Hundreds including members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have gathered at the school Kessim Park in Mankessim to participate in the ceremony to commemorate the death of Mfanteman MP, Ekow Quansah Hayford.
The 50-year old MP was shot dead by unidentified gunmen while returning from a campaign tour of his constituency.
Source: myjoyonline
The final funeral rite of the late Member of Parliament for Mfantseman Constituency, Ekow Quansah Hayford, has been MP has been slated for November 28 to 29, 2020.
This was announced at the One-Week observation of the late MP who was shot by suspected armed robbers on the Abeadze DominaseAbeadze DuadziMankessim road when returning from a campaign trip on Friday, October 9, 2020, around 1:00 am.
It was reported that despite indicating that he was an MP when he was attacked, the assailants went ahead to shoot him.
The Ghana Police has begun investigation probe into the case while the IGP has also offered an amount of GH¢20,000 as a reward to any person who “gives credible information that will lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.â€
Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has settled on Ophelia Hayford to succeed her murdered husband Ekow Quansah Hayford as the parliamentary candidate for the Mfantseman Constituency.
In a letter sighted by GhanaWeb, the party called on the Electoral Commission to allow a 10-day extension of the nomination period within which the wife of the late Ekow Quansah Hayford would file her nomination.
Source:Â www.ghanaweb.com
This brings the total number of deaths to 310.
The number of active cases have also risen steadily to 347 as of Saturday, October 10, 2020.
Five regions have no active cases. They are the Bono, North East, Northern, Savannah and Upper West Regions.
The new figures from the Ghana Health Service also indicate that 29 new cases of the disease have been recorded, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 47,126.
Of the new cases, 14 persons who arrived into Ghana via the Kotoka International Airport tested positive for COVID-19.
This brings to 77 the number of international travellers to have tested positive for COVID-19 following the reopening of the Kotoka International Airport.
Meanwhile, 46,469 persons have recovered from the disease.
Ghana has so far conducted 502,666 tests since the first case was recorded in March.
Cumulative Cases per Region
(Case Count from Highest to Lowest)
Greater Accra Region – 24,324
Ashanti Region – 10,980
Western Region – 2,971
Eastern Region – 2,419
Central Region – 1,928
Bono East Region – 783
Volta Region – 679
Western North Region – 644
Northern Region – 547
Ahafo Region – 527
Bono Region – 511
Upper East Region – 323
Oti Region – 242
Upper West Region – 90
Savannah Region – 62
North East Region – 19
Source: Graphic.com.gh
A Lecturer at the Ghana Institute of Languages (GIL) Mr. Isaac Osei has told the Commercial Division of the Accra that he just transcribed an audiotape brought to him without knowing the identity of the persons in the audiotape.
The Spanish and English lecturer of the GIL who was in court to give evidence as the second prosecution witness case in which Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo and Kweku Boahen are standing trial for assault has said he does not know the identity of the persons on the audiotape he transcribed.
Under-cross examination from Counsel for Ofosu-Ampofo, Tony Lithur, he told the court that he could not also say anything about the authenticity of the content of the audio he transcribed.
This was after the tendering of his witness statement which he prayed the court to adopt as his evidence in chief was spiritedly challenged.
Objections
Defence lawyers took turns to object to the admissibility of the witness statement which the witness asked the court to adopt.
It was the case of the defence lawyers that, the main audio recordings which was the subject matter of the trial is not in evidence and therefore it will be prejudicial for someone to talk about it as if it was in evidence.
They argued that looking at the witness statement, it does not state that he was tendering an audio except to say that he transcribed it.
The Director of Public Prosecution Mrs. Yvonne Atakorah Obuobisah opposed to the objections raised and prayed the court to adopt the witness statement.
After back and forth between the parties and the court, the objection was overruled and the witness statement tendered in evidence.
The court presided over by Justice Samuel Asiedu, a Court of Appeal judge sitting with additional responsibility as High Court judge said if at the end of the day, prosecution fail to tender the main audio, the witness statement could have no weight.
The witness has since been discharged after cross-examination by defence lawyers.
Even though the NDC chairman Ofosu-Ampofo was in court, Kweku Boahen was absent and according to his lawyers is stranded in Kumasi.
The state is expected to call its third witness on October 16, 2020.
Background
National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo and Kweku Boahen are standing trial for conspiracy to cause harm.
They have both denied the offences and been granted a GH¢100,000.00 bail with a surety each.
According to the Prosecution, the accused had been captured in an audio recording of the proceedings of a meeting on February 3, 2019, planning a road-map of criminal activities targeted at the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) and the Chairman of the National Peace Council, among others.
The meeting followed January 31, 2019, AyawasoWest-Wuogon by-election, which turned violent following a clash between some National Security operatives and supporters of the National Democratic Congress suspected to be vigilantes.
The tape was played on some radio stations and according to the Prosecution, the Criminal Investigation Department of the Police Service intercepted it.
The Prosecution said, Mr Boahen had confirmed being at the said meeting and also confessed on a radio station that the information on the tape was true.
Source:Â Kasapa FM
Deputy General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Boahen Nana Obiri, has dragged defunct Ghanaian privately owned airline, Starbow Airlines, for negligence in an accident that occurred in November 2017.
Obiri Boahen was on the Kumasi-bound Starbow aircraft, ATR72-500 with registration 9G-SBF that skidded off the tarmac during its take-off run.
At least four persons were injured in that incident.
Joined to the suit filed at the Accra High Court is the Ghana Airport Company, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Attorney-General of Ghana.
In the suit sighted by GhanaWeb, Nana Obiri Boahen says “It is the negligence, lack of duty of care, recklessness etc of the agents/employees of the defendants which caused the accident.â€
Giving his account of events shortly after the accident, Obiri Boahen said in his suit to the High Court that while embarking on the aircraft, visibility had become poor because clouds had gathered.
“It started to drizzle and heavy down [pour] followed…even as a layperson in the aviation industry it was quite clear that it was dangerous for the [Ghana Airport Company and Civil Aviation] officials monitoring the weather conditions to have signalled the pilots to take off,†he stated.
According to him, the control tower officials signalled the pilots to take off when it was very clear that visibility was blurred.
He adds that it was the failure of the cockpit crew to execute correct procedures in aborting the takeoff that caused the accident.
Mr Obiri Boahen says he spent a substantial amount of money the course of his medical treatment following the accident.
Since that 2017 accident, Starbow Airlines has suspended operations.
Source:Â www.ghanaweb.com
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has officially confirmed that Mrs Ophelia Hayford widow of the former Member of Parliament (MP) for Mfantsiman Constituency is their parliamentary candidate for the 2020 polls.
Until October 11, 2020, she was still a serving police officer and therefore had to resign to pave way for her political ambition.
MyNewsGh.com has been digging deep and brings to its readers 7 facts about the candidate which it may not know.
She was Chief Inspector with the Ghana Police Service
Ophelia Hayford worked with Interpol Unit at the CID Headquarters
She joined the Ghana Police Service in 1993 as a recruit
She is 47-years-old
Until her retirement, she has served the service for 27 years
She is a Christian
Resigned officially on October 11, 2020
Meanwhile, a group calling itself the Concerned youth and citizens of the Mfantseman constituency have kicked against the proposed nomination of the widow of the murdered Member of Parliament (MP), Mr Ekow Quansah Hayford as the new Parliamentary candidate to lead the Party in the 2020 polls.
According to a GNA report, the group is opting for another candidate arguing “We recommend Mr James Korsah Brown to the NEC to be the replacement of our deceased MP as he is known to be active and has immensely contributed his quota towards the development of Mfantseman Constituency.â€
Source:Â My News GH
Vice President of policy think tank, Evans Badu Boampong has described the communication of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has extremely poor.
He said the party has failed in communicating their so-achievements to ordinary Ghanaians and that could cause them their electoral fortunes.
He was speaking to Kwabena Agyapong on Eboboba on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm.
He said although the Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah is doing his best, the communication of the ruling party is poor.
The policy analyst told the host the party has not made major promises as compared to 2016 because they have not been able to roll out the previous ones.
He said the party is consolidating their gains and protecting what they have achieved so far.
He noted no serious party will. make ambitious promise young into a second term when they have been unable to finish implementing their old promises.
Evans Badu Boampong indicated this not a new phenomenon because it was bound to happen.
He has challenged the NPP to improve communication through a multi-faceted approach to allow specialized persons to speak on their achievements.
The majority of Ghanaians he added have not understood what they have achieved and such a situation could spell doom for them.
Source:Â rainbowradioonline.com
Haruna Idrissu, the Minority Leader in Parliament, says leadership of the house will meet in the coming days to determine the status of Member of Parliament for Fomena, Andrew Amoako Asiamah.
This is after the New Patriotic Party wrote to Parliament to notify it of the withdrawal of the membership of Andrew Amoako Asiamah who has decided to contest the December 7 elections as an independent candidate amid protest by leadership of the ruling party.
Mr Iddrisu says Parliament is threading cautiously on the matter due to its complex nature.
He stated in a Joy FM interview that the case is being studied with reference to certain articles in the constitution.
“It is a matter that we are studying carefully with constitutional law advisers. He did not walk in as an independent candidate.
“We will need to find out if being sacked by the party (NPP) makes him an independent candidate,†the Minority Leader told Joy FM.
According to him, due to the complex nature of the issue, “the case is being studied with reference to Article 112 and the provisions of Article 94 to determine his status as an independent candidate or not.â€
He said that as things stand, Andrew Amoako is walking on one leg as his position in the house is a matter of discussion among the leadership.
He described Andrew Amoako as a “limping†MP and questioned, “whether he should be recognised as a Member of Parliament on the ticket of the party (NPP).â€
“He is walking on a limping leg, for now, he is a limping candidate,†he said.
“When we are conclusive with our findings, we will make known to the public on what they think. That is whether he should be vacating his seat or continue to be an MP,†Mr Iddrisu added.
Source:Â www.ghanaweb.com
Information Minister Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah has said that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) going into the 2020 general election will fabricate and of spread fake news amongst the general public.
Speaking on hard facts with Akosua Manu, the Minister said “Ghanaians should be aware that in the next six weeks to come the opposition NDC is going to Fabricate tapes, audios, and videos just like they did in 2018. We are just pleading with Ghanaians to be vigilant; we should focus on the good works of government and vote for Nana Addo. Just like they did with the alleged money laundering in the UK.â€
On the issue of employment, he said the Nana Akufo-Addo-led government “has employed over 95,000 people in the health sector. The interest rates on loans have been reduced and this is helping a lot of traders so by all standards this is a working government.â€
Mr Oppong-Nkrumah is asking Ghanaians to ignore these reports and rather channel their focus to the works of the incumbent party.
On Monday, Oppong Nkrumah disclosed that no government official has been arrested with 26 million pounds in the UK.
Additionally it is also untrue that UK authorities have intercepted a haul of cash from Ghana to the UK.
“No government official has been arrested in the UK. It is a total fabrication and we are clear in our minds that it is a fabrication by the NDC and it is part of their strategy for these last eight weeks where they will be churning out a lot of fabrication, lies and fake audio tapes. We are clear in our minds that it is the NDC for one or two reasons. The first person to articulate it publicly is the Honorable Inusah Fusieni, an NDC Member of Parliament.
“They are the ones who are championing it and articulating it on their online media platforms including Radio Gold online. And now you can also find that there is a fake audio tape that purport to be an international news broadcast on it which is being circulated since last night,†he said.
He said the strategy is similar to the one deployed by the NDC weeks before the 2008 general elections and has been part of their propaganda architecture especially in election years.
Source:Â Happy 98.9FM
In addition, 4,400 basic schools across the country are being equipped with STEM teaching aids.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, made this known on Wednesday when he hosted the Presbyterian Senior High School (PRESCE), winners of the 2020 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ), to the Jubilee House.
According to him, the construction of 20 STEM centres across the country would commence soon with the project also including the supply and installation of educational equipment and training of teachers and instructors.
“The Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environment, Science , Technology and innovation  have stepped up efforts to develop a potent science, technology, innovation and mathematics (STEM) education model for Ghana that will stimulate the interest of pupils and students in engineering, science and technology right from the basic level.
“It is the aim of government to roll more science students so as to achieve our initial target of 60 per cent science students in our technical institutions,†President Akufo-Addo said.
Winners
The 2020 winning team of PRESEC, together with their teachers and organisers of the NSMQ, were in the Jubilee House to present their sixth trophy to the President.
Undisputed kings
The President, who shared fond memories of his Presbyterian upbringing congratulated the team and urged them to strive for greater heights.
He said he was really proud of the team especially that they were the first batch of beneficiaries of the Free Senior High School policy to have won the trophy after 10 years.
“The Odadee impressed the whole nation with their performance in the competition. You were second last year and you have gone a step further this year to the ultimate position. So, I applaud the contestants Isaac Kofi Gyamfi, Benjamin Nketiah and perhaps the most famous of them all Daniel Kekeli Gakpetor and the reserved player, Faith Cyril, for ensuring trophy number six came finally to PRESEC.
“Indeed having gone nearly a decade without winning a trophy, it is entirely fitting that the Akufo-Addo gradaunds i.e. the first batch of beneficiaries of the Free SHS policy were the once to have ended PRESEC trophy draught. So, I also share in your success,†he said.
President Akufo-Addo also reiterated that PRESEC has become one of the best senior high schools “if not the best†in the country.
“Indeed, winning the sixth title means that you are now the undisputed kings of the national science and maths quiz. As an honorary Odadee, I am proud of this achievement,†he added.
The President further congratulated past and present management, teaching and non-teaching staff, alumini and students of the school.
He also expressed appreciation to the organisers of the quiz, Prime Time Limited for their continued efforts to make the teaching and learning of science and maths exciting.Â
Source: Graphic.com.gh
The acting Auditor-General says over GH¢3 billion has been identified as the overall financial impact of irregularities in public finances.
According to John Akuamoah Asiedu, the acting Auditor-General, the authorities found culpable will be charged accordingly after further investigations.
The 2019 report, according to Accra-based Joy FM, revealed that at the Collection Office of the Ghana Revenue Authority at the Kotoka International Airport, “exemptions from the payment of duty and tax totalling GH¢6.2 million was granted on imported goods without parliamentary approvalâ€.
The report further claimed: “The Electoral Commission was given exemptions of up to GH¢1.4 million on goods imported. The Ministry of Health was also granted exemptions to a tune of GH¢2.4 million…Amandi Energy Limited was given GH¢1.8 million. Authentic International was also given GH¢104, 000, the Ministry of Local Government was given GH¢17,000 and the Ghana Health Service was given over GH¢338,000 exemptions.â€
The Auditor-General has advised Sector Commanders to certify/guarantee that parliamentary approval letters which gave authority for the exemptions amounting to GH¢7.1 million are provided for inspection.
Daniel Yaw Domelevo, the Auditor-General, is currently on forced leave, and hence the general public will be following this matter closely.
Source:Â www.ghanaweb.com
The acting Auditor-General, Mr Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu has revealed that over GH¢3 billion has been identified as the overall financial impact of irregularities in the course of an audit.
According to Mr Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, several investigations would be carried out to probe further into the matter and where appropriate, disallow items of expenditure that are contrary to law.
He indicated that authorities found culpable would be charged accordingly.
The 2019 auditors report revealed that “exemptions from the payment of duty and tax totalling GH¢6.2 million was granted on imported goods without parliamentary approvalâ€.
This was recorded at the collection office of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
Statements from the report also stated: “The Electoral Commission was given exemptions of up to GH¢1.4 million on goods imported. The Ministry of Health was also granted exemptions with a tune of GH¢2.4 million.
“Amandi Energy Limited was given GH¢1.8 million. Authentic International was also given GH¢104, 000, the Ministry of Local Government was given GH¢17,000 and the Ghana Health Service was given over GH¢338,000 exemptionsâ€.
The Auditor-General has urged Sector Commanders to ensure that Parliamentary approval letters which gave authority for the exemptions amounting to GH¢7.1 million are provided for inspection.
However, in the absence of that, the exempted amounts would be recovered from the entities involved.
Source: myjoyonline
Per Article 112 (5) of the 1992 Constitution, a by-election shall be held within 30 days after a vacancy occurs in Parliament.
That notwithstanding, Clause 5 of Article 112 of the Constitution also states that a by-election shall not be held within three months before the holding of a general election.
Therefore since Ekow Kwansah Hayford died 60 days before the December 7, 2020 general election, there can be no election by mere calculation of the period which is less than three months to the general election.
Media must stop misleading public – SpeakerÂ
On the floor of Parliament on Wednesday [October 14, 2020] there was a discussion that some media houses had published that there was going to be a by-election following the killing of the MP.
But reacting, the Speaker of Parliament, Prof Aaron Mike Oquaye advised the media to desist from misleading the public, reports Nana Konadu Agyeman, who is Graphic Online’s correspondent in Parliament.
The Speaker said the sudden death of the Mfantseman MP does not automatically pave the way for a by-election.
He said per Article 112 (5) of the Constitution, a by-election shall be held within 30 days after a vacancy occurred.
He said notwithstanding Clause 5 of the Article 112 a by-election shall not be held within three months before the holding of a general election.
“Of course simple calculation tells us that we are not within the three months since the death of our colleague occurred. Therefore, there can be no election by mere calculation,” he said.
Prof. Oquaye who was addressing Parliament said “I would respectfully say that if we do not take care, we will add insults to injury if we become unnecessarily speculative in this kind of situation.”
“And we should all learn to quote from the Constitution itself and seek direction from the Public Affairs and our Legal Department [in Parliament] whenever we want to quote from laws and from the Constitution or make reference,” he said.
Minority Leader’s concern
Prof Oquaye gave the advice after the Minority Leader, Mr Haruna Iddrisu had raised concern that there were some misleading media information in the public domain arising out of the “regrettably” death of the MP for Mfantseman.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu told the House that some newspapers on Wednesday published stories to the effect that a candidate for a by-election in the Mfantseman constituency had been determined.
Quoting Article 112, he said “Nothwitstanding clause 5 of this article by-election shall not be held within three months before the holding of a general election.”
“So Mr Speaker, the sudden death of our colleague does not create a constitutional duty for the Electoral Commission to conduct a by-election.
“Because of the time limit, we virtually have 55 days to the elections so the media, if they will endeavor, to desist from further misleading the public. There will no by-election in the Mfantseman constituency,” he said.
Source: Graphic.com.gh
Three Ghanaians who attempted to stowaway on board a vessel, MV, Kota Lumba, have disembarked at the Tema Port.
The three, Emmanuel Agyei, 45; Akesse Francis Alan, 46, and Samuel Yalley, also 45 years, were nabbed mid-voyage in Namibian waters and were transferred to a sister vessel, Kota Salam at Walvis Bay anchorage in Namibia and repatriated to Ghana.
According to reports, the three embarked on the vessel using a bamboo ladder at the blind side of the ship crew, in late September 2020.
The stowaways indicated that although they had no idea where the ship was heading to, they were hopeful it was sailing to a country which offered greener pastures.
They added that they had traveled to Tema in pursuit of a better life but they could not make ends meet, hence their decision to stowaway.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Labaran Salifu, Head of intelligence at the Port of Tema, has advised Ghanaians not to embark on highly dangerous adventures.
Source: myjoyonline
Inflation fell marginally by 0.1% in September 2020 to record a rate of 10.4%.
According to figures from the Ghana Statistical Service, the slight drop was influenced by reduction in some prices of food stuffs.
Month-on-month inflation between August 2020 and September 2020 was however -0.2%. Last month, the month-on-month inflation was also negative (- 0.4%).
On average month-on-month inflation between April to July 2020 was 0.9% and in the six months prior to COVID19 month-on-month inflation rate was 0.7%.
The GSS said only two of the 13 Divisions had higher than average inflation rates. They were Housing, Water, Electricity and Gas (20.3%) and Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (11.2%).
Whilst Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages Division recorded a year-on-year inflation rate of 11.2%, Non-Food inflation stood at 9.8%
Within the Food Division, Vegetables (18.9%) was the Subclass with the highest rates of inflation. This is lower than in the previous months.
Health, Restaurants and Accommodation Services and Information and Communication, were three divisions that recorded higher month-on-month inflation rates between August and September 2020 than on average during the months April to July 2020 and before COVID-19.
Imported and local inflation
The inflation of imported goods was 5.1%, while the inflation of local goods was 12.3% on average. Month-on-month inflation for imported goods was however 0.4%, while month-on-month inflation for local goods was -0.5%.
The main contributor to negative local inflation was the inflation of locally produced foods.
Regional inflation
For the regions, the Greater Accra region continued to record the highest rate of inflation of 14.2%, whilst the Upper West recorded the lowest inflation rate of 1.3%.
The GSS said most regions recorded a lower year-on-year inflation this month compared to previous months.
Source: myjoyonline
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has said it intends to absorb the current temp workers under the Nation Builder’s Corps into the public sector if voted into power in December.
This move will make the thousands of NABCo recruits permanent workers and their salaries will be more than the current 700 Ghana cedis, NDC Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, said at a press conference on Wednesday, October 14, 2020.
“We will change the remuneration of NABCo beneficiaries from their current pittance allowances to decent wages that offer these young ones a decent living.
“NABCo recruits can rest assured that under President John Dramani Mahama, they will have permanent jobs and be paid in time,” Sammy Gyamfi said.
The NDC press conference was held to clarify the opposition party’s 2020 manifesto promise to create one million sustainable jobs if elected into government in the upcoming elections.
Nation Builders Corps (NaBCO) was launched by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on May 1, 2018.
It is the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s strategy at addressing graduate unemployment in the country.
Central to its objectives is to engage the talents of unemployed graduates and equip them with skills through a process of value addition and training.
The scheme is expected to employ 100,000 graduates by the end of 2020 under seven modules; namely, Educate Ghana, Heal Ghana, Feed Ghana, Revenue Ghana, Digitize Ghana, Civic Ghana, and Enterprise
Source:Â www.ghanaweb.com
The Supreme Court has ordered Registrar of the High Court to put the contempt trial of the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, before another judge.
This comes after the five-member Apex court barred Justice Amos Wuntah Wuni from presiding over the contempt trial of the MP.
The court, according to Daily Graphic, quashed all proceeding that had been held before Justice Amos Wuntah Wuni, prohibiting him from presiding over the case but held the order for Kennedy Agyapong to still appear before the High Court to answer for contempt.
“The matter should be sent back to the Registrar of the High Court for the Registrar to place it before the High Court differently constituted,†the court held.
The court adds it will give its full reason for the decision on October 20, 2020.
The five-member panel of the court was presided over by Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, with Justices Yaw Appau, Gabriel Pwamang, Issifu Omoro Tanko Amdau and Yonny Kulendi.
The MP on September 17, filed for a review application at the Supreme Court to stop contempt proceedings against him and also quash the order of summons for him to appear before the court as the High Court had no jurisdiction to do so.
According to the lawyers, the alleged comments by their client was not directed at Justice Wuni, but rather at a different Justice of the High Court.
They also accused Justice Wuni of bias including the declaration of intention to punish their client even before the conclusion of the trial.
This was after he was summoned in court for describing the Judge a “stupid†during an interview on NET2TV.
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
The Imam of Asante Juaben Zongo, Alhaji Saliu Zakaria, has slammed the opposition National Democratic Congress for deceiving the people of Zongos over the years.
Speaking at a durbar of Chiefs and people of Juaben on Tuesday, October 13, Alhaji Zakaria said the NDC’s deception of the people of Zongos has been consistent that he is surprised some people in the Zongos even vote for the NDC.
“The NDC has been lying to us in the Zongos over the years,” Alhaji Zakaria said.
“The way the NDC has been deceiving us in the Zongos, I am really surprised that some of our people in the Zongos are still following them.”
The Imam commended Vice President Bawumia and the NPP government for their commitment to the welfare of the people of Zongos.
He stressed that Vice President Bawumia and the NPP have showed a difference, adding that their good works will ensure another victory in this year’s elections.
“Dr. Bawumia, the people of Zongo are proud of you for what you and your government are doing for us and the country.”
“The good works of this government is evident in Juaben Zongo, especially our streets.”
“The other time, NPP was victorious. In shaa Allah, this year too NPP will be victorious.”
Source:Â www.ghanaweb.com
The fourth prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former COCOBOD CEO and two others was found wanting after it emerged that she issued different fertilizer certificates to Sidalco without recourse to an Act of parliament regulating how her office is administered.
The witness, Dr. Felicia Ansah-Amprofi, who is the National Director of the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD), although told the court she was well versed in the laws governing the department, was cited for arbitrarily extending the expiring dates for three different products of Sidalco contrary to what is stipulated in law.
She had earlier told the court that the duration of the registration in respect of all fertilizer products is two years and can be renewed for further two years.
“You also told the court the duration of the product in respect of all fertiliser product is two years. Am I correct?†Mr. Nutifafa Nutsukpui, stand-in lead counsel for Seidu Agongo who is the CEO of Agricult Ghana Limited, asked the witness.
Dr. Felicia Ansah-Amprofi responded in the affirmative, “very correctâ€.
“Now is there any exception made to that duration by either Act 803 or L.I. 2194,†the lawyer further asked?
In her response, she was emphatic that “by the Act and its regulations there is no exceptionâ€.
She was however confronted with registration certificates issued to Sidalco in her capacity as the fertilizer administrator between 2010 and 2014 with a three-year expiration date.
Her actions appeared not to be in tandem with the Plants and Fertilizer Act, 2010 (Act 803) or Plants and Fertilizer Regulations 2012 (L.I. 2194) .
Find excerpts of what transpired in court on October 13 below.
Q. Please show madam Exhibit K10. Is fertiliser product registration certificate.
A. Yes please
Q. Please tell the honourable court the name found on the Exhibit K10?
A. It is Sidalco Lliquid Fertiliser
Q. Please what are the names of the compounds identified in exhibit K10?
A. It is NPKMgO + TE
Q. In what concentrations
A. We have 6:0:20: 1
Q. Kindly tell the honourable court who is stated as the fertiliser administrator in Exhibit K10?
A. The fertilizer administrator as I stated at earlier time was myself Felicia Ansah-Amprofi
Q. Madam what is the date of registration as stated in Exhibit K10
A. 29/03/11
Q. And how about expiry
A.30/03/14
Q. Madam, Act 803 came into force before the issuance of the certificate
A. Yes
Q. And madam, according to you, the duration of every fertiliser product registration is two years,
A. Yes
Q. Madam you will agree that from 29th of March 2011 to 29th of March 2014 is three years
A. Yes
Q. Please go to Exhibit K12, it is also a fertilizer product registration certificate. That is true
A. Yes
Q. And Exhibit k12 is another Sidalco liquid fertiliser
A. Yes
Q. It has compounds similar to the ones found in Exhibit K10. That is correct?
A. That is correct
Q. What is the concentration of this product
A. 20:2:4:1
Q. what is the date of registration on Exhibit k12?
A. 29/03/2011
Q. Please how about expiry date of registration
A. 30/03/2014
Q. Madam, that is also for a period of three years and not two
A. Yes
Q. Please take a look at Exhibit k14. This is another fertiliser product registration certificate, that is true
A. Yes
Q. And again it is another Sidalco liquid fertiliser that is covered by Exhibit k14?
A. Yes please
Q. What is the concentration of the compounds in Exhibit K14
A. 10:10:10:1
Q. Madam the date of registration is 29/03/2011, that is correct?
A. Yes
Q. Expiry date of registration is 30/03/2014
A. Very correct
Q. Once again that is three years and not two years
A. Yes
Q. In respect of Exhibits k10, K12, and K14, you were the fertiliser administrator
A. Yes
Q. And even though , according to you, Act 803 as well as L.I. 2194 do not make any exceptions to the duration to such registrations PFRD granted Exhibits K10, K12, and K14 anyway. That is correct?
A. very correct. What is on the certificate is what he has narrated. And as we said earlier on, the Act was enacted in 2010, before then products were not being registered. So when the Act came out and the applicants started registration, concerns were raised about the fees and charges, so the charge for a product has since been GHc3000. The concern was it was too expensive so at that time a committee was set up by the PPRSD to look into the fees and charges [which is a preserve of parliament], so the recommendation was the fees cannot be changed until the fees are reviewed in future by the Legislative Committee (of Parliament) on fees and charges. So the PPRSD Committee recommended that if the fees could not be changed, being the first time the applicants are registering, should be extended for 3 years instead of 2. And the committee set up by the PPRSD accepted to extend all new registrants registration for 3 years.
Q. Madam, at the time Exhibit K10, K12, and K14 were issued, Act 803 has come into effect?
A. Yes
Q. And in fact section 72 (1)(b), which states categorically that every registration for the first instance shall be for two years also came into effect before you granted Exhibits K10, K12, and K14, that is correct.
A. Very correct
Q. And that provision has never been amended, that is also correct
A. It is correct
Q. Madam, I put it to you, neither you nor committee of experts or howsoever described had the authority to override the specific provisions of Act 803?
A. I also wish to answer by saying the law gives provision for applicant to put any case for consideration and this can be addressed by the committee. So it is not cast in concrete and stone. So applicants who have concerns can put their case across to be addressed and you can find that in Section 73.
Q. Madam, I put it to you finally that this bit about extension of the registration period is a complete afterthought and bears no relationship with the truth.
A. Is never true.
Meanwhile, according to Section 73 of Act 803, referred to by Dr. Ansah-Amprofi, it is only the sector minister which is clothed with the power and “may by notice in writing suspend, cancel or modify a registrationâ€, suggesting that the decision by the PPRSD committee was at variance with the law.
Former CEO of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr Stephen Opuni, businessman Seidu Agongo and Agricult Ghana Company Limited, are facing 27 charges of willfully causing financial loss of ¢217 to the state, through three separate fertiliser supply contracts between 2014 and 2016.
They have pleaded not guilty to all the charges and are on self-recognition bail of ¢300,000 each.
Source:Â angelonline.com.gh
The Chief Labour Officer at the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, Eugene Narh Korletey, has disclosed that a total of 7,054 workers lost their jobs in the public sector between April and June, this year.
He noted that this number covers about 13 industrial sectors of the Ghanaian economy in the heat of the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr. Korletey made this known on Wednesday, October 14 at a tripartite workshop between government, labour, and employers.
He said the Labour Department engaged the Economics Department of the University of Ghana to conduct a pilot labour market survey of the effect of Covid-19 on the labour front.
“The report of the pilot labour market survey indicates that the pandemic led to job losses and vacancies for many workers,†he observed.
“According to the results of the survey, about 40 percent of workers suffered pay cuts and these pay cuts were highest among medium-scale establishments. That is establishments of about 39 employees.â€
The Chief Labour Officer further indicated that 11,657 jobs were lost during the first three months of the pandemic with micro-sized enterprise’s hardest hit.
Despite admitting that their members were negatively impacted by the pandemic, the Ghana Employers Association assured at the workshop that they have committed to adopting social dialogue to resolve the challenges.
Deputy Secretary General of the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) Joshua Ansah called for more engagement at the tripartite level to deal with issues before they result in strikes.
Source:Â 3 News
Communications Minister, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has urged electorates in the Bono Region to vote massively for President Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming elections for continuous development of the region and the country as a whole.
Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful was speaking on Monday, October 12, 2020, to supporters and sympathizers of the NPP in the Jaman North constituency (Bono Region) where she is on a three-day tour.
The Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West Constituency in the Greater Accra Region also assured that the NPP administration would complete roads in the Bono region to enhance economic activities and health delivery.
This, she said can only be done if the ruling NPP is retained for another four-year term.
According to her, comparing the eight years of National Democratic Congress (NDC) in power to the almost four years of the NPP, there was so much at stake for the future of Ghana adding that voting for NDC would mean moving backward.
She said the One-District-One-Factory(1D1F), free SHS, NABco, Youth-in-Afforestation program, and Planting for Food and Jobs are some major developmental projects and social intervention initiatives under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
She urged the people of and Jaman North constituency; Bono Region to intensify their campaign to enable the party win more votes
Source:Â Peace FM
The Interim executives of the University of Ghana Student Representative Council at the Accra City Campus (UGSRC-ACC) have suggested a 50/50 payment plan of school fees to the management of the University.
According to the interim vice president of UGSRC-ACC, Mr. Hammond Raphael Trebi, the move will help parents and guardians in paying fees as compared to the existing plan of 60/40.
Prospective students of the school are not allowed to register their courses for an academic year unless they make a minimum payment of sixty percent out of their entire school fees for the particular year.
Students are entreated to redeem payment of the remaining 40% amount before the beginning of the second semester of the particular academic year.
Trebi Hammond Raphael made this known in a courtesy visit to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo.
“We Suggested a payment plan for students to make a 50/50 payment of fees instead of the 60/40. The Pro-Vice-Chancellor welcomed the idea but maintained that it is subject to further deliberations by the University council,†Trebi said.
He opined that the suggestion of the 50/50 payment plan “is not in relation to the 2020/2021 academic year so management should consider that going forwardâ€.
He, however, maintained that the student body is not pleased with the increment of fees.
During the courtesy visit paid to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Leadership of the interim Accra city campus SRC reiterated the need to beef up security on and around campus as there have been threats of attacks.
“There have some off Campus threats so we called on her office and the university management to consider putting certain measures to curb that,†he said.
The interim Accra City Campus SRC has further reminded management of some infrastructure issues the satellite campus is facing even though the institution is rolling out online studies for students in the meantime.
In their closing remarks, the interim SRC delegation handed over a frame picture design of Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo to herself as both a birthday gift and recognition of her work.
Source:Â universnewsroom.com
As part of efforts to improve the education sector in the country, the Ministry of Education has revealed it has embarked on 1,011 infrastructural project initiatives in Senior High Schools (SHS) across the country since 2017.
According to the Education Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, 492 of the projects had been completed, with the rest at various stages of completion.
He adds that some of these projects which were initiated by the government were by Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund).
The minister said 135 were initiated by the World Bank-funded Secondary Education Infrastructure Project (SEIP), out of which 107 had been completed, while the remaining 33 were by the Kuwaiti Fund, of which three had been completed. Daily guide reported
He listed the completed projects to include three-, six-, eight-, 12- and 18-unit classroom blocks, amounting to the creation of 84,600 new seats arising out of 222 new classroom blocks.
“Other projects include washroom facilities, rehabilitation works and structures such as assembly halls and laboratories,†NAPO said.
NAPO also announced that beginning 2020/21 academic year, no student would be required to pay utility bills.
Source:Â www.ghanaweb.com
A woman in her late 50s has been killed by a young Fulani herdsman early Wednesday dawn at Mafi-Agoea, a rural community in the Central Tongu district of the Volta region.
The suspect, a young Fulani herdsman, believed to be in his late 20s is said to be a customer of the deceased known as Eya, who until her death sold Akpeteshie and other provisions.
Confirming the incident, in-law to the deceased, William Adzigo, told Starr News that he and other neighbours were woken from their sleep at the instance of an alarm raised by the grand-daughter of the victim.
He said, “It was about 2:00am last night when we heard the grand-daughter screaming that somebody was killing the grandmother. We all rushed out but the door was locked from inside and so we forced it open but the first person that rushed into the room was also attacked by the victim and so he also sustained deep machete cuts on his head.â€
“We called the police who got to the scene and entered the room to arrest the suspect, a known Fulani herdsman in the area but by that time, the woman was already dead and so the police after whisking away the suspect came for the body,†he added.
The second victim who was attacked is also receiving medical treatment at the Adidome government hospital while the suspect is in the grips of the police assisting investigations.
There are over thousand Fulani herdsmen living in the Tongu areas who own an estimated 20,000 herds.
Source:Â Starr FM
On October 12, 2020, it was reported that a 14-year-old teenager was allegedly kidnapped by some unidentified men in Area 52 in Ho on Friday.
The victim, (name withheld) narrated that he was kidnapped when he stepped out of his house to pass urine.
He claimed that when he was taken to an unknown location, because he was blindfolded, he only heard a voice rejecting his gender.
According to him, it was for this reason he was abandoned in a sack around a popular pub called Mirage in Ho.
However, this story turned out to be false.
According to the police, the 14-year-old cooked up the story to avoid punishment from his parents for staying out long to play.
Ho Municipal Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Alexander Yeboah, said the boy confessed to the police that he connived with his friend to avoid punishment at home after he left home at about 9:30 am and returned after 4:30 pm.
According to the GNA report, the police said the victims in the matter were juveniles thus the Police would review a corresponding punishment for such incidents.
Source:Â www.ghanaweb.com
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Yofi Grant, has asked the Ghanaian electorate to vote for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming elections.
He asked Ghanaians to vote for the NPP to enable it to continue the policies it has introduced in all sectors of the economy, including education.
In the area of education, he said, the government has restored teacher training allowances, book and research allowances and Arabic volunteer allowances.
Ghanaians go to the polls on December 7, this year, to elect a president and lawmakers.
“Making sure resources are available to motivate and incentivize those in education. We cannot compromise on education and NPP government is making sure of that.
“Our people are our most important resource,†he tweeted.
Source:Â 3 News
The University of Cape Coast has said that it has opened investigations into the prank robbery attack that happened on their campus.
On Tuesday, social media was awash with reports of the university being attacked by suspected armed robbers.
But management of the school came out to deny the report, clarifying that it was a plot by some of the students.
According to Joy News, the management of UCC is working with security personnel to identify the culprits who masterminded reports of the supposed robbery attacks on campus.
According to them, school sources state that “No student has come out to say that I was robbed at gunpoint.â€
The report adds that the university will continue to search for the students who caused fear and panic by circulating those videos and pictures on social media.
Unconfirmed reports however states that the students behind the hoax robbery attack wanted to escape an Interim Assessment (IA).
Source:Â www.ghanaweb.com
The Bureau of Public Safety (BPS) has criticised government over its decision to provide Member (members) of Parliament with armed police guards.
According to BPS, the decision will impact on how security services in the country execute their duties.
It noted with concern that the practise will expose the vulnerable in society since the security agencies will focus on a privilege few instead of the masses.
Though it fell short of describing (the move as short-sighted) as a short-sighted move, BPS said that the decision sends a wrong message to the populace.
The Executive Director of BPS, Nana Yaw Akwada told Citi News that “the commitment he [Ambrose Dery] has made actually reduces national security which aims at providing security for the general population and offering such security to politicians and men of power.â€
“By so doing he has left the security of the ordinary Ghanaian to his vulnerable state. This is appalling, offensive, indescent (indecent). This single decision sends a wrong signal to the many lives which have been lost a (in) similar fashion,†he said.
On Tuesday, October 13, 2020, Interior Minister Ambrose Dery announced that 200 police officers will be despatched to guard MPs till next year. The officers according to Ambrose Dery will operate under the Parliamentary Protection Unit.
“Due to the retooling of the security agencies by President Akufo-Addo, the country has more security agencies and security personnel available. So, we have proposed that, between now and the end of the year, we are going to provide an additional 200 police personnel to be part of the parliamentary protection unit. We are making this arrangement to ensure that the unit attains the status of divisional police command to take care of the Members of Parliament as bodyguards.â€
It comes on the back of calls by MPs for improved protection following the murder of Mfantseman MP Ekow Quansah Hayford.
Source:Â www.ghanaweb.com
The Ministry of Roads and Highways has warned developers and individuals that all buildings erected within road reservations will soon be demolished.
According to the Ministry, developers must be cautious of where they acquire lands to put up structures.
Speaking to Citi News after a demolishing exercise along the Accra-Tema Motorway to pave way for the completion of the boundary road extension, the Sector Minister, Kwasi Amoako-Atta, said the government is not obliged to compensate owners of illegally sited buildings that are demolished.
“I want to serve a warning to all potential developers particularly those who build along the road that they should contact the Roads and Highway Authority because it is government land that they have trespassed. So I can tell you that no compensation will be paid for the land.â€
The Minister of Roads and Highways and his team, later inspected the Agyiriganor boundary road connecting American House within East Legon to assess the level of work on the project.
Though the construction of the road, which will ease traffic in the area when completed was ongoing, some buildings within the road reservation along the Accra-Tema motorway, were pulled down to pave way for the project to be completed on time.
Mr. Amoako-Atta, who instructed that the buildings be demolished, said the structures were unlawfully built within the road reservation.
He said all buildings sited wrongfully along roads will be demolished.
In Ghana, several structures, farmlands and residential buildings along roads is a common phenomenon.
Many of these illegal structures have been demolished with the rightful owners raising concerns of losing their properties.
Source: citinewsroom
Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Minister of Education, says no student in the public universities will pay utility bills from next academic year.
This is intended to lessen the financial burden on students and increase access to tertiary education in the country.
Dr Opoku Prempeh, who announced this at the third edition of the Nation Building Updates in Accra on Tuesday, said the Akufo-Addo led government was the first to introduce a tertiary education policy to streamline interventions rolled out in the sector.
He said if the ruling government was re elected , a tertiary students would only need his or her Ghana Card to secure a student’s loan. There will be no need for a guarantor.
The event was held on the theme, “Investing in Education, Investing in the Future,” which allows the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to provide detailed accounts of their stewardship.
The Minister stated that the Akufo-Addo led government since 2017 had initiated 719 infrastructure projects at the basic education sector and completed 252 of them.
They included two- unit classroom blocks for the Kindergarten, three-unit, six-unit, 12-unit and 18-unit classroom blocks for primary and junior high schools.
At the secondary education level, he said, government had initiated 1,011 infrastructure projects and completed 492 of them.
They included classroom blocks, dormitories, libraries, water systems and toilet facilities.
The new single and double storey dormitories constructed in some secondary schools had created additional 20,340 beds.
In the process, he said, 84,600 seats were created for students to study in a conducive environment, while 14,832 toilet and water facilities had been provided.
Dr Opoku Prempeh stated that, $800 million had been invested in education infrastructural development at the secondary education sector.
The investment went into new physical infrastructure, upgrading of facilities, new equipment, retooling and capacity building of teachers in competency-based curricula.
Dr Opoku Prempeh, also the member of Parliament for Manhyia South, refuted claims by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) that, the ruling NPP government had neglected the e-blocks and Community Senior High Schools.
He stated that the precious NDC government completed seven out of 23 Community SHS under World Bank support.
However, the NPP administration under President Akufo-Addo had completed 14 more of such projects.
Additionally, the NDC government completed 22 out of the 50 e-blocks it started, but the ruling NPP administration had completed nine of them, while the rest were at various stages of completion.
Also, the ruling government provided a head teacher’s bungalow, accommodation for two assistant headmasters and teachers’ flats to compliment the Community SHS, which were absent in the ones provided by the previous government.
On technical/vocational education, the Minister stated that, 37 of the 47 technical institutes in the country were being refurbished, while 34 National Vocational Training Institutes (NVTI) were being upgraded and retooled.
The national headquarters of the NVTI was being refurbished while 10 regional offices of NVTI were being constructed.
More also, government was building district vocational education training centres across the country to train the youth in jewelry, bakery, beads making, basketry, among others.
Dr Opoku Prempeh announced that the Akufo-Addo’s government would construct the first-ever Creative Arts secondary schools as model SHSs to enable students interested in honing their music, dance and oratory skills to do so.
Source: GNA
The public has been cautioned to avoid walking or driving through flood waters as the rainy season peaks in Southern Ghana.
“Sometimes, a stretch of running water might seem easy to wade or swim through, but strong currents could easily sweep you off and carry you away when you attempt to swim or wade your way through.”
Mr Richard Amo-Yartey, Director for Inspectorate at the Headquarters of the National Disaster Management(NADMO), in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, also cautioned motorists against driving through flood waters, adding that many cars were swept away because drivers had underestimated the strong currents within seemingly harmless flood waters.
He said flood waters, even if one could safely swim or wade through them, also often carried dangerous objects such as faecal matter and other forms of disease-causing material and dangerous reptiles that could easily harm a human.
“It is often a much better option to be patient and wait for flood waters to recede than to risk harm that could easily be avoided,” said Mr. Amo-Yartey.
He also cautioned people staying within places that were prone to flooding and urged them to relocate to safer places to avoid the inconveniences of flooding during the rainy season.
Mr Amo-Yartey reminded the public that while the government was always working around the clock to ensure the welfare of people, individuals had the responsibility of ensuring their safety.
“The rains are here with us. People should be alert and stay wary of the dangers of the season, to remain safe,” he said.
Mr Amo-Yartey said NADMO was educating communities on how to stay safe in the face of floods and other ill effects of the rainy season.
He urged people in emergency situations to call the hotlines of NADMO, which are 112 or 0299350030.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Meteorological Agency(GMet) has urged the public to read its daily and weekly forecast on the website to plan their activities.
A four-hour downpour last Saturday caused flooding in many parts of Southern Ghana, including Kasoa, Weija, Adentan and many others.
Many people had to wait for some hours before they could leave or return to their homes, because of heavy flooding.
Southern Ghana is currently experiencing its second and minor rainy season for the year.
The rains are expected to end within November to make way for the dry or harmattan season, the GMet said.
Source:Â GNA
Mr Ambrose Dery, the Minister of the Interior, has announced the deployment of additional 200 police personnel to the Parliamentary Protection Unit to serve as personal bodyguards to Members of Parliament (MPs).
He said the 200 officers would be distributed to MPs who did not have any form of police protection.
Mr Dery announced the intended protection of MPs at a joint press briefing in Parliament by Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu after the Interior Minister had a closed-door meeting with the House.
The Speaker, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, had invited the Minister to brief members on Tuesday on the murder of Ekow Quansah Hayford, MP for Mfantseman, and measures taken to provide security for MPs.
The MP was reportedly killed by unknown assailants on the Abeadze DominaseAbeadze DuadziMankessim road in the Central Region, on his way back from a campaign trip in the early hours of Friday, October, 2020.
Mr Dery indicated that he had also contacted the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to carry through a directive from President Nana Akufo-Addo to look out for the murderers.
“The approval to deploy the personnel should be immediate,†Mr Dery stressed.
He said during the closed-door interaction it was proposed that between now and the end of the year an extra 200 police personnel would have to be added to the Parliamentary Protection Unit to attain the status of a Divisional Command that would take care of MPs as bodyguards.
“What we have proposed is that between now and at the end of the year, we are going to provide additional 200 police personnel to be part of the Parliamentary Protection Unit, making it, therefore, attain the status of a Divisional Command that will take care of Members of Parliament as bodyguards,†Mr Derry said.
However: “Ideally we need to have about 800 additional police so that MPs could get police at home, day and night as done for judges and Ministers of State.â€
Mr Dery said a special team from the Homicide Unit of the Ghana Police Service was deployed to the Central Region, and the crime scene finger prints had been taken but no arrests yet.
He explained that providing security for MPs had always been the principle since 1992, and the protection for MPs was part of the general national security architecture, which was being taken care of by a number of strategies put in place.
“The truth on the ground is that the extent of those strategies has been limited,†Mr Dery said.
Source:Â GNA
The chiefs and people of Upper Yilo Krobo in the Eastern Region have called on the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to address the water crises in the District.
A release signed by Mr Akitiwah Joseph Tetteh and Dadematse Teye Joseph, Secretary and Chairman, respectively, of the Yilo Krobo Development Committee, said the residents would embark on a peaceful demonstration on November 4, 2020 to “drum home our disappointments and frustrations if the challenges were not addressed by October 20.â€
The statement alleged that the Company had diverted all water projects to the Regional capital, Koforidua, and threatened to take to the streets if efforts were not made in time to address their concerns.
It said the chiefs and people had been appealing to government to address the water crises since 2008 but till date nothing had been done about it.
It said residents of the Community had been deprived of potable water, with many sharing water sources with animals.
Source:Â GNA
The presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr John Dramani Mahama, will begin a five-day campaign tour of the Central Region on Wednesday.
He will visit the family of the deceased Member of Parliament for Mfantsiman in Mankesim, address chiefs and people in many constituencies across the region as well as meet with religious leaders, canoe owners, fishermen and fishmongers.
Mr Mahama will also interact with hawkers, market women, commercial drivers, identifiable groups, small scale miners, farmers, hairdressers and dressmakers, among others.
He will focus on job creation, his plan to roll out Free Primary Healthcare up to the level of district hospitals as well as plans to provide opportunities and employable skills for the youth through state-sponsored National Apprenticeship Programme and Free Technical and Vocational Education and Training (T-VET).
Mr Mahama will wrap up his tour of the Central Region on Sunday.
Source:Â James Agyenim-Boateng, NDC Campaign Spokesperson
Freda Prempeh, the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Tano North constituency, has urged parents to give their girl children the best of education for a secured future.
She said educating the girl children would help to control teenage pregnancy and domestic violence in the communities.
Mrs Prempeh, also the Deputy Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, was speaking at a day’s meeting with queens to mark the International Day of the Girl-Child at Duayaw-Nkwanta in the Tano North Municipality of the Ahafo Region.
The meeting aimed at deliberating on the challenges of the youth, particularly the girl children and how to overcome such challenges to help them to become responsible future citizens and leaders.
Under the theme â€My Voice, Our Equal Future,” the event was organised by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and attended by queens drawn from the Tano North Constituency.
Mrs Prempeh urged parents to be more responsible and conscious of the welfare of their children, particularly the girl children.
The MP entreated parents and the public to recognise the value and wealth of girl children and to make sacrifices to help them to attain quality education to become good future leaders.
She said parents must protect their girl children against all forms of domestic violence, child abuse, rape, defilement and early child marriage.
Mrs Prempeh entreated queens to organise community durbars to sensitise the youth on reproductive health and sex education to become aware of the dangers of early pregnancy.
She called on the youth to avoid unacceptable lifestyles and rather concentrate more seriously on their studies by being closer to their books.
Mrs Prempeh appealed to the queens to vote massively to retain her as the MP in the constituency and the NPP government in power in the 2020 general elections for more development in their communities.
Mr Faisal Bawa, the programmes officer for the United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA), appealed to the queens to educate women in their communities to practice family planning of their choices to help control child birth.
She said provisions had been made to support widows and the aged with basic needs such as health and food.
Source:Â GNA
“Yes, it is to a large extent true. I have been to the constituency several times and the whole constituency leadership and party members, the Regional [Executive] setup and the National [Executive] setup deem it fit that his wife [Ophelia] is the back bone of the husband,” Mr Boadu said in a radio interview monitored by Graphic Online Tuesday night [October 13, 2020].
“She knows the constituency very well and considering the large support that the husband had and the kind of difficulties that the constituency is going through, a lot more of the constituents think that we should let the wife continue,” Mr Boadu added in the radio interview which was with Accra based Joy FM.
He added that “there was massive consensus,” and that there was “no descent at all” at all levels of the consideration of the widow as the replacement at the constituency, regional and national levels.
Mr Boadu said the party will formally announce the decision later.
Graphic Online understands that Ophelia Hayford, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) has since reportedly submitted her resignation letter to the Police Administration.
When Mr Boadu was asked about that in the Joy FM interview, he said yes, that has been done.
Mr Ekow Kwansah Hayford, hitherto, the NPP’s Parliamentary nominee for Election 2020 at Mfantseman in the Central Regional and incumbent MP for the area was killed last Friday by suspected armed robbers.
He had filed his nomination with the Electoral Commission on Thursday, October 8, 2020 seeking re-election in the December 7 election when the unfortunate incident occurred.
In line with Section 4 of the Public Elections Regulations 2020, C.I. 127, which states that: “Where at the close of nominations, but before the election, one of the candidates dies, a further period of 10 days shall be allowed for nominations,†the NPP then initiated the move for a replacement.
Source: Graphic.com.gh
The aggrieved members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of the Wulensi Constituency, who threatened to quit the party, have rescinded their decision.
Consequently, they have pledged their unflinching support for the party to enable it to chalk a landslide victory in the constituency in election 2004.
The unity deal was brokered by a parliamentary hopeful of the party, Alhaji Abdulai Haruna, following series of crunch meetings to calm the nerves of his supporters who rejected an outcome of the Parliamentary primaries organised this year to elect parliamentary candidates for the party.
Alhaji Haruna, lost by two votes to the incumbent MP, Thomas Donko Ogajah. Before the unity talks, there were lots of agitations and accusations of impersonations of delegates, ghost names, among others during the voting process.
The agitations led to serious scuffles and angry supporters went berserk burning the party’s constituency office and the pickup after staging a massive demonstration.
The supporters vowed not to support the incumbent MP and a number of them threatened to vote against the party in the upcoming elections.
However, on Saturday, October 10, 2020, Alhaji Haruna convened a reconciliation meeting at his residence in Wulensi where he called for unity and forgiveness in the party.
He pledged to throw his weight behind the incumbent MP by campaigning for him and the party to retain the seat. “I am committing myself and my supporters today to fully participate in the campaigns for the party and the candidate to win massively. I pledged to commit resources and my strength to ensure victory in the December elections so that Nana Addo wins and the incumbent retains the seatâ€, he stated.
“The party is supreme and I called on my supporters to bury the hatched and join the campaign with the love they have for me,” he said.
Resourcing Party for Victory
He showed commitment to the peace process by donating 15 motorbikes to support the campaign.
He further added GH?10,000 cash for the renovation of the office and gave 100 plastic chairs for use in the party office that was burnt.
Other party kingpins On his party, the incumbent MP, Thomas Donko Ogajah, expressed gratitude to the defeated aspirant for the kind gesture demonstrated.
“I am seriously overwhelmed by the commitment shown by Alhaji Haruna, I want to thank him and his supporters for the love shown and we commit to fully work together,†he said. For her part, the National Welfare Secretary of Zongo Youth Patriots, Madam Radia Adama Saani, daughter of the former MP of the constituency, said president Akufo-Addo has a good vision for the youth of Ghana hence they (the youths) must support him win the elections.
The First National Vice Chairperson of NPP, Madam Talata Asobayire, who witnessed the unity and peace talks, commended Alhaji Haruna and the party’s supporters and encouraged them to show commitment, indicating that the party has good plans for the constituency.
“I want to extend the gratitude of his Excellency the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to the good people of Wulensi and to tell you that he (President) has good plans for you.
“Alhaji Haruna has shown that he is a true leader and we have taken note of him, I, therefore, encourage you to support the party and ensure we win both presidential and parliamentary in the constituency.â€
The Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed, assured the people of his unflinching support to rally behind Alhaji Haruna to restore confidence in the people through the influential prowess he has gained in the constituency over the years.
The party launched its campaign immediately after the unity talks. Speaking to journalists, some of the supporters of Alhaji Haruna said, “We are so happy today for what has happened. We were the supporters of Alhaji Haruna who vowed to vote against the party, but today, Alhaji Haruna has shown to us all that he is a good leader and we are happy to support him”
They added that “We are fully behind Alhaji Haruna, so if today he is calling on us to unite, we will listen to him because the party is bigger than all of us. So today we want to assure everyone that, come On December 7th, NPP is winning both presidential and parliamentary in the constituency.”
The aggrieved members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of the Wulensi Constituency have smoke peace pipe after hours in crunch meeting
Source:Â Ernest Addo, Contributor
Professor of Surgery at the University of Ghana Medical Centre, (UGMC), Prof. Joe Nat Clegg-Lamptey, has backed calls for women to regularly get their breasts screened for early detection of breast cancer.
Speaking at the launch of the UGMC breast cancer awareness month, Prof. Clegg-Lamptey revealed that doctors can detect the early signs of breast cancer in women who visit health facilities regularly for screening.
“Love your breast, get screened, and save your life. Put away any fear whatsoever, be bold, and get screened for an effective treatment for survival,†Graphic.com.gh quoted Prof. Clegg-Lamptey.
He further noted, the Health Ministry and the country at large must consider a re-examination of strategies which has been employed in breast cancer education and awareness in previous years.
This he added, will attract more women to seek early screening and treatment.
Reports indicate that nearly 70% of women diagnosed with breast cancer in Ghana are usually in the advanced stages.
Pro. Clegg-Lamptey again called on the government to provided health facilities with the requisite logistics and financial support for effective treatment of breast cancer which is currently on the rise.
“Breast cancer is curable so lets all push for our women to get treated at the early stages for survival,†he said.
The theme for the UGMC breast cancer awareness month is “Love your breast, get screened and save your lifeâ€.
Source:Â www.ghanaweb.com
Latest figures released by the Ghana Health Service indicate that the country has recorded sixty-seven new cases of the novel coronavirus.
The death toll, as per the new release has risen to 308 from 306 in the last update on Sunday, October 11, 2020.
Cumulatively, Ghana has since March 12 recorded 47,097 cases of the coronavirus.
The active cases, however, stand at 337 with the total recoveries at 46,452.
Below is a breakdown of the cases
Greater Accra Region – 24,300
Ashanti Region – 10,980
Western Region – 2,971
Eastern Region – 2,419
Central Region – 1,928
Bono East Region – 783
Volta Region – 679
Western North Region – 644
Northern Region – 547
Ahafo Region – 527
Bono Region – 511
Upper East Region – 323
Oti Region – 242
Upper West Region – 90
Savannah Region – 62
North East Region – 19
Source:Â www.ghanaweb.com
About GH¢10.8 million will be disbursed to the accounts of 340 customers of liquidated Fund Management Companies by close of Monday, October 12, 2020.
Mr Kofi El-Awuku, the Managing Director of GCB Capital Limited, the implementer of the Government bailout package, told the Ghana News Agency that the process for another batch of payment to be made by close of business on Monday had started.
Mr El-Awuku said GH¢12.2 million was paid to 270 customers, being 170 customers on Thursday and 100 customers on Friday.
He said 5,300 customers were in scope for the programme.
The payments are under the Government bailout package for customers of liquidated Fund Management Companies who choose to accept the Bailout package.
The payment follows the successful validation of claims and the completion of creditor meetings with the Registrar-General with investors of the first 20 Fund Management Companies.
The bailout programme is being implemented via a special purpose entity, the Amalgamated Mutual Fund Plc (The AM Fund) established and managed by GCB Capital Limited.
The payment follows the successful validation of claims and the completion of creditor meetings with the Official Liquidator with investors of the first 20 Fund Management Companies.
These monies are being advanced to those who have agreed to the payment structure put forward by the Official Liquidator, Mrs Jemima Oware.
He said that the fund had been structured into two tiers, (tier one and tier two) with the Liquidator developing some certain matrix with different categories of customers and different amounts.
He said per where the customer fell within the matrix, they may either take all or part of their investment.
He said it was only the money in tier two that customers could now put in request to claim all or part.
“So, it is only part of the money in tier two that they can also send request to be paid to them or all of it paid out,†he said.
He said the institution had processed all the requests from customers, since the last time they paid.
He said those who had submitted the redemption forms, were those that were being paid and others were still going through Know Your Customers (KYC) procedure.
“Some have gone through all the processes but are not willing to withdraw their funds,†he added.
He said government had provided funds to be paid to as many customers, who submit their documents or request to the bank for payment.
Mr El-Awuku said they were ready to pay per the request they received within 48 hours, adding that they had received some complaints from customers, who indicated that they went to the branch to be paid but were denied.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Friday, November 8, 2019 withdrew the licenses of 53 fund management companies.
Source:Â GNA
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced new capital requirements for operators in its market.
SEC said the revision of the capital requirement falls in line with Section 209 of the Securities Industry Act 2016, (Act 929) which mandates it to undertake such exercises to promote the growth of the industry.
According to a statement from SEC, the new capital requirement takes effect on December 31, 2021.
All new entrants into the market will be required to meet the new capital requirement while those already in the market will be required to meet the new standard before the end of 2021.
“The Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Reverend Daniel Ogbarmey Tetteh speaking at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Ghana Securities Industry Association (GSIA) in Accra remarked that the new minimum capital requirements for market operators were expected to be in force by end of next year therefore existing market operators would be expected to be fully compliant by 31st December 2021 while new entrants would be required to meet the new requirements immediately,†the statement said.
See below are the new requirements:
The statement said extensive stakeholder consultations and discussions were held over the new capital requirement therefore it “should come as no surprise to the market.â€
In addition to the new licensing guidelines, the Securities and Exchange Commission has also issued other guidelines to steer the operations and activities of market operators.
These include Conduct of Business Guidelines, Regulatory Sandbox Licensing Guidelines and Corporate Governance Code for listed companies.
Source: citinewsroom
Issahaku Aremeyaw Somo, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for West Mamprusi Municipality in the North East Region, has said he was lucky to have escaped a robbery attack targeted at him.
According to him, he had some security personnel with him who had to open fire and repel the robbers who attempted to block his convoy.
Speaking to Joy News on Monday, the MCE disclosed that the incident happened on Sunday night when he was traveling to some communities which were affected by the recent floods in the region to disburse funds to the flood victims.
Issahaku Aremeyaw Somo explained that the robbers mounted roadblocks between Zaksilary and Nasi, and laid siege awaiting the arrival of his convoy.
He said: “I called for the police patrol. When we got to Zaksilary, they waited until they were not getting us. So, two motorbikes were passing and they shot at one. He got to Zaksilary and told us that we should not move. So quickly the police patrol moved in there and chased them off.â€
Aremeyaw Somo said he suspects the robbers may have come after the money in his possession.
He added: “We are suspecting they came after the GHS100,000. Since then, I have had to move about with security. I knew that my security was important so I had to go with the police. That way, my security is assured while disbursing the money.â€
Aremeyaw Somo noted that one of the two men on the motorbike who saved his life suffered gunshot injuries.
The MCE urged the Ministry of the Interior to as a matter of urgency provide a vehicle to the police for more intensive patrols because the municipality is known to be a robbery hotspot with armed gangs capitalizing on poor road networks in the area to attack commuters.
Source:Â www.ghanaweb.com
Staff of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has threatened to embark on a strike effective Wednesday, October 14, 2020, to demand the return of lands taken away from the Authority.
This was disclosed in a notice by the GCAA to airlines flying from and to the Kotoka International Airport and the general public.
It was co-signed for and on behalf of the Coalition of GCAA workers by its spokespersons William Amoako and John Sampah.
According to the GCAA staff, it “may embark on an action to withdraw some essential services, including Air Traffic Services, from Wednesday, 14th October 2020, to demand the return of lands taken away from the Authority.â€
The staff noted that the strike action has become necessary “after exhausting all relevant avenues, including meetings and discussions with the executive management of GCAA and the Ministry of Aviation, interventions by the National Labour Commission and the Ministry of National Security, a letter to the Chief of Staff, a petition to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and a recent press conference.â€
The statement further noted: “The reallocation or sale of lands strictly meant for aviation purposes to private developers poses serious safety concerns to the aviation industry. You would recall that some of your flights have been experiencing occasional breakdown in communication with air traffic control due to constant interference and heavy background noise on some of our frequencies since October 2, 2020.â€
The staff continued that they have “reason to believe that these challenges are due to the activities of real estate developers around our communication systems, navigational aids and surveillance systems on GCAA lands,†as these developments have made it nearly impossible for GCAA “to provide quality air traffic and air navigation services.â€
The GCAA staff are, therefore, demanding that the government stop “the threat and damage to vital communication, navigation and surveillance equipment and installations, the wanton demarcation and sale of GCAA lands to private persons†and “the forceful eviction of GCAA staff from their officially allocated bungalows.â€
The staff, however, stated that they would rescind their decision to withdraw essential services “only if all activities on the lands are stopped immediately and land titles, by Executive Instrument and lease, are issued in the name of GCAA.â€
The Coalition also stated that if its pleas are not “heeded and any accident or serious incident occurs, the following persons, whose actions and inactions have led to this unfortunate situation, must be held accountable: Mad. Cecilia Dapaah, immediate past Minister of Aviation; Joseph Kofi Adda, Minister of Aviation; Kwaku Asomah Cheremeh, Minister of Lands; Air Commodore Rexford GM Acquah (Rtd), Board Chairman of GCAA; Ing. Simon Allotey, immediate past Director-General of GCAA; Ing. Charles Kraikue, Director-General of GCAA; Mr Paul Kontoh, who is a retired Director of General Services at GCAA, but on a two-year contract; and Alhaji Suleiman, Mr Quainoor and Clemence Gyato, all of Lands Commission.â€
The coalition emphasised that it is resorting to the strike in “the interest of safety, the sustainable growth of the aviation industry, and a lasting solution to this matter.â€
It, however, regretted “the inconveniences that might arise from the withdrawal of these vital services†reiterating that “we must protect current installations and make provisions for new ones.â€
Staff of the GCAA had earlier embarked on a protest to register their displeasure about the encroachment of lands belonging to the Authority.
According to the GCAA staff, the aviation sector in the country risks shutting down if steps are not taken to protect its lands.
A statement issued by the leaders of the GCAA staff noted: “The aviation industry is dynamic and driven by technologyâ€.
“This means that new technology may spring up, which requires a piece of land for its implementation.
“Some parcels of land must, therefore, be set aside for those purposes.
“Non-availability of land for these installations will mean there is no future for aviation in Ghanaâ€, they warned.
Source: Class FM
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) says an audio recording circulating on social media suggesting that a Ghana Government official has been caught laundering cash into the United Kingdom is fake.
According to the NCSC, its “forensic analysis†has revealed that the said audio, which is purported to have come from an international news outlet, was computer-generated.
The NCSC explained that the individuals involved used available technologies for fictitious audio-visual creation and manipulation.
In a statement copied to GhanaWeb, the NCSC informed the general public that it is working with the Police CID and other security agencies to identify the source of the audio recording and bring the perpetrators to book.
“The public is thereby reminded that production of such information is a crime under section 115 of the Electronic Transaction Act and section 159 of the criminal offences Act,†the statement said.
It continued: “NCSC wishes to draw the attention of the public that circulating such fictitious content breached the law under Section 76 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775) [which states]:
“(1) A person who by means of electronic communications service, knowingly sends a communication which is false or misleading and likely to prejudice the efficiency of life saving service or to endanger the safety of any person, ship, aircraft, vessel or vehicle commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than three thousand penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not more than five years or both.
“(2) A person is taken to know that a communication is false or misleading if that person did not take reasonable steps to find out whether the communication was false, misleading, reckless or fraudulent.â€
The NCSC therefore urged the general public and mainstream media to be on a lookout for false news and other similar viral videos and audios.
Read below the full statement.
The attention of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has been drawn to an audio circulating on social media purporting to be a news report from an international news outlet suggesting that a Ghana Government official has been caught laundering cash into the UK.
Forensic analysis by the National Cyber Security Centre reveals the audio was computer-generated using available technologies for fictitious audio-visual creation and manipulation. The Centre is working with the Police CID and other security agencies to identify the sources of this and other false materials being generated and bring them to book.
The public is hereby reminded that production of such information is a crime under Section 115 of the Electronic Transactions Act, 2008 (Act 772) and Section 159 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). The NCSC wishes to draw the attention of the public that circulating such fictitious content breaches the law under Section 76 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775):
(1) “A person who by means of electronic communications service, knowingly sends a communication which is false or misleading and likely to prejudice the efficiency of life saving service or to endanger the safety of any person, ship, aircraft, vessel or vehicle commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than three thousand penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not more than five years or both.
(2) “A person is taken to know that a communication is false or misleading if that person did not take reasonable steps to find out whether the communication was false, misleading, reckless or fraudulent.†Law enforcement agencies have therefore been alerted about the ongoing circulation of the audio and offenders would be arrested and prosecuted under the law.”
The general public and mainstream media outlets are hereby advised to be on the lookout for false news items and similar fake productions circulating virally with the hope that it will be carried into mainstream media. These are common interference tactics especially generated during election seasons globally.
The public is hereby advised to report such suspected information or incident in circulation on social media or any digital platform to the National Cyber Security Centre through the Cybercrime/Cybersecurity Incidents Points of Contact (call or SMS 292).
The Ministry of Communications through the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) working in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and other relevant security agencies are committed to ensuring a safer cyber space for all Ghanaians.
Signed
National Cyber Security Centre
info@cybersecurity.gov.gh
+233503185846
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government’s flagship Free Senior High School (FSHS) has significantly increased female enrolment for secondary education in the country.
In a media interview on on Monday, October 12, Dr. Bawumia explained that, the introduction of the Free SHS policy had ended a disturbing trend, which saw the education of many females from poor families being truncated in favour of sponsoring a male child due to lack of funding.
The introduction of the Free SHS, Dr Bawumia indicated, had solved many social problems including; the improvement in female enrollment at the secondary school level.
“Prior to the introduction of Free SHS, there was this situation of families who couldn’t afford to pay fees of all their children and normally sacrificing the females in order to mobilise money and concentrate on the male child.
“This situation left the girls behind and many of them ended up as house girls. It was all because parents could not afford to pay all children and the family would decide to sponsor the male and drop the female,” the Vice President observed.
The Vice President said the policy was well- thought out by the compassionate Akufo-Addo, who brought it to give all children free access to secondary education to alleviate the suffering of parents.
“President Akufo-Addo is a compassionate leader and the Free SHS policy was meant to build an educated population by giving all children from every part of the country, regardless of the social and economic status of their parents, free access to secondary education,” he emphasised.
The policy, he said, had resolved many problems such as lifting financial burden off parents and improved enrollment of female enrollment.
“Now people find it difficult to get young girls to be their house girls.” Dr Bawumia stated.
Source:Â GNA
Yaw Buaben Asamoa, Communication Director, New Patriotic Party (NPP), has urged Ghanaians to retain the NPP in power to transform the educational sector as outlined in the Education Strategic Plan.
He said the plan, which spanned 2018 to 2030, sought to reform the sector and make teaching and learning more relevant to meet the human resource and development needs of the country.
Mr Buaben Asamoa, made the call at a press briefing in Accra organised by the Party to highlight some of the interventions of the government in the educational sector.
He said in three and half years, the government had restored Teacher Trainee allowance, developed National Teachers Standards for Pre-service Teachers and developed a National Teacher Education Curriculum Framework to guide Teacher Education Institutions in the development of relevant world-class curricula.
Mr Buaben Asamoa stated that the government had introduced a Quality Assurance, Accreditation and Assessment Tool for all 46 Colleges of Education to promote the training of high-quality teachers and worked with five teacher education universities to develop a three-semester top-up programme for in-service teachers to upgrade and acquire Bachelor of Education.
The government, he noted, had developed and deployed Colleges of Education Information Management System (CEMIS) to ensure information and data sharing between Colleges and the National Council for Tertiary Education as well as introduced the National Service Scheme for graduates of Colleges of education.
He said the conditions of service of teachers had been improved and that 35,515 staff that were at positions including Basic School Head, Headteachers, Assistant Headteachers, Chaplain/Imam, Form Master/Mistress were receiving responsibility allowance.
Mr Buaben Asamoa recalled that available data from the Ghana Education Service between 2013 and 2016 indicated that, on the average, 100,000 children, every year, passed the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) but could not take up their places in Senior High School due financial constraints.
“This represented about 35 per cent of the total number of children who had been placed. Of those who took up their places, 22 per cent dropped out, again due to financial reasons. Free SHS has therefore come as a major boost to parents, students and the nation,†he said.
Mr Buaben Asamoa, who is also the Member of Parliament for Adentan, said the Senior High School population stood at about 1.2 million students, up from 800,000 at the start of the 2016/17 academic year.
Although the government introduced the double-track system, he said over the last three years, more than 1,000 structures, including dormitories, classroom blocks and laboratories were under construction to end it.
“Any promise by National Democratic Congress (NDC) leadership to abolish Double Track in seven months is unrealistic and desperate. It is obvious that the NDC does not understand the Double Track system, and have no real commitment to Free SHS,†he said.
Mr Buaben Asamoa said government had developed Technical and Vocational Skills (TVET) to help tackle challenges presented by the 4th industrial revolution, which requires tailor-made solutions that are adaptable globally.
He said the five-year Strategic Plan for TVET Transformation would among other things see the overall Upgrading and Modernization of the Vocational Education System in the country.
He said the plan would address the skills gap in the country by the revamping vocational training infrastructure across the country, resulting in the creation of world-class training facilities linked to current job market demands.
Source:Â GNA
John-Peter Amewu, Minister for Energy and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate (PC) for the Hohoe Constituency, has said his contributions to help the constituents had qualified him ahead of any candidate to become the next Member of Parliament (MP) in the Constituency.
He said it was inappropriate for Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia to describe him as only qualified to go to heaven but not Parliament despite his good deeds for the constituents.
“That is an insult to the integrity of the people of Hohoe, Asiedu Nketia indirectly was insulting the people of the Constituency and for me, which I take seriously. He needs to come back and apologise to the people.”
Mr Amewu, who was speaking to the Ghana News Agency, said “if the good works that I am doing can take me to heaven then my good deeds can equally take me to Parliament?
“The people of Hohoe are discerning, so, if I can go to heaven because of the good things, let me use that opportunity also to do good to the people of the Constituency for them to benefit.”
He said that was why for all the 28 years, the people that went to Parliament in the Constituency were not able to deliver anything positively.
“people in this Constituency, have been made to think that the seat is for the NDC and so whether the candidate is good or not, they should allow the person to go to Parliament. That is how they tuned the mindset of the people.â€
The PC said for a very long time, electorates do not look out for candidates but took into consideration that the seat was theirs adding that “this seat is not for anybody, it belongs to the Constituency.â€
He asked the constituents to elect a credible candidate from the parties to represent them and added that it would be a keen contest and that the NDC should be informed that voters have become decerning.
Mr Amewu said the people have benefited a lot from government projects over the period and it was there for everybody to see including free education and a whole lot in the constituency, which was enhancing the lives of citizens.
He said the constituents believe that if they elect me as their Member of Parliament, I would be able to do more for them.
He said the youth was hopeful that if he represented them in parliament, a lot of opportunities be available to them.
“So, they know it is now time to cede the seat to the New Patriotic Partyâ€, he said and cautioned them not to vote skirt and blouse., go along with the party while we explain issues to them.â€
Madam Rejoice Afi Agyagbo, NPP Volta Regional Women Organiser, said the election shall be free and fair and urged the youth not to engage in electoral violence.
“I have been a constituency executive; I can hopefully say Amewu will get to parliament because the dynamics have changed.
Source:Â GNA
Chaotic scenes from the University of Cape Coast Campus have been shared on social media following alleged attacks of students by men armed with knives and guns.
According to students, over the years, they have battled issues of robbery on campus, sometimes at knifepoint .
The situation seems to have worsened with the return of continuing students to campus to write their end of semester exams following the re-opening of schools after some of the restrictions brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic were lifted.
Many of them have taken to social media with the hashtag #UCCLivesMatter and that is currently trending at number one on Twitter with calls for the police to act swiftly.
However, school authorities and the University of Cape Coast Police seem unaware of the occurrence.
According to the police they have two dedicated patrol teams on campus but as of the time of this report were unaware of the situation.
Source: myjoyonline
The Municipal Chief Executive for West Mamprusi Assembly in the North East Region, Issahaku Aremeyaw Somo, has said he escaped a robbery attack on Monday, October 12, 2020.
This happened when the MCE was travelling to communities to disburse money to victims of recent flooding in the region.
Speaking on Eyewitness News, Mr. Somo said he was able to escape the attack because security personnel came in time to open fire on a group of robbers who attempted to block his convoy.
“Fortunately the police came in. But then at the time, they had already shot a motor rider on the leg. I was with the chiefs distributing the money when they brought him. They quickly rushed him to the hospital. I was alarmed, so I quickly had to go back to Walewale.â€
“That particular road is noted for robbery. Because of that, we mounted a number of security checks in the area and that had helped in curbing the attacks. But recently, the police had an accident in the area, and so they had toned down a bit, so I am sure these robbers wanted to take advantage of the situation. But luck evaded them,†he added.
On Thursday, October 1, 2020, four villages, Gaagbini, Dimia, Tinkaya, and Banawa were submerged in floodwaters following massive torrential rains that forced the banks of three dams to break, allowing the water from the dams to rush onto the villages
The government gave GHS100,000 to the MCE to support flood victims in the municipality.Â
Mr. Somo said he suspects the robbers may have come after the money in his possession.
“We are suspecting they came after the GHS100,000. Since then, I have had to move about with security. That way, my security is assured while disbursing the money.â€
Source: citinewsroom
The joy of two Ghanaian women, Florence Mankoh and Ruth Andoh, who went to Lebanon were short-lived upon reaching the country after they realized that the beautiful scenery that had imagined before entering the country was far from the truth.
Florence Mankoh and Ruth Andoh are Ghanaian returnees from Lebanon.
In an interview on ”Kokrokoo” on Peace FM, the ladies told host Kwami Sefa Kayi about their ordeal.
According to them, they were met with harrowing life experiences while in Lebanon.
Travel agents arranged for the two ladies who went on different journey to Lebanon.
On the part of Florence Mankoh, her travel agent gave her the assurance of getting a good job which will earn her 200 US dollars monthly salary.
She paid the travel agent Ghc 2,000 and made her journey through Nigeria to Lebanon.
Upon entering the country, she was first employed as a cleaner in a restaurant but wasn’t paid her promised monthly salary for the months she worked.
She therefore pursued a different job and got a new job as a housemaid but later turned into a slave.
Florence narrated how she was tormented by her Lebanese employer saying her employer would beat her and was also made to eat the leftovers of the food that her employer and the family ate after she had cooked for them.
There was an ocassion that she was even given a drug to render her a mad woman without her knowledge.
She noted that but for the intervention of a friend whose nurse mother told her about the function of the drug, she would have gone mad.
She worked as a housemaid for seven months but received salary for only three months.
She later run from her employer to settle on the streets of Lebanon with her child who took ill and later died.
Ruth Andoh, also narrating her predicament, told a similar story.
She disclosed that she worked for only two months in Lebanon and got tired of her employers’ maltreatment.
She also stole herself out of the place to resettle at another place where she was in a room with about 15 other women from Ghana and other African countries, trying to earn a living.
She stressed it is horrifying to be in Lebanon and revealed, before her return to Ghana, she rescued about 40 other women suffering in the hands of their Lebanese masters and mistresses.
Ruth advised Ghanaians who desire to travel to Lebanon and other countries that dish out barbaric treatments to Ghanaian nationals to reconsider their decision.
“No one should go again . . . some of us with experience, we would love to use these kinds of media platform not to go again,” she insisted.
Source:Â Peace FM