TIG Post

Author: Persis

  • Heavy military presence in Volta divisive – Togbe Afede

    The Agbogbomefia, Togbe Afede has described as “divisive” the heavy deployment of personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces to the Volta Region by the Akufo-Addo government on the claim of preventing the spread of the COVID-19.

    According to him, “Never have we seen military invasion like this in peacetime” insisting the deployment is “divisive.”

    Togbe Afede, who is the President of National House of Chiefs, made the remarks when ex-President, John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) called on him on Saturday to conclude his tour of parts of the Volta region in Ho.

    Mr. Mahama was in the region to monitor the ongoing voter registration exercise.

    Togbe Afede said the country’s problems are already huge and cannot be compounded by intimidation stating Africa needed peace to develop its accumulated resources that contribute about 20 per cent to global mineral deposits, a population that constitutes 17 per cent of the global population with a share of gross domestic product (GDP) and world trade constituting three and two per cent, respectively.

    “We need peace and unity to develop, the fallouts from the COVID-19 pandemic is already colossal to deal with.

    Togbe Afede said the role of Chieftaincy as an institution cannot be overemphasised.

    “Let’s foster peace and unity for all under the directive principle of state policy,” and urged Ghanaians to thrive to register under the dispensation to vote.

    On his part, ex-President, Mahama, called on citizens of the Volta region to maintain cool heads as they go out in their numbers to register for the new voter card.

    He said there have been complaints from inhabitants of intimidation from the military disposition in the region in the communities he’s visited and urged the people not to ”be angered by the situation and come out in large droves to register to vote.”

    The Flagbearer had earlier visited Akatsi North, Akatsi South, Ketu North, Ketu South, South Tongu, Agotime-Ziope, and Ho Central Constituencies to have a first-hand assessment of the registration exercise allegedly botched by intimidation and harassment from military deployment across the region and the Oti Region.

    He said civic rights are fundamental to all and no military deployment can curtail it.

    Mr Mahama believed there could be other reasons for the military deployment than the COVID-19 pandemic excuse.

    The ex-President said if from two cases there was no deployment, why the need to deploy now when COVID-19 cases have risen to beyond 20,000 saying “our neighbouring countries must rather be afraid of us because of our numbers.”

    The NDC flagbearer drew linkages between the military deployment and the compilation of the new voter register.

    The flagbearer congratulated Togbe Afede and the National House of Chiefs for not shirking their responsibilities but always spoke to the moral conscience of the nation on topical issues and reprimand errant people irrespective of political representation.

    “In the heat of the moment reprimand us and call us to order when we err”.

    Mr Mahama promised to epitomise peace and unity and expressed the hope that Ghanaians will reward him on his second coming.

    Source: The Herald

  • Sir John to go home March 2021

    The late Former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party(NPP) Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John, is said to be laid to rest in March 2021.

    A close source of the family told Atinkaonline.com that, the date was fixed after the family had gone to officially announce the demise of their son to the government.

    The reason, our source was not able to disclose.

    “The burial would be in March 2021; Well that is what came up from the meeting with the government,” the source said.

    The Former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party(NPP) Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John, was pronounced dead on Wednesday 1st July 2020.

    He was said to have died from Covid-19 after testing positive for the virus but the family has since denied the report by some media houses and online portals.

    However, Family of the late Sir John has scheduled his one-week celebration for Wednesday 22nd July 2020.

    It will be held at Sakora Wonoo in the Ashanti Region.

    Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie A.k.a Sir John, before his death, was appointed by President Nana Addo as the CEO of the Forestry Commission in 2017.

    Source: Atinka Online

  • 7 suspects busted over attack on police

    Seven suspects have been arrested by the Accra Regional Police Command for obstructing the police in performing their duty and offensive conduct.

    The arrest follows an incident which occurred last Tuesday, 7 July 2020 at the E. P church voter registration center in Accra New Town.

    On the said day, two persons were arrested for brandishing machetes and engaging in acts likely to disrupt the ongoing voter registration exercise. They were arrested by security details on duty at the centre.

    While the suspects were being sent to the police station, some sympathisers on board a pickup crossed the police vehicle and forcibly took the two suspects away with impunity.

    The two suspects were rearrested together with five other suspects.

    They were processed for court on Friday 10 July 2020 and to re-appear today, Monday 13 July 2020.

    Source: Class FM

  • Ridge Hospital finally releases report on the death of Dr. Kutos wife

    The Greater Accra Regional Hospital is said to have finally released a detailed medical report of events leading to the death on Thursday, June 25, 2020, of the wife of Dr. Emmanuel Kuto, Director of the Institute of Languages at the hospital.

    Dr Kuto after the death of his wife took to his Facebook account and accused staff of Ridge Hospital of medical negligence including the administration of wrong prescriptions which may have caused the death of his wife Madam Esther Sosuh, who had undergone a hernia surgery earlier on June 23.

    According to the details of the hospital’s report as reported by graphic.com.gh, the deceased after her surgery suffered complications after she fell in a washroom at the facility on June 23, 2020.

    The report which is said to have been signed by Dr Nyabenda-Gomwa Gomda says the patient was administered “SC clexane 80mg and put on TED stockings” as well as intranasal oxygen, when an assessment by doctors and nurses at the Medical Ward found an impression of her pulmonary embolism.

    “On Wednesday morning, 24th June 2020, the patient was seen in bed complaining of severe central chest pain, sweating and restless. The Patient was again examined and a diagnosis of Myocardial infarction was made. A chest Xray, Electrocardiography, D-Dimer, Troponins and 2 were done and Physician Specialists were requested to review her. Anticoagulation was continued.

    Electrocardiography done had features suggestive of Myocardial Infarction. Physician’s reviewed with a diagnosis of Myocardial Infarction. Tab Aspirin 300mg, Tab Clopidogrel 300mg, IV omeprazole 40mg, Tab carvedilol 3.125mg and Tab atorvastatin 40mg were started,” portions of the report reads.

    The report states further that the patient suddenly suffered severe difficulty in breathing and became restless at 11:45 pm on June 24, 2020, and died minutes later on the same day.

    “The night doctors were called to see the patient who they assessed and commenced resuscitation immediately but were unsuccessful and the patient died at 12:10 am on Thursday, 25th June 2020,” the report states in conclusion.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • NPP campaign discourse should be substantive, deliberative – Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has emphasized that the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) campaign communication for election 2020 should be devoid of ethnocentrism, religion, mudslinging and gender biases.

    Rather, the party’s campaigns should be based on a more substantive and deliberative discourse, where the competencies, records, output and achievements of the government are presented to the Ghanaian electorate for comparison with that of opponents.

    The President made the call when he held a virtual meeting with members of his campaign communications advisory team on Sunday in Accra.

    He is presently on 14?day precautionary isolation at the Presidential Villa in the Jubilee House as a result of a member of his inner circle testing positive for COVID-19. He is in his ninth day of seclusion though he tested negative to the disease.

    President Akufo-Addo told the team that the December polls, being an historic one where an incumbent president and his predecessor went head to head in an election, demanded that the records of their tenure be laid bare before the people.

    He pointed out that it was “absolutely critical” going into the December contest, that the NPP’s political discourse hinged on the comparison of records of his administration and that of his predecessor, in terms of the social and economic advancement of the country, and the quality of the leadership that they both provided during their time in government.

    “We still have to ask ourselves who can manage the affairs of our country both in normal times and as well as in extraordinary time, like this last three or four months,” he stressed.

    For the President, the quality of achievement of his government in the areas of health, education, infrastructure and the economy, had been one that had positively affected the country and the entirety of Ghanaians, an important message which the campaigns should reflect.

    “There’s no part of Ghana that can say somehow or rather they’ve been left out of the programmes and development of this government….and that has to be very critical aspect of our outreach,” he said.

    “Every nook and cranny can point to something we have done which matters to the people, whether it’s the establishment of schools, the enhancement of agriculture, or about the development of infrastructure; the water, roads….all these go into idea that our programme is meant to serve the generality of the people, and it’s important that we continue to stress that,” he added.

    President Akufo-Addo was very emphatic that the party’s messages during the electioneering season should not at any material time rouse negative sentiments of any kind, or sully the political atmosphere.

    “We have to do a campaign in Ghana which is not about where you come from. Whipping up ethnic sentiments has never helped this country and it will never help us…and we should be the very first to recognise this diversity, this mosaic of Ghanaian tapestry, which is full of so many different elements that come together in the Ghanaian statement.

    “We should be stressing the Ghana project. And in making the Ghana project, the other issues, whether you are a Moslem or Christian, shouldn’t be part of our discourse and clearly gender should also not be part of our discourse.

    “We are looking at all times, records of competencies…so the discussion before the Ghanaian people should be a discussion about competencies, abilities, records, achievements, outputs. That is something that I would like us to stress very much,” he underscored.

    The President also made clear that he had no agenda to deny any Ghanaian the right to determine who led the country, as was being bandied in certain quarters.

    “All the talk about we have some tribal agenda, we want to disenfranchise people in the north and the Volta, I don’t understand where that is coming from.

    “It is deliberate, it’s artificial anyone who knows the mechanics of Ghana, knows that it’s is artificial and is being done for short term artificial political gains and I’m not sure it’s a legitimate way of advancing a political agenda, and certainly it’s not one that I would want to promote,” he said.

    President Akufo-Addo impressed on the team to push also the message for the compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols, noting that compliance with these set rules will determine the level of success of the fight against the pandemic.

    “I think there is a need to continue stressing on the need for respecting the COVID protocols. We are in government and it is very important that that aspect of our concern about the need for our people to be safe comes out positively in everything we say. People have to take the protocols seriously.”

    Source: GNA

  • Todays newspapers front pages

  • Im finding myself busy Akufo-Addo shares self-isolation experience

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says he is reading all the memoranda and papers he could not read, now that he is in “self-isolation”.

    He observed that this has kept him busier than usual.

    President Akufo-Addo shared his experience on Sunday when he joined some members of his Campaign Communications Advisory Team via Zoom.

    They virtually discussed several issues, among which is the allegations that he is scheming to disenfranchise some voters, particularly those in the Volta Region.

    He dismissed this and underscored that the December 7 elections will be crucial as it is going to be “the first time where the immediate past president and the current president” contest each other.

    “So the issue of the record is absolutely critical,” he suggested.

    “I think we have to be very, very insistent on looking at the record of the two leaders.”

    At the end of the conversation, one of the team members asked how he was faring in quarantine.

    He replied: “All the memoranda and papers I have not read, I am reading them now.”

    The president added: “I am finding myself extremely busy.”

    President Akufo-Addo went into a 14-day self-isolation on Saturday, July 4 on the advice of his doctors after “at least one person within his close circle tested positive for Covid-19”.

    He has been at the Presidential Villa at the Jubilee House since then.

    He told his communicators in the virtual deliberations that “I have five more days”.

    Source: 3 News

  • Voters register: Well make up for lost time at registration centres EC

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has said it will make up for time lost at some registration centres where registration delayed on Sunday 12 July 2020 due to activation/network problems.

    Some registration centres in the country experienced technical problems as a result of bad network and, therefore, could not start on the stipulated time of 7 am as spelt out by the EC for the commencement of the exercise.

    The EC in a statement signed by Mrs Sylvia Annor, Ag. Director Public Affairs noted that “details of the extension for the affected registration centres will be communicated in due course.”

    The third phase of the voter registration exercise began on Sunday, 12 July and will end on 17 July 2020.

    The EC urged all stakeholders to cooperate with it to make the ongoing registration exercise a success.

    Source: Class FM

  • 39 workers of Food and Drugs Authority test positive for coronavirus

    Thirty-nine (39) staff of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) have tested positive for Coronavirus out of staff strength of 450.

    This was captured in a statement issued by the Authority.

    According to the FDA, the staff who tested positive have been asked to self-isolate.

    FDA says despite this new development, it shall continue to render its services to the public.

    “The general public is assured that despite this unfortunate development, the FDA shall continue to effectively execute its mandate as a regulatory agency to register and enforce the important, manufacture, distribution and sale of safe and quality products, especially PPEs, Face Masks, Sanitizers, Medicines, Food as well as other medical devices which are now more than ever in the vital fight against COVID-19,” the statement reads.

    Read the full statement below:

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

     

  • Police Amourer arrested for allegedly supplying guns to robbery gangs in Bolgatanga

    Lance Corporal Diobo Issah of Zebilla District in the Upper East Region has been arrested for allegedly supplying guns to some robbery gangs.

    A team of Investigators from the Bono East Region arrested the suspect in Bolgatanga following a robbery incident that took place within their jurisdiction

    The team according to police sources available to MyNewsGh.com was assisted by the Upper East Regional Police command to arrest the District Armourer of Zebilla identified to the team by an Accused person in the case for having supplied his gang with a quantity of AK 47 ammo for their robbery activities in the Bono East Region.

    A search conducted in the room of the said Policeman revealed three (3) live and one (1) spent AK. 47 ammunition.

    On the instructions of the Upper East Regional Police Commander DCOP Ampofo Duku the suspect was handed over to the team from Techiman for further investigations.

    Meanwhile, the embattled policeman has denied any wrongdoing when he was interrogated.

    Source: My News GH

  • Calm restored at Asutifi South after attack on Collins Dauda

    There is relative peace in the Asutifi South Constituency of the Ahafo Region after an alleged attack on the Member of Parliament for the area, Alhaji Collins Dauda at a registration centre.

    The constituency which was rife with tension during the first phase of the on-going voters registration exercise is now calm with residents going about their normal activities.

    The voters registration exercise is currently going on without the tension that greeted the exercise during the first phase with heavy security presence at all the polling stations where the exercise is taking place.

    According to some residents, the tension was very high during the first phase but it has been curtailed bringing life to normal in the constituency.

    The Assembly member for the Atuahene electoral area, Richard Oduro, in an interview with GhanaWeb described the current situation in the constituency as relatively peaceful.

    Mr Oduro attributed the relative peace at the polling centres to pragmatic measures that have been put in place by traditional authorities and the security personnel.

    “It was not easy when we started the exercise but now there is some cool-headedness as the process is going on without any form skirmishes and we are grateful to the security personnel,” he explained.

    A tricycle driver and a resident of Acherensua who identified himself as Stone boy narrated to GhanaWeb how residents lived in fear after the unfortunate confusion erupted at the Methodist Primary School registration centre where Collins Dauda had pepper spray spurted directly into his eyes.

    He revealed that life is now back to its original state, a situation he said is good for the good people of the Asutifi South Constituency.

    He said, “Last week, life was not easy in this town following the confusion that erupted at one of the polling stations but the situation has been brought under control by the security personnel and there is relative peace in relation to the voter registration.”

    Meanwhile, GhanaWeb can independently confirm that the voters registration exercise has since been going without any form of intimidation and lawlessness despite the initial setback.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • GCX begins integration of Rural Banks into warehousing receipt system

    The Ghana Commodity Exchange has successfully begun integrating Rural and Community Banks (RCBs) into its Warehouse Receipt Financing (WRF) Programme.

    So far, five out of the over 140 RCBs operating all around the country, have been integrated into WRF system and the process can be expected to eventually incorporate most of them into the programme which began eight months ago.

    Indeed, GCX under the warehouse receipt financing model has engaged 15 rural and community banks across the country so far, which means 10 more RCBs are already getting set to join the five now fully incorporated a major step towards developing an efficient and effective agricultural finance channel for the agriculture sector.

    According to the Exchange, the Sissala Rural Bank in Tumu of the Upper West Region is the latest financial institution to join the WRF scheme.

    Others include the Nsoatreman Rural Bank which joined in October 2019, Builsa Community Bank in February 2020 as well as Success for People in May 2020 and Juaben Rural Bank in July 2020.

    The Warehouse Receipt Financing Programme is an innovative way of providing access to finance using the GCX warehouse receipt as sole collateral for accessing loans.

    Through this financing scheme, farmers who hitherto would have been required to provide landed property or any other fixed asset as collateral, are no longer required to provide them because the receipt provides collateral under a receivables backed financing model.

    This is similar to the model COCOBOD uses to secure an international syndicated loan every year, to the tune of at least US$1.3 billion, to pay farmers for the cocoa produce.

    Importantly, because the borrowers would sell their produce on the GCX which provides a ready market lending risk is seen as relatively low which means that credit terms are better than those insisted on through traditional agricultural financing, where it is even available at all.

    The RCBs are currently financing GCX receipts and providing access to financing to small holder farmers, across their areas of operations.

    Late last year, the Warehouse Receipt Financing (WRF) Programme was rolled out by the Exchange in partnership with ARB Apex Bank. As part of the arrangement, the ARB Apex Bank set aside over GH¢50 million to commence the programme.

    In the pursuit of developing agriculture sector, the Exchange is creating avenues that would encourage mores banks to expand into commodity backed lending.

    Currently, the Exchange offers the opportunity to minimize the risk of loss of value of the collateral by monitoring movements in its market value and using margining and price risk management instruments with up to date market data analysis and notifications.

    The integrated RCBs can now provide farmers with loans with the farmers using their deposited commodities as sole collateral. Undoubtedly, through the WRF scheme, the livelihoods of farmers as well as depositors of agricultural commodities will be significantly improved.

    At the moment, the GCX has indicated that through its Warehouse Receipt Financing scheme, over 150 smallholder farmers have received support to access working capital across the country.

    Gradually, as all the RCB s are integrated into the system, smallholder farmers nationwide will have relatively easy access to financing, even as the Exchange also offers a ready market for produce sales as well.

    Source: goldstreetbusiness.com

  • Coronavirus: Exhibitions industry in Ghana loses millions

    With many events cancelled or rescheduled to 2021 due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the economy of Ghana continues to lose millions of dollars which would have come from the exhibitions industry.

    Experts and players in the exhibitions and trade shows space maintain that the industry generates millions of dollars per year to the Ghanaian economy and remains the source of thousands of jobs in the value-chain.

    They lament that that based on the current numbers and size of the events which have failed to take place as scheduled, a significant amount of economic output has already been lost.

    The imposition of restrictions on public gatherings, including exhibitions, conferences, workshops and the suspension of travel to and from Ghana under Executive Instrument 64 (E.I 64) had hugely impacted the exhibitions and events industry.

    Mr Prince Hari Crystal, Chief Executive Officer of exhibition Management Company in Ghana, Exhibition Masters, told this paper the impact of the pandemic on planned exhibitions both within and beyond the shores of the country had been staggering.

    “These postponements have an immediate impact because they delay scheduled business and revenues; this poses an existential risk, in particular for small and medium-sized companies,” Mr Crystal intimated.

    Stressing the importance of exhibitions and the role they play in the economy, Mr Crystal noted that “exhibitions make a significant contribution to many business sectors in Ghana. The more global a business sector the more important the role of trade shows in introducing vendors to buyers and ensuring that industry players maintain contact with industry developments,” he explained.

    Exhibition Masters organizes and provides a wide range of trade shows and exhibition management services.

    Mr Crystal explained that trade shows tended to be a celebration of success with successful companies exhibiting and successful companies visiting.

    “This enabling impact of trade shows is the core to providing the Return On Investment for exhibitors and visitors and in most cases provides the measurement criteria for determining success,” he observed.

    With a number of countries announcing schedules for the easing of restrictions imposed due to COVID-19, as non-essential businesses are opened, as travel restrictions on hospitality industry are lifted and land borders , sea and air ports are opened, life should return to normal, all though experts have warned the virus will stay with humanity for a while.

    “Where and when such restrictions are lifted in Ghana, exhibitions can then also be held safely, open to those participants covered by existing travel directives, whether locally, regionally or internationally,” Mr Crystal added.

    Source: thefinderonline.com

  • Man attempts suicide on Kaneshie Market overpass

    A rather bizarre incident happened at Kaneshie Market, Sunday, when a young man attempted to commit suicide on the overpass.

    Footage of the act which has been in circulation since Sunday morning captures the unidentified man holding on to what appears to be a metal which forms part of the overpass.

    The fear of leaving the metal and dropping dead caught the attention of passersby who made attempts to stop him from the heinous act.

    Having hanged up there for more than four minutes amidst concerns as to what could have informed his decision to attempt to commit suicide, he was eventually saved when a truck stopped beneath the overpass to aid some two men to climb to rescue him.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Farmer arrested for attempting to sell son for GH¢170k

    A 25-year-old farmer has been put before Bibiani Circuit Court in Ahafo Region for attempting to sell his 5-year-old son.

    The accused priced his son at the cost of GH¢170,000.

    Prosecuting officer Detective Inspector George Asanti Noye told the court presided over by His Honour Yaw Owoahene Acheampong that the victim is the biological father of the accused and lives with the grandmother at Asoredanho, a village near Bonsu Nkwanta.

    Somewhere in June 2020, the police at Sefwi Juaboso had intelligence that the accused was searching for someone to buy his son.

    Police used a witness in the case to disguise as a prospective buyer, bargained with the accused person and settled on an amount of GH¢170,000.

    Police at Sefwi Juaboso accompanied the witness to Asoredanho and laid an ambush.

    The accused went for the victim from the grandmother and lied to her that he was taking the child to Bonsu Nkwanta to school there.

    The accused handed the victim to the prospective buyer at Bonsu Nkwanta.

    The agent together with the accused and the victim went to Sefwi Juaboso where it had been agreed that the money will be paid into the account of the accused.

    Police investigators who were trailing their movement arrested the accused while the transaction was about to be effected.

    In his caution statement, the accused admitted the offence. He was initially arraigned before Sefwi Juaboso Magistrate Court but the case was moved to the upper court with jurisdiction to try the case.

    He is expected to reappear before the court on August 9, 2020.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Coronavirus: Ghana records 414 new cases, over 600 recoveries

    Ghana has recorded 414 more COVID-19 cases bringing the total confirmed cases to 24,248 in less than 24-hours after the last update.

    According to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) official website, 619 persons who tested positive for the virus have either recovered/discharged. The total number of recoveries/discharged is now 19,831.

    The death toll is still at 135.

    The country currently has 4,282 active cases.

    The Greater Accra, Ashanti, Western and Central Regions are the top four regions with the highest cases of COVID-19.

    The Greater Accra Region has 13,302 cases, Ashanti Region has 5,150 cases, Western and Central Regions has 2,128 and 1,110 cases respectively.

    Find below the cumulative cases per the regions.

    Greater Accra Region – 13,302

    Ashanti Region – 5,150

    Western Region – 2,128

    Central Region – 1,110

    Eastern Region – 911

    Volta Region – 387

    Upper East Region – 282

    Bono East Region – 201

    Northern Region – 186

    Western North Region – 173

    Oti Region – 115

    Bono Region – 107

    Upper West Region – 70

    Ahafo Region – 66

    Savannah Region – 51

    North East Region – 9

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • EC ends nationwide registration of SHS students

    The Electoral Commission (EC) on Friday began registering eligible voters in Senior High Schools (SHS) across the country but there were setbacks at some of the schools.

    The two-day special exercise was targeted at final year students and those in form-two gold track who were 18 or more but could not join the mainstream exercise because they were in school.

    However, the EC officials were yet to arrive at some schools in Accra as at the time the Ghanaian Times got there. They included Odorgono SHS, Wesley Grammar and Kaneshie SHS (KATECO).

    When the news team arrived at KATECO at noon, the school had designated areas for the exercise with furniture arranged in readiness but the EC team were yet to arrive.

    A staff who asked not to be named was oblivious of reasons for the absence but he indicated that they would continue to wait for them or further communication from stakeholders involved in the exercise.

    At Wesley Grammar, health personnel who was supposed to be part of the officials was present but the main team were yet to turn up. EC officials were not at Odorgono SHS as of 11:45.

    The situation at Accra Wesley Girls SHS was, however, different when the Ghanaian Times visited at 11:00.

    The EC officials were at post and had registered 30 students so far with others awaiting their turn.

    Social distancing, wearing of masks and other protocol were observed. Some teachers were also waiting to register.

    In an interview, Charles Tackie, an EC technician and supervisor of data entry clerks, said their target was 150 students per pay, expressing optimism that they could achieve the target due to the smooth progression of the exercise.

    He said about 50 per cent of the students who had registered so far presented their Ghana card as proof of nationality while the rest relied on friends as guarantors.

    In all 750 out of 779 students had reported to school but not all of them were eligible, according to Ms Letitia Bray, the headmistress.

    The special exercise which formed part of the nationwide compilation of a new register was announced at an emergency Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting held between the EC and IPAC on Thursday.

    As part of the extended exercise, mobile registration officers from the EC were deployed to about 700 SHS campuses after the Ghana Education Service (GES) had written to the Commission.

    The SHS students returned to school on June 22, as part of the partial reopening of school after several weeks of closure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

    From Sunyani, Daniel Dzirasah reports that registration of senior high school students announced by the EC took with a few hiccups.

    At the Sunyani Senior High school where five registration centres were created, it came out that the printing machines could not capture the fingerprint of registrants.

    According to the registration officer Victor Gyan, the printer could not capture the fingerprints of registrants and as such had slow the registration process.

    He said affected applicants were made to wait until the machine was able to capture their details.

    He told this reporter that although the exercise began around 8:00 am, he could not provide the number of students who had registered and that of those who had been guaranteed.

    A similar situation pertained in all the five centres in the school.

    The registration officer of Twene Amanfo Senior High, Mr Jacob Kwame Ofori told the Ghanaian Times that 33 students had registered as at 11:48 am with 20 guarantors guaranteeing for the registrants.

    At the St James Senior high School, Rev. Father Alex Ansu Ebo, headmaster of the school said the school was a polling centre and that the registration exercise had not started yet.

    Dzifa Tetteh, reports from Ashaiman that at the Ashaiman Senior High School in the Ashaiman Municipality, there was no registration exercise going on.

    Rather students were engaged in a clean-up exercise on the compound and its surroundings.

    The Assistant Head for Administration of the School, Elikplim Setsoafia-Logbavi in an interview with the Ghanaian Times explained that the school received a message from the Electoral Commission on Thursday that the registration of their students had been rescheduled.

    He said since the school was also a Registration Centre, days would be allocated for students to also register when it was the turn for the area to have its registration exercise later this month.

    Some of the students who spoke in an interview said they were disappointed that they could not do it at the same time as their colleagues from other institutions because they were excited to register and vote for the first time.

    However, they were also happy that an assurance had been given that when registration starts in the area they would have the opportunity to do so.

    From Ho, Kafui Gati reports that contrary to concerns raised over the legal basis for the registration of Senior High School students at campuses not gazetted, the exercise started yesterday in some schools in the Ho Municipality.

    At Mawuli Senior High School, a total of 1,100 eligible students and staff were expected to go through the two-day exercise.

    According to the headmaster, Mr Gustav Adomah, all the necessary safety protocols have been put in place.

    He explained that students were to go through the exercise first before staff members since they could not go outside the school to register after the two-day exercise.

    When the Ghanaian Times got to E.P Mawuko Girls Senior High School, the situation was not different with students seated two meters apart.

    The school authorities noted that they were expecting 508 eligible students to register.

    Some of the students Ghanaian Times interviewed said even though the exercise has been smooth, many of them were not having the Ghana Card and have to wait for their colleagues vouch for them.

    Mr Samuel Agudza, a registration official stated that the exercise has been smooth with all the students taken through the safety protocols.

    He assured that all the schools in the Ho Municipality would benefit from the two-day exercise.

    The registration of students by the Electoral Commission comes after some members of the public raised concerns about the exercise.

    But in a sharp response, the Electoral Commission said its decision to commence the voter registration exercise in the various Senior High Schools in the country was to avoid disenfranchising eligible voter students.

    Source: kingdomfmonline.com

  • Akufo-Addo extends message of condolence to Ivory Coast

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has sent a message of condolence to the government and people of Ivory Coast following the sudden death of their Prime Minister, Amadou Gon Coulibaly.

    The Prime Minister before his passing had just returned from a heart treatment in France and suddenly fell ill at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, July 8, 2020.

    The 61-year-old had been chosen as the ruling party’s candidate for this year’s October presidential election after Alassane Ouattara said he would not seek a third term in office.

    President Akufo-Addo in a letter to the Ivorian people said; “The late Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly who I found to be a warm and engaging personality will be fondly remembered for his distinguished and dedicated service to Cote d’Ivoire, and his for loyal support to you in a quest to develop and positively transform your country”.

    “May God comfort and grant you, the government, his family, and the people of Cote d’Ivoire strength and fortitude in this moment of grief,” he added.

    See President Akufo-Addo’s letter below:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Police investigates video of an officer assaulting a woman at a registration centre

    “The attention of the Police Administration has been drawn to a video circulating on social media in which a police officer is seen slapping a woman at a place believed to be a Voters Registration Centre,” the Ghana Police Service shared on their Facebook page on Saturday.

    The service also noted that it had already commenced investigations into the matter and assured that facts of the matter will be provided to the public in due time.

    “The Police Administration wishes to assure the public that it has commenced an investigation into the matter and will provide facts of the matter to the public in due time, all should be assured,” the post stated.

    On Saturday, July 11, 2020, GhanaWeb reported of the viral video on social media in which a police officer could be heard threatening his victim seconds before following his words with a slap.

    The video has since generated several comments on social media with various opinions being shared amidst anger towards the actions of the police officer.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Voter registration: Police vow to crack down on lawlessness at Asutifi South

    Security operatives in the Asutifi South Constituency have vowed to crack down on acts lawlessness in the Constituency.

    The District Police Commander for Goaso, DSP Danso Abeam, reveals that his outfit will not tolerate any acts that will affect the success of the on-going voter registration exercise.

    DSP Danso Abeam reveals that the decision to deal with trouble makers follows excesses that were recorded in the first phase of the voter registration exercise at Acherensua which allegedly saw someone spraying pepper spray into the eyes of the Member of Parliament for Asutifi South, Alhaji Collins Dauda.

    According to DSP Danso Abeam, they have since beefed up security in the constituency and warned that any acts of hooliganism will be tolerated.

    The District Police Commander made the revelation at a meeting with traditional authorities, political parties, religious bodies and other stakeholders at Nkasem.

    He warned that any individual or group of individuals who will try to thwart the voter registration process will be met with equal and legitimate force.

    He added that such individuals when arrested will be put before the law court for the appropriate sanctions to be applied against them.

    “Following some unfortunate incidents we recorded during the first phase of the voter registration exercise, we have beefed up the security in the constituency to ensure that the on-going registration is held without any disruption from party thugs. This time around, we are not joking, any individual who engages in any act aimed derailing the registration process will be dealt with according to law by the security”.

    Source: Aboagye Frank, Ghanaweb Contributor

  • Ghanaian Christian leaders mourn Evangelist Morris Cerullo

    Some Christian leaders in Ghana Saturday joined their counterparts across the globe to mourn the renowned American pentecostal evangelist Morris Cerullo, who died Saturday at the age of 88.

    The evangelist, whose missionary work brought him to the country for a number of crusades and teaching programmes, impacted leaders such as Evangelist Dr Lawrence Tetteh, President of the Worldwide Miracle Outreach, Archbishop Bishop Nicholas Duncan Williams, General Overseer of the Action Chapel International and Bishop Charles Agyin Asare, Presiding Bishop of the Perez Chapel International.

    In his tribute, Dr Tetteh said: “The world has lost one of the generals in the faith who was a father to many modern preachers of this generation and a true man of God.

    “Papa Morris Cerullo was a man of God who was fit in any pair of shoes that was given to him. He carried a unique anointing and an undeniable gift of healing that transformed many lives from all walks of life.

    “I have followed him to many nations of the world and have been impacted greatly by his apostolic unction. “We Will miss him greatly but I believe heaven is rejoicing in his honour”.

    The well-travelled evangelist said Dr Cerrullo encouraged him to never lose his unique style of preaching with the stories, singing and dancing.

    “I cannot say thank you enough for your love and support to my ministry, my wife Barbara and I.

    “May your faith find a resting place in Him.

    “Papa! Rest well in the bosoom of the Lord.”

    Bishop Agyinasare of the Perez Church, who hosted Dr Cerullo in 2017, wrote on his twitter page: “My father Dr Morris Cerullo is gone to join the great cloud of witnesses after having fought a good fight and having run his course. His legacy lives on in us.”

    From Uganda, the founder of the Miracle Centre Cathedral Rubaga, Robert Kayanja, described the preacher as one who fought a good fight even in his old age.

    The Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, Nigeria, Bishop Mike Okonkwo also paid his tribute via a twitter post saying:”My father Dr. Morris Cerullo! “Like a good soldier of Christ, you fought a good fight, finished your course and kept the faith (2 Tim 4:7).

    Dr. Cerullo was a world-renowned evangelist and the President of Morris Cerullo World Evangelism, which was founded in 1961.

    He travelled to many developing nations for over seven decades.

    According to his official website, he ministered in 93 nations, in more than 400 cities, on seven continents, where he ministered to millions.

    “He dedicated his life to helping hurting and travelled more than 250,000 miles every year to minister healing and salvation to the world”.

    Dr. Cerullo, who was raised in a Jewish Orthodox orphanage in New Jersey, is said to have given his life to Christ when he was 14 and a half years old.

    “By 15 years old he was preaching three to four times per week in local churches. At 17 years old, he received a scholarship and graduated from the the New York Metropolitan Bible School in Suffern, New York”.

    He was ordained by the Assemblies of God as an evangelist minister in 1952.

    Dr Cerullo founded the Morris Cerullo World Evangelism, Incorporated in , San Diego, California, in 1961.

    He published about 80 inspirational and Christian Literature books and hosted the popular television programme, ‘Victory Today’, from 1991.

    Source: GNA

  • High Court strips Accra Technical University of TUSAAG leadership

    A Tamale High Court presided over by Justice Osei Gyamfi has given a month ultimatum to the Technical Universities Administrators Association of Ghana TUSAAG) to hand over leadership of the association to elected executives of the Bolgatanga Technical University.

    The Court has also ordered executives of the Accra Technical University (AUT) who were sworn in as national executives to with immediate effect seize to hold themselves as such.

    A GH¢20,000 damages has also been given in favour of the plaintiffs.

    Bernard Ayamga, the President-elect for the Association at the Bolgatanga Technical University, could not hide his excitement after the judgement.

    He told 3news.com he and his team are ready to take over the affairs of the Association for the next three years.

    “We will provide an open, transparent and an all-inclusive leadership with focus on setting the right agenda for uplifting the image of administrators in all Technical Universities.”

    Background

    The Association was formerly known as the Polytechnic Administrators Association of Ghana.

    Leadership rotates from one Technical University to the other.

    A conference is organized to determine which school gets the nod to host the national office of the Association.

    The last Technical University to host the National office was the Tamale Technical University.

    In 2018, when their three-year tenure expired, it was the turn of Bolgatanga Technical University to host the national office.

    An election, subsequently described by members as free and fair, was organized and executives elected.

    But Bolgatanga Technical University was denied a formal handing over with the reasons that the school was yet to be converted into a Technical University.

    This did not go down well with the elected executives and some members.

    They petitioned the Association but their petition got no attention.

    A press conference was also held.

    After several attempts to get the executives to do the right thing failed, they turned to the courts for redress.

    While they were going to court, executives of the Accra Technical University were sworn into office.

    This was challenged and the Association cited for contempt by the High Court in Tamale.

    Damages of GH¢6,000 were awarded to the plaintiffs.

    After two years of back and front in court, the court finally delivered judgement that the leadership of the Association be given to elected executives of Bolgatanga Technical University.

    Source: 3 News

  • Dr.Lawrence Tetteh pays glowing tribute to Evangelist Morris Cerullo

    International evangelist and president of Worldwide Miracle Outreach, Dr Lawrence Tetteh has paid a heartfelt tribute to renowned American Pentecostal Evangelist Morris Cerullo who passed away in the early hours of Saturday, July 11, 2020.

    Recounting the numerous encounters he has had with the late Morris Cerullo, Dr Tetteh referred to him as his spiritual father and mentor.

    He said several doors were opened to him through the Mission to London organized in the 80s and 90s by Dr Cerullo.

    “The world has lost one of the generals in the faith who was a father to many modern preachers of this generation and a true man of God. Papa Morris Cerullo was a man of God who was fit in any pair of shoes that was given to him. He carried a unique anointing and an undeniable gift of healing that transformed many lives from all walks of life. I have followed him to many nations of the world and have been impacted greatly by his apostolic unction,” Dr Lawrence Tetteh wrote in his tribute.

    Adding that, “We will miss him greatly but I believe heaven is rejoicing in his honour. You encouraged me to never lose my unique style of preaching with the stories, singing and dancing…I cannot say thank you enough for your love and support to my ministry, my wife Barbara and I…May your faith find a resting place in Him. Papa! Rest well in the bosom of the Lord…”

    Morris Cerullo died at the age of 89.

    Source: Dr Lawrence Tetteh, Ghanaweb Contributor

  • Give chiefs salaries – Akyem Kwabeng Chief to government

    The chief of Akyem Kwabeng in the Eastern Region, Daasebre Ayimadu Kantamanso II has reignited the debate for chiefs to be paid for their work by passionately calling on Government to consider paying Traditional Rulers or Chiefs in the county by at least giving them some monthly allowances or salary to help their living.

    According to the chief who is also the Gyasehene of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional council, traditional leaders are very important partners of government in national development and there is therefore the need to ensure that they receive monthly stipends from the State to enable them to play this role effectively.

    “Tell the President (Nana Akuffo Addo) to remember us (chiefs) in his plans for the nation. How many teachers are in this community, how many government workers are here? The government is able to pay all of them. There is only one chief here but the government is unable to pay the chief,” Daasebre Ayimadu Kantamanso II remarked as he appealed to the Minister for Chieftaincy and cultural affairs, Hon. Kofi Dzamasi to intervene by carrying their plea to the cabinet for consideration.

    The chief who made the call on behalf of other chiefs justified the call as the government is entitled to 55% of the royalties received by the traditional authorities.

    “Government is entitled to the 55% of royalties we receive,” he said, adding that the roles played by the government cannot be underestimated.

    The chief was speaking at Akyem Kwabeng when he handed over some medical equipment and consumables on behalf of an indigene of community to the Atiwa West District Health Directorate as part of his support for the fight against COVID-19, as the community marked its Awukudae (special Wednesday) for Okyeman.

    He promised to offer his continuous support for the directorate and various CHPS compounds in the district to support their activities.

    Receiving the items on behalf of the health directorate, the Atiwa West District Director of Health, Dr Benedict Bekui commended the gesture of Daasebre Ayimadu Kantamanso II of prioritizing the health of his people and coming to their assistance and assured the chief and his people that, the items will be put into good use for the benefit of all.

    The health director who acknowledged the critical role resources play in health delivery noted that the items would be of great help to the directorate.

    With no confirmed cases as yet in the Atiwa West District, Dr Benedict Bekui however disclosed that test results of suspected cases were being awaited.
    He was satisfied with the response to the massive education on the pandemic in the district as the campaign remains a continuous fight and appealed to various stakeholders to support the COVID-19 fight by equipping the health directorate.

    Another citizen and founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Chocho Industries Company Limited, Alhaji Mustapha Oti Boateng also donated a token of Ghc 1000 to the health directorate to support the COVID-19 support.

    Source: Michael Oberteye, Ghanaweb Contributor

  • Outrage as soldiers disperse registrants in Ahafo Ano North before registration ends

    About 300 registrants at D/A Primary Akwadaanyame 1 in the Ahafo Ano North Constituency were forcibly dispersed by gun-wielding military officers from the 3rd Infantry Battalion at 4pm on Saturday before the closing of registration.

    The BVRs had been breaking down intermittently throughout the day, according to our correspondent.

    The polling center is a perceived stronghold of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    Some key NDC officials present at the scene expressed worry about the development which could disenfranchise several potential voters.

    “All these tactics have been deployed by the EC/NPP to disenfranchise many of the qualified Ghanaian registrants.

    The EC refused to deploy its Mobile BVR to the centre in spite of numerous calls to the office. Again, they spent more than 4hrs to respond by sending a technician instead whose presence did not solve the problem,* an executive said.

    Another noted: “We have filed an irregularity complaint and taken stock of about 300 registrants who were queued and subsequently dispersed by the military

    “I was nearly attacked by one of the military personnel who came from Sunyani (3BN)… When he ordered his colleagues to start whipping the registrants, I had to give in and ask the crowd to move from the center.”

    “It was a scary situation for the residents of the area and its adjoining communities,” one Yaw Brogya Genfi stressed.

    The EC is yet to officially comment on the incident.

    Source: Daily Mail

  • Fertilizer smuggling is gaining national attention Minister

    Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, the Upper West Regional Minister, has bemoaned the rampant illicit smuggling of subsidized fertilizers meant for the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme in the region.

    The Regional Minister, specifically mentioned the Sissala West District and the Sissala East Municipality, which had gained notoriety in fertilizer smuggling making the region gain national attention and called on all to join forces to confront the negative phenomenon to defeat it.

    Dr. Bin Salih who expressed the worry during the Regional Coordinating Council Meeting in Wa, encouraged residents along the borders to collaborate with the security agencies to check and halt the activities of what he described as “nation wreckers” who according to him were bent on undermining the laudable government initiative.

    “I have cautioned input dealers in the Sissala East and West Assemblies of my resolve to recommend for the revocation of the license of any input dealer who is found to be involved in smuggling”, he said.

    “I did not mince words when I met with the security agencies to up their game and not be accomplices to the smuggling of fertilizers; else risk being reported to their superiors for their actions or inactions in perpetrating this crime against the nation”, he emphasized.

    Touching on some of the government interventions in the agriculture sector, the Regional Minister disclosed that from 2017 to 2019, a total of 309,190 people benefited from the PFJ programme with a total area of 380,128 hectares under cultivation.

    For the “One-District-One-Warehouse” initiative, Dr Bin Salih hinted that two warehouses at Bussie and Han had been completed awaiting commissioning whereas the remaining five located at Bulenga, Charikpong, Tumu, Lambussie and Funsi were at various stages of completion.

    He indicated that 56 dams and dugouts under the “One-Village-One-Dam” initiative were awarded on contract in all the 11 constituencies in the region with 21 of them completed and being put to use.

    On the Planting for Export and Rural Development programme, the Minister disclosed that a total of 13,792 persons benefited in the region whilst a total of 1,320,000 cashew seedlings were nursed under the Ghana Productive Safety Net Project and were ready for distribution to farmers in the various Municipalities and Districts for planting.

    He said through the “Rearing for Food and Jobs” programme launched by the President in June, 2019 in Wa, a total of 2,000 sheep were distributed to 200 farmers whereas a total of 2,500 cockerels were distributed to 250 farmers in Wa, Jirapa, and Nandom Municipalities and Wa East and Sissala West Districts.

    Dr Bin Salih emphasized that government was really burnt on revamping the agricultural sector with all the above initiatives and urged the youth in the region to take advantage of the interventions to improve their lot.

    Source: Peace FM

     

  • Government spends over GH¢233.9m on nationwide free water supply

    The Government spent an amount of GH¢233,936,273.00 on a nationwide free water supply announced by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as part of the package put in place to combat the outbreak of the Coronavirus in the country.

    The free water supply was for three months commencing from April and ending in June, 2020.

    Taking her turn at the Meet-the-Press Series organised by the Ministry of Information, the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Mrs Cecilia Abena Dapaah said her outfit in collaboration with the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) supplied and installed a number of water tanks to various regions.

    “These tanks were installed to supply water to the vulnerable and the poor across the various regions. Approximately, 750,000 people benefited from the free water supply intervention using the mounted water tanks across the country,” she added.

    The minister saidexisting domestic customers of GWCL also enjoyed the three-month free water supply across the entire country. Water tanker services were also deployed across all the regions during the period.

    Mrs Dapaah said government has also obtained 7.9million Euros soft loan from the Unicredit Bank of Austria to enhance the management of GWCL Water Supply network.

    Under this facility, she said the GWCL would deploy the relevant application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Hydraulic software to provide spatial data asset register of all the operational units for engineering, planning and visual management, optimization of revenue through efficient billing and collection and more importantly, reduction of non-revenue water which would be centrally monitored.

    According to her, the loan agreement for the project had been signed with work commencing on December 21, 2018 and is expected to be completed within 31 months,” she added.

    Mrs Daapah said the ministry was currently preparing the Cabinet memorandum for the implementation of the Sunyani Water Supply Project which is estimated at €289, 984, 810, adding that government is in line to secure financing from the Swedish Export Credit Corporation.

    Touching on the management of solid waste, she said the ministry, under the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development Project (GARID), had secured a parcel of land to construct an Engineered Sanitary Landfill and a Materials Recovery Facility in the Ga West municipality. In addition, two transfer stations will be constructed at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission and the Adentan municipality respectively.

    “Two major dumpsites at Abokobi and Agbogbloshie (Old Fadama) will be capped. Expression of Interest (EOI) for Consultancy Services for Detailed Engineering Design (DED) and construction supervision for the landfill and capping components have been received and are being evaluated.

    Mrs Dapaah said the ministry has also commenced the construction of 5,000 household toilet facilities within the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area under the GASSLIP.

    She said the construction works are at various stages of completion, stating that it is anticipated that by the end of December 2020, all the facilities would have been completed which would benefit 50,000 people.

    Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

  • I live on 4 cedis a day with my one year old daughter – Sachet water seller

    Vida Nsor, a single mother who sells sachet water on the streets of Tema, has disclosed to SVTV Africa that she and her child feeds on 4 cedis each day.

    Sharing her story, she said, she has 4 kids with the same father whom after their last born, left them in Bolgatanga and has since not seen him till date.

    Being a single mother, she had to follow friends to Accra, exactly three days prior to the partial lockdown to hustle her way out of life.

    She now sells pure water on the streets of Tema, making an average income of 8 cedis on a good market day.

    According to her, together with the child, she spends 4 cedis on food, one cedi on pampers, pay one cedi for bathing and save the remaining 2 cedis.

    This means anything below 8 cedis a day, will prevent her from saving or fail to do any of the aforementioned.

    Vida believes her one-year-old child, contributes to why she was denied many job opportunities, unlike her friends.

    She added that her other three kids are with her mother in the Upper East region. According to her, she dreams of going back home, but money for transportation has become a problem.

    With strong belief, the mother of 4 is certain that with a cash amount of 300 cedis, she can start pastry business or cook something and sell.

    Watch video below

    Source: svtvafrica.com

  • It was a difficult time! – Dan Botwe recalls moment he heard of Sir John’s death while on admission

    Member of Parliament for Okere constituency, Dan Botwe has reacted to the death of Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie a.k.a Sir John.

    The Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, also known as Sir John died at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital on Wednesday, July 1, 2020.

    Speaking to this in an interview on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’, Dan Botwe who doubles as the Regional Reorganisation Minister said he heard the news while on admission at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) recovering from COVID-19.

    “It’s a day you don’t want to remember; very very sad day . . . ” Dan Botwe recalled, adding, “I didn’t know he was sick and so when I heard it; it was a difficult time”.

    Listen to him in the video below:


    Source: Peace FM

  • About 13 final year SHS students in 4 schools test positive for COVID-19

    So far, about thirteen final year senior high school students in the country have tested positive for coronavirus just weeks after re-opening.

    The Deputy Minister of Education, in charge of Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, confirmed that six students at the Accra Girls Senior High School tested positive adding that a teacher at the school together with his wife had also tested positive for the COVID-19.

    Speaking to media, he mentioned that two other students from Odorgonor SHS equally tested positive for the virus and in the Ashanti Region, three students at the Konongo Wesley SHS had tested positive for the COVID-19.

    In the Central Region, the Mfantsipim School recorded two confirmed cases of the COVID-19.

    He stated that the students had been isolated to curb the spread of the virus.

    According to him, 648 contacts tracing had been done and the people had been isolated, with a number of them tested by the Ghana Health Service.

    Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament has called on the government to close schools again after some senior high school students in the country contracted the coronavirus

    The Member of Parliament for Builsa South, Dr. Clement Apaak said: “If the real motive to reopen schools is for final year students to prepare to write their final examinations, then a second look at this motive in the face of rising cases and reported cases in some schools is warranted.”

    In a statement, it said “We must prioritize the lives of the students, after all, how can sick or dead students write exams. The examinations can be postponed but the safety of our future leaders cannot be postponed.

    “In the last few days, Ghana recorded over 750 and over 690 cases per day. This does not provide any parent the comfort to assume the safety of their children.”

    He added: “We are of the firmest conviction that as a nation we must not wait until it is too late to do anything. Our students need to be protected from the high risks of exposure. As can be seen, the Akufo-Addo government has failed to contain the virus.”

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • WeII use all legal means to stop ECs registration in schools – NDC

    A Deputy General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Peter Boamah Otukonor has slammed the Electoral Commission (EC) for conducting a registration exercise in secondary schools.

    He said although the EC has started the exercise, the NDC will use all available means to stop the ”illegality”.

    Mr. Otukonor indicated despite their disapproval of this decision, they have deployed polling agents to all the secondary schools where the exercise is being conducted.

    He told Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm that, these newly created centres have not been gazetted to allow for their use in the ongoing voter registration exercise.

    He explained to the news team the law states clearly that the EC has the power to create polling stations but when they do so, they must go through the process of gazetting and publishing them to political parties, 21 days before the time.

    He further alleged the ruling NPP was using their vigilante groups to intimidate and attack NDC supporters.

    The police he noted must step in to protect their supporters or they would be forced to defend themselves.

    He advised the EC to ensure the safety protocols in place to contain the spread of the coronavirus at all the registration centres are adhered to.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • GHS declares Carlos Ahenkorah coronavirus negative

    The Ghana Health Service has declared former deputy Trade minister and MP for Tema East Carlos Ahenkorah COVID-19 negative.

    Mr Ahenkorah recently resigned as a deputy minister after he was accused of breaching the COVID-19 protocols.

    In a letter addressed to the Tema East MP on Friday, July 9, 2020, and signed by the director-general of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye disclosed that Mr. Ahenkorah has obtained two consecutive negative laboratory test results for COVID-19.

    “For this reason, you are deemed to have recovered from COVID-19 infection and so can return to work,” the letter noted.

    The GHS has however cautioned the former deputy minister to continue to observe the precautionary measures since he is not immune from contracting the virus.

    “These include the use of a face mask at all times especially in public places, frequent washing of hands with soap under running water and covering of mouth and nose with tissue paper when coughing or sneezing and disposing of the used tissue properly”.

    Attached is a copy of the letter from the GHS boss to Carlos Ahenkorah.

    NOTIFICATION OF RECOVERY FROM COVID 19

    The Ghana Health Service wishes to inform you that you have obtained two consecutive negative laboratory test results for COVID 19.

    For this reason, you are deemed to have recovered from COVID 19) infection, and so can return to work. This however does not mean you are immune from contracting the virus henceforth.

    As a result, you are advised to continue to observe the under-listed precautionary measures:

    – use of a face mask at all times, especially in public places,

    – frequent washing of hands with soap under running water,

    – covering your mouth and nose with tissue paper when coughing or sneezing and disposing off the used tissue properly,

    – maintaining social and physical distancing with other people (minimum of 2 meters)

    – drinking enough water. Whilst grateful for your co-operation thus far, we are looking forward to its continuation as we strive to ensure your safety and that of other Ghanaians.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Aspiring MP arrested for organizing rally, but chief jumps to his defence

    An independent parliamentary candidate for Assin South Constituency, Joseph Kofi Damte, was arrested by the Central Regional Police Command for organizing a political rally without prior notice to the police amidst breach of other COVID-19 safety protocols.

    His actions, according to the police, are “contrary to the Provisions of the Public Order, Criminal and other offences as well as Imposition of Restrictions laws”.

    The police effected the arrest on Thursday, 9th July, 2020 after they received information on July 6, that the said rally had taken place at Assin Aworoso. Mr Damte and participants of the rally failed to wear face masks and observe the social distancing protocols according to the police.

    A news release signed by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Irene Serwaah Oppong, said “when police got to the scene, information was gathered from people who were still present that the programme had just ended and the independent candidate had left”.

    The statement indicated that the Central Regional CID has taken over the case to investigate while the suspect remains in police custody assisting investigations.

    Meanwhile, the Chief of Assin Awroso, Nana Kwasare II has denied that Mr. Kofi Damte, organized any campaign in his town.

    According to the Chief, Mr. Damte only came to his house just to pay him a visit during Mr. Damte tour on the voters registration exercise.

    The chief said he cannot go contrary to the law by allowing any politician to hold a campaign in his town whilst the President has not given permission for that.

    Nana Kwasare rather admonished the media to report on the developmental challenges facing the community such as poor road network, poor railway lines, deplorable health centres among others instead of bringing out “fake reports” to tarnish the image of his chieftaincy and his community.

    Source: angelonline.com.gh

  • Coronavirus: Postmortem on every dead person would reveal terrifying figures – Kwesi Pratt

    Managing Editor of Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr says a postmortem must be conducted on all dead bodies in the country.

    Ghana has recorded 23, 834 cases of COVID-19 with 19,212 recoveries and 135 deaths.

    Out of the confirmed cases, 9,556 were detected through routine surveillance whilst the other 14,278 through contact tracing.

    According to him, there are communities in the country, particularly the Zongo areas, where deceased people are immediately buried, but he would have the government to order for an autopsy to be done on all dead bodies believing there will be new additions to the COVID-19 figures.

    “In COVID-19, postmortem must be carried out on every dead person. First of all, to enable us see the extent; to enable us determine the nature of the disease and so on. But up till date, there are a lot of communities that when a person dies, the deceased within three to four hours would be buried.”

    “So, all those figures are not recorded…If we should test every dead body and so on, maybe we would see terrifying figures,” he said.

    Source: Peace FM

  • My 17-year-old daughter was not raped – Victim’s father

    Father of the 17-year-old lady who is reported to have been raped by one Frank Boadi, a 43-year-old returnee from France has told GhanaWeb that his daughter was not raped by the suspect.

    The father, identified as Kwadwo Sekyere explained that his daughter who is in a sexual relationship with the suspect had consensual sex which has led to pregnancy.

    “My daughter confessed she had been in a relationship with the suspect for 3 months. They had planned to travel to Accra to abort the pregnancy,” he told GhanaWeb.

    Though he has officially reported the case to the Senchi police station which was later referred to the Sekyere East Divisional command, his fight is for the 43-year-old suspect to take responsibility for his daughter and the unborn child.

    Speaking to GhanaWeb, the Police confirmed that they have officially received complaints from the father of the victim.

    They added that the suspect in his statement denied kidnapping and sexually abusing the 17-year-old girl. He also denied impregnating the girl.

    However, he has pledged to cater to the girl’s medical and upkeep till she gives birth, and then request for a DNA to be done.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Njuasco students rely on teachers, mates as guarantors to register

    Several students of the New Juaben Senior High School (NJUASCO) had to rely on mates and teachers to go through the registration process.

    The students had no passport nor Ghana Cards, which are the requisite documents for registration.

    A number of the final-year students had queued on seats, guided by their teachers, to go through the process.

    Registration is being done for those who are 18, but according to classes to avoid overcrowding at the centre.

    For those who do not have the required documents, they have to wait for their mates who have Ghana Cards to go through the process before they serve as guarantors for them to also register.

    Hand hygiene facilities have been made available and other Covid-19 protocols are observed at the centre.

    About 30 applicants comprising students and teachers had gone through the exercise at the time of filling this report.

    Students who hailed from Koforidua have been informed to choose polling centres close by.

    Those who reside outside Koforidua would be placed at Atekyem Number One Polling Station before they can have the opportunity to transfer their vote at the appropriate time.

    Source: 3 News

  • Ghana will grind to a halt if Parliament shuts down – Speaker

    Speaker of Parliament Prof. Mike Oquaye has ruled out any possibility of Parliament shutting down over COVID-19 arguing such a move will grind the entire country to a halt.

    Many institutions including the Bulk Oil Storage and Transport (BOST) have had to halt operations as a result of staff testing positive for COVID-19.

    Parliament recorded its first cases months ago prompting some MPs and health experts to call for a shutdown.

    However, speaking on the floor Prof. Oquaye directed for another disinfection of the chamber to be carried out next week.

    He explained the Finance Minister is expected in the House for the presentation of the mid-year budget review so if parliament should close down the country will grind to a halt.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • What positive change have you brought to sanitation sector? – Franklin Cudjoe queries minister

    President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, is challenging the Sanitation Minister to explain to Ghanaians the positive impact she has added to her ministry in the last 2 years since her appointment.

    According to Mr. Cudjoe, Madam Cecilia Dapaah, the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources is reported to have said newly selected running mate for the National Democratic Congress, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang adds nothing to the fortunes of the NDC.

    Mr. Cudjoe in his post stated though the minister’s comment is debatable, he tasked her to rather explain to Ghanaians what she has added to the Sanitation ministry in her capacity.

    “I just watched the Minister of Sanitation say Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang adds nothing to the fortunes of the NDC. We can debate that. It is a healthy debate.

    But what has the Minister added to our sanitation positively after almost two years in power? 80% of a clean Accra as her ministry alleged two days ago? What about the mountain of taxes that prevent private sector participation in waste management in Ghana.”

    He blamed the slow progress made in the Sanitation ministry in the last years because the sector has not been friendly for private sector participation.

    “Currently, a compactor truck imported for transporting waste attracts an import duty of 5% on the Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF) value of compactor. It also attracts NHIL levy (2.5%), GetFund Levy (2.5%); Special Import Levy (2%), ECOWAS Levy (0.5%), Exim Levy (0.75%), Processing fee (1%) and AU Levy (0.2%), which add up to 9.45% of the CIF value. In addition, the sector also pays Import VAT of 12.5% on top of these taxes.”

    Mr Cudjoe further entreated Madam Cecilia Dapaah to focus on these issues which he describes as ‘urgent’ matters.

    “So, madam minister of sanitation- please focus and deal with these urgent matters too.”

    Read the full statement below:

    I just watched the Minister of Sanitation say Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang adds nothing to the fortunes of the NDC. We can debate that. It is a healthy debate. But what has the Minister added to our sanitation positively after almost two years in power? 80% of a clean Accra as her ministry alleged two days ago? What about the mountain of taxes that prevent private sector participation in waste management in Ghana.

    Currently, a compactor truck imported for transporting waste attracts an import duty of 5% on the Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF) value of compactor. It also attracts NHIL levy (2.5%), GetFund Levy (2.5%); Special Import Levy (2%), ECOWAS Levy (0.5%), Exim Levy (0.75%), Processing fee (1%) and AU Levy (0.2%), which add up to 9.45% of the CIF value. In addition, the sector also pays Import VAT of 12.5% on top of these taxes.

    Currently, the waste industry operates at a profit margin of 20% (From the existing data in the cost buildup of the various landfill sites). However, this profit margin is reduced to 7.5% since they treat 12.5% of their revenue as output tax. In addition to that, the sector also absorbs the non-deductible combined 5% import NHIL/GetFund levies which further reduces their profit margin to 2.5%.

    One Professor Mariwah recently asked me and others in a webinar I moderated that,” how do such companies accumulate enough capital to reinvest in waste collection trucks and other machinery as well as invest in Research and Development (R&D) to improve waste management in the country?”

    Ama Ofori-Antwi, Executive Secretary of ESPA recently said to me and others on the webinar, “Upon taking up this role as Executive secretary with ESPA, I can say confidently 22 companies have collapsed since 2014 to date; we are providing essential service in this country meanwhile we are not getting any support whatsoever; if the government is indeed serious about the private sector been the engine of growth, then the government needs to look at us”

    So, madam minister of sanitation- please focus and deal with these urgent matters too.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Government must withdraw the thugs deployed to Asuogyaman now – NDC

    The Eastern Regional Secretariat of the National Democratic (NDC) Congress has raised concerns about the current happenings in the Asuogyaman Constituency where they have accused the governing NPP of deploying two separate groups, one uniformed and the other non-uniformed under the guise of providing security in the ongoing voter registration exercise to inculcate fear in poor and harmless residents.

    According to the umbrella party in a statement issued and signed by Regional Communications Officer, Darlas A. Williams, the uniformed military men are being led by Lieutenant Daniel Opoku whiles the non-uniformed men are led one Sergeant Bio, who has restored to brandishing offensive weapons at registration centres to inculcate fear in poor and harmless residents.

    They said it is clear and deliberate by the government to intimidate residents in areas considered to be NDC strongholds and are denying non-Akans from exercising their constitutional right by disenfranchising them.

    “This abuse of State power to attack the very citizens whose safety and security the Akufo-Addo government ought to protect is generating animosity and needless tension in the Asuogyaman constituency, a hitherto peaceful constituency. The Livelihood of innocent residents is also being disrupted”, the statement added.

    Source: kingdomfmonline.com

  • Coronavirus: Stop panic visits in schools Committee to parents

    A member of the five-member coronavirus sub-committee, Dr Da Costa Aboagye has advised against the widespread panic visits by parents and guardians in second-cycle institutions reporting coronavirus cases.

    “Parents instead of going to the schools can reach the government information centre on 311 with any complaints, Dr Da Costa, Director of Health Promotion Division, at the Ghana Health Service, urged in an interview on Anopa Kasapa on Kasapa 102.5 fm.

    Much of the fake news and misinformation that flooded the internet causing unnecessary panic in schools, according to Dr Da Costa Aboagye, will be dealt with by the committee.

    President Akufo-Addo has formed a five-member coronavirus sub-committee to monitor the enforcement of Covid-19 safety protocols in schools nationwide.

    The committee members comprise of Dr Anthony Nsiah Asare Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr Okoe Boye- Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Da Costa Aboagye Director of Health Promotion Division, Ghana Health Service, Dr Yaw Adu Twum Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director General Ghana Health Service.

    This was disclosed by the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah at a press meeting on Thursday in Accra.

    Meanwhile, Dr. Da Costa has said the committee will kick off its work with a crucial meeting between the Conference of Heads of Assisted Second-Cycle Schools (CHASS), Regional and District health directors, billed later today at 12:00 pm.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Coronavirus: Independent parliamentary candidate busted for holding campaign rally

    An independent aspiring Member of Parliament for Assin South Constituency, Mr Joseph Kofi Damte, has been arrested by Police for holding political campaign rally without informing police and breaching the COVID-19 protocols.

    Mr Damte allegedly failed to wear a face mask as well as ensure the observance of social distancing during the said rally, contrary to provisions of the Public Order Act and the imposition of Restrictions Law.

    A statement released by the PRO of the Central Regional Police Command, DSP Irene Serwaa Oppong said, the Assin Fosu Divisional Police Command received information that suspect, Joseph Kofi Damte, had organised a political campaign rally at Assin Aworoso in the Assin South Constituency.

    When police got to the scene, information was gathered from people who were still present that the programme had just ended and the independent candidate had left.

    The Central Regional CID has taken over the case for an investigation into the matter.

    The suspect is in police custody assisting investigations.

    Read a statement from the police below.

    Source: Class FM

  • Coronavirus fight hinges on personal responsibility – NGOs in Health

    It is the responsibility of every individual in the country to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus, the Ghana Coalition of NGOs stated on Thursday.

    Although Government may take key preventive measures, the virus would not stop spreading if people continue to behave irresponsibly by not taking basic safety measures, Dr Gabriel Benarkuu, Chairman, Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Health, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview.

    He said with the further spread of the virus and a steady increase in COVID-19 related deaths, there is the need now more than ever, to go the extra mile in the fight against the pandemic.

    “The virus is infecting all categories of people including the politician and some are even dying,” he said, adding that the turnout of events concerning the pandemic, calls for a strong, well-coordinated and united approach, towards fighting it.

    Dr Benarkuu urged individuals to always use the face masks and hand sanitizers on them, and ensure that they practise all the safety protocols on the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 to a fault.

    He urged religious bodies and other groups, to continue to abide by the safety protocols on the fight against the spread of COVID-19.

    “There would be disastrous consequences if the request by some religious bodies for the full resumption of religious activities is granted,” Dr Benarkuu said.

    He urged the media to only disseminate information on COVID-19, given out by qualified health experts, adding that this would ensure that the public was well educated on the pandemic, and its prevention.

    Dr Benarkuu called for a review of the national directive on the fight against the pandemic, which should involve every identifiable group and organisation in the country.

    He mentioned some key factors that had to be tackled as stigma reduction, increased testing for the virus, and intensified education on safety and preventive measures among others.

    Dr Benarkuu also called for the decentralisation of the testing centers for the diseases adding that many areas were lagging when it came to testing because the process had not been decentralised.

    Source: GNA

  • Fire sweeps through Salt FM at Agogo

    A violent fire tore through parts of a building that houses Salt FM, a local radio station at Agogo in the Asante Akyem North District of the Ashanti Region.

    Emergency services rushed to the scene just before 3:30pm to meet workers struggle to douse the flame.

    It still remains unclear the cause of the outbreak but many devices have been destroyed in the Thursday fire.

    “So the devices in the studio, tables, chairs and other equipment have been destroyed,” a firefighter told Dailymailgh.com, adding that: “The situation is currently under control and so we will begin investigations right away.”

    Officials of the radio station are yet to comment on the incident.

    Source: Daily Mail

  • Law to allow cultivation of cannabis not passed – NACOB

    The Narcotics Control Board has informed the public it will not issue any licence for the cultivation of cannabis despite the numerous applications it has received.

    The Board through a public notice said the special provision that will give room for people to cultivate cannabis has not been passed.

    It has, therefore, cautioned the public against paying any amount of money to anyone of group with the hope of getting registered and licensed to cultivate cannabis.

    The notice said: “that, once the requisite LI is in place, the public would be informed on the appropriate protocols for the registration and licensing for the cultivation and exportation of prescribed cannabis”.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Professor Gyampo donates PPEs to Saltpond Hospital

    Renowned Political Scientist at the University of Ghana, Prof Ransford Gyampo, who is also an indigene of Saltpond and President of the Saltpond Forum, has donated Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs) to the Accident and Emergency Ward of the Saltpond Government Hospital on Thursday 9th July 2020.

    The items include packs of face masks and several cartons of hand sanitizers.

    In 2017, Prof Gyampo, it will be recalled, adopted the Accident and Emergency Ward of the Saltpond Government hospital and has since, taken keen interest in the effective functioning of the Ward. He has donated several hospital equipment to the Ward including Wheelchairs, beds, mattresses, surgical devices, medical protective wears, aprons, foot-wears, laptops and other equipment needed at the emergency ward of the hospital.

    Presenting the PPEs to the medical superintendent of the hospital, Prof Gyampo said, the gesture was merely part of his routine commitment to ensuring that the Ward functions well. He expressed worry that close to 80 persons had been diagnosed as by the hospital as COVID-19 positive, and stressed the need to support and protect frontline staff at the Ward, to ensure that they do their best for patients.

    Prof Gyampo also called on the District Assemblies to be proactive in fashioning out public education and sensitization drive to create and deepen public awareness of COVID-19 among people at the local communities and grassroots. In particular, he noted that his interaction with some of the local people in the Mfantseman community show that their awareness and the need for them to fully embrace safety protocols, were limited. He, therefore, called on the Mfantseman Municipal Assembly to step up its game in ensuring massive sensitization on COVID-19 Preventive Protocols, among the indigenes of Saltpond and a Mfantseman. He called on government to ensure a proper decentralization of the fight against COVID-19,, as majority of Ghanaians reside in the rural communities.

    Receiving the donation from Prof Gyampo, the Medical Superintendent of the Saltpond Hospital, Dr MIchael Danso, thanked Prof Gyampo for his sense of responsivenes, commitment and philanthropy towards his adopted Ward in the hospital. He noted that the donation was timely and pledged that the items received, would be put to good use to ensure safety and security among patients who visit the hospital and all frontline workers of the Accident and Emergency Ward, as well as the entire hospital.

    Source: Professor Ransford Gyampo

  • Aspiring MP for Assin South arrested for breaching coronavirus protocols

    An independent aspiring Member of Parliament for Assin South Constituency, Joseph Kofi Damte, has been arrested by Police for holding political campaign rally and breaching the COVID-19 protocols.

    He reportedly failed to notify the police of the event and also failed to wear a face mask as well as ensure the observance of social distancing during the said rally, contrary to provisions of the public order, Criminal and other offences as well as the imposition of Restrictions law.

    A statement released by the PRO of the Central Regional Police Command, DSP Irene Serwaa Oppong said, the Assin Fosu Divisional Police Command received information that suspect Joseph Kofi Damte had organized a political campaign rally at Assin Aworoso in the Assin South Constituency.

    When police got to the scene, information was gathered from people who were still present that the program had just ended and the independent candidate had left.

    The Central Regional CID has taken over the case for an investigation into the matter.

    The suspect is in police custody assisting investigation.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Police arrest independent aspiring MP over campaign rally

    Police in the Central Region have arrested an independent aspiring Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin South Constituency, Joseph Kofi Damte, for allegedly organizing a campaign rally without notifying the police.

    He was also accordingly arrested for not wearing a face mask.

    The Central Regional police command made this known in a statement signed by DSP Irene Serwaah Oppong.

    There is currently a ban on organizing political rallies across Ghana due to Coronavirus restrictions.

    The police said he failed to ensure social distancing during the said rally, contrary to provisions of the Public Order, Criminal and other offenses as well as Imposition of Restrictions laws.

    “On 06/07/2020, the Assin Fosu Divisional Police Command received information that suspect Joseph Kofi Damte had organized a political campaign rally at Assin Aworoso in the Assin South Constituency,” the statement said.

    It added that “When police got to the scene, information was gathered from people who were still present that the programme had just ended and the independent candidate had left.”

    “The Central Regional CID has taken over the case for investigation into the matter. The suspect is in police custody assisting investigations,” according to the statement.

    Source: Daily Guide Network

  • Coronavirus: Government must conduct mass testing – Atik Mohammed

    General Secretary of People’s National Convention (PNC), Atik Mohammed has called on government to undertake a mass testing of COVID-19 in the country.

    Atik Mohammed, speaking on ‘Kokrokoo’ on Peace FM, was worried about the rate of COVID-19 infections.

    Ghana’s COVID-19 case count has risen to 22,822 after 854 new cases with 17564 and the death count still standing at 129.

    Active cases stand at 5,129.

    The PNC General Secretary held engaging in mass testing will help curb the spread of the disease.

    “Should we do a mass test in this country, I dare say we could be inching towards a 500,000 figure or even more and when you get to that point, you should know you have a crisis on your hand.

    “This thing is real. We should all protect ourselves . . . Like HIV, let everybody know his or her status. In that case, you can protect yourself. If you test positive, you know what to do and if you test negative, you know what to do,” he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi

    Source: Peace FM

  • GNECC urges stakeholders to strive for best outcomes

    The Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC) has urged the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service and school authorities to work with parents and students to ensure the effective containment and management of COVID-19 outbreak in schools.

    The authorities, it said should ensure the provision of adequate logistics for containment and isolation measures, while students and parents must exercise restraint and register their concerns with decorum and follow due process.

    A statement signed by Mr Joseph Atsu Homadzi, Interim Board Chairman of the GNECC, which was copied to the Ghana News Agency, said it was unfortunate that some incidents had been recorded in some schools, while an ulcer student who went into a crisis lost his life over fears that he might be suffering from COVID-19.

    “As a Coalition that is passionately promoting access to quality, equitable and inclusive education for all Ghanaian children, we are deeply sorrowed over what is going on in our schools,” it said.

    “We are of the view that should the unfortunate happenings continue, the close down of the schools will be inevitable.

    “Our deepest condolences go to the family, colleagues and friends of the KNUST SHS student who lost his life on 7th July.

    “We request for an immediate commencement of investigation into circumstances leading to the death of the final year student of the KNUST SHS and ensure that anyone found culpable face the full rigors of the law.”

    It also urged the Ministry of Education and the GES to liaise with the Ministry of Health to establish a health desk in all senior high schools to provide medical care to students in emergencies before sending them to health facilities where necessary.

    The GES with the Ministry of Education, has reported COVID-19 outbreak in some schools, including the Accra Girls Senior High School, amid calls by a section of the society for the schools to be closed down again.

    However, the authorities have assured that the situation is under control as isolation boarding houses had been created for asymptomatic students, while sick ones were sent to health facilities for treatment.

    The GNECC, therefore, urged the GES to continually reassure parents and guardians on the safety of their wards in school “during this period of uncertainty”.

    It commended the GES for the efforts being made to ensure that the education of school children was not truncated because of COVID-19, but called for the strengthening of the measures and compliance to the rules to make the school environment safer for students and staff across the country.

    There should be adequate protective accessories (sanitizers, gloves, soap, veronica buckets, etc.) to all schools to ensure that staff and students were well protected, it said.

    Following the directives of the President, final year students of SHS, with the Second-Year Gold Track students, resumed school on Monday, June 22 to complete their courses and write their exit examinations.

    Likewise, the final year students of JHS resumed on Monday, June 29 to prepare for their exit exams.

    Source: GNA

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