TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • PWDs in Wa unable to access public toilets

    Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Wa are unable to access public toilet facilities due to the absence of disability-friendly facilities, a survey report has revealed.

    That, the survey said, compelled the PWDs to defecate in polythene bags or potties and later dispose of in nearby bushes or communal waste dump site.
    It was titled: “Access to Public Toilets Facilities Amongst Physically Challenged People”, and observed that about 90 percent of the PWDs in the survey area said they could not access public toilet facilities.

    Forty PWDs participated in the survey which was conducted in Wa, the Upper West Regional Capital.

    It was to assess how disability-friendly public toilet facilities were in the face of the implementation of the Ghana Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715) which sought to protect the rights of PWDs and facilitate their inclusion in mainstream social, political, and economic activities.

    It was jointly authored by Mr Samson Bavuno of the Department of Building Technology and Estate Management, Mr George Okyere Dokyi, and Mr Christian Ahuma-Smith of the Department of Civil Engineering, Wa Polytechnic.

    According to the report, 97.6 percent (39) toilets out of a total of 40 functional toilet facilities in Wa, where the survey was conducted, had stairs at the entrance, which made it inaccessible to PWDs.

    A toilet audit based on International Standard Organization (ISO), ISO 21542, was conducted on five (5) parameters, namely entrance, stairs, ramp, horizontal circulation (corridor) grab bar, and cubicle.

    “The audit revealed that 97.6 percent of the (42) functional public toilet facilities had stairs, ranging between a step and 3-steps stairs at the main entrance”, it explained.

    It added that only one facility had a ramp at the main entrance but that PWDs could not access it independently as the ramp’s gradient was calculated to be 1:3m, which was steeper than the recommended 1:12m.

    The report noted that only three of those facilities could be accessed independently by a wheelchair user if a ramp was provided.

    It said that was due to insufficient space to enable the wheelchair to make a 90° turn on the entrance to access the corridor leading to the cubicle.
    It added that the outcome of the audit confirmed why wheelchair users had to leave their wheelchairs outside and crawl into the facilities.

    The outcome, it said, showed that PWDs were gravely marginalized or excluded from accessing public toilets in Wa.

    It argued that the lack of holistic enforcement of the legal and regulatory structures geared towards ensuring inclusiveness was the source of the continuous discrimination and social exclusion of PWDs in Ghana.

    The study, thus, recommended that Architects, Civil Engineers, and other construction professionals as well as Districts, Municipal, and Metropolitan Chief Executive should be surcharged for supervising the design and construction of facilities that did not align with the tenets of the Disability Act.
    It also suggested modifying the environment of existing facilities to accommodate the needs of PWDs without necessarily altering the physical space.
    The report further urged Disability Rights Movements and Water, Sanitation, and Health promoters to intensify advocacy for the design and construction of accessible and inclusive toilet facilities.

    Source: GNA

  • 2020 WASSCE leak: Reduce human interface, deploy more technology – GNAT

    The General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Thomas Tanko Musah, has called on the West African Examination Council (WAEC) to reduce the number of persons who come in contact with the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) questions to reduce the recurrence of leakages.

    Speaking to GhanaWeb in an exclusive interview, Mr. Musah who condemned the practice called for stricter measures to clamp down on persons behind the act.

    He added that WAEC should also tighten all the loopholes in the supply chain of exams questions.

    “WAEC has deployed several systems that can detect leakages…the most important thing is to reduce the human interface with the supply chain of the exams questions. We need to reduce it to the barest minimum and when the leakage happens the onus will lie on the people in whose hands we committed the papers to so that they know that when anything goes wrong they will not be spared.”

    According to reports, the Social Studies, Core Mathematics, and Chemistry Practical examinations questions were leaked on social media ahead of time.

    Ghana experiences exams leakages despite efforts to fight it. It is, however, unclear the source of the leaked questions. There has been an increasing call for exam body to ensure top-notch security in their ‘strong room’ to prevent exams-leakages.

    According to the General Secretary of GNAT, it has become necessary more than ever to bring to book persons who are found culpable of the crime.

    He is of the view that “we have not been punishing these people enough, what you hear is the cancellation of exams. If someone has been entrusted with things at WAEC, and the person leaks the exams, I think they should be handed the severest punishment because the person is certainly not patriotic.”

    Adding: “If people are found culpable especially in the supply chain of questions, there should be a severe punishment that will serve as a deterrent to people who will try to engage in that.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Axim sea defence wall 85% complete, fishing port 50% complete – Akufo-Addo told

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has inspected ongoing works at the site of the Axim sea defence wall, and the Axim Landing Site, on Tuesday, 18th August 2020, day one (1) of his working visit to the Western Region.

    First inspecting work on the construction of the sea defence wall, which is being undertaken by Makam Plant Hire Ltd. (MPH), the project coordinator told President Akufo-Addo that, thus far, the project was expected to be completed in four years.

    However, construction work is ahead of schedule with the sea defence wall now 85% complete, with 4.2 kilometres of the 5-kilometre wall completed, with the project coordinator assuring the President that the project will be completed on schedule.

    It will be recalled that on Sunday, 9th September 2018, after the Kundum Festival, President cut the sod for the construction of the Axim sea defence wall, in fulfilment of the pledge he made to the people of Axim, in the run-up to the 2016 general elections.

    Expressing satisfaction about the status of work on the project, the President commended MPH for the work done on the project, and urged them to continue in the spirit that led them to nearly completing the sea defence wall ahead of schedule.

    A few metres away from the site, President Akufo-Addo also inspected progress of work on the construction of the Axim Fishing Port and Landing Site Project, a project which commenced on 22nd August 2019.

    The project coordinator for the contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company, told the President that overall progress: 80% completed; the area behind breakwater has already been sufficiently sheltered against the waves.

    According to the project coordinator, construction of the revetment and breakwater is on-going and entering its final stage, with the construction of this aspect of the project set to be completed in September 2020.

    Additionally, he added that reclamation is 30% complete, with the fabrication of concrete blocks for the erection of the quay wall set to be completed in November.

    With the construction of the underwater quay wall set to be completed in January 2021, the project coordinator assured President Akufo-Addo that the Axim Fishing Port and Landing Site Project will be completed in September 2021.

    The Minister for Transport, Kweku Ofori-Asiamah, added that nine (9) buildings will be constructed at the site including an administration building, fish market, net mending hall, ice making plant, workshop large, fuel depot, day care, toilet, and a power station.

    Source: Class FM

  • Mahama to create job opportunities for Akatsi South youth

    Former President John Dramani Mahama and flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has promised the people of Akatsi South that youth employment will be cardinal in his second coming.

    He therefore urged the people to turn out in many droves to vote massively to make this possible.

    The former President said this on Tuesday, when he met the chiefs of Akatsi South, some religious groups and the leadership of the party in the constituency at Akatsi-Torve Kpota Catholic Diocese long hall.

    He stated that when Ghanaians gifted him with another mandate after the December 7 polls, he would complete all the projects that were initiated by the NDC, but halted.

    Mr Mahama enumerated some abandoned projects such as the Akatsi District hospital, which he said was 90 percent complete, some electrification projects in the area, including; the Avenorpeme to Xavi road, Ave-Dakpa road among others.

    He promised residents of Akatsi South of providing the requisite processing machinery that would help farmers in processing their farm produce to avoid post-harvest losses.

    Torgbui Dorglo Anumah VI, Paramount Chief and President of Avenor Traditional Council on behalf of the chiefs and people of Akatsi South, appealed to Mr. Mahama to complete all uncompleted projects he mentioned if reelected.
    He expressed the excitement about the visit and advised the Flag-bearer not to endanger the peace now, during or after the elections.

    Other party stalwarts present included; Professor Joshua Alabi, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, former Speaker of Parliament, Mr Julius Deborah, former Chief of Staff and some Regional Executives and Constituency Executives of the party.

    Multitudes of party supporters milled to the venue to catch a glimpse of Mr Mahama with the security having a tough time wading off the people at Torve.

    Source: GNA

  • First lady presents medical items to Saltpond hospital

    The Rebecca Foundation, led by the First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, has presented a quantity of assorted medical items to the Saltpond Government Hospital for quality health care delivery in the area.

    They items were; thermometer guns, face masks, baby diapers, liquid soaps, detergents among others.

    Speaking at the ceremony, the First Lady said her Foundation was focusing attention and resources to complement government efforts in improving healthcare delivery in the country.

    She said since 2017, the Foundation had partnered the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to ensure that health care was more accessible and available to Ghanaians especially women and children.

    Additionally, she said the Foundation had donated hospital equipment and supplies to health facilities across the 16 regions of the country including a physiotherapy machine at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH).

    It also embarked on health outreaches and services across the Country.

    “We have also distributed ambulances and equipped several health facilities and provided PPE to the contract tracing teams to help fight COVID-19.

    The First Lady advised Ghanaians to adopt and adhere to all safety protocols to stop the spread of the pandemic.

    Mr Ekow Quansah Hayford, Member of Parliament for Mfantseman hinted that the Saltpond government hospital would soon be upgraded into a modern municipal hospital status.

    He said his outfit together with the Municipal Chief Executive renovated the leaking roof of the OPD, the consultancy rooms and other departments of the hospital to give it a facelift.

    Mr Kwamena Duncan, Central Regional Minister praised the First Lady for her bold initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of women and children.
    The First Lady later interacted with queen mothers, market queens and other women groups and opinion leaders to solicit their challenges and how best she could assist them resolve them.

    Source: GNA

  • GJA invites journalists to register for special voting

    The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has invited journalists who may not vote on Election Day due to work, to register for Special or Early Voting.

    The association said such persons should send their “name, Voter ID number, Code on ID card and their polling station” to the Ghana International Press Centre by October 10, 2020.

    The association in a press release to the Ghana News Agency said: “Regulation 23, sub-regulation 2(a) of C. I. 94 states that the application for Special Voting shall be made no later than 42 days before polling day in the constituency of the applicant.

    “Journalists who want to benefit from this provision should, therefore, send their particulars to the GJA before the October 10 deadline to enable the EC to process their applications for Special Voting.”

    Source: GNA

  • Our infrastructure projects provide value for money – Vice President

    The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia says the Akufo-Addo government, has, apart from its pursuit of an inclusive infrastructure development for all, has also focused on delivering the best value for money for all of its projects.

    During his presentation of the Akufo-Addo government’s infrastructure record on Tuesday, Dr. Bawumia revealed staggering disparities in the value of similar projects undertaken by the erstwhile John Mahama government and current projects by the Akufo-Addo government.

    In Dr. Bawumia’s comparative value for money analysis, the cost of projects undertaken by the Mahama government appear to be quiet outrageous.

    For instance, the Vice President said while the NPP government is constructing four major interchanges; Tema, Pokuase, Tamale and Obetsebi Lamptey interchanges at a cost of $289m, the Mahama administration built the Kwame Nkrumah interchange alone at a cost of a staggering $260m.

    For the Pokuase interchange, which is 75% complete, Dr. Bawumia explained that the loan agreement for the project was signed in November 2016 for a three-tier interchange, but the Akufo-Addo government renegotiated for a four-tier interchange without any increase in cost.

    Another major interchange, which is part of the interchanges the NPP government is building in its first term, is the Tamale interchange.

    The Tamale interchange, the first ever interchange in the Northern Sector of the country, is 44% complete and is expected to be completed by the middle of 2021.

    Last week, Vice President Bawumia cut the sod for the construction of another three-tier interchange at Nungua barrier as part of the construction of the Accra-Tema beach road.

    The Vice President has also announced that next month, a sod will be cut for the construction of an interchange at PTC in Takoradi.

    Apart from the value for money comparison in the road sector, analysts have also raised eyebrows on disparities in the cost of hospitals the current government is building and those built under Mahama.

    While the Akufo-Addo government recently cut sod for a 600-bed Eastern Regional hospital at a cost of €70m Euro, the Mahama government rehabilitated the Ridge at a cost of $220m.

    Source: Jubilee House

  • We are completing inherited projects – Vice President

    The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has shot down claims by the opposition NDC that the Akufo-Addo administration has neglected projects it ‘inherited’ from the previous government.

    Presenting the Akufo-Addo government’s infrastructure record in Accra on Tuesday, Dr. Bawumia said it is pure propaganda for anybody to claim that the current government has not continued with projects initiated by its predecessor.

    “Contrary to the propaganda, the evidence is that we have also completed or working to complete many projects that our government inherited,” Dr. Bawumia said.

    In the educational sector for instance, the Vice President noted the government has completed some of the E-blocks it inherited and is also in the process of completing the rest.

    “Contrary to propaganda, in addition to what we have done, we have also completed several health projects that we inherited from the previous government,” the Vice President noted.

    “Out of 30 infrastructure projects inherited, we have completed 16 of them including 10 polyclinics and 2 district hospitals. There is also ongoing construction of another 9 district hospitals.”

    In his infrastructure presentation, Vice President Bawunia spoke extensively on the massive infrastructure investment made by the government of President Akufo-Addo since assuming office in 2017.

    Infrastructure projects in key sectors such as education, health, roads, railways, water and sanitation, sports and energy featured prominently in Dr. Bawumia’s presentation.

    To ensure independent verification of all infrastructure projects the government has undertaken since 2017, Dr. Bawumia announced a government delivery tracking website wwwdeliverytracker.gov.gh, which provides detailed information on projects, location and their current status.

    Source: Jubilee House

  • Soldiers seize Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta

    Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta has been arrested by mutinying soldiers, a government spokesman has confirmed to the BBC.

    Prime Minister Boubou Cissé has also been arrested, despite earlier appeals for “brotherly dialogue”.

    The apparent coup attempt in the West African nation began with gunfire at a key military camp near the capital, Bamako, on Tuesday morning.

    In the city young men set a government-owned building on fire.

    It comes hours after disgruntled junior officers detained commanders and took control of the Kati camp, about 15km (nine miles) from Bamako.

    The mutiny has been condemned by regional group Ecowas, the African Union and former colonial power France.

    The unrest coincides with calls for more protests to demand that the president resign.

    What do we know about the mutiny?
    It is led by Col Malick Diaw – deputy head of the Kati camp – and another commander, Gen Sadio Camara, BBC Afrique’s Abdoul Ba in Bamako reports.

    After taking over the camp, the mutineers marched on the capital.

    In the afternoon they stormed Mr Keïta’s residence and arrested the president and his prime minister – who were both there.

    The reason for the move is unclear, as is the number soldiers taking part in the mutiny. Some reports say it was fuelled by a pay dispute.

    Kati camp was also the focus of a mutiny in 2012 by soldiers angry at the inability of the senior commanders to stop jihadists and Tuareg rebels taking control of northern Mali.

    Footage from AFP news agency showed a building owned by the justice ministry in Bamako ablaze on Tuesday.

    Why is the president unpopular?
    Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta won a second term in elections in 2018, but there is widespread anger over corruption, the mismanagement of the economy and the worsening security situation with jihadist and communal violence on the increase.

    In recent months huge crowds led by populist imam Mahmoud Dicko have been calling on President Keïta to step down.

    Much smaller crowds reportedly gathered in the capital on Tuesday in support of the soldiers.

    What has the reaction been?
    The chairman of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, said in a tweet that he “emphatically condemns” the arrests of President Keïta and his prime minister.

    The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) urged the mutineers to return to barracks.

    “This mutiny comes at a time when, for several months now, Ecowas has been taking initiatives and conducting mediation efforts with all the Malian parties,” its statement said.

    France’s Foreign Minister Jean Yves Le Drian also condemned “in the strongest terms this serious event” and he too urged soldiers to return to barracks.

    Earlier the French embassy in Bamako posted a tweet “strongly” advising people to stay at home. France has troops in Mali to fight militant Islamists.

    Source: The BBC

  • Prepare adequately for transitioning in case tenure ends Nana Ato Dadzie to politicians

    Renowned Political Analyst, Nana Ato Dadzie has underscored the need for political party leaders to be adequately prepared for a peaceful transition in the outcome of an election.

    This follows studies indicating “not less than 60 percent of post-electoral crises are transition-based”

    According to the former Chief of Staff under the erstwhile National Democratic Congress, most African countries lacked the experience to deal effectively with the transition processes.

    Speaking on the “What Is Next” segment hosted by Rev Dr Opuni-Frimpong, Mr Dadzie said; “Suddenly when a political party comes into power, before they realise within four years, they have to be possibly handing over power to the next party coming. How do they prepare? That is really the question because most political parties do not prepare for transitioning and this is largely because, our leaders never expect to leave office”

    “The preparation for transitioning is very important because, we cannot have a democracy without Democrats and these persons must have Democratic credentials and that they are elected by the people for a tenure with a mindset that a time will come for them to leave office,” he emphasized.

    Mr Ato Dadzie also called for critical attention and investment from domestic and international stakeholders in support of the electoral systems.

    He added, procedures and processes which had a deep influence on the inclusivity and transparency of the system must be in place.

    This he explained will lead to the readiness to accept election results.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Israeli national, two others granted bail over gold theft

    The Circuit Court in Accra has granted bail in the sum of eight million cedis (GH¢8m) to three accused persons who have been arraigned for stealing 15kilogram (kg) of gold valued over GH¢2 million.

    The three accused persons namely Koenic Ampedu, Meiri Giora and Jonathan Quarshie Sethranah all pleaded not guilty to the offense and were granted bail.

    Koenic, 32, unemployed and first accused (A1) was granted bail in the sum of GH¢2 million with one surety. The surety the court said should be a public servant earning not less than GH¢1,500. He is on the charge of stealing.

    While Giola (A2), 71, a gold exporter and Sethranah (A3), 34, a driver who are facing a charge of dishonestly receiving have their bail sum set at GH¢3 million each with a common surety earning not less than GH¢1500.

    The court admitted them to bail after their lawyer Raphael Kofi Bnin moved a bail application for them. He told the court that his clients are not flight risk and have persons to stand sureties for them.

    The investigator in the case also informed the court that, the exhibits (gold minerals) have been retrieved from the accused persons.

    The court subsequently adjourned to September 1, 2020

    Brief facts

    Inspector Eric Pobee, the prosecutor in the case told the court that, the complainant is a businessman and lives at Tarkwa Nseuam.

    He said A1 is unemployed and an errand boy for the complainant and also lives at Tarkwa Nsueam.

    The prosecutor further told the court that A2 is an Israeli born, based in Belgium and gold exporter but currently resides in Ghana, at Bush Street at Labadi while A3 is a driver to A2 and resident at Labadi.

    The prosecutor said in the month of July 2020, a witness in this case who is a business partner to the complainant, gave the complainant 10kg of gold to be brought from Tarkwa Nsueam to Accra for sale.

    According to Inspector Pobee, the complainant added 5kg of gold and so brough a total of 15kg to Accra in the company of A1 and lodged at Adesa Royal Hotel with the gold on July 10, 2020.

    The prosecutor said on July 11, 2020, the complainant woke up from bed and could not find the 15kg of gold in his bag and his errand boy being A1 could not also be found.

    “The complainant,” the prosecutor sad “became alarmed and informed his friends who are National Security personnel to assist him arrest A1.”

    He told the court that, on August 14, 2020, the owner of the 10kg of gold arrived in Accra and contacted the complainant for his gold, but was told the gold has been stolen.

    “They then reported that matter to the police for investigation. Intelligence indicated that, on August 17, 2020, A1 and one Nana Kwame (at large), took 10kg of gold to AA Minerals and sold same to A2 and his driver A3,” Inspector Pobee told the court

    He told the court that, “personnel from National Security had information about the accused persons presence at AA Minerals and rushed to the scene where they arrested the accused persons.”

    During the arrest, suspect Nana Kwame managed to escape. A1 on interrogation admitted having stolen the gold from the complainant and asked for the assistance of Nana Kwame and one other to sell it.

    He told the court that “A2 admitted having bought the 10kg of gold from one Nana at the cost of 450,000 dollars equivalent to GHc2, 587, 500.00.

    “A3 denied knowledge of the offense but stated he has seen A1 on two occasions at AA Minerals in the month of July, 2020, but had nothing to do with him.”

    The prosecutor said “The accused persons were charged with the offenses and brough before the honourable court while effort are being made to arrest Nana Kwame for investigation.”

    Source: Starr FM

  • Jomoro NDC Campaign Team inaugurated

    The Jomoro Constituency branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has inaugurated its Campaign Team for the December Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

    The 29-member Team has Mr Anthony Armah-Benle as Chairman.

    The members are Mesdammes Agnes Nwiah, Monica Boameyeh, Abba Mohammed and Messieurs Henry Alimah, Alex Kwaw, Stephen Blay, Francis Morkeh, Ahmed Adams, Patrick Ellonu, J.E. Ackah, a former MP, George Blay Morkeh, and Sylvester Daddieh Morkeh, former DCE for Jomoro.

    The others are Messuers Berlia Benson, Kwasi Yankey, Kennedy Yankey, Francis Nweanah, Francis Tayi, Dr Francis Horbah and Leo Kofi Amenlemah, an independent parliamentary candidate in the 2016 elections.

    The rest are Messieurs Akatia Kwaidoo, Francis Amihere, Benedict Boadi, Emmanuel Ndarko Benle, Paul Nyamekye, Dominic Eduful and Francis Bleboo.

    Mr Ebenezer Eshun, the Western Regional Vice Chairman of the Party, accompanied by the Deputy Regional Women’s Organizer, Ms Charlotte Cobbinah, inaugurated the team.

    He advised members to work hard and be vigilant to win back the Jomoro seat come December 7.

    The NDC Parliamentary Candidate, Ms Dorcas Affo Toffey, congratulated the team members and urged them to go the extra mile to ensure victory for the Party.

    Source: GNA

  • Cut working hours by half on election day STRANEK-Africa

    Pressure group STRANEK-Africa has called on the government to consider declaring a half working day for workers on 7 December 2020 to enable the majority of the citizens to vote on the day of the general elections.

    According to STRANEK-Africa, “in 2016, with 15,712,505 registered voters, 10,713,650 voters cast their ballot”.

    “This means that since 167,349 votes were recorded as blank or invalid votes, 4,831,506 registered voters did not vote on December 7, 2016.

    “The implication is: there is more room for improvement so far as voters coming out to cast their ballot is concerned”, the group observed.

    STRANEK-Africa, in a statement, said it believes that a declaration by the government of Ghana, backed by an instrument, asking workers (except essential workers) to work half of their maximum hours on election day, will go a long way to compel employers to allow their workers to close early so they could exercise their franchise.

    “Most Ghanaians enjoy travelling to their home towns to cast their vote.

    “Thus, if a declaration by the government of Ghana, backed by an instrument, is passed, it will give workers the chance to travel to their hometowns to cast their vote on the day of general elections and even those who will move from one constituency to another constituency, electoral area to another electoral area, since their place of work may not be where they vote,” the statement said.

    According to STRANEK-Africa, a time should come where Ghana should boast of 99.9% voter turnout on the day of elections.

    Source: Class FM

  • Ghanaian students from Russia test positive for coronavirus

    Some Ghanaian students who arrived in the country from Russia have tested positive for the novel Coronavirus disease.

    This was disclosed by a former President of the National Union of Students in Russia, Roland Abiti Addo, in a interview on Campus Exclusive.

    He indicated that the test results of some of the evacuees came back positive with traces of the COVID-19 strains in their fluid samples.

    Roland Addo could, however, not tell the specific number of students who had been infected with the disease.

    The infected persons have been taken to isolation centres to begin receiving treatment.

    Meanwhile, UniversNews gathers that some of the students, including the twelve from University of Ghana are awaiting their results as they had their samples taken on Monday, August 17, 2020.

    126 Ghanaians arrive from Russia

    One Hundred and Twenty-Six (126) Ghanaians who were in Russia have arrived in the country.

    Most of them were students studying in Russia, including 12 from the University of Ghana who went there for a year-abroad program.

    They arrived aboard a Royal flight at 8:45 am on Wednesday, August 12, at the Kotoko International Airport.

    Source: universnewsroom.com

  • PNC: Four to contest for flagbearer slot

    he People’s National Convention (PNC) will today (August 18) finalise modalities for the election of its national executives and flagbearer ahead of the 2020 elections.

    The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PNC which comprises regional secretaries, regional chairmen, all national executives, nominees of the party leadership and founding members of the party will decide among others how much will be paid in filing fees by flagbearer hopefuls at the meeting scheduled for the University of Development Studies (UDS) Guest House Conference Hall in Accra.

    Also on the agenda of the meeting will be the dates for the opening of nominations, regional elections, vetting of all aspirants and a time-table for its activities leading up to the 2020 Elections.

    PNC is not late

    Reacting to concerns that the party was in a race against time with regards to naming its flagbearer, the PNC Chairman, Mr Bernard Mornah said the party’s timing was not a novelty in the history of Ghanaian politics.

    “Tomorrow, we are hopeful that we will be able to set a date for our national delegates congress taking into cognisance that regional congresses will have to be done before,” Mr Mornah said in an interview with the GraphicOnline.

    “I keep insisting that, there is nothing like we are late. In 2012, for instance, President Atta Mills died on the 24th of July, It took us nearly a month to perform his funeral. The NDC after that still went ahead to do their primaries and John Mahama came out and won the Presidential elections in barely two months”.

    He said the National Delegates Conference of the party has been fixed tentatively for September 26th by which time all regional and constituency conferences would have been completed.

    Proposals

    He said the NEC would also consider a proposal for the National Delegates Conference to be held simultaneously in the 16 regional capitals of the country in compliance with COVID-19 prevention protocols.

    “Our national delegates are nearly about 4,200 persons and the COVID protocols will not permit a gathering of that number and so we are going to propose at the NEC that we decentralise the National Delegates Conference so that it will take place in the 16 regional capitals of our country in a simple process”.

    Flagbearer race

    Mr Mornah also disclosed that five persons have indicated their readiness to contest for the PNC flagbearer slot. They include Reverend Samuel Adjei-Debrah, Mr Aasaki Samson Awingobit, Mr Emmanuel Anyidoho, a vice presidential running mate of the party in 2016, and former PNC Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central, Mr David Apasara.

    He said Professor George Agbango, who is based in the United States had fallen-out because of the restrictions on travel which have been imposed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Other National Executive Positions

    Mr Mornah also disclosed that there are a total of 23 roles which will be vied for at the National Delegates Conference of the party.

    The roles which are for substantive officers and their deputies including National Chairman and three vice chairmen, General Secretary and two deputies, National Treasurer and two deputies, Communications Secretary and two deputies, Women’s Organiser and a Youth Organiser.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • A/R: 224 die from road crashes in first half of 2020

    The Ashanti Region has recorded 224 deaths with 1,728 injuries in road crashes in the first half of 2020.

    This, according to the National Road Safety Authority is the highest statistic recorded in the period.

    Statistics from the Ashanti Regional Police Command also show that a minimum of eight road accidents is recorded every day with one person dying and eleven persons sustaining injuries.

    This was disclosed at a two-day capacity building for officers from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department of the Ghana Police Service on the new National Road Safety Authority ACT 933 of 2019 in the Ashanti Region.

    The Director-General of the National Road Safety Authority, Engineer May Obiri-Yeboah called for effective stakeholder collaboration to stop road crashes in the country.

    “I am also very happy that this capacity building is taking place in the Ashanti Region where the first half of 2020 saw the region record 224 deaths and 1728 injuries. This was the highest for the period and we must master all resources and strength we can to reverse the trend.”

    “Road traffic casualties remain a public health problem at all levels and while steps have been taken over the years to improve the situation, much still needs to be done if the rising trend in road traffic is to be halted or reversed. This, therefore, calls for a collective effort with all hands on board to ensure that we improve the safety in our dear nation.”

    The Director-General of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department of the Ghana Police Service, COP Beatrice Zakpa Vib-Zanziri charged the officers to be professional in the discharge of their duties.

    “It is also my hope that this training will provide the necessary skills and knowledge and remind you of certain things you might have forgotten about so that we can all together achieve the objective of this campaign. The police administration is firmly behind you in this campaign to reduce the carnage on our roads.”

    Contrary to statistics from the Ashanti Region, road crashes in the Greater Accra Region reduced in the first four months of 2020 compared to the same period last year.

    The reduction was attributed to the COVID-19 restrictions, including the three-week lockdown of Greater Accra, Greater Kumasi in Ashanti Region and Kasoa in the Central Region between March and April.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Defacing Accra murals: Perpetrators to face the law AMA warns

    Following the continuous defacing of the walls of some public murals in some parts of the city, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly(AMA) has sent a word of caution to people engaged in the unlawful.

    The AMA registered the concern in a statement that such acts go contrary to the bylaws of the Assembly adding that offenders risk facing the law.

    The AMA noted that security agencies are currently investigating to find the unscrupulous persons behind the defacing of the recently completed murals at Dimples roundabout near Dzorwulu.

    “We have noted with great concern the rampant defacing of murals done in the public space within the metropolises. These works of arts are being carried out under the auspice of the AMA in collaboration with the Okaikoi North and Klottey Korle Municipalities to project the culture of the people of Accra as well as beautify the city”.

    It added: “The Assembly has mounted an intensive search for the perpetrators and when the culprits are found, they would be made to face the full rigorous of the law” adding “the Assembly is appealing to the general public to volunteer information leading to the arrest and prosecution even as the Security agencies continue their investigations in these uncouth acts.”

    Meanwhile, GhanaWeb on July 22, 2020, reported on a similar incidence at the Ako Adjei interchange where the murals found on the walls of the roundabout were defaced a few months after its completion.

    Speaking to the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Klottey Korle Municipal Assembly, Samuel Nii Adjei Tawiah, he revealed that their checks proved that some mentally challenged persons were behind the writings on the murals.

    “In terms of the defacing, it’s not just once or twice, it happens. Initially, we tried to put the security taskforce while the work was ongoing, there are policemen at that roundabout and it is better during daytime…we have observed that it is being done by people that are mentally challenged,” said Samuel Nii Adjei Tawiah in an interview with GhanaWeb on August 10, 2020.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Rural communities in Atebubu-Amantin to benefit from massive road construction

    Some rural communities in the Atebubu-Amantin Constituency in the Bono East region will be benefitting from a massive feeder road construction.

    The 214 kilometers feeder road construction will benefit farming communities such as Asempanaye to Yaw Tuffour, Akokoa through Abamba to Kumfia, Trohwe, Kotope, Janjawura, Adiembra.

    The rest are Bachaso to Nyomoase, Asebu, Kokofu, Boniafo, Congo to Nyansibu No.1, Aworoso, Fiano, Muruchusu, and Pruso.

    Funded by the World Bank and in partnership with the Government of Ghana, the project is expected to be completed within 24 months.

    When completed, the project will help farmers in these communities to transport their produce to market centres in the municipality.

    According to the Resident Engineer of Yangtse Engineering Company, Mr. Banini, the company is poised to start the project as soon as they have finished setting up their camp.

    Mr. Banini gave the assurance that the project will be completed within the stipulated time.

    The Member of Parliament for the area who doubles as the Bono East Regional Minister, Kofi Amoakohene, in an interview was optimistic about the timely intervention of the project.

    He revealed that the people in the beneficiary communities have been yearning for the project and its eventual completion will ease the transportation deficit in the municipality and reduce the rate of post-harvest losses, especially during the raining seasons due to the deplorable nature of the roads in the municipality.

    “I am glad that the start of this project has become a reality. With the contractor on-site we cannot wait for the completion of the project as its completion will make the municipality accessible from every corner. No part of the municipality will now be unmotorable and inaccessible,” he said.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • SunPower Innovations ready to partner govt to deliver solar energy

    An indigenous firm, SunPower Innovations, has said it is ready to partner the government to produce and deliver solar energy to businesses and communities in Ghana.

    According to the founder and the Chief Executive Officer, Ernest Amissah, it is time for the government and other development funding institutions to partner indigenous companies like SunPower Innovations to expand their operations, a situation he believes will lead to enormous job creation.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony of a one-megawatt off-grid solar system for Special Ice Factory manufactured by indigenous firm SunPower Innovations, Mr. Amissah said the “government wants to do 1D1F, but I ask myself, everybody is saying we are over generating. But if you build 250 factories, where are you going to get that energy from? If you build one oil refinery, where are you to get the energy from? When you build one gold refinery, where are you going to get that energy from?”

    “You want to integrate bauxite, where are you going to get that energy from?”

    “So, I think we have to shy away from saying; we have expensive PPAs, negotiate the expensive PPAs, but at the same time open the market for renewables to come in and take over the energy generation for the up and coming industries.

    “And I think it will be a bigger change in the economy of Ghana.”

    Director of Renewable and Nuclear Energy at the Energy Ministry, Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo said the construction of the first phase of a 50-megawatt solar PV plant to be hybridised with the 400-megawatt Bui Power Authority, has commenced.

    The first 10 megawatts is expected to be connected to the national grid by the end of September, while the remaining 40 megawatts will be completed by December this year.

    According to him, the move will not only boost the energy capacity of the nation, but also diversify the sources of power.

    Since its inception, SunPower Innovations has installed more than seven megawatts of Solar PV capacity and have undertaken major installations at shop centres, banks and financial institutions, educational institutions and dozens of commercial projects in Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

    Source: Class FM

  • President Akufo-Addo embarks on 5-day tour of Western And Central Regions

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, will from Tuesday, August 18, 2020, embark on a five-day working visit to the Western and Central Regions, where he is expected to commission some projects and pay courtesy calls on traditional rulers.

    A statement issued by the Presidency said President Akufo-Addo will commence his official working visit at Egyam in the Western Region, where he will inspect work on the ongoing construction of the Ankyernyin-Egyam road. He will then move to the Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira constituency to inspect the Axim Fishing Habour Project.

    From Axim, the President will cut sod for construction of the Esiama-Nkroful road at Esiama, in the Ellembelle constituency. He will also inspect ongoing road construction works at Gwira Aiyinase and launch the Gwira Community Mining Scheme. He will also cut the sod for a 100-bed capacity District Hospital in Shama.

    On day two, he will meet with the Regional House of Chiefs at Sekondi; visit the Essiam Bypass and Railway Training School at Essikado, and cut the sod for the construction of the GNPC Operational Headquarters, at Takoradi, in fulfillment of a 2016 manifesto pledge.

    Beginning his tour of the Central Region, on Thursday, August 20, the President will cut the sod for the construction of a landing site and fishing harbour at Elmina in the Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/Abirem constituency. He will also pay a courtesy call on the Mokwamanhene, in Twifo Praso, and inspect the ongoing construction of the Twifo Praso District Hospital.

    Also, in Twifo Praso, the President will also cut sod for a bridge over River Pra, commission the Ekumfi Fruit Juice Factory, and later visit the Gomoa West constituency where he would join the Chiefs to inspect work an ongoing construction of a Landing Site.

    On Saturday, President Akufo-Addo will cut the sod for the construction of the NHIA Office at Cape Coast, and attend the ceremony for the launch of the NPP 2020 Manifesto.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Parliament approves Development Finance Institutions and Communications Service Tax bills, 2020

    Parliament last Friday approved the Development Finance Institutions (DFI) Bill, 2020, and the Communications Service Tax (amendment) Bill, 2020 to regulate finance institutions and reduce the communications service tax rate, respectively.

    The DFI Bill seeks to regulate development finance institutions which will be non-deposit taking to provide medium to long-term financing for key sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, manufacturing and small and medium-sized enterprises to promote economic growth and transformation.

    It also seeks to provide adequate regulation and supervision by the Bank of Ghana aimed at ensuring that the failure of a development finance institution will not have systemic impact on the financial systems as a whole, and at the same time provide additional comfort for potential investors who might wish to invest in the sector.

    The object of the CST Amendment Bill is to amend the Communications Service Tax Act, 2008 (Act 754) to provide for a reduction in the tax rate from nine per cent to five per cent to provide some relief for households and businesses that now rely on electronic communication.

    A memorandum that accompanied the DFI Bill said the purpose of the bill was to provide for the licensing, regulation and supervision of development finance institutions in the country to promote growth and development in key sectors of the economy.

    It said although the financial system had undergone transformation, a major shortcoming of the financial landscape, largely comprising banks and specialised deposit-taking institutions, was the focus on short-term financing for commercial purposes, with little support for long-term financing needed to accelerate economic development and transformation.

    “Therefore, there is the need for the establishment of modern market-oriented development finance institutions which will focus on providing medium to long-term financing, as well as short-term funding guarantees and other credit enhancement structures to support key sectors of the economy,” it said.

    Rationale for CST Bill

    A report by the Finance Committee said as a result of the restrictions and the protocols introduced to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of innovations in communications had been introduced.

    The innovations, it said, had resulted in an increase in the use of electronic communication services.

    “Digitalisation is also a major government policy that is to catalyse economic activities and promote growth as part of the development agenda and help achieve the “Ghana beyond Aid” vision.

    “The bill, therefore, seeks to reduce the electronic service tax rate from nine per cent to five per cent to provide some relief for households and businesses that now rely on electronic communication services such as data and airtime,” it said.

    Fiscal impact of the bill

    The report, signed by the Chairman of the committee, Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah, said the change in the tax rate would result in a reduction in revenue from the tax of about GH¢90.1 million.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Voter registration violence: Peace Council urges more transparency from police probes

    The National Peace Council is asking the Police Service to be more transparent with investigations into the incidents of violence recorded during the voter registration exercise.

    The National Chairman of the National Peace Council, Rev. Prof Emmanuel Asante, told Citi News the police needed to “institute a platform that will regularly inform the public about the progress of such ongoing investigations.”

    He stressed that it was important to influence the perception of the Ghanaians because “people think that when people do these things, they get away with it.”

    “They should ensure that people who flouted the law and did what was wrong must be brought to book… It is their responsibility. It is the responsibility of the law enforcement agencies to crack the whip when these things do happen,” the Peace Council Chairman added.

    Some of the high profile incidents of violence during the voter registration included the Awutu Senya East Constituency  Member of Parliament, Mavis Hawa Koomson, firing a gun at a registration centre during a clash between National Democratic Congress and New Patriotic Party members.

    The MP was invited for interrogation in July but there has been no update on the case in recent times.

    Mrs. Koomson claimed that she fired the weapon in self-defence and has received backing from NPP executives and government appointees.

    The Asawase constituency in the Ashanti Region also recorded scuffle between supposed national security personnel and a police officer.

    In Banda, Silas Wulochamey, a 28-year-old man was stabbed to death at a registration centre at Banda in the Bono Region during an altercation between some NDC and NPP supporters.

    Similar call from CODEO

    The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) earlier called on the Inspector-General of Police to fast track investigations and prosecution of persons who perpetrated violence during the voter registration exercise.

    CODEO also asked the IGP to make available findings of its investigations public to foster confidence in the security agencies.

    It cited the incidents at Banda and Dormaa West all in the Bono Region and Awutu Senya East in the Central Region in a report.

    “CODEO urges the Police administration to share updates of these investigations with the Ghanaian public to foster confidence in the security agencies and to also serve as a deterrent against future incidents of this nature. Failure to enforce the rule of law will erode confidence in the security agencies and the rule of law,” it said.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • NDC gives GH¢2,000 to picketing hygiene students who were dispersed by police

    The Minority in Parliament has given a sum of GH¢2,000 to the leadership of the School of Hygiene after they were prevented from picketing the Sanitation Ministry.

    The agitated graduates stormed the Ministry on Monday over unpaid allowances but were dispersed by the Police.

    The students set up camp at the Ministry as early as 3:00 am, bringing along mattresses, food items and cooking utensils.

    There was, however, a confrontation with the Police after they refused to vacate the Ministry until their demands were met.

    “The police started beating us after the Chief Director asked them to move us from the Ministry,” one of the students said, as quoted by Citinewsroom.

    “They are just beating us mercilessly. Is that how we live in this country just because we are demanding what is due us? They just call the police to beat us up.”

    The NDC MP for Ningo Prampram Sam Nartey George said the party stands with the aggrieved students.

    He further condemned the alleged assault of the students, before disclosing that the Minority Caucus will give them GH¢2,000 to transport them back to their campuses.

    “As a minority caucus in parliament, we are going to be providing you a token amount of GH¢2,000. The NDC minority in parliament stands with you and we echo the words of our flag bearer and running mate,” Sam George said.

    “This money is supposed to help you get back to your campuses or to places where you have come from. We will continue to fight in parliament to ensure that what is due you is paid you.”

    This is the second time in the space of two weeks that students of the School of Hygiene are picketing the Sanitation Ministry over unpaid allowances.

    Source: Pulse Ghana

  • Proposed draft bill on witchcraft in the pipeline – Speaker of Parliament

    Parliament has proposed a draft bill that will among other objectives prohibit the practice of professional Witchcraft or Wizardry and the declaration of a person as a Witch or Wizard and the molestation of a person on suspicion of being a Witch or Wizard.

    This follows the recent beating to death of a 90-year-old woman by a group of persons on suspicion that the 90-year-old Woman being a Witch.

    The Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye announced this in Parliament last Friday before the House went on recess as the Second Meeting of the 4th Session (Year) of the 7th Parliament ended last Friday.

    According to the Speaker, a Consultant on Private Members Bill, who has been engaged by Parliament is working on the draft bill which will be submitted to the House for consideration and passage into Law.

    Rt Hon Prof Michael Aaron Oquaye congratulated members of Parliament for their hard work which ensured the successful completion of the Second Meeting of the House.

    “During the Second Meeting made up of 12 weeks of intensive work, 13 bills were passed into law whilst 11 Constitutional, Legislative and Executive Instruments were also passed by the House, ” the Speaker said.

    In the Second Meeting, the House also adopted a motion for the enactment of Private Members Bill.

    The Minister of Finance Mr Ken Ofori-Atta also presented the Mid-Year Review of the 2020 Budget statement and economic policy of the government and the subsequent approval by the House of a supplementary Budget estimate of Ghc 11.8 billion for 2020 financial year.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Voter registration: Expedite probe into cause of violence Peace Council

    The National Peace Council (NPC) has called on the police to quicken the investigations being conducted into the circumstances that led to the violence associated with the just-ended voters registration exercise.

    The Council in a statement to the Inspector General of Police said there was the need to speed up the investigations in order to forestall the problem from recurring.

    There were isolated cases of violence during the registration exercise.

    The two main political parties, the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), traded accusations among themselves regarding who caused the violence.

    But the NPC believes that the investigations will unravel the cause of the violence.

    “The NPC encourages the Ghana Police Service and, particularly, the Inspector General of Police to expedite action regarding ongoing investigations into all the criminal matters which came up during the registration exercise,” the Council said in a statement.

    Source: 3 News

  • Its possible to have more seats in the Volta Region Sammi Awuku

    National Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Sammi Awuku says that it is possible for the party to win more seats in the Volta Region come December Election.

    According to Sammi Awuku, the fact that the party was able to capture five seats in the Upper West Region in the last election clearly shows that there is a possibility in having more seats in the Volta Region. Speaking to the press he said “ If we moved from Zero in Upper West to Five seats in 2016, it is possible to have more seats in the Volta Region”.

    He stated that the Opposition Party National Democratic Congress (NDC) is known for remembering the people in the Volta Region only in election years and as such the people should vote according to developments that have come their way.

    “The NDC only remembers Volta Region in an election year. If you love the person it should be morning to evening. It should be throughout the four years of your existence when you were in government, the eight years you were in government. Clearly the people of Volta Region, they will decide where to cast their ballots and who to cast it for depending on their circumstances and the development that has come their way”.

    The Volta Regional Chairman of the Party Makafui Kofi Woanya also believes the party can achieve its aims and objectives with stability and submission.

    “I can tell you that with the right mind and approach and strategy we will get to where we want to get to” He said.

    The NPP is putting measures in place to win votes from the Volta Region which happens to be one of the strong holds of the NDC.

    Source: Ghana Crusader

  • Akufo-Addo tours Central and Western Regions

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will embark on a five-day working tour of the Central and Western Regions from Tuesday, August 18 2020.

    He would commission a number of projects, break the ground for the commencement of other projects, and call on traditional rulers during the tour.

    The President would kick-start the tour with a visit to Egyam in the Western Region, where he would inspect work on the ongoing construction of the Ankyernyin-Egyam road.

    He would then move to the Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira constituency to inspect the Axim Fishing Habour Project, continue to the Esiama in the Elembelle constituency, where he would break the ground for the construction of the Esiama-Nkroful road.

    From Esiama, President Akufo-Addo would proceed to inspect ongoing road construction works at Gwira Aiyinase, and launch the Gwira Community Mining Scheme.

    He would also cut the sod for a 100-bed capacity District Hospital in Shama.

    On August 19, the President was expected to meet with the Regional House of Chiefs at Sekondi; visit the Essiam Bypass and Railway Training School at Essikado, and cut the sod for the construction of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation’s Operational Headquarters, at Takoradi, in fulfillment of a 2016 manifesto pledge.

    On Thursday August 20, he would commence his tour of the Central Region with a sod cutting ceremony for the construction of a landing site and fishing harbour at Elmina in the Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/Abirem constituency.

    He would also pay a courtesy call on the Mokwamanhene, in Twifo Praso, and inspect the ongoing construction of the Twifo Praso District Hospital.

    Whilst in Twifo Praso, the President would also cut sod for a bridge over River Pra, commission the Ekumfi Fruit Juice Factory, and visit the Gomoa West constituency where he would join the Chiefs to inspect work an ongoing construction of a Landing Site.

    President Akufo-Addo would round up his tour on Saturday, August 21 in Cape Coast where he would cut the sod for the construction of the regional office complex for the National Health Insurance Authority, and attend the ceremony for the launch of the NPP 2020 Manifesto.

    Source: GNA

  • NDC is committed to peaceful elections Mahama

    The presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr John Dramani Mahama, has reiterated the party’s position to ensure a peaceful election.

    He notes however that the posturing of the government raises questions about its commitment to a violent-free election in December.

    Addressing the chiefs and people of Mepe in the North Tongu constituency on Monday to kick start his four-day tour of the Volta Region, Mr Mahama observed that the government does not seem to be interested in making the Decemnber general elections peaceful.

    “In December we will go for an election and we want our election to be non-violent and we in the NDC are peaceful people. But our opponents have a tendency for violence and they have displayed at any given opportunity”, he said.

    Mr Mahama cited a number of instances to buttress his point. He recounted that thugs of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who chased out a judge in a court in Kumasi were given just a slap on the wrist whilst those who perpetrated the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence continues to walk free of charge.

    He also recalled how some members of the NDC were attacked at Banda during the recent voter registration exercise, leading to the death of an innocent person adding, “we have a whole minister claiming that she fired a gunshot at Kasoa during the registration exercise and nothing has happened”.

    “So when you look at all these things, you can predict what they will do in the elections and “officials of the party have said that, Ayawaso West Wuogon was a dress rehearsal and that the real thing was going to be on voting day”, he said.

    Source: James Agyenim-Boateng, NDC Campaign Spokesperson

  • We are counting on their professionalism and fairness Pius Hadzide charges Police

    The Deputy Information Minister Pius Enam Hadzide says government is counting on the professionalism and fairness in the investigations being carried out by the security personnel.

    According to him, the government is relying on the proficiency and equity of the Police Personnel with regards to the on going investigation on the numerous violence that happened during the voters registration exercise. Speaking in an interview on Joynews which was monitored by GhanaCrusader he said “We are counting on their professionalism and their fairness in the conduct of this investigation and the performance of their duty”.

    The Deputy Minister then urged the general public to assist the Police in carrying out their duties with this investigation without panic or kindness

    “We should empower and support the law enforcements to do their job without fear or favor”.

    Hon. Pius Hadzide explained further that after the police is done with the investigation, results of the investigation will be made public.

    “When the police finish with the investigation, the outcome of it will be made public”. He said.

    President Akufo-Addo in his 15th COVID-19 address to the nation, tasked the Security Personnel to conduct an investigation on the violence that took place during the voters registration exercise.

    Source: Ghana Crusader

  • Akufo-Addo ignores calls for Hawa Koomsons dismissal in latest national address – Report

    The President, Nana Akufo-Addo has condemned the pockets of violence recorded during the just-ended voter registration exercise but failed to directly address calls on him to sack his Minister for Special Development Initiatives, Mavis Hawa Koomson.

    The minister, during the registration exercise, had pulled a gun and shot several times with some of the bullets hitting the home of an elderly and her grandchildren at the ‘Step to Christ’ polling station in Awutu Senya East Constituency, sending them running for their dear lives.

    But delivering his 15th national address on Ghana’s fight against COVID-19, only described those incidents as “regrettable,” despite claiming that they were “isolated incidents” within the largely successful exercise.

    The shooting by Mr. Koomson occurred during a confrontation between her and supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). She insisted she fired the gunshot in self-defence because she felt threatened, while touring registration centres.

    “I’m a Member of Parliament, I need to protect myself. It was at dawn; my police escort had not started work yet. So, that is the modus operandi I engaged in his absence,” she told Accra-based Adom FM.

    The gun action at the polling centre sparked chaos with electoral commission officials running for cover and the registration being brought to an end.

    Security experts, religious organizations including the Christian Council as well as neutral observers like the National Peace Council. Have called for a resignation or dismissal, however, President Akufo-Addo in a sweeping statement, only said the Police Service must deal decisively with those involved in the violence.

    But the President said “By the grace of God, the work of the Electoral Commission, and the effective measures put in place by the government, these prophecies of doom did not materialize. There were, nonetheless, deeply regrettable, isolated incidents of violence, which I condemn unreservedly, and which I expect the Police to deal with without fear or favour, but the exercise was generally peaceful.”

    The President further mocked persons who had kicked against the plan to compile a new register.

    He said some of them “who swore heaven and earth to resist the compilation of the register at the peril of their lives, ended up registering.”

    “There were also those who offered delicate, personal sacrifices in the event of the register, again, ending up registering. And, there were those who claimed that, in the midst of a pandemic, the registration exercise should not be conducted, with some warning of an “explosion” in our case count and very high numbers of deaths, should the exercise go ahead,” Nana Addo added.

    Nana Addo, also said he is extremely happy over the ‘orderly and safe’ conduct of the registration contrary to widespread condemnation of the exercise over claims it will lead to a surge in the number of infections and deaths.

    “The Electoral Commission has completed the successful compilation of a new register ahead of the conduct of the 2020 general election. On behalf of the people of Ghana, I congratulate warmly, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Ms. Jean Mensa, her two deputies, Dr. Eric Bossman Asare and Mr. Samuel Tetteh and the entire commission for their efficient, safe and transparent nature of the registration exercise”, he said.

    On the same issue, the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to fast track investigations and prosecution of persons who perpetrated the violence.

    CODEO further asked the IGP to make available findings of its investigations to the public to foster confidence in the security agencies and to serve as a deterrent to others.

    It specifically mentioned incidences that happened at Banda and Dormaa West all in the Bono Region and Awutu Senya East in the Central Region.

    It made the call in its preliminary report on the phases 4, 5, and 6 of the just-ended exercise.

    “CODEO calls on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Ghana Police Service working with the Attorney General (AG) to act expeditiously to complete all investigations including the violent incidents in Banda which resulted in the death of one young man, as well as the incident in Awutu Senya East in the Central Region and in Dormaa West in the Bono region. Persons found culpable in various criminal breaches of the law should be prosecuted and sanctioned in accordance with the laws of Ghana.”

    “CODEO urges the Police administration to share updates of these investigations with the Ghanaian public to foster confidence in the security agencies and to also serves as a deterrent against future incidents of this nature. Failure to enforce the rule of law will erode confidence in the security agencies and the rule of law.”

    In Banda, Silas Wulochamey, a 28-year-old man was allegedly stabbed at a registration centre at Banda in the Bono Region.

    Reports suggest that he was stabbed at the registration centre following an altercation between some NPP and NDC supporters.

    Supporters of the NPP and the NDC clashed in the Bono regional community leading to the death of one person.

    Source: thebftonline.com

  • Free hot meal for final year JHS students will be waakye, jollof, plain rice – Minister

    The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection Mrs. Cynthia Mamle Morrison says the free hot meal per day for final-year Junior High School students would be managed under the School Feeding Programme.

    Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM she said the menu would include Jollof, Waakye, Plain Rice, and Vegetable Stew, Kontomire Stew with an egg.

    The Waakye she explained would be served twice a week.

    She added that with the schools that have already charged feeding fees, the Ministry is working with them so they will provide snacks for the students.

    She appealed to parents to support the efforts of the government in containing the virus.

    President Akufo-Addo in his 15th national address on Sunday said he has instructed the Gender Minister to provide free one hot meal to final year students preparing for their BECE.

    His directive he said was based on the fact that some of the students were going hungry because they had to comply with the safety protocols.

    He said: “As a result of reports I have recently received that some final year JHS students were going hungry, in complying with COVID-19 protocols, I have just instructed the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection to begin preparations to ensure that, as from 24th August up to 18th September, all five hundred and eighty-four thousand (584,000) final year JHS students, and one hundred and forty-six thousand (146,000) staff, both in public and private schools, be given one hot meal a day. This is to ensure full observance of the COVID-19 safety protocols.”

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • European, two others die in Kumasi-Techiman highway road crash

    A man from Europe and two others were killed during an accident at Yeboah Apatem, near Akumadan, on the Kumasi-Techiman highway, Sunday.

    The incident which occurred just before 8 pm has left others to battle for their lives at separate health facilities in the Ashanti and Bono Regions after sustaining various injuries.

    Emergency services were later called to rescue the perishing as the accident impeded traffic flow on the popular ECOWAS trunk road.

    Official account

    The accident involved a Mitsubishi Pajero car and a Ssanyong minibus, the police said in a statement obtained by DailyMailGh.com.

    The statement said the Mitsubishi Pajero vehicle carried five persons including two Europeans who were later identified as Spanish nationals coming to Kumasi from Jirapa in the Upper West Region.

    “On reaching the outskirts of Akumadan on the Kumasi-Techiman road, the [Mitsubishi Pajero] driver collided head-on with the Ssangyong bus with registration number AS 5628 18 driven by Amponsah Paul aged 25 from the opposite direction”, the police said.

    The impact caused the bus to burst into flames killing one person on the spot, according to an official with the National Disaster Management Organization in the Offinso North District, Mamoa Elijah.

    “The Ssangyong car had burst into flames when we arrived. The other vehicle also somersaulted. A whiteman also got trapped. It took several hours before we could recover his body. He was declared dead at the scene”, the NADMO director narrated.

    Death toll rises

    The death toll had jumped to three after a 25-year-old man named as Kofi Boadu was also confirmed dead by medics at the Nkenkensu Government Hospital.

    There are fears the death toll could rise as several others were referred to other medical facilities at Wenchi in the Bono Region.

    Police in a statement later pointed to speeding as the initial cause of the accident.

    “For now a joint investigations have started; remember this road connects Ghana to other ECOWAS countries but it is important we intensify education to prevent such carnages”, the NADMO director posited.

    Source: Daily Mail

  • ‘It’s in order’ Teachers on Akufo-Addo’s hot meals for BECE candidates, staff

    It is in order for President Nana Akufo-Addo to provide one hot meal a day for Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) students and school staff during the period of their final exam, the leader of the Coalition of Concerned Teachers, King Ali Awudu has said.

    According to him, since food vendors are prevented from school premises as part of measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, the promised intervention by the President was welcome.

    Also, Mr Ali Awudu said it deter pupils from wandering about in search of food, thus, reducing their risk of contracting the pandemic.

    Additionally, he said the intervention will help teachers to focus on their task of ensuring the pupils obey the COVID-19 safety protocols.

    The President made the announcement in his 15th COVID-19 address to the nation on Sunday, 16 August 2020. He said: “Our phased approach toward returning our lives to normal, through the strategic, controlled, progressive, and safe easing of restrictions, will, thus, continue”.

    “Most final-year university students have already completed their examinations, and, by 18th September, SHS 3 and JHS 3 students would have finished their respective final examinations of WASSCE and BECE.

    “As a result of reports I have recently received that some final-year JHS students were going hungry, in complying with COVID-19 protocols, I have just instructed the Minister of Gender, Child and Social Protection to begin preparations to ensure that from 24th August up to 18th September, all five hundred and eighty-four thousand (584,000) final-year JHS students, and one hundred and forty-six thousand (146,000) staff, both in public and private schools, be given one hot meal a day”, the President said.

    “This is to ensure full observance of the COVID-19 safety protocols”, he explained.

    The President also noted that: “Through online learning portals, almost all continuing students in our Universities have completed their studies for the academic year”.

    The exceptions, he listed, are the University of Cape Coast, the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Technical Universities, and some other Colleges.

    “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”, Nana Akufo-Addo said.

    He noted that “just as was done for final year students who returned to school, the government, through the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service, will ensure that all these tertiary institutions are disinfected”.

    “Universities will be equipped with the necessary personal protective equipment, and those with their own hospitals and clinics will have isolation centres to deal with any positive cases”, he added.

    The President said all other institutions without their own clinics and hospitals, will be mapped to health facilities.

    “There will be no mass gatherings and no sporting activities. Religious activities, under the new protocols, will be permitted. Social distancing and the wearing of face masks must become the norm on campus”, he directed.

    Still within the education sector, the President said the Ministry of Education continues to engage the Ghana Education Service (GES) and all relevant stakeholders to conclude discussions on the modalities surrounding the reopening of our pre-tertiary schools.

    “I will communicate, in due course, the decisions that will be reached from these consultations”, he noted, adding: “You can be rest assured that I will always take into prime consideration the safety and wellbeing of our children, teachers and non-teaching staff in the decisions that will be taken, because I am determined to ensure that the education of our children is not unduly disturbed by this pandemic”.

    Source: ghanaweb

  • Court acquits and discharges 4 persons in Bole arrested for illegally possessing firearms

    The Bole Magistrate Court in the Savannah Region has acquitted and discharged all four accused persons of illegally possessing firearms and given their guns back to them.

    The court, presided over by Prince A. Cudjoe acquitted Iddisah Salifu, Abubakari Issahaku , Yaw Mahama alias Mahama Iddrisu and Haruna Waala, aka Kipo Hadi.

    The judge in his ruling said, “the accused persons have this morning produced documents covering the guns, I have received same from the police and examined them to be genuine”.

    He stated that the accused persons who were arrested for possessing fire arm without authority contrary to section 11(a) of arms and ammunition Act 1972NRCD.9 are not guilty of any offence

    “It is not borne by the record that they used or were using the gun to commit any crime. I shall therefore limits myself to the charge. But briefly, I shall state that the activities of neighborhood watch committee is not foreign in and around Gonja lands. We came to meet same and it has come to stay with us.”

    “One can engage their services to escort him to wherever one wishes especially when one is carrying along monies and other valuables for fear of being attacked by armed robbers. These are bare facts the court can take judicial notice of,” His Lordship emphasized.

    The accused four who were escorting two truckload of some prospective registrants to Kojokura, a suburb of West Gonja Municipality to register, were arrested on 20th July by a military patrol team and handed over to Police.https://tpc.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html

    He added, “The accused persons are section of such group and they were arrested in possession of fire arm without authority and now that they have produced documents covering the guns.

    “In my candid view, no crime has been committed. I hereby acquit and discharge all the accused persons. Their respective guns are to be released to their owners.”

    Meanwhile, two of the accused, Yaw Mahama and Haruna Waala who had escaped from the scene leaving their arms behind, are also beneficiaries of the ruling.

    Source: myjoyonline

  • We are not responsible for fire incident Shiashie victims protest media reportage

    Dozens of homeless Shiashie residents have taken to the streets of the community to register their displeasure over media reports about a fire outbreak there.

    According to the residents, the reportage about the incident has been skewed to wrongfully blamed them for the incident.

    This, they claim has affected their ability to gain the required aid as close to 600 of them are currently displaced.

    On Friday, over 100 kiosks that serve as shelter for some 600 squatters at a “Kiosk Estate” in the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency in Accra were burnt to ashes.

    Among other supports from the MP for the area, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, a relief and poverty alleviation fund was set up to support the affected victims.

    There was also an appeal to civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations and philanthropist to support the affected victims in any means possible.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-2500680891621702&output=html&h=250&slotname=7074810865&adk=2626372942&adf=3505018897&w=300&lmt=1597673353&psa=1&guci=2.1.0.4.2.2.0.0&gdpr=0&format=300×250&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.myjoyonline.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fwe-are-not-responsible-for-fire-incident-shiashie-victims-protest-media-reportage%2F&flash=0&wgl=1&adsid=ChAI8NXo-QUQjpSW37fhsp1aEkgA-FBWzmcD2gm4UvrUk6ll9tL2dkyPzH7zYbvJyFBhdVzya986BCPyxPZq-ttEaF0pUeQ3gac8Jc-YCbyOlNfW82FIh494fH4&dt=1597673212069&bpp=12&bdt=1458&idt=133&shv=r20200810&cbv=r20190131&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D75eef2918c2298f0%3AT%3D1575871901%3AS%3DALNI_MaK-EIPtn4h4fhN4eYnnO8TLZb-Fg&prev_fmts=0x0&nras=1&correlator=8397112842703&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=1358425070.1575871899&ga_sid=1597673212&ga_hid=1819224179&ga_fc=0&iag=0&icsg=738871822516211&dssz=58&mdo=0&mso=0&u_tz=0&u_his=1&u_java=0&u_h=768&u_w=1366&u_ah=728&u_aw=1366&u_cd=24&u_nplug=3&u_nmime=4&adx=530&ady=3545&biw=1356&bih=608&scr_x=0&scr_y=1142&eid=42530557%2C42530559%2C21066648&oid=3&pvsid=609624873606509&pem=648&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.myjoyonline.com%2Fwp-content%2Fplugins%2Fonesignal-free-web-push-notifications%2Fsdk_files%2FOneSignalSDKWorker.js.php%3FappId%3Dae3f5991-3c2f-431e-9add-7a07b77a0c3d&rx=0&eae=0&fc=896&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1366%2C0%2C1366%2C728%2C1366%2C608&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7CleEbr%7C&abl=CS&pfx=0&fu=8192&bc=31&ifi=1&uci=a!1&btvi=1&fsb=1&xpc=uNozLI4HkW&p=https%3A//www.myjoyonline.com&dtd=M

    But the residents who say they are yet to receive such help blame the development on earlier reportage by the media which allegedly puts them in a bad light and push away sympathizers.

    Source: myjoyonline

  • Assemblymembers in Northern Region laud allowance policy by Mahama, pledge support

    Some Assemblymembers in the Northern Region have thrown their support behind the 2020 flagbearer of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama, ahead of the December 7 polls.

    The group called the Concern Assembly Members Association of Ghana (CAMAG), say their support for Mr. Mahama stems from his policy to pay assembly members a monthly allowance if voted into power.

    Speaking at a press conference in Tamale to re-affirm the group position, the Northern Regional Coordinator of CAMAG, Mohammed Mutala lauded Mr. Mahama for the idea.

    He questioned critics in government who argue that the policy is not feasible.

    Mr. Mutala said the policy is in the interest of all assembly members thus cautioning members not to let their political colors cloud their judgment on a policy meant for their well-being.

    Mr. Mohammed Mutala also called on Ghanaians to support Mr. Mahama and the NDCs agenda towards the welfare of assembly members.

    The National Coordinator of CAMAG, David Atta Twum gave a projection of how Mr. Mahama can raise money to fulfill his promise of paying a total of 9,079 assembly members.

    According to him, if in 2021, Mr Mahama decides to have 100 minister and 1,000 presidential staffers instead of the current figure of 125 ministers and 1,632 Presidential staffers under the Akufo-Addo government, he could raise the money.

    Source: myjoyonline

  • Girl, 13, rescued from rapist during jogging

    A 13-year-old girl was rescued Saturday morning around 5:20 am from a man who attempted to defile her while jogging on the Akyem Osiem to Ettukrom road in the Abuakwa South Municipality of the Eastern Region.

    The suspect who was riding a motorbike, according to reports, abducted the victim into a nearby bush in an attempt to defile her but she screamed for help which attracted a farmer who had just arrived in a nearby farm to rush to the scene.

    He took to his heels leaving his motorbike behind upon seeing the farmer approaching the scene.

    The victim was however sent to the Osiem Police Station together with the impounded motorbike of the suspect.

    The owner of the motorbike now at large has been identified as a married man who stays in Akyem Osiem Community.

    His wife and brother have confirmed to Police that the motorbike belongs to the suspect (name withheld) who left home at dawn.

    Meanwhile, the local Police have launched a manhunt for his arrest

    Source: thepublisheronline.com

  • NIA release dates for mop-up registration exercise

    The National Identification Authority (NIA) has released dates for the mop-up registration exercise in the Greater Accra Region, Bono, Ahafo and Bono East Regions.

    For the Greater Accra Region, the registration will start from August 24th to September 8th, 2020.

    The Bono Region and Bono East Region will start the exercise from August 27th to September 11th 2020.

    For those in the Ahafo Region, the registration will begin from August 27th 2020 to September 11th, 2020.

    In a statement by the NIA, it said, “the mop-up exercise targets Ghanaians aged 15 years and above who were unable to register during the mass registration exercise.”

    The NIA urged applicants to carry along to the registration centres the required documentation as well as their Ghana Post Digital address.

    Source: Atinka Online

  • Tema NCCE Director calls for seizure of selling, preaching on buses

    The Tema Metropolitan Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Mr Isaac Kwame Antwi, has slammed the permission some transport owners and drivers in the Tema Metropolis continue to give to those selling and preaching on their buses.

    He said the action was contrary to the COVID-19 protocol on social distancing and put passengers at risk of contracting the disease.

    Making the observation in an interview with the Ghanaian Times, Mr Antwi appealed to the various transport unions to call their members to order to desist from the practice.

    He stated that some of the preachers and sellers got close to the passengers without wearing face masks and therefore spitum from their mouths could spread on the passengers and expose them to the virus, if they had it already.

    The Tema Metropolitan Director of the NCCE said COVID-19 was still a threat to the health of the nation, hence the need for all to be responsible in their actions by observing all the safety protocols prescribed by the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service to ensure the safety of all.

    Source: Ghanaian Times

  • Election 2020: The law will deal ruthlessly with unruly youth IGP warns

    The Inspector-General of Police(IGP), Mr James Oppong-Boanuh has warned that the law will deal ruthlessly with any lawless youth groups or individuals who intend to undermine the security of the country.

    According to the police chief, violence does not pay in any way and therefore will ensure that men and women of the service are deployed to protect law and order prior, during and after the 2020 polls.

    “To the youth of the country, particularly the youth of this beautiful Northern Region, let me remind you that we have one Ghana. Let no one attempt to take the law into their own hands, the long arm of the law will deal with any person or group of persons who may disturb the peace that the country is enjoying. Note that violence does not pay”, he urged while addressing a gathering in Tamale.

    Mr James Oppong-Boanuh took the opportunity to advise police personnel to professional in the discharge of their duties in order not to court unnecessary disaffection to themselves ahead of the polls.

    “I urge all police officers to be more circumspect, highly professional and impartial in the discharge of their duties. We have to follow laid down procedures to police the ballot and protect lives and properties. We must win every complaint, and we must do so speedily to clear the doubts of the critics”, he urged.

    He also pledged the readiness of the police service to maintain law and order before, during and after the 2020 polls.

    According to him, his outfit is prepared to do whatever it takes legally to ensure that the elections come off without any incidents urging the youth in particular not to allow themselves to be used by self-seeking politicians for personal gain.

    “The police is ready to maintain law and order before, during and after the 2020 polls. There is however the need for collaboration between the security agencies and the citizenry to ensure that the polls is not characterized by incidents. Education is key in this regard,” he observed.

    Source: My News GH

  • Increase in air freight prices likely to subside

    The resulting increase in air freight prices is likely to subside only with a rebound in passenger transport, according to a report by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

    Global air cargo capacity shrank by 24.6 per cent in March 2020, as passenger flights account for around half of air cargo volumes due to the pandemic, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has revealed in a note. Energy Commission to introduce 7-star ratings on electrical appliances . The note estimates that travel and transport costs account for as much as a third of trade costs depending on the sector.

    “Pandemic-related travel restrictions are therefore likely to affect trade costs for as long as they remain in place,” the note said.

    While sea and land transport have not faced comparable shocks, maritime transport has seen a decrease in numbers of sailings, while international land transport has been affected by border closures, sanitary measures and detours.

    Moreover, business travel, which is important for maintaining trading relationships and managing global value chains, in addition to being a significant economic activity in its own right, is being disrupted.

    “The quality of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and digital preparedness will be important in determining how well economies can cope,” the note indicated.

    Source: Laud Business

  • Marricke Gane breaks away from Coalition of Independent Political Aspirants

    A member of the Coalition of Independent Political Aspirants (CIPA) has on Monday, August 17, 2020, officially exited the group after their recently held presidential debate organised by policy think-tank, IMANI Africa.

    His breakaway, he stated, was due to the flawed process which was used to select the leader of the coalition, Kofi Koranteng despite his lead in the polls conducted by both IMANI and Joy news.

    In a Press release signed by the presidential aspirant, Marricke Kofi Gane and copied to GhanaWeb, he stated, “we wish to announce to you all that the Gane4Ghana agenda is no more a part of what has become known and called the Coalition of Independent Political Aspirants (CIPA). Gane4Ghana believes that the adopted process was neither fair nor transparent,”

    Mr. Gane explained that at a CIPA executive meeting held Saturday, August 15, 2020, it was asserted that the IMANI polls will not be accepted due to its inherent potential to allow multiple votes. The Steering Committee, for unexplained reasons, decided to consider only the Joy News polls, even then, they ignored polls the media house conducted on their various social media platforms.

    Though he was in a comfortable lead per the polls displayed at the debate, his other contender Kofi Koranteng was elected as the leader of the independent candidates.

    Despite the discrepancies following the results, Mr Gane has wished the leader of CIPA Kofi Koranteng well in the race ahead.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • We need food, clothes -Shiashie fire victims cry for help

    More than 500 victims of the “Kiosks Estate” fire incident at Shiashie, an Accra suburb, have appealed to individuals and institutions for material and food support.

    “We have lost everything. Not even a pin. As I sit now talking to you, I am not wearing an underwear or brassier. This is a painful situation and we need help,” Zavi, a victim said along with tears.

    The middle-aged woman who sells flip-flops, popularly known as (charley wote) said the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions negatively affected their business and that the fire occurred at the time business was about to flourish.

    “The fire took us by surprise and when it got to our kiosk my grandchildren and I were nearly trapped in it. The thought of and time to salvage our items did not even occur,” she said.

    Ms Veronica Asabil, another victim, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that she was helping her four-year-old son to sleep when she was hit by the smoke and then, the fire.

    “Quickly I had to pick my son out to save him from the fire that followed. At least I had a bag with some belongings when I came to Accra to hustle but now I am left with nothing, with no relative here to fall on in this critical moment,” she added.

    Ms Asabil said, they stood out helpless as the fire consumed their belonging to ashes and said, though Madam Lydia Seyram Alhassan, the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency gave them some items, they needed food and money for transport home.

    Aminu Issah, a gardener and a father of two, said his television set, money, and other personal effects were burnt to ashes.

    The victims welcomed the Disaster Recovery Fund for victims set up by the MP but prayed for some help now to “to start life over again.”

    The MP also provided mattresses, 500 bags of rice, and buckets to the victims and secured the Shiashie Presbyterian Church as shelter for them.

    Madam Alhassan also donated some money to them and appealed to other residents to come to the aid of the victims.https://tpc.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html

    The fire, said to have started around 0930 hours on Friday, levelled to the ground more than 50 wooden structures and shops, which served as homes to over 500 people.

    There were no casualties.

    On Sunday, when the GNA visited the area, it saw officials of the Statistical Service and the National Disaster Management Organization taking the bio-data of the victims.  

    The GNA also met scrap dealers having a field day collecting waste materials.

    Source: GNA

  • UCC, technical universities, others to reopen on August 24 for continuing students

    All continuing students of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), technical universities and some other colleges are to return to school on August 24, 2020 to complete the academic year.

    This is according to the latest update given by the President, Nana Akufo-Addo on Sunday, August 16, 2020.

    He announced that “through online learning portals, almost all continuing students in our universities have completed their studies for the academic year with the exception of the University of Cape Coast, University of Health and Allied Sciences, technical universities and some other colleges. After extensive stakeholder consultations, the decision has been taken for continuing students of these tertiary institutions to return to school on 24th August to finish their academic year.”

    “Just as was done for final year students who returned to school, government through the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service will ensure that all these tertiary institutions are disinfected.”

    Public and private universities across the country were instructed to resume academic work as final year students were asked to return to school on June 15, 2020.

    The partial reopening as announced by the government saw final year university students resume, lectures to enable them to take their exit exams.

    FInal year Senior and Junior High Schools students were also asked to do same.

    The SHS students are still writing their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), while most of the universities have ended the academic year for the final students.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Only 44.3% of persons surveyed in Accra wear face masks correctly Akufo-Addo

    The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is pleading with Ghanaians to wear nose masks correctly to help in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic.

    This comes after a recent survey done by the Ghana Health Service showed that, out of a number of persons observed in selected places in Accra, only 44.3% wear face masks properly.

    Even though the survey proved that 82% of these persons possessed a face mask, just a few actually wore them in the appropriate way.

    Akufo-Addo, while delivering his 15th national address on COVID-19 stated that, “I have been encouraged by the results of a recent survey conducted by the Ghana Health Service into the use of face masks at selected locations in Accra in the month of August. It revealed that the overall intention to use face masks at the sites surveyed was very high, with 82% of persons surveyed possessing a mask.”

    “I believe we can do even more, and reach 100%. However, the same survey demonstrated that only 44.3% of those who have the mask use them correctly. I urge each and every one of us to wear our masks, and do so correctly anytime we leave our homes. It is the new normal requirement of our daily existence until the virus disappears,” he added.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Recovery rate of COVID-19 cases in Ghana improves to 95.1 percent in 3 weeks

    The recovery rate of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Ghana has improved from 89.5 percent to 95.1 percent in the last three weeks, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said.

    The death rate on its part continues to be low at 0.5 percent.

    Thus far, a total of 40,567 persons have recovered from the virus since it was first recorded in Ghana in March 2020.

    Total confirmed cases in Ghana as of Sunday, August 16, 2020 was 42,532 with 231 deaths.

    President Akufo-Addo in his 15th address to the nation on measures taken against the spread of the disease on Sunday night [August 16, 2020) said there were currently no backlogs of tests at any of the testing centres, meaning that situational reports are up to date.

    “Indeed test results that used to take weeks are now available within 48 hours. We have so far, conducted 427,121 tests,” he said.

    President Akufo-Addo said as of July 24, the number of active cases [persons with the virus] stood at 3,307.

    As of Saturday, August 15th three weeks later, the number of active cases stoood at 1,847, a clear indication that the government policies were working.

    “Currently, there are no recorded COVID-19 cases in the North East, Savannah, Upper East and Upper West Regions and I charge their residents to do everything possible to maintain that situation, Greater Accra, Ashanti, Central, Eastern and Western continue to be the regions with the highest number of active cases,” the president said.

    “These statistics undermine, as unfounded the claim that Ghana has lost the battle to defeat COVID-19. There can only one simple reason for this baseless assertion, and that is political expediency. But as I have said before, do not begrudge those who make such statements, they need to make them continue to try to stay relevant.”

    “Our health workers will forever be in our debt, for the dedication they have put in to ensure these impressive statistics.

    “We can help them even further by continuing to adhere to the social distancing and hygiene protocols we have instituted to stem the tide of infections

    “I have been encouraged by the results of a recent survey conducted by the Ghana Health Services into the use of the face masks at selected locations in Accra in the month of August. It revealed that the overall intention to use face masks at the sites surveyed was very high with 82 percent of person surveyed possession a mask. I believe we can do even more, and reach 100 percent.

    “The same survey demonstrated that only 44.3 percent of those who have the mask use them correctly. I urge each and every one of us to wear our masks, and do so correctly anytime we leave our homes. It is the new normal requirement of our daily existence until the virus disappears.”

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Akufo-Addo to address nation on COVID-19 today

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will this evening address the nation on measures being taken to address the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    It will be the president’s 15th update to the nation since the first case of the disease was recorded in March this year.

    The address will be broadcast live on television at 8 pm.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Jordan Ayew’s Fantasy Premier League price soars

    Ghana and Crystal Palace striker Jordan Ayew has seen his fine season on the pitch rewarded in the Fantasy Premier League(FPL).

    The striker’s price has now increased to £6m just some few quid to get to the A listers who are mostly priced at £9.5m.

    Fantasy Premier League’s popularity matches that of the English Premier League as more than hundreds of millions of people are involved every season.

    Jordan, 28, was the top scorer for his club Crystal Palace with nine gaols and that has been rewarded with a steep rise in his price that is commensurate with his form.The Ghanaian striker was valued at just a mere £5 million pounds last season and that was primarily due to his abysmal form the previous season.

    His price is far bigger than any Crystal Palace player and that is rightly so as he was voted Palace player of the year and Players player of the year alongside goal of the season.

    Source: Ghana Guardian

  • Akufo-Addo to handover AfCFTA Secretariat building to the African Union Commission

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will on Monday, 17th August, 2020 commission and hand over the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat Building to the African Union Commission (AUC) in Accra.

    It will be recalled that at the 12th African Union (AU) Extraordinary Summit held in Niamey, Niger in July 2019, Ghana was selected to host the Secretariat of AfCFTA by Member States of the African Union. As part of the obligations and commitments under the Host Country Agreement, Ghana is required to provide a fully furnished office complex as the Headquarters for the AfCFTA Secretariat and an official residence for the Secretary-General.

    The AfCFTA Secretariat will administer the free trade agreement creating a Single Market for 55 countries with a combined population of 1.2 billion and a total Gross Domestic Product of about US $2.5 trillion. So far, 54 countries have signed the Agreement with 28 countries ratifying same.

    The hosting of AfCFTA Secretariat in Ghana will promote Ghana as an attractive regional and investment hub in Africa, boost economic activities, and provide job opportunities for Ghanaians.

    The handing over ceremony will be attended by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the newly elected Secretary-General of AfCFTA, the Speaker of Parliament, Chairman of the Council of State, Senior Government Officials and members of the Diplomatic Corps. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a limited number of other guests from the Private Sector and other Public Sector Organisations have been invited to witness the ceremony.

    The ceremony will be broadcast live through local and international television networks and social media platforms to a global audience.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • EPA scale up efforts to license LPG Pump Attendants

    The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has scaled up efforts to license Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Pump Attendants as part of a broader process to inject professionalism into the sector to reduce accidents connected with gas usage.

    The EPA has, therefore, rolled-out the second phases of the training process fixed for August 18th to 20th, which forms part of the general requirements for the licensing regime to start.

    Mr John Alexis Pwamang, the EPA Acting Executive Director, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview, that LPG Attendants must go through “Environmental Safety and Best Practices Training (ESBPT)”.

    The ESBPT syllabus is divided into phases, which involves theoretical classroom and practical field training, leading to the award of an initial certificate of participation, after which the attendants would be monitored for adherence to best practices.

    He said the Attendants would again go through another theoretical classroom and practical field training at the end of which he or she would be licensed to operate as a Certified Professional LPG Pump Attendants.

    Mr Pwamang appealed to LPG Owners and Dealers as well as Pump Attendants to enrol in the on-going EPA Environmental Safety and Best Practices Training, which seeks to raise awareness about the hazards of LPG and the preventive mechanism available.

    He said the training would also target Owners, Dealers, and Station Supervisors to ensure that “we adhere to international best practices in our operations in the country.”

    Mr Pwamang explained that the certification emanated from the background that the series of gas explosions and gas-related fire outbreaks in the country, which had resulted in the loss of lives and property was attributed to lack of understanding and failure to observe simple safety protocols.

    He said investigations into these incidents and accidents revealed several causes, the most critical and common one being that most of the workers along the supply chain did not have the requisite knowledge and skills required to work.

    “It is as a result of these revelations that the regulatory institutions decided to organsise a training programme to Train and Certify all the operators to ensure that LPG risk is reduced to the minimum in the country,” the EPA Executive Director stated.

    Mr Pwamang said all actors including regulators, investors, dealers, attendants, and consumers needed to work together to reduce the hazards associated with the usage of LPG.

    “We have LPG around us in our homes, cars, workplaces, and restaurants among others. We, therefore, need to understand its proper usage”.

    “As a major player in charge of environmental protection we have identified education as a missing link, therefore we want to build the capacity of station attendants who play a critical interface in the whole operations of selling LPG to end-users.”

    He said EPA was collaborating with other technical partners such as the Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana LPG Operators Association (GLiPGOA), Department of Factories Inspectorate, National Petroleum Authority among others.

    He called on the LPG Marketing Companies Association and other stakeholders to ensure their attendants participated in the training as well as dealers and owners to help protect their investments.

    Source: GNA