TIG Post

Author: Persis

  • Chieftaincy Ministry backtracks on sacking NABCO beneficiaries

    The Ministry for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has asked members of the public to disregard a letter directing that personnel working with the ministry under the Nation Builders Corps programme be asked to vacate the post.

    According to the letter circulating on social media and reported by mainstream media, the Director of Human Resource at the ministry, on the minister’s instructions, addressed a letter to registrars of the ministry to relieve NABCO trainees of duty.

    “This is to kindly inform you that the Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) programme ended at the end of October 2021. Unfortunately, the information reaching the Hon. Minister indicates that some Trainees are still at post.

    You are kindly requested to relieve the trainees of their current duties and allow them exit the service,” the letter said.

    In a new letter addressed to the registrars and signed by the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr Benjamin Afful, the ministry asked that the content of the initial letter be disregarded.

    “You are hereby informed that the ministry has not taken any decision in relation to the retention or otherwise of NABCO trainees, and as you are aware, it is a government policy that NABCO trainees having gained some level of experience be given the opportunity for placement as part of the exit plan.

    “Kindly disregard the letter being circulated,” the new letter dated January 26, 2022, said.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo introduced the Nation Builders Corps programme to solve youth unemployment in the country.

    The policy, which started in 2018, saw some 100,000 trainees sign a three-year employment contract that was to end on Sunday, October 31, 2021.

    Upon the contract’s expiration, the government issued a directive to all institutions with the trainees attached to their outfits to maintain the NABCO personnel until it resolves on a final resolution on the policy.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • We have not taken a decision to relocate – Baby Jet Airlines

    Management of Baby Jet Airlines have debunked claims that it was planning to take its operational services outside Ghana.

    In a disclaimer sighted by GhanaWeb, management of the yet-to-be-operational airline said its attention had been drawn to a publication on social media with regards to relocating.

    But the company in a statement denied the claims saying, “Management of Baby Jet Airlines still believes in operationalizing its service in Ghana and has neither considered nor taken a decision to relocate its operational Headquarters outside Ghana”.

    Management of Baby Jet Airlines however assured it remains poised to smoothly run operations in Ghana which is set to take place soon.

    In 2019, Baby Jet Airlines was expected to commence domestic operations in Ghana with a view of offering regional flights.

    The airline owned by the former Captain of the Ghana Black Stars, Asamoah Gyan was said to have been granted an Air Carrier License (ACL) by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) back in 2017.

    It was expected to work towards its Air Operators Certificate (AOC) that will enable Baby Jet Airlines to take to the skies.

    For now, it is reported that the company is yet to acquire an aircraft that will help inspectors complete their assessment and issue the AOC.

    Read the full statement below:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • SIM Card registration: We are correcting an illegality Ursula

    The Minister for Communication and Digitization Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has debunked assertions that the National Communication Authority (NIA) is the only outfit mandated to conduct the SIM registration.

    Responding to a statement on the floor of Parliament, the Minister indicated that she would not have commented on the issue if not for the reaction of the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, on the floor of the House since the issue is in court.

    “We have heard the Chief Executive of the National Identification Authority describe the SIM registration as a useless activity,” the Minority Leader stated.

    He further said the NIA and the Ministry of Communication would be hauled before Parliament to give reports on the National Identification exercise.

    But, the Minister of Communication reiterated that the NIA has not said anywhere that it is the sole Authority mandated by law to conduct SIM registration in this country adding that the comment from the Minority Leader cannot be factual.

    “The NIA is mandated by law to collect biometric information to issue a National Identification Card. The law also requires certain activities to be done if you require verification of the identity of the person to use the National ID card as a sole card for the purposes.

    “So there is no law in this country which has given the NIA the authority to conduct SIM registration in the law. The SIM registration regulation makes it mandatory for only registered SIMs to be activated by any network operator. Any SIM which is not registered which is activated for use on any network in this country is being used illegally,” Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful stated.

    She continued “We are seeking to correct that illegal use of SIM cards in this country.

    The regulator of Mobile Network Operator in this country acting under the National Communication Law, the SIM Regulation Authority to direct that all SIM of this country being registered for use on networks. That is the prerogative of the National Communication Authority working in conjunction with the Mobile Network Operators.”

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • Apiate explosion: There was no escort Chiefs dare police to prove otherwise

    Contrary to findings in the preliminary police investigations into the recent explosion at Apiate in the Western Region, the traditional leadership of the area insists that there was no police escort accompanying the truck carrying explosive that had an accident.

    The police, in its initial statement on the accident of January 20, 2022, said preliminary findings had established that a police escort was with the vehicle which was carrying mining explosives from the warehouse of Maxam Ghana through Apiate for delivery.

    But speaking to a delegation of government officials including the Ministers of Lands and Natural Resources, Works and Housing and the Western Regional Minister, the Chief of Bepo near Bogoso, Nana Ataa Brembi II, debunked the claims by the police insisting that there was no police escort with the truck.

    According to a report by Daily Graphic, the chief maintained his position, adding that members of the Apiate community are witnesses to the absence of a police escort in the incident.

    “I want to let the ministers present know that the information going round that the truck was being escorted is not true. I want to emphasize again that it is not true,” he said.

    He noted that the accident occurred in the full glare of the community members of Apiate, who are direct eyewitnesses to the entire event.

    He dared the police to prove him wrong, saying, “If they challenge us, they should produce the said police officer to tell us where he was when the accident occurred,” the chief further said, “….they should tell us if the police escort was before or after the truck….”

    Nana Brembi, however, conveyed the appreciation of the people of Apiate to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and the government for coming to their aide following the accident.

    “We are grateful, and we are ready to ensure that relief and comfort are brought to the people, especially those who lost their loved ones,” he said.

    In his response to the traditional leaders, the minister assured of a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the accident.

    “Let me assure Nana that I have heard what he said about the no escort issue and assure him that the findings would establish all that we will be able to establish if there was an escort or not,” he said.

    Mr Abu Jinapor told the chiefs that the government has relevant institutions and agencies to investigate the incident and thus expressed hope that the team of investigators would do a good job to satisfy all lingering questions.

    The minister further assured members of the Apiate community that their inputs would be factored into the investigations.

    The Daily Graphic further reported that some community members corroborated the claims by the traditional leaders.

    About 14 persons died, with over a hundred other victims sustaining various injuries when the blast accident occurred at Apiate last week.

    According to the police, the truck transporting explosives got involved in an accident with a tricycle and a motorbike resulting in a fire that led to the explosive detonating.

    The impact of the blast destroyed several properties, including homes that were reduced to rubbles.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Buipe car snatching gang convicted

    Five out of the six-member car snatching syndicate arrested by police in Tamale last Sunday have been convicted on their own plea.

    A Tamale Circuit Court presided by Mr Alexandra Oworae has deferred their sentencing to Friday, January 28, 2022.

    The suspects, Yussif Mustapha, 23; Ibrahim Issah, 27; Seram Addo, 34; Adjei Benjamin, 23, and Vivor Christopher, 27, were charged with five counts of conspiracy to rob, robbery, possession of firearms and ammunition without lawful authority and possession of police and military accoutrements.

    Meanwhile, the sixth accused person, Alhassan Mohammed, 29, a teacher who is said to be an informant to the robbery gang, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The court has thus ordered him to be remanded into prison for a reappearance on February 9, 2022.

    According to a Daily Graphic report, the court has also issued a bench warrant for the arrest of three other suspects said to have been supplying the accused persons with arms and ammunition.

    The gang of six believed to be members of a carjacking syndicate operating in the Tamale area were arrested for snatching a car from its owner at Joshegu, a suburb of Tamale, last Sunday.

    The suspects were leaving the Northern region towards Accra with the stolen car but were intercepted by a police patrol team at Sawaba, near Buipe in the Savannah region.

    Police, upon the arrests of the suspects, retrieved items such as a G3 rifle with a magazine loaded with 16 rounds of ammunition, a pistol, a pair of gloves, a military cap, two military scarfs, a catapult, a coil of sellotape and military ID cards from the suspects.

    Mustapha Yussif, who was in military uniform, named a source that provided them with guns and ammunition.

    The police then proceeded to a house and retrieved a G3 rifle fitted with a magazine loaded with 16 rounds of ammunition.

    A victim, according to the police, later came forward to identify one of two cars also retrieved from the suspects as his own.

    According to the victim, the Toyota Camry was snatched from him in August 2021 on the Tamale-Nanton road.

    The police later picked up the sixth suspect, a teacher of Kanvile R/C Primary School who is said to be an informant to the gang at a hideout.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • #Fixthecountry petition: EC Chair, deputies in the wrong court Dafeamekpor

    The Member of Parliament for South Dayi Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor says the Electoral Commission Chairperson and her deputies are in the wrong court with their suit over the alleged leak of contents in the petition to remove them.

    According to the lawmaker, who is a lawyer, matters that bother on reputational damage as being claimed by the EC Chair and her deputies are addressed at the High Court and not the Supreme Court.

    “The jurisdiction they have chosen is an abuse of the judicial process. It’s a matter of their reputation, so the place to go is the High Court, not the Supreme Court. In this case, it is their reputation they say has been damaged, so they must go to High court. It is not an interpretation issue; it is an alleged attack on their reputation, so the forum is wrong per our legal procedure,” the MP told Francis Abban on Thursday’s Morning Starr.

    The chairperson and her deputies have claimed in their suit that the petition’s content has been leaked, causing them public ridicule.

    In a writ filed at the Supreme Court to invoke the original jurisdiction of the Apex Court on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, the EC Chair and her deputies are asking for five reliefs, including “A declaration that the airing of the contents of the Petition by 1st Defendant to the media (Traditional and social) has subjected 1st, 2nd and 3rd Plaintiffs to public ridicule, hatred, opium, and opprobrium and equally exposed them to unfair prejudice.”

    They are also seeking “An order of perpetual injunction directed against 2nd Defendant (Chief Justice) from determining, dealing or having anything to do in any manner whatsoever and/or howsoever, with any issues arising out of the contents of Petitioners Petition or at all.”

    They also seek “orders and/or directions as this honorable court may deem fit to give effect or enable effect to be given to the orders of this court.”

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • More women patronise smock weaving in Bolgatanga

    Usually, when girls are not able to further their education, they enroll as apprentices and learn skills like sewing, hairdressing, straw and smock weaving.

    They take up these vocations in preparation to take up future responsibilities.

    Most of them tend to prefer learning smock weaving to the other vocations.

    Some of them shared their thoughts with GhanaWeb’s Upper East Regional Correspondent, Sarah Dubure.

    An apprentice, Asana, noted that it was less costly for one to establish herself upon completion since one could even start up at home.

    “When we complete and there is no money, we can at least start something small at home whiles waiting.”

    She explained that with a vocation like hairdressing, when one failed to establish a classy saloon, customers would not patronise her service.

    “If you learn a skill like hairdressing and you complete, your saloon will have to look very nice and you need to have everything if not, customers will not come there,” she said.

    Another apprentice, Grace, indicated that she came from another region to learn the trade.

    According to her, smocks weaved in Bolgatanga were different from those woven from other places, indicating that they were of better quality.

    “The smocks from here are different from other places. You realise that the thread is very smooth in the cloth,” she observed

    She also expressed the hope of attaching all the needed attention to the work and learning hard, so that she would go back to her home to teach the folks there.

    “It is not easy coming all the way to Bolgatanga to learn but I just want to learn the job well, so that I can go back and teach others.”

    Another apprentice, Asana, indicated that passion drove her into learning the vocation.

    She added the fact that one would easily establish herself was also a factor.

    Madam Asana who had developed a cut on her foot, however, indicated that learning the vocation came with some challenges for her.

    She explained that one is required to wear boots to avoid injury since their work largely required movement of the feet on metal.

    She also indicated that it was very difficult to afford the boots, as she was from a very deprived home.

    Asana, who is on the verge of passing out stated that the machine used for weaving was very expensive and appealed for support to be able to purchase one to start up, upon completion.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • All set for Apiate explosion victims to be resettled at Bogoso Kojokrom

    Preparatory works on the proposed site at Bogoso-Kojokrom for the resettlement of the displaced victims of the Apiate explosion is about 90 per cent complete.

    The victims are to be resettled at the new site, beginning Wednesday, January 26.

    “We will move them to the new place because where there are a lot of health concerns,” Dr Isaac Dasamani, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Prestea Huni-Valley, told the GNA.

    “The plan is that tomorrow we will start sending some of the relief items to the site and ensure that we prepare the site adequately for them.”

    “There is water available, washrooms available and we have put a lot of security measures in place,” he added.

    The new temporary site is expected to accommodate about six hundred people.

    This is because some of the victims have moved to stay with their relatives in neighbouring communities.

    The MCE was confident that the work done so far was enough to accommodate the over six hundred people while working on the rebuilding project.

    He explained that the mounted tents at the site would be shared according to households, adding that a family would receive either a bigger or smaller tent depending on the size.

    A bigger tent, he said, could accommodate about 15 people while the smaller tents could only take six people.

    The idea, the MCE said, was to provide the avenue for the people to do their cooking, adding items such as coal pot, charcoal and others would be provided.

    He said a tent had been designated to serve as a clinic, where nurses would be stationed to see to the health needs of the people.

    Additionally, he said an entertainment room fixed with Television sets would also be designated to provide entertainment for the people.

    The MCE said the concentration was on how to provide the people with basic amenities to make their life comfortable and assured that the assembly would do everything to achieve that.

    Dr Dasmani said the reconstruction of the Appiatse community would start in earnest as soon as all the necessary protocols, including further consultations with relevant state agencies, were completed.

    Also, arrangements were being made to get the bodies of the deceased released to their relatives for burial.

    Source: GNA

  • 3 students stabbed in a week, security beefed up at Ejisu Snr High Technical

    Fear has gripped hundreds of students of the Ejisu Senior High and Technical School following the stabbing of three students within a spate of one week.

    The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ejisu, Samuel Oduro, has linked the attack to tensions between the students and some youth of Ejisu.

    “They have been fighting in recent times, the students have been complaining of phone snatching,” he said.

    The victims are all final-year students and, currently, receiving treatment at the Ejisu Government Hospital.

    Five suspects are facing court today, Thursday, January 27.

    Meanwhile, the Municipal Security Council is meeting to address security concerns.

    Source: 3news.com

  • Government determined to reconstruct Apiate community – Lands Minister

    Samuel A. Jinapor, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources has assured chiefs and people of Apiate that the government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will make available the needed resources for the reconstruction and restoration of the town.

    According to him, the government has resolved to ensure that the town is redeveloped into a modern town, equipped with electricity, good road network and other key Amenities.

    “We are here to get a sense of the situation on the ground for purposes of the reconstruction of this community. We had a fruitful tour of the area and have equally engaged community members including the opinion leaders. It is very refreshing that the State Housing Company has done some considerable work of the structures we are dealing with.

    “President Akufo-Addo is committed and government will take the necessary steps to reconstruct the Appiate community. Yesterday, I launched the Apiate Support Fund which was on the instructions of the President to help the Community members as well as use it for the reconstruction of the community, he maintained.

    The Joint visit by the Ministers for Lands and Natural Resources and Works and Housing enabled them to undertake a comprehensive tour to assess progress made by state agencies working at the scene.

    At a meeting with the chiefs and people of Apiate prior to his tour of the community, he reaffirmed the commitment of the government to ensure that such disaster does not reoccur in mining related communities.

    He also disclosed that whiles efforts are being made to reconstruct the community, government will activate all necessary disaster responses to ensure that the victims and community members in general are well catered for.

    “From here we will put in place the necessary framework and mechanism to move forward with the reconstruction of the community. Government is extremely committed to unleash the necessary responses to this disaster. The government is determined to rebuild this community,” he emphasised.

    The Minister for works and housing Francis Asenso Boakye pledged his outfits readiness through the Department of rural housing the State Housing Company to work closely with the Lands Ministry to implement the resettlement plan.

    At a brief visit to the temporary resettlement area which is almost completed for the victims, the two Ministers of State reaffirmed their resolve to help address the needs of the community particularly on the reconstruction scheme.

    On Thursday, January 2022, a truck carrying explosives from Maxam Ghana limited collided with a motorcycle which caused an explosion at Appiatse, a suburb of Bogoso in the Western Region. 13 people have been so far recorded dead and many others with varying degrees of injures currently responding to treatment at hospitals in the region.

    The Minister was accompanied on the working visit by the Western Regional Minister, Hon. Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, his Deputies and other officials.

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • Leyland Paint producers surcharged GH¢206k for illegal water connection

    Producers of Leyland Paint have been fished out by the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) for illegally connecting water for more than 36 months. The paint-producing company has been surcharged in excess of GH¢206,000.

    A report by graphiconline.com noted that the company was surcharged after GWCL’s Accra West Region office inspected the company’s premises in North Industrial Area.

    The Public Relations Officer of GWCL for Accra West, Solace Akomeah, is reported to have mentioned in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM that they found out the paint manufacturing company had illegally connected water to their tanks and cooling system.

    The company, however, refuted, saying they receive water from water tankers.

    Solace Akomeah stated that the meter in the company had recorded zero consumption. Despite claims by the company to be using water tanker services, GWCL’s checks proved otherwise.

    The GWCL PRO reacting to how such a major leakage was left unnoticed for 36 months, said some cases of illegal connection go unnoticed since the GWCL serves numerous customers.

    She was, however, quick to add that random inspections help in apprehending culprits, as has been done in this case.

    Businesses and households involved in illegal connections have been warned to desist from it or risk being called out and surcharged.

    She further stated that their offices are open to businesses and households engaged in illegal water connections to rectify their mistakes and regularize their water supply.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • President Akufo-Addo, others to receive Otumfuo commemorative gold coin

    Following the launch of the Otumfuo Gold Coin on December 12, 2021, to recognise His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for his tremendous role in peacebuilding and national development, the organisers of the event, EON 3 Group, has embarked on special presentations of the Gold Coin to selected personalities.

    KGL Group acquired the first of the 24- karat Commemorative Gold Coin for One Million Ghana Cedis (GH¢1,000,000.00).

    Otumfuo Osei Osei Tutu II, in whose honour the gold coin was launched, has also been presented with the second of the Gold Coin.

    Dates for Presentation

    From January 27, 2022 to February 24, 2022, 20 personalities would be presented with the Gold Coin to demonstrate their resolve to support Otumfuo to further build on his peace initiatives.

    Top on the list is H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who will be receiving the 3rd coin; the Vice President; H.E. Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is billed to receive the 4th gold coin; Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin is scheduled to receive the 5th gold coin; the Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah, will be receiving the 6th gold coin; former President, John Agyekum Kufuor, will be presented with the 7th gold coin; H.E. John Dramani Mahama, former President will receive the 8th gold coin; Chief of Staff, Hon. Akosua Frema Osei- Opare will be presented with the 9th gold coin; Dr. Ernest Addision, Governor of the Bank of Ghana is scheduled to receive the 10th gold coin,

    Majority Leader in Parliament, Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu will be presented with the 11th gold coin; Minority Leader of Parliament, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, will be receiving the 12th gold coin, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, President of the National House of Chiefs, will be presented with the 13th gold coin; Rev. Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi will be receiving the 14th gold coin; Executive Chairman of Jonah Capital, Sir Sam Jonah will be presented with the 15th gold coin; His Eminence, Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, the National Chief Imam is scheduled to receive the 16th gold coin; Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor will be presented the 17th gold coins; Rev. Daniel Ogbarmey Tetteh, Director General of Securities And Exchange Commission is slated to receive the 18th gold coin; Hon. Godfred Yeboah Dame, Attorney General and Minister of justice will be presented with the 19th gold coin; the Chief of the Defence Staff, Rear Admiral Seth Amoama will be receiving the 20th gold coin; the Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare will receive the 21st gold coin, while Mr Frank Adu, former Managing Director of Cal Bank receives the 22nd gold coin. Also, to receive the gold coin at a special event is the Ya Na Abukari II.

    Other Kingdoms

    Other Kingdoms and personalities in Africa, as well as other parts of the world, will also be presented with the gold coin at later dates.

    Diplomatic Corps

    Also scheduled is a meeting with the Diplomatic Corps to share with them Otumfuo’s upcoming peace initiatives and the purpose for the issuance of the gold coin.

    Achievements

    Key among Otumfuo’s achievements manifested in the Dagbon Peace Initiative where he led the Committee of Eminent Chiefs to broker peace between the two feuding royal gates after many years of a biting chieftaincy dispute.

    His Royal Majesty is also celebrated for calming tension in the buildup to the 2012 General Elections when he got the presidential candidates for the contesting political parties to meet in Kumasi to commit to peace by signing on to the famous Kumasi Declaration.

    Otumfuo is also credited for stepping in to amicably resolve the conflict between Techiman and four towns that owe allegiance to the Golden Stool.

    When the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) was plunged into crisis in October 2018, Otumfuo was at hand to douse the flames and restore normalcy to the institution.

    Within Asanteman, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has ensured that all chieftaincy disputes that disturbed the progress of Asanteman were settled peacefully.

    In recognition of his immense accomplishments in peacebuilding, the President of the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly invited him to address the UN General Assembly High-Level Forum on Culture of Peace during the 25th anniversary of the Adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on Culture of Peace on September 12, 2019.

    Key partners

    EON 3 Group organised the launch in collaboration with key partners made up of Manhyia Palace, KLG Group, Access Bank, Gold Coast Refinery, Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC), and Coronation Insurance.

    Access Bank is the official banking partner of the Gold Coins, Gold Coast Refinery is the official minting company for the Commemorative Gold Coins, Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) is keeping custody of the Gold Coins, while Coronation Insurance is the official insurance company.

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • All street traders will be cleared off effective February 1 Minister

    Effective February 1, 2022, all traders plying their trade along the principal streets of Accra will be cleared off, the Greater Accra Regional Minister has said.

    According to the minister, Henry Quartey, traders were given a grace period to undertake their businesses along the streets in the capital as a result of the festive season but that grace period has elapsed, hence the need for them to return to their respective markets.

    “We will be tackling areas like Circle, and we will ensure that traders and what are known as floating commercial vehicles will not do business on the streets.”

    Traders in the capital have been known to encroach on walkways, impeding human traffic.

    Decongesting the street has been a temporary approach by the government as traders normally return after a few weeks.

    Addressing various trader unions in Accra ahead of the rollout of the Operation Clean Your Frontage program, Mr. Quartey, cautioned transport operators who park indiscriminately on the streets and persons who ply their trade along the streets to refrain from such acts.

    “Then we will look at Kaneshie from First Light all the way to Obetsebi Lamptey Circle then Farisco area all the way to UTC and back and then Tudu as well.”

    Source: happyghana.com

  • 68.2% of households yet to recover to pre-pandemic income levels GSS

    The third wave of the COVID-19 Households and Job Tracker conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service has revealed that the majority of households are yet to recover from the shock of the pandemic.

    Data for the exercise was collected in the first two weeks of December 2021 and all the answers are self-reported.

    It said two-thirds (68.3 percent) surveyed said their income had not been recovered to pre-pandemic levels.

    According to the survey, only 26.7 percent of respondents indicated that their total household income stayed the same as compared to the period before COVID-19 (March 16, 2020).

    It said 5.1 percent of respondents indicated that their total income increased.

    The survey revealed that most households resorted to borrowing in the heat of the pandemic to eke out the living.

    “The survey identified that approximately 86.7 percent of households used some sort of coping strategy to deal with the negative effects of COVID-19 since March 2020,” the survey revealed.

    It said the most common coping strategies included relying on savings (43.0 percent) and reducing food consumption (42.9 percent).

    The survey revealed that households spent GH12 on Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs) per week on average.

    “The median expenditure on PPEs (masks, sanitizers, face shields per household on the seven days before the interviews were 12.0 and the mean expenditure 22.0. Median expenditure was slightly higher in urban areas (14) than in rural areas (10.3),” the survey, said.

    It said of the zones, both the median (15) and mean (25.3) expenditure was the highest in the coastal zone, while 68.2% indicated that their household income decreased, adding that different sources of income, non-farm family business income saw the biggest reduction.

    The survey said 77.3 percent of households with income derived from a non-farm family business saw a decrease in income and only 4.4 percent reported an increase in income.

    The 4.2 percent of households who got income from pension saw the smallest change of this income source. 76.7 percent, however, reported no change in pension income, 13.0 percent, a reduction and 10.3 percent an increase.

    It said 73.4 percent indicated that they experienced an increase in the price of major food items consumed and 46.5 percent indicated that they were affected by the increase of the price of inputs.

    The survey revealed that 58.7 percent o of households indicated that they were affected by the school closures, but the majority (92.1 percent) of households indicated that this shock occurred in 2020.

    It said for the purpose of the survey the regions had been combined in geographical zones. Western, Central, Greater Accra, and the Volta Region into the Coastal zone, Eastern, Ashanti, Ahafo, Western North, Bono, Bono East, and Oti Region into the Forest zone and Northern, North East, Upper West, Upper East, and Savannah Region into the Savannah zone.

    Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

  • Coronavirus: Manufacturing plant for vaccines coming Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says BioNTech, the German biotechnology company, will contribute to the construction of a modular production facility for vaccines such as those for malaria and tuberculosis in Ghana.

    Speaking at the 73rd edition of the Annual New Year School and Conference, held at the University of Ghana, Legon, President Akufo-Addo stated that Ghana is also on her way to establishing domestic manufacturing plants for fill, finish and packaging of COVID-19 vaccines.

    According to the President, “I will, on 16th February, together with His Excellency M. Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal, and His Excellency Mr. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, inspect in Marburg, Germany, the production facilities that we need to employ to this end. We are going to build a pan-African project with these two (2) sister African nations, where, initially, the fill and finish plant will be located in Ghana.”

    He continued, “BioNTech of Germany, the now renowned health technology company, which works with Pfizer, has agreed to be our partner, and will contribute also to the construction of a modular production facility for other vaccines as well, such as those for malaria and tuberculosis in Ghana.”

    Delivering a speech on the theme, “COVID-19 and Socio-Economic Dynamics in Ghana”, the President stated that the pandemic has illustrated vividly the need for self-reliance in all areas of social and economic life.

    “That is why the Government encouraged and facilitated the domestic manufacture of personal protective equipment at the height of their global shortages, which has enabled Ghanaian companies, today, to be exporting such products within the ECOWAS Region. It is key that we also break the cycle of dependence on foreigners in the fields of science and medicine, as well,” he said.

    President Akufo-Addo reiterated that Ghana should never be in the situation “of beggars that we were at the height of the pandemic when we could not access vaccines, which were being hoarded by the rich, developed nations of the world. Charity, they quite rightly say, begins at home.”

    He urged all Ghanaians to get vaccinated, and help end the spread of the virus in the country, as the science indicates that getting vaccinated “is the most efficient way to defeat the virus and go back to our normal way of life, re-open fully our economy, and return our nation onto the path of progress and prosperity.”

    The President indicated that Government has succeeded in securing considerable quantities of vaccines for the country, numbering nearly 26 million doses so far, with more on the way.

    “Thus far, a total of ten million, four hundred and fifty-one thousand, six hundred and sixty-two (10,451,662) vaccine doses have been administered. Seven million and seventy thousand, seven hundred and nineteen (7,070,719) persons have received at least one jab, with three million, three hundred and eighty thousand, nine hundred and forty-nine (3,380,943) persons fully vaccinated. So, I entreat all those who have not been vaccinated to do so. Our responsibility to one another requires that we be vaccinated,” he added.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Three-member Zambian delegation in town to study Ghana’s Parliament

    A three-member delegation from the National Assembly of Zambia is in Ghana for a five-day study visit of Ghana’s Parliament.

    The delegation, led by Madam Princess Kasune, Deputy Government Chief Whip, National Assembly of Zambia, is accompanied by Mrs. Cynthia Nkyeraa, a Senior and National Relations Assistant and a Principal Clerk.

    The visit is intended to deepen the relations between Ghana’s Parliament and Zambia’s Legislature.

    Mr. Alban Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament, in his opening address for the House on Tuesday in the Second Session of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana, introduced and welcomed the delegation.

    He called for the necessary and related learning assistance to the delegation to make their study trip worthwhile.

    Parliament resumed sitting on Tuesday after the legislators took a break for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

    The Second Session of the Eighth Parliament will see the passage of bills and agreements, including the contentious Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) Bill.

    Parliament was compelled to adjourn its sitting to January 25, 2022, without passing the controversial 1.75 per cent E- Levy.

    The Bill was brought after the House reconvened on December 21, 2021, following the abrupt suspension of sittings by the Second Deputy Speaker, Mr. Andrews Asiamah, after a scuffle during the voting on the levy.

    Source: GNA

  • COVID-19: Your responsibility to one another is to get vaccinated Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said our responsibility to one another as Ghanaian citizens is to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

    Therefore, the president has urged all Ghanaians to get vaccinated to help curb the further spread of the virus in the country.

    Speaking at the 73rd annual New Year School in Accra on Tuesday, 25 January 2022, on the theme “COVID-19 and Socio-Economic Dynamics in Ghana”, President Akufo-Addo said: “The science tells us that [it is] the most efficient way to defeat the virus and go back to our normal way of life, reopen fully our economy and return our nation on to the path of progress and prosperity.”

    He noted that most of those infected with COVID-19 so far have not been immunised yet and rehashed the need for everyone to get vaccinated.

    “And for the sceptics, they should take note of the data that says that 80 per cent of those who are currently infected are those who have not been vaccinated.

    “That is enough to tell us about the value of vaccination,” President Akufo-Addo said.

    The president further noted that “a total of 10,451,662 vaccine doses have been administered. Seven million, seventy thousand, seven hundred and nineteen persons have received at least one jab, with 3,380,949 persons fully vaccinated” across the country so far.

    He called on persons who are yet to be vaccinated to do so.

    “So, I entreat all those who have not yet been vaccinated to do so. Our responsibility to one another requires that we be vaccinated.”

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Minority deliberately frustrating & stamping business of govt – NPP MP

    The Member of Parliament for Kwesimintsim, Mr Prince Armah, alleges that the Minority group is deliberately frustrating government business in the House.

    The MP speaking to journalists upon resumption of sitting yesterday, Tuesday, January 25, 2022, called for cool heads to prevail cooperation from both sides for a successful consensus-building on the matter of the E-Levy.

    He, however, accused the Minority of frustrating government business.

    Per his personal opinion, the Minority wants to stampede and frustrate the government, and there is demonstrable evidence to show that they have an intention to frustrate the government.

    The MP expects that having returned from the Christmas break and reflecting over what happened in the House, he is looking forward to parliament where there would be the contestation of ideas and not confrontations.

    He urged members from both sides of the House to consider the interest of Ghanaians and help the government achieve its target.

    The MP, when asked to confirm his assertions that the Minority was frustrating government business, said: “certainly I think so. I sincerely do. I might be wrong, but this is my personal opinion. I think they are emboldened and strengthened by the numbers they have in the House, and they think they can use their numbers to stampede and frustrate government business. That is my personal belief.”

    He maintained that Ghanaians voted for the current MP for them to work together, and as legislators, they cannot do anything aside from what Ghanaians want.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • National Security scheming to buy and import confusion into NDC Edudzi Tamakloe claims

    An aide to former President John Dramani Mahama, Godwin Edudzi Kudzo Tamakloe, has accused the ruling New Patriotic Party of scheming through the National Security architecture to create confusion in the National Democratic Congress ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

    According to him, the NPP in their upcoming flagbearer elections is set up for internal conflicts and therefore aims to prevent John Mahama from having a smooth sail to regain power in the next presidential election.

    “Obviously, when you look at what is currently ongoing in the NPP where we have Alan, Bawumia and Akoto all coming into the contest, we are going back to the 2007 NPP flagbearer contest. That time they were 17. This time they won’t be up to that number, but it is going to be extremely acrimonious.

    “The information we are picking up is that the National Security has put up a project to create the same acrimony in the NDC. They have put up that strategy because they do not want John Dramani Mahama to have a smooth sail even in the flagbearer contest. What it is is that they are going to buy and import acrimony into NDC. They want to import the same acrimony ongoing in the NPP into the NDC so that when there is fire in the NPP, there will be fire burning in the NDC also,” he stated in reaction to recent comments by NDC flagbearer hopeful Kojo Bonsu about former President John Dramani Mahama.

    Lawyer Tamakloe further alleged that the said scheme is backed by a slush fund whose only access requirement is a direct attack on his boss.

    “This project is well funded; all you need to do to access the fund is to attack John Mahama. Immediately you start attacking John Mahama, you will be called and asked for a budget,” he alleged.

    Kojo Bosu describes John Mahama as a non-viable candidate for NDC in 2024

    Mr Kojo Bonsu, in a recent interview on Citi TV, described former President Mahama as a non-viable candidate of the NDC for the 2024 presidential election because the ruling New Patriotic Party has succeeded in sullying his name with corruption and promiscuity.

    In his interview with Citi TV, Mr Kojo Bonsu said, “I stand a better chance than Mr Mahama because I have not been sullied; it’s so sad,” he bemoaned.

    The NDC flagbearer hopeful further added, “He, Mr Mahama, is a great gentleman, speaks very well, very affable, but he has been put in the mud so much. They have tagged him with corruption, women affair’s and we in the NDC have not been able to defend him.”

    But reacting to the statement on Okay FM, Tamakloe slammed the former Kumasi Mayor, saying it is not wise for a man to say such things about his fellow man.

    “A man who stands in public and accuses his fellow of being promiscuous, is such a man wise? From his statement, that is what he is claiming, and I am saying a wise man does not stand in public and accuse his fellow of philandering. How about himself? Is it men that he likes?” he questioned.

    While recognising Kojo Bonsu’s constitutional right to contest in the NDC flagbearership, Tamakloe urged the former mayor to go about his business in “a very civil manner with some decorum.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Jealous fetish priest reportedly shoots testicles of 25-year-old man in a fight over woman

    A 39-year-old Fetish Priest is being held by the Mankranso Police for allegedly shooting a man in his testicle in a fight over a woman at Dwenewoho in the Ahafo Ano South West District of the Ashanti Region.

    The victim, Kwasi Peter, 25, was said to have been shot on Monday, January 24, 2022, after accusing the suspect of having sex with his wife.

    Speaking to OTEC News Kwame Agyenim Boateng, the victim, Kwasi Peter said he confronted the priest after seeing him with his wife in compromising positions on several occasions.

    “I never believed rumors about the affair between the priest and my wife until I saw the two going on errands on several occasions mostly around 11-pm in the night. I confronted him when my wife’s attitude confirmed her affair with the priest but he shot me in the process.

    “This is not the first time he’s sleeping with a married woman man, we have evidence of his acts in our community and so could not sit down for him to destroy my marriage,” he said.

    The suspect who has only been identified as Okomfo Raster according to eye witness shot the victim with a single barrel gun.

    While Kwasi Peter is currently nursing his wounds at the Mankranso Government Hospital, the suspect is currently in the grip of the police assisting investigations.

    Meanwhile, some area boys who were infuriated by the incident have also burned down the house of the priest.

    The Assembly Member of the area Emmanuel Kobi Tumfour who confirmed this said calm has however been restored in the community following the arrest of the Priest.

    Source: otecfmghana.com

  • Ghana must be gravely concerned about coups in West Africa Adib Saani

    A security expert, Adib Saani has indicated that the national security apparatus of Ghana must be gravely concerned about the frequency of coups in West Africa.

    In an interview with GhanaWeb, Adib Saani said it would be a mistake for Ghana to consider the recent military takeovers in Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso as domestic.
    According to him, terrorist groups take advantage of the chaos caused by coups to set up camps.

    “According to a US Department of State report published in 2002, usually terrorists take advantage of political upheavals in countries to establish foot forward like it happened in Suban in 1990s where Al-Qaeda established it’s base there and of course it happened in Somalia 1990s when Al-Shabab established a foot hold there,” he told GhanaWeb.

    Adib Saani said the coups and the chaos associated with them in neighbouring countries would have serious effects on Ghana.

    “Coups would have very serious effects (on Ghana); in the midst of all the chaos terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda, Al-Shabab, ISIS in the Greater Sahara would take advantage of the confusion to reorganise, resupply logistics and of course move around and Ghana is certainly part of the whole area in which there could be movements,” he said.

    He added that the porous borders of Ghana even made things worse.

    “Terrorists from Burkina Faso can move into the country particularly owing to how porous our borders are, not coming to stage attacks but perhaps to establish sleeper cells for maybe attacks in the future,” Adib added.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Uganda floods kill 9 including a child

    At least nine people, including a child, have died following floods and mudslides in Kisoro district in south-western Uganda.

    Eight of the bodies had been retrieved by Tuesday afternoon, the Ugandan Red Cross said.

    “The ninth is a child that was caught up by the mudslide while running. So no one knows where exactly to dig,” it said.

    The heavy rains destroyed homes, roads and other infrastructure.

    On Wednesday, the Red Cross said it was providing emergency relief for some 300 families affected by the disaster.

    The organisation had earlier tweeted images showing some of the damage:

    Source: BBC

  • WhatsApp brings back an old function

    WhatsApp is constantly working on adding and improving its features to provide quality service. On this occasion, it seeks to return to an ease that it had been used to offer.

    This is the help or technical support assistant that enables users to communicate with a representative who can give them a hand in the event of problems in the operation of the application. However, and for now, it will not be available to all people.

    This WhatsApp technical support can be accessed by users who have the beta or trial version. In the case of devices with Android operating system, it is version 2.22.3.5; while on iOS, it is at version 22.2.72. It is not a very old function, but it knew how to be until last year, when it disappeared.

    However, those who have this application format available can access this service by simply going to the “Settings” section; then “Help”, and finally select “Contact us”. In this way, people can interact through a chat room with an assistant who will help you solve a problem.

    It should be noted that these conversations have a green sign that identifies it as an official WhatsApp service. Problems that can be reported include everything from malfunctions to scams.

    Source: 24 News

  • Ghanaian Professor appointed acting Vice-Chancellor of University of Kigali

    A chartered marketer, Professor Robert Ebo Hinson has been appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kigali in Rwanda,

    His appointment took effect from Wednesday, January 19, 2022.

    Prof Hinson replaces Professor Gustave Tombola, the immediate past Vice-Chancellor until a substantive Vice-Chancellor is appointed.

    As a skilled University Administrator, Professor Hinson started his academic career in the year 2003.

    He was also ranked the leading Marketing Scholar in Africa in 2021.

    Until his appointment, he was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic at the University of Kigali and served as external examiner to several notable Universities in Africa and Europe.

    He has acted as Director of Institutional Advancement at the University of Ghana, Head of Department, Head of Hall and Coordinator of the MSc. International Business Degree Programme in the same University.

    He also had the privilege to serve as Rector of the Perez University College in Ghana in 2018.

    The appointee holds a doctorate degree in Marketing from the University of Ghana and a second in International Business from the Aalborg University Business School in Denmark and a Chartered Marketing qualification from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK.

    Source: MyJoyOnline.com

  • Stop discriminating against persons living with disabilities Wenchi MP to Ghanaians

    The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Wenchi constituency in the Bono region, Alhaji Haruna Seidu, has underscored the need for Ghanaians to end any form of discrimination against physically challenged persons.

    He said, “People living with disabilities (PWD) rather deserve love and support so that they could strive”.

    Alhaji Haruna gave the call when he presented 36 brand new wheelchairs to some PWDs in the Wenchi Municipality.

    He said caring for the PWDs should be a shared responsibility but not a business for one man.

    “I encourage everyone to come on board to get physically challenged persons off the streets by providing them with their needs and wants.

    We could be building a just, content and thriving society,”  the Wenchi MP stressed.

    Presenting the items, Alhaji Haruna said he provided 36 wheelchairs instead of the original 31 requested by the PWDs in Wenchi.

    This, he noted will cater for any other persons who have not been captured by the register.

    Stop discriminating against persons living with disabilities Wenchi MP to Ghanaians

    “I hope these wheelchairs will aid you in your day-to-day activities so take good care of them to last longer,” Alhaji Haruna noted.

    Chairman of the Wenchi Municipal Physically Challenged Association, Richard Ofosu Ameyaw, commended the MP for his benevolence.

    He stated that the wheelchairs will be of immense help to members of his association.

    “I will implore the society to help their physically challenged relatives to live meaningfully rather than begging on the streets,” he said.

    Stop discriminating against persons living with disabilities Wenchi MP to Ghanaians
    PLWDs with Alhaji Haruna

    One of the beneficiaries, Elizabeth Asantewaa, appealed to the MP to help their colleagues who needed walking aids other than wheelchairs for easy movement.

    She expressed gratitude to the Wenchi MP for the resolve to alleviate the suffering of PWDs in the Wenchi Municipality.

    Source: myjoyonline.com

  • Outrage in Ejisu as loader carries massive log over heads of terrified residents

    2 minutes

    People in a section of Ejisu, a major town in the Ashanti Region expressed concerns after a massive log was driven through town.

    In a viral video purportedly recorded on January 14 and posted on social media platform Tik Tok, a truck known as the knuckle-boom loader is carrying the huge log jerked above the heads of traders along a road.

    People were heard screaming as they question the propriety of driving through a populated area of town with such a load.

    According to a commentary that accompanies the video, the driver is being asked to stop as scared people scamper for their lives but he drives towards a roundabout said to be the Ejisu roundabout takes a turn and joins another road.

    “Is this guy not normal? What is he doing? My God, is this Ejisu? And there is even a policeman standing there, there is a policeman standing,” the commentator laments in Twi as the truck drives away.

    The video has been widely shared on social media platforms attracting lots of concerns about the propriety and safety of doing so.

    A digital communications officer at the presidency, Charles Nii Teiko Tagoe shared the video with a caption: “We are indeed Ghanaians. The commentary at the background though.”

    Watch the video here:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Most Ghanaians fear to test for Covid-19 because of Stigma GSS survey

    The majority of Ghanaians have never tested for Covid-19 because of the fear of stigma around testing positive, a Ghana Statistical Service survey has shown.

    The survey conducted in the first two weeks of December 2021 showed that only 21.6 percent of Ghanaians had ever been tested for Covid-19.

    Apart from the fear of stigma, some of the people interviewed cited the unavailability or distance to a testing facility for not getting tested for Covid-19.

    The data was collected from a total of 7,999 households in the first two weeks of December 2021 across the country.

    In a brief on the impact of the Covid-19 Households and Jobs Tracker Survey Report, Mr Victor Boateng Owusu, Senior Statistician, and Project Coordinator said the survey revealed that Covid-19 was not a major reason for people not working, adding that only 4.3 percent of the respondents gave Covid-19 as a reason for not working.

    Touching on the nine indicators of the wellbeing of children between four and 17 years old, Mr Owusu said improvements were reported compared to the period before January 2021 when schools were reopened.

    He said Children felt less distressed, less afraid, and less sad but also less likely to experience physical punishment and less likely to work.

    Mr Owusu said only 26.7 percent of Ghanaians indicated that their total household income stayed the same as compared to the period before Covid-19, adding that 5.1 percent of citizens indicated that their total income increased while 68.2 percent indicated that their household income decreased.

    “Of the different sources of income, non-farm family business income saw the biggest reduction. 77.3 percent of households with income derived from a non-farm family business saw a decrease in income and only 4.4 percent reported an increase in income,” it

    He said 4.2 percent of households, who got income from pension, saw the smallest change of this income source while 76.7 percent reported no change in pension income, 13.0 percent a reduction, and 10.3 percent an increase.

    It said the median expenditure on Personal Protective Equipment (masks, sanitisers, face shields, etc.) per household on the seven days before the interviews was 12.0 Ghana cedis and the mean expenditure of 22.0 cedis, adding that the Median expenditure was slightly higher in urban areas (14 GH?) than in rural areas (10.3 GH?).

    Approximately, 87 percent of households used some sort of coping strategy such as relying on savings and reducing food consumption to deal with the negative effects of Covid-19 since March 2020.

    It stated that 73.4 percent indicated that an increase in prices was the most common shock experienced by households due to Covid-19 since March 2020.

    “Rural households were less food secure than urban households and the coastal zone was more food secure on all indicators than the national average with the exception of the percentage of households that indicated they ran out of food,” Mr Owusu said.

    Source: GNA

  • Gov’t suspends licence of Joceyderk Logistics over Apiate explosion

    Government has suspended the licence of Joceyderk Logistics Limited, a clearing, warehousing, and logistics company, sub-contracted by Maxam Ghana Limited to transport explosives on its behalf.

    This is to allow fair and impartial investigation into the Apiate explosion.

    Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources gave the directive in a letter sighted by the Ghana News Agency in Accra.

    He asked the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission to carry out the directive with immediate effect.

    The letter stated: “Preliminary investigations show that Maxam Ghana Limited sub-contracted Joceyderk Logistics Limited, a company registered by the Minerals Commission to undertake clearing, warehousing, and transportation of explosives, to transport the said explosives on behalf of Maxam Ghana Limited.”

    “Government has commenced extensive investigation into the matter including the cause and the immediate aftermath of the incident.”

    “To ensure a fair and impartial investigation into the circumstances leading to the incident, you’re hereby directed, in accordance with Article 297 of the Constitution and Regulation 27 of the Minerals and Mining (Explosives) Regulations, 2012 (L.I 2177), to suspend the registration of Joceyderk Logistics Limited with the Minerals Commission.”

    The directive, thereby, precludes the company from all mining and mine support services, pending the outcome of investigations into the matter.

    On Thursday, January 20, 2022, a truck conveying explosives had an accident along the Bogoso-Bawdie road resulting in a huge explosion at Appiatse, killing 14 people, injuring 179, and displacing more than 300 residents.

    Vice President Bawumia led a government delegation to the community to commiserate with the bereaved families and the injured.

    On behalf of the Government, Dr. Bawumia donated GHc200,000 for the upkeep of the affected persons.

    The emergency response team dispatched to the place has distributed mattresses, cooking oil, and toiletries to the residents.

    Source: GNA

  • Apiate explosion: Rebecca Akufo-Addo donates to victims, families

    The first lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo has through her non-governmental organization, The Rebecca Foundation has made a donation of some relief items to the people of Apiate in the Western region.

    Residents of the area have been left distraught as a result of an explosion that left the whole town flattened.

    The police explained that a preliminary investigation into the cause of the explosion had established that a mining explosive vehicle moving from Tarkwa to Chirano mines collided with a motorcycle resulting in the explosion.

    Condolences and support have since been pouring in for the residents whose livelihoods have been snuffed.

    In a post on her social media handle, Rebecca Akufo-Addo entreated Ghanaians to continue donating to the victims to bring them relief as they struggle to return to a life of normalcy.

    “I am truly touched by the Ghanaian spirit of compassion, kindness and generosity, following the tragic events at Apiate Bogoso. On Saturday 22nd January, the Rebecca Foundation, sent some relief items to our brothers and sisters in Apiate Bogoso.

    We continue to pray for them, as we encourage all to support the affected families” Rebecca Akufo-Addo posted on her social media handle on Monday, January 24, 2022.

    See photos below

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • No soldier involved in Buipe car snatching GAF

    The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has denied reports suggesting that a soldier was involved in an alleged armed robbery attack in Tamale.

    According to them, the suspect who was captured in a viral video wearing military camouflage is not a soldier of the Ghana Armed Forces.

    “The attention of the Ghana Armed Forces has been drawn to several videos and pictures on various social media platforms of the arrest of a car snatching syndicate at Buipe who are alleged to have attacked and snatched a car from a victim at Tamale. In the said videos and pictures, one of the suspects is seen wearing military camouflage uniform and has been described variously as a soldier of the Ghana Armed Forces,” the statement indicated.

    On January, 23, the Ghana police arrested five suspected robbers in the Savannah Region following a robbery in Tamale.

    In a viral video from the Police Station, the five suspects included a soldier allegedly attached to Burma Camp who was in military uniform.

    The five robbery suspects were said to have snatched a Toyota Camry saloon car from its owner at a residential area in Tamale and bolted.

    However, reports from the police suggest that the Police pursued them and succeeded in arresting them at Buipe.

    The police found and retrieved among other things, a G3 Riffle and a pistol.

    In a statement by the Acting Director Public Relations, Commander Andy La-Anyane, he indicated that there is a rise in the use of military camouflage by civilians to defraud people.

    He however indicated that they are ready to work with the police to unravel the source of the military uniform in this particular incident, to stop sale of military uniforms across the country,

    “We wish to state categorically that the suspect is not a soldier of the Ghana Armed Forces. The Armed Forces is worried about the rising spate of impersonation by civilians, either wearing military uniforms or posting of fake pictures of themselves as military officers to defraud unsuspecting Ghanaians. The unauthorised sale of military uniforms and military pattern gadgets by some vendors contributes to this state of affairs and is inimical to national security.”

    Below is the statement:


    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Another suspect in Mamobi-Nima violent clash arrested

    The Ghana Police Service has arrested another suspect involved in the recent clash in Mamobi-Nima.

    In a post by the Ghana Police Service on Facebook, the suspect Farouk Dauda alias Omondi, aged 31 years was arrested in his hideout in a suburb of Accra based on intelligence, after having gone into hiding following the incident which occurred on January 18, 2022.

    “The Police in collaboration with the National Investigation Bureau (NIB), yesterday Sunday, January 23, 2022, arrested suspect Farouk Dauda alias Omondi, aged 31 years, who was part of the rioters of the Mamobi-Nima clash. Suspect Farouk Dauda was arrested at his hideout in a suburb of Accra based on intelligence, after having been into hiding after the incident which occurred on January 18, 2022,” the police noted in a Facebook post.

    The police also revealed the suspect admitted his involvement in the said clash where he was captured in video footage wielding a machete.

    “During interrogation, he admitted his involvement in the said clash where he was captured in a video footage wielding a machete as he identified himself in the said video footage,” the police indicated.

    He is currently in Police custody assisting with investigations.



    Background

    On January, 18, two rival groups at Mamoni-Nima clashed, resulting in the firing of gunshots.

    Young men suspected to be members of two rival groups were seen in a viral video wielding guns, machetes and clubs, parading the streets of Nima.

    The two gangster groups, the Bombom group, led by Ali Awusi, alias Bombom, and the Kumodzi group, led by Ibrahim Hussa, said to be based at Mamobi and Nima, respectively, had been opposing each other in the past.

    The police subsequently arrested nine people in connection with the clash and retrieved a number of weapons.

    The police added that efforts are being made to arrest all other persons involved in the violent incident.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Soldiers reportedly beat up governments galamsey task force at Asankragwa

    An illegal mining task force under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is alleged to have been brutalized by some military officers on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at Asankragwa in the Western Region of Ghana.  

    In a voice recording of the incident sighted by GhanaWeb, the soldiers are heard interrogating some members of the task force on their mission in the area. 

    A lady who identified herself as Mabel Hammond working in the Office of the President told one of the soldiers that there were commissioned by the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker to apprehend illegal miners on and near water bodies and hand them over to the police. 

    “We work for Honourable George Mirelu Duker under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. He appointed us as a task force,” she told the officer. 

    While the interrogation was ongoing, sounds of whipping and commanding shouts such as “heads up” is heard in the background of the voice audio.  

    Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in a statement has said the ministry is assisting in investigations to establish the facts surrounding the encounter between the task force and the military officers. 

    While confirming the appointment of the task force to fight against illegal mining, the statement said the task force was dispatched to Enchi in the Western-North Region upon receipt of information that some illegal mining activities were taking place in the area.  

    According to the statement, the task force while reporting back to Accra after their work in the region identified an illegal mining site along the Manso-Amenfi road and effected the arrest of two persons.  

    “The Deputy Minister in charge of Mining was duly informed and they were advised to contact the DCE for the conveyance of the two excavators from the site to Amenfi Central District Assembly. 

    “A Chinese national and a Ghanaian were arrested during the operation and they were handed over to Manso-Amenfi police. 

    “On their way back to Accra, after the arrest, some military personnel met them around Wassa Akropong, accosted and purported to have brutalized the team and sent them to Obuasi Central Police Station,” the statement said. 

    Listen to recordings of the incident HERE:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Public universities at risk of shutdown as UTAG strike enters third week

    Public Universities across the country could be shut down after 21-days of non-academic work following the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) strike.

    University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) embarked on a strike on January 10, and have been at it till now.

    According to UTAG, the strike action is in response to “the worsening Conditions of Service (CoS) of the University Teachers and the failure of the Employer in addressing the plight of UTAG members within the agreed timelines.”

    Despite meeting with leadership from UTAG and the National Labour Commission (NLC), UTAG has failed to call off its strike as the NLC described the strike action as illegal.

    By statutes, public universities must be closed down after 21 days of non-academic work.

    Also, academic work has stalled for barely a month since students reported to their respective campuses across the country.

    This is due to the nationwide industrial action by UTAG, which is already biting hard and having a toll on academic calendars and students alike.

    Among other things, UTAG wants government to reconsider the payment of its annual research allowance to a more realistic allowance “as this is critical to our research output, promotion and ultimately national development.”

    They also want the 2013 Interim Market Premium (IMP) of 114% of Basic Salary restored.

    According to UTAG, until their demands for improved conditions of service are met, they cannot call off the strike.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • 3 police officers, immigration officer interdicted for stealing from illegal miners

    Some three security officers arrested in November last year for stealing during an operation against illegal mining have been interdicted.

    The four suspects made up of Assistant Inspector of Immigration Joseph Awuku Kumi, 39; Constable Christian Appiah Junior, 24; G/Constable Augustine Apraku, 28; and G/Constable Richmond Owusu Ansah, 30, were arrested by the police on November 29, 2021, at Koundanlgou in the Savannah Region.

    In the latest development reported by Myjoyonline, the suspects have been placed on administrative interdiction following preliminary investigators by the Savannah Regional Command.


    They were arrested for reportedly stealing from the illegal miners during an operation.

    According to the police, an amount of GH₵4,135 was found on Constable who had raided an illegal mining site together with his accomplices.

    The police also retrieved some smartphones belonging to the illegal miners from Constable Augustine Apraku and Constable Richmond Owusu.

    Assistant Inspector of Immigration, Joseph Awuku Kumi on the other hand was found in possession of ¢10,880.

    The suspects are currently in the custody of the Savannah Regional police while the exhibits have been retained for further investigation.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Experts deployed to check if there are still explosives buried at Apiate – GNFS

    Deputy Chief Fire Officer in charge of Rural Fire, Owusu Adjei says security men and experts have committed to the Apiate area where the blast occurred to prevent another blast.

    He explained that it is unclear whether some of the explosives were still buried in the area where the incident occurred hence the deployed experts would ensure the area is out of danger.

    He told Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm that it is unclear whether there were some explosives buried in the earth.

    But the experts and security persons deployed to the area would ensure that something like that is prevented, he added.

    He disclosed that the security agencies will continue to work and prevent any unforeseen incident in the area again.

    He commended the other security agencies for their commitment, dedication, and collaboration in being the situation under control.

    He further extended condolences to bereaved families and families who had their members injured in the explosion.

    He described the explosion as tragic.

    He encouraged Ghanaians to desist from moving around scenes when tankers or any other vehicle catches fire.

    Such incidents he explained could explode and kill them.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Committee set up to manage donations for Apiate explosion victims

    Committee set up to manage donations for Apiate explosion victims

    The Prestea Huni-Valley Municipal Assembly will on Monday inaugurate an 11-member committee to manage donations for the Apiate explosion victims.

    The committee would ensure the disbursement of relief items and strategize on how the displaced would be catered for throughout the year.

    Dr Isaac Dasamani, MCE who made this known in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Sunday said the committee would include; members of the clergy, five community members including; two females, the MCE and members of the security Agencies.

    Dr Dasamani noted that a lot of donations had been received from the government, corporate institutions especially from the mining companies as well as other private individuals, which ought to be managed for the benefit of the victims.

    He said plans were also underway to enroll students affected by the disaster in schools of neighbouring communities as the Assembly in collaboration with the Education Directorate was arranging a shuttle service to convey the students to the schools.

    On Thursday January 20, a truck carrying mining explosives exploded in the Apiate after colliding with a tricycle.

    The explosion spread quickly to the whole community, leaving many deaths and injured.
    Dozens of residents have been displaced as a result.

    Giving an update of the issue, the MCE said 246 cases had been reported with four of the injured in critical conditions.
    He also mentioned that the Assembly was making arrangements to house the displaced.

    “The Regional Minister is bringing me 20 tents, Goldfields has brought about 15 that can accommodate 150 people, Red cross has also brought some that can host about 120 people”, he said.

    “If we are able to create that environment for them, then we can start disbursing some of the food items because then they can cook and do other things in the environment”, he added.

    Dr Dasamani lauded the response from the Government, corporate institutions and individuals towards the people of Apiate.

    Source: GNA

  • NDC once imposed 17.5% tax, 1.75% e-levy is the lowest rate ever – Egyapa Mercer

    Lawyer Andrew Egyapa Mercer, the Member of Parliament for Sekondi constituency, has urged Ghanaians to support the government’s E-levy policy pending Parliamentary approval.

    The E-levy is to be rolled out next month ensuring that Ghanaians are taxed on a range of electronic transactions.

    A 1.75 percent charge is to be deducted on every 100 cedi MoMo transaction made and also on all bank transfers.

    The E-levy has been met with strong opposition from the Minority in Parliament as they have vehemently kicked against its passage into law.

    However, the NPP Majority in Parliament is in support of it and is bent on implementing the policy in February as was announced by the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta last year during his presentation of the 2022 Budget and Economic Policy before the Legislative House.

    Commenting on the E-levy during a panel discussion on Peace FM’s ”Kokrokoo”, Lawyer Egyapa Mercer beleived it’s the way to go for Ghana’s development.

    He was optimistic the e-levy will be used to fix the country’s developmental challenges like bad roads, inadequate infrastructure and hospitals among others, hence encouraging all Ghanaians to embrace this initiative.

    He shot down arguments that the 1.75% should be reduced stressing ”1.75 is 1 cedi 75 pesewas on a 100 cedis. It’s 17 cedis 50 pesewas on a 1000 cedis. It’s the lowest tax rate ever,” he submitted.

    He also recalled how the NDC years ago introduced a 17.5% Value Added Tax on financial services, which he says was way higher than what is being proposed today.

    “Let them propose an alternative, they have been in government before, remember VAT on financial services? Theirs was 17.5% and there was no pandemic and all other expenditures this government has made.

    “The difference between 17.5% then and 1.75% now all to allow for development efforts, to among others help government combat youth unemployment,” he stressed.

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • Use of motorbikes banned in Bawku

    The Upper East Regional Coordinating Council has banned the use of motorbikes in Bawku.

    The move is part of sweeping actions being taken by the security council to instill peace in the area following renewed clashes.

    The action affects both male and female riders. It however excludes tricycles.

    On January 10, 2021, the regional security council banned pillion from the area. Pillion is a seat for a passenger behind a motorcyclist. The ban however does not include women riders picking fellow women on their bikes.

    On Sunday evening four people were reported to have been shot dead in the renewed shootings.

    According to a source, the shooting which allegedly started on the morning of Sunday, January 23, was first heard around the central business area of the town which has been embroiled in sporadic shootings since November 2021.

    Source: starrfm.com.g

  • Top Zimbabwean journalist hails 2019 video of Amoako-Attah disciplining expat contractor

    Hopewell Chin’ono, a celebrated Zimbabwean journalist has cited a video of Roads and Transport Minister, Kwaku Amoako-Attah giving an expatriate contractor a dressing down in 2019.

    Chin’ono in a January 21, 2022 tweet observed how some Chinese contractors are allegedly having a field day across Africa whereas “in Ghana the Roads minister said NO, ENOUGH.”

    He shared an eight-minute clip of an angry Amoako-Attah repeatedly lamenting how an expatriate contractor had engaged in actions that among others destroyed public road and created public inconvenience. 

    “The Chinese plundering project in Africa is robbing Africa of its future.
    But in Ghana the Roads minister said NO, ENOUGH.

    “Unlike in Zimbabwe where the Chinese insult Zimbabweans on their embassy twitter handle @ChineseZimbabwe, other countries are not tolerating that NONSENSE!” the accompanying post read.

    In the video, the Minister orders the arrest of the contractor and of all workers on the site repeatedly threatening that they were going to be dealt with for their infractions.

    About the 2019 demolition order

    The Minister in December 2019 ordered the demolition of a 22-storey property under construction at the Airport Residential area for destroying a portion of the road.

    “The owner of this property should be arrested immediately”, the minister ordered angrily when he toured the site on Wednesday, 18 December 2019 following numerous complaints from residents in the area, a Class FM report stated.

    “What kind of indiscipline is this? You sit in this country and allow this nonsense to go on? The impudence. 

    “You enter into the road corridor, creating inconveniences for all those who use this stretch of the road, you have destroyed the road and you think you have the power to do that? You should be arrested and prosecuted”, the minister told him.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Apiate explosion: We share the pain felt by the people of Ghana AfCFTA Secretary-General

    The AfCFTA Secretary-General, Wamkele Mene, has expressed his condolences to the victims of the Bogoso explosion.

    According to him, he learned with great sadness about the loss of life and the destruction which occurred on Thursday in a devastating explosion in Appiate town, after a vehicle transporting explosives collided with a motorcycle.

    “The Secretary-General sends his heartfelt condolences to the families of those who
    lost their loved ones and to the Government of the Republic of Ghana,” a statement from the AfCFTA Secretariat read.

    Mr. Wamkele Mene intimated that “as fellow Africans, we share the pain felt by the people of Ghana as a result of this tragic accident”.

    “We send our thoughts and prayers to the families of the bereaved,” he noted.

    So far President Akufo-Addo, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, ex-President John Mahama have also commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives.

    Several Ghanaians have also taken to social media platforms with the hashtag Bogoso (#Bogoso) to express their sympathies to the victims of the disaster.

    Thursday, January 20, 2022, has been described as a sad day for the country and Ghanaians especially for the people of Appiate in Bogoso in the Western Region following an accident involving a truck conveying explosive material for a mining company, a motorcycle, and a third vehicle close to an electricity transformer, leading to the explosion.

    Source: angelonline.com.gh

  • Bagbin’s official request for military protection was wrong Security Analyst

    Security Analyst, Col. Festus Aboagye has criticized the use of military officers for protecting a certain category of people in the country.

    His comment comes on the back of conversations surrounding the withdrawal of some four military officers attached to the office of the Speaker, Alban Bagbin.

    Speaking on current affairs program Newsfile on Saturday January 22 on Joy News, Colonel Festus Aboagye stated that the deployment of military officers for such duties was not in tandem with constitutional provisions.

    He noted that the military was responsible for protecting the state against external aggression.

    “The reason why the speakers [of the Fourth Republic] may not have been accorded military protection was that constitutionally, it is not the role of the military to become watchmen and watchwomen. 

    “Their function is to defend the state against external aggression and also to take care of internal security. In the domain of internal security, if there are exigencies that expose some public office holders to danger or risk then by executive order the President or Commander in Chief can direct the Armed Forces to provide protection for certain individuals,” he told host Samson Lardi Anyeneni

    Col. Festus Aboagye also criticized Parliament for writing to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) requesting for military protection for the speaker.

    A letter sighted by GhanaWeb dated January 18 from the Clerk of Parliament to GAF requested four military officers to be part of the security detail of the Speaker to protect him “especially in this day and age of terrorism and violent armed robbery.”

    But the retired officer believes the request made was wrong.

    “We realise from the document that are circulating on social media that it was the office of Parliament or the marshal or whoever in parliament. Parliamentary Service or some other entities that wrote to the Ghana Armed forces directly asking that the speaker must be provided with military protection and indeed went ahead to name the personnel that should be provided. 

    “That is wrong…it is absolutely wrong. It put the military in a very awkward position as we are experiencing now,” Col Festus Aboagye said.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • We may never be able to rely on the Speaker Joe Wise cautions Majority MPs

    Joseph Osei-Owusu, First Deputy Speaker of Parliament is concerned about the current composition of the lawmaking chamber.

    His party, the New Patriotic Party, NPP, have 137 seats, same as the opposition National Democratic Congress whiles the only independent candidate works with the NPP, making them the Majority Majority Group so-called by Speaker Alban Bagbin.

    Osei-Owusu alias Joe Wise is concerned that the NPP despite having the advantage of one MP has been severely challenged in the first year of the eighth Parliament, one of the key reasons in his view is the role the Speaker plays. 

    “How to deal with the challenge of taking advantage of the one Majority that we have, knowing that we may never be able to rely on the Speaker in these circumstances. 

    “We must work with the view that there are 137 of us plus one who may be presiding. In that circumstance, how do we go about reaping the one advantage we have as a caucus? That, in my view should be the focus,” he told colleague MPs during a retreat over the weekend. 

    “We are a party in government, in the chamber we are called the Majority but it does appear that anytime we have to take a decision we either need Mr. Speaker in the chair, or all of us must vote. How to reap this, should be the focus of this meeting,” he stressed.  

    Speaker Bagbin, a former NDC MP has had clashes with the Majority Group over certain procedures and rulings in 2021. A highlight being his supervision of a controversial budget rejection.

    When Joe Wise took the seat after Bagbin traveled for medical attention, the House purportedly overturned the rejection and proceeded to approve same. 

    The rejection was by only NDC MPs, the NPP MPs walked out and the approval was by only NPP MPs because the NDC side stayed away.  

    Bagbin is on record to have openly criticized a key government policy in the shape of E-levy that is contained in the 2022 budget statement. The Minority have among others accused him of obstructing government work by his actions and inactions, an accusation Bagbin has rejected.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Apiatse Explosion: Motor rider narrates his version of incident

    Philip Mensah, the young man whose motorcycle is alleged to have collided with the vehicle carrying explosives at Apeatse on Thursday, has given account of how his vehicle may have been involved in the accident.

    According to him, while riding from Nhyireso to Bogoso, he was hit from behind by a vehicle. This came about because the vehicle in front of him stopped suddenly, forcing him to also stop abruptly.

    Speaking in an interview with JoyNews; Maxwell Agbagba, on Sunday, he stressed that he never encountered the vehicle that exploded.

    “A car hit me from behind. All I heard was a bang. So I fell off and slid on the coal tar for a while. In the process, I saw my motorbike sliding on the road as well. I did not see the car that hit me because it was from behind.”

    It was a taxi driver and a welder who rushed me to the Aseda Hospital. I was receiving treatment at the hospital when we heard the blast. Everybody ran, including myself. Later, I saw many casualties being brought in. the Nurses even abandoned me to attend to the seriously injured victims of the accident,” he recalled.

    He emphasised that the Doctors and Nurses at Aseda hospital would be able to confirm that he was receiving treatment when the explosion occurred, “I was not on the scene of the accident that caused the explosion,” he said.

    Philip Mensah, who was at the scene of the accident, in the company of Police officers, as part of investigations, expressed sadness that an incident with such consequence has occurred, “I feel bad. We are all human, so I am sad. My concern is that people are saying different things. Some said I collided with the explosive-laden car, others said I got burnt etc.”

    On Thursday, January 20, about 500 houses were destroyed after an explosion at Apeatse between Bogoso and Bawdie in the Western Region.

    Fourteen persons are reported to have died so far and several others injured.

    Speaking on The Probe on Sunday, the Deputy Director-General of NADMO, Mr. Seji Saji Amedonu disclosed that the total number of displaced persons is 954.

    Source: myjoyonline.com

  • Find out how much Milovan Rajevac will pay GFA if he resigns

    Ghanaians have shared their frustrations with the Black Stars following the team’s elimination from the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations with just a point in a group that had Morocco, Gabon, and Comoros.

    Many are pointing fingers at the head coach, Milovan Rajevac, who they believe is unfit to lead the team back to its glory days.

    In the three games played, Ghana lost to Morocco, drew with Gabon before losing to Comoros, a loss that sent the Black Stars packing.  

    Some want the Serbian sacked after the disgraceful performance in Cameroon. Others would want to see the manager walk away. 

    However, parts of Milo’s contract posted by Joy News reporter, Muftawu Nabila Abdulai, show the manager will incur a cost of US$200,000 if he resigns. 

    Speaking after Ghana’s defeat to Comoros, the 68-year-old insisted that he will not resign.  

    “I will not resign because I came to take this team to the World Cup,” Milovan Rajevac said after the game.

    The Black Stars will know their Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers playoffs opponents next month before the game in March.

    Meanwhile, reports indicate that the Ministry of Youth and Sports has told the Ghana Football Association to fire the coach following a meeting on Friday, January 21, 2022. 

    The report further shows the GFA is unwilling to dismiss the expatriate and a forced dismissal by the Ministry will lead to charges from FIFA. 

    This is because only associations have the ultimate right to axe a national team coach. Although, the ministry pays the salary. 

    Below is Muftawu Nabila Abdulai tweet

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Ghana to face Nigeria in FIFA World Cup playoff

    The Blacks Stars of Ghana will play the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the last round of qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup to be played in Qatar.

    The fixture between the two West African giants was determined at a draw held by CAF in Cameroon on Saturday, January 22, 2022.

    After two initial stages of qualifiers, the possible contingents for Africa were pruned to 10 teams made up of Egypt, Cameroon, Senegal, DR Congo, Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, Mali, and Ghana

    A team emerging as a winner of the five fixtures drawn on Saturday will automatically gain a ticket to the 2022 Qatar World Cup as a representative of Africa.

    Having put up a 100% win rate in the group stages of the ongoing AFCON being held in Cameroon, Nigeria are in the right position to be seen as favorites in their upcoming fixture against Ghana.

    The Black Stars of Ghana on the other hand will have to ensure they have their team reorganized and prepared for the qualifier after putting up an abysmal performance at the ongoing AFCON leading to their exit in the group stages.

    Ahead of the draw, the Ghana Football Association was reported in the early hours of Saturday to have sacked the head coach of the Black Stars, Milovan Rajevac.

    The Serbian gaffer leading Ghana to the tournament in Cameroon oversaw what has now become the worst performance of the national team in the history of the continental showpiece.

    The play-off games to be staged on a home and away basis will be played between March 24 and 29, with the Black Starsplaying home first.

    See the full 2022 World Cup Play-offs Draw below:

    Ghana vs Nigeria

    Egypt x Senegal 

    Cameroon x Algeria 

    DR Congo x Morocco 

    Mali x Tunisia

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Apiate explosion raises serious matters of human rights violations – Francis-Xavier Sosu

    The Member of Parliament for Madina Constituency, Francis-Xavier Sosu, has said there is a need for the conduction of an independent investigation into the explosion at Apiate which claimed 17 lives.

    He believes this is necessary because the tragedy raises serious matters of Human rights violations.

    According to him, lives and livelihood have been lost which raises issues of state inactions and potential regulatory failures.

    In a Facebook post, he said there is a need for investigation as Ghanaians need to know if the company transporting the explosives complied with the laws or it was purely an accident.

    “I am certain that the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources would take special interest in this matter particularly with compliance issues as provided for under the Minerals and Mining (Explosives) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2177).”

    “As the Minister may well know, the Regulations cover administration, certification, licensing and allocation of permits, packaging, reporting, manufacturing, transporting and storage of explosives. The regulations also state techniques for using the explosives in different locations. This may be underground or surface mines as well as obligatory safety and environmental precautions.

    This is an issue of serious public interest and as such, it will be helpful to have full report on this matter to satisfy ourselves as a people that the Company duly complied with our laws, and what happened was purely accidental,” he said.

    This explosion raises serious matters of Human rights violations as lives and livelihoods have been lost and it also raises serious issues of state inactions and potential regulatory failures which must be investigated thoroughly,” he added in the tweet.

    Blow by blow account of how Apiate explosion happened

    Over five hundred people have been rendered homeless at Apiate, a community near Bogoso in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality in an explosion, killing about seventeen people and leaving several others severely injured.

    All houses in the community, church buildings, stores and all structures have collapsed, leaving residents in the community homeless.

    The explosion was caused by a truck belonging to a mining service contractor MAXAM that was involved in a collision causing an explosion in the community.

    The truck carrying the explosive was from Bogoso heading towards Kinross, a mining company in Chirano in the Western North Region, 140 kilometers away from the explosion site.

    Below is his Facebook post

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Two escape death as moving truck catches fire at Mankessim

    Two men onboard a KIA truck with registration number GX 89 -12 escaped death by a whisker after the vehicle caught fire at Mankessim in the Central Region.

    It is unclear what caused the fire which eventually engulfed the vehicle which was carrying foams.

    An eyewitness in an interview with EIB Network Central Regional Correspondent, Yaw Boagyan said smoke was detected from the foams and within a few minutes, fire quickly spread throughout the vehicle.

    Seeing the extent of the fire, the driver hurriedly stopped the truck at the roadside near Obrumankoma FM a local radio station in Mankessim and fled.

    Luckily, the youth around mobilized themselves and managed to douse the fire before personnel of the Ghana Fire Service arrived.

    Source: kasapafmonline.com

  • Apiate explosion: Discharged victims stranded at hospital, say they are now homeless

    The devastating effects of the explosion incident recorded at Apiate on Thursday, January 20, 2022, is being felt by residents and affected victims of the community which has had major portions reduced to rubbles from the impact.

    According to GhanaWeb’s Western Regional Correspondent, Thomas Tetteh, some victims of the accident who have been discharged from the hospital following their treatment have refused to go home.

    In a report, Thomas Tetteh notes that the discharged victims have been taken to the Bogoso Catholic Parish Hall where they were meant to pass the night.
    “Those who were treated and discharged at the Bogoso Hospital have all been brought here just because they cannot go back there; there is no place for them.
    “As we speak, some of them wish that they can go back home but as they go there, they have no shelter because the whole community has been razed down as a result of the explosion,” Tetteh recounted.

    Meanwhile the Ghana Police Service in a statement has urged churches and facility owners in nearby communities to take in members of Apiate community who have been rendered homeless from the explosion.

    Cause of accident

    According to the Ghana Police Service’ situational report, the accident of January 20, 2022, happened around 1:25 pm at Apiate, a town close to Bogoso.

    Specifically, it involved a DAF vehicle with registration number WR 2252-18 transporting explosives from the MAXAM Company, Tarkwa, to Chirano Gold Mines and a motorcycle.

    The impact of the motorcycle ramming into the truck caused a fire that ignited explosives on the DAF van causing it to burst into flames.

    Deaths, injuries

    Government through the Ministry of Information confirmed via a statement that the casualty figure stands at 76. Out of that figure, 13 people have died while 59 injured persons have so far been rescued.

    “Out of the fifty-nine (59) injured persons, forty-two (42) are receiving treatment and some in critical condition,” the statement noted.

    Extent of material damage

    According to multiple reports on the ground, a large crater has been created at the scene of the accident with Police confirming that a portion of the road was damaged.

    Buildings extending meters away from the scene of the accident are also said to have been impacted to different degrees – whiles some developed cracks, others had their windows shattered. In some extreme instances, some buildings were reduced to rubbles from the impact

    “Extensive damage was caused to a nearby ECG transformer,” a Police report noted.

    Government Activates National Emergency Response

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo following the incident activated a National Emergency Response Mechanism.

    From first responders, security officials, disaster management officers to government officials, the entire township Apiate which has had major portions reduced to rubbles, has been swarmed with officials responding to the accident and commiserating with the affected victims.

    As part of the National Emergency Response Mechanism, personnel from the Police Service, Fire Service, National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), Ghana Health Service, National Ambulance Service and Municipal Authority have been on the scene.

    About 10 ambulances have also been dispatched to the scene to convey the injured, while efforts are being made to evacuate those in critical condition to medical facilities in Accra.

    Meanwhile, a delegation of government officials led by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia have arrived at Apiate to commiserate with the affected victims and gather first-hand information from the response activities. 

    Also part of the delegation is the Minister for Interior Ambrose Dery, Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, who have already visited the traditional leaders of the town.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is expected to visit Apiate to assess the effectiveness of governments response efforts once the situation is brought under control.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Here is what L.1 2177 says about the transportation of explosives

    An incident involving a truck carrying mining explosives that led to the loss of 13 lives at Apiate close to Bogoso in the Western Region, has raised a lot of concerns about whether or not safety measures were considered before the transportation of the dangerous content.

    Per reports, the truck which was heading from Bogoso heading towards Kinross, collided with a motorcycle, about 140 Kilometres from its destination, leading to an explosion.

    This tragedy has brought about the question about compliance issues as provided for under the Minerals and Mining (Explosives) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2177).

    The LI under the Minerals and Mining (Explosives) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2177) provides Regulation, application, licensing, storage and general administration, and GhanaWeb outlines the specifics as far as what the LI states with regards to the transportation of explosives is concerned.

    Per Regulation 33— (Permit to transport explosives);

    (1) A person who holds an operating licence under regulations 22 to 27 may apply for a permitted asset out in Form P in the Second Schedule to transport a specific type and amount of explosives. (2) A person who transports explosives under a Form P permit shall give notice to the Chief Inspector about the type and amount of explosives to be transported at least forty-eight hours before the explosives are transported.

    Also, regulation 27 gives details for operating licence for the transportation of explosives

    Regulation 27—Operating licence for transportation of explosives

    (1) A person shall not transport explosives if that person does not have an operating licence granted for that purpose by the Commission (2) The licence shall be obtained on application to the Commission. (3) The application shall (a) be in writing as set out in Form K in the Second Schedule; (b) be made by an explosives manager; and (c) include an acceptable operating plan in accordance with these Regulations. (4) The operating licence is (a) valid only for the area and for the period stipulated in the licence; and (b) subject to renewal on application. (5) The application for the renewal shall be the same as for a new licence and shall be (a) in writing as set out in Form K in the Second Schedule; and (b) made to the Commission not later than one month before the end of the year. (6) The licence shall be renewed if the applicant satisfies the conditions for the renewal of the licence.

    Meanwhile, it is yet to be established, whether or not there were any breaches on the part of the parties involved in the transportation of the said mining explosives by the DAF Van.

    According to police preliminary investigations, a DAF truck with registration number WR 2252-18, that was transporting explosives from the MAXAM Company, Tarkwa, to Chirano Gold Mines collided with a motorcycle resulting in the explosion.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Why I hauled Captain Smart before Police CID Roads Minister speaks

    Mr Kwasi Amoako-Atta, the Roads and Highways Minister, has opened up for the first time about how and why he reported outspoken government critic, Captain Smart, to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service in August 2021.

    According to him, he looks forward to the prosecution of a case in which the CID have recently stated that they have evidence to the effect that Blessed Godsbrain Smart, popularly referred to as Captain Smart, had allegedly “accepted a bribe,” supposedly to bribe him [the Minister].

    Speaking for the first time in a radio interview on Accra-based Oman FM on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, Amoako-Attah revealed that he was informed of the attempted bribery allegation, which was first made on Oman FM’s sister channel, NET 2TV.

    He disclosed that he requested the said allegation’s tape before ordering his lawyers to formally file a complaint against the said journalist.

    Amoako-Attah stated that he was reacting to the issue for the first time because it had reached a stage where the CID had completed preliminary investigations and believed that pressing charges would be in order.

    “The woman’s account was made on-air and remained an allegation, and I directed my lawyers to approach the right quarters, CID headquarters, for the truth to be investigated as to whether she indeed paid the bribery to Captain Smart and whether or not it was transmitted to me.

    “We wrote to the CID, and the report is out. After a thorough investigation as to whether I received some bribes, I am fully exonerated, and Captain Smart indeed took the money with intent to bribe me,” he noted.

    He stressed that he was looking forward to the CID prosecution, especially as the report dated January 13, 2022, absolves him of any wrongdoing.

    “If you look at the CID’s conclusion, they are ready to pursue prosecution. Just yesterday, my lawyers have written to CID HQ that we are looking forward to prosecution.

    “They should go to court; that is where all parties have another opportunity to clear their names. So that is the matter,” he told the show host.

    Background 

    The Police CID, via an official statement, said they would press charges relating to defrauding by false pretences and accepting and giving bribes to influence a public official against the journalist.

    The issue relates to an allegation that started last year on Net2 TV that a businesswoman had approached Captain Smart with the view of helping her influence the Minister over a land she was interested in. 

    The Minister was the one who lodged the case with the Police after the allegation was reported in the media.

    Captain Smart, in his response, accused the government of using such frivolous matters with the view of gagging him; he said on the January 19 edition of his programme that he remained undaunted by the scheming.

    “That a person of my stature has been given GHC10,000 to go and influence the Roads Minister. Can you imagine this rubbish? If so, then the Minister is very cheap. That I should influence him with GHC10,000.

    “How is it that since 2018, you are now pursuing this matter in 2022. I swear that I have no idea about that nonsense that is aimed at just implicating Captain Smart,” he submitted.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com