The report of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of Ghana and the Parliament’s debate on the mid-year review of the Budget Statement and Economic policy of government are the leading stories in the Ghanaian press on Tuesday.

The Graphic reports that the Bank of Ghana (BoG) has praised the relative calm in the foreign exchange market on the strong reserves accumulated over the period.

 It has also pledged to boost the reserves further to help provide more buffer to the cedi against the major foreign currencies.

The Governor of BoG, Dr. Ernest Addison, told a press conference that it maintained the bank’s benchmark rate at 14.5 percent on July 27, and that it was aimed to add a minimum of US$300 million to the reserves before the end of the year.

When successful, the additional funds should shore up the country’s gross international reserves to US$9.5 billion, equivalent to almost more than 4.5 months of import cover.

The Times says that series of wreath laying ceremonies were held in Accra yesterday to mark this year’s Emancipation Day aimed at rekindling unity among people of black descent across the globe.

This year’s commemoration on the theme: “Our heritage, our strength; Leveraging our resilience, Black Lives Matters” seeks to rally Africans to speak against injustices and marshal efforts at eliminating all forms of cruelty meted against the black race.

Led by the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Barbara Oteng Gyasi, a delegation comprising government officials, traditional rulers and members from the Diaspora laid wreaths at the grave site of Pan-Africanists; W.E Dubois, George Padmore and Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

The heroes were eulogised for championing the African cause and promoting an agenda to ensure that the rights and dignity of Africans were respected.

The newspaper says that the Parliament yesterday started debating on the mid-year review of the Budget Statement and Economic policy of government presented by Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta last Thursday.

Participating the Member of Parliament for the Yapei/Kusawgu Constituency, John Abdulai Jinapor, charged Ghanaians to vote out the governing New Patriotic Party at the December polls.

The MP said despite claims by the NPP in opposition that they possessed the magic wand to manage the economy; their tenure has rather seen worsening economic indicators.

Mr. Jinapor said the “incompetence” of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led government has been manifested by the coronavirus pandemic.

“This economy is in a state of coma, but there is only one thing we can do as a country and that is the people of Ghana must reject this incompetent government which has demonstrated that it has no clue on how to deal with challenges.

The Times also reports that the Government of Ghana has given clearance for the resumption of football for two national teams, namely the Black Princesses (female U-20) and Black Maidens (female U-17).

The national U-17 male team, the Black Starlets, according to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) will also commence camping for an impending assignment.

They are to commence preparation for their respective upcoming championship but under strict observance of safety protocols outlined for the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was contained in Sunday’s update on the Coronavirus pandemic by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

The president said “Our female Under-20 and Under-17 national football teams have been given the clearance to go into their respective training camps to begin preparations towards their FIFA and CAF-sanctioned international matches, which begin in September.

“Whilst in training, the playing, technical and management teams must observe strictly all the protocols issued by Government, CAF and FIFA against COVID-19. All other teams and contact sports, and competitive sporting events remain suspended till further notice,” the president said in his statement.

GIK/APA