Ghana: Press zooms in on call for support to African govts by development partners, others | APAnews

The report that the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr Ernest Addison, has called for stronger support from development partners, as African central banks and governments continue to pursue domestic adjustment policies is one of the leading stories in the Ghanaian press on Monday.
The Graphic reports that the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr Ernest Addison, has called for stronger support from development partners, as African central banks and governments continue to pursue domestic adjustment policies.
He said the domestic adjustment policy efforts without adequate financing could only yield limited results, in the context of the complex domestic and external environment.
As such, he said stronger support from the development partners, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), remained paramount.
Dr Addison said this in a speech on behalf of African Central Bank Governors at the 2024 African Consultative Group (ACG) meeting with the Managing Director of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, at the ongoing IMF/World Bank meetings in Washington DC.
Speaking on the topic ‘Bolstering Africa’s Financing through the Overlapping Crises and Beyond’, he said considering the low catalytic effect of IMF financing, lots of African countries view the countercyclical role of IMF financing as indispensable.
He said Africa continued to face complex challenges against the backdrop of successive shocks, manifesting in a subdued post-pandemic recovery, elevated debt distress, and a persistent funding squeeze, that had amplified income divergences and undermined the achievement of sustainable and inclusive growth.
The African continent is currently faced with financing challenges as a result of a debt crisis, with some countries defaulting on their loan repayments while some opt for a debt restructuring.
The newspaper says that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has inaugurated the headquarters of the Cote d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Co-operation Initiative (CIGCI).
The facility which was inaugurated in Accra last Thursday, is situated at the Roman Ridge, a suburb of Accra.
The President urged the two countries to effectively collaborate and build on the alliance with renewed determination and optimism.
“As we launch this initiative and inaugurate this permanent headquarters, we are reminded of the common challenges we face; we must allow determination to foster solutions as we march forward,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo also said that the headquarters project was not the limit to their mutual achievements but a major step towards reaching greater heights as envisaged in the strategic partnership agreements between the two countries.
The Cote d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Cooperation Initiative (CIGCI) took off in 2017 when President Akufo-Addo and the President of Cote d’Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara, signed an agreement for a strategic partnership which would bind the two countries together.
In 2018, President Ouattara and President Akufo-Addo, pursuant to this strategic initiative, said his country was committed to see through the Abidjan Declaration for their respective governments to work together towards the attainment of a sustainable cocoa economy.
The two countries are responsible for 65 per cent of global cocoa output.
The Ghanaian Times reports that the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has re-affirmed its preparedness to work with the Ghana Immigration Service and other sister security agencies in the fight against any emerging threats, particularly at the country’s borders.
The Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, who gave the as­surance, therefore urged all security agencies to come together and work around the boarders of Ghana against the advent of terrorism to ensure the security of the nation assured.
Speaking during a courtesy call on Comptroller General of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Kwame Asuah Takyi in Accra on Wednesday, Lieutenant General Oppong-Peprah said “it is imperative that we work together and I know the benefit of that cannot be overemphasised.
The advent of terrorism in the Sahel and its descent towards littoral states indicates the urgency for se­curity forces in our country to work together. We must ensure the peace and security of our dear country Ghana by quickly addressing threats along our borders,” he explained.
He underscored the significance of quick response mechanisms, particularly in the face of terrorist threats, adding that “the hands of the terrorist will not approach if the vehicle is falling.”
The CDS reiterated his commit­ment to continuing the legacy of cooperation between the GAF and other security agencies, including the GIS.
“We are dedicated to forging stronger partnerships and enhancing cooperation with all security agen­cies across the nation. By working together closely, we can leverage our collective strengths, resources, and expertise to safeguard our citizens and secure our nation,” he added.
The Comptroller General of Immigration (CGI), Kwame Asuah Takyi in his remarks highlighted the significance of the service’s role in national security and the strong collaboration with the GAF.
The partnership with the GAF, he said traces back to the 1970s when the Immigration Department worked closely with the bodyguard unit of the GAF which led to programmes such as the Confi­dence-Building and Combat Training Programmes for border patrol officers.

The newspaper says that out of the total of 1, 832 water hydrants sited across the country, only 797of them are working, thereby affecting fire-fighting operations, the Head of Public Affairs Department of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Assistant Chief Fire Offi­cer Grade One (ACFO) I Timothy Osafo-Afum, has disclosed.
A water hydrant is a discharge pipe with a valve and spout at which water may be drawn from a water main.
ACFO Osafo-Affumin an interview with the Ghanaian Times yesterday, said some of the water hydrants installed in 1957, had be­come obsolete and malfunctioning.
He explained that some water hydrants could not be serviced and needed replacement, while others had structures built on them, and some of them were operating with low pressure.
ACFO Osafo-Afum saidfire­fighters had to travel long dis­tances to get water from hydrants, resulting in delays in attending to emergencies.
He gave the regional break­ down of unserviceable water hydrants as follows: Ashanti, 123,Oti 4,Eastern, 62,Volta 35, Savanna,3,Western 64, Northern, 38,Greater Accra, 305,Upper East,14, Upper West, 6,Bono 68,Bono East, 17, Ahafo 3, Western North, 5, Central, 47, and North East 3.
The PRO said as part of measures to address the situation, the GNFS had intensified col­laboration with the Ghana Water Company Limited, to ensure the flow of water in hydrants during emergencies.
ACFO Osafo-Affum stated that the GNFS had submitted proposal to the government, to procure more water tankers to facilitate activities of the Service.
He said the GNFS had also partnered some non-governmental organisations to construct bore­holes, especially in the rural areas, to ensure regular water supply.
GIK/APA