TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • IMF programme: Corruption not the main cause of Ghana’s problems – Kwesi Pratt

    Seasoned Journalist, Kwesi Pratt says corruption is not the cause of Ghana’s problems.

    As the nation returns to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) despite calls on the President not to consider such move, especially when he promised Ghanaians he wouldn’t take that route, government officials and members of the governing New Patriotic Party(NPP) have begun to build a defence for this decision.

    According to Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Akufo-Addo government is going to the IMF for a “balance of payment” support, therefore shot down arguments that the President and the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) should apologize for deceiving Ghanaians as they berated the previous Mahama government for doing same.

    The Minister argued that the former President John Mahama and his government went to the IMF because they had messed up the economy, but President Nana Akufo-Addo is going for a bailout due to external factors; referring to the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine/Russia war among others.

    ” . . when the country was handed over to former President Mahama, there was no external global crisis. It was his own domestic management but at the end, he said to us that they have chewed the meat to the bone, so they are going to the Fund for bailout.

    “This is his words, not mine. What tended up happening is that when they went for the bailout and we came into power, from 2017 to 2019, we saw how the Ghanaian economy performed.

    “Today, our economic state has called for us to also go for bailout but it’s a different scenario. It’s not our internal domestic management that is the cause but the external issues and external pressures that have necessitated our decision to go for this facility,” he said in an interview on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” Monday morning.

    Contributing to the Tuesday edition of ‘Kokrokoo’ programme, Kwesi Pratt spoke against the IMF bailout saying the government should spare Ghanaians the stories about external factors affecting Ghana so bad that the government must resort to the IMF.

    “Did the external factors jump over Togo, Burkina Faso and La Cote D’Ivoire to affect Ghana alone? . . . How is that possible?”, he queried.

    He also opposed the notion in the minds of Ghanaians that the country’s progress is crawling because of corruption.

    To him, he doesn’t believe “corruption is the cause of what we are facing today”.

    He stressed; “Corruption is a problem, no doubt but it is not the main cause of the problems we are facing today”.

    Mr. Pratt stated emphatically that “the problems we are facing today are a structural economic problems; fundamental structural economic problems”.

    Source: Ghanaweb via Peacefmonline

  • Alleged Kasoa teen killers case adjourned to July 25

    An Accra High Court has adjourned to July 25, the case of the two teenagers alleged to be involved in the murder of 10-year-old boy at Kasoa in the Central Region.

    The court was to empanel a seven-member jury for the trial when sitting resumed today.

    It said: “The main business was for us to empanel a jury. However, the jury has been involved in several cases that are being tried within the premises. To do an effective trial, I requested for a new crop of qualified men and women who are not involved in several cases to be summoned to undertake this exercise.”

    “We, therefore, need to exercise patience for the administration to take up this duty. I shall, therefore, adjourn the matter,” the court said.

    The two teenagers are being held over the death of Ishmael Mensah Abdallah who they allegedly lured into an uncompleted building and killed in April last year.

    The accused, including a minor, hit the victim’s head with a club and a cement block several times and dropped his body in a shallow hole.

    They have been charged with conspiracy and murder.

    Source: GNA

  • GES to meet leadership of striking teacher unions on Wednesday

    The Ghana Education Service (GES) is expected to meet with the leadership of the four teacher unions which have declared a strike action over the non-payment of their Cost of Living Allowance (COLA).

    Public Relations Officer of the Education Ministry, Kwesi Kwarteng in an interview with JoyNews on Tuesday said the meeting will “develop a roadmap and engage on how to bring this issue to an end.”

    “We hope that by the close of tomorrow [Wednesday] some progress would have been made,” he told Emefa Apawu on Newsnight.

    Mr. Kwarteng is optimistic that the various stakeholders involved would show commitment and goodwill to resolve the impasse.

    Responding to calls by the Minority for schools to be shut down due to the strike action, he noted that the GES directive for schools to remain open despite the industrial action is the best interim solution.

    “We know there is a problem and we know there has to be a decision that ought to be made…In the interim, this takes very good care of these children while we look at an immediate resolution of the strike action which is just tomorrow. That is even with regards to the schools that are operating the boarding system in the SHS schools.

    “If you come to the basic level that is the primary schools to the JHS level, we could not have shut down the schools because it is possible that some parents did not even know and the temptation to take their wards to school will be high,” he stated.

    Background

    Four teacher unions on Monday, July 4 declared an indefinite nationwide strike over demands for the payment of Cost of Living Allowance (COLA).

    The unions, comprising the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers Ghana (CCT), are demanding that 20% of their basic salary be paid to them.

    “We can no longer bear the hardship. Even more so, we reject the inequality of salaries in the public services of this country. We have been compelled under the current circumstances to publicly communicate to Ghanaians on our intention to go on strike, having gone past the June 30, 2022 deadline [that] we gave government for the payment of the Cost of Living Allowance.

    “Consequently, we have decided to embark on a strike action effective today, Monday, July 4, 2022. By this, we are informing the general public that we are withdrawing all our services in all the pre-tertiary education space this includes teaching and non-teaching staff,” the teachers announced.

  • Fabio Gama makes huge demands before renewing contract with Asante Kotoko

    Brazilian midfielder, Fabio Gama, left the shores of Ghana with his wife and son after the 2021/2022 Ghaha football season without extending his contract with Asante Kotoko.

    The most successful Brazilian in the history of the Ghana Premier League signed a two-year contract with the Porcupine Warriors prior to the start of the 2020/2021 Ghana Premier League season.

    Gama signed a two-year contract with Asante Kotoko but failed to extend his contract with the club despite the attempts from the club to get him to sign a contract extension.

    While many Asante Kotoko fans wonder why the player refused to extend his contract, Kumasi-based Silver FM has reported that Fabio Gama left because he didn’t enjoy much game time under coach Dr. Propser Narteh Ogum.

    Silver FM added in their report that Fabio Gama will only sign a contract extension with Asante Kotoko and return to Ghana if the club agrees to pay him $1000 anytime in each game he sits on the bench.

    This, according to the Radio Station, is Fabio Gama’s way of ensuring that he gets much playing time under coach Prosper Narteh.

    Fabio Gama in his two-year stint with Asante Kotoko scored 5 goals in 48 appearances for the 2021/2022 Ghana Premier League winners.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • Reggie Rockstones house floods again

    Legendary artiste, Reggie Rockstone has cautioned his fans to be wary of their environment as reptiles take over his home following a flooding situation.

    Reggie was part of the many Cantonments residents whose homes got flooded due to the heavy Tuesday rains.

    He posted videos of the interior and exterior of his compound all consumed by the muddy water while his family remains trapped inside their room.

    As he stepped out to salvage the situation, he was greeted by agama lizards clinging to his property.

    This is not the first time his home has flooded; some three years ago, he cried out to the government to install proper water systems to prevent future occurrences.

    It may seem the drainage issue has resurfaced.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • Registered internet banking customers see 4.7% decline in 2021 BoG

    The Payment Systems Oversight Annual Report of the Bank of Ghana has disclosed that the number of registered internet banking customers reduced by 4.77% to 970,435 in 2021, compared to 2020.

    The report also stated that registered mobile banking customers declined to 4.062 million in 2021, from 4.767 million in 2020.

    However, the value of internet banking transactions, however, went up significantly by 132.30% making GH¢56.24 billion in 2021.

    The value for mobile banking transactions was GH¢26.11 billion in 2021 against GH¢12.94 billion in 2020.

    This represents a growth rate of 101.78%.

    According to the report, the number of ATMs deployed by banks as of the end of December 2021 was 2,278 indicating an increase of 1.83% from what was recorded in 2020.

    POS terminals deployment witnessed a 20.54% increase to 12,643 in December 2021, from 10,489 in December 2020.

    The report also stated that the total number of debit cards issued by banks as of December 2021 was 4.936 million.

    This was an increase of 2.56% over the position in 2020 as international scheme cards at the end-December 2021, was 3,647,285.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

     

  • NHIS to cover medication for sickle cell

    Government, through the National Health Insurance Scheme, has agreed to implement an agreement to make hydroxyurea free and accessible on the scheme for sickle cell disease patients who depend on that medication for improved health.

    This is to honour the memory of the renowned world SCD specialist, the late Professor Emeritus Kwaku Ohene-Frempong, who for years, advocated for this intervention, and got the medicine introduced into Ghana as part of the treatment for sickle cell disease.

    Announcing the intervention in a tribute to Prof. Ohene-Frempong at his memorial and funeral rites, Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia said it was the right thing to do to ensure that the legacy of a man “who dedicated his entire life for the cause of patients of sickle cell disease is preserved”.

    “One of the major issues of Prof. Ohene-Frempong’s advocacy was to make hydroxyurea available for all SCD patients. It is a good medication, but extremely expensive, and through his initiative, he got Norvatis to provide the medication for free in Ghana on a pilot basis through an agreement.

    “As part of the agreement, government was to ensure that the drug was put on the list of medications that could be accessed on NHIS, and as the initial agreement neared its expiration, Prof. Ohene-Frempong pushed for the full agreement to be honoured. So with his unexpected death, it is proper to honour his legacy by fully implementing the agreement,” Dr Bawumia announced.

    What is hydroxyurea?

    Hydroxyurea is in a class of medications called antimetabolites used for treating cancer by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells in one’s body.

    It is also prescribed to treat sickle cell anemia by helping to prevent formation of sickle-shaped red blood cells.

    Funeral rites

    The solemn ceremony marked by tributes and traditional rituals in Accra was the final farewell ceremony for Prof. Ohene-Frempong who died in the USA on May 7 this year, and had already been buried in the USA by the tomb of his late son, Kwame, in accordance with his dying wish.

    Other dignitaries at the event were the wife of the Vice-President, Samira, representatives of the World Health Organisation, various international sickle cell disease organisations, the Sickle Cell Foundation, Ghana (SCFG) which he founded, old students of Prempeh College, among others.

    Tributes

    Dr Bawumia said Prof. Ohene-Frempong was a man driven to do good not just for his family but mankind, and that his popularity in the world of medicine for his role in sickle cell disease interventions was ample testimony.

    “Prof. who I later came to know more closely due to his passion for sickle cell disease interventions, was highly intelligent but very humble.

    “His passion was admirable, and he was determined to ensure that right at birth, the status of a baby was known so as to help with his treatment and management.

    “As a nation, we owe him a lot of gratitude, and though he has already been honoured with the Order of the Volta in 2010, we will ensure that his legacy lives on by continuing to support his advocacy. We will miss him dearly,” Dr Bawumia said.

    The new President of the Sickle Cell Foundation, Ghana, Professor Solomon Fiifi Ofori-Acquah, said Prof. Ohene-Frempong did not only mentor people but also inspired them to ensure that the battle against the disease was appreciably won with the medical and clinical interventions, especially with the newborn screening.

    According to Prof. Ofori-Acquah, though it was not the last of his impact, the decision by government to make hydroxyurea free on NHIS would be one of his significant achievements.

    “It was a battle he fought in life and won in death, and the legacy of Prof. Ohene-Frempong, which was relentlessly driven, was about to begin, and across the rest of the world, people will come to know and feel the impact of the legacy of Prof. Ohene-Frempong,” he said.

    Source:graphics.com.gh

  • NHIS to include mental health conditions in insurance package

    The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has indicated that efforts are underway to include mental health conditions in an insurance package, under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

    The Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority, Dr Okoe Boye said this at the inauguration of a new board for the Mental Health Authority (MHA) last week.

    The Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman Manu inaugurated the board chaired by Mrs Estelle Appiah, who was also the chair of the previous board last week.

    It is the third board of the authority since the Act was passed in 2012.

    There were five members of the 11 member board present for the inauguration.

    They are Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah, who also served on the previous boards; Prof. Angela Ofori Atta, also on the previous board; Mrs Keelson from the Attorney-General’s Department and Prof Akwasi Osei, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Authority.

    The Minister charged the board to join hands with him to ensure the challenges of the Authority are solved and mental health care in the country receives the desired attention.

    The chairman of the board, Mrs Estelle Appiah, promised on behalf of her colleague board members, to ensure that all outstanding policies are developed.

    In attendance to witness the inauguration was Dr Okoe Boye, the Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority who indicated that efforts were underway to include mental health conditions in the insurance package.

    Source:graphic.com.gh

  • Former toll booth workers demo comes off today

    Members of the Ghana Toll Workers Union will today embark on a protest to demand their reassignment and payment of six-month salary arrears from the government.

    The over 600 workers were disengaged following a directive by government to halt the collection of tolls on roads and bridges across the country.

    Despite an assurance to reassign them and pay their salary arrears, the toll workers say they are yet to receive salaries since January this year.

    In an interview with Citi News, the first Vice President of the union, Richard Amati, said they are hopeful the protest would yield the necessary result.

    “The government owes us by their promise, so the government should do the right thing and settle this matter once and for all,” he added.

    The toll workers were relieved of their jobs following a directive by the Government in November 2021 to suspend the collection of tolls on roads and bridges in the country.

    On the back of this, the government promised to pay affected workers until they are reassigned.

    However, the workers say they are yet to be trained and reassigned to other jobs.

    Source:citinewsroom.com

  • Professor Anamuah-Mensah calls for review of basic and secondary education

    Professor Jophus Anamuah-Mensah, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), has embraced the call for a review of basic and secondary education in Ghana with immediate well-thought-out measures to salvage it from collapse.

    He emphasised on the fact that many children were not literate and numerate at their levels owing to the failure to provide the right input and resources, including well-qualified teachers with the right pedagogy.

    “So, if you are in class three, you have to read class three books but the majority are reading class one books and a few are doing class two books,” he observed.

    “We said everybody should be computer literate but if you go to some Junior High Schools (JHS), there are no computers to do anything. So, what are you teaching? Are you helping them to obtain digital knowledge?” he queried.

    In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Prof Anamuah-Mensah blamed the situation on the lack of proper training of teachers on the new standard-based basic school curriculum

    He said the situation would remain the same if teachers were not properly trained and though the structure and purpose of the new curriculum carried the potential to transform basic education.

    This is being done to be able to help and direct teachers so that they will be very comfortable and confident when they are teaching and what they are teaching and to ensure that they are using the right approaches and pedagogies to do it, and they have the resources that they need to do it and they have the support of the ministry and parents in doing their work,” he said.

    Prof Anamuah-Mensah observed that the lack of resources was a fundamental problem of the structure which had led to many students failing in examinations at the secondary school level.

    He averred that because JHS was part of basic school, the students tend to think as such and, therefore, struggled to cope in Senior High School.

    “It is like a whole new atmosphere because the curriculum is different from what they were doing,” the former Vice-Chancellor stressed.

    He, therefore, called for a restructuring of secondary education to add JHS to SHS to realign the thinking of students.

    “From Junior High School, they will know that they are not really part of the primary school; they have moved to a higher level in the Senior School.

    “So JHS should have similar facilities like SHS. They should have teachers qualified to teach JHS and be able to even teach SHS,” he said.
    Prof Anamuah-Mensah acknowledged efforts by Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister for Education, to introduce a similar system and expressed his support for the same.

    Source:theindependentghana

  • Twitter users react as downpour leaves parts of Accra flooded

    Parts of the capital, Accra, have been flooded following rains that started immediately after dawn of Tuesday, July 5, 2022.

    According to videos shared on social media with the #AccraFloods, people are lamenting the manner in which parts of the capital are cut off when it rains.

    Movement – human and vehicular – has been seriously impacted in most areas per reports coming into GhanaWeb newsroom as well as in the videos posted on social media.

    Some of the areas heavily impacted include:

    a. Kaneshie First Light

    b. Fiesta Royal Junction

    c. Kwame Nkrumah Circle

    d. Area around Ecobank Headquarters at Ridge

    e. Accra – Nsawam road stretch

    f. 37 – Tetteh Quarshie stretch

    Watch some of the videos below:

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • UTAG avails expertise of members to help government in IMF bailout talks

    The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has indicated its readiness to support the government with its technical expertise as latter prepares to engage the International Monetary Fund for a bailout programme.

    In a statement issued on July 4 an signed by its President, Professor Solomon Nunoo, the Association noted that its membership consisted of persons who are among the best and world-class experts across all sectors of the economy.

    Consequently, UTAG contends that the time has come for the country to make use of its local experts in addressing the economic challenges of the country, adding that “resorting to the IMF all the time is not a sustainable way of dealing with our country’s economic problems”.

    “As an Association whose membership includes some of the best and world-class experts across all sectors of our economy, we think that the time has come to comprehensively diagnose the root causes of the recurrent problems that always lead us to the IMF and proffer solutions that can permanently address the problems,” part of the statement read.

    “For inclusive and sustainable development in our country, UTAG believes we need homegrown policies developed by homebased experts and implemented by homebased practitioners,” it added.

    “We urge the President and Government to take advantage of the opportunity of going to the IMF this time round to make use of local experts to support the development of a comprehensive programme that will form the basis of all engagements with the IMF.

    “In this regard, UTAG is, by this statement, ready to provide technical backstopping support services to the government to analyse the policy options and develop the programme for effective and efficient engagement with the IMF,” the statement emphasized.

    Background

    President Akufo-Addo on July 1 ordered Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to commence formal engagements with IMF inviting the Fund to support an economic program put together by the government.

    The decision by the government has since generated a heated debate.

    Meanwhile, the IMF team is expected in Ghana on July 5 to begin the engagement process with government.

    Read UTAG Full Statement Below:

    Source:ghanaweb.com

     

  • 8 die in head-on collision, others injured

    Some eight lives have been lost in a head-on collision that occurred on the Kwapong-Nobekaw road in the Asunafo South District in the Ahafo Region.

    The accident involving a taxi cab with registration number GT 7008 X, and a tipper truck with registration number GC 7955-20, is reported to have occurred at about 9:30 a.m. last Thursday.

    All seven people onboard the taxi including the driver, died on the spot, in addition to one of the four passengers who were onboard the tipper truck.

    According to a report by graphic.com.gh, some seven officers of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) at Goaso who were dispatched to rescue the victims also got involved in an accident at Kukuom T-junction at Goaso.

    Confirming the news, the Ahafo Regional Commander of the Motor Transport and Traffic Department (MTTD), Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ekow Gaisie, said the police, upon arriving at the scene after receiving a distress call, saw that the taxi had its roof ripped off.

    He indicated that instead of four passengers, the driver was carrying six passengers.

    He said information later reached the police that some firefighters who were reporting to the scene had also been involved in an accident.

    “Six of them were treated and discharged, while the remaining female officer is still on admission. Doctors say they are stabilising her condition,” he said.

    The commander stated that preliminary investigations had established the cause of the accident to be overspeeding on the part of the taxi driver who veered off his lane into that of the tipper truck, resulting in the head-on collision.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • Here are the cabinet ministers deployed for one-on-one interviews on the IMF

    It is a list that appears to have been strategically prepared, taking into consideration the pedigrees of each of the appointees and the specific programs or media platforms they have been assigned to.

    And without a doubt, the news of the major U-turn by the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government to eventually go to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after playing several political antics with the citizenry, has left more questions than answers.

    The move was described by scores of people as a disappointing move by the government, especially after it fought its way through parliament to get the controversial Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) passed.

    The E-levy was touted as the one to cushion the country rather than the option of going to the IMF.

    This is due to the fact that some ministers have thus far made some significant arguments for why approaching the IMF is a wise course of action through their media appearances.

    It has, however, emerged that this is all not just some coincidence, but a well-coordinated plan to have these appointees, most of whom are cabinet ministers, flood media spaces with their harmonized defenses for why it is justified for Ghana to go to the IMF now.

    The seemingly incomplete list, as sighted by GhanaWeb and titled “GOG Engagement with IMF,” lists 26 media engagements between the period of Monday, July 4, 2022, and Wednesday, July 6, 2022.

    The list shows the days, the government ministers assigned, and the media platforms on which they are to appear to make their defence of the decision to go to the IMF.

    Find the list below:

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • ‘Some Hearts of Oak players drink and smoke before games’ – Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe alleges

    Board Member of Accra Hearts of Oak, Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe has alleged that some players in the teams have been drinking and smoking hours before their games.

    According to the former Ghana Football Association Chairman, the level of indiscipline going on in the Accra Hearts of Oak team under Samuel Boadu’s nose is worrying.

    He stated that despite the power given to head coach Samuel Boadu to make decisions, he has still not been able to stamp his authority on his team to stop the indiscipline.

    “I have handled Hearts of Oak for over 50 years and I can smell and see indiscipline. I have repeatedly talked to the coach even publicly at Board meetings that he is the overall boss of the club.”

    “But there has been a lot of incidents such is breaking of camp and players going to drink and smoke before they come when they have a match the following day. Some players drink and Smoke before games,” Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe said on Accra-based Asempa FM.

    Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe in the last couple of weeks has publicly criticized head coach Samuel Boadu despite the success of the former Medeama gaffer on the pitch.

    He claims Samuel Boadu is not the best man to lead them in their upcoming 2022/2023 CAF Confederation Cup campaign.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • GAF warns public against sale, use of military-pattern uniforms, accoutrements without permit

    The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) says it is putting in place measures to curb the unlawful sale and use of military-pattern uniforms and accoutrements by individuals and institutions without permits.

    Among these measures include the streamlining and coordinating of the issuance and sale of military uniforms and accoutrements by Units and Service Headquarters internally, and the arrest of individuals and institutions involved in the act.

    The issuance and sale of military uniforms and accoutrements by the Units and Service Headquarters would be done through Service and Post Exchange Shops, upon proper verification and identification of the personnel.

    This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the Director of Public Relations of the GAF, Naval Captain M. A Larbi, and copied to the Ghanaian Times yesterday.

    According to the GAF, it had observed with great concern the increasing rate of the unauthorized use of military uniforms by the public despite the continued education and warning issued by the security agency.

    This act, the GAF said, created a sense of insecurity in the country and tarnished its image, hence, the need to put an end to it.

    “A major concern to GAF is that, notwithstanding the continuous public education and warnings issued to the general public to desist from the unauthorized use of military uniforms, the trend rather appears to be on the increase,” the statement said.

    “Noting that these acts create a sense of insecurity in the country and tarnish the image of the military, GAF would not allow this situation to persist and will henceforth step up the arrests of these persons and deal with them drastically but in accordance to the due process of the law,” the statement added.

    In the said statement, it explained that the act was an outright contravention of the National Liberation Council Decree (NLCD)177 of 1967, which in part states that “no person shall wear or use any military uniforms, equipment, or accoutrements or other material unless he or she is a member of the Armed Forces of Ghana”.

    In accordance with the decree, the statement said the GAF recently rounded up some persons who were captured in a viral video wearing different shades of military camouflage uniforms in Kumasi.

    However, the GAF said it later came to light that these persons were members of the District Assembly Taskforce who were carrying out duties for the District Assembly.

    Additionally, the GAF noted that military personnel who allow relations and friends access to the uniforms and accoutrements or engage in unauthorized disposal of such items would be equally dealt with in accordance with its regulations and the laws of the country.

    In view of this, the GAF, therefore implored the cooperation of the general public in its quest to deal with the issue, while advising them to desist from the act as it was prohibited under the NLCD 177.

    It also assured the general public of its commitment to protecting the citizenry at all times and therefore called on the support of all to enforce these measures in the interest of the peace and security the country needed for its socio-economic development.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • Meet the 6 Ghanaian players who have scored in the World Cup

    Ghana is part of the only three African countries whose names have been carved in the history books of the FIFA World Cup for being the only teams to have played in the quarter-final phase of the competition.

    Black Stars in 2010 lifted the flag of Ghana high after beating the USA to reach the quarter-finals of the competition, thus joining Cameroon and Senegal, who first achieved that feat.

    Amongst all the three aforementioned African countries, Senegal has the least World Cup appearances with 2, while Ghana and Cameroon have 3 and 7 appearances respectively.

    Black Stars striker, Asamoah Gyan, is also Africa’s top scorer at the World Cup, thus making the story of Ghana an enviable one on the continent.

    Asamoah Gyan’s equalizer against Portugal in Brazil 2014 took his goal tally to five, thus breaking the record of Cameroon’s Roger Milla.

    As we remember the history of Ghana and Asamoah Gyan in the World Cup, GhanaWeb puts the spotlight on all the Ghanaian players who have scored in the competition.

    Here are the six players who have scored for Ghana in the World Cup:

    Asamoah Gyan

    The former Sunderland striker has scored 6 goals in three World Cup appearances (2006, 2010, 2014). He has scored against the Czech Republic, Serbia, Australia, Germany, USA, and Portugal.

    Sulley Muntari

    The Accra Hearts of Oak midfielder first got his name on the scoresheet in the Mundial in Ghana’s second group game against the Czech Republic. Sulley Muntari scored his second at the quarter-final stage against Uruguay in 2010.

    Andre Dede Ayew

    The current Black Stars captain shares the second spot jointly with Sulley Muntari. Unlike Sulley Muntari and Asamoah Gyan, Andre Ayew didn’t score in his maiden World Cup appearance in the 2010 edition but scored twice in 2014 against USA and Germany.

    Stephen Appiah

    He led the team to Ghana’s first World Cup appearance in 2006 and scored the Black Stars’ last goal in the competition. Stephen Appiah scored a penalty against USA to qualify Ghana for the knockout phaser.

    Haminu Dramani

    The midfielder scored Ghana’s third FIFA World Cup goal. Dramani scored the opener in the Black Stars’ second group game in the 2006 edition against the USA.

    Kevin-Prince Boateng

    He played twice in the World Cup after completing his switch from Germany to play for the Black Stars. Kevin scored Ghana’s first goal in the Round-16 clash against the USA in the 2010 World Cup.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • Fuel prices to go up as NPA announces restoration of UPPF margin

    The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has announced that it is restoring the full Unified Petroleum Price Fund (UPPF) margin on petroleum products.

    It made the announcement to players in the industry on Thursday June 30, 2022, indicating that the decision takes effect from Friday, July 1, 2022.

    “We hereby wish to inform you that, following the expiration of the period for the reduction of the margins as mentioned in the letter above, the UPPF Margin is being restored to its actual amount effective 1st July, 2022. The restoration of the UPPF Margin has become necessary to ensure that the Fund is able to sufficiently pay the freight cost for transporting petroleum products to retail outlets,” the NPA said.

    In March 2022, it announced a downward review of the margin for three months effective April 1, 2022.

    Following the expiration of the downward review, the hitherto, removed 9 pesewas will now be restored.

    The reviewed UPPF margin which was 20 pesewas on petrol and diesel will now be 29 pesewas each.

    The margin on kerosene and LPG will now increase from 21 pesewas and 18 pesewas to 30 pesewas and 27 pesewas respectively.

    Source: Citinews

  • Lasmid reveals the one thing about Ghanaians that shocks him

    Sensational artiste  Lasmid has disclosed that reluctance by some well-connected Ghanaians to open doors for artistes is one things makes him uncomfortable in the industry.

    Speaking on the hotquiz segment on MultiCDB, Lasmid disclosed what surprises him about Ghanaians.

    According to him, despite the presence of resourceful persons in the industry, it is had to cross paths with them as people with access to such persons are always unwilling to open their doors to artistes.

    “The music is nice,the person can sing all the lyrics, it  inspires, and the person  knows someone who can help or promote you but they will not, what they will say is being artiste mean you have everything, Lasmid is arrogant, i can help him but will not”

    The Highly Spiritual artiste appealed to Ghanaians to give support the artiste and grant them opportunities that will propel their careers to the next level.

    Watch Full Interview Here

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • SOEs who fail to present audited financial accounts to be sanctioned Bawumia

    Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has cautioned State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) who default to present their audited financial account reports will be sanctioned.

    Speaking at the maiden edition of the Public Enterprises League Table (PELT) Awards, Dr Bawumia said the move is to help government generate beneficial economic and social outcomes, hence, the decision to closely monitor these SOEs.

    “I would like to also state that relative to timely financial reporting, the honeymoon is long over and severe sanctions will follow from now onwards for those who fail to meet required deadlines as specified in the law.

    “The state must generate beneficial economic and social outcomes from its investments in these entities, and the efforts made to improve reporting. The use of digital technology should make reporting much easier and seamless going forward,” he said on Thursday.

    SOEs who fail to present audited financial accounts to be sanctioned - Bawumia

    While acknowledging the significant role SOEs play in the economy, the Vice President was supportive of the new award scheme that was introduced by the Public and Enterprise Ministry.

    In his view, the PELT Awards will help in projecting SOEs who are performing for the improvement of the country.

    “I wholeheartedly support the innovation of the Public Enterprises League Table (PELT) because it provides a pathway for recognising well-performing boards, CEOs and their management.

    “It is my wish that the Public Enterprises League Table the gold standard for recognizing Specified Entities whose responsiveness and performance would be open for all to see,” he noted.

    SOEs who fail to present audited financial accounts to be sanctioned - Bawumia

    On his part, the Minister for Public Enterprises, Joseph Cudjoe said the newly introduced, award scheme is to generate healthy competition amongst SOEs in the country.

    According to him, the aim is to change the 65-year-old challenge of high indebtedness, loss-making, non-performance and collapse of state entities.

    So the PELT Awards, Mr Cudjoe was hopeful of building resilient entities that can contribute to the growth of the country.

    “The awards aspect of the PELT as we are going to witness here is to provide non-pecuniary incentives for improved performance and to recognize the CEOs/MDs/DGs and Boards of the good performing entities. Unlike a typical soccer league table, when an entity is last on this league table, it does not mean it is going on relegation but needs more attention including training and capacity building and possibly further capitalization by the shareholder.

    SOEs who fail to present audited financial accounts to be sanctioned - Bawumia

    “On the other hand, when an entity is first, it means to a large extent it is doing the right thing and must be encouraged to do more. This is why the PELT must be understood as a management by exception tool. Ladies and gentlemen, I love competition because competition is fair and brings out the best in us. Yes, the person who comes first comes under pressure to sustain performance and the person who comes last comes equally comes under pressure to improve performance. This how fair, the PELT is, so enjoy the competition,” he noted.

    Giving further explanation on the scheme, he said, “PELT as a tool to engender competition will rank the performance of entities in respect of their attainment of targets set and agreed in the annual performance contract they signed with SIGA. It is designed to be a technical ranking system on several dimensions ranging from financials, efficiency and productivity, management improvement and innovation.”

    SOEs who fail to present audited financial accounts to be sanctioned - Bawumia

    Meanwhile, at the end of the presentation, the Tema Development Company Limited (TDC) was crowned the overall Specified Entity of the Year.

    Others include; Most Compliant SOE Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA), Most Innovative Regulator Gaming Commission of Ghana, Most Innovative SOE Volta River Authority, Regulator of The Year DVLA and State-Owned Enterprise of The Year Tema Development Company Limited (TDC).

    The event which was organized by the Ministry of Public Enterprises in collaboration with State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) and the Ministry of Finance was not only aimed at rewarding hardworking entities in the country but also to motivate others to work harder.

    Source: Myjoyonline

  • Our education is in crisis Prof Anamuah-Mensah

    Professor Jophus Anamuah-Mensah, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), has supported the call for a review of basic and secondary education in Ghana with immediate well-thought-out measures to salvage it from collapse.

    He said many children were not literate and numerate at their levels owing to the failure to provide the right input and resources, including well-qualified teachers with the right pedagogy.

    “So, if you are in class three, you have to read class three books but the majority are reading class one books and a few are doing class two books,” he observed.

    “We said everybody should be computer literate but if you go to some Junior High Schools (JHS), there are no computers to do anything. So, what are you teaching? Are you helping them to obtain digital knowledge?” he queried.

    Prof Anamuah-Mensah, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), blamed the situation on the lack of proper training for teachers on the new standard-based basic school curriculum.

    He said even though the structure and purpose of the new curriculum carried the potential to transform basic education, the situation would remain precarious if teachers were not properly trained on the same.

    “What is being done needs to be directed in such a way that the teachers who are teaching are very comfortable and confident in teaching what they are teaching, they are using the right approaches and pedagogies to do it, and they have the resources that they need to do it and they have the support of the ministry and parents in doing their work,” he said.

    At the secondary education level, Prof Anamuah-Mensah observed that the lack of resources was a fundamental problem of the structure which had led to many students failing in examinations.

    He averred that because JHS was part of basic school, the students tend to think as such and, therefore, struggled to cope in Senior High School.

    “It is like a whole new atmosphere because the curriculum is different from what they were doing,” the former Vice-Chancellor stressed.

    He, therefore, called for a restructuring of secondary education to add JHS to SHS to realign the thinking of students.

    “From Junior High School, they will know that they are not really part of the primary school; they have moved to a higher level in the Senior School.

    “So JHS should have similar facilities like SHS. They should have teachers qualified to teach JHS and be able to even teach SHS,” he said.

    Prof Anamuah-Mensah acknowledged efforts by Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister for Education, to introduce a similar system and expressed his support for the same.

    Source: GNA

  • Use portion of oil revenue to finance free primary healthcare – Project Consultant

    Mr Mark Agyemang, a Project Consultant, has suggested the government use a portion of the crude oil and mining revenues to finance free primary healthcare for the poor and vulnerable in society.

    “Just as the government is financing Free Senior High School with revenues from crude oil to improve education in the country, it could also consider implementing similar intervention for the health sector for the poor and vulnerable,” he said.

    Mr Agyemang made the call on the sidelines of an engagement forum between Friends of the Nation (FON), a non-governmental organisation, and the Ministry of Finance, in Accra, to discuss issues relating to the extractive sector.

    He made proposals to be considered when reviewing the Petroleum Revenue Management Act (PRMA) in order to make the legislation more pro-poor.

    The FoN, together with some queen mothers from the Western Region, called on the Ministry on proposals to be considered during the amendment of the PRMA.

    This comes after the NGO went around the country to monitor some projects and programmes being financed with petroleum revenues.

    Mr Agyemang, who was the Lead Project Consultant in the proposed review of the PRMA, said education, health and social services should be equitably financed to benefit all citizens, especially the poor and the vulnerable.

    He also called for an improved and targeted disbursement of the oil revenue to the agricultural sector.

    Mr Agyemang said all roads being financed with the petroleum revenues should be linked to agriculture production hubs to improve the sector.

    “Agriculture is a priority area in the development of the economy, but most of the investments in the sector were not targeted at improving agricultural production,” Mr Agyemang observed.

    Mr Agyemang, therefore, appealed to the Finance Ministry to conduct an impact analysis and projects assessment on how oil revenues had been utilised over the last few years.

    That, he said, would help the government to know and understand where investments were bringing the needed dividends and areas that needed to be relooked at in the disbursement process.

    Nana Akosua Gyamfiaba, the Acting Queen mother for Shama Traditional Area, appealed to the Ministry to construct agro-processing facilities for women farmers.

    “We appealed to the Ministry to provide cold storage facilities for fishmongers in the Region,” she added.

    The Acting Queenmother also called on the Ministry to provide low-interest loans for women farmers to enable them to scale-up production.

    Mr Joseph Sarpong, the Head of Energy and Petroleum Unit at the Finance Ministry, said the concerns raised by the NGO, the Project Consultant and key stakeholders would be considered when reviewing the PRMA.

    Mr Sarpong said the Ministry had already begun inputting some of the proposals in the review process.

    The PRMA was passed in 2011 and was amended in 2015.

    However, in 2019 the Ministry of Finance constituted a Review Committee to commence amendment of the Act to meet current goals.

    Source: GNA

  • Consistent training key to combating terrorist attacks in Africa Army Commander

    The West African sub region, is facing intense security challenges following the increased activities from violent extremists groups.

    Mali and Burkina Faso, have become theatres of violence, with various armed groups attacking, kidnapping and killing on a daily basis.

    Analysts believe the terrorists are seeking to reach coastal states along the Gulf of Guinea, such as Togo, Benin and Ghana, where they can have direct access to the sea and transport logistics to aid their cause.

    The growing threat of terrorism in Sahel is not only dangerous for the West African subregion, but it also puts Europe under direct threat due to its proximity to the African continent.

    Equipping armies on the continent with the skills and resources to counter the threat is therefore crucial towards safeguarding the peace and stability of the world.

    As part of this effort, the United States and its partners initiated a joint military training under the code name, Operation African Lion, which has, over the years, been carried out in Morocco and Tunisia.

    However, the 2022 program saw the addition of Senegal and Ghana all hosting month-long training camps.

    More than seven thousand troops from the participating countries had the opportunity for shoulder-to-shoulder training, to ensure a coordinated multinational response.

    In a digital press briefing on the initiative, the Commander of the US Army Southern European Task Force, Major General Andrew M. Rohling explained that, Ghana and Senegal were included this year because the exercise fits the security needs of both countries.

    “They intertwined well with our interoperability objectives that we were hoping to get at African Lion,” he stressed.

    Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling

    The exercise in Ghana saw the Ghana Armed Forces and their US partners participate in a joint simulated attack on the Daboya Military Training camp, which partner forces were able to neutralize.

    According to Major General Rohling, the simulated exercise “will help each participating country, no matter how they participate, prove themselves to be a little better and a little more capable of exercising their military and their governance as best sees fit. So I think that if you have the opportunity to rehearse in training and rehearse in simulation and rehearse with your partners, it makes you a stronger country when you face a real threat.”

    Vice Admiral Seth Amoama

    Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, Vice Admiral Seth Amoama after watching the exercise, assured Ghanaians that, the military are ready to counter any attack by extremist groups. Adding that, the troops are also preparing to join a multi-national operation to fight the growing presence of the jihadists in the gulf region.

    Source: Citinews

     

  • NDC MP shed tears as court frees him on charges of fraud, money laundering

    David Vondee, Member of Parliament (MP) for Twifo Atti-Morkwa, has been acquitted and discharged by an Accra High Court on charges of defrauding by false pretences and money laundering.,Member of Parliament (MP) for Twifo Atti-Morkwa, has been acquitted and discharged by an Accra High Court on charges of defrauding by false pretences and money laundering.

    The MP, who seems to be surprised by the court’s ruling asked his lawyer if he was indeed free.

    “Counsel, am I free forever? He asked.

    The court presided over by Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh held that the State could not prove the charges.

    The MP on hearing the acquittal shed tears in the dock.

    The legislator through his lawyer filed a submission of no case after prosecution had closed its case.

    The State had arraigned the MP and charged him for allegedly defrauding a private company of $2.4 million and money laundering between August 2015 and July 2016.

    The MP denied the charges and was admitted to bail in the sum of GHC 2 million in May last year.

    Source: GNA

  • Uganda opposition figure Besigye freed on bail after two weeks

    A court in Uganda released veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye on bail on Friday after spending two weeks in jail awaiting trial on charges of inciting violence.

    Besigye, 66, was detained on June 14 in the capital Kampala as he led protests against sky-rocketing consumer prices and was charged with inciting violence the following day.

    On Friday his lawyers applied for bail again and a magistrate agreed to release Besigye saying he was “satisfied that the accused’s sureties are substantial”, according to a live video feed on Besigye’s Facebook account of the court proceedings.

    He ordered Besigye to pay 2.5 million shillings ($665) bail cash as one of the conditions for his release. He was ordered to appear in court again on July 29.

    Ugandans have expressed widespread anger at the steep surge in prices of fuel, cooking oil, soap, wheat and other goods and government’s refusal to intervene to cushion consumers.

    Besigye has been calling for tax cuts to offset inflation, but President Yoweri Museveni has rejected the idea, blaming high prices on the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Museveni, in power since 1986, is now Africa’s fourth longest ruling leader and the opposition and critics have accused him of rigging polls and using security forces to maintain his grip on power. Museveni denies the accusations.

    Besigye has run against Museveni four times in the past and lost although he rejected the results alleging fraud. He has been arrested dozens of times before.($1 = 3,745.0000 Ugandan shillings)

    Source:reuters.com

  • South Sudan: Thousands facing starvation as food aid cuts hit

    Two children and an adult have died of starvation in South Sudan as the suspension of food aid begins to hit, aid workers have told the BBC.

    The deaths occurred in a displacement camp in the northern Warrap state.

    It comes after the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) said it had suspended rationing programmes in the country due to a lack of funding.

    In June, the body said it needed $426m (£352m) to continue distributing food.

    But that aid has not been forthcoming as the international community has focussed on other overlapping crises, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

    Sami Al Subaihi, a Médecins Sans Frontières worker at the camp, told the BBC that one of the children was just five years old.

    “I find the mother of one of the children sitting by her five-year-old son’s small, freshly dug grave,” he said. “Her three other children, all very thin and weak, sit at the entrance of the family’s improvised shelter.”

    He added that more than 20,000 people living at displacement camps were at risk of starvation.

    “In one camp I see people collapsing, physically exhausted. They clearly haven’t had enough food for a while. I don’t see anyone cooking or any food stored in any of the shelters.”

    WFP officials confirmed to the BBC that it had ceased distributing rations to the country last week, adding that more than 60% of the population of 11 million now faced starvation.

    On 14 June, the body said that it had “exhausted all options before suspending food assistance, including halving rations in 2021, leaving families in need with less food to eat”.

    South Sudan has been wracked with violence since it achieved independence in 2011 and this has contributed to food insecurity, despite the formation of a unity government in 2020.

    The situation has also been worsened by four consecutive seasons of flooding that have destroyed homes and farmlands and displaced tens of thousands.

    Source:bbc.com

  • Ken Ofori-Atta to deliver mid-year budget review on July 13

    The Majority Leader in parliament, Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has said the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta will deliver the mid-year budget review of government on July 13, 2022.

    According to him, the presentation is likely to see the Finance Minister table a request before House for the approval of supplementary estimates.

    Ahead of the presentation, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on July 1 authorized the finance minister [Ken Ofori-Atta] to commence formal engagements with the International Monetary Fund for a financial bailout.

     Despite an initial stance against returning the Bretton Woods Institution, Ghana is on its way back as the country is faced with huge economic challenges which have resulted in hardships and tight fiscal conditions.

    Government in May this year, introduced the Electronic Transfer Levy which sought to generate revenue for the country.

    But the tax measure, only two months into its implementation, is currently not yielding the projected revenue. Government has so far raked in only 10 percent of the estimated revenue.

    Meanwhile, stakeholders are calling for the withdrawal of the E-Levy.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • Rapper EL ‘bullies’ Obrafour with his height

    Rapper EL is known to be among the tallest celebrities in the industry, but he might just be taller than you realized.

    The 36-year-old rapper on Friday published a photo of himself and the legendary Obrafour at his 2019 Pae Mu Ka @20 concert.

    Standing over 6 feet tall, EL made it seem like his senior colleague was his son.

    The throwback image has generated rib-cracking reactions from his Twitter users, who have crowned the rapper as the tallest man in the industry.

    “Tbt With the Legend @iamobrafour,” EL captioned the viral photo with the ‘Twe Wo Ho’ hitmaker, Obrafour.

    A Twitter user named @NanaYawKoomson6, who couldn’t believe his eyes, wondered whether the image had been photoshopped. “Ah photoshop or what?” he quizzed.

    Others also likened the musicians to David and Goliath, from the Bible.

    EL earned the tag as Ghana’s musical giant from his followers.

    Check out the post and some reactions below:

    Tbt With the Legend@iamobrafour pic.twitter.com/maczJk7282

    — E.L (@ELgh_) June 30, 2022

    Source:ghanaweb.com

     

  • E-levy does not apply to merchant SIMs, cash-outs, and cash-ins GRA

    The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has debunked misleading reports on social media that imply that from 1st July 2022, the GRA will begin charging E-Levy on merchant SIMs.

    The misleading reports also suggest that Cash-Ins or deposits made through a merchant or vendor will attract E-Levy.

    The GRA in a press statement stressed that “the Levy does not apply to Specified Merchant Payments. It added that Specified Merchant Payments are payments made to merchants through a payment service to a person registered with the GRA for the purposes of Income Tax or Value Added Tax (VAT). Customers making payments to such specified merchants will NOT be charged the E-Levy”.

    According to the GRA, the E-Levy does not apply to Cash-Outs or cash withdrawals and Cash-Ins or cash deposits either at the bank or at a mobile money agent or vendor point.

    The GRA in a statement explained that that Cash-Ins or deposits do not attract E-Levy hence customers are NOT to pay any amount as E-Levy.

    “The general public should note that E-Levy is NOT charged on merchant SIMs, as is being purported. The E-Levy is only charged on a transfer from a customer to a Specified Merchant if the merchant is NOT registered with GRA for Income Tax or VAT purposes,” a statement said.

    Source:myjoyonline.com

  • John Mahama outlines five solutions to avert economic catastrophe

    Former President, John Dramani Mahama, has proposed a number of measures be believes will salvage Ghana’s sinking economy.

    According to Mahama, these measures are to be deployed as quickly as possible in order to avert a total collapse of the economy.

    He made the recommendations during a June 30, 2022 presentation in Accra.

    He listed a number of factors he believed were responsible for the downturn before making the proposals on how to avert an economic catastrophe.

    The 2020 flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress also tasked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to take action to avert what he termed a “catastrophe.”

    “This government must act now and seek help to avert imminent national catastrophe. Ghanaians did not hand over the reins of power to them to crash the ship of state through empty pride.

    “President Akufo-Addo has a responsibility to keep the ship afloat, the same way he met it,” he added.

    The sufferings of Ghanaians not enough to jolt Akufo-Addo to action – Mahama

    GhanaWeb picks out five of the proposed solutions Mahama proffered:

    Fire Ofori Atta and ‘dead wood ministers’

    Mahama singled out Ofori-Atta for stern critique, calling on the President to fire him as a first step to resetting the economy.

    “Meanwhile it will serve the President well to use some instruments from the Presidential tool kit in times of crisis such as this. Fire your finance minister,” Mahama said in the latter part of his presentation.

    According to the former president, aside Ofori-Atta, other non-performing Ministers needed to be shown the exit.

    “… conduct a major shake-up of Government to remove the many dead woods that have turned ministries into their fiefdoms and finally huddle with the best brains.”

    E-Levy has been a spectacular failure, mother of all nuisance rexes – Mahama

    0 seconds of 3 minutes, 7 seconds Volume 90%

    Gather best brains and formulate economic recovery plan

    According to Mahama, even after he had used local measures via the Senchi Forum to seek a solution out of the woods during his time in office, his advice in that direction has not been heeded to.

    Allied to sacking ministers, Mahama added that it was time for government to consult all stakeholders with the view to find a solution to current economic mess.

    “… this country must formulate a comprehensive recovery plan for our economy,” he stressed.

    Seek help from IMF

    Amid recent talk of government contemplating whether or not to turn to the International Monetary Fund, IMF, the former president has asked government to seek assistance because of the deep rooted nature of the present challenges.

    “In the last few days, there has been talk from some regime actors about a potential or impending IMF programme. Due to the nature and depth of our economic problems, this government virtually has no other sustainable option.

    “IMF programmes come with fiscal consolidation and insistence on fiscal discipline, which can lead to some recovery and improvements on the macro-economic front. Government has however so mismanaged our economy and left it in such a terrible state that fiscal consolidation alone will not do the trick.”

    Government has collateralized all revenue sources – Mahama

    Debt restructuring

    Mahama also strongly advised government to look at restructuring Ghana’s debts with the view to freeing fiscal space.

    “I suggested that this government immediately enters negotiations with multi-lateral partners with the view to engaging our commercial creditors to restructure our debt and ease the debt service burden to offer us desperately needed respite even as corrective measures are applied to our seriously ailing economy.

    “Government has shown no inclination towards doing this despite not having any clear plan to deal with the problem,” he added.

    Other issues raised:

    Mahama further accused government of having their priorities wrong and squandering funds meant to fight COVID-19.

    According to him, the country is fraught with several challenges because all sources of the country’s revenues are no longer available because government took the monies upfront and squandered it.

    He asserted, for instance, that the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has collateralized the Energy Sector Levy Act (ESLA) until 2035.

    This means that from now till 2035, no government can access cash from ESLA. John Dramani Mahama added that GETFUND has also been used to float a bond.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • Health Minister calls for collaboration to train top-notch healthcare professionals

    Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, the Minister of Health, has called for effective collaboration among institutions and agencies to ensure the training of top-notch specialist health care professionals.

    He said it was crucial as it would ensure that there were no parallel systems to duplicate activities and waste resources.

    Mr Agyemang-Manu made the call in a speech read on his behalf to officially open the 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference of the Ghana College of Pharmacists in Accra.

    The two-day event, which coincided with the College’s 10th Anniversary, was on the theme “Improving Access to Quality Health Services Through Specialist Pharmacist Training.”

    The event also witnessed seven new members inducted, bringing its total membership to 41.

    Mr Agyemang-Manu called for sustained collaborations to secure the health of the nation and move all towards Universal Health Coverage.

    The Minister congratulated the graduating group and urged them to use the skills they had acquired from time to time to improve access to quality health services for all clients.

    He also commended the institution management for the strides made even in the face of the challenges and assured the of the Ministry’s continued support in the execution of their mandate.

    Dr Mrs Martha Gyansa-Lutterodt, the Director of Technical Coordination Ministry of Health, in her thematic speech urged the Ghana College of Pharmacists (GCP) to produce tailored courses that would support key government policy initiatives in the country.

    She said now that Ghana was exploring vaccine manufacturing, it was important that the area of specialisation was ramped up to ensure the specialists were ready to support industry to deliver on the promise.

    “As a college how prepared are we to shift within our mandate to key policy initiatives by Government. Local vaccine production is one and Food and Drug Authority maturity level three going to four is another area to shape courses to support these government agendas and regional initiatives,” she said.

    Speaking on the theme, she underscored the importance of specialist trained pharmacists and the need for more such people.

    Specialist training pharmacists play crucial roles and should be seen as strategic path towards achieving Universal Health Coverage especially through primary health care interventions; as society was better served with the level of knowledge, expertise and skills set, Dr Gyansa-Lutterodt stated.

    She said COVID-19 pandemic response had thought countries and health systems around the globe innovative ways of optimising their health workforce, especially the pharmacist, to achieve better outcomes for their people.

    The Director of Technical Coordination called for Ghana’s health systems to embrace the extended scope of practice of the specialist trained pharmacists as outlined in Act 833 accompanied by the appropriate remuneration in accordance with the National Medicines Policy 2017.

    Yvonne Yirenkyiwaa Esseku, the Rector of Ghana College of Pharmacists in her speech highlighted some of the institutions achievements and appreciated those who supported them got this far.

    She Esseku said the college had completed conditions of services for staff and the strategic plan for the college and are now collaborating with the College of Health Sciences to provide joint qualification for candidates.

    She congratulated the graduates and commended the team of staff for their immense support throughout the period.

    Mr Joseph Kodjo Nsiah Nyoagbe, the President of the College of Pharmacists, also commended the effort of government through the Ministry of Health for investing, resourcing, and maintaining the Ghana College of Pharmacist.

    He urged the graduates to face the future with pride and a sense of accomplishment towards the new chapter of their professional career.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • NPA impounds vessel carrying 1m litres of illegal adulterated diesel

    The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) together with joint security operatives have impounded a vessel carrying one million litres of adulterated diesel smuggled into the country.

    The adulterated diesel is said to cost an amount of 10 million Ghana cedis. JoyNews sources say officials of the NPA have been left alarmed due to the alleged involvement of a leading government official.

    The joint operation include; the Ghana Maritime Authority, the Ghana Navy, the National Security and the NPA. The vessel carrying the adulterated diesel was arrested upon illegally entering the shores of the country.

    JoyNews understands that the adulterated diesel was impounded since January and has been in the custody of the NPA till now.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

     

  • Students charged to focus on positive use of ICT

    Mr Stephen Asare, Area Sales Manager for Eastern, Volta and Oti Regions, MTN Ghana, has advised students to focus on the positive use of Information and Communication Technology ( ICT ) to enhance their education.

    He said ICT tools such as mobile phones, tablets and laptop computers, among others, connect students to many educative information sources and support out- class learning environment, which is a further boost to learning.

    “In every situation, we have the positive and negative sides so MTN, a leading mobile Telecommunications Company, is more passionate about the positive use of ICT,” he noted.

    Mr Asare advised students of Apimpoa Islamic Junior High school in the New Juaben South municipality where MTN presented a DELL laptop computer to the school and a training workshop for the students.

    The gesture forms part of activities to mark this year’s “MTN 21 days of Yello Care Project,” under the theme: ” Empowering communities to drive economic recovery and job creation.”

    The MTN Yellow Care Project was established in 2007 and observed annually in June, during which period MTN identifies challenges in society and offers help.

    Hajia Latifatu Abdul Raman, Headmistress of Apimpoa Islamic Junior High School, thanked MTN for the kind gesture and said it would boost the students’ interest in learning ICT.

    She, however, appealed to MTN Ghana and other charitable organizations for an ICT centre in the school.

    Source: GNA

  • Patrice Lumumba: DR Congo buries tooth of independence hero

    The gold-crowned tooth of Democratic Republic of Congo independence hero Patrice Lumumba has been buried more than 60 years after he was assassinated.

    It is the only part of his body that exists after his remains were dissolved in acid.

    The Belgian policeman who oversaw the disposal took the tooth as a trophy.

    It was returned to the family last week and has toured several parts of DR Congo in a coffin.

    People have been able to pay their respects ahead of the funeral that took place in the capital, Kinshasa, on a road named in his honour.

    President Félix Tshisekedi, Lumumba’s family and other dignitaries were at the private service which took place before the coffin was transferred to a specially built mausoleum.

    “May the land of our ancestors be sweet and mild to you,” said the president.

    Lumumba was the country’s first prime minister and one of the leaders of the struggle for independence. He was also seen as one of the most prominent voices in Africa’s anti-colonial movement.

    Thursday marks 62 years since the former colonial power Belgium relinquished control of the vast country.

    But it viewed Lumumba as a barrier to its efforts to maintain influence as well as hold on to important economic interests.

    In a famous speech on independence day in 1960, in front of Belgian dignitaries including King Baudouin, Lumumba, aged 34, castigated Belgium saying that the Congolese had been held in “humiliating slavery”.

    Belgians were stunned as a black African had never dared speak like this in front of Europeans.

    Lumumba was toppled as prime minister just over two months later. Then in January 1961, with the tacit backing of Belgium, he was shot by a firing squad, along with two allies.

    Picture of a tooth in a display box

    Other Western powers were also suspicious of him, fearing that he was sympathetic to the USSR during the Cold War and some, including the US, plotted to assassinate him.

    A Belgian policeman, Gerard Soete, was given the job of getting rid of the evidence. It was during that process that he pocketed the tooth and took it back with him to Belgium.

    It was decades later that he revealed that he still had the tooth and only two years ago that a Belgian court ruled that it should be returned to the family.

    The Covid pandemic delayed the process but last week it was handed over in Brussels.

    Source:bbc.com

  • PURC defers tariff announcement

    The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has deferred the 2022-2027 multi-year major tariff announcement scheduled for July 1, 2022.

    The Commission said the announcement would be made on July 15, 2022.

    A statement signed by Mr Ishmael Ackah, Executive Secretary, PURC, said the deferment had become necessary to broaden the tariff consultation process to “solicit for more independent views.”

    It said there was also the need to independently verify submitted projects(completed or work in progress) and allow for deeper consultations with the key stakeholders.

    “The above has led to the need for more time for further review of the tariff proposals submitted by the utility service providers, and to incorporate the findings of the regulatory audit and views of all stakeholders across the country,” it said.

    The Commission said it had engaged most of its stakeholders, including the Parliamentary Select Committees on Finance; Mines and Energy; Water, Works and Housing; Development Partners; Civil Societies; Organized Labor; Industry; Media; Religious Groups; Academia, and the public.

    “The Commission wishes to assure all stakeholders of its commitment to ensuring a transparent, fair, and an all-inclusive process in determining the multi-year tariff,” it added.

    The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) and Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have proposed tariffs of 334 per cent and 148 per cent respectively, to the PURC for approval for the year 2022.

    They cited increase in their operational cost, exchange rate, high inflation and depreciation of the local currency (Cedi) against its major trading currencies (Dollar and Pounds sterling) as the reasons for their tariff proposal.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • Tomatoes rot as buyers refuse to go to communities over poor roads

    Despite inadequate tomatoes in major markets in the cities pushing prices high, tomato farmers in Chinto, Yaayaso, Abodobi, and its surrounding villages in Fanteakwa South District in Eastern Region are grappling with high post-harvest losses due to extremely bad roads.

    June and July are major harvesting months for the tomato farmers in Chinto, Yaayaso, Abodobi, and its surrounding villages.

    However, the road to the communities becomes unmotorable whenever it rains. Farmers had to hire tricycles to transport the harvested tomatoes to the Obuoho community, which is about 14 kilometres away, to meet buyers reluctant to come to the community.

    Farmers sell a basket of tomatoes for GHC 80 to the buyers.

    The farmers are worried about the poor state of their roads and lack of electricity in the community, which are discouraging the youth from going into agriculture.

    “We are farmers here but our road is very terrible. We don’t have electricity too. The only thing politicians bring to us here is the ballot boxes. We farm tomatoes here, but because of the road, only a few traders come here; sadly, they buy the tomatoes at a cheaper price,” a farmer told Starr News.

    Another farmer narrated that “Whenever it rains, no car comes here because the road is deplorable, so the tomatoes get rotten on the farms. When it happens like that, we have to hire a tricycle to transport the tomatoes to meet buyers in the next community, which is about 14km before they buy our tomatoes.

    “The government has been encouraging the youth to go into farming, but look at our condition here. Our road is bad, no electricity here. If you farm, then it gets rotten because vehicles are unable to farm. Very soon, we will all migrate to cities,” the farmer lamented Ransford Amanor.

    The mini Truck driver said because of the poor roads, drivers are reluctant to come to the community. He and a few drivers who brace all odds to drive to the communities charge exorbitant fares.

    “The road is terrible for us drivers. Whenever it rains, no vehicles are able to come here for days because if you try, you will get stuck for two days. No fuel too…so whenever we make it here, we charge GHC 50 per box of tomato to Begoro, then those from Begoro to Accra charge GHC 60 cedis. Meanwhile, they buy from the farmers at GHC 80, so obviously, when the trader gets to Accra, she will sell it at a high price; that is why food prices are high in the cities, so let the president be aware,” said Ransford Amanor, a truck driver.

    A tomato trader said deplorable road in the communities deters many traders from buying from the farmers.

    “The deplorable state of the road is a great worry to us the traders. As you can see, it is about to rain so we have abandoned the farmers because the driver is afraid of getting stuck. We are going to the next community to wait for them to bring the tomatoes with the tricycle,” a trader who identified himself only as Mama, lamented to Starr News.

    The Assembly Member for Abodobi Electoral Area, Samuel Kpartey, said he has written several letters to the Fanteakwa South District Assembly for the road to be rehabilitated but to no avail.

    He said due to the poor state of the roads, teachers mostly do not accept posting to the community. The few ones who accept posting always come to school late due to lack of transportation.

    During a recent tour in parts of the Eastern Region, the Minister for Food and Agriculture Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, debunked claims of food shortage in the country.

    He said evidence on the grounds and data presented by the various regional agricultural directorates point to the availability of enough food in the country; therefore, any claim of food shortage and famine in the coming next year are mere speculations.

    Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, however, said the high food inflation is not a result of rising fuel prices, high cost of agrochemicals, and other external factors, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has affected the importation of some staples.

    According to the World Bank, Ghana losses $700,000 annually on post-harvest losses.

    The World Bank report also estimates that the value of PHL in Sub-Saharan Africa could potentially reach nearly US$4 billion a year out of an estimated annual value of grain production of US$27 billion.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • We cant find the arrested demonstrators Arise Ghana lawyers

    Lawyers for Arise Ghana demonstrators have indicated they do not know the whereabouts of some protestors who were arrested on the first day of the demonstration.

    According to the lawyers, the demonstrators have been held in some various police stations and the police have refused to give them access, claiming it is an order from above.

    This, they have described as a violation of articles 14 and 15 of the 1992 constitution.

    They however demand the IGP to immediately order his men to allow persons being in custody to have access to lawyers.

    On the first day of the Arise Ghana protest, the police announced the arrest of 29 people in connection with violent incidents that marred the Arise Ghana demonstration at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle.

    According to a statement dated June 28 and signed by Chief Superintendent Grace Ansah-Akrofi, Director of Public Affairs, the Police were also reviewing available footage with the view to making more arrests if need be.

    ”The Police have arrested 29 demonstrators for their participation in violent attacks on the Police and some members of the public including school children during the Arise Ghana demonstration in Accra…” the June 28, 2022 statement added.

    The statement further disclosed that leaders of the protest will be arrested and arraigned for the attacks and damage to property according to provisions under relevant laws.

    Below is the statement from the lawyers of Arise Ghana


    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • UG cuts sod for construction of PhD apartment

    Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice Chancellor, University of Ghana Legon, on Wednesday cut the sod for the commencement of work on a Doctorate in Philosophy (PhD) apartment for the University.

    She said the construction of the apartment would address the infrastructure deficit of the University and “in line with the University’s vision to attain a world class status.”

    The first phase of the project, which involves the construction of a 60-bedroom apartment out of the 240-apartment facility, will cost GH₵ 9 million and expected to be done in 14 months.

    The 60-bedroom apartment will consist of 20 rooms on each floor in a two-story building, including a kitchenette, small sitting area, a bedroom, and a washroom.

    The Vice Chancellor said the project would be an opportunity to admit more PhD students, support the training and produce critical thinkers, who would provide opportunities ready to proffer solutions for existing challenges.

    “To attract more PhD candidates, it is very important that we focus on increasing the stock of residential facilities on our campuses thereby giving our students an opportunity to study in a congenial environment,” she said.

    Prof Amfo said the School would ensure that it incorporated new technologies in the bid to create an intellectual climate that supported its vision of becoming a research-intensive university in the next few years.

    She said subsequent phases of the project would make provision for childcare and other gender-based amenities befitting the needs of the 21st century PhD student.

    Prof. Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu, Project Lead for the PhD apartment project, said the focus of accommodation deficit on campus over the years centred on undergraduate school, with little concentration on the graduate school.

    She said, meanwhile, one of the difficulties PhD students faced in completing their final thesis had to do with their accommodation.

    Prof. Ntiamoa-Baidu said accommodation deficit for PhDs was discovered during a consultative meeting among other pressing needs, including money to pay fees, and to fund thesis research and space for graduate students to study, especially for part-time PhD students.

    “In 2017, the UG Doctoral Building, a facility dedicated solely for PhD students was completed and commissioned. So, PhD students could no longer complain that they have nowhere to sit and learn when they are on campus.”

    Prof. Ntiamoa-Baidu said having done that, it was time to embark on a project to solve the accommodation difficulties of PhD students on campus.

    She added that the project was significant in the history of the University, as it would produce adequate lecturers needed to ensure quality education in existing and new universities across the country.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • SSNIT is the best pension scheme you can ever get – Ofori-Tenkorang

    The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) scheme is the best pension scheme workers can get anywhere, the Director-General, Dr John Ofori-Tenkorang has said.

    He explained that the management of SSNIT has been carrying out indexation to meet the rising rate of inflation in the country.

    This, he said, is part of the reasons the scheme is best for workers.

    “SSNIT undertakes indexation every year and the indexation match inflation. SSNIT is aware of that and we so we compensate for inflation,” he said during the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) Investment Forum held at the University of Ghana on Wednesday June 29.

    “I will urge people not to throw the baby out with the bad water. The narrative is that SSNIT is not good, people connived with their employers not to pay their SSNIT, the SSNIT scheme is the best that you can ever get anywhere else as far as pensions is concerned, if you don’t join to contribute you are harming yourself,” he added.

    He further indicated that the management is going to rollout a programme to educate citizens on the need to join the SSNIT.

    “We are going to rollout programme to get people to come and join SSNIT because it is the best thing, they can do for themselves,” he said.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • Today in History: Over 10,000 youth in Ada to be employed under 1D1F

    10,000 youth in the Ada East District were expected to be employed under the government’s flagship One District One Factory programme.

    According to the District Chief Executive of the area, Sarah Dugbakie Pobee a lot of foreign investors had expressed interest to invest in the District through the establishment of companies and industries to improve the standard of living of the people of Ada.

    The companies include; EPSIS Company Limited, an Egyptian firm that will train the youth in mechanical and electrical engineering, Ossa Food Limited an agribusiness firm to offer training for the youth who want to venture into agribusiness and provide support for those already in the business.

    Madam Sarah Dugbakie Pobee, District Chief Executive of Ada East has revealed that over 10,000 youth in the district would be employed under the One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative.

    The 1D1F initiative is a means for job creation with the help of private companies to ensure capital inflow in the District for economic growth, Madam Pobee explained.

    She said there were a lot of foreign investors who had demonstrated interest to invest in the District through the establishment of companies and industries to improve on the standard of living of the people of Ada.

    The companies include; EPSIS Company Limited, an Egyptian firm that will train the youth in mechanical and electrical engineering, Ossa Food Limited an agribusiness firm to offer training for the youth who want to venture into agribusiness and provide support for those already in the business.

    Other companies included; TRASACCCO which would train the people in hospitality industry to enhance ecotourism, ElectroChem, DEF’TRACO group, DAN’S MA Company Limited and DELORA Stock Limited would equip the youth with business capacity.

    “The technical students in the Municipality would also be attached to some of the companies to undertake industrial attachment to get the experience, the vocational students will also benefit from some of the training, and even those already in some business will also be provided with some sort of training so that they could increase their productivity” Madam Pobee said.

    The DCE said it was heartbreaking seeing almost all the youth in the District move to other places in search of jobs because there were fewer jobs in the District.

    She has therefore tasked those under scholarship, to use skills they had acquired from school to help society.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

     

  • We’re not afraid, we will also press charges against you – Arise Ghana to Police

    A leader of the Arise Ghana protest movement, Joshua Akamba, has called the bluff of the police over a notice that they will arrest and prosecute leaders of the Arise Ghana demo.

    Police in a statement dated June 28, announced the arrest of 29 people believed to have been complicit in the violent clashes that marred the first day of the protest.

    In an interview at the El-Wak Sport Stadium on June 29, before the group kick started the second-day of the protest, Akamba told journalists that they were also ready to sue the Police for their role in instigating the fracas.

    He said the organizers will be gathering evidence by way of videos in their possession and footage from the media: “we will make (a) case against the Police. Whiles they are making case against us, we will also make case, we will press charges against them.

    “They can do their worse. Tell them that we are not afraid of their intimidation. Nkrumah came out of jail and became president we will rescue this country,” he stressed.

    Leaders of the group have accused the Police of planting agent provocateurs who started throwing the stones that led to the clashes on Tuesday.

    But according to the Police statement declaring the leaders ‘wanted’: “…the organizers will be arrested and put before court for the attacks and damage to public property, in line with the provisions of Section 3 of the Public Order Act, (Act 491).”

    Arise Ghana, an amalgamation of groups and individuals organized the two-day protest to highlight the rising cost of living and issues of bad governance.

    Despite a court order relative to time and route of the protest, the leaders insisted on following a route other than the one ordered by the court, an insistence by the Police that they obey the agreed upon route resulted in the skirmishes.

    Day two of the protest ended without any incident as protesters marched from El-Wak to Parliament where they delivered a petition to the legislature.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Armed robbers steal gold worth US$350,000 from mining company

    On June 10, 2022, armed robbers raided the premises of a gold ore mining company making away with an unspecified amount of gold.

    The affected company, GoldStone Resources Limited near Akrokeri in the Ashanti region, has now confirmed the value of the gold the robbers bolted with.

    They made away with approximately US$350,000 when they raided the Homase site of the company.

    The company in a June 29 statement said employee was hurt during the incident adding that the loss was not expected to have an impact on the financial performance of the company.

    “The Board can now confirm that an armed robbery took place at its Homase site, which, whilst no one was hurt, resulted in a loss of gold with a value of approximately US$350k,” the statement said.

    “Whilst this loss is not expected to have a material impact on the financial performance of the business, the Company was not in a position to make an announcement that was compliant with the AIM Rules, which led to a suspension in the trading of its ordinary shares on AIM whilst an investigation was launched by the authorities in Ghana,” the statement added.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Journalist secures injunction against swearing-in of new GJA president

    A member of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has filed an application for an injunction seeking to halt newly-elected GJA President, Albert Dwumfuor from being sworn in.

    In the suit, Justice Lee Adoboe contends that the bribery allegations levelled against Mr. Dwumfuor should have been investigated before the elections were held.

    The injunction was served to the officials of the GJA on Wednesday, a day before the swearing-in of the newly elected executives.

    Speaking to Citi News, Justice Lee Adoboe said he is praying the court to declare the election of Albert Dwumfuor as GJA President null and void.

    “We are going to lay our facts bare before the court the reasons we want the elections to be annulled. The swearing-in has been injuncted by the High court and investigations are being conducted into the allegations for the public to be made aware of the findings, and then we move forward from there.”

    Albert Kwabena Dwumfour was elected the new GJA President, on Friday, June 24, 2022.

    The media consultant and Head of Corporate Affairs at the Tobinco Group of Companies fended off competition from the Editor of the Ghanaian Times and former General Secretary of the GJA, Dave Agbenu and a Communications Consultant, Gayhart Mensah.

    While Albert Dwumfuor polled 233 votes, Gayheart Mensah got 181 votes and Dave Agbenu had 142 votes.

    Over 800 members of GJA voted to elect the new national and regional executives last week.

     

    Source: Citinews

  • Petrol, LPG prices to reduce by almost 8%, diesel to go up from July 2

    Data from the Bulk Oil Distribution Companies have indicated that petroleum prices are expected to fall with some components expected to rise.

    Petrol and LPG are expected to fall by almost 8% while diesel is expected to rise by over 3% from July 2, 2022, as reported by JoyBusiness.

    The reductions have been attributed to favourable happenings on the global market according to reports.

    However, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) will lessen the burden on consumers by reducing the prices of the pumps as well.

    The average price of fuel increased by about GH¢1.33 per litre from June 16.

    Petrol at various fuel pumps is currently selling at about GH¢10.10 per litre, whereas diesel is going for GH¢12.20.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • Prof Opoku Onyinah breaks silence on National Cathedral controversies

    The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana (NCG), Apostle Prof Opoku Onyinah, has indicated that the allegations of corruption about the Cathedral project are false.

    According to Prof Opoku Onyinah, nothing untoward is going on with the Cathedral project, as is being reported in the media, citinewsroom.com reports.

    He said that the allegations against the project are “very serious,” but there is “nothing fishy about the monetary affairs.”

    “We cannot betray the trust the nation through the president has given to us,” he added.

    He also indicated that the Church was responsible for building the Cathedral, saying, “the church must mobilise themselves to raise funds to build the project.”

    Prof Opoku Onyinah also appealed that procedural issues are addressed at their levels.

    The Secretary to the Board of Trustees, Rev Kusi Boateng, further said that the payment for the architectural work of the Cathedral was the responsibility of the government.

    He added that the Secretary for the Cathedral will in due time provide all the information on the project to the general public.

    “… it was clear that the government was going to take care of Adjaye and Associates.

    “There is no secrecy surrounding this project and at the right time, whatever needs to be published will be published and whatever needs to be said will be said,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the National Cathedral of Ghana Secretariat has disclosed that it has received over GH¢ 32 million in donations towards the Cathedral project.

    According to the Secretariat, it received over GH¢ 2.6 million in 2018, GH¢ 3.8 million in 2019, GH¢ 13.8 million in 2020, GH¢ 7.7 million in 2021 and GH¢ 3.6 million so far in 2022.

    It indicated that a chunk of the donation was from private individuals and entities, adding that the Church in Ghana contributed over GH¢2 million.

    A document released by the NEC Secretariat showed that the Church of Pentecost, Action Chapel International, Presbyterian Church of Ghana and the Southern Ghana Union SDA are the highest donors; contributing GH¢ 700,000, GH¢ 200,000, GH¢ 200,000, GH¢ 200,000, respectively.

    The release also stated that Ghana would have a National Cathedral Week Celebration from July 4 to July 10, 2022.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • Minister shocked as 368 acres of government land is stolen at Medie

    About 368 acres of land that was acquired by the government at Medie in the Ga West Municipality of the Greater Accra Region have been stolen.

    Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah was shocked at the development during a working visit to the area on Tuesday as part of a tour of the Greater Accra Region.

    According to him, only two acres out of the over 368 acres of land were readily available at the time of the visit as the other had been sold to private individuals by persons the ministry is yet to fish out.

    “A government acquired land size of 368 acres has been so encroached leaving only 2 acres. Private individuals have acquired large tracts and fenced them for future use. One such developer has fenced 50 plots of land as part of the encroached portion,” he disclosed

    The story was not different at Prampram where the Chiefs prayed government to hasten efforts aimed at reclaiming the encroached lands. The queen mother of Prampram volunteered to go round with the Deputy Minister and his entourage to see the encroached areas and also pleaded strongly with government to stop the menace.

     

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • How police pitched camp in front of Jubilee House with shields, horses during Arise Ghana demo

    There is heavy security at the Jubilee House as Arise Ghana protestors take over some streets in Accra to demonstrate against current economic hardship in the country.

    Police personnel were spotted with shields, armour vehicles, and horses among others.

    Military personnel were also spotted at the entrance of the Jubilee house.

    The Arise Ghana protestors are currently embarking on day two of their protest against persistent and astronomical hikes in fuel prices by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government that has imposed excruciating economic hardships on Ghanaians.

    The protests is also aimed at opposing the imposition of the obnoxious E-Levy on the already-burdened Ghanaian people by the insensitive Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government and demand a full-scale and bi-partisan parliamentary probe into COVID-19 expenditures.

    Others are to protest the grabbing of State lands by officials of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government, particularly the de-classification of huge portions of the Achimota Forest reserve.

    The rest are to protest the increased rate of police brutalities and state-sponsored killings of innocent Ghanaians, as well as the growing culture of human rights abuses under the watch of President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and demand the total cancellation of the fraudulent “Agyapa” deal.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • Shatta Wale pleads guilty to publication of false news

    Dancehall artiste Shatta Wale has pleaded guilty to the publication of false news.

    This comes after the musician, born Charles Nii Armah Mensah, had fabricated a story claiming he had been attacked and shot by some unknown individuals but it turned out to be a hoax.

    He was charged with the publication of fake news, together with his other accomplices. They initially denied the charge.

    Shatta Wale was sent to court after his arrest.

    He was granted ¢100,000 self-recognisance bail after spending a week in police custody.

    According to a report by Graphic Online on Wednesday, June 29, the musician changed his plea from not guilty to guilty at the Accra Circuit Court.

    After his guilty plea, the lawyers of Shatta Wale pleaded for mitigation.

    Meanwhile, he is yet to be sentenced.

    Source:myjoyonline.com

  • National Cathedral: More than GH¢31m donations received so far Secretariat

    The National Cathedral of Ghana Secretariat has disclosed that it has received over GH¢ 32 million in donations towards the Cathedral project.

    According to the Secretariat, it received over GH¢ 2.6 million in 2018, GH¢ 3.8 million in 2019, GH¢ 13.8 million in 2020, GH¢ 7.7 million in 2021 and GH¢ 3.6 million so far in 2022.

    It indicated that a chunk of the donation was from private individuals and entities, adding that the Church in Ghana contributed over GH¢2 million.

    A document released by the NEC Secretariat showed that the Church of Pentecost, Action Chapel International, Presbyterian Church of Ghana and the Southern Ghana Union SDA are the highest donors; contributing GH¢ 700,000, GH¢ 200,000, GH¢ 200,000, GH¢ 200,000, respectively.

    The release also stated that Ghana would have a National Cathedral Week Celebration from July 4 to July 10, 2022.

    The Secretariat said that the main purpose of the National Cathedral Week Celebration is to raise funds to aid the completion of the Cathedral.

    “The results of the fundraising so far do not meet the demands of the cash flow for the construction. Thus, we have reached a very critical state where our fundraising efforts have to be scaled up. We believe that with the integration of the Bible Museum and Biblical Gardens now complete and the stalling of the construction, the urgency is established.

    “Overall, the central thrust of our fundraising during the National Cathedral Week is the Mass Mobilization. And our expectation is to raise 1 million Ghanaian Christians who will commit to giving at least 100 cedis a month to the National Cathedral project. With a Christian population of over 20 million Ghanaians, this is doable!” portions of the release read.

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • Why ex-Black Stars captain Acquaye warned his family from putting Ghana flag on his coffin

    The last interview of former Black Stars player, Isaac Acquaye, became a talking point on Saturday, June 25, 2022, when he was buried.

    The former Black Stars captain, in his last interview, stated that he had instructed his family members and children about the use of the Ghana flag at his funeral.

    Isaac Acquaye, who won the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations as a key player, was hurt by how the country neglected them after they served the nation.

    Hence, he told his children not to entertain any GFA representative at his funeral because all they would do is to lay a Ghana flag on his coffin.

    “I’ve told my children that if I die, they shouldn’t entertain any Black Stars (representatives) at my funeral. They will come and put the flag on your coffin, then what?” he told Prince Asiedu Dankwa in an interview with Beyond The Pitch.

    He insisted on not having the gesture at his funeral, saying, “Because they did not take care of us after all the great work we did for Ghana by winning the AFCON.”

    Isaac Acquaye died in Accra after battling an illness that was not disclosed by the family.

    Nicknamed the Barrier in his playing days, Acquaye played in three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments (1978, 1980, and 1982) and won one gold medal.

    He chose a career path in coaching after hanging up his boots. He managed clubs like Sekondi Hasacaas, Bechem United, Accra Great Olympics, and Union Sportive Ouagadougou (USO) in Burkina Faso.

    Acquaye died at the age of 68 and was buried at the Mamponse Cemetery in Agege, Accra.

    Watch Isaac Acquaye’s interview in the post below:

    Source:ghanaweb.com