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Politics

THE HIPC TRIUMPH; DR BAWUMIA’S ROLE

The President Kufuor administration decided to seek financial relief through the HIPC initiative in the early days of his administration due to the distressed nature of the economy and the massive debts inherited from the previous government. It drew fierce opposition across the country, including from members of his government and party, to name a few. Even though the Britton Wood institutions supported the decision to sign onto the HIPC programme.

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) established the Debt Initiative for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) in 1996. It built a system for all creditors, including multilateral creditors, to offer debt relief to the world’s poorest and most financially strapped countries, thereby mitigating the constraints that debt accumulation imposed on economic growth and poverty reduction in these countries. The HIPC Initiative was created as a critical component of a larger development architecture that includes policies, programmes, and institutional development to support long-term growth and poverty reduction.

Despite the uproar that this singular decision had caused in the country, with one accord like ants marching to find food for the future, the Kufuor-led government needed to proceed to the IMF and World Bank as a necessary measure because the government could not do much in reducing poverty and stabilising the economy with the skyrocketing debt that had been inherited.

The stage was set, and all eyes were on who would lead the negotiations. To negotiate this historic HIPIC initiative, which was then new to the country, the government needed to assemble a competent team to navigate through these unchartered waters.

Fortunately, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia had returned from his overseas stewardship as an Assistant Professor of Economics at the Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University in Texas (1996-2000) to serve his nation as an Economist at the Bank of Ghana.

In 2001, Dr Bawumia was chosen as the Team Lead for the Bank of Ghana’s technical negotiation team, as well as a member of the government team that negotiated with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund under the HIPC and PRGF initiatives.

As one of the team leaders, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia was instrumental in negotiating the HIPC proposals. The HIPC initiative gave significant debt relief to President Kufuor’s inherited economy, as well as major rural infrastructure development through the supply of educational and health facilities, among other things.

Dr Bawumia’s vision and love for his country would not allow him to give up until the goal was met. In doing so, he served on the government’s technical negotiating team for the HIPC Paris Club and Completion Point Negotiations. Ghana completed the HIPC process, resulting in significant debt relief totaling nearly $4 billion.

Dr Bawumia’s zeal and competence during that period are worth emulating as Ghana continues to benefit from his ideas. It was unsurprising that Mr Osarfo Marfo, Hon Baah Wiredu of blessed memory, and Governor Paul Acquah, with whom he collaborated on several projects, including the HIPC initiative with President Kufuor’s blessing, strongly recommended him to Nana Akufo Addo to be his running mate in the 2008 general elections.

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has contributed to the success of all NPP governments, which is commendable.

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Dr Yaw Ampofo-Twum

Snr Fellow
Centre for Planning and Economic Research

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NEWS

Slow it down Empress Gifty

Empress Gifty, a gospel singer, went on another rant last week, snarling at blogs, media personalities, and some of her social media “followers.”

She was visibly agitated by what she described as some people posting insults about her on social media and some blogs publishing lies about her. She did not spare some media figures who subtly criticized her for some of her actions.

The artist has presented an uncompromising character over the years and is one of those entertainers who would not hesitate to ‘clapback’ at critics. Responding to critics is sometimes necessary, but with her latest outburst, it is only appropriate to caution the award-winning gospel artiste. to make it go slower

Fan of social media

Empress Gifty is very active on social media because she clearly understands the benefits of the app. It’s rare that the singer doesn’t post something on her social media feed, which is a good thing.

Social media has become a refuge for the artiste, whether she is announcing a new song, a new video, showcasing a business, or expressing an opinion.

In fact, her level of social media activity and ability to use it to her advantage earned her the title of ‘Digital Act of the Year’ at the 4th edition of the 3Music Awards last year. She was awarded that honor for her outstanding use of digital media in harnessing the largest fandom on social media, maintaining visibility, higher engagement of posts, driving audience interactivity, and trendsetting narrative, as well as pursuing causes.

Surprisingly, she beat out Sarkodie, Shatta Wale, Stonebwoy, Kofi Mole, Amerado, Ohemaa Mercy, and Camidoh for the award.

Let out your rage. Empress Gifty recently targeted blogs and individuals who spread lies about her persona, brand, and actions. She even went berserk, cursing those who take advantage of such deceptions to make money on social media.

To begin with, the issue of falsehood being spread by blogs and some individuals on social media is quite concerning. Some unscrupulous blogs and individuals would simply sit anywhere and fabricate such frivolous tales about these celebrities, and for gossip-hungry and negative news fanatics, such defaming news travels faster than the speed of light. Second, she is a human being with blood coursing through her veins. She has every right to be upset and to respond or react when blogs and some celebrities spread lies about her.

In a world where there is little or no fact checking and the majority is gullible, it only takes seconds for a blog or a shady person to ruin hard-won reputations, so her reaction to such inanity is understandable. In her tirade, Empress Gifty also had harsh words for those who comment on her various posts with slurs and unwholesome remarks. Perhaps the gospel musician was only educated on the benefits of social media and not on the consequences of being on such a platform.

The truth is that wherever there is positivity, there is also negativity!

In life and in the world of show business, no one can expect everyone to like them, so it is critical to understand this before expecting cheers all the time. Control what you display

Most importantly, the musician should be aware that the content she posts on her page feeds these commentators. Nobody will get the chance to comment on her page if she doesn’t make any posts that will definitely elicit comments.

If you post a video of yourself shaking your bum, you should expect some negative feedback. You’d be insane to believe that everyone will shower you with compliments on your bum. The solution to not inviting obnoxious comments to your postings is quite simple; please control what you post!

Tolerance is essential.

It’s quite intriguing that Empress Gifty bemoans the obnoxious comments on some of her postings and expects such characters to stop, but then she unleashes another post and curses her detractors. Where does it end, Madam? Tolerance is an important quality to have in the creative industry, as it allows you to accommodate a wide range of reactions to your music, brand, and actions.

In a world where almost everyone has an opinion, the artist must be open-minded and willing to accept different approaches to her craft and brand. If she can accept positive comments about her actions, she should be able to accept negative comments as well. It is also critical for her to recognize that the most important people in her life as a gospel singer and businesswoman are her fans and followers. She has no career if she does not have fans and patrons of her brand, so she must use emotional intelligence when addressing these fans.

The same GhC1 and GhC2 that these fans use to leave comments on your page are the same pittance they use to log on to social media to your page to see what new song you’ve released and what product you’re endorsing so they can patronize and sustain our careers.

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NEWS

Jasikan-Dodo-Pepesu road commissioned


The 56.4 km Jasikan-Dodo Pepesu road project was officially opened by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on September 8, 2022.
The project, which is a part of the Eastern Corridor Road, connects the country’s southern and northern halves as well as neighboring nations.
Along with connecting these cities, the route also connects towns such Kadjebi, Menuso, Dzindziso, Poase Cement, Koto Nkwanta, Ahamasu, Dodi Papase, and Dodo Pepesu.

In accordance with the Master Project Support Agreement (MPSA), the project is an Engineering and Procurement Contract (EPC) between the Government of Ghana and Sinohydro Corporation Limited of China.
His Excellency the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on 25th March, 2022 commissioned the project under the Sinohydro (MPSA), an agreement between the government of Ghana and the Chinese government.

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NEWS Politics

IS OKUDZETO THE BIGGEST LIAR IN GHANA?

The assertions made by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a member of parliament for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), that he was unaware of GETFund scholarship agreements while serving as deputy minister of education have been refuted.
According to information obtained by DAILY GUIDE, Mr. Ablakwa participated actively in GETFund scholarship negotiations while serving as a minister in the NDC government.


According to some reports, the NDC MP had enough clout to ‘by-pass’ GETFund employees and ‘personally’ negotiate scholarship agreements with overseas colleges on GETFund’s behalf.
A memorandum of agreement (MoU) has been signed by Mr. Ablakwa on behalf of GETFund and Lovely Professional University (LPU) of India.
The contentious Memorandum of Understanding, signed on March 16, 2016, was primarily designed to help negotiate scholarship offers for Ghanaian students to study in India, as well as to give support for Ghanaian schools.


It went on to say that the GETFund was the top body of education in Ghana, in charge of regulating, expanding, and developing institutions in Ghana’s higher education system.
It stated that both GETFund and the LPU recognized that they shared many interests and that their collaboration would benefit both parties.
“GETFund, Ghana has tied up with LPU to provide access to quality education to the students of Ghana,” the MoU, which had Dr. Monica Gulati, the Registrar of LPU, also as a signatory, indicated.

“GETFund intends to further work with LPU, which has already made a significant contribution in the area of higher education in India to guide and mentor universities/colleges and such other organisations,” the MoU added.
The report was released at a time when Mr. Ablakwa publicly denied knowing about GETFund scholarship programs while serving as deputy minister of education.
There have been heated debates in the media recently when it was revealed that some MPs and government officials from both the NDC and the NPP received GETFund scholarships.
Even in the GETFund paperwork, there is a name Mercy Ablakwa, thought to be Mr. Ablakwa’s relative, suggesting that she also received a GETFund scholarship in 2010.


According to an award letter reportedly signed by the GETFund administrator, Sam Garba, Mercy Ablakwa was awarded a total of $33,400 on August 12, 2010 to pursue a BSc Nursing at the University of Charleston in the United States.
The academic scholarship was worth $16,032, while the living allowance and passage cost $17,366.

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NEWS Politics

Embrace digitalization to boost justice delivery – Bawumia


The 19th Triennial Conference of the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association (CMJA) was launched in Accra on Monday, September 5, by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

In its five-decade history, the CMJA Conference, which brings together Chief Justices, Judges, Magistrates, and judicial officers from Commonwealth Nations, has aided in promoting judicial independence and enhancing legal administration in member nations, the Vice President added.


He urged the CMJA to embrace the power of digital technologies and innovations to increase access to justice and improve judicial systems in the modern world, where they are facilitating life and making things easier.

After kicking off the event, Dr. said on Facebook, “I also shared with them, the tale of how Ghana has already started digitizing its judicial process, and reinforced our Government’s commitment to it, to enable easy and convenient access to justice in our nation.”

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NEWS

MCE DIES AT HOTEL IN KUMASI

Francis Kofi Okesu, the Dean of MMDCEs in the Oti Region and the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Krachi East, was discovered dead in a hotel in Kumasi, Ghana.


It is unknown what brought the MCE to the administrative center of the Ashanti Region, but his lifeless body was discovered there.
Health care specialists carefully examined the body and discovered no signs of assault, although they did discover spermatozoa on his thigh.

The spermatozoa droplets, in the opinion of the authorities, point to a potential sexual act prior to his demise.

Sylvester Attah, the deceased’s driver, and he had booked into the hotel late on Friday, September 2.

However, the driver departed to check into a new hotel.
Attempts to contact Mr. Kofi Okesu were unsuccessful because he hasn’t been seen since checking into the hotel.
The police have launched their investigations.

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Sports

ASAMOAH GYAN EYES A SPOT IN QATAR 2022

Ghana International, Asamoah Gyan is not ruling out the possibility of representing the nation at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The 36-year-old has targeted a return to the national team for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar despite not being fully fit at the moment
The former Sunderland striker has not retired from International football despite not playing for the Black Stars since the 2019 AFCON tournament in Egypt.


Gyan, who is Ghana’s all-time goal scorer with 51 goals, last played active football in the 2020/2021 season for Ghana Premier League side, Legon Cities where he made just five appearances..
Gyan, however says he hasn’t had any communication with the Ghana Football Association or Otto Addo about his plans.


“Honestly, I haven’t spoken to anybody yet, it’s part of the plan. I just want to see how my body reacts first,” Gyan told BBC’s John Bennett
“My manager and I have been talking behind the scenes, so we just have to make sure we know what we are doing.
‘Everything is in progress, everything looks positive, so we will see what happens, there might be a surprise.”
Ghana have been paired in Group H of the World Cup with Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay.

Asamoah Gyan’s return to the Black Stars looming
Ghana international Asamoah Gyan has stated that he will not rule out representing his country in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Despite not being fully fit at the moment, the 36-year-old hopes to return to the national team for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Despite not appearing for the Black Stars since the 2019 AFCON tournament in Egypt, the former Sunderland striker has not retired from international football.

Gyan, Ghana’s all-time leading scorer with 51 goals, last played for Legon Cities in the Ghana Premier League in the 2020/2021 season, making only five appearances.
Gyan, however says he hasn’t had any discussions with the Ghana Football Association or Otto Addo about his plans.
“Honestly, I haven’t spoken to anybody yet, it’s part of the plan. I just want to see how my body reacts first,” Gyan told BBC’s John Bennett
“My manager and I have been talking behind the scenes, so we just have to make sure we know what we are doing.


‘Everything is in progress, everything looks positive, so we will see what happens, there might be a surprise.”
Christian Atsu, a former Black Stars winger who played for Ghana during his time in the national team, has also backed his former teammate to be invited to the team ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.
“Honour Asamoah Gyan with his last wish,” Christian Atsu said on Twitter.


Ghana have been drawn in Group H of the World Cup with Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay.

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Entertainment

JIDENNA’S BIRTHRIGHT AFRICA SIGNS ”MOU” WITH THE GTA

The Ghana Tourism Authority under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Birthright AFRICA Incorporated today. The organization inspires youth and young adults of African descent between the ages of 13-30 to explore their cultural roots through travel.

They also encourage learning ones history in the United States, before they take the journey abroad. Since 2015, Birthright AFRICA has been focused on creating the next generation to become leaders who are proud of their African heritage. They aim to teach young people to stay connected to their African roots while understanding that they have the power to pursue their aspirations and become more innovative while learning about Africa.

Akwasi Agyeman, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority said he was very excited about the signing of this MOU. “Since the Year of Return, we’ve seen a lot of our own come back to the continent. Ghana has become a mainstay for that reconnection home.” he said. “So having this partnership with Walla and the team at Birthright AFRICA project, I think is very symbolic. Because the ethos of what you are doing sits with what the whole Beyond the Return conversation is.” He continued saying that the Year of Return was for the diaspora to come and visit, see the continent and see Ghana and now with Beyond the Return it’s more about reconnection, investment, diaspora pathways and doing things together.

“Tourism is about travel and travel precedes trade and trade increases the commerce of a people,” said Jidenna, who is on Birthright AFRICA’s Executive Board. “What we’re really doing here is creating, and fostering power. That’s what this is all about. It’s not merely heritage, it’s not merely connections, it’s not merely ‘chillin’ on Labadi Beach’ and hanging out in the sand. It’s power. What is power but the flow of energy between two points? If that is power, then that is what Birthright Africa is doing right now.

The Ghana Tourism Authority under the Ministry of Tourism , Arts and Culture is signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Birthright Africa Incorporated who has been having Collaborations since 2019 inspiring the youth and young adults of African descent ages 13 to 30 to explore their cultural route and legacy of innovation within the United States of America and select nations in Africa as a Birthright.

Categories
Politics

RESHUFFLE YOUR MINISTERS TO BRING FRESH IDEAS- PROF. GYAMPO

Ransford Gyampo, a professor at the University of Ghana’s Political Science Department, has expressed concern about President Akufo-decision Addo’s not to reshuffle his appointees.

Gyampo said on Asaase’s Big Bulletin on Monday (8 August), “If you have the men, some are tired, some have been incompetent, and some are packing away.” Why don’t you reshuffle them and bring in new members? Fresh ideas, new perspectives, new energy, and so on. However, the president has the final say.”

“If the president believes they have performed admirably, well… after his tenure, we will be the best judges, we will assess him and determine whether he has performed admirably with his ministers or not,” he said.

Gyampo continued, “And so, if the president believes they are doing well and we believe they are not doing well, I believe the president’s position must be taken because he appointed them.” But, at the end of the day, we will conduct a thorough assessment of his government to determine whether or not his ministers assisted him.”

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