TIG Post

Author: Persis

  • SMEs storm NBSSI office in Ho for stimulus package

    Scores of business owners and entrepreneurs in Ho on Wednesday stormed the offices of the National Board for Small Industries (NBSSI) to register for Government’s stimulus package for Small and Medium Scale enterprises.

    This followed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo‘s announcement on Tuesday of a GHC1 billion Coronavirus Alleviation Programme (CAP) Business support scheme to cushion Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in the wake of COVID 19.

    The entrepreneurs mostly women formed long queues to register for the package to revive their businesses.

    However, Mr Michael Ayi, a personnel at the Ho Business Advisory Centre of NBSSI told the business owners that for the stimulus package, they were to register online and not at the NBSSI office.

    He said the Centre was only registering clients who wanted business relationship with NBSSI and not for COVID19 stimulus package.

    Mr Nelson Arthur, Volta Regional Chairman of National Association of Garages, who was among the crowd, said the pandemic had slowed down work of garages necessitating the laying off of some workers hence the visit to the NBSSI office for Government’s support.

    Madam Juliet Amesu, a chop bar operator said she sent two workers home, with two others running shifts because business was slow, saying, she needed the stimulus package to revive her business.

    Meanwhile, Mr Seth Klutse, Volta Regional Manager, NBSSI said the region was targeting ten to 15 per cent of the package announced for SMEs.

    He said some players in the sector had started showing interest in the package and was hopeful it would help revive enterprises facing collapse due to the Coronavirus disease.

    Mr Klutse told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the interest rate and the repayment terms of the package made it a good opportunity for SMEs to boost their businesses during and after COVID-19.

    He said the NBSSI would monitor the beneficiaries, particularly those that were not clients of the board to ensure that only eligible businesses benefited.

    The Regional Manager said restrictions and closure of markets continued to affect businesses but hopeful that government’s intervention could change the narrative.

    “I am calling on micro, small and medium businesses in the region to come on board and take advantage of the opportunity to apply and benefit,” he said.

    The stimulus package is a loan, with beneficiaries having one year moratorium and two years to pay.

    Source: GNA

  • Let us replace imports with local goods – Institute of Directors-Ghana

    The Institute of Directors-Ghana (IoD-Gh) has asked Ghanaian businesses to take advantage of COVID-19 and replace imports with local goods.

    The Institute also asked them to focus on short-term survival strategies in the wake of the pandemic, allowing some 18 months for the dust to settle whilst keeping tabs on global reactions.

    This was contained in a communique issued at the close of the Institute’s roundtable for board chairs, signed by its President Mr Rockson Dogbegah, and copied to the Ghana News Agency.

    The communique said it was important for businesses to conduct COVID-19 impact assessments on their sectors and operations, document strategic mitigation and survival methodologies and ensure sustainable implementation.

    It asked businesses to develop immunity through strategic capacity development, adding, “ this must be coupled with a cultural shift, mindset change, behavioral change and a robust change management process including effective communication with major stakeholders as an imperative if businesses must survive.”

    The communique said it was important for businesses to know that projections for the development of a vaccine for the Coronavirus disease were uncertain, drawing lessons from previous outbreaks like HIV and AIDS, Ebola, SARS, MERS, and TB.

    It said that called for adaptability regarding business plans, creation of operational environments with minimal contacts, plan for all types of risks bearing in mind the effects of depreciation of demand and the way forward.

    The Institute urged industries to uphold high standards in health and safety protocols, starting with the boards with reduction in regular physical meetings.

    The communique also urged employers to develop good relationships with employees and give them information on actual status of businesses to avoid unreasonable demands to minimize the risk of layoffs.

    It said it was important for businesses to seek labour experts on account of the high potential for future redundancies and layoffs, stressing that there must be professionalism in dealing with the psychological effects on both internal and external stakeholders.

    “Businesses should begin to consider a broader range of skills in candidates who desire to sit on boards” and “current board members must also be trained,” it added.

    It said the training content for the board members must be informed by sector specific business continuity plans and periodic reviews, which would also address both present and future gaps including underlying risks and unexpected disruptions.

    The communique said board agenda should begin to change considerably from the traditional pathways with a keen focus on business robustness and sustainability with risk management as a very critical ingredient.

    Source: GNA

  • Fee waiver for digital banking transactions extended to June 20

    The Ghana Association of Bankers (GAB) and the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS) have agreed to suspend charges on digital banking platforms until June 20, 2020.

    The waiver of fees, which took effect on March 23, 2020 was part of measures put in place to encourage customers to use digital payment alternatives or transactions and reduce contacts with banknotes to avoid the possible spread of the novel Coronavirus disease.

    A statement released by the Ghana Association of Bankers said, “We, therefore, encourage all our customers to continue using our alternate digital banking platforms and visit physical branches of Banks only when it is absolutely important and necessary to do so.”

    Initially, there were controversies between the two bodies on the resumption of fees on the GhIPSS Instant Pay (GIP), Mobile Money Interoperability (MMI) and ACH Direct Credit.

    The disagreements in re-introducing scrapped charges on digital transactions occurred after GhIPPS directed financial institutions to end the fee waiver granted to customers who use these services.

    “Following a review of financial position, we have decided we are unable to sustain the fee waiver regime any further and will re-instate all transaction fees with effect from May 23, 2020,” GhIPSS said.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Fort Prinzenstein, the world heritage property which has been neglected and left to its fate

    As a country with past history of human slavery, Ghana today has several castles and forts which were built by colonial masters hundreds of years ago.

    These forts and castles are now well maintained and well publicized tourist attraction sites that draw thousands of holidaymakers and tourists into their vicinity on regular basis.

    However, the case is never the same for the one and only fort which is in the Volta Region, Fort Prinzenstein as it is left to the mercy of the sea at Keta.

    The fort which was built by the Danes more than 230 years ago is completely out of shape and an inch away from a total collapse.

    The fort is noted to have played a significant role in slave trade which involved Europeans in West Africa.

    A visit made to the fort by Peter Atsu Ahianyo, GhanaWeb’s correspondent for Volta Region exposes the extent of neglect the fort which has been designated as World Heritage Property has suffered.

    Fort Prinzenstein just like the other well maintained forts in Ghana could have been a revenue generation machine for the Ghanaian government if the site is properly maintained.

    A woman met at the premises of the fort revealed that there are caretakers who charge GHC5 before conducting anyone around the fort. The woman however could not tell where the monies collected are channeled to. The caretakers, unfortunately, were not around during the time of visit for questioning.

    Several questions about why the Ghanaian authorities continue to neglect the fort unlike the others in the country remain unanswered.

    Joan, a female resident who lives near the fort is of the view that the fort is neglected simply because of its location. She continued that, should the fort be located in either the Greater Accra Region, Ashanti Region or Central Region, it would have been maintained and well packaged for tourists to visit.

    Some other residents were also of the view that the fort would have vanished from the world slave map some decades ago if the Keta Sea defense project had not been made as the sea will entirely engulf the fort.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus: Obuasi residents shy away from testing

    Residents of Obuasi and its surrounding towns in the Ashanti Region are living in fear as they are facing stigma and discrimination from the coronavirus (COVID-19).

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) says residents of Obuasi and its surrounding towns in the Ashanti Region are scared of availing themselves for COVID-19 testing because of the fear of being stigmatised and discriminated against by society.

    Ashanti Regional Director of the GHS, Dr Emmanuel Tenkorang, who disclosed this at a press briefing here, on Wednesday, said “if this persists, it is going to be very difficult to achieve results.”

    He stated that, new infected cases were going down in Obuasi two weeks after the area was reported to be leading in confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Ashanti Region.

    Following this, the Central Business District of Obuasi was closed down to enable management to execute a well-planned shift system to control the spread of COVID-19 in the area.

    Overall, Obuasi has recorded 587 COVID-19 cases with Obuasi Municipal recording 381 cases and Obuasi East recording 208 cases as of May 20, 2020.

    Dr Tenkorang stated that, the total confirmed cases in the region have increased to 886 with a total of seven deaths while 15 people were currently on admission and 75 people in isolation.

    According to him, the number of recorded new infections in the region have reduced, as 139 confirmed cases have tested negative after initial repeated tests.

    He stated that, although the new infection was going down in the region, there was the need for the public to continue to observe the safety protocols and guidelines in order to prevent more infections.

    Dr Tenkorang commended authorities in the region for ensuring that safety protocols were being adhered to and that it has accounted for the reduction of new infected cases of the disease.

    Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

  • New Register: ‘We’re waiting for their worst’ – Ken Agyapong dares NDC

    NPP Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has said there is no way the country will be thrown into civil war if the Electoral Commission continues to compile a new voters’ register amid the coronavirus pandemic.

    According to him no one is afraid of Maj. Rtd Osahene Kojo Boakye Djan with his continuous constant threats of civil war and anarchy.

    “…No one is afraid of Boakye Djan…if he plays the law will take action . . . let us see the anarchy,” Ken Agyapong fired.

    “…We will do the right thing for the country, we will go ahead with the voters’ register…the NDC is speaking as if they are in power, but they have forgotten that they are not in power…we are waiting for them to destroy this country; we are not afraid of them,” said Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyepong.

    He was reacting to the controversies surrounding the compilation of a new voters’ register and comments by Maj. Rtd Kojo Boakye Djan that there could be civil unrest should the Electoral Commission (EC) continue with the impending voter register compilation.

    The Assin Central MP was speaking in an interview with Hello FM in Kumasi.

    NPP & EC leading Ghana into civil war

    Major Osahene Boakye Gyan (rtd) is warning of impending doom should the Electoral Commission connive with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to rig the upcoming December polls.

    The former military officer accused the EC of gradually leading the country into a civil war with its bull-headedness, particularly regarding the decision to compile a new voters register.

    If they want civil war, they will get it!

    The former military capo strongly held that the country can go to the polls this year without resort to putting together a new register as was done in 2016.

    Sounding a note of caution, he pointed out that most electoral disputes in Africa have resulted in civil wars and Ghana is not immune to it, and warned that “should the EC continue to toe the line of their paymasters, it will certainly spell doom for this country.”

    Source: Peace FM

  • Coronavirus: No positive case at Dansoman Police Division Commander

    The Dansoman Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Jeffrey Darko, has discounted claims that his outfit has recorded two coronavirus cases.

    According to him, although blood samples of both police personnel and inmates within the division have been taken, results are yet to be delivered.

    “I am the District Commander of Dansoman, and I am saying that blood samples have been taken from my station including mine and we are patiently awaiting the results. So I cannot make any confirmation on the matter,” Chief Supt. Darko clarified.

    The Dansoman district police commander was reacting to reports that his division had recorded two coronavirus cases.

    This was when Zoomlion Ghana Limited on Wednesday, May 21, disinfected the Dansoman police station and two other police facilities—Mamprobi Police Station and the Korle Bu District Police Headquarters, all in Accra.

    Chief Supt. Darko, despite the situation, his personnel are not relenting in the performance of their duties.

    “…as officers we are observing all the COVID-19 protocols in the performance of our duties. A lot of people come here; the citizenry always come here to lodge complaints. We are still handling cases, and going to court as well,” the commander said.

    He said the division has put in place measures to prevent congestion in the various police cells under his jurisidiction

    These steps, he disclosed, included avoiding detention of suspects of all cases, taking witness statements and where there is evidence they send such cases to the court.

    “…and in cases where there is lack of evidence we grant bail for the suspects to go home because we have decided not to crowd our cells,” Chief Supt. Darko stated

    Asked about how his division was enforcing the preventive protocols at the Dasnsoman market which is close to the police station, the commander indicated that his officers from time to time patrol the market to educate the traders.

    “Even last two weeks, our community policing unit was there to enforce the social/physical distancing protocol in addition to the wearing of masks, and using alcohol-based hand sanitisers for their hands,” the chief superintendent recounted.

    He expressed gratitude to Zoomlion Ghana Limited for partnering the Ghana Police Service to have its facilities disinfected against the global pandemic.

    According to him, facilities disinfected in his division included the male and female cells, barracks, various offices and the entire compound of the Dansoman Divisional Headquarters.

    The COVID-19 protocols, he noted, are being strictly adhered to by his officers.

    For his part, the Mamprobi Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Cephas Arthur, who also had his station disinfected, indicated that the exercise will go a long way to sanitize both the police station and its environment.

    “It will also protect us against the deadly coronavirus” he said, describing the exercise as a good one.

    He revealed that mass testing of his officers had been done recently, but said “we are waiting for the results”

    Chief Supt. Arthur however, said some of the tests were voluntarily done as officers availed themselves for it.

    “Additionally, we have Veronica buckets, detergents, hand sanitisers, which we make sure personnel as well as inmates and visitors to this place use in sanitising their hands against the virus,” Chief Superintendent Arthur said.

    At the Korle Bu District Headquarters, Police Commander Cephas Edezeami, indicated that as part of measures to avoid crowding in the cells, his outfit has resolved not to detain suspects of lesser offences.

    “We ensure that suspects of cases which are not serious are not detained but granted bail to go home,” he said.

    He, therefore, thanked Zoomlion for the exercise, stating that it will help contain the spread of the coronavirus at his station.

    Source: 3 News

  • Amending C.I 91 will deprive many Ghanaians of voting rights – Kabilla tells parliament

    Acting General Secretary of CPP, James Kwabena Bomfeh has called on legislators in the country not to amend the Constitutional Instrument (C.I.) 91 to make the Ghana card and Ghanaian passport the only legal identification documents for registration in the event of compiling a new biometric voters’ register.

    Speaking on Wednesday’s ‘Kokrokoo’ on Peace FM, James Kwabena Bomfeh, popularly called Kabila dissented to passing the Constitutional Instrument into law, because it will prevent some electorates in the country from participating in the registration exercise, hence depriving them of their voting rights during the general elections this year.

    Kabila, who also doubles as the Director of Elections for the CPP, advised the Electoral Commission (EC) and the National Identification Authority (NIA) not to mix up their duties, stating that the NIA’s work is not for electoral purposes.

    “They are different. They are not the same. Their mandate is different. We shouldn’t think the job of EC must be dependent on what NIA does because the mandate of the NIA to compile a national database, it is not necessarily for just Electoral Commission purposes or election purposes and also the NIA is not done with its work . . . EC’s work is different. Stop tying your mandate and your work to that of the NIA,” he said.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Punishment prescribed under Imposition of Restrictions Act excessive GIMPA Law Lecturer

    Criminal law lecturer and Head of the Private Law Department of the GIMPA Faculty of Law, Dr. Isidore Kwadwo Tufuor, says the punishment prescribed in the Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (Act 1012) as passed by Parliament and assented to by the President are excessive and disproportionate.

    The learned law lecturer made the observation when he delivered via Zoom, the third lecture of the fourteen (14) week-long “Law and Ethics Web Series”, under the theme, “Covid-19 and New Crime Trends”, on Wednesday the 20th of May 2020. The online seminar is organized jointly by the African Centre on Law and Ethics (ACLE) and the African Centre of International Criminal Justice (ACICJ), both based at the GIMPA Faculty of Law.

    The main provision in Act 1012 that Dr. Tufuor picks issue with is section six (6) of the Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (Act 1012). The section states as follows:

    “A person who fails to comply with a restriction imposed under the Executive Instrument issued under subsection (1) of section 2 commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than one thousand penalty units and not more than five thousand penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than four years and not more than ten years or to both”.

    Dr. Tufuor, contends that custodial sentence of not less than four (4) years and not more than ten (10) years is totally disproportional to the offence.

    “The issue that we have to concern ourselves with is the punishment that the Statute prescribes. This is so because anytime you have the imposition of restrictions, and in this case via Act 1012, the State is essentially derogating from compliance with the civil and political rights of the people” the law lecturer said.

    “To make it a crime of this magnitude where the minimum punishment is four (4) years and the maximum, ten (10) years, is just extreme”. “This is a law that has got a good motive but, the punishment attached to it in terms of its criminality is excessive” Dr Tufuor added.

    Community Service Law

    As an alternative to the custodial sentence in the Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (Act 1012), Dr. Tufuor suggested that law makers in Ghana should consider passing a community service law that will empower judges to sentence offenders of the Restrictions Act to engage in community service or be placed on probation for a specified period of time.

    “This is something we have to start thinking about seriously, that is having a community service law which to me gives the benefit to the State. If you wrong the society, you should come back to the society to make some repairs or some reparation” the learned lawyer suggested.

    Bio Terrorism

    In his submission, Dr. Isidore Kwadwo Tufuor, noted that there is a new trend of terrorism that could emerge from the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and that he called “Bio Terrorism”. He explained that “Bio Terrorism” is what criminologist say is an act were an individual who is infected with a deadly virus decides to go into the midst of heavily populated communities in order to pass on the virus to unsuspecting members of the community.

    “We have this new conception of the human weapon. One person that may be a carrier of viral disease can infect people on a mass scale that can kill people more than using or detonating a bomb on a particular territory. The new trend we are looking at is one person being more than a weapon, one person being more than an atomic bomb who can enter one particular country or territory and basically finish everybody. We have to learn from Covid-19, wherever it started from, now we have hundreds of thousands, millions of people infected and thousands of people dead. This is more dangerous than any biological weapon” Dr. Tufuor stressed.

    The Law and Ethics Web Series

    The Law and Ethics Web Series begun on Wednesday the 6th of May 2020 on the online meeting platform, Zoom at 2pm. The pending presentations on May 27, Jun 3, Jun 10, Jun 17, Jun 24, Jul 1, Jul 8, Jul 15, Jul 22, Jul 29, and Aug 5, 2020, will come on as scheduled. Interested persons may join any of the upcoming sessions by visiting the Zoom application and using the Webinar ID:848-2795-062 or https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84827950621

    Various speakers have been lined up for the exercise by the organizers. The series is being coordinated by Dr. Kwaku Agyeman-Budu, a Lecturer and Head of Law Centers at the GIMPA Faculty of Law. The 20th of May 2020 session was moderated by Maame Yaa Akyiaa Barnes, a Lecturer at the Law Department of Lancaster University Ghana, under the distinguished patronage of the Rector of GIMPA, Professor Philip Ebow Bondzi-Simpson, the Honorific Dean of the GIMPA Law Faculty, Justice Sir Dennis Adjei and the founding dean of the GIMPA Law Faculty, Professor Kwame Frimpong.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Ghana receives 50 tonnes of date fruits from Saudi Arabia

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has taken delivery of 50 tonnes of date fruits from the Government of Saudi Arabia.

    The fruit, which is the National symbol of Saudi Arabia and most treasured, was from the custodian of the two Holy Mosques of the Kingdom, King Abdallah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Ghana, Meshal Al-Rogi presented the consignment to Deputy Minister for the Foreign Affairs Ministry Mohammed Habibu Tijani at a brief ceremony in Accra.

    Mr Al-Rogi said the donation, which was the eighth in series, reflected the longstanding, deep and strong relations based on the cooperation and friendship between the two nations.

    The date fruit is the most important fruit in Saudi culture with deep historical and religious significance, as a natural energy booster, containing vitamins, mineral and dietary fibre.

    Mr Tijani, on behalf of Government, thanked the Government of Saudi Arabia for the gesture, which demonstrated trust and commitment towards fostering strong cooperation with Ghana.

    He said due to the energy qualities of the fruit, its consumption during the month of Ramadan was very important.

    Mr Tijani said the Government acknowledged other developmental initiatives with the assistance of Saudi Arabia in sectors including health, education, energy and roads.

    Source: GNA  

  • Todays newspapers front pages

  • Portions of Pre-Tertiary Education Bill deleted amid protests

    The Ministry of Education has deleted certain portions of the Pre-Tertiary Education Bill.

    The deleted sections have to do with the decentralization of the education service.

    The coalition of unions under the Ghana Education Service (GES) resisted the new Pre-Tertiary Bill due to the lack of consultation among others.

    According to the teacher unions, the Bill only seeks to give more appointing powers to the political class to the detriment of quality education and the welfare of teachers.

    They vowed to reject the Bill which they fear will see basic schools, Senior High Schools and Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) being managed by the District Assemblies, Regional Education Directorate and a Director-General independent of the Ghana Education Service.

    A statement from the Ghana Education Service said the decision was taken after a meeting with the various unions within the education sector.

    Citi News reports that a letter signed by the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, Prof. Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa, stated that “After a meeting with representatives of the unions in Education on Wednesday 20th May 2020, I am directed by the Hon. Minister of Education to inform you that the Ministry upon reflection has decided to delete the sections which deal with decentralization of the Education Service namely; sections 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the proposed Pre-Tertiary Bill.”

    According to the Ghana Education Service, the portions deleted “is to ensure that other very important aspects of the Bill can then be proceeded with at Parliament to ensure the final passage of the Bill into law.”

    Source: abcnewsgh.com

  • COVID-19: 9,000 employees of Rolls-Royce to be rendered jobless

    Rolls-Royce has said it will cut 9,000 jobs and warned it will take “several years” for the airline industry to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

    The Derby-based firm, which makes plane engines, said the reduction of nearly a fifth of its workforce would mainly affect its civil aerospace division.

    “This is not a crisis of our making. But it is the crisis that we face and must deal with,” boss Warren East said.

    The bulk of the job cuts are expected to be in the UK at its site in Derby.

    Rolls-Royce employs 52,000 people globally and Mr East told the BBC’s Today programme that the company had not yet concluded on “exactly” where the job losses would be, due to having to consult with unions.

    But he said: “It’s fair to say that of our civil aerospace business approximately two-thirds of the total employees are in the UK at the moment and that’s probably a good first proxy.”

    Rolls-Royce’s civil aerospace business has a number of sites in the UK, but the largest plant is in Derby.

    The company said it will also carry out a review of its sites but declined to comment on which ones may close.

    John, a worker in Rolls-Royce’s civil aerospace division who spoke to the BBC on condition of anonymity, said that while he expected there would be job cuts, the eventual 9,000 figure was “a shock”.

    “Since the Covid-19 outbreak we knew that business would shrink,” he said.

    But he said the scale of the cuts as well as the potential closure of some sites was a surprise.

    Unite the union said the decision was “shameful opportunism”.

    “This company has accepted public money to furlough thousands of workers,” said Unite’s assistant general secretary for manufacturing, Steve Turner.

    “Unite and Britain’s taxpayers deserve a more responsible approach to a national emergency. We call upon Rolls-Royce to step back from the brink and work with us on a better way through this crisis.”

    Rolls-Royce initially furloughed 4,000 workers in the UK last month. Some 3,700 people remain on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme though which the government pays 80% of a worker’s wage up to £2,500 a month.

    But Mr East said: “No government can extend things like furlough schemes for years into the future. We have to look after ourselves and make sure we meet medium term demand.”

    Job cuts a heavy blow

    This morning’s job losses are hardly unexpected – airlines have cut their flying hours by 90% or more, and Airbus and Boeing have slashed their production numbers for the next few years – but they are still a heavy blow to one of the UK’s few world-class manufacturing companies.

    While the details of where the cuts will fall have not been finalised, it is likely that two-thirds will go in the UK.

    The company has already used the government’s furlough scheme to help pay the wages of about 4,000 staff, but Warren East, Rolls-Royce’s chief executive, said companies could not expect the government to continue such a scheme for several years.

    There was also a clear hint this morning that some factories may close – the company said it would review its future manufacturing footprint.

    Some questions remain for Roll-Royce. Investors are scratching their head about when the company’s revenues – much of which rely on aircraft to be flying for money to flow – will return.

    The company has not yet tapped its shareholders for more money – some expect that may eventually come.

    Air travel has ground to a virtual standstill since the coronavirus began spreading across the world and many airlines have announced steep job cuts.

    Global air traffic is expected to decline by 45% this year, according to investment bank Baird. It also forecasts that airlines are expected to lose $310bn (£253bn) in revenue in 2020.

    Rolls-Royce said the impact of the pandemic on the company and the whole of the aviation industry “is unprecedented”.

    It added that it is “increasingly clear that activity in the commercial aerospace market will take several years to return to the levels seen just a few months ago”.

    As well as the job losses, the company said it would cut costs in areas such as its plants and properties. It expects to make cost savings of £1.3bn.

    Paul Everitt, chief executive of ADS, the aerospace industry association, said: “The crisis is having a major impact on aerospace companies who provide high value, long-term jobs in all regions and nations of the UK, putting thousands more jobs at risk now and in the months ahead.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • No politician should agitate for ex-gratia at this coronavirus period Ablakwa

    “No politician should be agitating for ex-gratia arrears at this traumatic time” Member of Parliament for North Tongu Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has said.

    According to the lawmaker, “The ex-gratia agenda should be immediately aborted and priority given to the masses who are losing jobs and livelihoods to COVID-19.”

    Mr Ablakwa said these in a Facebook post and commended and commended Auditor General Daniel Domelevo describing his as “God sent and a true patriot.”

    This is because Mr Domelevo rejected a request by Chief of Staff Frema Osei Opare for an audit verification of some 200 former MPs as part of processes to pay them some GHS29.7 million in salary arrears.

    A group of ex-MPs calling themselves Forum for Former Members of Parliament had petitioned the Presidency to that end.

    However, the A-G, in his response to the Chief of Staff, said, among other things that: “Apart from the fact that the claim from the FFMP is invalid because the CHC report for 2005 to 2009 was rejected, it may also amount to an abuse of power or conflict of interest to make additional payment (20% salary increase per annum for four years) to former Members of Parliament (covering a period of 10 to 14 years ago) especially when some of them are now the executive”.

    Source: Class FM

  • Monday, May 25 declared public holiday

    Monday, May 25 has been a public holiday to mark the Eid-al-Fitr celebrations by Muslims, the government has declared.

    The day marks the celebration by Muslims worldwide to mark the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.

    “The general public is hereby notified that Sunday, 24th May 2020 marks EID-AL-FITR which is a Statutory Public Holiday.

    “However, 24th May 2020 falls on a Sunday and by Executive Instrument {E.I}, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana, in accordance with section 2 of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act, 2001 (601) has declared Monday, 25th May 2020 as a Public Holiday and should be observed as such throughout the country,” a statement by the Minister of Interior stated.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Coronavirus: Government cautioned against rushing to re-open schools

    Assistant Headmaster in charge of Academic at the Apostle Safo School of Arts and Sciences in Accra, Hughes Lartey, is cautioning the government against the re-opening of schools in the wake of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

    In his estimation, school children, especially those in the lower primary, will find it extremely difficult to cooperate with school authorities in ensuring their safety.

    Mr Lartey gave the caution during a disinfection and fumigation of the school by Zoomlion Ghana Limited on Wednesday, May 20.

    He, however, observed that students in the upper level to some extent may be able to observe the COVID-19 safety protocols.

    To this end, he lauded the government for the initiative to have public schools in the country fumigated and disinfected, saying that despite his school being a private one, they were also entitled to the packages rolled out by government.

    He said it was unfortunate that the central government excluded private schools from the stimulus package given to businesses.

    “We register our schools as business entities, employ workers to ensure the safety of students and those workers would have to be paid so private schools also deserve the stimulus package,” he urged.

    For his part, the Director of Santa Maria International School, Accra, Nana Darbo Nti whose school also underwent the exercise, urged parents to support school authorities to ensure the safety of their wards should the government give the green light for schools to re-open.

    The exercise was undertaken by Fumigation Services Ghana Limited in collaboration with Zoomlion Ghana Limited.

    It was aimed at containing the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic and dealing with bedbugs which treatment has become a headache for many school authorities.

    Speaking to the media after the exercise, General Manager of Fumigation Services Ghana Limited, Pius Asare Ayum, disclosed that Zoomlion Ghana Limited had engaged them to disinfect a number of senior high schools across the country of which Santa Maria International School was one of them.

    Facilities fumigated and disinfected in both schools included classrooms, laboratories, library, kitchen, dormitories, school compound and car park among other areas.

    Source: 3 News

  • Petroleum records -15.3% Producer Price Inflation in April

    The producer inflation rate in the petroleum sub sector was 17.2 percent in April 2019. The rate declined continuously to record 1.2 percent in June 2019.

    However, it increased to 3.1 percent in August 2019 but declined again to -5.7 percent in October 2019.

    Thereafter the rate increased consistently to record 20.6 percent in January 2020 but constantly declined to record -15.3 percent in April 2020.

    The Ghana Statistical Service GSS), said this on Wednesday May 20.

    In the manufacturing Sector, the GSS said during April 2020, fifteen out of the sixteen major groups in the manufacturing sub-sector recorded inflation rates higher than the sector average of 0.5 percent.

    Manufacture of machinery and equipment. recorded the highest inflation rate of 24.7 percent, while the Manufacture of coke, refined petroleum products and nuclear fuel recorded the least inflation rate of -15.3 percent.

    The producer price inflation in the Mining and Quarrying sub-sector increased by 14.3 percentage points over the March 2020 rate of 23.7 percent to record 38.0 percent in April 2020.

    The producer inflation for Manufacturing which constitutes more than two-thirds of the total industry decreased by 1.6 percentage points to record 0.5 percent. The utility sub-sector recorded an inflation rate of 12.1 percent for April 2020 indicating a decrease of 0.1 percentage point over the March 2020 rate of 12.2 percent.

    In April 2019, the producer price inflation rate for all industry was 7.1 percent. The rate declined to 6.7 percent in May 2019. Since then, the rate increased consistently to record 10.2 percent in August 2019 but declined to 8.9 percent in October 2019.

    The rate then increased again continuously to record 14.5 percent in January 2020 but declined to record 6.8 percent in March 2020. The rate increased again to record 7.4 percent in April 2020.

    Regarding the national rate, the GSS said the Producer Price Inflation (PPI) rate for April 2020 was 7.4 percent

    This rate indicates that between April 2019 and April 2020 (year-on-year), the PPI increased by 7.4 percent. This rate represents a 0.6 percentage point increase in producer inflation relative to the rate recorded in March 2020 (6.8%).

    The month-on-month change in producer price index between March 2020 and April 2020 was 1.5 percent.

    Source: laudbusiness.com

  • Government will continue to ensure reliable power supply Amewu

    Energy Minister, Mr John Peter Amewu, has assured Ghanaians that the government of Ghana will work to ensure constant and reliable power supply.

    He said the administration is poised to ensure that all the bottlenecks, which include the payment of the debts owed the ECG, in the energy sector are dealt with.

    “As of December 2016, when the NDC (National Democratic Congress) left office, then under former President John Dramani Mahama, the entire bills owed ECG by government at that time was GHS2.63 billion”, he said at a press briefing in Accra on Tuesday at 19.

    “I am happy to report that under the energy sector reform programme, government will continue to work towards a reliable and effective electricity company in this period,” the Minister said.

    “Today, at the end of 2019, all government bills with ECG have been paid and government has a credit of ¢500,000.00 with ECG.

    “With an average bill payment of about ¢100,000.00 per month, the credit balance of over ¢500,000.00, is enough and more than enough to pay for government bills from January to April 2020,” Mr. Amewu said.

    Mr Amewu recounted that Government has already made some payments to ECG as a result of the Covid-19 (energy) subsidy that was introduced for a period of three months.

    “You will recollect that President Akufo-Addo made a broadcast to the nation that as part of the alleviation strategy during the period of the COVID-19 Ghanaians are expected to enjoy some reliefs from utility companies,” he said.

    “And I am happy to announce that that process is currently ongoing. Customers throughout the country have demonstrated and testified that this relief from the Government is actually real,” Mr. Amewu added.

    Source: laudbusiness.com

  • We will clamp down on all fake insurance dealers NIC assures

    The regulator for insurance in Ghana, the National Insurance Commission (NIC) has assured it will continue to clamp down on persons dealing in fake insurance stickers.

    This follows the arrest of a member of a suspected cartel dealing in fake insurance stickers upon a tip-off near the Aboabo DVLA Office in the Ashanti Region after the police in the area carried out a joint operation with the NIC on Tuesday, May 19, 2020.

    Commissioner of Insurance, Justice Ofori speaking in an interview with GhanaWeb lamented the situation in the Ashanti Region as worrying but was confident that the introduction of the Motor Insurance Database (MID) and enforcement by the Police MTTD, will largely curb the menace in order to protect innocent third parties and policyholders.

    “This is an indication that the Commission is not resting, despite the introduction of the Motor Insurance database. We know that there are bad guys out there and whatever you do they will try to undermine it. The Kumasi operation was successful, and we are ready to embark on a similar operation anywhere in the country,” Mr. Ofori stated.

    “We are working so much with the MTTD and we believe that with such a collaboration it will take us far so my advice to the bad guys is that they should stay out of this business. We are here to protect the insured and the general public and we would do whatever it takes to get this done,” he assured.

    He, however, stated the commission has in the last quarter of 2019 published the names of regulated insurance entities in good standing adding, motorists should only deal with those registered companies.

    Additionally, the NIC this year has caused the arrests of a number of persons issuing fake motor insurance stickers to motorists.

    These include the arrest of the Insurance Agent, 72-year old Nana Kodua Marfoh for submitting fake documents to the Kumasi Area Office of the National Insurance Commission (NIC).

    Two other Agents of Millenium Insurance Company Limited have also been arrested for possessing fake ALLIANZ INSURANCE sticker booklets also at the premises of the same Kumasi DVLA Office.

    Motor Insurance Database

    On January 1, the National Insurance Commission began the implementation of the Motor Insurance Database (MID) policy to clamp down on the menace of vehicles with fake motor insurance stickers plying on roads.

    The Commission issued a directive giving all insurance companies up to January 20, 2020 to migrate all their information to the new Motor Insurance Database system.

    Deputy Commissioner at the NIC recently disclosed it has electronically issued over 272,000 stickers following the implementation of the MID policy.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Martin Amidus age: Im not satisfied with Supreme Court ruling Haruna Iddrisu

    Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Leader, says that he is getting worried about the kind of court system being practised in the country especially given the Supreme Courts ruling over the eligibility of Martin Amidu as the Special Prosecutor.

    According to the Minority Leader, the 5-2 decision of the Supreme Court indicates that Article 192 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana is now irrelevant.

    “Your aunt, grandmother and grandfather, you can constitute them tomorrow and come and do public service because your experience as a critical human resource is still important,” he said in an interview with Joy News.

    He argues: “the Constitution provides a tenure for public office. Public within the contest of Article 190 of the Constitution. Go back to the memorandum that accompanied the Office of Special Prosecutor bill and other bills; Parliament was exercising its power in creating new and additional Public Service office.”

    He explained that the ruling simply implies that older citizens above the retirement age can be appointed Chief Executive in any public office and the reference will be the Supreme Court ruling.

    On this basis, when it comes to the law, he explained that his confidence is eroding because “I am beginning to look back with some disappointment that we rely on this independent adjudicator”.

    With a majority 5-2 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that Martin Amidu is eligible to hold office as Special Prosecutor.

    The decision read by Chief Justice Anin Yeboah means the retirement age for employees of the “public service” does not apply to the office of Special Prosecutor.

    Former Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine who filed the case said per the true and proper interpretation of Articles 190(1)(d), 199(1) and 295 of the 1992 Constitution, the retirement age of all holders of public offices created pursuant to Article 190 (1)(d) is 60 years, and not beyond 65 years.

    Article 190(1) states “The Public Services of Ghana shall include” (d) such other public services as Parliament may by law prescribe.

    Article 199(1) states “A public officer shall, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, retire from the public service on attaining the age of sixty years.”

    Dr. Ayine argued that at the time President Akufo-Addo named Martin Amidu as SP, that latter was not qualified because he was 66.

    He said that this contravenes section 13(3) of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2018 (Act 959).

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Robbery gang kills 3 in Ashanti Region

    Eight armed robbers have shot and killed three people in the Ashanti Region in what authorities have described as a dramatic spectacle.

    The notorious robbers also critically injured another person before escaping with a gold loot at Manso Dadease in the Mansie West District of the Ashanti Region Monday night.

    “The nasty spectacle, akin to a movie scene, involved men on a shooting spree as the gang fled the scene of their robbery adventure,” state-owned Daily Graphic newspaper reported.

    According to the newspaper, the Regional Police Command has mounted a vigorous search for the robbers who escaped with four pounds of refined gold and GH¢17,000 cash they snatched from a gold dealing shop.

    Victims of the fatal shooting incident have been identified as Mr Emmanuel Osei, the personal driver of the Chief Executive of the Amansie West District, who was returning from an official programme; and Kwadwo Danso, 60, and a 25-year-old man only identified only as Osofo.

    Their bodies have been deposited at the mortuary of the St Martin Hospital at Agroyesum, the same hospital where the injured person is receiving treatment.

    Preliminary investigations indicate that the robbers — supposedly armed with four AK 47 assault rifles and three pump action guns — attacked a gold dealer shop known as PK Adom at Manso Dadease and took four pounds of gold and cash of GH¢17,000.

    Police say the robbers started shooting at anyone in sight as they fled the scene with the loot, killing the three persons.

    On Tuesday, the Regional Crime Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police Felix Cosmos, led a team of investigators to the crime scene to start investigations.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Infidelity: 60-year-old arrested for butchering his wife to death

    A 60-year-old Yikatey Somatey is in the grips of the Police for allegedly butchering his wife to death at Gando near Nyanyema a suburb of the Sawla-Tuna Kalba District of the Savannah region.

    Her disposed body was found in the bush in a pool of blood.

    The suspect accused his deceased wife, Bora Bonbiatey 57, of cheating on him with another man.

    According to the Sawla District Police Commander, ASP Degraft Armah Adjei who confirmed the news to journalists said the uncle of the deceased reported the incident to the police and accused the suspect of killing his niece in the bush.

    He revealed, police immediately moved to the scene.

    “When the police got there, the deceased was lying in a pool of blood with multiple wounds on her head believed to be from cutlass.”

    He added, the suspect was arrested and will be arraigned after investigations.

    ASP Degraft cautioned residents against taking the laws into their own hands.

    Information gathered by 3news.com in relation to the incident indicates the suspect Yikatey Somatey lured his wife to the bush in the name of performing a family ritual.

    While in the bush, he poured pepper in her face before butchering her with the cutlass.

    The body of the deceased has since been handed over to the family for burial.

    Source: 3 News

  • 29-year-old ex-convict beaten to death in Cape Coast

    An ex-convict Papa Sam popularly called Assemblyman was on Wednesday dawn allegedly found beaten to death by some unknown persons at Aquarium, a suburb of Cape Coast.

    Sam was a resident of Ntsin also a suburb of Cape Coast and was said to have been released from prison not long ago.

    A resident of Aquarium who pleaded anonymity told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the 29-year-old man known in the area as an ex-convict was last seen in the company of three others around 1200 hours in the vicinity.

    According to the witness, the gang attempted to steal in the area and were pursued but the other three managed to escape.

    The GNA noticed that the deceased was pelted with stones and cement blocks which damaged his face and some other parts of his body.

    The incident drew a large crowd to the area and as at 9 in the morning, the body partly covered with plantain leaves, stones, pieces of wood and cement blocks, was still lying at the spot where the incident occurred.

    The police are yet to visit the scene.

    Source: GNA

  • Deputy Education Minister tells private school owners to apply for stimulus package

    Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Deputy Education Minister in charge of Basic and Secondary Education, has asked managers of private schools to apply for the GHS600million stimulus package earmarked by the government to support businesses deal with the effect of the coronavirus pandemic.

    He said the package covers players in the educational sector, hence they can apply to benefit from the programme.

    Responding to concerns that private school teachers have not been paid salaries for three months following the COVID-19 ban, while speaking on the Sunrise Show on 3FM hosted by Alfred Ocansey on Wednesday, May 20, Mr Adutwum remarked, “If they have not been paid then I think its management issue

    “The GHS600million stimulus included education and so I will encourage private owners to apply.”

    Regarding the possible reopening of schools, Dr Adutwum said that the Ghana Education Service (GES) is currently engaging stakeholders on a possible reopening of schools.

    He said the decision, apart from the assessment and engagement by the GES, will also largely depend on health considerations.

    “The GES has started engagement, they will be meeting with teacher unions and other groups to solicit their inputs.

    “Of course the critical decisions won’t come from education, it will come from health, just like in the US where the Centre for Disease Control (CDC ) gave a broad stroke of a kind of a policy and said this has to prevail, this has to be there.”.

    He added, “GES is not blindfolded by the reality of the situation and of course they cannot just jump and reopen schools without a thorough analysis at the highest level of government.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Man kills wife over infidelity

    The Sawla Tuna Kalba Police Command have arrested a 60-year-old man who allegedly killed his wife, Bora Bonbiatey, 57, at Gando near Nyanyema, a suburb of Tuna in the Savannah Region.

    The suspect, Yikatey Somatey, had accused his wife of cheating with another man in the community.

    DGN Online gathered that the suspect lured his wife to a bush to perform some family rituals and in the process poured pepper into her eyes.

    He then used a sharp cutlass to inflict multiple wounds on her until she died.

    He then disposed off the body at a nearby bush and absconded.

    However, luck eluded him when he was arrested by the police.

    The Sawla District Police Commander, ASP Degraft Armah Adjei, who confirmed the incident to journalists said the uncle of the deceased reported to the police station accusing the suspect of killing his niece.

    According to him, the police moved to the scene and found the deceased in a pool of blood with multiple cuts on her head and right eye.

    He said the suspect will be arraigned before court after investigations.

    Meanwhile, the body of the deceased has been handed to the family for burial.

    ASP Adjei cautioned residents against taking the law into their own hands but rather rely on the police for justice.

    Source: Daily Guide Network

  • Dadiese robbery: 9 suspects busted Police

    The Ashanti regional police command has arrested nine suspects in connection with the three persons who were shot dead by armed robbers at Dadiese in the Amansie South District.

    Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Godwin Ahianyo, said the suspects which include seven males and two females are in their custody.

    Eight gunmen on Tuesday shot and killed three people including the driver of the District Chief Executive for the area.

    “Four of them were wielding AK-47 assault rifles, three were also wielding pump-action guns…” ASP Ahianyo told Class News’ regional correspondent Elisha Adarkwah.

    According to him, the gunmen attacked a gold dealer and robbed him of four pounds of gold and cash amount of GHS17,000 before they fired gunshots indiscriminately, killing the three people and injuring one.

    The deceased included Kwaku Danso, 60; Kwaku Mila aka Osofo, 25; and Samuel Osei, the DCE’s driver, 40.

    The fourth victim who sustained gunshot wounds and was in critical condition was rushed to St. Martins Catholic Hospital at Agroyesum for medical treatment.

    Source: Class FM

  • 30 health workers contract coronavirus in Ashanti region

    About 30 health workers in the Ashanti region have contracted Covid-19, the Ashanti regional health directorate has revealed.

    According to the health directories, the affected workers are responding to treatment.

    The regional case tally is now 888 with the number of deaths still 7.

    Meanwhile, cases in Ghana have now moved to 6,096 after 178 new cases were recorded barely 24 hours after the country recorded an increase of 183 cases.

    19 more recoveries have also been confirmed, according to figures from the Ghana Health Service, taking the total number of recoveries to 1,773.

    The death toll still stands at 31.

    The update indicated that there had been an increase in the number of cases in four regions – Greater Accra, Ashanti, Western and Central Regions.

    Case count per region

    Greater Accra Region 4,536

    Ashanti Region 888

    Central Region 256

    Western Region 111

    Eastern Region 100

    Western North Region 57

    Volta Region 41

    Northern Region 31

    Oti Region 26

    Upper East Region 26

    Source: Starr FM

  • No repatriation flight for Ghanaians in South Africa Ambassador

    The High Commission of Ghana in South Africa has warned Ghanaian nationals in South Africa to ignore some supposed reports that there is a repatriation flight to transport Ghanaian citizens from South Africa to Ghana amidst Coronavirus pandemic.

    According to the mission, there are audio messages circulating on WhatsApp and other social media that the government of Ghana has served noticed to repatriate Ghanaian citizens from South Africa to Ghana.

    In an exclusive interview with thepressradio.com the Ghana High Commissioner to South Africa, Mr. George Ayisi-Boateng stated that the said reports are hoax and should not be tolerated.

    “It has come to the attention of the mission that there is a fake audio message going round on WhatsApp that the Government of Ghana has arranged flight to repatriate Ghanaians citizens from South Africa to Ghana due to coronavirus pandemic but I want to state in categorically that there is no any repatriation arrangement for Ghanaian nationals in South Africa.” He said.

    “The Mission wishes to reiterate that the said information is palpably false and without merit,” Ayisi Boateng added.

    He indicated that South Africa and Ghana borders still remain closed.

    Source: thepressradio.com

  • Major Boakye-Djan meets GH¢200,000 bail conditions

    Ghanaweb can report that Major Boakye-Djan has fulfilled the GH¢200,000 bail conditions charged against him and is currently at his farms at Asuogya, a farming community near Drobo.

    The former spokesperson of the erstwhile Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) and a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Major (Rtd) Kojo Boakye-Djan was charged with offensive conduct.

    He was charged on May 19, 2020, after he was invited by a team from the Criminal Investigations Department(CID) in Accra for interrogation at the Drobo District Police Station in the Jaman South Municipality.

    After hours of grilling, the former military officer who was in the company of his two lawyers had his cautioned statement taken and charged for breaching Section 207 of the Offensive Conduct Conducive to Breaches of Peace.

    He was granted bail in the sum of GHC200,000 with one surety and ordered to report at the Drobo District Police station once every week.

    Lawyer for Major Boakye-Djan, Mr. Asante Foster in an interview with Ghanaweb revealed that the invitation by the police was in relation to comments his client made recently over possible civil unrest in Ghana.

    Lawyer Foster revealed that the team from the CID headquarters in Accra scheduled a meeting with his client in Drobo due to his health condition over the comments.

    “Our client was invited to appear before a team from the CID Headquarters led by DSP Emmanuel Gyebi with the Cyber Crime Unit in relation to some comments he made on-air recently. He has been cautioned, his statement taken and granted bail so wait and see how things will unfold in the coming weeks”.

    Lawyer Foster Asante who revealed that his client a student of history meant no harm and will not engage in any account to destabilize the peace of the country commended the police for the level of professionalism.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Akuapem unity: Queen mother rejects 60 rams, cash from Asante Bediatuo, others

    The Okuapehemea, Nana Obuo Nketiaa II, on Tuesday refused to accept appeals from highly regarded personalities from the government who led the new Okuapehene and the Abrewatia in bid to seek unity.

    As well, the Queen also rejected all the items brought to appease her anger including a total of 60 rams, cash, and assorted drinks from the entourage.

    The resolute stance of the Okuapehemea in her opposition to the legitimacy of the newly installed Okuapehene still amazes the entire Okuapeman.

    According to reliable sources at the Akuapem Traditional Council, the Presidency on Tuesday sent closest maternal royal relatives from Akyem and the top echelon of National Security, led by Nana Asante Bediatuo, to apologise to the Queen mother with the items to let go her opposition but she blatantly refused and rejected them.

    According to reliable information, the Queen allegedly demanded 60 rams, cash, and other items to be appeased towards achieving unity in Okuapeman.

    Hearing her request, traditional authorities and the family members of the new Okuapehene gathered her request to present to her on the agreed day, Tuesday, May 19, 2020.

    To their dismay, the Queen backtracked her earlier request rejecting all the highly respected persons followed by the Okuapehene and family with the truckload of the rams and the other items.

    It is not clear what next is the Ohemea’s action against the legality of the new Okuapehene.

    After his installation and swearing-in as the new Okuapehene, Oseeadeyo Kwasi Akuffo III, and his Elders have sought to patch all disjointed cords to bring back unity and harmony to Okuapeman.

    Since 2015 after the demise of the late Okuapehene, Oseadeyo Addo Dankwa III, fierce litigation over who to succeed him ensued around the Ofori Kumah Stool.

    While the Abrewatia of Sakyiabea Royal House, whose turn it was to nominate a successor to the stool, had nominated then Odehye Kwadwo Kesse (now Okuapehene) to the kingmakers, the Okuapehemea had unilaterally appointed her preferred candidate from the same Sakyiabea House and installed him as Chief.

    Uncomfortable with the development, the Abrewatia, Madam Lily Nana Agyeman petitioned the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs to ascertain whether or not it is the Okuapehemea who should nominate a candidate to the throne.

    After three years of legal tussle, the Judicial Committee of the Regional House of Chiefs ruled that it is the Abrewatia of every Royal House who has the mandate to nominate a candidate to the Ofori Kumah Stool and not the Queen mother.

    The Judicial Committee, therefore, annulled the Queen’s choice and ordered him never to parade himself anywhere as Chief of Akuapem.

    Following the judgement given, majority of the kingmakers of Akuapem, eight in number, went ahead to start traditional processes and installed Abrewatia’s candidate, Kwadwo Kesse, as the next Okuapehene on Friday, May 1.

    Subsequently on Sunday, May 3, the new Okuapehene was sworn-in, under the stool name Oseeadeyo Kwasi Akuffo II, in the presence of all personalities who matter in the Akuapem chieftaincy.

    The title was subsequently amended to Oseeadeyo Kwasi Akuffo III, since his great grandfather, Kwasi Akuffo ascended the throne on two separate occasions thus, making him both the first and second Kwasi Akuffo.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Give Mahama credit for Tema interchange – Yamin to government

    Former Ashanti Regional Deputy Minister under the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Joseph Yamin has underscored the need for the current administration to recognise the significant role former President John Dramani Mahama played in the construction of the Tema motorway interchange.

    To him, the former President should have been specially invited for the commissioning of the project.

    Mr. Yamin said the NPP does not recognise the need to appreciate the efforts of the former administration.

    He referenced how the late President Atta Mills invited former President Kufour to the commissioning of the N1 Highway because he [Kufour] started the project.

    “Sincerely, if the NPP wants to be sincere, they have to invite former President Mahama to the ceremony and appreciate him for his performance. But I am not sure the NPP would be sincere to do that,” he added.

    The newly constructed Tema Motorway Interchange was opened to traffic on Saturday, May 16, 2020

    The five new interchanges were built on the Accra-Tema motorway as part of the expansion works on the stretch.

    The motorway was closed to traffic for construction works to be carried on the three-tier Tema Motorway Roundabout Interchange.

    The project had a June 6, 2020 deadline but it has been completed before the scheduled date.

    The Interchange is a $57 million project financed under a grant from the Japanese government through its agency, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Video Flashback: Our government is one of ideas and innovative policies; not create, loot and share – Bawumia

    Vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, in May 2018 asked for the prayers and support of Ghanaians to enable the NPP administration deliver all of its flagship programmes.

    According to him, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had achieved more in 16 months than the previous 8 years of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    “It is amazing what we have been able to do in 16 months, governments in the past for 8-years have not been able to do what Nana Akufo-Addo has been able to do… our government is a government of ideas… it is not a government of create, loot and share,” says Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia during the Eastern Region leg of his nationwide Ramadan Tour on May 20, 2018.

    Watch the video below:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Todays newspapers front pages

  • Pastor who ‘healed coronavirus sufferers by laying his hands on them’ dies from disease

    A pastor who has allegedly healed dozens of confirmed and suspected coronavirus victims died of the same disease on Saturday.

    According to the Dailymail, the 39-year-old Cameroonian Pastor, Frankline Ndifor, claimed to cure COVID-19 and in the weeks preceding his death, dozens of patients flocked to his Kingship International Ministries Church for healing.

    “His supporters called him a ‘prophet’ and blocked the entrance to his home in the capital city of Douala for eight hours as medical staff tried to retrieve Ndifor’s body on Saturday morning,” the UK-based news website reported.

    The report indicated that the pastor started suffering severe respiratory difficulties a week after falling ill with the virus and he died ten minutes after treatment.

    A police force had to be deployed when supporters blocked the entrance to his home and claimed the pastor was on a spiritual retreat with God so could not be buried, the report indicated.

    The pastor had been donating buckets, facemasks and soap to people in need before his demise.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • We need to invest in Disaster Risk Management – Prosper Bani

    Mr. Prosper Bani, a former Head of the United Nations Development Programme Crisis Prevention and Recovery Team for Africa, has urged African leaders to invest in Disaster Risk Prevention and Management to ready the continent to respond to unpredicted crises.

    Africa’s development, he said, was being challenged by the lack of a strategy to link disaster risk reduction to development initiatives.

    “The plans must articulate clearly what the problems are and how they would be addressed. It should reflect a verifiable budget and expenditure plan; and awareness-raising to bring along the citizens to become conscious and aware of their responsibilities in the fight to reduce the spread”.

    Mr Bani, who served as a Chief of Staff under the John Mahama Administration, said this in a statement he issued, and copied, to the Ghana News Agency, in Accra.
    He pointed out that the Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction in July 2004 emphasised the importance of policy makers to look at strengthening institutional frameworks, risk identification, knowledge management, governance and emergency response and demanded political commitment to addressing comprehensive policies on disaster risk reduction as part of development plans.

    Mr Bani said the lack of commitments to these posed a major challenge to most African countries.

    He stated that the absence of preventive infrastructure had caused significant challenges to the development efforts of most African countries.

    This, he explained, had manifested in prolonged droughts, devastating floods, uncontrolled bushfires, landslides, tropical cyclones, volcanic eruptions, health epidemics, pandemics such as Ebola and the new coronavirus, affecting sustainable development.

    “There is evidence that the world, and Africa in particular, has been inundated with Protocols, Action Plans, Guidelines, and numerous international agreements on disaster risk reduction, and in particular how to reduce the risk and impact of disasters,” he noted.

    “The latest has been the development of an Action Plan for Africa following the Sendai Framework of 2015, which was finalized in 2016.

    “African leaders must invest in the implementation of the Action Plan, which could mitigate the impact on the economies of member states during this Coronavirus pandemic”.

    Source: GNA

  • This is the time to intensify PFJ programme Dr. Akparep

    Dr John Yaw Akparep, the Research Director for the Centre of Posterity Interest Organisation (COPIO), has observed that this was an ideal time for the government to intensify the implementation of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme.

    He said the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic had affected importation of farm inputs such as agrochemicals resulting in scarcity and increase in the prices of those inputs.

    Dr. Akparep, who said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Wa on Tuesday, added that the pandemic had brought economic hardship on smallholder farmers.

    He said that had made it virtually impossible for the farmers to procure those farm inputs to improve their farming activities.

    “Some of the things we used to import, we are no longer having access to them because of the border closure and other things.

    “So definitely, if we have to import agricultural inputs, as a result of the border closure and whatever … not much attention is paid to bringing those inputs into the country, and the few that are around definitely will go for higher prices, and not everybody can afford,” he explained.

    While commending the government for taking the initiative to support Small and Medium scale Enterprises in the country, Dr. Akparep, entreated the disbursement institutions to make those funding support accessible to farmers.

    He said if the government support was accessible to all farmers it would serve as a relief to the farmers in their production activities.

    “Government fund for supporting SMEs has come at the right time, but how many people in the rural areas are able to access those support,” he indicated.

    Dr. Akparep observed that the COVID-19 pandemic could wreak havoc in the agricultural sector globally, affecting food importation in the country.

    That, he said, had necessitated the need for the government to intervene to ensure that agricultural production in the country was improved to avert any unforeseen circumstances.

    “If it were to be in Ghana alone, we could be sure other countries will produce where we can import from, but this is a worldwide problem, and other places even have worse situations than ours.

    “So naturally, importation will not be as it is supposed to be, and production will not be as it is supposed to be, it is not going to be favourable this year like other years,” Dr. Akparep explained.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: Tricycle operators cry over low patronage

    The operators of tricycles which are popularly known in the Tamale metropolis as “yellow yellow” have been lamenting over low patronage of their services since the outbreak of the COVID-19 in Tamale.

    Some tricycle drivers who spoke to GhanaWeb explained that they used to pick three passengers as a full capacity but since the outbreak hit Tamale, they were been directed by the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TeMA) to pick only two, instead of three, which has had a dire effect on their daily earnings.

    “The coming of the disease seems to slow down our business because we used to pick three passengers at a go but we are now told to reduced to two and even the two passengers, when we go out, we don’t earn the amount we used to earn ” they explained.

    Speaking to Alhassan, who is one of the drivers explained that, they don’t understand why “Yellow Yellow” operators are the only people asked to reduce passenger intake when the same directive hasn’t been meted out on commercial vehicle drivers; trotro and taxi drivers.

    “Our concern is that we haven’t heard or seen any Taxi or trotro drivers been asked to load below their capacity but we the “Yellow Yellow” drivers when they see us load with three passengers which is our normal capacity, they arrest us and accused us of spreading the virus,” he said.

    He also indicated that, they feel been unfairly targeted by the Metro Assembly, adding that, members of the ”Yellow Yellow” who sometimes load with the three passengers due to the economic hardship, they are arrested and made to pay exorbitant fines and sometimes, even suffer beatings in the hands of the police, which he said isn’t fair and must be looked into.

    They, therefore, appealed to the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly to review the directive and to also ensure that even if such directive is to be held, and it does not only apply to Yellow yellow operators but cut across.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Application for GH¢600m stimulus begins tomorrow, interest rate at 3%

    The application process for accessing the GH¢600 million COVID-19 Fund will start tomorrow, 20th May 2020, and end on Saturday, 20th June 2020.

    The beneficiaries are expected to be either self-employed, sole proprietors, or engaged in a limited liability, partnership, or joint venture arrangement.

    The criteria states that the qualifying enterprise is expected to belong to a trade association or group, and be registered with the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI).

    Out of the GH¢1.2 billion fund earmarked to assist businesses impacted negatively by COVID-19, GH¢600 million will be disbursed as soft loans to Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs), with up to a one-year moratorium and a two-year repayment period.

    The rate of interest on the GH¢600 million facility is three percent.

    Additionally, selected participating banks will provide negotiated counterpart funding to the tune of GH¢400 million, making, in all GH¢1 billion for disbursement under this Business Support Scheme.

    The entire scheme set to attract some 180,000 beneficiaries across the country.

    The funds under the Scheme will be managed by NBSSI and will be supervised by a loans committee, composed of one representative each of the Ministries of Finance and Trade and Industry, a representative of the NBSSI, and a representative of the participating banks.

    Audit firm, KPMG, will act as technical advisors to the Scheme.

    President Akuffo Addo said at the launch of the COVID-19 Alleviation Programme that “Disbursement of the funds will be effected through the participating banks. Transparency and accountability will be the hallmarks of the operation of the Scheme”.

    He indicated that the scheme is targeted at MSMEs in the formal and informal sectors, which have been affected by the economic downturn caused by the pandemic, with MSMEs in growth sectors that require additional capital to expand their business to meet growing demand for COVID-19 related goods and services, also eligible to apply.

    The beneficiary sectors include agri and agro-businesses; manufacturing; water and sanitation; tourism and hospitality; education; food and beverages; technology; transportation; commerce and trade; healthcare and pharmaceuticals; and textiles and garments.

    In order to ensure a smooth application process for all eligible candidates, application forms have been made available online on the website of NBSSI, which is www.nbssi.gov.gh.

    It is also available via USSD code across all mobile networks, and applicants can also call the CAP Business Call Centre on 0302 477 777, or visit the nearest NBSSI Business Advisory Centre for assistance with their applications.

    Source: Class FM

  • Taskforce formed to facilitate recovery of industrial, manufacturing sectors Ofori-Atta

    Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta has disclosed a taskforce has been established to further work on recovery, stabilization, and revitalization of industrial and manufacturing sectors to ensure a fast pace revamp post-Coronavirus.

    According to him, the taskforce will have a primary focus on specific large businesses to ensure a post-Coronavirus recovery of industry is well facilitated.

    Speaking at the launch of the Coronavirus Alleviation Programme (CAP) Business Support Scheme (CAP BuSS), Ken Ofori Atta said; “We have therefore proposed this [CAP BuSS] programme and additionally a taskforce has also been formed to further work on a recovery, a stabilization and a revitalization programme which will concentrate on industry and manufacturing with a specific focus on large businesses to spare growth, minimize job losses and to ensure that the post COVID-19 recovery is at an even faster pace and the President has charged us to do this”

    The Finance Minister adds government is positioning the newly set up Development Bank of Ghana to be a critical element of the post-recovery strategy for rapid industrialization and agricultural modernization.

    “This will turn Ghana also into a regional trade and investment hub,” he indicated.

    The CAP BuSS is an initiative intended to provide a stimulus package of GHS¢600 million in soft loans to scale up Medium Small-Scale Enterprises who may have been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • SMEs to receive stimulus through MoMo, bank accounts NBSSI

    Executive Director of the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI), Ms Kosi Antwiwaa Yankey, has announced that businesses will receive their portion of the GH¢600million stimulus package through their Mobile Money or bank accounts.

    Speaking at the launch of the coronavirus alleviation programme business support scheme, at the seat of government, the Jubilee House in Accra on Tuesday May 19., she said: “The telcos will assess the application and issue a recommendation. Once the recommendation is made funds will be disbursed directly to successful applicants. Disbursements will be made by mobile money transaction or directly into their bank accounts.”

    Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has said the GH¢600million stimulus package is a good start to assist Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMES) in Ghana following the COVID-19 pandemic.

    As part of efforts to ameliorate the hardship on Ghanaian businesses the government of Ghana has earmarked GH¢600million to assist businesses.

    However, analysts and groups including the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the Ghana National Union of Traders Association (GUTA) have said the amount is not enough to support the businesses.

    But Mr Ofori Atta indicated that the Akufo-Addo administration is committed to ensuring that SMEs remain vibrant in order to create jobs for Ghanaians during the period of the coronavirus pandemic.

    He said, this commitment is seen in the earmarked GH¢600million for SMEs to ensure they remain in business in spite of the impact of the COVID-19.

    speaking at the launch of the coronavirus alleviation programme business support scheme, at the seat of government, the Jubilee House in Accra on Tuesday May 19.

    He said the “government is committed to ensuring that SMEs remain vibrant and continue to create jobs for the people of Ghana during this period.”

    He added GH¢600million can go a long way in creating the Ghanaian enterprise.

    Robert Ahomka Lindsey, a Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry said the coronavirus alleviation programme is a key intervention to address the challenges facing Ghanaian businesses following the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The programme will focus on the Pharmaceutical, manufacturing, tourism, water and sanitation, education including private, sectors.

    “The programme will be rolled out nationwide,” he said.

    Source: laudbusiness.com

  • Government committed to making SMEs vibrant Ofori-Atta

    Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has indicated that the Akufo-Addo administration is committed to ensuring that Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) remain vibrant in order to create jobs for Ghanaians during the period of the coronavirus pandemic.

    He said, this commitment is seen in the earmarked GH¢600million for SMEs to ensure they remain in business in spite of the impact of the COVID-19.

    He was speaking at the launch of the coronavirus alleviation programme business support scheme, at the seat of government, the Jubilee House in Accra on Tuesday May 19.

    He said the “government is committed to ensuring that SMEs remain vibrant and continue to create jobs for the people of Ghana during this period.”

    He added GH¢600million can go a long way in creating the Ghanaian enterprise.

    Robert Ahomka Lindsey, a Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry said the coronavirus alleviation programme is a key intervention to address the challenges facing Ghanaian businesses following the covid-19 pandemic.

    He said the programme will focus on the Pharmaceutical, manufacturing, tourism, water and sanitation, education including private, sectors.

    “The programme will be rolled out nationwide,” he said.

    Source: laudbusiness.com

  • Obinim charged with forgery of documents, publication of false news

    The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has charged the founder and leader of the International Gods Way Church, Bishop Daniel Obinim with the offences of publication of false news and forgery of document contrary to sections 208 and 159 of the Criminal and other offences Act, (1960) (ACT 29) respectively.

    Bishop Obinim was sent to the Magistrate Court Accra and has been granted bail in the sum of GHS100,000 with three sureties, one person to be justified.

    He is to re-appear before the court on 1 June 2020.

    The controversial man of God was arrested on Tuesday, 19 May 2020 following allegations levelled against him by Assin North MP Kennedy Agyapong.

    According to the Police, the suspect is also under investigation for other offences levelled against him.

    Source: Class FM

  • Akufo-Addo launches one billion-cedi stimulus package for SME’s

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has launched a One billion Ghana Cedi stimulus package to provide relief to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), hard-hit by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

    The COVID-19 Alleviation Programme (CAP) Business Support Scheme, to be administered by the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) is to help lessen the effects of the economic crisis, like no other, caused by the pandemic.

    It would provide additional capital for business expansion to meet the demand for respiratory illness-related goods and services.

    At a ceremony at the Jubilee House, President Akufo-Addo said the flu-like virus had exacted a huge toll on world economies, including that of Ghana – reduced productivity, job losses and steep decline of revenue for government, businesses, households and individuals.

    The MSMEs, which account for 70 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product and represent 92 per cent of businesses are among the hardest hit, and therefore the need to be given special attention by the government.

    The President said the business support programme was an integral part of the resilience and recovery plan being put in place to ensure the renewal of economic activity and sustenance of livelihoods.

    “We are determined to protect as many jobs as possible and to help as many businesses as possible get back on their feet.”

    Out of the amount earmarked for the scheme, GH¢600 million would be disbursed as loans to MSMEs with a one-year moratorium and a two-year payment period with three per cent interest.

    Additionally, selected banks that would participate in the programme would provide a negotiated counterpart funding to the tune of GH¢400 million to be disbursed under the scheme.

    President Akufo-Addo expressed optimism that the scheme would help the nation’s economy to get back on track.

    He gave the assurance that, “transparency and accountability will be the hallmark of the operation of the scheme”.

    “I am passionate about the scheme working. Government is investing a lot in it, and I am confident that the proper application of these funds will help our nation bounce back stronger and better than before.

    “This whole scheme is meant to engender compassion and hope, the pillars on which we build a post-COVID-19 Ghana.”

    He urged persons and businesses who accessed the facility to utilise the funds for the intended purpose “so that together, we can work to grow our economy once again”.

    The programme, targeted at MSME’S in both the formal and informal sectors, is expected to attract over 180,000 beneficiaries.

    The allocation of the funds would be supervised by a Loans Committee composed of one representative each from the Ministries of Trade and Industry and Finance, the NBSSI, and the participating banks, with the KPMG acting as the technical advisors to the scheme.

    The scheme is targeting businesses in the Food and beverages, technology, transportation, commerce, trade, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, textiles and garments sectors.

    Beneficiaries must either be self-employed, sole proprietors or engaged in limited liability partnership or venture arrangements

    Source: GNA

     

  • GH¢600 million stimulus package a good start Ofori-Atta

    Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has said the GH¢600 million stimulus package is a good start to assist Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMES) in Ghana following the COVID-19 pandemic.

    As part of efforts of ameliorate the hardship on Ghanaian businesses, the government of Ghana has earmarked GH¢600 million to assist businesses.

    However, analysts and groups including the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the Ghana National Union of Traders Association (GUTA) have said the amount is not enough to support the businesses.

    But Mr Ofori Atta indicated that the Akufo-Addo administration is committed to ensuring that SMEs remain vibrant in order to create jobs for Ghanaians during the period of the coronavirus pandemic.

    He said, this commitment is seen in the earmarked GH¢600million for SMEs to ensure they remain in business in spite of the impact of the COVID-19.

    He was speaking at the launch of the coronavirus alleviation programme business support scheme, at the seat of government, the Jubilee House in Accra on Tuesday May 19.

    He said the “government is committed to ensuring that SMEs remain vibrant and continue to create jobs for the people of Ghana during this period.”

    He added GH¢600million can go a long way in creating the Ghanaian enterprise.

    Robert Ahomka Lindsey, a Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry said the coronavirus alleviation programme is a key intervention to address the challenges facing Ghanaian businesses following the covid-19 pandemic.

    The programme will focus on the Pharmaceutical, manufacturing, tourism, water and sanitation, education including private, sectors.

    “The programme will be rolled out nationwide,” he said.

    Source: laudbusiness.com

  • Businessman in court for sharing nude videos of teenage ex-girlfriend

    A 54-year-old Businessman has been put before a Koforidua District Magistrate Court for filming and circulating nude videos of his 18-year-old ex-girlfriend.

    The accused, Nana Yaw Mante, has been charged for obscenity contrary to section 281(i) B of the Criminal Offence Act,29/60.

    The Prosecutor, Sergeant George Defia told the Court presided over by His Worship Nana Osei Assibey on Tuesday, May 19 that the accused person and the victim,a Senior High School dropout are both natives of Awukugua in the Okere District of the Eastern Region.

    According to the prosecuting Officer, two years ago, the accused met the victim who had dropped out of school due to financial challenges, and under the pretext of assisting her to go back to school, took undue advantage and entered into a sexual relationship with her.

    Family of the victim became suspicious and confronted the accused person but he denied having sexual relations with the victim. The relationship hit the rocks due to disapproval and pestering by the family. However, in 2019, the accused convinced the victim and they reunited.

    The accused person Nana Yaw Mante, for fear of losing the victim again, told her that he had taken her to a shrine and the gods were demanding to see her nakedness.

    In November 2019, the accused lured the victim to Dawu near Adukrom-Akuapem where he recorded series of sexually explicit videos of themselves.

    The accused later circulated the videos of the victim to her Aunty and two other men he alleged were also dating the victim. The videos went viral on social media in February 2020.

    The victim reported the incident to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit(DOVVSU) at the Regional Police Headquarters in Koforidua.

    The accused was arrested on February 7, 2020 and in his caution statement admitted recording the sexually explicit videos of the victim and sharing same.

    The receivers of the videos confirmed to Police during interrogation that the accused sent it to them but denied circulating on social media.

    Case management on the matter has been completed for trial to begin on the next adjourned date of May 27, 2020.

    Meanwhile, the accused person has been granted bail.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Delayed release of results caused hike in Obuasi coronavirus cases – GHS

    Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, the Head of Disease Surveillance at the Ghana Health Service (GHS), on Tuesday, said the late release of the test results of infected persons accounted for the increase in infections at Obuasi.

    The authorities, he said, had very little idea of the magnitude of the infection rate until the release of the backlog of the positive results for cases in the Municipality, last week, by the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR), which had been overstretched with workload.

    Before their results were returned positive, the individuals who showed no symptoms of the disease were not been properly isolated and thus had gone about their duties without observing the precautionary protocols and infected others, thereby making Obuasi the main hotspot of the Ashanti Region.

    The authorities, Dr Asiedu-Bekoe said, consequently, became overwhelmed by the numbers.

    Giving an update on the assessment of the situations at Obuasi and Tema and their management by a team of experts from the GHS, Dr Asiedu-Bekoe said both situations had since been brought under control.

    In the Obuasi case, several activities and measures had been strengthened by the joint Municipal Health Directorates in partnership with their stakeholders to prevent the further spread of the novel coronavirus in the Municipality and its environs.

    Currently, he said, an aggressive retesting was ongoing of all the old cases for the reconfirmation of their status, while enhanced contact tracing had also been in force for the new confirmed cases in the high densely populated communities.

    Also, voluntary mass testing was being rolled out in the areas of high risk populations, including taxi and “trotro” drivers and food vendors.

    Dr Asiedu-Bekoe said some extraction kits had also been presented to the KCCR to enhance testing, while sputum testing had been added to complement the swab sampling.

    The Male Ward of the Obuasi Government Hospital had been converted into a 14-bed COVID-19 treatment centre, while efforts were underway to have a 100-bed isolation facility to deal with limited isolation facilities for patients.

    He said a similar 100-bed facility had been secured in Kumasi to add up to the number of isolation centres.

    He also mentioned other interventions such as the intensification of public education on the COVID-19 preventive and hygiene protocols, particularly those on the wearing of face masks, regular hand washing with soap under running water, social distancing as well as the spitting, sneezing and cough etiquettes.

    Dr Asiedu-Bekoe said in the Tema fishing factory incident, the number of workers exposed to the virus by their co-worker had risen to 695.

    The GHS, therefore, allocated these persons to their respective residential districts for proper isolation and treatment.

    However, 624 of them have tested negative after treatment and were awaiting their second negative tests to be declared recovered.

    The factory had been made to address the conditions, which facilitated the spread and made to put in place measures for its containment.

    Source: GNA

  • 36 arrested for using unapproved routes

    A total of about 36 persons, mostly foreigners, have been arrested by the Western Regional Command of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) for allegedly using unapproved routes to either enter or exit the country.

    While some of the suspects had been quarantined, others were escorted back to their countries.

    According to the Regional Public Affairs Officer of the GIS, Assistant Inspector Moses Manford Akakpo, on Tuesday, May 12 at about 6:45 pm, a team of immigration officers on their usual surveillance prevented 12 Burkinabe and a Ghanaian from using unapproved route at Nzentenu in Half Assini in the Jomoro District.

    He said but for the swiftness of the patrol officers and the cooperation of some community members, the stubborn travellers could not have been intercepted.

    Investigations revealed that the suspects were unrelated but arrived at Nzentenu community almost at the same time.

    He said their samples had since been taken and the suspects put under quarantine, awaiting results.

    He indicated that the results would eventually inform the next line of action by the Jomoro Municipal Security Council.

    The following day, at about 10:30 pm, 11 Ivorian nationals were also intercepted at Berlin, an unapproved entry point near Newtown Border Post in the Jomoro Municipality.

    He said they had since been escorted back to the Ivorian security.

    He said 12 other ECOWAS nationals were also refused entry at Appolenu unapproved entry point in the municipality on the same day.

    Source: Daily Guide Network

  • Coronavirus free water relief program lacks monitoring Jantuah

    Nana Yaa Jantuah, Vice Chair of the Consumer Protection Agency, has noted that there is lack of supervision in ensuring that all Ghanaians benefit from the free water supply to homes as one of the reliefs by the government to deal with the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    She told Alfred Ocansey on the Sunrise show on 3FM Tuesday, May 19 that people are complaining that they are not benefiting from the programme weeks after the implementation

    She attributed this to a lack of supervision by authority.

    President Akufo-Addo in his televised address to the nation announced that for the months of April, May and June, his government is taking the water cost burden off Ghanaians.

    “All water tankers, publicly and privately-owned, are also going to be mobilised to ensure the supply of water to all vulnerable communities,” he said.

    But Ms Jantuah said: “People are saying they are not piped, they are not metered and so they are not enjoying the reliefs so we thought that there should be some form of interventions to ensure that they get free water.

    “We need water to do many things especially in this time of COVID-19.

    “What I see lacking in all this is that stakeholders are not monitoring because you need to monitor to find out what exactly is going on because an instruction has been given, adherence to that instruction, so there should be monitoring.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Coronavirus: Im determined to protect jobs Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assured Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises that he is determined to protect their means of livelihoods of the people of Ghana that has been negatively impacted by the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus, Covid-19.

    Speaking at the “Presidential launch of the Coronavirus Alleviation Programme (CAP) Business Support Scheme” at the Banquet Hall of the Jubilee House, President Akufo-Addo said the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on jobs in Ghana cannot be overemphasized. However, he is determined to do everything in his power to protect jobs at all levels of the Ghanaian economy.

    “I am passionate about the scheme working, the government is investing a lot in it and I am confident that the proper application of these funds will help our nation bounce back stronger and better than before” President Akufo-Addo noted.

    “The business support programme is an integral part of the resilience and recovery plan which is being instituted by the government to ensure the renewal of economic activity and sustenance of livelihoods. We are determined to protect as many jobs as possible and to help as many businesses as possible get back on their feet” President Akufo-Addo added.

    PRUDENT USE OF LOANS

    President Akufo-Addo urged all persons who intend to access the two financial avenues, Adom microloans for smaller enterprises and the Anidasuo soft loans for larger enterprises, to use the resources for the sole purpose for which they are advanced to them.

    “I urge all beneficiaries to use the funds received for the intended purpose so that together, we can work to grow our economy once again” President Akufo-Addo stated.

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NBSSI

    Executive Director of the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI), the body tasked to manage and administer the Coronavirus Alleviation Programme (CAP) Business Support Scheme, Mrs Kosi Antiwiwaa Yankey-Ayeh, in a brief remark observed that out of the six hundred million (600 million) earmarked by the government to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and a further four hundred million (400 million) from the commercial banks, MSMEs have a window of opportunity to access soft loans at a 5% interest rate with a one-year moratorium and a repayment period of two (2) to three (3) years.

    APPLICATION PROCESS

    Madam Yankey-Ayeh indicated that Applicants can register via phone, text, online, and paper application. Applications she said will be received on a central portal, applicants will receive a message via text or email specifying their unique reference code, a URL and the next steps they ought to take. With the reference code, they will be able to go through the application process.

    The technology platform will pass on the data gathered to the financial institutions/telcos and subsequently, they will assess the applications and issue a recommendation. Once the recommendation is approved, funds will be disbursed directly to successful applicants. She indicated that disbursements to successful applicants will be made via Mobile Money Transfer or Direct payment into the bank accounts of applicants.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Ho Teaching Hospital nurse tests positive to coronavirus

    A nurse at the Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH) has tested positive to the Coronavirus disease.

    Mr Amos Dzah, Public Affairs Officer of the Hospital who confirmed this to the Ghana News Agency said, the nurse has since been admitted at the Regional Treatment Centre in Ho on Sunday.

    He said the working area of the nurse had been fumigated and ready to be opened to the public.

    Mr Dzah said three members of staff and a close acquaintance of the nurse have also been quarantined.

    He said there was no cause for alarm and urged the public to maintain the protocols including physical distancing, wearing of facial masks, and washing of hand with soap under running water.

    Volta Region has 41 COVID-19 cases with two confirmed deaths.

    Source: GNA