AM Show || Youths not in education, employment, or training face a high risk of social exclusion

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Transcript
00:00:00 It's the middle of the week, welcome to Wednesday on The AM Show.
00:00:04 Boy, are we glad to be here.
00:00:06 Tired or not, we're here doing what we do best.
00:00:08 My name is Benjamin Akakwa, I'm always in the company of Bernice Amubidu Alansa, and
00:00:13 we are glad that you've chosen us for company this morning.
00:00:17 Now, the news will come your way shortly, right after that we'll be joined by a political
00:00:21 scientist and director of the Center for European Studies at the University of Ghana, Dr Kwame
00:00:26 Asasanti.
00:00:27 He'll be our guest as we review the papers.
00:00:30 But then we get into our big stories, and first on the chopping block, we'll be telling
00:00:34 you about that latest report revealing that in the third quarter of 2022, around 1.5 million
00:00:40 young people aged between 15 and 24, constituting 24.2% of that age group, were not involved
00:00:47 in education, employment, or training.
00:00:50 Now what did that lead to?
00:00:51 We'll be telling you about the regions with the highest proportions of disengaged youth.
00:00:56 We're talking about the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Eastern, and Central regions.
00:01:01 Joining us for that all-important conversation, if you're a youth, you should pay attention
00:01:05 to that, Dr Pearl Chase, she is lecturer, Regional Institute for Population Studies
00:01:11 at the University of Ghana.
00:01:14 But then we take a look at something that troubles all of us, whether you drive or get
00:01:19 driven, malfunctioning traffic lights here in Accra.
00:01:23 And motorists are complaining that these lights could lead to accidents on the roads, and
00:01:27 validly so.
00:01:28 We'll be checking out a few of them and speaking to the relevant authorities on what
00:01:33 exactly is going on and why we find ourselves in this state.
00:01:41 Well today being a Wednesday as well, we'll go business-wise.
00:01:43 AM Business is brought to you courtesy of Acrobank, the Pan-African Bank, and we'll
00:01:47 be coming your way with that.
00:01:48 Some players within the business community have been sharing their expectations for the
00:01:52 2023 Mid-Year Budget Review.
00:01:55 They want government to find diverse ways of addressing Ghana's economic issues, rather
00:01:59 than focusing solely on the introduction of new taxes.
00:02:02 We'll be bringing you that, together with an interaction with the National Development
00:02:07 Conference authorities.
00:02:10 Now Ghana continues to face serious developmental challenges despite recent growth record rates.
00:02:15 We'll be telling you why the Church of Pentecost has waded into the fray.
00:02:19 As always, we'd love to hear from you, so share your thoughts with us in the course
00:02:23 of the show, and let's do this for God and country.
00:02:25 Up next, the news.
00:02:26 Welcome on to the AM News.
00:02:56 Now in our first story, the parents of a 10-day-old baby who died at the KNUSD Hospital
00:03:02 in Kumasi say they are devastated following the death of their child.
00:03:07 The baby was sent to the facility for a male circumcision procedure, but hospital sources
00:03:12 say he suffered a cardiac arrest and died a few minutes later.
00:03:17 Oheming Tewea of our health desk now reports.
00:03:39 The baby was sent to the facility for a male circumcision procedure, but hospital sources
00:04:06 say he suffered a cardiac arrest and died a few minutes later.
00:04:15 The wild cry of the baby was heard for the last time by the parents, who were then seated
00:04:21 at the waiting area of the theatre.
00:04:24 Then, some senior nurses and doctors were seen rushing into the theatre, a development
00:04:31 which made the parents distraught.
00:04:34 The baby's mother, Halima Tu Adams, knew something bad had happened to the baby, but
00:04:40 had to endure a long wait to hear news about her son.
00:04:56 The thought of losing their only male child under bizarre circumstances has left the couple
00:05:03 traumatized.
00:05:04 Authorities at the Kenyusi hospital have declined
00:05:33 comments on the matter.
00:05:35 The university relations officer says the matter has been referred to the legal department
00:05:41 of the university.
00:05:43 But a patient-centered non-governmental group is leading a campaign to bring justice to
00:05:49 the Jamaals.
00:05:50 The Advocacy for Medical Malpractice Victim says it can establish a prima facie case against
00:05:56 Kenyusi hospital.
00:05:58 Kwame Mbube-Apia is the executive secretary.
00:06:01 The hospital was negligent in the conduct of the circumcision.
00:06:06 So we believe strongly that we will be able to establish a prima facie case against the
00:06:11 hospital.
00:06:12 The little checks that we have made with the hospital, the indications are that one, the
00:06:18 person that supposedly conducted the procedure was not an expert in that field and the person
00:06:24 was unqualified to take up that particular exercise.
00:06:27 Then again, we also told that they actually did not procure the informed consent of the
00:06:34 patient, the parent, sorry, because it's important to let them know the risk associated with
00:06:39 the procedure and then any other outcome that they are likely to have before the process
00:06:45 is done.
00:06:46 That wasn't done.
00:06:47 Also, we are, from the investigations we have done, we know for a fact that they actually
00:06:52 did not take the history of the baby before proceeding to undertake the procedure.
00:06:57 If that had been done, I am sure a lot of these issues would have been averted.
00:07:02 Checks at the health ministry indicate medical legal cases are on the rise in the country.
00:07:08 In recent times, at least two medical legal cases are received every week, a development
00:07:15 which has left health minister Kwakuwa Jemimene worried.
00:07:19 What I'm seeing of late in the ministry are issues of litigation.
00:07:29 For the past four weeks or so, almost every week, we get at least one letter from the
00:07:35 Attorney General's office.
00:07:37 Somebody has sued, somebody with problems with care, service delivery, and they want
00:07:43 us to come with information for them to go to court with.
00:07:49 Then we refer to the Attorney General for Kumaabweji.
00:07:55 But I've been with you for the past six years.
00:07:58 Earlier when I came in, those things were not happening that much.
00:08:03 But now it's become something, it's just climbing, it's becoming very common.
00:08:08 From Kumasi, for Joy News, I'm Netimia reporting.
00:08:14 Now the Ghana Health Service says most Ghanaians are yet to fully vaccinate against the COVID-19
00:08:20 virus.
00:08:21 The country is still far behind in achieving its COVID-19 vaccination target.
00:08:26 The service says this leaves the country vulnerable to the virus.
00:08:30 Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kumabweji was speaking at the
00:08:34 launch of the seventh national COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
00:08:39 Nearly 10.8 million of the population in Ghana have been vaccinated against COVID-19, representing
00:08:46 34 percent.
00:08:48 13.9 million have received just one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
00:08:54 The Ghana Health Service is not happy with the development.
00:08:57 The service has therefore launched a seventh edition of its COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
00:09:03 The target is to administer one million doses of vaccines to individuals above the age of
00:09:09 15.
00:09:11 Director of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kumabweji says a lot of work needs
00:09:15 to be done to reach herd immunity.
00:09:17 Nearly 26 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have reached almost 14 million persons, out
00:09:26 of which 10 million persons are fully vaccinated.
00:09:30 That was said earlier, this represents about 59.4 percent of the target.
00:09:35 While this is commendable achievement, the country is still far from achieving its national
00:09:40 target.
00:09:41 This means that the whole population still stands at the risk of a likely event of new
00:09:47 variants as COVID-19 remains extremely unpredictable.
00:09:52 And I must say, as you saw the program manager present, this total dose represents about
00:09:59 34.4 percent of the population.
00:10:03 What it means is that almost 70 percent or a little over 60 percent of the population
00:10:11 are unvaccinated.
00:10:13 He indicated that misinformation is hindering many individuals from getting vaccinated.
00:10:19 Well, I think it has always been the misinformation and then the fear and then the low risk perception.
00:10:26 And the thing that is going to happen to you, but not me.
00:10:30 But we have noticed that when the vaccines are taken close to them, we are able to overcome
00:10:35 that challenge.
00:10:36 And that's what we are doing, outreaches to the people to ensure that even though they
00:10:42 may not feel that they are not at risk, but if the vaccine is provided, they are willing
00:10:46 to go.
00:10:47 They may not travel to go and queue and have it, but if the vaccine is taken to them, and
00:10:52 that approach has really helped us and we continue enforcing that until we meet our
00:10:57 targets as we said ourselves.
00:10:59 Manager of the expanded program on immunization, Dr Kwame Mponsa-Acianu outlined strategies
00:11:06 to attain the vaccination target during the campaign.
00:11:10 We want to deploy approximately 5,000 and over vaccination teams with over a thousand
00:11:17 supervisors across all the levels of national renowned districts and districts.
00:11:24 Using almost 23,000 healthcare workers and volunteers nationwide, we are aiming to vaccinate
00:11:30 approximately 40 persons per team of vaccinators per day.
00:11:34 And of course, we would ensure that these teams are visible.
00:11:38 The vaccination campaign is scheduled to kick off from July 19 to July 23.
00:11:44 Esther Nkrumah's report, read to you.
00:11:47 In our next story, the majority in parliament for the first time since the minority started
00:11:54 boycotting parliament over James Jaciquesen's trial, proceeded with business.
00:12:00 The house took questions, laid papers and discussed statements.
00:12:04 Though the house fell short of considering much weightier business like bills, it's a
00:12:08 significant turn from the past when it just adjourned the house whenever the NDC group
00:12:13 abstained from sittings.
00:12:15 NDC chief whip Frank Anadompre clearly told the NDC that quote, "The parliament of Ghana
00:12:20 cannot wait for you."
00:12:21 Our colleagues in the minority, and they have elected not to be president.
00:12:28 So that the parliament of this republic cannot wait for them.
00:12:32 And hence, as often been the practice, I want to appeal to you that the answers to these
00:12:39 questions be published, except for question 1405, which stands in the name of General
00:12:49 Bufi Setse.
00:12:50 So for speaker, it's your leave.
00:12:56 Now among the key business the house considered was a statement from the food and agriculture
00:13:01 ministry on the debt owed to suppliers of the buffer stock company.
00:13:05 According to the minister of agriculture, Dr. Briody Champong, the suppliers will be
00:13:10 paid today.
00:13:11 Buffer stock has made payments in respect of 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 in full.
00:13:20 Mr. Speaker, in 2022, of the 726,617,881 Ghana cities, 500 million cities have been paid
00:13:35 to the suppliers.
00:13:36 We still owe suppliers a little more than 203 million Ghana cities.
00:13:44 Such release, Mr. Speaker, we've sent to finance, and last week we received 100 million,
00:13:56 which is 50% of what is due the suppliers.
00:13:59 We have transferred same through the processes to buffer stock.
00:14:03 We are hoping that, Mr. Speaker, by the midweek this week, that 50% will be sent to suppliers.
00:14:10 Mr. Speaker, I have also assured the suppliers that by the 17th of August, as we commence
00:14:19 the payment of the 50% 17th of July, by the 17th of August, the remaining 50% will be
00:14:28 paid.
00:14:29 Mr. Speaker, we have kept faith with the buffer stock suppliers.
00:14:33 As I mentioned, the total business that we've done with the buffer stock company is to the
00:14:41 tune and exact 2,705,408,476 cities and 58 Pesos, 2.7 billion, out of which 2.5 billion
00:14:55 has been made.
00:14:58 And we will pay the remaining 200 million that is submitted to us in full by the end
00:15:06 of August.
00:15:07 We commence payment hopefully by Wednesday, and in a month's time, the total payment will
00:15:13 be made.
00:15:14 We don't have challenges with the suppliers, so we are extremely surprised about the happenings
00:15:24 in the last one, two weeks, but we take it in good faith and we continue to work with
00:15:30 them.
00:15:33 Now a Dean of the Faculty of Biosciences at the University for Development Studies, Professor
00:15:38 Elliot Haruna Alhassan, has called on the African Union to pay attention to the peace
00:15:43 in the Central African region, considering the importance of that region to Africa's
00:15:48 water resources.
00:15:50 He says, if there is ever any shortage of water in Africa, this is the only region that
00:15:55 water can be found in.
00:15:57 Professor Elliot wants the AU to ensure that the security of that region is protected.
00:16:02 He's been speaking at the University for Development Studies in Tamale.
00:16:06 The topic for the 15th inaugural lecture was Life Below Water, the Development and Tragedy
00:16:14 of Ghana's Inland Fisheries.
00:16:17 Professor Elliot Haruna Alhassan said, security of the Central African Republic region, therefore,
00:16:25 must be of paramount importance to the African body.
00:16:28 It is the Central African sub-region, and the countries in this sub-region are Angola,
00:16:47 and the African continent.
00:17:06 Professor Elliot also raised concerns over the destruction of Ghana's water bodies and
00:17:11 its effect on aquatic life.
00:17:12 The aquatic ecosystem is a diverse, including coastal waters, fresh waters, and brackish,
00:17:18 as well as marine ecosystems.
00:17:21 They support a diversity of fisheries resources, which serve as food for man, fish as a resource,
00:17:31 fish as animal assistance, fish as medicine, fish as a biotechnology, fish as management,
00:17:38 fish as a resource, fish as a resource.
00:17:45 These ecosystems also provide significant ecosystem services to Ghana, including the
00:17:49 navigation of transports, water abstraction for domestic and industrial use, control of
00:17:53 climate and diseases, degradation through climate and natural balances, recreation,
00:17:57 and of course, hydro power generation.
00:18:00 Unfortunately, most of our inland waters, especially rivers, have been subjected to
00:18:05 habitat degradation and aquatic pollution through illegal summer scape mining, popularly
00:18:11 known in Ghana as "Galaxy," where consequent aquatic rip-offs from water quality affect
00:18:17 aquatic life and even humans.
00:18:19 He said illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing accounted for 53% of Ghana's reported
00:18:28 fish catch, something he said was worrying.
00:18:31 Mr. Chairman, the picture tonight below represents a non-sustainable aquaculture.
00:18:36 A majority of fishes, over 80% of our seashores, are fully fished over fish today.
00:18:43 Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, otherwise known as "IU fishing," accounts
00:18:48 for as much as 53% of reported catch.
00:18:52 Sustainable fishing, Mr. Chairman, therefore means leaving enough fish in the ocean and
00:18:57 in the waters, respecting heavy glassing, and ensuring people who depend on fishes have
00:19:02 maintained their livelihoods.
00:19:04 A conventional idea of a sustainable fishing is one that discovers no assistance to normal
00:19:08 rates, while the fish population does not decline over time.
00:19:13 Sustainable fishing contributes to global food security, prevents protein demand, shifting
00:19:18 our land, and causes federal deforestation.
00:19:24 Sustainability in fish fishing requires theoretical disciplines, such as the operation dynamics
00:19:29 of fishes, with practical strategies including avoiding the proficient tool techniques, such
00:19:34 as individual fishing boaters, containing the destructive and illegal fishing practices
00:19:39 by lawmaking appropriate law and policy.
00:19:43 The Vice Chancellor of the UDS, Professor Seydou Alahassan, praised Professor Elliot
00:19:48 for his contribution in the area of aquatic life.
00:19:52 All his publications were relevant to the area Professor Seydou is looking at, which
00:19:59 is fishes in aquatic sciences.
00:20:03 So, with all his publications, including his 1972 publication, they are all in that area.
00:20:11 Fishes, aquatic science.
00:20:14 How many of us agree with that?
00:20:18 That is very good.
00:20:22 And it is on that aquatic note that we wrap up the news this morning.
00:20:28 But do stay with us.
00:20:29 Shortly, we serve you the news review.
00:20:32 (dramatic music)
00:20:54 Hi there.
00:20:55 Welcome aboard the news review and we host Dr. Kwame Asasanti.
00:21:01 He is a political scientist, also director of the Center for European Studies at the
00:21:05 University of Ghana.
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00:21:48 But just the top of the morning and the start of the news review.
00:21:51 A very good morning to you, Doc.
00:21:53 Good morning, Ben.
00:21:55 How are you, my brother?
00:21:56 Ah, we day, we day.
00:21:59 Over the weekend, I saw something that reminded me of your fish farm.
00:22:03 You know, there are these point and kill places.
00:22:08 And I saw something, and this was catfish, and it just reminded me of your own fish farms.
00:22:15 Is it tilapia you do or catfish as well?
00:22:18 Catfish.
00:22:19 Catfish?
00:22:20 Yeah.
00:22:21 I'm about to introduce tilapia.
00:22:24 I'm going through the process.
00:22:25 I just did a bit of research when I saw this.
00:22:28 I did a bit of research on this, and I realized that, look, it's not an easy space to be in.
00:22:34 Some people may think, oh, yeah, you get the fingerlings and you're good to go.
00:22:38 Catfish are carnivorous, so you lose some of them through cannibalism if you are not careful.
00:22:45 Then you have to feed them. When they are young, there are specifics you have to feed them.
00:22:50 When they are older, there are specifics you have to feed them.
00:22:53 If you buy proper feed, as in their weight, and give it to them right from the start, you will incur huge losses.
00:23:00 I mean, how have you been able to sustain this?
00:23:03 You know, I have read extensively on that.
00:23:06 And I also engage those who are stakeholders and who have knowledge in their business.
00:23:14 And then practice through observation.
00:23:19 I've been able to learn a lot. Yes.
00:23:23 I have a diary, farm diary, that I record every happening.
00:23:27 And then I go and ask questions and I seek answers.
00:23:30 And thank God, those I consult, they are ready to assist me at all times.
00:23:37 And it's interesting.
00:23:38 So finally, I'm just curious.
00:23:40 And who knows, by having this conversation, maybe someone may be inspired to go into it.
00:23:44 Maybe that could be your calling. But for how long have you done this?
00:23:47 And how many catfish, averagely, do you have now?
00:23:51 I started last year. And, you know, I have about, I think, a little about 4,000 pieces.
00:24:03 Yes. And we are moving on. Yes.
00:24:08 We are moving on. Well, the difficulty with that industry is feed.
00:24:15 It's so expensive. And then you need to be able to get some substitute.
00:24:24 And that is what I am working on.
00:24:28 But, yeah, feeding is a problem because per bag, you are running over 300.
00:24:35 And if you should keep them for about six months, you know what we are talking about.
00:24:39 For each pond that contains about 1,000 pieces of fish, then where they consume about one bag per day,
00:24:49 and it's about 320 thereabouts for about six months, eight months,
00:24:55 you need a lot of money to inject into the process.
00:24:59 But all in all, if you are able to manage it prudently and ensure that you do what is needful,
00:25:07 I have no doubt in my mind that you are home and dry at the end of the day.
00:25:12 I do know that just a cap of this end of the conversation, I do know that at some points,
00:25:18 the starting, the initial stages with the fingerlings, some people even feed the maggots and others,
00:25:24 which is common in fish farming. I don't know whether you've considered that.
00:25:28 And I also know that if you grow them and you sell them fresh as they are, you lose a chunk of the money.
00:25:36 Because when they come into the cities, there's a lot of value added.
00:25:40 Sometimes these point and kill points, of course, they'll kill them, process them, dress them up,
00:25:48 roast or put them in an oven and all of that. And then they pass them on.
00:25:53 Even more, there are those who process them for export because they they they engage parties outside the country.
00:26:01 And that is the best. So adding value always is the way to go.
00:26:05 But anyway, I'm exploring all those options. I have a cousin in the United Kingdom trying to see the European markets.
00:26:13 And then also there's an NGO that works people through a training of smoking them and adding value.
00:26:20 My wife has decided that he will also join with the smoking anger.
00:26:26 And then we are good to go. The whole idea is that to be able to build something that it can get people employed and then introduce to the youth.
00:26:37 And then let also let them finish school and get into something that is of economic benefit.
00:26:44 Interesting. I didn't plan on going down this road to this morning, but I have because it just came to mind right when we started.
00:26:52 And who knows who may have been excited about it and who could be pumping money into that?
00:26:57 Of course, it will create jobs and also maybe help beat down the prices of catfish out there.
00:27:03 But two quick things I want you to look at for me in a minute and a half, if you can.
00:27:07 Parliament, the minority is still staying away from Parliament for the first time yesterday.
00:27:12 The majority sat in Parliament. They initiated business.
00:27:16 Of course, there were some things they were not able to do because of the numbers.
00:27:19 And then, on the other hand, the media budget review. It's slated for the 25th of this month.
00:27:26 Yesterday, I was here having an interaction together with George Raffik of our business desk on and with major stakeholders on what to expect.
00:27:36 Some people say clearly we don't need any more taxes.
00:27:40 What are your expectations on these two? Yeah, I would touch on the NDC boycott.
00:27:46 Yes, it's part of a strategy in Parliament to boycott, to stage a walkout and all that, to champion a cause that you believe and believe in strongly.
00:27:58 The NDC feel that there's a need to give the colleague moral support in court and all that.
00:28:04 But for how long they will be able to stay out of Parliament is the problem, because the rules governing their work there, that is from the standing orders.
00:28:15 Once you hit a number of days, you have sent yourself from Parliament, then you will be sanctioned.
00:28:26 And that but they could be absent with permission. That is different.
00:28:31 Yeah, but the permission is going to grant that if you look at the conversation in Parliament and all that.
00:28:38 So the speaker was merely alerting them that if you're going to do this, then let me remind you, you have a 15 day or 15 appearance deadline, sort of, or room within which to operate.
00:28:49 So if you're going to do this, then you must trigger the necessary processes. I believe that was what what happened in Parliament.
00:28:57 Yes, but you know, there are strategies here. They will come in when they are getting close to the deadline.
00:29:03 Yes, they will stay away when they are getting closer to the deadline. They come in and then they come on and off.
00:29:09 That's what I'm expecting will happen. But, you know, they cannot stay out of Parliament forever.
00:29:16 And majority can also not work without them, because certain even the start of work of Parliament, you need a quorum about one third of members of Parliament.
00:29:27 You are talking about 90 people in Parliament, and that is going to be a problem.
00:29:32 You can start and gloss over, but somebody can trigger a legal process and that will abort all that is that you have done.
00:29:42 Right. That is also there. It's also affect certain bills. If you're talking about financial bills, you need the minority, however small they are.
00:29:51 They must depart. And once you are moving into the budget, the media budget, you are going to.
00:29:58 Yeah. Yes. You are going to need them at all times.
00:30:03 So I think the leadership will have to talk and see the common ground in this matter.
00:30:10 But I can see that it's not an easy conversation. It's a difficult one because there are, you know, gains and then losses that to be expected from this type of process.
00:30:23 But I come back to budget. Yes. Looking at the economic conditions that we find ourselves, I don't think it's necessary for government to overburden us with taxes because we are already bad.
00:30:40 If you look at the financial conditions we find ourselves, it's difficult for people to make ends meet. So you will not want to overburden them with a new set of taxes and all that.
00:30:53 These things, as soon as you do and we are getting closer to election, you know, the implications. Apart from that, I'm not sure that it will bode well for a government that is trying to gain footing economic.
00:31:14 Hello, Doc. Well, we'll get a picketing wing on. Look at. Yeah. Can you hear me? I can hear you now. We lost you for just a few seconds.
00:31:24 Yes. I was saying that if the government there's no point the government to go ahead and then introduce some taxes now because the economic challenges that we are facing now are very close ones.
00:31:38 Right. People are struggling to make ends meet. So a government that is trying to carry everybody along, a government that is trying to fix the economy and make life better.
00:31:49 You don't compound the situation by introducing additional taxes that will create all manner of problem for society.
00:31:56 And it doesn't bode well for a government that tries to break the eight because all of these have implications on elections.
00:32:05 Right. So let's quickly get into the papers now. We'll start with the Daily Graphic newspaper.
00:32:11 UGK and USD run on approved courses. Authorities move to rectify the anomaly. I'll be getting into that story.
00:32:19 There's also support our quest to transform economy. President of the Florida to Portugal.
00:32:23 Then there's access bank PLC standard chartered bank sign acquisition deal. Of course, the takeover.
00:32:30 So to speak of assets, parks and gardens cries for swift help. 90 percent workforce near retirement.
00:32:37 That's a worry. And then government approves new salary structure for juice out. Speaking of new salary structures.
00:32:44 Anyway, I'll leave it there. Now, the 2021 Auditor General's report has revealed that the University of Ghana, Lagone, is running 371 unaccredited programs, including 80 undergraduate programs or courses.
00:33:01 The unaccredited programs also include 213 postgraduate and 67 doctor of philosophy courses.
00:33:09 Similarly, officials of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology also appeared before the public accounts committee of Parliament and admitted that the key and USD was running a number of unaccredited programs.
00:33:20 But the registrar of the University of Ghana, Mrs. Amelia J. Menson, told the committee in a cry yesterday that 60 of the undergraduate programs of the institution had been fully accredited.
00:33:32 While the university had put in place systems to ensure that all outstanding unaccredited courses went through the accreditation process successfully in an answer to a question as to whether the statements were examined and issued with certificates on such an accredited programs.
00:33:47 She said, quote, Once the programs are rolled out, certificates are issued.
00:33:52 She, however, stressed that measures had been adopted to ensure that all unaccredited programs went through the accreditation process successfully.
00:33:59 We know about the bottlenecks in this situation because coming up with a program and the accreditation process, sometimes it takes quite a long time and there are certain bottlenecks and universities go ahead and roll them out.
00:34:12 But what do we do in such a situation? How do we bring this to the barest minimum? You lecture at the University of Ghana.
00:34:19 What do you think? Yeah, thank God. Eugene has taken initial steps, I think, two years ago, if my memory serves me right.
00:34:30 And then they have detailed the process by which each of the units department is supposed to go through in order to get accreditation.
00:34:39 And it's really false. The provost, chancellor, academic affairs has been very supportive in this direction.
00:34:48 And all the heads have been made to walk their courses through appropriate processes to get the necessary accreditation.
00:34:58 And they remind you from time to time, each of the units from your dean, from the provost, from everybody.
00:35:06 It's so I can speak for Ligon. Ligon is on top of it.
00:35:11 So I know in no time these bottlenecks will be addressed.
00:35:18 Well, let's get into that story on page 20.
00:35:23 Maybe I'll start from page 13 with those two and then go to page 20. Let's get to page 13.
00:35:31 It's the very next one. So Parks and Gardens cries for swift help.
00:35:36 90 percent workforce near retirement and the Department of Parks and Gardens, the state agency responsible for the development of the country's horticultural potential,
00:35:45 is facing a human resource crisis as over 90 percent of its staff are due for retirement within the next five years.
00:35:52 The retirement of the 369 staff has called for the urgent need for the department to fill the many vacancies across the country.
00:36:01 The department established in 1961 had more than 2000 workers made up of technical officers, gardeners, laborers.
00:36:08 But it has lost all of them to retirement over the years without any form of replacement.
00:36:13 Of course, there's this portion as well that says we have also been provided with about 10 workers,
00:36:18 but we need a staff strength of about 2000 to make the department vibrant once again.
00:36:23 So 10 vis a vis the requirement of 2000. And you go to parks and gardens, the DVLA area in Cantonments.
00:36:35 It's a beautiful place and people come there every first and third Saturday to sell their wares and all of that.
00:36:40 But I'm wondering, even in terms of this whole drive to what do they even call it?
00:36:48 The planting we do every year, Green Ghana. This would have been a way of, you know, integrating them into the fray.
00:36:57 But as always, we'll complain. We're faced with climate change.
00:37:02 We're being stared down by global warming and we're not even paying attention to some of these things.
00:37:08 There's also government approves new salary structure for JUSAG.
00:37:14 And the government has approved a new salary structure for the staff of the judicial service.
00:37:17 In a press statement issued last Monday, the president of the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana,
00:37:23 Samuel Afote, said the implementation of the salary structure was expected to take effect this month.
00:37:29 The association commended the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Saki Tokonu,
00:37:34 for her ingenuity and exceptional leadership with various stakeholders to arrive at that decision.
00:37:39 We do know that they were, you know, threatening some sort of industrial action on the back of some of these matters.
00:37:51 So those two stories. Doc, let me just add this third one and have you react.
00:37:58 So President Nanaru Dankweku Fuadu has called on the developed world, especially Portugal, to assist Ghana to turn back its old economy,
00:38:05 which is dependent on the production, export of raw materials and aid.
00:38:10 He said Ghana wanted to build a value added and industrialized economy with modernized agriculture,
00:38:15 which was neither a victim nor a pawn of the world economic order.
00:38:21 And he said the latest engagement would go a long way to strengthen the ties of friendship and the bonds of cooperation between Ghana and Portugal.
00:38:27 Mr. President, though, you want to build a value added and industrialized economy.
00:38:32 Wishes aren't horses. You must put in place the right policies, the right fundamentals.
00:38:38 Like when I had the likes of Dr. Humphrey, I am back in the studio yesterday of the AGI.
00:38:47 When Guta came, when people in industry came, it's not the rhetoric after after what, six and a half years.
00:38:55 Where is 1D1F, 1V1D, one village, one dam, among others.
00:39:01 These are the things that could have spurred on the development we want to see. Alas, it is what it is.
00:39:08 Quick thoughts on these three. And then we say goodbye to the daily graphic.
00:39:12 Yeah, I think I will begin with the parks and gardens. This is a very important unit of the public in terms of the service that they deliver.
00:39:24 They have a lot of responsibilities. And if they tackle them well, the benefit is all there for us to see.
00:39:34 Over the years, they've done their bit. But I'm surprised to hear the story that it seems to me that there is no succession plan.
00:39:44 Because how do you have a unit where, you know, people will go on retirement?
00:39:48 And then, you know, people will even resign. And then if some people are even fired, you don't have a plan of what sustaining people, maintaining the system.
00:39:58 And it's surprising. And it speaks volumes of what we are seeing in recent times in terms of the work of parks and gardens.
00:40:07 Take, for instance, the beautification of the city, the middle track of our routes where the plot land has ended up.
00:40:20 These things are kept in proper shape. Sometimes you see and you ask yourself whether we have forests and all that.
00:40:27 So this one shed light on what we are seeing, because once you have a unit like this and we have inadequate staff,
00:40:34 obviously the work will be jeopardized. And that's what we are seeing.
00:40:38 Going forward, I believe that which of our organization which is responsible to oversee this, the work of this unit,
00:40:46 must make sure they get their acts together and then, you know, get going.
00:40:52 But one thing that is also clear is that sometimes they also need the necessary funds to be able to turn things around.
00:41:00 If you believe in beautification of the city and the rest of them, I think we cannot hold money to our chest,
00:41:07 but give it to them so that they can develop and also support them with human resource. That's the way to go.
00:41:13 I also look at the salary structure of judicial service staff.
00:41:19 It's a good thing because the constitution makes it abundantly clear that people must be paid for the services that they render.
00:41:28 So if you realize that a time has come for them, for their services, their remuneration to be improved, why not?
00:41:37 Because that serves as a catalyst that speeds up the reaction of people trying to give their all to the society.
00:41:46 Anything that falls short of it creates an omen of disincentive for those who are in the industry.
00:41:53 But having talked about incentive, then we also must tie it to what the output that yes,
00:42:01 now that it received something that they have worked for and it has been approved for them, we also want them to step up their game.
00:42:11 The story of, you know, you know, files getting missing and all that, the problems associated with judicial service,
00:42:20 we want them to bring it to the barest minimum so that our judiciary will stand the test of time.
00:42:26 I want to also move on to the present call for the need to improve agriculture so as to what?
00:42:36 Move it into another level where there is a value addition. We have had this time and again.
00:42:41 And you did not miss where when you talk about the records we have received over the years for the past six years,
00:42:48 when we are talking about this government is becoming one too many.
00:42:52 And every time that they mention this, yes, move on to let's move the country on to, you know, value addition level and all that.
00:43:02 Sometimes I ask myself, are we serious as a state?
00:43:05 And part of the problem is that we as a society has been so gullible and we have not taking politicians on for the things that they promise us.
00:43:14 And when we are getting to election, they come around and then, you know, dole out resources to us and we are good to go.
00:43:21 These are some of the things that affect our very survivor. If a government fails to do that, we show the government the exit.
00:43:28 We have been too charitable to governments, and that's why they've got a penchant of doing what they are doing.
00:43:35 The economy, nothing can save the Ghanaian economy if we don't industrialize, if you don't add value.
00:43:41 And when are we going to do that? Issue of 1D, 1F you are talking about and the rest of them.
00:43:47 Some are nothing but what white elephant. And we have sunk in a lot.
00:43:52 Last I was talking to a professor of economics at Lagos and he was, you know, educating me on some of the things that really affected our economy.
00:44:01 And I asked myself, wow, how can we fix that? Look at giving buildings that we are put up and they are in the bush.
00:44:09 Have you thought about the fact that we took resources to erect them and have you put what effective use on them?
00:44:18 Have you ensure prudence and all that? And these are the little little things that take us to the IMF.
00:44:23 Where? Right. Hello, Doc.
00:44:31 Doc's feed seems to have been frozen. OK, Doc, I can hear you now.
00:44:36 Could you quickly wrap on that point so we get into other papers?
00:44:39 So I'm saying that going forward, we need to put our ass together and make sure that what we tell the people we deliver at the end of the day
00:44:47 and when we feel people must master the courage and throw government out to elections.
00:44:52 Right. I said we would move on. But just quickly on the international front, former Ghana Twitter employees having anxiety attacks and some of the Twitter,
00:45:00 some of Twitter's former employees in Africa have told the BBC that they are tired of the drawn out negotiations over their severance pay.
00:45:08 On Monday, the BBC reported that the social media company had been silent since May on all negotiations with the ex employees,
00:45:15 lawyers following the massive layoffs in November last year, including Ghana.
00:45:19 I hear even the Ghana caucus has been blocked by Elon Musk and that their severance pay has not been given to them.
00:45:28 They are being treated very differently from those in other parts of the world, the United States, among others.
00:45:33 Again, it talks about how porous our systems are so that we can allow these foreign entities to do whatever they like over here.
00:45:41 Why should other people in different jurisdictions be treated differently from those in Ghana, for example?
00:45:47 Russia, great deal exit stab in the back. That's according to Kenya.
00:45:51 We know that the Russians are saying the deal in the Black Sea may have to come to an abrupt end.
00:45:58 And Russia's withdrawal from the deal, allowing Ukraine to safely export grain through the Black Sea,
00:46:03 is a stab in the back for those in drought hit countries. Kenya, the Kenyan government has said.
00:46:10 But let's move on quickly from there to the Daily Guide newspaper.
00:46:14 ADB MD endorses a confit factory model. Of course, you have manual files for a dentist seat.
00:46:19 And yesterday she was telling my colleague Evans Mensa that she is funding her campaign through funds being generated by,
00:46:26 I think, family, friends, so colleagues from school and all of that.
00:46:30 I found it rather interesting. Baumya campaign team unveiled Sami Oku leads refund MP aspirants money.
00:46:38 MPP neck says Sue and that equation trial resumes. Let's go to page three and just do those stories there very quickly.
00:46:46 So the National Executive Committee of the ruling New Patriotic Party has urged all regional executive committees of the party to immediately cease issuing any orders on the conduct of parliamentary primaries in often constituencies.
00:47:00 It also wants all money taken from prospective parliamentary candidates pursuant to these, quote, unauthorized and unapproved directives be refunded to them in line with the letter and spirit of this communication.
00:47:12 The neck in a statement issued and signed by the party's general secretary, Justin Kodya from Paul, said its attention had been drawn to, quote,
00:47:18 various directives issued by some regional executive committees to aspiring candidates on the conduct of the party's upcoming parliamentary primaries in, quote, often constituencies.
00:47:29 The directives include, but are not limited to the fixing of tentative dates for the conduct of the parliamentary primaries.
00:47:36 It goes on and on. Let me just get to this.
00:47:42 So typhoon lashes China as the extreme weather grips Asia. A lot there to talk about.
00:47:49 And in the entertainment spread, Akon admits pretending to be African prince and he has confessed to lying about his background in the past, pretending to be an African prince.
00:48:03 Well, it's good that he's now come out to say what is and then Michie. I'm talking about Shata Michie empowers youth with hustle.
00:48:12 Anyway, those are the stories there. Any reactions to this bit about a refund for MP aspirants money?
00:48:20 Doc, I think I'll look at that. If you look at what we are talking about,
00:48:27 then the problem stems from the fact that institutions are broken down within the party or are very weak.
00:48:35 And when I say institutions, I'm talking about the rules, the procedures, the processes, the norms and what have you.
00:48:41 Any party with assault is supposed to have institutions that stand the test of time.
00:48:46 And at each point in time, communication comes through, but it comes from a directed source where it is known, verified.
00:48:56 And you check the recipient, whether they receive the right information.
00:49:03 So I'm surprised that to hear that people give conflicting information to the standard.
00:49:11 Now, the party is saying that whatever money is that you have received from such people, you should refund them.
00:49:18 Going forward, I think that this doesn't augur well for a party such as MPP, which pride itself with rule of law.
00:49:29 They believe that all these things can be fixed if the team put it together and ensure that communication comes from a particular source
00:49:40 and then filters through the process and get to everybody at the right time.
00:49:45 Right. Let's let's wrap up with these stories. I'll take something from the Finder, the Ghanaian publisher and the new publisher.
00:49:53 The Finder newspaper regurgitates some of the stories we've already looked at. Ghana, Portugal signed defence and economic pacts.
00:49:59 There's also Access Bank acquires standard chartered in five countries.
00:50:04 But there's agenda one on one brick suppliers cry foul over unilateral substitution of compressed earth bricks with cement blocks.
00:50:12 That's the major story there. And I'm going to take a look at it.
00:50:16 So compressed earth bricks, that is, CED, which can reduce costs by between 20 and 40 percent in the construction of agenda one on one health facilities,
00:50:25 has been ditched, squeezing the manufacturers engaged to supply the bricks into serious financial crisis.
00:50:31 The manufacturers imported at least 20 specialized machines and accessories with an average price of each machine pegged at over forty five thousand dollars,
00:50:40 depending on its capacity. Now, by unilaterally substituting compressed earth bricks with sand creed brick blocks,
00:50:48 the manufacturers who contracted bank loans to invest say they cannot serve the loans and will be forced to sell their personal assets to pay them off.
00:50:59 Now, apart from the cost savings, the use of the bricks will help reduce Ghana's carbon footprint to attain sustainable development goals on climate change and achieve carbon neutrality.
00:51:09 But my problem here, Doc, the point that it appears we always it's almost as though we didn't know where we wanted to go.
00:51:18 So you tell people something. Look at the buffer stock and how they have struggled with dealing with suppliers.
00:51:25 Now, here we are. Those who are supposed to supply bricks for agenda one on one are also saying this is what is happening to us.
00:51:32 You make them contract loans. They purchase this equipment and now you change from the C.E.B. to San Cree blocks.
00:51:39 What do you expect them to do? Look at the cost of securing loans at this point in time.
00:51:44 What are your expectations of them? Then there is the Ghanaian publisher Obi Amwa condemns acrimony among aspirants, of course, the party's aspirants.
00:51:53 But this one is the story I'm going to do. Minister slams Kennedy at Japan, tells him to stop acting greedy or greedily, if you like.
00:52:01 So that story, let me just get to it. The member of parliament for Takrati, Kwebena Ochoa-Dakomensa, has taken a swipe at the outspoken businessman and MP for us in central Kenya, Japan.
00:52:14 According to Mr. Dakomensa, who is also the Western regional minister, Mr. Japan is acting greedily and unfairly, attacking the government.
00:52:22 And a few and a fellow contender in the race, Vice President Dr. Baumeer, speaking in an interview on Takrati based Radio 360 on Monday.
00:52:30 The minister shielded Baumeer from a scathing attack by Mr. Japan, who recently blamed Baumeer for Ghana's economic woes.
00:52:38 And there's a lot he's been saying on that trajectory. And finally, Akoto woos delegates with plantain trees.
00:52:44 That's the new publisher newspaper. How is he doing that? That story is on page three.
00:52:49 And I'm talking about Dr. Akoto Efreye. So former minister of food and agriculture, Dr. Akoto,
00:52:57 who prides himself as having transformed Ghana's agricultural sector, is leaving nothing to chance and uses that as a major trump card.
00:53:04 Now, guess what he's been showing up with recently during the campaigns?
00:53:08 The plantain tree was displayed as a symbol of the planting for food and jobs program implemented by Dr. Akoto as minister of agriculture from 2017 to January 2023.
00:53:19 So he has been displaying plantain trees and saying, look, this is what you can expect.
00:53:24 Should I become president someday? Quick thoughts. Yeah, I'll talk about the minister slamming Kennedy Japan.
00:53:34 I'm surprised the minister is taking such a position. For me, it's nothing but hypocritical because we have also received reports in the media.
00:53:43 Why? The vice president has also been attacking Mr. Japan. What do you expect?
00:53:47 You think we say Japan will not respond? I'm not a spokesman for Mr. Japan, but I'm looking at the issue fairly,
00:53:53 because if there are statements that the vice president may directed towards Mr. Japan, obviously, Mr. Japan will respond.
00:54:01 But what we are saying is that if the party doesn't take care, these things will ruin them the more.
00:54:08 Because if the the the the those who are contesting for position, they decide not to go on the route of, you know,
00:54:21 having messages, real messages that resonate with the people, but they're trying to engage in carotid assassination.
00:54:28 They will end up destroying themselves. And, you know, one of them will emerge victorious by which time the person has been destroyed already.
00:54:37 So I'm wondering if such a situation arises, how are they going to repair the damaged image of that person?
00:54:44 If they really want to sell the person to Ghanaians for elections, it's going to be a difficult one.
00:54:50 And I expect the Council of Editors to put their foot down without fear or favor.
00:54:54 It seems to me the Council of Editors has been too slow, too sluggish in dealing with this situation because it's getting out of hand.
00:55:02 There are real issues that should confront them. And that should be the thing that should engage the attention of those who really want power.
00:55:10 But carotid assassination, you know, outbursts, unnecessary outbursts and insults and all that doesn't gel well for a party that really wants to maintain power and continue the forward march of the democratic agenda.
00:55:25 I believe the time is now for well-meaning members of the party to call all aspirants and then let them work them to certain code of conduct so as to save themselves.
00:55:37 Otherwise, then there are more difficulties ahead of them.
00:55:42 I am not a prophet of doom, but from where I sit, I can see that.
00:55:46 Right. Well, Doc, thank you so much for joining us, as always.
00:55:51 Refreshing having you. I wish you the best of the day, sir.
00:55:54 Thank you. I wish you a good day, sir.
00:55:56 All right. Dr. Kwame Asa Asante is a political scientist, also director of the Center for European Studies at the University of Ghana.
00:56:03 As we cap off the conversation today, I have to remind you that the segment always brought to you by Endpoint Homeopathic Clinic.
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00:56:14 Make tracks to any of their branches dotted across the country.
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00:56:37 Endpoint Homeopathic Clinic, the end to chronic disease.
00:56:40 But we still have a lot more coming your way this morning in sports. Up next.
00:56:45 [Music]
00:57:12 You're still watching the AM show and it's time for sports. My name is Harun Ombuarak.
00:57:16 We start with women's football because Ghana is through to the next round of the Paris 2024 Olympics qualifiers after their 4-0 win over Guinea at Accra Sports Stadium yesterday.
00:57:28 The Black Queens advanced on a 7-0 aggregate, having secured 3-0 victory in the first leg in Conakry.
00:57:35 My colleague Lawrence Bedoo was there yesterday at Accra Sports Stadium and has this report.
00:57:40 Evelyn Bedoo opened the scoring in the 36th minute of the game, lofting the ball over the unrushing Guinea goalkeeper to put Ghana ahead.
00:57:49 [Cheering]
00:57:57 After a few chances missed in the first half, there was no stopping Priscilla Edubia this time as she scored 7 minutes into the second period of the game.
00:58:05 Bedoo grabbed her second goal of the evening with a calm effort from a rebound minutes later before substitute Fidal Ziakoubou put the game to bed.
00:58:14 The Hazake's ladies' midfielder tapped into an empty net after a brilliant work by Bedoo down the right flank.
00:58:21 [Cheering]
00:58:31 Speaking at the end of the game, the head coach of the side, Nora Habto, said she was satisfied with the performance of her team but believes they could have scored more at Accra Sports Stadium.
00:58:41 All in all, I think it was a good game. We played tonight, we levelled up in terms of the first game we had away in Guinea.
00:58:50 I think we liked that the pitch is rolling much better here, so our possession game was good.
00:58:56 Our rest defence was perfectly set, so we didn't allow them to enter in counter-attacks.
00:59:04 I think we had a big dominance on the pitch. Of course, the only thing I can judge is that we should have scored a bit more goals out of all these chances.
00:59:16 But all in all, I'm very satisfied, happy that we passed this first qualification round.
00:59:22 Prior to the game, Kamara Sekuba, who is the head coach of Guinea, had promised that his side were going to play for pride and honour.
00:59:31 However, the scoreline from the Accra Sports Stadium was a sign of disappointment rather than hope.
00:59:37 In a sports match, he mentions that the Ghanaian team were far too good for his side to cope.
00:59:43 Ghana is a strong country, Ghana is very experienced and we were waiting to have a very strong side.
00:59:50 We have a very young team and we had about a week or two to get ready for this tournament.
00:59:57 This is the result that we are seeing today. We are trying our best to make sure we have a strong team for the future, so that in the future we can also go ahead in this type of competition.
01:00:09 Progressing to the next round of qualifiers means Benin is the next task for Ghana.
01:00:16 But before Benin, the Black Queens will face Rwanda as part of their qualifications for the next edition of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
01:00:25 Reporting for Joyce Sports, Lawrence Beidou from the Accra Sports Stadium.
01:00:29 To the men's senior national team, the Black Stars, they will take on Mexico in an international friendly during the October break.
01:00:40 A statement from the GFA stated it has signed a contract with the Mexican Football Federation for the international friendly.
01:00:48 The game will be played on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at a venue yet to be announced.
01:00:54 The friendly is to help the Black Stars prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers set to start in November this year.
01:01:02 And of course, the Africa Cup of Nations as well, which will come off in January next year, a tournament Ghana is yet to qualify for.
01:01:10 Now, former Black Stars player Ibrahim Sandé says the launch of the national football philosophy is a bit too late and should have been done a couple of years ago.
01:01:24 The GFA announced the initiative last week to ensure a unique style of play and coaching for the various national teams.
01:01:31 Sandé believes the policy will take time before results begin to reflect.
01:01:36 Yes, it's been too late, yes. That one is true. It's been too late because I think we have not been planning very well.
01:01:45 The whole problem is lack of good planning. That's why. So, that's why we are now lacking behind.
01:01:57 And I believe if we plan well, we'll go back to our olden days where we win our matches and winning cups and so on and so forth.
01:02:13 It's something that we have to go through and then try to practice it and see the result. If really we do it well, I think we'll get a good result.
01:02:34 Now, two days from now, the semi-finals of the MTN Ashanti Fest 2023 will be held in Kumasi.
01:02:42 Since the competition started weeks ago, fans have been treated to good football and impressive goals.
01:02:47 One of the players drawing crowd is Emmanuel Osubuache, who is a joint top scorer with six goals so far.
01:02:54 Let's see how the man is representing KwaDasu got his six goals.
01:02:59 [Football commentary]
01:03:02 [Football commentary]
01:03:04 [Football commentary]
01:03:10 [Football commentary]
01:03:17 [Football commentary]
01:03:27 [Football commentary]
01:03:31 [Football commentary]
01:03:38 [Football commentary]
01:03:55 [Football commentary]
01:03:57 [Football commentary]
01:04:03 [Football commentary]
01:04:09 [Football commentary]
01:04:19 [Football commentary]
01:04:39 Well, now, Bwachen and his KwaDasu teammates will face Eji Suwao, Dechamsu, Play Santasi.
01:04:44 All games will be at 2pm on Friday at the Otoomfo Park in Dechamsu.
01:04:49 Now, let's go to England.
01:04:51 England striker Marcus Rashford has signed a new deal to stay at Manchester United until 2028.
01:04:58 The 25-year-old had been in talks with United for a considerable period with his contract due to expire in 2024.
01:05:06 The striker enjoyed a resurgence under new manager Eric Ten Hag last season, scoring 30 goals in 56 games.
01:05:13 Since his debut in 2016 against Midtjylland, Rashford has hit 123 goals in 359 appearances.
01:05:22 Still in England, but to London because Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino says the club is working hard on getting new players ahead of the new football season.
01:05:35 The Blues have been linked with several players after a host of departures in the current transfer window.
01:05:42 That's your sports. For more, you can head on to myjoyonline.com.
01:05:46 My name is Aaron Barak and the AM Show continues.
01:05:50 [music]
01:06:16 This is the AM Show. Welcome back.
01:06:19 We get into our big stories and we kickstart the conversation from the standpoint of that latest report which shows that in the third quarter of last year,
01:06:28 about 1.5 million Ghanaians aged between 15 and 24 years, that by the way, that age group, constitutes about 24.2% of them,
01:06:39 were neither in some form of education, employment or training.
01:06:43 Well, there are myriad consequences of that and we're going to be exploring them with our guest this morning, Dr. Pearl Che.
01:06:51 Now, she's a lecturer at the Regional Institute for Population Studies, that is RIFS of the University of Ghana.
01:06:59 Dr. Che, a very good morning to you. Thank you so much for joining us on the AM Show.
01:07:04 You would have to unmute, Dr. Che.
01:07:12 Sorry, I forgot I was muted. OK, can you hear me now?
01:07:14 I can hear you. I can hear you very well. Thank you so much for joining the conversation.
01:07:19 Good morning. Thank you for having me.
01:07:22 What do you make of the latest reports? It makes for cold reading in terms of the numbers.
01:07:30 In summary, what do you make of this latest revelation?
01:07:37 Yes. So, OK, so first of all, I think the press release was done in, you know, to raise awareness on Well-Being Skills Day,
01:07:45 which is really supposed to highlight the importance of equipping our youth with employable skills,
01:07:50 to be able to transition to the labour force and really live productive lives and also contribute to the development of the nation.
01:07:58 So this, yes, this report, the statistics in the report were released earlier in the year, I think in May.
01:08:06 And yes, the number of the proportion, which is about a quarter, is really about the global percent, which is 23 percent.
01:08:15 And globally, it's a concern. So definitely, if we are recording the same proportion as the global number,
01:08:21 which is a concern, then it's something that we need to be concerned about.
01:08:26 And in terms of Ghana's statistics, when you look at our population as per the latest census
01:08:33 and you look at the figures we are putting out as far as youth unemployment is concerned,
01:08:39 and not just youth unemployment, youth not engaged in education, not engaged in employment, not engaged in training.
01:08:47 What picture does that paint?
01:08:51 Well, let me first talk about the youth not engaged in employment, in education, employment or training.
01:08:58 I mean, it's actually one of the SDG indicators, SDG 8.6, really because of the importance,
01:09:04 because what has been seen in other studies is that when you have youth that are not engaged in any of these three,
01:09:11 then their risk of really being socially excluded is high because they are not working, they are not in school.
01:09:16 They likely don't have the skills to help them to get those jobs that would lead them to have their productive lives.
01:09:22 So really the goal for every nation to be to try to make sure that the youth are really engaged as productively as possible.
01:09:30 And this is, I mean, for the report is talking about the youth 15 to 24.
01:09:36 In terms of the long term implications, so, you know, demographers talk a lot about what we call the demographic dividends.
01:09:44 And it's something that if you look at the developments of the East Asian countries, when you equip your youth with skills,
01:09:53 you know, when they are highly skilled and they can get skilled jobs that they can use to take care of themselves
01:10:00 and also contribute to the development of the nation, then you put yourself on a good track for sustainable development.
01:10:07 But when the youth do not have those skills, then you really are at risk of not being able to reap that demographic dividend,
01:10:13 which is supposed to help you to to develop. So really, I mean, equipping the youth with skills is very important.
01:10:20 And the focus is on skills. So the deal was actually youth skills.
01:10:24 They are not just education, because we know that you may not get everything that you need from the formal educational system.
01:10:32 Now, a lot of the things that the ILO and UNESCO talk about in terms of youth skills, you know, we go beyond reading and writing.
01:10:40 We talk about employable skills, you know, so things like working with teammates, communicating, problem solving, critical thinking.
01:10:47 And more importantly, getting those skills that you need from on the job training and work experience.
01:10:54 Sometimes the youth do not have that. So it's really important that even as people are going through their formal education system,
01:11:00 we find ways to help them to develop these employable skills so that they don't struggle to find jobs when they are out of their formal educational system.
01:11:08 And really to encourage people to to use alternative sources of learning to complement what they are getting in school to make them employable.
01:11:16 And importantly, I forgot also digital skills. I mean, I think UNESCO has said that more than 90 percent of jobs would require some digital skills.
01:11:24 We also have to make sure that youth have the digital skills.
01:11:28 They are able to have access to those devices that they will be able to to use to access the Internet or to get information,
01:11:37 to communicate with others, to search for jobs. And I know recently there was a census report on digital exclusion.
01:11:44 And then we found that, you know, really about maybe a million or two million of the youth were not, you know,
01:11:52 had not used an ICT device in the three months preceding census night.
01:11:57 And that's really not not a good thing because the Internet has been shown to be one of the ways that youth can access training opportunities,
01:12:04 job opportunities and also able to develop their skills.
01:12:09 Now, again, it paints quite a picture for Ghana because it reveals then that one in every four young persons is an NET,
01:12:20 not engaged in education, employment or training.
01:12:25 That is twenty four point two percent. This is a fourth of the youth bulge or the youth population.
01:12:33 That that also makes for stark reading, especially as you contemplate that in the greater region,
01:12:40 you're looking at the number being three hundred and twelve thousand three hundred and ninety four,
01:12:46 followed by the Ashanti region with three hundred thousand one hundred and sixty one.
01:12:50 The eastern region with over one hundred and thirty one thousand and the central region with one hundred and twenty nine thousand plus.
01:12:58 Now, you spoke about the fact that this is a core component of the SDGs eight point six.
01:13:03 But what does this say about how far Ghana has come or not come in dealing with the situation?
01:13:11 Covid came, Covid-19 came. The Russo-Ukrainian war has also been on our hands.
01:13:16 But have we done enough then in this regard?
01:13:21 So honestly, it would be difficult for me to say because I have not been the statistics have not been collected over time.
01:13:28 We also make that assessment. But what we know is that globally, the number, the proportion has increased post-Covid.
01:13:34 So the youth unemployment and the youth not in education, employment or training has increased post-Covid.
01:13:41 And it's yet to fall back to pre-Covid level. So we can assume the same pattern is holding clear.
01:13:47 But it would not be possible for me to say this now that we are having this quarterly statistics from the statistical service,
01:13:56 then we can monitor the trend over time and see how we are doing.
01:14:00 In other words, we would need sustained research. So these studies by the GSS would have to come through for about how long before we can pinpoint what exactly is happening?
01:14:13 So, I mean, globally, they look at this on an annual basis. So I think even, you know, from year to year, we can see whether we are trending.
01:14:20 So if we have a third, so this is the third quarter. I mean, sometimes there may be some seasonal things influencing what's happening,
01:14:25 but we can then see what happens in the third quarter of next year. Then we see whether we are trending upward or downward.
01:14:32 Now, the capital Accra and of course, Tema can both be found in the greater Accra region.
01:14:39 But any surprises in terms of the regional dynamics when it comes to the NEETs, of course, the greater Accra region, first, the Ashanti second,
01:14:48 you would also consider population, the eastern and central regions. Are you surprised at all?
01:14:54 Because if you look at the breakdown, you would find out that in 13 out of the 16 regions,
01:15:00 more than 20 percent of the young people aged between 15 and 24 were not in education, employment or training.
01:15:08 And this also included the eastern region with a 30 percent portion, which has the highest population of youth,
01:15:16 with a figure of about twice that of the Bono region at 14.5 percent, which has the lowest proportion.
01:15:23 So when you look at the numbers, really, you would see that while the greater Accra region has the bigger chunk in terms of the over 312,000,
01:15:31 followed by the Ashanti region, when you look at the eastern region, if you look at its youth population,
01:15:36 it has the highest proportion of youth and NEETs.
01:15:40 What do you make of that information and what should be the guiding policy on this moving forward, do you think?
01:15:49 So I think there are two things. So you mentioned the population issue.
01:15:53 So definitely when you have a larger population, we would expect that you have a larger proportion of youth not in education,
01:16:00 employment or training because there are more youth in the region.
01:16:03 And I think we have seen from the census that the greater Accra region, the Ashanti,
01:16:09 you know, they do have their youth votes a bit more pronounced than the other regions.
01:16:15 So it's not surprising to see that they have those numbers.
01:16:19 As you mentioned, really, the number of regions that have the numbers above a certain threshold, I think is a cause for concern.
01:16:30 One of the reasons we highlight the absolute numbers in addition to the proportions now is because the SDG doesn't want to leave anybody behind.
01:16:39 So sometimes the proportions may mask the fact that there are really a large number in a certain place.
01:16:45 Now, in terms of what needs to be done.
01:16:47 So I think a lot has been proposed internationally on how to help to make, you know, to get more youth engaged.
01:16:55 And that is really focusing on giving them the employable skills because they really need those skills to transition to their workforce.
01:17:05 So some people may. So part of the statistic, it did indicate the proportion that had never been to school.
01:17:12 But you see that in addition to those that had never been to school, I mean, there's still a gap.
01:17:16 So assuming that the rest of them have all had some education, but they are still currently not in employment or not in training.
01:17:23 So this is where the lack of employable skills comes in, because employers want people with experience and some on the job skills that you would not get when you are in school.
01:17:35 So the key thing really proposed is to try to make sure that, you know, while in school, children, students, young people are able to access perhaps career counselling opportunities.
01:17:48 So they are able to know that, OK, sometimes I need this skill or that skill because they may not know if I want to go into this career.
01:17:54 I need this particular set of skills. In addition, when you think about things that maybe the educational sector can do would be to maybe integrate a bit more of the skills that.
01:18:07 They need in their labor force in in school. So once I teach a theory class, but when I give them assignments, I try to make them do presentations to raise funds for policy makers.
01:18:17 So to write a development plan or to do the teamwork. So some of those skills, we can build it into the formal educational system.
01:18:27 And then also to do the in school training, which I talked about. So making sure that while people are in school, they have access to internships and opportunities that they can get to be in their labor force and sees what needs to be done.
01:18:40 Then collaboration between the education sector and industry. So there's a bit more understanding of exactly what do you need? What skills do you need? Are there skills that you need?
01:18:51 Is it reflected in the curriculum? If it's not, then how can we work together to make sure that those skills are available so that the graduates come out and then have those skills?
01:19:02 So I think really the key is to make sure that there's employable skills being developed by the time that you come out of school so that they can make the transition to the labor force.
01:19:12 And then for those that have not been to school, there should be a way to also reach out to them to make sure that they also develop the employable skills.
01:19:20 Because really, one of the things we know is that you literally see a new message is not enough to succeed in this world anymore.
01:19:26 I mean, a lot of complex skills are needed in the 21st century labor market. And we really have to try to make sure that all you have the opportunity to gain those skills.
01:19:36 And that is crucial because, again, if you go back to the 2021 population and housing census, you would actually know that it indicates one in every 10, that is 11.1 persons.
01:19:48 11.1 percent of persons aged between 15 and 24, that constitutes 1.4 million young persons, have never attended school.
01:19:58 Now, if you look at the dynamic male/female, you would notice that 12 percent are female and they have never attended school compared to 10.2 percent in the male category.
01:20:09 And particularly worrying when it comes to that aspect is the northern belt of the country, because you look at the Savannah region and it stands at a staggering 43.4 percent, almost 45 percent.
01:20:20 The northeast 36.8 percent, northern 33.3 percent, upper west 20.9 percent, and then OT 20.7 percent.
01:20:30 Now, all of these, if you add OT, because OT is right at the junction there with the northern belt, if you add it, it means that the entirety of the northern belt,
01:20:40 when you look at the educational quota or quotient, they are in way, way behind the rest of the country.
01:20:48 And I don't know what you think about that, because if you look at the historical antecedents, that even prompted the formation of the Northern People's Party,
01:20:58 politically speaking, though it went against the constitution and we had to do away with that.
01:21:02 But the marginalization of the northern belt of the country when it comes to education, what more can we or should we be seen doing to cut down on these numbers?
01:21:14 I mean, 45 percent, close to 45 percent, is staggering.
01:21:20 Exactly. And, you know, if we see education as a pathway to changing your life, then if you don't even have the chance to go through the formal education system at all,
01:21:29 then you really are at a disadvantage. So the key thing, I mean, for those that are already out of their school going age,
01:21:37 I mean, there really has to be ways to reach them, to help them to develop some skills that they can use.
01:21:43 But in terms of maybe those that are currently of school going age, you know, there's a lot has been done on why children don't go to school.
01:21:52 You know, even in in places where on paper, I mean, you know, the schooling is free.
01:21:59 It doesn't cost you money to go. So why is it that there are so many children out of school? And I'll touch on a few of those reasons.
01:22:07 So the first is, you know, one of the things that has been proposed is really to take a multi-sectoral approach to resolving this problem,
01:22:14 because you would really need to tackle things like poverty and hunger before you expect every child to go to school,
01:22:21 because if the family has to send their child to school, has to feed them, has to buy textbooks, you know, has to pay anything,
01:22:30 as opposed to maybe letting the child do something that will bring in some economic activity.
01:22:35 So when you are poor, I mean, you have to think about all these concerns like food, shelter, your health before the education comes in.
01:22:42 So really for poor people, and, you know, there's a lot done on the differences between the educational enrolments of those that are poor and those that are not poor,
01:22:50 because they just have too many competing interests. So that could be one of the reasons.
01:22:55 And then we talk about things such as, you know, the direct and then the indirect support.
01:22:59 So this is the opportunity cost of my time. The child is in school, but they could be out there earning some money to help take care of themselves.
01:23:08 So at that point, it's not even the parents that are forcing the child not to go to school.
01:23:13 The child could independently make the decision to not go to school because there are more lucrative things happening at the same time, rather than being in school.
01:23:22 And then you worry about things like, yes, you know, when the school is a bit far away, then parents are reluctant to send, especially younger children to school.
01:23:34 And the census did release, you know, a proximity to essential services last year.
01:23:41 And it's quite interesting to see again in the northern part of the country, a higher proportion of the structures are far away from outside of the recommended one kilometre, three kilometre, five kilometre for the pre-primary, primary, JHS respectively.
01:23:57 So the distance is also a challenge. Or sometimes you may go up to primary school and end because there is no JHS within walking distance.
01:24:06 So a lot really goes into why children don't go to school.
01:24:11 And really, we always talk about the government, but, you know, success in school, you know, the parents have the role to play, the child has the role to play, the school has the role to play.
01:24:20 So they should be engaging. Children should find it interesting. They should want to learn. They should get benefits of education.
01:24:27 They should be healthy. They should be happy. They should be properly fed so that when they go to school, they can concentrate.
01:24:33 You know, their parents should be supportive at home, help them with their homework if there's additional support to be made.
01:24:39 So you know, even things like is there a table in the house, is there electricity? All these things contribute, you know, to making sure that children can go through school successfully.
01:24:48 So we really have to tackle, you know, this proportion of children out of school.
01:24:54 And really, when you look at the current school going age, I think those statistics were also released earlier.
01:24:59 It's also high in that part of the country. So it's not really the youth. But if you look at those who are six to 17, it's really, really a cause for concern.
01:25:10 It really is a cause for concern. And I have taken stock of the points you've made.
01:25:15 It's not just it doesn't just behoove government to do what it must.
01:25:19 But of course, there are the challenges to do with the institutions themselves and also parents.
01:25:24 Each one of these has a role in that, in that train. But even more so government, because how many private institutions do we have in this country?
01:25:34 And how about the public ones which serve the masses? And that is where I have a concern.
01:25:40 I don't know how many times you've paid a visit to the northern belt of the country, but we have one of our latest documentaries, The Schools of Shame.
01:25:50 I don't know whether you saw that. If you look at the learning conditions across the country, but you look especially at the northern belt of the country,
01:25:57 we have schools under trees in many regions. But you look at the northern belt again, it appears for everything, they are the worst hit.
01:26:06 These these cannot be, you know, we cannot foster this and think that even if children were encouraged to go to school, they wouldn't.
01:26:17 If you've seen the children studying on the bare floor with their knees and their elbows looking all black because they always have to be crawling.
01:26:26 If you see those who are on the bare floor, a cemented floor with many holes, jagged ends, with no desks, in some places with no boards,
01:26:38 no white, don't think of a white board, no blackboard. OK, so there's this institution we went to where the teacher had to do what we call air writing,
01:26:48 write in the air for the children. I mean, how can you even encourage a child to go to such a place to study?
01:26:56 Those are those are the minimum questions we should be asking. Of course.
01:27:01 And again, a lot of research has been done on what we call the learning environment. So it's not really only just about going to school.
01:27:08 The learning environment in the classroom must be conducive so that the children must have a good place to sit.
01:27:14 You know, even things like even, you know, they talked about even the color of the classroom, you know, some colors promote, you know,
01:27:19 like maybe the pinks and the yellows, the way that the tables and the chairs are arranged, you know, the lighting, the sound.
01:27:27 So there's really a lot on making sure that the learning environment is conducive.
01:27:31 I mean, same at home as well. The home environment, you know, there should be some place for the children to be able to study comfortably.
01:27:39 Unfortunately, most of this research is really not from our our setting.
01:27:44 So we know that yet in other maybe developed parts of the world, these are the things they should promote learning.
01:27:50 So you are right. It's not just enough to be physically present, but there are all these other things that should make the learning conducive.
01:27:58 And really, this is not the this is not just a problem that Ghana is facing.
01:28:03 It is currently what you know, it's called the global lending crisis.
01:28:07 So the World Bank has really talked about the fact that.
01:28:12 About half of the children in low and middle income countries, you know, cannot read and write a short sentence by the end of primary school.
01:28:20 So it's really a global problem. So these are children that have been to school, but they are not able to finish with the minimum learning proficiency that you would expect at, you know, at that age.
01:28:32 And part of it is due to the lack of infrastructure, the fact that, you know, the maybe there's inadequate learning materials.
01:28:42 And one of the things they also talked about is even the way assessments are done.
01:28:46 So the educational system able to identify those that are struggling to properly help them to do what needs to be done.
01:28:54 So those are all the things that they talk about. And really now there's a lot of concern about this global lending crisis,
01:29:00 because it is really going to endanger the global progress towards the SDGs, because, you know, quality education really runs through a number of the SDGs as well.
01:29:10 So it's really a global problem. And it's not something that is just it's just peculiar to us.
01:29:17 So let's look at the. As conducive for learning as it should be.
01:29:23 So it's half of low and middle income countries and 80 percent in the poor countries.
01:29:30 So it's really a problem. You mentioned the SDG goals and rightly so.
01:29:36 And we have for most of them targets around 2030. We already in 2023.
01:29:41 As we get ready to cap off the conversation, I want us to look at these SDG goals.
01:29:48 There's SDG goal one talking about no poverty, go to talking about zero hunger.
01:29:55 And of course, there is go eight, which you highlighted. So I just want you to look at the spectrum.
01:30:01 No poverty when the midst of a lot of poverty in this country, partly these statistics, because, of course, if the young people about a fourth of them are not even in employment, they are not in any sort of training.
01:30:13 What do you expect them to do? How do they eke out a living? Then zero hunger. If you have no money, if you are impoverished, then your likelihood of getting hungry or going without food is very high.
01:30:25 Then we have the third point, which you may mention of decent work. And this is what SDG eight spells out.
01:30:35 It talks about the key role of decent work for all in achieving sustainable development, being highlighted by sustainable development goal eight, which aims to, quote, promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full of productive employment and decent work for all.
01:30:53 Now, decent work, employment creation, social protection rights at work and social dialogue represent integral elements of the new 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
01:31:04 I find it interesting when it mentions their rights. Economic rights. These are things that in our part of the world we don't follow up on.
01:31:14 I know in other jurisdictions, people have sued government for on the back of economic rights, not having work to do here.
01:31:23 Let me just state this bluntly. In political circles, lots of jobs are created for the boys and girls.
01:31:29 And we know exactly what we are talking about. Yet the masses are not employed.
01:31:34 Administration in administration out will come and say, oh, we've created X number of jobs.
01:31:39 After a short while, you ask yourself, where are the jobs? Those same people are back to square one.
01:31:45 So what then should be the way forward for Ghana on this trajectory to enable us come somewhat close to the goal for year 2030?
01:31:57 You look at the when we talk about the demographic dividends you need to harness for sustainable development.
01:32:03 You know, there are four pillars to harness what we call the first dividend.
01:32:06 And one of them is education, which we've talked about in depth. So really making sure that your labor force has the skills.
01:32:13 It's not even about them going to school, but we just talked about the fact that going to school doesn't necessarily mean that you have the skills.
01:32:19 But really making sure that your labor force has the skills to be able to to have high skilled jobs.
01:32:25 And the important thing about the job creation for the demographic dividends, they have to be high skilled job.
01:32:30 So the person is earning enough money to take care of themselves and to save for the future so that when they are old,
01:32:36 they will not come back and rely on the government or their children to take care of them.
01:32:40 But then they also the high skilled jobs generate tax revenue for the country.
01:32:44 So that's the first pillar. The second one is health.
01:32:48 So we actually you know, you also need a healthy population to harness the dividend and the health goes beyond just physical health.
01:32:57 You have to be physically, emotionally, mentally healthy and even things like having the self-confidence and the self-esteem to be able to carry out these high skilled jobs.
01:33:07 Then the third one is the job creation. So the jobs that are created for these skilled youth have to be high skilled job, as I mentioned.
01:33:14 And then the fourth pillar is governance. So the governance has to be in place to make sure that all these things, all these three things are working and it's sustained.
01:33:22 So when you look at how the demographic dividend is going to be achieved, these are really the four wheels, they say, that you tend to get to prosperity.
01:33:32 And then that's the first step. And then you have a second dividend, which they say is the key to sustainable development.
01:33:38 So with the second dividend, your skilled labor force really has to be able to save and accumulate wealth because one of the challenges that we overlook
01:33:47 when you have a high proportion of the youth that is not employed or they go through, you know, their labor force working years in maybe, you know, low skilled, low paying jobs is that when they get to retirement age, they are ill prepared.
01:34:02 They are not able to take care of themselves. So now they become a societal, you know, a vulnerable group that society has to protect.
01:34:10 So either like the government has to take care of them or their children have to take care of them.
01:34:14 And, you know, in these times where the fertility rate is declining and, you know, with this global economic crisis, you cannot rely on your children.
01:34:21 So it's really important that we equip the youth to be able to have these high skilled jobs so that they can save for the future.
01:34:28 And then when they are old, they are able to take care of themselves. So that accumulation of skills and again, additional human capital investment so that they can be skilled and productive,
01:34:39 even well beyond their retirement age is the key to the second dividend that we need for sustainable development.
01:34:45 So these are really all the things that we need to put in place.
01:34:50 And let me just put in my personal page for what I always talk about financial literacy and saving for the future, because ultimately,
01:34:58 if you are not on the pension scheme and you get there, you need to have something because that that wealth that you accumulate when you retire is what is going to help.
01:35:08 So those resources that will be used to support the elderly people, they are self sufficient.
01:35:14 They can be used to for other sectors of the economy. So it's really important that we invest in the things that will help us to read the first dividend and the second dividend for sustainable development.
01:35:26 And just right before you go, you know, across the world now, we're talking not just about security in terms of armaments, in terms of the military or militarization.
01:35:38 We're talking about human security, human security concerns, and that feeds into national security concerns.
01:35:44 Now, if you have a teeming youth population that is largely unemployed and educated and trade,
01:35:53 they are going to saddle whatever economy they find themselves in.
01:35:57 So rather than translating these into a skilled workforce or have a burden on our society that would have to clothe, feed, provide health for when maybe their contribution through no fault of theirs is not adequate.
01:36:15 We can talk about unemployment in terms of those who are purely unemployed, those who are underemployed.
01:36:21 They are properly skilled. They don't have jobs matching their work.
01:36:25 How much then from where you sit is of a national security threat is the cocktail that we have in Ghana, looking at the different percentages we've mentioned, looking at the Northern Belt and education, looking at the entirety of the country and then the NETs.
01:36:45 How much of a national security concern is it? How much more attention should we be paying to that? That's the final bit I'll throw to you.
01:36:52 OK, so we need to pay attention to it. So I'm happy you mentioned the youth bulge. It's actually a theory called the youth bulge theory, which really looks at, well, if you have a youth bulge, these are the things that you need to do, because if you don't make sure that the youth are productively engaged, then there is the risk of these concerns about maybe conflict or internal crisis.
01:37:15 Really, what the research has shown is that it's not that the youth bulge in itself, like having a high population in an office leads to these issues.
01:37:25 But when you have other conditions such as the high unemployment, when socioeconomic conditions are tough, then it increases the risk that that high youth population may lead to other issues.
01:37:39 So really, definitely, the bottom line is that the youth need to be productively engaged, you know, for their own mental well-being, for their own health and then really for the development of the country, both in the short term and the long term.
01:37:56 Thank you so much, Doc, for joining the conversation. We're really grateful. Dr. Pearl Chey is a lecturer at the Regional Institute for Population Studies, RIFS of the University of Ghana. Once more, we're grateful, Doc, and do have a good day.
01:38:13 Thank you. Have a nice day. All right. So we move on from here. We take a look at malfunctioning traffic lights here in Accra.
01:38:23 I'll be telling you about motorists who are worried that these lights could lead to accidents on the road.
01:38:30 We'll be checking out a few of them and then speak to the relevant authorities.
01:38:35 That will be much later. Before then, though, well, you know, today being a Wednesday curtsy of EcoBank, the Pan-African Bank, we're coming your way with AM Business.
01:38:47 Now, yesterday we had that business roundtable, if you like, a pre-budget forum.
01:38:52 And some players within the business community have been sharing their expectations for the 2023 mid-year budget review.
01:39:00 They want government to find diverse ways of addressing Ghana's economic issues rather than focusing solely on the introduction of new taxes.
01:39:09 So what is the way forward? We hear from them now.
01:39:15 [Music]
01:39:39 Ghana's economy, according to the Ghana Statistical Service, advanced by 4.2 percent from a year earlier in the first quarter of 2023, compared with a downwardly revised 3.2 rise.
01:39:51 Though we've seen some positive signs in the economy, the country has been grappling with a severe debt overhang, soaring inflation and continuous currency depreciation,
01:40:01 coupled with Western living conditions for Ghanaians, prompting the business community to raise some concerns.
01:40:07 According to Professor Bokpim, there's a need for government to find a good balance between expenditure and revenue.
01:40:13 The approach we have adopted is suboptimal, and that is why we agree with the private sector that the approach government has adopted under the program
01:40:25 would disproportionately affect the private sector and undermine private sector competitiveness, and that is a cause for concern for us.
01:40:34 And also, whilst we have advocated for expenditure cuts, the kind of expenditure cuts government has done under the program is actually not the kind of expenditure cuts we had wished.
01:40:48 What kind of expenditure cuts would you have wanted to see?
01:40:53 We were expecting more of the government reducing the size, merging some ministries, some agencies, departments, and then costing that,
01:41:06 and probably we may achieve the same goal by reducing those expenditures as compared to increasing taxes, introducing new taxes, and increasing rates of existing taxes.
01:41:21 Look at it from the approach we are coming from. We are not just asking to reduce the number of ministers.
01:41:27 We are talking about ministries, we are talking about departments, we are talking about agencies, and also rationalizing state-owned enterprises.
01:41:35 In other words, the cost of our governance is just too much for our national budget to sustain.
01:41:42 Ghana has a large and very active consumer industrial products and services sector
01:41:47 that provides products and services to the Ghanaian economy and the West African sub-region.
01:41:52 This sector is poised for significant growth over the next few years, but precedent for the Association of Ghana Industries, Dr. Eyim Daka, maintains that the sector is battling with taxes.
01:42:03 Our businesses have been stressed within the context of the macro.
01:42:06 It led to a lot of contraction into our business operation, led to low growth, led to low unemployment.
01:42:14 You can also trace that it led to the distortion of original business model of processing and manufacturing,
01:42:26 where you realize that by virtue of these macro indicators, a number of businesses resorted to importation of finished product as against processing and producing,
01:42:37 and its relevant impact in terms of job creation, taxation, and it's exposed the country to a lot of informality.
01:42:46 There are consequences of a high informal sector in an economy, at least developing economy.
01:42:53 These ramifications are all associated with the gains and the minuses of what we've gone through over the period.
01:43:01 Therefore, yes, our businesses are stressed, but by virtue of the IMF transaction, restored confidence to which we are planning effectively.
01:43:12 We look forward to other indicators that are a work in progress, because the IMF process is not a one-time transaction.
01:43:20 It's a process. We need to go back into the inflationary rates, what we need to do regarding the inflationary rate.
01:43:28 You asked my colleague about the effect of the inflation on our businesses,
01:43:32 and that, I mean, every player in the space knows that the higher the inflation, the challenges it is to businesses.
01:43:41 Nonetheless, our concern is how is Bank of Ghana managing the inflationary issues,
01:43:46 and we know they've deployed a number of tools to aid, to tail the inflationary figures.
01:43:53 Nonetheless, the producer price index and the run-through effect of some tax adjustment has also led to the state of the inflation.
01:44:03 We've also argued out on the inflation targeting model that the Bank of Ghana uses.
01:44:09 Nonetheless, we still believe that there are structural rigidities that need to be tackled,
01:44:15 and those are the engagements we seek to see the finance minister table in the mid-term budget,
01:44:23 complementing it with that of the IMF policy and report to aid us navigate these difficult macroeconomic factors that we face.
01:44:34 This may be very common, but as a result of these new taxes,
01:44:38 Chief Executive Officer for the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mark Bedua-Buaje, says
01:44:43 members of the Chamber have no choice than to lay off some workers.
01:44:47 I think government should do everything possible to bring some relief to businesses.
01:44:52 Some taxes that I want to see some abolished and some reviewed, one is the e-levy.
01:44:59 I think that the rate is too high. The other one has to do with the COVID tax.
01:45:03 I don't know why we still have COVID tax or COVID levy as part of our tax structure.
01:45:10 After it has been declared by the WHO that COVID is not a pandemic,
01:45:15 we have to take this tax out to bring some relief to businesses.
01:45:20 Secondly, if you look at our policy documents nowadays,
01:45:23 there is a general statement that we are going to create a conducive environment for businesses.
01:45:29 We all know what a conducive environment is.
01:45:31 Low taxes, low inflation, lower interest rates, lower utility tariffs.
01:45:37 With all the things that are happening, I don't think that we are going to have that immediately.
01:45:43 So that general statement, I personally do not want to see it.
01:45:47 They should come out with specifics on how they are going to create this conducive environment for businesses.
01:45:53 Foreign direct investments in Ghana amounted to $1.88 billion in 2020,
01:45:58 which represented roughly 2.7% of the country's GDP.
01:46:02 Compared to 2019, the FDI inflow decreased by $2 million.
01:46:07 Ghana's mining and agricultural sector are major areas for direct investment equity flows.
01:46:12 Now, President for the Ghana Union Traders Association, Dr. Joseph Obin, says
01:46:18 all these foreign direct investments should be tied to local businesses.
01:46:21 What we should all know is that a vibrant private sector drives any economy in the world.
01:46:31 So it is important that we create an enabling environment that will make businesses thrive,
01:46:39 so that we take the whole economy along.
01:46:42 And that is what we are not getting right now.
01:46:45 That rather the private sector is being contained and that they are unable to expand.
01:46:53 We don't have even the space to develop and grow.
01:46:56 And that has been the problem because the excessive taxation, this is what it does to the private sector.
01:47:03 Because we are not competitive.
01:47:05 Even if we want to produce as a nation, we cannot overprice our produce.
01:47:12 That we cannot even sell our produce to the neighboring countries because of cost of the produce,
01:47:18 like the manufacturers have been complaining about.
01:47:21 And that's why we continue complaining about excessive taxation.
01:47:26 And we can easily also expand the tax net without necessarily putting a lot of pressure
01:47:35 or imposing taxes on the few that have the capacity even to grow.
01:47:40 Because they are the identified ones who can actually pay the taxes.
01:47:45 But when we do that, we are only trying to stifle the growth of those industries
01:47:52 which otherwise will be the driving force of our economy.
01:47:56 Now we are talking about importation.
01:47:59 Importation, I have a serious problem with importation because if we do more importation,
01:48:07 it means that we are not helping our local manufacturing companies.
01:48:12 We are not even trying to be self-sufficient.
01:48:15 But that is what you do.
01:48:17 Yes, I like that.
01:48:19 But let me also tell you that the import that happens in this Ghana,
01:48:25 you know we do not own this economy.
01:48:28 Ghanaians do not own this economy.
01:48:30 That is true.
01:48:31 That is a fact.
01:48:32 The export earnings, we own only about 60% as a nation.
01:48:40 The rest does not belong to Ghanaians.
01:48:42 That's why we always have the problem of foreign exchange.
01:48:45 Because it goes and it does not even come.
01:48:48 Because the money does not belong to us.
01:48:50 Export, importation that we do, the excessive importation, only about 20% is for the indigents.
01:49:00 Over 20% of the 80% belong to foreigners.
01:49:08 And so, whilst we are talking about export being in the hands of foreigners,
01:49:17 the foreign dominance of this economy, you think about communication.
01:49:22 This communication industry, the money that goes there, even the banking is not in our hands.
01:49:27 We talk about oil, we talk about gold and all that.
01:49:33 We are not getting the benefit thereof.
01:49:36 And that, we have to even think about that.
01:49:39 So, if we think that we are doing excessive importation, that is not helping the economy.
01:49:47 There is a way to do that.
01:49:49 That's what we have to use our regulations, our investment laws and the rules and regulations to contain excessive importation.
01:49:59 Now we are talking about imports of fishing.
01:50:02 This is the right direction.
01:50:03 If we are able to identify where we have the comparative advantage as a nation,
01:50:11 and even support those industries so that we become a hub of manufacturing of those identified products,
01:50:19 then of course we have a way.
01:50:22 And then, of course, government should do everything so that Ghanaian businesses or foreign direct investment should be tied up with the local businesses.
01:50:35 General Secretary of the General Cultural Workers Union, Edward Kariwe, is also calling for a national discourse to find lasting solutions to address Ghana's economic challenges.
01:50:45 I think that we are applying an outmoded economic development policies to try to develop ourselves.
01:50:54 If we think that we can still go with this fixation that you can generate revenue by increasing your taxes and tax the same people all the time,
01:51:06 certainly it is telling us that it's not working.
01:51:09 Yes, revenue will automatically come up, and it will come up when your capacity to generate the revenue is strengthened.
01:51:20 But it's not just about how much you are going to tax the person.
01:51:25 That would necessarily translate into your revenue when the person does not have capacity to contain that tax.
01:51:34 So I would think that we need to review our economic policy to know that tax is good to generate revenue, but tax should not be the first call to generate revenue.
01:51:49 It is rather to empower production to go on.
01:51:54 Unfortunately, the figures as we receive them from the SASCA service are not giving good account of what is happening in production.
01:52:05 All the productive areas are declining, and yet they are the very people that you are taxing.
01:52:11 As I indicated also, it seems they are not interested in getting to those who are not paying taxes at all.
01:52:20 Of course, I pay my taxes all the time, and any consumption I do, I pay taxes on it.
01:52:27 And even people who I give money to feed also pay taxes on it.
01:52:32 So all the time, even when you are sleeping, you pay tax.
01:52:35 When you are awake, you pay tax. You pay tax in the morning, you pay tax in the afternoon, you pay tax anywhere you go, you pay tax.
01:52:41 And that is not how you can grow the economy.
01:52:45 I think that we need a national discourse to actually fashion out an appropriate economic development policy for this country.
01:52:55 You know, the way we are moving on and thinking that it is only taxes that can generate the revenue that we need, of course we are killing businesses all over.
01:53:04 In May 2023, Fitch Solutions forecast that the Ghanaian economy will expand by 2.9% in 2023 after growth of 3.1% in 2022.
01:53:14 Fiscal austerity, high inflation and restrictive financial conditions, or dampened private consumption and investment through 2023 cloud an economic growth prospect.
01:53:24 [Music]
01:53:50 We're back on the AM show and we're talking about those faulty traffic lights that create quite a melee, a chaotic scene in many parts of, not just Accra, but different parts of the country.
01:54:03 Now, if there are certain routes you apply, as noticed by the daily graphic and per our own investigations, you would realize that it becomes pretty problematic navigating your way through.
01:54:15 Everyone wants to go at the intersection and usually what you would find is an accident or two.
01:54:21 Today we ask why the situation is what it is. The daily graphic alone in its latest account went through 14 major intersections and noticed that 123 of these traffic lights were faulty.
01:54:38 We spoke to urban roads, the daily graphic spoke to urban roads, and the result was that, well, there was nothing basically that they could do. It was out of their hands.
01:54:48 In fact, when contacted, the Department of Urban Roads did not seem to have any remedy in sight as it maintained that it was more expensive repairing traffic lights than installing new ones.
01:55:00 So this morning we ask how do we get around this conundrum, this situation? Joining us for a conversation we have Cecil Gabra.
01:55:10 He is CEO, Top Tech Transport and Logistics. He joins the conversation.
01:55:17 We also have. David Adonting joining the conversation this morning.
01:55:25 A very good morning to you, gentlemen. Good morning. Good morning. Good morning. Good morning. Good morning. My very good brother and friend, David.
01:55:37 It's been a while since we last had an interaction. It's good to hear from you this morning.
01:55:44 I'll start with you, Cecil. So looking at the traffic situation, I know you go around town a lot. What have you noticed in terms of the traffic lights that you can share with us?
01:55:57 Then the situation is very, very chaotic, very serious, and I need to be looked at.
01:56:03 I'm talking to you. I just had to sit in my car for this conversation because today I'm working with the police and we are in the section at La Palme directing traffic.
01:56:14 It is very, very serious. And then I look at it and ask myself, why should this happen?
01:56:21 Right. This is I mean, let me give you the example of what is happening here.
01:56:26 Vehicles are from Techie in Donggua, Thema heading towards Accra, and then we have this intersection at La Beach Hotel.
01:56:35 And you have other communities also coming from the Burma Campe area joining either to La or turning left to Techie.
01:56:45 The road itself is bad. It's under construction. I don't know when and when they are going to finish this construction.
01:56:51 The traffic lights are not working. At least I was going to ask the simple question.
01:56:58 Why should it, why can't they turn it on and in temporary even if it's a construction so that that can save lives?
01:57:06 You have school children trying to cross the road and we have to hold their hands.
01:57:10 Market women trying to cross the road and it is so serious.
01:57:14 Drivers who are also driving here are not patient at all. They find their legs to wag and they are rushing.
01:57:21 And then in Ghana I always say that we do not have any respect for pedestrians.
01:57:26 So traffic lights in general everywhere in Accra, I haven't spotted anywhere that do not have any problem.
01:57:35 If it is a real working timing and so on, I'm wrong.
01:57:38 But however I've been speaking to my very good friends. I cannot mention the companies name but they are in charge of this traffic lights.
01:57:46 And then he has mentioned a lot of things that look it is due to vandalism.
01:57:52 People are stealing equipment. People are stealing cables.
01:57:56 People such as mentally derailed and so on are also burning refugees.
01:58:02 And in that same area, power fluctuations. So many issues.
01:58:09 And the major issue is that the government of Ghana is owing them.
01:58:14 They can no longer use their money to do these repairs and so on of the traffic lights to work.
01:58:20 But at the end of the day, Ben, what are we looking at? We are looking at road safety which is our goal.
01:58:26 David will tell you the truth that we don't want to see anybody dying out of accident.
01:58:31 But if people are trying to cross the road and they will be knocked.
01:58:35 And then people, drivers are also trying to drive and then use the intersection properly and then they will have accidents.
01:58:43 So where are we going? Are we talking about road safety? Something must be done.
01:58:48 Right. I do believe that the Minister of Transport will be listening to us at this time.
01:58:53 And then if the Ministry of Finance is also listening to us, let's all come together and solve the issue of traffic lights.
01:59:01 Because we cannot drive without intersections.
01:59:04 Wherever you are going, definitely you meet an intersection.
01:59:07 And then the only way out is that traffic lights must work.
01:59:12 So it's a major issue, major concern at the moment.
01:59:16 You see, there's the individual element. You and I must be, we must be responsible when we use the roads.
01:59:23 I mean, from time to time you would see someone who has veered off the road, whether tired or drunk,
01:59:28 and maybe hit a traffic light or some other portion of the stretch.
01:59:34 But some of the things that you mentioned, people who do not have their.
01:59:42 I don't want to use lunatics. I was trying to find a better option.
01:59:46 Our brothers and sisters who are facing mental challenges.
01:59:51 First off, they shouldn't be on the streets and there should be an entity, whether social welfare, and they are very ill equipped.
02:00:00 But governments should see to it that these people are not on the streets. Unfortunately, they are.
02:00:05 So if they end up at these places and you would see a lot of them sometimes taking a shade in the sun there.
02:00:11 Basically inhabiting that portion where there's a traffic light and some of them burning stuff there.
02:00:17 Whose fault is it? They shouldn't be there in the first place. You see, you talk about some people stealing cables.
02:00:23 If we know of this, how are we putting in place the right mechanism so that maybe we have some sort of security detail?
02:00:31 Not human beings, but some security installments around these traffic lights so that they are less vulnerable to such.
02:00:39 You know, attacks or dismemberment. I'm just thinking aloud that we seem to do things in a shoddy manner.
02:00:46 And then when the worst happens, we we say, oh, but the people are doing this.
02:00:51 Shouldn't we be doing more as government on this urban roads on this?
02:00:57 Well, I agree with you, especially the issue of social welfare and so on working so well.
02:01:05 But then if you look at the country itself now, it looks like nothing is working.
02:01:10 And I ask myself, why is it? Because we are an economic achieve.
02:01:17 But whatever it is, people are being paid. And those must also work.
02:01:23 Because right at the Princess Runabout, at the Coca-Cola Runabout, there is this mentally derailed person there.
02:01:32 Every morning for almost about two months now, he's just pouring sand, white sand on him.
02:01:40 And if you see him, you will not even think that there is a human being there.
02:01:45 And he's there. Every morning we see him. He's just pouring sand on him. White sand.
02:01:53 So who is responsible? Is it the police or social?
02:01:58 So I ask myself, if this person is close to a traffic light, obviously he's going to start maybe cooking.
02:02:04 And at the end of it all, it will be disastrous.
02:02:08 So something must be done. People must work. And I know people are being paid,
02:02:12 especially those working with government entities must work, must do their work well.
02:02:20 If they're not doing their work well, then obviously we'll have traffic lights,
02:02:24 cables being stolen, vandalism, theft of equipment, cables, banning of refuse, and so on.
02:02:33 All these mentally derailed people. So something must be done.
02:02:37 Something must be done. Let's start from the standpoint of the National Road Safety Authority.
02:02:41 Fortunately, we are joined by Engineer David Adonting,
02:02:44 and he is with the National Road Safety Authority as Acting Director General.
02:02:49 Thank you so much, Engineer Adonting, for joining the conversation.
02:02:53 You have heard already what we've started talking about, the traffic lights.
02:02:57 You also interact a lot with urban roads. I find it interesting when urban roads,
02:03:02 in response to the daily graphics, says they don't see any remedy in sight because repairing the traffic lights is much more expensive than installing new ones.
02:03:14 Does that mean we basically have no way out of the situation?
02:03:21 Good morning once again. Thank you very much.
02:03:24 Good morning to my good friend and brother, Chetil, who I must say is a very strong road safety advocate,
02:03:33 supporting me in particular and supporting the entire National Road Safety Authority.
02:03:37 Mr. Adonting, I would appreciate it if you could speak a little louder. I'm struggling a bit to hear you.
02:03:42 All right. Now, I'm saying that I appreciate this particular opportunity,
02:03:48 and thank you so much, and good morning to you all, including my colleagues and friends.
02:03:54 Indeed, the question of the traffic light irrelevance in terms of road safety, I think, is something we have discussed a couple of times.
02:04:08 We all know how important it is for our intersections, especially the major ones, to have traffic lights functioning at all times.
02:04:19 Day, night, morning, noon, at all times, they must be functioning because it's a space that we all share.
02:04:27 And so, it is this traffic light that regulates our movement in a manner that every approach would have some little time to move across the space safely.
02:04:39 Without which, we record a number of crashes.
02:04:42 And indeed, I must say and confirm that in Accra, Kumasi, Sakradi, and all the cities where we have traffic lights,
02:04:51 the absence of these traffic lights in terms of not functioning have caused a lot of crashes and added on numbers to our statistics.
02:04:59 And so, the issue cannot be overemphasized if we want to talk about traffic lights.
02:05:04 I must thank Daily Graphic for yesterday, Monday, bringing the whole issue up for all of us to speak around it.
02:05:13 The National Road Safety Authority, as you are aware, we have advocated a couple of times, we have followed up with the Department of Urban Roads,
02:05:21 we have studied and studied several, whatever the problems are, must be addressed so that we have traffic lights functioning.
02:05:30 Now, the Department of Urban Roads have come out, I think this is not the first time, we all know,
02:05:36 and they have established the fact that people are vandalizing, we have hit and run,
02:05:43 people are also stealing the cables, the control boards, and all these reasons have been given,
02:05:52 including the inadequacy of funds to pay these contractors who repair or service the machines or the traffic lights in general.
02:06:04 I think these are clear reasons that have been given by the Department of Urban Roads and we all know about this.
02:06:11 Now, when the issue came up this week, and all of us are speaking around it,
02:06:18 we made a follow-up today, the Department of Urban Roads again, and yesterday,
02:06:23 we had a meeting with the Director of Urban Roads and he has confirmed that there has been a crisis meeting
02:06:31 where the Minister of Roads and Highways has earmarked, or in the process of earmarking,
02:06:41 some money to pay the contractors who are old, so that they can quickly fix some of the traffic lights that are not functioning.
02:06:51 To me, it came as good news to me, because the bottom line of it all is that we need the money to fix them.
02:07:00 Even if they have been stolen or they have been vandalized, it still requires money to fix them.
02:07:08 If we don't have the money, there is no way we can fix them.
02:07:11 So, whatever reasons we give, I think the most critical of it is that the responsibility has been assigned to some contractors
02:07:20 to be monitoring, changing the box, installing them, reinstalling, fixing whatever problems that we encounter, and so on.
02:07:32 It's all about money.
02:07:34 So, if the Director of Departures of Urban Roads, from the yesterday's meeting that we had,
02:07:40 is confirming that they are about releasing some money to pay the contractors,
02:07:46 then it is good news for me and good news for all of Baka.
02:07:50 Now, in the interim, we collaborate with the police to take care of the situation by providing men 24/7,
02:08:01 including some young men that we have trained from the National Service Secretariat, and they are also supporting.
02:08:07 And this is how we have been managing the situation in the past number of years, wherever we find the situation very bad.
02:08:14 And thank you, Mr. Cecil and the team, for helping this morning at the La Junction.
02:08:20 In fact, it is not only the La. There are a couple of critical intersections where we have this problem.
02:08:26 And at any point in time, when our monitoring team brings to our notice, we call the police,
02:08:32 we all move quickly and put some men there. And that is what has saved the situation until now.
02:08:37 So, I would say that we are working very, very, very hard on it.
02:08:42 It is not a situation that we will all accept. It is very worrying.
02:08:46 Indeed, especially if you see currently that we have our statistics dropping systematically for the past 17 months.
02:08:55 We have to do everything to sustain and maintain the reduction trend in our statistics.
02:09:01 And intersections appear to be one of the critical zones where we record most of the crashes,
02:09:06 especially involving motorcycles, where we get knockdowns, pedestrian knockdowns.
02:09:12 All these areas that we are very much focused on trying to see how we can support the Department of Urban Roads
02:09:19 and the Ministry of Roads and Highways to come very quickly and fix them.
02:09:23 And so, I think some effort is being made. I must confirm that.
02:09:28 Some effort is definitely being made.
02:09:30 But you look at reference what Pat Oni, who is the road safety engineer of the Department of Urban Roads,
02:09:36 what she says, the number of things she cites, some of which we've already spoken about.
02:09:40 So, she talks about some of them being stolen. That is the cables are damaged by rodents.
02:09:50 She talks about fires and rodents. I want us to focus on that because she makes mention of the fact that
02:09:56 while it is more expensive repairing these than installing new ones or the initial installation,
02:10:04 the bit about rodents, you know why the rodents are there?
02:10:07 It's because of the choked gutters in different parts of Accra, for example, around the graphic road, for example.
02:10:16 So, the rats or the mice gnaw at these wires, these cables and destroy them.
02:10:23 In terms of the fires, and of course, that is also on the back of the poor sanitation in Accra.
02:10:28 Again, it says that some of these hawkers and others even go as far as burning their rubbish in the controller chambers of the traffic lights.
02:10:42 So, most of them even go to the extent of burning rubbish in the controller chambers, thinking they are empty chambers, thus destroying the cables.
02:10:49 These are some things we can do something about. What don't you say?
02:10:55 I agree with you. Because, you see, when you install the traffic lights, it's a public facility.
02:11:03 It is a government facility and it must be protected. It must be maintained.
02:11:08 It is the same way as you see the road infrastructure.
02:11:11 The pavement, when they get potholes and they get damaged, we have to find a way of patching the potholes or fixing it.
02:11:19 The same way as we have road signs. When a road sign becomes defaced or broken, somebody hits it, somebody gets it vandalized or it is stolen, we have to replace it.
02:11:33 It is because we haven't found a way of protecting these facilities.
02:11:38 Perhaps it is not a priority for us to have our eyes on these things, whether we are the police or individuals.
02:11:48 Anytime we find people standing around these facilities and doing one thing or the other, perhaps we all get the impression that they are repairing or doing something to make it better.
02:11:59 In actual sense, some may be vandalizing, others may be standing there watching.
02:12:05 Because we do not know the implications and how they do these things.
02:12:08 Usually you and I will go and sleep, the next day we come, it will be stolen.
02:12:12 Now, if a mouse is eating some cable or damaging something, you and I will not see.
02:12:22 So I think it is a matter of we having a very strong maintenance policy.
02:12:26 Every facility must be protected and must be maintained.
02:12:31 In Ghana, it is the police that we all have the mandate to protect public facilities.
02:12:38 But I do not see that we can have the police standing around a facility, a traffic light for that matter, for the whole day, 24 hours, watching it.
02:12:48 So it requires that we as individuals and the public, we should also try and support the police, try and support the Department of Urban Rules, by watching these facilities.
02:12:59 It is ours, it belongs to Ghana, it is for government.
02:13:03 So when even people damage them by crashing them through an accident, for that matter, we should let them replace.
02:13:11 And that is what the law says. If we find that it was done as a matter of negligence or responsibility, then we should let the fellow pay for it.
02:13:20 Once you pay for it, it is installed.
02:13:23 So I am saying that we should all now show some kind of responsibility.
02:13:28 Let us see how we can support the Department of Urban Rules.
02:13:32 Of course, they are the primary agency that is responsible for it.
02:13:36 But I know that we can all help. We keep watching. We keep finding out what the problems are, bringing to the notice, to the attention of all of us, and then we can go dealing with it.
02:13:48 So we now know the problem. We should look for the solution.
02:13:52 One is that very soon the Ministry of Roads and Highways is releasing money to pay the contractors to fix the traffic light.
02:14:01 And I think that is good news. That is one.
02:14:03 The next thing is that once we fix it, we should not watch out for mines and people to come and damage them again.
02:14:11 And so we should all be watchful of how we can support government to protect government facilities.
02:14:18 And I think this is what I show it to every individual, motorists, passengers, pedestrians, drivers, anytime we are passing around a traffic light in particular.
02:14:28 When we see somebody around this thing, we should show some interest, some concern.
02:14:34 If we find anything that suggests that there is some kind of vandalization, distrust, and for that matter, somebody is trying to do one thing or the other and we are not too sure,
02:14:46 we should bring to the attention of the police.
02:14:48 And the police will act very quickly to ensure that nobody damages or steals anything around traffic lights.
02:14:55 In any case, if we should have one or two, prosecute them and get them to go through the rigors of the law, hard punishment,
02:15:04 it will serve a purpose for anybody who has any intention to go and damage a traffic light for that matter.
02:15:11 And I think we should all be working together to get this thing addressed.
02:15:16 And you know, I don't think, hold for me, coming back to Cecil Gabra.
02:15:19 Now, you will notice that there are different categories in which these traffic lights fall.
02:15:24 There are those that blink both amber and green at the same time.
02:15:29 Those that blink both amber and red. I have seen those, a lot of those in recent times.
02:15:34 Those with their bulbs burnt out, making it difficult for pedestrians, especially children, to cross.
02:15:41 Now, on the bit about some burning their refuse within the controller chambers of these traffic lights, among others.
02:15:50 Then the bit about rodents and sanitation. How much more do you feel we should be doing,
02:15:56 whether it is the National Road Safety Authority or urban roads in terms of education, educating the people?
02:16:02 Because, look, if the sanitation is poor around those areas, it will breed rats in our sewage systems and ours are open.
02:16:10 The rats go in there and they gnaw at these wires. We know what rats and mice do.
02:16:15 And basically, from where you sit, if we don't address this threat of very faulty traffic lights across the country,
02:16:22 but mostly here in Accra, what could be the impact? How could it hamper the gains we've made in terms of reducing road traffic accidents?
02:16:32 Cecil. Thank you so much. And I guess that Engineer David, I don't think, has said a lot, especially on the maintenance culture.
02:16:43 I mean, that's one major issue where we all have to be part of it. We must be our brother's keeper.
02:16:50 We don't pass and see somebody vandalizing and then just say, "Oh, look at him. He's spoiling it."
02:16:57 And so we should try as much as possible, if it's really possible, arrest.
02:17:03 And then such people who arrest those causing all this vandalism must also be rewarded,
02:17:08 just like whistleblowers that we have in this country who are awarded, okay?
02:17:15 Because it's really sad to see what really happens.
02:17:20 But as I was talking to you, something has just happened at the intersection, and I would like to share it with you.
02:17:27 There was a young man who came on his motorbike and went to the box, that's the controller, and then switched it on for a while.
02:17:36 All of a sudden, the lights were working, and I approached him and I said, "Ah, so what is the problem?"
02:17:42 He said, "Oh, the Owing Act. So my boss said I shouldn't put it on."
02:17:47 And he's left. So it means it is working. Very interesting.
02:17:53 Wait, wait. So what you're saying is that at this particular place, where exactly is it?
02:17:58 This is the La Palme intersection, okay? La Palme-La Beach intersection, okay?
02:18:02 Coming from Burma Camp. So the gentleman puts it on for a while, and he's locked it, and he's gone. Turns it off.
02:18:11 I think he was asked to come and check whether the thing is working, the traffic lights are working.
02:18:15 And they are working, and he's gone.
02:18:18 When I asked him, I approached him, unfortunately because I was talking on the phone, I couldn't engage him very well.
02:18:23 He says, "Because the Owing Act, we can't put it on for it to work."
02:18:27 So the situation is very interesting now. If government is owing such a contractor,
02:18:34 and the contractor knows the lights are working and he hasn't received his money,
02:18:40 he has turned it off, the lights are not working.
02:18:43 I think we should have a collaboration as soon as possible to solve this issue.
02:18:48 David, I will call you soon after this program, because at the end of it all,
02:18:53 if human lives are lost, then it means that we're going to have an increase in numbers of deaths, of accidents,
02:19:02 which shouldn't be the national road safety--
02:19:05 Just a quick point there. This is crucial to the conversation we're having.
02:19:10 So you say that these people, some of these contractors are basically manually manipulating the traffic lights.
02:19:16 Exactly. This is what I've seen now, just about ten minutes ago.
02:19:19 The danger is that, yes, well, government may owe them, which shouldn't be the case,
02:19:28 but if they are also deliberately, in some areas, doing this, like you just saw on the last stretch,
02:19:34 if they are deliberately doing this and endangering human life, there should be consequences for that.
02:19:40 Yeah, Ben, unfortunately, the police are here. We all discussed it and said we should have caused an arrest.
02:19:48 But then the major issue at the moment is that traffic is so intense, the concentration is directing traffic.
02:19:56 You should come and see. I'll send you some few pictures of what we are doing here.
02:20:00 And it is really sad that they come in the morning at 6.30 and they have to leave around 10 o'clock
02:20:06 and come back in the evening around 4 o'clock only to direct traffic,
02:20:11 because the traffic lights are not working at this particular major intersection.
02:20:15 So, no fault of the police, but now we have noticed that it is working.
02:20:20 In fact, if I had the key, I would open it for it to work, than what I see.
02:20:26 So, this situation, I'm laughing because it is funny with what I saw,
02:20:31 that somebody says the government is owing us, I'm not going to let the traffic lights work.
02:20:36 I mean, we need to collaborate. Department of Urban Roads, all of us must meet as soon as possible,
02:20:42 because people are dying. School children are crossing this road here.
02:20:46 I have to hold on. I'm wearing my reflective vest. I've been here since morning.
02:20:50 We are all trying to help the situation. Why should this happen?
02:20:54 Because of money, money, money, money, money. That is it.
02:20:58 Right. So, talking about this, back to what you asked,
02:21:02 I think that people must be awarded for all this to protect the traffic lights for them to work.
02:21:09 People must get themselves engaged. Everybody, all of us, we shouldn't say that,
02:21:15 oh, because somebody is vandalizing the traffic lights, we should allow him to go away.
02:21:21 And you must say, no, I'm not going to get closer to it.
02:21:24 Let us all be one and save our country. The country is ours. It is not for politicians.
02:21:32 It is ours. It is not for individuals, but it is ours.
02:21:37 All of us, we must be involved in solving such situations.
02:21:43 Thank you for those important comments.
02:21:47 There are two areas I would like to come to you on, Ejene Adonteng.
02:21:51 The first is what Cecil just mentioned. I mean, this gave me goosebumps.
02:21:56 So some of these people manually can control the traffic lights and because they are owed money,
02:22:02 they switch them off at the cost of human life.
02:22:05 Imagine the children crossing and the risk of getting hit.
02:22:09 Are you aware of this situation? How much do you know about it?
02:22:13 And what, after this conversation, are you going to be able to do about it by engaging the other authorities?
02:22:21 I think it's very strange what Cecil has just revealed.
02:22:25 Of course, I know that the system has been assigned to some contractors and they control.
02:22:34 They can switch it on, they manage it in a manner that it should function at all times.
02:22:40 And from what Cecil is saying, then clearly it means that they have a key
02:22:46 and they can do anything with it at any point in time when they feel like.
02:22:52 Really, indeed, somebody came in, opened this up and left the game.
02:22:57 I think this guy should have been arrested and perhaps...
02:23:00 He's gone, David, I'm sorry. He was just so smart. He came, papa, the lights came on, we're all looking at the lights,
02:23:05 and then papa, went outside on his motorbike and then he's really gone.
02:23:11 Yes, what Sergei said that he came in as a staff of a certain company responsible for it,
02:23:17 I am highly amazed of this particular incident.
02:23:22 And right from here, where I am now, I will go to the Department of Urban Rules,
02:23:27 I will sit down and discuss this particular matter, that traffic lights, the way it is now,
02:23:32 it should not be in the hands of this contractor. It should be in their hands.
02:23:37 No, it should be managed and controlled by the regulator,
02:23:40 and that is the public agency that has the mandate to control it.
02:23:45 At this stage, we use electronics, digitized, automated, to handle this new thing.
02:23:51 We don't do it manually. So I'm highly surprised.
02:23:55 But I think that this is very good information for us, and me in particular, and I'm going to go right...
02:24:01 Okay, so, Agnè Adonté, I just want you to hold for me, hold for me Cecil, hold for me Agnè Adonté,
02:24:08 because one of the major areas where we're facing this problem, the Professor J.E.A. Mills High Street,
02:24:16 that is where my colleague Bernice Abubaydou finds herself currently, and she's going to be telling us what she sees.
02:24:22 Bernice, if you can hear me, what exactly is the situation like on the Atta Mills Highway?
02:24:28 [Silence]
02:24:44 [Music]
02:25:05 Well, we'll try to reconnect with Bernice Abubaydou-Lanza when we can get her.
02:25:09 She is on the J.E.A. Mills stretch, and we'll be getting to find out what exactly is happening there with that traffic light.
02:25:16 But, Agnè Adonté, so you were saying that right after this conversation, you are going to be engaging urban roads.
02:25:22 You made mention of the fact that we've moved away from the manual operation of these traffic lights.
02:25:28 They are manipulated by, or they should be, controlled by the regulator.
02:25:33 So why do you think we're facing what we're facing? Where is the missing link?
02:25:37 [Silence]
02:25:39 So that, of course, there must be some missing link somewhere, as you are saying.
02:25:43 Because, as far as I know, most of these traffic signals, or traffic lights, have been transformed into an automated system,
02:25:51 where there's a whole control center at the Department of Urban Roads, where they are controlling from a center,
02:25:59 from a park office right at the Department of Urban Roads.
02:26:03 Then, perhaps, I'm tempted to believe that not all the traffic signals, traffic lights, have been synchronized, or harmonized.
02:26:11 Particularly the one that is currently where you are now.
02:26:15 Because the road is under construction, it might not have been roped onto the urban transport management system.
02:26:23 But otherwise, most of them are now automated. They are now controlled at the whole control center.
02:26:29 But I still may believe that some contractors may still have some keys, or some codes, to be able to manipulate,
02:26:38 especially when it gets to times of crisis like this, to make a big case for themselves.
02:26:43 And I'm not too sure about the point...
02:26:45 So you're suggesting that for those, from where you sit, if some of them have these keys, it could only be through illegal means that they have them?
02:26:54 I think it should not be the case. That should not be the case.
02:26:58 Because the public institution is the regulator. And they must be in control.
02:27:04 We cannot put the control of traffic light systems in the hands of an individual or a private company so they can manipulate it at any point in time.
02:27:16 If they must do some work around it, then they must be assigned by the regulator to go and handle it.
02:27:23 Even if it is repaired, you cannot have, in your own way, move and do things because you are the contractor having access to the facility.
02:27:31 It must be controlled. It must be regulated.
02:27:33 And I think I'm also picking a few bits and pieces in this whole differentiation.
02:27:38 And as I engage them, we will have to tackle this very well so that as we move forward, we don't encounter these problems again.
02:27:46 Because where I sit, it is very crucial to me. It adds on or betters my statistics.
02:27:54 And it is this same statistics that is making me perform.
02:27:58 If the figures go up, then I have questions to answer.
02:28:05 But when the figures go down, then I am excited because I can confidently come out and say, "Our interventions are working."
02:28:13 So I think this matter is not something we will just have to sit under the carpet.
02:28:18 We will take it up and engage our colleagues, engineers, and try to find very practical and pragmatic solutions to them.
02:28:26 In any case, we will move with the agenda of digitization.
02:28:30 We have to digitize. We have in recent times traveled to various countries, international, and everybody is now synchronizing their life systems.
02:28:39 And so when it is green, we can manipulate in a manner that it becomes red, depending on the demand from the various approaches.
02:28:47 I think these are innovative ways we have to now deploy in a manner that we can all protect human life and property.
02:28:56 So certainly, I will engage them this very day.
02:29:00 We will bring up to them some of the issues that have raised and some of them that we have raised from the daily and from other media systems
02:29:09 where we are getting comments and input from the general public, after we serve the public.
02:29:13 And so once we have all this input, we will engage our team in the engineering part of the DUR and see how we can move things forward.
02:29:22 It is really refreshing to hear what you're sharing in this respect and what you will be doing.
02:29:30 Just to be fair, final comments Cecil Gabra. Is this any comfort for you and what are your expectations?
02:29:36 Yes, I'm okay. I had to come out from the vehicle and then take some few pictures for you to see what is really happening here.
02:29:46 So I will agree with David that look here, we need a central automation.
02:29:54 And then central automation will mean just like we have the central cameras where the national security sits behind the cameras
02:30:07 and then will observe what is happening.
02:30:09 But on this side to control traffic, it is everywhere, which means that they will look at the situation maybe from four to five
02:30:19 and say let us allow about 20 vehicles to use this particular lane so that we can ease traffic.
02:30:29 That is what we need.
02:30:31 It can be with somebody who will just come and open the controller and then text them and go very funny honestly.
02:30:42 We have passed that stage. We need to move forward.
02:30:45 And after all, we are looking at one goal, which is road safety.
02:30:49 Road safety must be our own priority to save lives, save properties, so we can have a true free movement where we decrease the number of accidents in this country.
02:31:03 That is what we are looking at.
02:31:05 Thank you so much, gentlemen, for joining the conversation.
02:31:11 Cecil Gabra, CEO, Top Tech Transport and Logistics.
02:31:16 We are so grateful, sir. And he is on the ground working for God and Country.
02:31:21 There's also the acting director general of the National Road Safety Authority, Engineer David Osafo-Adonteng.
02:31:28 Gentlemen, thank you so much for making the time to join us this morning.
02:31:32 This conversation will continue in the coming days as we seek solutions to this all-important matter.
02:31:39 Do stay with us on the AM Show. We'll be right back.
02:31:42 (music)
02:32:09 Well, thank you very much for staying with us.
02:32:12 And now we shall be talking about the National Development Conference.
02:32:17 What is that all about?
02:32:19 Well, Ghana continues to face many developmental challenges despite experiencing some growth rates in recent times.
02:32:26 This conference seeks to provide that platform for us to have a national engagement on a moral vision for Ghana towards a concerted national development agenda.
02:32:38 Now, joining us for this conversation, it's quite an honour because the person I'm about to mention was in school with me way back,
02:32:47 the best school in Ghana, Bishop Herman College. I'm talking about Reverend Dr. Felix De La Cloutier.
02:32:53 He is head of media ministry that is with the Church of Pentecost and is a planning committee member.
02:33:00 Also joining the conversation, we have Pastor Clement Achim Jima, planning committee member as well.
02:33:08 Gentlemen, a very good morning to you.
02:33:10 Good morning.
02:33:11 It's really good to have you.
02:33:13 As for you, we'll do our thing after the show is done.
02:33:17 But this whole National Development Conference, let me start with you, De La.
02:33:23 Why this bit? Is this the first time it's coming up as far as the Church of Pentecost is concerned?
02:33:29 Sure. This is the first time. Thank you, Richard.
02:33:33 The National Development Conference being organized by the Church of Pentecost is a gathering of the movers and shakers of the video society in Ghana
02:33:44 where we are all converging at the Pentecost Convention Centre between July 25th up to 27th, where we are bringing all stakeholders.
02:33:53 When I talk about stakeholders, I'm talking about politicians, talking about the clergy, talking about our brothers in the Muslim community,
02:34:01 talking about the chief directors and all those who matter in society so that we can meet at Pentecost Convention Centre
02:34:11 and then have a national dialogue to bridge the gap between moral vision and national development.
02:34:19 So this is the first of its kind that's been organized by the Church of Pentecost.
02:34:25 And for you, Reverend Achim Jima, if I were to ask you, why is the Church of Pentecost wading into this?
02:34:31 There has been criticism from time to time that the Church doesn't do enough when it comes to governance and calling leaders to account.
02:34:38 Is that part of why the Church of Pentecost is getting into this?
02:34:42 Yes, my brother, Richard. I think that this...
02:34:45 The name is Benjamin, actually.
02:34:47 It's a build-up. The Church of Pentecost, we've been engaging with especially our in-house public leaders, including politicians.
02:34:57 It started way back. So this one is the first that we were organizing politicians' conference.
02:35:04 That was our church members who are into politics and public life executives.
02:35:10 And then we came to introduce youth political chamber who were also grooming young people in the church who want to aspire to be leaders.
02:35:18 So 2023 vision of the church was to transform society, changing values, and trying to see how the church will get involved in national issues.
02:35:34 So the five-year vision of the church is to possess the nation. And if we are possessing the nation, then the economic indicators of the nation is also prime to us.
02:35:45 So we are in as stakeholders to see what we can do to help all of us to make sure that our vision as a nation does not become only for politicians.
02:35:55 All actors will be on the table to discuss how we move forward.
02:35:59 That is why if you see the theme for the conference, it's moral vision and national development.
02:36:04 So we want to bring that moral vision aspect. And the church, I think we have the capacity to see how we can partner with government and other institutions to make things work better for us.
02:36:17 That's an interesting perspective that you've brought to bear. But for you, Doc, so who are those who are going to be participating in this?
02:36:24 Who are those who are going to be speaking at this event? And for the participants, is this free? I mean, what are the dynamics? How many people are you looking at?
02:36:33 That's a very good question. For the participants, we are looking at journalists. So GJA will be bringing representatives.
02:36:41 I see.
02:36:42 Yeah, we are looking at the Ghana Bar Association. We've met them. They'll also be bringing reps. We are looking at the MPs as well.
02:36:51 So you're targeting the politicians?
02:36:53 The politicians will be in attendance. The DCs, MDCs, all those people, chief directors of the various ministries, they'll also be in attendance.
02:37:04 And for speakers, we'll have the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo, will be the guest speaker.
02:37:14 And also in attendance, we'll be having former President John Ajeb Kumkufo.
02:37:18 I see.
02:37:19 We'll also be having the former President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama. We'll also be having the Speaker of Parliament and also the Chief Justice all coming in.
02:37:31 You mean the current Chief Justice?
02:37:32 The current Chief Justice, Getri.
02:37:33 Okay, Getri Tokono.
02:37:34 Yeah, Tokono will also be coming. But it's free. The conference is free.
02:37:38 Okay.
02:37:39 And the Church of Pentecost. And we'll also be having Sheikh Amirial from the Chief Imams Office.
02:37:46 And also the President of the National House of Chiefs will also be in attendance.
02:37:54 So this looks like a very high-powered event.
02:37:57 Very, very, very. And the Church of Pentecost is footing all those bills, including accommodation and then feeding.
02:38:05 And you know, so 26th, 25th is the, you know, arrival.
02:38:11 Then on 26th, the conference starts. That is the opening session.
02:38:16 And then after that, we'll have about 2,000 being resident, looking at what we can do, engaging, you know, in various dialogue,
02:38:28 having track session, having workshops to see how best we can bridge the gap between morality and national development.
02:38:35 So I am curious. Reverend has already made mention of the theme.
02:38:40 I want you to rehash that. And you've already spoken about the 25th and the 26th with the main event.
02:38:46 Where is the conference going to be held? And please go over the theme for us again.
02:38:52 So the conference will be held at Pentecost Convention Center at Goma Fete near Kasua.
02:39:00 And then the theme is going to be moral vision and national development.
02:39:05 Moral vision and national development.
02:39:07 Because we believe strongly that in our quest to develop this nation,
02:39:13 we should never make a mistake to overlook our moral values, such as integrity, you know, honesty,
02:39:20 faithfulness, and all those things. And there is the need to be able to bridge this gap.
02:39:27 And you have, Pastor has said something, you know, we have about 71 percent Christians in this nation.
02:39:34 But the impact is not too felt. Well, we are the salt and the light of this world.
02:39:40 And here we are talking about corruption and all other social devices.
02:39:44 And when you look at all those things, the church got to be relevant to society.
02:39:49 And so we believe strongly that a church founded on moral principles, having this kind of population,
02:40:00 bringing all this segment of people together to chart a national course for national development,
02:40:05 can never overemphasize. So it's very important that we have this particular conference.
02:40:12 So in the course of this conference, what can we expect? What can we look forward to?
02:40:18 Just give us a taste of what is coming on the 26th.
02:40:22 Yeah. One thing that we as planning committee, we are envisaging and trying to see God help us to come to is.
02:40:31 We have to be honest with ourselves that we've not done well as a nation.
02:40:36 So that honesty should be there. And we are also praying that we are not going to enter into shifting of brains.
02:40:44 We all have to accept that we have a role to play. And where we are now, it has taken all of us to get to where we are now.
02:40:51 How do we move from there and then become better?
02:40:54 That is the honesty that we want everybody to come there to be naked.
02:40:58 I use that word somewhere that we have to be naked and know how we clothe ourselves again so that our nation will pick up for us.
02:41:06 And the serious challenges we face as a country are here with us.
02:41:10 It's only with that moral vision and that that ability to put our shoulders to the wheel that we can get there.
02:41:18 The Church of Pentecost is spearheading that with this national development conference.
02:41:23 Gentlemen, your final words. I'll start with you.
02:41:26 Thank you, Ben. I want to say that we want to thank you for giving us this platform to introduce this thing through your media.
02:41:35 We also want to invite you. It's next week.
02:41:38 If JFM can give us some space to let people know what is happening over there, we'll be happy about it.
02:41:44 And all of us should know that we have a role to play. We should not sit down and blame anybody.
02:41:49 The reason why we have opened the net is that always we think that it's the politicians who are doing it.
02:41:54 But we all have a role to play and we contribute to it.
02:41:58 We are all involved.
02:42:00 Definitely, we are all involved. All hope is not lost. Ghana will work again.
02:42:04 And I believe strongly that after the conference, it's not going to be the normal talk show,
02:42:11 but there are going to be communiques that will be issued and will follow through,
02:42:16 that all the things that have been said at the conference will be implemented.
02:42:22 On the 26th, all roads lead to Gomuafete.
02:42:25 Remind me again, the name of the facility.
02:42:28 Pentecost Convention Centre.
02:42:31 Pentecost Convention Centre. The PCC.
02:42:33 The PCC.
02:42:35 And that is where it's going down. About 3,000 people will be there.
02:42:40 You can expect His Excellency the President also to be there, together with other political and stalwarts from all walks of life will be there.
02:42:51 Those who joined us for this conversation today, Reverend Dr. Felix De La Cluja.
02:42:56 He is head of media ministry, the Church of Pentecost, and a planning committee member.
02:43:01 We also have Pastor Clement Achimjima, a planning committee member.
02:43:07 They joined us for this conversation.
02:43:10 But stay with us. When we return, it is Cues and Lyrics.
02:43:15 Now, it's a Joy Prime Music reality show aimed at entertaining its viewers and grooming musical talent.
02:43:22 We'll be telling you a lot more about that right after the break.
02:43:26 [Music]
02:43:54 Well, as we wrap the show, we're going to wrap it on a fantastic note, because guess what?
02:44:00 We're talking about Cues and Lyrics, that Joy Prime Music reality show aimed at entertaining all viewers and grooming musical talent.
02:44:10 Now, it began with 12 contestants who had gone through an 11-week period of grooming.
02:44:17 Seven fell off along the way, and now there are only five standing.
02:44:22 They are set to slug it out for the ultimate prize of 20,000 Ghana CDs in cash, and all expenses paid trip to Dubai and a recording deal.
02:44:34 Now, that is mouthwatering. The final is slated for Saturday, the 22nd of July at the Silicon Production Studio in Tessano.
02:44:43 Can you imagine that? 20K, trip to Dubai, recording deal.
02:44:47 So, Traig and TM Music, Kwabena Mufasa, Lemuel and Lovette are the final five who have made the cut, and today we're hosting Lovette and Lemuel.
02:45:01 Lovette, welcome aboard.
02:45:04 Thank you.
02:45:05 There's also Lemuel. I was just interacting with him. I was yanking his chain, pulling his legs.
02:45:10 So, Lemuel is a biblical name.
02:45:12 Yeah.
02:45:13 Where in the Bible can you find Lemuel?
02:45:15 Oh, you can find it in Proverbs 31, verse 1.
02:45:18 Proverbs 31, verse 1. What does Lemuel mean?
02:45:21 Lemuel actually means a man consecrated to God.
02:45:24 A man consecrated to God.
02:45:26 Yeah.
02:45:27 So, you're a consecrated guy.
02:45:28 Sure. A full focus.
02:45:30 Okay. You're my D.
02:45:31 You're my D.
02:45:32 You're my D. Okay, okay. So, let's get into a conversation. I'll start with you, Lemuel. They say ladies first, but because of your name, I'll start with you.
02:45:40 All right. Bless us.
02:45:41 So, Lemuel, you're my D. What kind of music have you brought to bear on Cues and Lyrics?
02:45:47 First off, how did you hear about Cues and Lyrics and throughout this journey that you've come?
02:45:53 What has the journey been like? What kind of music have you been singing?
02:45:57 Okay. So, thank you so much for the opportunity to actually have me here on the AM show.
02:46:02 And also, I want to thank all my viewers, my fans that are watching me from La Paz 66. Shout out to everybody.
02:46:08 All the fans from La Paz 66.
02:46:10 Okay.
02:46:11 New man, new town. Bless up to all you guys.
02:46:13 Yeah. So, first of all, I had Cues and Lyrics through a friend.
02:46:17 Through a friend?
02:46:18 Through a friend. So, I was fortunate to be part of those who actually ran the ad for the show.
02:46:24 So, after that, my friend contacted me that, "Oh, we should try and pass you." I've not been to any reality show before.
02:46:31 This is your first?
02:46:32 This is my first. All I've been doing is only social media, competitions, contests. That's what I've been doing.
02:46:38 But I've not come on television for any reality TV show before. So, this is my first actually.
02:46:43 So, it was through a friend that I got to hear about the Cues and Lyrics.
02:46:47 And my journey so far, it has been great. So many twists and turns.
02:46:52 I mean, you've made the last fight. Why wouldn't it be great?
02:46:54 It has been great. So many twists and turns. So many ups and downs. A whole lot. A whole lot.
02:46:59 But it has all bottled up to give me a great experience. Yeah.
02:47:05 For you, Lovette, how did you hear of this program, this reality show?
02:47:11 First of all, thank you so much. It's an honor to be here.
02:47:16 So, I was at work. I was just home watching Status.
02:47:24 And then I saw a friend post. Actually, I think she works with Tigon Creation.
02:47:28 She posted about, I mean, she was singing. She mostly posts one of those stuff.
02:47:35 You know, Tigon Creation have a lot of like setups. So, I thought it was just one of those things.
02:47:42 So, I asked about it and she was like, "Oh, Joy Prime is having an audition. They are contesting for..."
02:47:48 So, I was like, "Okay." I was not tempted to go. I love singing, but my passion is in acting.
02:47:56 Oh, I see. So, you are multi-talented. Yes. I just sing at church. Mostly at church.
02:48:03 So, I wasn't feeling the urge to go for the competition. But my friend was like, "Lovette, just come and give it a try."
02:48:09 Funny enough, I was the last person to audition. The very last one.
02:48:13 The very last one. And we saw the queues, the number of people who thronged the place.
02:48:18 Young, old, everybody who came. Yes.
02:48:21 When I was going for the audition, I had one thing in mind. Because I know I will be the very last person to get there.
02:48:29 So, I needed to create an impression that nobody is going to forget.
02:48:33 And people always say I look like Jackie. Especially when I wear my French wig.
02:48:37 So, I had to put that on, dress like her. So, people saw me and they thought I was Jackie.
02:48:41 I actually saw the queue, but I bypassed everyone. So, nobody stopped me.
02:48:46 So, I had to speak to someone. You got some courage.
02:48:51 So, I had to do a friend. And God being so good, I'm here.
02:48:55 So, that's interesting. What has your journey throughout this been like? Have you been singing Jackie songs?
02:49:01 No. During my audition, I did sing one of her songs.
02:49:09 But when you go into a competition, you have people to direct you to which music is good for a competition and which is not.
02:49:18 So far, I haven't. I didn't do any of her songs.
02:49:23 So, let's talk about your musical repertoire, if you like.
02:49:27 And those songs that you've been singing up to this point that have made you make the cut to the last five.
02:49:34 Lemio, I'll start with you.
02:49:36 On that musical journey, what has this been like?
02:49:39 I've been watching some of the guests, Bogor and others, cutting, ripping into you and saying, "Masa, niyawe ye diye, chali chali."
02:49:47 And all of that. What has that experience been like? And how has that impacted your music, the music and your performance?
02:49:54 Okay, so I'll start off with my music journey, what I've been doing so far.
02:49:59 You know, I can never forget my roots. That is a high life music.
02:50:03 I've always been doing that. I've always been in the live band that I roll with.
02:50:09 We go to pubs and then we have events. We go and play for them.
02:50:13 I'm a kind of a live band kind of guy.
02:50:16 And then my genre, the first genre that I pick is the high life.
02:50:21 So I've been doing high life songs there.
02:50:23 And then when I come down to the next item, that is the next genre, that is dancehall and reggae.
02:50:30 I don't joke with that as well.
02:50:32 Is Stoneboy one of those who inspired you?
02:50:35 Very well.
02:50:36 Immediately you said live band and then you mentioned high life and dancehall.
02:50:43 I knew he would probably be one of those.
02:50:45 Yeah, very well. So these were the songs that I've been performing so far.
02:50:50 If it's not high life, it's afro. Actually, how do we call it?
02:50:54 Dancehall.
02:50:55 Dancehall or reggae. I think it was one time that I did afro in there.
02:50:58 I like afro too, but hey, when it comes to my scale of preference, I don't joke with these two.
02:51:02 I think maybe I would, at some point, I would have you guys give me something, a little skit.
02:51:08 And then I'll see whether maybe you could perform a Camilo song at some point.
02:51:13 Maybe the afro fusion at a point.
02:51:16 But for you, Lovette, I nearly called you Jackie.
02:51:19 For you, Lovette, what sorts of songs have you been performing?
02:51:24 And how has that impacted your singing ability in the course of these 11 weeks?
02:51:29 Okay. So like I said earlier, my focus wasn't really on music.
02:51:33 So when it comes to Jen, I'll say I do mostly afro, pop, high life.
02:51:41 But with high life, I haven't practiced with a band before.
02:51:45 So being on Cues and Lyrics gave me the exposure, you know, how to work with a band and all that.
02:51:52 So it was a whole experience for me.
02:51:55 So actually, I would say my genre is afro pop.
02:51:59 But working with a live band, I think I will now change it.
02:52:03 It's not easy doing live band music. It takes a lot.
02:52:08 What has that experience been like for you?
02:52:10 It's been quite challenging.
02:52:13 Yes, very challenging.
02:52:15 You know, there came a time where, especially the drummer, Nanayel.
02:52:20 Thank you so much, Nanayel.
02:52:22 You know, Nanayel actually helps me with arranging songs.
02:52:25 I mean, my performance. Okay, I choose this kind of song.
02:52:28 Lovette, the song is too dull. Why don't we add a little bit?
02:52:31 Like, we'll add the drums here. We'll do this here. We'll do that here.
02:52:35 And then sometimes, because I haven't worked with a band before, I kind of feel like I'm tired.
02:52:41 Why don't we just play the normal beat so I sing to it?
02:52:45 But it doesn't work like that.
02:52:47 I'm being groomed, so I have to pass through the right procedure.
02:52:53 So it's been tough.
02:52:55 So I'll go back to your musical inspiration.
02:52:58 Both of you, I mean, on this journey, I'm sure you came with some artists that resonated very well with you.
02:53:05 And then starting to sing, you were also introduced to other artists.
02:53:09 Who would some of those artists be?
02:53:11 Apart from Stoneboy, that I hinted at.
02:53:14 For you, Lemuel, and then I'll come to Lovette.
02:53:17 For me, I think it's Grams Morgan.
02:53:19 Oh, that's an interesting choice.
02:53:21 And then big ups to Grams Morgan.
02:53:23 I've got three times comments and my post being shared by him.
02:53:27 All my performances, he has been sharing it, and big ups to him.
02:53:31 I think I saw them in the studio of, was it Hits? A few months ago.
02:53:35 Yeah, when it was promoted.
02:53:37 Yes, yes, yes.
02:53:38 Yeah, so that was when I got a reaction from him for all his songs that I performed.
02:53:42 He actually shared it for me. He tweeted it for me.
02:53:45 Wow.
02:53:46 That was a big win. I saw that.
02:53:47 So he has been one of the people that I also look up to.
02:53:50 If I take Stoneboy out of the context, he's also another person that I look up to.
02:53:54 And I look up to Daddy Lumba, Kojo Ntchi, that is my highlife.
02:54:00 Daddy Lumba, Kojo Ntchi, M.O.G. Music, Akessa Brimpong.
02:54:07 All these guys are the ones that I actually look up to when it comes to their genre that I actually like.
02:54:14 Yeah, yeah, yeah.
02:54:15 And for you, Lovette?
02:54:17 Jackie.
02:54:19 Jackie, obviously.
02:54:21 Jackie, Fave, Ira Star.
02:54:25 I choose Fave and Ira Star because Fave and Ira Star have a similar voice.
02:54:29 If you're not careful, you're mistaken.
02:54:32 You wouldn't know who is singing because they have similar voices and their voices are so strong.
02:54:36 So I really look up to them because I feel like there's a lot I need to learn when it comes to music.
02:54:42 So these two, Jackie and Kwabna Kwabna.
02:54:48 Kwabna Kwabna in there as well.
02:54:51 Interesting mix. I mean, both of you, I see the musical influences.
02:54:56 Before we talk about what you are planning, what you're cooking for Saturday, the grand finale.
02:55:04 Stagecraft. It's not just singing. It's the stagecraft.
02:55:09 So people would react a certain way back then when Lotkenia hit the stage, when a Samili hits the stage, when a Stonewire hits the stage.
02:55:20 Because of their craft, stagecraft.
02:55:23 So it's about how they're able to handle the stage and everything they do.
02:55:28 What have you picked so far by way of lessons on that front, which maybe you're going to bring to bear on D-Day?
02:55:35 Because you must put up your finest performance.
02:55:39 All five of you are going to be trying to steal the crown, but one person will take it.
02:55:44 Jackie, I'll start with you.
02:55:45 Jackie.
02:55:47 Love it.
02:55:49 I said the first time that I was, I nearly called you that and I have called you that.
02:55:54 Anyway, so maybe you're going to be, have you reached out to Jackie though?
02:55:57 Has there been any interaction?
02:55:58 No, not yet.
02:56:00 Well, Jackie, if you're watching or if you and your team get to watch this, you have not just a lookalike, but someone who performs your music as well that you should get in touch with.
02:56:09 She's called Lovette.
02:56:11 So, Lovette.
02:56:12 Okay, so, well, I mean, I'm still putting one or two things together that I don't want to tell the public yet.
02:56:20 You don't want to reveal your secrets.
02:56:22 Yes.
02:56:23 But what can they expect?
02:56:25 I mean, they've seen my performances, my stagecraft.
02:56:28 I mean, every time I perform, there is one comment I always get that is positive.
02:56:33 That's my stagecraft.
02:56:35 So, they should just expect more, something more, like something massive.
02:56:40 Explosive. Wonderful.
02:56:41 Yes.
02:56:42 Okay.
02:56:43 So, Lovette says you can expect nothing but fireworks on D-Day and she's going to be delivering.
02:56:47 I don't know about Lemuel.
02:56:48 What can we expect from you?
02:56:49 She says her stronghold is stagecraft.
02:56:52 What is your stronghold?
02:56:53 We're not joking.
02:56:55 But what are the comments?
02:56:57 We're not joking.
02:56:59 People know when we step up on the stage, it blows up everywhere.
02:57:02 So, we just keep the vibe cool.
02:57:04 When we step up, we just kick some butterfly kicks in the air for them to know.
02:57:08 So, we bring the full energy on the stage, man.
02:57:10 Ayah, ayah, ayah, ayah.
02:57:12 Charlie, the people didn't come to play you.
02:57:14 They didn't come to play.
02:57:15 I felt that.
02:57:16 I felt that.
02:57:17 I felt that.
02:57:18 Much love to you guys.
02:57:19 So, right before we wrap, I'm going to let you guys do this.
02:57:21 Of course, D-Day is Saturday like we've made mention of.
02:57:26 And all roads lead to cues and lyrics as we host the grand finale.
02:57:33 But I'm going to take a bit of a performance.
02:57:35 You took the wind out of my sail with that bit there.
02:57:38 I want you to perform.
02:57:39 Do you guys have anything that you've put together yourselves or it's always been other people's music that you've been sampling?
02:57:47 Okay, professionally for me, I have some songs out there already.
02:57:52 Okay.
02:57:53 I have some songs out there, which is also a surprise.
02:57:56 By the grace of God, when they come this Saturday, they will see one of my own songs as well.
02:58:02 Yeah, yeah.
02:58:03 All right.
02:58:04 So, we're going to do this in about a minute each or less.
02:58:08 Who goes first?
02:58:09 Listen, I'll leave it to you guys.
02:58:10 Let me go up here.
02:58:11 You go there.
02:58:12 Okay, so let me go.
02:58:14 All the cameras, all the attention, Ghana is on.
02:58:17 Libio.
02:58:18 He's going to be performing.
02:58:19 Sugar queen sweet but girl your love is sweeter.
02:58:23 So blue juice mixed with a little ginger.
02:58:27 Oh girl I wanna be with you.
02:58:30 But you know they get it half time for me.
02:58:32 Tell the lyrics now.
02:58:33 I know.
02:58:34 I said I wanna be with you.
02:58:37 How's it?
02:58:38 I guess a bit of.
02:58:39 Girl you never know say you come back so.
02:58:43 Man I'm so far to find your love.
02:58:45 Girl you never know say you come back so.
02:58:48 Man I'm so far to find your love.
02:58:50 Hey, my true nature now walk out your door.
02:58:53 Call me like a TV then light the door.
02:58:55 Oh you know say.
02:58:56 I don't wanna get them more.
02:58:58 Nothing you ever ever need at all.
02:59:00 My true nature now walk out your door.
02:59:04 Hitting those zippers right there.
02:59:06 But that was a good duet if you like.
02:59:09 I mean the two of you combining the voice.
02:59:11 And you have quite a voice as well.
02:59:13 Show us something.
02:59:14 You've already.
02:59:15 Now you've got me excited.
02:59:17 Now I want to hear more from you.
02:59:19 Okay, I'm obviously doing Jackie.
02:59:21 Okay, let's do this.
02:59:22 Which one?
02:59:23 Baby I woke up in one night and I saw.
02:59:25 One dream dream I'm into my more for.
02:59:28 Baby I'm a fire mama come and who knows.
02:59:30 Say when I'm in the door.
02:59:31 Say me now young come mess up.
02:59:33 What am I come my father.
02:59:36 Tell me who's a missing yeah.
02:59:38 I said me I'm a TV.
02:59:40 I would own a Macomb.
02:59:42 I'm a fan of them.
02:59:44 Yeah, I don't fit.
02:59:47 Yes, yeah.
02:59:48 They not sweat or down now.
02:59:50 Great.
02:59:51 I say but I.
02:59:52 Yeah, I'm a down also.
02:59:54 I say what for me a girl.
02:59:56 But you don't even care.
02:59:58 Yeah, boy, let me just tell you this.
03:00:00 What try me say your love doesn't exist.
03:00:02 By the seven year be would you do had this?
03:00:05 No, no, tell you that guys are they don't be breaking the girls heart.
03:00:08 So bad.
03:00:10 She had to end on that note.
03:00:12 Don't be breaking the girls hearts.
03:00:14 Hopefully you've not got had broken or something of the sort.
03:00:17 But anyway, this is what you can expect.
03:00:19 Love it.
03:00:20 Let me know on D-Day comes Saturday at a Silicon House.
03:00:25 Any final words as we leave our viewers?
03:00:28 Any final words?
03:00:29 Personally, I want to thank my fans, my family, especially my grandmother.
03:00:34 I call my grandma to Bella, my auntie and to give the and to Charlotte.
03:00:39 Everyone, my friends.
03:00:42 I know this is something, but yes, and I know boys.
03:00:45 That's what I'm going to see.
03:00:47 Hey, all my lovely guys out there.
03:00:49 Thank you so much for supporting me.
03:00:51 Love you all.
03:00:52 I think we all know what you nearly will pretend we don't know.
03:00:57 Let me know.
03:00:58 What up, what up, people?
03:00:59 It's your boy, Limuwa, the superstar presenting live once again.
03:01:03 Big ups to everybody who have been supporting me from day one.
03:01:06 Always being with me.
03:01:07 Charlie, if I want to mention your names one by one, we're not going to leave here.
03:01:10 But you know yourself and I know you too.
03:01:12 Right from day one, 6 to 6, my hood, La Paz, you guys have been supporting me.
03:01:17 Charlie, Saturday will be the finals.
03:01:19 Please, let's count it up.
03:01:23 Don't forget to vote for me.
03:01:25 Short call star 711 star 60#.
03:01:29 Then you enter 99 for the next page.
03:01:32 I am number 7.
03:01:34 Choose the number of votes.
03:01:35 Make payment.
03:01:36 Charlie, let's bring the crown home.
03:01:38 We shouldn't end here.
03:01:39 Bless us.
03:01:40 Limuwa, 6 to 6 is a full joint.
03:01:43 6 to 6 is a spot.
03:01:45 It's an old spot.
03:01:47 It's a spot that's been around.
03:01:49 Ah, okay.
03:01:50 It's a 66 spot.
03:01:51 It's been around for three years.
03:01:52 Oh, okay.
03:01:53 The entire area is called 66.
03:01:55 It's been good interacting with you.
03:01:58 I wish both of you the very best on D-Day.
03:02:01 This message comes through.
03:02:03 It says, "Happy New Year and blessed birthday to you, Mrs. Nanaya Pepra Odum of GCB Bank High Street from Linshong."
03:02:13 That is the message.
03:02:16 "I don't know what water you drink, but I'm proffering awake, purified drinking water for you."
03:02:21 They have the perfect sizes for everybody, 330 ml, 500 ml, 750 ml, and 1.5 liters for those who always want more.
03:02:29 Now, if you're thinking of something for your office or home, then 19 liter jars are ideal.
03:02:35 So just stay awake with awake, purified drinking water.
03:02:38 It's another quality product of Casa Preco Company Limited.
03:02:41 And the heartwarming part, for every bottle you purchase, an amount is donated to the National Cardiothoracic Center.
03:02:48 So when you purchase a bottle of awake water, you actually donate to that kitty for people to stay healthy.
03:02:55 This advert, of course, is FDA approved.
03:02:58 If you'd like to purchase in bulk, just call that number 0262-351-251.
03:03:04 It's been another exciting installment, and we've ended on the note of cues and lyrics.
03:03:08 Make your way to Silicon House on Saturday for that grand event.
03:03:13 But for now, my name is Benjamin Akaku. I've done this together with Bernice Abubidu-Lanzer.
03:03:19 Join Newsdesk up next.
03:03:22 [Music]
03:03:48 [Music]

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