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Transcript

00:00:00 Well, a very good morning to you.

00:00:01 Welcome to day two of the week.

00:00:04 And boy, it's another exciting opportunity

00:00:07 to come your way, come into your homes,

00:00:09 and refresh you in the course of these four hours.

00:00:12 My name is Benjamin Akaku,

00:00:13 and I do this in the company of Bernice Aboubedou-Lantza.

00:00:17 Thank you for joining us.

00:00:19 Now, coming up this morning,

00:00:20 we're going to be serving you the news in a bit.

00:00:22 And then for the news review, guess who joins me?

00:00:25 Political analyst and at the Pentecost University,

00:00:29 Dr. Christopher Ampedu.

00:00:30 He is our guest this morning as we get into the newspapers.

00:00:35 After which, we'll be presenting sports to you

00:00:37 with Mubarak Haruna.

00:00:39 And right after that, we get into our big stories.

00:00:41 Now, number one on the chopping board,

00:00:43 the Africa Agribusiness Excellence and Leadership Awards

00:00:46 2023 is to be held alongside Agrofood

00:00:49 and Plast Print Pack Ghana 2023.

00:00:53 It promises to be another one of the biggest

00:00:55 agribusiness events on the continent

00:00:57 as we welcome international participants,

00:01:00 basically coming down here to talk agriculture.

00:01:03 Now, the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana

00:01:05 and partners are organizing this event

00:01:08 to be held on the 22nd of November,

00:01:11 that is Wednesday,

00:01:12 at the Accra International Conference Center.

00:01:14 We'll bring you the scoop on all of that

00:01:16 and what we can expect as far as that event is concerned.

00:01:21 But today we're going to commit a lot of time

00:01:23 talking about, yes, our economy, and here's why.

00:01:26 We'll bring you another scintillating edition

00:01:28 of the Graphic Business Stambic Bank Breakfast Meeting.

00:01:31 And the theme for today's event,

00:01:33 Fiscal Discipline, Breaking the Political Business Cycle

00:01:37 in 2024.

00:01:39 Now, the speakers for this event

00:01:40 are a finance and economics lecturer

00:01:42 from the University of Ghana, Lagos, Dr. Patrick Esuming.

00:01:45 There's also the Chief Executive Officer

00:01:47 of Petrosol, Michael Bonzoville.

00:01:50 They'll be joining us, and in fact,

00:01:52 we'll be joining them live from right here in the studios

00:01:55 as we bring you every last bit of that event.

00:01:58 So stick and stay with us, of course,

00:02:01 later on the show, if possible.

00:02:02 If time allows it, we'd like to pick your thoughts

00:02:05 on some of those things they're going to be dilating on.

00:02:07 That's what the show looks like this morning.

00:02:09 Stick and stay with us, Ghana 4.

00:02:10 The news is up next.

00:02:12 (dramatic music)

00:02:15 (dramatic music)

00:02:18 Thank you for staying with us.

00:02:26 Welcome to the News Belt on the AM Show.

00:02:29 Now, we start with something on the economic plane,

00:02:32 and former President John Romani Mahama says

00:02:34 the clergy and civil society organizations

00:02:37 should be partly blamed for the country's economic woes.

00:02:41 He's blaming these groups for failing

00:02:42 to criticize government

00:02:44 for its profligate spending of loans contracted.

00:02:47 Speaking at the Tichiman Timber Market

00:02:49 as part of his two-day tour of the Bono East region,

00:02:52 Mr. Mahama said the NDC was prepared

00:02:54 to turn around the fortunes of the country.

00:02:57 Nanaia Ojima is on the tour

00:02:58 and came through with this report.

00:03:00 (crowd cheering)

00:03:04 - According to the former president,

00:03:06 loans contracted by the NPP government,

00:03:09 which he pegs at $3 billion annually,

00:03:12 were not invested in productive ventures.

00:03:15 He says the watchdog roles of various actors

00:03:20 were left to the NDC alone.

00:03:22 (speaking in foreign language)

00:03:26 The clergy, civil society, and others in authority

00:03:41 reneged on their watchdog role.

00:03:44 From 2018, all vigilant people noticed

00:03:47 the economy continued to dip.

00:03:49 The economic crisis was imminent.

00:03:52 Only the NDC told the president

00:03:55 that his brother, who serves as finance minister,

00:03:58 has refused to use the $3 billion loans

00:04:01 contracted every year judiciously.

00:04:03 (speaking in foreign language)

00:04:07 (crowd cheering)

00:04:10 To the NDC, the willing government

00:04:19 has admitted its inability to put the country

00:04:22 on the right track.

00:04:24 (speaking in foreign language)

00:04:28 The president himself, in response to questions

00:04:35 on the economy, admitted it would take

00:04:37 the next president to fix the country.

00:04:40 He has lost hope himself.

00:04:42 (speaking in foreign language)

00:04:46 We know that the John Mahama administration

00:04:58 is the government to fix the challenge.

00:05:00 (speaking in foreign language)

00:05:02 President John Dramani Mahama.

00:05:05 (crowd cheering)

00:05:07 The building Ghana Tor made a stop at Tichiman Magazine,

00:05:11 where a town hall meeting was organized

00:05:14 to seek the concerns of the public

00:05:17 for the NDC manifesto for 2024.

00:05:19 (speaking in foreign language)

00:05:23 A National Apprenticeship Program campaign policy

00:05:29 was preferred as a solution

00:05:31 to challenges of apprenticeship raised in the meeting.

00:05:34 (speaking in foreign language)

00:05:38 Skills training is one of the means

00:05:45 of reviving the economy.

00:05:47 Even graduates will have to learn a skill.

00:05:50 Even if you want to travel abroad,

00:05:52 it is easier to get a job as a skilled person.

00:05:55 No matter your qualification, you should learn a skill.

00:05:58 (speaking in foreign language)

00:06:02 At Bankrum in the Kintampo North constituency,

00:06:07 a donation was made to victims

00:06:09 of the recent floods in the area.

00:06:12 The former president called on government

00:06:15 to resource the National Disaster Management Organization

00:06:19 for such purpose.

00:06:21 (speaking in foreign language)

00:06:25 (speaking in foreign language)

00:06:28 When we were in government,

00:06:38 we released funds for the NADMO promptly

00:06:41 for disaster management.

00:06:42 But this time when the floods happened,

00:06:44 NADMO told us they haven't received funding

00:06:47 for the last two years.

00:06:49 (speaking in foreign language)

00:06:54 I will plead with government to fund NADMO

00:06:57 to support disaster victims.

00:06:59 (speaking in foreign language)

00:07:03 (speaking in foreign language)

00:07:07 Similar town hall meetings were held at Kintampo South

00:07:32 and in Kwanzaa North.

00:07:34 The Bulu East edition of the Building Ghana Tour

00:07:37 have been brought to an end.

00:07:39 Opinions and challenges of various groupings

00:07:42 invited to the town hall meetings

00:07:44 will be packaged into a manifesto.

00:07:47 It will be replicated in other parts of the country.

00:07:51 For Joy News, Nana Ojema reporting.

00:07:54 - Now, Vice President Dr. Mahmoud Bawumia

00:07:59 has criticized former president John Romani Mahama

00:08:02 for what he sees as empty promises to Ghanaians

00:08:05 in the former president's quest to return to power.

00:08:08 Dr. Bawumia contends that Mr. Mahama

00:08:10 lacks a thorough understanding of his own policies,

00:08:12 particularly the 24-hour economy initiative.

00:08:16 Now, he wants Ghanaians

00:08:18 not to take Mahama's promises seriously

00:08:20 and rather support him to bring in new policies

00:08:22 for the transformation of the country.

00:08:24 Samuel Mbura reports from the vice president's

00:08:26 homecoming tour in the northern regions.

00:08:29 (speaking in foreign language)

00:08:33 - The vice president was warmly welcomed

00:08:54 by enthusiastic party supporters

00:08:55 during his homecoming tour in his native region, Northeast.

00:09:00 His visit included a courtesy call

00:09:02 on the overlord of the Mampuruku Kingdom in Nalirigu,

00:09:05 followed by a grand rally in Tamale,

00:09:08 the northern regional capital.

00:09:10 Notable party figures, including the MPP national chairman,

00:09:14 majority leader, and the entire northern MPP MPs caucus

00:09:18 joined him.

00:09:19 Dr. Bawumia addressed the supporters,

00:09:21 expressed surprise at the campaign messages of NDC--

00:09:25 - John Mahama. - John Mahama.

00:09:27 - Is going around the whole country

00:09:29 and promising everything to everybody.

00:09:33 It is as if he has never been president

00:09:38 in this country before.

00:09:40 (speaking in foreign language)

00:09:43 It is as if he has never been president.

00:09:46 It is as if he has just landed from Mars.

00:09:49 - He particularly criticized his understanding

00:09:54 of the 24-hour economy policy.

00:09:57 - Today, because of digitalization,

00:10:00 the banks, you can transfer money 24 hours.

00:10:04 You can receive money 24 hours, isn't it?

00:10:08 So, he doesn't understand his own policy.

00:10:14 It does not make sense.

00:10:16 And I want you to vote in 2024

00:10:19 for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

00:10:24 I will bring a new vision.

00:10:26 I will bring new policies.

00:10:28 I will transform this country.

00:10:31 John Mahama is the past.

00:10:33 - While highlighting his own achievements

00:10:35 as vice president, Dr. Bawumia challenged Mahama

00:10:39 to present a single idea from his tenure as vice president.

00:10:43 - What idea will he bring as vice president?

00:10:48 He did not bring even one idea to the table.

00:10:52 And I challenge anybody to tell us one idea

00:10:56 that John Mahama brought.

00:10:59 Dr. Bawumia has brought idea after idea

00:11:03 after idea after idea.

00:11:06 - Majority leader Ossechi Mensahbonsu

00:11:09 asserted that Dr. Bawumia is pivotal

00:11:12 to reshaping the economy,

00:11:13 a reason all of them are supportive.

00:11:15 - In Bawumia, we have tremendous belief

00:11:19 that we have with him this country

00:11:22 will experience eternal wealth.

00:11:25 He is the one with the key.

00:11:28 He is the one with the key to reposition this country.

00:11:33 This is why all of us are pulling him.

00:11:36 - Minister for Land, Sea and Natural Resources

00:11:39 and MP for Damangu, Samo, Abu Dinapo

00:11:42 also emphasized that Dr. Bawumia's selection

00:11:45 to lead the MPP is based on his integrity,

00:11:49 not because he is a Nodna.

00:11:51 - And we present him not because he's a Nodna,

00:11:56 not because he's a Mampuku,

00:12:00 not because he's a great son of Nairobi,

00:12:04 not because of that, not just because of that,

00:12:07 but because he has shown that he's a competent Nodna,

00:12:11 he's a hardworking Nodna,

00:12:13 and he has a mission to transform this country.

00:12:17 - This president's homecoming tour

00:12:19 will extend to Yendi, Bimbila and Damangu

00:12:23 in the Savannah region later in the day.

00:12:26 Samuel Mbura, Joy News, Tamale.

00:12:29 - Let's talk health now.

00:12:33 40% of children living with HIV and AIDS

00:12:37 are unaware of their status in Western Central Africa,

00:12:40 while mother to child transmission remains high,

00:12:44 reaching 64% in these two regions.

00:12:47 This revelation came to light

00:12:48 at the opening of a three-day regional HIV and AIDS summit

00:12:52 in Accra by the executive director

00:12:53 of the Civil Society Institute for Health

00:12:56 in Western Central Africa, Nguisali Turpin.

00:13:00 Now, the primary objective of this conference

00:13:02 is to devise effective strategies

00:13:05 to significantly reduce these figures,

00:13:07 aligning with the 2030 UN HIV goals.

00:13:11 Carlos Caloni has the rest of the story.

00:13:14 - Representatives from government

00:13:16 and civil society organizations across 20 African countries,

00:13:20 along with donor organizations

00:13:22 such as World Health Organization and the USAIDS

00:13:26 have convened at a three-day regional summit

00:13:29 addressing the end of AIDS

00:13:31 in children in West and Central Africa.

00:13:35 Speaking to Joy News on the sidelines,

00:13:37 the director of the Civil Society Institute for Health

00:13:40 in West and Central Africa, Nguisali Turpin,

00:13:44 emphasized the summit's crucial role

00:13:46 in crafting viable solutions to empower CSOs in the sector.

00:13:51 - Unfortunately, we only have 60% of children

00:13:56 living with HIV that actually know their status.

00:14:00 We also see that, unfortunately,

00:14:03 we have a rate of around 65% new HIV infections

00:14:08 that were acquired to,

00:14:12 that were transmitted to children

00:14:14 because their mothers did not receive

00:14:16 the adequate ARV treatment that is in existence.

00:14:20 So what we are really trying to put the focus on

00:14:23 is that community organizations,

00:14:26 civil society organizations need to be empowered.

00:14:29 They need to be given the means to do testing,

00:14:33 to do outreach,

00:14:34 and also to contribute in terms of care and support.

00:14:37 - Underlining the necessity for stronger collaboration

00:14:40 between state and non-state actors,

00:14:42 program manager for the National AIDS Control Program,

00:14:45 Dr. Stephen A. Seadu, highlighted key interventions

00:14:49 by the Ghana Health Service in combating HIV in Ghana.

00:14:53 - Based on all the analysis,

00:14:55 we've realized that if we have to end the epidemic,

00:15:00 the public sector alone, the private sector alone cannot.

00:15:03 We need to work closely

00:15:04 with the civil society organizations.

00:15:07 And already we have started that discussion.

00:15:10 Next year, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria

00:15:15 has provided resources to strengthen further

00:15:19 this partnership and collaboration with non-state actors.

00:15:24 The Ghana Health Service is going to work very closely

00:15:29 with civil society organizations

00:15:32 to implement community initiatives in the cascade of care

00:15:36 for testing, treatment, retention, and viral suppression.

00:15:40 - On his part, president of the Ghana HIV/AIDS Network,

00:15:43 Enes Otsen, underscored that funding remains

00:15:46 a significant challenge for CSOs in Ghana.

00:15:49 He stressed the importance of allocating resources

00:15:53 to combat the disease,

00:15:54 considering the country's high HIV prevalence.

00:15:57 - If you look at our statistics,

00:15:59 we have about 354,000 persons living with HIV

00:16:04 in this country.

00:16:05 About 80% of them are children.

00:16:07 So that's quite high a number.

00:16:10 And that is why we need the support of governments

00:16:13 in addressing pediatric HIV.

00:16:16 This is something that we can achieve.

00:16:20 So all we need is for government

00:16:22 to provide domestic resources

00:16:26 to address this issue of pediatric HIV.

00:16:31 - Otsen also expressed commitment of CSOs in Ghana

00:16:35 to work towards making Ghana the first country

00:16:37 in the region to achieve the 2030 goals on the disease.

00:16:41 - What we are committed to doing

00:16:43 as a civil society group working with the government

00:16:46 is to make sure that Ghana will become the first country,

00:16:50 south of the Sahara, to eliminate

00:16:52 mother-to-child transmission of HIV and AIDS.

00:16:56 We also want to be the first country to, by 2030,

00:17:00 eliminate HIV and AIDS as a public health concern.

00:17:04 - The member of parliament for Dafyama Bwisi Isa constituency

00:17:08 and member of the parliamentary select committee on health,

00:17:11 Sebastian Sandari, emphasized the legislature's role

00:17:14 in ensuring that allocated resources for the fight

00:17:17 are effectively utilized.

00:17:20 - What we can do as a legislature, members of parliament,

00:17:25 is to ensure that one,

00:17:27 there are enough budgetary allocations for HIV care,

00:17:32 is to ensure that we play our oversight role,

00:17:37 to ensure that whatever funds that are dedicated

00:17:41 for HIV care are well utilized.

00:17:45 - At the end of the three-day summit,

00:17:47 an actionable solution is anticipated to be unveiled,

00:17:51 further strengthening collaboration between government

00:17:54 and CSOs to achieve the 2030 goals.

00:17:58 Carlos Kaloni, JOY News.

00:18:01 - In our next story, advocates for neonatal care

00:18:05 are asking government to include their healthcare

00:18:08 in the national health insurance scheme.

00:18:10 According to the advocates,

00:18:11 a child's first benefit from the state

00:18:14 is the ability to live when born

00:18:16 before the 40-week gestational period,

00:18:19 an assistance which, when denied, could lead to death.

00:18:23 Currently documented as one of the leading causes

00:18:26 of death among newborns,

00:18:27 the advocates want government to increase funding

00:18:30 for neonatal care as a means of ending preventable deaths

00:18:33 of newborns and children under five years

00:18:36 in its quest to achieve the SDG target 3.2 by 2023.

00:18:41 Hanold Ami has more in this report.

00:18:43 (upbeat music)

00:18:46 - Mothers of preterm babies often have to stay in hospitals

00:18:52 for as long as their babies receive care.

00:18:56 This affects their finances and general wellbeing.

00:19:00 Some are thrown into a state of despair, confusion, and guilt.

00:19:05 Olivia Sakwa has been at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital

00:19:10 for the past three weeks,

00:19:11 waiting for her third child born at 32 weeks to be discharged.

00:19:16 The financial burden, she says, is draining.

00:19:21 Reason why governmental support is not being provided

00:19:24 is because the hospital is not providing

00:19:27 the mental support is needed.

00:19:29 - If you, the mother, you've been discharged,

00:19:33 it means you have no bed to sleep on.

00:19:35 So you have to sit till daybreak

00:19:38 so you can take care of your baby as well.

00:19:42 And aside that, buying drugs, going for labs,

00:19:46 it's also stressed us.

00:19:48 So actually, if the government can provide beds

00:19:52 and taking care of pre-mature babies.

00:19:55 - Aside that, some mothers continue to live in denial

00:19:59 about the situation of their babies.

00:20:02 But Gloria Abaka, who delivered at 33 weeks,

00:20:06 encourages her fellow mothers

00:20:08 to give their best love to the children

00:20:11 during these moments,

00:20:13 as that aids the growth of their babies.

00:20:16 (speaking in foreign language)

00:20:20 - I realized that when we love our children,

00:20:24 when they are in this situation,

00:20:27 they come out faster than we thought.

00:20:29 (speaking in foreign language)

00:20:33 - An NGO, African Foundation for Premature Babies

00:20:38 and New Natal Care, occasionally support these mothers

00:20:42 through diverse means to alleviate their plight.

00:20:45 Selena Bintum has been leading this cause.

00:20:48 - The cost of care in the NICU is expensive.

00:20:52 The NHIS covers very little portion,

00:20:56 probably less than 10%.

00:20:57 And for the amount that it covers,

00:20:59 it does not extend to essential parts of care,

00:21:02 like medication that is expensive

00:21:05 that the baby needs to survive.

00:21:07 And so it is not an excuse for a Ghanian, a baby,

00:21:11 who is born Ghanian at that age to die.

00:21:14 Even if it's just one baby dying every year because of this,

00:21:17 it is still not fair and we can do more.

00:21:20 - Stambic Investment Management Services,

00:21:22 which is short of continuous support for the mothers,

00:21:26 also promised to be a voice

00:21:29 so government can respond urgently

00:21:31 by increasing investment in new natal care.

00:21:35 Desmond Bredou is head of client coverage.

00:21:38 - For us, we believe in sustainability.

00:21:40 So we are not just looking at just a one-time thing,

00:21:43 but how can we partner other institutions?

00:21:44 How can we echo the message?

00:21:46 Because that's where we can get

00:21:47 to have more people come on board.

00:21:49 - From the Greater Accra Regional Hospital,

00:21:51 I am Hannah Odame for JOY News.

00:21:54 (audience applauding)

00:21:57 - Now, some concerned residents in Hopedo,

00:22:02 a suburb of Ho, are worried about the construction

00:22:05 of a liquefied petroleum gas station in a residential area.

00:22:09 They argue that siting the station very close

00:22:12 to an electricity transformer

00:22:14 increases the risk factor of a disaster in the enclave

00:22:17 since it harbors several homes.

00:22:19 They are asking relevant authorities to step in

00:22:22 and prevent the developer from going ahead

00:22:24 to construct the LPG station in their vicinity.

00:22:27 - Hopedo lies in the northeastern side

00:22:32 of the Volta Regional Capital.

00:22:34 The suburb serves as home to hundreds of residents

00:22:38 and harbors some businesses,

00:22:39 educational institutions, and churches.

00:22:42 However, there is a new development in the area

00:22:45 that has injected fear into the residents.

00:22:48 (speaking in foreign language)

00:22:52 (speaking in foreign language)

00:22:56 - JOY News investigations revealed

00:23:21 that the investor was given a permit

00:23:23 to construct a liquid petroleum gas station

00:23:25 in the residential area in 2018.

00:23:28 A move to undertake construction works in the past

00:23:31 was heavily objected by the residents.

00:23:34 - About five or six years ago,

00:23:36 some men came that they had wanted,

00:23:42 even they were saying filling station.

00:23:45 They want to make filling station here

00:23:48 so that some of us will be collecting petrol free

00:23:53 for one year or at least six months.

00:23:58 Even the whole area, nobody agreed to that suggestion.

00:24:03 - It is however surprising that the developer

00:24:07 has decided to go ahead with the project after five years.

00:24:11 The residents are alarmed

00:24:12 because the station is in close proximity to homes

00:24:16 while an electricity transformer

00:24:18 is situated at the entrance of the site.

00:24:20 They fear the least form of disaster

00:24:22 may ravage their homes and businesses

00:24:25 and destroy their lifetime properties.

00:24:28 (speaking in foreign language)

00:24:45 (speaking in foreign language)

00:24:49 (speaking in foreign language)

00:24:53 (speaking in foreign language)

00:25:21 (speaking in foreign language)

00:25:25 - The residents are hoping the authorities

00:25:44 will hear their plea to prohibit the developer

00:25:47 from going ahead with the project

00:25:48 to ensure the safety of their lives and properties.

00:25:51 Fred Kwame Asare, Joy News.

00:25:54 - It's a wrap for the news.

00:25:59 Thank you for staying, but stay even longer

00:26:01 because right after this,

00:26:02 we serve you the news review with Dr. Christopher Ampedu-Husi,

00:26:06 a political analyst with the Pentecost University.

00:26:09 Here's our guest, do stay.

00:26:10 (upbeat music)

00:26:14 (upbeat music)

00:26:17 Here we are back for the news review as promised,

00:26:36 and we're grateful that you've stayed with us.

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00:27:59 Joining us this morning for that discussion,

00:28:02 we have Dr. Ampedu joining the discussion,

00:28:06 Dr. Christopher Ampedu, a political analyst

00:28:09 at the Pentecost University.

00:28:10 Doc, a very good morning to you.

00:28:12 Thank you for joining the discussion.

00:28:14 You would have to unmute, Doc.

00:28:18 Okay, there we are.

00:28:24 We'll try to get that sorted out.

00:28:26 Of course, today we have a stack of papers,

00:28:29 the Daily Graphic, Ghanaian Times, Daily Guide,

00:28:31 the final newspaper, Economy Times, as well,

00:28:34 that we'll be getting into.

00:28:36 Doc, can you hear me?

00:28:38 - Yes, can you hear me?

00:28:40 - I can hear you, it's a bit low, but we'll rectify that.

00:28:43 I hope you're well.

00:28:44 - Oh, by God's grace, I'm doing great.

00:28:48 - Okay, I don't know what it is with the sound,

00:28:49 but we'll try to manage with that.

00:28:52 So I'd like to start off by looking,

00:28:55 since you're a political analyst,

00:28:57 contemplating the two political parties,

00:29:01 the MDC and the MPP.

00:29:03 Now, the MDC, of course,

00:29:05 selected as flag bearer quite a while ago.

00:29:08 The MPP recently selected as flag bearer.

00:29:11 And in recent times, there's been a furore,

00:29:13 you know, as far as both candidates,

00:29:16 flag bearers are concerned.

00:29:18 But the message they've been putting out there,

00:29:21 the vice president says he's the best person

00:29:25 to lead this country.

00:29:26 He's touted his economic credentials.

00:29:29 He's touted his digital credentials.

00:29:33 He has said that as vice president,

00:29:35 he has come through with so many ideas.

00:29:37 That's what he says.

00:29:39 That's what he's been saying on his tour

00:29:40 of the Northern Belt of the country.

00:29:42 The former president, John Romani Mahama,

00:29:44 has also said, "I'm going to introduce a 24-hour economy.

00:29:48 "I'm going to revitalize the economy."

00:29:51 He says the current president had even intimated,

00:29:54 which he did, at a point that it's the next president

00:29:56 who would, you know, suggesting that it's the next president

00:29:59 who would resolve our economic woes.

00:30:01 He has said that he's going to cancel

00:30:04 the teacher licensure exam,

00:30:07 but not take away the licensure system,

00:30:09 but change the modalities.

00:30:11 All of these, they've been talking about so many things,

00:30:13 economics, education, and all of that.

00:30:17 But from what you see so far, what do you think,

00:30:21 what do you make of these promises that are being made?

00:30:26 Which ones do you think will stand the test of time?

00:30:30 And which ones do you think are just wishy-washy propaganda?

00:30:33 - Thank you so much.

00:30:36 And good morning to your listeners,

00:30:38 and good morning to your crew.

00:30:41 It's quite interesting.

00:30:44 I can just comment by saying that what I'm hearing

00:30:50 has more to do with political propaganda

00:30:54 than being serious with issues,

00:30:58 because these two guys are people we have known,

00:31:01 and we have known Bamiya being the chief economic advisor

00:31:06 to the present government.

00:31:12 - So the head of the economic management team.

00:31:15 - Right.

00:31:16 And what he has said and what they have done,

00:31:19 their performance so far, as we see today.

00:31:22 And I believe that Ghanaians would understand that

00:31:27 unless maybe he comes to do something,

00:31:31 different, we judge him by their performance

00:31:36 as far as this seven years going into eight years

00:31:40 is concerned.

00:31:41 And so I don't see anything serious

00:31:45 in what both of them are saying.

00:31:47 I mean, listening to the past president, Mahama,

00:31:52 I think he's just rehearsing certain things he has said

00:31:58 and keep on saying he will do.

00:32:01 But then we have known him also

00:32:03 as the head of the economic management team

00:32:07 during when he was vice president,

00:32:10 and when he was given the opportunity,

00:32:13 I mean, to rule this nation for another four years,

00:32:17 we have known him.

00:32:18 And so I would take all that they are saying

00:32:22 with a pink of salt,

00:32:24 because I am not seriously convinced of their sincerity

00:32:30 as far as managing this nation is concerned.

00:32:33 When they are in power, yes,

00:32:37 they are so different than when they want power.

00:32:41 And I believe Ghanaians are now awaking

00:32:45 to this type of political talks

00:32:49 that politicians give us when they want power.

00:32:54 And we are very cautious just to make conclusions

00:32:58 that they will stick to their words

00:33:01 or they will really keep to their words

00:33:03 when they come on power.

00:33:05 Because so far, they have not proved sincere

00:33:08 to what they tell us when they want power.

00:33:11 And so let's look at what will happen

00:33:15 and let's see what Ghanaians will make

00:33:17 out of what they are saying

00:33:19 and make conclusions based on what they are going to vote for.

00:33:24 - For those of you who may not be finding

00:33:27 the feed on the normal thread on Joy News on Facebook,

00:33:32 just go to videos.

00:33:34 Just when you get to the Joy News platform on Facebook,

00:33:37 just go to videos, click on it.

00:33:40 And I noticed since yesterday,

00:33:43 there have been some issues.

00:33:44 So just go to Joy News on Facebook,

00:33:46 click on videos,

00:33:47 and then you'll see the live feed as we have it now.

00:33:50 And you can share as well.

00:33:52 So there's this political ping pong that they play with us.

00:33:56 But if you look at the performance

00:33:58 of the previous administration,

00:34:00 and you look at the performance of this administration

00:34:02 seven years into it,

00:34:05 let me just limit it to the economic front and education.

00:34:10 And maybe even let me add agriculture

00:34:13 because there's a lot going on in that regard,

00:34:16 a lot of hue and cry, a lot of complaints,

00:34:19 but at the same time,

00:34:20 there's planting for food and jobs and all of that.

00:34:23 If you look at these three key areas,

00:34:25 so I'm going to reiterate,

00:34:28 the economy, which has been focal in past elections,

00:34:32 education, which has been in turmoil in some regard,

00:34:36 and agriculture.

00:34:38 What is your reading?

00:34:39 What do you think has been done right?

00:34:42 What do you think has been done wrong?

00:34:43 And which administration would you say has fared better?

00:34:46 - Thank you.

00:34:49 We're coming to education.

00:34:51 I think this present government has done a lot,

00:34:55 especially when we look at the STEM programs

00:35:00 they have brought in terms of the science and education.

00:35:05 And we also can talk of the free education

00:35:08 that has given access to many, many thousands of people

00:35:13 who hitherto would have had no chance

00:35:17 to go into secondary school.

00:35:20 Now it's making secondary school

00:35:22 as basic education in Ghana,

00:35:24 which I think is very laudable.

00:35:28 And looking at the emphasis that is being given

00:35:31 for science and technology

00:35:34 and the type of buildings and institutions

00:35:39 that have been built to accommodate

00:35:42 this science and technology education,

00:35:47 I think it's laudable.

00:35:48 And I can say that they have done a lot,

00:35:53 even though the previous government led by President Mahama

00:35:58 also built a whole lot of schools

00:36:01 and buildings for education.

00:36:04 But in terms of pushing education forward,

00:36:09 making the Ghanaian more literate in terms of access

00:36:13 to secondary education,

00:36:15 making the Ghanaian see the importance of science education

00:36:20 in our present dispensation,

00:36:22 I think this government has moved education forward.

00:36:27 And if we can continue,

00:36:30 I believe that education and for that matter,

00:36:35 human development in Ghana will move forward

00:36:39 comparative to well other educational systems.

00:36:45 In terms of economy,

00:36:49 now you see the government was doing fine initially,

00:36:52 this present government was doing fine initially

00:36:54 when some disturbances really happened,

00:36:58 which was global, global problem that were encountered.

00:37:02 That is not to excuse the government by not performing

00:37:09 or doing what is expected of them.

00:37:12 They went for too much loans

00:37:15 and instead of helping Ghana move this nation forward,

00:37:20 the loans so received cannot be said to have been used

00:37:27 for the betterment of the nation.

00:37:30 So there are a lot of questions people are asking,

00:37:34 so much debt, so much money,

00:37:37 and yet the Ghanaian continue to wallow in poverty.

00:37:42 Now there are questions.

00:37:43 So if you compare that to President Mahama's economic system,

00:37:48 we cannot say that they were better

00:37:54 because for me, all governments have been changed

00:37:58 based on corruption issues.

00:38:02 So even though Mahama didn't go in for such amount of loans

00:38:10 or money, didn't assess so much money

00:38:13 to manage the economy, they were also in a mess.

00:38:17 In fact, it was based on the economic mismanagement.

00:38:21 That was why they voted out.

00:38:23 And so--

00:38:24 - Would you say, since we're talking about the economy now

00:38:26 and just to chip in on education,

00:38:28 I feel that whichever administration we've had,

00:38:31 especially in our fourth republic,

00:38:33 they give us sprinkles, the dust of education

00:38:36 and make a whole lot of noise about it,

00:38:39 all the way from Rawlings through Kufu.

00:38:40 Kufu did some nice things, school feeding and all of that,

00:38:44 but they don't give the kind of education

00:38:47 that gets you really thinking,

00:38:49 especially at the highest levels.

00:38:50 If you look at those countries,

00:38:52 which are really accelerating,

00:38:54 here's why I feel this way.

00:38:56 You listen to people.

00:38:57 On the back of recently the selection of Dr. Baumea,

00:39:00 I listened to some people who are saying,

00:39:02 oh, they would vote, for example, for the MPP come 2024,

00:39:05 and the reasons they were giving,

00:39:07 I mean, blimey.

00:39:09 You listen to the other side,

00:39:11 some reasons that people will cite,

00:39:13 oh, this is why I'll vote for the NDC.

00:39:15 And sometimes you ask yourself,

00:39:16 are we even in line with the proper alignment

00:39:21 of what is happening, what is on the ground

00:39:23 and the things we should be focusing on?

00:39:25 So that is another angle.

00:39:26 But you spoke about the economy.

00:39:28 Has the corruption become any better?

00:39:31 If you look at the metrics, we've become worse.

00:39:34 When you look at inflation,

00:39:36 when you look at the exchange rate,

00:39:37 when you look at the general quality of life,

00:39:40 economically speaking, what do you see?

00:39:42 - Well, what you are saying is so, so right.

00:39:47 And just to comment on education,

00:39:52 it seems that there's a problem.

00:39:56 When it comes to politics and party policies,

00:39:59 for that matter,

00:39:59 I think people don't even take time

00:40:05 to reflect objectively as to how to align ourselves

00:40:10 to issues before even talking about our commitment

00:40:14 or allegiance to a particular political party.

00:40:18 I think it is not a matter of educational,

00:40:23 objective analysis of issues that align people

00:40:27 to a particular political party.

00:40:30 Rather, I think people think more

00:40:33 of what they can benefit, what they can get.

00:40:36 And as far as that supersedes

00:40:39 the objective analysis of issues,

00:40:42 they are not going to give a very comprehensive analysis

00:40:47 to issues.

00:40:48 They will just be skewed towards

00:40:50 a particular political party

00:40:53 because that's where they align themselves to.

00:40:55 And besides, when they gain power,

00:40:57 they know what they'll gain from it.

00:40:59 So it doesn't give us a very thorough discussions,

00:41:04 objective analysis of issues

00:41:08 before even we make conclusions

00:41:10 as far as aligning ourselves

00:41:13 to a particular political party is concerned,

00:41:18 or even saying that we support or do not support.

00:41:22 Once I'm an MBC one,

00:41:24 then it means anything that goes with MPP is just wrong.

00:41:28 And if I'm MPP, everything that goes with MPP is right,

00:41:33 and MBC is wrong.

00:41:35 So objective analysis of issues is near,

00:41:39 and that's the problem we have.

00:41:41 But then economically, I don't think,

00:41:44 for me as an example,

00:41:47 I don't think any of these political parties

00:41:50 have made us better.

00:41:51 I don't think so.

00:41:52 I think things are getting worse and worse and worse,

00:41:57 even though they claim to have made some economic advancement

00:42:02 which at the grassroots level, we cannot say.

00:42:06 People are getting more,

00:42:08 being drawn into poverty, hunger, and deprivations.

00:42:12 And as far as more of the population

00:42:15 continue to wallow in this state of affairs,

00:42:19 it's difficult to say that

00:42:21 we have made some economic improvement.

00:42:24 - All right, very quickly,

00:42:25 because I want us now to get into the papers,

00:42:27 but on the front of agriculture in about some 40 seconds,

00:42:31 what do you think?

00:42:32 - Well, in terms of agriculture,

00:42:35 I think both political parties have done well.

00:42:40 You know, as we know about politics,

00:42:44 each government comes and then just do their best.

00:42:47 So we can say that Mohammed's time,

00:42:50 agric also took some good decisions

00:42:54 that improve food production and also food availability.

00:42:59 At the same time, when you talk about the NBP,

00:43:04 with the policies that were brought out,

00:43:08 it has helped to bring in more foodstuff.

00:43:12 But then, again, you listen to the costs

00:43:16 of food comparatively.

00:43:19 Ghana is one of the most expensive areas

00:43:22 where food purchase is so high.

00:43:26 So then, when you talk of improvement,

00:43:28 what type of improvement if life is so hard,

00:43:32 especially in the rural areas?

00:43:34 When you go to rural areas,

00:43:35 where we think it's better to live formally,

00:43:38 because that's where food is so cheap.

00:43:40 Now, food in this area can be more expensive

00:43:43 than in agriculture. - It's not the same anymore.

00:43:45 - Yeah. - It's better for us.

00:43:47 - Well, interesting perspectives.

00:43:50 And if you look at the tide of things,

00:43:53 we can only pray for better times.

00:43:55 But of course, prayers alone, I have always said,

00:43:59 God will not come down and do for man

00:44:01 what man can do for himself.

00:44:03 You put in the effort, and God does the rest.

00:44:07 So if you fail to think to ameliorate your situation,

00:44:11 God will not come down and till the farm

00:44:14 or sow the seed for you.

00:44:16 So you will go hungry.

00:44:17 And that's where I feel we find ourselves.

00:44:19 But let's get into the papers now.

00:44:20 The "Daily Graphic" newspaper.

00:44:22 Three, oh, were you saying something?

00:44:25 - Yes, I was saying that, you see,

00:44:27 God has already done his part.

00:44:30 What is left is for us, man, to also do our part.

00:44:33 So you can't shake our responsibilities

00:44:35 and just pray and hope that God will do it

00:44:39 when we are messing up things.

00:44:41 No. - Right.

00:44:42 - We have to do our part.

00:44:43 - The "Daily Graphic," three cement factories

00:44:45 defy GSA ban, three cement factories

00:44:48 in the Ashanti region sanctioned for producing cement

00:44:50 with inferior materials.

00:44:52 Be careful where you buy your cement.

00:44:53 Inferior materials have been found to be operating

00:44:56 despite a ban on their operations

00:44:58 by the Ghana Standards Authority.

00:45:00 Shing and Sif Cements Ghana Limited,

00:45:05 Kumasi Cements Ghana Limited,

00:45:07 and Unis Cements Ghana Limited were banned last week

00:45:11 from producing cement due to concerns

00:45:12 over the quality of their products.

00:45:14 However, it has come to light that those manufacturers

00:45:17 have continued to operate and are producing cement

00:45:20 using the same substandard materials.

00:45:23 The Director General of the GSA, Professor Alex Dodu,

00:45:26 told the "Daily Graphic" in an interview

00:45:27 that unannounced visits to the premises

00:45:30 of the three companies by the GSA enforcement team

00:45:33 showed that they had resumed full operation

00:45:35 without authorization.

00:45:37 This happens probably only in Ghana

00:45:41 because if I can have a GSA tell an entity,

00:45:46 "Don't go ahead, your products are substandard,"

00:45:48 yet they can flout it, and I guess you might go in there

00:45:52 and find some political connections and this and that.

00:45:56 And look at, I mean, I'm sorry to say this,

00:45:59 I don't like stereotyping, but nowadays when you hear

00:46:02 practically two or three negative things,

00:46:04 there's a Chinese somewhere,

00:46:06 there's a Chinese entity somewhere in there.

00:46:08 And I don't know why we are not waking up

00:46:10 to the reality of some of these things.

00:46:12 Like I said, I don't like stereotyping any group, anybody,

00:46:15 but it's becoming quite a hyper-headed problem.

00:46:19 You think of Galamze, you think of certain other Ales,

00:46:22 you think of some products that are brought into the country

00:46:25 now, even some of these productions.

00:46:27 And it is because our politicians are on the take.

00:46:31 And so they don't care.

00:46:33 They'll take what they will,

00:46:35 allow outfits that probably shouldn't be operating

00:46:37 to operate, and there we are.

00:46:38 So you go and buy the cement, put up your edifice,

00:46:41 within a short while, you may even see your edifice

00:46:44 crumble to the ground like we've seen in some places,

00:46:46 or it may start developing faults long before it should.

00:46:51 There's also this, let me just put together a few issues

00:46:54 and then get your reaction.

00:46:55 Restructure economy to consolidate IMF gains,

00:46:59 that's the PWC to government.

00:47:02 Now the government must make fundamental changes

00:47:04 in the structure of the economy and aggressively implement

00:47:07 the public financial management law to ensure

00:47:09 greater scrutiny and monitoring of the expenditure

00:47:12 of ministries, departments, and agencies.

00:47:15 A country senior partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers Ghana,

00:47:19 Vish Asiagbo, who gave the advice, said that would help

00:47:22 consolidate the gains chalked up under the IMF program.

00:47:26 And finally, Liberia's president-elect, Buakai,

00:47:31 to review mining concessions.

00:47:34 So that's what's happening in Liberia.

00:47:36 Of course, I doff my hat to George Weah,

00:47:39 who willingly, gladly, maybe not gladly,

00:47:42 but in a very political correct manner,

00:47:45 conceded the election, losing with over 20,000 votes.

00:47:50 Any reactions to these stories, Doc?

00:47:53 - Yes, thank you.

00:47:55 Well, it's great.

00:47:56 What's happening in Liberia, I think is something

00:47:59 that goes to affirm the fact that Africans,

00:48:04 we are really moving forward as far as

00:48:06 our political dispensations are concerned.

00:48:10 The password people are always going to court

00:48:14 that we don't accept the result,

00:48:17 like what happened in Ghana, what happened in Nigeria,

00:48:20 at the end of it.

00:48:21 I mean, the same results were declared

00:48:25 as being final results.

00:48:27 And so it was just wonderful to hear

00:48:30 upon Weah to see the fact that, yes, he lost.

00:48:34 And congratulated Buakai.

00:48:36 I believe that if we can just accept defeats

00:48:39 and then move our nation forward,

00:48:41 that will go a long way to advance

00:48:44 our political dispensation.

00:48:46 Now, coming to--

00:48:47 - But since you're a political analyst,

00:48:49 if there's rigging, should you accept it

00:48:51 just for the sake of peace or for the sake of some stability?

00:48:56 If you know very well that wrong was done,

00:48:59 should you sit back and say,

00:49:00 "Oh, for the sake of peace, let's go forward"?

00:49:04 - No, I'm not saying that.

00:49:05 But you see, the various issues that have been sent to court,

00:49:09 for example, in Ghana, during the time

00:49:11 when MPP was in opposition, they went to the courts.

00:49:14 What happened?

00:49:15 At the same time when NDC was in opposition,

00:49:18 issues were sent to the court.

00:49:20 What were the results?

00:49:21 Look at what happened in Nigeria.

00:49:23 We see the opposition went to court.

00:49:25 So it appears that, well, we would make allegations

00:49:30 of rigging here and there, but at the end of it all,

00:49:33 what is the outcome of the court proceedings?

00:49:37 The same people who were declared as riggings

00:49:41 won at the end of it all.

00:49:43 That does not mean that we should just keep our eyes shut

00:49:46 to allow people to just do their own thing

00:49:49 and then take power that they don't deserve.

00:49:52 That's not what I'm saying, anyway.

00:49:54 So thank you for that.

00:49:56 And looking at the cement factory that had been shut down,

00:50:01 I mean, you see, we are in a very, very desperate country

00:50:06 where people are paid to do work of supervision

00:50:12 to ensure that the right things are done.

00:50:16 And people are given all that is needed

00:50:20 to be effective in what you are doing.

00:50:24 But then what do we see?

00:50:26 Because of corruption, thievery, greed,

00:50:31 greed.

00:50:32 Now, how can it happen?

00:50:35 Where can it happen?

00:50:37 When a factory had been shut down

00:50:39 and yet the factory opened into full operation

00:50:44 without government officials appointed

00:50:49 to ensure that the right thing is done,

00:50:52 is not aware of.

00:50:54 Meanwhile, these are people who always go

00:50:58 to their offices, sit in air conditioned rooms,

00:51:00 and then receive all that is needed

00:51:04 to make them comfortable.

00:51:06 And so it is so sad that we are in such a nation

00:51:11 where people don't seem not to even love the nation.

00:51:14 They are so greedy for what they will gain from their work

00:51:18 than to ensure that the right thing is done.

00:51:21 And so if there's going to be some,

00:51:25 as was pointed out, some economic restructure

00:51:30 whereby monitoring and supervision can be done

00:51:34 and done more effectively.

00:51:35 But then even I've still not come with that

00:51:38 because these kind of things have been done over

00:51:41 and over and over.

00:51:43 But because of the corrupt nature of people

00:51:47 and for the fact that the institutions

00:51:48 are not working effectively,

00:51:51 people just do what they want and it goes cut free.

00:51:56 And so let's pray that this time around,

00:51:59 we'll have people who fear God

00:52:01 and as such we want to do right to move Ghana forward.

00:52:05 - All right.

00:52:06 Let's quickly, I will not delve into these.

00:52:08 I'll just take a quick look at them.

00:52:12 Economic issues will dominate 2024 electioneering.

00:52:15 That's according to Dr. Osai Kwapung.

00:52:17 Of course, it comes as no news.

00:52:19 We're fully aware that the issues of the economy

00:52:23 will be one of those pivotal, crucial ones.

00:52:26 And according to him,

00:52:27 they will dominate the 2024 electioneering.

00:52:30 Like I was asking earlier,

00:52:32 which entity would you trust better with the economy?

00:52:34 This current administration

00:52:35 or the previous administration?

00:52:36 Or maybe the Alan Charmatins and the others

00:52:39 who are also standing in the gap

00:52:42 as independent candidates likely.

00:52:45 UGMC performs beating heart surgery.

00:52:48 And the surgery otherwise known

00:52:49 as off-pump coronary artery bypass

00:52:52 was performed on two adults,

00:52:53 a 70-year-old retired teacher

00:52:55 and a 67-year-old businesswoman

00:52:56 who are among six patients

00:52:58 who underwent complex cardiac surgical procedures

00:53:01 at the center.

00:53:02 Congratulations to the team

00:53:04 at the University of Ghana Medical Center.

00:53:07 But I want your take on this matter.

00:53:09 MPP Sachs, Boniface Sadiq, Yawarina Samwa,

00:53:14 and two others, we know them,

00:53:16 Nanaw Henintu among others,

00:53:19 and I think Hope Senadoye,

00:53:20 for breach of party constitution.

00:53:23 That story on the front page

00:53:25 of the Ghanaian Times newspaper.

00:53:26 There's also Parliament won't bow to IMF pressure.

00:53:29 That's according to the speaker.

00:53:30 So what exactly is he saying?

00:53:32 He says, he has served notice

00:53:35 that the House will not bow to the pressures of the IMF

00:53:37 in the passage of legislations

00:53:39 to satisfy its conditions for the agreements with government

00:53:42 for the $3 billion extended credit facility to Ghana.

00:53:46 The long arm of the IMF, the speaker said,

00:53:48 was all over the budget,

00:53:50 including the request for the affirmative action bill

00:53:52 to be passed under a certificate of urgency.

00:53:55 In other words, when you're a beggar,

00:53:58 sometimes you are, a lot of the time,

00:54:00 you'll be told all kinds of stuff

00:54:02 because you cannot manage your own affairs.

00:54:05 But what do you make of the purported ousting,

00:54:09 sacking of these four from the MPP?

00:54:13 What's your quick, quick take on that, Doc?

00:54:15 - Thank you so much.

00:54:18 It's quite interesting, very interesting

00:54:20 because we've just had MPP presidential elections

00:54:24 where key people like regional executive members,

00:54:29 MPs, ministers, declare their support

00:54:36 for a particular candidate.

00:54:39 Now, when you look into the MPP,

00:54:42 their laws or their own rules and regulations,

00:54:47 they do not allow such things to be done.

00:54:50 And this is to work on so clearly all over the place.

00:54:55 The executive couldn't come out to even tell the public

00:55:00 that it's right for them to do,

00:55:04 or not just right.

00:55:06 And we know all the other presidential candidates

00:55:10 really were so peeved about that.

00:55:15 The party executive couldn't say anything.

00:55:18 So it's interesting now for them to come out

00:55:22 to say that these people are sacked from the party

00:55:25 because they support Chairman Ting.

00:55:28 Now, the interesting thing is that you see,

00:55:30 Chairman Ting is not just an ordinary MPP guy.

00:55:34 Surely some people support him.

00:55:36 Now, Chairman Ting is not coming out

00:55:39 with a political party.

00:55:41 So even though he will stand for presidential elections,

00:55:46 many of his followers will still vote for the MPP.

00:55:50 Now, when you put out such statements of sacking people,

00:55:55 you know what?

00:55:57 You are bringing animosity into the political party.

00:56:01 So people-

00:56:02 - But that is what their constitution says.

00:56:04 If you lend your support to a candidate

00:56:06 other than that which the party has selected,

00:56:09 you automatically sack yourself.

00:56:12 And they are merely reiterating that.

00:56:16 The question is whether that should even be

00:56:18 in their constitution.

00:56:19 That's another matter for discussion.

00:56:21 - Okay, but then if you are serious,

00:56:25 a disciplined political party,

00:56:27 why that certain parts were breached some time ago

00:56:32 and you didn't say anything.

00:56:34 Now, people are taking this step.

00:56:37 And now you are saying that,

00:56:39 yes, we need to bring discipline.

00:56:41 The laws must work.

00:56:42 Is there a time where the laws work?

00:56:45 And at a particular point in time, it doesn't work.

00:56:48 Fairness must be seen.

00:56:50 Besides, we are talking about political party

00:56:52 where numbers are so important.

00:56:55 And so if you are dealing with such issues,

00:56:58 I think even though you may be taking the right decision,

00:57:01 you have to be very careful

00:57:02 because at the end of it,

00:57:04 you should think seriously

00:57:06 whether this will benefit us at the long run.

00:57:10 Sacking these people, I think in one way or the other,

00:57:13 though brings discipline to the party.

00:57:15 On the other hand, I think the MPP is going to lose it

00:57:19 because people who are going to vote skirt and blouse

00:57:22 may not even vote the blouse.

00:57:25 They will stay at home.

00:57:26 It is not good for the party.

00:57:28 - They may stay at home.

00:57:29 We have to go, Doc, in the next minute,

00:57:31 but let me just...

00:57:32 The Daily Guide newspaper reiterates that.

00:57:34 It says MPP sacks four rebels.

00:57:37 There's also police grab bold robbers

00:57:40 and Muhammad snaps NBC executives in regional tour.

00:57:44 In fact, in that paper as well,

00:57:45 there's the issue of Major Muhammad lynching self-defense.

00:57:49 That's according to a lawyer of some of the accused.

00:57:52 But the story I want you to focus on,

00:57:54 trade organizations kick against 2024 budget.

00:57:57 GUTA is one of them,

00:57:58 the Ghana Union of Traders Association.

00:58:00 And this is a quote from the president.

00:58:02 "This 2024 budget is going to impact businesses negatively.

00:58:06 "In the broader picture, our demands were not met.

00:58:08 "The cost of doing business is high.

00:58:10 "Macroeconomic framework has been prepared

00:58:12 "to achieve the objective of the IMF-supported PCPEG

00:58:16 "through the underlisted priorities."

00:58:18 That's in the Economy Times newspaper.

00:58:21 What do you make of the 2024 budget

00:58:24 and were you excited about anything in it?

00:58:27 - Well, somehow I was excited about some of the taxes

00:58:33 that were not increased and also seemed to have been removed.

00:58:40 But then you see this,

00:58:41 just I don't think it's enough

00:58:46 to give relief to the ordinary Ghanaian.

00:58:49 Business people may say differently.

00:58:54 And some may be happy, some may not,

00:58:56 but I don't even trust these business people

00:58:59 because most of the times they are out there.

00:59:03 I've never seen a time when government has reduced a tax

00:59:06 for business or traders to say

00:59:09 that because tax have been reduced,

00:59:11 we are also reducing the cost of what we sell.

00:59:14 No, prices have never been reduced

00:59:16 because governments have reduced anything.

00:59:19 I mean, our traders and our business people

00:59:22 sometimes cannot also like politicians be trusted.

00:59:26 And so we can think that's where they've done their best

00:59:29 and let's see what goes on in the future.

00:59:33 - Doc, we're very grateful for your time.

00:59:36 Thank you for having breakfast with us this morning.

00:59:39 Dr. Christopher Ampedu is a political analyst,

00:59:41 Pentecost University.

00:59:42 He has been our guest.

00:59:44 Doc, we wish you the best of the day.

00:59:46 The Economy Times also says

00:59:48 the Bank of Ghana has to cut the policy rate.

00:59:50 Of course, it's moving it by 100 basis points

00:59:52 or 1% from 30 to 29.

00:59:56 Just before we get into sports,

00:59:58 this segment has always been brought to you

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01:00:31 Of course, helping us come to the end of the news review.

01:00:34 Up next, we have sports with Mubarak Haruna.

01:00:38 Do stay.

01:00:39 (dramatic music)

01:00:45 (dramatic music)

01:00:48 Welcome back on the AM Show.

01:01:04 My name is Benjamin Akaku,

01:01:06 and of course, we're going to be talking agriculture

01:01:08 to kickstart the show.

01:01:10 That's our big story.

01:01:12 Of course, right after that,

01:01:13 we'll get into the Graphic Stambic Breakfast Meeting.

01:01:16 But for now, the Africa Agribusiness Excellence

01:01:19 and Leadership Awards 2023

01:01:21 is to be held alongside AgroFood

01:01:23 and Plast Print Pack Ghana 2023.

01:01:26 Promises to be another one of the biggest

01:01:29 agribusiness events on the continent,

01:01:31 as we welcome international participation.

01:01:33 Now, the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana and partners

01:01:37 are organizing this event to be held on the 22nd of November.

01:01:41 That's actually tomorrow

01:01:44 at the Akra International Conference Center, Grand Arena.

01:01:47 It's being organized in collaboration with AHK Ghana,

01:01:51 a delegation of German industry and commerce in Ghana,

01:01:53 and supported by Fair Trade Messe,

01:01:56 the organizers of AgroFood

01:01:58 and Plast Print Pack Ghana 2023 exhibition and conference.

01:02:02 Well, joining me in the studio to shed some light

01:02:05 on that event, we have, we call him farmer, Anthony Morrison.

01:02:10 He's Chief Executive, Chamber of Agribusiness.

01:02:13 Good morning.

01:02:14 - Good morning, Benjamin.

01:02:15 - And good to have you on the show.

01:02:19 - It's been a while.

01:02:20 - It has.

01:02:21 You've got me thinking back to our school days.

01:02:25 I wish I'd been your senior then to punish you.

01:02:29 - You miss your regular cuckoo, eh?

01:02:31 The one from the pantry, you like it so much.

01:02:36 - Nipa read our life, we've suffered.

01:02:39 - He's got like beans with a lot of wiggles,

01:02:42 with a lot of oil.

01:02:44 - Is it that I liked or it was what was available?

01:02:47 - Loved it.

01:02:47 I mean, that nourished you.

01:02:48 You were so short, look at your height now.

01:02:50 - You realize how smallish I was at the time?

01:02:53 - Yeah, I mean, you should go back

01:02:55 and pay homage to Bishop Herman.

01:02:57 - Bishop Herman, of course,

01:02:58 we always pay homage to our alma mater.

01:03:00 And look at how we turned out.

01:03:02 So, interesting stuff.

01:03:04 - And big ups to the guys out there who are doing so well.

01:03:07 Anyway, I'll talk about your food eating,

01:03:11 dining hall exploits later.

01:03:14 - You know the kenki?

01:03:16 - The kenki was a special one.

01:03:17 - Special, yeah, nobody misses kenki.

01:03:19 - You get some fish.

01:03:21 - Shaliba, we've seen times before.

01:03:22 - I'm telling you, the jigbe fish, eh?

01:03:24 The fried ones from jigbe.

01:03:26 - Bringing back so many memories.

01:03:27 Anyway, so let's get into the conversation.

01:03:29 Even as we talk about agrek,

01:03:31 of course we have to talk about food-related items.

01:03:36 We have the chamber of agrek

01:03:39 and what you've actually been doing.

01:03:41 But I'd like to find out from you,

01:03:42 what has your chamber been up to over the last few years?

01:03:45 You've organized a few events,

01:03:46 but what have you been up to?

01:03:48 - Thank you very much, Benjamin,

01:03:49 and very good morning to your cherished viewers.

01:03:52 Well, the Chamber of Agribusiness was formed

01:03:55 some seven and a half years ago

01:03:57 through a CADEP African Union program

01:03:59 on the stock-taking of continental agribusiness chambers

01:04:03 in Africa.

01:04:05 Throughout the process,

01:04:06 the chamber has actually formalized itself

01:04:10 with Ghana's agribusiness sector.

01:04:13 And we have been very key

01:04:14 in pushing a lot of industry support.

01:04:18 We're looking at advocacy issues with regulatory

01:04:23 that affects our members and the general industry.

01:04:27 We also seek to support our members

01:04:30 in the trade exploration, trade facilitation,

01:04:35 trade promotion.

01:04:36 We also provide a lot of capacity building for them.

01:04:40 We also try to support some of them

01:04:42 with some finance interventions.

01:04:45 And overly, we also work closely with government

01:04:48 in areas of policy designs,

01:04:52 joining some national stakeholder committees

01:04:55 to provide our expert opinion on national policies

01:04:59 and what have you.

01:05:00 - I see.

01:05:01 You say you've been helping to shape policy,

01:05:04 which I find interesting then,

01:05:05 because if you look at the current state of agriculture,

01:05:08 maybe even linking it to the 2024 budget

01:05:13 and what it says about agriculture,

01:05:14 what do you see in there?

01:05:16 - Well, I must say that we have done our bit

01:05:19 and we are actually grateful

01:05:21 that even though it was still created

01:05:23 by the same government,

01:05:27 that the duties at the port has finally been taken off,

01:05:31 but the impact still remains quite something

01:05:34 that we need to begin to work around how to solve it.

01:05:38 That not withstanding, some elements within the budget,

01:05:42 for instance, if you look at the port importation

01:05:47 and what is being worked towards,

01:05:49 we want to say that it's just too small a drop in the ocean.

01:05:53 15,000 metric tons is not what we should be looking at,

01:05:58 looking at the 1.2 billion port importation bill.

01:06:03 And also just oppose that with the rice coming to the studio

01:06:08 or listening to the trade ministry or the trade minister

01:06:11 talking about abolishing of rice importation.

01:06:15 And I think that'll be good for the industry

01:06:17 to bring some incentives,

01:06:20 to bring some private sector investment

01:06:23 like what JustPorn is doing.

01:06:25 We need several such people.

01:06:26 So, sometimes you just need a government

01:06:29 to move some of these trade tools,

01:06:32 to support and give some vibrancy to the economy.

01:06:37 And I think that this will be good for the sector,

01:06:39 but we also want to say that they should also be brave

01:06:41 to stop poultry importation so that we can-

01:06:45 - That's a tricky one.

01:06:46 - Well, if you are stopping-

01:06:48 - I remember Akoko Dako and all these back then,

01:06:51 but the poultry industry is not what it used to be.

01:06:54 - Yes.

01:06:55 So, if you are stopping rice importation,

01:06:58 we are going to have a lot of rice brands.

01:07:00 And rice brands are a major component of livestock feeding.

01:07:05 So, if you are going to stop rice,

01:07:09 and I mean, rice is less than six months production.

01:07:13 So, why don't you also begin to take steps?

01:07:15 Because the poultry industry is actually

01:07:17 the biggest employer in the whole of the value chain.

01:07:21 - I see.

01:07:21 - Yes.

01:07:22 So, it's actually the sector that vibrates

01:07:26 and give impact to the whole sector.

01:07:28 So, if the poultry sector is doing, that means-

01:07:31 - The general agricultural sector?

01:07:32 - Yeah.

01:07:33 If poultry sector is doing,

01:07:34 that means that the grain sector is working well.

01:07:37 That's your maize, your regular cocoa and kinkida

01:07:41 you love so much, your Banco in Tilapia.

01:07:43 Then that means that the soya,

01:07:45 is also the soya sector is doing well,

01:07:47 rice sector is doing well.

01:07:48 - Soya has had its own challenges

01:07:50 in recent years and all of that.

01:07:52 So, basically when you look at it

01:07:54 from an overall point of view,

01:07:56 the 2024 budget, for example,

01:07:58 what it points to in terms of agriculture,

01:08:00 is 2024 going to be a better year for agric?

01:08:04 - Not I think of.

01:08:05 Looking at the 44 million budget allocation

01:08:10 towards the industry.

01:08:13 We are importing somewhere close to about $10 billion

01:08:17 of food importation.

01:08:19 If we are really serious and we want to work

01:08:21 towards a 10 year strategy or a seven year strategy,

01:08:24 we shouldn't be looking at anything less

01:08:25 than a billion dollar investment into agriculture.

01:08:28 Look, mind you, we import fat and oil,

01:08:31 fruit juice, tomatoes, rice, sugar,

01:08:35 poultry, meat, wheat, just name them, several of them.

01:08:40 I can name, I can continue naming them.

01:08:43 So, we need to make sure that any kind of investment

01:08:47 actually is not a drop in the ocean.

01:08:49 It's not just scratching the surface,

01:08:50 but actually feeling the impact on the ground.

01:08:54 We are importing all our 90% of our grains and cereals,

01:08:59 okay, the seeds, we import them.

01:09:02 All 90% of vegetable seeds, we import them.

01:09:05 We do not have as a country, a national seed bank.

01:09:09 - I think the CSIR had some things going on

01:09:13 in that respect in terms of seeds.

01:09:15 - If you look at the national seed album,

01:09:18 it's only one seed that is named there.

01:09:21 - Which is what?

01:09:23 - Which is the Legon 18.

01:09:27 So, apart from Legon 18, which is pepper, what else?

01:09:31 - So, in other words, we need some sustenance

01:09:34 of that locally.

01:09:35 - Yes, because for instance, as I said,

01:09:38 national seed bank is critical to every country.

01:09:41 That is where if Jack, we can't produce our own seed,

01:09:45 and there is no country importing--

01:09:47 - Means we're going to starve.

01:09:49 - We are going to starve.

01:09:50 We need a national seed bank that can keep seed

01:09:52 for three years, five years, but we do not.

01:09:56 So, there is quite a lot of things

01:09:59 that we need to do as a country.

01:10:00 - This actually reminds me of the biblical, you know,

01:10:03 Joseph in Egypt and the storing of grain ahead of time.

01:10:07 - That's it.

01:10:08 - It appears we are not forecasting correctly,

01:10:11 but let's zero in now on the Agri-Business Excellence

01:10:15 and Leadership Awards.

01:10:16 This isn't the first time you're organizing it.

01:10:18 Which edition is this?

01:10:20 - So, actually, this should have been the fifth edition,

01:10:23 but because of our new partnership

01:10:26 with our profound partners, AHK and Fairtrade, GeoVision,

01:10:31 we had a discussion and we thought that the time was right

01:10:37 to distinguish the awards that has been done over the years.

01:10:42 So, we re-christened it the African Agri-Business.

01:10:46 So, it used to be the Ghana Agri-Business Excellence

01:10:49 and Leadership Awards.

01:10:50 We are hosting the after-secretariat,

01:10:53 so we need to begin to transform our activities

01:10:56 to make sure that we aligned everything that we do

01:11:00 in conformity to the continental trade and areas that,

01:11:05 and most importantly, because it's being held

01:11:07 within this prestigious program,

01:11:10 where you are going to have about over 74 global exhibitors

01:11:15 and other global participants partaking in this event,

01:11:20 which is starting today.

01:11:22 So, we re-christened it the African Agri-Business,

01:11:26 which is actually looking at all the various value chains.

01:11:31 So, it's the Royal Agro-Industry Awards.

01:11:35 So, we're looking at the agro-processing,

01:11:38 we're looking at the women, gender,

01:11:40 we're looking at social enterprise,

01:11:42 we're looking at policy, we're looking at TVET.

01:11:45 TVET, do you know how many skills we import

01:11:48 into the agriculture sector

01:11:49 and which countries they come from?

01:11:51 India, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, South Africa, UK.

01:11:55 We import skills all over the place.

01:11:57 So, TVET is a major part of these awards.

01:12:00 - This is the first time you are incorporating TVET into it.

01:12:02 - No, we have from day one.

01:12:03 So, we started in 2017

01:12:05 and we have since been awarding TVET institutions,

01:12:09 both TVET personalities,

01:12:11 TVET development partners that are supporting

01:12:14 TVET development and also TVET institutions.

01:12:17 You know, myself, I chair the Ghana Agriculture Sector

01:12:20 Skills Body Commission for TVET

01:12:22 and I have been involved in this

01:12:24 for over the past seven to eight years.

01:12:26 So, our understanding of the TVET sector is quite clear.

01:12:30 That is what we need to transform the agriculture sector.

01:12:33 Skills is very important.

01:12:34 - Right. - Yes.

01:12:35 - But overall, how many awards are we looking at?

01:12:37 - So, we are looking at 44 awards

01:12:41 with eight being going for lifetime achievement.

01:12:46 We have distinguished people

01:12:50 that have done a lot for this country

01:12:53 and it's time we recognize them.

01:12:55 It's time that we appreciate them while they are alive.

01:12:59 So, we will have this in Ghana.

01:13:02 Next year, it could be held in South Africa,

01:13:05 Morocco, Nigeria because they are coming

01:13:07 and they are bidding to host it next year.

01:13:09 - I see, that's interesting.

01:13:10 I've seen some of these agri-events also go to Rwanda.

01:13:15 I don't know whether that's a place you are considering

01:13:18 based on what they are doing in agriculture.

01:13:20 So, I see a number of awards, agri-business industry,

01:13:23 agri-business company of the year,

01:13:24 promising agri-business company of the year.

01:13:26 There's also livestock company of the year,

01:13:28 vegetable value chain.

01:13:29 So, like you mentioned, quite a number of them.

01:13:33 But what are the KPIs?

01:13:34 What goes into selecting an individual,

01:13:36 an entity for any award?

01:13:38 - So, the good thing is, unlike any other awards out there

01:13:41 in the name of agriculture or agri-business,

01:13:43 we are a chamber.

01:13:45 So, we proceed over the industry.

01:13:47 We have partners and we have membership.

01:13:50 So, we are not a company.

01:13:51 So, we are not more of the profit aspect.

01:13:55 So, we have a partnership with Basspac,

01:13:58 which has a business advisory service providers association

01:14:01 of Ghana.

01:14:02 We have the Ghana Agriculture Economist Association

01:14:04 and we have all our other partners,

01:14:07 NASDAQ, CropLife, VPEC,

01:14:09 all other associations.

01:14:14 So, nominations come from all of them.

01:14:17 Then we have a centralized committee

01:14:19 made up from representations from all these institutions

01:14:23 and they will come together to look at their profiling.

01:14:26 After that profiling is done,

01:14:28 then it goes to a team of experts.

01:14:30 So, industry finish working.

01:14:32 So, we actually bringing in the way

01:14:34 of designing TVET curriculums.

01:14:36 So, we designed this like,

01:14:38 so the TVET curriculums is designed by industry,

01:14:41 70% of the industry, 10% of academia,

01:14:44 30% of academia research.

01:14:46 That's the same process that is.

01:14:48 - So, for these 44 awards,

01:14:50 how many generally did you get in terms of nominations?

01:14:54 - We had over 270.

01:14:56 - And out of that you picked 44.

01:14:58 - Yes, not only in Ghana, but across the continent.

01:15:03 So, some of us were in South Africa two weeks ago

01:15:07 to meet the South African team, profile them.

01:15:10 So, we have Nigerians that also profiled,

01:15:14 Morocco, Egypt, Rwanda.

01:15:17 So, this is not--

01:15:18 - So, it's pretty broad.

01:15:19 - Yeah.

01:15:20 - It's becoming African.

01:15:22 - Exactly.

01:15:23 - Which is spreading far beyond Ghana.

01:15:25 - One major criteria for this award

01:15:28 is that the country that is hosting,

01:15:30 wins 70% and 30% to the continent.

01:15:35 Because we want to,

01:15:38 because it's moving from country to country.

01:15:40 Sometimes you may be missing a very important awardee

01:15:45 who should be awarded,

01:15:46 but because it's more continental, they are being missed.

01:15:49 So, we want to take into consideration.

01:15:52 So, you see more of Ghanaian companies

01:15:54 winning personalities.

01:15:57 And you should come to see who is going to be

01:15:59 the most influential agribusiness CEOs--

01:16:03 - Of the year.

01:16:04 - Of the year.

01:16:04 - Okay, so let's talk about the event proper

01:16:06 as we cap off the conversation.

01:16:07 Of course, your strategic partners are

01:16:10 Abanga Group, Ghana Agrofood,

01:16:12 Ghana Plast, Printpak, and GeoVision.

01:16:15 I'll let you shout them out at the very tail end.

01:16:18 But the theme,

01:16:20 AFTA and Africa's agriculture sector,

01:16:23 synergy to stimulate and accelerate

01:16:24 sustainable economic growth and food security.

01:16:26 What went into that?

01:16:27 Why that?

01:16:28 - Well, this is the first time we are hosting

01:16:31 the awards as an African Agribusiness

01:16:37 Excellence and Leadership Awards.

01:16:38 And we deem it fit that we need to promote the AFTA.

01:16:43 We need to promote the good works.

01:16:45 AFTA is a big animal.

01:16:47 It's a rolling stone,

01:16:48 but everybody needs to come on board to give it a push.

01:16:52 For the agriculture sector, we have--

01:16:53 - We've not even started tapping into AFTA yet.

01:16:56 - Not yet.

01:16:56 - Where is it?

01:16:57 - Just like the Agwa.

01:16:58 So we are beginning a project next year

01:17:00 with GIZ ECOWAS called the EATS,

01:17:03 which is the ECOWAS Agriculture Trade,

01:17:06 and which is also a major component of this.

01:17:09 And we deem it fit that based on our next year's projection

01:17:13 as a country, industry, and as a chamber,

01:17:17 we want to promote as many trade

01:17:19 within the Africa continent between Ghanaian businesses

01:17:23 and that of our continental partners.

01:17:26 We have already done that with Egypt, with Morocco.

01:17:30 South Africa is, I mean,

01:17:31 South Africa is one of the biggest trade partners to Ghana.

01:17:35 And we also deepening that with Ivory Coast

01:17:37 and also with Nigeria, of course.

01:17:39 So we realized that there is a need

01:17:42 to have a strategic synergy.

01:17:45 A synergy that possibly does not involve

01:17:48 too much outflows of money,

01:17:50 but a way to move goods and services

01:17:53 in a way that supports industrialization.

01:17:55 So for instance, if Nestle is in Ghana,

01:17:59 Nestle is in Nigeria, and I'm a maize producer,

01:18:03 and Nestle needs my maize in Nigeria,

01:18:07 it should be flown to them.

01:18:08 But Nestle here could possibly also pay me in kind

01:18:12 with input, with machinery.

01:18:14 So we are looking at a broad-based approach

01:18:17 within the value chain.

01:18:18 What is possible, because now global funding is drying up,

01:18:21 investments are drying up.

01:18:24 Today I was looking at something that somebody says that,

01:18:26 "Why is it difficult for investors

01:18:28 "to put in money into the African market?

01:18:32 "Is it a knowledge gap, or is it our culture

01:18:35 "that is not fitting into the global system?"

01:18:39 We need to redesign our own trade rules.

01:18:42 We need to design our own trade policies

01:18:46 that actually assimilate within our culture.

01:18:49 Let's not just adopt and embrace it.

01:18:52 We're not looking at the French policy of assimilation.

01:18:54 I know you speak a lot of French,

01:18:56 but we're looking at the Greek assimilation system,

01:18:59 where the culture, the people are integrated

01:19:03 and not delinked from the system.

01:19:07 They have to be properly aligned

01:19:09 so that we are able to advance the course of trade,

01:19:12 especially food trade in Africa.

01:19:14 - So to cap off the conversation,

01:19:16 it's happening at the Accra International Conference Center

01:19:18 Wednesday, what's the time, who can participate?

01:19:22 And then you can shout your sponsors.

01:19:24 - 3 p.m. is the time.

01:19:27 We don't want to do a late show.

01:19:29 And all the international exhibitors are also part of it.

01:19:34 So if you want to increase your networking opportunity,

01:19:37 this is the time.

01:19:38 We are providing special invitations,

01:19:41 but if you are out there and you want to be part of it,

01:19:44 you can give it as a shout,

01:19:46 or you go to our website and send us an email,

01:19:49 chamberofagribusinessghana.org,

01:19:52 and we'll also pay attention to your email.

01:19:57 But we want to say a big thank you

01:19:58 to Fairtrade, our strategic partners,

01:20:01 and also most importantly AHK,

01:20:04 who have been partners with the chamber

01:20:07 for the past years.

01:20:09 Stephanie Simon, the manager, she's been fantastic,

01:20:13 and we wish to continue to do this with you.

01:20:16 And we want to also say a big thank you

01:20:18 to our sponsors, Broad Spectrum,

01:20:21 Maflix, and Agris of Ghana.

01:20:27 - All right, well, this has been our interaction

01:20:31 with Anthony Morrison, Chief Executive

01:20:34 of the Chamber of Agri Business.

01:20:37 Of course, they have that event coming up tomorrow

01:20:40 at the Grand Arena,

01:20:41 the Accra International Conference Center,

01:20:43 the Africa Agri Business Awards.

01:20:47 Anyone and everyone who is in the sector,

01:20:50 who matters, ought to be there.

01:20:53 And of course, there will be many awards going about.

01:20:57 I know I've followed this for a few years now.

01:20:59 A few years ago, I was at the Marriott event,

01:21:01 so congratulations on keeping it alive.

01:21:04 And it's good to see someone from my alma mater

01:21:07 joining the conversation today.

01:21:10 Well, do stay with us, because up next,

01:21:12 we'll be connecting to talk all finance and economics,

01:21:16 if you like, when we contemplate

01:21:20 the Graphics Stambic breakfast meeting.

01:21:22 We'll be taking you there live.

01:21:25 But the 2023 European Union Climate Week event

01:21:27 is just around the corner.

01:21:29 So join us on Wednesday, that is tomorrow,

01:21:31 the 22nd of November, from 2 p.m.

01:21:33 at the West African Center for Crop Improvement,

01:21:36 University of Ghana, Accra,

01:21:37 for an insightful discussion on building resilience

01:21:41 at community level,

01:21:42 supporting farmers to adapt to climate change.

01:21:45 The event will be live on your Super Hits radio.

01:21:47 Join it, 9.7 FM, from 2 p.m.

01:21:50 The event is also part of the EU Climate Diplomacy Week,

01:21:52 and aims to bring together experts,

01:21:54 thought leaders, stakeholders,

01:21:56 to discuss critical issues related to climate change

01:21:59 and its impact on agriculture.

01:22:00 There will be a panel discussion,

01:22:02 or a number of them, in fact,

01:22:04 delving into practical strategies for supporting farmers,

01:22:07 addressing the challenges they face due to climate change.

01:22:09 And the EU Climate Diplomacy Week

01:22:12 is part of an annual global campaign

01:22:14 launched by the European Union and its member states

01:22:17 to foster cooperation on climate change

01:22:19 and inspire real action.

01:22:21 So do not miss this incredible event.

01:22:24 Save the date, spread the word,

01:22:25 and be part of the movement towards a greener

01:22:27 and more resilient future.

01:22:29 Stay tuned for more events in Ghana

01:22:31 under the EU Climate Week.

01:22:32 You can find more details on the EU in Ghana

01:22:34 social media pages, Facebook or LinkedIn,

01:22:37 @EuropeanUnionInGhana, on X, or Twitter,

01:22:41 YouTube, Instagram, @EuropeInGhana, @EuropeInGhana,

01:22:46 all put together.

01:22:48 And that's for you to take note of.

01:22:49 So two Gargantuan agri-related events tomorrow

01:22:54 coming your way.

01:22:56 One at the University of Ghana, like I just mentioned,

01:22:58 and the other one at the Accra International Conference

01:23:01 Center, Grand Arena.

01:23:03 Do stay with us.

01:23:04 We'll be back after the break.

01:23:06 (upbeat music)

01:23:09 (upbeat music)

01:23:12 Welcome back on the AM Show.

01:23:31 We'll be crossing over to the Labade Beach Hotel shortly,

01:23:34 but let me, before that,

01:23:36 tell you about the Royal Cozy Hotels in Jrapa.

01:23:41 That is Jrapa, Dubai, as they call it,

01:23:43 this Christmas season.

01:23:44 You've seen the rest.

01:23:45 Now it's time to see the best.

01:23:46 Take a break from work this Christmas

01:23:48 and take a break from the South.

01:23:49 The Royal Cozy Hotels re-energize this Christmas holiday.

01:23:54 It is away from the stress of the South.

01:23:55 Now this is what awaits you.

01:23:58 Number one, an unforgettable safari experience.

01:24:01 There's an amazing array of wildlife, including lions.

01:24:03 Yes, you heard me right.

01:24:05 The hippopotamus is there, zebras, ostriches,

01:24:08 among many others, using our spacious

01:24:09 and well-secured game tour vehicles or using quad bikes.

01:24:13 There's also water sports, such as jet skiing,

01:24:15 boat or canoe rides, and more.

01:24:18 And there are other games, various family games,

01:24:20 to keep you and your family excited every day.

01:24:23 Also on the list are great tourist attractions

01:24:25 in the Upper West Region,

01:24:26 including the Mushroom Rock Slave Caves, among others.

01:24:30 So escape from the South, escape to the North,

01:24:32 escape to Royal Cozy Hotels,

01:24:35 or the Royal Cozy Hills Hotel, Joppa Dubai,

01:24:38 as it's popularly called,

01:24:39 for an unforgettable safari experience

01:24:41 this Christmas season and beyond.

01:24:43 For reservations, just call this number,

01:24:44 0501-694-280,

01:24:49 or 0248-844-463.

01:24:53 If you'd like to make further inquiries as well,

01:24:56 you can call them there.

01:24:59 But we also know that the Vice President,

01:25:01 Dr. Mahmoud Boumia, has been in the Northern Regions,

01:25:04 and he has been on a thank you tour.

01:25:07 Well, currently we connect with Samuel Mbura

01:25:11 of our political desk.

01:25:12 He is with Vice President Dr. Mahmoud Boumia,

01:25:15 flag bearer of the MPP, for a conversation.

01:25:17 Samuel Mbura, if you can hear me,

01:25:20 where specifically in the Northern Region are you?

01:25:22 And take us through this interaction

01:25:24 with the Vice President.

01:25:30 Yeah, Benjamin, if you can hear me,

01:25:31 good morning to all our viewers in a far,

01:25:34 in a far different place.

01:25:35 We are currently in the Northern Region,

01:25:36 that's where that is, Samar.

01:25:39 (audio distorts)

01:25:42 - Samuel, I have to interject,

01:25:49 because the connection is not exactly the best.

01:25:52 The quality of sound is not the best.

01:25:54 Maybe you could reposition yourself

01:25:56 so that we can get the connection better.

01:26:01 We cannot hear you so well.

01:26:02 Samuel Mbura, if you can hear me.

01:26:04 We'll try to get that done

01:26:06 so that we can hear exactly what he has to say,

01:26:09 and what the Vice President has to say as well.

01:26:12 The connection, a bit patchy in that part of the country,

01:26:16 but as you can see them there in the bus

01:26:19 with the Vice President,

01:26:21 together with the Chairman of the party as well.

01:26:25 (audio distorts)

01:26:28 - Chief Whip, Honorable Habib,

01:26:34 and a host of others are joining him.

01:26:36 Time may not permit us to exhaust all the names,

01:26:40 but at the moment we are heading towards Yendi.

01:26:43 Yesterday the Honorable Defense Minister was also here,

01:26:49 and we are heading towards his constituency,

01:26:51 Nibula and other areas.

01:26:52 So subsequently the team will be heading

01:26:55 towards the Savannah region,

01:26:58 Damangu to be specific, and Saboba and other areas.

01:27:01 So I just want to get brief comments from the people around.

01:27:04 But you know, unlike the usual display of V8 engines

01:27:07 that we mostly see during campaign seasons,

01:27:10 it's quite different.

01:27:11 The Vice President, even at the time

01:27:13 he picked nomination forms and started his campaign

01:27:16 to lead the MPP as a flag bearer,

01:27:18 this has been his way of campaigning.

01:27:21 So he and his people are always in one bus,

01:27:25 moving from one place to the other to campaign.

01:27:27 We know very well that this mostly,

01:27:29 or elections mostly come with higher costs,

01:27:31 but he wants to operate with a lean team

01:27:33 in his campaign tour.

01:27:35 So at the moment, as you can see in the bus,

01:27:38 all those who are with his team are seated here in the bus

01:27:42 whilst we are moving towards the Yendi area.

01:27:46 So just right in front of me is a national chairman,

01:27:49 Stephen Ayensu, with the Vice President.

01:27:51 So let me just hear from them briefly.

01:27:54 Excellent, you're alive for enjoying this.

01:27:55 How are you feeling this morning?

01:27:58 Very well, thank you very much.

01:28:01 All right, we want to just say a word to Ghanians.

01:28:03 I mean, this is a thank you talk to the people

01:28:04 of the Northern Region, but you are speaking to the whole Ghan.

01:28:08 Well, just to thank everybody for the support

01:28:14 that we have enjoyed so far.

01:28:16 I'm looking forward to the rest of the campaign.

01:28:23 And to a robust engagement with all the participants.

01:28:30 Thank you.

01:28:31 So, all right, so that's the Vice President.

01:28:33 He wouldn't want to speak further because we know

01:28:35 definitely that he's actually tired from the journey.

01:28:40 But he is grateful to Ghanians for this opportunity

01:28:42 given him, and that he's going around to talk to his people.

01:28:46 Honorable, good morning.

01:28:47 Thank you very much.

01:28:48 You want to share a word with us on the Joy News channel.

01:28:50 What do you have to say so far as this campaign

01:28:52 and the election is concerned?

01:28:53 Yeah, it's been exciting being here in the Northern Region

01:28:56 with the Vice President.

01:28:57 You can see how enthusiastic the people are here to receive him.

01:29:01 And we are good to go.

01:29:03 What does this--

01:29:04 I mean, would you say it's a kickstart of the main election--

01:29:07 I mean, campaigns for the 2024 general elections?

01:29:10 It's always better to start from home.

01:29:11 And this is where we are getting the home support,

01:29:13 all the home support.

01:29:14 So I believe with the support that we are enjoying here,

01:29:17 it will engulf everywhere in the country.

01:29:20 We believe in breaking the 8th come 2024.

01:29:23 What do you make of the reception?

01:29:26 The reception?

01:29:27 Great.

01:29:28 [INAUDIBLE]

01:29:36 Well, at least some reactions from the campaign team

01:29:40 of the Vice President.

01:29:41 He's been elected flag bearer of the MPP.

01:29:43 And he's been on this thank you tour of the Northern

01:29:47 Belt of the country.

01:29:48 Now they are in the Northern Region.

01:29:51 And that is where we connected with Samuel Mbura

01:29:54 of our political desk.

01:29:56 The Vice President just sharing a few words,

01:30:00 saying he was thankful to the people.

01:30:03 We'll bring you the latest on that development

01:30:06 as matters unfold.

01:30:09 But stay with us.

01:30:10 We just had to intervene with that scoop, live scoop,

01:30:15 that we brought you.

01:30:16 We'll bring you more on that on the show

01:30:18 and in our subsequent bulletins.

01:30:20 But stay with us.

01:30:22 (dramatic music)

Govt must be brave enough to stop poultry importation - CEO, Chamber of Agribusiness, Ghana | AM Show

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