TIG Post

Author: Persis

  • Phase-six of voters registration exercise underway

    The Phase Six of the ongoing voters registration exercise, which is the last phase, has recorded low turnout at various centres in the Ablekuma West Constituency of the Greater Accra Region.

    The Ghana News Agency (GNA) observed that there were few applicants at centres such as the Apostolic Church SSNT Flat and Mount Olivet Dansoman One and Two when it visited on Monday.

    It also noted that applicants and officials were in face shield and nose masks and observing the COVID-19 protocols.

    In an interview with the GNA, Mr Samuel Armah, Registration Officer at the Apostolic Church Centre, said most electorates registered at other centres during the initial phases of the exercise.

    He said 74 applicants had registered between Saturday and Monday when the last phase began and though not encouraging, he was hopeful that all those yet to register would endeavour to do so in the coming days.

    Madam Kate Mensah, Registration Officer at Mount Olivet, Dansoman one and Two centres, said her team had been there for two weeks and had registered about 489 applicants.

    She said the voters register would be exhibited from September 11 to 18, adding that 600 registrants were expected to vote at a particular centre during the elections.

    Source: GNA

  • Effective science teaching crucial to Ghana’s progress – Prof Yankah

    Professor Kwesi Yankah, the Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education, said effective teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, is critical to the overall progress of the country.

    Globally, science, technology, engineering and mathematics are acknowledged as the backbone for industrial advancement for economic development, Prof Yankah stated when Ghana Science Association donated 1,000 copies of the “Everyday Science for Schools” magazine to the Ghana Education Service.

    Prof Yankah said science education forms a key policy objective of the current government and seeks to encourage scientific and technical research, towards speeding the socio-economic development of Ghana.

    He noted that with science being at the core of life, a lot more needed to be done to make the learning of science attractive among students and in effect, to also lay the basis for a stronger and more prosperous country, and commended the Ghana Science Association for the donation.

    “This is a task the Ministry of Education is committed to, and we count on groups such as the Ghana Science Association to get it done,” he said.

    Prof Yankah lauded the gesture by GSA, and urged other stakeholders in the country’s educational system to emulate the example and contribute towards a better educational system.

    “I would like to assure you that the Magazines would be sent to our Senior High Schools and Colleges of Education, and they will be put to the right use,” the Minister said.

    Prof Regina Appiah-Opong, GSA Honorary National Treasurer, said while the Association was well set on its mandate to promote the learning and effective application of science towards national growth and prosperity, it had a few challenges.

    She mentioned the non-payment of allowances of Council members, insufficient funds to run crucial programmes among others, as some of the challenges and urged the government to lend more assistance and support to the Association.

    Prof Mohammed Salifu, the Executive Secretary, National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE), challenged the GSA to come up with well-tailored proposals with objectives that spelt out the role government could play towards getting the Association to deliver on its mandate.

    He said the government was ever willing to support the GSA achieve its mandate, but there was the need for the objectives to be well spelt out, with regard to their intended purpose.

    The Ghana Science Association traces its origin to the West African Science Association which was formed in 1953 at the then University of Gold Coast, to provide West African Scientists with a forum to advocate the importance of science and technology as a necessity and bedrock of national development.

    The inauguration of the GSA in 1959, broadened its scope of activities from reading of scientific papers, to involvement in national and international affairs.

    The GSA is mandated to promote, popularise and demystify science, and also improve science education.

    Source: GNA

  • Reopening of tourists sites hinges on satisfying safety protocols – GTA

    Mr Alexander Nketia, the Volta Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), has said the reopening of tourist sites for business would depend on satisfying the safety guidelines and protocols.

    “The Ghana Tourism Authority has developed standard COVID-19 protocols for all tourism enterprises including hotels, restaurants and tourist sites and what we have done at the regional level was to circulate the protocols to the various sub-sectors for compliance,” he said.

    Mr Nketia, who spoke to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) after a tree planting exercise by the Authority at Tafi Atome in the Afadjato District to mark the 2020 Emancipation Day celebration, said the Authority had already sent guidelines to tourist centres ahead of their reopening to the general public.

    He said all tourist sites in the region were currently aware of all the various protocols they were expected to put in place.

    Mr Nketia said the management of the various tourist centres were given time to put the protocols in place and to invite the GTA for inspection before they were allowed to open to the public.

    The Director called on tourists who would be visiting the sites to strictly adhere to the COVID-19 safety protocols.

    He said tourists must observe social distancing protocols and go according to directives given them at various tourism operational sites to help fight the spread of the disease in the region.

    Mr Nketia said the Authority had supplied safety protocol materials such as veronica buckets, tissue papers, soaps and hand sanitizers to tourist sites in the region.

    He said there would be a periodic inspection of all sites to ensure strict adherence to all safety protocols and capacity building workshops organized for tourist centre managers in the region.

    The Director said the GTA had also linked tourist centres to the Ministry of Tourism and World Bank Grant Scheme to enable them to have access to funds to help develop the centres.

    Mr Francis Acquaye, the Manager, Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary and Cultural Village Centre, told the GNA that the Centre had put in place precautionary measures to protect tourists.

    He said the number of tourists at the Monkey Sanctuary would be reduced to ten to ensure social distancing while only tour guides would be allowed to feed the monkeys.

    The Manager noted that the pandemic had affected businesses and the development in the community since the ban on tourism activities due to COVID-19.

    Source: GNA

  • Motor mechanic arrested for allegedly possessing 107 wraps of wee

    The Sege District Police Command has arrested a 33-year-old motor mechanic, Jerry Sheriff for allegedly possessing 107 wrapped dried leaves suspected to be Cannabis.

    The suspect was arrested on Tuesday during a swoop led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) George Aboagye.

    In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, DSP Aboagye said the Police gathered information about someone peddling and dealing in narcotics in the area adding that their investigation led to the arrest of the said man who happened to be Sheriff.

    “We had information that he has been dealing in narcotic drugs so police organized themselves led by myself and we arrested him in a hideout”

    Source: GNA

  • Mahama pledges to work closely with assembly members

    The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has assured assembly members that the next NDC administration will work closely with them to deepen their role in governance.

    Mr Mahama says as the first point of contact for the resolution of many issues in electoral areas, assembly members require support from government to enable them effectively discharge their enormous responsibilities.

    Addressing a meeting with the Ghana Association of Assembly Members (GAAM) at is office in Accra, the former president observed that not only do assembly members attend to the day-to-day needs of the people but they also serve as community development agents.

    He has therefore pledged to design training programmes to improve the capacity of assembly members as well as pay them monthly allowances to encourage them to do more for their communities.

    The NDC flagbearer also reiterated that he will ensure the completion of all projects that the current government has deliberately abandoned including roads, schools and health facilities so that the people can reap the benefit of those projects.

    Touching on COVID-19, Mr Mahama said he called for the involvement of local community leaders such as chiefs, assembly members and opinion leaders in the national response plan to help stop the spread, but that call was ignored.

    The result, he observed, was the woeful failure of the distribution of food relief packages and the poor level of awareness of COVID-19.

    Source: Daily Mail

  • Ghanaian activists sue government to save forest from mine

    Environmental activists have sued Ghana’s government to stop a proposed mining project in a protected national forest, which they say endangers their health and well-being, amid growing calls to increase nature reserves to combat climate change.

    The proposed mine in the Atewa Range Forest is part of a $2 billion deal signed with China, which will gain access to bauxite – used to make aluminium – in exchange for financing infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges in Ghana.

    Seven local advocacy groups and four citizens claim that mining in the forest violates their constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment and their right to protect it for future generations, their lawyer said this week.

    “The forest is our life,” said Oteng Adjei, head of Concerned Citizens of the Atewa Landscape, one of the groups involved in the case, which went to the High Court on July 1, according to documents seen by the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

    “Bauxite mining is a one-time payment. (The government) cannot bring back the original forest.”

    Ghana’s government spokesman did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and the state-owned Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) declined to comment.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has previously said the bauxite can be extracted without disturbing the wildlife, and GIADEC has promised the growing bauxite industry will create 35,000 jobs.

    Scientists estimate at least a million species face extinction in the next few decades and the United Nations wants governments to back plans to conserve 30% of the earth’s surface by 2030 at its Biodiversity Convention in China next year.

    Across Africa, local groups are becoming increasingly emboldened to use the courts to pursue grievances against mining firms, as they balance the need to boost growth and jobs with maintaining their dwindling forest cover.

    Ghana experienced a 60% rise in primary forest loss between 2017 and 2018 – the highest rise in any tropical country, according to the U.S.-based Global Forest Watch, with trees lost to illegal mining, logging and expanding cocoa farms.

    The Atewa forest is home to rare plants and animals and is the source of three major rivers that provide water to millions, including residents of the capital Accra, about 90 km away.

    Campaigners want it to be turned into a national park, but bulldozers have already begun to clear paths in the forest.

    Activists and residents have been campaigning since 2017 to stop the mine with marches, an online petition nearly 30,000 signatures, a billboard outside the presidential palace and support on Twitter from actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

    “It is unfortunate that time and again, citizens have to fight our own government before we can secure our environment,” said Daryl Bosu, deputy national director of A Rocha Ghana, one of the conservation groups suing the government.

    Source: reuters.com

  • Ghanaians in Brussels to arrive home August 11

    The Embassy of Ghana in Brussels has partnered with Brussels Airlines to airlift stranded Ghanaians to Accra Tuesday, August 11.

    The flight would be for Ghanaian as well as resident permit holders who will undertake the 14-days mandatory quarantine upon arrival.

    A statement by the Embassy noted that passengers who are already in possession of Brussels Airlines tickets to Accra will be allowed to use those tickets for the flight.

    Such travellers are to furnish the Embassy with a copy of their ticket. Alternatively, the ticket number and code should be provided.

    Also, passengers are to note that they will pay for the cost of mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated hotels and must be paid directly to the selected hotel before passengers will be allowed to travel.

    Cost of travel stands at €1800.00 (Business Class), €1000.00 (Premium Economy) and €900.00 (Economy).

    Source: Starr FM

  • No student has died of coronavirus Dr. Aboagye Dacosta

    The Ghana Health Service has stated categorically that not a single student has been killed by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

    Following the outbreak of the virus in some senior high schools across the country and subsequent deaths of some students, many were quick to attribute the deaths to COVID-19.

    The latest is the death of a female second-year Gold Track student of Oyoko Methodist Senior High School in Koforidua.

    She collapsed while writing Literature in English Paper Thursday afternoon. She was rushed to the St. Joseph Hospital but pronounced dead on arrival.

    Kasapa News has gathered that the General Arts student was not well in the last three days, and was treated at the sick bay but collapsed during the examination and died.

    But speaking to host Bonohene Baffuor Awuah on Anopa Kasapa on Kasapa 102.5 FM, the Director of Health Promotions at the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Aboagye DaCosta, dismissed such speculation insisting that no student has died of COVID-19.

    “None of the students who were asked to resume schooling has died of Coronavirus and that must be placed on record. Those who have died lost their lives to other ailments.”

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Asantehene petitioned over Adum Kwanwoma chieftaincy dispute

    Opinion leaders including ex-assemblymen at Adum Kwanwoma in the Atwima Kwanwoma District of the Ashanti Region have petitioned the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II over brewing chieftaincy dispute in the area.

    They have, therefore, asked the Asantehene to expedite action on settling the dispute to enable a new chief to be installed in the town.

    The group noted that, since Nana Kofi Adjei IV, the late chief who doubled as Adum Gyaasehene died five years ago, there had been a breakdown of law and order in the town, with citizens living in fear of incessant attacks.

    The petition, which had the signatures of some persons, including Opanin Marfo Albert and Peter Osei Yaw, among others, indicated that since the death of Nana Kofi Adjei IV, the five royal families contesting the stool were becoming frustrated with unnecessary postponement of the case being handled by the Akwamu Division of the Kumasi Traditional Council headed by the Asafohene who has been mandated by the Asantehene to settle the dispute.

    They appealed to the Asantehene to use his good office to find a deserving chief for the area to forestall any disturbances.

    “We are appealing to His Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, as a matter of urgency, to use his good office to find a legitimate chief for Adum Kwanwoma to restore sanity and also avert further future calamity in the community,” it stated.

    The petition was copied to the Minister for Chieftaincy Affairs, Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council, Ashanti Regional Police Command, the BNI and Akwamu Division of Kumasi Traditional Council.

    It noted that the contribution of chieftaincy to the development of the community could not be overemphasised, hence the petition to the Manhyia Palace, and hoped the Asantehene would not hesitate to deliver.

    Source: Ghanaian Times

  • Eid-ul-Adha: Let’s be a blessing to the less privileged – Rawlings

    Former President Jerry John Rawlings has called on Muslims to use the special occasion of Eid-Ul-Adha to be a blessing to the less privileged and pray for the nation amid the coronavirus pandemic.

    A statement by the former First Family stated that “Nana and I join all Muslims as they mark the Eid-ul-Adha the festival of sacrifice, today”

    It said “Eid-ul-Adha is meant to remind us of the willingness of Ibrahim to submit to God; adding that “that test of faith is worthy of emulation by all especially during this difficult period of Covid-19”.

    “Let us use the day to pray for our dear nation as we work to combat the deadly pandemic that has plagued the world”.

    “Let us also take advantage of the period to counsel friends and family on the need to adhere to strict Covid-19 protocols of social distancing, wearing of masks, regular washing of hands and use of hand sanitizers

    “We should also be a blessing on the less-privileged by sharing our celebratory meals with them. We wish all Muslims a solemn celebration.”

    Source: Starr FM

  • SHS student reportedly collapses and dies during exams

    A second-year gold-track student of Oyoko Methodist Senior High School in Koforidua has died during exams.

    The female student collapsed while writing Literature in English WASSCE Thursday afternoon.

    She was immediately rushed to the St. Joseph Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

    Starr News has gathered that the General Arts student was not well in the last three days and was treated at the sickbay.

    The cause of death has not been ascertained as yet.

    Education officials in the region are currently at the hospital where she died.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Coronavirus: A total of 32,096 patients recover, discharged

    Ghana has recorded 32,096 recoveries and discharges with the active cases declining steadily to 3,223, as at July 28, 2020.

    However, seven more persons have succumbed to the respiratory disease, bringing the death toll to 182 cases, representing 0.51 per cent of the mortality rate, which is below the global average of over two per cent.

    Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), announced this in Accra on Thursday, at the COVID-19 Case Count and Management update.

    The Director-General said 359 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded between July 6 and 27 from 41 districts and in 10 regions.

    Dr Kuma-Aboagye said so far 35,501 cumulative cases had been recorded since the first case was recorded on March 12, with 391,378 sample tests conducted, indicating 12,000 tests per a million population.

    Out of the 359 new cases, the Eastern region recorded 112 cases, Greater Accra- 68, Central- 64, Northern – 49, Ashanti-22, Ahafo -14, Upper West -9, Bono – 8, Western North -7, and Savannah -5.

    The Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi remained the hotspots for the dreaded disease.

    The Director-General explained that the active cases were the disease burden of the country, which were being isolated, treated and managed in isolation and treatment centres, with the rest under home management.

    Dr Kuma-Aboagye advised Ghanaians not to take the steady decline in the COVID-19 cases for granted, and thus, underlined the need for all and sundry to continue observing the hygiene and safety protocols since that was the surest way to curb the spread of the respiratory disease.

    Source: GNA

  • Eid-ul-Adha: Pray for Ghana to defeat coronavirus – NPP urges Muslims

    The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has urged Muslims in the country to raise prayers for Ghana and the world at large to defeat the coronavirus pandemic.

    In a statement signed by the General Secretary of the party, John Boadu, he admonished them not to mark the day for celebrations sake but see it as a day to reflect on the sacrifices to their Maker, fellow humans and to society at large.

    “While at it, the party also reminds them of the fact of this day not just being a day for celebrations, but more importantly, a day for them to reflect on their sacrifices, first of all, to their Maker, and then to fellow humans and to society at large.

    “Finally, the NPP, while appealing to the Muslim Ummah to use these two solemn occasions to renew their covenant with Almighty Allah, also implores them to say special prayers for the world and Ghana in particular to contain and ultimately defeat the novel coronavirus,” the statement read.

    Muslims across the globe will on Friday, July 30, 2020 mark their Eid-Ul-Adha.

    Read full statement:

    Today marks the day of Arafah signalling the commemoration of Prophet Muhammed’s (SAW) final sermon and the completion of the Message of Islam.

    Ordinarily, this day would see some millions of Muslims worldwide who have made it to the Holy land of Makkah move from Mina to mount Arafat, also known as the “Mount of Mercy” for the most important part of the Hajj pilgrimage.

    However, owing to the extraordinary times we find ourselves occasioned by the deadly Covid-19 outbreak, the holy pilgrimage to Makkah, this year, unlike ever before, has been restricted to only the Muslims who are within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We are not in normal times indeed.

    The climax of Arafah on the ninth day of Dhu-Hijjah paves way for the observance of Eid-Ul-Adha the following day by the rest of the Muslim Ummah. Friday, 31st July, 2020, is therefore the Eid day.

    Eid-Ul-Adha, in essence, marks the culmination of the holy pilgrimage and significantly, it is a commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim’s famous sacrifice to Almighty Allah.

    As these two historic events are being observed, the NPP is pleased to wish all Muslims the very best in these celebrations both of which mark an important milestone on the Islamic calendar.

    While at it, the party also reminds them of the fact of this day not just being a day for celebrations, but more importantly, a day for them to reflect on their sacrifices, first of all, to their Maker, and then to fellow humans and to society at large.

    Finally, the NPP, while appealing to the Muslim Ummah to use these two solemn occasions to renew their covenant with Almighty Allah, also implores them to say special prayers for the world and Ghana in particular to contain and ultimately defeat the novel coronavirus.

    We are in this together, and certainly, in the name of Almighty ALLAH, (Subhaanahu Wa ta Aala), this too, in the words of His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, SHALL pass to the glory of Allah and country.

    Assalamu alaikum

    …Signed…

    JOHN BOADU

    GENERAL SECRETARY, NPP

    Source: Peace FM

  • Todays newspapers front pages

  • Aboabo residents raise alarm about continuous abuse by National Security operative

    It has emerged that a man claiming to be a National Security operative has been allegedly abusing residents of Aboabo, a community in the Ashanti Region.

    The man, Yehowaa Yakubu or Boyo, started his illegal activities when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) came to power in 2016.

    Accra-based Joy FM reports that residents say Boyo “would beat up anyone who has a confrontation with him and brandish his pistol and a National Security ID card to threaten anyone who dares to retaliate. He behaves like a commando and threatens to shoot anyone who disagrees with him.”

    A viral video in which Boyo was seen threatening to shoot a police officer who is the bodyguard of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Asawase has been cited as evidence of his nefarious activities.

    According to the report, soldiers who were wielding machine guns tried to intervene and calm the irate man down during the confrontation with the policeman, but he brandished his pistol and insisted the police officer leaves.

    Meanwhile, it has emerged that Boyo is not a National Security operative.

    Security expert, Dr Kwesi Anning, has said his sources say Boyo has not been admitted into the fold of the National Security apparatus.

    An investigation into the allegations has since been opened by the police, the report said.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Airbus scandal: Adam Mahama fights Amidu’s extradition attempts with UK lawyers

    Samuel Adam Forster, aka Samuel Adam Mahama, has taken steps to fight Martin Amidu’s attempts to get him into Ghana.

    London-based lawyers for Adam Mahama have reportedly acknowledged receipt of a letter written by the Special Prosecutor asking Adam Mahama to return to Ghana voluntarily from the UK to be interrogated for his involvement in the 4 million Euros Airbus bribery scandal.

    The lawyers have written to Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, saying they will be advising their client accordingly but did not state whether or not they will ask him to honour the invitation.

    Reports indicate that UK-based Adam Mahama, who is a brother to former President John Mahama, received the letter and the ticket for his voluntary travel to Ghana but allegedly refused to act as requested.

    “The letter was said to have been delivered by hand to his mailbox at his London address and sources say he later received it, prompting the action from the UK lawyers,” according to the Daily Guide newspaper.

    Last Friday, the Special Prosecutor revealed that former President Mahama was the ‘Government Official 1’ cited by UK investigators in the scandal.

    Mr Amidu’s office has been pursuing the former President’s brother, also described as ‘Intermediary 5’ in the investigations.

    There are three other foreigners mentioned as individuals who collected or were paid around 4 million Euros in bribes on behalf of Ghanaian top officials for the supply of aircraft to the Ghana Armed Forces during Mr Mahama’s tenure as Vice-President and later President.

    Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, said in a statement last Friday that he had written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to give Adam Mahama the chance to voluntarily join an emergency flight for Ghanaians stranded in the United Kingdom to return to Ghana on Monday, July 27, to face prosecution over the alleged Airbus bribery case.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • We are all guilty, make asset declaration public Majority leader

    Asset declaration has been a useful tool in the fight against corruption identified among public officials.

    In Ghana, all information on asset declaration is only made known to the Attorney General, however, the majority leader in parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu believes that asset declaration which is kept at the “safekeeping of the Auditor General” should be made public to efficiently tackle corruption.

    Speaking on the floor of Parliament, he called for an amendment of Article 286 of the Constitution and Public Office Holders (Declaration of Assets and Disqualification) Act,1998 (Act 550).

    “We need to amend the Constitution, we must, because we will not be doing any good to ourselves if we only glorify the fact that we make declaration which will be known to us (parliament) and the Auditor General who will not be under any compulsion to bring it out,” said Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.

    A person who holds a public office in Ghana is expected to submit to the Auditor-General, a written declaration of all properties or assets before taking office with a second declaration at the end of every four years (end of term in office).

    But according to the majority leader, vice presidents, members of parliament, and other public officials holders right from 1992, have not heeded to this provision.

    “As ministers and public servants, we must ensure that we comply and when we have complied, then we can move beyond our offices to urge other public office holders to also conform,” he charged.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Voters registration: NDC curses Tepa MCE for denying members from registering

    The Municipal Chief Executive Officer for Ahafo Ano North, Hon. Martina Appiah-Nyantakyi has incurred the wrath of members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) after she was accused of masterminding the disqualification of thousands of supporters of their party from registering in the ongoing exercise.

    Supporters of the party publicly invoked curses on the MCE, whom they said, clandestinely worked with the Electoral Commission to deny several of their supporters from registering.

    Reports available indicate that hundreds of supporters of the biggest opposition party were not issued their registration cards after failing to prove their eligibility during a challenging process.

    A heated argument ensued on Wednesday after the MCE reportedly refused to allow the General Secretary of the NDC, Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, from taking part in a meeting held by the EC Committee to adjudicate cases brought before it by interested parties.

    After being disqualified in the process for failing to establish their eligibility as voters within the constituency, members of the opposition party reportedly resorted to curses, invoking powerful river deities to strike the MCE whom they accused of being the mastermind behind a scheme to disenfranchise members of the NDC in the Ahafo North Constituency.

    According to information, a high powered delegation led by the NDC General Secretary thronged the constituency, ostensibly to bulldoze their way through, as the party launches bid to recapture the seat it lost to the NPP in the 2016 general elections.

    They, however, met their match in the MCE who stood her grounds, insisting that the EC Committee be allowed to do their independent work without any interference.

    However, the NDC leadership believes Hon. Martina used her position to influence the outcome of the challenging process, culminating in the disqualification of many potential registrants believed to be affiliated to the party.

    Source: Peace FM

     

  • University of Cape Coast to train Ghana Police investigators

    The University of Cape Coast (UCC) which is located in the Central Region has been chosen by the Ghana Police Management Board to train Investigators of the Criminal Investigations Department of the Service.

    The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the materialization of this initiative was signed yesterday, July 29 at the Academic Board Chamber at UCC.

    This MoU will see the Police Detective Training Academy which trains Police Detectives; affiliated to the Department of Forensic Sciences of the the university.

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. James Oppong-Boanuh and the Vice Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah are the signatories of this MoU whose successful implementation the signatories said will lead to the setting of minimum quality standard for Police Investigators and expertise sharing.

    Present at the short ceremony were the Central Regional Police Commander, DCOP Mrs. Habiba Akyem Tsumasi-Sarpong and members of the Police Management Board and that of the University of Cape Coast Management.

    Source: ghanavanguard.com

  • Bawumia presents 100 buses to Senior High Schools

    Vice president, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on Thursday, July 30, 2020, handed over 100 Hyundai buses to some selected Senior High Schools in the country, specifically, the North East, North West, Savannah, Upper East, Upper West, Oti, Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions.

    The handing over of vehicles to the education sector, the vice president said was in fulfillment of President Akufo-Addo’s commitment to ensure that the education sector is adequately resourced to deliver improved learning outcomes in the country.

    Dr Bawumia assured Ghanaians that “This government will continue to invest in the education of its citizens because it is the right thing to do. We will continue to invest in the frontline managers of our educational institutions because they are central to any education reform we seek to pursue, and we must equip them with the necessary tools to enhance their work to enable them to deliver their mandate in a more efficient manner”.

    He further indicated that these 100 Hyundai buses procured were funded by the GETFUND.

    In March 2020, a total of 365 Isuzu double cabin pickups were given to the metropolitan, municipal and district education offices nationwide.

    The Vice President also handed 493 motorbikes to various district offices to aid the work of circuit supervisors as well as further enhance their supervisory roles in the education sector

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Vacation for SHSs with coronavirus cases to be delayed

    Senior High Schools (SHSs) which have recorded cases of coronavirus in the last 14 days will have vacations for second-year students delayed.

    This is to allow health officials assess and trace contacts of cases before allowing the students to go home.

    Already, the second-year Gold Track students who went to school together with the final-years are almost done with their academic work.

    Health officials have, therefore, put in place measures in discharging these students.

    “The schools that have not reported any case means that those students can vacate and go,” Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye stated on Thursday, July 30 at the bi-weekly press update by the Ministry of Information.

    “The second category is for schools that have had a case. I think in the last two weeks, there have been no case. I advise that they can also vacate and go home.

    “The third group will be any school that has had positive case in the last two weeks. The assessment will be done to identify those who are contacts and if any of them is in that class, their vacation will be delayed while we do an assessment and observation after which they will be asked to go home.”

    So far, Ghana has recorded a total of 35,501 cases of the virus with 182 deaths

    Source: 3 News

  • False beliefs cause of Kafaba lynching – Apostle Opoku Onyinah

    The immediate past Chairman of the Church Of Pentecost Apostle Professor Opoku Onyinah has blamed the lynching of the 90-year-old woman in the Savanna region on false beliefs.

    According to him, Some Ghanaians are increasingly becoming victims of the teachings of false prophets who misinterpret the bible.

    The comments come in the wake of the killing of Madam Akua Denteh over claims accusations of witchcraft.

    Speaking to Lantam Papanko on GHOne TV, the respected preacher said the false beliefs system is a major problem for society.

    “When I saw it I said this is a sad day for Ghana, this is shameful, dark period. This happened because of the false belief system. They are thinking that the woman is the cause of their problem which is not true. And then they are believing what the traditional priestess is saying which also is evil.

    “All those things are wrong, it is the false belief system. Why is it that not one person or two people could be bold enough to take this woman away from there?”.

    Meanwhile, five suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of the old woman

    Source: Starr FM

  • No citizen will be considered less Ghanaian under NDC Mahama promises

    The flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has pledged to change the face of Ghana politics if elected President. John Mahama said the next NDC government will ensure that no citizen is considered less or more Ghanaian than the other.

    In a Twitter post, he suggested every Ghanaian deserves to be treated equally, irrespective of their party affiliation.

    “We will change the face of our politics. No one will be considered less Ghanaian or more Ghanaian than the other on the basis of ownership of a political party card,” the former President tweeted.

    Mahama on Monday officially outdoored his running mate, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang at a ceremony in Accra.

    Speaking at the event, he said the next NDC administration will make primary healthcare free for all Ghanaians.

    He explained that a Free Primary Health Care Plan will be implemented to ensure that both the young and elderly have free primary healthcare.

    The NDC flagbearer also vowed to create one million jobs in his first term if elected President in the December elections.

    Mahama added that the next NDC government has plans to run an aggressive job and entrepreneurial programme.

    Source: Pulse Ghana

  • There is no NPP or NDC government in Ghana – Kabila

    General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), James Kwabena Bomfeh (Kabila) has called on the public to stop referring to the Akufo-Addo administration as an NPP government.

    According to him, tagging the government with a political party name is unconstitutional.

    He expounded that government is about the person who is elected to lead the State, in this case will be President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo not the New Patriotic Party.

    He said this while announcing that the CPP is poised to contest the 2020 elections and revealed the party will unveil its Presidential and Parliamentary candidates on Saturday, August 15.

    “In fact, should President Nana Akufo-Addo decide today to exit the New Patriotic Party, he will continue to be President because as much as he was elected on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party, he is President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. There’s no NPP government . . . There has never been an NDC government. In our constitutional arrangement, it’s not parties that form government but rather the person who has been elected,” James Kwabena Bomfeh said during a panel discussion on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’.

    He also described Ghana’s constitution as a constitution of hypocrisy.

    To him, there are inconsistencies in the contitution.

    He believed the inconsistency is one of the reasons why people tend to call a government by a political party name.

    Speaking to host Nana Yaw Kesseh, he called for an overhaul of the 1992 constitution saying”the whole structure of the constitution and the politics we’re doing under this fouth Republican dispensation, I want to conclude that the case for a constitutional overhaul is eminent and it’s imperative”.

    Source: Peace FM

  • No voter registration on Friday due to Eid al-Adha

    The Electoral Commission, Ghana (EC) has confirmed that there will be no registration across the nation on Friday, July 31.

    The day has been declared a statutory holiday as a result of Eid al-Adha, the Muslim celebration of the sacrifice Ibrahim made to Allah as a sign of obedience.

    By the announcement, the EC reverts to its original timetable.

    Friday, July 31 was selected as the start for the final phase of the registration exercise, which began on Tuesday, June 30.

    “In view of this, the last and final phase of the Voters Registration Exercise will take place from the 1st-6th of August 2020 as earlier scheduled.

    “The public is hereby informed that the Commission will not undertake the Voters Registration Exercise on Friday the 31st of July, 2020.

    “The Voters Registration Exercise will resume on Saturday the 1st of August to Thursday the 6th of August, 2020.

    “The Commission apologises for any inconvenience caused by its earlier release.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Five suspects arrested over Kafaba lynching

    The Ghana Police have arrested 5 persons suspected to have taken part in the lynching of a 90-year-old woman, Akua Denteh, who was accused of witchcraft at Kafaba in the Savannah Region.

    This comes after the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), James Oppong-Boanuh, dispatched homicide experts from the National Police headquarters to the Savannah region, to help search for the murderers of Madam Akua Denteh.

    The suspects have been handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Savannah Regional Police Command at Damongo and are expected to be arraigned before the court within the week.

    In an interview with Citi News, son of the late Akua Denteh, Dominic Mahama, said they are happy with the development so far and hope the real culprits will be dealt with accordingly.

    “Five people have been arrested so far. We thank them [the police] so much. Maybe through them, we can get the actual culprits who did that,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Chief of Kafaba in the East Gonja municipality of the Savannah Region, was arrested by the regional police command in connection with the lynching of the 90-year-old woman. His arrest was to assist the police with investigations, for perpetrators to be brought to book. Background

    A viral video on Social Media showed an old woman being lynched by a group of women, for allegedly being a witch.

    The lynching showed some members of the community cheering on the self-styled priestess and her cohort while the old woman begged for her life.

    The 90-year-old woman has since been buried but the hunt for her killers has just begun.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • AfCFTA to commence operation in January 2021 – Alan Kyerematen

    The African Continental Free Trade Area ( AfCFTA ) whose Secretariat is hosted by Ghana in Accra, is to commence operation by January 2021.

    AfCFTA was created by the African Union (AU) to facilitate and boost trade among member states of the Union.

    The Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan John Kojo Kyerematen made this known when members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of Parliament paid a visit to the AfCFTA Secretariat.

    Mr Alan Kyerematen said “originally the AfCFTA was scheduled to be officially commissioned on 31st March 2020 for commencement of trading among member states under the agreement on 1st July 2020 but the arrangements were rescheduled following the outbreak of Covid19.”

    The Minister said “African Council of Ministers of Trade who will have oversight responsibility over the AfCFTA will hold a meeting in August 2020 , to be followed by a meeting of African Heads of State in December 2020 to approve outstanding work on rules of origin and market access offer before AfCFTA commences operation in January 2021.”

    The Minister said as part of Ghana’s obligation to host the Secretariat of AfCFTA, the country is required to provide a fully furnished office space in a secured and easily accessible location for the Secretary General of AfCFTA and also provide a fully furnished permanent residence for him (the Secretary General of AfCFTA ).

    In addition, Ghana is required to grant diplomatic immunity to staff of AfCFTA and their dependents.

    In bidding for the offer to host the Secretariat, the Minister said Ghana was required to offer US$ 10 million as settling in grant facilitate the setting up of the AfCFTA Secretariat .

    The Minister said the AfCFTA is a tremendous opportunity for Ghana and all AU member states.

    Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of Parliament and MP for Nsawam/Adoagyiri Hon Frank Annoh-Dompreh said the Committee will do all it can to support the Ministry of Trade and Industry to ensure the successful completion of preparation towards the commencement of operation of the AfCFTA.

    The Deputy Minority Ranking Member on the Committee on Foreign Affairs and MP for Jirapa, Hon Dr Francis Dakura described AfCFTA as a fantastic opportunity for the continent.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Todays newspapers front pages

  • Senegal singer Balla Sidibe of Orchestra Baobab dies

    Senegalese singer Balla Sidibe – a founding member of the Orchestra Baobab – has died in Dakar.

    The country’s musical association said Sidibe was in his sixties and died in his sleep “after a very full day of rehearsals with his musical comrades”.

    Orchestra Baobab’s blend of Cuban rhythms, African sounds, soul and jazz made it one of the most successful groups of the 1970s.

    Source: BBC

  • Coronavirus: Ghanas case count now 35,142 with 7 new deaths

    The death toll from the novel coronavirus pandemic in Ghana now stands at 175 with a cumulative case count of 35, 142, according to latest figures released by the Ghana Health Service.

    Active cases in the country now stands at 3,681 as at July 27, 2020.

    The Greater Accra Region has the highest case count with 18, 205 cases followed by the Ashanti Region with 8, 748 cases.

    The cumulative cases per region are presented below as follows:

    – Greater Accra Region – 18,205

    – Ashanti Region – 8,748

    – Western Region – 2,576

    – Central Region – 1,366

    – Eastern Region – 1,304

    Cumulative cases per region continued:

    – Volta Region – 593

    – Bono East Region – 483

    – Bono Region – 431

    – Western North Region – 363

    – Northern Region – 309

    – Upper East Region – 282

    – Oti Region – 192

    – Ahafo Region – 145

    – Upper West Region – 79

    – Savannah Region – 57

    – North East Region – 9

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • MoH begins recruiting doctors, dentists on Monday

    The recruitment of doctors and dentists into the Ghana Health Service will commence on Monday, 3 August 2020, the Ministry of Health has announced.

    In a public notice issued on Tuesday, 28 July 2020 and signed by the Acting Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, Mr Kwabena Boadu Oku-Afari, the ministry noted that the recruitment will commence at 12 PM on the scheduled date.

    The ministry, therefore, informed all doctors and dentists who have completed their house jobs and permanently registered with the Medical and Dental Council between May and July 2020, to apply.

    Also, the ministry said “qualified applicants are requested to formally apply” via its online application portal by logging in and following the instructions to select the preferred agency.

    The notice said the deadline for submission of applications is Friday, 14 August 2020 at 6 PM.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Albinos are humans like us, stop killing them – Kwesi Pratt

    Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr has condemned the unprovoked attacks on albinos in the country.

    According to Kwesi Pratt Jnr, the lynching of a 90-year old woman accused of being a witch and the murder of people with albinism are not isolated issues as they both connote inhumane treatment.

    Speaking on ‘Kokrokoo’ on Peace FM, the seasoned journalist wondered why some people believe albinos have magical powers and could magically make one prosperous.

    Mr. Pratt noted that the death of the elderly woman in Kafaga in the Savannah Region should be a wake-up call to all Ghanaians not to entertain any acts of barbarism on any person.

    “if an albino indeed has magical powers to make one prosperous which makes people murder them, then why don’t you let the albino stay home and produce the money for you to become rich? Why would you kill them? If the body parts of albinos can give one power, then all albinos should have become Presidents…We have to stop such discrimination and backwardness.”

    Watch full submissions below:

    Source: Peace FM

     

  • Africa AGs call on Akufo-Addo to reconsider Domelevo leave directive

    A group consisting of 26 African Auditor-General has written to the President Akufo-Addo to reconsider his proceed on leave directive to the Auditor-General, Daniel Yao Domelevo.

    Mr Domelevo was asked to take his accumulated leave of 167 in June by the President, a directive that has been heavily criticised by majority of Ghanaians and several anti-corruption agencies.

    On Tuesday, July 28, it was revealed that the locks of the Auditor General had been changed after Mr Domelevo passed by the office to pick some documents.

    The letter to the President, signed by Chairperson of AFROSAI-E, a regional organisation with the Auditors-General from 26 English-speaking supreme audit institutions (SAIs), by Ms L Taylor-Pearce and the Chief Executive Officer Ms MMR Nkau stated that they are deeply concerned about the grave repercussions of the infringement on the independence of the Auditor-General of Ghana.

    “Effective SAIs enshrine principles of good governance and make a difference in the lives of citizens by contributing to accountability, transparency, integrity, staying relevant and leading by example.

    “To deliver these value and benefits, a SAI needs an enabling and conducive institutional framework. This includes independence as a primary requirement.We believe that since its establishment, SAI Ghana has made effective strides to institutionalised these values.”

    The statement added that “on behalf of the Auditors General, we appeal to your Office to consider the ramifications that these actions will have on the effectiveness of the SAI and good governance in Ghana.”

    Below is the full letter to the President:

    Mr. Nana Bediatuo Asante

    Executive Secretary to the President

    Office of the President

    Jubilee House Accra

    info@presidency.gov.gh

    28 July 2020

    Dear Mr Asante,

    AFROSAI-E CONCERNS REGARDING INDEPENDENCE OF THE AUDITOR-GENERAL OF GHANA
    I write to you with great appreciation for the ongoing efforts of the Office of the President to implement principles of good governance in Ghana.

    Ghana is a founding member of AFROSAI-E, which is a regional organisation with the Auditors-General from 26 English-speaking supreme audit institutions (SAIs) as members.

    I write to you on behalf of the Auditors-General of AFROSAI-E, to express our concern on hearing that the current Auditor-General of Ghana, Mr Daniel Domelevo, was compelled by the Office of the President, to go on immediate leave.

    We are deeply concerned about the grave repercussions of the infringement on the independence of the Auditor-General of Ghana. Effective SAIs enshrine principles of good governance and make a difference in the lives of citizens by contributing to accountability, transparency, integrity, staying relevant and leading by example.

    To deliver these value and benefits, a SAI needs an enabling and conducive institutional framework. This includes independence as a primary requirement.We believe that since its establishment, SAI Ghana has made effective strides to institutionalised these values.

    The United Nations General Assembly resolution A/66/209, recognises that supreme audit institutions can accomplish their tasks objectively and effectively only if they—the organisation, its members and officials—are independent of the audited entity and are protected against outside influence.

    The resolution further encourages member states to continue to apply, in a manner consistent with their national institutional structures, the SAI independence principles let out in the Lima Declaration of Guidelines on Auditing Precepts of 1977 and the Mexico Declaration on Supreme Audit Institutions Independence of 2007.

    Enclosed with this letter, is a copy of the UN Resolution A/66/209.

    On behalf of the Auditors General, we appeal to your Office to consider the ramifications that these actions will have on the effectiveness of the SAI and good governance in Ghana.

    Especially now,with the severe global economic impact of theCOVID-19 pandemic, strong national institutions that work for the betterment of the public service are essential. We rely on your esteemed understanding regarding this matter.

    Yours sincerely.

    Source: Starr FM

  • UCC establishes resilient Network Operating Centre, installs over 300 CCTV cameras

    The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has set up an ultra-modern resilient Network Operating Centre to promote teaching and learning and to improve security on the campus.

    The centre comes with an IP based Close Circuit Television (CCTV) system, an e-learning server for teaching and research, and a CCTV camera control room, among others.

    Additionally, more than 300 IP based CCTV cameras were installed at vantage points, including the main administration, main streets, the halls of residence and the library to monitor activities of the university.

    At a short ceremony to commission the centre, Professor Joseph Ghartey-Ampiah, the out-going Vice-Chancellor, said the move was part of initiatives to digitise the university.

    According to him, security had become more technological than mere manpower and called for effective collaboration between the Directorate of ICT and the security to provide maximum protection for the university community.

    He expressed delight about the digitisation process and encouraged the incoming university administration to continue with the process to further improve teaching and learning.

    Prof Ghartey-Ampiah expressed the hope that more CCTV cameras would be installed at examination centres to check malpractices.

    Mr Abraham Brew Sam, the ICT Consultant for UCC, explained that the new network system would ensure that the university had a better feel of internet access on campus.

    He said the next phase of the digitisation process of the university would be to improve the faculty networks for easy integration onto the new Networking system for smooth teaching and learning.

    In a related development, the Vice-Chancellor also commissioned the School of Business building Complex and a 25-unit three-storey lecture theatre, both constructed through the Internally Generated Funds (IGF) of the university.

    The lecture theatre was constructed at the cost of GH¢20 million by Top international construction with the consultant being the Directorate of Physical Development and Estate Management of the University.

    Professor Ghartey-Ampiah commended the directorate and the contractors for a good job done and charged them to ensure that the facility is well maintained.

    For his part, Mr Philip Ntim Owusu, Directorate of Physical Development and Estate Management, explained that laboratories for the School of pharmacy and smart classrooms for e-learning, which were not part of the original plan were added to the facility.

    Source: GNA

  • Economic Fighters to hold vigil over killing of 90-year-old woman

    The Economic Fighters League has served notice of a vigil in solidarity with the family of the deceased 90-year-old woman, Madam Mariama Akua Denteh, killed over allegations of witchcraft.

    All things being equal, the 2-hour vigil [7 pm 9 pm] will come off on August, 08, 2020 at the Black Star Gate in the capital, Accra.

    Organizers have written to the Ghana Police Service to seek clearance for the public gathering.

    A copy of the notice to the police sighted by Kasapafmonline.com said: “the reason for the gathering is to express our part of a will to construct a culture of resistance against all excesses that dehumanize us as human beings, and Ghanaians and Africans.”

    According to the organizers, all protocols in accordance with the Presidential directives on public gathering and COVID-19 safety measures will be observed.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Coronavirus: Rapid Diagnostic Testing kits falls short of standards FDA

    The Foods and Drugs Authority (FDA) on Tuesday said 34 antibody Rapid Diagnostic Testing (RDT) kits submitted for validation for use in COVID-19 detection, have failed to meet best international standards.

    Madam Delese Mimi Darko, the FDA Chief Executive Officer, said the acceptance criterion for an RDT validation was sensitivity and a specificity of 99 per cent; stating that the Authority had communicated the results of the test to those who submitted the kits.

    “These RDTs have come in from Ghana, China, United States, Canada, Korea, Finland, Malaysia, Singapore and the United Kingdom,” Madam Darko stated in her presentation at the meet the press series organised by the Ministry of Information to give an update on the COVID-19 pandemic.

    She said antibody RDT Kits were supposed to be used for preliminary screening or emergency screening in a country when resources were limited; “they use blood samples and they give quick results”.

    In response to the growing COVID-19 pandemic and shortages of laboratory-based molecular testing capacity and reagents, multiple diagnostic test manufacturers have developed and began selling rapid and easy-to-use devices to facilitate testing outside of laboratory settings.

    These simple test kits are based either on detection of proteins from the COVID-19 virus in respiratory samples (e.g. sputum, throat swab) or detection, in blood or serum, of human antibodies generated in response to infection.

    Madam Darko said: “Taking all of them into consideration, we have a specificity of between 85 and 99 per cent and sensitivity between 4 and 54 per cent.

    “So if you say that a test is sensitive; it means that it is called a true positive; if you test somebody who is considered sensitive, they would have had the decease before or they are currently having the decease.”

    Madam Darko said the specificity of an RDT determines people who have not being exposed before; “so it is what we call the true negative”.

    “Why do we require an RDT to be highly sensitive? If an RDT is highly sensitive it means that all the true positives will be captured, if it is highly specific or specificity it means that all the true negatives will also be captured. So the fewer false results you have the better it is for the population.”

    She said antibodies tell who had had the virus and how far wide it has spread; stating that, “yet it is a quicker method to use than maybe the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

    She noted that it takes some of them 15 minutes to display their results.

    She said antibody test kits were supposed to be registered by the Food and Drugs Authority before they could be used in Ghana; adding that the RDT kit validation was being done by the FDA in collaboration with Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and the Public Health Reference Laboratory of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

    “They are classified as what we call class four medical devices and the FDA has a guide line for the registration of these medical devices and you require an import permit to bring in even if they are for personnel use,” she said.

    Source: GNA

  • Bryan Acheampong foundation announces scholarship package

    Bryan Acheampong foundation (BAF) has commenced calls for application for its annual scholarship scheme.

    The foundation is targeting senior High School leavers, with a minimum grade of 8 and qualified to enter into a tertiary institutions and students undergoing a course at the tertiary level and maintaining a GPA of 3.0 but whose education is on deferment due to financial challenges.

    The call for application which commences on 27th July, 2020 and expected to close on August, 22nd 2020 is a set of scholarships which serves as part of a wider educational framework objective focused on bettering the educational lives of student indigenes who are unable to enter into or continue their tertiary education due to the lack of financial support.

    In all, a total of 1000 (One thousand) tertiary students across the country are expected to benefit from the scholarship package that will cater for the entire cost of their admission, tuition fees and academic research; as part of the education policy.

    To qualify under this scheme, a beneficiary must be: A resident or indigene of Kwahu.

    A Senior High School leaver with a minimum grade of 8 who qualifies to enter into a tertiary institution or a student undergoing a course at the tertiary level and maintaining a GPA of 3.0 but whose education is on deferment due to financial challenges.

    Unable to financially support financial obligations owed to the tertiary institution.

    An active participant in extracurricular activities such as sports, crafts, debating, etc. with award-winning achievements in such fields. A student with proven leadership abilities.

    One can apply by visiting: https://bit.ly/3f32iZG or or contact the following numbers; +233 24 448 2876 / +233 54 700 7083 Email: info@bryanacheampongfoundation.com

    Source: Atinka Online

  • Five persons remanded over attempted murder

    Five persons who tied another man with a rope and tried to lynch him at Twenedaso, near Mpasatia in the Atwima Mponua District, have been remanded into police custody by the Nkawie Circuit Court.

    Adama Ali 52, Haruna Ali 52, Kofi Daniel 45, Godwin Lare 48, all farmers and Haruna Salifu 25, driver, were said to have tied the neck and hands of Kwame Owusu, alias “Kramo” with a nylon rope and beat him severely for damaging the water hose used in their illegal mining activities.

    Prosecuting, Detective Inspector Anthony Acheampong told the court presided by Mr Johnson Abbey that the suspects and the complainant are all residents of Twenedaso.

    He said on March 09, this year at about 0900 hours the suspects attacked the complainant for allegedly damaging their water hose.

    The prosecution said the suspect repeated the assault on the complainant at 1600 hours on the same day in front of the house of Adama Ali and Haruna Ali and tied him with a rope.

    Inspector Acheampong said the complainant was rescued by some neighbours and reported the case to the Nkawie police who arrested the suspects.

    He said the accused in their cautioned statement admitted the offence and were therefore charged and brought before the court.

    Source: GNA

  • Muslims begin downsized Hajj pilgrimage

    Muslim pilgrims will on Wednesday begin the annual Hajj, dramatically downsized this year as the Saudi hosts strive to prevent a coronavirus outbreak during the five-day pilgrimage.
    The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam and a must for able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lifetime, is usually one of the world’s largest religious gatherings.

    But this year only up to 10,000 people already residing in the kingdom will participate in the ritual, a tiny fraction of the 2.5 million pilgrims from around the world that attended last year.

    “There are no security-related concerns in this pilgrimage, but (downsizing) is to protect pilgrims from the danger of the pandemic,” said Khalid bin Qarar Al-Harbi, Saudi Arabia’s director of public security.

    Pilgrims will be required to wear masks and observe social distancing during a series of religious rites that are completed over five days in the holy city of Mecca and its surroundings in western Saudi Arabia.

    Those selected to take part in the hajj were subject to temperature checks and placed in quarantine as they began trickling into Mecca at the weekend.

    State media showed health workers sanitising their luggage, and some pilgrims reported being given electronic wristbands to allow authorities to monitor their whereabouts.

    Workers, clutching brooms and disinfectant, were seen cleaning the area around the Kaaba, the structure at the centre of the Grand Mosque draped in gold-embroidered cloth towards which Muslims around the world pray.

    Hajj authorities have cordoned off the Kaaba this year, saying pilgrims will not be allowed to touch it, to limit the chances of infection.

    They also reported setting up multiple health facilities, mobile clinics and ambulances to cater to the pilgrims.

    The foreign press are barred from this year’s hajj, usually a huge global media event, as the government tightens access to Mecca.

    ‘Indescribable feeling’ Saudi authorities initially said only around 1,000 pilgrims residing in the kingdom would be permitted for the hajj, but local media reports say as many as 10,000 will be allowed to take part.

    Some 70 percent of the pilgrims are foreigners residing in the kingdom, while the rest will be Saudi citizens, authorities said.

    All worshippers were required to be tested for coronavirus before arriving in Mecca and will also have to quarantine after the pilgrimage as the number of cases in the kingdom nears 270,000 — one of the largest outbreaks in the Middle East.

    They were given elaborate amenity kits that include sterilised pebbles for a stoning ritual, disinfectants, masks, a prayer rug and the ihram, a seamless white garment worn by pilgrims, according to a hajj ministry programme document.

    “I did not expect, among millions of Muslims, to be blessed with approval,” Emirati pilgrim Abdullah al-Kathiri said in a video released by the Saudi media ministry.

    “It is an indescribable feeling… especially since it is my first pilgrimage.”

    The hajj ministry said non-Saudi residents of the kingdom from around 160 countries competed in the online selection process but it did not say how many people applied.

    Some disappointed applicants have complained that the government-run lottery was not clearly outlined and that no reason was given for their rejection.

    Economic slump The hajj ministry has fielded a deluge of anguished queries on Twitter from rejected applicants.

    But Hajj Minister Mohammad Benten insisted the process was transparent, telling the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya television that “health determinants” formed the basis of selection.

    Despite the pandemic, many pilgrims consider it safer to participate in this year’s ritual without the usual colossal crowds cramming into tiny religious sites, which make it a logistical nightmare and a health hazard.

    Even in a regular year, the hajj leaves pilgrims exposed to a host of illnesses.

    The government scaled back the pilgrimage as it could be a major source of contagion, but the move will deepen the kingdom’s economic slump, analysts say.

    Saudi Arabia is already facing a sharp downturn in oil prices due to a collapse in global demand driven by national lockdowns, which triggered austerity measures, including the tripling of a value added tax and cuts to civil servants’ allowances.

    The virus has also battered pilgrimage-reliant businesses that support hundreds of thousands of jobs in Mecca, from travel agents to street barbers and souvenir shops.

    The Hajj and the year-round umrah pilgrimages together rake in some $12 billion annually.

    Source: Pulse Ghana

  • Todays newspapers front pages

  • Suit on the monopoly of Ghana School of Law thrown out

    The Supreme Court on Tuesday threw out a suit challenging the accreditation of the Ghana School of Law as the sole educational institution to conduct the professional law programme in the country.

    The seven member panel unanimously held that some of the reliefs invoking the original jurisdiction of the SC sought by Professor Kweku Asare had not been properly invoked hence dismissed the action.

    Reasons of the seven member panel, the SC said would be filed at the Registry of the Court.

    Prof. Asare, a Fellow in Public Law and Justice at the Centre Democratic Development (CDD)-Ghana sued the Attorney General (AG) and General Legal Council (GLC) over the mode of arrangements on legal education which he believed was unconstitutional.

    Prof. Asare was praying the apex court of the land to rule that pursuant to Article 25 (2) of the Constitution, accredited public and private universities have the right, at their own expense, to establish and maintain Law Faculties to offer the Professional Law Course that prepares students for the Qualifying Certificate Examination.

    The provision says, “Every person shall have the right, at his own expense, to establish and maintain a private school or schools at all levels and of such categories and in accordance with such conditions as may be provided by law.”

    The law lecturer also wanted a declaration that the distinction between the Professional Law Course, run by the Ghana School of Law, and the Academic Law Course, run by approved Universities, is arbitrary and capricious and done only to further the monopoly power of the Ghana School of Law in violation of Articles 296 (b).

    Source: GNA

  • NSS In Bolgatanga goes digital to curb the spread of coronavirus

    ShareThe National Service Scheme (NSS) in the Bolgatanga Municipal, Upper East Region has adopted online services for applications and postings to minimize direct contact with stakeholders.

    The measure is to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus and keep all stakeholders safe.

    Mr Brown Korley, the Municipal Manager of the National Service Scheme, in an interview with the GNA in Bolgatanga, said his office began receiving applications online from user organizations for the services of NSS personnel.

    He said because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the scheme had moved away from the traditional system of distributing letters and personal arrangement to online applications by the user organizations.

    It was also using television and radio to make announcements on updates for interested student applicants and user organizations.

    “We are not in normal times and the observance of COVID- 19 protocols is critical and it is more difficult to take letters of students on attachment round to user organizations that request for their services,” Mr Korley said.

    He said over 1,000 National Service Personnel were attached to various institutions in the Municipality within the 2019 -2020 year and trained teachers were due to complete their service in August while other two batches in education and health would end their service in September 2020.

    Mr Sulemana Harrin Paul, a National Service Person, who will be completing his attachment at the Bolgatanga Regional Coordinating Council in August 2020, appreciated the strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocols by the Council, which ensures that hand washing buckets, soap and sanitizers were available all the time.

    He urged other organizations patronizing National Service personnel to endeavour to do same to protect them from the virus by providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and constantly ensuring that they followed the protocols.

    Notable institutions that patronize the services of the scheme include the Ghana Education Service, the Regional Coordinating Council, District Assemblies and the Volta River Authority.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus does not spread fast in buses – GHS

    The evidence so far in the country does not support the risk of transfer of COVID-19 in cars like other diseases, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has said.

    The evidence so far in the country does not support the risk of transfer of COVID-19 in cars like other diseases, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has said.

    “Our advice to allow all form of transportation services to resume full operation is that based on our experiences and contact tracing activities we have had cases all over but we have not found anyone who traced the infection through transport,” he said.

    Speaking at a media briefing to give updates, Dr Kuma-Aboagye stated that activities in cars were not like other places because the passenger is supposed to wear a nose mask, which limited the spread of the virus.

    He said the virus spread through contacts and droplets from an infected person through speaking, singing, coughing and sneezing.

    Dr Kuma-Aboagye said although in theory when more people were allowed out the risk was likely to go up and lead to spikes, adherence to the safety protocols would enhance safety.

    He said it was observed that people were increasingly adapting to the COVID-19 safety protocols and that was the reason why the government was easing the restrictions.

    “Also since we have to live with the disease, it is important everyone adheres to the protocols religiously. That is the key solution because I know someone who has been with infected persons for some time now but the fellow has not contracted the virus,” he said.

    The GHS and stakeholders had intensified their education on COVID-19 and urged the media to support the cause.

    Source: GNA

     

  • Rotary Club improves water access in Upper West Region

    Mr Ahlex Kontor, the Past President of the Rotary Club of Wa, has announced plans by the club to improve access to potable water and good sanitation in the Upper West Region.

    As part of the agenda, the Club had collaborated with Rotary Club of Windsor in Canada to construct 12 boreholes in the Upper West Region at the cost of $163,094.

    Mr Kontor, who was addressing a handing over ceremony of the club in Wa at the weekend, noted that the project would benefit about 25,000 people in the Region.

    “The club in partnership with Rotary Club of Windsor in Canada has gotten approval from Rotary Foundation to undertake the construction of another 12 boreholes under the project “Bring clean water to Jirapa Municipality”, of which the construction of three boreholes has commenced”, he explained.

    Mr Kontor said the club, in partnership with Rotary Club of Oregon Florence in the USA, is also working to secure funding from the Rotary Foundation to construct 12 boreholes in 12 communities, including five health facilities in five Municipalities and Districts in the region.

    He said the club would also construct 28 micro flush toilets in the Wa Municipality to support the fight against open defecation.

    Other interventions being undertaken by the club in the 2019/2020 Club year included Hepatitis B screening for 400 people in the region and completion of phase II of the Jirapa town water expansion project among others.

    “Fellow Rotarians, let us remain committed to giving to the Rotary Foundation for that is the life-wire of Rotary projects,” Mr Kontor urged.

    Mr Sylvester Dery, the President of the Rotary Club of Wa, observed that the club could achieve its goals as the best humanitarian club through effective teamwork.

    He said the theme for the 2020/2021 Rotary year was “Rotary opens opportunities”, and that members could create those opportunities through the execution of the humanitarian projects.

    He pledged to work hard to enable the club to achieve its goals and to meet the theme for the year.

    The Rotary Club is a global humanitarian organisation that works towards improving the livelihoods of the people, especially less advantaged groups in society, in the areas of maternal and child health, water and sanitation, disease prevention.

    It also works to enhance Literacy and Education, peace and conflict prevention as well as community and economic development.

    Also present at the handing over ceremony was Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, the Upper West Regional Minister, as the Guest of Honour.

    Source: GNA

  • 90-year-old death: Clear faces in video but no arrest yet? – Pratt asks police

    Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has called on the Ghana Police Service to expedite their hunt for the culprits in the murder of a 90-year-old woman at Kafaba near Salaga in the Savannah Region.

    A video surfaced on social media showing some unidentified persons mercilessly whipping the elderly woman who they accuse of being a witch and lynched her.

    The woman was condemned to death in full glare of people who looked unconcerned for such babaric act to be carried out.

    The assault on the elderly woman is said to have been ignited by a female Priestess in the area who claimed the 90-year-old woman is a witch and, as part of measures to exorcise her, incited the ‘beating’ parade.

    Speaking on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’ programme, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. wondered why no suspect has been arrested by the Police Service yet, saying if it were a different incident, the security personnel would have been swift in their investigations.

    He stressed the perpetrators of this heinous crime were clearly seen in the viral video and so wants the Police to quickly swoop down on them.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Government to pull down GBC, Telcos masts at Wa Airport

    Masts belonging to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and some telecommunications networks mounted around the Wa Airport are hampering the full operationalization of the facility, Aviation Minister Joseph Kofi Adda has said.

    According to Mr Adda, efforts to get owners of the masts to remove them have proved futile.

    Answering questions in the name of Wa Central MP Dr. Rashid Pelpuo, Mr. Adda disclosed that but for COVID-19, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority through the national security were going to pull down the masts and surcharge the owners.

    According to the Navrongo MP, the continuous existence of the masts pose a threat to aircrafts.

    “The main obstacles faced at the Wa Airport are the siting of communication masts in the airspace around the airport. The masts are owned by the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Radio Upper West, Vodafone and AirtelTigo.”

    “The authority was collaborating with the appropriate authorities to move the masts and surcharge the owners when the COVID-19 pandemic came up and stalled the process. In this regard, the GCAA has since resumed its collaboration with the appropriate agencies to get the masts removed,” Mr Adda told Parliament.

    Source: Starr FM

  • New 655 coronavirus cases push cumulative case count to 33,624

    Ghana has recorded 655 new cases of coronavirus, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has announced.

    The latest update sends the total number of confirmed cases to 33,624. The death toll remains 168 while recoveries/discharges have increased to 29,801, leaving the country with 3,655.

    Below is the Regional Breakdown of the cases record so far:

    Greater Accra Region – 17,383

    Ashanti Region – 8,229

    Western Region – 2,563

    Central Region – 1,362

    Eastern Region – 1,244

    Volta Region – 588

    Bono East Region – 436

    Bono Region – 426

    Western North Region – 363

    Northern Region – 308

    Upper East Region – 282

    Oti Region – 174

    Ahafo Region – 121

    Upper West Region – 79

    Savannah Region – 57

    North East Region – 9

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • More formal education needed to break outmoded tradition Senior Lecturer

    Senior Lecturer at the Department of Sociology of the University of Ghana Dr. Kodzovi Akpabli-Honu has called on government to push formal education to all corners of the country to develop minds scientifically.

    He says education is one of the sentiments of the solution to some barbaric traditional beliefs.

    He made this known in the wake of the lynching of 90-year-old Akua Denteh in Kafaba, a suburb of Salaga, in the Savannah Region.

    She was lynched for allegedly being a witch though reports say she was suffering from dementia.

    “There are several traditional belief systems which are outmoded and archaic and dehumanise individuals.

    “We seriously need education on some of these beliefs.”

    Speaking to Alfred Ocansey on Sunrise on 3FM, the Senior Lecturer added that there is a need for an enforcement of the law on people who violate the constitution and indulge in barbaric acts.

    He further urged the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to deploy people with knowledge in such situations to engage and educate individuals on their traditional beliefs and its contrast to the constitution.

    Source: 3 News

  • President orders police to pursue murderers of Akua Denteh

    President Nana Akufo-Addo has directed the Police to as a matter of urgency solve the gruesome murder of Madam Akua Denteh, a frail 90-year-old woman, accused of practicing witchcraft.

    He emphasized on the urgent need for the Police to immediately bring to book perpetrators of the henious act to ensure that justice was swiftly delivered.

    President Akufo-Addo made the order when he inaugurated the Yapei Water System on Monday to extend potable water to 18,149 residents in five communities in the Central Gonja District of the Savannah Region.

    President Akufo-Addo expressed revulsion at the killing of the 90-year-old woman, saying “it should not happen again”.

    Madam Akua Denteh, was on Thursday beaten to death at Kafaba, a farming community in the Salaga South Constituency by some local residents who accused her being a witch and the source of certain strange happenings in the area including the slow pace of the town’s development.

    The incident was captured on video and had since gone viral on social media.

    The Inspector General Police had dispatched a team of crack homicide personnel to solve the murder.

    The incident had attracted condemnation from civil society organisations, politicians, gender and human rights activists across the country.

    President Akufo-Addo expressed support for a foundation established in her memory (Akua Denteh) by the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council to campaign against such beliefs, human rights violations and barbaric acts in the area.

    Madam Akua Denteh had since been buried.

    Source: GNA

  • We welcome the opportunity to expand our services – Most Rev Boafo

    The Most Reverend Dr Paul Kwabena Boafo, Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana, has welcomed the easing of the COVID-19 restrictions on in-person church services and urged Christians to comply with the safety protocols.

    Most Rev. Boafo, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, in Accra, on Monday, said the leaders of the Church must show good faith by strictly adhering to all safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among members.

    Most Rev. Boafo, who is also as the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, reminded the Church that the protocols provided an effective means to end community spread, hence the importance of collaborating with health authorities and the State through self-regulation and monitoring.

    He thanked the President for involving the Church in all the deliberations in the fight against the pandemic.

    “We are grateful for listening and even engaging us in coming out with this decision. We are also thankful for the donation of PPE through the Ministry of Local Government- it went a long way to serve our societies in the rural areas. The veronica buckets, tissue paper, soaps and detergents and all of that have been useful”.

    Most Rev. Boafo urged Ghanaians to continue to have faith in God to see them through the pandemic. He said the Church would continue to pray for all the frontline health workers so they could continue to lead the fight against the virus.

    Most Rev. Boafo also thanked the media for its role in educating the public on the pandemic and the need to observe the safety protocols.

    The President on Sunday, July 26, announced the lifting on the restriction on in-person church and mosque services in properly fresh air-ventilated environments, amid the observation of social distancing and hygiene protocols, effective, Saturday, August 1, 2020.

    Services, are however, not to exceed two hours, while there should be a record of congregants for contact tracing.

    At present, in-person services must not have congregants exceeding 100, while services must not exceed one hour.

    Source: GNA