Equities market on course for highest return in half a decade
Business News of Monday, 16 August 2021Source: thebftonline.comThe local equities market appears set to provide its highest return in half a decade with the Exchange’s Composite Index (GSE-CI) returning a favorable 40% year-to-date (YtD). This comes after significant lows in 2014 and 2015, with -11.77 and -15.33% respectively, caused, in no small part by the crushing power crisis of the period. Also, the toll of the financial sector clean-up saw 2018 close at -0.29%, 2019 saw -12.25% and 2020 was worse off at 13.98%. TradeliveIn a move guaranteed to consolidate recent gains on the market as well as deepen trading activities, an emerging markets-focused investment firm, IC securities, has partnered with MTN to roll out an industry-first digital trading platform. There are plans to extend the equities-focused service to other mobile money providers, with further developments for the debt market in the works.
Source:GhanaWeb
August 16, 2021 16:47 UTC
Johnson and Johnson vaccination: About 11,000 people inoculated so far - A/R Health Director
This was disclosed by the Ashanti Regional Health Director, Dr. Emmanuel Tenkorang, at a press conference held on Monday, August 16, 2021. The vaccination exercise began in the Ashanti Region last Friday in four districts namely; Kumasi Metropolitan area, Oforikrom, Kwadaso, and Asokwa. “We are also running the second dose of the Sputnik vaccine, especially for the census enumerators,” Dr. Tenkorang further indicated. The Ashanti Regional Health Director said the directorate is looking forward to vaccinating about 50,000 persons with the Johnson & Johnson vaccines in the four districts. Ghana received 177,600 doses Johnson & Johnson vaccine at the Kotoka International Airport on August 7, 2021.
Source:GhanaWeb
August 16, 2021 16:41 UTC
Gas celebrate 2021 Homowo
Homowo is a festival that recounts the migration of the Gas and reveals their agricultural success in their new settlement. According to Ga oral tradition, a severe famine broke out among the people during their migration to present-day Accra. They were inspired by the famine to embark on massive food production exercises which eventually yielded them bumper harvest. Since then, they have marked the occasion with the celebration that is now known as Homowo, which translates as ‘hooting at hunger’ - a confirmation of their victory over hunger. GhanaWeb was at Ga Mashie, the seat of the Gas in Accra, and brings you some visuals, even as we followed the processes involved in the celebration.
Source:GhanaWeb
August 16, 2021 16:40 UTC
The American war on terrorism has been lost – Antwi-Danso
He said he is not surprised at the outcome of the American protracted war in Afghanistan because for twenty years more than a trillion dollars has been lost in their attempt to quell the Taliban in that country. Dr Antwi-Danso said the American War on terror is being lost everywhere they tried to experiment replacing the bullet with the ballot and the Afghanistan debacle has really exacerbated the problem. Dr Antwi-Danso made this contribution in an interview with Emmanuel Samani on the Mid Day news on TV3, Monday, August 16. “I personally am not surprised at the outcome of the Afghan debacle, for 20 years more than a trillion dollars has been lost. “The war on terror has been completely lost, it’s been lost everywhere because what Americans have been doing is to create more terrorists.
Source:GhanaWeb
August 16, 2021 15:56 UTC
High Court gives NLC, UTAG two days to consider out-of-court settlement
General News of Monday, 16 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.com• The NLC and UTAG faced off in court today• NLC had secured an injunction over UTAG's strike action• The High Court wants the parties to settle the case out of courtThe National Labour Commission (NLC) and the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) have been advised by the High Court’s Labour Division, 1, to consider an out-of-court industrial action settlement. The NLC dragged UTAG to court over claims that it had embarked on an illegal strike. Last Friday, the NLC secured an injunction from the court to stop the association’s strike action but not even that has stopped the teacher union from discontinuing their action. UTAG has maintained that the NLC has been operating in bad faith in serving as an arbiter in the impasse between them. UTAG wants the government to restore the conditions of service agreed upon in 2012, arguing that, that arrangement was a far better one compared to what they currently enjoy.
Source:GhanaWeb
August 16, 2021 15:45 UTC
Ghana-South Africa visa-free agreement to take effect by December 2021 – SA High Commissioner
Business News of Monday, 16 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.com• A visa-free agreement between Ghana and South is expected to take effect by December this year•Grace Mason believes the move when operational will boost bilateral relations, trade and tourism efforts•Ghana’s exports to South Africa in 2019 recorded a staggering US$1.97 billion in revenueSouth African High Commissioner to Ghana, Grace Jeanet Mason has revealed a visa-free travel arrangement between Ghana and South Africa will become operational by December 2021. Already, Ghana’s exports to South Africa in 2019 recorded a staggering US$1.97 billion in revenue. Providing further details on the yet to be implemented move, Grace Mason said the agreement when in full force is expected to further boost trade and tourism relations between the two countries. The process for the visa travel arrangement between Ghana and South Africa commenced in July 2019 following South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa’s state visit to Ghana. That same year, South Africa placed Ghana on its prospective seven-country visa free-regime list with an aim to boost relations and trade efforts.
Source:GhanaWeb
August 16, 2021 15:00 UTC
Gun-wielding robbers strike at Asenema, two injured
GhanaWeb gathered that the security man at the facility, Kwaku Duodu aged about 50, and Naomi Okanyi, aged about 36 sustained wounds inflicted on them by the robbers during the attack. The gunmen after the act, reportedly bolted into the nearby bushes before police personnel from Adukrom could arrive. “I was later told that the security was struck with a stick in the knee and rushed to the local clinic. "The attendant was also struck with a stick behind the neck and stamped in the tummy,” narrated the Assemblywoman. The police commander for the area could however not be reached for comment.
Source:GhanaWeb
August 16, 2021 14:26 UTC
Domestic production of rice at around 30%, imports continue to surge
Business News of Monday, 16 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.com• Domestic rice production in Ghana remains low at around 30 percent•Ghana is still importing rice at staggering levels, according to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture•Over a decade, Ghana has imported rice worth US$8 billionDomestic production of rice in Ghana is still wobbling around 30 percent as rice imports continue to surge. While achieving local production of rice may take a while, government has set an ambitious target of increasing production of rice by 2023 to 365,302 metric tonnes. “Ghana imports almost 70 percent of its rice mainly from Thailand, Vietnam, India and the USA, with an annual estimated import averaging more than US$550 million. With a current deficit of 656,000 metric tonnes, government is relying on recent adopted strategies to increase production, with an anticipated surplus of 365,302 metric tonnes by 2023,” the report said. Meanwhile local consumption of rice demands is constantly surpassing domestic production which leaves the doorway for imports to increase annually.
Source:GhanaWeb
August 16, 2021 13:40 UTC
FULL TEXT: Akufo-Addo has proven evidence of his involvement in Sputnik V saga - Martin Amidu
General News of Monday, 16 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.comFormer Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu has once again is his latest epistle sighted by GhanaWeb labelled President Akufo-Addo as the 'corruption kingpin' of government. This time, Martin Amidu has alleged that President Akufo-Addo's involvement in the now botched controversial Sputnik V vaccine deal is rather evident for all to see. What makes Daniel Domelevo’s government manufactured procurement suspected breaches warranting EOCO harassment different from the Government’s own breaches of the Public Procurement Act and article 181(5) of the Constitution in the Sputnik V COVID-19 procurement contract as an international business or economic transaction? (See for instance a summation in – “Timeline: How Mahama’s Ameri deal claimed an Akufo-Addo Minister”, MyJoyonline.com, 7 August 2018.) But it is this same de facto co-President and Minister of Finance who takes responsibility for the order for the payment upon the unconstitutional and illegal Sputnik V Covid-19 procurement contract for this international business or economic transaction without Parliamentary approval.
Source:GhanaWeb
August 16, 2021 12:19 UTC
6-Unit classroom gutted by fire at St' Charles SHS in Tamale
Regional News of Monday, 16 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.comCorrespondence from the Northern RegionA 6-unit classroom including a storeroom housing student mattresses have been gutted by fire at the St' Charles Minor Seminary School in Tamale. The fire, according to the school authorities, started around 9: 30am when the students were in the dining hall after a morning church service on Sunday. Mr. Kuusokub said the situation would affect academic activities but he is hopeful it would not obstruct the final year's exams. Mr.Tisong Charles, the Regional Operations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service who was at the scene said they are yet to uncover the cause of the fire. Once the fire starts small and you have the fire extinguisher, you can control it before it gets out of hand."
Source:GhanaWeb
August 16, 2021 12:00 UTC
Choirmaster goes lingerie shopping for wife, social media reacts
He posted a video of himself on social media with the caption;“Making sure I restore my favorite underwears. I need your help.”Scores of social media users have since reacted to his post with some describing him as a caring husband. Also, his decision to shop for his wife has somewhat squashed rumours of separation between the couple. Choirmaster and his wife, Beverly Afaglo were alleged to have separated following the musician’s permanent relocation to the United States without her. Watch the video and social media reactions below
Source:GhanaWeb
August 16, 2021 12:00 UTC
Flashback: Cathedral Saga: Akufo-Addo treading 'dangerous' path – Nyaho-Tamakloe
Fast forward to 2021, the government has announced implementation plans and when the project is expected to be finished. Read the full story originally published on August 28, 2018, on GhanawebSuspended founder member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, has cautioned President Nana Akufo-Addo against spending state resources on a National Cathedral, saying the president is treading on dangerous grounds. President Akufo-Addo, on Tuesday, 6 March 2018 unveiled the design and architecture of the national Cathedral at a brief ceremony at the Accra International Conference Centre. Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe said he has listened to several discussions on the matter “and almost 100 per cent of the calls were against this cathedral being built”. He said he is a Christian and has nothing against religion but wondered if the cathedral was a necessity at the moment.
Source:GhanaWeb
August 16, 2021 11:48 UTC
Ghana has the capacity to diagnose both Ebola and Marbug – GHS
According to the GHS, Director-General of the Service, Dr Patrick Kuma-Abogye, the country’s epidemic and response system are on course since the outbreak of Coronavirus. “Ghana has the capacity to diagnose both disease conditions,” Dr Patrick Kuma-Abogye noted at a press briefing on Sunday, August 15. The statement follows a first confirmed case of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Ghana's western neighbour, Cote d’Ivoire, on Sunday, August 15. Guinea also became the first West African country to record the Marbug virus after recording its first case on August 9. Aside sensitizing citizens about the diseases, the GHS said it is working with the Ghana Immigration Service to ensure illegal entrants into Ghana are appropriately screened.
Source:GhanaWeb
August 16, 2021 11:26 UTC
Video Flashback: Food and Drugs Authority bans bleaching creams in the country
General News of Monday, 16 August 2021Source: www.ghanaweb.comGhana in 2017 announced a ban on all bleaching creams that had hydroquinone in them due to the damage it causes to the skin. Speaking at a press briefing, the CEO of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Delese Mimi Darko, noted that her outfit was working to ensure that such products do not find their way onto the market“The Ghana National Standard is now saying that there should be a 0% hydroquinone in bleaching creams and the Food and Drugs Authority being the regulatory authority has taken that standard and we are now implementing it. Since January this year (2017), we do not register any product that has hydroquinone in it," said Delese Mimi Darko. Watch the video below:
Source:GhanaWeb
August 16, 2021 11:15 UTC
Experts call on government to make cocoa beans locally accessible to entrepreneurs
Business News of Monday, 16 August 2021Source: thebftonline.comCocoa value chain experts have called on the government to review existing cocoa policies that classify cocoa beans as an export commodity, making it difficult for locals to get access to the beans for value addition. Vice President, Cocoa Value Addition Artisans Association of Ghana (COVAAGH), Dela Kuekey Austine, stated that the cocoa industry is a multi-billion-dollar sector worldwide, with Ghana being recognized as the second-largest producer of cocoa. To buttress her point, she emphasized that the prospects associated with cocoa are numerous and do not necessarily require sophisticated technology to transform cocoa beans or powder into a delicacy or product that can sale locally and even gain international attention. Furthermore, she outlined the several prospects in handcrafted cocoa and chocolate products making that the youth must explore in their entrepreneurship endeavours to create jobs and be economically empowered. He called on the education minister to consider including such a program in the curriculum to provide the Ghanaian youth with basic knowledge in the sector.
Source:GhanaWeb
August 16, 2021 09:56 UTC