The General Secretary of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has charged members of the party to brace themselves for a rigorous campaign that will boot out the governing New Patriotic Party in the 2024 general elections. He said, though many Ghanaians are fed up with the governing NPP, there is a need for NDC members to be united and rigorous in their fight to make the party attractive to the electorate. Mr. Asiedu Nketiah was speaking in Wa after swearing in over 1000 defectors from the Progressive People’s Party to the NDC. “We encourage people to come along, so we form a united front. Once we do this, we will be able to form a formidable team that can withstand any other political party.” “Besides, we the NDC will boot out the NPP in the 2024 elections. Join us to achieve this.” Over 1000 members of the Progressive People’s Party led by their regional chairman on Sunday, July 3, 2022, announced their decision to switch camps to the main opposition National Democratic Congress. The defectors, who said they were members of the PPP from 7 constituencies, thronged the auditorium of the Wa Technical Institute with their chairmen to declare their decision. The group said their decision is to support the NDC to rescue Ghanaians from the current economic hardship in the country under the NPP. The NDC General Secretary, the Upper West Regional Chairman, Mahammed Nasir Saani, and other regional executives swore in the defectors. Speaking after the swearing-in, Mr. Asiedu Nketiah accused the NPP of using and dumping the leader and founder of the PPP, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom. The NDC scribe directed the Upper Regional branch of the party to open their branch registers for limited registration to allow for the defectors to officially register with the party. Credit: Citinewsroom

The Director of Communications for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Yaw Buaben Asamoa has said there is nothing to apologize for, following the decision of the government to go to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for support. He said the announcement of the decision was candid, truthful and deserves the respect and support of Ghanaians. Speaking on the New Day show on TV3 with Johnnie Hughes Monday, July 4, he said “it can’t be more truthful, it can’t be more candor than the announcement of the decision to go the IMF. Post that announcement, there is very little you can hide because the nature of the engagement with the IMF is very open, the programme that will be designed will be public knowledge, the assessment on which the programme will be based will be public knowledge. “If it comes to engagement with our brothers from the NDC then you have an interesting situation … I think they will have their day but it is not about an apology. There is nothing to apologise about because much as, many of us believed, several Ghanaians still believe, some people in the NPP also believe, that it is possible we would develop a home-grown programme rather than go under a programme with the IMF because we have an Article 4 relationship with them. “It is the time that the direct momagers of the economy, His Excellency the President has decided that in interest of the public good it is better we go under a formal programme and I think that decision deserves our respect and support as a nation. His comments come after the National Communications Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi, has demanded an unqualified apology from the government for the “excruciating hardships they continue to impose on the Ghanaian people”. According to the NDC executive, despite the current government being the most-resourced in the history of the Fourth Republic, it has not been able to sustain the economy but rather gone to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout. He insists that if the NDC, led in 2015 by John Dramani Mahama, had the same resources like the New Patriotic Party (NPP), they would not have gone to the IMF. “The attempt by NPP communicators to equalize and rationalize the decision of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government to go for an IMF bailout is pathetic and ridiculous to say the least,” he wrote on Facebook on Saturday, July 2. He said the current administration had access to more oil revenue, tax revenue and borrowed funds than any other government in the current Republic. “In all, they have had access to over GH¢500 billion in total revenue as compared to the about GH¢200 billion that accrued to the NDC/Mahama government.” For him, he said the decision announced to seek an IMF bailout is because the government “wasted all the unprecedented revenues that have accrued to them on consumption, profligacy and corruption”. “Today, posterity has exposed their hypocrisy, deceitfulness, recklessness and emptiness. “The least they can do under the circumstances is to bury their arrogance, swallow their pride, accept responsibility for the mess they have created, accept that they have been useless in the manner they have mismanaged the economy and apologize for the excruciating hardships they continue to impose on the Ghanaian people.” He said the government should eat humble pie and to continue defending the state of the economy “will only expand the bottomless pit they have plunged themselves into”. “Leadership that accepts responsibility and shows sensitivity to the plight of the people is what Ghanaians yearn for in a time like this and not the puffed up arrogance and intransigence this government continues to display. Credit: 3news.com

The Technical Directorate of the Ghana Football Association has brokered a deal with three European clubs, namely, Borussia Dortmund, Darmstadt FC and TSG Hoffeinheim for attachment opportunities for Ghanaian Coaches. This follows deep engagements between Technical Director Bernhard Lippert and the three German clubs in the last few months. The deal will give national team Coaches (male and female) as well as top Coaches in the top tier Leagues the opportunity to have practical stints with these clubs at different time intervals to broaden their horizon and to equip them with the modern trends of the game. It is worth mentioning that a similar discussion is currently being held with Spanish La Liga club Cadiz Football Club with a formal announcement expected in the coming days. The Technical Directorate is working to improve the level of Coaching at Club and national team level to position Ghana football at the apex of World football. Other top quality interventions would be enrolled in the not too distant future. The Technical Directorate of the Ghana Football Association is headed by former Eintracht Frankfurt manager Bernhard Lippert with support from Director of Coaching Education, Professor Joseph Kwame Mintah and other administrative staff. Credit: GFA COMMUNICATIONS

Tuesday morning's heavy downpour has left some parts of Accra flooded again. The three hours heavy downpour left some motorists and pedestrians in an uncomfortable situation as they were unable to drive or walk through the flood. Although no casualty was recorded, some shop owners were captured scoping rain water from their shops. Some homes have also been flooded. More to follow.... Watch the video and pictures below: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, says the Bank of Ghana (BoG) needs about $3 billion to shore up its buffer. Out of the figure, he says there is already $1 billion available. “Already, you recall that the Finance Minister initially indicated that there were arrangements to get about $2 billion, out of which there is $1 billion available. Parliament has to approve for us to receive so that the cedi does not depreciate further. “We have a shore up of our reserves to be able to meet the liquidity and debt servicing obligations even as our domestic measures will get better. You have the window to start talking to the Fund,” he said in an interview on The Probe on Sunday, July 3. He stated that considering Ghana’s quota and macroeconomic data, it is possible for the country to get that money to help shore up its reserves. As a result, government may be able to meet its liquidity and debt service obligations and also boost domestic revenue measures. “Today [Sunday, July 3], I saw a document that said looking at Ghana’s quota and our macroeconomic data, we could get anything, maybe around $2 billion to help shore up what we are looking for,” he told host, Emefa Apawu. The Ofoase Ayirebi lawmaker acknowledged that Ghana’s current challenges are multifaceted; hence, “we need to rally round and draw from various sources – capital market, the Fund, domestic resource mobilisation.” He explained, “Even when you borrow, you are going to service it with domestic resource mobilisation so the earlier we confront it, the better as well as the other challenges.” Meanwhile, a former Finance Minister, Seth Terkper, has asked government to make public the specific support programme it is seeking from the Fund. He spoke in an interview on Joy FM‘s Super Morning Show on Monday, July 4, 2022. Credit: Myjoyonline.com

The Finance Ministry says subsequent to the directive by President Akufo-Addo, it is hereby announcing engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to support Ghana's economic programme. According to the Ministry of Finance, a delegation from the Fund is scheduled to arrive in Accra on Tuesday 5th July, 2022 to commence in-person meetings with the Government of Ghana on Wednesday 6th July, 2022. In a communique signed by the Public Relations Unit of the Finance Ministry, it said "The Ministry further takes this opportunity to assure Ghanaians of the Government's commitment to successfully negotiate a programme with the IMF in the coming months" The communique further explained that it is on support of Ghana's economic recovery. Below is a copy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Veteran Nollywood actor Olu Jacobs has raised more concerns from his lovers and fans as a frail photo of him surfaced online ahead of his 80th birthday celebration Olu Jacobs, who will clock 80 on the 4th of July 2022, is being celebrated by legends and stars in the Nigerian movie industry. Olu Jacobs’ wife, Joke Silva, shared an epic throwback of the legendary actor with a cheery caption anticipating his 80th birthday. She wrote: “Who has the foggiest idea who this handsome young man is…#80@Glover Birthday loading….” Worrying reactions have been trailing the photo of Olu Jacobs that surfaced online, with many expressing fear about the actor’s condition. However, he was highly celebrated and prayed for on social media. Ehumadumiracle: Omg this man is slimmer,and has changed so much ,happy birthday,I hope you get better,much love and cheers to many more years Ivynwa: Happy birthday to you the Living Legend, you’ll be waxing from strength to Strength, May your Days be Long and more Fruitful! Remain blessed Sir!!!! kvng.astute: Omo the man done old gan pretty.juddy: He has paid his dues…. Happy birthday to a Legend. __maudlyn: Omg! I was scared…happy birthday sir Omoleyehannah: Oh my God! I was scared, and almost couldn’t read through! Make una dey try write Happy Birthday before pictures abeg It was recalls that Joke Silva opened up on Olu Jacobs’ health condition after he disappeared from the movie scene for few years. The actress opened up during an interview with Chude Jideonwo that her husband is battling dementia, a degenerative disease affecting the brain. “He is dealing with issues and it is been going on for a couple of years. It is known as dementia with lewy body, it is a degenerative disease that affects the brain and it is almost like a Parkinson type of disease, it affects the brain and affects the person,…first time i’m saying this publicly….that is what we have been dealing…but the thing is, it is hard on him because he doesn’t understand what is going on and it is hard on us family members as well…we have gone through it over the past couple of years but we thank God…. We have gone through some times and situations recently that I wish i had the old you here so i don’t battle these times on my own but we are grateful for the moment of clarity ….I miss the times we work together!” Below are some pictures: Story by: Emperor

Genser Energy Ghana Limited, American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana and The  Ghana Union Assurance Company have pledged to build a model market as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility to improve the livelihood of the victims of the Appiatse explosion. The Genser Team led by the Vice President of Sustainability, Ms. Erica M. Daniel presented the team's idea to build an all inclusive, covered market worth 950,000 Ghana Cedis for the victims of the Appiatse explosion. During her presentation, Ms. Daniel disclosed that her company has already made a donation of 1000 bags of cement as their initial contribution towards the reconstruction of the community. "As a company deeply imbeded in our partner communities, we have made it our top priority to ensure our ability to make a generous contribution to the value of the recovery and reconstruction of Appiatse", she said. Ms. Daniel added that in partnership with the American-Ghana Chamber of Mines and the Ghana Union Assurance, the said funds which will be utilized to build the model market and hoped that it will help recover economic loss from the devastation and also help generate wealth. She further stated that "it our believe that if given the right support, the community will re-emerge resilient and even more dynamic than before. We hope that this new market place will help to restore a sense of normalcy to the people of Appiatse". The Vice President urged other entities and individuals to extend support towards the reconstruction of the community just as exhibited by her outfit. Mr. Simon Madjie, the Executive Secretary of American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, expressed his delight to be in partnership with Genser Energy and their efforts to contribute to the reconstruction of the Appiatse community. He encouraged more companies from United States of America working in Ghana to follow their model in rebuilding Appiatse. Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee, the Chairman of the Appiatse Support Fund Committee in her submission said accountability is extremely important to them as a team and by this stressed to clarify that "the over 900,000 Ghana Cedis is not a cash or cheque amount received into the Fund but rather the Genser team are going to build a Morden market worth that amount as their contribution towards the reconstruction of the Appiatse community". She said they are delighted to know that the Genser and Co. team are not just passionate to restore livelihoods but have also chosen an area of vibrant economic activity. She applauded Genser and others for the idea to build a well covered and an all inclusive market with, water supply, electricity and a creche to house the babies of the market woman. She called for a collaborative work with the Appiatse Reconstruction Implementation Team to ensure that their plan for building the market is in sync with the specification of reconstruction team so as to ensure uniformity of work, while assuring that the market will be well branded in their name as the donors of the market. Dr. Sulemanu Koney, CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines and member of the Appiatse Support Fund Committee also added his voice to appreciate the idea of  building such a sustainable market, declaring it as a "fantastic idea" He said their expectation is that when all is said and done, the market will be a model one for others to learn from. Story by: Nadia Aidoo

The Trinity Baptist Church, in the United Kingdom, London with support from the Church in Accra has presented a cheque of 10,000 Ghana cedis to the Appiatse Support Fund Committee and also donated a good number relief items to the people of Appiatse. Speaking on behalf of the delegation, The Resident Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Accra, Rev. Reuben Asare said their donation and contribution is premised on love and support for the people of Appiatse upon hearing the sudden news of the explosion. He said as a Church, the word of God admonishes Christians to visit the orphans and the widows in their trouble, adding that "we felt that as a church this is a typical ocassion for us to show those dimensions of a pure religion to the community, through love, care and support as directed by God" The Resident Pastor noted that the donation is also a part of a line up of activities for the birthday celebrations of their head Pastor, Rev. Kingsley Appiagyei to whom they sent out a resounding Happy birthday wish through the media. Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee, the Chairman of the Appiatse Support Fund Committee who expressed her profound gratitude on behalf of the team and the people of Appiatse, said she is particularly happy that the team have taken the initiative to send all the relief items straight to Appiatse on their own, saving the team the time and resource to transport the items. She assured the delegation that a team will be on standby to receive them at Appiatse and ensure the proper sharing of the items to the people of the community. She hoped that their gesture of love, care and kindness would be emulated by other churches to also donate what they can to support this worthy cause. The relief items donated included 24 boxes of assorted clothes and shoes, 4 Boxes of Soap and washing powder, 10bags of 50kg rice, 2 Boxes of cooking oil, 3boxed of Sardine and Mackrel and 1 Box of Spaghetti. Story by: Nadia Aidoo

Four teacher unions have declared an indefinite nationwide strike – effective Monday, July 4 – over demands for the payment of the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA). The unions, comprising the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers Ghana (CCT), are demanding that the 20% of their basic salary be paid to them. They have blamed their industrial action on government’s failure to pay the COLA, which they argue could have helped to mitigate the impact of the rising cost of living. But after a June 30 deadline was exhausted, the workers have withdrawn their services, both in and outside the classroom. Speaking at a joint press conference on Monday, the General Secretary of the GNAT, Thomas Musah, stated that all their calls on government for appropriate action have fallen on deaf ears. “We can no longer bear the hardship. Even more so, we reject the inequality of salaries in the public services of this country. We have been compelled under the current circumstances to publicly communicate to Ghanaians on our intention to go on strike, having gone past the June 30, 2022 deadline [that] we gave government for the payment of the Cost of Living Allowance. “Consequently, we have decided to embark on a strike action effective today, Monday, July 4, 2022. By this, we are informing the general public that we are withdrawing all our services in all the pre-tertiary education space – this includes teaching and non-teaching staff,” he announced. Meanwhile, the Employment and Labour Relations Ministry says it has invited the leadership of the teacher unions to a meeting over their demands. It, however, says only the leadership of GNAT had responded to attend, with NAGRAT and CCT yet to respond. Once the unions are ready to show up for the meeting, it would be held, the Ministry has noted. “I am still waiting for signals for us to meet where all stakeholders will be brought on board and the outcomes of those meetings will be laid bare to you [teachers]. Let’s keep our fingers crossed. “The fact that times are hard is trite knowledge. It is a reality. Our largest workforce as a country is teachers, and I must confess that public sector workers must be commended,” Deputy Employment Minister, Bright Wireko-Brobbey, told JoyNews in an earlier interview. Credit: Myjoyonline.com

ECOWAS leaders have lifted the controversial economic and financial sanctions imposed in January on Mali following two military coups in that country. Regional leaders at the end of their one-day summit in Accra, the Ghanaian capital on Sunda also agreed a revised 24-month timetable announced by the Col Assimi Goita-led Bamako Junta for return to constitutional rule in Mali. The junta had failed to respect a previous 18-month transition programme after Goita and his colleagues toppled the government of elected President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in the first coup in August 2020. Goita staged another putsch against a transition administration in which he was vice president in May 2021, prompting the sanctions by ECOWAS. Outgoing ECOWAS Commission President Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, who announced the summit decisions, said that Mali remained suspended from ECOWAS, while sanctions against junta officials and their families remain in place. The ECOWAS Mediator on Mali, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has undertaken several peace missions to Bamako with limited progress. The sanctions, including financial squeeze and border blockade were hurting ordinary Mali, amid humanitarian concerns and Mali defaulting on the servicing of its external debts. An UEMOA regional Court had dismissed the sanctions as illegal, even as the junta circumvented the regional the ECOWAS measures with the support of neighbouring countries including Guinea. Brou also announced that the ECOWAS has accepted the 24-month timeline given by the Lt.-Col Paul-Henri Damiba-led junta in Burkina Faso to return power to elected civilians after ousting elected President Marc Christian Kabore in a coup in September 2021. The regional leaders also named Benin former President Yaya Boni as new ECOWAS Mediator on the Guinea crisis, replacing Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, former ECOWAS Commission President and Secretary General's Representative and Head of the UN Office in West Africa and the Sahel. Dr Chambas announced his resignation from the mediation role early on Sunday citing lack of cooperation by the Conakry junta led by Col Mamady Doumbouya. The summit, however, rejected the 36-month transition programme announced by the junta and demanded a more "reasonable" time frame for return to constitutional rule in the country. The summit endorsed Guinea Bissau's President Umaro Embalo as new Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority for one year, taking over from summit host, President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana. Gambia's Omar Alieu Touray was introduced as the new ECOWAS Commission President, replacing Brou who has served for the past four years. Brou moves to the Senegal-based Central Bank of West African States, BCEAO, as Governor. The Touray management has its job cut out for it, including the unresolved political crises in the three military- controlled ECOWAS member-States. The region also faces severe insecurity, political instability, health and food security challenges as well as the retreat of democracy. Story by: News Desk Report

Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah says although government had earlier insisted that seeking a bailout from the International Monetary Fund was not an option, it had no choice but to take the decision. In an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show with Bernard Avle, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said the E-Levy, which was government’s solution to Ghana’s economic crisis, has not done as well as expected so far because it has faced stiff opposition. He explained that the tax, just like any other revenue generation measure, will need to be given time to be widely accepted. The Information Minister explained that government had to take immediate action to alleviate the suffering of Ghanaians while the home-grown solution gains momentum. He noted that governemnt’s decision to go to the IMF for a bailout does not suggest that the E-Levy has failed and should be scrapped. “Why did we intensify townhall meetings in the first place? Because four months after this was proposed, it was still hanging because of some of the scenarios that were happening in Parliament. In this country, [when] we put fiscal policies before Parliament by November, we expect them to be passed by November or December. This makes it pick up and reach optimal levels by the first quarter of the next year. We put the E-Levy before Parliament in November, it took about 4 months for it to be passed, and then we still have the loopholes that we projected to be fixed by the 1st of July.” “Whenever you introduce a revenue measure, it takes a while for it to hit its optimal level. Moreso, the E-Levy has had some loopholes that have to be plugged out by the GRA. The Levy has been heavily bastardised, and so people try to avoid it, and so we are unable to get the full value of what we are looking for. We will have to give it room to reach its optimal level. While at it, we cannot wait for it to reach that maximum level because we have obligations to meet.” The Ministry of Information on Friday, July 1, 2022, announced that President Akufo-Addo had given approval for Ghana to begin engagements with the IMF for a bailout. The ministry said the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta will be leading the negotiations with the IMF in the coming days. The news has been received with mixed feelings, as it comes as a major U-turn by the government after it vowed not to ever go under an IMF programme. Ken Ofori-Atta said the government was settling for a homegrown policy instead of an IMF programme. The homegrown programme included the introduction of the E-levy, which has fallen short of its projected revenue target so far. Credit: Citinewsroom