Africa

President Mahama scraps 7 ministries in Ghana to save costs

Published

1 month ago

January 13, 2025

President Mahama scraps 7 ministries in Ghana to save costs

Ghanaian President, John Mahama, has announced the reduction of ministries from 30 to 23, following the dissolution of seven ministries.

This step is part of a comprehensive plan to streamline government operations and adhere to the fiscal discipline required under the terms of the $3 billion bailout secured from the International Monetary Fund, IMF.

In his official statement, President Mahama highlighted the primary goal of the restructuring, which is to cut costs and enhance the efficiency of government operations.

“The new government structure reflects our commitment to prudent economic management,” the president noted.

“By streamlining the number of ministries, we aim to save costs and ensure a more focused and effective governance framework.”

This development underscores the government’s resolve to address Ghana’s ongoing economic difficulties, such as rising inflation, increasing unemployment, and unsustainable debt levels.

The $3 billion bailout, secured in 2022, was designed to stabilize Ghana’s economy and address its fiscal challenges. The conditions tied to this financial assistance emphasized the need for fiscal responsibility and effective governance, which have been key priorities of the Mahama administration.

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After his decisive victory in the December 7 elections, President Mahama is under growing public pressure to fulfill his campaign pledges of economic recovery and better living standards.

“We understand the sacrifices Ghanaians are making,” Mahama remarked.

“Our administration is fully committed to restoring economic stability and improving the lives of our people. This restructuring is just one step in our broader plan to achieve these goals.”

Despite being Africa’s second-largest cocoa producer, Ghana continues to face significant economic challenges, including a youth unemployment crisis, high living costs, and crippling public debt, all of which have caused dissatisfaction among its citizens.

The government anticipates that the cost savings from reducing the number of ministries will allow for greater investments in key areas such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

This restructuring, which reduces the number of ministries from 30 to 23, aligns with the IMF’s focus on fiscal discipline and cost reduction. It also aims to channel savings into critical sectors to drive economic recovery and improve citizens’ quality of life.

During President Mahama’s inauguration on January 7 in Accra, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s steadfast support for Ghana’s leadership under Mahama.

President Mahama scraps 7 ministries in Ghana to save costs

Africa

Plane crash in South Sudan kills 20 oil workers

Published

3 weeks ago

January 30, 2025

Trends Admin

Plane crash in South Sudan kills 20 oil workers

A small aircraft carrying oil workers in South Sudan’s Unity State crashed on takeoff from its oilfield airport on Wednesday, killing 20 people, the region’s information minister said.

The plane had departed for the capital Juba when it went down, Gatwech Bipal said.

The passengers were oil workers of the Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC), a consortium that includes China National Petroleum Corporation and state-owned Nile Petroleum Corporation, he said.

Among the dead were two Chinese nationals and one Indian, he added.

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President Salva Kiir said engineers and technical staff were among the dead, and pledged a thorough and swift investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

Bipal gave no more details on the circumstances. Media reports had initially put the death toll at 18 but Bipal told Reuters two survivors had later died. One person survived.

Several air crashes have occurred in war-torn South Sudan in recent years. In September 2018, at least 19 people died when a small aircraft carrying passengers from Juba to the city of Yirol crashed.

In 2015, dozens of people were killed when a Russian-built cargo plane with passengers on board crashed after taking off from Juba airport.

Plane crash in South Sudan kills 20 oil workers

Africa

S’African man gets life jail for stabbing ex-girlfriend to death

Published

3 weeks ago

January 29, 2025

Trends Admin

S’African man gets life jail for stabbing ex-girlfriend to death

A regional court in Western Cape, South Africa has sentenced a man, Jerome Windvogel, to life imprisonment after he was convicted for the brutal killing of his ex-girlfriend.

The mother and sister of the deceased said Windvogel laughed while he stabbed Nelnisha Kortjie 39 times.

Windvogel, a member of the 28s gang, had a previous record of convictions, all for violent crimes committed between 2006 and 2018.

On February 17, 2023, Windvogel stabbed Nelnisha Kortjie 39 times after she failed to respond to his text messages.

Kortjie was on her way to the bus stop in Bonnievale when Windvogel approached her.

“He called her but she did not respond. He then chased after her as she turned to go home, took out a knife and stabbed her in the face, neck, upper body, lower body, arms, and legs,” said National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson in the Western Cape, Eric Ntabazalila.

Kortjie’s mother tried to intervene but Windvogel lunged at her.

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He then sat on top of Kortjie and continued to stab her.

Kortjie, aged 36, died at the scene.

“He was arrested that same morning after community members chased him,” Ntabazalila said.

During the trial, state prosecutor Elton Willmse said Kortjie’s murder was a fifth offence involving violence as an element and it was committed before the period of suspension, in one of his cases, had expired against the accused.

According to Willemse, Windvogel has a propensity to commit violent crimes.

He was previously convicted of an offence where violence was an element, as he did not want to accept that the relationship was over.

“Again, in this matter, he would not take no for an answer. He admitted to having a problem with controlling his anger yet he still armed himself with a knife,” he added.

The court noted that Windvogel gave no regard for the child they shared and Kortjie’s other two children.

S’African man gets life jail for stabbing ex-girlfriend to death

Africa

Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso officially exit ECOWAS

Published

3 weeks ago

January 29, 2025

Trends Admin

Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso officially exit ECOWAS

The three military-led West African nations – Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso – have officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

“The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger from ECOWAS has become effective today, 29th January 2025,” a statement by the ECOWAS Commission on Wednesday reads.

ECOWAS assured that passports and identity cards bearing its logo will remain valid for travel within the region.

Trade and economic activities will also proceed under the existing ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, allowing goods and services from the three countries to move freely.

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“Allow citizens of the three affected countries to continue to enjoy the right of visa free movement, residence and establishment in accordance with the ECOWAS protocols until further notice,” it further added.

More so, it urged members to continue providing full support and cooperation to ECOWAS officials from the three countries in the course of their assignments for the Community.

“These arrangements will be in place until the full determination of the modalities of our future engagement with the three countries by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government,” the statement clarified.