Latest news with #Ghanaian
Canberra Times
an hour ago
- General
- Canberra Times
Tigers in their sights as Giants eye culture of success
"I'm still on a learning path about being Ghanaian and what it means, but now that I've got these young kids looking up to me, that's something I really want to continue.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Business
- Time of India
Trump remittance tax to hit Africans hard
Representative AI image For Enoch Aikins, a political economist who focuses on Africa, the topic of sending money home to relatives is personal. "I can use myself as an example, as somebody that comes from a typical village with a lot of people or [with] a family that depends on me," he told DW. A researcher with the Institute of Security Studies now based in Pretoria, South Africa, Aikins grew up in the small town of Agona Kwanyako, about 70 kilometers (some 43 miles) from the Ghanaian capital, Accra. His job means he can provide a vital source of income for many in his family back home in Ghana, whether it be for his mother's medical bills or for his cousins' education. "Anytime there's a family problem, they call me and I have to quickly find a way to send money to them to solve an emergency crisis," he said. "Mostly it is household expenses, things like food, accommodation, school fees or to cover medical expenses." A global impact Aikins is one of many millions of Africans across the continent and around the world who send remittances, which are financial transfers to their home country or region. The importance of these financial transfers has come into sharp focus as a result of the recent tax bill from US President Donald Trump, passed on May 22 by the House of Representatives. The measure includes a 3.5% tax on remittances made by anyone who is not a US citizen or national. The original plan was for the tax to be 5% but it was lowered before the vote. The bill has led to fierce criticism across Latin America, where it is likely to severely hurt poor migrants from Mexico, Central and South America. Africans will also be significantly affected, according to Aikins. "We cannot tell them how to go about their fiscal business, but this is going to have a huge impact on African economies." World Bank data shows that remittance flows into Africa were more than $92 billion (€81 billion) in 2024, with the United States alone accounting for at least $12 billion in that year. According to World Bank, the US is also the largest origin country for all remittances in the world, accounting for more than $656 billion in 2023. Monica de Bolle, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington, DC, said, however, here is a lack of reliable data on remittances because so much is not sent via recorded transactions. "People have different arrangements for sending money back home," she told DW. "Sometimes it's as official as a family member comes and visits and then they get a wad of cash and they go back home with that. And those kinds of transactions are simply unaccounted for." N onetheless, whatever data is available, she argued, underlines the importance of the US as a source of remittances for Africa and much of the Americas. How important are remittances for Africa? Remittances are important across Africa for three key reasons. Firstly, they represent a major chunk of income for many of the continent's economies, many of which are among the world's poorest. Recent data suggests annual remittances now outweigh both aid and foreign direct investment (FDI) as income flows into the continent. Aikins said remittances are the "largest external financial flow into Africa" at the moment. "There are no bottlenecks or administrative issues that, for instance, if you are giving aid of about $100 million to an African country or an institution, more than half is gone on administration before it reaches people," he added. Then there's the fact that it's typically lower-income groups that are most reliant on remittances from relatives or friends working abroad. "It's extremely damaging," said Monica de Bolle. "A lot of the time, these flows are coming from low-income folks in the United States to their home countries and their families who are also not well off." Some African countries will be hit harder than others. While the continent's big economies, such as Egypt, Nigeria, and Morocco, account for the highest total level of remittances from abroad, some economies are especially dependent, according to Aikins. World Bank data shows that remittances received as a percentage of GDP is around 20% for Lesotho, Comoros, Somalia, Gambia, and Liberia. 'Taking money out of people's pockets' De Bolle is critical of the remittance levy and thinks migrants will find ways of avoiding the tax. "People who are sending money back home, if they were using official channels to do this, they're now going to try to use unofficial channels to do it because they will want to evade the tax." She points out that taxation of remittances is rare globally and thinks the policy is part of the Trump administration's campaign against illegal migration. "The effect will be squeezing the migrants, squeezing the people who are currently living in the United States, shutting off mechanisms by which not only they sustain themselves, but they sustain their family members," said Bolle. "Bottom line is that remittances are a pocketbook issue. You are taking money out of people's pockets." Aikins' remittances won't be taxed, as they are not coming from the US. Yet he can clearly imagine the real-life consequences for someone in a village like the one he grew up in who is dependent on a relative sending money from the US. When he gets a request for money, it's needed quickly, and he thinks migrants will turn increasingly to cryptocurrency and other off-grid methods to send the money where it needs to go. "The tax is going to have a tremendous effect on how people send money to their dependents back home."
Indian Express
17 hours ago
- Indian Express
Mumbai: DRI arrests Ghanaian smuggling cocaine worth Rs 6.7 crore in body
The directorate of revenue intelligence (DRI) officials recently arrested a Ghanaian national at the city airport smuggling cocaine worth 6.74 crore by concealing it inside his body in the form of capsules. According to the DRI, based on an intelligence received that a Ghanaian national would be attempting to smuggle narcotics into India, agency officers, a few days ago, intercepted the foreigner passenger, who had arrived at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International airport Mumbai from Liberia. In inquiry, the suspect admitted to ingesting capsules containing cocaine to smuggle into India, following which he was admitted into a government hospital after duly securing permission from court. The suspect passenger purged a total of 50 capsules containing 674 grams of cocaine, valued at Rs 6.74 crore in the illicit market, the central agency stated. The recovered cocaine was seized under the NDPS Act, 1985, and the passenger was arrested under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985.
Daily Mirror
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool sign word-class player after Trent Alexander-Arnold exit
Liverpool have signed Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong, with Arne Slot moving quickly to replace the outgoing Trent Alexander-Arnold. The 24-year-old has signed a five-year deal at Anfield. The Reds agreed to pay his £29.5million release clause, a relative bargain given the huge interest in the player. It will be paid in three equal instalments. The transfer softens the huge blow they were dealt after Alexander-Arnold international announced he would be leaving Anfield on a free transfer, ending his 20-year association with his boyhood club. The England international sealed a move to Real Madrid today in a move that sees him play under Reds legend Xabi Alonso - who has worked with Frimpong for the last three seasons and helped turn him into the talent he is today. Frimpong is now seen as one of Europe's most exciting attacking full-backs after bagging ten goals and seven assists in Leverkusen's incredible undefeated Bundesliga winning campaign last year - as they also won the German Cup. This year he has followed it up with five goals and eight assists, showing his impressive attacking traits from his own defensive third and now Liverpool have swooped for his signature. Frimpong said: 'It went quite easy. Liverpool came and said they had interest, and obviously for me it was a no-brainer. For me, it was like, 'Whatever you guys do, just get this done', [speaking to] my agents: 'Just get this done.' 'Liverpool fans, I'm going to give my all, my energy, my work-rate and hopefully we can win together, we celebrate together, get everything together. I'm just excited to be here. Thank you guys for accepting me and I won't let you guys down and I'll give you the energy that you guys want.' In a statement, Leverkusen said: "After four-and-a-half seasons with the Werkself, Jeremie Frimpong has completed a move to LFC. Thank you for everything, Jerry, and the very best of luck!" Frimpong represents the Netherlands national team and becomes the latest Dutchman at Anfield after Arne Slot, Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo - but he doesn't actually speak the language. He was born in Amsterdam to Ghanaian parents before moving to Manchester and joining Manchester City aged nine - meaning his first language is English. He spent nine years with the club but never made a senior appearance for the club and joined Celtic in 2019. Frimpong won the treble with the Bhoys before joining Leverkusen for just £1.5m. There, he lifted three trophies and made 190 appearances, scoring 30 times across five seasons. He actually could have joined Liverpool as a schoolboy but opted to play for City because their training ground was only a bus ride away from where he lived in Manchester. He explained: "There were many scouts, but Liverpool was my first choice. I wanted to sign there, but nobody in my family drove a car then and Liverpool was far away. Manchester City was much closer, so that made a lot more sense." Frimpong has been on Slot's radar ever since it became clear that Alexander-Arnold would not be signing a new contract. He appears ready-made for the Dutch coach's style of play because he is fast, loves to attack and is dangerous going forward. When he was at Feyenood, Slot once said: "I like players who can change direction at speed and force things to happen. You can't have enough of them."
The Advertiser
a day ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Tigers in their sights as Giants eye culture of success
Locking down Richmond's goal-kickers will be just one part of GWS defender Connor Idun's job at Engie Stadium. Snaring back-to-back wins by defeating the Tigers on Saturday remains the No.1 agenda item, but Idun is also out to put on a show in the club's Cultural Heritage Series fixture. A new initiative by the AFL this year, the fixture will celebrate the diverse cultures in western Sydney - a community where more than 40 per cent of the population are immigrants, according to the 2021 Census. GWS are one of nine AFL clubs taking part in the initiative, but it is a continuation of an annual multicultural-focused game the club has held since 2016. Of Ghanaian background, Idun doesn't need anyone to spell out the importance of the fixture. Born in the UK to an English-Ghanaian dad and white Australian mum, the 24-year-old grew up in Drysdale near Geelong. It wasn't until arriving at the Giants in 2018 that Idun began reconnecting with his Ghanaian roots. "I guess I neglected it a little bit growing up. Where I grew up, I was probably one of the only coloured people," Idun told AAP. "Coming to the club, (vice-captain) Stephen Coniglio is great at it, just making sure we're being proud of our culture and speaking a lot about it. "I'm starting to piece together why I've got all this energy, why I am who I am." South Sudanese player Leek Aleer and Irish forward Callum Brown, of Jamaican descent, will also play against the Tigers. Western Sydney local Josaia Delana, of Fijian background, also made his debut this season. "It's always good having a few coloured brothers around," Idun said. "It's funny, you don't have to even meet them, but you've just got a closer connection." Ladder positions suggest eight-placed GWS (6-5) have the upper hand against 16th-placed (3-8) Richmond, but the Giants haven't claimed back-to-back wins since round five. The Tigers will also welcome back premiership stars Tom Lynch (concussion), Toby Nankervis (managed) and Dion Prestia (achilles) after the trio missed last week's scrappy loss to Essendon. "We definitely can't underestimate them (Richmond). They're playing with a lot of grit and determination at the moment," Idun said. "When they get their tails up, they're very dangerous, and they've got a lot of young talent that are up for the fight. "We're going to have to bring it out again. If not, they'll teach us a lesson." GWS regain Josh Kelly (hip) and Toby McMullin (adductor), with Jacob Wehr and Harry Rowston making way. Locking down Richmond's goal-kickers will be just one part of GWS defender Connor Idun's job at Engie Stadium. Snaring back-to-back wins by defeating the Tigers on Saturday remains the No.1 agenda item, but Idun is also out to put on a show in the club's Cultural Heritage Series fixture. A new initiative by the AFL this year, the fixture will celebrate the diverse cultures in western Sydney - a community where more than 40 per cent of the population are immigrants, according to the 2021 Census. GWS are one of nine AFL clubs taking part in the initiative, but it is a continuation of an annual multicultural-focused game the club has held since 2016. Of Ghanaian background, Idun doesn't need anyone to spell out the importance of the fixture. Born in the UK to an English-Ghanaian dad and white Australian mum, the 24-year-old grew up in Drysdale near Geelong. It wasn't until arriving at the Giants in 2018 that Idun began reconnecting with his Ghanaian roots. "I guess I neglected it a little bit growing up. Where I grew up, I was probably one of the only coloured people," Idun told AAP. "Coming to the club, (vice-captain) Stephen Coniglio is great at it, just making sure we're being proud of our culture and speaking a lot about it. "I'm starting to piece together why I've got all this energy, why I am who I am." South Sudanese player Leek Aleer and Irish forward Callum Brown, of Jamaican descent, will also play against the Tigers. Western Sydney local Josaia Delana, of Fijian background, also made his debut this season. "It's always good having a few coloured brothers around," Idun said. "It's funny, you don't have to even meet them, but you've just got a closer connection." Ladder positions suggest eight-placed GWS (6-5) have the upper hand against 16th-placed (3-8) Richmond, but the Giants haven't claimed back-to-back wins since round five. The Tigers will also welcome back premiership stars Tom Lynch (concussion), Toby Nankervis (managed) and Dion Prestia (achilles) after the trio missed last week's scrappy loss to Essendon. "We definitely can't underestimate them (Richmond). They're playing with a lot of grit and determination at the moment," Idun said. "When they get their tails up, they're very dangerous, and they've got a lot of young talent that are up for the fight. "We're going to have to bring it out again. If not, they'll teach us a lesson." GWS regain Josh Kelly (hip) and Toby McMullin (adductor), with Jacob Wehr and Harry Rowston making way. Locking down Richmond's goal-kickers will be just one part of GWS defender Connor Idun's job at Engie Stadium. Snaring back-to-back wins by defeating the Tigers on Saturday remains the No.1 agenda item, but Idun is also out to put on a show in the club's Cultural Heritage Series fixture. A new initiative by the AFL this year, the fixture will celebrate the diverse cultures in western Sydney - a community where more than 40 per cent of the population are immigrants, according to the 2021 Census. GWS are one of nine AFL clubs taking part in the initiative, but it is a continuation of an annual multicultural-focused game the club has held since 2016. Of Ghanaian background, Idun doesn't need anyone to spell out the importance of the fixture. Born in the UK to an English-Ghanaian dad and white Australian mum, the 24-year-old grew up in Drysdale near Geelong. It wasn't until arriving at the Giants in 2018 that Idun began reconnecting with his Ghanaian roots. "I guess I neglected it a little bit growing up. Where I grew up, I was probably one of the only coloured people," Idun told AAP. "Coming to the club, (vice-captain) Stephen Coniglio is great at it, just making sure we're being proud of our culture and speaking a lot about it. "I'm starting to piece together why I've got all this energy, why I am who I am." South Sudanese player Leek Aleer and Irish forward Callum Brown, of Jamaican descent, will also play against the Tigers. Western Sydney local Josaia Delana, of Fijian background, also made his debut this season. "It's always good having a few coloured brothers around," Idun said. "It's funny, you don't have to even meet them, but you've just got a closer connection." Ladder positions suggest eight-placed GWS (6-5) have the upper hand against 16th-placed (3-8) Richmond, but the Giants haven't claimed back-to-back wins since round five. The Tigers will also welcome back premiership stars Tom Lynch (concussion), Toby Nankervis (managed) and Dion Prestia (achilles) after the trio missed last week's scrappy loss to Essendon. "We definitely can't underestimate them (Richmond). They're playing with a lot of grit and determination at the moment," Idun said. "When they get their tails up, they're very dangerous, and they've got a lot of young talent that are up for the fight. "We're going to have to bring it out again. If not, they'll teach us a lesson." GWS regain Josh Kelly (hip) and Toby McMullin (adductor), with Jacob Wehr and Harry Rowston making way.
