Investors, policymakers, and philanthropists must now step forward to combat rural women’s poverty by supporting their transition into mechanized agriculture, as noted by Professor Peter Twumasi, Director of the National Sports Authority.
Research has revealed that over 50% of women in rural areas throughout the nation engage in small-scale farming, emphasizing the importance of enhancing their agricultural operations through modern technological advancements.
“These are women who are already into farming. All they need is for people to come to their farming communities to invest, introduce them to new ways of farming so they can be fully enrolled in mechanised farming,” he explained.
He noted that with the establishment of these industrial farms, numerous young people who currently leave their communities to search for scarce job opportunities in cities would reconsider their choices and return home. This is because permanent employment opportunities would be readily available in their own communities.
Professor Twumasi made these remarks during a gathering held at Abodease in the Ahafo Ano South West District of the Ahafo Region, in observance of this year’s International Day of Rural Women, which falls on October 15th annually.
It was held on the theme: “Rural Women – Cultivating Good Food for All”.
The International Day of Rural Women serves as a platform to emphasize the importance of gender equality, empowerment, and enhanced living conditions for rural women. Their empowerment is crucial for sustainable development and the eradication of poverty in rural areas.
At the event, experts from various industries provided empowerment sessions for women. These sessions included the production of household detergent, hand sanitizer, and traditional soap (Alata Samina).
Furthermore, a team of specialists from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi conducted free health screenings for the participants. They also educated them on preventive measures to reduce the risk of breast cancer and related diseases.
During the event, attendees voiced their concerns about the inadequate road infrastructure and lack of electricity in their town. They appealed to the government for assistance, as these challenges have negatively impacted economic activities in their farming community.
The University of Ghana’s UG-UTAG chapter strongly criticizes National Security Minister Albert Kan-Dapaah’s recent remarks.
During a seminar on “Impact of Disinformation on Electoral Integrity, Peace and Security in Africa,” held in Accra, the minister implied that some figures in academia, civil society, and the media might be leveraging their influence to encourage actions that could disrupt the country through the dissemination of false information.
In reaction, UG-UTAG expressed concern about the possible repercussions of such statements, particularly in terms of suppressing the open expression of dissenting viewpoints and impinging on the fundamental right to free speech.
“The University of Ghana Branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UG-UTAG), has noted with concern some comments purportedly made by the National Security Minister, Hon. Albert Kan-Dapaah.
“According to the Honorable Minister, some identified individuals in academia (we believe, including UG-UTAG Members), civil society, and the media, are leveraging their influence in society to incite a coup to destabilize the country through spreading of mis/disinformation without adducing any evidence to support the claim.
“We do not support any individual or groups calling for a coup in Ghana, but at the same time, we won’t be gagged from speaking our minds forcefully on all important national issues. We would fiercely resist any attempt, including political commentary, that has the potency to usher us into the dark days of a culture of silence,” part of the statement dated October 20, read in part.
UG-UTAG emphasized that the effective prevention of coups and military involvement in politics hinges on good governance, anti-corruption initiatives, prudent economic stewardship, and the proactive enactment of policies that benefit the underprivileged.
They contend that these actions can contribute to narrowing the wealth gap and fostering the growth of a robust middle class in society.
“The antidote to coups and military interventions in politics, are good governance, fight against corruption, proper management of the economy, and the implementation of proactive pro-poor policies, that can help bridge the gap between the poor and the rich, as well as create a vibrant Middle Class in society.
“While we call on the government to imbibe the antidotes listed above to secure our peace and promote political stability, we also ask for a national dialogue and conversation on how to guard against the threats of coups and safeguard our peace in Ghana,” the statement added.
Read the full statement below
For Immediate Release All Media 20th October 2023
CONDEMNATION OF NATIONAL SECURITY MINISTER’S ATTACKS ON FREEDOM OF SPEECH OF ACADEMIA, CSOS AND MEDIA
1.University of Ghana, Acera-The University of Ghana Branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UG-UTAG), has noted with concern some comments purportedly made by the National Security Minister, Hon. Albert Kan-Dapaah.
2.According to the Honorable Minister, some identified individuals in academia (we believe, including UG-UTAG Members), civil society, and the media, are leveraging their influence in society to incite a coup to destabilize the country through spreading of mis/disinformation without adducing any evidence to support the claim.
3.We take a serious exception to the Minister’s statement and condemn it in no uncertain terms, as it has the tendency to gag the expression of dissenting opinion on what government does with the fiduciary trust reposed in it, by the people. It also has the potency to prevent these individuals from exercising their fundamental rights to free speech.
4.We do not support any individual or groups calling for a coup in Ghana. But at the same time, we won’t be gagged from speaking our minds forcefully on all important national issues. We would fiercely resist any attempt, including political commentary, that has the potency to usher us into the dark days of culture of silence.
5.The antidote to coups and military interventions in politics, are good governance, fight against corruption, proper management of the economy and the implementation of proactive pro-poor policies, that can help bridge the gap between the poor and the rich, as well as create a vibrant Middle Class in society.
6.While we call on the government to imbibe the antidotes listed above to secure our peace and promote political stability, we also ask for a national dialogue and conversation on how to guard against the threats of coups and safeguard our peace in Ghana.
SIGNED Prof. Ransford E. V. Gyampo President, UG-UTAG revgyampo@ug.edu.gh +233244277275 Cc:
Minister for National Security Dr. Jerry Joe Harrison Secretary, UG-UTAG jjharrison@ug.edu.gh +233201068889 P. O. Box LG 1118, UPO- Legon, Ghana +233 (0)303 974 655 / +233 (0)24 427 7275/ +233 (0)20 106 8889 Outagoffice@ug.edu.gh
Kwadwo Saka Addo Mensah, a prominent businessman and real estate developer, recently revealed the inspiring story of his path to success.
In an interview with Kwahu Ambassador, the owner of Saka Homes, who also hails from Kwahu Abetifi, recounted a pivotal moment from his past when he received money from his late grandfather.
Saka fondly recalled that, along with other relatives who had been named after his grandfather, he had the opportunity to visit him.
During this visit, he sought the guidance of his accomplished grandfather on how to achieve success in life.
His grandfather’s advice was simple yet profound – support the work of God and contribute to the construction of the church.
Without hesitation, Saka chose to follow this counsel. Despite being a young man with various financial possibilities, he dedicated the entirety of the money gifted to him by his grandfather to the Presbyterian Church.
“At the time, he gave me 5,000 (that green note), which will translate into what we have today as GH¢5. He gave me 10 of those in an envelope. He called for all those who had been named after him to come and see him, so, I went to meet him at the airport. When I got there, he had placed money on a tray.
“When he gave me the money, I asked him what I could also do to be as successful as he had been. And at this time that I am talking about, I think I was in the first year at the university and so he told me that first of all, I should always speak the truth and be honest and make sure that whatever I am doing is fair. Secondly, he said I should support the work of God, especially the Presby Church, because he was a member of that church. And that was why I immediately left him, and that week, we were going to have a communion service at Kaneshie Presby, and we were having discussions about it.
“I went straight and gave the money as an offering and prayed to God that the same way He blessed my grandfather, Saka, He should also grant me same. And that is what you see today… that interaction with him, I will never forget, and that is why I named my company Saka Homes, not for myself but because of my grandfather and for the advice that he gave me,” he explained.
Today, while Saka remains humble about his ongoing journey toward success, he proudly disclosed that he has already constructed more than 250 homes, with the count steadily rising.
Additionally, Saka was a valuable member of the remarkable team that achieved the historic feat of traveling a distance of 10,000 kilometers by road from Accra to London in August 2023.
At the funeral of the late CEO of Miklin Hotel, the second spouse of the controversial Ghanaian politician Bernard Antwi Bosiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, took the center stage.
Michelin Lawson, who shares four children with Chairman Wontumi, garnered significant attention.
Known for her well-traveled life, she currently resides in Ghana.
Photographer Yhawfocus posted a video on Tiktok captioned, “Meet the Wife of Chairman Wontumi Michelin Lawson.”
The final funeral ceremonies for Michael Nsiah, the late CEO of Miklin Hotel, transpired on Saturday, October 7, 2023, in Kumasi. Distinguished personalities, including President Nana Akufo-Addo, graced the occasion.
The Director General of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust, Dr. John Ofori Tenkorang, disclosed that approximately 57,000 self-employed individuals registered with SSNIT within the span of a year.
Prior to the initiation of the Self-employed Enrolment Drive (SEED) and the subsequent public awareness campaign, only 14,000 self-employed individuals had enrolled with SSNIT.
Nevertheless, he asserted that this substantial surge in enrollment occurred within a year of the SEED program’s launch and extensive public outreach efforts.
Dr. Tenkorang shared this information during a stakeholders’ meeting organized by SSNIT in partnership with the Trade Union Congress (TUC). The primary objective of the meeting was to increase awareness about SEED among informal sector workers and underscore the importance of their participation in the program.
He acknowledged that there were initial reservations about the program’s effectiveness, but the remarkable increase in enrollment within a year underscores people’s willingness to participate.
“The growth is tremendous…l think the future is very bright. The number suggests that people actually want to join the scheme because the benefits that we offer are enormous and second to none,” he stated.
Speaking to the press during a day-long engagement with leaders from various informal sector unions under the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Kumasi, Ashanti region, on October 18, 2023, the Director General emphasized that the recent administration of SSNIT reflects their commitment to serving the best interests of the public.
He noted that a remarkable transformation has occurred in recent years, with efficiency and timeliness now defining the standard. He remarked, “When you submit your pension claim, it is typically processed and scheduled for the next month’s payment within an average of 10 business days.”
The National Democratic Congress (NDC), in opposition, has announced its intention to inquire about the government and the Volta River Authority’s (VRA) handling of what they describe as the inadequate management of the Akosombo Dam overflow and the subsequent flooding in areas within the Volta region and its neighboring regions.
Addressing flood victims after distributing relief supplies on behalf of John Mahama, the NDC’s National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, asserted that once the floodwaters subside and the affected individuals have received appropriate support, the party will initiate a series of actions to seek explanations.
“I am not a scientist, I am not an engineer but I have very serious questions to ask because the Dam was not constructed yesterday and flooding, when water is flowing into the Lake, even if it is from Burkina Faso, it doesn’t flow to Volta region within 24 hours and so if we are doing our work well as s scientists, we should know that when there is heavy rainfall and water is entering the rivers that feed that Dam, we should know that within some one month or two months the effect could be calculated and preventive action should be taken.
“This is not the first time the dam has been opened for water to spill. We must ask how come in all the previous years that we have had cause to spill water, the effects have not been this devastating? There are questions that we should ask. Let us chase away the cat at the appropriate time, we will have to tame the mouse. We will have to find answers to serious questions,” he said.
He underscored the significance of implementing swift actions to avert future incidents of this nature in the country. Additionally, he expressed bewilderment at the government’s failure to declare a state of emergency, despite numerous recommendations.
Nketiah suggested that if the government lacks the necessary resources to address the situation, it should “put aside its ego and reach out to the international community for urgent assistance.”
“We have as a nation, found reason to go and donate to other countries that have found themselves in crisis like this.”
He claims that despite living together for the last three years, they have not had sexual relations.
“She sometimes becomes aggressive when I want to touch her to the extent of biting me. She insists on “no wedding no sex,” the young man wrote in a letter addressed to Sister Sister, a relationship show on Accra-based Citi FM/TV. “She pushes me off anytime I want to make love to her. We have never had sex before even though we have done our medicals and are both compatible.”
The anonymous man revealed in the letter that his family prefers that he have a kid with his fiancée before they tie the knot.
“Her family recently gave me a long list of items to buy for the marriage ceremony. I pleaded with her to talk to them so they reduce the number of items on the list so couldan afford them She respondedas that she couldn’t do anything about it,” he lamented.
He continued by saying that they both rent an apartment together and are in their 30s. He’s thinking about breaking up with her so he may pursue his career.
In response to the passing of the prominent human rights lawyer, Akoto Ampaw, Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, a prominent member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), expressed his expectation that the late lawyer would have spoken out about the challenges facing the nation during his lifetime.
Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe, recognizing Lawyer Akoto Ampaw as a genuine human rights advocate, conveyed his surprise at the lawyer’s lack of commentary on Ghana’s current situation before his demise.
“What really amazes me about Akoto Ampaw in his later years is why he stood so quietly and did not complain or talk about what this country is going through at the moment. I expected Akoto Ampaw to talk strongly against it but he didn’t, even though we were all colleagues, himself, Kwasi Pratt and Akufo-Addo himself. The Akoto Ampaw as I knew him should have come out boldly to condemn some of the atrocities and challenges that this country is facing at the moment but for reasons best known to him he was quiet and I was really surprised,” he said.
Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe went on to say that he was taken aback by Lawyer Ampaw’s passing.
After spending more than forty years in political activities with Akoto Ampaw, Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe recalled how the two of them participated in the 1995 “Kume Preko” demonstration, which was organized to oppose the Rawlings administration’s implementation of the Value Added Tax (VAT) policy.
“His death came to me as a shock. Honestly, I have not heard that Akoto had not been well or anything.
“I have known him for close to forty years, and we have been in a lot of political activities and events together. He was a great activist and a true human rights lawyer but quite recently when a young man who organised some of his protests was being harassed he came out boldly,” he added.
Akoto Ampaw, a seasoned Ghanaian attorney and dedicated human rights advocate, peacefully passed away on Friday, October 20, following a short illness.
He gained extensive recognition for his involvement with the legal team of the New Patriotic Party during the 2013 Electoral Petition and for his leadership in the legal defense of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s triumph in the 2020 Presidential elections, as presented before the Supreme Court.
Born on June 14, 1971, Akoto Ampaw was a family man with a spouse and children.
The King of Dagbon, Ya-Na Abubakari, has cautioned NPP Presidential aspirant, Hon. Kennedy Agyapong, to refrain from making statements that promote division and animosity towards Northern residents.
The King expressed his concern about such behaviors among politicians, which unfairly depict Northerners as inferior citizens.
This advice came during the flagbearer hopeful’s courtesy visit to the Gbewaa palace, where he informed the King of his presence in Dagbon.
Ya-Na Abubakari cited comments made by the aspirant, suggesting that a victory for Bawumia would lead to the 2024 elections being dominated by Northerners, as a cause for concern.
“I have heard you ask why the 2024 elections should be about Northerners. It was an unfortunate comment. I urge you to desist from such comments and campaign on issues. You must be prepared to support whoever the party will elect.”
On his part, Hon. Kennedy Agyapong promised to run a clean campaign devoid of tribalism.
He also added, “In 2020, I promised the Ya-Na a V8 Land-cruiser. Unfortunately, I have not been able to deliver that. I am here today to deliver a pickup to the Ya-Na to fulfil the promise I made to him during the 2020 election”.
The flagbearer hopeful is visiting the region to seek the backing of party delegates in preparation for the pivotal November 4 elections.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his Cabinet are scheduled to embark on a three-day retreat starting on October 20, 2023.
During this retreat, they will focus on discussions regarding the current state of the economy.
Additionally, they will address the ongoing flood situation that has impacted various towns and communities in the Lower Volta basin due to the Akosombo Dam’s spillage.
This flooding has resulted in significant losses of properties and businesses in the affected areas.
The government’s decision to hold this retreat follows the agreement between Ghana and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the second tranche disbursement of a $600 million loan facility as part of a $3 billion bailout package.
The retreat aims to find immediate solutions to assist the victims of the Akosombo and Kpong dams’ spillage.
The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has recommended that the government declare a state of crisis in Ghana if it cannot fulfill the relief requirements of the flood victims affected by the Akosombo Dam spillage.
He suggests that by doing so, the international community would become aware of the situation and offer humanitarian assistance to the more than 26,000 citizens who have been impacted by the floods.
Mr. Nketiah made these remarks during a brief event where his party provided relief items to flood victims in 11 affected districts across the Volta and Eastern Regions.
“I am calling on the government, we have as a nation found reasons to go and donate to other countries that have found themselves in a crisis like this. We know the nature of our financial situation now. If we think that the required relief will be beyond us as Ghanaians, let us swallow our pride and then declare to the international community that Ghana is in crisis and whoever is our friend can come and help us”, he said.
However, he attributed the “calamitous flood” brought on by the leakage to the Volta River Authority’s officials’ incompetence, saying the flooding tragedy might have been prevented if the Authority had been watchful and exercised due vigilance.
“If we are doing our work well as scientists, we should know that when there is heavy rainfall and the water is entering the rivers flowing into the dam, we should know that within some one month, the effects should be calculated and preventive actions should be taken.”
This is not the first time the dam has been opened for water to spill. We must ask, how come that in all the previous years that we have had calls to spill water, the effects have not been this devastating?”, Mr. Nketia quizzed.
Nevertheless, he expressed his condolences to the affected residents and expressed gratitude that no lives had been lost since the spillage began on September 15, 2023, causing floods that submerged hundreds of homes along the lower Volta.
He urged institutions and individuals to provide assistance to the victims to help them get through these challenging times.
2,000 bags of rice, 500 cartons of cooking oil, 500 cartons of canned fish, 500 cartons of tomatoes, and 1000 packs of sachet water were among the supplies supplied by the NDC.
The victims in the districts of North Tongu, South Tongu, Central Tongu, Anlo, Keta, Ketu South, Kpando, North Dayi, South Dayi, Afadzato South, and Asugyaman will receive the GhC1.5 million worth of commodities.
The continuous release of surplus water from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams in the Eastern Region, which has persisted for weeks, has wreaked havoc by not only damaging infrastructure and displacing a large number of people but also ravaging vast areas of farmland and disrupting fishing activities.
In Asutuare, a community situated in the Shai Osudoku District of the Greater Accra Region, the floods have inundated extensive hectares of banana and rice farms, resulting in substantial crop losses that are unlikely to recover.
A visit by GhanaWeb to the community on October 17, 2023, to assess the scale of the devastation revealed that most of the food crops had been submerged. Farmers were anxiously awaiting the water to recede so they could prepare the land for new planting.
Many farmers, seen navigating their submerged fields, appeared visibly distressed and uncertain about how to provide for their families.
In Asutuare, about 450 rice farmers, who are part of the Kpong Irrigation Scheme, are grappling with the consequences of losing hundreds of hectares of their primary source of income.
The decision to release water from the Akosombo and Kpong dams a few weeks ago has left a trail of submerged farmlands overwhelmed by the vast volumes of water.
Charles Tetteh Hombey, Chairman of the Southern Low-Level Canal A Branch and General Secretary of the Water Users Association, described the destruction to the farms as “severe.”
“This is the biggest irrigation scheme in the country and we also produce two times in a year, so it also tells you the number of rice we push onto the Ghanaian market and so as a result of this, a whole lot of quantity of rice coming from our end would not hit the market as expected which is also going to have a food security crisis for our country”, he said.
Asked if the situation could increase the price of rice on the market, he answered: “It’s likely to have a food security impact and prices of rice would go higher because almost the inner valley along the Volta and then Kintampo, Brong-Ahafo areas who also produce the rice, you know some of these overflows also affected them.”
Impact of flooding on VREL banana farms:
Approximately 40 out of the total 120 hectares of farmland at one of Volta River Estates Limited’s (VREL) farms in Asutuare, including fruit-bearing crops ready for harvest, have been submerged due to the flood.
An additional 30 hectares are inaccessible because of the water situation.
According to Ebenezer Dotse Narobi Jnr, the Plantation Manager at VREL, the flooding occurred just two weeks after a substantial amount of fertilizer had been applied to the farms.
He explained that despite being aware of the impending dam spillage, the warning from the Volta River Authority (VRA) did not provide sufficient time to prepare for the full extent of the impact.
“We were told that they were going to open two or three spillways so the impact was not going to be huge only for us to come overnight and realize that all our pumps are flooded…since then we’ve not been able to pump water for the past three weeks”, he said.
Explaining the situation he said, “As we speak, for the past three weeks, close to 40 hectares of the entire plantation is underwater and then about 30 hectares are not accessible, so you can just imagine, close to about 70 hectares of the farm is not available to us now and it’s been the story for the past two weeks.”
With bananas unable to survive for more than 72 hours in water, the submerged farms valued at several millions of Cedis which have been affected for weeks now, though still standing, have been destroyed.
According to him, the destruction would take the company about a year to recover the lost plantation.
“If the banana is submerged, after 72 hours, there’s nothing you can do, they’re dead living plants…we only wait for the water to recede after two or three weeks, we go and cut everything down, allow the land to dry, then replant and that should take us close to a year to be able to recover that very land,” he explained.
Though the situation does not immediately call for lay-offs, he said such action could not immediately be ruled out.
He called for an improvement in the country’s early warning systems to avert situations as this to save lives and properties.
Founder of Lawrence Tetteh Ministries,Reverend Dr. Lawrence Tetteh, and Dr. Kofi Amoa-Abban, the CEO of Rigworld International Services, an upstream oil and gas company, have generously donated relief items valued at GH¢1,000,000 to the flood victims in the Volta Region.
The relief items include mattresses, bags of rice, and cartons of cooking oil, aiming to provide essential support to those affected during these challenging times.
This donation is a significant part of the “Adidome for Christ” crusade, an initiative led by Rev. Dr. Tetteh and carried out under the auspices of Togbe Kwasinyi Kakaklolo Agyemang V, Dufia of Adidome in the Volta Region.
The campaign’s purpose is to share the message of Christ and demonstrate love and compassion towards the flood victims.
Rev. Dr. Tetteh emphasized the need of helping people in need and stated that the crusade was not only about proclaiming the gospel but also about bearing the vulnerable people’s burdens, providing them with some solace, and making them smile.
“The donations are reflections of our commitment to uplifting the spirits and livelihoods of the people who are hardest hit by the spillage from the Akosombo Dam,” he said, and called for the items to be fairly distributed among the people.
He called upon individuals, philanthropists, and organizations to rally behind the affected individuals, helping them escape the dire living conditions they currently endure.
Dr. Amoa-Abban, in his remarks, expressed that teaming up with Rev. Dr. Tetteh for the crusade exemplifies their shared principles and dedication to the welfare of those who have lost their homes, possessions, and sources of livelihood.
He shared his emotional response to the distressing images of vulnerable children and elderly women in dire need of assistance, which left him deeply saddened.
“We believe in the power of collective action and unity,” he said, and pledged to offer more support whenever the need arose.
Togbe Agyemang, who received the items on behalf of the victims, expressed gratitude to Rev Dr Tetteh and Dr Amoa-Abban for the love and affection showed them.
“This is highly commendable and greatly appreciated. We will never forget this show of love and companionship in our time of distress,” he said.
The chief gave the donors the assurance that each and every flood victim in the area will receive a portion of the goods.
The flood victims in attendance at the occasion conveyed gratitude for the kindness.
In the wake of severe flooding that struck the Volta Region due to the spillage of excess water from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams, numerous individuals and organizations from across Ghana have extended their support to the affected communities.
Among those offering assistance is the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ghana’s largest opposition political party. In a display of solidarity, audio-visual footage shared by NDC supporters on social media platforms showcases trucks filled with relief goods en route to the flood-affected areas in the Volta Region.
One of the prominent contributors to this relief effort is John Dramani Mahama, the presidential candidate of the NDC. His team reportedly dispatched a sizable truck loaded with essential supplies, bound for Keta, one of the heavily affected regions.
The provision of these goods aims to alleviate the suffering and challenges faced by the flood victims, as the catastrophic floods have taken a toll on their homes, livelihoods, and communities. The images and videos of these relief efforts have garnered attention on social media, highlighting the collective efforts of Ghanaians to support those in need during this challenging time.
This act of goodwill from the NDC and other supporters underscores the importance of unity and solidarity during crises, demonstrating that Ghanaians are committed to helping their fellow citizens in times of adversity. As the affected communities grapple with the aftermath of the floods, the support they receive from various quarters, including political parties, organizations, and individuals, is vital in helping them rebuild their lives and restore their communities.
“This is a lot. He (Mahama) brought about 3000 mattresses, 2000 bags of rice, 2000 cartons of tin tomatoes, 2000 cartons of sardines and other things,” a woman can be heard narrating in the video.
She said that since the floods started, the residents of Keta have not received aid before.
Background
The spillage of excess water from the Akosombo Dam and the Kpong Dam in the Volta Region has resulted in widespread devastation, affecting numerous communities.
More than 10,000 residents in the region have been compelled to evacuate their homes, and the floodwaters have inflicted severe damage on various properties, including houses, household appliances, farmlands, and vehicles.
In response to the crisis, the government has established an inter-ministerial committee tasked with assessing the extent of the damage caused by the spillage and coordinating the necessary assistance for the affected citizens.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo visited some of the worst-affected areas, such as Mepe, to offer reassurance that his administration is committed to providing support to those in distress.
Aerial images of the Volta Region, as depicted by TV3, vividly illustrate the extensive damage brought about by the flood.
These visuals reveal vast expanses of land submerged by floodwaters, encompassing agricultural fields, public spaces, and various structures, including homes, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and business establishments. The inundation is indicative of the profound impact of the flood on the region’s landscape and infrastructure.
A member of the National Cathedral project’s Board of Trustees, Reverend Dr. Kwabena Opuni Frimpong, is emphasizing the necessity for government clarity regarding its role in constructing the National Cathedral.
He argues that this transparency is vital to address public concerns and reduce distrust in the project.
The issue of government funding and oversight of the cathedral has caused confusion, with the government stating that it is facilitating the project, while board members suggest otherwise.
The recent resignation of two board members, Archbishop Duncan Williams and Reverend Eastwood Anaba, due to a perceived lack of transparency, has further highlighted these concerns.
Dr. Opuni Frimpong stresses the importance of the government openly declaring its position on the cathedral’s construction, as discussions and communications with government representatives have left uncertainties.
“This is an issue that we may need somebody from the government to just come out and publicly state that position.
“During the parliament discourse and a series of conversations with some government communicators and others, sometimes they don’t give you assurance. And I have wished that somebody will reecho that position and therefore how much of the facilitation or the seed money and then must let the Christians in this country know that this cathedral, its responsibility is the church and not the government. So we will need a clear statement from an official source,” he said.
Dr. Opuni-Frimpong also emphasized that the original idea was for the government to provide seed money, allowing the church to take the lead in building the cathedral.
He continued, nevertheless, that the current situation is unclear and raises questions about who is ultimately accountable.
“At the initial stages, they made it clear to us that the vision of having a national cathedral is the president’s vision but the churches in Ghana are going to build, the government will facilitate the roses and give seed money. That time those of us in office now started explaining that this is our responsibility.
“We started saying that the churches will even start going outside Accra other places for funds because we were convinced that we are building this cathedral. At the moment, I am not sure who is building the cathedral. While you want me to believe that this is still the church building, others will also hold the view that this is the government’s. We will need to streamline this public opinion about the cathedral.
“Statements have been thrown here and there, and you don’t know whether it’s the government building the cathedral or it’s the Christians in Ghana building the cathedral,” he added.
“At the initial stages, they made it clear to us that the vision of having a national cathedral is the president’s vision but the churches in Ghana are going to build, the government will facilitate the roses and give seed money. That time those of us in office now started explaining that this is our responsibility.
“We started saying that the churches will even start going outside Accra other places for funds because we were convinced that we are building this cathedral. At the moment, I am not sure who is building the cathedral. While you want me to believe that this is still the church building, others will also hold the view that this is the government’s. We will need to streamline this public opinion about the cathedral.
“Statements have been thrown here and there, and you don’t know whether it’s the government building the cathedral or it’s the Christians in Ghana building the cathedral,” he added.
Prominent legal practitioner, Anthony Akoto Ampaw, Esq., passed away on October 20, 2023.
The veteran Ghanaian lawyer and human rights activist, known for his roles in the 2012 and 2020 election petitions as a lawyer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, succumbed to illness at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC).
Reports indicate that lawyer Ampaw had been in poor health since the beginning of 2023.
Ghanaians on social media are mourning the loss of this legal expert, praising his significant contributions to Ghana’s legal sector and his advocacy for human rights, as noted by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni.
“He lived by the right creed. He stood for many just causes and championed the passage of civil society-backed laws such as Ghana’s Right to Information Act. Lawyer Akoto Ampaw, you have fought a good fight. Rest well,” he wrote on X.
“He lived by the right creed. He stood for many just causes and championed the passage of civil society-backed laws such as Ghana’s Right to Information Act. Lawyer Akoto Ampaw, you have fought a good fight. Rest well,” he wrote on X.
A broadcast journalist affiliated with Akyemansa FM, a local radio station owned by Ghana’s Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, was reportedly assaulted by military personnel while attempting to film a joint security operation in Akyem Oda, Eastern Region, as reported by Starrfmonline.
Nicholas Morkah, the Morning Talk show host, described the incident that occurred when he encountered a large gathering in front of the Akim Oda Post Office in the Birim Central Municipality while en route to an event.
A joint operation by military and CEPS (Customs, Excise, and Preventive Service) officers was underway to seize approximately 16 cars, primarily taxis, that had entered the country without proper documentation, commonly referred to as “Togo Cars.”
As a journalist, Morkah stopped to investigate the situation but was swiftly surrounded and physically assaulted by five heavily armed military officers from the Achiase Jungle Warfare Training School when they noticed him filming the operation.
Despite identifying himself as a journalist, the assault continued, and he was forcibly taken into their vehicle alongside another individual suspected of involvement in the matter.
Morkah was subsequently taken to the military barracks to meet the military Commanding Officer and Customs, Excise, and Preventive Service (CEPS) officers. The military commander requested Morkah’s identification card, which he provided.
Following the commander’s orders, one of the junior officers reset Morkah’s phone to its factory settings, erasing all stored information, including important work-related documents.
His other phone was inspected, revealing video materials of police officers. The officers, suspecting Morkah might be an undercover journalist with sensitive information, handed him over to the Divisional Police Command for further investigation.
At the Oda Divisional police headquarters, the military officers transferred Morkah to the station office, where he was cautioned and made to write his statement. Subsequently, he was charged with Offensive Conduct, and his phones were confiscated.
With the intervention of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Communications Director for Akim Oda Constituency, Nelson Ntiamoah, Morkah secured police bail of GHC5000.00 and was instructed to report the following day at noon. He requested his SIM card and a medical form, both of which were provided. After receiving medical treatment at the Oda Government Hospital, he was discharged on the same day.
Morkah is currently in the process of recovering from the physical and psychological trauma inflicted upon him during the incident. He expressed gratitude for the support he has received and called for continued efforts to safeguard Ghana’s democratic values.
Increasing Attacks on Journalists in Ghana:
The assault on journalists in Ghana has become more frequent in the lead-up to the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. Notably, on October 7, 2023, 16 individuals, including some constituency executives of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), invaded UTV during a night’s entertainment show. The court convicted the culprits, but the sentence has left media stakeholders disappointed.
In another incident, a female journalist from Citi TV and Citi FM, Akosua Otchere, was attacked while covering the vetting of parliamentary candidate hopefuls of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Odododiodio constituency in Accra. The perpetrators remain at large.
Minister of Information Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has strongly condemned these attacks and assured journalists of the government’s commitment to protecting them in carrying out their work without fear or intimidation.
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has declared that power supply from the Sogakope Bulk Supply Point (BSP) might experience extended delays due to flooding after the Akosombo Dam spillage.
The Company’s decision to shut down the point has resulted in power disruptions in multiple districts.
ECG has redirected electricity supply to some areas from alternate sources. Benjamin Obeng Antwi, Volta Regional Public Relations Officer of ECG, has explained the necessity of a long-term solution to cope with a possible extended disruption of six or more months.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) is also grappling with power-related challenges in providing water to flood-affected regions.
Water rationing is in place depending on power availability. GWCL is setting up parallel distribution lines from Aflao to serve flood victims.
The headworks at Agordome currently provides 5,500 cubic meters out of 7,570 cubic meters, with a deficit of 2,070 cubic meters, equivalent to 455,620 gallons.
Rationing and water management schedules have been implemented for various communities.
Supplies are contingent on power availability, and the area near the headworks is experiencing flooding concerns.
Despite facing financial challenges, 16-year-old aspiring inventor, Kelvin Frimpong from Teshie, Ledzokuku Municipality, has gained attention for his impressive inventions.
One of his creations is a clapping switch detector for household use, enabling users to control lights and appliances with a simple clap.
He conceived this idea during the COVID-19 pandemic, characterized by strict hygiene measures.
“You know, during the pandemic, frequent hand washing and the avoidance of contact with surfaces were encouraged as protective measures against the virus. So, I sat in my room, bought reactors from shops, and came out with this. At first, my friends even doubted that I could not do it, but as a product of Tema Technical Institute, I believed in myself. Today, this clapping sound switch detector is a reality”.
“Of course, I have developed another device, that can detect the water level in your polytank. This device sends an alarm signal to you when the polytank is full. The main idea is to stop water wastage at our various homes, he said.
Despite his creative talents, Kelvin faces the daily struggle of providing food for himself.
He comes from a financially disadvantaged background, which often hampers his ability to fully explore his passion.
To enhance his skills, he typically invests the money he receives from generous individuals into purchasing practical items.
Kelvin’s aspirations for support in pursuing his dreams are part of his ongoing journey.
More than 45,000 hens have been culled, incinerated, and buried in southern Mozambique to curb the spread of avian flu. These birds were originally imported from South Africa, which is grappling with a severe bird flu outbreak.
The disease has now reached Mozambique’s Morrumbene district in the southern Inhambane province, raising concerns about its potential spread.
Avian flu is highly contagious among poultry and wild birds, and it can rapidly affect entire flocks through droppings, saliva, or contaminated feed and water.
The outbreak has resulted in egg and chicken shortages, causing prices to surge in Mozambique, including the capital, Maputo.
The price of chicken has nearly doubled from 350 Mozambican metical ($5; £4) to 600, and a dozen eggs have risen from 100 to 150 metical.
The 45,000 hens were destroyed due to their contact with infected chickens from South Africa, according to Mozambique’s National Director of Livestock Development, Américo da Conceição.
These hens had been imported to Mozambique for egg production.
South Africa’s bird flu outbreak has forced the culling of seven million egg-laying hens, equivalent to 20-30% of the country’s total stock, according to the South African Poultry Association. The outbreak has also led to egg and chicken meat shortages in South Africa.
Mozambique has banned the importation of chickens, eggs, and chicken feed from South Africa as a response.
Additionally, the circulation of chickens, eggs, and animal feed from the outbreak’s epicenter, Morrumbene, to other parts of Mozambique has been halted.
Authorities have confirmed that the hens were incinerated to prevent people from taking and consuming them after the culling.
Ghana has granted Atlantic Lithium Ltd. a lithium mining license, positioning itself to enter the lucrative global lithium industry, which is worth billions of dollars.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources announced a 15-year lease to Barari DV Ghana Ltd., a subsidiary of the Sydney-based company, allowing them to commence construction of a lithium mine on a 42.6-kilometer site in Ewoyaa, located in Ghana’s Central Region. This follows nearly six years of exploration, which revealed the presence of high-grade lithium in commercially viable quantities.
The competition for lithium resources has attracted major mining companies, automobile manufacturers, and even oil giants as the world shifts from fossil fuels to electric vehicles.
Anticipated lithium shortages from 2025 are driving the quest for new sources.
Half of the lithium extracted from Ewoyaa will be designated for a refinery operated by North Carolina-based Piedmont Lithium Ltd., which is the second-largest shareholder of the Australian firm and has committed to providing the majority of the funds for mine construction.
Atlantic Lithium intends to produce an annual average of 300,000 tons of spodumene concentrate over a 12-year period, which would make it the world’s 10th-largest project, according to the company.
“Government took a decision not to treat this mineral the same way the other minerals have been treated,” Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Samuel Jinapor said in the statement. “The lease we are signing today differs from our standard mining lease.”
The fiscal arrangement between Ghana, the largest gold producer in Africa, and Atlantic Lithium includes several key provisions. These terms involve a 10% royalty rate and a 13% free carried interest by the state, contrasting with the existing rates of 5% and 10%, respectively, applied to other minerals. Additionally, the company will allocate 1% of its revenue to a community development fund.
Ghana’s sovereign wealth fund, the Minerals Income Investment Fund, will make investments to acquire a 6% stake in the company’s Ghana portfolio and a 3.06% interest in Atlantic Lithium itself, as disclosed by Jinapor. Furthermore, the company is mandated to be listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange.
In a historic mass wedding held on Friday, authorities in the North West of Nigeria married off 1,500 women.
The Kano state administration sponsored these marriages to provide support to widows and new brides, helping them establish the foundations of family life and improve social well-being.
During the event, only the grooms were present, as the brides were absent. This mass wedding was a campaign promise made by the current governor before his election.
Although such weddings were an annual tradition for years, the previous government discontinued them.
Kano, Nigeria’s second-largest city and a major commercial center in the northern region, hosted this significant event due to the challenging economic conditions in the country, which made it difficult for many couples to independently arrange their wedding ceremonies.
Yusuf Abdullahi, a textile trader, expressed his struggle, saying, “Life is really tough, which is why I could not get married until now, though I wanted to. I pray my marriage becomes the key to my prosperity.”
The government not only covered the cost of the bridewealth but also provided a modest startup capital of $26 for the brides and offered a professional training program.
Trainer Naisa Ahmad explained that the state’s aim is to provide the brides with vocational skills to promote self-reliance. The initiative recognizes the increasing cost of living and seeks to empower women to support themselves, their spouses, and society through their chosen trades, as reported by Africa News.
In Nigeria’s traditional northern regions, where husbands typically bear the primary financial responsibility for the household, rising inflation has prompted authorities to encourage women’s participation in income-generating activities.
The head of the Sharia police in Kano state disclosed that organizing the mass wedding incurred an expense of approximately $1 million for the state.
The wedding of the 1,500 couples was reportedly decentralized, with ceremonies taking place in different local governments within the state.
In recent years, the landscape of business has undergone a seismic shift, largely driven by the relentless wave of digital disruption. The rise of online shopping giants like Amazon, Alibaba, and eBay has reshaped traditional retail models.
Streaming platforms such as Netflix have revolutionized the entertainment and music industries. Ride-sharing services, blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, social media, artificial intelligence, and cloud services, exemplified by Amazon Web Services (AWS), all highlight the transformative power of digital disruption.
This evolution has brought about significant changes in business practices, consumer behavior, and the very fabric of our economic environment.
Digital disruptors and traditional incumbents stand apart in several crucial ways. While traditional incumbents rely on industry experience, brand reputation, and established market presence, digital disruptors distinguish themselves with their agility, speed, innovative culture, and digital-first approach.
They harness data to drive decisions, comprehend customer needs, and build platform ecosystems that connect multiple stakeholders, generating network effects and expanding their influence.
The disruptors’ characteristics offer a competitive edge, providing flexibility, lower operational costs, and a global reach without extensive physical infrastructure, all thanks to digital platforms and the internet.
They can also monetize the data they collect, offering valuable insights to other businesses or improving their own products and services. Digital disruptors, in essence, are defined by their innovation-driven strategies, nimble nature, and digital-centric focus.
Digital transformation goes beyond adopting new software and technologies for efficiency. It represents a fundamentally innovative way of conducting core business operations.
Traditional incumbents often find this transformation complex and challenging, as it requires overcoming resistance from leadership and employees, integrating new technologies with existing systems, and adapting to new business models.
The ever-evolving digital landscape poses challenges in keeping pace with emerging technologies and shifting customer expectations. However, embracing digital disruption demands a commitment to change, a culture of innovation, investment in technology and talent, and a strategic, customer-centric approach.
By systematically addressing these challenges, traditional incumbents can position themselves to thrive in the digital age, leveraging new opportunities for growth and innovation.
Failing to embrace digital disruption exposes traditional incumbents to a host of risks. These risks encompass the loss of competitive advantage, decreased customer satisfaction, difficulties in adhering to evolving industry regulations and data privacy standards, and potential legal and reputational consequences. In essence, resisting digital disruption can leave incumbents vulnerable in a rapidly evolving business environment.
Traditional companies possess unique strengths and assets that they can leverage effectively to compete with digital disruptors. They can embrace digital transformation by adopting digital technologies to enhance operations, streamline processes, and optimize customer experiences.
Furthermore, they can adopt an iterative approach to innovation, fostering adaptability and responsiveness to market dynamics. Identifying niche markets overlooked by digital disruptors allows them to tailor offerings to meet specific unaddressed needs.
Collaboration with start-ups, technology providers, or other industry players can grant access to cutting-edge technologies and innovations. Traditional companies can also enhance customer service, user interfaces, and online presence to rival digital disruptors in providing seamless and personalized customer experiences.
Start-ups and digital-native companies, driven by agility, innovation, and a penchant for challenging the status quo, are leveraging technology to reshape traditional industries.
They collect and analyze vast amounts of data to deliver personalized products and services, improving customer satisfaction and loyalty. Remaining ahead in the digital disruption race requires incumbents to adapt continuously and embrace emerging technologies and trends.
Focusing on artificial intelligence and machine learning enables them to analyze vast data sets, automate processes, enhance customer experiences, and make informed decisions. Cultivating a culture of adaptability and agility allows them to respond swiftly to changing business environments and experiment with new strategies.
Lastly, investing in employee training and upskilling ensures the workforce can effectively utilize new tools and technologies.
Navigating the regulatory and policy aspects of digital disruption is paramount. Ignoring or mishandling these can lead to legal issues, reputational damage, and innovation roadblocks.
Regulations related to data privacy, security, environmental impact, electronic transactions, and consumer protection must be adhered to, depending on the business’s industry and jurisdiction. A proactive approach that involves legal expertise, staying informed about regulatory changes, and collaboration with industry associations and policymakers can help shape regulations that balance innovation with stakeholder interests.
Partnerships with digital disruptors can be beneficial for traditional incumbents, allowing them to harness the agility, innovation, and technological expertise of disruptors for their own growth and competitiveness.
Disruptors often bring novel technologies, ideas, and business models to the table. By partnering with them, incumbents can access these innovations without in-house development. Incumbents can also benefit from specialized resources and technologies held by disruptors.
Such partnerships can enhance the incumbent’s brand image, particularly among tech-savvy consumers. Strategic communication, goal alignment, and a well-defined partnership framework are essential for mutually beneficial collaborations.
President Akufo-Addo has called on the Christian Council and the religious community in the country to pray for the nation.
He also asked the Council to pray for the understanding of the people since not everybody elected as a leader is a thief. According to him, this prayer is necessary so that people with that understanding will have some hope in leaders.
The President made the call when the new Chairman of the Christian Council, Right Rev. Dr. Hilliad Della Dogbe, led a delegation to pay a courtesy call on him at the Jubilee House.
He described the perception as unfortunate, stressing that some of them would have been better off in the private sector.
President Akufo-Addo said the people should also have the hope that there are anti-corruption institutions and agencies keeping the government in check.
Right Rev. Dogbe on his part pledged the readiness of the Christian community to pray for God’s guidance and protection of the nation.
Jane Mucheni, along with many other women, spent twelve days sleeping on the ground beneath a blue tent near Bay Horse Mine, an abandoned gold mine located in Chegutu, approximately 110 kilometers (seventy miles) west of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe.
The women were waiting for their husbands and sons, who had been reported missing following the September 30 mine collapse, to return, alive or dead.
Before the authorities broke off the effort to free the trapped miners, nine people had perished and twenty-two had been rescued, infuriating the bereaved families of the missing.
“We still have up to 30 people that are underground at the moment,” Daniel Garwe, the acting minister of local government said on Wednesday. “The ground is moving which is threatening the lives of rescue teams. Operations have been stopped for now until a suitable area to enter the ground is established.”
The mothers, including Mucheni, whose sons France, 23, and Tinashe, 17, went missing two weeks ago, a day before Bay Horse collapsed, are horrified over the most recent discovery. The mine region is the quietest it has been in years, and they have not yet been located.
“It’s hard to leave knowing those rocks are pressing down on my children,” Mucheni, a farmer, told Al Jazeera. “We have tried everything, every morning we have prayed [to God] and last week we even had a traditional ceremony to call on our ancestors to help us. Those who have been here with their big cars parked haven’t done anything, doesn’t anyone care?”
Every day, twelve artisanal miners descended the 250-meter trench with crude picks and shovels in hand to look for their fellow miners who were buried. They persisted until the administration canceled the rescue effort in spite of the extreme heat and overpowering scent of human remains.
A risky search for fortune
Mine accidents are not uncommon in Zimbabwe.
In Zimbabwe’s gold-rich regions, many unemployed young men have long earned their livelihoods in unregulated, unsafe mines. The Bay Horse mine, which recently collapsed, was abandoned because artisanal miners had removed its safety pillars in the hopes of discovering gold ore.
The government declared the accident a national disaster, highlighting concerns about mining safety and the effectiveness of rescue efforts in Zimbabwe’s extractive industry. Farai Maguwu, director of the Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) in Harare, describes the gold industry as a “crime scene” plagued by corruption, and artisanal miners, known locally as makorokoza, often work in hazardous conditions.
In the first quarter of 2023, Zimbabwe reported $376.73 million in export earnings, according to the Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR), a state agency. Although over half of these earnings are attributed to small-scale miners, the FGR noted a 19% drop in deliveries compared to the same period in 2022 due to heavy rains, with 6.19 tonnes in gold deliveries.
However, Maguwu believes this is not a true representation of Zimbabwe’s potential due to illegal exports exceeding three times that amount and smuggling involving high-ranking state officials, as exposed in the Gold Mafia series by Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit earlier this year.
Maguwu revealed that the CNRG had submitted several petitions to parliament, recommending regular mine inspections by the Ministry of Mines and the Environment Management Agency. They also sought reforms to enhance safety and reduce illicit financial flows in the mining sector. In response, they received a letter from parliament in 2021 stating that it would consider the recommendations, but nothing further transpired.
“When a disaster such as this occurs, it’s the small-scale miners who take the risk to go down, they don’t have the right rescue equipment and they just burrow in the ground while the politicians don’t seem interested because these are the lives of poor miners, politicians seem to only worry about the gold,” he told Al Jazeera.
A trail of tears
In the search operation, the team also managed to recover six bodies and various decomposing body parts belonging to unidentified individuals. Among the rescuers was Trymore Gavaza, 39, who played a part in retrieving his 28-year-old brother, Tawanda’s body. Tawanda had been trapped amidst large stones.
Though the recovery of his brother provided Gavaza with some comfort, he holds reservations about the mission’s continuity due to what he perceives as inadequate government support.
“The politicians came here and made a lot of promises, but no real equipment was given to help and if the rainy season starts soon nobody will go down,” he explained.
He remembers descending into the 250-meter pit, navigating over a kilometer through a subterranean tunnel. This arduous journey took nearly two hours, as they had to squeeze through narrow spaces created by fallen rocks. Their destination was where multiple bodies were located. It took them five days to discover the remains of a man they believe to be Thomas Pasi, Gavaza’s cousin.
“I’m thankful the other guys found Thomas. Even though the body isn’t the person we knew, the teeth and the hair told me it’s him, I know it’s him,” he said. “We tried to remove other miners, but the dead were trapped just staring at us with their eyes open.”
He claimed that Gavaza had quit his job as a chikorokoza to open his own grocery store in the village with his brother. With their uncle’s assistance, Tawanda had constructed an almost roof-level shop. But Tawanda made one last journey to Bay Horse Mine to make some quick cash to support the last stages of his shop’s construction. It was to be his last voyage.
Mucheni is milling around at the mine gates, unsure of whether to stay or go home, facing the dreadful possibility that she may never see her sons again, or their bodies, either alive or dead.
“If God could just take me, [if] I could die like my sons then it would be better,” she told Al Jazeera. “I have already lost so much, my husband died a long time ago and now I have lost both my children, I can’t go on,” she cries.
During the first half of 2023, crude oil production in the country experienced a significant decline, raising concerns about petroleum revenues and regulatory compliance. The nation’s three offshore producing fields, Jubilee, Tweneboa, Enyenra, Ntomme (TEN), and Sankofa Gye Nyame (SGN), produced a total of 22.4 million barrels (bbls) of crude oil. This marked a substantial 13.2 percent decrease compared to the production volume of 25.8 million barrels (bbls) in the same period of 2022, marking the fourth consecutive year-on-year decline in crude oil production since inception.
This drop in production was primarily attributed to reduced output from the three producing fields. Jubilee, TEN, and SGN Fields experienced respective declines of 12 percent, 17.5 percent, and 12.9 percent in crude oil production.
In the Jubilee Field, production fell from 14.9 million bbls in H1 2022 to 13.1 million bbls in H1 2023, representing a 12.03 percent decrease. The average daily oil production in the Jubilee Field during H1 2023 was 72,449 bbls, compared to 82,560 bbls in H1 2022, marking a 12.2 percent reduction.
Tweneboa-Enyenra-Ntomme also witnessed a decline in production, dropping from 4.4 million bbls in H1 2022 to 3.6 million bbls in H1 2023, a 17.5 percent decrease. Average daily oil production reduced from 24,263.00 bbls in H1 2022 to 20,032.24 bbls in H1 2023.
In the Sankofa Gye-Nyame (SGN) field, production dipped from 6.5 million bbls in H1 2022 to 5,712,891 bbls in H1 2023, marking a 12.9 percent decrease. Average daily production decreased from 36,206.76 bbls to 31,562.9 bbls during the period.
These challenges arose following the country’s reduction of existing Petroleum Agreements (PAs) from 14 to 13 as of June 2023, primarily due to the relinquishment of AGM Petroleum’s entire interest in the South Deep Water Tano Contract Area.
Furthermore, according to the findings in the 12th Semi Annual Report of the Committee, Jubilee Oil Holding Limited (JOHL) failed to remit proceeds from lifts in H1 2023 amounting to US$70,456,719 into the PHF.
“This is the fourth consecutive time the Company has failed to pay the proceeds of lifts from the Jubilee and TEN Fields, amounting to US$343,108,928,” it was stated.
Furthermore, it was observed that Kosmos Energy Ghana Limited incorrectly deposited withholding tax totaling US$3.9 million into the Petroleum Holding Fund (PHF) for the years 2020 and 2021.
During the review period, the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) expended US$6.40 million on production and development costs at the TEN field and lifted a parcel of crude oil from the field in May 2023. However, the Corporation received no revenue from the field, either in terms of its equity interest or its share of net CAPI, despite revenues being deposited in the PHF during H1 2023.
This situation, as noted by PIAC, violates Section 16(4) of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act (PRMA) as amended, which specifies that the Minister for Finance should ensure the prompt transfer of a relevant portion of revenue due to a national oil company into the Petroleum Holding Fund not later than three working days after receiving petroleum revenue.
In response to these findings, PIAC reiterated its stance that proceeds from JOHL and other GNPC subsidiary lifts constitute petroleum revenues and should be remitted to the PHF. The committee also stressed the importance of International Oil Companies (IOCs) ensuring that only petroleum revenues, rather than other funds, are deposited in the PHF.
Furthermore, PIAC called upon the Ministry of Finance to adhere to the provision in Section 16(4) of the PRMA as amended, ensuring the timely release of funds to the National Oil Company within three working days after receiving petroleum revenue in the PHF.
Commercial banks in Kenya turned to the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) for an unprecedented liquidity injection of nearly Ksh100 billion ($668 million) on Monday. This signaled a short-term cash shortage, partly attributed to the Sh44.15 billion tea bonus payments to farmers.
While the CBK initially offered to inject Ksh50 billion ($334 million) via seven-day reverse repurchase agreements (repos) to address the skewed liquidity situation, banks submitted bids totaling Ksh99.87 billion ($667.13 million). The CBK accepted all bids at an average interest rate of 12.87 percent.
Reverse repos involve banks borrowing from the regulator, using their holdings of Treasury bills and bonds as collateral.
The amount injected on Monday exceeded the previous high of Ksh87 billion ($581.16 million) lent to banks by the CBK on June 19, 2023. Notably, the CBK’s decision to accept bids exceeding the initial Ksh50 billion target deviated from its usual practice of sticking to the injection target.
The demand for liquidity, mainly from tier one lenders, was driven by the tea bonus payments, coupled with existing tight liquidity conditions in the market.
The Kenya Tea Development Agency (Holdings) Limited (KTDA) began disbursing tea bonuses to approximately 600,000 affiliated farmers from its 54 factories on October 2, in relation to their supplies for the financial year ending June 30. These lump sum payments strained the liquidity of the paying banks, a situation similar to the strain experienced when processing large dividend payments by listed firms running into tens of billions.
Throughout October, the CBK injected a total of Ksh191 billion ($1.28 billion) in liquidity through reverse repos. This comprised two portions of Ksh40 billion ($267.2 million) each on October 2 and 9, an injection of Ksh11.18 billion ($74.7 million) on October 3, and Monday’s Ksh99.86 billion ($667.1 million). In September, total repo sales (three and seven-day) reached Ksh249.5 billion ($1.7 billion).
Additionally, the interbank market saw heightened activity over the past week, confirming the cash shortage facing lenders.
Between October 9 and 16, banks borrowed a total of Ksh140.7 billion ($939.9 million) from each other in the overnight market, averaging Ksh28.1 billion ($187.7 million) per day.
The overnight lending rate also increased during this period, reaching 12.34 percent on October 16, up from 11.98 percent on October 9, with some transactions nearing the upper limit of 13 percent set by the CBK’s interest rate corridor introduced in August.
Head of Export at the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GNCCI), Charles Arthur Ntiri, has highlighted origin fraud as a significant challenge in African trade facilitation.
Origin fraud entails deliberately misrepresenting the source of goods in international trade by providing false information or documents to gain preferential treatment or bypass trade barriers.
Mr. Ntiri made these remarks during the 8th Media Seminar organized by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) in Accra, which focused on contemporary trends and developments in Ghana’s Shipping and Logistics Industry.
The seminar aimed to educate and engage the media on key developments within the sector, enhancing their role in advancing the industry’s interests.
He noted that origin fraud could involve various deceptive practices, including falsifying documentation, transshipment, and tariff engineering.
Discussing the significance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Certificate of Origin, Mr. Ntiri pointed out that countries may experience significant revenue losses when goods are falsely declared as originating from countries with lower or zero tariff rates, leading to reduced customs duties collected.
Moreover, he highlighted that origin fraud creates unfair competition for legitimate exporters who adhere to the rules and accurately declare the origin of their goods, as fraudulent traders may gain advantages like reduced costs or preferential treatment.
“Origin fraud can undermine the integrity of trade agreements and erode trust among trading partners, potentially leading to disputes and destabilizing the international trading system and it is illegal and can result in legal action, penalties, fines, or sanctions against those involved in the fraudulent practice,” he added.
Mr. Ntiri emphasized the crucial role played by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Certificate of Origin (CoO) in trade facilitation. The CoO serves as a vital tool for promoting transparency, harmonization, and economic integration among AfCFTA member states. It plays a fundamental role in international trade by determining a product’s origin and the corresponding duties or taxes on imported goods.
Two main types of CoO were outlined by Mr. Ntiri, each with distinct purposes in international trade: non-preferential Certificate of Origin and preferred Certificate of Origin.
The non-preferred Certificate of Origin is utilized for goods that do not qualify for preferential treatment under trade agreements or for countries without trade agreements with the exporting nation.
On the other hand, the preferred Certificate of Origin is designated for goods that qualify for preferential treatment under bilateral or multilateral trade agreements or customs unions.
The Chief Executive Officer of the GSA, Benonita Bismarck, acknowledged the significant role of the media as indispensable stakeholders in the Authority’s mission to protect and promote the interests of shippers in Ghana.
She emphasized that effectively engaging the shipping community and disseminating critical information require the valuable professional services of the media.
She explained that the theme was designed to highlight the rapid transformation of the Shipping and Logistics sector, recognizing it as a pivotal driver of our country’s socio-economic progress. The sector’s extensive scope, reach, and influence on a diverse range of stakeholders, particularly the numerous indirect beneficiaries of its services, were also emphasized.
A well-known Nigerian actress, Tonto Dikeh, has voiced her disappointment at not receiving an invitation to the movie premiere of her dear friend and fellow actress, Mercy Johnson Okojie.
This emotional exchange between the two celebrities has garnered attention from fans and the media.
Tonto Dikeh conveyed her feelings via social media by commenting on one of Mercy Johnson Okojie’s posts. She expressed her desire to wholeheartedly support her friend while also expressing her disappointment at not being included in the event.
Mercy Johnson
In response, Mercy Johnson Okojie expressed her gratitude for Tonto’s heartfelt message and thanked her for her genuine intentions.
Tonto Dikeh wrote;
“Na so you no invite me sisterly. Na so we go take support one and another in love??? I no happy a lot because all I want is an opportunity to support you sincerely… Na cry I dey babes @mercyjohnsonokojie.”
Tonto’s emotional and sincere message deeply moved Mercy Johnson, who responded with equal warmth and gratitude.
“Mercy extended her appreciation to Tonto for her compassionate intentions and the genuineness of her words.
Mercy replied;
“@tontolet Your heart ehhhh. See emotional just reading what you wrote sis… thank you loads ooo.”
The general public has been advised not to pay any fees of any kind to any official by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), with particular caution applied to enterprises and individuals who are registered for VAT.
The Authority declared that all of its Domestic Tax Revenue Division (DTRD) and Customs offices nationwide do not collect fees or money for services provided, in accordance with its policies and procedures.
A notice issued by the Authority on October 18, 2023 said: “Taxpayers are advised not to pay any money to a tax officer for rendering services. Services provided by the GRA are totally free.”
It further stated that taxpayers only need to pay for value books, like VAT/NHIL invoice booklets, while making their purchases. This is however sold at GH¢1.50.
Therefore, the public is urged to report any instances of extortion by GRA employees.
To assist in enrolling more self-employed individuals and workers in the unorganized sector in pension plans, the National Pensions Authority Regulatory (NPRA) will host a fair.
This year’s National Pensions Awareness Week included a program that was set for Monday, October 23 to Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly’s forecourt.
The event, themed “My Pension; My Future,” is anticipated to serve as a platform for various identifiable groups, including driver unions, market women, the Ghana Hairdressers and Beauticians Association, Tailors and Dressmakers Association, Ghana Hoteliers Association, the Ghana Enterprise Agency, and other self-employed individuals. These groups will collaborate to develop pension schemes for their members.
The Minister for Employment, Labour Relations, and Pensions, Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, will inaugurate the fair.
According to a statement from the NPRA, this program is a part of broader initiatives aimed at enhancing informal pension coverage in Ghana and ensuring comprehensive pension education.
The NPRA also noted that this fair will be held concurrently with symposia designed to impart pension knowledge to the country’s workforce.
“The fair is to educate and sensitise both formal and informal sector workers on pension matters,” the NPRA said.
“All pension scheme providers among other stakeholders will be showcasing their pension products and services to the general public to explain and encourage all workers to enrol on pension schemes,” the statement said.
The NPRA emphasized its commitment to guiding those already enrolled in pension schemes to maximize their retirement benefits, with the goal of mitigating elderly poverty.
Participation in the program is offered at no cost.
The statement underscored the significance that the NPRA places on ensuring pensions for all Ghanaians, noting that pension provision has evolved into a human rights concern under the United Nations Convention.
“Pension schemes have now become the necessary substitute as an old-age security system for the aged, and also as a modern mechanism to provide retirement income to the aged for maintenance of their standard of living,” the NPRA stated.
Self-employed workers were encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to secure their retirement income, according to the statement.
In 2022, state-owned enterprises (SOEs) significantly contributed to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), accounting for GHȼ58.2 billion, which amounts to 10 percent.
This marks a notable increase from their contributions of 3 percent in 2020 and 6 percent in 2021, which equated to GHȼ10.33 billion and GHȼ29.11 billion, respectively, according to Dr. Mac-Effort Adadey, the Director of National Accounts at the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD).
Furthermore, the total assets of SOEs, as recorded in the consolidated National Account, also saw a substantial rise. It increased from GH¢51.8 billion in 2020 to GH¢419.2 billion in 2022. Dr. Adadey commended the steady progress in this regard.
Dr. Adadey shared this information at the second Editors’ Forum organized by the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) in Accra.
The forum aimed to facilitate discussions on positioning state enterprises to become positive contributors to the economy and to enhance communication between SIGA and the media.
He also revealed that there is an ongoing effort to incorporate all government legacy fixed assets into the government’s balance sheet.
This move is considered a crucial requirement in the landscape of public financial management and will help rectify imbalances.
“We have set out to bring all government legacy fixed assets back onto government’s balance sheet, because over the years we have been raising money – including debt contracting – to acquire these public assets; but because of the cash-accounting basis of preparing the national accounts, these assets are written-off and not reported on the balance sheet. The effect is that when you look at Ghana’s balance sheet, we have the public debt on it – but the assets which have been acquired with this public debt are not on the public sheet. So, you see a huge negative on the balance sheet,” he said.
The Director went on to say that because the current balance sheet does not accurately depict the state of the assets, all public entities will be required to use a standardized fixed asset register.
This register will account for the assets that are actually being used, enabling the CAGD account directorate to include them in the national account.
“By identifying and collecting data on government assets across public entities – by this I mean ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) across the country – once we get these assets and have their values on the balance sheet, it will correct the imbalances by showing the true picture of Ghana’s value on the balance sheet.
“For the 2022 annual account, we have been able to bring several assets onto government’s balance sheet; and the expectation is that by end of 2023 we will do more, so the balance sheet will look better than it does now,” he added.
He explained that a good balance sheet will give the country a strong financial standing and allow it to relate to the external world.
“If you want to do business with other people, they will look at your balance sheet and be convinced that your net worth is okay. As a country, a good balance sheet also gives us the opportunity to relate with the external world, contract loans at a cheaper rate, and benefit from other good things a good balance sheet can offer any business or country,” he indicated.
According to him, 19 SOEs joined the national account in 2020; that number rose to 48 in 2021, and it reached 62 in 2022.
“We are targetting 87 SOEs for 2023: the expectation is that in the 2023 annual account, we will have all of them responding and the picture will look better,” he added – encouraging all stakeholders, especially the state enterprises, to comply with the Public Finance Management Acts and Regulations to spur growth.
Director-General of SIGA, Edward Boateng, conveyed his organization’s and its partners’ commitment to facilitating the growth of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to ensure their profitability and their role as a cornerstone of the economy.
He encouraged SOEs to draw from the insights gained during their recent study tour to China, organized by SIGA. This tour provided them with direct access to their Chinese counterparts in the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC), which oversees 98 centrally controlled SOEs. China has effectively developed its state enterprises to make a significant contribution to its economy. Mr. Boateng expressed confidence that, with the necessary support and adherence to compliance, SOEs can substantially enhance their financial prospects.
SASAC in China has established a reputation for operational excellence and strict adherence to statutory regulations and internal controls. Chinese SOEs maintain a well-structured human resources workforce, with high retention rates, competitive remuneration packages, and a strong focus on good governance and achieving high production targets. They are renowned for their unwavering commitment to operational excellence and growth, demonstrating zero tolerance for poor performance.
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has granted approval for Ghana to produce life-saving anti-snake venom, addressing a critical need for individuals bitten by snakes.
Snakebites can be fatal when the necessary serum is unavailable, and efforts have been made by industry stakeholders to develop vaccines.
This green light for the production of anti-snake venom in Ghana comes after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Atlantic Lifesciences, a Ghanaian company, and Vins Bioproducts Limited, an Indian company. The agreement paves the way for the commencement of fill and finish production of anti-snake venom in Ghana, capable of neutralizing bites from more than 19 different snake species.
This development aligns with the government’s goal of establishing Ghana as a key vaccine manufacturing hub in the African sub-region.
During the MoU signing in Accra, Dhananjay Tripathi, the CEO of Atlantic Lifesciences, emphasized that Ghana would become the first West African country to produce and package anti-snake venom for both local use and export.
Siddarth Daga, the Executive Director of Vins Bioproducts Limited, expressed satisfaction with the collaboration with Atlantic Lifesciences, stating that the MoU would benefit all parties involved.
Delese Mimi Darko, the CEO of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), confirmed that the FDA had granted approval for the production of anti-snake venom.
“Anti-venoms are critical vaccine commodities which are often out of stock in Ghana and other regions, leading to unavoidable deaths.
“There are several initiatives globally and nationally underway to increase access to anti-venoms, both here and in the rest of the world,” the CEO of FDA stated.
“This MoU will mark the beginning of several such agreements between local manufacturers and giant pharmaceutical industries to help support manufacturers towards self-sustainability and supply in Ghana and to export to many countries. Everything we test in our laboratory is worldwide,” she stated.
One of the top manufacturers of vaccinations is Vins Bioproducts Limited.
The Country Director of the World Bank, Pierre Laporte, has revealed the adverse effects of soaring inflation in 2022 on the overall living standards, particularly among vulnerable segments of the population.
He noted that the prevalence of extreme poverty among Ghanaians had risen since the previous year, with over a quarter of the population currently living on GH¢24 daily, equivalent to less than two dollars.
The recent surge in inflation in Ghana has significantly eroded the purchasing power of affected households, primarily due to the fact that their incomes have not kept pace with the rising inflation.
“It is expected that the current economic woes the country has endured may have pushed many more Ghanaians into poverty, and food insecurity worsened by the last quarter of 2022 when inflation was at its peak,” Mr Laporte said on October 18 at a ceremony to mark End Poverty Day at the World Bank Office in Accra.
The programme was under the theme: “Delivering growth to people through better jobs in Ghana”.
The way forward
Regarding how the government can achieve a turnaround in the current situation, he advocated for the implementation of structural reforms to strengthen initiatives aimed at long-term economic growth and consolidation.
“Bolstering long-term growth prospects will require policies that support investment and human capital development, as well as buttressing resilience and crisis preparedness, especially in agriculture and food systems,” he said.
“Well targeted investments,” he submitted could create better jobs, reduce income inequality and boost productivity.
“Jobs and employment are the surest way to reduce poverty and inequality. Impact is further multiplied in communities and across generations if we purposefully empower women and girls, and young people,” he stressed.
The World Bank, he said, was evolving its vision and mission in response to a succession of global crises that had upended development progress.
“The World Bank is transforming through the urgency of a new playbook which focuses on enhancing and modernising our financing capacity, delivery model and efficiency of delivery, among others, to drive inclusive development that does not come at the cost of the vulnerable on the planet, leading to better quality of life and jobs for people,” he said.
Nine temporary employees, who were assisting in the supervision of Liberia’s presidential and parliamentary elections held on October 10, 2023, have been detained.
According to the election commission, these nine temporary staff members were apprehended on charges of vote manipulation and electoral misconduct.
Chairperson of the National Elections Commission, Davidetta Browne Lassanah, informed the press in Monrovia that the arrests took place in Grand Cape Mount County and Montserrado County.
She, however, assured the Liberian public that “the attempted irregularities were rectified and had no impact on the election results.”
In the presidential election, with nearly all the votes counted, incumbent George Weah and former Vice-President Joseph Boakai are in a tight race, and the election is expected to proceed to a runoff.
The military government in Niger reported thwarting an escape attempt by the ousted former President, Mohamed Bazoum, and his entourage, including family members, cooks, and security personnel.
The group had planned to use helicopters for their getaway, but the attempt was unsuccessful.
Bazoum has been confined to his residence since a coup by members of his presidential guard in late July.
The incident occurred at approximately 03:00 (02:00 GMT) on Thursday, according to military spokesman Amadou Abdramane, as reported on state television.
“The ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and his family, his two cooks and two security elements, tried to escape from his place of detention,” he said.
The escape bid failed and “the main actors and some of the accomplices” were arrested, he added.
According to Mr. Abdramane, the complex plan called for Mr. Bazoum to travel to a hideout outside of the capital, Niamey.
The group had then planned to fly out on helicopters “belonging to a foreign power” towards Nigeria, he added, denouncing Mr Bazoum’s “irresponsible attitude”.
The current whereabouts of the former president and his group remain undisclosed, and an investigation has been initiated.
The military in Niger seized power through a coup on July 26, mirroring similar military takeovers in neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali. These events occurred in the midst of an Islamist insurgency and an increasing Russian influence in the broader Sahel region, particularly through the Wagner mercenary group.
Despite being in captivity, Mr. Bazoum has refused to officially resign. He managed to publish an article in The Washington Post, where he described himself as a hostage and warned of the “devastating consequences for our country, our region, and the entire world” resulting from the coup.
Following Bazoum’s ousting, U.S. President Joe Biden called for his immediate release and the preservation of Niger’s hard-earned democracy. Ecowas, a regional power bloc of West African states, had set a deadline for the coup leaders to step down, but their threats of military intervention were not carried out, and the junta continues to disregard calls for the president’s release.
Mr. Bazoum’s party and family members have raised concerns about his living conditions, stating that he lacks access to running water, electricity, and fresh supplies.
Ghana’s sovereign dollar bonds experienced a significant decline on Tuesday following a government presentation of debt restructuring options that sought a reduction of 30 to 40 percent on the principal, disappointing investors.
Some of the bonds reached their lowest levels in three months, with the 2061 issue dropping as much as 2.9 cents on the dollar to 38.9 cents, according to Tradeweb data.
Subsequently, the bonds made a partial recovery but still remained between 1.5 cents and 2.5 cents lower on the dollar.
Ghana is currently engaged in discussions with both bilateral and commercial creditors to restructure its debts, amid the most severe economic crisis in a generation. The nation has been excluded from international capital markets due to escalating domestic debt costs.
In addition to the principal reduction, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta informed investors that the government aimed to limit the coupon to no more than 5 percent and the final maturity to no more than 20 years for the bonds to be issued as part of the restructuring of its $13 billion outstanding international notes.
Although specific details were still pending, Morgan Stanley, in a note to its clients, estimated a recovery value of $38 in contrast to the current average price of $44 for the bonds.
“In our view, this proposal is unlikely to be accepted by the bondholders as the ultimate recovery value would be extremely low compared to history,” Morgan Stanley’s Neville Z Mandimika said.
“However, it is important to note that this is only a first proposal and various revisions will likely be made, presumably with a higher recovery value,” Mandimika added.
Stuart Culverhouse at Tellimer estimated a recovery value of $31.5-$44 if past due interest is included following the presentation – a lower outcome than he had previously expected.
“We still think 30-40 per cent haircuts – and Greece-like 60-70 per cent haircuts in PV (present value) terms – sounds excessive and unjustified,” Culverhouse wrote in a note, calling Accra’s hopes for an agreement in principle by year-end “ambitious”.
Analysts have suggested that incorporating value recovery instruments (VRIs), which are structures tied to factors like GDP growth, into the debt restructuring process could enhance the prospects for bondholders.
Barclays has computed that factoring in past-due interest, in combination with a recovery instrument, could potentially result in a recovery value of $50.
Some experts have emphasized that substantial write-offs are crucial in order to have a meaningful impact on the debt restructuring efforts of these nations.
Ghana, along with Zambia and Ethiopia, is currently engaged in the process of restructuring their debt under the G20 Common Framework program. This program, launched in late 2020, is designed to assist impoverished nations grappling with overwhelming debt burdens but has faced widespread criticism for its slow progress.
“Ghana’s proposal is the first economically sustainable proposal put forth at the G20 Common Framework,” Kevin Gallagher, director of Boston University’s Global Development Policy Centre, said.
“If Ghana gets upward of 40 per cent haircut and invests in their Climate Prosperity Plan they can harness a real recovery,” he said.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, swiftly responded to what he termed as “false claims” made by Kennedy Agyapong regarding assistance in recovering his assets that were purportedly slated for auction.
Popularly known as Chairman Wontumi in the Ashanti Region, he clarified in an interview with Wontumionline.com that there has never been an instance where Kennedy Agyapong provided him with financial support to salvage his assets from being sold to settle his debts.
“Kennedy Agyapong is liar born of a woman. He has never given GHC1 before let alone talk about help me recover my assets. At what point in life did Kennedy Agyapong meet me and the Mr. Addo he is talking about? He is a liar”, Chairman Wontumi said.
Former Finance Minister, Seth Terkper testified in an Economic and Financial Court in Accra, fully authorizing his then Deputy, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, to request Letters of Credit for Big Sea General Trading Ltd of Dubai to supply 30 Ambulances.
This testimony came during a case against Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and two others, with Terkper serving as the defense’s star witness.
He stated that the authorization was provided in response to a legal opinion from the Attorney General to execute a contract between the Government of Ghana and Big Sea, aiming to avert potential judgment debt due to contract delays and breaches.
The Attorney General’s opinion indicated that all governmental approvals were obtained for the contract.
Terkper emphasized that the establishment of the Letters of Credit was distinct from payment, which required approval from the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Dr. Sylvester Anemana, and businessman Richard Jakpa are on trial in relation to the importation of the ambulances.
A court in Accra has sentenced Joshua Asiedu, also known as Kwame Ketewa, to three years in prison for sharing explicit photos of his ex-girlfriend with friends on social media.
As part of his sentencing, he is also required to pay the victim, a 19-year-old girl, GH₵10,000 as compensation for the emotional distress he caused her.
The court, presided over by Mrs. Christina Cann, found Asiedu guilty of non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
The act was reportedly in response to the victim breaking up with him.
Nevertheless, the court recognized that the prosecution did not establish a prima facie case against Asiedu regarding the threat of death or domestic violence, specifically emotional abuse, and subsequently acquitted and discharged him of these two charges.
In his plea for mitigation, Asiedu pleaded with the trial judge to have mercy on him saying “All the allegations against me are untrue”.
According to the prosecution, which is headed by Chief Inspector Opoku Aniagyei, the complainant is an Accra-based trader who is 49 years old.
According to the report, the victim, a 19-year-old recent senior high school graduate, lives in Odorkor, Accra, with her mother.
The convict dwells at Odorkor, according to the prosecution.
When her father learned that Asiedu had an extramarital affair with the victim in 2018, he became aware of it.
The prosecution claimed that the victim broke up with Asiedu because she told him she was no longer interested in the relationship.
The prosecution claimed that in 2021, Asiedu shared the victim’s naked photos on his WhatsApp status for everyone to see because he was upset about her behavior.
He claims that Asiedu afterwards sent the pictures to Kasia and Sika, two of the victims’ pals.
The prosecution said thereafter, “the accused person always calls the victim to threaten her with words that he will deal with her and that if she wants to lose her life or she wants her mother to lose her, then she should play with him and that made the victim feel constantly unhappy, miserable, humiliated, ridiculed, afraid, jittery, depressed and worthless.”
The victim’s school authorities also observed signs of her emotional distress and subsequently summoned her parents to the school. The school provided her with the assistance of a counselor, and after a counseling session, a report was submitted detailing her condition.
On May 17, 2021, the complainant reported Asiedu’s actions to the Domestic Violence and Victim’s Support Unit. Upon learning that the police were looking for him, Asiedu went into hiding at an undisclosed location.
Asiedu re-emerged on January 26, 2023, and he was subsequently apprehended. During the investigation process, a caution statement was obtained from him, and the victim’s explicit photographs were recovered from her father’s mobile phones. Additionally, audio recordings of the threats made were collected as evidence.
National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s national communications officer, Sammy Gyamfi, isn’t giving up on his goal of making sure that everyone responsible for the country’s galamsey activities faces consequences.
Thus, he has asked four government agencies for information on the operations of Heritage Imperial Company Limited in the Apamprama forest reserve through a Right to Information (RTI) request.
The Attorney General’s Office, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Forestry Commission are among the organizations who filed the petition.
An excerpt of Mr Gyamfi’s petition said, ”I believe that the requested information will enable me to assist the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney-General to conduct thorough investigations into this matter to punish anyone found culpable.”
The NDC issues a warning to government appointees involved in illegal mining, promising accountability if they come to power in 2024.
The party, concerned about the environmental impact of illegal mining, calls for its immediate cessation. Sammy Gyamfi, NDC’s National Communications Officer, delivers this message during a press briefing on October 16.
“We hereby serve notice, that even if they are let off the hook today, they will not escape the long arms of the law tomorrow, because crime has no expiry date.”
“Until this is done, we shall make no headway in our fight against illegal mining and our beloved country, will have no sustainable future,” he said.
However, Mr. Gyamfi accused Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and President Akufo-Addo of being responsible for the wanton devastation of the country caused by “galamsey.”
The Attorney General and the Minister for Justice have praised the government’s accomplishments in the battle against galamsey despite this danger.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has emphasized that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is not a party driven by tribalism. He stated that the perception of the party being solely Akan will be completely dispelled with a decisive victory for him in the upcoming flagbearer contest on November 4.
Dr. Bawumia further asserted that he is the most suitable candidate to lead the party to a victory in the 2024 general elections.
“I am the third person from the North to contest the presidential primary of the party and the support is across the sixteen regions with everyone supporting Dr Bawumia, because I have what it takes to win the 2024 elections,” he said.
“We in the NPP are trying to do something that has never happened. We are breaking the Eight. When the party opened the nomination, I picked the form so I could break the eight for the New Patriotic Party,” he said.
Speaking to party delegates in Tumu before of the November 4 elections, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia stated that he should be chosen to lead the party because he had won all 16 regions in the Super Delegates Congress.
“If you look at our party and the antecedents and how we have been maligned, our opponents tell people that we vote on tribal lines. On November 4, 2023, we shall send a signal to show them we are not a tribalistic party by sending a message that we are a national party,” Dr Bawumia said.
“History tells us that the party doesn’t engage in tribal politics when we are electing leaders, as we are made up of different political groupings from different parts of the country.
“The National Liberation Movement from Ashanti, the Northern People’s Party from the North, the Anlo Youth Congress, the Ga People, and the Muslim Association Party came together to form the United Party, which is now the NPP and that’s our antecedents,” he explained.
The Vice President emphasized that Busia’s party only won one seat in the 1954 elections, whereas the Northern People’s Party got twelve.
In the second quarter of 2023, Nigerian insurance companies handed over 63.4% of their generated business to foreign counterparts, a significant violation of the local content law.
This law stipulates that only 30% of oil and gas business should be underwritten by foreign insurers, while the remaining 70% must remain within Nigeria.
The Q2’23 report from the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) revealed that insurance companies generated N113.8 billion in oil and gas businesses, with N81.6 billion transferred to foreign insurers. Local insurers retained just N32.2 billion of the oil and gas business.
During the first quarter of 2023, Nigerian insurers had transferred 74.8% of their oil and gas business income to foreign companies, showing a recurring trend of dollarization in this sector, which significantly affects local retention.
Olasupo Sogelola, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of International Energy Insurance, pointed out that the continuous depreciation of the Naira, along with challenges in accessing foreign exchange, makes compliance with local content law difficult. He noted that as oil and gas insurance transactions are conducted in dollars, the depreciation of the Naira leads to lower retention and increased risk value.
Additionally, Sogelola mentioned that many Nigerian insurance companies have limited capacity due to relatively low capital, making it challenging to engage in the oil and gas business. The dollarization of this sector also results in higher claims payments for insurers.
He added: “Claims are also affected because the claims that you have incurred that you have not paid, by the time it crystallises, you will pay at a higher value.”
The government has signed an agreement with Barari DV Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of Atlantic Lithium Limited. This deal encompasses a 10 percent royalty rate and a 13 percent free carried interest.
The agreement grants Barari DV the initial mining lease for extracting lithium from the Ewoyaa area in the Mfantsiman municipality of the Central Region.
This lease spans 15 years and introduces updated terms designed to maximize the country’s benefits from this mineral resource.
These terms include an increased royalty rate, participation of the state and local entities, and value addition to the mined mineral.
The agreement follows the completion of prospecting and feasibility studies by the company, as well as a series of negotiations between the government and Barari DV.
The lease covers an area of approximately 42.63 square kilometers and provides the company with exclusive rights to mine and produce lithium and related minerals in compliance with the country’s mining laws.
Lithium, a vital component in the production of lithium-ion batteries, holds strategic importance in the country’s transition toward green energy.
According to Samuel Jinapor, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, the government deliberately adopted a unique approach to the exploitation and management of lithium, distinct from other minerals. This necessitated the establishment of a special policy for this mineral before granting any mining lease.
After extensive consultations, Cabinet approved a policy for the exploitation and management of green minerals, including lithium.
The mining lease granted to the company aligns with the policy endorsed by parliament.
This recent authorization to the company, which had been exploring the commercial viability of the mineral deposits, adheres to the country’s mining regulations and grants the company the first right of refusal.
“By the mining laws of our country, when a company undertakes exploration and discovers minerals in commercial quantities, the company is entitled to the first right of refusal. That is to say if the company wants to go into the mining, the company is entitled to be given a mining lease to mine,” Mr. Jinapor added.
The minister made these announcements during a ceremony in Accra to formalize the agreement. He highlighted that the terms of the agreement provide better value to the state. Notably, the royalty rate has been increased from the standard 5 percent to 10 percent, and the state’s free carried interest in the mining operation has risen from 10 percent to 13 percent.
Furthermore, the government, through the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), will acquire an additional 6 percent stake in the mining operation and a 3.06 percent stake in the company’s parent entity, which is listed on the Australian and London Stock Exchanges.
The company will also be required to list on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) to allow Ghanaian entities like pension funds and individuals to participate in this venture.
Additionally, the company will allocate one percent of its revenue to a Community Development Fund, which will be utilized for the development of communities affected by its operations. The company will also endeavor to establish a chemical plant for processing the lithium. In the event the company cannot establish a chemical plant, it will supply its lithium to any third-party chemical plant established in the country, fostering job creation and development in mining communities and across the nation.
The government recognizes the impact of mining on host communities and is dedicated to ensuring that these communities, as well as the people of Ghana (who are the legal owners of these minerals), reap the benefits.
Mr. Jinapor, therefore, urged the company to strictly adhere to the country’s mining laws and the agreement with the government, emphasizing the importance of responsible, sustainable, and environmentally-friendly mining practices.
Niel Herbert, the Executive Chairman of Atlantic Lithium Limited, expressed the significance of the Ewoyaa project for the company and assured their commitment to collaborating with the government to ensure the effective exploitation of the mineral for the benefit of all stakeholders. He also pledged the company’s dedication to complying with the country’s laws and ensuring a safe mining environment.
Online users on Twitter have responded to a young woman who is celebrating her mother’s death at 130 years old.
When her mother passed away at the age of 130, the X user @talllizzy_girl shared her happiness on her profile.
The woman published pictures of her mother’s funeral arrangements because she was so happy.
According to the celebration of life photos, the mother, also known as Mama Paulina Oma Ekum, passed away after 130 years of life and will be buried in Cross Crivate State.
The woman bids her mother farewell and tells everyone that although they have been praying for her to pass away, God is greater than her since their family’s will has now been fulfilled.
The lady commented on social media, “Rip mama, you no gree commot this world but God pass you.”
Our paths crossed for the first time in 2006 at the University of Ghana, specifically Commonwealth Hall. I had gone to ‘City’ to see a course mate of mine. He walked in, said a few words and checked out. My course mate would later reveal to me that the gentleman had started the journey of aspiring to lead the students front as the SRC President. Legon has often been littered with young, vibrant and ambitious young men and women with a desire to lead the students front. Some of them had gone on to have great political careers. It’s a long list. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo, Rt. Hon. Peter Ala Adjetey, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Freddie Blay and more come to mind. The Political careers of these gentlemen started long before they became the popular names we heard on radio and television. The University of Ghana served as a platform for them to nurture their leadership skills to hit the ‘road’ after school.
I thought it was always great to test one’s mettle for a leadership position and that it was really up to him (Sammy) to push that agenda if he so wished. Months later, I saw his posters pop up all over campus. To the best of my recollection as a student of the Premier University, a strong ‘City’ affinity appeared to give student leaders who vied for positions a cushion for success. They were good at mobilizing the brothers on election day and be supportive of the entire campaign process. When they found a candidate good enough from their quarters, they rallied around the individual with unmatched support. There was a challenge he would however have to surmount. Lord Koranteng Hammah.
A Charismatic, vocal, populist, magnetic, eloquent speaker. He was the man Sammy had to get past for the ultimate. In Lords corner was DM Ofori-Atta, another top guy. A duo who could arouse the emotions of the student’s body and get them onside. A duo that gave the school authorities one hell of a time in dealing with the needs and wants of students. How I vividly recall that night on the campaign front when Hammah and DM visited Sarbah Main Hall, my Hall of residence at the time, and electrified the place with their presence. Readers who were students of the Hall would not forget that night quickly. At a point in his speech, Hammah took out a white handkerchief from his pocket, akin to Kwame Nkrumah, and made that famous statement. ‘They are few, but we are many.’
The entire electoral campaign was so intense that a decision was taken by the school authorities to literally discontinue the process. The wishes of Sam, Hammah and others to lead the students front did not materialize. They probably got on with their lives after all that intense campaign to pursue other dreams I reckon. Well, that was what I thought. Sam had other ideas though. The Legon saga was not going to end a dream.
A few years down the line, I bumped into him at the compound of one of the Media Houses in Accra where he had appeared as a guest on a political program representing the New Patriotic Party. I got into another office at that station and the lads in there were incidentally glued to that Political program. He spoke with a lot verve and strongly. He articulated his views in a clear and dispassionate manner and seemed to be on top of a lot of issues. I just watched.
He would appear on many political shows subsequently and gradually appear to be winning the hearts and minds of many especially the Youth. He would later vie for the National Youth Organiser position and win the elections in 2014 with 471 votes. Now this was at the time the NPP was in opposition with many party faithful especially the Youth disillusioned with the outcome of the 2012 election petition and looking for that young and dynamic voice who could rally the numbers together with the support of the National Organiser. Enter Sammy Awuku.
Together with then National Organiser John Boadu who later transitioned to hold the General Secretary’s position, the duo would comb the hook and crannies of this country to solicit for votes and mounted multiple platforms with then candidate Nana Akufo-Addo. He would earn all kinds of names and titles in the process. Some he has maintained till this day. Capo appears to be the defining one.
For me, what defined Sam’s political career was the presser he addressed early on the 9th of December, 2016 with the election results filtering in. A young, confident and assertive Awuku told the world at a presser by the Youth Wing of the party that with over 80% of the votes counted, the NPP had a sizeable lead and called on the Electoral Commission to declare the party victors in the election. He was not forcing the hand of the Electoral Commission in declaring the results. He seemed to have the numbers we were all waiting for. He knew something that many didn’t know. We know what happened later that day. Madam Charlotte Osei would announce the results in favour of the NPP.
Many young political guys appear to come out rude, disrespectful or worse after aligning with parties in power. I have seen and met loads of them across the Political divide. Some who could not afford three square meals speak with embarrassing levels of arrogance and crass. Not Sam. Polite, respectful and accommodating. He appears to have time for anyone and everything. And oh, we have crossed paths on multiple occasions since.
Our paths crossed for the first time in 2006 at the University of Ghana, specifically Commonwealth Hall. I had gone to ‘City’ to see a course mate of mine. He walked in, said a few words and checked out. My course mate would later reveal to me that the gentleman had started the journey of aspiring to lead the students front as the SRC President. Legon has often been littered with young, vibrant and ambitious young men and women with a desire to lead the students front. Some of them had gone on to have great political careers. It’s a long list. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo, Rt. Hon. Peter Ala Adjetey, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Freddie Blay and more come to mind. The Political careers of these gentlemen started long before they became the popular names we heard on radio and television. The University of Ghana served as a platform for them to nurture their leadership skills to hit the ‘road’ after school.
I thought it was always great to test one’s mettle for a leadership position and that it was really up to him (Sammy) to push that agenda if he so wished. Months later, I saw his posters pop up all over campus. To the best of my recollection as a student of the Premier University, a strong ‘City’ affinity appeared to give student leaders who vied for positions a cushion for success. They were good at mobilizing the brothers on election day and be supportive of the entire campaign process. When they found a candidate good enough from their quarters, they rallied around the individual with unmatched support. There was a challenge he would however have to surmount. Lord Koranteng Hammah.
A Charismatic, vocal, populist, magnetic, eloquent speaker. He was the man Sammy had to get past for the ultimate. In Lords corner was DM Ofori-Atta, another top guy. A duo who could arouse the emotions of the student’s body and get them onside. A duo that gave the school authorities one hell of a time in dealing with the needs and wants of students. How I vividly recall that night on the campaign front when Hammah and DM visited Sarbah Main Hall, my Hall of residence at the time, and electrified the place with their presence. Readers who were students of the Hall would not forget that night quickly. At a point in his speech, Hammah took out a white handkerchief from his pocket, akin to Kwame Nkrumah, and made that famous statement. ‘They are few, but we are many.’
The entire electoral campaign was so intense that a decision was taken by the school authorities to literally discontinue the process. The wishes of Sam, Hammah and others to lead the students front did not materialize. They probably got on with their lives after all that intense campaign to pursue other dreams I reckon. Well, that was what I thought. Sam had other ideas though. The Legon saga was not going to end a dream.
A few years down the line, I bumped into him at the compound of one of the Media Houses in Accra where he had appeared as a guest on a political program representing the New Patriotic Party. I got into another office at that station and the lads in there were incidentally glued to that Political program. He spoke with a lot verve and strongly. He articulated his views in a clear and dispassionate manner and seemed to be on top of a lot of issues. I just watched.
He would appear on many political shows subsequently and gradually appear to be winning the hearts and minds of many especially the Youth. He would later vie for the National Youth Organiser position and win the elections in 2014 with 471 votes. Now this was at the time the NPP was in opposition with many party faithful especially the Youth disillusioned with the outcome of the 2012 election petition and looking for that young and dynamic voice who could rally the numbers together with the support of the National Organiser. Enter Sammy Awuku.
Together with then National Organiser John Boadu who later transitioned to hold the General Secretary’s position, the duo would comb the hook and crannies of this country to solicit for votes and mounted multiple platforms with then candidate Nana Akufo-Addo. He would earn all kinds of names and titles in the process. Some he has maintained till this day. Capo appears to be the defining one.
For me, what defined Sam’s political career was the presser he addressed early on the 9th of December, 2016 with the election results filtering in. A young, confident and assertive Awuku told the world at a presser by the Youth Wing of the party that with over 80% of the votes counted, the NPP had a sizeable lead and called on the Electoral Commission to declare the party victors in the election. He was not forcing the hand of the Electoral Commission in declaring the results. He seemed to have the numbers we were all waiting for. He knew something that many didn’t know. We know what happened later that day. Madam Charlotte Osei would announce the results in favour of the NPP.
Many young political guys appear to come out rude, disrespectful or worse after aligning with parties in power. I have seen and met loads of them across the Political divide. Some who could not afford three square meals speak with embarrassing levels of arrogance and crass. Not Sam. Polite, respectful and accommodating. He appears to have time for anyone and everything. And oh, we have crossed paths on multiple occasions since.
I was in Koforidua to cover the NPP delegates election as a media person in 2018 when he aspired for the position of National Organiser. I recall interviewing him before the vote. His message was poignant. He had set himself the task of leading the NPP to glory in 2020 as the lead organiser and he was going to make that happen if given the nod. The results of that election were announced at dawn the following morning. He walked to our stand (Class 91.3fm) and respectfully engaged us. I asked him a simple question centered on how quickly he was rising in the party. At 3:36am, he smiled and responded courteously. ‘For God and country. This is only part of the process. I together with my other executives have a responsibility of helping the party retain power and that is the ultimate, he stressed.’
Sam may have since moved on to work with the Youth Employment Agency as Board Chairman and National Lotteries as Chief Executive but his influence and relevance is not lost on the Party faithful. His political ambitions are clear. Next step, Parliament. He is vying for the Akwapim North seat, a traditional NPP seat in the 4th republic. Agyare Koi Larbi, Lawyer William Ofori Boafo and Nana Dokua Bissue have held the seat since 1996. Looks like a done deal from what I gather. If the numbers I saw on the 4th of August for the Ofie Walk is anything to go by, then he is in a comfortable lead. He is a grassroots man delivering on multiple fronts in the constituency and beyond. To get the sitting MP Nana Dokua move out and contest another seat in Accra (Okaikoi North) tells a story. He is the man of the locals.
His works must have culminated in landing the job as Campaign Manager of Dr Mahamadu Bawumia ahead of the NPP Presidential Primaries. You don’t get such top jobs everyday if you are not cut out for the position. I have no idea how the Vice President settled oh him as his campaign capo. What I do know however is that Sam is a go getter, a man of the people and a man who can work the electoral numbers for victory. In recent times when the campaign has became a bit too intense with salvos being fired from opposing camps, he has dealt with them with tact and finesse with his comments and behind the scenes diplomacy. Indeed, Hon Ken Agyepong has since revealed that following his showdown comments, a telephone conversation was facilitated by Sammy for the two(Hon Agyepong and Dr Bawumia) to iron out any issues that may have arisen.
He has already gone past the Special Delegates conference as Capo with over 66% of the votes for candidate Dr Bawumia. Can he get past November 4th and put the icing on the cake on December 7th, 2024? On the evidence of his works, it must be tough to bet against him leading his candidate to glory. Time would tell.
The writer, Kwame Dwomoh-Agyemang is a Communications and International Relations Professional and an Adjunct Lecturer at African University College of Communications, Pentecost and Knutsford Universities.
I was in Koforidua to cover the NPP delegates election as a media person in 2018 when he aspired for the position of National Organiser. I recall interviewing him before the vote. His message was poignant. He had set himself the task of leading the NPP to glory in 2020 as the lead organiser and he was going to make that happen if given the nod. The results of that election were announced at dawn the following morning. He walked to our stand (Class 91.3fm) and respectfully engaged us. I asked him a simple question centered on how quickly he was rising in the party. At 3:36am, he smiled and responded courteously. ‘For God and country. This is only part of the process. I together with my other executives have a responsibility of helping the party retain power and that is the ultimate, he stressed.’
Sam may have since moved on to work with the Youth Employment Agency as Board Chairman and National Lotteries as Chief Executive but his influence and relevance is not lost on the Party faithful. His political ambitions are clear. Next step, Parliament. He is vying for the Akwapim North seat, a traditional NPP seat in the 4th republic. Agyare Koi Larbi, Lawyer William Ofori Boafo and Nana Dokua Bissue have held the seat since 1996. Looks like a done deal from what I gather. If the numbers I saw on the 4th of August for the Ofie Walk is anything to go by, then he is in a comfortable lead. He is a grassroots man delivering on multiple fronts in the constituency and beyond. To get the sitting MP Nana Dokua move out and contest another seat in Accra (Okaikoi North) tells a story. He is the man of the locals.
His works must have culminated in landing the job as Campaign Manager of Dr Mahamadu Bawumia ahead of the NPP Presidential Primaries. You don’t get such top jobs everyday if you are not cut out for the position. I have no idea how the Vice President settled oh him as his campaign capo. What I do know however is that Sam is a go getter, a man of the people and a man who can work the electoral numbers for victory. In recent times when the campaign has became a bit too intense with salvos being fired from opposing camps, he has dealt with them with tact and finesse with his comments and behind the scenes diplomacy. Indeed, Hon Ken Agyepong has since revealed that following his showdown comments, a telephone conversation was facilitated by Sammy for the two(Hon Agyepong and Dr Bawumia) to iron out any issues that may have arisen.
He has already gone past the Special Delegates conference as Capo with over 66% of the votes for candidate Dr Bawumia. Can he get past November 4th and put the icing on the cake on December 7th, 2024? On the evidence of his works, it must be tough to bet against him leading his candidate to glory. Time would tell.
The writer, Kwame Dwomoh-Agyemang is a Communications and International Relations Professional and an Adjunct Lecturer at African University College of Communications, Pentecost and Knutsford Universities.
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
To celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), the authorities have mandated the closure of shops, markets, lorry terminals, and various establishments across the city.
This initiative is part of a large-scale cleanup campaign aimed at enhancing Accra’s cleanliness and overall environment.
The cleanup activity is scheduled to run from 6 am to 10 am on Saturday, October 21st and serves as preparation for the final funeral rites of the late Ga Manye, Naa Dedei Omaedru III.
According to a statement issued by the AMA’s Head of Public Affairs, Gilbert Nii Ankrah, the focal areas for this cleanup effort include the Ga Traditional Council (GTC) stretch of the Palace Street and Rev.
Thomas Clegg Memorial Methodist Church to Department of Social Welfare stretch of the Nii Asere Ayite Road in the Okaikoi South Sub-Metro.
Additional areas encompass Chorkor (Old Winneba Road), Korle Bu Traffic Light to Mamprobi Post Office (Guggisberg Avenue) in the Ablekuma South Sub-Metro, the Fire Academy and Training School, Bodey (Cleland Road) through to Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park (John Evans Atta Mills High Street), Odorkor Station on the Asafoatse Nettey Road to Bukom, Accra General Post Office, its vicinity, and Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital on Derby Avenue in the Ashiedu Keteke Sub-Metro.
The AMA has also directed all commercial and economic activities to be suspended during the cleanup period. Residents, corporate entities, traders, and shop owners are encouraged to organize similar cleanup efforts in their respective communities.
This action is in compliance with the AMA Sanitation, Cleaning, and Communal Labor Bye-laws of 2017, which will be strictly enforced by Environmental Health Officers (Saman Saman).
Furthermore, in line with the Ga Traditional Council’s amended directive to close all shops and markets on Saturday, October 28, 2023, in honor of the late Queen Mother of the Ga State, Naa Dedei Omaedru III, the AMA announced that Public Health Officers will conduct a deratting exercise at the 31st Makola, Makola Nos. 2, Agbogbloshie, and London Markets.
“The closure of shops, markets, and lorry terminals is essential to ensure the active participation of businesses and individuals in this citywide initiative, ” Mr Ankrah said.
Communications Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, remains unsatisfied with Attorney General’s response to the opposition’s call for his resignation.
He expressed concern over the Attorney General’s clearance of government officials from allegations of involvement in illegal mining, citing substantial public evidence.
Deputy Attorney General Alfred Tuah Yeboah reiterated the office’s lack of sufficient evidence during a Joy FM discussion.
Sammy Gyamfi, however, finds it hard to imagine that the Attorney General’s office would continue to hold such a position—especially in light of the material he has been gathering in his own right over the past 48 hours.
He emphasised, “It is only an irresponsible Attorney General who, in the face of all these official documents which I just came across in the last 48 hours while investigating this matter, would come on air and pretend to be ignorant of these well-known facts and say, ‘I’m not aware. I’m waiting for Sammy Gyamfi to provide me with fresh evidence.”
He was taken aback that Alfred Yeboah, whom he praised as a friend and a great gentleman, would choose to hold a brief for AG Godfred Dame on this issue.
“I want to reiterate an advice which has been given to my good brother, Lawyer Tuah Yeboah by my senior Martin Kpebu. We all know him as a perfect gentleman. I don’t know why he’s allowed himself to be used for this cover-up. His boss issued this statement, why is his boss not on-air defending it? Such a gentleman is being used to defend this. He is not doing any good to him self. Very sad,” he added.
The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has entered the debate on the issue of illegal mining, expressing concerns about the government’s strategy in combatting the problem.
During a press conference on October 18, GBA President Yaw Acheampong Boafo called on the government to focus its efforts on corrupt politicians suspected of funding and benefiting from this issue.
The GBA urged “the government to be honest and bold and fish out these evil acts of powerful interests, engaged in the wanton destruction of our environment.”
Stephanie Benson, a musician and cancersurvivor, has disregarded the notion that nursing or caressing one’s breasts may prevent cancer.
The artist claimed that such reports are absurd and that it is reckless for anyone to propagate such false information in an interview with Okay FM.
Stephanie Benson pointed out that due of their fear of developing cancer, women may feel pressured to have their breasts fondled even though they do not want to.
“There are certain things you just don’t mess with,” she said, adding that she has been married for decades, has five kids and still got breast cancer.
In order to save lives, Stephaine Benson said it is imperative that the narrative be abandoned and accurate information about breast cancer be disseminated.
The singer has been fairly transparent about her battle with breast cancer throughout the years.
She opened out to her followers in 2022 about the wounds she had sustained during her fight with breast cancer as well as other health problems and her recovery process.
Stephaine Benson said she has lost her nipples due to the severity of her breast cancer, but she is grateful to still be alive.
In a video that she posted to Instagram, she advised viewers to “love yourself; you are all you have and nobody will love you as much as you love yourself.”
Private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu, is contesting the Attorney-General’s legal advice to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service concerning former Environment Minister Dr. Frimpong-Boateng’s report on illegal mining activities.
The Attorney-General’s office had advised that Prof. Frimpong Boateng’s allegations in his report lack evidence to prosecute those mentioned in it.
Consequently, they asked the police to release all individuals mentioned in the report, except those still under investigation.
Kpebu, however, believes that the Attorney-General’s conclusion on the report is erroneous. He previously criticized Godfred Yeboah Dame for what he saw as a lack of a thorough investigation into the allegations. In his view, Dame should reverse his advice and reevaluate the matter.
On JoyFM’s Super Morning Show on October 19, Kpebu reiterated his stance and called on the Attorney General to investigate Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, President Akufo-Addo’s cousin, for his involvement in the illegal mining activities of Heritage Imperial.
The former Minister’s report accused Mr. Otchere-Darko of influencing the release of some Chinese miners associated with the mining company. According to Kpebu, the Attorney General could have requested Otchere-Darko to provide evidence of the mining leases his clients allegedly possessed during his phone conversation with the former minister. Failure to do so, in Kpebu’s opinion, should lead to charges of ‘deceit of public officer.’
“… Gabby’s call was an interference of his work, right? So now question is, what did Gabby come out to say? He said he called to inform Frimpong-Boateng that Imperial Heritage had all the mining leases. So what I’m expecting is that now in the opinion did they show us that they talked to Gabby and Gabby has supplied all the mining leases? Has Gabby given them all the mining leases?
“Because in the interview, I can remember it clearly, Gabby called, he doesn’t deny it, that he called to say that they had all the documents. So where in the opinion was it shown and why don’t they exhibit it that Gabby has furnished them with the draft of mining permits and everything under the book that Imperial has? So in the absence of such evidence that’s a poor job. That is a poor job.
“That will be deceit of public officer. Deceit of public officer, a public officer engaged in trying to hold people to account then you call him and tell him that they have every permit under the sun, every permit. For me, until they bring the evidence it means that he doesn’t have it,” he said.
