Kester Aburam Korankye

Retirees holding sovereign bonds have urged the Ghanaian government to exclude their investments from the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), arguing that the inclusion would negatively impact their livelihoods. The Pensioners Bondholders Forum, led by Dr. Adu Anane Antwi, emphasized that many retirees rely on bond coupons to supplement their insufficient pensions from the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT). The forum highlighted that the extended terms of the DDEP would mean many pensioners might not live to see their investments mature. Despite organized labor securing an exemption for pension funds from the DDEP, the pensioners are appealing for similar consideration on compassionate grounds. Richard Akoladza, a retired banker, expressed his frustration, noting that the lack of returns from bonds this year would severely affect his financial stability.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo assured that the killers of investigative journalist Ahmed Hussein-Suale will be brought to justice, emphasizing the ongoing efforts of the police. Speaking at the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Dinner Night, he also pledged support for the Journalists Support Fund to aid journalists attacked in the line of duty. The murder of Hussein-Suale in 2019 highlighted the dangers faced by journalists in Ghana, impacting the country's press freedom ranking. The Deputy British High Commissioner to Ghana, Keith McMahon, underscored the importance of media ethics and freedom for democracy.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo urged journalists to uphold high standards, embrace training, and engage critically with society to advance Ghana's development. Speaking at the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Dinner, he emphasized the importance of accurate information, especially regarding the government's collaboration with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The President pledged government support for journalists and responded positively to the GJA's appeal for support for the Journalists Support Fund. The event was attended by notable media personalities, government officials, and business leaders.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC), led by former President John Dramani Mahama, vows to hold the government accountable, praising the Minority caucus in Parliament for their efforts to protect public resources. Mahama launched the TEIN App to mobilize NDC members in tertiary institutions, aiming to leverage their expertise for the party's advancement. He criticized the current economic hardships in Ghana and emphasized the NDC's commitment to youth empowerment. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman urged for more women in leadership, while Samuel Ofosu Ampofo called on the youth to help the party regain power.

Nii Armah Ashitey, a former Greater Accra Regional Minister and Member of Parliament, urges delegates of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to replace the current chairman, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, and General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, citing their failure to win two consecutive elections. Ashitey, who is contesting for the National Chairman position, emphasizes the need for new leadership to restore confidence in the party and address the country's economic challenges. He advocates for strengthening the party's branch and constituency leadership and involving elders and founders in decision-making.

The Ghanaian government has launched the Training and Retraining component of the National Unemployment Insurance Scheme (NUIS) to equip 15,000 citizens with employable skills. This initiative, part of the Ghana Cares 'Obaatanpa' programme, aims to mitigate future employment disruptions by focusing on skills upgrading, work ethics, productivity, and attitudinal change. The program, developed through extensive consultations with various stakeholders, will be implemented in two phases, initially targeting sectors most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The government will cover the fees for enrolled workers, offering both long-duration academic courses and core competency-based training programs. Key figures such as Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, Employment Minister Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, and TUC Secretary-General Dr Anthony Yaw Baah have expressed strong support for the initiative.

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has dismantled a child trafficking syndicate, rescuing 16 minors who were being trafficked for forced fishing activities in Cote d'Ivoire. Four men were arrested during the operation. The children, some as young as nine, were recruited from coastal towns in the Central Region, often without parental consent or sold by their parents. The rescued children are now in the care of the Social Welfare Department. Human trafficking remains a significant issue in West Africa, with traffickers targeting vulnerable communities for forced labor in the fishing industry.

The Ghana Union of Traders Association and the Traders Advocacy Group Ghana are backing the Ghana Standards Authority's efforts to eliminate substandard products from the market. GUTA President Joseph Obeng and TAGG General Secretary Nana Opoku have sensitized their members to comply with standards and support the GSA's enforcement actions. The GSA, with the Ghana Police Service, has conducted raids and confiscated illegal products. The enforcement is seen as crucial for Ghana and other African countries to establish robust standards regimes for successful trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

The Jerry John Rawlings Foundation commemorated the 43rd anniversary of the June 4, 1979 uprising with a photo exhibition and theatre performance in Accra. The event, held at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Science, celebrated the life and works of former President Jerry John Rawlings. The exhibition featured rare photographs and press cuttings, highlighting Rawlings' tenure and contributions. The event was attended by his family, members of the National Democratic Congress, and former government officials. The exhibition aimed to provide historical context and foster academic discourse on the uprising and its impact on Ghana's history.

The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) and the Ghana Police Service conducted a raid on Fenice Metal Technology Limited, which was manufacturing substandard electrical cables without the required GSA license and certification. Despite the National Quality Policy and the GSA Act aimed at ensuring quality goods, markets in Ghana are still inundated with substandard products. A 2017 GSA surveillance found that over 70% of imported electrical cable brands were substandard. The article emphasizes the need for rigorous enforcement of standards to protect consumers and the economy, and notes that the GSA has the support of the Ghana Union of Traders Association and the Traders Advocacy Group, Ghana.