Features
Economic recovery on course
Ken Ofori Attah
There is no doubt that, in spite of the current economic challenges, the government is working hard round the clock to ensure an effective economic recovery in order to make things better for Ghanaians in the country.
It is an indication of the determination of the government to surmount the obstacle that is affecting the country today. What makes us hopeful is that, in spite of the economic difficulties facing the country, developmental projects in all parts of the country are still ongoing.
Technical, Vocational, Engineering and Technology education (TVET) is going alongside the free SHS being implemented with maximum alacrity. Other projects, such as the new regional and district hospitals as well as the promotion of electricity and water in various parts of the country, among others, are ongoing. Again, electricity supply has been relatively constant compared to what was experienced previously under what became known as “Dumsor”.
In other parts of Africa, for instance, power outages have become a common phenomenon. The cases of South Africa, Nigeria and a few other African countries testify to this fact.
COUNT OUR BLESSINGS
It is for this reason that people in Ghana must be happy and hopeful for happy days ahead. We need to count our blessings one by one.
It is true that economic conditions are very tough, but from all indications, every effort is being made to bring the situation under control. The Debt Restructuring Programme by the government is meant to bring the situation under control in order to push forward positive growth and this is the reason why the government is still negotiating with its creditors to bring the debt level under control.
The Domestic Debt Exchange has been completed successfully. In the same way, efforts are also being made to enter negotiations with our foreign counterparts to bring the situation under control as far as the foreign debt level is concerned.
The debt level has gone up not because of any reckless spending. Rather, they went into the building of schools, both technical and grammar education, the provision of water and electricity for the people, the construction of roads and many others.
This is a country that has proven to be responsible as far as developmental projects are concerned. It is believed that very soon, positive economic results will be encountered.
NEGOTIATIONS ON DEBT RESTRUCTURING
Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta went to China to have negotiations on debt restructuring with officials of that country. Sources say the Minister went via Addis Ababa, where he attended the UNECA High-Level Ministers meeting on Global Financial Architecture. After that meeting, Mr Ofori-Atta headed to China on March 22, 2023.
The Minister who led the government delegation had bilateral talks with China as well as seek financial assurances for Ghana’s programme with the International Monetary Fund. This is an indication of the great effort being made by government to normalise the economic situation of the country and make it better.
The trip was postponed to the end of March because it coincided with the National People’s Congress of China meeting in early March 2023. The Minister of Finance has already held meetings with officials of Exim Bank China in Ghana, all in the line with re-profiling the country’s debt to China.
GENERATION OF FUNDS
The government is also working hard to derive enough money from Treasury Bills in order to keep things going. We therefore need to be hopeful because all these efforts are yielding the desired results in line with the economic recovery.
The Government of Ghana secured GH¢3.88 billion from the sale of treasury bills in its latest auction held on March 10, 2023. This was an oversubscription of the GH¢1.10 billion it was targeting.
However, interest rates have dropped significantly to 18 per cent. According to the auction results from the Central Bank, the government secured GH¢2.90 billion from the 91-day bill and GH¢972.49 million from the 182-day bill. The subscriptions surpassed the government’s set target of GH¢2.775 million but it sold more than the GH¢3.31 billion secured by the government in last week’s auction. Interest rates, however, reduced to 18.52 per cent for the 91-day bill, 22.8 per cent and 21.27 per cent for the 182-day bill.
CONFIDENCE IN ECONOMY
The oversubscription is an indication of great confidence in the Ghanaian economy. If there had been no confidence, there would have been undersubscription. This goes to show, among others, that things are on course for rapid recovery.
The fall in rates has been attributed to the successful debt restructuring program. According to the government, the Domestic Debt Exchange programme has accounted for the reduction in the rate of Treasury Bills from 35 per cent to 24 per cent.
There is therefore no doubt that things are gradually stabilising and getting better. If this is the case, then let us have confidence that, as long as we are on the right path, Ghanaians will soon smile.
What we are all seeking is for inflation to fall to a level that is lower than what it is now. If this happens, and it will surely do so, the economic recovery programme will move at a faster rate than it is now.
INFLATION
Inflation could fall sharply to below 40 per cent by the end of April 2023. According to a Senior Credit Research Analyst at REDD Intelligence, Mark Bohlund, his base effects analysis indicate that “inflation will fall by more than 10 percentage points by April 2023.”
The fall in inflation will not happen by mere chance. Rather, it will come about as a result of pragmatic steps taken by the government to achieve that purpose.
“The inflation rate has declined for two straight months and may fall more sharply to below 40 per cent by the end of April due to base effects,” said Mark Bohlund, a senior credit research analyst at REDD Intelligence. Bloomberg said the Ghana cedi, which whipsawed in 2022 over concern about its ballooning debt load and then optimism about a provisional International Monetary Fund bailout, has been relatively steady this year, helping to keep inflation in check.
ECONOMY TO BOUNCE BACK
In conclusion, therefore, the economic situation being experienced in Ghana is tough, admittedly, but the government has taken the right steps to ensure that positive results are achieved as early as possible. We must all therefore be hopeful that, as President Akufo Addo has said, the economy will surely bounce back.
Ghana will not continue to stay in this economic situation. We must therefore be hopeful in light of the ongoing recovery efforts that are taking place thanks to the bold economic steps put in place by the government.
The economic recovery is surely bound to occur within a short time, so we must all support the government with prayer and action in our daily practical dealings so that things will be better for all of us.
Email address/WhatsApp number of author:
Pradmat201@gmail.com (0553318911)
By Dr Kofi Amponsah-Bediako
Conflict at work is more common than you might think. According to 2022 research by The Myers-Briggs Company, more than a third of the workforce reports dealing with conflict often, very often, or all the time in the workplace. The same report found that managers spend an average of four hours per week dealing with conflict, and nearly 25 per cent of people think their managers handle conflict poorly or very poorly.
Addressing a dispute might feel tense or awkward, but resolving the conflict is typically well worth it in the long run. Whether you’re trying to mediate conflict between colleagues or are directly involved, here are seven steps you can take to manage workplace conflict.
1. Don’t put it off
Facing conflict head-on is hard. However, waiting too long to address it can negatively impact your emotional well-being, focus, and the entire office environment. If you’re feeling angry, letting that emotion fester can also escalate it over time. This can make you less responsive to other points of view and make it harder to resolve the issue.
The sooner you can address the conflict, the better it will be for you, the person you disagree with, and your entire team.
2. Learn all you can about the problem
It’s important to determine the type of conflict you’re dealing with. Begin by considering the cause of the conflict. For example, ask yourself whether someone said something that upset you or if you have emotions of anger and resentment that stemmed from something that happened.
Then try to identify if it’s a task, relationship, value, or team conflict. Once you know what type of conflict it is, you can work to resolve it with specific tactics for that situation.
If you skip this step, you may waste time or escalate the situation further by trying to address issues irrelevant to the real conflict.
3. Actively listen
Listen attentively when people share their side of the story. Active listening is one of the most valuable professional skills you can possess. This type of listening involves not only hearing what the other person is saying but also listening to understand their point of view.
No matter your role in conflict, it’s easy to begin sharing your opinion with little regard for the other people involved. However, it’s important to learn about all sides of a disagreement to make well-informed decisions before drawing conclusions.
To reach a resolution, you must step back and prioritize listening over talking. Ultimately, that will encourage the other person to do the same when it’s your turn to speak. –source: betterup.com
Today, I focus on the Temple Of Praise Ministries International (TOP Church) in Helsinki, as I continue my description of personalities or institutions and their accomplishments as members of the Ghanaian Diaspora in Finland.
The TOP Church in Finland has seen significant strides and accomplishments that must be made known to the public. 
Some history
The Church was established in Finland in September 2016. Since its inception, it has steadily grown both spiritually and numerically, by the grace of God, as disclosed to me by Mr Matthew Anini Twumasi, the Presiding Elder of TOP’s branch in Finland. The TOP Church has other branches across Africa, Europe, and America.
The Church in Finland was founded with a vision to create a welcoming and dynamic community where people could experience God’s love and grace (see, www.topchurchfinland.org). According to Presiding Elder Matthew, the TOP Church operates within a unique environment where Christianity coexists with what is seen as a largely secular society.
Despite this, he submits, there are significant opportunities for outreach, unity, and demonstrating the love of Christ through service and community engagement.
Activities
Church services at the TOP Church are typically held on Sundays for the main worship. In addition, there are mid-week prayer sessions, Saturday prayer services, and a half-night service held on the last Friday of every month. “We also organise quarterly programs”, Elder Matthew added.
His impression of the Church so far has been positive. “It is a vibrant and welcoming community where members are committed to worship, fellowship, and supporting one another in faith”, he stated.
In sum, Elder Matthew said the Church continues to grow by God’s grace. “We remain hopeful and committed to spreading the Gospel, strengthening the faith of our members, and making a positive impact in society”, he continued.
Achievements
The TOP Church has a number of achievements and achievements. Some of the strengths include strong community bonds, cultural diversity, and deep commitment to spiritual growth.
I also remember that during the COVID-19 period, I heard that the TOP Church was one such bodies that hugely supported its members and others to cope with the situation.
According to Elder Matthew, the challenges facing the church include “adapting to cultural differences, engaging the younger generation, expanding outreach in a secular society, and securing a permanent place of worship”.
Role in the Ghanaian community in Finland
The TOP Church plays a prominent role as a religious group that serves Ghanaian migrants and others in the Finnish society.
Thus, the TOP Church is a religious body for Ghanaian migrants in Finland and other nationalities who want to worship with them for diversity and better intercultural and multicultural understanding.
The Church also has mechanisms in place to support its members who are bereaved as a way to commiserate with them in times of death and funerals.
The Ghanaian community has played a vital role in the growth of the Church. Their strong sense of fellowship, dedication to worship, and active participation have helped build a solid foundation and attract others to the ministry, according to Elder Matthew.
Integration
By its activities, the TOP Church is helping to ensure integration of its members well into the Finish society.
This is important since social interaction and citizens’ well-being are an important part of the integration process.
The role of migrant associations and groups such as TOP Church acting as bridge-builders for the integration and inclusion of migrants through participation in the decision making process and by acting as a representative voice is highly appreciated in Finland. Thank you!
GHANA MATTERS column appears fortnightly. Written in simple, layman’s terms, it concentrates on matters about Ghana and beyond. It focuses on everyday life issues relating to the social, cultural, economic, religious, political, health, sports, youth, gender, etc. It strives to remind us all that Ghana comes first. The column also takes a candid look at the meanings and repercussions of our actions, especially those things we take for granted or even ignore. There are key Ghanaian values we should uphold rather than disregard with impunity. We should not overlook the obvious. We need to search for the hidden or deeply embedded values and try to project them.
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
