TIG Post

Author: Andy Ogbarmey-Tettey

  • Fuel prices will keep rising for the next 2 to 3 months – COPEC

    Fuel prices will keep rising for the next 2 to 3 months – COPEC

    Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), Duncan Amoah, has suggested that prices of petroleum products may continue to rise over the next two to three months.

    Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) gradually increased the prices of fuel at the pumps by between 3% to 8%. Analysts attribute this increase to the rise in crude prices on the international market, the fall of the cedi against the dollar in recent weeks, and adjustments in levies and margins by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).

    Mr Amoah cautioned that projections indicate the upward trend is likely to continue.

    “Projections out there as far as international market pricing is concerned doesn’t look as though prices are going to cool off anytime soon. So, we may be here for about two, three months before any cooling would happen,” he said on Starr Today, on Friday, February 16, 2024.

    Duncan Amoah has called on the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to address the depreciation of the cedi in order to help stabilize fuel prices.

    “That is why I’ve indicated that the bank of Ghana would need to sit and position, so that the local current does not suffer any ceded battery. If you were stable, whatever the international market pricing throws at us will be something minimal. But if the city also gets wobbly and dances a very bad dance, then we could be in for some additional increments by March, by April, by May.”

    “But that again would depend on whether the Bank of Ghana goes to sleep or it wakes up to his fiduciary responsibility of ensuring that the currency is stable”, he warned.

    Duncan Amoah has raised concerns about the National Petroleum Authority’s (NPA) decision to increase the BOST margin.

    While he acknowledged that some other levy adjustments may be justifiable, Amoah questioned the rationale behind adding 3 pesewas to the margin of a profitable company like BOST, describing it as perplexing.

    “The only challenge we’ve had with what the recent move has been simply has to do with the BOST margin that has gone up. We are asking if indeed BOST as a profit-making entity that has declared profit the past three years, will still need to collect more from the public? That we continue to disagree with,” he added.

  • He doesn’t want to hand over power – Okatakyie Afrifa explains Akufo-Addo’s absence at Bawumia’s lecture

    He doesn’t want to hand over power – Okatakyie Afrifa explains Akufo-Addo’s absence at Bawumia’s lecture

    A media personality, Okatakyie Afrifa, has claimed that President Akufo-Addo did not attend Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s “New Chapter” lecture due to displeasure about relinquishing control over the New Patriotic Party (NPP), stemming from his long-standing leadership since 2008.

    According to Afrifa, Akufo-Addo had not mentally prepared himself to hand over power as the leader of the country.

    “He is not too happy with Bawumia. Even in the NPP primaries that were held, Akufo-Addo didn’t want it to take place because he had not psyched himself to hand over power as the leader of the party [NPP] and the country.

    “Since 2008, he has had power over the NPP and all of a sudden he is losing the grip in his hands, so, he is not happy. He was furious when some NPP MPs wanted to partner Dr. Bawumia during the elections. It is not a matter of selling Bawumia but the power he [Akufo-Addo] is losing is a problem for him.”

    President Akufo-Addo and several prominent members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) were noticeably absent during Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s first major speech as the party’s flagbearer, which took place in Accra on February 7, 2024.

    During his address, Bawumia likened his role in government to that of a “driver’s mate” and pledged to pursue his own vision and priorities if elected president, urging Ghanaians not to judge him based on the current government’s performance.

    As of now, President Akufo-Addo has not commented on why he could not attend Dr. Bawumia’s lecture.

    Meanwhile, media personality Okatakyie Afrifa has alleged that Bawumia is not given due respect by his superiors in government. Afrifa claimed that President Akufo-Addo often disregards Dr. Bawumia’s suggestions during government deliberations.

    According to Afrifa, this lack of respect led to a point where the vice president stopped attending meetings organized by the finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.

    “When Bawumia makes a suggestion, Akufo-Addo does not listen, take it from me. It even got to a point where the finance minister scheduled for a meeting but he was not attending. They don’t respect him at all,” he said on One Ghana TV.

  • Poch content with results from City-Chelsea game

    Poch content with results from City-Chelsea game

    Mauricio Pochettino expressed delight at Chelsea’s spirited performance in their 1-1 draw with champions Manchester City at the Etihad.

    Raheem Sterling’s goal put the Blues ahead just before half-time, but Rodri’s late equalizer salvaged a draw. Despite Chelsea’s inconsistent Premier League campaign, Pochettino, 51, found encouragement in their latest performance.

    The Argentine told the BBC: “I’m so pleased. I told the players I feel so proud. In the last three games we’ve started to create a very good spirit. 

    “That’s the way we want to build our team. Today was a very good opportunity to show we’re going where we want.

    “The first half was really, really good. We only conceded one chance — against a team like Manchester City who, for me, are the best team in the world.

    “In the second half they force you to go deep, but we created chances to score the second goal and things could have been different. 

    “It’s important that the players realise that football is really competitive and to reach the level we want, we need to suffer.”

    Chelsea looked dangerous on the counter throughout the game, with Nicolas Jackson missing an early chance from Malo Gusto’s cross. Ederson also denied Sterling a second goal from point-blank range in the second half.

    Despite City’s 71% possession, they were frustrated by Chelsea. Pochettino will be hoping his side can replicate this performance in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool next Sunday. He previewed the encounter and emphasized the importance of his side believing they can lift the trophy at Wembley.

    He added: “Now we have a very good game against Liverpool [in the Carabao Cup final]. 

    “The most important thing is to keep believing. Now we have to recover and prepare for the game as well as possible.”

  • You should have allowed Ofori-Atta finish what he started destroying – Gyampo tells Akufo-Addo

    You should have allowed Ofori-Atta finish what he started destroying – Gyampo tells Akufo-Addo

    Prof Ransford Gyampo has criticized President Akufo-Addo’s decision to reshuffle Ken Ofori-Atta as the Finance Minister, arguing that Mr. Ofori-Atta should have remained in his position to take full responsibility for the economic challenges the country is facing under his leadership.

    He believes the reshuffle was not solely based on competence but also had partisan motivations, raising doubts about its transparency and fairness in a democratic society.

    “If you do this last-minute change it becomes difficult. Now who do we apportion the blame and who do we praise? Even though I also called for the removal of Ofori-Atta I think he should have been allowed to stay because he has spoilt things already. This reshuffle is more partisan in direction than nation building.”

    On Wednesday, President Akufo-Addo appointed Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam as the new Finance Minister, replacing Ken Ofori-Atta, who held the position for seven years.

    The appointment was part of a recent ministerial reshuffle announced by President Akufo-Addo on February 14.

    Despite facing significant challenges and calls for his dismissal from some members of Ghana’s Parliament, Ken Ofori-Atta served as Ghana’s longest-serving finance minister.

    In October 25, 2022, approximately 80 NPP MPs demanded Ofori-Atta’s resignation due to the country’s struggling economy. Similar demands were made by the NDC parliamentary caucus in February 2023.

    However, President Akufo-Addo rejected these calls for resignation, urging Parliament to wait until discussions with the IMF concluded.

  • Mahama is not prepared to lead Ghana in 2025 – Asenso-Boakye

    Mahama is not prepared to lead Ghana in 2025 – Asenso-Boakye

    Minister for Roads and Highways and Member of Parliament for Bantama constituency, Francis Asenso-Boakye, criticized former President John Mahama, suggesting that he is not adequately prepared for the presidency.

    Asenso-Boakye’s comments were in response to Mahama’s recent statement about needing a “honeymoon period” if elected in 2025, which Asenso-Boakye interpreted as a sign of unpreparedness and a reluctance to immediately address the nation’s challenges.

    Speaking at a New Patriotic Party (NPP) gathering during the acclamation of Samuel Abu Jinapor as the parliamentary candidate for Damongo in the Savanna region, Asenso-Boakye underscored the importance of Ghanaians electing Vice President Dr. Bawumia, the NPP’s presidential candidate for the December election.

    Asenso-Boakye highlighted Bawumia’s readiness and active engagement in governance as reasons for his endorsement.

    “Former President John Mahama’s statement regarding needing a honeymoon period indicates his lack of preparedness for the job,” Asenso-Boakye asserted. “We cannot entrust our nation to someone who seeks to delay action while leadership is urgently needed.”

    In contrast, Asenso-Boakye praised Dr. Bawumia’s readiness, stating, “Dr. Bawumia will hit the ground running from day one, addressing the challenges facing our nation with his bold solutions.”

    At a recent New Patriotic Party (NPP) gathering, Francis Asenso-Boakye expressed confidence in the NPP’s track record of development and urged Ghanaians to reward the party’s hard work by supporting its candidates. He specifically commended Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Damongo MP, as a diligent young leader dedicated to the progress of his constituents, urging voters to rally behind him in the 2024 elections for continued development in the region.

    The event featured speeches from other prominent NPP officials, including Hon. Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Minister for Chieftaincy and Culture; Fatimatu Abubakar, Information Minister designate; General Secretary of the party, Justin Frimpong Koduah, and various dignitaries.

  • Communications Ministry to spend over GHC290M on Rural Telephony project

    Communications Ministry to spend over GHC290M on Rural Telephony project

    Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has announced that the 2024 budget has approved the use of GHC290,753,009 this year for government’s Rural Telephony project.

    As of February 2024, the government has completed the construction of 1,010 out of the planned 2,016 Rural Telephony Sites.

    These sites aim to extend mobile network coverage to approximately 4 million residents in selected unserved and underserved communities, a significant step towards bridging the digital divide in Ghana.

    Out of the 1,010 sites constructed, 618 are already operational, providing essential Voice and Data services. This development means that citizens in about 1,620 rural communities now have access to mobile services, enhancing social and economic activities in these areas.

    The Ministry plans to build the remaining 1,006 sites, integrate them, and activate them for voice and data services this year. This effort is part of the government’s commitment to providing reliable, affordable, and secure broadband infrastructure to all parts of the country.

    The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, through the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), is driving the extension of mobile telephony services into all corners of the nation where access is either lacking or insufficient, and
    where network operators are reluctant to expand their services to because those areas are deemed not to be commercially viable.

    According to Madam Owusu-Ekuful, between 2008 and 2016, only 78 Rural Telephony Sites were built by GIFEC.

    She revealed that “upon assumption of office in 2017, this government decided to intensify efforts to ensure comprehensive network coverage across the country in line with our Digital Ghana Agenda. Between 2017 and 2018, in collaboration with the private sector,
    430 Rural Telephony Sites were built and activated. This concerted effort connected approximately 700,000 previously underserved and unserved Ghanaians in remote communities, helping to bridge the digital divide and foster inclusive development.”

    “Not satisfied with the pace of this and In a bid to accelerate and expand the coverage of the Rural Telephony Project, the government in 2020 secured a €155 million facility from the China EXIM Bank to start the Ghana Rural Telephony and Digital Inclusion Project in partnership with Huawei and China National Technical Import and Export Corporation (CNTIC). They engaged a local partner, Ascend Digital Solutions, to execute this project,” she added.

    FEB-2024-PRESS-BRIEFING_MOCDDownload
  • Barcelona beat Celta Vigo as Lewandowski net last-gasp winner to secure third spot

    Barcelona beat Celta Vigo as Lewandowski net last-gasp winner to secure third spot

    Barcelona secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Celta Vigo, with Robert Lewandowski sealing the win with a retaken penalty in the 97th minute.

    The Poland striker had earlier opened the scoring with a powerful shot, but Celta’s Iago Aspas equalized with a deflected strike.

    Barcelona’s win keeps them in third place, seven points behind Real Madrid, who lead the La Liga table. Real Madrid are five points clear of second-placed Girona after their 1-1 draw with Villarreal.

    Barcelona’s late heroics have been a hallmark of their season, with 24 points earned from goals scored after the 76th minute, the most in the league.

    Despite their league position, Barcelona remain unbeaten in four matches since coach Xavi announced his departure at the end of the season.

    Their focus now turns to the Champions League, where they face Napoli in the last 16. Atletico Madrid are fourth in La Liga after a 5-0 thrashing of Las Palmas, with Marcos Llorente and Angel Correa both scoring twice.

    Manager Diego Simeone rested key players ahead of their Champions League tie against Inter Milan. Cadiz remain in the relegation zone after a 2-0 loss to Osasuna.

  • Govt to build 1,006 rural telephony sites this year – Ursula Owusu-Ekuful

    Govt to build 1,006 rural telephony sites this year – Ursula Owusu-Ekuful

    Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has announced that as of February 2024, the government has completed the construction of 1,010 out of the planned 2,016 Rural Telephony Sites.

    These sites aim to extend mobile network coverage to approximately 4 million residents in selected unserved and underserved communities, a significant step towards bridging the digital divide in Ghana.

    Out of the 1,010 sites constructed, 618 are already operational, providing essential Voice and Data services. This development means that citizens in about 1,620 rural communities now have access to mobile services, enhancing social and economic activities in these areas.

    The Ministry plans to build the remaining 1,006 sites, integrate them, and activate them for voice and data services this year. This effort is part of the government’s commitment to providing reliable, affordable, and secure broadband infrastructure to all parts of the country.

    The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, through the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), is driving the extension of mobile telephony services into all corners of the nation where access is either lacking or insufficient, and
    where network operators are reluctant to expand their services to because those areas are deemed not to be commercially viable.

    According to Madam Owusu-Ekuful, between 2008 and 2016, only 78 Rural Telephony Sites were built by GIFEC.

    She revealed that “upon assumption of office in 2017, this government decided to intensify efforts to ensure comprehensive network coverage across the country in line with our Digital Ghana Agenda. Between 2017 and 2018, in collaboration with the private sector,
    430 Rural Telephony Sites were built and activated. This concerted effort connected approximately 700,000 previously underserved and unserved Ghanaians in remote communities, helping to bridge the digital divide and foster inclusive development.”

    “Not satisfied with the pace of this and In a bid to accelerate and expand the coverage of the Rural Telephony Project, the government in 2020 secured a €155 million facility from the China EXIM Bank to start the Ghana Rural Telephony and Digital Inclusion Project in partnership with Huawei and China National Technical Import and Export Corporation (CNTIC). They engaged a local partner, Ascend Digital Solutions, to execute this project,” she added.

  • 1,010 rural telephony sites have been constructed; 618 operational – Communications Minister

    1,010 rural telephony sites have been constructed; 618 operational – Communications Minister

     Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has revealed that government as of February 2024, has constructed 1,010 out of the 2,016 Rural Telephony Sites to be constructed, to extend mobile network coverage to approximately 4 million residents of selected unserved and underserved communities.

    For government, this is a significant step in bridging the digital divide.

    In a press statement issued on February 18, the Minister indicated that out of the 1,010 sites constructed, 618 of them already operational, offering essential Voice and Data services.

    She noted that citizens in about 1,620 rural communities can now make calls and use data services, thereby enhancing social and economic activities in these communities.

    “The Ministry will build the remaining 1,006 sites, integrate, and activate them all for voice and data services to ensure reliable, affordable, and secured broadband infrastructure this year,” she revealed.

    The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, through the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), is driving the extension of mobile telephony services into all corners of the nation where access is either lacking or insufficient, and
    where network operators are reluctant to expand their services to because those areas are deemed not to be commercially viable.

    According to Madam Owusu-Ekuful, between 2008 and 2016, only 78 Rural Telephony Sites were built by GIFEC.

    She revealed that “upon assumption of office in 2017, this government decided to intensify efforts to ensure comprehensive network coverage across the country in line with our Digital Ghana Agenda. Between 2017 and 2018, in collaboration with the private sector,
    430 Rural Telephony Sites were built and activated. This concerted effort connected approximately 700,000 previously underserved and unserved Ghanaians in remote communities, helping to bridge the digital divide and foster inclusive development.”

    “Not satisfied with the pace of this and In a bid to accelerate and expand the coverage of the Rural Telephony Project, the government in 2020 secured a €155 million facility from the China EXIM Bank to start the Ghana Rural Telephony and Digital Inclusion Project in partnership with Huawei and China National Technical Import and Export Corporation (CNTIC). They engaged a local partner, Ascend Digital Solutions, to execute this project,” she added.

  • Ministerial reshuffle is for the good people of Ghana, not myself – Akufo-Addo

    Ministerial reshuffle is for the good people of Ghana, not myself – Akufo-Addo

    President Akufo-Addo has spoken about the motive behind his recent ministerial reshuffle, which comes at the tail end of his last term in office.

    Breaking away from his usual practice of maintaining ministers for extended periods, the President initiated a significant overhaul in response to mounting pressure from political parties, civil society groups, and even members of his own party.

    This move, announced on Wednesday, February 14, saw approximately 12 current ministers, including 10 cabinet members and two regional ministers, affected by the reshuffle.

    Notably, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta was also removed from his position after surviving earlier calls for his dismissal.

    However, the opposition National Democratic Congress and its Minority Members of Parliament have criticised the decision as belated and lacking inspiration.

    Fifi Kwetey, the party’s General Secretary, described the reshuffle as maintaining the status quo rather than delivering the desired change for Ghanaians.

    “This action—or rather, inaction—underscores a blatant disregard for the nation’s plea for governance that puts the people’s welfare above political expediency,” he said.

    In response, President Akufo-Addo has emphasized that his recent ministerial reshuffle was motivated by the best interests of the citizens, rather than personal preferences.

    “It is for the people of Ghana, not for me,” he is quoted to have said by JoyNews in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

    He also called on Ghanaians to maintain faith in the country’s democratic journey as it prepares to elect the next leader later this year.

    Speaking at the 37th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly (Heads of State and Government), he emphasized the importance of upholding democratic principles and urged citizens to actively participate in the electoral process by voting responsibly.

  • Ablakwa plans to convert Safe Alternative Housing Projects in Mepe, Aveyime into Nursing Training Institute

    Ablakwa plans to convert Safe Alternative Housing Projects in Mepe, Aveyime into Nursing Training Institute

    A total of 600 individuals displaced by the Akosombo Dam spillage have been relocated to a modern accommodation in Mepe and Aveyime as part of the Safe Alternative Housing Initiative.

    These individuals have a shelter thanks to the leadership of North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa who engaged some organisations and prominent individuals.

    The individuals are living in these facilities for free as they pay no rent or utilities for the next three years.

    It is the hope that in the next three years, these individuals would have resettled permanently after the spillage.

    After which, both facilities in Aveyime and Mepe will be converted into a Nursing Training Institute.

    According to Mr Ablakwa, that is his dream and he plans to leverage on the famous Battor Catholic Hospital.

    “Glad to announce that all 600 beloved occupants of our newly commissioned North Tongu MP & Partners Safe Alternative Housing Projects in Mepe & Aveyime will enjoy free rent & free utilities for the next three years. My vision is to convert both facilities into a Nursing Training Institute leveraging on the famous Battor Catholic Hospital after three years when it is hoped that all the VRA spillage victims would have been resettled permanently,” he wrote in a post on X.

  • 8 scandals exposed by Ablakwa

    8 scandals exposed by Ablakwa

    In recent times, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has been a prominent figure in exposing various scandals and controversies in Ghana.

    From issues related to government expenditure to allegations of corruption, Ablakwa has been at the forefront of bringing these matters to light.

    His efforts have sparked public debate and scrutiny, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in governance.

    This article will delve into eight scandals exposed by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, shedding light on their implications.

    Oslo Chancery Scandal

    In 2018, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa raised concerns about the cost of a 100-year-old 6-bedroom house in Oslo, which was being considered for use as Ghana’s chancery.

    Ablakwa alleged that the property was bought by a woman for US$2.9 million in 2014 and sold to an unknown buyer for US$3.5 million in August 2017. He found it surprising that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented the same building as a purchase for US$12.2 million in 2018 to the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament.

    Initially, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs justified the cost, but later reversed its decision and started looking for alternative properties. Eventually, the government decided against purchasing the property and opted for a rented property in Oslo instead. This decision helped Ghana save over US$4.8 million.

    $48m Ascend Scandal

    In July 2023, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, lodged a petition with the World Bank regarding a project initiated by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation. Ablakwa alleged that the contract for the project had not undergone scrutiny by the Public Procurement Authority (PPA), which he deemed a violation of regulations.

    Expressing concern over the lack of PPA oversight, Ablakwa urged the World Bank, the project’s funding source, to investigate the matter. In a tweet on Wednesday, July 12, the former Deputy Education Minister asserted that the US$48 million contract had been awarded fraudulently.

    Backing his claims with documents from the PPA, Ablakwa accused the Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu Ekuful, of approving the US$48 million contract without PPA authorization. Minister Owusu Ekuful promptly refuted the allegation and challenged Ablakwa to produce the contract she purportedly signed.

    In response, Ablakwa provided additional details, which the minister dismissed as an attempt to shift the focus of the issue. Despite these developments, there have been no subsequent reports indicating any response from the World Bank.

    $58m National Cathedral Scandal

    In May last year, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa expressed astonishment at the government’s utilization of funds allocated for the contentious national cathedral project.

    Ablakwa, who has been actively scrutinizing the project, disclosed in a recent Facebook post that only US$22.07 million of public funds were used for actual construction, out of the over $58 million allocated.

    Criticism has been directed at the government for allocating significant funds from the cathedral’s budget to consultancy services and other expenses.

    Ablakwa highlighted this discrepancy when the contractors, RIBADE JV, provided details to parliament on how the US$58.14 million fund was spent on the project.

    Meanwhile, he has stressed that when the time is ripe, Ken Ofori-Atta, the Finance Minister, will be made to answer for the US$58 million illegal withdrawal for the National Cathedral project.

    Gh¢187m Kitchen Scandal

    Three months later, in an investigative publication titled “Kitchen scandal,” North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, revealed that Attorney General Godfred Dame provided three legal opinions in favor of Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko. These opinions supported claims made by Gabby’s law firm, Africa Legal Associates (ALA), seeking an amount of GH¢187 million from the government for West Blue, a company previously contracted by the John Dramani Mahama government for port services.

    Ablakwa highlighted how Gabby, who opposed the West Blue deal in 2015, later became the company’s lawyer and sought damages for the firm regarding a contract that the current government revised after coming into office. He expressed concern over the apparent double standards and betrayal, as Gabby and Godfred had strayed from the NPP’s previous opposition to the West Blue contract and now advocated strongly for it.

    Ablakwa questioned their motivation for imposing such a significant financial burden on Ghanaians and raised concerns about potential financial loss to the country. He also highlighted the involvement of Ken Ofori-Atta, who is closely linked to both the new Chief Director of the Ministry of Finance, Eva Esselba Mends, and Gabby.

    Furthermore, Ablakwa pointed out that Gabby’s 6-week ultimatum for payment of the GH¢187.3 million coincided with Ghana receiving US$603 million from the IMF in May 2023.

    $85m Heaven Scandal

    In October 2023, the Heaven Scandal, published via his social media handles on Monday, October 2, 2023, Mr Ablakwa raised alarm over what he alleges to be the sale of prime lands around the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) to a private company under shady circumstances.

    Ablakwa accused the President and the Minister for Finance of granting approval for the transaction, which was led by the Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL), without the knowledge of parliament.

    He pointed out that the Managing Director of GACL, Mrs. Pamela Djamson-Tettey, in 2022, corresponded with the Managing Director of Heaven Builders, offering approximately 38.14 acres of land at a total cost of US$85,021,340.00.

    “In an outrageous sweetheart deal, the GACL assures Heaven Builders that they will become owners of 38.14 acres of prime airport land in the immediate environs of the Kotoka International Airport under the Airport City Phase 2 Project if they agree to carry out some dubious infrastructure such as roads and drains at a so-called cost of US$85,021,340.00.

    “It is most instructive that the offer letter does not provide any independent verification mechanism for really assessing that any claim by Heaven Builders that they have invested US$85million in infrastructure is indeed accurate,” he stated.

    The MP highlighted that the deal strangely failed to disclose how the supposed infrastructure cost was arrived at. He also found it shocking that the GACL would not be allowed to raise its own funding for the supposed development.

    Additionally, as part of the documents shared in his exposé, Mr. Ablakwa said the private company has gone ahead to make a counteroffer, demanding double the initial offer for a similar consideration.

    $250m Bank of Ghana new HQ

    In August last year, Ablakwa published new documents relating to the controversial new head office of the Bank of Ghana (BoG). The documents include correspondence between the Ministry of Finance and the central bank regarding the variation of project cost.

    The most recent of the four letters published, dated 17th January 2023, is written by the Central Tender Review Committee (CTRC) of the Ministry of Finance.

    The committee stated that issues raised in an earlier correspondence remained “unsatisfactorily addressed” by the BoG. It advised the BoG to stick to all designs at present “to avoid huge variation costs in future procurement.” The letter also confirmed that the revised scope of work had been pegged at US$222,760.55.

    Ablakwa highlighted that the current figure did not include the cost of land for the project, which he hinted was also saddled with issues.

    “It is imperative to point out that the latest variation figure of US$222.79million is without the cost of the land. The cost of land and its dubious acquisition would be the focus of another episode.

    “Contrary to claims by some NPP propagandists that the skyrocketing cost of the BoG head office project is due to general inflation and in particular, rising cost of building materials — the Central Tender Review Committee exposes those claims as false,” his post read in part.

    Construction of the edifice is ongoing and per reports, it is almost complete.

    Aisha Huang Scandal

    In September 2022, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Ranking Member on the Committee on Foreign Affairs in Parliament, disputed the claim by the Akufo-Addo government that Chinese galamsey suspect Aisha Huang had sneaked into Ghana. Ablakwa asserted that Huang had been making multiple trips to Togo and Ghana since February 2019, passing through immigration checks on all these trips.

    The controversy surrounding Aisha Huang’s departure from Ghana began when President Nana Akufo-Addo questioned whether she had been deported. Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah later clarified that Aisha Huang was repatriated by the Ghana Immigration Service.

    However, court documents filed by state prosecutors following Huang’s re-arrest and appearance in court on September 14, 2022, suggested that she had sneaked out of the country to avoid prosecution. Her lawyer, Nkrabea Effah-Dartey, vehemently dismissed these claims.

    In a Facebook post, Ablakwa stated that his investigation had proven that Aisha Huang did not sneak into Ghana but had been boldly walking through immigration authorities since 2019, contrary to the narrative that she had been deported.

    “Our irrefutable investigations reveal that Aisha Huang physically presented herself to Ghana Immigration officials at the Aflao border on February 27, 2019, and on April 28, 2019,” Mr Ablakwa wrote.

    To the lawmaker, despite changing her names and different dates of birth on her multiple passports, it is most bizarre that Aisha Huang’s biometrics did not raise alarm at the Aflao border immigration post.

    “We can state authoritatively that Aisha Huang uses at least 2 Chinese Passports for her travels. One passport bears the name Huang En with passport number: G39575625. It was issued on January 14, 2010.

    “Her other passport has the name Huang Ruixia. Its number is EE9994609. This particular Chinese passport was issued on January 14, 2019; strangely, both passports have different dates of birth,” he added.

    He continued that “In her En Huang passport (G39575625) she claims to have been born July 7, 1986, while in the Ruixia Huang passport (EE9994609) she claims to be much older having been born on November 7, 1975. We have also secured her China Identity Card which indicates she was born on November 7, 1975.”

    Meanwhile, En Huang, also known as Aisha Huang, has been jailed four-and-a-half years for engaging in illegal mining by the Accra High Court.

    Bulgarian Embassy & Nigeria HC Demolishing Scandal

    The Bulgarian Embassy in Accra, located at Kakramadu Road, Plot No. 10, East Cantonments, was partially demolished by a private developer in 2017. This action led to accusations from the Bulgarian Ambassador to Ghana and Nigeria, Yanko Yordanov, who claimed that the Ghanaian government had violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, warning of potential diplomatic repercussions.

    In response, the government initiated an inquiry into the incident, which recommended sanctions against the developer responsible for the destruction and directed them to compensate affected individuals. The developer, Jojo Hagan, reportedly took over as the Executor of the Will of Mr. Leighton and vested the property in the named beneficiaries while pursuing legal actions at the court.

    However, the inquiry found that the eviction and demolition did not adhere to due process. Mr Ablakwa called on the Lands Ministry to publish the full 149-page report on the demolition of the Bulgarian Embassy, suggesting that transparency is crucial in this matter.

    Ablakwa raised concerns about the whereabouts of Jojo Hagan, whom he considers the main culprit behind the wrongful demolition of the Bulgarian Embassy in 2017. In response to a leaked report on the controversial incident, Ablakwa suggested that the government might be attempting to conceal Hagan’s role in the demolition.

  • I will secure Damongo seat for NPP – Samuel Jinapor

    I will secure Damongo seat for NPP – Samuel Jinapor

    Samuel A. Jinapor, also the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, has been officially acclaimed by the Electoral Commission of Ghana as the confirmed and approved Member of Parliament (MP) for Damongo constituency for the next four (4) years on Saturday, 17th February 2024.

    Referred to as the “Man of Action,” “Man of Development,” and “Man of the People,” Mr Jinapor, in his speech, confidently assured the NPP leadership that his constituency is secured for victory in the upcoming 2024 general elections.

    He pledged the support of the NPP constituency towards ensuring Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia becomes the President of Ghana in the upcoming elections, emphasizing, “The Savannah Region will be a true battleground for the NPP. Every vote will be contested and every seat will be contested, and with God’s help, all these seats will be secured for the NPP government.”

    Urging the General Secretary to convey the positive news that the Savannah Region is firmly in favor of the NPP, he stated, “We will win Damongo for the NPP, and we will secure a significant number of seats for the NPP, with God ensuring this success.”

    “Let us unite and back Jinapor, back Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and back the NPP to win the Savannah Region for the incumbent government,” he emphasized.

    Mr Jinapor expressed gratitude to all and sundry for their support and love in making him the MP once again. He also thanked Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for his support and confidence reposed in him.

    The Special Guest of Honour, Mr. Justin Frimpong Kodua, and NPP General Secretary, urged unity for Damongo’s development and the entire region, while commending Jinapor for his eloquence, affability, and industriousness. He congratulated the MP for earning his position and encouraged him to continue working towards securing victory for the party in the 2024 election.

    Highlighting the importance of a united front, Kodua emphasized that a unified Savannah can win the region by storm and secure victory in the election, making Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia the President of Ghana.

    Minister for Information designate, Fatimatu Abubakar, praised Mr Jinapor’s transformative works in infrastructure, education, sports, and employment in Damongo Constituency. She highlighted his humility, dedication, vision, and selflessness as exemplary virtues.

    Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, commended Mr Jinapor’s dedication and commitment, noting his rapid rise in politics and his impactful tenure as Local Government Minister.

    Savannah Regional Chairman of the NPP, Alhaji Sulemana Iddrisu, praised Mr Jinapor’s works in Damongo Constituency and expressed confidence in leveraging his achievements for the NPP’s success in the region. He warned the NDC of the NPP’s determination to secure dominance in the region.

    At the acclamation ceremony to support Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, also known as the Jewel of Damongo, numerous dignitaries and party faithfuls gathered to express their solidarity. Among them were Hon. Fatimatu Abubakari, Minister Designate for Information; Hon. Francis Asenso Boakye, Minister Designate for Roads and Highways; Hon. Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs; Hon. Saeed Abu Jibril, the Savannah Regional Minister; Professor Alhaji Sulemana Iddrisu, the Savannah Regional Chairman of the NPP; CEO of Forestry Commission, Mr. John Allotey, and Damongo constituency Chairman Constituency executives from all seven constituencies of the Savannah Region, alongside executives from the Ashanti Region and numerous other party loyalists.

    Damongo, nestled within the Savannah Region, has historically been a stronghold of the opposition National Democratic Congress since 1993. However, in a remarkable turn of events during the 2020 elections, Hon. Jinapor contested for the first time against the incumbent MP Adam Mutawakilu.

    Despite the odds, Jinapor clinched victory, securing over 54% of the valid votes cast. This historic win marked a significant milestone for the New Patriotic Party, as Jinapor became the first NPP legislator to represent the area since the inception of the Fourth Republic.

    In recognition of his exemplary leadership and dedication, President Akufo-Addo appointed Jinapor as the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, a role he has effectively served in to date.

  • Man City and Chelsea share spoils

    Man City and Chelsea share spoils

    Rodri’s late equalizer salvaged a point for Manchester City against Chelsea, maintaining their long unbeaten home record but losing ground in the title race. Despite this, it was seen as a point gained considering how close they came to defeat.

    Chelsea took the lead just before half-time through Raheem Sterling, who finished off a brilliant counter-attack by curling his shot home after meeting Nicolas Jackson’s cross and cutting inside Kyle Walker.

    The visitors threatened on the break throughout the game, with Jackson and Sterling both missing chances to extend their lead. City had their opportunities too, with Erling Haaland missing a glaring header from a Kevin de Bruyne cross.

    City faced their first home league defeat since November 2022 until Rodri’s strike in the 83rd minute. His ferocious first-time shot took a slight deflection off Chelsea‘s Trevoh Chalobah on its way into the net.

    The draw sees City drop to third in the table, four points behind leaders Liverpool with a game in hand. Chelsea, minutes away from a third successive away win, remain in 10th place but head to the Carabao Cup final on a positive note.

  • We are not responsible for disbarment of Samuel Nerquaye-Tetteh – Attorney General’s Office

    We are not responsible for disbarment of Samuel Nerquaye-Tetteh – Attorney General’s Office

    The Attorney General’s Office has denied involvement in the disbarment of Chief State Attorney Samuel Nerquaye-Tetteh, who lost his legal license due to allegations of receiving GH¢400,000 from businessman Alfred Agbesi Woyome in 2011.

    The General Legal Council (GLC) found Mr. Nerquaye-Tetteh guilty of professional misconduct for facilitating the transfer of the funds from Woyome to his wife’s bank account while representing the state against a lawsuit by Woyome.

    The GLC stated that Mr. Nerquaye-Tetteh failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the transfer, which negatively impacted the legal profession’s dignity and prestige.

    However, Woyome accused the Attorney General’s Office of orchestrating the disbarment, which the office vehemently denied.

    Isaac Wilberforce Mensah, the spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office, clarified during an interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM that the office lacks the authority to disbar anyone and emphasized that there is no direct connection between the office and the incident in question.

    “I think that statement is unfortunate, with the greatest of respect to Alfred Agbesi Woyome in this regard because the AG is not the one who came out with this ruling from the GLC. The AG whether by itself or by the office or even by the prosecution’s division has not written any legal opinion concerning the former chief state
    in question. There is absolutely no direct connection between this office and the incident which is currently in the media.”

    “Whether or not he has been disbarred is not a power that the AG whether as a person, or office or as a constitutional body even possesses. Nobody in this office can disbar a person. So I don’t know where this subtle attack is coming from,” he stated.

    Mr. Woyome has threatened to sue the General Legal Council (GLC) for disqualifying Mr. Nerquaye-Tetteh, alleging that the Council’s actions constitute contempt of court. Mr. Woyome, a central figure in the GH¢51 million Waterville judgment debt case, argued that judicial decisions have cleared him and anyone else involved in the contract of any misconduct.

    He admitted to transferring GH¢400,000 to Samuel Nerquaye-Tetteh’s wife but insisted that it was purely on humanitarian grounds.

    Thank God that we have got all the judgments. Thank God that I am waiting for the Supreme Court to do the honourable thing by departing away from the so-called linking me to something that I am not part of…I can say that I pledge on my honour that I will remain very active to make sure that the institution of government do the right thing. And I want to announce here that I am taking the General Legal Council (GLC) to court early next week.”

    “We will pursue GLC and the AG for them to stop what they are doing…Nerquaye-Tetteh’s wife’s money that I sent to her was on the basis of what I do at WOFA, Wilmy Foundation for Africa. I pay fees and pay other things for many people across the whole African country. When I work, that is what I use my money for, philanthropy,” he stated.

  • 3 games at 2023 AFCON shouldn’t cost Ghana $3m – Saddick Adams

    3 games at 2023 AFCON shouldn’t cost Ghana $3m – Saddick Adams

    Saddick Adams, the convener of the #SaveGhanaFootball demonstration, has raised concerns about Ghana’s expenditure of $3 million on just three games during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    He highlighted that a significant portion of the AFCON expenses are covered by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

    During an interview on Newsfile on Saturday, February 17, Mr. Adams noted that while CAF handles a large part of the costs, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) covers only a few items.

    He explained that if CAF takes care of 40 contingent members of the Black Stars and the GFA wishes to add 10 more, the GFA bears the expenses for those additional members.

    “So how do we come up with such figures? So, my concern has been that over the years, the Sports Ministers only come to Parliament, and it is very difficult to get hold of the details, and the devil is always in the details.

    “We never get to know who got this. How did we arrive at this figure? Because a blanket three million dollars in spending will not suffice without getting into the details,” he stated.

    Mr. Adams challenged the assertion that Ghana saved $3 million from the AFCON, highlighting that Ghana was eliminated during the group stages of the tournament. He emphasized the importance of transparency in disclosing the breakdown of how the $3 million was allocated.

    “I think that before we can even properly interrogate this spending of three million dollars, which I think is overblown, we need to get the details of what went into it,” he said.

  • Akufo-Addo reshuffled ministers to help NPP break the 8 – Vanderpuye

    Akufo-Addo reshuffled ministers to help NPP break the 8 – Vanderpuye

    Member of Parliament for Odododiodoo, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has criticized President Akufo-Addo’s recent ministerial reshuffle, suggesting that it is driven more by political considerations than the need for effective governance.

    According to Vanderpuye, the reshuffle, which took place on February 14, 2024, was influenced by the President’s desire to address challenges in certain constituencies and replace perceived incompetent Members of Parliament.

    Vanderpuye believes that the inclusion of new faces in the reshuffle is a strategic move to replace MPs who lost in the Parliamentary Primaries and have since faded from public view.

    He suggests that the newly appointed individuals will use their limited influence to improve their public image and secure their positions in their constituencies.

    Specifically, Vanderpuye highlighted the removal of former Sanitation Minister, Freda Prempeh, who was appointed only a few months ago, attributing her removal to her defeat in the Parliamentary Primaries.

    During an interview on the Big Issue on Citi TV with Selorm Adonoo on February 17, 2024, Vanderpuye expressed skepticism about the new appointees’ ability to enhance the administration, suggesting that their lack of experience and background in their ministries could potentially worsen the situation.

    “Some of us who are political strategists have known that these changes were not made for the functioning of government but for political reasons. Strategic political reasons. Let me be frank with you, the president is privy to National security reports, and he knows that a lot of his constituencies are not doing well, the constituencies of his people and some of these people have lost elections and as such, why should he keep those people there, their influence is gone in the constituency so why doesn’t he bring in new people who may have a little bit of influence that could solve their personalities and positions in their constituencies.

    “Let me take for example, the president recently appointed Freda Prempeh to the Ministry, a few months ago, why would he change her? The only reason why he is changing her is because Freda has lost her Parliamentary position.”

  • Arsenal see big win at Burnley thanks to Saka

    Arsenal see big win at Burnley thanks to Saka

    Kai Havertz expressed solidarity with his Arsenal teammates, stating that they are “all in this together” after the team’s impressive victory over Burnley.

    The win, coupled with their recent high-scoring performance against West Ham, has seen Arsenal close the gap at the top of the Premier League to just two points.

    Arsenal’s goal-scoring prowess was on display once again, with captain Martin Odegaard opening the scoring with a well-placed shot into the bottom corner after a pass from Gabriel Martinelli.

    Bukayo Saka then doubled the lead from the penalty spot after Lorenz Assignon fouled Leandro Trossard in the box.

    “We are in a good moment, we have won all of the games so far so it feels good,” Havertz said after the match.

    “Behind that was hard work and there are many hard games to come. We have to continue the hard work.”

    England forward Saka continued Arsenal’s goal-scoring spree by netting his second just after the restart. He capitalized on a clever pass from Odegaard, cutting inside and firing a shot into the roof of the net.

    Although Havertz’s initial attempt was blocked in the box, Trossard capitalized on the rebound to curl in his third goal in as many league games.

    Arsenal’s dominance was further highlighted when Jakub Kiwior’s long throw found an unmarked Havertz, who slipped behind the defense to drill the ball past Burnley’s goalkeeper James Trafford, sealing a comprehensive victory for the Gunners.

    With 21 goals in five consecutive wins, Arsenal now trail leaders Liverpool by just two points. Meanwhile, Burnley remains in the relegation zone.

  • We must locally invest 30% of Africa’s sovereign reserves – Akufo-Addo

    We must locally invest 30% of Africa’s sovereign reserves – Akufo-Addo

    President Akufo-Addo has suggested that 30 percent of Africa’s sovereign reserves, which are currently held in foreign banks, should be invested in the continent’s financial institutions.

    This proposal aims to promote economic growth and development within Africa by ensuring that a significant portion of its financial resources remains within the continent, rather than being held abroad.

    President Nana Akufo-Addo made this proposal during a Presidential Dialogue on the African Union’s (AU) Financial Institutions, which took place on the sidelines of the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the AU in Ethiopia.

    “We should decide that a minimum of 30 per cent of the reserves of each one of us, should, be invested in the multilateral institutions,” he said, citing the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Afreximbank.

    “Strengthening the capital base of those banks was a necessity to enhance their balance sheet and boost their capacity to facilitate more and more resources for the continent’s development and growth, he argued.

    President Akufo-Addo highlighted that most countries hold their reserves in foreign banks, where they often earn minimal or negative interest rates.

    “The fundamental fact is that, if we find a way that we can increase the financial power of our own institutions, we are in a better place to finance our development,” he echoed.

    Regarding the importance of investing in the continent’s financial institutions, President Nana Akufo-Addo emphasized the crucial roles played by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the people of Africa.

    “These are institutions which are ours, and which we can trust. So, if we can find a way of strengthening them, we strengthen ourselves,” he noted.

    President Nana Akufo-Addo also urged African leaders to seriously consider ratifying the decision to designate Afreximbank as a specialized agency of the African Union (AU). The Presidential Dialogue, initiated by Ghana’s President, was attended by AU leadership, African policy institutes and financial institutions, as well as development partners.

    As an advocate for reforming the global financial system, President Akufo-Addo stressed the need for a mechanism to monitor the use of funds invested in African banks.

    “This is critical for ensuring that we get proper accountability,” he said.

    The President urged leaders to collaborate in developing a robust global financial architecture that prioritizes African development needs. He emphasized the importance of reforming the global financial system to address issues such as stemming illicit financial flows from Africa.

    In recent times, African Union Heads of State and Government have intensified efforts to establish an African Monetary Union by harmonizing monetary zones and creating three AU financial institutions: the African Central Bank (ACB), African Monetary Fund (AMF), and African Investment Bank (AIB), along with the creation of a Pan-African Stock Exchange (PASE).

    The concept note for the Presidential Dialogue emphasizes the urgency of establishing these AU financial institutions and revising the legal instruments governing them, given the evolving global economic landscape.

    Africa’s transformation journey requires a global financial system that meets the people’s needs and leverages the continent’s natural and human capital.

    Additionally, the 37th Ordinary Session of the AU will witness the launch of the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions – the Africa Club. This initiative aims to unite member institutions to address financing challenges and support Africa’s sustainable economic development and integration goals.

  • Liverpool beat Brentford as Salah scores on Premier League return

    Liverpool beat Brentford as Salah scores on Premier League return

    Mohamed Salah marked his return from injury with a goal as Liverpool secured a crucial win against Brentford to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League table.

    Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez opened the scoring with a stunning chip, followed by Alexis Mac Allister poking in a second goal at the Gtech Community Stadium. Salah, who had been sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained during the Africa Cup of Nations, made his presence felt with a well-taken goal.

    Despite Ivan Toney pulling one back for Brentford, Liverpool sealed the victory with Cody Gakpo’s late strike. The win briefly extended Liverpool’s lead at the top to five points, but Arsenal’s later 5-0 victory over Burnley narrowed the gap back to two points.

    However, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp faced injury concerns as Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota were both substituted before halftime, adding to an already lengthy injury list that included Nunez, who was substituted at halftime.

    “We have to see how much it costs us – we don’t know that yet,” Klopp said of the injuries.

    “Curtis got a knock on the lower part of his shin, or above the ankle. We will see what that means. It was what he felt, but he was not 100 per cent sure. That Curtis cannot play on tells you that it must be something because he would have played on at all costs.

    “Diogo looks probably the worst; I didn’t see it back but I heard the pictures didn’t look great as well, so we have to see there.

    “Darwin, we took off because he felt really a little [something] but that was obviously today enough to immediately push the brake and that’s what we did, so we took him off.”

  • Anti-LGBTQ bill is not targeting members but their actions not backed by science – Sam George

    Anti-LGBTQ bill is not targeting members but their actions not backed by science – Sam George

    Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampam constituency, Sam George, has clarified that the criminalization of LGBTQ pertains to the act itself, not the individuals involved.

    He emphasized that anyone choosing to engage in LGBTQ activities must face the consequences.

    Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, February 17, Mr. George dismissed claims by the Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who suggested that the LGBTQ act is behavioral.

    The Ningo-Prampram MP emphasized that the LGBTQ act is not supported by science but is merely an opinion.

    “It is not backed by science and is one that I would call emotional. The science and the facts establish the fact that homosexuality is not behavioral, and I can take anybody on that debate,” he stated.

    Mr. George stressed that “if you want to be objective, you cannot be selective in your objectivity.”

    Mr. Afenyo-Markin took a stand against the third reading of the anti-LGBTQ bill in Parliament on Thursday, February 15. While he expressed support for the principles of the bill, he emphasized his opposition to the provision that would result in the imprisonment of individuals accused of engaging in or promoting LGBTQ activities.

    “The essence of this motion is to afford this august house the opportunity to thoroughly consider amendments that are proposed in the bill with the view of substituting community service for incarceration,” he said.

    According to him, the bill’s punitive action would not aid in rehabilitating the culprits.

    “The issue before us is behavioral, and it is my humble view that in dealing with behavioural matters, incarceration is not the solution. It makes the matter worse.

    He explained that “to jail a person for his/her sexuality will not be the solution in maintaining our Ghanaian family values and ensuring proper human sexual rights.”

    Parliament, on Thursday, February 8, approved a three-to-five-year jail term for individuals who willfully promote or sponsor LGBTQ activities. Those caught in the act are to be sentenced to a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 3 years.

  • LGBTQ members must be punished via community service, not prison – MP seconds Afenyo-Markin

    LGBTQ members must be punished via community service, not prison – MP seconds Afenyo-Markin

    The Chairman of the Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, has lend his support to the objection to a specific provision in the anti-LGBTQ bill that could lead to the imprisonment of LGBTQ individuals.

    Parliament recently approved a provision in the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values bill that would impose a three-to-five-year jail term for those promoting or sponsoring LGBTQ activities. Individuals caught engaging in such activities could face a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 3 years in prison.

    Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s put in efforts to halt the third reading of the anti-LGBTQ bill who has insisted that jail time will not be the solution to preserving Ghana’s family values.

    However, Anyimadu-Antwi, speaking with Accra-based Asaase Radio on Friday, February 16, expressed doubt that the legislature would support Afenyo-Markin’s position.

    He acknowledged the need for a less severe punishment for LGBTQ members, suggesting community service as a more appropriate alternative.

    “Afenyo’s argument to me is very sound; that in this issue we have made it an offence, punish them but you can give them a community service, which we are yet to develop, to me is the best…”he said.

    “So I know that Hon. Afenyo-Markin may try, but he will not succeed, he will not have the support because the sponsors of the private member’s bill do not want to reason with anybody, and they think that whatever they have proposed must be passed.”

    Mr Anyimadu-Antwi added, “We would have to put it to vote and that is why I say, I don’t foresee the House voting in his favour.”

    Mr. Afenyo-Markin’s intervention on Thursday, February 15, successfully halted the third reading of the anti-LGBTQ bill, preventing its immediate passage and approval. While he expressed support for the principles outlined in the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values bill, he specifically objected to a clause that could lead to the imprisonment of individuals involved in or promoting LGBTQ activities.

  • Watch Black Sherif hit the runway at London Fashion week

    Watch Black Sherif hit the runway at London Fashion week

    In a mesmerizing fusion of music and fashion, Ghanaian sensation Black Sherif recently graced the runway at the prestigious London Fashion Week during its 40th Anniversary. London Fashion Week began in 1984.

    The artist, known for his chart-topping hits and unique style, brought his signature flair to the international stage, captivating audiences with his confident stride and impeccable fashion sense. He was part of the top models who rocked the 45-look collection for Labrum, a line founded by Foday Dumbaya, who was born in Africa but raised in London.

    Fans, who caught glimpses of his runway debut on social media, were thrilled by this unexpected yet delightful surprise. Black Sherif’s presence at such a renowned event not only showcases his versatility as an artist but also highlights his keen eye for style and fashion.

    Black Sherif’s affinity for fashion has long been evident, with the artist often showcasing his distinctive fashion sense in his outfits and photoshoots.

    His ability to effortlessly blend music and fashion further solidifies his status as a multifaceted creative force to be reckoned with.

  • MoMo operator in Walewale killed; 2 arrested

    MoMo operator in Walewale killed; 2 arrested

    The Police have apprehended two suspects connected to a robbery and assault incident targeting a mobile money operator in Walewale, North East Region, on Monday, February 12.

    The arrests followed a thorough intelligence-led operation, leading to the capture of the suspects at their hideout.

    In a press release issued on Saturday, February 17, the police revealed that the two suspects, identified as Zakaria Yamusa, also known as Vandam, and Fatao Issah, are believed to have shot and killed two individuals, including a mobile money vendor, and injured seven others during the attack.

    The police further assured the public that the intelligence-led operation is ongoing, with efforts underway to apprehend any other individual(s) involved in the incident.

    “The intelligence operation is still ongoing to get all other perpetrators involved arrested. We would like to assure the public that we shall surely get them.”

    After the attack, the victim, identified as Rabiu, was hurried to the Walewale Government hospital, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries.

    According to eyewitnesses, the assault took place at a bustling bus station near the Nalerigu junction along the Tamale Bolga Road, at the heart of the Walewale township.

    The witnesses also verified that the assailants, numbering about three, arrived on motorbikes and fired warning shots before fatally shooting the young operator.

  • We have not joined the NDC – The New Force

    We have not joined the NDC – The New Force

    The New Force political movement has denied rumors suggesting that its founder, Nana Kwame Bediako, also known as Cheddar, has joined the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    In a statement released on Saturday, February 17, the movement clarified that any reports linking Cheddar to the NDC are untrue and should be ignored.

    The statement reiterated that the New Force has no plans to ally with any organization or political party in pursuit of its goals. However, it voiced concerns about purported efforts by the government or its agents to undermine Cheddar’s leadership.

    “It has come to the attention of the New Force Team that certain online news outlets are publishing news items purporting that Nana Kwame Bediako, leader of The New Force has joined or intends to join NDC flagbearer John Dramani Mahama.”

    “The news items make it appear as though Nana Kwame Bediako finds it expedient to join another political party organisation because several efforts and plans of The New Force have so far been frustrated by the current government administration,” an excerpt of the statement said.

  • Justin Diehl returns to FC Köln squad against Werder Bremen

    Justin Diehl returns to FC Köln squad against Werder Bremen

    Justin Diehl made a significant return to FC Köln’s matchday squad after recovering from illness, but his presence wasn’t enough to prevent his team from suffering a narrow defeat against Werder Bremen.

    Diehl, who had been sidelined for the previous two matchdays due to illness, was included among the substitutes for the Bundesliga encounter with Werder Bremen.

    His return to the squad provided a boost to FC Köln fans, and their hopes were raised further when Diehl was brought on in the 67th minute, replacing Florian Kainz and making his comeback to the field after his absence.

    Despite Diehl’s reintroduction, FC Köln failed to break through Werder Bremen‘s defense. The visitors managed to maintain their lead, securing a 1-0 victory over FC Köln.

    The decisive moment of the match came from Justin Njinmah’s right-footed shot from close range, assisted by a precise cross from Mitchell Weiser.

    FC Köln will look to bounce back in their next league game against Stuttgart on February 24th.

  • Ernest Nuamah assists goal to help Lyon to beat Nice

    Ernest Nuamah assists goal to help Lyon to beat Nice

    Ernest Nuamah, the Ghanaian international, showcased a stellar performance on Friday night, aiding Olympique Lyon to secure a victory over OGC Nice in the French Ligue 1.

    The talented winger was a starter for his team in the home match, held at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.

    During the Round 22 clash of the ongoing French Ligue 1 campaign, Nuamah played a crucial role by providing the assist for the only goal of the match in the 22nd minute. He set up Orel Mangala, who scored to give Lyon the lead heading into halftime.

    Despite OGC Nice’s determined efforts in the second half, they couldn’t find a way past Lyon’s defense and ultimately suffered a narrow defeat at the end of the 90 minutes.

    In the Friday night fixture, Ernest Nuamah played for 79 minutes before being substituted by Rayan Cherki.

    So far this season, the Black Stars winger has made 18 appearances for Olympique Lyon, contributing with one goal and two assists.

  • FIFA to build football academies in Ghana, others countries

    FIFA to build football academies in Ghana, others countries

    Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, recently hinted at the establishment of a standard football academy in Ghana, among other African nations.

    He made these remarks following his attendance at the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), where Ivory Coast emerged as the champions.

    Wenger, the former Arsenal manager, highlighted FIFA’s ongoing efforts to enhance football globally, including plans to establish academies in 75 countries by the close of 2026.

    “We are nearing the opening of new academies in Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Ghana, and Zambia within the next six months to a year. By 2026, we expect to have 75 academies worldwide. This represents a significant step forward in football education, which is our current focus,” Wenger stated as reported by FIFA.

    He continued, “Our objective is to raise the standard and competitiveness of the game, which can only be achieved through improved football education and higher-quality competitions.”

  • Bawumia is deceiving Ghanaians, he learnt from Akufo-Addo – Martin Amidu

    Bawumia is deceiving Ghanaians, he learnt from Akufo-Addo – Martin Amidu

    Ghana’s first Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, has weighed in on Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia’s presidential ambitions in a recent statement.

    Mr Amidu’s three-page letter, dated February 15, 2024, addresses Bawumia‘s ‘Vision for Ghana’ speech delivered on February 7 at the UPSA auditorium.

    After carefully analyzing the speech, Amidu concluded that Bawumia’s vision lacks originality and is merely a replication of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s rhetoric.

    He criticized Bawumia for failing to present a distinct vision, suggesting that it mirrors Akufo-Addo’s strategy to deceive voters in both the 2016 and 2020 elections.

    “I have read Bawumia’s vision several times since I had time to do so after delivering my keynote address at the University for Development Studies on 8 February 2024 and he comes out to me like a copycat replica of the style and deceptive persuasiveness deployed by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in winning the 2016 presidential elections,” he wrote.

    He added that after winning the elections on both occasions, the Akufo-Addo-led government only reneged “on all the promises he made on taxes, use of natural resources for the benefits of the ordinary Ghanaian, the right of citizens to speak up and not be spectators: and above all the unprecedented unfulfilled plan and leadership commitment to fight corruption.”

    Amidu disagreed with political opposition and commentators who suggested that Bawumia had distanced himself from President Akufo-Addo by proposing to scrap certain taxes.

    “Bawumia’s vision is a repeat using a decoy to disguise a similar cajoling vision the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia team presented to the Ghanaian electorate at the 2016 elections.

    “It is no different in form and substance from the deceptive vision team Akufo-Addo/Bawumia presented even at the 2020 elections when economic situations were exceedingly difficult.

    “These visions have always been founded upon promises to ameliorate the harsh tax conditions the private sector and ordinary Ghanaians are facing daily in the marketplace,” he stressed.

    BAWUMIAS-UPSA-VISION-SPEECH-IS-A-COPYCAT-MIMICKING-OF-THE-UNFULFILLED-VISION-OF-TEAM-AKUFO-ADDO-BAWUMIA-IN-THE-2016-AND-2020-ELECTIONS-FOR-POWERDownload
  • Pearson goal earns Huddersfield a win against Sunderland

    Pearson goal earns Huddersfield a win against Sunderland

    Huddersfield secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Sunderland at the John Smith’s Stadium, pulling them five points clear of the Championship relegation zone.

    Matty Pearson’s first-half goal proved to be the difference between the two sides.

    After a 5-3 defeat to Southampton, Huddersfield showed determination in front of goal. Pearson capitalized on a set-piece opportunity, bundling the ball home from close range after Anthony Patterson could only parry Jack Rudoni’s free-kick.

    Despite Sunderland’s efforts to find an equalizer, Huddersfield’s defense held firm. Lee Nicholls made some crucial saves, including a magnificent stop to deny Trai Hume in the dying moments of the game.

    The win extends Huddersfield’s unbeaten run at home this year and provides a much-needed boost as they continue their fight against relegation.

  • Staunch NPP member in Lawra resigns from party

    Staunch NPP member in Lawra resigns from party

    An influential member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Albert Diyuoh, has officially resigned from the party, effective from the 15th of February, 2024.

    Mr. Diyuoh, who was a member of the NPP Governing Council, cited personal reasons for his decision.

    “After a sober reflection over circumstances around my political life, in the past and present and considering the future, I write to resign from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) with immediate effect for personal reasons,” he wrote.

    He has submitted a copy of his resignation letter to the Upper West Regional Secretary, Mr. Tanko Daniel Dauda, as well as the Constituency Secretariat of Lawra.

  • MTN Ghana denies plans to build a bank

    MTN Ghana denies plans to build a bank

    Selorm Adadevoh, the outgoing Chief Executive of MTN Ghana, has emphasized that the company currently has no immediate plans to establish a bank through its mobile money business.

    He further stated that MTN’s focus is on collaborating with commercial banks to provide financial services to its subscribers.

    “I get this question a lot, but as at today, I want to assure you that this is not on the table. MTN is committed to working with the commercial banks to expand the fintech eco system,” he said on JoyNews’ PM EXPRESS BUSINESS EDITION on February 15, 2024.

    When asked about the possibility of MTN establishing a bank upon assuming his new role as Chief Commercial Officer of the group, Mr. Adadevoh stated that he did not have an answer to that question.

    Speculation about MTN Ghana’s intention to become a bank has circulated for some time. The telecom operator was observed by some to be installing machines resembling ATMs in strategic locations, but these were later removed.

    MTN’s dominance in the mobile money sector has seen significant growth. The Bank of Ghana, in regulating the mobile money sector, mandated telecom operators to separate mobile money operations from their core telecommunications activities. This led to the establishment of MTN Mobile Money Limited to oversee its operations.

    Bank of Ghana data indicates that the total value of mobile money transactions in 2023 exceeded GH¢1 trillion, with the MTN platform accounting for more than half of these transactions. The total number of registered mobile money accounts reached 817,000 by the end of 2023.

    These developments have fueled speculation that MTN is laying the groundwork to become a fully-fledged financial institution. However, Mr. Adadevoh reiterated that MTN remains committed to collaborating with banks to expand financial services to the public.

    Regarding concerns about the potential impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on jobs at MTN, Mr. Adadevoh argued against this notion, suggesting that the situation would be different in Ghana’s case. He emphasized the importance of considering the benefits of AI in improving service quality and expanding network coverage.

    “We all have a responsibility to work hard to adapt to the situation to ensure that we stay in business and not lose out and that is what it is” He added

    Mr. Adadevoh added that even though AI will affect some kinds of jobs, the point must be made that it will equally create more jobs.

    “Artificial Intelligence will affect some types of Jobs, but it will also create some kinds of jobs”.

  • Ministerial reshuffle does nothing to Bawumia’s electoral performance ahead of polls – UCC lecturer

    Ministerial reshuffle does nothing to Bawumia’s electoral performance ahead of polls – UCC lecturer

    A political analyst at the University of Cape Coast, Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere, has stated that the recent reshuffling by President Akufo-Addo in his government has no potential electoral benefits for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

    According to him, the President missed an opportunity to redeem the image of Vice President Dr. Bawumia.

    “If it is a matter of a strategy for electoral victory, I think that it is not going to have any kind of impact.

    “Strategy-wise, if you want to appeal to the middle class, this kind of reshuffle should have been situated within the speech that Dr. Bawumia gave. That’s the major change that he intends to make when he gets the opportunity to govern this country.

    “…the President could have used this as more of an attempt to gain the credibility that Dr. Bawumia has lost back. The goodwill as far as Ghanaians are concerned back and the level of believability rise,” onuaonline.com quoted him to have said in an interview on TV3 on February 15, 2024.

    While Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere acknowledged that the decision to replace sitting Members of Parliament and ministers who lost in the NPP parliamentary primaries might make sense on the parliamentary side, he was skeptical about its impact on the presidential election.

    “If you keep supplying members of your party to occupy all these positions that have become vacant, this particular decision by the President will not in any way affect positively the electoral fortunes of Dr. Bawumia.

    “Probably if you look at the parliamentary section, you could see that it is very political because those who have lost out and those who did not contest, they have nothing to lose, so why would they [the government] keep them? I think that one makes sense.

    “When you are doing a reshuffle, you need to know the theoretical framework that you are operating with. What framework is the President operating? The most important agenda now is breaking ‘eight,’ so how does this reshuffle fit into the breaking eight agenda, and that, for me, I am of the view that it does not,” he explained.

  • How McDan’s boss reacted to his resignation to set up a new company

    How McDan’s boss reacted to his resignation to set up a new company

    Dr. Daniel McKorley’s journey to becoming the successful entrepreneur known as McDan is rich with inspiring stories, many of which are chronicled in his book, “The Path of An Eagle, Despair, Hope & Glory.”

    While much of his story has been told, there are aspects that have not received as much attention, such as his early career before founding McDan.

    In Chapter VI of his book, titled “Becoming McDan,” Dr. McKorley describes his decision to resign from a company where he had spent many years, to venture out on his own.

    He explains how he followed a principle of life to study under various individuals in the business areas that interested him, which ultimately led him to establish his own successful multinational company.

    He explained, for instance, that “Working for others did not only help me raise capital, it also enabled me to acquire experiences and ideas which later facilitated immensely in building my own business. These days, I see many people going into businesses without first going through some form of training or even serving as apprentices under people with the know-how.

    “That is rather risky, and I do not know why someone would try to do that. Having some foreknowledge in anything we venture to do in life helps mitigate our risks. Who would risk walking across a river without first finding out how deep it is?”

    Dr. Daniel McKorley, known as McDan, recounted how he felt it was time to move on from his role and become an independent entrepreneur.

    As part of his principles, he chose not to resign through a letter but instead requested a face-to-face meeting with his boss. During this meeting, he expressed his decision to part ways and pursue his entrepreneurial aspirations.

    Read how he explained this below:

    In my case, I worked for others in the import and export industry for many years before starting my company, I had acquired many experiences and thought it was time l brought all that to bear. Having considered a lot of factors, I walked to my boss one day and asked that he accept my resignation. To me, that was more respectful than writing a letter. My boss had been very kind to me, and I felt I should reciprocate his kindness by having a one-on-one discussion with him over my intentions to resign.

    Although his children’s behaviour was rather obnoxious, I thought I needed to maintain a healthy relationship with the man himself since he personally had not offended me in any way.

    It was very early in the morning when I got to my boss’s house. He thought I had come to discuss something concerning my work, but to his dismay, I dropped the bombshell. For some time he was speechless, indicating the level of his perplexity. “I may be leaving, sir,” I said, “but I’ll be available to help in any area where my assistance would be needed.”

    Upon this assurance, he gave a deep sigh, and I could very well understand his crestfallen look. We had worked together for a long time and he knew I had played a very critical role in the success of the business. He had confidence in my competencies and my strong work ethic so I could understand how difficult this was for him. “I know you don’t mean any harm,” my boss said when he finally found his voice, “but I am aware what your exit means to this company.”

    I nodded with my head still bent down. I did not want him to solicit my sympathy with his grief-stricken mood. He begged me to stay for some six months so I could help train someone to take over from me. To prove to him that I did not have any malicious intent, I accepted to do as he had requested. Five months into the training programme, however, I realized it would definitely take longer than six months for the new guy to be well-versed in our operations because he was a bit slow on the uptake. I reported my observations to my boss and this time, he allowed me to go.

    The McDan company was officially registered in the year 2000 but it took some three more years for it to take full flight, he wrote in the book.

  • PSG records a 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad

    PSG records a 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad

    Paris Saint-Germain secured a 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, with Kylian Mbappe opening the scoring.

    The Ligue 1 champions took control of the match with two second-half goals at Parc Des Princes. Mbappe struck in the 58th minute, followed by Bradley Barcola’s 70th-minute strike, giving PSG an aggregate advantage ahead of the return leg in March.

    Sociedad nearly took the lead in the first half when Brais Mendez whipped in a free-kick that tested the PSG defence, and Andre Silva missed a close-range opportunity.

    Despite Alex Remiro denying Mbappe, Sociedad had another chance with a double effort from Takefusa Kubo. The Japanese international’s powerful strike from the right side of the box missed the target.

    After the break, Sociedad continued to threaten, with Mendez hitting the crossbar with a powerful strike from range.

    However, PSG capitalized on their chances, with Mbappe scoring from close range just before the hour mark, assisted by Marquinhos from a Dembele corner.

    Mbappe nearly added another goal, but his shot narrowly missed the right post. However, PSG secured their victory in the 69th minute when Barcola finished neatly after a skillful through ball from Fabian Ruiz.

    The win gives PSG a comfortable lead heading into the second leg of the tie.

  • Man City beat Chelsea in WSL thanks to Shaw

    Man City beat Chelsea in WSL thanks to Shaw

    Manchester City’s win over Chelsea in the Women’s Super League has tightened the title race, with Khadija Shaw’s goal securing a 1-0 victory and putting City level on points with the four-time defending champions.

    Shaw, the league’s top scorer, netted her 14th goal in 13 appearances, edging ahead in the Golden Boot race. Chelsea’s Lauren James, with 12 goals, was kept quiet in front of a packed Kingsmeadow.

    Chelsea had a penalty appeal dismissed before halftime, and City keeper Khiara Keating made a crucial stoppage-time save to deny the hosts.

    Both teams now have 34 points and identical goal differences, but Chelsea’s superior goal tally keeps them top for another week. City took the lead through Shaw after 14 minutes, and despite Chelsea’s efforts, they couldn’t find an equalizer.

    Keating made several important saves, including one from Fran Kirby, as Chelsea pushed for a late goal. Despite Chelsea’s late surge, City held on for a crucial win in the title race.

  • ‘Wealthy’ McDan recounts poor childhood, wearing tattered shorts to school

    ‘Wealthy’ McDan recounts poor childhood, wearing tattered shorts to school

    In his book, “The Path of An Eagle, Despair, Hope & Glory,” Dr. Daniel McKorley, the McDan boss, recounts a pivotal moment from his youth that shaped his motivations.

    He recalls coming home despondent after being teased by his schoolmates for having holes in his shorts. This experience, and his mother’s response to it, inspired him to prioritize his education over the opinions of others.

    The story highlights the power of resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

    “I also remember the extraordinarily distressing period when I was compelled to go to school in a pair of shorts that had large holes at the back, exposing my buttocks. For months, I was a laughingstock of my school mates, as some of them would purposely come pointing at the torn spots and let off derisive laughter. My parents, for obvious reasons, had watched the situation last for such a long time but could not do anything about it even though I kept reminding them of the humiliation I was suffering at school. After what seemed like an eternity of shame, I realised I could no longer endure the embarrassment and that I needed to press upon my parents to do something about the situation.

    “One evening, I went to my mother on the compound, holding the pair of shorts. My mother was grating cassava when I got there.
    “’Mama,’ I said, ‘what are you doing about my uniform? My friends won’t stop mocking me at school.’ My mother looked at my face briefly and went on grating her cassava. ’Why have you not reminded me all this while?’ she asked without raising her head. ‘This is something Uncle Lumor can easily mend.’ I had wanted to ask whether she actually did not remember the number of times I had complained about my shorts, but upon second thoughts I decided to shut up and hear what she had to say,” he wrote.

    Following the incident, McDan took the shorts to the village tailor and eagerly awaited its repair, hoping to put an end to the teasing from his schoolmates. However, when he finally got the shorts back, things did not go as he had hoped.

    Rather than sympathize with him and seek a better solution, his mother redirected his focus.

    I also remember the extraordinarily distressing period when I was compelled to go to school in a pair of shorts that had large holes at the back, exposing my buttocks. For months, I was a laughingstock of my school mates, as some of them would purposely come pointing at the torn spots and let off derisive laughter. My parents, for obvious reasons, had watched the situation last for such a long time but could not do anything about it even though I kept reminding them of the humiliation I was suffering at school. After what seemed like an eternity of shame, I realised I could no longer endure the embarrassment and that I needed to press upon my parents to do something about the situation. One evening, I went to my mother on the compound, holding the pair of shorts. My mother was grating cassava when I got there. “Mama,” I said, “what are you doing about my uniform? My friends won’t stop mocking me at school.” My mother looked at my face briefly and went on grating her cassava. “Why have you not reminded me all this while?” she asked without raising her head. “This is something Uncle Lumor can easily mend.” I had wanted to ask whether she actually did not remember the number of times I had complained about my shorts, but upon second thoughts I decided to shut up and hear what she had to say.

    The mention of Uncle Lumor gave me a fair idea of what she had in mind – she did not have money for the alteration and had just instantly cooked up the idea of using Uncle Lumor. Uncle Lumor, as everyone called him in the community, was not a qualified tailor. According to my mother, he had started life as a truck driver with the Public Works Department but had resigned along the line due to ill-health. When he finally recovered, he decided to do something else, rather than going back to his former employment, which he had always complained was backbreaking. The old Butterfly brand sewing machine his father left in his room when he passed on several decades ago was his only hope for survival. With the agreement of his siblings, he went into the room one day, picked the corroded machine, blew dust off it and applied oil to the rusty parts. He then pitched a small tent in front of his one-room house at the other side of the community and began his sewing business. Uncle Lumor would never attempt to sew new clothes but would always accept to do all kinds of alterations. People always mocked his style of sewing and his sense of fashion.

    His sewing machine was very old and would sometimes give him challenges in the course of work. His customers usually complained of their clothes crumpling at the seams due to over-concentration of threads at particular places. Some also felt disappointed to see he used materials of different colours to patch their clothes, making the clothes multi-coloured. This weird and unconventional way of sewing was what made me uncomfortable when my mother mentioned him. I knew I too could fall victim to his bad workmanship, but I could not raise any objection because I knew she chose him as a matter of necessity. He was a close friend to the family and would probably not ask for a fee for that little patching. That same evening my mother asked me to take the shorts to Uncle Lumor with specific instructions for him to try and mend it that night because I would wear it to school the following morning. When I repeated my mother’s words to him, he pulled a face. He seemed to have a question on his mind. The way he stared at the tattered shorts for so long said it all, but he dropped it in a cardboard box beside him and asked me to come for it in the morning.

    Early the next morning, I rushed to Uncle Lumor’s house, at my mother’s instruction, to collect my shorts. He was still in bed when I got there but he got up as soon as he saw me. He told me he had to stay up at night to work on my uniform and that it was done. I was beside myself with joy, as I took the carrier bag which had my patched shorts from him, imagining how relieved I would be in school that morning.

    However, my mood turned gloomy as soon as I took the shorts out of the bag to examine it. What a mess! A pair of dark brown khaki shorts patched with light brown polyester! It did not take any effort for my eyes to well up. Sobbing, I questioned why he did not use a similar fabric to patch it up. “I didn’t have dark brown khaki,” he said. “What’s wrong with what I did? You don’t like it?” I was short of words.

    I left for the house, hoping that my mother would reject the job done and send me back to him, asking him to find an appropriate fabric to do the patch work or undo what he had done, which to me was worse than having the holes. When I got home, my mother saw the scowl on my face and knew instantly that I was dissatisfied. “Why, he messed it up?” she asked as I drew closer. “Mama, look, this is worse than it was,” I lamented. “Oh, what is this?” my mother said in disappointment. “Is that all he could do?”

    I was expecting nothing short of “take it back to him” from my mother, but to my surprise, she said, almost in a whisper, “You just have to manage it for now. I’ll try and change it for you very soon.” My countenance dropped even more. I told my mother I could not wear that to school because it was worse than it was before. “My mates will mock me even more,” I protested. “Look, you seem to forget the things I tell you too quickly. I have told you many times not to mind what others do in school – to you or with themselves,” my mother admonished.

    She advised me to focus on learning, which was my main purpose in school, and allow those who wanted to laugh at me to continue to laugh. “Just show them the difference in the end,” she said. “I know you will make it in life, and someday those who are laughing at you today will come picking the crumbs under your table.” My mother’s inspirational words took away every fear of becoming a subject of mockery at school. I took my bath and put on my uniform. The patched spots at the back of the shorts remained very conspicuous, but I realised it was actually much better than having holes that exposed my buttocks to the whole world. A modicum of my confidence was restored as I returned to school.

    At school that day, some of my mates could not help laughing their hearts out. They came pointing at the patched spots at the back of my brown khaki shorts-just as they had done when there were holes in those same spots-and burst out laughing convulsively. Anytime they did that my mother’s words came flooding my mind: “..someday those who are laughing at you today will come picking the crumbs under your table.” This was how I tolerated them for the rest of the term. I did not even see the need to report their behaviour to the teachers, neither did I feel the impulse to pick quarrels with them. During new uniform. the vacation, I worked hard to help my mother buy me a new uniform.

  • Nkawkaw school bus accident: Municipal Education Director commiserates with bereaved families

    Nkawkaw school bus accident: Municipal Education Director commiserates with bereaved families

    The Municipal Education Director for Kwawu West Municipality, Mr. George Yankyera, has visited the families affected by the recent school bus accident at Nkawkaw Nankyea in the Eastern Region.

    He expressed his deepest sympathies and provided support to the grieving families, as well as visiting the school affected by the accident and the hospitalized individuals.

    The Education Directorate had previously advised the school to replace their bus due to its poor condition, but unfortunately, this advice was not followed, leading to the tragic incident.

    The accident involved a Nissan Patrol vehicle, reportedly the official vehicle of the District Chief Executive for Atwima Kwanwoma in the Ashanti region, Prince Karikari.

    Eyewitnesses stated that the driver attempted an unauthorized U-turn while driving on the shoulders of the road from the Accra-Kumasi direction near Nanchia. All the victims, including a female teacher identified as Dorcas Dede, succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment at the Holy Family Hospital in Nkawkaw.

    Mr. Yankyera emphasized the importance of adhering to safety recommendations and expressed concern that the prior advice on the school bus was not heeded. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident are ongoing.

  • Saints now at second spot after win against West Brom

    Saints now at second spot after win against West Brom

    Southampton moved back into the Championship’s automatic-promotion spots with a convincing 2-0 win against West Brom.

    Ryan Fraser and David Brooks scored for Southampton as they returned to second place, one point ahead of Leeds in the race for an instant return to the Premier League.

    The game saw a controversial moment early on when West Brom’s head coach, Carlos Corberan, was sent off for misconduct after kicking the ball while it was still in play.

    Despite West Brom’s efforts, including a denied penalty appeal for handball, Southampton’s dominance prevailed. Off the pitch, Florida-based Shilen Patel is set to purchase an 87.8 percent stake in West Brom’s parent company, West Bromwich Albion Group Limited.

    This takeover, expected to be finalized next week, will end Guochuan Lai’s tenure as the club’s owner. The win was crucial for Southampton, who lost their club record 25-game unbeaten run in their previous match.

    They came out with a point to prove and took the lead through Fraser’s fine volley from a corner. Brooks sealed the victory with a well-taken goal in the second half, leaving West Brom with a third home league defeat of the season.

  • Hundreds at Keta displaced over tidal surge

    Hundreds at Keta displaced over tidal surge

    Hundreds of residents at Abutiakope, Aborigines Beach, and its surrounding communities in Keta, Volta Region, have been displaced by another emerging tidal surge.

    The surge resulted in damage to many buildings and personal belongings such as televisions, refrigerators, and cooking utensils, among others, worth thousands of Ghana cedis.

    The Assembly member of Abutiakope Electoral Area, Mr. Promise Kofi Baccah, stated that the incident occurred during the early hours of Thursday, February 15.

    “Many people have been displaced, properties destroyed, and victims are now stranded,” he stated.

    Mr. Baccah mentioned that the tidal wave had also destroyed summer hats, coconut trees, and other recreational areas at the shores. He added that hundreds of residents who were rendered homeless were seeking refuge with their relatives, as rescue efforts from the authorities had not yet reached them.

    “We no longer need any relief items, what my people want now is the construction of a sea defense wall to protect them from the tidal waves to save lives.”

    The Assembly member also noted that several stranded victims lost their sources of livelihood, such as farms, boats, canoes, and nets to the tidal wave. He appealed to individuals, philanthropists, corporate entities, and the government to urgently address the situation to avoid any unforeseen disaster.

    Some victims were observed living with friends and relatives, while others were relocating to other communities.

  • Guardiola takes blame for Palmer’s Man City exit

    Guardiola takes blame for Palmer’s Man City exit

    Pep Guardiola has accepted responsibility for Manchester City’s failure to keep Cole Palmer, one of their highly-rated academy prospects.

    The champions sold Palmer to Chelsea last summer, and since then, the 21-year-old has shone and been a standout player for the London club.

    Guardiola admits that he did not give Palmer the minutes he wanted and understands his reasons for moving. Despite being a member of City’s Treble-winning squad last season, Palmer sought opportunities elsewhere to further his career.

    The City manager said: “For young players, we always want them to stay but this is normal. After two or three seasons he wanted more minutes than he had the last season. I understand completely.

    “If Palmer had the minutes I gave to Phil [Foden] from the beginning, Cole Palmer would be here — but I didn’t give them to him. That is my responsibility.

    “Why? Because of Bernardo [Silva], Riyad [Mahrez], Phil. In that moment, I chose the other ones.

    “After one season it is nice, and the second season but the third season it is, ‘Oh guys, I want to play, I don’t want to sit on the bench’.

    “It’s normal. We understand as a club. We got an offer from an incredible top club like Chelsea and I’m really happy for him. In all clubs these types of things happen.”

    Cole Palmer scored Chelsea’s late equalizer against Manchester City from the penalty spot when the sides met at Stamford Bridge in November.

    He is currently Chelsea’s leading scorer this season with 12 goals in all competitions and their top assist-maker with nine.

    Guardiola said: “We knew the quality he has and the impact he has shown this season is enormous.

    “It is not just goals and assists, it is the quality. He is an incredible threat for Chelsea.”

  • Akufo-Addo doesn’t listen, he promoted Ofori-Atta when we wanted him out – Sam George

    Akufo-Addo doesn’t listen, he promoted Ofori-Atta when we wanted him out – Sam George

    Ningo-Prampram MP, Samuel Nartey George, has criticized President Akufo-Addo’s recent reshuffle, suggesting that it indicates a disconnection from the sentiments of the Ghanaian populace.

    Mr. George contends that the President disregarded the public’s calls to downsize the government, as evidenced by the reshuffle’s failure to address this issue.

    In his view, President Akufo-Addo’s decision to retain and promote former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta instead of dismissing him entirely reflects a lack of concern for the prevailing sentiments and mood of Ghanaians.

    During an appearance on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, February 17, the lawmaker expressed skepticism about the potential effectiveness of the newly appointed Ministers given the current circumstances.

    “The president clearly does not listen to Ghanaians. He clearly does not understand what the pulse of the nation is and has lost connection with the country.

    “With this reshuffle, the President has not done what the Ghanaian people asked for. Ghanaians wanted Ken Ofori-Atta out of government. He has actually been promoted.”

    “He has been given more or less a supervisory role over the Finance Ministry because, in his roles to do negotiations, he has become the ambassador of the President on financial matters and the Finance Minister works under him.

    “So Ofori-Atta has actually been promoted when we asked for him to be taken out of government. This shows a President who is completely out of sync with the country,” he said.

    After facing months of public pressure, President Akufo-Addo has made adjustments to his government. These changes come following the resignation of former Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen and Agriculture Minister Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, who stepped down to focus on their political campaigns.

    According to the 1992 Constitution, the President formally notified the Speaker of Parliament of the government’s new composition on Tuesday, February 13.

    The adjustments include the appointment of new individuals to ministerial positions, as well as reshuffling some members to different ministries.

  • Police look into murder of man at Ashaiman

    Police look into murder of man at Ashaiman

    The Ghana Police Service has launched an investigation into the death of a 47-year-old trader, Eric Baidoo, who was reportedly stabbed by an assailant in Ashaiman, Greater Accra Region.

    The perpetrator is currently evading capture. The deceased’s body has been transferred to the Police Hospital morgue for preservation and further examination through autopsy.

    The Tema Regional Police Commander led a police delegation to offer condolences to the family of the deceased on February 16, 2024, assuring them of a comprehensive investigation.

    An intelligence-led operation is also underway to apprehend the perpetrator(s) and ensure they face legal consequences.

  • Gallagher scores 3 goals in 2 games for Blues

    Gallagher scores 3 goals in 2 games for Blues

    Conor Gallagher’s recent goal-scoring form has been likened to London buses, with three goals in two games for Chelsea.

    His first goal came in a 3-1 FA Cup win against Aston Villa, followed by a brace in a Premier League victory over Crystal Palace. The addition of goals to his game is seen as making him an even more important figure at Stamford Bridge.

    Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is known to be an admirer of Gallagher, and his recent performances have raised questions about whether he could thrive as one of Chelsea’s main attackers.

    After the Palace win, he said: “I think he’s a player with a great commitment to the team, always trying to compensate for every single situation.

    “It’s priceless to have a player like him. I’m so happy for him.”

    Asked about rumours of Gallagher’s potential exit, the Argentine added: “What he said to me was that he wanted to stay at Chelsea.

    “But it’s about him and the club. I am not [worried about] these types of things — he has another year on his contract.

    “But that’s a matter for him and the club.”

    Keeping hold of Conor Gallagher could be crucial for Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino as he looks to establish his influence on a team still undergoing a transition phase.

    Gallagher’s role in the team has slightly shifted, allowing him to operate further forward with players like Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo providing cover behind him. This adjustment has given Gallagher the freedom to showcase his goal-scoring ability, which had been somewhat subdued earlier in the season.

    Even before his recent goal-scoring exploits, Gallagher’s impact was evident. He leads the Premier League in possessions won in the attacking third and ranks first at Chelsea for passes into the final third and tackles. His impressive pass completion rate further highlights his midfield prowess.

    Gallagher’s strengths, both on and off the ball, have made him a valuable asset for Pochettino’s squad. Despite speculation about his future, Gallagher remains focused on succeeding with Chelsea and setting an example in a talented but youthful team.

    After his brace against former club Palace, he said: “I really enjoyed scoring the two goals.

    “I’ve not scored enough this season so to get two is a big confidence boost for me in front of goal.

    “That it was against Palace, well that’s kind of typical now, to be honest.”

    With confidence high and self-belief growing, Gallagher will hope he can have a similar impact as Chelsea make the daunting trip to the Etihad.

  • Bigger disaster looms if unauthorised access points to Accra-Kumasi Highway is not checked – Kwahu East MCE

    Bigger disaster looms if unauthorised access points to Accra-Kumasi Highway is not checked – Kwahu East MCE

    The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Kwahu East in the Eastern Region, Yaw Owusu Addo, has raised concerns about increasing accidents on the Nkawkaw stretch of the Accra-Kumasi highway.

    He called for immediate measures to block unauthorized access points to the main road to prevent further accidents.

    Mr. Addo’s concerns were prompted by a tragic incident on Thursday, February 15, which resulted in the death of three male pupils and a female teacher from the Ampeah Memorial School in Nkawkaw.

    The fatal accident involved a Nissan Patrol vehicle believed to be the official vehicle of Prince Karikari, the District Chief Executive for Atwima Kwanwoma, which crashed into a Hyundai minibus.

    According to an eyewitness, the driver of the bus attempted an unauthorized U-turn while driving on the shoulders of the road from the Accra-Kumasi direction at a spot near Nanchia.

    Mr. Addo expressed frustration, stating that despite his efforts to address the issue and curb accidents on the stretch, he has been unsuccessful in persuading the highway authority to effectively tackle the problem.

    “Since I became the MCE, we have also been raising that issue, but it is not an issue we can tackle single-handedly at the municipal level. We need bigger support to deal with the situation there, but I know there is a bigger disaster waiting to happen if we do not take action,” he said.

  • Messi is fit to start season for Inter Miami

    Messi is fit to start season for Inter Miami

    Inter Miami manager Gerardo Martino has expressed confidence that Lionel Messi will be fit to face Real Salt Lake next Wednesday night.

    This comes after a 1-1 draw against Newell’s Old Boys in Miami’s final pre-season friendly.

    Martino said: “I see him fully recovered. It is true that we are playing him little by little. From what I saw today on the field, the way he teamed up and how he arrived in the area, I saw him very well.

    “Tonight he played almost 60 minutes and the idea is that he arrives well prepared for the [league] debut on [February] 21. This game was important to have a good feeling for our season opener.”

  • Sammi Awuku, Mac Manu, 2 others to serve Bawumia as senior campaign advisors

    Sammi Awuku, Mac Manu, 2 others to serve Bawumia as senior campaign advisors

    Four senior members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) are expected to be appointed as senior campaign advisors by the NPP presidential candidate and sitting Vice-President of the Republic, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

    The appointed advisors include Fred Oware, Peter Mac Manu, Anthony Karbo, and Sammi Awuku.

    They are expected to bring their political and election campaign experience to Dr. Bawumia’s bid for the presidency.

    These advisors are also considered key members of Dr. Bawumia’s inner circle, and their selection is seen as a strategic move to maintain a good blend of young NPP stalwarts and other top party officials in the campaign team.

    Dr. Bawumia will present the list of his campaign team members to the National Executive Committee for consideration and approval.

    “The list to be presented to NEC during its scheduled meeting on Monday will reflect the philosophy, strategy and focus of the NPP’s 2024 campaign,” said a source at the party headquarters in Asylum Down, Accra.

    Following the presentation of the list to NEC, and a meeting with other political heavyweights and dynamic individuals, it is expected that “Team Bawumia” will be announced. This team is anticipated to have a mix of experience and youth, aiming to provide the dynamism required for the tough battle ahead.

    President Akufo-Addo’s recent radical reshuffle, announced on Wednesday (14 February), saw thirteen ministers and ten deputy ministers losing their jobs.

    Additionally, eleven new deputy ministers and nine new ministers-designate were appointed, while five standing ministers and one deputy minister were reassigned. This reshuffle reduced the average age among Akufo-Addo’s government ministers to 47.

  • Afenyo-Markin wants to destroy anti-LGBTQ bill – Sam George

    Afenyo-Markin wants to destroy anti-LGBTQ bill – Sam George

    Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampam, Samuel Nartey George, has accused Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin of attempting to undermine the anti-gay bill.

    Mr Afenyo-Markin successfully blocked the third reading of the bill, preventing its passage.

    Mr George believes that without Mr. Afenyo-Markin’s intervention, the controversial bill would have been passed.

    Mr Afenyo-Markin clarified that while he supports the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values bill, he opposes the provision that would lead to the imprisonment of individuals accused of engaging in or promoting LGBTQ activities.

    “The essence of this motion is to afford this House the opportunity to thoroughly consider amendments that are proposed in the bill with the view of substituting community service for incarceration,” Afenyo-Markin explained.

    He noted that the punitive nature of the bill will not facilitate rehabilitation of the culprits.

    “The issue before us is behavioral, and it is my humble view that in dealing with behavioural matters, incarceration is not the solution. It makes the matter worse” the Efutu MP pointed out.

    “To jail a person for his/her sexuality will not be the solution in maintaining our Ghanaian family values and ensuring proper human sexual rights,” he stressed.

    Sam Nartey George described Afenyo-Markin’s contention as baseless, indicating a disagreement over the Deputy Majority Leader’s reasoning for blocking the third reading of the anti-gay bill.

    Speaking on News 360 on TV3 Thursday, February 15, he said “Deputy Majority Leader, his comments today are not new to the house. Last week Wednesday he spent about an hour and  15 minutes making the same submission,  last week Thursday he did about another house on the same subject, last week Wednesday when he made his submission there was a vote of of the house and his motion was defeated.

    “Last week Thursday his motion was defeated.  Today when he made his submission against the amendment it was defeated, It is a journey of no value and of no substance in the bill because what he is seeking to do is to destroy the essence of the bill.

    “The attempt to take away the custodial sentencing from this bill and replace it with community service is not just strange by the Deputy Majority Leader but it is actually an attempt to kill the bill. I am happy that in the three instances, he has been raising the issue, he has been standing alone as the house collectively, both the majority and the minority voted against him,” he added.

  • Bright Simons slams EPA for holding pageant-like lithium mining consultation

    Bright Simons slams EPA for holding pageant-like lithium mining consultation

    Bright Simons, the Vice President of IMANI Africa, has criticized Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for organizing a consultation that resembled a pageant for the country’s prospective lithium mine.

    Mr Simons shared images showing chiefs in traditional regalia exchanging pleasantries with staff of Atlantic Lithium company at the event.

    He expressed disappointment in the consultation process, stating that it lacked in-depth discussions on critical issues such as water tables, tailings, and leaching. He also noted the absence of probing questions from local journalists.

    Simons questioned the EPA’s decision to organize the consultation as a colorful event, likening it to a jamboree. He argued that such an approach does not encourage informed participation in designing mitigation measures for the impact of mining on the environment and social life.

    “Ghana’s EPA is organising what is meant to be a community consultation on Ghana’s prospective lithium mine. But it seems more like a colourful pageant with long, droning, speeches. No hard questions about watertables, tailings, leaching etc. And no pestering local journalists.

    “But why must a consultative process to engage a community about an impending mining activity & its likely impact on the environment & social life be organised as a durbar? Like a jamboree? Is that how to secure informed participation in designing mitigation measures?” he wrote in a post on X.

  • Wesley Girls students sleep on the floor over inadequate infrastructure

    Wesley Girls students sleep on the floor over inadequate infrastructure

    The Wesley Girls High School in Cape Coast is facing a challenging situation, with many girls compelled to sleep on the floor due to overcrowding and congestion.

    The head prefect and headmistress acknowledged this issue, attributing it to inadequate infrastructure. At the speech and prize-giving day held over the weekend, the Girls’ Prefect, Abena Benewah, highlighted the unsafe living conditions they are grappling with.

    “Hundreds of girls are sleeping on the floor. This problem also pushes us to eat our meals in two batches,” she said.

    Ms. Benewah further appealed to the government to come to their aid in addressing the overcrowding and infrastructure challenges at Wesley Girls High School.

    “From the tiny inconveniences to the deep and large potholes which hinder our progress, we have learnt as a school to endure, but I ask myself must we suffer when we can take help?” she quizzed.

    She emphasized that the shortage of furniture in the school is becoming a persistent challenge that needs to be addressed.

    “The moment in which we gaze upon our sisters who must use plastic chairs in their classrooms and lack tables to comfortably write on cannot be put on hold.”

    She mentioned that the number of computers in the IT laboratory is far below their standard, with only two working PCs serving a student population of over 3,000.

    Meanwhile, the headmistress of Wesley Girls School, Jeannette Ruby Siameh, stated that despite consistent support from alumnae, the school continues to face various challenges.

    She mentioned that Wesley Girls High School, looks very beautiful and appears to be well-endowed in terms of facilities, “meanwhile all that glitters they say is not gold. Under the cloak of outward beauty lies a grave bed of dire needs.”

    Madam Ruby Siameh emphasized the need to complete the new assembly hall and address the lack of buses at Wesley Girls School. She also mentioned the necessity for the school to have better road networks. President Akufo-Addo assured the students and management of government support.

    President Akufo-Addo criticized former President Mahama for questioning the authenticity of the WASSCE results of Ghanaian students, describing the comment as unfortunate. He urged the 2024 flagbearer of the NDC to be more cautious in his statements.

    “Contrary to the normal experience, the large excess and improved quality have gone hand in hand. Long may this continue”.

    “It is a pity though”, he added, “that the sad nature of aspects of contemporary Ghanaian politics drove some otherwise allegedly responsible people including your former president and current NDC presidential candidate to question the integrity of the results happily without any foundation and to attribute these results to cheating.”

    “Students of Wesley Girls High School, do you cheat in examinations? This loud no will send a strong message to those who expressed these unfortunate, misguided sentiments.”

    The President also stated that the 2023 WASSCE results demonstrate the quality of education provided under the free senior high school program.

    “The WASSCE results of the students I proudly call the Akufo-Addo graduates have shown that the quality of education has not deteriorated but on the contrary, it has improved significantly.

    “The results of the Akufo-Addo graduates in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 are the only years in the past decade that show that more than 50% of the candidates obtained A1 to C6 in all core subjects,” he stressed.