TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • Law banning salvaged vehicles to be enforced

    It has been widely reported that barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Customs division of the Ghana Revenue Authority will not allow into the country, importation of cars that have been defined according to the Customs Amendment Act 2020 as salvaged or do not have clean title by the 1st of November, 2020.

    Following extensive conversation about the subject on Eye on Port and other outlets, some stakeholder groups raised red flags on aspects of the law describing it as vague and harsh which when allowed to be implemented will negatively impact their jobs and eventually their livelihoods.

    Subsequently, the President of the Republic Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo invited the stakeholder groups to listen to them and subsequently charged the Ministry of Trade and Industry to lead deliberations to address all concerns with Minister of Trade as the Chair and the Executive Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo represented.

    The Stakeholder Associations confirmed that the President, had communicated that as an executive, he does not have the power within the laws of Ghana to set aside an Act passed by Parliament of Ghana and therefore all issues must be considered with the Ministry of Trade and Industries.

    Speaking on Eye on Port, the various stakeholders who were present at the committee meeting including members of the Automobile Dealers Union of Ghana (ADUG), Vehicle and Assets Dealers Union of Ghana (VADUG), Abossey Okai Spare Part Dealers Association and Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) explained that it had been concluded that the law be implemented as stipulated by the Customs (Amendment) Act 2020 so that following implementation, if challenges emerge, they will be addressed.

    “It was concluded that, since it is a law Parliament has been passed by Parliament and assented by the President, it must be implemented, so after implementation, if there are still challenges bothering our businesses, then the issues can be worked on,” Eric Boateng, President of Automobile Dealers Union of Ghana (ADUG) said.

    All the stakeholder groups were in favor of the conclusion by the committee led by the Ministry of Trade and Industry to the effect that the law be implemented as stipulated, by the Act of Parliament except members of VADUG.

    The Vehicle and Assets Dealers Union of Ghana (VADUG) insisted on their earlier position that, the definition of salvage remains vague and the requirement of clean title is extremely strict.

    “After the meeting, it came to the conclusion that the preconceived conclusion that had earlier on been made came to bear.”

    The VADUG members explained that their members import significant amount of salvaged vehicles which has great ripple effect on the bigger value chain and therefore government must exercise caution in implementing the law that seeks to ban its importation.

    However, the other stakeholders including the Abossey Okai Spare parts dealers believe the alternatives to the ban on the salvaged vehicles are adequate to keep their members in business, and they maintained that the country has come of age to embrace such a policy.

    “The fact that salvaged and overaged vehicles cannot be brought into Ghana does not mean that, other cars that are not salvaged and under 10 years of age cannot be brought in,” Clement Boateng, the Co-Chairman of the Abossey Okai Spare Prats Dealers Association quizzed.

    Source: Laud Business

  • Osofo Kyiri Abosom appoints Alhaji Abu Lukeman as running mate

    Reverend Christian Kwabena Andrews, flagbearer and founder of Ghana Union Movement (GUM), has appointed Alhaji Abu Grant Lukman as his running mate for the 2020 December general elections.

    Rev Lenin B. K. Trotsky, Political Scientist of GUM, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that Lukman came with vast experience and acumen from the private sector that would help canvass massive votes for the party in the upcoming elections.

    He said Rev. Andrews, affectionately called Osofo Kyiri Abosom, settled on Alhaji Lukman after wide consultation with the rank and file of the party and key stakeholders such as within the Muslim and Christian communities nationwide.

    Ghana goes to the polls on 7th December 2020 and the Movement believes that with the appointment of Alhaji Lukman, a renowned entrepreneur and a Muslim, who hails from the Northern Region would pull a huge crowd for GUM, a newly formed political party.

    GUM is a movement of unity and political pluralism and the Flagbearer, Rev Christian Kwabena Andrews, had called on Christians and Muslims, chiefs, imams and pastors to join hands and support its agenda for a democratic change, for a new Ghana.

    Rev Andrews, who is also the founder and General Overseer of Life Assembly Worship Centre, had promised to build a territorial polity based on united and all-inclusive political pluralism, similar to the Charter of Medina which was approved by all and signed by the Prophet Mohamed.

    “That is why Christian Kwabena Andrews the flagbearer of GUM has chosen his running mate who is a Muslim for the establishment of political pluralism in Ghana to accommodate all, irrespective of their political affiliations,” Rev Trotsky, said.

    He explained that GUM is a movement uniting all Ghanaians irrespective of their political associations to take the country back from failed governance and policies of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    Source: GNA

  • Police officer accidentally kills colleague in Bono Region

    A member of the Rapid Deployment Force2 (RDF) of the Bono Regional Police Command, Corporal Rexford Amoako has allegedly been shot and killed by one of his colleagues.

    According to the police, the RDF was deployed from Sunyani last Monday for highway patrol duties within Dormaa.

    However, during the operation, a member of the team allegedly fired his gun accidentally which killed Corporal Amoako in the Diabaa Forest in the Dormaa West District.

    The Bono Regional Public Relations Officer, Chief Inspector Augustine Kingsley Oppong, confirmed the incident to the Adom News.

    He said an investigation had begun to ascertain the actual cause of the tragic incident.

    “An investigation has begun to establish what actually took place and further developments shall be communicated to the public,” Chief Inspector Oppong stated.

    Source: myjoyonline

  • Betting addict allegedly commits suicide

    A 16-year-old boy, said to be a betting/gambling addict, has allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself on a tree at Asonomaso in the Kwabre East District of Ashanti, on Wednesday.

    The deceased, Kwaku Appiah, a form two student of Osei Kyeretwie Senior High School, was said to have caused the stir following hot exchanges with his mother over the betting/gambling practice, on Tuesday.

    The mother was said to have threatened to call the police for his arrest, if he would not stop the practice.

    Confirming the incident to the Ghanaian Times, the Unit Committee Chairman in the community, King Aluta, said the deceased told the mother he would kill himself should she call the police for his arrest.

    He said the boy, surprisingly, was found hanging on a tree, dead, behind their house in the early hours of Wednesday.

    Betting, especially, on football, has become a “juicy” practice with mostly young boys becoming very addicted to it, in the country.

    It is interesting to note the boys would not hesitate to fill to the brim betting places any time there was a football match.

    Some of these boys could spend a whole day in such places waiting anxiously for outcomes.

    According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, those who engage in gambling are more likely than others to suffer from low self-esteem, develop stress-related disorders, become anxious, have poor sleep and appetite, or suffer from depression.

    Source: Ghanaian Times

  • How Oware was used by slaves in the Caribbean to plan their escape from plantations

    Oware is considered the oldest Mancala board game in the world. Dating back centuries to ancient Africa, specifically the Ashanti tribe in Ghana, Mancala is one of the most commonly known board games in Africa, among others.

    The worldwide spread is noted to be because of the slave trade that saw many Africans sold to foreign regions. They carried with them the joy of playing Mancala and played it in their free time.

    Oware is very popular in the Caribbean till date. It is believed to have been taken by slaves from West Africa and it stuck there. The word “Oware” is an Akan word meaning “he/she marries”. According to an Ashanti legend, it was given that name when a man and woman got married in order to be able to play the game uninterrupted.

    Oware was also considered a game for royals and was notably played by the Kings of Ashanti and Denkyira of Ghana until it became accessible to all.

    Oware is popular across Africa with other names like “Awale”, “Awele”, “Warri”, “Ayoayo” and so many others. It is played on a board with 12 pits or “houses” as they are referred to, 6 on either side. Some game boards have an extra hole on opposite sides to keep the counters. Counters, usually shells, pebbles or nickernuts are used to play and fill these houses according to the rules of the game.

    You may have heard that Oware among other Mancala games was one of the techniques employed for counting in ancient Africa.

    Well, in the Caribbean, Oware was not just considered a game or sport. When men played Oware, it showed that they collectively engaged their African roots.

    In Oware, among the slaves, the counters represented men and the pits represented the various sections of the plantations on which they worked. As they moved the counters from hole to hole, it was a way to communicate the next move in action for the slaves or report the happenings in different sections without uttering a word. They also used Oware as a way to plan, strategize and communicate possible escape routes and plans for the future.

    Till date, it is seen as a way to spiritually connect with the “ancestors.” It is considered a game for men because of this history. Women play the game with no deep sentimental connection, as it was merely played as a pass time for females.

    Oware is still played all over the world by men, women, old and young people as a sport or pass time. In 2009, 810 students participated in an Oware tournament in Catalonia, Spain. The Mind Sports Olympiad has also categorized oware as an abstract strategy game. There is even an Oware society for all things Oware.

    Oware is not so difficult a game to play. Watch the video below to learn more about the game and how to play it. Have fun!

    Source: face2faceafrica.com

  • Don’t postpone 2020 elections – Kabila to EC

    Acting General Secretary of Convention People’s Party (CPP), James Kwabena Bomfeh has cautioned the Electoral Commission not to succumb to any pressures to postpone or cancel this year’s Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

    According to James Kwabena Bomfeh, popularly called Kabila, there will be chaos next year should the 2020 elections be called off.

    He spoke on Peace FM’s ”Kokrokoo” regarding the just-ended voter registration exercise by the Electoral Commission (EC).

    He held strongly that the Electoral Commission and the nation have only no option other than to hold the elections this year.

    Kabila complimented the EC for a sucessful registraton exercise but addressed the strong opposition for the December 7 polls to come off amidst the COVID-19 situation.

    He briefly directed a message to the opponents of this year’s elections saying, “if we were not able to hold elections this year, you can imagine what would happen in 2021. There would be chaos. And as for those arguing that the Chief Justice could act, the Chief Justice could only act on an existing term of a Presidential office. By January 6th, 2021, there will be none. So, on what authority would he have been acting?”

    Source: Peace FM

  • ‘End to impunity’ as ex-Angolan president’s son is jailed

    The news that José Filomeno dos Santos, Angola’s ex-Sovereign Wealth Fund boss and the son of the former president, has been jailed for five years for fraud, is undoubtedly a significant moment.

    It’s important to remember that, for decades, there was no public fight against corruption in a country ruled by a “royal family”, and scores were always settled behind closed doors.

    In that sense, the very public conviction of such a prominent figure marks a dramatic shift from the years of elite impunity that characterised Angola’s political economy.

    But across Angola, the conviction of “Zenu” is likely to be greeted with some ambivalence in a nation grappling with deep economic challenges, and where many are starting to wonder if the new president’s clean-up campaign is really more about settling scores with old rivals – a narrow vendetta – rather than heralding the beginning of an era of true transparency.

    “It’s a step forward. But the jury is still out on what it really means,” said Ricardo Soares di Oliviera, an Oxford professor and expert on African politics.

    He observed that the authorities were prosecuting “obvious suspects and low-hanging fruit” linked to the Dos Santos family, but have yet to move more broadly against entrenched corruption.

    And here is the real risk for Angola, as prosecutors continues to pursue the far higher-profile target of Isabel dos Santos: that an anti-corruption drive that was initially hailed as a game-changing move for one of the continent’s “sleeping giants”, turns into a mere weapon in an arsenal of political dirty tricks.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Police rescue man locked up for three years by parents

    A Nigerian man has been rescued from the garage of his parents’ house in the northern city of Kano, where he had been locked up for three years, police say.

    Ahmed Aminu, 30, was discovered after a police raid on the family’s residence in the Farawa area of central Kano on Thursday morning.

    Neighbours had alerted a local NGO, Human Rights Network, about his plight, and the police were then called.

    Some reports said he had been locked up for seven years.

    In a horrific video shared on social media, an emaciated Mr Aminu, too frail to walk, was assisted by members of the NGO into a vehicle as he was taken to hospital.

    He had visible calluses on his knees and his bones were apparent through the little flesh left on him.

    “We found Aminu in a terrible situation, urinating and excreting in same spot without [being] given any food and looking like he was going to die at any moment,” Haruna Ayagi, head of Human Rights Network, told the BBC.

    Mr Aminu’s father and step-mother have been arrested and the case is being investigated, police spokesman Haruna Kiyawa said in a statement.

    Police said the man had been locked up by his parents on suspicion of drug abuse and left without proper food and health care.

    This is the second time this week a victim has been rescued from horrific conditions in their parents’ house in Nigeria.

    On Wednesday, police in north-western Kebbi state rescued a 10-year-old boy from an animal pen where he had been kept for two years by his parents.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: South Africa crime rate plummets during lockdown

    Crime in South Africa dropped by up to 40% during the first three months of its lockdown, official figures show.

    The police minister said most types of crimes went down between April and June – including sexual assault and arson.

    He added that a controversial alcohol ban during the Coronavirus lockdown had helped, but that attacks on liquor stores had increased in the pandemic.

    South Africa has among the world’s highest crime rates. It has recorded over half the COVID-19 cases in Africa.

    More than 500,000 infections and 11,000 deaths have been reported in the country – although BBC Africa Editor Mary Harper says this may be because of its reliable testing rates.

    Police Minister Bheki Cele told reporters on Friday that the figures “paint a never-seen-before ‘rosy’ picture of a peaceful South Africa experiencing a “crime holiday”.

    “These statistics show major decreases in all crime categories compared to the same comparative period last year,” he said. “A 40.4% decrease in the number of rape cases were reported during the three months.”

    Contact and property-related crimes – including arson and malicious damage – went down by 29%.

    The ban on alcohol and cigarettes in lockdown South Africa has been controversial.

    The country implemented a ban on alcohol sales between 27 March and 1 June. The ban was reimposed on 12 July, and remains in place.

    In April, at the start of the lockdown, Mr Cele warned that his officers would “destroy the infrastructure where the liquor is sold”.

    The police minister has been accused of encouraging a heavy-handed approach towards people caught drinking – including the alleged beating to death of a man in his own garden.

    Bar and restaurant owners have also protested against the ban, saying it will destroy their businesses.

    Last month, the South African Police Service released the country’s overall crime stats for the year 2019/2020.

    Overall in the last year, carjacking, robberies of non-residential properties and murders all increased from the previous year.

    Sexual offences, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and possession of illegal firearms were also up.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Kotoko striker William Opoku set to marry long-term girlfriend Becca

    Asante Kotoko forward, William Opoku Mensah, will tie the knot with his long-time girlfriend Rebecca next month, according to a publication by Kyfilla.com.

    The 24-year-old former Swope Park Rangers striker has fixed a September 12, 2020 date to marry his girlfriend.

    Mensah joined Kotoko in January 2020 after returning to Ghana from the United States of America.

    The marriage ceremony will be held at Anaji, a suburb in Takoradi of the Western Region on the aforesaid date.

    Source: ghanasportsonline.com

  • Asante Kotoko closing in on Aduana Stars defender Caleb Amankwah

    Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko are closing in on Aduana Stars defender Caleb Amankwah.

    Amankwah has just four months left on his current deal at Dorma Ahenkro and appears not interested to sign an extension.

    GHANAsoccernet.com understands the right-back wants to see out the remainder of his contract so he can leave on a free transfer.

    The lanky defender joined the former Premier League champions from West African Football Academy in 2018.

    He is one of the players being sought by Maxwell Konadu as he builds a formidable squad ahead of the 2020-21 Ghana Premier League season.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Relief for Ghana Premier League clubs as GFA grants 50% waiver on loaned monies

    The Ghana Football Association has decided to waive off fifty percent of the remainder of the loan owed by the Ghana Premier League clubs.

    The Ghana FA gave out GH¢50,000 loan to each top-flight club before the start of the 2019/2020 season.

    Half of that amount was waived off when the Coronavirus pandemic broke in Ghana in March with GH¢25,000 left to be paid by the clubs.

    The Ghana FA Executive Council reached the decision to let go off half of the remaining owed monies by each of the eighteen premiership clubs.

    The council are doing this to enable the clubs to mitigate the financial difficulties they have faced during the coronavirus crisis.

    Each club will now have to pay GH¢12,000 to the Ghana FA.

    This amount will be deducted from any sponsorship secured by the football association in relation to the Ghana Premier League.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Cheque fraud in Ghana increased in 2019 BoG

    The number of cheque fraud cases increased marginally by 2.56 per cent from 39 cases in 2018 to 40 cases in 2019, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) has said.

    This, according to the central bank, includes fraud incurred as a result of cloned cheques, stolen cheque leaflets and cheque alteration.

    Notable, however, is the increase in the number of cases reported as cheque cloning, which originates from the operation of syndicates involving staff of financial institutions, telecommunications companies and cheque-printing houses.

    The BoG further announced that the banking industry reported approximately GH¢115.52 million as fraud to the central bank.

    Of the total values reported, the BoG said, approximately GH¢33.44 million, representing 28.96 per cent was reported as losses incurred while approximately GH¢82.06 million, representing 71.04 per cent was recovered.

    The Bank of Ghana recorded a total of 2,295 cases of fraud, representing a 5.4 per cent increase in cases reported in 2018.

    Rural and community banks reported 55 per cent of the total cases, and commercial banks and savings and loans institutions reported 23 per cent and 22 per cent of the cases respectively.

    In total, 83 institutions reported cases in 2019, as compared to 72in 2018.

    Source: Ghana Guardian

  • Coronavirus: Ghanas death toll now 231 as confirmed cases hit over 42,000

    The Ghana Health Service has reported that eight more persons have died from COVID-19 in Ghana.

    This pushes the country’s death toll to 231.

    The latest deaths have been recorded a week after Ghana made an impressive gain with coronavirus recoveries, which stands at 39, 993.

    The active cases keep recording a decline with the latest figures from the Ghana Health Service pointing at 1,839.

    Currently, Ghana still keeps its borders closed and international flights suspended to curb a further spread of the coronavirus.

    The confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Ghana sit at 42, 063 after 216 new ones were reported from the lab.

    Four persons are currently on ventilators, leaving six others in critical condition while 17 have been classified as severe cases.

    Regional cases:

    Greater Accra Region  20,970

    Ashanti Region  10,476

    Western Region  2,863

    Eastern Region  2,024

    Central Region  1,754

    Bono East Region  703

    Volta Region  630

    Western North Region  580

    Northern Region  472

    Ahafo Region  469

    Bono Region  468

    Upper East Region  282

    Oti Region  213

    Upper West Region  88

    Savannah Region  62

    North East Region  9

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • How Akua Denteh was tortured to confess to being a witch a day before her lynching

    A video available to 3news.com shows that the 90-year-old woman, Akua Denteh, who was lynched at Kafaba in the Gonja East Municipality of the Savannah Region was tortured to confess to being a witch the night before her death.

    In the video, the old woman, now deceased, is heard pleading innocent to accusations by her assailants that was a witch who killed people in the area. A lady who appeared to be a fetish priestess is seen whipping the old lady while asking her names of those she killed.

    Akua Denteh, in her plea for mercy said she was innocent and that she had lost three children herself. She was later given a concoction to drink, some of which was sprinkled on her, after which she was again coerced to confess with a machete pointed at her.

    The priestess was also heard telling a young lady who takes care of the old woman how lucky she was to have been alive. She claims the old lady killed her children and that the lady taking care of her would have been the next.

    The old woman was eventually forced to say she killed her children and asked for forgiveness.

    Watch the video below: Viewer discretion is advised.

    https://youtube.com/watch?v=0aMpz0eg8jI

    Source: 3 News

  • New Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly MCE confirmed

    Fifty-three assembly members of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) in the Western Region have confirmed Abdul-Mumin Issah as the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE).

    He was confirmed on Friday, August 14.

    During his investiture, he assured that he will see to the development of the Municipality with good measures.

    “I believe my ancestors are smiling upon me especially my late brother. Thank you all once again for the support and honour that you gave to me. Long live STMA, Long live Ghana.”

    Abdul-Mumin was nominated by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo after the death of the MCE for the area, Anthony Kobina Kurentsir Sam, who succumbed to coronavirus.

    Source: 3 News

  • Allow the institutions to work Prof Emmanuel Asante

    Chairman of the Peace Council of Ghana Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante, believes there can only be peace if politicians allow the various institutions established by the government to work.

    According to the man of God, if the established institutions are allowed to do their work in accordance with the law then peace will prevail at the end of the day.

    Rev. Emmanuel Asante believes the institutions are the for the people and the government and so not allowing them to operate will not give us the progress and growth we seek as a country.

    “The institutions are there for the government. We are not going to get anywhere”. He stated.

    The Peace Council is calling on all political parties to give the various institutions the opportunity to operate in a lawful framework, to ensure peace and stability ahead of the December polls.

    Source: Ghana Crusader

  • Bagre Dam spillage: Farms underwater in Bawku

    Several farms along the White Volta in the Bawku West District in the Upper East Region have been hit by flooding, resulting from the spillage of excess water from the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso.

    “Farms planted with crops like millet and sorghum are underwater now, “ the Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Eric Nana Agyemang Prempeh, told the Daily Graphic from northern Ghana yesterday where he had been for the past few days to oversee efforts to protect lives and property from the devastating effects of the spillage.

    The spill gates of the dam were opened last Monday.

    Bawku West is the first area in northern Ghana to be hit this year by the devastating effects that come with the opening of the dam.

    No casualties

    No casualties have been recorded.

    Nana Agyemang Prempeh said the large volumes of water from the dam were drifting further downwards and would hit other areas in the next few days.

    “If you consider that the average discharge of water from the dam is 76.50m3 per second, you will have no doubt that the flooding will be heavy this year,” he said.

    Background

    Communities downstream the White Volta have over the years been at the receiving end anytime the Burkinabe authorities spill excess water from the Bagre Dam.

    This year, NADMO had increased its activities with intensive preventive measures.

    On August 5, this year, the organisation issued a flood alert to a number of communities in northern Ghana asking residents to evacuate to safe areas.

    Source: Class FM

  • Hundreds of squatters rendered homeless as fire destroys over 60 makeshift structures at Shiashie

    Some slum dwellers at Shiashie in Accra were rendered homeless last night as fire gutted more than 60 makeshift structures.

    JoyNews Joseph Ackah-Blay who was at the scene reported that the distraught residents took shelter at a nearby church.

    According to some of the affected residents, a lot of the structures got burnt because they were too close to each other so the fire kept spreading.

    Source: myjoyonline

  • I want to emulate Mensah and Afful’s success in MLS – Samuel Tetteh

    Striker Samuel Tetteh wants to follow the success story Ghanaian duo Harrison Afful and Jonathan Mensah in the Major League Soccer [MLS].

    The 24-year-old joined New York Red Bulls on a six-month loan with an option to extend from Red Bull Salzberg.

    The former WAFA player is joining a league where compatriots Afful and Mensah are household names with Columbus Crew.

    “I want to emulate the success story of Harrison Afful and Jonathan Mensah because they are doing well with their club,” the former WAFA striker told Footy-ghana.

    “Over the years, they have helped their team and have been successful. I want to follow the footsteps so I can also become as successful as they are.

    “Football will take you to places and you have to sell yourself in any league you find yourself. Watching them (Afful and Mensah) play for their club and being successful, I want to take a cue and sell myself as well,” Tetteh stated.

    Last season, Tetteh played on loan at Austrian Bundesliga side LASK Linz where he scored 7 goals with 5 assists in 29 matches.

    He returned to parent club Red Bull Salzburg after the spell but has been shipped him out on loan again for the next six months.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Winning the Africa Cup of Nations not my top priority – CK Akonnor

    Ghana head coach CK Akonnor has said winning the Africa Cup of Nations to end the trophy drought is not his topmost priority.

    The West African country has gone over 30 years without clinching the Africa’s flagship football tournament.

    Ghana have won the biggest football tournament on the continent on four occasions in 1962, 1963, 1978 and 1982.

    The Black Stars have come close to lifting the trophy three times since then, having lost in the finals in the 1992, 2010 and 2015 editions.

    Akonnor was appointed in January 2020 as he replaced Kwasi Appiah whose expired contract was not renewed after a bizarre outing in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

    Football lovers in Ghana are expectant the former Black Stars captain will be the man to guide the Red, Gold and Green country to another Africa Cup of Nations success.

    However in an interview with Starr FM, Akonnor has disclosed winning the Africa Cup of Nations isn’t his main focus.

    But he believes in improving individual performances of the players.

    “I don’t want my main focus to be winning the Africa Cup of Nations but rather improving the team,” Akonnor said.

    “Once the team improves, we will get there.”

    The Black Stars’ last triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations was in 1982.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Partey’s Atletico Madrid knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Leipzig

    Thomas Partey will no longer play a part in the UEFA Champions League after his Spanish side Atletico Madrid suffered a shock defeat at the hands of RB Leipzig on Thursday night.

    The Ghana midfielder’s club were stunned when they were defeated 2-1 by the German side in the quarter-final match played in the Portuguese capital because of the coronavirus disease.

    Partey was left to watch the match from the bench as he is just recovering from injury and the Germans took full advantage to reach their first Champions League semi-final just 11 years after their formation.

    RB Leipzig overcame the typically cautious Atletico Madrid who were most restricted in the midfield because of the absence of their Ghanaian talisman – denying them of their spark.

    After a poor first half, Dani Olmo headed the German side ahead but Atleti substitute Joao Felix levelled the tie from the penalty spot after he had been fouled in the box.

    Madrid, chasing a third final in the last six years, seemed content to take the one-legged tie in Lisbon to extra time and sat back for much of the game.

    They were punished for their characteristically defensive approach as Tyler Adams’ deflected strike two minutes from time sent Julian Nagelsmann’s exciting side through to face Paris St-Germain in the semi-finals.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • African countries to begin coronavirus antibody testing

    Seven African countries will begin administering coronavirus antibody tests next week, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has said.

    The testing is part of an effort to understand how widespread the infection is on the continent.

    “Liberia, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Nigeria, Morocco are the first set of countries that committed to it,” head of Africa CDC John Nkengasong said in a weekly briefing on Thursday.

    He said the continent had conducted 9.4 million coronavirus tests so far, closing in on the 10 million target set in collaboration with member states.

    Dr Nkengasong said Africa was making good progress for vaccine development.

    He said a continental strategy was being developed to set up a consortium of clinical trials and then begin the procurement and financing of vaccines.

    The continent has so far recorded 1,084,904 coronavirus cases, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Tanzania opposition party office ‘firebombed’

    Tanzania’s opposition Chadema party office in the north-eastern town of Arusha has been “firebombed”, according to its leader Tundu Lissu.

    Mr Lissu said the office was destroyed on the eve of his visit to the town on Friday.

    He has termed the act as “terror and intimidation”.

    The politician said his planned visit would still go on despite the attack.

    Mr Lissu returned to Tanzania last month after surviving an assassination attempt in 2017 that saw him seek treatment in Kenya and Belgium.

    Mr Lissu has been nominated by his party to run for the presidency in October’s general elections, but has said he lacks confidence in the electoral commission.

    Source: BBC

  • Asantehene petitioned over destruction of Pramso farmlands

    Some citizens of Pramso in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti, have petitioned the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, over the destruction of their farmlands.

    They are demanding justice for what they said was the wanton destruction of their food crops by the Messrs. Kofi Job Company Limited, who is constructing the Atonso-Agogo Kuntanase road, without the consent of the farmers and recourse to the law.

    “We want His Royal Majesty, the Asantehene, to intervene to stem further destruction of the food crops since they served as our only source of livelihood,” Mr Yaw Owusu, Chairman of the Pramso Concerned Youth Association, told the media.

    This was after the group had embarked on a peaceful demonstration at Pramso to register their displeasure at the development.

    Messrs Kofi Job is said to have cleared a large track of farmlands to extract laterite for the road project, which passes through the town.

    Mr Owusu said despite several appeals to the Chief of Pramso, Nana Gyampatua II, to come to their aid, “nothing concrete was being done to address the plight of the affected farmers.”

    He expressed worry that the continuous extraction of sand and sandstones at Pramso for construction purposes could also lead to land degradation, with the attendant negative consequences on the environment.

    The affected farmers, he said, would use all legal and peaceful means to fight for their right.

    Source: GNA

  • Businessman in court for theft

    A Circuit Court in Accra has remanded into Police custody a 41-year-old businessman for allegedly stealing and selling two trucks belonging to his business partner.

    The two trucks are estimated to cost about GH¢421,000.00

    He pleaded not guilty to the two counts of stealing and he is expected to reappear before the Court presided over by Mr Emmanuel Essandoh on August 27, 2020.

    Prosecutor, Chief Inspector William Boateng said, the complainant is Abena Sama Darko, Director of Green Panda Company Limited.

    Chief Inspector Boateng said the complainant is a partner to one Dr. Ohene Aboagye and one Anil Chopra, both are based in Norway and the United Kingdom respectively.

    Prosecutor said the accused resides at Sapieman in Accra and that in the year 2012, Anil Chopra, also a witness in the case, met the accused and they then became friends.

    He said Mr Chopra had been sending money to the accused to buy and export yam to Europe.

    Prosecutor said through that, Chopra bought two trucks – Scania 470 with registration number GM 331-14 and Mercedes Benz Atego also with registration number GN 8954- 14, belonging to Panda Company Limited Ghana.

    The prosecutor said the accused was supposed to use the vehicles to transport the yams from the places of purchase to Tema Harbour.

    Same year (2012), the accused bolted with the two trucks and the matter reported to the Police but the accused was only arrested this year at Nkwanta in the Oti Region, the prosecutor said.

    He said during interrogation, the accused admitted the offence, saying he sold the Mercedes Benz truck for his gains, while the other truck was used in securing a loan.

    Prosecutor has said efforts were underway to retrieve the two trucks.

    Source: GNA

  • Government cuts sod for the construction of Kokoso-Asubonteng town roads

    The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), on Thursday, August 13, 2020, cut the sod for the construction of Kokoso-Asubonteng town roads in the Bantama constituency of the Ashanti Region.

    The project, when completed, will allow traffic flow in areas such as; Kokoso, Adumanu, Babirem, Abrepo, Asubonteng and Bronikrom.

    Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony held at the Kokoso lorry station, Member of Parliament (MP) for the Bantama constituency, Daniel Okyem Aboagye, said he was grateful to President Akufo-Addo and the Ministry of Roads and Highways, for finally awarding the project to a contractor as according to him, the road was in a very deplorable state.

    “If there’s any road in this constituency that I’ve continuously fought for over the years, I can tell you, it’s this very road. So if today, the project has finally been awarded and we’re all gathered here for its sod cutting, then we owe Nana Akufo-Addo and the Road Minister a big thank you”, said Okyem Aboagye.

    On his part, the Akyeamehene of Kokoso, Nana Adjei Boakye said, he was equally thankful to Nana Akufo-Addo and his NPP government for the decision to award the town roads in the area to be constructed. He said residents in area have not seen any major rehabilitation on their roads over the years.

    “This road has been a major issue here. President Kufour tried to construct it but unfortunately there a change of government. So if today the NPP is in power again and they have awarded this road to a contractor, I can only express my innermost appreciation to Nana Addo and his government for not disappointing us”, Nana Boakye said.

    Other dignitaries who were present at the event were; Mayor of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Hon. Osei Assibey Antwi, parliamentary candidate for the Bantama constituency and Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Asenso Boakye.

    The Special Guest of Honour was Minister of Roads and Highways, Hon. Akwasi Amoako-Attah.

    Source: Ghana Guardian

  • Dr Nana Ayew Afriye is God-sent to Effiduase-Asokore Constituency – Residents

    The residents of Bouya Electoral Area within the Effiduase-Asokore Constituency in Ashanti Region have commended their hard-working and development-oriented Member of Parliament, Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, describing him as God-sent to the Constituency.

    The assembly member of the area, Emmanuel Frimpong, and an opinion leader, Hakeem Alhassan, made these assertions on Opemsuo Radio morning show Dubbed ‘Nkwantananso’ hosted by George Opoku Mensah.

    Mr Frimpong said; “it is shocking and dumbfounding to see light poles and wiring in the town. This act by the honourable minister can only be described as the handy work of a Godlike personality spearheading their constituency. Thanks to him and his well-calculated leadership the towns will see electricity by next month.

    Apart from the Unprecedented electricity, for the first time, we have people recruited into security agencies, Dr Nana Ayew Afriye is God sent to us”

    “Again, the affable legislator’s Godlike prowess is unparalleled to non, when he voluntarily donated a whooping sum of Ghc20,000 to support the completion of the electrification project when the DCE refused to sign the cheque meant for the project,” Mr Hakeem further added,

    According to them, they can’t hide their joy and appreciation to H.E. President Akufo Addo and the Affable Legislator for the kind gesture bestowed unto their electoral area.

    Bouya Electoral Area is made up of these communities Bouya, Adukrom and Tetekaaso are all farming towns.

    Source: Ofori Frimpong, Contributor

  • Police follow EC office fire trail

    The Accra Regional Police Command of the Ghana Police Service is investigating the cause of the fire that gutted the Electoral Commission (EC) office at Sapeiman in the Greater Accra Region in the early hours of Friday.

    Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Effia Tenge, Head of Public Affairs Unit (PAU), told the Ghana News Agency that the cause of the fire, as well as the value of the damage caused, were not immediately known.

    DSP Tenge said there was no casualty.

    Giving the facts, she said the Police Command received information about the fire outbreak at the Regional Office of the EC in the early hours of Friday.

    She said four fire tenders from Amasaman, Kotoku, Nsawam and Abelemkpe were brought in to quench the fire and provide security.

    “Police officers from the Division were also deployed to provide security for the Fire officers,” she said.

    The Head of the PAU said the room that stored used electoral materials was razed but the fire was brought under control at about 0500 hours.

    The Greater Accra Regional Director of the Commission, Mr Kwame Amoah, informed the Regional Police Commander DCOP Mr Afful Boakye Yiadom, who was at the scene, that the incident would not affect the recent registration and the upcoming December 2020 elections in areas under its jurisdiction.

    Source: GNA

  • Ghanaians to use Ghana Card numbers as TIN for business transactions next year

    The Government, through the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), has begun processes to convert the National Identification numbers into Tax Identification numbers (TIN) to ensure easy payment of taxes.

    The move will allow Ghanaians to use their Ghana Card numbers to register their businesses and expected to shore up government revenue.

    This is expected to commence from January 2021, which would increase the number of taxpayers from less than three million to 16 million.

    Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia announced this when he addressed the delegates of the National Youth Wing of the New Patriotic Party in Accra.

    Dr Bawumia added that the Government had secured US$ 200-million World Bank support to implement the Jobs and Skills Development programme.

    The programme is expected to be implemented from now till the next five years, to improve the entrepreneurial skills and productivity of the Ghanaian youth.

    Some high profile personalities that graced the occasion included Madam Akosua Frema Osei Opare, Chief of Staff, Freddie Blay, and National Chairman of the NPP, Samuel Awuku, National Organiser of the NPP.

    The forum coincided with the celebration of the International Youth Day held on August 12 every year, to recognise the contributions of the youth towards national development efforts and to create awareness about their challenges with the ultimate objective of finding solutions to them.

    Vice President Bawumia enumerated some initiatives rolled out by the Akufo-Addo’s government to formalise the economy including National Digital Property Addressing System, issuance of the National Identification Cards (Ghana Card), Mobile Money Interoperability Payment System, measures underway to integrate the databases of the NIA and Births and Deaths Registry and other state agencies for easy accessibility of information.

    The National Chairman of the NPP Mr Freddie Blay urged the party youth not be distracted by the ” “propaganda promises” by the NDC’s flag bearer but should remain focused and campaign vigorously across the nook and cranny of the country to retain the party in power.

    “Leverage on your energies, strengths, and creativity by adopting innovative campaign strategies to win more votes for the Party”, he advised.

    The Chief of Staff, Madam Akosua Osei Frema Opare, entreated the party youth to remain united and fight with a common front to retain power in the general election.

    She acknowledged the hard work and enormous contributions of the NPP Youth Wing over the past years and urged them not to rest on their oars but rather work even harder in this year’s electioneering.

    Sammy Awuku, NPP National Organiser urged the Youth Wing of the Party to widen the one million vote margin recorded in the 2016 Presidential Election.

    To achieve that feat, he said, the Party must work hard to win more than 800,000 of the two million new voters captured in the just ended voter registration exercise.

    Alhaji Abdul Aziz Haruna Futah, the NASARA Coordinator, enumerated several projects initiated in the Zongo Communities by the government to improve livelihoods of the Zongo Youth and urged the Zongo Communities to show their appreciation by voting massively for the NPP government in the December polls.

    Mr Henry Nana Boakye, the NPP National Youth Organiser, acknowledged the efforts of the Party’s Leadership and Government’s contributions towards their activities and enhancing their capacity.

    He, however, called for more support to enhance their work, especially by using social media platforms to reach out to the grassroots.

    He gave the assurance that the Youth Wing of the Party would mobilize and leverage on innovative strategies to win more votes for the party.

    Source: GNA

  • Fire guts Electoral Commission office in Accra

    Fire that erupted in the early hours of Friday, August 14, 2020 has destroyed several property at the Electoral Commission’s office in Accra.

    The fire which started at about 2.30 am, consumed almost everything in the said building located at Sapeiman in the Ga West Municipality which also serves as the Regional Office of the election management body.

    The cause of the incident is still under investigation by the Fire Service and the Ghana Police Service.

    The building is also used for the storage of old and used items for the Commission, Angelonline.com.gh has learnt.

    It, however, did not affect the main administration block.

    The fire was said to have been detected by the policeman and the night watchmen on duty at the time.

    Personnel from the Fire Service have been there to put the fire under control.

    Source: angelonline.com.gh

  • Street Lights fixed in Chorkor 4 months to elections

    With four months to the December 7 General Elections, street lights in the Ablekuma South Constituency, notably Chorkor, have been restored.

    Parts of the constituency have been without street lights for the past three years after the 2016 elections.

    GhanaWeb gathered the lights were fixed on Monday.

    It is believed that the Member of Parliament of the constituency, Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije funded the street lights project.

    With sanitation being the biggest challenge in the constituency, the former Accra Mayor has not been successful in thwarting the situation since he became the MP of the area.

    Ahead of the December polls, the area has witnessed a number of projects with the NPP-led government’s 1-House-1-Toilet leading in an attempt to end open defecation.

    Government has also promised to distribute free outboard motors to the fisherfolks.

    However, the burden of the youth in the area has been unemployment, leading most young men to engage in social vices.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • 39,718 clinical recoveries reduce Ghanas active COVID-19 cases to 1,906

    Active COVID-19 cases in Ghana have reduced to 1,906.

    This is because 39,718 persons who got infected by the virus have clinically recovered and have been discharged

    This was announced by the Ghana Health Service on Thursday, August 13, 2020.

    Ghana has since March 2020 recorded a total of 41,847 Coronavirus cases.

    Out of the number of active cases in Ghana, six are in a critical condition, four on ventilators, and 17 in severe condition.

    A total of 421,588 tests have so far been conducted in the country since March 2020.

    Current regional breakdown

    Source: citinewsroom

  • ASEPA’s petition to remove EC boss thrown out as CJ makes no adverse findings

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has dismissed a petition to remove the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs Jean Mensa following a determination of no adverse evidence of a legal breach by the EC boss.

    Civil society organisation, Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), led by its Executive Secretary, Mensah Thompson petitioned the President to remove Mrs Jean Mensa from office on the grounds that she failed to declare her assets on time on assumption of office in 2018.

    After the Presidency forwarded the petition to the Chief Justice for action, the Chief Justice did not establish any adverse evidence of a legal breach against the EC boss.

    The Chief Justice did not also find any statute that criminalises the non-declaration of assets within the stipulated time in the Constitution.

    Following this, the Presidency subsequently dismissed the petition.

    Earlier petition to CHRAJ

    ASEPA had earlier on December 12, 2019, filed a similar complaint at the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) that Mrs Mensa failed or refused to declare her assets.

    CHRAJ ruled in favour of the Chairperson of the EC.

    In its decision on June 4, 2020, CHRAJ held that at the time the complaint was filed on December 12, 2019, the EC boss had not filed her assets with the Auditor-General, but she filed her assets on February 17, 2020, after the complaint was brought to her attention.

    Such a move, CHRAJ held, meant the EC boss had not refused to declare her assets as required by Article 286 of the 1992 Constitution.

    ASEPA petitions President

    Not satisfied with the ruling by CHRAJ, ASEPA in a letter dated June 9, 2020 petitioned the President to remove the EC boss for failing to declare her assets on time.

    ASEPA argued that Mrs Mensa failed to declare her assets “within three months as stipulated by Article 286 of the 1992 Constitution, although she became the Chairperson of the EC on January 8, 2018.”

    Chief Justice’s conclusions and dismissal of petition

    In a letter dated July 27, 2020 and signed by the Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante, the Presidency explained that the petition was forwarded to the Chief Justice for action but the Chief Justice did not establish any adverse evidence of a legal breach against the EC boss.

    “The Chief Justice did not find any statute that criminalises the non-declaration of assets within the stipulated time in the Constitution,” the letter from the presidency explained.

    “In any event, CHRAJ did not make any adverse findings against the Chairperson as the investigation was terminated and the complaint dismissed after the Chairperson declared her assets on 17th February 2020,” the letter added.

    “Accordingly, I am directed by the President to inform you [ASEPA] that your petition has been dismissed,” it said.

    What CHRAJ said

    According to CHRAJ, having established that Mrs Mensa had complied with Article 286 of the 1992 Constitution, it was not necessary to continue with investigations into the complaint by ASEPA.

    That, CHRAJ said, was in line with Section 13 (1)(b) of the CHRAJ Act, 1993 (Act 456) which allowed the commission to refuse to continue to investigate a matter when it appeared that further investigation was not needed.

    “Having established in the course of the investigation that the respondent (EC boss) has now complied with Article 286 albeit late , the commission is of the considered opinion that the appropriate action, having regard to the circumstances of the case, is to refuse to investigate the matter any further as further investigation will not be necessary,” the decision signed by the Commissioner for CHRAJ, Mr Joseph Whittal, stated.

    File your assets early

    CHRAJ, however, advised Mrs Mensa not to delay in declaring her assets with the Auditor-General in the future.

    “Based on the results of the investigations, the commission strongly advises the respondent (Mrs Mensa) to pay careful attention to her obligations under Article 286 to ensure that the delay that occurred previously in the declaration of her assets and liabilities does not occur,” CHRAJ said.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Lolobi, Akpafu wont be part of SALL District chiefs

    The Chiefs of Lolobi and Akpafu traditional areas have expressed concerns over reports that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) intends to create a new district for Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lolobi and Likpe (SALL) in the Oti Region.

    A statement, signed by Nana Akoto Masakyi III, Paramount Chief of Lolobi Traditional Area and Nana Kofi Adu II, Divisional Chief of Akpafu Traditional Area and the Joint Steering Committee (JSC) of both Traditional Areas, said they were in court over their integration into the Oti Region, therefore, the recent letter by the Local Government Minister to the Volta and Oti Regional Ministers on the proposed District was unacceptable.

    The statement, which follows a Ghana News Agency report on the creation of the District, said Lolobi and Akpafu Traditional Areas were not part of the traditional areas that petitioned the Justice Brobbey Commission to be considered as part of the Oti Region; unlike the Santrokofi and Likpe traditional areas.

    The statement said, “Lolobi and Akpafu people have never associated with all petitions for a new region and actively exercised the duty of care to alert all agitators in that regard to take cognisance and respect our desire to be exempt.”

    It said the Lolobi and Akpafu traditional areas had been and would continue to be part of the Hohoe Municipal Assembly and were, therefore, seeking constitutional and judicial order to gain recognition as such.

    “We have visibly strengthened our bonds with the other seven traditional areas under the Hohoe Municipality, where we are deeply cherished and at peace,” the statement added.

    It said when they were erroneously associated with the Oti Region referendum, they promptly reached out to the Electoral Commission to raise objection to their inclusion, “practically boycotted the vote and, after the referendum, resorted to law to remedy the persistent trampling on our rights and freedoms in a Constitutional democracy”.

    Meanwhile, the MLGRD has said that it is still in consultation with the chiefs of the respective areas over the creation of the District, and the location of its capital.

    The creation of the constituency will, however, start with an Executive Instrument from the President, following which the Local Government Minister will send a Legislative Instrument to Parliament, which would have to stay in the House for 21 sitting days.

    The Electoral Commission would create the Constituency when these conditions are satisfied.

    Source:GNA

  • 19-year-old joins presidential race in Uganda

    A 19-year-old Ugandan has picked nomination papers to vie for the presidency in the upcoming general elections.

    Hillary Humphrey Kaweesa said he had always been a leader and was qualified to lead the country.

    He said he would fund-raise for the 20m Ugandan shillings ($5,400;£4,100) nomination fees.

    Mr Kaweesa is also required to collect 100 signatures in every district for his nomination. The country has more than 100 districts.

    The constitution allows any Ugandan citizen who is above 18 years to vie for the presidency.

    The teenager joins legislator Robert Kyagulanyi popularly known as Bobi Wine and former army general Henry Tumukunde who have declared interest to run against the incumbent President Yoweri Museveni.

    Source: www.bbc.com

  • Inaki Williams tests positive for Covid-19

    Spanish-born Ghanaian forward Inaki Williams has tested positive for Covid-19.

    Williams, who is eligible for play for either Spain by birth or Ghana via his parents, announced he had contracted the virus as he took the test ahead of Athletic Bilbao’s pre-season training.

    The 26-year-old admitted he has no symptoms and will undergo the necessary self-isolation measures in a bid to control the spread of the virus.

    “Today, they confirmed that I have tested positive in the PCR test. I am asymptomatic and I feel fine. It is time to be at home in isolation until I overcome the virus. I really want to join the pre-season,” Williams posted on his Twitter account.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Cop accidentally killed by colleague in Bono Region

    Tragedy hit the Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) of the Bono Regional Police Command when a member of the team, Corporal Rexford Amoako, was allegedly shot and killed accidentally by one of his colleagues.

    According to the police, the RDF was deployed from Sunyani last Monday for highway patrol duties within Dormaa.

    However, during the operation, a member of the team allegedly fired his gun accidentally which killed Corporal Amoako in the Diabaa Forest in the Dormaa West District.

    The Bono Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Police Service, Chief Inspector Augustine Kingsley Oppong, confirmed the incident to the Daily Graphic.

    He said investigation had begun to ascertain the actual cause of the tragic incident.

    “An investigation has begun to establish what actually took place and further developments shall be communicated to the public,” Chief Inspector Oppong stated.

    Suspects rearrested

    Meanwhile, eight suspects arrested for their involvement in the clash between supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at Nkrankwanta in the Dormaa West District last Saturday were today put before a Sunyani Circuit Court.

    They are Ali Musah, alias Buge; Lonfintey Sansah, Mohammed Osman, alias Mba, and Kwasi Sam.

    The rest are Oppong Johnson, Abubakar Sulemana, Fuseini Mohammed and Musah Sule.

    While Musah was charged with an attempt to commit murder contrary to Section 48 of the Criminal Act, 1960 (Act 29), the others were charged with causing unlawful damage.

    Discharge, rearrest

    The clash between the supporters of the two political parties resulted in the death of one person while two others were injured.

    The court, presided over by Justice Sylvester Nii Okine Ablorh, however, discharged the suspects for lack of jurisdiction.

    Justice Ablorh explained that since one of the charges bordered on attempted murder, the prosecution should have separated the charges on different charge sheets and sent the attempted murder charge to the district court for committal.

    However, soon after their discharge, the police rearrested them.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Ellembelle: NPP parliamentary candidate gets voter ID after challenge

    The New Patriotic Party Parliamentary Candidate for Ellembele, Kwasi Bonzoh, has finally been given his voter ID card 12 days after the Electoral Commission (EC) seized the card due to a challenge to his registration.

    The candidate, who is also the DCE for Ellembele, had his card handed to him after the agent who challenged him on 1st August at the Awiebo Junction D/A Primary School registration centre withdrew his challenge.

    He added that this paved way for him to focus on his campaign to win the Ellembelle seat from Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    “Currently, I am a registered voter and it allows me to contest to win the 2020 elections in Ellemeblle on the ticket of the NPP,” he told Citi News.

    Kwasi Bonzoh was challenged by Solomon Isaac, who is a National Democratic Congress (NDC) polling agent.

    Mr. Isaac said Mr Armah-Kofi Buah, apologised over the incident and asked him to withdraw the challenge.

    Mr. Bonzoh hails from the town and had said the challenge was instigated by the NDC.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • NPP’s Awutu Senya West constituency chairman suspended indefinitely for ‘indiscipline’

    The Central Regional NPP Executive Committee has suspended its Awutu Senya West Constituency Chairman, Mr Charles Amoansah, indefinitely for what they described as exibiting gross indiscipline towards patrons and the council of elders

    They have accused Mr Amoansah of inciting citizens to vote against the incumbent Member of Parliament Nenyi George Andah come 2020 Elections.

    Chairman of the Awutu Senya West NPP Council of Elders, Mr Baffuor Odiatuo Ofori Achempong who filed the petition also alledged that Charles Amoansah has created divisions in the party which serves as a treat to the NPP in the forthcoming elections.

    “We deem it necccessary to bring to your notice acts of indisccipline being perpetuated by the constituency chairman, Mr Charles Amoansah. it is our firm belief that if these acts of indiscipline are not resolved, the party stands the chance to lose the 2020 elections,” The New Patriotic Party executives maintained in a press conference.

    Baffuor Odiatuo added, all efforts to invite Mr Amoansah to appear before had so far prove futile.

    He however cautioned Constituency Party executives, Regional executives and some members of Parliament to desist from all acts of indiscipline as they will be made to face severe consequences for it.

    Read the full press statement below

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Ho police launch hunt for swindler

    Michael Brako Danso, described by the police as a self-styled job recruitment agent in the Agotime-Ziope District of the Volta Region is on the run, following allegations that he swindled at least two job seekers of more than GHC60,000 under the pretext of finding them jobs.

    Danso, 35, was said to have been operating his scam since June, 2017.

    A source close to the Volta Regional Police Headquarters in Ho, disclosed these to the Ghanaian Times last Friday.

    It said that in one instance, Danso took an amount of GHC14, 500 from one woman, Cynthia Dufe, a casual cleaner in Kpando, with the assurance to secure her a job in any government institution of her choice.

    However, after obtaining the amount from the woman, Danso went into hiding, said the source.

    Danso, in another instance, was said to have succeeded in obtaining GHC50,000 from a victim in Ho under the pretext of finding a job for him.

    He was also said to have duped another person of a large amount of money at Kpetoe with a similar promise.

    Several attempts by the police to trace the fugitive since last year have turned futile.

    Subsequently, the Regional Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has declared him wanted and gazetted for him to be arrested to assist in investigations into the cases.

    Meanwhile, the Kpetoe District Magistrate Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Danso in connection with one case of defrauding by false pretence.

    The police believe that Danso could be hiding in Tema or Achiase, and appealed to the public to assist with information on Danso.

    Source: Ghanaian Times

  • Fire guts UEW laboratory

    Fire has destroyed numerous chemicals and materials at the University of Education, Winneba, South Campus Chemistry Laboratory.

    The incident which occurred on Wednesday recorded no casualties.

    Information gathered by Kasapa FM News Yaw Boagyan from the Fire Service revealed that the fire outbreak was caused by an electrical fault.

    It took a long time for a Fire engine from Apam to come and quench the fire because the Fire engine at the Effutu Municipality is faulty.

    The workers and security officers had to help to fight the fire to prevent it from spreading.

    The extent of damage is yet to be costed.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • AMA prosecutes lady preacher on ‘No Nose Mask’ Policy, court remands her

    An itinerary Pastor known as Joyce Oyedele, who was spotted preaching without a nose mask at the Central Business District has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court.

    Joyce who is being held for refusal to wear nose mask pleaded not guilty. But Mr Yaw Dankwah who acted as a friend of the court raised objection over who was legally mandated to prosecute the accused.

    Mr Dankwah contended that the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) had not been mandated to prosecute cases of breach of the COVID-19 protocols.

    He said that the Executive Instrument (EI) 64 Section 1 and 4 (1) (2), 2020 did not give the AMA mandate to prosecute.

    He said the prosecution should be done by the Police, adding that the EI gave the Police the power to conduct instant search and that the AMA is not the same as the Police.

    Thus his argument led to the adjournment of the matter to Thursday, August 13. Joyce was however remanded by the court.

    The Prosecution led by Madam Linda Kunbuno, from AMA said on August 10, this year, Joyce was seen not wearing nose musk on two different occasions and was advised to wear one.

    She said on August 11, this year, Joyce was again seen preaching at the ECG office in Accra Central and was using her handkerchief as a nose musk.

    Prosecution said even though someone offered to buy one for her, she declined to take it, saying she was safe in using her handkerchief.

    She said Joyce was later arrested by the COVID-19 Safety Task Force after she declined to wear the mask purchased for her.

    Currently, the COVID-19 Safety Task Force is made up of personnel the Military, Police, AMA, and Zoomlion.

    They are to enforce the Directives on wearing of nose musk to contain the spread of COVID-19.

    Source: Ghana Crusader

  • Takoradi Missing Girls Trial: Judge cautions jury against absenteeism

    Court of Appeal judge Richard Adjei Frinpong, sitting in as an additional High Court judge, was not pleased with the absence of one of the seven members of the jury on Wednesday, August 12 when the case was brought before the Sekondi High court 1 for hearing.

    The judge warned that any member of the jury who would try to indulge in any such behaviour such asbsenteeism that would frustrate a smooth trial could be fined or, at default, be jailed.

    This is because, according to him, the case before the court is one that has generated a lot of public attention and also borders on security.

    “It is for this reason why some of us have sacrificed to sit on the case in spite of the legal vacation,” he fumed.

    At the hearing on Wednesday, the prosecutors tendered in the statements by witnesses after which the counsel for the accused, Mark Bosiah, from the Legal Aid, Kumasi, raised objection against some of the claims by the witnesses

    The case has been adjourned to Thursday, August, 13 when objection by the Counsel for accused would continue.

    Source: 3 News

  • Liberia vice president flies to Ghana for medical treatment

    Liberia’s vice president and former first lady, Jewel Howard-Taylor, has been flown to Ghana for medical treatment after developing “respiratory complications,” her office said in a statement.

    Howard-Taylor flew out of Liberia on Tuesday following a four-day stay at a private medical facility in Monrovia, her press officer Solomon Ware told The Associated Press.

    The Monrovia-based clinic recommended her transfer to a more advanced healthcare facility abroad after she had been stabilized, he said.

    Ware rejected a Liberia News Agency statement linking the vice president´s ailment to COVID-19.

    Liberia´s health sector has remained weak since the country’s civil war ended 17 years ago. Government officials and those who can afford it routinely travel abroad for medical attention.

    Liberians on Wednesday called into radio stations, expressing disappointment and frustration over the poor healthcare system.

    Howard-Taylor, 56, is an ex-wife of former jailed Liberian president Charles Taylor.

    Since becoming vice president to ex-footballer President George Weah in 2018 under a coalition arrangement, she has often complained she´s not treated like the second in command.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Unemployment, education priority concerns for Ghanas youth Afrobarometer report

    Unemployment and education are the most pressing problems for young Ghanaians, according to the most recent Afrobarometer survey.

    Its findings released on International Youth Day show that these are the problems young Ghanaians want to be addressed by the state.

    The survey asked adults of all ages to cite the most important problems they want the government to address, and,  infrastructure and roads were “the most frequently cited priority mentioned by 59% of respondents followed by unemployment (39%) and education (38%).”

    But when narrowed down to Ghanaians between the ages of 18 and 35, unemployment and education were their main concerns.

    “Young adults are 14 and 5 percentage points, respectively, more likely than seniors to cite unemployment and education as their top priorities.”

    The most important problems

    Six in 10 Ghanaians said they “somewhat support” or “strongly support” higher taxes to fund programs to help the youth.

    In addition, 59 percent of respondents said job creation would be the highest priority if the government could increase its spending to help the youth.

    Despite the concern for youth, a majority of Ghanaians “think it is more important to listen to the wisdom of the elders than to the fresh ideas of the young.”

    An adjacent Afrobarometer survey noted that the youth are no less interested in politics than their elders.

    It noted that only 36 percent of Ghanaians agree with the idea that “in order for our country to do well, we should listen more to fresh ideas from young people.”

    Instead, 54 percent say that “we should listen more to the wisdom of our elders,” including 40 percent who “agree very strongly” with this view.

    Should we listen more to the youth or to elders?
    Should we listen more to the youth or to elders?

    “The need to pay more attention to the youth is a minority view across key sociodemographic groups even among youth themselves (38%). Men (40%) and respondents with post-secondary education (40%) are somewhat more likely to emphasize listening to youth than are women (32%) and citizens without formal education (30%),” the survey noted.

    The youth are, however, less likely than older citizens to have attended a community meeting.

    Of the youth surveyed, 43 percent said they had attended a community meeting, 39 percent said they had contacted leaders during the previous 12 months.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Government clears all legacy arrears Education Minister

    Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Minister of Education, on Wednesday said the government has cleared all legacy arrears left by the previous administration to ensure that there was continuity of service delivery in the educational system.

    He said the debts, which were huge on key supplies for educational service delivery, had an outstanding bill of approximately GH¢9 million on Capitation Grant, GH¢4 million on Feeding Grant for Special Schools, GH¢14 million on exercise books to basic schools, and GH¢4 million on the supply of school uniforms among others.

    Dr Prempeh, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Manhyia constituency, said this while delivering a comprehensive statement to Parliament on education reforms and teacher education since the New Patriotic Party (NPP) assumed office.

    “Moreover, there were delays in the disbursement of capitation and feeding grants for Special Schools affecting the effective operation of the schools. Within the period, Government has cleared all the arrears and ensured the timely release of capitation and feeding grants for Special Schools,” he said.

    The Minister mentioned other initiatives and reforms rolled out by the NPP government in the education sector, including training of teachers, staff promotion, the teacher licensure regime, infrastructure investments, a legal and regulatory framework, and improvements in the Technical, Vocational Education & Training (TVET) subsector.

    Source: GNA

  • West African Auto Hub: Ghana accepted what Nigeria rejected

    West Africa, with about 380 million people, is the final frontier for global automakers looking to increase manufacturing capacity in a region where they currently have little presence.

    While local assemblers in Nigeria, home to nearly half of the region’s population, have partnered with companies such as Volkswagen AG to make vehicles in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari last year rejected a bill that would give carmakers a 10-year tax holiday, dealing a blow to their efforts to expand manufacturing capabilities there.

    Now, smaller neighbors like Ghana are stepping up to the plate.

    The country approved its own auto policy last year, offering tax breaks to carmakers and promising to restrict second-hand cars, which account for 70% of vehicle imports in a country with barely any local manufacturing. Within months, parliament banned imports of cars that are more than 10 years in a bid to lure the likes of Volkswagen, Nissan, Toyota and Renault.

    On Aug. 3, Ghana became the fifth location on the continent where VW cars are assembled, even though the bulk of the work – at the initial stage, at least – will be done by a local partner that’s the German carmaker’s main dealer in the nation of 30 million people.

    Volkswagen provided training to the staff of the Accra-based Universal Motors Ltd.’s assembly plant through video conferencing after the pandemic forced borders shut. But Covid-19 has only worsened another roadblock for consumers: affordability.

    People have embraced second-hand cars, coming up with nicknames for the most common brands, because new ones are too expensive and auto-financing is scarce.

    In Ghana, less than 5% of cars are financed by banks, according to the Ghana Automobile Dealers Association. Until that’s addressed, the auto policy’s success will remain in question.

    Source: The Herald

  • Fraud cases in banking sector increase by 5.5% in 2019 BoG report

    New figures released by the Bank of Ghana show that fraud cases in the banking sector increased to 2,295 from 2,175, representing 5.5 percent in 2019.

    The marginal increase in the number of fraud cases according to the central bank could partly be attributed to the improved efforts by the Financial Stability Department to identify, monitor and to ensure compliance with reporting of fraud cases in the industry.

    Giving more details, the document titled 2019 Banking Industry Fraud Report said the various forms of advanced technologies adopted by financial institutions made the banking sector more susceptible to various risks such as phishing, identity theft, card skimming, vishing, email fraud and more sophisticated types of cyber-crime.

    “Similar to the year 2018, in 2019, suppression of cash and deposits accounted for the largest portion of the total number of fraud cases reported to the Bank of Ghana,” the report said.

    The report stressed that about 94 per cent of the fraud cases reported as suppression of cash and deposits were perpetrated by staff (either contract or permanent) of the financial institutions.

    “The alarming rate of involvement of bank staff in the perpetration of fraud in the banking sector, calls for significant reforms in the engagement, remuneration and disengagement processes of employees and contractual staff of financial institutions,” the report noted.

    In 2019, the industry reported a total fraud value of approximately GH¢115.52 million.

    Approximately 28.96 percent that is GH¢33.44 million of this amount was reported as losses and 71.04 per cent that is GH¢82.06million was unsuccessful or recovered.

    The reported total loss value is made up of GH¢10.35million and the remaining balance of GH¢23 million.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • New voters register: 60.09 percent used Ghana Card; Total registered voters is 16,963,306

    The Electoral Commission has announced that a total of 16,963,306 voters have been registered in the mass voter registration exercise which ended last week.

    These provisional figures were announced Wednesday by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Mensa at a press conference in Accra.

    She explained that the figure is pending processes of de-duplication and adjudication.

    More women registered

    At the end of the registration exercise, a total 51.73 percent females were registered while males made up of 48.27 percent were registered.

    The Upper East Region recorded the highest number of female registrants per population with 54.6 percent and the Western Region had the highest number of male registrants per population with 51.2 percent.

    First time voters  

    At the end of the exercise, 762,944 18-year-olds had registered as first time voters.

    This, the EC chairperson said represented 4.5 percent of the total register.

    With respect to 19-year-olds, the EC said 612,104 registered to bring the total number of 18 and 19-year-olds to 1,375,048 persons representing 8.1 percent of the total register.

    Documents presented

    Out of the over 16 million registered, 60.09 percent presented the Ghana Card, 37.99 percent used the guarantor system and 1.92 percent registered with the Ghana passport. 

    The region with the highest persons who used the Ghana Card is the Oti Region, where 79.1 percent presented the Ghana Card followed by the Eastern Region where 78.5 percent presented the Ghana Card. 

    The Western North Region came third with 76.9 percent using the Ghana Card.

    Guarantor system

    With the guarantor system the Upper East Region recorded the highest number with 58.5 percent followed by Bono and Ahafo regions where 57.7 percent used the guarantor system.

    Without finger prints

    The number of applicants registered without finger prints and would be verified on election day using the facial recognition feature are 61,995 representing 0.37 percent of the total number of registered voters.

    The Upper East Region had the highest number of this class of applicants with a total of 9244 found to have problematic finger prints.

    The region with the lowest number of this problem was the Ahafo Region which had a total of 813 persons with problematic finger prints.

    Challenge cases

    The EC Chairperson said a total of 37,762 cases representing 0.20 percent of the total register were challenged with majority of them in the Oti Region followed by the Ahafo and Volta Regions.

    Most of the challenge cases were from the border regions, she said.

    Minors

    The Electoral Commission noted that it has become aware that some minors have found their way unto the register and that it was confident that the challenge process which was still ongoing in various districts will help rid the register of these “illegal” persons.

    Mrs Mensa said the number of persons registered as of the end of Day 36 were 16,932,492 and at the end of the two day mop-up exercise, 30,814 persons successfully registered to bring the total to 16,963,306.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh