International News
Ghana Risks Government Shutdown Amid Budget Impasse
Ghana’s parliament is unlikely to pass a provisional budget ahead of the December 7 general elections, raising concerns of an unprecedented government shutdown in early 2024.
The delay comes as the West African nation prepares to elect a successor to President Nana Akufo-Addo, whose two-term mandate ends in January.
Historically, a provisional budget is passed in November during election years to ensure the government operates smoothly until the incoming administration takes office.
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However, political gridlock and a legal battle over parliamentary majority have stalled progress this year.
“We risk a government shutdown or, at best, lean government spending from January,” said Seth Terkper, Ghana’s finance minister from 2013 to 2017, in an interview.
He warned that without a budget, the government might have to slash interest payments and funding for the transition process.
Parliament has been on indefinite break since October 23 due to a dispute over which of the two main political parties holds the majority of seats.
The Supreme Court ruled on November 12 that Speaker Alban Bagbin’s earlier declaration of the majority was unconstitutional.
Despite this, Bagbin has refused calls to reconvene parliament, arguing that it would disrupt the election campaigns.
“This situation is unprecedented,” said Patrick Yaw Boamah, chairman of parliament’s finance committee.
The Finance Ministry set a November 15 deadline for presenting the provisional budget, but no progress has been made.
With only weeks left before the end of the year, experts warn that Ghana’s economy, already under strain, could face severe disruptions if the impasse continues.
Ghana, the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, has not faced a budget failure in over three decades.
A government shutdown could disrupt essential services, including salary payments for public sector workers and interest obligations.
Labour unions are particularly concerned about the potential fallout.
“It’s a big problem,” said Joshua Ansah, head of the Trades Union Congress. “We hope they resolve it before January so it doesn’t affect salaries.”
Federal agents raided the Washington, D.C., home of Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar early Monday morning as part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has confirmed.
Homeland Security Investigations agents arrived at the Minnesota congresswoman’s residence at about 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time, according to a report by Fox News.
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The report said both the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the DOJ are involved in the investigation.
A DOJ spokesperson confirmed the operation, stating: “Today in the Washington, D.C. area, Homeland Security Investigations executed a judicially authorized search warrant secured by the Department of Justice.”
The spokesperson added: “This enforcement action is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation.”
Details later……….
Heavy rains have triggered severe flooding across parts of Bangkok, Thailand, forcing nearly 4,900 residents to evacuate to shelters as floodwaters swept through roads and residential areas.
The flooding has disrupted movement across parts of the Thai capital, with motorists and pedestrians forced to navigate submerged roads and seek alternative routes.
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According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, about 52,000 households have been affected by the flooding, prompting authorities to declare a flood disaster and intensify emergency response efforts.
Emergency teams have been deployed to assist affected communities and move residents from vulnerable areas to safer locations as water levels rise.
Bangkok is accustomed to seasonal heavy rainfall, but intense downpours can overwhelm drainage systems, particularly in low-lying areas, resulting in widespread flooding and disruption.
Authorities are continuing to monitor affected locations while coordinating evacuations and other emergency measures.
For thousands of residents, the immediate priority remains securing safe shelter and protecting homes and livelihoods as authorities work to manage the situation and restore normal activities once the floodwaters recede.
US President Donald Trump has explained his decision to reject Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying Tehran was seeking an agreement because it was losing revenue.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said Iran wanted to immediately reopen the strategically important waterway but argued that the proposal was not acceptable to his administration.
“They want to make a deal, and I think that’s fine. I like making a deal, too, but that deal would not be acceptable,” Trump said.
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According to the US president, Iran’s push to reopen the strait was driven by the economic pressure it was facing.
“What they want to do is immediately open the Hormuz Strait. Do you know why? Because they are dying,” Trump said.
“You know why they’re dying? Because they have no money coming in, because they get their money from the Hormuz Strait.”
Trump also claimed that the US had established an unprecedented naval blockade against Iran, describing it as “a wall of steel.”
“So they outsmarted themselves. We put up the greatest blockade ever in military history. It’s a wall of steel,” he said.
“And guess what? They don’t have any money now because they wanted to close the strait.”
The Strait of Hormuz is a major global energy shipping route, and disruption to traffic through the waterway has significant implications for international oil markets and countries that depend on energy imports.
Trump’s remarks came amid continued tensions between Washington and Tehran over the reopening of the strategic waterway and negotiations involving Iran.
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