What's heavier?

“Ah Monday, how did you arrive here so early?”

If this captures how you’re feeling this morning, then either of these (maybe both) could be true.

1. You had an amazing weekend probably packing wedding jollof and bingeing on movies.

2. Your sleep didn’t catch you.

Either way, we gats to do what we gats to do so we move!

Let’s take a look at today’s highlights:

• Economic: Joe Jackson and Dr. Theo Acheampong are calling out the IMF, arguing Ghana should go for gold, not just dollars, to keep the Cedi strong and shining.

• Politics: NPP turned Takoradi into a rave, hyping Dr. Bawumia and their Manifesto as their December election MVP!

• Education: Two months of empty classrooms, but today’s CETAG vs Labour Ministry crisis talks might just be the game-changer we’ve all been waiting for.

• Politics: Bawumia’s promising a tax-free future for bets and MoMo—2024 elections just got interesting!

• National: Omane Acheampong says if the youth are still partying, maybe the hardship hype is just that – hype.

• Fact of the Day: Ever heard of Blaschko's lines? No, not Blacko, the musician.

• Agriculture: Oti farmers are dry-spell victims, with their crops as wilted as a forgotten salad, and they’re calling for rain—or at least a miracle.

• Crime: A fare dispute spiraled out of control in Adjen Kotoku, leaving 25-year-old Stanley Ahadzi unalived at the hands of a policeman.

• Politics: Bawumia’s got a game plan to take Ghanaian sports from the sidelines to center stage.

• Sports: FC Samartex 1996 and Nsoatreman FC make history.

QUICK BYTE

• You’re at a party, and someone starts a heated debate about the best way to stash wealth. Do you go for gold that shines brighter than your ex's new boo, or do you bet on the almighty dollar, which feels like the reliable old friend who never lets you down? Well, that’s pretty much the vibe right now between Joe Jackson, Dr. Theo Acheampong and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The duo questioning the IMF’s advice to stock up on dollars instead of gold. They argue that with gold outperforming the dollar by 105% over the last 8 years, Ghana’s got more to gain by holding onto its gold reserves to stabilize the Cedi. Get more deets in the Deep Dive section.

• Takoradi was the place to be yesterday, 18th August, as the NPP launched its 2024 manifesto with a bash that felt more like a street carnival than a political event. Dr. Bawumia was at the center of it all, and the crowd was hyped like they just found out their favourite artiste is headlining the concert. The vibe was so strong you could practically feel the bass of the speakers thumping in your chest.

  But let's be real, this wasn't just a party for the sake of partying. It was the NPP's way of saying, "We're ready to turn up, take this election by storm and secure that W in December.” If you’re up for it, read the entire manifesto document here

• Classrooms have been empty for two months, thanks to CETAG’s strike, and today, the Labour Ministry is finally stepping in to talk things out. With all the bigwigs in the room, the pressure’s on to find a solution and get those 46 colleges of education back in action. Will they make peace or is this strike going into extra time? Get the 411 in the Deep Dive section below

• Dr. Bawumia’s making big moves—promising to scrap the E-Levy and betting tax if he becomes president. Plus, a tax amnesty and a digital revolution? It’s like Christmas came early for taxpayers and tech enthusiasts. He also pledged $2bn for Cape Coast Airport development and aviation overhaul. Do you believe he will deliver or is it just election hype? Read more in the Deep Dive Section.

• Omane Acheampong just gave us the ultimate mood check. According to the gospel star, if the youth are still out here living their best lives, all this hardship talk might just be a bit of an overreaction. His perspective is kinda like that moment when you’re stuck in traffic, but you’re jamming to your favorite tunes, and suddenly, the journey doesn’t seem so bad. Read more

• Oti farmers are facing a major drought crisis. Crops, which were supposed to be as lush as your favorite green smoothie are turning into a sad, wilted mess because Mother Nature decided to skip her water break. The dry spell has left fields barren and the future uncertain, with everyone from farmers to students feeling the impact. The call for government intervention is getting louder. Get the deets in the Deep Dive section.

• It started like any other day. But what should have been a routine exchange turned into a nightmare in front of Koans Estate, Satellite-Kutunse at Adjen Kotoku. A fare dispute between a policeman and a civilian escalated so quickly that it left a 25-year-old man, Stanley Ahadzi, dead. Here’s how it all went down: Constable Smith Gyekyi, a police officer moonlighting as a driver, was behind the wheel with a passenger, Esther, who needed directions. Stanley Ahadzi wasn’t even part of the original equation—just a good Samaritan called over by Esther to help her navigate the area. But what began as a simple act of kindness quickly spiraled into a deadly confrontation. Stanley and Constable Gyekyi ended up in a heated argument over the fare Esther should pay. Voices were raised, tempers flared, and in a shocking twist, the officer drew his weapon and fired. Read more

• The Vice President and NPP Flagbearer is promising to give our beloved Ghana Premier League (GPL) the glow-up it deserves. He’s talking everything from providing each Premier League club with a brand-new bus (no more cramped trotro rides for our players!) to setting up a Sports Employment Module through the National Lotteries Authority and the Gaming Commission. This means clubs will get a helping hand with their operational costs, including—wait for it—player salaries.

  And it doesn’t stop there. Dr. Bawumia’s also cooking up a recipe for making Ghana a sports hub in Africa, bringing in the big guns like the NBA and NFL. He’s looking to the future with the establishment of the Ghana School Sports Secretariat. This new agency is supposed to keep the ball rolling (pun intended) by ensuring sustainable funding for school sports. Read more

• FC Samartex 1996 and Nsoatreman FC just turned their CAF Interclub debut into a blockbuster hit! Samartex flexed their muscles in Cameroon, snatching a 1-0 win against Victoria United. Emmanuel Mamah’s header was the plot twist that left the Cameroonian champs speechless. Meanwhile, Nsoatreman FC wasn’t playing around either, dropping a 3-0 masterclass on Chadian side Elect Sports at the Accra Sports Stadium. Mohammed Abdul Rahman was on fire, bagging two goals.

  Both teams now head into their second legs with swagger and the kind of confidence that says, “Yeah, we did that. What’s next?” Read more

DEEP DIVE

Labour Ministry Practices Crisis Comms with CETAG Today

It’s been a whopping two months since the Colleges of Education Teachers Association Ghana (CETAG) went on strike, and let's just say, things have been on lockdown. With all 46 public colleges of education nationwide coming to a standstill, it's been nothing short of an academic ghost town. Students are stuck in limbo, probably binge-watching series instead of hitting the books, and the calendar? Completely derailed.

But today, the Labour Ministry is stepping into the ring, gloves off, ready to hash things out with CETAG and a whole squad of stakeholders. We’re talking top brass from the Ministry of Finance, Tertiary Education, PRINCOF, and even the Public Financial Management Unit. It’s like the Avengers assembling, but instead of saving the world, they’re trying to save the school year.

CETAG isn’t just making noise for the fun of it, though. They're demanding their coins—literally. They want that extra month’s salary for work done in 2022, plus some allowance upgrades to match what public universities get. The government's been dragging its feet on this, and CETAG is over it. They’re playing hardball, even after the National Labour Commission hit them with an injunction to stop the strike. But guess what? CETAG kept the ball rolling and now, we’re here, on the brink of what could be the final showdown.

The stakes are high, and everyone’s holding their breath. Will the Labour Ministry pull off a win and get the teachers back to class? Or are we in for more of this nationwide shutdown saga? Either way, today’s talks could make or break the academic year for thousands of students across Ghana. Fingers crossed. Read more

Bawums Makes Promises

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia just dropped some major news at the NPP’s manifesto launch in Takoradi. And let’s just say, if you’re tired of the E-Levy and that pesky betting tax, you might want to pay attention. Bawumia basically pulled a classic move—promise something big, make everyone cheer, and hope they remember it come election day.

First up, Bawumia is gunning to abolish the E-Levy. Yes, that tax that made every MoMo transaction feel like it came with a hidden service charge. If he gets the keys to the presidency in 2024, it’s poof, gone. And just when you thought that was enough, he’s also eyeing the betting tax. For all the folks who like to place a little wager on the weekend, this might just be the jackpot you’ve been waiting for.

But wait, there’s more! He’s not just about cutting taxes; he’s also planning a major tax reform overhaul. Imagine getting a tax amnesty—yup, a one-time wipe of unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest from past years. It’s like hitting the reset button on your tax records, and who wouldn’t want that? Bawumia’s got his eyes set on making Ghana the digital superstar of Africa, and he’s serious about it. Think of a future where Ghana’s digital scene is on par with the big players globally.

All these promises sound pretty sweet, but are they realistic? Can Bawumia really pull off these grand plans, or is this just another case of election season talk? Only time will tell, but for now, it’s definitely got people talking. Read more

When the Rains Don’t Come

So here’s the 411, Oti’s been hit with a dry spell that’s making it look like the Sahara out there. Fields that should be bursting with maize, beans, and yams are looking more like the set of a survival show. Farmers who rely on rain to keep their crops happy are now staring at fields that are as dry as their hopes for a decent harvest.

And it’s not just the farmers who are feeling the heat. Nkwanta Senior High School’s agricultural department, which was all set to give students a taste of farm life, is now dealing with a maize crop that’s about as lively as a nap on a Sunday afternoon. The school’s five-acre maize farm has basically turned into a barren wasteland, which means less hands-on experience and more lessons in disappointment.

With the rain nowhere to be found, everyone from the farmers to the students are in a bind. They’re calling out for some serious backup—government help, agricultural support, anything to turn this situation around. The Chief Agriculture Technical Officer is waving the red flag, warning that if the rain doesn’t show up soon, even the government’s Planting for Food and Jobs initiative might end up looking more like Planting for Empty Pots. Read more

Gold vs. Greenbacks

Joe Jackson, CEO of Dalex Finance, and Dr. Theo Acheampong, an economist who’s got more insight than your favorite YouTube financial guru, are throwing shade at the IMF’s suggestion that Ghana should pump up its dollar reserves rather than hoarding gold. Jackson’s like, “Yo, IMF, gold’s been flexing harder than the dollar over the last 8 years—up by over 105%! Why are you sleeping on this?” He’s got the receipts too, pointing out how gold’s price per ounce has more than doubled since 2016, hitting over $2,500. Basically, he’s saying Ghana’s got mad gold reserves, so why not stack up on them instead of greenbacks that might just lose their shine?

Dr. Acheampong’s backing him up, arguing that holding more gold could be the secret sauce to stabilizing the Cedi, especially when it’s acting up like that one friend who always flakes last minute. He’s like, “Every time the Cedi starts wobbling, the Bank of Ghana has to dip into reserves like a parent bailing out their kid. But if we had more gold reserves, we’d be sitting pretty even during tough times.” It’s like having that emergency stash of jollof rice—always there to save the day.

And it’s not just talk. The Bank of Ghana’s Governor, Dr. Ernest Addison, has been all about the “Gold for Forex” program, calling it a game-changer in keeping the Cedi afloat. Last year, it brought in a cool $1 billion, helping to stabilize the economy like a well-placed meme calms a Twitter storm. With the plan to continue this golden strategy into 2024, it seems like the gold bugs might just have a point. Read more

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NEWS SOURCES

Today’s stories are curated from:

1. www.myjoyonline.com

2. www.ghanaweb.com

3. www.citinewsroom.com

4. www.norvanreports.com

5. www.channel1new.com