Security Analyst George Doyen-Dosu has urged political parties and government officials to exercise caution in their choice of words and language during national engagements to avert a national catastrophe.
His warning comes in response to provocative statements from members of the rulingNew Patriotic Party (NPP)and retaliatory remarks from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP Bernard Boasiako, commonly known as Chairman Wontumi, during the official unveiling of Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO) as the running mate of the party’s flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia at Jubilee Park in Kumasi in July of this year, boasted that the NPP had “one million ways” to retain power.
Adding to the controversy, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Abetifi, declared at a unity walk organised by the NPP on Saturday, April 8, 2023, in Mpraeso, Eastern Region, that the NPP would “never hand over power to the NDC” and would “do whatever it takes to win the elections.”
These remarks have drawn sharp reactions from the NDC, with some members accusing the NPP of “beating war drums” and escalating political tensions in the gear-up to the 2024 polls.
Dosu, who is also the Executive Director of the Doyen Institute of Intelligence and Investigations, told The Independent Ghana that such extreme speech could radicalise segments of the public and lead to the formation of vigilante groups willing to use violence for political ends.
“Extreme speech can radicalise certain elements of the public, resulting in the formation of extremist groups willing to use violence to advance their political goals.
This could lead to the development of militias or vigilante groups, increased use of political thuggery, and an increased risk of targeted assassinations, kidnappings, or sabotage,” Dosu said.
He warned that such rhetoric could erode public trust in democratic institutions, including theElectoral Commission (EC).
“Statements signalling a refusal to hand over power or the threat of violence to ‘defend democracy’ can erode the confidence and authority of major democratic institutions, including the Electoral Commission, the judiciary, and law enforcement authorities.
This loss of trust can lead to widespread doubt about election results, fuelling conspiracy theories and protests, and potentially leading to a constitutional crisis if the conclusion is widely questioned,” he added.
Ghana, a symbol of democracy in West Africa with a history of peaceful power transitions since 1992, faces a crucial test as it prepares for the December elections.
Past elections have seen tensions and incidents of violence, highlighting the need for vigilance and commitment to democratic principles.
Electoral Commission (EC) has strongly rejected accusations of attempting to manipulate election results through errors in the voter registration process.
Dr. Bossman Asare, Deputy Chairperson of the EC, urged the public to ignore allegations that the Commission is skewing the voter register to benefit a particular political party.
His remarks come amid growing concerns from political parties, civil society organisations, and the public.
Dr. Asare emphasised the Commission’s commitment to transparency and openness in its electoral processes.
He stated, “On his part, the electoral processes put in place by the Commission is open to the general public, and any interested party citizen can, with no efforts, obtain relevant info on all aspects of the electoral process.”
He reassured the public that the EC “has nothing to hide.”
He also addressed misconceptions regarding the role of the EC Chairperson in maintaining peace and ensuring election outcomes.
“The suggestion that the peace and the outcome of the election are hinged on the chairperson of the EC is completely untrue,” Dr. Asare said.
The former president and NDC flagbearer, John Mahama, along with other NDC leaders such as Asiedu Nketia, Haruna Iddrisu, and Ofosu Ampofo, have consistently accused the EC of intending to rig the elections in favour of the NPP.
They have urged the Commission to avoid any actions that could be perceived as unfair.
In response,the EC has reiterated its commitment to conducting free and fair elections, stressing that all electoral processes are subject to scrutiny and oversight.
The Commission has also announced plans to enhance transparency by increasing public access to electoral information and engaging with stakeholders to address concerns.
Despite the government’s efforts to implement measures to mitigate the impact of the drought, Mahama sympathized with farmers who are experiencing significant losses due to the dry conditions.
He also noted that the drought has contributed to rising food prices, further straining the livelihoods of many Ghanaians.
Mahama made these remarks during a visit to the Babatokuma Market in Kintampo North as part of his four-day campaign tour of the Bono East Region, where he engaged with traders and listened to their concerns.
“We know that when you’re running a country, the most important thing is that the people can afford food. Today, food is very expensive.
The rains have not been coming this year because of the NPP government, which has damaged many of our crops.
“This is why the next NDC government will introduce the Farmers Service Sector in each district and give them ten tractors each,” Mr. Mahama pledged.
In response to an impending food crisis, the government has implemented measures to alleviate the situation.
Last week, the Ministry of Agriculture introduced a ban on the export of certain food products, including maize, soybeans, and other grains, in an effort to stabilise domestic supply and prevent shortages.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has assured that the club will be able to sign players “normally” during the January transfer window, despite the challenges they faced over the summer with player registrations.
Barça secured Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig for €55 million, but he was unable to participate in the first two games of the season because he had not been registered with LaLiga. The delay was due to the club exceeding their league-imposed spending limit.
Olmo’s registration was eventually completed after Ilkay Gündogan returned to Manchester City and defender Andreas Christensen was sidelined long-term with an Achilles injury, freeing up the necessary salary space.
Laporta remains confident that Barcelona will be on stable financial ground by January, allowing for a smoother transfer process.
“Yes [we will be able to sign players normally in January], because we plan to arrive at LaLiga’s 1:1 rule before then,” Laporta said in a news conference on Tuesday. “When you say sign, we can sign players, the problem is the registration with the league. It will be easier once we reach the 1:1 rule.
“For now, though, we’re not thinking of any players [for January] because we are happy with the squad we have. But [sporting director] Deco and his team are working hard to analyse what’s needed medium- and long-term.
“We are satisfied with what we have.Dani Olmo was the priority and we have signed him. I said we could make a big signing, and that has proven true.”
Luis Suárez, the prolific striker for both Uruguay and Inter Miami, has announced his retirement from international soccer, bringing an illustrious chapter with the national team to a close.
At 37 years old, Suárez stands as Uruguay’s all-time leading goal scorer with an impressive 69 goals. He is scheduled to make his 143rd and final appearance for the national team in a match against Paraguay this Saturday.
“I’ve been thinking about this and analysing this. I believe this is the right time,” a tearful Suárez told reporters on Monday. “I want to be relaxed when I play my last game with the national team.”
“I’ll be just as excited to play as I was in 2007 when I played for my national team for the first time. That 19-year old kid is now a veteran player, an older player — however you want to call it — with an incredible history with the national team will give his life for the team on Friday.”
The announcement made by Luis Suárez on Monday confirmed his retirement from the Uruguayan national team. However, he did not comment on his future at the club level.
It is common for soccer players to step back from international duties while continuing their club careers in the later stages of their playing days.
Suárez is expected to continue with Inter Miami for the remainder of 2024. Beyond that, his future remains uncertain. He has been in exceptional form during his first MLS season, leading the team in scoring and currently being just one goal away from the Golden Boot.
Last Saturday, Suárez scored twice to help Miami secure a 4-1 victory over Chicago Fire. His second goal marked his 16th of the MLS season, tying Inter Miami’s single-season scoring record.
Suárez’s current contract with Inter Miami is set to expire at the end of the season. Both parties appear open to discussing an extension after 2024.
If his form and fitness allow, Suárez, known for his competitive nature, might be inclined to stay for an additional year. What is almost certain is that MLS will witness the final matches of a true soccer legend.
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has called for stronger global cooperation to address the rising challenge of cross-border economic and financial crimes.
While delivering the keynote address at the 41st Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime, Mr. Dame highlighted the essential role of international collaboration among justice partners in effectively combating these increasingly pervasive threats.
“The survival of the global community is dependent on how effectively it can foster collaboration between its justice partners to combat global crime,” he stated.
Mr. Dame also emphasised Ghana’s proactive stance in addressing financial crime through significant legal reforms.
“Bearing in mind the motives and modus operandi of the perpetrators of financial crime, far-reaching institutional reform has been deliberately undertaken by the Republic of Ghana to trace the assets of criminals and ensure that wrongdoers do not profit from the crimes they commit,” he explained.
He highlighted the importance of the Economic and Organised Crimes Office Act of 2011, which established the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO).
This agency is pivotal in combating organised crime by detecting criminal activities and ensuring the confiscation of illegally obtained assets.
“I refer to the Economic andOrganised Crimes Office Act of 2011, which was passed to establish EOCO as an agency to prevent and detect organised crime as well as to facilitate the confiscation of the proceeds of crime,” Mr. Dame added.
A final-year student ofO’Reilly Senior High Schoolhas lost his life following about their fathers’ wealth turning violent when a final-year student was stabbed during a heated argument on campus.
In a video seen by GhanaWeb, a cousin of the deceased student, identified as Edward, told TV3 that he was a general arts student at the school.
After completing a morning exam, they heard a commotion on the school grounds and rushed to find Edward in a physical altercation with another student named Godwin.
The situation escalated, with Edward being stabbed and sustaining serious injuries as teachers failed to intervene despite the severity of the fight.
In an attempt to save Edward’s life, a group of students quickly left the school to find a taxi to take him to the hospital.
Sadly, Edward passed away shortly after arriving at the hospital. The school has not yet addressed the incident.
Theschool has yet to officially comment on the issue.
Ghanaian winger Abdul Fatawu Issahaku is reportedly attracting interest from Saudi club Al Hilal, with a tempting offer that could see him leave the Premier League.
Al Hilal is rumored to be preparing an enticing deal that would see Issahaku earn an annual salary of €10 million.
This potential move comes at a time when Issahaku is still adjusting to life in the Premier League after playing a crucial role in Leicester City’s recent promotion.
Despite his positive start, which included an assist on his Premier League debut, the financial pull from Al Hilal may prove difficult to resist.
Leicester City, who signed him permanently from Sporting Lisbon for €17 million earlier this summer, could be open to the idea of selling the 19-year-old if the right offer comes along.
Issahaku had a challenging time at Sporting Lisbon, struggling with confidence and form.
However, his move to Leicester saw a resurgence in his performance, where he scored six goals and provided 13 assists in the Championship, significantly contributing to the club’s return to the Premier League.
Currently valued at €10 million, Issahaku signed a five-year deal with Leicester, but the potential Saudi offer could see his market value rise.
As of now, he is on international duty with Ghana, preparing for theAfrica Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola and Niger.
Black Satellites standout Abdul Aziz Issah has finalised a deadline-day transfer from Ghanaian club Dreams FC to Barcelona.
Although an official confirmation from Barcelona is still awaited, reports suggest that Aziz will join Barcelona B.
Dreams FC shared the news on X, confirming that the 18-year-old has successfully secured a move to the Catalan giants.
“Dreams FC announces the transfer of Abdul Aziz Issah to Spanish giants FC Barcelona. The 18-year-old finalised his move on transfer deadline day,” the club wrote.
Abdul Aziz emerged as the standout talent in the 2023/2024 Ghana Premier League season, making an impressive debut at just 17 years old.
The young forward played a crucial role in Dreams FC’s remarkable journey to the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Aziz showcased his skills by netting four goals and providing two assists in 10 appearances, making him one of the competition’s leading scorers.
He is now the second player to secure a transfer to Barcelona during the recently concluded transfer window, following in the footsteps of David Oduro.
Black Stars’technical team commenced their first training session at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 2, 2024, in preparation for the upcoming 2025 AFCON qualifiers in Kumasi.
Head coach Otto Addo, assistant coach John Paintsil, and goalkeeper trainer Fatawu Dadua were involved in a car accident on the Tarkwa-Takoradi road while travelling back to Accra.
The trio had been returning from the Champion of Champions match between Ghana Premier League winners Samartex FC and FA Cup champions Nsoatreman FC, which took place on Saturday, August 31, 2024.
The Black Stars’ technical staff were travelling in a Land Cruiser SUV owned by the Ghana Football Association’s vice president, Mark Addo.
Although they escaped the crash without injuries, they did experience some discomfort. Despite the ordeal, the coaches attended the first training session and effectively oversaw the activities.
During the session, eight players from the Black Stars and two goalkeepers participated.
Among them were captain Thomas Partey, Antoine Semenyo, Thomas Brandon Asante, Tariq Lamptey, Jonas Adjetey, Ibrahim Osman, Fatawu Issahaku, and Ebenezer Anang.
Goalkeepers Fredrick Asare of Asante Kotoko and Jojo Wollacott were also in attendance.
The team is set to depart for Kumasi on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, to continue preparations for their match against Angola, scheduled for Thursday, September 5, 2024, at theBaba Yara Sports Stadium.
Virgin Atlantic is setto resume its flights to Ghana with a daily service between Accra and London Heathrow beginning in May 2025. This marks the airline’s first operation on this route since 2013, aiming to offer increased competition and more options for travelers.
The reinstated route responds to the rising demand for travel between Ghana and the UK, home to the world’s third-largest Ghanaian diaspora.
In addition to connecting Accra and London, passengers will have access to Virgin Atlantic’s extensive network of US destinations, including New York, Boston, Washington, DC, Miami, and Los Angeles.
Starting on 1st May 2025, the daily flights will be operated using a mix of Airbus A330-300 and A330-900neo aircraft. These planes will feature Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class, Premium, Economy Delight, Classic, and Light cabins, along with an onboard social space.
The route is also expected to be a strong cargo corridor, with the airline offering 30 tonnes of capacity per flight for goods such as fresh produce between Ghana and key markets in the UK and US.
Virgin Atlantic announced on Monday, September 2, that it will resume daily flights between Accra and London Heathrow starting in May 2025. This marks the airline’s return to this route after a hiatus since 2013, aiming to offer travellers enhanced competition and more options.
Founded by Sir Richard Branson in 1984, Virgin Atlantic is celebrated for its innovation and top-notch customer service. As a member of the global Skyteam alliance, the airline provides three distinct cabin classes, each with its own premium amenities. Passengers enjoy complimentary meals and beverages, over 300 hours of entertainment, and a fleet equipped with full Wi-Fi connectivity.
Upper-Class travelers experience additional perks, including fully flat beds, a private security channel at Heathrow, access to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, and the Revivals lounge.
In 2024, Virgin Atlantic earnedthe title of Britain’s sole Global Five Star Airline from APEX for the eighth year running and maintains a five-star rating from SkyTrax.
Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer of Virgin Atlantic, commented on the new service: “The UK is home to the third largest Ghanaian diaspora in the world, and we see huge opportunities to connect friends, relatives, and businesses with our new service, as well as providing much-needed competition and choice on the Accra to London route.”
“We look forward to launching in 2025 and reminding Ghanaians of the iconic Virgin Atlantic brand and award-winning experience, delivered by our amazing people.”
Local unions and staff at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospitalhave firmly opposed extending the tenure of the hospital’s CEO, Dr. Opoku Ware Ampomah beyond October 5, 2024.
In a letter dated August 26, 2024, they requested a meeting with the Ministry of Health to discuss the hospital’s future.
The unions involved include the Health Service Workers Union (HSWU), Ghana Federation of Allied Health Professions-Korle Bu Chapter (GFAHPS), Health Accounting Staff Association of Ghana (HASAG), Korle Bu Senior Staff Association (KOSSA), Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA), and Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA).
“We wish to state without equivocation that the current CEO, Dr. Opoku Ware Ampomah’s tenure must not be extended after expiration on the 5th of October this year (2024),” parts of the statement read.
Background
The health unions petitioned the Ministry of Health on August 9, 2024, over the tenure of the Chief Executive of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Opoku Ware Ampomah.
According to them, the extended stay of Dr. Ware Ampomah is not in the interest of the hospital and its staff.
“We, the undersigned, respectfully petition against extending the tenure of the current Chief Executive of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
“…We believe that extending the tenure of the current Chief Executive would be detrimental to the hospital’s progress and the well-being of its staff and patients. We urge you to consider our petition and take appropriate action,” part of the petition reads.
The health unions further listed the following reasons for their objection:
Inefficiencies in Absence: In the Chief Executive’s absence, no cheques are signed, and all activities come to a halt.
Shortage of Basic Consumables: Delays in approvals have resulted in frequent shortages of essential supplies.
Conflict of Interest: The Chief Executive’s interests seem to conflict with the hospital’s goals by managing plastic surgery and the whole of Korle Bu.
Poor Management and Leadership Style: The current leadership has failed to inspire confidence and effective management.
Lack of Progress in Key Areas of Healthcare Delivery: Despite expectations, there has been little improvement in critical areas of healthcare.
Low Staff Morale and High Turnover: The hospital’s workforce is demotivated, leading to a high turnover rate.
This development came shortly after a visit from the Minority in Parliament, who had come to investigate the lack of maintenance on the elevator by the hospital and the Ministry of Health.
Following the visit, the hospital promptly announced on its Facebook page that the elevator was now operational, and all surgical services had resumed.
“The elevator at the Surgical Department has been fixed today and it is now working,” the Facebook post read.
On August 26, KBTH announced the suspension of elective surgeries and temporary relocation of emergency cases.
According to KBTH, the suspension and relocation were necessary because there have been ongoing issues with the use of lifts at the surgical block.
The Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital recently dealt with significant disruptions due to malfunctioning elevators in its surgical department.
These issues particularly impacted elective surgeries and the movement of emergency cases.
The situation attracted public scrutiny when MP Kwabena Mintah Akandoh visited the hospital and issued a 24-hour ultimatum for repairs.
The hospital management responded promptly, fixing the elevators and confirming their full operational status.
Despite rumors, the hospital clarified that emergency surgeries continued, albeit with temporary relocations within the facility.
Following the Exhibition of the Provisional Voters Register, several comments have been made by sections of the society.
While some are borne out of genuine concerns, others are without basis and calculated to tarnish the image of the Electoral Commission. As a Commission, we deem it our duty to provide the public with the truth.
On Monday, 26th August, the Commission received a report from our Northern Regional Directorate that some voters from two Polling Stations in the Tamale South Constituency and one Polling Station in the Sagnerigu Constituency had been transferred to the Pusiga Constituency in the Upper East Region without their knowledge or consent.
The Commission would like to inform the General Public that it has concluded preliminary investigations into the alleged unauthorized voter transfers. The Commission would like to address the Public on this matter as follows:
Regulation 22, Sub-Regulation 1 of Constitutional Instrument (C.I.) 127 provides that, “A registered voter who, before an election, is resident for not less than twelve months in a constituency other than that in which the registered voter is registered, may apply to the returning officer of the constituency where the registered voter is resident for the name of the registered voter to be entered on the transferred voters list of a polling station in that constituency.”
Per the provision of the law, the Registered Voter must be physically present to request for the transfer of vote to another Polling Station. The transfer of vote can only be done at the District Offices and requires the presence of the Voter who must be verified using either his/her face or fingerprints.
The voters involved in the Tamale South and Sagnerigu Constituencies incident have denied taking part in a transfer exercise. What they have alluded to is that their Voter ID Cards were collected by one Haruna Muniru ostensibly for the processing of a loan. The said Haruna Muniru was in police custody last week. He is currently on bail and Police investigations continue.
Preliminary investigations by the Commission have revealed that voter transfers were indeed effected for Thirty-Eight (38) individuals using the credentials of an Electoral Commission Official. The records of those transfers are captured in the Voter Management System’s (VMS) audit logs. A look at the verification done during the transfer process shows that photos of the voters from their Voter ID Cards were used for facial verification and to effect the transfers.
Following this incident, the Commission has introduced a ‘liveliness check’ in the verification process, which is a feature designed to ensure that the biometric data being captured is from a live, present human being and not from a spoofed source, such as a photograph, which is what was done in this case. The ‘liveliness check’ has since been built into the system to prevent any such future occurrence.
The Commission is currently investigating. While the Commission does not have any evidence to believe that this occurrence is widespread, we have instituted investigations to ascertain if similar incidents occurred elsewhere beyond the reported case in the Tamale South and Sagnerigu Constituencies. Any such transfers will be reversed and the perpetrators of such acts shall be dealt with according to the law.
Following preliminary investigations, the Commission has suspended the Pusiga District Electoral Officer and has invited him to respond to the Commission’s findings. Once the investigations are concluded, the Commission will take the appropriate action and inform the Public accordingly.
The Commission would like to assure the Public that it will not shield any of its Officers (both permanent and temporary) found complicit in any electoral malpractices and will always allow such persons to face the full rigours of the law.
We wish to restate that the Provisional Voters Register is not the Final Voters Register. The central objective of the Exhibition Exercise is to correct any anomalies and issues with the Provisional Register before the Final Register is produced. This has been the practice since 1992.
The Commission wishes to assure the Public that, after the Exhibition Exercise, the Final Voters Register that will be produced will be robust and credible.
The Provisional Voters Register that was prepared for the just-ended Exhibition Exercise and also provided to all political parties has a Transferred Voters List and an Absent Voters List for each Polling Station. The Absent Voters List should contain a list of all voters that have been transferred out of a particular Polling Station within the period that the Electoral Commission opened up the register for transfers and special voting.
The Absent Voters List should contain only voters who have transferred their votes and those partaking in special voting. The Transferred Voters List conversely contains all voters who have been transferred to the Polling Station within that period.
In the preparations towards the 2024 Exhibition Exercise, the Absent Voters List and the Transferred Voters List inadvertently included all transfers that had been done since 2020 when this Register was first prepared. This has resulted in a higher-than-expected number of Absent and Transferred Voters.
This understandably may have caused some anxiety to our stakeholders, as exemplified by the press conference addressed by the NDC in the Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam Constituency of the Central Region. The Commission has corrected this anomaly and will share with all the Political Parties the corrected Absent and Transferred Voters List for each Polling Station that contains only those applicants who successfully applied for transfers or special voting for the 2024 General Elections.
It is also absolutely untrue that the Commission has added names to the Voters Register in a bid to rig the elections for a particular party. Those allegations are without merit and should be disregarded by the Public. The EC has no intention of bloating the register to give any political party advantage over the other.
As explained earlier, the cumulative transfer data for 2020, 2023, and 2024 were inadvertently summed up in the registers provided to the Political Parties. This has been corrected, and the revised register will be provided after all corrections have been made. The revised transfer list will be shared with the parties.
It is well known fact that Ghana has one of the most transparent and inclusive electoral processes in Africa. From registration to the declaration of results all our processes are transparent, inclusive and open to the Political Parties and the citizenry. Nothing is hidden. There are no secrets. Any interested party or citizen can with no effort obtain relevant information on all aspects of the electoral process. Therefore the suggestion that the peace and the outcome of the election is hinged on the Chairperson of the EC is untrue. We urge the public to ignore statements even from prominent citizens that suggest that achieving peaceful elections in 2024 is somehow in the bosom of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission.
The Commission has nothing to hide. The Provisional Voters Register is a public document on display and is available online for voters to access in order to verify their details. This is not a secret document. At the end of the day, the Final Register will be made available to all the Political Parties, as per the law and normal practice.
The preparation of the Register is a human endeavour. There are bound to be mistakes. This is not the first time the Commission has recorded mistakes during registration of voters and compilation of the Voters Register. This has been the case since 1992. The issues range from missing names, swapped photos and gender, wrong additions or omitted names, et cetera. This is not new.
The Exhibition of the Provisional Voters Register, as designed by law, is meant to correct mistakes. The law provides for inclusion of missing names, removal of names that should not be on the register after due process, removal of names that should not be on the Exclusions List after due process, correction of gender, proper placement of voters in their Polling Stations, et cetera. This is exactly what the Commission is doing, as mandated by law.
Since 2020, this Commission has made painstaking efforts to clean the Register using a four-pronged approach: through District Electoral Officers, Exhibition Officers, Voters who go to check their details at Exhibition Centres and IT Staff. This was not the case before 2020 and this has ensured a credible Register that reflects those who qualify to be on it, while no qualified Voter is left out.
The Public may recall that in 2020 the same negative propaganda was launched about the Register during Exhibition. The Commission used the issues that came up during the 2020 Exhibition to clean the Register to ensure it was credible. As a result, there was not a single complaint that came through about the Register during and after the 2020 Elections. At the end of the day, the 2020 Elections were rated very highly by citizens as well as local and international election observers.
We call upon the Public to reject statements that the Register is not fit for the 2024 Elections or that it is incurably defective. The Register is robust and credible. At the end of the day, the Final Certified Register will reflect corrections of all identified errors.
Who gives out a document and make it openly accessible to all if the intention is to add on illegal persons? It is important to note that the Political Parties have copies of the 2020 Register, 2023 Register, records of the daily registration reports from the 2024 Limited Voters Registration and Mop-Up Registration Exercises. This is a transparent and inclusive process that is not exclusive to the EC. Therefore, unless they can show any proof, those alleging that the Commission is trying to cook data should be ignored.
The Commission reassures the Public and its stakeholders that the anomalies detected through the Exhibition Exercise and their correction do not in any way affect the validity of the Voters Register and the ability of valid voters to vote on Election Day.
As a Commission we continue to demonstrate and reflect the values of transparency, integrity and fairness in all our operations. We are fully mindful that the Voters Register is the bedrock and foundation of an Election.
We are well aware that a credible Voters Register is sine qua non for a transparent, peaceful and fair election. The Commission is committed to conducting and delivering free, fair, transparent, peaceful, credible, and inclusive Elections in December 2024. We entreat the General Public to support the Commission for successful General Elections in 2024.
We thank you for your attention.
Electoral Commission: Transparency and Accountability in Motion
Thank you.
Source: Electoral Commission
DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author’s, and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana
It is emerging thatDr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the NPP might just be killing two birds with one stone with the selection of Hon. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (aka NAPO) as the party’s Vice Presidential Candidate.
This is because, by that single decision, the party is not only getting an election-winning Running Mate in NAPO but also another significant boost to its 2024 campaign, NAPO’s lovely wife, Mrs. Alma Nana Pokua Abena Adade Prempeh.
It appears that for the two major political parties, the 2024 campaign will be not only a contest for the Presidential Candidates but also a contest for their respective spouses, with the ever-sensational Mrs. Samira Bawumia leading the “onslaught” for the governing NPP and now supported by Mrs. Alma Opoku Prempeh.
It is yet to be seen whether the spouses of the opposition presidential and vice presidential candidates, Lordina Mahama and Mr Opoku Agyemang, can match Samira and Alma’s indomitable might.
Mrs. Samira Bawumia is no stranger to our body politics. Her ability to take on John Dramani Mahama and the NDC on governance, economy, and social justice is known to every Ghanaian, including children in primary schools.
However, when it comes to Alma Opoku Prempeh, thus far, very little is known about her by the generality of Ghanaians, particularly in the political milieu.
Who is she, and what does she bring to the table?
Alma Nana Pokua Abena Adade Prempeh is a Chartered Global Management Accountant with professional expertise in both operational and strategic finance, as well as a wealth of experience in various top commercial and charitable financial management positions in London in a period spanning over two decades.
She is the daughter of Justice NYB Adade, a former Attorney General in the Second Republic, under Prime Minister K.A Busia. Alma’s father is also a celebrated retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana, who has been credited with many scholarly judicial decisions, including his landmark lead judgement in NPP v Attorney General (31st December Case), which outlawed the continuous celebration of the infamous 31st December dastardly coup, by the PNDC/NDC and their assigns.
Alma is a proud product of Accra Girls Senior High School; Ghana Institute of Languages; Weymouth College, UK; London South Bank University; and Manchester University College, UK, as well as the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), UK.
Just like her husband, Mrs. Alma Opoku Prempeh is an articulate and outspoken woman, with a compassionate heart and a great passion for public service and community development through servant-leadership. Her vision includes leveraging on her professional expertise to enhance public service delivery in Ghana, and ensuring that our resources are effectively utilised for maximum returns.
Alma’s exploits at Morden College, a non-governmental organisation in London, where she worked for over a decade in a top management position, highlight her dedication to enhancing the lives of vulnerable populations through effective financial management and strategic planning.
Alma is indeed your go-to person when it comes to attending to the needs and general well-being of the vulnerable in society.
To conclude, if you were to ask what Mrs Opoku Prempeh brings to the table for the NPP and Ghana in general, you would be told that she brings decades of experience in public service, professionalism, topnotch communication prowess, selflessness, strategic thinking and planning, as well as results-orientated servant leadership.
These unique attributes make her a valuable addition to the NPP 2024 campaign. We are going to see a lot from her in this campaign season and beyond. Mrs Prempeh is going to demonstrate that she is more than worthy of the position of Second Lady of the Republic. So, as far as the 2024 campaign is concerned, the NDC is not only going to contend with Hajia Samira Bawumia but also Mrs Alma Opoku Prempeh. Only time will tell if the NDC can survive this.
Source: Iddi Muhayu-Deen, Esq
DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author’s, and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana
Ten people involved in last month’s protests across Nigeria have been chargedwith treason and other serious offences at the federal high court in Abuja.
All the accused entered not guilty pleas.
The protests, known as the “10 days of rage,” erupted due to the harsh economic conditions, leading to violent clashes with security forces.
The violence resulted in at least seven deaths, according to police, though rights groups report 23 fatalities.
Additionally, nearly 700 people were arrested, and the accused face charges including the destruction of public property and injuring police officers.
They were accused of working with a British citizen “to destabilise Nigeria by calling on the military to take over government from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” according to the charge sheet.
They allegedly shouted, “Tinubu must go; it is soldiers we want.”
Despite an appeal that the 10 accused should be bailed as they had already been held for a month, the court decided that they would remain in custody.
Rights group Amnesty International earlier criticised the legal process and called the trial “a sham.”
Last month, it called for investigations into the killings during the protests. Demonstrations in all major Nigerian cities began on 1 August with people chanting slogans such as “We are hungry” and “End bad governance.”
The protests, organised through social media, were in part inspired by the success of demonstrators in Kenya who forced the government to scrap plans to increase taxes.
In some parts of the country, curfews were imposed.The authorities said the protests had been “hijacked by thugs” who engaged in widespread looting and the destruction of property.
Nigeria is experiencing its worst economic crisis in a generation. Annual inflation stands at more than 30%. Food prices have risen even faster—for example, in the commercial hub, Lagos, yams, a staple food, are almost four times more expensive than last year.
Managing Director of theGhana Water Company Limited (GWCL), Dr. Clifford Braimah, has highlighted the critical need for enhanced protection of water bodies, framing it as a matter of national security.
He emphasised that security forces should be deployed to safeguard these vital resources from illegal mining activities.
Drawing a parallel to other nations where water bodies are treated as national security zones, Dr. Braimah pointed out that the Water Resources Commission, though a civilian entity, operates under the Ministry of Defence.
He stressed the importance of evaluating the military’s capacity to tackle the issue if current measures prove insufficient.
GWCL has raised significant alarms about illegal mining operations in the Pra River, which are severely disrupting their services.
The impact has been particularly acute in the Central Region, including Cape Coast, Elmina, and neighbouring areas, where residents have faced prolonged water shortages.
These mining activities are undermining the company’s ability to deliver clean, reliable water, thereby jeopardising regional water security.
Speaking to Joy News as part of the ‘Poisoned Rivers’ documentary, Dr Braimah said, “As of now, once in a while, we bring them in, but that is a flash, then it goes off.
But if you make it their responsibility and they cannot solve our water bodies being polluted, how can they guarantee that, when there is an invasion of foreign forces, they would be able to stop them?”
He stated that if protecting water bodies were designated as a national security issue, with the Water Resources Commission functioning as a civilian agency under military oversight, the problem could be resolved within 100 days.
Dr Braimah noted that the military would ensure high-quality results and could handle the task effectively if assigned that responsibility.
“So, I think we have reached a stage where we need to be blunt about it. We need to be truthful and confront it head-on. If we leave it in the hands of politicians, Mr A will say, ‘When I come, I will bring them back,’ while Mr B will say, ‘When I come, I will make sure they do not do it,’ and it becomes a game.”
A VAR expert has provided an explanation for the contentious red card issued toDeclan Riceduring Arsenal’s match against Brighton.
Rice was dismissed after receiving two yellow cards. The first card was for a late challenge, which was clear-cut. The second yellow card, however, has been a subject of debate.
Rice was penalized for kicking the ball away just before Joel Veltman took a free kick. Although Veltman retaliated by kicking Rice, he was not penalized, leading to Rice’s dismissal.
Dale Johnson from ESPN has explained the VAR review process.
The VAR assessed whether Veltman should have been red-carded for serious foul play but concluded that Veltman’s actions lacked the necessary force or brutality for a sending off.
While Veltman’s actions could have warranted a yellow card, they did not meet the criteria for a red card.
Rice’s second yellow card was for “kicking or carrying the ball away, or provoking a confrontation by deliberately touching the ball after the referee has stopped play,” which resulted in delaying the restart. Rice has acknowledged that, despite the controversy, he cannot dispute the decision.
Arsenal fans noted that Joao Pedro had committed a similar offense—kicking the ball away after it had gone out of play—without receiving a booking.
ESPN clarified that Pedro’s action did not delay the restart significantly, as an Arsenal player was nearby to quickly take a throw-in if needed.
Following the international break,Arsenal will face Tottenham in the north London derby. Rice will serve his suspension and will not participate in the match.
Manchester Cityis urging England interim manager Lee Carsley to release Phil Foden from the UEFA Nations League squad.
Foden, who missed Manchester City’s last two Premier League matches against Ipswich Town and West Ham United due to illness, has been included in England’s first squad since Gareth Southgate’s departure.
According to The Sun, City wants Foden to be released so he can fully recover and rejoin their lineup after the international break.
Although Foden remains a key player for Pep Guardiola’s team, his absence has not significantly impacted City’s performance.
The team scored seven goals in their previous two league games, with Erling Haaland scoring consecutive hat-tricks and setting a new record.
Last season, Foden was named Premier League Player of the Season, contributing 27 goals and 12 assists as City won the league title for the fourth consecutive year.
It is uncertain whether Lee Carsley will grant City’s request and allow Foden to leave the national camp. England is set to face the Republic of Ireland in theirUEFA Nations League opener on Saturday.
Kyle Walker may face further issues as his former mistress, Lauryn Goodman, teases the possibility of sharing more about their past.
Walker, a Manchester City defender and England international, fathered two children with Goodman, a former Love Island contestant, while still married to his long-time partner, Annie Kilner.
The 34-year-old has openly admitted to making “poor choices” and is actively working to mend his relationship with Kilner.
Currently, Walker is living apart from his family in Cheshire. Meanwhile, Goodman has been vocal on social media, intensifying the strain on Kilner.
Her provocative posts, which have included contentious images and videos, have generated controversy surrounding Walker before, during, and after Euro 2024.
Although Walker is providing financial support for Goodman’s children and recently won a child maintenance case—where Goodman was deemed “difficult, unreasonable, and demanding” by a judge—he is striving to move past his earlier mistakes.
Goodman, however, hinted at sharing more details through a cryptic Instagram post, suggesting that she will remain in the spotlight.
Walker, having brought these troubles upon himself through his extramarital actions, will likely continue to face personal distractions while aiming to contribute to Manchester City’s pursuit of more trophies.
With Goodman vowing to “keep dishing out facts,” a source has told The Mirror of how Kilner feels about her relationship with Walker. They said: “It has gotten worse with stories appearing every day and Lauryn posting regularly on her social media.
It’s become impossible for Annie andthe kids to ignore.Even though they don’t follow her, it gets repeated online and then discussed on huge social media platforms like TikTok, which is available to a lot of children, and it’s beginning to take a toll on them.”
Jadon Sancho has expressed his excitement about joining Chelsea’s “project” after completing a move from Manchester United on an initial loan, which will become permanent next summer.
The 24-year-old winger finalised his transfer to Chelsea on Saturday, following last-minute negotiations on transfer deadline day.
According to sources, Chelsea did not pay a loan fee but will cover most of Sancho’s wages for the season. The deal’s total cost could rise to £25 million ($32.8m), depending on Chelsea’s performance this season.
“I’m really excited to be here. London is where I grew up, and I’m happy to be back,” Sancho said in a statement.
“The manager spoke to me about the project, and, for a young player, it’s exciting. Hopefully I can bring goals and assists to the Bridge.”
Jadon Sancho joined Manchester Unitedfrom Borussia Dortmund in a high-profile €85 million transfer in July 2023, following a lengthy negotiation period.
However, he struggled to recapture his impressive form from Germany, making only 83 appearances for United and contributing just 12 goals and six assists.
Sancho is now aiming to rejuvenate his career after facing challenges in recent years. He hasn’t played a competitive match for United in over a year and was omitted from Erik ten Hag’s squad for the first two Premier League games of the current season.
Last season, Sancho spent the second half on loan at Borussia Dortmund after being excluded from United’s first team following a public dispute with Ten Hag.
During his loan spell, he played a key role in Dortmund’s run to the Champions League final at Wembley, where they were defeated 2-0 by Real Madrid.
A product of Watford and Manchester City’s youth academies, Sancho has earned 23 senior caps for England.
However, he has not featured for the national team since 2021 and was absent from both the 2022 World Cup and this summer’s European Championship in Germany.
Erik ten Hagacknowledged the challenges of integrating new signings into the squad so early in the season, following Manchester United’s 3-0 loss to Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.
In a tense press conference, the Dutch manager defended his record, reminding fans that he’s not a magician, saying, “I’m not Harry Potter.”
Despite the defeat, Ten Hag expressed confidence in his team, assuring supporters that they “will be fine” and still have a “big chance” of winning a trophy by the season’s end.
“It’s just the third game in the season; we have to build a new team,” Ten Hag said.
“I explained this so many times. We will build it. We have young players and players to build in. Today we had three players who started for the first time this season.
We will be fine. It is clear we have to improve, but at the end of the season, I am confident we will have a big chance to lift another trophy.”
Erik ten Hag had no choice but to substitute Casemiro at halftime after the Brazilian’s mistakes led to two goals for Luis Díaz.
Meanwhile, new signing Manuel Ugarte, who joined for £50 million ($65.6 million), observed from the stands after being introduced to the fans before the match.
Ten Hag acknowledged that the Uruguayan midfielder will need time to acclimatise and reach full match fitness.
“So this is another one; we have to build him into the team,” he said. “It will take time, so it’s not like I’m Harry Potter. That is what you have to acknowledge.
And if you see Manuel Ugarte, he didn’t play so far in the season. Not one match minute. He needs to build his fitness, and then we have to build him in the team.”
A defiant Ten Hag also went on to reject a suggestion that his team continue to be punished for familiar mistakes.
“Maybe you can explain to me which mistakes,” he replied.
“You are sure? I don’t think so, otherwise you wouldn’t win trophies as we have. I am sorry for you. I think we won after [Manchester] City the most trophies in English football in the last two years, so I am sorry for you.
“There are [positives], but I don’t want to talk about this. It hurts, especially for our fans; we have to be humble and move on.”
Mohamed Salah is one of three key Liverpool players nearing the end of their current contracts.
Alongside club captain Virgil van Dijk and homegrown talent Trent Alexander-Arnold, Salah is set to depart Anfield at the close of the season unless new agreements are reached to keep them at the club.
Since joining Liverpool in 2017 from Roma, after earlier stints at Basel, Chelsea, and Fiorentina, Salah has made a remarkable impact.
He has netted 214 goals and contributed 92 assists in 352 appearances for the Reds.
“I had a good summer; I had a long time to stay with myself and think positive, as you know it’s my last year in the club,” Salah told Sky Sports.
“I just want to enjoy it. I don’t want to think about it. I feel I’m free to play football, and we’ll see what happens next year.
“Nobody in the club has talked to me yet about contracts, so OK, I’ll play my last season, and we’ll see at the end of the season. It’s not up to me.”
In September 2023, Liverpool turned down a massive £150 million ($197 million) bid from Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad for Mohamed Salah.
Despite rumours of another potential approach by Saudi clubs this summer, no concrete offer was made for the Egyptian star.
As Salah enters the final year of his contract, Liverpool manager Arne Slot has opted not to comment on the player’s situation, keeping any potential developments under wraps.
“At this moment [Salah] is one of ours, and I am really happy with him being one of ours,” Slot said. “He played really well, but I don’t talk about contracts.”
Salah is one of three Liverpool stars who are inside the final year of their respective contracts.
Club captain Virgil van Dijk and academy product Trent Alexander-Arnold are also due to leave the club at the end of the season unless they agree on new contracts to extend their stays at Anfield.
Salah has scored 214 goals and provided 92 assists in 352 appearances for Liverpool.He joined the club in 2017 from Roma after spells with Basel, Chelsea and Fiorentina.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright expressed his disappointment with Thomas Partey’s performance during the Gunners’ 1-1 draw against Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, August 31, 2024.
Wright was especially critical of Partey for not tracking a Brighton player in the buildup to their equaliser.
He argued that if Partey had followed the player more closely, he could have been in position to clear the rebound after David Raya’s initial save.
“When you look at the play, you look at Thomas Partey. He’s literally run past him,” Wright told Premier League Productions.
“Thomas Partey has to recognise in that instant he has to go all the way with Pedro and at least make a challenge. Pedro blasts past him and he’s just kind of jogging back.
“Those are the things that, when you look back at that, you will say, well, that could have been avoided.”
Arsenal’s perfect start to the 2024/2025 Premier League season was halted after a 1-1 draw with Brighton on Saturday.
The Gunners took the lead in the first half when German forward Kai Havertz expertly lobbed the ball over the Brighton goalkeeper.
However, the match took a turn early in the second half when Declan Rice received a red card, forcingArsenal to play defensively for much of the remaining time.
Brighton capitalised on their numerical advantage and eventually found the equaliser through winger Joao Pedro.
German club Borussia Dortmund has extended well wishes toBlack Stars head coach Otto Addoafter he was involved in a car accident in Ghana.
On Sunday, September 1, 2024, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) announced that members of the Black Stars technical team, including Otto Addo, were involved in a road accident while returning from Tarkwa.
The team had been on official duty, attending the Champion of Champions match between FC Samartex 1996 and Nsoatreman FC.
The accident occurred when a Land Cruiser with registration number GR 6521-21, carrying Head Coach Otto Addo, Assistant Coach John Paintsil, and Goalkeeper Trainer Fatawu Dauda, narrowly avoided a head-on collision with a pickup truck that suddenly swerved into their lane.
Although the vehicle sustained some damage, no serious injuries were reported.
Upon hearing of the incident, Borussia Dortmund shared a message of support on social media, sending their best wishes to Otto Addo and hoping for a swift recovery for all involved.
“Otto Addo and two assistant coaches of the Ghanaian national team were injured in a car accident this morning. We wish everyone a good and speedy recovery,” Dortmund stated.
Otto #Addo und zwei Assistenztrainer der ghanaischen Nationalmannschaft wurden heute Morgen bei einem Autounfall verletzt. Wir wünschen allen eine gute und schnelle Genesung! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/dawzg89hBL
Rashford faced backlash after missing several key opportunities during the Community Shield loss to Manchester City, and his early substitution in the 2-1 defeat to Brighton on Saturday added to the scrutiny.
Former England striker Alan Shearer was among those who criticised the 26-year-old’s performance at the Amex Stadium.
However, speaking on Friday, Ten Hag made it clear that he remains satisfied with Rashford’s contributions and does not share the concerns voiced by others.
“Everyone gets criticism; it doesn’t matter what we are doing, if we are winning or losing,” Ten Hag told a news conference.
“If I take a player off, the conclusion is I was not happy with him. I was very happy with Rashy in preseason, against Fulham and also against Brighton.
“It is not why I took him off because his performances or level were not right. No.
“We had to rotate, and we have good players on the bench as well; you bring new energy. There will be rotation, and if then there is the conclusion the player is not performing, [it] can be sometimes but definitely it wasn’t in this case. Stupid analysis in this case from the pundit.”
Manchester United has confirmed that Manuel Ugarte will not be available for the match against Liverpool at Old Trafford this Sunday. Although Ugarte is set to join the team, he has not been registered in time and will have to wait for his debut.
Additionally, manager Erik ten Hag will bemissing Scott McTominay, who is close to finalizing a move to Napoli. Ten Hag has expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision to let McTominay leave, indicating that he is not fully pleased with the situation.
“It is a little bit mixed,” he said. “I am very happy for him, but it is mixed because I wouldn’t prefer to lose him.
“He is Man United in everything. He was so important for Man United. He was here for over 22 years, but unfortunately it is the rules.
“Homegrown players bring more value, and that is not the right thing to do, but for everyone, for all parts, it is a good deal. Scott is happy with it, and Napoli and us.”
Al Ahli hasreportedly reached an agreement with Brentford to sign Ivan Toney for £40 million ($53 million), sources have confirmed.
The 28-year-old striker has agreed to a lucrative three-year contract with the Saudi Pro League club and is scheduled to undergo a medical examination ahead of the finalisation of the transfer.
As of Friday morning, it remains uncertain if Al Ahli’s pursuit of Toney will affect their ongoing negotiations with Napoli for Victor Osimhen.
With less than a year remaining on his contract, Brentford has reluctantly decided to sell Toney this month rather than risk losing him for free next summer.
Toney has been a key player for Brentford, scoring 72 goals in 141 appearances.
However, Brentford manager Thomas Frank confirmed on Thursday that the England international would not be part of the squad for Saturday’s match against Southampton, regardless of the outcome on deadline day.
“I can say that Ivan will not play on Saturday,” Frank said.
“I can say I’m very happy to speak about the players who played last night [against Colchester] or the players who will play tomorrow.
“Ivan is training well and in good spirits, and I’m happy to [answer] more questions about Ivan the next time we are sitting here.”
Ranking member of Parliament’s Youth, Sports, and Culture Committee, Kobena Woyome, has pointed out inconsistencies in the reported expenditures for feeding athletes during the 2023 African Games.
Woyome revealed that participating nations were charged $80 per athlete per day by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for both accommodation and meals.
He emphasised that these daily fees were paid directly to the LOC.
“What is staggering, which I think I haven’t mentioned in the previous interview, is that the participating countries that were housed paid almost $80 per person daily for food and accommodation. Yeah, they paid to the LOC,” he told JoySports.
The aforementioned amount contradicts a gigantic $15 million, which was said to have been spent on feeding athletes at the Games in a report submitted to the committee.
Woyome could not comprehend the expenditure on feeding athletes at the Games and thus stated that the committee is looking to investigate.
“So if all these monies were paid, then why do you have to spend $15 million for almost the same thing? We are not too sure, and there are things that we are not clear about, so we will go into this matter.”
Kobena Woyome’s revelation added to the African Games broadcasting rights saga, where an account given by the Sports Minister suggested that the ministry paid in excess of $3 million to GBC for the coverage of the 13th African Games.
Ghanaian sports broadcaster Patrick Osei Agyemang, popularly known as Countryman Songo, has sharply criticised Black Stars head coach Otto Addo, accusing him of being complacent and lacking diligence.
Songo expressed his discontent with the coach’s decision to include St. Gallen goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi in the latest Black Stars squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
He argued that the selection of Ati-Zigi reflects a lack of effort on Otto Addo’s part in scouting new talent, accusing the coach of relying on familiar players rather than exploring fresh options for the national team.
“If Lawrence Ati-Zigi is considered our best goalkeeper and number one option, then the coach is lazy. It means he does not do any scouting; he is not searching for players.”
“I don’t understand, did the coach do scouting? There is no local player apart from the goalkeeper (Frederick Asare). The foreign-based players he called are not that good, but they always call them.”
Songo voiced his dissatisfaction with the inclusion of just one local player in the squad, who happens to be a goalkeeper.
He criticised football administrators, stating that they should be ashamed of the current state of the local league, which he believes has significantly declined.
“There is no local player. Are you not ashamed that the league has declined to the extent that no local player could play for the Black Stars? Some players are there not because they are good but because of their names.”
On Thursday, August 29, 2024,Otto Addoannounced his 23-man squad, which includes 3 goalkeepers, 8 defenders, 5 midfielders, and 7 forwards.
The Black Stars are set to face Angola at home in Kumasi on September 5, 2024, before travelling to Niger for their next match on September 9.
Israel has agreed to implement a series of “humanitarian pauses” in its military operations in Gaza to facilitate the vaccination of children against polio, according to theWorld Health Organization (WHO).
The vaccination campaign, set to begin on Sunday, aims to reach approximately 640,000 children across the Gaza Strip, as announced by senior WHO official Rik Peeperkorn.
The campaign will be conducted in three phases, targeting the central, southern, and northern regions of Gaza.
During each phase, hostilities will be halted for three consecutive days, from 06:00 to 15:00 local time, to allow the safe administration of vaccines.
This initiative follows a recent report by UN officials confirming Gaza’s first polio case in 25 years, which left a 10-month-old baby partially paralyzed.
Currently, around 1.26 million doses of the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) are available in Gaza, with an additional 400,000 doses expected to arrive soon.
The vaccinations will be administered by UN staff and local healthcare workers, supported by over 2,000 trained health and community outreach personnel.
UN spokeswoman Louise Wateridge has called for a broader ceasefire to ensure the vaccination program can be carried out safely.
“We cannot vaccinate children under a sky full of bombs and strikes, we cannot vaccinate children who are fleeing for their lives,” she told Radio 4’s Today programme on Friday. “Any military operations during the time we are trying to roll out a vaccination campaign will affect our ability to deliver these vaccinations to children,” she explained.
Israel has agreed to implement a series of “humanitarian pauses” in its military operations in Gaza to facilitate the vaccination of children against polio, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The vaccination campaign, set to begin on Sunday, aims to reach approximately 640,000 children across the Gaza Strip, as announced by senior WHO official Rik Peeperkorn.
The campaign will be conducted in three phases, targeting the central, southern, and northern regions of Gaza. During each phase, hostilities will be halted for three consecutive days, from 06:00 to 15:00 local time, to allow the safe administration of vaccines.
This initiative follows a recent report by UN officials confirming Gaza’s first polio case in 25 years, which left a 10-month-old baby partially paralyzed.
Currently, around 1.26 million doses of the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) are available in Gaza, with an additional 400,000 doses expected to arrive soon.
The vaccinations will be administered by UN staff and local healthcare workers, supported by over 2,000 trained health and community outreach personnel.
UN spokeswoman Louise Wateridge has called for a broader ceasefire to ensure the vaccination program can be carried out safely.
Hamas official Basem Naim told the Reuters news agency: “We are ready to cooperate with international organisations to secure this campaign, serving and protecting more than 650,000 Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the series of three-day pauses were “not a ceasefire.”
James Kariuki, UK deputy permanent representative to the UN, said he “strongly” welcomed the vaccination plan. “We now need to see this in action, and these pauses need to be long enough to deliver the 90% coverage required.
When the campaign starts and thousands of vulnerable and unaccompanied children gather at vaccination sites, they must all be protected,” he added.
Prof Hagai Levine, a spokesman for the Hostages Families Forum – a group which is calling for more action to secure the release of Israeli hostages – urged health workers to ensure those still being held are included in the vaccination campaign.
Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on 7 October by Hamas, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage.
More than 40,530 people have been killed in Gaza since 7 October, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.
Ghanaian defender Baba Rahmanhas once again declined a call-up to join the Black Stars, marking the third time he has turned down an invitation to represent his national team.
On Thursday, August 29, 2024, Otto Addo revealed the 23-man squad for Ghana’s upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola and Niger.
Notably absent from the list is Baba Rahman, who has been performing well with his Greek club, PAOK.
Otto Addo explained that Rahman’s absence was due to his reluctance to participate, citing unresolved dissatisfaction with the treatment he received from Black Stars supporters during a previous match in Kumasi.
“Players have families and friends, and it affects a whole lot of things. They’re all human beings, and there should always be a line.
I hope that one day Baba will decide to play again [for the Black Stars], but at the moment, he doesn’t want to play,” Addo said.
“We would have needed him very much. I had a long talk with him, and I even wanted to fly there, but he was sure he wouldn’t change his mind.”
Baba Rahman was notably targeted by Black Stars fans during a match in Kumasi in September 2023.
During the encounter between Ghana and the Central African Republic, Rahman endured persistent abuse and boos from the supporters.
This negative experience has led to Rahman not participating in any subsequent matches for the national team.
Looking ahead, Ghana is set to play against Angola on September 6 in Kumasi, followed by another Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Niger just four days later.
Transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano has released the latest update onVictor Osimhen’s move as the clock ticks on the last day of the transfer window.
According to the transfer guru, Napoli and the Saudi Pro League side, Al-Ahli, have already reached an agreement in a deal believed to be around the region of €75 to 80 million.
Romano added that Al-Ahli has already booked a medical for the 25-year-old wantaway Napoli striker.
In his latest update on the Super Eagles striker, Romano wrote, “Napoli reach total agreement with Al Ahli for Victor Osimhen!
“Club to club deal done for €75m/80m total package, Al Ahli have already booked a medical. Four-year contract worth €25/30m per season net to Osimhen + RELEASE clause.
Romano added that Osimhen has the final say on the decision on his future.
“Final green light up to Victor,” he concluded.
Transfer market specialist Fabrizio Romano has provided a new update onVictor Osimhen’s transfer situation as the final day of the transfer window approaches.
Romano reports that Napoli and Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli have agreed on a transfer deal valued between €75 million and €80 million.
Additionally, Al-Ahli has scheduled a medical examination for the 25-year-old Napoli striker, signaling the imminent completion of the transfer.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has committed to enhancing Ghana’s security by installing 50,000 CCTV cameras in major towns across the country.
Announcing this plan during his campaign in the Dome-Kwabenya constituency, Dr. Bawumia stated that a recent security assessment revealed the need for 50,000 CCTV cameras to adequately monitor roads in regional and district capitals.
He acknowledged that while the government has initiated CCTV installations, coverage remains incomplete.
In addition to his security proposal, Dr. Bawumia highlighted the significance of adopting a “Buy Ghana First” policy. He argued that by prioritising locally produced goods, Ghanaians can stimulate business growth and create more job opportunities.
During his campaign tour, Dr. Bawumia engaged with religious leaders, including clergy, imams, and chiefs in the Ashongman Estate area.
Former Speaker of Parliament, Mike Ocquaye, lauded Dr. Bawumia for his intellectual prowess and significant contributions to the NPP.
“When there were controversies about election matters and we had gathered a lot of information, Frank Davis and others toiled but how to put the things together in an acceptable formula for court, that work was done by Dr. Bawumia, today he has another name called Mr. pink sheet.”
“All matters as to how we use the pink sheet to look after the controversies of the election, that was the man who stood in court. You could see the star in him, but I say it’s a gift. If you don’t take advantage of such a gift, it’s your own cause.”
Dr. Bawumia also outlined the achievements of the NPP government and emphasised the need for enhanced security measures, including installing CCTV cameras.
“I called national security, and I said what will it take for Ghana to have CCTV on all the streets in all of our regional capitals and all of our district capitals so that we can see any crime that is taking place, we can at least have a clue.”
“So, they came back to me, and they said they need 50000 CCTV cameras, and they are going to get 50000 CCTV cameras, which we are going to provide so that the police can have visibility for every movement because we don’t have many police officers.”
Founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe,has cast doubt on the credibility of prominent investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, questioning the authenticity of his work.
In a recent interview with Starr FM, Nyaho-Tamakloe, who also served as Ghana’s Ambassador to Serbia and Montenegro, criticized Anas as being dishonest.
Nyaho-Tamakloe’s remarks came in response to discussions about Anas’s “Number 12” documentary, which led to a lifetime ban for former Ghana Football Association President Kwasi Nyantakyi from FIFA.
The retired military officer expressed skepticism about Anas’s integrity and questioned the impact of the documentary on Nyantakyi’s international standing.
Despite Anas’s accolades as an undercover journalist, Nyaho-Tamakloe voiced a lack of trust in his methods and findings.
“I personally don’t believe that gentleman [Anas]…I have no issue with him, I don’t even know him. But as I study carefully the way he goes about things; I know that he is not an honest man. Why do I say so? As an investigative journalist, what you are able to see or discover, you keep it to yourself.
In fact, you later take everyone by surprise. But in this case, when he collects whatever he has, he shows it to certain people. He showed it (Number 12 documentary) to President Akufo-Addo, former President John Mahama.’
“Those people shouldn’t have seen it. Akufo Addo shouldn’t have seen it, John Mahama shouldn’t have seen it and the others that saw it, not even Kwaku Baako. What he should have done was to give us a surprise. The first group he should have shown it to was the public.
After having showed it to certain personalities, the whole thing lost its interest. What was even dangerous was that after that, Kwasi was being attacked left and right.
But names that were mentioned, nobody talked about them. I don’t think that is fair,” Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe stated.
He added that what Anas is practicing is not investigative journalism.
“I don’t know that Anas, but I personally don’t believe him. I don’t think he’s doing very genuine work. I have read about investigative journalists, and this is not the way they operate.
He sorts of tricks and traps people. He wasn’t fair to Kwasi Nyantakyi, not at all,” Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe said.
The government is ramping up efforts to mitigate the crisis in response to the looming threat of food insecurity caused by the ongoing drought in the Northern and Middle Belts.
As part of these measures, authorities have mobilised funds, imposed a temporary ban on grain exports, and prioritised the importation of grains to stabilise food supplies.
Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adamannounced that the government has secured a $1 million insurance policy to safeguard smallholder farmers in the northern region from future droughts.
This policy is designed to provide a $5 million payout if a drought occurs, offering crucial financial protection to the affected farmers.
He said, “The government has purchased an insurance policy against future drought in the northern region.
We have purchased an insurance policy by which we are paying the premium of one million dollars, and the payout will be five million dollars when we experience such a drought, and this will cover smallholder farmers in the northern region.”
Minister for Food and Agriculture Bryan Acheampong defended the government’s decision to request a withdrawal of GHS 500 million from the contingency fund, explaining the intended use of the funds within the broader GHS 8.3 billion budget requirement.
The disbursed funds will be directed towards purchasing seeds and fertilisers, providing feed grants, facilitating cash transfers, and importing rice and maize.
Additionally, part of the allocation will support the poultry industry by securing necessary feed supplies.
“We have a commitment coming from the contingency fund of $500 million, so we’ll apportion it into these areas.
Not in equal proportions because some of the items are being imported, so whatever we get from the agreed budget, from the contingency fund, and from other allocations that the Ministry makes, we’ll apportion them to whatever we are dealing with.”
Chair of the Finance Committee of Parliament,Patrick Boamah,assured that the funds will be approved immediately once all release criteria are met, despite concerns raised by the Minority.
Government has released GH¢50 million to the West African Examination Council (WAEC) to support the conduct of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The Ministry of Education (MoE) in a statement on Thursday noted that disbursement reaffirms the government’s commitment to fulfilling its financial obligations to WAEC, ensuring that the Council’s operations continue without interruption.
“We wish to reassure all stakeholders, especially students, parents, guardians, and the general public, of our dedication to sustaining an environment that fosters seamless, efficient, and high-quality education for all Ghanaian students,” it added.
In June this year, the government paid WAEC an amount of GH¢47 million for the conduct of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
Initially, WAEC had only received GH₵2.3 million of the GH₵95.83 million debt. This led the council to request at least 50% of the total amount to conduct the examination and additional funds to process and release the results.
Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG)Limited has unveiled a cutting-edge laboratory at the Larteh Health Centre in the Eastern Region.
This development is part of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, reflecting its commitment to improving health services and supporting community welfare in Larteh.
At the inauguration ceremony, Daniel Wilson Addo, Managing Director of Consolidated Bank Ghana, highlighted the bank’s dedication to community-driven initiatives.
He stressed the importance of community engagement and the bank’s ongoing efforts to foster local development and sustainability.
“Our CSR initiatives focus on health, community development, and education,” Addo explained.
“By aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we address crucial areas that promote progress and well-being.”
The newly inaugurated laboratory is set to fill a crucial void in local healthcare services. Previously, residents had to journey to Mampong for lab tests, which was both time-consuming and expensive.
The new facility will enable residents to receive timely and precise medical care right in their community, eliminating the need for extensive travel.
Regina Akweley Klutse, Deputy Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services at theAkuapim North Health Directorate, praised the new laboratory, emphasising its significant impact on enhancing healthcare delivery in the region.
“Larteh Health Centre now leads in having a laboratory facility among our four health centres in the municipality,” she said.
“This intervention, along with the necessary equipment, will significantly enhance the services provided at the Health Centre.”
Both the chiefs and residents of Larteh expressed their deep appreciation to Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG) for its dedication to improving healthcare services in their community.
Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG), fully owned by the Government of Ghana, operates as a universal bank with 114 branches across 13 regions in the country.
The bank benefits from substantial government backing, a robust network of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and a diverse pool of skilled professionals.
Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has voiced serious concerns regarding the safety of journalists in Ghana and the insufficient political commitment to uphold laws designed to protect them from abuse.
Awuni pointed out that while journalists globally face criticism, the crucial difference lies in the fact that political leaders in other countries actively work to safeguard journalists from mistreatment.
He emphasised the need for greater political will in Ghana to ensure that the rights and safety of journalists are effectively protected.
“Journalists would always come under attack everywhere in the world. What we should be asking for or demanding is that those threats and those attacks should never go unpunished.
“Once you allow these things to go unpunished, then you are unencouraging those who attack or threaten journalists,” he said whilst contributing to JoyNews’ Defend Media Freedom on August 29.
Mr Awuni stressed that the focus should be on ensuring that those who perpetrate such attacks face justice.
His comments come at a critical time when concerns about press freedom in Ghana are escalating.
Despite being recognised as one of the more stable democracies in Africa, Ghana has witnessed a series of alarming incidents where journalists have been threatened, harassed, and even attacked, often with little to no legal repercussions for the perpetrators.
Mr Awuni’s remarks draw attention to a gap in the enforcement of existing laws designed to protect journalists.
While Ghana’s constitution guarantees freedom of the press, the reality on the ground often contradicts this ideal.
There are numerous instances where journalists, especially those investigating corruption or other sensitive issues, have faced intimidation, both subtle and overt, without sufficient action being taken by the authorities.
The investigative journalist’s plea is not just a call for the protection of media personnel but a broader appeal for the defence of democracy itself.
In his view, when attacks on journalists go unpunished, it signals a breakdown in the rule of law and emboldens those who seek to undermine free expression and accountability.
A prominent advocate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), known as Mr. Beautiful, has leveled serious accusations against Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC).
In a recent broadcast on Cape Coast’s Property FM, Mr. Beautiful claimed that the EC is systematically removing the names of registered voters from the electoral rolls in NDC strongholds, with the intent to disenfranchise these voters.
He warned, “If people don’t want there to be bloodshed on the day of the elections, then the Electoral Commission should be cautioned to do everything properly.
Because right now, they have started deleting the names of registered voters in the strongholds of the NDC from the voters’ register to disenfranchise them,” he alleged in the interview.
“They are just deleting people’s names from the register, and if this is what they want to bring, then every Ghanaian should go and look for old pestles used for pounding fufu.
Ghanaians who are craving for change should go and find old pestles and take them to the polling station so that any EC officer who tries to cheat on us, use it to damage them,” he justified.
Black Stars coach Otto Addohas garnered significant praise on social media for his recent squad selection ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
On August 29, 2024, Addo unveiled a 23-player roster for the upcoming matches against Angola and Niger.
The announcement featured several notable changes, including the exclusion of players like Abdul Salis Samed, Gideon Mensah, Baba Rahman, Andre Ayew, and Denis Odoi.
Meanwhile, the squad includes standout players such as Inaki Williams, Joseph Paintsil, Majeed Ashimeru, and Francis Abu.
Social media reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with fans applauding the selection as a true reflection of current player form.
Many have supported the decision to drop Gideon Mensah, citing recent underwhelming performances as a key factor.
Similarly, Andre Ayew’s continued absence has been met with approval, as supporters appreciate Addo’s bold and decisive approach.
In response to questions aboutAndre Ayew’s ongoing exclusion, Otto Addo has provided explanations, emphasising his commitment to assembling the most effective team for the qualifiers.
“We are looking at the future or the long-term development; that’s mainly why we invited younger players and left out André Ayew.”
Agriculture Minister Bryan Acheampong has linked the current drought crisis in the country to the impacts of climate change, emphasizing that the primary challenge lies in the changing weather patterns rather than irrigation.
In an interview on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition, he highlighted that the Ghana Meteorological Agency had informed the government about a significant shift in the planting season, moving it forward by an entire month. Unfortunately, this crucial information was not adequately communicated to farmers, exacerbating the situation.
“This shift in the planting season, which is a fundamental change caused by climate change, disrupted our agricultural planning,” Acheampong stated.
“We invested heavily in inputs, training, land development, seeds, and fertilizers, but with this change, all our efforts were compromised.”
The Abetifi MP acknowledged that while climate change itself cannot be prevented, measures must be put in place to protect Ghana’s food systems.
Agriculture Minister Bryan Acheampongdiscussed the role of irrigation in addressing Ghana’s farming challenges, emphasizing its importance in enabling year-round agriculture regardless of rainfall. However, he clarified that developing comprehensive irrigation systems is a substantial investment, far beyond the scope of the smaller earth dams constructed under the “One District, One Dam” initiative.
Acheampong highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to expand irrigation projects nationwide, citing developments in regions such as Afram Plains, Tono, and the Upper West, where 19 small-scale irrigation projects are currently being implemented.
Additionally, he mentioned 15 ongoing projects in the Northern Region aimed at constructing small earth dams or dugouts to store rainwater for agricultural and livestock needs.
He pointed out that these dams, primarily designed to collect rainwater during the wet season, have been largely effective in their intended roles, providing essential water resources for household use, livestock, and small-scale farming activities.
“We must always measure an initiative against its intended purpose,” Mr Acheampong said,defending the effectiveness of the projects despite criticisms of their scale and scope.
He concluded that while the government is committed to expanding irrigation, addressing the broader impacts of climate change on agriculture remains a pressing challenge that requires comprehensive planning and continuous adaptation.
Emergency measures to protect farmers and avert food crisis
Management of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has denied reports suggesting that it had suspended emergency surgeries at the surgical department due to broken down elevators.
It explained that despite ongoing repair works on the elevators at the Department of Surgery, all surgical emergencies and urgent cases were being attended to prominently.
Additionally, those who were already on admission due for surgery were being attended to.
A news release dated August 29, 2024 and issued by the management of the hospital, therefore, urged patients and the public to disregard the “misleading information” suggesting that emergency surgeries have been suspended.
“It is untrue because despite ongoing repair work on the elevators at the Department of Surgery,all surgical emergency and urgent cases are being attended to promptly,” the release said.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has highlighted his government’s commendable performance despite facing significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
He emphasised that his administration has made notable strides in various sectors of the economy.
Addressing the 13th Biennial and 51st Conference of the Methodist Church of Ghana in Kumasi, the President called on Ghanaians to place their trust in Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, encouraging them to support his bid to carry forward the initiatives and progress set in motion by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.
“I can say in all good conscience that I have not betrayed the mandate the good people of Ghana conferred on me on two successive occasions.
“All this has been done in part due to the support I have received from you and the Church and, above all due to the grace of Almighty God, through whom I express my deepest gratitude.
“I pray that you continue with the same level of cooperation with my successor, God willing, my Vice President, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and his dynamic running mate, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known to all and sundry here in Kumasi as NAPO.”
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has committed to enhancing the protection of journalists in Ghana, particularly as the country approaches its next election cycle.
He emphasised that the Ghana Police Service is taking proactive steps to ensure the safety and security of media professionals during this critical period.
These efforts are part of a broader strategy to safeguard the rights of journalists and uphold press freedom in the nation.
“There are many instances where we have dealt with individual journalists and media houses regarding the threats they face. We have proactively provided them with security, systems, advice, monitoring, and support to ensure their safety and comfort.
“This approach has been effective, and we will continue to do this.
During the election period, we will offer support to journalists at both individual and institutional levels, providing one-on-one assistance to make them feel at ease while doing their work,” he said.
During the JoyNews National Dialogue on Defending Media Freedom held on Thursday, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), pledged that the Ghana Police Service will bolster its efforts to protect journalists, particularly as the nation approaches the election period.
Dr. Dampare assured that the police would not only intensify general security measures but also provide on-site protection for media houses at key locations during special events, both before and after the elections.
His commitment underscores the importance of safeguarding press freedom and ensuring the safety of media professionals in Ghana.
“We have already started discussions with many media outlets to ensure we have on-site security for them. This will include advising them and stationing police officers at these locations to make sure journalists feel safe and comfortable in their work environment,” he explained.
He assured that these measures are proactive, aimed at being preventive rather than reactive, to maintain a low-risk environment for journalists.
“We are not at a high risk level, but we want to be proactive to make sure this year’s election, in terms of security, will stand out. We aim to continue being trailblazers in demonstrating how to ensure security and press freedom in Africa,” he added.
The assurances by the police boss come in handy as the nation continues to record poor ratings in theglobal media freedom index.
Kofi Akpaloo, the Presidential Aspirant for the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), has vowed to significantly raise thebetting tax rate from 10% to 60% if elected in the upcoming December 7 elections.
Akpaloo emphasized that his administration would prioritize job creation to employ the youth, while also eliminating distractions like sports betting that he believes detract from productive work.
In an interview on Hitz FM’s Cruise Control on August 29, Akpaloo argued that sports betting does not constitute hard work or a reliable way to earn money. By increasing the tax, he hopes to discourage participation in betting activities.
“I didn’t say I am going to cancel it [betting tax]. I said if I have my way, I will increase the tax to discourage them [youth]. If they will, maybe 60% at least. I want to give them jobs to do so that they focus,” he said.
Kofi Akpaloo’s remarks come as a direct response to campaign promises made by the flagbearers of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, both of whom have pledged to abolish the betting tax if elected.
While Dr. Bawumia and John Mahama have proposed eliminating the tax and exploring alternative solutions, Akpaloo contends that the most effective strategy is to deter young people from engaging in what he considers unwise investments, such as sports betting.
He believes thatraising the taxwould help steer the youth away from gambling and towards more productive pursuits.
The seeming stability of the cedi against the dollar is due to the government’sGold for Oil (G4O) policy,according to Paul Eric Ofori, the Head of Research at the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC).
Speaking on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, Ofori explained that without this policy, the cedi could have reached between 20 and 25 cedis to a dollar.
The G4O policy, introduced in 2022, allows Ghana to pay for imported oil using gold instead of foreign currency.
This strategy was aimed at stabilising fuel prices and reducing the strain on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I have said it here: yes, it’s done two things for Ghana—one, some form of stability to the cedi because I have said on this platform that if not for that policy, the cedi should be hovering around 20-25 cedis to a dollar,” Ofori stated.
He added that the policy has also reduced the cost of premiums associated with free on board (FOB) pricing, marking it as a significant benefit for the economy.
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, believed to be the architect of the G4O policy, expressed his satisfaction with its impact during a media engagement on August 25, 2024.
However, he voiced regret over the delayed implementation of the policy.
“I wish, for example, we had started the gold purchase much earlier. If we had started it earlier during our first term, for example, the buffer in terms of gold would have been much bigger.
A few years ago, we had8.7 tonnes of gold, and so far, they have bought about 72 tonnes or so.
It is something that I wish for when I sit back and look. I wish we had been able to buy a bit more and start Gold for Oil and reserve much earlier,” Bawumia revealed.
This shift comes as part of a broader strategy to extend its registration services to Ghanaians living overseas and improve the skills of its personnel.
Executive Secretary of the NIA, Professor Kenneth Attafuah, revealed this decision during a session with the Governance and Assurance Committee of Parliament on August 28, 2024.
He explained that the authority’s choice of virtual training stems from fears that employees sent to Euro-American countries might choose to remain there rather than return to Ghana.
“This was part of the rationale of the background that informed the framers of NIA law to require that it should be Ghanaian missionary staff who should undertake the registration of Ghanaians abroad. We don’t want to take people abroad and suffer casualties.
Abroad includes Togo, La Côte d’Ivoire, and Mali, and I doubt that we would be losing Ghanaians if we take them there. The risk is those places that we all know of the Euro-American countries,” he said.
Professor Kenneth emphasised, “Mr Chairman, we intend to be truthful to this country and to help this country to retain its human resource base.”
This move comes against a backdrop of increasing “brain drain,” where Ghanaians sent abroad for government-sponsored assignments or studies have opted to stay in those countries for better opportunities.
Recently, a video surfaced of aGhanaian nurse enroute to Barbados, expressing her intent to remain abroad, citing dissatisfaction with conditions back home.
Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has announced his 23-man squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola and Niger.
The squad features key players like Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew,Mohammed Kudus, and Elisha Owusu.
However, several notable names are missing, including Daniel Amartey, Andre Ayew, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Ernest Nuamah, Salis Samed, Dennis Odoi, and Gideon Mensah.
The inclusion of some returning players is expected to bolster the team, much to the delight of both Otto Addo and Black Stars supporters.
Ghana is set to face Angola in Kumasi on September 5, 2024, before travelling to Niger for the second qualifier on September 9.
