Features
Hope for Ghana’s economy
President Akufo-Addo
There is no doubt that the economy of the world, including that of Ghana, is in turmoil and needs to be rescued to ensure that economic recovery is experienced within the shortest possible time. For this reason, the government of Ghana is pursuing some policies that will make it possible to see growth in the various sectors of the economy.
Currently, Ghana is pursuing many policies to ensure that there is economic growth in the next two to five years. The impact of these programmes would be felt by the people from about 2024 onwards.
IMF SUPPORT
Already, the government has successfully managed and completed the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) and has received the approval of the International Monetary Fund for its support. This took effect in May of this year. In spite of this, the Ministry of Finance is also seeking negotiations with China to cancel some of her debt. It shows how serious and committed the government is as far as debt management is concerned.
A few years ago, the government screened the banking sector, and all fraudulent institutions were disapproved while others were merged. This measure will ensure greater efficiency in the banking sector. An efficient banking sector is what we need to run Ghana’s economy.
MANPOWER NEEDS
Apart from cleaning the banking sector, the free Senior High School system is also running successfully, and this has been done together with the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme to develop the manpower needs of this country. The most important asset in this country is its manpower needs, so if it is properly developed, it will make it possible for an efficient labour force to manage the affairs of the country when it comes to issues in all the sectors of the economy.
DIGITISATION
The government has adopted digitisation as a key policy objective and has recently introduced a number of programmes designed to develop a more digitally accessible public sector and encourage transparency and efficiency in order to drive growth in all aspects of the country’s economy.
STRONG INDUSTRIAL BASE
Again, the One District One Factory (1D1F) is growing in various parts of the country. This is in support of building a strong industrial base for the country. These will help reduce our dependence on imports when it comes to industrial products that can be processed locally. It is a good programme that must be continued at all cost.
What is more, the Planting For Food and Jobs programme has helped the country get enough food for its citizens even when the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected the country. All these are indications that the country is on the right course.
Other programmes, such as One District One Dam, are all meant to produce useful results in the agricultural sector. It is expected that these and other programmes will make the needed positive impact and move the country forward.
IMPROVED SECURITY
In addition, security is very important, and the government is doing what it can to strengthen all security agencies. The police have just been given 100 pickup vehicles and over 500 motorbikes, as well as other gadgets to operate more efficiently. Many of these gadgets have been provided for the police since 2019, and it goes to show that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo values security in this country.
Apart from this, the military has also been given their fair share of what they need since 2018. The support includes vehicles, equipment and accommodation for officers and men in the Armed Forces.
Other forms of support in the form of accommodation and equipment have also gone to the Fire Service and Prisons Service, among others.
In addition, many personnel have also been recruited for training. The recruitment has been done to beef up men and women in all the security agencies.
Training for them is also ongoing. The training is meant to make them more efficient.
HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
One thing that cannot be forgotten is the health sector. Apart from the 307 ambulances dispatched to operate in all constituencies in the country, drones and other health equipment have also been made to operate throughout the country to improve the healthcare system.
Additionally, district and regional hospitals have been built in all parts of the country. This is under the programme known as Agenda 111. All these and many others show that the government is very focused on its progamme and will not be distracted by its political opponents.
Ghanaians must be grateful that we have a government that is looking into the future to meet the needs of its people. What the government needs is support to enable it to continue to improve the economic welfare of all Ghanaians.
If we all do this, the sky will be the limit.
Email address/WhatsApp number of author:
Pradmat201@gmail.com (0553318911)
By Dr. Kofi Amponsah-Bediako
Features
The Prophet part 2
“I can see in the spirit, that some of you have been trading for years without seeing any meaningful profits, some young women have been disappointed by men who have either abandoned them and left for foreign lands and forgotten about them, or stopped sending money for the upkeep of their wives and children.
I can see young men who are desperate for visas to travel abroad but have either been duped by visa contractors or refused at the embassies. From tomorrow, I assure you, the visas will be given.
Young women, I have news for you. You will receive telephone calls, and you will hear very good news. Handsome young men with money in their pockets will come and marry you, and take care of you. Traders, you will get big business and big profits from today. From today, you will see that I am a true prophet who has come to deliver you.”
Shouts of “Amen,” “thank you Prophet” and “I receive it” greeted his sermon. After a final prayer, he asked the congregation to come early the following day, and bring others, because there would be many testimonies.
There would also be “special anointing” for great miracles. Although he did not ask for an offering, most of the people came and dropped notes, and coins at the “pulpit.” When they left, Antobam counted the money.
“GH¢900!” he almost shouted, ‘and I did not even ask for an offering. This is fantabulous!’ Going to the Nana Kofi Broni shrine, he told himself, was a very wise move.
He started making plans……He had to choose a few assistants who would carry out his orders……. He had to hire some chairs as soon as possible……He had to find a suitable piece of land and, if possible, build his own church……. He had to start looking for a nice car, befitting the status of a popular preacher …… And, most importantly, he had to select two, three or four nice, young women to take care of his needs, apart from the servants who would cook, wash, iron and do other errands for him.
Abruptly, he told himself, this hungry, scruffy Kukurantumi boy was being transformed into a man of power and money, with some of the most beautiful women in town at his beck and call. Wow!
After a shower and supper, he shut the door to the very small room that served as his bedroom and dropped on the bed. Almost immediately, the shrill sounds, like whispers, began.
This time he did not express any fears. He realised to his great surprise that even though the sounds were not in the form of any language, he could understand them.
Tomorrow there will be testimonies……they will give money……. some rich people are being prepared …….they will bring big money ………. we will give them what they want, and they will bring money ……. big money …….big, big money……the women will also come, a number of them. ‘
He went to sleep smiling and whispering to himself, ‘big, big money, and women!’
He woke up at 5 and took a shower. After a breakfast of tea and several slices of bread he set off. On reaching the venue he saw to his great surprise that the place was full.
Very full, and quite a number of people rushed to embrace him and give him the wonderful news. The excited people narrated the testimonies about big sales, telephone calls from relatives directing them to go to Western Union, and impotent husbands who had miraculously rediscovered their magic powers.
He was truly glad that Nana Kofi Broni’s magic had already started working, but most of his attention was focused on the ladies in the congregation. He noticed to his great delight that some of them were really nice. I must start making my selection, he told himself. Today!
“Give a mighty clap offering to the great, mighty one for his wonders among us!” he started, and the response was very big.
“I said yesterday that you were going to see signs and wonders, and I am very happy that my word has been fulfilled. Even though we have taken allowed one hour for testimonies, many more of you would like to testify.
Tomorrow, I promise you that there will be ample time. I will only preach a short sermon. The rest of the time will be taken up by consultations, after which I will give directions on what to do to ensure that you defeat your enemies, secure your marriage and, most importantly, continue increasing your profits in your business.” His sermon was interspersed with ecstatic shouts of “Amen,” “it is true,” “God bless you” and “I receive it.”
His final word was emphatic; “Big miracles are coming your way. Keep attending church, and don’t forget to give thanks to God.”
By Ekow de Heer
Features
Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship launches project to transform young lives
The Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI) Ghana has launched the Senior High Schools and Colleges Project (SCP) aimed at empowering and transforming the lives of young people.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Mike Ocquaye, the former Speaker of Parliament, emphasised the need to catch them young and train them as the current times were challenging.
He lauded the project, calling on all to support it, saying “In fact, it’s very important to catch them young, train them, lead them, guide them, and mentor them because the times are indeed rough,” Prof. Ocquaye said.
Mr Ekow Egyir Dadson, the Director, Schools and Colleges Directorate, stated that since its inception in 2018, the SCP had reached over 70 educational institutions with countless testimonies of transformation.
“We began with the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School (PRESEC) Legon, and now in 2024, we have visited 74 schools and impacted the lives of over 100,000 students, some of whom were personally mentored and now have graduated from the universities.”
He explained that the SCP, a vision by FGBMFI Ghana, was a bold outreach programme designed to call young people to Christ, train and equip them for the future.
He cited testimony-sharing, mentorship, career guidance, entrepreneurship and counseling as some of the unique approaches to be used in reaching out to the targeted students.
Mr Emmanuel Baba Mahama, the National President of the FGBMFI Ghana, launched the SCP Manual, which would help the FGBMFI Zonal Family Chapters across Ghana in order to adopt schools and colleges within their catchment areas.
The Schools and Colleges project is making a great impact; we have had first-hand testimonies from school heads, teachers, and students (mentees) about the SCP. This project has come to stay, Mr Baba Mahama assured.
He, therefore, called for more volunteers and partners to help the SCP shape the next generation of leaders and citizens.
Findings by the FGBMFI revealed that Ghana’s senior high schools, colleges, and university students face growing challenges like addictions, indiscipline, poor academic performance, pornography, homosexuality, broken homes, and a lack of godly guidance.
That had been a concern to many parents and society, “but the FGBMFI believes there is hope to rescue and restore these young students,” Mr Mahama said. –GNA