TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • I wont sack Martin Amidu if I win Mahama

    Former President John Mahama has served notice he will not interfere with the work of the special prosecutor, Martin Amidu, in the likely event that he wins the 2020 elections.

    Mr. Mahama said the role of the special prosecutor is important in the fight against corruption hence he will allow the office to continue to function since it was set up by an act of Parliament.

    To this end, he noted that he will warn his appointees not to mess with Mr. Amidu because he will give him space to execute his responsibilities effectively.

    Speaking to Accra-based Adom FM, the former President said the current NPP administration is making it difficult for the Special prosecutor to function effectively.

    “If we come, we leave the office of the Special Prosecutor to work freely, we will maintain it because it was established by Parliament. And the point is I will warn my appointees against messing with him (Amidu) because, if he gets hold of any of them for corruption, I cannot intervene. And that should be the attitude of a President towards corruption,” the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer for the December 7 elections said.

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor of Ghana was established after an act of the Parliament passed the Office of Special Prosecutor Bill in 2017.

    The office serves as an independent investigating and prosecution body to make inquiries into corruption, bribery, or other criminal cases at the national level whether they be in public or private sector

    The Government intended to lessen the burden on existing anti-corruption agencies and remove the institutional roadblocks that exist as hindrances to the fight against corruption. With the end result being to make anti-corruption agencies in the country more effective at discharging their duties.

    In addition, government experts have expressed the ineffectiveness of the Attorney-General as an effective prosecution and law enforcement tool in the fight against corruption because the appointment and dismissal of the Attorney-General is determined by the president.

    Therefore, the Office of the special prosecutor serves as the autonomous body to handle sensitive cases which the Attorney General will otherwise be ineffective at handling.

    Amidu is the first to hold the position of a special prosecutor.

    Source: Daily Mail

  • Ill warn my appointees against messing with Amidu – Mahama

    NDC flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, says he will warn his appointees not to take the office of the Special Prosecutor for granted if he wins the December polls.

    Mr Mahama also says he will give the Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu the space to do his work to the best of his abilities.

    Speaking to Accra-based Adom FM, the former President said the current NPP administration is making it difficult for the Special prosecutor to function effectively.

    “If we come, we leave the office of the Special Prosecutor to work freely, we will maintain it because it was established by Parliament. And the point is I will warn my appointees against messing with him (Amidu) because, if he gets hold of any of them for corruption, I cannot intervene. And that should be the attitude of a President towards corruption”.

    OSP

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor of Ghana was established after an act of the Parliament passed the Office of Special Prosecutor Bill in 2017.

    The office serves as an independent investigating and prosecution body to make inquiries into corruption, bribery, or other criminal cases at the national level whether they be in public or private sector

    The Government intended to lessen the burden on existing anti-corruption agencies and remove the institutional roadblocks that exist as hindrances to the fight against corruption. With the end result being to make anti-corruption agencies in the country more effective at discharging their duties.

    In addition, government experts have expressed the ineffectiveness of the Attorney-General as an effective prosecution and law enforcement tool in the fight against corruption because the appointment and dismissal of the Attorney-General is determined by the president.

    Therefore, the Office of the special prosecutor serves as the autonomous body to handle sensitive cases which the Attorney General will otherwise be ineffective at handling.

    Martin Amidu is the first to hold the position of Special Prosecutor.

    Source: Starr FM

  • UG: Delay in reopening should not prevent you from voting TESCON to students

    Persons, especially students, who have their polling centres on the campus of the University of Ghana, have been asked not to hesitate in coming back to campus to cast their vote in the forthcoming December polls.

    This is coming from the University of Ghana chapter of the Tertiary Students Confederacy of the New Patriotic Party.

    It comes on the back an announcement from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo that tertiary universities are to commence the 2020/2021 academic year in January 2021.

    Speaking to UniversNews, TESCON communications member, Kofi Ampong, admonished students to make efforts to come back to campus on election day just as they did during the voter registration exercise.

    He pointed out the voting was their civic right, hence, the need to break any hindrance that may prevent them from exercising it.

    “If we cast our mind back to the registration period, we were all aware that we were home but yet still students managed to find their way to campus to register. The same way by which students found their way to campus to register to vote, that is the same way by which they should find their way to campus to vote,” he said.

    He was, however, quick to add that students may use the option of vote transfer if they believe that coming to campus will be a problem.

    “In any case, if you are a student and you feel intimidated or that coming to campus to vote in December will be a problem for you, the Electoral Commission has opened a window of voter transfer where anyone who registered can transfer their votes to another place of your choice. So that is another option student can explore,” he added.

    Source: My News GH

  • Ecobank Ghana drags stock market down despite gains in other stocks

    The bear market ruling the Ghana Stock Exchange is refusing to go away as the stockmarket gets closer to its third full year fall on the trot. The benchmark GSE all share index closed the week 18.22 points (-0.98%) lower at 1,864.32 with a -18.21% year-to-date return due to Ecobank Ghana (- 14.29%) while the market capitalization moderated by 0.05% to close at GH¢53.27 billion.

    The GSE Financial Index shed 33.21 points (-1.94%) to close at 1,667.29 with a -17.45% year-to-date return in spite of gains in Ecobank Transnational (+16.67%), Societe Generale (+9.38%) and Standard Chartered (+0.67%).

    The SAS Manufacturing Index was unchanged at 1,934.21 with a yearto-date return of -44.44%.

    A total of 10,686,783 shares valued at GH¢8,090,248 changed hands from 11,455,041 shares valued GH¢8,069,161 last week. MTN Ghana dominated trades by volume and value, accounting for 86.59% of the total volume traded and 69.75% of the total value traded.

    Source: SAS Ghana

  • Man stripped naked and lynched by unknown residents

    A man believed to be about 25 years of age has been lynched in Adweso Mile -50 junction area in the Eastern Regional Capital, Koforidua.

    The naked body of the victim was found on the streets early Monday morning.

    Police investigators examination and inspection of the body revealed deep cuts on the right side of the head and also at the buttocks of the deceased.

    There was also a cut on the penis and multiple injuries all over the body.

    Meanwhile, Assembly Member for the area Ebenezer Opare has told Police investigators that the deceased is not known in the community, therefore, believes he might have been lynched in a different community but dumped in his electoral area to thwart arrest.

    The body has been deposited at the Eastern Regional Hospital Morgue after Dr. Eunice Kegyeda medically confirmed him dead.

    The Acting Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command DSP Ebenezer Tetteh told Starr News that investigation is ongoing but, however, appealed to the general public whose relative is missing to report to the police for identification.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu will retain Suame seat Haruna Iddrisu

    The Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, has said his Majority counterpart, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, will win the upcoming parliamentary elections, despite challenges from an independent contender for the Suame seat.

    Mr. George Prempeh, with links to the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), is contesting as an independent candidate, determined to unseat Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.

    Mr. Prempeh was unable to contest the NPP primaries because the delegates endorsed the current Suame MP to go unopposed.

    However, the Minority Leader, during a comment on the Floor of Parliament, suggested that attempts to unseat the incumbent Suame MP would fail.

    He was speaking during the motion for the House to adopt the Business Statement for the Third Week.

    Mr. Iddrisu suggested that legislators must ensure there was a balance between their presence in their constituencies and the work in the House, as they endeavoured to retain their seats in the next elections.

    He called on the ministers of state and the Majority Leader to prioritize bills to the House rather than stampeding the House with bills in what he called “the November of the four-year mandate.”

    He said bills like the National Ambulance Bill and the National Blood Transfusion Bill could wait in preference to critical bills of government like the Council of State and Anti Money Laundering bills.

    Mr. Iddrisu commended the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Gloria Akuffo, who was present in the House, for writing to inform him on legislation she would want to be worked on.

    Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu announced that 60 bills were programmed for the meeting and that there had been a meeting for ministers to prioritize bills scheduled for the House.

    He explained that the National Blood Transfusion Bill had come on board because of the exigencies of the time.

    Meanwhile, Majority Chief Whip, Kwasi Ameyaw Cheremeh, reading the Business Statement on behalf of the Majority Leader, announced that the House would sit on Monday, October 26, 2020.

    Source: Daily Mail

  • EC must be commended for refunding filing fee to disqualified candidates – Kwaku Azar

    US-based Ghanaian law lecturer, Kwaku Asare has commended the Electoral Commission (EC) for refunding the GHc100,000 filing fee to the disqualified presidential aspirants in the upcoming 2020 presidential polls.

    The lawyer and accountant in a Facebook post said the EC led by Mrs. Jean Mensa deserves commendation for this decision.

    The respected lawyer, however, asked the EC to also refund the filing fee of the qualified candidates to help them use it for their campaigns.

    His post read: “My sister, Jean Adukwei Mensa and the EC, deserve applause for refunding the filing fees of the disqualified presidential aspirants”.

    We also urge her to refund the filing fees to all qualified aspirants who need the funds to wage an effective campaign.

    We commend the disqualified candidates for their courage in offering their services and wish them luck the next time.

    We wish the qualified candidates luck in December and pray that they will not only campaign on the issues but also govern in the interest of all the people if, Insha Allah, they win.

    “We urge the citizens not to be lured into any needless violence over who should lead the country but rather do serious analysis prior to casting the ballot.”

    Five presidential aspirants have been disqualified by the EC.

    According to the EC, the 5 were disqualified over forgeries on their innovation form a.

    The forgeries by the presidential aspirants have however been referred to the Ghana Police Service for further investigation.

    The disqualified candidates include Kwesi Busumbru [PAP], Akwesi Addae Odike [UFP], Marricke Kofi Gane [independent], Kofi Koranteng [independent], and Agyenim Boateng [independent].

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Why EC disqualified Odike and 4 others from 2020 Presidential polls

    The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has made public some of the problems disqualified candidates had with their nomination forms.

    According to the Commission, independent aspirant Marricke Gane presented fake signatures on his forms.

    Also, Akwasi Addae Odike of the UPP faked signatures of people to complete his form. Kwesi Busumuru of the Popular Action Party also had fake signatures and had no supporters for some districts in Greater Accra Region.

    For Nana Agyenim Boateng of the UFP, three persons denied endorsing his candidature.

    This means 12 candidates will be found on the Ballot paper on December 7 after five of the candidates were cleared off the contest.

    Source: My News GH

  • NDC parliamentary aspirant in police grips over cheque issued to suspected criminals

    Paul Ofori Amoah, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate for Agona West, is being interrogated by the Central Regional Police CID in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate Mrs Cynthia Morrison, Member of Parliament for the area.

    Amoah has confirmed to the police that two bank-cheques found on two of the four suspected criminals the police arrested Saturday were issued by him.

    Giving an update on the development of the case, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Irene Serwaah Oppong, Regional Public Relations Officer, told the media that Mrs Morrison, also the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, on Monday made a formal complaint to the police over the ploy to have her assassinated.

    On Saturday night, the four suspects, Saddick Abubakar, Gordon Kunya, Isaac Addea, and Dauda Fatau were picked up by the police at a hotel at Swedru based on intelligence.

    The police team dispatched to the hotel met the suspects lodging in rooms eight and nine and upon a search, they retrieved a knife and a cutlass in room eight, occupied by Addea and Fatau Dauda.

    DSP Oppong said the team also searched room nine, occupied by Gordon Kunya and Saddick Abubakar, and found a lighter and two packets of razers as well as two bank opened-cheques for GHC5000.00 each on Dauda and Gordon.

    They were cautioned on the charges of preparation to commit a crime, to wit murder, and carrying an offensive weapon.

    The plea of the suspects, who appeared before a Circuit Court in Cape Coast, presided over by Mrs Dorinda Smith Arthur, were not taken and they have been remanded in police custody to re-appear on Friday, October 30.

    DSP Oppong said the caution statement of Mr Amoah, currently in the custody of the police CID, had also been taken, charged with abetment to commit a crime, to wit murder, and preparation to commit a crime.

    She said investigations were ongoing and appealed to the public to volunteer relevant information to the Police.

    Source: GNA

  • Hold Akufo-Addo accountable Mahama charges media

    John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the opposition NDC, has urged the media to hold President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo accountable for the promises he made to Ghanaians ahead of the 2016 general elections.

    “The media is not holding the government accountable despite knowing what is going on in the galamsey sector,” Mahama said in an interview aired on the Multimedia platforms.

    He further accused the government of seizing concessions and handing them over to NPP members.

    “So, if you go to the mining communities, DCEs [District Chief Executives] and NPP party chairmen are actively in the galamsey business,” he alleged.

    Mahama noted that scrutiny by the media during his tenure is not the same as during the Akufo-Addo presidency.

    “Government officials have never been involved in galamsey in our time as compared to now,” he said.

    “Akufo-Addo has failed when it comes to the fight against galamsey and he probably should even not be running for office.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • GJA announces winners for 25th GJA Awards

    The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) on Monday announced winners for its 25th GJA awards slated for October 24, at the Movenpick Hotel in Accra.

    The event, on the theme: “COVID-19 and credible presidential and parliamentary elections: The media factor” is to celebrate journalists who submitted quality entries to the competition and distinguished themselves in the professional practice.

    Mrs Betty Apau-Oppon, Chairperson of the Awards Committee, said the awards was to identify and celebrate journalists who had distinguished themselves in 2019, as well as those who were outstanding in 2020 in reporting on the COVID-19 pandemic.

    She said this year the GJA Secretariat received 625 hard and 75 online entries.

    “Some entries did not have names and media houses and were not signed by their editors. Some journalists submitted more entries than required and therefore flouted the rules of the competition. Some entries were found to be shoddy and did not meet journalistic standards,” she added.

    She said winners of the competitive awards are Seth Bokpe, Rebbeca Kwei, Gabriel Ahiabor, Emmanuel Edu Gyamera, Mohammed Fugu, Timothy Ngnenbe, Moses Dotse Akloboto, Biiya Mukusah Ali and Henkin Adjase Kodjoe, all of the Daily Graphic.

    Others are Peggy Ama Donkor, Beatrice Senadju, and Oforiwaa Darko, of GTV, Wendy Atswei Laryea, Zoe Anita Odei, Alfred Akrofi Ocansey, Josephine Antwi Adjei, and Serah Apenkroh Parku of TV3, Anthony Adongo Apubeo, Ceasar Abagali, Albert Oppong Ansah and Prosper Koworsor of the GNA.

    The rest are Kwame Anum, Afia Amankwa Tamakloe, Kojo Mensah Aboroampa, and Samuel Alfred Amoh all of Adom TV, David Andoh of Myjoyonline, Kingsley Komla Adom, Albert Sore, and Nancy Dzradosi, Prince Appiah of Joy News, John Vigar, Adade Akapuleg, and Raissa Sambou of Ghanaian Times, Alberto Mario Noretti of Spectator, Nabil Ahmed Rufai of GH One, Regina Asamoah of Atinka TV and Linda Tenya Ayettey of Daily Guide.

    The non-competitive awardees are; Albert Futukpor, Eric Amoh and Beatrice Asamani Savage of the GNA, Ama Sarpong Kumakuma, Dickson Tweneboah Kodua, Efua Mensah, and Jojo Agyare of UTV, Portia Gabor and Joseph Armstrong of TV3, Emefa Paul of Joy News, Benard Avle of Citi Fm and TV, and Emmanuel Quaye of Daily Graphic.

    The rest are Akua Boakyewaa Yiadom, Ebo Quansah, Alhaji Abdul Raman Gomda, Dave Agbenu, Kobby Asmah, Justice Mingle, Patience Adjaye Larte, Daniel Nii Dodoo Amoo, Edwin Yaw Appiah, Pelvis Atsu Kuadey, Robert Tetteh, Ibrahim Kwarteng, and Sampson Lardi Ayenini.

    Mrs Apau-Oppon said Media houses to be awarded also include GTV, Metro TV, TV3, Joy News, UTV, GNA GHONE, Atinka TV, Asempa FM, Peace FM, Citi TV, TV Africa, Twin City Radio, Space FM, Classic FM, Lorlornyo FM, Akyemansa FM, Radio Tamale, Beyond FM Obonu FM, ATL FM and Nhyir FM.

    Mr Affail Monney, President of the GJA, congratulated the awardees for excelling from a “pack of journalists” many of whom all stood the chance of winning.

    Source: GNA

  • NDC Agona West PC admits issuing GH¢10,000 cheque to suspects arrested for plotting MPs murder

    The National Democratic Congress parliamentary candidate for Agona West, Paul Ofori Amoah has owned up to issuing two cheques to some four suspects arrested by police in connection to an alleged plot to assassinate the Member of Parliament for the Area, Cynthia Mamle Morrison.

    Mr Amoah who is being interrogated by the Central Regional Police told the police that he was the person who issued the cheques found on the suspects at the time of their arrest.

    Regional Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Irene Serwaa Oppong giving a brief on the case said the four suspects, Saddick Abubakar, Gordon Kunya, Isaac Addea, and Dauda Fatau were picked up by the police at a hotel at Swedru based on intelligence after they had received a formal complaint from the MP over a plot to assassinate her.

    When the suspects were arrested at the hotel, the police retrieved from them items including a knife, a cutlass, a lighter and two packets of rizzler as well as two bank opened-cheques for GHC5000 each.

    The police through its investigations established a connection to the NDC parliamentary candidate and subsequently invited him for questioning.

    Mr Paul Amoah who laughed off earlier reports of his arrest in connection with the case, according to police has admitted to issuing the cheques.

    The four suspects have since appeared before a Cape Coast Circuit Court presided over by Her Lordship Dorinda Smith Arthur and have been remanded into custody to reappear on Friday, October 30, 2020.

    According to DSP Oppong, the caution statement of Mr Amoah who is also currently in the custody of the police CID has been taken and he has subsequently been charged with abetment to commit crime (murder) and preparation to commit crime.

    The Regional Police Command says it is continuing investigations into the matter and has appealed to the general public to volunteer relevant information to the police.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu cannot be unseated Minority Leader

    Minority Leader and Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, said his Majority counterpart, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, will win the upcoming parliamentary elections, despite challenges from an independent contender for the Suame seat.

    Mr George Prempeh, with links to the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), is contesting as an independent candidate, determined to unseat Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the MP for Suame and Leader of Government Business.

    Mr Prempeh was unable to contest the NPP primaries because the delegates endorsed the current Suame MP to go unopposed.

    However, the Minority Leader, during a comment on the floor of Parliament, suggested that attempts to unseat the incumbent Suame MP would cut no ice.

    He was speaking during the motion for the House to adopt the Business Statement for the Third Week.

    Mr Haruna suggested that legislators must ensure there was balance between their presence in their constituencies and the work in the House, as they endeavoured to retain their seats in the next elections.

    Mr Iddrisu called on the ministers of state and the Majority Leader to prioritise bills to the House rather than stampeding the House with bills in what he called “the November of the four-year mandate.”

    He said bills like the National Ambulance Bill and the National Blood Transfusion Bill could wait in preference to critical bills of government like the Council of State and Anti Money Laundering bills.

    Mr Iddrisu commended the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Gloria Akufo, who was present in the House, for writing to inform him on legislation she would want to be worked on.

    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu announced that 60 bills were programmed for the meeting and that there had been a meeting for ministers to prioritise bills scheduled for the House.

    He explained that the National Blood Transfusion Bill had come on board because of the exigencies of the time.

    Meanwhile, Majority Chief Whip, Kwasi Ameyaw Cheremeh, reading the Business Statement on behalf of the Majority Leader, announced that the House would sit on Monday, October 26, 2020.

    Source: GNA

  • Agona West: Police invite NDC parliamentary candidate over alleged plot against Cynthia Morrison

    The Central Regional Police Command has invited the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Agona West, Paul Ofori Amoah in connection with an alleged plot to kill the incumbent Member of Parliament for the constituency, Cynthia Morrison.

    Mrs. Morrison had made a formal complaint to the police about four men who were arrested at a hotel in Agona Swedru saying they had plotted to kill her.

    Paul Ofori Amoah reported to the Central Regional Police Headquarters in Cape Coast upon an invitation by the police.

    According to the Public Relations Officer of the Central Regional Police Command, DSP Irene Oppong, the NDC parliamentary candidate “admitted to issuing the two bank cheques that were picked by police at the hotel when a search was conducted in the rooms and also on the suspects.”

    “The parliamentary candidate is at the regional CID and is assisting police investigations,” she added.

    The four suspects have been remanded in police custody by a Cape Coast Circuit court presided over by Her Lordship Dorinda Smith Arthur and will be re-arraigned on October 30, 2020

    They were cautioned on preparation to commit murder and carrying offensive weapons.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • NIA officer wasnt killed at our meeting National Peace Council

    The Northern Regional office of the National Peace Council has denied reports that the National Identification Authority (NIA) staff, who was killed in Sanguli in the Saboba district in the Northern Region was in a National Peace Council meeting before he met his untimely death.

    Two weeks ago there were reports that some gunmen had allegedly attacked a National Peace Council delegation at a district in the Northern Region leaving several others injured.

    According to the spokesperson of the National Peace Council, Rev. Father Thaddeus, the meeting was not organised by the National Peace Council. He thus called on citizens to disregard such misleading information.

    “The fact is that the Northern Regional office of the National Peace Council in collaboration with the District Assemblies of Saboba and Chereponi set up two peace committees in the two districts to support the work of the District Security Councils with regard to the recurring conflicts in the two districts.”

    “Other partner organisations invite committee members to assist in the implementation of district-level activities and as a result, Saboba Peace Committee Chairman was invited to chair an implementation committee office which he went there, not as the peace committee chairman but the chairman of the implementation committee. So that activity cannot be said to be Peace Council activity. It is therefore misleading to associate the activity with the Peace Council.”

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Passport application to be disrupted by relocation of Ridge office

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has announced that the Passport Office will be relocated.

    The Ministry said in a statement that the relocation of the Office at Ridge to its new office building will be from Tuesday, October 20 to Friday, October 23.

    “This will result in the disruption of service delivery to the public,” the statement said.

    “However, the office would resume operations on Monday, 26th October, 2020.”

    The new office is located at Gamel Abdul Nasser Avenue near the British High Commission and the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ).

    The Ministry said it regrets any inconveniences that will be caused by the relocation exercise.

    Source: 3 News

  • Prosecution to have tough time over death of key suspect in Prof Bennehs case Lawyer

    A private legal practitioner, Christian Lebrechet Malm-Hesse, has noted that the prosecution will have a tough time to successfully prosecute the case of the alleged murder of the law Professor Emmanuel Yaw Benneh.

    This follows the death of the prime suspect in the case, James Nana Womba.

    Mr Malm-Hesse told Stephen Anti on Midday Live on TV3 Monday, October 19 that the police will now have to rely on circumstantial evidence to conduct the case.

    This, he explained, is difficult because the evidence that will need to be gathered under a circumstantial approach may have been tampered with, a situation that create difficulties for the state.

    “The prosecution has big legal hurdle to climb,” he said.

    The suspect is reported to have died at the Police Hospital in Accra on Monday, October 19

    “This is not a good one for the prosecution team. He is the one who mentioned names leading to arrests of others

    “The police will now have to depend on circumstantial evidence and that is going to be a little bit hurdle for the prosecution.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Citi FM loses journalist, Pius Amihere Eduku

    A journalist with Adabraka-based Citi FM/TV, Pius Amihere Eduku, has been reported dead.

    The business reporter cum news anchor is reported to have been battling an undisclosed sickness until he passed.  

    On Monday morning, social media was flooded with news of his death with many of his colleagues, friends, and fans talking about their shock when they heard of his passing.

    Others have been paying tribute to the fallen soldier.

    Source: myjoyonline

  • Coronavirus: All isolation centres now empty Akufo-Addo

    President Akufo-Addo has revealed there are currently no patients at the COVID-19 isolation centres in the country.

    According to him, despite a zero-patient ratio across the centres, government has since expanded COVID-19 facilities accross the country from two to 16 which includes some private-owned facilities.

    Addressing the nation on Sunday, October 18, 2020 on measures taken by government to curtail the spread of the coronavirus, President Akufo-Addo said, “We now have more dedicated treatment facilities for dealing with the disease, and have also improved considerably the availability of PPEs for our health workers. It is reassuring that we no longer have news of shortages or lack of PPEs.

    “In as much as we currently have no patients at the isolation centres, I express the gratitude of the nation, once again, to private and religious bodies, who provided their facilities to support the fight,” he said.

    Additionally, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said some 46,974 persons out 510,074 persons had tested positive for Coronavirus since Ghana recorded its first two cases on March 12, 2020.

    So far, some 46,664 persons have fully recovered from the virus with a death toll of 310 as of Sunday, October 18, 2020, according to the President Akufo-Addo.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Fuel tanker drivers threaten sit-down strike

    Fuel tanker drivers across the country have been directed by their mother association, the Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union not to move any of their trucks today, Monday, October 19, 2020.

    The association in a letter said all the drivers must however report to their respective loading gantries.

    “We are informing all tanker drivers across the country that on Monday, 19th October 2020, no driver should move a truck but report to their various loading gantries at Tema for Union Offices, Takoradi, Buipe, Kumasi respectively,” the letter from the association said.

    It is unclear the reason for the directive but Citi News understands that the association will organize a press briefing later today to give details about the decision.

    Previous strikes

    In September 2020, tanker drivers operating at the Buipe depot in the Savannah Region declared an indefinite strike over the refusal of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transport (BOST) management to fix malfunctioning loading metres at the depot.

    Months earlier, the drivers kicked against the implementation of the new Electronic Cargo Tracking System by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).

    The Electronic Cargo Tracking System and the National Command Centre from the National Petroleum Authority was launched in Accra in January 2020 to improve the efficiency of NPA in the monitoring of Bulk Roads Vehicles nationwide and also check illicit activities associated with the transportation of petroleum products across the country.https://www.youtube.com/embed/2ecPzYwC-_U

    But the drivers threatened to strike if the implementation is not suspended.

    They said the NPA must hold on with the implementation until the partial lockdown announced in parts of the country earlier in the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic is over.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • 4More 4Nana means 4 more years of debt for Ghana – Mahama jabs Akufo-Addo

    The leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has poked fun at the popular slogan of the ruling government (4More 4Nana) in the build-up to the December Presidential and parliamentary elections.

    He said the slogan is merely designed to add more debts and weaken the economy since that has become the hallmark of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) since they came into power.

    “They have done nothing with the money, yet they are asking for four more. Is it four more to add more debts to the already existing debts” Mr. Mahama, delivering a speech at a Town Hall meeting at Cape Coast in the Central Region, recounted how his government utilized the national revenue?

    He stated that his government incurred a debt of GH¢56 billion but President Akufo-Addo, in his first term, has recorded a whopping 140 billion debt stock.

    “What has he used the 140 billion his government has borrowed for?” the NDC flagbearer quizzed

  • Ghana’s PCR negative test remains three days before boarding flight – Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says the PCR negative test period before boarding a flight to Ghana remains three days despite calls for extension to at least five days.

    He explained that in view of the second wave of COVID-19 infections engulfing many countries in Europe and America, it was imperative for the nation to insist on the three-day period.

    “It is better to be safe than sorry,” he added.

    President Akufo-Addo announced this in his 18th televised address on Sunday night, on enhanced measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

    Ghana reopened the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) on September 1, 2020 after closure for six months, to prevent the importation of the virus into the country.

    So far, the authorities at the KIA have tested 30,564 disembarking passengers at the airport out of which 92 tested positive.

    President Akufo-Addo, highlighting the significance of testing at the airport, noted that, all the 92 positive cases were asymptomatic, whose status could not have been detected, and would have unintentionally spread the disease among the Ghanaian population.

    The President indicated that despite the successes chalked so far in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus remained a mystery, hence it was prudent to tread cautiously and continue observing all the safety protocols.

    He re-affirmed government’s commitment towards limiting the importation of the virus, provide adequate care for the sick and reduce the impact of the pandemic on social and economic life of the people.

    As of Friday, October 16, the number of active cases has declined further to 398, with 46,664 persons fully recovered, representing 98.5 per cent recovery rate.

    Three hundred and ten (310) persons have succumbed to the disease, representing 0.5 per cent fatality rate, with 510,074 tests conducted so far.

    The President said the country’s ultimate goal was to achieve zero active case scenario.

    President Akufo-Addo attributed the country’s success situation to government’s effective policies and interventions, the co-operation of all well-meaning Ghanaians and the grace of God.

    Source: GNA

  • Dec polls: Live up to expectation IGP to Police

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr James Oppong-Boanuh, has urged Police Officers and officers from other security services who will partake in election security for December 2020 to live up to the expectation of Ghanaians and the global community.

    “Ladies and gentlemen we are duty bearers. Our duties are governed by law. When discharged effectively, the people we serve would definitely be happy with us. Let us live up to the expectation of the people,” Mr Oppong-Boanuh said.

    The IGP made this counsel when he met with Police Officers in the Ahafo region, on 14th October 2020 when he inspected the operational capability of the Ahafo Regional Police Command, and their readiness for the upcoming elections.

    The Ahafo Regional Police Commander, DCOP Mr Ernest Kwabena Owusu briefed the IGP on the state of capability of the Police.

    Simulations exercises were also undertaken to demonstrate preparedness of the officers.

    Source: Class FM

  • Lead suspect in Prof Bennehs murder dies

    The lead suspect in the murder of Legon Law lecturer, Professor Yaw Benneh has died at the Police Hospital in Accra on Saturday.

    According to Police, he had been sick for a while and had been put on oxygen at the intensive care unit of the hospital but died after some time.

    James Nana Womba had earlier confessed his involvement in the gruesome murder of the late law professor at his Adjiriganor mansion in Accra.

    He was one of four who were initially arrested on suspiscion of the murder.

    Following his confession and naming of his accomplices, the state dropped charges against the other three.

    Officers of the Ghana Police Service have also been able to effect the arrest of one of the said accomplices.

    One Opambour Agya Badu who prosecutors describe as a named accomplice of Mr. Womba has since been arrested and charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

    The state prosecutors says efforts are underway to apprehend the two others as they got the court to grant them an arrest warrant.

    The names of the two were not stated in court.

    The two persons currently standing trial have been remanded in the custody of the police to re-appear on October 14.

    Prof Emmanuel Yaw Benneh was allegedly murdered at his Adjirigano mansion in Accra.

    His body was found days after with his hands tied and cloth stuffed in his mouth.

  • Corrupt public officers could face 25-years in jail under new law

    Public officers who are found guilty of corruption under the amended Criminal Offences law could face up to 25 years in jail.

    Section 260 of the memorandum that accompanied the bill stipulates that a public officer who fails a set of accountability requirements could be jailed between 12 to 25 years.

    The amended law, which was passed last week, is awaiting presidential assent to become effective.

    The new law also amends the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) to categorise the offence of corruption as a felony and provide a stiff penalty for a person who commits the offence of corruption and other related offences.

    It provides generally for the rules of punishment for offences described as a first degree felony, second degree felony and a misdemeanor. A distinct category of offences under the new law is the proposal for a term of imprisonment not exceeding twenty-five years for corruption which was categorised as misdemeanors under the old law.

    The amended law reiterates existing offences under various provisions of the previous law but substitutes the relevant provisions by providing specifically for stiffer penalties to bring them within the category of a first-degree or second-degree felony.

    The amending provisions also stipulate the minimum and maximum thresholds. The thresholds serve as a yardstick to guide judges in the determination of the term of imprisonment to impose.

    Other amendments comprise false declaration for office or voting, false certificate by public officer, destruction of document by a public officer, deceiving a public officer, accepting or giving bribe to influence a public officer or juror, corrupt promise by judicial officer or juror, corrupt selection of juror and corruption, intimidation and personation in respect of election.

    Corruption, undoubtedly, constraints the economic growth of a country as it reduces revenue to the state and distorts economic development by rewarding the dishonest rather than the most competent, the report states.

    Source: Business 24

  • GSS rolls out Pre-Certification Training Programme for national trainers

    Ghana Statistical Service has launched the maiden Pre-certification Training for National Trainers with the initiation of registration, which does not require the payment of any fees.

    The online application for the training programme attracted 3,058 applications from all over the country.

    A competitive shortlisting, screening and interview process led to the selection of 1,744 applicants who will participate in the programme.

    The training will combine virtual with in-person training. The virtual training of National Trainers, which is the first of its kind, is one of the innovations of the upcoming digital Population and Housing census.

    The virtual training allows for a cost-effective sustained engagement and is designed to give participants the flexibility to learn at their own pace and at times most suited for them.

    The mode of course delivery will be mainly offline with participants required to listen to pre-recorded lectures and complete uploaded assessments.

    Participants will have the chance to interact live with facilitators once a week as well as post their questions and comments in their group platforms. The virtual training programme kicks off with orientation starting from 19th October 2020 for participants.

    The orientation will provide an introduction to the training and an overview of the tools needed to train successfully in censuses.

    The main virtual training will start on 26th October 2020 and is scheduled to run for three months.

    The conduct of the Census is in accordance with the objectives of Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) to provide quality, relevant, accurate and timely statistical information for the purpose of national development as stipulated in Clause 3 of the Statistical Service Act, 2019 (Act 1003) and oversight of capacity building in the statistical ecosystem.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Revenue collectors chased away from Tapa market by residents

    Revenue collectors from the Biakoye District Assembly of the Oti Region on Friday, October 16, 2020, were chased away from the Tapa Abotoase Market by chiefs and residents of the town.

    Adom online reports that the chiefs and residents led by the Nkwakwahene of the of Tapa Traditional land accused the District Chief Executive of the area, Madam Comfort Akua Atta, of neglecting the area by refusing to heed to several appeals made on her by Nananom to construct the road to the market which is a major revenue haven for the assembly.

    The Nkwakwahene revealing the refusal of the DCE to honour invitations by Nananom on three occasions, warned the assembly to desist from collecting revenue at the Abotoase Market until the market road was constructed.

    Drivers plying the road and some youth also explained the cause of their actions, adding that, they were fully prepared to face off with revenue collectors from the Assembly.

    The drivers said they will be compelled to regulate and manage the Abotoase market if the Assembly fails to construct the market road.

    “The only public toilet in the area has also been locked up for more than four months now,” they stated.

    According to the drivers, they have over the years had to pay several levies including parking fees, loading fees among others for which they are yet to witness any benefit, a situation they say has been compounded with poor waste management in the market.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • COVID-19: Limit on number of persons allowed at conferences lifted

    The limit on the number of persons allowed to attend conferences has been lifted.

    President Akufo-Addo made the announcement during his eighteenth COVID-19 update to the nation.

    “The limit on the number of persons who can attend conferences, workshops and award events, has been lifted, subject to the strict adherence of COVID-19 protocols.”

    This is in accordance with the strategic, controlled, progressive, and safe easing of restrictions to restore the lives of Ghanaians and the economy back to normal, according to the President.

    During the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana, the government banned all public gatherings including conferences, workshops, funerals, festivals, political rallies, church activities, and other related events as part of measures to stop the spread of coronavirus in the country.

    The restrictions were subsequently eased.

    The President further urged Ghanaians to continue wearing face masks to ensure that COVID-19 is defeated in Ghana.

    “I urge all of you, my fellow Ghanaians, to continue to comply with strict hygiene, mask-wearing, and social distancing protocols that have become part of our daily routines. This is the surest way by which we can defeat the virus, and avoid a second wave of infections,” he added.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • V/R: Gbefi residents allegedly attack Kpando police officers; free suspect

    Residents of Gbefi in the Kpando Municipality of the Volta Region have allegedly attacked police officers from the Kpando Command and freed a suspect who was arrested to assist in investigations in a threat of murder case.

    The incident according to Citi News sources allegedly occurred in the presence of the Chief of the area, DSP Hilarious Avornyo who doubles as the Commander of the Anfoega District of the Ghana Police Service.

    According to Citi News Sources in the area, an indigene of Gbefi who is a resident abroad reported to the police on Sunday morning about a threat of murder made on his life by the Asafoatse [Asafoatse Agulo] of Gbefi over a piece of land which the complainant claimed was being used for the cultivation of marijuana.

    Eight police officers from the Kpando command who managed to arrest the suspect after giving him a hot chase were allegedly attacked by residents numbering about 400.

    The mob allegedly attacked the police officers and seized a Tecno phone belonging to one of the officers.

    The residents also forcefully took custody of the suspect who was handcuffed by the police officers.

    DSP Avornyo told Citi News he was at the scene but will only speak to the media with authorization from the Volta Regional Police Command.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Robbers attack bank – Unspecified amount stolen

    A group of armed robbers stormed a bank at Lashibi near Accra at dawn yesterday, cut through the wall to gain access to the vault and made away with an unspecified amount of money.

    Two suspects identified by the police as Prince Ankrah and Albert Buckson, who were found in a parked taxi with the engine running few metres from the scene, were arrested and are assisting the police in their investigations.

    Three private security details who were on duty at the time of the robbery were also picked up by the police, and had been in custody assisting in investigations.

    The Accra Regional Police Command also retrieved two pump action guns with 100 rounds of AK 47 ammunition.

    Attack

    According to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Accra Regional Police Command, Deputy Superintendent (DSP) Mrs Effia Tenge, around 2 a.m. yesterday, some unidentified armed men numbering about six attacked and robbed the bank.

    The regional police PRO said the robbers fired into the vault lock, chiselled the wall to the vault to gain access and stole an unspecified amount of money.

    DSP Tenge said the gunshots attracted the attention of a police patrol team which quickly moved in that direction.
    The robbers, realising the police were fast approaching the scene, managed to escape amid firing.

    A search conducted at the scene by the police led to the retrieval of an electric cutter, a chisel, a harmer, 11 live 9mm ammunition, and 1 round of spent ammunition.

    The PRO said an extension of the police search within the enclave led to the arrest of Ankrah and Buckson who were suspected to be on surveillance linked to the robbery.

    Patrol teams

    She said reinforcement patrol teams to the robbery scene also intercepted an Uranus bus suspected to be linked to the same robbery but its occupants, on seeing the police, managed to escape.

    DSP Tenge said it was in the Uranus bus that the police retrieved the two pump action guns and the 100 rounds of live AK47 ammunition.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • 13 Arrested over Saboba killing

    The police in the Northern Region have arrested 13 persons over disturbances, including the killing of one person, during a peace mediation committee meeting at Sanguli-Labaldo in the Saboba District on October 8, 2020.

    They include Danaa Nyogma, 25, described as the key suspect who shot and killed Francis Nyaful when some gunmen attacked the mediation meeting at the EP Church at Sanguli-Labaldo.

    Others are James Bafii Kojo, 81; Kpawui Namparibu, 41; Ntedo Unadum,37; Tiyajawam Kolatim, 57; Kanabe Npuan, 27; Waajah Maakpen, 55, and John Ntiche, 50.

    The rest are Nakojah Nampari, 17; Simon Kpawul, 29; Ngbayorin Gnakpuri, 66; Kanabi Njobi, 20, and Nakoja Naja, 25.

    Police confirm

    The Northern Regional Police Crime Officer, Superintendent Bernard Baba Ananga, told the Daily Graphic that the suspects had been put before the Yendi Circuit Court.

    He said their pleas were not taken, and were remanded into police custody to reappear on October 28, 2020.

    Supt Ananga said investigations were ongoing, and upon conclusion, the docket would be forwarded to the Attorney- General’s (A-G) Department for advice and prosecution.

    Background

    On Saturday, October 9, 2020, the Daily Graphic reported that the Northern Regional Police Command was on the heels of gunmen who stormed a peace and mediation committee meeting at Sanguli-Labaldo, killing one person and injuring another.

    The meeting was to foster peace in hotspots in the Saboba District.

    The men, who were armed with guns, bows and arrows, attacked members of the mediation committee, and in the process Nyaful sustained gunshot wounds.

    Francis, however, passed away while on admission, and his body was deposited at the Yendi Government Hospital morgue for autopsy.

    Supt Ananga said Nyogma was identified as the one who allegedly shot Nyaful during the attack.

    He said a police patrol team was deployed to the community to ensure that there was law and order, while efforts were made to arrest the perpetrators.

    Source: Grapic.com.gh

  • Protect all Ghanaians, not only MPs Martin Kpebu

    A constitutional lawyer, Martin Kpebu has asked the state to scale up security for the general populace and not Members of Parliament (MPs) alone.

    Mr Kpedu told Abena Tabi on the Key Point programme on TV3 Saturday October 17 that all lives matter in the country hence, the need to provide security for all.

    His comments follow a assurance given by the Interior Minister Ambrose Dery that some 800 police personnel would be deployed to provide security for MPs at home at all times following the gruesome murder of the lawmaker for Mfantseman Constituency Ekow Quansah Hayford.

    Mr Dery said another 200 police personnel would be deployed to the Parliamentary Protection Unit to serve as bodyguards for Members of Parliament (MPs) from October to the end of 2020.

    “Subsequently, we should have 800 police added so that each Member of Parliament will also have security at home in the day and night,” he stated.

    There have been concerns among a section of the Ghanaian public that the state is paying too much attention to the security needs of the lawmakers whereas the general security of the country is not the best following the killings of other important personalities such as law Professor Emmanuel Yaw Benneh.

    Sharing his perspectives on this development, Mr Martin Kpebu noted that at the moment Ghana does not have enough police officers therefore, dedicating 800 officers to cater for MPs alone will create problems for the security of the country.

    He further stated that if the security of the general populace has been better there will not have been a need to give preferential treatment to MPs in relation to their security. To that end, he said the attention must be tilted towards strengthening security of the entire country.

    “If we are to increase security in the general population there will be no need for heavy personal security for the MP”.

    “It is because the Police numbers are down, totally below the required standards that is why you have this,” he said.

    He added “So if you increase security for the general populace it will be a less need for the personal heavy security. Let us do that one first because all lives matter.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Anglogold Ashanti launches ‘Obuasi Goes Agro’ programme

    Mining giant AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) Ghana has launched its Agro business programme dubbed ‘Obuasi Goes Agro (OGA)’ in Adaase, a farming community in Obuasi.

    The OGA program is in sync with Government’s Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme which aim to promote food security and immediate availability of selected food crops on the market.

    The Obuasi Goes Agro (OGA) programmme is one of the flagship socio-economic development interventions of AngloGold Ashanti which is part of their three (3) year Social Management Plan aimed towards the socio-economic development of Obuasi communities to contribute to the diversifying local economy through the design and implementation of innovative interventions in collaboration with stakeholders.

    The Senior Sustainability Manager for AngloGold Ashanti Emmanuel Baidoo in his address said, the Mine has committed over 2milllion Ghana cedis in its current three year Social Management Plan budgeted for Agriculture. He revealed that OGA has provided direct employment to at least 90 farming household and has put 170 acres of lands under cultivation supporters by an irrigation system in their host communities.

    Speaking on partnership, He said OGA is been partnered with KB Agricare and Evergreen Ghana Initiative (both Obuasi based private Agro business) and the department of Agriculture, Obuasi Municipal Assembly.

    He added that, aside OGA, Anglogold Ashanti is working with other partners to develop an oil palm out grower project to commence next year and also exploring collaborative opportunities to identify other agro-based initiatives that can help drive our economic diversification agenda for Obuasi.

    Emmanuel Baidoo clinched that, their main challenge is illegal mining and called on the Chiefs to help them in fighting it. To make the OGA programme more effective and promote Agriculture in Obuasi, AGA donated a brand-new motor bike and desk top computer to the department of Agriculture of the Obuasi Municipal Assembly.

    The launch was graced by Chiefs, Staffs of A.G.A, farmers of the host community and other dignitaries.

    Source: Information Services Department

  • Akufo-Addo’s government exempts kayayei from paying market tolls

    After several years of calling on the government to come to their aid by rescuing them from the financial hardship they encounter while going about their daily duties in the market, head potters, popularly known as Kayayei have finally had a solution to their problem as President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has hearkened to their call.

    The President in a tweet on Friday, October 16, 2020, announced that the District Assemblies in collaboration with his government have successfully exempted these head potters from paying market tolls.

    Professing his love for Ghanaians, President Akufo-Addo stated that the welfare of Ghanaians matters to him.

    “The NPP government has exempted kayayei from market tolls. #YourWelfareMatters #4MoreForNana,” he said in a tweet.

    Also, “the NPP government has established a Social Protection Single Window Citizens Service designed to provide a single-entry point for the major social protection programmes.

    This is a way of bridging the gap between the maginalised Ghanaians and the privileged in society.

    Read his tweet below.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Baba Rahman to stay at Chelsea after move to Middlesbrough hit snag on Championship transfer deadline day

    Ghana defender Baba Rahman will remain at Chelsea for the rest of the season after failing to secure transfer on Championship deadline day.

    The transfer window for the English Championship ended on Friday at 11 GMT-1.

    Chelsea were hoping to send the Ghana left-back on another loan deal after Middlesbrough and Watford expressed interest in having him for the season.

    Following discussions between Chelsea and the two clubs, Boro appeared to be serious in snapping up the defender on transfer deadline day.

    However, a last-minute hitch meant that the move could not go through.

    He is expected to get some minutes in the Chelsea development squad to stay fit and target a move in the winter.

    The 26-year-old left back, who joined the Blues from Augsburg in the summer of 2015, has made 15 Premier League appearances since his move to England

    Rahman has since enjoyed loan spells at Schalke 04, Reims and Real Mallorca.

    His career has been hampered in recent years by a cruciate ligament rupture, which kept him out of action for more than seven months in 2017, and a knee injury, which sidelined him for virtually the whole of last season.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • KAA Gent to play testimonial match for ‘departed’ captain Nana Asare

    Belgian Jupiler Pro League giants KAA Gent have announced that they will pay tribute to former captain Nana Asare.

    Asare, 34, left KAA Gent this summer after he mutually rescinded his contract.

    The Ghana international became one of the most successful signings at the club after joining from Dutch Eredivisie side FC Utrecht in 2013.

    The Ghelamco Arena-based outfit have released a statement on their website that Asare will be given a befitting farewell on October 26, 2020.

    “The celebration of Nana Asare, which could not take place (and was foreseen at the home game against Beerschot), will now take place on Monday, October 26 during the home game against KRC Genk”, a statement from the ‘Buffalos’ read via Voetbalkrant.com

    Asare made 272 appearances for the club, scoring 4 and providing 16 assists.

    He has been capped five times by Ghana.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Samuel Mensah scores to help Ostersunds FK progress in Swedish Cup

    Samuel Mensah scored for Ostersunds FK in their 4-2 win at Nyköping on Friday in the Swedish Cup second round.

    The 31-year-old found the back of the net in the 49th minute to give the visitors the comfortable 3-0 lead.

    Mensiro recently signed a new three-year contract with Ostersunds FK.

    This was after Nebiyou Perry had opened the scoring in the 21st minute and Jerrell Sellars doubling the lead on 44 minutes.

    Nyköping pulled two back through Emanuel Arvidsson and Alexander Alp.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Coronavirus positive Bernard Mensah says he’s ‘responding well’

    Black Stars midfielder Bernard Mensah says he is in good health despite testing positive for coronavirus.
    The Besiktas star is said to have contracted the disease after returning from the international break.

    Mensah was part of the Ghana squad which played Mali and Qatar in the Turkish city of Antalya.

    He will self-quarantine for 14 days and expelled from the Besiktas squad.

    Mensah posted on his Twitter page: ”I’m responding very well thanks for your messages God bless you all”

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Your welfare matters to me Akufo-Addo to Ghanaians

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said he is concerned about the welfare of Ghanaians hence he should be voted for in the December 7 elections.

    Mr Akufo-Addo said he had demonstrated over the past three and a half years in office that he cares about Ghanaians especially the marginalized.

    This is seen in the implementation of some pro-poor policies and programmes, he said.

    For instance, he said, his administration has exempted kayayeis from paying market tolls in order to ease the pressure on them.

    “The NPP government has exempted kayayei from market tolls. #YourWelfareMatters #4MoreForNana,” he said in a tweet.

    He added “ The NPP government has established a Social Protection Single Window Citizens Service designed to provide a single-entry point for the major social protection programmes.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Policeman arrested for acquiring gun license for suspected thief in custody

    A policeman who allegedly aided a suspected thief currently standing trial for stealing and possessing fire arms to illegally acquire a gun license has been arrested.

    Inspector Felix Gbekle, who is the station officer of the Nalerigu Police Station has since been interdicted by the North East Regional Police Command.

    He is said to have facilitated the registration process of a firearm which was an exhibit in police custody for the suspected thief whose case is still on trial at the Nalerigu District Court.

    Graphic Online’s Mohammed Fugu reported that the North East Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Mr Kwadwo Antwi Tabi briefed the media about the incident.

    He said the police inspector has been charged with abetment of crime and would be prosecuted.

    Inspector Gbeklee was currently in police custody.

    He was interrogated last month [September] at the Regional Police Command where he admitted to helping the suspect to procure the license at the Tesano Divisional Police Command where he was formerly stationed.

    He explained that one Adam Musah was arrested for allegedly stealing a motorbike in August this year.

    Upon a search in his house, the police found an unregistered pump action gun.

    Musah was then charged with possession of an unregistered firearm and stealing, and was subsequently arraigned before the Nalerigu District Court.

    During trial, Musah produced a license for the gun, but the police prosecutors became suspicious and prayed the court for more time to enable them examine the license and conduct further investigations.

    DCOP Tabi added that it was during the investigations that the prosecutors discovered that Inspector Gbekle facilitated the gun license process for Adam Musah.

    He explained further that Inspector  Gbekle allegedly  took pictures of the gun and sent it to his colleague at the Formed Police Unit (FPU) of the Tesano Divisional Police Command in Accra where he worked previously to facilitate the process.

    When this act was detected and he was further interrogated, Inspector Felix Gbekle admitted doing that.

    He was subsequently interdicted and arrested under regulation 105 of the Police Service Regulations, 2012 C.I. 76, while a criminal charge has been leveled against him.

    The police commander assured the public that the accused Inspector Felix Gbekle would not be shielded, but would be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others and restore public confidence in the police.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Military has no business with vigilantes Ghana Armed Forces

    The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has described as “totally false”, allegations that it intends to give its military uniforms to vigilante groups and equip them with 4,000 weapons to operate in the Volta Region on Election Day.

    The GAF in a statement signed by its Director of Public Relations, Colonel Aggrey-Quashie, said the “The Ghana Armed Forces wish to state categorically that the allegations are totally false and malicious. There is no iota of truth in them.

    “We, therefore, demand a retraction of the false publication and an apology. We also urge the public to totally disregard the false statements,” the statement said.

    It said “As an institution, the GAF does not usually respond to political commentary nor engage in political discussions. However, when factual inaccuracies are peddled against it, the GAF has a duty and responsibility to set the records straight.

    “And the truth is that no weapons have been moved out of its armouries and neither have any uniforms been issued or planned to be issued to any group as alleged,” it added.

    The statement said GAF would continue to carry out its constitutionally-mandated roles in a robust and professional manner, regardless of any attempts to draw it into the political fray.

    Source: GNA

  • Civil Engineer granted bail over fraud

    The Nkawie Circuit court has granted a ¢50,000 bail with three sureties, to a Civil Engineer for defrauding a pastor and some members of his congregation at Abuakwa.

    Nicholas Turkson, 42 was said to have succeeded in collecting ¢25,000 from his victims to help him retrieve some gold and cars his late mother had left for him in Accra but never returned.

    He pleaded not guilty and would reappear before the court presided by Mr Johnson Abbey, on October 29, this year.

    Police Inspector Joseph Nyame told the court that the complainants, Isaac Gyamfi, a mason and Juliana Achiaa, an evangelist, were members of the Global Rock Baptist Church at Abuakwa, in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality.

    He said somewhere in 2019, Turkson approached the complainants and their Pastor, Samuel Agyeman for spiritual and financial assistance to help retrieve some gold and a car his late mother had left for him in Accra.

    The prosecutor said based on the assurances given by the accused, Gyamfi offered him ¢19,000, while Achiaa gave him ¢6,000.

    Inspector Nyame said after collecting the money the accused went into hiding.

    He said after several attempts by the complainants to retrieve their monies failed, a report was made to the Abuakwa police, who arrested the accused upon a tip-off.

    Inspector Nyame said in his caution statement, the accused denied the charges but after investigations, the police charged and brought him before the court.

    Source: GNA

  • Murder of Ekow Quansah Hayford: Late MP’s mobile phone found

    Information rife indicates that five people have been arrested in connection with the killing of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Mfantseman constituency, Ekow Quansah Hayford.

    In a post on Twitter, the Ghana Police Service said, those arrested are being taken through lawful police procedures.

    “…They are being taken through lawful Police procedures. Further updates will be given in due time,” the post indicated.

    Late MP’s mobile phone found:

    Further information gathered by Peace FM Ashanti Regional correspondent, Samson K. Nyamekye indicates that three of the suspects were arrested in the Central Region and two in the Ashanti Region.

    One of the suspects according to the report, had in his possession the mobile phone of the deceased MP.

    Listen to the report in the video below:

    Background

    The Member of Parliament was shot dead by alleged armed robbers on the Abeadze DominaseAbeadze DuadziMankessim Road while returning from a campaign trip.

    Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), James Oppong-Boanuh has placed a ¢20,000 bounty on the killers of the incumbent MP for Mfantseman Constituency.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Anaesthetists renew calls for improved conditions of service

    The Ghana Association of Certified Registered Anaesthetists has renewed calls for improved conditions of service.

    The group embarked on a strike on January 2020 to demand better conditions of service and also rejected the call for its members to be described as physician assistants.

    But it appears not all the concerns have been addressed after they resumed work.

    According to the group, although its members play a very important role at various health facilities, there are no laid down structures to ensure career progression.

    Speaking at a news conference at the Manhyia District Hospital in the Ashanti region to mark World Anesthesia Day, Ashanti regional chair of the association, Abigail Boadi Acheampong stressed the need to make the profession attractive.

    “No one anaesthetist is supposed to administer anaesthesia in principle. But in Ghana, the case is different. Some hospitals have only one anaesthetist, the person is not able to go on leave, works 24/7, and 365 days.”

    “Conditions of service are also poor. We embarked on a strike not long ago over some of these challenges. But they still persist. Career progression also, it was just recently that they introduced the degree programme. Those with a nursing background cannot make any significant progression.”

    Source: citinewsroom

  • ‘Dr UN’ arrested and detained in police cells for jumping bail

    Self-acclaimed global ambassador for the United Nations (UN), Kwame Fordjour, popularly known as ‘Dr. UN’ has been arrested by the police in Kumasi for jumping bail.

    He was arrested on the premises of Kumasi based Hello-FM by plain-clothed policemen.

    Fourdjour had earlier been arrested by the police and sent to court at Asokore Mampong for fraud.

    He was granted bail after his parents signed surety for him.

    He however reportedly absconded and the sureties for his bail – his parents – were arrested and asked to produce him.

    He appeared at the premises of Hello FM in Kumasi on Friday for an interview and the police moved in to arrest him.

    Under the pretense of being a diplomat and global ambassador with a doctorate degree from Harvard, Fordjour accomplished a scam on a magnitude almost never experienced in Ghana.

    Pretending to be partnering with the United Nations and the respected legacy of the late Dr Kofi Annan, he contrived to organize an awards ceremony (succeeded quite brilliantly) and presented trophies and citations to over 20 accomplished Ghanaian personalities who he described as having achieved extraordinary feats in their endeavors.

    According to a report filed by Peace FM’s correspondent in Kumasi, Samson K. Nyamekye, ‘Dr. UN’ has been on the radar of the security agencies for quite some time now, after a fake award ceremony he organized at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

    He was arrested after it was reported that the award scheme held in 2018 was fake and subsequently tried by a Magistrate Court in Asokore-Mampong.

    The court, presided over by Her Worship, Portia M.A. Salia, later granted him bail.

    But after flouting his bail conditions, the court issued a warrant for his arrest.

    In view of this, when news went out that Kwame Fordjour was in the studios of Hello FM, the security agencies stormed the place and later whisked him away in an unmarked saloon car.

    He has since been placed in police custody.

    A video showing him behind bars has been shared on social media.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Canadian kidnappers: State calls first witness

    The State has called its first Prosecution Witness in the case in which four persons have been charged with unlawful imprisonment of two Canadian nationals last year.

    The four Sampson Agharlor, aka Romeo, Elvis Ojiyorwe, Jeff Omarsar, and Yusif Yakubu have all pleaded not guilty to the charges of conspiracy to kidnap, two kidnappings, and an unlawful improvement.

    They have been accused of playing various roles in the kidnapping of Miss Lauren Patricia Catherine Tiley and Miss Bailey Jordan Chilley, who were in Kumasi to participate in a youth programme on June 4, 2019.

    When the case was called on Friday, October 16, Hilda Craig, Senior State Attorney told the court that prosecution was ready for the trial to start.

    She however prayed the court that the matter be heard in-camera since the witness is a national security officer.

    The court presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo granted her the request and cleared the court.

    Agharlor was represented by Longinus Chinedu. Ojiyorwe and Omarsars were not represented by counsel. Yakubu said he will represent himself.

    The brief facts accompanying the charges were read to the court by Senior State Attorney Hilda Craig after their plea were earlier retaken.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • We need to step up our game – IGP to Senior Police Officers

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr James Oppong-Boanuh has charged Senior Police Officers (SPOs) to play their roles as effective supervisors by actively getting involved in the prevention of crime.

    In a meeting with SPOs in the Ashanti Region, today 15th October 2020; the IGP minced no words in pointing out some attitudes of Police Officers, which result in public backlash.

    “Most of you work hard but some do not and without the full complement of each one of us, the burden would be too heavy to carry. A stitch in time saves nine” said IGP Oppong-Boanuh.

    With eagerness, the officers pledged to live up to expectations. The IGP is in the Ashanti region to audit the operational capacity of the regional command and to listen to the officers at a durbar of all ranks.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • The money is not there – CSOs cry over lack of funds to monitor Dec polls

    Civil Society Organisations (CSOS) are worried that they may not be able to monitor the upcoming elections on December 7 due to lack of funds.

    Director of Programs at Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG), Kwesi Jonah, said the coronavirus pandemic can be blamed for the lack of funds and financial difficulties that the CSOs are facing.

    CSOs rely on donor funds to be able to play their democratic roles of monitoring the elections to ensure the process is free, fair, transparent, and peaceful.

    But the IDEG boss says the coronavirus is blame for the lack of dwindling donor support.

    He made the comment at a forum on Thursday, October 15, 2020, organised by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs on Civil Society Organisations and Democratic Elections in Ghana.

    “We are still going to set up situation rooms in all 16 regions, but we are going to set it up very late. Ideally, we set up the situation rooms about three months to the election to follow up on the campaign. This time around, I think we are going to set it up late,” he said.

    He added: “If you ask me the reason, it is very simple; the [money] is not there.”

    He, however, said CSOs like his will do their best despite the challenges.

    At the forum, the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, stressed the need for CSOs to step up advocacy to eliminate fear and calm tensions in the country ahead of the general election in December.

    He warned of the tendency of elections to destabilise the country, hence the need for better voter education.

    “Your advocacy must also go to eliminate violence and diminish the fear and panic that is about saturating the system,” Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Former second lady Hajia Ramatu turns 69 today

    Hajia Ramatu Mahama (Neè Egala), the second lady of the Republic from 2001 to 2008 and wife of the late former Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, turns 69 years today 15th October 2020.

    Hajia Ramatu as she is affectionately known will be joined by family, friends, associates and well-wishers across the world to joyously celebrate her 69th birthday at a private ceremony.

    The motherly and gracious Hajia Ramatu is the daughter of the late Imoro Egala, a Minister for Trade and Industry and first black chairman of Cocobod, in the First Republic and a long-standing political stalwart in Ghana through to the third republic; doubling as a founder of the PNP now PNC.

    Hajia Ramatu was an educationist in Tamale and her love and care for her pupils earned her the coveted title “Mma Ramatu”.

    During the tenure of the late vice president, Shania Ramatu championed and advocated for women participation in the decision-making process of the country.

    Her house was home of many young people due to her commitment to the development, wellbeing and welfare of the teeming young people in the community.

    She is also a philanthropist who has supported a lot of youth and women in agriculture, education, business development and health care services.

    Together with the late vice president, Hajia Ramatu had four children, namely; Salma, Farouk, Fayad and Halim, all of whom are flourishing in their various fields of endeavour.

    Source: Abdul- Hanan, Contributor

  • Rashford launches petition to further tackle child hunger

    Marcus Rashford has launched a petition calling on the government to allocate their budget to further tackle child hunger in the United Kingdom.

    The 22-year-old, as part of the #endchildfoodpoverty campaign supported by the Child Food Poverty Task Force Rashford set up, has put forward three National Food Strategy recommendations.

    • Expansion of free school meals to every child from a household on Universal Credit or equivalent, reaching an additional 1.5m children aged between seven and 16
    • Expansion of holiday provision (food and activities) to support all children on free school meals, reaching an additional 1.1m children
    • Increasing the value of the Healthy Start vouchers to £4.25 per week (from £3.10) and expanding into all those on Universal Credit or equivalent, reaching an additional 290,000 pregnant women and children under the age of four.

    Nearly a million more children, on top of the 1.4 million who have been claiming free school lunches during the Covid-19 pandemic, are estimated to have registered for free school meals in the last month.

    The petition can be signed here.

    Source: Eurosport