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Chelsea Eye Record-Breaking Transfer for Alexander Isak, But Deal Faces Hurdles

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Chelsea have entered preliminary talks with Newcastle United over a potential record-breaking transfer for striker Alexander Isak. However, sources indicate that the deal is already encountering significant obstacles.

The Blues are determined to bolster their attack this summer, with new manager Enzo Maresca overseeing the transfer strategy alongside Paul Winstanly and Behdad Eghbali. Despite considering several high-profile targets like Ivan Toney, Victor Osimhen, and Viktor Gyokeres, Chelsea have now prioritized signing Newcastle’s prolific forward, Isak.

Journalist Craig Hope reports that discussions between Chelsea and Newcastle are underway, with the London club prepared to set a new British transfer record for the Swedish striker. This would surpass their previous records set by the £106.9m acquisition of Enzo Fernandez and the £115m signing of Moises Caicedo.

Major Obstacle in Chelsea’s Pursuit of Isak

Isak joined Newcastle in the summer of 2022 for a club-record fee of £63m. Despite an injury-marred debut season, he scored 10 goals in 27 appearances. His performance significantly improved in the 2023/24 season, where he netted 25 goals in 40 appearances, attracting interest from top clubs including Arsenal.

Although Newcastle may need to consider a big-money sale to balance their finances and comply with Premier League’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, Isak has been considered untouchable. Chelsea’s willingness to break the transfer record with an offer around £120m has prompted reluctant discussions from Newcastle.

TEAMtalk’s transfer correspondent, Frazer Gillan, confirms Chelsea’s genuine interest and ongoing talks regarding Isak. Despite positive signals from the striker’s camp, Gillan acknowledges the deal’s complexity, with Newcastle also contemplating the future of another striker, Callum Wilson.

Isak’s Commitment to Newcastle

Despite the transfer speculations, Isak has expressed his contentment at Newcastle. Speaking to Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen, he shared his joy about life on Tyneside and his satisfaction with the club, fans, and city.

“I’m enjoying myself very, very much in Newcastle,” Isak stated. “I just had the best season of my career. That should not be underestimated. I love everything really about the club, the fans, the city.”

Isak, who is contracted with Newcastle until 2028 and earns approximately £120,000 a week, dismissed any speculation about his potential sale due to Profit and Sustainability Rules. “I have not received any information from the club that they would need to sell me,” he added.

As Chelsea and Newcastle navigate these preliminary talks, the football world watches closely to see if this record-breaking transfer will come to fruition. Stay tuned to Sweet Melodies FM for the latest updates on this developing story.

Euro Paper Talk: Man Utd Push for Key Signing, Liverpool in Leipzig Talks

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In today’s Euro Paper Talk, Manchester United intensify their pursuit of a striker set to boost Erik ten Hag’s attack, Liverpool engage in concrete negotiations for a transfer with RB Leipzig, and an Italy ace ignites a bidding war between Arsenal and Tottenham.

Man Utd Accelerate Striker Signing

Manchester United are stepping up their efforts to sign Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee, a move expected to significantly enhance their offensive capabilities at Old Trafford. The 23-year-old Dutch international is being targeted to compete with, and potentially surpass, Rasmus Hojlund.

Zirkzee’s future is set to be determined next week when the €40m (£34m) release clause in his Bologna contract activates on July 1. While AC Milan has shown interest, the hefty agent fees demanded by Zirkzee’s representative, Kia Joorabchian, may deter them. Conversely, Zirkzee is reportedly flattered by United’s interest, prompting Joorabchian to lower his fee demands for the English club.

According to Calciomercato, Manchester United are making significant progress in their negotiations with Zirkzee and his agent. Their strategy involves securing agreements with both parties before triggering the release clause, enabling a swift deal.

Zirkzee, who scored 12 goals and provided seven assists for Bologna last season, is seen as the ‘missing piece’ in United’s attack, offering strong link-up play and the ability to utilize Andre Onana’s long passes.

Leipzig and Liverpool in Transfer Talks

RB Leipzig are in ‘concrete talks’ with Liverpool over the transfer of midfielder Tyler Morton. The German club is keen on a deal for the 21-year-old, although Liverpool has rejected their initial loan with an option to buy proposal. Leipzig may have to present a more attractive offer to secure Morton’s services.

Other Transfer News

  • Man Utd and Manuel Ugarte: Manchester United have held initial discussions with PSG regarding midfielder Manuel Ugarte, but no bid has been made.
  • Newcastle and Federico Gatti: Newcastle are considering a move for Juventus centre-back Federico Gatti, with a bid between €25m-€30m expected to catch Juventus’ interest.
  • Real Madrid and Arda Guler: Real Madrid have given Liverpool the green light to sign playmaker Arda Guler, but only on a six-month loan until January.
  • Joshua Kimmich: The Bayern Munich star is increasingly likely to leave, with potential destinations including Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Barcelona.
  • Arsenal and Tottenham Target Calafiori: Both Arsenal and Tottenham are ready to bid for Bologna and Italy centre-back Riccardo Calafiori, hoping a bidding war will drive his price up to €50m.

Barcelona and Other Moves

  • Barcelona and Nico Williams: Barcelona aim to sign Spain winger Nico Williams by offering Inigo Martinez in a cash-plus-player deal.
  • Chelsea and Marc Guiu: Chelsea will activate the €6m release clause for Barcelona striker Marc Guiu.
  • AC Milan and Romelu Lukaku: AC Milan are looking to sign Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku on loan, adding to the list of Italian clubs interested in the Belgian striker.
  • Aston Villa and Pedro Goncalves: Aston Villa are considering a move for Sporting Lisbon winger Pedro Goncalves.

Chelsea’s Striker Search

Atletico Madrid are open to selling striker Samu Omorodion to Chelsea for €60m after rejecting a €40m offer from the Blues.

Stay tuned to Sweet Melodies FM for more updates and in-depth analysis on these developing stories.

More than 1,000 people in deprived communities benefit from SAC’s health campaign  

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A total of 1,062 people in rural communities and deprived Senior High Schools (SHSs) in the Upper West Region have received education and sensitisation on Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV) and the Hepatitis B and C diseases.   

The beneficiaries comprised 613 rural community members and 449 SHS students to enable them to have a clearer understanding of those diseases, mode of transmission and impact on their lives if they contracted them. 

The initiative, dubbed: “Know Your Status”, was an education and prevention awareness campaign by Sahara Advocates of Change (SAC) on HIV, HBV and HCV through puppet and radio programming. 

It was with support from Gilead Science aimed at creating awareness, screening, and testing of people where there were no health facilities. 

A statement signed by Madam Lina Beneb, the Programme Manager for SAC, copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Wa, said:  

“336 of the number went for voluntary screening, testing and counselling and 10 came out positive with HBV and were referred to their nearest hospitals for further diagnosis and treatment.”  

The beneficiary communities include Naakateng and Ba-o-jon in the Wa West District where the nearest health centre of Gurungu was about 8km.  

Others were Gbankonyiri and Baabayiri in the Daffiama-Bussie-Issah District where the nearest health facility was in Konzokala, which is about six kilometres  away from the communities. 

The rest were: Dodoma, Donye, Dompie, Dugbalipare, Tankara, Tambigye No. 1 and 2, all in the Wa West District with the nearest health facility being about 10 kilometres, located in Tokali.  

The SHSs that also benefited from the project were Takpo and Sombo senior high schools, Tibani Vocational Institute in the Nadowli-Kaleo District and Loggu Senior High School in the Wa East District. 

The community members, students and the school authorities expressed gratitude to SAC and its partners for the intervention. 

They asked for more interventions as many members and students did not benefit from the screening and testing, the statement said.   

It referred to Mr Salifu Majeed, a resident of Nakaateng, as saying that many of his neighbours were not able to join the programme due to farm activities and other issues.  

Mr Thomas Dagbol, from Dodoma community, comended SAC and said they had never experienced that kind of advocacy, screening and testing for free in their community.   

Mr Ernest Tengenaang, the Principal of Tibani Vocational Institute,  expressed gratitude to SAC for including the school in the programme. 

“He said he hopes to see more programmes like this in the future as it is really a great help to the students who are afraid and shy to go to health facilities for these testing”.   

GNA 

Ensuring inclusivity of disabled: Researchers call for elimination of barriers

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A joint research team from the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) and the University of Nairobi have advocated the removal of barriers to foster inclusivity of the disabled in urban transport in Accra and Nairobi as recommended by their research.

The research was conducted after a 2022 World Health Organisation (WHO) report revealed that some 13 billion people were living with disability globally with Africa accounting for 80 percent of the figure.

Several factors, including environmental hazards, traffic and industrial accidents, illness, malnutrition, conflict and biological factors contributed to the high disability on the Continent, the report said.

Despite the high numbers of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Africa, most cities were not designed to support the needs and easy mobility of PWDs – Wodaje report-2019.

The challenges PWDs faced in Accra (Ghana) and Nairobi (Kenya) include the lack of assistive devices such as sidewalks/walkways, pedestrian crossing and traffic lights, while the attitudes of bus drivers, conductors and some passengers towards them was also unpleasant.

Hence, they solicited for funding from Volvo Research and Educational Foundation to commence on a research project to understand the challenges of PWDs at accessing Urban Transport System in Ghana and Kenya.

The key outcomes of phase one of the project revealed that there were different categories of PWDs with varied mobility, however both countries have relevant policies and institutions to safeguard their needs.

Also, public vehicles in both countries were not PWDs inclusive and due to that they were willing to engage policymakers and institutions in the urban transport planning process to address such issues to make them to feel part of society.

Prof Enoch Sam of UEW and leader of the team, said the phase two of the project, aimed at addressing various issues including user needs and practices, equity issues, governance, politics, institutions as well as the barriers and challenges in implementing disability-inclusive urban transport systems in Accra and Nairobi comparatively.

The study adopted an action research approach focusing on vehicular population, drivers’ transport modes, (taxi, okada, bus, high disability population, PWD associations).

He stated that the proposed major intervention from stakeholder engagements was that there must be the provision of Navigation aids for PWDs, education at the transport terminals, introduction of signage in cars, landing pads, push bells and walkways.

Among the key findings was that PWDs in both countries called for priority seats, specifically to be located conveniently at the entrance of the vehicles, as well as destination signal (push bills).

They also spoke on the perception on the attitude of transport operators towards them and the provision of landing pads, which will help address their needs directly, he said.

Prof Samuel Hayford, on behalf of the research team and universities, thanked sponsors for their support that enabled them engage policy makers and players in the transport industry.

He said their goal was for duty bearers and regulators in both countries to  expand their research outcomes for both countries to begin making the transport infrastructure accessible to everybody, particularly PWDS, for quality life.

As part of activities of the project the team held dissemination workshops for Transport Unions, Policy Makers and Regulators, as well as PWD associations in Accra and Nairobi, on the research subject,  background, methodology and approach, findings and recommendations.

Prof Mrs Esther Y. Dansu-Wiredu, Prof Bismark k. Yeboah, Dr. Osman Adams, Dr Kwame Odame of UEW, Dr Michael Munen and Dr Elizabeth Wamuchiru of Nairobi University were the team members.

GNA

Adaklu Kodzobi Community commended for eliminating malaria

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The chiefs and people of Adaklu Kodzobi in the Adaklu District of the Volta Region have been commended for their efforts to eradicate malaria in the community and keeping the environment clean.

The community hosted a delegation of medical professionals from over 30 countries from Africa, Asia, Europe, Northern and Southern America, which gave a good account of itself in terms of cleanliness.

Professor Evelyn Korkor Ansah, the Director, Centre for Malaria Research, Institute of Health Research, University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), gave the commendation when she led a team from the Centre of Malaria Research of UHAS to thank the community for hosting the delegation.

The medical professionals spent two weeks in Ghana to learn first-hand the treatment and management of malaria. 

She said the visitors were impressed with the community’s leadership and their concern for the people’s health and well-being as well as the Community Health Planning Services concept.

“Your efforts made the visitors to carry your good name and Ghana to their various countries,” she said.

Dr Juliaman Jadi Ibrahim, a Lecturer of Bayen University, Kano in Nigeria, had earlier told the Ghana News Agency that the CHPS Compound concept was not part of the health care delivery system of his country.

He said he wished his country’s leaders would adopt the system to make healthcare delivery accessible and affordable to rural communities.

Dr. Alfred Kwesi Manyeh, a Lecturer at UHAS, said a team of lecturers from UHAS and other sister health universities took the team through malaria treatment, management and prevention.

Togbe Dzegblade IV, Chief of Adaklu Kodzobi, hoped the cordial relations between the University and the community would be maintained.

He suggested to the management to give a quota of its admission to qualified students from communities around the University.

GIZ, ILO collaborate to create decent jobs in Ghana

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German Development Cooperation and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) have signed a joint work plan to create decent jobs in Ghana.

The work plan is to promote employment opportunities and sustainable economic growth to address challenges in underemployment, and high youth unemployment in the informal sector.

Mr Wilhelm Hugo, Coordinator of the Sustainable Economic Development Cluster at the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), said the cooperation aims to better position Ghana’s growing textile and garment industry and the shea sector on the global market.

“It would also increase the productivity and competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs),” he said.

Together, the GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Government and ILO would include training on occupational health and safety as well as production and quality management modules.

This is because more than 90 per cent of Ghanaians of working age are employed in the informal sector and usually have neither vocational training nor social security.

 Mr. David Marcos, Head of Programme, Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work at the ILO, stated that working jointly with GIZ provided an impetus for garment manufacturers, shea producers, and SME owners to deliver quality, a core requirement for increased market access and improving the business ecosystem.

GIZ and ILO, over the last few years, have collaborated on several projects, including the “Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) Programme”, which has since 2021 assisted over 400 SMEs to improve their productivity, resource efficiency, and job creation potential through SCORE Training.

The signing of the joint workplan falls within the framework of the GIZ-implemented Special Initiative “Decent Work for a Just Transition” of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the ILO’s Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work programme.

Bondholder Committee Reaches Agreement-in-Principle with Ghana on Debt Restructuring

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June 24, 2024 –The Committee of holders of Ghana’s Eurobonds (the Committee) is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement-in-principle with the Government of Ghana (the Government) on a restructuring of the Eurobonds.


The proposed agreement on the restructuring of the Eurobonds will resolve Ghana’s default on the Eurobonds in a manner that provides significant cash flow and debt stock relief to support Ghana’s economic recovery in the context of the IMF-financed program. Alongside debt relief, the Committee recognizes that the most important factor to support Ghana’s fiscal and debt sustainability going forward is sustained economic policy implementation to bolster macroeconomic stability, improve the investor environment and to institutionalize fiscal credibility. In particular, the Committee welcomes the Government’s commitment to reinstate and implement an amended Fiscal Responsibility Act. The non-financial provisions included in the agreement-in-principle, such as the semi-annual disclosure of public debt, the most-favored-creditor clause and loss reinstatement clause, are part of the package of measures to normalize relations with bondholder investors and to progress towards restoring Ghana’s international market access. These and other key elements of the agreement-in-principle are contained in the Government’s press release. HERE Implementation of the agreement-in-principle is subject to mutual agreement on deal documentation and other stated conditions.


Members of the Committee include the following holders (acting either directly or on behalf of funds or the accounts they manage): Abrdn; Amundi (UK) Limited; Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co. LLC; Greylock Capital Management; Neuberger Berman; Wellington Management.


The Committee encourages all holders of the Eurobonds to carefully consider the terms of the Government’s prospective offer in relation to the agreement-in-principle, and to make their own independent appraisal of the merits and risks of participation.


The Committee is advised by Rothschild & Cie and Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP.


Questions can be directed to:
[email protected]
Thomas Laryea, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, [email protected]
Lorraine McGowen, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, [email protected]

SOURCE

Republic of Ghana

Star Alliance named the World’s Best Airline Alliance

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Star Alliance has been honoured with the title of World’s Best Airline Alliance once again at
this year’s prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards. The Alliance’s newly launched Paris
Charles de Gaulle airport lounge has also won the World’s Best Airline Alliance Lounge title
in its first year. Star Alliance CEO Theo Panagiotoulias received the awards at a ceremony
held at the iconic Fairmont Windsor Park, UK.


Celebrating the occasion, Mr Panagiotoulias said: “We are humbled to learn that millions of
customers voted and made us the best yet again. Not only does this acknowledge the
effort we dedicate to making customer journeys seamless, but it also motivates us further
to achieve more.”


Mr Panagiotoulias also congratulated thousands of member airline employees across the
network and continued: “The commitment and effort of every employee at Star Alliance
and member airlines throughout a promising 2023 have culminated in this award. I proudly
accept this honour on their behalf and commend them for their dedication. I encourage
them to keep aiming for excellence this year and in the future.”


Star Alliance, the world’s first and largest airline alliance, represents a globally recognised
brand committed to providing a seamless experience for its collective customer base.
Dedicated to delivering a smoother journey, Star Alliance and its member airlines offer the
widest network in the sky, along with benefits such as loyalty reciprocation, efficient
baggage tracking, exclusive lounge access, and expedited gold track security clearance,
among other perks.


The Star Alliance lounge at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport opened its doors in October
2023 and quickly became a favourite among frequent flyers. This expansive 1,300 square
meter facility is conveniently located in Terminal 1, offering exceptional runway views, a
beautifully designed welcome bar, and an immersive wine section for an authentic French
experience.

Download Press Release here:

President Akufo-Addo Highlights Ghana’s Vaccine Production Advances at Global Forum

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In a landmark address at the Global Forum for Vaccine Sovereignty and Innovation, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo highlighted Ghana’s significant strides in advancing vaccine production. This forum, co-hosted by France, the African Union, and Gavi, gathered global leaders to discuss the future of vaccine sovereignty and innovation.

President Akufo-Addo began his address by emphasizing the recent approval of the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) during the Gavi Board meeting in Accra. This initiative, a collaboration between Gavi and the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, aims to produce 60% of Africa’s vaccine doses by 2040.

Highlighting Ghana’s proactive stance, President Akufo-Addo spoke about the nation’s longstanding commitment to immunization, integrating COVID-19 vaccinations into routine programs despite pandemic challenges. He stressed the critical need for sustainable vaccine manufacturing and reaffirmed Ghana’s unwavering dedication to this cause.

The president underscored the importance of public-private partnerships in advancing vaccine production. Currently, Gavi supports 80% of Ghana’s vaccine costs, with the government covering 15%. The goal is to achieve full self-financing by January 2030, marking a significant milestone toward self-sufficiency in health financing.

President Akufo-Addo announced plans to expand Ghana’s vaccination schedule to include Malaria, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Hepatitis B, and additional doses of Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV). By 2030, the geographical coverage of the malaria vaccine will extend from 136 to 261 districts.

Introducing Ghana’s Health Financing Strategy 2023-2030, the president called for increased resources for health, particularly preventive services. The strategy advocates for investment, increased advocacy, and robust public-private partnerships. It also explores new procurement opportunities, including pooled procurement with ECOWAS member states and other regional economic blocs.

President Akufo-Addo highlighted the establishment of the Ghana National Vaccine Institute in May 2023, created to coordinate vaccine research, development, and manufacturing. The Institute is pivotal in setting up domestic vaccine manufacturing plants, supporting human resource capacity-building, and strengthening research and development. It collaborates with regulatory bodies to ensure adherence to global standards and facilitate technology transfer.

The president detailed efforts to enhance the capabilities of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), recognized by the World Health Organization as a level 3 regulator for vaccines. These efforts include constructing cleanrooms, establishing a molecular biology laboratory, and upgrading regulatory information management systems. The FDA provides regulatory support to domestic vaccine manufacturers like DEK Vaccines and Atlantic Lifesciences.

President Akufo-Addo concluded by commending the collaborative efforts leading to the Global Forum for Vaccine Sovereignty and Innovation. He expressed optimism about the future of sustainable vaccine production in Africa, marking the forum as a historic milestone in global health efforts.

Ghana’s leadership in advancing vaccine production underscores its commitment to health sovereignty and innovation, setting a benchmark for other African nations to follow.

President Akufo-Addo Assures Strong Economic Recovery for Ghana

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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reassured Ghanaians and the international community that Ghana’s economy is on a robust path to recovery.

Speaking at the Jubilee House during the presentation of credentials to nine newly appointed diplomats, President Akufo-Addo highlighted significant economic strides and the resilience shown by Ghanaians in overcoming recent global challenges.

“In the face of these adversities, Ghana has shown remarkable resilience,” President Akufo-Addo declared. “We have embarked on a comprehensive strategy to revive our economy, and I am pleased to note that our efforts are bearing fruit.”

The President pointed to an impressive growth rate of 4.7% in the first quarter of 2024, surpassing the IMF’s forecast of 3.1%. This growth, driven by a 6.8% expansion in the industrial sector and a 4.1% rise in the agricultural sector, underscores the effectiveness of the government’s economic policies. President Akufo-Addo also emphasized the significance of Ghana’s successful debt restructuring initiatives.

“We have completed three major debt restructuring operations,” he noted, highlighting the substantial relief achieved through domestic debt restructuring, external bilateral debt restructuring, and negotiations with commercial bondholders.

The domestic debt restructuring, which achieved a high participation rate of almost 95%, reduced coupon rates from 21% to 9% on average and extended maturities. This provided the government with much-needed breathing space and set the domestic debt-to-GDP ratio on a clear downward trend, expected to reach 55% by 2028.

The President also outlined the successful negotiations with external bilateral creditors, which resulted in a cash flow relief of approximately $2.8 billion. This relief, spanning from 2023 to 2026, allows the government to reallocate funds towards critical infrastructure and development projects that had been stalled due to financial constraints.

“Our economic recovery is strongly on course,” the President affirmed, attributing this progress to both governmental initiatives and the resilience of the Ghanaian people. He praised the collective effort and unyielding spirit demonstrated by Ghanaians during these challenging times.

The Ghana CARES ‘Obaatampa’ Programme, launched in 2021, continues to play a pivotal role in the nation’s economic strategy. This ambitious program focuses on supporting commercial farming, building the light manufacturing sector, developing engineering and ICT industries, fast-tracking digitalization, and creating jobs for young people.

“The Ghana CARES ‘Obaatampa’ Programme sets out our roadmap towards the strong revitalization of the Ghanaian economy,” President Akufo-Addo explained. “Each of you must help and contribute to the success of this programme by facilitating, amongst other things, as much foreign investment into the country as you can.”

As Ghana continues to navigate the challenges posed by global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the President remains optimistic about the nation’s economic future. He reiterated his previous statement made during the height of the pandemic, emphasizing the government’s focus on reviving the economy rather than prioritizing economic growth over public health.

“If you will recollect, I did say, at the height of the pandemic, that we knew how to bring the economy back to life, but did not know how to bring people back to life,” President Akufo-Addo reminded the audience.

“This remark was made to justify the extraordinary expenditures that the government was forced to make during the pandemic to afford relief and protection to the population. I believe, in all humility, that the nation is today appreciative of the validity of my statement, as our economic recovery is strongly on course.”

President Akufo-Addo’s confidence in Ghana’s economic revival is further supported by the ongoing efforts to attract foreign investment and strengthen international cooperation.

The newly appointed diplomats are expected to play a crucial role in promoting Ghana’s economic agenda on the global stage. “Your primary responsibility is to promote the image of Ghana as a stable, peaceful, and forward-looking country,” the President told the new envoys. “This entails engaging with your host nations to foster strong bilateral relationships, attract investments, and advocate for the interests of Ghana.”

With these promising indicators and a comprehensive economic strategy in place, Ghana is well-positioned to achieve sustainable growth and development.