The International Monetary Fund said it’s monitoring events in Ghana after lawmakers passed a bill seeking up to three years in jail for people identifying as an LGBTQ person. “Diversity and inclusion are values that the IMF embraces,” the Washington-based lender said in a statement. “Our internal policies prohibit discrimination based on personal characteristics, including but not limited to gender, gender expression, or sexual orientation. Like institutions, diverse and inclusive economies flourish.” Source : Bloomberg
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A report from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) reveals that individuals with higher education are struggling to secure employment in Ghana. Approximately 22.3 percent of those who experienced a 21-month unemployment spell from January 2022 to September 2023 had completed tertiary education. Nearly 48 percent of those facing unemployment had finished secondary education. The GSS study defines an unemployment spell as a continuous period during which a person remains unemployed despite being willing and capable of working. Professor Samuel Kobina Annim, the Government Statistician, presented these labor statistics based on the Ghana 2023 Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey (AHIES)…
The United States Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is allocating $2 million (equivalent to 24.8 million Ghana Cedis) for the construction of a new national vaccine cold room and a national cold chain vaccine management resource center at Korle Bu. Ms. Lang stated, “The national vaccine cold room will preserve Ghana’s routine vaccines at optimal temperatures and provide surge capacity in case of future pandemics.” She expressed gratitude to UNICEF for their technical support, and recognized the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service for their leadership in the health sector. Upon completion, the…
Tensions rose in Parliament on Tuesday as Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, the MP for Assin Central, clashed with Sylvester Tetteh, a fellow member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) representing Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfro, regarding a personal loan that remained unpaid. Sly Tetteh approached Agyapong with a friendly gesture, but Agyapong became infuriated without any apparent cause, as reported by Graphic Online’s Parliamentary reporter, Daniel Kenu. Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin swiftly intervened, removing Sly Tetteh from the chamber to prevent further escalation. Even though the altercation occurred without the awareness of the presiding first Deputy Speaker, Joe Osei Owusu, and the two…
In Kwahu, a clash between the youth and the police resulted in the tragic deaths of two individuals, struck by stray bullets allegedly fired by law enforcement during a confrontation with an agitated crowd in the Kwahu South Municipality of the Eastern Region. The incident transpired at the chief’s palace, where the police were trying to rescue a suspected murderer, accused of killing two people in Adwumasu, a farming community in the Kwahu South Municipality. Upon learning of the arrest, community members stormed the palace, demanding the immediate release of the suspect for swift justice. Despite police intervention, the release…
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo expressed regret over Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger’s decision to exit the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), describing it as an unfortunate development. In the context of military rule in the three countries, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger officially announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS, contending that the organization has become obsolete and no longer supports their cause. Highlighting the perspective that ECOWAS has outlived its usefulness, the nations’ argument resonated with their determination to sever ties with the regional body. As a former ECOWAS Chair, President Akufo-Addo underscored the adverse impact this decision…
Source: Andrew Mitchell I am in Ghana for the second time in my role as the UK minister for Development and Africa. My visit comes on the heels of Britain’s recently published plan for international development, which focuses on the different ways we can work together to help both our countries thrive. I was very grateful to President Akufo-Addo for saying he “welcomes the UK’s recognition of a new, more equal partnership with Ghana and Africa, and the need for African voices to be heard.” That is high praise indeed. But what does this all mean? The White Paper…
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo urges fellow Heads of States and the global business community to zero in on unleashing the potential income of $450 billion driven by AfCFTA through continental trade by 2035. Akufo-Addo envisions that a one percent surge in Africa’s share of global trade from two to three percent could result in an additional $70 billion per annum for the continent. A pivotal stride towards achieving this, according to the President, involves rallying global support for a novel investment approach that underscores mutually reinforcing partnerships between the private sectors of advanced economies and African economies. Speaking at…
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have opted to exit the West African bloc ECOWAS, citing it as a perceived threat to its member states. The military regimes in these nations declared their immediate withdrawal, deeming it a “sovereign decision” to part ways with the Economic Community of West African States without delay. Facing challenges of jihadist violence and poverty, these regimes have maintained strained relations with ECOWAS, especially following coups in Niger in July of the previous year, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Mali in 2020. In response, ECOWAS released a statement on Sunday acknowledging the withdrawal, emphasizing its…
President Akufo-Addo announced that the government is taking steps to enact a visa-free policy for all Africans this year. Currently, only a handful of African nations, including Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin, provide visa-free entry for all continent citizens. President Akufo-Addo reiterated the government’s dedication to achieving visa-free access for all Africans during the opening of the 2024 Africa Prosperity Dialogue under the theme, “Developing Prosperity in Africa: Produce, Add, Value and Trade.” “Many of you had to obtain a visa to attend this event; we arranged a special provision for this conference, reducing the visa acquisition fee by…