The Voice and the Verdict: The Right to Speak, The Duty to Reflect: Free Speech and Responsibility in Ghana’s Democracy

Government’s decision to substantially increase the levy on fuel oil has reignited the debate over the appropriate balance between revenue mobilisation and fair taxation. While every government has a responsibility to safeguard public revenue and prevent tax evasion, the measures adopted to achieve that objective must be proportionate, targeted, and economically sound.

One of the most painful discoveries many land buyers in Ghana make is realizing that the land they originally purchased is no longer the same land they physically possess years later. In many cases, the dimensions reduce quietly, boundary pillars disappear mysteriously, neighboring structures begin crossing into the property, or fresh survey exercises suddenly reveal conflicting measurements.

It appears that the current government is at war with cocoa farmers and thousands of people whose lives depend on the cocoa sector. The government’s resetting agenda is negatively impacting a subsector that has been the backbone of Ghana’s economy since the 1879s.

"Instead of focusing on the competition, focus on the customer." — Scott Cook

Agriculture remains the backbone of many economies, particularly in developing countries where it contributes significantly to employment, food security and economic growth.

1.0 Introduction/Background Ghana recently completed its US$3 billion Extended Credit Facility with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and transitioned to a non-financing Policy Coordination Instrument, putting the Bank of Ghana under intense scrutiny to maintain zero-financing of the government.

The Missing Question

In every discipline, the questions that sound elementary are usually the most consequential.