A shop attendant, Samuel Botchway, has been sentenced to three years in prison by the Accra Circuit Court for stealing cosmetics worth GHC174,640.00 from his employer.
Botchway pleaded guilty to stealing boxes of cosmetics valued at GHC158,640.00 and four additional boxes valued at GHC16,000.00 on separate occasions.
The court, presided over by Madam Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie, convicted Botchway based on his own plea.
He was sentenced to three years of hard labor for the theft of cosmetic products valued at GHC158,640.00, as well as six months without hard labor for the theft of items valued at GHC16,000.00. The court ordered that both sentences be served concurrently.
According to Police Chief Inspector Eric Pobee, the complainant, Madam Vida Arhin-Duah, is a trader residing in Ablekuma Joma, while the convict, Samuel Botchway, resides in Bortianor, both in Accra.
Botchway had been employed by the complainant as a shop attendant and warehouse keeper at her cosmetics and beauty supply shop in the Mokala shopping mall since 2021.
The prosecution presented evidence that the complainant had been experiencing shortages of stock in both the shop and the warehouse.
On May 16, 2023, around 9:30 AM, while the complainant’s shop was open for business, Botchway was observed counting money in another shop within the Okaishie Market belonging to a witness named Latifa Rashid.
The court was informed that the complainant approached the convict to inquire about his presence in Latifa’s shop instead of her own.
According to Latifa, she explained to the complainant that Botchway was a regular customer who supplied her with cosmetic products. On May 13, 2023, he had delivered four boxes of gel polish to her, and he had come to collect the payment amounting to GHC 12,800.00.
Further details revealed that between December 2022 and April 2023, the convict had supplied Latifa with various cosmetic products, including body splash, Cobra, gel polish, top coat, and lip shine, among others. Latifa confirmed that she had paid for these products.
Upon the complainant’s invitation, the police were called to Latifa’s shop where Botchway was apprehended and taken to a police station.
During the investigation, the convict admitted to the offense in his cautioned statement. Subsequently, charges were filed against him, and he was brought before the court.
The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has expressed its excitement about the introduction of a new lottery game that is expected to bring about a revolution in the lottery industry in Ghana.
Zeta Technologies Ltd, a Ghanaian software development company on July 14, 2023, launched its highly anticipated MEGA6 Lotto game.
Unlike traditional lottery games, Mega6 offers players higher chances of winning.
Players play by simply selecting 6 numbers out of 49 and win prizes if any 2 or more of the numbers they selected appear in the draw. Players can win life-changing prizes of up to 1 million Cedis with stakes as low as 2 Cedis.
Engaging the media, Director General of the NLA, Sammy Awuku hinted of plans to open up the lottery third party space to other Ghanaian entrepreneurs to take advantage of the game.
He also announced plans of building an advisory unit which will ensure that the revenue being generated from the game could be useful to stakeholders in building more business ventures.
At the launch, attendees had the opportunity to witness a live demonstration of the MEGA6 Lotto game while engaging with representatives of both Zeta Technology and the National Lottery Authority (NLA) who provide regulatory oversight for the game.
Ghana’s agricultural sector faces numerous challenges, including the need for profitability, climate change adaptation, and sustainable practices.
To address these challenges, farmers are being encouraged to adopt environmentally conscious methods that can maximize their returns.
Conventional agricultural practices like bush burning, monocropping, excessive chemical usage, and a lack of product value addition pose significant obstacles to both agricultural and environmental sustainability.
The situation is further compounded by a lack of knowledge regarding proper farming models.
To tackle these issues, the SNV Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn) Project, in collaboration with the Kwadaso Agricultural College, has provided training to 45 farmers and prospective farmers.
This initiative is part of a larger effort that has trained and certified 83 entrepreneurs in the agricultural value chain across the Ashanti and Western Regions of Ghana.
SNV’s Opportunities for Youth Employment (OYE) Programme offers Basic and Advanced Skills training to equip beneficiaries with Climate Smart Agricultural practices. Through this program, participants receive training in agro-processing, value chain concepts, crop production, financial literacy, and management. The aim is to enhance their entrepreneurship and employability skills.
Awudu Darmani Musa, SNV’s Senior Skills Advisor, highlights that incorporating innovative methods into farming is crucial for maximizing profits.
By adopting innovative approaches, farmers can adapt to changing conditions, optimize productivity, and ensure sustainability in their agricultural practices.
“Most of them are farmers or entrepreneurs who needed some theoretical background in what they are doing and also seek innovative ways of doing things. We are looking at climate change models and experiences to be put into their activities. Farmers don’t know the scientific backgrounds of their practices and their effects.
“Like burning the bushes. They don’t know the effects of it. So with this program, they had gone through this training and experience. Through the program, they have learned how to turn their farm produce into a useful product for them to maximize their profit,” he said.
Ejisu Municipal Director of Agriculture, Dr. David Anambam, implored agricultural practitioners and experts to take up the task of educating farmers.
“Farmers have to do their work, but the extension officer is there to assist them to improve and employ modern farming practices. Some places have one officer to 2,500 farmers. Farmers can be helped to apply experience to the theory they learn here. And that will improve their work and income. Programs like this can solve such issues.
“We should demarcate, our farmer population into the various districts. Opinion leaders who are like an extension of extension officers can teach farmers new methods. And programs where we have practitioners who teach them about their work is also better,” he said.
Principal of Kwadaso Agriculture College, Albert Appiah Amoako, revealed the school is going digital.
“…such that we now monitor produce right from production to harvesting through technology. We entreat organic farming without the use of chemicals. The sector has attracted many people. The population in Kwadaso has moved from 500 to about 921. It tells us that what we are doing here is increasing the numbers, and we need to expand our facilities now. The good news is, a lot of them are female.”
Beneficiaries of the training and financial grants of the SNV GrEEN expressed their appreciation and enlightenment.
“As a rice farmer, I only cultivate rice but, the training has enlightened me that I could start a pig farm and feed them with my rice husks. And this will generate extra income,” a beneficiary said.
Another continued that, “SNV came to our community and realized my need as a rice farmer and gave me a grant. Firstly I was working on 2 acres of land, but now working on 7 acres of and with about 10 casual workers. And I came here to gain additional knowledge to top up to expand my business,” Ahiamadzor Selasi said.
“I have been on poultry for some time now, but the animals keep dying. Today’s training has taken me through practices that can maintain them and prevent losses. I have been taught how to cultivate a side business like mushroom irrespective of land size. I am very grateful that I took this opportunity,” said Hannah Akuttei.
A confrontation between individuals believed to be land guards and wood sellers in the Akwatialine area of the Asokore Mampong Municipality, located in the Ashanti region, has led to two individuals sustaining injuries.
The incident occurred on Tuesday when contractors were carrying out construction work were met by wood sellers who have resisted their relocation for redevelopment plans by Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly.
According to reports, land guards supposedly contracted by the Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly faced off with the wood sellers.
The Asokore Mampong Municipality authorities have noted that the ongoing efforts to redevelop the area have prompted the need for the woodworkers to move to alternative locations.
In April 2023, clashes occurred between security operatives and the wood sellers who resisted vacating the area where they conducted their businesses. The confrontations resulted in injuries to some wood sellers.
The Municipal Chief Executive of Asokore Mampong, Kennedy Kankam, had previously stated in an interview with Citi News that the wood sellers would be allowed to operate in newly constructed stores once they were completed.
En Huang, also known as Aisha Huang, an accused illegal miner, has stated before an Accra High Court that she has never visited Bepotenten in the Ashanti Region to engage in any illegal mining activities.
Furthermore, she has refuted claims of meeting with farm owners to obtain lands for illegal mining operations, asserting that she is not proficient in the Twi language.
“I have never had any conversation in Twi language anywhere,” Aisha is quoted to have said while answering questions under cross-examination by Mrs Yvonne Atakorah Obuobisa, Director of Public Prosecution.
Aisha Huang acknowledged being the owner of Aisha Supermarket, located in Ahodwo, Kumasi. She disclosed that her company’s official name was Golden Asia Company Limited, which had objectives encompassing the import and export of general goods as well as mining services. However, she clarified that although mining was listed as part of the company’s objectives, she did not possess a license to engage in mining activities.
En Huang admitted to being a director of the company rather than the secretary. She further revealed that she operated the supermarket from 2013 to 2018 and held the necessary permits to run that business.
Currently, En Huang is on trial for charges including undertaking mining operations without a license, facilitating the involvement of individuals in illegal mining, and re-entering Ghana despite being prohibited.
She has pleaded not guilty, and Justice Lydia Osei Marfo has remanded her into lawful custody. The hearing has been adjourned.
Miniplast Ghana Ltd, a leading plastics manufacturing company in Ghana and the West African sub-region, is set to receive a $10.5 million investment from the Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries (Norfund).
The $10.5 million investment from Norfund will be utilized to procure new manufacturing equipment and assist Miniplast in expanding its range of products.
Furthermore, the funds will be used to acquire new machinery that will enable the company to increase its recycling capacity to 1,700 tonnes per month. This expansion aims to replace imported plastic resins with locally sourced recycled materials, resulting in reduced production costs.
Regional Director for West Africa for Norfund, Naana Winful Fynn, expressed excitement over partnering with Miniplast to check Ghana’s plastic waste challenges.
“We are excited to be growing our portfolio in Ghana by partnering with the management and owners of Miniplast, a company which is doing important work on the local value addition front whilst also contributing to addressing the country’s plastic waste problem.
By investing to further increase the company’s production and recycling efforts, whilst increasing local sourcing, job creation and import substitution, we aim to contribute to the company’s growth and institutionalization, as well as to development”, she said.
This investment is anticipated to have significant positive impacts, including the creation of over 850 jobs throughout the plastics value chain. It will also contribute to increased local tax revenue and foreign exchange generation in one of West Africa’s key markets.
Chief Executive Officer of Miniplast, Mr. Nadim Ghanem, emphasized the company’s commitment to enhancing socio-economic opportunities for Ghanaian citizens.
He noted that Norfund is the ideal partner to assist with the company’s sustainable expansion.
“We are confident that we will have outstanding ESG results and innovative business impacts for the industry and country, especially with Norfund’s expertise guiding us,” he said.
The company’s dedication to sustainable manufacturing has been recognized through its achievement of the 2022 (11th) AGI Ghana Industry and Quality Award for Best Practices in Sustainable Manufacturing.
With its establishment in 1988, Miniplast specializes in injection moulding and blow moulding, producing a wide range of products made from High/Low-Density Polyethylene (H/LDPE), Polypropylene (PP), and PET Plastics. The company offers industrial packaging solutions, plastic furniture, and household products such as bowls, plates, buckets, and basins.
Miniplast serves a diverse customer base that includes local and international clients from various industries, including fast-moving consumer goods, agriculture, household & personal care, and mining.
In 2020, the company ventured into in-house plastics recycling, utilizing locally sourced plastic waste to produce recycled plastic materials. These recycled plastics are used in Miniplast’s manufacturing processes and are also sold to third parties.
Headquartered in Accra, Miniplast currently has a production capacity of 41 tonnes of plastic per day. It directly employs over 650 individuals and creates indirect employment opportunities for over 200 more.
In addition to its operations in Accra, Miniplast Ghana Ltd has established waste collection and grinding hubs in Kumasi and Tamale.
Norfund’s investment in Miniplast aligns with their strategic focus on providing patient capital to scalable enterprises in the manufacturing and waste management sectors across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Norfund was advised on this transaction by Emsy Capital, Ernst & Young (Ghana), Norwaste, Control Risks (West Africa) Ltd, Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah (BELA), Wikborg Rein (Norway) and IBIS Environmental Social Consulting (East Africa).
Member of Parliament representing the Madina constituency, Francis-Xavier Sosu, has revealed that President Akufo-Addo supports the Criminal Offences Amendment Act, which aims to replace the death penalty with life imprisonment.
In support of abolishing the death penalty, the Madina MP Francis-Xavier Sosu, while upholding international human rights conventions, said President Akufo-Addo at the UN voted for scrapping the death penalty from the statutes of countries around the world for the first time.
“The president [Nana Akufo-Addo] at the UN voted in favor of the abolishment of the death penalty for the first time, and he has even made public statements in support of the abolishment. It was the president that called for a cross-party approach to passing this bill when stakeholders called on him, and so he fully endorses and supports the position,” he said in a media interaction.
When the amendment bill was discussed in Parliament on Friday, July 14, Members of Parliament found themselves in a state of disagreement, causing division among them. The debate on the bill sparked contrasting opinions and viewpoints among the legislators.
The parliamentary debate on the amendment bill also sparked widespread discussion among the Ghanaian public. Different segments of society expressed varying views on the matter. Some individuals advocated for the complete abolition of the death penalty, citing reasons such as humanitarian concerns and the belief in rehabilitation over punishment.
On the other hand, there were those who argued in favor of retaining the death penalty, emphasizing its potential as a deterrent against heinous crimes and the need for justice to be served.
These contrasting perspectives contributed to a broader conversation among the Ghanaian populace regarding the implications and effectiveness of the death penalty in the country’s legal system.
Mr. Sosu emphasised that even though the death penalty has not been used since 1993, a corrupt government could still use it at any time to hunt down its opponents, as in the case of Myanmar.
“The government in 1991 said there were not going to be executions again, but 12 people were executed by firing squad in 1993, and from colonial times till 1993, 37 people were killed.”
“When you take the case of Myanmar, the country had not used the law for 42 years, but it was there on its books and last year when there was a military takeover, they used it against their opponents and gave legal reasons where four leaders were killed, and a hundred others were convicted to death.”
Having carried out its last execution in 1993, Ghana is considered abolitionist in practice, although no official moratorium on execution has been imposed.
The country’s domestic legislation, therefore, still provides for the use of capital punishment for crimes of treason under the Constitution and a series of other crimes, including murder, genocide, treason, and smuggling of gold and diamonds, under the Criminal Code and Other Offences Act.
The Armed Forces Act also allows for the use of the death penalty in cases of treason and mutiny by military personnel in times of war.
Ghanaian judges continue to impose death sentences, mainly in murder cases, despite concerns related to the circumstances under which these trials are carried out and the alleged miscarriages of justice or other violations of the right to a fair trial under Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
According to civil society reports, people condemned to capital punishment are imprisoned in a separate wing for males and a separate cell for women, sometimes in poor conditions.
Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, has been denied the opportunity to halt his ongoing criminal trial.
The High Court has asserted its authority to proceed with the case, disregarding the various legal actions filed at both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
Mr Quayson is facing charges that include perjury and forgery. Despite the court’s initial intention to hold daily hearings, the legislator has attempted to halt the proceedings by submitting legal motions to the Court of Appeal.
Additionally, he has filed another request at the Supreme Court, asserting that the Attorney General has failed to provide him with the complete set of evidence to be used against him.
However, the High Court dismissed Quayson’s requests, affirming its jurisdiction to continue the trial without delay.
“We have filed an application for a stay of proceedings that has been set for Wednesday the 19th of July at the Court of Appeal. We have also filed in the Supreme Court, a motion invoking the supervisory jurisdiction for an order directed at this court to quash the decision made on the 16th of July and another to prohibit the court from proceeding with the case,” lead counsel for the MP Tsatsu Tsikata earlier told the court.
Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame disagreed with this view and pointed out that the court should proceed since no order has been issued by either the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court.
“Respectfully, the prayer before you is without any basis. And I am not surprised he has not referred you to any rule of law. It is an attempt to deny the court the right to hear the case. It is an attempt to prevent the continuation of the trial and I pray the court to disregard the request,” he stated.
The court presided over by Justice Mary Yanzuh ruled that in the absence of any court order halting proceedings, the court will proceed with the case.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has alleged that Nigerian businessman Phillips Olawole Olaiya, has unethically taken advantage of his relationship with government to make “unconscionable sweetheart deals” that have had negative effects on the economy.
In a Facebook post over the weekend, Mr Ablakwa noted that despite companies belonging to Phillips Olawole Olaiya having no track record, they have been provided with contract worth US$371.5million in the communication sector being spearheaded by Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful.
Among the “controversial” contracts awarded to the “Nigerian cabal” include: Kelni GVG revenue assurance deal valued at US$178million; Smart Infraco COVID-19 Smart workplace deal valued at US$36million; Ascend Digital Solutions Limited Rural Telephony deal valued at US$48million; Ascend/AirtelTigo JV World Bank funded eTransform project valued at US$49.5million.
The last but not least is the National Communication Authority’s (NCA) clandestine new Electronic Communications Managed Services License (ECMSL).
According to Mr Ablakwa, this contract seeks to “restrict Ericsson and Huawei so as to create a new looting category for this same Nigerian Cabal in a deal experts say can potentially generate US$60million in conservative annual profits.”
In the signing of these deals, Mr Ablakwa alleges “the flagrant violation of our procurement laws, rigged systems to favour them, and the impunity with which they flout other laws.”
For Mr Ablakwa, it is unacceptable for the IT geniuses in Ghana to be abandoned for those in Nigeria.
“What happened to the once celebrated and well established Ghanaian IT firms? Will any Nigerian President or Nigerian Ministers of State do this for any Ghanaian businessman?Will Nigerians and Nigerian industry players accept this if it happened in their country?” he quizzed.
He argued that the Ghanaian economy would fare much better should Ghanaian tech entrepreneurs have been provided with US$371.5million to enable them to assume commanding heights.
Meanwhile, Mr Ablakwa has pledged to continue to track the issue as a lot more is in the offing.
Source: The Independent Ghana | Andy Ogbarmey-Tettey
Deputy ranking member on the Lands and Forestry Committee of Parliament, Alhassan Suhuyini, has requested the Lands Ministry to furnish the committee with the contract details between itself and Aynok Services Limited.
According to Mr Suhuyini, this is to allow Parliament to determine whether claims that government has been contracting land guards to reclaim encroached lands on its behalf are true.
During an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show, Mr. Suhuyini said “We first want to introduce that contract to the committee and once that contract has been introduced to the committee, we can now invite him as a service provider to the ministry to speak on the contract and that is why we are focussed as a committee on the ministry providing us with that contract.”
On Monday, July 17, Minority members of the Lands and Forestry Committee of Parliament accused the government of enlisting the services of land guards for the retrieval and protection of government lands, citing statements made by the Chief Director of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Professor Patrick Agbesinyale, during a meeting with the Committee.
Govt allegedly using land guards to reclaim encroached lands – Leaked audio reveals#INDNews Akrobeto | Thomas Partey | GTBank | ghana police | La Masia | Addo D pic.twitter.com/shyETcRUZG
— The Independent Ghana (@independent_gh) July 17, 2023
Per a leaked tape, the Police and Ghana Armed Forces are said to involved in such act.
Addressing the media, the Deputy Ranking Member on the Lands and Forestry Committee of Parliament, Alhassan Suhuyini bemoaned the lack of commitment on the part of the government to combat land guard activities.
“The other shocking revelation according to the Chief Director is that even the Ghana Armed Forces and the Police use this same land guard to protect their lands. So, if the military and the police cannot protect their own lands and have to resort to the use of a land guard, then what will be the fate of the common Ghanaian who wants to acquire land and is faced with land guards?” he quizzed.
But the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has refuted allegations made, arguing that the Lands Commission has legally engaged the services of Aynok Holding Limited, a registered limited liability company to assist in reclaiming encroached government lands.
This engagement, the ministry said, has been in effect since 2012.
Also in a press statement signed by Director General Public Relations, Brigadier General E Aggrey-Quashie, the Ghana Armed Forces assured all that the allegation is false and should be treated with the contempt it deserves.
They argued that it is unimaginable that GAF cannot protect its own lands but rather indulge in an illegality by relying on the services of land guards, a proscribed activity.
“GAF deems it as regrettable that news reports emanated from unsubstantiated allegations made by the Chief Director of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Prof Patrick Agbesinyale at a Parliamentary Committee meeting on 10 July 2023.
“We wish to stress that this allegation which was repeated by Hon Alhassan Suhuyini, Member of Parliament for Tamale North to the media is false and should be ignored,” the statement added.
On the matter, the Ghana Police Service has also refuted any alliance with land guards.
In a statement dated July 17, the Police Service said it “has not on any occasion engaged the services of land guards to reclaim or protect its lands.”
“In fact, on the contrary, the Service has in recent times intensified its anti-languard operations in communities affected by the activities of these land guards and this renewed effort will not stop until perpetrators of such illegal activities are brought to justice,” the statement added.
The National Association of Institutional Suppliers has called on the government to address its outstanding debts for supplies made to schools in the past three years.
The association, which consists of 250 members involved in providing uniforms, stationery, and foodstuffs to Senior High Schools (SHSs), has given the government a two-week ultimatum to settle the debts.
Should the payment not be made within the given timeframe, the association members plan to stage a protest at the Ministry of Education.
Chairperson of the Association, Stephen Oware, expressed that they have been supplying schools since 2021 but have yet to receive full payment for their services. The payments have been made in batches, with only five out of the 19 batches seeing partial payment for some members of the association.
“Payment for supplies we made to the schools for the past three years are always delayed. Some supplies made in 2021 school year are still in arrears, and about 60 per cent of 2022 school year supplies are outstanding,” he said, adding that: “The Ministry has failed to fulfil its promise of paying us our monies at our meeting about three months ago.”
According to Mr. Oware, the unresolved debt situation has caused significant distress for members of the association, resulting in embarrassment from their bankers and creditors. Some members have been forced to part with valuable properties used as collateral for loans, while others have experienced insolvency and extreme hardship, leading to unfortunate cases of members losing their lives.
The dire consequences stemming from the unpaid debts have placed immense strain on the affected individuals, exacerbating their financial difficulties and contributing to personal misery.
“This development is seriously threatening the survival of our businesses. Our spouses, workers and dependants risk losing their livelihood if this situation is not urgently addressed,” he added.
Mr Oware also called for increment in the price of their supplies to schools to meet the present economic situation and its attendant price hikes in the production cost.
He said since 2016, the price cost of their supplies paid by Government had remained the same without any increment to cushion them in the current economic situation.
“All the factors affecting our production have not been favourable and, therefore, the cost of production has been abnormally high. Despite all these, the prices fixed for the supplied of products have virtually been the same, with the price fixed since 2016 still maintained.”
“We have since 2019 written series of letters to the Ministry of Education and Ghana education Service requesting upward adjustment, but to our dismay, there hasn’t been any positive response,” he stated.
Arsenal Football Club has unveiled its new away shirt for the upcoming 2023-24 season, drawing inspiration from the club’s origins in Islington.
The eye-catching design boasts a vibrant yellow color, accentuated by fluid black lines that symbolize the map of Arsenal’s home borough in North London.
In a departure from their traditional away shirt style, the kit features a blue badge and logos, while the collar and sleeves are adorned with the same blue hue, adding an unconventional touch to the overall look.
Ready to broadcast Islington’s finest to the world 📻
Introducing the new Arsenal x @adidasFootball 23/24 Men’s Team away kit 👇
Forward Gabriel Martinelli said of the adidas-designed strip: “I love it! It’s a fresh look and it really brings to life the style of Arsenal.
“Our supporters are incredible and it’s great that adidas and the club have created this design to celebrate them and our roots in North London.
“I can’t wait to get back on the pitch in our new away shirt.”
Arsenal’s Brazilian contingent show off their striking new away shirt
As part of their new jersey campaign, Arsenal has provided a platform for several music artists who are passionate supporters of the Gunners. This initiative celebrates the vibrant culture of Arsenal’s local area.
In a promotional video, musicians including Mabel, Sherelle, and AntsLive are featured alongside the club’s men’s first-team players, showcasing the diverse talents and shared passion for the Arsenal community.
Rapper AntsLive said: “There are so many talented Gooners all over the globe and I love the way the club is making a real effort to showcase the talent. Arsenal have always led the pack in supporting culture.
“We’ve seen them connect with supporters in North London and communities around the world in different ways and this time it’s through music and design.
“As a lifelong Gooner, it’s a special honour to feature in the launch and have my music as the soundtrack. Big up the Arsenal every time.”
Leandro Trossard will hope to have a big impact for Arsenal next season
Arsenal’s men’s team, under the management of Mikel Arteta, may unveil their new kit when they take on the MLS All-Stars in Washington DC on Wednesday night. This match is part of their schedule during their time in the United States, where they will also face renowned teams such as Manchester United and Barcelona.
Following their American tour, Arsenal will return home for a fixture against Monaco in the Emirates Cup. Subsequently, they will face off against Premier League champions Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 6, marking the traditional season-opening match.
The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) has issued a stern warning to the government, urging them to abandon their plans of introducing additional taxes on petroleum products during the mid-year budget review.
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is scheduled to present the mid-year budget review to Parliament on July 25, 2023.
COPEC says it has obtained information suggesting that the government intends to impose further taxes on fuel, which is already causing significant burden for consumers. The organization emphasizes that such a move would be insensitive and only exacerbate the already difficult situation faced by Ghanaians.
During an appearance on the Breakfast Daily show on Citi TV, Executive Secretary of COPEC, Duncan Amoah, expressed his concern over the potential repercussions of such actions, highlighting the negative impact it would have on the well-being of the Ghanaian population.
COPEC firmly believes that implementing additional taxes on petroleum products would further worsen the plight of citizens.
“What I am even picking up from the budget to be read soon is that if Ghanaians are not lucky, there will be newer taxes… But we will issue a warning here. If government dares us, we will dare them this time. I mean, it’s already crazy. We are trying. When it comes to austerity, what governments across the world will try to do is to provide support and reliefs.”
“But when you are in austerity, and you are taxing even more, you are simply shuttering people’s livelihoods. This is going to be crazy for people. But beyond this, if you are getting new attempts to slap taxes on petrol, which is already high, then the insensitivity, the misalignment. He is probably not diagnosing the problem properly to be able to proffer solutions properly,” he stated.
On July 18th, the world celebrates Nelson Mandela Day, honoring the remarkable achievements of the South African leader on the anniversary of his birth. This day, established by the United Nations in 2009, serves as a tribute to Mandela’s extraordinary life and enduring legacy.
Under the theme “It’s in your hands,” Nelson Mandela Day 2023 seeks to raise awareness about the impact of climate change on food and encourages individuals to make a difference in their communities by planting trees and cultivating food. The organizers aim to plant one million trees globally as part of this initiative.
Nelson Mandela, a renowned global statesman, left an indelible mark on the 20th century and continues to shape the 21st. Through his unwavering dedication, he brought about significant changes in the lives of countless South Africans, inspiring generations with his message of peace, reconciliation, and social justice.
Nelson Mandela Day stands as a reminder of the power of individual action and the importance of fostering a better world. It encourages people worldwide to embrace Mandela’s spirit of compassion, equality, and determination to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.
Nelson Mandela’s journey to becoming the first black president of South Africa in the nation’s inaugural democratic elections in 1994 was a challenging one.
During Mandela’s youth, South Africa was deeply divided by apartheid, a system that enforced racial segregation and discrimination. Under apartheid, white and black individuals were prohibited from engaging in activities together and were forced to lead separate lives.
In this unjust system, the minority white population held absolute power over all aspects of South African society. Black individuals had limited rights, including the denial of voting privileges. White authorities controlled employment opportunities for black citizens, as well as where they could reside. Disparities in education and healthcare were also prevalent, with white individuals having access to superior facilities and resources.
Nelson Mandela, driven by his deep conviction for equality and justice, dedicated himself to fighting against the oppressive apartheid regime. He became a prominent figure in the anti-apartheid movement and led numerous protests and demonstrations against the unjust policies.
Mandela’s unwavering determination and commitment to ending apartheid were instrumental in reshaping the course of South African history. His leadership, coupled with the efforts of countless activists, ultimately led to the dismantling of apartheid and the establishment of a more inclusive and democratic South Africa.
Image caption, This was Mandela’s prison cell, which is now a museum
Amidst the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, certain protests escalated into acts of violence, leading critics to brand Nelson Mandela and his supporters as terrorists.
In 1964, Mandela faced conviction for treason and conspiracy to overthrow the government, resulting in a life sentence. He served a significant portion of his imprisonment on Robben Island, located off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa. This island had served as a prison for political offenders, predominantly black men, for over three centuries.
However, despite the negative portrayal by some, Mandela garnered widespread international support for his cause. People from around the globe rallied behind him, advocating for his release and standing in solidarity with the fight against apartheid.
Mandela’s resilience and the global solidarity he received played a pivotal role in shedding light on the injustices of apartheid and contributed to the eventual dismantling of the discriminatory system.
In a historic moment in 1990, Nelson Mandela was finally released after spending 27 years in prison. The decision to release Mandela came from South African President FW de Klerk, who, as a white man, played a crucial role in ushering in a new era for the country.
Mandela had emerged as a powerful symbol of resistance against apartheid, capturing the hearts and minds of people around the globe. His long-awaited release sparked widespread celebrations, not only in South Africa but also across the world. Mandela’s freedom marked a significant turning point in South African history, symbolizing the potential for reconciliation, unity, and the dismantling of the oppressive apartheid system.
The release of Nelson Mandela paved the way for his subsequent involvement in negotiations and ultimately his election as South Africa’s first black president in 1994.
Apartheid in South Africa officially ended in 1991, and the following year, the country witnessed its first fully-democratic elections, enabling both black and white citizens to exercise their right to vote. In this historic election, Nelson Mandela was elected as the president of South Africa, embarking on a mission to foster unity and reconciliation among people of different races.
In recognition of his remarkable efforts, Nelson Mandela was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, the highest accolade in its category, for his tireless work in promoting peace and justice.
In 1995, South Africa hosted the Rugby World Cup, a significant sporting event. Mandela saw an opportunity to use the occasion to bridge racial divides and foster national unity. He offered his support to the South African rugby team, predominantly composed of white players, known as the Springboks. Against the odds, the team went on to win the tournament, symbolizing a triumph that transcended the boundaries of sport and united the nation.
Nelson Mandela’s impact as a world leader has secured his place in history. He is widely revered for advocating messages of forgiveness and equality, leaving an indelible legacy that continues to inspire people across the globe. His unwavering commitment to justice and the pursuit of a more inclusive society has left an enduring mark on the world’s collective memory.
The retrial of former Manchester United winger and Wales manager Ryan Giggs on domestic violence charges, scheduled for later this month, has been abandoned as the prosecution withdrew.
Ryan Giggs, 49, was set to face trial for a second time on July 31, accused of controlling or coercive behavior towards his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville between August 2017 and November 2020.
Additionally, Giggs faced accusations of assault for allegedly headbutting Greville and common assault for elbowing her sister Emma in the jaw during an argument at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, on November 1, 2020.
Giggs denied the charges and went through a month-long trial, which concluded in August of the previous year with the jury failing to reach a verdict.
Following that, the prosecutors applied for a retrial, which was granted, and was scheduled to begin on July 31. The complainants had expressed their willingness to testify at the second trial.
However, on Tuesday, prosecutor Peter Wright KC informed Manchester Crown Court that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had decided not to proceed with the case.
During Giggs’ time at Old Trafford, Manchester United won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, four FA Cups and three League Cups.
Giggs stood down as Wales boss following a period of leave since November 2020.
He won 64 caps for Wales and is co-owner of Sky Bet League Two side Salford.
The upcoming launch of the Chartered Institute of Realtors (CIR) in Ghana marks an important milestone for the real estate industry.
Committed to delivering top-notch training and educational opportunities to its members, the CIR aims to meet the evolving needs of real estate professionals worldwide.
The launch event is expected to attract a diverse audience, including policymakers, international property developers, lawyers, arbitrators, politicians, clergy, government stakeholders, academics, and property investors, among others.
This diverse representation underscores the significance of the real estate industry and its impact on various sectors of society.
The establishment of the CIR aims to foster unity among the different fields within the building environment and establish itself as a globally recognized certification body in the real estate industry. By bringing together professionals with specialized skills and experiences, the CIR will contribute to the advancement of the industry as a whole.
Similar to other professional bodies in fields such as Accountancy, Law, and Banking, the CIR will play a crucial role in educating its members on professional standards and ethics.
This will ensure that real estate professionals adhere to recognized standards of operation, working in harmony with state institutions like the Lands Commission and other industry associations.
The Chartered Institute of Realtors (CIR) in Ghana is dedicated to providing high-quality training, education, and certifications for individuals seeking to establish themselves in the real estate industry. Its objective is to harmonize the skills, experiences, and services of all stakeholders, ensuring professionalism and excellence in the field.
To achieve this goal, the CIR has designed a comprehensive training program consisting of progressive stages, including requisite training, seminars, and workshops. This systematic approach enables members to grasp essential concepts and conventions in the real estate industry.
The institute recognizes the importance of collaboration and will engage with realtors and professional associations worldwide. By leveraging available resources and expertise, the CIR aims to equip its members with the necessary tools to promote professionalism, quality, and excellence in their work.
The expansion of the global real estate industry has brought forth various challenges, including land acquisition issues, property fraud, property pricing, broker management services, and facility and property management.
The CIR aims to address these diverse issues to safeguard the integrity of the industry. By doing so, it seeks to restore or maintain confidence in the real estate sector and provide valuable insights to navigate the experiences faced by professionals worldwide.
The Chartered Institute of Realtors in Ghana is poised to make a significant impact in the real estate industry by promoting best practices, continuous learning, and the highest standards of professionalism.
A town in South Darfur, Sudan, has been seized by the paramilitary force known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) following clashes with the army.
The situation has resulted in the displacement of several thousand families from the town of Kas, and there are disturbing reports of human rights abuses.
Incidents of looting or destruction of government buildings and markets by RSF fighters have been reported.
Since the outbreak of the conflict in mid-April, non-Arab communities across Darfur have been specifically targeted by the RSF and allied Arab militias.
Violent confrontations are ongoing in the capital city, Khartoum, and various other areas, while regional and international mediation efforts persist in seeking an end to the conflict.
This recent bout of ethnic violence bears resemblance to a similar pattern witnessed two decades ago when militias were deployed to suppress a rebellion. That previous war resulted in the loss of approximately 300,000 lives.
Due to a minor typing error, millions of emails intended for the US military’s “.mil” domain have been mistakenly sent to Mali, a Russian ally, which uses the “.ml” suffix.
This issue has been ongoing for years, and it has been reported that some of the misdirected emails contained sensitive information such as passwords, medical records, and the itineraries of high-ranking officers.
The Pentagon has acknowledged the problem and has taken measures to address it. The Financial Times, which initially broke the story, stated that Dutch internet entrepreneur Johannes Zuurbier discovered the issue over a decade ago.
Since 2013, Zuurbier has been responsible for managing Mali’s country domain and has reportedly collected tens of thousands of misrouted emails in recent months.
Although none of the emails were labeled as classified, they reportedly included various sensitive materials such as medical data, maps of US military installations, financial records, official trip plans, and some diplomatic communications.
Zuurbier recently sent a letter to US officials to raise awareness of the situation. He highlighted that his contract with the Mali government is nearing its end, emphasizing the real risk and potential exploitation by adversaries of the United States.
The domain control was scheduled to be transferred to Mali’s military government on Monday. Requests for comment have been made to Mr. Zuurbier regarding the matter.
US military communications that are marked “classified” and “top secret” are transmitted through separate IT systems that make it unlikely they will be accidently compromised, according to current and former US officials.
But Steven Stransky, a lawyer who previously served as senior counsel to the Department of Homeland Security’s Intelligence Law Division, said that even seemingly harmless information could prove useful to US adversaries, particularly if it included details of individual personnel.
“Those sorts of communications would mean that a foreign actor can start building dossiers on our own military personnel, for espionage purposes, or could try to get them to disclose information in exchange for financial benefit,” Mr Stransky said. “It’s certainly information that a foreign government can use.”
Image caption,Mali has become increasingly close with Russia since a 2020 coup unseated its former government
Lee McKnight, a professor of information studies at Syracuse University, said he believed the US military was fortunate that the issue was brought to its attention and the emails were going to a domain used by Mali’s government, rather than to cyber criminals.
He added that “typo-squatting” – a type of cyber-crime that targets users who incorrectly misspell an internet domain – is common. “They’re hoping that a person will make a mistake, and that they can lure you in and do stupid things,” he said.
When contacted by the BBC, a spokesperson said the defence department was aware of the issue and it was being taken seriously.
They said the department had taken steps to ensure that “.mil” emails are not sent to incorrect domains, including blocking them before they leave and notifying senders that they must validate intended recipients.
Both Mr McKnight and Mr Stransky said human errors were prime concerns for IT specialists working in government and the private sector alike.
“Human error is by far the most significant security concern on a day-to-day basis,” Mr Stransky said. “We just can’t control every single human, every single time”.
On Thursday, July 13, 2023, President Akufo-Addo officially inaugurated the Eleanor Akufo-Addo Memorial Social Centre in Mampong, located in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.
This significant event coincided with the 30th anniversary of the passing of Mrs. Eleanor Akufo-Addo, the late wife of the President and a respected member of the Botase community in the Mampong municipality.
The state-of-the-art facility, named in honor of Mrs. Eleanor Akufo-Addo, encompasses various amenities to serve the community.
It includes a spacious community center suitable for hosting social events, a hotel and restaurant, a well-designed car park, office spaces, and a lift to provide accessibility for individuals with mobility challenges, ensuring they can enjoy the facility on all floors.
During his address to the enthusiastic crowd, President Akufo-Addo stressed the importance of ongoing maintenance to preserve the center’s pristine condition.
He expressed his hope that when he revisits the facility next year, it will continue to be well-maintained. Furthermore, he expressed confidence that the center would be even better in a decade, reflecting the enduring commitment to its upkeep and development.
President Akufo-Addo urged the management of the Eleanor Akufo-Addo Memorial Social Centre to take charge of the facility’s operations, ensuring not only the provision of expected services but also prioritizing proper maintenance to ensure its sustainability and durability.
He expressed heartfelt gratitude to My Sisters Keepers Foundation, an NGO, for their generous funding and support in constructing this remarkable edifice as a tribute to his late wife, Mrs. Eleanor Akufo-Addo.
Acknowledging the emotional weight he carries on his late wife’s anniversary, particularly during visits to Mampong, the President found solace in the presence of Mrs. Eleanor Akufo-Addo’s sisters during these occasions. He paid tribute to their support and expressed gratitude for their presence.
Taking the opportunity, President Akufo-Addo expressed his appreciation to the people of Mampong for their unwavering support, both personally and for his government.
In response, Daasebre Dr. Osei Bonsu II, the Mamponghene and occupant of the Silver Stool of the Asante Kingdom, led the people of Mampong in a standing ovation, expressing their deep appreciation and gratitude to the President for the various developmental projects scattered across the Mampong municipality.
Emphasizing that the Social Centre belongs not just to Mampong but to the entire Mampong Municipality, Daasebre Dr. Osei Bonsu II encouraged citizens from all corners of the municipality to make use of the facility and support its activities.
During the event, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II took the opportunity to appeal to the President to commence the long-awaited Mampong Sports Stadium project. He expressed the deep gratitude of the Mampong community for the numerous developmental projects implemented in the municipality. The people of Mampong would be eternally grateful if construction of the Sports Stadium could commence promptly, ideally before the 2024 general elections.
In his welcoming address, Hon. Thomas Appiah-Kubi, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Mampong, assured the gathering that the Mampong Municipal Assembly would continue to provide unwavering support to ensure the Social Centre serves its intended purposes to the satisfaction of the public.
Hon. Kwaku Ampratwum Sarpong, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Mampong and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, acknowledged the contributions made by various individuals, including former MP Hon. Francis Addai-Nimoh, MCE Thomas Appiah-Kubi, the Mampong Traditional Council, especially Mamponghene Daasebre Dr. Osei Bonsu II, and Mamponghemaa Nana Agyakomaa Dufie. He credited their dreams and tireless support for making the project a reality. The MP also hinted at the formation of a management team responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient management of the Social Centre.
The commissioning ceremony attracted a diverse range of attendees, including Municipal Chief Executives (MMDCEs), NPP Constituency Executives of Mampong, Nsuta, and Ejura, academics, students, business executives, health professionals, clergy, security officials and personnel, as well as heads of departments and staff from the Mampong Municipal Assembly and the media.
Notable personalities present at the event included Hon. Simon Osei Mensah, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and MP for Damango, and Edwina Nana Dokuwaa Akufo-Addo, the President’s Daughter, among others.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has denied claims that it employs the services of land guards to claim their pieces of land that have been encroached.
On Monday, July 17, Minority members of the Lands and Forestry Committee of Parliament accused the government of enlisting the services of land guards for the retrieval and protection of government lands, citing statements made by the Chief Director of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Professor Patrick Agbesinyale, during a meeting with the Committee.
Addressing the media, the Deputy Ranking Member on the Lands and Forestry Committee of Parliament, Alhassan Suhuyini bemoaned the lack of commitment on the part of the government to combat land guard activities.
“The other shocking revelation according to the Chief Director is that even the Ghana Armed Forces and the Police use this same land guard to protect their lands. So, if the military and the police cannot protect their own lands and have to resort to the use of a land guard, then what will be the fate of the common Ghanaian who wants to acquire land and is faced with land guards?” he quizzed.
But in a press statement signed by Director General Public Relations, Brigadier General E Aggrey-Quashie, the Ghana Armed Forces assured all that the allegation is false and should be treated with the contempt it deserves.
They argued that it is unimaginable that GAF cannot protect its own lands but rather indulge in an illegality by relying on the services of land guards, a proscribed activity.
“GAF deems it as regrettable that news reports emanated from unsubstantiated allegations made by the Chief Director of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Prof Patrick Agbesinyale at a Parliamentary Committee meeting on 10 July 2023.
“We wish to stress that this allegation which was repeated by Hon Alhassan Suhuyini, Member of Parliament for Tamale North to the media is false and should be ignored,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Armed Forces has entreated the media and the public not to hesitate to contact the Department of Public Relations to clarify stories of these nature before publishing them.
At this critical time, GAF’s focus is geared towards protecting the frontiers of our country against the downward spread of violent extremism from the Sahel Region and the least the Institution expects are issues that distracts us (GAF) from focusing on protecting the country, the statement added.
Also, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has refuted allegations made, arguing that the Lands Commission legally engaged the services of Aynok Holding Limited, a registered limited liability company to assist in reclaiming encroached government lands.
This engagement, the ministry said, has been in effect since 2012.
Source: The Independent Ghana | Andy Ogbarmey-Tettey
Goalkeeper Jordan Amissah has earned a place in Sheffield United’s highly anticipated pre-season squad, showcasing his talents after a loan spell at Burton Albion.
The promising goalkeeper, who represents the Black Meteors, has joined the team in Portugal for their pre-season training.
Amissah aims to secure a permanent spot in Sheffield United’s lineup for the upcoming season, with aspirations of competing in the Premier League.
Born in Germany, he is expected to feature in a friendly match against Estoril at Estádio António Coimbra da Mota.
Under the guidance of head coach Paul Heckingbottom, the Blades have been training in Portugal, preparing for their upcoming pre-season fixtures.
Amissah will also be part of the team for their match against Rotherham United in New York.
Sheffield United has further pre-season matches scheduled against Girona in Manchester, as well as fixtures against Derby County and Stuttgart at Bramall Lane.
The team’s first Premier League game for the 2023/24 season will be against Crystal Palace.
At a US auction, the value of iPhones defied the usual trend of depreciating immediately after purchase.
A rare first edition, unopened 4GB model was sold for an astonishing $190,372.80 (£145,416).
These particular models were produced in limited quantities, making them highly sought after by iPhone collectors who consider them the “Holy Grail” of iPhone memorabilia.
Conducted by LCG Auctions, the lot garnered significant attention with a total of 28 bids, resulting in a sale that reached nearly 400 times the original price.
The final amount includes administrative costs in addition to the hammer price paid by the buyer, known as the “buyer’s premium.” It’s important to note that the buyer’s premium is retained by the auction house and does not go to the seller.
LCG Auctions described the first edition iPhone as a “popular high-end” and a “red-hot collectable,” highlighting the fact that two other factory-sealed, first edition iPhones had achieved record-breaking values in the past year.
The website described the model as an “exceedingly rare, factory sealed, first-release 4GB model in exceptional condition. Virtually flawless along the surface and edges, the factory seal is clean with correct seam details and tightness”.
he auction for the first edition, unopened 4GB model of the iPhone surpassed all expectations, fetching a staggering $190,372.80 (£145,416). Originally priced at $599 (£457) upon its release in 2007, the 4GB model was discontinued after just two months due to slow sales.
While the 8GB model, offering double the storage space, became the preferred choice for most consumers at a slightly higher price, the rarity of the 4GB model has made it highly sought-after by Apple enthusiasts and collectors.
This auction is part of a trend where unique Apple memorabilia and artifacts related to Steve Jobs’ life and career garner significant attention. Previous items sold include a poem he wrote in a high school yearbook, college photos, and a business card from 1978.
Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, passed away in 2011 at the age of 56 after battling pancreatic cancer. His contributions to the world of technology and innovation are widely recognized, with products such as the iMac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad revolutionizing various industries and improving the lives of people worldwide.
Legendary Ghanaian footballer, Ibrahim Sunday, has delivered a stern warning to Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak, urging them to refrain from signing players lacking talent in their quest to improve their performance.
Drawing from his extensive experience and successful career, Sunday’s sincere advice serves as a call to action for both clubs to prioritize quality and wise decision-making when it comes to recruiting players.
“Asante Kotoko is not a club that any player at all should be signed. It is not a club that as soon as a player is good in a village then he is brought to Kotoko to play,” Ibrahim Sunday told Oyerepa FM.
“We have to see that the player is really talented and he has a future before he is taken to Kotoko or Hearts of Oak before he is called to the national team,”
“But not any player at all from any village then he is signed and fielded by Asante Kotoko or Hearts of Oak.”
Novak Djokovic has received a fine of $8,000 (£6,117) for his racquet-smashing incident during the Wimbledon men’s singles final.
The incident occurred in the fifth set of Djokovic’s match against Carlos Alcaraz, when the Serb’s serve was broken in the third game.
Umpire Fergus Murphy promptly issued Djokovic a warning for the code violation. The fine will be deducted from Djokovic’s runner-up prize money of £1.175 million.
Djokovic’s frustration grew during the decisive set of the captivating match on Sunday, particularly after missing a straightforward chance at the net to secure a break and go 2-0 up.
Alcaraz then capitalized on the opportunity by breaking Djokovic’s serve in the subsequent game, triggering the emotional outburst and receiving some boos from a section of the Centre Court crowd.
World number one Alcaraz took advantage of the break and ultimately triumphed with a 1-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-1 3-6 6-4 victory after a grueling four hours and 42 minutes. The 20-year-old’s win denied Djokovic his 24th grand slam title.
The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation has initiated a training program for 1,000 girls in the Northern Region, as part of the Girls-in-ICT programme.
The training, commencing on Monday, aims to equip the participants with essential Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills, including coding, cyber security, and website development.
The selected girls come from all 16 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies in the region, namely Mion, Karaga, Tolon, Kumbungu, Savelugu, Tamale, Nanton, Sagnarigu, Kpandai, Gushegu, Tatali-Sangule, Nanumba South, Nanumba North, Yendi, Saboba, and Zabzugu.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and shared with the Ghana News Agency in Tamale, it was highlighted that the Girls-In-ICT programme was established in 2012 by the International Telecommunications Union.
The program aims to create a global environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider pursuing studies and careers in the expanding field of ICTs.
The statement said: “The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, under the stewardship of Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, since 2017, adopted the initiative as a platform to equip girls between the ages of nine and 15 years (Upper Primary to Junior High School) with knowledge and skills in basic ICT and coding.
“The Girls-In-ICT programme is all about breaking the myth around women involving themselves in ICT,” the statement added.
“After the training, the girls will partake in District and Regional level competitions in ICT, as well as a mentorship and climax session from July 31 to August 01, where the best 100 girls to emerge out of the competition, will be given awards (laptops and certificates),” the statement added.
As part of the Girls-in-ICT Programme, the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation has conducted training sessions for 100 teachers from all districts in the region. These teachers have been equipped with relevant ICT skills to enable them to effectively train the girls in the region.
Following the training, an Open Day experience will be organized, where the top 100 girls will have the opportunity to visit various offices in Accra. They will have the chance to tour the facilities of Mobile Network Operators, companies in the ICT industry, and selected agencies of the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation. This experience will provide them with valuable interactions, especially with women who are working in the industry.
The aim of this initiative is to encourage and empower girls to pursue studies and careers in the field of ICT, creating a more inclusive and diverse environment in the technology sector.
It mentioned some achievements under the programme from 2017 to 2022 saying “8,000 girls have been trained and mentored (Ashanti, Western, Central, Oti, Western North, North East, Bono, Bono-East and Ahafo, 800 teachers trained to train more girls in ICT beyond the programme, 43 cyber laboratories have been set up with 120 more being set up this year, and 1,267 laptops given to teachers and top-performing girls.”
It said this year, the Ministry targeted 5,000 girls and 500 teachers from five regions including Savannah, Northern, Eastern, Volta and Greater Accra to benefit from the Girls-in-ICT programme with Savannah Region already benefiting from the programme in May, this year.
China’s youth unemployment rate has reached a new all-time high as the country’s post-pandemic economic recovery faces challenges.
According to official data, the jobless rate for young people aged 16 to 24 in urban areas rose to 21.3% in the previous month.
This increase comes as the world’s second-largest economy reported a modest growth rate of only 0.8% in the second quarter of the year.
The sluggish pace of growth has led analysts to anticipate that the authorities may introduce fresh measures aimed at stimulating the economy.
China’s National Bureau of Statistics said the data “showed a good momentum of recovery”.
According to official figures released on Monday, the Chinese economy grew by 6.3% in the second quarter on an annual basis. It outstripped growth in the first quarter but missed analysts’ expectations.
“The disappointment is particularly evident in retail sales and housing investment,” Qian Wang, Asia Pacific chief economist at investment firm Vanguard, told the BBC.
“This, coupled with earlier trade, inflation and credit reports, reaffirmed our view that the underlying growth momentum is still very weak,” she added.
Global demand for Chinese goods has fallen significantly. There are also concerns over ballooning local government debt and the housing market.
Economists are closely monitoring youth employment in China, particularly as a significant number of university graduates, expected to reach a record 11.58 million, enter the job market this year.
The unemployment rate among urban youth has been steadily increasing for several months. This can be attributed to various factors, including a mismatch between graduates’ skills and the available job opportunities.
Authorities have acknowledged that youth unemployment is likely to continue rising in the coming months, with a peak anticipated around August.
According to estimates by Dan Wang, the chief economist at Hang Seng Bank China, unemployed young people constitute just 1.4% of the potential workforce in China’s urban areas.
Last month, China’s central bank cut interest rates for the first time in nearly a year to encourage more spending. But experts say the government still has more weapons in its arsenal to stimulate the economy should the situation fail to improve.
The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has announced its intention to appeal the ruling of the High Court in the case involving Mr. Adjenim Boateng Adjei, the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA).
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, presiding over the case, determined that CHRAJ had violated the fair hearing rule by substituting parts of the complaint filed by Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) with its own allegations.
The Court further stated that CHRAJ had failed to provide Mr. Adjei with the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses during its investigations before drawing conclusions.
Moreover, the Court highlighted that CHRAJ had neglected to investigate the substantive complaints made by the complainant (GII) and instead focused on unrelated matters.
Consequently, the Court overturned the Commission’s report, which had contained adverse findings against Mr. Adjei.
CHRAJ maintains that a previous ruling in a similar case remains valid, and thus, the findings and directives issued by the Commission are still in effect.
Effective from July 17, 2023, several Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) in Ghana have adjusted the prices of petroleum products at the fuel pumps.
TotalEnergies has increased the price of diesel and petrol to ¢12.45 per litre, up from the previous price of ¢12.30.
GOIL, the market leader, is now selling diesel at ¢12.45 per litre, while petrol is priced at ¢12.40 per litre, compared to the previous price of ¢12.30.
Shell has also raised the price of diesel to ¢12.45 per litre, previously ¢12.30, and petrol to ¢12.40 per litre, previously ¢12.40.
As a result, prices for some petroleum products have increased by 10 to 15 pesewas per litre.
The recent increase in petroleum product prices at the pumps in Ghana has been attributed to different factors by the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
Total Energies has stated that the increase is to align with the cost price of the Bulk Oil Distribution Companies (BDCs). On the other hand, GOIL, the market leader, has cited the slight depreciation of the Ghana cedi against the US dollar as the reason for the adjustment.
Initially, it was expected that prices would remain stable at the pumps from July 16, 2023. However, the unexpected increase has exceeded industry expectations and projections for the second pricing window of July 2023.
This price hike could have a negative impact on inflation in the coming months. However, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has expressed disagreement with the OMCs’ explanation, stating that there has been no depreciation of the Ghana cedi based on the reports from banks, as confirmed by an anonymous senior official at the NPA.
According to information provided by the Bulk Oil Distribution Companies (BDCs) to Joy Business, there have been marginal changes in the international market prices of finished petroleum products during the pricing window from June 7 to July 11, 2023, compared to the previous window.
The BDCs have indicated that these changes are reflected in the premiums used for pricing petroleum products from July 16 to 31, 2023.
They have further stated that crude oil prices on the world market slightly increased by approximately $1.48/barrel per day (2.13%) to around $75.85/bbl during this period. This increase is mainly attributed to a reduction in supply by major oil-producing countries such as Saudi Arabia and Russia.
Additionally, the BDCs have informed Joy Business that the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) experienced a slight rise in this window, following a consistent decline over the past five windows.
Despite the global economic uncertainties, including the bleak economic outlook and rising interest and inflation rates in the US during the second quarter of 2023, petroleum product prices were impacted by the volatile nature of the market. The uncertainties surrounding the US debt ceiling bill also contributed to the fluctuations in petroleum product prices, which, in turn, affected local pump prices.
Over the weekend, the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Foundation presented six fully furnished facilities to schools and a community in the Central Region.
Among the structures donated were a 31-seater sanitary facility for girls at the Ghana National College in Cape Coast and a 12-unit sanitary facility equipped with a borehole and facilities for people with disabilities in Abor, Ekumfi District.
The GNPC Foundation has also delivered additional infrastructure to various schools in the Central Region. This includes a 160-bed capacity girls’ dormitory with a 12-seater sanitary unit for Mando Senior High School and Technical School, as well as a five-chamber Science Laboratory with an ICT centre that can accommodate over 500 students for Bisease SHS in the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam (AEE) District.
Furthermore, since 2018, the Foundation has successfully constructed six-unit classroom blocks in 14 other schools, namely Mosano SHS, Effutu SHS, Assin North SHS, Komenda SHS, Dunkwa SHS, and Abakrampa SHS, among others.
Other schools that have benefited from the GNPC Foundation’s infrastructure projects include Mankesim SHS, Swedru SHS, Gomoa German SHS, Assin Jakai Junior High School (JHS), Ankafo JHS, St. Peter’s Catholic JHS, Assin Nyankmasi JHS, and Kuntenase Presby JHS.
These structures were constructed in response to requests made to the GNPC Foundation, which is the corporate social responsibility arm of the Corporation dedicated to enhancing the well-being of all people in the country.
Concluding the commissioning tour at a ceremony in Mando, Dr. Dominic Eduah, the Executive Director of the GNPC Foundation, emphasized that the Foundation operates based on three main areas of focus: environment and social amenities, education and training, and economic empowerment.
By focusing on these areas, the GNPC Foundation aims to make a positive impact on the quality of life for Ghanaians. They believe that providing quality education and promoting environmental cleanliness are crucial in ensuring that every Ghanaian, regardless of their location, can benefit from the country’s oil resources.
Dr. Dominic Eduah emphasized the significance of education as a catalyst for national development. The Foundation is investing in the education sector to make it accessible to every Ghanaian child. In line with this, they have provided 7,300 scholarships to Ghanaian students, including 320 studying specialized courses in fields like medicine, which are not commonly pursued by Ghanaian universities. These students are committed to returning to their communities to contribute their skills and knowledge.
Furthermore, the Foundation has undertaken an environmental cleanliness initiative, constructing 800 water systems across the country, with a majority (70%) located in the northern part of Ghana.
In addition to the aforementioned initiatives, the region has also received the completion of six water system projects in Ajumako Adu-Yaw, Assasan in the AEE district, Mangoase, Suro Dofo in the Gomoa East District, and Kafodzidzi in the Cape Coast Metropolis. These water systems will contribute to improving access to clean water in these communities.
Looking ahead, Dr. Eduah announced the GNPC Foundation’s Skilled Artisan Project (SAP) as part of their livelihood empowerment program.
The SAP aims to graduate approximately 2,000 artisans who have undergone training at the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) and acquired certification and craftsmanship.
These artisans have received apprenticeship training in various vocational skills such as plumbing, fashion design, carpentry, auto-mechanics, general electrical work, hairdressing, interior designing and decoration, and aluminum fabrication. Upon graduation in August, the beneficiaries will be supported to establish their own businesses.
Dr. Eduah expressed the GNPC’s unwavering commitment to supporting communities and institutions in need of infrastructure.
He urged facility managers and authorities to ensure that the newly constructed structures are put to good use and encouraged parents to enroll their children in the schools.
Rev. Ransford Nyarko, the Chief Executive for AEE, expressed gratitude to the GNPC for their generous contribution, highlighting that it will greatly enhance education in the area.
Contributing to a panel discussion on the energy sector at the opening session of UK-Africa Industrial Decarbonisation Ministerial Tour on Monday, 17th July, 2023, Dr. Prempeh said, Ghana has made great strides in developing a transition framework that will ensure a just and an equitable transition towards achieving net zero.
According to the Minister, Ghana has also made significant progress in advancing its national energy policy.
This he said is supported by the Ministry of Energy’s vision for a clean power sector and also underpinned by efforts to provide universal access to electricity by 2024 which currently stands at 88.85%, as well as increasing the installed capacity of modern renewable energy in the energy mix to 10% by 2030.
The Minister who is also Member of Parliament for Manhyia South indicated that, the country’s energy transition framework is being implemented to the latter “our energy transition framework around which some of these bold decisions revolve has been developed to provide a clear-blue print towards achieving net zero in a just and an equitable manner, which provides a firm basis for the judicious exploitation of our other God-given energy resources”.
The framework, the Minister emphasized is being developed into an investor-friendly one, as it provides key opportunities for strategic investment.
According to the Minister, Ghana’s economy will be fueled largely by electricity with a future electricity demand modelled at 380,000 GWh with a corresponding installed generation capacity of 83GW by 2070.
“An estimated 200Million ton of CO2 equivalent emission will be saved” he said.
He further said that Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Agreement has been revised and presented at COP26 with new targets in key sectors of the economy.
Emission reduction target he says stands at 68million tons of CO2. He called for massive investment in Ghana’s energy sector as he reiterated efforts at converting the energy transition framework into an investor-friendly one.
The UK-Africa Industrial Decarbonization road show will continue in Edinburgh, Leeds and New castle in the coming days in July with the aim of bringing issues on the subject to the front burner for discussion.
Manager Erik ten Hag has decided to remove Harry Maguire from his role as captain of Manchester United.
Maguire, who had held the captaincy since January 2020, found himself on the sidelines for a significant portion of Ten Hag’s debut season in charge.
Harry Maguire has said it was a privilege to captain Manchester United, after confirming that he is no longer the club skipper.
In a statement, the United and England centre-back thanked the fans for all their support during his captaincy.
He said: “After discussions with the manager today he has informed me he is changing captain. He outlined his reasons to me and whilst I’m personally extremely disappointed, I will continue to give my all every time I wear the shirt.
After discussions with the manager today he has informed me he is changing captain. He outlined his reasons to me and whilst I’m personally extremely disappointed, I will continue to give my all every time I wear the shirt.
“So I wanted to say a massive thank you to the Manchester United fans for all their brilliant support whilst I’ve been wearing the armband.
“Since the day I took on the role, three-and-a-half years ago, it’s been a huge privilege to lead Manchester United and one of the proudest moments of my career to date. It’s one of the greatest honours in club football. I’ve done everything I possibly could to help United be successful – on and off the field.
“I will always be grateful to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for first giving me the responsibility and I wish whoever now takes it on every success and they will have my full support.”
Everyone at Manchester United thanked Harry for his contribution as captain over the past three-and-a-half years.
The manager will announce the new captain in due course, after he has informed the players.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has refuted allegations made by the Minority Caucus in Parliament regarding steps taken to reclaim encroached government lands.
The Minority members of the Lands and Forestry Committee of Parliament accused the government of enlisting the services of land guards for the retrieval and protection of government lands, citing statements made by the Chief Director of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Professor Patrick Agbesinyale, during a meeting with the Committee.
Addressing the media, the Deputy Ranking Member on the Lands and Forestry Committee of Parliament, Alhassan Suhuyini bemoaned the lack of commitment on the part of the government to combat land guard activities.
“The other shocking revelation according to the Chief Director is that even the Ghana Armed Forces and the Police use this same land guard to protect their lands. So, if the military and the police cannot protect their own lands and have to resort to the use of a land guard, then what will be the fate of the common Ghanaian who wants to acquire land and is faced with land guards?” he quizzed.
However, the Ministry has denied these claims and emphasized that it does not employ land guards or condone any illegal activities in relation to land protection.
In a statement shortly after news made the rounds, the Lands Ministry revealed that through its agency, the Lands Commission legally engaged the services of Aynok Holding Limited, a registered limited liability company to assist in reclaiming encroached government lands.
This engagement, the ministry said, has been in effect since 2012.
“We wish to categorically state that Government and by extension, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources employs legal processes to reclaim all encroached state lands,” the statement added.
Source: The Independent Ghana | Andy Ogbarmey-Tettey
Member of Parliament for Builsa South, Dr Clement Apaak, has stated that members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) should anticipate further boycotts in the House of Parliament.
He explained that due to the perception that the government is prosecuting members of the Minority, they feel compelled to demonstrate solidarity with their colleagues.
“I’m surprised NPP MPs are crying that our boycotts are to sabotage the government. What did they expect when the government is persecuting our comrade(s)? If piking says moda no go sleep, piking too no go sleep! They should expect more than the current boycotts!.
“You chastise us for boycotts in reaction to the persecution of our colleagues yet have no problem with NPP MPs who never show up? Are they, not 137+1? How come they can’t do business without us, is it not their gov’t? At least we have a reason for not showing up, what is theirs?” Dr. Apaak asked.
He continued “Don’t ask us not to boycott in solidarity with Quayson because NPP MPs didn’t boycott when Adamu was in court. They didn’t boycott because they knew he made no attempt to renounce his other citizenships: travelled on 3 passports. Adamu was prosecuted, Quayson is being persecuted!”
According to the MPs from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Attorney General is more focused on prosecuting political opponents of the government and securing their imprisonment rather than actively participating in the lawmaking process.
During the presentation of the business statement on Friday, July 7, 2023, Minority Chief Whip, Governs Kwame Agbodza, raised concerns about the absence of certain Ministers when their presence was required in Parliament.
In response, Deputy Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin suggested that the Minority should also bear some responsibility since Ministers were available to answer questions on the day of their boycott in solidarity with Mr. Gyakye Quayson.
“Mr. Speaker yesterday for instance all the Ministers were here to answer questions. Unfortunately, the Minority side was absent for reasons best known to them,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin stated.
The Adaklu MP however emphasized that Ministers like Godfred Yeboah Dame should not only take delight in prosecuting cases at the law courts but do the same in parliament too.
A tragic incident of electrocution has claimed the life of a man in Korve, a community situated in the Avenu Electoral Area in Akatsi, Volta Region. The deceased, identified as Gershon, passed away on Saturday, July 15, 2023.
Chairman of the Certified Electrical Wiring Professionals Association Ghana Akatsi North Local Chapter, Saviour Bedzrah, also known as Banana, shared details of the incident during a phone interview with GhanaWeb.
Mr Bedzrah initially had difficulty accepting the news as he personally knew the individual involved, casting doubt on the possibility of it being true. The loss of a familiar acquaintance due to electrocution has left a profound impact on the community.
“Around 5-6pm last week Saturday, I was taking a friend to a certain village and on my way, I met a certain man called Mr Azameti Andrews. He stopped me and told me that one guy has been electrocuted in one of the villages in the area.
“And the guy’s name is Gershon. The Gershon he mentioned, I know the guy, so I told him that no, he could not be the one so he advised that when I’m going there, I should pass there. So, when I got there, frankly speaking, I got to know that it’s true because people were there crying,” he said via phone.
Saviour Bedzrah also explained that he got the confirmation only after speaking with a relative of the deceased Gershon.
He added that the body of the deceased had been deposited at the morgue.
“When I engaged one of the family members on how it happened, then he told me that, that day in the morning, around 9:15 am, he took the (sic) to go and report some anomaly concerning one of the cornmill there.
“So, during the process that he got electrocuted. And I asked where is the body and they told me that the body had been taken to the Akatsi Hospital Morgue,” he added.
Gershon is said to have been a non-certified electrician.
So far, there has not been any official statement from the police on the matter.
The Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly has today, July 17, announced 14 new sanctions in response to Russia’s attempts to destroy Ukrainian national identity, including 11 against those involved in the forced deportation of Ukrainian children.
Today’s announcement comes ahead of the Foreign Secretary’s speech at the UN Security Council (UNSC), where he will highlight the far-reaching implications of Russia’s war, call on Russia to renew the Black Sea Grain Initiative, and outline the need for a just, lasting peace in Ukraine.
Among the designations announced today are Russian officials Ksenia Mishonova, Commissioner for Children’s Rights in the Moscow Region, and Sergey Kravtsov, Minister of Education of Russia.
These individuals have played an insidious role in Russia’s calculated programme of deportation, designed to erase Ukrainian cultural and national identity. Over 19,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly deported to Russia or temporarily Russian controlled territory by Russian authorities.
Many deported children are relocated to a network of re-education camps in illegally annexed Crimea and mainland Russia, where they are exposed to Russia-centric academic, cultural, patriotic, and military education.
This latest package of designations follows the UK’s sanctioning of Russian Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova in June 2022 for her alleged involvement in the forced transfer and adoption of Ukrainian children.
Also sanctioned today are 2 Russian propagandists responsible for spreading abhorrent propaganda designed to incite violence and hatred towards Ukraine and its people, including Anton Krasovsky, a former Russia Today presenter, who claimed live on air that Ukrainian children should be drowned and burned.
Olga Lyubimova, the Russian Culture Minister, is additionally targeted for using her position to support the Russian state’s damaging anti-Ukrainian policies.
Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, said:
“In his chilling programme of forced child deportation, and the hate-filled propaganda spewed by his lackeys, we see Putin’s true intention – to wipe Ukraine from the map.
“Today’s sanctions hold those who prop up Putin’s regime to account, including those who would see Ukraine destroyed, its national identity dissolved, and its future erased.”
The UK and international partners have implemented the most severe package of sanctions ever imposed on a major economy.
Over 1,600 individuals and entities have been sanctioned since the start of the invasion, including 29 banks with global assets worth £1 trillion, over 130 oligarchs with a combined net worth of over £145 billion, and over £20 billion worth of UK-Russia trade.
Later today, in New York, the Foreign Secretary will use his speech during a UK-chaired session of the UNSC to call for a just, lasting peace in Ukraine and highlight Russia’s barbaric forced deportation of Ukrainian children.
He is expected to say:
Ukraine wants peace. We want peace. The whole world wants peace.
Peace will bring home Ukraine’s lost children – and feed the hungry of the world.
The devastating effects of Putin’s aggression can be felt in every corner of the globe. Vital grain supplies from Ukraine will be cut off and millions will face exacerbated food insecurity if Russia does not agree to a renewal of the Black Sea Grain Initiative today.
A Police Commander at the National Police Command, ACP Lydia Yaaka Donkor, has been accused of leading a demolition exercise at East Legon, resulting in the destruction of properties owned by Prophetess Deborah Banahene.
It cannot be confirmed when the demolition took place, however reports suggest that the commander hired excavators to bring the properties down.
According to available information, Prophetess Deborah Banahene acquired the land in 1996 from the Ashong Mlitse Family of The Odaitei Tse We of Teshie, Accra.
She is said to have divided the land into two parts, constructing a house on one portion in 1998 and leaving the other for future use. She obtained indenture over the land in 2000 and 2005.
However, complications arose when another family produced a court order claiming ownership of the land, contradicting the initial sale.
Sources say Prophetess Deborah Banahene was required to pay this family for the same land she had already acquired. Subsequently, in 2013, she discovered that Ibrahim Mahama claimed ownership of the land and requested her eviction during her land registration process at the Lands Commission.
Deborah Banahene escalated the matter to the Accra Regional headquarters and sought legal recourse to rectify the situation. Meanwhile, ACP Lydia Yaaka Donkor allegedly approached Deborah Banahene’s lawyer multiple times, attempting to persuade her to sell the land.
The Commander allegedly attempted to acquire the land forcefully from Deborah Banahene after she refused to sell it to her. Despite Deborah Banahene asserting her ownership of the land with valid documents, including an indenture and Lease Agreement, the Commander reportedly resorted to intimidation and aggression.
On the premise that she possessed the title until July 14, 2023, Deborah Banahene’s house was destroyed by the Commander and police officers were involved in the harassment of her and some residents.
It is worth noting that documents, such as the indenture and Lease Agreement, demonstrate that the land was leased to Deborah Banahene by Enoch Francis Annan Acquah, representing the Okpong We family of Tesihe.
Deborah Banahene expressed deep disappointment in the Ghana Police Service for permitting its officers to partake in an unlawful exercise without verifying the authenticity of the documents presented by the Commander.
ACP Lydia Yaaka Donkor, sources say, is yet to make a response.
The government has been accused of engaging the services of land guards to reclaim encroached lands.
Information reaching the Independent Ghana indicate that Chief Director of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources Prof Patrick Agbesinyale at a Parliamentary Committee meeting on July, 10, 2023 provided the said information.
“I think the idea was that anytime the Government apparatus; the police, military among others are seen going out there to claim lands, you know the hullabaloo and backlash the Government receives. So, what they do is that you would set up somebody like this and Government would literally be hiding behind it so he can reclaim government lands.”
“So, I remember that during the claiming process, three people lost their lives.”
“There were gunshots; exchange of fire, and three people lost their lives there. Except that Gyato has a section of the media on site who would cover always – he is a whole set-up,” a male voice says.
Govt allegedly using land guards to reclaim encroached lands – Leaked audio reveals#INDNews Akrobeto | Thomas Partey | GTBank | ghana police | La Masia | Addo D pic.twitter.com/shyETcRUZG
— The Independent Ghana (@independent_gh) July 17, 2023
It is reported that the government then apportions some of the reclaimed lands to the land guards as compensation for their work.
The Chief Director is said to have also claimed that the Ghana Armed Forces and the Police procure the services of this same private land guard to protect their lands.
Addressing the media, the Deputy Ranking Member on the Lands and Forestry Committee of Parliament, Alhassan Suhuyini bemoaned the lack of commitment on the part of the government to combat land guard activities.
“One would have thought that with the passage of this law to outlaw land guards, our land tenure system would have been sanitized, and we would have all been hopeful that acquiring land will no longer be a matter of life and death and so it came to us as a surprise that the Ministry has resorted to contracting a land guard to protect government lands.”
“The other shocking revelation according to the Chief Director is that even the Ghana Armed Forces and the Police use this same land guard to protect their lands. So, if the military and the police cannot protect their own lands and have to resort to the use of a land guard, then what will be the fate of the common Ghanaian who wants to acquire land and is faced with land guards?”
“What was again scandalous by the Chief Directors’ revelation is that this particular land guard has a set-up the state cannot compete,” Mr. Suhuyini added.
The Vigilantism and Related Offenses Act, 2019 (Act, 999) criminalises such activities.
Clause 7(5) of the Act says; a person shall not directly or indirectly, engage a land guard to protect or guard the property of that person or any other person. 7(6) says; a person who contravenes subsection (5) commits an offense and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not less than 10yrs and not more than 15yrs.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mark Okraku-Mantey, has made known his decision to contest for the Ayensuano seat on behalf of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
In pursuit of this goal, Mr Okraku-Mantey picked his nomination form on Friday, July 15, 2023, accompanied by party executives, at the constituency party office.
During a gathering of residents showing their support, the accomplished businessman expressed his aspiration to bring about positive transformation in the community and empower its people.
Mark Okraku-Mantey says he is determined to make a significant impact through his political endeavors.
He promised to attract businesses to the area and improve the livelihood of residents.
Mr. Okraku-Mantey will face off against Samuel Ayeh-Paye, former Member of Parliament for the area, in the parliamentary primary.
In the 2020 elections, the New Democratic Congress (NDC) secured the seat from the ruling party when Teddy Nana Yaw Addi emerged victorious over Samuel Ayeh-Paye.
The Board Chair of EOCO, Raymond Daapah Addo, emphasized that demonizing the office during government transitions should not be encouraged.
Speaking at the launch of EOCO’s five-year strategic plan in Accra, Raymond Daapah Addo reiterated that EOCO is not politically affiliated. He emphasized the importance of recognizing that crime is crime, regardless of the political party involved, whether it is the NPP or NDC.
The call to refrain from politicizing EOCO’s operations highlights the need for a non-partisan approach to tackling crime and ensuring effective law enforcement in Ghana.
“We should stop politicising every issue. Crime is a crime whether committed by NPP or NDC it is a crime and EOCO will go after whoever is involved without fear or favour,” he added.
In addition, Raymond Daapah Addo stated that EOCO is fully dedicated to pursuing individuals involved in criminal activities without any bias or favoritism.
By refraining from politicizing the operations of EOCO, the Office asserts that it can concentrate on fulfilling its mandate effectively and impartially.
This approach ensures that justice is served and that the fight against crime is carried out without any undue influences.
The Minority in Parliament has called for the reimbursement of a $2 million payment made in 2019 as a premium for the acquisition of ordinary shares in the Accra Sky Train Project’s development.
In the 2021 report by the Auditor-General, the transaction was labeled as a net liability.
The Auditor General’s report highlighted that the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund acquired 10 ordinary shares in the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), Ai Sky Train Consortium Holdings, at the aforementioned amount.
Minority Chief Whip and Ranking Member on the Roads and Transport Committee, Governs Kwame Agbodza, while addressing the media in Parliament today, demanded the repayment of the funds into the government’s coffers.
“When you have a situation where the minister then says in 2023, now that he always believed that before the project takes off, that should be a cabinet approval, there should be a parliamentary approval, PPA approval, since none of these things were approved – In fact, the Auditor General’s report suggested that the company did not even have the necessary license to operate the system they wanted to operate?
“So who authorised the payment of the $2 million in terms of the so called feasibility, and which normal decision maker pays out $2 million for a feasibility study before, as they put it, they determine whether the project is bankable? These things only happen when it’s an organized crime. When people are careless, clueless and reckless about public expenditure because they don’t care. It only happens when there’s organized crime. So I think the minimum the Auditor General should be asking for is the refund of the $2 million,” he said.
The Accra Sky Train Project announced by President Akufo-Addo had its initial plan formulated in 2017. However, an assessment of risk management issues within the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) reveals that the policy is still in the draft stage.
In 2018, Africa Investor Holdings Limited established a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) called Ghana Sky Train Limited in Mauritius. The purpose of this SPV was to develop the Accra Sky Train Project through a Design, Build, Finance, and Operate arrangement.
However, the Minister for Railways Development, John Peter Amewu, has indicated that the current government will not be able to deliver sky trains to Ghanaians as previously envisioned.
He explained that due to the substantial capital investment required, the project cannot be implemented in the near future. The government is constrained by fiscal limitations and lacks the necessary financial resources to support such a facility.
As a result, the implementation of the Accra Sky Train Project has been delayed and its realization remains uncertain.
“It is not possible to be done now. I don’t see any sky train being done in the next 3 to 4 years. There is not going to be any sky train in the country. It is not possible,” he is quoted by JoyNews to have said in an interview in November 2021.
Medical Laboratory Scientist in Charge of the Blood Bank at the International Maritime Hospital (IMaH) in Tema, Ms. Doris Kusima Baiden, has emphasized the importance of honesty when answering questions before donating blood.
She highlighted that potential blood donors are required to respond truthfully to a confidential questionnaire regarding their medical history.
The purpose of this questionnaire is to provide healthcare professionals with essential information about the donor’s overall health and blood condition. By obtaining accurate information, it enables the medical staff to offer a better service to both donors and recipients.
Ms. Baiden addressed these issues as part of the “Your Health! Our Collective Responsibility!” initiative, organized by the Ghana News Agency.
The initiative aims to promote health-related communication and serve as a platform for disseminating health information, ultimately enhancing health literacy and influencing individuals’ personal health choices.
Ms. Baiden, supported by Mr. Robert Tetteh Djimajor, also a IMaH Medical Laboratory Scientist, explained that, as a routine before blood donation “we first take personal details like your name, age, date of birth, address, and other contacts. We then further proceed to ask confidential health questions.”
Ms. Baiden emphasised that donors were expected to come clean about medications taken in recent times, current health status, specific sexual activities, and other lifestyles.
“These questions are very confidential and help safeguard your own health and the health of the person receiving the blood. We only want to ensure that one is fully fit physically, mentally, and emotionally before donating blood,” she said.
Due to the potential transmission of infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and Syphilis to recipients in blood donation, she said honesty cannot be compromised.
Additionally, Ms. Baiden highlighted that blood donation not only benefits the recipient but also provides an opportunity for donors to undergo a brief medical examination.
This examination typically includes checking vital signs such as temperature, pulse, and blood pressure, as well as ensuring that the donor meets the minimum weight and haemoglobin level requirements.
President of Tunisia, Kaïs Saïed, has signed a partnership agreement with the European Union, which includes measures to combat people trafficking, given Tunisia’s status as the primary departure point for migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe.
The deal was announced in Tunis by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who pledged enhanced cooperation in areas such as border management and search and rescue operations.
Italy’s Prime Minister, Georgia Meloni, representing the far-right, hailed the agreement as an important step towards establishing a genuine partnership in addressing what she referred to as the “migration crisis.”
However, some members of the European Parliament have called for the agreement to be contingent upon respect for democracy and the rule of law in Tunisia. President Saïed had dissolved the parliament in 2021 and has undertaken constitutional reforms.
In recent months, there have been reports of racist violence targeting black Africans in Tunisia, following controversial statements made by President Saïed, who alleged a conspiracy to alter the demographic composition of the Arab-Muslim nation.
Russian security firm Wagner confirmed on Sunday that hundreds of its fighters had arrived in the Central African Republic (CAR) in a statement on the messaging app Telegram.
This development comes amidst ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of Wagner following a brief mutiny in June.
Since 2018, at least 1,000 Wagner mercenaries have been stationed in the CAR. However, recent reports suggest that approximately 600 mercenaries have departed from the country.
A company connected to the Wagner group has stated that the newly arrived fighters will assist in providing security during a forthcoming referendum in the CAR.
The referendum, scheduled for later this month, will determine whether President Faustin-Archange Touadéra can seek a third term in office.
A comprehensive investigation by a team of seismologists and geoscientists from the Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA), the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), and the Twifo Attimokwa District Assembly, has determined that the recent earth movement in Twifo-Mampong was as a result of a landslide.
The incident involved movement in the land on a steep hill with cocoa plantations following heavy rainfall on Thursday, June 29.
It was earlier reported that the incident was a caused by an earth tremor.
The GGSA confirmed that while residents in the area did not feel any ground shaking, several cocoa trees were destroyed due to the landslide.
In response to the findings, the Acting Director-General, Mr. Isaac Kuuwan Mwinbelle, assured farmers in the affected areas that they could resume their farming activities. However, caution was advised, urging them to stay away from such areas when there are signs of rainfall.
Previously, many farmers in the community had reported a suspected earth tremor, resulting in the destruction of large cocoa farms. The GGSA conducted the investigation to authenticate their claims and provide a clearer understanding of the situation.
“The Authority wishes to state that, monitoring records from our network of seismic stations located across the country did not record any major earth tremor event from the stations on the said date.
“However, minor earth disturbances recorded during the period did not have the potential to cause the impact that was recorded.
The geological materials observed at the site were highly weathered metasediments, which were saturated from the heavy downpour, resulting in the movement of materials in multiple locations along the slopes of the hill,” Mr Mwinbelle said.
The Acting Director-General emphasized the importance of enforcing proper land-use planning to prevent potential risks and instability in such areas. He strongly advised against infrastructural development on hill slopes, as they may lack stability.
To ensure public safety, the Acting Director-General further urged Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies to effectively enforce land-use planning regulations. By doing so, they can mitigate the potential hazards associated with unsuitable development in vulnerable areas.
Entertainment pundit, Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo, has called out actor, Adjetey Anang, for what he describes as half-truths in the actor’s recently launched memoir christened “Adjetey Annan: A Story of Faith, Imperfection, and Resilience”.
In his book, Mr Adjetey Anang admits to having cheated on his wife.
“I have been in very compromising situations with ladies”. “Yes, I have cheated on my wife before in the various forms that cheating could be defined as, both emotionally and physically”.
He apologised to his wife and the women he had an affair with. In interviews pertaining to his memoir, Adjetey clarified that he never had sexual intercourse with any of his mistresses but all he did was to hug them.
For Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo, this is far from the truth and holds the assertion that the actor lacks the temerity to tell the public the truth.
In an interview on UTV’s “United Showbiz”, Arnold stated that due to public criticism, the actor is suppressing the truth. According to him, Adjetey is trying to take Ghanaians for granted.
“He shouldn’t underestimate how discerning we are as a people. He should not belittle our level of intelligence” and advised him to own his confession.
“Own it! Once you pen it, own it!! There’s nothing, you know, outrageous about it”, he added.
A self-proclaimed preacher, Gilbert Deya, who had been accused of abducting five children, has been acquitted by a court in Kenya.
Prosecutors had alleged that Deya used the children to support his claim of being able to assist infertile couples in conceiving babies through prayer.
However, the magistrate ruled that the prosecution had not presented sufficient evidence to support the charges.
Deya had resided in the United Kingdom for many years, where he established several Pentecostal churches. Following a lengthy legal battle, he was extradited to Kenya in 2017 to face the charges.
Notably, over a decade ago, Deya’s former wife, Mary Deya, was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison for stealing a baby from a Nairobi hospital and falsely claiming to have given birth to the child.
More than a decade ago his then-wife Mary Deya was given a three-year sentence for stealing a baby from a Nairobi hospital and pretending she had given birth to the child.
A group of unidentified gunmen carried out a brutal attack that resulted in the deaths of at least nine individuals, including a newly married couple in Bamenda, Cameroon.
The assailants, said to be separatist rebels, arrived at a busy junction in Bamenda in two unmarked vehicles and immediately ordered residents to lie down.
However, as some panicked individuals attempted to flee, the gunmen opened fire, causing further chaos and casualties.
Eyewitnesses report that the attackers accused the victims of being “black legs,” implying that they were either collaborating with the government or disregarding the orders of the separatists involved in the conflict.
The rebels, who seek to establish a separate nation known as Ambazonia in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions, have been engaged in a violent struggle with the government since 2017, and Bamenda is one of the focal points of the conflict.
Just a day before this incident, government troops carried out an attack in the Nacho neighborhood, located in the same area, resulting in the deaths of five young men.
The situation in the region is rapidly deteriorating, marked by severe human rights abuses and atrocities committed by both sides.
Amnesty International recently released a report documenting alleged cases of murder and rape by the conflicting parties, urging the government to conduct investigations.
While no specific group has claimed responsibility for these killings, certain separatist leaders of Ambazonia in the diaspora have been encouraging their fighters to target those they label as “black legs” without showing any mercy.
The Court of Appeal in Accra has issued an order to the Central Regional Lands Commission, requiring them to remove the name of 21 Century Company from their records.
This directive aims to bring an end to a 13-year-long land litigation case concerning the Gomoa Fetteh Land.
The legal dispute originated in September 2005 when the Chiefs of Gomoa Fetteh applied to the High Court in Cape Coast, leading to a mandamus order that compelled the Lands Commission to register the land documents of 21st Century Company and its affiliated companies, as well as the documents provided to their customers.
Due to the Lands Commission’s failure to register the mentioned lands, the chiefs filed a motion alleging contempt of court. Subsequently, the involved parties submitted terms of settlement to the court.
In response, the Lands Commission published a notice in the Daily Graphic on June 18, 2020, announcing their intention to delete the land registrations of affected individuals. However, the chiefs argue that the 21-day notice period elapsed without any action from the commission to remove their names, prompting them to escalate the matter back to court.
During a court hearing presided over by Justice Poku-Acheampng, Justice Kyei Baffour, and Justice Archer, the Lands Commission was ordered to delete the land registration records pertaining to portions of land in Gomoa Fetteh.
In a press conference, Nana Abor Atta II, the Twafohene of the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Council and Chief of Gomoa Fetteh, disclosed that in the early 1990s, Kofi Asmah, the manager of 21st Century, acquired 3,000 acres of land from the chiefs of Gomoa Fetteh for estate development.
However, an error occurred, and the Lands Commission mistakenly registered over 12,000 acres of land for the company without the chiefs’ knowledge.
The chiefs of Gomoa Fetteh took the matter to court and have legally fought for the right thing to be done for the past 13 years.
Nana Abor Atta II appealed to the Lands Commission to do their investigations well before registering Lands for individuals and estate companies to reduce land litigations in the area.
Meanwhile Omankrado of Gomoa Fetteh, Nana Kwesi Quansah, also appealed to the IGP to call some personnel of the Ghana Police Service to order when it comes to their style of arrests.
Nana Kwesi Quansah says some police officers are still used to the ‘rambo style of arrest’ during their operations.
Arsenal has officially announced the signing of Declan Rice from West Ham for a reported fee of £105 million.
The talented England international has committed to a long-term contract with the North London club following his departure from West Ham, which was confirmed earlier on Saturday.
Manager Mikel Arteta said: “We’re really happy that Declan is joining us. He is a player with tremendous ability, who has been performing at a high level in the Premier League and for England for a number of seasons now.
“Declan is bringing undoubted quality to the club and he is an exceptional talent who has the potential to be very successful here.
“Declan has great experience in the Premier League at only 24 years old. He has captained a very good West Ham team and as we all saw, he recently lifted a European trophy.
“The responsibility and role he has taken on has been very impressive and we are really excited that he is joining us.”
The addition of Declan Rice to Arsenal’s squad is another significant reinforcement under the leadership of manager Mikel Arteta. Rice’s arrival follows Jurrien Timber’s transfer from Ajax, which was completed on Friday, and Kai Havertz’s switch from Chelsea last month. These signings contribute to the overall strengthening of the team.
At 24 years old, Rice is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to compete in the UEFA Champions League, marking a notable milestone in his career. Arsenal’s impressive second-place finish last season secured their qualification for the prestigious tournament, providing Rice with the chance to showcase his skills on the grand stage of European club football.
Rice said: “Mikel Arteta is a massive factor in the reason why I’ve come here.
“I’m so excited — he speaks for himself. You see how he works — you also got a real insight into how he works on the Amazon documentary. He’s a top coach.”
Rice will wear the No41 shirt at his new club — the same number he donned at West Ham.
Rice departs the Hammers on a high having captained his boyhood club to victory in the Europa Conference League last month.
Announcing Rice’s exit, co-chairman David Sullivan said: “I am sorry to see Declan leave us, but I believe that everyone at West Ham United should be very proud of the part we have played in his journey.
“I would like to make it clear to our supporters that we did not want to sell Declan.
“We wanted to build our team around him and made a series of improved, long-term contract offers to secure his future.
“However, once Declan made it clear that he wished to move on and seek a new challenge, the club felt it would not be right to stand in his way, acting in the best interests of West Ham United.”
David Moyes’ Irons will now seek to reinvest the huge sum in finding a replacement for Rice, with Southampton skipper James Ward-Prowse linked with a switch to the London Stadium.
A tragic incident unfolded at a pub in Berekum, situated in the Bono Region, involving twin brothers and their friend, resulting in the death of 16-year-old Alhassan Sulemana.
According to reports, the altercation occurred on Saturday night and reportedly began as a misunderstanding between Alhassan and the twins, identified as Farouk and Harus.
Eyewitness Mohammed Sofian, who was present at the pub, recounted hearing loud shouts and went to investigate. He discovered Alhassan and the twins engaged in a heated argument. Mohammed intervened and advised them to stop, then left the premises. Unfortunately, upon his return, he found that Alhassan had been stabbed by the twins using a pair of scissors.
Tragically, Alhassan succumbed to his injuries upon arrival at Berekum Holy Family Hospital. Witnesses observed the twins fleeing the scene after the incident.
The mother of the deceased, Safia Sulemana, expressed her disbelief and anguish at the loss of her son, as the twins were close friends with Alhassan. She is struggling to comprehend why such a horrific act was committed against her son.
The case has been reported to the police by the deceased’s brother, and an investigation is underway to bring justice to Alhassan’s untimely demise.
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