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DEEP DIVE
Thanks to the cedi playing catch-up with the dollar, we’ll see petrol at GHS14.795/L, diesel at GHS15.332/L, and LPG reaching GHS16.205/kg.
Duncan Amoah, the Executive Secretary of COPEC, is pleading with the government: either cut those hefty taxes or give us some sweet subsidies on LPG.
Now, it’s not just about saving a few cedis; it’s about making sure everyone can afford to cook dinner without resorting to firewood (because we really don’t want to go back to those smoky days, right?).
In their statement, COPEC also highlighted that the government must reduce the total taxes and levies on fuel, currently at about 22.56%. They’re even suggesting a flexible formula to adjust these taxes based on the cedi to dollar rate. It’s all about finding that balance to keep our economy afloat without sinking our pockets.
COPEC is also pushing for the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) to get back on track. This would reduce our dependency on imported finished products and their pesky contamination risks.
So, what’s next? Will the government heed COPEC’s advice, or will we all be tightening our belts a notch? Maybe start considering a bicycle – just in case! Read more
Akufo-Addo wants the SDA to figure it out
December 7th is election day, but it’s also the SDA Sabbath.
So, Nana Addo steps up at Valley View University, where he just scored a Doctorate Degree and and decides to address the big elephant in the room. He’s like, “Ladies and gentlemen, “I know the Sabbath is sacred, like ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode for your soul, but we gotta talk about voting. How about we figure out a way for you to hit the polls without breaking any commandments?”
He even dropped some Bible verses, going all Matthew 22:21, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
So basically, he’s calling for some major multitasking—like, can we do church and state in one go? He’s urging the SDA leaders to find some smooth hacks so that everyone can vote without feeling guilty.
So, the Adventists have some brainstorming to do…or not. Read more
Government to eat the humble pie?
Ben Boakye, Executive Director of the African Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), is asking government to put on its big boy pants, admit it messed up, and work on fixing the mess in the unitisation dispute involving the Offshore Cape Three Points oil field.
This forced marriage of oil fields—pairing Eni/Vitol’s block with Springfield’s Afina field—was meant to streamline operations. Instead, it backfired spectacularly.
So this is how everything went down - say there were two neighbors, Eni/Vitol and Springfield, each with their own oil fields. The government thought, “Hey, let’s play matchmaker and let’s bring them together as one. But instead of a smooth collaboration, it felt like forcing two rival musicians to share the same stage. Chaos ensued, and investors ran for the hills.
The unitisation directive didn’t just irritate the companies involved; it sent shockwaves through the entire industry. Boakye highlighted that the government’s decision to force this unitisation without independent verification was a blunder of epic proportions. Experts, including ACEP and IMANI, warned against it from the start, but their advice fell on deaf ears.
The financial fallout was hefty. Ghana shelled out over $6.8 million in legal fees, plus an additional €189,900 towards the claimants’ arbitration costs. That’s a lot of cash to spend on a losing battle. The Stockholm tribunal’s ruling was clear: Ghana’s approach was a costly mistake.
Boakye didn’t mince words. He stated, “We need to recognize the damage done to the industry and reverse that, and we can start by acknowledging that we were wrong. By doing what we did, we scared away investors.” Investors aren’t coming back unless the government admits its mistake and changes course. Read more
MoFFA is unhappy
In Ghana, funerals are a big deal. But lately, some youth have taken things a bit too far, treating the deceased like they're on the red carpet at a movie premiere.
The Mortuaries and Funeral Facilities Agency, the body that ensures we treat our deceased with the dignity they deserve, has seen enough. (MoFFA) is not here for it. They're like, "Guys, this is not how we roll." They’re super upset about these viral videos of people in Asante Akyem treating a dead body on their shoulders, parading like it’s Coachella.
They’ve condemned these antics, calling them a gross violation of public health and safety standards.
Dr. Yaw Twerefour, the MoFFA Registrar, was particularly vocal, even calling the police to crack down on these shenanigans.
So, here’s the 411: If you’re in Ghana, keep it respectful. MoFFA is reminding everyone that there are actual laws against mishandling bodies. Read more
ECOWAS court strikes out Ghana/Gambia suit
So, the ECOWAS Court just ruled on this whole lawsuit where Isaac Mensah was trying to hold Ghana accountable for his dad's disappearance during that Jammeh era in 05’ where 50 West Africans were killed by a Gambian para-military unit. The court was like, 'Sorry Isaac, Ghana's off the hook for what went down in The Gambia. But here’s where it gets interesting: they did slap Ghana's wrist for not giving Isaac all the info he asked for—like reports and details from back then.
Also, this Gambian human rights group called the Registered Trustees of African Network Against Extrajudicial Killings and Enforced Disappearances (ANKED) tried to tag along, but the court was like, 'Nope, this is Isaac's solo show, no groupies allowed.'
So, now Isaac can still go after Ghana for holding back info. Read more
QUICK BYTE
Pappy Kojo is officially outta here! Yep, he just ticked off his ultimate boyhood dream list and decided to call music quits. Accrding to him, he only had two things; to perform with the legendary Obrafuor and second... oh, read this one yourself
The Volta River Authority just came through for the people hit by the Akosombo Dam spill last year. They've donated 300 bags of maize, 200 bags of gari, 150 bags of beans, 300 bags of rice, plus oil and mackerel - It's all going to those still in safe havens at Mepe, Battor, Tokpo, and Bakpa. Read more
IEA's gearing up for a presidential debate showdown before the 2024 polls! They're like, 'Ghana, you gotta know what your candidates are bringing to the table.' NPP and NDC are kinda on the fence about it. But IEA's not backing down. They're talking to all the parties, laying down the plan, and soon we'll know when this epic debate's going down. Meanwhile, Joyce Mogtari says, there’s nothing to debate.
FUN FACT OF THE DAY
Chainsaws were originally invented to help with childbirth, not forestry!
In the 18th century, two Scottish doctors, John Aitken and James Jeffray, devised a prototype of what would become the chainsaw. They intended it as a surgical tool to quickly and effectively perform symphysiotomies, a procedure where the pelvis is widened to assist difficult childbirths. And yes, it was used.
Over time, the tool evolved into its modern form, finding its way into forestry and other industries far removed from its medical origins.
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