APA – Accra (Ghana)
The report that the government has expressed hope of securing the Paris Club financing assurances within the shortest possible time to enable the 3 billion dollar support from the International Monetary Fund is one of the trending stories in the Ghanaian press on Friday.
The Ghanaian Times reports that the government has expressed hope of securing the Paris Club financing assurances within the shortest possible time to enable the 3 billion dollar support from the International Monetary Fund.
This follows the government’s engagement with bilateral and multilateral partners at the recent IMF and World Bank Spring meetings in America.
Addressing the media in Parliament on Tuesday according to Citinewsroom.com, the Deputy Finance Minister, Dr John Kumah, assured that discussions towards securing the fund have been fruitful.
“Ghana is very hopeful, the Minister for Finance just returned from the spring meeting from the US and took the opportunity to meet our bilateral partners and multilateral partners and I can say that we are very hopeful that we will secure the Paris Club financing agreement very soon,” he said.
He said, “I’m unable to give timelines, but I can assure you that discussions are going very well and very soon Ghana will get the good news.”
Meanwhile, Ghana’s hope of securing an IMF board’s approval is expected to delay owing to prolonged external debt-restructuring negotiations, and the involvement of numerous stakeholders in the process, according to the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU).
The EIU in its 2023 Country Report on Ghana stated that it anticipates Ghana to secure restructuring agreements on its public external debt during 2023-24, involving official and private creditors alike.
It, however, notes that given the country’s pressing macroeconomic crisis, “the conclusion of a domestic debt-swap operation in February and increasing international attention on speeding up external debt restructuring, our core forecast remains that the IMF programme will be approved by mid-2023”.
The newspaper says that on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the government has commended the Ghanaian media for the indispensable role it plays in the country while urging greater emphasis on economic rights to support efforts in rebuilding faster after the recent global economic challenges.
This year’s anniversary, themed “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a driver for all other human rights,” marks the 30th global celebration of press freedom.
In a statement released in Accra and signed by Minister for Information, Mr KojoOppong Nkrumah, the government expressed profound appreciation for the media’s significant contributions in raising awareness about various rights but urged stronger emphasis on economic rights, considering the recent global challenges and dim economic forecasts.
“The media has been instrumental over the years, in highlighting various rights that require attention for full enjoyment. The work of the media also in highlighting instances of abuse of some rights by sections of the society has led to redress in many instances. We urge the media to remain resolute on this path.
“The quest to have all citizens fully access their economic rights is yet to achieve full effect especially as the world faces dim economic forecasts following recent global challenges. While urging the media in Ghana to keep the spotlight on all human rights, we encourage an even sharper focus on efforts to ensure that the economic rights of citizens are fully actualised,” the statement said.
This government reiterated its commitment to supporting media stakeholder groups in Ghana, including the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), the Private Independent Newspapers Association (PRINPAG), the Communication Educators platform, the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), and the National Media Commission (GIBA).
The Graphic reports that the United States Embassy in Accra has announced plans to increase the fees for non-immigrant visas starting from May 30, 2023.
According to the embassy, fees for business and tourist travel (B1/B2 visas), international students (F visas), exchange visitor visas (J) and other visa classes that do not require a petition will increase from $160 to $185.
For petition-based nonimmigrant categories (H, L, O, P, Q, and R), the fee will rise to $205 from $190.
The embassy explained that the increase in fees is established by the Department of State in Washington and will apply to all US embassies and consulates globally.
It added that fees for new visa applications will only be affected from May 30, 2023. Applicants who pay the visa fee before that date and schedule an interview within 365 days of payment will not be affected.
However, applicants are required to schedule an appointment within 365 days. Nonimmigrant visa fees are set based on the actual cost of providing the services, the embassy explained.
“Fees for U.S. nonimmigrant visas will increase worldwide on May 30, 2023. The fee for B1/B2 visas for business and tourist travel, F visas for international students, J exchange visitor visas, and other visa classes not requiring a petition will increase to $185 (from $160). For petition-based nonimmigrant categories (H, L, O, P, Q, and R), the fee will increase to $205 (from $190). This fee increase is established by the Department of State in Washington, D.C. and will take effect equally at all U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the world,” the embassy said in a statement.
The newspaper says that King Charles III has welcomed the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and his wife, Lady Julia, to the Buckingham Palace ahead of the King’s Coronation on Saturday, May 6, 2023.
The Asantehene and his wife are in London at the invitation of the Royal family, joining monarchs and leaders from across the globe.
They will assemble at Westminster Abbey on Saturday for what is expected to be a feast of pageantry marking the first coronation in over 70 years.
Apart from the private audience at Buckingham Palace, they will also attend the King’s official reception for overseas guests on Friday, May 5, 2023.
The leader of the Achuar Nation of the Ecuadorian Amazon, Uyunkar Domingo Peas was also received at the Buckingham Palace.
GIK/APA