UER: Registration Exercise stopped in Bawku– See reasons by EC
The voter registration process in the Bawku District, Upper East Region, has been temporarily suspended, according to Mr William Obeng Adarkwah, the Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC). This decision comes after residents expressed dissatisfaction with having only one registration machine and even threatened to attack the registration personnel. The suspension has been put in place to ensure the safety of the staff and prevent any potential conflicts. Mr Adarkwah has assured that the EC is committed to a smooth and peaceful registration process for all eligible citizens. A dialogue with the concerned residents is scheduled for Monday, September 18, 2023, in order to find a mutually agreeable solution to the registration challenges in the Bawku District. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com
COP Mensah to run for Asante Bekwai parliamentary seat
Police Commissioner Alex George Mensah has officially announced his candidacy for the Asante Bekwai parliamentary seat in the Ashanti Region in the upcoming 2024 general elections. Apexnewsgh.com report After retiring from the Ghana Police Service, COP Mensah revealed that he has long harbored a desire to enter politics and feels that now is the opportune moment to pursue this aspiration. During an interview with Angel TV monitored by Apexnewsgh on Sunday, September 17, 2023, COP Mensah unequivocally declared his intentions to run for office. Although he did not disclose the specific political party he plans to run under, he did mention that his family has ties to the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Throughout his esteemed career within the Ghana Police Service, COP Mensah held various prominent positions, including his most recent role as Director-General, Technical, prior to retirement. He gained widespread recognition when he was allegedly involved in a leaked tape scandal, which supposedly featured discussions about removing the current Inspector General of Police (IGP). Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Is Alan Kyerematen really forming a new party or going Independent? Alan to address Ghanaians soon
According to a credible source obtained by Apexnewsgh.com, there are indications that Alan Kyerematen, the former Minister of Trade, is considering running for the upcoming 2024 general election. Apexnewsgh.com reported While the source, who has a close relationship with Mr. Kyerematen, did not provide specific details on his future plans, but insisted that there are two potential paths being considered. “We are running next year, don’t mind whatever anybody is saying. We have withdrew from the NPP contest but we will be running for Presidency”. “There are two options, either to go independent or form a new political party. So, we are looking at the timing, the one that will be appropriate at the moment we will do it. But we will run for Presidency next year” Asking whether the former Trade Minister is not likely to change his mind ahead of the alleged decision, Our source said, nothing can private their candidate from contesting the 2024 elections. “Forget about the people condemning us, making mockery of us on social media, Alan is coming, he is running, he wants to be President and he has the support, he has people behind him”. As per his statement, Alan does not make decisions on his own but seeks the guidance of seasoned elders when it comes to decision-making. It is important to note that Mr. Alan is experienced and knowledgeable in politics, not a novice. However, he whispered that Mr. Alan will be addressing the people of Ghana anytime soon to clearly communicate his next move. On Tuesay September 5, 2023, Mr. Alan announced his decision in a press statement signed and issued Mr Kyerematen wrote, “The question I keep asking myself is, How did we get here as a Party in the first place, and how far are we prepared to tread on this dangerous path to self-destruction?” “Regrettably, I am not convinced that the circumstances I have referred to earlier, will not persist or even be escalated in the next round of elections, for which balloting is scheduled for Wednesday, 6th of September 2023. “In light of the foregoing, I wish to confirm that I am honourably withdrawing from the process that will lead to the Presidential Primaries to be held on the 4th of November 2023. In the next upcoming weeks, I will provide an indication of the role that I will play in politics in Ghana, after consultations with my family and other well-wishers, various stakeholders and interest groups. “I wish all the other Aspirants well as they continue on their journey. I also wish to use this opportunity to express my profound gratitude once again to my family, the Alan 4 President (A4P) Campaign Team, and all my teeming supporters in Ghana and from around the world, who have supported me in diverse ways over the years. Please be assured that the battle is still the Lord’s, and that those who wait upon the Lord shall have their strength renewed.” Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Lauren Boebert apologizes again over behavior at theater
Lauren Boebert, the far-right Colorado congresswoman, issued a second apology for her recent controversial theatre incident. Apexnewsgh.com reported During a performance of Beetlejuice: The Musical, Boebert openly vaped in the audience, engaged in inappropriate behavior with her companion, and was involved in a graphic incident. The incident was captured on security camera footage. During an interview with the conservative One America News Network, Boebert attributed her behavior to being “maybe overtly animated.” She suggested that her extroverted nature somehow merged with the theatrics of the show, which was described by the New York Times as a “jaw-dropping funhouse.” “I was laughing, I was singing, having a fantastic time, was told to kinda settle it down a little bit, which I did, but then, my next slip up was taking a picture,” she told the network about her date a week earlier. “I was a little too eccentric … I’m on the edge of a lot of things.” Her remarks added to a written apology offered on Friday in which she said she was “truly sorry for the unwanted attention my … evening in Denver [on Sunday, 10 September] has brought to the community” and that her actions she “simply fell short” of her values. Meanwhile, additional information about Boebert’s companion to Beetlejuice – whom she has been dating for months – introduced even more complexity to an already perplexing picture of their night out. Quinn Gallagher, a 46-year-old bar owner who supports the Democratic party, faced an incident at a theater in Aspen, Colorado. Gallagher’s bar is known for hosting LGBTQ+ and drag events, such as the women’s party for Aspen Gay Ski Week and the Winter Wonderland Burlesque & Drag Show. However, this clashed with the views of the US House member, who was also present at the theater. During the performance of the family-friendly show, Beetlejuice, the House member, whose name is Boebert, was asked to cease vaping, refrain from taking pictures, and stop groping Gallagher in the audience. These actions were deemed inappropriate for the setting and caused both individuals to be ejected from the Buell theatre. It’s worth noting that Boebert has been outspokenly critical of drag shows in the past, expressing her views via a social media platform, now known as X. Criticism against Boebert has only intensified since her first apology, with some conservative commentators spending the weekend calling her out. “Totally embarrassing bimbo,” conservative pundit Ann Coulter wrote on X. Jenna Ellis, a former attorney for ex-president Donald Trump, called the behavior “embarrassing and disrespectful”. According to a Buell theatre security report obtained by 9News Denver, Boebert and Gallagher had been “vaping, singing, causing a disturbance”. Boebert reportedly asked “Do you know who I am?” when they were asked to leave. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Ofori-Atta got it all wrong with BoG’s ‘phenomenal growth – Minority
The accusation from the minority caucus against Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta suggests that he used incorrect figures to praise the Bank of Ghana’s performance in his recent article. According to the minority caucus, Ofori-Atta incorrectly used nominal figures to claim that the Bank of Ghana significantly increased its assets between 2016 and 2022. In their counter article, titled ‘Should Citizens Stand With the Bank of Ghana Governor Who Has Aided the Government’s Economic Management Team to Destroy Livelihoods? The Position of the Minority in Parliament,’ the minority caucus highlights this alleged error and questions the credibility of the Bank of Ghana governor’s involvement in the government’s economic management, which they claim negatively impacted people’s livelihoods. Read the minority’s full article below: SHOULD CITIZENS STAND WITH THE BANK OF GHANA GOVERNOR WHO HAS AIDED THE GOVERNMENT’S ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT TEAM TO DESTROY LIVELIHOODS? THE POSITION OF THE MINORITY IN PARLIAMENT In a recent statement intended to justify the gross incompetence and misgovernance of the leadership of the Bank of Ghana, the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta sought to “speak for” the Bank of Ghana but ended up worsening the case of the central bank and deepening its credibility crisis. Ordinarily, the beguiled statement by the Minister should be disregarded entirely and treated with the contempt it deserves. However, there is the need to correct some of the key misconceptions peddled and to fact-check the assertions made by the Minister in the statement. From the second paragraph, the Minister erroneously used nominal figures to argue that the Bank of Ghana had grown its assets phenomenally between 2016 and 2022. If the Minister describes a 2.4-fold increase from GHS53 billion in 2016 to GHS125.97 billion in 2022 as phenomenal, how would he describe the increase in Bank of Ghana’s assets by 8.2-fold during the period of the NDC government (2009-2016) when the same assets grew from GHS6.45 billion as at end-2008 to GHS53 billion as at end-2016? What is even worse is that the increase in assets between 2016 and 2022 were largely driven by the illegal monetary financing of government; in other words, illegal lending to government. This excessive printing and lending of money to government is the cause of the economic woes the country is currently facing (high inflation, volatility in the exchange rate, and high interest rates) as confirmed by the IMF and the World Bank. In the third paragraph, the Minister again used nominal GDP figures to argue that the size of GDP had more than doubled in value from GHS219.6 billion in 2016 to GHS610.2 billion in 2022, without adjusting for the impact of inflation within the same period. The Minister must realize that nominal values will always rise, hence the right thing to do is to express these in real terms. On the watch of this Minister, real GDP growth slowed between 2018 and 2020 and only recovered slightly in 2021 due mainly to revenues from the three oil fields they inherited as well as the massive covid-19 revenue inflows, and not due to any special expertise of the Minister. Again, the Minister’s management of the economy worsened in 2022 and it is projected to further deteriorate at the end of 2023 with growth projection of 1.5%. In the same paragraph, the Minister also touted doubling revenues since 2016, with total revenues increasing from GHS32 billion in 2016 to GHS96.7 billion by 2022. Again, for the comparison to be meaningful, these nominal figures must be expressed in real terms. At best, these figures should be expressed as a ratio of GDP, or in other words movement of the revenue-to-GDP ratio. Indeed, data from the Ministry of Finance shows that revenue to-GDP on the watch of this Minister has not performed well as he claims. Even in 2015, and with all the challenges faced by the economy then, revenue to GDP was 13.2%. Given all the resources that this government has received, including two additional oil 2 wells, government’s revenue to GDP is just about 12.1%. The fiscal deficit on his watch actually increased in spite of the covid-19 revenue windfalls, hence his claim of increasing revenues over the period is inconsistent with what happened to government expenditures. In paragraph 6, the Minister spoke about resetting the financial architecture since 2017. The question is what the cost of doing so has been, and whether the exercise could not have been handled more prudently and at a much lesser cost and with minimal disruptions in the financial architecture. In paragraph 7, the Minister took another wrong dive stating, “However, as many central banks, including Bank of Ghana, moved away from pursuing quantitative targets of monetary policy towards price targets, dominance of the central bank’s balance sheet as the key metric has waned in many economies and in academic literature as well”. This is entirely incorrect, both in practice and in theory. The central bank’s balance sheet remains critical in the implementation of monetary policy, hence liquidity management is at the core of this function. If the Minister had appreciated the workings of monetary policy, he would have known that despite the move from monetary targeting to inflation targeting, liquidity management or the ability to control the central bank’s balance sheet remains an integral part of monetary policy implementation. The Minister must also know that the use of price targets does not mean that monetary aggregates no longer matter. They still do matter in monetary policy implementation and therefore excessive central bank financing still matters for monetary policy. In paragraph 8, the Minister simply re-echoed the Bank of Ghana’s earlier argument that it was normal for a central bank to operate with negative equity, and that its losses recorded in 2022 would not affect its operational efficiency. These industrialised countries cited in the paragraph did not underwrite any insolvency of their governments which caused such losses. The pandemic and the Russia/Ukraine war rather provided windfall revenues to the government of Ghana, and hence cannot be a reason in the case
Mahama promises to complete all projects he inherits, accuses Akufo-Addo of abandoning E-Blocks
During the NDC Greater Accra Regional Zongo Caucus Stakeholders Forum in Accra on Saturday, September 16, 2023, former President John Mahama accused the Akufo-Addo administration of neglecting the E-block projects he initiated in the Muslim-dominated communities (Zongos) before leaving office. Apexnewsgh.com reported He expressed his disappointment that many of these schools have been abandoned, despite being allocated to the Zongo and Muslim communities. Mr. Mahama emphasized that the NDC had made great strides in the development of the Zongos and that the results were tangible for all to see. In addition, he made a promise to complete all the abandoned projects if he were to be reelected as president. “I’m making a promise that when we come, we will continue all abandoned projects”, noting: “Even projects that this current NPP government does not finish, we will continue and finish because they are funded by taxpayers’ money, so when you abandon them, you’re wasting the money of Ghanaians”. A forum was conducted to facilitate dialogue among representatives from different Zongo and Muslim sects and organizations both within and outside of the party. The intention of this gathering was to foster social connections and build a sense of community. An esteemed guest at the forum was National Chief Imam Sheikh Usmanu Nuhu Sharubutu. During the event, Mr. Mahama expressed his sincere gratitude to the Muslim community for their unwavering support of the NDC. He emphasized the party’s commitment to ensuring that the Zongos receive their fair share of national resources and development, acknowledging the importance of their backing in achieving this goal. In addition, Mr. Mahama took the opportunity to urge all eligible citizens who have not yet registered as voters to seize the ongoing limited voter registration exercise offered by the Electoral Commission. He also cautioned the EC officials against any form of discrimination in the exercise, reminding them that Ghana’s strength lies in its diversity and cultures to enable Ghanaians have equal rights. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Police files new injunction against Minority
According to the Financial and Economic Division of the Accra High Court, the Ghana Police Service has submitted a motion for an injunction against the organizers of the #OccupyBoG demonstration. This latest motion comes after the organizers, including the Minority caucus in Parliament, sent a new notice to the police on September 4, insisting on the same route for the protest. Apexnewsgh.com reported Justice Edward Twum, who presided over the case, had previously instructed the Police to correct errors on the motion paper. This order came after the Minority, represented by their lawyers, raised preliminary legal objections, led by Godwin Edudzie Tamekloe, the Director of Legal Affairs for the National Democratic Congress. Despite the first motion still being in process and the scheduled protest date of September 5 having passed, the organizers once again notified the police with a new notice stating that the protest would take place on September 12, 2023. On Monday, September 18, 2023, the organizers of the protest faced another legal challenge as the police initiated a new action for an injunction. This was due to the organizers insisting on following the same route that had previously been the subject of court proceedings. During the court session, which was initially scheduled for the hearing of the first injunction, the second motion took precedence and made the first motion irrelevant. The latest motion for injunction, seeking the same reliefs, has now been scheduled for Tuesday, September 19, 2923. According to EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, the organizers have changed their protest route, but they are still required to inform the court of this development on Tuesday, September 19. Superintendent of Police Sylvester Asare, who serves as the lead counsel for the police, attended the court session, whereas the respondents were absent. Updated information: The Minority caucus in Parliament announced on September 11 that it would be postponing its planned protest to occupy the premises of the Bank of Ghana. The protest, originally intended to demand the resignation of Governor Dr. Ernest Addison and his deputies due to the central bank’s record loss of Ghc60 billion in the 2022 financial year, will now take place on October 3, 2023. This delay marks the second time the protest has been rescheduled, following a previous postponement on September 4. According to a statement issued by the minority, MP Mahama Ayariga, representing Bawku Central, confirmed that the protest would follow agreed-upon routes and conclude at the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Voter registration: NDC demands release of youth organizer in Shai Osudoku
Shai Osudoku constituency in the Greater Accra Region is currently experiencing political tension due to the arrest of Courage Tetteh, the Constituency Youth Organizer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). Tetteh has been accused by agents from the ruling New Patriotic Party of registering minors, resulting in his arrest on Saturday, September 16, 2023. He is currently in police custody. Apexnewsgh.com reported The NDC in the constituency has described Tetteh’s arrest as an act of persecution, asserting that he has no knowledge of the alleged offense. According to the Member of Parliament for Shai Osudoku, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, Tetteh had been going from community to community, encouraging qualified individuals to participate in the registration exercise despite the challenges of reaching the district office of the Electoral Commission. The Member of Parliament (MP) emphasized that there are established protocols in place to contest applicants suspected of being underage. Consequently, she strongly opposes the arrest of the youth organizer, deeming it unacceptable. She urged the Police to release the youth organizer in order to alleviate the escalating tensions. On the other hand, Alexander Lukes Odoi, the NPP Deputy Secretary for the Shai Osudoku constituency, alleged that the youth organizer was involved in facilitating the registration of minors for his assembly member election campaign. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Akufo-Addo urges Ghana to develop its own technology
In developing their own technology, President Nana Akufo-Addo has underlined the importance of countries in the global south seeking inspiration from the global north. Apexnewsgh.com report During the G77 + China Summit of The Heads of State and Government Summit held in Havana, Cuba, President Nana Akufo-Addo underscored the importance for countries in the global south to seek inspiration from the global north in their own technological development. The theme of the summit, “Current Development Challenges: The Role of Science, Technology And Innovation,” allowed President Akufo-Addo to draw attention to the historical correlation between development stages, human civilization, and innovation. President Akufo-Addo highlighted that throughout history, innovation propelled by scientific advancements and supported by technology has played a vital role in various stages of development and the progression of civilization. He further stressed that the introduction of new inventions, innovations, and creative tools and processes has often been intertwined with measures of human progress. Nevertheless, President Akufo-Addo also acknowledged the potential risks associated with innovation, such as devastating wars, climate change, and environmental degradation. President Akufo-Addo expressed concern about the lack of tools and capacity in many countries in the global south, especially those in the G77+China. He highlighted the limited transfer of technology and innovation, as well as the lack of funding for science infrastructure in developing nations by countries in the global north, which hinders their access to the benefits of science, technology, and innovation. However, President Akufo-Addo encouraged nations in the global south not to lose hope in the face of these challenges. He urged them to find ways to develop their own technology, pointing out that other countries have successfully achieved this. With determination and effort, he emphasized that these countries too can pave their own path towards technological advancement and overall development. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com
The day of reckoning is very near—Minority to Ken Ofori-Atta and Governor Addison
The Minority in Parliament has issued strong criticism against Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and the government’s Economic Mismanagement team. Led by Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, they will be held responsible for the overall state of affairs, according to the Minority. Apexnewsgh.com reported “In a recent statement intended to justify the gross incompetence and misgovernance of the leadership of the Bank of Ghana, the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta sought to “speak for” the Bank of Ghana but ended up worsening the case of the central bank and deepening its credibility crisis. “Ordinarily, the beguiled statement by the Minister should be disregarded entirely and treated with the contempt it deserves. However, there is the need to correct some of the key misconceptions peddled and to fact-check the assertions made by the Minister in the statement. Read the statement below: SHOULD CITIZENS STAND WITH THE BANK OF GHANA GOVERNOR WHO HAS AIDED THE GOVERNMENT’S ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT TEAM TO DESTROY LIVELIHOODS? THE POSITION OF THE MINORITY IN PARLIAMENT In a recent statement intended to justify the gross incompetence and misgovernance of the leadership of the Bank of Ghana, the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta sought to “speak for” the Bank of Ghana but ended up worsening the case of the central bank and deepening its credibility crisis. Ordinarily, the beguiled statement by the Minister should be disregarded entirely and treated with the contempt it deserves. However, there is the need to correct some of the key misconceptions peddled and to fact-check the assertions made by the Minister in the statement. From the second paragraph, the Minister erroneously used nominal figures to argue that the Bank of Ghana had grown its assets phenomenally between 2016 and 2022. If the Minister describes a 2.4-fold increase from GHS53 billion in 2016 to GHS125.97 billion in 2022 as phenomenal, how would he describe the increase in Bank of Ghana’s assets by 8.2-fold during the period of the NDC government (2009-2016) when the same assets grew from GHS6.45 billion as at end-2008 to GHS53 billion as at end-2016? What is even worse is that the increase in assets between 2016 and 2022 were largely driven by the illegal monetary financing of government; in other words, illegal lending to government. This excessive printing and lending of money to government is the cause of the economic woes the country is currently facing (high inflation, volatility in the exchange rate, and high interest rates) as confirmed by the IMF and the World Bank. In the third paragraph, the Minister again used nominal GDP figures to argue that the size of GDP had more than doubled in value from GHS219.6 billion in 2016 to GHS610.2 billion in 2022, without adjusting for the impact of inflation within the same period. The Minister must realize that nominal values will always rise, hence the right thing to do is to express these in real terms. On the watch of this Minister, real GDP growth slowed between 2018 and 2020 and only recovered slightly in 2021 due mainly to revenues from the three oil fields they inherited as well as the massive covid-19 revenue inflows, and not due to any special expertise of the Minister. Again, the Minister’s management of the economy worsened in 2022 and it is projected to further deteriorate at the end of 2023 with growth projection of 1.5%. In the same paragraph, the Minister also touted doubling revenues since 2016, with total revenues increasing from GHS32 billion in 2016 to GHS96.7 billion by 2022. Again, for the comparison to be meaningful, these nominal figures must be expressed in real terms. At best, these figures should be expressed as a ratio of GDP, or in other words movement of the revenue-to-GDP ratio. Indeed, data from the Ministry of Finance shows that revenue to-GDP on the watch of this Minister has not performed well as he claims. Even in 2015, and with all the challenges faced by the economy then, revenue to GDP was 13.2%. Given all the resources that this government has received, including two additional oil 2 wells, government’s revenue to GDP is just about 12.1%. The fiscal deficit on his watch actually increased in spite of the covid-19 revenue windfalls, hence his claim of increasing revenues over the period is inconsistent with what happened to government expenditures. In paragraph 6, the Minister spoke about resetting the financial architecture since 2017. The question is what the cost of doing so has been, and whether the exercise could not have been handled more prudently and at a much lesser cost and with minimal disruptions in the financial architecture. In paragraph 7, the Minister took another wrong dive stating, “However, as many central banks, including Bank of Ghana, moved away from pursuing quantitative targets of monetary policy towards price targets, dominance of the central bank’s balance sheet as the key metric has waned in many economies and in academic literature as well”. This is entirely incorrect, both in practice and in theory. The central bank’s balance sheet remains critical in the implementation of monetary policy, hence liquidity management is at the core of this function. If the Minister had appreciated the workings of monetary policy, he would have known that despite the move from monetary targeting to inflation targeting, liquidity management or the ability to control the central bank’s balance sheet remains an integral part of monetary policy implementation. The Minister must also know that the use of price targets does not mean that monetary aggregates no longer matter. They still do matter in monetary policy implementation and therefore excessive central bank financing still matters for monetary policy. In paragraph 8, the Minister simply re-echoed the Bank of Ghana’s earlier argument that it was normal for a central bank to operate with negative equity, and that its losses recorded in 2022 would not affect its operational efficiency. These industrialised countries cited in the paragraph did not underwrite any insolvency of their governments which caused such