TIG Post

Author: Persis

  • Girls in Upper East empowered through soccer to fight SGBV

    Young girls in the Upper East Region have been empowered through soccer to stand for their rights and amplify efforts towards ending Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).

    This is the second year running the tournament has been organized and it was part of the commemoration of the 16 days of Activism against SGBV under the ENOUGH! Project with support from Oxfam Ghana, Women in Law and Development in Africa and sponsored by the European Union(EU).

    Sexual and Gender-Based Violence has been one of the major factors affecting the development of youth especially in the Region where statistics available at the regional office of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit indicate that 65 and five cases of defilement were recorded in 2020 and the first quarter of 2021.

    Also, data from the Ghana Health Service has also revealed that the region recorded 6,533 cases of teenage pregnancy in 2020 and 5,534 teenage pregnancies within the first 10 months of 2021.

    Mr Awal Ahmed Kariama, Executive Director of RISE-Ghana, explained that the goal of the ENOUGH! project is to empower men, women, girls, and boys to take positive action to end SGBV in Ghana and other African countries.

    He said, this among other forms of violence adversely affected young girls, hence, the Rural Initiatives for Self-Empowerment-Ghana (RISE-Ghana) to collaborate with the Regional Football Association to organize the football gala for female clubs in the region to drum home the need to end SGBV.

    He said the incessant increase in cases of teenage pregnancies, rape, defilement, and assault among others had led to school drop-out rates and added that it was affecting the development of young people especially girls.

    Mr Kariam said efforts to achieve the sustainable development goals would not yield positive results if stakeholders did not collectively work to end the menace and promote gender equality equity and empowerment.

    “The gala is therefore meant to build the confidence of the young girls, provide them with the needed sexual and reproductive health education to enable them to make informed decisions regarding their sexual life and stand against abuses”. He stated.

    Mr Salifu Shaibu Zida, Regional Chairman of the Football Association, noted that SGBV had no place in the footballing world and applauded the collaboration to employ football to fight the canker.

    He admonished the girls to be disciplined and focus on their careers to succeed.

    Mr Iddrisu Ahmed, Regional Director of the National Sports Authority(NSA) urged the girls to pass the knowledge acquired through the project to their colleagues to help end the phenomenon.

    In all, eight female clubs across the region participated in the gala. They are Bolga All Stars Ladies (champions), Sumbrungu Ladies, Zono Ladies, Builsa Ladies, Sharp Arrows, Achula Princesses, Save the Frogs Ladies, and Zorko United Ladies.

    Source: GNA

  • Meet the four NDC MPs facing legal challenges

    Four Members of Parliament of the opposition National Democratic Congress, NDC, are facing legal challenges on a number of issues.

    Two of them are before the courts with respect to the processes that led to the election into office in the 2020 Parliamentary elections.

    The other is before an Accra Circuit Court for his role in a protest that he led in his constituency but which resulted in public order and vandalism concerns according to the Ghana Police Service. The fourth is facing corruption charges.

    GhanaWeb looks at a brief of the respective cases.

    Dorcas Affo-Toffey MP for Jomoro is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by a Sekondi High Court on December 6, 2021. Reports say the presiding judge, Sedina Agbemava, citing the MP’s failure to attend the court sitting on Monday, December 6, 2021, as the basis for the warrant.

    The qualification of Affo-Toffey to represent the people of Jomoro in Parliament is being challenged in a case in which she has been sued for allegedly possessing dual citizenship prior to her contesting in the 2020 election.

    A contempt case was filed against the MP by one Joshua Emuah Kofie, a resident of Nuba-Mpataba in the Jomoro Constituency when Madam Tooffey reportedly failed to deposit with the court registrar documents supporting the renunciation of her alleged Ivorian citizenship as ordered by the Sekondi High Court.

    Although the MP filed for a stay of execution of the High Court’s order, the court dismissed the application in July this year.

    James Gyakye Quayson, MP for Assin North faces a similar case to that of his Jomoro colleague.

    A Cape Coast High Court on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, passed a verdict on the election petition against the Assin North MP with the presiding judge, Justice Kwasi Boakye, upholding the argument of a petitioner who contended that James Quayson was not qualified to contest the 2020 elections.

    The basis for the ruling was that at the point of filing to contest the elections, the court claims James Quayson had not successfully renounced his Canadian citizenship.

    The court ordered him to subsequently desist from holding himself out as the MP for the Constituency but the Police CID suspended a probe into the issue after it emerged in August that he planned to file an appeal against the verdict.

    Francis-Xavier Sosu, the MP for Madina was engaged in a back and forth with the Police from late October through to November 2021.

    On October 25, 2021, he led a police-sanctioned protest in a part of his constituency but as it wrapped up, police invited him for questioning but he refused, citing Parliamentary responsibilities later that day.

    Police have since attempted to arrest him, written to the Speaker of Parliament for his release which was turned down. He was subsequently hauled before a court where an arrest warrant was issued after he failed to appear a third time.

    The court vacated the warrant recently after he appealed and appeared. Meanwhile, he has also sued the Inspector-General of Police and the Ghana Police Service for the enforcement of his basic rights, including the right to freedom of movement and the right to protest and demonstrate among others.

    Collins Dauda, the Asutifi North MP and former Works and Housing Minister and four others are currently on bail for willfully causing financial loss to the state.

    They were hauled before the courts in respect of the execution of the 5,000 unit housing project at Saglemi, which project was costed at $200 million dollars and started under the John Evans Atta Mills administration.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • PAWA to launch book in honour of Jerry John Rawlings

    The Pan-African Writers Association will launch a book in honour of the late former president of Ghana, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, during whose tenure the Association was established.

    The book, titled ‘JJ Rawlings: Memories and Momentos,’ is a collection of poems and essays written by writers, scholars and some political leaders from 10 African countries in honour of the late president.

    The bilingual book (French and English) was edited by Prof. Bill Ndi, a US-based Cameroonian professor of humanities, while the foreword was written by Abdourahmane Diallo, the UNESCO Country Representative in Ghana.

    The event will be held at the Accra City Hall (Omanye Aba Auditorium) inside the AMA Headquarters in Accra on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at 11am.

    Guests honouring the event will be the wife of the former president, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, also sitting in as the Special Guest of Hounour.

    The Pan-African Writers Association will launch a book in honour of the late former president of Ghana, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, during whose tenure the Association was established.

    The book, titled ‘JJ Rawlings: Memories and Momentos,’ is a collection of poems and essays written by writers, scholars and some political leaders from 10 African countries in honour of the late president.

    The bilingual book (French and English) was edited by Prof. Bill Ndi, a US-based Cameroonian professor of humanities, while the foreword was written by Abdourahmane Diallo, the UNESCO Country Representative in Ghana.

    The event will be held at the Accra City Hall (Omanye Aba Auditorium) inside the AMA Headquarters in Accra on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at 11am.

    Guests honouring the event will be the wife of the former president, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, also sitting in as the Special Guest of Honour.

    Also, the Country Representative for UNESCO in Ghana, Abdouramane Diallo, will be in attendance.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

    Also, the Country Representative for UNESCO in Ghana, Abdouramane Diallo, will be in attendance.

  • Mozambique militants kidnapped hundreds of girls

    At least 600 women and girls have been kidnapped and enslaved in the last three years by militants in Mozambique northern province of Cabo Delgado, a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) says.

    The IS-linked militant group – known as Al Sunnah wa Jama’ah (ASWJ) or al-Shabab – forced younger, healthy-looking, and lighter-skinned women and girls in their custody to “marry” their fighters, who enslave and sexually abuse them, the rights group report says.

    Some of the abductees have been sold to foreign fighters for between $600 to $1,800 (£452 to £1,350). Others have been released after their families paid ransom, while another group has been freed following a military offensive led by government troops and regional forces.

    HRW called on the militants to release those still being held.

    At least 600 women and girls have been kidnapped and enslaved in the last three years by militants in Mozambique northern province of Cabo Delgado, a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) says.

    The IS-linked militant group – known as Al Sunnah wa Jama’ah (ASWJ) or al-Shabab – forced younger, healthy-looking, and lighter-skinned women and girls in their custody to “marry” their fighters, who enslave and sexually abuse them, the rights group report says.

    Some of the abductees have been sold to foreign fighters for between $600 to $1,800 (£452 to £1,350). Others have been released after their families paid ransom, while another group has been freed following a military offensive led by government troops and regional forces.

    HRW called on the militants to release those still being held.

    The rights body conducted its investigations between August 2019 and October 2021, its findings are based on interviews of former abductees, their relatives, security sources, and government officials, as well as media reports.

    Source: bbc.com

  • NIA takes delivery of first batch of Kantanka cars

    The National Identification Authority on Monday, December 2021 took delivery of 18 Oman Ma pickup vehicles from the Kantanka Automobile Company.

    The presentation of the 18 vehicles the first batch 85 cars being manufactured by the Ghanaian automobile firm for the NIA.

    At a brief handing over ceremony, the Corporate Affairs Director of Kantanka automobile espoused that the vehicles are exclusively produced for the Ghanaian condition.

    He applauded the NIA for believing in the Kantanka brand and assured of timely delivery of the remaining cars.

    He leveraged the opportunity to appeal to public and patriotic institutions to patronize Kantanka cars since its cost-effective.

    “We commend the institution for believing in a Ghanaian product. This is the first batch and this is really made for Ghanaian terrain. This is made in Ghana and we believe in it.

    “At Kantanka, we believe in experiencing Africa and we are urging every government institution and individual to patronize the Kantanka products.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Pig farm, Accra Newtown, Mallam Atta roads almost deserted as stores closed down

    Commercial vehicle drivers – trotro and taxi drivers – have on Monday, December 6, 2021 embarked on a nationwide strike.

    Just as workers and students are affected by this strike, traders on the other hand are equally stranded as their most preferred means of transportation, trotro and taxis, are on a sit-down strike.

    GhanaWeb business took a tour on some principal roads of Accra Newtown, Mallam Atta through to pig farm and the news team realised that most of the shops were closed.

    The roads looked almost empty as only a few people were spotted walking on the streets.

    These commercial vehicle drivers are asking government to remove five taxes captured in the 2022 budget.

    The five taxes and levies are the Price Stabilization and Recovery Levy, the Special Petroleum Tax, Energy Sector Levy, Energy Debt Recovery Levy, and the Sanitation and Pollution Levy from the pump price of petroleum products.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Use dialogue to resolve current and future deadlocks – Peace Council to Parliament

    The National Peace Council has called on both sides of Parliament to continue the path of dialogue in resolving the current impasse over the 2022 budget statement and those that may recur in the future.

    The Council in a statement noted that it has met with both sides and expressed concern about the disturbing happenings in Parliament and called for calm.

    “The Council further urged the leaders to resort to dialogue and consensus building in resolving the impasse.”

    “The Council further urge the media and those who make statements on the matter to exercise maximum restraint in their pronouncements to protect the peace, security and integrity of our beloved country,” the statement added.

    Below is their letter to Parliament:

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Well no longer display faces of suspected criminals Police

    The Ghana Police Service has resolved to no longer show or display faces of suspects who are yet to be convicted.

    This according to the Police forms part of their effort to become a world-class Police organisation and the best institution in the country, serving as a reference point in Africa and beyond.

    To achieve this, the Service said it will have to demonstrate the highest level of professionalism in all policing endeavours.

    The new resolution means faces and identities of suspects shall be fully displayed only when the suspects are properly convicted before a competent court of law, the Police said in a statement.

    Also, suspects who are declared wanted by the courts with a warrant of arrest for various acts of offence, shall, where necessary, have their faces and other physical attributes published for purposes of identification, arrest and prosecution.

    “We shall, however, continue to display the covered faces of suspects to announce their arrest and lawful detention in order to assuage the fears of people who feel threatened by them,” the statement added.

    The Police is calling for public support in its transformation efforts.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Six arrested over illegal AK 47 transaction

    The Police on Friday, December 3, 2021, arrested six suspects for their involvement in an illegal AK 47 transaction.

    The first suspect, Alhassan Jamah, was arrested near Osino by the National Operations Directorate Highway patrol during a stop and search operation. An AK 47 rifle with 12 rounds of ammunition was found hidden in his travelling bag on board an Accra-Bawku bound Yotoun bus.

    An intelligence-led operation later led to the arrest of five more suspects names, Bashiru Salifu, Kassim Aninga, Mohammed Asako, Salifu James and Ibrahim Mohammed for their involvement in the illegal transaction

    All six suspects are currently in police custody assisting with the investigation.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Soldier sent on anti-galamsey duties reportedly rapes teenager in the bush

    A military man on anti-galamsey operations is in the grips of the Wassa Akropong District police for allegedly raping an 18-year-old lady at Yaw Gyimakrom near Hemang in the Western Region

    Police confirmed to MyNewsGh.com that the victim (Name withheld) and the boyfriend Bismarck Antwi were returning home from a galamsey site located at Yaw Gyimakrom near Hemang when the incident happened.

    According to the police, on reaching a section of the rough road, they met 2 military men and they asked her to show them where the Excavator Machine was operating and escorted both towards a certain galamsey site.

    As she was directing the two soldiers to the site, another troop of soldiers arrived at the scene and arrested the boyfriend.

    One of the soldiers then lured her into the bush and forcibly had sexual intercourse with her and bolted.

    The victim managed to come out from the bush to meet Bismark Antwi the boyfriend and, informed him about her sexual encounter with the military man.

    An Identification parade was made by the detachment Commander of Team one Sergeant Owusu Darkwah Peter on hearing the issue and the victim identified Number 202843 AB1 Abdul Latif as her assailant.

    A Police Medical Report Form was issued to the victim to attend hospital for examination and endorsement

    Police investigators visited the crime scene and saw footprints on the ground which suggests that the incident happened at that spot. A yellow bag which the victim was holding before the incident was seen a few meters from the spot.

    Suspect AB1 Abdul Latif was brought to the Station by the said detachment Commander and he was re-arrested and detained but later cautioned and released on police inquiry bail to the detachment Commander to be reporting period until the final determination of the matter.

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • Why Gambians won’t stop voting with marbles

    Most Gambians I know are quite proud of their unique voting system.

    When they go to the polls on Saturday 4 December to elect a president, ballot papers will not be used.

    Instead, on arrival at a polling station, and after their ID has been verified, a voter will be directed to a series of drums painted in the party colours of the different candidates.

    Protruding from the top of each drum is a pipe into which the voter will slot a marble handed over by an election official.

    Polling officials check the seals on the voting drums at a polling station in Banjul on 1 December 2016
    Image caption, In previous elections, like the one in 2016, there were three drums at each polling station to represent three candidates

    As it drops a bell sounds so officials are able to hear if anyone tries to vote more than once.

    When the polls close, the marbles from each barrel are counted and tallied – as would be done with ballot papers.

    This way of voting was introduced after independence in 1965 because of The Gambia’s high illiteracy rate.

    A number of reforms have been ushered in since Yayha Jammeh reluctantly left power after losing presidential elections in 2016.

    Nightmare scenario avoided

    Some election officials had secretly hoped that ditching marbles would be one of them.

    They had argued that with the opening up of the democratic space and the possibility of more candidates participating in future elections, the marbles and drums might prove too cumbersome.

    In the past only about three drums were needed at each polling station.

    During Mr Jammeh’s 22 years in power there seemed little point in contesting.

    In fact The Gambia has only had three presidents in its history.

    Officials set up marbles on a board which will be used to count votes ahead of parliamentary elections on 4 April 2017 in Serekunda, Gambia
    Image caption, Boards like these are used to count the marbles

    Mr Jammeh seized power in a coup in 1994, ousting independence leader Dawda Jawara.

    Many observers concede the only election Mr Jammeh went on to win fairly was in 1996, when there was still a honeymoon period after the coup and his authoritarian excesses had not yet taken hold.

    Subsequent elections they say were fixed in his favour, and his defeat in 2016 seemed to take him – and his successor Adama Barrow – by surprise.

    It had largely been a two-horse race, with Mr Barrow being a consensus candidate chosen by a coalition of opposition parties. The third candidate, Mama Kandeh, took about 17% of the vote.

    President Barrow is running again, this time on his newly formed party’s ticket.

    At one stage it looked like he would face 22 candidates – a nightmarish scenario for the election commission given the marble-and-drum system remains in place as there was no real political will to change it.

    To its relief these candidates have since been whittled down to six – still a lot for a country of approximately 2.2 million people.

    Jammeh still divisive

    That there are all these candidates is a testament to how much the country has changed, and is still changing.

    In times past, people were either too scared to contest against Mr Jammeh or deemed it a waste of time.Ade DaramyA DaramyA comedian called Wagan has a weekly TV show in which he pokes fun at all the main politicians, including the president – something unthinkable five years ago”Ade Daramy
    Journalist

    These days, in what is regularly referred to as “The New Gambia”, that fear has gone and freedom of speech abounds.

    A comedian called Wagan has a weekly TV show in which he pokes fun at all the main politicians including the president – something unthinkable five years ago.

    Journalists comment on anything without fear of being carted off, tortured or killed as happened under Mr Jammeh.

    Some of these atrocities came to light during the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), which heard testimony from nearly 400 people from January 2019 until May 2021.

    It delivered its 17-volume final report last week – the president now has six months to respond to it and its recommendations.

    Yahya Jammeh listens to one of his aides in Banjul on 29 November 2016 during an election rally in The Gambia ahead of presidential polls which the incumbent went on to lose
    Image caption, Yahya Jammeh’s 22-year rule has been investigated by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC)

    This means it will fall to whoever wins on 4 December to begin the real process of healing the wounds left behind by Mr Jammeh’s tenure.

    Even from exile in Equatorial Guinea, the former president is trying to cast his shadow over the polls.

    More on the truth commission

    The 56-year-old remains a divisive figure – exemplified by a fall-out with the party he founded, the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC).

    It has gone into a formal alliance with the party of President Barrow – much to the annoyance of Mr Jammeh, who issued a series of audio recordings backing Mr Kandeh instead.

    But the real shadow that has been cast over The Gambia, like the rest of the world, is the Covid pandemic.

    The country with its beautiful beaches and abundant wildlife relies heavily on tourism and was hit hard by the travel restrictions. Many people lost their jobs.

    There is now a trickle of tourists but much more needs to happen to get back to pre-Covid levels.

    A seller carries folded fabric on her head through the Serrekunda marketplace in The Gambia - 2016
    Image caption, Boosting the economy is a key challenge for whoever wins the presidency

    Even before coronavirus, the country contributed a disproportionate number of migrants seeking to get to Europe for its size.

    Much, though not all, is driven by unemployment.

    For whoever gains the most marbles on 4 December, developing and creating opportunities in The Gambia to make it more attractive to residents not just tourists will be the greatest challenge.

    line

    Six candidates in the running:

    • Adama Barrow (National People’s Party) – the incumbent
    • Ousainou Darboe (United Democratic Party) – a lawyer who briefly served as Mr Barrow’s vice-president. He was part of the coalition that brought down Mr Jammeh and is contesting for a fifth time
    • Essa Mbye Faal (Independent) – a lawyer and former lead counsel at the recently concluded TRRC. Contesting for the first time
    • Mama Kandeh (Gambia Democratic Congress) – came third in the 2016 contest, backed by Mr Jammeh
    • Abdoulie Ebrima Jammeh (National Unity Party) – a former teacher who once headed the country’s civil aviation authority. Contesting for the first time
    • Halifa Sallah (People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism) – an MP contesting for the fifth time

    sOURCE: bbc.co.uk

  • Why Ugandan troops have entered DR Congo – again

    Ugandan forces have once again crossed the country’s western border to go into the Democratic Republic of Congo.

    Previous incursions have been extremely controversial with troops in the past fighting soldiers from Rwanda, carrying out atrocities and plundering the country’s natural resources.

    But this time it is with the approval of DR Congo’s government.

    Why are Ugandan troops in DR Congo?

    Speaking a few days after a suicide attack last month in the heart of the capital, Kampala, President Yoweri Museveni called on those responsible to surrender: “My advice to all of them… if they do not come out, they will die.”

    The government was clearly determined to pursue the militants wherever they may be.

    In the last and most audacious of a series of attacks on 16 November, three bombers blew themselves up and killed at least four others in the process.

    The government blamed a militant Islamist rebel group called the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which was founded in Uganda but was then forced into DR Congo. It says it is now part of the Islamic state group.

    Vehicles on fire
    Image caption, The suicide attack in central Kampala shocked Uganda

    On Tuesday, the Ugandan army confirmed that it had carried out airstrikes on ADF targets across the border. Then on Wednesday hundreds of Ugandan troops were seen crossing into DR Congo.

    The Congolese government said it had invited its neighbour’s armed forces into the country as the ADF is one of many armed groups wreaking havoc in eastern DR Congo.

    The ADF, flushed out of Uganda in the early 2000s, has been attacking and looting Congolese villages, killing people and forcefully recruiting children for at least the last decade.

    How serious is the fighting?

    A resident of the city of Beni, near the border, told the BBC that he could hear the sound of explosions.

    “There is serious fighting. The Ugandan soldiers entered on foot and with vehicles. We have seen drones flying.”

    Video clips have circulated on social media showing villagers close to Beni watching columns of Ugandan soldiers march past.

    But officials from both the Ugandan and Congolese governments have not given many details away, save to confirm the presence of Ugandan troops.

    The Uganda army has released a series of photos which show columns of soldiers in DR Congo accompanied by armoured vehicles and tanks.

    It says thousands of ADF fighters were killed in the airstrikes but has not provided any evidence and it has not been possible to verify.

    The operation will be reviewed every two months, it said in a statement.

    Map

    The spokesperson for the Congolese army, Gen Leon Kasonga, said the fighting was happening in remote areas, including in the middle of a forest and the Virunga National Park, which stretches along the two countries’ border.

    He added that troop movements, the duration of the operation and casualty figures were confidential.

    What has been the reaction in Uganda?

    Opposition politicians and some commentators have strongly opposed the troops’ incursion into DR Congo.

    This is partly because the deployment was carried out without consulting or getting approval from parliament, as the constitution requires.

    But Uganda has ignored this before. There was no consultation when troops went into DR Congo in the 1990s. And in 2013, Ugandan forces crossed over into South Sudan to support President Salva Kiir without parliament’s approval.

    What about in DR Congo?

    While many Congolese are desperate to see an end to ADF attacks, some do not have good memories of previous Ugandan incursions.

    The reaction of Congolese Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr Denis Mukwege sums up some of the concerns.

    Setoka Marasi (L) laments the condition of her daughter (R), Noella, who was severely wounded in the head and neck by machete strikes during an attack on her village by armed men north of Beni, northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on May 26, 2021.
    Image caption, The ADF has been blamed for numerous attacks in eastern DR Congo

    “No to arsonists/firefighters, the same errors will produce the same tragic effects. Stand up Congolese, Nation in danger!” he tweeted earlier this week.

    Activist group Lucha has also expressed concern, saying that this was not the way to bring peace to the troubled region.

    Addressing the Congolese army, it said in a statement that “confidence… has to be earned. The people need to have a government and an army in which they can really place all their confidence.”

    A spokesperson for Monusco, the UN force in DR Congo, said inviting the Ugandans was a legitimate choice and the UN encouraged “regional countries to work together to solve the cross-border threat”.

    Monusco has previously conducted joint operations with the Congolese army to try and stop the ADF attacks but they still continue.

    What happened the last time?

    The Ugandan army has a soiled reputation for its incursions in DR Congo in the 1990s and early 2000s.

    In 1999 and 2000, Ugandan and Rwandan armed forces, each backing a different faction of the RCD rebel group, clashed in the Congolese city of Kisangani.

    Uganda tanks
    Image caption, Uganda has sent tanks and armoured vehicles into DR Congo

    The RCD was fighting to overthrow the president at the time, Laurent Kabila.

    In what has come to be known as the Six-Day War, over 1,000 people are said to have been killed in June 2000, as Ugandan and Rwandan forces fought to take control of the city.

    Ugandan troops were accused of human rights abuses against the population during this phase of fighting.

    Among the claims were that they sexually exploited local women.

    The Ugandan forces were also accused of plundering the DR Congo’s vast natural resources.

    A 2001 UN report said forces from Uganda, as well as other neighbours, looted minerals, coffee, timber and livestock.

    In 2005, the International Court of Justice said Uganda had to pay reparations to DR Congo for the illegal invasion. The money has still not been handed over.

    Why is eastern DR Congo a haven for rebel groups?

    The resource-rich region has attracted rebels for decades. Some reports suggest there could be at least 120 different militant groups based there.

    The fighting has become as much about control of the country’s riches as political power. Some neighbouring countries have been accused of backing rebels in order to benefit from the chaos through plunder.

    Despite President Felix Tshisekedi declaring what was termed a “state of siege” – essentially martial law – in the two affected provinces, attacks and killings of residents have continued.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Private sector appeal for a reduction in cost of borrowing

    Stakeholders in the private sector are appealing to government to improve their access to credit by developing a long-term measure to sustain their operations through its support and that of financial institutions.

    Dr. William Godfred Cantah, an Economist and Lecturer at the Department of Data Science and Economic Policy, University of Cape Coast, explained that the cost of borrowing to invest in the business in the country was very high as compared to many in the Sub-Saharan Africa.

    “That is one area government should look at if it wants to take advantage of the AfCFTA.”

    Together with other stakeholders, he made the appeal when a roundtable discussion spearheaded by the Economic Governance Platform, was held in Accra on the theme: “An Assessment on Economic Growth Pathways through which the Private Sector can Contribute to the Acceleration of Poverty Reduction in the Post-Covid-19 Recovery Period”

    He also appealed to the government to provide a regulatory framework for the operation of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), through the National Board for Small-Scale Industries, the Business Advisory Centres and metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies.

    Dr Cantah admonished government to deliberately make certain activities the preserve of MSMEs to increase liquidity in the sector such as the free Senior High School contracts, while also focusing on domestic investments.

    The Economist also entreated financial institutions to adopt data science and machine learning tools to develop an automated credit scoring system which assessed the risk of default before any commitment was made.

    The private sector, he said, dominated economic activities in all the three main sectors of the economy – Services, Industrial and Agricultural and accounted for over 80 per cent of total employment in the economy.

    An examination of the IBES (2017) & GLSS (2019) report revealed that employment in the private sector was dominated by trade commerce sub-sectors and more than 85 per cent of private sector businesses were classified as Small and Micro Scale enterprises which were mostly informal.

    “Thus, most of the people employed in the sector are in what is classified as vulnerable employment without social security or any form of social protection net,” he explained.

    Despite efforts to reduce the size of the informal sector, Dr. Cantah said data from GSS and NDPC revealed the size of the informal Sector had increased from 71.3 per cent in 2014 to about 90 per cent in 2017.

    He emphasized that an increase in the size of the informal sector had implications for government revenue mobilisation.
    The private sector had contributed immensely to domestic mobilisation through VAT and the payment of corporate taxes.

    “Though we cannot directly link increasing private sector activities to poverty reduction in Ghana, the mere fact that poverty levels in the country began to decline during the era of increasing private sector activities in the country is indicative of the critical role the private sector plays in the development of the country,” he stated.

    Dr. Cantah bemoaned how the COVID-19 pandemic affected almost every aspect of the private sector including tourism, education, manufacturing, creative arts, transports, and hospitality.

    “For example, hotels and restaurants services sector declined by 34.8 per cent and mining and quarrying declined by 11 per cent.

    “Firms engaged in exports also witnessed 64 per cent decline in exports whilst importers also witnessed 85 per cent in total imports (UNDS-2020). Informal sector GDP declined by almost one per cent.”

    Although one per cent might be insignificant, he said the informal sector was known to employ a large number of people with low productivity hence, such declines implies several thousands of people got either laid off or reduced income levels.

    A report by WIEGO, 2021 revealed that the daily earnings of market traders, street vendors, waste pickers, and kayayei declined by an average of 45.9 per cent, 92 per cent, 90 per cent and 99 per cent respectively as a result of the pandemic, he added.

    Source: GNA

  • Ghana Water Company makes strides in Infrastructure Transparency Index

    The Western Regional Office of Ghana Water Company Limited has chalked some notable milestones with regards to procurement transparanecy, zero accountability and citizens participation.

    The company was graded above average during a survey conducted using the Infrastructure Transparency Index mechanism under the Infrastructure Transparanecy Initiative,(CoST).

    The CoST approach works to enhance transparency accountability and participation in the procurement of works particularly in the public sector so as to arrive value for money And the delivery of quality structures across member countries and subnational levels.

    The survey, conducted within five months sampled 30 public infrastructure projects from 15 participating Procuring Entities in the Western Region to complements the ongoing work aimed at strengthening infrastructure governance through the use of CoST’s Infrastructure Transparency Initiative Index (ITI).

    The ITI is an evaluation instrument used in measuring the level of infrastructure transparency and quality of the associated processes that improve participation and accountability among procuring entities at the national or sub-national level.

    The survey also seeks to strengthen the operationalization of existing legislation such as Public Procurement Act, 2003( Act 663) as amended, Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921) the right to information Act, 2019 (Act 989) as well as Local Government Act, 2016 (Act 963)

    The Regional Procurement Manager, Mr. Winfred Frealar Kwamivi who represented the Ghana Water company during the research said the success chalked was largely due to the fact that government of Ghana and donor-funded projects were executed within stipulated principles.

    “At Ghana water, our big projects are usually government-supported donor-funded and they are expecting you to account and engage at every level… you cannot afford to do otherwise”, he added.

    The company is doing a lot to improve services to its numerous customers with the introductions of Electronic billing and payment.

    The company, under special projects, was also producing bottled water: G-Water.

    Mr. Kwamivi said to reduce cost in its value chain, the company was re-tooling it District offices and Stations across the country to improve water distribution and efficiency in customer service delivery.

    “Our performance and recognition by CoST IT I will also go a long way to improve on quality and social accountability to the public”, he concluded.

    Source: Daniel Kaku, Contributor

  • Ghana cant afford a fourth coronavirus wave Nsiah-Asare

    Ghana cannot afford to go through a fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic, Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare, has said.

    To that end, he said, the government, through the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has taken the vaccination exercise a step higher in order to get as many as possible inoculated.

    Vaccination centres, he stated, are being created closed to the people in the communities including market areas to make it easier for them to go through the exercise.

    He was speaking on the Key Points on TV3/3FM with Dzifa Bampoh regarding the measures introduced by the GHS to prevent a fourth wave of the virus in Ghana.

    “We cannot afford a fourth wave,” he said, adding that “we can all do this together if you are vaccinated.”

    Allaying the fears of persons who are worried about the potential reaction from taking the vaccine, he said “If you are vaccinated and you feel a slight headache it means the vaccine is working very well.”

    The GHS had declared the month of December as the vaccination month.

    Director-General Dr Patrick Kumah-Aboagye speaking at a press conference in Accra on Sunday, November 28 said vaccination was the surest way to deal with the virus.

    He further assured that the authorities are going to scale up surveillance measures at the Kotoka International Airport during the Christmas season to ensure that Covid infections do not increase.

    He further said that the mistakes that were made in December last year which occasioned the escalation of infections in January this year, will not be repeated.

    There is going to be a “strict enforcement of the protocols at the KIA. We are going to increase surveillance. We are expecting increased number of people to arrive in the country.

    “We are going to ensure that our logistics are prepared, we will continue our surveillance to be able to look at that, we are going to look at isolation centres,” he said.

    He added “Our contact tracing will be strengthened.

    “We are going to engage with religious organizations to ensure that activities in done in Christmas are in accordance with coronavirus protocols.”

    Source: 3news.com

  • Headache, body pains show the coronavirus vaccine is working in your body Nsiah-Asare

    Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare, has allayed fears of persons who are worried about the potential reaction from taking the COVID vaccine.

    He stated that it is normal to experience headache, body pains and other reactions. These are indications that the vaccine is functioning properly in the body, he said.

    “If you are vaccinated and you feel slight headache it means the vaccine is working very well,” he said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, December 4 with Dzifa Bampoh.

    Dr Nsiah-Asare further urged all persons who are yet to receive their vaccines to do so in order to save their lives and the lives of others.

    In his view, Ghana cannot afford to go through the fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic hence the government, through the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has taken the vaccination exercise a step higher in order to get as many as possible inoculated.

    Vaccination centres, he stated, are being created closed to the people in the communities including market areas to make it easier for them to go through the exercise.

    “We cannot afford a fourth wave,” he said, adding that “we can all do this together if you are vaccinated,” he said.

    The month of December has been declared by the GHS had as the vaccination month.

    Addressing a press conference in Accra on Sunday November 28, the Director-General of the GHS, Dr Patrick Kumah-Aboagye said vaccination was the surest way to deal with the virus.

    He further assured that the authorities are going to scale up surveillance measures at the Kotoka International Airport during the Christmas season to ensure that Covid infections do not increase.

    He further said that the mistakes that were made in December last year which occasioned the escalation of infections in January this year, will not be repeated.

    There is going to be a “strict enforcement of the protocols at the KIA. We are going to increase surveillance. We are expecting increased number of people to arrive in the country.

    “we are going to ensure that our logistics are prepared, we will continue our surveillance to be able to look at that, we are going to look at isolation centres,” he said.

    He added “Our contact tracing will be strengthened.”

    “We are going to engage with religious organizations to ensure that activities in done in Christmas are in accordance with Covid protocols.”

    Source: 3news.com

  • Former Three Town student who attacked teacher jailed 4 years

    A 19-year-old former student of the Three Town Senior High School, Gilbert Akakpo, has been sentenced to four years imprisonment with hard labour by the Aflao Circuit Court for causing harm to an ICT tutor of the same school, John Kwashie Akey.

    On Wednesday, August 11, 2021, the convict, Gilbert Akakpo, who was then a final-year Visual Arts student of the school, reportedly stabbed the teacher, John Kwashie Akey, with a cutter when the teacher attempted to prevent him [Gilbert Akakpo] from bullying some first-year students of the school.

    The convict fled the school following the attack but was later handed over to the police by his parents on Thursday, August 12, 2021.

    Gilbert, was, however, granted bail by the court when he first appeared in August and was allowed to sit for the rest of his final examinations.

    Appearing in court on Tuesday, 30th November 2021 the prosecution told the court that, the victim, John Kwashie Akey, sustained deep cut wounds on the upper part of his left arm as a result of the attack and has had to be sent to the Ketu South Municipal hospital where he was treated and discharged.

    In his ruling, the presiding judge, His Honour Joseph Ofosu stated that the court was lenient on the convict as a first-time offender.

    He, however, stated that the punishment was necessary to serve as a deterrent to other students who have no respect for authorities in schools.

    The convict is currently awaiting a COVID-19 test result before he is conveyed to the Ho Central Prison to begin his prison term.

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • Otumfuo to launch gold coins

    The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is set to officially launch his Commemorative Gold Coins on December 12, 2021.

    According to reports, the Commemorative Gold Coins is a fitting memorial in honour of His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for the significant role he played in restoring peace to the Dagbon kingdom in the Northern Region of Ghana after decades of protracted Chieftaincy crisis between members of the royal gates.

    Otumfuo was also acknowledged for his role as a restraining influence during almost every election cycle in Ghana.

    That influence, additionally, has ensured peaceful elections, culminating in seamless transitions in governments, especially when power changed hands between the two dominant political parties in Ghana.

    The face of the Gold Coin bears the image of Otumfuo, with the Adinkra symbols “Bi Nka Bi” on the left side and “Mpatapo,” on the right which symbolizes peace, harmony, and reconciliation.

    The reverse of the Gold Coin bears the image of the Golden Stool of Asanteman also known as “Sikadwa Kofi.” Legend has it that, the Sikadwa Kofi, which is the most prized possession of the Asante Kingdom and symbolizes the soul of the Asante people was commandeered from the Heavens by the High Priest, Okomfo Anokye and landed on the lap of the first Asante King, Otumfuo Osei Tutu I.

    The Gold Coin which will be 999% (24 karats) fine gold with a diameter of 37.00 mm and weighing 31.104 grams has been approved by the Bank of Ghana.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Farming is good business – MCE

    Madam Jennifer Dede Adjabeng, Municipal Chief Executive, La Nkwantanang Municipal Assembly, has described farming as good business and urged Ghanaians not to see it only as an option for survival.

    She, therefore, encouraged young people to develop an interest and invest in farming.

    The MCE said this at the ninth Municipal and 37th National Farmers’ Day Celebration in Accra.

    Madam Adjabeng said farming was gradually becoming the game-changer for local economies and reiterated the call for residents to go into backyard gardens.

    She stated the commitment of the Assembly and government to the growth of the sector with the provision of subsidised seedlings and fertilizers and congratulated farmers for feeding the nation.

    Mr Maxwell Odonkor, Municipal Director of Agriculture, said the Directorate had assisted 76 interested households to establish home gardens.

    He said 24 households were given seedlings and 650 cockerels.

    Malam Shiabu Fuseni, 43, who was crowned the overall Best Municipal Farmer, received a corn mill and some farm implements.

    He has 44 cows, 121 fowls, a number of sheep, goats, acres of lands of maize, plantain and vegetables.

    Mr Isaac Tetteh, who was adjudged the physically challenged Best Farmer for the Municipality, said “disability is not a disease or a reason not to work.”

    “I am always happy when farming and forget I’m disabled,” he added.

    Madam Vida Obenewaa Tumfo, 51, and a mother of three, who won the Best Woman Farmer, said she was encouraged to work harder despite the numerous challenges and hardships.

    The awardees were given prizes, including double door refrigerators, chest freezers, cutlasses, agrochemicals, tuna flicks, seedlings, fertilizers, and sprayers.

    Source: gna.org.gh

  • COVID-19: 34 cases Of Omicron variant detected in Ghana

    The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) says it has detected 34 cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the country.

    The Institute in a series of tweets said the imported cases were detected in 120 samples collected between November 21 and 25.

    “The Omicron variant was detected in 28% (34 out of 120) of returning traveler samples (collected from 21-25 November) sequenced. These are the first imported cases of the variant into Ghana, and we are closely monitoring its potential spread in the local population.

    “We encourage the general public to continue adhering to the COVID-19 prevention protocols,” the NMIMR said in a tweet.

    The Ghana Health Service on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, announced Ghana has recorded two cases of the new variant which were detected at the Airport.

    The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) says it has detected 34 cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the country.

    The Institute in a series of tweets said the imported cases were detected in 120 samples collected between November 21 and 25.

    “The Omicron variant was detected in 28% (34 out of 120) of returning traveler samples (collected from 21-25 November) sequenced. These are the first imported cases of the variant into Ghana, and we are closely monitoring its potential spread in the local population.

    “We encourage the general public to continue adhering to the COVID-19 prevention protocols,” the NMIMR said in a tweet.

    The Ghana Health Service on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, announced Ghana has recorded two cases of the new variant which were detected at the Airport.

    The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, revealed that the virus was detected in persons travelling from Nigeria and South Africa into the country.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Minister reviews curfew hours in Bawku

    Ambrose Dery, the Minister of Interior, has reviewed curfew hours from 18:00 hours to 06:00hours in the Bawku Municipality and its environs in the Upper East Region.

    In a statement signed and copied to the media, Mr Dery said the review was based on the advice of the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) and by Executive Instrument.

    The review of the curfew hours from 1600hours to 0600hours, the Minister said was the result of improved security in communities in the Bawku Municipality and the environs concerned.

    “Government calls on the Chiefs, elders, opinion leaders, and people of the area to exercise restraint in the face of the challenges confronting them as well as to use non-violent means to channel their energies into ensuring peace,” Mr Dery said.

    The Minister emphasized the total ban on all persons in Bawku and its environs from carrying arms, ammunition, or any offensive weapon.

    Ambrose Dery, the Minister of Interior, has reviewed curfew hours from 18:00 hours to 06:00hours in the Bawku Municipality and its environs in the Upper East Region.

    In a statement signed and copied to the media, Mr Dery said the review was based on the advice of the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) and by Executive Instrument.

    The review of the curfew hours from 1600hours to 0600hours, the Minister said was the result of improved security in communities in the Bawku Municipality and the environs concerned.

    “Government calls on the Chiefs, elders, opinion leaders, and people of the area to exercise restraint in the face of the challenges confronting them as well as to use non-violent means to channel their energies into ensuring peace,” Mr Dery said.

    The Minister emphasized the total ban on all persons in Bawku and its environs from carrying arms, ammunition, or any offensive weapon.

    “Any person found with any arms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted,” he added.

    Source: GNA

  • Farmers Day remains one of the lasting legacies of Rawlings Koku Anyidoho

    A former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koku Anyidoho has indicated that the Farmers Day celebration is one of the biggest legacies of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings.

    National Farmers Day in Ghana is celebrated on the first Friday of December each year to recognise the contributions of farmers and fishers in the country.

    The holiday is designed to pay respect to the importance of the farming and fishing industry in the socio-economic growth of Ghana.

    In a tweet as part of the celebrations today Friday, December 3, Mr Anyidoho said “Papa J is gone: Farmers Day remains. Jerry John Rawlings instituted Farmers Day in 1985, and it remains one of his lasting legacies. Ayekooo to ALL our farmers and fishermen for keeping bodies and the soul of the nation alive. Long live Ghana.”

    Source: 3news.com

  • Ablakwa blows alarm on government’s GH¢241 million e-levy services payment

    Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has hinted that the Minority Caucus will be demanding full disclosure of the electronic transaction levy, as the government of Ghana has allocated GH¢241,933,000 as its payment.

    According to him, it is unconscionable for the government to tax the poor to make the rich richer.

    Ablakwa in a post on his official Twitter timeline shared Appendix 4B on page 242 of the 2022 budget, where it reveals GH¢241,933,000 has been allocated to e-levy.

    He believes when the Minority Caucus gets the e-levy scrapped, it will affect some “shadowy” business interest.

    The North Tongu MP in a Tweet said, “It does appear our agitations against the E-Levy is going to really affect some shadowy business interests if we succeed in having it scrapped or substantially reduced.

    “Appendix 4B at page 242 of the 2022 budget reveals that a colossal GH¢241,933,000 has already been set aside to pay for so-called e-Transaction Levy Services.

    “We shall be demanding full disclosure in Parliament on this apparent sweetheart deal. Taxing the poor to make the rich richer. This is most unconscionable!” Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa concluded.

    1.75% levy on electronic transactions

    Ken Ofori-Atta introduced a new 1.75% levy on all electronic transactions such as Mobile money transactions, remittances and other electronic transactions.

    Fees and charges of government services have also been increased by 15%.

    The Finance Minister explained, “It is becoming clear there exists an enormous potential to increase tax revenues by bringing into the tax bracket, transactions that could be best defined as being undertaken in the informal economy.

    “As such government is charging an applicable rate of 1.75% on all electronic transactions covering mobile money payments, bank transfers, merchant payments, and inward remittances, which shall be borne by the sender except inward remittances, which will be borne by the recipient.

    Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has hinted that the Minority Caucus will be demanding full disclosure of the electronic transaction levy, as the government of Ghana has allocated GH¢241,933,000 as its payment.

    According to him, it is unconscionable for the government to tax the poor to make the rich richer.

    Ablakwa in a post on his official Twitter timeline shared Appendix 4B on page 242 of the 2022 budget, where it reveals GH¢241,933,000 has been allocated to e-levy.

    He believes when the Minority Caucus gets the e-levy scrapped, it will affect some “shadowy” business interest.

    The North Tongu MP in a Tweet said, “It does appear our agitations against the E-Levy is going to really affect some shadowy business interests if we succeed in having it scrapped or substantially reduced.

    “Appendix 4B at page 242 of the 2022 budget reveals that a colossal GH¢241,933,000 has already been set aside to pay for so-called e-Transaction Levy Services.

    “We shall be demanding full disclosure in Parliament on this apparent sweetheart deal. Taxing the poor to make the rich richer. This is most unconscionable!” Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa concluded.

    1.75% levy on electronic transactions

    Ken Ofori-Atta introduced a new 1.75% levy on all electronic transactions such as Mobile money transactions, remittances and other electronic transactions.

    Fees and charges of government services have also been increased by 15%.

    The Finance Minister explained, “It is becoming clear there exists an enormous potential to increase tax revenues by bringing into the tax bracket, transactions that could be best defined as being undertaken in the informal economy.

    “As such government is charging an applicable rate of 1.75% on all electronic transactions covering mobile money payments, bank transfers, merchant payments, and inward remittances, which shall be borne by the sender except inward remittances, which will be borne by the recipient.

    “To safeguard efforts being made to enhance financial inclusion and protect the vulnerable, all transactions that add up to GH¢100 or less per day, which is approximately GH¢3000 per month, will be exempt from this levy,” Ofori-Atta revealed.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Only the Supreme Court can restore order to Parliament – Tarzan

    Charles Wereko Brobbey, Chief Policy Analyst at the Ghana Institute of Public Policy Options, GIPPO, has reacted to current happenings in the Parliament of Ghana where the Majority Group and Minority are having stern disagreements.

    In his view, the apex court of the land, the Supreme Court of Ghana, appears to be the only institution that can restore order to the lawmaking chamber.

    “At this juncture, only the Supreme Court can restore order to the Parliament of Ghana,” he posted on his known social media handles – Twitter and Facebook.

    Parliament’s rejection on November 26, 2021, of the 2022 budget statement and subsequent recision of that decision and passage of the budget on November 30, 2021, has raised a number of legal issues.

    In the case of the rejection, there is the argument that there was no quorum in the first place for the said vote to be valid. The official count on the day was 137 MPs voting to reject the ballot.

    The session was led by Speaker Alban Bagbin, who in a social media post insists that there were 138 MPs in the house of 275 despite the Majority Group walking out.

    Four days later when the Majority moved to rescind the rejection, the presiding Speaker’s decision to count himself as the 138th MP despite acting as Speaker has also been challenged as illegal. He defends it as valid stressing that he did not vote.

    Charles Wereko Brobbey, Chief Policy Analyst at the Ghana Institute of Public Policy Options, GIPPO, has reacted to current happenings in the Parliament of Ghana where the Majority Group and Minority are having stern disagreements.

    In his view, the apex court of the land, the Supreme Court of Ghana, appears to be the only institution that can restore order to the lawmaking chamber.

    “At this juncture, only the Supreme Court can restore order to the Parliament of Ghana,” he posted on his known social media handles – Twitter and Facebook.

    Parliament’s rejection on November 26, 2021, of the 2022 budget statement and subsequent recision of that decision and passage of the budget on November 30, 2021, has raised a number of legal issues.

    In the case of the rejection, there is the argument that there was no quorum in the first place for the said vote to be valid. The official count on the day was 137 MPs voting to reject the ballot.

    The session was led by Speaker Alban Bagbin, who in a social media post insists that there were 138 MPs in the house of 275 despite the Majority Group walking out.

    Four days later when the Majority moved to rescind the rejection, the presiding Speaker’s decision to count himself as the 138th MP despite acting as Speaker has also been challenged as illegal. He defends it as valid stressing that he did not vote.

    A journalist cum lawyer has filed a motion at the Supreme Court seeking an invalidation of the November 26 process that resulted in a rejection of the budget.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

    A journalist cum lawyer has filed a motion at the Supreme Court seeking an invalidation of the November 26 process that resulted in a rejection of the budget.

  • Police arrest 9 Burkina Faso nationals over kidnapping

    The Central Regional Police Command has arrested some 9 suspects following the kidnapping of one Salmane Tchaboutchou. The suspects who were arrested at Abura in the Central region are Burkina Faso nationals, Citinewsroom reports.

    The arrest came on the back of a complaint by the chief of the Zombrama Community in the Central Region who doubles as a resident of Abura, Osman Dawda that Salmane Tchaboutchou had been kidnapped by some unknown persons at Pedu in Cape Coast.

    The police arrested nine suspects when they tracked and located the area.
    Sixteen cell phones, one HP laptop and seven exercise books were recovered after a search was conducted in their room.

    Central Regional Police Commander, DCOP Kwadwo Antwi Tabi noted that investigations revealed suspects lured the victims from neighbouring countries by promising them lucrative jobs in the mining sector.

    “As part of the employment requirement, victims are to carry some amount of money on them to Ghana. On their arrival, the suspects take the said money from them and kidnap them. They are then made to call relatives to pay a ransom,” DCOP Antwi is quoted to have said.

    The Central Regional Police Command has arrested some 9 suspects following the kidnapping of one Salmane Tchaboutchou. The suspects who were arrested at Abura in the Central region are Burkina Faso nationals, Citinewsroom reports.

    The arrest came on the back of a complaint by the chief of the Zombrama Community in the Central Region who doubles as a resident of Abura, Osman Dawda that Salmane Tchaboutchou had been kidnapped by some unknown persons at Pedu in Cape Coast.

    The police arrested nine suspects when they tracked and located the area.
    Sixteen cell phones, one HP laptop and seven exercise books were recovered after a search was conducted in their room.

    Central Regional Police Commander, DCOP Kwadwo Antwi Tabi noted that investigations revealed suspects lured the victims from neighbouring countries by promising them lucrative jobs in the mining sector.

    “As part of the employment requirement, victims are to carry some amount of money on them to Ghana. On their arrival, the suspects take the said money from them and kidnap them. They are then made to call relatives to pay a ransom,” DCOP Antwi is quoted to have said.

    The suspects are currently being investigated for human trafficking, abetment of kidnapping, kidnapping, unlawful entry into Ghana and living in the country without requisite documents. He however cautioned foreigners who come to the country to perpetrate crimes that they are not going to be spared when caught.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Supreme court trashes review application of Yaw Boakye

    The Supreme Court of Ghana has thrown out a review application filed by Yaw Boakye, son of the late Edward Osei Boakye of Boakye Mattress fame.

    The application was filed to challenge a ruling requiring him to pay outstanding rent of $2.5million to the Edward Osei Boakye Trust Fund, which was set up under the Will of the late business mogul, Graphic.com.gh reports

    The Apex court, on July 21, 2021, gave trustees of the Trust Fund the go-ahead to take steps to retrieve $2.5 million from Yaw Boakye.

    The amount in question is the total unpaid rent over a building which he (Yaw Boakye) had failed to pay as part of consent judgment agreed between him and the trustees.

    The court in addition, gave permission to the trustees to not just retrieve the unpaid rent, but also, to take over an office space in the commercial building, located between Opeibea House and Golden Tulip Hotel, Accra. This being another outstanding obligation of Yaw Boakye under the consent judgment.

    Dismissal of Application

    Yaw Boakye challenged the decision of the Supreme Court through a review application.

    However, in a unanimous decision on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, a seven-member panel of the apex court, presided over by Justice Jones Dotse dismissed the application.

    Background

    Edward Osei Boakye died in 2006 and at the time of his death, the building was uncompleted.

    The first court case in relation to the building was filed on October 17, 2008, by the trustees challenging the validity of a letter purportedly written by the executors of the estate of the late businessman, allegedly allowing Yaw Boakye to complete and take over the building.

    The trustees lost at the High Court, but won at the Court of Appeal in 2011 after the second-highest court of the land held that, per the will and testament of the deceased, the building was supposed to be given to Edward Osei Boakye Trust Fund, which is managed by the trustees.

    The Court of Appeal, therefore, ordered Yaw Boakye to cease all construction works on the property, and also vacate it.

    Aggrieved by the decision of the Court of Appeal, Yaw Boakye filed an appeal at the Supreme Court but while the appeal was pending, the parties decided to settle the matter based on terms of settlement, which was adopted by the Supreme Court as consent judgement in the case involving the parties.

    Terms of settlement

    Under the terms of settlement, the Trustees agreed to sublet the property to Yaw Boakye for a period of 15 years, from May 1, 2015, to April 30, 2030, for a monthly rent of $35,000, payable in cedis annually.

    The terms of settlement also included a commitment by Yaw Boakye to allocate one office space on the ground floor of the building upon completion of works.

    Court documents showed that Yaw Boakye paid the first year rent of $420,000 after which he reneged on his obligations.

    Legal actions

    This prompted the trustees to file a fresh suit in the High Court, seeking recovery of the property, the unpaid rent, as well as damages for breach of contract.

    In 2019, the High Court issued an interim order of preservation and inspection, which led to the court ordering the tenants in the building not to pay rent to Yaw Boakye, but rather into an interest-bearing account until the final determination of the suit.

    Yaw Boakye challenged the decision and initiated a plethora of applications from the High Court to the Supreme Court, which were all dismissed.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Police in Upper West assure residents of peaceful Christmas celebrations

    The Upper West Regional Police Commander, ACP Mr Peter Ndekugri Anumbugre has assured the Overlord of the Waala Traditional area and people in the region of peace and tranquillity before, during and after the Christmas festivities and urged them to assist by feeding the Police with vital information to clamp down on the activities of miscreants in the region.

    While calling on the Overlord, Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV and his Sub-Chiefs and Queen mothers to urge their subjects especially the youth to desist from engaging in crime, ACP Peter Ndekugri noted that crime-fighting is a shared responsibility and should not be left for the Police alone to handle.

    He made these remarks during his visit of the Overlord in Wa Tuesday, November 30, 2021, together with some senior Police officers in the region, according to a release issued by the outfit dated December 1, 2021, and signed by Inspector Gideon Ohene Boateng, Head of Public Affairs Unit of the Command.

    “The Regional Commander assured the Chief and people in the region of peace and tranquillity before, during and after the yuletide and also urged them to assist by feeding the Police with vital information to clamp down the activities of miscreants in the society.

    “He further urged Chiefs and Queen mothers to disseminate the message to members within their jurisdiction especially the youth to desist from engaging in crime-related activities since fighting crime is a shared responsibility,” the release read in part.

    The release said the visit by the Police Command was part of its efforts to curb crime as well as maintain peace and security through dialogue with the Overlord of the Waala Traditional Council, Naa Fuseini Pelpuo, his sub-chiefs and Queen Mothers to discuss matters concerning security at his Palace.

    It added that some significant crime-related issues discussed included: cattle rustling, pilfering of motorbikes, circulation of nude pictures and videos that have been ongoing in the region, as well as kidnapping.

    The Overlord in his submission commended the Police for what he described as their proactiveness in solving issues of security concerns while also applauding some initiatives by the outfit geared at curbing crime.

    His Royal Highness meanwhile assured the Police to liaise with the Police in the establishment of neighborhood watchdog committees within the area in preventing crime and also charged the Command to be vigilant on the conduct of its officers who might want to misconduct themselves in their line of duty.

    “He assured the Police of his collaboration to curb the persistent crime by submitting applications for the creation of neighborhood watchdog committees to assist the Police to reduce the menace.

    “He assured the Police of his collaboration to curb the persistent crime by submitting applications for the creation of neighbourhood watchdog committees to assist the Police to reduce the menace.

    “He also expressed concern about the operation of some officers and urged the Regional Command to monitor critically the activities of his officers to prevent the shame associated with Officers found guilty of certain misconducts,” the statement furthered.

    Source: ghanaweb.com

  • Here are your top fuel stations and their price tags

    Some Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have started reducing prices of fuel at the pump stations due to the reduction of crude prices on the international market.

    The Institute for Energy Studies (IES) has indicated that prices of fuel products will go down by this weekend.

    But for now, here are your top 10 oil marketing companies and their prices for petrol and diesel. These prices are the same for both petrol and diesel.

    Shell is selling fuel at GH¢6.90

    Puma Energy is selling at GH¢6.88

    GOIL is selling at GH¢6.85

    Petrosol is selling at GH¢6.64.

    Allied is selling at GH¢6.83

    Benab Oil is selling at GH¢6.83

    Total is selling at GH¢6.80

    Frimps Oil is selling at GH¢6.78

    Zen Petroleum is selling at GH¢6.68

    Star Oil is selling at GH¢6.65.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Akufo-Addo congratulates Prempeh College for 2021 NSMQ win

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has served notice of his eagerness to receive winners of the 2021 National Science and Maths Quiz at the seat of government.

    In a post congratulating Prempeh College for winning the competition, President Akufo-Addo described the win as a victory well deserved.

    Congratulations to @PrempehCollege on their victory in the finals of #NSMQ2021. It was a thoroughly deserved victory, and I look forward to welcoming them AGAIN to Jubilee House very soon. Congratulations once again,” the president posted on his Twitter page.

    By convention, winners of the NSMQ competition present their trophy to the president after a win.

    The 2021 edition of the competition climaxed on November 26, 2021, with the final contest being between Prempeh College, Keta Senior High School and the Presbyterian Boys Senior High School (Legon-Presec).

    Prempeh College emerged winners of the competition by gaining some 53 points in the grand finale. Legon-Presec came second place with 49 points and Keta SHS came third with 30 points.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Dont strike, add on to stay in business TAGG to traders

    Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG) said the action by the government regarding the removal of the Benchmark values and adding on the cost of doing business at Ghana Ports will not be a problem that should warrant a strike action or a demonstration to interrupt business activities of their members.

    According to the leadership of the Group, big businesses like Shoprite, Melcom, Game, Palace, Orca Deco, China Mall, Koala and others do not go on strike or demonstrate in matters like this because they will always pass on the excess cost to the final consumer.

    In view of that TAGG has urged its members and traders not to entertain any activity that will affect the free flow of their business operations especially towards the festive season and advised all traders to add on in order to stay in business.

    This call was made by the President of TAGG, Kwadwo Amoateng in an interview during a press conference the Group had on the 2020 Budget.

    According to him, TAGG has no problem with government initiatives aiming to direct their Enterprising Traders into the local manufacturers.

    He however indicated that the reversal of the 50% and 30% Benchmark values which the Finance Minister, in presenting the 2022 Budget statement on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, 24th November, 2021 on some 32 selected items and vehicles respectively with the aim of promoting the manufacturing sector and the patronage of locally produced goods in Ghana is not a good decision.

    “Should we ask ourselves that per the advice from AGI to government enough to inform the decision of reversing the Benchmark values? With regards to our questions, the production data from these Ghanaian industries are crucial to the trader to make some basic analysis on availability of stocks, which informs the decisions in comparing prices, quality standards and availability of the volumes needed for our operations now that 100% benchmark values are restored,” he said.

    He reminded the government that traders will always be traders and are ever ready to pass on any additional charge/cost to the final consumer 100%.

    He averred that the government must clearly indicate the 32 selected items of which Ghanaian companies are producing, and the production capacity being produced by these companies as claimed by the government.

    TAGG has also urged the government to take a second look at the composite of the E-levy and possibly reduce the rate to an acceptable level where every Ghanaian will accept and embrace.

    According to the Group, the E-levy is a smart way of widening the tax net and also in increasing the tax contribution to GDP growth 2022, hence that cannot be done away with.

    Addressing the Press Conference in Accra, General Secretary of TAGG, Nana Poku, indicated that government is to reduce the E-levy rate and stagger rates in standard tiers since traders have come to accept the digital payment platforms especially the MoMo platforms for payment of wages, paying suppliers and their vendors.

    The Finance Minister indicated in the budget the introduction of the 1.75 percent Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) scheduled to take off in January 2022.

    TAGG averred that the convenience that the MoMo platform brings has even reduced highway robbery amongst their members and traders, and hence the Group entreats the government to go “back to the drawing board and think about the rate again and heed to the advice and call from Ghanaians especially traders.”

    TAGG also suggested that the government liaise with Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG) for data on Traders who can do huge volumes on the local sourcing of the 1D1F products and find a way to support these traders within that category.

    Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG) said the action by the government regarding the removal of the Benchmark values and adding on the cost of doing business at Ghana Ports will not be a problem that should warrant a strike action or a demonstration to interrupt business activities of their members.

    According to the leadership of the Group, big businesses like Shoprite, Melcom, Game, Palace, Orca Deco, China Mall, Koala and others do not go on strike or demonstrate in matters like this because they will always pass on the excess cost to the final consumer.

    In view of that TAGG has urged its members and traders not to entertain any activity that will affect the free flow of their business operations especially towards the festive season and advised all traders to add on in order to stay in business.

    This call was made by the President of TAGG, Kwadwo Amoateng in an interview during a press conference the Group had on the 2020 Budget.

    According to him, TAGG has no problem with government initiatives aiming to direct their Enterprising Traders into the local manufacturers.

    He however indicated that the reversal of the 50% and 30% Benchmark values which the Finance Minister, in presenting the 2022 Budget statement on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, 24th November, 2021 on some 32 selected items and vehicles respectively with the aim of promoting the manufacturing sector and the patronage of locally produced goods in Ghana is not a good decision.

    “Should we ask ourselves that per the advice from AGI to government enough to inform the decision of reversing the Benchmark values? With regards to our questions, the production data from these Ghanaian industries are crucial to the trader to make some basic analysis on availability of stocks, which informs the decisions in comparing prices, quality standards and availability of the volumes needed for our operations now that 100% benchmark values are restored,” he said.

    He reminded the government that traders will always be traders and are ever ready to pass on any additional charge/cost to the final consumer 100%.

    He averred that the government must clearly indicate the 32 selected items of which Ghanaian companies are producing, and the production capacity being produced by these companies as claimed by the government.

    TAGG has also urged the government to take a second look at the composite of the E-levy and possibly reduce the rate to an acceptable level where every Ghanaian will accept and embrace.

    According to the Group, the E-levy is a smart way of widening the tax net and also in increasing the tax contribution to GDP growth 2022, hence that cannot be done away with.

    Addressing the Press Conference in Accra, General Secretary of TAGG, Nana Poku, indicated that government is to reduce the E-levy rate and stagger rates in standard tiers since traders have come to accept the digital payment platforms especially the MoMo platforms for payment of wages, paying suppliers and their vendors.

    The Finance Minister indicated in the budget the introduction of the 1.75 percent Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) scheduled to take off in January 2022.

    TAGG averred that the convenience that the MoMo platform brings has even reduced highway robbery amongst their members and traders, and hence the Group entreats the government to go “back to the drawing board and think about the rate again and heed to the advice and call from Ghanaians especially traders.”

    TAGG also suggested that the government liaise with Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG) for data on Traders who can do huge volumes on the local sourcing of the 1D1F products and find a way to support these traders within that category.

    “Once we assist the government in identifying these high-volumes of traders, an arrangement could be put together with the manufacturers to supply the traders within the scope of the agreement. This is because we have the full database of all these traders who have the capacity to do so with a click of a button…we are calling on the government to heed our call to maintain peace and tranquility in the country,” he said.

    Source: Prosper Agbenyega, Contributor

  • Five concessions Ofori-Atta made in 2022 budget after Minority protest

    Some concessions have been made in the 2022 budget after the minority in parliament rejected it last Friday.

    Appearing before the House on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, noted that the most talked-about e-levy will be reviewed to 1.50%.

    Also, a provision has been made for the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project to combat tidal waves.

    The famous Agyapa Royalties deal has also been wiped out from the 2022 budget.

    He continued that the Aker narrative has been amended, and the 50% benchmark value policy has equally been reviewed.

    Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, made this listicle in a tweet sighted by GhanaWeb.

    He bemoaned that the concessions were not properly laid before the House for approval.

    “The Finance Minister is said to have told Parliament that based on the NDC MPs resistance, the following concessions have been made about the 2022 budget: a Provision now made for the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project to combat tidal waves, 2, Agyapa expunged, 3, Aker narrative amended, 4, Benchmarks reviewed and 5, E-levy reduction to 1.50 from 1.75 even though we had insisted on an outright scrap,” part of his post read.

    “The point is, there are major concessions that substantially alter the shape and form of the 2022 budget initially presented to Parliament, so what exactly has the sham approval approved? Particularly, when these fundamental concessions are not properly [laid] before the House for approval. Did their unconstitutional conduct purported to approve the rejected budget or they approved a new budget with the said concessions?” he quizzed.

    Parliament approved the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of government presented by Ken Ofori-Atta on Wednesday, November 17.

    The budget was approved in the absence of Minority members.

    Some concessions have been made in the 2022 budget after the minority in parliament rejected it last Friday.

    Appearing before the House on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, noted that the most talked-about e-levy will be reviewed to 1.50%.

    Also, a provision has been made for the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project to combat tidal waves.

    The famous Agyapa Royalties deal has also been wiped out from the 2022 budget.

    He continued that the Aker narrative has been amended, and the 50% benchmark value policy has equally been reviewed.

    Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, made this listicle in a tweet sighted by GhanaWeb.

    He bemoaned that the concessions were not properly laid before the House for approval.

    “The Finance Minister is said to have told Parliament that based on the NDC MPs resistance, the following concessions have been made about the 2022 budget: a Provision now made for the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project to combat tidal waves, 2, Agyapa expunged, 3, Aker narrative amended, 4, Benchmarks reviewed and 5, E-levy reduction to 1.50 from 1.75 even though we had insisted on an outright scrap,” part of his post read.

    “The point is, there are major concessions that substantially alter the shape and form of the 2022 budget initially presented to Parliament, so what exactly has the sham approval approved? Particularly, when these fundamental concessions are not properly [laid] before the House for approval. Did their unconstitutional conduct purported to approve the rejected budget or they approved a new budget with the said concessions?” he quizzed.

    Parliament approved the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of government presented by Ken Ofori-Atta on Wednesday, November 17.

    The budget was approved in the absence of Minority members.

    In their absence, Ken Ofori-Atta re-submitted a revised version of the 2022 budget, which was unanimously approved by the Majority MPs including the first deputy speaker, Joseph Osei Owusu.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Pay employees contributions by 14th to avoid penalties – SSNIT to employers

    Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has entreated employers to pay the contributions of their workers by 14th of the month to avoid being surcharged for late payment.

    In cases where employers fail to meet the deadline, there’s an option available where they can negotiate terms of settlement with the Trust.

    In a press release sighted by GhanaWeb, management pointed out that the issue of the court comes up if the defaulting employers fail to pay their contribution and do not negotiate terms of settlement as well with SSNIT.

    It said, “The Trust encourages and reminds employers to pay the social security contributions of their workers by 14th of the ensuing month to avoid paying penalties. However, where employers fail to do so, they have the option to negotiate terms of settlement. Management of SSNIT initiates court action against defaulting employers who fail to take advantage of negotiations.

    “SSNIT continues to actively engage government, the largest employer, to pay the contributions of its employees,” parts of the release read.

    Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has entreated employers to pay the contributions of their workers by 14th of the month to avoid being surcharged for late payment.

    In cases where employers fail to meet the deadline, there’s an option available where they can negotiate terms of settlement with the Trust.

    In a press release sighted by GhanaWeb, management pointed out that the issue of the court comes up if the defaulting employers fail to pay their contribution and do not negotiate terms of settlement as well with SSNIT.

    It said, “The Trust encourages and reminds employers to pay the social security contributions of their workers by 14th of the ensuing month to avoid paying penalties. However, where employers fail to do so, they have the option to negotiate terms of settlement. Management of SSNIT initiates court action against defaulting employers who fail to take advantage of negotiations.

    “SSNIT continues to actively engage government, the largest employer, to pay the contributions of its employees,” parts of the release read.

    The Trust further assured the public that it will continue to ensure prudent management of funds to enhance the long term sustainability of the scheme.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • KETASCO NSMQ contestants given heroes’ welcome

    Contestants, who represented Keta Senior High Technical School (KETASCO) in the just-ended National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) competition, have returned to a rousing welcome.

    The three main contestants, Bright Senyo Gadzo, Francisca Lamini, and James Lutterodt, and the entire NSMQ team, who arrived Tuesday afternoon, were met by their colleagues, teachers, and the public at Keta Business College (KETABUSCO) Junction for a procession to the KETASCO campus and the School’s cadet guard of honour.

    The welcome ceremony, under the auspices of Torgbui Dzelu IV, Dufia of Dzelukope, saw poetry recitals touting the school’s credentials in Ewe and English, cultural performance, and the rendition of the Anlo State anthem to celebrate their feat.

    Torgbui Dzelu, on behalf of chiefs in the area, presented a citation in honour of each of the three contestants, as well as specially imported tablets for them and an undisclosed amount of money to the NSMQ team for their performance.

    Torgbui Dzelu, in a speech, said he was so delighted because the contestants made Anlo, Volta, and Oti proud with their outstanding performance and assured that the chiefs would always be behind them and urged them to fly higher as eagles for the trophy to be brought home next year.

    Speaking on behalf of the NSMQ team, Mr. Isaac Boateng thanked Torgbui Dzelu and other chiefs for making the celebration a success.

    He said the team was of the strongest conviction that next year’s celebration would see the coveted trophy brought to the School to make it even more memorable.

    Mr. Isaac Kofi Dzidzienyo, Headmaster, KETASCO said the performance of the students could not be attributed to sheer luck but a result of great effort from contestants, staff, past students, and the School Management.

    He said the school was distinguishing itself not just in academics but in sports and culture, noting that it would continue to excel and set itself apart.

    A past student of KETASCO, Mr. Siegfried Sedziafa said the royal welcome ceremony in honour of “our gallant soldiers” from the “battlefield in Kumasi” was to celebrate the great feat and “encourage the school to aim higher and capture the ultimate the next time the opportunity avails itself.”

    “Even as the sea eats our land today with reckless abandon, KETASCO will still remain the beacon of hope for generations unborn. Our token, the eagle, will continue to fly high.”

    Francisca Lamini, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, was grateful for the support so far and advised other female colleagues that just as she excelled in the contest, they could also do the same and even better with commitment and determination in whatever they would put their minds to.

    The celebration, chaired by Torgbui Hatsu III of Dzita, had prominent Torgbuiwo and Mamawo from Keta, Tegbi, Vui, and their environs including Torgbui James-Ocloo V and Torgbui Haxormene IV, past students, and father of Bright Senyo Gadzo, Mr. Mawunyo Gadzo in attendance.

    Contestants, who represented Keta Senior High Technical School (KETASCO) in the just-ended National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) competition, have returned to a rousing welcome.

    The three main contestants, Bright Senyo Gadzo, Francisca Lamini, and James Lutterodt, and the entire NSMQ team, who arrived Tuesday afternoon, were met by their colleagues, teachers, and the public at Keta Business College (KETABUSCO) Junction for a procession to the KETASCO campus and the School’s cadet guard of honour.

    The welcome ceremony, under the auspices of Torgbui Dzelu IV, Dufia of Dzelukope, saw poetry recitals touting the school’s credentials in Ewe and English, cultural performance, and the rendition of the Anlo State anthem to celebrate their feat.

    Torgbui Dzelu, on behalf of chiefs in the area, presented a citation in honour of each of the three contestants, as well as specially imported tablets for them and an undisclosed amount of money to the NSMQ team for their performance.

    Torgbui Dzelu, in a speech, said he was so delighted because the contestants made Anlo, Volta, and Oti proud with their outstanding performance and assured that the chiefs would always be behind them and urged them to fly higher as eagles for the trophy to be brought home next year.

    Speaking on behalf of the NSMQ team, Mr. Isaac Boateng thanked Torgbui Dzelu and other chiefs for making the celebration a success.

    He said the team was of the strongest conviction that next year’s celebration would see the coveted trophy brought to the School to make it even more memorable.

    Mr. Isaac Kofi Dzidzienyo, Headmaster, KETASCO said the performance of the students could not be attributed to sheer luck but a result of great effort from contestants, staff, past students, and the School Management.

    He said the school was distinguishing itself not just in academics but in sports and culture, noting that it would continue to excel and set itself apart.

    A past student of KETASCO, Mr. Siegfried Sedziafa said the royal welcome ceremony in honour of “our gallant soldiers” from the “battlefield in Kumasi” was to celebrate the great feat and “encourage the school to aim higher and capture the ultimate the next time the opportunity avails itself.”

    “Even as the sea eats our land today with reckless abandon, KETASCO will still remain the beacon of hope for generations unborn. Our token, the eagle, will continue to fly high.”

    Francisca Lamini, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, was grateful for the support so far and advised other female colleagues that just as she excelled in the contest, they could also do the same and even better with commitment and determination in whatever they would put their minds to.

    The celebration, chaired by Torgbui Hatsu III of Dzita, had prominent Torgbuiwo and Mamawo from Keta, Tegbi, Vui, and their environs including Torgbui James-Ocloo V and Torgbui Haxormene IV, past students, and father of Bright Senyo Gadzo, Mr. Mawunyo Gadzo in attendance.

    KETASCO, the first-ever school from the Volta Region to reach the finals of the prestigious competition, which started in 1993, won a bronze medal after scoring 30 points in the contest against 53 by Prempeh College and 49 by Presbyterian Boys SHS, five and seven times finalists respectively.

    Source: GNA

  • 2015 Hansard shows how Speaker Doe Adjaho affirmed quorum on voting

    The issue of quorum has been a sticking point in Parliament in the last few days. It was raised strongly in the November 26 process that rejected the 2022 Budget and returned to the floor four days later on November 30 when the rejection was overturned and the budget passed.

    Last Friday, the Majority contended that the quorum required for a decision to be taken as half of all MPs present and that the Minority with 137 members did not meet that threshold.

    Yesterday, it was the Minority contending that the decision by the MP for Bekwai, who was sitting as the Speaker to count himself as the 138th Member allowing the House to reach a quorum to take a decision was illegal.

    A 2015 Hansard of Parliament as presented by Damongo MP and Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, shows that history had once presented the House with a similar situation.

    Whilst appearing on the November 30, 2021, edition of the Good Evening Ghana programme on Metro TV, he read how Speaker at the time Edward Korbly Doe Adjaho had stressed the need to always read Standing Orders of Parliament but ensure that it aligned with the Constitutional provision.

    Speaker Adjaho was speaking on the floor of the house on an earlier ruling by his first deputy at the time Ebo Barton Oduro. The issue at hand also involved a submission by then-Majority Leader and current Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.

    The Hansard read as follows: “Later that day the Speaker, Rt. Hon Edward Kobby Doe Adjaho again ruled on the matter as follows: Hon members, you are aware that this house is not supreme, we are subject to the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.

    “The rule is that, where the Constitution has made provision for the regulation of the proceedings of the House, they take precedence over any other rule, indeed the Standing Orders of this House.

    “There is a quorum to do business and that is one-third of the House and there is a quorum to take a decision. So, we need to draw a distinction between the quorum to do business and the quorum to take a decision.

    “The Quorum take a decision is regulated by Art 104 (1), the fundamental question is that, at the time that the vote was taken, did we have at least half of the Hon Members present? It is a Constitutional issue which has been captured in the Standing Orders Order 109 (1).”

    He continued by stating that from the result of a headcount that had been conducted earlier in the house, there were 67 MPs and 66 on either side of the House, meaning the total number came up to 133, short of the minimum 138.

    “Therefore there is a serious constitutional issue there, so at the time that the votes were taken, this house lacks the legal in fact the Constitutional capacity to take a decision. So I entirely endorse the position taken by the first deputy speaker that we do not have the number constitutionally speaking to take a decision. Therefore, no decision has been taken,” he concluded.

    Budget rejection, recission and approval in space of five days

    Speaker Alban Bagbin on Friday, November 26, 2021, supervised a vote that rejected the 2022 Budget and Economic Policy statement after the majority side had staged a boycott of proceedings just before a prayer for adjournment by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta for further consultations on the budget.

    The prayer was rejected by the Minority en bloc before they also voted against the approval of the budget when a question was put before the house.

    However, the house having reconvened on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, voted to overturn the budget rejection of Friday, and subsequently held another vote to approve the budget albeit in the absence of the minority who stayed out of the chamber.

    Presiding over proceedings of the house on Tuesday, the Second Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei Owusu sitting in for the speaker after ordering for a count of the number of MPs in the house, albeit only majority MPs, announced that there were 138 members present including himself.

    He further stated that the number satisfies the constitutional requirement for the house to pass a vote and thus called for a new vote to overturn the decision on Friday as moved by the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.

    With the absence of the minority side, the all-majority MPs present voted to overturn the rejection of the 2022 budget statement.

    The house further conducted a vote to pass the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy with the speaker announcing the budget presented to the house by the minister for finance on September 17, 2021, as having been adopted by the house.

    Meanwhile, the minority side in a press conference has described the approval of the budget as contravening the dictates of the law and procedures of parliament.

    At the press conference addressed by the Majority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, he stated that the second deputy speaker who was presiding over proceedings cannot be counted as a voting MP and thus the number in the chamber did not satisfy the constitutional requirement to reach a decision.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Man who sold fried grasshoppers on plane faces jail

    A man accused of selling fried grasshopper snacks to passengers aboard a Ugandan Airlines plane has been charged by police alongside a second man who’s accused of filming it.

    Footage has been widely shared online since the weekend:

    Mubiru Paul and Hajib Kiggundu were arrested on Monday on arrival from Dubai and charged on Tuesday with three counts – creating nuisance, refusing to follow airline crew’s instructions and negligent acts likely to cause the spread of an infectious disease.

    The charge for spreading an infectious disease attracts a sentence of up to seven years, the Daily Monitor reports.

    The national carrier Uganda Airlines condemned what it called “unruly” behaviour and local media reported that some staff were suspended.

    Yet Uganda Airlines said it would consider adding the delicacy to its menu upon request, noting the excitement onboard from passengers during a low season for grasshopper numbers in Uganda.

  • Guinea junta transfer ousted Alpha Conde to wife’s residence – Official

    The National Rally Committee for Development (CNRD), the junta in charge of Guinea have confirmed that ousted President Alpha Conde has been moved from his place of detention since the September 5, 2021 coup.

    The junta in a televised statement said Conde had been moved from his place of detention to his wife, Hadja Djene Kaba Condé’s residence in the capital Conakry.

    The statement read in part: “(we) continue to provide the former head of state with treatment worthy of his rank, and this without any national or international pressure.”

    Conde has been held by the Mamady Doumbouya-led junta since his ouster. The junta refused to release him to Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara – who wanted to take him back to Abidjan.

    Conde had been elected twice as president in 2010 and 2015 but he led a constitutional referendum to allow him contest for a controversial third term.

    He was barely a year into that term when he was overthrown.

    Guinea is currently suspended from the West Africa’s regional bloc, ECOWAS, and the African Union because of the coup with ECOWAS slapping the junta leaders with sanctions.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • China to donate a billion COVID-19 vaccines to Africa – President Xi

    China will donate a billion additional COVID-19 vaccines to Africa, President Xi Jinping pledged yesterday when he addressed a China – Africa forum that took place in Senegal.

    Xi disclosed that 600 million of the doses will be sent directly while the remaining 400 million will be delivered via investment in vaccine production across the continent.

    The event was the 8th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for China – Africa Cooperation, FOCAC.

    China has been a major donor of vaccines to a number of African countries and has also sold doses to others notably to Zimbabwe.

    Records indicate that 180 million vaccine doses to Africa are China-made – be it Sinovac or Sinopharm.

    With about 7% of Africa’s population fully vaccinated, the continent is about the least vaccinated.

    Vaccines for countries in the African region have largely been via bilateral donations or via the COVAX facility – a WHO-led vaccine platform pushing for equity in inoculation rollout.

    China will donate a billion additional COVID-19 vaccines to Africa, President Xi Jinping pledged yesterday when he addressed a China – Africa forum that took place in Senegal.

    Xi disclosed that 600 million of the doses will be sent directly while the remaining 400 million will be delivered via investment in vaccine production across the continent.

    The event was the 8th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for China – Africa Cooperation, FOCAC.

    China has been a major donor of vaccines to a number of African countries and has also sold doses to others notably to Zimbabwe.

    Records indicate that 180 million vaccine doses to Africa are China-made – be it Sinovac or Sinopharm.

    With about 7% of Africa’s population fully vaccinated, the continent is about the least vaccinated.

    Vaccines for countries in the African region have largely been via bilateral donations or via the COVAX facility – a WHO-led vaccine platform pushing for equity in inoculation rollout.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Women’s Ballon d’Or: Alexia Putellas wins award for being best female footballer in 2021

    Barcelona captain Alexia Putellas won the Women’s Ballon d’Or, awarded to the best female footballer in 2021.

    Putellas, 27, scored as Barca beat Chelsea 4-0 to secure their first Champions League crown.

    She ended the 2020-21 season as the highest-scoring midfielder in Europe with 26 goals in all competitions and was also named Uefa’s Women’s Player of the Year and Midfielder of the Year.

    Team-mate Jennifer Hermoso came second, with Chelsea striker Sam Kerr third.

    Arsenal forward Vivianne Miedema was fourth, while the Chelsea trio of Pernille Harder, Jessie Fleming and Fran Kirby were seventh, ninth and 10th respectively.

    “I’m sure I won’t be the last Barcelona player to win the prize. This is just the beginning,” said Putellas, who was one of five Barca players nominated for the award.

    Former England midfielder Karen Carney, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, praised Putellas.

    “She has been brilliant for Barcelona,” said Carney.

    Arsenal forward Vivianne Miedema was fourth, while the Chelsea trio of Pernille Harder, Jessie Fleming and Fran Kirby were seventh, ninth and 10th respectively.

    “I’m sure I won’t be the last Barcelona player to win the prize. This is just the beginning,” said Putellas, who was one of five Barca players nominated for the award.

    Former England midfielder Karen Carney, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, praised Putellas.

    “She has been brilliant for Barcelona,” said Carney.

    “She has been phenomenal playing that attacking midfield role. She is so key to Barcelona – and she can get a goal or thread a pass.”

    Alexia Putellas captained Barcelona to their first Champions League success as they beat Chelsea 4-0 in the final

    Women’s Ballon D’Or

    Women’s Ballon D’Or

    1. Alexia Putellas (Barcelona / Spain, midfielder)
    2. Jennifer Hermoso (Barcelona / Spain, forward)
    3. Sam Kerr (Chelsea / Australia, forward)
    4. Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal / Netherlands, forward)
    5. Lieke Martens (Barcelona / Netherlands, midfielder)
    6. Christine Sinclair (Portland Thorns / Canada, forward)
    7. Pernille Harder (Chelsea / Denmark, midfielder)
    8. Ashley Lawrence (Paris St-Germain / Canada, defender)
    9. Jessie Fleming (Chelsea / Canada, midfielder)
    10. Fran Kirby (Chelsea / England, forward)

    Source: bbc

  • Omicron: WHO warns of ‘high infection risk’ around globe

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the Omicron coronavirus variant poses a high risk of infection surges around the globe.

    The variant could lead to severe consequences in some regions, the WHO said on Monday.

    The head of the organisation, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, renewed a call for a global push to get vaccines to poorer nations.

    Covid-19 is “not done with us” yet he warned.

    The variant was detected in South Africa earlier this month with initial evidence suggesting it has a higher re-infection risk. South Africa has been praised for its prompt reporting of the variant.

    “Omicron has an unprecedented number of spike mutations, some of which are concerning for their potential impact on the trajectory of the pandemic,” the WHO said.

    Speaking on Monday, Dr Tedros said scientists around the world are working to discover if the new variant is associated with higher transmission, risk of reinfection and how it reacts to vaccines.

    “Omicron’s very emergence is another reminder that although many of us think we are done with Covid-19, it is not done with us,” he said.

    He added that no deaths have been linked to the new variant yet.

    Cases have already been reported in a number of countries including Canada, the UK, Portugal, Belgium and the Netherlands.

    The new variant has prompted the UK, EU and US to issue a travel ban on Southern African countries – a decision criticised by South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa.

    Japan has announced it is closing its borders to new foreign visitors from midnight on Tuesday, while Australia has paused its long-awaited plan to ease border restrictions.

    Travel into Australia for international students and “skilled workers” holding visas was meant to re-start on Wednesday but has now been delayed until 15 December.

    Israel has also banned foreigners from entering the country.

    Chart showing cases compared by region. Updated 29 Nov

    The US has also followed suit with Joe Biden telling Americans to “go get your booster”. He also urged people to wear masks indoors.

    But Mr Biden also said he did not anticipate any further US travel restrictions or lockdowns at this time.

    There have been more than 261 million cases and five million deaths around the globe since the pandemic started in 2020, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

    Graphic showing the number of deaths worldwide is 5.2 million, up 5,034 in the latest 24-hour period. The number of cases is 261.5 million, up by 394,775 in the latest 24-hour period. Updated 29 Nov

    Source: bbc.com

  • Ballon d’Or: Lionel Messi wins award as best player in world football for seventh time

    Paris St-Germain and Argentina forward Lionel Messi won the Ballon d’Or – awarded to the best footballer of the year – for a record seventh time.

    Messi, 34, helped his country win the Copa America, his first international honour, and has scored 40 goals in 2021 – 28 for Barcelona, four for Paris St-Germain and eight for Argentina.

    Bayern Munich and Poland striker Robert Lewandowski came second, Chelsea and Italy midfielder Jorginho was third and Real Madrid’s French striker Karim Benzema finished fourth.

    The Ballon d’Or is voted for by 180 journalists from around the world, although there was no award in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    Either Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo (five wins) collected the award every year from 2008 to 2019, apart from in 2018 when Croatia midfielder Luka Modric won it.

    Messi had already won the trophy more times than any other player and his seventh success comes after wins in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019.

    “It’s incredible to be here again,” he said at the ceremony, held at Paris’s Theatre du Chatelet.

    “Two years ago I thought it was the last time. People were starting to ask me when I was going to retire but now I’m here in Paris and very happy.

    “It’s a special year for me with this Copa America title. It meant a lot to win [1-0 against Brazil in the final] at the Maracana stadium and I was so happy to celebrate with the people from Argentina.

    “I don’t know if it’s the best year of my life – I’ve had a long career – but it was a special one with the title with Argentina after the tough times and the criticism.”

    Messi also had warm words for the runner-up, 33-year-old Poland captain Lewandowski.

    “I wanted to say to Robert that it was an honour to go up against him,” said Messi. “He deserved to win it last year.”

    Lewandowski scored 53 goals in all competitions in 2021 for Bayern and was awarded the Striker of the Year prize, a new award that was only announced hours before the ceremony began.

    Paris St-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, who helped Italy win Euro 2020, won the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper, while Champions League winners Chelsea were named Club of the Year.

    Barcelona midfielder Pedri, 19, won the Kopa Trophy for the best player aged under 21, with England internationals Jude Bellingham, Mason Greenwood and Bukayo Saka coming second, fifth and sixth respectively.

    Fourteen of the 30 players shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or currently play in the Premier League.

    Chelsea had five players represented, with third-placed Jorginho joined by N’Golo Kante in fifth, Romelu Lukaku in 12th, Mason Mount in 19th and Cesar Azpilicueta, who tied for 29th.

    Premier League champions Manchester City had the same number as Kevin de Bruyne came eighth, Raheem Sterling 15th, Riyad Mahrez 20th, Phil Foden 25th and Ruben Dias 26th.

    Manchester United pair Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes were sixth and tied for 21st respectively, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah was seventh and Tottenham’s Harry Kane 23rd.

    Lionel Messi was the joint top goalscorer in the Copa America as Argentina won to give him his first international honour

    Ballon d’Or results

    1. Lionel Messi (Paris St-Germain/Argentina, forward)
    2. Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich/Poland, forward)
    3. Jorginho (Chelsea/Italy, midfielder)
    4. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/France, forward)
    5. N’Golo Kante (Chelsea/France, midfielder)
    6. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United/Portugal, forward)
    7. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool/Egypt, forward)
    8. Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City/Belgium, midfielder)
    9. Kylian Mbappe (Paris St-Germain/France, forward)
    10. Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris St-Germain/Italy, goalkeeper)
    11. Erling Braut Haaland (Borussia Dortmund/Norway, forward)
    12. Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea/Belgium, forward)
    13. Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus/Italy, defender)
    14. Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy, defender)
    15. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City/England, forward)
    16. Neymar (Paris St-Germain/Brazil, forward)
    17. Luis Suarez (Atletico Madrid/Uruguay, forward)
    18. Simon Kjaer (AC Milan/Denmark, defender)
    19. Mason Mount (Chelsea/England, midfielder)
    20. Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City/Algeria, forward)
    21. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United/Portugal, midfielder), tied with Lautauro Martinez (Inter Milan/Argentina, forward)
    22. –
    23. Harry Kane (Tottenham/England, forward)
    24. Pedri (Barcelona/Spain, midfielder)
    25. Phil Foden (Manchester City/England, forward)
    26. Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan/Italy, midfielder), tied with Ruben Dias (Manchester City/Portugal, defender) and Gerard Moreno (Villarreal/Spain, forward)
    27. –
    28. –
    29. Luka Modric (Real Madrid/Croatia, midfielder), tied with Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea/Spain, defender)
    30. –

    Source: bbc.com

  • Covid Omicron: No need to panic, South African minister says

    South Africa’s health minister says there is “absolutely no need to panic” over the new coronavirus variant Omicron, despite a surge in cases.

    “We have been here before,” Joe Phaahla added, referring to the Beta variant detected in South Africa last December.

    South Africa also condemned the travel bans imposed on the country, saying they should be lifted immediately.

    Omicron has been classed as a “variant of concern”. Early evidence suggests it has a heightened re-infection risk.

    The heavily mutated variant was detected in South Africa earlier this month and then reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) last Wednesday.

    The variant is responsible for most of the infections found in South Africa’s most populated province, Gauteng, over the last two weeks.

    The number of cases of “appears to be increasing in almost all provinces” in the country, according to the WHO.

    South Africa reported 2,800 new infections on Sunday, a rise from the daily average of 500 in the previous week.

    Government adviser and epidemiologist Salim Abdool Karim said he expected the number of cases to reach more than 10,000 a day by the end of the week, and for hospitals to come under pressure in the next two to three weeks.

    Dr Phaahla said he wanted to “reiterate that there is absolutely no need to panic” because this “is no new territory for us”.

    “We are now more than 20 months’ experienced in terms of Covid-19, various variants and waves,” he added at a media briefing.

    On Monday, Japan became the latest country to reinstate tough border restrictions, banning all foreigners from entering from 30 November.

    The UK, EU and US are among those who earlier imposed travel bans on South Africa and other regional states.

    UN Secretary General António Guterres said he was “deeply concerned” about the isolation of southern Africa, adding that “the people of Africa cannot be blamed for the immorally low level of vaccinations available in Africa”.

    The bans and restrictions have left the plans of a huge number of travellers up in the air.

    South African Annalee Veysey, who is getting treatment for cancer in South Africa, was expecting to be reunited with her family in the UK early in December.

    She has been separated from them for the last 15 months because of earlier travel restrictions and her treatment.

    “It’s almost two years of my life I’ve missed out with my family. Especially if you’ve had a journey with cancer, you find what your family means to you,” she told the BBC, adding that she felt “desperate”.


    South Africa’s main airport in Johannesburg was getting quieter over the weekend as restrictions were taking effect

    Hannah Day is stuck in Pretoria. She flew to South Africa last week after she got news that her son, who lives there, was in hospital after being bitten by a snake.

    He is now recovering but Ms Day needs to return to the UK for work. “I can self-isolate, but I cannot afford to pay for the quarantine,” she told the BBC.

    The WHO has warned against countries hastily imposing travel curbs, saying they should look to a “risk-based and scientific approach”.

    The world body’s Africa director Matshidiso Moeti said on Sunday: “With the Omicron variant now detected in several regions of the world, putting in place travel bans that target Africa attacks global solidarity.”

    However, Rwanda and Angola are among African states that have announced a restriction on flights to and from South Africa.

    South Africa’s foreign ministry spokesman Clayson Monyela described their decision as “quite regrettable, very unfortunate, and I will even say sad”.

    In a speech on Sunday, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa said the bans would not be effective in preventing the spread of the variant.

    “The only thing the prohibition on travel will do is to further damage the economies of the affected countries and undermine their ability to respond to, and recover from, the pandemic,” he said.

    Current regulations in South Africa make it mandatory to wear face coverings in public, and restrict indoor gatherings to 750 people and outdoor gatherings to 2,000.

    Mr Ramaphosa said South Africa would not impose new restrictions, but would “undertake broad consultations on making vaccination mandatory for specific activities and locations”.

    There are no vaccine shortages in South Africa itself, and Mr Ramaphosa urged more people to get jabbed, saying that remained the best way to fight the virus.

    Health experts said that Gauteng, which includes Johannesburg, had entered a fourth wave, and most hospital admissions were of unvaccinated people.

    Omicron has now been detected in a number of countries around the world, including the UK, Germany, Australia and Israel.

    In other developments:

    • China said it would offer 1bn doses of vaccines to African countries on top of the 200m it had already supplied
    • US Covid adviser Anthony Fauci says the government is on “high alert” and that spread is inevitable
    • A Czech woman who came back from Namibia recently was confirmed to have the Omicron variant
    • Portugal has detected 13 cases of the variant among players and staff of Lisbon-based Belenenses SAD football club
    • Australia has paused its plans to reopen its borders in light of the Omicron variant

    Source: bbc.com

  • Barbados becomes a republic and parts ways with the Queen

    Barbados has officially removed Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state and become the world’s newest republic.

    In an overnight ceremony in the capital, Bridgetown, Dame Sandra Mason was sworn in as president.

    The Prince of Wales and Barbadian singer Rihanna attended the event, which coincided with the country’s 55th anniversary of independence.

    In a speech, Prince Charles acknowledged the “appalling atrocity of slavery” the Caribbean island suffered.

    The new era for Barbados ends Britain’s centuries of influence, including more than 200 years when the island was a hub for the transatlantic slave trade.

    To signify the official change of power, a final salute was made to the British monarchy and the Royal Standard flag was lowered and replaced.

    Speaking as the guest of honour at the event, Prince Charles reiterated the continuing ties between the two nations despite the constitutional status change.

    He described the moment as a new beginning before being awarded the prestigious Order of Freedom of Barbados by the new president.

    The Queen sent the country her “warmest good wishes” for “happiness, peace and prosperity in the future” and said the nation holds a “special place” in her heart.

    Dame Sandra Mason, 72, the island’s governor-general since 2018, was named as president-elect of the nation following a vote in parliament last month. She now replaces the Queen as the head of state.

    “Vessel Republic Barbados has set sail on her maiden voyage. May she weather all storms and land our country and citizens safely on the horizons and shores which are ahead of us,” she said after being sworn in.

    Barbados announced its plan to become a republic last year, but it will remain within the Commonwealth.

    Prince Charles attends the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony to mark the birth of a new republic in Barbados at Heroes Square in Bridgetown
    Prince Charles travelled to Bridgetown as a guest of honour at the ceremony
    Members of the Barbados Coast Guard remove The Queen"s Royal Standard flag
    The British monarch’s Royal Standard flag was taken down and replaced to mark the official change of status
    Rihanna (centre) attends the Presidential Ceremony in Heroes Square, Bridgetown
    Rihanna was declared a national hero at the independence day event

    Leading national figures, including Prime Minister Mia Mottley, swore allegiance to Barbados in front of the new president at the ceremony, which lasted for several hours.

    She later announced that pop star Rihanna would be named a national hero by President Mason. The artist and businesswoman, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, was previously named an ambassador by her home country in 2018.

    “May you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honour to your nation,” Ms Mottley said, in reference to one of Rihanna’s songs.

    Source: bbc.com

    2px presentational grey line

  • Except when there’s an emergency, police managment must stay in traffic – IGP Dampare

    Ghana’s Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, has said that as part of measures in ensuring discipline in the Ghana Police Service, persons in management are obliged to adhere to all road traffic regulations.

    He has disclosed that Police Management Board no longer abuse the use of sirens except in emergency cases.

    In the IGP’s statement read on his behalf by the director-general in charge of police patrol, COP Paul Manly Awuni at the 7th Ghana CEO Network Business Cocktail, he noted that the Police Service is fighting indiscipline from two fronts thus “by example and by ensuring that anyone who is indiscipline faces the law, no matter who that person is.”

    He said: “Surely, the first step in fighting indiscipline is for people, particularly all categories of leaders to live by example, doing what is right and eschewing what is wrong. In our own small way, we, members of the Police Management Board, are trying to live by example and except when there are emergencies, you will find most of us in traffic, abiding by the road traffic regulations and desisting from abusing the sirens in our official vehicles.”

    Speaking at the event held at the Number One Oxford Street Hotel in Accra, COP Paul Manly Awuni furthered: “We believe that if leaders live by example, their followers and members of the public would emulate the examples without questions. In any case, those of them who refuse to do the right thing could then be whipped into line by the leaders with moral courage.”

    “The second approach in the fight against indiscipline is to tackle it head on fearlessly, fairly, firmly and transparently. This implies that in enforcing discipline, we must apply what I will call the hot stove principle. When an electric stove is switched on and the surface plate heats up and becomes red-hot, whoever touches it, be the person a millionaire, pauper, assemblyman or ordinary man, it will burn that person and that is it,” Dr Akuffo Dampare charged.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • John Mahama signs Captain Tsikata’s book of condolence

    The 2020 flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has today Monday, November 29, 2021, signed the book of condolence opened for the late Captain Kojo Tsikata (Rtd).

    Captain Kojo Tsikata (Rtd) was reported to have passed away on November 20, 2021, with no details about the cause of his death.

    A statement from the family signed by Col. Joshua Agbotui (Rtd) and Fui Tsikata said Captain Tsikata died in the early hours of Saturday, November 20, 2021.

    He served in the Ghana Army as a top officer and was the former Head of National Security and Foreign Affairs of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).

    John Mahama described the death of one of the founding members of the NDC as a significant loss to the party.

    “The passing of our senior comrade, pan-Africanist and freedom fighter, Captain Kojo Tsikata (Rtd.), is a great loss to the National Democratic Congress, Ghana, Africa, and all progressive movements across the globe. Captain as he was simply referred to, contributed immensely to the development, peace, and stability of Ghana, the global liberation movement, and actually fought alongside our Cuban comrades in Angola in the war against the forces of apartheid and colonialism,” he said in a statement.

    See below images of former president John Mahama signing the book of condolence of the late captain Kojo Tsikata

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Bagbin breaks silence, pokes holes into majority claims on 2022 budget rejection

    The Speaker of Parliament has, for the first time spoken after the rejection of the 2022 budget in parliament.

    In a Facebook post, the Speaker of Parliament said the 2022 budget was lawfully rejected, therefore, the statement by the majority that it was unconstitutional should be disregarded.

    He added that at the time the budget was rejected, over 138 Members of Parliament were present.

    “Please let it be known that there were more than 137 MPs on the floor when I put the question for the approval or rejection of the Economic Policy and Financial Statement of the government for the 2022 financial year often referred to as the Budget for 2022,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

    Below is post

    Background:

    On Friday, November 26, 2021, all 137 Minority Members of Parliament voted against the motion when the question was put forward by Speaker Alban Bagbin.

    The Majority had earlier walked out of the house after a disagreement with the Speaker on the presence of the General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia.

    The House first voted to dismiss a motion by the Finance Minister seeking to engage the leadership of both parties before voting on the Budget.

    Reacting to this development in parliament, the Majority leader Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu stated what they say is the unconstitutionality associated with a vote purportedly rejecting the 2022 Budget as presented by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta on November 17, 2021.

    In a statement issued late Friday, November 26, 2021, after the 137 Minority MPs voted to reject the Budget, the Majority cited among other reasons the need for at least 138 MPs in the house for the vote to be valid.

    Whiles accusing Speaker Alban Bagbin of acting on his boast to obstruct government business, the statement added that failure to grant the Finance Minister audience with a request to delay the approval vote was a sign of a predetermined motive to frustrate government business.

    The Speaker has however responded to these allegations and has set the records straight.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

    The Speaker has however responded to these allegations and has set the records straight.

  • Don’t pollute the focus of this bill with adultery or fornication – Anti-LGBTQ+ sponsors

    Sponsors of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021, also known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, has said the subject of adultery and fornication should not be brought into discussions about the approval of the anti-LGBTQ+bill.

    According to Rockson Dafeamakpor, the issue of adultery and fornication has already been provided for under the Matrimonial Causes Act.

    He, therefore, advised that the issue of adultery should not be brought into discussions about the bill that seeks to criminalize LGBTQ+ acts.

    Taking their turn to speak about the bill to the committee, Rockson Dafeamekpor said, “The question has been asked whether or not we would be amenable to adding something including adultery and all that, adultery is already provided for under our matrimonial clauses act section 2 thereabout. I am saying that it is already provided. If this house comes to the determination that you want to criminalize adultery it is right for the proponent to propose it, and whether this house will adopt it, that is fine but our bill is not addressing adultery and that is not the focus of this bill. Nobody should pollute the focus of this bill with adultery or fornication.”

    Sam George who appeared with Rockson Dafeamekpor added that if there is the need to criminalize adultery, parliament consists of 274 members, anyone could pick it up as a private member bill.

    “If you want it expanded to include that, there is still 267 that could do that, the honourable Ursula Owusu could pick up a private member bill on adultery and fornication. I have not come across any group of adulteries or fornicators who are asking for society to recognize their rights to adultery. They are apples and oranges.”

    The Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament today, continued a series of public hearings on the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021, also known as the LGBTQ+ bill.

    This comes after the suspension of the first hearing on Thursday, November 11, 2021, due to time constraints.

    The Chairman of the Committee, Kwame Anyimadu, said eight persons or organizations will appear before the Committee today, Monday, November 29, 2021.

    Background LGBTQ+ bill

    A team of 8 MPs led by Samuel Nartey George have jointly submitted a private bill to push for the criminalization of LGBTQI+ activities in the country.

    The Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021 was laid in the House on Monday, August 2 and read for the first time.

    Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, subsequently referred the Bill to the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Committee for consideration.

    He urged the public to submit memoranda on the bill.

    It is based on this a group of 18 renowned lawyers, academicians and other professionals sent a memorandum to parliament for the bill to be thrashed, stating that it violates the fundamental human right guaranteed in the constitution.

    Sponsors of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021, also known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, has said the subject of adultery and fornication should not be brought into discussions about the approval of the anti-LGBTQ+bill.

    According to Rockson Dafeamakpor, the issue of adultery and fornication has already been provided for under the Matrimonial Causes Act.

    He, therefore, advised that the issue of adultery should not be brought into discussions about the bill that seeks to criminalize LGBTQ+ acts.

    Taking their turn to speak about the bill to the committee, Rockson Dafeamekpor said, “The question has been asked whether or not we would be amenable to adding something including adultery and all that, adultery is already provided for under our matrimonial clauses act section 2 thereabout. I am saying that it is already provided. If this house comes to the determination that you want to criminalize adultery it is right for the proponent to propose it, and whether this house will adopt it, that is fine but our bill is not addressing adultery and that is not the focus of this bill. Nobody should pollute the focus of this bill with adultery or fornication.”

    Sam George who appeared with Rockson Dafeamekpor added that if there is the need to criminalize adultery, parliament consists of 274 members, anyone could pick it up as a private member bill.

    “If you want it expanded to include that, there is still 267 that could do that, the honourable Ursula Owusu could pick up a private member bill on adultery and fornication. I have not come across any group of adulteries or fornicators who are asking for society to recognize their rights to adultery. They are apples and oranges.”

    The Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament today, continued a series of public hearings on the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021, also known as the LGBTQ+ bill.

    This comes after the suspension of the first hearing on Thursday, November 11, 2021, due to time constraints.

    The Chairman of the Committee, Kwame Anyimadu, said eight persons or organizations will appear before the Committee today, Monday, November 29, 2021.

    Background LGBTQ+ bill

    A team of 8 MPs led by Samuel Nartey George have jointly submitted a private bill to push for the criminalization of LGBTQI+ activities in the country.

    The Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021 was laid in the House on Monday, August 2 and read for the first time.

    Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, subsequently referred the Bill to the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Committee for consideration.

    He urged the public to submit memoranda on the bill.

    It is based on this a group of 18 renowned lawyers, academicians and other professionals sent a memorandum to parliament for the bill to be thrashed, stating that it violates the fundamental human right guaranteed in the constitution.

    Ghanaians have, however, bashed them for their position against the bill but they have clarified that their call for the bill to be thrashed is based on the fact that it violates all the fundamental human rights in the constitution and not that they are in support of gayism and lesbianism.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Assembly Members urged to study GIFMIS payment system

    Assembly Members of the Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Assembly (KKMA) have been asked to study the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) and to understand the financial operations of the Assembly.

    Mr Coleman Gyandor, Facilitator Boundless Consulting Group, said Assembly Members needed to understand GIFMIS, which was rolled out to cure financial lapses in the various government institutions.

    Mr Gyandor was addressing Assembly Members at a workshop organized by the Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Assembly (KKMA) at Atimpoku in the Eastern Region.

    He said Assembly Members could review and certify payment applications for the supply of goods and services under the GIFMIS system if they understood the operations of the system.

    He said the Assembly Members must help the public to understand the various government policies and programmes, including procurement and expenditure.

    GIFMIS is an electronic platform used by the government to manage commitments made against appropriation and payment. It enables the central government to deal with some lapses, which normally occur during transaction processes.

    Mr Gyandor said the GIFMIS system was to help improve government budgetary estimates, financial management and the reporting processes.

    Justifying the training, Mr Samuel Okoe Amanquah, the Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Chief Executive, said Assembly Members as representatives of various communities needed the skills to perform their duties.

    Mr Amanquah said the Assembly members must also be familiar with the code of ethics, rules and regulations that govern Assembly operations.

    He said the Assembly Members would help the Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Assembly to bring development to the people.

    Mr Joseph Kwesi Gbeze, Presiding Member Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Assembly, expressed gratitude to the Assembly Members for attending the workshop.

    He urged the Assembly Members to ask the relevant questions to aid them in the performance of their duties.

    Mr Gbeze said it was important the Assembly Members build good relationships with the electorate, saying the three-day workshop would enhance their capacity to create a good rapport with the people they serve.

    Source: GNA

  • Botswana’s Omicron variant was ‘detected in 4 diplomats of Ghanaian origin’ – Ex-MP alleges

    A former Member of Parliament in Botswana, Alfred Rabashemi Madigele has alleged that the first cases of the new COVID-19 variant the southern African country recorded last week ‘was detected in 4 diplomats of Ghanaian origin.’

    Madigele made the claim in a November 28 Facebook post protesting the fact that Botswana and South Africa were among the first countries – along with others in the southern Africa region – to be slapped with flight bans by the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States over the new variant.

    His post stressed that the two countries had rather served the world well by detecting and raising alarm relative to the Omicron variant of the virus known as SARS-CoV-2 variant: B.1.1.529.

    His gripe includes that Botswana had failed to disclose that the variant was found in diplomats and quizzed further how and why Ghana and other African countries are not subjected to a similar ban.

    There has been a strong demand for information by Ghanaians commenting on his post asking that he gives further and better particulars on his classification of “diplomats of Ghanaian origin.”

    Among those making the information request are Professor Kweku Azar, Dr. Kwame Sarpong Asiedu of CDD-Ghana and former presidential press secretary Ben Dotse-Malor.

    The Botswanan medic has yet to respond to any of the inquiries at the time of filing this report. Meanwhile, his government explained the status of the country relative to the new variant in a press conference on Sunday.

    Read full post of the ex-MP below:

    Why are we not telling the world that Botswana has sophisticated scientists who managed to do and identify genetic sequencing of the new variant named Omicron ahead of all countries?

    Are we and RSA being punished for our brilliance? Why are we not telling the world that this variant was detected in 4 diplomats of Ghanaian origin? Why are we not telling the world to not only target us, but target Ghana and other western African countries?

    Omicron variant is possibly one of the several variants in circulation we will keep getting new variants of Covid-19 time and again. It’s the way that we respond to these that will define us, that will define the course of epidemic response for generations to come.

    What WHO said about the new COVID-19 variant

    The Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) is an independent group of experts that periodically monitors and evaluates the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and assesses if specific mutations and combinations of mutations alter the behaviour of the virus. The TAG-VE was convened on 26 November 2021 to assess the SARS-CoV-2 variant: B.1.1.529.

    The B.1.1.529 variant was first reported to WHO from South Africa on 24 November 2021. The epidemiological situation in South Africa has been characterized by three distinct peaks in reported cases, the latest of which was predominantly the Delta variant.

    In recent weeks, infections have increased steeply, coinciding with the detection of B.1.1.529 variant. The first known confirmed B.1.1.529 infection was from a specimen collected on 9 November 2021.

    This variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning. Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, as compared to other VOCs.

    The number of cases of this variant appears to be increasing in almost all provinces in South Africa. Current SARS-CoV-2 PCR diagnostics continue to detect this variant.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Great Commission Church urges Parliament to pass anti-LGBTQI Bill

    The Great Commission Church International (GCCI) has urged Parliament to ensure the passage of the anti – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Intersex (LGBTQI) Bill.

    Apostle Professor Samuel Asuming-Brempong, the Chairman of the Ghana National Council of GCCI, said the Church supported the Private Member’s Bill currently being debated in Parliament and encouraged the House to pass it to safeguard Ghana’s future.

    “As a Church centered on the Lord Jesus Christ who Himself is the builder of the Church, we are guided in our faith and conduct by the word of God, the Holy Bible,”

    In an address at the GCCI Ghana 31st National Annual General Council Meeting at Ashaley Botwe, near Accra, Apostle Prof Asuming-Brempong said: “We therefore, totally reject the lifestyle and deviant behaviour of LGBTQI group, which we consider also as contrary to our culture and values as Ghanaians.

    “Even though we love the individuals who practice such behaviours, we cannot endorse their behaviour. We encourage them to turn away from the wrong path they are following and seek God’s grace and mercy.”

    The Council Meeting is on the theme: “Imitating Christ in Making Disciples,” and being attended by more than 130 pastors and elders.

    Apostle Prof Asuming-Brempong appealed to men of God to preach the Gospel centered on Jesus Christ, saying: “We should not just preach anything but rather the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. We should copy Jesus in everything”.

    The Great Commission Church International (GCCI) has urged Parliament to ensure the passage of the anti – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Intersex (LGBTQI) Bill.

    Apostle Professor Samuel Asuming-Brempong, the Chairman of the Ghana National Council of GCCI, said the Church supported the Private Member’s Bill currently being debated in Parliament and encouraged the House to pass it to safeguard Ghana’s future.

    “As a Church centered on the Lord Jesus Christ who Himself is the builder of the Church, we are guided in our faith and conduct by the word of God, the Holy Bible,”

    In an address at the GCCI Ghana 31st National Annual General Council Meeting at Ashaley Botwe, near Accra, Apostle Prof Asuming-Brempong said: “We therefore, totally reject the lifestyle and deviant behaviour of LGBTQI group, which we consider also as contrary to our culture and values as Ghanaians.

    “Even though we love the individuals who practice such behaviours, we cannot endorse their behaviour. We encourage them to turn away from the wrong path they are following and seek God’s grace and mercy.”

    The Council Meeting is on the theme: “Imitating Christ in Making Disciples,” and being attended by more than 130 pastors and elders.

    Apostle Prof Asuming-Brempong appealed to men of God to preach the Gospel centered on Jesus Christ, saying: “We should not just preach anything but rather the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. We should copy Jesus in everything”.

    “Take the Bible and learn the passages, then preach them. When we do this, the Lord shall be with us to confirm His word.”

    Source: GNA

    Source: GNA

    “Take the Bible and learn the passages, then preach them. When we do this, the Lord shall be with us to confirm His word.”

  • We have the numbers to win – Majority denies running away from budget approval vote

    The Majority side in parliament say the significance of the 2022 budget approval voting which is expected to be conducted today is not lost on them.

    Debate on the 2022 budget presented in parliament by the finance minister on November 17, 2021, is set to be concluded today November 26, 2021, after which approval voting is expected to be held.

    However as at midday when proceedings was expected to have commenced already, the majority members of the house were yet to take to their seats.

    The minority, in a press conference addressed by Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, alleged that the majority is running away from the process due to fears of having the budget rejected.

    But speaking to the media subsequently, Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh Dompreh refuted the claims.

    He indicated that the majority, contrary to the claims of the minority, had been locked up in a caucus meeting which has caused their delay in reporting to the chamber.

    “Caucus meeting is something normal that we do in this house. So for anybody to have the temerity to come and address you and to say that we are engaging in ferrying our members with chartered flight and I am told all manner of stories. I mean treat it with the greatest level of disrespect and disdain,” the Majority Chief Whip said.

    Ahead of the approval vote, the majority side is said to be having a deficit in numbers.

    The member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, and the Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya, Sarah Adjoa Safo, are reported to be out of the country.

    And According to Sam George, the government has chartered a private jet to bring them back into the country.

    The make-up of the current parliament has made policies requiring voting to be contentious, especially when there is a disagreement between the two sides of the house.

    The majority with 138 MPs has only one seat more than the minority side which has 137 members in the house.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com