Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta earlier noted that the repercussion of seeking an IMF bailout will not be favourable for the country’s fortunes. Some are questioning why the government has decided to return to the IMF after implementing the most talked about tax measure, E-Levy. "After looting and sharing the country's resources, they run to IMF for a bailout/economic program," another said. IMF loan conditions are unattainable and Ghanaians are going to suffer for that . — Akparibo Felix (@AkpariboFelix) July 1, 2022“We are not going to the IMF, whatever we do, we are not” - Ken Ofori Atta speaking in a town hall meeting on the e-levy in Tamale in February this year.

Some few days after it was revealed that the E-Levy has seemingly failed to achieve its target, the government has finally triggered the process for an IMF bailout. This has received several reactions on social media with some users roping in E-Levy into the conversations. If they decide to go to IMF, E-Levy must be reversed. You can't waste monies on regional townhall meetings about E-Levy and run to IMF in just 2 months. (@Okuluman) July 1, 2022After @NAkufoAddo has authorised an IMF bailout, we're waiting for the cancellation of E-levy which is said to have precluded us from going to IMF.

Announcing this on microblogging site - Twitter - on Friday, July 1, 2022, the IMF said it is poised to assist Ghana to have a homegrown economic programme. Meanwhile, the Fund is looking forward to start initial discussions with government in the coming weeks. "We confirm Ghana officials have been in touch to request IMF support for a homegrown economic program. The Fund stands ready to assist Ghana & looks forward to starting initial discussions in the coming weeks," the IMF stated. This comes after President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo instructed the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta to commence official engagements with the Fund.

General News of Friday, 1 July 2022Source: www.ghanaweb.comCloudy conditions with chances of light rains are expected over the middle and coastal sectors this morning, Ghana Meteorological Agency reports. Thunderstorms with rains are forecasted over the northern sector this morning, and over most places in the southern portions in the afternoon. Mist or fog patches are expected over the forest and mountainous areas of the the country this morning. The maximum expected temperature in Accra is tropical 30°C while the minimum temperature will be 25°C. Below is the full weather forecast for the day

1978 African Footballer of the year, Abdul Razak popularly known as Golden Boy, is saddened by the neglect of former players who have top coaching certificates when appointing national team coaches. According to the former Asante Kotoko coach, he has been abandoned by the past Ghana Football Association hierarchy and the current administration when it comes to national team appointments. He believes that no other national team coach has a better track record than him. Abdul Razak has won trophies with Asante Kotoko, Dragons de l'Ouémé, and Stade Malien of Mali. He was also a key player in the Black Stars' 1978 Africa Cup of Nations winning team.

Despite inadequate tomatoes in major markets in the cities pushing prices high, tomato farmers in Chinto, Yaayaso, Abodobi, and its surrounding villages in Fanteakwa South District in Eastern Region are grappling with high post-harvest losses due to extremely bad roads. June and July are major harvesting months for the tomato farmers in Chinto, Yaayaso, Abodobi, and its surrounding villages. Farmers had to hire tricycles to transport the harvested tomatoes to the Obuoho community, which is about 14 kilometres away, to meet buyers reluctant to come to the community. One farmer said: "Whenever it rains, no car comes here because the road is deplorable, so the tomatoes get rotten on the farms. When it happens like that, we have to hire a tricycle to transport the tomatoes to meet buyers in the next community, which is about 14km before they buy our tomatoes.”Source: ghanaweb.com

General News of Friday, 1 July 2022Source: www.ghanaweb.comGovernment admits citizens suffering from economic downturnGovernment partly blames COVID-19, Russia-Ukraine warGovernment yet to decide on seeking IMF supportMinister of Information, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah has stated that he understands the plight of Ghanaians. According to him, he can relate to their concerns because his home is also impacted by especially price hikes and the hike in the general cost of living. “I understand what you are talking about because the general cost of living has gone up. Oppong-Nkrumah said government implemented some measures in March and a review of these measures shows that the numbers do not look good. Many economists have also pointed to the rate of inflation, fuel price hikes, and general cost of living as the basis for the claim.

A former deputy national organizer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Joshua Akamba, has refuted claims of being arrested by the police during day two of the ‘Arise Ghana’ protest. And then I moved and said if that would be an issue, my driver should take it home because the police had assured us [protestors] of protection,” Joshua Akamba explained to Kwamina Sam Biney in Twi. Setting the record straight, Mr. Akamba stated categorically that the weapon he carried to the ground was for protection and nothing else. According to him, the gun is a licensed weapon which makes it legal for him to carry along anywhere he goes as he’s known many years. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

General News of Thursday, 30 June 2022Source: www.ghanaweb.comArise Ghana demo: 15 officers were injured, Ghana PoliceDery visits Police officers injured during Arise Ghana demoPolice condemn attack on its officers at demoThe Ghana Police Service has said that two of its officers who were injured at the Arise Ghana demonstration are undergoing emergency surgery at the Police Hospital. “The number of officers who were injured during the first day of the Arise Ghana demonstration increased from twelve (12) to fifteen (15). All the officers are being treated at the Police Hospital with two (2) undergoing emergency surgery,” a Facebook post shared by the Police on June 30, 2022, read. The post also indicated that the Minister for Interior Ambrose Dery visited the injured officers at the Police Hospital, where they are all being treated. The Police described as ‘shameful’, the pandemonium that characterized the first day of the Arise Ghana demonstration.

Bernard Mornah is a former National Chairman of the People's National Convention (PNC)

Today marks exactly 40 years since the country was unceremoniously slapped with such a history. Their murder came together with that of a retired Major in the Ghana Armed Forces, Sam Acquah. Major Sam Acquah was the Director of Personnel at the Ghana Industrial Holding Corporation (GIHOC) before he was killed. Roger Gocking’s History of Ghana had explained that the three judges had overturned judgments handed by the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC)’s People’s Revolutionary Courts. The video below shows the funeral and burial service of the three murdered High Court Judges.

He was commenting on the recent Arise Ghana demonstration which saw scores of people pour onto the streets in protest against economic hardship. “I have said the only time I will embark on a demonstration on the streets is when someone takes the gun to overthrow the constitution [coup d’état]. But if someone attempts to stage a coup d’état to disrupt the 4th Republic, for that I will hit the streets,” Kweku Baako said. He criticized the violent nature of the first day [June 28] of the Arise Ghana demonstration. Meanwhile, the second day of the demonstration [June 29] was incident-free and has elicited commendation from the Ghana Police Service.

General News of Wednesday, 29 June 2022Source: www.ghanaweb.comPolice arrest Arise Ghana protestorArise Ghana group stages demo against economic hardshipDay 2 #KromAy3Hye demonstration beginsOne of the Arise Ghana protestors has been arrested for possessing a sidearm. Meanwhile, NDC's Joshua Akamba was also spotted with a weapon among the crowd of demonstrators gathered around the El-Wak Stadium, today, 29th June, 2022. A police statement indicates that,"he was duly advised by the Police to put the weapon away after his attention was drawn to the illegality associated with such an act. He was also urged to notify other demonstrators to desist from carrying offensive weapons during the demonstration." Below is the videoMeanwhile, GhanaWeb is accepting nominations for the prestigious GhanaWeb Excellence Awards – Youth Edition.

Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam Nartey George, has revealed that he has not used mobile money for any transaction for 9 weeks now. According to him, this move is a silent protest against the E-Levy introduction which he describes as a ‘ponzi scheme’. Speaking on Good Morning Ghana, he said majority of Ghanaians have also not used mobile money hence the reason government has failed to achieve its target. “I can proudly and boldly confirm that this is 9 weeks since I did mobile money. I am a proud Ghanaian citizen because this is a silent protest and apparently, we are in the majority.

General News of Wednesday, 29 June 2022Source: www.ghanaweb.comOrganisers of Arise Ghana have, together with some aggrieved Ghanaians began converging at the Elwak Stadium in Accra to continue with protests against current economic challenges facing the country. This follows chaotic incidents that marred Tuesday's protests which came off at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle. The clash was a result of the insistence of the protestors to use a route contrary to the one ordered by a High Court on Monday. An Accra High Court, following an application by the police, ordered the demonstration to commence at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, through Farisco Junction to TUC and end at the Independence Square in Accra. We bring you updates from the grounds:Meanwhile, GhanaWeb is accepting nominations for the prestigious GhanaWeb Excellence Awards – Youth Edition.