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“Gold board is a game changer for Ghana’s economy” – Deputy majority leader boldly asserts
Deputy Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Cape Coast South, George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan, has described the newly established Gold Board as a major turning point for Ghana’s economy.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, the MP said Ghana is finally beginning to take bold steps to fix its economy after years of financial struggles.
According to him, Ghana has been producing gold for decades, yet it has not built strong reserves like countries that do not even mine gold.
He noted that such countries are now lending money to Ghana, which shows how poorly the country has managed its natural resources in the past.
“For 70 years, we’ve never backed our economy with gold reserves. Countries that don’t mine gold have reserves in their central banks, but we, who produce gold, don’t. This is the change the Gold Board brings,” he said.
Mr. Ricketts-Hagan praised the efforts of President John Dramani Mahama and the finance minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, saying they were helping to reset the economy and fix past mistakes.
He explained that the recent strengthening of the Ghana cedi is a sign that the economy is being fixed.
“When you hear people say the cedi is strong and you don’t understand why, go to the Ministry of Finance and ask,” he said.
The MP also criticized members of the previous administration, accusing them of doing little during their time in office.
“They were in government for eight years and achieved so little. That’s why Ghanaians showed them the exit,” he stated.
Mr. Ricketts-Hagan ended his remarks by urging the opposition to accept that the economy has changed.
He said the days of poor economic management were over and that Ghana was on a new path of recovery and stability.
“This is not just talk. Things have truly changed. The Gold Board is helping us reset the economy, and it’s never going back to what it used to be,” he confidently stated.
The Gold Board was set up as part of efforts to improve the management of Ghana’s gold resources and strengthen the country’s economic foundation.
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Oguaa goes gay with Fetu Afahye
The ancient city of Cape Coast, one of Ghana’s historical cities, witnessed a showcase of the rich cultural heritage of the Oguaa people with an exciting, colourful, and traditional event to mark the celebration of the 61st annual Fetu Afahye.
Themed “Innovate to elevate: Harnessing the creative economy for sustainable growth”, the festival featured a vibrant lineup of events, interspersed with several cultural performances showcasing the traditions which depict the traditional, historical and ancestral heritage of the land.
It witnessed a colourful procession of chiefs and various Asafo companies from the Mfantsipim School junction through the principal streets of the town to the Jubilee Park, accompanied by drumming and traditional dances.
The chiefs and members of the asafo companies were adorned in regal attire symbolising the pride and unity of the community.
Fetu Afahye demonstrates Oguaa’s resilience, unity, and cultural pride as the town welcomed indigenes both within and outside, as well as people from far and near, desirous of participating in the festival.
Various public spaces, including eateries and pubs, attracted patrons, and streets within the town witnessed bustling events with music blaring from the loudspeakers that had been placed by the roadside.
Bakatue
Prior to the durbar was the Bakatue regatta, a canoe race on the Fosu Lagoon, organised by ATL, a campus-based radio station located within the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in collaboration with the Oguaa Traditional Council.
The event saw a thrilling spectacle as the three Asafo companies, Nkum No. 4, Bentsir No. 1, and Anaafo No. 2, battled aggressively on the Fosu Lagoon. Nkum No. 4 earned nine points to clinch the trophy, medals, and a cash prize. They were followed by Anaafo No. 2 with five points, while Bentsir No. 1 finished third with four points.
Orange Friday
Friday witnessed what has come to be known as the biggest street carnival in Ghana, known as ‘Orange Friday.’
It drew hundreds of people across the country. Clad in orange attires, the patrons gathered and moved through the streets of the town, creating a gridlock.
The Paramount Chief of the Oguaa Traditional Area, Osaberimba Kwesi Atta II, at the durbar of chiefs to climax the festival acknowledged the unifying factor in relation to culture among Africans and stated the need for Africans to take their destinies into their own hands.
He explained that festivals such as Fetu Afahye offer an opportunity for Africans to remind themselves of the future by working hard and embrace the future in order not to be taken by events.
The Vice President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, in a speech read on her behalf, noted that the festival was far more than a ritual or an annual duty, saying, “It is an affirmation of an identity, a homecoming and a powerful testimony to the wisdom and fortitude of our forebears”.
In his remarks, the Special Guest of Honour, the Olu of Warri State in Nigeria, Ogiame Atuwatse III, indicated that, the only thing holding Africans back was Africans themselves, which he said, was in the area of an African identity, and acting on that identity.
From David O. Yarboi-Tetteh, Cape Coast
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Chief Imam issues disclaimer on unauthorised petitions
The Office of the National Chief Imam has warned Muslim organizations and individuals against issuing statements and petitions to the Government in his name without permission.
In a statement, the Chief Imam said he had observed that some groups had been circulating petitions, including a recent one on Hajj, using his name without authorization.
He stressed that such actions were unlawful and cautioned those involved to stop or face the law.
The Chief Imam reminded the public that on October 4, 2022, he, together with the National Imams of all Muslim sects, signed a deed and presented it to the Government at the Jubilee House.
The agreement recognised the National Muslim Conference of Ghana as the official body representing Muslims in their dealings with state institutions.
He urged that any petitions meant to be sent to the Government in his name should go through the National Muslim Conference of Ghana with the approval of the Advisory Board of his office.
By: Jacob Aggrey
