Daily Graphic Editorials

Statements by some government officials suggest a deep dissatisfaction with the contribution of the mining sector to Ghana’s economic fortunes.

The growth of every country is largely dependent on a strong and vibrant financial services sector, particularly banks.

 Banks, by their nature as lenders and deposit takers, can make or break an economy.

Many years ago, the challenges in the banking sector in the United States of America and elsewhere in Europe, among others, caused a global recession and brought many big economies to their knees.

The shock was felt in developing countries, many of which depended on the developed world for support to build their economies.

The issues that caused the mess in the banking sector forced regulators of that industry to lift their game and tighten regulations to ensure that the oversights among other factors that brought the problems, did not recur.

Last year, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) directed the banks to recapitalise from the present GH¢120 million to GH¢400 million by the close of the year.

The intentions were clear. Among others, the directive was meant to sanitise and restructure the operational processes of the banks to be in line with global trends and also for the banks to survive any depressed economy, if there was one.

Since the announcement, the country has witnessed one of the worst storms in the banking sector with the local banks being at the forefront of what many have described as the most scandalous happenings ever to be recorded in the history of the sector.

Seven local banks were declared insolvent and forced to close.

The ripple effect of this scenario has forced many to lose confidence in the local banks in the country. Much as the BoG has taken some steps to restore confidence in the local banks, both Ghanaians and foreigners are not too comfortable working with some of them, fearing that, in the short to medium term, the BoG may be forced to close down some more for their inability to live up to expectation.

The GRAPHIC BUSINESS fully supports the efforts of the BoG in improving confidence in the local banks and we call on those withdrawing their monies to rescind their decision.

What we should know is that, by refusing to do business with the local banks, a friend, a relative or a family member could potentially lose his or her job. That is not to say that based on that fear, the rot should be allowed to continue.

In asking the general public to continue doing business with the local banks, we also are of the view that a lot more depends on the directors and shareholders of the banks themselves.

They need to demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt that they are up to the task. The lavish lifestyle of some of the executives and their managers on the back of the depositors funds must stop.

They also need to heed to strict corporate governance practice and must also be seen to be engaging in profitable activities that will not only ensure real returns on the investments but also, can guarantee the future of the bank.

Banking is about confidence.

If for nothing at all, our local banks must be highly solvent, that is, under no circumstance should they have more liabilities than assets with which to operate.

This is to ensure that they significantly reduce the risk to depositors’ funds.

The local banks must ensure liquidity at all times.

This means that they must not be faced persistently with liquidity shortfalls.

Finally, we believe that the best way to restore confidence in the banks is for the state to ensure that all those whose actions or inactions caused the collapse of the banks are not spared.

We have had enough of the talk and the time to act is now to set a positive and lasting example to deter others from doing same.

Confidentiality is very important in the context of employee/employer relationships, especially relating to business information. The need to keep very essential information under wraps is very vital, as its disclosure, when it lands in the wrong hands, can be misused to commit an illegal activity, such as discrimination or even fraud.

Three days of mourning, with all flags flying at half-mast— a truly befitting send off for our beloved Busumuru Kofi Annan.

The place of food in man’s activities can certainly not be overemphasised as the body’s functions –metabolic, hormonal, mental, physical or chemical – cannot be performed without food.

Ghana seems to be no stranger to floods, but this year’s flooding in June, which claimed nearly 20 lives in the country, was the most painful of all in recent times.

Exports are a crucial component of a country’s economy. Among other things, a country’s exports enable it to earn enough foreign exchange to import some of the items that it does not produce but which are essential for its nationals.

States tend to prioritise relations with their nearest neighbours, as, in most instances, one’s neighbours represent the closest opportunities for trade, travel and political ties. Among many other things, those countries often share geographical, cultural and ethnic connections.

One basic difference between a developed and an underdeveloped country is the level of infrastructure that exists in these countries.

The introduction of the paperless initiative in September 2017 at the country’s seaports has brought about a high level of efficiency in port operations which used to be fraught with paperwork and bureaucratic processes.

Ghana's rating has been raised from B- to B as a result of improved monetary policy effectiveness and stable positive outlook.

Ghanaians had high expectations when the country discovered oil in commercial quantities. That was justified, juxtaposed against the backdrop that the discovery of oil was going to change the fortunes of the country for the better.

The Ghana cedi has been going through some swings in the last few months, depreciating against the United States (US) dollar by 6.9 per cent year to date on the interbank market.

Not many nations in the world are blessed with natural resources. It is ,therefore, imperative that the lucky ones such as Ghana will make full use of that blessing to transform the economic fortunes of the people.

Government senior high schools (SHSs) open across the country today for fresh students to pursue their SHS education.

News that the Bunso Water Treatment Plant in the Eastern Region has been shut down as a result of the over-pollution of the Birim River from galamsey activities in the community is very bad not only for the people in the area but the nation at large.

For the orderly development of the country, a number of institutions are set up to provide services in the collective interest and welfare of the citizenry.

Electricity has become a part of our daily lives and one cannot imagine a world without it. Homes, schools, hospitals, offices and industries are running because of electricity. Electricity is, arguably, one of the greatest inventions.

Waste management, sanitation and hygiene technologies have existed since the Bronze Age.

On Sunday, August 19, 2018, a new entrant to the domestic airline space, Passion Air, took delivery of its first out of three pre-owned Q400 turboprops Bombardier Commercial Aircraft ordered for its operations.

The chieftaincy institution has come a long way from the days when chiefs preoccupied themselves with waging wars of territorial expansion to now when they are better seen as agents of development.