TIG Post

Author: Persis

  • E-Levy approval: We elected to stand with the Republic Majority leader

    Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has stated that the Majority caucus passed the E-Levy for the good of the country.

    According to him, Parliament had to pass the levy to help the country get out of the current economic challenges including the depreciation of the Cedi, myjoyonline.com reports.

    “For us, we recognize that it is important to stand with the people, the people may not get it right all the time, but the state remains the state and the Republic remains the Republic, so we have elected not only to stand with the people but much more importantly, much more enduringly, to stand with the Republic.

    “I think that given the circumstance of the time, where we are as a nation and given what is happening to the economy, the depreciation of the cedi and the international developments which is triggering an escalation of prices of the local cedi, we need not only to stand with the people of this country but as well, the state to ensure the viability of the Republic,” he told the media.

    Parliament on March 29, 2022, passed the E-Levy bill after the Minority caucus in Parliament walked out of the House, saying they will not participate in the passage of the bill.

    Before the passage of the bill, the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, moved a motion asking the House to approve the Second Reading of the levy whose rate was reviewed from 1.75% to 1.5%.

    Meanwhile, the Minority caucus in Parliament has indicated that the passage of the bill was illegal citing the lack of quorum.

    According to the Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, the House did not have the numbers to decide on the passage of the bill for which reason he believes the recent Supreme Court ruling has been violated.

    “The house had less than 137 in the chamber. They only proceeded in illegal business,” he said.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Photos of parliament ahead of 2022 SoNA

    Parliament House is expected to see a full chamber as President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo delivers his 2022 State of the Nation Address. 

    Already, Members of Parliament on both sides of the House- the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC)- are seated, awaiting the president’s arrival. 

    Also in the Chamber are members of the Supreme Court of Ghana, political party heads, the diplomatic community, among other dignitaries.

    The Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin-Yeboah, is already seated on the right side of the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, who is also present in the House. 

    This year’s SONA comes a day after the controversial Electronic Transactions Levy (E-Levy) was finally approved by parliament in the absence of Minority MPs. 

    Here are some photos: 




    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • 2 mourners die, 5 in critical condition in separate accidents at Gomoa

    Two mourners have died instantly while five others are in critical condition in two separate accidents in the Gomoa East and West Districts of the Central Region.

    The accidents occurred on Monday, March 28 evening around 6:30 pm.

    The first one happened at Gomoa Bewadze in the Gomoa West District between a Kia Rhino with registration number GB 5815-20 and a Toyota Hiace with registration number CR -1288-12. One person identified as Kweku Addae, 46 died on the spot.

    Two others onboard a Hyundai Quashai car with registration number ER 242-20 which also crashed at Gomoa Akotsi sustained severe injuries.

    The driver is said to have rammed into a heap of chippings mixed with coal tar forcing the car to somersault a number of times. A passenger at the front side died on the spot, while a lady passenger sustained a severe injury and is receiving treatment at the Awutu Beraku Health Centre.

    The Police in Awutu Beraku has since deposited the bodies at the Winneba Trauma and specialist hospital morgue.

    Source: kasapafmonline.com

  • Nationwide self-placement exercise for over 187k BECE candidates ongoing

    A nationwide self-placement exercise under the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) started on Monday.

    The exercise, which is being done in all the 16 regions across the country for 187,542 candidates, will enable the affected candidates select new schools since they could not get placed during the automatic placement.

    Nationwide self-placement exercise for over 187k BECE candidates ongoing

    Briefing the media in Accra on Tuesday, the Deputy Coordinator for the Free Senior High School (FSHS), Nana Afrah Sika Mensah, said a total of 75 personnel of the FSHS Secretariat have been trained on good customer service skills to assist parents and students with any challenges they may have with placement.

    The Coordinator said the 75 trained personnel will assist parents and other guardians to resolve various admission issues such as change of school, correction of sex, change of programme among others.

    She urged parents to take a keen interest in resolving issues at their various regional resolution centres themselves instead of engaging agents or people at internet cafés who would not get them the right answers to their questions.

    Nationwide self-placement exercise for over 187k BECE candidates ongoing

    Nana Afrah Sika Mensah also cautioned parents not to pay money to anyone who comes to them to offer such a service at a fee since the CSSPS does not charge for it.

    Background
    The Ministry of Education through the FSHS Secretariat over the weekend announced the release of the school placement for qualified candidates who will be attending either SHS or any TVET institution in the country.

    A total of 571,892 candidates wrote the 2021/2022 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), after which 555,353 candidates qualified to pursue further education at the second cycle level.

    Out of the number who qualified, 367,811 were automatically placed in their schools of choice, leaving only 187,542 to do self-placement.

    The establishment of national and regional resolution centres across the country is helping to offer a face-to-face opportunity to parents, students, the media and other stakeholders to meet the technical team from the CSSPS and Free SHS Secretariat to address their peculiar issues, instantly.

    Apart from the national teams, four-member teams have been formed at each of the centres in the 16 regions to Collate and send to the National technical team issues compiled for redress.

    Source: myjoyonline.com

  • Terrorists kill 3 persons in ongoing attack on Niger State Community, residents flee homes

    The suspected terrorists, SaharaReporters reliably gathered, arrived in the community in large numbers on Monday afternoon, shooting sporadically in different directions.

    At least three persons have been killed in an ongoing attack on Kabo Village in the Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State by armed Fulani herdsmen.

    The suspected terrorists, SaharaReporters reliably gathered, arrived in the community in large numbers on Monday afternoon, shooting sporadically in different directions.

    Most residents of the village were said to have been hit by bullets while fleeing into nearby bushes for safety.

    A resident of the town told SaharaReporters that the casualty figure is expected to rise further by the end of the day, adding that the herdsmen were still operating in the village.

    “They (Fulani herdsmen) arrived this afternoon and started shooting at houses and anyone in sight.

    “As we speak, three people have been killed. There will likely be more deaths at the end of the day because a lot of people were hit by bullets while running out of the village. The attackers are still shooting in the community.

    “I ran into the bush with some other people in the village immediately we heard the sound of gunshots,” the resident named Kulus said.

    When contacted by SaharaReporters over the development, the spokesperson for the police in Niger State, Mr Wasiu Abiodun, promised to get back with details and updates on the situation but had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.

    On March 17, 2022, armed men killed a police officer during an attack on Bangi Divisional Headquarters in the Mariga Local Government Area of the state.

    A day before that incident, bandits killed four police officers including a divisional police officer, Muhammad Umar, and four vigilantes in the Magama council area of the state.

    Source: saharareporters.com

  • Gunmen attack Nigeria train with nearly 1,000 passengers

    The Kaduna State government in northern Nigeria confirmed reports of an attack on a train shuttling between the state and the capital Abuja, late Monday, March 28, 2022,.

    Local media outlets reported that gunmen had abducted an unknown number of passengers from the train which at the time was within the Kaduna state jurisdiction.

    The BBC Africa LIVE page reports that the gang mined the track between the capital Abuja and Kaduna city and forced the evening train to a halt.

    Many of the nearly 1000 passengers on board took shelter as shots were fired. One man is reported to have been killed after the gunmen boarded the train, the report added.

    Samuel Aruwan, spokesman for the Kaduna State government said in a statement that security forces had intervened – fought off the gunmen and taken those injured to hospital.

    Travel by train has been gaining increased popularity in Africa’s most populous nation given the rising insecurity along the critical road artery connecting the center to the north.

    Attacks on the road had led to kidnappings for ransom and instances where hostages were killed.

    The latest attack, however is the second to hit the rail network in a period of six months.

    The Muhammadu Buhari government has been priding itself in massive improvement in the area of expanding the country’s rail network but insecurity remains a major challenge in connecting parts of the country.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • CAF grants Nigeria’s request for 60,000 fans to watch Nigeria v Ghana clash in Abuja

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has granted the Nigeria Football Federations (NFF) request to admit  60,000 spectators to watch the second leg World Cup play offs against Ghana on Tuesday.

    After a 0-0 drawn game at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium last Friday the Super Green Eagles will host Ghana for the final clash.

    Ghana had an earlier request for a full capacity crowd  of 40,000 spectators approved by CAF when they played the first leg clash.

    The second leg clash will come off on Tuesday 29th March, 2022 at the 60,000 seater capacity Moshood Abiola Stadium.

    Ghana dominated the first leg but barely threatened Francis Uzoho in post for the Nigerians as just two shots from Kudus Mohammed and Fatawu Issahaku went at the Nigerian goalkeeper.

    The Super Eagles despite not having the ball for long spells had two decent chances to have scored as Moses Simon went one on one with Ghana goalie Joojo Wollacot whiles Joe Aribo also had a good opportunity which he spurned.

    Nigeria thought they had a penalty as Iddrisu Baba touched the ball whiles on the floor in the penalty box but checks with the Video Assistant Referee(VAR) proved that the Ghanaian midfielder was fouled by  Kelechi Iheanacho as the first leg ended 0-0.

    A lot is at stake in the second leg clash at the Moshood Abiola Stadium on Tuesday as the winner of the tie qualifies to the World Cup in Qatar.

    The game will kick off at 17:00 GMT that is 5pm local Ghana time on Tuesday.

    Source: ghanaguardian.com

  • ‘Be resolute today’ – John Mahama’s message to Black Stars ahead of Nigeria game

    Former President, John Dramani Mahama is backing the Black Stars to block Nigeria’s bid to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the seventh time. 

    The Super Eagles will host the Black Stars at the Moshood Abiola Sports Stadium in Abuja for the return of the FIFA World Cup playoff after drawing goalless in Ghana on Friday, 25, 2022. 

    Despite the belief among many that the tie will be difficult for the Black Stars because Ghana doesn’t fare well on Nigerian soil, the former President is optimistic about qualification for Qatar World Cup. 

    “Ghana vs Nigeria… the friendship is strong, and the history is rich. I urge the @GhanaBlackstars to be resolute today to qualify Ghana for the FIFA 2022 World Cup tournament in Qatar. Go Black Stars Go!,” John Dramani Mahama wrote on his Twitter page. 

    The Super Eagles will host the Black Stars of Ghana at the Moshood Abiola Sports Stadium in Abuja on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, in a bid to qualify for their 7th FIFA World Cup tournament. 

    The first leg in Kumasi ended goalless and Ghana will have to avoid a defeat in Abuja as any scoring draw will see them qualify ahead of Nigeria for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar because of the away goal rule.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Why this video of Alhaji Grusah is trending on social media platforms

    Owner of King Faisal FC, Alhaji Karim Grusah has been trending on various social media platforms after a video of him eating while the officials were addressing the Black Stars players surfaced online.

    The veteran football administrator who is a member of the Black Stars Management Committee was present in the dressing room along with other officials after Ghana’s first leg game in the FIFA World Cup playoff at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Friday, March 25, 2022.

    Alhaji Grusah was captured on camera chewing something while the Ghana Football Association President, Kurt Okraku, and Sports Minister, Mustapha Mohammed were addressing the players for a good job done and reminding them of the return leg in Abuja.

    Social media users could hold not off with the laughter especially considering the fact that the King Faisal owner was standing in between the Sports Minister and the GFA President while concentrating on his snacks.

    The first leg in Kumasi between Ghana and Nigeria ended goalless and the Black Stars will have to avoid a defeat in Abuja as any scoring draw will see them qualify ahead of the Super Eagles for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar because of the away goal rule.

    GhanaWeb has compiled some of the social media reactions to Alhaji Grusah’s trending video for you in the post below.

    https://twitter.com/kwamebenaiah/status/1508494131219345414?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1508494131219345414%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ghanaweb.com%2FGhanaHomePage%2FSportsArchive%2FWhy-this-video-of-Alhaji-Grusah-is-trending-on-social-media-platforms-1502030

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Minority stages walkout as parliament approves second reading of E-Levy bill

    Parliament approved the second reading of the Electronic Transactions Levy, albeit without the final participation of the minority side, who staged a walkout right before the question was put before the house.

    The Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, moved a motion in parliament asking the house to approve the second reading of the proposed 1.5% E-Levy bill to advance its passing into law.

    The debate on the motion was divided between the majority and minority, who argued entrenched positions on the bill.

    While the minority maintained their opposition to the bill, members of the majority argued in favour of the E-Levy, tagging it as essential for revenue mobilization and development.

    The Majority leader, Haruna Iddrisu during his submission on the bill informed the presiding Speaker of a decision by his side to abstain from supporting the bill.

    “In conclusion we are not able to support the Electronic Transaction or Electronic Transfer Levy of 1.75%. we think that it is regressive, it smacks of double taxation and the people of Ghana should not suffer further taxes, financial institutions and banks should not be made to pay E-Levy.

    “Therefore Mr Speaker I am serving you notice, I have listened, my colleagues have listened to me. Mr Speaker, because we do not support the E-Levy, the Minority group led by me after listening to the majority leader will not be associated with any further proceedings on the E-Levy. We want to be recorded that when the E-Levy was brought to the 8th Parliament, we stood together, we opposed it, we asked for its rejection and we said we would not support it,” the minority leader said.

    Following his announcement, the minority trooped out of the chamber.

    The majority leader who was scheduled next to make his final statement on the debate, waived the opportunity and impressed on the speaker to go ahead and put the second reading to a vote for adoption.

    Speaker Alban Bagbin who was presiding over proceedings went ahead to put the second reading of the E-Levy to a voice vote which was given in favour of the majority who were the only side in the chamber and shouted for the adoption.

    The house following the adoption went ahead unto the consideration stage of the bill also without the presence of the minority.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Government has been massaging figures on Ghana’s economy – Kwakye Ofosu

    Former Deputy Minister for Information, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has accused the government of massaging figures on Ghana’s economy to make it look better than it is.

    According to Kwakye Ofosu, the finance minister has for a long while been understating the government budget deficit to hide the extent to which Ghana’s economy has been mismanaged.

    In a JoyNews interview monitored by GhanaWeb, the ex-deputy finance minister said the government even had to issue a statement to correct the 9 per cent budget deficit it stated for 2021 to 12 per cent after agitations in the financial market.

    “It is an incontrovertible fact that this government led by the finance minister has been massaging the figures. They have been trying to confuse the extent of the damage that they have done to the economy by presenting figures which make the situation look much better than it actually is.

    “… since 2018, they have been deliberately understating the budget deficit and hiding key essential items, under what they claim to be footnotes in order that the deficit will be lower,” he said.

    Asked whether he had proof of the accusation he had made, Ofosu said, “only last week in the Finance Minister’s purported economic measures, he claimed that between 2017 to 2019, they had kept the budget deficit under 5%. He repeated this claim in the 2020 budget.

    “Meanwhile, the budget deficit for 2018 was 7 per cent. The budget deficit for 2019 was 7.5 per cent. The deficit for 2020 was 15.7 per cent. The deficit for 2021 was 12 per cent. In fact, just after he read the 2022 budget in November, the market reacted adversely to it because they did not believe the figures that he was quoting; he quoted 9% as the deficit for 2021,” he added.

    Meanwhile, former President John Dramani Mahama has accused the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta of engaging in creative accounting because he failed to add huge liability numbers that the government had accrued to the financial statement of the country.

    Speaking at a meeting with National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters in the United States of America, Mahama said that the World Bank had even warned the government to be transparent with Ghanaians and tell them the true state of the country’s economy.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • E-Levy finally passed

    After months of backs and forths in parliament with regards to the controversial Electronic Transactions Levy (E-Levy), parliament has passed the bill. 

    This was after the House considered the bill after its third reading, with the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, in the seat. 

    Earlier, the Minority in Parliament staged a walkout right before the question was put before the house.

    The Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, moved a motion in parliament asking the house to approve the second reading of the reviewed 1.5% E-Levy bill to advance its passing into law.

    The debate on the motion was divided between the majority and minority, who argued entrenched positions on the bill.

    While the minority maintained their opposition to the bill, members of the majority argued in favour of the E-Levy, tagging it as essential for revenue mobilization and development.

    The Majority leader, Haruna Iddrisu during his submission on the bill informed the presiding Speaker of a decision by his side to abstain from supporting the bill.

    “In conclusion we are not able to support the Electronic Transaction or Electronic Transfer Levy of 1.75%. we think that it is regressive, it smacks of double taxation and the people of Ghana should not suffer further taxes, financial institutions and banks should not be made to pay E-Levy.

    “Therefore Mr Speaker I am serving you notice, I have listened, my colleagues have listened to me. Mr Speaker, because we do not support the E-Levy, the Minority group led by me after listening to the majority leader will not be associated with any further proceedings on the E-Levy. We want to be recorded that when the E-Levy was brought to the 8th Parliament, we stood together, we opposed it, we asked for its rejection and we said we would not support it,” the minority leader said.

    Following his announcement, the minority trooped out of the chamber.

    The majority leader who was scheduled next to make his final statement on the debate, waived the opportunity and impressed on the speaker to go ahead and put the second reading to a vote for adoption.

    Speaker Alban Bagbin who was presiding over proceedings went ahead to put the second reading of the E-Levy to a voice vote which was given in favour of the majority who were the only side in the chamber and shouted for the adoption.

    The house following the adoption went ahead unto the consideration stage of the bill also without the presence of the minority.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • E-Levy: Speaker suspends sitting for 30 minutes

    The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has suspended sitting of Tuesday, March 29, 2022, for 30 minutes. 

    The House is considering the re-laid Electronic Transactions Levy (E-Levy) after initial hiccups with the controversial bill.

    The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, is in parliament as part of the government’s attempt to get the E-Levy passed into law.

    Ken Ofori-Atta is set to move the motion for the 2nd reading of the E-levy Bill, sources close to GhanaWeb have said.

    There are also unconfirmed reports that all Members of Parliament, including those who are sick, are in the House to vote on the bill, if need be.

    At a press conference on March 24, 2022, Ken Ofori-Atta, stated that the government would impress on parliament to pass the Electronic Transactions Levy (E-Levy) Bill before the House goes on recess.

    According to the minister, the implementation of the E-Levy forms part of revenue mobilisation efforts that will complement the expenditure reduction measures the government is undertaking to help get Ghana out of the current economic hardships.

    “It is already there; we are just going to continue discussions, and God willing, we are going to get it passed. It is in the parliament system … parliament rises on April 4th or 5th, so we have got some critical 14 or 15 days to make it happen.

    “And I think after these town hall meetings, I understand what the Ghanaian people want,” he said.

    It must be noted that Members of Parliament on the Minority side have shown their disinterest in the E-Levy, vowing to reject it at all cost.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Bag of ‘pure water’ to be sold at GH¢8 effective April 1

    The National Association of Sachet and Packaged Water Producers (NASPAWAP) has announced that effective April 1, 2022, prices of packaged water will experience some “slight” adjustments.

    In a press statement signed by its President Magnus Nunoo, the association stated that this has become necessary due to the cedi’s depreciation and the increase in the price of fuel which is a major part of the distribution process.

    It also noted that the cost of inputs has also shot up leading to an increase in related products.

    These, according to them have necessitated that, ice bottled water 500ml be retailed at GH¢2.00, and iced bottled water, 750ml or medium size, be retailed at GH¢2.50 and 1.5L bottled water at GH¢3.50. Iced sachet water remains unchanged at 40p.

    A bag of sachet water, 500ml by 30pcs, will now sell at GH¢6.00 maximum from the retail trucks. Mini shops will now retail a bag of sachet at GH¢8.00 per bag maximum.

    Read the full statement below:

    Press Release on packaged water price review.

    The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the National Association of Sachet and Packaged Water Producers (Naspawap) in consultation with stakeholders wishes to recommend the following price reviews of bottled and sachet water.

    These reviews serve as a guide to all Regional Associations and to ensure uniformity across the country. The NEC also cautions that there might be slight variations in prices across the regions due to haulage to remote and distant areas.

    It is recommended that ice bottled water 500ml be retailed at 2.00 ghc, and iced bottled water, 750ml or medium size, be retailed at 2.50 ghc and 1.5L bottled water at 3.50 ghc. Iced sachet water remains unchanged at 40p.

    A bag of sachet water, 500ml by 30pcs, will now sell at 6.00 ghc maximum from the retail trucks. Mini shops will now retail a bag of sachet at 8.00 ghc per bag maximum.

    These new prices take effect from Friday, April 01, 2022. The price reviews have been necessitated by the rising cost of inputs, such as fuel and packaging materials which are mainly imported and produced from petroleum sources.

    In our previous review, the exchange rate of the dollar was in the region of 6.50 ghc. Currently, it is inching up to 8.50 ghc. Fuel which forms a major cost of distributing the products to the market centers has significantly gone up since our last review. It was 6.50 ghc per liter and now it is above 11 ghc per liter, which is averaging 69.2% change since Jan 1 2022 when the old prices were implemented.

    The National Executive Committee (NEC) wishes to again plead with government and its agencies to take a second look at many fees and taxes on the packaged water industry to help reduce the financial burden to save the industry and protect jobs for the youths along the value chain from production to consumption of the packaged water. Also considering the significant impact of the packaged water industry on the eradication of water-borne diseases and the achievement of the SDG goals on water.

    Signed (Director of Corporate Affairs – NEC of NASPAWAP)

    +233 24 814 5549 President- NASPAWAP, Mr. Magnus Nunoo

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • I wish President never lifted nose mask restriction – Prof. Joseph Osafo

    Senior Psychologist, Professor Joseph Osafo, has registered his displeasure with the easing of restrictions by the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    President Nana Akufo-Addo, in his 28th COVID-19 update on Sunday, March 27, 2022, lifted the restrictions following thorough assessment of the pandemic in Ghana and globally.

    Key among the restrictions that the President announced have been eased are the mandatory wearing of nose masks, the closure of borders, the PCR test at the Kotoka International Airport and private and public gatherings.

    Regarding the mandatory wearing of nose masks, the President said; “From tomorrow, Monday, 28th March. the wearing of face masks is no longer mandatory. I encourage all of you though to continue to maintain enhanced hand hygiene practices and avoid overcrowded gatherings.”

    “From tomorrow, Monday, 28th March, fully vaccinated travellers into Ghana will not take PCR tests from the country of embarkation to allow them entry into the country through the KIA, and will not be tested on arrival.

    “Citizens and foreign residents in Ghana, who are not fully vaccinated, would, however, need to provide a negative PCR test result of not more than 48-hours, will undergo an antigen test upon arrival at KIA, and will be offered vaccination there,” he also said.

    The President further declared that, “all in-person activities, such as those that take place in churches, mosques, conferences, workshops, private parties and events, cinemas and theatres May resume at full capacity, as long as the audience and/or participants are fully vaccinated. Hand washing and hand sanitizing points should be made available at these venues.

    “Outdoor functions at sporting events, entertainment spots, political rallies and funerals may resume at full capacity, again, as long as all persons at these events are fully vaccinated.”

    Discussing the update during Peace FM’s ”Kokrokoo”, Professor Joseph Osafo was particularly worried that the wearing of nose masks is no longer mandatory.

    He emphasized that the nose masks played a key and effective role in the prevention of the Coronavirus diesase, hence, he wished the President hadn’t ease such restriction.

    Prof. Osafo pleaded with the general public to continue wearing nose masks, especially where there are large gatherings or person-to-person contact, stressingm “there is a good intention behind what the government is saying, but I think a little bit of caution is needed. So, the leaders in various organizations and schools should be careful the way they translate this into something workable in their settings”.

    “To be honest with you, I would have wished that if we had not touched that, it would be better for now. The reason I’m saying this, presently, even in China that initially had a very strong way of fighting the disease; currently they are still in crisis. They are still fighting this thing. Certain parts of UK, Ireland, they are still fighting this. So, we are not completely out of the woods,” he cautioned.

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • Kwabena Agyepong joins NPP flagbearer race

    Former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party(NPP), Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, is the latest to join the NPP flagbearship race ahead of the presidential primaries.

    According to him, even though he has intentions of contesting, he is much more focused on helping the government to perform well.

    “So, I will not rule out running for the Presidential primary but the most important thing to me now is how well we do as a government and how we are able to deliver on the mandate that the Ghanaian people have given us.” Graphic online.com quoted Mr Agyapong

    Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, was a former Press Secretary to former President John Agyekum Kufuor from 2001 to 2006, former General Secretary of the NPP and one of 17 aspirants who contested for the party’s nomination to replace former President Kufuor as presidential candidate for the 2008 presidential election.

    Even though the party is yet to open nomination for the presidential primaries some key members of the party have announced their intention or have been tipped to contest the flagbearership ahead of the 2024 general elections.

    Some of the members tipped to take over for Akufo-Addo are Vice president, Dr Mahamud Bawumia, Trade Minister Alan Keyrematen, and Joe Ghartey

    Others who have openly disclosed their intentions include Minister for Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and former Minister of Energy Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Police on manhunt for spiritualist who aided in burial of 2-year-old autistic boy alive

    The Central Region Police are on manhunt for a spiritualist who aided a 70-year-old man to bury his two-year-old autistic grandson alive.

    According to reports, the spiritualist identified as Kweku Baah, advised the grandfather of the victim to get rid of the boy, Abbas Sualihu, due to his condition.

    In an interview with JoyNews, the Elmina Police Commander, Supt. Abraham Bansah, disclosed that the suspect, Kwaku Baah, perpetrated the act under the direction of a spiritualist.

    The two-year-old boy was buried alive at the shores of Dutch Komenda on Friday, because he was considered a spirit child.

    But for the timely intervention of the Police, he would have died.

    https://soundcloud.com/joynews_adomnews/autistic-2-year-old-boy-buried-alive-by-grandfather-in-central-region?utm_source=clipboard&utm_campaign=wtshare&utm_medium=widget&utm_content=https%253A%252F%252Fsoundcloud.com%252Fjoynews_adomnews%252Fautistic-2-year-old-boy-buried-alive-by-grandfather-in-central-region

    The 70-year-old man was apprehended for his role in the crime.

    Also, the parents of the two-year-old boy were arrested for conspiring in the crime, according to Supt. Abraham Bansah.

    “All of them [the parents] have been arrested because they both conspired with the grandfather, Kwaku Baah, to do that. So they have all been arrested, and they are in our custody,” he said.

    The incident that occurred at Dutch Komenda in the Central Region shocked the community, with residents describing it as barbaric and heinous.

    Source: MyJoyOnline.com

  • Black Stars arrive in Nigeria for second leg of FIFA World Cup qualifier playoff

    The Black Stars of Ghana have arrived in Abuja, Nigeria for the second leg of the FIFA World Cup qualifier playoff.

    On Tuesday, Ghana and Nigeria will settle the matter of who gets to qualify and whose dream gets squashed. The match is slated for 5pm tomorrow.

    Last week Friday, both teams drew- 0-0 as none was able to score at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

    Black Stars arrive in Nigeria for second leg of FIFA World Cup qualifier playoff

    Taking to Twitter today, the Black Stars shared photos of their departure.

    Black Stars arrive in Nigeria for second leg of FIFA World Cup qualifier playoff

    For some Ghanaians, they were much concerned about how the senior national team will be welcomed upon arrival in Abuja.

    Black Stars arrive in Nigeria for second leg of FIFA World Cup qualifier playoff

    This stems from the uncomfortable manner in which the Super Eagles of Nigeria were welcomed at the Kumasi Airport.

    In a video shared by Nigerian journalist Colin Udoh, the players were left with no other option but to jump off their plane because there was no Passenger Boarding Bridge (PBB).

    Black Stars arrive in Nigeria for second leg of FIFA World Cup qualifier playoff
    Black Stars arrive in Nigeria for second leg of FIFA World Cup qualifier playoff
    Black Stars arrive in Nigeria for second leg of FIFA World Cup qualifier playoff
    Black Stars arrive in Nigeria for second leg of FIFA World Cup qualifier playoff

    Source: MyJoyOnline.com

  • Bolt hasn’t blocked 100 drivers in Sekondi-Takoradi for protesting – Country Manager

    A leading ride-hailing company Bolt has dismissed claims that it has blocked 100 drivers in Sekondi-Takoradi for difficulties in operating on the platform.

    According to the Country Manager of Bolt, drivers can only be blocked if their behaviour contravenes the terms and conditions of the company.

    David Kotei Nikoi denied rumours and publications suggesting the drivers were unlawfully sacked, adding that “Bolt will never block drivers for practising their constitutional right to protest.”

    “We categorically state that this is false and request [the said] article to be amended to reflect the true nature of events in relation to the drivers who were blocked. Bolt has not, would not and does not intend to block drivers based in Sekondi-Takoradi or any other city where we operate as a result of them advocating for various issues.

    “We continue to work on new features to improve driver earnings and safety on the platform and we will share more information about them when they are ready to be rolled out,” the statement explained.

    Meanwhile, Mr Nikoi mentioned that “Bolt will not tolerate drivers who intimidate non-protesting drivers, threaten other drivers with physical harm, and/or inflict physical harm on other drivers or their property.”

    Source: myjoyonline.com

  • Public urged to use mediation to solve disputes

    Mr Muntaru Farihan, Assistant Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Officer of Legal Aid Commission in the Upper East Region, says ADR, especially mediation, is the new norm in resolving issues.

    Mr Farihan said except for criminal offences, ADR must be the first option to take in resolving disputes, especially as people no longer wanted to litigate because of high cost and going to court was time-consuming.

    He, therefore, urged the public to use it as a first option to resolve disputes.

    He said it was open to everybody, rich or poor, and encouraged people to use the process because it was voluntary and provided a platform for one to talk to an expert who would help, depending on the nature of the case.

    “Mediation is a potent tool towards dispute resolution and has the power to reach a resolution because power belongs to the people and the parties unlike the law courts”, the Assistant ADR Officer stressed and added that such parties were allowed to vent their emotions for peace to return to homes and improve relationships”.

    Mr Farihan gave this advice in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.

    On some successes chucked in the Upper East region, he said 50 mediation cases were resolved last year and in 2022, three had successfully been achieved involving land, maintenance and relationship cases in the Bolgatanga Municipality.

    “We want people to solve their problems, have a resolution that suits all parties and for parties to still have a good relationship”.

    He advocated the need to continue to engage communities to understand ADR issues.

    Speaking on challenges, he noted that the process of Legal Aid in terms of how it assists in mediation cases, especially in ADR mediation required a scale-up of its operations for its presence to be felt in all the districts in the region to handle mediation cases.

    He said the commission had no financial ability to rent offices and depended on District and Municipal Assemblies to help with office space.

    “Only the Bolgatanga and Bawku Municipalities, Bongo and Zebilla in the Bawku West District had offices”.

    “Every district should have a mediation office for cases to be handled there, as we are currently overwhelmed with cases”.

    Meanwhile, he lamented the inadequate number of lawyers in the region and stressed that only two lawyers served in the region.

    The Legal Aid Commission is expected to ensure equality of access to justice and fair treatment before the law by serving as a public defender to people, especially the poor.

    Source: GNA

  • Government should scrap deputy CEO positions at state-owned enterprises NPP MP



    Nhyiaeso MP Dr Stephen Amoah has urged the government to remove all deputy head positions at state-owned agencies.

    According to the New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament, the deputy head positions are not required because the needed productivity is not derived from them.

    “If I had my discretion, I would delayer all deputies in state agencies,” Dr Amoah said in an interview on JoyNews’ Newsfile monitored by GhanaWeb.

    “I am even of the view that some of these state agencies have no business having deputies … because we cannot derive the needed productively from them and the economy is a function of productivity and labour size,” he added.

    Asked whether salaries of heads of state-owned enterprises should be reduced, he said, “I agree with you 100 per cent.”

    Also, the MP indicated that government officials should stop using all fuel-consuming government vehicles.

    “I will also let any Land Cruiser being used that is paid for by government, maintained by the government, fueled by the government be packed. So, when you are driving outside your region, you can use it, but in the capital towns, you use small cars. These are some of the things we all agree on,” he said.

    Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, on March 24, 2022, announced some expenditure reduction measures aimed at reducing the pressure on the public purse as part of efforts to revive Ghana’s economy.

    The minister said that the measures to be employed would include suspension of the purchase of imported vehicles, the suspension of all foreign travels except for important ones, cutting discretionary expenditure by an additional 10 per cent, a 50 per cent cut in fuel coupon allocations for all political appointees and heads of government institutions.

    In addition, the government will cut down expenditure on its meetings and conferences by 50 per cent and suspend the establishment of new public sector institutions and new projects.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Intensify police patrol at night to help curb crime in Sawla – Residents appeal

    Correspondence from Savannah Region

    Residents of Sawla in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of the Savannah Region have asked the police to intensify night patrol in the town to curb the rising insecurity in the District.

    Speaking to GhanaWeb, they maintained that the presence or visibility of the police patrol at vantage points at night will be an assurance of safety for lives and property.

    Their appeal is on the back of the recent strange killings, half burials, and the rampant robbery cases recorded in both the Sawla and Bole Districts.

    According to them, the increasing cases of social vices in the Sawla township have brought about fear and panic making life at night unsafe for them.

    They also noted that the presence of the police patrol will create a safe environment for businessmen and also instill fear in criminals who are committing dastardly acts.

    Mr. Saaka Chipura, who deals in “second hand” footwear told GhanaWeb, that the fear of crime will reduce in the Sawla township with the presence visibility of a night police patrol team because the criminals will know that there is a close eye on them.

    “The presence of a night police patrol will bring a very big sigh of relief to us. Because the regular patrols will deter the criminals from carrying out the ungodly acts,” he stressed.

    Mr. Wayo Habib, a mobile money agent noted that the visibility of the police patrol will prevent the crimes from happening and appealed to the Inspector General of Police Dr. George Akufo Dampare through the Savannah Regional Police Command to delegate a special night patrol team to the town to protect lives.

    He stressed that they should endeavor to prevent the crimes from happening rather than waiting for them to occur before instituting investigations.

    “They should not wait for the killings to happen before investigating but be proactive and nib the canker in the bud,” he appealed.

    “The rising insecurity in Sawla is alarming and has become a source of worry to us. The rate at which mobile money vendors are being shot at is very grave and people are afraid these days to venture into the mobile money business,” Mr. Mahama Abdullah lamented.

    Residents are, therefore, appealing to authorities to intervene by ensuring that there is a special night police patrol in the town to curb the insecurity situation.

    It will be recalled that on Saturday, February 19, 2022, an unidentified body of a man was found half-buried with his head exposed near the Roman Catholic cluster of schools in the Sawla township causing fear and panic among residents.

    The incident preceded two similar cases reported in the neighbouring Bole District heightening fear among residents of the two neighbouring districts.

    Meanwhile, the shooting incident involving the mobile money vendor on March 26, is the second time in five months a mobile money vendor has been attacked.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Mahama speaks on problems NDC have with the judiciary

    For the first time after the 2020 election petition at the Supreme Court, the former President, John Dramani Mahama, has spoken about the problems the NDC had with the judiciary. 

    He, has, however, called for urgent internal reforms from the judiciary when he addressed the United States Chapter of the NDC at the Bentley University on Sunday, March 27, 2022.

    He charged the Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin-Yeboah, to as a matter of urgency ensure that those reforms take place so that it will restore the confidence the public has in the judiciary.

    “We do have problems with the judiciary, I must say. I think that it is necessary for some internal reforms to take place there. It is necessary for the Chief Justice or whoever is responsible to make some reforms.

    “Most of the governance institutions have been politicized. I give the example of the judiciary. It is only in Ghana that a Supreme Court will make a decision that a birth certificate is not proof of citizenship,” John Dramani Mahama said.

    He added, “there are many such funny judgements that have been given. I remember at one time, our colleague Professor Raymond Atuguba said that from research he had done, judges turn to give their judgements in favour of the political party or leader that appointed them.

    “He was subjected to such a whirlwind of indignation by the judiciary but if you bring it down to what is happening today, and you look at it and see who appointed who, you will find that there was some truth in the research.

    “The thing is, our constitution gives the security of tenure to judges. Once you have been appointed you cannot be removed. That is why we give security of tenure so that you will have the courage no matter who appointed you to give judgement according to your conscience. That is what our judges should do. They must rise up to the occasion,” John Dramani Mahama stressed.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Only 110 SHSs have produced medical students for UG and KNUST in 8 years – Addae Mensah

    Out of the over 720 senior high schools in the country, only 110 of them have had their students make it to the two traditional medical schools at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the University of Ghana.

    Prof Addae Mensah, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana disclosed this in an interview with JoyNews.

    While recounting the gains of the schools of origin on 60 years of medical education, the academician said the contributions made by these institutions have been enormous taking into account the quantum and quality of personnel churned out.

    Prof. Addae Mensah was, however, worried that little has been achieved in the area of studying medicine as a vehicle for social mobility.

    The academician explained “at the last count, we are supposed to have 720 senior high schools in the country. “

    “For the period of 2012 to 2020, we have admitted 1,272 to the University of Ghana Medical School. We have admitted similar numbers to the KNUST School of Medical Sciences.

    “Of those number of students admitted, they come from just about 110 schools, which means there are 610 schools in this country who have never sent a student to our two medical schools for the past eight years.”

    The Professor further revealed that out of the 110 schools that supplied the students for these two flagship medical schools, 5 of them have been dominant.

    “Let us take the University of Ghana Medical School. From 2013 to 2020, the 1,272 students, the first 5 schools that are; Wesley Girls School, Presec (Legon), Achimota, Mfantsipim, Holy Child and Prempeh bracket in the fifth position. These five schools alone have produced 50% of the medical students and 18 schools have produced more than 75% of the students in our medical school,” he added.

    This means the 25% left is shared among the remaining schools giving them a slim probability of getting any of their students in the medical school.

    As to what has accounted for this phenomenon, the renowned professor attributed it to the absence of school facilities that create a congenial atmosphere for learning science and mathematics.

    He underscored the need for the provision of science laboratories for the less endowed schools. Professor Addae Mensah reiterated the need to improve facilities in the schools.

    Prof Addae Mensah is of the view that rather than set up STEM schools as the government intends to do, it should concentrate effort in replicating what makes the few schools do better in the low-performing schools.

    The academician also expressed worry about the general quality of education. He said the Free SHS is only producing quantity and not quality and ought to be reviewed. 

    The Professor believes that sacrificing quality for quantity is not the way to go.

    He wants government to engage all stakeholders to relook and rethink the policy in order to make it more sustainable.

    Source: myjoyonline.com

  • I’m yet to be officially notified about my Court of Appeal nomination – Maxwell Opoku Agyemang

    Former Acting Director of the Ghana School of Law, Maxwell Opoku Agyemang says he is yet to officially receive notice of his nomination to the Court of Appeal.

    He is currently under consideration for appointment to the Court of Appeal, but the process is currently being challenged at the Supreme Court.

    In a statement, he admitted that some 10 students who gained admission into the School of Law did not have the approval of the General Legal Council, but insisted the action resulted in some gains for the school.

    A private citizen, Korsi Senyo had petitioned the General Legal Council to disbar Mr Opoku Agyemang from practicing as a lawyer in Ghana for his role in the illegal admission.

    A report by a committee of inquiry set up by the General Legal Council found Maxwell Opoku Agyemang illegally admitted 10 students into the Law School leading to his withdrawal from the school.

    But in a statement, the former Acting Director of the Ghana School of Law explained that although the admissions did not have the approval of the Council, they were not done in secrecy or for any personal gain.

    According to him, one offer of admission led to the release of a building at KNUST which serves as the Kumasi campus of the Ghana School of Law.

    He adds the 10 students were withdrawn on the basis of an investigative report on the matter.

    Mr Agyemang insists that although the Council set up a disciplinary committee to hear the case against him and two others, the committee is yet to begin hearings.

    On his nomination to the Court of Appeal, he explained that “for the records, I have not been officially notified or contacted about a nomination for appointment to the Court of Appeal.”

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Ghana Water Company’s Weija plant to shutdown temporarily

    The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has disclosed that its Weija plant will be shut down temporarily on Wednesday, March 23, 2022.

    In a statement issued on March 22, 2022, the management of the GWCL disclosed that shutdown is to enable the ECG complete its expansion works on the plant. 

    “… the Weija Headworks will be temporarily shut down on Wednesday 23rd March, 2022 following a request by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Ltd to carry out expansion works at one of the stations that powers the Weija Raw Water Pumping Station,” the statement read.

    The GWCL added that the shutdown will affect the supply of water in Kasoa, Weija, Mallam Junction, McCarthy Hill, Bortianor, Gbawe, Anyaa, Awoshie, Dansoman, Sakaman, Glefe, Odorkor, Mataheko, Mamprobi, Chorkor, Kaneshie, Akweteyman, Abeka-Lapaz, Nii Boi Town, Tesano, Achimota, Accra Central business district, parts of Ministries and surrounding areas.

    The Management of the GWCL, therefore, has urged its customers living in these affected areas to store enough water.

    It added that water production and supply will resume as soon as ECG completes its expansion works.

    Read the full statement of the GWCL below

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Dont change core mandate of Free SHS universal reach CRI

    The Child Rights International (CRI) has called on the government to ensure that all intended reviews made with regards to the Free Senior High School (SHS) did not change any of its core mandates, philosophy and the idea of universal reach irrespective of geographical location or status.

    This was contained in a statement issued by the Executive Director of CRI, Mr Bright Appiah, in Accra yesterday.

    He said the programme has so far benefited 1.6 million students irrespective of their geographical location, status, sex or race.

    “The initiative is a laudable one which has had far-reaching socio-economic benefits and impact, especially within rural areas and communities in the country where financial constraints, accessibility and other factors prevented students from accessing secondary education,” he said.

    Mr Appiah said recent statements by government officials had led CRI to believe that there were plans underway to review some social intervention policy programmes, including the Free SHS programme.

    “As a child-centred organisation, our first priority is to ensure that government, policymakers and stakeholders are held accountable to the best interest of children whenever decisions are being taken on matters that have a direct or indirect impact on them. In this instance, both cases are applicable,” he said.

    He said the education sector had experienced many policy changes over the past 10 years, rendering it unstable, therefore, Ghanaians were not new to constant upheavals and changes within the educational sector in the country.

    However, Mr Appiah said this had resulted in several inconsistencies in the educational sector, “In policy formulation one of the key principles is that when citizens are settled in the application of a policy, change to the policy disturbs its outcomes on the environment, teachers, students and parents”.

    “There are numerous examples such as the 34 cars and then a change to the 4-3, cars senior high school period policy change all happening within a five-year space,” he said.

    He said in recent years, students and parents have had to adjust to the double-track system, the introduction of the semester cycle and then its reversal in schools.

    Mr Appiah said the development of a new curriculum that has not been fully integrated into the system with complaints of the lack of teaching material to support this new curriculum. The changes have been many and the impact profound.

    He was hopeful that the reviews of the programme would seek to address and rectify administrative issues, delaying the provision of services within the programme rather than altering the idea, philosophy and core mandate.

    Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

  • Government bans purchase of imported vehicles for public sector

    With immediate effect, the Government has imposed a complete moratorium on the purchase of imported vehicles for the rest of the year, Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta has said.

    He said this will affect all new orders, especially 4-wheel drives.

    “With immediate effect, Government has imposed a complete moratorium on the purchase of imported vehicles for the rest of the year. This will affect all new orders, especially 4-wheel drives. We will ensure that the overall effect is to reduce total vehicle purchases by the public sector by at least 50 percent for the period,” he said at a press conference on Thursday March 24 while announcing measures introduced to deal with the economic challenges.

    “Again, with immediate effect Government has imposed a moratorium on all foreign travels, except pre-approved critical/statutory travels; Government will conclude on-going measures to eliminate “ghost” workers from the Government payroll by end December 2022;

    “Discretionary spending is to be further cut by an additional 10%. The Ministry of Finance is currently meeting with MDAs to review their spending plans for the rest of the three (3) quarters to achieve the discretionary expenditure cuts; ii. these times call for very efficient use of energy resources.

    “In line with this, there will be a 50% cut in fuel coupon allocations for all political appointees and Heads of government institutions, including SOEs, effective 1st April 2022,” he added.

    Source: 3news.com

  • Ofori-Atta announces GHp2 reduction in BOST Margin, 50% cut in fuel coupons

    Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta has announced a reduction in the BOST Margin and also a 50 per cent cut in fuel coupons.

    He announced the “2pesewas on BOST Margin” and the “50 per cent reduction in fuel coupons” while announcing measures to deal with the economic challenges facing the country.

    “These times call for very efficient use of energy resources. In line with this, there will be a 50% cut in fuel coupon allocations for all political appointees and Heads of government institutions, including SOEs, effective 1st April 2022,” he said.

    BOST Margin is a tax imposed on petroleum products used to cover the maintenance and operating cost of petroleum product depots and undertaking expansion programs at depots.

    The BOST Margin has remained at 3 pesewas per litre since 2011.In December 2019, it almost went up to 6 pesewas per litre but the decision was quickly reversed following intense pressure on government by opposition parties as well as CSOs such as the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC).

    Regarding the cedi, Mr Ofori-Atta said that despite the challenges facing the country at the moment, the Cedi is doing better than it did in 2014 and 2015 when Mr John Dramani Mahama was the President of Ghana.

    Announcing measures to deal with the economic challenges facing the country on Thursday March 24, he said “In spite of it all, the cedi has held under these extreme challenges better than it did in 2014 and 2015. This is because the fundamentals are much stronger.”

    The cedi has been going through some troubles over the period. It is currently trading beyond 7 cedis to the dollar. Analysts have predicted it is most likely to cross 8.

    Following this situation, the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has said consumers in Ghana should prepare to pay more for goods and services.

    Source: 3news.com

  • Fuel prices reduced by 15 pesewas per litre effective April 1 Ken Ofori-Atta

    Government has announced a reduction in the margin for petroleum price-build up by a total of 15 pesewas per litre effective April 1, 2022. 

    The move, according to the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta is expected to mitigate the impact of rising petroleum prices at the pump covering a three-month period. 

    Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on March 24, 2022 the minister said, “To mitigate the rising price of petroleum products at the pumps for the next three months, government has decided to reduce margins in petroleum price build-up by a total of 15 pesewas per litre with effect from 1st of April,” he said.

    “BOST margin reduced by 2 pesewas per litre, unified petroleum pricing fund margin reduced by 9 pesewas per litre, fuel markin margin reduced by 1 pesewa per litre, primary distribution margin reduced by 3 pesewas per litre. These are expected to reduce the price of petrol by 1.6 percent and diesel by 1.4 percent. We anticipate the measures taken to stabilise the currency will help further stabilise the prices at the pumps,” Ken Ofori-Atta added.

    The Finance Minister added that the National Petroleum Authority and the Ministry of Energy are in discussions with various Oil Marketing Companies (OMCS) in the country “to reduce their margins in the spirit of burden-sharing”.

    Meanwhile, prices of petrol at various pumps are selling above GH¢9 while diesel is currently selling between GH¢10 and GH¢11 per litre across the country.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Minority notifies Police on picketing at KIA over COVID-19 test

    The Minority in Parliament has notified the Accra Regional Police command of their impending demonstrations and picketing at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) in Accra if the government does not make COVID-19 test free.

    In the notice, the Minority added that the protest is also against what they described as the continuous illegal unconscionable and extortionist COVID-19 antigen testing at KIA.

    They said the series of protests and picketing will start from 30th March 2022 and they will converge at the precincts of the Airport from 2pm to 6pm each day.

    “It is our firm determination to sustain these mass picketing actions until such a time that the Akufo-Addo-led government curtails the illegal, unconscionable and extortionist COVID-19 antigen testing conducted by the iffy Frontiers Healthcare Services Ltd,” a portion of the letter explained.

    The letter is signed by three members of Parliament namely Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Kwame Agbodza and Kwabena Mintah Akandoh.

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • Zipline to begin home deliveries soon

    Madam Naa Adorkor Yawson, the General Manager of Zipline, says her outfit will soon begin home deliveries in the country.

    She said the delivery would form part of efforts to promote healthcare supplies by taking advantage of the country’s digitisation drive to grow a viable healthcare system that enhances access and speedy dispensing of medical care irrespective of location.

    Madam Yawson, who was speaking at Nyagbo Sroe in the Volta Region at a ceremony preceding the commissioning of the Anum and Kete Krachi Zipline distribution centres at Anum, said individuals would be able to request and receive medical supplies in the comfort of their homes.

    She said the two new centres would serve about 70 per cent of the Volta region, 95 per cent of the Oti Region and all hard-to reach and riverine communities along the Volta Lake and the Afram Plains.

    Madam Yawson said a total of about 200,000 units of critical medical products had been distributed from the Anum and Kete Krachi Zipline distribution centres since December last year.

    “This expanded business operations supported by the Government of Ghana, Ministry of Health and our partners have witnessed a rapid and comprehensive development in the health sector.”

    She said aside from the home commendation of reducing incidents of infant mortality through vaccine distribution programmes and response to emergencies in remote areas, they had also been recognised internationally as the world’s first and only national drone delivery service.

    Madam Yawson noted that Zipline services had been used to provide equal access throughout the country since the beginning of the Covid-19 immunization programme in March last year.

    “Our innovation has seen our service reach nearly one million people out of the reach of cities with the Covid-19 vaccines.

    “Through our safe network distribution centres, we have enhanced Ghana’s vaccines distribution strategy by focusing on areas from urban cities to guarantee fair and efficient delivery of the vaccines.”

    Madam Yawson said aside from Ghana, Zipline had also signed on three states in Nigeria, Kenya and Cote d’Ivoire onto the revolutionary technology.

    Dr Kuma Aboagye, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, said the collaboration with Zipline was bridging the gap in healthcare delivery between rural and urban areas.

    He said barriers such as geographical and financial access, overstretched health workers and long waiting times at OPDs must be addressed, especially in hinterlands, to achieve the well-being of all.

    Mr James Etornam Flolu, the District Chief Executive (DCE), said the Zipline initiative would prevent avoidable deaths.

    Ekusi Owusu IX, the Divisional Chief of Nyagbo Sroe, said the commissioning was historic and a first of its kind and urged Dr Bawumia to ensure his visit left a legacy for generations in the community.

    He urged the government to fast-track work on the feeder road from Saviefe to Nyagbo Sroe through Nyagbo Nyigbe, Nyagbo Fiafe through Nyagbo Konda to Nyagbo Gagbefe on the Accra-Hohoe trunk road.

    Ekusi Owusu said the road would make driving over the Akwapim-Togo range in less than 15 minutes and would also facilitate communication and commerce in the newly created Nyagbo Traditional Council.

    Source: GNA

  • Dumelos food processing factory to create 750 jobs

    Farmer and entrepreneur John Dumelo has announced that the establishment of a food processing factory in the Guan District will provide employment for 750 people.

    In a Twitter post on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, John Dumelo revealed that the building of the factory has begun and is expected to be completed within 14 months. 

    His post read “construction of food processing factory in the Guan district has begun, expected to complete in 14 months with production capacity of 1500tons/of ginger and other products in a year, and create some 750 direct/indirect jobs.”

    According to him, the production capacity of the factory will be 1,500 tons of ginger.

    He was sighted in a series of pictures of himself with his first slide of picture in reflective jacket, standing on a bare land in a pose that looked like one giving directives to a worker.

    This revelation has however received a lot of commendations from social media users who have applauded his efforts in the agriculture sector.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • SIM registration: Extension of deadline wont solve the problems Sam George

    Ningo Prampram Member of Parliament Samuel Nartey George has said the extension of the deadline for the SIM card registration will not solve the problem associated with the exercise.

    He said although the extension is a welcoming news, he and his friends who are against the entire exercise will challenge the legality of the procedure adopted by the Minister for Communications and Digitalization for the exercise.

    Speaking on the News 360 on TV3 Tuesday March 22, Sam Goerge said “The point must be made that this extension will buy sometime, but will not fix the problem. Given the magnitude of the problem, the extension is not sufficient enough. The solution to this problem is what we are going to move onto now.

    “We have managed to secure the extension, what we are going to do now is to challenge the legality of the procedure, that is our next line of action, we are challenging the legality of the SIM registration process as ongoing. We are not saying SIM registration is illegal, we are saying the procedure and the methodology the Minister has laid out through the NCA is illegal.”

    The deadline for the SIM card re-registration has been pushed forward from 31st March to 31st July.

    “More time will be required to update the SIM Registration App for the registration of diplomats, while a Self-Service SIM Registration App is also being developed to facilitate registration of SIM cards for Ghanaians resident abroad.

    “This will be operational by mid-April,” a statement issued by Minister of Communications and Digitalization, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful said on Tuesday, March 22.

    Source: 3news.com

  • Basic schools to end first term April 7 GES

    The Ghana Education Service (GES) has reminded heads of public basic institutions of the scheduled calendar for the 2022 academic year.

    According to the GES, heads of basic schools are to take note of the calendar and “implement accordingly.”

    In a statement issued by its Deputy Director-General, Mr Kwabena Bempah-Tandoh on Tuesday, 22 March 2022, the GES stated the calendar for the year as follows:

    “First term 18 January 2022 to 7 April 2022, Second term 10 May 2022 to 11 August 2022, Third term 13 September 2022 to 15 December 2022.”

    It also reminded heads of schools of the contact hours being from “7am to 2pm, 7.30 to 2.30pm and 8am 3pm.”

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Offinso South MP protests proposed relocation of district hospital

    Dr Isaac Yaw Opoku, the Member of Parliament for Offinso South, on Tuesday contested the relocation of a proposed District Hospital from Offinso South to Akomadan in Offinso North.

    The District Hospital forms part of the construction and equipping of 40-Bed District Hospitals, which are to be located at Ayensuano, in the Eastern Region, Effiduase and Offinso both in the Ashanti Region at the cost of €38,000,000.00.

    Dr Opoku disputed the submission of Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, the Minister of Health, who announced during the consideration of the motion that there were fundamental errors in the transaction that needed correction and relocation.

    “Mr Speaker, if you look at the motion, we are approving motion 23 for construction and equipping of 40-Bed district hospitals at Ayensuano, Edfiduase and Offinso.

    “Mr Speaker the Offinso one should be Offinso North, we already have a CHAG hospital at Offinso and this is going to add on to another hospital at Offinso again when Offinso North hasn’t got a hospital. So, there is an omission there that should be Offinso North and, therefore, consequentially all the records should reflect Offinso North instead of just Offinso so that we locate this at Akomadan instead of Offinso again,” the Health Minister said.

    However, Dr Opoku noted that the project was originally meant for Offinso South.

    “Mr Speaker, I asked the minister and the minister said we have a hospital at Offinso South, St. Patrick’s Hospital.

    “Mr Speaker, St. Patrick’s Hospital is not a government hospital, originally, this project is for Offinso South, Mr Speaker we will not agree, it is not fair why are we treating Offinso South like that? We won’t agree, they just called me from Offinso that they are taking the project from Offinso South.

    “Mr Speaker we have gotten the land and everything we are not agreeing. Mr Speaker, it will not happen. Why? Offinso South ain’t we part of this country? Why? Everything you want to take Offinso out of it. Originally it was Offinso, I asked the minister and the minister said it is for Offinso South, Mr Speaker we are not agreeing,” Dr Opoku said on the floor of Parliament.

    Mr Andrew Assiamah, the Second Deputy Speaker, who was at the time presiding over the business of the day, directed that there should be a hold on the motion.

    The construction of the district hospitals is an agreement between the government of Ghana, represented by the Ministry of Health and the Golden Mainland Ghana Limited.

    It would also see to the completion and equipping of the old Tafo Maternity and Kumasi South Maternity Blocks.

    Source: GNA

  • Tema West MCE urges citizens to pay property rate

    Ms Anna Naa Adukwei Addo, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Tema West, has called on residents to pay their property rates to raise enough money to finance projects and recurrent expenditure.

    Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Tema, she said that Ghanaians needed to be responsible to pay their property rate, building permit and business operating permit, to be able to help the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies mobilise funds to engage in a developmental project.

    Ms Addo, who was a former Banker at the Prudential Bank, said revenue generated from the property rate and building permits was collected annually as part of the Internally Generated Fund (IGF) for the development of social amenities, local services and infrastructure at the local level.

    Ms Addo said the Tema West Municipal could not continue to depend on the District Assembly Common Fund for its activities, adding “our hope of becoming one of the best municipalities is largely dependent on how much internal revenue we can generate.”

    The MCE explained that the Tema West Municipal had undertaken several initiatives to improve education and security to ensure the overall development of the municipality since she took office in October 2021.

    She highlighted that under her administration, the Assembly had completed two-storey classroom blocks at Adjei Kojo TWMA Basic School and Star Basic School in community five School respectively, adding that the Kanewu Police Station had been completed and handed over to the Municipal Police Commander.

    “I want to mobilise revenue which can be used for the betterment of health, education, and sanitation for Tema West,” she said.

    Ms Addo expressed concerns of defaulters, who are unaware of the legal requirements to pay their property rate, pointing out that as a challenge the Assembly is trying to overcome.

    She said the Assembly had created a digitised process to keep records of every revenue accumulated.

    She entreated the media to help educate the citizenry on the importance of paying property tax.

    Source: GNA

  • Government to revamp Tema Oil Refinery – Energy Minister

    The government is to revitalise  the Tema Oil Refinery to meet domestic demand for petroleum products, Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh, the Minister of Energy, said on Tuesday.

    This would greatly position the nation well, reduce her imported petroleum products and guarantee fuel security too.

    Dr Prempeh said the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation was also developing the petrochemical industry to produce the required materials to manufacture solar panels, wind blades and battery cells that would contribute to Ghana’s net-zero carbon emission agenda.

    As a signatory to the Paris Agreement and other international protocols, all these are measures being introduced by the government to enable the nation to achieve net-zero carbon emission by 2050.

    The Sector Minister said this in a speech read on his behalf at a public sensitization forum on the National Energy Transition Plan organised by the Ministry at Goaso in the Ahafo Region.

    It was attended by traditional rulers, municipal and district assemblies, as well as heads of departments and agencies, civil society organisations and actors.

    Dr Prempeh said the government needed to plan and strategise to push the country towards a low carbon economy while ensuring economic growth as well.

    The Ministry, in collaboration with the Energy Transition Committee, is collecting and incorporating public views for the successful implementation of the Plan.

    Mr Frederick Obeng Addo, a Deputy Minister of Transport, said data from the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA) showed that 72 per cent of the 2.8 million vehicles registered in the country in 2021 used petrol, 27 per cent diesel and about one per cent gas and other sources of energy.

    Source: GNA

  • TMA supplies free water to Tema Manhean residents

    The Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), working together with the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), has initiated a relief package to deal with the water challenges residents in Tema Manhean are encountering with the provision of free water tanker services.

    Mr Frank Asante, the TMA Public Relations Officer, disclosed to the Ghana News Agency that areas such as Ashaiman B Park, which was upstream, were bedevilled with potable water supply challenges hence the need to bring some relief to residents to prevent the outbreak of communicable diseases.

    Mr Asante noted that the free water supply, which started some two weeks ago, would be reviewed, improved and sustained until a permanent solution was found to deal with the supply challenges.

    He said each electoral area with water challenges was being supplied with two water tankers twice a week under the initiative.

    The TMA PRO noted that the water was supplied into some reservoirs in the electoral areas with the guidance of the Assembly Members, who then ensure that every resident in their area gets some for free.

    He said Mr Yohane Amarh Ashitey, Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, had been engaging the Tema Regional Manager of the GWCL and his team of engineers on the issue during which the free water supply was agreed on as a temporal measure.

    He said the team had also held a series of engagements with the traditional leaders, residents and other stakeholders to explain the causes of the perennial water shortage before rolling out the tanker services.

    According to Mr Asante, the GWCL has identified in some communities that the population has outgrown the water supply system leading to no-flow at the upstream while those in the downstream areas were able to receive a supply.

    He further said according to the engineers, people had joined the mainline, which had lowered the pressure making it difficult to reach the higher grounds.

    Source: GNA

  • Akufo-Addo, ministers to cut some emoluments and allowances Council of State Chairman

    Chairman of the Council of State, Nana Otuo Siriboe II, has disclosed that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and members of his cabinet have agreed to a reduction in their emoluments and allowances.

    According to him, the move is part of their recognition of the economic difficulties the country is facing and is their contribution towards easing the situation.

    Nana Otuo Siriboe II also mentioned that the Council of State members have decided to reduce their monthly allowances by 20 percent until the end of the year in view of the economic challenges.

    He made the pronouncements when he held a meeting with the President at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, March 22.

    “Mr. President, over the past few weeks, the Council has been deliberating on the current economic conditions of the country and have been collecting views with the view to sharing with you as early as possible.

    “As we were going through our routines, you and your cabinet were at a retreat over the same issues. Since yesterday, we have been fed with a snippet of information regarding some of the decisions that you have made.

    “We are particularly delighted to read that you and your cabinet have decided to reduce some of your emoluments and your allowances. Mr President, in tandem with your decision we as Council of State had also decided that we will reduce our monthly allowances by 20 percent until the end of this year,” Nana Otuo Siriboe said.

    The economy in recent times has witnessed a downward spiral.

    Many economists have cited the depreciating cedi, increase in fuel prices and general cost of living as pointers to this claim.

    Some analysts have asked the government to seek an IMF bailout programme, even though that idea has been shot down as government banks its revenue generation hopes on the E-Levy.

    The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, over the weekend held a crunch meeting with key members of his government to decide on ways to mitigate the current economic challenges.

    Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta is to address the nation on Thursday on the outcome of the meeting.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • If you want my position, you can come for it Annoh-Dompreh tells Adwoa Safo

    Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has once again lashed out at Dome-Kwabenya MP, Sarah Adwoa Safo, over her continuous absence from Parliament.

    According to the Nsawam Adoagyiri lawmaker, he cannot fathom why the Gender Minister will punish government in such a manner.

    In his opinion, the party has done a lot for the former Deputy Majority Leader for which the absentee MP should be grateful, rather than holding the party to ransom.

    Adwoa Safo was last seen in Parliament in December, 2021, when she appeared in the House to dismiss claims by the Minority Caucus that she was impersonated by someone who attended proceedings of the House the previous day.

    She has since not returned to the Chamber.

    Some leading government officials and some of her colleague MPs in Parliament accused her of blackmailing government with a list of demands, including the Deputy Majority Leader post.

    However, when asked about it, Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin said he is not aware of such demands.

    Just last week, Mr Annoh-Dompreh lamented how the Gender Minister who has been on leave since August 31, 2021, is throwing a spanner in the works of government business knowing very well the 8th Parliament is hung.

    He subsequently stated that his colleague MP, should bow her head in shame for frustrating government business in Parliament.

    “She has no basis whatsoever to behave the way she is behaving, I have been quiet, tolerant and diplomatic about this whole happening relative to Adwoa Safo, but the way it is going, she is blackmailing the entire system, which is most unfair,” he said in an interview with Evans Mensah.

    But in a new development, Mr Annoh-Dompreh has decleared his readiness to relinquish his position for his colleague if that is what it will take for her to return to Parliament.

    “What wrong have we done for her to treat us this way. I have vowed that if she wants my position as the Chief Whip, she can say it and I will give it to her and stay away,” he said in an interview on Accra-based Okay FM.

    He warned that his colleague should tread cautiously, stating her actions do not speak well for her political career.

    Source: myjoyonline.com

  • Accra-Tema Motorway accident causes heavy traffic

    A mild gridlock is being experienced on the Accra-Tema Motorway this afternoon.

    An articulated truck carrying bags of flour is currently stuck on the road after an accident occurred on Tuesday.

    The long vehicle has parts of its cab badly mangled and hanging downwards from the dump body.

    Part of the stretch is covered with kilograms of flour with bystanders helping to sweep the product off the road to allow for free flow of traffic.

    Accra-Tema Motorway accident causes heavy traffic

    It is unclear what caused the accident. Meanwhile, no casualties have been confirmed.

    Source: myjoyonline.com

  • Akufo-Addo government generally incompetent, corrupt – Mahama



    Former President John Dramani Mahama has stated that Ghana is currently under an incompetent government and issues of corruption continue to worsen the plight of the ordinary citizen.

    According to him, despite mouthwatering promises by the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration, the country has been plunged into a harsh economic situation occasioned by general incompetence by the government.

    “The failure of this government has been spectacular in all fronts,” he said, stressing that for the National Democratic Congress, they were poised to use all constitutional means to get the government to be accountable to the people.

    Mahama reminded Ghanaians that the Akufo-Addo-led government arrived in 2017 on the “back of mouthwatering promises to make life easier for Ghanaians and ensure rapid development of our country. 

    “Indeed, we all recollect some of those mouthwatering promises including one by the current President to transform this country Ghana within 18 months,” he added.

    According to him, those promises have turned into the current economic downturn that citizens are facing, one that he said had never before been witnessed under the Fourth Republic.

    Mahama made the remarks on March 21, 2022, at the launch of the TEIN (Tertiary Education Institutions Network) app at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, UPSA.

    He also stressed the need for the youth within TEIN and in the informal sector to be better organized by the party to help sell its message and secure its political fortunes because “the issues that affect the youth of Ghana who dominate our population are many.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Ablakwa calls for ‘Ghana Rescue Plan’ amid economic downturn



    Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has decried the excessive partisanship that has become part of the national conversation.

    According to him, the prevailing economic situation makes it imperative for a policy devoid of party colorization to be implemented for the benefit of the country.

    He said the challenging times call for nationalism, consensus, partnership, mutual respect and sincere consultations amongst politicians to find a panacea.

    He however wondered if the current crop of politicians will come together to formulate a “Ghana Rescue Plan”.

    “How I wish we could come together in this time of economic crisis and collectively formulate a GHANA RESCUE PLAN. 

    “Not an NPP/Akufo-Addo agenda or NDC/Mahama agenda. Not the numbers game in Parliament either nor if Deputy Speakers should be voting, and definitely not relying on the judiciary to reduce the number of MPs on the side of our opponents so one party can gain an advantage to force down narrow partisan policies.

    “If ever nationalism, consensus, partnership, mutual respect and sincere consultations were needed to move our dear country forward, it is now. 

    “The question, however is: can we as current crop of Ghanaian leaders find the humility, maturity, selflessness, trust for each other and genuine love for country to urgently put together that GHANA RESCUE PLAN?,” Mr. Ablakwa posted on his Facebook timeline.

    The economy in recent times has witnessed a downward spiral.

    Many economists have cited the depreciating Cedi, increase in fuel prices and general cost of living as pointers to this claim.

    Some analysts have asked the government to seek an IMF bailout. However, government has shot down the proposal whiles banking its hopes on the E-levy.

    The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, over the weekend held a crunch meeting with key members of his government to find a way out of the current crisis.

    Whiles government is yet to announce the outcome, Information Minister Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, has hinted that all government flagship programmes are up for review.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • 11 pupils hospitalised after school building collapses in Paga

    Eleven pupils of the Paga E/A primary school in the Kassena-Nankana West District in the Upper East region, have been hospitalised after the walls of two classrooms collapsed on them, GhanawEb’s Upper East Correspondent Senyalah Castro reports.

    A Monday (March 21) afternoon rainstorm, which swept through the town, ripped off the roofs of buildings and schools in the town.

    The school’s authority said the wounded pupils were rushed to the Paga District hospital for medical attention.

    The headmaster of the school, Addiyire Peter Ajegiwe, told GhanaWeb the pupils sustained injuries on their legs, hands, and heads, adding no life was lost.

    “This afternoon, a rainstorm hit Paga causing a lot of havoc and 11 of our pupils got wounded as a result of the rainstorm. When the rain was falling, they [pupils] were all in their various classrooms but the pupils of the basic 3 classrooms were unfortunate as the walls collapsed and fell on some of the pupils. Some of them got seriously wounded and we had to take them to the Paga hospital for treatment.”

    “The situation is alarming and we don’t know what to do. It’s only through God’s intervention that these children are safe.”

    Collapsed school building

    Addiyire bemoaned that the failure on the part of local authorities to renovate the dilapidated school building despite knowing its condition is to blame for the disaster.

    He said the school management had written severally to the district Assembly since 2017 informing it of the worsening condition of the school building but all efforts did not yield any positive response.

    Addiyire pointed out that the disaster is an indication of how the local authority was failing in its duties, stressing the disaster could have been prevented if authorities had taken earlier steps to address it. 

    “It’s sad. When I took over this school in 2014, I wrote letter upon letters to the district assembly making several appeals for them to come and renovate this school because it is just at a collapsing stage. But there was no response.”

    Addiyire fears academic activities in the school will be affected if authorities are not quick in their response to address the challenge brought by the disaster.

    He was particularly worried about how the school will operate when the rainy season sets in.

    The rainstorm also damaged the roof of the Paga E/A Junior High School building. The roof of the form 1 classroom has been ripped off.

    The Paga central mosque also had its roof completely peeled off in the storm.

    Several stores in the Paga market have also been damaged by the Monday afternoon storm.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Let’s not politicise the health of our people – Dr. Bawumia

    Vice President of the Republic, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has urged leaders to prioritise the health of the people before politics.

    According to him, a disease will not attack one based on political colours hence the need not to be divided when discussing health issues.

    “Never again should we be seen allowing ourselves to be divided by politics when discussing our health, the health of our people. After all, when the snake is about to bite you, it does not ask you if you’re NPP or NDC before it bites you so let’s not play politics with the health of our people”

    The Veep made the comment on Monday, March 21, 2022, in Nyagbo Sroe within the Afadzato South District of the Volta region where he jointly commissioned Zipline operation centres in Volta and Oti Regions.

    His comment follows critics who were against Zipline operation when the government first announced it in the country about three years ago.

    He said “When I look at the tremendous success within the three years of the operation of Zipline, I can only thank God for the sight and the bold decision to move forward with this project. I am sure that, the sceptics have now come to test with the benefit of this project. Initially, they couldn’t see the vision but now I am sure that they understand the benefit of this project” 

    Zipline covers 147 out of the 275 districts in the country, it has operation centres in 13 regions and has delivered over 1.7 million medical commodities including blood, COVID-19 vaccines, and other essential drugs to rural and hard to reach communities.

    Source: ghanaweb.com

  • Dome-Kwabenya residents to demonstrate over Adwoa Safos absence in the constituency

    Some residents of the Dome-Kwabenya Constituency, in the Greater Accra Region, have disclosed a protest will be held against their Member of Parliament, Sarah Adwoa Safo.

    According to them, the purpose of the protest is due to her long absence in the constituency.

    They explained that Adwoa Safo’s long absence in the constituency is having an effect on the constituency as there has been no development since she left.

    The aggrieved residents are from Ashongman Estate, Dome, Kwabenya, and Musouku.

    The spokesperson for the group, Mr. Andy Kamkam, in an interview with Accra FM said the long absence of the MP has become a source of worry to the residents.

    “We demand some modicum of respect from our MP. This is not a matter of the NDC or NPP but about the development of the Constituency. The NPP can resolve whatever issues with Adwoa Safo at the party level but we, by right are demanding to know the whereabouts of our MP,” He said.

    Adwao Safo, who doubles as the Gender Minister, has been absent from the House all through the beginning of the year.

    Her absence has prevented the Majority from getting the full numbers to push for the passage of certain bills, particularly the E-Levy.

    The Majority Chief Whip, on Friday, March 18, called out the Dome-Kwabenya MP for holding the government to ransom.

    He told Joy FM in an interview that his colleague MP should bow her head in shame for frustrating government business in Parliament.

    “She has no basis whatsoever to behave the way she is behaving, I have been quiet, tolerant and diplomatic about this whole happening relative to Adwoa Safo, but the way it is going, she is blackmailing the entire system, which is most unfair,” he said.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Comply with decisions of Community Court of Justice – Akufo-Addo to ECOWAS leaders

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has charged the member States of ECOWAS to respect the decisions of the Community Court of Justice. 

    He said despite efforts by the ECOWAS Court to deliver on its mandate, it is constrained by the poor rate of enforcement of its judgement, which stands at 13%.

    Speaking at the Opening of the External Court Session of ECOWAS Community Court, President Akufo-Addo noted that unless Member States comply with the judgments of the Court, it will be difficult to build public confidence. 

    Bright Ntramah reports that this is the first time since its formation, more than 20 years ago, that over twenty years ago the External Court session of the ECOWAS Community Court was being held in Ghana. 

    The session, which is important in the annual work programme of the Court, is anchored on the Provision of Article 26(2) of the 1991 Protocol on the Court.

    It is aimed at bringing Justice to the average person at the grassroots of the Community. 

    The Programme also provides the opportunity for Judicial dialogue with the national Courts of host countries and exposes lawyers and community citizens in the country to the practice and procedure of a Regional International Court. 

    Chief Justice, Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah noted that lawyers in the country will get the opportunity to witness international Court proceedings.

    President Akufo-Addo called for amendments of the existing protocols to allow litigants use all local proceedings before being heard at the ECOWAS Court. He called on Member States to accept rulings of the Court to enable it to gain the confidence of the Public.

    About 60 cases would be heard and 21 judgements delivered in its two- weeks of sitting.

    Source: gbcghanaonline.com

  • All government flagship programmes to be reviewed Oppong-Nkrumah

    The Information Minister, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, has revealed that all 16 flagship programmes of government will soon be reviewed to ensure their objectives are well achieved.

    According to him, it is one of the decisions taken during the three-day cabinet retreat at the Peduase Lodge in the Eastern Region to mitigate the economic difficulties in the country.

    Currently, the country is experiencing hikes in fuel prices and the growing depreciation of the cedi, adversely affecting the cost of goods and services.

    But Mr Oppong-Nkrumah says the review of the programmes, among others, will help the government take some expenditure cuts.

    “All the 16 flagship programmes are up to be looked at. The President has directed that the flagship programmes should be protected and fully implemented to ensure that the impact is achieved. However, he wants it done within the constraints of item number two, which is the fiscal framework we are working with.

    “If based on the caps that we are working with we will have to rescope a particular flagship programme, we will do it and see how much we can achieve. So all the 16 are up for discussion; none is off-limit.

    “Only that the President has laid down the red line that we will not compromise on the fiscal consolidation agenda because our real problem over the years has been a year-on-year deficit going out of hand,” he said in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM, Monday.

    Meanwhile, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, is expected to address the nation this week to communicate key measures taken by the government amid the current challenges.

    A statement issued by the Information Ministry hinted that the update will include the reopening of land borders, the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, and measures to arrest the depreciating cedi.

    “President Akufo-Addo approved a number of far-reaching measures aimed at mitigating the depreciation of the cedi, ensuring expenditure discipline and providing relief in the face of the global fuel price hikes and inflation as well as ensuring that priority programmes meant to grow the economy are protected.

    “Government appreciates the efforts of all who contributed to a successful retreat and looks forward to the support of all Ghanaians in implementing the agreed measures,” the statement added.

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Calls for dissolution of Economic Management Team baseless Stephen Amoah

    Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, Dr. Stephen Amoah, has said the call for the dissolution of government’s Economic Management Team chaired by Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, is baseless as it will not solve the economic challenges in the country.

    According to him, the government is trying its possible best to solve the current hardship in the country even though it can be felt all over the world.

    “We all have to be a bit more serious on the issue bothering Ghana. Which of our statutory books provide any performance parameters or indicators by which we can call for the dissolution of the government management team? There is hardship all over the world that we are trying to solve and because we are an import-driven economy, about 70-84% of everything we use in this country is imported, so when there are any global disturbances, we feel the impact tangibly. We know there is hardship, and we are trying to work on it,” citinewsroom quoted.

    Stephen Amoah’s comments come on the back of calls by the Minority in Parliament for Akufo-Addo to immediately dissolve his Economic Management Team over cedi depreciation.

    According to the Minority, the rising prices of fuel in the country is as a result of the depreciation of the local currency rather than rising prices of crude on the international market.

    Addressing the media, Minority Spokesperson on Mines and Energy, John Jinapor, asked the government to use the windfall from oil export to cushion Ghanaian consumers.

    “This government has been a monumental failure. We call on President Akufo-Addo to dissolve the Economic Management Team because they have not lived up to expectation,” Mr. Jinapor told the media on Friday.

    He further explained, “The exchange rate the dollar to cedi is trading at 8.5 Ghana cedi. The Ghanaian cedi today is the worst in terms of performance with other major currencies. The price of diesel at the pump is over 40 cedis per gallon. That is the true state of the Ghanaian economy today. Workers, Teachers, drivers, MPs, and market women are really suffering.”

    But Stephen Amoah has disagreed with the Minority, stating the dissolution will not be the solution to solve the current economic hardship facing the country.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com