The President of the Republic of Ghana President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has revealed, that the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) wants to make Upper East Region another party stronghold. He made the revelation in Bolgatanga during a radio interview with GBC URA Radio on Friday August 5, 2022 as part of his itinerary for the 1 day regional tour. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
“Almost everybody is feeling the brunt of the current economic hardship driven mainly by food inflation, high fuel prices, callous taxes among others. It goes without saying that parents and households are suffering, public sector workers are suffering, teachers are suffering and teacher trainees are suffering. Nurses are suffering and nursing trainees are suffering. Lecturers are suffering and students are suffering. Market women are suffering and drivers are suffering. NABCO trainees whose fate is unknown are suffering. Police officers are suffering. Even you journalists are suffering and all Ghanaians are suffering- all because of the bad leadership of the Bawumia-led Economic Management Team”. The National Communications Officer of the biggest opposition party, Mr Sammy Gyamfi, said at a press conference on Wednesday, 3 August 2022 in Accra. Read Full Details: A PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSED BY THE NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER OF THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS AT THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE NDC ON WEDNESDAY, 3RD AUGUST, 2022. THE AKUFO-ADDO/BAWUMIA GOVERNMENT MUST ADDRESS WORSENING ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN THE COUNTRY NOW! Good afternoon, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen of the press. We graciously welcome you once again to the Headquarters of the National Democratic Congress, as we consider it another privileged opportunity to engage with you on issues of concern to our nation. As always, we are grateful for the continuous collaboration we enjoy from you in the fourth estate of the realm and we consider you very valuable partners in our collective quest for accountability and good governance. Our engagement with you today will focus on the ever-worsening living conditions of the Ghanaian people and the insensitive handling of same by the duty bearers of our country. Friends from the media, you would all agree with me that we are not in normal times in Ghana and that all of us assembled here today, including you in the media are finding it difficult to live your normal lives. Indeed, it is more difficult to hew water out of a rock or perhaps for the camel to pass through the eye of the needle, than for one to make ends meet in Ghana today. However hard you try, or have mastered the art of living, the economic realities of Ghana today will certainly overwhelm you. Cost of living today is unbearable, leading to many individuals and households going hungry, broken marriages and many falling further below the poverty line. Cost of doing business has gone off the roof, leading to the suffocation of many businesses. The point has to be made here ladies and gentlemen, that general hardships per se are not a new phenomenon in our country. However, the current economic hardships Ghanaians are experiencing today are unprecedented in their scale, and unbearable in their impact. Today, the Consumer Price Index which is the barometer for measuring inflation or changes in the prices of goods and services, and all other known economic indicators point to the fact that we are not in normal times. Yet, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumiah government, is not minded to provide relief for the suffering masses. Government has neither demonstrated any sensitivity towards the Ghanaian people who are at the receiving end of this intolerable hardship, nor shown any acumen or ability to ameliorate the untold economic hardships. Alas, to borrow the words of one of Africa’s famous novelists, Chinua Achebe, the center cannot hold, things continue to fall apart, as continuous economic hardship is unleashed on the Ghanaian people on a daily basis. Distinguished friends from the media, at this juncture, it bears painting a picture of the current state of our economy in order to put the issues into their proper perspective. I therefore invite you to come with me on a journey of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia economic reality of today. HIGH INFLATIONFriends from the media, the most reliable indicator of the average change in prices of goods and services over a period of time is the rate of inflation. As we speak, inflation rate which stood at 15.4% in December 2016, has galloped to a whopping 30% as at June 2022. This inflation rate is the worst in the sub-region and in fact the worst inflation rate Ghana has recorded in the last nineteen (19) years. One would have thought that this mid-year period would have at least presented Government with an opportunity to take steps towards arresting the ever-rising inflation rate we are currently experiencing. Sadly, however, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta only last week presented the 2022 Mid-year budget Review Statement to the august House of Parliament in which he projected an end of year inflation rate of 28.5%. What this means is that, President Akufo-Addo and his vice Alhaji Bawumia, ably supported by their Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, have given up on arresting the current trend of inflationary pressures and have instead thrown their hands up in despair. Simply put, the suffering and excruciating economic hardships we are reeling under will continue to persist for the rest of the year with no end in sight. To be projecting an end of year inflation rate of 28.5% under the current rebased economic regime underlines the crass incompetence, cluelessness and uselessness of the Economic Management Team chaired by the Vice President, Alhaji Bawumia. Sadly, while the Akufo-Addo government continues to pay lip service to this problem of rising inflation, it is at the same time offering very little in terms of leadership, vision and proactive steps to address the push factors of inflation. Friends from the media, it is trite knowledge, even to the uninitiated, that the main factors pushing up inflation and to a large extent, the economic hardships we are experiencing today, are the exchange rate, fuel prices, payments, among others. A government’s handling of these three (3) things largely influences its ability to stabilize inflation, improve general economic wellbeing, among others. And so, to these factors, we now turn attention. FUEL PRICESDistinguished men and women of the inky fraternity, fuel price hikes today have become a frequent occurrence, with prices going up at the pumps
Bismark Ayorogo
The Executive Director for Northern Patriots in Research and Advocacy (NORPRA), Bismark Adongo Ayorogo has advised the Chiefs in the Upper East Region to take advantage of President Akufo-Addo’s visit to the region on Thursday, August 4, 2022, to address some developmental challenge facing the region. Apexnewsgh.com report Mr. Ayorogo made the pledge during an exclusive interview with Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen of Apexnewsgh.com on Tuesday. He said: “Chiefs are supposed to be our fathers in our various communities and chieftaincy institutions command a lot of respect locally, nationally, and internationally. And they have a compelling voice but regrettably some of them, though the institution itself is not a political institution, the individuals there seem to prioritize partisan politics to the neglect of their own people”. He added: “So, we as their subjects, we as their followers can use this opportunity to appeal to them to prioritize the development of the region first by coming together and raising critical voice on some of the strategic development projects that are eluding us. According to him, almost all regions in the country have an airport, but the people of the Upper East still don’t have and is just because the politician is taking undue advantage of their divided front and lack of humility toward the people. “Can you imagine what the President will do if all the chiefs say, look Mr. President our region is even a distance to the national capital than most of the regions you have given airports? We need one now whether is in Bolga or Navrongo we need one now, it will work. If our chiefs in unity say, Mr. President this your industrialization is fantastic but we as a region, we want to see smoke in the air at the Pawlugu tomato factory, so that all our farmers from the region will be able to produce tomato and feed and even to make it a multi-vegetable factory, So that in the raining season when tomatoes are not even produced they can produce other crops such as yellow melon, watermelon and other vegetables to feed the country, it will be done”. He believes “If over 50 years ago, the leadership of this country thought that it was good to build factories like tomato and meat factories, is it today that is not relevant? Is it today that our growing population is not relevant? We are not united, they leave it to in the hands of youth groups and civil society and mostly CSOs are looking for what the donor is saying, is the donor interested in LGBTQI or Gender-based Violence because they think that is where money is. But the key strategic thing that will unlock the development potential of this region they are swept under the carpet”. He laments He said the pawlugu multipurpose dam which was touted as one of the biggest public investments in northern Ghana has not received any serious attention from the government “Just look at the biggest public investment in the word of government in northern Ghana been the pwalugu multi-purpose dam which was given 50 months period for it to complete, what is there? I can tell you on authority that all the workers have packed and gone”. “I understand President is going round talking about Agenda 111? Just go to any medical stores in the Upper East here, no single paracetamol. That is why when you go to the hospital these days, is just because you want to meet the doctor and go to a pharmacist nothing more. One would go to the hospital with offering you any medication, they are likely to bill you for no medication given”. laments Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
President Akufo-Addo
According to the Upper East Regional Communication Director for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Peter Ayinbisa, if nothing changed as planned, President Akufo-Addo will be in the region on August 4, 2022. He said President’s scheduled visit is a resumption of his regular regional tours to engage people and also have accurate information on happening on the ground. However, according to the Regional Communication Director, the President has scheduled to be in the region on the 4th of August and on the 5th of August, he is expected to commission a rice factory project in Fumbisi and after that, will be holding a mini durbar of chiefs and the people of Fumbisi and later proceed to Navrongo and also have a mini durbar with the chiefs and the people. The President’s coming to the region came when a lot of citizens questioned what the government has offered the people of the Upper East. During Apexnewsgh.com exclusive interview granted to the Executive Director and founder of Sirigu Women’s Organisation for Pottery and Arts (SWOPA) Madam Melanie Kasise, she appeared specific by asking President Akufo-Addo to come and see his people in the Upper East Region. She said the region is nothing seeing any development under his watch. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana
According to the statement from the office of the President, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has revoked the appointment of Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo, Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya, as Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection with immediate effect. Apexnewsgh.com
Richard Adongo
A well-known Ghanaian social commentator Richard Adongo has questioned government motivation in appointing someone as Ambassador ‘In-Situ’. Apexnewsgh.com report President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has on Thursday, 7th July, 2022 presented credentials to ten persons appointed as ambassadors. The appointment is in consultation with the Council of State, in accordance with Article 74(1) of the Constitution, to safeguard and promote the image and interests of the nation outside the shores. However, Mr. Adongo who appeared disappointed with some of the appointment told Apexnewsgh.com on Thursday, July 28, 2022, that the President’s appointment of a new ambassador In-Situ and reappointment of someone as Ambassador At Large is enough evidence that there is enough in Ghana to waste. “Anybody who says this government has no money is not true, this government has a lot of money, and let me give some examples”. He said: “It was in this government we heard the term “Ambassador At Large” we have never heard it from anybody from any government since 1992 that somebody is called Ambassador At Large. This government created that portfolio”. According to Mr. Adongo, when President first made the appointment in the past, Ghanaians were not very excited about that particular appointment in the past. “As am talking to you, the government has appointed another ambassador, and this time, the ‘In-Situ’ and as of now, I don’t know what Ambassador In-Situ means for Ghanaians. What is this new appointment for? He asked “Ambassador In-Situ has the same status equivalent to the Minister of State. So, whatever ambassadors will take, that guy will take the same thing. So, why will the President tell us there is no money and one breathe he will be making such an appointment? Why should President appoints as ambassador In-Situ at this time everyone is crying that things are tough” He laments “If the President said he cannot cut down his ministers, he shouldn’t add more to it. Somebody should tell me what an ambassador In-Situ means”. “I am told the Inland port in Accra or where has a CEO, where is the Inland port? So, who can convince me now that there is no money in the system? “There is money to pay NABCO, there is money to pay workers in this country. If you like do the calculation for what a minister of state takes home every month and multiply what the government is going to pay the person appointed Ambassador In-Situ”. Mr. Adongo insists that the salary for Ambassador In-Situ and conditions of service can pay up to 100 NABCO beneficiaries each month. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
The Executive Director for Northern Patriots in Research and Advocacy (NORPRA), Bismark Adongo Ayorogo has said, the only solution left for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to resign from office, is to mobilize the over 30 million suffering Ghanaians to the Jubilee house. Mr. Ayorogo who was sharing his expectation with Apexnewgh.com said, in 2016 unemployment rate in Ghana was 5.3 to 5.4% but today, the unemployment rate has increased to 13.5%. He said, “nobody should waste his or her time thinking that things will get better under the leadership of Nana Addo. He has milked the cow and finished milking and now nothing is coming and he is still milking the cow”. However, Mr. Ayorogo believes the only solution left is to mobilize over 30 million Ghanaians including Persons with Disability to the Jubilee house to cry their heart out. “Maybe we as Ghanaians should always mobilize and go to the Jubilee house, he few that are ruling us, they are not even up to 200,000 but if the over 30 million of us will mobilize with women and children at their back, with Persons with Disability, we gather and go kneel at Jubilee house and cry 24/7. Maybe that is the only thing that can move this man out of the place”. Meanwhile, He also believes that there are credible hands to lead the country of Ghana successfully. “I just think that there are people in Ghana with fine brains perhaps some are even in the NPP that can lead this country, the country deserves better, we can’t continue like this”. He laments Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
The President of the Republic of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commissioned the refurbished Asomdwe Park, in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the death of the late Professor John Evans Atta-Mills the third President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana. In his speech at the ceremony, President Akufo-Addo noted that the commissioning of an infrastructural project by government should naturally be a joyous occasion, and should elicit the display of pomp and pageantry in recognition of the feat achieved. “But today’s event is not one of those normal occasions. Exactly ten years ago, a truly tragic incident occurred, one we had never witnessed, and hope will never reoccur in our history, certainly not in our lifetime – the death of a sitting President in office, the death of the 3rd President of the 4th Republic, Prof. John Evans Atta-Mills. President Akufo-Addo said, he was a contemporary of the late President at the University of Ghana, as members of the same Legon Hall, and both played in the University football team. Apexnewsgh.com
Maverick Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has admonished his government to pay arrears owed to NABCO beneficiaries because there is no excuse not to pay them after asking them to stay at post. Apexnewsgh.com He said in an interview: Anytime I traveled and get to the airport, I get these young men and women coming to me that I should plead on their behalf that they have not been paid and the government has to pay them. You made propaganda with it. Now, when it comes to these NABCO guys, NPP is now behaving like NDC. Is complete propaganda if you are not able to pay NABCO beneficiaries. You have to pay them”. “Some were assimilated into the system but not all of them. So, if the government thinks it cannot do it again at least what is owed to them should be given to them without no question about it. Because nobody works for free. We should be reasonable human beings”. “These beneficiaries were employed, at least their transportation cost is not paid by the government, and they find any means necessary to go to work, so the government has no excuse whatsoever to say they are not going to pay them. Now, you get money to pay 20,000 to parliamentarians but you don’t have money to pay NABCO beneficiaries. I support them, should for a month demonstration straight for the government to sit up and pay them as simple as that”. He admonished NABCO beneficiaries have been neglected by the employers for over 8 months now without receiving arrears due them since after they were made to stay at their various posts, through a communique issued by the NABCO Headquarters dated November 15, 2021, pending their permanent arrangement. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/
Casper Sunday Kampoli
The Upper East Regional Deputy Communication Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Casper Sunday Kampoli has said, God wants the people of Ghana to know the difference between Akufo-Addo governance and the governance skill of John Dramani Mahama.Apexnewsgh.com report Speaking to Apexnewsgh.com on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, the Deputy Communication Officer said, the perception from those who conclude that the Akufo-Addo government is facing obstacles because he and his party didn’t win a genuine election in 2020 may not be entirely wrong but adding that he is unable to confirm that because he lacks spiritual prowess. “I am not a spiritualist, am not able to tell what has caused the misgovernance and the things Akufo-Addo and ministers are going through. But we wish to believe that, if the good lord blesses your actions, it should go well, but if the good lord doesn’t bless your action, it means it will definitely have obstacles on your way”. “So, because of how they won the election, some people may conclude that because the election was not genuinely won that is the way they are finding it difficult to run the country. But we are of the view that for whatever reasons, anything that happens, happened for a good cause. God wants things to happen this way that is the reason why it happened that way in 2020”. He stressed “John Dramani Mahama once leaving office in 2016 says, posterity will judge him, he is leaving office and Akufo-Addo and his people should manage the country, the people will judge and is becoming obvious. John Dramani Mahama’s governance is unparalleled. He gave good leadership, he cares, he was honest and sincere”. Mr. Kampoli pointed Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
