TIG Post

Author: Persis

  • Ursula justifies decision to shut down 3 GBC Channels

    The Minister for Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekufful, has justified the decision to shutdown three channels belonging to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, GBC.

    The minister in a letter to the Director-General for the state broadcaster explained the move is to free up space on the DTT platform which she argues is full.

    But management and board of GBC have taken issue with the directive compelling them to run to the National Media Commission for redress.

    The GBC has six channels on the DDT Platform and the Communications Minister is asking the state broadcaster to consolidate their channels to three.

    The minority through its member of Communications Committee Samuel Nartey George has accused the minister of stampeding the work of the state broadcaster.

    But speaking to the media the communications minister explained she is well within her rights to take the decision aimed at freeing up space and reducing for maintenance of the DTT platform.

    According to her, the NMC cannot compel the ministry to take back the directive.

    “The fact still remains that the sole multi channel through which broadcasting can be transmitted in this country for now is full to capacity, there is absolutely no redundancy on it, for us as a country it is dangerous to be in this situation.

    “Pending the acquisition of an additional multiplex which will provide for more capacity on that and it has absolutely nothing to do with spectrum…it is the multiplex which has capacity challenges and not spectrum and until such time as we acquire an additional multiplex to provide channels for broadcasting in this country, we have no other means of doing so and so a responsible ministry in a responsible government has take the only means available to it at this time to sit with those who have excess capacity on that multiplex to cede some of it for the security of our own state.”

    Source: Starr FM

  • Ghanaians are eager to vote in the 2020 elections, Ghana Election Poll finds

    Amid the coronavirus pandemic and the fast-rising cases recorded in the country, Ghanaians have expressed massive interest in taking part in the December 2020 general elections to vote for a president and parliamentary representatives.

    The first wave of results of the Ghana Election Poll conducted online via the renowned market research firm MSI-ACI from May 1 through to June 30 finds a growing majority of Ghanaians plan to vote in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.

    Overall, 78% of respondents who were of the voting age (18) more than three-quarters responded with a resounding “Yes” to taking part in the elections while 10% said “No” to taking part in the elections. 12% were on the fence.

    Out of the weighted sample of 792 adults, both males and females plan to vote in the upcoming elections by 83.4% and 73.2% respectively. Respondents between the ages of 25 and 29 years appear to be less enthusiastic for the upcoming elections compared to other age groups.

    The Greater Accra Region recorded the highest number of would-be voters; however, a larger number of respondents did not plan to vote. Meanwhile, the Ashanti, Central and Northern regions have a lot more voters who are planning to vote compared to those who do not plan to vote.

    Results for the full sample have a margin of sampling error (with finite population correction) of plus or minus 3.482%. A representative sample of the Ghanaian population was achieved by weighting (matching) the data according to age and gender demographics of the 2010 population and housing census and the Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS 7).

    Seven questions were asked in the first wave of the Ghana Election Poll and their corresponding results would be published within the next three weeks. The questions include:
    1. Do you plan to vote in the 2020 election?
    2. If the December 2020 elections were to be held today, which party do you feel will win?
    3. Do you think Akufo-Addo has fulfilled his promises well enough to deserve re-election?
    4. Do you think former President John Mahama deserves to return as President of Ghana?
    5. Do you think it is time to vote another party into power apart from the NDC and NPP?
    6. Do you feel there is a possibility of vote-rigging in the 2020 election?
    7. Who are you planning to vote for if the 2020 elections were held today?

    The Ghana Election Poll is powered by GhanaWeb and the Africa Consumer Panel which is a cooperation between the digital publisher Africa Business Communities and renowned market research firm MSI-ACI.

    The online poll is conducted every month and the results are published at the beginning of every other month on GhanaWeb.com. It is devoid of spam as the respondents can take the survey only once. The MSI-ACI platform that hosts the survey records the device on which the respondent takes the poll and does not allow for a second attempt from the same device.

    The Ghana Election Poll is different from the open-access poll which is running on GhanaWeb. The latter allows participants to self-select into participation and its results cannot be generalized because it is a representative of only the participants of the poll.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • 6 busted over GH¢46.1 million bank fraud

    Six people who allegedly hacked into a bank and attempted to transfer GH¢46, 129,473 to eight individuals in different banks have been arrested by the police.

    They are Hudu Abdul Mumuni, Emmanuel Adams, Moro Issah, Agbenu Fefous Chrissy, Sam Acquah, a former banker and owner of Adom Sika Savings and Loans Limited and James Taylor, a web developer.

    Two others, Boateng Mends, and one identified as “Pussy Cat” are on the run and being sought for by the police.

    The Director of the Cybercrime Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dr Gustav Herbert Yankson told the Ghanaian Times in Accra yesterday.

    He said on July 2, 2020 a petition was received by the Unit from the management of the bank (name withheld) that someone remotely logged into the banking software and used the login credentials of some staff that were on leave to transfer the money to eight individuals of different banks.

    He said during investigations on July 3, Mumuni was arrested at First Atlantic Bank at Ridge, Adams at Fidelity Bank at Madina, while Issah and Chrissy were apprehended at Dansoman when they showed up to withdraw the wire transferred from the bank.

    Dr Yankson said on July 2, between 1:00am and 10:00am 13 fake SWIFT transactions with some initiated outside working hours were fraudulently made to the accounts of eight people.

    The director said management of the bank detected the fraudulent activity and disabled the SWIFT to prevent further transfer, adding that all banks involved were quickly alerted to prevent withdrawals.

    Dr Yankson said a forensic examination of the devices retrieved from suspects indicated that Mends and Pussy Cat were part of the syndicate.

    He said the suspects were currently on police enquiry bail whiles investigations were ongoing.

    The director called on banks to adhere to the Bank of Ghana cyber security directives, stating that within the last four months the unit has recorded some crimes against the banks which were in the form of network and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) attacks.

    He recommended that the Bank of Ghana (BoG) ensured that the cyber security directives are enforced.

    Dr Yankson called on banks to install Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) to monitor activities within and outside.

    Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

  • Body of a juvenile with missing parts found in Kuano River

    A body of a juvenile about 10 years old, has been found in the Kuano River at Asiam, a suburb of Dokrokyiwaa near Coaltar in the Eastern Region.

    According to Mr Francis Gomado, Deputy Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Eastern Regional Police Command who disclosed the incident to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), the body of the female juvenile was found with the throat slashed, the genitals removed, the intestines gashing out of the body and the face disfigured.

    He said the body was found by the Coaltar Police after receiving a distress call from Asiam.

    The body, yet to be identified, was found dressed in a red skirt with a sports shorts lying in a prone position in the shallow part of the river.

    Mr Gomado said, the body has been deposited at the Nsawam Government Hospital morgue for preservation, identification and autopsy, while efforts are being made to trace the relatives and arrest the culprits.

    Source: GNA

  • Sack ECs Deputy Returning Officer for demanding bribe Wasipe youth demand

    The Concern Youths of Wasipe (Daboya) in the North Gonja District of the Savannah Region have petitioned the District Director of the Electoral Commission (EC) for the North Gonja District to remove the deputy returning officer for the district, Mr Issaka Muniru, because of his alleged persistent demand and taking of money from his colleague temporal workers of the electoral commission anytime there is an exercise.

    A statement issued by a group called the Concern Youths of Wasipe and signed by all the executives which was copied to Bole based Nkilgi Fm and other stakeholders stated that the said Mr Issaka Muniru popularly called Teacher Bii has over the period of his engagement as deputy returning officer of the North Gonja District always been showing some kind of misconducts anytime the commission carries out any exercise in the district”.

    They stated that, “Mr Issaka Muniru most of the time deliberately shorten the number of electoral officers to be recruited for a polling station or a centre, “this is what he always does during elections, limited registration and exhibition and for instance, during the exhibition of the limited registration exercise, he assigned one Mr. Issahaku Abubakari to work in three different centres single-handedly and that is Donkompe, Wawato and Gurbagu”.

    The Concern Youths of Wasipe again said, “Another bizarre behaviour of Mr. Issaka Muniru is his persistent demand and taken of money from his colleague temporal workers of the electoral commission anytime there is an exercise.”

    The Concern Youths of Wasipe cited an example that “during the 2018 referendum to create the new regions all those who worked as temporal officers were made to pay an amount of GHc20.00 to him (Mr Issaka Muniru) after taken their allowances” and that as if this was not enough “during the last District Assembly elections, he again demanded to take GH¢30.00 from each worker”.

    The Concern Youths of Wasipe alleged Mr Issaka Muniru only rescinded the decision after some two courageous people decided to report him to the Electoral Commissuon District Director in 2019.

    “He (Mr Issaka Muniru) always use his position as a returning officer to threathen people who in one way or the other have a personal disagreement with him. For example, Mr Fuseini Abdul Rauf who had a disagreement with him on personal grounds got rejected by him when he applied for a registration officer in this ongoing registration exercise as he earlier made a promise to him during their disagreement. Another typical example is one Mr Dari Braimah who also picked a challenge with him when he the returning officer to some unlawful money from him during the payment of the exhibition exercise. During the time of this challenge, he openly told Mr Braimah that, next time he will never be recruited for any temporal exercise of the commission. Low and behold. It really happened during this registration exercise,” the group alleged.

    According to the group; “We cannot allow an individual, based on his or selfish gains to come and put the good name of our district into public ridicule. We are therefore appealing to your good office to critically look into these our concerns and address them appropriately”.

    Source: nkilgifmonline.com

  • Two Nigerian kidnappers grabbed

    The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) of the Ghana Police Service (GPS) in the Central Region has arrested two Nigerians at Gomoa Pomadze on suspicion of kidnapping and human trafficking.

    According to police, the suspects, Paul Okafor and Duru Favour, are said to be engaged in kidnapping and trafficking of young Nigerians to perpetrate cybercrime and other criminal activities in the country.

    DSP Irene Oppong, Regional Police Public Relations Officer and Head of the AHTU, said 39 victims, all Nigerians in their twenties, were rescued in the process.

    She said on Sunday, July 12, at about 11:00 a.m., the Winneba District Police Command, acting on information, dispatched a police patrol team to Gomoa Pomadze where they met a 21-year-old Nigerian, Charles Ikorohk, in the company of three Ghanaians.

    She said Ikorohk told the police that he arrived in the country from Nigeria on Wednesday, January 22, to visit a friend but could not trace him.

    He said he got stranded in Accra where he met one Uzo at the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange area, who later introduced him to one Arisuezo, also a Nigerian.

    She said Arisuezo brought Ikorohk to Winneba and kept him in a walled house together with other young men from Nigerian.

    According to DSP Oppong, Arisuezo prevented his captives from leaving the compound and subjected them to all forms of inhuman treatment and also engaged them in cybercrime activities.

    She said Charles managed to escape on Sunday, July 12 about 8:00 a.m. when he was tasked to weed the compound of the house while their supervisors went out with one of the victims to a mobile money vendor to withdraw some cash fraudulently received.

    She said the police, after receiving a tip-off, quickly went to the house and rescued the 39 Nigerians and arrested the suspects.

    Thirty-six laptops were also retrieved from the house. DSP Oppong said the owner of the house was arrested and given a police enquiry bail, while investigations were ongoing to arrest Michael Arisuezo and his other accomplices.

    Source: GNA

  • Tension looms in Banda over killing of student

    There is growing tension in the Banda Constituency in the Bono Region following the death of a 28-year-old Silas Wulochamey, a graduate of Methodist University College.

    The sad and untimely demise of Silas who many describe as calm and God-fearing has heightened tension in the area.

    The tension has heightened the fears of residents that there may be reprisal attacks to atone for the death of the deceased who was cruelly murdered.

    A resident who spoke to GhanaWeb on condition of strict anonymity revealed that there are indications the death of the boy is likely not to go unpunished.

    “We are living in fear as there are indications that there will be retaliation to atone for the death of Silas. I can tell you on authority that it will happen because I know my people,” he warned.

    Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Augustine Oppong, the Bono Regional Police PRO has told GhanaWeb that the police are yet to commence investigations into the matter to ascertain the actual cause of death of the deceased.

    He revealed that they have since beefed up security in the area to prevent any reprisal attack.

    Family sources tell GhanaWeb that the body of the deceased has been deposited at the Wenchi Methodist Hospital morgue awaiting autopsy on Friday, July 17.

    Silas Wulochamey was travelling from Wenchi to Banda when the vehicle he was on board was attacked by some yet to be identified assailants at Kabronu near Banda.

    The passengers in the vehicle were attacked at a roadblock at Kabronu leading to many of them sustaining injuries.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus: Stop boasting about recoveries – Kwesi Pratt to government

    Seasoned Journalist, Kwesi Pratt says government should stop boasting about the recovery rate of COVID-19 patients in the country.

    Ghana has currently recorded 25,252 with 139 deaths.

    Out of the total number of cases, 21,397 have recovered/discharged, according to the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

    This, therefore, means active cases of COVID-19 in the country stand at 3,716.

    Although the virus infection case has increased since Ghana’s first case was recorded, the good news is that there is less mortality rate as compared to number of recoveries.

    But Kwesi Pratt says the government shouldn’t pride itself because there are more people recovering from the disease.

    According to him, it is scientifically proven there will be a permanent damage to the organs of the recovered persons.

    ”The World Health Organization tells us that for a lot of the people who recover, they’ll permanent get damage to their organs for the rest of their lives. So, the people who have been declared recovered, a lot of them will have permanent damage to their organs. It’s not that easy at all. So, we should stop boasting about recoveries,” he said on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Fighting coronavirus more important than education, close schools – Kwesi Pratt

    “What’s the essence of opening schools while the (Coronavirus) disease keeps spreading?,” Kwesi Pratt Jnr has asked the government and education authorities in the country.

    The COVID-19 infections have pumped fear in the country and particularly when the disease has affected various schools, many people have raised concerns over the sort of incorrigible habit of the government to close down the schools.

    Following the President’s announcement for schools to reopen and the pragmatic measures by the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service (GES) to enforce the COVID-19 safety protocols, some students and staff have however tested positive for the disease.

    In Accra Girls’ Senior High School alone, about 55 students and staff have reportedly tested positive for the disease, according to the Director-General of GEA, Prof. Kwasi Opoku Amankwah.

    Other schools affected by the COVID-19 are Odorgonor, Konongo Wesley and Mfantsipim Senior High Schools.

    A student at the KNUST SHS was also abandoned by the school authorities to die amidst speculations he had the disease.

    Some parents of the school children as well as members of opposition parties, particularly the National Democratic Congress (NDC), have called on President Nana Akufo-Addo to close the schools to salvage the situation but their calls have fallen on deaf ears.

    Adding his voice to the incessant calls on the President, Kwesi Pratt noted that the academic calendar could be suspended till the disease is over or rather the final year students’ performance could be examined using their continuous assessment without necessarily making them write their final exams.

    He stated emphatically that nothing will happen to the students’ education if they are called back home.

    Mr. Pratt wondered why the students should remain in schools when there is an outbreak of the disease on the various campuses.

    “I’ve pondered on it but simply cannot understand it. So, the leaders in Ghana, those with knowledge in education are all sitting aloof for this to be done. Look at the danger you’re exposing the children to…Fighting the disease should be our top priority. It is more important than preparing our children for the next level of their education…the disease is more important than anything else. We can tackle any other thing after fighting against the disease,” he told Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’.

    Source: Peace FM

     

  • Schools wont shutdown just because 112 students are coronavirus positive Nana B

    The National Youth Organizer of the ruling New Patriotic Party(NPP) Henry Nana Boakye aka Nana B, says 112 senior high students across the country contracting COVID-19 should not cause closure of schools.

    Four teachers have also been infected by the virus.

    There have been incessant calls from various interest groups with the latest being the National Council Of Parent Teacher Associations of Ghana, urging government to close down schools to curb the spread of the virus but the government has dismissed the calls.

    The largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been vehement in adding their voice to this call.

    However, speaking at the “Youth Must Know” series in Kumasi, Nana B slammed the NDC saying they are loud in making the call just for their parochial political interest.

    “The other day the NDC held a press conference where they called for senior high schools to be shut down because there have been someone or two reported cases. What they said is not based on any scientific research and nor based on any health studies but rather their parochial political interest just to put fear in parents.”

    “When you look at the number of students and teachers in our schools they add up to 580,000, the number of students who have been infected by COVID-19 and are asymptomatic are 112, with 4 teachers infected. The NDC are saying because of this 116 infected persons we should let 580,000 students leave the schools and go home. What the NDC has forgotten is that any student who has contracted the disease got it from home and took it to the school.”

    Meanwhile, the number of students infected by the students as put out by Nana B has been confirmed by the Ghana Health Service.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Jane Opoku-Agyemang salutes ‘caring’ KNUST SHS students

    Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, the running mate of NDC flagbearer John Dramani Mahama has applauded colleagues of a Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Senior High School student who died on campus for their attempt to save his life.

    Applauding the students for their act of kindness, Professor Opoku-Agyemang in a Facebook post said: “My attention has been drawn to a video in which some selfless students of KNUST SHS are seen providing care to their colleague who was obviously ill and in distress. Reports have it that he was in this condition for almost three hours until his father arrived to convey him to hospital. Sadly, he is reported to have succumbed to his illness.”

    “Former President Mahama and I wish to salute the gallant students who stayed with him for their show of kindness and appreciation of our common humanity. We pray for comfort and strength for the bereaved parents.”

    According to the students, their deceased colleague, who is believed to have had an ulcer, fell ill and was not attended to adequately by the school authorities for multiple hours.

    They believe the authorities feared he had contracted coronavirus and left him unattended to until he died.

    The Ghana Education Service (GES) has, as a result, interdicted the headmistress of the school, Ms Felicia Asamoah Dankwaa while it probes the matter.

    Ms Dankwaa has been accused of negligence by her students.

    A statement from the GES said she has been directed to step aside for the Regional Director of Education in the Ashanti Region to take over her duties while the GES probes the circumstances that led the death of the final-year student.

    Source: Class FM

  • Medical and Dental Council inducts 292 newly qualified medical doctors

    A total of two hundred and ninety- two newly qualified Doctors and Dentists have been inducted by the Medical and Dental Council in Accra.

    This is to augment the current strength of about 7, 405 doctors and dentists serving in various parts of the country.

    The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Benard Oko Boye, in an address during the induction ceremony touched on the negative reportage and attitude the medical profession has been hit with recently.

    He said in keeping with the high regard that society accords to healthcare professionals; the society rightly expects a correspondingly high standard of professionalism and conduct.

    “Regrettably, often the allure of specialised knowledge and success, if not properly managed, tend to result in bloated egos or inconsiderate conduct.”

    The deputy minister of health maintained that recent media reportage is replete with claims of professional negligence, improper conduct and unethical behaviour by our doctors, dentists, physician assistants, nurses, pharmacists.

    He continued that “the very people who openly swore the Hippocratic Oath and committed themselves to serve us in our most vulnerable states- are now our abusers.

    Adding that, “This is the situation is unacceptable and must stop.”

    He however congratulated all frontline health workers who have been at the forefront of the response in this Covid-19 pandemic.

    On behalf of the government, the Deputy Minister of Health conveyed his condolences to the Ghana medical association(GMA) and the families of all the medical practitioners as well as other health professionals who paid the ultimate price in their line of duty.

    “The Government is committed to ensuring that you are well protected by the continuous provision of the necessary PPEs and by fulfilling its promise of providing incentive packages for health workers.”

    Dr Divine Ndonbi Banyubala, Acting Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council in a statement said the Medical and Dental Council is a statutory agency under the Ministry of Health with the responsibility for the professional regulation of Doctors, Dentists, and Physician Assistants in Ghana.

    He said inductees were drawn from the University Of Ghana Medical School, The University Of Ghana Dental School, As Well As Universities In Cuba, China, Ukraine and Russia,
    “a greater responsibility in the care of the patients will be laid at your feet, as you take the role of frontline professionals.

    This role literally includes the responsibility to decide between life and death.”
    Adding he revealed that in the past the Medical and Dental Council merely registered practitioners and gave them registration numbers.

    However, the acting registrar noted that, due to the rapidly changing nature of science, medicine, and technology as well as the changing professional regulatory landscape, Council now ensures that your registration on the Provisional Register involves the open declaration of your commitment to the profession, science, and the society.

    Source: dailyguidenework.com

  • Stop giving us cooked figures Ashanti NDC warns EC

    The Ashanti Regional Executives of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana of manipulating voter registration figures in the region.

    According to the party, the EC registered 7,869 applicants in the Offinso North Constituency but EC boss, Madam Jean Mensah published 26,886 as the number of persons who have been registered by the institution.

    “In the Afigya Sekyere East Constituency, the EC registered 8,975 applicants, but again EC boss Madam Jean Mensah published 14,263.

    “In the Juaben Constituency, the EC registered 5,802 applicants, but EC boss Madam Jean Mensah published 11,574. In the Afigya Kwabre North Constituency, the EC registered 5,268 applicants, but EC boss Madam Jean Mensah again published 10,419,” the Ashanti Regional Communication Officer of the NDC Abass Nurudeen claimed during a press conference in Kumasi.

    He further alleged that the EC boss, Madam Jean Mensah is taking calculated and well-designed attempts to pad figures in the Ashanti Region.

    According to Abass Nurudeen, the leadership of NDC in Ashanti Region has drawn the attention of the EC to the development and “their district officers have confirmed our figures to be right.”

    “The regional leadership of the EC has also admitted that the figures have indeed been padded, but as usual, they claim it was entered in error. We are by this medium giving the EC 48hours to publish the right figures for the 1st batch of the 1st phase of the exercise to safeguard the integrity of the new voters roll. We also serve notice that if the intention is to test our vigilance, then they are in for a marathon. We are monitoring them closely from all angles and range” Abass Nurudeen explained.

    Abass Nurudeen also alleged that the EC is sabotaging registrants in the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) stronghold in the region.

    “In the Asawase Constituency, Sepe Timpon with 13 registration centres had equipment successfully deployed and working without hitch as early as 7:30 am, however, registration centres at Bola Bola, Aboabo, Madugu Palace among others that are known strongholds of the NDC had no BVR kits or as usual delayed access to activation codes for hours into the registration.

    “We have however seen a press release from the EC assuring the public that, they would make up for the lost time, but we do not trust the EC would choose deserving registration centres with fairness. We have therefore taken the pain to compile a full list of all registration centres where these selective delays occurred and would submit same for the consideration of the EC during their mop-up exercise”.

    Source: angelonline.com.gh

  • Over 52,000 registered in Western North Region

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has so far registered a total of 52,769 persons in the Western North Region at the end of phase one and two of the ongoing voters’ registration exercise.

    This comprises of 26,866 males and 25,903 females with 571 Persons with disabilities.

    Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Mr Godwin Okley, Regional Director of the Electoral Commission said a total of 328 persons have been challenged across the nine Constituencies in the region.

    He said the Commission has put in place adequate measures to ensure strict adherence of COVID-19 protocols.

    Mr Okley said the Commission provided Veronica buckets, soaps, tissue papers, sanitizer, and gun Thermometers with a nurse each at all registration centres across the Region.

    He in this regard advised both registrants, electoral officials, and visitors to comply with all the Protocols.

    In a related development, a total of 3,604 persons were registered during the two days exercise to register final year senior high school students in all the senior high schools across the Region.

    Source: GNA

  • I will be first to support election 2020 call-off – Kwabena Mintah Akandoh

    Member of Parliament for Juaboso Constituency, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has confirmed he will be the first person to support election 2020 call off had government move ahead of the virus to take early precautions.

    To him, the COVID-19 virus is very stubborn to the extent that it hates nonsense.

    “The virus hates late precautions being taken at a time, this shows that leaders must move and act instantly ahead of the virus otherwise if a country always wastes time in taking decisions on what to do next to fight the virus, the virus will now go ahead of them to cause lots of mayhem.”

    ” . . had government not taken its failed politically strategized policies in fighting COVID-19, I will be the first person to support it call off 2020 elections,” he said.

    In an interview with UTV’s ‘Adekye Nsroma’ political discussion show, the ranking member on health in Parliament insisted “all government policies to fight COVID-19 have failed, yet he can’t understand why they want to keep to the same policies when they need to be reviewed, for as the adage goes one has all things when he/she has life and its vice versa”.

    With a heated voice, the NDC COVID-19 response team member affirmed: “there is no political party in the world that has been so responsible in COVID-19 fight than the NDC.”

    “More than 80% of our COVID-19 response team members are Medical Doctors, and we are not just talking but have as well contributed our quota towards the fight,” he justified.

    Source: Peace FM

     

  • Police Officer allegedly stabbed while attempting to separate fight

    A Police Officer was stabbed while attempting to separate a fight between two civilians at Assin Awisem in the Assin Central District of the Central Region.

    Lance Corporal Frank Nyadenu was reportedly stabbed twice in the abdomen when he attempted to separate the fight between Richmond Amankwaa and Paa Akwasi known as Shatta.

    The affected police officer was admitted at the local health centre but was later transferred to the St. Francis Xavier Hospital at Assin Fosu for treatment. He is currently responding to treatment.

    The suspect, Richmond Amankwaa after stabbing the Police officer attempted to flee the town but was arrested.

    Source: angelonline.com.gh

  • Father causes arrest of son for possessing human parts

    The Eastern Regional Police command has arrested a 20-year-old Samuel Asare for possessing some body parts suspected to be human parts.

    The arrest was effected on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, after the suspect’s father reported the matter to the Akuse Police in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality.

    According to the Police Regional Command, the suspect’s father, Amoako Attah on Tuesday morning went to the station and reported that he went to his son’s room and found some bones suspected to be human parts.

    The Eastern Regional Police, PR unit recounted that together with the suspect’s father, went to his house where the suspect’s room was searched and the human parts found.

    The things parts found were decomposed bones suspected to be human skull, jaw and ribs.

    The suspect, Samuel Asare was arrested and sent to the station together with the suspected human parts.

    The police said, they also observed that the suspect was beaten up by his father so he was sent to Salvation Army Clinic where he was treated, discharged and sent back to police custody.

    Meanwhile, the bones have been sent to the Peki Government hospital morgue for preservation and subsequently be sent to the Police hospital.

    The police indicated that suspect Samuel Asare has since refused to answer any question though investigation continues.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Government lied on claims PPEs were supplied all schools GNAT

    The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has said government lied when it said personal protective equipment (PPEs) were supplied to the various senior high schools before reopening in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.

    President of GNAT Ms Phillapa Larsen told Alfred Ocansey on Sunrise on 3FM Tuesday, July 14 that some schools were not provided with the PPEs before they reopened.

    The schools had to rely on the parents to supply their wards with nose masks way before the government started supplying the others.

    “They said without the PPEs the doors of the schools were not going to be opened. Unfortunately, the school reopened without PPEs but the schools managed. They have done a few things especially with the Veronica buckets, the soaps and the rest. The parents also did well by providing some nose masks.

    “That is what the schools managed until government supplied the PPEs to the schools.

    “Are we saying that one mask per student that is the end to this problem? Then it means as a country we lied, as a country we have not been honest because people in positions have mentioned that all the PPEs have been supplied,” she said.

    She further suggested to the government to conduct mass testing for all students and staff in the senior high schools (SHSs) that have recorded cases of the Coronavirus.

    Ms Larsen said it will be better for all the other students and staff in the affected schools to know their status in order not to spread the virus.

    Source: 3 News

  • Seven Health Centres receive PPE from COVID-19 National Trust Fund

    Seven Treatment and Health Centres in the Western, Central, and the Western North Regions have received Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other medical items to support the management and treatment of COVID-19 cases.

    This is in fulfillment of the cardinal objectives of the COVID-19 Trust Fund which is to support persons engaged in the combat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The items for distribution include infrared thermometer guns, scrub suit, head covers, all sizes of coveralls, heavy-duty aprons, utility gloves, examination gloves, sterile gloves, gynaecological gloves, N95 face masks, surgical face masks, goggles, among others.

    The beneficiary institutions are the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Cape Coast Metropolitan Hospital, Dunkwa Government Hospital, Axim Government Hospital, Tarkwa Government Hospital, and the St. John of God Hospital in Sefwi Wiawso.

    Speaking at a short ceremony to present the items, Madam Gifty Afenyi Dadzie, a Member of the Board of Trustees said the items formed part of a consignment worth ten million Ghana cedis to be distributed to institutions and individuals who are directly engaged in the combat of COVID-19 across the length and breadth of the country.

    She said, despite government efforts and other benevolent institutions to adequately equip and protect the dedicated front-line workers in the combat against the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board of Trustees have monitored media reports and heard complaints from a lot of health professionals concerning the lack or inadequate supply of PPE and other logistics needed for the combat of the COVID-19 disease.

    She added that the distribution was therefore meant to help fill the gap or shortfall in the supply of PPE and other medical items to front-line workers for the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

    She bemoaned that the exponential rise in the COVID-19 cases should be a concern to all and called on the populace to adhere to the protocols which have been put up by the WHO, Ghana Health Service, and other experts towards the containment of the disease.

    Mrs Dadzie noted that the protocols which are the washing of hands under running water, sanitizing of hand with an alcohol-based sanitizer, the wearing of face Masks, avoiding crowded places and observing social distancing protocols were the surest ways to control the spread of the virus.

    Mrs Eugenia Gifty Kusi, Deputy Western Regional Minister pointed out that the disease was causing a lot of havoc hence, all must commit to fighting the disease With all seriousness.

    “Let’s all know that the disease is real and not a hoax which we must accept and come together to stem the spread of the virus which is moving at an alarming rate, especially in the Western Region”.

    Dr Joseph K Tambil Medical Director in charge of the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital who spoke on behalf of the beneficiary Hospitals commended President Akufo-Addo for setting up the Fund and also the board to steer the affairs of the Fund to success and promised to commit them to good use to serve its purpose.

    He also called on the beneficiary hospitals to release some to other facilities that may need them to benefit all.

    Source: GNA

  • Todays newspapers front pages

  • I meet all requirements to vote NDC Cape Coast North Parliamentary Candidate

    The Parliamentary Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Cape Coast North Constituency says he has legally challenged a decision by the District Registration Review Committee of the Electoral Commission, Ghana (EC) to withdraw his voter identity card.

    Dr Kwamina Minta Nyarku was disqualified as a voter in the Constituency after he was found guilty for allegedly providing false information during registration.

    His registration was, subsequently, challenged by a constituent, believed to be an agent of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), for not being a resident Nkanfoa, where he registered.

    The Committee consequently sat on the case and ruled that the NDC Parliamentary Candidate does not qualify to be a voter in the Constituency.

    But in a release on Tuesday, July 14, Dr Minta Nyarku says he meets all requirements to vote in Ghana contrary to the reports “and, indeed, I have participated in the previous elections conducted by the Electoral Commission of Ghana”.

    “I have been voting in the Cape Coast North Constituency in the previous elections.

    “I have been a resident and still a resident of the Cape Coast North Constituency.

    ” I currently reside in the electoral area where I recently registered in the on-going voters registration exercise.”

    He has, therefore, urged his supporters and party faithfuls to be calm.

    “The necessary legal steps to safeguard my constitutional rights are being considered and will be acted upon as soon as practicable.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Government has not failed in coronavirus fight – Dr. Kwaku Afriyie

    Minister of State at the Presidency and Member of Parliament for Sefwi Wiaso, Dr Kwaku Afriyie says government is not losing guard in the fight against COVID-19 as being propagated by some Ghanaians especially the NDC and assured parents whose children are in school preparing for their final exams to exercise calm as government is doing everything to protect them.

    He said government led by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has done its best by providing the necessary PPEs to various schools and putting in some measures to protect students, teaching and non-teaching staff.

    His comment comes after calls on government by some parents and teacher unions to close down schools and allow the students to go home after some senior high schools recorded cases of COVID-19.

    Speaking with Kwame Tutu on ANOPA NKOMO show on Kingdom FM, he said “The students are safe in the school rather than home and there is no need for parents to panic. They have few weeks to write their final exams and return home but now that they are in the care of government, we will do everything to protect them. We are also urging the general public to adhere to the various COVID-19 safety protocols to reduce the spread of the virus”.

    Ghana have so far recorded 24,988 cases with 21,067 recoveries and 139 deaths. Our active cases stands at 3,782 according to the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

    Source: kingdomfmonline.com

  • Government urged to collaborate with service providers to make internet affordable

    Professor Goski Alabi, the President of Laweh Open University College has called on the government to collaborate with service providers to make the internet affordable, available, and accessible for online education.

    Mrs Alabi noted that the internet was too expensive for digital education and until the government intervened, it would be difficult for a lot of students especially those in the rural areas to be part of the new revolution in the wake of coronavirus (CONVID-19).

    This, she explained was critical because no global educational institutions can thrive without reliable and effective internet connectivity.

    The Professor made the call on Tuesday in Accra at a news briefing to launch the Laweh International High School (LAWIS), the first Pan African online education in the country.

    The event was on the theme “ The Relevance of Online Education Across All Levels of the Ghanaian Educational System”.

    She said the school had partnered with Edoptions Academy of Edmuntum, USA to award graduates with American High School Diplomas which can be used in Ghana and anywhere in the world for university admissions.

    “LAWIS students take 21 courses within three years to get an American High School Diploma if they have completed Junior High School or five courses for those who have completed Senior High School in Ghana or Nigeria”, she said.

    Mrs Alabi said COVID-19 had made online education essential for all schools, stressing that the citizenry needed to take advantage of the platform and maximized its full potential for national growth.

    She said the school had the required resources to support the West African Examination Curriculum and British International General Certificate Secondary Education and the Advanced level curriculum which engaged students both on-line and off-line through interactive project-based learning.

    “LAWIS equips its students to be purpose-driven, creative, entrepreneurial and intellectually stimulated in a way that pushes the boundaries of traditional education”, she said.

    “Students in such a learning environment will acquire the requisite competencies, skills, and experiences to prepare them to thrive in the chosen future career through their learning style and pace”.

    Source: GNA

  • Court jails three illegal miners

    The Enchi District Magistrate court presided over by Mr Eric Baah Boateng has convicted a Ghanaian and two Guineans to a total of 54 months imprisonment in hard labour for illegally prospecting for gold in the Tano-Anwia Forest Reserve.

    Kwame Banyanta, Mohammed Kabal and Mohammed Kamara would serve 18 months each.

    The three who were charged with conspiracy to commit crime, mining gold without license and in breach of forest protection act pleaded not guilty but were convicted after trial.

    Prosecuting, Detective Inspector Joseph Kwadwo Agyare, told the court that the complainant, Emmanuel Nkansah is a Range Supervisor of the Ghana Forestry Commission in Enchi, while the accused are residents of Wassa Agona in the Wassa Amenfi West Municipality.

    He said for some time now, activities of illegal miners have increased in the Tano-Anwia Forest Reserve.

    Mr Agyuare said despite tireless efforts made by the Commission to stop unauthorized persons from entering the forest reserve, these perpetrators continued to mine there.

    He said at about 1800 hours on December 25, last year, the complainant got a tip-off that some illegal miners were in the forest reserve prospecting for gold.

    The prosecution said based on that information, the complainant mobilized his guards and proceeded to the scene and met the accused busily working in the reserve with others now at large.

    Detective Agyare said the complainant noticed that about a quarter of an acre within the vegetation had been devastated by the activities of the miners who were using pickaxes, shovels and metal detectors in their operations.

    He said when the miners saw the complainant and his team, they took to their heels but the team pursued them and managed to apprehend the three accused while the others absconded.

    Source: GNA

  • Jealous woman stabs boyfriend to death

    The police in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region have launched a manhunt for a 26-year-old woman who allegedly stabbed her boyfriend to death.

    The suspect, whose name was given only as Justina, carried out the purported barbaric act because the boyfriend, Fred Kojo Nyame, was allegedly cheating on her.

    The unfortunate incident happened last Friday at about 9 a.m. at Esiama in the Ellembelle District.

    Daily Guide gathered that the suspect stabbed the boyfriend in the chest, neck, arms and forehead, which led to severe injuries resulting in his death.

    An opinion leader in the area, Mr Yanzu, was reported to have stated that he received a call around 9:45 a.m. on that fateful morning that the two were fighting and that the lady had stabbed Fred Nyame with a knife.

    He said when he rushed to the scene, the boyfriend had been taken to the hospital but was later pronounced dead.

    Besides, some of the residents asserted that a misunderstanding ensued between the lovers after the suspect had accused the deceased of cheating on her by visiting another lady in the community.

    They said in the process the deceased started beating the suspect and in self-defence, the woman took a knife and stabbed him and bolted.

    Source: Daily Guide Network

  • EC moves to correct ID cards of 63 applicants issued with identical card numbers

    The Electoral Commission of Ghana says it is taking steps to revert an anomaly at two of its registration centres where some 63 persons were issued a new voters identification card bearing identical numbers.

    According to a circular by the EC, the incident which happened at two registration centres in the Okaikwei North District was as a result of a faulty kit that had its unique identity transferred to a backup kit being inadvertently being released to the district office after repairs.

    “Further investigation revealed that a faulty kit that had its unique identity transferred to a backup kit was inadvertently released to the District Office after it had been repaired without creating a new identity for it.

    This however resulted in two kits with the same identity issuing the same Voters ID numbers to the applicants,” the EC indicates.

    The commission as part of its efforts to correct the anomaly says it will issue the affected persons with new ID cards

    “These persons will be issued with new Voters ID numbers at the completion of the voters registration exercise.

    The affected applicants are unique with unique biodata and biometrics. As such they stand no risk of being disenfranchised on voting day,” the commission said.

    The commission while assuring the affected applicants their right to exercise their franchise also indicated it is taking the right steps to avert the reoccurrence of such an incident.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Court jails 3 illegal miners

    The Enchi District Magistrate court presided over by Mr Eric Baah Boateng has convicted a Ghanaian and two Guineans to a total of 54 months imprisonment in hard labour for illegally prospecting for gold in the Tano-Anwia Forest Reserve.

    Kwame Banyanta, Mohammed Kabal, and Mohammed Kamara would serve 18 months each.

    The three who were charged with conspiracy to commit crime, mining gold without license, and in breach of forest protection act pleaded not guilty but were convicted after trial.

    Prosecuting, Detective Inspector Joseph Kwadwo Agyare, told the court that the complainant, Emmanuel Nkansah is a Range Supervisor of the Ghana Forestry Commission in Enchi, while the accused are residents of Wassa Agona in the Wassa Amenfi West Municipality.

    He said for some time now, activities of illegal miners have increased in the Tano-Anwia Forest Reserve.

    Mr. Agyuare said despite tireless efforts made by the Commission to stop unauthorized persons from entering the forest reserve, these perpetrators continued to mine there.

    He said at about 1800 hours on December 25, last year, the complainant got a tip-off that some illegal miners were in the forest reserve prospecting for gold.

    The prosecution said based on that information, the complainant mobilized his guards and proceeded to the scene and met the accused busily working in the reserve with others now at large.

    Detective Agyare said the complainant noticed that about a quarter of an acre within the vegetation had been devastated by the activities of the miners who were using pickaxes, shovels and metal detectors in their operations.

    He said when the miners saw the complainant and his team, they took to their heels but the team pursued them and managed to apprehend the three accused while the others absconded.

    The Prosecution said the convicts were later handed over to the police with all the exhibits retrieved from them.

    Source: GNA

  • Face shield is not a substitute to face mask GHS

    The Ghana Health Service has cautioned against the inappropriate use of face shields to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

    According to GHS, face shields are not to be used as substitutes for face masks.

    Rather, GHS says face shields are meant to complement face masks.

    Head of Surveillance at the GHS, Dr. Asiedu Bekoe, addressing the media at the Information Ministry, says face shields must be worn alongside face masks.

    He noted that wearing face shields alone cannot help prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

    Citing the CDC guidelines on the use of face shields, he said, the shields are normally used without masks by persons who sign language professionals to aid easy lip reading.

    He has, therefore, urged the general public to use face masks as he claimed that is the surest way to prevent the spread of the virus.

    Source: Daily Guide Network

  • Ayawaso West is COVID-19 hotspot in Accra GHS

    The Ayawaso West Wuogon Municipality in Accra has the majority of the latest COVID-19 cases recorded in the Greater Accra Region.

    Ayawaso West Municipality is made up of suburbs including East Legon, Airport, Dzorwulu, Legon, Abelemkpe.

    According to the Ghana Health Service, the majority of the 179 new confirmed cases recorded in the Greater Accra Region as of July 11, were in the Ayawaso West Municipality.

    The 179 new cases were recorded in 12 out of 29 districts, Dr. Badu Sarkodie, Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service, says.

    He said in all 264 new cases were recorded in the country.

    In the Western Region, he stated that 49 new cases were recorded in three out of 14 districts, with the majority from Wassa Amenfi East.

    He added that 18 new cases were recorded in six out of 43 districts in the Ashanti Region, with majority cases from Kumasi metro.

    In the Eastern Region, he noted that 12 new cases in three out of 33 districts were recorded, with the majority of the cases from Lower Manya Krobo.

    Source: Daily Guide Network

  • EC identifies 63 duplicate ID numbers

    The Electoral Commission (EC) says it has identified a total of 63 duplicate ID numbers in the ongoing voters registration exercise.

    In a statement, the EC says the duplicates were identified at Okaikwei North District.
    The Commission explained that the problem was detected by its registration officials on the day of the incident where two kits with the same identity issuing the same ID numbers to the applicants.

    “Further investigation revealed that a faulty kit that had its unique identity transferred to a back up kit was inadvertently released to the District office after it had been repaired without creating a new identity for it”, the statement indicated.

    It stated that the affected persons will be issued with new voters ID numbers at the completion of the voters registration exercise.

    “The affected applicants are unique with unique biodata and biometrics. As such they stand no risk of being disenfranchised on voting day,” the statement explained.

    The EC has therefore reassured the affected applicants and the general public that this incident will not in any way disenfranchise any voter as it has taken steps to ensure that this episode does not recur.

    Source: Daily Guide Network

  • Coronavirus: Six students at Kwahu Bepong SHS isolated

    Six (6) students of Kwahu Bepong Senior High School in the Eastern Region have been isolated over suspected Coronavirus infection.

    Samples of the Students have been taken for testing.

    The cases in BESCO bring to 15 the total number of students isolated over Coronavirus in the Kwahu South District .

    Nine (9) students with Mpraeso Senior High School were Isolated last week by officials of the Ghana Health Service.

    Speaking on Nkawkaw based Agoo FM Tuesday, the Kwahu South Municipal Education Director Ofosu Kwakye told Morning Show Host Omansomfo Kwabena Asante that, results of the samples are expected to be released this week.

    He said this will help determine the next line of action with regards to contact tracing and case management.

    He urged parents and students to, however, remain calm.

    Mr. Ofosu Kwakye said adequate measures have been put in place in all Senior High Schools in the district to contain the situation should any student tests positive.

    He said students who test positive will write their West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE ) in designated isolation centers. The Education Director stated that Counseling and Guidance units in all Senior High Schools in the district have been instructed to provide psychological support for students gripped with nosophobia.

    Kwahu South District has recorded 22 confirmed cases of Coronavirus after recording its first case on June 25, 2020.

    Meanwhile, the Eastern Regional Covid-19 Cases count has hit 960 with 856 recoveries and discharges. The death toll still remains 10 in the July 11,2020 update by the regional Health Directorate.

    29 out of 33 districts and Municipalities in the region have recorded cases.

    Source: starrfmonline.com

  • Coronavirus: We are on a time bomb waiting to explode – Anim Piesie

    A Member of the NDC Communication team, Bernard Anim Piesie has accused the ruling NPP government led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of sending the country into doom by politically strategizing issues around the COVID-19 pandemic for their personal gains.

    He said the country would not have seen much death and calamities surrounding the disease had government provided health personnel with enough PPE’s, postponed final year exams in view of preventing all level of students from going to school and also stopping the ongoing voters’ registration exercise by the Electoral Commission (EC).

    “With the nation’s COVID-19 status, we are on a time bomb which will soon explode. We are our own problems for refusing to do that which is right.”

    “It is worrying that we have a leader who is not one bit concerned about human life, but only interested in winning elections,” he said.

    Ghana’s case count

    According to updates provided by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) the count stands at 24,988 as at Monday, July 13, 2020.

    The death toll is still at 139 and 21,067 persons have recovered/discharged.

    Active COVID-19 cases are now at 3,782.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Comply with law on political vigilantism Peace Council cautions NDC, NPP

    The National Peace Council has called on the two leading political parties, (NDC, NPP) to strictly adhere to the roadmap and the Code of Conduct, on the eradication of political vigilantism and election-related violence following the recorded skirmishes in some registration centres.

    A statement issued by the Peace Council asked both NPP and NDC to “disassociate itself from any violent activity by any of their members during and after the registration process and to go further to facilitate the arrest of such people who are bent on dragging the path of peace Ghana has taken backwards.”

    There have been incidences and pockets of violence in some Registration Centres in the ongoing mass registration exercise by the Electoral Commission.

    News reports confirmed that clashes between the supporters of the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress culminated in some sporadic shootings, machete wounds on some identified party activists that resulted in the arrest of perpetrators.

    Areas where this violence occurred included, Ejura-Sekyere-Odumase Constituency in the Ashanti Region, Kasoa in the Central Region, Asutifi South, and Tano South Constituencies in the Ahafo Region, Dormaa West Constituency in the Bono Region, Ho West in the Volta Region as well as Fadama and New Town in the Greater Accra Region.

    Meanwhile, the NPC has commended the Security Personnel detailed at the E. P church voter registration centre in Accra New Town for arresting and prosecuting some seven persons who allegedly obstructed the security from performing their legitimate duty on July 7, 2020.

    “It is in this respect that the Council calls on the Inspector General of Police and the Ghana Police Service, to rise up to the occasion as they usually do by arresting any other persons whose actions have the potential to derail the peace of the country.”

    “The Police should always be guided by their motto “Service with Integrity” to ensure human lives and property are protected by enforcing the laws without fear or favour.”

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Massive transfers hit Police Service ahead of December polls

    Scores of senior police officers have been transferred in the latest shake-up to hit the service.

    Over 50 senior officers have been moved from their current work stations.

    The changes take immediate effect, Starr News sources revealed.

    The development comes few months ahead of the 2020 Presidential and parliamentary elections.

    According to Starr News sources, the Inspector General of Police approved the transfers last Friday.

    Affected officers are to be informed anytime soon.

    Source: Starr FM

     

  • ‘No road, no vote’ – Adjei Kojo residents cry over ‘death trap’ roads

    Residents of Adjei Kojo in the Tema West constituency have expressed worry about the bad nature of the roads in the area.

    The major roads in Adjei Kojo have developed gaping potholes at certain segments, leaving motorists and residents who use them frustrated and in danger.

    The residents lamented that the main road from Ashaiman leading to the Adjei Kojo, Kanewu, Suncity, and its environs were completely cut off making it impossible for vehicles to ply.

    They expressed frustration over the continual neglect of the area by the incumbent Member of Parliament, Carlos Ahenkorah, and successive governments.

    They lamented that the bad nature of the roads had brought untold hardship on them and that many precious lives had been lost on the road as a result of road crashes.

    According to Michael Abayateye, the convener of a youth group called Concerned Youth of Adjei Kojo, the accidents were due to the bad nature of the road adding that “Adjei Kojo township has not seen any notable developmental projects over the past two decades…The only time we saw any government moving its resources to tackle the road situation in Adjei Kojo-Kanewu township was between 2008 and 2010. It was at this time that the road under the bridge to BBF junction was constructed. Though completed in a shoddy manner, it is worth mentioning.”

    “The private car drivers, motorbikers, and commercial drivers who plough through our disastrous roads daily are always visiting the mechanic shops,” he added.

    Michael hinted that the residents of the area were contemplating stopping politicians from undertaking political activities.

    He said the MP, Carlos Ahenkorah and the Municipal Chief Executive of the Tema West Municipal Assembly, have ignored the numerous appeals the residents have been making and that the only choice left is for them to boycott and ban political activities in the area and declared that “no road, no vote”.

    Some aggrieved drivers mentioned that the MP and the Assembly neglected Adjei Kojo because the area is perceived to be the stronghold of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    The drivers who use the road also revealed how they always have to visit mechanics every time they ply the road.

    They described the bad nature of the roads as streams on dams especially during the rainy season which makes movement difficult.

    They, therefore, appealed to the roads authorities to come to their aid to end the death trap on their roads.

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • Surge in armed robbery at Kumasi metropolis, police alerts residence

    The Ashanti Regional Police Command has advised residents to be alert, while efforts are made to arrest all armed robbers to nib the current trend of robberies within the Kumasi Metropolis in the bud.

    This comes after the Police noticed a rise in armed robbery by some suspected robbers operating in and around the Kumasi metropolis.

    In a statement, the Police hinted that, the suspects often target people who have gone to withdraw cash from the Bank, adding that the suspects lurk around bank premises and use motorbikes to trail unsuspecting victims and then rob them off their money at the least opportune time.

    The Command has therefore advised the public, particularly those who go to withdraw huge sums of money from financial institutions to resort to electronic transfers and transactions where applicable, amongst others.

    “Institutions who must carry huge sums can also request for Police escort. Be mindful of those you communicate with about your banking transactions; When driving, look out for those who follow you, whether in cars or on motorbikes;When you become suspicious of anything, make a brief stop at any filling station, a Police Station or any public place as a safe haven; Banks are advised to mount security cameras at their premises and monitor them 24/7 around the clock,” the Police advised.

    Below is a statement:

    PRESS RELEASE

    PUBLIC AFFAIRS UNIT REGIONAL POLICE HEADQUARTERS POST OFFICE BOX 1903 KUMASI

    13TH JULY, 2020

    PUBLIC EDUCATION ON EMERGING ROBBERY TREND IN THE KUMASI METROPOLIS The Ashanti Regional Police Command has taken serious view of the modus operandi of some suspected armed robbers operating in and around the Kumasi metropolis and wishes to educate residents to be alert, while efforts are made to arrest all of them to nib the current trend of robberies within the metropolis in the bud.

    The suspects often target people who have gone to withdraw cash from the Bank. The suspects lurk around bank premises and use motorbikes to trail unsuspecting victims and then rob them off their money at the least opportune time.

    The Command therefore advise the public, particularly those who go to withdraw huge sums of money from financial institutions to take the following precautionary measures in order not to fall prey to the activities of these nefarious characters:

    Resort to electronic transfers and transactions where applicable. Institutions who must carry huge sums can also request for Police escort.

    Be mindful of those you communicate with about your banking transactions; When driving, look out for those who follow you, whether in cars or on motor bikes;

    When you become suspicious of anything, make a brief stop at any filling station, a Police Station or any public place as a safe haven;

    Banks are advised to mount security cameras at their premises and monitor them 24/7 around the clock;

    Bank security guards must question motorbike riders who are seen lurking around banking premises;

    Persons who go to the bank must be wary of those who lurk around the banking premises aimlessly and report them to the police officer on duty;

    The Police Command is appealing to the general public, especially anyone with information on suspected criminals or any suspicious characters within their

    Website www.police.gov.gh Email-padphotopol@gmail.com, hq.pro@police.gov.ghFacebook GhPoliceService Twitter @GhPoliceService 1

    Whatsapp Videos Only-0206639121Emergency 191, 18555 (MTN &vodafone) Tel: 0302-773906, Post Office Box 1903, Kumasi

    communities to report them to the Police through the following emergency 0299207770, 18555, 112 and 191 (Toll Free).

    Any reliable information given to the Police will be given the necessary and prompt attention it deserves, in order to curb this emerging trend of crime in the Kumasi metropolis and in the region. The Command sends a strong warning to those behind this crime to put a stop to it because they will be dealt with ruthlessly when arrested.

    The Command once again wish to assure the law abiding people of the Ashanti Region that we will continue to provide the very best security in the region for all to go about their activities without fear and in peace.

    ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE

    PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER / ASHANTI REGION

    Website www.police.gov.gh Email-padphotopol@gmail.com, hq.pro@police.gov.ghFacebook GhPoliceService Twitter @GhPoliceService 2

    Whatsapp Videos Only-0206639121Emergency 191, 18555 (MTN &vodafone) Tel: 0302-773906, Post Office Box 1903, Kumasi

    Source: Atinka Online

  • Todays newspapers front pages

     

  • Registration centres with hitches to be given additional time

    The Electoral Commission will ensure that all Voter Registration Centres with technical hitches leading to delays would be granted additional time to make up for the loss.

    A statement signed by Mrs Sylvia Annoh, EC Acting Director of Public Affairs and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said the technical hitches were as a result of network problems.

    The statement the hitches affected the activation of some of the registration kits used across the country and the technical team as at July 12, successfully resolved about 98 per cent of the issues and the rest would be completed on July 13 to enable registration to take place.

    The Commission apologised for the inconvenience caused to to affected applicants at those registration centres. According to the EC, “The third phase of the registration exercise began on Sunday, July 12 and will end on July 17, 2020,” adding that a good number of the registration kits had been activated.

    “All eligible applicants scheduled to register during the third phase may make themselves available at the respective registration centres to go through the process to be registered as Voters”.

    It called for cooperation among the stakeholders and compliance to all the safety protocols to make the exercise a success.

    Source: GNA

  • Weve not received any suit on SHS registration EC

    The Electoral Commission (EC) on Monday said it has not been served with any suit to restrain it from registering applicants in Senior High Schools.

    Responding to a question at the third edition of the “Let the Citizen Know,” media briefing, Dr Bossman Eric Asare, EC Deputy Chairman in charge of Corporate Service, said the Commission had not received any order stopping it for registering students in senior high schools.

    He told the journalists that registration of students at senior high schools took place last weekend.

    “The Commission is still looking at the option of going back to these schools in the course of the week to register those who did not have the chance to register.

    “This is because reports coming to us indicate that in most of the schools the team could not even register 50 per cent,” he said.

    According to Dr Asare, the Commission would endeavour to ensure that every qualified Ghanaian was given the chance to register.

    He said the Commission would also have a mop-up registration exercise for all those who may not be captured during the main phases of the exercise.

    Dr Asare said the current phase, which began on Sunday, is been conducted in 6,728 registration centres and the 267 district offices of the Commission.

    “As you can see, the Commission has ramped-up the registration with the doubling of the centres we did last week. This means we are likely to witness an increase in the numbers registered on daily basis this week”, he said.

    Source: GNA

  • EC warns political parties to desist from bussing applicants

    The Electoral Commission on Monday warned parliamentary candidates and operatives of political parties to desist from transporting applicants to registration centres.

    This is because the political parties know that the people they are bussing are not residents of the electoral areas where they want to register

    Dr Bossman Eric Asare, EC Deputy Chairman in charge of Corporate Services, therefore asked operatives of political parties to stop fronting for people who were not Ghanaians.

    He said, “the Commission needs the support of all our stakeholders to compile a clean register”.

    He appealed to the political parties to educate their agents to avoid challenges that were needless, saying, “challenges must be based on evidence of people violating the rules on voter registration”.

    Dr Asare said some registered applicants were challenged by agents of political parties, adding, “the District Registration Review Committees in the districts have started sitting to check whether those who have been challenged qualify to register and vote at the centres where they were challenged.

    “It is important to point out that a number of these challenges are as a result of people who are alleged not to be citizens of Ghana and not resident in the electoral areas where they want to register and vote”.

    Source: GNA

  • We’ll ensure that all eligible applicants are registered – EC

    The Electoral Commission (EC) on Monday assured electorates that it will use its mobile teams to work in all centres that faced network challenges on Sunday to ensure they are not disadvantaged.

    Speaking at the “Let the Citizen Know,” briefing in Accra, Dr Bossman Eric Asare, the Deputy Chairman in charge of Corporate Service at the EC, recalled that due to network challenges, some centres could not start the registration exercise on time or did not do any registration at all on Sunday.

    He said the EC was on top of the issues and was working around the clock to fix the challenges.

    Dr Asare apologised to all applicants affected and gave an assurance that the Commission would make up for the hours lost by deploying more of its mobile teams to speed up the registration of applicants.

    Touching on the registration at the electoral areas, he stressed that as long as an applicant lived in the electoral area he or she could register at the nearest centre.

    He said it was unfortunate that some potential registrants were of the view that because the registration teams had left the centres close to their homes they could not register and vote in the upcoming general election.

    Dr Asare explained that the figures that the Commission had been giving out to the public during briefings were provisional.

    “When the registration is over and all the processes including porting of the data are consummated the Commission will announce the final figures for each region for the information of all our stakeholders.”

    “All actors are encouraged to reach out to the Commission regarding any discrepancies in the figures”.

    Source: GNA

  • EC to register students left out during two-day exercise

    The Ghana Education Service (GES) on Monday said the Electoral Commission would announce additional days for eligible students who were unable to register during the two-day registration period.

    The exercise, which started on Friday, July 10, ended on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

    The GES encouraged schools, which were originally earmarked as registration centres to arrange with the EC officials to register the students when it reached their turn.

    A statement issued and signed by Mrs Cassandra Twum Ampofo, the Head of Public Relations, GES, and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, expressed appreciation to directors of education, heads of schools, staff and students, EC and political party officials and observer groups for the successful organisation of the exercises on the school campuses.

    It urged all schools participating in the exercise and observers to ensure strict compliance of the COVID-I9 protocols.

    Source: GNA

  • Gender Ministry working on petitions against Counsellor Lutterodt

    Mrs Freda Prempeh, the Deputy Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, said the Ministry has received several petitions against Counsellor George Lutterodt over his utterances against females and was working on them for the necessary actions to be taken.

    She said those utterances were “unfortunate and reprehensive” against women and girls, saying recent rape comments he made were an indictment on womanhood.

    She said she believed he was psychologically indisposed and, therefore, required medical attention.

    Mrs Prempeh, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tano North in the Ahafo Region, called on the National Media Commission, the Ghana Journalists Association and the Ghana Psychological Council to expedite action towards banning Counsellor Lutterodt from appearing on any media space.

    In an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Monday at Duayaw-Nkwanta, the MP asked Counsellor Lutherodt to retract the comments he made that “rape victims enjoy the act” and render unqualified apologies to women and girls.

    Source: GNA

  • Ghanaian Times: Keeping an eye on workplaces, key to winning fight against coronavirus

    Besides community spread, one other fertile ground for the spread of the coronavirus is the workplace.

    Indeed, the World Health Organisation, (WHO) has noted that COVID-19 spreads primarily through respiratory droplets or contact with contaminated surfaces.

    It states that exposure can occur at the workplace, while travelling to work, during work-related travel to an area with local community transmission, as well as on the way to and from the workplace.

    According to WHO, the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace depends on the likelihood of coming within one metre of others, in having frequent physical contact with people who may be infected with COVID-19, and through contact with contaminated surfaces and objects.

    It acknowledges that the risk of exposure to COVID-19 can be minimised if preventive measures are instituted for each specific work setting and each job.

    The Ghanaian Times can say without fear of contradiction that, many work places have not instituted strict COVID-19 preventive measures against the disease.

    The number of high profile institutions and work places including high profile public and government official who have been exposed to the disease is a confirmation that there is laxity in the implementations of the preventive measures in the workplace.

    Thankfully, government officials last week acknowledged the challenge and hinted that visits would be made to companies to ascertain their preparedness and measures instituted to contain the deadly COVID-19.

    Indeed, the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, visited four large companies in Accra last week and commended them highly for their strict adherence to COVID-19 hygiene and safety protocols.

    During the visit, the minister observed that in addition to running water and soap, hand sanitiser dispensers have been placed at the entrances and at vantage positions for staff and guests and the companies were promoting social distancing and wearing of masks.

    But while these four companies are being praised and may not have recorded any positive cases, others such as COCOBOD, GRIDco, BOST, Judicial service and few government ministries have reportedly shut down for fumigation due to COVID-19.

    We may not know the extent of the spread of the disease in those places but we are concerned that, if care is not taken to ensure strict observance of the COVID-19 safety protocols, we may end up recording more confirmed cases at work places across the country.

    It is an undeniable fact that the disease is wrecking havoc across many countries around the world, including Ghana and we must double our efforts in fighting and containing its spread.

    No country has overcome the disease and therefore, it should be both an individual and collective responsibility of all Ghanaians, to strictly adhere to the safety measures and observe the protocols instituted at work places across the country.

    While commending the minister for his unannounced visits to the companies, we would have been much happier if all other workplaces instituted measures that are strictly enforced to curb the spread of the deadly disease.

    This is non-negotiable and in our interest to do it without any official prompting.

    Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

  • National PTAs demand immediate return home of all WASSCE, BECE students

    The National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (NCPTAs) has asked government to send all school children awaiting to write their final examinations home.

    “In the current circumstances, the children are psychologically unstable and would therefore, not be of sound mind to write the WASSCE and BECE examinations and come out successfully,” a decision taken at a National Executive Consultative Meeting indicated.

    “We, therefore, suggest that these examinations be postponed till the situation is brought under control.”, a statement by the association issued Monday, July 13 said.

    The association cited among other things the inadequacy of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and the non-availability of same in some schools as some of the reasons they feels the children are not safe in school.

    Source: 3 News

  • Nzema chief saves NDC communicator from being convicted

    A swift intervention by the Paramount Chief of Lower Axim Traditional, Awulae Attibrukusu III, through one of his sub-chiefs, Nana Ewiafum, has saved a Communicator for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira constituency, Angate Borzah, from being convicted of slander.

    Borzah was standing trial at the Municipal Magistrate Court of Nzema East for using unprintable words and concocting falsehood against the Member of Parliament (MP) for Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira and a Minister of State at the Office of the Senior Minister, Catherine Afeku.

    However, the Paramount Chief who was worried about the impasse appealed to the MP whom he calls his daughter to have mercy on the party communicator and use an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism to settle the matter.

    Hon. Afeku, out of reverence for her father (Paramount Chief of Lower Axim) and his sub-chiefs, told the Municipal Magistrate Court presided over by His Lordship, Robert Ableze, through her lawyers at a sitting on Friday, July 10, 2020, to halt the trial and permit them to settle the matter out of court.

    The Judge prior to granting the request put before the court, admonished the youth and political communicators to desist from politics of insults, smear campaign and peddling falsehood ahead of the 2020 electioneering campaign.

    He also told the traditional authorities of the area and the MP to do their best to resolve the impasse and submit its outcome to the court on or before July 23, 2020.

    His Lordship, Ableze, further admonished all political parties to abide by the directives of the traditional authorities since the law will be applied to the latter in future cases that would be brought before his court.

    Angate Borzah who was very remorseful admitted that he erred in using abusive words on his MP. He was arrested on June 30, 2020 for defaming the person of Hon. Catherine Afeku.

    The Communications Directorate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), moments after the court sitting, issued a statement expressing gratitude to Awulae Attibrukusu III and his sub-chiefs for showing concern and availing themselves to bring sanity to the political environment in the Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira constituency.

    The Directorate, however, called on all its communicators and serial callers to remain focused and be decorous in addressing issues and policies during the 2020 electioneering campaign.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Police foil residents attack on Kumaca students

    Asokore Mampong Police Command have thwarted an attempt by the some residents in Asawasi Municipality of the Ashanti Region plot to attack students of Kumasi Academy in the Municipality.

    There was an uneasy calm in Asokore Mampong Community on Saturday July 11,2020 as some students in Kumasi Academy (KUMACA) allegedly attacked one student after he was accused of bringing his gang to the school to rob the students.

    Assembly Member for Asokore Mampong Electoral Area Oheneba Kofi Nti who confirmed the incident to Kumasi based Pure FM Osei Kwadwo said the students who was attacked by the students were hospitalized.

    “Some of the students came to my house around 11pm on Friday after the incident. They explained to me that the student who was attacked came to the school with his gang to collect their belongings” Oheneba Kofi Nti said.

    “The gang who was attacked threatened to attack the students in school in a form of revenge, but Asokore Mampong Police Command foiled their plans”

    Oheneba Kofi Nti, the assembly member for Asokore Mampong Electoral Area assured parents and students of Kumaca to remain calm as police has tightened security measures on campus.

    Source: angelfmonlinegh.com

  • Over 4.4 million citizens captured in voters registration – EC

    The Electoral Commission has said it has recorded some 4,445,346 registered applicants in the first eleven days of the ongoing voters registration exercise.

    Providing clarity on the numbers at a press briefing on Monday, July 13, 2020 in Accra, Deputy Commissioner In-Charge of Corporate Services, Dr Bossman Asare said the figure is almost 30 percent of the projected 15 million applicants the EC is likely to register.

    “So far the Commission has registered a total of 4,445,346. The Greater Accra Region leads with 20.9% of the registered voters. Ashanti Region follows with 18.4%, and the Eastern region is at distant third of 9.5% and the Central region at 9.4%. The North East region is at the bottom with 1.7%,” Mr Asare explained.

    He added the Commission has noted that some potential registrants are of the view that because the registration teams have left the centers close to their homes, they will not be permitted to register in the upcoming December elections.

    “It is important to stress that as long as one lives in the electoral area, he or she can register in the nearest center close to his or her house,” he assured.

    Due to some delay at some registrations centres on Sunday, July 12, 2020, as a result of network challenges, the EC says it will use its mobile teams to work in all these centers as a way of ensuring applicants will not be disadvantaged.

    The compilation of a new voters register by the EC commenced on June 30, 2020, through to July 5, 2020, in the first phase of the exercise across the country.

    The exercise, which is expected to last for 38 days, is projected to capture the biometric data of about 17 million Ghanaians eligible to vote ahead of the 2020 December 7 general elections.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • 10-year-old girl killed, genital organs removed

    A ten-year-old girl has been found dead at Asiam a farming Community near Dokrokyiwa in the Ayensuano District of the Eastern Region .

    The mutilated body of the deceased child was found near the Kuano river in the community.

    Upon receipt of information Police proceeded to the said location and found the body of an unknown female juvenile aged about 10 years dressed in a red skirt matched with a sports shorts lying in the said river.

    The already decomposing body was retrieved and upon careful examination, the Police found out that the throat was slashed and vital genital organs removed with the intestine gashing out.

    According to the Acting Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command Sargeant Francis Gomado, the body has been deposited at Nsawam Government Hospital morgue for preservation, identification and autopsy whilst efforts are being made to trace the relatives and contacts through informants to get the culprits arrested.

    This is the third incident of a child mysteriously found dead in the region within a week.

    The first two separate incidents happened in Atiwa West District and Lower Manya Krobo.

    In Akyem Kwabeng, a body of a ten-year-old boy identified as Kwabena Emmanuel was found in an abandoned mining pit filled with water having gone missing the previous day.

    The body was retrieved by Police Tuesday July 7,2020 and deposited at the Kibi Government Hospital morgue for preservation and Autopsy.

    Also, a four-year-old unidentified boy was also found dead with blood from the nostrils Wednesday morning at Atua Manya in Lower Krobo Municipality .

    He was found shrouded in millennial pink cloth and deposited in the bush .

    Residents in the region want Police to investigate the increasing killing of Children in the region linking it to the 2020 general election.

    Source: starrfmonline.com

  • Coronavirus testing begins in Volta, Oti Senior High Schools

    Information reaching DGN Online indicates that a handful of students have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the Volta and Oti regions.

    According to a source in one of the schools in Ho, the Volta Regional capital, contact tracing and sample collection had begun in their school.

    He noted that parents of the infected students are being contacted to be appropriately informed and assured to avoid fear and panic.

    It is not clear the number of students who have tested positive, but the source commended the swift response of the public health emergency management committee who “have proven to know their job.”

    When contacted, Deputy Volta Regional Director of Health Services in charge of Public Health, Dr Senanu Djokoto did not confirm or deny the information.

    He, however, explained that “we have tasked the District Education and Health Directorates to work with the heads and PTAs of the various schools to ensure the parents and guardians are the first to be informed if cases are recorded in schools before they get to the public.”

    Secondly, there is a multi-stakeholder engagement constantly ongoing to ensure that all necessary protocols are followed and enhanced to ensure the continued safety of students.

    Students Are Safe

    He assured that per the systems and measures put in place “I can assure you and all parents that their children are safe. Parents have nothing to worry about. We are on top of the issues.”

    He added that his outfit has prepared well in advance for any situation, including infections; “we have expected that from the day of re-opening to the first three to four weeks, infections may be recorded as we have over 50,000 students from various locations returning to schools in Volta and Oti region put together.”

    “With such a number, the infection may occur, but what is important is that our systems are designed to detect them (infections) in time to allow for sample collection and contact tracing as well as other measures to contain the situation,” Dr Djokoto explained.

    He assured that the situation is being monitored closely and “we will ensure that our children who are already safe continue to be safe and have the right frame of mind to write and pass their examination.”

    Source: Daily Guide Network