A Deputy Minister of Finance, Kwaku Kwarteng, has dismissed claims by the Minority in Parliament that the Akufo-Addo administration is on a reckless borrowing spree, which according to the opposition accounts for the country's ballooning debt stock. According to him, the government's debt management strategy has yielded positive results, including retiring legacy debts, cleaning up the financial sector mess, and setting the country on a path of economic progress. The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta On Wednesday, October 28 requested the approval of GHS 27.4 billion in Parliament to fund Government expenditure for the first quarter of 2021. READ ALSO: Read also: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/dr-paa-kwesi-nduom-is-disappointed-in-npp-brigette-dzogbenuku-discloses "We have had to incur our debts because of Covid-19 and therefore if you look at the global average, different situations will call for different considerations.so we want to do below 70 but when you have Covid -19 to deal with. When you have a financial sector situation to deal with and you have legacy debt, you may have to incur some debt before you stabilize the economy". The deputy Finance Minister explained. Ghana's debt stock rises to GHS263.1 billion Ghana's total public debt stock which stood at GHS219.6 billion at the beginning of this year, saw an accumulation of GHS 43.5 billion within seven months, according to the latest summary of Macroeconomic and Financial Data from the Bank of Ghana. This brought the total debt at the end of July 2020 to GHS 263.1 billion. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/pass-the-affirmative-action-bill-now-2016-ppp-running-mate The total amount of fresh debt accumulated within the first seven months of the years 2016,2017,2118 and 2019 stood at GHc8.7billion, GHc11 billion, GHc21.8 billion, and GHc28.9 billion respectively in that order. In the first seven months of 2020 however, the amount of new debt accumulated jumped to GHS43.5 billion, representing an increase of 19.8percent in the country's debt stock from January to July. This compares to an increase of 16.4 percent in the country's total debt stock within the same period in the year 2019. Story by Rodney Tsenuokpor

The Accra Region Police command is investigating the National ViceChairman of the largest opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alhaji Said Sinare over allegations that he has distributed weapons to some persons to cause mayhem. The NDC stalwart was summoned by the police in the wake of a confession by the NDC constituency Chairman of Ayawaso North, Ahmed Tahiru that Alhaji Sinare had supplied guns to some youth to cause chaos during the upcoming elections. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/pass-the-affirmative-action-bill-now-2016-ppp-running-mate He is currently being interrogated by officials of the crime unit of the command. The NDC constituency chairman reportedly presented an AK-47 and pump action gun to the police as evidence of the arms allegedly given by the NDC vice-Chairman to torment trouble. In an interview, Alhaji Sinare said the action of the constituency chairman, who he claims had been his employee for eight years may be borne out of anger at being relieved of his position. The Former Ambassador to Egypt under the erstwhile Mahama administration however denied culpability in the alleged plot to arm people with weapons with a view to fomenting trouble during the December elections. READ ALSO:Read also: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/dr-paa-kwesi-nduom-is-disappointed-in-npp-brigette-dzogbenuku-discloses "He (Ahmed Tahiru) is the Ayawaso North Constituency Chairman. He is my boy and I groomed him. He is my employee, and he has been working for me for the past 8 years and I fired him exactly five weeks ago because of so many reasons. That blackmail will never work because I am a very clean person with a good track record. I am not going to cause mayhem anywhere, I have been preaching peace everywhere I go", he said. "I don't own an AK-47. I don't even know where this guy got the AK-47 but the pump-action gun is my pump-action gun that has been registered. I reported to the police that my pump-action gun has been missing some few months back. I have got an extract of that report so at the end of the day I will be cleared because that guy, that constituency Chairman must be caught, and they must put him behind bars, and they must find out from him how he got the AK-47". he added. Story by RodneyTsenuokpor

Ghanaian Dancehall Artiste, Emmanuel Dagaati known in showbiz as Samini has revealed that he is proud of AfroDanceHall Musician Kelvynbwoy and is humbled to have a verse on his album. According to him, Kelynbwoy is here to stay in the Ghanaian Music Industry. READ ALSO:https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/dr-paa-kwesi-nduom-is-disappointed-in-npp-brigette-dzogbenuku-discloses The 'Forever' hit-maker, Samini said "He’s here to stay and I’m proud to have a verse on his album” He added that he is throwing his unlimited support and love for Kelvyn Bwoy adding the young Musician will make Ghana proud. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/pass-the-affirmative-action-bill-now-2016-ppp-running-mate "Kelvyn Bwoy has once been my backing vocalist hence has come a long way. I saw a phenomenal singer. I thought of signing him until Stonebwoy overtook me" Samini said. He added that he is not surprised to see Kelynbwoy as one of the A-listed artists in Ghana. Watch the video below: Story by: Mandy Woods

Controversial Ghanaian social media sensation, Rosemond Alade Brown, popularly known in showbiz circles as Akuapem Poloo was almost given the beatings of her life by one lady who thought she was trying to snatch her husband. In a video that has gone viral, Akuapem Poloo was seen trying to escape the anger of this unknown lady making the wild claims. The lady, who appeared from nowhere caught Akuapem Poloo and her supposed husband when they were returning from wherever they went with cameras capturing their every movement — that is certainly ironic. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/entertainment-akuapim-poloo-fakes-wedding-videos-pictures As soon as this lady caught up with them, she started to make noise in her quest to disgrace the upcoming actress as a husband snatcher. From the video, the angry young lady even tried to physically attack Poloo while her supposed husband restrained her. Sharing the video for this shocking encounter on her Instagram page, Akuapem Poloo disclosed that her attacker was the wife of the man she was walking with and added that she is based in the United Kingdom. Poloo further claimed that the lady decided to fly down to Ghana just to confront her after seeing wedding videos of her (Poloo) and her husband — I am sure you remember those videos from September 24, 2020. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/watch-b-tch-leave-akuapim-poloo-alone-nana-tornado-blasts-afia-schwar-videos She also indicated that contrary to her earlier claims that she was actually getting married, it was only a shoot for a music video with the lady’s husband. Her caption to the video read: “Oh God please hold my heart always @kingmondomusic you will pay for dis. How can you let your wife embarrass me this way you should’ve told her the wedding videos that came out was a music video so she left the UK for Ghana just to do this to me wow wow thanks to somebody saw her coming and took a video for me I will everyone know about what your wife did today.” Knowing Akuapem Poloo, all this might just be another ploy to get people talking about her again. Watch Video Below: Story by: News Desk Report

The Government of Ghana says it is at the advanced stages of acquiring 100% shares of merged companies; Airtel and Tigo. It will be concluded by the execution of definitive agreements shortly, a statement from the Government announced. The government says the decision is aimed at protecting jobs and safeguarding the interest of stakeholders of Airtel which has some 5.1 million customers READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/entertainment-actress-martha-ankomah-flaunts-handsome-son-on-instagram-photo "The Government of Ghana through this transaction, will temporarily operate this national asset in the best interest of the nation, and ensure the protection of the interests of all employees, customers and stakeholders, and a continuation of the digital transformation in Ghana." "Given the multiplier impact the telecommunications sector has on the economy and various related industries, the Government of Ghana has entered into this agreement to ensure that thousands of Ghanaian Jobs are safeguarded ".the statement added. Background Bharti Airtel in 2017 merged with Millicom's Tigo in Ghana to become the country's second-largest mobile operator, Airtel-Tigo, with the approval of The National Communications Authority. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/lifestyle-how-to-naturally-avoid-pregnancy-without-using-contraceptives-photos AirtelTigo serves around a 5.1million subscribers and offers direct and indirect employment opportunities to almost 10,000 people. Celtel International acquired 75%of western Telesystems Ltd( Westel) from the Government of Ghana for $120 million in 2017. Celtel was subsequently acquired by the Zain Group which also sold all its African Assets to Bharti Airtel in 2010. The Government of Ghana remained a shareholder in Airtel Ghana with a 25% holding through the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, until the AirtelTigo merger, and retained an option to acquire additional shares after the merger. Westel was at the time of the takeover by Celtel, the second national operator in Ghana, and was licensed to provide fixed and mobile (GSM) telecommunications services. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/entertainment-sister-derby-blasts-joy-fm-over-unprofessional-behaviour-picture Milicom Ghana Limited was the first mobile telecommunications company to operate in the country under the brand name Mobitel before rebounding to become Tigo. Story by Rodney Tsenuokpor

Four children were burnt to death as fire gut a four-bedroom house in Amasaman Fise in the Ga Central District of the Greater Accra Region. The four kids were sleeping in a room in the four-bedroom house when the incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/sports-manchester-city-player-commits-suicide-for-being-sacked-photos The cause of the fire remains unknown. According to an eye witness, the mother of the kids had locked them up and left for church when the incident occurred. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/entertainment-sister-derby-blasts-joy-fm-over-unprofessional-behaviour-picture It was gathered that a gas cylinder also exploded in the inferno. Story: News Desk Report

Ghana's Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta will today, Wednesday, October 28, present a budget to parliament to cater for the first quarter of 2021. The presentation, known as Expenditure in Advance of Appropriation, has become a characteristic of election years to prevent transitional challenges. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/i-will-soon-begin-some-collaborations-with-female-artiste-in-ghana-shattawale-reveals Ahead of the presentation, the Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, has served notice that his side of the house does not intend to make the presentation smooth sailing. "The outstanding matters that the Minister of Finance should do for members, if he does not, today we will heckle him. We will subject him to an empty room today as part of the heckling then he will know we do not want to hear him". The Akufo-Addo administration in July this year presented a revised budget statement to Parliament for approval of an additional GHS 11.8 billion to support the government's expenditure for the rest of the year 2020. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/entertainment-sister-derby-blasts-joy-fm-over-unprofessional-behaviour-picture This was after the government's projections for the 2020 fiscal year were rendered unattainable due to the Covid Pandemic. Earlier this year, the Finance Minister announced that the administration will require some GHS 9.5 billion to cushion the country from the effects of the Covid -19 pandemic, a situation which may move the 2020 budget deficit to over seven percent. He also stated that this will be 2.5 percent of Ghana's revised GDP, and there will be a "fiscal gap of GHS 11.4 billion ". READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/entertainment-sister-derby-blasts-joy-fm-over-unprofessional-behaviour-picture Story by RodneyTsenuokpor

Kpone Traditional Council has described as misleading reports claiming that the Paramount Chief Nii Tetteh Otu II angrily drove away President Akufo-Addo last Sunday. President Akufo-Addo on Sunday cut the sod for the construction of a 40-bed hospital for the Kpone-Katamanso Municipality expected to be completed within 24 months. However, information circulating on social media hours after the ceremony suggested that the President of the Council, Nii Tetteh Otu II was angry at President Akufo-Addo. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/i-will-soon-begin-some-collaborations-with-female-artiste-in-ghana-shattawale-reveals At a media briefing on Tuesday, Divisional Chief of Gbetseli, Nii Tei Kojo Amankwah Sune I who spoke on behalf of the Paramount Chief debunked the publication. “The misinformation on social media has put the name of the traditional council into disrepute and we suspect some people out there want to destroy the warm relationship we have with Nana Addo. “We are very happy about the hospital project and find it shocking for anyone to say the traditional authorities here are displeased with it,” Nii Tei Kojo said. According to him, Nii Tetteh Otu II was only suggesting to President Akufo-Addo that he had wished the health facility was a multi-story structure so as to help conserve land. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/entertainment-sister-derby-blasts-joy-fm-over-unprofessional-behaviour-picture He said, following the suggestions, Nana Addo asked the Paramount Chief to discuss with the contractor of the project for any modification that can be done to the structure. Since then, a three-member committee has been set up by the traditional council to coordinate with the contractor on the project. He further explained that the Paramount Chief’s hand gestures have been misconstrued and portrayed in the negative sense on social media. “Having waited for a project like this, we were happy that it was finally going to materialize,” he indicated. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/international-news-spain-imposes-national-night-time-curfew-to-curb-covid-19-infections Nii Tei Kojo Amankwah Sune I and other chiefs reiterated their happiness for the project and warned the council will not hesitate to take action should those behind this falsehood be found. Source: Myjoyonline.com

Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong has alleged that the NDC MP for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam, Cassiel Ato Forson contracted the alleged suspects accused of plotting to assassinate the Minister for Gender and Social Protection, Cynthia Morison. According to Agyapong, the suspects told the police during interrogations that they were contracted by Ato Forson, the Minority Spokesperson on Finance, to perpetuate the thwarted crime. He alleged that Paul Ofori Amoah, the Agona West Parliamentary Candidate of the NDC, only signed the cheques which were found in the hotel room of the suspects but every step of the alleged operation was orchestrated by the MP for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/i-will-soon-begin-some-collaborations-with-female-artiste-in-ghana-shattawale-reveals “…The boys mentioned Cassiel Ato Forson’s name to the police, why is it that the police would not like to speak the truth? Ato Forson gave the boys to the parliamentary candidate Paul Ofori Amoah. Truly speaking, the parliamentary candidate is very calm but Ato Forson did that. He should come out and challenge me,” Kennedy Agyapong alleged on Net 2 TV’s ‘The Seat’ show on Monday. Hon. Agyapong, who is the MP for Assin Central, had earlier stated that some ‘powerful individuals’ within the opposition NDC had contracted the suspects who were to assassinate the gender minister. The suspects were arrested by the police at a hotel within the Central Region where they were said to be plotting the thwarted murder. He indicated that at the hotel, the police found two Stanbic Bank cheques totalling five thousand cedis, dated October 19, 2020, signed under the name of Paul Ofori-Amoah. “I know who contracted them but I’m leaving that to the security agencies to come up with the person who gave those guys to the Swedru NDC parliamentary candidate,” Kennedy Agyapong said. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/entertainment-sister-derby-blasts-joy-fm-over-unprofessional-behaviour-picture Meanwhile, the Cape Coast Circuit Court granted Paul Ofori Amoah, the NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Agona West bail on Friday. He has been charged with “aiding and abetting the activities of a political party vigilante group contrary to regulation 4 of ACT 999 (2019)”. The police charge sheet reads: “For that you on 17/10/2020 about 10:30 pm at Elohim hotel in Swedru in the Central Region and within the jurisdiction of this court, you did aid and abet by procuring and soliciting the activities of a vigilante group by recruiting suspects Isaac Addai and three others to come and engage in vigilantism at Agona West Constituency and hatched a plan to murder Hon. Cynthia Mamle Morrison the Member of Parliament for Agona West Constituency.” Paul Ofori Amoah is said to have admitted issuing two cheques found with the suspects in their hotel room in Swedru where they were arrested on October 17. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/international-news-spain-imposes-national-night-time-curfew-to-curb-covid-19-infections Source: GhanaWeb

Seven(7) persons have been confirmed dead after a sprinter Benz bus was involved in a ghastly accident at New Longoro on the Wenchi-Wa highway on Monday night. It is emerging that the Mercedes Benz sprinter bus with registration number AS 7457-20 from Wa in the Upper West Region, was heading towards Kumasi with passengers on board. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/entertainment-actress-martha-ankomah-flaunts-handsome-son-on-instagram-photo On reaching a section of the road at the outskirts of New Longoro, the driver swerved to the offside edge of the road while avoiding crashing into a breakdown Ssangyong bus with registration number AS 8421-13. The Mercedes Benz sprinter bus driven by one Agyei Kwabena skid off the road and crashed into a valley after somersaulting several times killing all the seven on the spot. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/lifestyle-how-to-naturally-avoid-pregnancy-without-using-contraceptives-photos The deceased persons have been identified as Ayishetu Hamza 18, Ama Lydia 23, Ama Grace 6, and Solomon Yiregyema, 3. Three others who were standing by the Ssangyong bus at the offside edge of the road are yet to be identified. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/entertainment-sister-derby-blasts-joy-fm-over-unprofessional-behaviour-picture Meanwhile, bodies of the deceased persons have been deposited at the Wenchi Methodist Hospital according to police in the area who confirmed the incident. Credit: MyNewsGh.com.

An accident that occurred at Bomfa Junction on the Konongo-Kumasi Highway in the Ashanti Region has left two dead, with many in critical condition. The sprinter car, with registration number AS 4852-20, carrying an overload of passengers, is said to have veered off the road after it burst a tyre. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/entertainment-sister-derby-blasts-joy-fm-over-unprofessional-behaviour-picture The bus conductor (mate), speaking to Adom News, confessed the driver was running at top speed after noticing there were no incoming vehicles on the free road. Before he knew, the car had somersaulted, killing two passengers instantly before help arrived. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/lifestyle-how-to-naturally-avoid-pregnancy-without-using-contraceptives-photos Many passengers, who are in critical conditions, are currently receiving treatment at the Konongo Government Hospital. Some passengers managed to escape unhurt, despite the level of damage. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/entertainment-comic-actor-clemento-suarez-ties-knot-with-girlfriend-in-kumasi-pictures Source: Adomonline

The Counselor in charge of Maritime Affairs at the Danish Embassy, Thomas Raahauge Norup has hinted that piracy problems are a serious threat to the economies of countries along the Gulf of Guinea. According to him, it also put the lives of national and international seafarers at risk. Reading a speech on behalf of the Danish Ambassador to Ghana, Tom Nørring at the opening ceremony of the maritime security course in Takoradi in the Western Region, Mr. Norup said “This affects international trade, fishery and the offshore oil sector and collectively, all this affect each and every one of us present here today; higher prices for commodities, for fuelling our cars, buying close, toys and school books for our children, and a further implication is the derivate effects of pirates financing illicit activities on land, which in return disturbs and fluctuates the security situation in the region even more” READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/entertainment-actress-martha-ankomah-flaunts-handsome-son-on-instagram-photo He added that despite the significant drops in the number of global piracy and maritime crime incidents, the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) continues to experience an increasing number of maritime crimes in both international and territorial waters, making the GoG the most dangerous shipping routes in the world. “We are observing an alarming trend with more violent assaults, more kidnappings for ransoms, and unfortunately also, an expanding geographical area of the attacks. The incidence happens both further at sea and further apart. The same trend as on the Horn of Africa more than a decade ago. Some of the incidences even happened as far as 250mm. from the coast” Mr. Norup also explained that it is obligatory to act and safeguard the maritime domain. He hinted that the Government of Denmark is committed to supporting this agenda of enhancing maritime security in West Africa through the Danish Maritime Security for the Gulf of Guinea. He said “We work through partners such as the KAIPTC, UNODC, and with capacity training of the Navies in both Ghana and Nigeria. In the Danish Maritime Security Program, the Government of Denmark is supporting in areas of legislation, maritime strategies, research and (this) training and operational planning and response including capacity development of Special Forces within the navies of Ghana and Nigeria” READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/entertainment-actress-martha-ankomah-flaunts-handsome-son-on-instagram-photo “As the problem of Maritime insecurity is regional, the Embassies of Denmark in Ghana and Nigeria work in close collaboration. With your support and cooperation and those of other key shareholders in the region, and the international community, we will continue the efforts in Ghana and Nigeria to support both national and international initiatives to further strengthen the framework. This will support the economic growth in the region whilst ensuring maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea” he stressed. Commandant of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Major General Francis Ofori said “The Gulf of Guinea as many of us may be aware is endowed with a vast wealth of minerals, hydrocarbon deposits and varied species of marine and fisheries resources. Additionally, its waters serve as a critical route for international commerce and a shipping chokepoint. This region’s maritime affluence has made it attractive to both state and non-state actors who exploit the inadequate control of the region’s maritime domain to engage in illicit activity” He explained that the Gulf of Guinea is currently the world’s leading hotspot for piracy, kidnapping, and armed robbery at sea. According to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB)’s first-quarter report of 2020, Major General Ofori noted that there has been a 25% increase in piracy and armed robbery worldwide compared to 2019 figures of the same quarter. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/lifestyle-how-to-naturally-avoid-pregnancy-without-using-contraceptives-photos The Commandant also mentioned that the Gulf of Guinea accounted for approximately 90% of global kidnappings with 49 crew kidnapped in 9 separate incidents. “The pervasiveness of maritime security threats across the region therefore illustrates the need for a holistic approach to maritime security response in the region. Sustainable development of the blue economy, improvement of the well-being of coastal communities and commitment and collaboration across agencies and governments, therefore, becomes key in reducing maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea” he stated. Background Despite significant drops in the number of maritime crime incidents around the globe, the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) continues to experience an increasing number of maritime crimes in both international and territorial waters, making the GoG the most dangerous shipping routes in the world at the moment. The International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) recorded 98 incidents of piracy and armed robbery in the first half of 2020, up from 78 in Q2 2019. The activities of the maritime criminals do not only pose a threat to international and regional shipping; it undermines the security and development of the Gulf of Guinea littoral states. These crimes include piracy, armed robbery at sea, kidnapping for ransom, illegal fishing, and hijackings among others. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/entertainment-sister-derby-blasts-joy-fm-over-unprofessional-behaviour-picture Although the Gulf of Guinea states has implemented a number of initiatives to enhance security, a series of factors contribute to weakening in the national and regional response to maritime security threats in the GoG. These factors comprise a lack of inter- and intra-agency cooperation and collaboration, trust, and confidence-building among national maritime security actors as well as inadequate capacity among maritime security personnel. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith