Ghana Roundup: Government appointments, Mother's Day celebration, demolition of refugee camp
Presidential appointments
A decision by Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to appoint a member of his New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate as the Managing Director of the National Investment Bank (NIB) has stirred debate, with concerns raised about the suitability of a political candidate leading a financially distressed institution. The appointment of the parliamentary candidate for Manso Nkwanta Tweneboa Kodua Fokuo comes amidst ongoing restructuring and transformation efforts at NIB. According to GhanaWeb, the decision has been met with skepticism from some quarters, questioning the government's decision not to appoint a turnaround specialist for the struggling bank.
Mobile Money transfers
The Bank of Ghana is addressing concerns about unauthorised charges on mobile money transfers. Governor Dr. Ernest Addison clarified that transfers made for oneself should not incur any charges, and discussions are ongoing to ensure fairness and transparency in the financial ecosystem. The Ghana Revenue Authority has attributed double charges to financial institutions, and affected individuals are urged to report deductions to their mobile networks or law enforcement agencies, Modern Ghana reports.
Mother's Day celebrations
Ghana celebrated Mother's Day with various activities and events to honour and appreciate mothers. A special dinner event held by Citi TV and Citi FM was among the major events that sought to bring entertainment dedicated to celebrating mothers.
Demolition of refugee camp
A demolition exercise at the Buduburam refugee camp in Ghana has displaced over 6,000 Liberian refugees and destroyed 65 churches. The Liberians, who fled civil wars, have been living in a refugee camp for 35 years. The Ghana Refugee Board restricted their ability to work and promised housing that was never provided. Now, the refugees are at risk of being pushed to the streets. The International Society for Human Rights is mobilising aid for these refugees, and there are calls for the Ghanaian government to intervene and ensure the refugees are treated humanely, The Christian Post reports.
Transatlantic slave trade
President Nana Akufo-Addo plans to lobby the African Union for a cross-continent initiative on reparations for the transatlantic slave trade. He emphasised the need for unity and a strong collective voice to address the issue. The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Dr. Keith Rowley supported the development of an international entity to advance reparations for African people. A major international organization estimates that nearly 13 million Africans were trafficked across the Atlantic, resulting in two million deaths. Akufo-Addo has been pushing for AU leadership to explore reparations, highlighting the need for compensation for the atrocities of the slave trade. According to Modern Ghana, the Prime Minister echoed the desire for an international body to advocate for reparations.
