Category: General

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Group of Experts, known as the LAB, has engaged the leadership of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) on the modalities of the party's proposed 24-hour economy, tagged as a 'National Game Changer.' Led by Professor Danso Boafo, they discussed the '24-hour economy, focus on reindustrialization, and job creation,' sought to share the NDC's policy transformation agenda with players in the industrial sector, and offered stakeholders the opportunity to make an input into the party's national development agenda. The group also included Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, NDC Election 2020 Vice Presidential Candidate; Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, former Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection and some leading members of the NDC. The two groups also discussed challenges facing workers, industry, and the general socio-economic crisis in which Ghana finds itself, while the NDC Expert Group used the opportunity to seek GFL's views and inputs into the next NDC government's proposed policies to transform the country. The meeting deliberated on issues such as the current economic hardships occasioned by economic mismanagement, the effect of high taxes and utility bills on industries, and the consequential collapse of some companies and layoffs of workers. The GFL applauded former President John Dramani Mahama, who is also the NDC flagbearer for Elections 2024, and the NDC's proposed 24-hour economy policy. The GFL also made proposals on how the policy can be implemented effectively to enhance productivity and create jobs for the benefit of Ghanaians. The leadership of GFL emphasised the need to support distressed and collapsed industries under the 24-hour Economy Policy for job creation. Both parties agreed to collaborate in exploring solutions to current socioeconomic challenges affecting workers and Ghanaians in general. According to the GFL, the Ghanaian economy had ground to a halt, causing massive job losses because of systemic failures of economic policies. 'Extincti on of trade unions is imminent if the current trend of reckless management of the fragile economy is not reversed and the manufacturing industries across all sectors of the economy (formal and informal, including business in byproducts) employ not less than 60 percent of the labour force in the country,' GFL stated. During a presentation, Mr. Abraham Koomson, GFL Secretary General, noted that the 24-hour economy would boost the manufacturing industry through direct growth in the export economy, a reduction in the demand for foreign currency, and a stronger cedi forex relationship. Mr. Koomson noted that it would also lead to an increase in employment and provide an attractive investment environment for foreign direct investment. Speaking on policies for 'Economic Transformation, Job Creation, and Workers' Welfare,' the GFL Secretary General noted that the Agro industry apart from food production, served as a source of raw materials for the manufacturing industry. Mr. Koomson noted that, looking at the sta te of the deteriorated economy, the revival of these industries could not happen overnight. However, 'with the commitment of the NDC as announced by former President Mahama, appropriate measures and interventions as suggested by the Federation should be considered. 'We will hasten the revival of industries across the country to create jobs to enhance the growth of the economy. Governments worldwide give a premium to the manufacturing industry because that is the growth cycle for the development agenda. 'The manufacturing industry can only grow and produce the expected added value if investors have the assurance of investment protection, growth, and uninterrupted continuity,' Mr. Koomson noted. Mr. Koomson said 'investments in land, plant, machinery, and related equipment for the comprehensive package of the manufacturing business required that the investment needed not less than an assured continuous operational period of 15 to 20 years to recoup, all other things being constant. 'The current piecemeal g ranting of zero VAT for locally manufactured textile products is as good as the uncertainty that characterises the investment in the industry. 'The government ought to promote investment assurance in the industry, which will also make the industry competitive. An uninterrupted relief period carries with it the assurance that every investor desires. 'The imposition of unhealthy and treacherous indirect taxes creates an unfavourable investment climate.' He said the imposition of outrageous indirect taxes like excise and levies resulted in soaring prices of goods and services because such excise levies inflated the taxable base of goods. Even those consumed by the school going pre-teen and teen ages were not proofs of GDP growth but a destruction to the parental financial strength. Mr. Koomson stressed that the recent expanded inclusion of certain products in the excise duty regime by the government was noticed to be killing productivity, resulting in the laying off workers and the closing down of factories because of extremely low sales in the face of higher production costs, amongst others. Source: Ghana News Agency

The production of eggs for consumption posted a 6.2% rise by late November 2023, compared to the same period last year, reads the monthly report published Monday by the National Observatory of Agriculture (French: ONAGRI). The observatory reported a 0.2% rise compared to October 2023. The average monthly price of eggs fell 1% compared to October. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Tunisia is partaking in the 12th Arab Energy Conference, held December 11-12 in Doha (Qatar) under the theme of "Energy and Arab Cooperation." This event is attended by energy ministers of Arab countries members of the Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC). It will provide an opportunity to discuss international developments in energy markets and their implications for the Arab energy sector. This in addition to efforts of Arab countries to tackle the challenges of energy security, and issues of energy, environment, and sustainable development, reads an Industry, Mines and Energy Ministry press release issued Monday. The conference also discusses topics related to Arab and global energy resources, downstream industries, and energy demand management in Arab countries, in addition to technological developments and their implications for the energy sector. Tunisia seeks to attract energy investment and contribute to global efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce CO2 emissions by 45% by 2030. To do so, Tunisia has adopted a strategy aimed mainly at boosting energy efficiency in all sectors, diversifying the energy mix, developing electricity interconnections with neighbouring countries, boosting the capacity of electricity grids, developing storage capacity and promoting the green hydrogen market. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

On December 7, the joint theme tour and interview activity among translation celebrities and foreign media hosted by the CICG Academy of Translation and Interpretation - 'Experience the Vitality of Zhongshan Tour' officially kicked off in Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province. In order to tell a good story of Zhongshan to the world and enhance the international communication capacity of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA, the CICG Academy of Translation and Interpretation, the Publicity Department of the Zhongshan Municipal Committee and the Guangdong University of Foreign Studies jointly built the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA Translation and International Communication Practice Base of the CICG Academy of Translation and Interpretation. This event is one of the series of activities held by the practice base. During the five-day event, a visiting delegation composed of Chinese translators and foreign mainstream media reporters in China will visit and interview Zhongshan in-depth, get a thorough understanding o f Zhongshan's urban and rural development and construction, local economic construction and customs, and fully appreciate the unique charm of the city. Zhongshan is the hometown of Mr. Sun Yat-sen, a great pioneer of China's democratic revolution, and has been an important city in the Pearl River Estuary since ancient times. It has been endowed with a deep historical and cultural heritage and has nurtured a unique culture of south of the Five Ridges and Xiangshan. Zhongshan is also an important city in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA. Its economy has developed rapidly in recent years and it has made remarkable achievements in manufacturing, service and other fields, attracting many high-tech enterprises to settle in. At the Zhongshan Museum, the visiting delegation has learned about the development history of Xiangshan (Zhongshan) for more than 5,000 years through the theme exhibition 'Stormrise over the Lingdingyang Bay - Zhongshan History Exhibition'. Through the exhibition 'The Boundlessness of the Pro found Ocean - History Exhibition on Zhongshan Oversea Chinese', the delegation has gained an in-depth understanding of Zhongshan Overseas Chinese's global vision, pioneering and innovative spirit, the unique contribution of connecting China and the outside world, and the feelings of patriotism and homeland. At the Pedestrian Street of West Road SunWen, the visiting delegation has personally experienced the unique charm of Zhongshan's century-old commercial street and the city's business card. This thematic tour interview activity will also focus on Zhongshan City's comprehensive promotion of urban-rural regional coordinated development of the 'Hundreds and Thousands of Projects' project and high-quality urban-rural integrated development with Zhongshan characteristics, fully demonstrating the breakthrough results achieved in the progress of Zhongshan's 'Hundreds and Thousands of Projects'. According to the itinerary, the visiting delegation will also hold a symposium on international communication strategies of Zhongshan in the new era. Combined with the urban development planning of Zhongshan, it will focus on the research on how to further strengthen the international communication paths and strategies of the image of 'Beautiful Zhongshan with Abundant Investment Advantages' in the new era. From the perspective of translators and foreign journalists, the visiting delegation will contribute to the international communication of Zhongshan, deepen the understanding of Zhongshan by international mainstream media and people at home and abroad, and further enhance the international influence of the city. Source: Ghana News Agency

Candidates in El Oudyane imada in Menzel Temime (Nabeul governorate) Iyadh Jebali and Mansour Dalaji Sunday kicked off their campaigns, out of a total of four candidates, in the race for a local council seat. Jebali told TAP he undertakes to create a municipality, regularise the land situation of over 90 hectares in the region, enhance school transport, develop agricultural tracks and facilitate procedures to grant loans to young people and higher-education graduates to set up their projects. Dalaji said he seeks to settle the land situation of frozen properties, improve rural tracks, focus on the environment situation, resume a spa project at Wadi Kassab, create an agricultural training centre and revamp schools and primary health centres in the region. For his part, Dalaji said he seeks to settle the land situation of ceded properties, improve rural roads, look after the environment, maintain the sewage network, resume the project for a spa at Wadi Kassab, create an agricultural training centre and revam p schools and primary health centres in the region. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang a former Education Minister under the Mahama administration has refurbished and commissioned the Komenda market. This gesture she said formed part of her duties owed to the women in the Constituency. Speaking at the commissioning, the 2020 NDC running mate the running mate of the NDC in the 2020 election said 'as a constituent and user of the market facility I see it as a duty owed to ensure a facelift is given to the market'. She said after an informal inspection of the market she noticed that the floors, many parts of the roofs needed urgent repairs, while the entire market required a facelift. She said the refurbishment would help the woman to carry out their daily business. The project included the provision of water and places of convenience. The traders thanked the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast for her selfless love and contribution towards the betterment of their lives. In expressing their appreciation praises and prayers were heaped on the former Minister by the Chief and elders, the NDC Chairman of the Central Region, the women and others for her endless support to the constituency. She explained the vision of the former President, John Dramani Mahama, for a 24 hour economy as a proven way of rebuilding the damaged economy and for reducing the alarming unemployment rate in the country, especially as they affect the youth and women. Present were Chiefs and Elders, Regional and Constituency Executives, the Member of Parliament for the KEEA constituency, Samuel Atta Mills, the hierarchy of the market led by the market Queen and many significant others who graced the occasion. Source: Ghana News Agency