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Ssshhh! The La Traditional Council has laid down the law: from August 5 to 30, no loud noises allowed. As the annual Homowo festival kicks off, expect a quieter city vibe in areas like Cantonments, Shiashi, and Labone. Hotels, eateries, and churches, take note—keep it down or face the music! Guess it’s time to practice whispering! Get more deets in the Deep Dive section
GEXIM is about to shake up Ghana’s SME scene with a shiny new toy: a state-of-the-art food processing pilot plant! Picture this: a playground for small and medium-sized businesses where they get to test drive their big ideas, tweak their production processes, and possibly discover the secret sauce to scaling up.
Why the hype? Well, Ms. Rosemary Beryl Archer, the Deputy CEO of GEXIM, just dropped some major keys about how this initiative is set to transform Ghana’s SME landscape. Get the 411 in the Deep Dive section below
The Interior Minister, Henry Quartey, and the Prisons Director are set to face Parliament today. The hot topic? Controversial land issues at the Prisons Service Barracks in Cantonments and Roman Ridge. With protests brewing from local groups against alleged unethical land grabs, the Parliament's Defense and Interior Committee is digging deep for answers. Read more
John Mahama, NDC's main man, is bringing the heat for the 2024 elections. He’s vowed that the party will have eyes on every ballot box, ensuring no funny business goes down. "Ghanaians, if you're voting NDC, rest assured your vote is our top priority," he said with the intensity of an action movie blow man.
At the campaign kickoff in Tamale, Mahama declared that no one in the NDC will be catching Zzzs until every last ballot is counted and verified. "This election is a big deal, so if you're rolling with us, gear up. We're all in this together, and no one's taking a nap until it's done," he emphasized. With plans to photograph every pink sheet for evidence, the NDC is prepping for a vigilant, no-nonsense approach to ensure transparency. Want the deets in full? Check out the Deep Dive section.
Ghana just dropped its first-ever genetically modified crop like it’s the latest hit single. Say hello to PBR cowpea, meant to be a total game-changer for farmers battling the annoying pod borer pest. After over a decade of hustling in the lab, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) finally launched this super cowpea. It’s like the Iron Man of crops—resistant to pests, early to mature, and packing all the nutrition punches.
At the launch in Nyankpala, Professor Paul Bosu from CSIR was basically like, “Yo, this is our secret weapon against food insecurity.” Farmers are vibing with it, too, because it means more food and more money in their pockets. And the government’s hyped as well, with Northern Regional Minister Alhaji Shani Alhassan Saibu shouting out to the tech that made this possible. Read more
Mutaru Mumuni Muqthar, the big boss at the West Africa Centre for Counter-Extremism (WACCE) is worried that fake news, misinformation, and hate speech could totally make people act all sorts of cray-cray and mess up Ghana's December elections. He’s urging peeps, especially the youth, to stay woke and not let misinformation ruin the party. Muqthar highlighted some wild incidents, like a radio journo at Dagbon FM getting attacked live on air and a TV station in Accra also got a surprise visit from some not-so-friendly peeps who weren’t happy with the on-air banter.
WACCE is rolling out workshops and forums to keep the youth in the loop and ensure they play a key role in keeping the peace. Read more
Ghana's Parliament pulled a power move, turning a $38.66M tax break into more equity in Ghana Bauxite Company. This ups the government's stake from 20% to 23.56%. Ato Forson is hyped, saying this sets a new standard: no more freebies, only smart investments.
Now, GBC's got to step up with more local jobs and community projects. With the global bauxite boom, Ghana's making sure it cashes in big time. Read more
Kwaku Kwarteng, former Deputy Finance Minister and MP for Obuasi West, has warned that Ghana’s democracy could collapse if the nation continues on its current path. Kwarteng emphasized that the political class must urgently recognize this threat and change their behavior, noting that the clock is ticking.
Kwarteng pointed out that since independence, Ghanaian politics has been characterized by parties glorifying past achievements and making grandiose promises for the future during election campaigns. Read more
In June 2024, Ghana’s average bank lending rate slid to 31.10%, down a bit from 31.15% last year, thanks to easing inflation. The rates have been dropping steadily since January's 32.94%. However, some banks still charge up to 40% depending on the borrower's risk.
Despite the slight dip in rates, the Non-Performing Loan ratio has risen to 24%, reflecting ongoing challenges in the banking sector. Read more
Efia Odo says sorry to Sista Afia. The feud between Efia Odo and Sista Afia has been a staple of Ghana's entertainment gossip for some time with things escalating within the last few weeks. Read more
DEEP DIVE
Quieter Days Ahead
Accra’s streets are about to get a major sound check. In preparation for the Homowo festival, the La Traditional Council (LTC) has announced a strict ban on noisemaking from August 5 to 30, 2024. This annual celebration, deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of the Ga people, calls for a period of reflection and quiet, hence the stern directive from the LTC.
The ban isn't just a friendly suggestion; it's a strict mandate that affects a wide range of establishments and areas. From the bustling streets of Cantonments and Shiashi to the quieter corners of La township and Oyarifa, everyone is expected to comply. The Council has explicitly reminded churches, hotels, eateries, and other businesses to adhere to these guidelines. Failure to do so will result in severe consequences as the Council is prepared to enforce this ban rigorously.
The Homowo festival, which celebrates the Ga people's victory over famine, is a time for the community to come together in gratitude and remembrance. The ban on noisemaking is a significant part of the preparations, ensuring that the sanctity of the festival is maintained. Read more
GEXIM’s got a New Plant for Ghanaian SMEs
In a groundbreaking move, the Ghana Export-Import Bank (GEXIM) is about to sprinkle some magic on the local business scene with its new food processing plant in Accra. This isn't just any plant; it's a high-tech wonderland designed to transform how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana add value to their produce or as we like to call it, the ultimate opportunity to level up.
GEXIM’s Deputy CEO, Rosemary Beryl Archer, describes this initiative as a “golden moment” for Ghanaian SMEs, and it’s easy to see why. The plant will serve as a crucial testing ground for SMEs to refine their products and scale up operations. It’s not just about having a cool new building; it’s about providing entrepreneurs with the tools and tech they need to turn their culinary dreams into reality. From innovative production methods to robust financial and technical support, this facility is set to be a game-changer.
There’s more! The SME Growth and Opportunity (SME GO) programme, with its GHS8.2 billion budget, is not stopping at just a new plant. The initiative also promises a one-stop-shop for SMEs, complete with fiscal incentives and shared tech. This isn’t just about helping businesses survive; it’s about helping them thrive in a challenging global marketplace. Read more
Mahama's Got Eyes Everywhere for the December Showdown
John Mahama, the NDC's flagbearer, is gearing up for the 2024 elections with a pledge to ensure a transparent process. Speaking with the determination of a lead character in a blockbuster, Mahama declared that the party will leave no stone unturned in policing the electoral process. "Ghanaians, if you're voting NDC, rest assured your vote is our top priority," he announced, emphasizing the NDC's commitment to protecting every ballot.
At the campaign launch in Tamale, Mahama rallied the troops with a call to vigilance. He declared that no NDC member will rest until the last vote is counted. "This election is a big deal, so if you're rolling with us, gear up. We're all in this together, and no one's taking a nap until it's done," he said, highlighting the party's all-hands-on-deck approach. The NDC plans to utilize every tool at their disposal, from monitoring polling stations to ensuring that all electoral procedures are followed to the letter.
Mahama's commitment stems from past experiences with the Electoral Commission (EC), where the NDC has faced challenges. Despite these issues, the party is prepared to give the EC the benefit of the doubt while also maintaining a vigilant stance. Mahama emphasized the importance of adhering to EC rules, including posting pink sheets at polling stations and documenting them with photos. This evidence-based approach aims to ensure that the NDC has a solid record of the vote counts.
In his closing remarks, Mahama called on all NDC supporters to be proactive and ready to volunteer. He underscored that the December elections are like no other and that every member's participation is crucial. With plans to document every step of the voting process, the NDC is setting the stage for a highly monitored and transparent election. This rigorous approach reflects Mahama's determination to secure a fair outcome for the party and its supporters. Read more
FACT OF THE DAY
What do the Olympics have to do with Zeus?
The Olympic Games dates back to 776 BC. Originally a celebration of sports and religion, held at the sanctuary of Zeus in Olympia. It was a mix of athletics, combat sports, and chariot racing, drawing tens of thousands of spectators to witness the competition and revel in the cultural festivities.
Initially, only free-born Greek men could participate in these festivities, scheduled around the second full moon after the summer solstice—usually late August or early September. Legend has it that Heracles, after completing his twelve labors, started the Games as an homage to Zeus. He measured the first "stadion" by walking 200 steps and declared the Games to be held every four years.
Well, two things are for sure, Zeus would be shocked that women are allowed to compete now and that the event venue changes every four years.
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