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World Bank classifies Ghana as high debt distressed country; debt to GDP to hit 104% 

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The World Bank has classified Ghana as a high debt distress country as it projects the nation’s debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 104.6% by the end of 2022.

According to its October 2022 Africa Pulse Report, debt is expected to jump significantly, from 76.6% a year earlier, amid a widened government deficit, massive weakening of the cedi, and rising debt service costs.

It is also forecasting debt to GDP of 99.7% and 101.8% of GDP in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The size of Ghana’s economy is estimated at about $72 billion, whilst it is expected to spend about 70% of revenue this year to service its debt.

The report is coming at a time the Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are conducting a Debt Sustainability Analysis on the country. A country which is highly debt distressed is unable to fulfil its financial obligations and therefore debt restructuring is required.

“Debt is expected to jump in Ghana to 104.6% of GDP, from 76.6% a year earlier amid a widened government deficit, massive weakening of the cedi, and rising debt service costs. The country’s debt is expected to remain elevated at 99.7% and 101.8% of GDP in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

“Tightening of financial conditions globally along with the fall of the domestic currency widened the sovereign spread by 233 basis points since December 2021”.

As a result, the country lost access to international markets”, the report mentioned.

The World Bank further stated that Ghana needs $1.5 billion in assistance from the IMF, which could help to shore up public finances and regain access to credit markets.

It added, “Nevertheless, despite the negotiation with the IMF, investors remain nervous about the country’s debt sustainability.”

These concerns, it said, were expressed by the country’s local and foreign currency ratings downgrade from B-/B to CCC+/C, adding, “as a result, despite the news, the cedi fell further with ripple effects on inflation”.

In August 2021, the IMF classified government as a highly risk debt distress country.

The Directors, therefore, welcomed the fiscal adjustment envisaged in the 2021 budget, adding “they stressed that fiscal consolidation is needed to address debt sustainability and rollover risks, as Ghana continues to be classified at high risk of debt distress.”

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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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