TIG Post

Author: Persis

  • The Multimedia Group files a formal complaint against Kennedy Agyapong for threatening Erastus Asare Donkor

    The Multimedia Group has filed a formal complaint against the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong for threatening the life of one of its journalists, Erastus Asare Donkor.

    In the letter, dated July 13, 2021, addressed to the Deputy Regional Commander, Ashanti Region, the media group demanded security protection for Erastus Asare Donkor.

    It also called for a thorough investigation into the threats issued by the legislator.

    The Multimedia Group files formal complaint against Kennedy Agyapong for threatening Erastus Asare Donkor

    On Friday, July 9, Mr Agyapong was reported to have verbally abused and threatened to attack Mr Asare Donkor, “for the journalistic work that the latter undertook during the recent shootings and killing incident at Ejura” on Net 2 TV, a television station owned by the MP.

    The outspoken politician was filmed on a live programme which was widely published on social media platforms, stating that, “if he [Mr Agyapong] were President, he would have ensured that Erastus Asare Donkor is beaten mercilessly.”

    The Multimedia Group files formal complaint against Kennedy Agyapong for threatening Erastus Asare Donkor

    Citing events that led to the murder of an investigative journalist, Ahmed Hussein-Suale, Management of The Multimedia Group described the threats of the MP as, “life-threatening”, thus, should not be taken lightly.

    The complaint was copied to 14 officials, including the Chief of Staff, Ministers of Interior and National Security, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Ashanti Regional Minister, the Inspector General of Police, the Director of Criminal Investigation Department.

    The Multimedia Group files formal complaint against Kennedy Agyapong for threatening Erastus Asare Donkor

    Others include; the Country Director of Media Foundation for West Africa, the Human Rights Watch, International Federation of Journalists.

    Source: MyJoyOnline.com

  • Cantonment police intercept weapon hidden in food for inmate

    The high vigilance of a police officer on duty has foiled an attempt to smuggle a firearm and ammunition into Cantonments cells by a lady.

    According to the police, on Sunday, July 11, 2021, at about 4: 45 pm, a 23-years-old lady with a Nigerian accent came to the charge office with two packs of Papaye labelled fast food to be served on a robbery remand prisoner in cells.

    “When the food was carefully inspected by the officer on duty, a locally manufactured pistol with one AA cartridge was found concealed in one of the packs with the food covering it,” a police sitrep said.

    Unfortunately, the lady managed to flee the scene.

    The police said efforts are currently underway to trace and arrest the lady.

    Cantonment police intercepts weapon hidden in food for inmate

    Source: MyJoyOnline.com

  • Minister assesses sanitary conditions at Adjen Kotoku Market

    Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, has toured the Adjen Kotoku Market in the Ga West Municipality to assess the water and sanitation conditions in the area.

    The visit followed the relocation of the onion traders from the Agbobloshie Market to the Adjen Kotoku Market as part of the decongestion exercise of Accra by the Greater Accra Regional Minister.

    Madam Dapaah was accompanied by the Chief Director, Mr Obeng Fosu, and some staff of the Ministry and was taken round the market by the Ga West Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Clement Nii Lamptey Wilkinson.

    Madam Dapaah, in an address, told the traders that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led government was a credible one and that it had their concerns at heart to provide them their needs to have a comfortable stay.

    She said the Ministry would soon provide the market with additional sanitary facilities such as 24-seater toilet each for male and female, 40 urinals, and 20 bathhouses, and that the traders should exercise restraint whilst their problems were solved.

    The Minister urged them to be self-disciplined by keeping the market under hygienic condition and avoid indiscriminate disposal of waste, while encouraging the leadership of the market to put checks on those who flout the sanitary rules.

    Mr Wilkinson expressed gratitude to the Minister for the visit and assured the traders of the expansion of the market to create more space to accommodate them.

    Source: GNA

  • US$5 million alleged bribe probe: CJ must step aside or resign – Sosu

    Member of Parliament for Madina, Francis-Xavier Sosu has called on Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah to step aside to allow for a probe into a US$5million bribery allegation leveled against him.

    According to the lawmaker, doing so has become imperative due to the sensitive nature of the institution he heads.

    He made the submission in a Facebook post before repeating same on a local radio station on Monday, July 12: “The position of Chief Justice is one of trust and a very honourable position that must not in any way be undermined. The CJ stands for justice, fairness and it is based on his actions that all judges take inspiration.

    “If you go to the Supreme Court, he is the head, so if a huge matter as this and it is not coming from just anyone but a lawyer who claims his client made those pronouncements, then there is the need for a probe.

    “And if this probe must take place, if the accused remains in his role, the probe become untenable… that is why we need to take the issue seriously and to investigate and bring finality,” he submitted.

    He indicated, there are several anti-corruption institutions that have the mandate and capacity to look into the issue citing among others the Office of the Special Prosecutor and CHRAJ.

    “This is why we have Office of the Special Prosecutor, this is why there is EOCO and CHRAJ, all of them are anti-corruption agencies that must take this matter very seriously,” he added.

    Chief Justice calls for CID probe

    The Chief Justice on Monday, July 12, officially wrote to the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service to investigate the allegation of bribery made against him.

    A private legal practitioner, one Kwasi Afrifa in response to a petition filed against him by a client alleged that the said client had told him about a US$5million bribe request from the CJ in a case he was presiding over.

    “He further informed me that the Chief Justice had demanded a bribe of US$5,000,000 for a successful outcome to his case and that he had already paid US$500,000 to the Chief Justice,” lawyer Afrifa alleged in response to his client’s petition. The client has since denied this claim in a statement.

    In his letter through the Judicial Service to the police CID, the CJ denied having anything to do with the potentially criminal matter and denied taking money to influence any decision.

    “His Lordship the Chief Justice is saddened that without any shred of evidence, his name has been dragged into this sordid and potentially criminal matter.

    “His Lordship further asserts that he has not demanded or received any money from any person to influence any decision,” the letter said.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Toll collection at Tema motorway resumes after the accident

    Attendants at the Accra-bound side of the Tema motorway have resumed toll collection after the process was suspended due to an accident earlier this morning.

    Drivers who used the road during the time of the incident drove freely to and from Accra to Tema.

    It has taken about four hours for the collection to resume.

    Earlier in the morning, Monday, 12 July 2021, a tipper truck crashed into the tollbooth.

    A tollbooth attendant is feared dead.

    The attendant could be seen in a video that captured the aftermath of the crash, lying motionless by the accident scene.

    Apart from the attendant, a visually-and-hearing-impaired attendant also got injured in the accident.

    Aside from the damage caused to the tollbooth, two vehicles including a saloon car with registration number GT 469- 10 whose occupants also sustained some injuries was destroyed beyond repairs.

    Eyewitnesses surmise that either the driver failed his brakes or was inexperienced.

    Meanwhile, Mr Jeffery Koomson, a son of one of the injured attendants, said after receiving information about the accident, he rushed to the hospital only to meet his dad with both legs crushed.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Ghana Card to be used for foreign travels soon – NIA boss

    Executive secretary of the National Identification Authority (NIA), Professor Kenneth Attafuah, has described the Ghana Card as a powerful tool that could be used for any desired thing including travels in the country and beyond.

    Professor Attafuah disclosed that Ghanaians will soon use the Ghana Card as their passports for West African and foreign travels.

    He noted that the Ghana Card already has an electronic passport on it which is valid for West African travels.

    He said discussions have been held with the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the National Information Technology Agency (NITA) concerning this new development.

    Professor Attafuah said, “We had a beautiful meeting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last Friday. We are talking about the modalities for getting two things done… One is the onboarding of the passport, data integration with the passport office and also even how you get to use the Ghana Card to travel. I indicated that the Ghana Card is a powerful tool, it already has an electronic passport on it, which is valid for travel within West Africa.”

    “The conversation we had with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and NITA is to get the appropriate certification and International Standardisation Organisation Certification and the International Civil Aviation Organisation Certification (ICAO) so that the Ghana Card itself can be a valid passport for travel to Europe, the American countries.”

    Meanwhile, the National Identification Authority will register Ghanaians living abroad for the Ghana Card once this dream comes to fruition.

    He said this on Asaase Breakfast Show on Monday, July 12, 2021.

    This follows the successful merging of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) database with the National Identification Authority (NIA) on June 28, 2021.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • 15-year-old student allegedly behind 3 fire outbreaks at Accra Academy

    A 15-year-student of the Accra Academy Senior High School has admitted to having been behind three separate fire outbreaks on campus.

    The Form Two student, name withheld, has been handed over to the police for investigation. He is being charged for causing unlawful damage contrary to section 172(1) (b) of the Criminal and other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

    Based on a recent fire recorded on June 23, 2021, authorities of the school set up a Committee to investigate the unfortunate incidents at the school.

    Upon a careful assessment, it was revealed that the Form 2 student was behind the fire recorded at the dormitories including the ones that destroyed several properties at the Alema Hall and Halm-Addo Hall.

    The student who explained that he was forced to enroll at Accra Academy confessed that he secretly set the dormitory on fire intending to close down the school. According to management of the school, the boy sought to be a day student instead of being in the boarding house after the fire incident at the dormitory.

    In his account, he revealed that he carries out his action while students are at prep studying adding that he buys petrol from a nearby filling station, sprinkles on plastic bottles and then set the dormitory on fire with a match.

    In January 2021, GhanaWeb reported on a fire incident at one of the new dormitories at Accra Academy which destroyed several properties including food items, trucks, books, chop boxes, mattresses among other valuables. The students were at prep when the incident occurred, reports indicated that there was no power at the time of the incident, this the National Fire Service described as “strange”.

    “There was no power at the dormitory and so it is strange that the building could catch fire…The first one too we were told there was no power in the dormitory so it means that the students are not monitored properly to find out whether somebody used naked flame secretly or mobile phone. A mobile phone hidden in books for a longer period of time and it becomes hot can ignite fire,” said the Head of Public Relations at the Ghana National Fire Service, Robinson Okoe Ellis in an interview on TV3.

    The student has however been bailed and handed over to his parents. The PRO of the Accra Regional Police, DSP Effia Tenge has stated that the matter has been forwarded to the Attorney General Department.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Tollbooth attendant dead after tipper truck runs into Tema motorway tollbooth

    A tollbooth attendant is reportedly dead, while another is in critical condition after a tipper truck run into the Tema motorway tollbooth, Monday, July 12, 2021.

    A viral video of the crash sighted by GhanaWeb shows many onlookers at the scene in an attempt to rescue the victims who seem trapped in the smashed tollbooth.

    An attendant, who is visually and hearing impaired, is also said to have sustained serious injuries after he was pulled out of the debris.

    Some tollbooth attendants were also seen wailing.

    An eyewitness, Kingsley Dunyo told Citi FM that, “I was on the Spintex-Roadside, but a few meters away from the toll booth, I saw the tipper driver rushing to the booth at the Tema side. The rate at which he was speeding showed that something was definitely going wrong. Either his brake had failed or he was an inexperienced driver.

    “By the time we realized, he had run into the toll booth, killing the attendant. So, one of the attendants is dead, and the other is heavily injured.”

    On his part, Chief Supt. William Asante, Tema Regional Commander of the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), explained on Citi FM, [the] “vehicle had stopped to pay the toll and then the tipper-truck driver carelessly on its part ran into the booth.”

    “This is the result we are witnessing now. It is a serious accident…Some people have sustained varying degrees of injuries and have been rushed to the Tema General Hospital,” Chief Supt. Asante added.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • MoMo operators commend parliamentary inquiry into their security concerns

    The Mobile Money Agents Association of Ghana (MMAAG) has commended moves by Parliament to look into concerns raised by the association regarding security in their line of duty.

    According to the association, the directive from the Speaker of Parliament to the Defense and Interior Committee of the House to “submit a report as regards solutions to the security and financial problems of the operators” is welcoming news.

    The association maintained that the threat of insecurity makes work difficult for them and could potentially deplete the sector if not looked at critically.

    A statement regards their operational challenges was raised by Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South and consequently upheld by the Speaker of Parliament who subsequently directed the Defense and Interior Committee to submit a report as regards solutions to the security and financial problems of the operators.

    “Hundreds of Ghanaians have lost their lives, some deformed, maimed, millions of cedis lost over the period through gunshots, acid baths and fraud. As a result of these, families that depend on these businessmen and women are left behind without any form of support from the institutions that be.

    “The Mobile Money sector and its accompanying challenges are becoming so critical that as a nation considering the roles and contributions of Momo operators, the sector must be placed at the centre of the economy to ensure that the operators are given the needed support”, a statement issued on July 9 read in part.

    The association said it was ever ready and willing to cooperate with authorities and stakeholders in coming out with lasting solutions that will protect and safeguard the sector.

    “Management reiterates that this initiative is very commendable and that our doors are open for any assistance, dialogue and cooperation to help execute the mandate for mutual benefits.”

    Source: 3news.com

  • Government exploring possibilities to sell diaspora bonds Adu Boahen

    Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen has indicated government’s keenness to selling diaspora bonds to Ghanaians living abroad.

    According to him, the central government is carefully exploring a number of strategies to implement the best possible idea for the move.

    In an interaction with Business24 monitored by GhanaWeb, the minister of state said a preliminary analysis of the diaspora bonds has so far shown how challenging it could be.

    “The challenge about diaspora bonds is that to sell them, you have to have permission to distribute retail. So, if you are in America and you want to sell diaspora bonds to an investor base, you have to actually distribute or market it to every individual. [Because] every state in America has different rules when it comes to selling securities to individuals, you have to have a whole distribution team of brokers all over the country.

    “Each one of them has to abide by the rules to be able to sell the products to individuals and then try and generate the funds. When we looked at the total market and what it would take to do that kind of set-up, it was very challenging,” he told Business24.

    He continued: “It would be easier if we could sell a Ghanaian product like a domestic bond and have people remit their funds here and buy the bond. So, we are looking at different structures that would work and appeal to everybody, but also [so that] we would not run into regulatory impediments.”

    As part of measures to rake in funds to undertake social and environmental projects, the Government of Ghana has targeted to raise some US$1 billion through the sale of sustainable bonds on the international capital market.

    Ghana is also seeking to issue its first green bonds with the move likely to go ahead in November this year, according to sources familiar with the matter.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Police arrests 788 motorcycle riders

    The police have arrested 788 motorcycles riders in a special operation in the Accra metropolis, to crack down on criminal activities.

    The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Accra Regional Police Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Effia Tenge, who disclosed this to the Ghanaian Times, in Accra, yesterday, said the motorcycles of the suspects have been impounded.

    She gave the breakdown of the motorcycles impounded by the police as Weija, 35, motorcycle, Sowutuom, 42, East Legon, 42, Cantonments, 21, Odorkor, 51, Adenta, 33, and Nima, 70.

    The others are Ministries, 23, Kpeshie, 35, Ngleshie Amanfro, 18, Ayimensah/Abokobi, 16; Accra Central, 18; LA,25; Anyaa, 40; Mamprobi, 30; Dansoman police, 79, Okpoi Gonno police, 23, Lakeside police, 16, Adabraka police, 9, Madina, 55, Jamestown, 25, Kotobabi, 41, and Sakumono, 24.

    DSP Tenge said, in another development, the police arrested Tony Hounjeoe, a Togolese, at Nungua, in Accra.

    She said a search on him revealed a pistol a hacksaw blade, a wheel spanner, a cutter, a pair of scissors and 20 GH¢50.00 notes suspected to be counterfeit.

    DSP Tenge said Hounjeoe in the company of two others, now at large, onboard a Nissan Primera taxi cab with registration number ER 2343 U, was stopped at the Nungua checkpoint.

    She said the suspects had been taken to National Operations Department at the National Police Headquarters for investigations.

    Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

  • Parliament Ad Hoc Committee to probe Sputnik V vaccine contracts

    Parliament on Friday constituted a nine-member Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the procurement contracts between the Government of Ghana and Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum and one other for the supply of Sputnik-V COVID-19 vaccines.

    Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin is the chairman of the committee, and Mr Kwabena Mintah-Akandoh, Ranking Member on the Health Committee is vice.

    The rest of the members are Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie, Chairman of the Health Committee; Mr Bernard Ahiafor, MP for Akatsi South; Mr Kwame Anyimadu Antwi, MP for Asante-Akim Central, Mr Ernest Norgbey, MP for Ashaiman; Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare, MP for Techiman North; Ms Sheila Bartels, MP for Ablekuma North; and Mr Farouk Aliu Mahama, MP for Yendi Constituency.

    Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu announced the names of the members of the Ad hoc Committee to the House.

    He said the terms of reference of the Committee was to determine whether or not the transaction for the procurement and supply of the Sputnik V vaccine between the Government of Ghana (GOG) represented by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Al Maktoum S.L Group qualifies as international Business or Economic transaction under Article 181(5) of the Constitution, and if so, whether it was subjected to prior approval of Parliament.

    Also, the Committee is to determine the procurement process that was followed and the propriety of same and the prices of the vaccines as well as determine whether the services of the middleman were procured in the transaction and if so, having propriety regard to the relevant laws.

    Additionally, the Committee is to ascertain the cost of the vaccines and the justification of the cost vaccines, and whether the transaction guaranteed value for money for Ghana.

    Moreover, the Committee is to determine whether or not any consideration was passed from the GOG to the middleman, suppliers, or any other person.

    Furthermore, for the Committee to determine or not the Ministry of Health misled Parliament during the consideration of the transaction for the procurement of the vaccine.

    The Committee also to inquire into any other matters connected to the purchase and supply of the Sputnik V vaccine in the agreement between the GOG and the private office of Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum and S.L Global.

    Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu in a comment suggested that the Ad hoc Committee should have been a committee of eight members reflecting the size of each caucus.

    He said the Minority Side has no problem with Mr Afenyo Markin, Chairing the Ad hoc Committee with Mr Kwabena Mintah-Akandoh as his Vice-Chairman.

    The Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Andrew Amoako Asiamah who was in the chair commissioned the Ad hoc Committee and ask them to report to the House in three weeks.

    Source: m.peacefmonline.com

  • Rape suspect under police guard escapes from hospital in Dzodze

    26-year-old Mawuli Adzitso is being actively sought by his police guard after he escaped from a hospital where he was supposed to be under guard.

    According to a Daily Guide newpaper, Mawuli was on remand at the Dzodze Central Police Station, where he was being held on rape charge.

    He was, however, admitted to the St. Anthony Hospital at Dzodze in the Volta Region’s Ketu North Municipality on July 5 after he had complained of chest pains.

    Five days later, on July 10, his police guard admitted having allowed Mawuli to go and use the washroom but he has not been seen since.

    The report also cited a police wireless message that revealed that the police guard, one General Constable Stephen Kobi, had failed to alert his superiors about the situation until it was relayed by the hospital authorities.

    When contacted later, the guard admitted that around 9 am on July 10, he removed Mawuli’s handcuffs to allow him attend to nature’s call but found out later the suspect had escaped.

    “As a rule, the constable has been given ten days to search and recapture the prisoner,” the wireless message added.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Your request has been approved – Government extends Ejura Commission’s timetable by one week

    Hours after it requested for an extension of time to complete its work, the Commission of Inquiry set up by the Ministry of Interior, has received an extension of one more week to bring finality to its findings.

    The Commission was set up following the disturbances and killings that occurred at Ejura, in the Ashanti region, after one of their own, Ibrahim Kaaka Mohammed, was killed from a mob attack.

    The youth of the town poured out onto the streets in protest, a situation that escalated after the military and the police were sent in to disperse the crowd. This led to the killing of two other persons, for which reason the Commission of Injury was constituted.

    But, after almost a week of hearing testimonies, the Commission wrote to the Ministry, requesting for an extension of time to finish their work.

    The 3-member Justice Koomson Committee of was expected to conclude its work today, Friday, July 9, 2021, reports citinewsroom.com.

    “Considering the testimonies yet to be taken, the committee is requesting for an extension of the deadline to complete its work by Friday, the 16th day of July 2021,” a statement from the committee said.
    .
    Responding to its request, the Interior Ministry wrote, “Your request for the extension of the working period from Friday 9th July 2021 to Friday 16th July 2021 is hereby approved.”

    So far, the Commission has taken testimonies from about 10 witnesses made up of journalists, some key police and military officials, as well as political appointees who were directly connected to the Ejura disturbances.

    The family of Kaaka, who were expected to also testify before the Commission, has however bounced them, stating that they do not have the confidence in them to give them the needed justice.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Our achievements in the Cocoa sector is far superior – NPP MP

    The Member of Parliament for Offinso South Dr. Isaac Yaw Opoku has touted the achievements of President Akufo-Addo in the cocoa sector.

    Appearing on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, he posited that extension officers for the sector were only 600 for the entire country, but the number has been tripled under the current administration.

    He also explained that the government is resolved to replanting all swollen-shoot affected farms in all the regions of cocoa cultivation, and thereby, help improve the yield per hectare for all cocoa farmers.

    He told host Kwabena Agyapong that farmers and landowners would be paid compensation where tenancy agreements exist.

    According to him, when the NPP took over, there were several hectares of farms that were unproductive but the measures adopted by the NPP has improved the sector.

    The swollen shoot disease he noted affected farms especially in the Western North Region, but the government has achieved a lot.

    In 2020 President Akufo-Addo announced that over 11,564.28 hectares of swollen shoot-affected farms in the Western North and Eastern Regions have been treated and planted with cocoa, plantain, and economic shade trees.

    He also revealed 8,904 farmers, out of which 7,358 have been fully compensated.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Ghana Bar Assoc. condemns ‘cruel, unacceptable’ acts of violence by security agencies

    The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has added its voice to the incidence of security personnel inflicting injury and in some cases deadly violence on civilians.

    GBA in a statement sighted by GhanaWeb said it was worried about the spate of attacks as recently reported across the country.

    Their concerns were contained in a statement issued on Thursday (July 8) which also called for justice to be meted out in each of the five cases that it listed.

    The association said it hoped that any investigation into the respective incidents: “will be thorough, swift and fair and those found culpable will be duly punished.”

    The statement read in part: “Under no circumstances should operatives of the Security Agencies under the pretext of maintaining peace, manhandle and assault people or use physical force which sometimes results in the death of the victims. The rule of law must prevail at all times in our dear country.”

    Five recent instances of violence unleashed by security personnel

    1. The violence unleashed by security operatives in the Techiman South Constituency during the 2020 elections, which resulted in the death of two people while several others sustained injuries;

    2. The use of firearms in the Ablekuma Central Constituency by a National Security operative and an unidentified soldier resulting in death and physical injuries in the course of the 2020 elections;

    3. The conduct of personnel of the Ministry of National Security with respect to journalists of Citi FM/Citi TV on 11th May 2021. In that regard, the manner and mode of arrest employed by the said personnel was objectionable and unacceptable;

    4. The death of two persons and injuries suffered by others following clashes between residents of Ejura and security personnel on 29th June 2021; and

    5. Armed military personnel molesting and brutalising residents on the streets of Wa on 1st July 2021. Undeniably the behaviour of the military personnel in Wa on the 1st of July, was extremely unprofessional, offensive and reprehensible.

    The statement was signed by GBA National President, Anthony Forson Jnr. and National Secretary, Yaw Acheampong Boafo.

    “In the instances stated above, the conduct of the personnel of the Security Agencies was cruel and unacceptable. Security Agencies must be professional in the discharge of their duties.

    “Under no circumstances should they have subjected people to such brutalities. Their actions culminated in the loss of lives and also caused injuries to others and we hereby condemn unreservedly these unfortunate events,” the statement added.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Recommenders and approvers of salaries to presidential spouses have no conscience Dr Manteaw

    Dr Steve Manteaw, the former chairman of the Public Interest Accountability Committee, PIAC, has issued a scathing criticism to persons and institutions that recommended and approved the payment of salaries to the spouses of the president and his vice.

    In a Facebook post, Dr Steve Manteaw said that the persons and institutions responsible for the above-stated decisions do not have the interest of the country at heart.

    “Those who recommended, and those who approved payment to the spouses of our leaders have no conscience, and no regard for the Ghanaian,” he posted on Facebook.

    The rationalization of the payment of gratuities to the first and second ladies has irked some persons who have sought refuge in the Supreme Court to prevent the government from making the payment.

    Kwame Baffoe Abronye, a Member of the ruing party has sued the government at the Supreme Court, praying the apex court to reject the arrangement on the basis that it has no law backing it.

    “A declaration that the approval by Parliament to pay salaries to the First and Second Ladies is inconsistent with Article 71 clauses 1 and 2 of the 1992 constitution of the Republic of Ghana and consequently be declared null, void, and unenforceable.

    “A declaration that, per article 71 (1) and (2), the position of the First and Second Ladies of Ghana do not fall under the category of public officeholders,” portions of his suit read.

    Aside Abronye, two NDC MPs have also sued the government making argument similar to that of Abronye.

    In a suit filed on Thursday, July 8, 2021, the MPs for South Dayi and Builsa South, Rockson Dafeamakpor and Clement Apaak respectively said that the committee went beyond its boundaries in roping in the payment of benefits of the first and second ladies in its work.

    The two MPs are seeking the following reliefs;

    1. A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of Article 71(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the Prof. Ntiamoah-Baidu Committee appointed by the President of the Republic of Ghana under Article 71(1), only had jurisdiction to make recommendations in respect of salaries, allowances payable, facilities and privileges of Article 71 office holders under the 1992 Constitution.

    2. A further declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of Article 71(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the Prof. Ntiamoah-Baidu Committee had no jurisdiction, mandate or authority to make any recommendations in respect of salaries, allowances payable, facilities and privileges of persons other than persons specified under Article 71 of 1992 Constitution.

    3. A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of Article 71(1) of the 1992 Constitution, the Prof. Ntiamoah-Baidu Committee exceeded its jurisdiction, mandate and authority when it purported to make recommendations in respect of privileges, facilities, salaries and allowances payable to the 1st and 2nd Ladies of the Republic of Ghana.

    4. A further declaration that the recommendations of the Committee, to the extent that it pertains to the 1st and 2nd Ladies of the Republic of Ghana, are null, void and of no effect.

    5. A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of the Constitution, 1992, spouses of the President and the Vice President are not Article 71 office holders for the purposes of receipt of wages and emoluments.

    6. An order declaring the recommendations in respect of privileges, facilities, salaries, and allowances payable to the 1st and 2nd Ladies of the Republic of Ghana as unconstitutional and void.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Ejura: Youth threatened to burn hospital so I released bodies without autopsy Doctor

    The Medical Superintendent at the Ejura Government Hospital, Dr Mensah Manye, has told the Ejura committee that a postmortem could not be conducted on the bodies of two protesters who died from gunshots because the youth threatened to burn down the hospital and its staff if the bodies were not released to them.

    Dr Manye said because of the threat of arson by the youth, the bodies were released without a postmortem,

    Appearing before the committee on Thursday, 8 July 2021, Dr Manye said the youth came to the hospital after the death of the two protestors to pick the bodies for burial.

    He said he urged them to allow due process to be followed before the bodies could be released but they became agitated and threatened to burn down the hospital and beat him and his staff to death.

    The doctor said he tried calling the police to come to the hospital during the threats but they could not come.

    So, without hesitation, he released the bodies to the youth to forestall loss of lives.

    When the committee asked Dr Manye whether the bullet wounds of the deceased were from short- or long-range gunshots, he said he was not a forensics expert but could tell that the bullets penetrated the victims from the back.

    Dr Manye also indicated that one of the deceased, Abdul Nasiru Yusif, 25, died before he was brought to the hospital while the other victim, Muntala Mohammed, died 10 minutes upon arrival.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • NPPs Abronye reportedly drags Akufo-Addo government to Supreme Court over spousal salaries

    Kwame Baffoe Abronye, the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party has taken the government to the Supreme Court over its decision to formalize the payment of allowances to the spouses of the president and his vice.

    Abronye in his suit argued that the move by government is not enshrined in law and should be outrightly dismissed by the court.

    In papers filed on Thursday, July 8, 2021, Abronye said that the emolument committee which made the proposal which was ratified by parliament and adopted by the government was not clothed with the powers to make such recommendations.

    He is praying the apex court to declare as illegal, the decision by the committee and prevent government from effecting payment to the intended beneficiaries.

    “A declaration that the approval by Parliament to pay salaries to the First and Second Ladies is inconsistent with Article 71 clauses 1 and 2 of the 1992 constitution of the Republic of Ghana and consequently be declared null, void, and unenforceable.

    “A declaration that, per article 71 (1) and (2), the position of the First and Second Ladies of Ghana do not fall under the category of public officeholders.”

    The rationalization of the payment of emolument to the first and second ladies has generated backlash on various media platform.

    Two members of Parliament on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress and one Fredrick Nii Commey have also filed a suit at the Supreme Court challenging the payment.

    In a suit filed on Thursday, July 8, 2021, the MPs for South Dayi and Builsa South, Rockson Dafeamakpor and Clement Apaak respectively said that the committee went beyond its boundaries in roping in the payment of benefits of the first and second ladies in its work.

    The two MPs are seeking the following reliefs;

    1. A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of Article 71(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the Prof. Ntiamoah-Baidu Committee appointed by the President of the Republic of Ghana under Article 71(1), only had jurisdiction to make recommendations in respect of salaries, allowances payable, facilities and privileges of Article 71 office holders under the 1992 Constitution.

    2. A further declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of Article 71(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the Prof. Ntiamoah-Baidu Committee had no jurisdiction, mandate or authority to make any recommendations in respect of salaries, allowances payable, facilities and privileges of persons other than persons specified under Article 71 of 1992 Constitution.

    3. A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of Article 71(1) of the 1992 Constitution, the Prof. Ntiamoah-Baidu Committee exceeded its jurisdiction, mandate and authority when it purported to make recommendations in respect of privileges, facilities, salaries and allowances payable to the 1st and 2nd Ladies of the Republic of Ghana.

    4. A further declaration that the recommendations of the Committee, to the extent that it pertains to the 1st and 2nd Ladies of the Republic of Ghana, are null, void and of no effect.

    5. A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of the Constitution, 1992, spouses of the President and the Vice President are not Article 71 office holders for the purposes of receipt of wages and emoluments.

    6. An order declaring the recommendations in respect of privileges, facilities, salaries, and allowances payable to the 1st and 2nd Ladies of the Republic of Ghana as unconstitutional and void.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Jubilee Oil Field partners urged to execute local content in Jomoro

    Partners in the Jubilee Oil Field in the Tano Basin in the Jomoro Municipality, have been reminded to implement the local content policy to spearhead the rapid socio-economic development of communities in the area.

    According to opinion leaders and stakeholders in the Jomoro Municipality, the local content policy which was passed under has been neglected as the jubilee partners had nothing to show as regards social intervention in the areas of healthcare, education, care for the aged and less-privileged and the human resource development.

    The Convention People’s Party(CPP) Parliamentary Candidate in the December 2020 elections, Mr. Patrick Ekye-Kwesie told the GNA in an interview that it behooved on the jubilee partners to be mindful of their corporate social responsibility to Fastrack development in Jomoro.

    According to him, Jomoro abounds in a lot of natural and human resources but remained untapped to spearhead growth and development.

    The CPP Parliamentary Candidate who is also an Industrial Consultant, said as a major architect of development in Jomoro, the Municipality had been totally neglected but ironically housed Ghana’s unprecedented hydrocarbon deposits, a situation which raised the expectations of indigenes in the area higher and stronger for better living conditions as most of their cash crops were getting destroyed and depleted with the exploration of oil in commercial quantities.

    Mr.Ekye-Kwesie observed that the Tano Basin had a top-notch hydrocarbon prospect in which the local people needed to be involved and be part of all phases.

    He reminded the jubilee partners that the hydrocarbon industry was a classic global business so “we in Jomoro shouldn’t be short-changed for what we are doing”.

    On the road network, he deplored the bad nature of the road especially from Samenye to the District capital which he noted was a leadership problem, adding that with a dynamic leader to harness resources prudently,” Jomoro can survive without Central government”.

    Mr.Ekye-Kwesie reminded the jubilee partners that “you cannot take our resources and just neglect the stakeholder and deal with a group of people in a small office who do not even know where Jomoro is located”.

    He said “as the California and Venice of Africa, the jubilee partners should not take things for granted as the youth was realizing all the loopholes.

    He said the Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) and Turnkey systems in development where most of the resources were used as equity in development in the Kwame Nkrumah era revolutionized more industries in the country.

    He described residents of Jomoro as peeved due to the absence of communal engagement as “someone will sit somewhere and be recruiting people to our land to eat whereas that is not what the local content law says”.

    He likened the frustrations among the people to the situation in Nigeria, Sudan, and other countries where violence had characterized oil exploration due to hardships among people around the oil rig.

    Mr.Ekye-Kwesie advised that “if we put partisan interest aside and construct the Jetty Port at Bonyere-Domunli enclave, we will be shocked about the development that will come out”.

    The CPP Candidate who told the GNA of his readiness to partner the development of his constituency, said,” I have personally spearheaded various conglomerates but the frustration is something else”.

    He said he secured a lot of interest and pleaded for Ghana to encourage inland drilling of petrochemicals particularly natural gas and isopentane.

    Mr.Ekye-Kwesie said he had angel investors interested in the jetty port development and the Jaway Wharf exploration campaign and identified Jomoro as a bleeding ground that amounted to national security threats as a result of the porous nature of their land.

    He said the Naval Base installation was right but advised the government to invest in intelligence gatherings because hydrocarbon comes with diverse benefits.

    On the way forward he said,” I am ready to share my resources and research with the municipality which I do often on bauxite, silica sand, gold, kaolin, limestone, manganese, and granite which have commercial viability to monetize them through private sector participation.

    Source: GNA

  • YEA to support 5000 youth in entrepreneurship and skills empowerment

    The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) is set to support 5000 Ghanaian youth with training in entrepreneurship and skills empowerment programs.

    In addition to providing such support to the youth desirous of self-employment, YEA in collaboration with the National Entrepreneurial and Innovative Plan (NEIP) will help them with seed money to start up their businesses.

    Chief Executive Officer of the YEA Lawyer Justin Kodua Frimpong, disclosed this in his address at the official Launch of the YEA/UNIJAY Garment Manufacturing Module in Kumasi on Friday 2nd July 2021.

    The launch was a sequel to the official commissioning of the YEA/UNIJAY Garment Training Centre last year to prepare for the roll out the Garment Manufacturing Module (GMM). Following the commissioning of the Centre an estimated number of 400 beneficiary trainees have been engaged for a six-month intensive training skills in material cutting, knitting and the rudiments of industrial sewing for future export.

    The CEO said the launch was in line with vision of His Excellency the President, and a testimony of his resolve to solve unemployment menace among the youth. He announced that the beneficiaries would start receiving monthly allowance of Ghc400 each for the duration of their six- month training with a further assurance that the Agency would,in future, consider to increase the number of beneficiary trainees from 400 to 1000 apprentices.

    He assured that the Agency was ready to assist financially with initiatives geared towards creating jobs and employment opportunities for the youth in all sectors of the economy.

    Lawyer Justin Kodua Frimpong also revealed that the Agency plans to open a National Zonal Office and Skills Training Centre in Kumasi to meet the services of people from the Middle and the Northern Belts of the country in the area of skill development and training.

    The CEO of UNIJAY ….. explained the detailed and comprehensive training that the beneficiaries are being given with target in industrial sewing to venture into export in the near future. According to her, the trainees are currently engaged in large scale dressmaking for Senior High Schools SHS in Ashanti and the Northern regions.

    The Member of Parliament for Asokwa Constituency where UNIJAY is located, Honorable Patricia Appiagyei was full of joy for the 400 jobs created in the Asokwa Municipality and the potential ones to be created. She commended YEA and UNIJAY and urged them to replicate this in other parts of the country.

    The collaboration is in response to the President’s 1District 1Factory (1D1F I) initiative introduced by the government to create jobs and employment opportunities for the youth.

    Source: Fred Abrokwa, Contributor

  • Leganes set to hand Ghanaian defender Felix Ofoli Quaye contract extension

    Spanish second tier side CD Leganes are set to hand Ghanaian defender Peter Ofoli Quaye a contract extension after returning from loan at San Sebastien.

    The 21-year-old had an outstanding season with San Sebastien, helping the club gain promotion to the Primera Division RFEF.

    Ofoli Quaye played 24 games last season, starting 23 and scoring to goals for the third tier club to draw interests from top team in Spain.

    But his return to Leganes has been hampered by the huge number of center backs at the segunda division side, and could force the young defender for another loan move.

    However, Leganes want to extend the Ghanaian’s contract and include clauses that will allow him leave at a higher price.

    “Felix is ​​a player with enormous potential. I already started following him several seasons ago, when I was going to see Leganés B because of my friendship with Carlos Martínez. I soon realized that he is a great player. It has enormous potential,” says Mario Fuentes , coach of San Sebastián de los Reyes.

    “He still has to learn tactically, because he is very young, but his physical virtues and deployment on the pitch are very, very promising,” he added.

    Felix Ofoli Quaye could return to San Sebastien following his relationship with the club, but at the moment he is yet to join Legane’s preseason exercises which begins on Thursday.

    “I have no doubts that he is a player who will reach professional football. I don’t know what category, but his evolution this season with Sanse has been spectacular. For us it has been a fundamental pillar,” continued Fuentes.

    “Here we are clear that, if the opportunity arises, the doors are open to return because in Matapiñoneras it would be important,” he concluded.

    Source: ghanasoccernet.com

  • Stephen Appiah made the game easy – Laryea Kingston

    Former Ghana midfielder Laryea Kingston has named ex-international colleague Stephen Appiah as one of “the best” he has played alongside.

    Appiah represented Ghana between 1995 and 2010, playing at two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and two World Cup finals.

    At the 2006 Afcon in Egypt, Appiah and Kingston formed a formidable midfield partnership with Sulley Muntari and Michael Essien, even though the Black Stars suffered a first-round elimination.

    Nevertheless, they propelled Ghana to a maiden World Cup qualification in Germany, where Appiah scored a decisive match-winning penalty at the championship as the Black Stars beat the USA 2-1 in their last group game to book a place in the Round of 16.

    “Tornado [Stephen Appiah] is someone I grew up with. For me, he is one of the best technical players that I have played with,” Kingston, on Euro 2020 Championship punditry duty with the 40-year-old Appiah, said on Joy TV.

    “It is not because he is in the studio with me, but I have so much respect for him as a player.

    “I feel honoured to have played with him. His technical ability, you cannot take it away from him.

    “These are the guys that when you are playing with, they make the game easy for you.”

    Appiah, who won the U17 World Cup with Ghana, made his senior debut in 1995 against Benin.

    He made his tournament debut for the Black Stars at the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil, and went on to become captain of the side two years later.

    He missed out on the 2008 Afcon tournament on home soil due to injury, just as he did with the 2010 edition, but returned to national duty for the World Cup as Ghana marched on to the quarter-final.

    At club level, Appiah, who played for Hearts of Oak during his time in Ghana, featured for Italian sides Juventus, Parma, Cesena, Udinese, Brescia and Bologna.

    Outside Italy, he was on the books of Turkish outfit Fenerbahce and Serbian outfit.

    Source: goal.com

  • Galamsey: 2 Chinese, 2 Ghanaians arrested in Nzema East

    The Nzema East Municipal Security Council (NEMSC) in the Western Region have arrested two Chinese nationals and two Ghanaians at a newly developed Galamsey site at Kwakwukrom.

    Suspects Li Gou Hua, 40years; Wei Hua Fen, 37; Gambo Akpandaa, 29 years and Karim Abdulai, 28 years, were arrested on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, between 1200hours and 18hours.

    Items seized on site were 16 gallons of diesel, one water hose, a fuel pumping motor and others.

    Speaking exclusively to GhanaWeb’s Western Regional Correspondent, Hon. Frank Okpenyen who is the Chairman of the Nzema East Municipal Security Council, the council arrested the suspects after a tip-off by some good citizens.

    He added these illegal miners went to the community without any permit.

    “These galamseyers started their operation some weeks ago and in fact, the community members were not informed. This time around nobody will sit aloof to allow any galamseyer destroy our water bodies and lands. We will continue to monitor the activities of galamseyers in Nzema East Municipality,” he said.

    The MCE pledged that these suspects would face the law without any favour.

    He, therefore, seized the opportunity to commend those good citizens who informed the Municipal Security Council about the activities of the Galamseyers at Kwakwukrom.

    He disclosed that three excavators were seen on the site and said efforts are underway to move them from the site.

    The suspects have therefore been handed over to the Regional Police Command for investigations and prosecution.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Road accidents: 200 people died in June, death toll in 1st half of the year reaches 1,450

    The latest road traffic accident statistics from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department of the Ghana Police Service indicate that 200 more persons died in June (2021) alone.

    From January to May, 1,250 were killed.

    The country has for the first half of the year recorded 1,450 deaths which represent a 27.19% increase compared to the same time last year where 1,040 people lost their lives.

    The Ashanti Region still leads road accidents as it has in the past six months recorded 297 deaths.

    The Eastern Region follows with 243 deaths.

    Meanwhile, in the past six months alone, 622 people have died from motorcycle-related accidents, while 2,841 have been injured.

    Between January and June, 8,088 people have been injured which represents an increase of 19.45% same time last year where 6,855 people got injured.

    Source: kasapafmonline.com

  • Zongo-Asante youth clash: 5 busted, 3 charged for rioting

    Five suspects were on Tuesday, 7 July 2021 arrested by the Ashanti regional Police command over the violent clashes that occurred between the Asante youth and the Zongo youth at Ntonso in the Kwabre East Municipality.

    The Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Godwin Ahianyo said the suspects were screened and three of them have been charged for rioting with weapons.

    The suspects are Ernest Boakye, a driver’s mate, 22; Kojo Manu, a diver’s mate, 23; and Nankama Eshaw, a barber, 22.

    He said the other two persons have been cautioned and granted police inquiry bail.

    He said the three suspects will be arraigned soon.

    ASP Ahianyo said the security team are still patrolling the area.

    It is recalled that some Zongo youth and the Asante youth clashed at a drinking spot called “No Size pub” on Sunday, 4 July 2021.

    The melee resurfaced on Monday morning [5 July 2021] resulting in violent clashes causing injuries to about six people and damage to properties.

    The Kwabre East Municipal Security Council has, thus, closed down three drinking spots at Ntonso which have been causing violent clashes in the community.

    The drinking spots include No Size pub, Sandy’s pub, and Koyobeda drinking spot.

    The council has also directed other drinking spots in the community to close at 8:00 p.m.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Finance Minister Presents US$28 million car loan agreement to Parliament

    Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has submitted to Parliament for approval a loan agreement of US$28 million pending consideration by the Finance Committee.

    This is for the purchase of 275 vehicles for members of the 8th Parliament.

    Parliament has also approved a US$200 million World Bank loan to buy COVID-19 vaccines.

    The amount which was approved on Tuesday, July 6 will also be used to cater for other activities to strengthen the health system.

    A report by the Finance Committee indicated that out of the US$200 million, UA$137.15million will be spent specifically on vaccine procurement.

    Portions of the report read “The committee was informed that each dose of the vaccine is estimated to cost US$10.55.”

    The report added that, “this financing would provide improved access to affordable and equitable COVID-19 vaccines, strengthen the system for effective deployment as well as enhance preparedness and response to the Ghana COVID-19 strategic preparedness and response programme.”

    Source: 3news.com

  • Achimota school will not be closed down over delta variant of coronavirus – Dr. Kuma-Aboagye

    Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye has debunked claims that Achimota School was going to be closed down after a total of 135 students and teachers tested positive to various variants of COVID-19 including Delta.

    Dr Kuma-Aboagye over the weekend confirmed the presence of the Delta variant at Achimota School but however did not disclose the number of Delta variant cases.

    Speaking further during a panel discussion on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokooo’, the GHS boss said the Achimota cases have been contained on the campus and that there will be no need to close down the school.

    “Achimota school has so far produced about 135 positive cases and we’re still waiting. We have tested 844 people and we have 500 results so far,” he added.

    Delta Variant

    Ghana is said to have recorded the Delta Variant of the SARS-Cov-2 virus in a community after news broke that the variant had been detected at the Kotoka International Airport.

    Six persons were reportedly picked up by the authorities for testing positive.

    The detection of the Delta variant within a community in the country was confirmed by the Ghana Health Service on Friday, July 2, 2021 with the announcement made on the Facebook wall of the Ministry of Information-Ghana.

    The Delta variant, which originates from India, is known to be the most contagious among all the Coronavirus variants.

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • Grandfather arrested for tying six-year-old boy to mango tree over GH¢50

    Three persons have been arrested by the Police in the Birim North District of the Eastern region for their involvement in the inhumane treatment of a six-year-old boy.

    A video in possession of Starrfm.com.gh shows both hands of the boy tied with wire cable to the root of a mango tree and left at the mercy of the weather.

    victim lived with his grandfather Opanyin Amekudzi who is one of the suspects at Akyem Ntronang in the Birim North District.

    Last Sunday, the grandfather accused the victim of allegedly stealing his Ghc50 but the boy denied the allegation.

    This got the grandfather angry, who called the two other suspects yet to be identified to tie the suspect to a mango tree at about 8:00 am till he was rescued at 5:00 pm by the Police.

    The New Abirim District Police Commander DSP Peter Ofori Donkor told Starr News that the Police had information about the incident around 3:00 pm on that fateful day and quickly dispatched men to the said house to rescue the victim.

    He was subsequently taken to the hospital where he was admitted but discharged the next day.

    According to him, the victim was handed over to his biological mother while the three suspects were arrested and put before court on Monday, July, 5, where they were granted bail to reappear before the court on Wednesday, July, 8.

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • Official: Wives of President, Vice President to receive salaries

    The spouses of the President and Vice President will from now onwards officially enjoy salaries from the government of Ghana.

    This was after the government adopted a recommendation by an emolument committee which was approved by the seventh parliament.

    The new arrangement will see the spouses of the first and second gentlemen officially being paid salaries which is a departure from the previous practice of paying them allowances.

    Earlier reports had suggested President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had unilaterally decided to pay his wife Rebecca Akufo-Addo and the wife of his vice, Samira Bawumia, salaries but Information Minister, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah has clarified that the approval was done by the previous parliament.

    “The President does approve salaries and benefits for the Executive. Under Article 71, the First Lady and Second Lady are not office holders so no one can determine their benefits under that article.

    “However, a committee only recommended that an arrangement for the spouses be made formal and that received approval from Parliament,” he indicated. Oppong Nkrumah referenced some practices in the past where the allowances for the spouses of first and second ladies were increased by the executive arm of government.

    “President Kufuor, in his wisdom, instituted this because of the bad situations of some spouses of some former Heads of States then. Presidents Mills and Mahama even increased the rates of these benefits during their time.

    “The truth of the matter is that all surviving spouses of Heads of State, current and former, have always received salaries. Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, Faustina Acheampong, Fulera Liman etc have all been receiving salaries since President Kufuor’s time.

    “What has happened now is that the arrangement has been made formal but that was done legally based on the recommendation by the Emoluments Committee,” the Information Minister emphasized.

    Oppong-Nkrumah disclosed further that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2019 established a committee chaired by Professor Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu to make proposals on allowances paid to wives of President and his vice.

    The other members of the committee included Majority Leader and former Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Abraham Ossei Aidooh, the Chief Executive of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, Dr Edward Kwapong, the current Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency, Dr Eric Oduro Osae, and a former Managing Director, Donewell Life Insurance Co. Ltd, Mrs Stella Segbawu,

    The Information Minister stressed that the committee recommended the that the wives be paid and that was approved by the seventh parliament.

    “That recommendation was then forwarded to the Seventh Parliament which then gave the approval and it is now to be implemented. It is, therefore, not true as it is being circulated that the President has approved of emoluments to the First Lady and Second Lady,” he added.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Eni SpA makes significant oil and gas discovery in Ghana’s offshore field

    Oil and gas deposits have been discovered on the Eban exploration prospect Block 4 of Ghana’s Cape Three Points, Italian oil and gas firm, Eni SpA has disclosed.

    In a statement issued on Tuesday July 6, the company said the latest discovery would be the second oil block drilled following the Akoma discovery.

    “The Eban – 1X well is located approximately 50 kilometers off the coast and about 8 kilometers Northwest of Sankofa Hub, where the John Agyekum Kufuor FPSO is located. It was drilled by the Saipem 10000 drilling ship in a water depth of 545 meters and reached a total depth of 4179 meters (measured depth). Eban – 1X proved a single light oil column of approximately 80m in a thick sandstone reservoir interval of Cenomanian age with hydrocarbons encountered down to 3949m (true vertical depth),” the statement said.

    “The new discovery has been assessed following comprehensive analysis of extensive 3D seismic datasets and well data acquisition including pressure measurements, fluid sampling and intelligent formation testing with state-of-the-art technology,” it added.

    It continued, “The acquired pressure and fluid data (oil density and Gas-to-Oil Ratio) and reservoir properties are consistent with the previous discovery of Akoma and nearby Sankofa field. The production testing data show a well deliverability potential estimated at 5000 bopd, similar to the wells already in production from Sankofa Field.”

    The company said the estimated hydrocarbon in place between the Sankofa field and the Eban-Akoma complex is now in excess of 1.1 Bboe while additional oil in place upside could be confirmed with an additional appraisal well

    So far, initial evaluations, according to the Eni SpA show the Eban-Akoma prospect has a potential of between 500 million and 700 million barrels of oil equivalent.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • We wont accept adoption of new shipping freight charges GUTA

    The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has indicated that it will not accept a move by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority to adopt new shipping freight charges into their duty calculations.

    According to a statement issued by the Association’s president, Dr. Joseph Obeng, the intended move is unacceptable as it would worsen the plight of the trading community.

    “This is unacceptable and we want government to note that world commodities prices have gone up astronomically, freight charges have gone up and other factors have also contributed in making prices of goods go up to the extent that the consuming public are beginning to feel the impact and are no longer able to cope with prices,” the statement read.

    “In this regard, we [GUTA] are not going to accept that Customs adopt the new shipping freight charges into their duty calculations,” GUTA added.

    GUTA therefore urged government to take a keen interest of the situation and address their concerns accordingly.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Pay pension lump sum top-up TUC tasks government

    The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has expressed concern over the delay in the payment of pension lump sum top-ups to some workers who retired in 2020 under the three-tier pension scheme Act 766.

    According to the TUC, these workers retired with inferior lump sum benefits, compared to what they would have received if they had retired under the old pension scheme PNDCL 247.

    Dr Anthony Yaw Baah, General Secretary of the TUC, made the call recently in a press statement dated July 5, 2021 following a TUC general council meeting at Kasoa in the Central Region.

    “Government has agreed to top-up the lump-sum benefits of these retirees. It is close to a year since government committed itself to pay the top-up but they are yet to receive their lump-sum top-up. The delay in the payment of the top-up is causing severe hardships for the retirees. The council urges government to make good its commitment by paying the top-up without any further delay.

    “Workers who are retiring in 2021 and probably those who will retire between 2022 and 2025 may face the same challenge of inferior lump-sums. All these retirees deserve lump-sum top-up. In 2020, about 80 percent of all those who retired were entitled to lump-sum top-up which will merely bring them at par with the lump-sum they would have received under the old scheme,” he said.

    He indicated that the pension reforms that gave birth to the current pension system was premised on the idea of enhancing retirement income for retirees and therefore, Government, with the support of all stakeholders, must ensure that those objectives were achieved.

    “Otherwise, the reforms should be reversed and all workers should return to the SSNIT scheme for enhanced pension benefits. We repeat our call for a stakeholder forum on pensions. We foresee challenges ahead for pensioners, given the dire economic situation. We need to find a sustainable way out of the pension debacle.”

    Dr Yaw Baah gave an assurance that the TUC would like to reassure its social partners that it would continue to work with them to address the multiplicity of challenges that faced the country, especially during the period of economic recovery.

    “It is our fervent hope that in the spirit of social partnership, we will deal with challenges in the pensions sector and work together to ramp up the COVID-19 vaccination programme,” he noted.

    Source: ghanaguardian.com

  • Eni makes major oil and gas discovery in Ghana’s offshore field – Official

    Eni announces a significant oil discovery on the Eban exploration prospect in CTP Block 4, offshore Ghana. The Eban 1X well is the second well drilled in CTP Block 4, following the Akoma discovery. Preliminary estimates place the potential of the EbanAkoma complex between 500 and 700 Mboe in place.

    The Eban 1X well is located approximately 50 kilometers off the coast and about 8 kilometers Northwest of Sankofa Hub, where the John Agyekum Kufuor FPSO is located.

    It was drilled by the Saipem 10000 drilling ship in a water depth of 545 meters and reached a total depth of 4179 meters (measured depth).

    Eban 1X proved a single light oil column of approximately 80m in a thick sandstone reservoir interval of Cenomanian age with hydrocarbons encountered down to 3949m (true vertical depth).

    The new discovery has been assessed following comprehensive analysis of extensive 3D seismic datasets and well data acquisition including pressure measurements, fluid sampling and intelligent formation testing with state-of-the-art technology.

    The acquired pressure and fluid data (oil density and Gas-to-Oil Ratio) and reservoir properties are consistent with the previous discovery of Akoma and nearby Sankofa field.

    The production testing data show a well deliverability potential estimated at 5000 bopd, similar to the wells already in production from Sankofa Field.

    The estimated hydrocarbon in place between the Sankofa field and the Eban-Akoma complex is now in excess of 1.1 Bboe and further oil in place upside could be confirmed with an additional appraisal well.
    Due to its proximity to existing infrastructures, the new discovery can be fast-tracked to production with a subsea tie-in to the John Agyekum Kufuor FPSO, with the aim to extend its production plateau and increase production.

    The Eban discovery is a testimony to the success of the infrastructure-led exploration strategy that Eni is carrying out in its core assets worldwide.

    The Joint Venture of CTP Block 4 is operated by Eni (42.469%), on behalf of partners Vitol (33.975%), GNPC (10%), Woodfields (9,556%), GNPC Explorco (4,00%).

    Eni has been present in Ghana since 2009, and accounts currently a gross production of about 80,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

    Source: 3news.com

  • Makola Fire: Congested access impeded firefighting – GNFS

    Human and vehicular congestion on Monday impeded the efforts of fire fighters to control the fire outbreak, which destroyed about 50 shops at the Hongkong Market, near the GCB Bank, at Makola.

    Fabrics, cosmetics, jewellery, toys and other wares valued at thousands of Ghana Cedis have been lost in the inferno.

    Dozens of firemen had a hard time extinguishing the fire and only managed to control it after five hours of fire fighting, with the main challenge being congested access, according to a Fire Officer who sought anonymity.

    The GNA team gathered that 10 fire tenders from both Fire Service and Ghana Armed Forces were used in controlling the inferno, which affected a four storey building filled with general merchandise.

    Divisional Officer II, Ellis Robinson Okoe, the Head of Public Relations, GNFS, told the media that they were able to save two floors out of the four storey building.

    He said the GNFS had a distress call at 0900 hours and arrived at the scene within 10 minutes but had difficulty accessing the place.

    The PRO also noted that all fire hydrants at the Makola Market did not have the needed pressure, for which reason they had to go to Alajo, Nkrumah Circle, and the Ministries to refill their water tanks.

    He observed that though many shops at the Market had fire extinguishers, the shop owners could not use them when the fire started because they did not know how to operate the extinguishers.

    “…But at the moment, we have been able to bring the fire under control and we are going to break the containers to ensure pockets of fire are completely doused,” he stated and asked traders and shop owners to be patient.

    The incident affected trading activities at the Central Business District with many shops closed.

    Some traders blamed the Fire Service for allowing the fire “to get out of hand before acting.”

    Madam Cecilia, a trader, said the fire started around 0730 and claimed they called Fire Service but they allegedly underestimated it.

    The police were called in early to cordoned off the area for safety and effective fire fighting.

    The cause of the fire is unknown.

    Madam Taiye Saddik, a wig seller also a victim told the GNA team that she has lost about GH¢500,000.00 worth of hair products to the fire outbreak.

    She told the GNA team in an interview that they were oblivious of what triggered the fire outburst but predicted it could be an electrical fault and their efforts to put it off yielded no result.

    Some shop owners affected by the fire pleaded with the government to come to their aid since most of them were operating on loans and this was their only means of livelihood.

    Source: newsghana.com.gh

  • Market Fires: Five times infernos have ravaged major markets in 2021

    In 2013, after a series of fire outbreaks in major markets across the country, the then government led by John Dramani Mahama engaged the services of experts from the United States of America to investigate the outbreaks.

    It was expected that the work of these forensic investigators was going to serve as the blueprint for dealing with fire-related issues at markets to curtail recurrence.

    More than eight years on from when the investigators touched down in Ghana, the report of their investigations remains unknown to the general public.

    As the wait continues for ‘the report’ and further wait for when its recommendations will be implemented, Ghana now experiences an annual ritual of infernos ravaging major markets.

    We are just halfway through the year 2021 and already some major markets have been hit with millions of cash and items being consumed by these fires.

    Below are five of major fire outbreaks that have hit some markets in the country

    Makola Fire outbreak

    The Makola outbreak is the latest one that triggered this write up. On Monday July 5, 2021 fire engulfed a three-story building at the trading hub of Makola with items worth millions of cedis going up in flames.

    The fire which as per reports commenced around 8:30 was quenched in the afternoon as firefighting personnel did not have the needed resources to expeditiously deal with it.

    Over fifty shops were burnt in the process.

    Some of the witnesses who spoke to GhanaWeb alleged that it could be due to electrical fault.

    In April this year, over 40 shops in Kumasi were burnt to ashes by a rampaging fire.

    The shops that were gutted by the fire were mostly sandals manufacturing shops at the Kumasi Central Market.

    Eye witness account has it that the Central Market Fire started around 8:48 pm on Sunday while the shoemakers were still working.

    But instead of calling for help to extinguish the fire, the attendants decided to salvage their wares as the situation worsened.
    Timber Market in Accra

    As the name suggests, the timber market is the hub of wood trade in the capital. In the wee hours of Monday, May 10, 2021 an inferno broke out and consumed some shops in that market.

    Due to the nature of the market, the fire travelled easily and destroyed loads of properties.

    The Ghana National Fire Service who were once again accused of being late to the scene promised to investigate and unravel the cause but so far no update has been given yet.

    Also in April 2021, a two-story building located at the Techiman market was gutted by fire.

    The fire which commenced around 12:30pm was fought by fire service personnel with five tenders.

    The cause of the fire which affected several shops in the market still remains unknown.

    Fire ravaged the Mankessim Market in the Central Region, destroying several properties – twice in the space of a month.

    The first and more destructive one was on April 20 whiles the second hit on May 31. The former is said to have consumed over 20 containers and five cold stores in the process.

    Eyewitness account mentioned electrical fault as the cause of the fire.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Relocation of Agbogbloshie onion sellers: Who will benefit? Fighters ask

    The Economic Fighters League has questioned who the beneficiaries of the just-ended decongestion exercise at the Agbogbloshie market will be.

    On 1 July 2021, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr. Henry Quartey, led the relocation of the onion sellers as part of his “Let’s Make Accra Work” pet project, which involves decongesting slums and removing unauthorized structures in the capital city.

    A statement issued by the Economic Fighters League on 4 July 2021, indicated that it is monitoring “with concern the displacement and violent evictions at the informal settlements of Agbogbloshie District of Accra”.

    In its view, “Ostensibly, these actions by AMA, police et al are for the best of the area” but quizzed “Who amongst us can say with any confidence that this same political class failing us in every other way can be trusted to have the interest of the people of Agbogbloshie or surrounding areas?”

    The statement continued: “We must ask who will truly benefit from the clearance work taking place; who will get the ensuing construction contracts and commercial opportunities, and how”?

    The statement further noted that “Fighters will remain vigilant and we are resolute in continuing to be the eyes and ears of fellow Africans who like many of us are marginalized and oppressed by forces that are literally supposed to shelter us and represent our interests”.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Parts of Makola market up in flames

    Several traders and customers at one of the country’s busiest commercial business centre are up in flames on Monday morning.

    A thick cloud of smoke can be seen emanating from one of the buildings in the market area of Makola.

    Saxophonist Steve Bedi reported in a Facebook post showing the market in ablaze as he called for efforts by the Fire Service to come to the aid to douse the inferno.

    Citinewsroom.com quotes an eyewitness to have said the fire begun at around 9 am.

    “I went to buy some things at Makola this morning. In the process, I saw smoke coming from the second floor of the three-storey building. So the people around started calling the Fire Service,” a quote attributed to an eyewitness read.

    It continued: “After about five minutes, the Fire Service personnel were still not around, but the fire was spreading, so people in the complex tried to gather their things from the shops before the fire could get to their shops. I eventually moved away because the fire was intensifying, and you could feel the heat from the fire, which was becoming dangerous for people around.”

    An earlier report suggested that the Fire Service station located near the burning shops had no water in their tanks at the time the incident started. It has however been reported that the emergency services, including the Fire Service, are currently at the scene to bring the situation under control.

    More soon…

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Delta variant of coronavirus: 89 out of 135 infected Achimota students recover

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has announced that 89 out of the 135 students of Achimota school who tested positive for the deadly Delta variant of the coronavirus have recovered,.

    Between the 14th and 16th June 2021, 3 students were presented to the Achimota School Sickbay with influenza-like symptoms, a statement said on Sunday July 4.

    All 3 were investigated for COVID-19 in line with laid down protocols.

    They tested positive prompting the activation of the Public Health Emergency Rapid Response Teams (PHERRT) of the Greater Accra Region and the Okaikoi North Municipal of the GHS.

    All 3 students were isolated following existing protocols •Other symptomatic students and contacts were identified, listed and also tested for COVID-19. All contacts placed in mandatory quarantine on campus.

    The statement added “As of the 3rd July 2021, 843 students and staff had been sampled. 348 boarding students, 459 are day students, 36 teaching and non-teaching staff tested. Results available for 550 samples, total positive 135 ,pending results- 293 (samples collected on the 3rd July for day students)

    “All 135 cases at the time of diagnosis were either asymptomatic or had mild to moderate illness •One staff among those affected •Approximately two-thirds of cases have recovered.”

    Source: 3news.com

  • Decision by UK Methodist church to allow same sex marriage won’t affect Ghana – Pastor explains

    The United Kingdom congregation of the Methodist Church has today become the largest religious denomination in the country to give its blessing for the solemnization of same-sex marriages.

    This was announced by the church this past Wednesday, a report from sammykaymedia.com has stated.

    This means that the church will henceforth, allow for such marriages to take place on its premises.

    This followed debates on the topic at the Methodist Conference in the UK where a majority 254 votes were cast in favour of the proposal, as against the 46 who voted against it.

    Speaking on the matter, and also to dispel the confusions people especially in Ghana and other parts of Africa have had after the news broke, a Methodist Church pastor whose name has not been identified, has offered some clarifications.

    He explained that being autonomous conferences around the world, the decision of the UK church is not binding on them.

    “What we need to understand is that all these other conferences: Ghana, Nigeria, United [Kingdom] Methodist Church, the US, every other place, are autonomous churches and are on their own. And, as much as the decision of the British Methodist church may be tied on all other Methodists, the truth is that the decision they have made is not binding on any Methodist Conference.

    “The Methodist Church, Ghana, the Methodist Church, Nigeria, and the Methodist Church any other place, apart from the United Kingdom, are not bound by this decision that the British Methodist Church has made,” he explained.

    Watch full video:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • GHS confirms 34 active cases of Delta Variant in Ghana

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) Sunday announced the record of 34 active cases of the Delta Variant of the Covid-19 in some communities in Ghana, including some students of Achimota School, who tested positive.

    Health experts say the Delta Variant, which originated from India, has a higher transmission rate and spreads faster than other Covid-19 strains.

    It has been found in communities in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions.

    It is currently found in 98 countries worldwide.

    Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director-General of GHS, addressing the media in Accra, said the University of Health and Allied Sciences, in July this year, conducted genome sequencing of samples of Covid-19 and detected that Ghana had different variants of the disease.

    There are 576 cases of Covid-19 of different variants in the country, including Alpha (United Kingdom) – 429, Beta (South Africa) – 13, Gamma from Brazil 1, and Delta Variant from India – 34.

    Touching the Covid-19 spread in Achimota School, Dr Kuma-Aboagye said 843 students and staff had been tested with 135 testing positive.

    He said the infected students had been quarantined, with more tests ongoing including some day students.

    Dr Kuma-Aboagye said the GHS had been able to contain the spread of the infectious virus on the Achimota campus, for now, adding that the adherence to the Covid-19 safety protocols on the campus was very low.

    He explained that the Delta Variant was detected in the Ghanaian community on July 1, 2021, but it was first recorded in Ghana in April 2021 at the Kotoka International Airport.

    By June 22, 2021, six cases had been recorded and they were all detected at the port of entry when the GHS officially announced the presence of the variant in Ghana.

    Dr Kuma-Aboagye indicated that it thus activated the Public Health Emergency Rapid Response Teams of the Greater Accra Region and the Okaikoi North Municipality of the GHS.

    He said by July 3, 2021, a total of 843 students and staff were sampled; 348 of them were boarders and 459 day students, with 36 teaching staff.

    The results of 550 samples are ready and 135 have tested positive with 293 results pending. The 293 samples were collected on July 3, 2021.

    All 135 cases at the time of diagnosis were either asymptomatic or had mild to moderate illness.

    The GHS said one staff was among those affected and approximately two-thirds of the cases – 89 – had recovered with 46 active cases.

    Health experts say the Delta Variant is more transmissible than other variants and though the AstraZeneca and Sputnik V vaccines are effective against it, the Pfizer vaccine has a higher efficiency rate 88 per cent – against the variant.

    The Pfizer vaccine is more effective on the variant in terms of levels of protection from hospitalisation, infection and death.

    According to the World Health Organisation, all viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, change over time.

    Source: GNA

  • Newly trained teachers urged to accept postings to rural communities

    The Wiawso College of Education (WATICO) has held its 13th Congregation with a call on Graduands to accept postings to any part of the Ghanaian society.

    Professor Sarah Darkwa, Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, University of Cape Coast (UCC), made the call during the college’s Congregation.

    In all, a total of 689 students passed out for the 2019/2020 graduating year, made up of 469 males and 220 females.

    Prof Darkwa, who represented the Vice-Chancellor of UCC, said by accepting postings to the rural communities in the country, the newly trained Teachers were giving back to society.

    “It will also be a way of showing appreciation to all stakeholders whose sacrifices and contributions enabled you to acquire the skills and qualification to work,” she said.

    In a keynote address on the theme: “COVID-19 Pandemic: Changing Roles of Teachers and Student-Teachers,” Prof. William Coffie of the University of Ghana said the pandemic had impacted negatively on all facets of global activities.

    He said a lot more needed to be done in the challenging era to produce qualified personnel who would ensure quality education in the country.

    Prof.Coffie tasked the teachers to be abreast with the times and bring their knowledge on the pandemic to bear on society.

    “You must be ready to share knowledge and experiences with the populace, to keep the disease at bay,” he emphasized.

    In his welcoming address, the Principal of the college, Dr Emmanuel Carsamer, urged the Graduands to prepared to be faithful in their chosen career, and strive to shun corruption wherever they served the nation.

    The Principal used the opportunity to appeal to the government to increase GETFUND allocations for Colleges of Education to enable them to function effectively and attain their core mandate.

    He said the college was in dire need of infrastructural development to enable Management to increase enrollment.

    Other dignitaries who graced the occasion were Katakyie Kwasi Bumangama II, Omanhene of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area, Mr Richard Obeng, Western North Regional Minister, Mr Louis Owusu Agyapong, Wiawso Municipal Chief Executive

    Others are Dr Kwaku Afriyie, MP for the area and Minister for Environment, Science, Innovation and Technology, Rt. Rev. Father Abraham Kobina Ackah, Anglican Bishop of Wiawso, and a host of others.

    Source: GNA

  • Boycott Komenda Sugar Factory demonstration – NPP urges youth

    The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Constituency in the Central Region, has asked its supporters to boycott a demonstration by the youth for the immediate reopening of the Komenda Sugar Factory.

    A section of the youth in the KEEA have written to the Central Regional Police Command for permit to organise a peaceful demonstration on Tuesday, July 6, to demand the immediate reopening of the factory.

    However, the NPP said the demonstration was politically motivated to create disaffection for government, regardless of efforts being made to get the factory to operate.

    A press release copied to the Ghana News Agency in Cape Coast, signed by Mr Michael Botsio, the KEEA Communications Director of the NPP, said the demonstration was borne out of malice.

    It alleged that the key leaders of the intended demonstration were members of the National Democratic Congress, hence the move was full of mischief.

    The demonstration sought to create the impression that the non-functioning of the factory was the fault of the NPP-led government, the statement said, adding: “We find this most unfortunate and an affront to the intelligence of the people of KEEA.”

    It, however, declared the Party’s support for any genuine move to get the defunct factory operational to create employment for the youth and spur economic growth.

    “The NPP in KEEA shares in the frustration of the people of Komenda over the inability of the factory to operate. We also believe that the factory, when in operation, will create employment for the teeming youth and better the standard of living of the community and municipality,” the statement said.

    It assured of government’s determination to revive the factory as negotiations were ongoing with private investors to achieve that goal.

    “The government has never relented in its efforts to see the factory in operation and as a party we want to assure the teeming youth of KEEA that the strategic investor will certainly come on board as soon as possible,” it said.

    “The Komenda Sugar Factory will come back to life.”

    Source: GNA

  • Divisional chiefs at Tarkwa-Nusaem constituency express gratitude to President Akufo-Addo

    Some Divisional Chiefs in the Tarkwa-Nusaem constituency of the Western Region have expressed appreciation to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for appointing Mr George Mireku Duker as the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.

    According to the chiefs, Mr Duker, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tarkwa-Nsuaem constituency, had worked hard and would do the same in his new role to help develop the country.

    Nana Ampofo Kwesi II, the Divisional Chief of Esikuma Bonsawire and Akyeamehene of Wassa Fiase Traditional Area, said this at a press briefing in Tarkwa.

    He emphasized that “since we can testify of his good works within Tarkwa-Nusaem, we are assured of his performance as the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.”

    Nana Ampofo Kwesi II said the chiefs and residents of the Tarkwa-Nsuaem constituency would be pleased to welcome more appointments from Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s government.

    Nana Kwabena Gyan II, Divisional Chief of Mahamamo, expressed worry over the deplorable state of roads in Tarkwa-Nsuaem and pleaded with the government to come to their aid.

    He appealed to the President to retain the Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Benjamin Kessie to enable him to work with the MP to speed up development in the area.

    Source: GNA

  • Fiscal Decentralisation: Domelevo calls for district, regional budgets

    Daniel Yaw Domelevo, a former Auditor-General, has advocated the creation of district and regional budgets as part of efforts to ensure effective fiscal decentralisation.

    That, he said, would ensure each district and region received its fair share of the national cake.

    “I think over-centralisation is the major contributor to the corruption that we have in our country,” Mr Domelevo said in a virtual presentation at the maiden Domelevo Accountability Annual Lectures held in Accra.

    It was organised by the Centre for Social Democracy (CSD-Ghana) in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.

    “To ensure true and proper accountability, we need first to know the total resource envelope given to each region or district in the country,” he said.

    “In other words, I am calling for a district budget, which includes the budgetary allocation for their roads, their health facilities, their schools and this district budget comes together with that of the regions to constitute the regional budget.”

    Mr Domelevo noted that the regional budget together with the national institutions’ budgets would become the national budget.

    “So, when we go into our budget we must know how much has been allocated to a district in Sunyani or Hohoe or those in Donkokrom or Bunkpurugu. They should know how much government has given to their district administration to care for them,” he said.

    Mr Domelevo said currently, no one knew the total resource envelope available to any region or district, because the pipe through which those moneys were released were the ministries, with greater portion of the money remaining at the centre.

    “Huge amounts of money are released to education but go to the schools and see. Huge amounts are released to the health sector but go the hospitals and see,” he said.

    Mr Domelevo called for re-engineering of the fiscal management of the country with proper physical decentralisation to achieve set targets.

    He said if the national budget was divided and every region got its share, no one would be able to steal all that was available to a particular region.

    Mr Domelevo said another concern was getting into public office by politicians, adding: “The cost of the politicians coming to an office is so much that they borrow money, at times they used their own money to finance this, and this guys are not philanthropists” he said.

    “They will have to recoup whatever investment or money they put into coming into office and they recoup it with interest.”

    “The State can release money to the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the NCCE can create a common platform – be it television, radio or rally grounds – for all the political campaigns to happen over there and anyone who goes on his or her own during campaign should be disqualified.”

    Mr Domelevo suggested a ceiling on the amount to be paid by candidates as filing fee to contest elections, saying the fees are becoming too much.

    He expressed gratitude to the CSD-Ghana and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung for the lecture as it was necessary to sustain the fight against corruption.

    “…I must say in all sincerity that I am humbled by naming it after me,” Mr Domelevo said.

    Mr Mawuli Dake, Fellow, CSD-Ghana, said the Lecture series were to assess Ghana’s fight against corruption and honour people championing that fight, with particular mention of Mr Domelevo as showing exemplary leadership in that area.

    Mr Manasseh Azure Awuni, an Investigative Journalist, who delivered the keynote address, reiterated the need for anti-corruption agencies to collaborate in the fight against corruption.

    Source: GNA

  • Security in Ghana very good, I don’t feel threatened, unsafe Head of EU Delegation

    The Head of the European Union Delegation to Ghana, Diana Acconcia, has observed that the security situation in Ghana is top-notch.

    “The general impression is that the security in Ghana is very good”, she told Ayekoo Ayekoo host Nana Romeo on Accra100.5FM on Thursday, 1 July 2021 in an interview.

    “I have never felt, personally, threatened or unsafe in Ghana”, she noted.

    On the other hand, he noted, “we know that the situation in the region is very challenging”.

    “There are the bordering countries to Ghana where, unfortunately, the security situation has deteriorated and there is also a deteriorating situation in the Gulf of Guinea in terms of maritime security”, she pointed out.

    She said the EU is working with the government of Ghana to insulate the cocoa-producing country from the instability surrounding her.

    “So the situation in the region is very challenging and we are working, as European Union, together with Ghana to ensure that these regional challenges are not going to spill into Ghana”, she added.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Wednesday, 9 June 2021, in his capacity as Chair of the ECOWAS Authority, paid a visit to Ouagadougou to sympathize with the President, Government and people of Burkina Faso, following a recent terrorist attack, which claimed the lives of 160 persons.

    Nana Akufo-Addo said the fight against terrorism and violent extremism is a collective one and assured President Kabore and the people of Burkina Faso of the support of the countries of ECOWAS towards ridding the region of this menace.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Let’s work closely as traditional leaders to develop Region Paramount Chief

    Neenyi Kwaku Issiw I, the Omanhen of Senya Bereku Traditional Area, has called on all paramount chiefs in the Central Region to eschew chieftaincy disputes and work closely to develop the Region.

    “We have roles to play as chiefs and traditional rulers in the development of the Region, therefore, let’s set aside all chieftaincy issues and focus on that goal,” he said.

    Neenyi Issiw made the call when the Central Regional Minister, Mrs Justina Marigold Assan, paid a courtesy call on him at his palace to officially introduce herself and seek support in developing the Region.

    The Minister is touring the Region to seek support and also acquaint herself with emerging issues to find ways to address them.

    He said misunderstandings, conflicts, and disputes among traditional authorities had hindered the growth and development of the country.

    He, therefore, called on the Chiefs to resolve the misunderstanding amicably to ensure peace, unity, stability, and collaboration in achieving the goal of transforming the lives and living standards of the populace.

    Neenyi Issiw said pushing forward the agenda of development in the Region demanded concerted efforts of stakeholders and urged the chiefs to support the move.

    The Minister also visited the Acting President of the Senya Bereku, Ipi Kwa Bentum, who expressed concern about the long-standing chieftaincy disputes, which was stifling the development of Bereku.

    He called on the Minister to expedite action towards resolving the outstanding issue pending to bring back peace, unity, and harmony in the area.

    Ipi Bentum urged the government to fulfil its promise of building a landing site and harbour in Bereku to enhance economic activities and reduce the unemployment rate in the town.

    Senya Bereku Traditional Area has a long-standing chieftaincy dispute with two chiefs both of whom are not ready to abdicate the throne.

    At the Awutu, Abukuade Agyemang Wefe Otabil III, Paramount Chief of the area, appealed to the Minister to engage relevant stakeholders to construct their deplorable roads.

    He called on the Forestry Commission (FC) to step up efforts to save the forest reserves from perpetrators, cutting down and destroying their lands.

    He identified youth unemployment as a major challenge in the area and, therefore, appealed to the Minister to lobby for jobs to improve the lives and increase the standard of living of the people.

    Mrs Assan assured the chiefs separately at their palaces that necessary actions to resolve issues to bring back peace would be taken and called for calm and patient.

    She explained that the President had termed this year as the second year of roads, adding that she would engage with the sector Minister to construct the roads.

    Mrs Assan called on the paramount chiefs to support, advise and counsel her to be able to transform the Region collectively.

    Source: GNA

  • We will not tolerate homosexuality – GPCC

    Reverend Paul Frimpong-Manso, President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) has said the Council will not tolerate any lifestyle that would bring the name of the Christian body into disrepute.

    He said the Council would keep hammering and informing the Ghanaian community that Lesbian Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI) was “wrong, foreign, unnatural and ungodly”, and the society must frown upon it.

    Rev. Frimpong-Manso added that the Council had proposed legislation that prohibited the practice of homosexuality in the country, awaiting approval by Parliament.

    “We have joined a Coalition to protest against this LGBTQI because we support proper human sexuality, “he said.

    He made the statement at the Council’s National Delagates Conference in Accra, to discuss the affairs of the Council and deliberate on effective ways to serve the Church, nation and society at large.

    Addressing issues related to security in the country, he appealed to government to provide support, funds and the appropriate resources and gadgets to security agencies to enable them to execute their roles effectively.

    “The Police and other security agencies are doing their best, but it is not enough and so let us not chastise them, but rather encourage them to beef up their strategies in discharging their duties to make us feel more secure”, he said.

    Rev Frimpong-Manso said the mandate of the Council was to reach out to those without the gospel, support the churches and also cooperate and support the government in national development.

    A total of 21 new applicants were presented and admitted on two years probation, and thirteen members who had gone through monitoring for two year on probation with good standing orders by the council were confirmed as members.

    Reverend Sam Korankye Ankrah, first Vice President of the Council, formally received the new members and charged them to be accountable, responsible and committed, adding that the Association would help and direct them on good Christian practices.

    He charged Christians to live decent and moral lives in their communities draw men to Christ.

    Apostle Eric Nyamekye, Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, and the second Vice President of GPCC, said doctrinal differences with other churches coming together under an umbrella, made it difficult to control members, but the Council was committed to encouraging and correcting members to help build a kingdom and not a denomination.

    He added that the GPCC had the opportunity to meet with the regional statisticians to educate their members on the 2021 National Population and Housing Census and therefore charged the Christian fraternity to avail themselves to be counted.

    Apostle Nyamekye encouraged Ghanaians to participate in the ongoing census and cooperate well with the enumerators who were spearheading the exercise with accurate data.

    “When they come to your home, don’t drive them away, receive them and cooperate with them because this is an important exercise to the Christian kingdom to get the right number of the population, and also know places we can evangelize and build churches depending on the population”, he said.

    In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Bishop Stephen Owusu Jackson, Chairman of Christian Praise International Center, (CPIC), who had been confirmed as a member of GPCC, said he was privileged to be part of a Christian body that had rules and principles and a voice that spoke on behalf of the Church.

    GPCC is a faith-based organization, and the umbrella with over 240 registered Pentecostal and Charismatic Christian church denominations and para-churches in Ghana, with 13 new members being confirmed to membership and 21 other churches put on probation.

    The conference brought together National Executive Council Members of the Council across the country.

    Source: GNA

  • Calm restored in Wa after armed soldiers assault residents over missing phone

    There is calm in the Upper West Regional capital after some armed military officers assaulted residents over a missing mobile phone belonging to one of the officers.

    The incident which has been captured in a viral video and sighted by GhanaWeb happened on Thursday, July 1.

    The soldiers subjected their victims, who were mostly commercial tricycle operators, motorists and pedestrians, to severe beating and made them roll on the floor with some forced into gutters nearby.

    The over 50 soldiers in a Joy News report monitored by GhanaWeb, have been identified as members of the 10 Mechanized Battalion Infantry in Wa and based at the Napogbakoee area.

    The victims of the assault were rushed to the Wa municipal hospital and treated for minor injuries.

    Two others, however, sustained severe injuries and were detained at the hospital.

    A 29-year-old vulcanizer, Gafur Mahama was beaten to a pulp. He sustained minor bruises on his back and a fracture on his right thigh rendering him unable to walk or sit up.

    The PRO of the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council was not spared, he was also brutalized by the soldiers for taking a video of the incident, but was later rushed to the hospital.

    The brutality from the soldiers came to a halt after some police officers rushed to the scene and pleaded with soldiers to return to the barracks.

    Meanwhile, the Police CID has been tasked to liaise with the military to investigate the issue.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Chief of the Army Staff, other military delegation to visit Wa after residents were assaulted

    The Chief of the Army Staff is leading a high-powered military delegation to Wa after residents were assaulted by the soldiers in search of a missing mobile phone.

    This was disclosed by Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, Upper West Regional Minister, in a Joy News report monitored by GhanaWeb.

    The minister indicated that military officials when they visit, will pay a courtesy call on the Overlord of the Waala Traditional Area, Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV to apologise over the incident and assure them of an investigation to deal with officers found culpable.

    Dr Hafiz Bin Salih is said to have held an emergency REGSEC meeting after the incident happened.

    Background

    Some armed soldiers have been caught on camera brutalising residents of Wa in the Upper West Region on Thursday, July 1, over a missing mobile phone supposedly belonging to one of the soldiers.

    According to one eyewitness, one of the soldiers is believed to have boarded what is referred to as “Yellow Yellow” or “Mahama Cambo” and lost his phone.

    The incident is said to have started at 1:00 pm and lasted for close to an hour at the Wa main traffic.

    Several of the victims are said to have sustained various degrees of injury.

    Two of them are currently on admission at the Wa Municipal Hospital.

    A 29-year-old vulcanizer, who was a victim, is suspected to have developed a fracture in his right thigh during the assault.

    This comes after soldiers opened fire on protesters at Ejura in the Ashanti Region, leading to the death of two people and four others injured.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council, Cletus Awuni, who was also a victim, told an Accra based Citi FM that, the soldiers dragged him out of a car and interrogated him for filming the incident.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com