Good morning and welcome to a summary of this morning's top local and international news stories.
Ghana on high alert over Omicron COVID-19 variant
The Ghana Health Service has said although the new coronavirus variant has not been detected in the country, it will move to tighten the enforcement of safety protocols during the Yuletide as a proactive strategy.
Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, said at a press conference on Sunday, November 28, 2021, that government and the relevant state agencies will tighten the enforcement of COVID-19 safety protocols to prevent a possible spike in the number of infections.
He disclosed that during the upcoming Christmas festivities, it would be required of all persons to provide proof of their vaccination before being allowed entry into parties and other mass gatherings.
Present a revised 2022 budget that does not include E-levy, Agyapa, others – Minority tells Ofori-Atta
The Minority in Parliament has outlined five conditions the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, would have to do in a revised 2022 budget before it can be approved.
A one-sided Parliament voted to reject the 2022 budget in a historic turn of events on Friday, November 26, 2021, citing a number of “insensitive” proposals in the economic policy document.
All 137 Minority MPs voted to reject the 2022 budget after the Majority walked out of the chamber shortly before voting started on the policy document started.
There is a controversy about the legality of the action with some citing breach of sections of the 1992 Constitution in how the budget was rejected.
Ghana recording high rate of HIV infections among persons younger than 25 years -- Commission
Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Kyeremeh Atuahene, has expressed concern about the rate at which young people between 15 and 24 years are being infected with HIV.
According to the 2020 National Sentinel Survey Report, nearly 19,000 new infections were recorded in persons aged 15 to 49.
Of these, 28 per cent are between 15 and 24 years, with 83 per cent of them being women.
Mr Atuahene, who was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, ahead of World AIDS Day on December 1, said all citizens and stakeholders must play their roles effectively to address the major problem.
MP for Mpraeso demonstrated ‘ignorance’ for wanting me to leave Parliament – Asiedu Nketia
The General-Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia has said the MP for Mpraeso, Davis Ansah Opoku, demonstrated ignorance for asking him to leave Parliament last Friday.
“I was enjoying it when the MP for Mpraeso was shouting that I leave the gallery because he is someone who was displaying ignorance on the laws of the House,” he said.
Speaking on The Probe on Joy News on Sunday, November 28, 2021, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) General Secretary said “there were more than 20 people in the gallery and that’s supposed to be the public gallery; it’s a place where any member of the public who chooses to go and observe how his mandate given to his MP is being exercised is free to go and sit.
“So I believe the guy who was shouting has been less than eight months in the House and will need to be schooled on the Laws and the Standing Orders of the House so that he doesn’t embarrass himself next time in the House.”
Fidelity Bank wins Bank of the Year at Ghana Business Awards
Fidelity Bank Ghana Limited has been adjudged the ‘Bank of the Year’ at the Fourth Edition of the Ghana Business Awards in Accra in recognition of its leadership role in the financial industry.
An official statement issued by the Bank and copied to the Ghana News Agency, on Sunday, said the Bank was awarded for its “excellent financial performance, digital transformation agenda, and strong social impact initiatives.”
In addition, the Founder and Board Chairman of the Bank, Mr Edward Effah, received the ‘Business Meritorious Award’ for his outstanding leadership in the industry over the years.
Famous Ghanaian designer Virgil Abloh dead
Louis Vuitton menswear designer Virgil Abloh has died of cancer at the age of 41.
LVMH, the French holding company that owns the luxury fashion brand, said on Sunday that Abloh had passed away earlier that day after several years’ private struggle with the disease.
"We are all shocked after this terrible news,” said LVMH boss Bernard Arnault. "Virgil was not only a genius designer, a visionary; he was also a man with a beautiful soul and great wisdom.
"The LVMH family joins me in this moment of great sorrow, and we are all thinking of his loved ones after the passing of their husband, their father, their brother or their friend."
Rwanda suspends flights to southern Africa states over new COVID-19 variant
The government in Rwanda has announced new measures that include the suspension of flights to and from southern African countries.
All arriving passengers must have a negative COVID-19 test and do a repeat test on arrival and seven days after arriving into the country.
A seven-day quarantine has also been reintroduced for travellers coming from countries recently affected by the new waves.
All those attending gatherings like weddings and funerals must be fully vaccinated.