TIG Post

Author: Persis

  • Women hail Mahama for nominating Prof Jane Opoku Agyemang

    There was jubilation and funfair at Elmina in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipality of the Central Region following the nomination of Professor Jane Naana Opoku -Agyeman by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as its Vice Presidential candidate.

    Scores of women including gender activists, market women, and some males described her nomination as a step towards deepening Ghana’s democratic credentials.

    Speaking to the GNA on the sidelines of the celebration, on Monday afternoon, Madam Hannah Donkoh, one of the jubilant said her nomination presented a unique opportunity to make the future possible and accessible for a woman.

    “We are ready to go all out to campaign feverishly for her and the party as we pray to God to make our voices to be heard in good faith, “she said.

    Madam Donkoh was happy that Prof Opoku-Agyemang, regarded by many as a woman of integrity, will become the first female running mate of one of the two leading political parties in the country.

    According to her, Prof Opoku-Agyemang’s nomination also remained key breaking the cycle of male running mate and getting more females into mainstream political decision-making.

    They indicated that even though Prof Opoku-Agyeman hails from Komenda in the municipality, they were exceedingly glad that her nomination will empower more women to move to the zenith of their lives.

    Madam Donkoh called for a concerted effort by all women regardless of one’s political consideration, ethnicity, and location to galvanise vote and financial resources to support her political bid.

    “Women should eschew the notion that we are our enemies and work with one accord to put more women in politics to make the right decisions and policies that will engender the course of all women.

    The women also called on all political parties to emulate the political feat chalked by the NDC and endeavour to disregard the notion that women were incapable of hold big political portfolios.

    She narrated examples of impressive women across the world who have gone through the political mill to become Presidents and transformational leaders of global business giants.

    Prof. Opoku-Agyemang is the first female to be selected as a running mate by the NDC and would become the first female Vice-President of the Republic should the Party win the December polls.

    The mother of three adult children, who is currently the Africa Board Chairperson of the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), was in 2013 appointed by the then President Mahama, as the Minister of Education.

    From 2008 to 2012, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang was the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, the first female to hold that position in a state university.

    Source: GNA

  • BOG dead silent on new cedi notes video – As man captured in footage dies mysteriously

    A video containing huge bundles of the newly printed GHc100 and GHc200 notes believed to be amounting to billions of Ghana cedis, has hit the internet igniting wild speculations among social media users and political party fanatics, as to who owns it and what it was meant for.

    The amount seen in the footage, could only have come from the Bank of Ghana (BoG), as the commercial banks could not be allowed to harbour such.

    The video, which has been making the rounds for some days now, has raised eyebrows, but the BoG is yet to provide answers on ownership of the money estimated to be in the region of GHc4.5 billion or GHc5 billion, and for what purpose, although the video and pictures have been in circulation for some days now.

    However, the lack of answers is not even the interesting part. The only man, whose face was shown in the video identified as Richard Baah Appiah alias “Abrokyire”, The Herald gathered, has suddenly died, fueling fresh speculation that, he might have been murdered by some element among his circles for filming and releasing the footage on the cash.

    He is said to be a card bearing member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    Richard is said to have died three days after the video and a picture which was taken of him sitting on the huge cash. He wasn’t sick, The Herald gathered, he just died, while the whereabouts of the person, whose home the said the money was packed continue to be a mystery.

    It is speculated that, Richard was flushed out because those behind the money don’t want it to be in the public domain, since he was the only one whose face was in the picture and could be the only credible source for investigation.

    Other views are that, Richard, might have attempted blackmailing the owners of the cash, hence got killed to silence him.

    Richard is alleged to be the relation or close to an unnamed minister in the Akufo-Addo government whose home the monies were packed.

    The picture of Richard sitting on the arranged bundle of cash, hit the internet at the same time the death of the former General Secretary of the governing NPP and Executive Secretary of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie aka “Sir John” was reported last Wednesday night.

    Richard, who sat comfortably with his facemask hanged under his chin with another unidentified man behind him at a distance, wore a long sleeve shirt and trousers.

    Minutes after the picture hit social media, a poster showing his one-week celebration also emerged from nowhere revealing the event was marked on Sunday, June 7, 2020, at Akim Manso in the Birim Central Municipality of Eastern Region. It also falls under the Asene Akroso-Manso Constituency where George Kwame Aboagye is the NPP Member of Parliament.

    Akim-Manso, is said to be a community with a population of about 7000 people.

    The town has a presence on Facebook. Indeed, on Saturday, June 6 this year, at 10:58 am a notice was posted from Akim Oda, announcing his week funeral event which took place on Sunday, June 7, 2020, at the “forecourt of the family house” at 8 am.

    It read “Tomorrow is the one-week Celebration of our late brother and a friend, Richard Nana Baah… It will take place tomorrow Sunday, June 7 at Akim-Manso… All have to be there to show our condolences to the bereaved family members…”

    Attached to the message, was black, white and gold electronic poster bearing Richard’s picture. The notice shows he is known within the Akim-Manso community.

    Although details of the 35-year-old were not readily available, a social media user, claimed she knew him from Tema and that she was even at his one-week celebration last month.

    “I know him, he’s late was at his one week just last Saturday. He spent much of his young life in Tema and moved to Accra later but his aunty and family are still in Tema”, Akorfa Adzo Adanuvor said.

    According to Akorfa, Richard spent most of his young life at Tema, but later moved to Accra, while the rest of his family still remained. Another also claimed he knew him and that in Accra; he was based at Asylum Down.

    It is unclear why the one-week event happened in Akim-Manson and not Tema, where he was said to have spent his childhood and where his parents were said to reside.

    It is also unclear, why the event was not held in Asylum Down, where he was said to have relocated after leaving Tema.

    Meanwhile, people continue to speculate on the death of the 35-year-old, saying it might be politically motivated. According to them, Richard might have been killed by people within his political circles, having being captured sitting on the money.

    Before the picture of the deceased surfaced on the internet, a video of the cash had first hit the internet around June 30, 2020, with some faceless youth numbering about four, arranging at one side of what appears to be the hall of a very rich person.

    The leakage of the pictures and video 23 days after the one-week event at Akim-Manso, therefore, suggests someone has had access to the information either from Richard before his death or got it after his death, and decided to release them.

    While the young men, who spoke Akan, fantasized about the bundles of money, legendry Daddy Lumba’s onetime hit, Theresa Abebreseh, was played at the background.

    In the hall where the money was arranged, a framed photograph of the owner of the house was captured in the footage, however, it was not clear enough to identify the person.

    Though none of the young men’s face was shown, one of them who took the video was encouraged by the rest to go ahead and take it, while another indicated that after they were done arranging them; he will also take a shot of it for future use.

    “Yes, I will also take a shot for future use”, he said while they arrange the money in excitement.

    Another teased the other, saying “You, the company you work for have they seen such huge money before”?

    Some party fanatics of both the governing NPP and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), have accused each other of being the owners of the money, claiming it is for the December 7 election campaign.

    What has not been identified since the video went viral, is who exactly is keeping these huge monies in his home at where and for what purpose.

    It is not clear, if Richard, has been buried yet and whether an autopsy had been done on him to know the cause of his death.

    It is also unclear if anything has happened to the rest of the young men, whose voices were heard in the video.

    Source: The Herald

  • Your job must be devoid of partisan politics CEPS Officers told

    The Commissioner of the Customs Exercise and Preventive Services (CEPS) of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Col. Kwadzwo Damoah (Rtd), has advised CEPS officers to undertake their mandates devoid of partisan politics.

    According to Mr Damoah, as security and revenue collectors, they must remain loyal to nation building, work and ensure safety environment to encourage peaceful coexistence with neighbouring countries, to harness normal economic and social life.

    Addressing the media after he met with both Junior and Senior staff during his working visit to Aflao Sector on Thursday, 3 July 2020, Mr. Damoah said, although they (officers) belong to political parties of their choice and will practice their right to vote come December 7 general elections, their political colours should not reflect in their line of duties, especially during this season of political campaigns and activities.

    “Why I’m appealing to the officers is that, yes, we admit that come December 7, all of us are going to vote and actually we are likely to vote for parties of our choice and that is democracy. Nobody can prevent anybody from voting but that is distinct from our official duties. Officially, we are supposed to perform a certain mandate and that is why I’m appealing to them that, they should focus on that official mandate, remain loyal to the state and should not in any way allow political differences to affect the way we go about our duties,” he said.

    Speaking on revenue generation, the Commissioner said, the novel COVID-19 has affected revenue generation since February 2020.

    He revealed that ” Naturally, the volume coming which already was reducing is going to reduce further, so we have done some analysis and it’s shown in a direction that, our revenue is going down. In the case of Customs, in January, we recorded more than GHS1 billion and in February we fell below GHS1 billion and in March it fell further below GHS1 billion and in April when the real effect of the COVID was in, it went further down than before, so on that angle, we are able to say that COVID-19 is indeed hitting us hard in terms of revenue because of the volumes of imports that are coming now.”

    Mr Damoah, however, charged the personnel to work harder to get more revenue for the country so that they will be able to pay salaries and other important expenditure without financial difficulties.

    “If you (the officers) increase the revenue, then all things being equal, your chances of being able to have some left after your payment of salaries and allowances will be higher and therefore we will be able to provide other essential by way of logistics and operations” he advised.

    On rewards, the Commissioner applauded the Aflao sector for the recent intercepted 42 kilograms of substances suspected to be cocaine on Friday, 5 June 2020.

    He said although some of the ceased substance is missing “We thought that, we should commend them for what they had achieved while not glossing over the fact that efforts have been made to try to find the whereabouts of the missing substance.”

    The Commissioner with his entourage visited the various pillars, checkpoints and entry points on the Lome-Aflao border where he advised the personnel to adhere to the various COVID-19 protocols and help educate the citizenry on the pandemic.

    Source: Class FM

  • Supreme Court judge Baffoe-Bonnie pays tribute to Sir John

    Supreme Court judge Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has paid tribute to Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, his roommate for five years in their law school days.

    Lawyer Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John, passed away on Wednesday, July 1 at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital after a short illness.

    Many tributes have poured in for the late Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission.

    His role in the New Patriotic Party (NPP), having served as its General Secretary between 2010 and 2014, has been much talked about.

    During the landmark election petition in 2013, Sir John faced nine eminent Supreme Court judges after being cited for contempt.

    One of the nine judges at the time was Justice Baffoe-Bonnie.

    Read below his touching tribute to Sir John

    TRIBUTE TO SIR JOHN

    Tribute by JSC BAFFOE BONNIE:

    From C58 Sarbah Main, to 416 Annex B(okponglo), we shared rooms for 5 years. He was from Sakora Wonoo, I am from Goaso, Kwasi Anin Yeboah(the current CJ) is from Toase near Nkawie.

    We formed a trio of village law students. Even though Anin Yeboah was in Commonwealth hall, our room was a second home for him.

    He was one of those law students, who even at the law school, were already “lawyers”. He was a devout Adventist who could quote the Bible for fun. His passion was quoting Shakespeare. He was a brother and extremely loyal to his friends. He was generous to a fault.

    He will literally remove what is in his mouth and give it to you. I have known for a long time about all the adjectives and more, that are being used to describe him even in death.

    Can anyone imagine what was going through the minds of Anin Yeboah and I as Sir John stood before the Supreme Court on a charge of Contempt? The day after his conviction I joined him in Kumasi to celebrate the traditional marriage of his daughter who is my god-daughter. I jokingly told him I was hoping that he would be imprisoned so that I would be the only “father” at the ceremony!

    SIR JOHN WAS A HUMAN BEING. CORONA VIRUS HAS CLAIMED ITS BIGGEST VICTIM YET. MAY HIS AFFABLE SOUL REST IN PEACE!

    Source: 3 News

     

  • Halt voter registration now Doctors to Jean Mensa

    Over 200 health workers including 99 medical doctors have petitioned the Chair of the Electoral Commission, Ghana (EC) to halt the ongoing mass voter registration exercise in order to prevent Ghana from suffering potentially thousands of deaths from coronavirus.

    The petition to Jean Adukwei Mensa is the second by these health workers.

    In the first dated Wednesday, June 24, the health workers cautioned the EC on its intention to conduct the exercise as they claimed it would lead to increased cases of Covid-19 and related deaths.

    “The response from officialdom was that all public health protocols and precautions against Covid-19 will be adhered to.

    “Unfortunately, ongoing events across the country have confirmed our worst fears,” they said.

    Source: 3 News

  • Chaos rocks Ngleshie Amanfro palace as land guards beat queen mother

    The Ngleshie Amanfro community was thrown into a state of chaos when land guards stormed the residence of the Abusuapayin, Nii Armah Okai, and beat him together with the Queen mother.

    The attacks on the victims were launched when Nii Armah Okai decided to erect a gate at the palace for perfect security.

    The Abuasupayin Nii Armah Okai together with the queen mother Nana Tambia were met with brute force by land guards who unleashed terror on them.

    Narrating their ordeal in the hands of the land guards, Nana Tambia said she was at home when she received a call from Nii Armah Okai so she prepared and went to him.

    She said she was there when Nii Okai was briefing her about the construction of the fence wall when a family member stormed the house ordering him to stop the construction.

    According to her, a member of the family’s order was not accepted by Nii Armah Okai who said the construction of the wall is to ensure security and to prevent stray animals from entering the house.

    “A family member wanted to know how he would have access to the house when it is fenced. So Nii Armah told him a key will be given to him so that he can come to the house at any time he wants to,” Nana Tamia said.

    She averred that a family member then ordered his thugs to pull down the wall. “They maltreated me, drag me here and there. They also beat up my son and cut his body with knives,” she said.

    On his part, Abusuapanyin Nii Armah Okai corroborated what the Queen mother narrated and stated that the development brought fear into the Ngleshie Amanfro community with people fearing for their lives.

    He also narrated that he and the Queen mother decided to fix a gate to the family house which has been turned into a palace, and in the course of doing so, the Chief and his Lindquist called inland guards numbering about 100 who came and pull down the gate destroy it.

    According to him, the land guards succeeded in brutalizing them in the process on the orders of the Chief.

    Meanwhile the Weija divisional police has confirmed investigating the chief dispute in the area.

    Source: Ted Ofori,  Ghanaweb Contributor

  • Wontumi, EC, others allegedly cited for contempt over Subin NPP parliamentary primary

    Some members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Subin constituency of the Ashanti Region have filed a contempt suit against the Electoral Commission and NPP officials for going ahead to organise a parliamentary primary to elect a candidate for the party despite a court injunction.

    The suit, filed by 51 members of the party, all said to be delegates is against the NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Wontumi), and the Member of Parliament for the area, Eugene Boakye Antwi.

    They are said to have ignored an injunction order not to conduct June 20, 2020, primary despite receiving court injunction.

    Motion

    In their motion of notice, the aggrieved delegates said the respondents were fully aware of a legal suit instituted by the applicants on June 18, 2020, against the conduct of the polls but still went ahead.

    Also cited were the Ashanti Regional Director of Research and Elections, Mr Patrick Acheampong, the Subin constituency chairman, Mr Michael Adusei Bonsu and his Secretary Akuamoah Boateng.

    The action filed on Friday, July 3, 2020, was for alleged contemptuous and deliberate acts and conduct calculated by the respondents to bring the administration of justice and authority and dignity of the court into irreparable ridicule, contempt and public ridiculing.

    Decision

    It follows the apparent unilateral suspension of the aggrieved delegates by the defendants with the intention to disenfranchise them.

    Ahead of the election which re-elected Mr Antwi as the parliamentary candidate for the NPP in the December 2020 election, a motion to restrain the EC and the NPP National was granted by the Kumasi High Court.

    Order

    Indeed, on June 19, his year, the Kumasi High Court presided over by Justice Ali Baba Abature ordered that the defendants should refrain from holding the NPP Subin Constituency parliamentary primary for the next 10 days but the party and defendants disregarded the ban and went ahead with the polls.

    Affidavit

    In a 22-point affidavit in support of the applicants for the committal for contempt, Mr Isaac Nimako, on behalf of the 50 other applicants affirmed even though the EC complied with the restraining orders by the court, Mr Eugene Boakye Antwi who is the third defendant, indicated that injunction or not, there would be an election even when the EC had drawn the attention of the defendants to the injunction.

    It said the defendants deliberately ignored the injunction in an apparent move to disregard the court.

    Hearing is on July 21.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Mining of Atewa Forest: CSOs, individuals sue government

    Seven Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and four private citizens have jointly sued the Government over the exploration and drilling of deep wells in the Atewa Forest Reserve.

    Mr Martin Kpebu, the counsel for the plaintiffs filed the writ against the Attorney General at the General Jurisdiction Court (High Court) Division.

    The CSOs are: A Rocha Ghana, Flower Ghana, Concern Citizens of Atewa Landscape, Ghana Youth Movement, Ecocare Ghana, Kasa Initiative Ghana and Save the Frogs Ghana.

    The private citizens are: Awula Serwah, Oteng Adjei, Boakye Twumasi- Ankrah and Nana Asante.

    The plaintiffs, in their writ, are seeking an order compelling the Government and its agents to declare the Atewa Range Forest (ARF) as a “Protected Zone” and take steps to protect the forest in accordance with its constitutional obligation, as contained under Article 36 (9) of the 1992 Constitution.

    They are seeking an order directed at the Government to restore and pay cost for the restoration of damages that have been caused to the ARF.

    The plaintiffs are also seeking a declaration that the mining of bauxite in the ARF violates the right to life and dignity, as enshrined in the Constitution.

    According to them, the right to life and dignity, as enshrined in the Articles 13 and 15 of the Constitution, included the right to have the environment protected for the benefit of the present and future generations.

    It is, therefore, praying the Court to restrain the Government, its agents, workmen, allottees and guarantees from undertaking mining and its related activities in the forest.

    In their statement of case, the plaintiffs say they were private citizens and organizations involved in advocacy aimed at protecting the environment and they bore the Constitutional duty under Article 41(k) of the Constitution to protect and safeguard the environment.

    They also had a social responsibility to protect the public from exposure to environmental harm, especially when scientific investigation “has found a plausible risk”.

    “Government has a greater responsibility to protect and safeguard the environment and address Climate Change, as well as secure biodiversity as obligated under two international conventions that it is a signatory to.”

    The plaintiffs said, the Government, however, in 2017 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Republic of China, with the ARF as one of the sources of bauxite.

    “Based on the MoU, the Government commenced with the prospecting of minerals and in flagrant disregard of Section 9 of the Minerals Act 2006 (Act 703) as amended,” the plaintiffs said.

    They said the Government, through the Integrated Aluminum Development Corporation (GAIDEC) entered the forest in May 2019 and as at the time of filing the writ, 53 deep wells had been drilled.

    They were not against the Government’s quest to mobilise revenue by exploiting Ghana’s natural resources for national development, they pointed out.

    However, Ghana did not need to exploit the Atewa Forest Bauxite reserve because there were other bauxite reserves, they said.

    The plaintiffs averred that GIADEC estimated that there were 900-million tonnes of bauxite minerals across Ghana, with Nyinahin alone, holding 700-million tons (77.98 per cent) while Awaso and Kyebi had 60-million (6.68 per cent) and 160-million (17.8 per cent) respectively.

    They hold that only 17.8 per cent of Ghana’s bauxite could be found in Kyebi, the area within which ARF could be found.

    Hence more than 82 per cent of Ghana’s bauxite could be mined without compromising the existence of the ARF.

    They held that the ARF was also administratively classified as a Globally Significant Biodiversity Area (GSBA) and protective forest reserve, for which all mining activities were to be excluded.

    They said persistent efforts to meet the Government and demonstrate the scientific need to exclude the ARF had proved futile.

    “Government also refused or failed to engage the local communities and environmentalists who maintain that strip mining is not a sustainable approach,” the plaintiffs said.

    The strip mining, which was being used at Awaso in the Western Region and its outcome had been devastating, they said.

    They had, therefore, petitioned the President to protect the ARF in a letter dated July 6, 2018; “but he has no interest in their cause”.

    They hold that considering the critical importance of the ARF to the water supply system and biodiversity among others, it will not be the best to exploit the forest.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Voters register: Akrofuom NPP parliamentary candidate appeals to indigenes to register

    The newly elected NPP parliamentary candidate for Akrofuom Constituency, Mr. Alex Blankson has appealed to the people of Akrofuom to register in their numbers in the ongoing voter registration exercise.

    Mr. Blankson has pointed out that the figures gotten from the Mensonso Electoral area at the end of their voter registration so far are not encouraging.

    The Electoral area which had six registration centres were able to register two thousand and ninety-three (2,093) people at the end of six days of registration against a total projection of three thousand five hundred and six (3,506).

    The Parliamentary Candidate said the District Assembly should intensify the voter registration education in the district especially in the Nkoranza Electoral area where the registration is starting from Monday, 6th July to Saturday, 11th July so as to sensitize the general public on the need to participate in the registration.

    Commenting on the need for massive registration, Mr. Blankson said “Politics is all about numbers. It is numbers that gave us constituency in 2004, and it is the same numbers that made the President bless us with a district status. You cannot do away with numbers in lobbying for the developmental projects from the Central Government and other agencies like GNPC”.

    “It is therefore incumbent on all political leaders in Akrofuom District and Nananom to do everything within our preview to see a massive voter registration for this registration period,” he stressed.

    All these happened when a section of Akrofuom indigenes living in the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis called on him at his residence in Takoradi to congratulate him on his massive win for the just-ended NPP Parliamentary primaries. The Akrofuom primaries which saw seven people vying for the candidature position, the highest in the country, ended peacefully electing Alex Blankson, grandson of the Late Nana Okai Ababio, with a massive win beating his close contender, Mr. Maxwell Sarfoh-Abu, the former Chairman for the Constituency.

    Mr. Blankson seized the opportunity to call on all indigenes of Akrofuom District living outside Akrofuom, especially Obuasi, to, as a matter of patriotism, come home and register. “This, he reiterated, “has indirect consequences on the fortunes of our land in terms of development”.

    He added that arrangements would be put in place to assist outside dwellers to come home and vote in December.

    The group, on their part, promised the Parliamentary Candidate of their support should he win the general elections come December.

    “We do not doubt your ability. We have stayed with you here in Takoradi from infancy, and we know so very well what you can do for the people of our land,” they added.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Todays newspapers front pages

  • Voter Registration Exercise: Retired Military man, 14 others intercepted as Togolese in Volta

    A 70 year old retired Ghana Arm Forces Officer, Christian Agbeviade together with some 14 aged residents from Ziope and Honuga, a farming communities in the Agortime-Ziope District of the Volta region has been intercepted on their way to register for the voter identification card by Volta Executives of the ruling New Patriotic Party(NPP) led by the region’s Chairman, Kafui Woanya.

    The persons were detained upon reaching Kpetoe township, the district capital and were sent to the Agortime-Ziope District Police Command where they spent more ten hours under police custody before their release after a massive protest by residents and interventions by Executives of the Volta National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    According to the retired Military man who is visually impaired, a relative to the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Charles Agbeve, on Sunday, 5 July 2020, he was on board with other siblings who are of age to Kpetoe, where the Electoral Commission office is located to get registered for the ongoing voter registration exercise before their interception.

    He explained that, he could not see the persons who arrested them but heard that they have been charged for not being Ghanaians, and that they were been conveyed from Togo into the country to register for the voter card. He said, he showed his passport to prove his citizenship, as well as the other persons on board but the Police could not listen to his plea.

    “They claimed I’m a Togolese, and I said I can’t be a Togolese, with a Ghanaian passport how can I be a Togolese. How can I be a Togolese at the same time a Ghanaian? I’ve worked with the Ghana Arm Forces, can they employ an alien in the Ghana Arm Forces? These are some of my explanations to them so I don’t know why they still don’t want to believe what I’m saying, I have a living document to prove to that effect” He told Class News after being released from the Police custody as at 8:34pm, evening of Sunday.

    The Volta NDC Secretary, James Gunu, speaking to the Media after the incident which nearly resulted into a scuffle between the police and the angry residents said the persons were only doing according to the directives by the EC and it’s a shock to have seen the NPP changing the narratives.

    “The fact of the matter is that, the Electoral Commission made us to understand that, at the District registration offices, lactating mothers, persons with disability, the aged and the vulnerable in a society they are supposed to be registered at the district offices…. so these people boarded a car from Ziope, NPP people saw them and said they are not Ghanaians. NPP should not give frivolous definition to who a Ghanaian is, that also not withstanding if they have any course to believe that somebody is not a Ghanaian, the law is that you go and fill a challenge form, you don’t prevent the people physically as they’re doing and when we came here we have realized clearly that, the rule of law has been thrown to the dogs, now what we have is the rule of politics” He said.

    The MP for the area, Charles Agbeve, disclosed that, he bused the people whom are his relatives from the village to the district office to get registered before the they were intercepted. He described the development as a bias shown by the NPP and the Police, adding that the situation will not intimidate them rather will encourage the constituents to come out in their numbers to register.

    “This one, my own village, my own hometown, my uncle Christian Agbeviade who has worked with the Ministry of defence, and his brothers and sisters, cousins and I said oh let me help you and they carried them, coming to come and register. Today I don’t know whether in Ghana any group of people find in an ovan bus approaching a town are Togolese, to begrudged with cars and intimidated, harassed and brought to the Police station and kept all this time. I don’t think it is fair, I don’t think it is reasonable, in my opinion it is very a rational. And this decision they (NPP) have taken will not intimidate us, we are not perturbed, we have energised, gingered and the people will come out in their numbers and register ” He noted.

    MP for Ho West, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah at the Police station told the Media that, the Volta region belongs to the NDC hence any attempt by the NPP to bring uneasiness in the region won’t be tolerated. He advised constituents to come out in their numbers to get registered.

    Meanwhile, the occupants of the bus, 6 males and 8 females were been granted bail including the 56 year old driver, Gatsi Xorlali, who alleged that, he was physically assaulted during the course of intercepting his car. He noted that, he is a driver on the Ho, Akatsi road and he took the alleged foreigners at Ziope enroute to Kpetoe as at 11am on Sunday before the disturbances.

    The Police said, an investigation will commence on Monday, 6 July 2020, by visiting individual homes of all the 15 persons.

    Source: Albert Kuzor, Ghanaweb Contributor

  • Begoro robbery: One person arrested, 8 empty cartridges retrieved

    The Begoro Police have arrested one person in connection with a robbery incident which occurred Friday evening on Deede to Abourso road.

    Scores of traders returning from the Begoro market to Mpeamu and Dedeso Communities were attacked at about 6:00pm.

    About six vehicles and eight motorcycles transporting the traders were attacked.

    The robbers robbed their victims at gunpoint unspecified amount of monies and mobile phones.

    One of the victims Joseph Addo, 34, accompanied by Tetteh Isaac,19, went to the Police station with marks of pellet wounds on the back of Tetteh Isaac and bruises on face of Addo that they were among the victims of the robbery and that while returning from Dedeso to Abuorso, just after climbing the hill armed men numbering about six (6) all wearing face masks with five (5) wielding cutlasses and one with single barrel gun attacked and robbed Joseph Addo with Samsung G5 Mobile Phone valued Ghc600 and Cash of Ghc3,000.

    On his part, victim Tetteh Isaac said he was beaten mercilessly for having nothing on him. He told Police he was able to identify one of the robbers.

    Armed Police proceeded to the scene but the robbers fled before their arrival. The Police personnel combed the area and retrieved eight(8) empty BBB cartridges.

    Police stormed the Dedeso Community at 10:00pm and arrested the suspect -Abubakar Isaiah,25, identified by his victim.

    The acting Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command Sargeant Francis Gomado confirmed the incident to Starr News. He said the suspect is in Police custody assisting in investigation while the victims issued medical forms for treatment.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Freddie Blay tours constituencies in Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis

    The National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddy Blay, and his entourage has visited some registration centers of the Electoral Commission in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis.

    Mr. Freddy Blay scrutinized all protocols at the registration centers and interacted with registration officials as well as polling agents.

    The centres he visited were all peaceful and no challenges recorded as the registrants heeded the necessary protocols.

    He was at the Sekondi constituency and monitored the ongoing registration exercise at the centers in the constituency.

    At Sekondi, he witnessed a few tensions but dealt with it successfully.

    He also visited the Takoradi constituency and monitored centers including All Saints Anglican Church A & B.

    In Essikado-Ketan constituency, the Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Joe Ghartey joined the team in Assawa and Mallam town.

    The team were also at Effia constituency where they monitored the California registration centre.

    All activities were peaceful and successful.

    The team comprised Minister for Railway Development and MP for Essikado-Ketan, Joe Ghartey, Western Regional Organizer Abdul Ganiyu Mohammed, Takoradi constituency First Vice-Chairman Justice Acquah, the party’s Parliamentary candidate for Akrofuom Alex Blankson, NPP Western Regional Women’s Organizer Abena Kwallah and a host of other party executives and members.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Ghana rated 8th in top 14 countries with the best police force in Africa

    The World Internal Security and Police Index (WISPI) has released the 2020 report of the top 14 African countries with the best police service.

    According to the report, Bostwana has the best police force in Africa while Rwanda and Algeria ranked second and third on the handful list of 14 countries.

    The 2020 WISPI report was proposed by Mamdooh Abdelmottlep and designed by experts across the world.

    In a tweet by Africa Facts Zone, Ghana made the ranking in the eighth position, while South Africa, Morocco, and Mali are number nine, 10, and 11 on the list.

    See the full list below:

    1. Botswana 2. Rwanda 3. Algeria 4. Senegal 5. Tunisia 6. Egypt 7. Burkina Faso 8. Ghana 9. South Africa 10. Morocco 11. Mali 12. Sudan 13. Malawi 14. Burundi

    Source: pulse.com.gh

     

  • Narcotics transporter arrested at Yamoransa

    A young man believed to be a hardened transporter of cannabis in the Assin area was arrested at the Yamoransa Police barrier.

    He was nabbed in a mini passenger bus with registration number GR-5496-18 with eight passengers commuting from Tantri lorry station in Cape Coast to Assin Fosu in the Assin Central Municipality.

    The police during its routine checks and inspection of the vehicles at about 0830 hours discovered four slabs of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis commonly called “wee”.

    They told the Ghana News Agency, he was transporting the cannabis to a seller at Assin Darmang, the capital of the Assin South District of the Central Region.

    Mr Tandoh, the policeman who made the arrest lamented the changing antics of the youth in transporting narcotics on the route and charged the peddlers to desist from the act.

    The driver of the mini Nissan Urvan bus who gave his name as Kwaku expressed shock about the act of the suspect and urged all drivers to be mindful of the passengers who board their vehicles.

    They should report all suspicious characters to the police and desist from engaging in any act of transporting or using narcotics drugs.

    Source: GNA

  • The Constitution guarantees citizens right to register – Minister

    The Oti Regional Minister, Nana Owusu-Yeboa, has urged the people in the region to go out to the centres to register and vote in the December poll. He said the Constitution guarantees the civic right of every citizen to register and to participate in elections.

    However, only the citizens who met the legitimate qualification measures would be accepted and asked the people to be vigilant against intruders. Nana Owusu-Yeboa said this when he visited some registration centres in the first phase of the voter registration exercise to ascertain the successes and challenges of the compilation process.

    The Minister was on the tour with Mr Patrick Jilima Chartey, Municipal Chief Executive for Krachi East and Madam Comfort Attaa Akua, District Chief Executive of Biakoye.

    In all, the Regional Minister toured a total of eleven registration centres in the Krachi East constituency.

    At the Dambai Roman Catholic and ARS 1 and 2 centres, about 4,168 people had registered and issued with the voter ID cards since the inception of the exercise, while in the Biakoye District 2,608 were registered and given new voter ID cards from two centres.

    Nana Owusu- Yeboa was glad about the progress of the registration exercise and urged the people in the region to cooperate with the Electoral Commission (EC) and to also follow the safety protocols to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

    At the centres visited, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) saw Veronica buckets with water for handwashing, thermometer guns to check the temperature of registrants, and hand sanitizers.

    The people at the centres were all in face masks in strict adherence to the social distancing protocols.

    The Electoral Commission (EC) officials told the Regional Minister that the majority of the registrants came with their Ghana card or Passport and some without these documents had two people already issued with the new Voter cards to guarantee for them. GNA

    Source: GNA

  • Man electrocuted in Tema Sakumono Estate

    A 22-year-old electrician apprentice was electrocuted on a high tension pole in Sakumono, Tema West on Saturday.

    The man was identified as Kofi Owusu by some onlookers who thronged the Chapel Square area in the sprawling community.

    He wore a blue overall, with no hand gloves on and hanged on for over four hours with a few of his tools lying beneath the pole that bore his corpse.

    The onlookers, mostly from Sakumono Village where the deceased lived with his family, wailed uncontrollably as they waited for the Police.

    His body was later brought down with the help of police personnel and officials of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) after they cut power to the area.

    Some residents who were spotted earlier said he had been invited to fix an electrical fault few hours after the rains subsided Saturday afternoon.

    The body latched atop the electric pole with both hands firmly gripping the wires and head propped backwards.

    It is however unclear he was a certified electrician and authorized by the ECG to climb such electrical poles.

    Corroborating the incident, Chief Inspector Collins Antwi Kweku Amankwah, Station Officer, Sakumono Police Station, said the deceased was an electrician apprentice who inadvertently slipped whiles working on a faulty line and in the process held onto a live wire leading to his death.

    The body of the deceased, he added, had been deposited at the Police Hospital morgue.

    Source: GNA

  • You have performed well, the North is proud of you – Nayiri to Dr. Bawumia

    Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has received rave reviews from the overlord of the Mamprugu Kingdom, His Majesty Nayiri Nabohagu Mahami Sheriga for his stellar role as the second gentleman of Ghana.

    The Nayiri also noted that the people of the north are ever proud of him.

    The Nayiri stressed that Dr Bawumia, a true son of his kingdom, has not denied them their fair share of the national cake, commending him for the various interventions in the area since he assumed the position as the second gentleman of the land.

    During a courtesy call on him by the Vice President to inform him of his selection as the running mate to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the December 2020 Polls, the King enumerated some interventions in terms of development by the current government, emphasising that the interventions are worth commending, reason the residents of the area will forever be grateful to Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    “You have performed so well as a Vice-President for the entire nation and we are proud of you…we pray for you and continue to stand behind you to continue to do more for the for Ghana and the north. You and the President are working to make Ghana prosperous, and we are all beneficiaries of policies such as our new regions, free SHS, one village one dam, one constituency one ambulance, planting for food and jobs, the roads, the schools, NABCO, and the ongoing construction of the Pwalugu Dam. To do all this in just your first term of office is remarkable. You have honored your promises to us.

    May God guide and protect you and may machinations by your detractors that you fail backfire, “he prayed.

    He reiterated that “you are in to develop Ghana and not to destroy it and I will continue to pray that the almighty God will see you through.”
    On his part, Dr Bawumia conveyed the gratitude of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to the King and his council of elders for their support during the three and half years of the current administration, reassuring them that the promise to continue to pursue a developmental agenda shall continue unabated.

    “We are three and half years in government. President Nana Akufo Addo went into government with a promise for transformation of Mamprugu, the North and Ghana as a whole. It is evident that the transformation is being witnessed in Mamprugu, the north and Ghana. But we still have more to do and we ask for your prayers and support for four more years for President Nana Akufo-Addo to do more for you,” he stated.

    He took the opportunity to list other important projects being embarked by government which, he argued, attest to the fact that the Akufo-Addo government surpasses any other government in the history of the fourth republic in terms of development within a government’s first term.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Nzema Akropong JHS to get 3-unit classroom block

    Mr. Kwasi Bonzoh, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ellembelle District of the Western Region has cut the sod for the construction of a 3-unit classroom block for Nzema Akropong Junior High School (JHS), to improve access to education.

    The project is expected to be completed within four months will have various ancillary facilities including offices, staff common room, and ICT centre to facilitate effective teaching and learning.

    The facility is expected to replace the old structure which was constructed by the community some decades ago.

    Historically, this is the first time a particular sitting government is constructing a classroom block for the Nzema Akropong Community.

    However, the project will be through the Ghana Education Trust Find (GeTFund) at a cost of four hundred and fifty thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢450,000). The new block when completed will be equipped with mono desks in each class to observe social distancing protocols.

    The project is being executed by ATANS Company limited.

    Speaking at the colourful ceremony held at the school park, Mr. Kwasi Bonzoh, the DCE said when the project is completed would improve the school’s Basic Examination Certificate Examination (BECE) performance in the district.

    He disclosed that in 2019 BECE, the Nzema Akropong JHS scored zero percent and attributed the cause to the existing poor school infrastructure.

    He said in 2012 electioneering campaign he came to the area and the Chief appealed to him to construct a new JHS classroom block for the community, adding that when the NPP came to power he promised to honour the Chief’s appeal.

    “I came here in 2012 and the Chief appealed to me that if God permit and I become MP, he needs only two things and that’s his bad road and Classroom block and I promised him that if God willing and we come to come to power, I will do it for him…I first brought contractors and they have started construction of their bad road”.

    He added, “So it was during the sod cutting of the road two months ago and I promised to construct the classroom block for the Chief so today we have break ground to construct new Classroom block of 3-unit classroom block plus ICT center and two offices so that our kids can learn how to use ICT to do meaningful things on the internet”.

    He, therefore, promised to construct a 6-seater WC toilet facility in addition to the school.

    “If the contractor finish the classroom block, he will construct a 6-seater WC toilet facility for the students and teachers, four for the students and two for the staff”.

    Mr. Kwasi Bonzoh pleaded with the community folks to rally behind the constructor and his workers to complete the project on time.

    He also advised the youth who had been engaged in labour work to avoid laziness and work according to the contractor’s specification.

    He promised to monitor the project to finish before December 2020.

    Mr. Bonzoh called on the residents to vote massively for him come December to replace Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah for failing to construct a single classrom block for the community since 2009 he became MP for the Constituency.

    On his part, the Chief of Nzema Akropong, Nana Adu Kwame II, thanked the DCE for honouring his promise and said he would be happy when the project is done.

    His reason was that sod cutting of a project doesn’t mean the project has been completed, adding that politicians only rush to cut sod for projects in election year and abandon them after they have lost power.

    “I am half happy because this is just a sod cutting so I want to see the project done before I will be fully happy”, he emphasized.

    The Chief said education was his topmost priority and urged the residents of the area to stop dictating for the contractor as to what he should do.

    He said this was his first time the community was benefiting from a government educational project since the community was established.

    He added that successive governments had ignored their appeal to establish some classroom blocks for the community.

    “All the school blocks you see here, from KG to JHS, we the Community contributed to build, no government has constructed a single classroom block for us here but today Kwasi Bonzoh is doing some for us, let us thank him and we supposed to support the government of the day”, he revealed.

    The Chief seized the opportunity to perform libation for Kwasi Bonzoh who is also the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Ellembelle Constituency to achieve his ambition.

    Mr. Paul Atta Ansah, the Contractor pledged to finish the project within months and also promised to work during the evenings to meet the timeline.

    He urged the community to support him to complete the project on schedule.

    The DCE was accompanied by some staff of Ellembelle District Assembly, some NPP Constituency Executives, the media to perform the sod-cutting ceremony.

    Source: Daniel Kaku, Ghanaweb Contributor

  • Government directs MDA, MMDAs to procure locally assembled vehicles

    Government has directed all ministries, departments and agencies as well as metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to strictly consider locally assembled vehicles when procuring such from hence.

    This was contained in a memo issued by the Chief of Staff on Friday, July 3.

    The Ministry of Trade and Industry is expected to furnish all stakeholders with companies that are assembling vehicles in the country.

    “This policy/decision will not only help industrialise the economy but also boost employment , encourage investment and help government preserve foreign exchange,” the memo by Akosua Frema Osei-Opare said.

    “All MDAs, MMDAs and other government establishments are to take note of the policy for compliance.”

    It concluded that all are still enjoined to seek approval from the Office of the Chief of Staff “prior to initiating any process for procurement of vehicles”

    Source: 3 News

  • 10 arrested over Kassena-Nankana deadly clashes

    Police in Navrongo have arrested 10 people over renewed clashes in Kassena-Nankana in the Upper East Region.

    Six people have been killed and 12 houses torched after some residents from the Doba and Kantiga communities clashed over a parcel of land intended for a police station.

    Speaking to Starr News Navrongo Municipal Police Commander, DSP Francis Agyare said the 10 suspects are currently assisting the police with investigations adding that security has been beefed in the two communities to maintain calm.

    “The conflict between the two factions is land litigation. The renovation of an existing building into a police station to mitigate the frequent robbery on the people of the place caused the chaos,” he told Starr News.

    “For now we have arrested 10 suspects and we have also retrieved a lot of second barrel shut guns and cartridges from them. For now, we are on the grounds maintaining peace so peace is prevailing,” DSP Agyare added.

    Source: Starr FM

  • We’re proud of you – Overlord of Mamprugu praises Vice President

    The Overlord of the Mamprugu Kingdom, His Majesty Nayiri Nabohagu Mahami Sheriga, has heaped praises on Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia for supporting the development efforts of the north since the assumption of office.

    He said Dr Bawumia is a true son of his kingdom, who has never denied them their fair share of the national cake, and, thus, commended him for the various interventions initiated in the area.

    Nayiri Sheriga made the remarks when the Vice President paid a courtesy call on him, to inform him of his selection as the running mate to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the December 2020 elections.

    The King enumerated some of the development interventions rolled out by the current government, saying; “The residents of the area will forever be grateful to you and the New Patriotic Party.”

    “You have performed so well as a Vice President for the entire nation and we’re proud of you.

    “We pray for you to continue to stand behind the President and to do more for the nation and the north. You and the President are working to make Ghana prosperous, and we are all beneficiaries of policies such as Free SHS, One-Village, One-dam, One-constituency, One-District, One-Ambulance, Planting for Food and Jobs, road infrastructure, school buildings, recruitment of NaBCo personnel, and the ongoing construction of the Pwalugu Dam.

    “To do all this in just your first term of office is remarkable. You have honoured your promises to us.

    “May God guide and protect you and may machinations by your detractors fail and backfire”, the King prayed for the Vice President.

    On his part, Dr Bawumia conveyed the gratitude of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to the King and his Council of Elders for their support during the three and half-years in government, reassured them that, it would continue pursuing developmental agenda.

    “We are three and half years in government. President Nana Akufo Addo went into government with a promise for transformation of Mamprugu, the North and Ghana as a whole. It is evident that the transformation is being witnessed in Mamprugu, the north and Ghana. But we still have more to do and we ask for your prayers and support for four more years for President Nana Akufo-Addo to do more for you,” he stated.

    Dr Bawumia listed other important projects being embarked by government which attested to the fact that the Akufo-Addo government had surpassed any other government in the history of the Fourth Republic.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: Over 150 Doctors hit with virus GMA

    The Ghana Medical Association(GMA) has mourned the departed souls among the group who have been killed by the novel coronavirus.

    In a tribute to the deceased members, the Association described the demise of the four souls as a big loss to the medical fraternity.

    “The National Executive Committee of the Ghana Medical Association informs all members with deep sorrow the unfortunate demise of four members of the association who have sadly succumbed to COVID-19 since the outbreak of the diseases in the country. These fallen heroes have contributed immensely to the medical profession and their untimely demise constitutes a big loss to the fraternity. May their souls rest in perfect peace”, the GMA noted.

    Members of the Association have thus been urged to on Monday, July 6, 2020, observe a minute silence in honour of the gallant soldiers of the medical fraternity, during their clinical meetings.

    Deceased Members

    Those who have succumbed to the virus include a consultant physician and former Rector of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Professor Jacob Plange-Rhule, who passed away in April at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC).

    Also Dr. Harry Boateng, a Specialist Paediatrician and Medical Superintendent at the Kwadaso SDA Hospital was also remembered.

    A retired Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr. Emmanuel Twagirayesu as well as Dr. Richard Kisser, a Consultant Surgeon with the Trust Hospital were both remembered.

    Over 150 Medical Practitioners hit with the virus

    At least 150 medical doctors and dentists in Ghana have also contracted the virus since the outbreak in March 2020.

    “The GMA further wishes to bring to the notice of all members that over 150 medical doctors and dentist have been infected with SARS-COV 2 since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. In view of the unfortunate increasing trend of infections among health workers, all members should consciously ensure their safety at all times in the care of all patients regardless of the point of care.

    “The National Association Committee of GMA wishes to assure all members that it is working assiduously to tenure the concerns about inadequate PPE delays in testing and other member welfare issues related to COVID-19 are addressed by the government and will not relent.”

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • 8 NDC agents arrested over infractions at registration centres in Ashanti Region

    Eight polling station representatives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have been arrested over alleged malpractices at some centres in the ongoing voter registration exercise in the Ashanti Region.

    At least five other persons have also reportedly sustained injuries as a result of confusion recorded at other venues where the exercise is being undertaken.

    The cases were recorded in various constituencies in the region including Sekyere Afram Plains, Amansie West and Asawasi Constituency since the Electoral Commission began the compilation of the new voters register.

    Friday marked day five of the exercise which is expected to last 38 days across the country, ahead of the general elections in December.

    Tension is mounting in some registration centres in the region following a misunderstanding between the police as well as some members of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and those supporting the opposition NDC.

    Source: angelonline.com.gh

  • Tamale police hunt for unknown murderer

    The police in Tamale has launched a manhunt for an assailant who shot dead a man at Nyanshegu, a suburb of Tamale in the Northern Region.

    According to the Northern Regional Police Crime Officer, Superintendent Kwabena Acheapong Otuo, the unknown gunman went to a house and attempted to rape a young woman (name withheld).

    “In the process of struggling, the gunman shot the woman on the right thigh,” he said in an interview with the Ghanaian Times here yesterday.

    The crime officer added that while fleeing the scene, the assailant shot Abdul-Halim who came to rescue the woman.

    The body had been deposited at the Tamale Teaching Hospital mortuary.

    The crime officer said the police would conduct autopsy on the body to establish the cause of death.

    Supt Otuo said the woman was responding to treatment, adding that the police crime scene management team had begun investigations into the matter and appealed to the residents of Nyanshegu to assist with information that would lead to the arrest of the culprit.

    Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

  • Most of Coronavirus cases in Bono region asymptomatic Dep. Regional Director of Public Health

    There are fears that many people in the Bono Region may be carrying the novel Coronavirus disease.

    The fear is borne out of the nature of positive Coronavirus cases that have been recorded in the region since the region recorded its first case in May.

    According to the Deputy Bono Regional Director of Public Health, Dr. John Ekow Otoo, most of the cases they have recorded are asymptomatic.

    The trend he reveals is a major worry for health authorities since there is the likelihood that many people will be going about their duties without knowing they are carriers of the virus.

    Dr. John Ekow Otoo told Ghanaweb that even though there has been a spike in the number of confirmed cases from 5 to 18; it is not surprising because of the epidemiology of the disease since its outbreak in the country.

    “The Bono Region has recorded 18 cases which is 13 more cases from the 5 knew. It happened over the weekend and it is not surprising. It is expected because of the epidemiology of the outbreak now in the country. Again, another interesting finding is that most of them are asymptomatic even though they are positive. A few are showing some mild to moderate signs and symptoms. It also brings the worrying trend that there are many people working about who may have the infection.”

    He, however, indicated five of the patients have fully recovered while the remaining 13 patients in self-isolation and are being managed by the Ghana Health Service.

    Meanwhile, Dr. Otoo has expressed worry over the spike in the region and called on residents to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Mosquitos secret relationship with Sir John a big lesson to young politicians Sefa Kayi

    Renowned Broadcast Journalist, Kwami Sefa Kayi has urged upcoming politicians especially the youth to take a cue from the secret relationship between the later former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie widely known as Sir John and Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia.

    He observed that though both appeared to belong to different political parties, they remained the best of friends behind the scenes unknown to many followers who see politics as a do or die affair.

    According to him, the revelations by Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia about how they supported each other in turbulent times is just amazing urging the youth to take useful lessons from the two and stop nurturing toxic relationships just because of politics.

    Speaking on his show on Thursday monitored by MyNewsGh.com, he admonished persons who aspire to make an impact in politics to see the game as a battle of ideas and not a wing to create enemies.

    “Mosquito and Sir John were the best of friends though they belonged to different political parties as he has just told us in his tribute on air. Though both disagreed on issues on radio openly, they were quite close and I would urge the youth to take useful lessons from them. They should not use politics as a means of creating enemies”, he admonished.

    The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Thursday revealed that the late Sir John was his bosom

    Speaking to Accra-based Okay FM, the NDC guru narrated how Sir John came to live with him while he mourned the loss of his mother and made preparations for her funeral.

    “…I was deeply touched when he (Sir John) came to stay with me for 3 days after the death of my mother… he could have stayed in a hotel when everyone else had left but he came to live in my house. We ate the same food and did a lot of things together. The Pentecostal pastor who presided over the funeral, as well as sympathisers who were present, were amazed by his gesture. That General Secretaries of the two rival parties would get along so well…,” Asiedu Nketia noted.

    Source: My News GH

  • Ghanas exclusion from EU list should not be taken out of context – Diaspora Affairs

    The Director of the Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President (DAOOP),
    Akwasi Awua Ababio has asked Ghanaians not to panic over the exclusion of Ghana from countries that can enter their member countries.

    He explained the decision is not something we should be scared or take it out of context.

    Speaking with Kwabena Agyapong on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, he said the exclusion of Ghana is not surprising.

    He stated that authorities are working to address the issue and are hopeful the confidence in Ghana will soon be restored.

    Ghana has been excluded from the list of countries that have been allowed to enter EU countries.

    The EU in a statement said the criteria to determine the countries for which the travel restrictions should be lifted included “the epidemiological situation and containment measures, including physical distancing, as well as economic and social considerations” in respective countries.

    Reacting to the issue, Mr. Awua Ababio said Ghana has not opened its borders and that could have contributed to the decision by the EU.

    He said Ghana has imposed travel restrictions and for that reason, there is no movement into the country, and so, this not surprising.

    He gave the hint authorities were working on the situation and will take, a decision when they are comfortable and convinced that we reduced the numbers significantly.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Renowned surgeon at Trust Hospital, Dr. Kisser dies from coronavirus

    Renowned surgeon at the Trust Hospital in Accra, Dr. Richard Kisser has joined the list of health professionals in the country to succumb to the fast-spreading deadly Coronavirus.

    A statement from the hospital revealed that he passed away on Thursday, July 2, 2020.

    “We regret to inform all staff of the passing of our consultant surgeon, Dr. Richard Kisser. The sad event occurred on Thursday 2nd of July 2020 at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) where he was receiving treatment for COV1D-19 complications. May his soul rest in perfect peace,” the facility noted.

    Rector of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Professor Jacob Plange-Rhule was also reported to have died of COVID-19 at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) in April this year.

    Medical Superintendent of the Kwadaso SDA Hospital in Kumasi, Dr. Harry Boateng died on June 13; a few days after he complained of being unwell.

    Read the full statement:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Mount Sinai SHS expels three final year students over mobile phone

    Three final year students of Mount Sinai Senior High School in Akropong -Akuapem in the Eastern Region have been expelled for sneaking mobile phone into school.

    One of the students concealed a mobile phone to school and connived with the other students to hide it in a trunk when school authorities were investigating the issue.

    The students, however, denied knowledge of the mobile phone when interrogated until it was fished out.

    The students were immediately handed indefinite expulsion.

    Mother of one of the students told Starr News she went to the school to plead for extenuation of the punishment given that the students have limited period to complete school. However, she said, authorities of the school say it would be communicated whenever the school reviews and mitigates the punishment.

    The Headmaster of the School, Wise Dunu, confirmed the expulsion but said he cannot speak to it until he is given permission by the Municipal Education Director.

    Final year Senior High School (SHS 3) students together with SHS 2 Gold Track students resumed academic exercise on 22nd June 2020 to complete the academic calendar.

    The Education Minister Mathew Opoku Prempeh revealed that parents and guardians are not allowed to visit their children in school.

    This is to ensure that children who are being protected in the various Senior High Schools from the COVID-19 are not allowed to come into contact with parents who may have contracted the virus.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Two arrested for not wearing nose masks at Tamale police headquarters

    Two persons have been arrested for failing to comply with the wearing of nose masks at the Northern Regional Command on July 2.

    The two suspects Isaiah Sunrise 25yrs, Ibrahim Musah 60yrs, were arrested at the forecourt of the Regional Police Headquarters, Tamale.

    The Northern Regional Crime Officer, Supt. Otuo Acheampong who confirmed the arrest to DGN Online said the suspects were cautioned, charged and released on bail to appear before the Tamale Circuit Court on July 3.

    President Akufo Addo signed an Executive Instrument (E.I. 164) as part of measures to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 pandemic and failure to wear face masks in public is an offence with a prison sentence of 4-10 years or a fine of GH¢12,000-GH¢ 60,000 or both.

    Source: Daily Guide Network

  • Carlos Ahenkorah resigns over coronavirus brouhaha

    Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah has resigned from office as Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, the Presidency has announced.

    His resignation comes barely hours after he admitted in an interview that he visited some voters registration centres in his constituency despite knowing he has tested positive for Coronavirus.

    “The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Friday, 3rd July, 2020 accepted the resignation from office the Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Hon. Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah, MP, which takes immediate effect,” a statement signed by Eugene Arhin, Director of Communications, Office of the President read.

    It continued: “This follows the admission by the Deputy Minister of his breach of the COVID-19 protocols, when, as a person certified to be positive for the virus, he visited a registration centre in his constituency before the period of self-isolation was complete.”

    Mr. Ahenkorah had in an interview on Eyewitness News, July 2, mounted a spirited defence for his action. He insisted he did not err because he was cautious during his stay at the registration centres.

    “Yes, I have COVID-19 but on the first day of the registration, there was a problem at one of the centres. But knowing my status that I am asymptomatic, I visited only one centre to check on the issue. I never got in the midst of people,” he said.

    “I drove in my car and got there, got down and spoke far away with the EC officer who explained the issue to me. I told her I will report this to their boss and then I just left. I was very careful. It is important for people like us to know their status because whether you like it not, we will go into the midst of people.”

    “I spent a night at Korle Bu to be checked on by the experts at the Isolation Center. My doctor took my samples and asked me to go into self-isolation which I have been since last week.”

    Ahenkorah’s decision and subsequent defence caused outrage. A section of the public expressed discontent with some labelling him as ‘callous’. They could not fathom why a public official would violate preventive protocols and refuse to accept his wrong.

    The lawmaker occupied the number one spot on Twitter trends from Thursday evening and maintained his position Friday with #CarlosMustResign.

    Early Friday, reports were rife the President had given Ahenkorah who was diagnosed with the deadly disease on June 23, an ultimatum to resign or be fired.

    Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has entreated “all of his appointees to bear in mind that they are to provide leadership, at all times, for adherence to the protocols that have been established to help the nation defeat COVID-19.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Masked man stabs mobile money vendor at Fufulso

    A 29-year-old mobile money vendor at Fulfulso in the Savanna region have been stabbed multiple times by an unknown man.

    The incident occurred at about 9 pm Wednesday night at Fufulso lorry station.

    Jakpa Brakinso Fuseini was stabbed multiple times while struggling to retrieve his money bag from the unknown man.

    In an interview with Starr News, Brakinso Fuseini said the masked man entered his mobile money kiosk when he was alone and attempted to take away his money bag. When he struggled to prevent the man from taking the bag, he was stabbed.

    He told Starr News that, “I was sitting inside my kiosk around 9 pm when someone entered with a face mask like an armed robber when I turned to see who was, he picked my bag. I tried to identify him and he stabbed me”.

    “By the time he stabbed me I had stretched my hand so the knife got my hand, and to my ribs. He ran away when I shouted for help”.

    He was however not able to take anything from me, Fuseini added.

    The case has since been reported to the Fufulso police and investigation has commenced.

    Fuseini is also responding to treatment at the Yapei clinic.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Bernard Mornah enjoyed registering his name; why didn’t he disrupt the exercise? – Atik Mohammed

    General Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Atik Mohammed has ridiculed the party’s National Chairman and a leading member of IPRAN, Bernard Mornah for participating in the ongoing new voters’ registration exercise.

    It could be recalled that Bernard Mornah, prior to the registration exercise, vehemently opposed the Electoral Commission (EC) decision to compile a new voters’ register.

    He threatened to cause mayhem should the Commission go ahead with the exercise stating emphatically that “people who are already Ghanaians and already registered are going to be taken out of the register, don’t you think confusion will come at the registration and if confusion comes there, you think the EC staff will be safe, we will beat each other there, we will kill each other there if that is what the EC wants to lead this nation to”.

    However, Bernard Mornah was spotted registering his name during the exercise.

    Speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi on ‘Kokrokoo’ on Peace FM, Atik Mohammed asked ”why didn’t he disrupt it like he promised he would?”

    He fired salvoes at Bernard Mornah saying ”you know when the Electoral Commission says we should register, you’ll register your name and also nothing will happen. Why would you create such a tense atmosphere? You contaminate the political atmosphere with all your vicious utterances, such vile utterances. The antidote for that poison would be maybe some counter-reaction that, at the end of the day, will not end well. So, why do you even start such a thing in the first place when you know you will register your name?”

    ”He was busy enjoying the registration process. If you look at his picture, you’ll see everything was smooth where he registered. It was smooth. It was seamless as a matter of fact,” Atik teased the PNC Chairman.

    Source: Peace FM

     

  • Kasoa: NDC man assaulted at registration centre

    A polling station agent of the National Democratic Congress in the Awutu Senya East Constituency in the Central Region Ebenezer Tetteh has had his head cracked with a concrete block while others were subjected to severe beatings by thugs believed to be sympathizers of the ruling New Patriotic Party(NPP).

    The attack happened at the Oduponpkehe Registration Centre.

    The victim, Ebenezer Tetteh alleged that the people who assaulted him are land guards hired by the NPP.

    “I was working as a polling station agent when I heard some people in the queue complaining about how the registration process is delaying so I was just appealing to them not to leave. Before I realized one of the thugs who had come to the registration centre to hit my head with a block sending me to the ground instantly. The rate at which Land guards are roaming the various registration centers in the Kasoa and assaulting people is too much. The IGP should beef up security so that those who want to register will exercise their right in peace,” he told Kasapa News Yaw Boagyan.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Two remanded over attempt to sell a 20-year-old Beninois

    Two persons who allegedly lured a 20-year old Beninois to Ghana to be sold at a cost of $160,000 to a Police Officer have appeared before an Accra Circuit Court.

    Ibrahim Keita a 33-year old unemployed and Baba Issah a barber and a driver have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime and human trafficking.

    The court presided over by Mrs. Christiana Cann did not take their plea and remanded them into Police custody to reappear on July 16.

    The case of Prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Simon Apoirsonu was that, Keita is a Malian residing at Agona Nyarkrom in the Central Region while Issah also resides at Agona Nyarkrom.

    Prosecution said in the month of April this year, the Swedru Police Divisional Criminal Investigations Department (CID) had intelligence that the accused had the intention of selling a young man at a price and were looking for a prospective buyers.

    Prosecution said a Police officer feigned interest and began engaging the two accused over the phone.

    According to prosecution, the accused initially agreed to sell the victim at a cost of $150,000 but they later decided to sell the victim at a cost $160,000 due to their alleged depreciation of the cedi.

    The prosecution said Keita after settling on the amount lured the victim from Benin to Swedru by sending him money for transport so the victim arrived in Ghana on June 26 this year and called Keita.

    He said Keita then asked the victim to wait at a lorry station.

    The Prosecution said the two accused agreed to meet the buyer to receive the agreed amount in exchange of the victim.

    He said in the process the accused were arrested and the purported buyer introduced himself as a policeman and the victim rescued.

    Prosecution said later the matter was referred to the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit at the CID headquarters on an extract to continue with investigations.

    He said the victim has been given shelter and investigations are ongoing.

    Source: GNA

  • LPG commiserates with NPP over passing of Sir John

    The leadership and members of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) has extended its heartfelt condolences to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the family of the late Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, a.k.a Sir John.

    A statement signed by its National Chairman, John Amekah on Thursday, said the LPG received the news of the demise of the NPP’s former General Secretary with a great shock.

    It said the sudden passing away of Sir John had saddened the Party and hit the entire political landscape of the country hard.

    “Let us all encourage ourselves in the fact that our colleague served his country and God to the best of his abilities.

    “May the Lord guide and guard as all,” the statement said.

    Source: GNA

  • North East Region NCCE completes phase one of coronavirus campaign

    The North East Regional Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has completed its first phase of the awareness creation campaign against the COVID-19 pandemic for the month of June, in the region.

    The campaign was to educate members of the public on the existence of the COVID-19, its management and preventive protocols outlined by the government and the World Health Organization (WHO).

    It targeted individuals and groups at various locations across the region, including; lorry stations, youth groups, shops, markets, faith-based organisations, principal streets, security agencies, various communities, amongst others.

    Mr Wilberforce Zangina, Acting North East Regional Director of the NCCE, said in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service, the Information Services Department and the various Municipal and District Assemblies in the region, a total of 280 activities were carried out as part of the sensitization campaign against the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Touching on the preventive protocols, Mr Zangina explained to the people why it was necessary for them to strictly adhere to the protocols, saying, it would protect them from being infected by the virus and also help to mitigate its spread.

    He encouraged them to wear face masks at public places, wash their hands frequently with soap under running water, observe social distancing at all times and sanitise their hands with alcohol-based rubs.

    Mr Zangina further advised them to immediately seek medical attention when they were unwell, urging them to adopt hygienic lifestyles to help combat the virus in the country.

    He implored citizens to avoid stigmatising COVID-19 patients, saying they should accept such individuals and offer the necessary support.

    He, however, expressed worry over how some individuals held superstitious beliefs, myths and conspiracy theories about the existence of the virus, which he said led them to disregard the preventive protocols in the region.

    He said “A chunk of rural folks hold superstitious beliefs that the virus does not exist and have decided not to adhere to the preventive measures put out by the government and other relevant stakeholders. This situation has had a negative impact on the fight against the disease in the region.”

    Mr Zangina, was, however, confident that the education his outfit had carried out would influence behavioural change among the people to help defeat the virus in the country.

    Source: GNA

  • Todays newspapers front pages

  • 3 NDC officials allegedly arrested over possession of voters registration materials

    Three Asawase executives of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ashanti Region have been arrested for the possession of registration materials.

    The three were allegedly attempting to register applicants on the sidelines of the ongoing registration exercise at the Mamponghene registration center at Akwatialine, a suburb of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

    The three are now in police custody pending police investigation and possible prosecution.

    Meanwhile, the party has disassociated itself from the conduct of three suspects.

    Source: rainbownradioonline.com

  • Superstition impedes the fight against coronavirus in North East Region

    The strong belief in superstitions and myths among many residents in the North East Region is a major challenge to fighting the spread of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

    The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) said the belief systems and conspiracy theories among residents in the region with regard to the disease led to grave disregard for the precautionary and safety protocols prescribed to curb the spread of the canker.

    The NCCE, therefore, expressed worry and called for collective efforts from all stakeholders to demystify the misconceptions surrounding the virus to ensure that people, especially the residents of the North East Region adhere strictly to the COVID-19 protocols.

    Mr Wilberforce Zangina, the Acting Regional Director, NCCE, who was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Nalerigu, said many people in the region did not believe the virus was in Ghana while others were of the view that people from the North East Region could not be infected with the virus.

    These are not making residents to adhere to the safety measures put in place to fight the disease.

    “Some inhabitants are of the impression that COVID-19 does not exist but the elite want to create fear and panic to enable them spend state money. They also believe that the disease cannot affect people of North East Region because the Overlord of the Mamprugu Kingdom has said so even though this assertion is not true,” he said.

    Mr Zangina disclosed that as every region was fighting to stop the spread of the disease by suspending all social functions and gathering, funerals, naming ceremonies, weddings among others were still being performed with total disregard and non-compliance with the social distancing protocols and other preventive measures such as wearing of nose masks.

    He said the empty Veronica buckets stationed at vantage points to encourage regular hand washing did not encourage people to take the disease preventive measures serious and it was rare to see anyone wearing a nose mask.

    Mr Zangina indicated that the virus was real and had no cure, adding that the restrictions and protocols prescribed by the government, the Ghana Health Service and the World Health Organization were to prevent people from being infected and called for efforts to ensure compliance.

    He noted that the NCCE with its mandated obligation had intensified education across many communities in all the six districts in the region and had so far carried out 280 outreach programmes as against the initial target of 204.

    The Acting Regional Director indicated apart from the NCCE taking COVID-19 education to market places, street announcements and other public places, it had also engaged the security services, religious and traditional authorities, faith-based organizations, youth groups among other identifiable groups on the virus and the need to avoid stigmatizing infected and recovered persons.

    While expressing gratitude to some stakeholders for their support to the NCCE, Mr Zangina urged all stakeholders to join hands with NCCE to cause attitudinal change among the people towards the fight against the spread of the virus.

    Source: GNA

  • Deployment of troops not meant to intimidate citizens

    The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) on Thursday gave the assurance to citizens that the deployment of military troops to Aflao and its environs was not a ploy to molest citizens but rather, to ensure that people in such areas are well protected.

    “The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to assure all Ghanaians, and especially the good people of Aflao and the adjoining communities, that the deployment of troops (in conjunction with other security agencies) is to ensure the protection of the citizenry and not to intimidate them.”

    A statement from GAF signed by Colonel E. Aggrey-Quashie, Director for Public Relations, GAF and copied the Ghana News Agency said their attention was drawn to a report alleging that civilians at those communities were molested by soldiers deployed there.

    It said that after thorough investigations into the allegations leveled against the Force, the outcome indicated that no soldier was involved in any such act.

    Colonel E. Aggrey-Quashie encouraged all residents to go about their normal duties without any fear or anxiety and assured that the troops would not relent to uphold the high standards of professionalism in the performance of their duties.

    However, he said that any incident of infraction of the law, involving any Service person, would be thoroughly investigated and the case dealt with in accordance with GAF Regulations.

    Source: GNA

  • NADMO builds capacity of stakeholders in disaster management

    The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) has held a two-day training to build the capacity of stakeholders to ensure effective and efficient management of disasters in the Upper East Region. The training programme is also expected to strengthen the existing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and identify vulnerabilities in disaster risks reduction (DRR).

    Mr Kofi Koranteng Abrokwa, the Director in charge of Planning, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at NADMO, who facilitated the programme, said the training was on disaster risks strategies, disaster management plans and standard operating procedures for reducing disasters, as set under the UN Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction.

    “The UN Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction document looks at risk reduction, preparedness measures, prevention measures and mitigation measures so that disasters will be minimized in the region,” he said.

    Mr Abrokwa said when the document was validated, it would serve as a working document for the region and its implementation would improve resilience of the region.

    He said disaster risks reduction worked better with strong collaboration, adding that plans were underway in the first phase of the implementation to set the pace for better assigned working roles and institutional collaboration.

    According to him, hazards identification and methodology for risks reduction was not effective in the last implementation of DRR and stressed that measures were taken to improve performance in that area.

    He said the Regional Coordinating council needed to provide the funding for effective implementation of activities.

    Mr Nyaaba Agambilla, the Upper East Deputy Regional Director in-charge of administration, said similar DRR plans were first done in 1995, supported by Action AID but due to new trends of disaster risks, there was the need for the development of new plans.

    Mr Paul Woomah, the Regional Coordinator of the Ghana Red Cross, expressed hope that the Regional Minister and her team would approve the implementation of the plans.

    The capacity building programme was sponsored by the Ghana Red Cross Society of Ghana with support from the SWISS Red Cross.

    Between 2019 and 2020 the Swiss Red Cross built 202 houses for communities affected by floods in the Upper East Region and helped in disaster risk reduction through the community preparedness and response teams of the GRCS.

    Source: GNA

  • Government sets aside GH¢ 8 million for coronavirus frontline health workers

    Mr Charles Adu Boahen, Deputy Minister of Finance has told Parliament that government has set aside GH?8 million to be paid as the COVID-19 Special Allowance designated for frontline health workers.

    He said the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance are together compiling data and doing the necessary reconciliation to determine particularly health sector workers designated as the frontline workers and eligible for the package.

    He said the reconciliation exercise was ongoing and as soon as it was completed the payment would start.

    Mr Adu Boahen made the statement when he appeared before the Parliament to answer to an urgent question by Mr Emmanuel Kpodo, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ho Central on when government would pay the designated frontline health workers the COVID-19 Special Allowance of 50 percent of their basic salary.

    In March, 2020 President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced incentive packages for the health sector workers as part of COVID-19 pandemic preparedness, readiness and response action.

    Mr Adu Boahen also explained that there were many health workers spread all over the country performing various roles and the challenge was to determine those who actually qualified as frontline workers and at risk, for the government to pay them.

    In a supplementary question by Mr Governs Kwame Agbodza, MP for Adaklu on when payment for the package would start, Mr Adu Boahen responded that he did not want to give any timelines, but gave an assurance that the ministry would complete the validation exercise after which the payment would start.

    “Mr Speaker, as I said, we have set aside the money already, but the challenge is to ascertain the eligibility and definition of who a frontline worker is,” he added.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus provides extra incentives for committed Climate Action

    The need for a more focused and concerted climate change action has been given an extra boost by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    This is according to Dr. Bob Offei Manteaw, a Research Fellow at the Center for Climate Changes and Sustainability Studies at the University of Ghana.

    In an interview with the Ghana News Agency on the sidelines of the official launch of the National Climate Adaptation Planning Readiness Project in Accra, Dr Manteaw said the project was timely and important and stressed the need for a cross-sectoral and multi-stakeholder collaborations.

    He said the pandemic, currently ravaging havoc on countries and communities all over the world, had exposed the fragility of planetary health and the extent of human vulnerabilities.

    “COVID-19 has not only exposed planetary fragilities; it has also given us a fair idea of the nature of the climate crisis and the imperative for focused responses”.

    Dr Manteaw who is a Senior Foresight Analysist for Foresight Planners Africa, and a member of the National Steering Committee of the project pointed out that the COVID-19 exacerbates a number of climate change risks which work together to increase human vulnerability, as well as deepen conditions of poverty particularly in places like Ghana and other developing regions of the world.

    “The impacts of COVID-19 on economic systems around the world have been far-reaching. Ghana is no exception as people, especially the poor and the venerable, are currently suffering from its evolving impacts, he added”.

    He said there was an urgent need for the world and of course Ghana to build new economic systems that value nature as a central source of human wellbeing and environmental health in a Post-COVID-19 world.

    The Climate Change Adaptation Knowledge Brokerage Specialist said governments in all countries and at all levels must take cues from the current pandemic to respond to the growing climate crisis accordingly.

    He said there was certainly a correlation between the pandemic and climate change and that the source of COVID-19 as learnt was from human interactions with animals and nature, adding, “clearly biodiversity and ecosystems come in as both risk and vulnerability factors.”

    “Such interactions, I mean human dependence on ecosystems, are normal and are going on here in Ghana and at great environmental cost. The reality is that not many people know and understand the complexity of such relationships. This is why committed climate action is critical and it is also the reason why the launch of the National Adaptation Planning project is timely”.

    Dr Manteaw also emphasized the need for nature and ecosystems-based adaptation solutions to climate change. He said: “We need to help people understand human-nature interactions and what that means to our individual and collective survivability”.

    “Just as COVID-19 has forced us to be mindful of social risks, that is who and how we interact with, so should we be mindful of biophysical and socio-ecological risks. Safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystems is therefore a requisite to reducing future health risks and to create resilient communities”.

    Dr Manteaw was emphatic about the fact that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic had animated the critical importance of intentionality and mindfulness among people at all levels and in all places.

    He said: “Mindfulness is the new normal and should be applied not only in health emergencies such as the current pandemic, but also in the climate change fight which is also a silent emergency.

    “While the current pandemic manifests as a health emergency, it could be more accurately framed as a planetary health emergency and in ways that capture the multiplicity of associated risks and impacts”.

    The Research Fellow at the Center for Climate Change said the launch of the National Adaptation Planning project was timely, and would provide new opportunities and avenues to educate, create awareness and build individual, community and institutional capacity to provide the required leadership for climate action.”

    “That this is what we do at the Climate Change Center at the University of Ghana. We train people,” he added. Dr Manteaw said: “We build capacity through research, training and knowledge dissemination and as a researcher and practitioner, who has just been given opportunity to play a role in this project, my hope is to do all I can to help the project achieve its set objectives”.

    He said the challenge now was for all stakeholders to get on board and that it was time to reflect on COVID-19 as an environmental emergency with significant implications for how we approach the climate change crisis going forward.

    Source: GNA

  • Bernard Mornah enjoyed registering his name; why didn’t he disrupt the exercise? – Atik Mohammed

    General Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Atik Mohammed has ridiculed the party’s National Chairman and a leading member of IPRAN, Bernard Mornah for participating in the ongoing new voters’ registration exercise.

    It could be recalled that Bernard Mornah, prior to the registration exercise, vehemently opposed the Electoral Commission (EC) decision to compile a new voters’ register.

    He threatened to cause mayhem should the Commission go ahead with the exercise stating emphatically that “people who are already Ghanaians and already registered are going to be taken out of the register, don’t you think confusion will come at the registration and if confusion comes there, you think the EC staff will be safe, we will beat each other there, we will kill each other there if that is what the EC wants to lead this nation to”.

    However, Bernard Mornah was spotted registering his name during the exercise.

    Speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi on ‘Kokrokoo’ on Peace FM, Atik Mohammed asked ”why didn’t he disrupt it like he promised he would?”

    He fired salvoes at Bernard Mornah saying ”you know when the Electoral Commission says we should register, you’ll register your name and also nothing will happen. Why would you create such a tense atmosphere? You contaminate the political atmosphere with all your vicious utterances, such vile utterances. The antidote for that poison would be maybe some counter-reaction that, at the end of the day, will not end well. So, why do you even start such a thing in the first place when you know you will register your name?”

    ”He was busy enjoying the registration process. If you look at his picture, you’ll see everything was smooth where he registered. It was smooth. It was seamless as a matter of fact,” Atik teased the PNC Chairman.

    Source: Peace FM

     

  • Alleged NPP thugs invade polling station, beat applicants for resisting registration of ‘strangers’

    There was confusion at Aketebor registration center in the Upper Manya Krobo Constituency of the Eastern Region on Thursday after NPP thugs invaded the Polling station to beat applicants for resisting registration of strangers transported to register at the centre.

    The thugs transported in a KIA Truck were accompanying some Constituency Executives of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP ) moving from one registration centres to the other.

    They beat three applicants and threatened the electoral officers at the Aketebor Polling station as the only armless young Police officer looks on helpless.

    The confused scuffle brought the exercise to a halt for some minutes.

    The registration officials were not happy over the conduct of the Constituency executives and the thugs allegedly led by the Constituency Chairman Moses Tetteh popularly known as Arizona.

    One of the victims, Shadrack Omonyo told Kasapa News he was slapped three times by the thugs after he questioned why the NPP has brought people they claim come from Asesewa to register in the village.

    The Parliamentary Candidate for the National Democratic Congress in the Upper Manya Krobo Constituency Bismark Tetteh told Kasapa News the exercise has been generally smooth but for the thugs deployed by the NPP intimating residents in rural areas.

    The National Youth Organizer of the NDC George Opare Addo accompanied by the Eastern Regional Youth Organizer Okai Mints who coincidentally arrived at the polling station as part of their monitoring duties in the region condemned the action of the NPP thug and called on the Police to stop them else the NDC will defend themselves.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • 12 facilities being upgraded nationwide for coronavirus

    A total of 12 infrastructures are being upgraded across Ghana to aid the treatment of coronavirus patients.

    The infrastructures are also being upgraded for the isolation of suspected Coronavirus patients.

    Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Patrick Kuma Aboagye, revealed this to the media on Thursday, July 2, 2020, during a press briefing at the Information Ministry.

    He says some of the facilities are in Ho, Dodowa, Ga East, the Ashanti Region and other parts of the country.

    Source: Daily Guide Network

  • Don’t wait to see security before you observe safety protocols – Sagnarigu MCE advised

    The Municipal Chief Executive of the Sagnarigu Municipality, Hon. Hajia Mariam Idrisu, has urged the general public to be adherence to the safety protocols at the registration centres.

    Speaking to the press yesterday, after a tour around the registration centres in the Sagnarigu constituency, Hajia Mariam advised that people should not wait to see security personnel before they turn to observe the safety protocols.

    “You should be responsible for your own health,” She said.

    She recounted her experience in one of the registration centres she visited, where a police officer in charge of a registration centre takes a leave of the centre to get something, only for the people to flout the safety protocols just to get the registration easily.

    She noted that most people in the Sagnarigu Municipality seem to be reluctant and hesitant in adhering to the safety measures, especially at the registration centres.

    “You should not come out to register for an ID card in order to vote for somebody and by so doing you contract Coronavirus to infect your whole family,” she advised.

    Hajia Mariam further urges that people should be self-conscious about their own health and ensure that they do the right thing to stay safe and alive.

    “Let us not wait to see the MCE or the police before we observe the protocols. Let us do the right thing in other to stay safe and live long and vote for Nana Addo to do more for us.”

    She also encouraged the general public to take advantage of the proximity of the registration centres at their places of abode to register and as well exercise their franchise come December 2020 general election.

    “Without your registration card, you can not exercise your franchise, you can not give Nana Addo four more years to do more,” She said.

    Source: Alidu Abdur Rashid, Ghanaweb Contributor

  • Scrap dealer jailed five years for stealing

    The Nkawie circuit court has sentenced a 28-year-old scrap dealer to five years imprisonment for stealing at Abuakwa in the Atwima-Nwabiagya South Municipality.

    Habib Alhassan was convicted on his own plea by the court presided by Mr Johnson Abbey.

    Prosecuting, Police Inspector Joseph Nyame, told the court that, the complainant was a security guard at the state affordable housing project site at Abuakwa.

    He said at on June 28 this year, the complainant heard an unusual noise in an uncompleted building near the site.

    The security guard went closer to the building and to his surprise, saw Alhassan removing some cables from the building.

    The prosecution said the security guard raised an alarm and other people joined him to arrest the suspect to the Abuakwa Police station.

    Inspector Nyame said in his cautioned statement, Alhassan admitted the offence and said he entered the building after breaking through the ceiling of the building.

    He was charged after investigations and brought before the court.

    Source: GNA