The report that Kenyan President William Ruto is in Ghana for a three-day state visit is one of the trending stories in the Ghanaian press on Wednesday.
The Graphic reports that Kenyan President William Ruto arrived in Accra, Ghana, on Tuesday evening to commence a three-day state visit.
He was received by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia at the Kotoka International Airport.
President Ruto is expected to hold bilateral talks with his host, President Nana Akufo-Addo, aimed at strengthening trade, diplomatic, and historical ties with the West African nation.
While in Accra, the President will also tour the Africa Continental Free Trade Area headquarters and address the Ghana-Kenya Business Forum.
President Ruto will thereafter fly out to Guinea-Bissau on an official visit where he will also hold bilateral talks with President Umaro Sissoco Embalo.
First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto and Prime Cabinet Secretary for Diaspora and Foreign Affairs, CS Musalia Mudavadi, are part of the Kenyan delegation.
On his first day, President Ruto interacted with the Kenyan diaspora living in Ghana.
The newspaper says that the Standard Chartered Bank PLC has moved from a loss making position in the year 2022 to a profit position in the 2023 financial year.
From a loss of GH¢299.6 million, the bank overturned the tables to record a whopping profit of GH¢864.4 million according to its financials for the year in review posted by the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE).
The bank, like many others in the industry, suffered from the severe impact of the government’s Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) which seriously affected the profits of banks in the country.
In the third quarter of the year 2022, Ghana’s debt stock was assessed as having reached unsustainable levels culminating in a move by government to restructure its debts in line with an agreement with the Bretton Wood institutions for a $3 billion bailout programme.
The DDEP was a voluntary invitation to holders of selected government of Ghana (GoG) debt instruments to voluntarily surrender them in exchange for new bonds issued at new rates and maturities.
The new rates and maturities meant a value loss for investors, including banks. After several engagements with MoF and assurances of some regulatory forbearances, the banking industry signed up to the DDEP.
The direct impact of the bond exchange by banks meant their assets were now impaired and significant impairment losses needed to be recognised by the affected banks according to a report authored by PwC, an international accounting and auditing firm.
The Ghanaian Times reports that the increment in the cost of Ghanaian passport acquisition announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (MFARI) has been greeted with mixed reactions by a section of the public.
In separate interviews with the Ghanaian Times over the weekend, they called on the government to reconsider the decision or make sure stringent measures are put in place to ease the stress involved in acquiring a passport in the country.
According to the updated fees listed on the passport application website, the expedited application fee for a 48-page booklet has been increased to GH¢800.00, while the 32-page booklet will now cost GH¢700.00. Standard application fees have also been revised, with the 32-page booklet now priced at GH¢500.00 and the 48-page booklet at GH¢644.00 instead of the previous GH¢100.00.
The current cumbersome nature of acquiring a passport, Robert Antwi, a pupil teacher, said favoured the activities of middle men popularly known as “gorro boys” who charge exorbitantly for their services. “
The passport I had expired and I applied online for a new one last December, I was asked to make my first appearance to begin the process at the passport office at Tema Station, Accra, in June 2024.”
“This is frustrating and what baffles me is how we cannot leverage on digitalisation to ensure a smooth and fast process for passport acquisition in this country. This increment must come with expedite and quality service,” he added.
Sitsope Apetorgbor, a student of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), urged the government to reconsider the increment, particularly for students and children.
The newspaper says that students under government’s Free SHS programme would not pay for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) registration fees, according to the Director General, Ghana Education Service (GES), Dr Eric Nkansah.
He said the GH¢465 has been absolved by the state under the programme and therefore urged parents and guardians not to pay any money.
This said this in a press briefing in Accra to clarify the confusion surrounding the registration fees for the WASSCE following reports of uncertainty among parents regarding the payment of registration fees.
“This clarification aims to ease the concerns of parents and ensure that every student has equal access to education, regardless of their financial background,” he said.
Dr Nkansah also advised schools not to force Form Three students, currently on break, to return for WASSCE registration, “Recognising the importance of allowing students to enjoy their well-deserved break, GES assured that ample time would be provided for registration upon the reopening of schools on April 17.” This decision he said would help minimise disruption to students’ holiday plans and facilitate a smooth transition back to school when the time comes.
Dr Nkansah said GES was commitment to nurturing a conducive learning environment and safeguarding the welfare of both students and educators.
In another development, he commended teacher unions for calling off the strike and their commitment to constructive dialogue, emphasizing their dedication to prioritising the interests of both staff and students.
According to him, the decision to end the strike has paved the way for crucial negotiations, aimed at addressing various concerns and improving educational outcomes.
“The resolution of the teacher unions’ strike signifies a positive step towards achieving these goals and underscores the importance of dialogue and collaboration in addressing challenges within the education sector,” he said.
GIK/APA