Month: March 2023

Pope Francis to spend several days in the hospital

Pope Francis to spend several days in the hospital

On March 28th, 2022, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis, the current head of the Catholic Church, had contracted a respiratory infection and would need to spend several days in the Gemelli Hospital in Rome for medical treatment. The 86-year-old Pope had reportedly been experiencing breathing difficulties in the days leading up to his hospitalization, but it was confirmed that he had tested negative for Covid-19. The Vatican statement assured the public that the Pope’s condition was not life-threatening, and that he was expected to make a full recovery. The…

“I called the fire service at 11pm and they came at 4am” – Lyrical Joe

“I called the fire service at 11pm and they came at 4am” – Lyrical Joe

Lyrical Joe, the Ghanaian rapper who won the VGMA 2022 rapper of the year, has shared his experience with the Ghana National Fire Service when his former label boss’s studio caught fire. According to the rapper, the fire service is partially responsible for the extent of the damage caused by the fire. He explained that he was taking a nap in the studio when he noticed the fire and called the fire service immediately. However, they arrived late and were reluctant to respond, assuming it was a prank call. The…

Pentioneers should be paid their coupons on time – Pensioner Bondholders Forum

Pentioneers should be paid their coupons on time – Pensioner Bondholders Forum

The Pensioner Bondholders Forum has once again written to the Minister of Finance to address the ongoing delays in paying out mature coupons to its members. The forum claims that despite assurances of safety for exempted members under the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), concerns about delays in payments have been ignored. Only bonds with a maturity date of February 20, 2023, have been paid, while others remain unpaid, some with up to 29 days of delay. The forum emphasizes that pensioners should be paid their coupons and principals on…

Fuel prices to go down again by 1st April

Fuel prices to go down again by 1st April

Fuel prices in Ghana are expected to decrease for the third consecutive time, with Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) experiencing its biggest decline in recent times. Prices of fuel are expected to go down from 1st April. The Institute for Energy Security attributes the expected drop to the stability of the cedi to the dollar and the easing of prices of finished products on the world market. LPG is expected to go down by about 9%, while petrol and diesel will witness between 2% and 5% drop. The decrease in fuel…

“The new taxes will suppress local productivity” – GUTA presidents says

“The new taxes will suppress local productivity” – GUTA presidents says

The President of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Dr Joseph Kweku Obeng, has criticized the three new taxes being considered by Parliament. The taxes include the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, Excise Duty and Excise Tax Stamp (Amendment) Bills, and the Growth and Sustainability Levy Bill. According to Dr Obeng, the re-introduction of these taxes that were previously scrapped in 2017 will put an additional burden on the already struggling business community. He suggested that the government widen the tax net and review policies on tax exemptions, warehousing, and…

Suicide Act: New amendment to treat suicidal people with better care

Suicide Act: New amendment to treat suicidal people with better care

On Tuesday, Parliament amended sections of the Criminal Offenses Act of 1960 that criminalized attempted suicide in Ghana. With this amendment, any person who attempts to take their own life will now be considered a mental health issue that requires assistance by law rather than imprisonment. Health experts in Ghana have been pushing for the law to be changed, as they believe that attempted suicide is a medical condition that requires health support rather than punishment. However, some legislators were against the move to decriminalize attempted suicide, with former Minority…

Ernest Kobeah withdraws from NDC flagbearer race

Ernest Kobeah withdraws from NDC flagbearer race

Ernest Kobeah has withdrawn his bid to become the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), as announced on March 29, 2023, at the party’s headquarters in Accra. He had entered the race to create opportunities and set an example for the youth not to be intimidated. After submitting his documents and other requirements for the vetting process, he was asked to return for the final lap, but he withdrew from the race and decided to throw his weight behind contender John Mahama. Mahama had gone through his vetting process…