Author: Persis

  • JUSAG threatens strike over salary review

    The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has threatened to embark on an industrial strike action effective November 13, 2019.

    According to JUSAG, the intended strike action is to demand a review of their current salaries.

    They state that their current salary was implemented in the year 2017 and to be renewed bi-annually.

    Judicial Service staff demand promotions in 2 weeks

    A statement by JUSAG stated that “in the year 2017, the Ministry of Finance sought to cancel the payment of rent allowance to our members and after several protests, the Judicial Council, Government and the Association resolved the issue in 2018 and for implementation in the year 2019.”

    The statement added that “in 2019, the Association wrote for the salary negotiations on 26th April 2019 and subsequently served a reminder on 29th, July 2019. On 15th October 2019, the Judicial Council mandated to review our salaries and other salary-related matters under the 1992 Constitution set up a committee and considered the proposals of the Association. At the meeting, it was resolved that the decisions of the meeting will be forwarded to the Presidency for approval and same captured in the National Budget for the year 2020.”

    “It has, however, come to our attention that the Ministry of Finance has rather slated our salary review for the year 2020 and for implementation in the year 2021. The Association vehemently disagrees with the position taken by Government,”

    JUSAG at a meeting held on 31st October 2019 resolved as follows;

    That all staff of the Judicial Service shall put on red-arm bands and hoist red flags in the courts, nationwide effective Tuesday 5th November 2019 That all staff of the Judicial Service shall embark on an indefinite strike, beginning Wednesday 13th November 2019 until further notice. That staff of the Judicial Service are entreated to observe the above directives without fail.

    Source: Starrfmonline.com

  • Outbreak of Flu in 3 SHSs under control Ghana Health Service

    An unusual outbreak that affected three senior high schools in the Lower Manya-Krobo District of the Eastern Region, has been brought under control, according to the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

    The secondary schools affected were Akuse Methodist Senior High School, Krobo Girls Senior High School, and the Legacy Girls Senior School.

    Student activities have now returned to normalcy, a GHS statement indicated Sunday.

    Adolescents drink weedicides to abort pregnancies Ghana Health Service

    The outbreak occurred on October 31, 2019.

    Health experts from the national and regional departments of the GHS were dispatched to support the affected schools to assess the situation and to collaborate with school authorities to bring the health crisis under control.

    Flu samples were taken from affected students for laboratory testing confirmed the seasonal flu Type-A H3N2.

    According to the statement, affected students are responding well to treatment.

    Ghana Health Service to embark on yellow fever vaccinations

    The GHS encourages parents not to panic but rather advise their wards to cooperate with the health and school authorities, practice and enhance personal hygiene and cough etiquette.

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Robbers kill security man, break into GCB Bank ATM in Sunyani

    A 50-year-old man guarding an ATM farm at the Sunyani Technical University campus has been killed in a suspected robbery operation.

    Sumaila Dambila was found dead Thursday dawn seated in a wooden chair with his legs and hands tied to the chair with nylon ropes, and the mouth and nose tied with a white and blue jacket, a police report said.

    Evangelist, others nabbed for robbery

    Although the suspects managed to break into a GCB Bank ATM room, they could not open the safe in which monies had been stored.

    Attempt to break into another ATM belonging to the Barclays Bank was unsuccessful.

    “…The ATM office of Barclays Bank had been tampered with in an attempt to force it opened but the culprits were not able to break into it,” the police said.

    No one has been arrested yet but the police crime scene experts have been able to lift “finger impressions” from the scene.

    Head of security at the Sunyani Technical University, Badiwe Mohammed reported the incident to the Police at about 5:30 a.m. Friday.

    Four persons arrested for robbery

    He was said to have told the police that Sumaila who is an employee of Thomas Security Limited was found dead at about 4:30 a.m. at his duty post at the ATM farm on the University Campus wearing his uniform.

    The Police rushed to the scene where evidence and pictures were taken for investigations.

    The body of deceased “was photographed, removed and deposited at the Regional Hospital mortuary” after it was certified dead by Dr Akoto Bamfo.

    Postmodern is expected to be conducted on the body soon, the police said.

    Source: 3news.com

  • Biakoye District generates GHC93,212 revenue

    The Biakoye District Assembly has at as September, this year, generated total revenue of GHC 93,212 from a budget revenue target of GH 267,033 for the 2019 financial year, which represented 34.91 per cent.

    It, however, made a 36.26 per cent of the budgeted amount of GH 258,321 within the same period in 2018.

    Madam Comfort A. Attah, the District Chief Executive (DCE) who disclosed these at the first meet the press series at Nkonya Ahenkro said the Finance Department was mobilising to help improve upon the performance by the close of the year while the Area and Town councils are to help in the revenue mobilization drive.

    She said transparency and accountability are among the key tenets in every democratic dispensation and accounting to the people is a mode of achieving objectives of good governance.

    The DCE said the media is the means through which good governance can reach the citizenry.

    Under security, Madam Attah said the District has secured a 4WD Toyota Hilux Pick-up for the Nkonya District Police Command to assist them to improve upon general policing in the District and described the security situation in the District as calm.

    She said the Assembly is making the necessary efforts to reduce cases of armed robbery in the District by installing 415 new Sodium and LED streetlights across the District especially Senior High Schools, markets, Offices of Decentralized Institutions and the Army Detachment Barracks adding that some armed robbers, who have been arrested were facing the law.

    Madam Comfort A. Attah said the District Security Council (DISEC) was in talks with the leadership of the Fulani herdsmen in order to ensure peaceful coexistence between them and other community members and added that the District has also instituted pragmatic measures to curb illegal distribution and sale of premix fuel also known as ´Magbomagbo.’

    She said work is currently ongoing on the construction of a new office complex for the Assembly, construction of DCE and DCD bungalow while works have been completed on the pavement of Abotoase Lorry Park, reshaping of Abotoase Yam Market road and payment of school fees for brilliant but needy children.

    Under education, the DCE said the Assembly has organised orientation for newly trained teachers, organised mock examination for all students registered for the 2018 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), interaction and provision of food for both teachers and students during the BECE, celebration of ´My First Day at School`, awarding and support deserving students, supporting basic and second cycle institutions, support for the operation of the District Education Officer and the provision of infrastructure.

    She said work is ongoing on the construction of a 6-Unit Classroom block with ancillary facilities at Kwamekrom E P Basic School, Bumbula RC Basic School, Bowiri Amanfro E P Basic School, Nkonya Nchumuru SDA Basic School and Tapa Akaniem D A basic School, construction of a 3-Unit Classroom block with ancillary facilities at Bowiri Amanfro Girls Model School and Worawora DA Basic School and distribution of 200 mono desks to schools in the District.

    The DCE said inadequate classroom blocks, furniture and trained teachers are challenges in the educational sector and added that despite the challenges facing the sector, there has been a decrease in teenage pregnancies in the District and encourage teenagers to report any indecent behaviour towards them.

    Underwater and sanitation, she said 10 boreholes were being sunk in Toklosu, Klagbokofe, Bowiri Kubease, Adzamansu, and Bowiri Amanfrom while 31 others in Asakyiri, Takrabe, Tepo, Tayi, Akloba and Kabreakwaa have been repaired.

    Under the energy sector, the district has undertaken the supply and distribution of 400 Street lights under phase I and 2, extension of electricity to Wuropong Girls SHS, procurement of a transformer to Wuropong Girls SHS, planting of 43 Electricity Poles at Wuropong Girls SHS and extension of electricity to Odormitor, Kortokofe, Ampekrom,C.K Kofe, Tapa Biposu and Klagbokofe.

    Under the District’s economy, Madam Attah mentioned the major markets in the district as Abotoase, Bumbula, Kwamekrom, Worawora and Nonna.

    She said works were progressing on the construction of 10-Unit lockable market stores at Bumbula, a 16-Unit market sheds at Bumbula, a meat shop at Worawora and Abotoase, an abattoir at Kwamekrom and construction of a fish processing centre at Adzamansu with industrial cylinders.

    She said construction of 10-Unit lockable market stores at Kwamekrom has just been awarded adding that inadequate market infrastructure, storage facilities and lack of security at the market places are some challenges facing the District.

    Madam Attah said the Assembly will also continue to collaborate with development partners in the realisation of its goals.

    Source: Ghananewsagency.org

  • Visually impaired voters advocates for true secrecy of the ballot

    Visually impaired voters have unanimously advocated for the sanctity of the voting processes to ensure true secrecy of the ballot during voting at the upcoming District level Elections and Referendum as well as future exercises.

    They alleged that lack of secrecy of the voting process defeats the tenets of the exercise and an abuse of the rights of the visually impaired and other people with physical disability.

    Lack of secrecy in voting an abuse of our rights Visually impaired

    Mr Christian Dzisianu, Chairman, Ghana Blind Union Association said the secrecy of the ballot is undermined when one’s choice of voting becomes a public matter.

    The group raised these concerns at a sensitisation workshop in Ho.

    The workshop, which is part of a public education strategy of the Electoral Commission to ensure the dissemination of adequate knowledge and full participation of members in the incoming elections on December 17, this year.

    It was under the theme, enhancing the participation of virtually impaired voters in the 2019 District Assembly/Unit Committee Election and Referendum.

    Mr Eric Dzakpasu, Deputy Volta Regional Director of EC said the workshop is to collate their views and make it part of the EC’s working principles and adhered to in future elections.

    Visually impaired woman defies odds to become a State Attorney

    He said EC would liaise with the executives of their Associations to collate numbers across the country and build the tactile ballot jackets according to their demands.

    The group was taking through the use of ‘tactile ballot jacket’ as would be applicable on voting day on December 17.

    Source: Ghananewsagency.org

  • President presents cash to stranded Ghanaian drivers on Benin-Nigeria border

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has presented CFA450,000 to Ghanaian drivers who are stranded at Seme-Krakue, a town on the Nigeria-Benin border.

    The money is to help the drivers defray expenses they have incurred as a result of the border closure.

    The drivers have not been able to cross the border since Nigeria shut its border with Benin on August 21, this year.

    The situation has led to hundreds of vehicles, mostly articulated trucks, being locked at both ends of the border.

    Nigeria border closure: Ghana must retaliate GUTA

    The money was delivered on behalf of the President by a Deputy Minister of Trade and industry, Mr Carlos Ahenkorah, during a meeting with Ghanaian drivers at the border last Thursday. Also in attendance at the meeting was a Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Mr Charles Owiredu.

    From the border, the two deputy ministers proceeded to Abuja to meet with Nigerian authorities to finalise arrangements for the opening of a safe corridor on the border for Ghanaian traders to transport their goods to and from Nigeria.

    Collating information

    The meeting with the drivers was held to allow the deputy ministers and members of their delegations, including officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA ) and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, to get information from the stranded drivers, companies they work for and items in their trucks.

    Mr Owiredu said the closure of the border was unfortunate but commended the drivers for their fortitude in spite of the challenge.

    He told them that the data collected from both drivers and traders would be forwarded to the Nigerian authorities for the necessary action to be taken.

    He assured them that the government was working to have the problem resolved as quickly as possible.

    More room for talks Akufo-Addo on Nigeria border closure

    Safe passage

    For his part, Mr Ahenkorah said the government was doing all it could to ensure that the safe corridor promised by the Nigerian authorities for drivers and traders from Ghana would materialise.

    He said the closure of the border was affecting Ghana’s projections on foreign exchange returns from non-traditional exports.

    Mr Ahenkorah was, however, confident that an amicable solution would be found at the end of the meetings in Abuja.

    The drivers recounted their difficulties but were hopeful that a solution would be found quickly to the problem.

    Background

    The trip by the deputy ministers is a follow up on an earlier one made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, and the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Alan Kyerematen, to Abuja to find a solution to the problem.

    While in Abuja, the Nigerian authorities explained to the two ministers that the border was closed to prevent the entry of contraband goods from Benin, including rice, and that Ghana was not the target.

    Kasapreko loses about US$2m to closure of Nigeria-Benin border

    They expressed regret at the impact that the border closure was having on Ghanaian businesses and promised to create a safe corridor for Ghanaian traders to send their goods to Nigeria.

    The Nigerian authorities requested though that Ghana should furnish it with details of the companies, trucks and nature of goods that were being brought to their market.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Agric Minister hot over ‘derogatory’ comments on Northerners

    The NDC in the Savanna Region is up in arms against comments made by Agriculture Minister Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, that northerners have roof over their heads because of planting for Food and Jobs programme.

    The Agric Minister in a recent interview sought to suggest that many people up north recruited into the Planting for Food and Jobs Program and as a result, have been able to roof houses with modernized roofing sheets, build cement block houses and buy motorbikes.

    Govt plans to ban rice, poultry imports in 3 years Minister

    A statement signed by Malik Basintale, Communications Officer for the NDC in the Savanna Region, described the comments as unfortunate and disrespectful.

    According to the statement, NPP government has ventured into a derogatory spree and deliberately subjected the five northern regions to insults and denigrations to disrespect indigenes there. In recent time past, former deputy minister for Agric, Mr. William Quaitoo also rein insults on northerners.

    It said, beside the comments by the minister being false, it tends to disregard the northern people as humans.

    “We find these statements very insulting and grossly disrespectful to us indigenes of the Northern parts of the country and as such we give the minister for food and agriculture Mr. Owusu Afriyie-Akoto, an ultimatum of 24hours to retract and apologize for the denigration or face the consequences.”

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    “Failure to do so, we call for his outright dismissal and demand an unqualified apology from the government for the misconduct,” it added.

    Surprisingly, the acclaim saviour: planting for food and jobs has not benefitted a single soul in the region, the statement said.

    “We challenge the minister for food and Agriculture, Mr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto to point to us one person and one farm that has been successful in the planting for food and jobs program up north and the cement houses built, the modernized roofing sheets used and the motorbikes bought as a result of the program.”

    Source: modernghana.com

  • Israeli embassy in Accra resumes full service after brief strike by diplomats

    The Embassy of Israel in Accra has announced that it has resumed full service until further notice.

    On Wednesday, October 30, 2019, the Israeli mission in Ghana announced that due to the decision of the Israeli Ministry of Finance to breach understandings that were agreed upon and signed by the Director General of the Ministry of Finance on July 21, 2019, “and to apply a one-sided procedure that alters a protocol that has been in place for several decades,” it has suspended all diplomatic activities until further notice.

    “No consular services will be provided and no one will be allowed to enter the Embassy,” the mission said.

    Israeli diplomats in Ghana go on strike, embassy suspends consular services

    Shortly after that announcement, the mission released another statement clarifying that despite the strike by its diplomats in Ghana, daily diplomatic activities will be carried out.

    The mission said consular services, meetings and events will not be suspended.

    In the latest statement issued on Thursday, October 31, 2019, the embassy stated that “all diplomatic and consular services are fully active and the embassy is working in full capacity. The Embassy will soon contact individually all those applying for consular services to resume their process.”

    Read the latest statement from the embassy below.

    Israeli investors commended for investing outside Accra

    Announcement from the Embassy of Israel, Accra

    The Embassy of Israel in Accra would like to announce that it has resumed work until further notice.

    All diplomatic and consular services are fully active and the embassy is working in full capacity. The Embassy will soon contact individually all those applying for consular services to resume their process.

    The Embassy of Israel to Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone is committed to working towards strengthening the already existing good relations between the countries and is doing so every day.

    We greatly appreciate all your support and patience.

    Thank you!

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Over 200 to contest Assembly and Unit Committee elections in South Dayi

    A total of 206 aspirants have filed their nominations to contest the upcoming District Assembly and Unit Committee elections slated for December 17 in the South Dayi District, in the Volta Region.

    Madam Barbara Lartey Nyarko, South Dayi District Electoral Officer of the Electoral Commission, said 64 people made up 57 males and 7 females have filed to contest the Assembly elections, with 142 persons made up 104 males and 38 females filing to contest the Unit Committee elections.

    Meet Hon. Aponkye; aspiring Assembly Member for Adukrom Nima Electoral Area

    She said there would not be Assembly elections at Toh-Kpalime and Tsiyinu electoral areas because the aspirants would be going unopposed.

    Madam Nyarko also revealed that Unit Committee elections would not be conducted at Peki-Wudome, Tongor-Tsanakpe, Tsiyinu and Peki-Avetile West electoral areas because those areas, either have five or less than five people filling for the positions.

    She, however, said the referendum, would take place in all the 21 electoral areas in the District.

    The Electoral Officer said the voter transfer exercise was also going on smoothly, adding that 60 people had so far transferred their votes.

    Madam Nyarko said her outfit had put all the necessary measures in place for a successful conduct of the elections.

    EC sensitizes women and PWDs on upcoming district assembly elections

    Mr Setriakor Gaga Kumah, South Dayi District Director for National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) bemoaned the low number of women participating in the elections.

    He said though the NCCE had done a lot in sensitizing women to aspire for the positions, the mind-set and culture of Ghanaians, which gave too much prominence to men was a major factor militating against their efforts.

    Source: Ghananewsagency.org

  • Takoradi residents urged to participate in Sanitation Day Exercise

    The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly has put in place a task force to inspect, arrest and prosecute residents of high-class residential areas in the Metropolis who fail to keep their environment clean.

    Mr Anthony Sam, the Metropolitan Chief Executive who made this known in an interview with GNA at Sekondi pointed out that, despite the frantic efforts to rid the metropolis of waste and to prevent disease transmission in the communities some residents within areas like Beach Road, Airport Ridge, Chapel Hill, SIC and other first-class residential areas failed to keep their places tidy.

    World Toilet Day highlights sanitation crises in Ghana

    He bemoaned the situation where residents from these first-class residential areas did not participate in the Sanitation Day Exercise and urged Assembly Members of the respective areas to appeal to their electorates to participate effectively and efficiently during the exercise to rid the city of filth.

    Mr Sam pointed out that the performance of service providers has increased considerably since they have been able to expand their service coverage by registering many more clients to the house-to-house waste collection services.

    He said that the efforts of the service providers have yielded positive results thereby reducing the incidence of indiscriminate dumping of solid waste within the communities.

    The MCE said, thirty-two containers have been positioned at vantage areas in Takoradi Sub-Metro, Sekondi Sub-Metro and Essikado Ketan Sub-Metro and that management intends adding one service provider to Essikado-Ketan Sub-Metro since the area keeps growing rapidly.

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    Touching on how the Assembly was managing liquid waste in the Metropolis, the MCE hinted that the scheduled maintenance of the liquid waste treatment facility at the Landfill Site has been carried out as planned, thereby enhancing the performance of the Septage Treatment Facility.

    He was happy to announce that the sludge removed from the facility for the first time in its operations was used to produce compost/manure which can be used for both agricultural and horticultural purposes.

    Source: Ghananewsagency.org

  • Corruption dampens spirits of investors – Mahama

    Former President John Dramani Mahama has charged Ghanaian Diasporans to intensify the fight against corruption in Ghana because the practice demoralises and dampens the spirits of investors.

    Mr Mahama, who was speaking at the 40th-Anniversary of the Ghana Union UK in London, stated that Ghanaian Diasporans who come home to invest are unnerved when they find themselves, right from our airport and seaports, having to pay bribes and tips to staff who are paid to provide the services they require.

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    “This has the effect of demoralising and dampening the spirit of the potential diaspora investor.”

    He explained that many diasporans live in countries where corruption has been minimised or completely eradicated, hence, would be able to help the fight against corruption in the country with the good morals they have learnt from those countries.

    He also indicated that though it takes leadership and commitment to win the fight against corruption, as a nation, we have a collective duty to fight and win the corruption battle together, and hence, called on them to support.

    Mr Mahama also spoke about the work ethics of Ghanaians and how it was affecting the development of the country.

    He said that some ethics are so bad that some investors have complained bitterly about it.

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    Narrating some stories he heard, Mr Mahama said: “I have also heard harrowing stories from diaspora investors about our work ethic and attitudes back home. In the early days when we passed the Local Content Act for the oil industry, a returnee investor who won a contract to meet and pick up oil company executives lost the contract because the driver who was to pick the executives up at the airport left them stranded for almost three hours. The simple reason was that he had failed to check his spare tyre, so when one of the tyres had a puncture on the way to the airport, the spare tyre was not in a condition to be used to replace the damaged tyre.”

    He also cited other instances where an investor was shocked to learn that half of his staff were late to work because it had rained that day.

    As for the excuse duty on health grounds, funerals of uncle and aunties and distant relatives, it is a daily occurrence, the former President said.

    He opined that the lack of dedication and diligence was a collective indictment on us all, and was principally due to a lack of effective supervision at the workplace.

    Lacklustre attitude to corruption fight hindering progress NCCE

    He, however, said that Ghana can do away with all these negative work ethics. He said during his administration there was a programme dubbed “Gateway Programme “which improved efficiency, reduced corruption and increased the speed of service at the ports of entry, so it was not something that is unachievable.

    “It can be done, and we have done it before. The lesson is that we must not let our guards down, because, often when we do, there is a reversal and it becomes business as usual.”

    Source: thechronicle.com.gh

  • Legon graduate Awurama creates 24,840 jobs in plastic recycling project

    A 25-year-old graduate from the University of Ghana, Awurama Kena-Asiedu is set to provide 24,840 jobs to Ghanaian youth through a company which recycles and reuses plastic waste to produce quality bags for children under the school-going age, called RAMAPLAST.

    The project, according to Ms Awurama Kena-Asiedu creates rural and urban economy stabilization through regional industrialization and job creation.

    She stated that the production process involves the collection, segregation, thorough cleaning and sewing of plastic waste, each process requiring labour.

    “The problem of unemployment will be tackled as small scale industries will be created and myriads of people trained in the various stages of the production process” she added

    She emphasized that the project will reuse the plastic waste which would otherwise choke up sewage outlets, lead to flooding and epidemic. In extreme cases, lives are lost.

    Over the years we have witnessed plastic waste swallow the entire country, leaving animals and man in a consistent battle with these pollutants for healthy space. RAMAPLAST is a step in the right direction towards curbing this menace.

    An estimated 716,300 students being served with school bags made out of plastic waste throughout the 16 regions of the country in a by 2023 is the least of her goals.

    In an interview with the media, Ms Awurama Kena-Asiedu revealed that employment for this industrialization boosting project will be heavily centered on the youth, the future leaders of this country.

    According to the young graduate and social entrepreneur, the RAMAPLAST initiative is also geared towards the creation of Eco-friendly clubs in various schools and Regions as well as a thorough sensitize of communities on the need to ensure proper disposal of plastic waste.

    She reiterated that, the project is in line with the sustainable development goals(SDG 6 and SDG 13), which is a call for clean water and sanitation and positive climate action respectively and urged all to make a conscious effort to be ambassadors of change in their own small way.

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • Kidnapping not new in Ghana Ambrose Dery

    The Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery has dismissed claims that the recent spate of kidnappings is new to Ghana.

    Defending his assertion, Mr Dery said the country has recorded some 504 kidnapping cases since 2011.

    The GNA reports that the Minister was addressing Regional, Divisional and District Crime Officers at the opening of a two-day annual conference when he made the remarks.

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    “I hear people trying to make kidnapping a new phenomenon. It is not new. Ghana for the past eight years had recorded 504 kidnapping cases between 2011 and 2019,” he noted.

    Mr Dery said in 2013, there were 77 reported cases, in 2014, 76 cases and in 2018, 58. He said 2019 has so far recorded 47 cases but added that effective investigations revealed 21 of the cases in 2019 were false, leaving the tally at 26.

    He then commended the police CID for helping reduce kidnapping cases in the country.

    What else did he say?

    Speaking on the theme “Addressing the challenges of contemporary investigations for effective prosecution; the role of investigators,” Dry said the CID had to be encouraged for the strides made in its improved performance.

    He urged the officers to come up with a road map for criminal investigations and their role as effective crime officers.

    Police must be trained to handle kidnapping cases better Analyst

    He admitted the onus lay was on the government to equip them with the requisite knowledge and skills as well as modern communication tools to enhance their work.

    Government, he said, is determined to retool the entire Police Service to enhance their professionalism and improved service delivery.

    He said the government was also determined to create a responsive, effective and accountable police service that would work to expectations of all stakeholders.

    “Be reminded of your oath to protect and defend the good people of Ghana and all residents in the country, your action should not dampen the spirit of the citizens who see you as their shield against criminals,” he advised.

    He urged them not to relent on their responsibilities irrespective of the challenges and be ready to tackle new trends of crimes, head-on as there would be refresher courses to help handle them.

  • Canadian kidnappers accuse police of pocketing their money

    The four accused persons who have been charged for kidnapping two Canadian nationals have accused the investigator in the case of hoarding their pocket money.

    The accused persons through their lawyer Yaw Dankwah asked the court to issue an order for their money to be released to them.

    This was after Sampson Agharlor, the main accused person, said out of his GHc890 that is with the investigator, only GHc250 has been released to him.

    State drops charges against 4 in Canadian girls kidnapping

    Another accused person, Elvis Ojiyorwe, also raised similar concerns but the court was reluctant to give the order.

    This was because the investigator in the matter was not present in court when the matter was called. The court said it could not grant such an order unless it hears from the investigator.

    NEW JUDGE TO TAKE OVER

    The sitting judge at the Criminal Division of the Accra High Cour Justice George Buadi has said his mandate as the trial judge ends on November 29, 2019.

    He said he will not be the judge to deal with the trial but deems it prudent to direct the prosecution to disclose to the accused persons all documents they would rely on in the course of the trial.

    The court also directs that names of all witnesses, their evidence also be served on the defense team on or before November 14.

    Case adjourned to November 21

    TRIAL WARRANT

    The court prior to adjourning the case instructed the Nsawmam Prison officers to take custody of the accused persons and produce them in court anytime they are to appear.

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    This was after their counsel Yaw Dankwah raised a concern that even though the accused persons were remanded at the Nsawma Prisons, they could not have conference with them. He said when they went to Nsawam Prisons they were told the accused persons names were not on their list.

    But Winifred Sarpong, the Senior State Attorney explained that even though court remanded them to Nsawam, a trial warrant was needed for the investigator to hand them over to the prisons.

    She added that such was the miscommunication that led to defense council not being allowed to see their clients.

    All three Nigerians Sampson Aghalor, Elvis Ojiyorwe and Jeff Omarsar tother with one Ghanaian, Yussif Yakubu have been slapped with conspiracy and kidnapping.

    They have all pleaded not guilty.

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • EC sensitizes women and PWDs on upcoming district assembly elections

    The Electoral Commission has held a day’s engagement with some women and Persons with Disability (PwD) associations to enhance their participation in the upcoming district assembly, Unit Committee elections and the referendum.

    The elections, which is set for December 17, this year, will see citizens exercise their voting rights in electing their representative to complete the decentralisation governance processes.

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    Mr Dogbey A. Selormey, Regional Director, EC, said the 1992 constitution of the country required that the country’s democracy was consolidated by decentralizing the administrative and financial machinery of local governance at all levels.

    He said the engagement would allow the participants to understand the local governance system and electoral process leading to the voting exercise.

    Mr Selorrmey added that the electorate would also partake in the Referendum, which seeks to amend Articles 243(1) and 55(3) for the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives and the introduction of political party participation in the local elections, which have been presented to Parliament for passage.

    Rev. Steve Mensah; CEM to build 2,000-acre Ability Village for PWDs

    He noted that during the referendum, a 40 per cent voter turnout was expected of which 75 per cent should have voted ‘Yes’.

    Mr Alex Kosi Akpo, Municipal President, Ghana Federation of Disability Organisation, said the engagement accorded them the opportunity to reach out to members who hitherto would not have participated.

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • Brand identity is essential for company growth Prof. Amartey

    Professor Abednego Amartey, 2018 Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG) Marketing Man has said that, brand identity is an essential tool in marketing that keep companies on.

    The Vice Chancellor of UPSA said companies would be sustainable, if they were able to build distinctive brands on the market to win consumer trust. Professor Amartey made this remarks in an interview at the 2019 CIMG Strategic Marketing Conference in Accra on the theme; 30 years of celebrating marketing excellence, synergies for the future.

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    There are a lot of things that companies have to do for instance; even as an individual,how to build your brand, how to make yourself distinctive and how to differentiate from others add value to you, he said.

    He said the Conference was necessary as it helped participants to understand the need to build brands and making their brands strong forces in the market. He said participants could now appreciate “the difference between the commodity and a brand, that people do not buy commodities, they buy brands – commodities are generic but brand have two things, you can identify them and they differentiate.”

    CIMG calls for sanity in Ghanaian award schemes
    So what do you have to do for people to identify your brand and to differentiate your brand and that is the lesson that we have learnt today.” Ms Hafsa Arthur, Head of Marketing at PZ Cussons said companies must work at their brand equity which was public valuation of their brand. She said at PZ Cussons, they saw value to a brand as value to the business and so something they treated with all seriousness.

    Other presenters were Mr. Edwin Amoako, Marketing Manager at Fanmilk and Miss Afua Rocksin, Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Affair at GLICO who all explain how building a strong brand has helped in sustaining their respective companies.

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • 80 teachers flee Nkoranza North after ‘horrific’ murders – GNAT

    The association of teachers in Nkoranza North District of the Bono East Region has claimed that, at least 80 of school teachers have fled the area this academic year, following the killing of two of their colleagues.

    “The state of insecurity that has gripped the entire membership is there for all to see. The situation has not abated as many of our members are planning to leave and this will surely affect teaching and learning in the District”, said Mr. Bismark Appiah-Kubi, the Nkoranza District Chairman of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT).

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    The recent gruesome murder of teachers is causing extreme fear and panic among teachers, and called on security agencies to act swiftly to protect the lives of teachers in the area, Mr. Appiah-Kubi said over the weekend, the Ghana News Agency reported.

    On June 15, 2019, Abubakari Karim, aged 28, a teacher at the Senya District Assembly Junior High School was gruesomely murdered in a bizarre circumstance.

    The deceased who had successfully organised final year students of the school to write the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), was on his way back from Senya after he had sent the candidates home, when he was reportedly murdered.

    Three suspects arrested in connection with that murder and standing trial at the Nkoranza Magistrate Court, have been granted self-enquiry bail.

    About two years ago, another teacher Edward Opoku, a circuit supervisor at the Nkoranza North District Education Directorate was murdered in a similar circumstance and his body was dumped at the outskirt of Fiema-Boabeng.

    GNAT declares strike in 6 regions

    No arrest has since been made.

    At a news conference held at Busunya, the District capital, the Association issued a one-month ultimatum to the government to provide “visible safety measures to assuage the desperate situation teachers are being subjected to in the Nkoranza North District” or face their wrath.

    Mr. Appiah-Kubi enjoined the Police to commence investigations into the murder of the late Opoku, and also to deepen their investigations into the murder of Karim in order that culprits of the heinous crime would all be arrested and prosecuted.

    “The Assembly should bring this spate of murders and lack of safety among the teachers to the attention of the entire District, and collaborate with all stakeholders for urgent and concrete remedial measures to halt the gruesome murders, so that teaching and learning can continue,“ he said.

    Meanwhile, a member of the GNAT legal team in Accra, James Agyemang Fokuoh, is pleading with the bereaved families to exercise patience and assured that the Association would follow the cases for the arrest of culprits to face full rigours of the law.

    He pleaded with the teachers in the District to stay and serve the communities and advised them to be cautious enough in their movements, while the Association collaborates with stakeholders of education in the area to ensure their safety.

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Floods cause gridlock on Accra-Tema motorway

    The Accra-Tema motorway has been left not motorable after a heavy downpour on Monday, 28 October 2019.

    The road was flooded after an hour of rain causing a gridlock.

    The resultant flood carried plastic waste onto the road as the currents forced their way through choked drains.

    Flooding is a perennial ritual in Ghana, especially the capital whenever there is heavy downpour.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Immigration Service warns Ghanaians against recruitment scam

    The Western Regional Command of the Ghana Immigration Service says it is currently not undertaking any recruitment exercise as being speculated on social media.

    The Command is thus cautioning the general public against an ongoing recruitment scam through which several people have been duped.

    A statement signed by the Western Regional Public Affairs Director of GIS, ICO Moses Mannford Akakpo, stated that “criminal elements have resorted to the creation of fake social media accounts, using details of some prominent officers of the Service, in their attempt to deceive the unsuspecting general public. Ghana Immigration Service is currently not recruiting.”

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    The Western Regional Immigration Service further indicated that the service does not use social media to advertise recruitment notices but rather its website and Newspapers.

    The service further encouraged the public to report such accounts to the Service or to the Ghana Police for investigations.

    The statement called on all who have received such messages or fallen victim to the scam to assist the Service with the investigation.

    Please find the full details of the statement below

    GIS RECRUITMENT SCAM ALERT

    The Western Regional Command of the Ghana Immigration Service has noted with concern some recruitment scam currently ongoing on social media and other media circles.

    These criminal elements have resorted to the creation of fake social media accounts, using details of some prominent officers of the Service, in their attempt to deceive the unsuspecting general public.

    Ghana Immigration Service is currently not recruiting; for that matter, all such social media platforms/publications should be disregarded and treated with the contempt it deserves.

    57 students graduate from Immigration Service Document Fraud Detection Training Centre

    The Service has the following as its traditional mediums through which advertisement for recruitments is communicated to the general public: 1. News Papers and; 2. The Ghana Immigration service website (www.gis.gov.gh).

    The command is by this release informing the general public that, GIS does not have assigned agents, social media platforms or mobile money accounts through which such recruitments are made.

    The general public is, therefore, being encouraged, to be on the lookout for such criminal elements within our society and report their conduct to the appropriate quarters (GIS/POLICE) for immediate arrest and prosecution.

    We further urge all those who may have received such recruitment messages or fallen victims already to such unscrupulous schemes to assist with investigations by providing credible information to our offices dotted across the country.

    SIGNED:

    ICO MOSES MANFORD AKAKPO

    (W/R PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE)

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Central University to adopt solar energy

    The Central University is set to increase its usage of solar energy as part of efforts to reduce the school’s spending on electricity.

    The school started using electricity from solar at its Miotso Campus at Dawhenya, near Tema, this month and is now convinced that the resource was the best bet in cutting down its power bills.

    The Vice-Chancellor of the Central University, Professor Bill Buenar Puplampu, disclosed this at the inauguration of a 401-kilowatt (KW) solar system last week.

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    The plant was built and installed by Yingli Namene West Africa, a solar provider, but funded by Ecoligo, a German-based firm that specialises in sourcing funds to support green technologies.

    The total cost of the project was €445,000.

    Why solar

    Explaining the rational behind the project, the vice-chancellor said the decision to add solar to the energy mix at the Miotso campus was to help reduce the increasing energy costs that the school was saddled with.

    The Central University, he noted, was spending over GH¢1 million on power every year, something he described as unsustainable, given that power tariffs would not go down.

    “Our lecture halls are always in use and we have to always power the lighting systems, public address systems and air conditioners. The cost in terms of the standard power grid has been incredible.

    “The solution is simple; renewable energy and that is why we chose solar to try and cut down on the cost of providing power to the university,” he said.

    He said estimates showed that the school would make some savings by using solar.

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    Those savings, he noted, would help the university to provide additional infrastructure for students over the lifetime of the project.

    Promoting solar

    The Managing Director of Yingli Namene West Africa, Mr Firmin Nkamleu Ngassam, noted that the company was playing its role to promote the use of solar in Ghana.

    “We have been in the market since 2015. We believe that the environment is suitable for solar energy and the government is setting up the framework progressively and we are also trying to promote the use of solar,” he said.

    He said although the entire campus was not off-grid, the university was prioritising solar energy which would help make some savings for the university.

    He said using solar was relatively cheaper compared with consuming power from the national grid.

    Funding partner

    The Senior Marketing Manager of Ecoligo, Ms. Emma Patmore, said the company covered the upfront costs of the solar system by funding each project through its crowd financing platform ecology investments in Germany.

    “We also manage the installation and maintenance of each system in collaboration with our technical partners such as Yingli Namene West Africa.

    “Our customers pay for the use of their solar systems through a payment plan which covers all maintenance and repair costs for the lifetime of the contract,” she said.

    Ecoligo, she noted, provided a fully financed solar as a service solution which allowed customers to use clean energy while focusing on their core business.

    Source: www.dailygraphic.com

  • Fix our roads or we smuggle cocoa to Ivory Coast Sefwi residents tell government

    Some residents of Sefwi on Monday blocked a portion of the Benchema-Osei Kojokrom road and burnt car tyres in protest against government for stopping work on the project.

    They want the government to immediately bring the contractor back on site.

    The angry residents threatened that if government does not meet their demands within one month, they will resort to smuggling cocoa to Ivory Coast.

    Speaking to TV3s Komla Klutse on Monday, October 28, Chief of Sefwi Kantankrubo Nana Ekyea Kwame II said after Ghana was upgraded to a middle income country, the Netherlands government, which had hitherto been assisting in the construction of feeders roads within cocoa-producing communities, stopped the drive.

    He said it is better to travel from the town to adjoining Ivory Coast with harvested cocoa than to travel on the bad roads to mainland Ghana.

    Nana Ekyea Kwame II led demonstrators to present a petition to the District Chief Executive of Juaboso.

    A part of the petition lamented how the project has become a feature of several budgets over the years even in the 2019 edition but “we are in October and there is no sign to develop it”.

    “The lives of the entire communities largely depend on farming. The dilapidated nature of the road has made has made it impossible for the people to transport their agricultural produce to the nearby markets in Asawinso and Dwinase.”

    Source: 3news.com

  • Another Ghanaian pilot gains Airbus A320 certification

    Bismarck Antwi-Danso, has become the second Ghanaian to be certified as an Airbus A320 pilot after completing his license skill test.

    This was announced by Captain Solomon Quainoo, in a post on Twitter on Sunday, October 27.

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    “Hey all, join me in extending warmest congratulations to the latest Ghanaian pilot in town, Bismarck Antwi-Danso, on completing his license skill test and officially being certified as an @Airbus A320 pilot! Congrats Bismarck on your well-deserved achievement!” Quainoo said in the post.

    Antwi-Danso will now join Emirates pilot, Captain Solomon Quainoo as the two Ghanaian pilots making waves on the international airspace.

    Captain Quainoo in his post called on Ghanaians to congratulate Antwi-Danso on achieving the feet.

    Government celebrates youngest Ghanaian female pilot

    Earlier in October 2018, Captain Solomon Quainoo became the first Ghanaian pilot to successfully make an inaugural one-off Emirates A380 aircraft landing at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) with United Arab Emirates (UAE) national First Officer, Faisal Alhammadi as his co-pilot.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Women participation in district level elections worrying EC

    Women aspirants who filed to contest in the upcoming district level election in the Ashanti Region by the close of nomination, constitutes less than six percent of the total number of candidates.

    Out of the total of 4,197 candidates who filed to contest in the region, only 235 are women, representing six per cent with 901 out of 8,821, representing 10 per cent of the candidates who successfully filed their nominations are women, a situation described as worrying.

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    Benjamin Bano-Bioh, the Ashanti Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), said the low women participation situation was a bit better in the unit committee contest, where 10 percent of the candidates were women.

    He expressed the sentiment when he was addressing representatives of women groups and persons with disability (PWDs) at a forum on the impending district level elections and referendum scheduled for December 17, this year, the forum formed part of series of engagements between the EC and identifiable groups ahead of the elections and referendum.

    The objective is to update the citizenry on the electoral processes, the local governance system and also solicit for their concerns to ensure a smooth, peaceful and successful organisation of the December elections and referendum.

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    Mr. Bano-Bioh noted that it was important that women rise up and play active part in all democratic processes to scale up their participation in democratic governance and rule of law, the EC recognised the important role of women in national cohesion, growth, development, involvement in the electoral processes was critical to a successful and peaceful election and referendum.

    “Women can play equally important roles in the electoral processes as observers and election officials, I challenge them to take up such roles, going forward, the commission respect the rights of every voter especially those in the minority and we pledge the commitment, dedication and determination of the commission to ensure their concerns are addressed,” he assured.

    Source: www.ghananewsagency.org

  • SSNIT investments stand at GH¢9.46 billion

    The total assets of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) under management as at the end of 2018 stood at GH¢9.46 billion.

    About 96.5 percent of the asset is performing well, the Director-General of SSNIT, DR John Ofori-Tenkorang has disclosed.

    SSNIT drags 4,310 employers to court

    Addressing employers at a breakfast meeting in Accra Friday, the Director-General said those investments had boosted job creation, stimulated economic growth and contributed immensely to the development of Ghana’s capital markets.

    Additionally, he said the investments had also helped some banks to meet the minimum capital requirement by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and reduced the housing deficit in the country.

    4,310 criminal cases pending against employers SSNIT boss

    He advised employers to contact their respective compliance officers for assistance if they encountered any challenge.

    Dr Ofori-Tenkorang also asked the employers to take advantage of the Trust’s digital platform to do business.

    Source: www.graphic.com

  • Operationalise newly commissioned Wa Regional Hospital – MP tasks government

    The former Minister-in-charge of Public, Private Partnership has called on government to ensure that the newly commissioned Upper West regional hospital is up and running.

    Dr. Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo said it is unacceptable that the “new hospital is commissioned but still locked up.”

    Addressing participants after a health walk to raise awareness about breast cancer in the Upper West regional capital, Wa, he stated that “Once the commissioning has taken place we have to make sure we open it up for work.

    Wa Regional Hospital Medical Director removed, directed to refund GHC25,000

    “So much money has been invested there and yet not a single activity of health treatment is going on there.”

    The new 160 bed Upper West Regional Hospital which cost the state over $52 million and executed by Euroget De Invest was commissioned by President Akufo-Addo on August, 18 amidst pomp and pageantry.

    But for some reason, Dr Pelpuo who doubles as MP for the Wa Central Constituency does not understand why the facility is not operational for people to access it.

    He called on the Health Ministry to create an enabling environment by providing doctors and nurses posted to the region with accommodation in order to retain them in the municipality.

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    Dr Pelpuo revealed that the Wa municipality with a population of about 150,000 people, has only three doctors to take care of their health needs.

    “I will like to call on the ministry of health to reexamine the health needs of the people and to make sure that we have just not locum doctors but resident doctors who will stay in Wa and treat our people when they fall ill,” he added.

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Law students sue Attorney General, GLC over entrance exams

    Some law students who sat for the July 2019 Ghana School of Law entrance exam have sued the General Legal Council and the Attorney General.

    The students who filed the suit at an Accra High Court are among other things seeking an order that the undertaking they signed ahead of the exams is null and void.

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    The students complained that prior to the exams they were compelled to sign an undertaking that they will accept the results without seeking review.

    “The applicants state that, the undertaking imposed by the General Legal Council on candidates including the applicants, is arbitrary, unreasonable and without legal basis. The applicants state further that the General Legal Council has failed to provide sufficient clarity that gives dissatisfied candidates the opportunity to seek a review of the examination results.”

    They are among other things seeking a declaration that “the failure, refusal or neglect of the General Legal Council to publish a procedure for remarking the examination papers of the applicants is arbitrary, unlawful, null void, and of no effect.”

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    They are also seeking an order directed at the General Legal Council to provide sufficient clarity that gives dissatisfied candidates the opportunity “to seek a review or remark of their examination results.”

    “An order directed at the General Legal Council to publish the procedure for remarking the examination papers of the applicants within seven days.”

    Source: www.dailygraphic.com

  • Look at the mess you are creating with over 100 ministers Nasiru to Akufo-Addo

    Nasiru Mohammed, a member of the Communication team of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is wondering why the numerous appointees under the Akufo-Addo government could not do due diligence as far as the controversial PDS deal was concerned.

    He said if these Ministers are being paid to work efficiently, then why did they superintend over a fraudulent deal and subsequently deprive the nation of a whopping $190 million.

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    “If you have all accepted that something went wrong; is there a mechanism to get those who caused us $190m to get punished? At least a EOCO or Special Prosecutor investigation? No one has made such indications even though the government keeps mentioning fraud in this whole saga,” he said.

    “A country where we have so many Ministers being paid . . . when asked why, we are told that they are being paid to work efficiently and effectively; yet we have this fraudulent deal. With all these Ministers . . . very soon we will even have a Minister for public toilet,” he added.

    He was speaking during a panel discussion on Peace FM’s ‘kokrokoo’ programme.

  • Angry youth attack prostitutes after colleague’s demise at brothel

    A brothel at Sokoban Wood village in the Kumasi Metropolis of the Ashanti region has been set ablaze by some aggrieved youth after their colleague was allegedly stabbed to death by some of the prostitutes.

    The 20-year-old man name only given as Tupack was said to have been attacked by some of the prostitutes after he had allegedly patronised their service.

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    The situation angered some of his friends and youth in the area who attacked the prostitutes with sticks and later set the wooden structures which serves as their abode on fire.

    Personnel from the Ghana Police Service were deployed to the scene to maintain peace and order while fire fighters were also called in to quench the inferno.

    Some suspects have been picked up in connection with the incident by the police.

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    Some of the prostitutes who spoke to Kumasi FM’s Elisha Adarkwah said they were brutally attacked and beaten by the youth.

    They indicated that all of their belongings have been lost to the fire and had nothing to depend on.

    Unite Committee Chairman for the area, Christian Owusu said the brothel would be demolished.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Government releases unprecedented GHC2.2bn to settle road contractors

    The government has asked all road contractors to return to the site and ensure the successful completion of all their abandoned road projects.

    This follows the acquisition of GH?2.2 billion by the Ministry of Roads and Highways to pay all debts owed road contractors.

    In a statement released by the Ministry and signed by the sector Minister, Kwasi Amoako Attah, GH¢1 billion of the money will be used to pay for the Government of Ghana contracts, while the GH¢1.2 billion will be paid into the Road Fund to settle other debts.

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    “The government has secured an amount of GHs 2.2 billion to defray part of arrears owed to road contractors. The Ministry of Roads and Highways wishes to state that, out of the total amount of GHs 2.2 billion, GHs 1billion will be paid to contractors funded through the consolidated fund. The remaining GHs 1.2 billion will be paid to contractors funded from the Ghana Road Fund.”

    “Disbursement has already started and is expected to be completed within a month. It is worthy to note that, this is an unprecedented bulk payment to contractors in the entire history of the road sector. We take this opportunity to appeal to all our contractors to return to their projects and ensure successful completion”, portions of the statement read.

    Payment modalities

    The statement said, in all Government of Ghana projects, all the payment certificates of value GHs 5 million and below will be paid in full while at least 40 percent of all payment certificates of value above GHs 5 million will be paid.

    For Ghana Road Fund projects the statement said;

    Government is committed to improving roads in UER NPP

    “All payment certificates of value Ghs 500,000 and below will be paid in full. This is mostly in respect of contractors commonly categorized as routine maintenance contractors whereas at least 40 payments certificated worth above GHc 500,000 will be paid.”

    Amount not enough

    Meanwhile, the Progressive Road Contractors Association says the amount is not enough to pay all road contractors to continue with abandoned projects across the country.

    Hammond Larbi, who is the Vice President of the Association noted that not every contractor will resume work even if the monies are paid.

    “It is not enough to satisfy us because there are some contractors who cannot even buy drugs and food for themselves. So I think the funds cannot probably provide for some of these things. Once the funds are released by the banks, some people will go back to the site- not everybody will.”

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Ghana tops Africa in gold production

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) October 2019 World Economic Outlook Report, has ranked Ghana first in Africa in gold production and sixth, with the United States of America in the world.

    Ghana has accrued US$7.4 billion from production of gold between 2016 and 2018.

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    China is the leading producer of gold in the world with estimated US$13.1 billion earnings, followed by Australia and Russia with production incomes of US$9.3 billion and US$8.5 billion dollar respectively. Kazakhstan was 5th with total gold earnings of US$8.4 billion. Peru, Canada and Brazil were 8th, 9th and 10th respectively with total value of gold earnings of US$6.2 billion, US$6.2 billion and US$5.4 billion respectively.

    South Africa was 2nd in Africa but 11th in the world with total gold earnings of US$4.5 billion. Ghana used to be the second largest gold producer in Africa and the 9th largest producer in the world.

    According to the report, demand for the precious metal can be classified as industrial, jewelry, and investment and net official purchases by Central Banks and international organizations. More than half of newly mined gold is however used in jewelry.

    At the same time, official sector gold holdings are large, accounting for about 30.0 percent of the global stock of gold.

    Ghana bagged US$2.9 billion in gold exports, up by 2.7 percent in year-on-year terms in the first half of 2019.

    This contributed significantly to the improved trade surplus of US$1.9 billion, representing 2.8 percent of GDP, compared with a surplus of US$1.25 billion (1.9 percent of GDP) recorded for the first half of 2018.

    Gold prices significantly recovered in June 2019 to levels last seen in May 2013 after trading at relatively lower prices over the previous three months. The yellow metal rallied 5.9 percent to close at an average of US$1,359.7 per fine ounce as heightened US-China trade tensions and Washington’s threat of tariffs on Mexico stoked worries of a global recession and drove investors to seek refuge in safe-haven bullion.

    The expected first gold pour of AngloGold Ashanti in December 2019 is expected to increase the export earnings of gold for the country. The company revealed it was on track to produce the first gold ounces at its redeveloped Obuasi mine by the end of December 2019 after resumption of operation early this year.

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    Economy to grow at 5.6% 2020

    Meanwhile, the Ghanaian economy is expected to grow at 5.6 percent next year, lower than the projected 7.5 percent Gross Domestic Product in 2019.
    According to the IMF report, this will place it second behind Senegal and Ivory Coast. Senegal and Ivory Coast economies are expected to grow at a rate of 6.8 and 7.3 percent respectively. In 2018, the two countries economies will grow at 6.0 and 7.5 percent respectively.

    With respect to inflation, it will hover around 9.3 and 9.2 percent in 2019 and 2020 respectively, the Breton Wood institution report emphasized.

    Ghana’s economy grew by 6.7 percent year-on-year for the first quarter of 2019, according to the Ghana Statistical Service.

    This was compared with 5.4 percent the same period a year ago.
    Industry led the pack with growth rate of 8.4 percent followed by services with GDP of 7.2 percent. Agriculture on the other hand grew by a paltry 2.2 percent.

    Source: thefinderonline.com

  • Assin-Central NABCO donates to Alhudha Islamic Basic School

    The Assin-Fosu Municipal Secretariat Office of the Nation Builders Corps (NABCO), on Wednesday, donated quantities of stationary to Alhudha Islamic Basic School in the Municipality.

    The initiative formed an integral part of a series of activities marking the one year anniversary of the organization.

    NABCO is one of the flagship programmes of the government to significantly ease the growing unemployment and joblessness among the youth.

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    The Municipal NABCO Coordinator, Mr Sam Bilson, presenting the items, described the initiative as a blessing and noted that “it has given hope to a lot of graduates who hitherto had no hope of employment”.

    He, however, refuted the political twist to the purpose and sustainability of the programme and underlined the fact that “it has given young Ghanaians the experience for their perspective jobs”.

    Giving details of activities earmarked for the week-long anniversary, Mr Bilson said there would be donations to schools and the Fosu Municipal Health Directorate. There would also be a cleanup exercise, health-talk, fire education, fun games and dinner at the Municipal Sports Stadium.

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    Receiving the items, the Headteacher of the School, Madam Hannah Anin, applauded the NABCO beneficiaries in the Municipality for the gesture and appealed for more support from other organisations.

    She particularly called on the Municipal Assembly to support the school with the needed teaching and learning logistics to enhance academic work.

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • Government did not cook up fraud allegation against PDS Oppong Nkrumah

    Government, through the Ministry of Information, has dismissed allegations it cooked up fraud to terminate the Power Distribution Services (PDS) concession agreement.

    According to the Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the motive of government in the concession had been to ensure efficiency.

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    “Government has not been up to any machination; the intent has been to ensure efficiency in the Electricity Company of Ghana turnaround programme and the performance of the broader compact all along.”

    Addressing a press conference in Accra on Wednesday to set records straight on the PDS concession saga, Mr Nkrumah maintained that the concessionaire failed to meet the material and fundamental terms of the concession agreement.

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    “Is there something wrong with switching from 80/20 to 49/51 absolutely not, the government holds the view that in transactions of this nature Ghana and Ghanaians should be given an opportunity to get a deep hand the stake as much as possible,” he said.

    Source: adomonline.com

  • US$70m loan agreement to improve educational infrastructure

    Ghana has signed two loan agreements worth over US$70 million to improve quality post graduate education and build educational infrastructure in the country.

    The first agreement, worth US$ 60m was between the government and the World Bank Group to improve the quality, quantity and development impact of post graduate education as well as support short term courses in selected universities.

    Ken Ofori Atta, Minister for Finance and Pierre Frank Laporte, World Bank Country Director for Ghana initialled for Ghana and the World Bank Group respectively.

    Known as the “First Higher Education Centres of Excellence for Development Impact Project”, it is expected to close the skills gap and increase productivity, improve faculty and staff qualifications, teaching and research, as well as lead to sustainable and global competitive post graduate programmes in the country.

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    The beneficiaries will be selected students who are pursuing post graduate courses and Centres of Excellence /Universities.

    The implementing universities are University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University of Cape Coast, University of Development Studies, University of Energy and Natural Resources. The National Council for Tertiary Education will serve as the coordination institution and report to the Ministry of Education

    The second agreement between government and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) worth 13.5 million is for the construction of 44 primary schools throughout the country.

    Minister for Finance, Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta and H.E. Eng. Yousef Bin Ibrahim Al-BASSAM, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab Bank for Economic Development (BADEA) signed the loan agreement for an amount of USD$13.5million for the implementation of the “Support to Basic Education in Five Regions Project”.

    The project aims to support and improve basic education in Ashanti, Central, Eastern, Western and Brong Ahafo (now Ahafo, Bono and Bono East).

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    It would involve the construction of 44 basic schools, provision of furniture and equipment and other ancillary works.

    The project would help provide better opportunities for the poor and rural communities to access education, increase the desire to learn, reduce stress on crowded classrooms, improve the quality of education, bridge the gender gap in access to education and reduce underdevelopment.

    The project forms part of efforts by government to develop and expand basic education opportunities in the country.

    The agreements were signed on the side lines of the 2019 Annual Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank in Washington DC on Friday 18th October 2019.

    Source: www.goldstreetbusiness.com

  • GSE approves resignation of Cal Brokers from local bourse

    The Council of the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) has approved the resignation of Cal Brokers from its membership effective 13th December 2019.

    In a public statement, Cal Brokers said, “This is pursuant to section 7&8 of the GSE Membership Rules. This means that CalBrokers will no longer be a member of the Ghana Stock Exchange and will therefore no longer provide brokerage services.”

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    Cal Brokers Ltd last week communicated to the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) its decision to leave the brokerage business in Ghana and also announced its intent to resign from the membership of the GSE.

    In an earlier public statement to the GSE, Cal brokers noted, “This is to inform the Market and the General Public that pursuant to Section 7 & 8 of the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) Membership Rules, CAL Brokers Limited has informed the GSE of the decision of its Shareholder and Board of Directors of their intent to resign from the membership of the GSE and leave the Brokerage Business.

    Sources at the GSE say the decision by the company has nothing to do with any regulatory breaches but described the move as a normal business decision.

    I doubt ADB would delist from Ghana Stock Exchange GSE boss

    CAL Brokers Limited, a subsidiary of CAL Bank Limited is a local Licensed Dealing Member (LDM) of the Ghana Stock Exchange with a strong client relationship with major Ghanaian and offshore investors and significant experience in managing and executing stock exchange transactions.

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • GRA confident of meeting revenue target first time in 4 years

    The Ghana Revenue Authority is confident of meeting its revenue target for 2019 having collected more than 70 percent of the target set for this year.

    The Commissioner-General for the Authority, Amishaddai Owusu Amoah, says enough measures have been put in place to ensure that the GH¢45 billion domestic revenue target set by the government is met by close of the year.

    The government has for the past three years struggled to meet its domestic revenue target and this has resulted in cut down in planned expenditure such as spending on infrastructure and other key areas.

    GRA receives GHC32 billion revenue for third quarter

    A strong performance in domestic revenue will grant the government the opportunity of spending in areas such as capital infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, and schools.

    The last time the Ghana Revenue Authority met its domestic revenue target was in 2015 where it exceeded its target by more than GH¢600 million.

    Measures put in place

    Touching on the Value Added Tax (VAT), Mr. Amoah expressed concern about tax infractions by companies, which prevented the country from getting the needed revenue for developmental purposes.

    He said there were serious violations of tax laws, a situation where some companies had falsified VAT invoices and made misleading statements about their tax returns.

    Companies owe GRA GHC5 billion Prof Stephen Adei

    Mr. Amoah said four traders were currently facing prosecution for violating tax laws, urging the public to do well to honor their tax obligations.

    On debt collection, he said most companies owed the GRA and as part of the campaign to retrieve the money, it had written to the organizations to settle their debts or face the full rigours of the law.

    In line with that, the Authority, in September 2019, launched a task force dubbed: “Operation Collect, Name and Shame” aimed at collecting taxes that were overdue and the names of recalcitrant businesses were published in the media to settle their debts.

    The task force was to ensure compliance with companies and individuals who have refused to pay their outstanding taxes.

    “The operation was necessary because revenue performance was low and it was prudent to use all legitimate measures to shore it up,” he said.

    Source: citibusinessnews.com

  • ECG terminates contract with PDS

    The Electricity Company of Ghana Limited (ECG) has terminated the Private Sector Participation Transaction Agreements with Power Distribution Services Ghana Limited (PDS).

    ECG has therefore assumed full operational and financial control of the electricity distribution business in the Southern Zone of Ghana with immediate effect, a statement issued by the company on Wednesday, October 23, said.

    Consequently, all activities including metering, billing, distribution and reconciliation of bills, revenue collection and new service connections, which were hitherto undertaken by PDS have reverted to ECG, the statement added.

    He other activities are

    Disconnections and reconnections

    Faulty meter replacements

    Network faults and repairs

    Network Operations, Maintenance, Expansion and Rehabilitation

    Complaints and fault reporting to the call centres and any other related services

    In this regard, all payments in respect of power purchases and other related activities should take place at ECG Regional and District Offices, ECG existing Customer Service Centres, ECG licensed vending stations, ECG operated cash points and ECG authorised Banks.

    The statement added that, all assets currently in the name of PDS revert to ECG with immediate effect and will be rebranded in accordance with the decision over the next few weeks.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Menzgold readies to pay customers

    Menzgold Company Limited is finally prepared to honor its financial obligations to its aggrieved customers.

    The company has come under severe scrutiny after its customers hit the streets on several occasions to protest and demand the release of their investments with the company.

    Menzgold customers push for meeting to discuss new payment plan

    Subsequently, there were demands that assets of the gold dealership firm CEO, Nana Appiah Mensah be frozen. Following this, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) announced that bank accounts of NAM1 had been frozen and there were plans to acquire a court order to all the seizure of all other assets.

    NAM 1 has however since July 12, been going to court, having been charged with two counts of abetment to defraud by false pretence and two counts of abetment to carry out banking business without licence, contrary to Section 6 (1) of the Banks and Specialised Deposit-taking Institutions Act, 2016 (Act 930).

    A statement signed by Head of Communications at Menzgold, Nii Amarh Amarteifio and issued on 23rd October, 2019 said the company will begin a document validation process on the 28th of October to 28th of November as part of efforts to settle all verified claims of customers.

    NAM1 gives 3 preconditions that will enable him pay Menzgold customers

    “As part of our efforts to finally discharge our financial obligations to our cherished customers, we have tabled down the following schedule to commence the process of validation in order to settle all verified claims of our customers

    Validation of documentation starts from 28th October to 28th November, 2019 from 9am to 4pm each working day.”

    Read the full statement below:

  • 2018 trained teachers to be posted by November GES

    Trained teachers who completed in 2018 from the Colleges of Education will be posted to the classrooms to begin work by the end of November 2019 the Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced.

    2018 trained teachers to be posted by November GES

    The eligible candidates are those who passed the Teacher Licensure Examinations and have completed their national service.

    The GES in a statement also said university graduates with Basic Education and Early Childhood certificates who have passed the Licensure Examinations and completed national service will be considered for employment as well.

    GES, YEA to employ 7,730 non-teaching staff for Free SHS

    The GES has cautioned the teachers not to pay any money to anybody who promise to facilitate their posting process.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Bui Power Authority to spill dam on Wednesday

    The Bui Power Authority (BPA) says it is likely there will be a controlled spillage of the Bui reservoir on Wednesday, October 23, 2019.

    Consequently, the BPA says it has instituted adequate measures to ensure that life and property are protected during and after the spillage.

    Bui Power Authority to open spillway gates to save hydroelectric dam

    In a statement, signed and issued by the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Fred Oware, the BPA said it was currently sensitising communities along the downstream river channel and also monitoring inflows upstream.

    It said it will undertake the controlled spillage “if observed inflows exceed what the reservoir can accommodate. Based on our projections, it is likely that there will be a Controlled Spillage” on Wednesday, October 23, 2019.

    Meanwhile, the BPA has debunked videos circulating on social media showing an overflow of water onto some roads in the Savanna Region purported to be coming from the Bui Generating Station (BGS) controlled spillage exercise.

    “We wish to inform the general public that those pictures are unrelated to the water course of our river at downstream. The Controlled Spillage is yet to be undertaken,” it added.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Court throws out CHRAJs contempt case against Freddie Blay

    The Accra High Court has acquitted and discharged the National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Freddie Blay of the contempt charges brought against him by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).

    According to the court, CHRAJ failed to provide any substantial evidence of serving Mr. Blay with any letters or subpoena asking him to appear before CHRAJ.

    Dismissed whistleblower petitions CHRAJ over alleged corrupt practices at MMT

    The court presided over by Mr George Koomson said unless the officers of CHRAJ were being mischievous, no rational person will act in such a manner.

    The court also further questioned why attempts were not made to serve the NPP chairman at his office at the GNPC.

    CHRAJ filed contempt charges against Mr Blay claiming that he had been evading receipt of summons which was seeking his response to allegations that he procured 275 buses for his party through corruption.

    In the motion on notice for the contempt proceedings filed at the Accra High Court, CHRAJ prayed the court for an order to commit Mr Blay into prison custody for disobeying its lawful requests.

    CHRAJ shocked over Obuasi prison conditions

    According to the motion, on July 6, 2018, CHRAJ received a complaint from the Coalition of Social Justice, requesting the Commission to investigate Mr Blay for corruption in respect of his role in the purchase of 275 buses for the 275 constituencies of the governing political party, the NPP.

    After assessing the complaint, the commission concluded that it had the mandate to investigate and, therefore, commenced investigations.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • President Akufo-Addo off to Russia, Azerbaijan

    The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, left Ghana on Tuesday, 22nd October, 2019, to lead the Ghanaian delegation to attend the maiden Russia-Africa Summit, being held in Sochi, Russia.

    The Summit is being held to deepen the ties of friendship between the two sides, as well as explore other areas of co-operation to their mutual benefit.

    Whilst in Russia, President Akufo-Addo is expected to hold bilateral meetings with the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, deliver a statement on the floor of the Summit on the theme “For Peace, Security and Development”, and hold meetings with CEOs of some important Russian enterprises.

    The President will leave Russia on Thursday, 24th October, 2019, to attend the 18th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Conference, being held in Baku, Azerbaijan. NAM is a forum of 120 developing world states that are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. After the United Nations, it is the largest grouping of states worldwide.

    The President was accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey; the Minister for Energy, John Peter Amewu; and officials of the Presidency and Foreign Ministry.

    The President will return to Ghana on Saturday, 26th October, 2019, and in his absence, the Vice President, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, shall, in accordance with Article 60(8) of the Constitution, act in his stead.

    Source: 3news.com

  • Speaker urges MPs to prepare for more work after recess

    The Third Meeting of the Third Session of the Seventh Parliament of the fourth Republic has commenced sitting.

    Parliament went on recess early August and resumed sittings today. Welcoming members during the first sitting today, Tuesday, October 22, 2019, the Speaker, Prof. Mike Ocquaye outlined a number of businesses scheduled for this session including the presentation of the 2020 budget and the passage of a number of bills.

    He asked Members to brace themselves up for the huge volume of work required of them during this meeting.

    The Speaker also informed parliament about events which occurred during recess.

  • GES, YEA to employ 7,730 non-teaching staff for Free SHS

    The Ghana Education Service (GES) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) to employ 7,730 young people as non-teaching staff in selected senior high schools (SHSs).

    The scheme, known as the Schools Support Programme, is to replace ageing cooks, pantry hands, labourers, security assistants and other non-teaching staff of SHSs to help boost the free SHS programme.

    The employees will be engaged for two years in the initial stage, after which, based on available permanent job opportunities and performance, some will be absorbed permanently into the GES.

    I will resign if indeed Mahama said he will scrap Free SHS Asiedu Nketia

    Those engaged will be paid GH¢350 a month, to be funded from the five per cent Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) allocation to the YEA.

    The Director-General of the GES, Professor Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa, signed the MoU on behalf of the service, while the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the YEA, Mr Justice Kodua Frimpong, signed on behalf of the agency.

    Prof. Opoku-Amankwa explained that after the contract period, the employees could be engaged permanently based on their performance and the job opportunities available.

    He said media advertisements for the recruitment exercise would be ready by Thursday and encouraged young people between 18 and 35 years who had completed at least junior high school to take advantage of the programme.

    Mahama bares teeth at free SHS again!

    “The onset of the free SHS increased demand for both teaching and non-teaching staff to facilitate the effective implementation of the policy,” he said.

    Prof. Opoku-Amankwa said the GES had already employed 1,500 non-teaching staff and 8,000 teachers, but with the introduction of the double-track system, there was more demand for non-teaching staff.

    He described the initiative as a school-based support programme aimed at ensuring the health and safety of the students and staff of the various SHSs in the country.

    Source: www.dailygraphic.com

  • Telcos still charging consumers CST upfront on recharge despite Ministers directive

    Consumers of mobile telecommunications services are still being charged the 9 percent communication service tax upfront on recharges, more than a week after the Ministry of Communication demanded a halt to the practice.

    The Minister of Communications Ursula Owusu-Ekuful last week told a press conference the telcos are being disingenuous in their handling of the CST increment which they hitherto did not deduct upfront from recharges made by consumers.

    Telcos not being truthful with consumers on 9% CST charge George Andah

    “The Ministry met mobile network operators and the regulator on 7th and 8th October 2019 on this unusual practice which flew in the face of industry experience and we were informed by MNOs that they took advantage of the 3% increase to pass on the entire tax to subscribers.

    CST should be treated the same way VAT, GETFUND, NHI levy and all other taxes imposed on entities doing business in Ghana are treated. The extraordinary upfront deduction of CST and notification of same to subscribers must stop with immediate effect,” the Minister said.

    While the Minister demanded an immediate stop to the practice, the directive has not been met favorably by the telcos which are still in discussions with the government to decide on a number of issues surrounding the implementation of the CST.

    Telcos risk losing licences should they fail to comply with policy directive

    Citi Business News sources say last week the telcos met with the Communications Ministry, the regulator National Communications Authority (NCA) and the Ghana Revenue Authority over issues bordering on the CST.

    Apart from the government taking issue with the upfront deduction of the CST from the recharge of consumers, the effective start date of the tax has also been a matter of disagreement between the two parties.

    While the telcos have been implementing the CST since October 1, the Ministry of Communications insists that the actual implementation date should be backdated to September 4, 2019.

    According to the telcos, they are expecting a favourable outcome from the meeting held last week after which will stop charging consumers upfront for the nine percent communication service tax.

    Source: citibusinessnews.com

  • We appreciate your support – Ghana Music Awards UK organisers to industry players

    Organizers of Ghana Music Awards UK express sincere gratitude to people within the Creative Arts industry for showing massive support and offering efforts that made the event successful.

    The 2019 Ghana Music Awards UK came off successfully at the Discovery Center in London on Saturday, 5th October, and was followed by an after-party on 13th October, 2019 at the VBO Stars Lounge with popular celebrated Ghanaian musicians in attendance.

    Ghana Music Awards UK: Despite, Samini honored

    In a shot video sighted by Attractivemustapha.com on social media platforms of the organizers of the awards scheme, they thanked everyone who came out to support, the artistes who performed at the event, all the media houses that supported, all followers and well-wishers who tweeted, hash-tagged, and reposted the contents and cherished sponsors for the huge support.

    “Two weeks ago today we shutdown London in yet another massively turned-out show, the GMAUK19. A big thank you to everybody that came out, the artistes that performed, all the media houses that supported, every follower and well-wisher that twittered, hash-tagged, and reposted our contents and our cherished sponsors for the huge support. God bless us all. See you next year with the biggest bang.#gmauk #ghanamusicawardsuk”, the post stated.

    Ghana Music Awards UK slated for October 5

    Alordia Promotions, the main organizers of Ghana Music Awards UK collaborated with Chaos Media and West Coast in UK who contributed enormously for the organization of the After-Party.

    Source: aatractivemustapha.com

  • GRA issues new directives on auction of goods at the ports

    The Ghana Revenue Authority(GRA) has issued new directives on the auction of items.

    The new directives which were contained in circular outlines the processes through which goods in the custody of the GRA will be disposed of to the public.

    According to the statement, the ratio of the distribution of goods by the GRA will now involve 70 percent allocation to the General Public, while thirty percent goes to the Confiscated Assets Committee.

    Prof. Adei sacks two deputy finance Ministers from GRA board

    In addition, the reserve price shall be two times the duties payable plus 50 percent of the value of the asset. Meanwhile, where the original owner of the asset becomes the beneficiary of the auction, the reserve price will be twice the duties payable only.

    The new directives are to take immediate effect and will apply to all new auction sales or allocation.

    Additionally, all previous allocations or sales not paid for and cleared by their beneficiaries by the end of this month shall be forfeited and allocated or sold at new auctions.

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Stop defying rainfall alerts NADMO to Ghanaians

    The Ashanti Regional office of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has cautioned residents of the Ashanti Region to take measures to protect their lives and property from floods as they brace up for more rains in the region.

    A press release signed by Kwabena Nsenkyire, the Ashanti Regional Director of NADMO, said that the torrential rains can be blamed on climate change.

    Pay our 18-month arrears now or we march NADMO Directors

    “The torrential rains currently being experienced in the Ashanti Region is due to the erratic weather conditions usually occasioned by the climate change”.

    The press statement further indicated that certain parts of the region are expected to flood in the coming days.

    “Indications are that the rainstorms may result in severe flooding especially parts of Kumasi, Esereso Adagya, Pekyi no. 1&2. Obuasi, Anwionkwanta, Sabronum, Kotwi, Praso, Amansie-Koteneso and settlements in the swamps, low-level grounds and along the banks of rivers and streams designated as flood-prone areas”.

    NADMO receives GH¢1 million to pay June 3 flood victims

    The statement cautioned residents of the region to avoid making certain mistakes in order to preserve lives due to the “devastating” nature of the expected rains and thunderstorms.

    This caution comes on the back of the death of 29 people in the Upper East Region following a downpour in the region.

    A number of houses collapsed due to the rains.

    Below is the full statement:

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Prof. Adei sacks two deputy ministers from GRA board

    Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr. Kwaku Agyemang Kwarteng and Mr. Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah, Deputy Trade and Industry, have been sacked from their position as board members of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) with immediate effect, DAYBREAK can authoritatively report.

    This was communicated to them by the new board chairman, Professor Stephen Adei.

    RE: UN sacked Professor Adei for objecting to LGBTQ Foh-Amoaning

    According to sources, Professor Adei said he was sacking the two politicians from the board to make way for the chief directors of the ministries they represent to be on the board.

    Strangely, DAYBREAK learned that, instead of the two chief directors being on the board, it is only the chief director of the Ministry of Trade and Industry who is on the board, with a former Databank employee and now Technical Advisor to the Finance Minister, Mr. Ernest Akore, as the representative of the Finance Ministry.

    It would be recalled that last Tuesday, DAYBREAK reported that Professor Stephen Adei had now assumed the role of the substantive Commissioner General of the authority.

    Professor Adei laments hypocrisy in fighting corruption

    Mr. Emmanuel Kofi Nti, former Commissioner-General, retired from the revenue collection agency on 1st October 2019, with Mr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, Commissioner for Domestic Tax Revenue Division (DTRD), subsequently become Acting Commissioner-General.

    Though not announced, sources say Professor Adei is acting as the Commissioner-General just like how he became the current chair of the board, without a letter from His Excellency, President Nana Akufo-Addo or the approval of the Council of State.

    Source: Day Break

  • Akufo-Addo held secret meetings with MCC in US Asiedu Nketia alleges

    General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Johnson Asiedu Nketia has alleged that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo held not less than three meetings with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in the US.
    But he stated that the outcome of those meetings were kept away from the good people of Ghana.

    Addressing journalists in Accra on Thursday, October 17, Mr Asiedu Nketia said the meeting was to soothe the otherwise damning consequences of the allocation of the power compact that saw the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) taken over by the Power Distribution Services (PDS) in a deal that was later suspended.

    Paga chiefs thank Akufo-Addo for CK Tedam

    The NDC scribe said after his return from the US meetings, President Akufo-Addo charged the Energy Minister, John-Peter Amewu, and his deputies as well as leadership of ECG to hold meetings with Manila Electric Company, popularly known as Meralco, over the botched deal.

    Mr Asiedu Nketia said he found it ironical for the Energy Minister to accept the offer to travel to the Philippines to meet a company he had described as “fraudulent” at the peak of the controversy that surrounded the suspension of the PDS deal.

    He said the NDC has been astounded by the emergence of a new company, Meridian Power Ventures, which is claiming a 30 per cent stake in PDS.

    According to him, this can only be the result of a secret transaction that neither Parliament nor Ghanaians as a whole know about.

    “This shows that our constitution has been trampled upon,” he said in Akan.

    We will not leave until we see Akufo-Addo Aggrieved Gold Coast customers

    He demanded that the Akufo-Addo-led government should immediately explain to Ghanaians how come Hong Kong-based Meridian Power Ventures has taken over from Philippines-based Meralco to the extent that the former is calling on foreign shareholders to hold an emergency board meeting.

    The NDC gave not only the president but also Vice President Dr Mahumudu Bawumia, Energy Minister Amewu and Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta 24 hours to explain to Ghanaians the emergence of Meridian Power Ventures, a company Mr Asiedu alleged was registered just four months ago.

    Source: 3news.com

  • Police grab eight notorious car snatchers in Accra

    The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested eight persons believed to be part of a notorious car snatching syndicate.

    The syndicate which operated in Accra usually attacked their victims with guns and knives.

    IGP visits rural police stations to boost morale

    The eight are currently in police custody waiting to be arraigned.

    Some of the suspects whose identities have been confirmed include Emmanuel Amaning, 20 and Frank Atta Kwame Agyekum also age 22.

    The Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Fredrick Adu Anim who spoke to Citi News noted that one suspect is still at large.

    Family recounts how police officers slashed innocent relative with machete to death

    The suspects are: “suspect Emmanuel Amaning, 20, an unemployed from New Abrim in the Eastern Region, also suspect Frank Ata Kwame Agyekum, 22, from Kwaku Obo also in the Eastern Region. The two reside at Agbogbloshie in Accra.”

    “Evans Kwabena Nyakro, aged 21, from Kwahu Abene in the Eastern Region and lives at Kasoa Millenium City. His accomplice, Kwasi Adjomo is currently at large.”

    Source: citinewsroom.com