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German Ambassador calls on Gender Minister
The German Ambassador to Ghana, Daniel Krull, has reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and supporting Ghana’s gender and social protection agenda.
Accompanied by the Deputy Head of Mission, Silvia Jansen, Ambassador Krull – on Monday February 24, 2025 – paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, to discuss key areas of collaboration.
During the meeting, Ambassador Krull applauded Ghana’s progress in promoting gender equality and congratulated the country on the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill into law, which seeks to bridge gender disparities in leadership and decision-making.
He further pledged Germany’s readiness to partner with the Ministry to enhance child protection efforts, curb abuse, and empower women.
The Sector Minister welcomed Germany’s support and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to fostering inclusive development.
“My intention is to do my best, bringing on board my experience to ensure that no one is left behind in our country’s development agenda,” she stated.
Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey announced plans to establish a technical team to explore funding mechanisms that would complement government allocations, ensuring the effective execution of critical programmes and projects under the Ministry.
Ambassador Krull also used the opportunity to formally invite the Sector Minister as Special Guest to an event to be organized by the German Embassy on the March 4, 2025, to herald this year’s International Women’s Day Celebration.
The engagement aligns with Ghana’s broader efforts to advance gender equality and reduce vulnerability, a vision strongly championed by President John Mahama through policies that empower women, promote equal opportunities, and foster a more inclusive society.
News
6th March is Statutory Public Holiday – Interior Ministry
The Interior Ministry has declared Thursday, 6th March as a public holiday.
In a statement signed by the Minister, Muntaka Mubarak, he noted that the day which marks the Independence Day is a Statutory Public Holiday.”The general public is hereby informed that Thursday, 6th March, 2025 which marks Independence Day is a Statutory Public Holiday and should be observed as such throughout the country,” he noted.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
News
Mobilise the funds as every gov’t has done to service our debts – Amin Adam to Mahama
Former Finance Minister Dr Mohammed Amin Adam has challenged President John Dramani Mahama’s concerns over Ghana’s debt service obligations, urging him to mobilise funds as every government has done in the past to meet these commitments.
Presenting what they call the “True State of the Nation Address” on Monday, March 3, Dr Amin Adam dismissed the President’s warning about the country’s projected debt servicing obligations, arguing that debt management is a routine responsibility of any administration.
President Mahama recently raised alarm over Ghana’s debt servicing obligations for the next four years, estimating that the government would need GH₵280 billion—comprising GH1₵50 billion for domestic debt and GH₵130 billion for external debt.
According to Dr Amin Adam, however, such obligations are not unusual and should not be used to instill fear in the public.
“The President tried to scare the Ghanaian people about the country’s debt service obligations for the next four years. Government at every time, provides for debt servicing obligations, and the President is aware of this. We expect him to mobilise the funds as every government in Ghana has done to service our debts,” he stated.
According to him, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) also did the same when the National Democratic Congress left power with debts in 2017.”
He further highlighted that the NPP administration’s debt management strategies had led to a significant reduction in Ghana’s debt levels and debt servicing burdens. “Through negotiations, Ghana successfully rescheduled its $5.4 billion debt owed to official bilateral creditors until after 2026.”
“The Agreement we reached with the Official Creditors Committee for Ghana entails a rescheduling of all debt service (principal & interest) falling due between December 20, 2023, and December 31, 2026. As a result, no debt service under bilateral debt will be paid until after 2026, including the debt we didn’t pay in 2023 since we declared the debt standstill.”
Dr Amin Adam further outlined the terms of the rescheduling, noting that the deferred amounts would be repaid in two installments—16 and 17 years after their original due dates—with interest rates ranging between 1% and 3%.
He stressed that this agreement applies to all official bilateral creditors and ECA-backed facilities signed and disbursed before the end of 2022.
“This provides breathing space for the current government,” he emphasised, adding that the debt service relief from these negotiations amounts to $2.8 billion.This is money that the government of Ghana would have paid but which now stands as savings to the country,” he added.
Dr Amin Adam urged President Mahama to focus on effective economic management rather than stirring fear about debt obligations that governments must automatically address.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
