TIG Post

Author: Persis

  • Senior Minister wants companies to help rehabilitate their utility roads

    Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, the Senior Minister, has appealed to companies operating in the Spintex light industrial enclave to urgently rehabilitate the deplorable roads to their operation hubs.

    Mr Osafo-Maafo said this on Tuesday when he drove on the bumpy stony gulley road from the Coca-cola roundabout to the factory of De United Foods Industries (GH) Limited to commission, an indomie noodle producing factory.

    He said that was the first time he had been to that part of Accra adding that he was amazed at the number of huge industries scattered along the stretch.

    He, however, added that, “I was also disappointed to see that with all these huge companies, the road from Crocodile junction to this place cannot speak well of the corporate image of those companies. May I appeal to all the companies on this road through the one I am commissioning today that please take care of the road”.

    The Senior Minister said it was not enough for companies to say because they paid their taxes, they would have to wait for the government to construct the roads saying an agreement could be reached with the companies for them to construct the road and some tax incentives given to them.

    Some of the companies located along the 3.5-kilometre road included Coca Cola Company, Royal Crown Packaging, Healthy Life, De United Foods Industries (GH), Palace biscuits, Polytank and Devtraco Limited.

    Source: GNA

  • Consulting services for Keta Sea port to start in April

    Consulting services for feasibility studies to construct a seaport in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region is expected to begin next month, April 2020, Mr Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, Minister for Transport has announced in Accra.

    He said the Government through the Ministry of Transport was going through the necessary processes to develop the Keta Port Project.

    Mr Asiamah, answering questions in Parliament on the project said as of February 10, 2020, a number of activities were concluded or were underway at various stages for the project.

    Mr Richard Quashigah, MP for Keta asked the Minister what plans the Government had to build a sea port in the Keta Municipality.

    The Minister said a suitable site in Kedzi within the Keta Municipality was identified to locate the Port of Keta, and “this site takes a good developmental and commercial use of a pre-engineered system of parts of the Keta Lagoon.”

    He said the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has issued an Executive Instrument to declare the area a port zone, and also appointed a Keta Port Director to coordinate all the activities of the Keta Port Development.

    Also, Expression of Interest was advertised and seven of the 19 respondent applications were shortlisted to submit technical and financial proposals for feasibility studies.

    Mr Asiamah said technical evaluation on the project was completed on February 7, 2020 with other schedules being vigorously worked at.

    Source: GNA

  • Inflation rate closes flat at 7.8 per cent in February

    The year-on-year inflation rate was unchanged at 7.8 per cent in February, the same rate as in January 2020, the Ghana Statistical Service said on Wednesday.

    The food and non-alcoholic beverages recorded a year-on-year inflation rate of 7.9 per cent while the non-food inflation rate was 7.7 per cent, lower than the 7.9 per cent recorded in January 2020.

    Between January 2020 and February 2020 the price level of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 0.5 per cent, driven by an increase in price levels of vegetables, fruits and nuts, and cocoa drinks.

    In the non-food, subclasses such as transport services, postal and courier services and narcotics recorded highest year-on-year inflation, ranging from 23.1 per cent to 34 per cent.

    Inflation of imported goods was 5.9 per cent while the inflation of local goods was 8.6 per cent on average.

    At the regional level, the year-on-year inflation ranged from 9.7 per cent in the Greater Accra Region to 5 per cent in Upper west Region.

    Source: GNA

  • Over 6,000 pupils lack access to furniture in Bunkpurugu

    The Bunkpurgu-Nakpanduri District Education Director, Reverend Francis Kojo Ennuson, has lamented the furniture deficit for pupils in the district.

    He revealed out of a total of 10,589 pupils enrolled in basic schools, 6,307 representing 59.6 per cent lack access to furniture, a situation he said has compelled pupils to study on the bare floor.

    He noted the deficit at the kindergarten level alone is 3,804.

    Addressing stakeholders at the Empowering the School Children Project organized by Aserd Ghana, Rev. Ennuson said it is disheartening to see the pupils in that state.

    “Worse of it all is that the district also lacks learning materials, [coupled with] dilapidated classrooms and inadequate teachers.”

    He said though government is trying its best to provide the necessary infrastructure for teaching and learning, they are not enough.

    He appealed to benevolent stakeholders in the education sector to support education in the area.

    On his part, the Executive Director of Aserd Ghana, Dimongso Kafari Benjamin, expressed unhappiness about the massive examination failures in the district.

    “In view of this, the organization has organized series of trainings and programmes to enhance academic performance of the pupils.”

    He urged parents to take advantage of the Free Senior High School programme to enroll their children in schools.

    Source: 3news.com

  • Dumsor hits Volta, Oti regions

    Business activities for many firms in the Volta and Oti regions experienced some setback after the area recorded almost two days of power outage.

    The outage began at about 8:30am last Monday morning, March 9, lasted till Tuesday afternoon at about 2:00pm.

    It affected most parts of the Volta region right from Keta and Aflao in the south through Ho to Hohoe and most part of Oti Region except Nkwanta North, Krachi Nchumura and Krachi West which is supplied by the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo).

    A resident at Mawuli Estate in Ho, the Volta regional capital, Felicia Edudzi, complained bitterly about the situation.

    She said the current level of heat in the atmosphere made sleeping without light an unbearable experience.

    Another resident, Michael Sassah, living at Housing Estates not far from the central market, said he could not work as his printing shop which relies on power was rendered dormant by the outage.

    Several residents had their phones and other chargeable devices, like laptops going off, a situation which has affected many journalists and other businesses who rely on these devices to work.

    Residents have been wondering if the dreaded era of frequent power cuts; locally referred to as “dumsor” (Akan) or “tsikplo” (Ewe) was back.

    They blamed the Electricity Company of Ghana for not notifying them ahead of the power cut.

    However, explaining the situation to the media and the public, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the ECG, Benjamin Obeng Antwi distanced the ECG from the power outage.

    He said it was a problem from the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo), the firm responsible for transmsitting power from the generation companies to ECG.

    He said on Monday when the power went off, “We lost supply from Gridco at Akosombo. Our engineers are liaising with Gridco engineers to rectify the problem and restore supply. Affected areas include Oti Region and parts of Volta Region.Sorry for any inconvenience caused.”

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Kwesi Pratt reveals the ‘witches’ causing road accidents in Ghana

    The issue of road accidents has become a disturbing phenomenon in the country.

    According to the Road Safety Commission, causes of the carnage on our roads are often speeding, drink-driving, poor driving skills, fatigue and many others.

    Some religious fanatics think it is spiritual.

    According to them, there are some ‘witches’ who seek blood and so cause such accidents.

    However, Kwesi Pratt, the Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper disagrees.

    He says “the witches are the ones who are not making us have a comprehensive transport policy; they are the ones who have been elected and given the power to give us good roads and yet they are not doing so; they are the real witches.”

    He was speaking in a panel discussion on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’.

    listen to him in the video below

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • School bus runs over 4-year old girl in Kumasi, driver arrested

    A school bus has ran over a 4-year old girl at Sawaba in Kumasi, Ashanti Region. Reports say the school bus with registration number AS 6088 C was supposed to pick up school children to the Happy Kids School which is also in Sawaba.

    One of the children a 4-year old girl called Ishatu went behind the vehicle when the driver had parked, the driver not knowing tried to park well and unfortunately ran over the girl.

    The girl’s head was caught under the vehicle and it took onlookers to draw the attention of the driver to what had happened.

    The body of the girl is with the family as they want to get it ready for burial per Muslim customs but the police say they want to do an autopsy before they give the body to the family.

    The family are not happy with the police processes as they want quick burial to avoid the cost of keeping the body at a mortuary.

    The driver has been arrested and sent to the Aboabo Police Station. The father and mother of the girl say she was their third child and this is a great loss.

    Residents of the area are in a state of shock as they say this is a black Wednesday.

    The vehicle is still at the location as the police have begun investigations into the matter.

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Ellembelle NPP constituency executives swerve 63rd independence anniversary

    For the first time in the celebration of Ghana’s independence, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) constituency executives in Ellembelle of the Western Region were conspicuously missing at the 63rd independence anniversary celebrations which took place at the Bonzo Kaku Secondary School (BOKASS) at Awiebo.

    Ironically, executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) led by their Chairman Alex Mahama were rather at the dais to grace the occasion.

    Public opinion has it that the relationship between the District Chief Executive(DCE), Mr. Kwasi Bonzoh, the constituency chairman Samuel Akainyah, and others had turned sour in the recent past which might have accounted for their absence.

    Critics in the constituency who spoke to GhanaWeb say though independence day is a national event which could be attended by all citizens, yet the Executives of the ruling NPP had no cause to extricate themselves from the celebrations.

    Our reporter later tried to find out from the constituency chairman Samuel Akainyah, popularly known as Atito to disclose why they were not present at the parade, he denied to reveal their secret.

    Further investigations conducted by GhanaWeb reveal that most of the NPP executives in Ellembelle were neck deep in galamsey activities in three communities namely; Nkroful, Teleku-Bokazo and Anwia.

    The DCE who is aware of the galamsey activities, had initiated moves with the District Police Command to abate the nuisance.

    According to public opinion, it is ostensibly this development which had incurred the displeasure of the NPP Executives to keep the DCE at arm’s length in all activities and functions of the District Assembly.

    The some party members have been threatening to vote against the DCE who is the Parliamentary Candidate in the December elections but when contacted, Mr. Bonzoh said he remained unperturbed by their threats adding that he will go ahead to stop galamsey activities in the area.

    “We don’t like Bonzoh is doing at all because he can’t just stop galamsey activities in this District because this mining is not destroying the water bodies here, so we understand why Bonzoh led Police team to seized some machines at the galamsey sites, if he doesn’t take care we will vote against him, he should try again”, they said.

    A visit by GhanaWeb to the galamsey sites, reveal that the Subre river which is a source of drinking water to the three communities, has been polluted beyond any measure.

    The galamsey operations were also affecting residents and giving them sleepless nights as the galamsey sites were closer to their places of abode.

    The residents who spoke to this reporter appealed to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to step in to halt the menace.

    It would be recalled that last two weeks, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area led the District Security Council to embark on an unannounced operations to seize seven (7) excavators from Galamseyers who were mining illegally at Anwia, Teleku Bokazo and Nkroful.

    The DCE who disclosed this to the media after the operations, vowed to deal with those behind the galamsey activities without any political consideration.

    “In fact I can’t sit there unconcerned to allow some people to destroy the land and also their water body which is the only source of drinking water, we will not consider any party member if found culpable”, he said.

    He, therefore, stressed to allow those culprits to reclaim the land and plant trees on it and also punish them severely.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Sammy Gyamfi is ignorant of petroleum issues – NPA boss

    Comments by National Communications officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi that the government should immediately reduce prices of fuel because crude oil prices are dropping on the international markets show that he lacks knowledge on how prices of petroleum products are determined, Hassan Tampuli, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has said.

    The NDC and the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers Ghana (COPEC) have called on the government to immediately reduce fuel prices in the country to ameliorate the financial burden on Ghanaians.

    In a statement released and signed Sammy Gyamfi on Monday, 9 March 2020, the NDC stated that it had “taken notice of the continuous reduction of the price of Brent crude on the international market in the last two months. Specifically, we have noted how the price of Brent crude has declined by over 45 per cent, from an average price of USD63.60 per barrel in January 2020 to USD36 per barrel currently.”

    According to the NDC: “The declining prices of crude oil on the international market, coupled with the artificial stability the Ghana cedi appears to be chalking, which is largely due to the Coronavirus outbreak and the injection of the recent USD3 billion Eurobond into the economy, should have led to a significant drop in the pump prices of fuel by now.”

    It noted, however, that government “has deliberately refused to pass on the significant reduction in the prices of crude oil on the global market to petroleum consumers in Ghana” and indicated that “within the period that crude oil prices have experienced a significant decline on the international market, consumers have only been given an insignificant and paltry reduction of 28 pesewas at the pump, from GHS 5.62 in January 2020 to the current average price of GHS 5.38.”

    But Mr Tampuli explained that since July 2015, the central government lost the power to either increase or reduce fuel prices following the deregulation exercise that was signed onto by the previous NDC government.

    Hence, he said calls by Sammy Gyamfi and others that the current government should immediately reduce fuel prices smack of people who do not understand petroleum issues.

    He indicated that he would have been more surprised if these calls had come from persons including Mr Alex Mould and Moses Asaga, all former CEOs of the NPA and still members of the NDC party because they signed the deregulation document.

    The NPA in June 2015 officially announced that Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) would announce their ex-pump prices for petroleum products effective 16th June, 2015.

    That was the first step towards the deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector of Ghana by the NPA.

    Mr Moses Asaga, the then CEO of NPA gave the assurance of monitoring the application of the Prescribed Petroleum Pricing Formula. And that the defaulters in the provision of Petroleum Services would be sanctioned accordingly.

    Mr Tampuli explained in an interview on Tuesday March 10 that : “We have heard calls from various interest groups, I have heard calls by COPEC, calls by the Communications director of the NDC Sammy Gyamfi and another group also affiliated to the NDC asking for the government to immediately reduce prices of petroleum products .

    “I think that is a call that clearly sends the signal that our good friends from the other side have not really learned anything after they lost power.

    “Because since 1st July 2015 when President John Mahama was president of the Republic, we have moved from the time when government would intervene in pricing of petroleum products to a time where the determination of prices of petroleum products is made by the oil marketing companies.

    “The key indicators being the forex rates, the FOB prices, the international price and the taxes levied are the things that one has to use taking into account that the prices should be reduced.”

    He added : “…the next pricing window starts from the 16th of March so if anybody is asking government today, the 10th of March to change the prices of petroleum products immediately it tells you the person does not understand the issues. I think that if they want to speak about some of these issues they should go back to people who know what the industry is about from among their ranks.

    “Honorable Moses Asaga was the one who signed to be this deregulation, have they asked him how it is done? Have they asked Mr Alex Mould how this thing is done?

    “If people like Honorable Moses Asaga and Alex Mould has spoken I would have been very sad but coming from somebody like Sammy Gyamfi…?”

    Source: laudbusiness.com

  • Fuel prices likely to go down by 15% NPA

    All things being equal, fuel prices at the pumps may go down this month by 15% at the start of the second-pricing window.

    This comes as a result of the 30% drop in global crude prices and the relative stability of the cedi against major international currencies.

    Addressing a Press conference on Tuesday, the Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Hassan Tampuli, indicated the said reduction may take place by March,15.

    Industry watchers, like the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) the Institute of Energy Security (IES) had called for between 10-32% downward adjustment to reflect the global drop in crude prices.

    Global Oil slump

    Oil prices went into free fall amid a slump in demand due to the coronavirus crisis and a trade war between Saudi Arabia and Russia.

    The price of crude oil nosedived by as much as 30%, to $33 a barrel, the worst one-day fall in crude since the start of the first Gulf war in 1991. It later recovered slightly.

    The impact has had a devastating effect on stock markets around the world but could lead to significant savings at the petrol pumps.

    Source: kasapafmonline.com

  • Todays newspapers front pages

    Source: backend.theindependentghana.com

  • Groupe Nduom writes to Receiver asking for steps to secure, preserve and protect its assets

    Groupe Nduom has written to the Receiver of GN Savings and Loans Limited asking for a meeting to discuss the details of what has been paid out to the customers or depositors who have put in claims after the Bank of Ghana (BoG) revoked the license of the company in 2019.

    This, it said was part of moves aimed at securing, preserving and protecting its assets in GN Savings and Loans Limited pending a determination of the suit it had initiated against the Bank of Ghana and the Minister of Finance in relation to the revocation of its specialised deposit-taking licence.

    According to Groupe Nduom, who before August 16, 2019, together with Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, were shareholders and responsible for the management and control of GN Savings and Loans Limited, it was confident that the suit it had initiated at the Accra High Court challenging the revocation of its licence would succeed.

    Consequently, it was of the belief that the appointment of the Receiver, Eric Nana Nipah was unlawful and therefore his activities in relation to GN Savings and Loans was equally unlawful.

    In the letter written on its behalf by its lawyer, Justice Srem-Sai, and dated March 4, 2020, Groupe Nduom is asking the Receiver, Eric Nana Nipah to desist from engaging in conducts which may be prejudicial to the claims in the suit; and also take all necessary steps to secure, preserve and protect the assets of GN Savings and Loans.

    It is, therefore, asking for the update meeting to discuss the particulars – name, category of investment and amounts – of the customers or depositors who have put in claims for their monies; the details of what the Receiver has been able to pay out to the customers or depositors who have put in such claims; the details of loans and other credits that has been collected from debtors since August 16, 2019; the statement of GN Savings and Loans’ financial position as of February 29, 2020; and any other related issue or information.

    Below is a copy of the letter

    Dear MR ERIC NANA NIPAH,

    REQUEST: AN UPDATE MEETING ON THE MANAGEMENT OF GN SAVINGS AND LOANS LIMITED (IN RECEIVERSHIP)

    I bring you compliments from the committee of partners at Archbridge Solicitors.

    1. As mentioned in our previous letter to you dated November 25, 2019, we are the solicitors for Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, Groupe Nduom Limited, the shareholders of GN Savings and Loans Limited and the persons who, immediately before August 16, 2019, were responsible for the management and control of GN Savings and Loans Limited (collectively referred to in this letter as our “Clients”).
    2. We write this letter under our Clients’ instruction.
    3. You may recall the following:
    1. That subsequent to your appointment as Receiver to GN Savings and Loans Limited, our Clients did initiate a suit (numbered HR/094/2019) at the High Court, Accra, against your principals – the Bank of Ghana and the Minister of Finance – and, to all intents and purposes, your office;
    2. That in the suit, our Clients are challenging the revocation of GN Savings and Loans’ specialised deposit-taking licence and, thereby, the lawfulness of your appointment and, consequently, your activities in relation to GN Savings and Loans; and
    3. That the tenor of our Clients’ claims and the processes in the said suit dictate (and, the High Court has on occasions reiterated to you) that you do the following, pending the determination of the issues in the suit:

    i. desist from engaging in conducts which may be prejudicial to the claims in the suit; and
    ii. take all necessary steps to secure, preserve and protect the assets of GN Savings & Loans.

    4. In line with the above, we will be grateful if you could, without equivocation, agree to have us and our Clients for a meeting to discuss the following issues with you:

    1. The particulars – name, category of investment and amounts- of the customers or depositors who have put in claims for their monies;
    2. The details of what you have been able to pay out to the customers or depositors who have put in such claims; and
    3. The details of loans and other credits that you have been able to collect in from debtors since August 16,2019;
    4. The statement of GN Savings and Loans’ financial position as at February 29, 2020; and
    5. Any other related issue or information.

    5. We will be available for such a meeting during the working hours of any day from Wednesday, March 11 through to Tuesday, March 31, 2020.

    6. Alternatively, you may supply the information in respect of the above issues through us to our Clients within the period which we have indicated in Paragraph 5 of this letter.

    7. Kindly let us know if you need further clarification from us on this subject.
    Thank you.

    Very truly yours,
    JUSTICE SREM-SAI, ESQ

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Volta Regional Minister tours some offices of state institutions in the region

    Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa today March 10, 2020 toured some offices state institutions and a radio station all located in the regional capital, Ho.

    The minister took time out of his busy daily schedules to visit the office of the National Communication Authority (NCA) and interacted with Staff of the Authority. He later, together with his entourage visited the office of the Coastal Development Authority and interacted with Staff as well.

    Kingdom FM, a subsidiary of Kingdom Group of Companies is the only private institution the minister visited. He interacted with Management and Staff of the radio station just as he did when he visited the state institutions.

    Dr. Letsa commended the Management of Kingdom Group of Companies, operators of Kingdom FM in Ho for the good work they are doing. He also used the opportunity to assure listeners of the Kingdom FM morning show program that as the leader of government business in the region, he would ensure total is maintained in the region.

    The minister further called upon the citizens to be concerned and also be part of the process in ensuring that they all live in peace before, during and after the 2020 general elections.

    However, the regional minister did not make any comments on the secessionist activities the region is currently dealing with and also, the recent removal of the Ghana flag and subsequent hoisting of the flag of the so called ‘Western Togoland’ at the entrance of the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) where his office is located.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • More farmers in Northern region benefit from PFJ than those in other regions Report

    Data released by the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, shows that farmers in the Northern region have so far benefited from the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) initiative more than their colleagues in the other regions.

    The data showed that 278,137 farmers in that part of the country have so far benefited from the programme followed by 218,833 farmers in the Ashanti region.

    Dr Afriyie Akoto released the data at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, March 10, 2020.

    “Ashanti 218,833, Upper West 118,328, Upper East 105,704, Northern 278137,Brong Ahafo 161,054, Western 94,339, Central 31,899, Volta 89675,, Greater Accra 17,2015, Eastern 68,119,” he announced.

    The PFJ programme is a Government of Ghana (GoG) designed and implemented programme aiming to promote growth in food production and create jobs across the country.

    The programme, launched in 2017 is structured around 5 Pillars. These include: ¬ Seed; ¬ Fertilizer; ¬ Extension Services; ¬ Marketing; and ¬ e-Fertilizer & Monitoring.

    It seeks to create food security and produce the raw material to feed the agro-processing industries while creating jobs in the process.

    Dr Afriyie Akoto further stated that 1.4million farmers are expected to benefit from the PFJ programme this year.

    Last year, he said at a press conference in Accra Tuesday, March 10, 1,183,000 farmers benefited from the programme.

    “The target for this years is 1,4million farmers,” he said.

    Source: laudbusiness.com

  • COCOBOD outdoors motorized pruners and slashers for farmers

    COCOBOD in its quest to reduce drudgery and introduce modern practices in cocoa farming, has out-doored motorized pruners and slashers for weeding and pruning in cocoa farms across the country.

    Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Chief Executive of COCOBOD, who launched the implements at Nkawie in the Atwima-Nwabiagya South Municipality, said government was determined to substantially reduce drudgery and discomfort associated with cocoa farming in the country.

    He said the country was now trying to move from the traditional way of farming to a modern practice, which combined the use of technology and innovation to increase crop yield and improve incomes of farmers.

    Mr Aidoo pointed out that, “for the cocoa sector to move forward and increase yields, there should be modern technologies to assist farmers in their farms”.

    He said currently, over 100,000 motorized slashers and pruners have been procured to be distributed to cocoa farmers who had already formed cooperatives to be used on their farms, adding that, the era of machetes in cocoa farms were over.

    The implement, he said, had come to complement the mass pruning exercise, which had been introduced as a productivity enhancement programme for farmers.

    The Sharp Power 4T machine, has multipurpose functions for weeding and pruning. It is more efficient for weed control and requires less energy input from the farmer as compared to the use of machetes.

    The slashers were easy to use and could clear a hectare of land within two hours.

    Mr. Aidoo explained that the use of slashers to control weeds had an added benefit of helping to prevent the use of weedicides, which left residual levels of chemicals in the cocoa beans.

    Mr. Aidoo said COCOBOD was working hard to support farmers to increase their yields, adding that, the goal was to get an acre of a healthy cocoa farm to produce at least ten bags of cocoa.

    Dr Nurah Gyiele, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, said the cocoa landscape was witnessing a transformation, which was vital to economic development of the country.

    He said the various productivity enhancement programmes such as the hand pollination, irrigation, rehabilitation of diseased and aged cocoa farms, mass spraying among others, were helping to increase yields and improve the incomes of cocoa farmers in the country.

    Source: GNA

  • Government must set up National Sanitation Authority now CONIWAS, ESPA

    The Environmental Service Providers Association (ESPA) and the Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS) has called on government to, as a matter of national importance, set up the National Sanitation Authority (NSA) to enhance waste management in the country.

    CONIWAS and ESPA say the establishment of the proposed NSA would help coordinate and regulate activities in the sanitation sector, to propel the synergy that was required to make the desired impact in the sector.

    Addressing the media in Accra on Tuesday, the group argued that the lack of proper coordination among state institutions in finding solutions to sanitation related issues over the years has been a source of grave concern for service providers.

    The Vice President of CONIWAS, Mr. Arthur Arhin, said due to the technical nature of engineering required in the sanitation sector, there was an urgent need for a specialised national institution to coordinate and manage specific activities for better impact.

    Mr. Arthur Arhin added that poor sanitation results in about 19,000 mortality cases in the country annually, adding that urgent steps must be taken to halt the trend.

    He said the private sector players in the waste and sanitation industry continue to face many daunting challenges with operations saddled with many setbacks while the government continues to show low commitment in the sector.

    He mentioned policy documents including the Environmental Sanitation Policy (2010), Environmental and Hazardous waste Bill (2016), Ghana Landfill Guidelines, Municipal Solid Waste Management Guidelines (Draft), National Environmental Sanitation Strategy and Action Plan (NESSAP), District Environmental Sanitation Strategy and Action Plan (DESSAP), Strategic Environmental Sanitation Investment Plan (SESIP) and a host of others as policies that have been formulated to provide some level of support for the sector.

    Mr. Arthur Arhin said the biggest venture by government so far is the President’s promise to make Accra the cleanest city in Africa by the end of his first term in 2020 which he expressed fears will not come to pass with the kind of posture government actors have towards the menace.

    He stated that the private sector manages over 80% of waste generated in the country and provides over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs in the waste management value chain.

    He said it is the private sector that leads in the provision of waste and sanitation infrastructure following the introduction of the Accra Compost and Recycling Plant(ACARP), the Integrated Recycling and Compost Plant(IRECOP), the Kumasi Compost and Recycling Plant(KCARP), Universal Plastic Products and Recycling Limited (UPPR) and the Fortifier Plants among others such as Sewerage Systems Ghana Limited which has solved the over hundred years problem of direct disludgement of feacal matter into the Atlantic Ocean at Korle-Gonor.

    In enumerating their challenges, Mr. Arthur Arhin said there is consistently lack of serious and no deliberate Private Public Partnerships (PPP) policies in the area of waste management, a situation he described as “very worrying”.

    He was bitter that whilst the landfills such as Kpone and Oti are at the verge of collapse government owes private landfill managers up to the tune of 42 million Ghana cedis.

    He said low tariffs and lack of government support in the area of tax exemptions have attributed to the inability of the private sector to effectively collect and treat waste.

    He, therefore, called on the Finance Ministry to pay monies owed private waste managers to enable them discharge their duties efficiently.

    On her part, Executive Secretary Of ESPA, Ms Ama Ofori Antwi in answering questions from the media said government should deliberately support the private sector to expand infrastructure to augment the few existing ones.

    She said government should also support existing private waste treatment facilities with financial incentives such as off-taker agreements to operate effectively for the benefit of the nation Ghana.

    Ms Ofori Antwi appealed to the government to revisit the fee fixing arrangement to ensure realistic pricing for waste managers to be able to operate without any hindrance.

    She was of the viewed that government should take the bold decision and act to establish the National Sanitation Authority to support in streamlining policies and policy directions for a better tomorrow in the water and sanitation sector.

    The President should declare a presidential special initiative to target the expansion of toilet facilities in every home across the country she said.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • 1.4million farmers to benefit from PFJ this year Agric Minister

    The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has revealed that 1.4million farmers are expected to benefit from the Planting For Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme this year.

    Last year, he said, at a press conference in Accra Tuesday, March 10, 1,183,000 farmers benefited from the programme.

    “The target for this years is 1,4million farmers,” he said.

    The PFJ programme is a Government of Ghana (GoG) designed and implemented programme aiming to promote growth in food production and create jobs across the country.

    The programme is structured around 5 Pillars. These include: ¬ Seed; ¬ Fertilizer; ¬ Extension Services; ¬ Marketing; and ¬ e-Fertilizer & Monitoring.

    It seeks to create food security and produce the raw material to feed the agro-processing industries while creating jobs in the process.

    Source: laudbusiness.com

  • BoG extends minimum capital requirement for PSP to December

    The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has extended the deadline of meeting the minimum capital requirement for Payment System Providers (PSP) from June to December, this year, after consultation with relevant stakeholders.

    In September 2019, the Central Bank increased the minimum capital requirement for Mobile Money companies by 300 per cent from five million Ghana cedis to GH¢20 million and given nine months to meet the deadline.

    However, Dr Settor Kwabla Amediku, the Director and Head of Payment Systems Department of the Central Bank, speaking at the opening of the maiden Mobile Technology for Development (MT4D) Conference in Accra on Tuesday, announced the extension, which attracted thunderous applause from financial stakeholders at the meeting.

    He said all lenders are to use 50 per cent of their existing assets as part of the paid-up capital and should lodge the rest of the 50 per cent at the Bank of Ghana.

    In addition, the governance framework and infrastructure requirement for Payment System Providers has also been extended to December 2020.

    The Central Bank in a statement issued on 12 September 2019, said the emergence of new payment streams, institutions such as financial technology companies and the general acceptance of electronic money have necessitated the enactment of the Payment Systems and Services Act (Act 987) to provide the legal and regulatory framework for the orderly development of the payment system in the country.

    The BoG, therefore, grouped the PSPs as follows: PSP Electronic Money Issuer-GH¢C20 million, PSP Scheme (Payments cards like Visa and Master Cards)-GH¢8million, PSP Enhance Licence (Payment Platforms like ExpressPay etc)-GH¢2million, PSP Medium Licence (Sub agents for the payment platforms)-GH¢800,000.00 and Standard Licence (Startups fintechs)-No capital required.

    Dr Amediku said the importance of financial inclusion for growth and development of any country cannot be overemphasized because it improved resource allocation, retained price stability and ensured flexibility, competitiveness and accessibility as well as enhancing the poverty alleviation efforts.

    Source: GNA

  • Youve no ideas on petroleum issues, take lessons from Alex Mould NPA Boss to Sammy Gyamfi

    Comments by National Communications officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi that the government should immediately reduce prices of fuel because crude oil prices are dropping on the international markets show that he lacks knowledge on how prices of petroleum products are determined, Hassan Tampuli, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has said.

    The NDC and the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers Ghana (COPEC) have called on the government to immediately reduce fuel prices in the country to ameliorate the financial burden on Ghanaians.

    In a statement released and signed Sammy Gyamfi on Monday, 9 March 2020, the NDC stated that it had “taken notice of the continuous reduction of the price of Brent crude on the international market in the last two months. Specifically, we have noted how the price of Brent crude has declined by over 45 per cent, from an average price of USD63.60 per barrel in January 2020 to USD36 per barrel currently.”

    According to the NDC: “The declining prices of crude oil on the international market, coupled with the artificial stability the Ghana cedi appears to be chalking, which is largely due to the Coronavirus outbreak and the injection of the recent USD3 billion Eurobond into the economy, should have led to a significant drop in the pump prices of fuel by now.”

    It noted, however, that government “has deliberately refused to pass on the significant reduction in the prices of crude oil on the global market to petroleum consumers in Ghana” and indicated that “within the period that crude oil prices have experienced a significant decline on the international market, consumers have only been given an insignificant and paltry reduction of 28 pesewas at the pump, from GHS 5.62 in January 2020 to the current average price of GHS 5.38.”

    But Mr Tampuli explained that since July 2015, the central government lost the power to either increase or reduce fuel prices following the deregulation exercise that was signed onto by the previous NDC government.

    Hence, he said calls by Sammy Gyamfi and others that the current government should immediately reduce fuel prices smack of people who do not understand petroleum issues.

    He indicated that he would have been more surprised if these calls had come from persons including Mr Alex Mould and Moses Asaga, all former CEOs of the NPA and still members of the NDC party because they signed the deregulation document.

    The NPA in June 2015 officially announced that Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) would announce their ex-pump prices for petroleum products effective 16th June, 2015.

    That was the first step towards the deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector of Ghana by the NPA.

    Mr Moses Asaga, the then CEO of NPA gave the assurance of monitoring the application of the Prescribed Petroleum Pricing Formula. And that the defaulters in the provision of Petroleum Services would be sanctioned accordingly.

    Mr Tampuli explained in an interview on Tuesday, March 10 that: “We have heard calls from various interest groups, I have heard calls by COPEC, calls by the Communications Director of the NDC Sammy Gyamfi and another group also affiliated to the NDC asking for the government to immediately reduce prices of petroleum products.

    “I think that is a call that clearly sends the signal that our good friends from the other side have not really learned anything after they lost power.

    “Because since 1st July 2015 when President John Mahama was president of the Republic, we have moved from the time when the government would intervene in the pricing of petroleum products to a time where the determination of prices of petroleum products is made by the oil marketing companies.

    “The key indicators being the forex rates, the FOB prices, the international price and the taxes levied are the things that one has to use taking into account that the prices should be reduced.”

    He added: “…the next pricing window starts from the 16th of March so if anybody is asking government today, the 10th of March to change the prices of petroleum products immediately it tells you the person does not understand the issues. I think that if they want to speak about some of these issues they should go back to people who know what the industry is about from among their ranks.

    “Honorable Moses Asaga was the one who signed to be this deregulation, have they asked him how it is done? Have they asked Mr Alex Mould how this thing is done?

    “If people like Honorable Moses Asaga and Alex Mould has spoken I would have been very sad but coming from somebody like Sammy Gyamfi…?”

    Source: laudbusiness.com

  • 2 men tied and gagged girl with her pants before defiling her

    First accused, Rashid Munjameu, has been jailed 15 while the second accused who is yet to be identified, is on the run.

    The Wa Circuit has passed judgement on a chilling case in which two men violently assaulted and defiled a 15-year-old girl in the Upper West Regional apital.

    The court on Monday sentenced 26-year-old Rashid Munjameu to 15 years imprisonment in hard labour, for assaulting and defiling the Junior High School pupil.

    The Court presided over by Justice Baah Forson Adjapong, sentenced Munjameu to two years and 15 years imprisonment on both charges, which are to run concurrently.

    Principal State Attorney, Saeed Abdul Shakur, told the court that sometime in 2019, the accused person and his friend, who is on the run, offered to give a lift to the victim who was heading to the Naa Sidiki Bomi II Park to attend a programme.

    The girl accepted the offer and sandwiching her on the motorbike they drove her towards the park, but on reaching the Wa office of the Ghana Highway Authority, the two men failed to drop off the victim at her destination.

    According to the Principal State Attorney, they made a detour and headed to the Adabiya Basic School compound where the two accused persons assaulted and forcibly had sex with her.

    They took off the veil of the victim and used it to tie her hands and pushed her pants into her mouth to prevent her from shouting for help, before they had sex with her in turns.

    The two men after the act, left the helpless victim at the scene and fled with the motorbike.

    The distraught girl was, however, spotted by some passersby who helped her to get home.

    A report was lodged with the police leading to the arrest of Munjameu while the second suspect, who is yet to be named, is on the run.

    Munjameu pleaded guilty for the charge of assault and was convicted to two years imprisonment in hard labour. The court, however, continued the trial on the charge of defilement.

    After over a year of the trial, he was found guilty and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment in hard labour.

    Source: myjoyonline.com

  • Collision leaves 31 dead; 29 Burnt beyond recognition

    The Kintampo Highway recorded yet another deadly accident at dawn yesterday, leaving 31 people dead, with 29 of them, including three children, burnt beyond recognition.

    The accident, which occurred at a spot between Dawadawa No 2 and Kawampe, about 30 kilometres from Kintampo in the Bono East Region, was the result of a head-on collision between a Kia Grandbird bus carrying 12 passengers, sacks of green pepper and tomatoes, and a Mercedes Sprinter bus which was carrying passengers and their luggage.

    The deceased also include a policeman, Lance Corporal Emmanuel Nangongo Yen, 37, who was on board the benz bus and the driver of the Grandbird, Abdulai Siaka, 38.

    The Kintampo Municipal Police Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Mr Francis Brobbey, told the Daily Graphic that the Grandbird registered as GT 5059 – 17, which was travelling from Bawku to Kumasi, veered off its lane about 4.20 a.m. and collided head-on with the Mercedes Sprinter, with registration number AS 1801 – 18, which was heading towards Tamale from Kumasi.

    He said three children and 26 adult bodies were burned beyond recognition.

    DSP Brobbey said two of the bodies that were recognisible had jumped off the moving vehicle but could not survive.

    Impact

    As a result of the severe impact of the collision, both buses caught fire, trapping the passengers in them as a result.

    According to the police report, all the passengers in the Mercedes Sprinter bus were burnt beyond recognition.

    It said while some of the passengers in the Grandbird died in the accident, six of them survived with varying degrees of injury and were rushed to the Kintampo Municipal Hospital.

    Eyewitnesses account

    The Assembly Member for Kawampe, Mr Mathias Taasun, who arrived on the scene shortly after the accident, told the Daily Graphic that as of 11 a.m. yesterday, 29 bodies had been recovered from the two buses, with 27 of them burnt.

    “I was woken up about 4.30 a.m. and informed about the accident. I rushed to the scene, only to see the two buses in flames. It was a pitiful sight to see human beings on fire,” he said.

    He explained that firemen from the Ghana National Fire Service and policemen were on hand to douse the flames before the charred bodies were removed and sent to the mortuary.

    Mr Taasun said the drivers of both buses were among the deceased, adding: “As I speak now, the deceased are being loaded onto a vehicle to be taken to the Kintampo Municipal Hospital morgue for preservation.”

    Recall

    In February 2016, a similar fatal accident involving a Metro Mass Transit bus and a cargo truck which was loaded with tomatoes which occurred on the outskirts of Kintampo claimed 61 lives.

    Similar fatal incidents that had occurred on the Techiman-Kintampo-Tamale highway over the years also claimed the lives of many people.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Treat any current promotion as fraud Coca-Cola urges public

    The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Ghana has entreated the public to disregard any promotion alleged to be run by the Company rewarding winners with cash or smart TVs, saying it is a scam.

    According to a statement signed by Mr Bethel Yeboah, the Public Affairs and Communications Manager, Coco-Cola Company Limited and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said the ‘fraudulent’ activity, perpetrated online under the name, “Coca-Cola Ghana” was being operationalized on the number ‘0546 163 397’.

    “We wish to state that the number of The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Ghana Limited is 0302 814 844.

    “We again would like to inform the general public that Coca-Cola is currently not running any promotion with neither the United Nations nor any other outfit rewarding winners with cash or smart TVs,” it said.

    The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Ghana Limited, it said, was committed to creating value for its customers and would go all length to satisfy their needs.

    “The general public is by this notice encouraged to be vigilant when dealing with persons claiming to be operating on our behalf and when in doubt, should contact us on 0302814844 or visit our office located on the Spintex Road.”

    Source: GNA

  • Oil price bounces back on Tuesday

    A sharp bounce in the price of oil Tuesday provided some support to under-pressure stocks in early Asian trade, a day after global equities suffered their biggest losses in more than a decade.

    World stock markets had capitulated on what has become known as “Black Monday”, with the Dow Jones Index in the US losing more than 2,000 points, and the crash even triggering the emergency break in early trade amid panic selling.

    But there was some relief on Tuesday as oil prices jumped around 5% after plunging by a third the previous day, in their worst session since the 1991 Gulf War.

    Brent crude advanced 4.6% to around $36 a barrel.

    Japan’s main Nikkei index opened three percent lower following the dizzying falls on Wall Street but later pared back losses by more than half.

    An hour and a half into trade, the Nikkei stood at 19,622.05 points, a loss of 0.4% compared to the previous day.

    The Nikkei was helped by a sell-off in the yen, which is normally heavily bought during times of market uncertainty. A weaker yen is positive for exporters on the Japanese market and usually boosts their share prices.

    The market in Seoul was down 0.4% and the ASX in Australia pared losses to around one percent after opening lower by nearly four percent.

    In China, where authorities reported the lowest number of fresh coronavirus cases since data started being reported in late January, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index opened 0.61% higher at 2,961.38 points.

    The Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China’s second exchange, opened 0.63% higher, up 11.68 points, at 1,854.34.

    Market panic had been driven by uncertainty over the spreading coronavirus but also a spat between Saudi Arabia and Russia over oil production that had battered prices.

    Source: fin24.com

  • Coronavirus outbreak: Prices of spare parts to shoot up

    Ghana in the next three months is likely to experience shortage and increases in the prices of spare parts if the Corona Virus (CODVID 19) disease is not contained, Co-chairman of the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association, Clement Boateng has said.

    According to him, spare parts dealers in the country could no longer travel to buy spare parts due to the outbreak of the Corona Virus disease there.

    In an interview with the Ghanaian Times on the impact of the outbreak of the Corona Virus disease on the spare parts industry in Ghana, Mr Boateng said the spread of the disease was having a serious toll on the spare parts business in the country.

    He said players in the industry could not replenish their dwindling stocks as they could not travel to China and other Asian markets such as Korea and Japan, which are major markets for spare parts.

    He said the auto factories in the major spare parts producing markets in Asia have shut down their plants and this could cause shortage in spare parts in those markets.

    “Players in the auto manufacturing industry in China and other Asian countries such as Japan and Korea have been closed down their factories due to the outbreak of the Corona Virus disease,” he said.

    Mr Boateng who is also the National Organiser of the Ghana Union Traders Association (GUTA) warned that if in the next two to three if the disease was not contained, it could create shortage in spare parts and increase prices as well.

    The Coronavirus disease was detected in Wuhan in China and is said to cause a respiratory (lung) infection.

    Thousands of people have been affected, killed and others quarantined due to the infection.

    COVID 2019 which has been a health emergency of international concern has spread to over 50 countries and still spreading.

    Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has announced a $50 million package to help emerging markets to cope with the outbreak of the COVID-19, after warning that the disease posed a serious threat to global growth.

    The World Bank on the other hand has pledged $ 2bn.

    Source: Ghanaiantimes.com.gh

  • Free SHS programme increases school enrolment to 5,587 in Ellembelle District

    The implementation of the Free Senior High School flagship programme introduced by the Akufo-Addo-led government has tremendously increased enrollment in schools in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region, Ghanaweb’s Daniel Kaku reports.

    Before the start of the Free SHS programme, the total enrolment in the schools in Ellembelle District was 2,482 thus 2016/2017 academic year but with the introduction of the Free SHS programme in 2017/2018, the figure has increased.

    The 2017/2018 academic year enrolment was 4,200 students.

    In 2018/2019 academic year, the enrolment also increased to 4,503 students and in 2019/2020 academic year, it was increased from 4,503 to 5,587 students.

    The policy has made it possible for so many students who come from the less privileged homes to further their secondary education and it had reduced the school dropout situation in Ellembelle District.

    The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ellembelle, Mr. Kwasi Bonzoh who exclusively disclosed this to GhanaWeb at Bonzo Kaku Senior High School after the March-past of the 63rd Independence Day Anniversary Celebration lauded President Akufo-Addo for the introduction of the programme.

    He stated that the policy had tremendously taken off huge burden from parents in the area of payment of school fees, provision of school uniforms, textbooks, boarding fees among others in the District.

    “The policy has also made it possible for every Junior High School graduate to have access to secondary education. This has tremendously increased enrolment throughout the country”, he said.

    The DCE told GhanaWeb that, “analyzing these figures implies that the introduction of Free SHS made the enrolment figures to double in the 2017/18 academic year. It also implies that almost half of the students would not have been able to have access to SHS education without the Free SHS Programme”.

    He, therefore, urged Ghanaians to support government to consolidate the policy no matter the party any Ghanaian belongs to and also said all hands should be on deck to help government improve the flagship programme.

    “…It is therefore incumbent on every Ghana to support Government to consolidate this policy no matter the political party we belong to. All hands should be on deck to support Government not only to continue but to improve on the Free SHS programme. I know for sure that all the children gathered here would want to attend Free SHS and we should endeavour to make them enjoy it when their time comes”, he emphasized.

    Mr. Kwasi Bonzoh seized the opportunity to reveal that government was providing the necessary infrastructure to eliminate the Double Track System at the Nkroful Agricultural Senior High School, the only school in Ellembelle District implementing the system.

    He said currently government has finished building a 12-unit classroom block for the school which is expected to be commissioned very soon.

    He added the government was constructing a dormitory for the boys which is also expected to be completed very soon. He was optimistic that the government would abolish the Double Track System at the Nkroful Agricultural Senior High School before the start of the 2020/2021 academic year.

    A total of 25 Basic and Second Cycle Schools took part in the March past at Bonzo Kaku Senior High School park to commemorate the 63rd Independence Day Anniversary Celebration.

    Rev. Armah Memorial D/A Primary School of Basake emerged first in the March past in the primary category.

    Awiebo Methodist Primary School became second and Akpandue SDA Primary School became third in the primary school category.

    On the other hand, Agyalukronzu Junior High School of Basake scooped the first position in the JHS category.

    Awiebo Methodist Junior High School won the second position and Awiebo-Basake D/A Junior High School became third.

    Nkroful Agriculture Senior High School police cadet emerged first in the second cycle cadet display followed by Bonzo Kaku Senior High School and St. Theresah’s Vocational Training Institute.

    Bonzo Kaku Senior High School became the only Senior High School in Ellembelle to take part in the second cycle March past and they were adjudged the winners.

    Brainner Cobbinah Allan who completed Esisma Christ Leading International School last year was adjudged the best female 2019 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidate.

    She received a cash prize (undisclosed amount) with a certificate of achievement.

    Ersson Benjamin Sekyi who also completed Wisdom Academy of Sanzule last year was also adjudged the best 2019 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidate. He also took the same prize with a certificate of achievement. He is currently schooling at Nsien SHS.

    Nkroful Agriculture Senior High School also received a certificate with cash prize for winning the 2020 Ellembelle District 63rd Independence Day Quiz Competition.

    Source: Daniel Kaku, Contributor

  • Ashanti NPP clears 106 parliamentary aspirants

    The Ashanti Regional branch of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has recommended a total of 106 parliamentary aspirants to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NPP for consideration.

    This was made known in a memo published by National Parliamentary Vetting Committee and signed by the Secretary, Ashanti Zone, Sam Pyne.

    The memo indicated that the vetting process lasted for 10 days.

    According to the statement, after 10 days of thorough vetting of all the 121 aspiring parliamentary candidates in Ashanti Region, 106, comprising 12 females and 94 males, have been recommended to the National Executive Committee for consideration; five aspiring candidates voluntarily withdrew from the contest; nine aspirants have not been recommended for various legitimate reasons.

    It indicated that 14 aspiring candidates are going unopposed.

    The 106 recommended aspiring parliamentary candidates in the 44 constituencies of the Ashanti Region where the NPP has sitting MPs include:

    Suame Constituency

    Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu

    Subin Constituency

    1) Eugene Boakye Antwi
    2) Joseph Boakye Danquah
    3) Frank Doudo

    Atwima Nwabiagya South

    1 Emmanuel Adjei Anhwere

    Old Tafo

    1) Dr. Louise Carole Serwaa Donkor
    2) Emmanuel Obeng
    3) Ekow Vincent
    4) Lord Inusah Lansa
    5) Prince Odeneho Oppong
    6) Archibold Ntiri

    Ejisu

    1) Kwabena Owusu Adoumi
    2) John Kumah
    3) Abena Pokua Amoah-Boatey

    Asanti Akim Central

    1) Kwame Anyimadu Antwi
    2) Kofi Nkansah Ofori

    Nhyiaeso

    1) Kennedy Kwasi Kankam
    2) Stephen Amoah

    Asante Akim North

    1)Andy Appiah Kubi
    2) Kwadwo Baah Agyemang (recommended subject to the lifting of suspension by the regional party within 21 days)

    Kwabre East

    1) Francisca Oteng-Mensah

    Effiduasi Asokore

    1) Dr. Ayew Afriyie
    2) Kwame Adom Appiah

    Manhyia South

    1) Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh

    Manhyia North

    1) Collins Owusu Amankwa
    2) Akwasi Konadu

    Akrofuom

    1) Kwabena Pobi
    2) Sarfo Maxwell
    3) Faustina Araba Boakye
    4) Francis Agyei Amponsah
    5) George Obeng Frimpong
    6) Blankson Tetteh

    Bantama

    1) Okyem Aboagye
    2) Francis Asenso Boakye

    Asokwa

    1) Patricia Appiagyei

    Kumawu

    1) Philip Basoa
    2) Robert Ahomka Lindsay
    3) Dr. Phillip Ababio
    4) Edward Kofi Osei

    Ahafo Ano South West

    1) Johnson Kwaku
    Adu

    Bekwai

    1)Joe Osei Owusu

    Kwadaso

    1) Dr. S.K Nuamah
    2) Dr. Kingsley Nyarko
    3) Dr. Frimpong Manu
    4) Josephine Hilda Addo

    Offinso North

    1) Collins Ntim

    Asante Akim South

    1) Kwaku Asante Boateng
    2) William Amoah
    3) Bice Obuor Osei Kufour
    4) Edmund Oppong Peprah
    5) Eric Amofa

    Afigya Kwabre South

    1) William Owuraku Aidoo

    Bosome Freho

    1) Joyce Adwoa Ako Dei
    2) Peter Adjei Agyeman
    3) Akwasi Darko Boateng

    Afigya Sekyere East

    1) Mavis Nkansah Boadu

    Bosomtwe

    1) Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum

    New Edubiase

    1) George Oduro

    Mampong

    1) Kwaku Apramtwum Sarpong
    2) Francis Addai Nimo
    3) Ben Arthur

    Ahafo Ano South East

    1) Francis Manu Adabor

    Oforikrom

    1) Dr. Emmanuel Marfo
    2) Dr. Emmanuel Yaw Adu Amankwa

    Atwima Mponua

    1) Isaac Kwame Asiamah

    Odotobiri

    1)Emmanuel Akwasi Gyamfi
    2) Anthony Mmieh

    Manso Adubia

    1) Yaw Frimpong Addo
    2) Dr. Kofi Osei Afoakwa

    Adansi Asokwa

    1) K.T Hammond
    2) Sammy Binfoh Darkwa

    Obuasi East

    1) Dr. Patrick Boakye Yiadom
    2) Samuel Akwasi Owusu
    3) Enock Afoakwa

    Obuasi West

    1) Kwaku Kwarteng
    2) Faustina Oppong Sarfo
    3) Golfred Banin

    Atwima Nwabiagya North

    1) Benito Owusu Bio
    2) Frank Yeboah

    Atwima Kwanwoma

    1) Dr. Kojo Appiah Kubi
    2) Nana Owusu Acheampong
    3) Kofi Amankwa-Manu

    Manso Nkwanta

    1) Quarm Joseph Albert
    2) Emmanuel Oppong Boakye
    3) Grace Addo
    4) Owusu Mensah
    5) George Obeng

    Juaben Constituency

    1) Ama Pomaa Boateng
    2) Francis Kwabena Frimpong Owusu
    3) Alexander Kofi Oppong Poku

    Offinso South

    1) Ben Abdallah Banda
    2) Desmond Chris Appiah
    3) Dr. Isaac Yaw Poku

    Afigya Kwabre North

    1) Nana Marfo Amaniampong
    2) Collins Adomako Mensah
    3) Opoku Ware Sampson
    4) Daniel Dwete Ajare
    5) Peter Antwi Bosiako
    6) Raymond Opoku

    Ahafo Ano North

    1) Suleman Adamu Sanid

    Nsuta, Kwaman, Beposo

    1) Kwame Asafo-Adjei
    2) Alhaji Kofi Bayeh
    3) Adelaid Yaa Agyeiwa Ntim

    Fomena

    1) Andrew Asiamah Amoako
    2) Phillip Owusu Asante

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • NPP primaries: Deputy Speaker, Majority Leader, 12 others go unopposed

    Fourteen sitting parliamentarians of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) are likely to retain their seats even before the December general elections.

    This was disclosed in a report by the vetting committee after 10 days of thoroughly assessing all the 121 aspirants who filed their nominations to contest the parliamentary primaries in the Ashanti Region, considered the citadel of the governing party.

    Those who will be going unopposed include the 1st Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei Owusu; Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu, Education Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh as well as his deputy, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum.

    The NPP currently has sitting MPs in some 44 constituencies of the Ashanti Region.

    Out of the 121 aspiring candidates, 106, comprising 12 females and 94 males, have been recommended to the National Executive Committee (NEC) for consideration; five aspiring candidates voluntarily withdrew from the contest; nine aspiring candidates have not been recommended for various legitimate reasons; 14 aspiring candidates are going unopposed.

    Below is the 106 recommended aspiring parliamentary candidates contesting the April 25 primaries:

    SUAME CONSTITUENCY

    1) Hon Osei Kyei Mensah – Bonsu

    SUBIN CONSTITUENCY

    1) Hon Eugene Boakye Antwi
    2) Joseph Boakye Danquah
    3) Frank Doudo

    ATWIMA NWABIAGYA SOUTH

    Hon Emmanuel Adjei Anhwere

    OLD TAFO

    1) Dr. Louise Carole Serwa Donkor
    2) Emmanuel Obeng
    3) Ekow Vincent
    4) Lord Inusah Lansa
    5) Prince Odeneho Oppong
    6) Archibold Ntiri

    EJISU

    1) Hon Kwabena Owusu Adoumi
    2) John Kumah
    3) Abena Pokua Amoah-Boatey

    ASANTE AKIM CENTRAL

    1) Hon Kwame Anyimadu Antwi
    2) Kofi Nkansah Ofori

    NHYIAESO

    1) Hon Kennedy Kwasi Kankam
    2) Stephen Amoah

    ASANTE AKIM NORTH

    1) Hon Andy Appiah Kubi
    2) Kwadwo Baah Agyemang (recommended subject to the lifting of suspension by the regional party within 21 days)

    KWABRE EAST

    Hon Francisca Oteng-Mensah

    EFFIDUASI ASOKORE

    1) Hon Dr. Ayew Afriyie
    2) Kwame Adom Appiah

    MANHYIA SOUTH

    1) Hon Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh

    MANHYIA NORTH

    1) Hon Collins Owusu Amankwa
    2) Akwasi Konadu

    AKROFUOM

    1) Kwabena Pobi
    2) Sarfo Maxwell
    3) Mrs. Faustina Araba Boakye
    4) Francis Agyei Amponsah
    5) George Obeng Frimpong
    6) Blankson Tetteh

    BANTAMA

    1) Hon Okyem Aboagye
    2) Francis Asenso Boakye

    ASOKWA

    1) Hon Patricia Appiagyei

    KUMAWU

    1) Hon Philip Bosoa
    2) Robert Ahomka Lindsay
    3) Dr. Phillip Ababio
    4) Edward Kofi Osei

    AHAFO ANO SOUTH WEST

    1) Hon Johnson Kwaku
    Adu

    BEKWAI

    1) Hon Joe Osei Owusu

    KWADASO

    1) Hon Dr. S.K Nuamah
    2) Dr. Kingsley Nyarko
    3) Dr. Frimpong Manu
    4) Josephine Hilda Addo

    OFFINSO NORTH

    1) Hon Collins Ntim

    ASANTE AKIM SOUTH

    1) Hon Kwaku Asante Boateng
    2) William Amoah
    3) Bice Obuor Osei Kufour
    4) Edmund Oppong Peprah
    5) Eric Amofa

    AFIGYA KWABRE SOUTH

    1) Hon William Owuraku Aidoo

    BOSOME FREHO

    1) Hon Joyce Adwoa Ako Dei
    2) Peter Adjei Agyeman
    3) Akwasi Darko Boateng

    AFIGYA SEKYERE EAST

    1) Hon. Mavis Nkansah Boadu

    BOSOMTWE

    1) Hon Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum

    NEW EDUBIASE

    1) Hon George Oduro

    MAMPONG

    1) Hon. Kwaku Apramtwum Sarpong
    2) Francis Addai Nimo
    3) Ben Arthur

    AHAFO ANO SOUTH EAST

    1) Hon Francis Manu Adabor

    OFORIKROM

    1) Hon Dr. Emmanuel Marfo
    2) Dr. Emmanuel Yaw Adu Amankwa

    ATWIMA MPONUA

    1) Hon Isaac Kwame Asiamah

    ODOTOBIRI

    1) Hon Emmanuel AKwasi Gyamfi
    2) Anthony Mmieh

    MANSO ADUBIA

    1) Hon Yaw Frimpong Addo
    2) Dr. Kofi Osei Afoakwa

    ADANSI ASOKWA

    1) Hon K.T Hammond
    2) Sammy Binfoh Darkwa

    OBUASI EAST

    1) Hon Dr. Patrick Boakye Yiadom
    2) Samuel Akwasi Owusu
    3) Enock Afoakwa

    OBUASI WEST

    1) Hon Kwaku Kwarteng
    2) Faustina Oppong Sarfo
    3) Golfred Banin

    ATWIMA NWABIAGYA NORTH

    1) Hon Benito Owusu Bio
    2) Frank Yeboah

    ATWIMA KWANWOMA

    1) Hon Dr. Kojo Appiah – Kubi
    2) Nana Owusu Acheampong
    3) Kofi Amankwa-Manu

    MANSO NKWANTA

    1) Hon Quarm Joseph Albert
    2) Emmanuel Oppong Boakye
    3) Grace Addo
    4) Owusu Mensah
    5) George Obeng

    JUABEN CONSTITUENCY

    1) Hon Ama Pomaa Boateng
    2) Francis Kwabena Frimpong Owusu
    3) Alexander Kofi Oppong Poku

    OFFINSO SOUTH

    1) Hon Ben Abdallah Banda
    2) Desmond Chris Appiah
    3) Dr. Isaac Yaw Poku

    AFIGYA KWABRE NORTH

    1) Hon Nana Marfo Amaniampong
    2) Collins Adomako Mensah
    3) Opoku Ware Sampson
    4) Daniel Dwete Ajare
    5) Peter Antwi Bosiako
    6) Raymond Opoku

    AHAFO ANO NORTH

    1) Hon Suleman Adamu Sanid

    NSUTA, KWAMAN, BEPOSO

    1) Hon Kwame Asafo-Adjei
    2) Alhaji Kofi Bayeh
    3) Adelaid Yaa Agyeiwa Ntim

    FOMENA

    1) Hon Andrew Asiamah Amoako
    2) Phillip Owusu Asante

    Source: MyJoyOnline.com | Jerry Tsatro Mordy

  • ‘Incompetent’ Mahama has not changed – Samira Bawumia

    The Second Lady of the Republic, Hajia Samira Bawumia, has said that flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama hasn’t changed and that he is still as incompetent as he was when he was president.

    Reiterating this point, the Second Lady asserted that Former President John Dramani Mahama is most the same and the same incompetent person he was when he was Ghana’s president’

    The wife of Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia observed that it would be suicidal for Mahama and his NDC to come back to power since they ran down the economy for the eight years they were in power.

    In an interview with Philip Osei Bonsu on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen afternoon talkshow, the Second Lady catalogued the seas of bad policies the Mahama administration introduced which adversely affected Ghanaians.

    She also bemoaned the sorry state the economy was in when it was bequeathed to the Akufo-Addo administration, saying the Nana Addo-led Government has done very well rescuing the economy from that dungeon to one of safety.

    The Second Lady also used the occasion to tout the achievements of the Akufo-Addo administration ranging from the economy, infrastructure and education.

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • Policeman reportedly perishes in Kintampo fatal accident

    A Police Officer whose name has been given as Emmanuel Yen is part of passengers that have been involved in the ghastly accident that occurred Monday dawn on the Kintampo highway.

    Emmanuel Yen who hails from the Nabdam District of the Upper East Region served as an Assembly Member for Zua Electoral area until his recruitment into the security service. He is stationed at Suhum in the Eastern Region and was returning to his duty post from the Upper East Region when the accident occurred.

    The information available to A1 News reveals that among the accident victims was a woman from Dasobligo in the Nabdam District whose name has not been known yet.

    According to insider information from families of the deceased, arrangements have therefore been made for the identification of the bodies for burial.

    The Police Officer is survived by two children and a heavily pregnant wife.

    Many are reported dead after a Yutong bus is said to have collided with a Benz Sprinter bus with registration number AS 1801-18 on the Kintampo-Tamale Highway in the Bono-East region.

    Reports have it that both vehicles went up in flames after the collision and about thirty passengers have been burnt beyond recognition in the inferno.

    Source: a1radioonline.com

  • Ofaakor shooting: Angry youth threaten to fight police after bailing of cop

    Angry youth of Awutu Ofaakor in the Central Region have threatened to attack the Police in the area following the bailing of Detective Corporal Michael Larbie who was arrested in connection with a shooting incident that happened over the weekend.

    Corporal Larbie who is the boundary chief and Tufuhene of Awutu Ofaakor was arrested by Combat 23 patrol team from the Accra region and the Kasoa Divisional Patrol team.

    About 20 individuals during a chieftaincy dispute besieged the Ofaakor Palace demanding for the remains of the late Akyeamehene of Ofaakor Nana Kojo Amoashie.

    Detective Corporal Michael Larbie is said to have led a group of individuals into the palace during the traditional ceremony to create mayhem and demand for the body of the late Akyeamehene.

    According to the Central Region Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), DSP Irene Oppong, Corporal Michael Larbie is currently under investigation.

    “Combat 23 patrol team from the Accra Region and Kasoa Divisional Police team in an operation arrested Detective Corporal Micheal Labrie of the CID headquarters who is said to be the boundary and Tufuhene of Ofaakor town. He has been arrested in connection with the shooting incident that took place on the 7th of March 2020 at the Ofaakor palace. Investigations into the incident continue,” DSP Irene Oppong said.

    Meanwhile, in an interview with Kasapa FM news Yaw Boagyan, some angry Youths in the Kasos Ofaakor threatened to also fight the police for granting the detective police officer bail.

    According to them, the police officer has been threatening the Youth in the area anytime he goes to there hence they are warning the Ofaakor Police to re-arrest the policeman and jail him else they will also fight them.

    Meanwhile, the Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly together with the police have begun investigations into the incident.

    According to the Municipal Chief Executive, Micheal Essuman Mensah, four individuals have already been arrested and have been sent to the Police headquarters for questioning.

    “About 15 to 20 detectives are here to pick the needed evidence and statement for us to be able to establish a prima facie case and be able to charge the suspects who have been arrested together with some other 3 accomplices. There are some names that have been mentioned of which the police have taken notice of and they will also look for them.”

    Source: Kasapafmonline.com

  • Todays newspapers front pages

    Source: backend.theindependentghana.com

  • Afia Schwarzenegger writes long essay to forgive her ex-husband for beating her

    Afia Schwarzenegger is continuing her agenda to make it known that she was suffering domestic violence from her husband way before her infidelity scandal.

    The Ghanaian social media commentator married Lawrence Abrokwah at a private ceremony in 2016 in South Africa and it ended in tears after he busted her in their matrimonial bed and threatened to pour acid on her.

    The lovers after the scandal battled their dramatic separation in court and a few weeks ago, the mother of three has been granted a divorce. Out of the blue, Afia Schwarzenegger wrote an open letter to her ex-husbanding saying that she has now forgiven him for torturing during their union.

    She wrote: “An Open Letter To My Ex Good day Lawrence Abrokwah

    I know for a fact you have tasted the wrath of God, besides that I love the fact that you have seen me grow, I have also proved without any doubt that I am a seed from heaven..one can”t bring me down ..Any attempt to bury me is an attempt that will push my growth.

    Today 9/03/20 I Queen Afia Schwarzenegger FORGIVE you and set you FREE..I ask God to forgive you and your generation especially your daughter..I pray she never in her life meet a man like you.

    As I told you I am telling you again,Worship God in truthfulness and he will help you. I am a prophetic child and NO ONE CAN BRING MEDOWN… Hahhhahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahaha..remember I told you !!!

    Tomorrow 10/03/20 is my mum’s bday and the gift I want to give my mum is this. As you know tomorrow 10/03/20 is Judgement day of your criminal case at Land Court 1 but I won’t be there..it has always been the State Vrs Lawrence Abrokwah. I wish you luck,…….I Afia Agyeiwaa Sikabediden I dont care…

    As I knew you had slave masters so why have they deserted you now??? This must be a big lesson to you as not all that glitter is gold. You were a very bad chapter in a very good book but I took some lessons from there.. Today when I talk about domestic violence I do it with passion becos I survived. I wish you well and pray you work on yourself.

    I am Agyeiwaa, And Just like the eagle I am..I am flying in success and to me it is enough revenge to you and your slave masters. Good luck. God bless us all. LEAVE TO LIVE!!!!”.

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • Who is Huawei video series

    Rising from humble beginnings in Shenzhen in 1987, Huawei now connects over 3 billion people in more than 170 countries across the globe.

    Huawei hopes to improve lives of future generations through advancement of technological solutions for global communications. However to effectively achieve this, there is the need for constant preparations for the future.

    This raises the following vital questions:

    1. What does the future hold for Huawei?

    2. How does the company continue to lead in innovations in Telecommunications Technology like 5G among others?

    In order to help you answer the above questions and better understand how technology is improving lives now and in the near future, watch the fourth and final video of the BBC produced a short video documentary series titled, WHO IS HUAWEI? THE FUTURE IS NOW. Enjoy!

    To find out more visit: https://www.huawei.com/whoishuawei/

    The Future Is Now

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2uqMWVv37o

    Source: Huawei

  • Old Mutual confident of meeting NICs new minimum capital requirement

    Insurance firm, Old Mutual Ghana says it is optimistic about meeting the new minimum capital requirement set out by the regulator for insurance, the National Insurance Commission (NIC).

    This is according to the Chief Financial Officer of Old Mutual Ghana, Clara Amarteifio-Taylor who says her outfit has put in place the necessary procedures to meet the June 2021 deadline for insurance firms.

    The NIC in 2019 increased the capital for insurance companies from GH¢15 million to GH¢50 million and that of Reinsurance companies from GH¢40 million to GH¢125 million. That for Insurance Broking companies was also been increased from GH¢300,000 to GH¢500,000.

    The minimum capital requirement for reinsurance broking companies was however maintained at GH¢1 million.

    Consequently, like the banking sector, there have been concerns the increase in minimum capital requirement could result in the subsequent collapse of some insurance firms.

    But some industry experts have indicated that the increase will rather help in creating a robust and resilient insurance sector.

    Last week, Bloomberg reported that Old Mutual registered a 5 percent drop in earnings for 2019 with the company indicating that its operations were weighed down by a stuttering South African economy.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • 60 garment makers graduate in Akatsi South

    Sixty apprentices from the Ghana National Association of Garment Makers have graduated in the Akatsi South District of the Volta Region.

    The 57th ceremony saw the graduation of three males and 57 females who were trained in fashion designs (dressmaking) for a period of three years.

    Mr. Mathias Agbalenyo, Akatsi Branch Chairman of the Association, underscored the need for equipping the teeming unemployed Ghanaian youth with employable skills such as fashion design.

    He said the Association had a programme of training the needy in society for free in the District and had since trained many youth in the area.

    “This year, we are graduating five of those under the ‘Help the Needy Free’ programme and many more would be graduated under this project with financial assistance from philanthropists”.

    Alhaji Mohammed Mukaila Omar, the newly elected National President of the Association, said members of the group needed to learn more about the trade to bring the best out while keeping in touch with the latest fashion trend.

    Mr. Leo Nelson Adzidogah, District Chief Executive for Akatsi South, pledged his continuous support to the Association to help end youth unemployment in the area.

    He appealed to all to desist from acts that could plunge the country into chaos during the electioneering campaign this election year.

    Mr Bernard Ahiafor, Member of Parliament (MP) for Akatsi South, said it was his dream to keep financing the needy to be self-dependent.

    Certificates were presented to the graduands.

    Source: GNA

  • 19-year-old student gets bail for possessing wee

    The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) Court has granted a bail of GH¢30,000 to a 19-year-old student for allegedly possessing two wrappers of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, a narcotic drug.

    Abdul-Rahman Yakubu pleaded guilty of possessing a narcotic drug, but the court held that the substance had not been tested and as a result granted him bail until March 31 to enable the police to conclude their forensic tests.

    Police Inspector Michael Koole, prosecuting, told the court presided over by Abdul-Razak Musah that the suspect was arrested on February 24 at Afrancho, near Akomadan.

    He said the complainant, Nana Kwaku Bonsam, a fetish priest, owns a piece of land at Afrancho, which had been turned into a smoking hub by narcotic users.

    The prosecution said the complainant went to the said location and met the suspect and when he was queried the suspect could not give any tangible explanation.

    He said the complainant then caused his arrest with the help of other witnesses and when they conducted a search in his bag, two wrappers of dried leaves, suspected to be Indian hemp, were found.

    Prosecution said the suspect was later handed over to the Afrancho police together with the exhibits for further investigations, adding that the suspect claimed ownership of the exhibits in his caution statement.

    Source: GNA

  • 962 Senior High School infrastructural projects underway nationwide Akufo-Addo

    Government has, in its bid to address infrastructural challenges in senior high schools, began processes into the construction of a total of 962 school structures nationwide, according to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    The president explains that, there is an elaborate program designed to ensure that problems faced by second cycle schools as a result of the introduction of the Free SHS are addressed.

    Addressing the audience at the 68th Speech and Prize Giving Day ceremony of the Opoku Ware Senior High School in Kumasi, Nana Akufo-Addo said government is committed to make heavy investments in education.

    “We are investing heavily in infrastructure, particularly in our double track schools. Here at Opoku Ware School, for example, Government has already completed the construction of a twelve-unit classroom block, which I understand is currently in use, together with the provision of 1,500 sets of tables and chairs. Government is constructing a new four-storey dormitory block, work on which is progressing steadily. In total 962 structures are being constructed in schools across the country,” President Akufo-Addo said.

    President Akufo-Addo stated that addressing the infrastructure deficit “was an excellent and exciting one because more children wanting to go to school beyond Junior High School was good news.”

    “Our position is that every child who qualifies to be in Senior High School must be given the opportunity to do so,” he noted.

    He further said the provision of access to 1.2 million children entailed innovation in the usage of the resources available, and “it is out of this that the idea of the double-track system was born, a system that has worked well in many other jurisdictions.”

    Commenting on the double-track system, President Akufo-Addo said government has been able to ensure the best possible use of the space and assets available in schools, throughout the year.

    “Schools, that operate the double-track system, have increased their SHS 1 intake by up to fifty percent (50%) of their usual capacity. This has given many young students a better opportunity to enter our elite schools, such as Opoku Ware, than was previously the case”, he added.

    President Akufo-Addo assured that every district, municipal and metropolitan directorate of education will receive a pick-up vehicle to help deliver quality education.

    “I assure all of you that Government will deal with the issues as they arise, and ensure that we continue to invest in the education and skills training of our young people, as the investment represents the best hope for the social and economic future of our country,” the President added.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • 12 robbery, kidnap suspects busted in Ashanti region

    The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested 12 persons suspected to be kidnappers involved in recent cases of robberies and kidnapping of Fulani herdsmen and their dependents around Ejura, Mampong and Akomadan areas of the Ashanti Region.

    The suspects who are also believed to be Fulanis are Bube Buru alias Jawuga, 29, Abdulai Mahamadu, 29, Karim Abdulai, 37, Sulemana Ali, 32, Yusif Musah, 40 and Halidu Ali, 25.

    The rest are Ali Adama, 40, Abubakari Gariba, 20, Gariba Maanu, 40, Bella Amadu, 27, Alidu Amadu, 18, and Ali Abraham, 20.

    These 12 suspects have already been identified by their victims, the Police said in a statement.

    The suspects have since been remanded by District Courts in the various communities above mentioned to reappear on separate dates.

    However, Police suspect them of other similar crimes; therefore, “we are urging all persons within the Ashanti Region, particularly in and around Ejura, Mampong and Akomadan who have been victims of robberies and kidnapping by Fulani herdsmen, in particular, to report to the Regional Police Headquarters to assist in investigation,” the statement said.

    The public has been encouraged to report any person(s) suspected to be involved in robberies and kidnapping around Ejura, Sekyeredumase, Mampong and Akomadan to the nearest Police Station or call Police on the telephone numbers 0299207770, 18555 or 191.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • 2 robbers die in shootout with police

    Two suspected notorious armed robbers yesterday died in a fierce shootout with a team from the Greater Accra Regional Police Command at Mankessim in the Central Region.

    The deceased have been identified as Nathan Kwaku Baidoo alias Kingkong and Isaac Addo Mensah alias Almera.

    Both were on bail for previous criminal acts one of which claimed the life of a police officer L/Cpl Akata at New Bortianor Junction in Accra.

    The operational team from the Greater Accra Regional Command led by DSP/Mr. Oti Prempeh during routine patrol yesterday had word that two vehicles a Toyota Corolla and Toyota Fish had been stolen and being driven towards the Kasoa-Cape Coast direction by the suspects and therefore pursued them.

    When the suspects realized they were being pursued they started firing at the cops and upon reaching a spot near the Engene Filling Station at Mankessim, they abandoned the cars and took to their heels as they fired sporadically.

    The police officers returned fire killing two of them on the spot as one of them fled into the nearby bush with gunshot wounds.

    The deceased have been deposited at the Police Hospital morgue for autopsy and the impounded vehicles parked at the Greater Accra Regional Police Headquarters in Accra as investigations continue.

    According to the police, the two deceased persons (Kingkong and Almera) were among 13 others who confronted a Police SWAT Unit in a shootout on 16th January 2015 at New Bortianor Junction in Accra, which led to the shooting and killing of L/Cpl Akata.

    Almera and 12 others were arrested whilst Kingkong managed to escape. Almera and his accomplices were arraigned and later released on bail.

    Kingkong was arrested in 2017 and put before the District Court for murder but was later released on bail early last month.

    Almera, after his bail, engaged in three separate robberies in Accra Metropolis. The cases are pending before court and another one in Techiman, Daily Guide has gathered from a police source.

    Source: Dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Afro-Arab Group & Ayawaso East Municipal commissions 24-seater lavatory project in Nima

    The Afro Arab Group of companies in collaboration with the Ayawaso East Municipal Assembly with support from Fidelity Bank Ghana under the WASH program has built a 24-seater KVIP at the Nima market to help solve the sanitation crisis within the market.

    The Nima community has been faced with several sanitation issues. The 8 units of 24 seater toilet WC facilities will, therefore, go a long way to serve the traders, those visiting the Nima market and residents around the market.

    The Municipal Chief Executive Officer for the people of Ayawaso East, Honourable Hajia Salma Mohammed Sani Adams, in her remarks commended the Afro-Arab Group Chairman for the initiative to make Nima one of the hygienic cities in Accra.

    “Alhaji Salamu is indeed making the vision of President Akufo-Addo a reality and as the Municipal Chief Executive for this area I will make sure all the communities facing toilet problems get solved,” Hajia Salima added.

    In all, five communities within Ayawaso East namely Nima 441, Nima Frankies, Nima market, Luga Kanda and Kusuntu line Nima will be the beneficiaries of the project.

    Source: Black Bills, Contributor

  • Takoradi-Tarkwa rail line gets improvement

    The construction of a new standard gauge railway line from Kojokrom to Manso to replace the narrow gauge line on the Takoradi-Tarkwa stretch being funded by the Government of Ghana is progressing steadily.

    Upon completion, the new line would ensure high-speed and minimal or no interruption in the passenger train service on the Takoradi-Tarkwa rail line.

    It would be recalled that the passenger service on the Takoradi-Tarkwa line had to be suspended for two weeks by the Ghana Railway Company after about three weeks of free passenger service, to allow the engineers work to improve the line.

    As part of the initiative, the contractor, Amandi Holdings, is building eight 25 tons culverts from kilometre 16 to kilometre 20 on the existing narrow-gauge line.

    The Minister for Railway Development, Joe Ghartey, inspecting the ongoing works at Eshiem and Angu in the Western Region, expressed satisfaction with the progress on the line.

    He said that the line had to be diverted from the Eshiem community because of the high-speed trains that would be plying the new standard gauge lines.

    He also said the high-speed lines did not require too many curves, so it was appropriate the new line was diverted so that the curvy nature of the old line through Eshiem could be avoided.

    “The engineers and consultants are looking at how they can stay within the right of way without compromising the speed,” he stated, adding that the consultant for the project had sent a proposal to the Railway Development Authority to extend the reopening of Takoradi-Tarkwa lines to enable them to build a world-class rail sector.

    “The people are eager to see the train service to begin but the advice from the engineers is that we must extend the reopening date,” he added.

    The Deputy Resident Engineer for Team Engineering, the Consultant, Peter Forkah, said they had sent a proposal to the authorities to use the shutdown period to continue with the construction of more culverts where necessary on the Kojokrom to Tarkwa stretch.

    He said once the proposal was accepted, the reopening date of the passenger train from Takoradi to Tarkwa would have to be extended for about six weeks.

    Longest Train Bridge

    Earlier, the minister and his entourage inspected the construction of a 385-metre viaduct (Train Bridge), believed to be the longest in West Africa, over the road linking Eshiem to Kojokrom.

    This viaduct which diverts the line from the Eshiem community is about 90 per cent complete.

    According to the General Manager of Amandi Holdings, David Ben Ayun, the viaduct and other attached works were costing the country about $90 million.

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Peter Amewu promises ‘one teacher, one laptop’

    John Peter Amewu, Minister for Energy and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for Hohoe Constituency has hinted of his plans to roll out a “one teacher, one laptop” project in the Constituency soon.

    The initiative is to help teachers get themselves abreast of technology in the delivery of quality teaching and learning to enhance academic performance in the constituency.

    Mr. Amewu said this when he presented a 2020 Presidential Diary, a Microsoft laptop and an undisclosed amount of money to Master Hotor Prosper, a student of Bishop Herman College and past student of the St. Francis Demonstration Junior High School (JHS) in Hohoe for being a recipient of the 2019 Presidential Award.

    He said the presentation was to encourage other students to emulate the efforts of Master Hotor and excel in their examinations and congratulated efforts of teachers adding that “we are doing all this with the aim of projecting the Hohoe Municipality in the country for people to come and see what we are doing here.”

    Mr. Amewu said he organized free vacation classes for candidates who sat for the 2019 BECE in the Municipality to enable them cover some topics they were not able to, during school hours and was happy to note that beneficiaries passed very well.

    The Energy Minister told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that there were about 1900 teachers in the constituency, which the project was expected to cover and added that “we are trying to do the first 500 teachers by the end of April this year”.

    He said the project would enable the teachers to build their capacity to become well equipped to transfer the knowledge to school children in the Constituency.

    The performance of schools in the Hohoe Municipality in the 2019 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) has witnessed tremendous improvement with 16 out of 77 schools recording a 100 percent pass while no school recorded a zero percent in all subjects.

    Source: GNA

  • Customers of collapsed fund management companies to bark at Akufo-Addo with demo

    Aggrieved customers of the defunct Fund Management Companies (FMCs) have promised to hold a demonstration against the Akufo-Addo-led government over their seeming nonchalance about their locked-up cash.

    The coalition has served a notice that they will hit the streets of Kinbu in Accra on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.

    The customers feel side-lined by government who they say is only paying depositors of locked up banks, microfinance and saving and loans companies after both parties were caught up in the financial sector clean-up last year.

    Declaring their intentions to embark on a demonstration in Kumasi, Spokesperson for the 53 fund management companies, Charles Nyame bemoaned that “if the Nana Addo led administration really cares about the suffering customers then it should put measures to fix this situation before March 24, 2020”.

    “The question those of us in the fund management sector are asking is that was it our fault to invest in a legitimate business being regulated by Securities and Exchange Commission?” he quizzed.

    They are however looking forward to government to disburse funds to various FMCs for ‘suffering’ customers to have their monies back.

    The Securities and Exchange Commission in November 2019 revoked the operating licenses of 53 fund management companies over breach of requirements and failure to perform their functions efficiently.

    Meanwhile, government, through the Consolidated Bank of Ghana (CBG) has so far settled a total of 13,675 customers of collapsed banks, microfinance and savings and loans companies as at the end of last month.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.co

  • Shortage of drugs hits Koforidua Prisons

    There is a shortage of drugs in the infirmary of Koforidua Prison affecting the delivery of medical care and treatment services to the inmates.

    This was made known when the Medical Team of Pentecost International Worship Center (PIWC)-Koforidua, visited the Prison to provide health screening services to the inmates.

    The medical team donated few drugs available to stock the infirmary on the plea of the Prison officers.

    Elder Frederick Darfur, a Pharmacist and Presiding Elder of PIWC -Koforidua who led the medical team said the situation is worrying given that most of the inmates reported cases of various skin rashes.

    He said the overcrowded condition at the Prison is a serious health concern hence said the initiative of the church of Pentecost building Modern Prison facilities in parts of the country is therefore timely.

    Source: kasapafmonline.com

  • 27 people burnt to death in Kintampo-Tamale road crash

    27 passengers have been reportedly burnt to death in an accident at Kawompe on the Kintampo-Tamale stretch of the highway in the Bono East region.

    The accident occurred Monday morning, a police source told Starr News.

    An eyewitness Wiafe Akenteng told Starr News the accident involved a benz sprinter and Yutong buses.

    “The bodies are burnt beyond recognition. It is difficult to even make them out especially to separate men from women. Both drivers are dead, one of them is still trapped under his vehicle,” he told Francis Abban on the Morning.

    The sprinter, according to him, drove into the lane of the Yutong causing the accident.

    Emergency service workers are currently on the scene working to clear the area for traffic.

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • GRIDCo to demolish encroachers properties

    The Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) has said that it will demolish all structures of encroachers on its lands bordering its transmission lines, if moves are not made to evacuate the areas.

    This is due to the associated safety risks it poses to the public and the need for regular maintenance works on the lines by the company.

    Under the Transmission Line Protection Regulations, 1967 (LI 542) as amended by Regulation No. LI 1737 of 2004, it is an offence for persons or institutions to conduct any form of activity in relation to lands around the location of power transmission lines.

    Activities including drilling, excavating, lorry parks, shops, garages, bars, real estate, operated in the area extending up to twenty (20) metres on each side from the centre line of the transmission towers are prohibited. These activities pose a danger to human life and property as a transmission line fault can result in casualties and damage to properties.

    Outage to customers can also be prolonged due to restricted access to the Right-of-Ways.

    The Chief Executive of GRIDCo, Jonathan Amoako-Baah, in a statement said: “We are very concerned with this trend across the country. Though we have chalked up some success by ejecting some encroachers, others have remained adamant. Over the years, we have carried out a lot of sensitisation programmes including print and electronic media publications, Information Services Department campaigns, and joint engagements with Municipal Assemblies.

    “We are also ready to undertake demolition exercises, where necessary, as part of four mandate to ensure the right thing is done. We are committed to carrying out our mandate as a power transmitter, and will do whatever is necessary to prevent interferences.”

    He added: “Over the past years, GRIDCo has had issues with encroachers along with its transmission towers and lands. These persons carry out all forms of activities at the risk of their lives. GRIDCo is working with the relevant state institutions to remove properties and structures, and to curb all forms of human activities”.

    Source: thebftonline.com

  • Be soft on businesses regarding loan payment in coronavirus times GUTA to Banks

    The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has appealed to banks to lower the pressure on its members regarding loan payment following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in China.

    According to GUTA, the outbreak is having toll on businesses through no fault of theirs, hence, the need for the banks to restructure the loan payment plan.

    In a statement, GUTA said “It is also very important to mention that most businesses cannot turn over their capital at this moment in time due to delay in manufacturing and this will automatically affect the growth of business capital, especially in the case of those whose capital are borrowed from the banks.

    “They are going to find that the capital is being dwindled by the continuous payment of interest of the loans they have acquired.”

    It added: “Whiles the large and medium scale importers buy direct from the manufacturers, and can still transact business with their foreign suppliers without necessarily travelling there, the small-scale ones buy from open markets and shop, and therefore have no alternative than to travel there physically.

    “So they are affected even the more.”

    Source: laudbusiness.com

  • Malta to set up phytosanitary lab in Ghana

    Chief executive officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority (GIPC) Yofi Grant has hinted of plans by the Malta to establish phytosanitary lab in Ghana.

    This move, he says has seen the Ghana Standard Authority sign a memorandum of understanding with Malta.

    Speaking to Ghanaweb at the 2nd Ghana Malta Business Forum in Accra, the GIPC CEO said, Malta setting up phytosanitary labs in Ghana will help the country have quality certification of goods for export.

    “We have signed an MOU with Malta to provide phytosanitary and all the certification that we require when exporting to the European market. They will also be here to train. We also have an MOU in aquaculture to enable us build our expertise in that sector.”

    “The good thing about the Maltese is that once the commit their words, they live to it”, he noted.

    The phytosanitary certificate is an official declaration stating that plants and plant material exporting are free from pests and diseases, so as to prevent introduction and spread of any pests in the importing countries. Ghana lost about US$36 million in foreign exchange as a result of a ban on some five vegetable exports into the European Union (EU) market between 2015 and 2017, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture said.

    The five concerned plants were chilli pepper, bottle gourds, luffa gourds, bitter gourds and eggplants.

    The EU banned the vegetables from Ghana after an audit undertaken by the Directorate General for Health and Food Safety of the European Commission detected a high number of interceptions of harmful organisms on some plant products from Ghana.

    After the ban was lifted at the last quarter of 2017, Ghanaian authorities have taken significant corrective measures to improve the inspection and control system for plant health at exit various points.

    However, the GIPC boss believes that Malta putting up phytosanitary labs in Ghana will increase quality standards.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Rotation of independence parade must continue irrespective of gov’t in power – Kweku Baako

    Managing Editor of the New Crusading Guide, Kweku Baako says the rotation of the independence day parade must continue irrespective of the government in power.

    The 63rd independence day parade was held at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

    That was the second time the independence day parade was held outside Accra since 1957.

    Last year it was held at Tamale and President Akufo-Addo says the government is willing to rotate the event across all the region.

    Kweku Baako speaking on NewsFile said he is in support of the rotation as it ignites a sense of patriotism in people.

    “I am in support of the rotation, I think it should continue irrespective of the government in power, it ignites a sense of patriotism in people and that is good, my only problem is the sustainability”.

    Present at the Independence parade was His Royal Majesty, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia.

    Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago Dr Keith Christopher Rowley was the special guest of honour.

    The event saw thousands of Ghanaians troop to the Baba Yara Stadium to catch a glimpse of it.

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • You don’t respect Ashanti’s – Wontumi jabs Mahama over 63rd Independence day boycott

    Failure on the part of former President John Mahama, to honour an invitation sent to him to join in the celebration of 63rd Independence Anniversary has been condemned by the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Benard Antwi Boasiako.

    Mr. Bernard Antwi-Boasiako in an interview with ghbeyondpolitics.com claims that Mr. Mahama’s absence from the event provides more reason for the people in the Ashanti region to vote massively against him in 2020.

    According to him, organizers of the event reserved a special invitation for the former President and accorded him the highest respect he deserves as a former head of state.

    Affectionately called Chairman Wontumi also stated “I am not going to sound tribal, it isn’t a good thing but you can tell that John Mahama doesn’t respect Asantes. In time past he openly insulted us by telling us we are ingrates. We reserved a seat for him but he ignored us”.

    He added that “when our great King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II revealed that it took his intervention after the 2016 elections for John Mahama to handover power to President Akufo-Addo, he (John Mahama) called him a liar. Today, the region has invited you to join us celebrate Ghana’s Independence and you disrespect us by not showing up”.

    Chairman Wontumi noted that former President Mahama should have at least “shown respect to Ashantis by informing the Protocol team why he couldn’t show up just as former President Rawlings officially did”.

    Source: Ghanaguardian.com