TIG Post

Author: Persis

  • Business directory helpline for Ghanaian SMEs launched

    The GCEEI, a startup accelerator and business advisory firm which has operated in Ghana over the last 8 years, has rolled out a much-awaited business directory helpline to connect young entrepreneurs to the right resources.

    The business directory helpline, which is part of a newly set up Enterprise Development Support Project (EDSP), will play a catalyst role in providing pathways that will help to improve business growth, competitiveness and sustainability of early and growth-stage startups across the country.

    Currently, most young and aspiring entrepreneurs or startups have found to be a challenge, where to obtain help for needed services such as product development, go to market strategies and financial modelling, to keep their business in shape.

    Vodafone unveils period of masterclass for SMEs at SMEGA 18

    Equally, others have found it increasingly difficult to connect with suitable firms that can provide real support regarding mentorship, packaging, marketing, accounting, technology, training, audit and insurance among others.

    According to the 2018 Venture Investments Report, the value of deal flows to African startups increased by over 300pcnt to US$725million from 2017. However, Ghana continues to lag behind in attracting capital to startups.

    Research shows that most SMEs in Ghana lack the right governance, legal and market-related advice and as such are unable to mirror the kind of growth experienced by counterparts in other parts of the sub-region including Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.

    According to the CEO and Co-founder, John Armah, this new initiative by GCEEI will help tremendously in reducing failure rates of most Ghanaian startups.

    Banks repositioned for SMEs financing Dr Opoku-Afari

    He said: “Through our business directory helpline, we are seeking to scale support to Ghanaian Startups by empowering over 1,000 young entrepreneurs each year by helping them to improve the indices around Access to Skills, Market, Finance and Technology for small businesses. If we must develop as a continent, then we should build the next generation of businesses the right way”.

    Through the Enterprise Development Initiative by GCEEI, this situation could be a thing of the past as aspiring or existing entrepreneurs will be empowered by being connected to the right resources.

    They will also be able to access Digital opportunity maps and Sector opportunity training, where business opportunities have been mapped by sectors and regions to highlight the increasing economic opportunities across the country, with practical and relevant sector-specific training programmes provided.

    Armah concluded by urging young entrepreneurs and startups to reach out to GCEEI through the Business Directory helpline on 0303 970 723 or via email to info@gceei.org.

    Source: www.citibusinessnews.com

  • Ethiopian Airlines records $US4.2 billion dollars in revenue

    Ethiopia Airlines has revealed that it has generated 114.6 billion birr (about US$4.2 billion dollars) in revenue during the fiscal year ending July 7, 2019.

    The largest aviation group in Africa generated the revenue from transporting passengers and goods as well as providing other services such as training and catering.

    Ethiopian Airlines annual revenue up 29%

    The Ethiopian Public Enterprises Assets and Administration Agency, which evaluated the performance of the Group, copied to the Ghana News Agency, said of the total revenue the company generated, US$3.9 billion dollars was collected in hard currency from international customers.

    The report said the state-owned company had made a total profit of 8.9 billion birr (US$326 million dollars) before tax.

    It said during the current Ethiopian fiscal year 2012, which started July 8, 2019, Ethiopian Airlines Group had planned to collect total revenue of 155 billion birr (US$5.7 billion dollars) at the prevailing exchange rate.

    Ethiopia army arrests Islamic State members recruiting, arming locals

    The Aviation Group aims to report a gross profit of 19 billion birr (696 million dollars) at the prevailing exchange rate at the end of the year July 7, 2020, the report said.

    It is recalled that the Government of Ethiopia has announced plans to partially privatize Ethiopian Airlines Group, Ethio telecom, Ethiopia Shipping Lines and other big state enterprises including railways and electric services.

  • Unilever promises to halve plastic waste use

    Unilever, which owns brands such as Surf and PG Tips, says it plans to halve the amount of new plastic it uses in a bid to appeal to younger shoppers.

    The firm is responsible for producing 700,000 tonnes of new plastic a year.

    But Unilever, plans to slash that figure over the next five years by using more recycled plastic and finding other alternative materials.

    Nevertheless, Unilever boss, Alan Jope, holds that plastic is a “terrific material”.

    Unilever launches World Oral Health Day with walk

    And he maintains that many of the alternatives are worse, saying: “A hysterical move to glass may be trendy but it would have a dreadful impact on the carbon footprint of packaging.”

    In an interview with the BBC, Mr Jope said Unilever, the UK’s biggest food producer and which also own dozens of health, beauty and cleaning brands, was trying to remain relevant to younger consumers who worry about plastic use.

    He said millennials – normally thought of as those born between 1980 and 1995 – and Generation Z, which is more poorly defined but generally considered to be those born between the mid-1990s and 2010, cared about “purpose and sustainability”.

    They also worry about “the conduct of the companies and the brands that they’re buying”.

    “This is part of responding to society but also remaining relevant for years to come in the market.”

    He said there was “no paradox” between sustainable business and better financial performance.

    “We profoundly believe that sustainability leads to a better financial top and bottom line.”

    Unilever Ghana unveils new manufacturing plants in Tema

    200,000 bottles a minute

    The move follows similar announcements by several other companies.

    Procter & Gamble – which makes Fairy and Lenor – said in April that it planned to halve the amount of plastic it used by 2030.

    Meanwhile, Nestle announced that it would phase out all non-recyclable plastics from its wrappers by 2025 and Coca Cola has said that it will double the amount of recycled plastic it uses in the 200,000 bottles it makes every single minute by next year.

    Now, Unilever has added its name to the list of firms promising to cut back on plastic with a pledge to recycle as much plastic as it makes by 2025.

    But Mr Jope said responsibility for reducing plastic could not fall to industry alone.

    He called on UK councils to harmonise recycling policies so that manufacturers can make instructions clearer to consumers.

    “If there was a standardised approach to collecting, sorting and processing, I think it would allow industry to standardise labelling and make it easier for people to segment their waste,” he said.

    Unilever, which is one of the largest companies in the UK, has insisted that changing its packaging would not push up prices.

    Richard Kirkman, the chief technology officer for waste management giant Veolia, said plants had seen an increase in the amount of packaging that was “really hard” to recycle.

    “Now we need to work with manufacturers to change the way they design things in the first place,” he said.

    Source: www.bbc.com

  • Missing ‘Takoradi girls’ were not kidnapped – Police

    Ghana Police Service has debunked media reports which suggested that another group of persons reported missing in the Western regional capital had been kidnapped.

    Making the announcement on the Service’s twitter handle, @GHPoliceService, they disclosed that three out of the five persons recently reported to have gone missing have been found.

    The three are Fauzia Aliu, Augustina Koomson and Rosina Gyekyewaa.

    Takoradi girls: My daughter has died, I feel it Father of Priscilla Koranchie

    Barely a month after remains of four girls in Takoradi whose abduction and subsequent murders had rocked the country another set of persons had been reported missing in the same region.

    17-year-old Fauzia Aliu, according to the police, returned home around 8:00pm on 2 October 2019.

    “The father by name Aliu Suleman, brought his daughter to the Police on 4 October 2019. The victim informed the Police that she left home for Accra in search of her biological mother.”

    In the case of Rosina Gyekyewaa, the police reported that the 13-year-old was found loitering in Cape Coast.

    According to the police, the “victim stated that she learnt the mother lived in Kumasi so she was going to her mother because she doesn’t want to stay with her grandmother.”

    Takoradi girls are alive; bring them back Concerned Mothers claim

    The third person, Augustina Koomson who was reported missing by her husband is receiving medical treatment and staying with her brother in Accra

    “On 4 October 2019 Police were able to contact victim Augustina Koomson and she said that she was sick and living with her brother in Accra. She also informed Police that she is receiving treatment and will report herself to Police when she returns to Takoradi.”

    The police cautioned the media about twisting the public announcement of the missing persons posted on their website.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Akrobeto smiles again after losing eight siblings

    Kumawood actor Akwasi Boadi, popularly known as Akrobeto, recently made the news after a video emerged online, detailing he had lost his last surviving male sibling.

    The leader and founder of the Ebenezer Miracle Worship Center, Prophet Ebenezer ‘Opambour’ Adarkwah Yiadom aka Prophet One, disclosed the soul-wrenching news in a video.

    Akrobeto breaks ribs at awards ceremony with funny grammar

    Prophet Ebenezer ‘Opambour’ noted the last of Akrobeto’s siblings had recently passed on.

    YEN.com.gh reported earlier that Opambour consoled Akrobeto over the loss of his only surviving male sibling in a video while confirming the Ghanaian actor had lost eight siblings, making Akrobeto the only surviving male of 11 children.

    Despite his pain, owing to the devastating shock of losing his last sibling, Akrobeto has been videoed full of smiles and also had jokes to tell.

    I owe my acting career to Apostle Kwadwo Safo Akrobeto

    Akrobeto was joined by comedy actor, Ntim Nation on his show, the Real News on UTV and Akrobeto had jokes to tell despite his loss.

    One could hardly tell the Ghanaian actor had lost his last surviving brother.

    Source: yen.com.gh

  • Vincent Atingah named MoTM as Al Shabab beat Al Salmiya in Kuwaiti Cup

    Ghanaian defender Vincent Atingah produced a man of the match performance as Al Shabab recovered from their defeat in midweek to Al Salmiya in the Kuwaiti Cup.

    Atingah was named man of the match as The Youths strolled to a 2-0 win to advance in the Cup competition.

    Having lost to the same opponents 5-3 in midweek, Al Shabab took the lead in the 26th minute.

    The Al Ahmadi based club then sealed victory with an 82nd minute strike.

    Atingah, who excelled in midweek was as solid as a rock in the heart of defence as Al Shabab returned with a clean sheet.

    The ex-Hearts of Oak player has been a revelation for the club this season following his stellar performances for the club.

    They will next face Kuwait SC in the Cup competition.

  • Thomas Partey, the all-terrain SUV

    When Diego Simeone asked Thomas Partey to come onto the pitch to try and rescue the result against Eibar, nobody, not even himself, could have imagined that it would be the Ghanaian who would score the winning goal, with the midfielder proving himself to be an invaluable tool for all situations for Atletico Madrid.

    He has two goals thus far this season, with his latest coming in the Champions League against Lokomotiv Moscow, and he has been a sensation this season.

    We’re starting to see a midfielder that Simeone daren’t not drop from the starting XI, he is so technically gifted and so powerful that he nicely complements Koke and Saul Niguez, and if he is adding goals to his game now as well, Atletico’s midfield is set for a long time.

    Thomas Partey makes me happy Atletico Madrid boss Deigo Siemone

    In the Spanish league only Casemiro has scored as many goals as Thomas this season, and he is outperforming other great holding midfield players, Javi Martinez and Idrissa Gueye who have yet to score at all this campaign.

    Even in the Premier League, Thomas’ numbers are strong with none of Fernandinho, James Milner, N’Golo Kante, Nemanja Matic or Lucas Torreira having managed to score as many goals this season.

    The only midfielder in the Premier League who has done so is Tottenham Hotspur’s Tanguy Ndombele.

    Atleti have been forced to reinvent themselves this season, and they will continue to have to evolve in order to get the best out of Joao Felix you’d imagine.

    This is where Thomas’ contributions could be so vital, as he is showing all the characteristics needed in an elite midfield player.

    Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey named man of the match in Madrid derby

    He wins possession back and starts counter-attacking moves, but now he has the stamina and energy to ensure he is in the right possession to sometimes even finish the move off, it’s no coincidence we’ve seen him in far more adventurous positions since Felix arrived.

    Moving forward he is essentially there to give the Portuguese starlet a bit of extra help, whilst being good enough to cover both phases of the game.

    It’s interesting to note he has completed 91.67 percent of his dribbles this season, the second-highest in the Spanish top flight, whilst his pass completion percentage is around 87 percent.

    Source: marca.com

  • Households without toilets in Accra have no excuse AMA boss

    The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) is revamping the implementation of the by-law which requires landlords to construct toilet facilities in their homes.

    This follows a directive by the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to implement the law as part of measures towards ending open defecation in the country.

    I was too hot for Mahama to handle Nunoo-Mensah

    Speaking to Citi News, the Chief Executive for the AMA, Mohammed Nii Adjei Sowah said interventions by Government such as the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) Sanitation Project, spearheaded by the World Bank provides subsidized toilet facilities to residents in the capital hence landlords with no toilets in their homes have no excuse for not adhering to the law.

    “We now have large scale contractors that are working because hitherto we had only small-scale contractors but the request has increased leading to a high demand and for that matter large scale contractors are working on the project currently,” he said.

    “Indeed, let me state that there are other institutions that are also supporting the assembly itself. The Ministry of Inner-city and Zongo development had also advocated for a lot of the households to have toilets. But beyond this, we have to say that, it is not every house that has a toilet and that has subscribed to it and this calls for action. We should be prosecuting those households that do not have places of convenience,” he added.

    COCOBOD Boss floors NDC Organizer in defamation case

    Open defecation continues to be a critical health challenge globally, affecting almost 1 billion people worldwide and contributing significantly to an estimated 842,000 people who die yearly from sanitation-related diseases.

    It is a major environmental health problem facing many countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

    Ghana has been ranked second after Sudan in Africa for open defecation, with almost 5 million Ghanaians not having access to any toilet facility.

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Why teach dating and courtship at primary 5? – Atik queries

    General Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Atik Mohammed, is wondering what the Ghana Education Service (GES) intends to achieve by teaching primary 5 pupils ‘dating and courtship’.

    If you have a copy of the CSE document, you would have seen a section which states: “Module 4 Session 3: Relationships: friendship, dating and courtship.” This module is for pupils in primary 5 (10 years). Primary six pupils will be taught fertility, pregnancy-related issues and childbirth, relationship; marriage and family life, concept of gender; norms, roles and stereotyping.

    Reacting to this on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’, Atik Mohammed does not understand why small children will be taught dating and courtship.

    “Who are they going to court?” he queried.

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • President wont hold too much power – NUGS reacts to newly proposed constitution

    The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has reacted to allegations made by members of the union that the newly proposed constitution will give more power to the executives, especially the president.

    According to the members, they will fiercely resist the move of the executives saying “We the leaders of the various institutions shall never be bullied into silence.”

    But responding to the issue in a press release, leadership of NUGS described their allegations as malicious and debunked notions that the president will yield too much power with the new constitution.

    Read below the full statement

    NUGS RESPONDS TO MALICIOUS ALLEGATIONS ON THE MATTER OF THE NEWLY ADOPTED NUGS CONSTITUTION AHEAD OF THE 2019 NUGS CONGRESS

    The National Executive Committee of the National Union of Ghanaian Students (NUGS) has taken notice of a statement coming from some students who describe themselves as CC members, which statement was captioned, “WE ARE AGAINST THE IMPOSITION OF A NEW CONSTITUTION”.

    In the said statement, these students did not only level series of unsubstantiated allegations against the leadership of the Union but also cast insinuations at the co-executives of NUGS and suggested that the co-executives were acting lawlessly and trying to impose a new constitution on the union.

    Ordinarily, NUGS would not dignify such statement with any response because it raises absolutely no substance worthy of attention, but, we are minded by the fact that our silence has probably emboldened these students to continue with their vicious campaign and deceiving the unsuspecting public and stakeholders about recent developments in the Union particularly matters having to do with the new constitution.

    On the basis of this, NUGS feels compelled to respond to their statement and set the records straight by exposing the falsity of the claims made therein.

    First of all, the point must be made that Article 22(a)(i) of the reviewed or old constitution lists the composition of CC members to include National Officers and Bloc Representatives.

    What this means is that the National Executives of NUGS, just like every other member of CC as defined in Article 22, are entitled to enjoy certain rights and privileges during CC meetings which include the right to MOVE a MOTION and SECOND same per Section C of the Second Schedule to the NUGS Constitution.

    So, contrary to the claims made by the students, it is NOT unconstitutional nor an abuse of office for a National Officer or Executive of NUGS to move a motion and/or second a motion on the floor.

    Secondly, the students also claimed that the newly Revised Constitution has been smuggled and that they do not recognize it. The basis for this claim is that, according to them, “Local NUGS and SRC Presidents were asked to go and deliberate on the draft constitution and come out with their views. The co-chairman deliberately ignored our views and inputs”. NUGS wishes to state emphatically that this claim is a BLATANT FALSEHOOD and mischievous misrepresentation.

    For the avoidance of doubt, the processes leading to the review of the NUGS Constitution were observed in compliance with the provisions of Chapter 10 of the Constitution strictu senso.

    The Review/Reform Committee, as part of their work, asked members of the union including SRC/LNUGS executives to send their inputs, if any, via the following email address: nkgs888@gmail.com on July 21, 2019 at the last University students Association of Ghana Senate at the University of Professional studies, for consideration.

    Interestingly, no input was received from anybody. When the committee finished with their draft Report, the Report was sent to member institutions for comments/inputs, if any.

    Also, at a special CC meeting held on 31st July 2019, at Kessben University in Kumasi on the Constitution Review, the committee came to present the same Report to CC members for consideration and possible adoption, however, the meeting ended inconclusive on the matter compelling a postponement.

    Fortunately, the Review processes to adopt the Revised/New Constitution were completed at a “CC meeting turned Emergency Congress” on Saturday, September 28, 2019 which was held at Knusford University in Accra.

    Contrary to the claims of the students, the conversion of CC into Emergency Congress on the said day was done in accordance with the provisions of the constitution. The reviewed or old Constitution of NUGS, specifically Article 16, allows for CC to be converted into congress as circumstances may determine (This provision, of course, can also be found in the New Constitution) .

    Finally, the students also claimed in their statement that, “The co-presidents have set date and venue for congress without approval by CC”. This claim is again, a palpable falsehood, because, nowhere in the NUGS Constitution, whether Old or New, has the power to set/approve date and venue for NUGS Congress been conferred on CC. Indeed, based on inference from the provisions of Chapter 3 and 5 of the reviewed NUGS constitution, decisions on date and venue for annual residential congresses, have, over the years, been taken by National Secretariat/Officers in consultation with NEC.

    From the foregoing, it is pretty obvious that all the claims made by the students in their statement are factually incorrect, logically inept and cannot be backed by the provisions of the NUGS Constitution. Therefore, the only conclusion that can be drawn from their statement is that, it is either borne out of ignorance or deliberate mischief or both. Clearly, these students do not want the forward match of the union; they do not want a unity congress; they do not want the union to be united, among other destructive tendencies, and they are bent on fighting any attempt to unite the student front and make it more effective and vibrant.

    In the light of this, the National Executive Committee of NUGS, at its meeting on Wednesday, October 2, 2019, took serious view of their conduct and wishes to CAUTION them to desist from such destructive enterprise. Ordinarily, some serious punitive disciplinary action would have been taken against these students for acting lawlessly and seeking to bring the name of the Union into disrepute, but, in the spirit of the ongoing reconciliation exercise to unite the Union, they have been pardoned and asked to go and sin no more.

    We the leadership of NUGS comprising the co-executives and bloc heads are unwaveringly resolute in our quest to unite the Union and no obstruction from any quarters (let alone from some students out of the over 9 million Ghanaian students) can stop us from achieving this noble objective. NUGS shall not die. NUGS shall regain its old glory. NUGS shall UNITE and work again in effectively discharging its core mandate and more importantly to RESTORE CONFIDENCE in Student Leadership.

    …Signed…
    Tinkaro Asare Osei
    Co – President, NUGS

    Gombilla Mohammed
    Co President, NUGS

    Paul Abrokwah
    President, USAG

    Moses Bondong
    President Elect, NAHSAG

    Samuel Sagoe
    President, GRASAG

    Gabson Gakpo Yaw Ebenezer
    President, GUPS

    Anthony Dadzie
    President, TTAG

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Interpol, CID chase Ghanaian visa fraudster

    The International Police at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service have declared an alleged Ghanaian visa fraudster and fake banker, George Asare wanted for duping a number of unsuspecting Ghanaians of several thousands of dollars.

    Suspect Asare reportedly posed as the Manager of Zenith Bank Sunyani Branch and defrauded people under the guise of getting them juicy bank statements to support their visaa applications to travel abroad.

    Judges demand more pay, preferential treatment for visas

    He is currently on the run, according to police records and is believed to be hiding in Australia.

    According to the facts from the security sources, he lured the victims who wanted to travel outside Ghana to pay several thousands of dollars meant for the issuance of bank statements to support their visa applications.

    It, however, turned out that all the bank statements Mr. Asare issued were from fake bank accounts.

    A source at the security agency revealed that George after sensing danger managed to take cover in Australia when he deceived an innocent Ghanaian-Australian woman into falling in love with him and proposing marriage to her.

    Ghana, United Arab Emirates to waive visa

    The lady, name (withheld) realising he has a wife and children back in Ghana on top of his dubious and fraudulent dealings threw him out of her house.

    “It is believed from intelligence that George Asare is hiding at a coded location in Australia with an expired Australian Visa. Our office have tried several times to reach him but to no avail,” the Security source disclosed.

    The INTERPOL and the CID are using this opportunity to entreat the Ghanaian community in Australia to be on the alert if they come across Asare.

    Reports further indicated that some of the victims are collaborating with the Australia High Commission in Accra to smoke out him from his hideout .

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Woman gives birth in the middle of Dambai road

    The timely intervention of two public health officers saved the life of a woman in labour who gave birth in the middle of the road in Dambai in the Oti Region.

    Rita Wurapa and Rose Ayivor who were on a monitoring trip to Dambai and Nkwanta encountered a woman in labour on a motorbike in Dambai.

    Obviously in distress, the motor rider and husband who was conveying his distressed wife to a nearby health facility had no option but to stop in the middle of the road.

    A crowd started to gather around the screaming mother, first-time mother and helpless husband but no one could offer any help until the two health officer chanced on the incident.

    Woman in labour at Dambai

    With over 15 years of public health under her belt, Rita Wurapa and her colleague drew closer only to see a woman in labour.

    In the middle of the street, they delivered the woman of the baby after marshalling women standing by to form a screen with their clothing.

    The mother and the newly born baby were later sent to the hospital. Both of them are doing very well.

    Source: kingdomfmonline

  • NR Minister is now caretaker of Upper East region

    The Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Sa-eed has been directed to act as the Upper East Regional Minister effective October 4.

    Tangoba Abayage handed over her duties and responsibilities as the Upper East Regional Minister to him as she proceeds on her annual leave starting Monday, October 7.

    The handing and taking over took place in the Office of the Regional Minister at the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council (UERCC) after which Salifu Sa-eed was introduced to management and staff of the Council, Bolgatanga.

    Tangoba Abayage admonished management and staff to extend the same support and cooperation accorded her to the caretaker Upper East Regional Minister.

    The Regional Coordinating Director assured the caretaker Minister of the cooperation and support of management and staff.

    Tangoba Abayage is expected to resume work on October 31, 2019.

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • 1,200 dogs vaccinated on rabies day

    One thousand two hundred (1,200) dogs in the Sunyani West District of the Bono Region have been vaccinated against rabies in commemoration of World Rabies Day.

    Speaking at an event to mark the Day, District Chief Executive (DCE) Martin Obeng said the Sunyani West District had planned earlier to vaccinate 1,500 dogs to mark the Day but was able to vaccinate only 1,200.

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    According to experts, rabies is a fatal disease of warm blooded animals and is transmissible to human beings through the bite of an infested dog. About 99 per cent of all rabies cases are as a result of bites from infected dogs, killing about 50,000 people annually on the average.

    Addressing dogs and cat owners as well as schoolchildren on the need to immunise dogs against the disease, the Chairman of Rabies in West Africa Ghana (an organisation that seeks to eliminate rabies by 2030), Richard Suu-Ire, advised dog owners to take good care of their pets by vaccinating them for five consecutive years to help reduce about 70 per cent of death of human beings as a result of dog bites.

    Dr. Suu-Ire said about 59,000 people died annually from the disease as a result of dog bites. He described the disease as dangerous hence the need to educate the public to help eradicate it by 2030.

    Sniffer dogs deployed at KIA in new GRA search exercise

    He said children between the ages of one and 15 years were at risk of rabies because “they allow the dogs to scratch them with their claws, bite or lick their wounds”.

    The Country Director of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Dr. Garba Naina Ahmed, said because the disease is dangerous and killing many people in the agric-sector, the FAO was collaborating with sister organisations to eliminate the disease by 2030 hence the theme: “Educate to Eliminate”, which is aimed at highlighting the dangers associated with the disease.

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • I was too hot for Mahama to handle – Nunoo-Mensah

    Former National Security Advisor Brigadier Joseph Nunoo-Mensah has accused former President John Dramani Mahama of distancing himself from experienced and principled statesmen during his tenure as president.

    He said failure of Mr Mahama to listen to wise counsel contributed to his defeat in 2016.

    The former Chief of Defence Staff made this known in an interview on Hot Issues, which will be fully aired on Saturday, October 5 at 12:30pm.

    Commenting on why he was removed from his position as National Security Advisor, Brigadier Nunoo-Mensah told host Nuong Faalong, “He changed me because when you are very tough, people do not like handling tough people”.

    “I am too hot to handle,” he stressed.

    For him, there was no need of the changes made in government in the aftermath of the demise of John Evans Atta Mills.

    “It hurt the NDC and it hurt Ghana…they want people that will sing their praises, that will lie down for them but I am too stubborn, too tough, too principled.”

    The retired army officer added that virtually clearing the house of experienced and competent people was an act of Mr Mahama cutting his nose to spite his face.

    And he paid for it in the 2016 elections, he noted.

    Source: 3news.com

  • FLASHBACK: 30 arrested at secret combat training camp

    In October 2012, military personnel from Accra busted a secret training camp for combatants at Tongo-Dzemeni in the South Dayi District of the Volta Region, leading to the arrest of 30 suspects.

    Those arrested included trainees who possessed weapons and people who were on unregistered motorbikes in the area.

    The arrest followed a tip off from residents in the fishing community who said they had information that a camp had been set up at Dzemeni to train people in weapon handling and fighting.

    According to reports, the established camp begun their daily training in the night from 10:00 pm to 2:00 am, an assertion which was confirmed by an undercover investigation by the military.

    Members of the group who were arrested were taken to an unknown destination in Accra for further investigation.

    The Volta Regional Minister at the time, Henry Ford Kamel, confirmed the arrest noting that the security service was carrying out investigations into the illegal activities of the group.

    About a month ago, members of a group identified as Take Action Ghana (TAG), were also arrested at Alajo, a suburb of Accra for illegally recruiting a base of young people against the political authorities, under the guise of “nation-building”.

    Security personnel were able to recover weapons including, six pistols, three smoke grenades, 22 IEDs, two AK47 magazines computer equipment and one long knife. Government believed that the group was ploting a coup against the president of Ghana.

    Read the full story originally published on October 2, 2012, on Ghanaweb

    A team of military personnel have arrested 30 suspects for allegedly establishing a camp to train combatants at Tongo-Dzemeni in the South Dayi District of the Volta Region

    Security agencies in the Volta Region have remained tight-lipped on the arrest which was effected by the military from Accra.

    Sources at the well-known fishing village of Dzemeni told Daily Graphic that for the past four months, news had made the rounds that some unidentified young men had set up a camp at Dzemeni to train people in weapon handling and fighting.

    According to the source, the training usually began from 10 pm and lasted till about 2 am.

    When contacted, the assembly member for the area, Mr George Bada Lotsoo, confirmed the incident.

    He said about three weeks ago a security official informed him that he had been observing some unusual activity in the area and asked whether he (assembly member) was aware of it. Mr Lotsoo said he answered in the negative and the security officer told him to keep the information to himself while he carried out further investigation to ascertain what exactly was going on.

    Not quite long after, Mr Lotsoo said, the security officer came back to him with the information that he, together with another officer had observed a training session of the group, under cover.

    According to him, the group used car batteries as their sources of light, spoke languages that were alien to the people of the area and engaged in hand to hand combat training as well as the handling of special weapons.

    He said the training session lasted till after 2 am.

    Then last Friday at midnight, gunshots were heard, he said, and when they drew closer to the scene of the gunshots, a special deployment of soldiers had stormed the area and arrested the trainees as well as people who were on unregistered motorbikes in the area.

    According to Mr. Lotsoo, the people were taken to an unknown destination in Accra and later, those who were considered not to be part of the trainees were released after interrogation.

    The headman of the Dzemeni community, Togbe Amenyedzi Gati, also confirmed the story. He said though the information he was given pointed to the fact that the people were foreigners, they were clearly working with some locals.

    When contacted, the Volta Regional Minister, Mr Henry Ford Kamel, who is also the Chairman of the Regional Security Council, confirmed the development and said investigations were ongoing.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

     

  • Restore diplomatic visa acquisition status for judges and magistrates – Justice Dzamefe

    President of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana (AMJG), Justice Senyo Dzamefe, is calling on the government to restore the diplomatic visa acquisition status of its members.

    According to Justice Dzamefe, the members need to be treated with some dignity and the need for their status to be restored.

    “The Association wants their salaries increased and we no more want to join long queues when applying for visas and want our diplomatic status to be restored,” he said.

    Justice Dzamefe made this appeal while outlining challenges members are faced with at the 39th Annual General meeting of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana in Accra.

    “All lower bench judges must be issued with service passport and three judges must be sponsored for courses outside the country annually which will serve as an incentive for hard work,” he said.

    Source: adomonline.com

  • Taxi driver causes arrest of alleged cable thieves

    A brave taxi driver has caused the arrest of two suspected thieves who were hoping to make some quick cash from power cables belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) they had stolen.

    The driver, Ata Asante, had picked the two men believed to be in their early 20s, from Iran Clinic at Akweteman in Accra but quickly diverted their route when he got wind that they might have stolen the cables.

    The driver narrated to JoyNews that after he had picked them, he overheard the two men, Noah Agyei and Kwame Awazy, discussing in Ewe how much they will make from their booty.

    Convinced that the men might have stolen the cables, he gave them a flimsy excuse and diverted their route to The Multimedia premises since he is an avid listener of Adom FM.

    As soon as he reached The Multimedia premises, he raised an alarm which drew a large number of people who quickly subdued the suspects.

    Mr Asante said he suspected that the thieves were part of a team doing some electrical works at the Iran Clinic area and as soon as officials of the ECG had left, the men decided to quickly make away with the cables.

    They have been arrested by the Tesano Police who are currently investigating the matter.

    The suspects told the police that they were sent by their master.

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • COP Kofi Boakye warns police officers against corruption

    The Director-General of Police in-charge of Research and Planning, Commissioner of Police (COP) Nathan Kofi Boakye, has urged the public to report activities of lawlessness and corruption among police officers.

    He said the police administration and the government will no longer tolerate acts of corruption, extortion, human rights abuses and irresponsible policing which in recent times have characterised the activities of some police officers.

    COP Kofi Boakye to speak on security at the Ghana Bar conference

    Speaking on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, James Oppong Boanuh at the passing out ceremony of some 246 recruit constables from the Eastern Regional Police Training School, COP Boakye said the police administration will crack the whip to restore public confidence in the police.

    According to COP Boakye, collection of money from civilians, blatant disregard of laws, abuse of human rights, and lack of civility to the public conspire to whittle down the police legitimacy and reduce their respect in the eyes of the public.

    COP Kofi Boakye throws lavish birthday party for Kwame Adinkra

    He cautioned the recruits and other officers not to indulge in such acts of lawlessness.

    He advised the recruits to work within the confines of the law.

    Source: adomonline.com

  • GH¢2790 billion lost to taxes, margins in petroleum downstream sector

    Ghana lost GH¢2,790.59 billion in taxes and regulatory margins in the petroleum downstream sector from 2015 to 2018, the latest report on activities in the downstream petroleum sub-sector has indicated.

    The report, prepared by the Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD), showed that the country lost GH¢2,559.08 million in taxes and evaded the regulatory margin of GH¢231.53 million within the three-year period.

    US $434.5m petroleum revenues recorded in first half of 2019

    “For the period 2015 to 2018, total taxes evaded based on official unaccounted stocks stand at GH¢1,390.73 million, while total under-reported taxes based on official unaccounted sale volume after adjustments for exemptions stand at GH¢1,168.33 million,” it added.

    Illicit trade

    At the launch of the report in Accra yesterday, the Chief Executive Officer of the CBOD, Mr Senyo K. Hosi, said petroleum tax revenue increased on the back of reduced illegal trade, which reflected in an increase in official volumes, saying the under-reporting of taxes on official sales was GH¢433.75 million in 2018.

    The report reviewed the policy, finance, market and infrastructure sectors and issues related to the period under review. It also shared an outlook and recommendations on the downstream market and its happenings.

    Mr Hosi said the fight against illicit trade in refined petroleum products was yielding results, leading to the country saving nearly GH¢1 billion, which would have otherwise been lost through smuggling.

    He said about GH¢952 million was also saved from blocking the sale of illicit petroleum products in the country in 2018, a result of the interventions by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) to curb illicit trade in petroleum products.

    Energy Ministry to safeguard petroleum installations in the country

    According to him, a reconciliation of the official national petroleum stocks movement data revealed that 54.36 million litres, 168.48 litres and 794.75 million litres could not be accounted for in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

    “The associated petroleum tax revenue evasion to these stocks stands at GH¢1,438.75 million, while the associated evaded regulatory margins amount to GH¢238.96 million,” he added.

    National consumption

    On national consumption of petroleum products, Mr Hosi said it was about 3.88 million tonnes in 2018, 12.3 per cent higher than the 2017 consumption of 3.46mt.

    A total of 3.73 million tonnes was consumed by the non-power sector, representing 83 per cent of gross consumption, while 738,076 million tonnes (17 per cent) was consumed by the power sector as fuel for power plants, crude for power and propane.

    Out of the 165 registered oil marketing companies (OMCs) and LPG marketing companies (LPGMCs) in 2018, he said, 14 were active, 63 sold products above 10,000 million tonnes, while 88 sold volumes below 10,000 million tonnes.

    Recommendations

    In his recommendations, the CEO said the Tema Oil Refinery should be privatised to ensure effective management.

    He described actors in the illegal trade in petroleum products as a deep-rooted cartel with partners across the echelons of politics, security and industry and said the success of any intervention would require political ruthlessness to enforce a change.

    Use digital revolution to restructure petroleum industry — Amin Adam

    Mr Hosi further urged the government to take steps to block leakages that led to tax evasion in the sector.

    Significance

    The Chief Executive officer of the National Petroleum Authority, Mr Alhassan Tampuli, said the existence and operations of the CBOD were vital in sustaining the development of the petroleum downstream industry in Ghana.

    He said a number of game-changing interventions were made in 2018 to improve the licensing regime.

    He mentioned a major intervention in the sector to include the promulgation of an LPG promotion policy which, on full implementation, was expected to change the mode of supply of LPG via marketing approach to guarantee safety and also increase LPG penetration to 50 per cent by 2030.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Price of Fanyogo, FanIce increased

    The price of Fanyogo and FanIce have been increased effective 1 October 2019.

    The price for Fanyogo and Fanchoco which was formally sold at GHS1.00 will now sell at GHS1.20p, while the price for Fan Ice 250ML goes for GHS5.00.

    The increment comes at a time the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) announced a 5.94 per cent increase in electricity tariffs and 2.22 per cent for water.
    The PURC explained that the following factors were considered in computing the automatic adjustment formula for the increase: The Ghana Cedi-US exchange rate, inflation, the price of crude and natural gas, fuel mix (crude, oil and natural gas), generation mix (hydro and thermal), power purchase cost and electricity cost (a major cost component in water production).

    Transport fares were also last month increased by 10 per cent following the hike in fuel prices.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • The third UK-Business Council Regional forum opens on Oct 4

    The British High Commission will on Friday, October 4, host the third edition of the UK- Ghana Business Council (UK-GBC) Regional Forum in Accra.

    The Forum will prioritise areas like agriculture/agro-processing, financial services, extractives, Pharmaceuticals, textiles and garments and digital.

    The Business Council, which meets twice a year, brings both governments together to find ways to reduce barriers to trade, investment and job creation.

    British High Commissioner rides a bicycle 844km from Tumu to Accra

    Mr Iain Walker, the British High Commissioner, speaking ahead of the regional forum, said as part of the event they would be welcoming some UK Ministers as well as some of their most senior officials in government and the Economic Management Team of Ghana led by the Vice-President, the Ministers of Trade and Industry, Finance and Agriculture.

    The Forum is a vehicle to move forward a new strategic economic partnership between the UK and Ghana that focuses on increased trade and investment and additionally emphasizes on the development of priority sectors of the Ghanaian economy that leads to job creation and sustained economic growth.

    He said the main purpose of the UK-Ghana was discuss among the two countries about the offer, the UK government intended to make and in this “we are bringing UK expertise, companies, finance, programmes to enable the government of Ghana to meet its ambition to benefit from investment, trade and jobs.”

    He said they were seeking to bring in expertise, private sector investors and UK public sector investments and programmes.

    Martin Amidu must deliver British High Commissioner

    He said the reason why the UK-GBC third edition excited him was that the previous two editions made significant progress, and “l am highly optimistic that this will also make progress”.

    He said Council introduced the two-day UK-Ghana investment summit, where a delegation of UK businesses travel to Ghana to discuss investment opportunities in sectors agreed on by the two countries.

    In May 2019, the UK and Ghana signed a strategic partnership agreement on economic development and mutual prosperity, stability and regional security, health, education and inclusion.

    The first edition was jointly held between the High Commission and Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly in Kumasi.

    The meeting in Kumasi was co-chaired by the British High Commissioner and Mr Osei Assibey Antwi, the Mayor of Kumasi.

  • Six more soldiers charged over alleged destabilization plot

    Six other military personnel have been put before the Kaneshie District Court in connection with the alleged plot to topple the government.

    The six are WO2 Esther, Lance Corporal Ali Solomon, Lance Corporal Albert Baba Ibrahim, Lance Corporal Godwin Nii Ankrah, Lance Corporal Sylvester Akapewu and Lance Corporal Seidu Abubakar.

    They have been charged with possession of explosives, arms and ammunition without lawful authority.

    They join one other senior military officer, Colonel Samuel Kojo Gameli, who was arraigned last week and charged with possession of explosives, firearms and ammunition without lawful excuse.

    Colonel Samuel Kojo Gameli was charged alongside a civilian, Geshong Akpa.

    They have been accused of working with Dr. Frederick Yao Mac-Palm, Ezor Kafui and Bright Allan Debrah Ofosu who were arrested for plotting to topple the government.

    A joint security operation on September 20, 2019 led to the arrest of three persons after a raid on the Citadel Hospital in Alajo, which Dr. Mac-Palm manages.

    Security personnel also discovered five locally manufactured handguns, a foreign handgun, three locally manufactured handgun barrels, three smoke grenades, 22 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and some AK-47 rounds.

    The three were arraigned and charged with conspiracy to manufacture arms and ammunition without lawful authority.

    The arrests followed 15 months of surveillance and gathering of evidence on the activities of the suspects.

    The government also said meetings between the civilian suspects and serving military personnel with a view to executing a plot to obtain weapons, take over key installations, and secure funding for the purported coup “were closely monitored.”

    According to the prosecution, some of the suspects are members of an NGO called Take Action Ghana.

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Disband Buduburam Refugee Camp – Central Regional Minister

    The Central Regional Minister, Mr Kwamena Duncan, has asked the national security apparatus to disband the area that served as the Liberia Refugee Camp to help reduce the crime rate in the Central Region.

    Mr Duncan said the increasing crime rate in the Kasoa and Buduburam enclave was disturbing and that it posed a serious security threat to the region saying the place had become an “incubator for criminals”.

    The Buduburam refugee camp was established in 1990 to accommodate Liberian refugees in Ghana.

    Buduburam chief hails swoop by police; calls for more

    But it now plays host to several other persons.

    He said the enclave had become a breeding ground for criminals and called on the national security apparatus to work to ensure that the community was disbanded.

    Mr Duncan particularly cited the Buduburam enclave that served as a refugee camp as a den for crime and suggested the disbanding of the camp as a way of reducing crime.

    He was speaking at the Central Regional Coordinating Council meeting in Cape Coast on Thursday.

    It was attended by metropolitan and municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs), and heads of departments of ministries, departments and agencies.

    “What we are getting out of what we did for our friends from Liberia is now having criminal consequences on us. This is not acceptable. We cannot as a region and as a country look on,” he stressed.

    He commended chiefs in the region for their efforts at supporting each other and the regional coordinating council for growth saying, the region had experienced relative peace due to effective collaboration between all stakeholders.

    We need to find out what pushed Buduburam police killer to pull the trigger Dr Kwesi Aning

    1D1F

    Touching on the One district, One factory programme, he said the Ekumfi Fruit and Juice Factory was ready to be inaugurated.

    The factory, he said, was currently undergoing test runs adding that the region would also benefit from other factories under the 1D1F to create jobs and reduce poverty.

    Education and sanitation

    He noted that the regional coordinating council was working hard to improve on education and sanitation and had instituted award schemes to reward best performing assemblies and institutions to encourage them to promote excellence.

    The Central Regional Police Commander, ACP Manly Awuni, said the police would continue to intensify patrols and ensure that crime was at its barest minimum.

    He described the crime situation in the region as generally commendable.

    He however urged all to support efforts at keeping the peace in the region noting that cases of chieftaincy disputes were predominant with unrests which were rife in the region between July and October when festivals were being celebrated.

    “If these are not properly managed, they can degenerate into full-blown crisis,” he emphasised.

    He called on all stakeholders to help the police to manage conflict situations dispassionately to prevent the loss of lives and property.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Ban use of plastics – Graham Sarbah

    The Head of Drains and Maintenance at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Mr Graham Sarbah, has thrown his weight behind the need to ban the use of plastic in the country.

    Mr Sarbah said plastic waste had become a serious threat to the environment as it was causing havoc to people, communities and the world, hence the need to take drastic actions to curb the menace.

    “The world over, everyone is concerned about the menace of plastic which is taking over the sea or oceans, and in Ghana, it is the cause of many floods when it rains because most drains are choked by these plastics. We will have to do something about it and perhaps, the best way is to ban it,” Mr Sarbah said.

    Justin Yelevielbayire keeps Wa clean by processing plastic waste from the streets

    He made the call when he spoke at a Photo Exhibition on Climate Change and Flooding organised by the Regional Institute for Population Studies, University of Ghana in collaboration with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and the Ga Mashie Development Agency (GAMADA) at Jamestown.

    Biodegradable plastics

    Mr Sarbah, who is also the Coordinator of the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) Sanitation and Water Project, recommended biodegradable plastics since they were capable of decomposing naturally.

    With plastics taking as long as 400 years and more to decompose, he suggested that food vendors could limit themselves to paper bags.

    He said, “The plastics we see in our gutters today cannot degenerate and they choke our drains which is not just an eyesore by adding to the littering, but unlike other waste that could decompose and add value to the land, the plastics being used now do not decompose.

    “However, when biodegradable plastics are used, they can decompose and this will help prevent some of the serious environmental challenges we face.”

    Photo Exhibition

    The Photo Exhibition, which forms part of a public awareness and community sensitisation project by the Accra Regional Institute for Population Studies through the Cities and Climate Change Project, commenced in May 2019, mobilising 10 young students each from Amamomo Junior High School, Bishop Girls School, Richard Akwei School and Alko International School to take pictures of slums, polluted environment and identify the major causes of flooding in their immediate vicinities.

    Global push to ban plastics good for Ghanaian Baskets

    Vicinities captured by the group of students led by Mr Kporsigbe Philip Kewood include Agbogbloshie Galaway Street, Plantain Market behind Accra Brewery Limited, National Fire Training School, London Market Jamestown; sections of Ablekumah West, Agbogbloshie among other notable communities were engulfed with plastic waste.

    The Director of the Ga Mashie Development Agency, Mr Gabby Nii Teiko Tagoe, said the exhibition would serve as an eye-opener for other basic schools to champion the awareness campaign on climate change.

    He mentioned that there was a need for young people to be engaged and to be ambassadors in their schools, homes and communities to help drive the climate change campaign.

    Flooding

    Commenting on the key issues of climate Change within the district, the Principal Investigator, Cities and Climate Change Project??? mentioned flooding as a major issue, stating that since the Jamestown community was close to the sea, it was prone to flooding whenever there was high tide.

    “High tides tend to inundate the communities and there is a need for us to put in measures to always ensure that our river channels as well as the environment is clean to avoid flooding,” he stated.

    He further called on the government to take special planning seriously, adding that there was a need to ensure that laws were enforced to keep our environment clean.

    Waste Bins

    The Accra Metropolitan Assembly also donated 12 waste bins to the schools that participated in the Photo Exhibition Exercise with camera and certificates to the students.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Mr Gilbert Ankrah, emphasised on the need for schools to practise waste segregation and to continue creating awareness on sanitation.

    Nii Obedru I of the Jamestown stool indicated that waste burning was rampant in the community, stating that there was a need for the Accra Metropolitan Assembly to educate the people of Jamestown on waste burning.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Ghana moves to revive trade ties with Czech Republic

    Ghana has called on Czech Republic to revamp industries it set up in the country during the 1950s.

    The West African nation has also urged the Government of Czech Republic to assist with the establishment of factories that have been identified by Government through the One District One Factory policy.

    Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey made the call as she held bilateral talks with her counterpart from Czech Republic, Tomas Patrick, in New York, USA, on the sidelines of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly.

    She expressed the determination of Ghana to build stronger bilateral relations with the Czech Republic for the mutual benefit of their peoples.

    Madam Ayorkor Botchwey acknowledged the contribution of the Czech Republic to Ghana’s socio-economic development during early independence era and further mention the assistance provided in the establishment of a number of factories including the Aboso Glass Factory, Saltpond Ceramics, Kade Match Factory, Komenda Sugar Factory and the Kumasi Shoe Factory.

    She disclosed that the Government of Ghana remains mindful of the importance of the manufacturing sector to achieving economic growth, and its renewed focus on adding value to primary produce and raw materials through industrialization of the economy for enhanced exports returns and job creation for the youth.

    As a result, she observed, the Ghanaian Government was implementing an economic policy of “One District One Factory”, which seeks to equip and empower communities to utilize their local resources in manufacturing products for local and international consumption.

    According to her, opportunities abound for cooperation between the two countries in the areas of agriculture and agro-processing, construction, manufacturing, energy, oil, services and security.

    She urged the Czech Government to further consider enhancing cooperation with the Government of Ghana in the aforementioned areas.

    The Minister recalled the strong cultural and technical cooperation that has existed between the two countries, which enabled many Ghanaian students pursue studies in diverse fields such as health, engineering and agriculture on Czech Government scholarships in the past.

    She acknowledged the immense impact that the beneficiaries of these scholarships have had on the national development of Ghana and take advantage of the opportunity to propose the renewal of such cooperation and scholarship schemes.

    She stated Government’s policy of engaging and tapping into the expertise of Ghanaians in the diaspora to accelerate national development and underscore Government’s commitment to support the work of Dr. Karl Laryea as well as Dr. John Logah, a Ghanaian Neurosurgeon in the Czech Republic who intends to establish, together with his colleague specialists, a Ghana Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT), in the country for the management of sickle cell disease on a non-profit basis.

    Source: Foreign Affairs Ministry

  • COTVET holds consultative meeting to curb unemployment

    The Council for Technical and Vocational Education Training (COTVET) in partnership with the British Council on Thursday held a consultative meeting to deliberate on measures to help solve unemployment among youth.

    The meeting was also held to encourage the youth on the need to develop interest in Technical and Vocational Training as this would help them acquire jobs with ease after school.

    It was organised by COTVET with sponsorship from the British Council.

    Mr Samuel Gyedu Brefo, Project Delivering Manager for I-Work, said getting an education and a job after school is a challenge for many in the country, hence the need to equip the youth with the requisite knowledge for them to be competitive on the global market.

    He said the I-Work seeks to improve work opportunities and the objective of the project is to provide work opportunities for young people within the Commonwealth, adding that currently the project is being piloted in four Commonwealth countries: Ghana, India, Malasia and South Africa.

    “This project seeks to develop a national apprenticeship policy in collaboration with COTVET and also create an opportunity to link up with Technical and Vocational Education Training, (TVET) institutions in the country and training providers in the United Kingdom and other stakeholders,” he said.

    Mr Brefo said nine different ministries in the country are practising TVET and the national apprenticeship policy is relevant to employees and employers as it would help will help solve related employment challenges.

    Mr Alan Rutt, Country Director, British Council, said the dialogue would create a policy for TVET to strengthen institutions and inform governmental policies on apprenticeship as well as create relationships and partnerships with relevant training institutions in the country.

    “We are doing this in partnership with the Ministry of Education, COTVET and TVET representatives to help facilitate the project,” he said.

    He said this would help Ghanaian institutions to benefit from well-experienced experts from the UK and help do away with the trend where children are made to go through tertiary levels without acquiring vital basic skills.

    “Studying TVET subjects would make many technical experts in a field but the challenge is making people understand the importance of technical and vocational jobs,” he added.

    Dr Charles Amoatey, National Consultant for Policy Development, said this apprenticeship policy is meant to harmonise on apprenticeship programmes in the country and ensure that all key stakeholders buy into the policy.

    He said apprenticeship has been limited to the informal sector and young graduates lack needed skills after school; such apprenticeship is relevant to the formal and the informal sector.

    Dr Amoatey said areas to address includes a national consensus on the perception of apprenticeship; whom to cover, the institutional arrangement, the role of employers and training institution amongst others.

    Source: Ghananewsagency.org

  • Ablekuma South NPP delegate dies shortly after voting

    The rather smooth voting process observed in the Ablekuma South Constituency was marred by the unfortunate death of a delegate shortly after casting his ballot.

    Nii Otu Ankrah, a worker at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, collapsed few minutes after voting and was rushed to the Emergency Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

    Madam Lizzete Bonnet, the Communications Officer of the Party, confirmed the death to the Ghana News Agency.

    The cause of death is currently unknown.

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • KNMA outdoors 5-year strategic plan on clean cooking technologies

    The Kassena-Nankana Municipal Assembly in the Upper East Region has rolled out a five year development strategy on clean cooking energy, to make clean energy technologies accessible to rural communities.

    The Municipal Assembly and the Kassena-Nankana West District Assembly have been supported by the Organization for Indigenous Initiatives and Sustainability (ORGIIS-Ghana), an environment focused Non-Governmental Organization, with funding support from SNV, Netherlands Development Organization, to mainstream clean cooking issues into their Medium Term Development Plans.

    The project, which would run from 2020 to 2024, would ensure the scaling up of sensitization and promotion for the adoption of improved, sustainable and efficient cooking equipment or improved cookstoves, as best alternatives to the traditional methods of cooking, to promote socioeconomic development.

    The strategic plan, intended to employ a collaborative approach to educate community members on the need to make a paradigm shift from relying on traditional methods of cooking to more improved alternatives, would work with traditional authorities, community groups, political groups, religious groups, trade Associations and Civil Society Organizations among other stakeholders.

    The overall goal of the strategic plan is to accelerate universal access to safe, sustainable and affordable clean cooking technologies in the municipality to achieve improved living conditions, reduce environmental degradation, reduce health hazards related to cooking devices and cooking fuels as well as advance the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union Agenda 2063.

    Speaking in Navrongo during the presentation of a draft of the development strategy to major stakeholders in the municipality, Mr Dauda Issaku Saari, the Municipal Budget Officer indicated that the projected population in the municipality for 2019 was 129,279 people and was likely to grow to 141,348 by 2024, however, only 27 percent of the current population size have access and use clean energy for fuel, while the rest still relied on fuel wood.

    He said the Assembly was targeting about 65 per cent of the population, to have access to clean and efficient energy by 2024 and therefore, was committed to working closely with relevant stakeholders to implement the plan to realize the dream “With the use of clean fuels, improved cook stoves and structural improvement in household design and kitchens, deaths and disabilities associated with Household air pollution will reduce by eight per cent by the end of 2024”.

    Mr Saari believed that the implementation of the strategic plan would not only reduce indoor pollution in many homes but would further empower the women to venture into economic activities to help attain socio economic growth.

    Mr Julius Awaregya, the Coordinator of ORGIIS-Ghana, applauded the Municipal Assembly for leading the campaign for the adoption of clean energy for cooking and said it was imperative for all the Assemblies especially those in the region to emulate the Kassena-Nankana Municipal Assembly and mainstream it into their medium term development plans.

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • 20-year-old unemployed remanded for defilement

    A Cape Coast Circuit Court has remanded a 20- year-old unemployed man, Abraham Mensah into Police custody for allegedly defiling an 11-year-old girl.

    He pleaded not guilty to the charge of defilement and the Court, presided over by Miss Dorinda Arthur Smith adjourned the case to Thursday, October 24, 2019.

    Sergeant Francisca Nyarko, who prosecuted, told the Court that the complainant is the mother of the victim and lived in the same vicinity with Abraham at Nkanfoa, a suburb of Cape Coast.

    Barber remanded for defilement

    She said on Saturday August 31, 2019, at about 01140 hours, Abraham and his accomplice informed the victim that her brother, one Simon was looking for at their house and she followed them to their house and she was shown the room where her brother was said to be, but when she tried entering the room, Abraham quickly pushed her from behind and locked the door.

    His accomplice who is at large took a bottle of akpeteshie bitters and forced it down the throat of the victim in the presence of Abraham and she became unconscious after taking the alcoholic drink.

    Sergeant Nyarko said on the same day, complainant had information that the victim was unconscious in Abraham’s room and sent the girl’s elder sister to check up on her and she found Abraham sitting on the mat close to the victim while she lay unconscious.

    Disabled evangelist jailed 10 years for defilement

    The incident was reported to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) and Abraham was arrested and a medical report form was issued to the victim for medical attention.

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • Government urged to enforce fishing by-laws

    SEND-Ghana, a non-governmental organisation, has called on government to enforce bye-laws to properly regulate the fishing industry and reduce illegal activities.

    A Field Officer of SEND-Ghana, Nana Kwesi Barning-Ackah said application of the laws had become necessary to ensuring that the fisher folk increased their yield.

    He made the call at a national dialogue on a situational analysis of farmers and fisher-folk in Accra.

    The meeting, held in partnership with Oxfam, brought to the fore the challenges crop farmers and fisher-folk face with potential gender differences.

    Stealing of waste bins a greedy and selfish act Sanitation Minister

    It was on the theme: “Promoting Economic Justice, Food, Security and Agricultural Governance Using Gender Responsive Budgeting.”

    He said to effectively patrol the over 300 landing sites dotted along the coast, the laws must work and people who flouted it must be dealt with accordingly.

    Nana Barning-Ackah appealed to government to assist by subsidising the cost of fishing inputs such as outboard motors and fishing nets, fast-track the construction of landing beaches, particularly in James Town, and strengthen sensitization of fisher-folk on new fishing methods.

    Reporting on the findings of the agricultural sector, he said food security was important to the economy and, therefore, the need for government to commit resources to increase yield.

    He said farmers were constantly faced with the challenges of land acquisition, marketing, agricultural inputs, storage facilities and loans to enhance their work.

    It was, therefore, important for government to recruit more extension officers and equip them with the needed tools to assist farmers to ensure best practices, Nana Barning-Ackah said.

    He said government should dialogue with traditional authorities to limit encroachment on dedicated agriculture lands as there were not enough lands for farming activities.

    “Government should fast-track the construction of warehouses/storage facilities to help farmers store their produce during bumper harvests and have reserves for the dry season as well as create avenues for farmers and fisher-folk to easily access loans,” he said.

    Akufo-Addo cuts sod for construction of Axim mini fishing harbour to begin

    Dr Emmanuel Ayifah, the Deputy Country Director SEND-Ghana, said the dialogue was to increase evidence to inform public policy debates on gender-responsive budgeting in agriculture and the fisheries sector.

    Rev. Enock Baodu Amo, the Deputy Director/Acting Head, Research, Statistics and Information Management Directorate, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, commended SEND-Ghana for carrying out the research.

    He said the Ministry had taken note of the various challenges in the sector and was working to mitigate them.

    Mr Amo said plans to build fishing harbours at the landing beaches and inland were underway to ensure proper storage.

    He noted that the close season had come to stay and urged fishermen to adhere to it to reduce the over-exploitation of fish stocks in marine waters.

    Mr Robert Nettey, a Fisherman at James Town, called on government to ensure that all forms of illegal fishing methods were stopped to give meaning to the close season.

    Chief Osman Fukuyama, a Farmer at Bereku in the Central Region, called for organic agriculture to enhance the sector, saying; “We need to keep our lands fertile to increase yields if not Ghana would soon have to import food to feed her citizens.”

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Ghana is well positioned to become West Africa’s tourism destination

    Ghana is well positioned to become the tourism destination in West Africa given the abundant resources and the prevailing peace in the country, Ms Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has said.

    She said Ghana was increasing her investment portfolio in the sector for accelerated socio-economic growth.

    Ms Oteng-Gyasi, addressing Ghana’s commemoration of the 2019 World Tourism Day, in Kumasi, said the sector contributed about 5.5 per cent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) last year.

    Electricity tariff still among highest in West Africa Employers

    It currently employs over one million Ghanaians along the value chain with plans to increasing the figure substantially in the near future.

    This year’s celebration sought to create awareness on the potentials inherent in the tourism sector as a driver of economic growth and wealth-creation.

    According to the World Tourism and Travel Council (WTTC), one out of 10 jobs globally is tourism-related.

    Ms Oteng-Gyasi hinted that the Marine Drive Development Project, as well as the numerous programmes being undertaken to upgrade tourist facilities, were intended to expand the frontiers of the sector.

    This would help put those facilities in good shape to attract more visitors to the country.

    Added to these are various initiatives to develop the skills of stakeholders for efficient service delivery.

    West Africa inequality most extreme in the world Oxfam report

    Mr Akwasi Agyemang, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, described this year’s Day as historic as it coincided with Ghana’s declaration of the ‘Year of Return’.

    “We are welcoming our African brothers in the Diaspora back home after so many years living abroad,” he noted, adding that the occasion had brought enormous benefits to the nation.

    Barima Akwasi Offe Okogyeasuo, the Paramount Chief of Kokofu, said the nation must take tourism seriously, being the fastest growing sectors in the world.
    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • UEW UTAG polls: Avoke supporters Jinapor, Kaakyire Duku defeated

    The University of Education-Winneba (UEW) chapter of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has elected new executives to lead the group.

    The keenly contested election saw all old executives losing their positions to new members.

    Notable names among the old executives are Dr. Frimpong Duku and Dr Ahmed Jinapor who have been at the forefront in their quest to restore the sacked Vice Chancellor Prof. Mawutor Avoke to his position.

    UTAG fears disruptions in UEW academic calendar over chaos

    The Former President Dr. Kaakyire Duku lost his position to Mr. Eric Sakyi of the History Department who polled 174 votes against 124 by Dr. Frimpong Duku.

    Dr. Ahmed Jinapor also lost in the vice presidential bid to Dr. Mavis Amo-Mensah who polled 175 votes against 128 obtained by Dr. Jinapor.

    The secretaryship race also saw Pascal Kpodo defeating Ali Muhammad as he polled 180 votes against 123 by Ali Muhammad while Dr. Ebenezer Amanor-Lartey won the treasurer slot by 157 votes as against 147 obtained by her contender Mrs. Elizabeth Lani Ashong.

    PURC storms GRIDCo & Pokuasi construction site over power outages

    The results is expected to bring an end to the division at the front of the lecturers following the legal tussles between the Mawutor Avoke administration and that of Prof. Afful-Broni with lecturers taking sides.

    The new President of the UEW branch of UTAG , Eric Nketia has pledged his commitment in fostering proper reconciliation on the teaching front to support sound teaching and learning while again pushing for better conditions for the lecturers.

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • Exempt NHIS from Capping and Re-alignment Policy John Mahama

    Former President John Dramani Mahama has advised government to exempt the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) from the Capping and Realignment Policy it is implementing to ensure that the Scheme gets the required funding.

    Speaking at the 13th Annual Residential Congress of the National Health Students Association of Ghana at Korle Bu in Accra, Mr. Mahama said this would better serve the Scheme instead of the current arrangement, which unfortunately causes the NHIS to lose some of the funds they would otherwise have retained for their operations, including the payment of claims.

    Nana Addo, John Mahama called to congratulate me Bukom Banku

    From less than one million subscribers under President John Agyekum Kufour, the scheme expanded to about 11 million subscribers under President Mahama whose administration used 10% of the Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA) from oil revenue to support the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

    But under a Funds Capping and Realignment Act introduced by government in 2017, a percentage of the funds due the NHIS has been capped and diverted for other uses.

    “Government should exempt the National Health Insurance Scheme from the Capping and Realignment so that we can have enough money to cater for the subscribers to the health insurance,” the former president advised.

    The three-day Congress, which is on the theme “Quality Health Education and Sustainable Employment; Reviewing the Past and Present to Repair the Future” will end on September 28, 2019.

    Mr. Mahama, who is the flagbearer of the NDC for the 2020 elections, also encouraged student movements to use student activism as a tool to achieve accelerated development.

    John Mahama visits Western North Region

    He noted that student movements have made valuable contributions to the progress of the country, recalling their contribution to the setting up of the Ghana Education Trust Fund, GETFund.

    “Since the establishment of the GETFund, it has been the single largest contributor to educational infrastructure in the history of Ghana,” he added.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Christian Village to get CHPS Compound – Okaikoi North MP

    The Member of Parliament for Okaikoi North, Issah Fuseini has disclosed on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm that plans were under to construct a Ghana Heath Service Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) to augment health delivery in his constituency.

    The MP said the CHPS compound would be constructed at Christian Village.

    He said the population in the constitution is huge hence the Achimota Hospital is unable to manage the numbers.

    Christian Council rates Akufo-Addo poor in fight against corruption

    Meanwhile, he said the laboratory at the Achimota Hospital would also be expanded.

    CHPS moves health services to community locations, develops sustainable volunteerism and community health action, empowers women and vulnerable groups, and improves health provider, household and community interaction.

    CHPS began as a Community Health and Family Planning (CHFP) project based on lessons learnt from Bangladesh (Phillips, 1988).

    The project was launched in Navrongo as an operations research in 1994 piloted in three sub-districts.

    The Navorango experiment tested means of addressing inequities in the health system through mobilization of both health sector and community resources.

    Ghana has been implementing the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) program for over 15 years. Considered one of the pragmatic strategies for achieving universal health coverage of a basic package of essential primary health services, CHPS has gained international recognition. Led by a Community Health Officer and supported by volunteers drawn from the area of service, the CHPS strategy is a breakthrough in enhancing community involvement and ownership of primary health care interventions towards achieving universal health coverage (UHC).

    Christian Amoah promises to win 3 gold medals at African Junior Championship

    The MP further announced that the Achimota School would see massive infrastructure improvement to meet the growing number of student population.

    He said a lot of students prefer the school, however, due to the limited spaces available, the school is unable to accept all of them.

    But we will put in place measures to improve the infrastructure in the school.

    On roads he said even though government has not done everything, a lot has been done.

    Plans were far advanced to have deplorable roads in the constituency fixed.

    He said the procurement processes have been completed and from Monday September 30, all deplorable roads would be fixed.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • NPP suspends 40 polling station executives in Asante Akyem

    The Asante Akyem branch of the ruling New Patriotic Party has suspended infinitely over 40 polling station executives.

    The party is said to have suspended the polling station executives for supporting the parliamentary bid of one, William Yamoah a former President of the National Union of Ghana Students.

    Asante Akyem Agogo residents jubilate over reinstatement of Kwadwo Baah

    The affected polling station executives have blamed their MP, Asante Boateng for causing their woes.

    They have also appealed to the party to rescind its decision.


  • Riot police take over Manhyia Palace

    Riot police have taken over the Manhyia Palace to prevent Kumasi Youth Association executives from presenting their petition to Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

    This comes at the back of an injunction secured by the Ashanti Regional Police Command barring leadership of the group from embarking on a planned demonstration over the lack of development and abandoned projects in the area.

    According to a copy of the injunction sighted by MyNewsGh.com and granted by a Kumasi High Court presided over by Justice L.A Wilson, the directive to step down the planned demonstration will be in force until otherwise discharged or varied by the court.

    Reject tribalism Manhyia Palace

    It is however gathered that the leadership’s attempt to visit the Manhyia Palace and present a petition to the King is the reason police were deployed to block the entry points and prevent them from doing so.

    According to the Kumasi Youth Association (KuYA) several developments in the region started by the previous administration have stalled and believes the demonstration would be the most appropriate platform to call on the Akufo-Addo led government to ensure the completion of such projects.

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • Two caught with human skull in Sekondi

    Two young men have been arrested by the Sekondi Divisional Police Station for allegedly possessing a human skull and also attempting to buy human parts.

    The two, all unemployed, are Isaac Kweku Agyepong, 20 years, and Shamzu Mohammed.

    Narrating the incident to 3news.com, a resident of Asamansudu, Leonard Samuel Lamptey said at about 10:00am Thursday, the two young men holding a sack approached him and asked where they can get human parts to buy.

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    “I got alarmed and asked them whether it is car body parts they want or what, and they repeated that they want to buy human parts. I told them I cannot be of any help,” he narrated.

    He further stated, “when I left them I became worried that these people can kidnapped any young person around and take the body parts”.

    According to the eyewitness, he quickly informed some young men around who helped to arrest the two suspects.

    “We opened the sack they were holding and saw a human skull wrapped in a white cloth”.

    While we were interrogating them the police came around to pick them up to the station.

    Checks at the Sekondi Divisional Police Station indicate the skull was exhumed at a cemetery at Asanda in the Ellembelle district.

    Meanwhile, the incident has thrown resident in Sekondi in a state of shock and alertness.

    Some of the residents who had gathered at the Sekondi Police Station were worried that Sekondi Takoradi is gradually becoming insecured.

    Source: 3news.com

  • 3 alleged Indian hemp peddlers arrested

    Three young men who were transporting cannabis from Badum a farming community in the Tain District of the Bono Region, to Cape Coast have been arrested by Police in Techiman.

    The suspects; Adama Zakari, 32, Justice Yaw Yeboah, 28, and Augustine Antwi, 29, were arrested at Aworowa in the Techiman Municipality.

    Computer Engineer in court for possessing Indian hemp

    They packed the 165 compressed quantities of dried leaves, suspected to be Indian hemp in six fertilizer sacks in an Opel Astra taxi cab with registration number AW 5040- 13.

    One of them was riding an unregistered Yahama motorbike to spy the road.

    In an interview, the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Inspector Augustine Kingsley Oppong said the suspects were arrested on September 25, around 2130 hours upon a tip-off.

    Police nab mason for possessing Indian hemp

    They have since been placed in police custody and would soon be arraigned before court for prosecution.

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • Court frees 6 in Kasoa cop killers case

    The Kaneshie District has discharged six persons accused of being part of a gang that killed two police officers at Buduburam in the Central Region on August 28, 2019.

    Isaac Amissah, Ibrahim Zakaria, Isaac Mensa, Oblitey Commey, Victor Yire and Fatawu Ahmed were set free Thursday morning after the prosecution withdrew the initial charges of conspiracy to commit murder, abetment to murder and murder, reports Graphic Online’s Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson who was in court.

    Suspected Kasoa cop killer is landlord with police officer tenants

    The prosecution led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr Sylvester Asare filed a new charge sheet which indicted the prime suspect Eric Kojo Duah, also known as Sakora and three others who are at large.

    Duah and the other accused person – Mike Anim, and two others named only as Theophilus and ‘K’ have been slapped with two counts of conspiracy to commit murder and two counts of murder.

    Duah was remanded into the custody of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) by the court, presided over by Rosemond Doodua Agyiri to assist with Investigations.

    Hearing continues on October 9, 2019.

    From bullets to plaster: How Kasoa cops killer was smoked out

    Murder:

    The suspects allegedly shot Sgt Dzamesi and L/Corporal Awal, both attached to the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service at Budumburam near Kasoa, who were on task force duties on the Kasoa-Winneba highway.

    The suspects, who were using an unregistered Toyota Camry vehicle and said to be driving recklessly, allegedly shot the unarmed policemen after refusing to stop when the security officers signalled them to do so.

    Police said a pistol which allegedly belonged to Duah was found in the abandoned Toyota Camry and the Police Administration declared a manhunt operation aimed at getting the suspected killer(s) arrested.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Six out of seven Kasoa Cops killers discharged

    Six out of the seven accused persons arraigned before court in respect of the killing of the Kasoa Police Officer have been discharged, leaving Eric Kojo Duah to face charges of conspiracy and murder.

    The six persons?who were discharged are Isaac Amissah, Ibrahim Zakaria, Isaac Mensa, Oblitey Commey, Victor Yire and Fatawu Ahmed.

    In court today, when the case was called ASP Sylvester Asare who is the prosecutor tendered in a new charge sheet after withdrawing the previous one.

    He said investigations are ongoing based on recent development and as per the charge sheet, efforts are underway to arrest the accomplices of Eric Duah, the alleged ring leader and three other accomplices.

    The three accomplices Mike Anim, Theophilus and Kay.

    Case adjourned to October 9.

    Source: Kasapafmonline.com

  • Germany deports seventeen Ghanaians

    The Kotoka International Airport (KIA) Regional Command of the Ghana Immigration Service, has received 17 Ghanaian deportees from Germany on board a chartered Flight.

    The deportees, all males, aged between 21-60 years, were escorted by sixty 67 Police officers, including paramedics.

    An official statement copied to the GNA said they were deported for immigration-related issues such as overstaying their entry permit.

    The statement said 15 out of the 17 deportees, who had stayed in German between three and 10 years, arrived on Travel Certificates issued by the Ghana Embassy in Berlin, Germany, and the other two on Ghanaian passports.

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    Ten of the deportees are from Ashanti Region, five from Greater Accra, and one each from Bono and the Northern Regions, it said.

    The Assistant Superintendent of Immigration, Barbara Sam, the Regional Public Relation Officer, KIA, said one of the deportees who is a University graduate and has lived in Germany since 2016, told her that, “he is not bitter about the deportation because he was given three months visitors permit to remain in the country but rather stayed beyond that.”

    He said he feels disappointed in himself for wasting all these three years and had not done anything meaningful with his life.

    In a related development, the Government of the United Kingdom (UK) has also deported five (5) Ghanaians for over staying their entry permit. The five, who also arrived with a chartered flight, were escorted by 63 British officials, including two paramedics, and an from the High Commission, as an observer.

    The deportees who are aged between 26 60 years, were working and schooling and had lived in the UK for between five months and 10 years.

    Three of them arrived with UK Overstay Certificates issued by the British Authorities and two on Ghanaian passports.

    Two of the deportees were from the Ashanti region, two from Greater Accra two and one from Bono Region.

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    In all, a total of 22 deportees had been received by the KIA Regional Command from UK and Germany.

    They were admitted into the country after going through the necessary arrival procedures, including screening, to authenticate their nationalities and counselling by a Clinical Psychologist.

    Present at the exercise were officials from the Ghana Immigration Service, and other security agencies, including the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), which facilitated the transportation of the deportees to their various destinations.

    The Commander of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) Regional Command of the Ghana Immigration Service, Assistant Commissioner of Immigration, (ACI) Edith Penelope Arhin, advised, prospective travellers to always endeavour to travel with the requisite documents and visas and also ensure that they return within the stipulated period to avoid forced deportation.

    She said forced deportation could ruin their chances of ever travelling to that country again.

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • Repeat Caesareans ‘often safer birth option’

    Planned Caesarean delivery can be the safest option for women who have had a Caesarean in the past, according to new research in PLoS Medicine.
    Attempting a vaginal birth was linked with a small but increased chance of complications for mother and baby compared with repeat Caesareans.

    The findings come from more than 74,000 births in Scotland.

    Experts say mums-to-be should be offered a choice of how to deliver – natural or Caesarean – when possible.

    A recent investigation by the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire programme suggests this is not always happening, with many women requesting a Caesarean being denied one.

    What is a Caesarean birth?

    Caesarean sections are when a baby is delivered by making a surgical cut into the abdomen and womb.

    They can be:

    Elective or planned – at the mother’s request or for medical reasons, such as the baby is either in the wrong position or very large
    emergency – usually because of complications during labour

    More than one in four births in the UK are by Caesarean.

    Half of these are planned or elective and half are emergency.

    Which is safer – natural or Caesarean?

    Birthing carries risks whichever way it is done.

    The research carried out in Scotland compared the risks of a planned or elective Caesarean with vaginal delivery (in women who had had a Caesarean in the past) and found:

    45,579 women gave birth by planned Caesarean and 28,464 attempted vaginal birth

    28.4% of those attempting a vaginal birth went on to have an emergency Caesarean

    Attempting vaginal birth was associated with an increased risk of the mother having serious birth and post-birth related problems compared with electing for another Caesarean section

    ADTRH8 Cesarean Delivery

    1.8% of those attempting a vaginal birth and 0.8% of those having a planned Caesarean experienced serious maternal complications, such as womb rupture, bleeding or infection

    Complications for the baby occurred in 8% of the pregnancies with an attempted vaginal birth and 6.4% of the planned Caesareans

    According to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, in most cases, women can safely be offered the choice of either because the associated risks will be low.

    Generally, after one Caesarean about three in four women who go into labour naturally give birth vaginally, while one in four ends up needing an emergency Caesarean.

    An emergency Caesarean has more risk than a planned one, which women need to be made aware of.

    Pros and cons

    Recovering from a Caesarean can take longer and there is a risk of infection and bleeding from the operation.

    More scar tissue occurs with each Caesarean, which increases the chance of the placenta growing into the scar during future pregnancies and causing complications.

    There are also small risks to the baby with Caesarean birth which include temporary breathing difficulties and being accidentally cut (which happens to around two in every 100 babies, but usually heals without further harm).

    A vaginal birth can mean a shorter hospital stay, a quicker recovery and return to everyday activities such as driving, and avoiding the risks of an operation.

    But it can sometimes lead to a tearing of the perineum – the skin between the vagina and anus.

    Additionally, for women who have had a previous Caesarean:

    a vaginal birth can put strain on the Caesarean scar, which may separate or rupture.

    This happens to around one in every 200 women
    serious risk to the baby, such as brain injury or stillbirth, is higher with vaginal delivery than for a planned Caesarean section

    A vaginal delivery is not advisable if a woman has had three or more previous Caesareans, say guidelines.

    Dr Pat O’Brien, consultant obstetrician and spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said the new research provided useful data to inform women and clinicians when discussing and making decisions around birthing plans.

    He said: “Women can be assured that in most cases it is possible and safe to have a vaginal birth, or a planned repeat Caesarean birth, after a previous Caesarean birth.

    “A detailed conversation with a woman and her senior obstetrician should take place so she can make an informed choice about the safest way she can plan to give birth and be supported by a team of specialists.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • NDC Okyeman gaffe: Rawlings delighted over apology-forcing demo

    The founder of the centre-left NDC, Jerry Rawlings has expressed delight over a protest march that forced an apology from his party over unsavoury comments made by a Regional Executive.

    “I’m glad the Okyeman citizenry bared its teeth enough to elicit an apology from the NDC branch responsible,” the former President wrote on Twitter.

    NDC must offer ritual pacification or risk being banned Okyeman Council

    What is the row about?

    The Ashanti regional branch of the opposition National Democratic Congress apologised to the Okyenhene and the people of Akyem Abuakwa after the backlash that followed comments by the Regional Secretary.

    Kwame Zu reportedly said last Thursday that the people of Kyebi competed with animals for water until former President John Mahama of the NDC provided a source of water for its residents.

    The comments were described as an insult to the people of Akyem Abuakwa, spiking various calls for an apology and later a mammoth demonstration against the biggest opposition party.

    In his apology, Mr. Zu wrote: “I wholeheartedly regret making that statement.”

    Mr. Rawlings has since called on members of his party “not to sway from the ideals” of the NDC which he described as “natural justice, discipline and respect.”

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    What demands has been made of the NDC?

    The Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council has, however, asked for more than an apology from the NDC.

    “A ritual pacification must be performed by the party to appease His Majesty the Okyenhene,” Secretary of the Council, Daniel Marfo Ofori-Atta said while addressing participants of the protest march.

    According to him, the NDC will not be accorded “any future request for clemency and redemption of their customary transgressions if they fail” to accede to this demand.

    The Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council has also asked for “appropriate disciplinary sanctions of the party against the conduct of Kwame Zu”.

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Court remands suspects in alleged instability plot

    The three people arrested for allegedly possessing arms, explosive devices and ammunition in Alajo and Bawaleshie, in the Greater Accra Region have been remanded into the custody of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI).
    The suspects are Frederick Yao Mac-Palm, a medical practitioner; Donya Kafui, alias Ezor, a blacksmith; and Bright Allan Debrah Ofosu, a freight manager.

    One of their accomplices, a man identified only as Sule is currently on the run.

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    The three have been jointly charged for conspiracy to commit crime to wit manufacturing of arms and ammunition, possessing of explosives, firearms and ammunition without lawful authority.

    Two of them faced two extra charges.

    Donya Kafui faces charges of manufacturing six pistols and manufacturing 22 explosives while Mac-Palm faces an additional charge of possessing 22 explosives, six pistols, three hand grenades without lawful authority.

    Adjournment

    The court presided over by Ms Rosemond Dodua Agyiri remanded the three persons after their charges had been read to them and translated to them in two local languages of their preference to reappear before the court in two weeks.

    While Kafui had his offence translated in Ewe, Debrah opted for the Twi language.

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    Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mr Sylvester Asare told the court that the accused persons were arrested over the weekend and pleaded with the court to remanded into the custody of the BNI to enable the police continue with its investigations.

    They arrived at the court at about 1:20pm with two of them Ezo Kafui and Bright Ofosu handcuffed together while Mac-Palm had his two hands chained.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • One feared dead in accident in Kumasi, six others in critical condition

    One person is feared dead and six others in critical condition after a vehicle rammed into some traders at Roman Hill in Kumasi.

    The incident happened at about 10:30 am on Monday when the driver of a mini Urvan bus with registration number AS 6403-Y lost control his steering wheel.

    The Station Officer at the Manhyia Divisional Motor Traffic and Transport Department, Chief Inspector Bernard Ngoah who was at the scene of the incident confirmed the incident to Citi News.

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    The victims, mostly traders were selling along portions of the streets when the incident happened.

    They were rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital(KATH) for treatment.

    “We had a distress call from the police information room that there was an accident at Roman Hill, so I rushed there together with other investigators. When got there it was true the incident happened. We gathered that some people were pushing the vehicle when the driver lost control and ran into the traders who were trading along the streets. We initially realized that six persons sustained injuries, but the other victim who was trapped under the vehicle was later rescued and taken to the hospital”, he explained

    The driver of the vehicle who also sustained injuries has been discharged from the hospital and now in police custody.

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    Police officers said they have begun investigations into the incident.

    Police also indicated that the vehicle will be taken to the Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) for technical examination to ascertain claims made by the driver on the cause of the accident.

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Aker Energy supports 200 students

    Aker Energy, operators in the upstream petroleum industry, has provided the academic needs of 200 brilliant but needy students within seven districts of the Western Region.

    The package include financial and material support, mentorship and counselling throughout their education at the secondary level.

    Mahama wants full disclosure from government on Aker Energy oil deal

    Nana Kobina Nketsiah V, the Omanehene of the Essiakdo Traditional Area, who chaired the event, said education was the only tool for self- empowerment, realisation and consciousness.

    He said being conscious was critical to bringing positive change and urged the children not to give up on it.

    “Never give your consciousness to anybody…develop an independent mind and that’s why I am happy about this Aker Energy opportunity to grow brains that would contribute positively to society,” he added.

    Mr Jen Skogen, the General Manager of the Company, said it was formal education that changed his fortunes in life, hence the need to help the students to climb higher the educational ladder.

    He said the company increased the number from 150 students to 200 due to the excellent performance of their seniors in the WASSCE with lots of As.

    Mr Skogen said it would continue to work hard to become the operator of choice through efficient and reliable management.

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    Ms Bernice Sam, the Corporate Affairs Manager of Aker Energy, said the students were selected through a rigorous process to enable the company to help those who actually needed the support.

    Ms Carmen Bruce Annan, the Corporate Affairs Manager of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, urged the students to remain focused on their studies to make all stakeholders proud, adding; “You really need to shy away from bad companies and have time for your studies”.

    Ms Angela Tena Mensah, the Director in Charge of Secondary Education, Ministry of Education, urged parents, teachers and stakeholders in education to focus more on discipline and moral training of students to make them better leaders in future.

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • Girls urged to be disciplined to succeed

    The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has urged female students to be disciplined and work hard to succeed in all spheres of life.

    Mr Kojo Tito Voegborlo, the Secretary of the NCCE, said some girls usually engaged in acts leading to teenage pregnancy and subsequently dropped out of school, and advised them to avoid such behaviours and take their studies seriously.

    Government ensuring fiscal discipline Deputy Finance Minister

    He was speaking at a community durbar with students of the Sherigu Senior High School in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region on Public Accountability and Environmental Governance.

    It was organised by the NCCE as part of the Accountability, Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme, being funded by the European Union (EU).

    Mr Voegborlo said with self-assertiveness, determination and hard work, the girls would perform better, get to the top of the educational ladder, and contribute to the development of their communities.

    “It does not only take formal education for one to succeed in life, however, commitment, but self-belief and endurance are also very key to enable one to achieve the positive results in their fields of interest,” he said.

    Rawlings bemoans rising indiscipline

    Mr Voegborlo said the only way students could justify the investments made by their parents and the government was to take their academic work seriously and pass their examinations.

    He appealed to parents to avoid discrimination among their children and invest equally in their male and female children to help them realize their potentials.

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • Footsoldiers empowerment key to electoral victory MP

    The Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso Constituency in Kumasi, Kennedy Kankam, says economic empowerment of party footsoldiers is central to realizing desired outcomes for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming 2020 general elections.

    He has therefore donated 11 city cars Kia Picanto and Daewoo Matiz to the party for onward distribution to all the electoral areas in the constituency.

    The electoral areas are Kwadaso Estate, Adiembra/Fankyerebra, Sokoban/Daban, Nhyiaeso/Dakwadwom, Adiebbeba/Ahodwo, Santasi New Site, Santasi Old Town, Atasomanso, Patasi, Daban/Apraman and South Suntreso.

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    The cars which are to be used as taxicabs, are meant to help the constituency generate income for the NPP foot soldiers to keep pace with rapid economic and digital transformations in the country, according to the MP.

    This donation comes just a month after giving the constituency a 40-seater bus as part of his commitment to resource the party at the constituency level towards election 2020 and beyond.

    Speaking at a special presentation ceremony in Kumasi on Friday during his accounting to the people forum, Mr Kankam said the latest donation is critical for the grassroots to guarantee them a better life.

    The MP noted that the kind gesture is beside what he had done for his constituents either the construction of a six-unit classroom block for the Sokoban Methodist Basic School, 20-seater toilet facility for the Opoku Ware School, construction of CHP compound for Dakwadwom residents or provision of 250 streetlights to the electoral areas.

    1.2m new voters added to electoral roll

    “I have offered myself to work for you and this is exactly what I am doing,” he stated as he point out to other projects undertaken so far in the constituency.

    These included the construction of Sokoban Community Centre and the retaining wall at Kwadaso Estate.

    Ashanti Regional Organiser of the NPP, Francis Adomako, who graced the ceremony, urged the party foot soldiers to continuously work hard for the retention of the Nana Addo led-government.

    “Begin the door-to-door and house-to-house campaign used in the 2016 elections. We have to consolidate the gains and make more inroads this time around,” he indicated,

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • ‘Jesus Christ’ married and had 5 children with Mary Magdalene in France Pastor claims

    One Ghanaian man of God, Pastor Kwabena Asiamah of Universal Spiritual Outreach (Ajagurajah Movement) has sparked controversies with claims that Jesus Christ got married and had kids when He came to earth.

    According to him, Jesus Christ actually got married to Mary Magdalene where they gave birth to 5 children in France.

    Pastor Kwabena Asiamah made the above revelations during an interview with Kofi Adoma on Kofi TV.

    Watch the full video below