TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • State Housing efficient now – Bawumia

    The Vice President of the Republic, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has said that State Housing is being run more efficiently despite the fact that it has limited resources it is working with.

    In an exclusive interview on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo morning show hosted by Kwame Sefa Kayi on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, the Vice President indicated that the management of State Housing Company has done a yeoman’s job in running the outfit efficiently.

    “So far, they’ve done very well, State Housing, without any borrowing. They’ve done a lot of work, and a bit more capital could see them delivering more. It is amazing how efficient they have run the outfit now” the Vice President said to Sefa Kayi.

    In his belief, if State Housing Company is adequately funded, a lot more could be achieved.

    “They can build more houses, affordable ones, if we give them more” he stressed.

    The Vice President said that so far whatever monies State Housing Company is using are internally generated.

    It is upon the above that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia believes that if more monies are given to S.H.C, a lot more would be achieved.

    Source: State Housing Company

  • Were sorry for harsh heading of our communiqué; please forgive us APCC begs Akufo-Addo

    The Association of Pentecostal and Charismatic Clergy (APCC) has apologised to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for saying that persecution of the Church will be one of his legacies in a communiqué it issued a few weeks ago.

    In a statement signed by its General Secretary Rev. John Armaah, APCC said: “Upon sober reflection on the heading of our recent communiqué”, they “wish to withdraw the said heading because it does not reflect what we intended to communicate”.

    “We, as an association, are, therefore, sorry and hereby render an unqualified apology to Your Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, President of the Republic, for any hurt or damage the heading may have caused. We are, indeed, very sorry. We hope you will find space in your heart to forgive us”, the group pleaded.

    Read the full apology below:

    WITHDRAWAL OF HEADING OF COMMUNIQUE

    RE: “PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH WILL BE ONE OF YOUR LEGACIES”

    The Leadership of the Association of Pentecostal and Charismatic Clergy (APCC), upon sober reflection on the heading of our recent communiqué as captured above, wish to withdraw the said heading because it does not reflect what we intended to communicate.

    We, as an association, are, therefore, sorry and hereby render an unqualified apology to Your Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, President of the Republic, for any hurt or damage the heading may have caused.

    We are, indeed, very sorry.

    We hope you will find space in your heart to forgive us.

    We, however, still want to emphasise the need for Your Excellency to bring the owners and the people involved in making unwholesome comments about members of the Clergy to order.

    We believe that as a father to everyone in this nation, you are constitutionally obliged to give every Ghanaian, and legal body, a fair attention, including the Church and members of the Clergy.

    A failure to bring members of government, who incessantly attack, verbally abuse and even threaten churches and members of the Clergy openly, could be described as a tacit endorsement of their action, and a persecution of the Church and Clergy.

    Once again, our sincerest apology to you, our President

    Rev. John Armaah General Secretary (APCC)

    Source: Class FM

  • Cape Coast Airport: Feasibility study briefs indicate market potential – Oppong-Nkrumah

    Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has disclosed that the briefs available to him from a feasibility study done for the establishment of an airport in Cape Coast indicates market potential and interests from private sectors.

    This follows a pledge by the governing New Patriotic Party during its manifesto launch to construct an airport and harbor in the Central region if elected for a second term.

    “The brief I have is that there is a clear feasibility that gives an understanding that the establishment of an airport in Cape Coast is a necessity for the region, it has market potential and interests from private sector that will be willing to front load the financing for the airport and we the [NPP] are able to make a promise in delivering the airport,” he told Joy News on Monday, August 24.

    Meanwhile, some experts have particularly scrutinised some of the items documented in the NPP’s manifesto, particularly the proposed Cape Coast airport.

    An aviation expert, Dr Yakubu Akparibo has said the planned construction of an airport in the Central Region is not viable due to a plethora of reasons.

    According to him, most of the conditions that will be serving as the basis for such a project are non-existent, therefore, the government of Ghana should prioritise other infrastructural projects and not an airport.

    Dr Yakubu Akparibo, who is also an Aerospace Medicine Physician, argues that commercial flights which form a major aspect of the viable aviation industry will not be available in the case of the Central Region.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Residents of Oyoko appeal for speed ramps

    The chiefs and people of Oyoko in the New Juaben North Municipality in the Eastern Region have appealed to the Ghana Highways Authority to provide speed ramps on the Oyoko to Bunso Highway to slow down vehicles on the road for elderly people and children to cross the highway which passes through the town.

    The community also appealed to the police to increase police patrol to help reduce crime in the area and stop the rising smoking of Indian hemp by the young men and women in the area.

    The community also requested for a new public cemetery to replace the current cemetery which was full as a result of which the dead were buried in shallow graves.

    A spokesperson from the Oyoko Methodist Senior High School called on the community to help stop the frequent stealing of school property.

    This came to light at social auditing organised for the Oyoko community by the New Juaben North Municipal secretariat of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) at Oyoko.

    Ms Comfort Asante, the New Juaben North Municipal Chief Executive said the municipality was a new municipality and needed more resources for its development and therefore called on the people to cooperate with the revenue staff of the Assembly when they found them around.

    She reminded the people that the coronavirus was still around and therefore called on them to respect all the COVID-19 health protocols to protect themselves, their families and their communities.

    Dr Acheampong Sakyi of Oyoko Health Centre advised people who fall sick to muster the courage to tell the medical officer exactly how they were feeling to enable them to effectively diagnose their diseases.

    He explained that because of stigmatization against COVID-19 patients, when a client shows signs of coughing, they quickly refuse to admit that they were coughing making treatment of patients difficult.

    Dr Sekyi said the centre could now take care of patients suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure and advised the people to visit them.

    Earlier in a welcoming address, Mr Ebenezer Acheampong, the New Juaben North Municipal Director of the NCCE explained that social auditing was a way to promote community ownership of development projects, awareness and community demand from duty bearers.

    He said social auditing was part of activities under the Accountability, Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme((ARAP) programme of the NCCE.

    Source: GNA

  • Policeman crushed under falling cargo truck

    A 42-year-old policeman who was trapped under a falling DAF cargo truck on the Kintampo-Tamale road, has died while receiving treatment.

    Sergeant Solomon Amuure was returning from work on August 23, 2020 at about 2030 hours when the truck veered off its lane and fell on him.

    Zakaria Kagambega, the suspect driver, aged about 37 years, has since escaped.

    He was in charge of the Ouagadougou (Burkina Fasso) bound Daf xf cargo truck with registration No.11 JP 9534 loaded with goods from Tema.

    On reaching a section of the road at Kadelso barrier on the Kintampo-Tamale highway, it veered from its lane to the nearside when facing Tamale direction and fell on Amure.

    The victim was rescued and rushed to Buipe polyclinic for treatment but died while receiving treatment.

    Meanwhile, the body had been deposited at the Kintampo Municipal Hospital Morgue for preservation and autopsy.

    The vehicle was yet to be towed to the police station.

    The Police confirmed the incident to the Ghana News Agency.

    Source: GNA

  • Every property in Ghana will have a unique address in November – Bawumia

    Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has announced that the government will in November this year commence a national digital address system to transform the economy.

    In an interview on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, Dr Bawumia revealed that about 4 million unique addresses have been developed for every property in Ghana.

    He stated that by November, every house in Ghana will have an address and this is part of the government’s goal to digitize the nation.

    “Every property in Ghana will have a unique address in November…You’re going to have a completely working national property addressing system,” he said.

    Additionally, every street in Ghana will have a name, the Vice President told host Kwami Sefa Kayi.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Ghanaians should own local government projects

    Mrs Lucile Harriet Annan, Greater Accra Regional Director, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has urged Ghanaians to own government projects in their localities.

    Mrs Annan made this remark during a social auditing programme held by the Kpone-Katamanso office of the NCCE at Kpone-Bawaleshie in the Greater Accra Region.

    The Social auditing programme formed part of activities captured in the Anti-Rule of Law Accountability and Corruption programme (ARAP) being implemented by the NCCE in collaboration with the European Union (EU) to fight corruption.

    She said it was about time residents owned and took charge of all developmental projects within their communities, adding that it would help the residents to appreciate government efforts in their respective area.

    According to her, residents could also demand accountability from authorities.

    Mr Seth Sotie, Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Director, NCCE, said his outfit as part of its mandate would continuously engage residents and solicit their concerns which would be channeled to the appropriate quarters.

    “Let us all get involved to build a strong and successful country for all citizens and future generations,” he added.

    Present at the occasion was the Assembly member for the area, Mr. George Ahingua, local traditional authorities, youth groups and opinion leaders.

    Source: GNA

  • Lands Minister swears in new CEO of Forestry Commission

    The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, on Monday swore Mr John Allotey into office as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Forestry Commission, replacing the late Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie.

    Mr Allotey was in acting capacity until his confirmation as the substantive CEO and served as the Deputy CEO of the Commission.

    Mr Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as “Sir John”, died on Wednesday, July 1, 2020 at the Intensive Care Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

    Meanwhile, Togbega Tsedze Atakora VII, Paramount Chief of Alavanyo Traditional Area, has also been sworn in as a Board Member of the Commission, replacing the late Togbega Gabusu VI, Paramount Chief of Gbi Traditional Area.

    At a brief ceremony at the Ministry in Accra, Mr Asomah-Cheremeh charged the two personalities to be bold, forthright and work assiduously to propel the Commission to a higher level.

    He administered the Oaths of Office, Secrecy and Allegiance to the two gentlemen.

    The Minister urged them to continue the good works of the former CEO and execute the mandate of the Commission.

    Mr Allotey, in his acceptance remarks, expressed gratitude to the President for the honour and pledged to work closely with all the stakeholders to achieve the vision and mission of the Commission.

    Togbega Atakora, on his part, expressed appreciation to the President for the honour done him.

    He commended the former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and current Energy Minister, Mr John-Peter Amewu, for the good works done at the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region during his tenure as the Municipal Chief Executive.

    Source: GNA

  • 38-year-old woman dumps newborn baby in public toilet

    A 38-year-old woman has been arrested by police in Drobo for allegedly dumping her day-old baby boy in a public toilet at Baateakwa in the Jaman South Municipality of the Bono Region.

    The woman, Akua Serwaa, who has since been transferred to the Berekum Police Command was arraigned, and is to re-appear on August 27.

    Speaking to the Ghanaian Times on the issue, the Assembly member of Baateakwa electoral area, Mr Emmanuel Nketia said, he had information around 6 am on Wednesday morning that a day-old baby had been dumped in a public toilet in his area.

    He said, he and some committee members had to demolish the toilet in order to rescue the child who is currently responding to treatment in a clinic at Baano Number One.

    When contacted, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Frankline Yevugah, Divisional Crime Officer at the Berekum Police Command, confirmed the arrest to the Ghanaian Times, indicating that what the suspect is accused of is against the law, which must take its course.

    The Ghanaian Times investigation on the matter has revealed that Akua Serwaa committed the act because the baby was conceived through an illicit affair while her husband was away in Dubai.

    To avoid shame and public ridicule, she decided to dump the new-born baby in a public toilet, Ghanaian Times information further revealed.

    Source: Ghanaian Times

  • We cut $1.2bn MoMo interoperability cost to $4.5m Bawumia

    The Akufo-Addo government saved the Ghanaian taxpayer more than $1 billion in the award of a contract for the purpose of creating the mobile money interoperability, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has said.

    According to Dr Bawumia, before the NPP came into power, the erstwhile Mahama administration had awarded the contract for $1.2 billion.

    The contract was, however, cancelled by the Bank of Ghana when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) came to power and awarded it to a different company that executed it for $4.5 million.

    Dr Bawumia disclosed this in an interview on Accra-based Peace FM on Tuesday, 25 August 2020.

    The Mobile Money Payment Interoperability is the service which allows direct and seamless transfer of funds from one mobile money wallet to another mobile money wallet across networks.

    It was developed by the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS) with active collaboration of the mobile telecom industry.

    It creates convenience for mobile money users to transact business and drives financial inclusion, lowers cost of transaction, increases service reach and reduces reliance on cash for payments.

    It also provides a financial transaction engine that is versatile, efficient and robust and enhances patronage by both banked and unbanked segment of the population.

    Talking about the cost of the Mobile Money Payment Interoperability, Dr Bawumia said: “When we came, there was a contract to do the interoperability and that contract was to be done for $1.2 billion but at the end of the day, we looked at it, there were conditions that were not yet satisfied and the Bank of Ghana terminated the contract and instead of spending $1.2 billion to do mobile interoperability, we spent $4.5 million…”

    Dr Bawumia further stated that Ghana has become the fastest-growing mobile money market in Africa as a result of the mobile money interoperability since 2018.

    “Since 2018, when we did interoperability, Ghana has become the fastest-growing mobile money market in Africa, the fastest-growing and it is just very remarkable.

    “Today, mobile money transactions, as of 2019, was 200 million transactions.

    “If you look at banking transactions for 2019, it was 599,000…so, mobile money has been turned on its head now. Mobile money is more used than your traditional bank as banking transactions are only three per cent of the total,” the Vice President disclosed.

    Source: Class FM

  • NIA mop-up exercise records slow start in Greater Accra

    The National Identification Authority (NIA) mop-up exercise for the registration of the Ghana card in the Greater Accra Region recorded a slow start yesterday.

    A visit to some registration centres in the capital revealed virtually empty seats with few registrants undertaking the exercise rather allowing for smooth observance of COVID-19 safety protocols.

    The exercise expected to run until September 8, 2020 is to allow for citizens, 15 years and above who were unable to register in the initial phases of the exercise across the country, to do so.

    The mop-up will also take place in the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions from August 27 to September 11, 2020.

    At the Kaneshie Anglican JHS centre in the Okaikoi South Constituency, only 22 persons had successfully registered for the card as of 3:00pm when the Ghanaian Times went there, with officials practically idle at post.

    “We have very low turn-out, many people are not aware of the mop-up exercise, so we need more publicity on it,” Mr Nathaniel Plange, a registration official stated.

    According to him, there was low education on processes for guaranteeing for a person without the required documentation for the card, expatiating that, “Unlike the voter registration where anyone who has the card can guarantee for another, this is an oath, therefore, it demands that the person who vouches for you must be a direct relative or you present two government officials who have the Ghana card.”

    He noted: “We have had many people being turned away because the guarantors they bring are not qualified.”

    The situation was similar at the Kaneshie Cripples Home where officials complained of intermittent network challenges, though it had little bearing on the exercise as registrants trickled in one after the other.

    “This is the first day and it is normal to experience a low turnout. We believe in the coming days, the numbers will pick up and more people who are yet to register will come and do so,” an official who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

    At the Djaman Presbyterian Church centre in the Weija-Gbawe Constituency, the exercise had halted due to network challenges though officials indicated that a report had been made to authorities for redress.

    Turnout, however, was quite impressive at the centre, as the supervisor, Mr Edem Kokroko, confirmed that about 50 people had registered “from about 7:30am when the exercise begun.”

    The NIA has targeted 16.7 million Ghanaians to register for the Ghana Card, but at the end of its mass registration exercise, it was yet to achieve its target of registering 80 per cent of the population due to logistical challenges.

    Already, the Authority has conducted a mop-up registration exercise in the Ashanti, Volta and Oti regions from August 2 to August 16, 2020.

    Source: Ghanaian Times

  • 16-yr-old girl rescued from forced labour in Ada

    A 16-year-old girl has been rescued and reunited with her family through an intervention of a Ghana based non-profit making organisation, Engage Now Africa (ENA), in partnership with elders of Big Ada in the Greater Accra region.

    The victim, identified as Gifty was sold into slavery by her family after a local pastor in the area allegedly prophesied that, Gifty is a “curse” to her family in late 2018.

    She was allegedly sold for an amount of GH¢500.00 after which she was first trafficked to Yeji in the Bono East region, where she served her master in fishing and among other hard labors.

    According to her aunt who reported to the ENA’s rescue mission team dubbed, “End Modern Slavery”, parents of the victims allegedly takes GH¢50.00 and sometimes GH¢100.00 per month from the slave master.

    The Director of the organization, Mr Afasi Komla told the media that he first visited the victim in September 2019, adding that, upon hearing the unfortunate story, he led his team to rescue the girl on Sunday, 15 August 2020.

    He said: “Gifty happens to be one of those children who have found themselves in such a barbaric situation in Ghana. Most indigenous communities and families are easily persuaded by some soothsayers who are believed to be endowed with some powers to see into the inner spirit of human beings and therefore are able to make accurate declarations of a person’s being and character, which “Gifty happens to fall victim as one of those underprivileged children who suffers such atrocious actions in some Ghanaian communities. By this declaration, family members believe that she is evil and pose a threat to them, so long as she remains in the same household with them,” he added

    Mr. Afasi explained that the cause of human trafficking is “poverty, ignorance and development gap” between urban and rural centres hence the need for programmes and initiatives to combat the development.

    “We have highly educated people fall victims of fraud and trafficking, due to lack of knowledge on the subject. The solution to these challenges is to create awareness, advocate against modern slavery, facilitate a deeper understanding of the human trafficking in vulnerable communities and provide sustainable livelihood support training program to the vulnerable” he noted. The team, led by Mr Afasi also sensitised the victim’s family on dangers involved in the menace and encouraged parents, especially settlers in fishing communities to desist from such acts.

    The team also provided some victim support services and placed Gifty under her aunt’s care.

    Mr Afasi called on the general public to collaborate with them to end the phenomenon.

    Source: Class FM

  • Flashback: I also deserve a second term – Mahama

    Former president John Dramani Mahama during the run-up to the 2016 general election told Ghanaians he had performed tremendously well to deserve a renewal of mandate in office.

    While addressing his party faithful at Bimbilla in the Northern Region, he said the likes of Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufuor were both given second terms to complete their projects thus he also needed another four-year term.

    He is quoted to have said, “Presidents Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufour were given second chances to complete the development projects they started in their first terms and I think I have also performed well to deserve another term.”

    But as though Ghanaians did not agree with him entirely, John Mahama was handed a resounding defeat in the 2016 general election.

    He became the first incumbent president to lose his seat.

    Read the full story originally published on August 25, 2016, on Ghanaweb

    President John Dramani Mahama has stated that his administration has over the last four years performed tremendously well to deserve another chance in the 2016 polls.

    He said the 1992 Constitution makes room for every President to enjoy a second term after serving the first four years in government and appealed to the electorate to give him the opportunity to complete all the projects he had initiated in the first term of his administration.

    “Presidents Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum were given second chances to complete the development projects they started in their first terms and I think I have also performed well to deserve another term,” he said.

    President Mahama was addressing a National Democratic Congress (NDC) party rally at Bimbilla, capital of Nanumba North as part of his four-day campaign tour of the Northern Region.

    President Mahama also addressed similar rallies at Kumidi and Kpandai in the Kpandai District, Lungni, Nakpayili and Wulensi in the Nanumba South District and Chamba.

    President Mahama explained that his administration had initiated numerous development projects throughout the country and therefore handing the governance of the country to another political party would truncate those strides.

    “That is why I believe that I deserve another chance to complete all those projects throughout the country to help in the onward March of this country.”

    He said it was untenable to suggest that he had already served his eight years when it was crystal clear that his service to Ghana was from 2009 – 2012 was the position of a Vice President.

    President Mahama called on the opposition leaders who are calling for a change to continue to bid their time as Ghanaians are poised to return the NDC government into power on account of the development-oriented performance in the past four years.

    Enumerating some of the development projects his administration had initiated in the last four years, President Mahama said 123 Community Day Senior High Schools are under construction throughout the country, while numerous health facilities have also been completed at various locations.

    He said he had also initiated a number of water programmes to make potable water accessible throughout the country and called on the electorate to return NDC to power to provide more.

    President Mahama said Ghana needs peace and security to blossom into a developed country and his administration would continue to provide all the necessary facilities that would ensure complete peace and unity in the days leading the December 7 polls and beyond.

    President Mahama addressing a rally at Chamba.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Dont engage in galamsey outside community mining – Chiefs warn

    The chiefs and community leaders in mining districts in the Western Region have vowed to resist illegal mining activities outside the newly introduced Community Mining Programme (CMP).

    They said their promise to keep out illegal mining from the region was their approach to halting the further destruction of the environment.

    They said illegal mining, popularly referred to as galamsey, was not in the interest of the region but in the interest of only a few people.

    Speaking after the launch of the CMP in the Ellembelle District, the Chief of Edwakpole, Nana Asafo Akra II, warned: “Any miner who disobeys us and goes into illegal mining outside the CMP concession area will be arrested and punished severely in the traditional way, in addition to what the law has in stock for him or her, to serve as a deterrent to others.”

    Ellembelle CMP

    A large parcel of land at Awiebo has been designated for the Ellembelle CMP.

    The CMP is a nationwide enterprise intended to formalise small-scale mining in selected communities across mining regions, with each mining district in the country expected to have at least one community mine.

    It is also an initiative to encourage responsible small-scale mining, in line with the Minerals and Mining Act, 2015 (Act 703).

    Curbing disaster

    Nana Akra said over the years, people engaged in illegal mining had destroyed the rich green vegetative cover in mining communities across the country and continued to do so even today.

    “The youth are advised to desist from entering into galamsey work, since the more illegal mining takes place, the more harm is caused to our water bodies and the environment in general,” he said.

    He commended the government for introducing the CMP, adding that traditional rulers were in support and would ensure that it became a success.

    “We intend to curb the needless disasters and destruction of the environment, as well as all other negativities associated with illegal mining activities that benefit only a few,” he said.

    Strategy for CMP

    The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, who launched the programme, commended the chiefs and the people of the Western Region for accepting the CMP.

    “To ensure the successful implementation of the programme, some key strategies have been infused into the CMP scheme to make it work.

    The strategies include the formation of community mining oversight committees, the adoption of the Small-scale Miners Code of Practice and the provision of support services for community miners,” he said.

    Wealth creation

    Mr Asomah-Cheremeh said the CMP was linked to other sectors of the economy in a way that stimulated wealth creation and improved local economies through value creation, particularly within the local communities.

    He said the CMP would ensure community involvement in mining activities, in answer to the legitimate desire by host communities to participate in the mining industry value chain.

    The Ellembelle project currently provides 20,000 direct jobs and 10,000 indirect jobs for the people in the district and adjoining municipalities.
    The Lands and Natural Resources Minister stressed the need for all stakeholders to ensure that the CMP worked for the benefit of the environment and the country.

    “Operations should only take place with the requisite licences and permits from the sector ministry, the Minerals, the Forestry and the Water Resources commissions, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency,” he advised the people, and warned that “miners who will flout the rules will have their licences revoked”.

    Safe operations

    The District Chief Executive for Ellembelle, Mr Kwesi Bonzo, emphasised the importance of having a formalised system, not only to protect the miners but also ensure a safe environment.

    “I can assure you that the community is up for mining in a formalised way, such that it is done in a safe manner and within the laws of the country and for the benefit of all,” he said.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • 2,000 graduate from Commonwealth of Learning, Coursera online courses

    The virtual convocation of the first graduates of the Commonwealth of Learning (CoL) and Coursera Workforce Recovery Programme has been held.

    Of the over 2,000 Africans who graduated from their respective selected online courses, Ghana topped the list, producing a total of 1,200 of the graduates.

    Commonwealth of Learning and Coursera entered into a partnership with the Ghana Library Authority (GhLA) to rollout an initiative to support Ghanaians to enroll on over 3,800 carefully curated courses online delivered by top universities and companies.

    The initiative
    The initiative seeks to offer 50,000 Commonwealth citizens an opportunity to attain new skills to enhance job prospects in this COVID-19 period.

    The project, launched in May 2020 by the CoL and Coursera, already has 12,227 Ghanaians enrolled.

    In a speech delivered for him, the Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh said government was committed to continuing its efforts to make public libraries lively and connected spaces for life-long learning.

    He indicated “Our public libraries across the country will continue to be supported as we have done over the past few years and make them connected and lively spaces for life-long learning.

    “We are currently equipping public libraries with computers and connecting them to internet to enable them offer more opportunities for our citizens who do not have their own devices and computers to also benefit,” Dr. Prempeh said.

    Take advantage
    Dr Prempeh advised the selected Ghanaians to make use of the opportunity, saying “I wish to encourage all Ghanaians who have been selected to commit to completing their course modules, assignments and most importantly, acquire new skills to make you relevant for the job market or start your own enterprises.”

    Speaking on the convocation, the Executive Director of the Ghana Library Authority Mr. Hayford Siaw said, “The GhLA will continuously ensure that Ghanaians have access to opportunities for self-development to enable them become attractive on the job market, especially during this pandemic period.”

    He stated that he was excited Ghana had the highest number of beneficiaries on the programme and looked forward to working with CoL and other development partners to offer more of such opportunities.

    Participants
    Joining in the convocation were the President and CEO of CoL, Professor Asha Kanwar; the Coursera CEO Jeff Maggioncalda; the Botswana Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, Dr. Douglas Letsholathebe; and the Namibia Minister of Art, Education and Culture, Ms. Esther Anna Nghipondoka.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • PLAYBACK: Vice President Bawumia speaks on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo show

    The Vice President, Dr Bawumia grants an interview on Accra-based radio station Peace FM.

    Dr Bawumia is expected to answer questions on the 2020 manifesto of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) which was launched over the weekend in Cape Coast.

    The NPP has, among others, promised to build a harbour and ultra-modern airport in Cape Coast, set up large recording studios in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale and Takoradi.

    The manifesto has since been criticised by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), describing it as deceptive, disappointing and disrespectful.

    Some experts have also been scrutinising some of the items documented in the manifesto, particularly the proposed Cape Coast airport.

    For instance, Dr Yakubu Akparibo, an aviation expert, has said the planned construction of an airport in the Central Region is not viable due to a plethora of reasons.

    Join the feed below as Dr. Bawumia offers some explanations to the public:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • 2020 Elections: Asawase NDC, NPP leadership sign peace accord

    The leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Asawase Constituency have signed an agreement to commit to peace before, during, and after the 2020 general elections.

    NDC executives who were reluctant in signing the agreement cited alleged bias on the part of the Electoral Commission (EC) and the Police during the just ended Voter Registration Exercise.

    According to them, a supposed National Security Officer who allegedly pulled a gun and threatened a police officer during the Voter Registration Exercise has still not been arrested by the police.

    The executives also raised concerns over alleged intimidation of their members during the exercise which they say happened in the full glare of the police.

    The National Peace Council after deliberations with the leadership of the NDC and NPP as well as traditional and religious leaders in the Asawase Constituency issued a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to get both parties to commit to peace ahead of the 2020 polls.

    The meeting by the mediation committee of the National Peace Council was to get both parties to agree not to use internal party security groups to provide security to their leaders during political activities.

    The agreement was backed by ACT, 999 of the Vigilantism, and Related Offences ACT, 2019.

    While the NPP outrightly signed the agreement, the NDC delayed in the signing to make further consultation.

    Asawase Constituency Chairman for the NPP, Mohammed Imoro signed the agreement on behalf of his party and pledged to ensure peace before, during, and after the 2020 polls.

    The executives later signed the agreement and however said they can only commit fully to a peace pact ahead of the elections if the Electoral Commission and the Police are fair in discharging their duties.

    Asawase Constituency Treasurer for the NDC, Faisal Dauda said the party was committed to peace and will do whatever to ensure the upcoming elections is a peaceful one.

    “To make it short, we signed the MoU based on conditionality that if the police will appear as political agents, we will not agree, it meant the agreement will not be necessary again”, he explained.

    Manhyia Divisional Police Commander, ACP Kwaku Buah who was part of the meeting assured both parties that police will remain fair in the discharge of their duties and serve the national interest.

    Chairman of the National Peace Council Most Rev. Professor Emmanuel Asante addressing the meeting emphasized that both parties ensure peace in the constituency since what unites them is bigger than what divides them.

    “At the end of the day, we felt that there will be a need for them to commit themselves to write. So that at least it will remind them that they have committed themselves that”, he said.

    Professor Asante indicated that all the stakeholders in the constituency are yearning for peace and the leadership of the parties in the area must also demonstrate their commitment to peace.

    The Peace Council hinted that it was preparing to meet parliamentary candidates of the NPP and NDC in the constituency to deliberate with them on the need to commit to peace and also get them to pledge their commitment ahead of the 2020 polls.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Germany to finally recognize late Ghanaian philosopher, Anton Wilhelm Amo

    Berlin authorities have announced they are to rename Mohrenstraße (“Moor Street”) in the city’s Mitte district after the country’s first black philosopher, Anton Wilhelm Amo.

    The decision follows years of protest by postcolonial campaigners, including historians and ethnologists, who had criticised the street name as racist.

    Campaigners welcomed the decision on Friday, which comes in the wake of a worldwide reassessment of the entrenched legacies of historical racism and colonialism.

    “Berlin is making history,” said the association Berlin Postkolonial in a statement. “We welcome this decision as an internationally visible signal against racism in the public realm.”

    The announcement followed a meeting among councillors from Berlin’s Mitte district at which the Greens and Social Democrats voted in favour of the move. They overruled a motion by the leftwing faction proposing the establishment of a naming committee which would have consulted the public over an alternative name.

    Campaigners are now waiting to see if the city’s public transport authority, BVG, will still press ahead with its controversial decision last month to rename Mohrenstraße on the U2 metro line as Glinkastraße, after the Russian composer, Mikhail Glinka. That name is considered highly problematic because he and many of his works are perceived as antisemitic.

    Intensive political discussions about renaming the street have gone on for more than 15 years. It was viewed as offensive by many who argued that the name derived from black slaves in Germany in the late 17th century, while others saw it simply as an old-fashioned term not meant to be derogatory.

    But the recent Black Lives Matter demonstrations gave the row a new impetus. Some protesters renamed the street and metro station George Floyd Street with temporary placards, after the African American man killed during police arrest in May. Others added an “umlaut” or two dots over the “o”, turning it into “Carrots Street”.

    Opponents of the street name have long since referred to it simply as ‘M-Straße’.

    The initiative to rename the street Anton Wilhelm Amo came from the association Decolonize Berlin.

    Amo was brought to Berlin as a child slave from what is now Ghana in 1707 by the Dutch West India Company and had to serve as a so-called Kammer Mohr or “chamber moor” in the Prussian court. He later went on to study in Halle and Jena universities and became Germany’s first black philosopher. He is also believed to have been the first African-born student to attend a European university.

    Opposition to the renaming came from the far-right party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). Its MP Martin Trefzer said those in favour of a name change were “sinning against the cultural identity of the city”. Oliver Frederici of the Christian Democrats (CDU) said “we disapprove of the obsession with renaming things”.

    Mnyaka Sururu Mboro, of Berlin Postkolonial, who has been hosting critical tours on the subject for more than two decades, said: “This is a great day: Berlin is banishing an offensive word from the city, and with Amo is honouring a campaigning scholar from Africa.”

    Protesters continue to call for the renaming of Onkel Toms Hütte, a metro station in the south-west of the city named after the 1852 novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, objecting to the racist connotations.

    Source: The Herald

  • NDC to outdoor manifesto on August 31

    The opposition National Democratic Congress says it will outdoor its manifesto on August 31 ahead of the 2020 December polls.

    Communications Officer of the party, Sammy Gyamfi, said the party has had its manifesto ready and presented to be launched weeks ago with the outdooring slated to take place in Accra.

    Addressing journalists at a press briefing in Accra on Monday August 24, Sammy Gyamfi said: “Our manifesto launch will be held on the 31st August and it will be held in Accra.”

    Meanwhile, the governing New Patriotic Party over the weekend outdoored its 2020 manifesto in Cape Coast.

    The two major parties in the run up to the 2020 general elections are optimistic that their policies will enable the populace to grant them the mandate to govern.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus should make you an innovative entrepreneur – Itrade Commercial CEO

    The CEO of Itrade Commercial Limited has disclosed that the novel coronavirus should rather bring out innovative entrepreneur rather than confine them to the old style of doing business.

    The outbreak of coronavirus pandemic has had adverse effects on business across the globe but some companies have adjusted to the situation and are coping in the midst of the pandemic.

    With the rapid change in the Ghanaian economy these past few months due to the Covid-19 crisis, many companies have laid off workers and reduced their services, while others have shut down completely.

    Some companies, nonetheless, have inventively adapted to the effects of the pandemic. One of such companies is Itrade Commercial Limited.

    Itrade Commercial Limited is a leading provider of vehicle hire-purchase services and car rentals in Ghana.

    The CEO, Zubair Mustapha, has assured that despite the economic effects of Covid-19, Itrade Commercial Limited remains committed to its original mission: Serving the ordinary people.

    He also revealed that the company has relaxed its payment packages to allow clients to acquire the luxuries they desire, especially in a time like this.

    Mr Zubair, however, admonished clients and all Ghanaians to adhere to all the necessary hygiene and social distancing protocols laid out by the government whenever they visit their office.

    Sharing a word of advice to entrepreneurs, he noted that although the emergence of the pandemic is a challenge, a business-minded person will only be apt to find innovative ways to keep up with the work.

    Itrade Commercial Limited, previously known as Itrade Commercial Enterprise, provides various kinds of services such as hire purchase, car rentals, real estates and other transport services.

    The rebranding included a new logo, website, positioning and expanded services which better reflected the quality of services the company provided its clients.

    The company was awarded the Emerging Brand of the Year at the NiBS Ghana Innovation Awards in 2019.

    Source: Michael Ansah, Contributor

  • Weve constructed more toilets than any government in the 4th Republic NPP

    The Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led government says it has constructed the largest number of places of convenience by any government in the 4th Republic.

    According to the New Patriotic Party(NPP), under the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area Water and Sanitation Project, 27,242 household and 238 institutional toilets have been constructed while under the Sustainable and Rural Water and Sanitation project, 12,972 household toilets have been constructed.

    The party noted that as a result, 351 communities have attained Open Defecation-Free (ODF) status.

    These were contained in the NPP 2020 manifesto launched over the weekend in Cape Coast in the Central region.

    Touching on improving access to electricity, the NPP said the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led government has extended power to 2,407 communities with 809 ongoing. 417 communities have been connected through the rural electrification with 211 ongoing.

    Under the Transmission System Improvement Projects, Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) according to the government continued with the Transmission System Reinforcement to improve operational reliability, security and control, among others.

    The government further noted that it has completed projects such as:

    • 161/33kv Accra Central Gas-Insulated Substation (GIS) Project

    • 161/33kv Afienya Substation Project

    • 330kv Prestea-Kumasi Power Enhancement Project

    • 330kv Kumasi-Bolgatanga Transmission Project

    • 330kv Aboadze-Prestea Transmission Line Project

    • In addition, the 225kV Bolgatanga-Ouagadougou Interconnection Project, which is a component of the WAPP Inter-zonal Transmission Hub Project, was completed and inaugurated by the Presidents of Ghana and Burkina Faso. This is currently facilitating the export of 70MW power from Ghana to Burkina Faso
    The government again said with its promise to provide water for all ahead of the 2016 elections, a total of 812 hand pump boreholes have been completed along with 476 mechanized boreholes across the country.

    “807 mechanised borehole projects are also ongoing nationwide. Small town water systems have been completed to serve 177 communities in Anomansa, Abaasa, Essiam, Obontser, Ayeidu, Bontrase, Papase, Nkum, Engyiresi, Asempanaye, Osei Kojo krom, Lambussie, Hamile-Happa , Walewale, Gbimsi, Wungu, Gambaga, Naanori, Nalerigu, Chereponi, Gushegu, Kanshegu, Nyensung, Saboba, Yapei, Asiri, Jankufa, Dotobaa, Prang, Brosankro, Ziope, Akpokpo/Batume Junction, Amedzofe, Seniagya, Akrokeri, and Bobrease among others,” the NPP manifesto stated.

    The government also specified that small town water systems in Nalerigu, Chereponi, and Yapei have also been commissioned.

    The manifesto added that Parliamentary approval and funding have been secured for the Wenchi Water Supply Project to be started in 2020, while sod has been cut, and work started, on the following:

    • Yendi Water Supply Project

    • Damango Water Supply Project

    • Tamale Water Supply Project

    Source: Class FM

  • Alphonso Davies: From a refugee camp in Ghana to the Champions League final

    Alphonso Davies is preparing to play the most important game of his life.
    The 19-year-old is set to feature for Bayern Munich in their Champions League final with Paris Saint-Germain later this Sunday night.

    It hasn’t been an easy road to the top for the left-back, who was born to Liberian parents in a refugee camp in Ghana.Father Debeah and mother Victoria had previously fled the Liberian capital of Monrovia in order to escape the civil conflict going on there.

    “To survive, you had to get hold of a gun and we weren’t willing to do that,” Debeah said.”The landscape was scary; you had to step over corpses to go to eat,” Victoria added.

    Debeah and Victoria ended up in a refugee camp in Buduburam, to the west of Ghanaian capital Accra.”Life there is like being put in a container and then throwing away the key,” Victoria said.”There’s no way out.”Fortunately for the Davies family, there was a way out – to Canada.”I didn’t know anything about it or know anyone from there, but I said okay,” Debeah said on the move to Edmonton.

    Davies started school in Edmonton in 2006 and would soon get used to having a ball at his feet.He became part of Free Footie, an organisation set up to allow 4,000 vulnerable children in Edmonton to play football for free.

    “Alphonso is an example of what can happen when everything goes right, but that kid had something special,” revealed Free Footie’s CEO, Tim Adams.

    Adams recommended Davies to Marco Bossio, a teacher at the St. Nicholas Catholic School and director of the football academy. Bossio went on to alert Vancouver Whitecaps about the youngster’s talent.

    “Davies had a strong enough mentality to go higher,” Bossio said.”I called [the Whitecaps] by phone, they invited him for a trial and they saw what I’d seen.”At the age of 14, Davies faced a move of more than 1,000 kilometres to Vancouver and his mother wasn’t so sure.

    “I was scared,” Victoria said.”I know what some young people do and I didn’t want that to happen to him. I tried to delay it until he was 16 or 17, but he promised me that he wasn’t going to change and that he’d make us proud.

    “Davies made his MLS debut for the Whitecaps at the age of 15 years and eight months, becoming the first player born in the 21st century to play in the USA’s top tier.

    In 2017, Davies acquired his Canadian citizenship and became available for selection for the national team, making his debut a week later.At the 2017 Gold Cup, the then-winger became the youngest goalscorer in Canadian history when he netted against French Guyana.

    Bayern Munich came calling in the summer of 2018 and Davies made the move to Germany once he turned 18.

    “We signed him because we saw him as one of the best players of his generation,” said Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic. Davies made his first-team debut for Bayern in January 2019, but he’s really made a name for himself in Europe this season.

    Originally a winger, the 19-year-old has transformed into one of the best left-backs in the world and stands out because of his pace and dribbling.

    “His development has been phenomenal,” remarked Hansi Flick.”He was signed as a winger, but he’s doing an incredible job at full-back.”

    “We’ve never had a player like him,” admitted Thomas Muller.”You don’t often see just young players with his talent,” said Jerome Boateng.

    “We can expect a lot from him because he can improve.”Davies has also impressed the people at Bayern with his character off the pitch, as much as his football on it.

    “He doesn’t just fascinate our fans with his way of playing, but also because of the way he is off the pitch,” said chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

    “You can be the best, but if you don’t respect others, nobody’s going to like you,” says Victoria.

    Source: marca.com

  • Asante Kotoko interested in Uganda international Juma Balinya

    Asante Kotoko SC is reportedly interested in acquiring the services of Uganda international Juma Balinya from Gor Mahia FC in the on-going transfer window.

    The 28-year-old has emerged on the radar of coach Maxwell Konadu as he strengthens his squad ahead of the 2020/21 CAF Champions League and the Ghana Premier League season.

    Balinya joined Gor Mahia earlier this year from Tanzania Premier League giants Young Africans SC but the Coronavirus pandemic has halted his playing career at the club.

    According to reports, he has opted to leave the club despite his two-year deal expiring in 2022 due to unpaid salaries for the past six months.

    The Kenyan giants have not paid their players for several months since losing sponsorship of betting firm SportPesa in August last year and this has resulted in the departure of most of their top players.

    Balinya won the Uganda Premier League top scorer award after scoring 17 goals for Police FC during the 2018/19 season before joining Yanga SC last season.

    He has made two appearances for Uganda.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Ajax newboy Mohammed Kudus: Andre Ayew is my role model

    Ajax Amsterdam new signing Mohammed Kudus has revealed his veneration for Ghana captain Andre Ayew.

    The 19-year-old claims he draws a lot of inspiration from the Swansea City ace.

    Kudus made a high profile move to the Eredivisie outfit this summer from Danish Superliga side Nordsjaelland.

    His transfer fee was reported to be €9 million.

    A lot is expected is expected from the Right To Dream Academy graduate

    ”I have quite a few but I will say Andre Ayew. When I was growing up I looked up to him. Most of the time he motivated me as well,” Kudus told Ajax TV in a Q&A session.

    Kudus has settled in well at his new club and given a good account of himself in the friendly matches against Wolfsberger and Red Bull Salzburg.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Election 2020: Security services end in-service tactical training sessions

    Closing ceremonies have been held at the Ghana Police Command and Staff College (GPCSC) at Winneba in the Central Region and Police Counter Terrorism Enactment and Concentration Camp (PCTECC) at Huhunya in the Eastern Region, for the third batch of trainees in tactical operations, public order management and other skills.

    The ceremonies were held concurrently at the various training centres on Friday, August 21, 2020.

    At the Concentration Camp (PCTECC) at Huhunya, the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Mr Johnson Oyrifi-Akrofi congratulated the trainees and urged personnel of the security services to work as a team to ensure successful and peaceful 2020 election.

    Also, Commissioner of Immigration, Mr Isaac Owusu Mensah, the Commissioner in charge Operations added that personnel are prepared to deal with any challenge that they may face during the incoming election with respect to border patrol. He was very thankful to the Police administration for the training.

    At Winneba, DCOP Dr Sayibu Pabi Gariba, Director of National Operations stated that, the training will go a long way to build the confidence of personnel to be able to counter any threat that will undermine the 2020 elections and beyond.

    The training involved 584 personnel drawn from the Police Service, Immigration and Ambulance Service.

    They were supervised by Chief Superintendent Mr Adofiem Raymond Wejong at Huhunya and Chief Superintendent Mr.Theodore Hlormenu, Winneba, respectively.

    Present at the two ceremonies were Senior Officers from the Police, Immigration, Ambulance Service, BNI, Armed Forces and traditional leaders.

    Source: Class FM

  • Farmers introduced to modern rice production

    Members of Asene Ghana Rice Farmers Group have lauded the Agriculture Department in Asene Manso Akroso District for introducing them to modern rice production.

    Mr Asante Badu, the Chairman of the Group, told the Ghana News Agency at a demonstration farm at Asene in the Eastern Region that the group was taken through the various stages of modern rice production and the use of net instead of the tradition use of catapult and noise making to prevent birds from pecking the grains at the fruiting stage.

    He said the use of the net had taken away the most difficult aspect in rice production and said that could reduce the cost of rice production and help increase their yields.

    Ms Victoria Beyuo, the Agriculture Extension Agent in Asene urged the farmers to plant AGRA rice seeds, an improved high yielding rice variety.

    Source: GNA

  • Marketing, the driving force in agricultural production – MoFA

    Mr Francis Ennor, the Upper East Regional Director of Agriculture, has urged farmers to make sure of available market before producing as marketing is the driving force in the Agricultural business.

    He said there was the need to ensure good quality of produce that would attract market, “the era where farmers produced before finding market for their products is past and quality is a determinant factor in this present competitive business world,” he added.

    Mr Ennor made the call at a meeting held in Bolgatanga for Agricultural stakeholders in the value chain, made up of producers, input dealers, aggregators, farmers, sellers, buyers, financial institutions, processors, representatives of the Ghana Commodity Exchange (GCX) and National Food Buffer Stock Company(NAFCo).

    Highlighting the purpose of the meeting, the Director said understanding the challenges of stakeholders would enhance business relationships for a Regional Agribusiness Partnership Platform(RABP), which was part of strategies of the Regional Agricultural Directorate, to facilitate key linkages with actors in the value chain, where MoFA staff will in turn be positioned in the various districts to oversee the creation and operations of similar platforms and guide them in the standards they set for themselves.

    According to him, the RABP approach was part of the objectives of the Modernization of Agriculture in Ghana (MAG) programme.

    Speaking on the theme, “Facilitating and sustaining markets for agricultural commodities in the region”, he said the Regional Directorate was focusing mainly on the relevance of the value chain and agribusiness development.

    He said the regional production, consumption and surplus in 2019 was proof of the potential of food production in the area to feed a large proportion of the country and noted that maize production last year was 99,777 metric tonnes and had a surplus of 51,274metric tonnes as only 48,503 metric tonnes was consumed.

    He indicated that 59,456 metric tonnes of rice was produced in the same year, 2019, and 36,955 was consumed with remaining surplus of 22,501 MT.

    According to him, soya bean production in the Region in 2019 was 16,991 metric tonnes with a surplus of 11,217 metric tonnes after consumption.

    The Region had a cumulative surplus of 84,992 metric tonnes of maize, rice and soya beans.
    He was however worried about the surplus food and attributed it to poor market linkages between the actors which provided market agents in the local markets more room to operate at the disadvantage of producers.

    “The importance of market linkages and its implication for development of the region cannot be over stated”, the Director said.

    Mr Abdulai Mohammed, the Regional Manager, National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCo) in a presentation, noted key achievements in the area of market linkages and licensing of food buying companies and suppliers that buy grains on behalf of the company.

    He mentioned areas of possible collaboration on the platform as food storage infrastructure, farmer and buyer linkages among others.

    MAG is funded by the government of Canada to support and increase the efficiency of local farmers through value chain development. It supports the Department of Agriculture to give extension services to farmers at the local levels, with a focus on increasing access to essential services.

    The second of MAG is to support specialized agricultural services to build national market linkages and promote efficiencies in commodity development along value chains.

    Source: GNA

  • Local procurements under mining local content increases exponential

    Cumulatively, for a period of more than five years, the mining sector local content framework has resulted in the retention of huge amount of capital resources in Ghana, promoting local employment and the growth of domestic manufacturing.

    Progressively from 2014 to date, the country has been able to retain a total of over US$ 1.42 billion through local procurement which otherwise would have been used to import production inputs for the industry.

    The total annual value of local procurements made in the mining sector grew by 165.85 percent from 2014 to 2018. Although 2019 figures are under review, the Minerals Commission indicates that the expenditures through local procurement continued on this growth trajectory last year as well.

    In 2018, the total local procurements made were about US$ 394.09 million, up from US$ 148.24 million in 2014. This is made of both actual locally manufactured mining products required in the industry, as well as mining products imported by local companies.

    Local procurement of mining products manufactured in-country grew from US$ 143.36 million in 2014 to US$ 252.93 million in 2018, and this is further expected to increase when figures for2019 are released.

    The Director of the Policy Planning and Minerals Titles Directorate of the Minerals Commission, Mr. Collins Anim-Sackey indicated that, it has become imperative that the regulatory body [Minerals Commission] and government ensure that the mining companies deepen the use of local content in their operations.

    “If we are able to ensure that we have companies established in-country, that are producing these item [mining products) then we will have the resources remaining in the county. This will contribute to job creation and taxes to government,” Mr. Anim-Sackey said.

    Under Act 703 and L.I. 2173 mine support service providers, holders of mineral rights and holders of licence to export or deal in minerals are required to submit 5-Year Procurement Plans to the Mineral Commission.

    The 5-year Procurement Plan shall specify the targets for local procurement covering at least the items specified in the local procurement list as provided for in the regulation.

    Also, the plan must indicate other measures to develop the supply of local goods and services, including broadening access to opportunities and technical and financial assistance for local suppliers as well as giving of preference to the company with the highest Ghanaian content where competing bids are within two percent of each other by price.

    Products required under Act 703

    The current local procurement list includes Grinding Media Explosives (Emulsion) Cement & Cement Products/Grout Quick & Hydrated Lime Electrical Cables (PVC) Pipes General Lubricants Re-Treading of Tyres.

    The others are Bolts and Nuts, Crucibles Plastic Sample Bags, Calico Bags, Bullion Boxes, Conveyor Rollers, Metal/PVC Core Trays, Overalls & Working Clothes, High Density Polyethylene & Polyvinyl Chloride, Chain Link Fencing/Wire Netting/Barbed Wire, Haulage Services & Catering Services. Security Services.

    Source: goldstreetbusiness.com

  • Foreign Minister bids outgoing Danish Ambassador farewell

    Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, has bid farewell to Madam Tove Degnbol, the outgoing Ambassador of Denmark to Ghana.

    The Minister lauded the excellent bilateral relationship between Ghana and Denmark and expressed sadness about Madam Degnbol’s departure after a five-year duty tour of Ghana, saying that she would be dearly missed.

    She noted that over the years, Ghana and Denmark had shared warm, long-standing and cordial relations, back to the 1960’s with extensive development cooperation in several sectors including health, water and sanitation, rural roads, decentralization, support to the Judiciary, civil society, private sector development, poverty alleviation, and the promotion of sustainable development through programmes and projects implemented by the Danish International Development Agency.

    The Foreign Minister commended the Danish Ambassador for her commitment to the realization of the new strategic sector cooperation between Danish and Ghanaian authorities in maritime and statistics.

    Madam Ayorkor Botchwey added that the Ambassador’s highly distinguished work in Ghana had further enhanced the fruitful relations between the two countries.

    She said the warm relations were evident in the exchange of high level visits including the State visit of Danish Queen Margrethe II from 22nd to 26th November, 2017 where a number of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements were signed including a letter of Intent between Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC) and Bluetown Aps; Base of Pyramid Partnership Agreement between Novo Nordisk Pharma Gulf FZ-LLC and the National Catholic Secretariat, Health Directorate (National Catholic Health Service).

    The Minister highlighted one of the high points of her tenure in the role she played in the renewal of the MoU between the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources and Grundfos Holdings A/S (Grundfos Ghana ltd).

    It helped to put Ghana on course to meet the SDG goal of achieving universal access to water by 2030 as well as the MoU between Ghana National Red Cross Commission and APM Terminals and Amend, an Africa Road Safety Specialist.

    Madam Ayorkor Botchwey said Ghana remained strongly committed to promoting friendly and cooperative relations with Denmark, hoping that even after completion of her duty tour in Ghana, she would continue to be a close friend of Ghana and further support the enhancement of the relationship between the two countries.

    The Minister wished Madam Degnbol well in her future endeavours.

    Madam Degnbol said her successor would be arriving in Ghana in a week’s time and would go through the 14-day COVID-14 mandatory quarantine, making a total of three weeks before assuming duty.

    She expressed gratitude to the Minister for the warm hospitality accorded her during her duty tour.

    Madam Degnbol also thanked the Minister for the good collaboration during the state visit of the Queen of Denmark to Ghana in 2017.

    Source: GNA

  • Clearing agents, spare parts dealers declare demo over ban on salvaged car imports

    A coalition of car and spare parts dealers, clearing agents, and artisans have set Thursday, August 27, 2020, to stage a demonstration.

    According to the group, the action is to press home demands for the government to reverse the planned ban on importation of salvaged vehicles.

    The group in a statement said the Customs Amendment Act, 2020 which is expected to take effect in November 2020 will lead to massive job losses within the sector.

    The car dealers who are based in the Tema, Spintex and Ashaiman communities said: “the protest is to serve as a strong signal to the government that its decision will collapse our business and deprive more than 20,000 artisans of our livelihood if the policy is rolled out on 1st November, 2020.”

    They said all the meetings they have had with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, as well as the president, Nana Akufo-Addo on the matter, have failed to yield positive results.

    The groups said their demonstrations will be held across the country “starting with Tema followed by Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi and Tamale respectively to register our protest against the implementation of the policy on 1st November 2020.”

    “We therefore call on all our members to come out in their numbers in support of this protest march to save our business,” the statement added.

    The Customs Amendment Act 2020 among other things is to provide incentives for the automobile manufacturers and assemblers registered under the Ghana Automotive Manufacturers Programme and prohibit the importation of salvaged motor vehicles and cars over ten years of age into the country.https://www.youtube.com/embed/IXjmt88nMpc

    Since the passage of the law, some local vehicle dealers have been protesting against it.

    They contend that the Bill when it takes effect in November will negatively impact their business and cause several local artisans within the value vehicle importation value chain to go out of business, but the government has indicated its resolve to ensure that the bill comes into full force come November.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Ahafo Region shall be the 2nd stronghold of NPP – Regional Minister

    The Ahafo Regional Minister who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Asunafo North Constituency, Evans Opoku Bobie (MP) made a firm declaration during the Ahafo Regional NPP Campaign Launch, which took place at Goaso, that, with unity, determination, and hard work, the Ahafo Region shall surely become the second stronghold for the New Patriotic Party after 2020 December Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.

    Ghana Electoral results and statistics show clearly that, the Ashanti Region remains the stronghold of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    Bobie outlined numerous soft and hard infrastructure the good people of Ahafo have benefited from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration in just four years.

    The NPP government has started the construction of Norbeko-Sankore road in the Asunafo South of which former president Mahama gave a blind eye to it.

    The good people of the Area shall surely translate their appreciation into votes. He reminded the people of Ahafo about the lies and illusions peddled by former president Mahama of the Construction of Akrodie-Asumura Road.

    Less than four years of NPP administration, President Akufo-Addo has awarded the Construction of Akrodie-Asumura Road in the Asunafo North Constituency of the Ahafo Region.

    Even though, the road has not yet been completed but Commuters and traders are very happy for the state of the road as compare to the NDC regime.

    The minister reiterated on a holistic pricket that, the people of Asumura shall surely translate their panegyric into votes.

    The unprecedented Construction of Ultramodern Science and Technology Senior High School at Akrodie is one of the greatest projects of the NPP Government.

    The Construction of Ahafo Regional Education Directorate at Bechem in the Tano North Municipality, Construction of Ahafo Regional Health Directorate at Hwidiem in the Asutifi South District, Construction of Ahafo Regional Health Insurance Headquarters at Mim in the Asunafo North, Construction of Ahafo Regional Agricultural office at Goaso, Construction of Ahafo Regional Feeder Roads Office at Kukuom in the Asunafo South, Construction of Ahafo Regional Coordinating Council among others.

    It is evidently clear that, each and every District in the Region has a lot of projects to boost of, aside the Regional ones.

    The projects has created an informal and formal employment for the youth of Ahafo. The people of Techimantia in the Tano South have also eulogised the NPP Government for awarding the Construction of Techimantia Road and commuters of Bediako-kasapin Road in the Asunafo North are highly ecstatic.

    Due to the numerous projects, H. E . E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo shall win the Ahafo Region with more than 60% and claim all the six Parliamentary seats in the region.

    The creation of the Ahafo Region by H. E. Nana Akufo-Addo has given the people of Ahafo an idiosyncratic identity. Ahafo Regional NPP shall never relent in the campaign season but will ensure a landslide victory which will apotheosis the region to become the second stronghold of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    Source: Francis Agyapong Nimpong, Contributor

  • All set for NPP manifesto launch in Cape Coast

    All is set for the launch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Election 2020 manifesto Saturday, August 22, 2020 in the Central Regional capital, Cape Coast.

    The event, to be held at the New Examinations Centres Hall of the University of Cape Coast, is expected to be attended by a little over 120 members.

    Some security personnel at the event grounds

    It will be projected virtually for members of the party and the general public to watch.

    This will be a deviation from the usual outdoor event where thousands of supporters of the party attend.

    The restriction of the number of attendees is in line with the observance of strict COVID-19 safety protocol.

    Source: Happy 98.9FM

  • Today in History: Junior Agogo dead

    On this day 22 August 2019 (exactly a year ago today) former Ghana, Nottingham Forest and QPR striker Junior Agogo died at the age of 40.

    Agogo began his footballing career at Sheffield Wednesday and spent time on loan at Oldham, Chester, Chesterfield and Lincoln before a stint in America with the Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes.

    He returned to English football with QPR in 2002 and quickly joined Barnet, where he impressed to earn a move to Bristol Rovers.

    Agogo enjoyed a prolific three-year stint with the West Country club before spending two years at Nottingham Forest.

    A move to Egyptian side Zamalek SC followed in 2008, while he also represented Cypriot outfit Apollon Limassol and Scottish side Hibernian before retiring in 2012.

    Accra-born Agogo also earned 27 senior international caps for Ghana, scoring 12 times and helping the team to a third-place finish on home soil at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.

    He was a standout player for Ghana at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil where he scored three goals in six outings as the Black Stars .

    His notable contribution during the continental competition was his late match-winning effort that gave Ghana a 2-1 win over arch-rivals Nigeria.

    He suffered a stroke in 2015 that left him with speech difficulties.

    Source: Happy 98.9FM

  • Ghanaian-born Qatari forward Mohammed Muntari wins Qatar Stars League with Al-Duhail SC

    Ghanaian forward Mohammed Muntari has clinched the 2019/2020 Qatar Stars League title with Al-Duhail SC.

    Al-Duhail beat Al Ahli Doha 1-0 in their last game of the season on Friday to win the Qatari championship.

    Brazilian forward Edmilson Junior netted the match winner in the 24th minute of the game at the Al Janoub stadium in Al Wakrah.

    Al-Duhail won the league with 52 points from 22 matches. Only a point separated from second-placed Al Rayyan SC.

    Muntari made 19 appearances this season and scored 8 goals to ensure Al-Duhail win their 7th league title.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • TUC wants government to revise low lump-sum benefits of pensioners

    The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called on government to immediately convene a stakeholders’ forum to discuss and review upward the low lump-sum benefits and related issues of pensioners.

    A statement from the TUC, signed by Secretary General Dr Yaw Baah and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said the General Council of TUC discussed some unresolved pension-related issues including the lack of clarity on the computation of past credit to be paid by SSNIT.

    It also discussed the fact that the second-tier contributions had not been invested over a long enough period to generate adequate returns, as envisaged by the proponents of the three-tier pension system.

    The statement said there was a genuine fear that workers who would retire in 2020 and beyond might be worse-off in terms of lumpsum benefits compared to lump-sum benefits under PNDCL 247.

    To address these and related issues, TUC proposed a stakeholder forum on pensions in 2019, but regrettably, no forum was held and these issues remained unresolved.

    Many workers, it said, had retired on the three-tier pension scheme with harrowing experience.

    “Pension Payment Statements we have gathered from some of our members who retired in 2020 show that they are worse-off because their lumpsum benefits are far lower than what they would have received if they had retired under PNDC Law 247. This is unfair and unjustifiable,” the statement said.
    .
    The pension reforms that gave birth to the current pension system was premised on the idea of enhancing retirement income for workers, it said.

    “Therefore, no retiree should be worse-off compared to the old pension system. Why should workers, who have retired after more than three decades of dedicated service to this country, receive such paltry sums as lump-sum benefit? This is injustice social partners should not allow to continue,” it added.

    The statement also condemned the gruesome murder of a 90year old woman, Akua Denteh, at Kafaba in the Northern region.

    “The Council was outraged by this heinous murder and the barbarism it portrays of us as Ghanaian people in this day and age. A 90-year woman with infinite knowledge and wisdom ought to have been revered rather than beaten to death in Ghana in 2020,” it said.

    The statement, therefore, called on government to ensure that the security agencies brought all those who participated in the disgraceful act to be punished in accordance with laws of the land.

    It also urged government to institute special measures to protect elderly women in Ghana, particularly in parts of the country where they faced perennial threats for “witchcraft”.

    Government, the statement noted, must implement a special programme that provided basic income, housing and other amenities for the aged including those suffering in the so-called witch camps in some parts of the country.

    “The TUC would like to reassure our social partners that we are ready to work with them to address social and economic challenges facing our country. We expect our partners to show their commitment to social partnership based on mutual respect,” it added.

    Source: GNA

  • Student develops App to assist the blind detect currency

    A final year student at the Bluecrest University College has developed an App that can help the blind detect currency in Ghana.

    According to the student, Daniel David Lezu, he sees the need to help the society especially the physically challenged with the knowledge he has acquired in the university.

    “Although we are moving into cashless society, physical money will still be comprehensively used for standard trades and businesses but how will the visually impaired people do money transactions smoothly”? he quizzed.

    As part of the Students final year project work, Lezu came about with the currency detector App for the visually impaired to help them learn and detect all set of Ghanaian currencies.

    The application uses speech-to-text methodology. It pronounces the detected currency audible to the users. The App has a feature which can be used to make a call. The visually impaired can give a command by speech by mentioning the contacts he/ she want to call. The interface of the App is very simple and it interacts with the user via audio.

    This is a first ever currency detector App for the visually impaired in Ghana and it will go a long way in shaping our society by developing more inclusive projects for the physically challenged people.

    Eye health problems are high among the priority health needs of the people living in Ghana.

    According to a recent Blindness and Visual Impairment Study the prevalence of blindness in Ghana is 0.74% and 1.07% of the population has severe visual impairment. A large proportion of those with low vision (88.9%) and blindness (67.7%) are due to avoidable causes. The SRC started supporting eye care services in Ghana in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH), Ghana Health Services (GHS) and Ghana Red Cross Society (GRCS) in 1991 expanding these services to the Upper West, the Brong-Ahafo and the Northern Region. It has offered outpatient department and community outreach attendance, school screenings and surgical operations and made significant impact on the eye health of the ordinary citizen of the Northern part of Ghana, considered as one of the poorest.

    The Application which is yet to be launched on Google Play Store has yielded a lot of accolades from some visually impaired people who have got the privilege to use the App in its testing period.

    Daniel David Lezu, the student who developed the App wishes to add more features in the app. He lamented on the need for the App to sum up the detected currency and also detected counterfeit money. All this ideas are future scope of the project which can be possible if he gets grants and supports from the Governments and other stakeholders in the country.

    Professor Edmund Akpor Mensah, the supervisor of the App, urged students to be innovative in their respective fields and think outside the box.

    He said the currency detector App is just what the blind community needed.

    In his view, they have been neglected for far too long and it was about time innovative minds develop contents to make their living much easier.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Former NDC Parliamentary candidate sues Wontumi, Akua Donkor for defamation

    The 2016 National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Asante Akim North, Madam Mary Awusi has filed a defamatory suit against the founder and flagbearer of the Ghana Freedom Party, Madam Akua Donkor and Wontumi Communications Limited for publishing comments which suggested that former President John Mahama was the father of her two children.

    In the suit, the plaintiff is demanding a total of 1,000,000 Ghana cedis from the defendants for claiming that the plaintiff was having an affair with former President John Mahama.

    Madam Awusi also wants general damages of GH₵300,000 to be awarded by the court against Madam Akua Donkor, GH₵100,000 in general damages against Oheneba Nana Asiedu, a programme host on Wontumi Radio and Wontumi TV, as well as GH₵600,000 as punitive damages against the defendants which also include Wontumi Communications Limited, a multimedia conglomerate owned by the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Bernard Antwi Boasiako (alias Chairman Wontumi).

    Madam Mary Awusi

    Statement of claim

    The plaintiff who was the Parliamentary Candidate for the NDC in the 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary elections, says Madam Donkor had earlier made a libellous statement without any justification against her person in an interview which was also uploaded to YouTube.

    Madam Awusi adds that after calling Madam Donkor to question her on the “malicious and reckless claims”, Wontumi Communications Limited “in the most reckless and malicious manner gave their platforms to the 1st Defendant to repeat and utter the defamatory statements against the Plaintiff without any justification”.

    The plaintiff avers that the interviewer and host of the radio programme failed and or neglected to dissociate himself from the defamatory statement made by Madam Donkor and also failed and or neglected to get her to retract the defamatory statement.

    She adds that the statements uttered by Madam Donkor suggested that “she is an unfaithful spouse, an unchaste person, a pervert, a person of low moral character, a person of no integrity and that the second child of her marriage is not the child of her husband but that the child is the child of a man she is not married to”.

    As a result, she wants the court to order an apology on the platforms operated by Wontumi Communications Limited “with the same prominence the defamatory words received within 14 days after the judgment”.

    Madam Awusi also wants an interlocutory and perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, assigns and servants from further publishing any defamatory words against her.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Fumigate all tertiary campuses before reopening UTAG

    The University Teachers Associated of Ghana (UTAG) has asked the government to disinfect all campuses of universities and tertiary institutions across the country before reopening in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.

    Acting General Secretary of UTAG Mark Korankye demanded also that personal protective equipment (PPEs) must be provided to students and lecturers in order to avert possible spike in the COVID-19 cases.

    This comes after President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo revealed that continuing students of tertiary institutions which could not complete their studies online during the shutdown of schools as a result of the coronavirus pandemic are to return on Monday, August 24.

    Among the institutions are University of Cape Coast (UCC), University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), some technical universities and other colleges.

    President Akufo-Addo said on Sunday, August 16 in an address to the nation that “after extensive stakeholder consultations, the decision has been taken for continuing students in these tertiary institutions to return to school on 24th August to finish their academic year”.

    Speaking to News 360 on TV3 Thursday, Mr Korankye said failure to fumigate and also provide the PPEs could lead to a spike in the cases.

    “The fumigation of lecture halls and residential halls has to be done. Provision of masks has to be [made], so that when academic life resumes nobody will be put at some danger of exposing life.”

    Source: 3 News

  • No witches camps will be allowed under the next NDC government Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang

    Running mate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has promised to phase out witches camps in the next NDC government which will take over governance of the country in 2021.

    The Vice Presidential Candidate made this known when she was speaking to inmates of the Gambaga Witches Camp in the North East region where she visited to campaign.

    To her, the existence of witch camps in the country is a dent on the image of the country and will be one of the first things the next NDC government will abolish.

    In closing the camps, the former education Minister said there will be a mapped out plan to ensure that the occupants of these witch camps are reintegrated into society.

    “We shall tackle this menace decisively,” Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said while rallying: “All those interested in the all-inclusive development of the country should support the NDC to return to power.

    “The 2020 election campaign will be based on the record and not insults. We have done it before, and we will do it again,” she added.

    The issue of witches camps and older women been declared as witches have come to the fore especially after the death of Akua Denteh;a ninety-year-old woman who was declared as a witch and was beaten by her fellow women till she died.

    Source: My News GH

  • Security services to remain on existing pension programmes Oppong Nkrumah

    The government has excluded security services in the country from the unification of pensions.

    The security services would remain on their already-existing pension programmes.

    This was disclosed by the Minister of Information, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah at a press briefing in Accra on Thursday, 20 August 2020.

    Mr Nkrumah noted that the decision was reached to exclude security services such as the Police, Immigration, Prisons, Fire and all other such services and intelligence agencies after it examined a report on the National Pensions Act, 2008 (Act 766),

    This, he said, prompted the government to direct the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations to have the law amended to make room for the changes.

    “Cabinet considered the recommendations of the report seeking the following actions for the completion of the unification process;

    “One, the exclusion of the security services that is the Police Service, the Immigration Service, the National Fire Service, the Prisons Service, as well as other security and intelligence agencies”.

    “Two, the amendment of Act 766 to exclude the security services from the unification of pensions”.

    “Cabinet granted approval for the above actions and directed the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations to commence processes to have the law amended to reflect this decision.

    “The decision, therefore, is that the security services will not be subject to the unification of pensions and will remain on their old pension programmes.

    “The security services will not be subjected or included in the programmed to unify pensions. They will instead remain on their already existent pension programmes like the Cap 30 and the other pension programmes that exist,” he said.

    The Minister explained that the reason for the exclusion of the security services from the unification process is because of the peculiar nature of their task and the risks they face in their line of duty.

    Ghana began processes to unify its pension regime in 2018.

    With an approval from Cabinet to develop a roadmap toward the unification of the regime by 2021, the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations has engaged stakeholders within the sector in a bid to unify all parallel pension schemes and incorporate them under the three-tier system as stipulated in the National Pensions Act, 2008 (Act 766).

    Source: Class FM

  • Court remands suspects who murdered 90-year-old ‘witch’ at Kafaba

    The Bole Magistrate Court has remanded the seven suspects involved in the killing of Madam Akua Denteh who they accused of witchcraft into Police custody and are expected to reappear in court on 18 September 2020.

    It will be recalled that Hajia Shirina Mohammed alias Hajia Filipino, aged 40, an alleged soothsayer branded the 90-year-old Madam Akua Denteh as a witch and ordered that she should be lynched.

    Hajia Filipino has been arrested and currently under interrogation at the Savannah Regional Police Headquarters in Damongo.

    She was arrested at her hideout in Yeji in the Bono East Region and brought before the Bole Magistrate Court but was remanded in Police Custody.

    She appeared in court today with the six other suspects.

    Source: Class FM

  • WAEC publishes names of 13 suspected 2019 WASSCE cheats

    The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has published the names and index numbers of 13 persons suspected to have been involved in examination malpractices during the 2019 West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for Private Candidates.

    The 13 suspects are to visit the Accra Office of the WAEC between August 26-28, 2020, to clear their names.

    In a public notice, WAEC said they are to assist the Council to conclude its investigations into alleged irregularities.

    “Candidates are being informed that their refusal to honour this invitation shall not prevent the Council from making a final determination in the matter,” the notice said.

    The 13 include; Kwayie Danquah Ama, Addison Owusu, Ernestina, Portia Armah, Aidoo Janet Danquah, Kwateng Pamela, Lilian Debrah Mensah, Ansah Kwaku Isaac Asempa and Spendilove Ahyemang Duah.

    The rest are; Agbeko Ebenezer Kobena, Adimah Elizabeth, Cobbina Aaron, Addaebi Ishmael and Cobbina Clement.

    Below are the names and index numbers of the 13

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Atik Mohammed officially bows out of PNC

    Atik Mohammed has officially stepped out of the race for position in the People’s National Convention (PNC).

    The embattled General Secretary says he won’t seek re-election neither is he desiring to play any leadership role in the party, stressing he is done with the PNC.

    According to him, he would like to embark on other life pursuits and no more involve himself in the politics of his party.

    He announced this on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’ programme on Thursday, August 20, 2020.

    Source: Peace FM

  • I cannot disclose my source of funding – Akpaloo

    Leader and founder of the Liberal Party (LPG), Mr. Kofi Akpaloo has failed to disclose the source of his funding for his campaign.

    When asked to disclose how he gets money to fund his campaign, he told Kwabena Agyapong, host of Eboboa on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm to go ask the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to disclose theirs to him before coming to him.

    According to him, he cannot disclose his source of funding because he is not under any obligation to do so.

    He later asked the host to go the Electoral Commission (EC) for that information because has filed his details at the electoral body.

    He also refuted claims that he is being funded by any political party adding, he is someone who is able to create money and that is what he has done to fund his campaign.

    Source: rainbownradioonline.com

  • Producer Price Inflation Rate falls to 9.3 percent in July

    The Producer Price Inflation (PPI) rate fell slightly in July to 9.3 percent compared with a revised 9.5 percent recorded in June.

    The month-on-month change in producer price index between June 2020 and July 2020 was 1.7 percent.

    The Ghana Statistical Service explained that the marginal decrease in all Industry Inflation Rate from 9.5 percent in June 2020 to 9.3 percent in July 2020 was as a result of the decline in inflation rate in the Utility sub-sector.

    This was contained in a statement from the Ghana Statistical Service and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Wednesday.

    The Mining and Quarrying sub-sector recorded the highest year-on-year producer price inflation rate of 38.2 percent, followed by the utility sub-sector with 5.8 percent.

    It said the decrease in the Utility sub-sector inflation rate from 12.0 percent in June 2020 to 5.8 percent in July 2020 was as a result of base drift effect.

    “The base drift is as a result of increases in electricity prices by 11.2 percent and water by 8.0 percent on July 1, 2019,” it said.
    The Manufacturing sub-sector recorded the lowest year-on-year producer inflation rate of 4.4 percent.

    For the monthly changes, the mining and quarrying sub-sector recorded the highest inflation rate of 7.2 percent, followed by manufacturing sub-sectors with 0.8 percent.

    The Utility sub-sector recorded no inflation rate in July 2020.
    The Producer Price Index (PPI) measures the average change over time in the prices received by domestic producers for the production of their goods and services.

    Source: GNA

  • Retain my government to protect Ghanas prosperity Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has asked Ghanaians to retain his administration for a four-year term to protect the prosperity of the country.

    He said this is born out of his government’s desire to build and consolidate the gains made since he was voted for in 2016.

    “We [are] going to protect our prosperity, and the process of the socio and economic transformation of the country is going to continue. That is the program for the future,” Akufo-Addo said in an interview on Skyy Power FM in Takoradi.

    He indicated that his government has laid a strong foundation to propel future development of the country and that there is no other government than his government to sustain and advance the transformation of the country.

    “…cleaning up the economy, putting a more responsible management of the macroeconomy is to provide us with the base to be able to accelerate the development of our country. And that we doing. The signs are all clear that the next stage is going to [be] better,” Nana Addo added.

    The President is on a four-day working visit in the Western and Central Regions of the country.

    As part of his visit, he cut a sod for the construction of a 100-bed district hospital for the Shama District in the Western Region.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Nigerian government announces measures to end retail trade feud with Ghana

    The Nigerian government says it is taking steps to ensure it ends the ongoing retail trade feud with Ghana.

    This follows the closure of retail shops owned by foreigners by a task force put together by the Trade Ministry.

    The PRO of the Ministry had said it is against the laws of Ghana for foreigners to own retail shops in the country.

    Talking to Nigerian traders at a meeting, the Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, said that his team is taking the issue up with the regional body, ECOWAS.

    He stated that they want ECOWAS to investigate the issue and secure the shops of these Nigerian traders.

    Mr Onyeama claimed that the clammed down of retail shops were in contradiction with the ECOWAS protocols.

    “We want this matter to be addressed at the shortest time possible. What is the point of having an economic community, if, at the end of the day, each country will just make a law and regulations that are in contradiction of that,” he added.

    However, the leader of the Nigerian traders believes the recent closure of the shops might be politically fuelled.

    “This is the resurgence of what we call harassment. From the way things are playing out we may also start seeing xenophobic attacks of our citizens in Ghana,” he stated.

    He alleged that some of his traders were attacked during the closure of shops by the tasks force but they are ensuring that these traders do not take the law into their hands and retaliate.

    The Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister, Onyeame assured the traders their government is working to secure their safety.

    “As we have this matter addressed, we know that there are upcoming elections but we will certainly hope that Nigerians will not be pawns in the electoral game.”

    Meanwhile, Ghanaian traders say the government is only doing its job adding that the Ghanaian traders cannot buy from foreign wholesalers and still compete with the same wholesalers in retail.

    “We are saying that it is preserved for the indigenous Ghanaians. Leave the retail market for us. We are not asking them to leave, it is the law. If there are Ghanaians who are doing illegal business that is up to them,” one trader stated.

    Source: myjoyonline

  • 101 new COVID-19 cases recorded in Ghana; death toll now 256

    101 new cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in Ghana.

    This brings to 1,875 the total number of active infections of the virus in the country as of today, Wednesday, August 19, 2020.

    The cumulative number of cases as of the same date is 43,094.

    However, 40,963 individuals who earlier contracted the disease have recovered or been discharged.

    Additionally, eight more persons have succumbed to the disease pushing the death total to 256 from the previous update.

    These updates were announced by the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

    Of the active cases, 16 and six persons are in severe and critical conditions respectively.

    Three others are on ventilators.

    On tests conducted, 429,773 have been done so far at a positivity rate of 10.0.

    156,645 of the tests are samples from routine surveillance out of which 16, 792 have tested positive with a positive rate of 10.7.

    The remaining 273,128 were samples from enhanced contact tracing with 26,302 testing COVID-19 positive at a rate of 9.6.

    Regional Breakdown

    Greater Accra Region leads the chart with 656 active cases.

    The Ashanti Region (472 cases), Central Region (261 cases) and Eastern Region (242 cases) follow in the second, third and fourth-order respectively.

    The North East, Savannah, Upper East, Upper West regions have no active.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Akufo-Addo cuts sod for a 200km feeder food project in Ellembelle

    The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 cut sod for the commencement a 200 kilometre-feeder road project in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region.

    This project has been divided into six phases and it is being funded by Ghana Gas Company, Ghana National Petroleum Corperation (GNPC) and Government of Ghana (GoG).

    The project would see the construction of the 30.2km Teleku Bokazo-Salman-Anibil Junction Feeder Road, 20km Teleku Bokazo-Asasetre-Anyinase Feeder Road, 19.4km Asasetre-Akropong-Gyampre Junction, 15km Adubrim-Ayawora-Aspaneye, 20km Santaso-Asomase-Baseke, and 38.16km Santaso-Aidoosuazo-Kwesikrom-Prestea Nkwanta feeder roads.

    Addressing the Chiefs and people of Ellembelle in a colourful durbar at Teleku-Bokazo lorry park, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said the aforementioned roads would be completed as soon as possible.

    He also said his government is asphalting Nkroful road in honour of the first President of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

    Earlier, the President of Eastern Nzema Traditional Council, Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III, made an appeal to President Akufo-Addo and his government to honour it for the good people of Ellembelle.

    Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III urged the President to establish a District Hospital in the area and also continue with the establishment of the Atuabo Free Port the John Mahama-led administration started.

    President Akufo-Addo assured Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III that his government was looking another investor to establish the Atuabo Free Port for Nzemaland.

    On the District Hospital, President Akufo-Addo said he would discuss with the Health Minister to see how best they could establish it.

    “… when I get to Accra, I will sit down with Agyeman Manu to see how best we can do it”, he said.

    He told the gathering that he was not doing a ‘Green Book Propaganda’ road as a certain President did but said his roads could be see on the grounds.

    “Awulae, I told Ghanaians that this year is a year of roads and majority of Ghanaians will bear witness with me that when I said it, some people didn’t believe me and they thought I was joking but the roads that we are doing, they are not Green Book roads, we are not doing Green Book propaganda roads, we are doing real roads so that everybody will see, my roads are visible, they are not Green Book roads”, he stressed.

    President Akufo-Addo, took the opportunity, to urge the gathering to elect the NPP Parliamentary candidate who is also the DCE for the area, Mr. Kwasi Bonzoh as their Member of Parliament in the December general elections.

    On his part, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area who is also the Parliamentary candidate for Ellembelle NPP, Mr. Kwasi Bonzoh thanked President Akufo-Addo for honouring his invitation to visit Ellembelle District to inspect the ongoing Nkroful road.

    He said the rest of the roads which are under construction would be completed on schedule.

    He descended heavily on the incumbent Member of Parliament for the area, Mr. Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah for failing to lobby for the construction of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s hometown road, Nkroful.

    He told the incumbent MP for the area to stop peddling ‘lies’ that he was the one constructing the Nkroful road.

    President Akufo-Addo was accompanied by the Roads and Highways Minister, Amoako Atta, Works and Housing Minister, Mr. Atta Akyea, Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, NPP National Chairman, Freddie Blay among others.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • 2015 batch of teachers petition parliamentary candidate over delayed promotion

    A group of teachers who serve with the Ghana Education Service (GES) in the Asuogyaman district have petitioned the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Asuogyaman constituency, Paul Asare Ansah, over their delayed promotion to higher ranks in the field.

    Having been appointed to serve in September 2015, the teachers insist that their promotion to higher ranks which was due in 2019 has overlapped, yet no explanations have been given to this effect.

    In a statement to draw the attention of the Parliamentary Candidate in the area, the 2015 batch of teachers claim they were due for promotion to Senior Superintendent I but after some education officers came round in June 2019 to collate all documents to facilitate it, not much has been heard thereafter.

    “We (2015 batch of teachers) were due for promotion to the next rank (Senior Superintendent I) in 2019. In line with this, the District Education directorate sent an information to all schools for qualified teachers to apply. We followed the due process as spelt out by the directorate, in June 2019, a team of officers from the District Education Directorate went to various schools for work inspection to enhance consideration and subsequent promotion to the Senior Superintendent I rank,” the statement read.

    Though the Ghana Education Service has requested that they reapply for the said promotion, the group of aggrieved teachers believe this will further delay the process. They fear the issue may not be duly addressed by the end of the year.

    They have therefore asked Paul Asare Ansah to intervene and use his highly revered office to help them receive their upgrading letters.

    “It is with this sorrowed heart that we are appealing to you, Hon. Paul Asare Ansah to intervene and use your highly respected office to find out why the District and the Regional Education Directorate are refusing to release the upgrading letters and kindly help us to receive them so that the unsuccessful applicants can now reapply,” they stated.

    Below is the full statement:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com