Business News of Friday, 6 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe International Monetary Fund has expressed concern over government’s high-risk exposure of borrowing Treasury bills and bonds, which have been increasing the balance sheet risk of banks. According to the Bretton Woods institution, the high-risk exposure is therefore crowding out the private sector’s resolve to lend. In a recent Article IV Consultation paper issued on Ghana, the IMF explained, “government lending supported the banking sector through the pandemic, but is crowding out private-sector credit and increasing balance sheet risks”. The IMF adds that government’s share of lending to total assets has hit 44.7 percent in February this year from an earlier 36.5 percent recorded the previous year. This was however driven by large budget deficit as well as risks to credit and demand as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

He also wondered where the driver got the money. He furthered that the driver acted carelessly by showing his house at Trassaco and the interior of his room while some friends cheered him in the video. Speaking on Good Morning Ghana on Friday, August 6, 2021, Okudzeto Ablakwa said, "The GNPC Chief Executive’s driver who was showcasing USD100,000. And if the GNPC Chief Executive Officer driver has that kind of money, and was flaunting his cars, living room and house, and he had boys giving him fans," he added. The said driver, according to reports earns approximately GHC5,600 as his basic salary minus allowances a month.

Sports News of Friday, 6 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.comAccra Hearts of Oak are champions of the Ghana Premier League and will have the chance to add to FA Cup trophy on Sunday against Ashantigold. Samuel Boadu's Accra Hearts of Oak have been clearing every hurdle ahead of them to win the GPL and are poised at doing same against Ashantigold in the finals of the MTN FA in the capital city. The Phobians per their status as league champions will be competing in the 2021/2022 CAF Champions League as Ghana's representatives. But can the current Hearts of Oak team under Boadu go toe to toe with their colleagues on the African continent? And which players do you want them to sign ahead of their African campaign and the next football season?

"We need to streamline our 'hate' towards LGBTQI+ and think right to make laws that will not threaten human existence or human rights," he said. According to him, instead of directing so much hate at these persons, there should rather be a law in place that ensures that our religious bodies and traditional leaders never approve of such unions. The Founder of the Penyman Foundation explained that this would be the best way of curtailing this menace. "I think we should rather make laws that ban churches, mosques, courts and the traditional leaders to endorse same-sex marriages. He continued that, "The word of God is for teaching, rebuking and corrections, that the sinful man may know the right way and the righteous may guide himself not to be a victim of sin."

According to the preacher who has always promoted Africanism, God never made a mistake creating the Black race as perceived by many. I’m a full believer in the Black race and the dark skin and the purpose of which God made us dark and put us on this continent. I’m a full believer that God does not make mistakes," Mensa Otabil said. Mensa Otabil was speaking at the Greater Works event organised by his church, the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), in Accra on August 4, 2020. “We’ve been marching for long as Africa but I know one morning, just in time, delivery system will be handed to us and suddenly there will be a change in the story,” Otabil stated in optimism.

Entertainment of Thursday, 5 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.com• Victoria Lebene has asked #FixTheCountry activists to dress appropriately in public• She said sanity must be promoted alongside the #FixTheCountry agenda• Social media users appear infuriated by her tweetPopular Ghanaian actress cum entrepreneur, Victoria Lebene has criticized some role models and other advocates championing the #FixtheCountry agenda for their ‘inappropriate dressing on social media. Unclear who her post was targeted at, Lebene took to social media on July 5, 2021, and wrote;“Role models and other youths championing the #FixTheCountry demo. Kindly dress properly in public and on social media to promote sanity of the course. Thanks.”The actress's post has since attracted hate comments from social media users who lambasted her for being a hypocrite. They are of the view that Victoria Lebene should stop portraying herself as though she has never shared indecent pictures on social media even after marriage.

General News of Thursday, 5 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.com• Smuggling of fertilizers to neighbouring towns remains one of Ghana's major problems• Farmers do not get the subsidized fertilizers from government to aid their productivity• GAWU is calling on government to re-strategize for targeted farmers to get fertilizers at subsidized pricesGeneral Agriculture Workers Union (GAWU) has averred that, fertilizers meant to be given to farmers at a subsidized rate ends up in other neighbouring countries. The General Secretary of GAWU, Edward Kareweh, stated categorically that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has confirmed that the fertilizers are smuggled. In an interview with Daily Graphic, he said, “Today there is no subsidy anymore or the subsidy has no effect because the fertiliser is smuggled out. Meanwhile, Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta in his mid-year budget review statement in Parliament last week said government will soon make use of technology in the distribution of fertilizers to farmers. This will end the smuggling of goods to neighbouring countries.

Business News of Thursday, 5 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.com• Government has been urged to cede majority of its stake in the Tema Oil Refinery to private investors•The move, Nana Amoasi VII believes will ensure the refinery is viable and successful in its operations•TOR has over the years faced a number of operational and managerial setbacksThe Institute of Energy Security (IES) has implored government to cede majority of its stake in Tema Oil Refinery to private investors. Executive Director of the IES, Nana Amoasi VII believes the move is necessary to ensure the viability and success of the refinery as it’s been plagued with numerous operational challenges over the years. Almost 50% or more is down.”“What is most important is that you need money to revamp the refinery. It’s about time the government accepts to cede the major part of its stake to private hands to ensure we get the needed money and efficiency. Then we can be assured of fuel security and price stability to some extent.”Ghana's foremost oil refinery, the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has been faced with a number of challenges and managerial setbacks.

He has described the third edition of the initiative aimed at inculcating a reading habit among pupils as a sharp improvement of the previous editions. To him, he left the Legon campuses fulfilled after the gross demonstration of academic prowess by the children who left the social-distanced audience in awe with their reading brilliance. He said “I am highly elated, the kids made themselves and their parents proud. The level of competition was high and I am glad the kids and their parents have embraced the concept. The trio was also rewarded with educational policy and souvenirs from sponsors.

Sports News of Thursday, 5 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.com• Asamoah Gyan is in the trends after Ghana beat USA in the Men's 4x100 Relay• Ghana’s 4x100 Relay Team are in the final of the 4x100• Ghana’s quartet beat USA, Brazil, France and Denmark to the finishlineGhana’s 4x100 Relay Team maybe the men of the moment but former Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan is also making the headlines after the Ghanaian quartet beat the United States of America in the Men’s 4x100 relay event at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Ghana’s 4x100 Relay Team which is made up of Benjamin Azamati, Emmanuel Yeboah, Sean Safo Antwi and Joseph Paul Amoah managed to secure a ticket to the final despite finishing fifth in the heats. The Americans who were regarded as favourites to challenge for a medal missed out on the final of the men's 4x100 metres relay, finishing only sixth to Ghana who finished seconds ahead. Ghana's quartet team broke the national record of 38.12 seconds beating the USA, Brazil, France and Denmark to the finish line. Below are some of the things Ghanaians have been saying about Gyan and the 4x100 Relay Team

Politics of Thursday, 5 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.com• John Boadu says no party in Ghana comes close to the NPP in terms of electoral reforms in the country• He mentioned the change from opaque boxes to transparent boxes and the new biometric system as few reforms attributable to NPP• The NPP received its certification as a recognized political party on July 28, 1992General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party, John Boadu, has said the ruling party is the only political party in Ghana that comes to the fore at the mention of substantive electoral reforms in Ghana. Touting the achievements of the party in that regard, he asserted that “the NPP has been the champion of electoral reforms. We spearheaded the transition from opaque ballot boxes to transparent ballot boxes. We transitioned from black and white voter ID cards to coloured ID cards with pictures. John Boadu was speaking at the party’s 29th anniversary held at its Headquarters in Accra.

Read the statement below:Ghacem, the nation’s leading cement manufacturer, will in the coming weeks, cut sod for the construction of a 1.5-million-ton capacity cement production plant in Kumasi to serve the Ashanti Region and its surrounding areas. The $100 million investment by the company is expected to increase employment opportunities for the cement industry, as many more projects are being undertaken. He indicated that the recent hike in cement prices was as a result of the high costs incurred during production and increasing freight costs. Mr. Gallini explained that about 99.5% of Ghacem employees are Ghanaian, and this goes a long way to benefit the country. Ghacem pays taxes to support the Ghanaian economy, and also reinvests some of her profits to various causes in Ghana.

His last victories are the men's 100 m in the Karlstad GP 2021 and the men's 100 m - race 1 in the Kladno Hází A Kladenské Memoriály 2021. He competes in 100 m, 200 m, 60 m, 4x100 m relay and 4x200 m relay. In July 2021, Boateng was named to Canada's 2020 Olympic team in the men's 100 metres and 4x100 relay. His last victories are the men's 4x100 m relay in the European Team Championships 2021 and the men's 4x200 m relay in the World Relay Championships 2021. He competes in 100 m, 200 m, 4x100 m relay and 4x200 m relay.

General News of Thursday, 5 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe former Speaker of Parliament, Prof Aaron Mike Oquaye in 2020, noted that Ghana’s First President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah “was not the founder of Ghana.”Delivering a keynote address at a public lecture to mark the 2020 Founders’ Day, he noted that: “Nkrumah was not the Founder of Ghana,I consider him one of the founding fathers.”“Nkrumah did not alone compose the classical sonata and constitute the orchestra which sang Ghana’s clarion call to independence in sweet melody, all in two months! The fathers of the nation were there already,” said Prof Oquaye. “People have regrettably asked how we can have more than one founder to such compatriots. I humbly lend them this advice: foundership cannot be pursued in monopoly terms,” he added. Watch the video below:

General News of Thursday, 5 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.com• NAM1 says he does not owe any customer whose funds are locked up with Menzgold• The Menzgold boss says customers should rather channel their concerns to the company• Nana Appiah Mensah says his funds are locked up with Menzgold tooAn aggrieved customer in high hopes of getting reassurance from Nana Appiah Mensah received the shock of his life when NAM1 disclosed that he doesn’t owe anyone. The Menzgold boss disclosed that he as an individual is not indebted to anyone adding that all customers should channel their grievances to the Company. The customer who took to NAM1’s page to demand his locked-up funds was met with a shocking reply from the Menzgold CEO who disclosed that the company heavily owes him too. The customer queried under Nana Appiah Mensah’s post on social mediaThe Menzgold boss replied saying:“Menzgold will definitely pay you. Thank you, God bless,”Meanwhile, NAM 1 is standing trial together with his wife, Rose Tetteh and his sister Benedicta Appiah for aiding him in defrauding Menzgold customers across the country.