PLAYBACK: 'Newsfile' on JoyNews

On Newsfile this week, stories which made the headlines were discussed in depth, as experts were empaneled to express their professional opinions on respective subjects.

Topical this week is the ongoing double track system rolled out by government in some 400 senior high schools to accommodate more students within the same facility.

It is estimated that 24,993 of this year’s BECE candidates will miss out on secondary education if the government, through the Ministry of Education, does not adopt an innovative way of accommodating all qualified candidates.

With some challenges emerging since it roll out, panellists critiqued the double track system.

Also, the raging debate on the rate of Cedi depreciation was discussed at length.

With the upsurge of the dollar against the cedi Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has defended government’s handling of the cedi insisting it has never been better in the last eight years.

Although the cedi is trading close to 5 cedis to a dollar and more than 5 cedis on the black market, the Vice-President seen as the government’s economic czar, explained the rate of depreciation is much slower than previously.

Comparing the data from 2012 to 2018, Dr. Bawumia said the cedi recorded 17.5% in 2012, 14.6% in 2013, 31.3% in 2014, 15.6% in 2015, 9.6% in 2016 and 4.9% in 2017.

The on-going rift between gold-trading firm Menzgold Ghana limited and the Securities and Exchange Commission is expected to make it to the list of subjects to be discussed.

Counsel for gold trading firm, Menzgold, has stated that the company’s operations are not regulated by any law.

Kwame Akuffo in an interview however, said the company cannot be blamed for the lack of a legislation to legalise their activities.

Menzgold is incensed by a directive from the SEC on Wednesday, ordering it to suspend their operations with the public with immediate effect.

Lastly, The Auditor General, Mr. Daniel Domelevo has lodged complaints about interference to his work with the President Nana Akufo-Addo.

In a five-page petition dated July 27, 2018, the Auditor-General requested the President to intervene in the “unlawful interference” by the Board Chairman and others whom he said, are clothing themselves with powers to direct and control him unconstitutionally.

Watch the playback of JoyNews’ Newsfile below: