TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • Bono, Bono East, Ahafo will be agro-processing capital of Ghana – Mahama

    The Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has announced that the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions will be the designated centres for agro-processing in the country.

    In an earlier tour of the Bono and Bono East Regions where cashew, pepper and tomato are grown in commercial quantities, Mr Mahama promised that processing factories would be established in the regions, if he wins the December 2020 elections. This, he explained, will help add value and address the perennial problem of post-harvest losses and low crop prices to farmers.

    Addressing a durbar of chiefs, farmers, drivers, artisans and other groups in Techimantia in the Ahafo region on Friday, the NDC leader expressed confidence that the establishment of the processing factories will create more jobs, value and help the farmers earn more money for themselves and their families.

    Mr. Mahama expressed his disappointment with the cancellation of the free fertilizer programme introduced by his administration for cocoa farmers, noting that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo chose instead to sell cocoa fertilizers marked “not for sale” to the farmers.

    He promised the farmers that he will restore the free fertilizer programme.

    At the gathering, the former President introduced the NDC Parliamentary Candidate for the area, Hannah Bissue, who was also a former Deputy Minister of Agriculture under his administration.

    He said it was important to have more capable women in Parliament and therefore entreated the people to vote for her to be their Member of Parliament.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Tell us something ‘sensible’, you know the identity of secessionists – Pratt rebukes government

    Seasoned journalist, Kwesi Pratt Jnr has slammed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his government over their response to the Western Togoland secession brouhana.

    Some residents in the Volta Region have engaged in violent attacks days ago to demand freedom from Ghana.

    Popularly called the Western Togoland Secessionists, the group has attacked the State Transport Corporation (STC) and some Police stations in the Region.

    They set some buses belonging to the STC ablaze, calling on the government to grant them independence to become a country.

    Recently responding to the group, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in an interview on Hello FM during his tour in the Ashanti Region, stressed that he has left the issue in the capable hands of the appropriate security personnel.

    “I have to be calm because institutions are in place. The security agencies are doing their work. They’ve started already and we’ll see results. If I panic, the country panics. It’s like the COVID-19 disease, if I had panicked, fear would have gripped all of us. But I know the work that God has appointed me to do, if I panic, the entire nation will also panic. That is not the purpose of leadership. I’m supposed to assure people that our country will work. What is happening in the Volta Region in the time of these handful – it’s just a handful of people, these secessionists – we’ll deal with it. I have no doubts about it,” he said.

    “I trust the security agencies. I trust the Armed Forces. I trust the Police. I trust their leadership. The intelligence agencies, I know they are all working very, very, very hard to make sure that this matter is dealt with as quickly as possible”, the president added.

    But Kwesi Pratt Jnr is of a strong opinion that the government is not treating the issue with the required seriousness.

    “I’ve seen the Police situation report. Twenty-four (24) hours before the incident, the Police report indicated that these things were going to happen. According to the report we have, the attacks took place around 1:30 am. The security agencies got on the ground at 12 noon. What is happening?

    “Take a look at the number of Ministers responsible for security; we can count about four or five (5). When you add the Defence Minister, it’s about five and all this can still go on. What are you telling us? Do you think we’re children or what? All this happening with all this security architecture, why?” he questioned.

    He revealed that the government knew about the plans of the secessionist group beforehand but stood aloof for it to happen.

    “Government knows; the security knows who they are, where they are. What is happening? Somebody must be telling us something sensible.”

    He also wondered why the President has not taken drastic actions against the group.

    “One of the duties of the President is that he signs death warrant…You have a huge responsibility when we hand over the reins of the country to you…Is everything we do in government good? Is espionage a good thing? Is war a good thing? Governments declare war; people die and so on. The litmus test is whether or not the actions being taken by the government are in the national interest or they’re not in the national interest”, he said on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’.

    Source: Peace FM

  • ‘Government moved economy from taxation to production’ Kwarteng

    The government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has shifted the local economy from taxation to production, Mr Kwaku Kwarteng, a Deputy Minister of Finance, has said.

    He stated on TV3’s The Key Points programme on Saturday, October 3 that this forms part of efforts to grow the economy and also to ameliorate the hardships on Ghanaians.

    “The government is shifting the economy from taxation to production. I could go to the 2017 budget and list all the tax lines that we either abolished or reduced,” he said.

    In 2017, the government either abolished or reduced over 15 “nuisance” taxes.

    These included abolishing the 17.5% VAT/NHIL on real estates, abolishing the 17.5% VAT/NHIL on selected imported medicines, that are not produced locally, abolishing of the 17.5% VAT/NHIL on financial services, and abolishing import duty on the importation of spare parts.

    The government also abolished 1% special import levy, 17.5% VAT on domestic airline tickets, levies imposed on Kayayei by local authorities, reduced import duty for all goods excluding vehicles 50% and vehicles by 30%, abolished excise duty on petroleum, provided full corporate tax deduction for private universities who plough back 100% of profits into the university, reduced National Electrification Scheme Levy from 5% to 3%, reduced Public Lighting Levy from 5% to 2%, reduced special petroleum tax rate from 17.5% to 13% and introduced specific rates

    The government also replaced the 17.5 VAT/NHIL rate with a flat rate of 3 % for traders and granted Capital Gains Tax Exemption on stocks traded on the Ghana Stock Exchange or publicly held securities approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

    Mr Kwarteng, who is also Member of Parliament for Obuasi West, said: “We did introduce the GETFund levy and the NHIL Levy.

    “We did make them tax lines that for which you could not repeat as input tax . But what you need to look at is that overall the interventions that we have brought by way of taxing, did they reduce the tax burden on Ghanaians or not?”

    His claims were, however, rejected by former Minister of Finance Seth Terkper, who indicated on the show that those taxes that were abolished have been reintroduced in different forms.

    “They have not shifted the economy from taxation to production because each of the taxes they have gone back to use other means of reintroducing it,” he said.

    On this particular point, Mr Kwrateng clarified that although the government had removed some taxes, it was also its responsibility to look at which of the taxes to be reintroduced to enable the government achieve its objectives.

    “Even though in 2017 we had abolished some taxes, it is the responsibility of government as the economy moves to see which taxes will have to be reduced further, which other taxes will have to be reintroduced in order to achieve specific economic policy objectives,” he said.

    Source: 3 News

  • Ghana gets GH¢1.53 billion from 2-year bond sale, exceeds target

    The Ghana government has achieved more than half of its target from the 2-year bond issuance yesterday, raising GH¢1.53 billion cedis as against a target of GH¢1 billion.

    The interest rate or yield of 18.50 per cent was also in line with the secondary market levels.

    A chunk of the funds would be used to settle maturing debt, whiles the remaining will be used to support government financing.

    In the previous bond sale bond last month, the government accepted GH¢823.64 million for the 3-year bond auctioned on Thursday, October 1, 2020.

    The interest rate of the debt instrument which would be paid semi-annually till maturity was 19.0%.

    The government accepted all the bids issued for the three-year cedi-denominated bond which will mature in the year 2023.

    Since the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic, the government has been accepting all bids for bonds issued so far.

    A book-building approach was adopted for the latest bond sale, an indication that a pricing guideline was set before the bond was floated.

    Meanwhile, the Ghana government has also exceeded its weekly Treasury Bills sale last Friday, the first time in several weeks.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Dormaa Chief supports Mahamas call for national debate

    The Paramount Chief of Dormaa Traditional Council, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang-Badu II, has supported the call for the leaders of the two major parties to hold a national debate, as Ghana prepares for the December 7 general elections.

    The presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Mr John Dramani Mahama challenged President Akufo-Addo to an infrastructure debate on Thursday, 20 August 2020.

    Mr Mahama told the chiefs and people of Kwamekrom in the Biakoye constituency during his Oti Region tour that “he is ready to settle the infrastructure debate once and for all”, adding that “President Akufo-Addo is at liberty to select the moderators and the institution that he wants to organise the debate, and he will show up any day, at any time and anywhere.”

    Even though there has not been an official response from the incumbent President, the NPP says it is not in their campaign plans to debate the former President.

    The Dormaa Paramount Chief, however, supports the call for a national debate.

    Addressing a gathering when the former president paid a courtesy call on him at his palace in Dormaa Ahenkro on Thursday, 2 October 2020, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang-Badu II said: “I strongly support this debate between the two presidential candidates to enable Ghanaians to know the party with the better track record and decide who to vote for”.

    Oseadeeyo Agyemang-Badu II expressed the hope that the two parties would come to an amicable solution to participate in the national debate.

    In the area of infrastructure development, the Dormaa Paramount Chief extolled the achievements of Mr Mahama during his tenure.

    According to Oseadeeyo Agyemang-Badu II, he is always ready to praise any government that is working to develop his area and urged other leaders who would get the opportunity to govern the country to work hard to beat the record that has been set by Mr Mahama, for Ghana to develop.

    Source: Class FM

  • Non-compliance with road safety regulations, primary cause of road crashes – NRSA

    Non-compliance with road safety regulations on the part of road users was the major cause of accidents, according to a preliminary investigation by the National Road Safety Authority into some road crashes.

    The Authority entreated all drivers to always check their blind spots before driving off, avoid drink driving, over speeding and wrongful overtaking to avoid needless road crashes in the country.

    Mrs May Obiri-Yeboah, Director General of the Authority, said this at the inauguration of the Takoradi Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority Regional office and the unveiling of a National Road Safety “Arrive Alive” campaign.

    The campaign is one of many other programmes in the transportation space aimed at helping to mitigate the frequent occurrence of road traffic crashes and its resultant fatalities and injuries in the country.

    The campaign also involved the media in producing road safety commercials, documentaries, in-studio and field coverage, advocacy and enforcement, panel discussions, and outreaches in the regions, districts and communities.

    The third quarter of this year has seen an upsurge in road traffic crashes, particularly disturbing is the crashes that occurred a few weeks ago which claimed many lives, injuries and properties.

    She said these occurrences called for constructive national conversations on the urgent need for better road user discipline and greater policy commitment in preventing the carnage on the roads.

    From January to August in 2020, 9,205 crashes occurred, resulting in 1,585 deaths, 1,638 pedestrian knockdowns and 9,397 injuries involving 15,459 vehicles.

    “These road traffic crashes have led to the current high incidence of fatalities and serious injuries that could have been avoided if caution had been exercised, “she said.

    She urged pedestrians to always check their surroundings when on the road, and look out for safe crossing facilities like pedestrian crossing points or footbridges when crossing the road to ensure their safety.

    Mrs Obiri-Yeboah stated that road transport remained the primary mode of transportation in Ghana. Safety on our roads has become a key challenge in the country, though road traffic crashes and their resultant casualties are preventable.

    She said for the past years, the country had serious resource challenges, capacity constraints and low level of commitment from duty bearers.

    It is in response to these challenges that the government passed the National Road Safety Authority Act, 2019 (Act 993) to protect lives and enhance its mandate in promoting, coordinating and regulating activities related to road safety.

    “As we prepare for the 2020 Election and Christmas season, we reiterate our earnest appeal to politicians and the general public to join the advocacy for discipline on the part of road users, including the wearing of crash helmets and seatbelts, avoiding needless manoeuvring by motor riders, and packing people in buckets of pickups, “she said.

    Source: GNA

  • 2020 elections: What Otumfuo told Akufo-Addo and Mahama when they called on him

    The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is undoubtedly one of the most respected figures in the country which makes his statements profound and impactful.

    It is for this reason that in every election year, politicians, particularly presidential candidates of the two leading parties call on him before they commence their campaign in the Ashanti Region where he rules as king.

    This year, both Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party and John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress have visited the king in separate meetings.

    On August 26, 2020, when John Mahama paid a courtesy call on Otumfuo, the Asantehene asked the former president to do an introspection on why he lost the 2016 elections.

    Otumfuo advised Mahama to explain to Ghanaians the mistakes of his government and how he intends to correct those mistakes if re-elected.

    “You have been a President before and you want to return as President. I have spoken to you a lot and I have said that if you want to come back, let Ghanaians know what went wrong yesterday. Also let Ghanaians know that the mistakes won’t be repeated”.

    When you lost the election, I said that Ghanaians voted against you out of disappointment and anger, Otumfuo added.

    “And when you were re-elected as flagbearer and you informed me, I asked you whether you have looked at your mistakes in the past and how you can convince Ghanaians how you will correct those mistakes”, the Asantehene said.

    President Akufo-Addo is the latest of the two flagbearers to visit the Otumfuo at his Manhyia Palace.

    Addressing Akufo-Addo and his entourage on Monday September 28, 2020, Otumfuo said that the achievements of the president in the last four years will speak for him.

    Otumfuo assured Akufo-Addo that Asanteman will remember what he has done for them.

    “Your good works in office will speak for you going forward into the election. We, in Asanteman, remember, we do not forget. Asanteman will, therefore, remember your good works on the election day. All I can offer you is prayers and blessings.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • V/R: Regional Minister threatens to sue persons suggesting he funded secessionists

    The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, has threatened to sue persons suggesting that he funded activities of the separatist movement, Homeland Study Group Foundation.

    The name of the Minister has come up as being a patron of the group in a number of media engagements with some persons claiming to be members of the separatist movement.

    In a recent interview with a local TV station in the Volta Region, V1 TV, two men who were interviewed on grounds of anonymity claimed the regional minister provided them, amongst other things, food in 2014.

    But the Regional Minister in a Citi News interview warned that he will take legal action against any person or group of people seeking to defame him.

    “I have asked the TV station that interviewed people to may such grievous claims on anonymity to produce those individuals. If they bring out their faces, boldly making such claims, I will sue them in court for defaming my hard-earned reputation.”

    He stressed his loyalty to the Republic of Ghana.

    “I do not know them. How can I be associated with a group that wants to secede from the Republic of Ghana? My loyalty to the republic is 100%. It does not even cross my mind.”

    Activities of Secessionist groups

    Ghanaians on Friday, September 25, 2020, witnessed reports that the group had blocked some major roads leading into the Volta Region.

    They mounted roadblocks on the JuapongAccra, and SogakopeAccra main roads.

    The roadblocks were subsequently cleared as security agencies took control of the highways and strategic installations within the region.

    Homeland Study Group Foundation wants the Volta Region and sections of the northern part of Ghana to be an autonomous country known as Western Togoland.

    The group has made a number of attempts to push for the secession of the Volta Region from Ghana for the creation of a Western Togoland state.

    The group even declared independence for the Western Togoland in November 2019.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Tension in Kumasi as military, police storm Central Mosque

    Tension is mounting at the Ashanti Regional Central Mosque, after armed police and military personnel are deployed there to maintain law and order.

    It follows a misunderstanding between some Muslims Youth and Ashanti Regional Chief Imam Sheikh Abdul Mumin Harun.

    Personnel of Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service were at the Kumasi Central Mosque to protect the Regional Chief Imam and ensure peace.

    Some aggrieved Muslim youth threatened to force the Chief Imam, Sheikh Abdul Mumin Harun, to resign over his alleged political pronouncements.

    The aggrieved youth have accused the Imam of been bias against the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama.

    Muslims were having Jumma (Friday prayers) at the Central Mosque in the Ashanti Region when the security officers stormed the place.

    The Executive Secretary of Office of Regional Chief Imam, Ustaz Ahmed Seidu speaking in an interview stated that youth had planned to cause mayhem at the place of worship.

    According to him “the military and the police are not at the Central Mosque to intimidate anyone but those who will make an attempt to cause confusion will not find it easy.”

    “If anyone dare messes up with the peace we are enjoying at the Kumasi Central Mosque , believe you me , that person will regret it. The police and the military will deal drastically with that person,” he added.

    Source: angelonline.com.gh

  • Former President Mahama to embark on a four-day-tour of Western North Region

    Former President John Dramani Mahama and flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is set to embark on a four-day tour in the Western North Region beginning on Sunday, 4th October to Wednesday 7th October.

    The former President is scheduled to pay working visits to the Paramount chiefs of Waiwso, Chirano, Suaman, Aowin, and Anwhiaso traditional areas.

    Mr Mahama would hold a durbar to interact with the electorates at Aprutu, Bopa, Enchi, Aciamfo, Akontombra Nkwanta, Dadieso, Kwasuo, and Karlo all in the Akontombra, Aowin, and Suaman constituencies.

    He will also address the chiefs and people of Bonsu-Nkwanta, Mafia, Bonzian, Patakro, Bodi, and Kojina.

    Some other communities he plans to visit are Adabokrom, Asemnyenakrom, Akatiso, Dwenase and Surano, Tanoso, and Waiwso all in the Juabeso, Bodi, Bia West, Bia East, Waiwso, and the Bibiani Anwhiaso Bekwai constituencies.

    Mr Goerge Ofori Dunkwa, Regional Secretary of the party who confirmed the former President’s visit in a statement said Mr Mahama would on the final day of his tour launch the party’s national campaign at Sefwi Dwenase in the Waiwso constituency.

    He said the NDC flagbearer will be accompanied by his Vice Presidential Candidate, Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, General Secretary Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia among others.

    Source: GNA

  • Prof Benneh was killed for resisting robbery attempt by cleaner Police

    The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has revealed that the late University of Ghana law lecturer, Prof Emmanuel Yaw Benneh, was allegedly killed because he resisted a robbery attempt by his cleaner, James Nana Womba.

    According to the Police, the 29-year-old, in his confession statement admitted to killing the professor when he, together with another person, tried to rob him.

    James was on Wednesday, September 30, charged with conspiracy to commit crime and murder by the Kaneshie District Court.

    Addressing a press conference on Friday, October 2, the Director General of the Police CID, COP Ken Yeboah, said, “Based on forensic evidence gathered from the crime scene, the suspect was subjected to further interrogation and he broke down and confessed that he masterminded the murder of the professor.

    “Initially, he mentioned the names of some suspects but he has changed that assertion and mentioned somebody else. He has admitted that he did commit the crime with one other person.”

    COP Ken Yeboah further disclosed that the suspect had a duplicate key to Prof Benneh’s house “and the idea was to rob him but the professor was not giving in as they expected and so they hit him with an iron rod and tired him, gagged him and he died.”

    Items stolen

    According to COP Ken Yeboah, two phones belonging to the late professor, as well as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and GH¢450 were taken from Prof Benneh’s house.

    “I must say that the prime suspect has admitted taking the money and the CPU which according to him, he dumped in a septic tank because he was entertaining fears that some cameras must have captured him,” he said.

    According to him, James also gave clues as to where he kept some of the items he stole from the late professor and where he had sold some of them.

    He said investigators had been dispatched to the crime scene to conduct further investigations and retrieve the CPU as well as the iron rod with which the suspect used in hitting the professor.

    Background

    The body of Prof Benneh was discovered in his residence on Saturday, September 12, lying in a pool of blood, with his hands tied behind him and his body bearing cuts all over.

    Four persons, all workers at his residence, were earlier arrested to assist in the investigations.

    Three of them, Christian Pobee, 32, cleaner; Isaac Botchwey, 41, houseboy; and Adams Mensah Mansur, 52, gardener; were on Wednesday, discharged by the Kaneshie District Court. 

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Afotey Agbo wishes Bawumia well

    The regent of Katamanso and sitting Member of Parliament (MP) of Kpone Katamanso, Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo has wished the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia well in the upcoming elections.

    He said whatever the outcome of the elections, they [NDC] will accept it.

    “The Vice President is not my enemy, he is there for all of us and so whatever the outcome of the elections, we will accept it and then work with it,” he added.

    Speaking when the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia called on him at his palace at Katamanso Thursday [October 1. 2020], Nii Afotey Agbo said he is a friend to most of the NPP executives and therefore politics should not be about insults.

    Nii Afotey Agbo who was addressing Dr Bawumia and his entourage said even though his party – NDC – was in opposition, he was going about his activities freely without harassment.

    He said where there was the need to advise, he would do so and advised against politics of insults.

    Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo has been representing the people of Kpone Katamanso on the ticket of the NDC in Parliament since January 2005 – 4th, 5th, 6th and the current 7th Parliament – but he has decided to step down this time around and concentrate on his chieftaincy role.

    He is therefore not contesting in the 2020 parliamentary election in Kpone Katamanso.

    He was one time the Greater Accra Regional Minister as well as the Volta Regional Minister under the NDC regime.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • The motive was to rob him – Prof Benneh’s killer

    James Womba, a suspect in the murder of Professor Emmanuel Yaw Benneh, has told police that he had the motive of robbing his late boss.

    Speaking to the media on Friday, October 2, 2020, the Director General of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service, COP Isaac Ken Yeboah, said the suspect in his confession disclosed that he and his accomplice were compelled to knock out the victim, killing him in the process, after he failed to yield to their demands.

    The suspect per his confession is said to have carried out the act with an accomplice whose name he gave to the police and subsequently changed the name of his associate to another person.

    The police say the suspect and his accomplice upon the professor’s refusal to heed to their demand for money and his persistent attempt to raise an alarm, hit him with an iron rod and gagged him, causing his death.

    DCOP Yeboah also told the media that, James Womba and his accomplice, after killing the professor, took his two phones and an amount of GH¢450 cedis from his wallet.

    For fear of being recorded, the suspect according to the police took a Central Processing Unit attached to a computer in the room and dumped it into a septic tank in the compound.

    The suspect in his confession also told the police that he masterminded the whole attack on the late professor who had employed him as cleaner.

    The suspect has said he and his accomplice gained access to the room of his boss on the day of the attack, with the help of a duplicate key to his room which he kept unbeknownst to his boss.

    The late Professor Yaw Benneh, a law lecturer at the University of Ghana, was found dead in his room on September 12, 2020 at his Adjiriganor residence.

    The late Professor Benneh who was last seen in his neighborhood on September 10, 2020, was found in a pool blood with his hands tied.

    Subsequently, the police after commencing investigation into the murder arrested four suspects who were all domestic workers of the professor.

    James Womba, a cleaner finally opened up to the police after breaking down under investigation.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • C/R: Five dead, 15 in critical condition after illegal mining pit caves in

    Five persons are feared dead whilst fifteen others have sustained severe injuries after an illegal mining pit caved in at Ayamfuri in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central region.

    Citi News sources say the illegal miners were working in an abandoned mining pit between Ayamfuri and Gyaman when the unfortunate incident happened.

    Speaking to Citi News, the Upper Denkyira West District NADMO Director, Mr Isaac Gyasi indicated that the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the Dunkwa government hospital morgue.

    “At around 3 pm yesterday [Thursday] we had information that some illegal miners who were operating between Ayanfuri and Gyaman in the Upper Denkyira West had died after the mining pit they were working in caved in.”

    “Rescue team involving the Police and NADMO moved to the area and were able to rescue the 20 illegal miners but unfortunately for them, five persons died in the process,” the Upper Denkyira West NADMO Director told Citi News.

    According to the District NADMO Director, the mining pit belongs to a mining company operating in the area but the illegal miners found their way into the pit to work leading to the unfortunate incident.

    “From what I know, this mining pit belongs to a mining company operating in the area but these illegal miners found their way into the pit to work after it was used by the mining company,” Isaac Gyasi said.

    He noted that the NADMO and the Police will move to the area again today, Friday to continue with the investigation.

    “The bodies of the five persons who died have been deposited at the Dunkwa Government hospital while the fifteen persons who sustained several injuries are being treated,” the NADMO Director added.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Prof Yaw Bennehs murder: Chilling details of domestic workers confession

    A domestic worker employed by the late Professor Yaw Benneh of the University of Ghana has confessed to the crime of the lecturer’s murder which took place on September 12, 2020.

    The Director-General of the CID, COP Isaac Ken Yeboah, revealed that the motive of the suspect, according to his own confession, was to rob his boss.

    He has confessed to masterminding the attack and gained access to the room of his late boss with the aid of a duplicate key which he kept without the knowledge of his boss.

    According to COP Yeboah, the suspect, after having mentioned the name of his accomplice this morning changed his narrative and mentioned a new person as his accomplice.

    On how they ended up killing his boss in the process, the suspect said after demanding money from his boss, the late professor denied them and in the process tried raising an alarm.

    According to the police, the suspect confessed that in the ensuing struggle to keep the professor silent they hit him with an iron rod and gagged him, causing the late professor to die.

    The two are then said to have made away with two mobile phones belonging to the professor and an amount of GH¢450 which was kept in the professor’s wallet.

    The suspect has also confessed that for fear of being recorded in the act, he took the late professors central processing unit(CPU) and dumped it in a septic tank in the house.

    He also confessed to sharing the two phones between himself and his accomplice after which the phones were sold off.

    According to the Director-General of the CID, C.O.P Isaac Ken Yeboah, the police will this morning visit the crime scene with the suspect to retrieve evidence including the iron rod which according to the suspect was thrown away around the crime scene.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Anomalies characterise one-day voter registration – EC urges calm

    The one-day voter registration exercise on Thursday, October 1 was fraught with anomalies at some centres.

    According to the Electoral Commission, Ghana (EC) some of the biometric voter registration (BVR) kits issued voter identity numbers that have already been issued to some of the applicants.

    “This error has been corrected,” the Commission said in a statement at the end of the exercise.

    “The affected applicants will be contacted and issued with new ID cards with unique numbers.”

    The anomalies with the voter register has been a grave source of concern for the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), for which reason its flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, and his running mate, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, suspended their campaigns. They have since resumed.

    But the EC assured that all those anomalies have been rectified with the missing names restored.

    Its Chair, Jean Mensa, told journalists last week that the errors have been reduced to barely 7,000 from 60,000.

    In the latest reported cases, the EC assured that “the biometric and biographic details of the affected applicants are intact”.

    Source: 3 News

  • I have never been a sympathiser of any secessionists group – Dr Letsa

    Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister has debunked reports alleging that he was part of the secessionists’ group, and had even provided funding to support some of their previous meetings.

    “I got to know about the group when I took office as Minister, I have never been their patron, I have never been their financier….I will never be a sympathiser of any group that wants to secede from the Republic of Ghana.

    “I have total commitment and loyalty to the republic of Ghana and I know Volta region is part and parcel of the republic of Ghana so I cannot consciously support a group that wants to secede from the republic of Ghana,” he stated.

    Dr Letsa was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency commended the security agencies for swiftly quelling the activities of the group when they blocked roads and attacked police stations in some part of the Region.

    He said, but for the vigilance and swift intervention by the security agencies, the secessionists’ activities would have been more devastating as some of their planned activities became fruitless due to the quick response from the security.

    The Minister said the activity of the group was a serious threat to the development of the Region and the country as a whole, therefore a collective effort was required to nip it in the bud, saying “when we are dealing with security issues, we must unite.”

    He said the Regional Security Council was working with other relevant stakeholders, with the stepping up of security and intelligence to track the movement of the group to ensure peace and tranquility in the Region.

    Dr Letsa called on the public to collaborate with the security agencies and provide them with information regarding any group or individuals whose activity intended to plunge the region or country into chaos.

    He urged residents in the Region to go about their lawful economic activities without fear as the security was in control of the situation to ensure their safety and protection.

    Source: GNA

  • Fodome, Gbledi and Wli traditional areas condemn secessionist activities

    Three traditional areas in the Hohoe Municipality have dissociated themselves from the recent separatist activities of the secessionists group in the Volta region.

    The areas, Fodome, Gbledi and Wli traditional authorities have condemned the behaviour of the group, the Homeland Study Group Foundation, an offshoot of Western Togoland Restoration Front, seeking independence of parts of the region.

    They said the activities undermined the peace and freedom enjoyed in the region and the nation as a whole adding that they had no association with the group nor supported their atrocious acts.

    Togbega Gbedegbleme Akpatsa II, Paramount Chief of the Fodome Traditional Area, in a speech read on his behalf by Togbe Digirigi I, Omankrado of Fodome Agbesia, said the Area had not endorsed the acts by the group and urged its citizens to avoid such group to ensure peace in the area adding that the area was not ready to come to the defence of any culprit.

    “Just as I stated last year when I was hosted at the Jubilee House by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, I want to reiterate my stance that I have no support for secessionist activities in my traditional area. And no portion of Fodome Traditional Area will be allowed to be used for any subversive activities against the state. The people of the area will co-operate fully with the government and security agencies in arresting any such deviants for peace and sanity to prevail.”

    Togbega Akpatsa expressed gratitude to the Government for its developmental projects in the area especially the establishment of the campus of the School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS).

    Togbega Homatekpor V, Paramount Chief of Gbledi Traditional Area, said the attack by the separatist group on the state security and State Transport Corporation buses was not far from a terrorist attack.

    He distanced the traditional area from the group and their activities which he described as barbaric and had the tendency to destabilise the democracy of the nation.

    The paramount Chief believed the miscreants could be far from the destruction scene and appealed to Ghanaians to provide information for their arrest.

    Togbega Lo I, Paramount Chief of Wli Traditional Area, speaking through Togbe Sonyi, his Warlord said the “Chiefs and people do not accept nor approve of the actions of this group and its affiliates and completely distanced ourselves from them.”

    “It is our hope that the authorities will take the appropriate steps to deal with those involved in these criminal acts in order to safeguard the peace and unity of our beloved region and country.”

    Source: GNA

  • Sefwi-Anhwaiso Chief appeals for the redevelopment of Bibiani Gold Mines

    The Paramount Chief of Sefwi-Anhwiaso Traditional Area, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi ll, has appealed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to consider redeveloping the Mensin Gold Mine in Bibiani to create jobs for the youth of the area.

    Ogyeahoho Gyebi II noted that the redevelopment and re-opening of the Mine would not only create jobs for the youth but would also improve upon the financial stamina of the Municipality.

    Ogyeahoho Gyebi II, the immediate past President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs appealed during the President’s recent visit to Bibiani as part of his three-day tour of the Western North Region.

    He was optimistic that with the operations of the Mines, the once vibrant Bibiani town would be brought back to life with an improvement in the living conditions of its residents.

    Ogyeahoho Gyebi II pointed out that the collapse of the Bibiani Gold Mines has affected a lot of activities, particularly business activities in the Bibiani Municipality.

    He explained that the Mensin Gold Mines Limited took over from Anglogold Ashanti Limited for the past six years but have not yet started operations.

    Ogyeahoho Gyebi II used the opportunity to call on the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh to speed up the processing of documents submitted to his outfit by the Small
    Scale Miners Association in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality to grant them permits to operate community mining in the area to earn a better living.

    Mr Asomah-Cheremeh assured the chief and residents of Bibinai that the government would soon reopen the Mensin Gold Mines.

    He hinted that his outfit was processing the requisite documents and that deliberations with the management of Mensin Gold Mines Limited were ongoing and the company would soon start operation.

    He announced that the government was set to re-open Mensin Gold Mines Limited in Bibiani come October 15, 2020, to pave way for full operations to reduce unemployment in the Bibiani Municipality and its environs.

    Source: GNA

  • I got zero vote at where I live in my constituency Kojo Frimpong

    Sports Journalist Kojo Frimpong, who wanted to represent the people of Wenchi in Parliament has said, nobody voted for him at where he lives in the constituency where he votes.

    “Where I live in Wenchi, the electoral area, I got zero,” he told Paul Adom-Otchere on Good Evening Ghana Thursday.

    When asked if he did not vote for himself, Frimpong responded that, at the time of the elections he did not have voting rights.

    This, according to him, makes it very difficult to trust the voters when it comes to politics.

    “I look at all those who said honourable, we will vote for you and then I got zero out of 14 votes, some places too I got two…it becomes difficult to have a relationship of trust with the delegates,” disappointed Kojo Frimpong said with a sobering voice.

    The journalist who was seeking to represent the people of Wenchi in parliament on the ticket of the NPP lost to Prof. George Yaw Gyan-Baffour, the incumbent MP.

    Prof Gyan-Baffour polled 172 votes, followed closely by Ameyaw Albert who polled 167 votes. Kojo Frimpong had 148 votes, whilst Tina Abrefa Gyan and Yaw Opoku Atuahene had 61 and 19 votes respectively.

    Prof. Gyan-Baffour first won the parliamentary primary in 2004 and has gone on to win in three subsequent elections in 2008, 2012 and 2016.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • No government will heed your ‘Western Togoland’ demands – Opanyin Agyekum to secessionists

    Dean of the School of Performing Arts of the University of Ghana, Professor Kofi Agyekum, popularly known as Opanyin Agyekum has registered his displeasure with the recent happenings in the Volta Region involving a group described as the Western Togoland Secessionists.

    Members of the group have recently been agitating for the restoration of the Western Togoland as an independent State from Ghana.

    Secessonists Attacks

    The group, on Friday, September 25, 2020, blocked some major roads in the Volta Region impeding vehicular movement and leaving passengers commuting to areas in the Region very stranded.

    They also attacked some Police stations in the Region amidst beliefs that they went in search for ammunitions to advance their course.

    On Tuesday, September 29, some buses belonging to the State Transport Corporation were set ablaze and the group is said to have masterminded the arson attack.

    Counter Force

    Some people have called on the government to apply counter force to bring the group to order.

    Seasoned journalist, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako shares a common belief that the use of counter force will help to resolve the issue.

    To him, dialogue as some concerned persons have suggested is not the solution.

    “Dialogue to what end? dialoguing with whom and for what?

    “You sit with them to achieve what purpose? . . . They’re already on board. They’re within Ghana. They’re Ghanaian citizens. So, what are we going to negotiate?” he questioned.

    “If they use force, we should apply counter force . . . If they apply force, the State of Ghana should apply counter force to keep the unitary character of Ghana intact…No compromise on that; there will be no negotiation,” he insisted.

    No Gov’t Will Accept Your Demand

    Also speaking in relation to the issue, Opanyin Agyekum says no government will heed the demands of the secessionists.

    Accoridng to him, the Western Togoland that the group is demanding has no basis and is non-existent.

    Opanyin Agyekum wondered why the group is misbehaving because, to him, Ghana is blessed with over 70 ethnic groups which have amalgamated and peacefully exist.

    He cautioned the secessionists to stop their attacks saying ”we don’t have anything as Western Togo anywhere. So, let nobody think he or she can separate himself/herself and I don’t believe any government will sit on the fence and watch them go. Where will they be leaving to?…It won’t work”.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Your work will end in 2024 Okyenhene to Akufo-Addo

    The Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, says President Akufo-Addo will end his work as leader of the country in 2024, seemingly endorsing the President ahead of the December polls.

    The Okyenhene while speaking on behalf of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs during a campaign tour of the area by the President, praised the NPP flagbearer for his handling of the COVID crisis in Ghana.

    “The whole world is praising Akufo-Addo for the good work he did in containing COVID in Ghana when even more resourceful nations still grapple with the virus. So when his work comes to a close; and his work is not ending now, even if it will end that will be around 2024, he should build a presidential library which will teach people how he handled the COVID virus in Ghana,” the Okyenhene said.

    On Monday, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, assured the President that his record in office “will speak for him” in the 2020 polls.

    “Your good works in office will speak for you going forward into the election. We, in Asanteman, remember, we do not forget. Asanteman will, therefore, remember your good works on election day. All I can offer you is prayers and blessings.”

    Even though Chiefs and traditional rulers are not to engage in partisan politics, the Asante noted that “we vote. We will vote based on the good works of the candidate.”

    Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, thus, urged President Akufo-Addo to direct his communicators and information dissemination machinery to “tell Ghanaians exactly what his Government has done and what is being done” in their respective communities, in the run-up to the December elections.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Police Inspector arrested for helping suspected robber to illegally acquire gun

    A police officer in the North East Region, Inspector Felix Gbekle, has been arrested for allegedly assisting a robbery suspect to acquire an illegal firearm.

    Preliminary investigation into the case showed that the Inspector allegedly used his position as a police officer to facilitate the licensing of a pump-action gun found in the possession of the robbery suspect, Adam Musah, while the gun was still in the custody of the Police.

    According to a police statement from the North East Regional Police Commander, DCOP Kwadwo Antwi, the arrested officer has also been interdicted under regulation 105 of the Police Service Regulations, 2012 C.I. 76, while the criminal matter continues.

    The police officer is being held for aiding and abetting.

    Citi News gathers that disciplinary proceedings have started against him.

    Meanwhile, the North East region police commander says the public must be assured that the police administration will not shield any of its officers who are found to be engaged in any illegality.

    “I want to use this to assure the public that Police Commanders and the Administration take any case of wrongdoing against a police officer seriously so that the few who can tarnish our image are disciplined accordingly, for the majority of professional police officers to serve our communities,” he said.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Voter ID numbers duplicated during one-day voter registration exercise

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has indicated that there was the duplication of some voter ID numbers during the registration process earlier on October 1.

    “It has come to the attention of the Commission that a number of Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits at some Registration Centres have issued Applicants with Voter ID numbers that have already been issued,” the EC said in a statement.

    But the commission added that “this error has been corrected.”

    The affected applicants will be contacted and issued with new ID cards with unique numbers,” according to the commission.

    “It is important to note that, the biometric and biographic details of the affected Applicants are intact,” the EC assured further.

    The electoral roll was opened from 7 am to 6 pm at its district offices for persons who could not participate in the mass registration exercise organised in June and July.

    Some of the people who participated are voters who were outside the country due to COVID-19 restrictions, those who were under a 14-day mandatory quarantine and could not take part in the mass voter registration, and eligible voters who were duly issued voter ID cards but whose names are missing from the register under exhibition.

    Persons who recently turned 18 were also given the chance to register.

    The Public Elections Regulations law indicated that the EC can “include in the register of voters, the name of a person who qualifies for registration as a voter and is registered but shall not include in the register of voters the name of a person who qualifies to register as a voter for an election but who registers less than sixty days to that election.”

    Find below the full statement

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Mortuary workers call off strike

    The Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana (MOWAG) have rescinded their decision to embark on a strike after a meeting with the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations.

    The group earlier said it was going embark on a strike on October, 1, 2020 in protest of what they believe to be unfair working conditions which have not been addressed by the Ministry of Health.

    “Having become tired of its inactions and being aware that the government appears to be nowhere near taking a serious look at the grievances of the MOWAG, pursuant to resolving same problems, the MOWAG, under article 159 of the Labour Law (Act 651) has now initiated this industrial strike action till its demands are met.”

    But in a joint statement signed the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Baffour Awuah and Richard Kofi Jordan who is the General Secretary of MOWAG, the group has called off the strike after assurances that their grievances were going to be addressed.

    The mortuary workers have decided to continue working while the Ministry of Health and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) deliberate with their leaders on the demands they are making.

    Below are the terms as spelt out in the statement

    Fair Wages and Salaries Commission should collaborate with MOWAG to resolve the issue of salaries and allowances taking into consideration the risks and uniqueness of their job.

    That Mortuary attendant in health facilities with recorded cases of COVID-19 deaths should be considered as part of the front-line staff and hence benefits from any benefit that it goes with.

    That the Ministry of Health should expedite action on and complete the issuance of appointment letters to eligible mortuary workers.

    That the Ministry of Health should ensure the provision of adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Mortuary workers in all health facilities at all times. Those PPEs should not only be limited to those of COVID-19 pandemic but also their routine job assignments.

    That MOWAG should liaise with the Labor Department to resolve matters relating to the issuance of a Collective Bargaining Certificate to MOWAG.

    That all the decisions reached should be implemented within a month.

    That a meeting would be convened among the stakeholders including MOWAG on or before October 27, 2020, to bring finality to the discussions.

    That, MOWAG has agreed to call off their intended strike.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Meteo forecasts second phase of heavy rains on October 4

    Acting Head in Charge of Analysis and Forecasting office of the Ghana Meteorological Authority (GMet), Felicity Ahafianyo, says the agency is anticipating the second phase of heavy rains to hit some parts of the Country from Sunday 4th October to Monday 5th October 2020.

    The Ghana Meteorological Agency says the weekly chart analysis conducted by the agency revealed that the country will be hit by a rainstorm with thunder and lightning from Sunday 4th October to Monday 5th October 2020.

    This comes after the agency issued a weather warning, prompting Ghanaians to expect imminent rainstorm amidst thunderstorm from Monday 29th September to 1st October 2020.

    In an interview with journalist, Felicity Ahafianyo said the second phase of the rainstorm will hit Oti Region, parts of the Savannah Region and the Southern bridges of the northern region on Sunday and Monday respectively.

    She explained that the intensity of the rainstorm will, however, not be felt in the Greater Accra Region like in the other regions as the region has experienced the first phase.

    “The weekly chart analysis by the Agency revealed rainstorm with thunder and lightning across Oti Region, parts of the Savannah Region and the Southern bridges of the northern region on Sunday and Monday respectively and its environs.”

    “The intensity will, however, be felt more in some places more than others. That of the Greater Accra will however be mild and we are likely to enjoy some sunlight, all things being equal,” she added.

    She added that the agency will continue to monitor the situation and issue further weather warnings if it receives signals that the weather will cause havoc.

    She asked the general public, to add raincoats and umbrellas to their items when stepping out and ensure that they find a safe haven until the rain subsides.

    Source: Atinka Online

  • CEO of Penciled Celebrities, Ray Styles is dead

    Ghanaian artiste, Emmanuel Apraku popularly known as Ray Styles is reportedly dead.

    This was announced by television and radio personality, Giovanni Caleb today on his Twitter page.

    The death of the artist follows months of battle with liver cancer.

    Pictures of the talented artist looking sick and helpless had hit social media in August 2020, drawing attention to his urgent need for surgery.

    According to sources, Emmanuel Apraku was in need of £40,000 to undergo urgent surgery.

    While a gofundme account was set up on Wednesday, August 19 to raise $55,000 to support Emmanuel, a tweet via his handle said the First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo had donated $20,000 to help cover the cost of the amount needed. 

    Source: myjoyonline

  • Abronye playing politics; crowd that met me in Bono bigger than Ive ever seen Mahama

    The flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Mahama says he was warmly received in the Bono Region during his campaign tour last week contrary to claims by the Bono Regional Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Kwame Baffoe (Abronye), that the former president cut short his tour of the region to avoid “disgrace” because of the low turnout recorded at Sunyani Odumasi on Sunday, 21 September 2020.

    Mr Mahama, on the other hand, noted that he was overwhelmed by the rousing reception he received in the area.

    In an interview with Woezor TV on Wednesday, 1 October 2020, to wrap up his three-day tour of the region, Mr Mahama said: “We got there at 1 am, you can’t believe that the chiefs of Odumase No.1 and No. 2 were sitting and waiting for us. The number of people who received us at that time of the night is bigger than anything I’ve ever seen since I started campaigning in Sunyani West since 2008.”

    “It was a very good crowd of enthusiastic young people. They received us very well late in the night and then the next morning, what happened with the exhibition of the register happened and then we left,” he added.

    Mr Mahama noted that Abronye was “definitely playing politics” when he made the claim that he [Mahama] was unhappy with the low turnouts during his campaigns, forcing him to cut short his tour.

    Source: Class FM

  • Man grabbed for attempting to smuggle wee into police cells

    A man, who allegedly attempted to smuggle some substance, suspected to be cannabis, and other contraband goods, into the Kaneshie Police cells, has been arrested.

    Nurudeen Arafat, 21, allegedly concealed the cannabis, quantities of amphetamines and diazepam tablets, and a packet of cigarettes with a lighter in an empty sachet water bag.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Accra Regional Police Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Effia Tenge, speaking to the Ghanaian Times in an interview in Accra yesterday, said the suspect was in custody assisting in investigations.

    At about 6 pm last Friday, she said Arafat went to the Kaneshie Police station to give the contraband goods to an inmate whose name was given only as Manaf on remand for robbery.

    DSP Tenge said the police found the cannabis and other contraband goods in the bag and arrested Arafat.

    The Police PRO said the suspected cannabis would be taken to the forensic laboratory for examination.

    Source: Ghanaian Times

  • Revealed: New Black Stars 2020-21 jerseys

    Ghana’s Black Stars and other national football teams could be wearing newly designed kits soon, according to the football kits website, footyheadlines.com.

    The specialist website on Wednesday leaked images of what it said were Ghana’s new 2020-21 away jersey by kit sponsors PUMA.

    The Puma Ghana 2020-2021 away football shirt introduces a bold and outstanding design in black with an eye-catching yellow and green graphic on the front.

    The home football shirt is white with a similar design in a shade of black.

    The front of the away jersey

    Red is used for the PUMA Cat logo on the right chest of the jersey, as well as for the rear half of the collar.

    It said Ghana’s 2020-21 away strip is set to be released shortly.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Coronavirus: Locked down areas recorded 47.1% increase in crime rate GSS

    The coronavirus pandemic has since March undoubtedly had a devastating impact on households, businesses, and the local economies in Ghana, and the world at large.

    With almost every sector experiencing change of a sort, the pandemic gave way to more negative effects than positive.

    The most recent survey conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), tagged the Local Economies Tracker, proved that the three-week partial lockdown in Accra and Kumasi during the early times of the pandemic paved way for more criminal activities to take place.

    The report indicated that localities in locked down districts experienced the highest increase in overall crime rate and other forms of crime with a percentage of 47.1.

    Overall, three out of ten communities, that is 34.1% of localities in the country saw an increase in crime during the lockdown period.

    Theft and burglary were the two most common crimes, with 31.4% and 13.1% respectively. This was followed by an increase in domestic violence (3.7%) and assaults (3.1%) in communities.

    Government Statistician, Prof Samuel Kobina Annim, throwing more light on the figures stated that, “Clearly, the evidence pointed to the fact that as a result of COVID-19, there was an upsurge in crime across all the three different districts. Specifically, if you put all these three districts together, at least a third of the localities in these districts indicate that there has been an increase in crime.”

    “The district that suffered the most as a result of COVID-19 from the perspective of crime is locked down districts and if you cut down on all the components of crime, that is, theft, burglary, violence, assault and murder, we see that the locked down districts was the hardest hit. Specifically, we had close to 50% of localities in locked down districts indicating that. Of the different types of crime from theft to murder, theft was the highest across all the three districts.”

    The COVID-19 Local Economies Tracker was conducted on a total of 2,770 localities in the country from May to June 2020.

    The districts in the various regions were segmented into three domains; that is, the locked-down districts which include 40 districts, border districts made up of 47 districts, and other districts which do not fall into any of these categories.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • I bear no grudges against Sekyere East DCE who campaigned against me Dr Ayew Afriyie

    Member of Parliament (MP) for the Effiduase-Asokore Constituency, Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie has said that he is unperturbed by the attitude of the District Chief Executive(DCE) for Sekyere East, Mary Boatemaa Marfo who was recently caught on tape inciting a “skirt and blouse” vote against him in the upcoming elections.

    He says though it was unfortunate for the DCE to have done that, he would hold no grudges against her but would rather focus on campaigning and selling his message to the electorate who are clothed with the power to unseat him or give him another four years mandate.

    In leaked audio, the DCE was heard in a conversation with a party member threatening to frustrate voters on Election Day which will, in turn, reduce the votes of the NPP and the MP, Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie; which subsequently saw the president revoking her appointment.

    But days after her dismissal, President Akufo-Addo rescinded his decision to sack Mary Boatemaa Marfo and immediately reinstated her.

    The action by the president is believed to have infuriated the chiefs and a section of the people in the area who have threatened to vote against the NPP in the upcoming election.

    But speaking with Yaw Nimako on Angel in the Morning monitored by MyNewsGh.com, Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie pleaded with his constituents to respect the decision by the president and vote massively for the NPP as they always do since that is the surest way for him to secure development for them.

    He said that decide to vote against the president, is as good as deciding to vote against him too, urging that they bury their differences and rally behind the NPP for their good.

    Source: My News GH

  • The separatist group is an opportunistic organization Bombande

    Dr. Emmanuel Bombande, Board Chairperson of the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflicts has said that Ghana as a country has enjoyed cohesion and unity since the country gained its independence over 60 years ago.

    Therefore, claims by some minority groups who are demanding independence for an imagined Western Togoland state should be considered irrelevant.

    According to him, the principles and values that informed the 1956 plebiscite have been disrespected by this group.

    Speaking on Joy News on Wednesday, Dr. Bombande said: “The separatist group is simply an opportunist organisation that is seeking to subvert the will of the people who voted to join Ghana in the plebiscite of 1956.”

    He added that there is no legal basis for the Ghanaian government to engage the separatists over a non-existent Western Togoland.

    Dr. Emmanuel Bombande stated that the actions of the group is a time-wasting strategy which can eventually destabilise the country.

    He, however, urged Ghanaians to appreciate the chiefs who have used their positions of influence to condemn the attacks.

    “The human rights of the 31 [persons] currently on trial should be respected so [that] the separatist group does not capitalise on any abuse.

    “This will exemplify that the modern democratic state of Ghana takes care of everybody with fairness and equity,” Dr Bombande argued.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • We have not enstooled any Chinese as Nkosuohene – Abetifi Chiefs

    The Chiefs of Kwahu Abetifihene say no Chinese has been enstooled as the Nkosuohene of the area as being circulated on social media.

    The Chiefs in a press briefing at the Abetifi palace stated that such claims were false, adding that, there was no such an enstoolment by the palace.

    Nana Nyaakum Panyin III, Dwanetoafohene of Kwahu Abetifi, who addressed the press, said “no Chinese has been enstooled as Development Chief, Nkosuohene, and as of now Abetifi does not have any Nkosuohene.”

    The title of Nkosuohene is an honorary title which is often given to foreigners and indigenes who have distinguished themselves in development programmes and interventions for the progress of the people.

    He said on September 5, 2020, they received news of an enstoolment of a Chinese investor at Aframso, a village in the Afraim Plains, as a development chief in which they summoned the Odikro of the area for interrogation since it was abhorrent to the culture and tradition of Kwahu to carry anyone shoulder high without the permission of the palace.

    He said after the summons, Akyemfour Nana Asiedu, Abetifihene and his elders annulled the said enstoolment since laid down procedures were not followed.

    Source: GNA

  • K&A accounting firm lacks mandate to scrutinize accounts of audit service Domelevo

    The Auditor-General, Daniel Yao Domelevo has described as illegal attempts by the Audit Service to engage the services of a private accounting firm to audit the foreign travels of management at the office of the Auditor General.

    The Audit Service Board had requested the Auditor-General and the Deputy Auditors-General to submit reports to the Board in 14 days of return after travelling outside for official duties, but the officials had failed to do so.

    Subsequently, the Board appointed K&A Accounting Services to audit the foreign travels of the Management Staff from 2017 to 2020 and issue reports to the Board in accordance with the attached terms of reference, reports on foreign travels from 2017-2020 for the Auditor-General and the six Deputy Auditors-General.

    But in a response to the Board, Auditor-General said the appointment of the accounting firm is a violation of Articles 187(15) of the constitution which provided that “the accounts of the office of the Auditor-General shall be audited and reported upon by an auditor appointed by parliament.

    The Auditor-General also said the mandate of the Audit Service Board is circumscribed by Article 189 of the constitution that is the board in consultation with public service commission (a) appoints staff other than the Auditor-General, (b) determines the terms and conditions of service of the staff, and (c) by constitutional instrument, makes regulations for the effective and efficient administration of the Audit Service.

    Other reasons 

    Advancing more arguments why the audit is not grounded in law, the Auditor-General also clarified that:

    1. Article 189 of the Constitution does not mandate the Audit Service Board to commission audits consequently, the accounting firm so appointed lacks the mandate to audit, review or examine documents and /or records relating to the accounts of the Office of the Auditor-General.
    2.  The appointment is inconsistent with, and violates several legislations including Section 16 of the Audit Service Act 2000, Regulation 6 of the Audit Service Regulations 2011, Section 25(3) of the Public Financial Management Act 2016, and Sections 14, 15,16, 21, 66(3) among others of the Public Procurement Act 2003 (as amended); and the payment of audit fees and any related expenses resulting from this appointment may not be a lawful charge against public funds.

    Already, K&A Accounting Services has acknowledged receipt of your letter from the Audit Board and has expressed its acceptance of the offer to carry on with the audit.

    But Mr. Domelevo says he has “no difficulty if auditors are appointed (at any time) in accordance with the constitution to audit the accounts of the Office of the Auditor-General.”

    “It is of utmost importance that we obey the laws of this country and I will ensure compliance at all times”, he added.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Africa Automobiles judgment debt against Ghana balloons to GHS1.5 trillion

    A judgment debt secured against the Government of Ghana by Africa Automobile Limited in 2009 has ballooned to a whopping GHS1.5 trillion.

    The said judgment arose out of a contract for the provision of automobile services rendered by the Africa Automobile Limited to the Ministry of Employment in which the High Court awarded judgment in favour of the company as far back as 2009.

    On appeal, the Court of Appeal confirmed the judgment of the High Court and awarded an amount of GHS16,565,396.22 in favour of Africa Automobile Limited.

    Since then, the figure due and payable to Africa Automobile Limited has shot up astronomically due to non-payment of the said sum by government.

    Analysts say until the amount is paid, the said figure will continue to grow at an exponential rate given that the interest rate is compounding.

    There are reports that because government failed to secure a voluntary payment of the amount all these years, the company is threatening to go into full execution against the state.

    There are reports that recent approaches by the Ministry of Finance to compromise the judgment and secure a reasonable payment have however slowed that move and may appear to be the reason the enforcement of the judgment has not happened yet.

    Analysts are of the view that, at the current rate of growth in the amount owed under the judgment, any failure to pay or settle on a compromised amount to be paid will imply that the amount would exceed GHS2 trillion by the end of 2020 and beyond.

    Reports also indicate that, the Ministry of Finance has recently, been making frantic efforts to engage and secure a substantial reduction in any amount payable in order to save the public purse given that the current amount is unsustainable.

    There are claims that all appellate options opened to the Government of Ghana have been closed.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Im certain of landslide victory in December polls Akufo-Addo

    The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says he expects a landslide victory in the 2020 general elections following his impressive first-term performance.

    The President believes he has kept faith with the people of Ghana who gave him their mandate to lead the country and is hopeful of massive endorsement that would surpass the one he had in the 2016 polls.

    “After four years in office, I am confident that I have delivered to the expectations of the majority of Ghanaians and I am certain of a landslide victory in December,” he stated.

    He was speaking at a durbar held in his honour at Juaso in the Asante-Akim South Municipality as part of his three-day working visit to the Ashanti Region ahead of the 2020 general elections.

    He was accompanied by some Ministers of State in including Mr. Mathew Opoku-Prempeh, Minister of Education, Mr. Alan Kyerematen, Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr. Kwasi Amoako Atta, Minister of Roads and Highways, and Mr. Simon Osei Mensah, the Ashanti Regional Minister.

    President Akufo-Addo said he won the 2016 election on the back of the good policies he promised Ghanaians and the poor governance of the then Mahama administration.

    He said his government had managed every sector of the economy better than the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and called on Ghanaians to renew his mandate to consolidate the gains over the last four years.

    President Akufo-Addo appealed to the people of the three Asante-Akim areas to maintain their Members of Parliament (MPs) to support his next administration to implement pragmatic policies to improve the lives of the people.

    The President urged the people not to deliver anything less than 95 percent of votes in the Municipality to ensure massive victory for the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    Mr. Kwasi Amoako Atta, the Roads, and Highways Minister said 12 out of 16 roads were currently under construction in the Municipality with the remaining four going through procurement processes.

    He assured the people of speedy completion of the Juaso and Obogu Town Roads Projects after the chiefs complained of the slow progress of work.

    President Akufo-Addo used his visit to commission a 12-unit classroom block at Juaso Senior High School and two factories at Asankare under the One District One Factory Programme.

    —

    Files from GNA were used for this piece

  • Twifo-Hemang dressmakers clamour for NDC’s return

    Dozens of dressmakers and their trainees in Twifo-Hemang in the Central Region have held a massive street procession as they declared their support for former President John Dramani Mahama, Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    The dressmakers, who were drenched by a downpour they defied, held various placards and chanted slogans in the ecstatic procession on Tuesday to welcome Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Vice Presidential Candidate of the NDC, who is touring the area.

    Some of the placards held by the dressmakers, who are members of the Ghana National Dressmakers and Tailors Association read “JM we need you,” “JM we need your sewing machines,” “Seamstresses and Tailors are suffering,” “John & Jane Dressmakers need you now,” and “We need jobs,” among others.

    According to the leaders of the group, the withdrawal of support facilities such as soft loans and sewing machines that were provided during the tenure of the NDC, has adversely affected the dressmaking industry in the region.

    “Now, our trainees graduate without any assistance to open up their shops. The situation has become too difficult for us here,” said Cynthia Adu, one of the leaders.

    Abraham Donkor, Secretary for Twifo Tailors Association, described the lack of government support for the dressmaking business in the area as retrogressive, adding that the situation has negatively affected their livelihoods.

    He expressed optimism that the NDC would save the situation by restoring the incentive packages, in addition to the implementation of new plans stipulated in its manifesto for the small scale dressmaking industry.

    Mr Donkor indicated their desire to expand and modernise their business for enhanced service delivery, and, therefore, urged the NDC to consider facilitating the provision of industrial sewing machines for their area.

    Addressing the dressmakers and other women groups gathered at the Forever Young training centre at Twifo-Hemang, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang thanked the group for the show of support, saying their testimony resonates with the good performance track record of the NDC administration.

    “Good work always speaks,” she said, and assured them that “you can trust the NDC to work in your interest.”

    Source: Class FM

  • Murder of Prof Benneh: 3 persons discharged, 2 others caged

    Three out of the four persons who were arrested in relation to the death of the University of Ghana law lecturer, Professor Emmanuel Yaw Benneh, have been discharged.

    The three discharged were, Christian Pobee, 32, cleaner; Isaac Botchwey, 41, houseboy; cleaner; and Adams Mensah Mansur, 52, gardener.

    James Nana Womba, 26, who was among the first four in court previously and one Opambour Agya Badu Nkansah have now been provisionally charged for murder and conspiracy.

    In court on Wednesday, the prosecution led by Inspector Ebenezer Teye-Okuffo, withdrew the earlier charge and substituted with the new one.

    He told the court that, their investigations did not incriminate the three persons and prayed for them to be discharged.

    He said Womba upon investigation confessed to collaborating with Nkansah and two others who are on the run to commit the crime.

    The prosecutor, Inspector Ebenezer Teye-Okuffo, asked the court to remand them as investigations were still ongoing in the case.

    The Kaneshie District Court presided over by Mrs Eleanor Kakra Barnes Botchway Circuit Court judge sitting with additional responsibility as magistrate while adjourning the case to October 14, issued a bench warrant for the arrested of the two who are at large.

    The court subsequently remanded the two into police custody, to enable the police to conduct further investigations into the suspected murder.

    Kasapa News Court correspondent Murtala Inusah reports that the charges were read to them but the pleas of the accused persons were not taken.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Government to support private schools affected by coronavirus – Bawumia

    Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has said the government is considering providing financial support to private schools which have been affected during the COVID-19 outbreak.

    The support, according to Dr Bawumia, is to help save these institutions from collapse and laying off workers.

    Dr Bawumia said these during an encounter with teachers and artisans in the Ablekuma Central Constituency in the Greater Accra Region.

    He was sad about the pandemic which has affected most companies and schools, assuring the private schools of government support.

    He also encouraged the teachers and artisans to vote for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to expand the economy, build agriculture base and increase support to the informal sector.

    The private schools have petitioned the government to intervene and save them from folding up following the ravages of the virus.

    Source: 3 News

  • Dont promote sensationalism – Affail Monney

    The Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) has cautioned journalists against reportage that undermines the sovereignty of the country and threatens security as the December elections approaches.

    It said while respecting the rights of Ghanaians to express their inalienable rights and legitimate concerns, the media should be mindful of the constitutional order and not promote sensationalism.

    A statement issued in Accra on Monday by Roland Affail Monney, the GJA President, said media coverage and analysis of acts of criminality by the Homeland Study group, for instance, should not promote sensationalism and irredentism.

    “The GJA is aware that there are historic antecedents to the current agitations that stem from the 1956 United Nations plebiscite which created a unitary Ghana,” it said.

    It said as far as the GJA was concerned, apart from the 16 recognised regions that constituted the country there was no part of the country called Western Togoland.

    The association, therefore, urged the leadership of the various political parties and stakeholders to cooperate with the security agencies and facilitate a resolution to the agitation.

    Source: Ghanaian Times

  • Government spent $1 million to evacuate 2,200 Ghanaians from Lebanon – Minister

    The flights cost of evacuating 2,262 stranded Ghanaian domestic workers from Lebanon during the COVID-19 lockdown was $1,062,600, Mr Charles Owiredu, a Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, has said.

    He said, Member of Parliament for Assin Central Mr Kennedy Ohene Agyapong and friends contributed $428,450; whilst the Government provided $634,150.

    Mr Owiredu, who disclosed this at a press conference in Accra, noted that the quarantine cost was also footed by the Government.

    According to him, more than 80 per cent of those evacuated had part or all of their salaries not paid with about 70 per cent having their passports confiscated by their employers and Lebanese agents.

    The Deputy Minister said because majority of the people were not paid, travel certificates were issued free of charge instead of the payment of the usual $35 fee.

    Regarding those having outstanding salaries, Mr Owiredu said they would discuss the issue with the Lebanese Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Labour for redress.

    He said although Lebanon is going through challenging times, they will still pursue the outstanding salaries to ensure the victims are adequately compensated.

    Source: GNA

  • Asamoah Gyan demands $500,000 to play for Kotoko

    Angel 102.9FM can exclusively reveal that Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan has made an initial demand of around half a million dollars from Asante Kotoko in order to join them.

    Conversations around where the “Baby Jet” is headed has intensified following his unfruitful stay with Indian Super League side NorthEast United.

    The former Sunderland forward made eight appearances and scored 4 goals for NorthEast United. He has since returned to Ghana.

    The Ghana all-time goalscorer has made several public pronouncements about his willingness to feature for the record Ghana Premier League Champions and it is believed that contact has been made between the two.

    With the Ghana premier league nearing commencement for the 2020/2021 season, a price tag of $500,000 is what will possibly be the distance between Kotoko and the former Liberty Professionals player.

    The time may just be right for the Gyan – Kotoko love affair but of course, at a cost of half a million dollars, Kotoko may struggle to seal the deal.
    Speaking on Floodlight Sports with Saddick Adams on Angel 102.9, Samuel Anim Addo, manager for the 34-year-old striker justified his client’s asking price.

    He asserts that Asamoah Gyan‘s value is above the reported $500,000 figure, saying even his off the pitch value is immense.

    “With proper marketing, promotion and branding the impact of Asamoah Gyan on Kumasi Asante will be huge. So where from this agenda that the money is too much? That is very wrong. The man is ten times valuable than the figure which has been quoted. There are so many avenues Kotoko can get Gyan to raise revenue for the club to protect his image and the brand”.

    The Ghana premier league returns in November.

    But for Kotoko three competitions await them. As they will participate in the CAF Champions league, Ghana Premier League and the FA Cup. Kotoko will be hoping to name the squad for these tournaments soon.

    Source: angelonline.com

  • Ernest Bai Koroma: Sierra Leone ex-leader banned from leaving country

    The authorities in Sierra Leone have imposed a travel ban on former President Ernest Bai Koroma and several officials who served during his term over allegations of corruption.

    Mr Koroma and more than 100 people will not be allowed to leave the country. They have been ordered to pay back stolen money, forfeit their houses, or they will be further investigated.

    Mr Koroma’s opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party has dismissed the allegations.

    A lawyer for the party has said that they will go to court to challenge the travel ban.

    Last week President Maada Bio said the commission of inquiry, led by foreign judges, was a major breakthrough that would help make corruption unfashionable and risky.

    “We have to draw the line… we cannot be this corrupt as a nation and expect to develop,” he told the BBC.

    The commission identified 111 individuals consisting of former heads of parastatals, bankers, and businessmen as “people of interest”

    The BBC’s Umaru Fofana in the capital, Freetown, says the instruction signed by the attorney general and minister of justice instructs the country’s chief immigration officer and inspector general of police to not allow them to leave Sierra Leone by air, land or sea until they have clearance.

    The development has divided Sierra Leoneans down the middle, our reporter says.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Uganda ‘to begin human trials’ of coronavirus vaccine

    Uganda will begin human trials of a Covid-19 vaccine in November, the Daily Monitor newspaper reports quoting ministry of health officials.

    The vaccine, called Self Replicating RNA, has been developed through a partnership between Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and Imperial College in the UK.

    The head of a presidential taskforce on epidemics, Monica Musenero, is quoted as saying the first trial will be conducted on 10 Ugandans.

    If successful, a second trial will involve about 100 to 200 people followed by a final trial of between 1,000 and 3,000 people, she said.

    The bulk of the project is being financed by the UK university.

    The East Africa country has to date confirmed more than 7,000 coronavirus cases and 75 deaths.

    Source: BBC

  • Asamoah Gyan is worth more than $400,000 – Anim Addo

    Business manager for former Black Stars striker, Asamoah Gyan, Samuel Anim Addo, has rubbished claims that his client is demanding a mammoth $400,000 as signing on a fee before joining Kumasi Asante Kotoko.

    Asamoah Gyan is currently unattached to any club after leaving Indian Super League side NorthEast United in January.

    Ghana’s all-time top scorer has not hidden his admiration and desire to play for Kumasi Asante Kotoko before hanging up his boots.

    Gyan has been linked to Asante Kotoko throughout the transfer window with reports claiming the striker’s exorbitant signing on fee demand is stalling the deal.

    Speaking in an interview with Accra based Angel FM, Samuel Anim Addo has rubbished those claims and says that even if the striker is making those demands what he will bring to Asante Kotoko is far more than the quoted sum of $400,000.

    “Off the pitch, what is the value of Gyan before he plays for the club. I believe Gyan has a lot of impact in Kumasi and so if he should join the club it will improve their brand and marketing as well”

    “So, anyone who did such an agenda is wrong because the man is ten times valuable than that figure so rather what is the best way to get him. There are so many avenues you can get him for him to also make a revenue for the club. You Look at his image and the brand Asamoah Gyan for the club. So whoever set that agenda has set a bad one indeed,” he said.

    Source: Ghana Guardian

  • C.K Akonnor is not a world-class coach to earn $25,000 every month – Ade Coker fires

    Former Ghana Football Association vice-chairman Joseph Ade Coker says Black Stars Charles Akonnor is far from being a world-class coach to attract a staggering $25,000 as monthly salary.

    The outspoken politician claims the former Ghana international does not deserve the amount being paid to him because he lacks global clout.

    He says  rewarding a “black coach with white man’s  certificate’ with huge sums of money is irrational.

    “Something should be done about C.K Akunnor’s salary. How can you pay a local coach who has acquired foreign certificate $25,000 and besides he is not a world class coach.” he  Accra-based Angel FM

    The tough-talking and outspoken politician insists its ridiculous for a national team coach to receive higher salary than Ghanaian leader Nana Akufo Addo.

    Ade Coker has waded into the debate after current Black Stars coach C.K Akonnor was forced to accept a 40% pay cut from his monthly $25,000 salary.

    Akonnor has accepted to take the pay cut ahead of his first official game against Mali in an international friendly next month.

    The former Asante Kotoko coach who was appointed earlier this year is on a $25,000 monthly salary.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Liverpool plan swoop for forward Jeremy Doku

    According to outlet Het Belang van Limburg Liverpool are planning to submit a bid for Anderlecht’s young forward Jeremy Doku before the ongoing transfer window closes.

    Liverpool are considering an approach for the Red Devil player because they believe he can be Senegalese attacker Sadio Mane’s long-term successor at Anfield.

    The report claims that Liverpool have been monitoring Jeremy Doku for a long time and was close to signing him last year to boost their squad.

    Anderlecht have set their asking price at £27.5million and the report suggests that Liverpool could well make an approach.

    But the Belgian club would reportedly hope to have Doku return on loan for the upcoming season if a sale is agreed.

    Doku has been performing well for Anderlecht attracting elite clubs from Europe, he scored in his first start for Belgium during the international break.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • WAEC sued over leakage of WASSCE examiners details

    A Civil Society Organisation, Africa Education Watch, has sued the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) over the circulation of a list of contact details of examiners for the 2020 WASSCE on social media.

    The plaintiff, in a suit filed at the Accra High Court on Tuesday, September 29, said the “careless” conduct of WAEC could compromise the just ended 2020 WASSCE results.

    In its statement of claim, the plaintiff argued that although WAEC had apologised and assured the public that the leaked list was not the final markers list, an SMS making the rounds suggest that the names on the leaked document had been invited to attend a coordination and conference marking of the 2020 WASSCE scripts.

    This, according to the plaintiff, was an indictment on WAEC and raised credibility and integrity issues about the marking standards of the 2020 WASSCE.

    The plaintiff is therefore praying the court to among other things order WAEC to set aside every purported list, meeting or appointments meant to mark and grade the results of all WAEC examinations until new appointments are made to exclude every name on the leaked documents making rounds in the social media.

    It also wants the court to restrain WAEC, their agents and assigns from purporting to act in any manner that contravenes the laid down rules, regulations and general principles regarding the conduct of external examinations in Ghana.

    Below is the writ of summons and statement of claim

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Let us not give the so-called separatists oxygen – Pius Hadzide tells media

    The Deputy Minister for Information, Pius Hadzide has appealed to the media to exercise great discretion in the reportage of the activities of the Homeland Study Group Foundation or any groups or individuals that may be affiliated to the Western Togoland secessionist group.

    The Deputy Minister who admits that recent activities of these groups and individuals are quite serious and have serious national security implications, however, advised the media to find a fine balance between a total media blackout and regular reportage to ensure that only relevant news is reported and in a security-conscious manner.

    “If care is not taken, the publicity that we may be giving to them may be counter-productive and become the oxygen that fuels them,” he told GhanaWeb.

    The Deputy Minister appealed for the assistance and cooperation of the media as the State confronts this menace head-on.

    “Just like the Ministry of Information led the crisis communication during COVID-19, rallying the people behind the common enemy, offering regular updates on all relevant developments and also facilitating updates from technical and specific state institutions, the Ministry will continue to adopt similar crisis communication strategies to keep all informed relative to this issue too” he added.

    On the substantive issue, the Deputy Minister assured that several leads are being followed and several arrests are being made. He also indicated that the two vehicles and some weapons that were taken by the separatist groups had been retrieved by security forces.

    The Deputy Minister declined any further comments insisting that too much public information may compromise the ongoing investigation but assured that security agencies have the total support of the Government in their efforts to deal with the issue.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com