Bussiness
Cost of borrowing to surge as IEA proposes Policy Rate of 20% or 20.5%
Cost of borrowing is expected to go up further, as the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) is urging the Bank of Ghana to increase the Policy Rate (PR) by 1.0% or 1.50% to 20% or 20.5%.
Its argument is that the upward adjustment will narrow the inflation-Policy Rate gap, although the real Policy Rate will still remain negative.
In a statement signed by its Director of Research, Dr. John Kwakye, it said furthermore, the adjustment will signal the MPC’s unwavering commitment to fighting the inflation and bring it under control.
“The adjustment will also send the right signal to, and help calm, the markets”, it added.
Furthermore, the policy think tank explained that the next meeting of the MPC in September 2022, when the Committee would have had the benefit of two more inflation readings in July and August, would give it a clearer sense of the trend for it to reposition the PR accordingly.
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of Bank of Ghana will hold its 107th meeting to decide on the Policy Rate (PR) on July 20-22, 2022. Once again, the Committee faces a challenging decision as inflation shot up further to 29.8% in June, the highest in 19 years.
In May 2022, the MPC adjusted its policy rate for the second consecutive time to 19%
“To deal effectively with the current inflation—and to limit the harm that exclusive use of the PR could cause—we have called for the Bank of Ghana and Government to work together to target directly the key inflation drivers, viz. food, fuel, transport and the exchange rate. We have provided detailed suggestions to address these factors in a July 12 Roundtable paper titled: Rethinking Inflation Management in the Wake of Covi-19 and Russia-Ukraine War”, it proposed.
“In major countries such as the US and UK, the governments have made inflation control a top policy priority and are taking measures to complement their central banks’ actions. The same approach is needed in Ghana. Even the IMF that is known not to be a fan of subsidies, has called on member governments to provide food subsidies to their citizens to cushion the cost of living crisis. This call should tell us that new interventions are required in dealing with what is clearly an unconventional-type of inflation that is currently sweeping the globe”, it added.
The Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of Ghana will begin its quarterly meeting tomorrow, with the primary focus of the committee is to craft a policy to help stem the continuous rise in inflation.
Already, interest rates have remained relatively stable on the money market for the third week running.
Source: Joy Business
Bussiness
Finance Minister tranfers funds to DACF, NHIS and GETFUND
The Minister for Finance Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson has disclosed that a sum of nine hundred and Eighty-Seven Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty-Five thousand and Seventy-Three Ghana Cedis (GHS987,965,073.00) from the Consolidated Fund into the District Assembly Common Fund Account, being the first quarter amount due to the DACF.
Furthermore, the Finance Minister informed the House that a total amount of Two Billion, Thirty- Three Million, Four Hundred and Sixty-Nine Thousand, Six Hundred and Seven Ghana Cedis (GHS2,033,469,607) has been disbursed to the National Health Insurance Fund.
While the Ghana Education Trust Fund has also received a total of Two Billion, Seven and Ten Million, Two Hundred and Twenty-Seven Ghana Cedis (GHS2,710,227,947.00) for the months January, February, March and April,2025.
The Finance Minister disclosed this in his statement to Parliament on the payments to statutory funds on the floor of the House.
In addition, he cautioned that the Administrator of the District Assembly Common Fund is required to ensure that 80% of this amount is transferred directly to the Assemblies without fail and expenditure returns submitted to the Ministry of Finance before subsequent releases will be made.
He added that Members are encouraged to monitor the utilization of these amounts sent to their respective Assemblies in line with the approved guidelines by Cabinet.
In his closing remark, Ato Forson said he’s going to take the concerns of the House seriously.
For his part, the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga made known the President’s prioritization of women in the country stating that President Mahama is “Pro-women”.
This is due to the fact that women are going to be the core beneficiaries from the expenditures going to be made by the MMDA’s, he added.
The Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin questioned the Finance Minister why road contractors have not been paid for more than five months. He said the Minister must not be applauded for since the allocation of these funds were long overdue.
Bussiness
Charterhouse announces the Business Elevate Series with launch of ‘The Gastro Feastival’
Charterhouse, Ghana’s leading event management and audiovisual production company, is marking its 25th anniversary of delivering top-tier events with the introduction of an exciting new initiative: The Business Elevate Series.
This innovative series is designed to shine a spotlight on key economic sectors through a series of dynamic B2B and B2C events, including industry conferences, seminars, and exhibitions.
Kicking off the series is The Gastro Feastival, a groundbreaking annual food industry festival that will showcase Ghana’s rich and diverse food ecosystem and agribusinesses from production to consumption.
The launch event will take place on Friday, March 7, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Grand Arena (Accra International Conference Centre).
This landmark event will bring together food industry stakeholders, enthusiasts, experts, and organizations to highlight the food industry’s critical role in Ghana’s socio-economic development and culture.
It will also promote food security, digital innovation, women’s empowerment, youth employment in agribusiness, and sustainable practices.
The Business Elevate Series is a game-changing initiative designed to foster growth and transformation across multiple sectors. With Charterhouse’s deep expertise in organizing impactful meetings, the series aims to unlock investment opportunities, drive innovation, and catalyze social and economic change.
The Gastro Feastival will address six major pillars that drive industry transformation: Investment Opportunities; Job Creation; Innovation, Technology, and Digitization; Youth Involvement (entrepreneurship and career opportunities); Women’s Involvement; Environmental and Social Governance (ESG); Export Opportunities
The event will also establish a Resource Bank, spotlighting key growth opportunities and ensuring the effective allocation of resources to transform Ghana’s food industry.
The Gastro Feastival is a Charterhouse initiative, with Kosmos Innovation Centre as the technical partner.
