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Parliament, STAR-Ghana Foundation to hold Speaker’s Breakfast Forum on Monday

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Parliament, in partnership with STAR-Ghana Foundation, will on Monday, November 20, organise a Speaker’s Breakfast Forum at the Alisa Hotel in Accra to consolidate the relationship between the House and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

The Forum, on the theme: “Thirty Years of Parliamentary Democracy under the Fourth Republic: Reflection on Citizens Engagement and the Way Forward,” also aims at exploring new ways of working together for accountable governance.

A statement issued by Mr David Sebastian Damoah Esq, the Director of Media Relations, Parliament House, copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said that formed part of Parliament’s crucial role in sustaining Ghana’s democracy.

Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, would deliver the keynote address with Professor Akosua Darkwah from the University of Ghana, and Dr Rasheed Draman of the Africa Centre for Parliamentary Studies being the Guest Speakers.

In all 150 participants, drawn from Parliament, CSOs, Think Tanks, Trade Unions, and the Media among others are expected to attend.

It would help strengthen the relationship between STAR- Ghana Foundation and Parliament and leverage the partnership to enhance citizens’ engagement in the work of Parliament.

The survival of Parliamentary democracy in Ghana since independence for three decades was unprecedented, which commemorated the 30 years of uninterrupted Parliamentary democracy in the Fourth Republic and the Fifth Anniversary of STAR-Ghana, the statement said.

In recognition of the need for a more effective engagement with the public and a wider participation in the work of Parliament, it had decided to set up a Citizens Bureau within the Parliamentary Service.

“The Bureau will work to institutionalise Parliament-citizens’ engagement through partnerships with the media, CSOs and think tanks.”

These engagements would help bring the hopes and aspirations, concerns and anxieties of the public to the fore and enable Parliament to respond timeously to them.

Prudential Life Insurance offers Ghanaians the most out of life 

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Prudential Life Insurance Ghana, an insurance company emboldening people to pursue passions and ambitions without fear of unforeseen setbacks, has called on the public to insure the unknown as a safeguard and protection for financial security. 

 The company in a news brief, said the unknown often had shadows over even the brightest aspirations and the quest for financial security and a fulfilled life had never been more pressing for Ghanaians. 

 The insurance company has, therefore, introduced different packages and products for the Ghanaian market to give the public the most out of life. 

 It said with 175 years in the industry, Prudential Life Insurance Ghana drew inspiration and experience from its parent company to understand the need for everyday people. 

 In Ghana, the board of Prudential Life Insurance Ghana, including Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, CEO Dr. Hazel Berrard Amuah, Mr Kwasi Osei, Mr Emmanuel Mokobi Aryee, Nick Holder, Efua Preba Arkaah Greenstreet and David Nutman, holds a collective unrivalled experience, which makes every decision of the Company one that impacts positively on customers. 

 The state of Ghanaians doing well with their health, comfort, happiness and prosperity was of great consideration to Prudential Life Insurance Ghana, it said. 

 The brief said from packages, including the Pru Wealth Plan, Ultimate Hospital Cash Plan, Ultimate Educational Support Plan, Prudential Travel Insurance Plan, the insurance company had offers that tackled most aspects of life for citizens and residents in the West African country. 

 “So, whether you need that financial stability in your life or trying to educate yourself and your loved ones, Prudential Life Insurance Ghana helps you get the best out of that aspect of your life.” 

 It said the claim procedure for Prudential Life Insurance Ghana had been made convenient for all customers. 

 The brief said although there were slightly different methods of processing claims based on the product, the procedures had similarities, which included a simple call to an Alarm Centre, which operate on all days 24/7 for travel insurance or filling a simple claim form and providing national identification for other insurance packages. 

 The national identification should be one that establishes the name and date of birth of the policyholder and (or) claimant. 

 This includes Voters’ ID, Driver’s License, Passport, Ghana Card or a National Health Insurance (NHIS) card. 

 It said the Company aimed to help people get the best out of life and that it had products that offered an all-inclusive space in the insurance industry. 

 “For example, Mekakrawa by Prudential Life Insurance Ghana is a product that prospective customers can subscribe for as low as GHS3.00. 

 “This policy insures the subscriber and one dependent against the loss of life due to natural and accidental death. 

 ” In addition, the subscriber-only is also covered against total permanent disability and four major critical illnesses. All this on offer with as low as GHc3.” 

 The brief said Prudential Life Insurance Ghana had interests in giving back to society with programmes and initiatives fulfilling its corporate responsibility. 

 ” The Prudential Actuarial Support System awards students the Cedi equivalent of USD500 and the reimbursement of exam fees and study notes for two years after graduation. 

 ” There is also the opportunity for top students to be offered apprenticeships at the organisation. 

” There is also a Mental Health Awareness initiative at the organisation and the famous PruRide Accra which supports and promotes the sport,” the brief said. 

2023/2024 Cocoa season loan agreement report laid before Parliament

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The report of the Finance Committee of Parliament has been laid before the House on the Terms of a receivable Trade Finance Facility between Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and a Consortium of Banks and Financial Institutions, with the Government of Ghana as Guarantor.

The report, which was laid by Mr Kwaku Agyeman Kwarteng, the Chairman of the Finance Committee of Parliament, is for an amount of up to $800 million to finance the purchase of cocoa for the 2023/2024 Crop Season.

In addition, the Chairman also laid before the House the Committee’s report on the Request for waiver of stamp duty amounting to up to $4 million on the Receivables-backed Trade Finance Facility between Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and a Consortium of Banks and Financial Institutions, with the Government of Ghana as the Guarantor, for an amount of up to $800 million to finance the purchase of cocoa for the 2023/2024 Crop Season by the Ghana Cocoa Board.

Furthermore, the Chairman laid the Committee’s report on the Credit Agreement between the Government of Ghana and the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group for an amount of $200 million for financing the Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project (TCDP).

Government values Ghana’s economy at GHS1tn in 2024

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The government is projecting the value of Ghana’s economy at over GHS1trillion in 2024, with a pledge to protect “at all cost the foundation for sustained economic expansion, achieved through the sweat and patience of the Ghanaian people.”

Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, Finance Minister, said this when he presented the 2024 budget to Parliament on Wednesday, November 16.

He said the feat would be crystalised by providing the right environment for private sector growth.

“This will include reliable energy supply, stable cedi, lower inflation, and lower interest rate regimes, access to private sector credit, infrastructure provision, food security, and national security,” he said.

He also stated that government would ensure inter-continental market linkages by increasing active platforms such as the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) for the private sector.

The government is also deepening partnerships under the “Ghana Mutual Prosperity Dialogue,” to enhance competitiveness and increase Ghana’s attractiveness as a hub for businesses on the continent.

About eight tax reliefs were granted in the 2024 budget to support, which together with the implementation of the government’s five-year Growth Strategy, would stimulate and sustain economic growth.

The growth strategy is to scale-up prioritised existing programmes and attract private sector investments in agriculture, agri-business and aquaculture, trade, industry and export promotion, tourism, digitisation and technology.

That would increase the country’s capacity to produce, deepen value-chains, facilitate and modernise storage facilities and increase the shelf-life of products to support exports, build forex exchange buffers and reduce inflation.

Specific interventions to support the realisation of the GHS1tn economic growth include the phase two of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ), which is to meet the 314,337 metric tonnes of demand for onions, and 1,257,348mt demand for tomatoes.

It is expected that the condition and capacity of existing warehouses would also be improved under PFJ II, to enhance the condition and capacity in storing bumper harvest and maintaining price stability.

Again, there would be the production and supply of over 110,700,000 litres of Premix fuel using gasoline and condensate to support fishermen, fish farmers, and fish processors in the country’s coastal regions.

The Minister stated that some GHS1 billion has been allocated to Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) to complement the PFJ II to provide critical infrastructure, including irrigation, and canals.

Under the Economic Enclave Projects (EEP), the government would assist with large-scale commercial agriculture, promote the adoption of technology for efficiency and standardisation, while supporting price stabilisation efforts.

“As of December 2022, three enclaves in Kasunya (Greater Accra), Kumawu (Ashanti) and Banda (Oti Region) were operational,” Mr Ofori-Atta said.

He noted that the three operational EEPs will lead to production of 160,000mt of rice by the end of 2024 over 110,000 acres of land in cultivation for the key staples, and create some 5,000 jobs.

Ghana’s earnings from Non-Traditional Exports are also expected to increase to US$4 billion (2023) and US$4.8 billion (2024), from US$3.51 billion (2022).

Regulatory-wise, the Minister stated that the government is enacting the Business Regulatory Reform Bill to enhance the quality and transparency of regulatory administration and establish a predictable regulatory environment;

It is also aiming at crowding in private sector financing of $20bn through Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) through a more coordinated and aggressive promotion and enhanced Public-Private dialogues and Partnerships.

Mr Ofori-Atta noted that Ghana had seen continued macroeconomic stability and economic recovery this year through the prompt deployment of strong fiscal and monetary policy measures.

“Growth in 2023 has been more resilient than earlier expected, inflation has been on the decline, the fiscal and external balances have improved, and the exchange rate has stabilised,” he said.

NPP commences vetting for 23 persons in eight orphan constituencies in Bono East Region

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A total of 23 aspiring candidates from eight orphan constituencies of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Bono East Region are expected to face the vetting committee for selection to represent their constituencies.

The vetting committee is to select eight qualified persons out of the 23 to represent the various constituencies for the 2024 parliamentary elections.

The orphan constituencies are areas that lost parliamentary seats to the major opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the last general election.

Mr. David Boakye NPP Bono East Regional Secretary disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Techiman that the regional office was to check the commitment, contribution towards growth and ability to promote unity among members in the party.

Mr. Boakye hinted that Day one of the vetting would include Sene East presenting five candidates, Sene West with four candidates, Pru East with three candidates, Atebubu-Amantin also with three candidates and Nkoranza South with also three candidates, while Day two would consist of Kintampo North with two candidates, Techiman North with two candidates and Nkoranza North also with two candidates.

Mr. Boakye also hinted that the committee consisted of three National, three Regional and five constituency members.

He noted that the vetting which commenced on Tuesday, would end on Wednesday, and urged the party members to remain calm while the exercise was being conducted to select the right persons to represent the party.

Africa must embrace emerging opportunities in agriculture

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Enterprises in the agribusiness sector in Africa have been urged to take advantage of the emerging opportunities in the agriculture and natural resources management space to grow and sustain their future.

      The Reverend Dr. John Manu, Ashanti Regional Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), who made the call, said there were huge untapped potentials across the continent with respect to modernising agriculture, adding that, in charting the course of food security, the new dynamics in the sector must be utilised.

     He was speaking at the 2023 Women in Agribusiness Week celebration in Kumasi, organised by the Guzakuza, a private organization dedicated to empowering women in the agribusiness value chain.

     Rev. Dr. Manu said some of the emerging opportunities on the African continent spanned from the potential of local baby food production, climate change adaptation, addressing transportation and storage challenges, to entrepreneurship opportunities in agriculture and agro-processing.

     The Week celebration is being held on the theme “Sustaining African Agribusiness: Leveraging on digitalization, African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA) and Climate Resilience for Food Security”

      Rev. Dr. Manu, throwing more light on the potential for local baby food production, said the untapped potential, according to the International Trade Centre for baby food alone was expected to exceed €1.1 billion by 2026.

“Africa is currently importing €570million of food preparations for infants per year. This has presented a significant investment opportunity in Africa’s infant food value chain, where imports were 10 times higher than exports”, he explained.

 On climate change adaptation, he said there were opportunities worth up to $100 billion.

      A new study by the International Finance Corporation estimates that there are up to $100 billion in total potential upfront adaptation investment opportunities, or $5 billion a year, in Africa between now and 2040.

      Rev. Dr. Manu on transportation and storage challenges, argued that there was also high demand for cold storage and warehousing solutions in sub-Saharan Africa, where the United Nation’s Food and Agricultural Organisation had estimated that over 40 percent of food perished before it reached consumers.

     Despite these opportunities, he noted, most agribusinesses in Africa faced a lot of challenges including small holder dominance, poor technology adoption, poor access to finance, policy and regulatory issues, low market opportunities, climate change impact and trade and integration issues.

      This was why it was necessary to take advantage of the new opportunities to address the existing problems and make agriculture more sustainable on the continent.

     Mr. Albert Appiah Amoakoh, Principal, Kwadaso Agricultural College, said digital transformation could have multiple benefits for food security and nutrition in developing countries.

      They include increasing crop yields and incomes, enhancing resilience and adaption, improving food quality and safety, and empowering women and youth.

     He referred to a study in Kenya that revealed that farmers who used mobile-based platforms to access extension services increased maize yields by 11.5 per cent and their profits by 55.6 per cent.

      Additionally, a project in Senegal used satellite imagery and mobile phones to provide farmers with index-based insurance that compensated them for crop losses due to droughts.

     Nana Adjoa Sifa Amponsah, Lead, Guzakuza, said the organisation was poised to bring women together to be able to push African agribusiness forward.

She requested that African leaders gave quotas to women in production and access to finance.

Abu Kansangbata commends Speaker of Parliament for protecting public purse

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Mr Abu Kansangbata,a former Deputy Upper West Regional Minister has commended Speaker Alban Sumana Bagbin for taking steps to protect the public purse.

“His recent decision to reverse a parliamentary workshop on the post-budget statement showcases not only his institutional memory but also a commitment to prudently managing public funds. The reversal of the workshop, which was slated to incur expenses, stands as a testament to Speaker Bagbin’s commitment to responsible governance”.

In a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, Mr Kansangbata said at a time when the nation grappled with economic challenges, his decisive action was a breath of fresh air and reflected an understanding of the current mood among Ghanaians and a recognition of the need to alleviate the burden on the taxpayers.

“One cannot overlook the substantial financial impact of Speaker Bagbin’s decision. He has saved the Ghanaian taxpayer a significant amount, estimated at GH₵1.7 million by putting a halt to the  expenditure. At a time when every cedi counts, this move resonates with the financial concerns of the ordinary citizens”.

 He said although  Majority Leader and the First Deputy Speaker justified the expenditure at the Rock City Hotel in the Eastern Region, their explanations seemed at odds with the prevailing economic challenges faced by the people, especially those affected by the government’s policy on Eurbonds.

“The irony lies in the fact that while some citizens face a 30% to 40% haircut on their Eurbonds, elected representatives seem hesitant to make sacrifices. Speaker Bagbin’s principled stance, in contrast, highlights a commitment to the greater good. The call for MPs to redirect the saved funds towards essential public services, such as supporting Korle-Bu and aiding those in need, echoes the true spirit of public service”.

In a political landscape where self-interest often  preceded, the actions of Speaker Bagbin and the minority in parliament provided a ray of hope.

“ Their commitment to redirecting funds for the greater good should be celebrated by all Ghanaians who yearn for leaders genuinely dedicated to the welfare of the people”.

He called on the MPs to prioritize the needs of the suffering and displaced by appealing to the MPs to collectively support the flood victims in parts of the Volta region.

Cuban Vice President pays courtesy call on Speaker Bagbin

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Mr Salvador Valdes Mesa, the Cuban Vice President, called on Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin at Parliament House in Accra, as part of his three-day official visit to the country.

A statement issued by the Public Affairs Directorate of Parliament, and copied to the Ghana News Agency said during the meeting Mr Mesa underscored the need for Cuba and Ghana to deepen the bond of friendship that existed between the two countries.

He reiterated that Ghana had over the years stood in solidarity with Cuba in critical moments without looking back and commended both past and present Ghanaian leaders for believing in the Cuban course. 

Speaker Bagbin in welcoming the Cuban Vice President said the fight to create a new world order by the major superpowers was the more reason both countries must continue to work closely together.

Also present at the meeting were Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, and Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the Minority Leader.

Man Utd CEO Arnold will depart the team ahead of a potential sale

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The Premier League team, Manchester United (MANU.N), announced on Wednesday that CEO Richard Arnold will be leaving his position. This comes ahead of a rumored sale of the club to British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe.

Patrick Stewart, a board director and general counsel who has worked for United for more than 17 years, will take over as temporary CEO while the club’s potential buyers look for a new long-term leader.

After the American Glazer family said last year that they were considering options for the 20-time English champions, including a new investment or a possible sale, the English club’s ownership situation remained unclear.

Reuters reported in October that Ratcliffe would pay more than $1.5 billion for a 25% stake in United were his bid for the iconic soccer club to be accepted by the Glazer family that controls it.

The Glazers have not yet reached a deal with Ratcliffe but one is expected to be finalised between the two sides in the coming weeks, a source told Reuters earlier this month.

Arnold was appointed CEO less than two years ago, when he took over from executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and filled a role that had been left vacant since 2013.

Tasked with reviving the club’s fortunes, Arnold in April last year brought on team manager Erik ten Hag, who has also come under intense pressure in recent months because of the club’s lacklustre performance on the field.

Under Arnold’s leadership, United posted record revenues and bagged a couple of major sponsorship deals, including a $1.1 billion Adidas kit deal for 10 more years in August.

Stewart, who will stay on his current role as general counsel, leads the club’s liaison with governing bodies such as the FA and UEFA.

“My job will be to ensure that the club’s foundations remain stable while we embrace changes that can make us stronger over the long term,” Stewart said in a statement.

Sky News was first to report the management changes on Wednesday.

Arnold will provide “transitional support” until the end of December, the club said, and they will start looking for a permanent CEO, United said in a statement.

United’s New York listed shared were up 1.3% at $19.07 in premarket trading.

President Assad of Syria has an arrest order issued by France – source

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A handout picture released by the Syrian presidency's press office shows Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during an interview with AFP in the capital Damascus, on April 12, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Syrian Presidency Press Office / HandoutHANDOUT/AFP/Getty Images

According to a court source on Wednesday, French judges have issued arrest warrants for Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad, and two other top officials in connection with the use of prohibited chemical weapons against people in Syria.

The allegations of involvement in war crimes and crimes against humanity included in the arrest warrants stem from a criminal investigation into chemical strikes that occurred in August 2013 in the Eastern Ghouta area and the town of Douma, killing over a thousand people.

The Syrian president is the subject of the first-ever international arrest warrant. In response to demonstrations that started in 2011, his forces brutally suppressed the opposition, which U.N. experts have declared to be war crimes.

These are also the first international arrest warrants that have been issued over the chemical weapons attack in Ghouta, said Mazen Darwish, lawyer and founder of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), which filed the case in France.

Syria denies using chemical weapons but a previous joint inquiry of the United Nations and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons found that the Syrian government used the nerve agent sarin in an April 2017 attack and has repeatedly used chlorine as a weapon.

The Syrian presidency and information ministry did not immediately reply for comment.

“The president is responsible for many crimes in Syria – but with this type of weapon in particular – sarin gas – it’s impossible to jump over the gap (of his involvement),” Darwish told Reuters, noting that approval from the president as commander of the armed forces would be mandatory.

Arrest warrants for sitting heads of state are rare because they generally enjoy immunity from prosecution. However, international law has exceptions to that immunity when a head of state is accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity or genocide.

The International Criminal Court currently has two arrest warrants against heads of state: one against sitting Russian President Vladimir Putin and another against former Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir.

Warrants were issued to Ghassam Abbas, director of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC), the agency that established Syria’s chemical weapons programme, and Bassam al-Hassan, chief of security and liason officer.

Assad’s brother Maher was deemed complicit in his role as head of the fourth armoured division.

Judges from the crimes against humanity unit at the Paris Tribunal have issued arrest warrants for crimes committed by Syrian officials since 2011.

In October, French judges issued warrants for two former defence ministers over a 2017 bomb that killed a French-Syrian man at his home in Daraa.

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