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Dr. Bawumia Reveals Anti-Corruption Plan With Focus on Digitalization

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Dr. Bawumia Reveals Anti-Corruption Plan with focus on Digitalisation

The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has revealed an ambitious strategy to tackle corruption in Ghana, focusing on digitalization and systemic reforms. During the launch of his manifesto last Sunday, Dr. Bawumia stressed the need for transparency and the importance of attacking corruption at its roots by building resilient systems that prevent corrupt practices before they arise.

He pointed to the success of recent digital initiatives, such as the removal of ghost names from the government payroll using the Ghanacard, and outlined his vision to take these efforts further. His ultimate goal? To transition Ghana into a cashless economy, enhancing traceability in financial transactions and reducing opportunities for corruption.

Anti-Corruption and Digitalization

Dr. Bawumia noted that the Bank of Ghana has already laid essential groundwork for this digital shift by implementing systems like mobile money interoperability and the Universal QR Code payment platform. Additionally, the e-cedi, Ghana’s digital currency currently being piloted in Sefwi Wiawso, promises to boost transparency while reducing risks such as fraud and money laundering.

In a forward-thinking move, Dr. Bawumia also announced plans to introduce blockchain technology and smart contracts into government operations. These tools would make all transactions permanently traceable and secure, ushering in a more efficient and corruption-free administration.

This approach represents a departure from traditional methods of fighting corruption. Rather than focusing solely on punishment after the fact, Dr. Bawumia’s plan leverages technology to create a transparent, accountable system that stops corruption before it even begins.

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Traditional Leaders Should Leverage Their Power to End Child Marriage—UNFPA

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Dr. Doris Mawuse Agbloitse, Gender Team Lead at UNFPA, emphasized the pivotal role of traditional leaders—particularly paramount chiefs and queen mothers—in advancing community development and combating child marriage. She highlighted that child marriage remains a pervasive issue in Ghana, and its eradication depends on empowering chiefs with the necessary information to tackle the complexities of the problem effectively.

Dr. Agbloitse spoke at a UNFPA workshop focused on “Ending Child Marriage and GBV,” attended by traditional council registrars from eight Regional Houses of Chiefs and the National House of Chiefs. The workshop, conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, aimed to enhance the registrars’ understanding of child marriage, gender-based violence (GBV), and other harmful practices to enable them to perform their roles more effectively.

The training is part of the 15-year Global Programme to End Child Marriage, which Ghana, along with 11 other countries, has been implementing from 2016 to 2030. Dr. Agbloitse stressed the importance of intensifying efforts with traditional and religious leaders, noting that these leaders have been integral to their communities long before modern democratic systems emerged.

“When you equip traditional leaders with the right information, they are better positioned to address community issues effectively,” Dr. Agbloitse explained. She also addressed the misconception among some chiefs who believe that marrying off a pregnant girl to the father is a protective measure, clarifying that such practices are both incorrect and illegal.

Child Marriage - UNFPA

Mr. Evans Habadah, Director of Human Resources at the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, acknowledged the ongoing challenge of child marriage. He emphasized the need for educational programs targeting both men and women and underscored the Ministry’s commitment to working with traditional leaders to address these issues more effectively.

Dr. Agbloitse urged leaders to familiarize themselves with the legal framework surrounding marriage and consent to avoid legal pitfalls and ensure that no girl under 18 is married off, regardless of her circumstances. She reaffirmed UNFPA’s commitment to safeguarding adolescent girls’ rights and working towards ending child marriage by 2030. Mr. Habadah pledged to strengthen engagements with traditional authorities to foster positive outcomes and advance the fight against child marriage.

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Naana Donkor Awarded Content Creator of the Year at GEA USA

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Naana Donkor Arthur wins Content Creator of the Year at GEA USA

Naana Donkor Arthur, the energetic host of the NDA Show, has just been crowned Online Content Creator of the Year at the prestigious Ghana Entertainment Awards USA.

Known for her vibrant personality and engaging content, Naana has captivated audiences across social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Her entertaining posts and charismatic presence have earned her millions of followers, solidifying her position as a fan favorite in the world of social media.

Naana’s influence isn’t confined to the online space. Her philanthropic work and dedication to showcasing Ghanaian culture and talent globally have made her a true ambassador for her homeland, earning her admiration both in the United States and back in Ghana. Naana’s talents go beyond just content creation.

She’s also an accomplished events promoter, having worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Majid Michel, Jackie Appiah, Piesie Esther, and Nigeria’s Deyemi Okanlawon, who has starred in hit films like Omo Ghetto, Blood Sisters, and King of Boys.

Her recognition as Online Content Creator of the Year is a well-deserved honor, celebrating her unmatched creativity and dedication. Through her digital presence, Naana has played a pivotal role in elevating African culture and entertainment on the global stage, and her impact continues to inspire many.

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Dancer Endurance Grand Celebrates as She Features New film in Italy

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Endurance Grand

Ghanaian dancer Endurance Grand, whose real name is Dedzo Endurance Dzigbordi, has reached an exciting stage in her career and couldn’t be more grateful. The fast-rising talent recently traveled to Venice, Italy, to attend the premiere of The Fisherman at the prestigious La Biennale Film Festival, where she not only attended but also featured in the film. This marks her official foray into acting.

Endurance Grand shared on Instagram her joy and appreciation for this achievement. “From Ghana to Venice, Italy, to watch the premiere of the first film I featured in, @thefisherman.film, at the @labiennale film festival,” she wrote. “My good God, I’m grateful for this new chapter, for you’ve made it look beautiful.”

Endurance also gave a special shout-out to her manager, Quables, for making her dreams a priority, and her director, Zoey Martinson, for her relentless dedication and passion for the project. “To my beloved manager @quables, thank you, sir, for making my dream a priority. To my lovely and patient director, @zoeymartinson, I appreciate the continuous work and love you’ve poured into this project. You really motivate me.”

Endurance Grand

She didn’t forget to acknowledge producers Lee Cooks and KJax for their behind-the-scenes efforts and extended her gratitude to the entire production team and her co-stars. “To all the production team and my beautiful co-actors, you guys made me feel at home and taught me a lot of good things I needed for this film, even off-set. We can’t wait for the world to see this.”

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John Mahama Pledges Free Healthcare if Elected in Office

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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John Mahama

John Mahama, the flagbearer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has disclosed a bold healthcare plan ahead of the 2024 elections. If elected, he promises free healthcare for all Ghanaians at medical facilities, from the polyclinic level down to the community health centers. This initiative is part of the NDC’s manifesto, which was launched in Winneba on August 24, 2024, and aims to provide quality and affordable healthcare to the public.

Mahama emphasized that under his administration, Ghanaians seeking medical care at these facilities would not have to worry about costs, as services would be fully covered. For those needing care at district hospitals and higher-level institutions, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) would be responsible for covering expenses. He pledged to ensure the NHIS is properly funded to operate efficiently and serve the people better.

John Mahama

In addition to healthcare reform, Mahama reiterated his commitment to getting rid of certain taxes in his first 100 days in office, including the E-Levy, COVID levy, and 10% tax on bet winnings. His goal is to ease the financial burden on Ghanaians and boost the economy. With these promises, Mahama is positioning his campaign as one focused on relief, improved access to healthcare, and a better quality of life for all citizens.

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Ghana’s Government Debt Reaches GH¢761.1 Billion as of July 2024

By
Ivy Hollys
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amin adam

Ghana’s provisional central government debt reached GH¢761.1 billion (approximately US$51.1 billion) by the end of July 2024. 

According to Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, this marks a significant rise from the previous debt figure of GH¢587.7 billion, which was equivalent to US$53.5 billion.

During a monthly economic update at the Finance Ministry in Accra, Dr. Adam explained that while the debt has increased in cedi terms, it has decreased in US dollar terms.

He attributed this to the depreciation of the cedi, along with disbursements from multilateral institutions and domestic budget financing. 

debt

“The increase in cedi terms and the decrease in US dollars is attributed to a combination of factors, including cedi depreciation, disbursements from multilateral institutions, and domestic financing of the budget,” Dr. Amin Adam stated.

He noted that the government is fully on track to achieve its debt targets under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.

Giving further updates on the external debt restructuring program, he said the government is pleased to officially launch its exchange offer in the coming days, “marking a critical step in our external debt restructuring journey.”

He said the exchange offer “reflects the terms agreed in principle with bondholders on 24th June, including important concessions from our bondholders, ensuring a fair burden sharing between our domestic, official, and commercial external creditors.

The exchange will be open for 21 days,” he noted.

Government will source funds through the syndication process For Cocobod—Finance Minister Clarifies

By
Ivy Hollys
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Amin Adam:Cocoa board story

Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam has refuted recent claims made by the CEO of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) about self-financing the upcoming 2024/2025 cocoa crop season. 

Speaking during a monthly economic update in Accra today, August 29.  Dr. Adam clarified that the government will seek external funding to support the cocoa sector, contrary to COCOBOD’s earlier announcement.

The board had previously announced plans to transition to self-financing for the 2024/2025 cocoa crop season, which begins in September 2024.

According to Joseph Boahen Aidoo, COCOBOD’s Chief Executive Officer, this shift was expected to save approximately $150 million.

However, Dr. Adam indicated that the government will instead depend on syndicated loans and other financial instruments to secure the necessary funds for the season.

He noted, “I want to take this opportunity to clarify that as part of measures to improve the financial viability of COCOBOD, the government for the 2024/2025 crop season will be sourcing funds through the syndication process and other alternative sources.”

Background To Cocobod Story

COCOBOD had lastweek described the Minority’s claims that international financiers, have rejected requests for syndicated loans and consequently expelled it from the market. They described the claims as misleading and factually incorrect. 

They maintained that the decision to reduce reliance on syndicated external borrowing is a strategic one aimed at bolstering its operations and finances.

The statement clarified that the syndicated banks had, in fact, responded positively to COCOBOD’s Request for Proposals (RFP).

“Indeed, notwithstanding our intentions to wean off syndicated transactions, we still have committed contracts that need to be fulfilled through the syndicated process. These transactions have necessitated a discussion with financial institutions, and nothing in this process indicates, to us, a lack of confidence in COCOBOD’s creditworthiness from these financial institutions,” portions of the statement read.

Mr. Joseph Boahen Aidoo highlighted that its move towards exploring non-syndicated funding is a key element of a broader plan to diversify its financial resources. He said , the initiative is aimed at enhancing the long-term sustainability of COCOBOD and ultimately providing greater benefits to cocoa farmers. 

He also used the opportunity to refute the minority’s claim of continuous losses, specifically denying the alleged GHȼ4.2 billion loss in 2023.

Dismissing the Minority’s claim that the government has “destroyed” the cocoa sector, the board has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the cocoa sector. They cited investments in infrastructure, subsidised fertilizers, and a comprehensive cocoa rehabilitation program as evidence of ongoing support.

GH₵500m Lost Due to Ransomware Attack – ECG

By
Ivy Hollys
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ECG

The managing director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Samuel Dubik Mahama, has revealed that the company lost between GH₵400 million and GH₵500 million due to a ransomware attack.

In an interview with Bernard Avle, Dubik Mahama confirmed the Vice President’s earlier statement and detailed the severe impact the ransomware had on ECG’s operations.

Mahama explained that the attack occurred during a critical period when the company was undergoing an operational turnaround, which involved upgrading and fixing their systems.

“Don’t forget that, within those periods, we were going through an operational turnaround, where we were fixing our systems…That was the same year within which we had the ransomware attack thing that we managed to take care of.

“For me, what I will say to that is there’s an investigation going on, so maybe probably, the Vice President is privy to the final investigation report or has some inkling towards whatever is going on there. But I have not been furnished. There was an attack, there’s no two ways about that.

He emphasised, “Looking at a company that has the potential of raising about GH₵50 million to GH₵60 million in a day, if you’re not able to vend for a week, how much have you lost? How are you going to bring yourself back into the game? So yes, we did lose a lot, we had a few good companies consult for us and advise us. And we have a quantity of the amount of money that was lost ranges between GHC400 million and GHC500 million within that period.”

On May 9, the Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, disclosed that some officials of the ECG sabotaged the government’s efforts to digitalize revenue collection.

During the Annual General Meeting of Anti-corruption Agencies in Africa, Dr Bawumia stated that some staff of the IT unit at ECG introduced ransomware, which prevented the system from working properly.

Credit: Citinewsroom

Ghana4mma Association supports KATH with essential Sickle Cell medication

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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The Ghana4mma Association, a France-based organization of Ghanaian nationals, has donated 30 units of L-Glutamine to patients with sickle cell disease at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

Leading the donation effort, Godwin Kwabena Kwaahye Benefo, president and founder of Ghana4mma, noted that the struggles of sickle cell patients are often-overlooked hence the need to support them.

“We chose to support these patients because they are frequently neglected when organizations make donations to save lives,” he said.

Mr. Benefo further stressed the disparity in attention and resources allocated to treating malaria, cancer, AIDS, and other diseases, while sickle cell patients are mostly ignored despite the high cost of their medication.

He appealed to the government and citizens to contribute in supporting sickle cell treatment centers, noting the importance of saving lives.

The donation was sponsored by Osei Homeda Amos, a France-based craftsman and pharmaceutical shop owner.

Dialysis Machines Secured By Korle Bu Teaching Hospital Mr. Amos chose to donate the medication instead of selling it, citing the high mortality rate among sickle cell patients due to the expensive treatments.

“Health is essential, and I want to make a difference by saving lives,” he said.

Mr. Amos encouraged others, particularly those in the diaspora, to join the effort and donate to save lives.

The Ghana4mma Association’s generosity has brought hope to patients and families affected by sickle cell disease, serving as a call to action for collective support.

Georgina Efua Sam, Director of Nursing and Midwifery at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, expressed her gratitude for the humanitarian action taken by the Ghana4mma association.

She called on philanthropists to also come on board to donate and save lives, as the hospital play a critical role in serving 12 regions out of Ghana’s 16 regions.

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Faces Charges Over Alleged Criminal Activity on Platform

By
Ivy Hollys
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panel durov

Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram and a French citizen, is facing legal charges in France over claims that the messaging app has been used to facilitate criminal activities.

 The charges include allegations that Telegram has failed to prevent the spread of child sexual abuse imagery and has been used for various illicit activities, including drug trafficking and calls for violence. 

Durov avoided jail time by posting a €5 million bail but has been ordered to stay in France, report to the police twice a week, and cooperate with the investigation, according to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau.

The 39-year-old billionaire, originally from Russia, was detained at Le Bourget Airport near Paris on Saturday. His arrest comes amid growing concerns about Telegram’s role in enabling criminal behavior, sparking debates about the balance between free speech and the responsibility of tech platforms to monitor content.

French authorities have been conducting an extensive investigation into the messaging app’s moderation practices, which has drawn attention to Telegram’s global user base of around one billion people.

 Law enforcement agencies around the world have closely monitored Telegram for its alleged use by terrorist organizations, drug cartels, arms dealers, and extremist groups.

In response to the charges, Telegram released a statement affirming its commitment to European Union laws and insisting that its moderation practices are “within industry standards and continually improving.” 

The company defended Durov, stating that it is unreasonable to hold a platform or its CEO accountable for the misuse of the service by others.

Durov, who is also a citizen of the United Arab Emirates and resides in Dubai, is known for his libertarian views and minimal moderation approach. 

Despite his stance, Durov has emphasized that Telegram does not tolerate child abuse material or public incitements to violence, which he described as “red lines” in a rare interview with the Financial Times in March.

About Durov

Though Durov’s public profile is relatively low compared to other tech moguls like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, his arrest has thrust him into the spotlight. 

He has built a reputation for promoting a minimalist, ascetic lifestyle on social media and has openly discussed his personal life, including a recent claim of fathering more than 100 children through sperm donation.

Durov’s legal troubles in France are compounded by his past conflicts with the Russian government. After refusing to comply with Kremlin demands to shut down opposition groups on VK, a social network he founded at 22, Durov left Russia in 2014. 

He later sold VK and focused on growing Telegram, which he co-founded with his brother Nikolai in 2013. Despite Russia’s attempt to ban Telegram in 2018, the ban was lifted after Durov reportedly agreed to cooperate with Russian authorities on combating terrorism.

Although Durov has portrayed himself as a Russian exile, leaked data has suggested that he visited Russia over 50 times between 2015 and 2021, fueling speculation about his ties to the Kremlin. Russian officials have labeled his arrest in France as politically motivated, a claim denied by French President Emmanuel Macron.

The circumstances surrounding Durov’s arrest have raised questions, including whether he was aware of the arrest warrant issued by French authorities. According to Le Monde, Durov had met with Macron on several occasions before obtaining French citizenship in 2021 through a special procedure for individuals who have made significant contributions to France. 

Reports from The Wall Street Journal also indicate that Macron had previously suggested Durov relocate Telegram’s headquarters to Paris, an offer Durov reportedly declined.

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