TIG Post

Author: Andy Ogbarmey-Tettey

  • Your indefinite strike action is distorting resolution efforts – NLC tells Senior staff of universities

    Your indefinite strike action is distorting resolution efforts – NLC tells Senior staff of universities

    The National Labour Commission (NLC) has expressed concern that the ongoing industrial action by the Senior Staff Association of Public Universities in Ghana (SSA-UoG) and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff (FUSSAG) is hindering efforts to address their grievances.

    Executive Secretary of the NLC, Mr. Ofosu Asamoah, stated that his attempts to persuade the striking group to suspend the industrial action in favor of negotiations have been unsuccessful.

    He believes that the prolonged strike will hamper efforts to resolve their issues and expressed hope that the Senior Staff would call off the strike immediately to allow for a scheduled meeting next week.

    “There has been a complaint and a response, so we now have to bring the parties together and see the way forward. Either the Commission will settle it summarily, or there will be mediation or an arbitration. 

    “So the two parties must come together, then, with the Commission’s assistance, we look at the thing and see the issue at stake, and that’s why we invited them.

    “Unfortunately, the senior staff are saying that they committed to their schedule so they couldn’t come, but they can make it on the 24th, and we communicated to the other party.

    “The only issue for now is that of the strike which has started. Whenever there is a strike, issues must be attended to urgently,” he said.

    Commenting on whether the NLC made efforts to prevent the Senior Staff from embarking on the strike, Mr Asamoah asserted, “We did, by first writing to those against whom the complaint has been made, that this is what the Senior Staff Association is saying. What are you doing to avert the strike? We had in our letter that they should apprise the Commission of what steps they are taking within these days, and then we fixed the date to meet the two parties. That is what was done.”

    The ongoing strike by the Senior Staff Association of Public Universities in Ghana (SSA-UoG) and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff (FUSSAG) was initiated on Thursday, January 19, to demand improved conditions of service, payment of tier-two pension arrears, and restoration of overtime allowances.

    However, the National President of the Association, Isaac Donkoh, mentioned in an interview that they were willing to call off the strike and return to the negotiation table if the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) withdrew its denial about their overtime allowance.

    “I think we are gradually getting somewhere, and once my good friend has spoken, we are taking it in good faith. I think we still have the second letter in circulation, so they should write and withdraw the second letter. We have to also get the two people to intervene, and then we are good to go,” he said.

    Commenting on whether the strike can be suspended while they pursue the other issues of regarding the interests of the students, Mr Donkoh said; “That is not anything difficult to do. I can’t assure you on the phone, but it’s nothing difficult. I will have a discussion, and then we’ll take it from there, so it is nothing difficult at all.”

    The Chief Executive Officer of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, Mr. Ben Arthur, expressed that the ongoing strike by the senior staff is unfortunate.

    “That letter was rejected. It was not directed at public universities where the infraction had been reported. So way back on June 30th, 2023, as my good friend Isaac has alluded to, the matter should be resolved. So if we have any issues, any non-compliance for which you have noticed, then it is only fair that you come back to us to resolve the matter,” he said.

  • Carvalho secures 1-0 win over Sunderland at Stadium of Light

    Carvalho secures 1-0 win over Sunderland at Stadium of Light

    Hull secured a 1-0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, earning their first win of the year and climbing into the Sky Bet Championship play-off places.

    Fabio Carvalho scored the decisive goal in the second half, volleying home from the edge of the area with 19 minutes remaining. The shot took a deflection off Trai Hume, contributing to Sunderland’s defeat.

    Sunderland’s head coach, Michael Beale, faced jeers from the home supporters in the closing stages, with the team experiencing three consecutive defeats in all competitions.

    Despite restoring striker Nazariy Rusyn to the starting lineup, Sunderland struggled to create chances against a well-organized Hull side.

    Hull’s right-back, Lewis Coyle, was a notable threat with overlapping runs down the right, and he almost broke the deadlock in the first half. However, the game remained scrappy, with Hull picking up five yellow cards and both teams struggling to generate a rhythm.

    Sunderland had a chance on the hour mark when Trai Hume’s long-range effort was tipped over the crossbar by Hull goalkeeper Ryan Allsop.

    The decisive goal for Hull came in the 71st minute, with Carvalho’s first-time volley deflecting off Hume’s head and beating Sunderland’s goalkeeper Anthony Patterson.

    The victory for Hull elevated them into the play-off places in the Championship, while Sunderland faced disappointment with their third consecutive defeat under Michael Beale.

  • Senegal was better than us – Cameroon head coach

    Senegal was better than us – Cameroon head coach

    Rigobert Song, the Head Coach of Cameroon, has assumed full responsibility for the team’s 3-1 defeat against Senegal in the second game of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    The Indomitable Lions coach stated at press conference held after the match, that “When there is a defeat, we must bear responsibility, and therefore we must admit that Senegal was better than us in the match,” he said. 

    Song mentioned that his young players would require more experience to perform well in such significant occasions.

    “Senegal was stronger than us. Their players were in their places on the field. They deserved their victory. For our part, we have young players in the national team, and they are at the beginning of their experience.” 

    Commenting on the match, he said, “I think that the players did everything they could during the match, and small details made the difference in the match.  

    “We admit that the competitor was better than us,” he explained. 

    Despite drawing the first game against Guinea and losing to Senegal in the second match, Rigobert Song remains optimistic about Cameroon’s chances in the Africa Cup of Nations.

    With just one point heading into the third game, Song expresses confidence that he will lead the Indomitable Lions to the second round of the competition.

    “I am always optimistic. As long as there is a final match, there are no calculations to make. The next match will be a final for us, and I know that we would qualify for the second round,” he stated.

  • Driver sentenced to 8 years imprisonment for attempted kidnapping

    Driver sentenced to 8 years imprisonment for attempted kidnapping

    An Accra Circuit Court has sentenced a driver, Godfred Ayittey, to eight years imprisonment with hard labor for attempting to kidnap a father and daughter for ransom.

    Mr Ayittey had denied conspiring with Wang Liang in preparation for the kidnapping, but he was found guilty after trial. Wang Liang is currently at large.

    The court heard that Ayittey recruited a witness, Richard Asomaning, over the phone for the kidnapping scheme. Asomaning feigned interest and forwarded copies of his driver’s license and Ghana card, as well as those of another recruit, Peter Ofoe Agbovie, to Ayittey.

    The witnesses then requested a meeting with Ayittey to learn about their intended victims, Mr. Joseph K. Horgle and his daughter Elinam. Ayittey communicated with the witnesses only over the phone, and a WhatsApp group platform was created for the operation.

    Ayittey provided funds to Asomaning to begin surveillance on the victims, and initial photographs of the company’s premises were taken and sent to Ayittey.

    Agbovie was tasked with renting a vehicle, while Ayittey claimed he would procure guns for the operation. Ayittey was arrested on August 9, 2022, and admitted to the offense, implicating Wang Liang in engineering the kidnapping.

    Investigations revealed that Ayittey had worked for the intended victim’s company and knew the former boss had the financial capacity to pay any ransom.

    The court found Ayittey guilty of the offense, which involved a plot to kidnap the owner of J. K. Horgle Transport and Company Limited and his daughter for ransom.

  • Camara’s goal fires Guinea to victory over Gambia

    Camara’s goal fires Guinea to victory over Gambia

    Aguibou Camara’s second-half goal secured a crucial 1-0 victory for Guinea over Gambia in Group C of the Africa Cup of Nations.

    With both teams seeking their first win in the tournament, the goal came in the 69th minute when Camara slid home from Morgan Guilavogui’s cross.

    The win propelled Guinea to four points in the group standings, setting the stage for a decisive final group game against current leaders Senegal.

    Gambia’s coach, Tom Saintfiet, made five changes from their opening loss to Senegal, but chances were limited in the first half. Guinea came close to taking the lead in the 33rd minute, with Mohamed Bayo’s strike hitting the post.

    The breakthrough came in the second half when Guilavogui set up Camara to poke home, beating Gambia defender James Gomez. Despite Bayo hitting the crossbar shortly after, Guinea held on for the 1-0 win.

    The victory holds particular significance for Guinea, as Gambia had eliminated them in the last-16 stage of the 2021 edition.

  • Fix challenges facing senior staff of universities – NUGS to govt

    Fix challenges facing senior staff of universities – NUGS to govt

    The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) is calling on the government to promptly address the concerns raised by the Senior Staff Associations of the universities in the country.

    The Senior Staff Association of the Public Universities in Ghana (SSA-UoG) and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff (FUSSAG) declared an indefinite nationwide strike on January 17, 2024, citing the government’s neglect of their welfare.

    The senior staff’s demands, including the payment of two-tier pensions and overtime allowances, have reportedly gone unattended, leading to the strike. The withdrawal of services, including healthcare, administration, and security, is affecting final-year students who require supervision from senior technicians during practical sessions.

    Daniel Oppong Kyeremeh, the President of NUGS, expressed concern about the impact of the strike on academic progress, describing it as a hindrance to the advancement of academic work.

    The call from NUGS adds to the pressure for a swift resolution of the issues between the government and the senior staff of the universities.

    He said, “We’ve had complaints, especially from students who are now in their final year, third year, and particularly science students who will mostly be engaging in practical sessions, needing these senior officers, especially technicians in the labs. The students are all complaining because they have not started their final-year projects and will need the strict supervision of these technicians, who are senior members. All these individuals are needed in the labs and offices. Each role played by these individuals helps in the smooth running of academic activities.”

    He thus called on the government to address this issue as soon as possible with the unions.
    “We are just asking the government to sit down with these unions and come to an agreement with them. According to their conversations, they have been fighting for these conditions of service for years, and the government keeps rescheduling meetings and not giving them proper attention.”

    Mr Oppong emphasized the need for the government to provide clear reasons for their inability to meet the demands for improved conditions of service. He highlighted that the absence of essential services provided by senior staff is adversely affecting the advancement of academic work.

  • ‘Stubborn’ Akufo-Addo is slow to reshuffle but not against it – Gabby Otchere-Darko

    ‘Stubborn’ Akufo-Addo is slow to reshuffle but not against it – Gabby Otchere-Darko

    Relative of President Akufo-Addo and a prominent member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko has shed light on the reasons behind the President’s decision to maintain the current configuration of his cabinet.

    Gabby Otchere-Darko suggests that President Akufo-Addo’s journey to leadership involved facing and overcoming various challenges and struggles.

    According to Otchere-Darko, these experiences have prepared the President for his leadership role in the country.

    “You know the presidency is a lonely place. You are alone because the buck stops with you and then you have all manner of people giving you all manner of opinions on how things must be done.

    You have to make the decision. Akufo-Addo believes more in the American system than in the other systems. When they choose a cabinet minister, he or she is likely to be there for fur years. Instinctively, he is not one that will reshuffle. He prefers stability. That is him distinctively,” he said.

    He continued “There is also a matter of where the NPP is. When there was agitation in Parliament…You have majority of one and whenever you take a person out of government is even aggrieved. There are so many issues that he has to deal with because at the end of the day he’s given them assignments, he knows what he wants from them.”

    Mr Otchere-Darko asserted that President Akufo-Addo “is not completely against reshuffling, but he is slow to reshuffle.”

    He added, “He is stubborn to a fault. Yes, the public calls may be legitimate, and it’s not every call that you listen to. You know what you want from a particular individual.”

    “When you’re a man of conviction, sometimes you shouldn’t be quick to react to events. Politically, it may cost you but posterity will judge you and be on your side There are so many times people will push him to do things but he will weigh it. He is a Lawyer and every good Lawyer eventually will a superior argument. Every good lawyer, and they will find their corner and you have to also convince them about the merit but I’m sure if he feels the need for a reshuffle he will do it,” he continued.

  • Senegal book place in last 16 of 2023 AFCON tournament

    Senegal book place in last 16 of 2023 AFCON tournament

    Defending champions Senegal secured a spot in the last 16 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-1 victory over Cameroon in Group C.

    Ismaila Sarr opened the scoring in the 16th minute, and Habib Diallo extended the lead midway through the second half. Jean-Charles Castelletto pulled one back for Cameroon with seven minutes remaining, creating a tense finish.

    However, Sadio Mane sealed the win for Senegal in stoppage time.

    Senegal will top Group C if they avoid defeat in their final group match against Guinea. Guinea is currently second in the table after defeating The Gambia 1-0.

    Cameroon will likely need to beat The Gambia in their final group match to progress to the knockout stages. Cameroon could still qualify as one of the four best third-placed teams if they do not surpass Guinea on goal difference or goals scored.

  • Healthcare delivery at UCC at standstill as management shuts down hospital over senior staff strike

    Healthcare delivery at UCC at standstill as management shuts down hospital over senior staff strike

    The University of Cape Coast (UCC) indefinitely closed its hospital starting from January 19, 2024, due to the ongoing strike by senior staff.

    The Senior Staff Association of the Public Universities in Ghana (SSA-UoG) and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff (FUSSAG) initiated a nationwide indefinite strike on January 17, 2024, citing the government’s disregard for their welfare.

    The strike is in protest of the government’s failure to fulfill the payment of two-tier pensions and overtime allowances.

    The senior staff’s strike has led to the cessation of various services, including healthcare, administration, and security, prompting the closure of the University’s hospital.

    During this period, the University’s communication team has advised students to seek care for minor conditions at their respective hall infirmaries.

    For severe conditions, students are encouraged to visit the school student’s clinic located near the Sam Jonah Library, which will be operating from eight in the morning to six in the evening every day except weekends.

    Additionally, the ongoing medical examination for fresh students has been suspended until further notice.

  • Court throws out injunction application against NDC Odododiodioo primary

    Court throws out injunction application against NDC Odododiodioo primary

    The court has dismissed an application for an interlocutory injunction by Michael Nii Yarboi Annan against the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Odododiodioo primary.

    In November 2023, the Functional Executive Committee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) disqualified Michael Nii Yarboi Annan from participating in the parliamentary election for the Odododiodioo Constituency. The party, in a report issued that year, clarified that the decision was based on findings from a special committee established by the Functional Executive Committee.

    According to the party, considering the evidence presented, the special committee was unable to endorse Mr Annan’s qualification to contest the parliamentary primaries in the Odododiodoo constituency based on Article 41(8)(b) of the NDC Constitution, which stipulates that, “a member must be an active member of the party at the constituency level for the four years immediately preceding the date of filing nominations.”

    The initial postponement of the election had been prompted by the legal challenge, but with the application being rejected, the party has now set a new date for the primary in the mentioned constituency.

    Following this development, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has revised the date for its parliamentary primary in the Odododiodioo constituency to January 21, 2024.

    General Secretary of the NDC, Fifi Fiavi Kwettey, in a statement issued on Friday, said on January 19, “an Accra High Court dismissed an application for an interlocutory injunction, as a result, the party is resuming processes leading up to the conduct of the parliamentary election in Odododiodioo.”

    “The primaries at Ododioioo have consequently been rescheduled for Sunday 21st January 2024.”

  • NDC Odododiodioo primary to come off Jan 21 as court dismisses injunction application

    NDC Odododiodioo primary to come off Jan 21 as court dismisses injunction application

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has revised the date for its parliamentary primary in the Odododiodioo constituency to January 21, 2024.

    This decision comes after the dismissal of an application for an interlocutory injunction by a disqualified candidate, Michael Nii Yarboi Annan.

    In November 2023, the Functional Executive Committee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) disqualified Michael Nii Yarboi Annan from participating in the parliamentary election for the Odododiodioo Constituency. The party, in a report issued that year, clarified that the decision was based on findings from a special committee established by the Functional Executive Committee.

    According to the party, considering the evidence presented, the special committee was unable to endorse Mr Annan’s qualification to contest the parliamentary primaries in the Odododiodoo constituency based on Article 41(8)(b) of the NDC Constitution, which stipulates that, “a member must be an active member of the party at the constituency level for the four years immediately preceding the date of filing nominations.”

    The initial postponement of the election had been prompted by the legal challenge, but with the application being rejected, the party has now set a new date for the primary in the mentioned constituency.

    General Secretary of the NDC, Fifi Fiavi Kwettey, in a statement issued on Friday, said on January 19, “an Accra High Court dismissed an application for an interlocutory injunction, as a result, the party is resuming processes leading up to the conduct of the parliamentary election in Odododiodioo.”

    “The primaries at Ododioioo have consequently been rescheduled for Sunday 21st January 2024.”

  • Housekeep arrested for allegedly killing 83-year-old mistress at Ayeduase

    Housekeep arrested for allegedly killing 83-year-old mistress at Ayeduase

    A 22-year-old housekeeper, Maku Kuame, is currently on trial for the alleged murder of her mistress, Margaret Oppong, 83, in Ayeduase, located in the Oforikrom Municipality of the Ashanti Region.

    The accusations stem from the theft of over $5,600 from the victim’s residence.

    According to reports, Kuame is believed to have killed Margaret Oppong after being questioned about the missing money. The son of the deceased, Kwame Boateng, alleges that the accused confessed to the murder when questioned by the police.

    “She told the police that she plotted with her boyfriend to get rid of our mother after she kept questioning her about the missing dollars in the house”.

    “My mother has children outside the country and so we send her money from time to time. She lost $32,000, then followed with $18,000 and later $200 and $400 respectively,“ he disclosed.

    “Upon suspicion that the house help was behind the missing monies, my mother threatened to arrest her if she failed to return the amount.

    “Before she could do anything, the suspect allegedly allowed her boyfriend into the house, accosted my mother in her room, and killed her.”

    The lady, Maku Kuame, who was arrested on December 22, 2023, in connection with the alleged murder of her mistress Margaret Oppong, appeared before the Asokwa District Court on Wednesday, January 3, 2024. Following her first appearance, she was remanded into police custody, and a second hearing was scheduled for Wednesday, January 17, 2024.

    Police prosecutors reported that investigations into the murder case had been completed, and a duplicate docket was sent to the Attorney-General’s office for legal advice. The presiding judge, Kwaku Baah Frimpong, granted the request for an adjournment of the case.

    As a result, the accused was remanded into police custody once again, and the case was adjourned to February 2, 2024. The family of the deceased expressed disturbance over the incident and affirmed their commitment to pursuing the case in the interest of justice.

    “An autopsy report is ready. And so, this will pave the way for her to be buried and the final funeral rites have been slated for 25th May.

    “The family remains unsettled by this terrible loss, and we will continue to seek justice for our late mother,” said Joyce Dabosub, a family member. 

  • Salah suffered a strain in the posterior muscle – Egyptian FA

    Salah suffered a strain in the posterior muscle – Egyptian FA

    Mohamed Salah has suffered a muscle strain in his back, as confirmed by the Egyptian Football Association.

    He will miss Egypt’s next two matches at the Africa Cup of Nations due to an injury sustained in the recent 2-2 draw with Ghana.

    The severity of the problem was confirmed by the Egyptian Football Association through a social media announcement.

    “The X-rays that Mohamed Salah, the captain of the Egyptian national team, underwent, showed that he suffered a strain in the posterior muscle and he will miss the team’s next two matches in the African Cup of Nations against Cape Verde, and then the round of 16 match in the event of qualification,” the statement said.

    Egypt, currently with two points from their first two games, is set to face Cape Verde on Monday.

    The uncertainty surrounding Mohamed Salah’s injury will likely be a concern for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. Klopp had expressed his apprehension about Salah’s condition ahead of Liverpool’s upcoming match against Bournemouth on Sunday.

    Klopp said: “I spoke with him last night. They are doing further assessments.

    “In that moment, it was a shock and couldn’t see why he was hit by something so intense. You have these kind of hamstring injuries in a different way.

    “He felt it and we know how rarely Mo goes off, or needs to go off, so it is definitely something but we will see.”

    Egypt manager Rui Vitoria had also raised concerns after seeing his side share the spoils with the Black Stars.

    He said: “I hope it’s not a big problem but it was a problem in the first half.

    “It was difficult timing for us because in the second half, we could only make two substitutions.

    “I think it’s not dangerous but let’s see if Salah recovers.”

  • Injured Salah to miss two AFCON matches 

    Injured Salah to miss two AFCON matches 

    Mohamed Salah, the star player for Liverpool, will miss Egypt’s upcoming two matches in the Africa Cup of Nations due to an injury sustained during the team’s recent 2-2 draw with Ghana.

    The severity of Salah’s injury was officially confirmed by the Egyptian Football Association through social media.

    The statement said: “Mohamed Salah has suffered a muscle strain in his back and will miss two matches.”

    “The X-rays that Mohamed Salah, the captain of the Egyptian national team, underwent, showed that he suffered a strain in the posterior muscle and he will miss the team’s next two matches in the African Cup of Nations against Cape Verde, and then the round of 16 match in the event of qualification.”

    Egypt, currently with two points from their first two games, is set to face Cape Verde on Monday.

    The uncertainty surrounding Mohamed Salah’s injury will likely be a concern for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. Klopp had expressed his apprehension about Salah’s condition ahead of Liverpool’s upcoming match against Bournemouth on Sunday.

    Klopp said: “I spoke with him last night. They are doing further assessments.

    “In that moment, it was a shock and couldn’t see why he was hit by something so intense. You have these kind of hamstring injuries in a different way.

    “He felt it and we know how rarely Mo goes off, or needs to go off, so it is definitely something but we will see.”

    Egypt manager Rui Vitoria had also raised concerns after seeing his side share the spoils with the Black Stars.

    He said: “I hope it’s not a big problem but it was a problem in the first half.

    “It was difficult timing for us because in the second half, we could only make two substitutions.

    “I think it’s not dangerous but let’s see if Salah recovers.”

  • Madina: Police officer praised for alerting motorcycle rider of fallen GHC2,100

    Madina: Police officer praised for alerting motorcycle rider of fallen GHC2,100

    A Ghanaian police officer has been heaped with praises for being a patriotic citizen and being professional in his line of duty.

    He alerted a motorbike rider plying the Madina road when an amount of GHC2,1000 fell from his pocket.

    In a video shared by X user, @eddie_wrt, the male motorbike rider shared his surprising encounter with the Ghanaian police officer.

    He thanked God for the life of the Police officer and prayed that God blesses him.

    “God bless you. God bless Ghana police. They said that the IGP is changing the Police administration and it is true,” he said.

    For many users on X, the officer showed professionalism and honesty by returning the money to him and have since been singing his praise.

  • Northern Region: Bus carrying over 40 trainee nurses attacked by gunmen

    Northern Region: Bus carrying over 40 trainee nurses attacked by gunmen

    A bus carrying approximately 45 students from the Presbyterian Nurses Training College in Bawku was attacked by two gunmen on motorbikes near Binduri in the Upper East region.

    The incident, which occurred on a Friday afternoon, resulted in injuries to several students who were subsequently rushed to the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital for treatment.

    The attack took place as the students, who had recently concluded their activities, were en route to Bolgatanga. They were ambushed by the two assailants on motorbikes near the police barrier at Binduri, where the bus was reportedly fired upon. Fortunately, there were no reported fatalities.

    In the wake of the incident, the Municipal Chief Executive of Bawku, Amadu Hamza, confirmed the attack and informed that the students who escaped unhurt were escorted by the police to Bolgatanga.

    The motive behind the attack remains unclear, with Hamza suggesting that gunshots are sometimes heard in Bawku without an apparent cause. The incident follows a series of killings in the region over the past 48 hours.

  • GNFS findings reveal ‘piece of cigarette’ caused Fiapre fire incident that killed 2

    GNFS findings reveal ‘piece of cigarette’ caused Fiapre fire incident that killed 2

    Preliminary investigations conducted by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) into the tragic fire outbreak that claimed two lives in Fiapre, Sunyani West Municipality, indicate that the incident was caused by a piece of lighted cigarette.

    The victims, 35-year-old Alex Antwi and his 17-year-old daughter, Sharifa Adiza, suffered fatal burns when a four-bedroom house in Fiapre, near Sunyani, caught fire in the early hours of Thursday, January 18, 2024. Unfortunately, both individuals were burnt beyond recognition.

    Despite the devastating outcome, eight other occupants of the house, including five children, managed to escape the fire unharmed. The incident was reported to have started around 12:30 hours.

    In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, the Divisional Officer Grade III (DO III), the Reverend Thomas Kofi Dzah, in-charge of Fire at the Bono Regional Command of the GNFS, said: “Our initial investigation showed the fire might have been caused by a piece or butt of a lighted cigarette”.

    The police have retrieved and deposited the charred bodies of the deceased at the Sunyani Teaching Hospital mortuary for preservation.

    In the aftermath of the tragic incident, Madam Justina Owusu-Banahene, the Bono Regional Minister, and Mr Evans Kusi Buadum, the Sunyani West Municipal Chief Executive, visited and offered condolences to the bereaved families.

    The Regional Minister, expressing her deep sympathy, described the incident as unfortunate. She encouraged the grieving families to find solace in their faith and assured them of her commitment to providing support for the burial and funeral rites of the deceased.

  • IMF endorses first review of programme with Ghana, set to release $600m

    IMF endorses first review of programme with Ghana, set to release $600m

    The Finance Ministry has disclosed that Ghana is poised to receive the second tranche of $600 million from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the near future.

    Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta stated that the IMF has granted approval for all necessary financing assurances from Ghana’s Official Creditors.

    The minister clarified that the IMF board’s endorsement of the initial review of Ghana’s loan programme would facilitate the prompt disbursement of approximately $600 million as part of its $3 billion bailout programme.

    “It is with great honour that I can announce to you that earlier today, the International Monetary Fund endorsed the first review of our programme. This is a resounding affirmation that the programme is advancing steadily and our reform trajectory remains steadfast”.

    “Consequently, the endorsement has unlocked a $600 million disbursement from the IMF and will pave the way for an additional $300 million disbursement from the World Bank under the development policy operation financing,” he said.

    Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, addressed a joint press conference with the IMF, the Finance Ministry, and the Bank of Ghana on January 19, 2024, where he shared updates on Ghana’s financial situation.

    In addition, Mr Ofori-Atta is scheduled to meet with the World Bank on Tuesday, January 23, to engage in discussions regarding the possibility of securing an additional $250 million. This funding is intended to further support and boost the country’s economy.

    “The World Bank will meet on Tuesday, January 23. In addition, we expect the World Bank to approve $250 million to support the Ghana Financial Stability Fund. These resources, in total $1.15 billion, will significantly booster our economic recovery effort,” he added.

    In 2023, Ghana encountered a delay in receiving the second tranche of the $3 billion bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) due to ongoing debt rework negotiations with external creditors. The country had set a November 1 deadline in line with the IMF program, but negotiations hampered the timeline.

    Ghana was actively engaged in talks with external creditors, seeking debt relief totaling $10.5 billion. Proposals had been submitted to commercial creditors, aiming for a potential haircut of up to 40%. Additionally, negotiations for additional debt restructuring were underway with bilateral creditors, including China and the Paris Club.

  • List: 105 centres approved for NPP Primaries slated for January 27

    List: 105 centres approved for NPP Primaries slated for January 27

    The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has granted approval to 105 polling centers for its upcoming Parliamentary Primaries scheduled for January 27, 2024.

    The party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, officially announced this decision in a statement issued on Friday, January 19, 2024.

    The statement, signed by Justin Kodua Frimpong, included a detailed list of the approved centers where the forthcoming primaries will be conducted.

    Meanwhile, National Executive Council (NEC) of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has officially announced the list of aspiring candidates eligible to contest in the party’s upcoming parliamentary primaries.

    Out of around 400 individuals who obtained forms to participate in the NPP Parliamentary race, 376 underwent the vetting process.

    Seventeen aspirants have been disqualified, 326 candidates qualified for the parliamentary primaries, three aspirants withdrew from the race, 29 individuals went unopposed, and one aspirant’s application is currently under court review.

    The decision comes after a thorough review of the reports submitted by the National Parliamentary Appeals Committee (NPAC) and the National Parliamentary Vetting Committee (NPVC) regarding the eligibility of aspirants.

  • ‘Small’ political parties can’t give Ghana a female President or Vice – Ursula Owusu-Ekuful

    ‘Small’ political parties can’t give Ghana a female President or Vice – Ursula Owusu-Ekuful

    The Minister for Communications and Digitalization, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has expressed the belief that the aspiration of having a female president leading Ghana can only become a reality through the participation of the two primary political parties: the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    During an interview on UTV’s Mpu Ne Mpu show, the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West observed that the country is approaching a stage where citizens are increasingly open to electing a woman as their leader.

    However, she emphasized that this can only materialize if the major political parties actively present female candidates. She attributed this limitation to the dominance of the two major parties in the political landscape and the challenge faced by smaller political parties in securing substantial votes during elections.

    “There will come a time when Ghana gets a female President. There will come a time. We are getting there. I said this when Paa Kwesi Nduom was contesting. We went to an event and I represented NPP and we were discussing the progress of women in politics. I said that there must come a time when the two largest political parties provide us females as their running mates to help us reach the dream of a woman being president.

    “If you are in these up and coming political parties, your chances of winning the elections are slim but if it is not NPP, then it is NDC. That’s what our politics is looking like. So if NPP or NDC brings a female running mate and win the election, then we get a female Vice President.

    “So let us think about it. It’s been over a decade since I said that,” she said.

    Ghana has had numerous opportunities to have a female President or Vice President, however, these individuals, such as Akua Donkor,  founder and leader of Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) and Brigitte Dzogbenuku of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), who belong to the ‘minor’ political parties have been denied by electorates.

    It appeared that the country was ready when former President John Dramani Mahama presented former Education Minister Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang as his running mate during the 2020 general elections, but the NDC lost the elections to the NPP.

    Currently, the flagbearers of the two major political parties, John Mahama of the NDC and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia of the NPP are yet to announce who their running mates will be.

    Meanwhile, Communications Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful is said to be part of a list purportedly unveiling a roster of individuals eyeing the NPP’s running mate slot.

    The unverified compilation consists of names like Chief of Staff, Frema Opare; Roads Minister, Kwasi Amoako Atta; Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu; Energy Minister, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Education Minister, Yaw Osei Adutwum, among others.

    But Ursula-Owusu Ekuful, says she has had no conversations with Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia about being his running mate for the 2024 general elections.

    According to Mrs Ursula-Ekuful, she has had several conversations with the Vice President, however, they have all focused on Ghana’s digital drives and the measures to be taken to make the lives of Ghanaians better.

    “I have had numerous discussions with Dr Bawumia, but we have not talked about the running mate position. We have work to do. I’d want us to leave him to select his own running mate. He should take his time to find someone he wants. We have been talking about what we need to do this year to help citizens and our chances as a party,” she said.

  • I’ve not spoken to Bawumia about being his running mate – Ursula Owusu-Ekuful

    I’ve not spoken to Bawumia about being his running mate – Ursula Owusu-Ekuful

    Minister for Communications and Digitalization, Ursula-Owusu Ekuful, says she has had no conversations with Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia about being his running mate for the 2024 general elections.

    According to Mrs Ursula-Ekuful, she has had several conversations with the Vice President, however, they have all focused on Ghana’s digital drives and the measures to be taken to make the lives of Ghanaians better.

    If it were up to the Ablekuma West legislator, Dr Bawumia should be left alone to adequately prepare and select an individual he believes will be best suited for the role.

    “I have had numerous discussions with Dr Bawumia, but we have not talked about the running mate position. We have work to do. I’d want us to leave him to select his own running mate. He should take his time to find someone he wants. We have been talking about what we need to do this year to help citizens and our chances as a party,” she said.

    During an appearance on UTV’s Mpu Ne Mpu show, she expressed shock over her name being part of the individuals reportedly being considered to become running mate of the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

    When asked by the host of Mpu ne Mpu on UTV whether she was aware that her name was captured in the list of running mates for the Vice President, she replied “saa” to wit “really.”.

    Shortly after Dr Bawumia was elected flagbearer of the NPP in November 2023, a list purportedly unveiling a roster of individuals eyeing the Vice President slot emerged on social media.

    The unverified compilation consisted of names like Chief of Staff, Frema Opare; Roads Minister, Kwasi Amoako Atta; Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu; Energy Minister, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Education Minister, Yaw Osei Adutwum, among others.

    It has been over two months, and Dr Bawumia is yet to announce his running mate ahead of the 2024 general elections.

    Some individuals have advised the Vice President to select an individual who hails from the Ashanti Region as his running mate to solidify his votes in their stronghold.

  • Send funds to SHSs and complete stalled projects – Notsu-Kotoe to govt

    Send funds to SHSs and complete stalled projects – Notsu-Kotoe to govt

    Ranking Member of Parliament’s Education Committee, Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, is urging the government to promptly release funds to Senior High Schools (SHSs) that are currently grappling with financial challenges.

    This call comes in light of the government’s failure to fulfill its commitment made a year ago by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who pledged free tablets and the installation of free Wi-Fi in senior high schools as part of the ongoing digitization agenda.

    Speaking to Citi News, Nortsu-Kotoe emphasized the urgency of funding these institutions, citing congestion in schools due to stalled projects.

    “It is about life in the senior high schools these days, where heads are finding it difficult to run the schools because money is not made available to them. Therefore, the government should wake up and send money to the schools.”

    “Funding is a very big problem. If you go to the various schools, there is congestion because a lot of projects have stalled, and there are no funds for the projects to be completed. Therefore, there is a need for the government to step up.”

  • Only NPP or NDC can produce a female President or Vice – Ursula Owusu-Ekuful

    Only NPP or NDC can produce a female President or Vice – Ursula Owusu-Ekuful

    Minister for Communications and Digitalization, Ursula-Owusu Ekuful, is of the assertion that the dream of Ghana being led by a female president can only be accomplished by the two major political parties: the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    In an interview on UTV’s Mpu Ne Mpu show, the Ablekuma West MP noted that the country is already nearing the stage where its citizens will be willing to cast their ballot for a woman to lead the nation.

    She however noted that this can only be done if the two major political parties avail themselves. She explained that this is due to the duopoly in the political landscape and the failure of smaller political parties to garner a significant number of votes during elections.

    “There will come a time when Ghana gets a female President. There will come a time. We are getting there. I said this when Paa Kwesi Nduom was contesting. We went to an event and I represented NPP and we were discussing the progress of women in politics. I said that there must come a time when the two largest political parties provide us females as their running mates to help us reach the dream of a woman being president.

    “If you are in these up and coming political parties, your chances of winning the elections are slim but if it is not NPP, then it is NDC. That’s what our politics is looking like. So if NPP or NDC brings a female running mate and win the election, then we get a female Vice President.

    “So let us think about it. It’s been over a decade since I said that,” she said.

    Ghana has had numerous opportunities to have a female President or Vice President, however, these individuals, such as Akua Donkor,  founder and leader of Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) and Brigitte Dzogbenuku of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), who belong to the ‘minor’ political parties have been denied by electorates.

    It appeared that the country was ready when former President John Dramani Mahama presented former Education Minister Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang as his running mate during the 2020 general elections, but the NDC lost the elections to the NPP.

    Currently, the flagbearers of the two major political parties, John Mahama of the NDC and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia of the NPP are yet to announce who their running mates will be.

    Meanwhile, Communications Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful is said to be part of a list purportedly unveiling a roster of individuals eyeing the NPP’s running mate slot.

    The unverified compilation consists of names like Chief of Staff, Frema Opare; Roads Minister, Kwasi Amoako Atta; Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu; Energy Minister, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Education Minister, Yaw Osei Adutwum, among others.

    But Ursula-Owusu Ekuful, says she has had no conversations with Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia about being his running mate for the 2024 general elections.

    According to Mrs Ursula-Ekuful, she has had several conversations with the Vice President, however, they have all focused on Ghana’s digital drives and the measures to be taken to make the lives of Ghanaians better.

    “I have had numerous discussions with Dr Bawumia, but we have not talked about the running mate position. We have work to do. I’d want us to leave him to select his own running mate. He should take his time to find someone he wants. We have been talking about what we need to do this year to help citizens and our chances as a party,” she said.

  • “God’s time is the best” – Ursula on becoming NPP flagbearer

    “God’s time is the best” – Ursula on becoming NPP flagbearer

    Minister for Communications and Digitalization, Ursula-Owusu Ekuful, has not ruled out the possibility of one day leading the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to a general election to become Ghana’s president.

    During an appearance on UTV’s Mpu Ne Mpu show, the Ablekuma West MP was asked if she ever considered becoming the NPP’s flagbearer someday.

    Mrs Owusu-Ekuful did not provide a definite answer but indicated that she believes in divine timing and that if it is meant for her to become the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), it will happen in its own time

    “God’s time is the best. I am here to serve the country. In whatever capacity God says I should serve, I will,” she said.

    This comes at a time when the Communications Minister is part of a list purportedly unveiling a roster of individuals eyeing the Vice President slot.

    The unverified compilation consists of names like Chief of Staff, Frema Opare; Roads Minister, Kwasi Amoako Atta; Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu; Energy Minister, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Education Minister, Yaw Osei Adutwum, among others.

    But Ursula-Owusu Ekuful, says she has had no conversations with Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia about being his running mate for the 2024 general elections.

    According to Mrs Ursula-Ekuful, she has had several conversations with the Vice President, however, they have all focused on Ghana’s digital drives and the measures to be taken to make the lives of Ghanaians better.

    “I have had numerous discussions with Dr Bawumia, but we have not talked about the running mate position. We have work to do. I’d want us to leave him to select his own running mate. He should take his time to find someone he wants. We have been talking about what we need to do this year to help citizens and our chances as a party,” she said.

    Meanwhile, the Ablekuma West MP is of the assertion that Ghana is reaching a stage where it will one day get a female president or Vice President.

    “There will come a time when Ghana gets a female President. There will come a time. We are getting there,” she said on the show.

  • We should allow Bawumia select a running mate at his own pace and time – Ursula Owusu-Ekuful

    We should allow Bawumia select a running mate at his own pace and time – Ursula Owusu-Ekuful

    Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West, Ursula-Owusu Ekuful, has entreated bigwigs of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to give its flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia enough time to pick his running mate.

    Shortly after Dr Bawumia was elected flagbearer of the NPP in November 2023, a list purportedly unveiling a roster of individuals eyeing the Vice President slot emerged on social media.

    The unverified compilation consisted of names like Chief of Staff, Frema Opare; Roads Minister, Kwasi Amoako Atta; Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu; Energy Minister, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Education Minister, Yaw Osei Adutwum, among others.

    It has been over two months, and Dr Bawumia is yet to announce his running mate ahead of the 2024 general elections.

    Mrs. Ursula-Ekuful revealed that she has engaged in several discussions with Vice President Bawumia, but none of these conversations revolved around the running mate position.

    She strongly advocates for allowing Dr Bawumia the autonomy to prepare and choose an individual he deems most fitting for the role.

    “I have had numerous discussions with Dr Bawumia, but we have not talked about the running mate position. We have work to do. I’d want us to leave him to select his own running mate. He should take his time to find someone he wants. We have been talking about what we need to do this year to help citizens and our chances as a party,” she said on UTV’s Mpu Ne Mpu show.

    Some individuals have advised the Vice President to select an individual who hails from the Ashanti Region as his running mate to solidify his votes in their stronghold.

  • Really! – ‘Shocked’ Ursula reacts to being included in list of running mates for Bawumia

    Really! – ‘Shocked’ Ursula reacts to being included in list of running mates for Bawumia

    Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West, Ursula-Owusu Ekuful, has expressed shock over her name being part of the individuals reportedly being considered to become running mate of the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

    When asked by the host of Mpu ne Mpu on UTV whether she was aware that her name was captured in the list of running mates for the Vice President, she replied “saa” to wit “really.”.

    Shortly after Dr Bawumia was elected flagbearer of the NPP in November 2023, a list purportedly unveiling a roster of individuals eyeing the Vice President slot emerged on social media.

    The unverified compilation consisted of names like Chief of Staff, Frema Opare; Roads Minister, Kwasi Amoako Atta; Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu; Energy Minister, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Education Minister, Yaw Osei Adutwum, among others.

    It has been over two months, and Dr Bawumia is yet to announce his running mate ahead of the 2024 general elections.

    According to Mrs Ursula-Ekuful, she has had several conversations with the Vice President but none have centred on the running mate position.

    She is of the assertion that Dr Bawumia be left alone to prepare and select an individual he believes will be best suited for the role.

    “I have had numerous discussions with Dr Bawumia, but we have not talked about the running mate position. We have work to do. I’d want us to leave him to select his own running mate. He should take his time to find someone he wants. We have been talking about what we need to do this year to help citizens and our chances as a party,” she said.

    Some individuals have advised the Vice President to select an individual who hails from the Ashanti Region as his running mate to solidify his votes in their stronghold.

  • USAID, UNICEF partner Education Ministry to provide school items worth $500,000 to students in flood-affected communities

    USAID, UNICEF partner Education Ministry to provide school items worth $500,000 to students in flood-affected communities

    The United States Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is partnering with UNICEF and the Ministry of Education to provide $500,000 worth of school supplies to children in the flood communities.

    This was revealed by the US Ambassador to Ghana, Madam Virginia Evelyn Palmer at Battor in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region, when she visited some of the impacted towns to gain first-hand knowledge of the situation.

    The Ambassador interacted with flood survivors, including teachers, parents, students, the chiefs and queens of the areas, and was impressed by their deep bravery and resilience in the face of the adversity.

    She also met with government officials and the Member of Parliament (MP) of the area to discuss sustainable ways of supporting these communities and expressed solidarity with the affected people, and the country.

    The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Fiachra McAsey, the UNICEF Deputy Country Representative, Barbara Clemens, the World Food Programme, Country Director, and other officials. Madam Palmer stated that in the face of adversity collective dedication would light the way to recovery.

    “We must stand together, united in our resolve to support you to rebuild and recover,” she said, adding that the assistance would aid in the restoration of education and learning in the impacted towns.

    The Ambassador disclosed that the US donated $100,000 in October 2023, to help save lives, lessen suffering and facilitate the recovery of flood victims.

    She said USAID also worked with the World Food Programme and the National Disaster Management Organisation, to set up temporary shelters, water, sanitation and hygiene services to the victims and send one-time cash donations to 700 affected families.

    “Today we are scaling up that support with $500,000 of additional support, with the focus specifically, to help schools return to normalcy and for students to continue to learn. This will help restore teaching and learning in communities affected by the floods,” she said.

    The Ambassador said through the Akosombo Safe Activity the USAID and UNICEF were supplying temporary school tents and necessary supplies like recreational kits and “schools-in-a-box,” which included teaching and learning materials.

    Madam Palmer said the US was Ghana’s biggest bilateral development partner and the decades of collaboration had saved thousands of lives and pledged its dedication to helping the people of Ghana, particularly in times of humanitarian need. She used the visit to donate some educational materials to the affected communities.

    Barbara Clemens, the World Food Programme Country Director praised the US and the Government of Ghana for the successful collaboration and support from others in handling the crisis.

    Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister for Education, said to prevent the truncation of children’s education in the affected areas, they redistributed some of them to other schools and provided them with guidance and counseling.

    He said they had also carried out school health awareness campaigns aimed at ensuring that the children remained healthy to continue with their education and commended the children for their determination so far.

    Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, in an address delivered on his behalf by Mr Divine Osborn Fenu, the District Chief Executive for North Tongu, thanked the US Ambassador for the visit.

    He expressed his gratitude for the ongoing support and collaboration between Ghana and the USA, saying the Ambassador’s visit highlighted the strong and enduring friendship between the two nations.

    Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the MP of North Tongu, also commended the Ambassador for her visit and for the US’s ongoing assistance to the flood-affected areas.

  • We have to stay focused for game against Mozambique –  Daniel Amartey

    We have to stay focused for game against Mozambique –  Daniel Amartey

    Ghana defender Daniel Amartey has urged his teammates to maintain focus ahead of their crucial game against Mozambique in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

    The Black Stars need a victory in this match to enhance their chances of advancing to the next round after settling for a 2-2 draw against Egypt in their second Group B game.

    ““I think we have to stay focused to the end and talk more. I think the boys did very well against Egypt,” he said after the game.

    Despite a remarkable performance from Mohammed Kudus, who scored twice and was named the Man of the Match, defensive errors cost Ghana the opportunity to secure all three points against Egypt.

    The upcoming match against Mozambique is pivotal for Ghana’s progression in the tournament.

    Quizzed if Ghana could progress, he said, “Yeah. We have to stay focused throughout the games. I think we did well and on Monday, we have to go all out against Mozambique.”

  • Western Togoland establishes taskforce to fight voting and human rights violations

    Western Togoland establishes taskforce to fight voting and human rights violations

    The Western Togoland Governing Council and the Defense Council have announced the formation of a special task force to carry out three key assignments.

    The task force, launched on January 18, 2024, will implement a campaign against voting in all territories within the borders of Western Togoland, investigate and document individuals aiding or collaborating with the Ghanaian government in the unlawful arrest and detention of Western Togoland activists, and monitor and record comments in support of the Ghanaian government’s actions.

    The public is urged to stay away from any gatherings related to voting in Western Togoland.

    This development coincides with the UN Human Rights Council’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention ruling against Ghana and demanding the release of Western Togoland activists, which the Ghanaian government has yet to comply with.

    The task force’s actions are a response to what the council considers violations of human rights and a perceived undesirable union with Ghana.

    The council is urging traditional rulers to be diligent in their dealings with the Western Togoland cause and not to align with politicians who violate human rights.

  • Ghana’s fertility rate on the decline – GSS

    Ghana’s fertility rate on the decline – GSS

    The study by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) reveals a decrease in the fertility rate from 6.4 children per woman in 1988 to 3.9 in 2022.

    Regionally, fertility varies from 2.9 in Greater Accra to 6.6 in the North East. Women in the lowest wealth bracket have an average of 5.9 children, compared to the average of 2.7.

    Government Statistician, Professor Samuel Annim, shared these findings during the release of the 2022 Demographic and Health Survey, providing essential data for monitoring Ghana’s population and health trends.

    The survey on drinking water in Ghana found that 84% of households have access to at least basic drinking water services, including improved sources with a round-trip collection time of less than 30 minutes.

    Urban households show higher access at 95%, compared to 72% in rural areas. Drinking water availability is lowest in the Northern region (68%) and highest in the Upper East and Ashanti regions (86%).

    In menstrual hygiene, 88% of women aged 15 to 49 use disposable sanitary pads, while 24% of Ghanaians have access to at least basic sanitation services, and teenage pregnancy rates vary by region.

    In the study, 82% of pregnancies in the three years preceding the survey resulted in live births, and 18% ended in pregnancy losses.

    The neonatal mortality rate was found to be 17 deaths per 1,000 live births, with one in every 25 children in Ghana dying before the age of five.

    The under-five mortality rate has significantly declined since 1988, from 155 deaths per 1,000 live births to the current rate of 40 deaths per 1,000 births.

    Regarding malaria prevalence, the survey reported that nine percent of the population aged 6 to 59 tested positive for malaria by microscopy, and 17% tested positive by RDT.

    The survey received funding from various organizations, including USAID, UNICEF, UNFPA, the World Bank, the Global Fund, KOICA, the World Health Organization, and the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office.

    The survey included a nationally representative sample of 15,014 women aged 15 to 49 from 17,933 households and 7,044 men aged 15 to 49 from half of the selected households, with response rates of 98% for women and 97% for men.

  • Revenue from petroleum sector can be used to complete earmarked projects – PIAC tells govt

    Revenue from petroleum sector can be used to complete earmarked projects – PIAC tells govt

    Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) has called on the government to allocate sufficient petroleum revenues to finalize designated projects.

    This recommendation comes after the committee’s assessment of projects funded by petroleum revenues in the Greater Accra and Central Regions.

    The Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) performs these evaluations independently to ensure effective management and utilization of petroleum revenues, aiming for the highest possible impact on the intended projects.

    PIAC, in a statement issued on Thursday, said, “Across all the projects visited, the issue of delayed payments to contractors was noted. The release of funds for the projects to progress uninterruptedly was highlighted by the contractors at the various sites. PIAC believes that the co-mingling of petroleum revenues with other funds for projects that end up getting stalled for a long period does not reflect the prudent use of revenues for impact.”

    “The Committee, therefore, urges the government to consider channelling adequate petroleum revenues to complete earmarked projects going forward.”

    PIAC reported that during their inspection in the Greater Accra Region, they focused on projects such as the rehabilitation of selected roads in Teshie Camp, Southern Command, and Mats (now Ghana Military Academy).

    Additionally, they examined the construction of Teshie Link and the construction of a flyover over the Tema Motorway from the Flowerpot roundabout.

    “These three (3) projects, located in the Ledzokuku Municipality, are at different stages of progress and received funds from the ABFA between 2019 and 2022,” it added.

    As part of its itinerary for the day, it said its team inspected the rehabilitation of selected roads in Teshie Camp, Southern Command, and Mats.

    “The Team toured the rehabilitated roads, a car park, and a parade ground within the Southern Command in Teshie. Information available to PIAC showed that the contract for this project was awarded on 13th July 2020 and was supposed to have been completed within 24 months. At the time of PIAC’s visit, the project was 24% physically complete. Out of the total contract sum of GH¢145,821,272.91, petroleum revenue of GH¢7,394,185.51, representing 5.07 per cent, was disbursed to the project in 2022.”

    “The second project inspected by the team was the construction of the 7.5-kilometre Teshie Link. It involved the construction of a new road and drainage structures, with earthworks and asphaltic concrete surfacing. Awarded on 18th October 2019, the project had an original contract duration of 18 months. Out of the original contract sum of GH¢87,883,590, petroleum revenue of GH¢29,738,282.92, representing 33.84 per cent, was disbursed to the project from 2019 to 2021,” PIAC noted.

    It said its team was informed that the Teshie Link Road is a dual carriageway that commences in the South on the Accra-Tema coastal road, through the LEKMA Hospital, and terminates on the Spintex Road.

    “At the time of PIAC’s visit, 95% of all drainage works had been completed, and asphaltic binder and wearing course laid on the road. The team was informed that the contractor had suspended work due to non-payment of funds. Outstanding works include the installation of traffic signals and road markings to show a controlled intersection. The absence of these had resulted in several vehicle crashes in the area,” it added.

    PIAC said the third project was the construction of a flyover over the Tema Motorway, from the Flowerpot roundabout.

    “Out of the revised contract sum of GH¢284,665,639.27, a total of GH¢141,093,766.84 representing 49.56 per cent, was disbursed from the ABFA in 2022. The project is located at the Flowerpot Roundabout, Spintex, and East Legon, and involves creating access from the Motorway to the Boundary Road roundabout and an exit into Cantonments from the Giffard Road Interchange. It consists of one mainline bridge, two ramp bridges, four auxiliary roads, and ancillary works. At the time of PIAC’s visit, the project had made physical progress of 70%,” it added.

    PIAC said in the Central Region, the Team, led by Nana Kweku Dei, a member representing the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), inspected the Anomabo Fisheries College, a 90-bed Hostel Block at Saltpond, and an irrigation infrastructure at Mprumem.

    “Accompanied by officials of the Mfantseman Municipal Assembly, the team inspected the Anomabo Fisheries College Project, which had received an amount of GH¢9,507,111.52 from the ABFA from 2012 to 2022. The project comprises an 18-Unit Classroom Block, Hostel facility, Administration Block, and a Laboratory. Since the Committee’s last visit to the project in 2020, the construction of a teachers’ bungalow has started, and a road contract has been awarded.”

    “The 4.6km road project, which starts within the campus and ends at the main Accra-Cape Coast highway, is currently at Phase 1 (Sub-base). The road contract, originally valued at GH¢8 million has been through three (3) variation orders and is currently valued at approximately GH¢27 million, primarily due to payment delays,” PIAC underscored.

    The committee observed that the hostel facility and the 18-unit classroom block had not been furnished with beds and study desks, respectively. Additionally, there were structural defects in the laboratory, classroom block, and hostel facilities during the inspection.

    “In line with the Committee’s policy of visiting projects that have received funding from the ABFA and have been completed, the team inspected a 90-bed Hostel Block for the Ghana Education Service Development Institute (GESDI) at Saltpond. The project had received an amount of GH¢1,456,960.92 from the ABFA in 2015. GESDI is a Ghana Education Service (GES) Centre for capacity building in education-related programmes and seminars. The project was commissioned in 2020 with a 90-bed capacity hostel block, four (4) washrooms, two conference halls and a 100-person capacity cafeteria. The Committee was satisfied with the overall quality of the project,” it stated.

    Accompanied by the Central Regional Manager of the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA), PIAC inspected a third project, the development of an irrigation infrastructure at Mprumem.

    “The project received GH¢45,078,889.89 from the ABFA from 2017 to 2020. The irrigation project, which was started in 2015, overlaps the Gomoa Central and Gomoa West Districts. It comprises a reservoir area; which stores water from River Bushen for irrigation, and the developed area; which has 70 hectares of irrigable land. At the time of PIAC’s visit, the project (now known as the Mprumem Irrigation Scheme) had been completed and was in use by farmers in the vicinity for vegetable farming,” it said.

  • Ofori-Atta pledges to ensure fiscal discipline in 2024

    Ofori-Atta pledges to ensure fiscal discipline in 2024

    Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has expressed his personal commitment to fiscal discipline, assuring that he will avoid budget overruns in 2024, ahead of the elections in December.

    “We have moved inflation from over 50.0% to about 23.0% and you think that did not come with exercising some fiscal prudence? The Ministry of Finance is not here to be loved, but to make sure that the community crosses the Jordan”, he said on PM Express, Business Edition on January 18, 2023.

    Fiscal discipline is crucial for sound economic management and to instill confidence in the financial stability of the country.

    In addition, he added that the Bank of Ghana is doing its part to ensure that monetary policy tools are properly used to continue bringing inflation down.

    “We want to ensure that the right things are done going forward as a country. If the expenditure does not fall in line with the budget, I will not sign the cheque”, he said.

    He stated that the government will strictly abide by its fiscal policies to attain its targets in the 2024 budget.

    “I think the country is aware of the cost of inflation and cedi depreciation and we are going to do everything on our part to ensure that things don’t go bad”.

    Mr. Ofori-Atta said all government officials have been reminded to maintain fiscal prudence. He disclosed that the government has taken some tough measures to contain spending, reflecting in the downward trend of inflation.

    He is of the view that the right policies can be pursued to help the government achieve its 2024 end-of-year inflation target of 15%.

    “If we should look at 2022 and 2023, we cannot forget about what government has done when it comes to expenditure and we intend to continue. It is an election year, we will not let our eyes off the ball when it comes to fiscal discipline”, he reiterated.

    Mr. Ofori-Atta expressed optimism that Ghana’s programme with the IMF will yield good results.

    On the issues taxes, he noted that it is a very difficult decision taken by government to introduce some new measures to increase revenue.

    “We are still not doing well when it comes to Ghana’s tax-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio and something has to be done about it”.

  • “We don’t need them” – Bawku women chant over military intervention after recent shooting incident

    “We don’t need them” – Bawku women chant over military intervention after recent shooting incident

    A group of women in the Bawku township staged a protest on Friday, alleging brutality by military personnel against residents.

    In a video, hundreds of women were observed chanting, “We don’t need them [the military], we want them out.”

    The protest was triggered by reported incidents on Thursday evening when soldiers allegedly entered the Bawku township and discharged firearms indiscriminately, leading to casualties.

    “We have not been able to verify the number of people that are injured. After the military fired, some of the people have dispersed, and some of them are still there protesting and the injured have been taken to the Vineyard Hospital,” one resident told Citi News in an interview.

    The reported incident states that unknown gunmen fired into a group of people at the community centre on Wednesday, leading to the death of two individuals, with four others sustaining injuries.

  • Work ongoing to ensure Bawku sees peace – Upper East Regional Minister

    Work ongoing to ensure Bawku sees peace – Upper East Regional Minister

    Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, has appealed to residents in Bawku to remain calm following recent shootings.

    During an interview on JoyNews’ AM Show, he stressed that the situation is currently under investigation, and the findings will be communicated appropriately.

    This follows a report by Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, who stated that three additional individuals were killed the previous night, bringing the death toll to 5 within the past 48 hours.

    Mr Ayariga claimed they were shot by soldiers who alleged the discovery of firearms on them around 8 pm on Thursday. The situation has heightened tensions in Bawku, and authorities are working to address the concerns and maintain stability in the region.

    “Unfortunately, we even had additional killings last night…they hit the three of them mercilessly. The assemblyman tried to intervene, but they refused to listen and they beat these boys and finally shot the three of them,” the MP alleged.

    Mr. Yakubu, speaking on JoyNews, appealed to the people of Bawku to remain patient while awaiting the results of the investigation.

    “It is very unfortunate that it has happened. My condolences to the family and those who have lost their loved ones. It is not easy for someone to lose his or her loved one, but what I am saying is that as politicians, we should be very careful what comes out of our mouths so it does not tear this problem to the highest level. That is all I am saying,” he said on Friday, January 19, 2024.

    The Regional Minister explained that, according to the military, the young men were allegedly caught with AK47 guns, which resulted in a gun battle. He further mentioned that his office is working diligently, collaborating with stakeholders, to restore peace in the area.

    “The way he [Mahama Ayaria] is talking will not bring pece to Bawuku. So we are doing our utmost best to bring peace to Bawku.”

    Speaking on the same show, the MP for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, presented a contrasting account, asserting that the military apprehended young men who were peacefully conversing.

    According to him, one of the four managed to escape, while the remaining three were subjected to brutality and subsequently shot by the military.

    He mentioned that the assemblyman attempted to intervene during the beating but was unsuccessful. Mr. Ayariga stated that he reached out to top military officers to seek clarification on the situation.

    “I confronted senior members of the military about the incidence early this morning, and their reason was that they found weapons with them. I said, but you apprehended them. Even if you found a weapon with them when you apprehended them, you should arrest them, take them to the police station, and lock them up. That is where you keep them.”

  • Soldiers reportedly shoot 3 dead in Bawku over possession of firearms

    Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, has reported three additional fatalities in Bawku. The legislator conveyed this information during an appearance on JoyNews’ AM Show.

    This development raises the death toll to 5 within the past 48 hours.

    Ayariga mentioned that the individuals were shot by soldiers who alleged the discovery of firearms on them around 8 pm on Thursday. The situation in Bawku appears to be escalating, with the recent incidents of violence contributing to the rising number of casualties.

    “Unfortunately, we even had additional killings last night…they hit the three of them mercilessly. The assemblyman tried to intervene, but they refused to listen and they beat these boys and finally shot the three of them.”

    He added that another individual who was present with the deceased individuals before the shooting managed to escape the incident.

    “I am so scandalised by what the soldiers have done, and the youth are grieving. This is very dastardly,” he added.

    The Ghana Armed Forces have not yet issued a public response to the matter. Meanwhile, Upper East Regional Minister Stephen Yakubu has urged residents in Bawku to remain calm amid the reported incidents.

    The situation remains tense, awaiting official statements and interventions to address the concerns raised by the Member of Parliament and ensure stability in the region.

    “My condolences to the family and those who have lost their loved ones. It is not easy for someone to lose his or her loved one, but what I am saying is that as politicians, we should be very careful what comes out of our mouth so it does not tear this problem to the highest level,” Mr Ayariga added.

    On Wednesday, January 17, 2024, unidentified gunmen launched an attack, resulting in the killing of two individuals in the Upper East Regional town.

    According to reports, the shooting took place around noon when unknown gunmen targeted tricycle operators near the Bawku Community Centre.

    Six people were shot during this incident, with one person succumbing to injuries on the spot, and another passing away the following morning while receiving treatment. The situation has heightened tensions in the region, demanding swift action and resolution to address the security concerns.

  • Actress Beverley Afaglo shares intimate conversation with the late Vincent McCauley

    Actress Beverley Afaglo shares intimate conversation with the late Vincent McCauley

    Ghanaian actress, Beverley Afaglo, has shared details of what is believed to be her last conversation with her late colleague, Vincent McCauley.

    Beverley Afaglo shared a recent chat between her and Vincent, who is said to have passed away on Thursday night.

    According to the messages, the actress took the time to check on him, and he appreciated the gesture. Vincent McCauley expressed gratitude for Beverley’s attention, acknowledging that despite her substantial social media following, she still takes the time to check on him.

    In response, Beverley stated that they are colleagues and that Vincent is even her senior, emphasizing the mutual respect and professional relationship between them.

    The demise of renowned Ghanaian actor Vincent McCauley has left the nation in mourning, and today’s headlines are buzzing with questions about the cause of his sudden death.

    A report from entertainment news blog GhanaCelebrities.com has suggested that the veteran actor might have succumbed to a brain tumor. It’s important to note that this information is yet to be officially confirmed.

  • New York fans sue Madonna for late concert start time

    New York fans sue Madonna for late concert start time

    Two Madonna fans are reportedly suing the US singer for being consistently late by more than two hours for a show last month in New York, according to court documents.

    The fans claim that the scheduled start time was 20:30 EST for all three nights, but in each case, the show did not begin until after 22:30, concluding around 01:00.

    The lawsuit suggests that the fans “would not have paid for tickets” had they been aware the show would conclude so late. The BBC has sought comments from Madonna, Live Nation, and the Barclays Center, but there has been no response as of now.

    The case, brought by Michael Fellows and Jonathan Hadden, states that “many ticketholders who attended concerts on a weeknight had to get up early to go to work and/or take care of their family responsibilities the next day”.

    They are suing promoter Live Nation and venue the Barclays Center for “false advertising, negligent misrepresentation, and unfair and deceptive trade practices”.

    Mr. Fellows and Mr. Hadden attended the show on Wednesday, December 13, 2023. The legal documents highlight that, according to reports, other nights at the same venue on December 14 and 16 also began more than two hours late.

    “Defendants failed to provide any notice to the ticketholders that the concerts would start much later than the start time printed on the ticket and as advertised, which resulted in the ticketholders waiting for hours,” the document state.

    The court papers also say Madonna “has a long history of arriving and starting her concerts late, sometimes several hours late”, citing examples including “her 2016 Rebel Heart Tour, her 2019-2020 Madame X Tour, and prior tours, where Madonna continuously started her concerts over two hours late”.

    The plaintiffs are reportedly suing for unspecified damages. This legal action follows a pattern where fans have expressed dissatisfaction with the singer’s tardiness for her shows. In a previous incident in 2019, a fan filed a lawsuit over a delay for a US show, but the case was voluntarily dismissed a month later, as reported by ABC News.

    In the same year, Madonna had shared a post of her live on stage, in which she told fans: “There’s something that you all need to understand. And that is, that a queen is never late.”

    Madonna’s sold-out Celebration tour was a compilation of her greatest hits, featuring more than 40 songs from her illustrious career. The tour aimed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of her breakout single, “Holiday,” and spanned various venues in the US, Canada, and Europe.

    The singer faced a health scare last summer when she was found unconscious in her New York apartment in June. Madonna was subsequently rushed to the hospital, where she received treatment for a serious bacterial infection. Following the health incident, she expressed gratitude for being alive but had to postpone the start of the tour from July to October of the same year.

  • Economic crisis straining Bawumia and Ofori-Atta’s relationship — Report

    Economic crisis straining Bawumia and Ofori-Atta’s relationship — Report

    It is reported that there is a growing strain in the relationship between Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

    According to The Herald, information from insiders within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) points to management of Ghana’s economy as the reason for the rift.

    The Herald reports that the two high-ranking officials are engaged in persistent disagreements over economic policies.

    Despite their close understanding, reports suggest that the Finance Minister does not consistently attend Economic Management Team meetings chaired by Dr. Bawumia. When present, he is said to arrive late or act contrary to the team’s decisions.

    The ongoing conflict between the Vice-President and the Finance Minister has left insiders perplexed, questioning why the President has not taken action, especially with a looming general election this year, the Herald says.

    The government is facing internal unrest, notably regarding the Finance Minister’s implementation of a 15% Value Added Tax (VAT) on electricity consumers to boost revenue for the COVID-19 recovery program.

    Member of Parliament for Akim Abuakwa South, Atta Akyea, has urged the Finance Minister to consider stepping down for his well-being and the benefit of the government. Calls for Ofori-Atta’s resignation have been growing amid the country’s economic challenges.

    Atta-Akyea went further, stating that Ofori-Atta’s resignation might even contribute to calmer waters for both the government and the nation.

     “He should look at himself and look at all the troubles that everybody believes that I mean when he is not there then the nation will have peace, if that is what is the thinking of the people, I will advise myself. He should save himself and save the government and have his peace because he needs it, a man cannot be troubled in the manner in which he has been troubled,” Mr Atta Akyea said.

    Surprisingly, influential figure Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, a cousin of President Akufo-Addo, reportedly supports the idea of the Finance Minister leaving the government.

    The NPP general secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, has also called on ministers, CEOs, and MMDCEs experiencing fatigue to resign rather than undermine the party’s progress.

  • Social media users praise Kudus for excellent work in Ghana-Egypt derby

    Social media users praise Kudus for excellent work in Ghana-Egypt derby

    The Black Stars engaged in an exciting draw with the Pharaohs, but their position in the Africa Cup of Nations remains precarious.

    Ghana twice relinquished their lead, enabling Egypt to stage a comeback and secure a 2-2 draw in a Group B match on Thursday.

    Mohammed Kudus, the standout performer for Ghana, scored two goals in a match where Mohamed Salah was sidelined due to injury.

    Despite Kudus’s impressive performance, the draw leaves Ghana in a challenging position in the tournament. However, praises for Kudus continue to grow.

    Here are some accolades Kudus is enjoying on social media.

  • Odododiodio parliamentary election postponed indefinitely – NDC

    Odododiodio parliamentary election postponed indefinitely – NDC

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has indefinitely postponed parliamentary primaries in the Odododiodio constituency due to a court injunction obtained by a disqualified candidate.

    The party’s General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, announced the temporary halt of all activities related to the primaries in a statement dated January 17, 2024.

    The disqualified candidate contested the decision preventing him from participating in the primary, leading to a court-issued interlocutory injunction restraining the NDC from holding the election until the matter is resolved.

    The NDC’s Functional Executive Committee (FEC) decided, during a meeting on January 16, 2024, to postpone the election indefinitely. The party urged branch and constituency executives to maintain peace and harmony during this period.

    The NDC apologized for any inconvenience caused by the postponement and assured members that a new date for the primaries would be communicated once it is fixed.

    In November 2023, the Functional Executive Committee of the NDC disqualified Michael Nii Yarboi Annan from participating in the parliamentary election in the Odododiodioo Constituency. The party, in a report issued last year, stated that findings from a special committee justified Mr. Annan’s disqualification from the parliamentary primary.

    According to the NDC, the special committee, established by the Functional Executive Committee, could not endorse Mr. Annan’s qualification to contest the parliamentary primaries in the Odododiodioo constituency based on Article 41(8)(b) of the NDC Constitution.

    It stipulates that “a member must be an active member of the party at the constituency level for the four years immediately preceding the date of filing nominations.”

  • Parliament to consider bill pushing for community service in place of petty crime sentences

    Parliament to consider bill pushing for community service in place of petty crime sentences

    Member of Parliament (MP) for Madina, Francis-Xavier Sosu, has introduced a new bill in Parliament aimed at amending the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30).

    The proposed amendment introduces community service and a Bond of Good Behaviour as alternatives to traditional custodial sentences and fines, particularly for minor offenses.

    Mr. Sosu initiated the bill on Wednesday, December 20, 2023. Community service, in the context of criminal justice, involves individuals who have committed offenses performing unpaid work or service for the benefit of the community.

    This can include activities such as cleaning public spaces, participating in environmental projects, working in community centers, or assisting with social services.

    A Bond of Good Behaviour, on the other hand, is a court-ordered condition imposed on individuals involved in criminal activity. It is part of a sentence and is intended to ensure that the person behaves lawfully and responsibly during a specified period.

    In a statement regarding the amendment, the MP highlighted that community service or the Bond of Good Behaviour would offer offenders the opportunity to contribute their time and efforts to community-oriented projects.

    “In the first place, this proposal provides an alternative to Custodial Sentence and Fines: Community service and Bond of Good behaviour serve as an alternative to traditional forms of punishment, such as imprisonment or payment of fines. It allows offenders to remain in the community while still being held accountable for their actions. This also helps to decongest the prisons. As at December 2023, Ghana’s prison population stands at 13,200 despite an authorized capacity of 9,945 giving an overcrowding rate of 32.65 percent. An introduction of Community Service would go a long way to resolve this challenge.”

    “Again, with the punishment evolving, Restorative Justice is currently the way to go: Community service and Bond of Good behaviour are a perfect example of restorative justice where the community turns to benefit directly from offenders. Through the unpaid services to the community, offenders are given the opportunity to repair the harm they caused to individuals or the community, fostering a sense of responsibility and accountability,” he stated.

  • I would’ve been proud in my grave if I died during Guinness World cook-a-thon record – Chef Faila

    I would’ve been proud in my grave if I died during Guinness World cook-a-thon record – Chef Faila

    Failatu Abdul-Razak, popularly known as Chef Faila, has noted that she was willing to go to extremes, even risking her life, to complete her 227-hour cook-a-thon attempt.

    Chef Faila successfully completed a 227-hour cook-a-thon attempt after spending 10 days in the kitchen, aiming to set a new Guinness World Record.

    She emphasized that her extended hours in the kitchen were not solely for her own benefit but also for the supporters who have been encouraging her throughout her journey, hence her willingness to go to extremes to achieve her goal.

    “To change the story about my family, about the North. The vilification we young girls from that side of this country have gone through that we cannot say on camera. That number of hours from 120 to 227 and some minutes was in honour of all those people.

    “I was willing to go on and on to die in that kitchen for them. If I died, I would be so proud of myself in the grave.”

    In an interview with Accra-based TV3, Chef Faila explained that her commitment to the 227-hour cook-a-thon was not driven by financial incentives from any source. She emphasized that her dedication to this culinary feat was a personal endeavor.

    Chef Faila expressed her heartfelt gratitude to all the individuals who supported and believed in her throughout this challenging journey.

    “This is for them. If today Guinness doesn’t give me the certificate in honour of what I have done, what happened in about fifty years till date, no youth has brought something of this nature that brought oneness, that brought unity that brought love that brought joy and happiness in all of the Northern Region and the nation as a whole.”

    @theculturejoint

    Faila cries after cook-a-thon

    ♬ original sound – theculturejoint
  • There is no individual mistake, we win or lose as a team – Mohammed Salisu

    There is no individual mistake, we win or lose as a team – Mohammed Salisu

    Ghana defender Mohammed Salisu has called for unity within the team following their recent game at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    In the second Group B game against Egypt, the Black Stars twice lost their lead, resulting in a 2-2 draw. Despite Mohammed Kudus netting a brace for Ghana, individual mistakes allowed Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed to capitalize and equalize for Egypt.

    Salisu has urged his teammates not to point fingers at one another, emphasizing the importance of unity and solidarity within the team despite the challenges faced in the match.

    “We win as a team, we lose as a team, there is no individual mistake. When we make mistakes, we do it as a team. When you mention a player, you kill him for the next game. The most important thing is to focus on the next game,” he said.

    The outcome of Thursday night’s match leaves the Black Stars at the bottom of Group B with just one game remaining to play. Ghana is scheduled to face Mozambique on Monday, January 22.

    The upcoming match against Mozambique holds significance for the Black Stars as they strive to secure a better position in the group standings and potentially advance in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

  • I am not backing down despite the intimidation – Cheddar tells govt

    I am not backing down despite the intimidation – Cheddar tells govt

    Founder of the New Force, Nana Kwame Bediako, also known as Cheddar, has stated that he remains resolute and steadfast in his position despite what he perceives as attempts by the government to intimidate or pressure him.

    Cheddar believes there are concerted efforts, possibly through the tax evasion allegations, to coerce or influence him in a way that could impact his political ambitions.

    The GRA had imposed a fine of GH¢50,000 on Bediako, claiming he failed to file personal income tax returns from 2013 to 2016. Despite settling an amount of GH¢209,171 between 2018 and 2020, a January 18 publication reported that Bediako allegedly neglected to file returns for the post-2020 period.

    In rejecting the tax evasion claims, Bediako has asserted that these allegations are part of a deliberate effort by the government to sabotage his political aspirations.

    In response to the tax evasion claims, Nana Kwame Bediako took to social media on January 18, 2024, to defend himself and address the situation.

    Speaking in local parlance he said “ I woke up this morning, only to see my pictures on the front cover of multiple publications alleging that I have evaded taxes. I have dedicated almost 22 or 23 years in this country. When it comes to taxes,  I have consistently fulfilled my obligations and continue to do so.”

    He emphasized that, given his regular importation of goods into the country, it would have been impossible for him to evade taxes without detection up to the present date.

    Emphasizing his commitment to fulfilling tax obligations, Nana Kwame Bediako, popularly known as Cheddar, pointed out that despite his consistently high income, he has consistently ensured the timely payment of taxes.

    Expressing bewilderment at the situation, Cheddar questioned the motives behind the Ghana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) choice to publish his pictures in connection with the tax evasion allegations.

    He suggested that this move by the government was a deliberate tactic to embarrass him. However, he noted that such actions would prove futile.

    “If we consider the state of the economy and the hardship we face as citizens, it appears the government was doing nothing to alleviate our difficulties.

    “The government intends to disgrace me, so it published my pictures in the papers. No, you cannot disgrace a man whom God has graced,” he said.

    He added that “The New Force, we are moving forward. We will not stop and no matter what you say, the way is forward.”

    Taking advantage of the situation, Cheddar used the opportunity to make a broader appeal to the government. He called on authorities to focus on creating more job opportunities to address the issue of unemployment, emphasizing that it’s crucial to have a larger portion of the population gainfully employed rather than relying on a few individuals.

    He pointed out his observation that the government, in his view, has struggled to meet its responsibilities. If elected, he pledged to provide transparency by furnishing evidence of how tax revenues are utilized, differentiating his approach from what he perceives as shortcomings in the current government’s accountability.

  • NPP Primaries: IGP petitioned to stop Henry Quartey from rigging Ayawaso Central poll

    NPP Primaries: IGP petitioned to stop Henry Quartey from rigging Ayawaso Central poll

    Moses Abor, a participant in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary primaries for Ayawaso Central, has lodged a formal complaint accusing the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, of planning to manipulate the upcoming election using unauthorized security personnel.

    In a complaint submitted to the Inspector General of Police, Abor, the former NPP Greater Accra Youth Organiser, asserted that Henry Quartey intends to deploy “illegal security personnel” to sway the poll in his favor.

    Abor claimed that the Regional Minister plans to use both private security personnel and individuals from the Ghana Police Service who allegedly owe allegiance to him.

    According to Abor’s allegations, the objective is to intimidate and harass delegates perceived as supporters of his candidacy on the voting day, scheduled for January 27.

    Furthermore, Abor alleged that Henry Quartey and his team have devised an elaborate scheme to tamper with the election results by unlawfully stuffing ballot boxes with pre-marked ballots.

    Moses Abor’s full statement

    I am Moses Abor, an aspiring Member of Parliament in the Ayawaso Central Constituency (hereinafter referred to as “Constituency”) and I refer to the above subject matter.

    My attention has been drawn to the fact that the Greater Accra Regional Minister and Member of Parliament of the Ayawaso Central Constituency. Hon. Henry Quartey, who is also a candidate in the upcoming parliamentary primaries in the same constituency, intends to use illegal security personnel to disrupt the election process on the 27th of January, 2024 to his favour.

    Amongst other things, the Greater Accra Regional Minister intends to employ private security personnel and personnel from the Ghana Police Service who owes allegiance to him to intimidate and harass delegates whom he perceives as my supporters on the said day. I also have information that during counting, he intends to unleash hooligans to snatch ballot papers and possibly burn them to halt the process if it goes otherwise.

    Together with my team, we have intercepted a grand agenda by the Regional Minister to stuff the ballot boxes with his thumb printed ballot papers when voting is ongoing. As law abiding citizens, we do not intend to take the law into our own hands.

    We therefore petition the Inspector General of Police (IGP), to take a special interest in the elections of Ayawaso Central and deploy professional police personnel to the venue on the voting day to avoid clashes and ensure the election is free and fair.

    We await your prompt action.

  • Reconsider locations of some Agenda 111 hospitals – GSS to govt

    Reconsider locations of some Agenda 111 hospitals – GSS to govt

    The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has raised concerns about the government’s Agenda 111 initiative, particularly focusing on the locations and accessibility of healthcare facilities across the country.

    Based on findings from the 2022 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) Report, which involved surveying 618 clusters across 261 administrative districts, the GSS revealed that a significant 40% of Ghanaian women aged 15 to 49 face travel times exceeding 30 minutes to 2 hours for healthcare access.

    Government Statistician Prof. Kobina Anim emphasized the need for urgent action to address this issue and avert potential challenges in the future. These concerns were brought to light during the presentation of the mentioned report on Thursday, January 18.

    “We identify that about 2/5 that is in excess of 40% of women aged 15 to 49 years were travelling in excess of 30 minutes to access the nearest health facility.

    “This puts into context the government’s intervention of Agenda 111 where it is being situated and the extent it is going to affect the fact that we have people traveling in excess of 30 minutes, specifically 40% of people traveling in excess of 30 minutes to access the nearest health facility.

    “Of importance to us is the disaggregation across the 16 administrative regions.”

    “And from the perspective of those travelling more than two hours to access the nearest health facility where we identify the Oti region as having more than 10% of women aged 15 to 49 years travelling over two hours to access the nearest facility. The range is from 0.8 in the Eastern region to 11.6%.

    “This is where the conversation around the situation of Agenda 111 should be reflected. As in is it dominant in these places where we see a lot more people travelling over two hours to access a health facility,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma Aboagye, affirmed his commitment to addressing the disparities within the health sector.

    “While some targets have been met nationally, it is a concern that several regions fall short, showing substantial regional disparities for almost all indicators including skill delivery, and percentage of children without vaccinations.

    “In the face of these challenges, our service commits to providing strong leadership and clear guidance to ensure coordination among multiple partners of the sector.”

    “I must say that the regional disparities also shore gross disparity among the newly created regions which we see also and that is why GHS moved in there very early to ensure that we can focus on these deprived areas. And we are hoping that the next DHS will show better results in these areas.

    “So we pledge to deliver high-quality services at both the facility and community levels, but we will require the support of our media and the entire population to ensure that this is done,” he said.

  • Ghanaian teacher shares success story after securing GHC20,000 loan to apply to Canadian school

    Ghanaian teacher shares success story after securing GHC20,000 loan to apply to Canadian school

    A Ghanaian man residing in Canada has shared his remarkable journey, recounting how he took a significant risk by obtaining a bank loan of 20,000 cedis while working as a teacher in Ghana.

    He used the loan secured to apply to schools in Canada, marking a pivotal decision that would change the course of his life.

    In his account shared by X user, @eddie_wrt, the Ghanaian noted that he risked it all in order to get out of the country in 2019. Per his narration, the process of leaving the country did not work as expected when the Canadian authority found a fraudulent document.

    “During that time, I could only take a loan worth GHC20,000. I used that to apply for a school in Canada. I then went to compete my visa process. It was a gentleman who forged a bank statement for me.

    “Within three weeks, the officials said they had found something fraudulent in my document so I should provide a different bank statement. I had already paid the guy who got me the fake bank statement. I then told him the issue. He took another cash and did another statement for me. My application was pending for a year,” he recounted.

    For a year, he noted that he had been living on GHC800 as his pay had been cut in half to allow him to pay back the loan. He noted that he was also paying exorbitant fees at Valley View University, where he was studying.

    “My half of my pay was being subtracted during that period. I was taking about GH1300 then but was being paid GH800 for a year.

    It wasn’t easy. I was also schooling at Valley View. So just imagine. The fees I had to pay there.”

    Despite these concerns, this teacher currently abroad says he managed to make it and in the video, he made mention of snow as some sort of indication of his achievement. In the lens of the phone’s camera was a house behind him. It is unknown if it belongs to him or not.

    He did not indicate how his stay in Canada took off or if there were any challenges. He boasted of his current situation and entreated his fellow teachers in Ghana who wish to come abroad to take risks.

    “Sometimes, when I hear teachers say they don’t have enough funds to travel abroad, I tend to laugh. 2019, when I wanted to travel abroad, I didn’t have a pesewa but since I was determined, I went for a loan. In this life, we take risks. If it works for you, then you are good to go, if it does not, you try again.”

    This video comes at a time when Ghana is experiencing mass exodus of teachers, nurses, among others. Government says it is working to address the challenges that poses a threat to healthcare delivery in the country as well as the country’s education sector.

  • Ghana’s economy has turned the corner, we are positioned for sustainable growth – John Kumah

    Ghana’s economy has turned the corner, we are positioned for sustainable growth – John Kumah

    Deputy Finance Minister Dr. John Kumah has asserted that Ghana’s economy has successfully overcome recent challenges, positioning itself for sustainable growth to benefit its citizens.

    In a Facebook post dated January 19, Dr. Kumah highlighted the unanimous approval of Ghana’s request for debt treatment under the G-20 Common Framework.

    He believes this approval forms the foundation for his positive outlook on the nation’s economic trajectory. Expressing gratitude, Dr. Kumah commended the people of Ghana for their unwavering support of the government’s measures and policies.

    He specifically acknowledged their role in mitigating the adverse impacts brought about by the COVID-19 outbreak and the Russia-Ukraine war.

    With optimism, the Member of Parliament for Ejisu anticipates a brighter future for the country. He emphasized that the approved debt treatment sets the stage for sustained economic progress, ultimately benefiting the citizens of Ghana.

    “An essential prerequisite for the IMF Programme was a confirmation that Ghana’s public debt was on a sustainable trajectory. Subsequently, Ghana embarked on the restructuring of both domestic and external debt. The Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) launched on 5th December 2022 has successfully been completed with over 90 percent participation. The OCC’s approval of bilateral debt treatment is expected to provide the impetus for the ongoing commercial debt (Eurobonds) negotiations,” a portion of his Facebook post said.

    Dr Kumah added that “the past week was marked by a significant development in the public debt trajectory following the unanimous approval of Ghana’s request for debt treatment under the G-20 Common Framework for Debt Treatment Beyond the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (CF-DSSI).”

    “The government has been combining both fiscal prudence and debt restructuring measures to contain growth in public debt with the view of bringing the debt levels to moderate debt level from high risk of debt distress. The Official Creditor Committee (OCC) decision to support the grand efforts of government is commendable, refreshing and worth celebrating. We, however, do so with caution given that more work needs to be done going forward.”

    The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, has stated that Ghana’s economic policies under its programme are beginning to yield the desired outcomes.

    She emphasised that the policy and reform commitments outlined in Ghana’s deal with the Bretton Woods Institution are in the best interest of the Ghanaian people.

    In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, January 16, she expressed the satisfaction of the IMF board with the assurances received from Ghana’s external creditors.

    “Wonderful to see President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Ghana’s Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta at #WEF24. The policy and reform commitments under Ghana’s economic program are starting to bear fruit,” she posted.

  • Egypt capitalised on our mistakes, we must limit them even though they are part of the game – Chris Hughton

    Egypt capitalised on our mistakes, we must limit them even though they are part of the game – Chris Hughton

    Ghana’s head coach, Chris Hughton, refrained from singling out individuals for blame after the Black Stars‘ 2-2 draw against Egypt.

    The four-time Africa Cup of Nations champions experienced a pulsating draw against the North African side, with Mohammed Kudus scoring a brace in his AFCON debut.

    Despite Kudus’ efforts, the Ghanaian team was unable to secure all three points, as errors from the players allowed Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed to capitalize and equalize for Egypt.

    In a departure from placing blame on specific individuals, Hughton opted to downplay the errors, stating that they are a part of the game.

    “As a coach of a group of players, you feel frustrated because in performance…mistakes in the game are part of the game and you hope you make less mistakes than the other,” he said after the game.

    “Sometimes teams can make a lot of mistakes and the opposition doesn’t capitalise on them. Unfortunately, through the mistakes we made today, the opposition was able to capitalise on them.

    “But we have to accept [it’s] part of the game. You have to try to limit the amount of errors or mistakes that you make. And of course, the team that limits it the most is a team that has a better chance of winning.”

  • Ghana drew with Egypt due to our “silly mistakes” – Kudus

    Ghana drew with Egypt due to our “silly mistakes” – Kudus

    Ghanaian midfielder Mohammed Kudus expressed his belief that the Black Stars deserved a better outcome in their match against Egypt at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    Despite Kudus’s efforts, Ghana twice relinquished their lead, ultimately settling for a 2-2 draw against the Pharaohs.

    Kudus, making his AFCON debut and playing for West Ham United, scored the opening goal for Ghana in the first half. However, a misjudged back pass from Inaki Williams led to Omar Marmoush intercepting the ball, rounding goalkeeper Richard Ofori, and slotting it into an empty net, leveling the score.

    In the 71st minute, Kudus once again restored the lead for Ghana, showcasing his individual brilliance. Unfortunately, the celebrations were short-lived as Osman Bukari, who had replaced Williams, was dispossessed, allowing Mostafa Mohamed to draw the North Africans level and deny the Black Stars a victory.

    After the game, Kudus, who was also named the Man of the Match, expressed his frustration over Ghana’s inability to secure all three points, indicating a sense of disappointment for not achieving a more favorable result.

    “We got a point today,” said the 23-year-old. “I felt we deserved more because the goals [Egypt] scored were from some silly mistakes from us which we need to learn from.”

    Following the 2-2 draw against Egypt, Ghana has accumulated one point from two games in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament. Their opening fixture resulted in a loss to Cape Verde.

    Looking ahead, Chris Hughton’s team is set to face Mozambique in their final Group B game on Monday, January 22. Despite the challenges faced in the initial group stage matches, Ghana remains hopeful of securing a victory in the upcoming game, aiming to advance to the knockout stages of the tournament. The outcome of the match against Mozambique will play a crucial role in determining Ghana’s fate in the 2023 AFCON competition.