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Services sector drives 4.9 per cent first quarter economic expansion

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Ghana’s economy expanded 4.9 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2020 compared to 6.7 per cent in the same period last year, driven mainly by the services sector, the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) said on Wednesday.

The Services sector recorded the highest growth of 9.5 per cent; the Agriculture sector expanded by 2.8 per cent and the Industry sector by 1.5 per cent.

The Services sector contributed 3.6 percentage points (73.1 percent) to the overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of 4.9 per cent in the first quarter.

Professor Samuel Kobina Annim, Government Statistician announced the figures at a News briefing in Tamale on Wednesday.

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Professor Annim said the main sub-sectors driving GDP growth in January to March 2020 GDP were Information & Communication, Manufacturing, Education and Public Administration and Defence, and Social Security.

Information and Communication sub-sector expanded from 67.6 per cent in quarter one of 2019 to 77.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2020.

Its contribution to GDP growth was 2.10 percentage points or 42.7 per cent.

Manufacturing sub-sector recorded a lower growth of 5.0 per cent in the first quarter of 2020 compared to 5.6 per cent in same period of 2019.

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It contributed 0.60 percentage points or 12.2 per cent to the overall GDP growth.

The Public Administration & Defence, Social Security sub-sector expanded by 13.6 per cent in quarter one of 2020 from 9.0 per cent in quarter one of 2019 contributing 0.40 percentage points to GDP growth.

Negative contributors to the first quarter GDP growth came from the sub-sectors of Trade, Repair of Vehicle, Household Goods Construction, Forestry & Logging and Professional, Administrative & Support activities.

Construction sub-sector contracted by 6.9 per cent during the period and contributed -10.6 per cent to GDP growth.

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GDP growth rate without oil and gas (Non-Oil GDP) for first quarter 2020 is 4.9 per cent which compares to the same period in 2019 with a growth rate of 6.0 per cent.

GNA

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Muslims mark Eid-ul-Adha with call to be peaceful, united

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Muslims across the country celebrated this year’s Eid-ul-Adha in a colourful and spiritually uplifting atmosphere under the theme, “A Season of Sacrifice, Solidarity and Spiritual Renewal.”

The celebration brought together Muslims from diverse backgrounds in a remarkable display of faith, unity and cultural heritage.

The occasion was marked by special Eid prayers at various designated grounds, the slaughtering of rams in homes for sharing among family members, friends and the less privileged, as well as musical concerts and recreational activities including horse riding.

Leading the celebration was the Chief Imam, Dr Sheikh Osman Sharubutu.

While the national celebration was held at the Black Star Square where President John Dramani Mahama was the Special Guest of Honour, similar gatherings took place at different centres across the capital and other regions of the country.

A visit by The Spectator to some celebration grounds revealed Muslims, both young and old, elegantly dressed in colourful jalabiya and other Islamic attire, reflecting the rich culture and traditions of the Muslim community.

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The celebration also portrayed the spirit of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence in the country, as a number of Christians joined their Muslim counterparts to mark the occasion.

Muslim leaders and government officials used the opportunity to call on the faithful to uphold the teachings of the Holy Quran, renew their spiritual commitment and refrain from acts capable of undermining the peace, unity and security of the nation.

They further urged Ghanaians to continue to live in harmony and support one another for national development.

By Linda Abrefi Wadie

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My Muslim boyfriend’s snoring is my headache

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Dear Obaa Yaa,

During Eid-ul- Adha celebration, I decided to spend the weekend at my boyfriend’s place since we were planning towards our marriage.

To my surprise, what keeps me wide awake, restless and frustrated every single time is that he snores loudly like a generator running on full power, and I genuinely cannot get any rest

At a point, I thought it was just a normal thing, but I have realised it is something he does with ease and doesn’t see anything wrong with it.

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When he steps out in the morning, I try to get enough sleep because I may not sleep in the evening.

The most annoying thing is that, he always wants to cuddle me. These two things are a no for me and a red flag.

We are about to get married, what should I do?

Enam, Keta.

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Dear Enam,

The snoring and constant cuddling are frustrating, but you don’t have to choose between sleep and closeness.

Start with the snoring: check if it’s worse when he sleeps on his back, cut out alcohol before bed, try nasal strips or a humidifier, and see a doctor if he pauses while breathing.

For quick relief, foam earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones help a lot.

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Separate blankets, a bigger bed, or sleeping apart on some nights often makes couples rest well and feel closer overall.

Bring this up before the wedding .Tell him you want to wake up next to him for years to come, but sleep deprivation makes you both miserable.

Test earplugs and side-sleeping this weekend, and if it’s still unbearable, bring in a doctor. Good sleep matters more for your marriage than staying glued together all night.

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