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Latest economic and financial data released by the Central Bank puts the country's debt stock at GHS127 billion at the end of March this year.

After it met on Friday to review the health of the economy, the data showed that debt has increased from around GHS122 in December 2016 to GHS127 billion.

This represents an increase of GHS5 billion in the debt stock in three months but sources close to government indicate the increase was not as a result of fresh borrowings.

Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta says Ghana’s program with the International Monetary Funds (IMF) would only be extended if the country fails to meet all the targets by end of next year.

This is in response to reports that government is currently negotiating with the Fund to extend the program, a development that has been confirmed by World Bank country representative Henry Kerali.

Sources say the push for extension has been influenced by fears that Ghana cannot implement all the needed reforms by April 2018.

World Bank country representative Henry Kerali

The United States Embassy in Accra is literally begging the national power supply company to sit with them so that they will settle unpaid bills of 2 years.

The Embassy took to their twitter handle to explain circumstances surrounding its alleged indebtedness to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

Ghana’s sector minister had made comments to the effect that the Embassy owed the ECG, ‘‘The U.S. Embassy in Ghana has not refused to pay any electricity bills. We have been asking for official bills,’‘ one of the tweets read.

Accra, May 17, GNA - Ghana has been described as an important development partner of China on the African continent.
“Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ghana and China 57 years ago, the two countries have enjoyed fruitful cooperation in the economic and trade fields, bringing tangible benefits to people of the two countries.”

Sun Baohung, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, said this at the opening ceremony of the China Trade week in Accra on Wednesday.

Ghana may export power to neighbouring countries by 2020 if current reforms in the energy sector are completed, Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko has said.

The Minister said the country could be generating in excess energy capacity of 1,700 megawatts because of the many power plants being installed.

Speaking on the final day of the National Policy Summit 2017 at the Accra International Conference Centre Tuesday, the Minister said the excess power will be exported for the money to be invested in other sectors of the economy.

Government has revealed plans to anchor industrialization in the country on the establishment of ten new industrial parks.

According to Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, each of the ten regions would have one park with the requisite facilities and flexible land schemes to facilitate the setting up of industries.

This initiative which draws heavily on similar models from Asia, is expected to create thousands of jobs for Ghanaians.

Government will take measures to protect local businesses from foreign competitors, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta has said.

In response to concerns raised by the President of the Association of Ghana Industries , James Asare Adjei on competition from foreign investors at the maiden National Policy Summit, the Minister said there should be no apologies over government’s desire to see local companies flourish at the expense of foreign ones.

A rematch between unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko could take place at Cardiff's Principality Stadium in October.

Briton Joshua stopped Klitschko at Wembley last month to add the WBA world heavyweight title to his IBF crown.

Wales' rugby union team will play at the Principality Stadium for most Saturdays in November and December, but 28 October could be a potential date.

"Talks are ongoing over venues," said Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn.

Accra, May 10, GNA - The year-on-year inflation rate went up slightly in April to 13.0 per cent, up by 0.2 percentage points, compared with the 12.8 per cent recorded in March.

The Acting Government Statistician, Mr Baah Wadieh told a press conference on Wednesday that the monthly change rate in April 2017 was 1.6 per cent, while that for March 2017 stood at 1.3 per cent.

The year-on-year non-food inflation rate recorded for April was 16.3 per cent compared with the 15.6 per cent recorded in March 2017.