TIG Post

Author: Persis

  • We need reforms in our legal framework to protect journalists – Alban Bagbin

    The Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon. Alban Bagbin, has called for reforms in the existing legal framework to protect journalists and uphold the freedom and independence of the media as enshrined in the constitution.

    He said his office and the legislature will remain committed to the promotion of free speech as a guarantee means of advancing the democratic credentials chalked under the Fourth Republic.

    The Speaker made the the call when the Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana Kati Csaba called on him at his office in Parliament.

    He noted that the media played a critical role in all sectors of the country, serving as the mirror of society.

    He said the role of the media was even more promising for a country like Ghana that thrives on democracy.

    “There is the need to support the media some more because the media is so important and so valuable that any country that embarks on democratic development, exposes itself to great danger if it doesn’t empower the media to be able to operate freely without hindrances,” he said.

    The Speaker also highlighted how he had in the past played a lead role in encouraging the freedom and independence of the media.

    The two further held discussions on promoting parliamentary diplomacy, cooperation in the areas of education, health and trade investments between the two countries.

    The Canadian High Commissioner Csaba commended the Speaker for being an advocate for media freedom, women empowerment and social inclusion.

    Source: Office of the Speaker of Parliament

  • Ibrahim Mahama commended by Alan Kyerematen over Dzata Cement

    Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kyerematen, has commended Ibrahim Mahama, Founder of Dzata Cement Limited, for investing heavily in the cement industry.

    The over US$100 million investment is located on a 10-acre land near the Tema Port.

    Mr Kyerematen made the commendation when he paid a working visit to the plant of Dzata Cement Limited on Monday.

    The visit was to enable him to have first-hand information on the cement-producing plant and the progress of work so far.

    The technology deployed for producing the cement is from Germany and was developed by Haver and Boecker.

    The cement grade produced by the plant is ordinary Portland cement, which is imported for the plant and then bagged.

    The plant, which is wholly managed by Ghanaians, can produce an average of 120 bags per minute from the two production lines.

    The Minister said the industry had been solely dominated by global foreign companies and that Dzata Cement Limited was the first wholly Ghanaian investment in the cement industry and that alone was remarkable.

    He said the government very much appreciated the importance of foreign investment capital but there was no evidence of any country anywhere in the world that had been able to achieve quality growth without supporting their indigenous entrepreneurs.

    “That is why l think this particular investment should pave the way for investments in industries which otherwise have been dominated only by foreign companies,” he added.

    Mr. Kyerematen also lauded Mr. Mahama for the investment in state-of-the-art technology, which also was important as a developing country.

    He said as a safeguard measure to protect the domestic cement industry against import surges of Portland cement, the Export and Import (Restrictions on Importation of Portland Cement) Regulations, 2016 (L.I 2240) was passed.

    The regulation requires every commercial importation of Portland cement from outside the ECOWAS region to be covered by permit or license from the Ministry.

    Section (4.0) (a-d) of the Second Schedule of LI 2240 provides that an applicant for a permit to import Portland cement for re-bagging must provide evidence of elaborate plans to undertake Cement production in Ghana, including the state of the factory being constructed.

    The Minister said the facility was going to create high skills jobs for Ghanaians and contribute to job creation.

    He encouraged the management of the Company to as much as possible use local raw materials to create sustainable job opportunities for Ghanaians.

    He urged the management to take advantage of opportunities the ECOWAS and AfCFTA markets offered to develop and grow the company while contributing to the Ghanaian economy.

    Nana Philip Archer, Managing Director of Dzata Cement Limited, said the working environment was an eco-friendly one though it was a cement production factory.

    He said phase I was a two-line re-bagging installed capacity of 1.2 million tonnes per annum using jumbo bags of imported bulk cement.

    He said the production of Silos could hold 40, 000 metric tonnes of cement.

    Phase II will have a plant capacity of 2.4 million tonnes per annum using imported bulk Portland cement, while Phase III will involve actual manufacturing and bagging, using two vertical grinding mills of 3 million tones capacity each.

    The Managing Director expressed gratitude to the Minister for the visit, even though they were yet to commence full operations.

    The commencement of production by Dzata Cement will make it the 2nd bagging plant and the 12th plant in the industry and provide consumers with the additional choice of cement on the market.

    Currently, there are eleven cement plants in production in the industry, excluding Dzata Cement.

    They are nine grinding plants, one integrated plant (Savanah Diamonds), and one bagging plant (Dangote).

    Source: Goldstreet Business

  • Intermittent power cuts to end on May 17 GRIDCo

    The scheduled interruptions in power supply to parts of Accra, arising from the construction of the Pokuase Bulk Supply Point (BSP), begin this week and will end on Monday, 17th May 2021, the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) has said.

    According to GRIDCo, the outages will affect parts of western Accra and will last for eight (8) days.

    A timetable to guide the eight-day schedule has already been circulated by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to the affected customers and the general public.

    A number of key projects are currently ongoing to enhance power supply reliability in Greater Accra, Central and Ashanti regions.

    The US$60m Pokuase Bulk Supply Point (BSP) project, funded by the US government through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), is expected to be completed by the first half of 2021.

    Upon completion, it will provide flexibility for ECG to distribute power around the city in case of challenges in other parts of the system and will benefit over 350,000 households overall.

    A statement said “The Kasoa Bulk Supply Point (BSP) project, also funded by the MCC at a cost of US$50m, will be completed by August 2021, and will benefit over 251,000 households. The project will help reduce the reliance on the Mallam BSP for power distribution to the Central region and will improve reliability and supply quality to Kasoa and its environs.”

    “Significant reduction in transmission and distribution losses are some of the benefits to be derived from the completion of this project. Anticipated power interruptions in relation to the Kasoa project will be communicated to the general public in due course.”

    “Apart from these, other projects are ongoing in parts of the capital and the Ashanti region to address specific challenges. The AFD funded 161kV Tema Achimota Mallam transmission reinforcement project, for example, will increase transmission capacity more than four-fold, enabling the transfer of adequate power from the Tema enclave to Accra. It will also provide enough redundancy in the transmission and distribution systems.

    “The power system is currently characterized by low voltages, especially in Kumasi and the central/northern parts of the country. Occasionally, some feeders in Kumasi are switched off to prevent voltage collapse, leading to intermittent outages.

    “The completion of the AnwomasoKintampo transmission project (set before the end of 2021) is expected to eliminate current transmission bottlenecks and ensure supply reliability to Kumasi and the northern parts of the country. These are all aimed at boosting the efficiency of the value chain in order for customers to enjoy quality, reliable and stable power supply.

    “The Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) and Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) wish to assure Ghanaians of their urgent commitment to complete the projects on time to bring relief to the system and customers.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Some Delta Force members arrested for reportedly attempting to remove Security coordinator

    Some members and founder of the disbanded pro-NPP vigilante group Delta Force have been arrested for attempting to forcefully remove the Ashanti regional security coordinator from office Tuesday.

    Mohammed Seidu allegedly led his gang to invade the office of DCOP retired Ayensu Opare Addo in the effort to remove him. The gang which claimed to be officials of the National Security stormed the premises of the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council for their illegal operation.

    However, the regional Minister Simon Osei Mensah who had picked intel on the plans of the group made security arrangement to thwart their actions.

    Currently, all the suspects are in the custody of the Ashanti Regional Police Command.

    The rented vehicle with which they embarked on the operation has been given back to the rental company.

    In the first tenure of the Akufo-Addo administration, the group stormed the courtroom and freed their colleagues who were standing trial for causing disturbances at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Ghana needs a fit-for-purpose institution to curb human trafficking

    Dr Razak Imoro, Senior Lecturer, University of Cape Coast (UCC), says Ghana needs a particular institution clothed with a clear cut mandate to curb human trafficking.

    He said there was a seeming conflict between institutions such as the Ghana Police and the Ghana Immigration Service regarding the right to track and prosecute of human trafficking perpetrators.

    There was also the need for public education on the root causes of human trafficking by the mandated anti-trafficking bodies and the National Commission for Civic Education.

    Dr. Imoro who lectures at the Department of Sociology and Anthropology made the remark at a virtual public lecture organised by the Centre for Gender Research, Advocacy and Documentation, (CEGRAD) of the UCC on the topic: “Gender and Human Trafficking”.

    He called on the state to resource all institutions mandated to tackle human trafficking and ensure that personnel of user agencies were trained in the understanding, identifying, investigating, reporting and documenting of human trafficking.

    He also asked government to provide adequate support for victims of trafficking.

    Dr. Imoro said the causes of human trafficking in Ghana stemmed from the Ghanaian culture and practice of sending away children to extended family members in other areas, ignorance on what the child might be used for, lack of education, poverty, violent conflicts, and globalization.

    Human trafficking in Ghana, he said, was basically characterised by violence, debt bondage, exploitation (sexual and labour), deprivation of the freedom of the victims and confiscation of travelling and other documents, in the case of international trafficking.

    US Department of State (2013) estimated that globally the number of people trafficked on annual basis ranges between 600 and 800 million.

    This is a global phenomenon dominant in South-East Asia, Eastern Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa including Ghana.

    He explained that recruiters sought migrants through various media such as the internet, employment agencies, the mass media and local contacts.

    Dr Georgina Yaa Oduro, Director of CEGRAD, said the Centre, after identifying varied ways in which the rights of others were infringed upon, decided to engage stakeholders on ways to help the state to tackle them.

    Among the pertinent issues deliberated on, including intimate partner violence resulting in spousal murders, and nudity on social media.

    “From a sociological point of view, social imagination is a social problem and a social issue that needs to be addressed,” she said.

    Professor Dora Francisca Edu-Buandoh, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UCC, and Chairperson of the Lecture said human trafficking was the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of people through force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them for profit.

    “I will say that it is modern-day slavery, it is demeaning, and a crime in many countries. Everyone – man, woman, child could become a victim of the crime. Unlike slavery, human trafficking has no boundaries,” he said.

    He said statistics had shown that human trafficking affected women and girls more than boys and men.

    Ms Shani Cooper, the Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, who joined the lecture as a Special Guest of Honour, said it was unfortunate that women, men and children were being sold like beggars to other people.

    “I was amazed to see that there is human trafficking within Ghana. I hope that we continue our collaboration with the University and Ghana on humanitarian aspects,” she said.

    Source: GNA

  • Ibrahim Tanko scores as FK Javor lose to Backa Topola in Serbian Superliga

    Ghanaian creative forward Ibrahim Tanko was on target for FK Javor when they travelled to Backa Topola in a 1-2 defeat on Sunday in the Serbian Superliga.

    The home side came flying off of the block in as early as the first minute with a goal and then double their advantage in the 30th minute.

    Tanko changed the narrative two minutes later when he scored a consolation goal for Javor in the 32nd minute to give the visitors a glimmer of hope.

    His goal was however not enough to earn them a point as the home side managed to weather the momentum from the visitors to ensure a 2-1 victory.

    The 22-year-old left-winger has made 26 appearances for Javor Matis this season with a goal and assists to his name.

    Source: Football Ghana

  • Kamaldeen Sulemana scores 10th goal of the season

    Ajax target Kamaldeen Sulemana has reached double figures for goals this season after netting for the 10th time on Monday night.

    The talented winger scored as Nordsjælland drew 2-2 with Copenhagen in Danish top-flight with Ajax director Marc Overmas present at the Right to Dream park in Farum.

    He was wm adjudged man of the match.

    Kamaldeen opened the scoring four minutes into the second half after a goalless first 45 minutes.

    Copenhagen equalised but Nordsjælland went in front again before the away side snatched a point with their second goal in the 71st minute.

    Kamaldeen’s man of the match performance left Overmas greatly impressed.

    The Dutch great is expected to convince Ajax chairman Frank Eijken and cheif executive Edwin Van der Sar to improve the club’s bid for the youngster.

    Ajax have already had a £10million bid turned down for the winger in the January transfer window.

    They must act fast because in recent weeks there have been reported interest from other European heavyweights including Manchester United and Bayern Munich.

    Sulemana is a product of the famous Right to Dream Academy in Ghana.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Fire guts over 30 wooden structures at Krofrom

    Fire has gutted over thirty wooden structures at a Krofrom, a suburb of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

    A report by CitiNews indicates that the fire started around 2:00am, Tuesday, May 11, 2021.

    Personnel from the Ghana Fire Service have begun investigations into the fire with the cause yet to be identified.

    The Manhyia District Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service, D.O 1 Amos Abban said that fire officers arrived to realize that the situation was bigger than anticipated.

    He explained that steps are being taken to prevent a repeat of the same incident.

    He also appealed to the public to contact the service quickly when there is a fire breakout.

    “We received a distress call at 02:11 am that there was a fire outbreak at Krofom. We dispatched our first engine to the scene and when we got there, we realized that we needed another engine to support the first one, so we called for another engine to come in. We managed to bring the fire under control at 02:44 am”, he said.

    “We are investigating the cause of the fire. When the cause is known, we will let the public know. We understand that the fire started two hours before we were informed. So we advise that anytime there is an outbreak, the public should call us on time”, D.O 1 Amos Abban.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Were not selling nursing, midwifery forms GAF

    The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has described as “false”, information circulating on social media concerning applications for admission into the Nursing and Midwifery Training College of the 37 Military Hospital.

    “We wish to state categorically that this information is totally false and should be disregarded,” GAF said in a statement signed by Col E Aggrey-Quarshie, Director of Public Relations.

    The statement noted that the Nursing and Midwifery Training College, 37 Military Hospital, has not yet commenced the sale of e-voucher application or admission forms for the 2021/2022 academic year.

    GAF cautioned the general public to be wary of advertisements and publications purporting to sell e-voucher application or admission forms and ignore same.

    It said the public will be notified through the appropriate channels anytime the college commences the sale of e-vouchers and admission forms.

    Source: Class FM

  • Residents damage police vehicle, demand release of suspected ritualists

    Angry youth of Amanase in the Ayensuano District in the Eastern region have set ablaze a brand new vehicle of suspected ritual murderers and caused damage to a police vehicle in violence that broke out Monday evening in the community.

    Five suspected ritualists identified as Prince Adjololo, 26, Solomon Adjololo, 28, Mintah Benjamin, 23, Felix Haya,27, and Akwasi Tenkorang, 27, were arrested by a section of the youth for allegedly attempting to abduct a child in the community for rituals.

    The suspects believed to be linked to the fetish priestess and priest at the centre of the killing of the 11-year-old boy at Kasoa were handed over to Nana Addo Agyekum, Gyaasehene of Amanase and his elders who held the suspects, hostage, while waiting for the Police to pick them up.

    Already, some angry youth wielding sticks, cutlasses and other dangerous implements had surrounded the palace demanding the release of the suspect to subject them to instant justice.

    Police quickly moved to the palace but the mob resisted them from taking the suspects away.

    Reinforcement was called from Suhum and Kibi where the Suhum Police Commander, the Kibi Divisional Crime officer and Coaltar District Commander were in attendance, yet the police could not march the angry crowd.

    The irate mob set fire on a car belonging to one of the suspects and started pelting the Police with stones resulting in damage to a side window of Police service vehicle No. GP 2867 of Kibi Police Divisional Patrol.

    Some of the stones hit the Suhum Police Commander as well as the Kibi Divisional Crime officer.

    Caught up in the violent attack, the Police then resorted to firing warning shots before they were able to whisk away the suspects to Suhum Police station for investigation.

    The acting Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command, Sergeant Francis Gomado confirmed the incident. He said the police is investigating the incident, and that, the media will be briefed at the appropriate time.

    The timely intervention of armed Police personnel dispatched from Suhum Friday, April 9, 2021 thwarted an attempt by furious chiefs and residents of Amanase from torching and destroying the shrine of the fetish priestess.

    The chiefs and people of Amanase clad in red and black dresses, armband and headgears mobilized in their numbers and stormed the compound of the shrine in protest.

    However, police personnel from Suhum upon intelligence rushed to the scene to surround the facility and negotiated with the chiefs to rescind their intended plans.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Madagascar starts Covid-19 vaccinations after surge in cases

    Madagascar on Monday rolled out its Covid-19 vaccination campaign. Health Minister Jean Louis Hanitrala Rakotovao was among the first to be inoculated in the capital, Antananarivo.

    The Indian Ocean island nation received its first shipment of 250,000 AstraZeneca jabs on Saturday.

    They followed a surge in infections which saw some schools and community centers transformed into treatment facilities.

    “I’ll be back for the second dose, I’m already ready for it. I encourage people to get vaccinated because it is good to fight against the coronavirus. Many people are infected and have died from this disease,” said Hanitra Lovasoa Rasoarimalala, a civil servant after being vaccinated.

    President Andry Rajoelina has been criticized for his handling of the pandemic.

    Until recently, he had been promoting a herbal concoction as a cure for the virus prompting a warning from the WHO.

    “Our message is that people should be vaccinated. But it is voluntary,” said Issa Sanogo, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Madagascar

    “We can’t force anyone. The president is part of the population, so it is his right to accept or not to accept to be vaccinated, but vaccination is available for everyone,” Sanogo added.

    Madagascar has registered 38,874 infections, including at least 716 deaths.

    Last month, President Rajoelina said the Sinopharm, Pfizer, and Covishield vaccines would also be used in the country’s vaccination drive.

    Source: africanews.com

  • President meets families of May 9 disaster

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo Monday assured the May 9 Foundation, a philanthropic organisation, of the Government’s support for its public-spirited activities.

    He gave that assurance when he met the families of some victims of the May 9, 2001 Stadium disaster at the Jubilee House Accra.

    The group was led by the former Asante Kotoko Football Club Chairman, Herbert Mensah, founder of the May 9 Foundation.

    The courtesy call on the President was part of activities to mark the 20th anniversary of the May 9, 2001 disaster.

    On a fateful day, a stampede by fans of arch-rival football clubs Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko during a crunch match led to the tragic death of over 127 spectators at the Accra Sports Stadium.

    President Akufo-Addo said the government stood committed to offering the needed support to the Charity to enable it carry out its activities and campaign to ensure that the unfortunate incident did not reoccur.

    “You will have the modest support that this administration will be able to give you. I can promise you that”.

    Commiserating with the victims of the disaster, the President further reiterated the government’s commitment, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and other relevant agencies to ensure that the disaster did repeat itself.

    He commended the founding members of the Foundation for keeping alive the memory of the victims of the disaster and engaging in other philanthropic activities at ensuring that surviving family members of victims could look to the future with hope.

    “I am happy that we have Ghanaians of your calibre who have made a decision about May 9th,” he said, intrigued to learn that the Foundation had since expanded its reach beyond football to embrace a wider social space involving dislocation of people by floods and other disasters.

    “This is a huge undertaking and you need a lot of courage and capacity to be able to carry it out well,” he added.

    On his part, Mr. Herbert Mensah reaffirmed the Foundation’s goal to offer the needed support to families of those who fell on a fateful day.

    Mr Mensah praised the President for being the first to grant audience to the victims of the disaster since the incident and expressed his gratitude for the support received over the years.

    “In 20 years, it is gratifying to have a President who cares, “he said.

    Source: GNA

  • Two killed, driver detained as taxi cab ploughs into drinking spot at Asokwa

    Two people died on Sunday when a taxi cab rammed into a drinking spot at Chirapatre near Asokwa in the Ashanti Region.

    The Motor Traffic Transport Department of the Ghana Police Service said it has detained the driver of the Ford Scorpion saloon car with registration number GR 8389 V to assist investigations.

    According to a police incident report sighted by dailymailgh.com, the vehicle veered off the Chirapatre-Atonsu stretch, upon reaching the Roman Catholic JHS.

    The report said the vehicle ploughed into a nearby food joint injuring at a man and a woman at the spot.

    The police named them as Mary Amoah aged 50 and one other also named as Sampson who is 60-years-old.

    The victims were rushed to the Kumasi South Hospital but died while receiving treatment.

    Bodies of the deceased have been sent to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) morgue for preservation pending autopsy, the police said.

    The vehicle has since been impounded at the Asokwa Police District Command for testing.

    Source: Daily Mail

  • Wesley Girls: Lets all take a step back and reconsider our stance Muslim Mission to stakeholders

    The Ghana Muslim Mission has called on major stakeholders in the ongoing impasse at the Wesley Girls Senior High School emanating from the refusal of school authorities to allow Muslim students to observe Ramadan, to reconsider their position.

    In a press release signed by its National Chairman, Sheikh Dr. Amin Bonsu, the Mission observed that in accordance with both Christian and Islamic faith, it is an act against God for the students to be prevented from fasting.

    According to the Mission, Ghanaians despite our religious differences have continued to coexist in peace and harmony to the envy and admiration of other countries and thus there is the need to maintain such a level of coexistence by instilling diversity and tolerance in students.

    Read the full statement below:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Desist from our YouTube content – Smart TV cautions bloggers

    Smart Media Network operating Smart TV, has cautioned bloggers to desist from uploading its YouTube content.

    This comes barely 72 hours after it started streaming live shows on Facebook and YouTube.

    Though the caution which was posted on Facebook Monday evening did not come with any threats, the station said it was “a piece of advice to bloggers.

    “A piece of advice to Bloggers. Kindly desist from uploading any content that belongs to Smart TV on YouTube.” it cautioned.

    Currently being run online, Smart TV, is owned by popular media personality, Captain Smart.

    The station was launched on Saturday, May 8, 2021, some 3 days after was suspended from Angel Broadcasting Network (ABN).

    He was suspended by his boss, Dr. Kwaku Oteng, for slandering officials within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government including President Akufo-Addo, Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), James Oppong-Boanuh.

    Until his suspension, Captain Smart was the host of Angel FM’s morning show, ‘Anopa Bofo)’.

    Source: Ghana Guardian

  • Food and Drugs Authority disposes cartons of energy drinks at Bole

    The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) have properly and safely disposed about a hundred (100) cartons of expired ginger energy drink that were disposed at a dumping site by an unknown person on the outskirts of Bole town.

    According to the Northern, Savannah and the North-east Regional director of the Food and Drugs Board Authority Mr Martin Kusi, the officials FDA stormed Bole and supervised the safe disposal activity with the assistance of the zoomlion and the environmental health department of the Bole District Assembly.

    Mr Kusi also cautioned all retailers and distributors of Food and Drugs products sold to customers to be safe for consumption.

    He said; “Is your responsibility as a retailer or consumer to make sure that all the products you offer to the general public for sale should be in good condition and not dented, and must be in wholesale and not expired”.

    Mr Kusi further said it is an offence by law distribute to dump or offer for sale products that have expired and also a serious offence to just dump expired products at a dumping site without proper safe disposal.

    He said it is punishable by law when caught and can lead to imprisonment or payment of fines or both.

    Some residents of Bole scrambled over over a thousand (1000) cartons of expired energy drinks which were improperly disposed at a refuse dump on the outskirts of Bole on the Kiape- Sonyo road in the east of the town.

    The residents especially those who were first to see the cartons of the energy drink called “Ginger Flavoured Energy Drink” carried many to their homes with some drinking to the full at the dump site.

    Bole based Nkilgi Fm upon hearing the information rushed to the area on the outskirts of Bole where some people around complained of seeing some school pupils also taking the expired energy drink with one drinking so many bottles of the expired drink till the stomach was full.

    Nkilgi fm also visited the Bole district Assembly environmental Health Officer Mr Abdullah Mohammed Baba said that he was first alerted about people rushing for some expired energy drinks.

    He urged all residents of the District to always report to the department of environmental health if their goods are expired for the necessary disposal.

    Mr Baba said they will also do their investigations to identify where the expired energy drinks are came from.

    Nkilgi Fm again spoke to the Bole District Health Director of Mr David Bakuri and he urged all parents not to allow their children take the expired drinks because the future implications are very dangerous to their health.

    Mr Bakuri said the expired cartons of the drinks were supposed to be disposed before July 2020, but unfortunately it was not done by that time.

    He said any expired drink is not good for the body and urged all those who have gone to take some of the drinks to pour them away and not drink them.

    Source: Nkilgi FM

  • Ghana Card, CID databases to be merged Bawumia

    The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has revealed that there is an ongoing processes to merge the 15 million Ghanaians on the National Identification database with that of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to offer employers a flexible opportunity to check the criminal records of employees or persons they plan to employ.

    According to Dr. Bawumia, the move is to offer employers the opportunity to be able to employ persons of high repute. It is also geared at making the Ghana Card the unique identification record in the country. When completed, this would mean that the criminal record of over half the population can be accessed at the fingertips as the search can be easily done through the mobile phone.

    “Going forward we are going to be linking the National ID with the criminal database to allow people to be able to check the criminal backgrounds on their mobile devices. In case you are employing a driver or anybody, you should be able to check the background of the person without going to the police headquarters and going through all of that process. Now, we want to digitize the whole process and once you have the national ID number, you should be able to get the background of that person.”

    SIM card re-registration

    He added that the process to re-register all SIM cards in the country is also aimed at enabling SIM cards to be merged with the Ghana Card for easy identification of all persons using mobile phones. “In the next few months, we would be linking SIM cards to the National ID. All the Mobile SIM cards that we have in the country would be linked to unique National ID numbers. Discussions are ongoing but it would happen this year.”

    Ghana Card and banking

    He further revealed that banks are also being roped into using the Ghana Card as the primary identification card for all their customers. “We would do same with bank accounts so that the verification needed in opening and operating a bank account would be linked to the National ID number. We would have every bank customer uniquely identified; that process would soon start.”

    Ghana Card and CAGD

    He said government is seriously working to take off ghost names from its payroll. As a result, there are frantic efforts at linking the Ghana Card to government payroll administrator, the Controller and Accountant Generals Department (CAGD) to ensure that the menace is dealt with.

    “We are linking the National ID card to the Controller and Accountant Generals Department; this is where the government payroll is done. For many years we have been struggling with ghost workers on government payroll and once this is completed, we hope to make ghost names on government payroll history,” Dr. Bawumia said.

    Already merged services

    Already, the Ghana Card has been merged with Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT); National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and Tax Identification Number (TIN) of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA); a move which has seen an increase in the database of these institutions.

    The hope is to ride on the back of the merger to increase government revenue and to provide better services to clients. The Vice President was speaking at the Mobile Technology for Development (MT4D) as the keynote speaker.

    Source: thebftonline.com

  • It will cost government US$10 billion to fix all roads in Ghana – Ofori-Atta

    The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has estimated that it will cost government US$10 billion to fix all dilapidated roads in Ghana.

    The Minister said this when responding to a question from the media on Sunday, during the Minister’s press briefing.

    The question was relevant following agitations by the #Fixthecountry. campaigners calling the government to fix the country’s bad road network.

    The Minister recounted some of the social intervention services provided Ghanaians, especially the vulnerable during the COVID-19 lockdown including provision of free electricity to one million lifeline consumers, supply of free water to households, free distribution of food packs to the vulnerable and evacuation of stranded Ghanaians abroad.

    He reiterated government’s commitment to immunize about 20 million Ghanaians with COVID-19 vaccines, as it had begun bilateral discussions with global partners to secure the vaccines.

    Mr Ofori-Atta said government will, this month, start rolling out eight additional interventions under the Ghana’s Coronavirus Alleviation and Revitalisation of Enterprises Support Scheme (Ghana-CARES) programme, to create more jobs and boost the Ghanaian economy.

    The 100-billion Ghana cedi programme, also known as “Obaatanpa” would witness the implementation of various projects in the health, agriculture, tourism, trade, digitization and technology as well as housing and social services sectors.

    Mr Ofori-Atta said government would also begin the implementation of $250 million Jobs and Skills Development programme to create jobs in the private sector businesses, instead of expanding government employment schemes.

    The Minister said, in the coming days, his outfit would collaborate with the Water Resources and Sanitation Ministry to address water challenges, especially in the urban centres to ensure regular flow of potable water from the taps.

    It would also work collaboratively with the Ministries of Transport and Roads and Highways to tackle traffic congestion on the highways.

    In July this year, he said, a new Development Bank would be set up to provide long-term financing to the private sector through commercial banks.

    Mr Ofori-Atta noted that despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Ghanaian economy, the rate of growth of the public debt had been lower under the Akufo-Addo-led Government than under previous administrations.

    “The rate of debt growth was lower despite massive investments in our flagship programmes such as the Free Senior High School Policy, Planting for Food and Jobs, NABCo, One District, One Factory, One Village, One Dam, restoration of teacher and nursing trainee allowances, while maintaining macroeconomic indicators and exchange rate stability,” Mr Ofori-Atta emphasised.

    “We were elected not to complain or compare, but to get things done. To fix what is broken and Government and I are determined and committed to do just that,” he assured.

    The Minister underscored the need to keep the healthy conversation and dialogue on fixing the economy going so that “we can have a collective action to deal with the country’s challenges”.

    He announced a hashtag ‘Fix this together and save our country’.

    Source: GNA

  • Atletico Madrid plotting to re-sign Thomas Partey from Arsenal? – Reports

    Arsenal midfielder, Thomas Partey, could be heading back to Atletico Madrid according to reports.

    The Ghana midfielder joined the Premier League giants from the La Liga side last summer.

    The Gunners triggered Partey’s €50m release clause on the transfer deadline day.

    However, the 27-year-old’s journey at the club has been soiled with injuries since switching to the Emirates.

    A report by Todofichajes says Diego Simeone is planning to launch a two-prong attack on Arsenal with Real Madrid loanee, Dani Caballos, the other player on his radar.

    Partey has managed just 20 league appearances, starting 15 of them this season but without a goal, and sources have also claimed that the midfielder could be making a return to his former club, Atletico.

    Partey was in action on Thursday as Arsenal failed to progress to the finals of the Europa League against Villarreal.

    Source: Football Ghana

  • We wont suspend #FixTheCountry demo – Campaigners to Police

    The campaigners of the #FixTheCountry movement have indicated that the group will not back down on its intended march.

    The group made clear its intentions to hit the streets on 9 May 2021 to protest against a myriad of national problems.

    The Police denied them permission to carry out their plans and additionally, secured a restraining order from the Court to stop the determined group.

    The campaigners, however, in a letter addressed to the Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Greater Accra Regional Police Command, E. A. Sakyi, indicated that “We acknowledge receipt of your letter purporting to refusing our request to embark on a March and asking us to suspend the event as a result of restrictions imposed by the Imposition of Restrictions (Coronavirus Diseases (COVID-19) Pandemic)”.

    According to the letter, the Executive Instrument the Police cited to support their action (No. 16) Instrument, 2020 (E.I. 395) “is no longer in force”.

    “We have examined the above-mentioned Executive Instrument closely and have formed the view that the Instrument which was adopted under the hand of the President in December 2020 is no longer in force,” the letter further stated.

    Source: Class FM

  • Eid-ul-Fitr: May 13 declared as a statutory public holiday

    The Ministry of Interior has declared Thursday, May 13 2021 as a statutory national public holiday.

    According to a statement signed by Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery, the holiday is to mark the Eid-ul-Fitr festivities for Muslim faithful to mark the end of the Holy Month of fasting; Ramadan.

    “The general public is hereby informed that Thursday, 13th May, 2021 which marks Eid-ul-Fitr, is a Statutory Public Holiday and should be observed as such throughout the country,” the statement read.

    The year’s Ramadan commenced on April 13 following the local sighting of the moon in the Volta Region, as per a communication from the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osmanu nuhu Sharubutu. This year’s fast is the second straight Ramadan being undertaken with the Coronavirus pandemic still raging globally.

    At the beginning of the fast, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia admonished all Muslims to use the occasion to reflect and renew their faith in Allah.

    He also urged all to observe the COVID-19 protocols during and after the holy month.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • COCOBOD trial: Court rules on Opuni, others submission of no case today

    The Criminal Division of the Accra High Court is expected to rule on a submission of no case filed by lawyers of Dr Stephen Opuni & two others in the COCOBOD trial.

    The submission of no case was filed after the state had closed its case against the accused persons having called seven witnesses.

    The court presided over by Justice of the Supreme Court Justice Clemence Jackson Honyernugah sitting with additional responsibility as a High Court judge had then called on the accused persons to open their defence.

    However, the accused persons and their lawyers believed the state had not established any prima facie case against them for them to open their defence.

    They therefore filed for a submission of no case which the court is expected to rule on today.

    What this means is that, if the submission of no case is upheld, the accused persons would be discharged.

    But they would be required to open their defence if their application is refused.

    Dr Stephen Opuni, the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of COCOBOD, Seidu Agongo CEO of Agricult Ghana Limited and his company are standing trial on 27 charges including causing financial loss to the state.

    They have all pleaded not guilty and have been admitted to self-recognizance bail.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • E/R: Student reportedly whipped 25 times at St. Stephens SHS despite law against canning

    A teacher at St. Stephens Senior High and Technical School (STEPSS) in Akyem Asiakwa near Kyebi in the Eastern Region has given a male student 25 strokes of cane for assaulting another student.

    A leaked video captured the teacher identified only as Sir Amable whipping the student who was only wearing shorts and lying in a push-up position in the open while other students watching.

    The senior housemaster reportedly flogged the student for assaulting another student at the boarding house leading to hospitalization of the student.

    The punishment adopted by the Senior Housemaster has however sparked uproar considering that corporal punishment has been banned in schools by the Ghana Education Service.

    The leadership of the old Students Association of the school has engaged the School authorities on the matter in a crunch meeting.

    The headmaster of STEPSS said he was unaware of the incident promising to investigate.

    Some students alleged that the senior housemaster is notorious for mercilessly lashing students.

    A similar incident occurred on October 29, 2020 at WBM Senior High School at Akyem Old Tafo in the same enclave.

    Two students of the school were reportedly lashed mercilessly by the Senior House Master identified as Mr.Dagar resulting in severe injuries of one of them-Patrick Frimpong- a form-two General Arts student.

    The students were flogged by the Senior House Master for mocking him.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Saudi Arabia gives 50 tons of date fruits to Ghanaian Muslims for Ramadan

    Ghana has taken delivery of 50 tons (2,500 pieces) of date fruits from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration received the donation on Thursday, May 6, 2021, in Accra on behalf of the government.

    The Chief Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ambassador Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, who received the items, was grateful for the gesture.

    She said, ​“Ghana-Saudi bilateral relations date back to 1960, when Ghana established a diplomatic presence in the Kingdom with the latter reciprocating later, Since then the two countries have witnessed fruitful cooperation and strengthened relations.”

    “The increasing numbers of Ghanaian Muslims embarking on the annual ritual of the Hajj, and unique occasions such as we are witnessing today bear testimony to our excellent relations,” she added.

    “This presentation ceremony is one more expression of the friendship and cooperation between Ghana and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Indeed Ghana has been a beneficiary of this symbolic gift of date fruits over the years.”

    “It is also insightful to know that dates are considered among the fruits of heaven in Islam and signify vitality and growth. Rooted in the religious teachings of the Prophet Mohammed, dates are traditionally recognized as a customary food item during Ramadan.”

    The Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Ghana, Meshal Hamdan Al-Rogi, who presented the dates, described it as the most important fruit in Saudi Arabia with deep historical and religious significance.

    Source: gbcghanaonline.com

  • Address concerns of Ghanaians with urgency to avoid chaos CSO to Akufo-Addo

    A civil society organization, Community Focus Foundation Ghana (CFF-Ghana) has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to as a matter of urgency take steps to address the concerns of Ghanaians including the recent increase in taxes.

    In a press statement, the group states that Ghanaians continue to experience what they describe as excruciating hardship in the form of the high cost of living coupled with excessive taxing by the government.

    “In Ghana today, prices of goods and services are skyrocketing and the government seems not to care about the plight of the suffering Ghanaian masses whom they promised to make their lives better with mouth-watering campaign messages during the electioneering period. Our question is what has happened to the departure from taxation to production chorus as sung by the Vice President H.E. Dr. Mahmoud Bawumia, then opposition running mate? Does the introduction of killer taxes mean [a] departure from same? Again, what has become of we are not a poor country but we are hungry as pontificated by the president, then in opposition?” the group said.

    While highlighting the faith Ghanaians kept in the current government before assuming office, the group notes that the government of the day has refused to keep the promises made to the Ghanaian people and has thus cautioned the president to take immediate action to rescue the situation.

    “Taking a cue from happenings across the world, we cannot avoid but to warn the nation and its leadership that Ghana is sitting on a time bomb and the early the president rise to the occasion to salvage the situation as the father of the nation, the better for our collective survival as a people.”

    Read the full statement below:

    PRESS STATEMENT

    For Immediate Release

    Government must urgently address the concerns of Ghanaians to avoid chaos.

    Community Focus Foundation Ghana (CFF-Ghana) has taken note of the public uproar and displeasure expressed by Ghanaians on government’s insensitivity demonstrated towards them by continuous increment of taxes.

    In fact, the excruciating hardships being experienced by the average Ghanaian including the underpaid workers resulting from the increase in taxes and introduction of ”nuisance” taxes is just unbearable to say the least.

    In Ghana today, prices of goods and services are skyrocketing and the government seemed not to care about the plight of the suffering Ghanaian masses whom they promised to make their lives better with mouth-watering campaign messages during the electioneering period. Our question is what has happen to the departure from taxation to production chorus as sung by the Vice President, HE Dr. Mammoud Bawumia, then opposition running mate? Does the introduction of killer taxes meant a departure from same? Again, what has become of we are not a poor country but we are hungry as pontificated by the president, then in opposition?

    Truth be told, Ghanaians saw hope in the above and many other touching messages hence their support for the government but regrettably, the government has blatantly refused to keep faith with its own promises to the Ghanaian people. Are we right to say the regime lied its way to power?

    Taking a cue from happenings across the world, we cannot avoid but to warn the nation and its leadership that Ghana is sitting on a time bomb and the early the President rise to the occasion to salvage the situation as the father of the nation, the better for our collective survival as a people.

    Coming events the sages say cast their own shadows. The ARAB SPRING must be our guide.

    —End—

    Issued by the Communications Directorate

    0248640364/0200136249

    Cc: All Media Houses.

    The Office of the President, Jubilee House, Accra.

    Speaker of Parliament, Parliament House.

    Majority Leader, Parliament House.

    Minority Leader, Parliament House.

    National Security Minister, Ministries Accra.

    Leadership of CSOs and Faith Based Organizations.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • GBA outlines modalities for elections

    The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) has outline modalities for its impending elections fixed for Thursday, July 22.

    The elections fixed for the Mudor Conference Centre in the Bukom Boxing Arena is expected to elect a new president and other executive members.

    According to a statement from GBA Elections Committee, nominations for elections shall open from 1st to 21st June 2021 between 9 am to 5 pm each day, with only members in good standing eligible to contest.

    It said members in good standing are those who have fully paid for and been issued with a current License.

    The statement said nomination forms would be available for purchase at GHc 100.00 each at the GBA Secretariat located at the Bukom Boxing Arena.

    It said candidates vying for positions shall be required to pay the following as submission fees to be eligible to contest; President – GHc 3,000, 1st Vice President – GHc 2,000, 2nd Vice President – GHc 1,500, Treasurer – GHc 1,000, and Executive Board Member – GHc 700.

    Source: GNA

  • Ghana can win the World Cup – Kofi Amoah

    Former Ghana Football Association Normalisation Committee president Kofi Amoah believes the West African nation is capable of rising above expectations to win the Fifa World Cup.

    Three-time participants at the global showpiece, the Black Stars’ best performance remains a quarter-final finish at the 2010 edition of the tournament held in South Africa.

    But for a missed last-gasp extra-time penalty by striker Asamoah Gyan during the last eight clash with Uruguay, Ghana would have been the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the competition.

    “The priority should be strengthening the local football league, including grassroots level. Sammy Kuffuor, Michael Essien and most of our top stars made their names from the grassroots level,” Amoah told Citi Sports.

    “When the Germans saw their football was in decline, they took a step back and prepared a plan. It took them 11 years, but they won the World Cup in Brazil [in 2014].

    “Ghana can win the World Cup. We have the talent, but the organization and the approach are wrong.

    “I hope my friends at the Ghana Football Association will fix it.”

    After missing out of on the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Ghana have set their sights on making a prompt return to the championship as the Qatar 2022 qualifiers beckon.

    Ghana president Nana Akufo-Addo recently tasked the Black Stars to qualify for next year’s championship and go on to reach the semi-finals.

    “The target is to bring the cup home by winning Afcon 2022. We must go a step further than our second-placed finishes in 1992, 2010 and 2015 and end the 40-year drought for a title,” Akufo-Addo said last week.

    “We must also reach at least the semi-finals of the World Cup in Qatar. Our exploits in 2010, where we reached the quarter-final in South Africa, tell us that once prepared, we have the quality and the talent to match any of the best teams in the world.

    “The task might seem daunting, but it is exactly not insurmountable.”

    In the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup, Ghana have been pitted against South Africa, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe in the second round. The qualifiers start next month.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Stay calm and support Samuel Boadu – Hearts of Oak NCC tells supporters

    Kobby Jones, the Public Relations Officer for National Chapters Committee of Hearts of Oak has implored the supporters of the club to unite and support the head coach of the side, Samuel Boadu.

    Former has come under intense pressure after churning out some poor results.

    The Phobians woes were deepened after losing to Dreams FC in the matchday 22 game at the Theatre of Dreams at Dawu over the weekend.

    With some section of the fans furious with the performance of the team, Kobby Jones has called on the supporters to stay calm and support the young trainer to succeeds at the club.

    “I understand the supporters because they are expecting results but we should also not forget that Samuel Boadu came through halfway of the season so we should hold on and give him time,” he told Asempa FM.

    “The system of Hearts of Oak is different from Medeama because he [Samuel Boadu] has not coached a club like Hearts of Oak. He has missed the services of few key players and after losing to Dreams FC, you could clearly see that the supporters aren’t happy and the same as everybody.

    “The points between Hearts of Oak ad Medeama is just five points so all is not lost and we must remain calm and come together.

    “The hierarchy of the club is doing their best to ensure we project the club very well and if you look at what is happening at Pobiman, you could see the board of the club are doing very well but we are calling on the supporters to remain calm and believe in Samuel Boadu because he needs the support of everyone to succeeds at the club,” he added.

    Source: Football Ghana

  • CAF set new requirements for coaches in Inter-Club Championship

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has said the basic mandatory requirement for all coaches in the 2021/2022 CAF Inter-Clubs competitions will be CAF license A.

    A statement signed by Mr. Anthony Baffoe Deputy General Secretary in charge of Football Development at CAF, said “In terms of the coaching license requirement for the CAF Interclub competitions 2021/2022 season and Assistant Coaches are required to hold CAF License B.

    It added that for CAF Confederations Cup, CAF “A” or valid sister confederation “PRO” coaching license is mandatory for the Head Coach; CAF B coaching license is mandatory for the Assistant coach.

    The statement said, coaches, who do not fulfill the requirement, would not be allowed to be on the bench during the matches adding that, only Pro Licence holders from UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF, would qualify to be Head Coach in the CAF Champions League and the Confederation Cup competitions from next season.

    In view of this, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has called on clubs to ensure strict adherence to the new directives from CAF and avoid sanctions.

    Source: GNA

  • Kurt Okraku shows maturity by visiting convalescent critic Amin Lamptey

    Ghana FA boss Kurt Okraku has visited his long-standing friend and recent critic Mohammed Amin Lamptey- who is recovering from an illness in a heartwarming approach.

    The University lecturer and PR expert is on the road to recovery after he was hospitalized for a couple of days.

    The outstanding former TV presenter has been an avid critic of the Kurt Okraku administration despite his close ties with him.

    The two personalities together with Dreams FC president Jiji Alifoe, have been long-time friends and allies spanning several decades.

    However, their triangular friendship took a dramatic twist after the chief communicator clashed with the Dreams FC president over his perceived criticism of the Kurt Okraku administration.

    The tension led to a widely reported physical confrontation between the two men to further stoke fire in their relationship.

    However, Ghana FA boss Kurt Okraku has reached out to his friend after he was discharged from the hospital two weeks ago.

    The Ghana Football Association capo visited his friend alongside Jiji Alifoe to offer his support in times of his difficult moment.

    The heartwarming approach signifies maturity between the three personalities after smoking the peace pipe in the process to return to their brotherliness which has existed over three decades.

    Lamptey has received high-profile visits including the country’s Sports Minister and former Ghana FA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi.

    Lamptey is a marketing and PR consultant who has written extensively on Ghana football and Boxing over the years.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Western Regional Minister meets with Business Executives in Takoradi

    The Western Regional Minister, Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah has engaged the Business Community within the Metropolis to solicit contributions in advancing opportunities in the Western Region.

    The meeting brought together business owners, who are also members of the Takoradi Sports Club.

    Mr Darko-Mensah said his vision was to make the Western Region a business haven under the Enterprise Model of Development for the Region.

    He said engaging various stakeholders and opinion leaders to sell the Enterprise idea to them and take feedback was to help achieve the needed outcomes in improving businesses in the Region.

    Mr Darko-Mensah expressed concern about illegal mining in the Region and said the government introduced the concept of Community Mining to curb the practice.

    He said the government would look at a holistic plan to handle the seized excavators and other mining tools.

    The Regional Minister said the issuance of concession licenses to prospectors would be shortened and further looked into for the necessary reforms to make it more robust for prospecting.

    Touching on the redevelopment of the Takoradi Market Circle, he hinted that it would have a small recycling plant to improve on sanitation and also assured that there would be enough spaces available for all owned shops in the old market.

    He urged chiefs in the Region to invest in ventures that would build enough capital to elevate their subjects from poverty, create sustainable jobs, especially for the youth.

    The Minister also urged football club owners and teams to understand the business of football to enable them to thrive.

    Mr Darko-Mensah said the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital (ENRH) would be upgraded soon.

    Mr Chris Ben Amoo-Gottfried, Vice President of the Takoradi Sports Club, called on the RCC to look into the decision of operating industrial offices in Accra particularly the oil sector which he noted greatly affected the recruitment of locals.

    He said the youth must be supported with skills to be able to take up opportunities in the oil and gas sector.

    Mr Amoo-Gottfried recounted how the Metropolis was that industrious with a lot of factories such as paper production, timber processing, tobacco processing and cocoa processing, among others.

    The participants raised issues such as the illegal mining menace, decline of football activities in the region, poor road network, human and vehicular congestion and welfare of Cocoa farmers.

    They also discussed the revamping of the Sekondi market, land ownership and acquisition, agriculture modernization and support as well as the issuing of a Municipal Bond to raise more capital for high-cost projects.

    Source: GNA

  • 55-year-old woman allegedly kills sister over a plot of land

    One Agatha Tiwaa, a fifty-five-year-old woman is reported to have murdered her blood sister in what is suspected to be a land dispute at Muntukwa in the Berekum West District of the Bono Region.

    According to Joynews, the deceased identified as Yaa Aworo is a younger sister of Madam Tiwaa, is yet to be picked up by the police.

    In an eye-witness report, Hinneh Kwasi reportedly recounted that he was returning home from the farm when the suspect told him that she and her sister had just engaged in a fight.

    The suspect, according to the eyewitness, also admitted in their conversation that her sister had gone into a coma after she hit her with an object during the fight.

    Kwasi Hinneh who reportedly rushed to the scene upon receiving the information discovered that the victim had died and was not in a coma.

    According to the eyewitness, the two sisters for some time have not been on good terms and have been engaging in a series of fights over a plot of land which is suspected to be the reason behind the unfortunate incident.

    Meanwhile, Gifty Agyeiwaa, a granddaughter of the deceased is calling for the arrest and prosecution of the 55-year-old suspect over the death of her grandmother.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • We’ll restrict you if you go on your #Fixthecountry demo – Police warns protesters

    Head of Operations of the Ghana Police Service, ACP Kwesi Ofori has cautioned the #fixthecountry protesters not to defy the orders of the Police.

    #fixthecountry started trending, particularly on social media, after news broke that the National Petroleum Authority has increased fuel prices.

    There is massive agitation on social media as various Ghanaian celebrities have joined the citizenry to appeal to the President to intervene and also called on him to steer the affairs of the nation effectively.

    They express disappointment in his administration because, to them, they reposed huge confidence in him to salvage the economy but he has utterly failed Ghanaians.

    Some celebrities and a section of the general public have therefore decided to go on a street protest against what they say is bad governance by the Akufo-Addo administration.

    The #fixthecountry protest is scheduled for Sunday, May 9 but the Police have refused to accede to their request.

    They (Police) have subsequently instructed the protesters not to embark on their demonstration.

    Speaking in an interview with host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s ”Kokrokoo”, the Police Operations Commander, ACP Kwesi Ofori explained why the protesters have been stopped.

    He stated that the Police “decision is in line with the COVID-19 restrictions” imposed by the President.

    Large public gatherings are currently banned serving as one of the measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Ghana.

    ACP Kwesi Ofori expounded that “the Police cannot take chances with the #fixthecountry demonstration because there is scanty information on how the organizers of the protest will ensure strict adherence to the COVID-19 safety protocols as regards social distancing and wearing of nose masks as well as determining the number of people that will attend the demonstration”.

    ”We’re acting according to the laws. We have told them the restrictions are in force, so we can’t give the authorization for the floodgate to be opened for such an exercise”, he said.

    He issued a stern warning to the organizers not to disobey the Police order.

    ”…as we have communicated it to them, if they still choose to go on the demonstration, we have an alternative; that is to seek legal redress and enforcement order which we are prepared to do that to ensure we restrict them.”

    Source: Peace FM

  • Stop buying, selling under high tension lines EPA warns Ghanaians

    The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has appealed to Ghanaians and the general public to stop buying and selling under GRIDCo high tensions lines.

    Mr Ebenezer Appah-Sampong, Deputy Executive Director (EPA) in charge of Technical offered this advice when Angel News after visiting Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Tema Motorway, Alajo, Avernor and other parts of Accra where people are doing business and are also staying under GRIDCo high tensions.

    Mr. Appah-Sampong said that the danger of trading under such high tension cables far outweigh the profits of any business transaction.

    He further explained that, due to the weight of the cables and fire outbreaks, the wires could snap or sag, thereby causing electrical shock.

    According to him, this could lead to disabilities, life-threatening injuries or even death.

    He said the safest distance to the wires should be 5.5 meters or 11 steps away.

    Mr Appah-Sampong further advised the public to observe the safety rules to avoid electrocution or any kind of electrical accident.

    “People should always stay clear of electrical installations, overhead wires, snapped/cut wires and pole…it is never advisable…,” he said.

    Source: angelonline.com.gh

  • Koforidua commercial drivers grumble over fuel price increase

    Some commercial drivers in the New Juaben Municipality have complained about the increases in fuel prices, saying the situation is having a negative toll on the transport business and cost of living.

    Scores of the drivers who spoke with GNA said they were looking up to their union leadership to adjust upwards transportation fares in the coming days to help cushion them against the hike.

    Petrol, diesel and LPG are the most purchased fuel products in Ghana, and any price increase turns to affect transport fares and prices of goods and services.

    Current figures from the pump show that prices of petrol and diesel which were both selling at an average price of GHS 5.450 per litre in April 2021 are now going for on average of GHS 6.020.

    Both drivers and passengers continue to show their displeasure over the persistent upward adjustment of fuel prices and expressed fears prices might go up again within the year.

    Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Koforidua, Mr Richmond Atteh, a commercial driver, expressed worry that fuel cost was taking a major chunk of his daily income with little to save.

    He said if the expected daily sales demanded by car owners were not met, it created lots of inconveniences for drivers, who sometimes had to rush for passengers or loads.

    Mr Harruna Mohammed, another driver, said transport fares must be adjusted to reflect the percentage increase in fuel prices to avoid confrontation with passengers.

    A passenger, Mr Ali Nuhu, called for a downward revision of fuel prices to relieve Ghanaians from the high cost of living.

    Meanwhile, the 17 pesewas per litre increase in fuel margins previously announced by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has been slashed to 9 pesewas per litre.

    The situation has triggered oil marketing giants like Shell quoting GHS 6.130 per litre, Total GHS 6.130 per litre and GOIL 6.050 per litre.

    Source: GNA

  • Nigeria: 89 men beaten by their wives in last 15 months – WAPA

    Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Cecilia Bolaji Dada has revealed that 89 men have been reportedly assaulted by their wives in the last 15 months.

    Speaking on Tuesday, May 4, at a ministerial news conference to mark the second year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in office, held in Ikeja, Lagos, the commissioner said between 2020 and 2021, her office has received 89 domestic violence reports from men.

    In 2020, a total of 46 men made reports at the ministry that their wives violated them and in the first quarter of 2021, about 43 men have reported claims that their wives battered them.

    According to her, these figures are cases only reported to WAPA but there are quite a few who might have reported directly to the Ministry of Justice and Police station.

    In her speech, she noted that a total of 664 women reportedly faced domestic violence at the hands of their husbands in Lagos in the past year.

    Adding that 378 women were abused by their husbands in 2020, while 286 women were battered by their husbands in the first quarter of 2021.

    Source: mynigeria.com

  • 25-year-old Malian safely gives birth to nine babies in Morocco

    A Malian woman gave birth to nonuplets in Morocco on Tuesday and all nine babies are “doing well”, according to a statement from the Mali Health Ministry.

    Anadolu Agency reports that Halima Cisse, 25, delivered five girls and four boys.

    According to the evaluation of doctors both in Mali and Morocco, Cisse was initially expected to have septuplets but gave birth by cesarean section to nonuplets, shocking the doctors, who had not noticed another two siblings during ultrasounds.

    After a two-week medical stay at a hospital in the Malian capital Bamako, the doctors requested specialist care for the rare case of Cisse.

    Nonuplets are extremely rare in medical practice.

    With additional files from Anadolou Agency

    Source: africa.cgtn.com

  • Fuel prices increased

    Fuel prices in the country have consistently seen a steady increase since the beginning of the year.

    This issue is of great concern to Ghanaians because the increase affects transport fares and the pricing of goods and services in the country.

    The prices of petrol and diesel which were both selling at GH¢5.74 pesewas now being sold between GH¢6.13 pesewas and GH¢ 6.05 pesewas.

    Though the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) reduced fuel margins from 17 pesewas to 9 pesewas after a crunch meeting with key stakeholders in the petroleum sector yesterday, the prices of fuel at various pumps are still above the previous price, GH¢5.74 pesewas.

    Stakeholders in various oil marketing companies (OMCs) had earlier described the newly introduced Energy sector levy as a nuisance and insensitive to the plight of Ghanaians.

    Commercial vehicle drivers and other driver unions have also threatened to increase transportation fares in the coming days.

    They asked Ghanaians to be ready to pay between 15% to 40% increment in transport fares.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • E/R: Unknown armed men attack Fulani farm killing one

    Unknown assailants said to be 15 in number on Saturday, May 1 attacked a farmhouse in Adeiso in the Eastern Region amid sporadic shooting, killing one person instantly, police have reported.

    According to a situational report from the police, the group of armed men stormed the farm and started beating the farmers amidst shooting.

    One Eric Oppong, 34, was shot and killed instantly.

    The assailants loaded 20 cows into three Sprinter buses and took an unspecified amount of money and bolted, the police said.

    The body of the deceased has since been deposited at the Police Hospital Mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

    A few others sustained injuries.

    One Mohammed Halidu, who was part of the complainants at the police station, had a cut on his head and dried bloodstains.

    He was at the police station together with Yakubu Bukari, a Fulani herdsman of Adom Farms near Danso town, and Amina Halidu, who complained of general body pains.

    The police have since begun investigations into the incident.

    Source: 3 News

  • We are worried about the delay in 2nd vaccine procurement GMA

    The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has appealed to the Government to hasten the process of securing second doses of COVID-19 vaccines for the country.

    The association says it is greatly concerned about the possible delay in vaccine procurement for the country.

    Speaking in an interview with Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show, President of the GMA, Dr. Frank Ankobea, said: “We are very worried and we are asking Government to do all it can to ensure that we receive the vaccines.”

    Dr. Ankobea expressed that the association is aware of the “international politics going on” in relation to the vaccines. However, it is confident that as was done for the arrival of the first doses, Government can maneuver its way into acquiring the second doses of the vaccines.

    “Of Course, when the COVAX facility was involved, the Government managed and got the vaccines for Ghanaians. We appreciate that and we are pleading with the Government to put in the same effort in getting us the second one. We are so much worried and we are talking to Government and this is the message we are giving to Government that it should secure these vaccines for us”.

    About a week ago, the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu urged Ghanaians to be calm and not panic as efforts are being made to import the 2nd dose of the coronavirus vaccines.

    Ghanaians who took the first shots of the vaccines in March are expected to receive 2nd shots of the vaccines to complete vaccination. However, delays in rolling out the second phase is gradually raising fears.

    However, the Minister has said that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is putting in all efforts to ensure that the country gets the second dose of the coronavirus vaccines.

    Source: e.TV Ghana

  • Security man killed in a robbery attack at Dzodze

    Some unknown gunmen have killed one Klutse Dzelu, a private security man at Petroland filling station located at Dzodze Camp near Seklekorpe in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta region.

    The deceased, believed to be in his late 60s, was found dead with his hands tied up and found at the back at the top floor of an office building with stores containing hardware materials.

    Mr Wisdom Adorku, station manager of Petroland filling station and the hardware store, in an interaction with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) said on Sunday May 2 at about 2300 hours, the suspected robbers after getting access to the security man, killed him after torturing him with sharp objects with his arms tied at his back.

    “The deceased was the only person on duty when the robbers came,” he said.

    He also disclosed to the GNA that all the sales accrued both from the fuel and other building materials on Saturday and Sunday were taken away by the robbers.

    Mr Adorku said an amount of GHC 13,722 was stolen from the hardware office as well as GHC 12,602 from fuel sales was also taken away.

    DSP Christian Dogbatse, the Ketu North Municipal Police Commander, who confirmed the incident to the media, said the body of the deceased has been sent to the St Anthony’s hospital morgue, while investigations into the incident has commenced.

    Mr Wemegah Gameli, owner of the business centre appealed to the general public to assist the Police with any relevant information to bring the perpetrators to book.

    No arrest has since been made yet.

    Source: GNA

  • GJA Elections: Filing of nominations ends

    Filing of nominations for various executive positions for the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) ended by the close of work on Tuesday, May 4, 2021.

    Those who filed for the presidency are; Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor of Atinka Media Village, Mr Gayheart Mensah, a Media Consultant and Mr Dave Agbenu of the New Times Corporation.

    Mrs Linda Asante-Agyei of the Ghana News Agency (GNA), filed for the position of Vice President, while Mrs Audrey Dekalu, also of the GNA, filed for the position of Treasurer.

    Others are: Mr Kofi Yeboah-General Secretary, Mr Akwasi Agyeman of the Multimedia Group-General Secretary, Ms Mary Mensah of the Graphic Communications Group Limited-Organising Secretary, Mr Dominic Hlordze of GBC, Organising Secretary and Mrs Rebecca Ekpe of GBC, and Caesar Abagali of Ghana News Agency, both for Public Affairs Officer

    Mr Peter Agbeko, a member and Secretary of the GJA Elections Committee, received the nomination forms on behalf of the Committee and wished the aspirants good luck, while entreating them to prepare for vetting.

    Nominations for the elections commenced on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. The candidates promised to conduct their campaigns peacefully and transform the fortunes of the Association if voted into office.

    Aspirants for regional positions also filed nominations in regions across the country.

    Source: GNA

  • You demonstrate at your own risk Police to #FixTheCountry demo organizers

    The Ghana Police Service says it is open to exploring all available avenues to ensure that the scheduled #FixTheCountry demonstration does not come off as intended.

    What started this week on social media as a means to vent out on what many have described as the successive mismanagement of the country over the years, has blown up into a movement largely made of youths who say they want to demonstrate to drum home their demands.

    In a letter signed by some 20 individuals to the Police, the #FixTheCountry movement said it has scheduled to embark on a demonstration on Saturday, May 9, 2021.

    However, according to the Head of Public Affairs Unit of the Accra Regional Command of the Ghana Police Service, the planned demonstration will cumulate into a mass gathering which contravenes the imposition of restrictions instituted to manage the spread of COVID-19.

    This according to the Police means the demonstration cannot be sanctioned for which it has communicated in that effect to the organizers of the protest.

    “The police will not be able to provide the necessary security looking at the spread of Covid-19 and the kind of dangers that it poses to members of the public should they attend this demonstration,” DSP Effia Tenge stated in a Joy FM interview monitored by GhanaWeb.

    The organizers in their letter outlined details on how it intends to ensure adherence to COVID-19 protocols but to the police “there is no way that we can be able to guarantee for a fact that such a large demonstrating public” will adhere to such a plan.

    DSP Afia Tenge in the interview emphasized that the police will seek a court order to stop the protest if need be.

    In a reaction to the statement by the Police, Oliver Barker-Vormavor, one of the conveners of the #FixTheCountry movement says the group intends to dialogue with the police and as well remind the police that it cannot be cowered.

    The group member, however, reiterated that they will act in conformity with the constitution.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • A/R: Fowl thieves kill 80-year-old poultry farmer at Ejura

    Police in Ejura in the Ashanti Region have arrested two Fulani indigenes, Sulley Amadu aged 25, and Karim Salifu aged 35 over the murder of an 82-year-old poultry farmer.

    According to the police, on 3rd May, 2021 at 10 am, Kwame Ofori of H/No.D/ 68 Brigade, Ejura called at the police station and reported that on same day at 07:30 am he visited his brother Kofi Mensah aged 82 at his cottage near Broadcasting Ejura and found him lying dead with a deep cut on the head in front of his room.

    Police proceeded to the scene and found the deceased lying dead in a supine position covered with pieces of clothes, a mat, torn sack and a car tyre.

    Careful inspection on the body by the police revealed a deep cut on the head suspecting foul play. Pieces of broken sticks and Cutlass were found at the scene.

    However, information received at the cottage indicated that all the fowls reared by the deceased at the cottage were missing.

    Upon interrogation, the two suspects were earlier detained for stealing six fowls, admitted having visited the deceased cottage during the night to steal fowls but were prevented by the deceased. But, suspect Sulley Amadu slashed the deceased on the head with a cutlass, killing him instantly.

    Two cutlasses and broken pieces of wood retrieved at the scene have been retained by the police for evidential purpose.

    The body has been conveyed to Ejura Government Hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

    The police have indicated that the suspects will be arraigned before the court on Monday to be remanded to allow the police to conclude investigations.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Kasoa murder: Police confirms the real age of one of the alleged killers

    Felix Nyarko and Nicholas Kiki have allegedly been accused of killing eleven year old Ishmael Abdallah Mensah for ritual purposes in Kasoa.

    The ages of the two accused persons had been an issue for contention as it will essentially determine the extent of punishment meted out if they are indeed found guilty for the crime.

    Police prosecution were finding it difficult in ascertaining the ages of the two accused persons but the prosecutor on Tuesday May 4, told the Ofaakor District Court that they have been able to ascertain the age of one of the juvenile offenders.

    Prosecutor, Chief Inspector Ernest Agbo told the court that they have been able to know the age of one of the accused persons, Felix Nyarko who is a juvenile as records at his former school shows he was born on 1st September,2005 making him 15 years.

    The Police says they were unable to get any records at the said hospital the accused claims was born but they are satisfied with his school records that he will turn 16 years in September.

    He prosecution further prayed the court to allow them more time to conclude the duplicate docket and forward it to the Attorney General’s Office for advise.

    The case has been adjourned to May 16th 2021 while the accused persons are still in remand.

    Source: Ghana Guardian

  • Coronavirus: Active caseload drops marginally

    The number of COVID-19 cases in Ghana has dropped marginally from 1,589 to 1,580, the latest figures of the Ghana Health Service indicate.

    Of that number 24 are 24 and six critical.

    Some 48 new cases have been detected in the last few days.

    The death toll stands at 779.

    So far, Ghana has recorded a total of 92,683 cases since mid-March 2020 with 90,324 recoveries.

    Regional breakdown:

    Greater Accra Region – 51,054

    Ashanti Region – 15,517

    Western Region – 5,804

    Eastern Region – 4,177

    Central Region – 3,383

    Volta Region – 2,463

    Northern Region – 1,654

    Bono East Region – 1,426

    Bono Region – 1,397

    Upper East Region – 1,318

    Western North Region – 872

    Ahafo Region – 711

    Upper West Region – 496

    Oti Region – 422

    North East Region – 228

    Savannah Region – 122

    Source: Class FM

  • Coronavirus: 3 local companies present proposals to produce vaccine Agyeman-Manu

    Three Ghanaian companies working to produce Covid-19 vaccines locally have presented proposals on their plans to government.

    Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman-Manu who revealed this to journalists in Accra this week, said the companies have already prepared their factories for take-off, once government approves their plan.

    He did not name the companies but said members of the committee constituted by government to produce an action plan on how the country can develop and manufacture its own vaccines, have already visited some of them.

    “There are about three or so local companies who have already started preparing factories for covid-19 in Ghana. The committee has visited one of them and I am yet to visit the other one. They have sent proposal to the committee and they are having serious engagement with the committee.”

    The Health Minister further revealed that the committee is chaired by renowned scientist, Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng.

    The committee he said will guide and make recommendation on the initiative to his outfit.

    In his 24th address to the nation on measures taken to curtail the spread of Coronavirus in Ghana, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced he had constituted a committee to prepare the country for local production of vaccines, especially Covid-vaccines.

    Prioritising the fight against the deadly virus, Mr Agyeman-Manu revealed that Akufo-Addo is poised in ensuring the manufacturing of local covid-19 vaccine.

    According to him, “the president wants us to continue to do the 13 or traditional vaccine administered in the country. So covid is the priority immediately but beyond that, we will continue to expand development.

    “All the vaccines can be used feasible depending on what technology you are using so it will depend on the manufactures and the technologies that they are using,” he added.

    Source: Atinka Online

  • Government to establish Mental Health Fund – Health Minister

    Government is working towards the establishment of a mental health fund to be financed from the mental health levy, Kwaku Agyemang Manu, the Minister of Health, has said.

    According to him, the fund when established, would help in the successful implementation of the new mental health policy.

    Mr Agyemang Manu, was speaking at the launch of a 12-year mental health policy by the Mental Health Authority, in Accra.

    He said the launch of the policy was historic not only because it was the first of its kind under the newly created Authority, but also because the Covid-19 pandemic had brought on board heightened issues of mental health and well-being of Ghanaians.

    The Minister said although progress had been made in the delivery of mental services, there were still some challenges including underfunding of mental health issues, underfinancing, discrimination and stigmatisation against staff and patients.

    Mr Agyemang-Manu said the launch of the policy should see Ghanaians on the path to improving how they viewed and delivered mental health services in the county, and help provide the framework to address the challenges.

    He said the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals had widened health beyond physical health to mental and social wellbeing, thus the attainment of the health-related SDG goals could not be eliminated from mental and social wellbeing and that any effort by government and stakeholders would go a long way to ensure that the vision of ensuring a mentally healthy population was achieved.

    “The realisation of this vision calls for the reorientation of Ghanaians about mental health and the ability to invest into the sector, thus much as government has improved upon the budgetary allocation to the Authority, it is still not enough.”

    He commended the MHA for upholding its mission of promoting mental health, preventing mental illnesses and providing accessible community-oriented, integrated, quality and appropriate mental health care to people with mental health and carrying out its mandate diligently.

    The Chief Executive, MHA, Professor Akwesi Osei, said the policy was the third to be developed for mental health service, but represented the first policy of the Ministry of Health led by the MHA and initiated by the governing body, the Mental Health Board.

    He said the policy was to provide a framework for supporting the achievement of good mental health for people living in Ghana, while being sensitive to culture, resources and geography, amongst other considerations.

    The policy covers promotion of mental health, prevention and management of mental health conditions for all persons, both in the public and private sectors as well as substance use disorders, including alcohol abuse.

    It does not include conditions that are purely neurological without mental health conditions, like epilepsy.

    Source: Atinka Online

  • 2021 Population Census: Produce disability-inclusive data GFD tells GSS

    The Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations (GFD) has asked the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) to scale up disability data collection in the 2021 Population and Housing Census slated for June, 27, 2021.

    According to the GFD, there are emerging trends that GSS ought to adopt in order to capture persons with disabilities during the exercise.

    Speaking at the Engagement Session with the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) held at Paloma Hotel in Accra recently, Executive Director for the GFD, Rita Kusi Kyeremaa urged the GSS to focus on improving the availability of quality data on persons with disabilities for national development.

    According to her, the challenges with data collection and policy formulation in Ghana in relation to Persons With Disability are surmountable.

    “We need to do more to ensure that all category of persons with disability are included in the data collection process,” she stated.

    She however pointed out: “It has been a challenge, especially at the national level looking at the data we have on disability. And so before 2010 Census we had some engagement with the Ghana Statistical Service about disability inclusion. At the time we were all embracing the critical need for data to promote disability inclusion,” she disclosed.

    Madam Kusi Kyeremaa said in view of challenges in the past, the Washington Group came up with a set of questions to bridge the gap in inclusion and participation between persons with disabilities and person without disabilities.

    “So we then think that that is a global framework for data collection. As a disability movement we picked that up and began engagement with the relevant authorities and institutions on how to include data on disability, and ensure that there is proper segregation to enhance the data we have in Ghana,” she reiterated.

    In an interview with Kasapafmonline.com, the Head of Instrument Development Planning and Analysis at the GSS, Mr. Godwin Gyebi expressed commitment to disability inclusion in the upcoming 2021 Population and Housing Census.

    He said the questions for the census captures persons who have difficulty and not able to perform certain activities.

    “So we want the general public to let us know persons who have difficulty on maybe, hearing, seeing, speech among others,” he added.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Chiefs who engage in double sale of land risk up to 10 years in jail Appeals Court Judge

    A Judge of the Court of Appeal, Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei has warned Chiefs and others persons who engage in the double sale of lands to put an end to it as they can be jailed for up to 10 years for doing so.

    Speaking on Court Nkomo which airs of KNM TV on YouTube, the Court of Appeals Judge said this sentence is part of the punishments prescribed in the Lands Law which was promulgated recently to help deal with the numerous land litigation issues in the country.

    “…if you sell land for two different people can be jailed for five years and the maximum is 10 years…you can also be fined from GHC60,000 to GHC 120,000 for the same offence…,” he said.

    Justice Adjei also said that promulgators of the new land law took into consideration the need to sanitise the administration system in the country when drafting the document.

    “No judge can sentence a person found guilty to a prison term of less than five years, no, not even four years, once the judge wants to imprison you, then the punishment as stated in the law is a minimum sentencing of five years and maximum is 10 years…,”

    This law, he said, is applicable to everyone and not only chiefs.

    Below is the full interview on the new Land Law:

    Source: angelonline.com.gh