Author: newsfilegh

Erratic power supply, high inflation, high taxes, exchange rate volatility, and the high cost of credit, among a host of other business crippling factors, led the industrial sector down a negative growth path last year. Quarterly GDP figures released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) last week show that the sector recorded a year-on-year annual GDP growth rate of -1.4percent for 2016. The sector recorded -1.1 and -5 percent growth in the first two quarters of last year. Even though the situation improved to 3.9 percent and 3.0percent in the third and fourth quarters respectively, it could not reverse the…

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has directed the Minister of Finance, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, to respond to allegations of breaching the 1992 Constitution within 10 days. The allegations were made against him by Mr Yaw Brogya Genfi last week, in a complaint to CHRAJ by which he petitioned the commission to investigate the matter. In his complaint to CHRAJ, which was titled “Petition to investigate conflict of interest in the recent US$2.25 billion bond issued by the government of Ghana through the Ministry of Finance”, Mr Genfi alleged that the minister had placed himself in a…

The Upper East Regional Minister, Rockson Ayine Bukari has given insight into circumstances which triggered his order for the arrest of former regional chairman of the NPP Adams Mahama’s brother. Nuhu Mahama Akalbila was arrested and detained several hours at the Bolgatanga District Police Headquarters on Saturday for acting in a manner in which the minister felt threatened. The who problem started when the two who are relatives and members of the governing New Patriotic Party clashed at a funeral recently where the minister had gone to support preparation towards the occasion, and Akalbila, he said, threatened to “destroy” him.…

Another opportunity came to celebrate the media and Journalists in Ghana and across the globe last week Wednesday. The whole world, except dictatorial leaders and terrorist groups seem to be in agreement of the role of the media and urge on media practitioners to play their major assignment of not only informing and educating the populace but to be the mirror and watch dogs of society to be a check on public office holders. Ghana is touted to have the second most effective and unfettered media on the continent and 26th in the world. Let’s give the Ghanaian media and…

Centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron has decisively won the French presidential election, projected results say. Mr Macron defeated far-right candidate Marine Le Pen by about 65.5% to 34.5% to become, at 39, the country’s youngest president, the results show. Mr Macron will also become the first president from outside the two traditional main parties since the modern republic’s foundation in 1958. He said that a new page was being turned in French history. “I want it to be a page of hope and trust,” he said. Mr Macron said he had heard “the rage, anxiety and doubt that a lot of…

The Vice President of the Republic, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has indicated government’s determination to engage with companies and countries interested in providing high quality infrastructure in Ghana, especially in the construction and manufacturing sectors. Such companies would be more than welcome to set up and operate in Ghana as part of the Akufo-Addo government’s industrialisation plan, Dr Bawumia has assured. The Vice President made the commitment when a high level delegation led by H.E Suematsu Shinsuke, Minister of State for Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MILT) for Japan paid a working visit to him at the Flagstaff House on…

The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has reiterated the commitment of his government to establishing the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP) – the vehicle which will ensure that each of the 275 constituencies receives the equivalent of $1 million per year for infrastructural development. According to President Akufo-Addo, this Fund will be administered by three (3) development authorities, namely, the Coastal Belt Development Authority, the Middle Belt Development Authority and the Northern Development Authority. The Bill for the establishment of these Authorities, the President revealed, will be laid before Parliament when the House reconvenes later this…

St. Joseph Hospital in Jirapa in the Upper West Region is threatening to return to “cash and carry” next week if government fails to clear arrears under the National Health Insurance Scheme. Medical Superintendent of the Hospital Dr Wodah Seme announced this decision at a ceremony of the Day of the Sick in Jirapa. Speaking on healthcare financing at the facility, Dr Seme described reimbursement by the National Health Insurance Scheme as “erratic and epileptic”. According to him, the hospital has not been reimbursed since May 2016 and government is yet to honour its promise by clearing all outstanding arrears.…

The Cape Coast Metropolitan Chief Executive, Ernest Arthur has paid a courtesy call on the leadership of the Cape Coast Central Mosque at Kotokuraba on Friday, 5th May 2017. This is coming days after receiving 100 percent confirmation of the assembly members in the area on 2nd May 2017. Mr. Ernest Arthur expressed his appreciation to the elders of the Central Mosque for the support and prayers he enjoyed from them during his days as the Chairman of the Cape Coast South Constituency of the New Patriotic Party. According to him, his visit was to first and foremost introduce himself…

French voters are choosing their next president after an unpredictable campaign that has divided the country. The second round contest pits centrist Emmanuel Macron, a 39-year-old former investment banker, against the far-right nationalist Marine Le Pen, 48. Citizens in some overseas territories and many French expats abroad have begun voting. The polls opened in metropolitan France at 08:00 local time (06:00 GMT) on Sunday and close at 19:00 (17:00 GMT). Polling stations will remain open in some big cities until 20:00 local time (18:00 GMT), with early estimates of the result due to be reported immediately after they close. The…