The report that the nation is focusing on the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, today when he outlines detailed measures the government has put in place to restore the economy is one of the leading stories in the Ghanaian press on Thursday.
The Graphic reports that the nation’s focus will be on the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, today when he outlines detailed measures the government has put in place to restore the economy.
The Finance Minister will speak to the nation at 1 p.m., during which he is expected to assure the citizenry that all is not lost, and that the government is focused on restoring normalcy to the economy.
A source close to the Finance Ministry told the Daily Graphic yesterday that Mr Ofori-Atta would lay out a major policy document that would spell out bold measures to restore the economy to pre-COVID-19 era.
It further said the minister would not shy away from the current challenges the economy was going through.
According to the source, the government had the track record of prudent economic management, but acknowledged the fact that the situation was not a quick fix
The economy has been badly hit by the global economic downturn.
Last Tuesday, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced that the Finance Minister would announce “difficult decisions”, but he did not give details.
The newspaper says that six envoys accredited to Ghana have commended the country for its democratic credentials and creditability in the international community.
They have also pledged their determination to enhance bilateral and trade relations between their respective countries and Ghana.
The envoys made the commendation when they presented their letters of credence to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at separate ceremonies at the Jubilee House in Accra.
The envoys are Ali Redjel of Algeria, Fidelia Graand-Galon of Suriname and Jon Tong Chol of North Korea.
The rest are Dr Usura Harahap of Indonesia, Leena Pyslvanainen of Finland and Mohamedour Musa Nje of The Gambia.
Each was received at the forecourt of the Jubilee House, where they mounted a dais and their national anthems and that of Ghana were played.
After that, they were led by the Director of State Protocol, Mr Yaw Kumah, to the Ceremonial Room of the Presidency, where they were welcomed by President Akufo-Addo.
Present were the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, and the Executive Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante.
The Graphic also reports that the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice (CCJ) has awarded a cost of $750 against Ghana for undue delay in a case in which the country has been sued over the Gold Royalty deal popularly known as Agyapa.
Some anti-corruption groups such as Transparency International, Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) and the Ghana Anti Corruption Coalition (GACC) sued Ghana in 2021 at the CCJ over the Agyapa deal, claiming that due process was not followed.
A three member panel, presided over by the President of the CCJ, Justice Edward Amoako Ansah, awarded the cost after a Chief State Attorney, Dorothy Afriyie Ansah, asked for an extension of time for Ghana to file her reply to the response of the applicants.
After awarding the extension of time, the CCJ ordered Ghana to file her reply by Monday, March 28, 2022. The hearing continues on March 30, 2022.
The Ghanaian Times says that the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel AbdulaiJinapor, is courting the support of mining companies towards transforming Ghana into a mining hub in Africa.
He explained that currently, the government was focused on building linkages of the various value chains to create jobs and wealth.
Among other things, he said, the government was working towards establishing a mining financial centre as part of the conducive environment needed to grow the mining industry.
Mr Jinapor was speaking at Tarkwa in the Western Region yesterday when he undertook a working visit to Goldfields Ghana Limited to assess their level of operations.
He said despite the efforts of government, the absence of cooperation from mining companies would hamper any progress which could be realised.
“We cannot do without the partnership of companies like Goldfields. We should not operate on the basis of adversaries.
“We must work together as partners with a common agenda. I am committed to this partnership to build Goldfields and all other mining companies,” Mr Jinapor stated.
He said the government would further ensure the implementation of all recommendations that would make mining and related activities safe and healthy.
GIK/APA