Ex-President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday, January 25, 2024 visited the people of Obuasi as part of his Ashanti Regional tour, which commenced on Wednesday, January 24, 2024.
Otumfuor exposes John Mahama
The ex-president in his address to the chiefs and people of Obuasi, said his government revived the AngloGold Ashanti – Obuasi Mine in 2014. This comment caught the attention of many on social media and traditional media.
Shortly after ex-president John Mahama’s commentary, a viral video of the king of Asanteman, Otumfuo Osei Tutu – II in 2019 was seen addressing attendants thanking H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his government for their superb inputs in reviving the AngloGold Ashanti after so many failed attempts by previous government.
Our Research Desk delve deeper into the issue and came across a document on Tax Concession Agreement for the Obuasi Mines Redevelopment between the Republic of Ghana and AngloGold Ashanti (Ghana) Limited, which was dated 27/11/2017. In the said document, the Republic of Ghana granted about $300M tax waiver to the AngloGold Ashanti (Ghana) Limited amidst other incentives to aid the realization of the redevelopment project.
Our desk also came across a video of the Chief Executive Officer of AngloGold, Alberto Calderon at the commemoration of the first gold pour, praising the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his assurance and relentless efforts to see the operation of the Obuasi mine. Chiefs and the good people present also heaped praises on the President for such a phenomenal job.
Mahama busted
Ex-President John Mahama has come under heavy criticisms after he has been, what the majority claim to be exposed. Scores of Ghanaians are of the view that the ex-president must rise to the occasion and act as a statesman.
On January 23, 2024, Julius Malema, South Africa’s founder and leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters addressed members of the ARISE – Save Ghana movement at the College of Physicians & Surgeons auditorium, Accra.
Julius Malema
The eagerly awaited event had scores of Ghanaians seated at the auditorium and others glued by their television sets with all kinds of expectations – knowing the firebrand of a guest speaker who is about delivering his speech.
Mr. Julius Malema finally mounted the podium after short speeches by organizers and some big wigs of the National Democratic Congress. His speech was flawless and timely for the Ghanaian populace, especially at a time where the country is forging on into a general election.
In Mr. Malema’s speech, he drew the attention of audience and to an extension, the entire country to embrace unity and new ideas among the old and the youth. ‘’The old must allow the young to lead and those who served in the past must not attack new ideas’’ – Mr. Malema said
South Africa’s Opposition Leader, Julius Malema
He also urged former presidents to be content and not be moved with the idea of relinquishing power. ‘’All former Presidents should live like how all other progressive Presidents have lived, who are statesmen and are home waiting for courtesy visits and consultations, and honour states functions. Those are the duties of former Presidents’’ – he directed.
In his conclusion, Mr. Julius Malema extended an open invitation to the people of Ghana and all Africans to take advantage of the opportunities in South Africa and spread the African love.
Kwabena Agyapong, a former general secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has praised Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for his success and generosity after being elected as the party’s flagbearer.
One of the 10 competitors in the race, Mr. Agyapong, has publicly backed Bawumia since the results were revealed.
Kwabena Agyapong and the Venerable Bawumia in a picture
“I was one of the ten contestants in the election, and in the end, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia emerged the winner to lead our party,” stated Agyapong, thanking NPP members in the Volta Region for their support on Sunday during Dr. Bawumia’s visit. Such competitions require both generous winners and gracious losers to demonstrate their graciousness.”
“The victor, Dr. Bawumia, has shown great generosity. He has proven this by paying visits to everyone who disagreed with him. It was lovely for the four of us to be seated at the same table with him last Friday in Kumasi.”
He’s proven to be a uniter, and I’ve also shown grace in losing. In order to guarantee that he wins and the party wins in 2024, we are cooperating.”
In order to increase the party’s vote share in 2024, Mr. Agyapong asked Volta Region party executives as well as the victors and defeaters of the most recent parliamentary primaries to band together.
Kwabena Agyapong escorts Bawumia to the North
Since 1992, we have had more votes here, and with Dr. Bawumia, I am optimistic that we will have even more and succeed next year, in shaa Allah. Thus, let’s band together and strive for success.”
NPP National Chairman Stephen Ayesu Ntim, former General Secretary Kwabena Agyapong, and Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, the Member of Parliament for Efiduase in the Ashanti Region, were among the delegation led by Dr. Bawumia.
The debate over Ghana’s first mining lease for the extraction of lithium has drawn in participation from two legal and mining specialists, Mr. Fui Tsikata and Mr. Kofi Ansah.
Legal and mining experts jointly published a paper on Monday, December 11, 2023, in which they criticized the analysis conducted by the Institute Economic Affairs (IEA), Professor Ransford Gyampo of the University of Ghana’s Political Science Department, and Mrs. Sophia Akuffo, the former Chief Justice, for making “the error of promoting form over substance.” A former lecturer at the University of Ghana Faculty of Law, Mr. Fui Tsikata, is a renowned lawyer with over forty (40) years of experience in the mining industry. On the other hand, Mr. Kofi Ansah served as President Rawlings’ first Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission from 1993 to 1999.
Despite pointing out two areas in which the government could have improved the lease, the two stated that the “widely-publicized criticisms are patently wrong” and that they are the result of an ignorance of the rules and regulations governing the mining business. The government of Ghana granted a mining lease to Barari DV Ltd., a subsidiary of Atlantic Lithium Ltd., in October of this year so that the company could utilize lithium in Ghana. The Minister emphasized that Ghana will never export lithium in its raw form during the brief ceremony to commemorate the lease’s signing, calling it the best deal for the country. The government of Ghana granted a mining lease to Barari DV Ltd., a subsidiary of Atlantic Lithium Ltd., in October of this year so that the company could utilize lithium in Ghana. The Minister emphasized that Ghana will never export lithium in its raw form during the brief ceremony to commemorate the lease’s signing, calling it the best deal for the country. But several members of the public, most notably the IEA and former Chief Justice Prof. Gyampo, criticized the arrangement.
The Minerals Commission’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Martin Ayisi, the Minerals Income Investment Fund’s (MIIF) Chief Executive Officer, Nana Yaw Koranteng, and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, took turns explaining to the public the procedures that led to the lease’s grant as well as its terms during a press briefing on Monday, December 11, 2023. They maintained that the following benefits—which include the building of a refinery and the domestic sale of byproducts—are unprecedented and in Ghana’s best interests: the ten percent (10%) royalty rate, the thirteen percent (13%) free carried interest, the six percent (6%) interest secured by MIIF, and the additional three percent (3%) in the Australian listed holding company.
The Ministry and the Commission claim that the free-carried interest secured and the royalty rate are among the highest in the world. However, the company is still required to list on the Ghana Stock Exchange in order to increase Ghanaian participation to a minimum of thirty percent (30%). Thoughts on the lease have persisted despite these justifications. The two experts think that the current state of affairs is such that a large portion of the commentary on the lease is misinformed and stems from a lack of knowledge about the mining sector. “There are fundamental flaws in the methods used by the IEA and Professor Gyampo in computing revenues and the allocation of potential direct monetary benefits from the project that undermine the conclusions they seek to draw,” they claim.
It is a mistake to prioritize form over substance in the IEA and Ms. Akuffo’s argument that “joint venture agreements or “service contracts” are better than leases or concession contracts.” They clarified that the project generates gross revenue of US$688 million annually, not the US$24 billion that Prof. Gyampo and the IEA had claimed. Furthermore, they clarified that the government would receive a minimum of 51 percent (51%) of the project’s revenue, rather than the 13 percent (13%) proposed by the IEA and Prof. Gyampo, when all the negotiated terms are taken into account. According to them, the government’s earnings from mining operations are at their highest point ever, with typical operations typically providing an average of forty-five percent (45%) or less.
The two experts characterized requests for a joint venture made by the former Chief Justice and the IEA as misinterpretations of the sector. Regarding the argument pertaining to “joint ventures” and “service contracts,” it is evidently incorrect to state explicitly that they are superior to leases. The proposal doesn’t even try to compare financial terms in a way that is meaningful. Spodumene concentrate, the beneficiated lithium ore, is the main product. They stated that they thought the government could tighten the language regarding the possibility of setting up a plant to process the concentrate from the mine and improve the pricing of this product. They do, however, think that the government negotiated this agreement very well.
The government performed exceptionally well in obtaining the negotiated terms, according to similar analyses by Dr. Sam Jonah, the former president of Anglogold Ashanti; Dr. Kwabena Donkor, the NDC MP for Pru East; and Dr. Donkor, the former minister of power. In response to Mr. Fui Tsikata and Ansah’s concerns, Mr. Martin Ayisi, CEO of the Minerals Commission, stated that the recommendations made by the two experts are highly appreciated. According to him, those conversations have already been taken into consideration, and additional terms need to be added to related agreements.
He clarified that the government still needs to approve the agreement with Piedmont. According to the CEO, the Commission is open to suggestions on how to do a better job. But he insisted that those criticisms be factual because many of them are not supported by the evidence.
The government has disbursed over GHC100 million as grant funding and training to youth-led start-ups and Micro, Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) to generate youth entrepreneurs and leverage Ghana’s youthful population to stimulate economic empowerment and development.
Through the Ghana Jobs and Skills Project (GJSP) and the Ghana Economic Transformation Project (GETP) implemented by the Ghana Enterprises Agency, the government has provided capacity building on business management, technical assistance and grant funding to over 30,000 persons, selected start-ups and MSMEs, with many more expected to receive same in the coming year.
Addressing thousands of youth drawn from across the country at the end of a YouStartGrant Expo dubbed “Empowering Youth Entrepreneurs for a Resilient Economy” in Accra, the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia reiterated the government’s determination to provide the youth with the necessary training and funds to make it on their own and contribute their quota to national development.
“It is exciting to note that these initiatives are ongoing efforts by the government to create an entrepreneurial economy. In September 2023, the government, through the Ghana Enterprises Agency, approved over GHC35 Million to 272 MSMEs under various components of the Ghana Economic Transformation Project (GETP).
“Also, between September 2021 and August 2022, the government supported over 780 firms with grant funding of over GHS65 Million under the GETP.
YouStart cash donations for Startups
“I am happy to announce that the Government of Ghana, through the Ghana Jobs and Skills Project (GJSP) and the Ghana Economic Transformation Project (GETP), will award grant support of almost GHS 65 million to 3,000 start-ups and MSMEs gathered here, with the total support to beneficiaries in 2023, totalling GHS 100 million. It is also important to note that a special grant package has been designed to support and empower Persons With Disabilities (PWD),” he announced.
Over 30,000 young persons and MSMEs have already received between four and five days of Business Management Training, with more entrepreneurs and start-ups and established enterprises expected to receive grant funding in 2024 under the YouStartGrant initiative.
YouStart Event in Accra
“By the end of these two Projects, the government will have supported more than 50,000 start-ups and MSMEs with technical and financial support through the Ghana Enterprises Agency.”
The overall impact of these two initiatives extends beyond financial figures and statistical metrics, the Vice President noted.
“This grant funding is not just a monetary transaction; it is an investment in the dreams, aspirations and potential of the youth. It is a signal that shows the youth of this great nation that ‘it is possible’. Through strategic partnerships and targeted interventions, we are creating an environment of possibilities where ideas flourish, businesses thrive and individuals find the means to unleash their potential. And it is surely the complementary pathway to nurture and reap the demographic dividend of having a youthful population.
“By providing financial resources alongside targeted training programs, we are empowering the youth for the paradigm shift of job creation as opposed to job seekers. I strongly believe that such Technical Assistance and catalytic grants will drive the objective of promoting private investments and business growth. This is a strategic move towards industrialisation, export expansion, and job creation.
“Let us recognise the significance of today’s grant signing ceremony in shaping the destiny of our nation. Let it re-echo in our minds and hearts that investing in the strengthening of the nation’s youth and businesses through these interventions stimulates and lays the foundations for economic growth and prosperity for all.
“By empowering the youth, we are contributing to a secure future where no one is left behind, and our nation stands as an icon of success on the international stage.”
Dr. Theo Acheampong, an economist, has stated that it makes sense for Ghanaians to use a credit score system starting in the upcoming year, as suggested by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
He stated that in order to achieve the ultimate goal of a customized credit score, using the Ghana Card to become the credit system’s anchor must be supported.
Dr. Theo Acheampong
At the 57th Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology congregation, Dr. Bawumia declared that Ghana will implement a credit scoring system the following year to enable citizens of Ghana to obtain personal loans and to assist financial institutions in managing the sharing of costs and risks with their clientele.
He believed that the credit system would guarantee debt repayment discipline.
“Ghana will launch a personal credit scoring system early in 2019.” Each person will possess a credit score. We do not yet have a credit scoring system in place.
As a result, interest rates are high and everyone is viewed as dangerous. However, we’ll talk about unique credit scores next. Therefore, you will have no credit score and difficulty getting a loan if you don’t pay back your current one. However, you will receive a great credit score and perhaps cheaper interest rates if you pay your loans back on time. More discipline will result from this, he said.
Dr. Theo Acheampong stated that “We must commend such policies” in a post on his X platform. Before the elections of 2024, the policy discussions have already begun, and some of us are here to critically examine them and suggest other directions. It is our civic obligation.
Below is the full write-up…
DR BAWUMIAH IS RIGHT: A PERSONAL CREDIT-SCORING SYSTEM DOES NOT EXIST, AND IT IS A MUST TO DEEPEN FINANCIAL ACCESS
Vice President Dr Mahamadu Bawumiah of the ruling NPP administration recently remarked, “Ghana will introduce a credit scoring system next year for citizens [individuals], which will help citizens access personal loans and help financial institutions control the allocation of risks and costs”.
“right now our CREDIT-SCORING SYSTEM DOES NOT EXIST so everybody is seen as risky and the interest rates are high….But we are going to move into INDIVIDUALISED CREDIT SCORING…and that the Ghana Card will become the anchor for the credit system”.
According to the Bank of Ghana’s 2022 Credit Reporting Activity Report, there are currently three (3) licenced credit bureaus: XDS Data Ghana Limited, HudsonPrice Data Solutions Limited and Dun and Bradstreet Credit Bureau Limited. These companies operate under the Credit Reporting Act, 2007 (Act 726) and are involved in collecting credit data and providing credit referencing services to financial institutions. Furthermore, a total number of twenty-two (22) institutions and companies designated as data providers and authorized users of the credit reporting system were at various stages of full compliance (pp.8-9).
Pages 9 of the same report published by the Bank of Ghana notes that “Banks generally complied with data submission requirements and actively used the services of credit bureaus”.
Furthermore, 9.1 million searches were conducted by authorised users on individual borrowers or potential individual borrowers in 2022. Another 277,315 searches were conducted on businesses or corporate borrowers. By far, most of the searches were on individual borrowers (97%) compared with 3% of businesses.
However, it is important to note that the products and services offered by the Credit Bureaus are not INDIVIDUALISED CREDIT SCORING. Rather, these come in six (forms), namely:
“Consumer Basic Trace Report: This contains information on personal details, credit account summary, address history, guarantor details and telephone history. This is designed to help the lender in completing “know your customer” (KYC) documentation on the customer.
Consumer Basic Credit Report: This contains personal information, credit account summary, detailed credit facility status, and monthly payment behaviour.
Basic Commercial Report: It contains company registration details, directors and credit account summary. It is designed to provide background information on companies and basic information on credit exposure.
Consumer Credit Report – This contains the credit profile overview, credit profile summary, credit facility details, and demographic information. This report provides information on the credit exposure and repayment history of borrowers and empowers lenders to make better credit risk decisions.
Commercial Credit Report – This presents the credit history, demographic information and company profiles, and
Industry Reports – These include a variety of products to enhance the Know-Your-Customer (KYC) procedures of financial institutions with respect to banks’ business customers.”
In other words, the current data provided by the credit bureaus are amalgamated reports comprising different data points such as personal details, credit account summary, address history, guarantor details and telephone history. The companies, for one reason or another, are unable to combine this information into a COMPOSITE CREDIT SCORE such as offered by the likes of companies like Experian and TransUnion here in the UK where I am based, and which can allow the pricing of individual financial products and services. In terms of evidence, I have attached my Experian score, which currently sits at 961 out of 999 and is rated excellent. With this single number, I can access various products, including credit cards, loans, insurance, and other financial products.
Dr Bawumiah is right in the sense that an INDIVIDUALISED CREDIT SCORING does not exist in Ghana.
I am by no means an IT expert, but leveraging the Ghana Card to become the anchor of the credit system and, thereby, meet the ultimate goal of a personalised credit score is a sensible idea that all must support.
We must commend such policies. The policy debates have already started ahead of the 2024 elections, and some of us are here to interrogate them in detail and offer alternative pathways. It is our civic duty!
Dr. Mahamudu Buwumia, the vice president, has pleaded with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to use the Ghana Card as the foundation for data and information in order to expand the nation’s tax base.
The Life changing Ghana Card
He claimed that the government has been able to raise the percentage of individuals with Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) from the 4% it inherited in 2017 to the current 85% since the TIN and Ghana Card systems were merged.
I’m warning GRA about this. Now that we’ve put this together, I’m stating that the data is available,” the vice president stated.
Dr. Bawumia with the Asante Hene
He bemoaned, “It is a very lazy approach to go and keep looking for taxes from people who are already paying their taxes when you can look at the vast majority who are not paying their taxes,” emphasizing that greater revenue would be generated and the tax net would widen before further tax increases were necessary.
Dr Bawumia made the appeal in a keynote address at the 57th Congregation of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi last Friday.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, the Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor Rita Akosua Dickson, and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who also serves as the institution’s Chancellor, honored the occasion.
Other guests in the jam-packed KNUST Great Hall included scholars, legislators, and traditional leaders. At the 57th Congregation of the KNUST in Kumasi, Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II (3rd from left), and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia (3rd from right) are shown beside other of the dignitaries who were awarded honorary doctorates.
Early in the next year, the Vice-President also alluded to the introduction of a personal credit score system by the government. He claimed that “everyone would have a credit score” and that “interest rates were higher” since there was no credit score system and everyone was viewed as dangerous.
Vice President Bawumia bows to greet Otumfo
Nevertheless, Dr. Bawumia pointed out that the government had pledged its unwavering support to improve infrastructure and facilities, including the completion of the KNUST Teaching Hospital, in order to lessen the burden of student formation and training. This was in recognition of the demands made by the Free SHS on upper education institutions.
In a surprising turn of events, former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has announced his intention to grant Ato Essien, the former founder of Capital Bank, a presidential pardon. The decision has sparked controversy and debate across the nation, considering the severity of the charges and the recent conviction of Essien.
Ato Essien jailed for 15 years
Ato Essien, once a prominent figure in Ghana’s financial sector, was sentenced to 15 years in prison on October 12, 2023, for his involvement in a high-profile case of stealing and money laundering. The Accra High Court found him guilty on all counts, highlighting the misappropriation of over GHS600 million from Capital Bank and the use of the embezzled funds for personal gain, including luxurious vacations and funding his personal businesses.
Essien’s conviction was seen as a strong message against financial crimes and a deterrent to others who might consider engaging in similar activities. The judge in the case took into account the seriousness of the offenses and Essien’s lack of remorse in delivering the sentence.
Despite the court’s ruling and the widespread public support for the conviction, former President Mahama’s decision to grant Essien a presidential pardon has raised eyebrows. Pardons are typically granted to individuals who have demonstrated rehabilitation, expressed remorse, or served a significant portion of their sentence. In Essien’s case, where he was convicted on all charges and has not shown remorse, the decision to grant a pardon has triggered skepticism.
John Dramani Mahama
Former President Mahama has not yet elaborated on the reasoning behind his decision. This has led to concerns that political motivations or personal connections may be influencing the choice to pardon Essien, further fueling the debate surrounding the move.
Essien’s lawyers have already announced their intention to appeal the conviction and sentence, adding an additional layer of complexity to the situation. The ongoing legal battle, coupled with the potential presidential pardon, ensures that the Ato Essien case will continue to captivate the nation’s attention and spark discussions on justice, accountability, and the role of political figures in high-profile legal matters.
Accra, Ghana – In a surprising development, Ghana has emerged as a front-runner in the global landscape of social media misinformation. While the West African nation has long been recognized for its democratic stability and vibrant social media presence, a recent surge in the spread of false information has raised concerns about the potential consequences of this alarming trend.
Most Ghanaian Media has resorted to dispersing Fake News
Over the past few years, Ghana has experienced a significant uptick in the dissemination of misleading and outright false information on various social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and YouTube. Experts attribute this phenomenon to a complex interplay of factors, including political polarization, limited digital literacy, and the proliferation of social media usage.
Misinformation on the Rise
Misinformation in Ghana has taken various forms, ranging from political rumors and health-related hoaxes to financial scams and fabricated news stories. One of the most prominent cases involved false information about a fictitious coup d’état, which circulated widely on social media and triggered panic among citizens. These instances not only damage the country’s reputation but also pose real threats to public safety and stability.
The rise of misinformation in Ghana
Political Polarization
Political polarization in Ghana has contributed significantly to the spread of misinformation. The country’s political landscape has become increasingly polarized in recent years, with political actors on both sides using social media as a battleground for ideological warfare. False narratives and fabricated claims are weaponized to gain a strategic advantage, often at the expense of truth and accuracy.
Digital Literacy Challenges
Limited digital literacy among a significant portion of the population exacerbates the issue. Many Ghanaians, especially in rural areas, lack the critical skills necessary to discern reliable information from false content. This knowledge gap makes them vulnerable to the manipulation of misinformation, leading to unintended consequences.
Digital challenges
Government Response
The Ghanaian government has recognized the gravity of the situation and has taken some steps to combat misinformation. In 2022, the National Communications Authority (NCA) launched an awareness campaign to promote digital literacy and educate citizens about the dangers of false information. Additionally, the government has pledged to work with social media companies to curb the spread of misinformation on their platforms.
Social Media Platforms’ Responsibility
Major social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, also bear a responsibility to address the issue. They must improve their content moderation efforts and algorithms to detect and remove false information promptly. Collaboration with local fact-checking organizations can play a crucial role in this endeavor.
The Global Perspective
Ghana’s rise in social media misinformation mirrors a global trend where misinformation and disinformation campaigns have flourished on digital platforms. Governments, civil society organizations, and tech companies around the world are grappling with the challenge of safeguarding the accuracy of information online.
Conclusion
As Ghana grapples with its newfound status as a leader in social media misinformation, the nation faces a critical juncture. The convergence of political polarization, limited digital literacy, and the unchecked spread of false information poses significant risks to the country’s stability and well-being. Addressing this issue will require a concerted effort from government, civil society, and the tech industry to promote digital literacy, improve content moderation, and foster a culture of truth and accuracy in the digital age.
Failure to do so could have far-reaching consequences for Ghana and its people.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia Vice President of the Republic of Ghana has said that ensuring macroeconomic stability by West African states is key to realizing the long-standing dream of achieving a single currency for the Sub-region.
Vice President Bawumia CCMG conference
Speaking at the opening of the 50th Meeting of the Convergence Council of Ministers and Governors of Central Banks of the Member States of the West Africa Monetary Zone (WAMZ) in Accra, on Friday September 15, 2023, Dr. Bawumia also stressed on the significance of a West African monetary integration, especially at a time many economic blocs are being formed around the world, in response to the challenges global economies are currently facing.
“The long-standing dream of the West African Single Currency Project that was mooted a couple of decades ago is as relevant today as when it was first conceived. The recent geoeconomic fragmentation underpins the urgent need for inclusive monetary integration hence the need for stronger policy commitment towards the realisation of this dream,” Dr. Bawumia said.
“We, therefore, must double our efforts in ensuring macroeconomic convergence and stability which are the necessary conditions for the take-off of a monetary union.”
“As we engage in development activities in our various countries, we should not lose sight of the fact that macroeconomic stability is vital for monetary union to thrive. We should, therefore, ensure a balance between economic development and macroeconomic stability.”
Inspite of highlighting challenges hindering the implementation of the West African common currency, including the inability of Member states to meet the set criteria, Vice President Bawumia also acknowledged some significant milestones towards realising the dream.
“Despite the daunting challenges, significant milestones have been achieved in the implementation of the activities of the ECOWAS single currency roadmap over the years.
“I understand that the name of the proposed single currency has been determined and is called eco, a federal model structure has been adopted for the common central bank, the name of the common central bank has been determined as Central Bank of West Africa, a flexible exchange rate regime adopted, and inflation targeting framework chosen.”
Dr. Bawumia
Ghana’s commitment
While identifying macroeconomic stability by member states as an important prerequisite towards realizing the eco dream, Dr. Bawumia spoke of Ghana’s commitment towards and ensuring that.
“We in Ghana, are committed to restoring macroeconomic stability that forms the basis of sustainable economic growth and development,” said the Vice President.
“We are leaving no stone unturned under our Programmed for Economic Growth (PC-PEG) aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability, building resilience through the implementation of wide-ranging and strong structural reforms, and laying the foundation for stronger and more inclusive growth, while also protecting the poor and the vulnerable.”
“Over the medium term, we shall continue to work hard to revive the economy and improve on our performance on the convergence criteria.”
