A corporal has been apprehended by the police in Atwima Mponua town, Nyinahin, located in the Ashanti region.
The corporal, identified as Lansah Umar, who was on leave from his stationed post in Asaam near Mampong, has been arrested on charges of theft and property damage.
It is alleged that Corporal Umar, along with an accomplice, forcibly entered the house of his fellow colleague.
They broke through the security door and stole several bags of cement. The incident took place in the Twere Nyame neighborhood of Nyinahin, and a resident who heard unusual sounds at around 11 pm on Monday, June 10, promptly alerted other neighbors.
Reportedly, Corporal Umar and a 25-year-old tricycle rider named Mohammed Seidu used a pickaxe to break into a room where 200 bags of cement were stored. The room belonged to Sergeant John Opoku Agyemang, a police driver who was on night duty at the time.
Upon noticing a police night patrol team called to the scene around midnight, the two suspects fled, leaving a tricycle behind.
The police subsequently followed traces left by the tricycle, leading to the arrest of Mohammed Seidu. Seidu implicated Corporal Umar as his accomplice in the incident.
He led the police to the home of Umar who also admitted the offence and led the police to where he kept 12 bags of cement.
Evangelist Richard Ampah witnessed the arrest said, “I was at home at midnight then I got a call that someone has broken into a house that we are we are working on. I came here and it was true.”
He added that “The person used a pickaxe to break into the China door. It’s a very hard door but he managed to break it and the cement there was about 55 bags of cement.
“When the police arrived, he showed the place where he had kept his booty,” he said.
The arrest of Corporal Lansah Umar has left many residents of Nyinahin, including a mason who works for Umar and the assemblyman for Nyinahin Nkwanta Electoral area, Kwabena Karikari, shocked.
It comes at a time residents say the area has been recording break-ins.
“I know the officer very well but I don’t know why he did this. I didn’t expect him to do this. It is very bad and I am confused,” Evangelist Ampah said.
Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) has extended its anti-corruption campaign to selected basic schools as part of the activities to commemorate the 2023 Africa Union (AU) Anti-Corruption Day.
The campaign aims to raise awareness among students about the negative impact of corruption and their role in combating this societal issue.
The AU Anti-Corruption Day, observed on July 11 across the continent, provides an opportunity to assess progress made in anti-corruption efforts, identify areas for improvement, and explore new strategies.
This year’s theme focuses on celebrating the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, highlighting achievements and challenges.
GACC, through its Local Accountability Network (LANet), engaged pupils from various basic schools in 31 districts across 14 regions of Ghana. In the Ashanti Region, for instance, GACC organized an interactive session at Santasi M/A Basic School.
During these engagements, the students were educated on the importance of actively opposing corruption as responsible citizens.
The discussions revolved around identifying corrupt practices and encouraging the children to reject corruption in all circumstances. They were encouraged to embrace values such as honesty, lawfulness, patriotism, discipline, and the protection of their integrity both at home and within the school environment.
In a speech delivered on behalf of Mrs. Beauty Emefa Narteh, the Executive Secretary of GACC, it was highlighted that Ghana has demonstrated its commitment to combating corruption. The country has signed and ratified the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC), joining a group of 48 nations that have subscribed to this important covenant.
Furthermore, Ghana has developed the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP) as a comprehensive framework to guide and enhance anti-corruption efforts within the country. NACAP serves as a roadmap, outlining strategies and actions aimed at preventing and addressing corruption in various sectors of society.
“What remains, however, is the domestication of the key aspects of the convention, including criminalising illicit enrichment, diversion of state property as well as conflict of interest,” she stated.
He called on the Executive and Parliament to work towards passing the Conduct of Public Officers Bill into law to enhance the fight against corruption in Ghana.
Corruption, according to her, remained a reality in Ghana and called on Ghanaians to revisit our cultural values that prohibited corrupt conducts.
Madam Aba Oppong, a Representative of LANet, underscored the need for the youth to be targeted in the fight against corruption to ensure sustainability in the campaign.
She said the greatest corruption against children was early sexual encounter which was mostly perpetrated by adults who were supposed to protect such children and advocated stiffer punishment for culprits.
That is the way to go as a country to reduce the increasing rate of teenage pregnancy, school dropouts and general child delinquency, she opined.
Social media users have become interested in a coffin shaped like a saucepan, sparking lively conversations and eliciting a range of responses.
In a viral video, a group of seven men can be seen carrying the coffin in question, which is shaped like a silver saucepan and has a handle.
Users discussed the unusual funeral arrangement in the comments section of the tweet, which spurred discussions. Some held the assertion that the individual being buried might have been engaged in selling beans.
A user who claimed to be familiar with the questioned funeral provided an other viewpoint. This person claims that the deceased woman was not a food vendor but rather a worker in Tema’s aluminum sector.
The user clarified, “The person who took this video should be ashamed of him or herself because this funeral was held in Adjen Kotoku Amoahman, and I was there to witness it. It’s not because the person is a Gob3 seller, but they worked at an aluminum company in Tema.”
An Accra Circuit Court has handed down a sentence for a 33-year-old carpenter who used a knife to stab a self-employed man three times in the back.
Kwasi Adu, who was accused of harming someone, entered a guilty plea.
Adu was found guilty based on his own admission in the court presided over by Isaac Addo and given a two-year prison term.
According to the information provided by Chief Inspector Josephine Lamptey, the accuser, now convicted, was a carpenter at Kantamanto as well as the complainant Isaac Afari.
Afari at nighttime took care of Madam Gifty Lamptey’s shop, a witness in the case, according to the prosecution.
According to the report, the inmate once slept in front of the mentioned shop throughout the night. When the complainant told him not to do so again, the convict allegedly grew enraged and attacked him.
“On May 28, 2023, at about 0730 hours, the complainant saw the convict sleeping in front of the shop again and when he confronted him, he became offended and attacked him again which generated into a misunderstanding.
Sympathizers came in and calmed the situation down,” the prosecution added.
According to the prosecution, after the complainant left the area to purchase “waakye,” the defendant frenziedly pursued him and stabbed him three times in the back.
It said that after purposefully and unlawfully harming the complainant, the criminal fled, but was tracked and detained by sympathizers at the Railways Police Station.
According to the prosecution, the complainant was taken urgently to Ussher Polyclinic for care.
It said the complainant came back to the Police station and lodged a formal complaint and he was issued with a medical form to be sent to Ussher Polyclinic for endorsement by the medical officer who treated him.
“On May 31, 2023, the complainant brought the medical form duly endorsed by Dr Linda Owusu Asante of the Ussher Polyclinic indicating that the harm was caused with a knife,” the prosecution added.
An Adentan Circuit Court has sentenced a 25-year-old laborer who stole electrical wires worth GH 73,000 from Quality Properties Real Estate to three years in prison.
The cables were taken on July 1, 2023, in East Legon Hills, Accra, by Daniel Atiah, the offender.
Atiah pleaded guilty to charges of stealing, making unlawful entrance, and inflicting damage.
Atiah prayed the court to forgive him, pleading, “I will never repeat the act again.”
Atiah was found guilty in the court presided over by Mrs. Sedinam Awo Balokah based on his plea.
Philip Konetey, the subject of the complaint, is the managing director of Quality Properties Real Estate, according to the prosecution team, lead by Chief Inspector Maxwell Lanyo.
The corporation, according to Chief Inspector Lanyo, has buildings in East Legon Hills.
According to the prosecution, the defendant lived in Nanakrom.
According to the prosecution, on July 1, 2023, around 8:30 am, the complainant gave his employee Isaac Aboagye, a witness in the case, the order to get some tiles from one of the rooms in the company’s East Legon Hills building where construction supplies were housed.
According to the report, Atiah suddenly emerged from the premises through a window carrying a large quantity of stolen electrical cables as Aboagye approached and prepared to unlock the door.
According to the prosecution, Atiah fled when he sensed danger but was pursued by Aboagye and another witness named Hayford Bempong, who eventually caught him and turned him over to the police.
Investigations, according to the statement, however, showed that Atiah broke a burglar-proof glass to illegally enter one of the company’s buildings and took the electrical cords that were found on him.
As part of the beginning of her defense before an Accra High Court, En Huang, alias Aisha Huang, the suspected galamsey kingpin, has filed her witness testimony.
En Huang is facing three counts of engaging in mining operations without a license, facilitating the participation of individuals engaged in illicit mining operations, and facilitating the employment of foreigners.
She is also accused of returning to Ghana after being expelled in 2018. But she has denied the accusations levelled against her.
In her five-page witness statement, admitted in evidence, Aisha, however, said: “My company (Golden Asia) did not own or operate a mining site in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region.
“I did not engage or employ Gao Jin Cheng, Lu QiJun, Haibin Gao and Zhang Zhipeng to mine or provide mining support service from us or to anyone.
“I say that neither I nor my company, Golden Asia, nor myself have bought any farm or piece of land from prosecution witnesses four, five, six or anyone or own any piece or parcel of land or mining site in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti region.”
Aisha claims that none of the excavators, “chanffans,” or other earth moving equipment purportedly discovered at the locations where the four Chinese nationals were detained was owned or used by her business, Golden Asia.
Two of the aforementioned Chinese nationals, according to Aisha, who was guided in her testimony by her defense team, had their passports with her in Kumasi.
However, Aisha acknowledged that once the four citizens were detained, she checked in with the Ghana Immigration Service to see how she could help.
She explained: “None of the four Chinese nationals is my family member.”
Aisha Huang also denied knowing or visiting any of the mining sites captured in the videos, pictures and maps tendered before the court by some witnesses.
According to Aisha, she also did not engage in any mining or provide any mining support services although they were licensed to do so.
She informed the court that she had lived in Ahodwo, Kumasi in the Ashanti Region from the year 2011 until she was deported in December 2018.
“I say that between the years 2013 and 2018 I operated a supermarket, popularly known as Aisha Supermarket at Ahodwo, Kumasi, having a dominantly Chinese customer base.”
The matter has been adjourned to July 17, 2023, for cross-examination.
Among some top 15 African nations, Ghana is said to have the highest interest rates, surpassing that of Egypt.
The rates for the 91-day and 182-day treasury bills were approximately 24.39% and 26.03%, respectively, according to the Weekly Fixed Income Update put together by several investment firms, making Ghana the highest rates among the sampled leading African economies.
Egypt followed Ghana closely with a 91-day Treasury bill rate of 23.41%, whilst the 182-day T-bill is going for 24.02%.
Its currency – the Egyptian Pound – has also been recording rapid depreciation to the dollar.
Seychelles has the lowest interest rates of about 0.95% among the top African countries and is followed by Nigeria with 2.87%.
The Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) caused Ghana’s rates to drop dramatically in March 2023, but since then they have steadily increased to about 30% (364-day bill), ranking them among the highest in the world. Since March 2023, the 91-day bill and 182-day bill have decreased by 10.97% and 9.95%, respectively.
Ghana has some of the highest average lending rates on the African continent, at about 38%.
As the government looks for extra liquidity to finance its initiatives, the majority of analysts have forecast an increase in interest rates in the upcoming week. This follows from the Bank of Ghana’s Open Market Operations bills having competitive returns.
In fact, due to the inflation’s unrelenting pace, actual returns on short-term securities are now negative.
Although some analysts have stated that any such move may have an impact on the real sector of the economy, it is uncertain whether the Bank of Ghana will hike its Monetary Policy Rate from the present 29.5% in order to help mop up surplus cash in circulation to manage inflation.
A senior opposition politician in Senegal says his client, Birame Souleye Diop, has been apprehended by the police after making a political comment against President Macky Sall.
Per reports, Mr Diop, an MP with the Pastef party suggested that the president might row back on his commitment not to stand for a third term in next year’s election.
President Sall ruled out running for re-election earlier this month, following widespread protests.
“My dear fellow citizens, my decision after long consideration is to not be a candidate in the election on February 25, 2024,” Sall said in a televised address.
“Senegal is more than me, and is full of capable leaders for the country’s development,” he said.
Sall said he had sought to prioritise his country’s progress, “in particular at a time of social-economic difficulties and uncertainties.”
On the eve of Sall’s nationwide address, his fiercest critic, Ousmane Sonko, had urged the public to “come out en masse” and oppose him.
Deputy Food and Agriculture Minister, Yaw Frimpong Addo, has provided reasons behind the discontinuation of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) Market initiative.
According to the Deputy Minister, the initiative was only a temporary measure introduced to check food price hikes observed last year.
He, therefore, shot down claims indicating that the initiative is currently non-existent due to lack of funds from the government.
“It was a stop-gap measure that we took at that time. We were getting close to Christmas and we all know what happened to Ghana between October and November 2022… food prices were hugely affected because of transportation and all that.
“So, the cost of transportation we needed to do something about it. We saw a lot of this food staff we went round the country… the price there were so cheap but in urban areas the prices were crazy.
“So, we decided to do something about it. Then we decided to quickly organise this one which we called the PFJ markets… it was for a short period and a purpose,” he said.
Yaw Frimpong Addo is of the view that the PFJ Markets programme has served its purpose.
The initiative under the tutelage of former Agric Minister, Dr Afriyie Akoto, began on Friday, November 11, with bunches of plantain but was later expanded, bringing in foodstuffs such as cabbage, yams, carrot, pepper, spring onions and cucumbers.
Policy think tank Solidaire Ghana has issued a challenge to the government, urging them to disclose the expenditure incurred in organizing the Assin North by-election.
In a statement signed by Executive Director Benjamin Essuman, the think tank highlighted that the state suffered significant losses due to what they deem as an unnecessary and avoidable election in Assin North.
Solidaire Ghana emphasized the importance of the government providing a detailed account of the election costs, as it would enable Ghanaians to understand the gravity of the situation surrounding the holding of by-elections.
The by-election, held on June 27, resulted in the victory of James Gyakye Quayson, the candidate from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), defeating his main opponent Charles Opoku from the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Solidaire Ghana further called upon the media, academia, traditional authorities, civil society, and the general public to unite in demanding transparency and accountability regarding the expenditure of the Assin North by-election.
Mr Gyakye Quayson on Tuesday, June 27, beat his closest contender, Charles Opoku of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Assin North by-election by obtaining 17,245 votes out of the total valid votes of 29,962, representing 57.56 per cent.
Mr Charles Opoku, on the other hand, garnered 12,630 of the votes cast, representing 42.17 per cent while Bernice Enyonam Sefenu of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) secured 87 votes.
Tuesday’s election was marked by electoral malpractices such as bribery and vote-buying, as well as the arrest of some recalcitrants who posed as security officers.
For the opposition National Democratic Congress, their candidate’s victory drums home the dissatisfaction in the incumbent government by the people of Assin North due to the lack of developmental projects.
The workshop, which took place both virtually and in-person, was attended by management and staff members of the FDA.
During the workshop, participants were provided with an overview of the provisions of the RTI Act, emphasizing its relevance and the responsibilities of public institutions under Act 989.
The workshop covered various topics, including timelines for accessing information, exemptions under the law, and the procedures involved in releasing information to the public.
Mr. Samuel Agyemang Duah, the RTI Officer of the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council, led a team of three RTI Officers who facilitated the workshop. Mr. Duah provided a general overview of the RTI Act and its significance.
Additionally, Mr. Kwaku Agyei Owusu, the RTI Officer for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, and Mr. Emmanuel Asare, the RTI Officer for the Oforikrom Assembly, addressed the staff of the FDA, specifically focusing on their roles as managers and information holders within the context of the right to information law. They also discussed information that is exempt from disclosure.
Mr. Owusu further explained that the process of requesting information involves filling out a standard application form and submitting it to the information unit or registry of the respective public institution.
Mr. Ashraf Haruna, a staff of the institution asked what an applicant should do when the information requested has not been granted after 14 days.
In response, Mr Owusu indicated that with the implementation of the Right to Information Act, access to information is guaranteed and that applicants who felt that they had been wrongly denied access to information have the right to first seek internal review and if not satisfied with the decision, can appeal to the RTI Commission which is an external body mandated to promote, protect and enforce the RTI.
In response to a question asked by the Regional Public Information Officer, Mr Daniel Geraldo, the Oforikrom RTI Officer, Mr Asare, said it is within the interpretation of the Act for applicants not to give reasons why they’re requesting for information unless the information being sought is urgent, then the applicant must state the reason for the urgency.
“It is our right to enjoy, and no one needs to convince someone to enjoy that right,” he said.
He further explained the pieces of information that are exempted from disclosure. However, he stated that they are not absolute, that is, information classified as exempt information can be released where the benefits of disclosing the information outweigh the dangers of not disclosing it.
Mr. John Laryea Odai-Tettey, the Regional Head of the Food and Drugs Authority commended the officers for such the sensitization and pledged their commitment to work within the remit of the Act 989.
The International Justice Mission (IJM) office in Ghana has issued a response following the release of a documentary by BBC Africa Eye.
The documentary alleges that certain Ghanaian children have been removed from their homes in an operation supported by a prominent anti-slavery organization.
Published on Monday, July 10, 2023, the investigative report by BBC Africa Eye made these claims.
According to IJM, the BBC’s allegations are “incredibly concerning”.
“We conducted a detailed internal investigation into the BBC’s claims. We will take on board any refinements to our processes, but – crucially – the findings revealed material inaccuracies in the BBC’s allegations, a statement from IJM noted.
In the ‘Hilltop’ case referred to by the BBC, IJM said it was fully transparent with police, providing them with the facts of the case, including that there was one likely case of child trafficking and three that were not clear (including Fatima’s).
The police are said to have conducted their own investigations determining there was sufficient evidence before proceeding with the operation and – following information gathered on the operation – police filed trafficking charges against the suspects.
“In this case, the Department of Social Welfare (DSW) determined that the three girls were not safe with their grandmother. Families were told by police what was happening and where the children were being taken. The IJM team who were supporting the authorities on the operation did not witness the police using guns in the manner described by BBC,” the statement added.
According to the statement, DSW decided to place the children with other family members in a different area where they were able to go to school.
“IJM Ghana in no way misled the authorities on the facts of this case. Protecting children’s welfare is at the core of IJM’s work in Ghana and we’re always looking to evaluate any ways to improve policies and practices,” portions of the statement further alluded.
In relation to “Operation Freedom”, the BBC claimed that Ms. Mawusi did not know the whereabouts of her children after they were removed by the authorities.
This is not accurate, according to IJM, as the institution in partnership with government social workers, facilitated and supervised phone communication between Ms. Mawusi and her children while she served her term, to assure her of the children’s safety and whereabouts.
IJM and DSW say they provided economic support in the form of business start- up equipment to the family to help ensure a safe return for the children.
Upon monitoring the home to ensure that Mawusi’s sister Mavis was thriving economically with her business, DSW reintegrated the children with her.
NATO member states have stated that Ukraine can join the military alliance “when allies agree and conditions are met,” following President Volodymyr Zelensky’s criticism of the delay in Ukraine’s accession.
While acknowledging the need for a swifter process, NATO’s communique did not provide a specific timeframe.
President Zelensky expressed his frustration, describing the delay as “absurd” and noting the apparent lack of readiness to invite Ukraine to join NATO or become a member. He is currently in Vilnius, Lithuania, where the summit is taking place.
Although Kyiv recognizes that it cannot join NATO while engaged in a conflict with Russia, it remains eager to join as soon as possible once the fighting comes to an end.
In their first working session at the #NATOSummit, Allies took decisions to bring Ukraine closer to NATO, and reinforce the Alliance’s collective deterrence and defence
During a briefing, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed that allies had reaffirmed Ukraine’s future NATO membership and had agreed to forgo the need for a formal membership action plan in the process.
“This will change Ukraine’s membership path from a two-step process to a one-step process,” he said.
But Mr Zelensky tweeted that the lack of an agreed timeframe meant his country’s eventual membership could become a bargaining chip.
“A window of opportunity is being left to bargain Ukraine’s membership in Nato in negotiations with Russia. Uncertainty is weakness,” he said.
President Volodymyr Zelensky’s comments come in the midst of disagreement among NATO members regarding Ukraine’s membership in the alliance. Some members express concerns that granting Ukraine near-automatic membership could incentivize Russia to further escalate and prolong the conflict that resulted from its invasion of Ukraine.
NATO’s communique acknowledged Ukraine’s increasing interoperability and political integration with the alliance, as well as the progress it has made in implementing reforms. Member states pledged their support for continued reforms in Ukraine.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is scheduled to meet with President Zelensky at the inaugural meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council on Wednesday.
During the summit, a series of military packages were announced. A coalition of 11 nations will commence training Ukrainian pilots to operate F-16 fighter jets at a center to be established in Romania starting in August.
Meanwhile, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was quoted by Russian news agencies as warning that Moscow would be compelled to use “similar” weapons if the United States supplied controversial cluster munitions to Ukraine. Cluster munitions release bomblets over a wide area and are banned by over 100 countries due to their impact on civilians. Shoigu stated that while Russia possesses similar cluster weapons, they have refrained from using them thus far.
Human rights groups have reported the use of cluster munitions by both Russia and Ukraine during the 17-month-long conflict following Russia’s invasion in February last year.
Former Food and Agriculture Minister, Dr Afriyie Owusu Akoto, has voiced his support for the use of improved seed varieties as a means to enhance agricultural productivity in Ghana.
In his view, the adoption of these improved seeds holds greater potential for advancing farming output compared to the construction of dams.
Dr. Afriyie Akoto, who is also vying to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming national election in 2024, argues that given the substantial cost associated with dam construction, it is more economically prudent for a developing country like Ghana to prioritize the utilization of improved seed varieties rather than investing heavily in dams.
He believes that by embracing these improved seeds, Ghana can make significant strides in improving its agricultural sector.
“..It is like buying a VW compared to buying a Mercedes Benz, irrigation is like Mercedes. If you get a trotro from Madina to the Ministry, it will get you to your office. Somebody will also come from Madina in a Mercedes Benz, it depends upon affordability. You talk about irrigation, it is very expensive, you talking about billions of dollars,” he cited.
He mentioned that the Kpalugu irrigation scheme is not cheap, considering that it will cost billions of dollars.
“What is cheap and can be effective in helping smallholders is by using the rainfall patterns that we have had since time immemorial, to improve upon the work that they are doing, that we could afford.”
The Africa Institute has reportedly severed its ties with renowned architect Sir David Adjaye, who was previously involved in the design of the National Cathedral of Ghana.
The decision comes in the wake of allegations of sexual assault and harassment against Adjaye, recent reports from graphiconline.com indicate.
The President of The Africa Institute, Hoor Al Qasimi, issued a statement to Dezeen, a London-based magazine, confirming the termination of their engagement with Sir Adjaye.
Al Qasimi expressed concerns about the allegations and emphasized that the separation would not impact the institute’s ongoing research and educational initiatives at their current facilities.
The report further revealed that The Africa Institute had previously enlisted Sir David Adjaye to design a large-scale monolithic campus in downtown Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE). This upcoming facility, known as Africa Hall, is set to comprise of five high-rise blocks constructed from red-hued concrete, spanning an expansive area of 31,882 square meters. Despite cutting ties with Adjaye, the institute remains committed to continuing its projects and endeavors in research and education at its current location.
Background
Renowned architect, Sir David Adjaye, has been accused of sexual misconduct and harassment by three women who were formerly employed by him.
Per reports, two of the women, Maya and Gene, moved to Ghana in 2018 to assist Sir Adjaye in establishing an architectural office in Accra.
The Accra office reportedly delayed salary payments to the two women and took time to secure work visas, leaving them financially vulnerable.
Maya and Gene are said to have dined with Sir David Adjaye to address their grievances. However, he led them to his corporate apartment where he allegedly engaged in sexual assault and harassment.
Sir Adjaye has denied these allegations, maintaining that the encounter was consensual and limited to a social interaction.
Another allegation of sexual assault at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg by Maya has been raised against Sir Adjaye.
Owing to the allegations, Maya was dismissed without notice and accused of extortion after demanding compensation. Gene, on the other hand, was offered a financial settlement after being dismissed.
Sir David Adjaye has worked on numerous high-profile projects that have garnered international acclaim. Some of his most famous creations are the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. and the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway.
Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery, has refuted claims suggesting that government plans to win the 2024 elections through the back door.
According to Mr Dery, contrary to claims, government has nothing up its sleeves ahead of the next polls.
Interacting with the media in Parliament today, the minister said: “Let me make it absolutely clear, “this government is not going to tamper with 2024 elections.”
His comment comes after a controversial leaked tape gone viral on social media hinted at plans to have the current IGP removed as his presence would affect the chances of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) retaining power.
Per portions of the tape, some anonymous individuals expressed concern over the ability of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to break the 8 should Dr Akuffo Dampare remain in office.
“Alhaji, my only problem (is) this current IGP, if we do (make) a mistake and take him to the elections, it will not help us. It will not help us at all and I will not mind if the position is not given to me but that man is changed; because he will not help us, he will not help us at all. He won’t help the party at all.
“I know there are others who are also good for this position, if I don’t get and this man is changed and those people that we think they are our men get I (it is ok)… Because we need to break this 8. That is important, we need to break the 8,” a voice was heard saying.
But the Interior Minister shot down this claims, stating that the government has been impressed with the work of the current Police administration.
According to the minister, the mantra ‘law is a respecter of no persons’ has been personified under the leadership of Dr George Akuffo Dampare.
“We have made a lot of progress. We have a police system that is professional that will arrest you whether you are an MP, Minister. They will arrest you even if you are a police officer,” he said.
Mr Ambrose Dery further indicated that President Akufo-Addo remains committed to providing Ghanaians a security system that treats all equal before the law.
“What the President of this country made clear right back to the manifesto of the election before the first term was that there was a fear syndrome in Ghana and part of the fear syndrome was that people thought that we had a security system that was not across the board. It favoured a class of people in office who were too big to be touched and therefore the tenant of rule of law that we are equal before the law was not tenable.”
“As far as I am concerned. We have made a lot of progress along that line,” he added.
Dr George Akuffo Dampare was sworn in as the 23rd Inspector General of the Ghana Police Service in October 2021.
Source: The Independent Ghana | Andy Ogbarmey-Tettey
A new Ghana – one that tackles the numerous current challenges be it socio-economic or political has been promised by flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Kwabena Agyepong.
On Tuesday, July 11, Mr Agyepong provided elaborate details of what the new era he seeks to achieve will entail while speaking to an audience at the launch of his 2024 campaign at the Silicon Production House at Tesano.
He plans to undertake six actions to build a ‘better’ Ghana. They are as follows:
1. A lean wholly downsized government, one that works efficiently and effectively to deliver to the aspirations and expectations of the Ghanaian people. The Ministries will be reconfigured to align with the constitutional Cap of 19 Cabinet to be assisted by an equal number of deputies in addition to the 16 in the regions making up a team of 54. Stakeholder consultations will be undertaken to introduce an upper limit of 9 Judges on the Supreme Court and possibly remove the retirement age of 70 and allow Supreme Court judges to serve until they are unable to perform their functions.
2. Enforcing Law and Order, imposing Discipline and ensuring Compliance of Rules and Regulations. A Zero Tolerance policy anchored on a drastic penalty regime coupled with a strong political will to punish those who tinker with the public treasury. The Law should work to uproot corruption, protect individual and property rights.
3. Cutting waste in the public sector by ensuring that there is Value for Money in public procurement and here I will draw heavily on my engineering background to facilitate the freeing up of vital resources to support the empowerment of the youth through technical education, entrepreneurship, and small business start-ups.
4. Restore Meritocracy and Professionalism to the Civil and Public Services by significantly reducing unbridled politicization and interference. It is time to end the wasteful seminars, workshops, fora, and expensive retreats and rather move into implementation mode, utilising the recommendations of the huge volumes of reports gathering dust.
5. Urban Regeneration and Renewal. The current Urban Ecosystem is dysfunctional. A structured, coordinated, and integrated approach must be adopted and implemented to create more liveable cities and human settlements where basic needs do not become a permanent dream. A Technical Advocacy Committee TAC of the Professional bodies within the Built Environment (Surveyors, Planners, Architects and Engineers) will be set up to help resolve the challenges thereof.
6. Entertainment and Sports. In the Creative Arts, the issue of protection of intellectual property and copyright is dear to me. Creatives need to be empowered to own their work and earn a decent living from their talent. It is a sector that has the potential to absorb our teeming youth and it is my dream to see creatives thrive in Ghana. My passion for sports is public knowledge, nevertheless, Ghana cannot be the jack of all sports and master of none. Soccer, Boxing and Athletics will obviously be priority with a focus on school sports and Colts soccer. We have got to revive interest in our Premier League and restore the organic link between communities and traditional football teams and of course the all-important role of Government in football administration in Ghana.
New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Kwabena Agyepong says he remains unperturbed about not being considered a front runner in the party flagbearer race.
While launching his 2024 campaign at the Silicon Production House at Tesano, Mr Agyepong noted that he is poised for victory irrespective of the assertions of individuals and projections made by relevant authorities.
“Underdogs win all the time, it happens so don’t worry that I’m not seen as front runner,” he said.
The latest July 2023 national poll conducted by Global InfoAnalytics, Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has taken a 3% lead among all voters to emerge as the preferred candidate for the NPP in the 2024 election following the launch of his campaign.
The poll indicates that 36% of voters prefer Dr. Bawumia, while 33% prefer Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten (AKK) and 25% prefer Kennedy Ohene Agyapong (KOA).
Among NPP voters, Dr. Bawumia leads with approximately 50%, followed by Mr. Kyerematen with 33% and Mr. Agyapong with 16% of the vote.
In the event of a runoff among NPP voters, Dr. Bawumia leads Mr. Kyerematen by 55% to 45%. However, among all voters, Mr. Kyerematen leads Dr. Bawumia by 54% to 46%.
Despite this projection, Mr Kwabena Agyepong believes his plan to usher Ghanaians into a new era where there is a downsized government, law enforcement, a vibrant public sector, among others will win the votes of electorates.
Source: The Independent Ghana | Andy Ogbarmey-Tettey
Minister for Interior, Ambrose Dery, has dismissed claims that the government seeks to remove from office, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, as part of its measures to retain power come 2024 elections.
His affirmation comes after a controversial leaked tape gone viral on social media hinted at plans to have the current IGP fired due to his incorruptible posture.
Per portions of the tape, some anonymous individuals expressed concern over the ability of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to break the 8 should Dr Akuffo Dampare remain in office.
“Alhaji, my only problem… this current IGP if we do a mistake and take him to the elections, it will not help us. It will not help us at all and I will not mind if the position is not given to me but that man is changed; because he will not help us, he will not help us at all… he won’t help the party at all.
“I know there are others who are also good for this position, if I don’t get and this man is changed and those people that we think they are our men get I (it is ok)t… Because we need to break this 8. That is important, we need to break the 8… Because I wouldn’t want doctor to become the flagbearer and then we lose the elections… ” a voice was heard saying.
But the Interior Minister has distanced the government from the statement’s made in the leaked tape.
Interacting with the press in Parliament on Tuesday, Mr Ambrose Dery indicated that government has been impressed with the work of the current Police administration.
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare
According to the minister, the mantra ‘law is a respecter of no persons’ has been personified under the leadership of Dr George Akuffo Dampare.
“We have made a lot of progress. We have a police system that is professional that will arrest you whether you are an MP, Minister. They will arrest you even if you are a police officer,” he said.
Mr Ambrose Dery further indicated that President Akufo-Addo remains committed to providing Ghanaians a security system that treats all equal before the law.
“What the President of this country made clear right back to the manifesto of the election before the first term was that there was a fear syndrome in Ghana and part of the fear syndrome was that people thought that we had a security system that was not across the board. It favoured a class of people in office who were too big to be touched and therefore the tenant of rule of law that we are equal before the law was not tenable.”
“As far as I am concerned. We have made a lot of progress along that line,” he added.
Dr George Akuffo Dampare was sworn in as the 23rd Inspector General of the Ghana Police Service in October 2021.
Meanwhile, Mr Ambrose Dery has stated emphatically that “this government is not going to tamper with 2024 elections.” “Let me make it absolutely clear,” he stressed.
Source: The Independent Ghana | Andy Ogbarmey-Tettey
New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Kwabena Agyepong, has bemoaned the lawlessness in the country, impeding the substantial development of the country as a whole.
During the launch of his 2024 campaign at the Silicon Production House at Tesano, Accra, on Tuesday, Mr Agyepong indicated that the relevant authorities have turned a blind eye, hence allowing moral decay and economic instability to foster.
In his speech, the former NPP General Secretary said “There is too much impudence in this country and it’s been seen and nobody gets punished.”
He cited the lack of enforcement of laws as the bedrock for Ghana’s retrogression.
“Ghana has practiced almost every economic module but it’s the lack of implementation, enforcement of our own regulation. That has brought us where we currently are.”
“My heart has been troubled over the direction of our country,”he added.
In view of this, Mr Agyepong promises a new dawn where “there will be zero tolerance for these things.”
He continued: “There will be a political will to drive the process so that no one can steal the government’s money and walk away.”
Mr Agyepong noted that money saved can be used to grow the agricultural sector where start-ups are provided credit facilities.
He therefore entreated Ghanaians to give him the nod come 2024 polls and support his agenda for a new era.
Also, Mr Kwabena Agyepong has called for a new crop of patriotic citizens in the new Ghana he seeks to build.
Source: The Independent Ghana | Andy Ogbarmey-Tettey
A hopeful contender for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer position, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, has launched his campaign for the 2024 general elections.
The ceremony was held at the Silicon Production House at Tesano, Accra.
Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, has called for an increase in excise duties on three unhealthy consumables namely tobacco, alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages.
The revision is expected to rake an additional GH¢3.5 billion which the Ministry urges to be channelled into the management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, stroke, diabetes and cancers, causing 17,000 deaths annually.
The Minister of Health made this known in Accra on Monday, July 10 at a meeting to disseminate a study by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on how such health taxes could improve health outcomes in managing NCDs.
The proposal put forth calls for the implementation of a specific excise tax that would raise the retail price of cigarettes by GHS6 and alcoholic beverages by 20%, as well as the introduction of a specific excise tax that would raise taxes on beverages with added sugar by 20%.
“The ad valorem tax should be maintained while introducing a uniform specific excise tax on tobacco products, introducing a specific excise tax on alcoholic beverages (based on ethanol content) and introducing a specific excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (based on sugar content),” Mr Agyeman-Manu suggested.
“It presents a good opportunity to expand fiscal space to support government priorities which include health-related interventions focusing on NCD prevention, early detection and treatment to mitigate a huge financial burden on individuals and the state in future,” he stated.
Mr Agyeman-Manu added that the increase in the taxes on these products may reduce their consumption, thereby averting some 34,600 deaths.
According to the Health Minister, the concept of health tax is a powerful tool for revenue generation which has been successfully implemented in many countries.
Mr Agyeman-Manu described the NCD burden as an alarming situation that requires the immediate provision of quality preventive, promotion, diagnostic, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care services for these diseases.
“The financing of NCDs, therefore, requires additional resources beyond the traditional annual government budget and this calls for exploring innovative financing to increase domestic resources,” he stressed.
Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, has had his application for a stay in the ongoing criminal case against him dismissed by the High Court.
In today’s hearing, the court ruled that the arguments presented by the defendant’s counsel did not meet the required threshold for granting the application.
James Gyakye Quayson is facing trial for perjury at the High Court in Accra. He is facing charges of forgery and perjury in relation to certain alleged offences in the run up to the 2020 Assin North parliamentary election.
Mr Quayson had earlier requested the court to stay the proceedings pending the determination of the appeal filed on June 27, 2023.
The Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Maame Ekue Yanzuh on June 23, 2023, had previously dismissed the applicant’s motion for a review and/or variation of previous court orders issued on June 16, 2023.
Following today’s ruling, lead counsel for Mr Gyakye Quayson, Tsatsu Tsikata, expressed disappointment and announced their intention to file an application with the Court of Appeal, seeking a stay of proceedings.
They have requested the court to halt the proceedings to allow the Court of Appeal to review the trial judge’s decision to conduct the case on a daily basis.
Executives of Wan Heng Ghana Limited, a Chinese-owned cement manufacturing company, have been arrested by a joint operation involving the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The arrests were made due to alleged tax violations totaling ¢500 million.
The investigation was initiated following a tip-off from the GRA’s Tema Medium Taxpayer Office, which detected inconsistencies in monthly filings related to the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) and Ghana Education Trust (GET) Fund.
During a joint operation, police and military personnel attempted to gather further evidence from Wan Heng Ghana Ltd., known for producing Sol Cement. However, the company’s management refused to cooperate with the authorities investigating the alleged tax evasion. As a result, the military personnel detained the executives, and the premises were locked pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
According to documents obtained from the GRA, Wan Heng Ghana Ltd. evaded approximately ¢500 million in Value Added Tax (VAT) and income tax payments between 2018 and 2021.
Despite importing sufficient clinker to manufacture and sell ¢1.36 billion worth of cement based on Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) standards, the company reported a mere ¢223 million in revenue, significantly under-declaring their earnings by 84%. The GRA estimates that this under-declaration led to a tax loss of ¢490 million for the state.
A GRA official present during the operation said “The evidence we have gathered thus far paints a clear picture of deliberate tax evasion, with Wan Heng Ghana Ltd. grossly under-declaring their revenues and evading their tax obligations. Such illicit practices hinder Ghana’s efforts to raise domestic revenue and address pressing economic challenges”.
In response to the situation, the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers Ghana (COCMAG), which includes Wan Heng Ghana Ltd. as a member, has emphasized the significance of all cement manufacturers meeting their tax responsibilities to contribute to the nation’s welfare. COCMAG has reaffirmed its dedication to fostering fair competition and ethical conduct within the cement industry.
As the investigations proceed, the authorities have expressed their determination to hold those accountable for tax evasion responsible, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to preserving national integrity and safeguarding the country’s economic interests.
A Libyan court has issued verdicts in a human trafficking case, leading to the imprisonment of 37 individuals after the tragic drowning of 11 migrants in the Mediterranean Sea.
The defendants were found guilty of their involvement in organizing a perilous journey on a dilapidated boat intended to transport migrants to Italy.
Among the convicted, five members of the criminal gang received life sentences, while others were sentenced to terms ranging from one to 15 years.
Human trafficking is a process of people being recruited in their community and country of origin and transported to the destination where they are being exploited for purposes of forced labor, prostitution, domestic servitude, and other forms of exploitation.
Human rights organizations have long highlighted the appalling treatment endured by migrants in Libya, both at the hands of smuggling networks and within state-operated detention centers.
This situation has persisted due to the ongoing conflict and instability that have plagued Libya since the overthrow of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
The International Labour Organisation’s (ILO)Global Report, A Global Alliance Against Forced Labor (2005), estimated the global annual profits generated by human trafficking to be around US$31.6 billion.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) which is a global leader in the fight against illicit drugs and international crime, finds that there is significant intraregional trafficking in West, Central and South Africa.
Victims of the West and Central Africa region are trafficked to other neighboring countries such as Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia and Togo but also internally trafficked within the border. In Southern Africa, the victims identified by the state authorizes are from Mozambique, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Zambia and Zimbabwe as well as from East, South-East and South Asia.
Most of the trafficking victims reported are children in West and Central Africa and adult women and children in Southern Africa. In West and Central Africa, children are trafficked for forced labor, such as slavery, domestic servitude, street begging and as camel jockeys.
In Southern Africa, human trafficking forms include sexual exploitation, forced labor, slavery and domestic servitude.
Eight police officers have been suspended from duty following a disturbing incident in Johannesburg where civilians were allegedly assaulted on the side of a motorway.
The incident, which took place earlier this month, involved officers from the VIP protection unit responsible for Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s security.
In a video capturing the incident, the officers can be seen forcibly removing the civilian-clothed military trainees from their vehicle and subjecting them to physical assault.
Make these thugs famous! Allegedly cops of VIP protection unit. This is an atrocity. This is what happens when the police is used as an iron fist for the state. Apparently in Johannesburg today. What will happen to them @SAPoliceService? Whatever happened to serve and protect?! pic.twitter.com/mkImtSNpmw
One of the victims was rendered unconscious after being kicked in the head. The motive behind the attack remains unclear.
The release of the video sparked widespread outrage in a country where concerns have been raised about the necessity of extensive protection for the political elite while ordinary citizens face the brunt of rampant crime.
Lawyer Maurice Ampaw has predicted a mass sacking of government officials appointed by President Akufo-Addo should Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia be given the mandate to lead the come 2024 general elections.
He draws conclusion from what he believes to be a sidelining of members within the same political party by the late President John Evans Atta Mills when he assumed office in 2009.
In an interview on Okay FM on July 9, he said: “I see Bawumia as someone who is bringing good luck to Ghana, his government will be Bawumia’s government and not Nana Akufo-Addo’s government and Bawumia will sack all Nana Addo’s people from his side, all Nana Addo’s people will go away, all of them will expire when Bawumia comes, he will be like Atta Mills, do you remember what Atta Mill’s did to Rawlings, the same way that he will do.”
According to Lawyer Ampaw, the many Christian leaders Ghana has experienced have all failed to provide the necessary development, hence the need to give a Muslim leader the opportunity to change the country’s fourtune.
“When Bawumia comes we will make history, for the first time, we will get someone who is a Muslim and lives in the North. We have tried Christians who have disappointed us, using the name of Jesus Christ, they will be stealing, taking bribes and all, so, we are tired of the Christians,” he noted.
In anticipation of the November presidential primary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Ghana, ten candidates, including Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and former Trade Minister John Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, have been actively campaigning throughout the country to garner support from party delegates.
As part of his campaign strategy, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has made a promise to appoint ten party members from each constituency to hold government positions if he is elected as the party’s flagbearer and subsequently becomes president.
On the other hand, Alan Kyerematen has expressed his commitment to provide a monthly salary and implement a social security policy for all party delegates during his tenure.
The remaining candidates in the race are Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Member of Parliament for Assin Central; Joe Ghartey, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General; Kwadwo Poku, a businessman and energy expert; Boakye Agyarko, former Minister of Energy; Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, former NPP General Secretary; Francis Addai-Nimoh, former Member of Parliament for Mampong; Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, former Minister of State; and Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, former Minister of Food and Agriculture.
Managing Director for Operations at the World Bank, Anna Bjerde, is scheduled to visit Ghana from July 12-15, 2023.
This visit marks her first trip to Ghana since assuming her role on April 3, 2023. Accompanying her will be Ousmane Diagana, the World Bank Vice President for Western and Central Africa.
During her visit, Anna Bjerde and her delegation will have the honor of meeting with President Nana Akufo-Addo in a courtesy call. Additionally, she will engage in high-level discussions with key government officials, including Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
The discussions will cover crucial aspects of the World Bank’s program in Ghana, such as macroeconomics, energy sector issues, Ghana’s International Monetary Fund program, debt restructuring, and significant structural reforms aimed at promoting sustainable economic growth over the medium to long term.
Anna Bjerde’s itinerary also includes visits to World Bank-funded projects in Ghana. These projects include the Ghana Accountability and Learning Outcomes Project, the Ghana Tech Hub, and the Ghana Innovation Hub located at the Accra Digital Center.
The World Bank has been actively involved with Ghana since 1957. Currently, their portfolio consists of 21 active projects worth $3.6 billion.
These projects span various sectors, with significant investments allocated to Urban Resilience and Land (17%), Health, Nutrition & Population (16%), Finance & Competitiveness (14%), Social Protection & Jobs (12%), and Digital Development (11%).
Aretha Franklin passed away from pancreatic cancer in August 2018 and soon after it was initially believed that she had not left behind a will for her multi-million-dollar estate.
However, several months later, handwritten wills were discovered in unexpected places at her home in suburban Detroit, Michigan, including a cabinet and under a sofa cushion.
Now, a trial is underway to determine the validity of the two documents and establish which should be recognized as the late Queen of Soul’s final testament.
The trial began on Monday at the Oakland County Probate Court and is expected to conclude in less than a week. A six-person jury will hear testimonies from witnesses, including Franklin’s children, her niece Sabrina Owens, and a handwriting expert.
Aretha Franklin, an iconic figure in music history and an 18-time Grammy Award winner, recorded numerous chart-topping songs and was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Despite her success, she maintained a private approach to her finances and reportedly resisted creating a formal will despite her declining health over the years.
In the absence of a will, her assets, including homes, cars, furs, and jewelry, were initially intended to be equally divided among her four sons. However, the discovery of the wills nine months after her passing has prompted a dispute among her sons. One argues that the papers dated June 2010, found in a locked cabinet, represent the authentic will. Meanwhile, two other sons contend that a will dated March 2014, discovered in a spiral notebook under sofa cushions, should take precedence.
The trial will play a crucial role in determining the distribution of Aretha Franklin’s estate and resolving the conflicting claims regarding her last wishes.
In the ongoing dispute over Aretha Franklin’s estate, a newer version of her will has emerged, naming her niece, Ms. Owens, and her son, Kecalf, as co-executors or personal representatives. This document also states that if Kecalf and Edward, Franklin’s second and fourth sons, wish to benefit from the estate, they must pursue business education and obtain a certificate or degree.
On the other hand, Kecalf and Edward argue that their mother’s primary will is the one dated 2014. In this version, Kecalf replaces his brother as a co-executor, and he and his grandchildren are designated as inheritors of Franklin’s prized $1.2 million (£934,000) gated mansion, described by Edward’s attorney as “the crown jewel.”
The newer will also includes a provision stating that Franklin’s collection of gowns should either be auctioned or donated to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington.
Notably, Clarence Franklin, the eldest child, is not involved in the ongoing dispute. He resides in a Michigan assisted living facility and is under a legal guardianship.
A lawyer for his guardian told the BBC they will not participate in the trial and “have reached a settlement that gives Clarence a percentage of the estate without regard to the outcome of the will contest”.
The family rift had earlier driven Ms Owens to quit as representative of her aunt’s estate.
“Given my aunt’s love of family and desire for privacy, this is not what she would have wanted for us, nor is it what I want,” she wrote in a 2020 court filing.
“I love my cousins, hold no animosity towards them, and wish them the best.”
Earlier this year, a court in Pontiac, Michigan, was presented with three voicemail messages recorded by Aretha Franklin in the months leading up to her death. In these messages, Franklin discusses a separate will that she was working on with an estate lawyer. However, attorney Henry Grix testified that he believed Franklin “hadn’t made up her mind” regarding her final wishes.
The judge presiding over the case has decided to exclude this document from consideration in the ongoing trial.
At the time of her passing in 2018, the estimated value of Franklin’s fortune was $80 million. However, more recent evaluations and outstanding tax liabilities have significantly diminished this figure.
According to an inventory submitted to the court and reviewed by the BBC, the late singer’s assets are currently valued at just under $6 million.
Nicholas Papasifakis, Franklin’s current personal representative, has stated that he is not actively participating in the trial and does not favor either side in the dispute.
“Once there has been a determination by the Court as to the disposition of Ms Franklin’s Estate,” he wrote in an email, “I will follow that determination in distributing Ms Franklin’s assets.”
Mali is setting its sights on winning its first-ever Olympic medal following the qualification of the country’s under-23 football team for the 2024 Games in Paris.
In a thrilling fashion, the Eagles defeated Guinea in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw in the third-place play-off of the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) held in Tangier.
This marks Mali’s second appearance in the Olympic men’s football tournament, with their previous participation dating back to Athens 2004.
At that time, they were the sole African team to advance to the knockout stage, reaching the quarter-finals where they narrowly lost 1-0 to Italy after extra time.
The squad, which included notable players such as Mohamed Sissoko, who went on to play for Liverpool, Juventus, and Paris St-Germain, gained recognition for their commendable performance.
The newly appointed sports minister of Mali expressed confidence in the current generation of young players, believing that they have the potential to achieve even greater success in Paris.
The minister pledged to collaborate closely with the Malian Football Federation, providing all necessary resources and support to enhance the team’s chances of securing a medal. The qualification of the under-23 team was hailed as a historic achievement and a source of pride for the entire nation, according to a statement by Abdoul Kassim Ibrahim Fomba, the sports minister.
“[I invite] the entire population to join the squad in a spirit of union and solidarity for the purpose of our country reaching the sporting pinnacle and winning its very first Olympic medal,” he added on behalf of the country’s government.
“This victory is tangible proof that the longed-for vision of a new Mali is on the way to a triumphant reality.”
Mali’s only defeat in normal time at U23 Afcon 2023 was a 1-0 setback against finalists Egypt during the group stage
Goalkeeper Lassine Diarra, of French side LB Chateauroux, saved a spot-kick before Mohamadou Lamine Ba, a midfielder for Tunisian team Olympique Beja, converted decisively.
Mali had lost by the same scoreline on penalties to eventual tournament winners Morocco in the semi-finals, and Fomba described their win against Guinea as “worth a gold medal”.
“The minister of sport was there at 2am to welcome the team, which proves how important this victory is for Malian football,” says Malian sports journalist Baba Cissouma.
“Mali is proud of these youths who will get the best preparation to represent Mali and Africa in Paris. Many of the players in this team carry the high hopes of Malian football.”
The Confederation of African Football has recognized several players in the team of the tournament from the recently concluded U23 Africa Cup of Nations. Among the notable players are Fode Doucoure, who plays as a right-back for Red Star, Ibrahima Cisse, a centre-back from Schalke, and Mamadou Sangare, a midfielder from Red Bull Salzburg.
Cheickna Doumbia, a forward from Shabab Al Ahli Club, also stood out with his performances, scoring in Mali’s group stage victories against Gabon and Niger, alongside Sangare.
In midfield, the talents of Coli Saco from Napoli, Brahima Diarra from Huddersfield Town, and Mamady Diambou from Salzburg were showcased as Mali advanced from the group stage for the first time in their third consecutive appearance at the tournament.
Two out of the four African teams participating in the 2020 Olympic Games made it to the quarter-finals. Ivory Coast, who lost to Spain in extra time, and Egypt, who were eliminated by Brazil with a 1-0 scoreline, both put up commendable performances.
Guinea will have the opportunity to join Mali, tournament winners and hosts Morocco, as well as Egypt, in Paris if they emerge victorious in a play-off match against an Asian country.
EasyJet has confirmed the cancellation of 1,700 flights, affecting travel plans for passengers during the summer holiday season.
The cancellations, which apply to flights to and from Gatwick airport, can be attributed to constrained airspace over Europe and ongoing air traffic control difficulties that result in frequent flight disruptions.
The airline reported that approximately 95% of the affected passengers have been rebooked onto alternative flights, aiming to minimize the impact on their travel arrangements.
The announcement comes as many schools in England and Wales are preparing for summer break.
July is projected to witness the highest number of UK flight departures since October 2019, before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. The firm anticipates an 11% increase in flights departing from the UK compared to July of the previous year.
EasyJet clarified that the cancellations account for approximately one day’s worth of flights and that it will still operate around 90,000 journeys over the affected period, aiming to provide travel options for passengers during the busy summer travel season.
A spokesperson for EasyJet said the whole airline industry was seeing “challenging conditions this summer” as the closure of Ukrainian airspace due to Russia’s war caused congestion in the skies and disrupted flights.
They also said planned strikes by air traffic controllers in Europe could have an impact.
“We have therefore made some pre-emptive adjustments to our programme consolidating a small number of flights at Gatwick, where we have multiple daily frequencies, in order to help mitigate these external challenges on the day of travel for our customers,” the spokesperson said.
“Customers whose flights are affected are being informed, with 95% of customers being rebooked onto an alternative flight and all customers provided with the option to rebook or receive a refund.”
South African police have confirmed that Manuel Chang, the former Finance Minister of Mozambique, will be extradited to the United States to face fraud and corruption charges.
Chang has been in custody in South Africa since December 2018.
During his tenure as Mozambique’s finance minister, the country guaranteed over $2 billion in secret loans by state-owned firms, leading to a major corruption scandal and subsequent economic collapse.
The funds were allegedly used for various purposes, including the purchase of a large tuna factory, earning the scandal the nickname “tuna bond” scandal.
Last year, 11 individuals, including the son of Mozambique’s former president, were convicted of embezzlement and money laundering in connection with the same scheme. However, Chang maintains his innocence.
It is now understood that Chang will be escorted by FBI officials from Lanseria airport in Johannesburg to New York, where he will stand trial. The Mozambican authorities had sought to have Chang returned to Mozambique for trial rather than being extradited to the US.
According to South African authorities, Chang is expected to face charges in the US related to loans acquired from Credit Suisse and Russia’s VTB bank, which were guaranteed by the Mozambican government.
Some of these loans were not properly disclosed and were authorized by Chang during his tenure as finance minister from 2005 to 2015.
The US has indicted Chang, alleging his involvement in the misappropriation of funds that were invested by American investors.
Speaker Alban Bagbin has called on Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to present the Mid-Year Review of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government and Supplementary Estimates for the 2023 Financial Year before July 27, 2023.
According to the Speaker, government’s decision to deliver the mid-year budget on the said date will keep the House occupied after August 8, thereby affecting its other important commitments.
“The House has to rise before August 9 because there are commitments that the House cannot ignore which we will have to be part of”, Mr Bagbin announced in parliament.
He therefore wants the Minister of Finance to submit the mid-year budget and supplementary budget review earlier to enable Parliament approve it before August 10.”
“And, so, the last day we could get to convene and sit here could be only August 3, and we cannot go beyond that because even with the August 3, we would have been late to attending the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association [programme].”
The Mid-Year Fiscal Policy complies with both the Public Financial Management Act of 2016 (Act 921) and Article 179 of the 1992 Constitution.
The Act requires that the Finance Minister or any other minister designated by the President in the absence of the Finance Minister present a Mid-Year Budget Review to Parliament six months after the presentation of the main budget for that fiscal year.
Meanwhile, industry players have already made requests to the government, urging them to utilize this chance to eliminate certain taxes, such as the levy on sanitary pads, among others.
The Spanish coast guard has successfully rescued 86 individuals from a boat that went missing at sea over a week ago, in a search operation for migrants.
The vessel, carrying people from sub-Saharan Africa, was located approximately 70 nautical miles (130km) southwest of the Canary Islands. The rescue was made possible with the assistance of another nearby boat.
However, two similar boats carrying dozens more people remain missing, and there are limited details available about them.
According to Walking Borders, a migrant aid group, one of the boats was estimated to have approximately 65 people on board, while the other had up to 60.
These boats are believed to have departed from Senegal on June 23, four days prior to the larger vessel.
The larger vessel, which departed from Kafountine, Senegal on June 27, was estimated to be carrying 200 individuals, including many children, according to earlier reports from Walking Borders.
The coast guard vessel and the container ship that provided assistance are currently en route to Gran Canaria island. The exact number of individuals rescued from the larger vessel remains unclear, but the group includes 80 men and six women.
This news follows a recent tragic incident in which an overcrowded trawler sank off the Greek coast, resulting in one of the worst Mediterranean migrant shipwrecks. At least 78 deaths have been confirmed, with the United Nations reporting that up to 500 individuals may still be missing.
The journey from West Africa to the Canary Islands is known to be one of the most perilous routes for migrants. Typically, they undertake the voyage in traditional fishing boats that are vulnerable to the strong Atlantic currents.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), at least 559 individuals lost their lives at sea while attempting to reach the Spanish islands last year. The death toll for 2021 rose to 1,126. However, due to limited information on departures from West Africa and underreported shipwrecks, the actual figures are likely higher.
Migrants embarking on this route often originate from countries such as Morocco, Mali, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and other sub-Saharan nations.
In 2022, Spain’s interior ministry recorded 15,682 unauthorized arrivals in the Canary Islands, representing a decrease of over 30% compared to the previous year.
Toomaj Salehi, a 32-year-old Iranian rapper known for his support of anti-government protests, has reportedly been sentenced to six years and three months in prison.
According to his lawyer, Roza Etemad-Ansari, Salehi was found guilty of “corruption on Earth,” but fortunately, he was spared from the death penalty. Iranian authorities have not made any official statements regarding the matter.
Salehi’s arrest followed widespread protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, a woman who was detained for allegedly wearing an “improper” hijab. The specific details of Salehi’s charges and trial have not been disclosed in the available information.
Ms Etemad-Ansari said her client had been cleared of “insulting the Supreme Leader”, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and “communicating with hostile governments”.
This charge, known as one of the most severe offenses in the country, carries the possibility of a death sentence and has historically been used against dissidents by the Islamic Republic.
Salehi spent months in solitary confinement at Dastgerd prison in central Iran before his sentencing.
The court sessions were closed to the public, a practice that has drawn criticism from human rights groups. His lawyer confirmed that he was transferred to the general section of the prison after the sentencing, which was also confirmed by supporters running Salehi’s Instagram page.
As one of the thousands of predominantly young Iranians who protested against the clerical establishment following the death of Mahsa Amini in September, Salehi shared clips of his songs in support of the movement.
The protests have been met with a violent crackdown by security forces, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of demonstrators and the arrest of thousands. The authorities have portrayed the unrest as “riots” instigated by foreign agents.
Threads, the social media app developed by Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has achieved a remarkable milestone by attracting over 100 million users in less than five days. This achievement surpasses the previous record set by Open AI’s ChatGPT app.
The platform was launched globally on Apple and Android app stores across 100 countries, including the United Kingdom, last Wednesday. Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, expressed his astonishment at the rapid pace at which the milestone was reached.
However, Threads has faced some obstacles along the way. Notably, the app is currently unavailable in mainland Europe due to uncertainties surrounding its compliance with European Union data privacy legislation.
It is evident that Threads has garnered significant attention and interest from users, demonstrating its potential to rival established platforms like Twitter.
EU’s industry commissioner, Thierry Breton, has made his first public comments on the Threads situation, stating that “taking a little time to do so seems to me to be probably good policy.” These remarks were made during an interview with French radio station Franceinfo.
Although Threads has encountered challenges with EU data privacy legislation, it has experienced rapid growth.
Meta, the parent company of Threads and Facebook, reported that the app garnered 10 million users within the first seven hours of its launch, surpassing 30 million users by Thursday morning. Within approximately 24 hours, this number had more than doubled.
However, Threads still has a significant gap to close in order to catch up with its main competitor, Twitter. With 100 million users, Threads currently represents less than a third of Twitter’s estimated 350 million user base.
Some Twitter users have expressed disillusionment since billionaire Elon Musk assumed ownership of the platform. Under his leadership, the company has undergone significant job cuts, and Musk has introduced various changes aimed at generating revenue.
Former US national gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar was involved in a prison altercation on Sunday and was stabbed multiple times by another inmate.
Nassar, who was sentenced to up to 175 years in prison for sexually abusing gymnasts, is currently in stable condition after the attack and receiving medical treatment.
Reports suggest that he sustained two stab wounds to the neck, two to the back, and six to the chest, resulting in a collapsed lung. A union leader from the prison informed NBC about the extent of his injuries.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed the incident in a statement to the BBC, stating that an inmate was assaulted at the United States Penitentiary Coleman in Florida, where Nassar is incarcerated.
“Responding staff immediately initiated life-saving measures”, the agency said, and the inmate was taken to a local hospital “for further treatment and evaluation”. An internal investigation has been launched.
nmates.
Nassar, who previously served as a doctor for the USA Gymnastics program and Michigan State University, admitted to sexually assaulting athletes and was convicted for his crimes. He also pleaded guilty to charges related to the possession of child pornography.
The number of women and girls who have accused Nassar of sexual abuse stands at over 330, spanning his time with USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University. Prominent Olympic gold medallists, such as Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, and McKayla Maroney, have bravely testified about their experiences of surviving Nassar’s abuse.
Many of the survivors disclosed the abuse to adults, including coaches and doctors, but their concerns were often disregarded.
An investigation into the FBI’s handling of the scandal, published in 2021, found the agency made a series of missteps, including delays and cover-ups, which allowed Nassar’s abuse to continue for several more months after the case was first opened.
The agency’s own watchdog found the FBI disregarded allegations about Nassar and made early errors in its investigation.
Several women who were sexually assaulted by Nassar – including Raisman, Biles and Maroney – have sued the FBI for $1bn (£783m) for mishandling credible complaints of sexual assault.
USA Gymnastics has agreed to pay $380m to Nassar’s victims, while Michigan State reached a $500m settlement with survivors.
Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has stated that his country will support Sweden’s bid to join NATO if the European Union initiates membership talks with Turkey.
President Erdogan plans to convey this demand at the upcoming NATO summit in Lithuania.
President Erdogan has already informed US President Joe Biden of his intentions regarding Sweden’s NATO membership aspirations. His remarks precede a meeting with Sweden’s Prime Minister and NATO’s Secretary General in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius.
As a NATO member, Turkey holds the power to veto the entry of any new country into the alliance. Turkey has previously expressed concerns regarding what it perceives as Stockholm’s willingness to host Kurdish militants.
However, President Erdogan acknowledged that Sweden has taken some positive steps by amending anti-terror laws, though he still has remaining grievances.
While Hungary has also been hesitant in supporting Sweden’s NATO bid, it has indicated that it will not further delay the process if Turkey changes its stance.
Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO Secretary General, stated on Monday that there is still a possibility of a “positive decision” regarding Sweden’s NATO membership during the upcoming two-day conference.
He added that Sweden joining Nato would “strengthen our ability to defend and protect not least the Baltic region”.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, meanwhile, has dismissed Mr Erdogan’s idea of a reciprocal agreement.
“Sweden meets all the requirements for Nato membership,” he told reporters in Berlin. “The other question is one that is not connected with it.”
A spokeswoman for the European Commission, the EU’s executive body, said membership to the bloc could only be granted by following procedure.
“The European Union has a very structured process of enlargement and a very, very clear set of steps that need to be taken by all candidate countries and even by those that wish to become candidate countries,” said Dana Spinant.
Over a year ago, Sweden, along with Finland, initiated a bid to join NATO, prompted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finland successfully became the 31st member of the alliance in April, after Turkey withdrew objections that were akin to those it currently has regarding Sweden’s application.
It’s worth noting that Turkey’s pursuit of EU membership has been stalled for several years. In 2016, EU members voted to suspend talks on the matter due to concerns over Turkey’s crackdown on dissenters following a failed coup attempt that same year.
Nevertheless, relations between Turkey and the EU have improved since then, with the EU relying on Turkey’s assistance on various issues, including migration.
In summary, Sweden and Finland launched bids to join NATO in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. While Finland has already gained membership, Turkey’s objections currently hinder Sweden’s application.
Turkey’s own EU membership process has been suspended, though relations between Turkey and the EU have shown signs of improvement.
The Kremlin reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group mercenaries, following the failed mutiny by the group last month.
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, confirmed that Prigozhin, along with 35 other Wagner commanders, was invited to the meeting in Moscow. During the meeting, President Putin provided an “assessment” of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the mutiny itself.
The mutiny, which occurred on June 23, was short-lived, lasting only 24 hours. As part of the resolution to end the mutiny, which saw Wagner troops seizing a city and advancing towards Moscow, charges against Prigozhin were dropped, and he was offered relocation to Belarus.
Prior to the mutiny, there had been public discord between the Wagner Group and Russia’s Ministry of Defense regarding the conduct of the war. Prigozhin had repeatedly criticized the ministry for its failure to provide adequate ammunition to his group.
On Monday, Peskov stated that Prigozhin was one of the commanders who were invited to the Kremlin for the meeting, which took place five days after the collapse of the mutiny.
“The president gave an assessment of the company’s actions on the front,” Mr Peskov is quoted as saying by Interfax news agency.
“He also gave assessment to the 24 June events. Putin listened to the commanders’ explanations and suggested variants of their future employment and their future use in combat.”
According to the spokesman, Prigozhin told Mr Putin that Wagner unconditionally supported him.
The Wagner chief’s current whereabouts are unclear.
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, who played a role in brokering the resolution to the mutiny, stated last Thursday that Yevgeny Prigozhin was in Russia. The BBC tracked Prigozhin’s private jet, which flew to Belarus in late June and returned to Russia on the same evening.
The Wagner Group, a private military organization, has been fighting alongside the regular Russian army in Ukraine since the invasion last year. However, following setbacks on the battlefield, Prigozhin used social media to criticize the high command, particularly Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, the two top figures overseeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
During the mutiny, Prigozhin did not directly condemn President Putin, but analysts viewed it as the most significant challenge to the president’s authority in his more than two decades in power.
In the meantime, General Gerasimov has made his first public appearance since the mutiny. Speculation had arisen that Wagner’s march was halted in exchange for the general’s dismissal.
However, footage aired on Russian TV on Monday showed General Gerasimov giving orders to attack Ukrainian missile sites, suggesting that the video was recorded after the mutiny. The video indicates that President Putin has retained both Defense Minister Shoigu and General Gerasimov in their positions.
Former Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, is overwhelmed the World Bank’s decision to provide a $200 million financing from the International Development Association (IDA) for the Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project (TCDP).
In an interview at his campaign office on Sunday, July 9, 2023, the NPP presidential hopeful noted that the project is very dear to his heart as it seeks diversify and grow its economy through modernizing agriculture to accelerate productivity, resilience, and industrialization.
According to Dr Afriyie Akotio, he took the initiative to engage the World Bank to throw its support behind the project when he still was the Minister for Food and Agriculture.
“As we speak, only US$ 3 million has been disbursed to promote the objectives of the Tree Crop Development Authority. While the slow disbursement of the seed money was going on, I engaged the World Bank to see how best they can assist us. So, they saw my vision that this is something that can easily make Ghana a prosperous country if we just took care of that particular Authority.
So, the engagement went on and I am glad that only a few months that I left office, the World Bank itself has put up a statement that they are prepared to support the Authority with US$200 million. It is just a relief for me,” he noted.
Ghana on June 3, 2023, received approval of $200 million financing from the International Development Association (IDA) for the Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project (TCDP).
“The World Bank is pleased to support Ghana’s medium-term national development strategy through the Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project and directly contribute to the Government of Ghana’s priorities for economic and social development in the Coordinated Program of Economic and Social Development Policies, for inclusive, resilient, and sustainable economy,” said Pierre Laporte, World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
“The project willsupport private investments in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in cocoa, cashew, and coconut value chains and in cashew and coconut processing units,” he added.
According to the World Bank, while Ghana’s tree crops sector plays an enormous role in agriculture and the economy, the sector can contribute more substantially to Ghana’s economy and society than it currently does, including job creation, export revenue generation, and poverty reduction of the country’s poorest people.
Cocoa, cashew, coconut, and rubber segments employ some 728,000, 100,000, 10,364, and 4,322 farmers respectively.
Challenges said to be limiting the development of the sector include low and stagnant productivity, weak institutional capacity, poor sector governance, and poor climate resilience due to weak adoption of climate smart agriculture technologies and practices.
There is little value addition and weak coordination between actors of the tree crops value chains, the World Bank asserts, adding that “there is also lack of connectivity between farmers and improved inputs and services providers, and vulnerability to pests and diseases.”
The Government of Ghana intends to diversify and expand the economy by modernising agriculture, accelerating industrialisation, and prioritising climate resilience and mitigation.
This will be done in line with the Investment for Food and Jobs (Medium-Term Development Plan, 2018–2021) and the ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ reform agenda by implementing the Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project (GTCDP) through the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) and Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), collaborating with the World Bank.
The GTCDP, among others, will support the existing capacity of COCOBOD and strengthen the nascent organisational capacity of TCDA. It will provide optimal enabling environments through the legalisation and operationalisation of tree crop regulations and agribusiness policies.
It will also support and enable local farmers, traders, and processors to generate jobs and profits from the production of the four selected tree crops, i.e., cocoa, cashew, rubber and coconut.
Witnesses and an official report that a recent Sudanese army air strike on the capital resulted in the deaths of at least 22 people, with numerous others sustaining injuries.
Among the victims were women and children, as per accounts from eyewitnesses.
The airstrike targeted the Dar es Salaam district in Omdurman, situated on the opposite side of the Nile from the capital, Khartoum.
The attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday. Since April, the army and a paramilitary force have been engaged in a power struggle for control over the capital.
The conflict originated from a disagreement between General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the army, and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), regarding the country’s future direction.
A health official from Khartoum state, quoted by Reuters, confirmed that the airstrike resulted in the deaths of at least 22 people.
However, the RSF claimed that the death toll was 31, emphasizing that the strike caused significant damage to residential properties.
The situation in Sudan remains volatile and the loss of civilian lives is deeply tragic.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) currently holds control over significant parts of Khartoum, as well as its neighboring cities of Omdurman and Bahri. In response, the army has been conducting frequent artillery and air attacks in an attempt to dislodge the paramilitary fighters. However, it is believed that the air strike on Saturday may have resulted in one of the highest death tolls from a single attack.
The ongoing conflict, spanning twelve weeks, has left the civilian population in the capital in a state of fear and distress. Shops and markets remain closed, and the majority of medical facilities have ceased operations. The clashes have extended beyond the city, reaching the western Darfur region where ethnic violence has erupted.
Throughout the country, hundreds of people have lost their lives, and nearly three million individuals have been displaced from their homes. While some temporary ceasefires have been attempted, they have been short-lived.
The East African regional bloc, Igad, is making efforts to revive peace negotiations at a summit scheduled for Monday in Ethiopia. However, a spokesperson for General Burhan stated that he would not attend the meeting.
The situation in Sudan remains deeply concerning, with widespread violence and displacement impacting the lives of the civilian population.
Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) has reacted to a press statement said to have been issued by its outfit by Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Mr Ablakwa, in efforts to prove that Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, awarded a US$48million contract without Public Procurement Authority (PPA) approval cited a statement dated December 15, 2021 from GIFEC.
Per the statement titled “Proof of existing contract between Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications and Ascend Digital Solutions Limited”, there is an existing contract with Ascend Digital Solutions, a Nigerian company Mr Ablakwa claims has hijacked the Communications & Digitalization sector.
Acting Administrator of GIFEC, Prince Ofosu Sefah, who is a signature to the said letter confirmed that the Nigerian company is currently executing on behalf of GIFEC a contract for Engineering Design, Build, Rollout and Telephony Project involving Cell Sites in the 2016 communities.
“Ascend Digital Solutions Limited has been delivering these services to us since February 2020,” the letter revealed, adding that “the duration of the Build and Rollout Contract is until August 2023, while the Managed Services Contract is renewable, after an initial agreement for two years.”
But in a statement dated July 7, 2023, GIFEC noted that “the Administrator does not recall issuing the said letter.”
According to the company, the two-year old statement does not bear requisite characteristics of an official GIFEC letter, with a reference number and trypically contains other features which are lacking on the said letter.
“Extensive checks at the GIFEC Secretariat also, indicates that there is no record of such letter being issued,” the statement added.
With regards to the substantive subject matter of the Ghana Rural Telephony and Digital Inclusion Project (GRT&DIP), GIFEC confirmed that it is implementing the project on behalf of the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD), and the contractual technical partners are Huawei and CNTIC.
All applicable approvals for the GRT&DIP contract (Cabinet, Parliamentary and Public Procurement Authority) are in place,” GIFEC noted.
In view of this, GIFEC asserted that it is not undertaking any contract not approved by all relevant authorities.
“GIFEC has been hard at work over the last couple of years, implementing this unprecedented and beneficial national project on behalf of the MoCD and in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, towards closing the Digital Divide,” it added.
The role of GIFEC in the US$48million contract scandal came to being after Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful challenged Mr Ablakwa to provide evidence that her outfit awarded the said contract to Ascend Digital Solutions Limited.
Mr Ablakwa in a Facebook post on July 6, 2023, accused Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful of awarding a US$48million contract awarded without Public Procurement Authority (PPA) approval.
He made this claim while citing a PPA’s response to his request made under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
The request dated 8th June was titled “REQUEST FOR INFORMATION,” and read in part: “Respectfully, can you confirm if the Public Procurement Authority has granted procurement approval as required per theProcurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) as amended with (Act 914) to Ascend Digital Solutions under a US$48 million Rural Telephony Project contract purportedly for Engineering, Design, Build, Rollout and Managed Services which is being executed by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization since the year 2020.”
The PPA in its response dated 30th June, 2023 and signed by Deputy Chief Executive Kwame Prempeh per the letter shared by the North Tongu MP read: “We wish to inform you that our records do not reflect any information of the above-mentioned project.”
But Mrs Ursusla Owusu-Ekuful insisted the claims levelled against her by Mr Ablakwa are false and asked him to “please produce the contract you claim I signed without PPA approval.”
Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye, has revealed that as of 2022, the National Health Insurance Scheme had an active membership of 17.2 million.
The current data suggests that about 55 per cent of Ghana’s population have signed up to the NHIS – the highest membership recorded so far.
Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye made the announcement last Friday during a news conference.
According to him, the NHIA has paid more than GH¢471 million to a total of 4,500 credentialed healthcare providers across the country.
The certified health facilities comprise public, private, quasi and faith-based health facilities, Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, health centres, pharmacies, diagnostic centres and some primary, secondary and tertiary hospitals.
The amount, paid within 45 days from May 24 to July 7, 2023, is said to have covered claims submitted to the authority for periods up to January 2023.
According to Dr. Okoe-Boye, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) is dedicated to creating a robust health insurance system that effectively addresses the healthcare needs of the population. Their goal is to ensure that people have access to quality and affordable healthcare services.
Dr. Okoe-Boye further explained that the NHIS benefit package covers over 95% of known disease conditions in Ghana. Additionally, he highlighted that a significant majority of individuals visiting public healthcare centers, approximately 80%, present their NHIS membership cards. On average, each visit results in the dispensing of at least three different drugs.
Moreover, the NHIA said to be proactive in expanding its benefit package have included coverage for childhood cancers and drugs for women afflicted by breast cancer, recognizing the importance of addressing these specific healthcare needs.
Currently, the NHIA is working on catering for mental health treatment via the National Health Insurance Scheme.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria is now Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
This was announced at the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS on July 9.
Tinubu takes over from President Umaro Embalo of Guinea Bissau as ECOWAS chair.
President Tinubu in his acceptance speech pledged to ensure democracy in African states that form part of ECOWAS.
“We will take democracy seriously. Democracy is very tough but it is the best form of government,” he said.
In a Twitter post, Tinubu described the development as a noteworthy affirmation of Nigeria’s continued leadership in the sub-region and the African continent.
I’m grateful to my distinguished colleagues for the honour of being elected as the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at the 63rd Ordinary Session that took place today in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.… pic.twitter.com/o7uuqME2Kh
“As Chairman of the important coalition, I renew my dedication and that of our nation to the cause of peace and progress as we foster the collaboration and commitment required to tackle trans-border issues of security, economic growth and sustainable development,” he added.
Considered one of the pillars of the African Economic Community, ECOWAS was set up to foster the ideal of collective self-sufficiency for its member states namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sénégal and Togo.
Source: The Independent Ghana | Andy Ogbarmey-Tettey
Ahead of a pre-season friendly game against Hull City on July 9, Hatayspor paid tribute to their fallen heroes including Ghana’s own, Christian Atsu.
The club, which indicated that the dead are “always in our hearts” posed for a photo comprising the starting XI and the jersey which was worn by Christian Atsu.
The 31-year-old up until his demise wore the number 30 jersey.
This was the first time the club returned to the pitch following the devastating earthquake struck Turkey and Syria on February 6, 2023, killing Christian Atsu and Sporting Director Taner Savut.
Also, coach Volkan Demirel, on behalf of the club presented the jersey of Taner Savut to the bereaved family – the widow Pinar Savut and her daughters Alya and Cansin.
Teknik direktörümüz Volkan Demirel, deprem felaketinde kaybettiğimiz Sportif Direktörümüz Taner Savut’un kıymetli eşi Pınar Savut, kızları Alya ve Cansın Savut’a forma takdim etti. Taner hocamızı rahmet ve sevgiyle anıyoruz.#AtakaşHataysporpic.twitter.com/34t413BxOv
At the end of the friendly encounter, both teams ended up scoring a goal each.
Hull City took the lead in the 67th minute through Will Jarvis before an equaliser from Unal Durmushan in the 83rd minute.
Christian Atsu
Christian Atsu’s last touch as a footballer was scoring a brilliant free-kick for Hatayspor in a 1-0 win against Kasimpasa on February 5.
Per reports, he rescinded an earlier decision to fly to meet his family after the game to jubilate with his team.
Christian Atsu’s final moment as a footballer, scoring a free-kick in the last minute to win the game for Hatayspor, just hours before the earthquake struck.
Life is so short and unexpected, treasure every moment. RIP Christian Atsu 🙏🖤 pic.twitter.com/7xJT4v7C5I
Ghanaian businessman Nana Appiah Mensah, popularly known as NAM 1, has shown his romantic side by showering love and praises on his wife, Rose Appiah Mensah, on her birthday.
The CEO of Zylofon Media and now defunct Menzgold, took to social media on July 8 to express his gratitude and admiration for his wife, who has been his “soulmate and life partner”.
He did not reveal how old Rose is, but he shared his dreams of witnessing their children’s wedding and the christening of their grandchildren together with his “dearest” wife.
He also reaffirmed his undying love for Rose, saying “I love you”.
But words were not enough for NAM 1 to celebrate his wife’s special day. He also posted some dazzling photos of Rose, who looked stunning in a white dress with a butterfly design.
The photos showcased her beauty and elegance, as she posed with a smile.
NAM 1 and Rose have been married for an unknown number of years, but they have a son named Jedidiah, who will turn three in September this year.
The couple have been through some tough times, as NAM 1 faced legal battles over his businesses in Ghana and abroad. However, they have remained supportive of each other and their family.
Fans and followers of NAM 1 joined him in wishing Rose a happy birthday and complimenting her on her looks.
Here are some of the reactions from social media users to NAM 1’s birthday message and photos for his wife.
Source: The Independent Ghana | Andy Ogbarmey-Tettey
Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye, has revealed that mental health treatment will be catered for by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) before the end of 2023.
The NHIA CEO made this information known last Friday during a news conference.
“Before the end of this year, the National Health Insurance Authority is for the first time going to pay for mental health conditions, at least the top-most conditions that are seen daily in our hospitals. It will be covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme,” he said.
Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye however added that the NHIA is still working on some nitty-gritties before it implements this initiative.
“We are working on the details as to the cost and how to go about it, the coding and all that. These are things that we will go through. So that when people take care of our brothers and sisters with depression, schizophrenia, suicidal tendencies, all those mental conditions, they will not have to go through the burden of finding money for themselves.”
He further noted that the Mental Health Authority will now be covering the cost of drugs that “are not available from the Authority.”
For over a year, the National Health Insurance Authority has been working on covering the cost of mental health treatment via the National Health Insurance Scheme.
According to the NHIA, it has requested data from the Mental Health Authority to conduct its analysis.
Although the coverage of mental health treatment comes as good news, it comes at a time when the NHIS has not been able to operate effectively.
Some health facilities have refused to accept the use of the NHIS card due to lack of funds, thereby compelling patients to pay more for healthcare.
The Ministry of Health has announced its decision to sanction health facilities found complicit of refusing NHIS cards from patients.
Source: The Independent Ghana | Andy Ogbarmey-Tettey
Real Madrid C. F., its President and its Board of Directors have expressed their sincere sadness over the passing of Luis Suárez, aged 88.
He was one of the greatest legends of Spanish and world football, and the first and only Spanish player to win the Ballon d’Or in 1960.
Luis Suárez played for Deportivo de La Coruña, F. C. Barcelona, Inter Milan and U. C. Sampdoria.
He won 2 league titles, 2 Fairs Cups and 2 Spanish Cups with F. C. Barcelona. With Inter Milan he won 2 European Cups, 2 Intercontinental Cups and 3 Scudettos. He won 32 caps for the Spanish national team and won the 1964 European Championship.
Luis Suárez was Spanish national team coach between 1988 and 1991, and also Spain U-21 coach, claiming the 1986 U-21 European Championship. He coached clubs such as Inter Milan, U. C. Sampdoria, Como 1907, Cagliari Calcio and Deportivo La Coruña.
US President Joe Biden has stood by his “very difficult decision” to supply Ukraine with cluster bombs, despite concerns over their history of causing harm to civilians.
Biden acknowledged that it took some time for him to be convinced of the necessity, but he ultimately took action due to Ukraine’s depleting ammunition supplies.
While Ukraine’s leader expressed appreciation for the move, the decision has faced criticism from human rights organizations and certain members of the Democratic Party. Meanwhile, a Moscow envoy condemned the decision as “cynical” on the part of Washington.
Mr Biden told CNN in an interview on Friday that he had spoken to allies about the decision, which comes ahead of a Nato summit in Lithuania next week. Cluster bombs are banned by more than 120 countries, but have been used by both Russia and Ukraine during the war.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told Friday’s daily White House briefing that officials “recognise the cluster munitions create a risk of civilian harm” from unexploded bombs. “This is why we’ve deferred the decision for as long as we could.”
Mr Sullivan said Ukraine was running out of artillery and needed “a bridge of supplies” while the US ramps up domestic production. “We will not leave Ukraine defenceless at any point in this conflict period,” he said.
The munitions have caused controversy over their failure – or dud – rate, meaning unexploded small bombs can linger on the ground for years and indiscriminately detonate later on.
Mr Sullivan told reporters the American cluster bombs being sent to Ukraine were far safer than those he said were already being used by Russia in the conflict.
He told reporters the US ones have a dud rate of less than 2.5%, while Russia’s have a dud rate of between 30-40%, he said.
Mr Biden’s move will bypass US law prohibiting the production, use or transfer of cluster munitions with a failure rate of more than 1%. Early on in the war, when the White House was asked about allegations that Russia was using cluster and vacuum bombs, the then-press secretary said it would be a potential “war crime” if true.
Marta Hurtado, speaking for the UN human rights office, said on Friday: “The use of such munitions should stop immediately and not be used in any place.”
Director-General of the Ghana Prison Service, Isaac Kofi Egyir, has revealed that the institution has been spending GH¢1.80 per prisoner per day on food since 2011.
This information came to light in response to a query posed by Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, a Member of PAC and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Bulsa South. Dr. Apaak sought clarification on the daily feeding expenditure for each inmate during a session of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament in Accra.
Further questioning from Dr. James Klutse Avedzi, the Chairman of PAC and NDC MP for Ketu North, prompted the Director-General to elaborate on how he manages the situation with the allocated GH¢1.80 budget per prisoner.
Mr Egyir, in his response, said: “We have farms all over the country and it is our farms that have stood in since the problems of feeding arose. And this is what we are doing to complement the government’s efforts in feeding the inmates.”
During the PAC session, Dr. James Klutse Avedzi, Chairman of PAC and NDC MP for Ketu North, expressed concerns about the Ghana Prison Service’s ability to sustain feeding without support from farming activities.
He highlighted that without such support, feeding the inmates could become extremely challenging.
In response, the Deputy Minister for Interior, Madam Naana Eyiah, acknowledged the issue and assured that the government would take action to address the GH¢1.80 allocation.
The Ghana Prisons Service plays a significant role as a key stakeholder in Ghana’s Criminal Justice System.
Its primary objectives include maintaining internal security and operating an efficient, humane, and secure reformatory penal system in accordance with Ghanaian laws.
The service is dedicated to the safe custody, humane treatment, reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates, with the ultimate goal of fostering responsible, productive, and law-abiding citizens to ensure public safety.
