In a poignant ceremony held at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, Samuel Koku Anyidoho launched his first book, “Uncompromising Thoughts: Leafing Out National Issues,” on July 24, 2024, marking the 12th anniversary of the death of President John Evans Atta Mills. The event was a confluence of reflection, gratitude, and a reaffirmation of loyalty.

Anyidoho, who served as Head of Communication, Presidential Spokesperson, and Presidential Aide to the late President Mills, began his address with a song and a prayer, setting a solemn tone. He expressed heartfelt thanks to Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere for chairing the event, retired Supreme Court Justice Jones Dotse for being the guest speaker, and Dr. Anoff-Ntow for reviewing his book.

In his speech, Anyidoho poignantly reminded the audience of the anniversary of President Mills’ passing. He staunchly defended his loyalty to Mills, addressing critics who question his devotion. “This is the first time the sun has come out on the anniversary of President Mills’ death,” he noted, symbolically interpreting the weather as a sign of approval from the late president.

Anyidoho highlighted the significance of choosing the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences as the venue for his book launch, expressing his aspiration to be inducted into the academy someday. He shared how he and President Mills had discussed plans for life after the presidency, which led to the establishment of the Atta Mills Institute.

Pride was evident as Anyidoho spoke about owning an ISBN as an author. He announced that once launched, “Uncompromising Thoughts” would be available on Amazon and Kindle to reach a wider audience. “I thank God for getting the book out,” he said, reflecting on his journey from reading columns by Kabral-Amihere, Kofi Koomson, and PAV Ansah in The Chronicle newspaper during his university days to becoming an author himself.

He lamented the negative effect of the internet on young writers, who he believes are not mastering the art and craft of writing due to digital distractions. Anyidoho shared a touching story about the foreword of his book, which was written by President Mills 12 years ago. Mills had suggested that Anyidoho write a foreword for him to sign, foreseeing that Anyidoho might want to write a book one day. This foresight allowed Mills’ words to grace the pages of “Uncompromising Thoughts.”

Anyidoho recounted how President Mills called him one day, asking him to work for him, and how his writing skills led to his position in the presidency. He addressed his critics, dismissing the notion that he entered politics for personal gain and denying any bitterness about being out of the presidency. He revealed that he spent three years writing a biography of President Mills with a coauthor but had to pull out due to bad faith.

In his concluding remarks, Anyidoho emphasized his dedication to Ghana over personal grievances. “You fly on the wings of a political party, but you perch on the ground of the nation,” he said, underscoring his commitment to the country’s well-being. He also explained the significance of the book cover, where the clay pot represents him and the whirlwind signifies pure thoughts.

The launch of “Uncompromising Thoughts,” published by Buabeng Books, was not just a book launch; it was a testament to Anyidoho’s unwavering loyalty to President Mills and his enduring commitment to national issues.

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An NGO, Network for Women Rights in Ghana, NETRIGHT has urged policymakers to involve women in decision making especially in the financial sector to help them contribute to policy formulation that will be beneficial to their businesses.

At a forum in Accra, the convener Professor Akosua Darkwah noted that empowering women for economic change will not only accelerate the growth of women owned – businesses but also increase productivity.

This she believes will propel the country’s drive achieving sustainable debt management and socio-economic stability. Given the current economic situation and the accompanying IMF conditionalities, the private sector continues to face numerous challenges including increased taxation.

This the Convener of NETRIGHT Professor Akosua Darkwah indicates has become burdensome for Women-owned businesses. She said debt restructuring should be scrutinized thoroughly to especially help those in the rural areas.

Professor Darkwah called on the government to support women entrepreneurs by making the accessibility of funds less stressful. Adding her voice, Head of Marketing at Ghana Chamber of Commerce, Grace Akosua Dzeble acknowledged the contribution of the informal sector to GDP. She added that”Ghana is an icon of Africa and if we help the private sector to grow, we will be able to access the African Market “.

She suggested a government policy where at least one hundred businesses will be supported financially while putting in place structures of assessing the businesses’ impact and how the monies will be recouped after a year, to be reinvested into another set of business ventures. ” This will help boost the sector”.

The forum explored the economic situation and advocated gender-transformative social policies to address these challenges.

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President Nana Akufo-Addo has justified the appointment of more judges to the courts of Appeal, citing the challenge of an overburdened court system and increasing backlog of cases.

The sixteen judges appointed to the Court of Appeal are Justices Charles Gyamfi Danquah, Gifty Dekyem, Kofi Akrowiah, Richard Mac Koggyapwah, Kwasi Boakye, Alexander Osei Tutu, France Obiri, Lydia Osei Marfo, Aboagye Tandoh, Agyeman Gyasi Jawhary, Yaa Onyameye Gyakobo, Francis Koffie, Charles William Leopold Bartels Zwennes, Barima yaw Kodie Oppong, David Kwabena Adade Boafo, and Dr Poku Adusei.President Akufo-Addo called for innovative solutions to expedite the resolution of cases and ensure that justice is delivered in a timely manner.

This will require not only efficient case management, but also the adoption of new technologies and practices that can stream our judicial processes. Speaking at the Jubilee House in Accra on the occasion of the swearing-in of 16 new justices of the Court of Appeal, President Akufo-Addo noted that these new Justices of Appeal are being appointed to arm the judiciary with the necessary tools to expedite the delivery of justice across the nation.

The 16 justices, 12 men and four women, swore an oaths of office, secrecy and allegiance. They were appointed upon the advice of the Judicial Council. They are each eminently fit and qualified for the position of a justice of the Court of Appeal. Each has the impartiality of mind and independence of spirit to hold this high office.

President Akufo-Addo said If the court does its work well, most appeals should end there without the issues having to travel to the Supreme Court. He acknowledged the task is not an easy one.

“As justices of the Court of Appeal, you will be at the forefront of those efforts and your contributions will be pivotal in shaping the future of our judiciary and of our society. One of the key challenges we face is the need to address the backlog of cases that continue to burden our courts. Justice delayed as you know, is justices denied,” Akufo-Addo stated. He said the decisions made by the Justices will have an impact not only on the parties before them but also on the broader society. President Akufo-Addo urged Justices to approach their duties with humility, integrity, and a deep sense of responsibility. He reminded them that the power they wield as a judge is not for personal gain or aggrandizement, but for service to the Ghanaian people.

President Akufo-Addo encouraged the judges to make it a point to improve themselves to stay up-to-date with new trends and best practices in the legal profession. “Education and continued self-development are equally paramount [just like the independence of the judiciary is]. The legal landscape is constantly evolving and it is essential that judges remain abreast with new developments and best practices,” President Akufo-Addo said.

Justice Charles Gyamfi Danquah on behalf of his colleague Court of Appeal judges expressed his appreciation to President Akufo-Addo for the confidence reposed in them.

He assured the president that together with his colleagues, they will endeavour to carry out their mandate by upholding the rule of law to ensure that justice, equity, and fair play are administered and done to all manner of persons.

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After making great success in Tanzania as well as in Kenya and South Africa, namely at the Universities of Irringa, Kenyatta and Johannesburg, the book of the two Tanzanian historians, Hurdles and Prospects of African Integration: the Question of Western Sahara edited and published by APE, African Proper Education Network, has been exposed today 16 July 2024 at the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana in Legon, the Republic of Ghana.

Its launch has seen the participation of a huge number of the Institute’s academicians and historians especially the experts relevant from the Departments of History and Social Sciences. This event has been marked by the presence of different media stations due to the nature of the topics that concern West Africans in particular and world communities at large.

During his presentation, the Tanzanian historian, Mr. Chuhila Maxmillian has given the attendants a historical background of the question of Sahara, pointing out that there is a historical link between the Moroccan sultans and the Saharaoui tribes according to the historical archives on which he depended on during his visit to Saharan provinces of Layoune and Dakhala, two cities situated in the south part of Morocco.

He called during this meeting for a collective African integration in the region in particular and in Africa in general arguing that Moroccans themselves are able to find a solution to their internal issues since separatism and separation do not defend the interests of Africa as unified content in terms of culture and customs, in spite of its ethnic and linguistic diversity.

According to his point of view, unity and integration are the soft arms to face any outside threat. In fact, his presentation demonstrated that the Sahara region has seen a socio-economic development due to the efforts made by the Moroccan government, especially due to the good intention of the Moroccan King who keeps deploying boundless material and moral efforts to make the Sahara a hub for development and investments. It is a region that rejoices in
all the good living conditions.

In the end, the historian called for an effective and constructive dialogue between Moroccans based on common interests to put an end to this long-term conflict considering the efforts made by the United Nations and the African Union to end this historical dispute.

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Madam Botchway expressed concern about the threat by Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso to break away from ECOWAS and form their own union.

She said this at a high-level public seminar on peace, security and stability in an evolving world and its consideration for Africa. It was organized by the Legon Center for International Affairs and Diplomacy, LECIAD.

Madam Botchway called for unity and cohesion among member states of ECOWAS in order to fight the emerging threat of terrorism and extremist violence.

The AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Bankole Adeoye, bemoaned the growing non respect for international laws and norms.

Mr. Adeoye said it is not fair that Africa made up of 55 countries has no permanent member on the UN Security Council.

On Ghana’s upcoming general election, Mr. Adeoye was hopeful it will be peaceful.

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African Union (AU), Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, has called on AU member countries to sign onto the African Union Border Programme to promote stability and peace among them. The programme, otherwise known as the Niamey Convention, entails various strategies that enhance cross-border trade and security.

”We want to encourage more members to sign onto the Niamey Convention so that cross-border trade, cross-border security will be ensured and will be assured.”

Ambassador Adeoye said this when he led a three-member delegation from the AU Commission to pay a working visit to the Commissioner General of the Ghana Boundary Commission, Major General Emmanuel Kotia in Accra. He commended the work of the Boundary Commissions on the African subregion and urged members to share experiences for the best outcomes.

“I think we need to continue to appreciate your work, and I believe most of our member states have a Boundary Commission and indeed we need to do more experience sharing.” 

The visiting AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, said the stability of the continent largely depends on the peaceful coexistence of border countries. He emphasised that Africa cannot be peaceful in the midst of border conflicts.

“In all that we do, we have to realise that stability of our continent, particularly of our countries, also relies on durable solutions for any border disputes.”

The Ghana Boundary Commission ensures that Ghana’s land, maritime, and air boundaries are effectively secured and managed within the framework of International Law, Peace and Security. It among other things, determines and demarcates the land boundaries of Ghana and delimits the maritime boundaries in accordance with accepted principles of international law.

Commissioner General of the Ghana Boundary Commission, Major General Emmanuel Kotia, said the issue of Boundary Commissions should be discussed at the Peace and Security Council of the AU and at the Head of State meeting to attract the needed attention.

“Most of the heads of state are not very conversant with the role the Boundary Commission plays. Once they get that understanding, most of these countries will come on board, and probably the African Union Convention on cross-border cooperation will be signed very fast.”

He said the commission, when well-placed, can serve as an early warning system of potential conflicts.

”The best lesson for Africa is that boundary commissions can be used for the peace, security, and stability of countries because they can serve as a buffer; they can serve as early warning systems so far as potential conflicts along our land and maritime boundaries are concerned.”

“The Boundary Commission is a special entity that must have the powers to at least go into agreements with other Boundary Commissions to resolve issues before they explode,” Major General Kotia added.

Major General Kotia was grateful to Ambassador Adeoye and his team for the keen interest in issues of Boundary Commission as well as the support in ensuring good border governance on the continent.

Director of Policy and Programmes, Sarah Ekuban, said the Commission has participated in AU-driven programmes all in a bid to protect the territorial integrity of Ghana.

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This year’s UN Day against Human Trafficking has been launched in Accra, with a call on all stakeholders to continue sensitisation initiatives that will raise awareness of the phenomenon among the public.

This has become crucial as Ghana remains a transit and destination point for human trafficking. Chief Director of the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection, Dr. Afisah Zakaria, who made the call, also hinted that social media is increasingly becoming an avenue for luring unsuspecting persons into trafficking.

”You must know social media has a lot of influence, and it’s becoming more used than the traditional media. The laws and regulation prohibit and make it illegal to advertise, publish, or distribute pictures of victims, as well as recruiting someone for the purpose of having that person exploited or for prostitution or pornography, sexual exploitation and forced labour.”

“The obligation of the ministry to educate all classes of people as Ghana is a source of transit and a destination country. We need to increase awareness and community sensitization to address this menace.”

Human trafficking is a crime that exploits persons, especially women, children, and men, for numerous purposes, including forced labour and sex. To raise awareness of the situation of victims, the United Nations designated July 30 as the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, otherwise known as the Blue Day.

At the launch of the 2024 commemoration, Chief Director of the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection, Dr. Afisah Zakaria, said this year’s event raises the importance of putting in place mechanisms for child protection, which the ministry is committed to. She said it is important for Ghana to have a national conversation on providing opportunities for the youth, adding that through collaborative initiatives, human trafficking could be eliminated in Ghana.

“This year’s theme, ‘Leave No One Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking’, underscores the critical importance of child protection and inclusion.”

A member of the Human Trafficking Management Board, Eric Peasah, called for inter-agency coordination for sustained sensitisation on Human Trafficking. He said eliminating Human Trafficking will require resources, and called on benevolent organizations to donate to the Human Trafficking Fund.

“Let’s not meet every year to commemorate World Day against Human Trafficking. We should use this opportunity to support the ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection to raise funds for the Human Trafficking Fund. We call on government institutions, NGOs, development partners to donate to the Human Trafficking Fund to support Anti Human Trafficking efforts.”

Project Manager, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Lamine Kane, encouraged the students to sustain conversation on Human Trafficking. He renewed the commitment of the IOM to supporting Ghana in Human Trafficking interventions.

There was an interschool debate by first and second cycle institutions on human trafficking. In the first cycle competition, it was a tight contest between Tesano 1 JHS and Police Depot JHS. With a point-three difference, Tesano 1 JHS emerged as the winner. Odorgonno Senior High School and Accra Academy also battled it out in the second cycle category, where Accra Academy emerged as winners.

Executive Coordinator Curious Minds, who also moderated the interschool debate, Kingsley Obeng Kyere, in acknowledging the tragic reality that not all victims of human trafficking survive the ordeal, emphasised the urgent need for a collective effort to eradicate the scourge.

He urged students to prioritise their studies while actively engaging in raising awareness about human trafficking among their peers to prevent others from falling victim.

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Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam says the government has implemented effective measures to achieve fiscal consolidation, economic stability, and growth, resulting in better than expected outcomes.

Speaking at the Mid Year Budget Review 2024 in parliament on July 23, 2024, he highlighted some key achievements, which include a 4.7% growth rate for the first quarter of 2024, a decline in inflation to 22.8% by June 2024, a stabilised exchange rate with an 18.6% depreciation against the US dollar, and increased gross international reserves covering 3.1 months of imports.

According to him, over the past six months, expedited government programs and growth-enhancing initiatives have led to significant progress. The second review of the extended credit facility with the IMF resulted in a $360 million disbursement. Debt restructuring efforts included a $5.1 billion program with the Official Creditor Committee of Ghana, leading to $2.8 billion in debt service relief, and successful negotiations with Eurobond holders and independent power producers.

Dr Amin Adam emphasised that the expenditure control within the 2024 budget and exceeding the mid-year non-oil revenue target by 3.7% have put the government on course to achieve a primary surplus of 0.5% of GDP by year-end. Also, major reforms in state-owned enterprises, particularly in the energy and cocoa sectors, aim to ensure fiscal prudence. Support programs such as SME Go, LEAP, the School Feeding Program, and the NHS have provided substantial financial and technical aid.

Additionally, infrastructure development remains a priority, with nearly $10 billion invested in the road sector and significant progress on various projects. Digitalization efforts include a $135 million investment in the National Identification Program.

The government continues to engage stakeholders to bolster cooperation and understanding, focusing on prudent expenditure management, improved revenue mobilisation, and investment in physical and digital infrastructure to drive economic growth.

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Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam has announced that the economy is recovering at a fast and strong pace.

Speaking at the mid-year budget review on July 23, 2024, he stated that the government has successfully reversed the negative trends in the economy.

Dr. Adam emphasised that it is evident that we are on the right trajectory and the economy is rebounding stronger than anticipated.

“The choices we have made and the policies we are implementing are yielding results. We have reversed the negative trends, and all indicators are looking better. I want to assure you that we will stay on this path and continue to make the right choices. Our economic recovery is fast and strong.”

He highlighted that the government has brought urgency and speed to the implementation of key programs over the last six months, providing necessary support for growth-enhancing initiatives.

Notably, the government has completed a debt restructuring program with the Official Creditor Committee (OCC), securing approximately $2.8 billion in debt relief.

Dr. Adam also announced that the government has successfully concluded the second review of the Extended Credit Facility with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), resulting in a disbursement of $360 million, bringing the total to $1.6 billion.

Furthermore, negotiations with five Independent Power Producers have been concluded, leading to expected savings of $6.6 billion over the lifetime of the Purchasing Power Agreements (PPAs).

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The Minority leader in Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has criticised government’s 2024 Mid-Year Budget Review, asserting that it fails to outline a clear strategy for addressing the country’s current economic difficulties. 

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, July 23, Dr. Ato Forson expressed his disappointment with the Finance Minister’s presentation, describing it as “uninspiring” and devoid of a substantive plan to tackle the pressing issues facing Ghanaians. 

“As we just listened to the mid-year budget review from the Minister responsible for finance, you agree with me that typical of this government, this address was uninspiring, fails to offer a roadmap for addressing the country’s challenges,” the Minority Leader stated.

According to Dr. Ato Forson, Ghanaians had expected the government to remove several taxes, including the COVID levy, e-levy, ‘borla’ tax, tax on domestic electricity, and emission levy, in order to provide relief to businesses struggling to stay afloat. However, the Minister’s review did not address these concerns, which the Minority Leader sees as a “missed opportunity.” 

“Ghanaians expected that the government would have removed a number of taxes because businesses are packing out of the country. This is a missed opportunity. They are bereft of ideas, you are on your way to opposition,” Dr. Ato Forson asserted.

While the Finance Minister cited ongoing fiscal consolidation measures and highlighted improvements in key economic indicators such as GDP growth and inflation, the Minority Leader argued that the review lacked concrete plans to address the high cost of living and other pressing issues facing Ghanaians. 

Dr. Ato Forson contended that the government has exhausted its ideas to revive the economy and that Ghanaians were hoping for more decisive action to alleviate the current hardships.

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