up your game. Remain focused, open your doors to everybody and win for Bissue and Bawumia. The journey of hard work, sacrifices has just started, and it is possible.”
The Member of Parliament for Essikado- Ketan, Mr Joe Ghartey celebrated his 20 years of service to the constituency and leaving the baton to Mr Bissue.
The NPP, he argued, needed to increase its numbers in Parliament to enable their party to prosecute its policies and programmes.
“I have decided not to contest again, and I know Bissue would perform better than my tenure. I am happy and proud to be your servant. The spirit must come back again, and we will win these elections.
This election is about the truth and not insults. We will take our records against that of anybody,” Ghartey added.
He appealed to the party faithful to desist from undermining Mr Bissue, but pray for his victory on December 7.
Mr Bissue, for his part, reiterated the calls for unity to drive campaigns for victory “so that we Essikado-Ketan must grow and become bigger with NPP promoting development of Ghana.”
He pledged, “I dare not fail. I need your support to build on the legacy of Mr Joe Ghartey but we need to close our ranks. If we are divided, people will not listen to our messages. I have come to serve Essikado-Ketan with humility.”
The constituency chairperson, Fred Afful, also urged party faithful to put aside all sectional interest and focused on the task ahead adding “we’re not done yet; we need to break the eight.”
Mr Fred Agbenyo, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Aspirant for the Guan Constituency of the Oti Region, has filed his nomination forms to contest the Guan Parliamentary Seat.
The filing was done on his behalf by Constituency Executives and supporters of the Party in the Constituency.
Mr Godfried Kofie, Guan Constituency Chairman of the Party who led the Executives to file on behalf of the PC described the process as smooth and peaceful.
He said the enthusiasm of Party faithful, and constituents showed that the Constituency was organised for the 2024 general elections.
Mr Kofie said the Constituency had been “cut out” for the past four years and it was a painful feeling since they had no representation.
He said the Constituency would deliver 95 per cent win for the Flagbearer and Parliamentary Candidate.
Mr Kofie said they would work harder and bring all on board to vote for Mr Agbenyo as the first Member of Parliament for the Guan Constituency.
The Guan District Electoral Officers received the forms on behalf of the Commission.
Dr Emily Gogo, Trustee, Little Angel Trust, a charity organisation, says early detection of cancer helps to recognise potential signs of illness for treatment.
Dr Gogo, therefore, urged parents to be attentive to and report any symptoms, including sudden changes in vision, eye swelling, and a new limp or change in walking, to the health facility for urgent attention.
She said this at the weekend after an eight-mile “love walk” from the circle SSNIT branch to Korle-bu hospital to create awareness of childhood cancer in the country.
The exercise was also part of activities to mark the 20th anniversary of Little Angel Trust.
“I know that a lot of people struggle with the financial issues in dealing with cancer disease. Little Angels Trust is a charity organisation that is trying to bridge the gap between those who cannot afford it and those who can.
“So if you can’t afford treatment, come to the hospital, enquire about Little Angels Trust, and we can do our best to try and support you as you go through this,” he said.
Research estimates that about 80 per cent of children with cancer can be cured if diagnosed early and the disease is treated in specialised centres.
Globally, childhood cancer remains a formidable health challenge that affects thousands of families each year.
Dr Gogo said the organisation over the years had been supporting children with cancer disease, adding that five children are being helped financially this year.
She commended the government for adding four cancer diseases to the National Health Insurance Scheme treatment list and called for more to improve health care in the country.
Mrs Lavina Dame, Founder and Chair of Trustee, Little Angel Trust, said children were the future, and that any society that could not recognise are not doing their work well.
It’s our responsibility to make sure that we are passing on to the next generation; otherwise, everything that we are building will be for nothing.
She said over the years, the organisation had been supporting Korle-bu hospital, Princess Marie Louise Hospital,Accra Psychiatric hospital and the Mamobi hospital.
“Cancer is one of the most expensive illnesses to treat and one of the most deadly. It takes a lot more lives than any other illness that I know.
“Cancer can be treated. We’ve got a few children that we have supported over the years,” she said.
The organisation presented medical suppliers, including boxes of safety syringes with needles, hand sanitisers, face masks, gloves, detergents, cloths, and antiseptic wipes, among others.
Ms Faustina Amoako, Principal Nursing Officer, Department of Child Health Oncology Unit, Korle-Bu Hospital, thanked the organisation for their continuous support and pledged to use the items for their intended purposes.
She appealed to corporate institutions to come to the aid of the hospital and support children with cancer.
Mr Anthony Adongo Apubeo, the 2023 Upper East Journalist of the Year, has called on colleague journalists to collaborate with one another to drive the country’s development agenda. He said collaboration would enable them to grow beyond their individual horizons to properly tackle problems affecting society.
“I believe in the power of collaboration and not unhealthy competition, and I have collaborated with many journalists in the region, both seniors and juniors, and as individuals, if we want to grow, we must work together as a group,” he said.
Mr Apubeo made the call when he received the Best Journalist of the Year Award at the third edition of the Upper East Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards at the weekend. Aside from the coveted award, he was also crowned the best journalist in education and health reporting in the region.
Other awardees were Albert Sore (Joy News), Castro Senyalah (TV3), Nicholas Azebire (Dreamz FM), Moses Apiah (A1 Radio), Joshua Asaah (A1 Radio), Humu-Khrusum Tahiru (A1 Radio), Abagna Jose Nelson, GBC-URA Radio, and Stephen Chidozie Ngamegbulam, Apex News.
This year’s event was held on the theme: “75 years of the GJA: the Contribution of the Media in Shaping Ghana’s Democracy through Peaceful and Fair Elections.”
Mr William Nlanjerbor Jalulah, the Regional Chairman of the GJA, charged the journalists to prioritise the country’s democracy in the conduct of their duties in the electioneering period.
He said journalists had a duty to hold duty bearers accountable, and they must do so while remaining professional.
Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, the President of the GJA, in a speech delivered on his behalf, said the contribution of the media in shaping the country’s democracy through peaceful and fair elections could not be overemphasised and it was, therefore , important they remained committed to their core mandate.
Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, the Upper East Regional Minister, noted that the GJA was the primary professional body responsible for promoting critical standards of journalism and called on media practitioners to hold on to the ethics of the profession in the discharge of their duties.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration on Saturday held the 2024 edition of the Diplomatic Fun Games at the Ghana Armed Forces Sports Complex, Burma Camp, Accra.
Dubbed: “A Day with the Diplomatic Community”, the event was opened by Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.
On the theme: “Strengthening Relationships, Creating Lasting Memories,” the event aimed at fostering community spirit and enhancing cooperation between the Foreign Ministry and the diplomatic community in Ghana.
Members of the diplomatic corps and staff of the Foreign Affairs Ministry participated in games such as football, volleyball, table tennis and long tennis, at the end of which awards were presented to deserving winners.
The children, who were not left out, entertained themselves in games such as swimming and musical chairs.
Another interesting part of the event was that continental dishes such as Ghanaian, Lebanese, Rwandese, Saudi, Zambian, and Ivorian dishes were served.
Madam Ayorkor Botchwey, in her opening remarks, said the event was to bring some fun into the lives of the diplomats and the staff of the Ministry.
“So, this is why we have created this opportunity for socialisation. We all know that socialisation is a key part of human existence and how we all thrive. So, it’s not just formally but also informal interactions. We believe it will foster unity among the diplomats…,” she said.
She recalled that the Ministry organised a similar one last year, which was well patronized and that the diplomats were very happy with it.
Mr Ramses Joseph Cleland, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, said the Ministry instituted the first Diplomatic Fun Day in 2023 to help forge closer bonds of friendship between the officers of the Ministry and members of the diplomatic community.
He said sports was one of the best means to bring people closer, break ceilings, build trust, create camaraderie as well as deepen existing bonds of friendship across all divides.
Mr Maher Kheir, the Lebanese Ambassador and Dean of the Diplomatic Community in Ghana, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, lauded Ghana for organising the Diplomatic Fun Games.
He said the event was more than sportive and cultural activities; saying “It represents a unique opportunity to strengthen international ties and deepen collaboration and understanding among diverse cultures.”
Engaging in various sports and cultural activities would go a long way to foster friendships and promote the spirit of cooperation and unity among nations, he said.
The Centre for Public Interest Law (CEPIL) has called for the amendment of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) and to make comprehensive regulations to guide its implementation.
It said the regulations in the Minerals Income Investment Fund Act (MIIF) must include specific provisions that mandated companies to give employment quota for Persons with Disability (PWDs) especially in areas where they had capacity to perform.
Mr Alhassan Iddrisu, a Lawyer and Legal Advocate at CEPIL, made the call during an engagement with the Blind Union of Ghana (GBU) with support from OXFAM Ghana, to present a Policy Brief on Addressing gaps and human rights violations in Ghana’s mining sector in Braille form.
The policy brief is part of the FAIR for ALL (PvP) project which highlights key challenges bedeviling the cocoa-mining sector value chain offering policy proposals to contribute towards addressing the challenges.
Broadly, it seeks to contribute to a world in which global value chains serve people and the planet before profit, where people benefit fairly from value chains and ensure that the benefits of resources are equally distributed.
Mr Iddrisu said in the entire body of the MIIF regulations, there were no mention of provisions for disabilities and how to ensure the inclusiveness of the PWDs in the mining sector value chain.
He said the MIIF was established as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with the mandate to manage the equity interest of Ghana in mining companies and receive dividends from these equity interests, to receive minerals royalties and other related income due the Republic.
It was also to provide for the management and investment of funds.
The Legal Advocate said the Policy Brief proposed that an amendment be made to the MIIF Act that ensured a dedicated share of the profits from the investment of the fund was committed to addressing poverty and other livelihood diversification projects in the mining – affected communities.
That, the Lawyer said, should complement interventions initiated under the Minerals Development Fund (MDF) in mining communities.
Mr Iddrisu said protecting and promoting the rights of persons living in extractive communities should be a priority since it could derail the nation’s effort at maximising benefits from the extractive resources.
He said the country had failed to harness its natural resources efficiently to spur economic growth despite decades of exploitation.
The Lawyer partly attributed that to inefficient resource governance and wrong priorities of the Government regarding the extractive sector.
Mr Peter Obeng-Asamoah, Executive Director, GBU, said the first step for one to fight and demand for rights was to know those rights.
‘‘…Most of us did not have an inkling about mining, energy and the issues. It was when CEPIL stepped in and they began to give us that information and even went a step further to put it in accessible format to enable us to read it,” he stated.
Mr Obeng-Asamoah said the series of engagements with CEPIL enlightened them about happenings in the mining sector and the exclusion of PWDs in the value chain.
The Executive Director commended CEPIL for support in the protection of their rights.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has stated that the decision by the Majority Caucus to recall parliament a day after recess as an act in bad faith,
According to him, matters raised by the majority side for the emergency recall could have been attended to before the House went on break.
His comment follows the resumption of an emergency sitting of Parliament today after the majority caucus triggered Article 112 (3) of the constitution.
Despite his misgivings, he has admitted three critical items for consideration during the two-day emergency sitting starting September 3, 2024.
The items for deliberation include a $250 million energy sector loan agreement, another $250 million loan agreement for the Ghana Stability Fund, and tax exemptions.
In address to the House, Speaker Bagbin also expressed concern about the frequent use of Article 112 (3) of the constitution for an emergency recall of the House describing the move as unfortunate.
He emphasised that while the provisions were clear, there was the need for a broader consideration of the context in which they operated, suggesting that Parliament should legislate to establish preconditions under which this article could be applied.
He cautioned against turning Article 112(3) into a tool to keep Parliament in continuous session, which could prevent MPs from performing other constitutional functions.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority Leader, in a comment insisted that his side was still opposed to granting of tax waivers up to the tune of $250 million for the 1D1F.
The Minority Leader reiterated the call of the National Democratic Congress a forensic audit into the voters’ register with explanation that, the electoral roll was not fit for purpose
Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Majority Leader on his part justified the decision to trigger the emergency recall, adding that the application was made in good faith contrary to the assertion of the speaker.
He refuted the claims of the Minority Leader as unfortunate for describing the tax waiver as freebies to families and friends of the government and urged the Minority to support the approval of the $250 million loan agreement and the tax waiver to help the local industries under the 1D1F.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin announced that the measures being implemented by the government was to bring relief to Ghanaians.
Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Suame, says the delay in the passage of Ghana’s lithium agreement will have potential consequences as global demands surge.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu emphasised the finite nature of lithium resources during a parliamentary session, urging lawmakers to act quickly to avoid the country’s lithium assets becoming stranded in the near future.
Speaking at a stakeholder forum in Parliament, the former Majority Leader emphasised the agreement’s critical importance and urged its quick passage through the legislative process.
The Suame Legislator’s comments came at a time when global demand for lithium, a key component in the production of batteries for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, was skyrocketing.
He, however, warned that the window of opportunity to capitalise on this valuable resource may be narrower than expected.
“We must declare in our minds that if we don’t take action, we may experience stranded assets in the not-too-distant future. As far as lithium is concerned, we should not think that it is an eternal resource.
“What is happening now, pretty soon, if we are not careful, it may fall into the category of stranded assets. That is not to say that we should not approach it with some degree of caution,” he said.
The day’s stakeholder forum was organised by the Lands and Natural Resources Committee of Parliament.
It had stakeholders coming together to deliberate decisively on the subject.
Dr. Humphry Ayim-Dake, President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), has urged African governments to embrace nuclear technology and capitalize on its potential for industrialization and prosperity.
He stated that, in addition to creating and supplying cheaper power, which facilitated industrialization, nuclear technology benefited vital areas of the economy such as agriculture, health, transportation, water, and sanitation.
“We expect leadership to have a clear and deliberate plan to move the nuclear agenda,” Dr Ayim-Dake said during a breakout session at the on-going second U.S.-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit (USANES) in Nairobi Kenya.
The event was hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in collaboration with the Kenyan Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) and the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum of Kenya (MoEP).
Dr. Ayim-Dake indicated that the available trend of the Energy Ministry’s demand for electricity projects in the last five years suggested that demand would exceed production if deliberate steps were not taken to increase generation.
“With the global goal to adhere to sustainable power generation and less carbon footprints, small modular reactors’ technology for instance will be ideal to address challenges. Our leaders need to act fast, otherwise we might go into crisis.
“We aspire to industrialise but the cost of power currently is too high. When power is expensive, the cost of production shoots up and the price of products becomes expensive and that impacts negatively on the purchasing power of customers,” he said.
Dr Ayim-Dake urged the presidency to fast-track the technical processes leading to the announcement of vendors to pave the way for construction work on the nuclear plant, given the challenge ahead.
He noted that African countries, particularly Ghana, were ripe to establish their nuclear power plant to help trigger socio-economic development.
“If I tell you how much the cost of power to produce a product, and now that I have AfCFTA, continental free trade coming in, if we are not careful, our country will become a dumping ground, and then you become a retail unit, and then you cannot create jobs… I pray that this will drive leadership with the alacrity to push the nuclear agenda,” he noted.
Ghana has approved the inclusion of nuclear technology into its power generation mix.
The move is in consonance with the global collective commitment to the sustainable availability of power, and the peaceful exploitation of nuclear energy to enhance rapid industrialisation and to propel economic growth.
Already, Ghana has settled on a preferred site and backup for its first nuclear power plant.
The plant will be the baseload power for industrialisation, address concerns of limited hydro sources, postulated decline of gas, cause tariff reduction for industries, desalination, and employment creation.
Government is expected to formally announce a company to build its first nuclear power plant from contenders, including France’s EDF, U.S.-based NuScale Power and Regnum Technology Group, and China National Nuclear Corporation.
The rest of the vendors are South Korea’s Kepco and its subsidiary, Korea Hydro Nuclear Power Corporation, as well as Russia’s ROSATOM.
