The Outgoing Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department, Ghana Police Service, COP Mr. Isaac Ken Yeboah has showered praises on the Ghanaian Media saying his achievements and shortfalls would not have been known without their involvement. The Outgoing Director- General made these known at a pull-out ceremony held in his honour at the Tesano Police Training School in Accra on Thursday. Speaking at his pull-out ceremony, he said "To the media, but for you, my achievements and shortfalls would not have been known" He added that the constructive criticisms placed him on his toes. "I am grateful. Name, are you there? Nana and Chairman, God bless you all" Further showering more praises, COP Ken Yeboah also commended his informants, both genuine and bogus ones. "Finally, to the Ghana Police Service, I am extremely proud to have served my dear country through this Service. If I am given the opportunity, I will come back. Forever, a Policeman" In his appreciation message, COP Ken Yeboah said "To IGP (Rtd.) Mr. Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong who taught me that hard work pays. A generous officer, he bought me my first set of furniture. He also taught me the rudiments of practical policing, report writing and operations strategies during my early years when I worked under him in Tamale" "Another officer, I would forever be grateful to COP (Rtd) Mr. G.S. Aggor on 25th August 1993, when he was initiating me into the Officers Corp at the Police College, he shook my hand and said to me "if you work hard, you will one day become like me, a Commissioner CID". These words inspired me to strive" COP Ken Yeboah thanked the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare for retaining him as the Director-General/CID upon his assumption of the leadership mantle of the Ghana Police Service. Some dignitaries present at the pull-out ceremony was the Executive Director, Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Maame Tiwaa Addo-Danquah., some prominent Chiefs, Family members and church members from the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Osu branch. COP Ken Yeboah is said to have been in the Police Service for three decades and nine months. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has celebrated Ghana’s first President Dr Kwame Nkrumah at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday September 21, a day that marks the 113 birthday of Dr Nkrumah. Mr Akufo-Addo said it is worth recalling on this day the driving force of Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s political career, which was to contribute to the birth of a united Africa. Delivering the address, he said “I am contributing to this debate on a date that has special significance for us in Ghana. 21st September is the date we mark the birth of our first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah. “He would have been one hundred and thirteen (113) years old today, and it is worth recalling on this day the driving force of his political career, which was to contribute to the birth of a united Africa, i.e., a United States of Africa" “We recognise today, more than ever before, the importance of the strength in unity of Africa, and we are working to shed that image of ahelpless, hapless continent" “There is a renewed commitment towards an inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and economic integration and the intensity of the challenges we face today is only matched, like never before, by the immensity of the opportunity before us. We, the current leaders of Africa, should be determined not to waste the crisis that confronts us" “Incidentally, 2022 is billed as Africa’s Year to take action on food and nutrition development goals. We see the current geopolitical crisis as an opportunity to rely less on food imports from outside the continent and use better our sixty per cent global share of arable lands to increase food production" “We have seen the devastating impact of relying on Russia and Ukraine for seventy per cent of our wheat consumption. We have enough land, enough water, enough gas and enough manpower to produce enough fertiliser, food and energy for ourselves and for others. But, we also recognise that we cannot do it all by ourselves. Our message to the global investor community is, therefore, this: Africa is ready for business. Africa needs you and you need Africa. You need Africa because Africa is busily building the world’s largest single market of 1.3 billion people.” He added “Soon we will have a customs union, and soon we will have a continental payment system that will accelerate and facilitate trade amongst ourselves. Already, goods and services are flowing more freely across our artificial borders. See Africa for what it is: the new frontier for manufacturing, for technology, for food production. That is why six years ago, I launched in Ghana the successful policy of ‘One District One Factory" Credit: 3news.com

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said that the terrorist pressure has provided a pretext for the unhappy reappearance of military rule in three (3) of the fifteen (15) member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Community, two of whom, he said, have borne the brunt of the terrorist outrages in the Region – Mali and Burkina Faso. He said it is a development ECOWAS leaders are determined to reverse, so that the ECOWAS space remains a democratic one. Speaking at the 77TH session of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday September 21, Mr Akufo-Addo said “All of us in the Region are being forced to spend huge amounts of money on security. This is money we should be spending on educating and giving skills to our young people; on building much needed roads, bridges, hospitals and other such infrastructure, which we are spending to fight terrorists or to keep them out from destabilising our countries.” He added “This is a global problem, deserving the attention of the world community for a global solution. Mr President, I am contributing to this debate on a date that has special significance for us in Ghana. 21st September is the date we mark the birth of our first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah" “He would have been one hundred and thirteen (113) years old today, and it is worth recalling on this day the driving force of his political career, which was to contribute to the birth of a united Africa, i.e., a United States of Africa" “We recognise today, more than ever before, the importance of the strength in unity of Africa, and we are working to shed that image of a helpless, hapless continent" “There is a renewed commitment towards an inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and economic integration and the intensity of the challenges we face today is only matched, like never before, by the immensity of the opportunity before us. We, the current leaders of Africa, should be determined not to waste the crisis that confronts us" “Incidentally, 2022 is billed as Africa’s Year to take action on food and nutrition development goals. We see the current geopolitical crisis as an opportunity to rely less on food imports from outside the continent and use better our sixty per cent global share of arable lands to increase food production" “We have seen the devastating impact of relying on Russia and Ukraine for seventy per cent of our wheat consumption. We have enough land, enough water, enough gas and enough manpower to produce enough fertiliser, food and energy for ourselves and for others. But, we also recognise that we cannot do it all by ourselves. Our message to the global investor community is, therefore, this: Africa is ready for business. Africa needs you and you need Africa. You need Africa because Africa is busily building the world’s largest single market of 1.3 billion people.” He added “Soon we will have a customs union, and soon we will have a continental payment system that will accelerate and facilitate trade amongst ourselves. Already, goods and services are flowing more freely across our artificial borders. See Africa for what it is: the new frontier for manufacturing, for technology, for food production. That is why six years ago, I launched in Ghana the successful policy of ‘One District One Factory’ " “A policy, with government incentives, that has directly seen, so far, some one hundred and twenty-five (125) factories being set up in various districts across the country, leveraging on each area’s competitive advantage. That is why, six years ago, my government embarked on an aggressive policy of planting for food and jobs, which has helped our farmers increase their yields in folds. Indeed, we are recognising that many of the things we import can be found or produced in Ghana, or in other African countries.” Credit: 3news.com

Today is Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day. It is a statutory public holiday observed in the country to mark the birthday of Ghana's first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who was born on September 21, 1909 at Nkroful, near Axim in the Nzema East Municipality in the Western Region of the then Gold Coast, now Ghana. It would have marked the 113th birthday of Dr Nkrumah if he were alive today. The date in the past was marked as Founder’s Day in memory of the man who led the country to independence, the first in the sub-region. In recent times, however, since the President Akufo-Addo government took office, the day is observed as the first President's birthday. Holiday This is as a result of the New Public Holidays Act, 2018 passed by Parliament to amend the Public Holidays Act, 2001. It replaced three public holidays, including September 21 and introduced two new holidays, January 7 and August 4, which are observed as Constitution Day and Founders' Day respectively. Background Born in an era where dates of births, marriages and deaths were not registered, Dr Nkrumah in his autobiography cast doubt on his date of birth. Titled "Ghana: The Autobiography of Kwame Nkrumah", the book revealed some intriguing circumstances surrounding the birth of Dr Nkrumah and how he got the September 21 date as his date of birth. He was born to Kofi Ngonloma and Elizabeth Nyaniba. As his birth is being commemorated today across the length and breadth of the republic, it is fit that a moment of retrospection and reflection is duly highlighted. Education Dr Nkrumah got his secondary education at Achimota College, formerly Prince of Wales College, a prestigious school established by the then British Governor, Sir Gordon Guggisberg. Being a devout Catholic, it is said that Kwame Nkrumah once aspired to become a priest during this period. However, he later forewent this dream and instead became a teacher in the same school years after his graduation. He had his university education at the Lincoln University in the United States of America where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Sociology in 1939 and was appointed a teaching assistant and enrolled at the Lincoln Seminary to become a priest. A politician, political theorist, and revolutionary, Nkrumah became the first Prime Minister and President of Ghana, having led the then Gold Coast to independence from Britain in 1957. He was an influential advocate of Pan- Africanism and a founding member of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) now the African Union (AU). Dr Nkrumah formed the Convention People’s Party (CPP) that won the first pre-independence and post-independence elections of the country. Under Dr Nkrumah’s leadership, Ghana adopted some social democratic policies and practices. Dr Nkrumah created a welfare system, started various community programmes and established schools. After his overthrow in 1966, Dr Nkrumah went into exile in Conakry Guinea; he fell ill and was flown to Romania for treatment but died in Bucharest, Romania on April 27, 1972, at the age of 62. Dr Nkrumah’s popular mantra, “the black man is capable of managing his own affairs”, became the necessary ideal that facilitated efforts for self-governance. Today, through the sweat and toil of Dr Nkrumah Ghana sits at the forefront of the historical narrative of the political liberation of Africa. Credit: Graphiconline.com

Multiple award-winning Gambian actress, Princess Shyngle, says her established and glittering career in the African film industry has prepared her adequately for films in Hollywood. The actress who has starred in a number of films in Ghana, aside acting in her native Gambia, made this known in an interview with 'The Source'. Asked whether she was convinced that her established career in Africa has prepared her for the film industry in the US, Princess Shyngle says: "First of all, I want to thank you for having me. It’s such an honor. I have been acting in Africa for more than ten years, with over 30 films and over ten awards under my belt; I will say apart from my talent, my established career in Africa has prepared me for films in Hollywood in terms of experience, commitment, professionalism, the ability to work hard under pressure, I’m a great team player, humble, confident and passionate." Below is an interview monitored by Thinknewsonline.com WELCOME TO AMERICA, PRINCESS SHYNGLE OF GAMBIA The Woman, the Myth, the Legend… Princess Shyngle of Gambia. Thank you, Princess, for sharing your insights with us, and WELCOME TO AMERICA! Los Angeles and Hollywood have been known as a mecca for acting talent over the last 100 years, with actors coming from worldwide to seek their fame here. How do you feel your established career in Africa has prepared you for the film industry here in the US? Princess Shyngle: First of all, I want to thank you for having me. It’s such an honor. I have been acting in Africa for more than ten years, with over 30 films and over ten awards under my belt; I will say apart from my talent, my established career in Africa has prepared me for films in Hollywood in terms of experience, commitment, professionalism, the ability to work hard under pressure, I’m a great team player, humble, confident and passionate. The Source: You’ve worked with notable talent over the years without singling anyone out; who are your top three choices of actors and/or directors that you would love to work with in the future, and why? Princess Shyngle: I honestly have a book full of top actors and directors I would love to work with, but if I have to choose my top three actors, I’d love to with Idris Elba, Kerri Washington, Johnny Depp. In terms of Directors, Princess Shyngle further mentioned; Tyler Perry, Ryan Coogler and Ava Duvernay. Princess Shyngle: Reasons are simply because they are great talents, inspirational, intelligent visionaries, and they go all out in bringing a role/character to life. If it weren’t for acting, what do you feel your chosen career path would have been? If not for acting, I would be a full-time business and real estate mogul. The Source: Would you still be focused on your foundation, or would you be incorporating that with something else? Princess Shyngle: The Princess Shyngle Foundation focuses on helping the poor and underprivileged in Africa, especially in my country, The Gambia, Ghana, and Nigeria ( food, financial aid, books, face masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer). I plan on expanding my foundation in the future to help and be a voice for the LGBT community in Africa. The Source: Why is acting so important to you? Is there a specific memory that you can reflect on that impacted you so much that you said, ‘this is my path?” If so, what was that? Princess Shyngle: Growing up, I was a very shy girl, and being in front of a camera was impossible; as a kid, I wanted to be a lawyer or a businesswoman but never an actress, but God had different plans for me. So late 2009, I accompanied a friend for an audition for a reality show called “The Next Movie Star Africa.” I went with her for moral support; when she wasn’t selected, she convinced me to try, I did it just for fun, and I got selected to represent my country for the reality show in Nigeria. Out of 30 other African countries, I emerged as the 2nd runner up, and that’s just how my career in acting started. Acting is essential to me now because it’s a God-given talent, it’s a career God chose for me, and I absolutely love every bit of it. I never learned acting, never went to school for it or trained for it; I just read my first script, and it came naturally to me, and I can’t wait to showcase my God-given talent to the world. The Source: What do you want to accomplish in the next three years with your acting career? And with your foundation? Princess Shyngle: I hope to be the most sought-after, award-winning actress, writer, producer, fashion icon, and humanitarian with at least four successful blockbuster films in cinemas in the next three years. I would have expanded my foundation by using my voice as the first openly bisexual African Actress for the LGBTQ community in Africa, giving them all the support and help I can and creating awareness for everything we go through in Africa. The Source: What is the single greatest message you want to share with your fans? Princess Shyngle: Never give up; believe in yourself and your dreams no matter where you are, no matter your situation and conditions; never give up on your dreams. Be confident, be honest, be humble, work hard and never forget to put God first. Nothing is impossible. The Source: What was the most challenging character/role you have ever had to play, and why was the role such a challenge? Princess Shyngle: I have never come across a role that I find challenging, honestly. All the roles/characters I’ve played in my films came easy for me and easy to interpret. I can’t wait to find a challenging role in Hollywood. I’m up for it all. The Source: What makes you a good scene partner? Princess Shyngle: I am a great scene partner because I’m very professional; I take my time to get to know my scene partner, especially if we have numerous scenes together or romantic scenes together, to get them to be comfortable with me so we can have great on-screen chemistry, I never have issues with my lines, I am genuine, sincere, friendly, humble, always on time and a great actress. The Source: If someone was going to make a film about your life, who would you choose to play your character?* Princess Shyngle: I would love Lupita Nyong’o to play me. The Source: Have you performed on stage as well as on film? Which do you prefer and why? Princess Shyngle: I did play a few times on stage back in Ghana when I just started acting. Still, I prefer acting in films rather than on stage simply because a film usually reaches thousands to millions of audiences. In contrast, stage performances are very limited to the audience to watch you. The Source: Who do you feel is the funniest person in the cast of real life? Princess Shyngle: I feel the funniest person in real life is my dad. The Source: What would your perfect Sunday afternoon look like? Princess Shyngle: My perfect Sunday afternoon is me cooking my favorite African food, drinking wine, and watching true crime shows all day. The Source: What advice would you give someone looking to break into the Entertainment industry in LA/Hollywood? Princess Shyngle: My advice will be just to be yourself, be original, be authentic, and be prepared for many disappointments and “No’s,” but don’t you dare give up because nothing good comes easy. Follow her online at: IG:  @PrincesShyngle TikTok: @princesshyngle Facebook: Official Princess Shyngle YouTube Twitter: @PrincessShyngle Story by: Melvin Tarlue

A 25-year-old nursing student at Cape Coast has been killed and buried secretly by a Chief and Pastor at Mankessim in the Mfantseman Municipality of the Central Region. According to information gathered, the Chief who is the Tufohene of Ekumfi Akwakrom and President for the Mankessim Traders Association, Nana Crack with the Pastor (Name Withheld) kidnapped the nurse and had sexual encounters with her. The two also demanded money from the victim's family. Thinknewsonline.com has gathered that the late nurse was killed and buried secretly in the Chief's room. Her remains, according to sources was cemented. The pastor was later arrested at Cape Coast. He also made a confession to the police which further led to the arrest of the Chief at his residence. The body was retrieved from the chief's house and with her was her bag, shoes, and other belongings. Residents who could not believe their eyes were disappointed at the Chief and Pastor's action. According to them, they are living in fear, adding that they don't know who the next victim might be. Assembly Member for the area, Cephas Authur called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to beef up security in Mankessim. The Assembly Man said "This is not the first time such incident has happened in the Mankessim. This is actually the fifth time such incident has happened" He called on the law court to deal with the Chief and Pastor. The body of the victim has been deposited at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital Mortuary for preservation and autopsy. Watch the video and pictures below: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Ministry of Interior has announced Wednesday, September 21, 2022, as a public holiday to mark Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day.“ The general public is hereby informed that Wednesday, 21st September 2021, which marks Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day, is a Statutory Public Holiday and should be observed as such throughout the country,” a statement from the ministry and signed by the sector minister, Ambrose Dery, announced. This will be the fourth time a holiday has been declared to celebrate the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day since Parliament approved it in 2019. Until 2019, September 21 each year was celebrated as a Founder’s Day public holiday to remember Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, as the founder of modern-day Ghana.Kwame Nkrumah was born on September 21, 1909, at Nkroful in the Western Region. Credit: Citinewsroom

The World Bank Country Director (Ghana), Pierre Frank Laporte has said the government of Ghana spent the $430 million Covid support from the Bretton Woods institution in line with procurement requirements. He said the World Bank is satisfied with the way Ghana spent the funds after its audits. Mr Laporte’s comments come at a time Former President John Dramani Mahama has accused the government of imprudent use of Covid funds. “The economic problem we are facing stem from imprudent election-related expenditure and reckless decision-making in the management of the economy. “This also includes the way the windfall from Covid was used. Covid was an adversity but in adversity was opportunity. As a result of Covid multilateral institutions gave us money, we took extra money from the Bank of Ghana and just misused it. That money would have cushioned this crisis that we are going through,” the 2020 Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) said while addressing a forum on the Economy in Accra on Thursday June 30. Speaking in an interview with Paa Kwesi Asare on the Business Focus on TV3, Monday September 19, the World Bank Country Director Mr Laporte said “We have done audits, of course there are few issues here and there, but largely speaking we are very satisfied." “Our result is, spending line met the procurement requirements that existed. Covid was implemented under emergency procurement measures. All of the Covid funds were not spent, it is a project, there were things to be spent on, but there was also construction and procurement of equipment. So we don’t feel our resources have not been properly spent.” Earlier, the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, told Parliament that the government was prudent with Covid-19 resources to help protect lives and safeguard jobs. Mr Ofori-Atta said every penny mobilised was used judiciously to enhance the country’s ability to contain the pandemic. He also described the pandemic as the biggest shock to have hit the economy so far, hence the decision by the country to deploy all available resources to contain the effects on lives and businesses. Answering questions on how funds mobilised to support the COVID-19 fight were expended, the minister said it was untrue that the government was running away from accountability. “Mr. Speaker, I believe that this presentation demonstrates Government’s commitment to accountability and transparency. All programmed, mobilised and utilised funds have been duly reported on. As a Government, we continue to operate an open-door policy and welcome any opportunity to engage in the national interest,” he said. He explained that an amount of GH¢18.19 billion was mobilised in resources while GH¢12.04 billion was spent. He said the amount spent to contain the spread and mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on lives and properties. Credit: 3news.com

The Minister for Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD), Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful (MP) has stated that Ghana, over the years has been a strategic partner with a substantial number of its professionals and businesses in Canada keenly contributing to developing both economies. She said that Canadian exports to Ghana in the last 25 years have increased at an annualized rate of 8.97%[1], from $23.8M in 1995 to $372M currently. The Minister made these revelations at just ended Ghana – Canada Investment Summit 2022 under the theme: *“Charting a Path Through Post Covid-19 Uncertainties* which was held from 15th to 17th September 2022 in Canada with the objective of discovering new investment opportunities for partnership and to deepening the long-standing bilateral relations for mutual benefit in the post-pandemic era. She maintained that, Covid-19 has undoubtedly had a universal impact and that no single country was spared its devastation since global supply chains were disrupted and national borders were shut down resulting in city lockdowns to enable governments to control the spread of the virus. Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful indicated that though the pandemic was very dire, it also ignited innovation and the use of technology to meet essential needs in critical sectors of the global economy, adding that, countries and citizens resorted to technology for survival and continuity of operations. She however pointed out that, prior to the outbreak, in 2017, “we began implementing digitalisation policies and platforms aimed at digitalising public sector agencies, reducing inefficiencies and corruption, and increasing revenue collection. These included the Paperless Port System (PPS), Ghana Post GPS digital address system and the issuance of the digital national identification card, mobile money interoperability, e-procurement portal, and e-justice system, among others”. According to her, Smart workplace solutions were launched across departments, and non-department-specific functions, such as payroll, were digitised for over 300 agencies so as to enhance efficiency and productivity. Speaking on pragmatic measures taken by the government to mitigate the impact of the lockdown particularly as restrictions on movement were in place and internet usage had sharply increased, she mentioned that the National Communications Authority (NCA), which is under MoCD, had assigned spectrum to Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to support COVID-19 relief efforts and to help improve the quality of experience of the users. This was to cater for increased data traffic and online activity including learning, meetings, work-from-home as well as religious and social events. She added that the Ministry also directed the NCA to permit MNOs with existing 2G Licenses to deploy Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems (UMTS), which is a 3G technology, in unserved and underserved communities across the country at no additional fee. According to her in spite of the imposed Covid restrictions and school shutdowns, efforts were made by her Ministry’s engagement with telecommunications and in respect of that, school and learning portals were zero-rated. She explained that the Ghana Learning TV and radio were empowered to provide virtual learning space for basic schools; the Learning Management System for tertiary institutions. She added that the iCampus also provided offline access to video lessons and subsequently, notes and virtual laboratories were part of several other initiatives introduced for the education sector to lessen the impact of Covid. The Hon. Minister also said similar interventions were made for the health sector such as the Medical Drone System which is an automated on-demand delivery service for medical supplies with aim of making health delivery accessible to all. She said the government again, launched a COVID-19 Alleviation and Revitalization of Enterprise Support initiative dubbed the Ghana Cares (Obaatan Pa) Programme as part of proactive intervention for post-COVID and it was specially designed to help stabilize, revitalize and transform Ghana's economy to create jobs and prosperity for Ghanaians over a three-year period. “This will focus on supporting commercial farming and attracting educated youth into agriculture, building Ghana's light manufacturing sector, developing engineering/machine tools and ICT/digital economy, developing Ghana's housing and construction industry, and reviewing and optimizing the implementation of Government flagships and key programs among others. This specialized program by the Government will move Ghana into the industrialization, Agriculture, and Manufacturing phase to help revamp the economy, create jobs, and alleviate poverty” Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful stated. Touching on investment opportunities, she said that "The Recent developments in Ghana’s economic landscape provide inspiration for investors and cooperation. I recently launched the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, (AfCFTA) Hub to promote, enhance and advance digital trading, electronic commerce, marketplace and general services in Ghana. AfCFTA Hub will make it easier for Technology Startups, Small Medium enterprises (SMEs), and other producers of goods and services, including ICT services to find markets across Africa. It’s designed to be a one-stop shop for regulators, financial institutions and payment services providers, SMEs, logistics services providers to do business from Ghana to the rest of the continent and beyond” She noted that Ghana was currently focused on developing ICT with the youth as the pivot given the fact the country has, over the years, trained several young professionals with marketable skills in ICT. She also outlined some specific investment opportunities including but not limited to: Partnership with the Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT in the areas of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and other emerging technologies for capacity building for the knowledge economy. Other areas for investment she mentioned also include: Joint ventures with Ghanaian FinTech companies to serve largely underdeveloped sector on the continent, Business process outsourcing, Supply of high-tech telecommunications equipment, Technology Parks, mini tech hubs, Back-office operations (especially for financial institutions), Investment in key digital governance infrastructure, Investments in the last mile connectivity to improve access and drive down cost, Transaction processing and Investment in Manufacturing, assembling, and supply of computers and accessories. She reiterated that "Ghana’s investment climate is favorable, and provides for an enabling environment that is suitable for investment in ICT, especially with several companies around the world rushing in to set up their businesses in Ghana” Story by: Thinknewsroom

A 24-year-old man infected with Ebola has died in central Uganda in a fresh outbreak confirmed by health officials. The health minister has told journalists that the victim had exhibited symptoms before succumbing to the disease. He was a resident of Ngabano village in Mubende district, about 147km (91 miles) from the capital, Kampala. The case of the relatively rare Sudan strain was confirmed by the Uganda Virus Research Institute, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a statement. The East African country last reported an outbreak of the strain in 2012. “Thanks to its [Uganda] expertise, action has been taken to quickly to detect the virus and we can bank on this knowledge to halt the spread of infections,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti – WHO regional director for Africa. Source: BBC

The police have impounded a vehicle belonging to the Bank of Ghana as part of Citi TV‘s War Against Indiscipline (WAI). This was after the driver of the vehicle was arrested at the Airport bypass for using sirens and driving on the wrong side of the road without a justified course or emergency purpose. The driver confessed to using the siren to beat traffic, explaining that the vehicle had developed a fault. Upon further interrogation by the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) team, the driver could not justify his reason for the misconduct. The vehicle is currently at the Airport police station with the driver expected to be in court tomorrow, Tuesday, September 20, 2022. So far, about 40 drivers have been convicted and fined various sums of monies ranging from GH¢300 to GH¢3000 since the campaign was brought back last week. 110 vehicles have also been impounded for various road traffic offences. Key among the offences is illegal U-turns on the Tema motorway. Seven vehicles were stopped when the War Against Indiscipline team mounted a snap check on the Tema motorway, while four other drivers were arrested at the East Legon under the bridge. Some drivers gave the following reasons for the continuous use of unauthorized turns on the motorway. “We were in a haste to attend a training in Tema, so we decided to make a U-turn, so we could make it in time,” a driver shared. Another driver said, “I am a medical practitioner and I had to make it in time for work. I had no intention to cause mayhem.” About War Against Indiscipline The #WarAgainstIndiscipline – Be the change campaign is aimed at helping to avert the increasing loss of lives through road crashes. It is a Citi TV initiative in partnership with the Police MTTD. In May 2019, the station began the campaign against all forms of indiscipline in the country. The exercise took the nation by surprise when it partnered with the Ghana Police Service to arrest errant drivers, process them for court, and have them fined. It covered roads noted for reckless driving within and outside Accra. The campaign is aimed at checking indiscipline on roads and also targeted at putting regulatory bodies on their toes to ensure that the various road safety laws are enforced. It also seeks to compel drivers to stay within speed limits. Credit: Citinewsroom

The World Bank Country Director(Ghana), Pierre Frank Laporte has said Ghana likely to receive about 600 million dollars as balance of payment support for next year’s budget. He revealed this in an interview with TV3’s Paa Kwesi Asare on the Business Focus programme. “If Ghana is able to meet all the criteria and is going to get a budget support from the World Bank, how much are we looking at” asked Paa Kwesi Asare. In answer, Mr Laporte said “Normally, there is a hard rule and soft rule, we can give around 30 to 40 per cent of the country’s budget support and for Ghana we are looking around $600million. Ghana’s envelope for the next three years is $1.5billion,” he said. He further asked Ghana to quicken its move to get a programme under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to deal with the economic challenges. For him, the country will find it tough dealing with the domestic challenges without the support. “There is an urgency, Ghana needs to tackle these problems with urgency. What is happening in the few months is that inflation has gone up partly because of what is happening upside but also party because the currency has depreciated,” he said. Mr Laporte added “From where I sit, if nothing happens it will be very difficult for Ghana to find another way out domestic debt structuring is very difficult. Why? Because typically banks will invest in government papers, bonds and when you ask banks to care of stuffs like that it affects the capital adequacy and it pits at risk these banks where by international debt are easier to reschedule or restructure.” Ghana is seeking a programme under the Fund. The Managing Director of the IMF Kristalina Georgieva stated that a deal between Ghana and the IMF should be reached and finalized before the end of the year. In a closed-door meeting with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Monday, September 5, on the sidelines of the Africa Adaptation Summit, in Rotterdam, Netherlands, she told him “we understand the urgency, and we will move as quickly as possible”. Describing Ghana as a “superb country”, she reiterated the determination of the Fund to work with Government and the Ministry of Finance, and ensure that an agreement is in place before the end of the year. On his part, President Akufo-Addo indicated to the IMF boss that a lot of work has been done by Cabinet and the Ministry of Finance, and the document to be presented by the Ghana side “is ready for the scrutiny of the IMF” Meanwhile, Kristalina Georgieva has emphasized that Ghana’s current economic challenges are not locally generated but from external shocks. Speaking on the sidelines of the Fund’s engagements with the Ghanaian delegation, Kristalina Georgieva stated that contrary to the narrative that Ghana is not in these challenges because of any bad policies of the Akufo-Addo administration, the IMF boss stated that the factors are exogenous. “We have started very constructive discussions already and to the people of Ghana, like everybody on this planet, you have been hurt by exogenous shocks,” she said. She mentioned the extraneous factors which have contributed to Ghana’s economic woes, leading to the West African country seeking a programme from the IMF. “First the pandemic, then Russia’s war in Ukraine. We need to realize thar it is not because of bad policies in the country but because of this combination of shocks, and, therefore, we have to support Ghana,” she said. She also indicated that Ghana is a member of the IMF, “a strong country with fantastic people”, and as such it is incumbent on the Fund to lend the country support. Kristalina Georgieva also indicated “we have to support Ghana because your strength contributes to the strength of your neighbours; it contributes to a stronger world” Ghana is before the IMF for $3 billion to help the country navigate through the hostile economic crisis it finds itself in as a result of the adverse effects of the deadly coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Story by: 3news.com