PLAYBACK: Newsfile on JoyNews

The spotlight on yesterday (April 7, 2018) edition of Newsfile on Joynews was President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's speech on Thursday night, which finally broke his silence on the controversial Ghana-U.S. Defence Cooperation Deal that has caused a stir among Ghanaians in recent weeks.

His response which many expected to put matters to rest seems to have achieved the opposite as many lingering questions remain unanswered even after the President's address on Thursday.

The address, many have said, lacked substance and was rather filled with 'unnecessary emotions' as put across by some senior journalists in the country. The president's choice of words may have left several 'neutrals' in the ongoing debate over the need for a US military cooperation agreement with Ghana pondering the more over which side to lean towards.

At least 50 Ghanaians who travelled to Australia for the Commonwealth Games posing as journalists have been deported. According to Australian authorities, the said persons failed to answer basic questions pertaining to their profession, a move the authorities found strange. Many are calling for an investigation into the matter particularly after allegations were leveled against the Sports Minister and his deputy for their involvement in the scandal.

The Ghana Revenue Authority's new drive to have all eligible Ghanaians on a TIN appears to be facing some challenges. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority as well as the Passports office are yet to comply with a request to have all applicants provide their TINs before gaining access to the services they require. While some have described the approach as absurd and too extreme the GRA is of the view it will work out positively for tax collection in Ghana in the coming months.

A bloody attack on former Brong Ahafo Regional Minister and current Member of Parliament for Asunafo South Eric Opoku where some unidentified thugs assaulted and vandalized some of his properties and vehicles, the second of its kind on the said minister in as many months, has also dominated the news this week. While investigations are ongoing, members of the National Democratic Congress are pointing fingers and making accusations to the effect that the said attackers are known affiliates of the governing New Patriotic Party.

The Finance Ministry has released over 40 million cedis to settle arrears owed some teachers since 2012. This follows persistent complains by the Teachers' union and a decision to embark on a strike even as final year Senior High School Students sit their WASSCE exams.

Other pertinent issues that made the news this week were looked at on the show.