Bawumia’s mouthwatering economic policies in opposition gave the market confidence—Paul Danka
A regional communication member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Upper East Region John Paul Danka has said, the mouthwatering economic policies in opposition led by Dr. Bawumia gave the market some amount of confidence. Mr. Danka made the pronouncement during an engagement on Apexnews Ghana’s flagship development programme dubbed “SPEAKOUT UPPER EAST REGION” with Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen on Wednesday, October 26, 2022. According to the NDC Communicator, in 2017, since the NPP came into office, almost all the rating agencies and economic watchers revealed that Ghana’s economy was going to grow because of the two oil wheels that have come on board. Meanwhile, he believes the mouthwatering economic policies in opposition led by Dr. Bawumia gave the market some amount of confidence” he stressed. “So, when the NPP government came into office automatically there is some amount of stability with regard to our forex exchange at the same time we are still under the IMF programme, so the markets were still respecting us because they know no matter what the big brother IMF is still around us and again, they believes in the mouthwatering of the NPP what they say they will do. So, it is true that sometimes a change or commentary can bring confidence and that is why Isaac Adongo keeps telling the governor of the Bank of Ghana to stop making noise”. He explained However, reacting to the demand by members of the majority in parliament, Mr. Danka applauded the 80 majority MPs for the maturity they have shown to the whole world by confidently coming out to demand the removal of their own “Finance Minister”. He said the MPs themselves from the majority have realized that these two gentlemen Ken Ofori-Atta and Charles Boahen are the cause of the hardship Ghanaians are passing through. “We have been telling you that the private companies of these two Ministers are the only people benefiting from the economic problem we found ourselves in this country”. He alleged Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghane For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Finance Min’s sack: See interesting proposal from NPP Man to President Akufo-Addo
A member of the Upper East Regional Communication Team of the governing New Patriotic Party Johnson Ayine has proposed to President Akufo-Addo to consider engaging CSOs, GUTA, and some other identifiable groups in the Country for them to propose their choice of Finance Minister for the state. The party communication member made the proposal during an engagement on Apexnews Ghana’s flagship development programme dubbed “SPEAKOUT UPPER EAST REGION” with Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen on Wednesday, October 26, 2022. “President should meet with the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), and Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) all these identifiable groups, and tasked them to bring a Finance Minister to be appointed to succeed Ken Ofori-Atta” According to Mr. Ayine, such a move by the President will stop all the hullabaloo in the future in case of any act of non-performance by anyone nominated by the above identifiable groups themselves. “What is left, is telling them to get him, somebody, to be appointed and it will tone down our commentary on radio and what have you. He stressed Source: Apexnewsgh.com|Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Leveraging the Private Sector to Develop a Vibrant Oil and Gas Industry– Energy Minister
The Energy Minister Mr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh at the Ghana country spotlight event at the African Energy Week on the theme “Leveraging the Private Sector to Develop a Vibrant Oil and Gas Industry”, has called on African Oil and Gas decision makers to make a conscious effort at value addition in the value chain as it is one of the ways by which our respective citizens can fully benefit from the hydrocarbon potential. The Minister indicated that a deliberate investment in infrastructure is also a key plank for accelerated growth as this is bound to catalyze interest in further exploration. Mr. Prempeh further asked for the linkages between upstream and downstream to be harnessed on the continent to ensure value maximisation and retention. This, he said could be done by expanding the refining capacity and storage for crude oil and petroleum products and providing the appropriate infrastructure for petrochemical production and transportation of gas and petroleum products will provide these linkages. He cited Ghana’s serious efforts at revamping the nation’s refinery to support our economic growth. He reiterated Ghana’s quest for massive investment in its upstream petroleum space and thus, asked investors and governments to partner our energy sector for continued development. Speaking as a panelist on a Ministerial panel, on the theme “From Cape Town to Cairo: A common African Voice for COP27” He reiterated his strong position on Ghana leveraging on its hydrocarbon resources for economic growth backed by our national energy transition blue print. “We are transiting on our terms, because of our peculiar circumstances as a continent”. Africa continues to deepen its stance on energy transition of not being against the transition in principle but asking for a just and an equitable one. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Dr. Eric Nkansah, participated in the 29th Conference of Directors of Education (CoDE) annual conference
The AG. Director-General of Ghana Education Service, Dr. Eric Nkansah, participated in the 29th Conference of Directors of Education (CoDE) annual conference held in Accra. This year’s conference was held under the theme, “Sustainability of Free Pre-Tertiary Education in Ghana: the Surest Step to Human Resource Development.” In his address, Dr. Nkansah commended all Directors of Education for their commitment to duty and assured the MMDDEs of his continuous support to the pursuit of their mandates as implementors of educational policies at the pre-tertiary level in their various Metro/Municipal and Districts. The Director-General assured them of his commitment to working with all stakeholders to create an enabling environment needed to improve learning outcomes at the Pre-Tertiary level. Present at the conference were the Hon Minister for Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, GES Council Chairman, Mr. Micheal.Nsowah, Dep DG Dr Kwabena Bempah Tandoh and others. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Majority asks Speaker to throw out motion for censure against Finance Minister
The majority in parliament wants the motion for censure against finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta thrown out for want of evidence. Speaking on the floor, the deputy majority leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin argued the minority MPs failed to attach evidence to the motion to back their claims. “Mr. Speaker I beg to submit that the legal grounds or grounds for submission are not embedded in the motion. I am saying that Mr. Speaker, the motion is supposed to be advertised, that is what the constitution says. The constitution is not saying that you should accompany it with allegations as part of the motion; that is my contention. And if they beg to disagree they should say so for the records to capture. And if there is any other provision that perhaps I have not read which allows you to state allegations not fact to support your motion they should again draw my attention, we are here to learn. I’m not ashamed if I get it wrong and I’m corrected. Mr. Speaker, I so submit.” Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu however rubbished the claim arguing there’s enough evidence to impeach Ken Ofori-Atta. “We have made reference to constitutional provisions of Article 178, 176, and 82. Mr. Speaker to demonstrate with facts on this floor that the Minister is in breach of the law apart from the fact that he’s trashed the Ghanaian economy, we’ll do so. You cannot question the competence of the Speaker in admitting the motion. And we have not given you any fact, we are only giving you headlines of the matters to which we’ll lead with evidence. Mr. Speaker our evidence will be in the category ‘beyond shadow of doubt’ – that the Ghanaian economy is a trashed economy, the cedi worst performing currency in the world. “You have done what is constitutionally right. I expect him to be assuring me that his side will support this and by consensus, we save this country. We need to save this country, save its businesses. Businesses are collapsing, industry is collapsing, the Ghanaian citizens are reeling under unprecedented hardships. that must be your concern. We are invoking provisions of the constitution.” —Starrfm—
Minority Caucus in Parliament distance themselves from endorsing Asiedu Nketia
Members of the Minority Caucus in Parliament have distanced themselves from a comment by its Deputy Whip endorsing the candidature of Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia in the National Democratic Congress’s chairmanship race, they said, the caucus has not taken any such a decision. According to a statement from the caucus, Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim’s claim was false. The caucus said that its leadership “has no position on any of the candidates vying for the respective positions in the party.” “We, accordingly, urge our rank and file and the public to disregard the purported statement made during the launch”, the minority caucus statement stated. Meanwhile, the caucus said Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim has apologized for the gaffe. Mr. Asiedu Nketia is leasing his boot to take away the position from the incumbent Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo from the seat. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana
“Why should we trust his decision in IMF Negotiations? Suhuyini reaction after President Akufo-Addo requested for more…
Alhassan Suhuyini, Member of Parliament for Tamale North is alleging that President Akufo-Addo’s dialogues with the Majority Caucus is to buy the Finance Minister time to cover up some alleged financial crimes. Mr. Suhuyini said the majority members of Parliament calling for Ken Ofori-Atta’s sacking must be vigilant and not allow President Akufo-Addo deceive them to buy time for his cousin. He spoke on Good Morning Ghana. Mr. Suhuyini sighted conflict of interest allegations against the Finance Minister, as Un-constitutional withdrawals from the Consolidated Fund, illegal payment of oil revenues into offshore accounts, in flagrant violation of Article 176 of the 1992 Constitution among others. “If we are here because he took bad decisions to bring us here, why should we trust his decision in IMF Negotiations? You should not be comfortable to allow him lead us into IMF.” He said. “You should not be giving him time to take the skeletons out of the cupboard… I know my colleagues on the majority side have endured him for too long but they must act on principle and not waiver. There are concerns within their party so they must fight Ken Ofori-Atta based on principles.” The Tamale North MP said. “If you’re willing to give him time to take us through IMF when all his previous decisions are suspect, then may be you are giving him time to cover up” he kept insisting.“The majority must stay committed to rescuing this country. They must support the mo-tion we in the majority have filed to censure the Finance Minister” he added. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email:Apexnewsgh
Angry Oti regional minister attacks Multimedia Group, Daily Guide & Catholic Church …DCE’s over sperm story
The Oti Regional Minister, Joshua Makubo, last Friday openly attacked the Multi-media Group Ltd at Nkwanta in the Oti Region, as he chastised the Catholic Church for inviting the media house to cover its event. He accused Multimedia group, owners of Joy FM, Adom FM, Joy TV and several other platforms of making a false reportage about the death of the Krachi East Dis-trict Chief Executive [DCE], Francis Kofi Okesu, who died in a hotel in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, with sperm found on him. The Regional Minister, who stepped in for Minerals Commission CEO, Benjamin Ayisi as chairman at the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the St Joseph Hospital Nkwanta, said if he knew that Multimedia had been invited to cover the event, he would have declined the Hospital’s invitation to chair its celebration. “Reverend Bishop Mantey, if I knew Multimedia Limited was one of the media houses invited to cover this programme, I would not have honored the invitation to come and chair this occasion”, he stated. “Multimedia has made an uneducated reportage for which they are to render an apology which they failed to do”, the Minister further said, with his gaze disrespect-fully fixed on Bishop Gabriel Mantey. The remarks and unwarranted attack, marred the beauty of the beautiful celebration and changed the looks on the faces of Bishop Mantey, the hardworking Catholic Sisters and workers, whose toils transformed the otherwise unknown clinic into one of the five biggest Christian Health Association of Ghana [CHAG] Hospitals in Gha-na and globally. In between the Regional Minister’s attack, the Multimedia team was spotted with their equipment in a far distance from the media spot, without capturing the Minis-ter’s address. When Multimedia’s Oti Regional correspondent, Peter Senu was contacted by The Herald, he said the Regional Minister, had complained about the part of Joynews and that of Daily Guide newspaper news report that sperm were found on the thighs of the Krachi East DCE who died in a hotel in Kumasi. The Regional Minister, has since been demanding a retraction and apology from Multimedia, although according to Joynews’ correspondent, what Multimedia re-ported was from a Police extract and not Joynew’s own creation. The Regional Minister, is said to have first complained about the reports by the two houses in the presence of the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, during the inauguration of the Hohoe-Jasikan -Dodo Pepesu stretch of the Eastern Corridor Roads.But a simple check made online about the Francis Kofi Okesu’s story, showed that almost all the major media houses, including Graphic online reported on the sperm found on the former DCE’s thighs. It is obvious the Regional Minister, Mr Makubo is gaining notoriety for negativity in the Oti Region.He is on record to have spent taxpayers’ money to fuel his taxpayers’ acquired V8 to be chauffeured from Dambai to Nkwanta to personally supervise an exercise to up-root and destroy countless number of trees planted by the National Democratic Congress [NDC]. The party planted the trees to commemorate its 30th anniversary, as part of the effort of the opposition party to restore the country’s depleted forest cover. Mr Senu, also revealed that shortly after the event by the Catholic Church at Nkwanta, he met with the Regional Minister, who warned him not to attend the fu-neral of the Krachi East DCE, Francis Kofi Okesu, saying he could be fished out even if he sneaks to the funeral, implying he could be harmed. The Joy FM reporter told The Herald that the Regional Minister overtime, appears to have forgiven the Daily Guide newspaper, as he no longer talks about their report-age. However, he has not done so with the Multimedia group, although the story has since been pulled down by the media, due to the hurt it might have caused the be-reaved family, regardless of the fact that the bit about the sperm was captured in the police report. —The Herald—
Corruption, fraud allegations hit buffer stock managers
The Deputy Ranking Member on the Education Committee of Parliament, has said that challenges with food supplies to Senior High Schools, are a result of corruption and fraud that have plagued the National Buffer Food Stock Company. According to Dr Clement Apaak, the running of the National Buffer Food Stock Company led by Hanan Abdul-Wahab, has become inefficient, thereby questioning its usefulness. Speaking at a press conference, Dr Clement Apaak, cited instances of under-invoicing, the distribution of expired and non-certified food items, as some of the fraudulent activities being carried out by the Company. “Some of the Buffer Food suppliers are simply corrupt and fraudulent. There are in-stances of under-invoicing; where quantities of supplies to the schools are drasti-cally reduced. Expired food items are supplied to schools.” “Sometimes, heads are compelled by orders from above to sign for quantities of foods they have not received. We sometimes have suppliers dumping items in ex-cess capacity to schools. There were even instances where schools were supplied with products that had not been certified by the Food and Drugs Authority”. Dr Apaak was worried that these acts are compounding the problems of the Free SHS Programme. “All of these things are captured in the Auditor General’s report, so clearly the Buffer Food Stock Company and the role it is playing is contributing to the challenges of the Free SHS policy.” —TheHerald—
NDG SUMMIT: NDA to facilitate the launch of Five-Year Medium Term Development Strategy (MTDS)
The Northern Development Authority (NDA) and the five Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) of the Northern Ghana with support from development partners and the STAR Ghana Foundation are partnering for the 2022 Northern Ghana Development (NGD) summit with the Theme: “Agenda for Rapid Transformation and Job Creation in a secure and peaceful Northern Ghana”- Apexnewsgh.com report A Partnership between Government, Development Partners, Private Sector and Civil Society Organisations. The 2022 Northern Ghana Development Summit (NGDS) builds on the achievements and roadmaps of the 2021 NGDS held in Jirapa in November 2021. Following the outcomes of the inaugural NDA Multi – Stakeholder Consultation with Development Partners led by His Excellency the Vice President, and further engagements with the Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), line Ministries, Departments and Agencies Development Partners (DPs), International Non – Governmental Organizations (INGOs) Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Traditional Authorities, Faith Based Organizations (FBOs), and local communities across Northern Ghana to develop a Medium Term Development Strategy (MDTS) in line with the NDA Act 963, 2017.The focus of the 2022 NGDS therefore, is to launch the MTDS and this concept note provides the objectives, themes, relevant speakers and a detailed schedule for the Summit and Investment Fair. The NGDS is an annual convening platform that brings together state and non-state actors, including institutions and individuals to one big forum to assess, discuss and recommend actions to accelerate the progress of development in Northern Ghana. Historical BackgroundThe NGDS, formerly known as the “Mole Series” initiated in 2001 was reactivated in 2019 by STAR Ghana in close collaboration with the Regional Coordinating Councils and the Northern Development Authority (NDA). The 2022 Northern Ghana Development SummitThe 2022 Summit prioritizes the launch of the NDA Five-Year Medium Term Development Strategy (MTDS) dubbed “Agenda for Rapid Transformation and Job Creation” in collaboration with Development Partners. The Summit is planned to span two (2) days with the first day being the opening ceremony and launch of the MTDS by H.E Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, alongside presentations on key thematic areas from the MTDS. The second day is an Investment Fair to highlight private sector development needs, opportunities and game changing investment projects captured in the MTDS. The two days programme offers opportunities for exhibition of products and services by businesses and corporate bodies. It is worth mentioning that the two days Summit will form part of a one-week sequential activities, christened “the NDA Week” to be led by the Vice President Dr.Mahamudu Bawumia. Thematic Topics Increasing household incomes in Northern Ghana through sustainable agricultural production systems. Accelerate human development in Northern Ghana through access to quality Social Services Promotion of private sector actions for delivering broad-based and inclusive economic growth in the Northern Ghana Sustaining livelihoods in Northern Ghana through capacity development of local communities on land governance, biodiversity conservation and climate justice Social cohesion, peace and security in Northern GhanaFeatures of the Investment Fair Presentations on investment opportunities, business climate, procedures, incentives in the context of the MTDS Business to business facilitations – B2b Investment promotions in key projects captured in the MTDS Exhibition Signing of Cooperation Agreements. ParticipantsHowever, the event seeks to bring together over 150 Stakeholders across the country. This include Development Partners, the five Regional Coordinating Councils in Northern Ghana, their Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Coordinating Councils, Civil Society Organizations, Clergy, Private Sector, Media, “Friends of the North”, Youth and Women groups including Persons with Disabilities shall participate in this 2-day event. Purpose:The purpose of the summit is to launch and operationalize the MTDS, highlighting the key objectives, intervention areas and results matrix. Expected Outcomes: The Medium-Term Development Strategy (MTDS) launched. A framework for operationalizing the strategic objectives developed. Stakeholder commitments (Government, Development Partners, Private Sector, and CSOs) for the execution of the Strategy secured. An Investment Fair to highlight private sector development and investment opportunities organized. Facilitating PartnersThe Northern Development Authority in collaboration with the five Regional Coordinating Councils of northern Ghana, Heads of Cooperation and Missions, STAR Ghana Foundation, , INGO Forum, GIPC, CSO and SIGA. Source: Apexnewsgh.com|Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com