Author: sirrichie_2i8r8t

Astronomers at Durham University say they have found one of the universe’s largest ever black holes to date using a new technique. The astronomers say the “ultramassive” black hole was discovered by observing its pull on passing light, a technique known as gravitational lensing. The black hole is estimated to be around 30 billion times the size of the Sun. The scientists say their findings, published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, are “extremely exciting”. The paper’s lead author, Dr James Nightingale, said the discovery helps us to further understand the laws of nature as the black…

The Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Service has closed down the Bawku Technical Institute after students of the institute violently clashed with students of Bawku Senior High School on March 25, 2023. The management of the Ghana TVET Service in a statement said upon the advice of the Upper East Regional Security Council, it has closed down the school with immediate effect. Students have, therefore, been ordered to vacate campus immediately. First year students will, however, remain on campus to go through registration and orientation until the Easter break. The security services, according to the statement, will…

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin says President Akufo-Addo has no authority to intervene in the proposed anti LGBTQ bill which is currently before Parliament. According to Mr Bagbin, there was nothing the president can do to prevent the Bill from going through the Parliamentary process. When passed, supporting same-sex relationships, lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender (LGBT) activities will become a criminal offence in Ghana. To Mr Bagbin, the mandate of making laws for Ghana was the sole preserve of Parliament and not the President, hence the President cannot make any intervention in the proposed LGBT law. “This is legislation; this…

Some Members of Parliament (MPs) have called for the Speaker to refer an alleged breach of secret voting in the House for inquiry by the Privileges Committee. The call was made by NPP MP for Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfro, Sylvester Matthew Tetteh, and Dr. Kwaku Afriyie from Sefwi-Wiawso after some NDC lawmakers posted videos on various social media platforms capturing how they voted in the approval processes of President’s nominees for ministerial positions. Andrew Asiamah Amoako, the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, had condemned the NDC MPs’ ballot selfies, which were meant to demonstrate to their party that they followed the leadership’s…

The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has called on the government to reconsider its plan to introduce three new taxes. Describing such taxes are obnoxious, GUTA said they will bring more burden on the business community which is already in distress. The call follows reports of three new taxes currently before Parliament for consideration to help government shore up more revenue to salvage the ailing economy. The three new taxes are Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, Excise Duty and Excise Tax Stamp (Amendment) Bills as well as the Growth and Sustainability Levy Bill. A statement signed by the president of…

Trading activity in Government of Ghana bonds slumped once again last week. Aggregate volume traded declined by 15.59% week-on-week to ¢100.55 million. The new GoG bonds continue to gain traction as their total volume traded increased 5.24% week-on-week and accounted for 41.92% of total turnover. Additionally, the yield curve made a level shift downwards as the front compressed by an average of 181 basis points, as bond prices hovered around par levels. Per the trading results, analysts believe investors will price the policy rate increase into their bids for bonds on the market. As such, there is an expected limited…

Economist, Professor Godfred Bokpin, says the International Monetary Fund’s Executive Board’s seeming reluctance to approve Ghana’s $3 billion bailout is due to the country’s huge budget deficit. According to him, the country’s 2023 budget deficit alone stands at $5 billion which is $2 billion dollars more than the IMF bailout. He stated that the only reason Ghana managed to secure a staff-level agreement is probably due to pressure from Washington following Ghana’s recent courting of the US’ favour in pursuing an IMF bailout. “And I think that in all of this it’s obvious now that the hole that has to…

United States Vice President Kamala Harris has inspired the youth of Ghana to nurture their creative prowess to drive thecountry’s social and economic growth. “Africa’s population has a median age of 19… to the young leaders here, it is your spark, your creativity and your determination that will drive the future,” she said. “You have a role to play and together we have a role to play. So then, let us dream with ambition and lead with conviction,” she added. Ms Harris, first black-American Vice President said this at Ghana’s iconic Black Star Square. She urged the Government to create…

A National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary aspirant for the Weija Gbawe constituency, Felix Odartey Lamptey, has organised a women empowerment programme to provide skills training for branch women organisers of the party and other women within the constituency. The event held on 26th March 2023 was targeted at improving the well-being of the people within the constituency as participants were taken through various skill training programmes, including the production of liquid soap and other detergents, table setting, and ice-cream making. Participants were awarded certificates after the training. According to the former Weija-Gbawe Constituency Secretary, women’s economic empowerment sets a direct…

The Conference of Heads of Basic Schools is lamenting the non-payment of the capitation grant meant for the operationalization of basic schools for the past two years. The association explains that the situation is crippling the progress of teaching and learning in schools. Speaking to Citi News, the General Secretary of the Conference of Heads of Basic Schools, Justice Adu Darko, said they are yet to receive any funds. “The amount itself is inadequate looking at the prices of commodities of late. The last time it was paid was in 2019/2020. This means that for 2021, 2022 and now 2023, we…