TIG Post

Author: Persis

  • Experts dialogue to mitigate perennial floods

    The Acreaty Ghana Limited, a human capital firm in partnership with Dredge Masters Ghana Limited and Netherlands has brought together experts in the engineering sector to dialogue on how to explore new ideas and approach that can be incorporated to existing structures to manage flood-related problems in the country.

    The experts, brought from Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Ghana Institute of Engineering, Ghana Irrigation Authority, Ministry of Works and Housing, Jospong Group of Companies among others shared practical solutions on dredging as a possible tool for the management of the challenges of floodings situation in Ghana.

    EU allocates GH¢306,000 to aid Ghanaian communities hit by recent floods

    Themed “Sustainable dredging as a tool for effective city planning and flood prevention, the one-day event also serve as a viable platform for the stakeholders to discuss, examine the suitable structural measures that can mitigate flood impacts in Accra.

    Addressing the gathering, the Managing Partner for Acreaty Ghana Limited Mrs Elsie Appau-Klu noted that the dialogue “we believe has provided a great platform for both Ghana and Netherlands to share knowledge and information on best and workable practices aimed at managing the flood problems.

    She expressed worry about the rising phenomenon of flooding problem which associated with its annual disasters in Ghana, particularly the city of Accra adding that within the past decades, floodings have become a global pandemic, which hampers economic and social development.

    He pointed out that on June 3, 2015, Accra experienced an unprecedented flash flood event, coupled with an explosion at a Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL) filling station that resulted in a death toll of over 152 lives of persons.

    She asserted that “every year our major cities have to struggle in dealing with the menace and blamed the situation on human errors which need a holistic approach to tackle the situation.”

    No more floods under my watch John Dumelo issues first promise to West Legon residents

    Adding that per the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT): the 2015 flood in Accra resulted in economic loss to the tune of US 108, 200.000.

    For his part, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr Solomon A. Asoalla lamented over the increasing rate of flooding disasters saying that the causes of floodings are human-made problems.

    He said the Ministry with its associated agencies and stakeholders will take steps to ensure the demolition of buildings in waterways which is a major cause of flooding in Accra as well as the country as a whole.

    He sounded a warning to all other developers who do not have permits and build on waterways that they are the next target.

    He stressed that we will comply with the law because if we are seen to be enforcing the law, we cannot be seen to be breaking it.

    The Registrar of Engineering Council of Ghana, Engineer Wise Ametefe indicated that the council will continue to support the government to intensify public education on the effects of the floodings in the country.

    Mr Ametefe minced no words when he expressed disappointment in the Assemblies for being reluctant in performing their mandatory duties to demolish unauthorized building structures including churches on waterways in the country.

    According to the Council, the Assemblies should be blamed for the loss of lives and properties in flood-related disasters because they have been mandated to remove all the building structures being built on the waterways.

    He could not fathom why the Assemblies would be adopting human faces in their exercise to demolish structures and shops illegally builts on the waterways.

    According to him, some of the houses were built without permits and that the owners will be dealt with legally.

    Source: Acreaty Ghana

  • 5 companies send proposals for Aburi falling rocks

    The Ghana Highways Authority (GHA) has received proposals from five slope protection specialized construction companies with the expertise to handle the Peduase falling rocks which have become a major source of concern to the traveling public on the Akuapem Range.

    The Accra-bound section of the road has remained closed to motorists since October 18, following the falling of boulders on that stretch.

    The companies, according to the acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Maintenance at the GHA, Mr. Christian Nti, were invited by the authority to help find a permanent solution to the problem.

    Development on Aburi mountains: Disaster in waiting Aburihene

    He explained that all companies that had expressed interest in the job, which was a highly specialized area, had made presentations to officials of the GHA and were awaiting evaluation before the contract would be awarded.

    Earlier contract

    Earlier in 2015, the GHA awarded a similar contract to CST Limited, a local company, to undertake repair works to prevent the rocks from falling.

    The company was required to provide slope repairs and protection to portions on the curve around Ayi Mensah to the Peduase Lodge, where rocks had been falling onto the Aburi-Accra section of the highway.

    “That contract, however, has been terminated due to non-performance,” Mr Nti stated.

    Police deployed to maintain order on Adenta-Madina-Aburi road

    “Currently, the Mobile Maintenance Unit (MMU) of the GHA, with support from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), is observing the situation and will open the closed section of the road once it is safe to do so,” Mr Nti said.

    “We have been monitoring the situation on a daily basis and even though the closure of the Accra bound lane is inconveniencing motorists and the travelling public, we are appealing to all motorists to bear with us as we strive to find both short-term and long-term solutions since the safety of the travelling public is paramount,” he stated.

    A visit to the site by the Daily Graphic on Friday, November 15, 2019 showed some buildings merely hanging onto the falling rocks. Meanwhile, more construction was also ongoing despite the looming danger.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Search for PDS replacement underway

    Government has said it is urgently looking for a suitable replacement for Power Distribution Services (PDS) whose contract it terminated recently due to some contractual glitches.

    According to Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, government remained fully committed to private sector participation in the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

    ECG will still be privatised despite PDS fiasco Finance Minister

    He was speaking to Parliament Wednesday in Accra.

    “We are prepared to review the transaction structure and indeed, recognize the need to improve significantly the management of ECG, by bringing in world-class private sector expertise and attracting adequate private capital,” he noted.

    He also said Government was enthused by the critical need to ensure the transfer of skills with a view to build local capacity as well as introduce international best practices to enhance the operational, technical, commercial and financial wherewithal of our national electricity distribution utility.

    “Against this backdrop, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that Government intends to initiate an accelerated tender process to select a new private partner for ECG in the coming months.”

    Terminating PDS deal makes economic sense Prof. Quartey

    The Minister said heightened scrutiny would be brought to bear in the design and implementation of the financial and technical evaluation criteria to ensure that interested bidders not only had credibility and extensive experience in operating and managing a comparable electricity utility, but also possessed the financial wherewithal to make the requisite investments in ECG to achieve significant reductions in technical and commercial losses, as well as drive operational efficiency to deliver sustained service reliability for all Ghanaians.

    Moreover, he said Government would make every effort to avoid the pitfalls that the PDS concession encountered and institute broad Ghanaian institutional participation, as well as democratize local equity participation, with an eventual listing on the Ghana Stock Exchange.

    Source: Dailyguidenetwork.com

  • My posture was out of discomfort, not hatred for Mahama Rawlings

    Former President Jerry John Rawlings has denied claims that he deliberately sat and turned away from former President John Mahama at a funeral they both attended in the Volta Region not too long ago because there is no love lost between them.

    A picture of Mr Rawlings sitting and looking away from Mr. Mahama became the toast of social media recently and attracted widespread commentary about perceived and rumoured tensions between the two former Presidents.

    Politicians have mastered act of deception to perpetuate power Rawlings

    However, Mr Rawlings, while signing the Book of Condolence for the Late Mrs Victoria Adzagli Ametefee, wife of Mr Henry K. Ametefee, the Volta Regional Chairman of the NDC, who died in Ho recently, explained that he sat that way because he was uncomfortable in the seat.

    According to him, he suffered an injury several years ago when he had a rough parachute landing in some very bad weather a situation that forced him to be using an orthopaedic foam which, he noted, he could not carry with him everywhere he went.

    “I actually turned toward Mr. Mahama more than three times and where is that picture”, Mr Rawlings asked.

    Rawlings unhappy with poor state of Volta roads

    “Why did this intruder refuse to circulate my sitting position adjusting myself toward Mr Mahama but chose the opposite?” he wondered, asking: “What purpose does this serve anybody … more so when I cannot go to all places armed with the foam?”

    “This is a clear case of misrepresentation of facts,” the GNA quoted Mr Rawlings as saying.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Five trafficked teenage Nigerian girls rescued

    The Western Regional Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old woman for allegedly trafficking five teenage girls from Nigeria into the country.

    The police said the suspect brought the victims, aged between 17 and 20, to Ghana on the pretext of securing jobs for some and helping others to learn trades, but instead pushed them into prostitution on arrival.

    Suspect in custody

    The Takoradi Metropolitan Police rescued the five victims — Ngozi Thompson, 17; Ruth Obi, 19; Angel Godspower, 20; Jenifer Demi, 17, and Emmanuella Okorie, 19 — yesterday.

    Uganda police detain 16 suspects over homosexuality, human trafficking

    A police source told the Daily Graphic that the suspect, Mary Gladys Obi, a Nigerian, was monitored for some time until the early hours of yesterday when the police arrested her.

    The victims told the police that Obi brought them to Takoradi some months ago and that on arrival, she took them to her brothel, where they were supposed to lodge and start work.

    Commercial sex

    The girls said to their shock, they were forced to sleep with men, while the suspect collected money from the men.

    The police said their investigations had revealed that the suspect lured the girls into Ghana in order to make money out of them through prostitution.

    US woman who hid baby in bag charged with human trafficking

    Victims safe

    The Western Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Redeemer Vincent Dedjoe, confirmed the story and said the suspect was in police custody.

    He said the victims were being taken care of by the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Exim Bank, Macrofertil, three others donate towards Farmers’ Day

    In the quest to promote agriculture production in the country, the Exim Bank, Mohinani Group, BonAgro Company Limited, Nsroma GPS, and Macrofertil Ghana Limited, an Agriculture inputs-fertiliser company, have donated towards the 2019 Farmers’ Day celebration.

    The Exim Bank, donated a tractor with accessories, Nsroma GPS, a tracking for security company donated two vehicle tracking devices, while Macrofertil donated 100 cartons of Ervextra weedicide worth GH¢25,200 for rice and maize and a cheque for GH¢5,000.00.

    BonAgro Company Limited on the other hand donated 40 sprayers, and weedicides, while Mohinani Group, producers of polytank donated 1000 pieces of fruit packaging cartons, two bales of bagging sacks for farm produce, four pieces of 2,500 litre polytank, and black sheeting rolls for green house farming and drying of grains and vegetables.

    No cash for 2018 Farmers Day celebration Agric Minister

    Mr William Obeng, the Head of Corporate Banking, Exim Bank, who presented the tractor, said the bank has a special focus on agriculture and agro processing, hence the interest to support the sector.

    He said the tractor would be given to the first runner-up best farmer, adding that, he believed the reward would motivate other farmers to rededicate themselves to the promotion of agriculture and food security.

    Mr Stephen Tour, the Head of Agriculture, Macrofertil Ghana Limited, said the weedicide donated by his company could be used on 2,400 acres of farm lands.

    It was the company’s core mandate to support the agricultural sector, since it focused on agriculture as an area of specialty.

    “It’s only good to show our appreciation to farmers by supporting them with these chemicals. We also ensure that we produce quality fertilisers, crop protection chemicals, vegetable feed, and animal feed to farmers to boost their production,” he said.

    Ms Elizabeth Owusu Kissi, the Group Corporate Affairs Manager, Mohinani Group, said the Group’s support was an annual gesture which forms part of its corporate social responsibility.

    “We are a key supplier in the Agricultural value chain. So as part of efforts to thank farmers for contributing to the success of the company and encourage them to contribute to socio-economic development, we decided to donate these to them,” she said.

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    Mr Gabriel Kwaku Sakyi Daniels, the Customer Success Manager, Nsroma GPS, said his company identified another area that was significant but often not realised in the agricultural value chain.

    Hence, the company donated the vehicle trackers, which allowed for a year of free subscription for farmers to track their operations and logistics to ensure their security and relevant usage.

    On the part of Bon Agro Company Limited, Mr. Victor Nchonah, the Operations Manager, said the company has a core responsibility to appreciate farmers who are its key stakeholders.

    He said the company has also donated similar items to the regional levels to reward best farmers in the regions.

    Dr Gyeile Nurah, the Minister of State at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, expressed the gratitude of the farmers, government and the public to the companies for their benevolent gesture.

    He said the support would go a long way to encourage the farmers to exert more effort in agricultural production to boost economic growth.

    He entreated the donating companies to grace the occasion slated for December 6, this year at Ho, to witness the impact of their support in the lives of the farmers.

    “We believe in their various operations and success and we are hoping to have similar or more support next year from these generous organisations.”

    Source: www.ghananewsagency.org

  • NDC opens nominations for 20 Ashanti constituencies

    The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has opened nominations into 20 constituencies in the Ashanti region.

    The constituencies were stood aside during the August parlimenary primaries by the party that selected candidates for the 2020 polls. The polls will be held on December 14, 2019.

    Ofori-Atta lied; more taxes in 2020 NDC MP

    A statement by the party said: “The Functional Executive Committee in Consultation with the Ashanti Regional Executive Committee of the National Democratic Congress announces the notice of elections for the conduct of Parliamentary Primary Elections in 20 constituencies in the Ashanti Region in accordance with Article 41(1) of the NDC Constitution. Nominations will open for 3 days from Monday November 18, 2019 to Wednesday Novem ber 20, 2019.

    It continued: The following dates shall also apply for the other electoral activities: Filing of nomination: November 25, 2019 Vetting of Aspirants: 26th and 27th November, 2019 Election: December 14, 2019 The Constituencies are: Atwima Nwabiagya North, Atwima Nwabiagya South, Afigya Kwabre North, Kwabre East, Obuasi East, Obuasi West, Adansi Akrofuom, Manso Adubia, Bekwai, Nsuta Kwaman Beposo, Afigya Sekyere East, Kumawu, Effiduase Asokore, Bosome Freho, Asante Akim South, Asante Akim North, Asante Akim Central, Ejisu, Oforikrom and Bantama”.

    Source: Starrfm.com.gh

  • I have no issue with Mahama Rawlings

    Former President Jerry John Rawlings has debunked rumours that there was bad blood between him and the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama.

    He said a recent social media image purporting to show a pensive disagreement and negative discourse between him and Mr Mahama and two others at a funeral was calculated mischief, intended to create disaffection.

    Rawlings debunks alleged bad blood with Mahama

    Former President Rawlings said this when he signed the Book of Condolence for the Late Mrs Victoria Adzagli Ametefee, wife of Mr Henry K. Ametefee, Volta Regional Chairman of the NDC, who died recently in Ho.

    He said he was nursing an injury from a parachute false landing in a bad weather several years ago, which led to the occasional discomfort he suffered when in sitting position.

    Medical examination of the injury then confirmed it was not a bad situation but the discomfort of sitting for long hours compelled him to occasionally use an orthopaedic foam to manage the pain.

    Former President Rawlings said because of that discomfort, he adjusted his seat at the funeral for some relief and not that he had issues with former President Mahama.

    Politicians have mastered act of deception to perpetuate power Rawlings

    “I actually turned towards Mr Mahama more than three times and where is that picture.”

    “Why did this intruder refuse to circulate my sitting position adjusting myself towards Mr Mahama but chose the opposite…what purpose does this serve anybody… more so when I cannot go to all places armed with the foam?” he asked.

    Former President Rawlings entreated the public to ignore such negative publicity for parochial reasons and stressed the need for people to be steadfast and truthful always.

    “This is a clear case of misrepresentation of facts,” he added, saying, social media and its power should be harnessed towards constructive nation-building and forging social cohesion and not to distract and plant discord.

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • Mpraeso District Police arrest two armed robbers

    The Mpraeso District Police have arrested two armed robbers believed to be part of a gang that rob passengers on the Adawso and Kotoso roads in the Eastern Region.

    Mr Francis Gomado, the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command, said the suspects, identified as Osumanu Abubakari, 23, and Osumanu Omar, 22, were arrested based on intelligence.

    Armed robbers tormenting us Kasoa residents

    They were said to be among the gang that robbed passengers on the road on October 29, this year.

    He said a search conducted on them revealed five assorted mobile phones and cash of GHC5,200.00.

    The suspects are currently on detention and exhibits retained to assist in further investigations.

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • Stop deceiving Ghanaians Ato Forson to NPP government

    The Mpraeso District Police have arrested two armed robbers believed to be part of a gang that rob passengers on the Adawso and Kotoso roads in the Eastern Region.

    Mr Francis Gomado, the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command, said the suspects, identified as Osumanu Abubakari, 23, and Osumanu Omar, 22, were arrested based on intelligence.

    I see nothing abusive about my letter to Ato Forson Ursula-Owusu

    They were said to be among the gang that robbed passengers on the road on October 29, this year.

    He said a search conducted on them revealed five assorted mobile phones and cash of GHC5,200.00.

    The suspects are currently on detention and exhibits retained to assist in further investigations.

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • NPP Nasara Coordinators’ organiser dies

    The organiser for the NPP’s National Nasara Coordinators has reportedly died, GhanaWeb has learned.

    According to GhanaWeb sources, Salihu Yahaya Bo, who drove himself to Kumasi from Accra Saturday night was found dead by family this morning.

    Even though the cause of death is not yet known, the late Yahaya Bo will be buried at the Old Tafo Cemetery in Kumasi at 2pm today in accordance to the Islamic culture.

    Alhaj Bo, as his friends called him, was the deputy Ashanti regional Secretary for the New Patriotic Party from 1997 to 2001. He also served as Ashanti regional Nasara Coordinator from 2001 to 2005.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Anthony Joshua knocked down by physically challenged lady Kate Farley

    British and Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua has fulfilled the dream of a physically challenged lady named Kate Farley by facing her in a boxing sparring fight. Kate Farley was interviewed by Bulk Powders where she made it known that she wanted to fight with Anthony Joshua.

    She has cerebral palsy and has been boxing since 2016 which has changed her life. Anthony Joshua watched the video of the interview and he decided to meet Kate Farley in the boxing ring so as to make her happy.

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    While entering the boxing ring, Kate Farley was sitting down waiting for Anthony Joshua and she was elated when she saw the 30-year-old. They both entered the boxing ring and minute later, the fight began in which Kate was showing her ability.

    Eventually, she gave Anthony Joshua two blows on the face in which the Briton fell down and Kate was declared the winner. It was an emotional fight which actually made the day of Kate Farley as she stood up in jubilation after beating Anthony Joshua and hugged him. Meanwhile, Anthony Joshua is currently preparing for his rematch with Andy Ruiz which is expected to take place in Saudi Arabia.

    Anthony Joshua v Andy Ruiz: Jr: Champion wants New York not Saudi Arabia to host

    Source: yen.com

  • There is no ‘Salmon’ fish in Ghana – Fisheries scientist

    The fish described by most Ghanaians as Salmons are rather chub mackerels and they are highly nutritious, a fisheries scientist at the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Dr Isaac Okyere, has said.

    “We do not have Salmons in our tropical waters. What we have is mackerel. Salmon is like the brother of mackerel and they are all highly nutritious and healthy for consumption”, Dr Okyere explained.

    He said both the mackerel and salmon, have nutritional values and possessed Omega three oil.

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    He was speaking to a group of journalists from selected media houses at a five-day training workshop on fisheries management organised by the Center for Coastal Management (CCM), University of Cape Coast (UCC).

    The workshop was organised in collaboration with Nature Today, Ghana, and USAID at the Ainoo Ansah Farms, in Gomoa Okyereko, near Winneba in the Central Region.

    According to Dr Okyere, Salmons could not live in tropical areas, where the temperature of the sea was warm, but they could thrive in temperate water in places like Australia where it is cold.

    “They cannot survive in the sea in Ghana,” he emphasized.

    He said the flesh of salmon is orange and looks entirely different from the flesh of mackerel which is cream or brown when smoked or cooked.

    Free SHS saved me from fishing 12-year-old student

    He urged the media to help correct the long term misinformation, and better educate the public on the right terms and the types of fish species for better management.

    Dr Okyere said fish was an important resource as it provides food, promotes good health and creates employment, and medicine as well as serve as animal feed.

    As objects of national and international trade, fish also provided income and foreign exchange and therefore, reduce poverty.

    He said in Ghana, about three million people were directly employed by the fisheries sector representing about 10 per cent of the total population while contributing more than 1.5 per cent of the value of all goods and services produced in Ghana- Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    Dr Okyere urged all stakeholders to continue to collaborate for the effective management of the fisheries sector since it contributed enormously to the economy of Ghana.

    He said attention needed to be focused on the entire value chain, especially on the production of fish and its marketing.

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • Runaway Prince vanishes again after gay scandal

    A 45-year-old native of Bodwensango Zongo in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, Prince Kwame Edward who run away to avoid being crowned the chief and Imam in 2014 as successor to his late father, has disappeared again without trace after he was caught red-handed with a gay partner in Accra earlier this year.

    People in Lapaz in Accra were taken aback one afternoon back in March this year when they saw a group of elders dragging Edward apparently to send him back to Bodwesango to face the wrath of the community after being apparently caught in the abominable gay act but also to face punishment for refusing to succeed his father nearly five years ago.

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    The police however chanced on the scene and upon interrogation found out that Edward had not committed any visible crime and freed him from his capturers, after which he took to his heels and has been on the run again since.

    According to an eyewitness with insider information, Edward run from his village because he was afraid he was going to get killed like two of his uncles who were gruesomely murdered before his own father ascended the skin back in 1990 for both refusing to step up and succeed their own father because they had converted to Christianity. The mantle of leadership in the community had passed on from one father to the first son in their lineage for many generations up to their father, Edward’s grandfather, Alhaji Kwabena Bequeen before his death in 1989 and the refusal by his first two sons to succeed him.

    Edward’s father, Alhaji Kwame Musa who was third in line however accepted the offer and was coronated and remained chief and Imam of Bodwesango Zongo under strict Islamic religious laws (Sharia) until his death which meant the crown must pass on straight to his first son, Prince Kwame Edward who had become a born-again Christian himself in 1993 at age 20.

    Married to one Sheila Edwin with two children, Prince Kwame Edward refused to budge and maintained his Christian faith up to when his troubles began after the death of his father when by Islamic practice he was buried the same day. Edward attended the funeral in company of his pastor but was later kidnapped by his family elders who made it clear as the first son he had to rescind his Christian religion, marry a 17-year-old girl betrothed to him and be sworn in to succeed his father as the next chief and Imam.

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    He tried to escape to the police station for safety but was rather arrested as had already being arranged by his family elders led by one Alhajji Fuseni who was a leader of the Islamic community in Bodwesango and also coordinator of NDC in the area (ruling party at the time) for the police to torture him until he agreed to be the chief and Imam or die through starvation. He suffered for many days until he fell sick and was admitted to the hospital where he managed to escape and head to Accra as the search by his family for him intensified.

    According to their strict tradition, the punishment for whoever refused to be the chief and Imam is death before his next brother in line could replace him hence he had to be found and crowned or be killed. After dispatching his wife and kids to his wife’s hometown where none of his family knew since he had also refused to marry the betrothed girl, Edward thereby saw the need to leave the country and travelled first to Ecuador before eventually settling in the US.

    His luck, however, run out when he returned to Ghana on the quiet but was spotted by a native of his home town, Bodwesango Zongo in Lapaz in Accra in March this year. The witness trailed him and found out where he lived and went back to the village to report to the elders who immediately dispatched people to Accra to capture Edward.

    It was when the elders arrived that they found to their horror that their runaway prince was actually living with his gay partner after sneaking in on them and caught them red-handed in the act. This further incensed the elders who were angry at the abominable act, captured Edward and threatened to send him to the village where he was bound to be killed for both refusing to be chief and Imam as well as being gay which their traditions strictly abhors.

    In the heat of the confrontation and threats, Prince Edward and his gay partner, one Robert were arrested by the Police but Edward managed to escape from the hands of the Police.

    Nobody knows where he actually is because he has gone into hiding and nobody knows if he is even still in the country.

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • Gunman in US school shooting dies as police hunt motive

    The teenager who gunned down classmates at a California high school before shooting himself died Friday, leaving detectives baffled over the motive of a Boy Scout with no obvious alarm bells in his background.

    Nathaniel Berhow died in a hospital one day after shooting himself in the head at the end of a 16th birthday rampage that left two fellow students dead.

    Berhow had been in critical condition since police officers storming the campus found him lying among the wounded.

    The Los Angeles sheriff’s department confirmed Berhow died shortly after 3:30 pm (2330 GMT) on Friday.

    The puzzle of what led him to open fire at Saugus High School, a short commute from Los Angeles, deepened as a picture emerged of a quiet yet sociable teen who was familiar with guns but had no history of troubled behavior.

    “We know it was a planned attack, it was deliberate… The motive? We don’t have it yet,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva told a news conference.

    The victims — a boy and a girl died while another three students were wounded — appeared to have been chosen at random, he said.

    “There’s no relationships that we can tell (between) the suspect and the victims,” Villanueva added, scotching rumors that an ex-girlfriend had been his target.

    Deadly Los Angeles school shooting traumatises students

    There was also no history of the teen being bullied.

    The FBI earlier said there is no evidence that the suspect had any ideological motives or acted on behalf of any organization. No manifesto or suicide note has been found.

    Deepening the riddle, Berhow’s late father had owned six registered guns — but none of them matched the .45 caliber semiautomatic the suspect used.

    His proficiency with the weapon during his short, deadly ambush suggested he had been firing guns for some time.

    “In 16 seconds he cleared a malfunction and was able to shoot five people and himself, so he seemed very familiar with firing the weapon,” said Villanueva.

    – ‘Bewildered’ –

    Jared Axen, 33, a next door neighbor, described Berhow as an introvert who was usually quiet and reserved but who had friends and could readily be engaged in conversation.

    “I would see him go back and forth between scouting. I’d see him do a lot of sports-related activities,” he told the Los Angeles Times.

    School records show Berhow was a keen middle-distance track runner.

    Aidan Soto, a fellow scout and student at Saugus, described the suspect as a “good kid,” and the last person he would expect to carry out a mass shooting.

    “The younger scouts really looked up to him. He was there when they needed him with anything. I’m bewildered and looking for answers.”

    Although Berhow had no evident history of violence, his family life over the past few years had been difficult.

    His father, divorced from his mother not long before, died of a heart attack in December 2017.

    The father had reportedly suffered from alcohol-related problems, and was at one point suspected of domestic violence but never prosecuted for lack of evidence.

    Nonetheless, the father and son were seemingly close.

    “He would tell me that he missed his father and that he loved him,” Axen said.

    – ‘Another innocent person’ –

    The father was a keen hunter whom neighbors would see manufacturing ammunition in his garage. Investigators said they found additional arms at the home, beyond the six registered weapons.

    Berhow would sometimes accompany his father on hunting trips, according to Axen — accounting for the deadly accuracy of his shooting.

    He also “knew how many rounds he had,” noted Villanueva, the sheriff. The teen gunman saved his final bullet for himself.

    The students slain by Berhow were identified as Gracie Anne Muehlberger, 15, and a 14-year-old boy.

    Messages on Muehlberger’s Instagram page read “I miss you so much already love,” and “It’s so sad that another innocent person has to die.”

    Another wounded teenager was able to return home Friday morning, and two girls — both operated on for gunshot wounds — should be able to leave the hospital in a few days, say medics.

    Tearful prayer vigils were held Thursday night, and all schools in the district remained closed Friday in a mark of respect, Deputy Superintendent Mike Kuhlman said.

    Source: France24

  • Black Meteors unhappy with Sports Ministry over bonus arrears

    Information reaching Ghanaguardian from Egypt indicates that Ghana under 23 team, the Black Meteors are unhappy with the country’s Ministry of Youth and Sports due to bonus arrears.

    According to a source close to the team, both the playing body and the technical team are yet to receive their qualification bonus for the ongoing CAF U23 Nations Cup as well as the winning bonus for their 1-0 victory over Algeria in the last qualifying game.

    Watch how Black Meteors stroll past Mali in U23 AFCON

    The source further disclosed that, the players have made a demand for the outstanding bonuses to be paid to them ahead of the next game.

    The Black Meteors are one win away from securing a place at next year’s Olympic games in Tokyo, Japan after recording an impressive 2-0 win over group A opponent Mali on Thursday night.

    The win, Ghana’s first in the competition sends the team into the semi final of the CAF u23 AFCON where they will face neighbours Ivory Coast.

    Meanwhile, several media reports have suggested that, winning bonuses for players of Ghana’s senior team, the Black Stars for the victory against South Africa on Thursday night have been paid.

    Source: Ghanaguardian.com

  • ‘Temper Justice with mercy’-Ghana captain Ayew pleads for pitch invader

    Captain of the Black Stars, Andre Ayew has called on the Police to forgive Awal Sulaiman, the young man who invaded the pitch during Ghana’s 2-0 win over South Africa at the Cape Coast Stadium on Thursday night.

    Sulaiman, a 25-year old nursing graduate is currently in the custody of Cape Coast Police and is set to be arraigned before court on Monday.

    Black Stars felt loved in Cape Coast Andre Ayew

    A number of Ghanaians have taken to social media to plead on behalf of the pitch invader but the Police are yet to soften their stance on the matter.

    Media reports on Friday suggests that attempt by the Sulaiman’s family to get him out of the grips of the Police have proven futile and now the captain of the Black Stars himself has jump into the band wagon.

    “We know how passionate football is, but it very important for everyone to always abide by safety rules at the stadium to make the place safe for everyone”, Andre Ayew said.

    “I want to plead with authorities to tamper justice and mercy to our dear fans, especially truder Awal Suleman and I hope this will not happen again”, the Black Stars skipper pleaded.

    Swansea showed great team spirit Andre Ayew says after scoring in draw

    The Black are currently training in Accra ahead of their trip to Sao Tome and Principe on Sunday for the second game of the 2021 AFCON Qualifiers.

    Source: Ghanaguardian.com

  • Madina MP, Zongo Minister watch Black Stars train

    Member of Parliament for the Madina constituency Hon. Abuabakar Boniface and the Minister for Inner Cities and Zongo Development, Hon. Dr. Mustapha Abdul Hamid were present at the Black Stars training in Madina.

    The Minister and the MP, together with some community leaders came out to support the Black Stars as they prepare for the Nations Cup qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe on Monday.

    President Akufo-Addo praises Black Stars performance against Bafana Bafana

    The team were training for the first time at the newly constructed astro turf in Madina, build under the leadership of the affable MP.

    Hon. Abubakar Boniface ensured the turf was constructed for the community during his time as Minister for Inner Cities and Zongo development.

    Several football fans also came out in numbers to watch the Black Stars train at the Zurak Park.

    The Black Stars will continue training today at the same venue before enplaning to Sao Tome and Principe on Sunday for the match on Monday.

    Ghana beat South Africa 2-0 in the opening game of the qualifiers through goals from Thomas Partey and debutant Kudus Mohammed.

    Newboy Christopher Antwi-Adjei joined the Black Stars team for the first time in training after arriving late for the South Africa game.

    The incredible number of fans adds to the thousands that showed up at the team’s training in Cape Coast and subsequently for the game against South Africa.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • DVLA to continue e-registration of vehicles from January 2020

    The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) will from January 2, 2020, continue the use of the electronic platform for the registration of vehicles.

    This is to ensure that the time spent at the DVLA is reduced drastically to prevent overcrowding.

    In respect of this, from November 11, 2019 to December 31, 2019, vehicle owners who wish to register their vehicles in 2020 should follow the process below to be issued with a new vehicle registration document;

    Tema DVLA office burgled; Cash, computers, documents stolen

    Present vehicles to the Private Vehicle Test Station (PVTS) for inspection.

    Present vehicles to DVLA for customs clearance, technical inspection and identity check.

    DVLA officer will select the appropriate vehicle category and generate an invoice.

    Make payment at the DVLA office from January 2, 2020.

    Undergo bio-metric capture at DVLA office.

    A new registration document (Certificate of title, Vehicle Smart Card), number plate and other documents would be issued.

    Robbers attack Tema DVLA

    Only vehicles that have gone through the above pre-registration process will be registered during the annual mass registration of vehicles in early 2020.

    Customers will be expected to provide their Tax Identification Number (TIN) as a prerequisite for the registration process.

    The Authority urges vehicle owners to desist from relying on middlemen, popularly known as “goro boys”, to avoid being swindled.

    Source: DLVA Ghana

  • Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council set to open Accra office

    The Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) is set to open its office in Accra, as part of efforts to help promote trade and investment between Ghana and other Commonwealth countries.

    Lord Jonathan Marland, Chairman, CWEIC, made this known in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra.

    He said if things were to go on as planned, the organisation’s Accra Office would be opened within the next three months.

    He said the opening of the CWEIC Office in Accra, would create great opportunities for the great people of Ghana.

    Miss Commonwealth Ghana wins Outstanding Women Beauty Pageant at GOWA 2019

    He said CWEIC’s mandate is to promote trade and investment across the Commonwealth; stating that the organisation was set up to build a network across the Commonwealth to enable business and investment and to lift up aspirations of member countries.

    The CWEIC was established in July 2014 with the support of the Commonwealth Secretariat and member governments.

    It is a not-for-profit membership organisation with a remit from Commonwealth Heads of Government to promote trade, investment and the role of the private sector across the 53 member countries.
    The CWEIC has a small secretariat based within the Commonwealth Secretariat offices in London.

    Lord Marland said CWEIC had been leading trade delegations to Commonwealth countries, as well as countries outside the Commonwealth.

    He announced that in June 2020, ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, CWEIC would be holding a very big trade and business forum.

    Secretary-General of Commonwealth arrives in Ghana for youth meeting

    He said the forum, which was slated from June 23rd to 25th, 2020, would jointly be co-chair by him together with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda.
    He said the forum would provide a great opportunity for people to discuss investment and business opportunities; which was what that business forum creates.

    “So, our job is to bring people together, from across a very discrete group of countries and to present to them the opportunities that exist in those countries,” he said.

    “I have no doubt that currently, Ghana is an excellent opportunity for international investors.”

    With regards to the impact of Brexit (the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union) on Ghana and other African countries, Lord Marland said Brexit would inevitably have consequences; some very good and some not good.

    He said the UK as a strong partner of Ghana, would like to see that partnership grow from strength to strength after Brexit.
    Touching on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Lord Marland said it was very appropriate that the AfCFTA’s Secretariat was going to be located in Ghana.

    This, he said, was because Ghana is a nation, which believes largely in free trade.

    On whether AfCFTA would impact positively on the Continent’s socioeconomic development, Lord Marland said: “I think it is very clear that free trade helps countries come out of poverty. And if you have a nation that sees that they have poverty and that they are not growing as an economy, free trade has been demonstrated throughout the world as a way of lifting countries out of poverty.”

    While in Ghana, Lord Marland held discussions with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, the Finance Minister.

    Source: Ghananewsagency.org

  • Customers reimbursed for CST deductions

    Communications Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has revealed that since October 20, customers have been reimbursed of their 9% deductions supposed to be for Communication Service Tax (CST).

    At a press conference to highlight the financial returns in government’s Common Platform project Thursday, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful noted that after the upfront CST deduction, the telecommunication companies send a notification of a refund to affected customers.

    “I am sure that you can all verify that,” she said.

    Communications Minister sued for ordering telcos to cease upfront CST deductions

    Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta in the Mid-year Supplementary Budget announced an increase in the CST from 6 to 9 per cent.

    He said the increase was to help develop the foundation for a viable technology ecosystem in the county.

    Telecom firms on October 1, 2019, begun charging customers the revised CST directly.

    The Communications Minister later in October then directed the mobile telecommunication companies to stop deducting the tax upfront, stressing that it was making the government unpopular.

    Mrs Owusu-Ekuful said the upfront deductions seemed to her like a deliberate attempt by the telcos to make the government unpopular.

    Aburi Hills: CST limited contract terminated over non-compliance GHA

    Following this, the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) agreed to stop the upfront deduction and apply it through tariff adjustment.

    Madam Owusu-Ekuful said at the conference that the telcos have been given up to November 26, 2019, to configure their system and fully halt upfront charge deductions.

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Rawlings’ ‘sexy’ photo with 8 packs that set the internet ablaze

    Former President Jerry John Rawlings has once again received some admiration from the social media community, not for something he has said or done, but for an old black and white photograph of himself that has resurfaced.

    The photograph making the rounds on Facebook and on WhatsApp statuses shows the energetic sunglasses-wearing former president during his revolutionary days in 1983 standing with no shirt on as he helps to build a bridge at a location GhanaWeb cannot independently verify.

    Understudy chiefs to appreciate value of truth Rawlings to politicians

    The part of the photograph that got the internet talking was his ripped body with 8 packs that many men and women will literally die for. While others are in admiration, some are of the assertion that since the former president has lost his ripped body, then their “one packs” are fine.

    “Even JJ has lost his 6 Packs..lemme not kill myself. 2 is ok,” says a Facebook user. “…..”THE SIX PACKS S3F WEY IKILL NANA KUNADU NÃ’………OOOH WOMEN D3N HARD GUYS;HHHHMMMMMM……” says another.

    Below is the photograph in question and comments from social media users.

    Source: ghanaweb.com

  • Engage Now Africa organizes Community stakeholders forum on modern slavery at Pediatorkorpe

    Engage now Africa (ENA) a Non-Governmental Organization had a stakeholders engagement with the people of Pediatorkorpe and it’s surrounding communities in the Ada East District of the Greater Accra Region to address issues pertaining to modern slavery and how best they can address them.

    The Community Stakeholders’ Forum which was under the theme, “Awareness, Action & Impact” focused on human trafficking, child labor/child trafficking which has become the grassroots for abusing the right and freedom of people worldwide.

    In an Opening Speech, The Director of End Modern Slavery (EWS) from Engage now Africa (ENA) Afasi Komla said, ENA has been preventing and combating human trafficking and engaged in the fight in ending poverty in Ethiopia, Namibia, Sierra-Leone, Uganda as well as in Ghana.

    According to Afasi Komla, “Modern Slavery” is an umbrella term that covers forced labor, forced marriage and human trafficking which is a common trend that a person is being exploited and cannot refuse or leave due to threat, coercion, deception, manipulation and/ or abuse of power. Therefore it is the goals of ENA to educate, create awareness and teach anti-human trafficking actions in vulnerable communities like that of the ones on the Ada Island and also to partner with other agencies to rescue, rehabilitate trafficked victims and prosecute the traffickers, improve a lasting socio-economic impact in the lives of our brothers and sisters in Ghana and again to ensure that every child is safe and not vulnerable to any social vices.

    He stressed on some forms of human trafficking in Africa such as Child Trafficking in fishing and illegal mining, Sexual exploitation and prostitution, Child sacrifices, Debt bondage etc and people do all these unacceptable behaviors in Ghana with the aim of poverty, low self-esteem, homeless, ignorance, low risk of arrest and prosecution, political conditions among others.

    He also indicated that some of the activities which they undertake to sensitize vulnerable people and communities include; Trafficking Free Road Campaign, Community Stakeholder’s Forum, Regional Sensitization Outreach, End Modern Slavery Anti-Slavery Youth Campaign, Law Enforcement Training, Coalition and Rescue Operation and they collaborate with agencies such as; Motor Transport and Traffic Unit (MTTU), Ghana Private Road and Transport Union (GPRTU), Assembly Members, Chiefs, Regional and District Police Command, Ghana Immigration Service, Department of Social Welfare and the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit in other to achieve their target of ending modern slavery in Africa as a whole.

    He said there are laws in Ghana to help fight against modern slavery but the implementation is the problem because those living in the urban areas doesn’t really know what is going on in the deprived communities so therefore we must come together as one people to find a lasting solution to these challenges.

    Portia Heiens, The Acting In-charge of Pediatorkorpe Health Clinic in her statement to the participants, she encourages them to make good use of family planning both the natural and artificial methods so that they can be able to look after their children and not to think of giving them to anyone to carter for them which would generate the act of human trafficking.

    Nene Ofoe Gberbie IV, Head Chief of Pediatorkorpe Island thanked ENA for their continues support to the 7 Island. He urges parents to be watchdogs for their children by protecting them and to ensure that their wards are educated in order for them to become useful citizens in the country.

    The participants were taken through some lessons involving who a child is, what is child trafficking/child labor, preventions among other issues regarding modern slavery by Heitey Yankson a Staff from Engage now Africa (ENA)

    Source: Engage Now Africa

  • 307 ambulances to be distributed soon Health Minister

    Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, has asked Ghanaians to exercise patience in the distribution of the 307 ambulances procured by government under its $1m per constituency policy.

    Already, government has taken delivery of 98 of the 307 ambulances which Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, while presenting the 2020 Budget Statement and Economic Policy in Parliament on Wednesday indicated would be distributed to the various districts nationwide.

    But Mr. Agyeman-Manu in an interview with DGN Online on the sidelines of the inauguration of the “ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital” in Accra, disclosed that the distribution of the ambulances will start when the full complement have been received.

    Special Development Ministry blasts Minority over ambulance ultimatum

    “Ghanaians should exercise a little patience. We are still receiving them in batches so we may have to hesitate a little in the distribution but in case of any emergency, we will be able to deploy to save the situation.”

    Although the sector minister did not give the timelines to when the expected ambulances will arrive in the country, he said, “We expect to have the full complement soon, have the President commission, them then we can start distribution.”

    Currently, Ghana can boast of only 55 ambulances, most of which are in poor conditions.

    The National Ambulance Service (NAS) in a recent media interview pleaded with government to distribute the ambulances that had arrived in the country to augment the present fleet.

    My ambulances can be compared to a clinic Hawa Koomson

    “We do not know when we will take delivery of them. We understand they are coming in batches so I do not know when it will be handed over to us, but if government says because of the inadequate ambulances we have now, they will give them to us as they come in, we will be happy to work with them.”

    “As at now, we have 55 weak ambulances nationwide which are over stressed and some in poor conditions and have to be serviced time and again, which means that at a point in time less than the number we have can perform emergency services,” the Public Relations Officer of NAS, Simmons Yussif Kewura stated.

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Man at Daboya was lynched by residents, not shot by officers Police command

    The Savannah Regional Police Command has denied reports that its personnel shot and killed a 32-year-old man at Daboya.

    The Regional Commander, DCOP Enoch Adutwum Bediako instead said the man, Abudulai Mustapha, was lynched.

    “The police had information that some youth had attacked Mustapha when he was chasing other citizens and that he had been beaten and lynched.”

    RAINS constructs three-unit classroom block for Daboya School

    Abudulai Mustapha reportedly injured two out of four police officers who were dispatched to arrest him after a complaint was lodged at the Daboya police station in the North Gonja District.

    Abudulai Mustapha reportedly threated to kill his mother.

    DCOP Enoch Adutwum Bediako narrated that “Mustapha was holding a long spear, a knife and a club. On seeing the police, he turned the attack on them.”

    Earlier reports said Abudulai Mustapha, believed to be mentally ill, was shot and killed by police at Daboya.

    Previous incidents

    There is already an open investigation following police force against a different mentally-ill man this week.

    Armed robbers break into Police Armory at Daboya; steal weapons

    This mentally-ill man was shot by an officer at the Akyem Tafo Branch of Ghana Commercial Bank on Monday.

    The man, known as Ishmael, was shot in the thigh by the police officer and taken to the hospital for treatment.

    According to the police, Ishmael was armed with a knife and posing as a threat to customers.

    In September, a man also believed to have been mentally ill, was gunned down in September by the Akyem Kwabeng Police in the Eastern Region after he reportedly besieged the Police station and threatened to kill some officers.

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • NDC and Mahama failed the Upper East region; reject his comeback agenda Minister

    The Upper East Regional Minister, Tangoba Abayage, has taken a swipe at the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and former president John Dramani Mahama, saying, they woefully failed the region in terms of development.

    Mrs Abayage was speaking at a Regional Tertiary Students Confederacy (TESCON) conference. The event also formed part of the commemoration of 20th Anniversary of TESCON.

    The event attracted thousands of students, graduates, businesses and party executives of the region among others.

    Mahama visits Upper East flood victims

    The Upper East regional Minister used the occasion to commend TESCON for its role in the success of the New Patriotic Party. She further urged the members to continue spreading the good deeds of the government.

    “You deserve commendation for your hard-work. But, do not forget to tell your constituents that the NDC is not an alternative, they never had any profiting policies for the region.

    Mrs Abayage indicated that the region is progressively rising due to the prudent management of the economy and innovative policies introduced by the Akufo-Addo led government. She stressed on the need for the Upper East region to align with her government to better the lives of farmers andentrepreneurs

    The TESCON @ 20 celebration was under the theme: Revamping, Revitalising and Repositioning Our Field Machinery for Victory 2020: TESCON Beyond Campus,” she said.

    GH¢50k for Upper East disaster victims

    “The NDC has no message, but rather attacking our policies and programmes. They keep saying the Nana Addo-led regime is doing nothing; let them continue. I am happy Ghanaians are seeing the good works this government is doing,” she said.

    According to her, the Free Senior High School policy has greatly impacted lives in the rural areas of the region. She added that the Planting for Food and Jobs has also brought a lot of relief to the framers in the region.

    The party also presented motorbikes to the Youth Wings in the 15 constituencies of the Upper East Region.

    Source: adomonline.com

  • GH¢470m saved since 2017 Ursula justifies Kelni GVGs common platform

    Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has defended an $89 million contract awarded to Kelni GVG to operate revenue assurance and traffic monitoring centre for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).

    The company was awarded the contract by government for the design, development and implementation of a common platform for traffic monitoring, revenue assurance, and mobile money monitoring and fraud management.

    Ursula fights BoG over Kelni GVG deal

    For a long time, the contract stirred controversy because critics said Afriwave and Subah Info Solutions were already providing the services that Kelni GVG has been contracted to provide.

    Other industry watchers described the contract as a wasteful one aimed at stealing from the public purse. A key critic of the contract at the time was IMANI Africa, a policy think tank.

    But at a press conference Thursday, the Communications Minister revealed that an estimated GH¢470 million in taxes has been saved since the first quarter of 2017 to date.

    She said that after March 20, 2017, when the new contract came into force, there had been a marked difference in the Value Added Tax (VAT) and National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) declared by the mobile network operators to the regulator, Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

    Connect to Kelni GVG platform in 48 hours or face sanctions Ursula to telcos

    “The question that one should ask is: what has happened between prior to March 2017 to post-March 2017 for us to witness those wide revelations in the declarations made on VAT and CST [Communications Service Tax] to the GRA.

    “We state categorically that the only contributing factor was the establishment of a common platform and so the differences that have been noticed to the positive benefits that the common platform has brought today,” she told journalists.

    She said the savings of GH¢470 million has happened because of the proper declarations of taxes by the MNOs to the GRA.

    “It vindicates the resolve of the government to give effect to the law by putting in place the common monitoring platform to verify actual declarations of VAT and CST and other taxes in the sector and ensure that all the players in the sector pay their actual due to the ex-checker,” she stressed.

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Two shot in violent clash over Damba festival celebration at Bimbilla

    Tension is currently brewing in Bimbilla in the Northern Region over the celebration of the Damba festival.

    Reports reaching Citi News indicate that security personnel have prevented the Nakpaa Naa family from celebrating the festival at his palace.

    This led to a confrontation between the family and the security which according to reports led to the security shooting on the grounds.

    Bawumia joins people of Akuapim-Mampong to celebrate Ohum festival

    Two persons have reportedly been hit by bullets, leading to serious tension in the town.

    The Nakpaa Naa family has started burning tyres on roads.

    Damba Festival banned in Bole

    Meanwhile, the Overlord of Gonjaland, Yagbowura Tuntumba Bore Essa I in consultation with the Council of Elders has placed a ban on the celebration of the Damba festival in the Bole traditional area in the Savannah Region.

    The ban has been necessitated by a lingering dispute over the Bole skin which has led to a clash between two factions.

    Okyeame Kwame, Kofi Kinaata unveiled ambassadors for International Coconut Festival

    The dispute has since been put before the judiciary committee of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs for a resolution while the Ministry of Interior has also imposed a curfew on the Bole township.

    In order to ensure peace in the area, the King of Gonjaland in a press release has banned the celebration of the Damba festival in the Bole township.

    The statement further entreats the Savannah Regional Security Council to take measures to stop any celebration in the Bole traditional area.

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Government renews curfew hours imposed on Drobo

    The Minister for the Interior has by Executive Instrument, renewed the curfew hours imposed on Drobo and adjourning communities in the Jaman South Municipality of the Bono Region.

    The curfew hours are now between 8:00 p.m to 5:00 a.m effective, Thursday, November 14, 2019, a statement signed by the Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery said.

    Imposition of curfew on Bunkpurugu township and its environs

    “Meanwhile, there is a total ban on all persons in the afore-mentioned communities and their environs from carrying arms, ammunition or any offensive weapons and any persons found with any arms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted,” the statement added.

    While expressing its appreciation to “the Chiefs, Elders, Opinion Leaders, Youth and people of the area for their efforts in ensuring peace in the area”, the government also urged “them to use the established mechanisms for the resolution of all their conflicts and disputes.”

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Gas leakage causes panic at Adentan Ritz junction

    An incident of gas leakage at an LPG station at Adentan Ritz junction in Accra on Thursday morning caused panic and raised safety concerns.

    Many motorists on the Adentan-Madina highway turned around to avoid passing through the Ritz junction and that created a panic situation.

    The incident happened around 10:09 am.

    Ghana Gas owes GNPC US$260 million for gas supplied PIAC report

    The Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Mr Ellis Robinson Oko confirming the incident explained it was purely “accidental” which fire service personnel were able to bring under control within 20 minutes.

    He said the gas station was discharging LPG from a tanker into bulk storage and the hose developed a problem and caused the gas to leak.

    The leakage spread into the immediate vicinity of the area and was felt in some residential homes and created a panic situation as residents and motorists fled the area to safety.

    Mr Oko said the GNFS was called around 10:09 am and since the nearest fire station at Madina was a few metres away, by 10:10 am they were at the station and managed to bring the situation under control by 10:34 am.

    Flashback on the Atomic gas explosion

    Breach of protocol
    He said the safety protocol was for all LPG stations to call the GNFS for personnel to be on standby whilst discharging from tankers into bulk storage and even though some stations do follow all these protocols, what happened on Thursday morning was “purely accidental.”

    He said if fire personnel had been informed to be on standby, what happened Thursday morning would not have escalated to the extent of people running helter-skelter since it would have been timeously curtailed.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • 2020 is approaching, hasten Ghana card issuance – Mahama begs NIA

    The 2020 flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress has made a passionate appeal to the management of the National Identification Authority, to speed up the process of issuing the Ghana card.

    Speaking at the climax of the Dumba festival in Wa, in the Upper West Region, John Dramani Mahama said, there have been complaints about the slow process in several regions and it looks like that experience is playing out again in the Upper West.

    Today in 2014: Change your style Otabil tells Mahama

    “Next year is an election year and the Ghana Card is going to be one of the identification means to show that people are Ghanaians. Therefore it is important that as many Ghanaians who seek to acquire the card get it,” he pointed out.

    JoyNews Correspondent, Rafiq Salam reports that the former president further called on the Authority to be up and doing if their challenge is logistic in nature.

    “If it is a question of equipment, I think that the National Identification Authority should be up and doing so that as many people in this region can acquire the card,” he appealed.

    The NIA came into being in 2003 under the Office of the President.

    It has a mandate to issue national ID cards and manage the National Identification System (NIS).

    Akufo-Addo unlike Mahama shields his corrupt appointees Asiedu Nketia

    The government passed the NIA Act, 2006 (Act 707) to give it the necessary legal premise on which to operate.

    The Authority says it has registered 2,902,526 eligible Ghanaians in the Greater Accra, Volta and Oti regions since the registration started on June 4, 2018.

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • ‘What kind of person quotes the Bible yet hurls insults in a ‘Kasantwi’ budget’ Mona Quartey to Ofori-Atta

    The 2020 budget statement presented before Parliament by Ghana’s Bible-chomping Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta was full of innuendoes and veiled insults targeted at the leadership of the erstwhile Mahama administration, a former Deputy Minister of Finance Mrs. Mona Quartey has said.

    She wondered how Mr Ofori-Atta could, with one tongue, copiously quote The Scriptures during his presentation of the budget on Wednesday, 13 November 2019 while at the same time use the same tongue to hurl insults at the former administration.

    55,000 nurses recruited Ofori-Atta

    Responding to a comment by Mr Ofori-Atta: “If you add the cost of cleaning the financial sector challenges in addition to the long list of legacy bills that the Akufo-Addo government had to settle, the cost to the Ghanaian taxpayer is around GHS33 billion”, Mrs Mona Quartey, who was a member of the Mahama government, retorted: “That is so deceitful”.

    “Honestly”, she asked, “How can you talk about a Mahama legacy debt when this nation has been ruling itself since 1957 and each government hands over debt to the next one?”

    “So, it will be very unfair to just put it like that; and that is one of the things I’d like to mention when you talk about the general budget: One, the budget was a ‘Kasantwi’ budget, where there was a constant insulting of the former government. You don’t do that”, she said, stressing: “One government hands over to the other”.

    “Again”, she emphasised, “While you were doing all that so-called ‘kasantwi’, you were also throwing the name of Jesus and God into the budget”, she pointed out, wondering: “What kind of person does that kind of thing?”

    “You insult with one mouth and then you invoke the name of Jesus with the same mouth, throwing Scripture into it. Let us be serious about our budget; our budget is a very important tool…”, she urged.

    2020 Budget Statement and Economic Policy by The Independent Ghana on Scribd

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Absence of Volta Regional roads from 2020 budget an obvious mistake Osafo-Maafo

    Following concerns over the absence of road projects for the Volta Region in the 2020 budget, Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo-Maafo says there was a mistake in the document.

    “It was obviously a mistake,” the Minister explained on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday noting that he was also taken aback by the omission.

    A Deputy Finance Minister, Charles Adu Boahen, yesterday also said he was surprised about the omission of the Volta Region in the distribution of the road projects in the 2020 budget.

    2020 Budget: GH¢9.3bn earmarked for infrastructure

    Mr. Osafo-Maafo said he has since conferred with the sector minister who confirmed that there was indeed a list of Volta Region roads.

    “When I also saw it, I asked myself, how could it be because there were 15 regions instead of 16 and I asked him [the sector minister] and he said we have a whole list for the Volta Region.”

    Mr. Osafo-Maafo also reminded that the Eastern Corridor road was due to receive attention in 2020.

    “For the whole Eastern Corridor road we are doing, most parts of it will be done in 2020. A lot of the Eastern Corridor road passes through the Volta Region so you cannot talk about roads in 2020 without talking about the Volta Region.”

    He also cited the Volivo bridge and all roads associated with the bridge, adding that therefore “it cannot be so that there are no roads in the Volta Region.”

    The Volivo 540m bridge is set to run across the Volta River on the Eastern Corridor Road.

    2020 Budget: Sports Ministry allocation reduced

    Year of roads

    The Finance Minister in delivering the 2020 budget statement stressed a focus fixing roads across the country in 2020 and beyond.

    “To get the road sector moving and contractors back to work, government will pay 80% of all contractors,” the Finance Minister said,

    The government has also identified what it described as “critical roads” across each of the 16 regions in the country.

    The Finance Minister also said Cocobod has also secured funds to continue with ongoing and new cocoa roads.

    2020 Budget Statement and Economic Policy by The Independent Ghana on Scribd

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • GPHA rejects JoyNews exposé on massive revenue loss at ports

    The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) says a JoyNews report alleging revenue losses at Tema and Takoradi Ports to the tune of over $100 million, is false.

    The Authority has also rejected the claim that 895.519 tonnes of clinker said to have been imported in 2018 fell short of expectation, which formed the basis for the report to arrive at that conclusion.

    New fire and safety officers of GPHA trained to improve on job-skills

    The documentary produced by JoyNews investigative reporter, Kwettey Nartey, tells of how cement manufacturing companies shortchanged the country in excess of $100million lat the ports.

    Leaked confidential documents from national security revealed that the Tema and Takoradi ports lost millions of dollars in import duties and taxes on tonnes of clinker imported by cement manufacturing companies over the last five years.

    GPHA cautions general public against job placement scams

    However, the management of GPHA in a statement signed by General Manager in charge of Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Mrs Esther Gyebi-Donkor, indicated that “…the volume of clinker declared or imported in 2018 is not 895.519 tonnes as reported by JoyNews but 3.723,204 tonnes.”

    Below is the full statement:

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Disregard directives to return to work, strike continues JUSAG

    Following a statement released by the Management of the Judicial Service asking all staff to report to work immediately, the Judicial Service Staff Association (JUSAG) has cautioned its members to disregard the notice as the strike continues till their demands are met.

    Although the National Labour Commission (NLC) described the strike as illegal, JUSAG noted that the only body that can determine whether their action is illegal or otherwise, is a court of competent jurisdiction and until such court declares so.

    They are also of the view that its outfit will not be moved by threats or intimidation from any organization.

    NLC declares JUSAG strike illegal

    Earlier report indicates that their call on government for a salary review for its members have fallen on deaf ears.

    Though series of letters have been written to the Ministry of Finance demanding salary negotiations, the Ministry declined, a situation they describe as unfair treatment from the government to its members.

    Read statement below:

    UPDATE ON JUSAG STRIKE FOR DAY 2

    There has been many attempts from various quarters to render our strike illegal and as we move on to the second day you will hear more.

    Judicial Service staff demand promotions in 2 weeks

    Those threats should not intimidate any of our members in that the only body that can determine whether our action is illegal or otherwise, is a court of competent jurisdiction and until such court declares so, we shall continue to remain on strike.

    In light of the above, we therefore direct our members of all ranks/positions to disregard calls, messages or directives to go to the office to work, in whatsoever capacity or function.

    Remain Resolute!!!
    From NEC-JUSAG!

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Go back to work now JUSAG ordered

    The Judicial Service has ordered members of the Judicial Service Staff Association (JUSAG) to “immediately” call off their strike and return to work.

    Courts and legal services have come to a halt following the declaration of an indefinite strike by the group after a meeting on Tuesday until concerns of their allowance and salary discrepancies were duly addressed.

    JUSAG threatens strike over salary review

    The National Labour Commission, in reaction, declared the action illegal as it said the Commission is currently working on the concerns.

    The Executive Secretary of the NLC, Mr Ofosu Asamoah told Valentina Ofori-Afriyie on 505 on Tuesday, 12 November 2019 that the NLC will meet JUSAG in court if they fail to call off the strike and resume work.

    But JUSAG will not budge.

    As a result of the strike, court clerks, recorders (typists) and other staff failed to show up for work on Wednesday.

    Judicial Service staff to strike indefinitely next week over salary concerns

    In response, the Judicial Service issued an edict through a statement, saying the “management of the Judicial Service has noted with concern that in spite of the National Labour Commission, on the 12th of November 2019 declaring the intended strike of the Judicial Service Staff Association (JUSAG) illegal, JUSAG proceeded to embark upon strike action on 13 November 2019. We, therefore, call on all staff of the Judicial Service to report to work with immediate effect.”

    “All judges and magistrates are also requested to attend to work as usual. Management advises the general public that all courts are functioning and are open for service”, the statement said.

    JUSAG, however, insists it will not call off the strike.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • 55,000 nurses recruited Ofori-Atta

    The government has recruited 55,000 nurses to enhance healthcare delivery, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has disclosed when he delivered the 2020 budget to Parliament on Wednesday, 13 November 2019.

    Apart from recruitments into the health sector, Mr Ofori-Atta said the government has also recruited tens of thousands of people into various public sector programmes.

    Ken Ofori-Atta either a liar or clueless 3Music Awards founder fires

    He stated: “A further 138,026 Ghanaians have been recruited under various programmes to support public sector delivery.”

    Meanwhile, “3.6 million Ghanaians have been registered under the national ID programmes while 1,000 sanitary facilities are under construction to address open defecation and 49,000 trainee nurses have been paid GHS468 million in allowances,” Mr Ofori-Atta noted.

    2020 Budget Statement and Economic Policy by The Independent Ghana on Scribd

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Volta River Authority calls for competitive priced electricity tariff regime

    The Volta River Authority (VRA), Ghana’s premier electricity power generator, has asked for a competitive priced electricity tariff regime that incorporates financial compensation for its various ancillary services.

    Mr. Kweku Andoh Awotwi, Board Chairman at the VRA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, stated: “We are of the considered opinion that the time has come for the mandated institutions to consider and incorporate the provision of ancillary services in the tariff methodology”.

    The issue of non-cost reflective tariff and inadequate liquidity, he said, continued to affect the Company’s finances, adding, “It is our expectation that the Government will address these critical issues through its ongoing initiatives.”

    Cybercrime poses threat to major sectors of economy Kweku Awotwi

    The AGM, dubbed the Ninth Stakeholders Interface, updated the Stakeholders on the Company’s operations for the year, looked at the critical issues, including the financial statements and the way forward.

    Mr Awotwi said a key priority of the Authority was to collaborate with Government and other interested stakeholders to develop and convert their simple cycle plants into combined-cycle operations.

    The target plants include the Kpong Thermal Power Station and the Tema Thermal One Power Plant.

    It also aims to transfer ownership of the T3 Power Plant to VRA to enable it to re-tool it and operate it in a combined cycle mode with a private sector partner.

    Mr Awotwi said generation from their hydro sources increased marginally from 5,034GWh in 2017 to 5,044GWh, contributing 37 percent to the National power generation.

    “Though we could not achieve our thermal plant availability targets, we successfully restored the second unit of the Takoradi Thermal plant (32G2)making available to the system over 100 MW of power which has been unavailable due to prolonged maintenance activity”.

    The Authority’s decision to operate on natural gas led to a 30.5 percent increase in the use of the resource, he said, pointing out that the completion of the Takoradi-Tema Interconnection project would enhance the thermal operations in the Tema enclave.

    Gas price reduction will make a big difference Awotwi

    He said the VRA had a commitment to expand its portfolio of renewable energy projects and was in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission and the Nuclear Power Institute to support the development of Nuclear power in Ghana.

    Mr Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa, Chief Executive of the VRA, said the Authority was on the path to financial sustainability and had since 2018 not received financial support from the Ministry of Finance.

    “VRA is restructuring into a new era in 2021 and has put plans in place to ensure development in a sustainable manner, sustain our position as a market leader, improve operational and project implementation efficiencies, advance internal and external business processes and build, nurture and develop their human capital,” he said.

    Mr Steven Asamoah-Boateng, Chief Executive Officer at the State Interest in Governance Authority, (SIGA) commended the VRA, saying, they had provided a very hopeful financial outlook.

    “We are looking beyond the PDS/ECG era,” he said, and pledged SIGA’s support to the VRA’s transformational efforts.

    Source: www.ghananewsagency.org

  • Government secures US$250m World Bank funds to start National Development Bank in 2020

    The National Development Bank is expected to commence operations in 2020 to provide access to cheaper and long-term funding to some key companies operating in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors.

    The Finance Minister delivering the 2020 budget statement to Parliament said the government is set to complete discussions with the World Bank and other development partners to capitalize the bank in 2020 for it to commerce operations.

    World Bank Board of Directors approve $150m for education in Ghana

    “We have secured US$250 million from the World Bank as initial capitalization to kick-start the operations of the NDB and an interim board was set-up.”

    “In view of the high level of interest generated, other donors such as DFID, KFW, AfDB are expected to provide additional capitalization for the Bank once it becomes operational in 2020.”

    “The National Development Bank as envisioned will refinance credit to industry and agriculture as a wholesale bank, and also provide guarantee instruments to encourage universal banks to lend to these specific sectors of the economy,” he added.

    The Bank is expected to act as an independent institution with a strong corporate governance framework and would be globally rated to enable it to leverage foreign private capital for industrial and agriculture development in the country.

    Increase IDA Funding to US$100m Ken Ofori Atta to IMF/World Bank

    Mr Ofori-Atta said the government will also provide periodic dedicated funds for intervention in key areas of the economy such as large scale agro-processing, housing, through various schemes and funds as needed for economic and social development and jobs.

    2020 Budget Statement and Economic Policy by The Independent Ghana on Scribd

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Two children dead after being shot on farm at Kintampo

    The Kintampo Divisional Police Command has started investigations into the death of two children at Krabonso-Adiambra in the Kintampo South District of the Bono East Region.

    The two died from wounds after they were shot whilst on a farm by an unknown person on Monday.

    Two persons die in Kintampo accident

    The two, Gabriel Yinye, 10, and Kanto Yinye, aged 9, were on the farm with their mother when the incident occurred.

    They were out searching for fruits when they were shot, police have said.

    The Kintampo Divisional Police Commander, ACP Joseph Antwi Gyau, told Citi News his outfit is now working to apprehend the perpetrator.

    “The other person died on the spot and other was taken to the hospital. He was sent to the Kintampo hospital and later referred to Techiman, with the pellets in his stomach and hands. Unfortunately, the following day, he also died,” ACP Gyau narrated.

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Well turn Ghana upside down Angry customers of collapsed financial institutions

    Some aggrieved customers of collapsed financial institutions in Ghana who are yet to retrieve their funds have threatened to destabilize the country even if part of their funds are paid.

    They are demanding full payment of their locked-up funds. Anything short of that, they note, will leave them with no other option than to turn the country upside down even if that will cost them their lives.

    Banking cleanup: Go beyond talk, pay customers Mahama to govt

    “We will only get part of our investment…that is to hell! It can never happen. Otherwise, we are going to turn the country outside down. One by one, we will die and they will bury us. They will bury us. So they should prepare coffins, as many as possible,” one of them warned on behalf of the rest in an interview he granted Joy Fm monitored by MyNewsGh.com.

    Government, through the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently the licenses of 53 fund managers because of insolvency.

    As part of what regulators of the financial space call a clean-up of the sector, many banks, savings and loans companies, microfinance institutions, fund managers among others have had their licenses revoked for various breaches of the laws governing them.

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • Police shoot and kill man who stabbed officer at Doboya

    A 32-year-old man and a native of Daboya in the North Gonja District of Savannah Region, Abudulai Mustapha, is said to have been shot and killed by police personnel for allegedly stabbing another police officer with a knife.

    According to eyewitness accounts, a complaint was lodged at the Daboya Police station in the early hours of Tuesday claiming that the deceased, who stayed with his aged mother, threatened to kill her.

    Police activates hotlines to report officer misconduct on roads

    Following this, the station detailed four unarmed Community Police Officers to the deceased’s house but upon arrival, the deceased who is alleged to be unsound in mind ignored questions from the police and walked into his room where he later emerged with a cutlass and knife.

    He then pursued the officers until one of them, Tidoro Mohammed, fell to the ground and was allegedly stabbed by the deceased before a team of police reinforcement shot and killed him.

    An eyewitness and the North Gonja District Coordinator of National Youth Employment Programme, Adam Yahaya told JoyNews that the reinforced team officers were initially unsuccessful in arresting the suspect after a run in the bush for nearly two hours.

    Police officers in deprived areas to receive early promotion Ambrose Dery

    While they were returning to the station, the suspect emerged and begun to attack them leading to the firing of shots of which hit him resulting in his death, Mr Yahya narrated.

    Meanwhile, the wounded officer is said to be receiving treatment at the Tamale Teaching Hospital in the Northern Region, the same facility the body of the deceased is being kept.

    The Savannah Regional Police Command is yet to issue a statement on the incident.

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Gambaga residents undergo five-day Mass Drug Administration to control scabies

    Residents of Gambaga in the East Mamprusi Municipality of the North East Region have undergone a five-day Mass Drug Administration (MDA) exercise to control the outbreak of scabies, a skin infection, in the district.

    Organised by the District Health Directorate together with the Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) unit of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), the exercise covered the entire population, providing treatment for over 4,000 active cases as well as their contacts.

    The District Director of Health, Mr Mark Abugri, told the Daily Graphic that during the exercise, which started on Saturday, November 6, 2019, the residents were administered the medication, ivermectin, by 360 volunteers who moved from house to house.

    Our demands to make Gambaga capital of NER unchanged Youth to Government, Nayiri

    In all, about 390,000 tablets of Ivermectin, worth US$594,000, provided by the GHS were administered to about 80 per cent of the estimated 180,000 population, Dr Abugri stated.

    He indicated however that the District Health Directorate funded the treatment of the about 5,000 cases that were first reported at a cost of GHc50,000.

    “In addition to the ivermectin, we also gave them pain killers and anti-histamine to reduce the intense itching,” he added.

    Reinfection

    Although the burden of the disease had reduced, since the outbreak, the mass drug administration had to cover the whole population due to the danger of reinfection.

    Mr Abugri explained that people who come into contact with those who get the infection incubate the disease and can easily cause reinfection, hence the need to administer the medicine to the whole population.

    He stressed however that some exclusion criteria were however applied during the exercise as some people are ineligible to take ivermectin for medical reasons.

    “Those who are below the height of 90 centimeters, mainly children; pregnant women and those who are seriously sick cannot take the medicine, even if they have the infection,” Mr Abugri emphasised.

    Pwalugu multipurpose dam and irrigation project to begin by end of November Bawumia

    For those people, he said, the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital is providing another medicine, Benzyl Benzoate to be administered to them.

    Public education

    Furthermore, Mr Abugri said, the health directorate had embarked on public education to prevent the re-occurrence of the infection.

    He noted that the disease is fueled by unsanitary conditions as the mite that causes the infection thrives in unhygienic environment, “thus personal hygiene is a critical factor to any control effort.”

    Therefore, during the public education, households are advised to use soap to bath and to desist from the practice of everyone using the same sponge to bath and towel to dry themselves. They are also encouraged to bath with warm water and to soak their clothes in warm water before washing, as these measures reduce the survival of the mite.

    In addition, the residents are taught to smear their bodies with pomade, particularly, shea butter to deprive the mite of air and kill them off, Mr. Abugri added.

    Environmental factors

    He, however, observed that the directorate will need the involvement of other stakeholders in the environmental aspect of the control effort as the activities fall beyond the mandate of the health sector.

    “For instance, aside the public education, the residents must be supported to disinfect their clothing, beddings and rooms to avoid reinfection,” he added.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • 27 E-blocks completed since 2017

    The New Patriotic Party (NPP) government has been able to fully complete and operationalise community senior high schools, popularly known as “E-Blocks”, started by the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) government since January 2017.

    The Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei-Adutwum, who made this known in Parliament yesterday, said the NPP government was committed to completing all stalled projects started by the previous administration.

    He said those E-Blocks were completed through the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), and through the fund many other school projects would be built to expand existing school infrastructure in the second and third cycle institutions.

    The deputy minister made this revelation in an answer to a question in Parliament posed by the NPP MP for Kwabre East, Francisca Oteng Mensah.

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Ablekuma appeals to IGP to end reign of terror by landguards

    The chiefs and people of Ablekuma have appealed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to act firmly to end the reign of terror imposed on the area by landguards.

    They said unknown landguards and other suspected criminals, who fled to the place from Kasoa in the aftermath of the killing of two officers of the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department, were making life miserable for them.

    Nii Dade Buahin, Noryaatse (Nkosuohene), Nii Boye Armah and Emmanuel Quarshie, both , elders of the community, called at the office of the Ghana News Agency (GNA) to make the appeal.

    Insecurity in Dawhenya as youth vows to fight armed military landguards

    They said “these band of lawless people” were seizing lands from property owners and firing guns in broad daylight and during the night to scare everybody.

    “The group has become a real threat to peace and security in Ablekuma and we find it deeply troubling, the seeming inability of the police to ward them off.”

    They said formal reports were made to the police and also petitioned the Interior Minister.

    Two of the suspected landguards Illiasu a.k.a Bob Marley, and Nii Borkobokor, alias “Policeman” were arrested by the police on September 17, and for almost two months, they were yet to be brought to justice.

    Licensed Surveyors Association of Ghana holds seminar to tackle land disputes

    They said any inaction on the part of the law enforcement officers could only embolden those who had chosen to live outside the law to continue to act with impunity.

    “This should not be allowed to continue, the lawlessness must end”, the community leaders added.

    An officer with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), who asked not to be identified because he was not authorised to talk to journalists, confirmed that they were investigating a case involving Illiasu, Borkobokor and another person.

    He said they were waiting for the complainants to bring their witnesses for their statements to be taken.

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • Police probe shooting of mentally-ill man by officer in Akyem Tafo

    Police have begun investigations into the shooting of a purportedly mentally-ill man by an officer at the Akyem Tafo Branch of Ghana Commercial Bank on Monday.

    The man, known as Ishmael, was shot in the thigh by the police officer and taken to the hospital for treatment.

    According to the police, Ishmael was armed with a knife and posing as a threat to customers.

    This forced one Constable Seyram Normersinu to call for help from another officer, Lance Corporal Sarkodie Asante, who was on duty at a nearby Community Bank.

    Sissala East Police impound truckload of Rosewood at Kasana

    Lance Corporal Sarkodie Asante persuaded Ishmael to leave but he returned again with the knife to the bank.

    A struggle then ensued when Ishmael tried to disarm the police officer leading to him being shot in the thigh.

    Sergeant Francis Gormado, the Deputy Eastern Regional Police Public Relations Officer in an interview with Citi News indicated that the victim who was on admission at the Tafo Government Hospital has been transferred to the Eastern Regional Hospital for further treatment.

    “Our checks reveal that he was responding to treatment,” Sgt, Gormado said.

    He also called for some patience from the family of the victim on the matter.

    Rwandan police kill two Ugandans at border

    “It is our hope that the family will collaborate with us so that we can attend to the victim… I am appealing to the family to actually collaborate with the police so we can do our best to revive him.”

    A similar incident occurred in the same Eastern where a 25-year-old man was accidentally shot by a police officer at the Senchi Police Station in the Asuogyaman District.

    In another incident, a man also believed to have been mentally ill, was gunned down in September by the Akyem Kwabeng Police in the Eastern Region after he reportedly besieged the Police station and threatened to kill some officers.

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Prof. Amartey advocates for a new public sector management paradigm

    Professor Abednego Feehi Okoe Amartey, Vice Chancellor, University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) has advocated for a New Public Sector Management Paradigm in the public sector in Ghana.

    He said a quantum leap from an inefficient public sector to an efficient and highly performing public sector could be achieved by the application of marketing philosophy; stating that this assertion could be substantiated by credible evidence from many developed and other developing countries.

    “To enable easy application of the marketing philosophy in the public sector, I am proposing a new public sector management paradigm,” Prof Amartey said over the weekend at the UPSA- Chartered Institute of Management Ghana (CIMG) Public Lecture in Accra, on the theme: “Public Sector Marketing: A Catalyst for National Development”.

    Brand identity is essential for company growth Prof. Amartey

    Prof Amartey said such a new public sector management paradigm must have features such as a system with a decentralised control of resources, which explores other service delivery models to achieve better results.

    Others were a strong focus on financial control, value for money and increasing efficiency; a command and control mode of functioning, identifying and setting targets and continuous monitoring of performance and autonomy of senior management.

    He said such a new public management paradigm must have a system that enforces compliance and performance audits through transparent means to review accomplishments, setting benchmarks, using protocols to ameliorate professional behavior and keeping the score cards objectives.

    The Vice Chancellor recommended the features of the new public management paradigm to include a more excellent customer orientation and responsive culture and increasing the scope of roles played by non-public sector providers.

    Others are deregulating the labour market, replacing collective agreements to individual rewards packages at senior levels combined with short term contracts and incentives.

    Raise retirement age for lecturers UPSA VC urges government

    Prof Amartey said the new system should discourage the self-regulatory power of the professionals and handing over the power from individuals to management.

    He mentioned the introduction corporate governance, adding a board model of the functioning and concentrating power to the strategic core of the organisation.

    He also advocated for a system where marketing and stakeholder management were crucial components of the new public management model.

    Source: www.ghananewsagency.org

  • Sissala East Police impound truckload of Rosewood at Kasana

    The Sissala East Municipal Police Command in the Upper West Region have impounded a truck of Rosewood at Kasana, a suburb of the municipality.

    Briefing the Ghanaian Times at Wa, the Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Gideon Ohene Boateng said the police in Tumu, the capital of the municipality impounded the vehicle upon a tip-off that a truck was loading Rosewood at Kasana on Friday.

    3 arrested for illegal rosewood logging in Mole National Park

    He said the police proceeded to the venue and saw a Man Diesel Truck with registration number GW 3627 W loaded with the wood.

    Inspector Boateng said the police escorted the truck loaded with the wood to the police station at Tumu.

    He said the driver of the vehicle, Mr Mutari Abdulai, was subsequently arrested and was assisting the police in their investigations.

    “According to the driver, he was brought to the place by one Charles Amoah to convey the wood to Walewale in the North East Region.

    “He later led the police to arrest the said Mr Amoah on Saturday,” Inspector Boateng indicated.

    Rosewood: Communities connive with illegal operators Forestry Commission

    He said the two had been granted bail but were assisting the police with investigation into the matter.

    The Police could not tell the value of the rosewood as they were yet to ascertain that through investigations.

    When contacted, a staff of the Forest Division of the Forestry Commission who pleaded anonymity said the division would have to physically examine the wood and assess its quantity before they can put value to it.

    Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

  • Trailer crashes woman to death

    The life of a woman (yet to be identified) came to an abrupt end when a trailer, carrying two 40-footer containers crashed her to death at Asikuma in the Eastern Region.

    The incident which occurred on Friday, November 8, 2019, at about 6:000pm attracted a large crowd.

    Residents, traders and commercial drivers in the area have still not come to terms with the incident, they described as horrific.

    Police officer charged with murder over taser death of footballer

    An eyewitness, who gave his name as Elolo explained that the woman had gone to stand at the Asikuma to Ho junction to wait for a vehicle before meeting her death.

    He said, “the woman came to stand at the junction where passengers board Ho cars. While the trailer whose two containers were loaded with wood was coming from the Peki to Asikuma (Eastern Corridor road) side of the Junction.”

    Elolo said the trailer driver appeared to have a failed break, making it difficult to control the vehicle.

    In an attempt to take the right turn at the Junction, towards Asikuma-Juapong portion of the Eastern corridor, the trailer lost balance and the containers fully loaded with wood fell off as the trailer fell sideways.

    Ghanaian boy among two teenagers stabbed to death in UK town

    The woman who is yet to be identified was crashed to death by one of the falling containers.

    It took the rescue team of the fire service personnel and volunteers over four hours to retrieve the dismembered body of the deceased.

    The driver of the trailer with registration number, AW-3847-11 also sustained some injuries and have since been admitted at the Peki Government Hospital for treatment.

    Source: Dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Washing bay attendant rams car into two at Takoradi

    A 29-year-old washing bay attendant, Thomas Quansah, has rammed a car into two persons causing major injuries to them.

    The victims are currently in a coma.

    The incident is reported to have happened at the Eclipse washing bay at Nkroful.

    Labour Commission to close down Takoradi office over weak office building

    The washing bay attendant is said to have moved a Hyundai Tucson with registration number GX 2803 19, and in the event of driving, he run over the two a male and a female who had to be rushed to the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital.

    The two were relaxing under a summer hut nearby when the suspect is said to have moved the Hyundai Tuscon car thinking it was in reverse gear and accelerated. Reports say the male victim is likely to be amputated.

    The lady is also reported to be in critical condition. Both are on admission at Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital.

    Takoradi: Family of killed NPP executive offer GHC50,000 bounty for murderer

    Speaking to Starrfm.com.gh, the Acting Head of Road Safety Authority in Western Region, Nana Ekua Ansaah confirmed the incident and added that on the same day another incident involving an unlicensed Washing Bay attendant who also moved a car and hit an 8-year-old boy at Fijai.

    She cautioned those in charge of washing bays to ensure only licensed drivers move cars which are brought for washing. She also indicated that those involved are been arraigned before court.

    Source: starrfm.com.gh