Day: April 14, 2024

The government is determined not to overburden Ghanaians with the payment of more taxes, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, the Finance Minister, has assured.

Rather, the government would ‘use the hard way’ to collect revenue from those who have not been paying the appropriate taxes, as well as those who have been evading taxes?in the country.

Dr Amin Adam said this during a press briefing on Saturday, April 13, after Ghana reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the country’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement.

The Minister noted that the suspension of the 15 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on electricity consumption and GHS100 annual levy on owners of petrol and diesel vehicles, had created a GHS1.8 billion revenue gap.

He indicated that there was an urgent need to increase revenue in line with the implementation of the US$3 billion loan-support programme, but the government was also been careful not to burden the few Ghanaian taxpayers.

As such, the government would be
resolute in ensuring the effective implementation of revenue generation mechanisms announced, both in the 2023 and 2024 budgets, but lacked effective implementation.

‘Now, we’re determined to go out there and collect the taxes from those who have not been paying and those who have been evading taxes… to generate the desired revenue to fill the gap created as a result of the suspension of the taxes,’ he said.

Dr Amin Adam also stated that the government was pursuing reforms within the tax administration to ensure that proper assessments were done, and people made to pay the appropriate taxes to the state in the easiest and fastest ways possible.

The Minister was quick to add that aggressive revenue mobilisation alone, would not be an ideal situation for the country, therefore, there would be a focus on expenditure rationalisation too.

Responding to a question posed to him by the Ghana News Agency on pragmatic expenditure control measures, he stated that the government had been implementing an arrears clear
ing plan to address outstanding payments.

Additionally, it was on-boarding more agencies to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) to stop state institutions from spending beyond their budget as well as any unapproved expenditure.

Dr Amin Adam said the government felt the pains that Ghanaians, individuals and businesses alike, had to endure as a result of the implementation of reforms under the ongoing IMF loan-support programme.

While lauding Ghanaians for the sacrifices done since the implementation of the programme in May 2023, he encouraged them to continue to remain patient and sacrificial.

‘Some of the reforms that we’re implementing are biting, but I know that we’ll persevere and lead together, and ensure that the benefits of the fiscal consolidation will bring significant relief to the people of Ghana so that we can be counted once again as one of the fastest growing in the world,’ he said.?

Ms Julie Essiam, the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authori
ty (GRA), provided further details on the alternative revenue mobilisation efforts to fill in the GHS1.8bn revenue gap created by the suspension of two tax handles.

She said that the Commission had intensified efforts to ensure the effective implementation of compliance measures on foreign income of resident Ghanaians?in the country.

In doing so, GRA and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have gone through credible and sustainable structures to ensure it generates the GHS1.8bn revenue that the electricity and waste pollution tax were to provide.

Dr Ernest Addison, Governor, Bank of Ghana (BoG), reiterated the government’s determination to making sure that state institutions worked to change the narrative of elections expenditure derailing economic progress in the country.

‘In Ghana’s recent history, we have not been able to successfully implement an IMF-supported programme in an election year without derailment,’ the Central Bank Governor said.?

‘The Government and the Centr
al Bank are committed to changing that narrative…and we will remain committed to ensure that programme implementation stays firm,’ he added.

Meanwhile, it is expected that when the IMF Board meets in June this year, it would approve Ghana’s GHS$360m third tranche, following a staff-level agreement reached between Ghanaian Authorities and the IMF Mission Team.

That would bring the total disbursement for Ghana’s ECF arrangement backed by the country’s Post-COVID-19 Programme for Economic Growth (PC-PEG) to US$1.56 bn.

Already, the country had received the sum of US$1.2 bn from the first two tranches since the implementation of the US$3bn- three-year IMF loan-support programme.

The programme is aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability, build resilience, and lay the foundation for stronger and more inclusive growth.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Right Reverend Dennis Dabukari Tong, the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Tamale, has called on Christians, especially the Anglican community, to explore their God-given roles through consistent meditation and Bible reading to understand His assignments.

Preaching on the Theme: ‘The Lord will gladen the hearts of His people,’ Rt Rev Tong said the hope of Christians came from the resurrection of Christ, who atoned for their sins.

During the sermon at the Saint Cyprian’s Parish in Bolgatanga, he indicated that Christ rose to give humanity new life.

‘If we will work for Him, believe in Him, and serve Him, we shall resurrect when we die’.

He said Jesus’ quizzing of the disciples after his resurrection was to let them know Him better for the assignment ahead and to affirm that the restoration of Israel and God’s people had been fulfilled.

‘We those who have become followers of Christ, it is clear that all of us need to know and understand scripture to play our roles as Christians’.

The Bishop, who reite
rated the significance of the story of Christ’s death and resurrection, said: ‘Every Christian has a part in the ministry of Jesus. Jesus says Christians are witnesses to His ministry and are to witness the word to the world to appreciate the purpose of life and death’.

He schooled members of the congregation on the nitty gritty of Christian life and the relations factor of Christians and Christ, saying: ‘It is hard to work for God, but the reward is the resurrection’.

‘Are we always looking to God for what He has for us, or it is what we want from Him. How have we fulfilled our calling as Christians? It is only when we are able to assess our roles as Christians that we can make meaningful assessment of our being’.

Rt Rev. Tong, therefore, admonished the congregation to be steadfast and understand their roles as directed by Christ through His disciples.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Veteran broadcaster, Dr Danladi Bako, on Sunday, congratulated Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, as the institution’s UDUS Campus Radio 89.7 FM commenced full broadcast.

Bako congratulated the institution in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

The broadcaster, who holds a traditional title of Kogunan Sokoto, and former Information Commissioner in the state, also paid tributes to the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Lawal Bilbis, over the feat.

‘Today, as a Senior Lecturer in the Mass Communication Department myself, I acknowledge the incredible efforts the current Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bilbis, has put in during his tenure to make the dream of the Campus Radio a reality, ‘ he said.

This, he said, was for ‘the sole purpose of training our Mass Communication students to become world class.’

Recalling how the institution got accreditation for mass communication, Bako noted the roles he and the former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Risqua Shehu, played.

Bako, who equa
lly paid tributes to Shehu, also said: ‘The former vice-chancellor pursued vigorously the acquisition of a radio licence from the National Broadcasting Commission, where I was former Director General and eventually licence was acquired.’

‘The Dean, Head of Department, Dr Mijinyawa, and the students must all be commended for their diligence , commitment and endurance toward the realisation of this project, which started transmission yesterday, Saturday April 13, 2024.’

He urged the university community and the public to give the members of staff and students support as they begin their first test of covering the institution’s convocation on Saturday.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi ll, the Paramount Chief of Sefwi-Anhwiaso Traditional Area, has advised the youth not to shy away from their rich cultural heritage that distinguishes them as unique people in society.

‘The youth of today have thrown away their traditions for western culture. It is important for them to rather embrace their true cultural identity,’ he said.

Ogyeahoho Gyebi gave the advice during this year’s Allie Festival in the Sefwi-Anhwiaso Traditional Area of the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality of the Western North Region, which was offer sacrifices to the gods and ancestors of the land.

He said: ‘Culture and tradition are what identify people and their ancestors and, therefore, neglecting them means rejecting one’s own identity.’

The Paramount Chief, who is also the President of National House of Chiefs, urged the people to embrace their culture rather than abandoning it to assimilate foreign ones.

Nana Ebiri Kwaku lll, Chief of Hwenapori, gave a brief history of the Festival and said Allie
was a harvest festival celebrated annually by the people and chiefs to express gratitude to the Almighty God and ancestors for blessing them with bountiful harvest as well as in other spheres of endeavour.

He said it was a period to feed their ancestors with their preferred meals and to ask for protection, blessings and a better harvest in the ensuing year.

Nana Kwabena Obeng Ankoana ll, the Head of the Sefwi Anhwiaso Aduana Royal Family, in an interview with the media, called on the chiefs and people of Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area to continue to peacefully coexist to ensure more development.

He advised the community members against indulging in homosexual activities, saying; ‘It is a taboo in the Ghanaian society and against the culture to indulge in such an unclean behaviour and attitude, which comes with numerous health issues.’

He appealed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo not to allow the foreign support the country may lose to dissuade him from assenting to the anti-LGBTQI+ bill into law
to criminalise such acts.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The National Coordinator of the Financing Safe Schools Initiative, Mrs Halima Iliya, has revealed plans to engage hunters and vigilantes in intelligence gathering to curb attacks on schools nationwide.

Iliya in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, noted the importance of community engagement and student, parent, and teacher sensitisation, set to commence in the second quarter of the year.

She outlined strategies to train local vigilantes and youths in states without registered vigilantes, aiming to involve communities in intelligence gathering and prevention efforts.

‘As a component of the plan, for states with local vigilantes, we intend to train their hunters, vigilantes and volunteers while for states without registered vigilantes we intend to advocate to use youths.

‘Youths will volunteer to protect their communities because we cannot achieve anything within a community without their involvement.

‘We will bring them to the security architecture for them to defend and protect t
heir communities in the areas of intelligence gathering, prevention and detection deterrent capabilities,’ Iliya said.

She added that plans include leveraging the National Orientation Agency’s grassroots presence for efficient communication through training manuals in local dialects.

Dr Ahmed Audi, Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, stressed the importance of coordination among security agencies to protect schools effectively.

‘That is why the three Cs; coordination, cooperation and collaboration cannot be over emphasised as this has yielded results amongst security agencies in recent operations so I think we are on the right track,’ he said.

According to Audi, because the NSCDC regulates the operations of Private Guard Companies (PGCs), they have been leveraged on to contribute their quota to the security architecture of the country by providing intelligence reports.

The Corps, along with other agencies, is committed to ensuring school safety through initiatives such as
the School Community Security Vanguard.

The National Safe School Response Coordination Centre (NSSRCC) Commander, Hameed Abodunrin, highlighted ongoing sensitisation efforts to raise awareness about school security risks.

‘Research has shown that the fear of insecurity is worse than insecurity itself,’ he said.

According to him, plans also include conducting School Security Awareness training and distributing security tips books to students nationwide.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Omama Health Ghana, a locally owned healthcare provider, in collaboration with Omama Services Incorporated, United States, has launched the Motherhood of Africa Initiative at the Tarkwa Municipal Hospital in the Western Region.

Through the programme, medical bills of underprivileged women who give birth in hospitals would be paid, nutrition for such mothers and their babies provided, counseling services would be provided, they would be registered onto the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and also provide funds for the mothers to trade.

Nana Ama Antwi Bosiako, the Chief Executive Officer and President of Omama Health Ghana, said: ‘l have served humanity through charitable means in my own small way. I am establishing Omama Health Ghana to serve as an extension of the works being done by my company in the USA’.

In 2023, she read several reports in the country on how mothers in the Eastern Region and other parts of the country were detained over their inability to pay the medical bills after delive
ry.

‘Most of the reports revealed that the new mothers went through cesarean operation, while others had their babies admitted at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.’

‘Some mothers lost their babies, yet the hospitals presented huge medical bills. These and many more compelling stories encourage me to initiate this programme,’ she explained.

‘Doing this requires quite a substantial amount of money, therefore, l am encouraging all to support either in cash or kind whenever you come across our payment portals, so together we can build a healthy Africa’.

Madam Antwi Bosiako said seven women who had delivered in hospitals within Tarkwa and its environs would have their medical bills settled.

In addition, each beneficiary received GHS 10,000 as seed money to trade with assorted items including pampers.

Apostle Samuel Edzii Davidson, the Offinso Area Head, Church of Pentecost, said: ‘With the launch of this organisation, we declare our unwavering support and commitment to alleviating the suffering of women and
empower them to embrace the beauty of motherhood without fear and hindrance’.

Through those endeavors, they would not only provide tangible assistance to people but also sow the seeds of hope and resilience, enabling this woman to flourish and thrive in the face of adversity.

Apostle Davidson said that would also enhance economic empowerment of women, improve their livelihood and reduce crime and other related activities that made them vulnerable in society.

‘To ensure a holistic impact in the lives of people, beneficiaries of these schemes will be disciples and taken through series of teachings to meet their spiritual needs. Thereafter, they will be absorbed into the mainstream churches for further pastoral care and discipleship,’ he said.

‘As we witness the launch of this organisation let us carry the burdens of the mothers of Africa with love, compassion and unwavering faith. Let’s become partners to change that upholds the godly values of helping the poor and the less privileged.’

Mr Gabriel Bechem,
the Head of Anesthesia, Tarkwa Municipal Hospital, commended the CEO of Omama Health Ghana and Omama Services Incorporated, saying the facility welcomed the programme and hoped it stayed longer to assist needy patients.

Oheneyere Gifty Anti, a Ghanaian media personality, on her part, said: ‘Not everyone can provide such assistance unless it is a woman raised with love, humbleness, wisdom and kindness. It is my prayer that funds used to provide these items and aid are renewed through the grace of God’.

Some of the beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the organisation for supporting the poor and the less privileged in society.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) said personnel at the Eastern Naval Base in Tema Newtown had to fire warning shots on Friday evening (April 12, 2024) to protect the sensitive installations of the base and repel attacks from some youth at the town.?

Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quashie, the Director General, Public Relations, Ghana Armed Forces, stated this in a press release on Saturday in response to allegations that navy personnel fired into youth groups processing during the Tema Kplejoo Festival, killing two men and injuring three others.

The injured are on admission at the Tema General Hospital.

The release said a vehicle belonging to the Eastern Naval Command was attacked by a crowd partaking the festival at Tema Newtown at about 1953 hours on Friday, leading to a damage to the vehicle.

Three of the naval personnel on board the vehicle also sustained injuries and were sent to the Tema Naval Base Medical Centre for treatment.

In the course of the confrontation, three suspects were arrested by the naval
personnel and were subsequently handed over to the Tema Newtown District Police for further investigations, the release said.

It noted that a mob, suspected to be part of the participants in the festivities, later attacked the Tema Naval Base with stones and other implements with the aim of releasing their colleagues.

‘At a stage, the security of the base was threatened, and in order to protect the sensitive installations in the base, warning shots were fired to repel the attack,’ it said.

It was later reported by the police that two civilians were brought to the Tema General Hospital dead; ‘the cause of death is yet to be ascertained,’ the release said.

It said on Saturday, April 13, 2024, the mob again attacked the Tema Naval Base and the Naval Barracks at Tema New Town (Biekro Barracks), leading to the destruction of properties.

The Ghana Police Service, in collaboration with the Ghana Armed Forces, had commenced investigations into the incident, and the findings would be made available in due course,
it added.

‘The Ghana Armed Forces commiserates with the bereaved families and urges calm to be maintained by all parties while the incident is being investigated.’

The Army, however, cautioned the youth of Tema that any further attacks on its installations or personnel would be met with the appropriate response.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Hydrological Environmental and Engineering Consulting Limited (HEE Consulting) has paid a courtesy call on Togbi Sri III, the Awoamefia of Anlo Dukor in the Volta Region, to dialogue on the development of the enclave.

The visit was to present a funding proposal to him in expression of the firm’s interest in investing in the coastal land reclamation and lagoon dredging projects in the Volta Region.

The project, which seeks to reclaim miles of land from the sea, construct a sea defense wall to protect the reclaimed land, and dredge the Keta Lagoon and its tributaries of silt for enhanced water life, will cover a vast area of approximately 1,800 kilometre square.

It is expected to centre on the Keta Lagoon, while extending from Fuveme through Dzita, Woe, Keta, Kedzi, Blekusu to Aflao along the Gulf of Guinea coastline.

The project will employ dredging and land reclamation techniques to combat the effects of sea and lagoon inundation.

At the end, it seeks to address the recurring humanitarian crisis in all t
hree coastal districts of the region; Ketu South, Keta and Anloga, which suffered severe sea and inland erosion annually, resulting in economic hardship of residents.

The project, combining humanitarian concerns with commercial opportunities, aims to transform the living conditions of thousands of inhabitants through engineering innovation and sustainable development practices.

Mr Amorin Benito Baby, Businessman and team lead, HEE Consulting, said though the project’s area of coverage looked vast, it would be very easy and possible if all stakeholders would embrace the idea and get on board, assuring of its economic benefits.

‘These interventions are designed to restore ecological balance, enhance livelihoods, and unlock the vast economic potential of the area through tourism, agriculture, and industry.’

Mr Dan Abodakpi, the Awoamezitor of Anlo, interacting with the Ghana News Agency, said they were ready and willing to welcome any project with the prospects of solving the major problem threatening the li
velihood and existence of Volta’s coast.

‘For us, we are much interested in finding solutions to the problems affecting our people. So far as the terms of funding, feasibility, environmental, social impact assessments, and other factors are transparent enough and favour us, we are committed to it.’

Mr Richard Kwame Sefe, Member of Parliament (MP) for Anlo, pledged his support to the project, saying: ‘As a servant of the people, we (MPs in the area) promise to offer any form of political support needed from central government for this project to come off. Our people have been suffering for far too long.’

The team of investors from the Republic of Togo and Benin, led by Mr Amorin and Mr De-Souza E.K. Bigboy, had Mr Bella-Samuel Davordzi as consultant, with members including Olympio Abraham Victor, Fiawoo Ceaser, Gaba Ayitey Kordzo, Homawoo Koku Edem and Joshua Papavi Kwesivi.

Present at the dialogue were Awadada Togbi Agbeshie Awusu II, Revened Banini, and Mr Kofi Humado, former MP for Anlo, Mr Joel Degue,
Development and Tourism expert, Mr Jonathan Azasu, Dr Samuel Dotse, Climate Change Advocate and Environmentalist among others who are members of the Anlo Development Forum.

The team presented an executive summary document on the project to the Anlo Dukor Council.

It would be expected to visit all project sites from Fuveme to Aflao after which there would be community engagements for pre-project preparations.

Source: Ghana News Agency