Akufo-Addo Give Final Address, Urges Ghanaians to Embrace 2025 with Hope and Determination
As the clock ticks down to the start of a new year, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has issued a heartfelt message to Ghanaians, urging them to embrace 2025 with hope and determination. Apexnewsgh reports In his final New Year message as president, Akufo-Addo reflected on the challenges and triumphs of the past year, encouraging citizens to enter the new year with renewed spirit, unity, and optimism. With a message of joy, peace, and prosperity, the President expressed his desire for Ghanaian families to be filled with laughter, communities to be united, and the nation to flourish. He emphasized the importance of collective effort, urging Ghanaians to remain united in the face of challenges and work towards a stronger, more prosperous nation. Akufo-Addo also took the opportunity to express his gratitude to the people of Ghana for their support and resilience throughout his tenure. As he prepares to hand over power, the President’s message serves as a reminder of the power of unity and determination in shaping Ghana’s future. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
NDC’s Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings Admonishes Party Members Not to be Arrogant for Power
As the National Democratic Congress (NDC) prepares to form the next government, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey, has cautioned party members against arrogance and pride. Apexnewsgh reports Speaking at the party’s 43rd celebration of the December 31st Revolution, she emphasized the importance of humility and integrity in maintaining the party’s good image and upholding the principles of the revolution. Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings, daughter of the late founder of the NDC, Jerry John Rawlings, acknowledged the crucial role her father and the party played in laying the foundations of Ghana’s democracy. She warned that if these foundations were not strong, Ghana would have descended into chaos by now. The MP urged members of the incoming government to uphold and maintain this legacy, emphasizing that the NDC has a responsibility to rescue the country from its current state. With the party’s landslide victory in the December 7 elections, Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings’ words serve as a reminder to govern diligently, curb corruption, and protect democracy. Source: Apexnewsgh,com
NDC Chairman Slams President Akufo-Addo Over State Awards
National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has strongly criticized President Nana Akufo-Addo for conferring state awards on ministers who, in his view, don’t deserve them. Apexnewsgh reports Asiedu Nketia accused the President of endorsing the wrongdoings of his appointees, including looting and violence, by honoring them. Speaking at the NDC’s 43rd anniversary of the December 31st Revolution in Nungua, Accra, Asiedu Nketia questioned the decision to award individuals like Hawa Koomson, the outgoing Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East Constituency, who allegedly shot and killed Ghanaians during an election. Asiedu Nketia emphasized that state awards should be reserved for individuals who have made significant contributions to the nation’s development, not those with questionable records. He warned that awarding such individuals sends the wrong message to the youth, normalizing looting and violence. To address this issue, Asiedu Nketia suggested establishing a committee, backed by law, to determine who truly deserves national awards. This, he believes, would ensure that state honors are given to those who have earned them, rather than being used as a tool for political favoritism. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Government Records 9% Oversubscription in Final Treasury Bills Auction for 2024
The government has ended the year on a high note, recording a 9% oversubscription in its final Treasury bills auction for 2024. According to data published by the Bank of Ghana, the auction secured a total of GH¢4.6 billion, surpassing the target of GH¢4.3 billion by GH¢383 million. Apexnewsgh reports The 91-day Treasury bill dominated the auction, attracting bids worth GH¢3.8 billion, while the 182-day bill contributed GH¢628.16 million, accounting for 13.5% of the total bids. The 364-day bill brought in GH¢179.37 million, representing 3.36% of the total. However, this marginal oversubscription came at a cost, as treasury bill rates saw another consecutive hike. The interest rate for the 91-day bill edged up from 27.85% to 28.03%, while the 182-day bill rose from 28.68% to 28.88%. The 364-day bill also increased, moving from 29.97% to 30.07%. Despite the rising cost of borrowing, the results highlight a blend of investor optimism and caution, with higher yields seemingly driving demand. This performance wraps up the year for the government’s short-term debt market strategy, setting the stage for 2025. Treasury bills have become the government’s primary financing tool after losing access to international capital markets and facing successive sovereign credit downgrades. The local debt market’s stagnation following the domestic debt exchange program announced in December 2022 has further exacerbated this shift. Looking ahead to 2025, Databank projects that the government may reduce T-bill issuances by up to GHS 20 billion, bringing the total stock to around GHS 200 billion as alternative funding sources become available. The incoming administration of President-elect John Mahama has signaled a strong commitment to fiscal consolidation, which could lower demand and yields for short-term instruments. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Police Officers Drop Lawsuit Against Transfer Directive
In a surprising turn of events, ten police officers have discontinued their lawsuit against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, over a transfer directive. Led by Sergeant David Ojeyim, the officers had initially sought a court order to prevent their transfers from their current posts, arguing that the directive was arbitrary and lacked justification. Apexnewsgh reports The officers claimed that they were directed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Christian Yohonu, to defy the transfer order. However, they have now notified the court of their decision to discontinue the case, retaining the liberty to reapply in the future if necessary. The group of officers, which includes Sergeant Prince Owusu Fayosey, Sergeant Seidu Essilfie, and Corporal Hannah Antwi-Boasiako, among others, had raised concerns about the transparency and fairness of the transfer process. They demanded accountability from the Police Administration, arguing that the decision undermined their professional stability and failed to align with standard administrative processes. The discontinuation of the lawsuit marks a halt to their legal challenge against the Police Administration’s directive. The reasons behind their decision to drop the lawsuit are unclear, but it brings an end to the controversy surrounding the transfer directive. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
NDC’s Faustina Akurugu Elikplim Declared Winner of Dome Kwabenya Seat
The Electoral Commission (EC) has officially declared Faustina Akurugu Elikplim, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate, as the duly elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Dome Kwabenya. Apexnewsgh reports This announcement comes after prolonged disputes between the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the NDC over the constituency’s election results. In an emergency meeting of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) on Tuesday, December 31, EC Chairperson Jean Mensa confirmed the decision, stating that the electoral process in the Dome Kwabenya Constituency had reached its conclusion. Mensa emphasized that the outcome reflects the will of the people as expressed at the polls. Following the re-collation, Faustina Akurugu Elikplim secured 50,967 votes, while the NPP’s Mike Oquaye Junior garnered 50,669 votes. This declaration puts an end to the heated contestation over the seat and solidifies the NDC’s position in the constituency. Notably, this victory marks a significant milestone for the NDC, as Dome Kwabenya has traditionally been a stronghold of the NPP. Akurugu’s win is part of a broader trend, with the NDC making gains in several key constituencies, including Adansi Asokwa and Sekondi. The EC’s decision also means that the planned re-run at the outstanding polling station in the constituency has been cancelled. As Faustina Akurugu Elikplim prepares to assume her role as MP, her victory is seen as a significant boost to the NDC’s parliamentary strength. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Catholic Diocese of Jasikan Demands Justice for Assaulted Priests
The Catholic Diocese of Jasikan has issued a scathing open letter to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, demanding immediate action and justice for three Catholic priests brutally assaulted at Nkwanta, Oti Region, earlier this month. Apexnewsgh reports The incident, which occurred on December 11, 2024, involved three Indian Catholic priests—Frs. Robinson Melkis, Martin George, and Henry Jacob of the Franciscan Capuchin Order.¹ The priests, stationed at St. Michael Parish in Kpassa, were attacked at a fuel station while on their way to prepare a piece of land for the construction of a Formation House. One of the victims, Fr. Henry Jacob, lost hearing in his left ear due to the assault and has since returned to India for further medical care. The Diocese expressed gratitude for the IGP’s initial intervention, which ensured medical attention for Fr. Jacob. However, they voiced frustration over the lack of arrests, despite clear video evidence of the assault. The Diocese questioned the Ghana Police Service’s handling of the case, asking if the nationality of the victims—Indian rather than Ghanaian—accounted for the lack of progress. The letter invoked biblical and moral imperatives, urging the IGP to act swiftly and ensure that the perpetrators face the law. The Diocese also warned of possible diplomatic consequences, citing the risk of strained relations between Ghana and India if the matter remains unresolved. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Independence Square Closes for Presidential Swearing-in Preparations
The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture has announced the temporary closure of Independence Square and its surrounding areas, effective midnight on December 31, 2024, to January 8, 2025. Apexnewsgh reports This closure is in preparation for the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect John Dramani Mahama, scheduled for January 7, 2025. According to Deputy Minister Mark Okraku Mantey, the facilities will be cordoned off by National Security to facilitate arrangements for the inauguration ceremony. The Ministry has urged the public and tourists to take note of the closure and comply with the directive, ensuring a smooth and secure event. The temporary closure will affect access to major roads around the square, including Castle Road, 28th February Road, and the stretch leading to the Black Star Gate. Alternative routes have been designated to minimize disruptions to traffic flow in the area. Government officials, event planners, and security agencies are working tirelessly to ensure a flawless event, marking President-elect Mahama’s return to the highest office in the land. Read details below: Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Bank of Ghana Leadership Honoured at National Awards Ceremony
The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison, and his two deputies, Dr. Maxwell Opoku-Afari and Mrs. Elsie Addo Awadzi, were recognized for their outstanding contributions to financial and public service at the National Honours ceremony. Apexnewsgh reports Dr. Ernest Addison received the prestigious Order of the Star of Ghana – Member Award for his exceptional leadership in elevating Ghana’s profile in global financial circles. His expertise has contributed significantly to discussions on sustainable development, debt management, and Africa’s integration into the global economy. The First Deputy Governor, Dr. Maxwell Opoku-Afari, and the Second Deputy Governor, Mrs. Elsie Addo Awadzi, each received a Grand Medal for their dedicated public service. Dr. Opoku-Afari’s stewardship has strengthened the Ghanaian banking sector, enhanced regulatory frameworks, and fostered financial inclusion. Mrs. Awadzi has represented Ghana with distinction on the international stage, shaping monetary policy and financial governance frameworks. The awards underscore the pivotal roles played by the Bank of Ghana’s leadership in ensuring economic stability and advancing the nation’s financial sector. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
US Treasury says it was hacked by China in ‘major incident’
The Treasury Department said in its letter to lawmakers that the China-based actor was able to override security via a key used by a third-party service provider that offers remote technical support to its employees. The compromised third-party service – called BeyondTrust – has since been taken offline, officials said. They added that there is no evidence to suggest the hacker has continued to access Treasury Department information since. Along with the FBI, the department has been working with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and third-party forensic investigators to determine the breach’s overall impact. Based on evidence it has gathered so far, officials said the hack appears to have been carried out by “a China-based Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) actor”. “In accordance with Treasury policy, intrusions attributable to an APT are considered a major cybersecurity incident,” Treasury Department officials wrote in their letter to lawmakers. The department was made aware of the hack on 8 December by BeyondTrust, a spokesperson told the BBC. According to the company, the suspicious activity was first spotted on 2 December, but it took three days for the company to determine that it had been hacked. The spokesperson added that the hacker was able to remotely access several Treasury user workstations and certain unclassified documents that were kept by those users. The department did not specify the nature of these files, or when and for how long the hack took place. They also did not specify the level of confidentiality of the computer systems. For instance, access to 100 low-level workers would likely be less valuable then access to only 10 computers at a higher echelon within the department. The hackers may have been able to create accounts or change passwords in the three days that they were being watched by BeyondTrust. As espionage agents, the hackers are believed to have been seeking information, rather than attempting to steal funds. The spokesperson said the Treasury Department “takes very seriously all threats against our systems, and the data it holds”, and that it will continue to work on protecting its data from outside threats. The department letter states that a supplemental report on the incident will be provided to lawmakers in 30 days. Chinese embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu denied the department’s report, saying in a statement that it can be difficult to trace the origin of hackers. “We hope that relevant parties will adopt a professional and responsible attitude when characterizing cyber incidents, basing their conclusions on sufficient evidence rather than unfounded speculation and accusations,” he said. “The US needs to stop using cyber security to smear and slander China, and stop spreading all kinds of disinformation about the so-called Chinese hacking threats.” This is the latest high-profile and embarrassing US breach blamed on Chinese espionage hackers. It follows another hack of telecoms companies in December that potentially breached phone record data across large swathes of American society. Source: BBC