For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost.

Making headlines: Ramaphosa appoints leaders of the National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group; G20 finance chiefs confront uncertainty amid Trump’s trade war; And, Ghana's central bank convenes emergency MPC meeting

Ramaphosa appoints leaders of the National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group

Following last week’s inaugural meeting of the National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group at the Union Buildings, President Cyril Ramaphosa has designated National Planning Commission chairperson Professor Tinyiko Maluleke and former Minister and constitutional negotiator Roelf Meyer as co-chairs.

Last month, Ramaphosa explained that in the wake of government’s engagements with various entities, there was broad agreement to convene a National Dialogue, given the challenges facing the country.

He announced that a National Convention, which will set the agenda for the National Dialogue, will be held on August 15.

Ramaphosa has appointed former Member of Parliament Lindiwe Mazibuko and award-winning rocket scientist Siyabulela Xusa as deputy chairs, while student activist and former Member of Parliament Nompendulo Mkhatshwa has been appointed as the secretary.

He appointed an Eminent Persons Group, comprising leading figures in society, who he says reflect the great diversity of the nation, with a proven commitment to the advancement of social cohesion and nation-building.

G20 finance chiefs confront uncertainty amid Trump’s trade war

South Africa called for greater cooperation among the Group of 20 advanced economies, as finance ministers and central bank governors gathered under the cloud of US President Donald Trump’s trade war.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, co-host of the two-day gathering in Durban, warned that headwinds were threatening the global economy.

He said while inflation is moderating and financial conditions have started to stabilise in some regions, uncertainty continues to weigh heavily on global growth prospects. A rise in trade barriers and persistent global imbalances and new geo-political risks are a concern, he said.

Trump has convulsed financial markets with his threat of tariffs on US trading partners from August 1, including a 30% levy for South Africa, who the US president has also falsely accused of permitting a genocide against White Afrikaner farmers.

The International Monetary Fund in April cut its projection for 2025 global growth to 2.8% from a January forecast of 3.3%.

And, Ghana's central bank convenes emergency MPC meeting

Ghana's central bank convened an emergency meeting of its Monetary Policy Committee today to assess recent economic developments, the bank said in a statement.

The Bank of Ghana's fourth rate-setting MPC meeting for the year had initially been slated to start on July 28, with the rate decision expected on July 30.

In a statement, the central bank said the MPC would "review recent developments in the economy" during the special session.

The outcome of the meeting, including any policy decisions, will be announced tomorrow.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

Don’t forget to follow us on the X platform, at the handle @PolityZA