Day: April 14, 2024

The government is determined not to overburden Ghanaians with the payment of more taxes, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, the Finance Minister, has assured.

Rather, the government would ‘use the hard way’ to collect revenue from those who have not been paying the appropriate taxes, as well as those who have been evading taxes?in the country.

Dr Amin Adam said this during a press briefing on Saturday, April 13, after Ghana reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the country’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement.

The Minister noted that the suspension of the 15 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on electricity consumption and GHS100 annual levy on owners of petrol and diesel vehicles, had created a GHS1.8 billion revenue gap.

He indicated that there was an urgent need to increase revenue in line with the implementation of the US$3 billion loan-support programme, but the government was also been careful not to burden the few Ghanaian taxpayers.

As such, the government would be
resolute in ensuring the effective implementation of revenue generation mechanisms announced, both in the 2023 and 2024 budgets, but lacked effective implementation.

‘Now, we’re determined to go out there and collect the taxes from those who have not been paying and those who have been evading taxes… to generate the desired revenue to fill the gap created as a result of the suspension of the taxes,’ he said.

Dr Amin Adam also stated that the government was pursuing reforms within the tax administration to ensure that proper assessments were done, and people made to pay the appropriate taxes to the state in the easiest and fastest ways possible.

The Minister was quick to add that aggressive revenue mobilisation alone, would not be an ideal situation for the country, therefore, there would be a focus on expenditure rationalisation too.

Responding to a question posed to him by the Ghana News Agency on pragmatic expenditure control measures, he stated that the government had been implementing an arrears clear
ing plan to address outstanding payments.

Additionally, it was on-boarding more agencies to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) to stop state institutions from spending beyond their budget as well as any unapproved expenditure.

Dr Amin Adam said the government felt the pains that Ghanaians, individuals and businesses alike, had to endure as a result of the implementation of reforms under the ongoing IMF loan-support programme.

While lauding Ghanaians for the sacrifices done since the implementation of the programme in May 2023, he encouraged them to continue to remain patient and sacrificial.

‘Some of the reforms that we’re implementing are biting, but I know that we’ll persevere and lead together, and ensure that the benefits of the fiscal consolidation will bring significant relief to the people of Ghana so that we can be counted once again as one of the fastest growing in the world,’ he said.?

Ms Julie Essiam, the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authori
ty (GRA), provided further details on the alternative revenue mobilisation efforts to fill in the GHS1.8bn revenue gap created by the suspension of two tax handles.

She said that the Commission had intensified efforts to ensure the effective implementation of compliance measures on foreign income of resident Ghanaians?in the country.

In doing so, GRA and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have gone through credible and sustainable structures to ensure it generates the GHS1.8bn revenue that the electricity and waste pollution tax were to provide.

Dr Ernest Addison, Governor, Bank of Ghana (BoG), reiterated the government’s determination to making sure that state institutions worked to change the narrative of elections expenditure derailing economic progress in the country.

‘In Ghana’s recent history, we have not been able to successfully implement an IMF-supported programme in an election year without derailment,’ the Central Bank Governor said.?

‘The Government and the Centr
al Bank are committed to changing that narrative…and we will remain committed to ensure that programme implementation stays firm,’ he added.

Meanwhile, it is expected that when the IMF Board meets in June this year, it would approve Ghana’s GHS$360m third tranche, following a staff-level agreement reached between Ghanaian Authorities and the IMF Mission Team.

That would bring the total disbursement for Ghana’s ECF arrangement backed by the country’s Post-COVID-19 Programme for Economic Growth (PC-PEG) to US$1.56 bn.

Already, the country had received the sum of US$1.2 bn from the first two tranches since the implementation of the US$3bn- three-year IMF loan-support programme.

The programme is aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability, build resilience, and lay the foundation for stronger and more inclusive growth.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Deputy Minority Leader in Parliament, has criticised the Government for renaming the AMERI Power Plant as Kumasi Power Plant.

Mr Buah, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembele, in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, said: ‘The renaming of AMERI Power Plant to Kumasi Power Plant is deceptive and shameful’.

He said under the leadership of former President John Dramani Mahama, some units of the Ameri power plant were strategically deployed to combat the debilitating power crisis the country was facing.

‘These plants, each capable of generating 25 megawatts of electricity, served as a vital lifeline for the nation during a time of dire need,’ he said.

‘However, rather than acknowledging the foresight and proactive measures taken by the previous administration, the current administration chose to discredit… Mahama’s initiatives for their own political gain at the time.’

‘Fast forward to the second year of the Akufo-Addo-led Govern
ment, they hurriedly decided to renegotiate the Ameri agreement by extending the five-year deal with Africa and Middle East Resources Investment Group (AMERI) Energy, the operator of the the 300MW emergency power plant in Ghana, to 15 years’.

Mr Buah, a former Energy Minister, said the Government brought onboard a new company from Greece, Mytilineous International Trading Company, to manage the plant for the remainder of the contract period.

‘But for the vigilance of the NDC Minority in Parliament and civil society organisations, Ghana would have ended up paying over Ghc1 billion under the new arrangement,’ he said.

He said the President’s attention was drawn to that, and he consequently fired the then Energy Minister, Mr Boakye Agyarko, for ‘misleading’.

Fortunately, the Ameri Plant was fully paid for and rightfully owned by the people of Ghana.

However, the NPP administration decided to relocate six units of the plant to Anwomaso in the Ashanti Region, a move intended to generate 150 megawatts of elect
ricity for the middle belt of the country.

‘The rebranding of the Ameri Power Plants as the Kumasi 1 Thermal Power Plant was not merely a superficial change but an attempt to distort historical facts and mislead the public about the true origins of this critical infrastructure,’ he said.

Mr Buah said it was important that the people of Ghana did not forget the history of the Ameri Power Plant.

He said the once-thriving energy sector bequeathed to the government had been eroded while Ghana currently struggled with power outages ‘Dumsor’ due to indebtedness.

‘The good people of Ghana deserve leaders who are committed to honesty, accountability, and genuine progress…,’ he added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Omama Health Ghana, a locally owned healthcare provider, in collaboration with Omama Services Incorporated, United States, has launched the Motherhood of Africa Initiative at the Tarkwa Municipal Hospital in the Western Region.

Through the programme, medical bills of underprivileged women who give birth in hospitals would be paid, nutrition for such mothers and their babies provided, counseling services would be provided, they would be registered onto the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and also provide funds for the mothers to trade.

Nana Ama Antwi Bosiako, the Chief Executive Officer and President of Omama Health Ghana, said: ‘l have served humanity through charitable means in my own small way. I am establishing Omama Health Ghana to serve as an extension of the works being done by my company in the USA’.

In 2023, she read several reports in the country on how mothers in the Eastern Region and other parts of the country were detained over their inability to pay the medical bills after delive
ry.

‘Most of the reports revealed that the new mothers went through cesarean operation, while others had their babies admitted at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.’

‘Some mothers lost their babies, yet the hospitals presented huge medical bills. These and many more compelling stories encourage me to initiate this programme,’ she explained.

‘Doing this requires quite a substantial amount of money, therefore, l am encouraging all to support either in cash or kind whenever you come across our payment portals, so together we can build a healthy Africa’.

Madam Antwi Bosiako said seven women who had delivered in hospitals within Tarkwa and its environs would have their medical bills settled.

In addition, each beneficiary received GHS 10,000 as seed money to trade with assorted items including pampers.

Apostle Samuel Edzii Davidson, the Offinso Area Head, Church of Pentecost, said: ‘With the launch of this organisation, we declare our unwavering support and commitment to alleviating the suffering of women and
empower them to embrace the beauty of motherhood without fear and hindrance’.

Through those endeavors, they would not only provide tangible assistance to people but also sow the seeds of hope and resilience, enabling this woman to flourish and thrive in the face of adversity.

Apostle Davidson said that would also enhance economic empowerment of women, improve their livelihood and reduce crime and other related activities that made them vulnerable in society.

‘To ensure a holistic impact in the lives of people, beneficiaries of these schemes will be disciples and taken through series of teachings to meet their spiritual needs. Thereafter, they will be absorbed into the mainstream churches for further pastoral care and discipleship,’ he said.

‘As we witness the launch of this organisation let us carry the burdens of the mothers of Africa with love, compassion and unwavering faith. Let’s become partners to change that upholds the godly values of helping the poor and the less privileged.’

Mr Gabriel Bechem,
the Head of Anesthesia, Tarkwa Municipal Hospital, commended the CEO of Omama Health Ghana and Omama Services Incorporated, saying the facility welcomed the programme and hoped it stayed longer to assist needy patients.

Oheneyere Gifty Anti, a Ghanaian media personality, on her part, said: ‘Not everyone can provide such assistance unless it is a woman raised with love, humbleness, wisdom and kindness. It is my prayer that funds used to provide these items and aid are renewed through the grace of God’.

Some of the beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the organisation for supporting the poor and the less privileged in society.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) said personnel at the Eastern Naval Base in Tema Newtown had to fire warning shots on Friday evening (April 12, 2024) to protect the sensitive installations of the base and repel attacks from some youth at the town.?

Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quashie, the Director General, Public Relations, Ghana Armed Forces, stated this in a press release on Saturday in response to allegations that navy personnel fired into youth groups processing during the Tema Kplejoo Festival, killing two men and injuring three others.

The injured are on admission at the Tema General Hospital.

The release said a vehicle belonging to the Eastern Naval Command was attacked by a crowd partaking the festival at Tema Newtown at about 1953 hours on Friday, leading to a damage to the vehicle.

Three of the naval personnel on board the vehicle also sustained injuries and were sent to the Tema Naval Base Medical Centre for treatment.

In the course of the confrontation, three suspects were arrested by the naval
personnel and were subsequently handed over to the Tema Newtown District Police for further investigations, the release said.

It noted that a mob, suspected to be part of the participants in the festivities, later attacked the Tema Naval Base with stones and other implements with the aim of releasing their colleagues.

‘At a stage, the security of the base was threatened, and in order to protect the sensitive installations in the base, warning shots were fired to repel the attack,’ it said.

It was later reported by the police that two civilians were brought to the Tema General Hospital dead; ‘the cause of death is yet to be ascertained,’ the release said.

It said on Saturday, April 13, 2024, the mob again attacked the Tema Naval Base and the Naval Barracks at Tema New Town (Biekro Barracks), leading to the destruction of properties.

The Ghana Police Service, in collaboration with the Ghana Armed Forces, had commenced investigations into the incident, and the findings would be made available in due course,
it added.

‘The Ghana Armed Forces commiserates with the bereaved families and urges calm to be maintained by all parties while the incident is being investigated.’

The Army, however, cautioned the youth of Tema that any further attacks on its installations or personnel would be met with the appropriate response.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) said personnel at the Eastern Naval Base in Tema Newtown had to fire warning shots on Friday evening (April 12, 2024) to protect the sensitive installations of the base and repel attacks from some youth at the town.?

Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quashie, the Director General, Public Relations, Ghana Armed Forces, stated this in a press release on Saturday in response to allegations that navy personnel fired into youth groups processing during the Tema Kplejoo Festival, killing two men and injuring three others.

The injured are on admission at the Tema General Hospital.

The release said a vehicle belonging to the Eastern Naval Command was attacked by a crowd partaking the festival at Tema Newtown at about 1953 hours on Friday, leading to a damage to the vehicle.

Three of the naval personnel on board the vehicle also sustained injuries and were sent to the Tema Naval Base Medical Centre for treatment.

In the course of the confrontation, three suspects were arrested by the naval
personnel and were subsequently handed over to the Tema Newtown District Police for further investigations, the release said.

It noted that a mob, suspected to be part of the participants in the festivities, later attacked the Tema Naval Base with stones and other implements with the aim of releasing their colleagues.

‘At a stage, the security of the base was threatened, and in order to protect the sensitive installations in the base, warning shots were fired to repel the attack,’ it said.

It was later reported by the police that two civilians were brought to the Tema General Hospital dead; ‘the cause of death is yet to be ascertained,’ the release said.

It said on Saturday, April 13, 2024, the mob again attacked the Tema Naval Base and the Naval Barracks at Tema New Town (Biekro Barracks), leading to the destruction of properties.

The Ghana Police Service, in collaboration with the Ghana Armed Forces, had commenced investigations into the incident, and the findings would be made available in due course,
it added.

‘The Ghana Armed Forces commiserates with the bereaved families and urges calm to be maintained by all parties while the incident is being investigated.’

The Army, however, cautioned the youth of Tema that any further attacks on its installations or personnel would be met with the appropriate response.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Hydrological Environmental and Engineering Consulting Limited (HEE Consulting) has paid a courtesy call on Togbi Sri III, the Awoamefia of Anlo Dukor in the Volta Region, to dialogue on the development of the enclave.

The visit was to present a funding proposal to him in expression of the firm’s interest in investing in the coastal land reclamation and lagoon dredging projects in the Volta Region.

The project, which seeks to reclaim miles of land from the sea, construct a sea defense wall to protect the reclaimed land, and dredge the Keta Lagoon and its tributaries of silt for enhanced water life, will cover a vast area of approximately 1,800 kilometre square.

It is expected to centre on the Keta Lagoon, while extending from Fuveme through Dzita, Woe, Keta, Kedzi, Blekusu to Aflao along the Gulf of Guinea coastline.

The project will employ dredging and land reclamation techniques to combat the effects of sea and lagoon inundation.

At the end, it seeks to address the recurring humanitarian crisis in all t
hree coastal districts of the region; Ketu South, Keta and Anloga, which suffered severe sea and inland erosion annually, resulting in economic hardship of residents.

The project, combining humanitarian concerns with commercial opportunities, aims to transform the living conditions of thousands of inhabitants through engineering innovation and sustainable development practices.

Mr Amorin Benito Baby, Businessman and team lead, HEE Consulting, said though the project’s area of coverage looked vast, it would be very easy and possible if all stakeholders would embrace the idea and get on board, assuring of its economic benefits.

‘These interventions are designed to restore ecological balance, enhance livelihoods, and unlock the vast economic potential of the area through tourism, agriculture, and industry.’

Mr Dan Abodakpi, the Awoamezitor of Anlo, interacting with the Ghana News Agency, said they were ready and willing to welcome any project with the prospects of solving the major problem threatening the li
velihood and existence of Volta’s coast.

‘For us, we are much interested in finding solutions to the problems affecting our people. So far as the terms of funding, feasibility, environmental, social impact assessments, and other factors are transparent enough and favour us, we are committed to it.’

Mr Richard Kwame Sefe, Member of Parliament (MP) for Anlo, pledged his support to the project, saying: ‘As a servant of the people, we (MPs in the area) promise to offer any form of political support needed from central government for this project to come off. Our people have been suffering for far too long.’

The team of investors from the Republic of Togo and Benin, led by Mr Amorin and Mr De-Souza E.K. Bigboy, had Mr Bella-Samuel Davordzi as consultant, with members including Olympio Abraham Victor, Fiawoo Ceaser, Gaba Ayitey Kordzo, Homawoo Koku Edem and Joshua Papavi Kwesivi.

Present at the dialogue were Awadada Togbi Agbeshie Awusu II, Revened Banini, and Mr Kofi Humado, former MP for Anlo, Mr Joel Degue,
Development and Tourism expert, Mr Jonathan Azasu, Dr Samuel Dotse, Climate Change Advocate and Environmentalist among others who are members of the Anlo Development Forum.

The team presented an executive summary document on the project to the Anlo Dukor Council.

It would be expected to visit all project sites from Fuveme to Aflao after which there would be community engagements for pre-project preparations.

Source: Ghana News Agency