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5 reasons why this year’s Christmas will be dry in Ghana 

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Ghanaians are noted for celebrating Christmas to the maximum; it is during this occasion that families gather to cook their favourite foods, with drinks in abundance, which are shared with relatives and loved ones. The occasion is characterized by music and dance, feasting, and other activities to make it fun.

Natives of various towns, cities, and villages who are living elsewhere to seek greener pastures return to their places of origin to celebrate with their families and hold deliberations together.

But with just less than two months to December, it appears that many Ghanaians might not be able to celebrate this year’s Christmas with the usual excitement that normally characterizes it.

This observation stems from the myriad of economic challenges that have overwhelmed the Ghanaian economy amid downgrades by internationally recognized rating agencies even as the government is currently in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for help to restore the economy to its feet.

High inflation rate versus low salaries: Although inflation has reached an all-time high, with prices of commodities rising astronomically by the day, Ghanaian workers have not seen commensurate salary increments to cushion them against the effects of the economic challenge. This situation has left many people with no option but to live from hand to mouth, with some losing their savings due to the need to survive.

Again, there are many people, including the recently discharged Nation Builders Corpse (NABCO) trainees and other graduates, who have no jobs and struggle to fend for themselves and their dependents.

Inability to save: As stated above, with prices of commodities rising by each passing day, people are unable to save money or plan their lives, let alone think about making provision for Christmas.

High cost of living (High rent charges, cost of lorry fares, food, utilities, rent, among others): With the cost of living increasing, planning and saving towards Christmas might not even cross people’s minds, or even if it does, they might just brush it aside because it is mission impossible. 

A cost-effective analysis would show that if people want to travel to their hometowns to celebrate Christmas, they might lose a huge chunk of the little money they have to transport costs and might not be able to afford much for the occasion when they arrive, due to skyrocketing prices, which might get worse in the coming days.

There is also the danger of not being able to get money to return to their places of work from their hometowns if people insist on celebrating Christmas at all costs the way they did in the previous years.

Companies may not give bonuses: Companies and employers are not exempt from the hardship that is prevailing in the country. Most of them may be compelled to lay off their employees soon, and they may not be in good financial position to give Christmas bonuses to workers this year. Already, they are struggling to survive due to the depreciation of the Ghana Cedi against other major currencies, among other challenges.

Further downgrade: While the government said it was hoping that the conversations with the IMF would yield a semblance of positive results before the year ends, latest information, observations, and views expressed by some analysts show that that might only be a mirage.

Despite the ongoing discussion between the government of Ghana and the IMF, with stakes being high and Ghanaians having their fingers crossed to see what change the outcome might make to the prevailing situation, Moody’s latest rating of Ghana’s economy has pushed it further into a junk status. 

As if that and the previous ones by other rating agencies were not heartbreaking and frightening enough, the World Bank has said that its assessment of Ghana’s economy shows that the country is in high debt distress.

With all the above-stated issues and many others bedeviling the Ghanaian economy and the concomitant hardship they impose on Ghanaians, it will be safe to keep expectations low about Christmas to avoid disappointment. This is the time for parents to start working on the psyche of their children to lower their expectations.

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Premix explosion in Anomabo injures two people

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"Recognising the urgency of the situation, firefighters immediately deployed foam solution to combat the premix fuel induced blaze, effectively containing the fire and preventing its further spread," the statement went on to say. Concerned neighbours brought the injured to the Anomabo hospital for medical care. An investigation is presently underway to determine the cause of the fire.

A fire devastated a premix station in Anomabo in the Mfantseman Municipality of the Central Region, injuring two persons and destroying many structures.

The event occurred at about 8:05 a.m. on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

The quick response of the firemen stopped the fire from spreading to neighbouring regions and causing damage.

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) stated that two pumps were despatched from the ManKessim and Cape Coast Metropolitan Fire Stations.

“Recognising the urgency of the situation, firefighters immediately deployed foam solution to combat the premix fuel induced blaze, effectively containing the fire and preventing its further spread,” the statement went on to say.

Concerned neighbours brought the injured to the Anomabo hospital for medical care.

An investigation is presently underway to determine the cause of the fire.

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Government to open the Kumasi International Airport on May 10

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With a capacity to accommodate over 800,000 people per year, largely from the northern and central belt areas, the airport is well-positioned to fulfil the growing demand for airline travel. Contractors have announced intentions to enlarge the runway and destroy obsolete infrastructure once the new terminal is operating. During a recent tour of the project, Transport Minister Kwaku Ofori Asiamah expressed satisfaction with the development, as did Ghana Airport Company Limited management and Board Members. However, he expressed worries about the facility's long-term upkeep and emphasised its significance to the socioeconomic growth of the Ashanti Region and Ghana as a whole.

Expectations are high as the government prepares to open the Kumasi Airport, officially Nana Agyemang Prempeh I International Airport, on May 10, 2024.

President Akufo-Addo will commission the project alongside the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, and the Managing Director of Ghana Airport Company Limited, Yvonne Nana Afiriyie Opare, among other dignitaries.

The Kumasi Airport is expected to begin full operations in June of this year, after its inauguration on May 10.

The facility, presently managed by the Ghana Airport Company Limited, is now undergoing equipment testing that is required for both domestic and international flights.

With a capacity to accommodate over 800,000 people per year, largely from the northern and central belt areas, the airport is well-positioned to fulfil the growing demand for airline travel.

Contractors have announced intentions to enlarge the runway and destroy obsolete infrastructure once the new terminal is operating.

During a recent tour of the project, Transport Minister Kwaku Ofori Asiamah expressed satisfaction with the development, as did Ghana Airport Company Limited management and Board Members.

However, he expressed worries about the facility’s long-term upkeep and emphasised its significance to the socioeconomic growth of the Ashanti Region and Ghana as a whole.

He said that the airport’s arrival will relieve the burden of foreign travellers from Ashanti, Bono, Ahafo, and the Northern and Upper Regions of the country, as they will no longer need to go to Accra to access an international airport.

During a recent courtesy call to the Manhyia Palace by the Transport Minister and the Board and Management of the Ghana Airport Company Limited, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II congratulated the government on the project’s completion.

He stated that given the Ashanti Region’s active economic activity, a project such as the International Airport will surely create jobs and strengthen the region’s local economy.

Phase II of the project, which began in 2018, comprises the construction of a new terminal building capable of handling one million passengers per year, two boarding bridges, a road network, a perimeter fence, a substation, and a parking lot, among others.





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The traumatic experience of a Ghanaian bisexual

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According to him, these attacks have become more intense this year as a result of Ghana's parliament passing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Ibrahim was attacked just as arguments around the passing of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill heated up, and he was attacked again shortly after the bill was passed in February. The first incident happened on January 22nd, about 5 p.m., near the Sen Cinema Mosque in Alajo North, Accra. Ibrahim was the target of another violent attack four months later, on April 12, 2024, during the 3music Sallafest Concert at Alajo T Junction in Accra.

A Ghanaian man, using the alias Ibrahim for safety concerns, has boldly told his tragic story of being repeatedly assaulted in his community because of his sexual orientation.

Ibrahim, a Muslim, has described being targeted several times by assailants in his community over the years.

According to him, these attacks have become more intense this year as a result of Ghana’s parliament passing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.

Ibrahim was attacked just as arguments around the passing of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill heated up, and he was attacked again shortly after the bill was passed in February.

The first incident happened on January 22nd, at about 5 p.m., near the Sen Cinema Mosque in Alajo North, Accra.

Ibrahim was the target of another violent attack four months later, on April 12, 2024, during the 3music Sallafest Concert at Alajo T Junction in Accra.

Ibrahim claims that the assaults were motivated by his sexual orientation, which had previously gone unnoticed in his society.

Ibrahim has resorted to secluding himself within for protection since he lives in constant fear of additional attacks.

He laments the absence of a support network in his village, with just a few understanding people living outside its borders.

However, the dread of repercussions keeps him from finding consolation or company outside of his close environs.

In an exclusive interview, Ibrahim described his terrible sense of loneliness and the psychological toll of the ongoing danger of violence.

He must navigate his everyday existence beneath the shadow of dread, unable to freely interact with the world around him for fear of serious bodily damage.

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