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Govt has $750m sitting here; we don’t have to go out to borrow – Deputy Finance Minister

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Deputy Finance Minister, John Kumah has hinted that government would not be seeking financial assistance from the international market to manage the economy this year.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Mr. Kumah noted that government has put in place measures to cater for its expenditure without relying on the international market for assistance.

Aside from raising revenue domestically, the Deputy Minister said government has put aside $750million out of $1billion it received from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as Ghana’s Special Drawing Right (SDR).

According to him, that is approximately the amount needed by the Akufo-Addo-led government to meet its target expenditure for 2022.

“In 2022, government is looking more within to raise the financing. The good news for Ghana is that the IMF gave Ghana Special Drawing Right (SDR) of $1billion dollars and we spent $250 million of that in last year’s budget. We still have $750million sitting in Ghana.

We think that we have enough capacity within our domestic market to be able to raise enough financing to achieve the budget target.”

His comment comes as a response to concerns by citizens after International rating agency, Fitch, downgraded Ghana’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘B‘ from ‘B-’ with a negative outlook.

Fitch in their report noted that, “Government’s ability to deliver unplanned fiscal consolidation effort could be hindered by the heavy reliance on domestic debt issuance with higher interest cost in the context of an already exceptionally high-interest expenditure to revenue ratio.”

“That is where we disagree with Bloomberg, Fitch and some of these rating agencies. It appears that if Ghana says that we are not going to the international market, then we don’t have an alternative to finance our expenditure in this country.

This is not the first time Ghana has not gone on the market. In 2017, Ghana didn’t go on the market and yet we met our expenditure target and revenues. They have their doubts but one year is not far away. Just like they doubted us in 2021, we delivered.”

The Deputy Finance Minister emphasised that “an economy growing above 5 per cent in Covid and meeting its revenue target cannot be said to be having a negative outlook.”

Meanwhile, John Kumah, who is also the MP for Ejisu, has assured the public that government will continue to manage the economy in the best interest of its citizens.

“We are all entitled to disagree but I want to assure the country that irrespective of other people’s lack of confidence in us, we have strong confidence in our ability to deliver the best and manage the economic affairs of Ghana in the best of means possible. All the targets we have set for 2022 shall be met by the grace of God,” he stated.

Source: myjoyonline.com

E-Levy has been approved by Parliament – Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

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Majority leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu says, he is baffled by the statement that the e-Levy, as contained in the 2022 budget statement, has not been approved by the Parliament.

According to him, the levy was not only approved, when the motion to approve the budget was adopted in Parliament, but it was included in the Appropriation Bill which was passed unanimously by the House.

Addressing a capacity building workshop organized for the Majority Caucus in Parliament and some Ministers of State, on January 22, Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said that “it is a difficulty for me when people are kicking against the e-levy when you know that in the adoption of the motion to approve the budget, we approved of that. So, it means that the first step has already been surmounted.”

He added “then the e-levy has been factored into the various estimates that we have approved for all the sectors. That is the second thing we did. The third step is when we encapsulated everything into the Appropriation Bill and passed the Bill unanimously. What does it mean, you have approved of the E-levy.”

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu explained that the outstanding step to complete the process for e-Levy to be implemented is to back the policy with the enabling legislation.

Debate on the E-levy Bill was halted on December 20 after proceedings in the House turned chaotic with the MPs engaging in a fight during a headcount on whether or not to accept the Bill under a certificate of urgency.

The House hoped that suspending the discussions after the brawl would allow for further consultations on the E-levy Bill.

Parliament will be reconvening on January 25 and members are expected to deliberate and vote on the Bill.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, Ken Ofori-Atta said the move is necessary to communicate the benefits of the levy to Ghanaians.

According to him, officials from the government, including himself, will embark on the public sensitisation exercise to drum home the necessity of burden-sharing for Ghana’s development.

Citing Bloomberg’s report on Ghana’s economy, he said approving the e-levy would help address the issue of the downgrade of Ghana’s credit rating from B to B-.

He added that the levy would serve as a means to make Ghanaians contribute to help develop the economy.

“E-Levy also provides a means for all Ghanaians to help support their country and grow this economy as complaint citizens giving to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.

Source: myjoyonline.com

LaLiga commiserates with victims of Apeatse explosion

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Management of LaLiga, one of the most popular professional sports leagues globally, has commiserated with the victims of Thursday’s explosion at Apeatse in the Western Region.

Per recent reports from the Police Service, the blast has claimed the lives of 13 individuals.

According to the Director of Public Affairs of the Service, there were 190 casualties as recorded by the National Ambulance Service and allied agencies.

Taking to its Facebook platform, LaLiga noted that their thoughts and prayers are with the people of Ghana; particularly the displaced victims.

LaLiga commiserates with victims of Apeatse explosion

Also, it expressed its condolence to the bereaved families.

Displaced residents are currently receiving shelter at the St. Michael’s Catholic Parish, Bogoso as government works to rehabilitate them.

Preliminary investigations conducted by the Police revealed that a vehicle carrying mining explosives, travelling from Tarkwa to Chirano mines, collided with a motorcycle, resulting in the explosion.

The Police stated that the rider of the motorcycle from the opposite direction collided with the vehicle at around 1:25 pm on January 20.

Source: myjoyonline.com

Psychological effect of semester system on students, teachers would’ve been unbearable – GNAT

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The National President of Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) says the semester system government had intended on implementing in basic schools would have affected students and teachers psychologically.

According to Rev Dr Isaac Owusu, the longevity of the semesters (20 weeks) would have been unbearable for teachers and students.

“If you look at the longevity of how the children, especially the kindergarten and primary are going to be in school for, psychologically, the effect it will have on them. It will be unbreathable for us as teachers and as a nation,” Dr Owusu said on Newsfile on Saturday.

He stated that the semester system, implemented briefly during 2020/2022 in JHS, has never been part of the basic schools’ structure, hence his outfit was thankful the Ministry of Education reverted back to the trimester system.

Dr Owusu told the host Samson Lardy Anyenini that “one thing we were taught at the Colleges of Education was that we should never adopt lecture method in teaching at the basic level, especially at the lower primary and KG.”

This comes after the Ministry of Education has reversed its decision to introduce a semester-based system for basic schools in the country.

The decision follows protests by various stakeholders who claimed that they were not consulted before the policy was announced.

On the semester system, the first semester from KG to JHS was expected to begin on January 18 and end on June 9, 2022, with a mid-semester break from April 12 to 18, 2022.

However, the announcement gathered much opposition. Some teacher unions, including the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), vowed to kick against its implementation should the government refuse to withdraw it immediately for broader consultations.

Also, the Minority in Parliament who backed the calls for the withdrawal of the policy, said the semester calendar “lacks professional touch.” They, therefore, called for a more “academically friendly and healthy one.”

The government later reverted its decision.

“Though covid has not been rid of completely, at least if it is compared to 2021, today is far better than last year. So we were of the view that we should rather ask the JHS to come back to the normal system,” he added.

However, the Chairman of the Ghana Education Service (GES) Council, Michael Nsowah, believes that the semester system would have made it possible for teachers to pursue higher education to upgrade their knowledge and skills.

Also speaking on Newsfile, on Saturday, Mr. Nsowah said, “the debate on this semester or trimester was such that we needed to consult a lot of people. So many things were taken into consideration and in this particular case, after meetings, we realised that we need to give the teaching fraternity the opportunity to upgrade their qualifications.”

Source: myjoyonline.com

Scrap dealers steal digital address plates on houses

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Scrap dealers are reported to have started stealing the metal plates on which the digital addresses have been inscribed.

At Ngleshie Amanfro in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, Myjoyonline.com can report that the implementation of the government’s Digital Address System in various communities is under threat.

This is because some of the aluminium plates, which have addresses on them and affixed to buildings, have been stolen by scrab dealers. Residents who are worried about the situation are now on alert to apprehend the perpetrators.

Being a developing community, Ngleshie Amanfro, has become a fertile ground for young scrap dealers who search for scraps everywhere in the community.

Scrap dealers steal digital address plates on houses in Ngleshie Amanfro

Their presence in the community has raised many security issues as residents blame them for the disappearance of metals and aluminium materials.

Scrap dealers steal digital address plates on houses in Ngleshie Amanfro

According to a resident, Mr. K. Boateng, he saw the culprits near a house whose occupants were not at home. This made him suspicious about their actions thus he moved towards their direction to question them.

Mr. Boateng said “the boys vanished when they saw me coming. After some minutes, I heard people shouting “thief thief’ on another street.”

He moved towards the source of the shouts and saw that the culprits had been accosted by some residents, but they managed to run away leaving behind metals, including the aluminium digital number plates which they had mangled.

Scrap dealers steal digital address plates on houses in Ngleshie Amanfro

It was at the information centre that another resident, Mr. Oduro Appiah reported that his aluminium glass door and motor for his fridge, have been stolen.

In an interview with the Assemblyman of the area, Persues Amadum Quarshie, he expressed shock about the development and called on residents to be vigilant in order to protect their digital address plates.

Scrap dealers steal digital address plates on houses in Ngleshie Amanfro

He said robbery has become rampant in the area, thus raising security concerns. He however assured residents of his readiness to partner with the Police to arrest the suspects. He advised the residents to report suspicious movements of strangers to the Police.

Source: myjoyonline.com

Share Love Network supports Philomena to undergo surgery after news report by A1 Radio

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The Share Love Network, led by its Team Leader, Ivy Naa Odey Aryeetey has presented ghc460.00 to A1 Radio, a subsidiary of the Agreed Best Communication Company, for onward presentation to Madam Rosemary Aniah, mother of Philomena Aniah.

  A reporter with A1 Radio, Kennedy Zongbil, handing over cash to Philomena

It would be recalled that A1 Radio published a report, seeking support for little Philomena who had developed Hirschsprung Disease and was to undergo her final corrective surgery at the Tamale Teaching Hospital on January 29, 2022.

Miss Aryeetey described Philomena’s condition as unfortunate, the reason she reached out to some of the donors of the Share Love Network to support the 4-year-old undergoing the surgery.

Meanwhile, Madam Aniah has left for the Tamale Teaching hospital for preparatory medical checks and tests before the surgery on January 29. The family heaped immense praises on the Network for going to its aid but appealed for more support to them buy drugs and help Philomena in her recuperation.

A1radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Kennedy Zongbil and Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Bolgatanga|Ghana

UER: Alhaji Otito Achuliwor clarifies reports of interest in Navrongo Central seat

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A leading member of the New Patriotic Party in Navrongo Central in the Upper East Region, Alhaji Abdallah Otito Achuliwor has clarified reports about his intention to contest for the Member of Parliament seat in the area.

Alhaji Achuliwor in a statement to the media explained that he has not expressed any interest in the seat and as such, asked the public to “disregard circulation of posters and banners of me in and around the Navrongo  Central Constituency, and also on social media supposedly declaring my intention to contest the Navrongo  Central parliamentary primaries to represent my beloved  NPP in the 2024 general elections”.

He surmised that the posters of him declaring his intention to contest the seat and communication of same was a deliberate attempt to distract him and the work he is doing for the party.

Below is the full statement:

2024 NAVRONGO CENTRAL NPP PARLIAMENTARY PRIMARIES: ALHAJ ABDALLAH OTITO ACHULIWOR  HAS NOT  DECLARED INTENTION

My attention has been drawn to the circulation of posters and banners of me in and around the Navrongo  Central Constituency, and also on social media supposedly declaring my intention to contest the Navrongo  Central parliamentary primaries to represent my beloved NPP in the 2024 general elections.

Unequivocally,  I    wish to state that I     have no knowledge of the source of those posters,  nor have I sanctioned the circulation of the same on any platform.  I have no knowledge of the said group that is purported to be working for me and wish to caution them to stop their anti-party activities.

Without any doubt, this is the work of detractors who do not wish well for the NPP (particularly Navrongo  Central) and I would like to send strong caution to the faceless persons or group of persons behind this diabolic agenda to desist from it or I will be compelled to take legal action against persons caught, or properly identified for engaging in these actions.

Every true member or supporter of the NPP would be familiar with and respect the constitution and leadership of our beloved party,  especially as relates to the recently issued guidelines to regulate the conduct of members  (including potential aspirants).

No persons or group of persons who have the welfare of our dear NPP at heart will impugn the provisions of our time-tested constitution and flout the guidelines so issued.  It is expected that any person(s) or group of persons who believe in me and genuinely seek(s) to promote me for anything very honourable like putting myself up to serve the good and cherished people of Navrongo  Central would first engage me to understand my position and opinion and properly seek my advice and approval before taking such actions and have thus resorted to the disingenuous strategy of sowing seeds of discord in the party for their diabolic gains.

I HAVE  NEITHER ENGAGED NOR HAVE I HAVE BEEN ENGAGED BY, ANYBODY  OR GROUP ON THE 2024  PARLIAMENTARY PRIMARIES OF OUR PARTY AND  SO HAVE  NO KNOWLEDGE  OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE SAID  PERSONS OR GROUP.

Alhaj Abdallah Otito Achuliwor is very much focused on helping the NPP government led by their Excellencies Nana Addo and  Mahamudu   Bawumia to deliver on its mandate.  My priority is to continue to work with all relevant and genuine stakeholders, including the polling stations and electoral areas,  through the constituency,  regional and national structures,  to unite,  to reflect, re-strategize and recapture the  Navrongo Central seat.  This is what  Alhaj  Abdallah   Otito Achuliwor is known for and has been doing since times immemorial and continues to do for the growth and development of his beloved  NPP and the advancement of the cherished constituents of Navrongo Central.

Navrongo Central and the  NPP are still mourning the demise of the former Minister of Aviation and  MP  for  Navrongo  Central,  Hon.  Joseph  Kofi  Addah,  and  Alhaj  Abdallah  Otito  Achuliwor priority now is to help give his late brother a  befitting farewell. Any person who means well will not engage in acts that will desecrate the memory and legacies of the iconic  JK  Addah,  a  man who gave his all to his country, the  NPP and Navrongo Central Constituency.

May the All-Merciful  Allah  (SWT)  grant Janatal  Firdaus to Hon. Joseph  Kofi  Addah,  Hon. John Setuni  Achuliwor,  and all departed patriots whose toil and sacrifices made the  NPP  what it is today in the  Navrongo  Central Constituency.

Long live the  NPP,

Long live Navrongo Central.

A1radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana

UW: Nurse awarded for caring for mentally-challenged pregnant woman, reuniting her with family

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A health practitioner in the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region, Fostina Beyuo has been celebrated for her selfless work in identifying a mentally challenged woman, providing her with health care, ensuring that she delivered safely and then reuniting her [mentally challenged woman] with her family in the Eastern Region.
The Executive Director of the Community Development Alliance (CDA), a non-governmental organisation in the Upper West Region, Salifu Issifu Kanton extolling the virtues of Miss Beyuo on his Facebook page called for health practitioners to continue to serve with honour and passion.
Below is the full post:
CDA-GHANA on the 20th of January, 2022, on the Occasion of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) – Best Nurse/Midwife Awards and Regale 2021 Event; Conferred On Miss Fostina Beyuo; The Best “Maternal and Newborn Quality of Care Excellence Award 2021”.
The Maternal and Newborn Quality of Care Award included a Citation which read as follows:
You; Fostina Beyuo exhibited Exemplary, Professional, Compassionate and Client-Centred Delivery of; Dignified Quality Maternal and Newborn Healthcare to all without Discrimination in the Wa Municipality.
The CITATION further noted; YOUR SELFLESSNESS, HUMILITY, Grace and Compassion for the poor and destitute in society has clearly distinguished you Miss Fostina as a Midwife with passion and conviction.
On or about the 15th of June 2021; Fostina Beyou, found a helpless Mentally ill pregnant Woman in dying need of help. Out of compassion, conviction and humanitarian service orientation, you voluntarily reached out; took her in; cared for her health and physical needs and solicited support for her upkeep. You gave meaning to your creed as a good Samaritan Midwife.
Whiles caring for the health and physical needs of the unknown Mentally ill pregnant woman, You Fostina also managed to search and identify the family of the pregnant mentally ill woman far away in the Eastern Region and graciously travelled on the 18th of July, 2021, with her at your own risk and reunited the lost but found Mentally ill woman back to the family.
You continued to monitor and supported her from afar till she delivered on the 29th of July, 2021; a bouncing baby boy.
Your singular act of compassion and conviction gave life to a dying Mentally ill woman and her unborn baby.
For these outstanding and many other exceptional, humanitarian and professional acts of YOURS; You stand tall among your peers and deservedly the prestigious Award of the 2021 Maternal and Newborn Quality of Care Excellence Champion.
A1radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana

We can’t even boast of CHPS compound – Assemblyman for Akunka-Akampaabiisi cries

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The Assembly Member for the Akunka-Akompaabiisi Electoral Area, Shaibu Apoore is worried that his Electoral Area has been left out of the country’s attempt to widen primary health care infrastructure to achieve universal health coverage. This is because the Akunka-Akompaabiisi Electoral Area, made up of 5 communities; Akafua, Asakulsi, Akulbeq, Akunka and Agare has no health facility.

This means that persons who seek health care must travel several kilometres, from their homes to the nearest health facility in Bongo-Soe. Speaking to A1 Radio in Asakulsi, Mr. Apoore said lives have been lost as a result of the absence of a health facility in the area.

“We know healthcare is critical to human survival but we can’t even boast of a CHPS compound for pregnant women and children to attend for health care. We have to go to Soe or Feo. That is a serious problem. When the women are in labour, we pick them to the health centre with a motorbike. Last year, one lady had a miscarriage in one of the nearby communities. That place is separated by a river. Before we could get the woman across the river and carry her to Soe, she had already lost the baby,” he recalled.

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Pointing to a tree close to the Asakulsi Primary School, Mr. Apoore disclosed to A1 News that the tree serves as a ‘weighing centre’ during outreach visits by the Ghana Health Service.

“The tree over there, that is where the nurses will come and do the weighing. It is sad,” he cried.

Mr. Apoore called on government to, as a matter of urgency, consider constructing a CHPS compound within the Akunka-Akampaabiisi E/A to serve the people.

A1radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana

Akunka-Akompaabiisi E/A: Assemblyman worried about prospects of education

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The Assembly Member for the Akunka-Akompaabiisi Electoral Area, Shaibu Apoore has raised serious concerns about the prospects of education within his Electoral Area. Mr. Apoore was worried that the over 175 students who access education at the Asakulsi Primary School, along with the many others who had not enrolled in school, would not get the best training because of the many factors that militate against education in his area.

When A1 Radio visited the Asakulsi community to interact with the Assembly Member, he was distraught that a school that has existed for years did not have a Junior High School. Even more worrying, for him, was that the children from the entire Electoral Area made up of 5 communities; Akafua, Asakulsi, Akulbeq, Akunka and Agare had only one school; that is, the Asakulsi Primary School.

  Assembly Member for the Akunka-Akompaabiisi E/A, Shaibu Apoore

Mr. Shaibu disclosed that the school, with more than 175 students, had only 8 teachers. Also, because of inadequate infrastructure, classes had to be combined thus affecting the quality of education delivered.

“The teachers are not up to the number we expect. Even the classrooms are also not enough. Kindergarten 1 and 2 are all in one class. We also do not have furniture,” he said.

Meanwhile, the school’s additional block which was intended to serve as a Junior High School has had its roof ripped off. With financial contributions from teachers and some residents, the single classroom was roofed. The roof parted of the block now houses the Kindergarten classes. The Assembly Member and the teachers appealed to well-meaning organisations and individuals to go to the aid of the school.

Teachers of the Asakulsi Primary School in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region say they are sitting on a timebomb. This is because the toilet and urinal facilities available for use by pupils at the school have become death traps.

When A1 News visited the school on January 18, 2022, after an SOS call by the Assembly Member for the Akonka-Akompaabiisi Electoral Area, Shaibu Apoore, huge cracks, could be seen along the walls of both facilities. The concrete slabs covering the reservoir dug to collect human waste had broken off thus exposing the waste materials to open air. Rains had also caused serious erosion under the building uncovering the foundation of the building and making it unsafe for use.

A1radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana

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