Ghanaian doctor's 1994 donation to Nelson Mandela resurfaces amid xenophobic attacks in South Africa
via GhanaWeb2 min read
Kofi Anku, a Ghanaian real estate developer, shared a personal cheque from his late father, Dr. Vincent Anku, for $10,000 made out to Nelson Mandela in 1994. This act of solidarity, made in the year of South Africa's first democratic elections, has been highlighted by Anku on Facebook amidst renewed xenophobic attacks against Ghanaians and other Africans in South Africa. Anku emphasized his father's belief in standing against apartheid and for the dignity of Black people, contrasting it with the current intimidation faced by Ghanaian migrants in the country. He noted that many across the continent supported South Africa's liberation and that the current generation must consider what they are willing to do for each other. The post comes as Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has summoned South Africa's envoy to Ghana, calling for intervention after a Ghanaian legal resident was violently harassed. Anti-migrant groups have targeted foreign nationals, accusing them of draining public services, leading to ransacking of shops, homes, and even hospitals. Minister Ablakwa has appealed to the spirit of Pan-Africanism, urging that the long-standing bonds between African nations should not be derailed by fringe elements. Anku's post serves as a reminder of the costly solidarity of an earlier generation of Africans.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
Ghana's Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has defended the government's decision to maintain tight public spending, attributing it to commitments under the International Monetary Fund IMF program. His remarks address criticism from the Minority, which claims the government is not spending despite improved economic indicators. Dr. Forson explained that the current administration inherited obligations from the previous New Patriotic Party NPP government's US$3 billion IMF bailout, which included a commitment to achieve a primary fiscal surplus of 1.5 percent of Gross Domestic Product GDP. He emphasized that IMF agreements are with the government, not political parties, and his administration is responsible for honoring these commitments to ensure Ghana successfully completes the program. The Minister also stated that government spending alone cannot resolve all economic challenges, particularly inflation driven by food prices and global fuel shocks. He noted that fiscal policy must work with monetary policy, highlighting an amendment to the Bank of Ghana Act to make inflation targeting a shared responsibility between the Ministry of Finance and the central bank. Dr. Forson expressed confidence that the government's disciplined fiscal approach would keep inflation within the target range, hoping to end the year with inflation at 5 percent.
Sammy Gyamfi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board GoldBod, has defended the GH垄4.5 billion allocation to the institution in 2025, refuting claims of public fund siphoning. Speaking on Joy FM's Super Morning Show, Gyamfi stated that Parliament lawfully approved the funds as revolving seed capital for GoldBod's operations, explicitly captured in the 2025 Budget Statement. He explained that the Ministry of Finance released the funds at the end of December 2025 after receiving necessary resources. Gyamfi questioned suggestions that the release constituted siphoning, arguing it followed due process and Ghana's public financial management framework. He criticized Abena Osei-Asare, Chairperson of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee PAC, for her comments, given her role. Gyamfi noted that GoldBod's 2025 financial statements were audited by the Auditor-General with no adverse findings and reported an operational surplus of GH垄909 million in 2025 from internally generated funds, as the government's seed capital was received at the financial year's end. He challenged the PAC Chairperson to find evidence of misappropriation in GoldBod's audited financials. Gyamfi also clarified that losses incurred by the Bank of Ghana under its Domestic Gold Purchase Programme should not be conflated with GoldBod's operations, as they are distinct entities with separate mandates.
A Ghanaian mother has gained widespread attention for her passionate coaching of her daughter, Gakye Nicky, during a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu BJJ championship. In a video that has circulated widely, the mother is heard shouting instructions in a Ghanaian language from the sidelines as her daughter competed. Her energetic encouragement included urging her daughter not to give up and to "break her hand" and "make sure she cries." The video was shared with a caption stating that the mother's coaching helped her daughter secure a gold medal in the martial art.