TIG Post

Author: Persis

  • Health Sector Unions entreats government to take swift measures to curtail the spread of coronavirus

    The Health Sector Unions have called on government to ensure regular provision of adequate PPE to all health workers to curb the rate of infection among its members.

    Government, they said, must also re-define its classification of Front Line Health Workers to include all health workers; ensure strict enforcement of all COVID-19 safety protocols without fear or favour.

    The Unions also called on government to expand COVID-19 testing centers and their capacities throughout the country together with readily available test kits to prevent undue delays in obtaining the results as well as establish Functional Infection, Prevention and Control (Safety) Committees in all health facilities.

    According to the Unions the rising infection rates among health workers in the country has a grave tendency of stifling the efforts to curtail the spread of the virus.

    Dr Frank Ankobea, the President of Ghana Medical Association (GMA), made the call at a joint Health Sector Unions’ press conference in Accra on Thursday.

    The Health Sector Unions are GMA, Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), Health Sector Workers’ Union (HSWU), and Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA).

    Dr Ankobea said as at June 30, over 770 health workers had contracted the virus in line of duty with a total of nine deaths.

    “A large number of health workers are also currently in isolation awaiting their test results after having been exposed to the virus at their places of work.

    “Data gathered so far indicates that 190 members of GMA (Doctors and Dentists) have contracted the virus with four unfortunate deaths. 410 members of the GRNMA and its Allies Associations (Nurses and Midwives) have contracted the virus with one death.

    “159 members of the HSWU have contracted the virus with three deaths while 23 members of GHOSPA have also contracted the virus with one unfortunate death,” he added.

    He said the rising infection rate among health workers is a matter of grave concern because it negatively affects staffing levels and results in mounting work pressure on the few health workers at post.

    “If this trend persists, there would virtually be just a few health workers available to attend to patients even as COVID-19 cases in Ghana keeps rising”.

    Dr Ankobea said: “The major causes of this unacceptably high rate of infections among health workers could be attributed to inadequate and erratic supply of PPE to health workers both in quantity and quality.

    Others include general breakdown or non-adherence to infection prevention and control protocols in most facilities together with shortages or complete lack of disinfecting agents in some facilities.

    “Also, non-disclosure or concealment of information from health workers by facility managers when colleagues test positive for COVID-19 at the work place and delays in receipt of test results for patients being managed on wards resulting in increased exposure of health personnel to the virus,” he added.

    Dr Ankobea also mentioned the breakdown or inadequate contract tracing within facilities; lack of designated holding bays for suspected cases in some facilities; delay in closure of wards or wards for disinfection after exposure to COVID-19 patients, and apparent disregard of the safety protocols by some health workers and patients who visit health facilities as major causes.

    Mrs Perpetual Ofori -Ampofo, the President of GRNMA, reiterated the need for government to re-visit its definition of Front Line Health Workers and bring it down to cover all health facilities.

    She said those health workers who contracted the virus were not those at the treatment centers, rather those who are not classified under “Front line Health workers”.

    Mrs Ofori-Ampofo urged the public to take the safety protocols seriously to help curtail the spread of the virus and save lives.

    “We all have a responsibility, we all have a role to play if we are to return to normal,” she said, adding that “we are all in this together….we are all stakeholders, so let’s work together to help curb the spread of COVID-19”.

    Mr Reynolds O. Tenkorang, the General Secretary of HSWU, said those doing the treatment are well protected leaving the orderly and hospital securities and other health workers who meet patients first before they are prepared for treatment.

    Touching on education, he said the effort was inadequate and advocated the use of information vans to show evidence of those who are suffering and are dying from the virus to change peoples’ mindset.

    Mr Nathan Coompson, Chairman of GHOSPA, said: “As a nation and as people, we are becoming complacent. COVID-19 is real and we must ensure that we all adheres to the safety protocols”.

    Source: GNA

  • EC registers voters in the first phase of registration in Central Region

    A total of 401 people of the 202,206 eligible voters who registered during the first phase of the ongoing new voter registration exercise in the Central Region have had their registration challenged.

    Mr Alex Sakyi Manu, the Deputy Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Cape Coast, said those challenged have been referred to the District Registration Review Committees (DRRC).

    Of the 202,206 registrants, 138,291 registered with the Ghana Card, 2,250 used passport and 61,069 through guarantors.

    Giving the breakdown, Mr Manu said, the Mfantseman Municipal recorded the highest of 15,750 registrants followed by the Awutu Senya East District with 14,855.

    Coast Metropolis had 12,160 with Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA),Gomoa West and East, Efutu,Agona West and Awutu Senya West, recording more than 11,000 each.

    The Assin North District, however, recorded the lowest number of registrations of 3,859 at the end of the first phase.

    The Deputy Regional Director described the first phase of the registration process in the region as very successful despite the challenge of non-adherence to the social distancing protocol at some registration centres.

    “I will say this has been one of the most peaceful. We are doing our best to ensure 100 per cent compliance of the COVID-19 protocols. We have had no technical challenges and the cooperation from the security and the political parties have been excellent”, he said.

    He called on the public to comply with the COVID-19 preventive protocols established at various registration centres to avoid the spread of the virus.

    Source: GNA

  • Elders of Canteen register displeasure over assault on Assemblyman by NPP task force

    The Chiefs, elders and opinion leaders of Canteen in the West Gonja Municipality have registered their displeasure over the brutal physical assault on the Assemblyman for the Canteen Electoral Area, Ananpansah B. Abraham.

    According to the elders, the attack on the Assemblyman who represents the entire Electoral Area translates to an attack on the integrity and legitimacy of the entire Canteen Community.

    In a letter addressed to the Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, Yagbonwura Tutumba Boresa and copied to the clergy and various security agencies, the Overlord was invited to intervene in ensuring that justice is served in this case by the appropriate quarters.

    Signed by the youth chief, Imam, Chief Butcher and a major opinion leader, the epistle disclosed that it may be very difficult to control the anger of the youth and people of Canteen should the case be relaxed, noting that it took the timely intervention of the elders to stop what would have led to reprisal attacks.

    The Assemblyman who doubles as a PAD FM Reporter, Ananpansah B. Abraham was attacked by a gang of eight New Patriotic Party youngmen identified to be from 77 Junction led by one Atabia Anoma Rahim, the Deputy Damongo constituency Organizer of the party.

    He was attacked with sticks and stones few meters away from the Damongo fire station, whilst returning from school and sustained minor injuries over a report he filed on PAD FM.

    Taking caution from the murder of the Sagakope Electoral Area Assemblyman,the elders demanded of the NPP as a political party to dissociate itself from the unfortunate behaviour of the Deputy Organizer and render an unqualified apology to the people of Canteen Electoral Area.

    Portions of the letter noted that the Assemblyman earlier on reported a threat on his life by the said Anoma Rahim on Thursday, July 2, before the final attack was executed on Monday, July 6, but the police was yet to cause any arrest.

    “The mob attack on the Assemblyperson, who has attracted wide admiration and love from the youth, women, children and the entire community is an affront to the legitimate authority, wishes and aspirations of the people of the electoral area….The attack on the Assemblyman, who represent the entire Canteen Electoral Area we dare say is an attack on the entire Canteen Community-its youth, women, elders and the entire people of Canteen,”The elders noted.

    The community noted that should anything happen to the Assemblyman hence off, the said Atabia and his gang men would be held accountable.

    Source: Nuhu Zulka, Contribution

  • Akufo-Addo forms committee to monitor coronavirus protocols enforcement in schools

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

    Information Minister, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, made this known to the press on Thursday in Accra.

    He said the Committee will work to address gaps in the enforcement of the protocols on campuses nationwide.

    According to him, government continues to monitor the safety protocols in schools.

    He stated that a dedicated desk has been created at the Coronavirus Call Centres for parents to all and find out details about issues in their wards schools, particularly issues relating to suspected cases of coronavirus.

    He said parents can call hotline 311 and will have dedicated staff at the centre responding to their queries.

    It comes after news of Coronavirus outbreak at the Accra Girls Senior High School.

    Some six students, a teacher and a spouse, tested positive at Accra Girls Senior High School.

    A student at the KNUST SHS reportedly died after he complained of stomach ache but was allegedly abandoned by teachers and school staff due to coronavirus fears.

    Meanwhile, the Minister says Government acknowledges efforts being made by the Electoral Commission and the Security Agencies to ensure the compliance of Coronavirus safety etiquettes.

    However, he called on citizens have a role to play in helping to contain the spread of Coronavirus.

    The Minister appealed to citizens and residents to ensure social distancing and compliance with other Covid-19 protocols.

    He said for the cumulative case count to reduce, residents and citizens have to adhere to the protocols.

    “We cannot eat our cake and have it,” he said.

    Source: Daily Guide Network

  • Elections 2020: NDC inaugurates campaign team

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has inaugurated its campaign team for the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections.

    The campaign team was inaugurated by the flagbearer of the party, John Dramani Mahama at the NDC Head office in Accra.

    He was hopeful that the team would grant the NDC a resounding victory in the December 7 elections.

    He said, “It was exciting to see a team that is poised to deliver victory in the 2020 election.”

    In his Facebook post, Mahama said “Earlier today, I inaugurated the NDC 2020 Campaign Team. It was exciting to see a team that is poised to deliver VICTORY in the 2020 election.
    NDC
    “I thanked the National Executives of the NDC for their unanimous endorsement of Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as my running mate.

    “I have for a very long time held the view that women must take their seats at the highest level of decision making.

    “Naana is a great person, distinguished, empathetic, principled, and committed to promoting women and student causes.”

    In June 2020, the NDC announced a 23-member campaign team for the 2020 election.

    The list, which has a blend of seasoned politicians and professionals from the Umbrella family, will have Professor Joshua Alabi as the campaign manager with Dr. Alex Segbefia as his deputy.

    Below is the full list:

    Professor Joshua Alabi – National Campaign Manager

    Alex Segbefia – Deputy National Campaign Manager

    Col. Larry Gbevlo -Lartey, (Rtd) the Director of Operations of campaign

    James Agyenim Boateng – Campaign Spokesperson

    Mawuena Trebarh

    Margaret Ansei

    R S Blay (Rtd) is the Strategic Advisor to the Campaign Team

    Sammy Gyamfi, National Communications Officer

    Julius Debrah, former Chief of Staff

    Hon Kofi Totobi Quakyi

    Haruna Iddrisu, Minority Leader

    Hudu Yahaya

    George Opare Addo, National Youth Organizer

    Ambassador Sam Pee Yalley

    Valerie Sawyer

    Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Director of Elections

    Hon Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, National Chairman

    Ambassador Victor Smith

    Comrade Joshua Akamba, National Organizer

    Hannah Louisa Bissiw, National Women’s Organizer

    Alhaji Mohammed Mamah, National Zongo Caucus Coordinator

    Samuel Sarpong

    Nana Ama Brown Klutse

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • Jomoro NDC congratulates John Mahama’s running mate

    The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) of Jomoro Constituency in the Western Region has congratulated Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman for her selection as the party’s running mate for 2020 General Elections.

    The former vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Coast was unanimously endorsed by the National Executive Committee of the party on Monday after her name was presented by the Flagbearer of the party Mr. John Mahama.

    In a statement issued and signed by its Constituency Secretary, Henry W. Anlimah stated that Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang is a reputable woman with an enviable track record in her public life.

    “As a Constituency which also has a woman (Dorcas Affo- Toffey) as our Parliamentary Candidate for the first time, we stand in solidarity with the JJ2020 ticket and are more than ready to offer her our utmost support to succeed as Running Mate and Vice President eventually”, the statement emphasized.

    “We thank the Flag-bearer, John Dramani Mahama, the Council of Elders, FEC and NEC for making this all important and decisive choice”, the statement concluded.

    Below is the full statement

    JOMORO CONSTITUENCY CONGRATULATES PROF. NAANA JANE OPOKU AGYEMAN AS RUNNING MATE TO HE. JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA

    The Constituency Executive Committee of the National Democratic Congress in the Jomoro Constituency wish to congratulate Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyeman for her nomination as the Running Mate to HE. John Dramani Mahama.

    Prof. Opoku Agyeman is a reputable woman with an enviable track record in her public life.

    As a Constituency which also has a woman (Dorcas Affo- Toffey) as our Parliamentary Candidate for the first time, we stand in solidarity with the JJ2020 ticket and are more than ready to offer her our utmost support to succeed as Running Mate and Vice President eventually.

    We are very confident that, the office of the Vice President which has been reduced to a Theatre where Dr.Bawumia exhibits his Comic prowess will be brought back to its respectable state once again.

    We thank the Flag-bearer, John Dramani Mahama,The Council of Elders, FEC and NEC for making this all important and decisive choice.

    3y3 Zu 3y3 Za!

    Signed!

    Henry W. Anlimah

    Jomoro Constituency Secretary

    Source: Daniel Kaku, Ghanaweb Contributor

  • 19 doctors at Tamale Teaching Hospital reportedly test positive for coronavirus

    Information gathered by DGN Online indicates that 19 medical doctors of the Tamale Teaching Hospital have tested positive for Covid-19.

    DGN Online understands one is in critical condition and under treatment currently at the facility.

    The Director of Medical Affairs of the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Dr Abass Adam who confirm this to DGN Online said a total of 32 health workers have contracted the Covid-19 virus in the facility.

    He noted that the 32 health workers involved 19 doctors, 12 nurses and one orderly.

    The Director of Medical Affairs, however, revealed that some of them have been treated and discharged whiles others are still on treatment.

    “80 health workers of the facility who were exposed have been tested but the results came out negative.”

    He called on the public to strictly adhere to the health protocols to help stop the spread of the virus.

    Meanwhile, some health workers at the Tamale Teaching Hospital who spoke to DGN on condition of anonymity said they lacked PPEs adding that the only time they wear PPEs is when a patient is tested positive.

    “We the health workers do not wear PPEs when we are working at the facility unless when a patient is tested positive meaning if we are not aware a patient tested positive when they are brought in because we will start treating them as normal patients who have come for medical care so we are really at risk because we need to wear these PPEs at every point of our work and not at the time we know someone has tested positive.”

    The Northern Region has confirmed 163 Covid-19 cases with 8 deaths.

    Source: Daily Guide Network

  • Close down all junior and senior high schools to save lives Dr Clement Apaak

    The Deputy Ranking member on education committee in parliament and MP for Builsa South, Dr Clement Apaak is calling on government to close all Junior and Senior High Schools across the country with immediate effect to save the lives of the students.

    He said he is in total support of parent and teacher unions calling for closure of junior and senior high schools and asked government to listen and act now.

    Dr. Apaak revealed in an interview that, failure on the part of government to adhere to advice offered by educational stakeholders in providing PPEs and testing of students before reopening the schools has led to the challenges being witnessed in the various schools.

    Mr. Apaak cited the happenings at Accra Girls Senior High School where six students and a number of teachers have tested positive for Covid-19. He also mentioned the unfortunate incident at KNUST Senior High School where a student was left to die out of fear that he has contracted Covid-19. He said this has created fear and panic among the students.

    He suggested a mass testing of students must be carried out for all students, teachers and non-teaching staff before allowing them to vacate their schools until a very favourable time for schools to reopen.

    Source: angelonline.com.gh

  • We didnt abandon our student to die KNUST SHS Headmistress

    The Headmistress of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Senior High School (SHS) has refuted claims that authorities at the school did not do enough to help save a final year student who died at a hospital yesterday.

    Speaking exclusively on Anopa Bofo on Angel 102.9 FM on Wednesday, Ms Felicia Asamoah Danquah said the authorities at the school did all within their means to save the final-year student.

    According to her, teachers at the school bought some drugs for the student before calling in his parents to come convey him to the hospital.

    “We did not abandon the student…some of our teachers helped to remove his uniforms before we called in the parents who said they were in town and would respond later…,” she told Captain Smart.

    A final-year student of the school reportedly died after being rushed to a hospital yesterday.

    The students allege that authorities at the school refused to offer the needed help to save the boy when he was in pain.

    This has led them to embark on a violent demonstration which led to the destruction of several properties belonging to the school.

    A vehicle belonging to the headmistress was also destroyed in the process.

    Source: angelonline.com.gh

  • Akufo-Addo causing tension and division in Ghana – Mahama

    The presidential candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. John Dramani Mahama says never in the history of Ghana have Ghanaians felt divided until the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) took over.

    Speaking at the inauguration of his campaign team, he posited that there, is so much tension and stress because the NPP government is presiding over a divisive government.

    The former president was worried the NPP has failed to unite Ghanaians and rather creating a divided front, a situation he noted will not be seen when the NDC takes over the management of the country.

    Commenting on the selection of his choice of running mate, Mr. Mahama said “Many have said the time is not right for a woman veep; when will it ever be right?” Mr Mahama asked in defense of his choice of Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang as his running mate for the 7 December 2020 polls, insisting: “I believe the time is right”.

    “Never have we in the history of the Fourth Republic felt so divided. Never in the history of the Fourth Republic have there been so much tension and stress amongst our people”

    “It is my hope that we will all rally behind her and support her,” he told party supporters following his announcement of his choice.

    “Naana Jane is an accomplished woman who has made her mark, both nationally and internationally, and it is my belief that as a social democratic party, and a progressive party at that, if any party must be positioned in the history of our country to create the opportunity for women to serve in the highest offices of the land, then it is no other party than the NDC”, Mr Mahama added.

    According to him, “We open up the decision-making process to our female partners and show that together with them, we will move our country forward”.

    “We cannot develop this country with a minority of the population of this country, bearing in mind that women in this country constitute almost 52% of the population,” the former President added.

    Source: rainbownradioonline.com

  • Coronavirus: Police arrest 57 persons at Asante-Mampong without face mask

    At least 57 persons have been arrested at Asante/Mampong in the Ashanti Region for non-compliance with the mandatory wearing of face mask directive.

    A team of officers deployed within the Municipality made the arrest as part of efforts to encourage, educate and enforce the Coronavirus safety protocols.

    Asante Mampong Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Stephen Boadu said the suspects have been admitted to bail and will be arraigned before a court at Nsuta on Thursday, July 9, 2020.

    “We have mounted a special operation at Asante/Mampong to ensure full compliance [of the law]. Four days ago 38 persons were arrested; 12 were females and 26 males. Yesterday, we continued and 19 persons; five females and 14 males were also arrested. We intend to put them before the court tomorrow,” the Police Chief said.

    President Akufo-Addo made the wearing of face masks mandatory, in the wake of a sharp rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Ghana and has through an Executive Instrument asked the police and law enforcement agencies to lead its enforcement.

    People who fail to wear face masks in public risk a prison sentence of four to 10 years or a fine ranging from GHS12,000 to GHS60,000, or both.

    Concerns over the law

    The new sanctions for not wearing face masks are contained in a new Executive Instrument (E.I. 164). But many have, however, questioned the terms and conditions under which the law and its corresponding sanctions will be applied without infringing on individual rights and liberties.

    Aside from the perceived harshness of the law, concerns have been raised about the definition of a public place and if, for example, a person should wear a mask whilst in his or her car alone.

    But the government has defended the move, insisting that the current sanctions for not wearing face masks are in order to protect the ordinary Ghananaian from contracting the virus.

    “There is an imposition of the Restriction Act, which has now moved to the gazetting of an Executive Instrument to make mandatory the wearing of face mask and attach the necessary sanctions to it. The imposition of the restriction Act gives room for sanctions. What we need to do is to encourage people to comply with it so we all protect ourselves”, Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has maintained.

    Source: Daily Mail

  • Todays newspapers front pages

  • Ghana Nurses Association in UK donates PPE to health workers

    The Ghana Nurses Association (GNA), the United Kingdom (UK) Chapter, has donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to frontline health workers at the Koforidua Regional Hospital and East Akyem Municipal Hospitals to support the fight against Coronavirus.

    The items, included; hand sanitizers, surgical gloves, veronica buckets, detergents and toiletries, valued at Gh15, 000.

    Nana Kwame Opoku Acheampong, former Public Relations Officer of GNA-UK, who presented the items on behalf of the Association, said the items were to ease the challenges the frontline workers were facing in the wake of COVID-19.

    He said the health workers needed a constant supply of the PPE to avoid re-using the same PPE to the detriment of themselves, patients and all other persons they come into contact with at the health facilities.

    Mrs Georgina Kodua, Member of GNA-UK, appealed to manufacturers of PPE to sell the items at a lower cost so everyone could afford to protect themselves.

    She also called on government to waive taxes on PPE to stop the spread. She commended Mr Richard Nelson Mandela, Founder of Reniel Foundation Ghana, for his immense contribution to the Association and called on others in the diaspora and philanthropists in the country to emulate the gesture.

    Mrs Helen Darkua Asare, Deputy Director of Nursing Services Public Health, at the Eastern Regional Health Directorate, who received the items on behalf of the health workers thanked the Association for their kind gesture.

    She appealed to others to bring in more donations to assist health workers and cautioned Ghanaians to treat the precautionary measures to fight Covid-19 with all seriousness as the disease was no respecter of persons and could affect anyone at any time.

    Source: GNA

  • National Security Operatives assault Police officers, take away two suspects

    Seven persons suspected to be National Security Operatives have allegedly assaulted Police officers and taken away two suspects in handcuff at a registration centre in Accra.

    According to a police situational report sighted by Starrfm.com.gh, the incident happened at the Bethel registration centre in Kotobabi on Tuesday, July 7, 2020.

    The report indicated that two men wielding cutlasses stormed the registration centre early in the morning at about 7:00 am. They were swiftly arrested by Police on duty, handcuffed and taken into a nearby Police vehicle.

    Shortly, the seven persons suspected to be National Security Operatives onboard a Pick-Up truck with registration number GC 3286-19 blocked the Kotobabi Police patrol car conveying the suspects, beat the Police driver and absconded with the two suspects in handcuff, the report said.

    According to an eyewitness, the Police Officer was injured and was sent to the hospital.

    He said the seven persons were also dressed like security operatives holding Communication gadgets.

    Meanwhile, efforts are underway to trace and arrest the suspects.

    Below is the situational report

    Kotobabi Dist SUPPLEMENTARY sitrep 7/7/2020:

    Re-Violent Attack on Police at Bethel Registration Centre: (.) On 07/072020 at abt 0700 hours, just as registration had commenced at the centre, some 2 men alleged to be wielding cutlasses invaded the centre. They were instantly arrested by the police on duty and handcuffed. Those around called for reinforcement from their colleagues. Abt 7 people suspected to be National Security Operatives on board Pick up with Registration number GC 3286 -19 came and blocked the Kotobabi District patrol car, assaulted the service driver and took the 2 suspects in handcuffs away to an unknown destination. Efforts are underway to get the suspects arrested (.) Further development would be communicated (.)

    Source: Starr FM

  • Two children reportedly found dead in Eastern Region

    Two children have been found dead separately in the Eastern Region.

    The two incidents happened in the Atewa West District and Lower Manya Krobo.

    In Akyem Kwabeng, the body of a 10-year-old identified as Kwabena Emmanuel was found in an abandoned mining pit filled with water having gone missing the previous day.

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

    In the other incident, a four-year-old yet to be identified boy was also found dead with blood from the nostrils Wednesday morning at Atua Manya in Lower Krobo Municipality.

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

    Odumase Police have conveyed the body to the morgue for Identification an autopsy.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Too early to shut down schools GES Council Chair

    Chair of the Ghana Education Service (GES) Council Michael Nsowah has said it is too early to decide whether or not to suspend schools, following the some senior high schools recording Covid-19 cases.

    He told Alfred Ocansey on the Sunrise morning programme on 3FM Wednesday that the GES will wait for an update from the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Heath Services on the situation to determine whether or not to close down schools.

    His comments come after the President of National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Angel Carbonu, called for the closure of the schools, following the current development at the Accra Girls Senior High School where six students have tested positive for the virus.

    Following the directive of President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo that schools should reopen to final year students to enable them write their exit exams, all final year SHS and Form Two Gold Track students returned to school on Monday, June 22.

    Exactly a week after reopening six students and two staff contracted the virus at the Accra Girls Senior High School (AGISS).

    Mr Nsowa admitted he gets “reports every day from my officers in Accra. I have heard of some cases of Covid-19 in some of the schools.

    “For me, it is to early to say that because of that we should close down schools. We depend on the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Services to inform on this matter.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Government activates process to establish a National Sanitation Authority Fund

    The Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah has disclosed that Government has activated the process to establish a National Sanitation Authority together with a National Sanitation Fund. The Authority, when established according to the minister, will help improve the monitoring of the various sanitation projects and mobilise increased funding for sanitation services in the country.

    Hon. Cecilia Abena Dapaah made the disclosure at the weekly Meet the Press at the Ministry of Information today. She said, “The establishment of the Authority and the Fund will give our efforts significant focus, attract the requisite human capacity and mobilize resources for improved sanitation services delivery in Ghana.”

    She further added that, in a bid to ensure the constant supply of Environmental Sanitation Officers, the 3 schools of hygiene for the first time in many years have seen major infrastructure development. She said in Accra and Ho, a new 2-storey, 9-classroom block each, is being provided while Tamale is benefiting from a rehabilitation of an existing hostel facility.

    “Additionally, the Ministry has obtained financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance to engage the remaining 1,174 graduates from the three Schools of Hygiene. These are graduates from 2010 to 2019 and in collaboration with Office of the Head of the Local Government Service, they are going through the necessary recruitment processes.”

    On Policy reforms, the Minister said in 2017, a policy reform was initiated in the Community Water and Sanitation sub-sector to expand the mandate of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA). She said the reform sought to change the management of Piped Water Systems from Community Own Management concept to Professionalised Management with focus on the application of technology and innovation to ensure sustainability, efficiency and effectiveness of the Water Supply infrastructure which have been provided at high cost to the State.

    “To this end, Government has spent a total of GHC60million to rehabilitate and expand 151 Small Town Piped Water Systems across the country. Some of the systems that have been rehabilitated are in Vakpo, Taviefe, Akatsi in the Volta region, Mim in the Bono region, Manso Nkwanta, Manso Atwedie Juaben and Seniagya in the Ashanti region. Most of these Systems were in a state of disrepair at the time the CWSA took over.”

    The Minister added that as part of measures to introduce new skills to support the introduction of Innovation and Technology in Water Systems Management, 1,087 professionals (Engineers, Water Safety Specialist, Accountants) and 409 auxiliary staff (Plumbers, Technical operators) have been employed.

    “An additional 250 jobs are expected to be created by the close of the year. In addition, GHc3.3million out of GHc5million outstanding electricity bills incurred by the Water and Sanitation Management Teams have been paid resulting in the restoration of power to the water supply infrastructure in the communities.”

    Source: Peace FM

  • Sanitation Ministry deploys 5,100 litter bins to control public littering

    The Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources has deployed 5,100 Litter bins to control public littering in selected Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in Ashanti, Central, Greater Accra, Northern, Oti, Volta and Western Regions as part of its a Street Litter Bin programme.

    Addressing the press at a briefing organised by the Information Ministry, the sector Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah explained that an additional 3,000 bins are currently being deployed out of which 600 have been donated to the Ministry of Defence for distribution to the Armed Forces.

    “In addition, 400 of the bins have also been delivered to the Ministry of the Interior for distribution to the other Security Services. It is therefore expected of the general public to cooperate by depositing only litter generated while on the street, into these bins and not to fill them with household waste.”

    The Minister also disclosed at the briefing that the Ministry has under the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development Project (GARID) secured a parcel of land to construct an Engineered Sanitary Landfill and a Materials Recovery Facility in the Ga West Municipality.

    According to her, 2 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.”

    An approval she added has been given to allow for the decommissioning and re-engineer the Kpone and Oti Landfill sites.

    “I am happy to announce that, the Contractor has mobilised to the two sites and works are progressing steadily. The Ministry has also procured Messrs. EAP Consult Limited, a local Engineering firm as Consultants to supervise the project to ensure quality control”.

    The Minister said the Greater Accra Sustainable Sanitation and Livelihood Improvement Project (GASSLIP) has also procured thirty (30) Communal Waste Containers (Skips) and distributed to all the MMAs within the GAMA. She said 24 motor powered small vehicles have been procured to further improve solid waste collection within GAMA.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • WAEC timetable: 2020 WASSCE begins July 20

    The West African Examination Council has released a fresh timetable for the 2020 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination.

    This comes after WAEC submitted the timetable to the Ministry of Education and the examination would commence from Monday, July 20, 2020, with Project Work for Visual Arts candidates, while the theory papers will start from August 3, 2020, until September 5, 2020, when the five-week-long examination will be brought to an end with Principles of Cost Accounting and Technical Drawing.

    Mrs. Wendy Enyonam Addy-Lamptey, the Head of the Ghana National Office of WAEC, said the dateline for the WASSCE had already been decided on with the Ghana Education.

    In all, 60 subjects, made up of four core and 56 elective subjects, have been made available to the candidates.

    The subjects cover the seven programmes offered at senior high school (SHS), namely, General Arts, General Science, Business, Agricultural Science, Visual Arts, Home Economics, and Technical.

    Ahead of releasing the timetable, WAEC had been concerned about the number of rogue website operators who were peddling false information from fake websites flooded with fake timetables, fake examination question papers, and other examination-related information.

    Mrs. Addy-Lamptey in an interview with the Daily Graphic cautioned candidates preparing for the WASSCE, to be wary of operators of such rogue websites.

    She said ever since the President announced guidelines for the gradual reopening of schools for final-year students, such websites which had initially disappeared had been resurfacing.

    Mrs. Addy-Lamptey described those websites and their activities as the greatest threat to the credibility of the certificates issued by WAEC and, therefore, advised candidates to “desist from dealing with such websites and feel free to contact WAEC offices or contact the WAEC website: www.waecgh.org, for any assistance”.

    Some of the rogue websites, as identified by WAEC, include “WAEC Exams Room”, “WAEC Seekers Exams Leaks”, “WAEC Past Examination”, “WASSCE Results Upgrade WAEC for 2020”, “West Africa Exams Links” and “WAEC Secret Room”, “WAEC Spark WAEC”, “Ghana Education News”, “WAEC Update”, “WAEC 2020”, “WAEC Authentic Hub”, “WAEC Ghana” and “WAEC Union”.

    The Head of the Ghana National Office of the WAEC asked for the collective support of parents, invigilators, supervisors, and all those who had a role to play in the writing of the WASSCE to help ensure that “we have a credible examination.”

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • Mahama is a man of vision and a leader you can trust Prof Opoku-Agyemang

    Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the running mate to the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the December 7 presidential election has described John Dramani Mahama as a leader Ghanaians can trust, and a man of vision.

    According to her, John Mahama is a public servant of integrity.

    Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang in a Facebook post described her boss as a “courageous leader who makes the right decisions in the national interest at all times.”

    She wrote: “John Dramani Mahama is a man of vision, a leader you can trust, a public servant of integrity and a courageous leader who makes the right decisions in the national interest at all times.”

    In her acceptance speech after her appointment, she has promised to channel her energies into ensuring her party wins the 2020 general elections.

    “I pledge to diligently apply myself and dedicate all the energy and intellect I can muster to ensure a resounding victory for the NDC and for our country, Ghana. So help me God,” she said.

    Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said she was delighted with the nomination and the overwhelming endorsement by the rank and file of the party.

    “It is with deep honour and a high sense of gratitude that I convey my acceptance of the nomination by H.E. John Dramani Mahama, Flagbearer and Leader of the great National Democratic Congress (NDC) to be his Running Mate for the December 7, 2020 election. I am humbled by the overwhelming endorsement my nomination has received from the Founder of the NDC, H.E. Jerry John Rawlings, the Council of Elders, the National Executive Committee, and the rank and file of our party, as well as the general public,” she added in the statement.

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • Supreme Court suspends sittings over coronavirus fears

    The Supreme Court has suspended all cases billed to be heard this week over COVID-19 fears.

    The move comes in the wake of rumours that some judges of the Superior Courts have tested for the virus and are currently in mandatory Isolation.

    Checks by Starrfm.com.gh at the Apex court revealed that all 16 cases scheduled for the week which commenced Tuesday, July 1, 2020, have been adjourned.

    The apex court was expected to deal with nine cases between Tuesday and Thursday but all the case have been adjourned.

    The Judicial Service will commence its Legal Vacation from August 1, 2020, and resume in October 2020.

    Meanwhile, a Justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice Paul Gyaesayor, has died after complaining of ill-health Tuesday.

    The experienced Judge who reported for work, according to sources at the Judicial Service, complained of ill-health and went home.

    But, he died shortly after he left the office to the house.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Ecole Ronsard holds first-ever drive-thru graduation

    Ecole Ronsard has done it again, even in COVID-19 times! Who would ever think this pandemic could bring about a unique way of graduating? With a little creativity and maneuvering, we were able to hold our first-ever drive-thru graduation ceremony on Wednesday, July 1, 2020! Unlike the traditional drive-thru ceremonies where students drive past the school and receive their certificates, ours took a different twist.

    An entourage including the School Administrator, Principal, Headteacher, Class teacher, School Prefects, and Media team as well as violinists drove through every graduand’s home, holding a short ceremony for them.

    At every home, each expectant Ecole Ronsard graduand and their family met the team with great joy! Some were simply blown away when they saw the violinists play their favorite tunes upon entry into their homes.

    Next, they read their speeches, listened to words of wisdom from the Ecole Ronsard’s Administrator and Headteachers respectively.

    Afterward, they were awarded their certificates by the Principal, Miss Patti Agbenyeke, and then took their long-awaited graduation photos in their gowns.  Refreshment amidst music was next and it was no light thing. It was such a delight seeing that their dream of graduating came true and that not even COVID-19 could stop it. In her address to the graduates, the School administrator, Madam Sandra Beke advised them to ‘continue to work hard and take ownership of their education.’ In addition, Headteacher of the Ecole Ronsard, Miss Arthur, also cautioned them to never take lightly their studies as they advance to Lower Secondary School. When asked how they felt about the whole experience, some of the graduates admitted that they did not expect they would be graduating due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On the contrary, a few others felt they deserved graduation because of their hard work. Overall, it was an exciting and fulfilling moment for all! A big congratulation to the Ecole Ronsard Class of 2020. We are proud of you! Hip Hip Hip!!! Hurray!!! Known for quality bilingual education, specifically English and French, Ecole Ronsard is a Cambridge-accredited school located in the East Legon community. Source: Caroline Owusu Asamoah      

  • Playback: Ministry of Information Press Briefing

    The Ministry of Information is hosting a press briefing which is being addressed by the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources.

    The platform is to give the Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah the opportunity to brief the nation on activities undertaken by her ministry in ensuring a clean Ghana as well as quality water supply for the population, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

    Watch live the Minister’s Press Briefing Below

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Opoku-Agyemang will cancel allawa; vote against her Concerned trainee nurses and teachers

    Members of the Concerned Teacher and Trainee Nurses in the country says they have received the selection of Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, former Minister of Education, as the running mate to Mr John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) with lots of “fear and trepidation.”

    The concerned trainees said their fear is premised on the fact that under the reign of Prof. Opoku-Agyemang as the Minister of Education under the erstwhile administration of the NDC,” teacher and trainee nurses in the country went through several ordeals following the cancellation of trainee allowances.”

    The group noted in a statement that they have no doubt that the decision by the then President and now candidate John Dramani Mahama to cancel these allowances, “which was a major source of reprieve for us trainees, was based on advice from she (Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang)”.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo restored the allowances when he took over power after winning the 2016 elections.

    The trainee teachers and nurses say with her [Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang] selection as the running mate to Mr Mahama, “we have no doubt that she will pursue her agenda once again, in the unlikely event that the NDC wins December 2020 elections.”

    It is for this reason that the trainees are calling on their colleague trainees and other Ghanaians aspiring to pursue teaching and nursing as professions “to mass up at the various registration centres to register and vote massively against the NDC in the December 7 elections.”

    Source: Class FM

  • Todays newspapers front pages

  • Minority kicks against security and intelligence bill under certificate of urgency

    The minority in parliament has kicked against attempt by government to push security and intelligence bill withdrawn and relaid today under a certificate of urgency.

    The bill which is seeking to among other things establish regional and district national security offices across the country was laid weeks ago.

    Attempt by majority leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu to withdraw the bill today on behalf of the national security minister, Albert Kan Dapaah met resistance from minority whip, Muntaka Mubarak.

    The Asawase MP demanded the presence of the sector minister. First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei-Owusu who was presiding, after the exchanges granted the leave for withdrawal and relaying of the document.

    After the bill was relaid, the majority leader then pleaded for the bill to be taken through a certificate of urgency giving the unusual times the nation finds itself in.

    Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu however opposed the move arguing the bill must be made available for public scrutiny and inputs on account that it could be abused by government.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Refrain from abusing guarantorship system

    Mr Joseph Homenya, Volta Regional Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has warned that groups or individuals who would abuse the guarantorship system ascribed in Constitutional Instrument C. I) 126, would be dealt with according to law.

    He said the party’s intelligence points to some unscrupulous entities exploiting the registration system to becoming “guarantor contractors” and dabbling in multiple guarantorship schemes for registrants beyond the legally prescribed number.

    Mr Homenya disclosed these to the Ghana News Agency on Monday in an interview on his assessment of the first phase of the new voter registration exercise in the region and matters arising.

    He said the C. I instructs that a registered voter can guarantee for 10 prospective registrants.

    He said the in-built features of the current Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) machine was capable of revealing those recalcitrant individuals who would deliberately indulge in such criminal activities, advising them to refrain from the act or be exposed and prosecuted at the appropriate time.

    “With this BVR kit, one can run but cannot hide,” he said.

    The Regional Secretary said the party would not allow non-Ghanaians to be part of the registration exercise and would clampdown on all attempts to gain undue advantage by any political party.

    On the first six days, Mr Homenya expressed satisfaction but called for improvement especially on the observance of safety and health protocols and measures.

    His counterpart from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr James Gunu said the exercise was a disaster fraught with many irregularities.

    He said turnout has been encouraging but the data capturing aspect of the exercise has been exceptionally slow.

    He said the BVR machine failed to work in some instances, delaying the start of the exercise as some prospective registrants wearing blue tops were asked to change them due to the blue background of the EC’s platform for pictures.

    He said the party expected the EC to provide more signages to direct registrants to registration centres and should abide by its decision to provide mobile backups.

    The two Regional Secretaries appealed to qualified Ghanaians with sound and 18 years and above to take advantage and register.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus burial at Awudome Cemetery poses no health risk

    The burial of persons who die of infectious diseases including COVID-19 at Awudome Cemetery in Accra does not pose any public health risk to inhabitants nearby, Mr Benson Owusu, a public health specialist has said.

    Mr Owusu, who is also a lecturer at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Central University said once environmental health officers in charge of the internment strictly follow World Health Organisation (WHO) protocol, there should not be any cause for alarm.

    “Whether the [Infectious disease burial site] is outside of the main town or not, the most important thing is to adhere to standard protocol”, he said in an interview with The Ghanaian Times yesterday.

    The interview was on the back of concerns that part of the Awudome Cemetery, which is located between Kwame Nkrumah Circle and Kaneshie, shared boundaries with some companies was being used as infectious disease burial site.

    The cemetery was designated about five years ago for burial of persons who died of cholera and tuberculosis after the previous cemetery at mile 11 was encroached on by developers.

    But according to Mr Owusu, the deceased persons could be buried at the outskirt of the town but could still create a public health concern if they were not properly laid to rest.

    “But if the site is within the town in a confined area with adherence to protocols we are good to go”, he said.

    Some of the WHO protocols, he said, included the classification of the bodies based on the severity of infection, use of special disinfection and specification of distance between the burial site and residents.

    Mr Owusu said the fears of inhabitant could have been prevented if city authorities had educated on such issues and thus called on the government to initiate steps to create awareness and allay fears.

    According to the public health specialist, citizenry should rather be concerned about how they handled the bodies of relatives who died at home because it would be an avenue to spread the virus if the person had it.

    He also called on the COVID-19 case management team to ensure that all persons who died of the virus were buried in the same manner irrespective of their reputation in society.

    The Head of the Public Health Directorate of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Mrs Florence Kuukyi in an interview with the Ghanaian Times last week said the infectious disease site was 300 metres away from residents and would not cause any health problem.

    As of that time, she said, about 30 persons had been buried with more families registering their deceased relatives for burial. As of yesterday, the country had recorded 122 deaths out of 20,085 cases.

    Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

  • NPP, NDC rally supporters to get involved in registration exercise

    Ashanti Regional Executives of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and largest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), have rallied their supporters to patronize the ongoing voter registration exercise.

    The parties said it was important that the supporters trooped to the registration centres in their numbers to register in order to exercise their franchise in the December 7 elections.

    “Our positive response to the exercise is critical to retaining the ruling NPP in power,” Mr. Kwasi Kyei Danso, the Regional Communications Director of the Party, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Kumasi.

    Democracy, he said, was about numbers, stressing that NPP supporters had no reason to stay at home while the Electoral Commission (EC) conducts the exercise, meant to compile a new register for the upcoming elections.

    Mr. Kyei Danso said the party was satisfied with how registration had gone peacefully in the course of the first phase of the exercise, explaining that the general conduct of the EC officials and security personnel was commendable.

    The GNA gathered that as at the time of filing this report, at the end of the first phase of the registration in the Region coming to a close, a total of 364, 756 people had been registered, with 53.9 percent being female and 46.1 percent being male.

    Of the total registrants, 72.3 per cent went through the processes using the Ghana Card, while 1.7 per cent registered with passports and 26 per cent relying on guarantors to facilitate their registration.

    Reacting to the ongoing exercise, the NDC Regional Chairman, Nana Akwasi Andrews, reminded their supporters of the need not to be left out of the registration.

    They should take their destiny into their own hands as the party prepares to win the elections massively, he said.

    He expressed concern over what he described as “the high presence of security personnel in strongholds of the party in the Region”, citing Asawasi and Drobonso.

    “Most people feel intimidated with this development,” he said, and asked the authorities to look at this trend carefully since the nation was not at war.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: COCOBOD closes Head Office for fumigation

    The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) on Tuesday said its head office in Accra will be closed from Wednesday, July 8, to Friday, July 10, for fumigation exercise after some staff tested positive for COVID-19.

    The Head Office would be opened on Monday, July 13, 2020, a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency and signed by Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, the Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, stated.

    “This has become necessary due to the mass testing being undertaken currently due to some staff members testing positive for COVID-19,” it said.

    “All necessary arrangements have been made for the affected staff to receive the necessary medical attention and contact tracing is currently ongoing to enforce quarantine and isolation measures, wherever applicable, of members/families who have been in contact with such staff.”

    The statement, however, said work would continue without any disruption as staff had been equipped with the necessary working tools to work remotely from their homes during the close down.

    Source: GNA

  • Prioritise personal preventive healthcare – Health Minister urges Ghanaians

    Mr Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, the Minister of Health, has urged Ghanaians to prioritise personal preventive healthcare by ensuring regular medical check-ups to ensure a healthy body.

    “The human body is like a car that requires periodic servicing, so you must not wait till sickness consumes your entire body before seeking medical treatment because this may become difficult to fight at a certain stage,” he said.

    Mr Agyemang-Manu gave the advice when he inaugurated a Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Compound for the Sromani Community in the Dormaa Central Municipality of the Bono Region.

    He said the facility would make healthcare readily accessible to the people, particularly in the detection of minor sicknesses like headaches and the provision of other services such as ante-natal and post-natal care.

    Mr Agyemang-Manu, also the Member of Parliament for Dormaa Central, said the provision of the facility was timely, particularly in these COVID-19 times, as it would help contain the pandemic at the community level.

    He advised pregnant women to visit it frequently for examination to prevent infant and maternal mortality.

    Mr Drissa Ouattara, the Dormaa Central Municipal Chief Executive, expressed appreciation to the chiefs and people of Sromani for complementing government’s efforts at providing socio-economic infrastructure and urged them to maintain that self-help spirit for their holistic progress.

    He advised the people to adhere to social and physical distancing as well as observing the other health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.

    Mr Stephen Nyarko-Ameyaw, the Dormaa Central Municipal Director of Health Services, commended the MP for leading efforts at providing similar facilities in areas like Antwirifo and Kofiasua in the Municipality.

    He gave the assurance that professionals would be posted to the facility, who would work according to the rules, regulations and procedures spelt out by the Ghana Health Service.

    He called on the chiefs and people to cooperate with the personnel to work within a safe and conducive environment to deliver to the best of their ability.

    Mr Emmanuel Aguma, a philanthropist and an indigene of the community, donated six hospital beds, two wheel chairs, a walker, a weighing scale, and six mattresses among other items to the facility.

    Nana Antwi Boasiako, the Chief of Sromani, thanked the Health Minister, the Director and Management of the Municipal Health Directorate and natives of the community for supporting in cash and kind towards the completion of the facility.

    Source: GNA

  • Sefwi-Akontombra records over 5000 for the first phase of voter registration

    The Electoral Commission registered a total of 5, 909 in the Sefwi- Akontombra Constituency during the first phase of the ongoing voters’ registration exercise.

    The first phase of the exercise, had 11 persons with disabilities registering.

    Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Mr Tony Mensah Baine District Electoral officer, said a total of 71 persons were challenged during the first phase, which ended successfully at seven registration centres, and would appear before the District review committee.

    He said the second phase has begun successful in nine registration centres in the constituency.

    The centres are, Town shed, Angle education complex Bopa, Anglican primary Akontombra, Akontombra District Assembly and GK preparatory Nsawora.

    The rest are D/A primary Adwumafua, D/A primary Sikaneasem, D/A primary Asensu and D/A primary Attakrom.

    Mr Baine commended registrants and Electoral Officials for adhering to all the safety measures during the first phase of the exercise and encouraged them to continue adhering to the precautionary measures during the second phase to ensure the safety at all registration centres.

    Source: GNA

  • Ghanas COVID-19 caseload now 21,968

    Ghana is currently averaging about 400 new cases of Coronavirus on a daily basis, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service has revealed.

    As it stands now, the current case count has risen to 21,968 after 891 new infections detected in 73 districts, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye told journalists at a press briefing on Tuesday morning.

    Additionally, the clinical recoveries have also gone up to 17,156 while the death toll is now at 129.

    The new figures show that active cases being managed are now 4,683, out of which 22 patients have been categorized as severe.

    Six of the severe cases are in a critical condition and five are on ventilators.

    For the bulk of the new cases, 571 were recorded in 24 districts in the Greater Accra Region, 93 cases from 18 districts in the Ashanti Region and 86 from five districts in the Western Region.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • YWCA commends Mahama for selecting Prof. Opoku-Agyemang as running mate

    The Young Women Christian Association of Ghana (YWCA) has commended the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for selecting Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang as the vice presidential candidate.

    The non-for profit Christian organisation says it was long overdue for a woman to be given the opportunity to serve in the highest of the land.

    Vice President of the association Madam Mercy Owusu Duah commenting on the issue said gender equality, women empowerment and women at the highest decision making table has been a campaign championed for years and for a major political party to select a woman as running mate, is a bold step.

    This decision she noted will boost the confidence of women and encourage young females to aspire for greater things.

    Speaking in an interview with Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, Madam Owusu Duah said just like can hold higher office, women are equally capable and competent enough to also hold public office.

    In her view, when women are given the opportunity to serve, it helps to push the affairs of children and women.

    She was hopeful the opportunity given the former education minister will serve the nation good and also make women proud.

    She encouraged young women to take their education seriously and aspire for greater heights no matter the challenges.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Coronavirus kills 2 people in Ahafo Region

    Two persons have succumbed to the novel Coronavirus pandemic in the Ahafo region.

    Statistics from the Ahafo Regional Health Directorate indicates that the two died as a result of complications they suffered from the virus.

    The fatalities were confirmed by Dr. Boakye Boateng, the Ahafo Regional Director of Ghana Health Service, in an interview with Ghanaweb.

    According to Dr. Boateng, the Ahafo region which has a total of six districts has far recorded 36 confirmed cases with 8 recoveries and 26 active cases.

    Dr Boateng explained further that the epicenter of the disease is in the Asutifi South District which has recorded 30 cases with the Asutifi North and Tano South districts recording three cases respectively.

    “As at today, we have recorded 36 confirmed cases, 8 recoveries, and two deaths and active cases 26 and three are imported cases. The Ahafo region has six districts and three of the districts have cases. The largest numbers of cases are from the Asutifi South with 30 cases and three cases from the Asutifi North and Tano South districts”.

    He revealed that the upsurge in the number of cases in the region has forced the Health Directorate to intensify its sensitization Programmes aimed at reducing the spread of the virus in the region.

    “We have up our activities as a body in order to ensure that the cases do not get out of hand in the region.”

    Dr. Boateng, however, maintained that the success of the fight against the pandemic is hinged on the compliance of the residents and urged them to continue to abide by the COVID-19 safety protocols.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • #BringbackDomelevo: Over 400 CSOs join forces against Auditor-General’s forced leave

    About 435 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have launched a campaign to put pressure on the Presidency to rescind a decision to compel the Auditor General Daniel Domelevo to proceed on leave.

    The Coalition of CSOs believe the President’s directive to the Auditor General, who is reputed as an anti-graft campaigner, flouts the spirit and letter of the 1992 Constitution.

    Mr Domelevo has been compelled in a letter from the Presidency to take his accumulated 167 days leave, spanning some three years of continues service.

    Although the action has been justified by the Presidency as appropriate and grounded in the Public Service law, same has been criticised by some legal experts.

    Critics say the proceed-on-leave directive is inappropriate because the nature of the law that creates the Auditor General’s office is similar to those that create the office of the CHRAJ Commissioner and the Chief Justice.

    Addressing a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, Executive Director of the CDD, Dr Kojo Asante, urged the public to support the #Bringbackdomelevo campaign to achieve the needed impact.

    Speaking on behalf of the Coalition of about 500 CSOs, Dr Asante said at the press conference that it is a big disappointment for Mr Domelevo to be asked to proceed on leave because it undermines the national anti-corruption campaign.

    “The action (of the president weakens Ghana’s quest for democratic governance,” he said.

    Dr Asante said the public anger that greeted the President’s directive should send message to him that Mr Domelevo must be returned to office.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Choice of Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang bold and in national interest – Historian

    Political historian, Prof. Harold Abubakar Martinson says the selection of Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang is a bold decision that is in the interest of the nation.

    He said this is a promotion of the feminist movement despite the aim of the National Democratic Congress in winning the 2020 presidential election.

    He indicated that although this the first time a woman has been selected as running mate by a political party, it is historical because one of the major political parties has done it.

    He explained to host Kwabena Agyapong that there is no yardstick in measuring the competence of a vice-presidential candidate vis a vis an economist.

    The Bawumia factor he stated should not be a yardstick for any political party contesting an election to use in selecting their running mates.

    Prof. Martinson said the running mate for Mahama has her own competencies and skills that make her stand out.

    Reacting to the agenda being championed by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) about the former education minister scrapping teacher trainee allowance and research allowance for University lecturers, he described as petty and trivial.

    “These are all minor indices. These do not matter. These are not things politicians should hang on. First of almost, a minister does make policies, he or she only execute policies. So whatever that might have taken place in her time was from the presidency.”

    He was worried people have already started pulling her down and tracking her integrity when there is nothing to attack with.

    This he lamented forms part of reasons why women fail to come unto the political space to contest for positions.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Playback: Press briefing over 992 new coronavirus cases, Accra Girls’ infections

    The Ministry of Information holds a press briefing to provide updates on Ghana’s Coronavirus case count and management.

    The Ministry is also expected to touch on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s isolation period which has become necessary after at least one person within his circles tested positive for the virus.

    Plans made to provide safety in schools will also be announced and/or reiterated. This follows recent confirmation of cases at Accra Girls Senior High. Deputy Health Minister, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye earlier dismissed calls for the closure of schools that have recorded covid-19 cases since the partial reopening.

    Officials are also expected to enumerate plans to keep Inner Cities and Zongos safe.

    Join the presser below:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • 4,059 registered for voters ID card in Bia East after phase one

    A total of 4,059 Ghanaians in Bia East Constituency, Western North Region registered for the new voters ID Card at the end of Phase One of the exercise organised by the Electoral Commission.

    A total number of 2,111 were males and 1,948 represented females of people who participated in the registration.

    Speaking to GhanaWeb, the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) expressed their satisfaction with the general turnout.

    The Constituency Communications Director of NPP, Evans Amoah told GhanaWeb the process has been successful as they didn’t record busing of people from Ivory Coast to the constituency though they share a boundary.

    In a separate interview with the NDC Constituency Secretary, Osei Simon, he affirmed the process progressed steadily but was quick to attribute low turn out to low level of public education on the part of National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) as they (NDC) projected to record over 5,000 eligible voters instead of 4059.

    He, therefore, tasked the NCCE to increase the public awareness campaign going forward.

    Some registrants expressed satisfaction with the process after successful registration exercise in phase one.

    The 38-day exercise commenced on Tuesday, June 30 in some 6,788 clusters made up of five registration centres each across the country.

    It is being conducted in 5 phases, each phase spanning 6 days with additional days for mop-up. The nationwide exercise is expected to end on August 6, 2020.

    The Western North Region has nine (9) Constituencies and the exercise is going on without any hitches. Bia East Constituency has 74 registration exercise and EC has finished with eight (8) registration centers.

    The eight registration centers are Donkorkrom, Ahenboboano A and B, Mosi Hene, Sefwi Adabokrom PBC A and B, Church of Christ A and B at Sefwi Adabokrom.

    Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission of Ghana has projected to register 16 million qualified Ghanaians for the upcoming Presidential and Parliamentary General Elections slated for December 7, 2020.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus: Stop withdrawing your wards from school GHS, GES

    The Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Education Service have advised parents to desist from picking their wards from schools which record COVID-19 cases.

    This, according to the two government agencies, risks increasing community spread.

    The advice comes after some parents besieged the Accra Girls Senior High School to demand the withdrawal of their wards from the school following 6 recorded cases of covid-19 infection in the school.

    In a joint statement by the services on the matter, the two bodies assured of efforts to ensure the safety of students.

    The statement further revealed that all contacts of confirmed cases have been identified and separated for onward testing.

    Below is the Statement

    Source: starrfmonline.com

  • Todays newspapers front pages

  • NPP can’t dictate to us – NDC’s Sam Pee Yalley

    Former Ghana’s Ambassador to India, His Excellency, Sam Pee Yalley has heartedly confirmed he will in any day kick against persons who claim Ghana is not ready to have a lady lead it.

    According to him, Ghana is late in joining the race to have a lady lead it since countries who are underdeveloped as compared to Ghana have taken up this mantle.

    “Indeed, no one can convince me any day that we can’t have a lady lead this nation. We are even late as a country to make this move,” he emphasized.

    Speaking on UTV’s ‘Adekye Nsroma’ newspaper discussion show, the former Ambassador affirmed he perfectly sides with former President John Dramani Mahama to elect a lady as his running mate, specifically Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.

    However, he has disagreed with alleged reports by some party members that the former Education Minister is not known as far as the NDC is concerned and therefore cannot sell the party to excel in the upcoming elections.

    “Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang is the best candidate to partner Mahama,” he said.

    Sam Pee Yalley advised members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to stop dictating to the NDC on who becomes its running mate.

    “It takes a coach to decide which player he will use to win a game. NPP cannot in anyway show us what is good for us,” he added.

    Mahama Selects Prof Naana Opoku-Agyemang

    Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and former President, John Dramani Mahama has selected Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang as his Running Mate for the 2020 Presidential elections.

    The party’s National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi announced this following a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

    He disclosed that Prof Opoku-Agyemang’s endorsement was by a unanimous decision of the party’s Council of Elders and the NEC.

    “I can tell you that the Running Mate of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama for the 2020 general election is Professor Jane Naana Agyemang. That choice has been approved unanimously by the Council,” Sammy Gyamfi stated.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Dont panic, Accra Girls coronavirus cases under control – GES, GHS to parents

    The Ghana Education Service has through a joint statement with the Ghana Health Service confirmed that six students, a teacher, and a spouse have tested positive for coronavirus in Accra Girls SHS.

    The affected persons, the statement assured have been separated from non-contacts.

    Also, testing of all contacts has commenced, the statement added.

    It further disclosed parents of all students who have tested positive would be allowed to visit their wards.

    Parents were also assured everything was being done to ensure the safety of students.

    Read the full statement below:

     

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Coronavirus: AMA, LCB Worldwide disinfect MDAs, public buildings in Accra

    The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) in partnership with LCB Worldwide Ghana Limited, a crisis management company on Saturday, 4th July 2020 resumed its routine disinfection of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as other public and state buildings in the city as part of efforts to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The MDAs disinfected included the Accra City Hall which is managed by Listening Bureau, Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Office of the Senior Minister, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of Procurement, Ministry of Communication, Council of State, Passport Office (Ridge) Registrar Generals Department, (Annex, Trade Mark) Physical Disability Unit (Parliamentary Annex).

    The rest were Ministry Of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), Bureau of Ghana Languages, Ministry of Defence, Non-Formal Education, Ministry of Aviation, Presidential Lounge (National Security), Civil Service Training School, Agric Engineering, the Official Residence of Head of Civil Service, Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Ministry of Business Development (MoBD), Ministry of Information(MOI), Information Services Department(ISD), Public Records And Archives Administration Department (PRAAD), National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE).

    The exercise which was in collaboration with the Head of Civil Service is the second to be undertaken by LCB Worldwide as part of its Social Corporate Responsibility (CSR).

    Metropolitan Chief Executive(MCE) of Accra, Mohammed, Adjei Sowah, in an interview prior to the commencement of the exercise expressed his appreciation to LCB for their continuous support in the fight against the virus in the city adding that the disinfection would no doubt enhance productivity in the public sector since it would create a fear-free atmosphere for public sector workers to go about their duties without hindrance.

    He disclosed that an arrangement had been made with LCB worldwide to undertake the disinfection exercise once a month and the solution used was organic-based which had no side effects.

    “Information available indicates that a vaccine could be ready next year so it appears that we have to leave with the virus for the rest of 2020. What it means is that all the protocols must be activated and complied with at all possible times and one of the key among them is the continuous disinfection of open spaces as well as public buildings…We are conscious of the fact that Accra remains the epicentre of the COVID-19 in Ghana so the concentration of efforts towards the fight will go a long way to curb its spread. I strongly believe staff and visitors to these state institutions would walk confidently into these offices only when they know that all the safety protocols and precautionary measures are being adhered to and that would alternately trigger productivity. Some of these interventions are intended to protect lives as well as encourage people to confidently come to work and do their best,” he said.

    He admonished all Ghanaians to adhere to the precautionary measures by washing and sanitizing their hands continuously with soap and under running water, wearing a face mask, observing social distancing, covering their mouth and nose when sneezing. as well as endeavour to stay safe by staying at home.

    “It is obvious the virus doesn’t know boundaries, doesn’t discriminate and attacks anybody irrespective of your political, social or economic background. Lately, I see most people wearing the mask but had pulled them under their noses or completely off their faces to rest under their chins. This is unacceptable and we must all put a stop to it,” he said.

    The exercise is expected to continue this weekend and subsequent ones until the exercise is completed.

    Source: Accra Metropolitan Assembly

  • Do not grant permit to Shaanxi Mining Company Small Scale miner

    Small Scale Mining Groups at the Gbane Community in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region have appealed to the mining regulatory bodies in the country not grant permit to the Shaanxi Mining Company to venture into large scale mining in the area.

    They said it would be prudent on the part of the mining regulatory bodies, including the Mineral Commission, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Mining Inspectorate Division to do thorough consultations to inform them of the merits and demerits of such a possibility.

    The Small Scale Mining groups, which include the Unique Mining Group and the Nalamtaaba Mining Group, made the call when a Consultant engaged them about the interest expressed by the Shaanxi Mining Company Limited to go into large scale mining in the area.

    The Shaanxi Mining Company Limited, a Chinese Mining Company, entered into partnership with the Yenyaya Mining Group and Pubortaaba Mining Group, two small scale mining groups who had legally acquired their concessions, to provide mining support services to the two small scale mining groups.

    In 2008, Mr Charlse Nadanbon, the Chief Executive Officer of Yenyaya Mining Group, who was selected among small scale mining groups by government to go to China and learn on sustainable mining activities, persuaded and brought the Chinese Mining Company to Ghana, specifically the Gbane community.

    Since then it had been providing mining support services to Yenyaya Mining Group and Pubortaaba Mining Group, until now that it started seeking for a permit to go into large scale mining in the area where the small scale miners are operating.

    Mr Polo Boyark, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nalamtaaba Mining Group, who made the call on behalf of the Small Scale Mining Groups after the engagement with the Consultant, stated that until proper consultation and proper agreement are reached between the Shanxi Mining Company Limited and the Small Scale Mining Groups, the mining regulatory bodies should not grant them permit to mine on their acquired concessions.

    According to the Small Scale Mining Groups, they have all acquired all the necessary mining permits and documents and therefore would not succumb to any powers that would want to circumvent the laws to allow the Shanxi Mining Company Limited to mine on their concessions without the proper engagement and agreement.

    “We will not sit down and allow a foreign mining Company to threaten us on our very livelihoods, which we have been depending on for many years. Unless the proper thing is done by bringing all of us the Small Scale Mining groups to sit down and dialogue with the Shanxi Mining Company Limited,” he said.

    The group who threatened that they would resist any attempt if their demand and interest were not met, called on the Mining regulatory bodies to ensure that their request was followed before the consideration of granting the Shanxi Mining Company Limited to go into large scale mining.

    Source: GNA

  • KATH receives Ventilators to help manage coronavirus patients

    The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi on Monday, received three Savina 300 Ventilators and suction machine to manage COVID-19 patients admitted in the facility.

    Contracta Construction UK Limited, contractors of the new Kejetia market in Kumasi, donated two of the machines at the cost of 60,000 Euros, while GOIL Company, presented one, at the cost of GHC150,000.00.

    Mr. Jorge Taveres de Almeida, Project Director of Contracta Limited and Mr. Augustine Boateng, Middle Belt Zonal Manager for GOIL, who made a joint presentation to the Hospital, said the gesture was part of the corporate social responsibilities of their respective companies towards helping KATH to effectively manage and treat COVID-19 patients.

    Dr. Oheneba OwusuDanso, Chief Executive of KATH, stressed the need for efficient and robust ventilators to help manage highly infectious diseases including COVID-19.

    He mentioned that government had awarded the Child and Maternity Unit that had been abandoned for a long time for contract to be completed to help ease congestion at the facility.

    Dr Owusu-Danso said due to the unique location of the KATH, critically and severely ill patients were transferred from all parts of the country for treatment.

    He said KATH was currently focusing on the treatment of critically ill COVID-19 patients, while additional operational facilities were being searched for to admit other patients for treatment.

    Dr. Owusu-Danso called on other organizations to support the Hospital to provide quality care to patients.

    Source: GNA

  • GNFS organizes in-service training for personnel in Oti

    Mr Nuhu Gibri, Oti Regional Director, Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has said human resource development has become a cardinal component in the successful implementation of Service organisational policies.

    He said the Service is therefore determined to enhance the capacity of its personnel to reflect its mandate as a professional fire fighting and management institution charged to effectively protect life and property.

    Mr Gibril made the remarks at in-service training for personnel of GNFS in its Municipal and Districts in the Oti Region.

    The training was to ensure that personnel were abreast with best practices in road traffic collision strategies, security intelligence, and discipline in the core mandate and jurisdiction of the service.

    He said it was also to equip the personnel with the requisite knowledge and skills that would enable them “apply the transformed skills to their operations to modernise the value of service delivery to the public in the protection of life and property.”

    The Commander said with the training, personnel operations would be enhanced in the areas such as fire safety, emergency response, rural fire, maintenance culture, collaboration with stakeholders, sustenance of cooperate image branding, security alertness and performance of other special assignments in the interest of the social well being of society.

    The personnel were taken through joint counter-terrorism interoperability, road traffic collision (RTC), and operations of fire police brigade.

    Participants lauded the in-service training and requested it be regular towards raising standards and their efficiency.

    Source: GNA

  • Social Distancing Challenges: EC institutes queue management system

    The Electoral Commission has initiated a queue management system at its registration centres to prevent overcrowding and the breach of anti -COVID-19 social distancing rules by anxious applicants seeking to acquire their Voters Identification card.

    A statement copied to the Ghana News Agency explained that under the queue management system, the first 150 applicants who arrived at the Registration Centres would be provided with numbered chits.

    The first half of this number, it said, would be served from morning to early afternoon; while the second half would be asked to leave the centres and return in the afternoon when the registration of the first batch would have been completed.

    The statement said it would continue to review and improve upon the processes to ensure citizens registered in a safe and secure environment.

    “The Commission believes that this system will go a long way towards reducing overcrowding and long queues and help with the enforcement of social distancing protocols at the Centres,” it said.

    The statement reiterated that the Commission would ensure that citizens who qualified were afforded the opportunity to register and cast their votes.

    “We encourage constructive feedback from the general public, which is aimed at improving the Registration Exercise, which is already motion,” it said.

    The EC is seeking to register about 16 million Ghanaians from June 30 to August 06, under a cluster system at 33,367 polling stations nationwide.

    Though the process has been progressing smoothly, the lack of effective management of applicants outside the registration perimeter has been a challenge, leading to overcrowding at some of the centres.

    Source: GNA

     

  • Government supports Western North education directorate with PPEs

    The Government through the Ministry of Education has supplied Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the nine Education Directorates in the Western Region.

    The PPE is to be distributed to final year Junior high and Senior High School students and teachers as part of measures to ensure their safety.

    The items include 1,592 Veronica buckets, 3,184 pieces of Soaps, 1,900 bundles of tissue papers, 1,122 plastic bowls, 1,224 thermometre guns 42,152 pieces of nose mask and 19,316 pieces of alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

    Mr Abraham Fletcher, Sefwi- Waiwso Municipal Director of Education, who received the items on behalf of the Western North Regional Education Directorate Said, the major items have been received and commended the government for the items since it would go a long way to ensure the safety of both teachers and students as they prepared to write their WASSCE and BECE.

    He called on Circuit Supervisors and headteachers to ensure they used the items for the intended purpose.

    He indicated that all the COVID-19 protocols were been adhered to at the various Junior and Senior high schools with a COVID- 19 Monitoring Team and the Rapid Response Team on the ground ensuring strict adherence to all the precautionary measures.

    Mr Fletcher advised headteachers and teachers to ensure students adhered to all the protocols at all times during instructional hours especially wearing nose masks and washing of hands.

    The Municipal Director also advised students to take their lessons seriously to pass their exams.

    Some final year students from both Junior high and Senior high schools confirmed receiving two nose masks and one 200ml hand sanitizer from their various schools.

    Source: GNA

  • Teacher, spouse and 6 students at Accra Girls test positive for coronavirus – GES

    A teacher, together with the spouse and six other students at Accra Girls Senior High School (AGISS) tested positive for the novel COVID-19.

    This was confirmed by a joint statement signed by Dr Patrick Kuma Aboagye, Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and Professor Kwasi Opoku-Agyemang, Director General of the Ghana Education Service (GES).

    Thus AGISS has recorded eight COVID-19 cases as of Monday, July 6, 2020.

    The statement said, “The Ghana Education Service (GES) received reports of suspected cases of COVID-19 from some second cycle institutions including Accra Girls Senior High school. The Ghana Health Service was subsequently notified of the situation. As of 6 July 2020, six (6) students, a teacher and spouse have been confirmed as positive for COVID-19 in Accra Girls Senior High School.”

    The statement added: “The school has put in measures to ensure strict adherence to social distancing and other COVID-19 safety measures, and continuous public education sections for staff, students and parents on COVID-19 as part of steps instituted so far.”

    They have, therefore, assured the general public and all parents that, in accordance with the laid down protocols on the COVID-19 pandemic that have been issued to all schools, the necessary steps have been taken and the six confirmed students, the teacher and Spouse have been taken to a treatment centre for further management and are currently doing well.

    The measures taken by the GHS and GES are as follows:

    1. All Contacts of confirmed cases have been identified and separated from non-contacts.

    2. Testing of all contacts of confirmed cases has started.

    3. The school authorities with the support of the [district] assembly are in the process of disinfecting the affected dormitories.

    4. The school has put in measures to ensure strict adherence to social distancing and other COVID-19 safety measures.

    5. Continuous public education sections for staff, students and parents on COVID-19.”

    Read below the full statement:


    Source: www.ghanaweb.com