TIG Post

Author: Persis

  • Back from the dead: Five times Boko Haram leader Shekau refused to die

    Whiles local media outlets have reported the death of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, a cross section of Nigerians are taking the news with heavy skepticism.

    The reason being Shekau has been the most killed terrorist leader in the last decade with an average of one death rumour in every two years.

    Death reports have gone as high up as the Nigerian military making the claims as was the case in the era of immediate past army chief Yusuf Buratai.

    The army in 2016 said Shekau had been fatally wounded in an attack but will years on raid his Sambisa forest hideout with Shekau escaping after disguising himself as a woman.

    The federal government and the army have yet to make any pronouncements on the development.

    Here are five times Shekau has been ‘killed’ in the media

    1. The first time he was reported dead was in 2009, at the time he was a senior comander in the group. Security forces launched an operation against the group, killing hundreds of its fighters.

    Shekau was said to have died in the exchanges but he re-appeared in a video posted online and was later named new leader of the group

    2. In August 2013, the Nigerian army reported fatally injuring Shekau during a raid on the group’s base in the Sambisa forest.

    The folowing month, Shekau appeared in a video and in usual fashion mocked the authorities over their claims to have eliminated him.

    3. Five years later, in 2014. The Nigerian army claimed to have killed Shekau in a battle for Kodunga, a key town located in the then restive Borno State.

    The faceoff lated between September 12 to 14th. The Cameroonian military – who are in a regional joint force against Boko Haram backed the claim of the Nigerian army with photos purported to be that of dead Shekau.

    Shekau popped up yet again in a video to dispel the rumours and throw jibes at the armies.

    4. In 2015, Foremr President of Chad Idriss Deby claimed the group had collapsed and another leader had taken over from Shekau but unlike in previous times, Shekau released a video to refute Deby’s claims.

    5. In 2016, the Nigerian Airforce announced having fatally injured Shekau and killing top Boko Haram commanders in an airstrike on Taye village on August 19 2016.

    It was not long before a YouTube video of Shekau popped up and in typical fashion he mocked government and the army stressing that his life and death rested in the hands of God.

    It was in the same 2016, that the group splintered with the original Boko Haram faction pledging allegiance to Al-Qaeda whiles the breakaway faction pivoted to the Islamic State.

    The latter broke away from IS to form the Islamic State in West Africa Province, ISWAP.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Ghana needs a lot of fixing – Atik Mohammed

    Atik Mohammed has added his voice to the ”fix the country” campaign by some agitated youth of Ghana.

    According to the youth, the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is underperforming in his second term and so calling on him to up his performance and improve their living conditions.

    Touching on the campaign during a panel discussion on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’ programme, Atik Mohammed emphasized that, “let nobody kid himself into thinking that this country doesn’t need fixing”.

    He stressed that, ”in fact, this country needs a lot of fixing” but, he asked, “is government making an effort towards that?”

    “Maybe yes! But how would we know?”, he further questioned.

    Atik Mohammed advised the Ministers and government officials to assist the President to fix the country citing the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor as one particular Minister whose work has been impressive.

    “If you’re a Minister and you sit in your office and all you know is to sign papers but you don’t go to the field, Ghanaians might not see what you’re doing. That’s why I’m saying that I’m excited about what Abu is doing. He’s shown that he’s a young person who is enthused about his work and he’s really determined to make sure that he makes a difference. And I am very happy that he’s flying high the flag of the youth. He’s representing the youth agenda very well and I am excited.”

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • Chief Imam urges religious leaders to promote peace

    The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, has called on religious leaders to ensure their utterances promote unity and sustain the enviable peace God has bestowed on the nation.

    Addressing a durbar of chiefs in his honour by the Okuapeman Traditional Council at Akropong, Sheikh Sharubutu said religious leaders had an obligation to preach peace and love to maintain national unity.

    “God has granted our country immense favours of peace and unity, and it is important for us all to thank Him by protecting this favour,” Sheikh Sharubutu said.

    “I want to urge all religious leaders, both Muslims and Christian leaders to guard their comments and ensure that they eschew inflammatory comments, which will jeopardise our peace.”

    “We are one people and God did not create us to fight among ourselves. When you speak to your brother, ensure that whatever comes out is peaceful. Ensure that whatever comes out unites and shows love.”

    The National Chief Imam was in Okuapeman to donate food items to the Akuapem School for the Deaf and Blind.

    Prior to the presentation, he paid a courtesy call on the Okuapemanhene, Oseadeyo Kwasi Akuffo III, at his Palace at Akropong.

    Sheikh Sharubutu prayed for continuous peace in Okuapeman.

    Source: GNA

  • Road crashes national security issue for Government – Dery

    Interior Minister Ambrose Dery has described road crashes as a ”big national security issue” for the government.

    He said as part of efforts to manage and reduce road crashes in the country, the President has formed an inter-ministerial committee to address the issue.

    The committee he said involves ministers from the Communication and Digitization, Roads and Highway, Transport, Finance, and the Information to address the road crashes.

    He said they have taken the issue seriously and will use digitization to address the situation.

    He was speaking to the media on the sidelines of the opening of the National Police Command Conference at the Royal Senchi Resort.

    Mr. Dey said there some areas where the roads are bad and notorious to enhance patrols hence the committee will find out what it is and that is ”why it is a multi-sectoral and multi ministerial matter”.

    The Minister said the government will provide the Police with the technology to capture road offenders and punish them.

    He suggested motor riders are the most undisciplined offenders and soon the Police will come after them.

    He said commercial motor services are not lawful and sometimes, the riders think they are above the law, he added.

    Road crashes in the first quarter of 2021 he lamented has taken the lives of 771 persons, a situation that requires solutions to deal with the problem.

    The National Police Command Conference is under the theme ”The Role of Leadership in Preventing Violent Crimes and Promoting Community Safety”.

    He said the Nana Addo led administration is always ready to support the Police and other security agencies with logistics in the fight against crime.

    He advised the Police to be proactive and professional in line with modern policing in response to the complex nature of criminal activities.

    The National Police Command Conference (NAPOCC) is a meeting of senior members of the Police Service.

    These are members of the Police Management Board (POMAB), Regional Police Commanders and selected Directors of the National Police Headquarters Formation.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Weijas ticking time bomb: Geological Survey Authority cries over lack of staff and logistics

    The Geological Survey Authority says it lacks the requisite staff strength and logistics to effectively do its work of monitoring and issuance of disaster risk reports for siting buildings.

    The authority says it faces legitimate challenges in regulating the erection of properties in and around the Weija ridge.

    Principal Seismologist at the authority told TV3 assignment, a disaster is imminent with the outset of the rains.

    He says it is a ticking time bomb. “A time would come when all the zone here would undergo landslide; the whole material would come crashing down and engulf the entire area including the buildings like it happened in Sierra Leone.”

    He noted, the very activities that have left this cliff in this state persist.

    “what might have caused this, are construction activities and sand winning around this enclave, which have caused the area to become unstable.”

    He also told 3news, “the area witnesses minor landslides whenever it rains, warning slides of bigger magnitude are imminent.”

    The Geological survey authority says even though an act was passed in 2016, it has not been effective.

    “When our new bill was passed somewhere in 2016, it stated that we are to carry out site investigations and then issue certified reports prior to construction of major infrastructure; but then we also have challenges.”

    Nicholas Opoku said, “We may have the act but resources and logistics to operationalize it, is the challenge. Currently, we are only in the regional capitals and so we are unable to cover all the entire sixteen regions.”

    “To be able to live up to our mandate, we need requisite staff, equipment, and expanded coverage to be representative in all districts to be able to do our work. And we also need a Legislative Instrument to regulate our work.”

    Source: 3news.com

  • Second phase of coronavirus vaccination exercise begins in Ashanti

    The second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination exercise took off in the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, with advice to those eligible to avail themselves for the exercise.

    Dr Emmanuel Tenkorang, the Regional Director of Health, said it was targeting those who had received the first jab from March 2 to 9, this year, adding that those qualified to be vaccinated had no reason to stay off.

    “The Health Service is appealing to the people to endeavour to go to the centres where they took their first jabs to receive the second dose,” he told the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Kumasi.

    A total of 250, 000 people in the Region were vaccinated in the first phase of the exercise.

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has designated ten centres for the second phase in the Metropolis, including the Maternal and Child Health Hospital, KMA Clinic, Anwiam Clinic, City Hospital, Sepe-Buokrom Health Centre and Anwiam Clinic Annex (Kejetia).

    Others include Moshie Zongo Health Centre, Suntreso Government Hospital, Mater Dei Hospital and Manhyia Hospital.

    The Regional Health Directorate has so far taken delivery of 153, 000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines for the second phase, Dr Tenkorang said.

    According to the GHS, Ashanti has recorded a total of 15, 568 confirmed cases, out of which 253 had resulted in deaths with the active cases standing at 35.

    Meanwhile, when the GNA visited some of the designated vaccination centres, many of the eligible people were waiting in turns to be vaccinated.

    Source: GNA

  • African Education Watch calls for probe into School Feeding Programme

    The Africa Education Watch (EduWatch), an Education Policy Research and Advocacy Organisation on Wednesday called on the government to probe corruption allegations against the School Feeding Programme.

    “EduWatch is calling for an investigation into issues related to the supply of food items and alleged corruption in the implementation of the School Feeding Programme.

    “We are calling for investigations and public disclosure of findings into the aforementioned allegations, and prosecution, if the allegations are confirmed” a statement signed by Mr Kofi Asare, Executive Director of the organisation copied to the Ghana News Agency in Tema stated.

    The statement said the organisation had cited a letter terminating the appointment of the National Coordinator for the Ghana School Feeding Programme, after reports of corruption and misappropriation of funds.

    “Consequent to media reports regarding allegations of corruption, wrongful payment of funds to the tune of GHC965,000.00 to caterers in schools that did not exist and misappropriation of school feeding funds we have cited a letter terminating the appointment of the National Coordinator for the Ghana School Feeding Programme,” it said.

    The letter, the statement continued, was signed by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection stating no reasons for the termination of appointment.

    It, therefore, called on the government to, as a matter of urgency, investigate the allegations and prosecute persons culpable should the allegations be confirmed.

    Source: GNA

  • Lands Ministry to present proposals for reforms in the mining industry

    The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources will soon table proposals before Cabinet to reform the country’s mining industry.

    Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, the sector Minister, who said this at a media briefing in Accra on Wednesday, said the reforms would focus on amending the laws regarding the licensing, issuance of permits, sanctioning and enforcement regimes in the mining sector.

    “In a matter of weeks, we will go before the Cabinet with a set of proposals for amendment and reforms in the mining industry to make the laws more punitive, with the ultimate objective of sanitizing the sector”.

    Mr Jinapor said it had already begun engagement with industry players to enable them to make inputs towards the reforms, adding that, government’s goal was to ensure transparency and integrity in the sector.

    Responding to Mr Kennedy Agyepong, MP for Assin Central’s allegations that, some top government officials were engaging in illegal mining, Mr Jinapor said, he was prepared to talk to Mr Agyepong to disclose their names and deal with it decisively.

    He said the government was battle-ready and prepared to rid the country’s water bodies and forest reserves of persons and logistics involved in illegal mining.

    He said although there had been lots of criticisms and resistance from certain quarters over the military operations on water bodies and forest reserves, the government took that hard decision to protect them from destruction for the sake of the present and future generations.

    The phase three of ‘Operation Halt II’ started from May 14 and ended on May 17, 2021, with the deployment of 561 soldiers of all ranks to the tributaries of River Pra, Birim River, Oda River and River Ofin, which covered Western, Central, Ashanti and Eastern regions.

    The four-day operation, under the command of Brigadier-General Michael Ayisi Amoah, Commanding the Southern Command, led to the destruction of 49 excavators, 228 Changfans(floating platforms), 87 water pumping machines and 76 wooden structures.

    The rest were seven generators, six motorbikes and one hunter’s gun.

    One Chinese national was arrested for engaging in illegal mining and would soon be arraigned before court for prosecution.

    Mr Jinapor said it was the government’s ambition to ensure viable and sustainable mining practices and would work tirelessly towards achieving success in the small-scale mining enterprise.

    Mr Dominic Nitiwul, the Minister of Defence and MP for Bimbila, said the 561 all rank military officers were mandated to protect the water bodies and forest cover by riding off any persons and logistics involved in illegal mining.

    He said the soldiers executed their mandate satisfactorily without targeting anyone based on the person’s political colouration

    The Minister said if the nation did not take immediate action against the galamsey menace, the country may lose the Rivers in the southern belt of the country in the next three to four years.

    He said it was imperative for all Ghanaians to collectively deal with illegal mining once and for all.

    Mr Nitiwul gave the assurance that the military operation would be sustained until the water bodies returned to their natural state and trees planted on the mined areas.

    He said the government would not guarantee the safety of those who may return to the rivers and forest reserves to do illegal mining at night.

    He, therefore, cautioned the citizenry to stay away from all “red zone” areas, saying that Government’s primary goal was to sanitize the environment and ensure viable and sustainable mining practices.

    The Minister said, “no amount of public relations efforts or gimmicks employed by the illegal miners would deter the government from fighting the galamsey menace”.

    Source: GNA

  • All unregistered SIM cards will be blocked by December 2021 Ursula

    Communications and Digitalisation Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has disclosed that mobile phone subscribers who refuse or are unable to re-register their SIM cards before December this year will have their cards blocked.

    She announced that the re-registration of SIM cards will commence on June 30 till December 2021.

    Speaking at the 5th Ghana CEO Summit held in Accra on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, the Minister said that this new directive from the government is to help clamp down on the activities of cybercriminals.

    “We will register SIM cards and SIM enabled devices from next month. And when the exercise ends in December this year, all unregistered sims will be blocked.

    “We must clamp down on cyber criminals hiding behind the anonymity of digital systems to commit anti-social acts and this exercise is a key part of that campaign,” Ursula Owusu-Ekuful said.

    She explained that the inability of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo led government to embark on this project earlier was due to the lack of a secure database of Ghanaians.

    “Our inability to do that in the past is largely being as a result of the lack a secure identity document to verify the identity of those who would register those SIMs.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Abu Jinapor must be sacked Small-scale miners scribe

    Secretary to the Small Scale Miners Association Michael Kwadwo Preprah has called for the dismissal of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor.

    Speaking to Henry Eliud Nyakey on Asem Yi Dzi Ka, a political programme on Connect FM in Takoradi, the Secretary said the government has failed totally in the fight against illegal mining.

    Burning excavators in non-Red Zones, in rivers and reserved forests, means the minister has failed, he said, adding that there is no way a government can win the fight against galamey using the military.

    “Past governments from the era of President [John] Kufuor through to President [John] Mahama used the military in the fight against galamsey and they failed,” Michael Kwadwo Preprah said.

    He is surprised the current minister is using the same approach and “he has failed and needs to be sacked”.

    Counting the number of mining equipment destroyed so far, the Secretary said about 40 excavators have been destroyed and one operator has been shot dead.

    He hinted of a mega demonstration across the country against government soon.

    Source: 3news.com

  • GHS accountant in forgery stealing of over GH¢500,000 to be arraigned before court

    A former Accountant at the Buipe Polyclinic in the Central Gonja District of the Savannah Region, Mr. Osman Jamal-Deen who is reported to have forged signatures and stolen over GH¢500,000 cedis from the account of the health facility is due to be arraigned before court.

    The Ghana Health Service staff with staff number 749504 reportedly forged the signature of the Medical Superintendent of the facility and issued NIB cheques to the tune of GH¢580,288.17.

    It has also been established that the suspect currently on police bail, failed to deposit cash at the Tamale main Branch of the National Investment Bank (NIB) where the account of the facility is.

    MyNewsGh.com has confirmed that he is set to appear before a Tamale High Court on May 24, 2021, and provisionally charged with forgery and stealing after series o investigations uncovered that he was culpable in the fraudulent deals that started a little over two years.

    The Investigative Desk of MyNewsGh.com that first broke the story has in its possession over 50 NIB forged cheques out of over 100 which are also incorporated in a report by a committee set up by the Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service.

    A face value of the numerous cheques reveals a staggering amount of GH¢336,599.17 stolen from the Buipe Internally Generated Drug Account with the Tamale Main Branch of NIB.

    It would be recalled that MyNewsGh.com a fortnight ago reported how the Medical Superintendent of the facility detected the crime, reported it to the Regional Director and then got the suspect arrested.

    The Ghana Health Service then set up a fact-finding committee that audited the embattled accountant and corroborated findings; followed by a disciplinary committee that was set to take him through disciplinary proceedings.

    The Disciplinary Committee also did its work and produced a report in August 2020 a copy of which is possession of MyNewsGh.com. However, both the fact-finding committee report and the disciplinary committee reports were only on shelves gathering dust per our checks until recently.

    Investigations reveal that the suspect who has since been transferred to the Regional Health Directorate has paid GHC 35,000.00 out of the GH¢580,288.17 he stole through forged cheques and the rest by undeposited funds.

    In some instances, there were even cheques that were honoured with only one signature(his), meanwhile, the Medical Superintendent is the principal account holder.

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • Galamsey menace: Stop all mining operations for six months – Kwesi Pratt suggests

    Seasoned Journalist, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has called on the government to put all mining activities in Ghana on hold for half a year.

    A joint team of Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Navy and the Ghana Air Force have commenced an operation dubbed ‘Operation Halt’ aimed at ending galamsey.

    Their operation has been sanctioned by the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor and Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul.

    This follows the president’s directive to the soldiers to remove all persons and machinery involved in illegal mining.

    To deter the illegal miners, their excavators are seized and burnt by the joint military team.

    Addressing the galamsey menace and the government’s approach to end it, Kwesi Pratt advised the government to stop all mining operations, whether large-scale, small-scale or galamsey, for six months and restrategize to find ways of conducting gold mining appropriately.

    According to him, this method will help to resolve the illegal mining menace.

    “The gold mining should be halted. Whether small-scale or large-scale mining, let us stop it for about six (6) months and patiently put the right measures in place to ensure the gold mining is done in a way that won’t cause any destruction,” he told stand-in host Nana Yaw Kesseh on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’ programme, Tuesday.

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • GES urged to create support system for teachers

    Professor George K.T. Oduro, the immediate past Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, has called on the Ghana Education Service (GES) to create a support system for teachers to facilitate the application of learner-centred teaching approaches in the classroom.

    He said this would help achieve the purpose for which the standard-based curriculum was introduced, adding that teachers should be equipped with requisite knowledge and skills for using Information, Communication Technology (ICT) as an interactive tool for making students more creative and reflective in the classroom.

    “Teachers need to be supported to enable them to uphold good teaching orientations. This is because no matter the effectiveness of a teacher, little achievement can be recorded if the requisite teaching-learning materials, laboratory equipment and professional support are absent or non-available in the school system,” he said.

    Prof Oduro made the call in his speech delivered at the 6th Quadrennial (53rd) Delegates Conference of the Agona Municipal branch of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT).

    It was one theme: “GNAT @90: Equipping the Teacher with Contemporary Teaching Methods for Quality Education Delivery in Agona.”

    Prof Oduro commended the GNAT for moving beyond the usual salary increase-focused advocacy by choosing a conference theme that had a direct bearing on quality enhancement of teacher professional practice in the classroom.

    He said: “The theme is central to Target 4.1 of SDG 4 which mandates governments to put in place strategies that would ensure that

    By 2030, … all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education, leading to effective learning outcomes.”

    Prof Oduro said in contemporary times, what teachers needed to make the standard-based curriculum more impactful was a teaching model that places the student/learner at the centre of the teaching-learning process and views teaching as a facilitation act.

    “It is important, therefore, that the GES ensures that logistics to support teaching and learning and the requisite professional development, necessary for enhancing teaching and learning for sustainable development, are provided.

    “The GNAT should also demonstrate practical commitment to the advancement of e-teaching and e-learning among its members by advocating for sustained capacity strengthening of teachers in the use of e-teaching tools. By so doing, the professionalism of teachers will be ensured as they cope with the demands of the standards-based curriculum.

    “We cannot succeed in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the year 2030 and achieve the goals underlying the standard-based curriculum if we do not adopt a more learner-centred and democratic approach to teaching and move away from the examination-focused teaching,” he said.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus vaccination phase two: 360,000 persons qualify for second dose

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) says those who took the first jab of the AstraZeneca vaccines between March 1 and 9,2021 will have to go for the second jab from Wednesday, May 19, at the designated centres in 43 districts.

    Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director-General of the GHS, announced this at a media briefing in Accra on Tuesday, to update the public on the second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

    He said although 852,047 people were vaccinated and captured into the GHS database during the first phase, only 360,000 qualified for the second dose.

    The second phase of the vaccination exercise is expected to take place from Wednesday, May 19 to May 26, 2021.

    They included frontline health workers, persons with underlying health conditions, frontline security personnel, media practitioners and those who are 60 years and above, as well as members of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary.

    Dr Kuma-Aboagye explained that those who took the first dose should go to the vaccination centres with their unique COVID-19 Vaccination Card, but those whose cards are missing could still go there with any of the national ID cards, to facilitate easy searching of their names on the database.

    He said the GHS had already sent text messages to those who were due for the second dose, and had specified the vaccination centre and the date one could visit the centre.

    He said after taking the second dose, one’s COVID-19 Card would be replaced with a new one, which has enhanced features such as a hologram and QR Code on it to aid validation.

    So far, he said, the GHS had dispatched all the logistics to the designated centres while vaccinators and field officers had undergone refresher training to improve service delivery.

    The GHS, he said, had also prepared infographic data of the vaccination centres of the 26 districts in the Greater Accra Region,19 districts in the Ashanti Region and two districts in the Central Region to enhance tracing of the vaccination centres.

    The GHS Boss said the AstraZeneca vaccines could provide 76 per cent protection, therefore, it was important to continue wearing nose masks and observing the COVID-19 safety protocols even after the second dose.

    He noted that the side effects experienced upon taken the first jab would still be felt, adding that it takes three weeks for the full immunity of the vaccine to take effect in the body.

    Dr Kuma-Aboagye announced that government was still engaging in bilateral discussions to secure more vaccines even though Ghana would get more vaccines under the African Union COVAX Facility, which is free.

    He said at the moment the country had 16,000 doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccines and expecting 300,000 more soon.

    The GHS Boss said all the necessary measures had been put in place to prevent the vaccines from going waste as 580 doses went waste during the first phase.

    Ghana took delivery of 350,000 AstraZeneca vaccines on Friday, May 7 from DR Congo’s 1.7 million leftovers and expected to expire on June 24.

    As at May 15, 2021, Ghana’s COVID-19 active cases stood at 1,325 declining from 8,000 cases witnessed during the peak period of the second wave of infections in February, this year.

    So far, 93,456 cumulative cases had been recorded, with 91,384 recoveries/discharges, representing 97.4 per cent recovery and 771 deaths.

    Source: GNA

  • Illegal miners could retaliate, weve to be careful – Analyst

    A security analyst, Adib Sani, has advised the government to reconsider the approach it is currently using in dealing with illegal mining (galamsey).

    He warned the illegal miners could retaliate because a lot of them are armed.

    Adib Sani said he saw several videos where some of these miners are warning the soldiers that they would defend themselves.

    He opined that if things get out of hand, the illegal miners will either through diplomatic or violent means are very high because almost all of them are armed.

    According to him, he thinks that we have to be careful although we are in desperate times.

    He said we have to check the documentation to see which ones are legitimate mining concessions and which ones are not before we take action.

    He wants the community to be involved in the fight against illegal mining.

    He said if we do that fighting the galamsey would be successful.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Coronavirus: Active cases increase to 1,308

    Ghana has recorded 57 new cases of the Coronavirus disease, pegging the number of active cases at 1,308.

    In all, 93,390 positive cases have been recorded, out of which 91,299 have recovered and been discharged.

    The death toll also stands at 783.

    Meanwhile, as of May 7th 2021, 852,047 persons had taken the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

    According to the Ghana Health Service, rollout of the second dose of the vaccine will start tomorrow, May 19, 2021.

    Below is the Cumulative Cases per Region:

    (Case Count from Highest to Lowest)

    Greater Accra Region 51,412

    Ashanti Region 15,553

    Western Region 5,868

    Eastern Region 4,208

    Central Region 3,435

    Volta Region 2,501

    Northern Region 1,654

    Bono East Region 1,436

    Bono Region 1,406

    Upper East Region 1,319

    Western North Region 876

    Ahafo Region 718

    Upper West Region 499

    Oti Region 431

    North East Region 228

    Savannah Region 123

    Source: www.atinkaonline.com

  • Four Nigerians weep uncontrollably as court orders their repatriation

    Drama unfolded at the Enchi District Magistrate Court when four Nigerians wept uncontrollably after the court ordered the Police to hand them over to the Ghana Immigration Service for their repatriation from Ghana.

    The convicts; Amanda Johnson, 27, Emerald Percious 23, Angel Ainu, 24, Jennifer Emeka, 32 and Patrick Arthur, were also sentenced to a fine of GH¢600.00 each or in default serve nine months imprisonment each.

    Their accomplice, Esther Diamond, 27 and Anthony Kofi Lucky, 32, who refused to show up in court after they were granted bail got convicted to jail in absentia.

    The court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the two.

    All the convicts were earlier charged for keeping a brothel but they pleaded not guilty.

    However, the court presided over by Mr Eric Baah Boateng at the end of the trial found them guilty and convicted all accordingly.

    Prosecuting, Detective Inspector Joseph Kwadwo Agyare told the court that, Amanda, Emerald, Angel, Jennifer and Esther are all Nigerians and residents at Abokyia in the Aowin Municipality in the Western North Region.

    He said Anthony is the husband of Esther while Arthur is the landlord of the convicts.

    According to Detective Agyare, the complainant, Catherine Joseph, is a 19-year-old Nigerian and currently resides at Amakom, a suburb of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

    The prosecution said two weeks ago, Amanda paid a visit to Nigeria and convinced the complainant that she had secured a job for her as a cleaner in Ghana.

    He said the complainant agreed and when the two arrived in Ghana, Amanda told her she was going to work as a commercial sex worker.

    Inspector Agyare informed the court that Amanda subsequently took the complainant to a riverside and made her swear an oath that she would not flee to Nigeria.

    The prosecution said the complainant who was not pleased with what she had been forced into managed to escape from the Banaso community to Ashanti Region where she narrated her ordeal to a private radio station based in Kumasi.

    He said officials of the radio station later assisted her to lodge a formal complaint with the Ghana Police Service at Enchi where Amanda was arrested in a wooden structure which they were using as a brothel.

    The prosecution said in the course of the arrest, Anthony was found in Esther’s room where four boxes containing 144 condoms and lubricants were retrieved.

    He said Amanda and Emerald during interrogations said they rented the brothel from Arthur, leading to his arrest.

    Source: GNA

  • Lands Minister embarks on aerial tour of River Pra

    The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, on Tuesday, embarked on an aerial (helicopter) tour over the Pra River Basin, which covers the Central, Western, Eastern, and Ashanti regions.

    The tour was to ascertain for himself the progress made so far regarding the protection of the country’s water bodies and forest cover since Operation Halt started on April 28, this year.

    The Minister was accompanied by top military officers, officials from the Ministry Lands and Natural Resources and the media.

    At Anyinam in the Atiwa East District of the Eastern Region, the Minister appealed to the residents to help the Government to curb the illegal mining menace.

    He also pleaded with them to form cooperative associations to help obtain the requisite support from the government to boost their businesses.

    “You must also plant trees after your mining operations to protect our rivers and increase our forest cover,” he said.

    Source: GNA

  • Professor Aning calls for robust intervention by Parliament to restructure National Security

    Security expert Professor Kwesi Aning of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre has challenged Parliament to intervene and cause the restructuring of the National Security set-up.

    In a Citi News interview, Professor Aning said the current make-up of the National Security is a deviation from its original set-up.

    He noted that the National Security as stipulated by law ought not to have an operational arm that is deployed to undertake regular activities.

    Professor Aning proffered that the task of conducting arrests and other regular activities is within the purview of the police which acts under the instruction of the Inspector General of Police.

    “The National Security, if we use the terminology, ought not to be an operational part of both the National Security Council and the National Security Secretariat,” he said.

    “When an action is supposed to be taken, and it is a police action, then it is the IGP who does it, but if based on the assessment he feels that he will need a military, Customs or Immigration support, then all these subsidiary institutions come in to help.”

    He called for an immediate intervention by Parliament to the issue, stressing that the current state of the National Security poses a great threat to the country.

    “This new culture of operatives of the Secretariat, armed and engaging in hands-on operational activity is something we need to look at. It is not what ought to be, and I think what you experienced at your offices is the reflection of the misunderstanding,”

    “What we have is an amorphous structure that allows these armed individuals to shift and move beneath the radar and therein lies the danger. What we need is a robust intervention by Parliament that can help resolve the matter in a way that will tackle issues such as the recruitment, access to weapons and command structure of the national security operatives.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Were not recruiting – FDA

    The Food and Drugs Authority has said it has not put out an advertisement for recruitment or appointed any agency to conduct recruitment on its behalf.

    The authority in a statement noted that all vacancies will be published only on its website and the national dailies and application for employment can only be addressed to the FDA and no other agency.

    The FDA has, therefore, cautioned the public against such fake recruitment claims and advertisements and must not be lured into the payment of any form of facilitation fees for this purpose.

    Read the full statement below

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

    17th May 2021

    DISCLAIMER FOOD AND DRUGS AUTHORITY RECRUITMENT

    The Food and Drugs Authority wishes to state for the records that it has not put out any advertisement for recruitment or appointed any agency to conduct recruitment on its behalf

    The public is to note that all announcements of vacancies will only be published on its official website and the national dailies and applications for employment can only be addressed to the FDA and no other agency. The public is therefore being cautioned against any such fake recruitment claims and advertisements and must not be lured into the payment of any form of facilitation fees for this purpose.

    Persons who choose to engage in such fraudulent activities do so at their own risk. The public is hereby warned.

    All concerns and questions arising out of this publication as well as any other FDA regulated product can be directed to the FDA on the following contacts.

    FDA, Your Well-being. Our Priority.

    DELESE A A DARKO (MRS)

    CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Youth Enterprise Support Initiative 2021 fraudulent, ignore it – Foreign Affairs Ministry

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has described as “fraudulent” an initiative being referred to as “Youth Enterprise Support Initiative 2021” meant to lure unsuspecting Ghanaians to apply for a support fund of GH¢30,000.00 per week.

    The Ministry in a statement noted that the government has neither established a support initiative that goes by the name “Youth Enterprise Support Initiative 2021” nor has the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo initiated any programme that provides the above-mentioned financial support.

    The ministry has, therefore, cautioning the public to disregard the initiative because it is fraudulent.

    Read the full statement below

    REPUBLIC OF GHANA MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION

    DISCLAIMER

    FRAUDULENT SUPPORT INITIATIVE “YOUTH ENTERPRISE SUPPORT INITIATIVE 2021

    ACCRA, 17TH MAY, 2021- The attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has been drawn to a fraudulent support initiative being referred to as “Youth Enterprise Support Initiative 2021”. The false initiative is using the name of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration to deceive Ghanaians into applying through the undermentioned fake link. https://ghanafunds apply fast. online to access GHC 30,000.00 per week from the bogus support fund.

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration wishes to categorically state that the Government of the Republic of Chana has neither established a support initiative that goes by the name “Youth Enterprise Support Initiative 2021 nor has the President of the Republic, H.F. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo initiated any programme that provides the above-mentioned financial support.

    The Ministry wishes to advise the general public to disregard the Youth Enterprise Support

    Initiative 2021″ and the claims being made about its purported services since it is fraudulent

    TO ALL MEDIA HOUSES

    Source: 3news.com

  • Mike Oquaye extols Bawumias superb performance

    A former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, has described the performance of Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia as top-notch.

    In an exclusive interview with Okyeman TV at his residence, Professor Mike Oquaye said Vice President Bawumia has been exceptional.

    “Dr Bawumia has been superb. His performance is A-plus,” the former Speaker stated.

    The former Speaker recounted the many policies and programmes Dr Bawumia has introduced as the Vice President and said they have helped the economy in so many ways.

    “Most of the policies Bawumia has introduced have brought sunshine to a lot of areas,” he stressed.

    “Look at the ports, he realized that revenues were not forthcoming and people were engaged in all manner of nefarious means,” he said.

    He emphasized that Bawumia introduced digitization to stem this cancerous phenomenon.

    He opined that the digitalization of the economy is helping to remove the bottlenecks in our revenue generation efforts and the overall development trajectory of the country.

    Source: ghanaguardian.com

  • Disregard fake social media information MMDCEs told

    The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, has advised Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to disregard information making rounds on social media that they should vacate their offices.

    The Ministry in a statement signed by Mr Dan Botwe, the Sector Minister, copied to the Ghana News Agency, said the information was false and should be disregarded.

    Mr Botwe said the MMDCEs were to be guided by the Circular Number SCR/DA39/314/01 dated January 11, 2021, issued from the Presidency and signed by the Chief of Staff.

    Source: GNA

  • Uganda to conduct national census for ‘mad’ people – Health Ministry

    In a bid to improve access to mental healthcare, Uganda’s Health ministry is set to conduct a countrywide survey to establish the number of people living with mental health challenges.

    Dr Hafsa Lukwata, the acting assistant commissioner for mental health and control of substance abuse at the ministry, said the lack of data on the state of mental health in the country had created a gap in planning for those in need of care.

    Dr Lukwata said a private entity will support the survey that is planned to help government offer better and demand-driven interventions.

    “We have had a challenge of not knowing the actual prevalence of the different mental conditions in the country until lately. An organisation has come up to help us carry out this nationwide survey to help establish the state of mental health in the country,” Dr Lukwata said.

    She was speaking during the launch a toll-free helpline set up by Mental Health Uganda, an organisation championing mental health awareness. The toll-free line will offer counselling and referral services to persons facing mental health challenges.

    Asked how patients will be identified in a sea of people with different challenges, Dr Lukwata said a team of experts in the field has been selected to conduct the survey.

    “There is some science around it. Mental health challenges are not like malaria that has clear symptoms. People get challenges in different forms, there is depression, anxiety, and those are some that we will be investigating.

    “Not everyone who does not sleep well or has panic attacks has a mental health problem. There is a criteria, explicit signs and symptoms which when put together, give you a diagnosis and it requires a lot of work to get the right people for this surveys,” Dr Lukwata said.

    Mr Derrick Kizza, the executive director of Mental Health Uganda, said the ministry needs to be establish strict and science-backed criteria to be followed.

    Other interventions

    For a country still grappling with understanding the meaning of mental health, stakeholders want the ministry to integrate the phenomenon in primary healthcare and invest in community awareness and interventions. Drug stockouts and high prices in private facilities has also been a big challenge.

    Dr Lukwata, however, said the department has a small budget that cannot be stretched any further.

    “As a country we have dealt a lot with the clinical aspect of treating people with mental illness. However, we know these illnesses take on a chronic mode of care, we will not depend on the facility-based care of treatment.

    There are other interventions that can be worked out at the community level to help people with challenges recover. That is where our emphasis as a country is; psychosocial interventions,” Dr Lukwata said.

    The ministry is also in the process of establishing regulations for the implementation of the Mental Health Act that, among others, directs that each district should have a person in charge and isolation units be headed by an expert in psychiatry.

    Toll-free helpline

    Mr Derrick Kizza, the executive director of Mental Health Uganda, said more than 500 calls were recorded on the first day of the opening of the toll-free line.

    The line [0800212121] will be used to offer counselling and referral services, with special attention to young people between 15 and 35 years.

    The organisation has partnered with health facilities in different regions to refer those in need of further help. The lines will be stationed across eight districts in Gulu, Lira, Kampala, Mpigi, Soroti, Mbale, Kanungu and Mbarara to offer services in English, Luo, Swahili, Luganda and Runyakitara.

    Source: monitor.co.ug

  • Congo president’s son given top ministerial portfolio

    Republic of Congo president Denis Sassou Nguesso has handed his son a top ministerial position.

    The president through the new Prime Minsiter named Denis-Christel Sassou Nguesso as Minister of International Cooperation and Promotion of Public-Private partnership.

    “It is with great emotion and gratitude that I learn of my appointment to the post of Minister of International Cooperation and the Promotion of Public-Private Partnership.

    “All my thanks to the Head of State and the Prime Minister for the confidence placed in me,” the new minister posted on Twitter.

    Sassou who is one of Africa’s longest serving leaders has been in charge of the central African country for over three decades.

    He recently won a landslide vote securing his sixth term in office and subsequently named a new Prime Minister in the person of Anatole Collinet Makosso.

    Makosso named a new cabinet that included Denis-Christel in a move that will likely raise eyebrows on the subject of presidents looking to hand over reins of power to their sons.

    Denis-Christel serves as a lawmaker representing constituents from his native Oyo region, located in the country’s north.

    He is a one-time administrator-general of the state oil marketing company, Cotrade, and also served as deputy director-general of the National Petroleum Company of the Congo, SNPC.

    He was elected to the National Assembly of Congo-Brazzaville in 2012.

    Other African countries with undercurrents that sitting presidents could handover to their sons include.

    – Uganda – President Museveni and son Muhoozi

    – Cameroon – President Paul Biya and son Frank

    – Equatorial Guinea – Obiang Nguema and son Teodorin (who is current vice president)

    – In Chad recently, late Idris Deby was ‘suceeded’ by son Mahamat – who leads the Transitional Military Junta

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Sudan army men held for killing protestors

    Sudan’s military said Saturday it has handed over to the attorney general the findings of an investigation into the killing of two demonstrators at a recent rally that called for justice for victims of violence against protesters in 2019.

    The Sudan Tribune reported separately that seven army personnel had been arrested and were due to be handed to prosecutors for interrogation, citing the Attorney General.

    On Tuesday, several hundred protesters gathered outside the army headquarters in Khartoum to mark two years since the violent dispersal at the same location of a sit-in by the popular protest movement calling for the departure of former president Omar al-Bashir.

    Tuesday’s rally was dispersed by security forces, leaving two dead and dozens injured.

    “General Abdel Fattah al-Burhane, chairman of the Sovereign Transitional Council and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, handed over the results of an armed forces investigation into the events … to Attorney General Tagelsir al-Hebr,” the army said in a statement Saturday.

    The results include a list of soldiers suspected of involvement in Tuesday’s events and an order “to lift their immunity,” it added.

    “This will allow the General Prosecutor’s Office to initiate legal proceedings and reach final results,” the army said.

    The 2019 sit-in was held in a large camp set up in front of the army headquarters.

    In June of that year, armed men in military fatigues then violently dispersed the camp. The days-long crackdown left at least 128 people dead, according to doctors linked to the protest movement.

    The generals in power at the time denied ordering the bloody dispersal and ordered an investigation into the events.

    Sudan has been led since August 2019 by a civilian-majority transitional administration, which has promised to bring justice to the victims and their families.

    Source: africanews.com

  • New film shines light on Russian military contractors in CAR

    Thousands of people flocked Bangui’s main stadium to attend the premiere of a Russian-Central African production.

    The “Tourist” focuses on the role of military contractors dispatched by Moscow to train Bangui’s security forces – in pacifying the country torn apart by years of fighting.

    “I must tell you that during the work of the Russian inspectors, they were able to train the Central African Army very well. They displayed their combat capability,” said Alexandre Ivanov who represented the head of the instructors at the event.

    President Faustin-Archange Touadera’s government largely relies on Russian fighters and a 12,000 strong UN peacekeeping force for protection from dozens of armed groups that roam the vast country.

    Russian influence in CAR

    The film is a further sign of the deepening ties between Russia and the Central African Republic, which have become the envy of former colonial ruler France.

    In 2020, Facebook said it had removed hundreds of French and Russian accounts it accused of running disinformation campaigns in the African country.

    In 2017, Russia secured an exemption from the United Nations, despite an existing arms embargo, to deliver weapons to the CAR.

    President Touadera had argued successfully that the arms were denied to protect civilians.

    In July 2018, President Vladimir Putin sent the first Russian military advisers and mercenaries to Bangui to train Central African soldiers and protect top government officials.

    The events have jolted Paris which is concerned about its waning influence in the troubled country.

    Source: africanews.com

  • Okwahu United secures qualification to next round of MTN FA Cup

    Okwahu United FC has secured qualification to the next round of the MTN FA Cup after beating B.S Pelicans FC by two goals to nil in the preliminary round of the competition at the Blue Skies Park at Nsawam.

    The team from Nkawkaw scored the two goals through Maclean Ampadu and Prince Asare.

    B.S Pelicans, one of the top teams in the Eastern region division two league, could not contain the “Asase Aban” boys who were poised to make a difference.

    Okwahu United, is currently the reigning Eastern Cup champions and has a formidable team ready to prove a point at this year’s MTN FA Cup competition.

    The team is waiting for the next draw of the competition to know their next opponents.

    Source: GNA

  • Game changer Forson Amankwah scores in FC Liefering comeback win in Austria

    Midfielder Forson Amankwah climbed off the bench to score and spark FC Liefering’s comeback 4-2 victory at Austria Lustenau on Sunday, 16 May 2021, in the Austrian second-tier.

    The 18-year-old was introduced in the 55th minute to replace Benjamin Bockie.

    Two minutes later, Liefering conceded and were now behind after taking a 29th-minute lead through Benjamin Sesko.

    That goal was cancelled out three minutes into the second half when Haris Tabaković converted a spot-kick.

    Amankwaah stepped up and with an assist from Luka Sučić, he found the back of the net in the 73rd minute.

    It was his second goal in nine appearances for the side he joined in February.

    Sesko scored a three-minute brace to give the visitors a deserved win.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Transport unions hike fares by 20%

    The Ghana Committed Drivers Association, International Drivers Road Transport Union, Truth Drivers Union, Concern Drivers Association and others, have increased transport fares by 20% effective Monday, 17 May 2021.

    The increase according to the group has become necessary in view of the number of taxes on fuel announced by government in the 2021 budget and was subsequently approved by Parliament.

    “A gallon of fuel which used to be sold at the pump for GH¢24.52 pesewas is now sold at GH-¢27.22 pesewas. Also, prices of spare parts and DVLA charges have shot up considerably,” the statement read.

    “With these developments, if we delay any further in increasing lorry fares by at least 20%, our transport business will collapse,” the statement added.

    Read their joint statement below:

    JOINT STATEMENT BY PRIVATE ROAD TRANSPORT OPERATORS ON 20% INCREASE IN LORRY FARES, SUNDAY, 16TH MAY 2021

    The Ghana Committed Drivers Association, International Drivers Road Transport Union, Truth Drivers Union, Concern Drivers Association and other unions and associations, wish to inform our customers and the general public that we have increased our lorry fares by 20% effective tomorrow, Monday, 17th May, 2021.

    The increase has become necessary in view of the number of taxes on fuel announced by the Government in the 2021 budget and was subsequently approved by Parliament.

    The implementation was effective 1st May, 2021 and it has been running for a little over 2 weeks.

    A gallon of fuel which used to be sold at the pump for GHC 24.52 pesewas is now sold at GH¢27.22 pesewas.

    Also, prices of spare parts and DVLA charges have shot up considerably.

    With these developments, if we delay any further in increasing lorry fares by at least 20%, our transport business will collapse.

    We, therefore, wish to impress upon our customers and the general public to bear with us as we have also factored their financial situation into our calculations before arriving at the 20%.

    For the sake of our customers and the general public, we arrived at the 20% lorry fare increase by dividing 120 by 100 and multiplying it by the old or existing lorry fare.

    Our dear customers and the general public must know that we have absorbed a lot of the petroleum products price increases for a long time and have gotten to a stage where we can no longer contain it.

    We selflessly operated and abided by the decision of the stakeholders to increase lorry fares twice in a year.

    However, we the private road transport operators have been at the receiving end of this decision for far too long. While we diligently obey the decision, prices of petroleum products keep increasing without corresponding increases in lorry fares.

    We hold a strong view that this has become unfair business practice with a dire consequences for our business. We have, therefore, resolved that any time fuel prices, spare parts, and other levies relating road transport go up, we will also adjust our lorry fares to reflect the increment.

    It is our considered view that we will only go by the decision to increase lorry fares twice year if the powers that be can also ensure that prices of petroleum products and spare parts are not increase in the course of every year so as to guarantee stable prices and lorry fares.

    We wish to state that we are not part of the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) which together with the Government fix percentage increase in lorry fares.

    It must interest the general public to note that the GPRTU for some time now has pulled out of the Council and now joined the TUC and has since been negotiating with the Government for increase in lorry fares on its own. It has even gone ahead to put it in its constitution, Article 2 (k).

    It will, therefore, be difficult for us to keep waiting for them to conclude negotiations on the percentage of increase in lorry fares.

    As at 2016, a gallon of fuel for instance was between GH¢14.000 and GH¢16.00. Since 2017, the prices have increased astronomically to the current GH¢27.22 pesewas but without the corresponding increases in lorry fares.

    We, however, acknowledge the brief reduction in fuel prices during the peak of the Covid-19 last year from GH¢24.00 to GH¢19.00. Since then the price returned to GH¢24.00 until the recent fuel taxes were imposed.

    We also wish to state that the strict implementation of the deregulation of the petroleum products sub-sector since 2012, has meant that government no longer subsidises petroleum products except premix fuel.

    However, the same government has found it to be a convenient and easy way of generating revenue by imposing new taxes and increasing existing taxes on petroleum products.

    We want to assure our customers and the general public that we are sensitive to the economic challenging situation we all find ourselves but we also need to save our business from collapsing with this modest increase in lorry fare. Remain assured of our best services.

    Thank you.

    Signed Charles Danso (Chairman, Ghana Committed Drivers Association) 0244-233929/0264-233929

    Alex Kofi Sarpong (Chairman, International Drivers Road Transport Union) 0244-137615

    Yaw Barimah (PRO, Truth Drivers Union) 0500-312104/ 0554-822565

    George Osei (Chairman, Concern Drivers Association) 0202-965120/0242-971025

    Source: Class FM

  • Coronavirus: Ghana begins the second phase of vaccination on May 19 Akufo-Addo

    Ghana will commence the second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination exercise on Wednesday, May 19, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has said.

    Delivering his 25th televised address to the nation on measures his government has put in place to fight against the novel Coronavirus, the President indicated that, the vaccination exercise will take place in 43 districts.

    Akufo-Addo said, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) will issue a directive on the vaccination in the coming week.

    The vaccination is said to end on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.

    “I am happy to announce that beginning Wednesday, May 19 to Wednesday 26 May, the deployment of the second dose of vaccines will take place across the designated vaccination centres in the 43 districts approximately 12 weeks after the first jab as the science prescribes. More details of the deployment will be communicated by the Ghana Health Service in the coming week,” Akufo-Addo said on Sunday, May 16, 2021.

    He added, “…The target is to vaccinate some 20 million Ghanaians at the end of the year.”

    The President, then, cautioned Ghanaians against travelling to high-risk countries if the purposes of the trip is not pressing.

    “There is light at the end of the tunnel,” he assured.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • KATH surgeons protest unsafe operating rooms; call on government to fix it

    Surgeons at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi are protesting over the unsafe used for surgeries.

    The Surgeons are also complaining about the lack of basic equipment at the Surgery department. They claim that several complaints lodged with the management have not been resolved adding that the unsafe surgery could lead to deaths if the department is not refurbished immediately.

    Speaking on Abusua FM on Friday, Dr Anthony Davor, a Pediatric surgeon at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, said basic equipment to treat children and critical emergencies are outdated and not fit for purpose.

    “We have complained about several of these issues for a very long time but nothing happens. Sometimes they pretend to fix the challenges and then they suddenly stop. Our surgeries are not safe, they are not safe at all.

    “We don’t intend to embarrass anybody but the main issue is that our patients must be safe when they come for surgeries. What we need is the basic equipment to work. Our water heater broke down on January 3, it was only fixed last week after several complaints. In the ICU there are no even fans there but we work in the heat all the same.”

    Meanwhile, the PRO of the Hospital, Kwame Frimpong in response said, the management has put in place measures to address several of the issues raised by the Doctors. He added that the theatre will be renovated this year.

    Mr Frimpong added that the management of the Hospital has made several investments over the years in ensuring the hospital is safe for both patients and doctors to work at. He also urged the Doctors to exhaust internal communication channels before moving to air their grievances to the media.

    The protests by Doctors at KATH come after a renowned Neurosurgeon at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital appealed to the Akufo-Addo led government to abandon the plan to construct some 100 new hospitals and focus on investing the money in the establishment of a neuroscience centre.

    Speaking on the Morning Starr on Wednesday, Dr Hadi Abdallah told host Francis Abban that building a neuroscience centre which the country lacks will help save hundreds of lives being lost on a daily basis at Korle Bu.

    He added that building new regional and district hospitals without first constructing a major neuroscience centre will put more pressure on the already choked Korle Bu.

    “I am calling on the government of Ghana to postpone the construction of the 111 health care centres or the district hospitals, at least forgo 10 of them and use that to build the neuroscience centre. Because if you build the neuroscience centre it is going to free up the spaces at the accident centre and the emergencies.

    “If you go and build these district hospitals they will still be referring cases to Korle bu, Neuroscience doesn’t have space. So I am hoping that this is what we would do.”

    Source: Starr FM

  • Withdraw illegal guards or lose your license – Timber contractors told

    Licensed timber contractors who have privately recruited and armed security guards to guard their timber concessions have been directed to either disarm those guards or their licenses would be withdrawn by the Forestry Services Division (FSD).

    It is meant to create a secure atmosphere for security guards of FSD to carry out regular checks and ward off or arrest illegal loggers (chain saw operators) to protect forest reserves.

    Mr. Ebenezer Mensah, the FSD Manager for the Dormaa Forest District gave the directive at a meeting organised at the behest of Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, the Paramount Chief of Dormaa Traditional Area at Dormaa-Ahenkro in the Dormaa Central Municipality of the Bono Region.

    The meeting attended by chiefs, concessioners of forest reserves in the Dormaa Forest District and other stakeholders is aimed at finding practical ways to halt the activities of unscrupulous persons who illegally plundered forest resources, mostly trees.

    He cited illegal loggers who entered forest reserves, particularly the Mpamesu forest wielding guns to fell trees, saying the situation thus created a sense of insecurity, fear and danger for and among the people in such areas.

    Mr. Mensah said high level of commitment was needed to prevent the illegal timber loggers from operating, but he disclosed the challenge was, whenever arrest was made, some very influential persons, normally relatives of the culprits in the area intervened to thwart the process to prosecute them.

    Chief Superintendent Boakye Ansah, the Dormaa Central Municipal Police Commander said it was illegal for concessioners to engage the services of armed-security guards to assist them to guard their forest concessions when the law did not permit them to do so.

    “A Police officer would not be scared to undertake regular patrols in the forest if he is sure not to meet or find a gun-wielding illegal chainsaw operator/s in the forest”, C/Supt. Ansah said.

    He, therefore, stressed the need for the contractors to withdraw their armed forest guards as a vital step for the FSD guards to have high sense of security to work or face license withdrawal by the FSD.

    Mr. Drissa Ouattara, the caretaker Municipal Chief Executive for Dormaa Central reiterated government’s commitment to eradicating poverty among the populace adding that government would not sacrifice that to satisfy the interest of few others who harboured evil agenda, motivated and driven by selfishness and greediness to deplete forest resources.

    Barimah Oppong Yaw Boabasa, the Gyaasehene of Dormaa Traditional Area, who deputized for Osagyefo Agyeman Badu II charged timber contractors who recruited gangs from Kasapin and Mim to guard their concessions in the Mpamesu Forest Reserve to discontinue with the services of such illegal guards.

    Source: GNA

  • 20 million Ghanaians to be vaccinated by end of the year Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has announced that the government is aiming at vaccinating 20 million Ghanaians against the novel Coronavirus by the end of the year.

    According to him, although there have been some challenges in accessing more vaccines, the target is still to vaccinate that number by end of the year.

    He made this known in his 25th COVID-19 update to the nation on Sunday, May 16, 2021.

    Akufo-Addo said, “…The target is to vaccinate some 20 million Ghanaians at the end of the year.”

    The President, then, cautioned Ghanaians against travelling to high-risk countries if the purposes of the trip is not pressing.

    “There is light at the end of the tunnel,” he assured.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Premier League celebrates Muntaris 2007 screamer against Aston Villa

    The English Premier League is celebrating former Black Stars player, Sulley Muntari for his incredible finish against Aston Villa during the 2007/2008 season.

    The player was a regular starter for the Portsmouth team that season, wearing the number 11 Jersey.

    In this particular game, which was on December 8, 2007, Muntari scored a braceall from outside the 18-yard box.

    The Premier League is celebrating the second goal which was scored in the 61st minute of the game which gave Portsmouth a 3-0 lead over Aston Villa.

    Sulley Muntari featured for Portsmouth only in the 2007/2008 Premier League season, playing 29 games and being involved in seven goals scoring four goals and providing three assists.

    At the end of the 2007/2008 season, he signed a four-year deal with Italian side, Inter Milan.

    He returned to the Premier League in the 2010/2011 season after being loaned to Sunderland from Inter Milan.

    He subsequently returned to Inter Milan at the end of the 2010/20211 season.

    Source: universnewsroom.com

  • Ghana’s Kamaldeen listed among African players who can improve Arsenal

    As the summer transfer window approaches, and as transfer rumours intensify, Goal profile five African stars who could help improve Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal squad.

    ​Kamaldeen Sulemana

    The 19-year-old can also be considered in the attacking department for the former English champions.

    In 26 league appearances so far this term, the Ghanaian has managed 10 goals and three assists.

    For an upcoming player, it’s an impressive stat, and he could prove to be asset for Arsenal and a long-term solution for the attacking department.

    ​Kalidou Koulibaly

    The experienced centre-back has been solid for Napoli for several seasons now.

    He has been, on occasion, linked with a move to the Premier League.

    At 29, the North London side should consider him oweing to the fact that the Senegal defender still has some prime years ahead of him.

    ​Wilfred Ndidi

    The Nigerian has been consistent for Leicester City since joining them in 2017, establishing himself as one of the finest midfielders in the Premier League.

    With the Gunners still struggling to find a partner for Thomas Partey, the Super Eagle could offer an immediate solution and ensure the team, once again, challenge for the top positions.

    Yves Bissouma

    The Malian provides another solution for Arsenal in the midfield.

    He has been impressive for Brighton & Hove Albion since joining in 2018, and has already demonstrated that he knows how to hold his own in the heat of a Premier League midfield battle.

    ​Patson Daka

    Nicolas Pepe and Willian have been inconsistent for Mikel Arteta’s side, while Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah have been linked with a move away.

    Daka, for his part, has been phenomenal for Red Bull Salzburg, scoring 30 goals in 33 appearances this season alone.

    He is keen on a new challenge, and Arsenal could represent an ideal next step for the Zambia frontman.

    Source: goal.com

  • Watch highlights of Kotoko’s 2-1 victory over Ebusua Dwarfs

    Asante Kotoko extended their lead at the top of the Ghana Premier League with a 2-1 comeback win against Ebusua Dwarfs.

    Goalkeeper, Razak Abalora was caught starstruck after Dennis Nkrumah scored a superb free-kick to put Dwarfs in the lead.

    But minutes later, Captain Emmanuel Gyamfi levelled up with a header from a Christopher Nettey cross.

    A goalkeeping howler from Dwarfs goalkeeper, Issah Razak offered Gyamfi the opportunity to double the lead for the Porcupines at the Len Clay stadium.

    The win gives Kotoko a 4 point gap on the league table with 44 points in 24 matches.

    Coach Mariano Baretto’s men have not dropped points since their stalemate with Great Olympics.

    Watch highlights of the match below

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Free SHS: Schools run out of food as government funds delay

    Assisted Secondary Schools across the country have run out of food owing to failure by the Buffer Stock company to supply them non-perishable foods.

    The situation has been exacerbated by delays in the release of funds to the schools by government.

    The heads have been running the schools on credit for two months now without money from government.

    “Buffer stock has not supplied food to any school. Management of GES has not released funds to our accounts. The last time our executives met and raised this issue they promised us to expect the monies in our accounts in a week or two but it is almost a month now.

    “There is no food and no money. We are running the schools on credit. I have to buy food on credit to cook for the students. It is really frustrating. Running the school has been hell but they have gagged everybody like you people term it as culture of Silence. If you complain right now and you are fished out, you will regret it,” Head of a Senior High School told Starr news under condition of anonymity.

    Starr News has gathered that government has paid only 50% of disbursement for SHS 3 students who completed their first semester, but has not paid anything for SHS 1 students who have been in school for more than 8 weeks.

    The Heads of SHSs are mounting pressure on Executives of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) to call for an emergency meeting and issue an ultimatum to GES through the media over the issue.

    They say they will not hesitate to shut their schools if the situation remains the same after all these efforts.

    “Why should a Headmaster go to borrow money to run the school. Domestic Bursars are begging and buying perishable foods on credit to feed student population of about 3000. You call the Regional Manager for the Buffer Stock and he tells you I can only get you bags of Gari”.

    According to government, the implementation of the Free SHS Program has resulted in increased demand for secondary education.

    The total number of beneficiaries for the 2019/2020 academic year was 1,200,580 students compared to a total number of 813,448 in the 2016/2017 academic year.

    The Minister of Finance Ken Ofori Atta said during the presentation of the mid-year review of the 2020 Budget in Parliament on July 23 that, government had invested an amount GH¢3.2 billion in the implementation of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) Program since inception in 2017.

    Source: Starr FM

  • ASEPA calls for the removal of Affail Monney over journalists brutalities

    Pressure group, Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) has called for the removal of Roland Affail Monney as President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).

    Their call comes on the back of recent attacks on journalists from security agencies without the GJA seeking justice for these victims.

    In a press release sighted by GhanaWeb, the pressure group accused the GJA President of condoning the physical attack some security personnel exhibit anytime they claim journalists breached a law.

    They reiterated that any form of violence and abuse on journalists should be frowned upon and must be tackled with all seriousness.

    “We believe this is a betrayal of the GJA and its President not only to Mr. Caleb Kudah and Ms. Zoe but to the entire Journalist fraternity in the Country and must be treated with all seriousness.”

    “We are therefore calling for the immediate removal of Mr. Affail Monney as GJA President, this is the only way the GJA can distance itself from the comments of Mr. Monney and show solidarity to their compatriots,” part of the statement read.

    The pressure group noted that they are poised to launch a campaign against the GJA’s president, Affail Monney if he fails to resign.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Houses submerged after heavy downpour at Damango

    A heavy downpour in the early morning of Thursday, 13 May 2021 submerged a number of houses in Damongo in the Savannah Regional capital.

    The rains which started at about 12 am lasted for hours flooding several parts of the Savannah Regional capital.

    A tricycle in one of the suburbs was washed away by the floodwaters.

    Officers of the Ghana National Fire Service and the National Disaster Management Organisation were at the affected homes to examine the extent of the damage.

    Meanwhile, the Fufulso- Damongo road was also flooded at Achubunyor, a farming community near Damongo denying passengers access to cross to both sides.

    Passenger cars were unable to ply the road.

    Source: Class FM

  • Reduce cost of power to curb beverage price hikes Association appeals

    The Food and Beverages Association of Ghana has called on government to halt any increases in the cost of electricity and water, to prevent another increase in the prices of beverages in the country.

    The remarks come on the back of recent increase in the prices of some alcoholic beverages by as much as 20% in the country, following a multiplicity of factors including the recent introduction and revision of some taxes and levies as well the increase in freight charges.

    Speaking to Citi Business News on the price increases, the Executive Secretary of the Food and Beverages Association of Ghana, Samuel Aggrey said producers will have no choice but to increase prices if the cost of production rises.

    “If you look at it, electricity cost is likely to go up which will affect industry for instance. So in order for them to break even, what we are saying to government is that they have to reconsider the rates for local manufacturers, with the possibility of subsidies or a reduction in electricity charges to help the companies break even. The same applies to the cost of water.”

    “If the increases are allowed it is likely that even before the middle of the year we will have a second increment again which will most likely affect the market,” he added.

    Source: Business Ghana

  • Dzata cement not selling at GH¢30, price yet to be determined Management

    Management of the newly established cement plant at Tema; Dzata Cement, has emerged to make some clarifications about the projected price of its new product.

    Social media particularly has been awash with praises for the business mogul; Ibrahim Mahama after the announcement of the initiative which is the first wholly Ghanaian owned cement plant in Ghana.

    The plant which has a projected production capacity of about 3 million tonnes annually has since attracted a lot of buzz by some Ghanaians who have projected the product; Dzata Cement to sell at a relatively affordable price compared to others already on the market.

    GH¢30 was the projected price by many and it was good news for them because cement is currently selling at GH¢50 per bag for some big brands.

    Management of the company has however emerged to indicate that the said price circulating on various media platforms is not official as they are yet to announce their prices after commercial production begins.

    They further urged all to disregard any such information until further notice.

    Read the statement below:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Reports of increasing birth defect false Western North Health Directorate

    The Western North Regional Health Directorate says it has recorded only two cases of birth anomalies from Aowin Municipality in 2021, and none from Sewum Health Centre.

    A press release signed by Dr Marion Okoh-Owusu, the Regional Director of Health Service, said in 2020, there was no case of birth defect at Sewum Health Centre but a total of three cases of birth anomalies were reported in the entire Aowin Municipality.

    “From the above, and data available to us at the Western North Region, there is no increasing trend in birth anomalies at Sewum Health Centre, Aowin Municipality of Western North region,” it said.

    The release was in response to a news item on Monday, May 10, 2021, with the headline, “Medical Staff in Sewum Health Centre in Aowin District are recording a high number of babies without vital body parts.”

    Source: GNA

  • Let’s keep our piety, sacrifice and generosity beyond Ramadan – Bawumia

    Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has urged his fellow Muslims to uphold the sense of piety, sacrifice and generosity beyond the Holy Month of Ramadan.

    In a video posted on his social media platforms, Dr Bawumia prayed that Allah would accept their prayers and thus, entreated all Muslims to continue living in peace and unity with everyone.

    “May the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan bring us spiritual fulfilment and re-awaken our sense of piety, sacrifice and generosity.

    “May Allah keep our beautiful nation peaceful and united. Let’s continue upholding these virtues beyond the Holy Month of Ramadan and be kind to each other,” the Vice President said.

    The wife of the Vice President, Mrs Samira Bawumia urged all Muslims to strictly adhere to the COVID-19 safety protocols to protect themselves and their loved ones.

    The couple wished all Muslims Barka de Sallah on the occasion of the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr.

    Ramadan is a 30-day fast and is one of the pillars of Islam, which is observed by all Muslims every year.

    Source: GNA

  • About 5,476 road accidents reported between January to April Report

    A total of 5,476 road accidents were reported between January to April 2021.

    This is according to the latest figures released by the Motor Traffic and Transport Division of the Ghana Police Service.

    Out of the figure, Greater Accra and the Ashanti Region reported the most cases with 1,789 and 1,200 accidents respectively.

    A total of 896 road accidents were recorded with 259 persons injured and 26 perished in accidents involving commercial vehicles in Greater Accra alone.

    Private vehicles on the other hand were involved in the highest accidents for the period with 1,837 cases reported with 230 persons injured and 54 persons died.

    For the Ashanti Region which comes second place after the Greater Accra Region, 723 vehicles were involved in road accidents of which 274 persons got injured and 59 lives were lost.

    The figures also revealed a rather troubling number of motorcycle-related accidents. The MTTD’s records show that a total of 2,184 accidents were recorded.

    For the period between January to April 2021, some 595 motorcycle accidents were recorded in Greater Accra while the Ashanti Region recorded 379.

    Meanwhile, research indicates that road accidents have claimed more lives in a few months than the Coronavirus pandemic has done in a year since its outbreak in Ghana.

    See the full list below for January to April:

    About GhanaWeb Road Safety Campaign:

    The GhanaWeb Road Safety Campaign forms a part of the numerous projects GhanaWeb has rolled out as part of its 22nd-anniversary celebrations.

    The year-long campaign dubbed #GhanaWebRoadSafety took off on Monday, March 1, 2021, and will focus on three key areas: indiscipline on roads; bad roads, and potholes that contribute to road accidents and absence of streetlights.

    The campaign is being executed in partnership with major stakeholders including the Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate of the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Fire Service, and the Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Authority.

    The campaign is also spearheaded by musician and politician Bice Osei Kuffour (Obour) as the Ambassador.

    Join in the conversation by sharing your videos about indiscipline, bad roads and accidents on all our social media platforms; Instagram, Twitter and Facebook at @TheGhanaWeb and to our Whatsapp number: 0552699625

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Dont turn schools into places to fight religious, ideological battles Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged the leadership of various schools in Ghana not to convert the schools into battlefields for religious and ideological warfare.

    Speaking during the Eid-Fitr celebration in Accra on Thursday, May 13, regarding the refusal of Wesley Girls School to allow a female Muslim student to fast during the Ramadan, he explained that schools in Ghana have evolved to t=suit modern times.

    He said, “…The schools have evolved and adopted their practice to suit the times and I will urge we do not turn them into the place to fight ideological religious battles.”

    Spokesperson of the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu has assured President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo that Muslims in Ghana will not disturb the peace of Ghana.

    He said the tension that arose between Muslims and Methodist Church as has subsided.

    He said “Thankfully the tension that arose has subsided, we are thankful to God.

    “As peaceful Muslims and law abiding citizens led by our national peace hero , National Chief Imam , we seek not to do anything to disturb the peace of the country. Suffice to say our interfaith, harmony and solidarity has suffered major setback by the recent media altercations on the religious freedom and justice.

    “We wish to assure you and everybody that Muslims in Ghana under the able leadership of the meek and peace loving national Chief Imam whose sprit and predisposition gives the indication unequivocally that his preferred choice all the time is peace.

    “We will cooperate in any step and measure taken by all stakeholders and state authorities to bring finality to the misunderstanding.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Deal with corruption, unemployment – Chief Imam to Akufo-Addo

    The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Nuhu Shaributu has bemoaned the growing rate of unemployment and corruption under the current Nana Addo-led administration.

    In a speech read on his behalf by his spokesperson, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, the Chief Imam said despite efforts by the government to improve the lives of Ghanaians, there was still a rising rate of unemployment among our youth.

    He said the lack of jobs has contributed to the youth engaging in social vices.

    Sheikh Nuhu Shaributu noted that corruption remains a perception that is going round that needs to be tackled.

    He said national security is also a challenge whereas getting rich quickly has also become a problem.

    Political polarisation he added remains a problem and should be addressed.

    Sheikh Nuhu Shaributu however commended the President for his renewed efforts in the fight against illegal mining which is popularly known as galamsey.

    He also commended him for the measures put in place to fight the coronavirus outbreak.

    The Chief Imam further congratulated the President for his position taken on same-sex relationships which he described as predatory and against the cultural values of Ghana.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • This is ‘almost anarchy’; is that how weak we are as a state? – Kweku Baako fumes

    Seasoned journalist, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Jnr., has expressed utter disgust over the orders to the Military to burn mining equipment used in illegal gold mining.

    According to him, instead of burning the excavators, those caught with the excavators must be penalized through prosecution and their excavators handed over to the Police.

    This, he said, is the most lawful way of confronting the issue.

    ”It’s mindless. It’s lawless because this is a law-governed society. And if you make laws and feel the laws are impossible to implement, there is an option. Just amend the law but you don’t make which I have here and actually let the law prevail but go out there to violate the law and it’s a State institution or State actors who are engaged in that violation, that mindless, lawless action.

    ”…the law says when you seize it, those using it illegally must be taken to court and by the time you’re sending them to court, you must leave those things in Police custody. When the court is done and convicts them, the court hands over the equipment to the appropriate Ministry; in this case it will be Lands and Natural Resources or so. And then they, on behalf of the State, determine which State institution to give them to.

    ”…The law says if you see these things, send them to the Police custody and so when you seize them and don’t send them to Police custody, you have violated the law and you’re liable for prosecution”, he stated.

    He also deflated the argument that refusing to burn the excavators might result in there-occurrence of the missing excavators saga during the ”Operation Vanguard” exercise when the task force seized the excavators used by illegal miners.

    ”Is that how weak we are as a State? That assuming we have one negative experience, meanwhile, those who cause that negativity, they’re human beings. They’re alive. They were State actors, some powerful; some middle. Are they not prosecutable? Are they not subjects of investigation?”, he queried.

    Kweku Baako likened the burning of excavators to ”anarchy”.

    ”It is almost anarchy. It is a sign that we’re capable of managing ourselves. That’s incredible. I’m not about to accept that verdict that the State of Ghana is so weak, so impotent, so disorganized that we make laws and we intend not to follow the laws because others are breaking the law. Maybe we should take that to Somalia, not Ghana. We’re a law-governed stable country”, he said on Peace FM’s ”Kokrokoo”.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Constructing 111 new hospitals: 85% of acquired parcels of land validated – Oppong-Nkrumah

    Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Minister of Information, says President Nana Akufo-Addo hasn’t backed down on his promise to construct eighty-eight (88) and nine (9) district and Regional hospitals in the country.

    It could be recalled that the President, during one of his regular nation addresses on COVID-19 last year, pledged to construct these hospitals.

    President Akufo-Addo’s Promise

    On Sunday, April 26, 2020, the President said: “There are eighty-eight (88) districts in our country without district hospitals; we have six (6) new regions without regional hospitals; we do not have 5 infectious disease control centres dotted across the country, and we do not have enough testing and isolation centres for diseases like COVD-19. We must do something urgently about this. That is why Government has decided to undertake a major investment in our healthcare infrastructure, the largest in our history. We will, this year, begin constructing eighty-eight (88) hospitals in the districts without hospitals.”

    He gave a breakdown as follows; (10) in Ashanti, nine (9) in Volta, nine (9) in Central, eight (8) in Eastern, seven (7) in Greater Accra, seven (7) in Upper East, five (5) in Northern, five (5) in Oti, five (5) in Upper West, five (5) in Bono, four (4) in Western North, four (4) in Western, three (3) in Ahafo, three (3) in Savannah, two (2) in Bono East, and two (2) in North East Regions.

    “We have also put in place plans for the construction of six (6) new regional hospitals in the six (6) new regions, and the rehabilitation of the EffiaNkwanta Hospital, in Sekondi, which is the regional hospital of the Western Region. We are going to beef up our existing laboratories and establish new ones across every region for testing. We will establish three (3) infectious disease control centres for each of the zones of our country, i.e. Coastal, Middle Belt and Northern, with the overall objective of setting up a Ghana Centre for Disease Control,” the President added.

    Update

    In a recent update by the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, the 88 district hospitals yet to be constructed have been increased to 111.

    Mr Agyeman-Manu said given the number of hospitals to be constructed, the cost had gone up to make room for 13 additional hospitals.

    Answering questions before the Appointments Committee at his vetting in Parliament, he said, “We must do something urgently about this and that is why the government has decided to undertake such major investment in our healthcare infrastructure, the largest in our history.

    “We will, this year, begin constructing 88 hospitals in the districts that do not have hospitals.

    “Mr Chair, the initial costing was done on the basis of averages and we are looking at a cost between $5 million to $7 million per hospital.”

    President’s Commitment

    Hon. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, in an interview with Peacefmonline.com, said the President is committed to the promise.

    To prove the President’s commitment, he disclosed that some parcels of land have been acquired and validated for the construction of the hospitals.

    “My understanding is that he is very committed to it. He put in place a working Committee to deal with it. That Committee has done extensive work. They’ve made available or they have reported on parcels of land that have been made available by districts across the country. Then they went into a validation exercise. Over 85 percent of those parcels have been validated as being without encumbrance and available for this purpose.

    ”The President put in place a Committee to do that job including accessing lands from the various district Assemblies, validating those parcels of land; in some cases, I understand issuing award letters to it. Now, the next step that they have ahead of them is to put all the work they’ve done together and update the country that this is where we are, this is where it is commencing and this is where or this is when you expect these projects to be completed,” he stated.

    On when the construction of the hospitals will commence, its completion deadline and whether they can be built in a year, the Minister said; “Those are the timelines that the consultants have made available that, because of technology they’re using, when they start, they can finish it within the 12-month period.”

    Source: Peace FM

  • Be wary of scammers promising protocol recruitment – GNFS

    The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has advised the general public to ignore fake accounts created in the name of Chief Fire Officer Mr. Edwin Ekow Blankson.

    The Service said any advertisement on social media platforms should disregard and treat the news with contempt.

    Speaking on Nyankonron Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, Public Relations Officer of the Service DO2 Ellis Robbinson Okoe said the service have not announced recruitment.

    He said the Service when, ready, would announce the recruitment exercise in the national newspapers.

    He indicated that some unscrupulous personalities have created social media accounts and using the same to defraud people under the pretext of securing a place for them as recruits into the GNFS.

    He disclosed that these fraudsters are taking between Ghc2000-2,500 as the cost to help unsuspecting persons into the GNFS through protocols.

    He said the modus operandi of the fraudsters is to lure the persons, arrange to meet them at the headquarters of the service and take them through a fake process and after tasking the money, they switch off their phones.

    The PRO added that the fraudsters have managed to defraud some persons both and home and abroad, a situation which has forced them to come out with a statement to caution the public.

    Source: kingdomfmonline.com