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So, what’s in the bag today?
National: Nurses are getting financial clearance like it's an exclusive club, and if your name ain't on the list—sorry, no entry!
Regional: Bodi roads so untouched, even Google Maps might start asking for off-road mode.
Regional: Bawku’s new rule: Sleep early, and don’t bring a knife to a curfew fight.
Economic: 80% of Ghanaians are on the job grind, but somehow, our economy is still acting broke—make it make sense!
National: Kotoka’s name on the airport? Looks like Ghana’s still stuck in airplane mode on democracy.
Fact of the Day: “The bigger your lips, the fatter the cattle”, brought to you by some Ethopian tribes.
National: NIA says Ghana Card is free—but only if you don’t mind a little Hunger Games experience at the district offices.
QUICK BYTE
One of the most painful things that can happen to you is for the bouncer to hit you with “You’re not on the list” at the party you’ve been hyped up for. That’s what’s happening with nurses in Ghana right now. If you don’t have financial clearance, your salary is looking like a mirage in the desert, real from afar, but nonexistent up close. GRNMA says, forget the old days when you could start work and hope your paycheck would show up eventually. Now, if your name isn’t on the “budgeted” list, you’re basically freelancing for the Ministry of Health. Strike talks are already brewing, and if things don’t change soon, hospitals might start looking real empty. So if you’re a nurse still waiting for recruitment, you might want to pull out your best prayer warrior mode—or call someone who knows someone. Read more
During Bodi MP, Samson Ahi’s vetting, he was hit with the big question—did the NPP government actually tar any roads in Bodi over the past eight years? His response? “A big false.” Not even an inch of fresh asphalt? Not even a sprinkle of bitumen for vibes? According to Ahi, Bodi roads remain as natural as the day they were born. Meanwhile, Patrick Boamah isn’t convinced and is basically telling Ahi, “Show us proof or be ready to explain yourself. ”Now, unless NPP’s roads are in stealth mode, someone’s definitely capping. Read more
You ever get grounded for something you didn’t even do? That’s basically how the entire Bawku Municipality is feeling right now. The government just renewed the curfew, so from 8 PM to 5 AM, outside is officially canceled. Late-night chilling? Forget it. Want the deets in full? Check out the Deep Dive section.
You ever feel like you work too much but still have nothing to show for it? That’s Ghana’s informal sector in a nutshell. 80% of us are grinding daily, but the economy is still saying "broke boy energy," contributing only 27% to GDP. It’s like someone is eating the money before it reaches us. The report says we need more factories, better pay, and actual jobs that don’t just look good on LinkedIn. Get the 411 in the Deep Dive section below
FACT OF THE DAY
In some Ethiopian tribes, lip plates are a symbol of pride and beauty. The bigger the lip plate the more cattle it will cost to pay your bride price.
Ghana’s biggest airport is still named after Lt. Gen. Kotoka—the guy who pulled a control + alt + delete on Nkrumah’s government in 1966—and historians are asking why. Kwaku Darko Ankrah is the latest to say, “Chale, it’s time to update the name.” Democracy Hub and the CPP have even taken the issue to the Supreme Court, arguing that keeping Kotoka’s name is basically endorsing coups. With Ghana supposedly being all about democracy, people are wondering why our airport name is still in 1966. Read more
The NIA is handing out free Ghana Cards at district offices, but you might need to pack lunch (and dinner) because those queues will humble you. Meanwhile, if you’re feeling bougie, Premium Centres will charge GH₵310 for first-time issuance, GH₵125 for replacements, and GH₵420 for updates. So, the choice is yours: District Office with free but with a side of “hope you have patience and a strong bladder”, or Premium Centre with ease but empty pockets? Read more
DEEP DIVE
Bawku’s Nightlife? Curfew Said ‘Not Today’
Imagine planning a solid linkup only for your parents to hit you with “Be home by 8”. That’s Bawku right now, except it’s not parents setting the rules, it’s the Interior Ministry. The government just renewed the curfew in the area, meaning from 8 PM to 5 AM, the streets are officially off-limits. If you were hoping for a late-night TZ run or some moonlit chilling, sorry o, the curfew said, “Respect yourself and sleep.”
And it’s not just the movement restrictions—weapons are also on the banned list. No guns, no knives, not even a well-sharpened pencil. Authorities have made it clear: if you’re caught with anything that looks remotely dangerous, you’ll be trading freedom for prison bars real quick. They’re not here to negotiate.
The government is practically begging the people of Bawku to please chill. They’re urging chiefs, elders, and youth to keep things peaceful. It’s clear that authorities aren’t taking chances, and if you’re in Bawku, you might want to perfect your indoor hobbies ASAP.
Now, will this move actually bring peace or just make people more restless? Read more
This is why the hustle no dey pay
You ever had that one friend who’s always grinding—side hustle here, main job there, but somehow still saying, "Chale, I’m broke” every weekend? Yeah, that’s Ghana’s informal sector. The Ghana Statistical Service just dropped a report saying 80% of us are clocking in daily, but only 27% of the GDP is coming from all that hustle. Like, how? Where is the money going? Because it’s definitely not in our momo wallets.
Turns out, the informal sector is stuck in the ‘plenty work, small money’ cycle. Productivity is crawling, wages are basically in a coma, and underemployment is doing press-ups. Meanwhile, the big boys in mining and finance are stacking up, but let’s be honest, who do you know that works in finance? Exactly. It’s all numbers on paper, but when you check the vibe on the ground, most people are either selling something on the roadside or in an Uber explaining why surge pricing is not their fault.
And the worst part? Even when productivity does increase, wages are not following the script. It’s like ordering a full meal and only getting the toothpick. Manufacturing saw a 14% boost in productivity, but only 2.5% more jobs? So basically, the machines are eating good, but the workers? Ehh. It’s the same story in mining. Gold prices are up, but employment is just there doing mannequin challenge.
So what’s the fix? The report says we need more industrialization, better technology, and policies to move businesses from “mobile money only” to proper structured companies. Read more
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