TIG Post

Author: Persis

  • Ghana’s power sector could be in debt of $24 billion in 2024 – Kwesi Pratt reveals

    Seasoned journalist, Kwesi Pratt says Ghana’s power sector will be in debt of 24 billion dollars in 2024.

    According to him, the indebtedness of the power sector is a major cause of the power cuts in the country.

    He made this revelation during a panel discussion on Peace FM’s ”Kokrokoo”.

    Ghana Grid Company Limited, GRIDCo, announced to Ghanaians that some areas of the country, particularly in the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions, will experience erratic power supply in the months ahead.

    The energy provider says this is due to some maintenance works it is undertaking on some lines.

    Kwesi Pratt expressed worry over the impact of the power outages on businesses.

    ”Those of us who you force to use generator to power our business, it increases our electricity cost sometimes by ten times. So, it is not the name that’s important to us.

    ”To call it dumsor or not, it’s insignificant to us. We need electricity for the nation’s development. If we want lights to work for the nation to develop, the CPP is not in power, GCPP is not in power, NDC isn’t in power; it’s the NPP that’s in power. It’s the NPP that has the authority to make a change,” he said.

    He disclosed that, if the problem persists, the nation may have to brace itself for something worse futuristically.

    He told host Nana Yaw Kesseh that he had an interview with the Chief Executive of the Africa Centre for Energy Policy, Benjamin Boakye who told him that the power cuts ”is about indebtedness. He told me that the debt at the power sector is overwhelming.

    He said, if we’re not lucky, by 2024, the debt will reach 24 billion dollars. That’s part of the problem. That’s why we’re experiencing dumsor. He stated that clearly; that the level of indebtedness is part of the problem”.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Pan African Heritage World to break ground for museum project

    A ground breaking ceremony will be performed on Wednesday, May 5, for the construction of a 30-million dollar Pan African Heritage World (PAHW) Museum at Pomadze Hills, near Winneba Junction in the Central Region.

    A statement issued by the Communication Department of PAHW, copied to the Ghana News Agency, said the project, which was launched in September 2020 by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, would communicate the true and authentic history, arts, culture and ideals of the Pan African world from the creation of mankind to the present day.

    It said apart from the main building housing the six-storey galleries of collections and artefacts, there would be a two-acre Pan African Heroes Park, a two-acre Palace of African Kingdoms, ancient and modern, and a three-acre Herbal Plant Village where lectures on herbal plants in Africa would be held.

    The statement said there would be space for festivals, concerts, film shows and exhibitions from the wide pan African world.

    It would also have chalets and residential accommodation for lodging and conferences.
    Funding for the project would be mainly through donations.

    “The Pan African Library building will bring together young innovators and inventors from across the world to exchange works on science and technology to solve future problems,” it said.

    Registered as an International non-governmental organisation in Ghana, United States and the United Kingdom, the PAHW was governed by an International Board of Directors, an Academic Council, a Curatorial Board, and an Executive Council.

    The museum, envisaged to be the biggest in Africa, is the brainchild of Mr Kojo Yankah, past President of PANAFEST and Founder of the African University College of Communications. It is expected to be completed in July 2023.

    The May 5 sod-cutting would be performed by President Akufo-Addo, assisted by Dr Mohamed Awal, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the statement said.

    Among the special guests invited are members of the Diplomatic Corps, Heads of corporate organisations in Africa, prospective donors and educational institutions.

    Mr Kojo Yankah said: “The time has come for people of African descent to tell their own story to shape their future.”

    Source: GNA

  • Bolgatanga: AK47 rifle snatched from policeman abandoned in a garden

    An AK47 rifle with 10 rounds of ammunition that was snatched from a policeman by some criminals in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional capital has been abandoned.

    The weapon with the number GHGPUERRHQOPS190017 was snatched from a duty officer at the Fire service snap check duty point by the suspected criminals at night

    On Sunday, May 2, 2021, the District Day patrol team received a distress call to the effect that the AK47 rifle was lying in a garden at Daporetindogo a suburb of Bolgatanga.

    The team proceeded to the scene and retrieved service rifle Number GHGPUERRHQOPS190017 and 10 rounds of ammunition.

    Background

    According to information gathered by MyNewsGh.com, a lot of unregistered motorbikes avoid passing through the checkpoint because they are either being smuggled into the region or stolen.

    Policemen, therefore, divided themselves into two to cover the Bongo road junction which is notorious for such acts.

    That whilst there, nine (9) people on separate unregistered motorbikes pulled up and the officer stopped them for checking and suddenly one of them snatched his service with 10 rounds of ammunition.

    He immediately informed his other colleague officer who was armed and both of them took a private motorbike and gave them a hot chase to no avail.

    The duty officer quickly informed the information room and all motorbike patrol teams were mobilised and activated and a search was conducted but yielded no results.

    Source: My News GH

  • Fire kills 17-year-old boy, over 35 structures destroyed in Kumasi

    A teenager has died after a violent fire swept through makeshift structures close to the Asafo Bus Terminal in the Ashanti Region.

    The boy, 17, who has been identified as Nana Yaw, burnt beyond recognition Sunday, May 2.

    Speaking on Akoma FM, Ashanti Regional Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Ghana National Fire Service DOIII Acquah Desmond explained that “firefighters moved in to battle the blaze which started around 2:15 p.m Sunday. It took the firefighters three and half hours to douse the inferno.”

    He explained that “but for unavailability of hydrants around the Asafo commercial enclave, it would have taken us less than 30 minutes to fight the Sunday afternoon inferno”.

    The victim was confirmed dead at the scene as fire officials say over 35 structures, which house head potters at that enclave, were destroyed.

    Although the situation is under control, official report from the Fire Service is yet to ascertain the main cause of the Sunday wildfire.

    The charred body of the deceased has been deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for preservation.

    Some of the displayed victims who were still counting their losses as at the time 3news.com got to the fire scene expressed their sorrow.

    They appealed to government for immediate support.

    Source: 3 News

  • Communications Ministry to supervise IT staff in state agencies Ursula

    All Information Technology Personnel in government agencies will soon be under the supervision of the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization.

    This is to ensure that the personnel meet the standard of qualification and skills needed to execute their mandate.

    According to the Communications and Digitalization Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, her ministry will soon commence an IT audit in the various institutions to ascertain the gaps and challenges and proffer solutions.

    She said there is an ongoing dialogue with the Civil Service Commission to facilitate the move.

    “For government to achieve an efficient and effective Digital economy, our IT personnel need to be equipped with the needed skills for a quality delivery hence a need for the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization to provide a supervisory role on IT persons.”

    Mrs. Owusu Ekuful told the media in Accra Tuesday.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Another load shedding timetable to be released

    The Ministry of Energy has said another load shedding timetable to be made available by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) after one was released for customers in north-eastern Accra.

    In a statement released on Thursday, April 29 in response to a press conference by the Minority in Parliament, the Energy Ministry admitted intermittent power outages since the start of the year as a result of work on some key plants.

    The Minority had accused the government of politicizing the issues and stopping the ECG from issuing a nationwide load shedding timetable.

    But the Ministry insisted: “For the record, there has been no nationwide load shedding in the country, neither has there been an attempt to embark on one because there is no need to.”

    The Ministry admitted that some of the projects ongoing in Accra and Kasoa will require outages for some days.

    “The Pokuase timetable is out, starting from May 10 to May 17th 2021

    “That of Kasoa is yet to be published, and shall be released at the appropriate time when the necessary arrangements and consultations have taken place.”

    The Ministry clarified that the only reason the outages are being carried out is to allow for the contractors to tie in their works into the existing transmission lines.

    So far, the Pokuase Bulk Supply Point (BSP) is 95percent complete and expected to be handed over to government in July.

    The Kasoa Bulk Supply Point is expected to be ready by end of August.

    By September, the Tema to Achimota Line Rehabilitation is expected to be completed.

    “Government appreciates the patience of affected Ghanaians and respectfully craves their forbearance as these necessary works are undertaken in order to achieve their objective.”

    Source: 3 News

  • NDC has sufficient intellectual academic power to take on any party in the world Mahama

    Former President John Dramani Mahama has said that his party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has sufficient intellectual brains to take on any political party in the world.

    He explained that several socio economic development projects that propelled the country to economic growth were initiated during the Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC) era.

    When the PNDC metamorphosed into NDC, he said, several of these projects were also introduced.

    Speaking as the Special Guest at the Annual Conference of the NDC Professionals Forum on Thursday, April 29, he said “The perception has always been that mass parties do not have intellectuals and academic fire power.

    “Just a fraction of the members of the pro-forum in this room and the self-introduction that you gave clearly shows that that pound for pound, we have on the side of NDC sufficient intellectual academic power to take on any party in this world.

    “We have proved it over the years.”

    He added “If you look at the period of PNDC right to NDC, you will find that a lot of the critical social policy and economic reforms undertaken in this country were undertaken under these administrations.

    “If you look at the economic recovery programme that restructured our economy and the structural adjustment programme that went with it that brought Ghana back onto the path of growth, it was initiated under the PNDC.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Coronavirus kills 37 people in Sunyani Municipality

    The Corona Virus Disease has killed 37 people in the Sunyani Municipality from January to April this year, Dr Prince Quarshie, the Municipal Director of Health said on Thursday.

    This puts the Municipal death toll to 38 after one person died in late 2020, he stated, when speaking at a stakeholders review meeting on the COVID-19 in Sunyani.

    He said the COVID-19 Municipal fatality rate stood at 2.7 percent and there were only nine active cases out of the 444 new cases recorded in the Municipality from this year.

    Dr Quarshie added 40 of the cases were recorded among students and appealed to education institutions to strengthen the COVID-19 precautionary measures to prevent a possible spread of the disease.

    Care International, an NGO organised the meeting in line with the implementation of its “Stop COVID-19 Initiative” and attended by health workers drawn from the various municipals and districts in the Bono and Ahafo Regions.

    With funding from Mars Incorporated, the project aimed at mitigating the impact of COVID-19 in selected cocoa-growing communities in the country.

    According to Anala JB Marshall, the Project Manager of Care International, the project further sought to enhance the livelihoods of cocoa-farmer households in 60 communities in Bono, Ahafo, Ashanti and Western North Regions.

    Dr Boakye Boateng, the Ahafo Regional Director of Health, said the nation did well in managing the COVID-19 pandemic and attributed the success to many government interventions.

    That notwithstanding, he appealed to the public to maintain the good health practices of handwashing with soap, use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers, wearing of nose masks and observance of social distancing.

    Dr Kofi Amo-Kodieh, the Bono Regional Director of Health, expressed regret that many people were disregarding COVID-19 health safety protocols, which could trigger the spread of new infections.

    Despite the increase in awareness, Dr Amo-Kodieh noted many people had still not accepted the existence of COVID-19 because of theories and myths surrounding the pandemic.

    He, therefore, advised the public to disregard those unfounded theories and obey the protocols to protect themselves and the people around them from contracting the disease.

    Source: GNA

  • 200 soldiers not enough to flush out galamsey – Govt advised

    The Small-Scale Miners Association of Ghana has advised the Government to reconsider the number of soldiers deployed to do away with galamsey in mining areas.

    President of the Association, Michael Peprah, reasoned that this 200 personnel cannot cover all the mining areas where water bodies are being polluted as a result of mining.

    Speaking to Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show, he explained: “200 soldiers are not enough because we have over 12 major rivers that are all polluted in Ghana. So even if you are deploying these and segmenting them, how many of them can do the work?”.

    Michael shared that in his opinion, deploying the 200 personnel in the first place is a hasty decision even though the motive may be right.

    He believed that the Government should have consulted various stakeholders before executing an operation involving the security personnel.

    “If the galamsey fight is to be won, we need to engage all these people. Some communities do not even know galamsey is illegality and those who are informed sometimes do not care about the damage caused. For government to achieve its objective, it should have carried out sensitization exercises before deploying these soldiers”, he explained.

    Background

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has authorized the Ghana Armed Forces to deploy 200 soldiers to go after all persons involved in illegal mining popularly known as galamsey.

    A release from the Information Ministry stated that the move is to ensure that mining within water bodies is immediately stopped. This latest action to fight galamsey comes after the Stakeholder Dialogue on Small Scale Mining on April 14.

    The statement added that the operation commenced on Wednesday, April 28th, 2021, on the River Pra in the Central and Western regions of Ghana.

    Source: Happy 98.9FM

  • Muslim MPs meet Methodist Church leadership over Wesley Girls’ ‘no fasting’ rule

    The school says the ‘No fasting’ rule applies to all students not only Muslims

    A group of Muslim Members of Parliament met with the leadership of the Methodist Church with the view to thrashing out a Wesley Girls Senior High School regulation that barred Muslim students from undertaking their religious obligation of fasting.

    The delegation was led by Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, Minority Chief Whip and MP for Asawase along with a bipartisan mix of colleagues, representatives from national Muslim groups and other key stakeholders in the Muslim community.

    A statement of April 29 and signed by Muntaka read in part: “The Methodist team was led by their national leader Presiding Bishop Dr Boafo.

    “After a very frank but cordial discussion on the issues, the Church assured us that the matter will be resolved within the next few days inshaa Allah. His Eminence the Presiding Bishop assured us that the board of the school of which he is the Chairman will be meeting within the next few days to discuss the issue and get an amicable resolution to the problem.”

    Background to the issue An aggrieved parent recently stormed the school with the view to withdrawing his child over the school’s refusal to allow her to undertake the Ramadan fast.

    The school authorities explained to Mr Ishmael Zakaria Alhassan that the general rule was that irrespective of religious persuasion, fasting was not allowed because of health considerations, i.e. to prevent the risk of students developing ulcers.

    The episode rekindled the issue of the rights of Muslim students especially in public mission schools where some are reportedly not allowed to pray and more prominently, female students are not allowed to wear their veils.

    PRESS RELEASE ON THE WESLEY GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL MUSLIM STUDENTS FASTING CRISIS

    The Muslim Caucus in Parliament wishes to inform the Muslim Ummah and the good people of Ghana that, a delegation from the Muslim community met with the leadership of the Methodist Church to discuss the Wesley Girls Muslim students fasting issue with the objective of resolving the problem amicably.

    The Muslim delegation was led by Hon. Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, MP for Asawase and Minority Chief Whip of Parliament of Ghana.

    Muslim delegation was made up of bi-partisan Muslim MPs, representatives from office of National Chief Imam, Ahlus Sunnah Waljamaa, The Executive Director of Baraka Policy Institute (BPI) Dr Haruna Zagoon-Sayeed, Imam Hussein Abdur-Rahim Hussein of Ghana Police Service and Secretary to the Muslim Caucus in Parliament.

    The MPs involved are Hon. Muntaka, Hon. Collins Dauda, Hon Tampuli, Hon. Habib, Hon. Dr Amin Adam Anta and Hon. Murtala. The Methodist team was led by their national leader Presiding Bishop Dr Boafo.

    After a very frank but cordial discussion on the issues, the Church assured us that the matter will be resolved within the next few days in shaa Allah.

    His Eminence the Presiding Bishop assured us that the board of the school of which he is the Chairman will be meeting within the next few days to discuss the issue and get amicable resolution to the problem. The church will revert to the team on the specific decision taken at the meeting regarding the resolution of the issue at stake.

    The Muslim Caucus in Parliament wishes to ask all Muslims to exercise self-restraint, as we are taught in the Month of Ramadan, on the matter to allow the able leadership of the Methodist Church to deal with case in consultation with relevant stakeholders including Muslim leadership and parents.

    We would like to thank the leadership of the Methodist Church led by the Presiding Bishop for the warm reception accorded us and the assurances given to us that the issue will be resolved amicably to reflect the usual inclusiveness of Methodist education in Ghana.

    God bless us and God bless our homeland Ghana.

    Hon. Mohammed Muntata Mubarak (MP)
    FOR: Muslim Caucus in Parliament

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • 18-year-old is youngest Chartered Accountant in Ghana

    Eighteen-year-old Miss Hannah Ann Enyan, an old student of the Labone Senior High School, has been crowned the youngest Chartered Accountant in Ghana.

    She was among the 2021 graduating students of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG).

    The ceremony took place at the 36th Graduation ceremony at the University of Professional Studies, Accra.

    It also formalized admission of new members into the Institute and provided the platform to award certificates to those who passed all three levels of the Chartered Accountants (CA) Professional Examinations.

    Others who have met the requirements via an assessment of training at equivalent professional accountancy bodies were also awarded.

    A total of 425 qualified Accountants, and 105 Chartered Diplomas were awarded while 421 new members were admitted into the Institute.

    Miss Enyan, a native of Winneba, acknowledged the grace of God and support of Management and Lectures of the Institute, as well as her family, for her success.

    She mentioned, in particular, Mr Samuel Nii Sampah, Finance officer of Queioz Galvao Group, a construction company, who inspired her to concentrate and be committed to the programme, hence her perseverance and resilience to complete the course.

    Miss Mmabila Deborah Azika, an alumnus of the University of Cape Coast, was adjudged the Overall Best level-three candidate of the Institute.

    Professor Williams Atuilik, the President of the Institute, reminded the new members and graduates that the core of the accounting profession was integrity, which was critical to succeeding in the profession.

    “We expect that as qualified special accountants from the Institute, you will expand your prospects by viewing other incidental disciplines that are necessary to help you become very competent accountants,” he said.

    Source: GNA

  • Robbers make away with GH¢137 after attacking gas station

    Notorious armed robbers operating in Abuakwa North Municipality in the Eastern Region on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, attacked a Guest House and a gas filling station at Akyem Kukurantumi.

    The incident occurred at about 8:00 pm.

    The armed robbers amidst firing gunshots broke into the gas filling station offices and the restaurant of the Green Door guest house, caused damage to the doors, and took away GH¢137 from the gas filling station office.

    They also took away a single-barreled gun which was placed against a wall by the night security man who took to his heels during the robbery operation.

    No casualties were recorded.

    The acting Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command Sergeant Francis Gomado confirmed the incident to Starr News.

    He said the night patrol team of the Akyem Tafo District Police command responded swiftly upon receiving the information but the robbers escaped before their arrival.

    He stated that seven empty BB cartridges, one live BB cartridge, and three wads were retrieved at the scene.

    Sergeant Gomado explained that eyewitnesses alleged that the robbers escaped in a dark saloon car.

    The robbery attack is happening barely three weeks after a similar attack led to the death of a 32-year-old man at a fuel station at Akyem Osiem, a nearby community.

    One person also sustained gunshot wounds in that robbery which occurred on Monday, April 5, 2021, at about 7:20 pm where four men armed with three pump action guns and a knife attacked Goodness Energy Filling station at Osiem.

    The robbers absconded with the night sales of the station. The robbers also took away a Motorola phone belonging to the night security man Adamu Zakari,30.

    Police retrieved five (5) empty cartridges at the scene.

    Residents believe the armed robbers are the same gang that has been robbing commuters on the Akyem old Tafo to Anyinasin roads for half a decade now.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Successful implementation of AfCFTA requires national coordination

    Alan Kyerematen, Minister of Trade and Industry says the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) requires national coordination between actors at all levels.

    He said it would also require the translation of the strong political will demonstrated by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in support of the AfCFTA into concrete actions by officials at all levels including Public Organizations, Private Sectors Associations, Civil Society Organizations, and the Media.

    Mr Kyerematen was speaking at the inauguration of 36 Council Members of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) in a speech read for him by Mr K. Nyame-Baafi, the Technical Advisor to the Minister in Accra, on Wednesday.

    Justice Sophia Bernasko Essah, an Appeal Court Judge, administered the Oath of Office and secrecy to members of the Council.

    The Council Members will provide the needed support and guidance, through their technical expertise and wealth of social capital, to the activities of the Chamber.

    The Minister believed that the private sector would spearhead the economic transformation of the country by taking full advantage of the African Single Continental Market.

    He said, without doubt, AfCFTA could be considered as the game-changer for the post-COVID economic recovery and transformation of Ghana, “if we as a country can harness the numerous benefits of the AfCFTA.”

    He said the AfCFTA would boost Ghanaian exports, stimulate investments and innovation, foster structural transformation, improve food security, enhance economic growth, and export diversification, and above all, provide fresh impetus and dynamism to the economic integration of Ghana into the African market.

    “There are many benefits that Ghana will derive from effective implementation of the AfCFTA, including better harmonisation and coordination of trade between Ghana and other African countries,” he added.

    Mr Kyerematen said to harness the benefits of AfCFTA, the government complemented the ongoing Industrial Transformation Agenda by launching the National Export Development Strategy in 2020 to increase non-traditional export revenue to US$25.3 billion by 2029.

    He said the Strategy prioritises interventions under the following three key pillars of expanding and diversifying the supply base for value-added exports and services by improving the business regulatory environment for exports, expanding human capital for industrial export development and marketing.

    “In addition, the government has developed a National AfCFTA Policy Framework and Implementation Plan for Boosting Intra-African Trade (BIAT),” he said.
    The Minister said the objectives of the policy framework were to consolidate and grow existing markets on the continent and to identify new markets for Ghanaian Goods and services on the continent.

    It is also to identify and promote new products with export potential for the African Market and stimulation of greater demand for Ghanaian products and services on the continent.

    He said the strategy would provide timely and accurate information on market trends for Ghanaian businesses and support the development of innovative financial products for intra continental trade and intensive pursuit of value addition for Ghanaian goods.

    Mr Clement Osei-Amoako, the President of GNCCI said at the 44th Annual General Meeting of the Chamber held on 21st October 2020, all the standing committees and council were dissolved and new national officers elected to champion the activities of the Chamber to greater heights.

    He said in line with the constitution of the Chamber and the Legislative Instrument (L. I. 611), a new Council had been duly constituted to govern and support the activities of the Chamber.

    The Council comprises President, two Vice-Presidents, the National Treasurer, One representative selected by each regional Chamber for every 40 fully paid-up members or part thereof in such regional Chamber.

    The President said the Chamber would continue to empower the business community through its cutting-edge programmes and activities aimed at equipping the private sector to develop the needed shock absorbers and tenacity amid the ravaging pandemic.

    He said the Chamber was excited that the journey to opening up new market access opportunities to drive the needed economic growth and transformation of the African continent had begun.

    Dr Douglas Akuamoah Boateng, Chairman of CCT Group, who spoke on behalf of the Council, expressed gratitude to the leadership of the Chamber for their nomination and inauguration.

    He assured the Chamber of their readiness to help solve challenges in the sector.

    Source: GNA

  • Saudi Arabia seeks positive relations with Iran – Crown Prince

    Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the kingdom hopes for positive relations with Iran as long as it quits what he said was negative behaviour, as he employed a softer tone while speaking of his country’s main rival in the region.

    He also defended Saudi Arabia’s role in the Yemeni conflict, and hoped the Iran-backed Houthi rebels would come to the negotiating table.

    His remarks were made during an interview on national television late Tuesday marking five years since he launched his ambitious Vision 2030 plan that aims to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy.

    “In the end, Iran is a neighbouring country. All we hope for is to have a good and special relationship with Iran. We want it to prosper and grow as we have Saudi interests in Iran, and they have Iranian interests in Saudi Arabia,” he said.

    “The problem we have is with its negative behaviour, whether it is its nuclear programme, support for illegal militias in some countries, or its ballistic missile programme,” Mohammed added.

    Iran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, while other countries worry that it is trying to construct weapons.

    The two countries severed diplomatic relations in 2016 and are currently facing off in multiple proxy conflicts, including in Yemen.

    He said Saudi Arabia is working with partners in the region and the world to find solutions.

    “We hope to overcome them and build a good and positive relationship with Iran that would benefit everyone,” he said during the interview which lasted for around an hour and a half.

    The crown prince’s softer tone comes after media reports earlier this month that Saudi and Iranian officials have held talks in Baghdad.

    He also said that Saudi Arabia has good relations with the administration of US President Joe Biden, as the two countries agree on 90 per cent of issues of mutual interest and are working to find a common understanding on the rest.

    Biden has declared an end to US support for the military campaign in Yemen led by Saudi Arabia, which formed a coalition in 2015 to support government forces fighting the Iran-linked Houthis, who were expanding their control over large areas in Yemen.

    The crown prince defended the decision to form the coalition, saying that “no country worldwide would accept to have militias at their borders, or an unlawful armed group at its borders.”

    He hoped that the Houthis would “prioritize their own and their country’s interests” and agree to a ceasefire and sit at the negotiating table with other Yemeni parties.

    In March, Saudi Arabia offered a new peace initiative to the Houthi rebels that would include a ceasefire supervised by the United Nations and the reopening of Sana’a airport.

    The Houthis dismissed the proposal as “not serious.”

    During most of the interview, Mohammed spoke of the goals of his Vision 2030 project, which he launched in a bid to pivot away from dependence on oil production and towards other forms of investment including tourism.

    He said the plan will create millions of jobs, including 6 million in the capital Riyadh alone, and increase housing projects.

    After the kingdom’s economy slowed down amid the coronavirus pandemic, he said he expects the kingdom will see a “V-shaped recovery” in 2021.

    He also said Saudi Arabia is in talks to sell 1 per cent of its oil giant Aramco to a leading foreign energy company, without naming it.

    As part of Vision 2030, the state-owned company sold 1.5 per cent of its shares in an initial public offering in 2019.

  • US$50 million Kasoa BSP to be completed in August MiDA boss

    The Chief Executive Officer of Millennium Development Authority (MiDA), Martin Eson-Benjamin has disclosed that the Kasoa Bulk Supply Point (BSP) is scheduled to be completed in the third quarter of 2021.

    The MiDA boss made this statement at the Kasoa Bulk Supply Point station on April 27, 2021.

    Addressing the press at the Kasoa BSP, Mr Eson-Benjamin said the project which cost US$50 million is expected to be completed by August 2021.

    “Both the Pokuase and Kasoa BSP cost US$110 million. The Pokbuase BSP is US$60 million while the Kasoa BSP is US$50 million. By the end of May the Pokuase will be completed and by the end of August, this Kasoa BSP would have been completed but inaugurating it can be any other time.

    The Kasoa project is 60 percent complete. Works on the ongoing 435MVA Gas Insulated Switchgear Bulk Supply Point at Kasoa in Central Region in the Republic of Ghana is progressing speedily,” the MiDA boss told the media.

    The Kasoa BSP, when completed would be the second-largest BSP in the country after the 580 MVA Pokuase BSP.

    Both modern bulk supply point projects are funded by the Millennium Development Authority.

    They are also part of the major infrastructural investments envisaged under the ECG Financial and Operational Turnaround (EFOT) Project.

    The project would, among other things, reduce the transmission and distribution system losses suffered by GRIDCo and ECG respectively, and would ultimately improve the operational and financial performance of the utility providers.

    It would, further, improve the power supply in Kasoa and its surrounding communities in the Central Region with about 250,000 customers expected to be served.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Power fluctuations will soon be over – NAPO assures

    The Minister of Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has entreated Ghanaians to exercise patience as government is investing financial resources towards the upgrading of the power operating system in the country.

    That, he said, would ensure efficient and reliable power supply to both domestic and commercial power consumers to improve their businesses.

    Dr Opoku Prempeh gave the assurance when he led a delegation, comprising officials from the Millennium Development Authority, Electricity Company of Ghana, and Volta River Authority, to inspect the Kasoa Bulk Supply Point, on Tuesday.

    The country in recent months have witnessed frequent power cuts, especially parts of the national capital, Accra, resulting in public outcry.

    A section of the public has accused government of not telling Ghanaians the truth about the power situation, and suspected that government has no money to buy fuel for the power plants.

    It is in this light that the Energy Minister, over the past two weeks, had been touring some power projects being undertaken by government to ending the power outages.

    The Kasoa BSP is 435 MVA, which is about 50 per cent complete, and expected to improve power supply to Winneba, Mallam and parts the Greater Accra and Central regions.

    The project is being implemented by the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA), under the Ghana Power Compact Two and falls under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), which the US government provided US$308 million to the government of Ghana, to improve its energy needs and curb power transmission losses.

    Mr Matin Esson Benjamin, the Chief Executive Officer of MiDA said the Kasoa BSP was being constructed by Semens Engineering at a cost of US$50 million and expected to be completed in August, this year.

    He said the construction of the Kasoa BSP was timely, as it would improve power supply to residents of Mallam, Kasoa, Winneba among others and would benefit about 300, 000 residents in parts of the Greater Accra and Central regions.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: High incident of fake test result at KIA Noguchi reveals

    Senior Research Fellow at Noguchi, Mr Kofi Bonney has advised officials at the airport to be extra vigilant in reviewing documents of prospective passengers as most tend to hold fake Covid 19 test results to be approved.

    In an interview on the Happy Morning Show with Sammy Eshun, he revealed that ” most individuals tend to fake their own covid 19 test results. Some people can sit in the comfort of their homes and create their own Covid 19 test results using their laptops. On numerous occasions, we have received calls from officials at the airport to confirm covid 19 test results of some clients applying for visas.

    He further explained that aside from the rise in the number of health facilities conducting covid 19 tests, other factors have contributed to the low turn out of positive cases in the country.

    “The reduction in the positive cases of Covid 19 in the country does not imply that we are safe. People are not taking the covid 19 test because of the vaccines. Most individuals are focused on being vaccinated than taking the covid 19 tests. This is because we have been made to believe that taking the vaccine is safer.”

    In response to questions around errors in Covid 19 result, he stated that ” it is highly probable that some Covid 19 test results may come out falsely. There is something called human error. As humans, we are prone to making mistakes. Due to the ineptitude of some workers, a whole barge of tests may come out negative which may be false.

    He however advised medical practitioners to apply the quality control process when suspicion arises around a Covid 19 test result.

    “There is something called quality control where a health practitioner can determine whether or not a test result is true or false. When he notices that a whole barge of the test results comes out negative or positive he can take clues of falsity and redo the tests again.”

    Source: Happy 98.9FM

  • Theres no freeze on security recruitment Finance Ministry

    The Finance Ministry has denied reports suggesting that the government has directed security agencies in the country to halt their ongoing recruitment exercises.

    A statement which purported to have come from the Ministry claimed all security agencies had been directed to halt their recruitment with the exception of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).

    However, a statement from the Finance Ministry Tuesday urged Ghanaians to disregard the said letter since it was intended to create mischief.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Two dead in Yutong Bus accident on Kumasi-Accra highway

    Two persons including a 12-year-old girl have died in a head-on collision between a Yutong Bus and a Private car on the Accra-Kumasi Highway.

    The accident occured Monday, April 26, 2021, about 7:30 pm when the suspect driver Francis Ali, 30, was driving a Yutong bus with registration number GE 5124 19 with passengers on board from Accra towards Bawku, however, on reaching a section of the road at the outskirt of Akim Asafo near Suhum on the Accra Kumasi highway, he wrongfully overtook a fleet of vehicles ahead of him and in the process, he crashed head on with a Mitsubishi Pajero 4×4 private car with registration number GE 1201-18 which was coming from the Kumasi direction.

    The Mitsubishi Pajero driver yet to be identified but believed to be 45 years and a 12-year-old girl died on the spot.

    A 35-year-old woman Yaa Pokua sustained injury and was rushed to Suhum Government Hospital and admitted for treatment.

    The bodies have been removed and deposited at the same Hospital morgue for preservation and identification.

    Occupants of the bus sustained minor injuries.

    The acting Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command, Sergeant Francis Gomado confirmed the accident. He said the accidents vehicles have been towed away for free flow of traffic.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Coronavirus: Ban flights from high-risk countries – Ex-NPP MP to Nana Addo

    Former Member of Parliament(MP) for Ayensuano constituency, Samuel Ayeh Paye has appealed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to ban all flights from countries where COVID-19 is prevalent from entering Ghana to prevent a spike in the country’s cases.

    Ghana’s COVID-19 cases have increased again.

    A data published by the Ghana Health Service on Monday, April 26, 2021, indicates that the nation has recorded 1469 with daily new case count standing at 129.

    Seven hundred and seventy-seven (777) people have sadly passed away.

    It is believed that the sudden increase is due to the travelers entering Ghana.

    The Frontiers Healthcare Service (FHS) in a letter addressed to the Managing Director of Ghana Airport Company Limited, Yaw Kwakwa and copied to the GHS indicated that on “24th of April, 2021, we recorded 75 positive cases. This exceeds the previous highest rate of 45 positive cases on the 21st of April, 2021” and that “it has become imperative to implement new guidelines to curtail the influx of positive cases into the country”.

    Recent news reports also disclose that India’s daily Covid-19 death toll has hit new world record as hospitals beg for oxygen.

    Coronavirus infections in India have risen by 346,786, the Health Ministry in the country said on Saturday.

    Reacting during a panel discussion on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’ programme, Samuel Ayeh Paye asked the President to protect Ghanaians by placing a ban on India, Japan and Korea among other countries where their cases have overwhelmingly shot up.

    He also called on the government to intensify the measures at the Kotoka International Airport to detect the disease in travelers before they mingle with the general public.

    “The President and the COVID-19 National Taskforce should ban people traveling from countries where the disease is prevalent from entering Ghana . . . any person who is in Korea, Japan or India and wants to come to Ghana must be told to wait for a while but if it’s not possible, then we should quarantine and test them before we allow them to go home,” he said.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Policeman dies mysteriously after alighting from flight

    Information gathered by MyNewsGh.com indicates that the Upper East Regional Command of the Ghana Police Service has lost Inspector Obeng Adu under a rather mysterious circumstance

    According to information available to this portal, Inspector Obeng Adu had alighted from a Tamale Bound flight from Accra when he complained of insufficient breath.

    He was then rushed to the Police Clinic in Tamale but was transferred to the Tamale Teaching Hospital for medical attention.

    However, he lost his life while receiving medical attention at the Tamale Teaching Hospital on Monday, April 26, 2021.

    Meanwhile, this website cannot readily tell what exactly was the cause of the insufficient breath and what exactly killed the Police Officer.

    His death has come as a shock to the Police fraternity who have since been commiserating with their families.

    Source: My News GH

  • Sit-down strike by ECG staff strands customers

    Customers of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) were on Monday 26 April left stranded in parts of Ghana following a staff sit-down strike.

    The workers are demanding the immediate dismissal of their MD, Kwame Agyemang-Budu, claiming that he has failed to live up to expectation since he assumed office for about two years now, describing him as “visionless”.

    Checks at the Kumasi office of ECG indicate that some essential services have been suspended leaving some customers stranded. Some customers have expressed their frustrations over the development.

    “This morning I came to lodge a complaint. I am having issues with my prepaid, I came to the reception, only for them to tell me they are on strike and I really need the service seriously because the way my meter credit has been running it needs an urgent attention,” he said.

    “If I had the information earlier I would have gone to work and come later… It is really disturbing because recently we have been experiencing “dumsor” and to access their service too is becoming a challenge.”

    Standoff

    It would be recalled that some aggrieved workers of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) last two weeks called for the dismissal of Agyeman-Budu by 23 April.

    A statement issued by the workers said the continuous stay of Agyeman-Budu in office will lead to the collapse of the company.

    The statement added “considering the aforementioned, the joint NEC recognizes that the continuous stay in office of the Managing Director in the person of Mr. Kwame Agyeman- Budu is gradually leading to the collapse of the Company. Accordingly, the joint NEC resolves the immediate removal of the Managing Director from office.”

    “Please take note that if by the close of work on Friday, April 23rd, 2021, there is no appropriate action, we shall advise ourselves.”

    Source: Daily Mail

  • Driver of late MP, JB Danquah testifies in court

    The driver of the late Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North Constituency, Joseph Boakye Danquah Adu has appeared in court to give evidence.

    Samuel Berko Sarkodie is the first witness the prosecution has called in the matter.

    Daniel Asiedu aka Sexy Don Don has been charged with murder while Vincent Bossu is facing a charge of Abetment.

    The Accused persons have all denied their charges.

    Evidence in chief

    In court on Monday, when the trial began, the witness Mr. Sarkodie was led by Senior State Attorney to give his evidence in-Chief.

    Lawyer for the accused persons, Yaw Danquah started his cross-examination of the Witness.

    The Criminal Division of the Accra High Court presided over by Justice Lydia Osei-Marfo adjourned the case to April 27 for further cross-examination.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • No mining activities took place in forest reserves under my watch – Inusah Fuseini

    Former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini has said forest reserves were not infiltrated by mining activities under his watch as the Minister for the Lands and Natural Resources.

    According to the former Tamale Central lawmaker, it does not make sense to give permits to people to prospect in the forest reserves when those catchment areas are supposed to be protected from exploitation.

    “There was no mining activities in the forest reserves under my watch as the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources. What does it mean to ask people to prospect in areas designated as reserves? How will the trees survive if the people dig holes in the forest reserves? It does not make sense,” he noted.

    Speaking on Okay FM’s ‘Ade Akye Abia’ Morning Show, Alhaji Fuseini indicated that it is not for nothing that some of the forests are reserved; thus, the trees in those reserved forest will not survive if people are allowed to dig for mineral resources.

    He recounted that he opposed when he was at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources the idea brought to his attention by some people to mine the bauxite at the Atiwa forest reserve.

    He said that his opposition to that idea was based on the fact that the Atiwa forest reserve is a catchment area for three water bodies serving the entire country and so, giving permits to people to mine the bauxite will destroy the three water bodies.

    Alhaji Inusah Fuseini mentioned that the Atiwa forest reserve is protecting all Ghanaians by removing toxic substance from the air; fuming that giving license to the Chinese to mine the bauxite in exchange for roads construction is not the best decision to make.

    “The Chinese can do roads which will last for only 10 years but the vegetation has taken billions of years to be where they are. So, forest reserves are protected areas and there should be no way for anybody to give permit to some people to mine or prospect the forest reserves,” he mentioned.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Vice President, others sign book of condolence for Osu Mantse

    The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and other personalities last Wednesday signed the Book of Condolence for the late Osu Mantse, Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona IV, at the Osu Mantse Palace in Accra.

    Nii Dowuona, who was also the President of the Osu Traditional Council and President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, passed on after a short illness.

    His death was formally announced by the Osu Traditional Council on April 11, 2021.

    The traditional council and elders said they would officially announce the date for the funeral arrangements and other traditional rites to the public in accordance with Ga tradition.

    Other dignitaries

    Other dignitaries who have so far signed the book are the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin; the US Ambassador to Ghana, Mrs Stephanie S. Sullivan; the Danish Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Tom Norring; and the Executive Chairman of estate development company, JL Properties, Dr James Orleans Lindsay.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Enforce the law on galamsey Abu Jinapor to Western Regional Security Council

    Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor has charged the Western Regional Security Council to strictly enforce the laws against illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) and related activities in the region.

    He said the law enforcement is a critical aspect of the steps to deal with the galamsey menace hence the National security and the regional Security Council must ensure that they are enforced.

    The Damongo MP said these during an interaction with the members of the Western Regional Security Council Monday, April 26 in Sekondi, the Minister added that no one is above the law in this matter of small scale mining, stressing that there is no colourization in the fight against Galamsey.

    The Minister also called for increased support to curb the menace and commended the Regional minister for taking a bold step in that direction especially on the recent seizure of 16 excavators in the Region.

    He also assured that there is no mining activity in the Mole National Park.

    The Minerals Commission has dismissed claims that permit has been issued for mining in or near the Mole National Park.

    The Commission said the claims are untrue and should be disregarded.

    A statement issued by the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Mr Martin Ayisi said “ It has come to the attention of the Minerals Commission that certain Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have alleged that Mining Permits have been issued for mining in or near the Mole National Park in the Savannah Region.

    “This allegation and/or assertion is not the case. No such Mining Permit has been issued for this purpose.”

    “The Commission as the repository of records of all Mineral Rights in Ghana, entreats the General Public particularly CSOs, who are partners and have been working closely with the Commission over the years, to seek clarifications from it before going public.”

    Mr Jinapor said “It is a state agency and I believe that the communique that they have released is what we should abide by the fact remains that there will never be a situation where the exploitation of our natural resources will jeopardize our national asset such as the Mole National Park. That will not happen. The Commission has assured the country that there is no such mining or exploitation taking place to jeopardize the Mole National Park.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Dan Botwe is competent and a sharp brain – Dr. Asah Asante

    Senior Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Asah Asante has showered praises on the Minister for Local Government, Dan Botwe.

    Dan Botwe was vetted and approved by the Appointments Committee in Parliament after his appointment by President Nana Akufo-Addo.

    He is four terms Member of Parliament (MP) for Okere constituency.

    Speaking on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” Dr. Asah Asante believed Hon. Dan Botwe is a competent leader.

    He was very optimistic about the Local Government Minister’s performance and prayed he succeeds in his efforts to revamp the sector.

    “Dan Botwe is competent. His eyes are like that of an eagle and sees everything. He is a very sharp brain,” he extolled him.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Saglemi housing project is on course, ignore all propaganda Accra Digital Centre MD

    Managing Director of the Accra Digital Centre, Kofi Ofosu Nkansah has called on the general public to disregard claims that the Saglemi housing project has been abandoned.

    His reaction follows concerns that the Akufo-Addo-led government has left the project to rot in the bush despite the country having a huge housing deficit.

    According to the Accra Digital Centre MD, engineers are already on-site working on structural integrity tests for the project. He, therefore, advised all and sundry to dismiss reports that state otherwise.

    “Update on Saglemi Housing Project: The Minister of Works and Housing, Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye has toured the Project site and given assurance work will soon commence to complete the project.

    Engineers are already on-site doing structural integrity tests. Ignore the noise from Hassan Ayariga and others”, he wrote on Facebook.

    The Ministry of Works and Housing has said it will ensure the completion of work on the abandoned Saglemi housing project started by the previous government.

    The sector Minister, Francis Asenso-Boakye during his tour at the facility said despite the difficulties associated with the project, strategic investors are being sought after to help complete it, including all uncompleted housing projects across the country.

    While describing the Saglemi project as a great idea, he said the conception, design, and implementation of the project were not well executed, “and that is why we find ourselves in this situation”.

    Mr Asenso-Boakye, however, said he was committed to putting the past behind him and charting a way forward by ensuring the early completion of the project and others across the country through innovative means of raising funds.

    The Saglemi housing project was initially planned to deliver 5,000 housing units. However, the scope of works was revised, which has become a subject for police investigation.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Alleged murderer of girlfriend in Ho discharged from hospital

    The 26-YEAR-OLD man in Ho, Jay Dordoe, who allegedly killed his girlfriend by slashing her throat in their room before splitting his own belly open with the knife in a suicide bid, was discharged from hospital last Tuesday. 

    This was disclosed to the Ghanaian Times by the Ho Municipal Police Commander, Superintendent Anthony Danso in Ho at the weekend.

    He said that Dordoe was taken into police custody immediately after his discharge and arraigned in the Ho Magistrate Court One the next day on an interim charge of murder.

    His plea was not taken.

    The court, presided over by Mr Robert Addo remanded Dordoe into police custody to appear again on May 5.

    The horrifying homicide occurred in a house near Freedom Hotel in Ho on March 23.

    According to Superintendent Danso, at about 10:40 pm that day, Dordoe was heard screaming in agony in the room and when his brother entered the room Dordoe and the deceased, Harriet Hiati, 25, were seen lying in a pool of blood.

    A report was subsequently made to the police, after which a crime management team was dispatched to the scene where they found the woman in a light green shirt and a pair of shorts with a deep cut in her throat, and also the man.

    The body of the deceased was then sent to the morgue at the Ho Teaching Hospital where Dordoe was also sent.

    Superintendent Danso said that Dordoe was taken to the theatre with a deep cut in his throat, with his intestines gushing out.

    Preliminary investigations by the police found that Dordoe after slashing the throat of his girlfriend attempted to hang himself on a ceiling fan which fell off in the process.

    He then split his belly open with the knife in another unsuccessful suicidal bid.

    Superintendent Danso quoted Dordoe as saying that the deceased had been cheating on him and that was the cause of the bloody encounter which ensued between them.

    Source: Ghanaian Times

  • No permit has been issued for mining at Mole National Park Minerals Commission to CSOs

    The Minerals Commission has dismissed claims by some Civil Society Organizations that it has granted permits to some companies for mining in around the Mole National Park.

    In a release signed by the Acting-Chief Executive Officer of the Mineral Commission and copied to GhanaWeb, the commission stated that the allegations by the CSO has no merit as no permit has been granted to any company for mining at the mentioned site.

    “It has come to the attention of the Minerals Commission that certain Civil Soceity Organizations (CSOs) have alleged that Mining Permits have been issued for mining in or near the Mole National Park in the Savannah Region. This allegation and/or assertion is not the case no such Mining Permit has been issued for this purpose.

    “The Commission as the repository of records of all Mineral Rights in Ghana, entreats the General Public particularly CSOs, who are partners and have been working closely with the Commission over the years, to seek clarifications from it before going public”, he said.

    Some CSOs including the Centre for Environmental Impact Analysis, Centre for Public Interest Law, and the Wassa Association appealed to government to revoke the licenses granted some companies to undertake mining activities near the Mole National Park.

    Associate Executive Director of the Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining, Hannah Owusu-Koranteng is quoted to have said that “government has also granted mining exploration rights to a mining company to explore gold near the Mole National Park. The President has, among other things, stated that mining becomes a danger to society when the land is degraded after the minerals are extracted with toxic materials,” she said as Ghana joins the World to mark Earth Day, which is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

    She said “We, therefore, call on the government to halt attempts to mine forest reserves. Government should also place a moratorium on the granting of mining lease permits for all surface mining in Ghana.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Traders asked to vacate Asantehenes ceremonial route

    The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has given traders occupying official streets meant for the Asantehene up to Wednesday, April 28, to vacate “to avoid any undesired action by the security.”

    In a statement issued on Sunday, April 25, KMA indicated that the Manhyia Palace has requested to henceforth use the ceremonial routes meant for Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

    “These routes are Dr Mensah to Otumfuo roundabout through Adum Melcom and Harper Road.”

    “In furtherance to this, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) is by this release drawing the attention of all traders and motorists on the stretch that henceforth His Royal Majesty, Otumfuor Osei Tutu II would be using the direct route from Manhyia through Apagyafie to Kejetia and Adum Palace for all traditional rites and that all traders who have blocked the right-of-way should vacate before Wednesday, April 28.”

    The traders have since been advised to move to their designated areas to ply their trade.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus vaccines and fertility: What you need to know

    Even before the world could find a vaccine for coronavirus, a lot of conspiracy theories had been churned out on many platforms including social media. From altering DNAs to enlarging the male sexual organ, misinformation peddlers would not stop at anything to make sure people rejected the vaccines. The misinformation on vaccines became alarming when the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners started rolling out the vaccines.

    In all of this, one of the most circulated claims on social media about the vaccines is that relating to fertility. Several social media users have shared messages regarding this with no particular source cited. Some of them have claimed that men and women who have the intention of getting pregnant in future should not take the vaccine as it may make them sterile and infertile.

    Aside from these social media claims, other people have concerns on the safety of the vaccines in relation to fertility.

    In this report, we find out what experts say about the vaccines and fertility in both men and women.

    Will an approved COVID-19 vaccine make one infertile?

    The general safety of approved COVID-19 vaccines has already been established by the WHO. The organization has indicated that “before receiving validation from WHO and national regulatory agencies, COVID-19 vaccines must undergo rigorous testing in clinical trials to prove that they meet internationally agreed benchmarks for safety and effectiveness.”

    The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine have indicated that it is scientifically unlikely for any of the approved vaccines to cause fertility loss in women.

    “While fertility was not specifically studied in the clinical trials of the vaccine, no loss of fertility has been reported among trial participants or among the millions who have received the vaccines since their authorization, and no signs of infertility appeared in animal studies. Loss of fertility is scientifically unlikely,” the three organizations said in a joint statement.

    Although the America Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that scientists are still studying the vaccines for side effects; there is currently no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems in humans.

    Do you need to delay getting pregnant after vaccination?

    Furthermore, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has also indicated that people do not need to delay getting pregnant after getting a dose of the vaccine as “there is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines cause infertility.”

    According to another publication by University of Chicago School of Medicine, women can still go ahead and take the second dose of the vaccine even after finding out they are pregnant after the first dose. According to the publication, the “only possible risk physicians are currently aware of with the vaccine is the possibility of a fever following the second dose, a side effect experienced by around 10-15% of vaccine recipients.”

    Is it safe for pregnant women to be Vaccinated?

    Although pregnant women were excluded from the trials of all the approved COVID-19 vaccines even though the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists had insisted that they be included, studies have so far shown that the vaccines are safe for pregnant women.

    Nonetheless, a publication by WebMD suggests that Pfizer, one of the pharmaceutical companies producing COVID-19 vaccines, is studying its two-dose vaccine in 4,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women to see how safe the effects of Covid-19 vaccines are. The report further says that the researchers will also look at how safe the vaccine is for infants and whether mothers pass along antibodies to children. Results of this study are expected to be ready by the end of year, according to the report.

    On their website, Pfizer has also indicated that although there is evidence that a very short amino acid sequence in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 that is partly shared with a protein in the placenta called syncytin-1 is likely to occur after getting a shot; Pfizer says it is scientifically unlikely for that process to cause infertility.

    Is it safe for lactating Women to Be Vaccinated?

    Yes. Experts at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists say it is safe for breastfeeding women to get the vaccine. According to them “there is no need to stop breastfeeding if you want to get a vaccine. After you get vaccinated, the antibodies made by your body can be passed through breastmilk and can help protect your child from the virus.”

    While studies are still being done on the effects of COVID-19 Vaccines, reputable health agencies such as the CDC and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have indicated that none of the vaccines rolled out so far has been found to make men and women infertile.

    Source: ghana.dubawa.org

  • Thieves grabbed for stealing railway steel at Twifu Nuamakrom

    Four persons have been arrested at Twifo Nuamakrom in the Central Region for cutting railway lines that pass through Twifo Nuamakrom through to Assin Fosu.

    The suspects loaded the railway lines onto a tricycle (Aboboyaa) and covered it with plantain leaves in a bid to evade arrest.

    However, they were arrested by residents and were handed over to Twifo Ati-Morkwa police.

    According to Chief of Twifo Nuamakrom, Nana Akrofi I, he became suspicious after realizing that the tricycle could not move freely as it should. Out of curiosity, he decided to find out what load the tricycle was carrying only to discover many heavy railway plates of steel that was being carted away.

    The suspects were then arrested and handed over to the police.

    Three of the suspects initially run away but were later grabbed by the residents and the Chief himself.

    The Chief stated that people have been stealing the railway steels and vowed to deal ruthlessly with culprits.

    The suspects are in the custody of Twifu Praso Police Custody assisting in investigations.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • GHS registers citizens for free distribution of mosquito nets

    Krachi East Health Service began the registration of households this week for its free distribution of long-lasting treated nets in the Municipality.

    Krachi East Municipal Director of Health Service , Mr Amin Abdul, said, the distribution of the Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets is done in partnership with the Ghana Malaria Control Programme as part of their efforts to reduce the incidence of malaria in communities.

    Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), he said they would be providing each household with a unique identification code, which would be used to get the treated nets.

    Mr. Abdul said the registration exercise would help health practitioners gather detailed information on each and everyone to avoid double distribution of the treated nets.

    He told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that they have been able to register over 134,000 households and hope by the close of the week, figures would rise.

    He appealed to residents in the Municipality to endeavor to register with health officials and provide accurate information to enable them receive free treated nets to fight against malaria.

    Source: GNA

  • Legon student feared dead after falling from 4th Floor of Mensah Sarbah Hall

    A yet-to-be-identified student at the University of Ghana is feared dead after falling from the 4th Floor of the Mensah Sarbah Hall Annex A.

    The accident occurred around 2AM Friday, April 23, according to an eyewitness.

    “A guy in Mensah Sarbah Hall Annex A jumped from his room on the fourth floor this morning around 2am,” the eye witness told TV3.

    The witness added, “no representatives of the Hall or school authorities have reported here.”
    Authorities of the University are yet to speak on the development.

    Source: 3 News

  • Tripartite Committee begins processes to determine minimum wage

    The National Tripartite Committee has commenced the preparation for the determining of the 2021 National Minimum Wage for workers.

    Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, after a closed-door meeting with members of the Technical Committee, said the process had begun with the formation of the Technical Committee.

    He said the Committee had within two weeks to present its report to the Tripartite Committee on whether the wage should be increased or should be maintained based on several factors.

    The Minister said the report would be subjected to further discussions ahead of the determination of the minimum wage.

    The Technical Committee is made up of the sector Minister, five representatives of employers and organisations and five other representatives from Organized Labour.

    The National Daily Minimum Wage was last adjusted in 2020.

    It went up by 11 percentage points from the 2019 minimum wage of GH¢10.65 to GH¢11.82.

    The annual adjustments are in line with the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) section 113 (1) (a) and the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921).

    The Labour Act proposes the establishment of the National Tripartite Committee, which advises the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations on other developments on the market.

    Source: GNA

  • GRA to establish Tax Court to determine tax evasion cases

    The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has planned to establish a tax court to deal with tax evasion prosecution cases as part of its intensive debt collection drive and prosecution of defaulters.

    Rev Ammishadai Owusu-Amoah, Commissioner-General of GRA, who announced this at the opening session of a 3-day management retreat in the Eastern Regional capital, Koforidua, on Thursday, said plans for setting up the Court were far advanced.

    He said the prosecution of tax cases would go on alongside intensive public education on payment of taxes, adding: “We are of the view that education must transform into compliance and if that is not done, the necessary measures including prosecution cannot be overlooked”.

    The GRA management retreat was on the theme, “Digitisation and Compliance for Effective Revenue Mobilization.”

    Rev Owusu-Amoah said the next phase of the digitisation system deployed in 2020 would be pursued vigorously to make tax payment very convenient, adding, by the end of 2021 GRA would move to a cashless system.

    The system, he said, is expected to make payment of taxes at all GRA offices cease while by May this year all tax payments are done online and all cashiers redeployed by July.

    Despite COVID-19 negative impacts on the global economy, he said GRA was able to exceed its revenue target of 42,769.50 billion Ghana cedis for 2020 and commended the staff for their commitment and professionalism.

    He said by December 2020, his outfit had collected 45,338.69 billion exceeding its target by 2,569.19 billion with a positive deviation of 6.0 per cent, representing a nominal growth rate of 3.3 per cent over 2019 performance.

    This year, GRA has challenged itself to collect 60 billion Ghana cedis, a 32 per cent increase over last year’s target.

    Rev Owusu-Amoah said a new division with specific objectives to achieve a tax-to-GDP ratio of 17.5 per cent by 2022 had been set up.

    Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, Minister of Finance, in a speech read on his behalf, described the feat chalked by GRA as no mean achievement, though 2020 was not a normal year.

    He said digitizing the tax collection system was key to achieving revenue sector objectives and entreated the staff of GRA to work with high professional standards.

    Daasebre Oti Boateng, Omanhene of New Juaben Traditional Area, called on GRA to collaborate with root-based institutions to improve payment of taxes by the informal sector.

    He noted that educating people in the informal sector to appreciate the need to pay taxes was key in any strategy to widen the tax net and urged GRA to invest in ways that deepen tax education.

    The 3-day retreat is being attended by GRA commissioners and sector commanders countrywide to review its performance last year and strategise for 2022.

    Source: GNA

  • Thieves now joining long journey buses as passengers Linda Dor warns

    It appears thieves in Ghana have now devised a new ploy to steal the personal belongings of passengers in commercial buses.

    The thieves, per the new strategy, get on board long journey buses at Lorry terminals as passengers but carry out their operation by stealing portable personal belongings mostly mobile phones, laptops, purse and other valuables of customers when they alight at rest-stops to either buy food or visit the washroom.

    The thieves after the operation then disembark by sneaking out of the bus.

    The new approach to crime has been identified by the Management of Linda Dor Ghana and the Police.

    Some passengers lost their belongings on Sunday, 18th April 2021, in a similar fashion at Linda Dor restaurant at Bunso junction in the Eastern region when passengers on Accra- Yendi bound bus with registration number AC 1403-20 alighted from the bus to visit the washrooms.

    Preliminary investigations by Management suggest that the suspect was on board the bus and after carrying out the operation alighted and bolted away.

    According to the Management of Linda Dor restaurant, they have communicated this modus operandi to the various transport companies to be on alert.

    Nonetheless, the Management says it has beefed up internal security in addition to the installation of 24hrs operational CCTV cameras on the premises of the restaurant to help track such perpetrators.

    “At the moment, our priority is to take appropriate interventions to beef up our security controls already in place thereby increasing police presence at the Linda Dor Police Post and on the Accra-Kumasi highway.

    “Management of the hospitality giant reassures the general public that, there is no cause for alarm. Management is collaborating with the police for the further investigation leading to the arrest of the suspect,” Emmanuel Oduro-Boakye -Linda Dor Marketing Manager said.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Vice President Bawumia celebrates ‘amazing’ National Chief Imam on his 102nd birthday

    The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia described the National Chief Imam as amazing on the occasion of his 102nd birthday.

    The revered Islamic cleric turned 102 today, and the Vice President took to his Facebook page to extend his traditional greetings to the man he calls father.

    Below is what the Vice President wrote:

    “I join well-wishers in Ghana and across the globe to celebrate my father, the National Chief Imam, the amazing Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu on the occasion of his 102nd birthday.

    May Allah bless him with more wisdom and good health to continue to be a reference manual in Ghana’s development, peace and stability. We thank God for his life.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Ghana Navy outlines ‘Agenda 2024’ plan

    The Ghana Navy has developed a revised strategic plan dubbed: ” Agenda 2024″ to maintain a modern robust Force capable of defending the country against sea-borne threats.

    The plan includes achieving total surveillance coverage through increased monitoring at Maritime Operations Centres, modernising the Navy by leveraging technology for its operations, enhancing the welfare of sailors, and collaboration with stakeholders and international partners.

    Real Admiral Issah Adams Yakubu, the Chief of Navy Staff, announced this on Thursday at the opening ceremony of a two-day Chief of the Naval Staff’s annual conference in Accra.

    The conference is on the theme: “Adopting Resourceful and Innovative Measures to Transform the Ghana Navy into a Modern and Robust Naval Force.”

    The objective is to brainstorm to find solutions to the challenges in the maritime sector and define the way forward to achieve the agenda.

    Real Admiral Yakubu said the Navy was working assiduously to enhance maritime air patrols through collaboration with the Ghana Air Force and increased presence at sea through the deployment of new ships equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance equipment.

    “We will take account of our country’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats including its geography, political stability to determine the way forward in modernizing our fleet,” he said.

    The Chief of Navy Staff said there was the need to prioritise innovation by empowering personnel at all levels to bring forward new ideas and establishing a process to deliver design options through a full development cycle in a cost-effective way.

    In leveraging technology for its operations, Real Admiral Yakubu said the Navy would equip the Special Boat Squadron and Diving Unit with modern equipment for training and operations and the use of satellite systems on ships for real-time data exchange.

    On collaboration, he said the plan would encourage other services such as the Ghana Air Force and other maritime agencies as well as the regional and international partners to take a greater role in the sustainability of the strategy.

    “We will launch operation secure waters in partnership with local and international partners to ensure secured and safe maritime domain in the country and the continent”, he said.

    Real Admiral Yakubu, said though there were many criminal activities in the Gulf of Guinea, piracy remained the most visible issue of insecurity in the region and called for concerted efforts to address the menace.

    In 2020, the Gulf of Guinea accounted for 95 per cent of all kidnappings at sea with the actual and attempted attacks in the region increasing by 34 per cent from the 2019 figure of 59 to 79 in 2020, with 25 attacks so far, this year.

    He said Nigeria had commenced an aggressive campaign in its waters with a $195 million Deep Blue project, which was likely to dislocate criminals to operate further offshore and invulnerable and less patrolled waters.

    Real Admiral Yakubu stated that the threat posed by non-traditional security challenges should prompt a thorough re-examination of the strategies, tactics, and tools needed to keep the country’s water safe.

    Commodore Godwin Livinus Bessing, the Chief Staff Officer of Navy, said the conference would provide a platform for participants to pitch the vision of the Force and share ideas to facilitate the strategic trajectory of the Navy.

    He urged the participants to participate fully in the discussions and come out with a workable solution to curb the threats of maritime security in the region.

    Source: GNA

  • TV stations shutdown: You’ve done well but don’t stop! – Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah lauds NCA

    Governance expert, Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah has given rapturous applause to the National Communication Authority (NCA) regarding their move to shut down some Television stations.

    NCA Shuts Down TV Stations

    The National Communications Authority (NCA) has released a list of forty-nine (49) Television stations operating without authorization and announced its mission to shut them down.

    The NCA stated in a press release that the move is part of a continuous monitoring exercise conducted on various Satellite Free-to-Air Television platforms using the Broadcast Monitoring System (BMS) and the Radio Spectrum Monitoring System (RSMS).

    “The monitoring revealed that some channels were operating without valid Authorisations, contrary to Section 2(4) of the Electronic Communications Act 775 of 2008, which states that, Except as provided by this Act or any other law not inconsistent with this Act, a person shall not operate a broadcasting system or provide a broadcasting service without a frequency authorisation by the Authority,” the press release stated.

    “As a result, forty-nine (49) channels have been identified to be operating without valid Authorisations from the Authority and is being shut down accordingly,” the statement read.

    It added; “The NCA will continue monitoring to ensure that the use of spectrum is done in an efficient manner.”

    Nana Agradaa Arrested

    The NCA announcement comes on the heels of the arrest of the fetish priestess, Patience Asiedua, popularly known as Nana Agradaa.

    She has been apprehended for operating illegally and other fraud charges.

    Nana Agradaa owns two TV stations, Thunder TV and Ice TV, which have been currently shutdown on grounds that she uses her channels to advance her fraudulent activities and swindle innocent people.

    A joint team of Police and National Security Intelligence Operatives, in collaboration with the National Communications Authority on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, raided the premises of the satellite Television stations; Thunder TV and Ice1 TV.

    NCA Gets Thumbs Up

    Making submissions on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’ programme, Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah bemoaned the influx of unauthorized TV and radio stations that have crowded the media space.

    He expressed disgust over the stations using their platforms to corrupt society by showing inappropriate, money-doubling and deceitful contents.

    He patted the NCA on the back over their move and appealed to the Authority to continually monitor the media stations contents.

    “NCA has done a good job but they shouldn’t sit unconcerned for too long. They should crack the whip. They must ensure those who have to face the full rigours of the law are indeed dealt with.”

    Source: Peace FM

  • Five Ghanaians nabbed at Dubai International Airport for drug trafficking

    A total of five Ghanaians have been arrested at the Dubai International Airport since January 2021 for trying to traffic marijuana to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

    According to a statement by the Consulate General of Ghana in Dubai, all the five arrested had their parcels given to them by agents in Ghana who also acquired visas for their victims.

    They gave them instructions to give the parcel to their counterpart agents in the UAE on arrival.

    “It is also interesting to know that the weed is normally hidden in food items,” the statement on Wednesday, April 21 noted.

    “It may also interest you to know that currently, all the five people are in police detention. One of them has since been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, probably for carrying weed he was not aware of and weed that someone else would have benefited from.”

    The Consulate therefore advised Ghanaians resident in the UAE to inform relatives coming over to Dubai never to take any parcels from agents or any other person in Ghana “except if they can inspect and ascertain the true content of the message/parcel”.

    Source: 3 News

  • I’ll drastically deal with dwellers at ‘Ramsar Sites’ in the city – Henry Quartey

    Henry Quartey, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, has condemned the erecting of buildings along Ramsar site in the country.

    A Ramsar site is a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

    In ordinary terms, a Ramsar site is a waterprone area reserved to avoid national hazards like floods.

    Research indicates the Government of Ghana recently declared five coastal wetlands to be Ramsar sites.

    The sites are Muni-Pomadze, Densu Delta, Sakumono, Songor and Keta.

    In an interview with host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’ programme, the Minister revealed that about 2,000 houses have been built within areas earmarked as Ramsar sites, hence posing threats to the city and its dwellers.

    He explained that the building of houses and other facilities in the Ramsar site is a major cause of flooding in the city and therefore have pledged to deal with the situation in toto.

    “I’ve met stakeholders to provide me detailed reports on how those buildings found their way into the Ramsar sites . . . I’m also working towards securing an injunction on buildings at these sites and any person found culpable will be charged with contempt”, he cautioned.

    Mr Quartey urged Ghanaians to do the right thing and not encroach on the Ramsar sites.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Police hunt for contractor who stole equipment worth over GH¢1.6million

    The Accra Circuit Court has issued a warrant for the arrest of a contractor Swanzy Joe Nartey for allegedly stealing a hydraulic drilling machine worth GH¢1,695,216.

    In a public announcement published in the Wednesday, April 21, 2021 edition of the Daily Graphic newspaper, the Head of Public Affairs Unit/CID, Deputy Superintendent Ms Juliana Obeng said the 27-year-old suspect is wanted for the offence of stealing which is contrary to section 124 (1) of the Criminal and Other Offences Act, Act 29/60.

    “The Circuit Court, Accra has issued a warrant of arrest no. 32/2020B dated 23rd November 2020 for the immediate arrest of suspect Swanzy Joe Nartey for the offence of Stealing contrary to section 124 (1) of the Criminal Offences Act, Act 29/60,” the announcement said.

    According to the announcement, the suspect in the month of August 2014 collected a hydraulic drilling machine from the complainant on a work and pay system.

    He has since gone into hiding and the Police says all efforts made to trace him have proved futile.

    Suspect

    Nartey is 5.4 feet tall, dark in complexion with black hair and medium eyes.

    He was last seen at Takoradi and is believed to be hiding in Elubo, Takoradi, Half Assin or its environs.

    The statement directed persons with information that would lead to his arrest to contact the Director of Documentation and Visa Fraud Unit, CID Headquarters on the following phone numbers 0244140214, 0244636521 or call the Police command centre Nos’ 191 (all network), 18555 (MTN and Vodafone networks) or report to the nearest Police Station.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Dont destroy water bodies Cecilia Dapaah urges citizens

    Cecilia Abena Dapaah, Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, has stated emphatically that though Ghana is endowed with 53.2 billion cubic metres of water this does not give individuals or group of persons any excuse to destroy water bodies.

    “It is our duty to ensure that we keep our rivers and water-bodies clean so that the next generations to come will enjoy what God has given to us,” she said, adding that government is embarking on a number of water projects.

    “Sekondi-Takoradi very soon will benefit from a new water project; but unfortunately the intake is from the Pra River, and it is polluted and we cannot allow this to continue. Government has had enough; we need to support government, and when you see these activities you need to report to the authorities so those involved will be dealt with accordingly,” she said

    She added that: “Rivers were sacred entities that people feared to enter, but what do you see these days? They are always polluted by galamsey activities. We need to be active citizens and not spectators,” she said at Daboase in the Wassa East Municipality of the Western Region, after touring the Daboase Water Treatment Plant.

    She was accompanied by Samuel Abu Jinapor, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, and Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Minister for Information. They are on a three-day tour in the Western Region to visit some water treatment plants and river-bodies, as well as some landfill sites among others. She urged all to support government in the fight against illegal mining activities.

    Samuel Abu Jinapor, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, noted that although some efforts have been made on illegal small-scale mining and lessons have been learnt, there is still need for some national consensus and support toward the national policy relating to small scale mining.

    He said there should be a well-sanitised and regulated small scale mining industry that contributes to the forward march and local economies of the country.

    “President Akufo-Addo and his government are not against mining in Ghana, neither are we against small scale mining; in fact, on the contrary, we want to promote small scale mining and we want to do so on a regulated basis and in a responsible manner that does not compromise river/water-bodies and the environment,” he emphasised.

    He said there are several countries where small scale mining thrives, and thrives properly; hence, there is a need for national support. He added that there is need for reforms at the ministry and the Minerals Commission. “On the licencing and permitting regime, we need to look at it, and we are going to reform all of them to be centralised,” he said.

    He further revealed that the Forestry Commission has been directed not to issue any licence or permit to any individual or group of persons. “This will mean that no one can walk into any forest to mine, because forests and river-bodies are red lines no one should cross,” the minister warned.

    Again, he said: “I have directed all regional ministers across the country to take full control and responsibility for the security components in the fight against illegal mining”. He called on Ghanaians to see the fight against illegal mining as being a fight for all.

    Source: thebftonline.com

  • Road accidents: Your drivers are misbehaving, bring them to order – Allotey Jacobs fires GPRTU

    Social commentator, Bernard Allotey Jacobs has called on the Ministries of Transport, Roads and Highways to hold a stakeholder meeting with the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and all other transport unions to educate their drivers on the causes and effects of road accidents.

    Allotey Jacobs believed education will help curb the numerous road accidents in the country.

    Speaking on Peace FM’s ”Kokrokoo”, he noted that a lot of accidents are caused by reckless driving and other careless attitudes of vehicle drivers on the roads.

    He called on the transport unions to put their drivers into order.

    “The Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Roads must hold a meeting with GPRTU because sometimes, it’s the responsibility of the GPRTU and other transport unions. There is the need to engage them. Their drivers are misbehaving,” he stated.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Reopening date for SHS 3 students not extended, remains May 5 – GES

    The Ghana Education Service (GES) has stated that reopening date for final year senior high school students has not been extended.

    The GES which took notice of a Facebook post being circulated that the reopening date for SHS3 students has been postponed again to 28th May, 2021, said no such decision has been taken.

    “Management wishes to make it clear that no such decision has been made
    and that the reopening of SHS 3 students remains as 5th May 2021,” GES stated.

    It has therefore urged all students, staff, parents and the general public to to disregard the fake news being circulated by some unscrupulous persons.

    “Management again assures all that the new academic calendar will be
    published in due course,” GES added.

    Source: Atinka Online

  • Re-uniting street kids with families our priority Social Welfare

    The Social Welfare Department of Ghana has disclosed that they are more focused on uniting street kids with their various families rather than putting them in foster homes.

    The Assistant Director of the Social Welfare Department, Seth Appiagyei shared that when it comes to the reintegration process, the family unit is the best place for these kids as opposed to group homes.

    On his accord, uniting these children with their families is the only sure way of permanently keeping them off the streets.

    “Keeping these street children in Madina is a transitional phase. The best place the child is to be is with their families. When we keep them in our Madina facility for an extended period of time, they move back to the streets in a few weeks. So social workers do their best and we unite them with their families as soon as possible”.

    He indicated that these children always have the street story which is not the truth but after trusting social workers, they tell their true stories and that is where the efforts are made to locate their living relatives.

    “In reintegration, we prefer to take the children back to their roots than keeping them in a home. After finding out their real stories and homes, we take them to their parents rather than take them to homes across the country”, he stated.

    Seth shared these in an interview on the Happy Morning Show hosted by Samuel Eshun and hosted on e.TV Ghana and Happy98.9FM.

    The increasing trend of child beggars and street kids in Ghana has raised concerns amongst the public. Some fear the risks these children are exposed to and their future as at such a young stage, they are susceptible to negative peer influence.

    Source: Happy 98.9FM

  • Recruit only licenced teachers from next month or be sanctioned Private schools told

    The National Teaching Council (NTC) through the National School Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA) the regulator of pre-tertiary schools has informed all pre-tertiary private schools to ensure that from next month their teachers begin processes to acquire their teaching licence. Also, it has notified the private schools that all yet to be recruited teachers should be licenced before they are employed.

    Already, acquiring a licence is a prerequisite to becoming a teacher in a public school. Government introduced the teacher licensure examination in 2018, backed by the Education Act of 2008, Act 778, with the first-ever exams taking place in September 2018. The focus was on public school teachers from the onset, but the NTC has alerted NaSIA to include teacher licences in its inspection checklist.

    Speaking to the B&FT in an interview, the Executive Director of NaSIA, Dr. Haggar Hilda Ampadu, said her outfit has already put in place mechanisms to check the quality of teachers in public and private schools, and the licensure exams is a great addition.

    “By our standards, to have licenced teachers is a requirement and we were waiting on NTC to tell us when we can enforce that. By the letter they gave us to dispatch to all private schools, which we have, they are telling us that the time to enforce is now. This means that when we come to your school and we get your teacher list, we have to see that they are NTC-licenced teachers. That is something we are going to keenly look at,” Dr. Ampadu said.

    Background

    In accordance with the Education Act of 2008, Act 778, a teacher will write the licensure examination only once in their lifetime, when he or she seeks to enter the classroom. The licensure examination covers general numeracy, literacy and essential professional skills, which are based on the pedagogy learnings in school and based on the National Teaching Standards.

    Sample questions can be found on the NTC website, and just as with other professional examinations there are no past questions available. Since its inception in 2018, the licensure has witnessed an average pass rate of 73 to 75 percent, which is good by any standard. A candidate is able to go for as many re-sits as they find necessary.

    The licensure examination is open only to people who have a diploma, a first degree or postgraduate qualification in education. Holders of non-education first degrees are therefore required to do at least a Postgraduate Diploma in Education to qualify to write the licensure examination.

    Merits of licensure

    With the licensure examination, the NTC like other professional regulatory bodies such as the General Legal Council, Pharmacy Council or Nurses and Midwives Council gets to decide who is fit to be a teacher, rather than that fitness being presumed just because one has completed a diploma or degree in education.

    This way, the NTC has power to suspend or even revoke a licence from a teacher if he or she engages in unacceptable conduct, or otherwise fails to meet the standards expected of a teacher. This in turn weeds out the bad nuts, and maintains integrity and robustness of the profession.

    Source: thebftonline.com

  • Cleaning Accra: Bear with me; I’m not troublesome – Henry Quartey replies critics

    Minister for Greater Accra Region, Henry Quartey has reiterated his pledge to whip residents into line as he aims to make Accra a clean and safer place.

    The Minister is on a mission to keep the Capital City neat and therefore is taking all measures to accomplish his mission.

    One significant stride made by the Minister is his compulsory directive for commuters and residents at Madina to use the footbridge and stop crossing the road to endanger their lives and others.

    The Minister has been praised for his commitment and hard work.

    However, there is a section of the public that doesn’t agree with the Minister and also feels Hon. Henry Quartey’s mission will be a nine-day wonder.

    There are also fears that the Minister’s greatest opposition will be from the members and leaders in his own political party, the governing New Patriotic Party but according to Hon. Quartey is unfazed by any attempts to object to what he has set out to do.

    Speaking on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’ programme, the Minister asked Ghanaians, particularly indwellers in the Capital City and commuters in the Region, not to think he has come to cause trouble.

    “They shouldn’t see Henry Quartey as troublesome. But they should see it that Accra is a place where we all live and go about our daily activities; let’s help to make where we live neat and clean . . . “

    He called for them to join the crusade against filth and indiscipline in the Region.

    Source: Peace FM