Personnel from the Ghana Fire Service are currently trying to douse a fire that has swept through the GCB Bank tower at Kantamanto in Accra.
In a video fast circulating on social media, smoke can be seen coming out of the storey-building.
Although the cause of the fire remains unknown, a crowd has gathered at the scene as security personnel and the fire service try to bring the situation under control.
Source: myjoyonline
A total of 78 people died through road crashes in the Western Region between January and September this year.
The figure, however, showed a decline as compared to that of 2019, which saw 111 deaths within the same period.
Chief Superintendent Richard Appiah, Commander of the Western Regional Motor Transport and Traffic Department (MTTD) said to the media.
He said the frequent educational programmes the MTTD organised for drivers had helped in reducing the death as a result of road crashes.
He indicated that pedestrian knock-downs also increased from 107 to 141 for the same period.
Chief Supt. Appiah said 657 persons were injured this year out of which 268 were serious as against 374 minor.
In 2019, in the same period, the total number of injured persons was 426, with 323 serious and 389 minor.
Total road crashes recorded for 2020
stood at 709, while 2019 recorded 802 with 67 as against 90 case fatalities, he said.
Chief Supt Appiah mentioned speeding by drivers and lack of alertness by pedestrians as some of the causes.
He cautioned motorists and pedestrians to be extra careful and refrain from using mobile phones while driving or walking.
He said the police would continue to institute measures to help curb road crashes, including prosecuting persons who violated the Road Traffic Act.\
Source: Ghana News Agency
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) School of Ordinance has graduated 160 officers and men at its second graduation ceremony in Accra.
The School, under the Military Academy and Training School (MATS), prior to its affiliation to the Accra Technical University (ATU) in 2018, provided only military training programmes to its personnel but the synergy provides students with skills to equally work in civilian life.
The ceremony was on the theme: “Building Opportunity for Life after military serviceâ€.
Professor Samuel Nii Odai, the Vice-Chancellor, ATU, said the graduates had successfully completed programmes of Bachelor of Technology in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management, Advanced Diploma and Diploma in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management, and Fashion Designing Diploma in Leather Works from the Faculties of Business and Applied Arts, ATU.
He said the officers and men who enrolled for the 2019/2020 academic year were equipped with knowledge and skills to make them “relevant in the Military and after their service in the Armed Forces.â€
Prof Odai said military service was a unique lifestyle and transition into civilian life after many years of service might seem extraordinary and uncomfortable to personnel, however the training received would make it easier.
The Vice-Chancellor urged the new alumni to leverage on networks they created during the period of study to build a better future.
Major General William Omane Agyekum (RTD), immediate past commandant, MATS and guest speaker for the graduation, urged the graduates to plan for their retirement by cultivating the habit of saving and making cautious investments.
He said no matter how long it took, retirement was inevitable and that if they failed to plan for retirements, then they planned to fail in retirement.
Major General Charles Kodjo Awity, Commandant, MATS, said plans were advanced to relocate the School to a much more befitting facility.
Lieutenant General Obed Boamah Akwah, the Chief of Defence Staff, and Guest of Honour, expressed gratitude to all who had contributed to the success of the 2019/2020 academic year and the graduation ceremony.
He urged the graduates to serve as good ambassadors and to continually seek self-development and keep faith in all they did.
Students awarded for their exceptional performance in various programmes were; Flight Lieutenant Prince Opoku Agyemang, Bachelor of Technology in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management and Valedictorian; Ms Lariba Babilla, Advanced Diploma in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management.
Others were Corporal Jeffery Mahlon Adjei Banfro, Diploma in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management; Leading Aircraftman, Joseph Donkor, Diploma in Fashion Designing; and Corporal Boache Kidisil Yaw, Diploma in Leather Works.
Source:Â GNA
The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of Peki Senior High School in the Volta Region has petitioned the Volta Regional Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to investigate allegations of rape and sexual assault levelled against the headteacher of the School.
The latest allegation against the headteacher, Jonathan Delase Agble, involves a pregnant student.
The PTA has thus reported the matter to the Police in Peki Avetile while petitioning the GES for the removal of the headteacher.
According to the latest victim, Mr Agble tried to convince her to have sex with him to ensure her baby was not born deformed.
“He said because the guy who impregnated me is not on campus, he will take me as his daughter and then do everything that will be needed.â€
She also said the teacher threatened her and eventually raped her.
“He forced and had sex with me and led me to the high gate and asked me to go back to campus but warned me not to tell anybody.â€
According to the victim who has been granted exeat to seek medical help at home, she has been suffering abdominal pains since the rape.
Upon reaching the school premises, Citi News also identified six girls who admitted that the headteacher had made sexual advances towards them.
The PTA chairman, Mr Christian Ani-Frimpong in a Citi News interview explained that the association had no option than to report the matter to the police and seek the intervention of the Ghana Education Service.
“We are petitioning GES to intervene because they are the owners of the school and if an incident of this nature happens, it is only fair that we call on them to investigate the matter so well so that the truth of the matter will be established.â€
When contacted for his response to the allegations, Mr. Agble said rather wants the authorities to investigate the allegations.
Source: citinewsroom
Former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu has once again questioned the commitment of President Akufo-Addo in the fight against corruption suggesting the President is only faking the fight.
According to him, the conduct exhibited by the President following the submission of the findings of his Corruption Risk Assessment conducted into the Agyapa deal has demonstrated that his anti-graft campaign is pretentious and rhetorical.
In an earlier letter, the then-Special Prosecutor had cited instances where President Akufo-Addo had instructed that he holds onto the report on the Agyapa Mineral Royalties Transaction in anticipation of a response from his cousin, the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta who had been indicted by the corruption assessment for issues of bid-rigging among others. Ken had used his private company Databank and its affiliate Imara Corporate Finance based in South Africa as part of deal and paid himself.
Also involved is the transaction is another cousin of President Akufo-Addo, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko who through his private law firm Africa Legal Associates got involved under a shadowy circumstances.
Gabby’s involvement just like Ken Ofori-Atta was cloaked as an international legal arrangement in which the UK-based law firm White and Case was mentioned to The Herald by Gabby during the paper’s investigation into Agyapa/Asase Royalties Limited.
Another law firm tied to the transaction is Ace Ankomah’s Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah. Interestingly, this firm as always has remained silent. Gabby and Ofori-Atta who have separately spoken on their involvement gave conflicting details.
Martin is unhappy with President’s attempt to mispresent him to Ghanaians as a difficult and an unreasonable personality to work with, following his Corruption Risk Assessment.
Martin, in another letter to President in response to what the fourth family member of the Akufo-Addo who doubles as his Secretary; Nana Bediatuo Asante sent him in response to the reasons behind his resignation, declared that the President to be “Mother serpent of corruption”.
In a 27-page response to the President dated Friday, November 27, he called Nana Bediatuo Asante a laxy lawyer who doesn’t read but rushes into responses thus “making false and frivolous character assassination attacks on my integrity for cheap political point scoring”.
He added, “I shudder to think of the impression being created to the domestic and international community that this dear country of ours, Ghana, is now being run on autopilot”.
The former special prosecutor several times called President Akufo-Addo “ANTI-CORRUPTION MOSES” and asked “Mr President, kindly tell Ghanaians your reason for refusing to interdict or order the Municipal Chief Executive for the Bawku Municipal Assembly to vacate her office, even on voluntary or compulsory leave like you unconstitutionally did to Mr. Daniel Domelevo, the constitutionally appointed Auditor-General of Ghana, after my several pleas with you, and in spite of the fact that the first prosecution witness in the case gave his evidence-in-chief, was cross-examined and discharged on 12th November 2020 in the case of the Republic v Haiia Hawa Ninchema & 7 Others. After informal communications with you to do so failed, I wrote formally to you on 8th September 2020 attaching the interdiction letters of her co-accused public officers who had been interdicted in the same case and stating, inter alia, that: “Your decision is important to vindicate your known commitment to fighting corruption and the promise we exchanged in January 2018 before I accepted to be the Special Prosecutor.”
He lamented that “She is still working at her post when her co-accused who are also citizens of Ghana are on interdiction. My dear former “ANTI-CORRUPTION MOSES” this is just one example to remind you, Mr President, that you should not have unleashed your attack dogs on my integrity as being responsible for the failure of the Special Prosecutor in the fight against corruption under your Presidency. How could I succeed when this single example shows that my former “ANTI-CORRUPTION MOSES” failed me anytime his ox was gored like in the Agyapa Royalties Transactions anti-corruption assessment report. It would come as no surprise to me when all the accused persons in the two pending corruption cases in the High Court since March 20191 left behind are acquitted and discharged after my resignation. Bawku is where I grew up and the people of Bawku know the President’s corrupt partisan injustice that she is at post even today while the other public officers are on interdiction”.
“Mr President, the politically induced witch-hunting audit you ordered into the Office of the Special Prosecutor on Monday 23rd November 2020 after you had accepted my resignation from the date I assumed Office in 2018 to the date of your acceptance of my resignation simply because of my professional work on the suspected corruption infested Agyapa Royalties Limited Transaction anti-corruption assessment report will never intimidate me. You may end up rendering at naught the effectiveness of the Office in the performance of its statutory functions and undermine your own acclaimed vision of fighting corruption during your second term in Office. Mark my words, Mr. President!
To him, “the President of Ghana only looked like the innocent flower of the fight against corruption but was indeed the mother serpent of corruption under the innocent looking flower of anti-corruption”.
Martin, mentioned what to him is unspoken code declared by President know as “IT IS OUR TURN TO EAT” with a gang of people made up of his family members saying this is akin to Kenya under the Mwai Kibaki administration.
Martin Amidu explained that “When I told the President on the 23rd October 2020 and on 1st November 2020 that he had no authority to usurp the functions of the Special Prosecutor it should have been clear to him that his interpretation had exceeded his authority under article 58(1) of the Constitution.”
The former Special Prosecutor believes the reaction of the President under the circumstance makes it clear that the President’s role in the deal is much more pronounced than earlier publicised describing him as “the mother corruption serpent” in the arrangement.
“The unconstitutional assumptions made by the President constitute the very conduct exhibited for the first time to me by the President which convinced me beyond every reasonable doubt that he only looked like the innocent flower but is the mother corruption serpent under the Agyapa Royalties Transactions,” he said.
In another paragraph, Martin Amidu emphasised that “when I met the President on 23rd October 2020, I received the shock of my life when he demanded that I took no further action on the Agyapa royalties transaction anti-corruption assessment report for another week.”
“That was when it was divinely revealed to me that the President whom I trusted so much for integrity only looked like the innocent flower of anti-corruption but he was really the mother corruption serpent under the innocent-looking flower.”
Martin Amidu resigned from his position as Special Prosecutor on November 16, three years after he was appointed by President Akufo-Addo.
Source:Â The Herald
Aduana Stars and Bechem United will lock horns in a high profile regional derby on Sunday.
The matchday three encounter is scheduled to be played at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park in Dormaa.
The Ogya boys come into the fixture at the back of a 1-1 draw with King Faisal last weekend after their first match of the season against Hearts was rescheduled.
Aduana Coach Paa Kwesi Fabin will have to mastermind a strategy without his talismanic striker Yahaya Mohammed who is expected to be sidelined for some time with a shoulder injury.
While the Hunters are in high spirits following their 1-0 win over WAFA on match day 2.
They also managed to hold Liberty Professionals to a 1-1 draw in their first game and currently sit 3rd on the league standings.
In the last five meetings between the two clubs, Aduana Stars have had the upper hand with three wins, two draws, and no defeats.
Probable line-ups:
Aduana Stars XI
Joseph Addo (GK) , Isaac Kwain ,Caleb Amankwah, Farouk Adams, Tijani Joshua, Prince Acquah, Flavio Kouassi Kongoza, Oba Ikama Ulitch, Bright Adjei, Samuel Bio, Yahaya Mohammed.
Bechem United XI
Daniel Afadzwu (GK), Agbesimah Kofi, Asante Emmanuel, Charles Amponsah Bosompem, Owusu Boakye Emmanuel, Adamu Mohammed, Moro Salifu, Caleb Asamoah, Hafiz Konkoni, Charles Mensah, Stephen Owusu
Match officials
REFEREE: MUSAH MUBARIK
ASSISTANTS: MUMUNI FUSEINI & THOMAS NGINDIEYE
4TH REFEREE: BISMARK APPIAH
MATCH COMMISSIONER: A.S. SEIDU
VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: VINCENT AMPAABEN
Source:Â footballmadeinghana.com
A driver and a passenger, last night lost their lives on the Vodafone [Kansuarina] highway in Takoradi after a cocoa container truck fell on a Daewoo Matiz car they were in.
The truck was carrying cocoa and was heading towards the Takoradi Habour for export but the container came off the truck which fell on the two occupants in the Daewoo Matiz on the highway.
The Western Regional Police MTTD Commander, Chief Superintendent Richard Appiah confirming the incident to Citi News said the fatal accident happened after 9 pm on Friday, November 27, 2020.
“At 9:20pm, suspect driver, Eric Pamford Peters, aged 30, now deceased, was in a Daewoo Matiz private car with registration number WR 1049 19. He was driving from Paa Grant roundabout towards Kwame Nkrumah roundabout with one Ama Amponsah, aged 27, now deceased, on board.â€
“On reaching the Vodafone intersection, a Daf articulator with registration number GT 5953 20 also from the opposite direction, driven by Adu Emmanuel Kweku, aged 32 with a 40 footer container loaded with cocoa veered off his lane and climbed the median to the lane of the Matiz. The container detached from the truck and fell on the Matiz crushing it. Those in the Matiz were trapped in the car but with the help of Fire Service and Road safety recovery truck, they were removed and bodies deposited at Effia Nkwanta Government hospital morgue pending autopsy,†he said.
Chief Superintendent Richard Appiah said the vehicles have since been towed to the Regional Police MTTD yard in Sekondi pending testing, and suspect driver Emmanuel Kwaku arrested and in police custody.
Source: citinewsroom
Dubbed, Amidu’s Constitutional defence to Rejoinder to the personal letter address to him as citizen of Ghana by the President after accepting his resignation of appointment as Special Prosecutor”, Mr Amidu released it on Friday afternoon (November 27, 2020)
Click the Link below to read a copy of the letter
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TRfmwcyra-5YX03BQRcAm40UftFG1Xv-/view
Source: Graphic.com.gh
Swansea City attacker Andre Ayew reveals he is yet to regain full fitness despite making a return to action on Wednesday after a brief spell on the sidelines.
The 30-year-old was a 46th-minute substitute for the Jack Army in their 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship, capping his comeback with a sublime finish to fetch his side the equalizer.
He had been in the treatment room since sustaining a hamstring injury while on international duty with Ghana earlier this month.
“I haven’t done too much in the past 10 days. We knew I wasn’t 100 percent ready to start,” Ayew explained, as reported by his club’s official website.
“If he could have left me out, the gaffer would have done that to prepare me for Sunday, but that’s football; you need to be ready.
“As the game was going on, I was preparing to come on. It was important to warm up well and not feel any pain in my hamstring, especially as it’s an injury I’ve had for the first time in my career.
“I had to take care of it, the physio’s been doing a great job on me – hours of work trying to get me back as soon as possible.
“I was a bit doubtful for Wednesday night but after this, I’m quite happy with how it felt.
“It wasn’t the best, but it’ll be better over the next few days and hopefully I’ll be 100 percent on Sunday.”
Swansea is set to play as guests of Nottingham Forest on matchday 14 of the Championship on Sunday.
Wednesday’s strike has taken his goal tally to six for the season, having featured in 12 games.
He is unarguably the Jack Army’s talisman, a status underlined last season when he netted 16 times in 46 league games to finish the term as the club’s top scorer and most valuable player.
Ayew rejoined Swansea for a second spell in 2018 after an unsuccessful stay with West Ham United.
He first transferred to the Wales-based Premier League club in 2015 from French outfit Olympique Marseille.
Source:Â goal.com
The Executive Vice President and Head of Gold Fields West Africa Region, Mr Alfred Baku has urged the participants of the ongoing 2020 Gold Fields Profesional Golfers Association (PGA) of Ghana Championship to maintain their high levels of discipline and professionalism throughout the tournament.
Addressing the golfers before performing the ceremonial tee-off for the start of the third round of play on Friday morning, Mr Baku also warned that any golfer who is caught bringing the integrity of the game into disrepute will be suspended indefinitely from the Gold Fields PGA Championship.
Congratulating the professionals who qualified for the tournament, Mr Baku said all stakeholders of the competition expect that all the winners are decided on merit and not through cheating.
“The money is quite high and big, whoever wins must win on merit and not kululu (cheating)… If you are caught cheating on this course, you are finished with us on this course, you can play other tournaments but as far as Gold Fields is concerned you are finished, so I want that discipline”.
Special bonus for winner
Mr Baku also pledged a special financial bonus to any new winner of the tournament in addition to the GHS40,000 cash prize at stake for the winner.
“I brought my cheque and my cheque is still with me but if we get a new winner… I don’t want Vincent (Torgah), I don’t want Emos (Korblah), I don’t want Kojo (Barnni), a new winner and I know the person leading is fresh and if we get a new winner the person will get something in addition from my pocket”.
Wishing the amateurs luck for their contest, Mr Baku said he would not be participating this year because of an injury.
He also commended the media for their reportage over the opening rounds, adding that the tournament sponsors were grateful for the support which would aid in developing the profile of the sport in Ghana.
Day three play
Championship leader Francis Torgah will be aiming to defend his one-shot lead as he tees-off with second-placed Lucky Ayisah and his senior brother Vincent Torgah on day three.
Torgah (Francis) finished the second round with a total score of 142, he was trailed by Ayisah (143) and Kojo Barnni and Vincent Torgah who were tied on 145 standard scratch score.
Source:Â myxyzonline.com
The Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, has challenged her competitor, John Dumelo to make public the list of the 500 students who have benefited from his one student, one laptop policy.
John Dumelo at a debate forum organized by TV3 for the Ayawaso West Wuogon Parliamentary Candidates ahead of the December 7, elections stated that 500 students have already received laptops from his camp in his bid to improve education in the constituency.
“The distribution of over 4000 Laptops continues. This is by far the biggest investment in education ever to happen in Ayawaso West. So far, we have distributed 500 laptops to students in the constituency and we are still motivated to share the remaining 3,500 laptops,†Dumelo said.
However, Lydia Seyram Alhassan who was also touting her achievements in the educational sector called out John Dumelo for claiming that he has distributed 500 laptops to students in the constituency.
She, therefore, challenged the National Democratic Congress’ candidate to provide the list of the students who have benefited from his scheme.
“He is talking about laptops; he should give us the list of people he has distributed the 500 laptops to. He has given less than 20 laptops and I can confirm that,â€Â Lydia Seyram Alhassan said at the debate forum that was monitored by GhanaWeb.
Source:Â www.ghanaweb.com
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has said that as far as the fight against corruption in the country is concerned, the Akufo-Addo-led government has demonstrated an uncommon boldness in the face of it.
According to the vice president, the ruling NPP government has shown more commitment to fighting corruption in public spaces than the erstwhile NDC government led by John Dramani Mahama ever did.
Dr. Bawumia said he can “confidently state that this government is the first in years to demonstrate an uncommon boldness and commitment to fighting corruption.â€
While attempting to give reasons for his claim Dr. Bawumia said the NPP government in its first years has strengthened legal frameworks to fight corruption.
Citing the establishment of the Office of the Special Prosecutor amongst other Dr. Bawumia said “Why do I say so? Over the last four years, we have strengthened the regulatory and legal framework to fight corruption, by implementing several digitisation initiatives as well as passing into law, several pieces of anti-corruption related legislation including the Witness Protection Act of 2018, the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act of 2018, and the Right to Information Act of 2019, to unearth public sector corruption.â€
The vice president was speaking at a forum Thursday, November 26, 2020.
He also argued that the Akufo-Addo-led government has demonstrated leadership in the fight against corruption by adopting technology in the operations of some institutions to reduce the risk of corruption.
Source:Â www.ghanaweb.com
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has inaugurated phase one of the Obetsebi-Lamptey Interchange project, in Accra.
Using its location as a point of reference, the interchange connects four important roads in the capital city.
These roads are from the interchange to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital through Abossey Okai; Accra Central using the Graphic Road; Circle and beyond; and Kasoa through Odorkor, Sakaman, and Weija.
These are roads on which drivers and commuters suffer traffic jams or gridlocks.
It is normal that as the population in urban centres grow and some people also become economically better off, they would buy their own cars to have their comfort rather than joining the trotros and other vehicle used as public transport.
In Ghana, more people keep buying vehicles for commercial transport business because of the high demand for private commercial transport due to the lack of efficient and reliable state commercial transport, including trains.
The situation, especially the absence of the railway system, and the state transport forces everyone to use the road, hence traffic jams and the gridlocks we experience daily on highways and other major roads, especially in the cities and other big towns.
While inaugurating the interchange yesterday, President Akufo-Addo expressed the hope that it would help ease traffic, especially on the Kaneshie-Mallam stretch of the Accra-Kasoa road.
The President said he had asked the Ministry of Roads and Highways to plan for easing the congestion on the Kaneshie-Mallam stretch, factoring into its plan the creation of a bus rapid route, apparently for use by state buses.
The Ghanaian Times is happy that President Akufo-Addo and his administration is constructing five interchanges simultaneously across the country, all to ease traffic congestion.
The Nungua, Pokuase, Obetsebi, Takoradi, and Tamale interchanges were mentioned as those in reference.
We are also excited that his government has plans to dualise some major roads.
In that regard, the Ghanaian Times supports the plan but also suggests that in the event of any dualisation of highways, it should first be on the ECOWAS Highway from Aflao to Elubo through Accra, and from Accra through Kumasi towards Sunyani and northern Ghana.
This is because traffic congestion now occurs at places once unexpected to suffer gridlocks. We wish to draw the attention of the authorities to traffic congestion from Tema to Dawa on the Aflao stretch and Mankessim on the Accra-Cape Coast road, for instance.
It must be noted that interchanges and dualisation of roads alone would not solve traffic jams in the country. Currently, the experience is that after the interchanges have “eased the jamâ€, the vehicles pile up a few metres or just a kilometer away from them.
The Circle to Mallam through Kaneshie and Kasoa to Gomoa Budumburam are classical examples.
This means we need other roads or routes to ease the jams. If so, the government should plan for constructing such roads in cities and detours that would make drivers have a choice rather than being forced to use a particular route.
Consequently, the Ghanaian Times would like to remind all and sundry that interchanges are monuments and aesthetic pieces that beautify their locations.
The experience in the country is that people take over interchanges for use as market centres and places of abode.
The Ghanaian Times, therefore, wishes to appeal to the city authorities and, for that matter, the government to ward off traders and miscreants who would attempt to use the Obetsebi-Lamptey Interchange as their abode.
And we must be strict about this so that we can extend the crusade to other interchanges across the country.
Source: Ghanaian Times
The European Union (EU) has presented an amount of 1 million Euros to the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) ahead of the December polls.
The presentation which was done on Thursday, November 26, 2020 is aimed at helping the NCCE intensify public education as well as be responsible for the prevention of electoral violence on December 7.
The NCCE has been tasked by the EU to provide security for most vulnerable areas in the country, especially the Northern part of Ghana.
The Commission, according to Madam Acconcia has been equipped with the necessary tools needed to resolve disputes peacefully during and after the elections.
Speaking at the launch of the contract, EU Ambassador to Ghana, Diana Acconcia said, “The programme I have been honoured to launch today will provide 1 million Euros to the NCCE to coordinate joint efforts to sustain peace and prevent electoral violence. The programme will address various security threats in the most vulnerable Northern regions of Ghana.â€
The Deputy Chairman of the National Commission for Civic Education, Samuel Akuamoah, promised that the Commission will be vigilant in the vulnerable regions to prevent violent extremist groups from operating in the country.
He also assured the EU of making good use of the resources made available to them, adding that the outcome of the project will be great.
Mr. Akuamoah called on Ghanaians, Civil Society Organisations and other relevant institutions especially the security institutions to collaborate with the NCCE to work efficiently.
Source:Â www.ghanaweb.com
Ghanaians two weeks from now on December 7, will be going to the polls to elect a new president and Members of Parliament.
The main thrust of democracy is that it confers on the people the power to elect their leaders.
However, free and fair elections practice is more often than not, undermined by political actors. These actors often do everything to subvert the will and the wishes of the people.
Ghana since 1992, when the country ushered in the fourth republican dispensation, has had a fair share of election violence due to the mistrust of the system and this year, will not be an exception.
A free and fair election is a prerequisite for peace, before, during, and after the election. Violence during elections or after announcements of election results is largely due to the perception that the election was rigged.
Rigging of elections must therefore be avoided in this year’s election, in order to avert violence and breach of peace!
The people’s choice should be allowed to prevail. This is where the Electoral Commission (EC), comes in.
This newspaper is of the opinion that, the Jean Mensah-led Commission must tread the path of its predecessors, who ensured that, Ghana came out of seven elections successfully.
As we approach December 7, there is every reason to remind the election management body that, the faith of the country lies in their hands, their action and decision before, during, and after the polls, is critical to the survival of the country.
Beyond superintending over the conduct of the general elections, it behooves on the electoral body to ensure a free and fair election, else this country risks plunging into crisis.
Ghanaians, should make their choice freely, without any hindrance. And every vote must count.
Source:Â The Herald
The Winneba District Police Command has been elevated to Divisional Command status and with a call on the personnel to display utmost professionalism, accountability, commitment and to respect the civil populace they serve.
Mr James Oppong-Boanuh, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) who made the call at a ceremony at Winneba to officially commission a Police Station each at Essuekyir and Ntakofam, also inspected three other police station projects under construction.
The IGP stated that two additional Police District Commands were created to serve the University Education Winneba (UEW) Communities and the northern part of Effutu Municipality.
“Effective policing, crime prevention and control, thrive on shared responsibility between the police and the publicâ€, the IGP said.
He stated that it was imperative for the police to consistently demonstrate impartiality, fairness, respect the civil liberties and human rights of the people and also to avoid all forms of corrupt practices to eliminate bad perception and incessant media backlash in order to build public confidence in them.
The IGP zipping-Buanuh applauded the Effutu Municipal Assembly and the Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Member of Parliament for the area, for their relentless commitment and efforts, which saw the early completion of the two edifices.
He said the projects will support the police service to execute its mandate and also address the security concerns of the ever-increasing population and expansion of socio-economic activities in the area.
He said the current societal dynamics, the political landscape, social-economic activities, evolution of complex crimes, ever-increasing population and the advancement of information and communication technology demanded the realigning of police operations.
According to him, recent studies conducted revealed that Effutuman was among the fastest growing communities in Ghana with a number of hospitals, second cycle and tertiary institutions, wide stretch of beach resorts and the Police Command and Staff College and the unique “Aboakyer and Masquerade festivitiesâ€.
It was therefore obvious that security facilities needed to be expanded to prioritize security services to boost the economic development of the area. The Police, he noted, had put comprehensive and concrete security measures in place to ensure that there was peace before, during and after the electioneering process, he added.
He appealed to people of Effutu to see themselves as one people, bury their personal differences and not allow partisan politics to divide them, saying the election was not war, but a time to contribute their quota for peaceful coexistence.
Later, Mr Afenyo-Markin presented a set of musical instruments to the Central Regional Police Band stationed in Winneba, five motorbikes, and three Pick-ups to the Winneba police command.
Mr Thomas Adjei, Baffoe, Deputy Central Regional Minister, Mr John B. Ninson Effutu Municipal Chief Executive and Neenyi Ghartey VII, Paramount Chief of Effutu Traditional Area were among personalities at the event.
Source:Â GNA
A total of 78 people died through road crashes in the Western Region between January and September this year.
The figure, however, showed a decline as compared to that of 2019, which saw 111 deaths within the same period.
Chief Superintendent Richard Appiah, Commander of the Western Regional Motor Transport and Traffic Department (MTTD), disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA).
He said the frequent educational programmes the MTTD organises for drivers had helped in reducing the death as a result of road crashes.
He indicated that pedestrian knock-downs also increased from 107 to 141 for the same period.
Chief Supt Appiah said 657 persons were injured this year out of which 268 were serious as against 374 minor.
In 2019, at the same period, the total number of injured persons was 426, with 323 serious and 389 minor.
Total road crashes recorded for 2020 stood at 709, while 2019 recorded 802 with 67 as against 90 case fatalities, he said.
Chief Supt Appiah mentioned speeding by drivers and lack of alertness by pedestrians as some of the causes.
He cautioned motorist and pedestrians to be extra careful and refrain from using mobile phones while driving or walking.
He said the police would continue to institute measures to help curb road crashes, including prosecuting persons who violated the Road Traffic Act.
Source:Â GNA
Out of 660,181 registered voters in the Upper East Region, a total of 5,947 voters will take part in the 2020 Special Voting on Tuesday, December 1.
They include the election officers, security agencies and the media practitioners who would be working on December 7.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Bolgatanga, Mr Worlanyo Mensah Tegah, the Deputy Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC) disclosed that the special voting would take place in all the 15 district offices of the Commission, however, Bolgatanga Central would be divided into two making the total voting centres for the special voting 16.
Breaking the statistics down, the Deputy Regional Director noted that Bolgatanga Central, which would have two polling stations for the special voting had 416 and 415 voters respectively while Navrongo Central had 622.
A total of 739 would be voting in Bongo, 529 in Bawku Central, 157 in Binduri, 105 in Bolgatanga East, 393 in Builsa North, 156 in Builsa South, and 543 in Chiana-Paga.
The rest include: 106 in Garu, 565 in Zebilla, 167 in Tempane, 533 in Pusiga, 465 in Talensi and 36 in Nabdam.
Mr Tegah disclosed that 1,496 polling stations would be used on December 7, for the elections and the directorate had received all the election materials and added that the Commission was prepared to deliver on its mandate on the election days.
He disclosed that some election officials had already received training while a few more were undergoing orientations.
He said measures were in place to ensure that all the prescribed protocols to combat the spread of the coronavirus disease pandemic were strictly adhered to and added that COVID-19 ambassadors had also been trained in that regard.
Mr Tegah, therefore, urged the public to cooperate effectively with the election officials and the security agencies on the elections to ensure a peaceful and violence-free election.
He further warned the youth not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to foment trouble on the Election Day and added that the law would deal with any miscreants who tried to disrupt the conduct of the elections.
Source:Â GNA
One hundred and twenty-three parliamentary candidates are vying for the 34 parliamentary seats in the Greater Accra Region, the Ghana News Agency has gathered.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are contesting in each of the 34 Constituencies; the Ghana Union Movement (GUM) contesting for 15; Convention Peoples Party (CPP) eight; the Peoples National Convention (PNC) six seats; and the National Democratic Party (NDP), six.
Others are: the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) six; the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP) is contesting for two; All Peoples Congress (APC) one; and some independent candidates.
According to Electoral Statistics obtained by the Ghana News Agency, in ten of the Constituencies – Bortianor-Ngleshie, Shai-Osudoku, Sege, Ashaiman, Tema Central, Ablekuma South, Okaikwei South, Okaikwei Central, Ayawaso North, and Ayawaso East, only the NPP and the NDC are contesting.
The Political Party breakdown indicates that GUM is contesting for seats at – Weija-Gbawe, Anyaa-Sowutuom, La Nkwantanang/ Madina, Ablekuma Central, Ablekuma North, Ablekuma West, Odododiodoo, Ledzokuku, Krowor, Tema East, Tema West, Kpone Katamanso, Adentan, Ningo-Prampram and Ada.
The CPP – Weija-Gbawe, Anyaa-Sowutuom, Okaikwei North, Odododiodoo, Tema West, Adentan, Sege and Ada.
The PNC – Weja-Gbawe, Anyaa-Sowutuom, Dome-Kwabenya, Ayawaso West Wuogon, Ablekuma West and the La Dadekotonpon.
The LPG – Dome-Kwabenya, Ayawaso Central, Ablekuma West, Korley Klottey, Ningo Prampram and Ada.
The NDP – Tema West, Amasaman, Ayawaso Central, Ablekuma Central, Kpone Katamanso and Ada; the PPP – Domeabra-Obom and the Amasaman; and the APC – Weija-Gbawe.
Eight Constituencies – Trobu, Dome-Kwabenya, Ayawaso Central, Ayawaso West Wuogon, Ablekuma Central, La Dadekotopon, Kpone- Katamanso and the Ningo-Prampram have the presence of Independent candidates.
The 34 Constituencies in the Greater Accra Region are: Ablekuma Central, Ablekuma North, Ablekuman West, Ablekuma South, Ada, Adentan, Amasaman, Anyaa-Sowutuom, Ashiaman, Ayawaso East, Ayawaso North, Ayawaso Central and the Ayawaso West Wuogon.
Others are: Bortianor-Ngleshie, Dome-Kwabenya, Domeabra-Obom, Korley Klottey, Krowor, Kpone Katamanso, La Nkwantanang/Madina, La Dadekotopon, Ledzokuku, Ningo Prampram, Odododiodoo, Okaikwei Central, Okaikwei North, Okaikwei South, Shai-Osudoku, Sege, Tema East, Tema West, Tema Central, Trubo, and Weija-Gbawe.
Source:Â GNA
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has said that Ghana has over the past four years witnessed dramatic development following the prudent policies introduced by the Akufo-Addo administration.
He pointed out that the economy has picked up from the destruction it suffered under the Mahama administration.
He said during a presentation on Thursday, November 26 that “what the NDC destroyed in 8 years Nana Akufo-Addo has corrected in four years and even added moreâ€.
To that end, he said while delivering the address that Ghanaians should vote for the current president in the December 7 elections.
“I am here to paint to you a broad picture of what we have done over the last four years and how each of them connects to a central theme. Everything we have successfully done over the last four years has been designed to make an impact on real people, on the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Ghanaians from all walks of life.
“Our stewardship over the last four years would mean nothing if we have not impacted on the lives and livelihoods of the broad mass of Ghanaians.
“As we review how far we have come and the progress we have made with the mandate you gave His Excellency the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the NPP government over the last years, I am confident that you will come to one conclusion if you have not done so yet, that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is the safest pair of hands into which we can entrust our mandate,†he said at the Nation Building Updates.
Source:Â 3 News
Two supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Banda constituency of the Bono Region have lost their lives in a car crash while on their way to a political programme.
Some of the injured supporters are currently receiving treatment at the Nsawkaw District Hospital and other health facilities in the Bono Region.
The Bono Regional Communications Officer of the NDC, Charles Akowuah confirmed the incident to Citi News.
“They were on their way to a youth gathering at Banda Kankam when the incident happened… Unfortunately for us, it is a rural setting, and they normally use KIA trucks to convey their people and it got involved in the accident,†he said.
Ten of those injured are at the Nsawkaw District Hospital and another person is at Wenchi responding to treatment.
Another injured person was taken to the Techiman Holy Family Hospital for treatment.
This is the latest in a string of incidents that befell NDC campaign activities over the past month.
One NDC supporter in Ellembelle in the Western Region died after being run over by a vehicle whilst on a campaign walk last weekend.
Twenty-three others were injured during the incident which occurred last Sunday evening at Azuleneno, a community located between Anyinase and Essiama.
Six members of the NDCÂ within the Ejura Sekyeredumasi municipality of the Ashanti Region were also killed after a road crash on November 21.
Source: citinewsroom
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has expressed shock over claims by former President Mahama that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) introduced the free Senior High School education policy.
According to the Vice President, he is not sure whether the leadership of the NDC is confused or assumes Ghanaians have short memories.
Delivering a presentation on “a case for 4 more years to do more for you†Thursday November 26, 2020, Dr. Bawumia said it is shameful that the party that bastardised the free SHS policy when it was introduced by President Akufo-Addo, will now be fighting for credit.
“They said it was a hoax, a 419 promise. They said if he had GH¢2billion they would not spend it on free SHS. They said free SHS would collapse the education system.
“The NDC run over 40 adverts against free SHS. But the visionary Nana Akufo-Addo stuck to his guns and has successfully implemented the free SHS policy.
“Today, the NDC is saying they started free SHS! “Awurade Nyankopong!†he added.
The Vice President explained that although the NDC in a bid to prevent the implementation of the policy took the matter up at the Supreme Court, that promise to Ghanaians by the NPP has been fulfilled.
According to him, the government has not only alleviated the suffering of parents, but the targets set for the policy have also been exceeded.
“So far, we have invested over GH¢3.2 billion to implement free SHS, resulting in over 1.2 million teenagers being in secondary school now, looking forward to better opportunities in life.
“For their parents and families, this has translated into GH¢2.2 billion in savings. That is money that the State has put back into the pockets of Ghanaians all across the country.â€
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia used the opportunity to urge all Ghanaians to be mindful of the clueless stewardship of former President John Mahama prior to the election of the NPP government in 2016 so as not to jeopardize the progress made by not retaining the NPP.
“We ask you to give us four more years because our government, borne out of the NPP, under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has kept faith with you, Ghanaians, by delivering on the commitments we made to you.
“We are on track, having significantly delivered on our mandate,â€Â the Vice President said.
Source: myjoyonline
The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has said Ghana, under the administration of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, recorded the lowest depreciation of the cedi since 1992.
The former deputy governor of the Central Bank said although the COVID-19 pandemic has affected economies all over the world the Akufo-Addo government has ensured a low inflation rate thereby impacting the strength of the cedi positively.
“In four years, we have stabilised the economy. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, which has impacted all economies in the world, we have reduced inflation, and inflation continues to fall. We have doubled economic growth in the first three years, we reduced the exchange rate depreciation. The exchange rate depreciation has been relatively stable. Ghana has recorded the lowest rate of depreciation [of the cedi] in the last 28 years in 2020.
“Notwithstanding COVID and its implications and notwithstanding that this is an election year, Ghana in 2020 has seen the lowest depreciation since 1992,†he noted.
According to him, “the average depreciation of the cedi over the last four years, which is at 7.3% is the lowest for any first-term government since 1992. We significantly reduced the deficit.â€
He was speaking at the Nation Building Updates on Thursday, November 26, 2020.
The Nation Building Updates is a weekly event organised by the Ministry of Information to provide updates on key government projects undertaken by the government.
Source:Â rainbowradioonline.com
At a characteristic, data-ladden presentation Thursday night [November 26, 2020] at the University of Ghana in Accra, Dr. Bawumia told the Akufo-Addo government’s story, taking his audience and Ghanaians through a trajectory of the challenges Ghanaians faced under former President John Mahama, the “dire” economic conditions the Akufo-Addo government inherited from the Mahama-led NDC, the key promises the NPP made in 2016, the successful programmes and interventions in the last four years by the Akufo-Addo government, as well as its vision beyond 2021.
Economic challenges under Mahama
Dr. Bawumia set the tone for his presentation by recalling the mismanagement of the economy and its accompanying harsh conditions that had hit the country under the administration of former President Mahama.
“I am aware you need no reminders of the dire economic conditions at the time we came into office. You lived and breathed it, and bore the human cost of the economic mismanagement that was visited upon us by the Mahama-led NDC government,” Dr. Bawumia said.
The Vice President reminded Ghanaians about the many challenges, which included: growing unemployment leading to the formation of Unemployed Graduates Association, the effects of four years of ‘dumsor’ which led to job losses, high electricity tarrifs, collapsing NHIS and ambulance service, lack of basic facilities like textbooks and chalks in public schools, cancellation of nursing and teacher trainee allowance, backlog of unemployed nurses, non payment of teachers, burdensome taxes and what he said were series of scandals.
“It was clear that the Mahama-led NDC government had lost its way, failed Ghanaians, and did not have any idea how to get us out of the ditch it has driven us into.”
Akufo-Addo govt’s 2017-2021 governance blueprint
Dr. Bawumia noted that having been overwhelmingly voted for by Ghanaians in 2016, the Akufo-Addo government set out to roll back the human cost of the economic mismanagement by the previous government and to create the foundation for an inclusive, prosperous Ghana.
The Vice President added that the Akufo-Addo government’s vision was broadly anchored on seven objectives, which he said were to: “stabilise and grow the economy, transform the economy, create jobs, especially for the youth, modernise, digitise and formalise the economy, make development inclusive and protect the vulnerable, fight corruption and create a safe, secure environment for citizens and businesses to thrive.”
Promises fulfilled by Akufo-Addo in 4 years
Having stated the Akufo-Addo government’s governance blue print for its first term, Dr. Bawumia then provided in detail, how the government has achieved its seven six stated objectives and how they have positively impacted on the people.
On the first policy objective, which was to stabilise and grow the economy, Dr. Bawumia noted that before Coronavirus devasted the world’s economy this year, the Akufo-Addo Addo government had achieved it objective of stabilising and growing the economy it inherited from the NDC.
“Prior to the Coronavirus pandemic which has impacted all economies in the world, we established the economy. We reduced inflation, doubled economic growth in our first three years, reduced the rate of exchange rate depreciation; the exchange rate depreciation stabilized with Ghana recording the lowest depreciation in the last 28.”
“We have also reduced the fiscal deficit (pre covid-19), improved our external payments position, which is stronger today than it was in 2016 (notwithstanding the pandemic). Interest rates are on the decline in line with decline inflation expectations.
The Vice President also referenced the clean up of the “mess in the financial sector that we inherited,” including government’s decision to pay up to 50,000 to all customers of affected Fund Management Companies on “compassionate grounds”.
“We took the decisive decisions to avoid the collapse of the financial sector, save the deposits of 4.6 million depositors and save jobs. Thus far, government has spent GH¢21 billion to clean up the sector. 99% of depositors of the affected banks, microfinance and savings and loans companies have been fully settled.”
The Vice President noted that the impressive performance of the Akufo-Addo government, led to Ghana becoming the investment destination of choice in West Africa and has led to new opportunities for Ghanaians and businesses.
“The relatively strong performance of the economy, among other things, led to Ghana becoming the destination of choice for Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in West Africa according to the 2019 World Investment Report by UNCTAD.”
Just two days ago, Bloomberg reported ad follows: “Ghana was one if the first countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to lower interest rates to counter the virus shock and its economy has performed better than forecast even as the pandemic stalled activity and the oil price slumped.”
Transforming the economy beyond stability
Dr. Bawumia said the Akufo-Addo government did not only seek to stabilize the economy, but they also took steps to transform the nature of the economy by improving agriculture productivity to reduce dependence on food import, add value to raw materials through industrialisation and reduce the cost of energy and of running businesses and industries in Ghana.
“These we have achieved through Planting for Food and Jobs, Planting for Export and Rural Development and Rearing for Food and Jobs. PFJ has led to a 71% increase in the national production of maize and 34% in paddy rice. Yields per hectare of maize, rice, and soybean have also increased significantly and we now export 19 different food items, including maize, to the rest of ECOWAS countries.”
“Again through One District One Factory and Strategic Anchor initiatives, we are adding value to our raw materials through industrialisation. In four years, 76 companies are in operation and a total of 107 1D1F factories are also under construction. We expect every district to have a factory in the next 2 years.”
“We have also abolished or reduced 15 taxes and levies to reduce the burden of taxes on businesses and individuals. This is unprecedented in the history of economic management in Ghana.”
“We have also reduced electricity tarrifs for residential, business and industrial customers. No government in the history of Gjana has reduced electricity tarrifs in net terms during its term of office.”
Jobs for the youth
Vice President Bawumia said, the Akufo-Addo government took the “bull by the horns” to address the major unemployment challenge the youth faced during Mahama’s administration.
“In 4 years, we have created over two million jobs in the formal sector, including and through government programmes such as NABCO, (100,000 jobs to unemployed graduates), NEIP, and Planting for Food and Jobs.”
“We have also hired nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers, recruited new teachers, police officers, and many others in the public sector after many years of employment freeze under the previous government.”
Modernised and digitised economy
Dr. Bawumia also highlighted the fulfillment of the objective by the Akufo-Addo government to modernise, digitise and formalised the Ghanaian economy, which he said was largely informal.
He revealed that when they came into office, “Over 90% of Ghanaians had no unique identity, there was no working address system, over 70% of the bankable public had no bank accounts, most transactions were cash based, less than 10% had Tax Identification Numbers, and clearing goods at the port, obtaining a driver’s license, passpirt, renewing your NHIS card, purchasing electricity units, obtaining birth certificates,” and many others, were manual and became breeding grounds for corruption as bribes were demanded.
He said the Akufo-Addo government “made the strategic decision to address these chronic problems by digitising the Ghanaian economy as well as the prices of delivery of many government services to increase government revenue, eliminate corruption and ultimately provide public services to citizens more efficiently and more conveniently.”
Dr. Bawumia noted further that with the successful issuance of digitised national ID cards to 15.5m Ghanaians in 4 years, the implementation of mobile money interoperability, digital address system and the digitisation of various government services, the Akufo-Addo government has made significant strides in its digitisation agenda.
Inclusive development
Dr. Bawumia also showed in detail how the Akufo-Addo government has addressed the exclusion of many communities and citizens from the “proverbial national cake”.
He said in fulfillment of his promise to build a Ghana that works and gives each and every one opportunities, President Akufo-Addo has spread infrastructure development projects to every district in the country, and has also introduced many all-inclusive interventions, which everyone is benefiting such as Free WASSCE and BECE exams registration, ambulances for every constituency, one village one dam for farmers in the north, Coronavirus relief package for electricity and water, Free SHS and TVET, among many others.
Elections 2020 and beyond
Dr. Bawumia stated unequivocally that President Akufo-Addo has delivered on his 2016 promises and appealed to Ghanaians to give him 4 more years to continue with his good works and move Ghana ahead.
“We ask you to give us four more years because our Government, borne out of the NPP, under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo , has kept faith with you, Ghanaians, by delivering on the commitments we made to you.”
Dr. Bawumia said President Akufo-Addo has been able to restore in 4 years, what Mahama and the NDC destroyed in 8 years, and he deserves another 4 years to continue to stimulate economic growth, support industrialisation, accelerate agriculture modernisation, consolidate 1D1F and the implementation of Free SHS and TVET.
“On December 7, remember that we have achieved together, and what, we can achieve together over the next four years, and vote to retain Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as President, and for NPP MPs, all of whom are number 1 on the ballot, so we can deliver once again on our mandate.
Source: Graphic.com.gh
The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Wednesday, November 25, 2020, visited the Ayawaso West Wuogon in a mini-rally held in his honour.
The President in His address asked the electorate the be discerning and make informed decision in the upcoming elections.
Heralding the various achievements of his administration, he admonished constituents to consider the well though-out policies by the NPP such as free SHS, provision of ambulances and the digitization of the economy and vote the party.
He stated that unlike the NDC flagbearer who is making empty promises, he has a track record of honouring his promises.
“I’m asking all of you to go out on December 7 and vote massively for Lydia Alhassan and the NPP. The NPP has a track record of delivering and I’m assuring you that we will do more for you if you give us four more”.
“Vote boom boom for the NPP and Lydia Alhassan”, Akufo-Addo told the charged crowd that massed up at the American House in East Legon, Accra.
The rally had in attendance Alan Kyeremanteng, Roads Minister Amoako-Attah, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, Foreign Affairs Minister, Prof. Adu Gyamfi , Board Chairman for NHIS, Mr. Boateng Gyenfi, Chairman for EXIM Bank, among others.
Source: Peace FM
Suuk Mouricia, a 29-year-old nurse at Tamale in the Northern Region has been crushed to death by a tipper truck.
According to a reliable source, the heart-wrenching incident occurred on Tuesday when the beautiful nurse was riding her motorbike to work (night shift).
“She was hit and ran over by the tipper truck when she was going to work last Tuesday,†the source said.
“The incident happened at Gumani, near Agric in Tamale,†the source further revealed.
More soon…
Source:Â Atinka Online
The mine is located at the outskirts of Ayanfuri at a place popularly referred to as Phase Four.
It was residents in the area who intervened to rescue the victims but they were pronounced dead on arrival at the Dunkwa-On-Offin Government Hospital.
The remains have since been deposited at the hospital’s morgue.
They are yet to be identified.
Sergeant Isaac Evans Etie of the Central Regional Police Public Relations Office explained that the incident happened on Thursday, November 25, 2020.
He said the police received information about the incident around 7pm.
He gave the age range of the deceased persons as 24 to 35years.
He said the police were investigating the incident.
Source: Graphic.com.gh
The experienced trainer, who coached Asante Kotoko and Ashantigold in the past, will handle the Royals until the end of the 2020/2021 Ghana Premier League season.
Hayford replaced German-Bosnian coach Goran Barjaktarevic who was sacked few days after losing 3-0 to Great Olympics in Match Day two.
The former Black Queens coach has been unattached since February 2020 after leaving his position as the head coach of the Somalia national team.
Hayford has won the Ghanaian top flight on two occasions with Asante Kotoko in the 2007-2008 campaign and with Ashantigold SC in the 2014-2015 season.
He has also handled clubs like Heart of Lions, Power FC, Medeama SC and Ebusua Dwarfs all in the Ghanaian top-flight.
Below is the press statement by Legon Cities confirming his appointment:
Source: Graphic.com.gh
“I knew, as I clutched my firstborn child, that I was losing my second,” Meghan said in a piece for the New York Times.
She went on to describe how she watched “my husband’s heart break as he tried to hold the shattered pieces of mine”.
Meghan wrote that “loss and pain have plagued every one of us in 2020”.
The 39-year-old shared her experience to urge people to “commit to asking others, ‘are you OK?’” over the Thanksgiving holiday in the US.
A source close to the duchess confirmed to the BBC that the duchess is currently in good health and the couple wanted to talk about what happened in July, having come to appreciate how common miscarriage is.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “It’s a deeply personal matter we would not comment on.”
The duchess and Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, moved to California to live away from the media spotlight, after stepping back as senior royals in January.
Their first child, Archie, was born on 6 May 2019.
The duchess began her article by describing a “sharp cramp” she felt while looking after Archie.
“I dropped to the floor with him in my arms, humming a lullaby to keep us both calm, the cheerful tune a stark contrast to my sense that something was not right,” she wrote.
“Hours later, I lay in a hospital bed, holding my husband’s hand. I felt the clamminess of his palm and kissed his knuckles, wet from both our tears.
“Staring at the cold white walls, my eyes glazed over. I tried to imagine how we’d heal.
“Meghan made it clear from the first event that she spoke at as Harry’s bride-to-be that she wanted women’s voices and women’s experiences to be heard more clearly.
Now she has written of her loss, and her heartbreak. She has set it in the context of a year of breathtaking turbulence. And she has made a plea for tolerance and compassion.
She weaves in the struggles of so many with Covid-19, the battles over truth and lies in our divided age, the killing of black Americans by the police.
And on an experience that so many women have lived through, she has made her grief a way of bringing miscarriage closer to the everyday conversation.
The duchess continued: “Losing a child means carrying an almost unbearable grief, experienced by many but talked about by few.
“In the pain of our loss, my husband and I discovered that in a room of 100 women, 10 to 20 of them will have suffered from miscarriage.
“Yet despite the staggering commonality of this pain, the conversation remains taboo, riddled with (unwarranted) shame, and perpetuating a cycle of solitary mourning.
“Some have bravely shared their stories; they have opened the door, knowing that when one person speaks truth, it gives license for all of us to do the same.”
The duchess also referenced a TV interview in which she was asked by a journalist if she was ok, during her tour of South Africa last year.
She said she was asked the question during a time in which she was “trying to keep a brave face in the very public eye”.
“I answered him honestly, not knowing that what I said would resonate with so many – new moms and older ones, and anyone who had, in their own way, been silently suffering,” she said.
The duchess is the second member of the Royal Family to open up about having a miscarriage.
In 2018 the Queen’s granddaughter Zara Tindall spoke about suffering two miscarriages before having her second child.
The duchess’s miscarriage happened at a time when she was involved in legal action against the Mail on Sunday over the publication of a letter she wrote to her father. Last month she was granted a postponement of her privacy trial until autumn next year.
‘Breaking down stigma’
An estimated one in four pregnancies ends in a miscarriage, according to the charity Tommy’s.
Tommy’s midwife Sophie King said talking about baby loss in pregnancy is “a real taboo in society” so “mothers like Meghan sharing their stories is a vital step in breaking down that stigma and shame”.
She said the duchess’s “honesty and openness” sends a “powerful message to anyone who loses a baby: this may feel incredibly lonely, but you are not alone”.
Clea Harmer, chief executive of stillbirth and neonatal death charity Sands, said it was a “sad reality” there was a stigma surrounding pregnancy loss and baby death, which “leaves many parents feeling isolated”.
“The isolation we have all felt this year has made it even more difficult for parents whose baby has died during the Covid-19 pandemic and has brought back painful emotions for all those who have lost precious loved ones,” she said.
Dr Christine Ekechi, of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said it was “important” that any stigma or shame surrounding this issue was removed.
“Sadly, early miscarriages are very common and they can be a devastating loss for parents and their families,” she said.
And Alice Weeden, from charity the Miscarriage Association, told the BBC: “When somebody, particularly in the public eye, talks about it openly, it’s helpful for other people to know that they are not alone.”
Source: BBC
The Electoral Commission (EC) says it has published the names of voters who would be voting in the Special Voting exercise on December 1, 2020.
A statement issued by the electoral body said the list has been published on their website.
It said the publication of the list will allow the voters to know the polling stations to vote to ensure a smooth exercise.
The statement further indicated the voters on the Special Voters list will get the opportunity to only vote on December 1, 2020.
Failure to vote on the said date would mean that the voters would not vote on December 7, 2020.
The list includes personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces, National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) formerly BNI, the Police Service, Immigration Service, Ghana National Fire Service, and the Information Services Department.
The rest are the National Ambulance Service, Customs Service, Prisons Service, Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), and the National Media Commission (NMC).
Source:Â rainbowradioonline.com
As parts of efforts to assure the public of their readiness for the upcoming elections, the various security agencies will embark on a nationwide march today, November 26, 2020.
Code-named TAFIA-LAFIYA, the walk is expected to start at 6 am and end at 12:00 in the afternoon.
The peace march will further provide assurances to the public, that security is guaranteed and that anything that poses a threat to the peace of the nation will be stamped out.
As a result of the march, some major roads in Accra and other regional capitals will be closed to traffic within the period.
The security services comprise the Police Service, the Armed Forces, Prisons Service, National Fire Service; Immigration Service, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, the National Intelligence Bureau together with the National Ambulance Service.
The Ghana Police Service in a statement urged the public to cooperate and bear with them.
“Due to the march, there will be vehicular traffic and diversions on streets of the areas earmarked, at certain times of the morning. However, security personnel will be deployed to manage the traffic and diversions,†a statement from the Ghana Police Service noted. In the Greater Accra Region, for instance, the parade will move on the following routes:
Route 1: Independence Square Liberation Rd. 37 N1 Weija Kasoa Oboom Road Amasaman Sowutuom N1 37 Giffard Road;
Route 2: Independence Square Ako Adjei Int Circle Tesano Achimota Pokuase Nsawam Amasaman Aburi Frafraha Madina Legon;
Route 3: Independence Square Osu La Nungua Lashibi Sakumono Comm19 Spintex Road Tetteh Quarshie East Legon Adjiriganor Ashaley Botwe:
Route 4: Independence Square Accra Central James Town Agbogbloshie Korle Bu Saprobic Dansoman Kaneshie Circle Nima Adabraka; and
Route 5: Tema areas: Michel Camp Gbetsele Afienya Dahwenya Tsopoli Ningo Prampram Kpone Tema New Town Ashaiman.
Source:Â www.ghanaweb.com
Chief Executive Officer of FBNBank Ghana, Victor Yaw Asante, says banks must reshape their products and services by providing a consolidated offering to meet shifting customer expectations.
He believes the shift in customer preferences will drive their demand for seamless banking transactions across different channels; instant payment on all transactions that are reliable and secure without any delay or interruptions; and digital payment products that are tailored to their needs and produces instant satisfaction for them.
Speaking on the topic: The Future of Banking Post the Global Pandemic at the 2020 Virtual Digital Banking Summit, Mr.Asante highlighted the need for banks to embrace emerging technologies in the banking sector as that would drive changes in processes, products and service offerings and engagement with customers.
According to him, the future of banking rests on three pillars: Customer Expectations, Emerging Technologies and Optimal Business Model.
Mr. Asante said banks need to focus on how to use data and insights to deliver a more customized, individual experience from content and insights, to the value proposition that a customer receives from their bank.
Shedding light on emerging technologies, Mr. Asante stated that the fourth industrial revolution technologies will drive higher levels of customer experience and productivity in the banking industry.
He said these technologies will combat data fragmentation and accelerate feedback loops to anticipate customer moments of need allowing banks to capture value quickly. He emphasized that “bringing these technologies together allows for dynamic optimization, delivering a tailored product to a customer in the exact moment of need through a channel likely to maximize attention.â€
He called on banks to operationalize business models that are adaptable to ensure that their institutions are nimble and can quickly respond to the rapid changes in the operating environment.
“In the post pandemic era, banks have an opportunity to challenge themselves and ask how they can achieve zero latency, zero touch, zero paper, across the board. They must continually invest to deliver innovative digital capabilities that leverage technologies to innovate faster and provide tailored products to meet changing customer needs and habits.â€
At the same time, he tasked banks to reengineer their processes so as to contain cost and improve on efficiency while automating all their risk processes to ensure that risks are proactively mitigated in real-time.â€
Source:Â Business 24
The Volta Regional House of Chiefs is calling for the withdrawal of security personnel deployed to the region following the invasion of members of secessionist group, Western Togoland.
The House believes the continued presence of security personnel in the area will discourage citizens from casting their ballot in the upcoming general elections.
“The call from citizens is that the House should demand the withdrawal of this security personnel from the region forthwith so as to reduce the fear of intimidation being exhibited by the security personnel,†the House said in a statement.
Security personnel were dispatched to the region after members of the secessionist group in the early hours of Friday, September 25, 2020, blocked the JuapongAccra and SogakopeAccra main roads.
The House pointed out that the personnel had since not been recalled, despite calm returning to the area.
It said deliberations held with high ranking government officials about insecurity in the Volta Region had not yielded positive results.
Below is the statement from the Volta Regional House of Chiefs
Source: citinewsroom
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) says the country has witnessed a decline in the number of active Covid-19 cases.
According to the Director-General of the Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, who made this known at a press conference in Accra, the number of active cases as of November 22, stood at 775.
Giving more details, Dr. Kuma-Aboagye said as of November 22, the total number of cases stood at 51,225.
He said 50,127 persons have been discharged or recovered from the virus, while the total number of deaths stood at 323.
Dr. Kuma-Aboagye said since the reopening of the Kotoka International Airport in September, 69,311 tests had been conducted, out of which 264 of them turned out positive.
Find the regional breakdown below:
Greater Accra Region 27,753
Ashanti Region 11,107
Western Region 3,048
Eastern Region 2,522
Central Region 1,940
Bono East Region 788
Volta Region 688
Western North Region 659
Bono Region 619
Northern Region 551
Ahafo Region 530
Upper East Region 359
Oti Region 243
Upper West Region 90
Savannah Region 62
North East Region  20
Source: myjoyonline
Football legend Diego Maradona has died at the age of 60.
The former Argentina attacking midfielder and manager had a cardiac arrest at home.
He had successful surgery on a brain blood clot earlier in November and was to be treated for alcohol dependency.
One of the greatest players of all time, Maradona was captain when Argentina won the 1986 World Cup, producing a series of sublime individual performances.
He played for Barcelona and Napoli during his club career, winning two Serie A titles with the Italian side.
More soon…
Source:Â BBC
The Adontenghene of Abono in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region, Nana Kofi Nyame, has called on the government to save the Lake Bosomtwe from drying.
According to the chief, the only natural lake in Ghana is drying up due to human activities including deforestation and farming around the lake.
The lake, which was discovered in 1,640, serves as a recreational centre while fish are obtained from it for food.
Speaking in an interview with Class News’ regional correspondent Elisha Adarkwah during the campaign tour of the presidential candidate of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), Dr Herbert Henry Lartey, to Abono, the chief bemoaned the low level of the catch made by fishermen currently compared to the past years.
The chief appealed to the government to extend its tree-planting exercise across the country to the area where the lake is situated to ensure that trees are planted around the lake to salvage it and prevent it from drying up.
Source:Â Class FM
The scholarship scheme will specifically target the brilliant students from deprived homes.
The Registrar of Scholarships at the Scholarship Secretariat in the Office of the President, Mr Kingsley Agyemang who disclosed this in a radio interview Wednesday morning [November 25, 2020] said his outfit would be making a major announcement at a press conference on Tuesday, December 1, 2020.
He said the Secretariat was therefore seizing the opportunity to inform the 2020 WASSCE graduates to prepare themselves for a big announcement from the Secretariat on Tuesday.
He said the retooled Ghana Scholarships Secretariat is now strategically positioned to effectively deliver on its mandate of awarding scholarships to Ghanaians for tertiary education.
Mr Agyemang’s revelation in a radio interview on Accra based Oman FM, monitored by Graphic Online followed a social media appeal for assistance for a student from the Adeiso Senior High School in the Eastern Region, who obtained grade A1 in all eight subjects in the 2020 WASSCE but comes from a deprived home.
Thomas Amoaning lives in Asuaba near Adeiso and studied General Arts at the SHS level.
He obtained Excellent grades of A1 in Social Studies, English Language, Mathematics (Core), Integrated Science, Economics, Geography, Government and Mathematics (Elective).
His dream is to study Economics at the University of Ghana.Â
A video interview [attached below] of how he was able to go to senior high school because of the free SHS educational policy has been shared on social media.
Amoaning in the interview narrated how he walked from Asuaba to Adeiso, a distance of about 6-kilometres on a daily basis to attend school.
He was a day student.
He said he was motivated to persevere because of his poor background.
His mother also narrated how Thomas, who is her second born would not have been able to go to SHS but for the free SHS policy and assistance from his teachers in Asuaba.
Scholarship
Following that, the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat in the Office of the President in a press statement issued Tuesday, November 24, 2020 by the Registrar, Kingsley Agyemang said, “H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has taken notice of a social media video reporting of the excellent results of Thomas Amoaning who lives in Asuaba near Adeiso and attended Adeiso SHS.”
It said as a normal practice and taking into consideration the socio-geographical background of the student, President Akufo-Addo has expressly directed the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat to grant a full scholarship award to the student for his tertiary studies.
It added that the Scholarship Secretariat has already established contact with the student and parent and will on Friday, November 27, 2020 pay a visit to the family to discuss their needs in detail.
After that, the Education Committee of the Scholarship Secretariat headed by Professor S.Y. Mensah will do a need based assessment to determine the way forward for Thomas Amoaning.
Beneficiaries
In the radio interview with Oman FM monitored by Graphic Online on Wednesday morning, Mr Agyemang said the scholarship secretariat has decentralized to the district level and would have captured Master Thomas Amoaning even without the social media appeal.
He said since the decentralization of the secretariat at the district level and also making the application available online, the number of applications have increased.
Since the portal was opened on March 31, 2020 and closed on June 15, 2020, a total of 278,350 applications were received, he said.
After going through the process including interviews at the district level, a total of about 45,000 would be getting the scholarship this year, Mr Agyemang added.
He said the number is expected to go up after the December 1 announcement to enable majority of the students from the first batch of the free SHS to get the opportunity for further studies.
He said already, one Abednego Sackey who obtained good grades at the SHS level and was from a deprived background is currently pursuing studies in medicine in Cuba on government scholarship.
Charlotte is also currently at Robert Gordon in Scotland on government scholarship.
Similarly, the child of a teacher who was gruesomely murdered in the Eastern Region has also been offered scholarship to pursue further studies, Mr Agyemang said.
Watch the video interview of Thomas Amoaning and mother below
Source: Graphic.com.gh
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has created massive unemployment with his bad leadership style, the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Dramani Mahama has said.
He noted that over the few years that Mr. Akufo-Addo has been in office, several jobs have been destroyed by his administration.
He cited the way and manner in which the banking cleanup exercise was undertaken by the government as one of the, in his view, poorest ways of handling a crisis of that nature.
He said to the people of Navrongo during his tour of the Upper East Region that “This is the greatest political sakawa that has ever happened,â€
“This government has destroyed more jobs than it has created. The only job they can point to is NaBCo, and yet they have destroyed more than 10,000 jobs in the bank sector.â€
He referred to the way and manner GN Bank was treated as one of the wasy Mr Akufo-Addo used in destroying businesses and jobs.
“All the GN banks used to have staff in them all over the country. Today where are those staff? They are all sitting at home,” John Mahama said.
Source:Â 3 News
Retired Superintendent Peter Lanchene Tuubo, an ex-Executive Secretary to former Inspector-General of Police, David Asante-Apeatu, has declared on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5 FM that, he will not entertain any security personnel without proper identification in his constituency during the December 7, 2020 polls.
The Wa West NDC parliamentary candidate told host, Kwabena Agyapong, that any special task force assigned for the 2020 polls without proper identification will ridicule the country.
He asked Ghanaians to learn lessons from the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency and how some security persons were unprofessionally used to intimidate people.
Ghanaians he opined must kick out the governing NPP because they have politicized the security agencies.
“The Ayawaso West Wuogon incident was a sign that showed the Ghanaians the need to vote out the NPP government. We have protected the democracy and we cannot anyone to destroy it,†he said.
The retired police said the government must not use the security agencies to intimidate people, harass their opponents and cause commotion in the country.
“Every security personnel should be properly identified. If I am a parliamentary candidate and you come to my constituency, and I realize you are not properly identified, I will not give you the space. The power of the people is more powerful than any bullet and any gun.â€
Source:Â rainbowradioonline.com
The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunication on Tuesday said the mobile network operators and infrastructure companies contributed GH¢3.2billion in taxes and other remittances to the government in 2019.
The taxes include total taxes borne, total taxes collected and other payments and remittances.
Value Added Tax (VAT) stood as one of the top tax lines of the industry, representing approximately 19 per cent of the Total Tax Contribution (TTC) in money terms of over ¢480million.
Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, CEO of the Chamber, presenting a study conducted by the Chamber said the figure represented approximately 9.5 per cent of Ghana’s annual total revenue basket.
The study was to measure the size of the contribution that members of the Chamber made to the Government. The members provided data on their tax payments for the financial/tax year ended December 31, 2019.
He said the study showed that the Communication Service Tax (CST) yielded GH¢414 million; Value Added Tax (VAT) – GH¢480 million; Corporate Income Tax (CIT)- GH¢832 million; Withholding Tax (WHT)- GH¢415 million; Import Duties – GH¢210 million and National Fiscal Stabilization Levy (NFSL) was GH¢71 million.
He said Surcharge on International Incoming Traffic (SIIT) accrued GH¢107 million in 2019 and was the quantum of six cents per every minute of call that comes from overseas into the country.
“Mobile Network Operators pay that to the National Communications Authority (NCA), the industry Regulator,†he added.
He said, “in addition to this, members of the Chamber sometimes shield the final consumer from input VAT incurred on expenses made within the business.â€
The CEO said there was also the pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) tax, which stood at GH¢96 million and finally the National Fiscal Stabilisation Levy (NFSL), which was GH¢71 million.
NFSL was introduced in 2013 to stabilize the economy over 18 months, ending December 2015. The tax has continuously been renewed.
Dr Ashigbey said the study also showed that the mobile industry widely provided 6,700 direct jobs and over 1.8 million indirect jobs, contributing 2.93 per cent to (Non-oil) Gross Domestic Product, and invested GH¢1.55 billion in capital expenditure within the fiscal year 2019.
He said despite the heavy tax burden, the telecommunications industry continues to commit investible funds into capital expenditure to meet customer service quality and experience needs.
“CAPEX investment has increased exponentially in the fiscal year, however, there is the need for policy to support and enable even more investment by all players into the ecosystem to meet customer demand for mobile services,” Dr Ashigbey added.
He said the mobile industry was of the view that policy enablers such as tax reforms, tax rebates concerning the import of infrastructure and equipment could improve the affordability of mobile technology and services for customers yielding greater strides for stakeholders in the long-term.
Data from the study showed the industry wielded over 41 million active voice SIMS, 28 million active data subscribers, 14.5 million active mobile money customers and over 300,000 active merchants/agents.
He said the study indicated that “appropriate spectrum management framework by National Communication Authority would provide the needed clarity for more funding into existing and new technologies such as 4G and 5G, which required further policy direction and support to grow”.
Dr Ashigbey said mobile was the most cost-effective way of extending access to Information Communication Technology (ICT), the internet in Ghana as well as driving the digitization agenda.
He said it was, therefore, fundamental to helping government achieve its objectives of expanding the ICT infrastructure, meeting last-mile goals, connecting the unconnected and positioning the economy as a smart and digital-ready market.
Source:Â GNA
At least 5,033 fire outbreaks were recorded nationwide from January to October this year by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) as against 4,623 within the same 10-month period last year, which shows an 8 per cent rise.
Out of the cases recorded, domestic fires were 1,758, industrial 99, vehicular 483, institutional 126, electrical 460, commercial 682, bush fires 1,199 and others 226.
The damage the fire caused to properties was estimated at GH¢28,421,058.18.
The Public Relations Officer of the GNFS, Divisional Officer Grade One (DOI) Ellis Okoe Robinson, disclosed this to the Ghanaian Times in Accra yesterday, adding that 23 people died and 31 suffered injuries as a result of fire outbreaks.
He said Ashanti Region recorded the highest number of cases of 990 and North East Region recorded the lowest of 22.
DOI Robinson said as efforts to reduce the fire canker in the country, the Service would intensify its education to the public to ensure they abided by the best practices.
He said the GNFS would sustain collaboration with key stakeholders in the discharge of their duties.
He mentioned some of the challenges of the Service as accessibility into markets during fire outbreaks, stating that kiosks, shops and other structures had been mounted at the entrances, making it difficult to have access to structures during emergencies.
The PRO said 175 acres of land were destroyed by bush fires across the country and urged farmers to construct farm belts when burning their bushes.
“Hunters and palm wine tappers should endeavour to put off their naked fires after use,†he added.
DOI Robinson appealed to Government to provide them with more logistics, adding that the Service currently had only 200 fire tenders countrywide with a good number of them having broken down.
DOI Robinson said the public must endeavour to make fire safety their priority at all times.
The Fire PRO urged stakeholders, especially Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, to collaborate with the GNFS when constructing markets.
“Market authorities should also engage the services of fire wardens for their markets,†he added.
He appealed to the media to partner the Service in its educational drive.
The PRO urged the public not to overload their sockets, and endeavour to put off and pull out plugs from sockets when leaving their offices and homes.
He said the public should call 192 emergency line when there was a fire outbreak.
Source:Â Ghanaian Times
Thomas Amoaning lives in Asuaba near Adeiso and read General Arts.
He obtained Excellent grades of A1 in Social Studies, English Language, Mathematics (Core), Integrated Science, Economics, Geography, Government and Mathematics (Elective).
His dream is to attend the University of Ghana to read Economics.
A video interview [attached below] of how he was able to go to senior high school because of the free SHS educational policy has been shared on social media.
Amoaning in the interview narrated how he walked from Asuaba to Adeiso, a distance of about 6-kilometres on a daily basis to attend school.
Happy Farmers day
He was a day student.
He said he was motivated to persevere because of his poor background.
His mother also narrated how Thomas, who is her second born would not have been able to go to SHS but for the free SHS policy
Following that, the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat in the Office of the President in a press statement issued Tuesday, November 24, 2020 by the Registrar, Kingsley Agyemang said, “H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has taken notice of a social media video reporting of the excellent results of Thomas Amoaning who lives in Asuaba near Adeiso and attended Adeiso SHS.”
It said the student reportedly scored 8 ‘A’s in the recently released WASSCE results.
It said as a normal practice and taking into consideration the socio-geographical background of the student, President Akufo-Addo has expressly directed the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat to grant a full scholarship award to the student for his tertiary studies.
It added that the Scholarship Secretariat has already established contact with the student and parent and will on Friday, November 27, 2020 pay a visit to the family to discuss their needs in detail.
Meanwhile, the Registrar of Scholarship, Mr Agyemang also revealed that a major announcement from the Secretariat would be made on Tuesday, December 1, 2020.
“We again, seize this opportunity to inform our cherished WASSCE graduates to prepare themselves for a big announcement from the Secretariat on Tuesday, 1st December, 2020.”
“The retooled Ghana Scholarships Secretariat is now strategically positioned to effectively deliver on its mandate of awarding scholarships to Ghanaians for tertiary education,” it added.
Watch the video interview below
Source: Graphic.com.gh
The Jammeh to Justice Coalition is calling on the government of Ghana to lead the advocacy in ensuring justice is served in the case involving the alleged killing of 44 Ghanaians in the Gambia in July, 2005.
For years, Civil Society organizations, survivors of the incident and families of the victims have made several attempts to ensure the former Head of State of the Gambia, Yahaya Jammeh is prosecuted for his alleged involvement in the killing and disappearance of some 56 West African migrants including 44 Ghanaians.
Speaking at a press conference in Kumasi, a survivor who doubles as the spokesperson for the survivors, Martin Kyere called on the leadership of all political parties to pledge their commitment to ensuring justice for the affected persons.
“We are deeply saddened that various administration of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) have not done much to ensure compensation for us.
“For example, our current President, Nana Akufo-Addo was the foreign minister when the unlawful things occurred and led a high-powered delegation. Former President John Dramani Mahama was the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana when the NDC administration signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the government in 2009. 500,000 dollars from the Gambia which was to be given to the family for burial was misappropriated.â€
In February 2005, over forty-four (44) Ghanaians who were making their journey to seek greener pastures were stopped when they entered the Gambian territorial water.
They were arrested and charges of attempting to topple Yahya Jammeh, as President were proffered against them.
These Ghanaians were allegedly tortured and killed on orders of Yahya Jammeh who had just been President through a bloody coup that brought him to power.
Source: citinewsroom
Seasoned Journalist, Kwesi Pratt Jnr has said the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) shouldn’t think their Free SHS policy is their trump card into the December elections.
The NPP is upbeat about their Free Senior High School (SHS) policy giving them victory during the general elections on Monday, December 7.
The party believes, with the successful rollout of the policy, their candidate, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will be granted a second term in office.
But Mr. Pratt has asked the NPP not to bank their hopes on the free education policy.
He explained that free education is not the main incentive to influence the votes of Ghanaians in favour of a particular candidate.
Speaking on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’, he chronicled events in the history of Ghana where political parties promised free education but it didn’t translate into votes.
To him, winning an election has got a lot to do with the choice of the electorate of a suitable candidate than it has to do with who introduced or implemented the free education programme.
“They are the first political party that didn’t only promise but also showed how they were going to raise the money. The Convention People’s Party also brought about this policy in the year 2000…but nobody voted for them. So, when you take a critical look at it, it doesn’t mean necessarily you will be voted for because the pioneers were not even voted for.”
“From the 1950s, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah introduced free compulsory basic education; enrollment in Secondary schools went up about nearly 1000 percent in the space of five years and so on but he was even overthrown,” he said.
Source:Â Peace FM
The office of former President Jerry John Rawlings is currently receiving tributes for the late president from institutions and individuals.
Any organisation or individual that wishes to contribute tributes to the memory of the former President is to forward such tributes to the office or email them to tributes@jjrawlingsmemorial.org.
The deadline for submissions is Saturday, December 5, 2020.
The Communications Directorate, Kobina Andoh Amoakwa in the signed statement stated that people who have memorabilia or photographs of the former statesman are to share such material via the email or contact the office on 0302231911/0264444464 to arrange for collection.
“The public is also to note that the book of condolence opened by the State to honour the memory of former President Rawlings has been extended by one week. Ghanaians are invited to the Accra International Conference Centre to pay their respects.
“Relations, friends, and institutions who wish to commiserate with the family are also invited to call to schedule appointments for such visits,†it added.
Former President Jerry John Rawlings died on Thursday, November 12, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital after a short illness.
Source:Â Myjoyonline.com
A tipper truck loaded with stones left two persons severely injured after it ran into the Awutu Bereku market in the wee hours of Tuesday.
The incident also destroyed six shops in the process.
According to the police, the accident occurred as a result of a brake failure.
The driver and his assistant sustained serious injuries as well and were rushed to the Awutu Bereku Health Centre for treatment .
The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) were called to the scene to help victims and as well tow the vehicle which was still stuck in one of the containers.
NADMO Director for Awutu Senya West, Razak Ibrahim also announced that government will take responsibility for the damages caused.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament George Andah, who visited the victims, has paid for their hospital bills.
Source:Â Myjoyonline
The Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has commissioned an ultra-modern sports complex at New Fadama in Accra.
The sports complex, funded by the Zongo Development Fund, saw the complete transformation of the old New Fadama Park, and it has been named after the National Chief Imam, an illustrious son of the community.
Addressing Zongo chiefs, Imams and thousands of people during the commissioning, Vice President Bawumia said the complex was constructed and named after the Chief Imam in fulfilment of a promise to him by President Akufo-Addo on the occasion of his 99th birthday in 2018.
“This gathering is a culmination of a noble gesture by President Akufo-Addo in April 2018, on the occasion of the 99th birthday anniversary of our father, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, to build an ultra-modern sports complex for the youth of New Fadama and name the facility after the National Chief Imam, a true icon of our nation,” Dr Bawumia said.
“Transforming this popular football park into an ultra-modern edifice for the football-crazy youth of New Fadama and its environs is as apt as naming the facility after the most iconic member of this community, and one of the greatest statesmen this country has produced, Dr Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu.”
With the construction of the complex, the Akufo-Addo government has now constructed 29 Astro turfs across the country in four years, and ten out of the 29 are located in Zongo communities across the country.
Dr Bawumia explained that President Akufo-Addo, as a former footballer in his youthful days, recognises Zongos as a hub for football talents, hence his government’s decision to invest in the provision of modern football parks and stadia to help unearth, nurture and promote more talents in Zongo communities.
“Historically, Zongos have produced some of the nation’s finest footballers like Baba Yara, Mohammed Polo, Sulley Muntari, etc. and it is our vision to help unearth more of such talents in the Zongos; that is why we are investing in these sports complexes.”
The Vice President stated that the transformation of the previously grassless and dusty Fadama Park into an ultra-modern complex for the youth of Fadama is part of the broader vision of President Akufo-Addo to prioritise and accelerate the development of Zongos, using the Ministry of Zongo and Inner Cities Development and the Zongo Development Fund as vehicles.
“Through the creation of the Ministry of Zongo and Inner Cities Development and the Zongo Development Fund, many Zongos are witnessing accelerated infrastructure development and opportunities for human resource development.”
“The Zongo Development Fund has supported the building and rehabilitation of access roads, bridges, drainage systems, clinics, toilets and water systems in many Zongo communities in all sixteen regions.”
Dr Bawumia also highlighted the Akufo-Addo government’s investment in education in Zongo communities such as the building of classroom blocks, providing tertiary grants to needy students and awarding scholarships to 40 students from Zongo to study medicine in Cuba on a government scholarship.
Having stated many achievements of the Akufo-Addo government in the Zongos, the Vice President was unequivocal in stating that no government in the history of Ghana has paid as much attention to Zongo communities as the Akufo-Addo government has done in its first term of office.
He appealed to the people of Zongo to reward President Akufo-Addo by voting for him to give him four more years to continue with his good works.
Source:Â www.ghanaweb.com
The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has advised political party supporters not to mass up at polling stations after voting.
They should also not usurp the duties of accredited polling agents and create unnecessary tension at polling stations.
Mr Patrick Asare, Head of Programmes of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Asante-Akim South Municipality, who gave the advice, said it was the civic duty of the electorate to observe all the electoral rules for a successful election.
He was speaking at a meeting of the Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC) as part of efforts to ensure a peaceful election in the Municipality.
Representatives of political parties, clergy, Muslim leaders, police and the assembly attended the meeting.
Chaired by the Municipal Coordinating Director, Mr Fredrick Agyemang, the Committee was formed by the NCCE to allow key stakeholders to discuss issues concerning the upcoming election.
Mr Asare called for political tolerance and urged the leadership of political parties to show the way for the followers to emulate.
He entreated the parties to put Ghana first in their activities and reminded them that their actions and inactions could trigger violence in the country.
Mr Gaston Defoe, the Municipal Director of the NCCE, asked the members of the IPDC to show commitment to the mandate of the committee in resolving electoral issues amicably and expeditiously.
He said Ghana had a reputation to protect as one of the most stable democracies in Sub-Saharan Africa and called on stakeholders to ensure a peaceful election.
The NCCE, he noted, would continue to engage the public on political tolerance and urged the clergy and Imams to join the campaign by using their platforms to preach peace ahead of the elections.
Mr Fredrick Agyemang, Chairman of the IPDC, said every well-meaning Ghanaian had a stake in the election and that it was important for all to commit to a peaceful election.
Source: GNA
Crusaders for National Salvation (CNS) has sensitized graduates of the free Senior High School (SHS) policy on how to vote ahead of the December 7 national elections.
The group urged the graduates who would be going to the polls for the first time to adhere to the education provided to them so their ballot papers do not stand the risk of being rejected when counted.
Speaking at the launch at Asikam in the Abuakwa South Constituency last Sunday, the Executive Director for CNS, Nana Kofi Fredua advised the fresh graduates who were beneficiaries of the free SHS policy from the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo led administration to vote the New Patriotic Party (NPP) when they get to the polls.
The Executive Director opined “if it had not been the NPP and the free SHS policy, a lot of you would have remained Junior High School (JHS) leavers if the NDC was to be in powerâ€.
He, therefore, called on the graduates to vote massively for the NPP to continue the free SHS policy else he added “should John Mahama and the NDC win power, they will terminate the policy and that will cut the dreams of their brothers and sisters who are yet to benefit from the policy shortâ€.
On his part, the Chief of Akyem Asikam, Osabarima Owusu Asante also underscored the need for the graduates to vote en masse for the NPP to advance the free SHS policy. He urged the graduates to advise their colleagues who could not attend the sensitization to make NPP their choice when time is due for the voting.
The chief thanked the group for giving him the honour to extend an invitation to him to attend the programme. Other executive members of the group include Collins Broni, Julius Okyere, Seth Antwi, Ebenezer Abrokwa and Eric Quansah.
Source:Â hotfmghana.com
Turkey forced German soldiers to abandon an operation aimed at enforcing the Libya arms embargo in the Mediterranean, the Bundeswehr Military said.
According to the Joint Military Command, German marines boarded a suspicious Turkish cargo ship on Sunday to check its cargo. But shortly afterwards, Turkey as the flag state vetoed the search and the German soldiers then had to abort the mission.
The German Defence Ministry said that “no forbidden goods were detected onboard the carrier” up until the point the check was called off.
Germany has since August been part of the European Union’s Irini mission, which seeks to stop shipments of weapons to conflict-ridden Libya.
The mission also seeks to tackle the smuggling of oil and fuel.
German marines abseiled down onto the vessel from a helicopter about 200 kilometres north of Benghazi, after no objection was voiced to the search by Turkey within four hours, a Defence Ministry spokesman said on Monday in Berlin.
He stressed that the decision to search the vessel had not been taken on board Germany’s Hamburg frigate, but by the Irini mission command in Rome.
Since there had been no objection at first, “everything had gone smoothly in terms of procedure,” said a spokeswoman for the Foreign Office.
Libya has been in turmoil since long-time ruler Moamer Gaddafi was toppled in 2011. The country became a proxy battleground for rival forces and foreign powers have been drawn into the conflict.
Turkey is the main backer of Libya’s UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli, led by Prime Minister Fayez Serraj, and has sent military personnel and equipment to back it up.
Serraj’s rival, military strongman Khalifa Haftar, is backed by Russia, Egypt, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, with reports suggesting he also receives military support.
The warring parties in Libya this month began UN-brokered direct political talks in a bid to find a time frame for national elections.
German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said on Monday that Germany, Britain, Italy and France supported this dialogue and welcomed efforts to draw up a road map for elections in December 2021.
This is an important step towards “re-establishing Libya’s sovereignty,” he told reporters.
Source:Â GNA