Good morning. Welcome to a summary of Wednesday morning's top local and international news stories.

BoG gains admission as member of Central Banks and Supervisors Network for Greening the Financial System

Bank of Ghana (BoG) has been admitted as a plenary member of the Central Banks and Supervisors Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) with effect from 14th December 2021.
The NGFS is a group of central banks and financial sector supervisors from around the world established in 2017 to help strengthen the global response required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and to enhance the role of the financial system to manage
risks and to mobilize capital for green and low-carbon investments in the broader context of environmentally sustainable development.

Three injured in another train crash in Sekondi

A second crash involving a train at Sekondi in the Western Region, in the space of four days, has left residents puzzled.
Tuesday’s incident saw a tipper truck collide with a manganese haulage train around 7:30 pm, leaving at least three persons injured, according to eyewitnesses.

Police explain why they are unable to intervene during Parliament's E-Levy chaos

The Ghana Police Service has in a statement explained why they are unable to intervene during Parliament's E-Levy chaos.
The statement said; "Following the recent happenings in the House of Parliament, during the 2022 budget debate, some concerned Ghanaians have questioned why the Police did not go into the Chamber to maintain law and order and take action against Members of Parliament who were seen engaged in what looked to many like violent disturbances and scuffles in the Chamber of Parliament."

Madagascar: Minister 'swims for 12 hours' after helicopter crashes at sea

A Madagascan government minister has said he swam for 12 hours to safety after his helicopter crashed at sea during a rescue mission.
"It's not my time to die," exhausted Police Minister Serge Gelle said as he recovered on a stretcher.

Two other security officials travelling with him in the helicopter also survived the crash.

The team had been scouting an area in the north-eastern part of the country where a passenger boat had sunk.

Covid Omicron: European nations reinstate restrictions

European leaders are reinstating coronavirus restrictions as the new Omicron variant continues to spread through the continent.
Nations including Germany and Portugal have announced post-Christmas curbs and greater social distancing measures.

Omicron is already the dominant strain in many European countries.