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Ghana Ranks Among Top Countries for Digitally Delivered Service Exports

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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The latest figures from the World Trade Organization (WTO) indicate that Ghana, Morocco, and South Africa collectively represented over 50% of the sub-Saharan region’s exports of digitally delivered services.

The WTO report, analyzing trade data from 2022 to 2023, identifies Ghana as the top exporter of digitally delivered services in Africa, with exports reaching $6.2 billion in 2022.

This accounts for a 19% share of the regional market. The report also forecasts a substantial rise in Ghana’s digital service exports for 2024, following a notable 30% growth in the previous year.

This growth is attributed to the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the digital economy.

Despite uneven infrastructure development across the continent, nearly half of Africa now enjoys enhanced connectivity.

The report highlights that further progress in digital services will require complementary policy and regulatory reforms.

These reforms must aim to keep digital communications affordable, provide citizens with crucial digital and entrepreneurial skills, and position businesses to leverage emerging opportunities in the digital economy.

SOURCE: Obikyere Abigail Seyram.

Sam George Calls On Chief Justice To Speed Up Rulings On Anti-Gay Bill Cases

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Sam George, MP for Ningo-Prampram and chief advocate for the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, has expressed mounting frustration over the Supreme Court’s delay in addressing legal challenges against the anti-gay bill.

The proposed legislation, which seeks to criminalise and regulate LGBTQ+ activities and advocacy in Ghana, has stirred widespread public debate and encountered legal pushback.

According to Sam George, the court’s prolonged inaction obstructs the smooth functioning of the legislative and executive arms of government.

He highlighted the need for swift resolution of these cases, citing their broad implications for the country.

The Ningo-Prampram MP has emphasized that the Supreme Court’s delay in addressing these legal challenges is causing uncertainty for both lawmakers and government officials.

As a result, he is urging Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo to fast-track the hearing and resolution of the cases, emphasizing that they have direct implications for governance and decision-making at the highest levels.

“There is no issue before the Supreme Court that carries more urgency than this one, which impacts both the legislature and the executive. Justice Yoni Kulendi supported a quorum judgment recognizing the significance of this matter”.

“In light of the Supreme Court’s ruling in a related case brought by Amanda Odoi and Richard Dela Sky, we strongly believe that the Chief Justice should convene the court and resolve the matter, aligning with the conclusions already reached by her colleagues in that panel.”

SOURCE: Obikyere Abigail Seyram.

NDC alleges some individuals plan to disrupt ‘Enough is Enough’ protest in Kumasi

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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NDC's Andrews Nana Akwasi claims plans to disrupt the 'enough is enough' protest, but measures are in place to prevent disruptions.
A gathering of NDC protesters

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Andrews Nana Akwasi, has alleged that they have received information indicating that some individuals have planned to disorganize the ‘enough is enough’ protest happening today, September 17, 2024.

However, the party has implemented measures to prevent any potential disruptions.

The leadership of the NDC has ordered all regional offices to protest after rising concerns over alleged discrepancies in the 2024 voters register.

Thousands of supporters of the NDC have mounted the streets of the Kumasi Metropolis as part of the ‘enough is enough’ demonstration against the EC.

The opposition party claims the voter’s register has been marred with some discrepancies they want the EC to address ahead of the 2024 general election.

The NDC wants the EC to audit the voters register to ensure that everything is done rightly before the December 7 election.

The protest is happening in all the 16 regions in Ghana today.

Andrews Nana Akwesi, the Ashanti Regional NDC Chairman said, “I have heard that some people want to spoil the protest, so as we are going, lets be alert and anyone who has decided to disrupt this ‘demo’ we are embarking on we will deal with.”

The party is expected to hand over a petition to the regional head of the Electoral Commission.

By Nelly Takyiwa Boateng

Africa Suffers Disproportionate Impact From Climate Change – WMO Report

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Climate Change

Africa, one of the regions least responsible for global emissions, faces some of the harshest impacts of climate change, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The report highlights that Africa’s climate is warming at a faster rate than the global average, with temperatures rising by 0.3 degrees Celsius per decade between 1991 and 2023. North Africa, in particular, experienced record-breaking heat, with Morocco’s Agadir reaching a scorching 50.4 degrees Celsius.

Extreme weather events, including heavy rains and severe droughts, are wreaking havoc across the continent. Floods in September and October affected around 300,000 people across 10 countries, with Niger, Benin, Ghana, and Nigeria being the hardest hit. Meanwhile, Zambia suffered its worst drought in 40 years, affecting millions.

Climate activists have long underscored the unfairness of Africa bearing such a high cost for climate change while contributing only a small fraction to global greenhouse gas emissions. The upcoming COP29 climate summit, scheduled for November in Azerbaijan, will focus on how wealthier nations can support poorer countries, like those in Africa, in adapting to climate-related challenges.

Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko of the African Union Commission emphasized that climate change exacerbates humanitarian crises in Africa, affecting agriculture, food security, infrastructure, and overall socio-economic development. The WMO report revealed that many African countries lose between two and five per cent of their GDP due to climate extremes, with some diverting up to nine per cent of their budgets to cope.

A new WMO report highlights Africa’s accelerated warming and severe climate impacts despite contributing just a fraction to global emissions.

The report warns that if adequate measures aren’t taken, by 2030, up to 118 million Africans living on less than $1.90 a day will be exposed to the devastating effects of droughts, floods, and extreme heat, hampering poverty alleviation and economic growth.

WMO also called for urgent investments in better data collection and early warning systems, noting that Africa accounts for 35% of global weather-related fatalities, yet only 40% of its population has access to early warning systems—the lowest in any region worldwide.

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Kumasi: Our supporters have been released- NDC

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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The National Democratic Congress has announced that the Ghana Police Service has released four of its supporters following the party’s intervention.

The opposition party claimed that their supporters were allegedly detained while attempting to access the Ashanti Regional office of the Electoral Commission (EC).

Regional Chairman Andrews Nana Akwasi expressed disappointment at the police’s handling of the protest.

He stated that despite prior arrangements for the party to visit the EC’s office, the police denied them access, leading to some members being arrested.

With the party’s intervention, he said their supporters were released.

Mr. Akwasi urged the police to uphold professionalism, stating that the protest was intended to be peaceful.

Meanwhile, the police refuted these allegations.

He also noted that approximately 50,000 individuals participated in the protest, symbolizing the NDC’s confidence in victory in the upcoming elections.

A significant gathering of NDC supporters from across the Ashanti Region gathered in the regional capital to protest against perceived irregularities in the voter’s register.

In response to concerns raised by the NDC leadership regarding discrepancies in the 2024 voter register, the party instructed all regional offices to partake in the protest.

Accra: NDC’s ‘Enough is Enough’ Protests Underway….

By
Ivy Hollys
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ndc protests

Members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) are on a street protest today, demanding an independent forensic audit of the voter register before Election 2024.

The protest, organized under the theme “Enough is Enough,” has drawn attention. The NDC and other stakeholders have expressed concerns about discrepancies in the voters register ahead of the December 7 elections.

In Accra, the protesters gathered at the Obra Spot, at the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange in Accra, and through the Farisco traffic light. 

After the recent registration exercise for new voters, the NDC has claimed that the current voters’ register has seen some discrepancies. These include unauthorized transfers among other claims.

This, the NDC argues, could potentially disenfranchise some voters and compromise the integrity of the elections.

The NDC has documented a number of complaints. These range from missing names from the register to duplicated voter identification numbers. In addition, they say there are cases of unauthorized transfers of voters into different constituencies. 

The flag bearer of the NDC,  President John Dramani Mahama, had been quite vocal about the party’s discontent. He also expressed discontent with the manner the EC was handling the voters’ register.

The NDC’s National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, reiterated the position of the party. He stated that the EC must act expeditiously to restore confidence in the electoral process.

We have raised these issues repeatedly, but the EC has not taken adequate steps to address them. Our demonstration today is to make it clear that we will not accept a flawed register,” said Mr. Asiedu Nketiah.

Source: graphiconline

Police refute claims of shooting incident at Kumasi EC office

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
-

The Ghana Police Service has denied reports of a shooting incident at the Kumasi office of the Electoral Commission, clarifying that no demonstrator was injured by the police.

The incident occurred when a group of demonstrators, primarily NDC supporters from the Ashanti Region, breached the agreed-upon arrangement by forcefully entering the EC office compound.

The protesters were subsequently restrained by law enforcement.

The NDC organized the protest in response to concerns over alleged irregularities in the 2024 voter register.

The party highlighted discrepancies in the provisional voters register, including inflated voter numbers in specific polling stations, which they claimed were part of an Electoral Commission (EC) ploy to influence the upcoming elections in favor of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Tensions escalated in Kumasi during the demonstration as protesters attempted to access the Electoral Commission’s office.

Police erected barricades to prevent the crowd from reaching the office, leading to a confrontation where officers reportedly discharged firearms, resulting in injuries to two individuals.

Four individuals were also taken into custody during the incident.

In a statement, the police service refuted all allegations, urging the need for responsible media reporting.

“We would like to take this opportunity to
urge the media to be circumspect in their
reportage,” the police statement read.

A/R: Two NDC Protesters Injured, several arrested during Kumasi demo

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
-

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ashanti Region has reported that two of their supporters sustained injuries after police officers allegedly fired guns during the “Enough is Enough” protest in Kumasi.

A large gathering of NDC supporters from across the Ashanti Region assembled in the regional capital to protest against perceived irregularities in the voter’s register.

Following concerns raised by the NDC leadership regarding discrepancies in the 2024 voter register, the party directed all regional offices to participate in the protest.

The NDC cited issues with the provisional voters register, highlighting discrepancies such as inflated voter numbers in certain polling stations, which they claimed were part of an Electoral Commission (EC) scheme to manipulate the December 7 elections in favor of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Chaos erupted in Kumasi during the protest as demonstrators attempted to reach the Electoral Commission’s office.

Police set up extensive barricades to prevent the protesters from accessing the office, leading to an altercation where officers reportedly fired guns at the crowd, resulting in injuries to two individuals.

Others persons were also arrested during the incident.

Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the regional Secretary of the NDC, condemned the police’s actions as unwarranted and unacceptable, stating that the party possesses evidence of the officers involved and intends to pursue legal action once in power in 2025.

Regional Chairman Andrews Nana Akwasi expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the police officers and threatened that all opposition party supporters would camp outside the EC’s office until the detained individuals were released.

He urged the police to maintain professionalism, noting that the protest was intended to be peaceful.

Fuel Prices Dip; Petrol at GH¢12.99; Diesel Going For GH¢14.49

By
Ivy Hollys
-

Oil marketing companies (OMCs) have significantly reduced petrol (fuel) prices at the pumps. This follows the start of the second pricing window in September.

This marks OMC’s fourth consecutive decrease in fuel prices since prices began to drop in the first pricing window in August.

State-owned Goil, which previously sold petrol (Super XP) at GH¢14.16 in the first pricing window of September, now offers it at GH¢12.99.

Diesel (Diesel XP), previously priced at GH¢14.70, is now retailing at GH¢14.49.

These reductions result from continued drops in international refined petroleum product prices. That is the relatively favourable performance of the Cedi against the preceding pricing window.

Additional OMCs are anticipated to follow suit and reduce their prices in the coming days.

Source: citinewsroom

Mahama Challenges Akufo-Addo’s 12,000km Road Construction Claim, Seeks Audit

By
Ivy Hollys
-
john mahama:president of Ghana

Former President John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, has raised doubts about the Akufo-Addo administration’s claim of constructing over 12,000 kilometers of roads across Ghana.

Speaking at a campaign event in the Bortianor Ngleshie Amanfrom constituency, he expressed skepticism about the accuracy of the figure, and cited a lack of visible evidence to support the government’s claim.

He said if the NDC returns to power, his administration would conduct an audit to verify the legitimacy of these road construction projects.

He criticized the current state of road infrastructure, noting that traditional leaders across the country consistently raise concerns about poor roads.

Mahama sarcastically questioned where the 12,000 km of roads were located. He said hey might only be found in President Akufo-Addo’s hometown of Kyebi, where the roads are reportedly in good condition.

He said, “Everywhere I go, every traditional ruler who has spoken has complained about the poor road network. And I am saying that the NPP says that in the eight years of [John Agyekum] Kufuor, he did 3000 and something kilometers of roads. In NDC, they say we did 4,700 kilometers of roads. And they alone have done 12,000 kilometers of roads.”

“And the question I am asking is, Where are those roads? Because everywhere I go, the main complaint is about the road network. So I don’t know [where the roads are].

“Well, I have not been to Abuakwa and Kyebi, where the president comes from. But I hear the roads [there] are very good so maybe that is where the 12,000 kilometers of roads are.

“And so when we come, the new roads they said they have done, I will audit them to find out where the money that has been paid for 12,000 kilometers of roads has gone because we can’t find those roads.”

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