Author: Enestina GhanaMPs

Emerging market currencies have made significant gains against the US dollar over the past two months. The dollar index, which measures the dollar’s strength against a basket of currencies, has fallen by 4.7% in April alone. Some notable emerging market currencies that have gained against the dollar include the euro, which has gained by 0.7 percent, the pound sterling, the Australian dollar, the Chinese yuan, and many more currencies.

These gains can be attributed to various factors, including:

•US-China trade tensions: The ongoing trade standoff has led to a decline in investor confidence in the US dollar.
•Federal Reserve monetary policy: The Fed’s interest rate decisions have influenced global capital flows, with a weaker dollar making emerging market assets more attractive.
•Global economic growth: Strong growth in emerging markets has attracted foreign investment, boosting their currencies.
In Ghana, the cedi has appreciated by some margin against the US dollar alone in April. The Ghanaian cedi has gained about 6.82% against the US dollar in April 2025, with the exchange rate decreasing from 15.49510 GHS per USD on April 2 to 14.43811 GHS per USD as of the end of the month.

Factors responsible include:

1. The tariff war, which has weakened the US economy.
2. Fiscal policy, which has remained constrained, with many jobs executed in 2024 still not being paid.
3. The central bank having pumped in about $1 billion from sources including the IMF.

It will be exciting and beneficial to the business community, both local and international, to see the Cedi in good shape for predictability and proper planning. A lot more has to be done in the area of revenue mobilization, and strict enforcement of some policies by the Central Bank.

Ghanamps.com

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education, Mr. Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, says the government can waive taxes on educational materials and equipment for private schools, following appeals from some private university managements.

During visits to three private tertiary institutions in Accra, Mr. Nortsu-Kotoe assured private schools in the country of significant government support to complement their services. The Committee visited Wisconsin International University College Ghana, Accra College of Medicine and Regent University College of Science and Technology.

Mr. Nortsu-Kotoe told the management of these institutions that the Committee, along with the Ministers of Finance and Education, would work to support the educational policies and strategies of private universities in Ghana.

“There should be a partnership between government and private universities. We’ll continue to engage with the Ministers of Education and Finance to see what they can do for them. It may not require legislation, but rather a mutual understanding to secure that exemption,” the Chairman said.

He acknowledged the significant contribution of private universities in promoting quality education, stating, “As a committee, we’re happy that private universities are playing a major role.” He said “government cannot do it alone which is why we appreciate what they do.”

The Chairman also emphasized the importance of education for needy students and encouraged them to explore opportunities for student loans or GETFund.

At the Wisconsin International University College Ghana, Vice President of the institution, Dr. Lawrence Kannae, stressed the need for the government to provide research grants to teaching professors to promote research and make teaching and learning more beneficial to society.

According to him, a university without a strong research background cannot be considered among the best; new knowledge can only be generated through research. He stated that GETFund assistance should be extended to private universities and the GETFund Act amended to facilitate this support.

“We also contribute to the production of human resources for this country and beyond, so we deserve assistance in this regard. We’ve awarded scholarships to many brilliant but needy students and give them special attention,” Dr. Kannae said.

The visits aimed to identify challenges facing private tertiary institutions in the country and adopt pragmatic measures to support their academic activities.

Ghanamps.com

A member of the Select Committee on Health and Member of Parliament for Akim Oda, Alexander Akwesi Acquah has arrived at Praia, in Cape Verde, together with colleagues to attend the annual meeting of West African Health Organisation.

The meeting is geared towards reviewing financial support given to ECOWAS states for some health programmes.

The three day meeting will assess how the steering committees of the member states have supervised the utilisation of support to countries and also explain future programmes.

Among the support granted by the WAHO to Ghana include:

1. PR 10017603 – Raising awareness of sexual and reproductive health and personal/menstrual hygiene among young girls and women
2. PR 10017251 – Immunological responses to PCV-13 and its impact on the incidence of meningitis in the northern region of Ghana
3. PR 10013107 – Research on profiling malaria and other febrile illnesses to improve malaria case detection and management in West Africa
4. PR 10021442 – Preparedness to fight against the monkey pox epidemic
5. PR 10020818 – Production of Ghana’s Health Accounts
6. PR 10022793 – Review of monographs and medicinal plants (2009) of Ghana

Ghanamps.com

The headmistress of Chemu Senior High School, Tema, Mrs Vicentia Kyere Anin-Agyei, has highlighted several challenges facing the school, including accommodation issues for both students and staff.

Speaking to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education during a monitoring visit on Monday, she emphasised the need for a boarding facility to enhance academic progress, particularly for students commuting from outside the Tema enclave.

“We have students who come from far and wide, and as a day school, we really need a boarding facility to support their academic progress,” she said.

This challenge was underscored by the case of three students who became pregnant while cohabiting due to long commuting distances.
The three students wrote the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) last year, the headmistress revealed.

The Committee’s monitoring visit is scheduled from Monday April 28 to Friday May 02 2025 to some selected Senior High Schools and Private Universities as part of their oversight responsibilities.

Mrs Anin-Agyei, also raised concerns about staff accommodation, revealing that only nine apartments were available for 105 staff members.
“I have engaged the Tema Development Corporation, the PTA, and I have written to the Ministry of Education to address this issue…I currently live in a rented apartment,” she added.

Despite these challenges, the school has recorded some achievements, including success in the National Science and Maths Quiz competition and other metropolitan competitions. The school also runs an academic clinic for final-year students preparing for the WASSCE, guided by experts.

The Vice Chair of the Education Committee of Parliament, Mr Joseph Kwame Kumah, also the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Kintampo North, appreciated the headmistress’s input, stating, “We appreciate your input and gathering some of this information to inform policy.”

The Regional Director of Education, Greater Accra Region, Hajia Katuma Nantogmah Attah (Mrs), also called for qualified teachers to teach social studies in the school.

The school’s Internal Generated Fund (IGF) comes from the sale of water and hiring of the assembly hall.

However, funding releases have been irregular, with the last one received in 2024, affecting operations, including payment for the caterer, who has been absent for two weeks.

Ghanamps.com

The Assistant Headmistress – Administration of Accra Girls Senior High School, Madam Gladys Lebene Kuetuadu has highlighted several challenges facing the school, despite its achievements in academic and co-curricular activities.

Speaking on behalf of Mrs Gifty Andoh, the Headmistress, on Monday during a Parliamentary Select Committee on Education visit to the school, she emphasised the need for support to address these challenges.

The Committee’s monitoring visit scheduled from Monday April 28 to Friday May 2, 2025 to some selected senior high schools and private universities in the Greater Accra Region aimed to expose challenges and improve the education sector.

Madam Kuetuadu cited inadequate washroom facilities as a major challenge facing the school.

She explained a stalled GETFund project had left the school with only 12 toilets for 615 students, leading to health concerns.
Further, the Assistant Headmistress told the Committee that an outdated 60-year-old Science laboratory, needed refurbishment and expansion to accommodate the growing number of students.

Touching on transportation, she said the Headmistress’ office required a new vehicle to replace the 19-year-old Nissan Pick-up, which frequently breaks down.

“Infrastructure, the school needs an expanded Assembly Hall, modern library, and staff accommodation to enhance teaching and learning.
“Internet connectivity for students lack access to internet data to utilize their tablets effectively,” she said.

Madam Kuetuadu, therefore called for government support for funding to complete the stalled GETFund project and support infrastructure development.

She, also urged the Ministry of Education to assist the school with internet connectivity, staff accommodation, and modern facilities to promote academic excellence.

“We are proud of our achievements, but we need support to address these challenges and become the best school in the region,” she said.
Among the achievements of the school is a 95.4 per cent pass rate in the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examinatin (WASSCE), with 83.1 per cent of students qualifying for tertiary education.

“With co-curricular Activities, students participated in the National Science and Mathematics quiz, reaching the one-sixteenth stage after a decade. They also performed during World Women’s Day at the Jubilee House and the CAF Championship opening and closing ceremonies,” the Assistant Headmistress Administration told the Committee.

Alhaji Muhammad Bawah Braimah, a member of the Committee and a National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for Ejura Sekyeredumase urged other schools to emulate Accra Girls’ practice of putting up staff accommodation using IGF.

Mr Seth Vondee, the Accountant of Accra Girls’ Senior High School, highlighted there had been an increase in feeding fees, from GH¢5.20 pesewas in 2015 to GH¢7.50 pesewas as of January 2025.

The committee urged the contractor to complete the stalled washroom project.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Madam Rachel Owusua, the Member of Parliament for Dormaa East Constituency in the Bono Region, has pledged to institute teachers and nurses award schemes in the area.

The scheme will recognise and reward hardworking and deserving teachers and nurses in the area to enhance quality education and healthcare delivery in the area.

Interacting with the media at Dormaa-Ahenkro, Madam Owusua explained that she was engaging the Dormaa East District Directorate of Health and the District Directorate of Education to work out modalities for the implementation of the scheme.

She said the implementation of the scheme was one of her Election 2024 campaign promises, saying it would be instituted in 2026. The awards, she said, would be centered on the conduct, hard work and commitment of the personnel.

“We must endeavour to put the past behind us and forge ahead in unity and facilitate the development of the district,” she stated, stressing her commitment to collaborate with the District Assembly to advance the progress of the area.

Madam Owusua called on the people to always endeavour to use laid down procedures to seek redress for their grievances, disagreements and misunderstanding and urged the District Assembly to implement government policies and programmes to benefit the people.

The MP said she had prioritised quality health outcomes, pledging to expand health facilities to bring healthcare service delivery to the doorstep of the people.

Madam Owusua commended Nana Kokoti Diamono Asamoah, the Chief of Mansen (Wamfie) for allocating land to be used to construct essential facilities and to expand the district hospital.

She said she was also committed to support farmers in the area to improve food production and work hard to create job opportunities for the youth in the area too and urged job seekers to be patient.

Robert Tachie Menson

Member of Parliament for Keta, Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey seized the opportunity at a durbar to welcome the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin to his ancesytral hometown, Tsiame to to urge residents of the community to come together and work towards the development of the area.

Commending Mr Afenyo-MArkin for his kind gesture in which he donates 100 hair drying machines and 100 sowing machines as part of women empowerment efforts in the Tsiame Community, Mr Gakpe called on other citizens to emulate the gesture to turn the fortunes of the people in the area.

He admonished the women apprentices not to sell the equipment donated to them but rather use it to make money to take care of themselves and their families.

Hon Gakpey further pointed out that the gathering is not political and no one should read politics into it and citizens should come together to develop their Communities.

He said getting close to the Minority Leader, he is a good and kind person; but politically, he is a different person.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Effutu Member of Parliament Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin has clarified that the donation he has made in Tsiame in the Keta constituency should not be misconstrued to mean he wants to contest as an MP in Keta, neither on the ticket of NPP nor as independent candidate.

Rather it’s to help his colleague MP for Keta Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey to positively impact the lives of the people; more so, his father comes from Tsiame, hence he is a native from the place.

He explained that as someone whose mother is a Fanti he has decided to contest from her mother’s side Effutu in Winneba.
Afenyo-Markin on Thursday donates 100 hair dryers and 100 sowing machines as part of women empowerment efforts in the Tsiame Community.

The Minority Leader further added that back in his constituency, he has citizens of Effutu coming to show good gesture like he is doing in the Volta Region. And he is doing what he is doing for the purposes of development, stating that in the immediate past Parliament, he had a lot of discussions with the Keta MP concerning the development of the area.

The Minority Leader did not mince words in affirming the call for beneficiaries not to sell the items, rather it is to help empower them to engage in gainful income generating ventures to provide for themselves and their families.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Thousands of people in Tsiame, Volta Region, have welcomed their proud son, Alexander Afenyo-Markin to his ancestral hometown on Thursday April 17, 2025.

The excitement exhibited by the people attest to how proud they are with their son, who has carved a niche for himself in in various fields in Ghana including politics, business and law.

He has since become the face of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in parliament, as the Majority Leader and even outside parliament since the party lost the 2024 general elections.

Addressing a durbar to welcome him, Chairman of the occasion Mr Kenneth Ashigbey urged the people of Tsiame in the Volta Region to move away from politics and seek for the development of the good people of the area.

The durbar was attended by the Chief and elders of Tsiame, MP for Keta, Hon. Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey, opinion leaders, the clergy, and women groups among many other groups.

Ghanamps.com

 nmThe Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL) has called on the public to disregard and treat the allegations of drug trafficking regarding the two aircraft that landed at the Kotoka International Airport some weeks ago.

In a press statement released on April 8, 2025, GACL said there was no evidence of any illegal substances on board both aircraft; and distances itself and its Managing Director from media publications making false allegations concerning the involvement of Ghana Airports Company Limited officials in passing false Information to one Rev. Ntim Fodjour who has made allegations of drug trafficking regarding two (2) aircrafts landing at Kotoka International Airport some weeks ago”.

GACL further contends that:
1. Landing permits of all aircraft entering Ghana are issued by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in conjunction with the National Security and NOT GACL.
2. All security checks were by Aviation Security and National Security while ground
3. The Managing Director, Mrs. Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare does not know or has never met or spoken to Rev. Ntim Fordjour.
4. Therefore, the onus is on the groups or individuals making false allegations to provide evidence of same.
GACL thus, “served notice that the company will not hesitate to seek redress against any media house, individual or any other entity for any intentional or mischievous publication on Rev. Ntim Fordjour’s false allegations and related matters that seek to bring the image of the company, its Managing Director or the government into disrepute regarding the two (2) aircraft.”

Ghanamps.com