NPP presidential aspirant and Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, says he is the reason behind President Akufo-Addo’s decision to appoint Mavis Hawa Koomson as Minister for Fisheries.
During a live radio interview on Kastle FM, Cape Coast, Mr. Agyapong explained that Afenyo-Markin, the MP for Efuttu was denied the Fisheries Minister position due to an issue involving an agriculture bank. As a result, the president rejected his appointment, and the role was subsequently awarded to Mavis Hawa Koomson.
Kennedy Agyapong reiterated his position, asserting that he played a pivotal role in supporting major initiatives championed by Hawa Koomson, the current Minister for Fisheries.
He contended that without his support, she would not have been able to secure any political role, as her voice would have gone unheard.
“How would Hawa Koomson, who was based in the central region have gotten such a position. I was the one who created special initiatives for her. Anyone who is being considered for a ministerial position has to go through me,” he said.
He continued, “Are you saying Hawa Koomson could launch campaigns in the Central Region without me? Who will listen to her?” he questioned.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is presently in the process of selecting its official flagbearer for the upcoming 2024 general elections, scheduled for December 2024.
In this contest, Kennedy Agyapong faces off against Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, former Minister for Agriculture Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and former MP for Mampong, Francis Addai Nimo.
The NPP has set the date for its national delegates conference on November 4 to elect the party’s flagbearer for the 2024 general elections.
NPP presidential aspirant and Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, claims to know the reason why Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, a fellow MP representing the Effutu constituency in the Central Region, has no ministerial role under the Akufo-Addo administration.
During a live radio interview on Kastle FM, Cape Coast, Mr. Agyapong explained that Afenyo-Markin was denied the Fisheries Minister position due to an issue involving an agriculture bank. As a result, the president rejected his appointment, and the role was subsequently awarded to Mavis Hawa Koomson.
Kennedy Agyapong reiterated his position, asserting that he played a pivotal role in supporting major initiatives championed by Hawa Koomson, the current Minister for Fisheries.
He contended that without his support, she would not have been able to secure any political role, as her voice would have gone unheard.
“How would Hawa Koomson, who was based in the central region have gotten such a position. I was the one who created special initiatives for her. Anyone who is being considered for a ministerial position has to go through me,” he said.
He continued “Are you saying Hawa Koomson could launch campaigns in the Central Region without me? Who will listen to her?” he questioned.
The New Patriotic Party is in the midst of preparations to choose its official flagbearer, who will lead the party in the 2024 presidential elections scheduled for December 2024.
Kennedy Agyapong is contending for this position against Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, former Minister of Agriculture Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and former MP for Mampong, Francis Addai Nimo.
The NPP has scheduled its national delegates conference for November 4 to select its flagbearer for the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Energy Minister, has called on members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to put in diligent effort by engaging in nationwide party mobilization to secure a third victory over the National Democratic Congres (NDC) and its candidate, John Mahama.
The Minister’s rationale behind this appeal is rooted in his belief that John Mahama’s track record offers little to benefit the Ghanaian populace. He emphasized that none of the NPP flagbearer aspirants have previously served as President, unlike former President Mahama, who has a dismal track record.
Dr. Prempeh made these remarks during a meeting with delegates from his Manhyia South constituency on Friday, October 27, 2023, in preparation for the NPP Flagbearer elections scheduled for the following day.
He acknowledged that the challenging global economic situation has resulted in governments facing declining popularity, which the NPP has not been immune to.
Dr. Prempeh urged NPP members to convey the party’s accomplishments to Ghanaians, especially in light of these adverse conditions, in contrast to the NDC’s track record, which did not have to contend with similar external shocks.
“We have to let the Ghanaian people know that, we haven’t made their lives all-rosy, we admit there are difficulties, but we are fixing the challenges.
Another opportunity to continue the work we doing is better than giving a man whose ambition is just to complete his second term to equal the record of his predecessors,” he said.
The Member of Parliament for Manhyia South encouraged the delegates of Manhyia South to regard the upcoming event on November 4, 2023, as an internal party exercise. He emphasized the importance of conducting the exercise without animosity, discord, or antagonism among party members.
“After the Presidential Primaries, we must come together, work together, hold together and defeat the NDC again,” he said.
Tyson Fury remains determined to deliver a knockout punch when he squares off against Francis Ngannou.
The WBC world heavyweight champion is set to face former UFC fighter Ngannou in Saudi Arabia this Saturday.
Even though Fury’s title is not at stake, the 35-year-old expresses his confidence in scoring a knockdown against his opponent.
Fury said: “I have been working to knock him out cold.
“I have no doubt in my mind that I will knock him out.
“There is nothing he can do about it, no matter who he trains with, no matter who he brings on the night.
“He is a big strong guy but so am I.
“I’m a big strong guy, obviously powerful, or else I would not be world heavyweight champion.
“I believe there are levels to the game — and he is going to find out my level on Saturday night.”
Fury added: “I have trained for a 12-round war and if it is anything less it is going to be an early night.
“I’ve been hit by the biggest punchers that have ever graced the face of the earth and I’m still undefeated, still standing and I am still No1.
“We are going to see what Francis has got inside of him, see if he’s got the guts to stand and trade with the heavyweight champion of the world and if he has got the belief in his power.
“I’m not convinced. I have heard all this talk before about power, so I’m looking forward to a challenge — and if it is not a challenge, I’ll be disappointed, put in that way.”
Francis Ngannou, who hails from Cameroon and is 37 years old, has been under the tutelage of boxing icon Mike Tyson in preparation for the bout. He concedes that the transition to this crossover fight may present a formidable challenge.
He said: “It’s hard and it’s different. I’m used to something else. Even for my body to adjust to this — it’s a different animal. MMA is a beast, boxing is another beast.
“They are both different but I just have to adapt and I just make my body adapt to it.”
Aspiring candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer position, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has contributed GH₵100,000.00 and provided relief items to the flood-affected individuals by the Akosombo dam spillage.
In a gesture of sympathy, Mr Kennedy Agyapong assured the affected communities of his commitment to ensure that the Volta River Authority (VRA) promptly compensates those displaced by the Akosombo Dam spillage in the Volta River.
Following the flooding of various communities due to the Akosombo Dam spillage, Mepe and other surrounding areas received various relief items from the prominent businessman and aspiring presidential candidate, Ken Ohene Agyapong.
Mr Agyapong and his team presented relief items to affected communities in Central, South, North Tongu, and Keta constituencies. The donations included 300 bags of 50kg rice, 300 packs of bottled water, 50 first aid kits, and a sum of 100,000.00 Ghanaian cedis.
Mamaga Adzo Sreku V, the Queen Mother of Mepe Traditional Area, received the donation and expressed deep gratitude to Hon. Kennedy Agyapong for his support.
Jude Bellingham’s remarkable start at Real Madrid has elevated him to the status of the star attraction for the upcoming El Clasico.
With 11 goals in 12 games for Los Blancos, the English midfielder has made an impact that exceeded all expectations.
Now, he has the opportunity to shine on one of the grandest stages in football, with an estimated global audience of 700 million viewers tuning in for the LaLiga showdown.
As Real Madrid gears up for the highly-anticipated match against their arch-rivals Barcelona, we delve into the growing expectations surrounding Bellingham.
Legendary Approval
Iker Casillas, a legend who knows what it means to represent Real Madrid, recently discussed Bellingham’s accomplishments and the pressures that come with them. Casillas expressed his delight in Bellingham’s ability and quality since arriving at the club, acknowledging the challenge of adapting to a new league and country. Casillas also emphasized that fans have grown accustomed to Bellingham’s high-level performances and will now expect him to deliver consistently, a challenge he believes Bellingham is up to.
Teammate Praise
Carlo Ancelotti has structured his team around Bellingham to address Real Madrid’s shortage of strikers. This significant vote of confidence in a 20-year-old has paid off, with the Birmingham academy graduate excelling at the tip of Madrid’s midfield diamond. Bellingham has formed a particularly effective partnership with Vinicius Junior, who has praised his new teammate extensively. Vinicius referred to Bellingham as incredible and someone born to play for Real Madrid, expressing hope for a long-lasting connection between them.
Personal Determination
Unlike some young players who might opt for an intermediary career step before joining Real Madrid, Bellingham had no reservations. He has spoken about his unwavering desire to move to the Bernabeu, emphasizing that money was not a deciding factor in his decision. Bellingham plays for the love of the game and was drawn to the club by the unique feeling it offered. He made his intentions clear to the club and chose Real Madrid as the greatest.
Temperament Matters
Carlo Ancelotti has stressed the significance of personality when playing for a club of Real Madrid’s stature. He pointed out that good players with the right temperament handle pressure better. Personality, even more than pure skill, determines how heavily the Real Madrid shirt weighs on a player.
A standout performance against Barcelona will further solidify Bellingham’s reputation as one of Europe’s premier talents.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has stressed on the need to providing alternative housing for flood victims in the Lower Volta Basin.
He highlights that the continuous displacement of people in the Lower Volta Basin has disrupted life in the region, and there is an urgent requirement for attention and support to help restore a sense of normalcy in the area.
During an appearance on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, he expressed concern about the substantial increase in the number of displaced individuals in recent weeks and emphasized that the makeshift shelters currently in use are unsuitable for human habitation.
“We need to find alternative housing so that we can relocate the displaced people. The numbers have gone up a bit. I think North Tongu is hitting 13,000 now in terms of the displaced people according to the latest NADMO data, so these are huge numbers,” he said.
In a commendable response, local chiefs in the North Tongu region have generously contributed significant tracts of land to facilitate the resettlement of the displaced community members.
“They say anybody who is willing to come and put up housing here does not have to pay for the land, not even knocking fee, you don’t have to present drinks, nothing, just come and take over the land and start,” Okudzeto Ablakwa said.
In the meantime, several philanthropic individuals have pledged their support to the affected communities, offering assistance in their efforts to rebuild and recover.
“I must commend the First Sky group, they’re working very fast and then I must also commend Pastor Amoateng who says his church will also take up a housing unit.
“Mr. Ibrahim Mahama has also promised that he will also take up a few housing units and he has already sent his engineers here to assess the land.
“This morning he sent bulldozers here to start preparing the land for houses to be constructed and we want to thank him very much, we are eternally in his debt,” the MP revealed.
Nevertheless, Okudzeto Ablakwa emphasizes that the task of resettling the displaced people should not solely rely on philanthropic efforts. He underlines the immediate requirement for the government to assume a central role in the resettlement process, bearing both the financial burden and the leadership of the project.
“I must also add that the relocating discussion must go beyond a few philanthropists because the numbers are huge and government will have to really put together an allocation for this.
“And that is why when the Finance Minister came yesterday whilst commending him for his visit I emphasized two points that in the 2024 budget he will be presenting to parliament in a few days I want to see two things; one, resettlement allocation in the budget and two compensation allocation in the budget because it is urgent,” he said.
Fisheries Minister Mavis Hawa Koomson has cautioned former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Obuasi East, Edward Ennin, to refrain from criticizing Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and his presidential flagbearership bid.
Minister Koomson, noting Ennin’s membership in the NPP, expressed her concern over his consistent support for Alan Kyerematen, who withdrew from the NPP’s flagbearership race and subsequently left the party.
She advised him to concentrate on his chosen candidate, who is currently planning to run as an independent candidate in the 2024 elections.
Ennin’s recent criticism of Bawumia took place during an appearance on Accra-based Okay FM, where he alleged on October 27 that the Vice President’s camp was involved in bribery activities with delegates through high-ranking government officials in preparation for the presidential primaries scheduled for November 4.
In response to these claims, Hawa Koomson called into the program to clarify the situation and issue a warning to Mr Ennin to refrain from targeting Dr Bawumia.
“He should have some discipline and stay off Dr. Bawumia who is the choice of the party. Ennin is on record to have said his candidate is Alan, he should focus on his candidate and remove Bawumia’s name from his mouth,” she submitted.
Hawa Koomson accused Mr Edward Ennin of resorting to tribal politics through his criticisms of Bawumia. She pointed out that the allegations that “President” Bawumia would protect current government appointees implicated in corruption would also implicate his leader, Alan Kyerematen.
“If he comes to speak as he wants, we will all come on board even though I haven’t made up my mind to get into any confrontation, let’s all advocate for our candidates…I am a 100% northern woman and a proud one at that.
“Some of his pronouncements anger us, it takes votes from the north and Volta regions to give the party victory, he should remain focused and leave us alone.” she stressed.
Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong will be in the running for the NPP’s flagbearership, alongside three other contenders: Dr. Bawumia, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and Francis Addai-Nimoh.
The NPP has scheduled the election to choose the party’s leader to succeed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for November 4, 2023.
Cole Palmer‘s £40 million summer transfer to Chelsea certainly turned heads. A clear talent but still relatively unproven at 21, he had mostly been a substitute at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola.
However, Chelsea was confident enough to offer Palmer a seven-year contract, once again investing in youth.
Now, that initial investment seems to be paying off, as the England Under-21 international has hit form in recent weeks. As Chelsea prepares to face Brentford, let’s take a closer look at Palmer’s start to life in West London.
Patience was always expected following Palmer’s arrival at Stamford Bridge. He made his debut as a substitute in a 1-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, followed by two more substitute appearances in a goalless draw at Bournemouth and a 1-0 loss against Aston Villa.
But Palmer has impressed recently after getting a chance in Chelsea’s starting lineup. He provided an assist in a 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Brighton and had an encouraging first Premier League start in a 2-0 victory against Fulham. He has since scored in his last two league appearances, converting penalties against Burnley and Arsenal.
With confidence on the rise, the youngster is starting to look like a wise acquisition for Chelsea.
Palmer’s positional intelligence has already proven valuable for Chelsea. Against Arsenal, he was used as a false nine, allowing him to drift into areas on the right-hand side and disrupt the opponent’s defensive shape. Given Chelsea’s limited striking options, using Palmer in such a role could be effective in the future. His ability to pick out teammates making forward runs should enhance Chelsea’s attacking threat.
Pochettino, Chelsea’s manager, praised Palmer’s ability to read situations and adapt to the team’s needs, highlighting his youth, talent, and quality.
Palmer’s outstanding form is reflected in the statistics. Among Chelsea players, he has attempted the most shots per 90 minutes (3.32), created the most significant scoring opportunities per 90 (0.83), and won possession in the final third more frequently (2.22 per 90).
This shows why Pochettino has swiftly made Palmer a crucial part of his system. His goal-scoring ability, creativity, positional understanding, and pressing from the front make him an ideal fit for a high-intensity side.
There is still ample room for Palmer to grow as he becomes more comfortable with his new teammates and the different environment at Chelsea. The club’s approach in the summer transfer window indicates a willingness to invest in the long term, and with Palmer, they have a player who could become a superstar in his peak years.
Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, an aspirant for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidacy, has unveiled his economic empowerment plan for women and a strong commitment to advancing gender equality within the party.
During a gathering with media representatives in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional Capital on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, on the sidelines of his meeting with Electoral Area Coordinators from his campaign team, Dr. Akoto outlined his strategy to tap into the economic potential of women and enhance their active participation within the NPP.
He acknowledged women as a vital driving force behind a thriving economy and recognized their pivotal role in contributing to the party’s success, considering that the 2021 Population and Housing Census data reveals a higher female population in Ghana, with 400,000 more females than males.
Dr. Akoto aims to leverage this demographic strength and prioritize women’s involvement in the party’s activities.
The former Minister of Food and Agriculture, who is also a Cambridge University Scholar, committed to empowering women within the party and addressing the issue of inadequate funding for the women’s wing.
A major focus of Dr. Akoto’s plan is the economic empowerment of women, especially those involved in agriculture. Given the significant number of female smallholder farmers in Ghana, he plans to provide them with essential resources, including farming tools, fertilizers, and technological expertise to improve their economic well-being.
Recognizing the vital roles women play throughout the economic value chain, he intends to enhance institutions like the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) to support these efforts. He emphasized that women play crucial roles in the value chain, including as intermediaries who make substantial contributions to the economy.
Dr. Akoto expressed his commitment to empowering these women, underlining the profound positive impact such empowerment can have on the nation’s economy.
During his interactions with Electoral Area Coordinators, he emphasized the crucial role of grassroots delegates in selecting the party’s presidential candidate. He appealed to their sense of responsibility, urging their support as the candidate who understands the people’s needs and offers practical solutions to address their concerns.
The NPP is set to hold its National Delegates Conference on November 4, 2023, to choose a presidential candidate for the 2024 general elections. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto is the third candidate on the ballot paper and is actively seeking the support of over 210,000 delegates in his quest to lead the NPP and potentially the nation.
As the election draws nearer, Dr. Akoto’s promises to empower women and reform the NPP are likely to be central issues in the party’s internal election, which will ultimately determine its direction and leadership for the upcoming national elections.
Media reports have refuted claims made by the lead convenor of the #FixTheCountry movement, Oliver Barker-Vomawor, that he had not been served with court papers on Friday, October 27, 2023, in the defamation suit against him by National Security Minister, Kan Dapaah.
On Friday, October 27, Barker-Vomawor posted a photo of himself at the High Court on social media, suggesting that he was waiting to be served by bailiffs.
For the past 2 hours I have been sitting in the Court Kan Dapaah advertised that he was coming to for a substituted order to serve me today.
Since Kan Dapaah said he can’t find me, I am here to find him.
— Osagyefo Oliver Barker-Vormawor (@barkervogues) October 27, 2023
In a series of social media posts, Barker-Vomawor claimed that he had not been served with any court documents by any bailiff when he left the court premises.
However, court documents in circulation show that Barker-Vomawor was served at 9:40 am on Friday, October 27, 2023, by an individual named Ankomah Emmanuel Adjei.
Prior to this, the Minister of National Security, Albert Kan-Dapaah, accused Oliver Barker-Vormawor of evading bailiffs who were attempting to serve him regarding the defamation suit.
On October 19, 2023, Kan-Dapaah initiated a defamation suit against Barker-Vormawor in response to allegations by the lawyer and activist. Barker-Vormawor had claimed that the National Security Minister offered him a bribe of one million dollars ($1,000,000) to cease #FixTheCountry protests against the government.
The minister reportedly stated his intention to apply to the High Court to request an order for substituted service since he believed that Barker-Vormawor was evading the bailiffs who were tasked with serving him the court documents.
The Ga community is in mourning following the passing of their revered leader, Ga Manye, Naa Dedei Omaedru III.
In the Ga Mantse palace, located in North Kaneshie, Accra, the atmosphere is adorned with red and black decorations, symbolic of the period of mourning.
All the planned activities to honor the late queen mother of the Ga state are proceeding as scheduled.
The series of activities commenced on Thursday with Asafo companies (warriors) parading through the streets of Accra, accompanied by the firing of muskets.
On Friday, a vibrant procession and display of the rich Ga culture and dance unfolded, featuring the participation of the Asafoatsemei and Asafoanyemei, representing the men and women warriors.
This was followed by a scheduled vigil on Friday night.
In reverence to the late Naa Dedei Omaedru III, shops are to remain closed on Saturday, October 28, as a mark of respect.
Visitors to the Greater Accra Regional capital will notice red and black ribbons adorning major intersections, paying tribute to the departed queen mother.
Shops within the environs of Circle-Accra highway have been closed for the final funeral rites of the late Ga Manye Naa Dedei Omaedru III.
Also, provision shops at Dome Market have all been closed down following a directive from the Ga Traditional Council for the final funeral rite of the late Ga Manye Naa Dedei Omaedru III.
Today, schools in the Greater Accra Region are expected not to be in session as directed by the Ghana Education Service (GES) in accordance with the Ga Traditional Council order.
It is expected that all other markets and shops in the capital will be closed for today.
The late Ga Manye, Naa Dedei Omaedru III, passed away in December 2022.
Originally, the final funeral rites were slated to occur from October 15 to 31, 2023. Initially, the Ga Traditional Council had instructed the closure of shops and offices in the Central Business District in the Greater Accra Region for three days, from October 26 to 29.
Subsequently, the Council revised its directive, specifying that businesses would only be closed on Saturday, October 28, and not for the previously announced three days.
Currently, the final funeral rites for the late Ga Manye Naa Dedei Omaedru III is proceeding as scheduled, as an interim injunction that had been placed on the ceremony has been reversed.
Justice Patrick Baayeh, the High Court judge who had initially granted the injunction, acknowledged that it had been issued in error and subsequently lifted it.
Take a look at the current appearance of the Circle-Accra highway as shops remain closed for the final funeral rites of the late Ga Manye Naa Dedei Omaedru III. #UTVGhanapic.twitter.com/gVa2jqUKNs
Member of Parliament representing Sekyere Afram Plains South, Joseph Appiah Boateng, has urgently appealed to the government and various stakeholders for assistance in response to the recent flooding in his constituency.
Mr Boateng’s plea is a response to growing concerns about the neglect that his constituency has faced since the Akosombo Dam spillage by the Volta River Authority occurred.
In an interview with Kwabena Mensah Abrompah on Radio Univers on October 27, 2023, the MP emphasized the dire situation in Afram Plains, which has experienced significant devastation.
He pointed out that, despite the widespread destruction and displacement of residents, a significant portion of the relief efforts has been directed towards the Volta Region. This has left Afram Plains feeling neglected and in dire need of assistance.
“After the dam spillage, the entire community has been wiped off to the extent that you cannot even locate some of the houses. About 28 communities in the constituency have been affected.
“It seems most of the attention has been given to the Volta region people, but we are in very dire need because of the effects. I have been to the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) office in Accra about four times, and there has been no response,” he said.
“So, I am pleading on behalf of the government and all stakeholders to come to our support with relief items, dressing, food clothing, mattresses, water, and all items are welcome because most of our people are sleeping in churches and schools,” he added.
The Saudi Pro League is in full swing after a summer of extravagant spending, and the race for the Golden Boot is heating up with some high-profile arrivals making their mark in the Middle East.
Cristiano Ronaldo has made an explosive start to the season with Al-Nassr, scoring an impressive 11 goals in just nine appearances. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner showcased his prowess by netting a hat-trick against Al-Fateh in August and a match-winning brace against title rivals Al-Ahli last month.
Ronaldo has also contributed five assists, making him the joint-second highest assist provider in the division.
striker Aleksandar Mitrovic wasted no time adapting to Saudi Arabia. He joined the league leaders, Al-Hilal, from Fulham in August and has already notched seven goals in eight league matches.
His highlight was a spectacular hat-trick against Al-Ittihad at the beginning of September, securing a thrilling 4-3 victory.
Moussa Dembele made a memorable debut by scoring against Al-Nassr, and he has continued to impress for Al-Ettifaq, finding the net seven times in eight matches.
His partnership with fellow summer signing Jordan Henderson has been fruitful, and he will play a pivotal role in Steven Gerrard’s debut season as manager.
Morocco international Mourad Batna, who joined Al-Fateh in 2020, is on track to surpass his previous season’s record of 10 goals.
The 33-year-old has already scored seven times in 10 appearances and added five assists, significantly contributing to Al-Fateh’s sixth-place position in the table.
Brazilian playmaker Anderson Talisca, despite missing four of Al-Nassr’s initial five games, has made a resounding return to full fitness. He has scored six goals in as many games, finding the net in each of his last five league appearances.
Talisca boasts an impressive record of 54 goals in 69 matches across all competitions since joining Al-Nassr in May 2021.
Malcom, the second-most expensive signing in Saudi Pro League history, is delivering for Al-Hilal with six goals in 10 games. His league debut included a memorable hat-trick against Abha in August, and he has played a crucial role in maintaining his team’s unbeaten start to the campaign, despite a recent goal drought.
Sadio Mane, after a challenging spell at Bayern Munich, made a strong start in Al-Nassr colors by scoring six times in his first six league appearances. While he hasn’t found the back of the net in his last four games, it’s only a matter of time before he rediscovers his scoring touch. In the meantime, he has provided two assists, one each for Ronaldo and Talisca.
Salem Al-Dawsari has had a remarkable start to the season, bagging six goals in 10 league appearances. The 32-year-old, who famously scored the winner for Saudi Arabia against Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, has been a product of Al-Hilal’s youth system and has amassed 88 goals in 368 matches for the club since his senior debut in 2011.
His six goals this season came in four consecutive games, and he’s looking to add to his tally after a scoring hiatus since a 6-1 victory over Al-Riyadh on September 15.
Georges-Kevin N’Koudou is enjoying a resurgence at Damac after joining from Besiktas on a free transfer in the summer. The former Tottenham winger has scored in his last four league matches, including a goal against high-flying Al-Nassr.
N’Koudou is aiming to earn a spot in Cameroon’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations in January based on his impressive domestic form.
Reports emerging indicate that the government has reached a tentative payment plan with the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) to settle $20 million owed by the state.
WAPCO had shut gas supply required for power generation, plunging parts of the country into darkness.
This was announced by the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) when they revealed a supply gap of 550MW at peak time.
Per sources, although an agreement has been reached, some outages are expected to happen since the agreement does not guarantee that there will be gas from Takoradi to Tema in the interim.
During an interview with JoyNews, Member of Parliament for Bongo, Edward Bawa, attributed the ongoing and frequent power outages to the government’s unpaid debt to WAPCo amounting to $20 million.
As a solution, he suggested that the government should engage in discussions with WAPCo to resolve the issue.
“Government must find a way or make an arrangement with as to how that can be paid. If WAPCO begins to have some comfort that government has kept in touch to do the payment, then, I believe that it will work.
“Government must be working to see how they can give WAPCo some level of comfort to continue transmitting gas from Obuasi to Tema or else we are going to be in trouble. If the gas does not come, what it simply means is that the plants cannot run because they use fuel. And if they cannot run, you’d have that ‘dumsor’,’” he said.
“Now the question you would ask is whose liability is it? It is true that if you look at ECG, they do not have a healthy access or guarantee to be able to always go into arrangements with power or gas utilities so GNPC stood in as a guarantee for ECG.
“So ECG has to pay WAPCo but unfortunately because for almost 13 months now the cash waterfall mechanism where all the monies that ECG collects after selling power is put for it to be distributed among the utility mechanism is no longer working, ECG is unable to pay the liability,” he explained.
Provision shops at Dome Market have all been closed down following a directive from the Ga Traditional Council for the final funeral rite of the late Ga Manye Naa Dedei Omaedru III.
Today, schools in the Greater Accra Region are expected not to be in session as directed by the Ghana Education Service (GES) in accordance with the Ga Traditional Council order.
It is expected that all other markets and shops in the capital will be closed for today.
The late Ga Manye, Naa Dedei Omaedru III, passed away in December 2022.
Originally, the final funeral rites were slated to occur from October 15 to 31, 2023. Initially, the Ga Traditional Council had instructed the closure of shops and offices in the Central Business District in the Greater Accra Region for three days, from October 26 to 29.
Subsequently, the Council revised its directive, specifying that businesses would only be closed on Saturday, October 28, and not for the previously announced three days.
Currently, the final funeral rites for the late Ga Manye Naa Dedei Omaedru III is proceeding as scheduled, as an interim injunction that had been placed on the ceremony has been reversed.
Justice Patrick Baayeh, the High Court judge who had initially granted the injunction, acknowledged that it had been issued in error and subsequently lifted it.
Dome Market and shops have all been closed down following a directive from the Ga Traditional Council for the final funeral rite of the late Ga Manye Naa Dedei Omaedru III.#UTVGhanapic.twitter.com/wT46NMsrRG
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has promised a full university scholarship to one Gertrude, who has been offering free tutoring to students affected by the Akosombo dam spillage.
Gertrude received a laptop from Mr Ablakwa during a surprise visit.
In a Twitter post on October 28, the North Tongu MP extolled “the young lady “inspiring” Gertrude for prioritising the future of the children affected above her comfort despite being affected by the flood.
“She is the first to put her own displacement misery aside and organize free classes for kids living with her in the Mepe St. Kizito Camp after they were all displaced by the VRA-induced floods,” he wrote.
He added: “This crisis has revealed how our nation is blessed with many awesome angels.”
Yesterday I surprised the inspiring young Gertrude with a laptop gift.
She is the first to put her own displacement misery aside and organize free classes for kids living with her in the Mepe St. Kizito Camp after they were all displaced by the VRA-induced floods.
Many residents along the Lower Volta Basin have witnessed their homes and farmlands submerged by floods caused by the spillage of the Akosombo dam by the Volta River Authority (VRA).
Communities like Battor, Tefle, Mepe, Sogakope, Adidome, and Anlo have been inundated.
Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has asserted that the basis for the voting of a candidate in an election should be based on competence and not religion.
According to Dr. Prempeh, the key determinant in an election should be one’s ability to bring the needed prosperity to the people.
Speaking on separate platforms – meeting with artisans and delegates of the Manhyia South constituency NPP in Manhyia on Friday, 27th October, 2023 he said, Ghana over the period has had the phenomenon of all religions co-existing peacefully and therefore it is dangerous for anybody to play the religious card during any election whether internal party elections or national elections.
“I, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, I was named after a Muslim and the Regional Chief Imam of the Ashanti Region is my brother. What this should tell you is that, in my family some are Christians and some are Muslims. This situation is also existent in a lot of families. It is therefore unacceptable to create partitions and divisions on religious lines” he said.
The Manhyia South legislator said, members of the NPP must be proud of the achievements of the government over the past 7 years and be resolute in canvassing for the party.
“The unfortunate global happenings have made governments across the world unpopular, however the record will show that we have performed better even under these circumstances” he said.
He said the NPP had been better managers of the economy than the John Mahama led NDC and expressed the optimism that the NPP was going to win the December 2024 elections.
Dr. Prempeh urged delegates of Manhyia South to exercise their democratic franchise peacefully on November 4, 2023 as the unity of the party is crucial for a decisive NPP victory in 2024.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency, John Dumelo, has extended a helping hand to students hailing from Mepe in the Volta Region and studying at the University of Ghana.
This assistance is aimed at alleviating the challenges they are facing due to the Akosombo Dam-induced flooding that has impacted various districts in the region.
The donation event was held at Dumelo’s constituency office on Friday, October 27, and included essential items such as eggs, canned milk, and Milo, among others.
In his role as an actor-turned-politician, Dumelo expressed his deep empathy for the students, acknowledging the hardships they may be enduring in the midst of the ongoing crisis.
While the Akosombo Dam spillage continues to affect the region, acts of kindness and support from the community are instrumental in helping those affected get back on their feet.
The affected communities remain hopeful that the spillage operation will conclude soon, enabling them to return to their homes and begin the process of recovery.
The Minority in Parliament has urgently warned of a potential severe electricity crisis in the country owing to the government’s outstanding $20 million debt owed to the West African Pipeline Company (WAPCo).
This information comes in the wake of persistent power disruptions experienced in various regions.
Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), in a statement released on Thursday, October 26, clarified that a shortage of gas supply had resulted in a 550MW power deficit during peak periods, which would lead to outages in certain areas.
However, during an interview with JoyNews, Member of Parliament for Bongo, Edward Bawa, attributed the ongoing and frequent power outages to the government’s unpaid debt to WAPCo amounting to $20 million.
As a solution, he suggested that the government should engage in discussions with WAPCo to resolve the issue.
“Government must find a way or make an arrangement with as to how that can be paid. If WAPCO begins to have some comfort that government has kept in touch to do the payment, then, I believe that it will work.
“Government must be working to see how they can give WAPCo some level of comfort to continue transmitting gas from Obuasi to Tema or else we are going to be in trouble. If the gas does not come, what it simply means is that the plants cannot run because they use fuel. And if they cannot run, you’d have that ‘dumsor’,’” he said.
“Now the question you would ask is whose liability is it? It is true that if you look at ECG, they do not have a healthy access or guarantee to be able to always go into arrangements with power or gas utilities so GNPC stood in as a guarantee for ECG.
“So ECG has to pay WAPCo but unfortunately because for almost 13 months now the cash waterfall mechanism where all the monies that ECG collects after selling power is put for it to be distributed among the utility mechanism is no longer working, ECG is unable to pay the liability,” he explained.
A 24-year-old final-year student of Petrochemical Engineering at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), identified as Collins, who has been arrested for allegedly killing his girlfriend, 21-year-old Justina Otuene Nkang, a 300-level Biochemistry student of the same university, for ritual purposes has broken his silence.
In an engagement with the media, Collins noted that he did not commit the dastardly act. He stated that he did not report the incident to his girlfriend’s family or friends because he was scared that he would be accused of committing the act.
When asked if he contacted any of the lady’s relatives or friends, he said, “No, I did not.”
“I didn’t tell anybody. I was very scared. I did not know what to do. I did not report to my neighbours because I am new here. Everybody will blame it on me,” he said.
He added, “I didn’t dismember her body.”
According to Collins, they ate a snack, Hollandia yogurt, the night before her demise.
“I bought it. It was both of us who drank it,” he continued.
The incident happened on October 22, 2023, at the suspect’s rented room on Road 15, NTA Road, Port Harcourt. The suspect was caught by the estate security when he was trying to dispose of the victim’s mutilated body in a wheelbarrow. The security alerted the police, who arrested the suspect and recovered the body.
The victim’s body was wrapped in bloody sacks. It was alleged that the suspect plucked out her eyes and cut off her breast. The suspect claimed that the victim slept and did not wake up, but he did not explain why he butchered her.
The victim was reported missing on October 20, 2023, after she boarded a bolt ride from her workplace at Prestige Specialist Hospital. She was last seen by her colleagues and friends on that day. Her family and friends launched a search for her on social media, but their efforts were in vain.
According to the police, a search in the suspect’s room also revealed some hard drugs.
A family source, John Otuene, who is the victim’s cousin, told the media that the victim’s father had died and her mother had struggled to raise Justina and her siblings. The boyfriend was not known to the family until this unfortunate occurrence. She was the only daughter and fourth child of the family.
Justina’s brother, Osas Otene, a level 500 Chemical Engineering student also of UNIPORT, said that although the family were distraught, they were trying to cope with the sudden death of their beloved sister.
The suspect is currently in police custody assisting in investigations. The state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko, said the Commissioner of Police (CP) would address the press on the development by 12 p.m. on October 26, 2023.
The murder case has sparked outrage and condemnation on social media, with many users calling for justice for the victim and an end to ritual killings in the country. Some users also expressed sympathy and condolences to the victim’s family and friends.
This is a tragic and shocking case that has shaken the UNIPORT community and the nation at large.
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Major General Thomas Oppong Peprah, on Wednesday, 26 October, 2023, visited the Battle Training Camp, Bundase.
His visit was to witness firsthand the preparations of the unit for this year’s Land Combat Firepower Demonstration (LCFD) scheduled for Friday, November 28, 2023.
The LCFD is held annually to give practical demonstrations of land combat and firepower in real operations to students of the Senior Command and Staff Course from the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Teshie, Accra.
Additionally, the COAS inspected ongoing projects at the camp and expressed satisfaction with the level of development.
Accompanying the COAS were General Officers Commanding Northern and Southern Commands, Officers from Army Headquarters, and the Acting Sergeant Major of the Army.
#FixTheCountry activist, Oliver Barker-Vormawor has expressed his disappointment in the National Security Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah, over his inability to serve him despite availing him on a number of occassion.
In a post on X today, October 27, Barker-Vormawor noted that he was in the High Court hearing the defamation suit for 2 hours but was not served as neither the National Security Minister nor his legal counsel were present.
“For the past 2 hours I have been sitting in the Court Kan Dapaah advertised that he was coming to for a substituted order to serve me today. Since Kan Dapaah said he can’t find me, I am here to find him. Guess what. Not a single soul in sight. Judge has been waiting since 9am. Me too I am waiting. Today, they will serve me Bayormis!” he wrote.
For the past 2 hours I have been sitting in the Court Kan Dapaah advertised that he was coming to for a substituted order to serve me today.
Since Kan Dapaah said he can’t find me, I am here to find him.
— Osagyefo Oliver Barker-Vormawor (@barkervogues) October 27, 2023
His recent visit to the Court comes after the National Security Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah, submitted an application to the High Court seeking permission for substituted service to serve the #FixTheCountry activist, Oliver Barker-Vormawor.
Finally leaving the Court premises. They did not show up. But It was good to meet and share laughter with friends again.
— Osagyefo Oliver Barker-Vormawor (@barkervogues) October 27, 2023
This request follows what the minister describes as multiple unsuccessful attempts by bailiffs to serve Mr Barker-Vormawor.
The ex-parte motion was officially filed on Thursday, October 19, and is scheduled to be presented in court on Friday, October 27.
In the affidavit in support of his motion, Kan-Dapaah asserts: “It has not been possible to effect service personally on the defendant (Oliver Barker-Vormawor) with the writ of summons and statement of claim and it has become impracticable to do so as I do not know the place of abode of the defendant and attempts to effect service on him at his place of work as I know, has also proved unsuccessful.”
Prior to this, Barker Vormawor in a post on X on October 25, jabbed the National Security Minister over claims that he had been avoiding the court’s baillif.
“Hear this. Last week, the Minister for National Security was asked why he has still not served me with this lawsuit. He answered that he has not been able to find me. So he will be going to court for an order that he can’t find me.
Ah! Anokwa! This is the person you guys claim is in charge of your security?” he quizzed.
Background
Mr. Kan-Dapaah has initiated a defamation lawsuit against Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the prominent convener of the #FixTheCountry Movement.
The lawsuit was prompted by Mr. Barker-Vormawor’s assertion that he and his associates had rejected a proposal during a clandestine meeting with the Minister of National Security. According to his claim, they were offered $1 million to cease their ‘activism.’
In a legal document filed on Tuesday, September 26, the minister’s legal representatives have requested ¢10 million as compensation for general damages.
This action stems from allegations made by Mr. Barker-Vormawor, claiming that the Ministry tried to thwart his “activism” by offering a $1 million bribe.
Additionally, Mr. Kan-Dapaah is seeking an apology from Mr. Barker-Vormawor and a retraction of the statements made.
He also demanded that there should be a “Perpetual injunction restraining the defendant from repeating similar or other defamatory words against the plaintiff.”
The latest Global Info Analytics Survey indicates that Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is poised to secure the majority of votes in 13 out of the 16 regions in the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer race.
While he maintains a strong position across many regions, maverick politician Kennedy Ohene Agyapong leads in the Ashanti and Central regions.
The Oti Region sees an 80 percent split between Dr Bawumia and Mr Agyapong. In the Western region, they have a close competition, with Bawumia at 31 percent and Agyapong at 29 percent.
Vice President Bawumia achieves a significant lead in the North East region with 90 percent support.
However, the survey suggests the possibility of a runoff election as none of the candidates is expected to reach the required 50 percent-plus threshold for a first-round victory.
The survey, conducted from October 2 to 11, covered 4,311 NPP delegates from all 275 constituencies. The NPP is scheduled to hold its presidential candidate election on Saturday, November 4, in preparation for the 2024 general elections.
Since the spilling of the Akosombo Dam on September 15, which has led to flooding in several communities such as Battor, Tefle, Mepe, Sogakope, Adidome, and Anlo, many individuals and organisations have gone to the aid of victims.
Many donations have been made, and as the problem remains despite the receding water, other donations will be made.
Former Black Stars captain, Stephen Appiah, Wembley Construction, UN’s World Food Programme, Unilever Ghana, Genser Company, Ghana Red Cross Society, Hot Oven bakery and Power of Worship International are among institutions that have contributed their quota to alleviating the plight of affected families.
An individual deemed to be a supporter of Prempeh College has filed an interlocutory injunction application at a High Court to prevent Primetime Limited from organising the grand finale of the 2023 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) as scheduled.
The final contest has been slated for October 30 at the National Theatre, Accra.
In a writ sighted by The Independent Ghana on social media, the plaintiff whose identity is currently unknown and is represented by Kwame Boateng Atuahene, Esp, wants the court to halt the organising of the finale until the “final determination of the matter in terms of the affidavit in support.”
The said affidavit is not privy to the media or the public. However, Prempeh College and Primetime Limited have engaged in a disagreement over a riddle for which clues were given that point to the linear superposition principle during the semifinal stage contest that saw Opoku Ware School beat Prempeh College.
In response to the school’s petition, which claimed that the principle of superposition is the same as the principle of linear superposition, Primetime Limited noted that the Quiz Mistress, Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann, exercises discretion on whether an answer provided by a contestant is sufficiently responsive and would have accepted the answer given by the Prempeh College contestants if, in her professional opinion, the target key and the answer given by the contestants were synonymous.
The statement signed by Managing Director of Primetime Limited, Nana Mensa-Bonsu, noted that Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann did not in this case, opting instead to maintain the more precise original key.
In response to Primetime Limited’s statement, Prempeh College reaffirmed their belief that the answer provided by their contestant was accurate. They clarified that they did not concur with the NSMQ’s consultant when the issue was initially discussed at the contest venue.
“Given that we may have reached an impasse we request that an independent consultant or body be engaged to bring finality to this matter since one cannot be a judge in his own matter. We are resolute in our minds that our answer is correct, and we will take all available steps and means including legal, if necessary, to ensure that Prempeh College and its contestants are given a fair hearing,” the school’s statement added.
A Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana’s School of Languages, Professor Kofi Agyekum, has entreated the National Service Secretariat to consider posting 2023/2024 personnel residing in the Volta Region to areas affected by the Akosombo Dam spillage.
In an interview on Peace FM, Professor Kofi Agyekum expressed worry over the challenges facing teaching and learning in the affected communities.
Several districts, encompassing South, Central, and North Tongu in the Volta Region, have been at the forefront of this crisis. The communities of Battor, Tefle, Mepe, Sogakope, Adidome, and Anlo have been inundated.
The schools in these communities have been flooded, and to address the issue of teaching and learning in the interim, make-shift structures have been erected.
On education, Professor Kofi Agyekum said, “What matters to me is the schools. Those in Junior High School (JHS). I’m happy to see some relief. I was so happy to see a truck with student text books. I know the students whose schools have been flooded.”
To help out with education and other matters, the senior lecturer noted that it would be wise enough for individuals rendering their services to the country to be deployed to some of the affected areas to help with the education of affected students.
“The National Service personnel have just been posted. So the National Service Secretariat should take its attention there so that this year’s personnel who are in that area, the majority of them, should be sent there to teach and help until the water recedes. So this is when we need them,” he said.
The impact of the dam spillage on the affected individuals has been profound, with over 26,000 people rendered homeless and displaced, according to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NaDMO).
Recent reports on social media suggest that a student at Berekum College of Education in the Bono Region has won GHC1.8 billion (old currency) after engaging in sports betting.
A viral video shows other colleagues celebrating the bettor, who was showered with white powder. In the video, a male student shouts, “He has won. He has won 1.8 billion. Berekum College of Education, a student has won.”
If this news is proven to be accurate, then the government will apply its betting tax of 10 percent to this income. The government is set to generate GH180,000,000 (old currency).
In October this year, the Domestic Tax Revenue Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority noted that it had generated GH¢15 million from the recently implemented bet tax within a month.
Immense joy and excitement fill the air as students of Berekum College of Education celebrate a colleague's bet winnings of 1.8 billion Ghana cedis (old currency). pic.twitter.com/fzXSNw3q25
A fire outbreak today at Anloga Market in Manhyia of the Ashanti Region has razed down a 21-bedroom house.
The fire that caught several houses this morning has now been doused by officers of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) at the scene.
Engaging the media, AD1 Asamoah Kennedy, Manhyia Operations, noted that the Service is currently unable to determine the worth of properties destroyed.
AD1 Asamoah Kennedy
Some residents who engaged the media blamed the destruction of properties on the late arrival of the firefighters.
But according to AD1 Asamoah Kennedy, the Fire Service was contacted an hour after the fire broke out.
“What they are saying is not true. At times when you come and ask them, which number did you call, they will give you a number the Fire Service hasn’t even heard before.
“They don’t have our numbers and they didn’t call us on time. They called us around 9:59 am and we arrived at this place at 10:10am,” he told JoyNews in an interview monitored by The Independent Ghana.
Meanwhile, the GNFS is working to ascertain the cause of the fire outbreak.
Founder of the now-defunct UT Bank, Capt. (rtd) Prince Kofi Amoabeng, in retrospection, has realised the decisions he made that led to the collapse of his financial institution.
Mr. Amoabeng was accused by the state of mishandling depositors’ cash by engaging in fictitious and unlawful activities which led to the collapse of UT Bank in 2017.
In that very year, he admits that his bank was not faring well at the time of the banking sector cleanup.
“The bank wasn’t doing that well at the time but the way the government acted, some banks were helped, some banks were closed. That is what irritates me,” he stated while citing political influence as reason for the ‘biased selection’.
In a recent interview on Kingdom FM, Prince Kofi Amoabeng noted that if given the opportunity to go back in time before the collapse of UT Bank, he would stay away from the actions that caused him his business.
He did not specifically name the exact actions he would stay away from as his submission was quite vague.
“Do you think if UT should be back to where it was and I go back, I would repeat those same mistakes? I won’t repeat the same mistakes. I know exactly the mistakes that I committed,” he said.
He made this submission while endorsing 2024 National Democratic Congress flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, whom he saus is the best candidate to lead Ghana at this time, citing the experience he gained during his first term in office.
“…I look at President Mahama, and what I have to say about him is that we have never had somebody who has been president before becoming president again; it is only Mahama.
“And therefore, if you ask me, it is worth giving Mahama the chance because he has been there before.
Meanwhile, former President Mahama has noted that in his next administration, he would restore all financial institutions that were unfairly collapsed during the banking sector cleanup exercise.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has received an endorsement from Capt. (rtd) Prince Kofi Amoabeng, the founder of the now-defunct UT Bank.
Amoabeng expressed his belief that Mahama is the best candidate to lead Ghana at this time, citing the experience Mahama gained during his first term in office.
He believes that Mahama understands what needs to be done to move the country forward and has learned from his past mistakes, ensuring a better performance in the future. Amoabeng made these statements during an interview on Kingdom FM on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
“…I look at President Mahama, and what I have to say about him is that we have never had somebody who has been president before becoming president again; it is only Mahama.
“And therefore, if you ask me, it is worth giving Mahama the chance because he has been there before. Do you think if UT should be back to where it was and I go back, I would repeat those same mistakes? I won’t repeat the same mistakes. I know exactly the mistakes that I committed,” he said during an interview on Kingdom FM.
Amoabeng urged the Ghanaian electorate to carefully consider the possibility of electing Mahama as their leader once again in the upcoming 2024 elections.
“…I think Ghanaians have to take Mahama very seriously because he has been there before. He must have a lot of regrets; he must have a whole lot of things that he wants to change. And I know him to some extent. I know that he is a very, very humane person and quite humble too.”
Kofi Amoabeng emphasized that while Mahama may have been provided with incorrect information on certain matters during his initial term, he believes such occurrences will not be repeated.
A recent poll conducted among New Patriotic Party (NPP) delegates has unveiled a remarkable revelation that President Nana Akufo-Addo continues to command strong support within his party.
The comprehensive survey, which gathered the opinions of over 4,300 NPP delegates from across the country, revealed that an impressive 79% of respondents approve of the President’s performance in his role.
This poll, conducted by Global Info Analytics between October 2 and 11, holds significant importance as the NPP prepares to choose its next presidential candidate in the upcoming November 4th elections.
Akufo-Addo’s remarkable job approval rating stands out, especially given Ghana’s current economic challenges marked by rising inflation rates and currency depreciation. The data suggests that the party’s base remains firmly behind their leader even in times of adversity, demonstrating unwavering confidence in his leadership.
As the NPP gears up for a challenging re-election campaign in 2024, unity and cohesion behind President Akufo-Addo become of paramount importance. The party aims to avoid public discord or disagreements over the President’s economic management that have recently surfaced.
This show of support, however, may not guarantee votes for the establishment candidate, Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, as the NPP’s presidential race remains an open field. The Vice President holds a lead with 43.5% among delegates, but the emergence of MP Kennedy Agyapong, with 23.5% support, promises a competitive race ahead.
Whoever secures the NPP nomination will likely rely on the President’s full support to revitalize the party’s prospects and guide Ghana toward economic recovery.
The insights from the delegates’ poll suggest that Nana Akufo-Addo may play a pivotal role in determining the NPP’s future success, a factor that could be crucial as the nation approaches the 2024 elections.
A three-member panel of the High Court is set to determine a date for delivering judgment in the case involving Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dr. Benjamin Agordzo and eight other defendants, who are facing charges of allegedly plotting to overthrow the government.
The defense lawyers and the accused have successfully concluded their defense, while the prosecution had earlier closed its case after presenting 13 witnesses.
All parties, including prosecution and defense, have been directed to submit their written addresses by October 17, with the judgment delivery scheduled for November 22, 2023.
The case involves charges of conspiracy to commit high treason, abetment to high treason, and high treason against ACP Dr. Agordzo, Dr. Frederick Yao Mac-Palm, and eight others. Following the death of Dr. Mac-Palm, his evidence has been removed from the records.
The trial began on June 8, 2021, and the prosecution called 13 witnesses, including seven soldiers, to testify. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges and have been granted bail.
The case centers on allegations that the accused were involved in a plot to overthrow the government. The prosecution argued that they were part of a group planning to stage demonstrations to achieve this goal and had procured weapons and explosives for this purpose.
The trial has garnered significant attention and debate.
The case has seen the involvement of numerous legal professionals, including the Attorney General’s team and defense lawyers representing the accused. The three-member panel of judges for the case is presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe.
The charges brought against the accused include the alleged possession of unregistered pistols, explosives, grenades, ammunition, and related equipment. The case has raised significant public interest and is being closely monitored.
The judgment, scheduled for November 22, 2023, will provide a crucial decision on the legal outcome of this high-profile case.
The Minority in Parliament is urging the Volta River Authority (VRA) to take on the responsibility of constructing temporary pavilions for students affected by the overflow of excess water from the Akosombo Dam.
The North Tongu Education Directorate has reported that more than 14,000 students have had their academic activities disrupted due to the situation, as various classrooms are being utilized as shelters for affected residents.
Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, the Ranking Member on the Education Committee of Parliament, stated that the VRA should allocate funds to address this issue in an interview on Citi News.
“The classrooms have become safe havens for the victims, and they are occupying all the classrooms. Some of the classrooms are still under water, and so the VRA must commit some money to put up pavilions so that the schools can reopen for normal academic work to resume,” he said.
The Minority also supports the Ghana Education Service (GES) in imposing administrative sanctions on school heads who permitted JHS one and two students to participate in the 2023 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
“The policy is that you write your examination in JHS3, and that has been the policy. So any school authority that violates that policy opens himself or herself up to any punitive measures. The Minority will not be against the GES making this policy work, otherwise, students in other schools will be disadvantaged, and the system will not be in order,” Nortsu-Kotoe said.
Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, faced a vocal and unsympathetic reception from a group of women during her visit to the Dome Market in her constituency this week.
After being absent from both Parliament and her constituency for over a year, the MP attempted to reconnect with her constituents but was met with a resounding chorus of disapproval.
A viral video circulating on social media captured Adwoa Safo’s efforts to engage with market women on Thursday, October 26.
However, her attempts were drowned out by the sounds of disapproval, as traders hooted, shouted, and clapped to express their discontent with the MP.
The market women made their sentiments clear by chanting phrases like “We want change” and “Adwoa Safo, we don’t want you again.”
Adwoa Safo’s prolonged absence from parliament in 2022 became a highly debated topic in the country, causing division within the House and her party. Her absence began in November 2021 and triggered a series of contentious events.
In October 2022, a clash occurred between the Majority Leader and the Speaker of Parliament over a decision regarding Adwoa Safo’s fate. The Speaker, Alban Bagbin, ruled that the Privileges Committee’s report was not final. This committee had recommended that the 40-year-old MP’s seat be declared vacant due to her failure to provide an explanation for her prolonged absence.
During the much-anticipated ruling, the Speaker stated that the report from the Committee needed to be presented to the entire House for a decision to be reached. This ruling was met with disapproval from Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Majority Leader and Suame MP, who deemed it unfortunate and inconsistent.
The general public was divided over Adwoa Safo’s motives, including her constituents who were uncertain about her status in the area and its impact on development.
However, on November 11, 2022, Adwoa Safo officially resumed her parliamentary duties upon her return from the United States. In July of the previous year, she had been removed from her position as Gender Minister by President Akufo-Addo.
In September of the current year, Sarah Adwoa Safo issued an apology to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the controversies she had sparked during her extended absence from parliamentary duties.
The former Gender Minister acknowledged that the negative actions she exhibited during that time were unjustified and expressed regret.
She explained that these emotions were fueled by the complex personal challenges she was facing in her private life.
“It was not my intention to disrespect you. There was a lot going on in my life and family. I’m using this medium to plead for your forgiveness in the name of God,” she said in the September 14 video.
The Ghana Police Service has apprehended an individual, as seen in a viral video, making threats to disrupt and prevent people from voting in the forthcoming New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer elections in the Assin Central Constituency.
The arrested individual, identified as Ibrahim Iddrissu Shummah, is currently in custody and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
This development was communicated in a statement released by the police on Thursday, October 26, 2023.
In the meantime, the NPP and the GPS have reached an agreement regarding the election procedures for the upcoming NPP presidential elections scheduled for November 4, 2023.
The NPP has consented to the Ghana Police Service assuming full responsibility for maintaining security during the elections.
In a meeting involving both parties, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, the Chairman of the Presidential Election Committee for NPP, urged the police to take appropriate action against individuals involved in any misconduct during the elections.
“We are authorizing you to take absolute control of all the processes that you regulate during normal elections in this republic. We have made several guidelines which are a matter of common consent and we have worked out the dynamics in such a way that we are working together we are saying this to assure you that the regulations that the candidates have all signed are going to be the blueprint of the process, and anyone who disregards this should be dealt with and we want to establish that this country is a lawful nation.”
In the meantime, the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has called for collaboration to ensure the effective fulfillment of their responsibilities.
The final funeral rites for the late Ga Manye Naa Dedei Omaedru III is proceeding as scheduled, as an interim injunction that had been placed on the ceremony has been reversed.
Justice Patrick Baayeh, the High Court judge who had initially granted the injunction, acknowledged that it had been issued in error and subsequently lifted it, as reported by citinewsroom.
Justice Baayeh stated on October 26, “I am of the view that the Order of Interim Injunction granted on 25th October 2023 was made in error.”
“The Applicants failed to give the Court the true state of affairs. In fairness to the parties, therefore, the Order of Interim Injunction granted on 25th October 2023 is hereby set aside. Any party desirous of proceeding may come on notice to the other party for a proper evaluation of the evidence from both sides,” he continued as quoted by citinewsroom.
Various concerned parties had taken legal action, asserting that they had been excluded by the Ga Traditional Council in the planning of the funeral rites.
The late Ga Manye, Naa Dedei Omaedru III, had passed away in December 2022. To honor her memory, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo opened a book of condolences on June 19, 2023.
Originally, the final funeral rites were slated to occur from October 15 to 31, 2023. Initially, the Ga Traditional Council had instructed the closure of shops and offices in the Central Business District in the Greater Accra Region for three days, from October 26 to 29.
Subsequently, the Council revised its directive, specifying that businesses would only be closed on Saturday, October 28, and not for the previously announced three days.
Edward Enninful OBE, the editor-in-chief of British Vogue, has been recognized as the most influential black individual in the UK by the Powerlist 2024, an annual publication from Powerful Media celebrating people of African, African Caribbean, and African American heritage.
This list, now in its 18th year, is aimed at providing young people with influential black role models.
The Powerlist 2024 also includes individuals such as Afua Kyei, who serves as the chief financial officer at the Bank of England, and Steven Bartlett, known for his role on Dragon’s Den and his work as a podcaster.
Notably, Enninful is the first black man to have held the prestigious position of editor-in-chief at British Vogue. He recently announced his decision to step down from the role to focus on expanding the brand globally and pursue other projects. Additionally, he holds the position of European editorial director at Condé Nast.
The 51-year-old described it as an honour to be number one on the list, which he said “shines a light on black people really breaking boundaries, who are unafraid and champion what it means to be truly diverse in their own industries”.
Born in Ghana, Enninful relocated to London with his parents and six siblings during his early years. As a teenager, he was discovered by talent scouts while on a train and briefly pursued a career in modeling.
At the age of 18, Enninful embarked on his editorial career as the fashion director of the British youth culture magazine i-D, becoming the youngest person to hold an editor’s role at a major international fashion publication.
The Powerlist acknowledges outstanding individuals across various industries, encompassing business, science, technology, and the arts. Notable figures on the 2024 list include Lord Woolley of Woodford, co-founder of Operation Black Vote and principal at Cambridge University’s Homerton College, as well as model and activist Munroe Bergdorf. Comedian Mo Gilligan and entrepreneur Patricia Bright are also recognized.
Previous top-ranked individuals on the Powerlist have included Jacky Wright, former chief digital officer and corporate vice-president at Microsoft US, seven-time Formula One champion Sir Lewis Hamilton, and former Children’s Laureate Malorie Blackman.
The Powerlist 2024 top 10:
Edward Enninful, OBE – editor-in-chief of British Vogue, European editorial director of Vogue
Dean Forbes – CEO, Forterro, Partner Corten Capital
Afua Kyei – chief financial officer, Bank of England
Marvin Rees – mayor of Bristol
Tunde Olanrewaju – senior partner and managing partner, McKinsey & Company
Joshua Siaw, MBE – partner, White & Case
Syreeta Brown – group chief people and communications officer, Virgin Money UK
Paulette Simpson, CBE – executive, corporate affairs and public policy, Jamaica National Bank; executive director, The Voice Media Group
Vanessa Kingori, CBE – chief business officer, Condé Britain, Vogue European business advisor
Lord Woolley of Woodford – co-founder, Operation Black Vote, and principal, Homerton College, Cambridge University
In a recent public revelation, President Akufo-Addo provided insight into his decision to choose Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as his running mate, a decision that had raised questions given the numerous well-qualified members within the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
President Akufo-Addo explained that his selection of Dr. Bawumia was influenced by the latter’s integrity, goal-driven approach, and unwavering dedication to achieving team objectives.
Furthermore, he underscored the significance of having a representative from the Northern region to contribute to the governance of the nation and promote unity across the entire country.
This revelation came during a Q&A session with students and teachers from the Association International School, who visited the Jubilee House on Thursday, October 26.
“Of all the people, why did I choose Bawumia as the Vice President, my goodness, that is a lot of questions. But em…. I think you are aware [that] in terms of the balance, people from the south, people from the north… I think that for the unity of the country, it is good that we have a leadership where Northerners and Southerners are together so that the country can remain united.”
“He [Dr Mahamudu Bawumia] is from the North and I wanted somebody from the North to partner me for the election and then for the governance. He [Dr Mahamudu Bawumia] is also a clever man and I needed his brains to help me govern the country effectively,” President Akufo-Addo.
President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Bawumia
He further disclosed his admiration for individuals who embody honesty and emphasized that Dr. Bawumia is one of the few honest people he has encountered throughout his political journey.
“He [Dr Mahamudu Bawumia] is an honest person. He speaks honestly to you. He is not one of those people who you have to guess what they are trying to say, he says what he has to say directly and I like that. I prefer to deal with people who are very direct in what they say. These are some of the reasons why I chose Dr Bawumia to be my vice president” Akufo-Addo added.
President Akufo-Addo initially chose Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia as his running mate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the December 2008 presidential elections. This decision sparked numerous questions and concerns within his party and among political observers. Many pointed out that Dr. Bawumia was not a known member of the party and had minimal recognition in Ghana’s political landscape.
Despite the skepticism, candidate Akufo-Addo remained steadfast in his choice and retained Dr. Bawumia as his running mate for the December 2012 elections. In both elections, they narrowly lost to John Evans Atta Mills (2008) and John Dramani Mahama (2012).
However, in 2016 and again in 2020, President Akufo-Addo and his running mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, emerged victorious in both elections. They have since worked together as President and Vice President for the past six years and 10 months.
Presently, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia is competing against three other aspirants in the upcoming NPP internal presidential primaries scheduled for Saturday, November 4, 2023, to secure the NPP’s flagbearer position for the December 2024 general elections.
Several independent polls have projected Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia to win the NPP’s flagbearership race with an estimated 78% of the valid votes, which will be cast by over 200,000 participating delegates in the constituency-based polls.
The attention of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has been drawn to a statement issued by the Minority in Parliament and some concerns raised by a section of the public in respect of the mining lease granted to Barari DV Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as the “Company”) for the exploitation of lithium at the Ewoyaa concession.
The Ministry welcomes the public interest and intense scrutiny of transactions for the exploitation and management of the natural resources of our country, as this is the best way of ensuring that these minerals inure to the benefit of the Ghanaian people.
The Ministry, therefore, wishes to reiterate and re-emphasise the circumstances and processes leading to the grant of the mining lease and how the state stands to benefit from this transaction.
It is, however, important to clarify from the outset that neither the Ministry nor the Minister have ever indicated that the company will commence operations in the first quarter of 2024.
In his remarks at the ceremony marking the signing of the mining lease, the Minister expressly indicated that the relevant provisions of our national constitution, as well as all laws and regulatory permits regarding the exploitation of this critical mineral, would be strictly adhered to.
The unimpeachable facts regarding the grant of the mining lease to the company are as follows:
Even though geological investigations had found some occurrences of lithium in Ghana, over the years, due to the massive capital required, no extensive exploration had been carried out to assess the commercial viability of this green mineral.
The company was granted a reconnaissance licence in 2012 for the purposes of exploration in the Ewoyaa concession. After years of exploration, the company discovered high-grade lithium in commercial quantities in Ewoyaa, in the Mfantseman Municipality of the Central Region.
By section 39(2) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), and in accordance with international practice, where a company undertakes exploration and makes commercial finds for minerals, the company is entitled to the grant of a mining lease, subject to regulatory compliance.
The company, therefore, applied for a mining lease, pursuant to Act 703, to enable it to commence the processes for the mining of lithium.
Where a mining lease is granted for the exploitation of any mineral, by Section 43 of Act 703, the government is entitled to a ten percent (10%) free-carried interest in the mining operation; that is, the government acquires ten percent (10%) shares in the mining company, which the government does not pay for.
Currently, and significantly, for all the existing large-scale mining companies in Ghana, the state’s free-carried interest is ten percent (10%) and nothing more.
Again, by section 25 of Act 703, as amended by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2015 (Act 900), mining companies are required to pay royalties of five percent (5%) to the state, in addition to other taxes and levies. Therefore, no mining company currently pays royalties of more than five percent (5%) in Ghana, as is consistent with international practice.
In respect of lithium, because of the difference between the emerging green minerals and other minerals, the government fundamentally took the decision to treat these minerals differently and to chart a new path that ensures that the benefits derived from the exploitation of these minerals are enhanced.
Accordingly, in May 2023, I, as the Minister responsible for Lands and Natural Resources, submitted to Cabinet a memorandum requesting policy approval for the exploitation, management, and utilisation of the green minerals of our country.
Among others, the policy included proposals for a. increase in the royalties rate for green minerals; b. increase in State and Ghanaian participation in all green mineral operations to a minimum of thirty percent (30%); c. enhanced local content and local participation, including listing on the Ghana Stock Exchange; and d. value addition and beneficiation.
On July 27, 2023, the Cabinet, after extensive deliberations and some significant inputs and amendments, approved a far-reaching, comprehensive policy for the exploitation, management, and utilisation of our green minerals.
Following the policy approval, the government entered into negotiations with the company, leading to an agreement to provide benefits to the state in addition to those already prescribed by law.
Based on this agreement and following executive approval, the government granted the company a Minnig Lease, which incorporates the agreed terms and, therefore, differs from the Standard Mining Lease previously granted for the mining of other mineral resources, which already conforms to international practice.
Among the innovative and enhanced provisions in the mining lease are: a. an increase in the royalty rate from the standard five percent (5%) to ten percent (10%), a double of what the State would have earned under normal circumstances; b. an increase in the State’s free-carried interest from the standard ten percent (10%) to thirteen percent (13%), which increases the dividend that would have accrued to the State from the operations of the Company under normal circumstances by three percentage points; c. additional Government participation through the acquisition of six percent (6%) shares in the company and 3.06% shares in its holding company, which is listed on the Australian and London Stock Exchanges, by the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF); d. Government and MIIF representations on the Boards of both the Company and the holding company for purposes of protecting Ghana’s interest; e. the requirement for the Company to list on the Ghana Stock Exchange and their shares to be made available to Ghanaian entities and private sector individuals, including Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and other pension funds, as well as high-income individuals; f. one percent (1%) Growth and Sustainability Levy on revenue; g. one percent (1%) Community Development Fund, to be utilised for the development of communities impacted by their operations; h. the requirement for the company to conduct and complete a feasibility study for the establishment of a chemical plant within four (4) months of the signing of the lease; i. the requirement for the Company to provide minerals it produces to any chemical plant established in the country by a third party, in the event the Company is unable to establish a chemical plant; j. the requirement that all by-products from the Company’s operation, such as feldspar and kaolin, be sold locally to serve as off-taker opportunity for domestic ceramic and other industries; and k. the requirement for the company to strictly adhere to the prevailing and future local content laws and participation across the entire value chain of the industry.
These enhanced benefits are additional to what the state would have gained if it had followed the terms of the standard mining lease granted to all the other large scale mining companies.
These terms are also, by far, better than the terms of mining leases granted for the exploitation of green minerals in other jurisdictions, including those with large deposits of these minerals. For instance, Australia, Mali, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zimbabwe, which have bigger deposits than Ghana, have royalties rates of not more than six percent (6%), whereas Ghana has negotiated for enhanced royalty rate of ten percent (10%).
Needless to say, the grant of a mining lease is the first step to undertaking a mining operation. Respectfully, it is trite learning that, after acquiring the mining lease, the company must go through other processes to obtain the requisite rights and permits before mining operations can commence.
These include ratification of the mining lease by Parliament, the acquisition of an environmental permit from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the acquisition of an operating permit from the Minerals Commission.
The suggestion that the company will commence mining operations in the first quarter of 2024 is, therefore, palpably false, as the lease has not been ratified and the company is yet to acquire any of the required permits.
Significantly, in accordance with the provisions of Article 268 of our national Constitution, the mining lease granted to Barari DV Ltd, like all mining leases granted for the exploitation of minerals in our country, states in clause 1(e) as follows:
This mining lease is subject to ratification by Parliament in accordance with Article 268(1) of the Constitution and Section 5(4) of Act 703. Upon execution of this mining lease, the minister shall cause the mining lease to be laid before Parliament for ratification.
For the avoidance of doubt, the above condition precedent is copiously captured in the lease under reference. Indeed, the Supreme Court has affirmed in the case of Republic v. High Court (General Jurisdiction 6), Accra; ex parte Attorney-General (Exton Cubic – Interested Party) (Unreported, Civil Motion No. J5/40/2018, dated 31st July, 2019) that an unratified mining lease confers no enforceable rights.
This decision has never been lost on the government and ought not be lost on any commentator on this transaction. Therefore, the call by the Minority in Parliament for the government to submit the said lease to Parliament for ratification, as captured by the statement issued and dated October 24, 2023, by its Ranking Member on Mines and Energy, to say the least, is respectfully moot and uncalled for.
The government, at all material times, has been mindful of this constitutional provision as interpreted by the Supreme Court, which is why, as aforesaid, such condition precedent is expressly captured in the lease under reference and is already committed to its full and strict compliance.
The terms negotiated by the government in respect of this mining lease are one of the best for the exploitation of any mineral on the African continent and beyond, and it is needless to point out that the government shall, without fail, submit this lease, as it has done with all others, to Parliament in accordance with Article 268 of our national Constitution and the terms of the mining lease, for its consideration.
As always, the Ministry will avail itself to the procedures of Parliament during the ratification process and will be more than ready to justify and/or clarify all the terms agreed to, if necessary.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, under the distinguished leadership of President Akufo-Addo, continues to assure the general public of its unflinching commitment to the efficient, effective, and sustainable exploitation and management of the natural resources of our country in the spirit of transparency, anchored on integrity and utmost good faith, for the benefit of the Ghanaian people.
Prempeh College has responded to the National Science and Maths Quiz’s (NSMQ) organizers regarding their protest during the semi-final contest on Thursday, October 19.
This response comes after Primetime Limited upheld their decision to not award any marks to Prempeh College for their response to a riddle during the semi-final.
In their letter to the school, Primetime Limited indicated that, after consulting with their resident physics expert, the quiz mistress did not make an error in her judgment.
Prempeh College has responded to the National Science and Maths Quiz’s (NSMQ) organizers regarding their protest during the semi-final contest on Thursday, October 19.
This response comes after Primetime Limited upheld their decision to not award any marks to Prempeh College for their response to a riddle during the semi-final.
In their letter to the school, Primetime Limited indicated that, after consulting with their resident physics expert, the quiz mistress did not make an error in her judgment.
Primetime Limited noted that the Quiz Mistress, Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann, exercises discretion on whether an answer provided by a contestant is sufficiently responsive and would have accepted the answer given by the Prempeh College contestants if, in her professional opinion, the target key and the answer given by the contestants were synonymous.
The statement signed by Managing Director of Primetime Limited, Nana Mensa-Bonsu, noted that Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann did not in this case, opting instead to maintain the more precise original key.
“When the complaint came to the attention of the Physics consultant, full consideration was given to all the issues raised and the protesters, after receiving complete attention, were satisfied with the explanation and counterexample that were given by the consultant.
“The Quiz Mistress’s ruling is affirmed. While we greatly appreciate Prempeh College’s keen interest and passion for the NSMQ, we draw the line at insinuations of bias and attempts to favour some schools. We place premium on fairness to all participating schools, which is why we allow protests from schools, to ensure that there is fairness in the adjudication of contests. Where a school’s protest is found to have merit, the error is rectified and the appropriate marks are awarded to them.
“Indeed, we are known to pause contests, so as to resolve a protest that has been made by a school. In this instance, the Prempeh team’s protest was reviewed by the Physics consultant, who then explained the concepts to the team, which the team accepted. Consequently, this turnaround and insinuation that a deliberate injustice has been carried out against Prempeh College is rather surprising,” the statement added.
Prempeh College’s new letter addresses several issues raised by Primetime Limited, including the consultant’s response to the protest and allegations of bias on social media.
The school clarified that they did not accuse the NSMQ organizers of bias when they protested an answer to a riddle during the semi-final on October 19.
Prempeh College expressed regret that they were accused of tarnishing the competition’s reputation after being longtime participants. They emphasized that their initial protest letter did not imply any allegations of bias or favoritism by the organizers towards their school or others. Instead, it aimed to explain why they believed their answer was correct.
“It is quite regrettable that our petition has elicited a response that borders on accusations and counter-accusations with respect to allusions to bias and favouritism. We wish to unequivocally state that we, Prempeh College, have not engaged in any smear campaign against Primetime on any Social Media platform, and we will advise that you ignore such issues and deal with the matters raised in our protest,” parts of the statement read.
“We appreciate the work your institution has done for Science and Mathematics in Ghana and beyond since 1993 with the introduction of this National Science and Math Quiz except to add that we disagree with this decision on the riddle in question,” the school added.
Prempeh College highlighted that they have consistently supported the NSMQ program and its winners, even in years when they were eliminated early. They emphasized that their current engagement with Primetime is the first of its kind, as they genuinely believe in the correctness of their stance.
Regarding Primetime’s response to their protests, Prempeh College reaffirmed their belief that the answer provided by their contestant was accurate. They clarified that they did not concur with the NSMQ’s consultant when the issue was initially discussed at the contest venue.
The school stated that “it must be pointed out that the consultant did not interact with our lead on the subject matter let alone get a tacit acceptance.”
“With respect to the riddle question posed, we maintain that the response given in your reply does not address the inquiry in terms of the clues provided and this is not supported by various reference materials and authoritative publications on the subject matter.”
“Given that we may have reached an impasse we request that an independent Consultant or body be engaged to bring finality to this matter since one cannot be a judge in his own matter. We are resolute in our minds that our answer is correct, and we will take all available steps and means including legal, if necessary, to ensure that Prempeh College and its contestants are given a fair hearing.”
Prempeh College added that they will refer the issue to other international institutions and experts, and furnish the NSMQ organisers with copies of the responses at the appropriate time.
[Throwback] We were hoping for victory, never anticipating this unexpected defeat – it's left us utterly stunned. – Prempeh College old student #NSMQonJoypic.twitter.com/wlXrTJimxH
President Akufo-Addo has publicly disclosed, for the first time, the reasons behind his choice of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as his running mate, despite numerous well-qualified members within the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
President Akufo-Addo stated that he selected Dr. Bawumia because of his integrity, goal-oriented mindset, and his unwavering commitment to achieving team objectives.
Additionally, he emphasized the importance of having a representative from the Northern region to assist in governing the nation and fostering unity across the country as a whole.
The President shared this insight while responding to a question posed by Adwoa Boadiwaa, a student from the Association International School, during their visit to the Jubilee House on Thursday, October 26, along with other students and teachers.
“Of all the people, why did I choose Bawumia as the Vice President, my goodness, that is a lot of questions. But em…. I think you are aware [that] in terms of the balance, people from the south, people from the north… I think that for the unity of the country, it is good that we have a leadership where Northerners and Southerners are together so that the country can remain united.”
“He [Dr Mahamudu Bawumia] is from the North and I wanted somebody from the North to partner me for the election and then for the governance. He [Dr Mahamudu Bawumia] is also a clever man and I needed his brains to help me govern the country effectively,” President Akufo-Addo.
President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Bawumia
He further disclosed his admiration for individuals who embody honesty and emphasized that Dr. Bawumia is one of the few honest people he has encountered throughout his political journey.
“He [Dr Mahamudu Bawumia] is an honest person. He speaks honestly to you. He is not one of those people who you have to guess what they are trying to say, he says what he has to say directly and I like that. I prefer to deal with people who are very direct in what they say. These are some of the reasons why I chose Dr Bawumia to be my vice president” Akufo-Addo added.
President Akufo-Addo initially chose Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia as his running mate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the December 2008 presidential elections. This decision sparked numerous questions and concerns within his party and among political observers. Many pointed out that Dr. Bawumia was not a known member of the party and had minimal recognition in Ghana’s political landscape.
Despite the skepticism, candidate Akufo-Addo remained steadfast in his choice and retained Dr. Bawumia as his running mate for the December 2012 elections. In both elections, they narrowly lost to John Evans Atta Mills (2008) and John Dramani Mahama (2012).
However, in 2016 and again in 2020, President Akufo-Addo and his running mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, emerged victorious in both elections. They have since worked together as President and Vice President for the past six years and 10 months.
Presently, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia is competing against three other aspirants in the upcoming NPP internal presidential primaries scheduled for Saturday, November 4, 2023, to secure the NPP’s flagbearer position for the December 2024 general elections.
Several independent polls have projected Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia to win the NPP’s flagbearership race with an estimated 78% of the valid votes, which will be cast by over 200,000 participating delegates in the constituency-based polls.
The campaign team of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has contested the results of a Global Info Analytics survey, which suggests that Vice President Dr. Bawumia is leading with 43.5% of delegates’ votes in the upcoming New Patriotic Party’s presidential race on November 4.
According to the survey, none of the candidates in the race, including the frontrunner Vice President Bawumia, has garnered the required majority of over 50% of the votes for an outright win.
Additionally, the survey indicates that Kennedy Agyapong, Member of Parliament for Assin Central, has gained substantial support, securing 23.5% of delegates’ backing.
These findings suggest that the NPP race may be more closely contested than initially expected, with 18.3% of delegates yet to make a decision.
During an appearance on Joy FM’s Top Story on Thursday, October 26, in response to the survey findings, Sammy Awuku, the spokesperson for Dr. Bawumia’s campaign team, expressed their belief that Dr. Bawumia’s popularity remains strong.
He pointed out that, following the withdrawal and resignation of former presidential aspirant Alan Kyerematen, several key members of Kyerematen’s team have declared their support for Dr. Bawumia. According to Awuku, this development should strengthen the Vice President’s support base rather than diminish it to the reported 43.5%.
He contends that this should actually bolster the Vice President’s support base rather than cause it to decline to 43.5%.
For this reason, Mr Awuku noted that “any polls that predict that the Vice President will get less than 75% on the 4th of November – trust me is not any credible poll,” he said.
He emphasized that their team is confident in their candidate’s ability to secure a substantial victory, aiming for a range between 75% to 80%.
He stated that their team has diligently conducted its campaign efforts throughout the country, actively disseminating the candidate’s message of unity, with the goal of ensuring the New Patriotic Party retains power in the 2024 election.
“We entered into this race clearly knowing our red, yellow and green. As we speak today, I can tell you that we are working towards a 75% to 80% win on November 4, and I would be surprised to see the Vice President get anything below 75%,” he maintained.
“Any polling that for me, puts Dr Bawumia below 75% I will not treat it seriously,” he reiterated.
Meanwhile, the campaign team supporting former Food and Agric Minister, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, is expressing optimism that their candidate will deliver a major surprise in the race.
Dr. Prince Amuzu, the spokesperson for the team, believes that their candidate’s campaign message strongly resonates with the delegates.
In addition, George Obeng Antwi, who serves as the spokesperson for the Addai-Nimoh campaign team, confidently asserts that Mr. Nimoh will ultimately emerge victorious. He points out that his candidate faced unfavorable odds during the super delegates conference but managed to advance to the final four aspirants. Consequently, he holds reservations regarding the Global Info Analytics survey results concerning his candidate.
“We cannot go by the polls because we do not know who they interviewed. We are very certain that Mr Addai-Nimoh will be victorious. People are tired and want to see a new face lead the country,” he said.
Renowned Ghanaian singer, Jackline Acheampong, who goes by the professional name Gyakie, has released her highly anticipated official song of the year, “Rent Free.”
Earlier, Gyakie offered a sneak peek of the song, and it has been met with widespread acclaim as a masterpiece.
“Rent Free” delves into the themes of romantic relationships, emphasizing the importance of trust and loyalty.
“Don’t break me, don’t use me, don’t lose me, don’t leave me in the dark. If you trust me, give me your hands,” the intro goes.
The chorus sings, “living inside my head rent-free, baby…..” The tempo is upbeat and will get many boogying.
Do have a listen.
Fans on X are loving the track. Here is what they have to say.
Gyakie’s rent-free song is the hottest female song 🎵 in the country right now. 🔥😂🔥. @prett_Ama https://t.co/YVmqO5r9De
The Bank of Ghana anticipates that the ongoing disinflation process will persist, ultimately leading to a return of headline inflation to the target within the medium-term.
Nevertheless, the bank advises vigilance regarding potential risks to this disinflation path, such as heightened utility tariffs and fluctuations in commodity prices, with a particular focus on the volatility of crude oil prices.
“The disinflation process is expected to continue to ensure that headline inflation returns to target in the medium-term. However, risks to the disinflation path include increased utility tariffs and volatility in commodity prices, especially, crude oil prices”.
“These risks to the inflation outlook will be moderated by the tight monetary policy, relative stability in the local currency, and some base drift effects”, it said in the September 2023 Monetary Policy Report.
The Central Bank further stated that headline inflation has seen a cumulative decrease of 14.0% since its peak at 54.1% in December 2022.
Additionally, non-food inflation has significantly dropped by nearly 20%, indicating the overall effectiveness of monetary policy.
“All the Banks’ measures of core inflation are on a downward trend, indicating continued easing of underlying inflationary pressures. In addition, one-year ahead survey-based inflation expectations seem well anchored”.
Inflation in September 2023 decreased to 38.1% from the August 2023 figure of 40.1%, as reported by the Ghana Statistical Service.
The data reveals that both food and non-food inflation experienced reductions. Food inflation dropped to 49.4% from the previous 51.9% recorded in August 2023, while non-food inflation decreased to 29.3% from the 30.9% recorded in August 2023.
Founder and Chairman of GH. Support Association, Germany, Gee Queue, says about 60,000 Ghanaians are residing in Germany.
In an interview on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Thursday, October 26, Gee Queue noted that there are about 60,000 Ghanaians living in Germany, and about 5,000 to 7,000 of the figure are illegal migrants.
This implies that about 11 percent risk deportation at a time when the German Cabinet has passed legislation aimed at facilitating the deportation of unsuccessful asylum-seekers.
“I think Ghanaians could be 60,000 across the country but might not include those with the German passports because those with the German passports are not considered Ghanaians, but we see them as Ghanaians because on the passport, the place of birth says Obuasi, Accra,” Gee Queue said.
“We see Germany as a good place to start your life,” Gee Queue explained as the reason for the significant immigration into the country.
“Those 60,000 are general, and there are those who have stay permits. But those that might be deported run around 5,000 to 7,000,” he added.
Illegal migration, long a topic of hot debate across Europe and within Germany, has continued to put pressure on politicians to come up with an effective migration policy.
As such, the German Cabinet, under Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s leadership, on Wednesday, October 25, approved a legislative proposal on Wednesday to streamline the deportation process for unsuccessful asylum-seekers, addressing the pressing issue of migration in the political landscape.
This draft legislation, contingent on parliamentary approval, introduces several significant provisions.
It extends the maximum period of pre-deportation detention from 10 days to 28 days, expedites the deportation of individuals associated with criminal organizations, and grants authorities the ability to conduct residential searches to confirm an individual’s identity conclusively.
In some cases, it also eliminates the requirement for advance notice of deportations, per reports from international tabloids.
In Germany, a significant portion of rejected asylum-seekers are granted temporary stays for various reasons, which may include medical conditions, having a child with residency status, or challenges in obtaining proper identification.
Nevertheless, deportations can face obstacles stemming from a variety of factors, some of which are addressed by the newly proposed legislation. These challenges may also involve uncooperative attitudes from the migrants’ home countries. Germany is actively engaged in negotiations with various nations to address this issue while simultaneously promoting legal pathways for immigration.
Founder and Chairman of GH. Support Association, Germany, Gee Queue, has noted that about 5,000 to 7,000 Ghanaian immigrants in Germany risk deportation.
On Wednesday, October 25, the German Cabinet passed legislation aimed at facilitating the deportation of unsuccessful asylum-seekers.
Data published by the German Federal Police on Saturday revealed that 21,366 individuals entered Germany illegally in September.
This figure marks the highest monthly count of “unauthorized entries” into the country since February 2016, when 25,650 people arrived following the peak of the “refugee crisis.” This recent trend of rising entry numbers spans seven consecutive months.
According to police data, 92,119 individuals entered Germany illegally between January and September 2023. This puts the country on a trajectory to surpass the 112,000 people who illegally entered in 2016.
In an interview on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Thursday, October 26, monitored by The Independent Ghana, Gee Queue noted that there are about 60,000 Ghanaians living in Germany, and about 11 percent risk deportation.
Founder and Chairman of GH. Support Association, Germany, Gee Queue
“I think Ghanaians could be 60,000 across the country but might not include those with the German passports because those with the German passports are not considered Ghanaians, but we see them as Ghanaians because on the passport, the place of birth says Obuasi, Accra.”
“We see Germany as a good place to start your life,” he explained as the reason for the significant immigration into the country.
“Those 60,000 are general, and there are those who have stay permits. But those that might be deported run around 5,000 to 7,000,” he added.
This comes at a time when illegal migration, long a topic of hot debate across Europe and within Germany, has continued to put pressure on politicians to come up with an effective migration policy.
As such, the German Cabinet, under Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s leadership, approved a legislative proposal on Wednesday to streamline the deportation process for unsuccessful asylum-seekers, addressing the pressing issue of migration in the political landscape.
This draft legislation, contingent on parliamentary approval, introduces several significant provisions.
It extends the maximum period of pre-deportation detention from 10 days to 28 days, expedites the deportation of individuals associated with criminal organizations, and grants authorities the ability to conduct residential searches to confirm an individual’s identity conclusively.
In some cases, it also eliminates the requirement for advance notice of deportations, per reports from international tabloids.
In Germany, a significant portion of rejected asylum-seekers are granted temporary stays for various reasons, which may include medical conditions, having a child with residency status, or challenges in obtaining proper identification.
Nevertheless, deportations can face obstacles stemming from a variety of factors, some of which are addressed by the newly proposed legislation. These challenges may also involve uncooperative attitudes from the migrants’ home countries. Germany is actively engaged in negotiations with various nations to address this issue while simultaneously promoting legal pathways for immigration.
