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Securing a safer LPG Market in Ghana: Government must separate LPG activities from the remit of National Petroleum Authority

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) which is a by-product of natural gas extraction consists mainly of hydrocarbons and are an efficient, clean and cheap source of energy for both commercial and domestic use. Global use of LPG is primarily for domestic cooking and also for heating. Increasing access to LPG use is identified as the most plausible solution path for the attainment of United Nation’s goal of global access to clean cooking energy by 2030 (The World Bank, 2011). In that sense, various national governments have pursued and still pursuing aggressive policies directly or subtly at expanding LPG use. In Ghana, the campaign about LPG use started in the 1990’s and has since seen demand grow steadily especially among households [domestic use] in the urban cities. Demand is expected to reach a minimum of 5.9 million metric tons by the end of 2022 (Tei-Mensah, 2014). However, the LPG blessing is turning out to be a curse in Ghana owing to recently increased fire outbreaks/accidents espec...

WHY SPEND WHAT YOU DO NOT HAVE?

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The 2018 budget statement and economic policy of Government envision an overall deficit budget of Gh¢10,971.4 million representing 4.5 percent of GDP. Projected total revenue based on the economic outlook for 2018 show that about GH¢51,039.1 million will to be mobilised in the form of domestic revenue and grants. This represents 21.1 percent of GDP. In the same period, the government plans to spend GH¢62,010.3 million representing 25.7 percent of GDP. Meaning that government intends to spend more than its projected income by an amount of Gh¢10,971.4 million. The financing gap will be filled with borrowings from domestic and foreign sources. Simply put, we plan to spend what we do not have. Such has been the sad story of the Republic’s public financial management for a long time. The FY2018 deficit, however, is an improvement on 2017 figures. In 2017, the total projected outlook deficit is GH¢12,887.2 (6.3 percent of GDP). In percentage change, the 2018 deficit is 14.9 percent less th...

Sustaining the free secondary School Policy of Ghana

In recent times, teething challenges in Ghana’s free secondary education policy including congestion in classrooms, inadequate dormitories, and delays in disbursement of feeding grants have engaged the attention of many Ghanaians. Some individuals in the opposition, NDC have even postulated about the possible extermination of the programme within the next five years. The frank discussion is, however, particularly interesting to me because as we say “a government is like a waiter in a noisy restaurant, you must necessarily speak up before you can catch her attention”. And so, discussion on any government policy is a good one and potentially could force a change to various parts of the policy. It becomes uninteresting when we reduce everything to comic as Hassan Ayariga of the APC as usual took the discussion to the playhouse and exorcised the somewhat lively debate. Until the timely intervention by Dr Raymond Atuguba, I had switched my faculty antenna from the discussion. Dr Atuguba a...

Neglected issues in the fight against Corruption

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In her epistle dated 19th May 2016, titled “Letter from Africa: Is corruption just stealing? (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-36316702)”, and published by the BBC, the Ghanaian writer and opposition politician- her description then- Hon. Elizabeth Ohene took on the herculean task of discussing graft, a subject not many politicians would at their own will dare discuss. I have read that piece many times, reflecting the intent and also thinking if indeed, Hon. Ohene’s bravery at that piece epitomised her rectitude when she held public office during the former President Kuffour’s era? The answer does not come easy. But, since she left office, I have not heard of a single rumour of graft against her, and that might explain her share size of audacity in discussing this topic many of her kind shy away from. In the epistle, she made one outstanding point about graft, and I quote “Corruption simply does not carry the same odium as stealing or thievery. The word [corruption] has been saniti...

Climate Warming is a hoax? Trump and America First Mantra!

“Those whom the gods wish to destroy they first make them mad”. The Akan adage has found meaning with me on the heels of the unfortunate withdrawal of the United States of America from the landmark Climate Agreement reached in 2015 in Paris. President Trump’s announcement of US’s withdrawal from the Accord which is underpinned by the voluntary emission commitment and signed on by over 195 countries around the world, in my opinion, represent the most deleterious 21st-century political massacre of science and scientific indagation and collective global diplomacy. This single action further demonstrates the dwindling hegemonic prowess of America and as a leader in international relations. “The gods”, indeed, have relieved America of her hegemony as manifested in her petrifying leadership of President Trump and Scott Pruitt- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) head. The problem of Pittsburg is of Paris, and so is Phusro in India and Phuket in Thailand. Our world has become integrated b...

GHANA’S FREE EDUCATION - BEAUTY AND UGLY DISCUSSIONS

At his first State of Nation Address to the Parliament of the Republic, H.E. the President indicated his commitment to implement his long-held promise of making senior level education free for all Ghanaians. To many, it was not surprising as his campaign in 2008, 2012 and 2016 very much featured free education as one of the changes to come should then candidate Nana Akufo-Addo wins. The announcement, however, has generated some buzz in the country. Social media has been inundated with analysis and counter analysis with regards to cost, impact and benefit. In most instance, the discussion has been stimulating and insightful. My friends at Imani- a revered think tank in Ghana, have indicated their open disagreement with the policy and are livid the government is going ahead with implementation come September 2017. Imani’s President, Franklin Cudjoe, and Bright Simons- Vice President have led the charge against the policy. In all, the discussions have been intellectually apt, stimulating ...

41 Young Ghanaians In USA To Meet Prez Obama

Local News report on 2016 MWF Programme! http://www.peacefmonline.com/pages/local/news/201606/282828.php

PENOBSCOT NATION HOSTS THE MANDELA WASHINGTON FELLOWS

The day i met a native American!!! http://www.seveneaglesmedia.org/2016/07/18/penobscot-nation-hosts-the-mandela-washington-fellows/

Various News

http://www.africa-newsroom.com/africarc/press/ghanas-mandela-washington-fellows-depart-for-the-united-states

INTERNATIONAL AID TRANSPARENCY INITIATIVE (IATI) REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON DEVELOPMENT DATA AND USAGE ACCRA - GHANA, 19TH MARCH, 2015

So, i was at IATI Regional Conference! www.aidtransparency.net/wp-content/uploads/.../Ghana-workshop-participant-list.doc

Ashesi hosts business seminar with Babson College

It was an honour to meet students from Babson College in 2011!!! http://www.ashesi.edu.gh/stories-and-events/1061-ashesi-hosts-business-seminar-with-babson-college.html

MWF- 2016

I was selected among 1000 young Africans for the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) of President Obama in 2016. Wooow! https://plus.google.com/+usembassyghana/posts/hguXxiKUvt3

IREX Infor

Check out my bio as put up by IREX. https://www.irex.org/people/henry-kyeremeh

ALMO August ’16

So, in the month of August, 2016, i was selected as GRIPS alumnus of the month! http://www.grips.ac.jp/en/alumni/almo/pastalmo/almos2016/16-08/

Global South-South Development Academy Video

Check out my presentation at the South South Cooperation Workshop in Brazil in 2013. http://tcdc2.undp.org/GSSDAcademy/video/train2videodetails.aspx?r=39

OECD warns of European recession

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  Comments (174) World trade growth has slowed significantly according to the OECD Continue reading the main story Global Economy What's the matter with Spain? What's the matter with Italy? Is the euro about to capsize? How might Greece leave the euro? The OECD has warned that the eurozone and UK could be entering a recession, and has cut its global growth forecast. The OECD predicted the eurozone economy would shrink in the fourth quarter by 1%, and by 0.4% in the first quarter of next year. For the UK, the OECD's predictions are a 0.03% contraction this quarter, and a further 0.15% next. The group also revised down its forecast for global economic growth to 3.8% this year and 3.4% next year. Events A "negative event" in the eurozone, such as a default by Italy or Spain, could even cause a global contraction, the OECD said. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development represents wealthy cou...

MACROECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF WORKERS’ REMITTANCE FLOW TO GHANA

ABSTRACT Remittance flow to Ghana have been growing rapidly in recent times, making it one of the largest sources of financing which are unrequited. This research work analyzes the macroeconomic determinants of worker remittance to Ghana using vector error correction model (VECM) and finds out that growth of remittance in recent times to Ghana could be explained by both the host country’s economic condition as well as the home country’s economic situation. It was however, not clear if indeed, remittance was countercyclical – that is, during periods of nadir economic growth in Ghana remittances turn to decline. Altruistic motive dominate the notion for which people living outside Ghana remit home. All the variables in the VECM estimation were found to be of economic relevance in elucidating remittance flow, even though average unemployment rate was not statistically significant.

COPENHAGEN TO SHAPE THE WORLD

"If there is one lesson to be learned from the climate crisis and the other crises of the past year – food, fuel, flu, financial – it is this: We share one planet, one home. As people, as nations, as a species, we are in this together." – UN Secretary – General Ban – Ki Moon. In recent times both internally and internationally, discussion on climate change and their subsequent impact on planet earth have engaged the minds of many people. The discussions on climate change have gained more prominence because of the impending United Nations Climate Conference to be held in Copenhagen, Denmark from 7th December 2009. The Copenhagen treaty is expected to replace the Kyoto Protocol which was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, in December 1997 and entered into force on 16th February 2005. The Kyoto Protocol which had binding targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emission was signed and ratified by 184 parties of the UN Climate Convention. The only noticeable exception to the protocol th...

Cameroon ease to comfortable win

Cameroon started life under Paul Le Guen with a win over Austria Cameroon coach Paul Le Guen started his new job with a comfortable victory over Austria on Wednesday night. The Indomitable Lions beat their hosts 2-0, thanks to two first half goals from Pierre Webo. Le Guen dropped captain Rigobert Song to the bench for the game. Song has been a fixture in the team for the past decade. Striker Samuel Eto'o took the skipper's armband, although it has not been confirmed that he will retain the role. Ghana had an emphatic victory over Zambia in London. Both teams were without several key players because of visa problems, and Zambia only arrived in the UK on the morning of the match. Goals from Sulley Mutari and Junior Agogo helped the Black Stars to a 4-1 win. 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa had coach Joel Santana back in charge after a bout of illness. But his return did not inspire Bafana Bafana, who went down 3-1 at home to Serbia. Bafana coach Joel Santana was back in the dug...
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Zuma sworn in as S Africa leader Advertisement Crowds cheer as Jacob Zuma is sworn in Jacob Zuma, leader of the African National Congress, has been sworn in as South Africa's new president. He took the oath in front of 5,000 invited guests and crowds of supporters who had gathered at the Union Buildings in Pretoria for the ceremony. In a speech, he described it as a "moment of renewal" for South Africa, and vowed to work for reconciliation. Correspondents described a festive atmosphere in the capital that was not dampened by earlier rain and cold. I commit myself... with dedication, commitment, discipline, integrity, hard work and passion ...