TIG Post

Author: Persis

  • Banking crisis: Receiver of 347 Micro Finance Institutions lists properties for auction

    The Receiver of the 347 Microfinance Institutions (“MFIs”) and 23 Savings and Loans, and Finance Houses that collapsed or had their licenses revoked, is calling for bids from the general public on some properties belonging to the financial institutions.

    In a signed statement Eric Nana Nipah, the Receiver has asked interested parties in Landed Properties of the defunct financial institutions to submit their bids before Friday, March 26, 2021, for consideration.

    The Bank of Ghana on Friday, May 31, 2019, announced it had revoked the operating licenses of some 347 microfinance institutions across the country and instituted similar action against some 39 microcredit operators.

    According to the central bank, some of the affected institutions had become insolvent whilst others had been out of operation for some time.

    Eric Nana Nipah who was appointed Receiver of the collapsed intuitions and mandated to secure all assets of the resolved companies and maximise their realisation for the benefit of creditors, is asking bidders to forward their bids in a signed and dated formal letter through the address: The Receiver, No. 54 Olusegun Obasanjo Highway, Opposite Accra Girls Senior High School, Accra.”

    The properties listed for auction by the Receiver include parcels of land and buildings. Some of the properties are situated in both Accra and Takoradi for some of the companies.

    See the full list of properties available for auction below:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Persons who fail to partake in population census could be jailed – GSS

    Government statistician Professor Samuel Kobina Annim has urged the general public to participate in the 2021 digital population and housing census.

    According to him, failure to do so or supply false information will be liable to 12 months jail term.

    Speaking on The Probe on Joy News, Professor Samuel Kobina Annim raised concerns on the need for all persons to take part in the exercise to ensure the country has accurate data to operate with.

    “There is no room for a person or group of persons in Ghana to abstain from the census exercise. Indeed, clause 54 of the Statistical Service Act (2019) has the caption offences and penalties and it mandates everyone in Ghana to give us accurate data willingly once we approach the person,” he said.

    He further indicated that his outfit will work around the clock to convince residents who are doubtful of the process through education, publicity, and advocacy.

    “We would around this time want to find out people who for one reason or another will not want to participate in the census and we are optimistic that once we do the education, once we tell them why this census is important, we will urge all of them to come on board for the activity.”

    Prof Annim also added that the law would be allowed to take effect if individuals are still unwilling to participate.

    “As I indicated, clause 54 is offences and penalty and in there it says that somebody who gives wrongful information or declines to give information is liable to not more than 12 months imprisonment and 200 units of penalty.”

    2021 Population Census

    The 2021 Population Census is expected to begin on Sunday, June 27. The date has been approved by the Presidency and the National Census Steering Committee.

    The GSS is the lead agency for the conduct of the census and has divided the country into 51,921 enumeration areas to ensure easy collection of geospatial data across the 260 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Gov’t providing bereaved families with psychological support – Gender Minister

    The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has commiserated with the families and people of Apam on the drowning of some children a few weeks ago.

    She said that it is an unfortunate happening that is regrettable but she is hopeful that with the help of some psychologists, they should be able to help them deal with the situation.

    She made this known during a follow-up meeting at Apam as well as an engagement of the Gomoa West District Assembly with the Ghana Psychological Association/Mental Health Authority.

    The meeting was also towards the intervention for the survivors and families of the Apam.

    “We know how hard it is for the affected parents and families in particular and so our team of psychologists will stay behind and provide the necessary psychological support to the affect families,” Sarah Adwoa Safo said.

    The Member of Parliament for the Done-Kwabenya constituency also encouraged the families with scriptures from the Bible, urging them to stay strong.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Govts decision not to increase salaries disappointing, frustrating NEC SSA-Unis of Ghana

    The National Executive Council of the Senior Staff Association-Universities of Ghana has described the unilateral decision of the government not to increase salaries and wages of public sector workers until 2024 as not only “shocking and worrying” but “disappointing, frustrating and traumatizing”.

    According to the council, salaries and wages are determined by a Tripartite Committee and not solely by the government.

    The council in a statement wondered that if the government is unable to increase salaries of public sector workers due to the effect of the covid-19 pandemic on the economy could the government not have engaged the national leadership of unions in stakeholder consultative meetings to prepare their minds for no salaries adjustment?

    The council noted that tertiary education plays a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of the country and contribute immensely to the sustenance of these gains and, therefore, it is shocking and demotivating that instead of the government consolidating and motivating them to continue to improve and expand their frontiers, it has “chosen to inject into our body system a high dose of agony and worsening economic conditions intended to lower or even kill the velocity” of its members with its unilateral position not to increase wages and salaries until 2024.

    The statement further said its members are unable to tighten their belt as the government has asked them to do because of the following reasons:

    1. Our conditions of service which is supposed to be reviewed every two years have been in arrears since 2008.

    2. We were ignored and discriminated against in the determination and award of Market Premium and Non-basic allowance

    3. The 28th January 2021 National Labour Commission Directive contained in reference number: NLC/G-572/019/2021, that states that the parties should go back to the negotiation table to negotiate in good faith on the non-basic allowance and when the Tier 2 pension arrears wound be paid.

    4. That the parties are given three months to engage in the negotiations and report to the commission.

    5. That the government should do everything possible to pay the pensions arears that is outstanding by the end of March 2021.

    We strongly suspect three things that either government intends to

    1. Rubbish the NLC directives

    2. Stall the current negotiation of our conditions of service that is underway or

    3. Ask for an extension of time.

    The council noted that no one should blame them for any action that they may initiate any time soon.

    Source: Class FM

  • UHAS researchers document medical terminologies in minority languages of Volta

    A research group from the University of Health and Allied Sciences has documented medical terminologies in the Sideme and Tegbor languages to bridge the communication gap between health care providers and patients in Avatime and Tafi traditional areas of the Volta Region.

    Avatime and Tafi are two of four minority language areas of the region, which is predominantly Ewe speaking.

    The group, led by Dr. Nathaniel Glover-Meni as principal investigator, worked on the topic “Engendering healthcare among language minority areas in the Volta Region (Ghana) using indigenous communication strategies: A case of the Avatime and Tafi Traditional Areas.”

    Other team members are Mr. Dominic Agyei, Mr. Joy Ato Nyarko, and Ms. Mabel Frempong.

    At a community engagement on the project held at Vane on March 5 to disseminate the findings of the research, Dr. Glover-Meni disclosed that the research established the prevalence of the communication gap between language minority populations and health care professionals, a situation that does not promote good communication for good health outcomes.

    It also established that there was limited use of indigenous communication strategies within the health care setting.

    The compiled Medical Terminologies will be made available to health workers in the areas under this study and to the regional and district/municipal health directorates in the hope that the availability of this resource will help health providers who are not indigenes to better appreciate the health needs of the people.

    Osie Adjah Tekpor VII, Paramount Chief of Avatime Traditional area, said he was pleased with the effort of the team and requested that they extend such work to other minority areas across the country to help bridge the identified communication gap in order to enhance health delivery in those areas.

    Source: uhas.edu.gh

  • Man killed and tied to an electric pole

    A man believed to be in his 60s has been found dead at Dennis, a suburb at Gomoa Budumburam in the Central Region.

    The man was found dead and tied to an electric pole on Sunday, March 21, 2021.

    Residents are currently in a state of shock and wondering who could have killed the man.

    The man who is yet to be identified had a wire tied to his belly as well as his legs tied with a red cloth with his hands also tied to his back.

    The body has since been deposited at the Specialist Hospital morgue for autopsy.

    The Ghana Police Service has also begun an investigation into the matter.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • 90,000 health workers outside COVID-19 epicentres to be vaccinated GHS

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) will from Monday, March 22, begin the vaccination of 90,000 health workers outside the COVID-19 epicentres in the country.

    The GHS said it would create two vaccination centres in each district to speed up the immunization exercise.

    On Tuesday, March 2, the GHS started the vaccination of people with underlying health conditions, those who are 60 years and above, members of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, as well as media practitioners in epicentres of the Coronavirus disease.

    Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director-General of the GHS, in an update on the COVID-19 vaccination programme on Sunday, said the Service had so far vaccinated 468,581 people as of 1130 hours on March 21.

    Out of the figure, 1,575 people reported minor adverse effects, including headaches, fever, pains at injection spot and general bodily pains.

    Of the total 260,954 people were vaccinated in the Greater Accra Region, comprising 126,165 females and 134,789 males and Ashanti Region had vaccinated 195,449 made up of 110,120 females and 84,729 males.

    The Central Region vaccinated 12,178 people, comprising 6,182 females and 5,996 males.

    The government commenced inoculation of COVID-19 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines in 43 districts in the Greater Accra, Central and Ashanti regions, which are regarded as the epicentres of the respiratory disease.

    Dr Kuma-Aboagye stated that no incident of Blood Clotting was reported during its Adverse Events Monitoring Investigations.

    He said contrary to reports of blood clotting in some European countries, Ghana’s vaccination programme was well patronized with over 400,000 people receiving their first jab of the vaccine.

    Dr Kuma-Aboagye said the vaccines were under Emergency Use Authorisation and were not supposed to be administered by private individuals.

    He, therefore, urged the public to report anyone selling or administering doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to any person at a fee for immediate arrest.

    So far, the Police arrested three persons for selling and administering the vaccines without authorisation.

    Dr Kuma-Aboagye said, in the coming weeks, the GHS would take delivery of more vaccines from the COVAX Facility and the African Medicine Platform.

    The government expects to administer 42 million doses of the vaccines to 20 million Ghanaians, with each adult taking two jabs, to create herd immunity for the population.

    Source: 3 News

  • Kafaba witch lynching: Alleged killer pregnant, wants court bail

    One of two female suspects being tried for allegedly instigating the gruesome murder of Akua Denteh, a 90-year-old woman in Kafaba, Savannah Region, over claims of witchcraft, has applied to the Tamale High Court for bail.

    Sherina Mohammed, aka Hajia Filipina, aged 40, according to a Daily Guide report sighted by GhanaWeb has reported to the court that she is pregnant and therefore must be granted bail on health grounds.

    The suspect has been in custody for about eight months following her arrest in July 2020, and the proof of when and how she became pregnant will predictably be a matter of huge public interest.

    However, according to Daily Guide, the pregnancy issue initially came up on February 22, during the case management before the trial, upon which the court made an order for a pregnancy test to be conducted on March 16.

    Francis Ayamwuni Asobayire, the State Attorney prosecuting the case objected to the application, arguing that there was no medical record to prove that the suspect was indeed pregnant.

    The Tamale High Court 1 however decided in the “interest of justice” to order a pregnancy test so that it can make a determination on the bail request.

    A state Attorney reportedly informed the Daily Guide that a determination on whether the suspect was pregnant or not was not going to affect the court process adding that the state had prepared a team of three attorneys to ensure the case is fast-tracked.

    The prosecution has hinted it will be calling its witnesses on the next scheduled dates for sitting which will be March 29, and March 30.

    Facts of the case

    Hajia Filipina and one Latifah Bumeye a 25-year-old-trader believed to be an associate of the ringleader in the Akua Denteh murder lynching, have pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, murder and trial by ordeal.

    The prosecution has informed the court that the accused persons took the 90-year-old victim through unlawful trials which are against the laws of the country, by compelling her to drink a concoction to prove she was not a witch, thereby resulting in her death.

    The incident took place in Kafaba in the East Gonja Municipality of the Savannah Region last year.

    Five suspects namely Haruna Anass, 34; Issahaka Tanko, 35; Shaibu Murtala, 29; Sulemana Ali, 35; and Issahaka Sachebu, 32, were initially arrested in connection with the lynching but subsequently discharged.

    The gruesome killing of Madam Akua Denteh which was captured on video caused public outrage with several calls for legislation to protect old women against such similar treatments, especially in the northern parts of the country, where women, especially widows, are treated as witches.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Three students on motorbike crashed to death at Adeiso

    Three students of the Adeiso Presbyterian Senior High School in the Upper West Akyem District of the Eastern Region have been crushed to death in a fatal accident.

    The accident occurred on Saturday when three Hyundai H100 commercial vehicles overtaking each other knocked down the students on a motorbike at Adeiso.

    The three students, one in third year, the other in second, and a first-year student died instantly.

    Over a dozen passengers who sustained serious injuries were rushed to Nsawam Government Hospital.

    The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the same Hospital.

    The accident occurred a few hours after the former Member of Parliament (MP) for the area Derrick Ohene Bekoe was also involved in a near-fatal accident on the same road.

    According to the reports, two speeding Nissan 4×4 cars with registration number GT-2624-E and GR-6545-P were heading towards Nsawam while the former legislator was heading towards Asamankese from the opposite direction with his Toyota Fortuner with registration number GR-8334 18 onboard three members of the opposition National Democratic Congress.

    However, upon reaching Sukurong Bethlehem stretch of the road his vehicle crashed with the two Nissan cars.

    The former MP and the three persons in his vehicle sustained injuries as well as occupants of the other vehicles. They were rushed to Asamankese Government Hospital.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Ten arrested by forest guards for illegal activities in Afrensu Brouhuma Reserve

    The Forestry Commission Task Force has arrested ten persons for farming in the Afrensu Brouhuma Forest Reserve in Offinso in the Ashanti Region.

    The intruders have also built homes in what is supposed to be a virgin forest.

    Routine patrol by forest guards uncovered the illegal activity of the farmers.

    About fifty structures were destroyed during the operation. The Commission also seized over 50 chainsaw machines.

    The Forestry Commission also impounded five motorbikes, three tricycles and arrested eight persons.

    The law prohibits the construction of permanent structures and the establishment of farms in forest reserves without permission but the effects of illegal farming and chainsaw operators have depleted parts of the forest.

    Ghana`s forest cover depleted from 8.2 million hectares in the 1980s to 1.6 million hectares in 2018.

    Source: 3 News

  • Wenchi SHS geography tutor involved in Kintampo waterfalls disaster still bedridden

    Daniel Alubadek, a geography tutor of the Wenchi Methodist Senior High School, who took some of his students on an excursion to the Kintampo waterfalls, and suffered a disaster, is still bedridden, four years after the unfortunate event.

    According to medical reports sighted by GhanaWeb, Alubadek needs $91,571 to undergo emergency neurosurgery in the United States of America in order to be able to walk again.

    The report from Clearwater, Florida US, states that the patient is a candidate for autologous adipose stem cell therapy for his spinal cord injury, something that has resulted in his paralysis.

    “His therapy will include removal of his adipose tissue and administered intrathecally to promote the healing of his nerve system within the thecal sac to the brain,” parts of the report read.

    “The cost of the first therapy is $11,741. Each additional injection which can be performed every two months will be an additional $8,870. As requested, we can perform 10 injections every two months for two years for a total 10 injections. The total cost for the 10 therapies will be $91,571,” the report reads further.

    Daniel Alubadek is quoted in a mynewsgh report as saying: “There has not been any massive improvement since the unfortunate incident. There is an arrangement with [the] Government for some little support. At the initial stages, the former headmaster tried for me to get some treatment. Sometime ago, the Minister for Tourism and Culture during one of her visits to the school was reminded of my situation. She promised to liaise with authorities so I get the best […] treatment.”

    Twenty people, mostly students on an excursion, lost their lives while over 21 others sustained injuries after trees crashed on them following a heavy rainstorm on Sunday, March 19, 2017.

    Most of the victims were students of the Wenchi Senior High School (SHS) in the Brong-Ahafo Region while others were tourists. The tourist site was closed down following the incident while a committee was set up by the Government of Ghana to probe the cause of the tragedy.

    Presenting a report to Parliament, the then Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Catherine Afeku, stated:

    “The report concluded that although this was an act of God, a number of remote and immediate causes were identified as being instrumental to the accident”.

    Read below the medical report.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • South Africa’s powerful Zulu nation appoints Queen as interim leader

    South Africa’s powerful Zulu nation has a new ruler — for now, according to local media outlets.

    eNCA quoted palace sources as confirming that Queen Mantfombi MaDlamini Zulu has been named as interim successor in the late King Goodwill Zwelithini’s will.

    This is until the queen decides who will take over as Zulu monarch, the report added.

    The sister of King Mswati the third, Queen MaDlamini married King Zwelithini in 1973.

    The King was buried – in Zulu tradition ‘planted’ – on Thursday, March 18 after a colourful ceremony. The burial was a nighttime and men-only event according to Zulu tradition.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Congo-Brazzaville presidential poll likely to hand win to ’emperor’

    Citizens in Congo-Brazzaville headed to the polls on Sunday to vote in a presidential election that looks likely to hand Denis Sassou-Nguesso, who’s led for decades, another term in office.

    At more than 35 years in office total, the 70-year-old Sassou-Nguesso is one of Africa’s longest-serving presidents, which has earned him the nickname “emperor.” His six challengers are seen as having little chance of winning, despite an economic crisis due to low oil prices.

    Sassou-Nguesso’s strongest challenger, Guy Brice Parfait Kolelas, announced shortly before the vote that he had tested positive for the coronavirus. He is set to be taken to France on Sunday for treatment.

    Kolelas finished second in the last presidential election in 2016.
    Results of the election are expected in two days.

    Interior Minister Raymond Mboulou said on state television that things were calm at the polls. Access to the internet and social networks was blocked on Sunday, but mobile networks and phone lines were still working, unlike in the previous election five years ago.

    Congo-Brazzaville, with a population of about 5 million, is one of Africa’s largest oil producers.

    However, the country is very poor, with the number of citizens in extreme poverty increasing since 2016, according to the World Bank.

    Source: GNA

  • EU’s Vaccine donations to poor countries on hold

    The European Union is not currently in the position to directly donate coronavirus vaccines to poorer countries, said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

    “There is quite a bit of pressure on member states to obtain the vaccine for themselves,” she told the Funke Media Group.

    However, von der Leyen underscored the EU’s financial support for the COVAX initiative, an effort by the World Health Organization to give poorer countries access to vaccines.

    “The EU has invested 2.2 billion euros [2.6 billion dollars] in this initiative. COVAX has already delivered 30 million doses of vaccine to 52 countries,” she said.

    The mechanism that allows the bloc to share vaccine directly with other countries will not start “until we have a better production situation in the EU,” according to von der Leyen.

    The Commission president had aggressively campaigned for providing vaccines to people around the world back in spring 2020. However, most doses are being administered in rich countries.

    Source: GNA

  • Victims of disasters need Psychosocial intervention Dr Agyemang

    The National President of the Ghana Psychological Association, Dr Collins Badu Agyemang has urged the Government of Ghana to provide Psychosocial intervention to victims of disasters.

    According to Dr Agyemang, providing shelter and accommodation to victims of disaster is essential, but the most important of them all is ensuring that the survivors of disasters have a clear mind to help them readjust into the society.

    Dr Agyemang who was speaking at an intervention programme for survivors and families of the recent Apam beach drowning disaster noted that organizations such as the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) must incorporate Psychosocial intervention as part of their services to victims of disasters.

    He said: “It was about time we incorporated Psychosocial intervention in the management of disaster. If we give mattresses, food and money then what next? What if the person cannot sleep, then what will they do with the mattresses? What if you give them food and the person cannot eat?”

    Dr Agyemang further noted that Psychosocial Intervention is the surest way to help families and survivors of accidents from recovering from their setbacks.

    “So we are suggesting that we need to incorporate the services of a psychologist in a number of agencies within our organizational structure, security services, NADMO especially; we need to bring these professionals on board so that holistically we will manage challenges in the wake of these disasters,” Dr Agyemang told the media.

    Twelve teenagers, aged from 13 and 18 years, drowned in the sea at an Apam beach on March 7. Their bodies have since been recovered and buried.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Former MP involved in car crash

    The former Member of Parliament for Upper West Akim Constituency in the Eastern Region, Derick Ohene Assifu Bekoe, was involved in a motor accident in the late hour of Sunday.

    The accident occurred at Sukunu Bethlehem, near Asuokow on the Asamankesse-Nsawam highway, in a head-on collision.

    The MP is currently receiving treatment at the Asamankesse Government Hospital with two other party executives who were on board his vehicle.

    The Upper West Akim Constituency Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ken Dadzi, who was with the former MP, explained that former MP met party executives and some members at Asuokow.

    He said on his return from Asuokow, the former MP, who was driving a Toyota Fortuner with registration number GR 8334 -18, met two Nissan 4 X 4 vehicles with registration numbers GR 6545 P and GE 2624 E, at the Sukunu Bethlehem stretch of the road.

    The Chairman said the two Nissan vehicles attempted to dodge some potholes on the road and, in the process, swerved into the on-coming lane which the MP was rightfully driving on.

    Mr. Dadzi explained that the two cars therefore collided with that of the former MP.

    One of the drivers in the Nissan vehicles also sustained hand injury and has also been rushed to the hospital.

    The Asamankesse police are currently investigating the accident.

    Source: 3 News

  • Heartbreaking picture of renowned photographer Bob Pixel emerges

    Pictures, they say depict a thousand words but some images leave lasting impressions.

    One such is an image of the late Emmanuel Bobbie also known as Bob Pixel, which has surfaced online.

    The image which has been shared numerous times on various social media platforms depict the photographer slumped by a tree taking a rest with his camera around his neck at a function.

    From the image, one could tell a very exhausted Bob Pixel was at a funeral.

    The renowned photographer and filmmaker is known for capturing captivating and beautiful images of gatherings, weddings, tourist sites, festivals and other gatherings in Ghana and across the world.

    He is also known to have worked with various top personalities and brands in Ghana and across the world.

    Bob passed away on February 25, 2021 after a short illness. He left behind a wife and three children.

    A solemn funeral service was held for him on Saturday March 20, 2021 in Accra. Many sympathizers and well-wishers who attended the ceremony filed past his remains.

    See the image and some reactions from Twitter below.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Claims coronavirus cost GH¢1.7b inaccurate – Government

    Government has described as false reports that it spent only GH¢1.7 billion on COVID-19 related expenditure.

    According to the government, it spent a total of GH¢19 billion on the pandemic.

    It follows a Joy News’ publication claiming the government only spent GH¢1.7 billion contrary to the GH¢19 billion quoted in the 2021 budget statement and economic policy.

    However, a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance in Accra on Friday 19th March 2021 refuted the claims adding that the GH¢1.7 billion quoted by the media house represents expenditures on only two items under the COVID-19 related expenditures.

    “The Ministry’s attention has been drawn to media publications claiming that government spent GH¢1.7 billion on the COVID-19 pandemic, even though the government says it spent GH¢19 billion. The Ministry hereby informs the general public that these publications are incorrect. The GH¢1.7 billion reflects expenditures on only two items under the COVID-19 related expenditures, namely, COVID-19 Alleviation Programme 1 (CAP1) and Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan 1. Other COVID-19 expenditures were Covid-19 Alleviation Programme 2 (CAP2), COVID-19 Preparedness Plan 2, Provision of Health Infrastructure, Seed Fund for Capitalisation of Development Bank, among others” it said.

    The statement said as of end-December 2020, Ghana incurred a revenue shortfall of GH¢11,942.7 million and an expenditure increase of GH¢14,074.2 million in relation to their respective targets in the 2020 Budget passed in Parliament in November 2019.

    It also clarified reports suggesting that the COVID-19 levy will be used in paying for the 2020 COVID-19 free water and electricity expenditure stating that the newly approved levy is not a direct charge for the 2020 freebies and should not be misconstrued.

    “The Ministry also notes media reports suggesting that the government has announced a COVID-19 levy to be utilized in paying for free water and electricity of 2020. Again this is incorrect. The Minister of Information’s comment to the effect that COVID-19 expenses include water and electricity ought not to be misconstrued to mean the new taxes of 2021 are a direct charge for those services,” the statement added.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Ghana Health Service to inquire into the alleged stealing and selling of Coronavirus vaccines

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has said it has instituted an administrative inquiry into the alleged theft of some COVID-19 vaccines by three staff of the service who work in various hospitals in the Greater Accra Region.

    “The Service condemns such alleged criminal acts in no uncertain terms” the GHS press statement issued Saturday 20 March read. “An administrative inquiry is being instituted and appropriate sanctions shall be applied if they are found culpable. The Service commits to cooperate with the security agencies to unravel the circumstances leading to this illicit act.”

    The Service assured Ghanaians that the vaccines are not for sale adding that citizens should report anyone who attempts to sell them a vaccine.

    “The Service once again assures the general public, that together with all stakeholders, we shall ensure that all persons eligible for the vaccine get it free of charge,” the statement signed by Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director-General of GHS stressed.

    Background

    Officials of the National Security arrested three persons for their alleged involvement in the stealing and sale of COVISHIELD vaccines belonging to the Government of Ghana.

    Stephen Dzisenu, a 37-year-old Disease Control Officer of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital) is said to have stolen 36 vials of COVIDSHIELD.

    Also, Lord Pabitey, a Disease Control Officer of the La Bawaleshie Polyclinic, who is now at large, allegedly stole 26 vials of the COVIDSHIELD vaccine.

    Cosmos Allotey, the third suspect, is a 42-year-old Occupational Health and Safety Officer, who is said to have received the stolen COVIDSHIELD from Pabitey and Dzisenu.

    Allotey allegedly administered the vaccines at a cost of GH¢200.00 per jab.

    Joseph Knight Gaisie, a Project Assistant and a former Laboratory Technician at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital is also being held for abetment of crime.

    The three Dzisenu, Gaisie and Allotey have been remanded into lawful custody by an Accra Circuit Court to reappear on April 1.

    Prosecuting, Detective Sergeant Frederick Sarpong, prayed the court presided over by Mrs. Afia Owusuaa not to grant the accused persons bail as investigations were ongoing and efforts were underway to arrest others believed to be involved in the alleged crime.

    No charges have been preferred against the accused persons. Neither was any charges read out to them in court. However, the facts of the case were read out in open court.

    Detective Sergeant Sarpong said averred that the accused persons, when granted bail may interfere with investigations. He said from the facts, other persons involved were yet to be arrested and hence prayed the court to keep them in custody.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Ghana’s coronavirus deaths rise to 713, active cases drop to 3,343

    Ghana’s COVID-19 deaths have risen to 713 following the confirmation of eight more fatalities by the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

    The latest update from the GHS further indicated that 40 people were in severe condition with 17 others in critical condition.

    However, the country’s active cases have declined to 3,343 from a previous 3,621 despite the confirmation of 363 new infections across the nation since the last update on Thursday, March 18, 2021.

    The new infections were from tests conducted as of March 15, 2021.

    The country has also recorded an additional 857 recoveries, pushing its total recoveries and discharges to 84,952 from a previous 84,095.

    The remaining active cases the GHS said were being managed at treatment sites and isolation centres across the country, with some under home management.

    Ghana has recorded a total of 89,008 cases of the virus since it confirmed its first two cases in March 2020.

    Out of the total confirmed cases, 31,013 were from the General Surveillance; 56,712 from the Enhanced Contact Tracing, and 1,283 from international travellers disembarking at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) since it was re-opened on September 1, 2020.

    Also, 961,744 tests were conducted out of which 292,312 were from routine surveillance, 479,393 from contact tracing, and 190,039 from international travelers arriving through the KIA.

    The positivity rate is 9.3 percent.

    Currently, all 16 regions have an active case.

    The Greater Accra Region remains the hotspot, accounting for almost 50 percent (1,663) of active cases, with a cumulative case count of 49,370

    The Ashanti Region has 293 active cases with a case count of 15,177, followed by the Western Region with 166 active cases and a cumulative of 5,602.

    Others are: Eastern Region, 139 active cases and 4,036 cumulative; Central Region 328 active and 3,190 cumulative; Volta Region, 176 active and 2,256 cumulative; Bono East Region 61 active and 1,316 cumulative, Northern Region 46 active and 1,576 cumulative, and Upper East Region 54 active and 1,277 cumulative.

    The rest are: Western North Region, 20 active cases, 839 cumulative, Bono Region, 114 active, 1,262 cumulative, Ahafo Region, 11 active and 686 cumulative, Oti Region, 27 active and 376 cumulative, Upper West, 91 active and 456 cumulative, Savannah Region, 15 active and 112 cumulative, and North East, 36 active and 194 cumulative.

    There are also 103 active cases from international travelers at the KIA.

    Ghana began her mass vaccination exercise on March 2, this year after taking delivery of some 600,000 doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines on February 24.

    So far, a total of 405,000 people have been vaccinated against the virus as of Thursday, March 18, 2021 in the first phase in the country.

    Government said it hoped to vaccinate about 20 million of the population to stem the spread of the virus.

    Source: GNA

  • Bawumia launches 100-day census countdown today

    Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia will announce the 2021 Housing and Population Census (PHC) today, Friday, March 19, when he launches the 100-day count down to the Census.

    The Census Night is the reference date for census enumeration and all questions asked during the enumeration would relate to that night.

    It also determines the actual date for the conduct of the 2021 census.

    The Ghana Statistical Service is the lead agency to conduct the census, as stipulated in Clause three of the Statistical Service Act, 2019 (Act 1003).

    The census will provide comprehensive, reliable, quality, relevant, accurate and timely statistical information to guide national development.

    The 2021 census was initially scheduled to be conducted in 2020 but had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the Service is on course to begin the collection of data in the second quarter of 2021, an official statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, said.

    The preparations for the census had reached an advanced stage with many key activities like the delineation of the entire country into about 52,000 enumeration areas, finalisation of enumeration instruments and quality assurance procedures concluded, the Service said.

    In addition, three trial censuses, two trial post enumeration surveys and procurement of logistics had been completed, while the recruitment and training of about 75,000 census officials to be deployed for the exercise are ongoing.

    The 100-day countdown will bring together a diverse group of policy-makers and stakeholders who will be strategic partners in the implementation of the Census.

    The magnitude and complexity of census implementation required the involvement of key stakeholders and the public for success, it said.

    Source: Class FM

  • Gent star Osman Bukari handed debut Black Stars call-up for AFCON qualifiers

    Gent midfielder Osman Bukari has been invited for Ghana’s AFCON qualifiers against South Africa and Sao Tome later this month by Coach Charles Kwabla Akonnor.

    The 22-year old is among five other foreign-based players to receive a maiden call up from Black Stars coach Akonnor for the doubleheader next week.

    Osman has been top form for Belgian side Gent in the ongoing season since joining the side in the summer,

    The former Accra Lions winger has made 24 appearances, scored four goals and registered six assists in the ongoing season.

    The other debutants are Stephen Ambrosius (Hamburger SV), Kamal Sowah (OH Leuven), Kwasi Okyere Wriedt (Willem II), Kwame Afriyie Opoku (Colchester United) and Emmanuel Gyasi (Spezia FC).

    Below is the squad

    Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori (Orlando Pirates South Africa), Razak Abalora (Asante Kotoko – Ghana), Eric Ofori Antwi (Medeama SC – Ghana), Danlad Ibrahim (Asante Kotoko- Ghana)

    Full Backs: Baba Abdul Rahman (PAOK Greece), Gideon Mensah (Vitória de Guimarães Portugal), Benson Annan (MLK Zilina Slovakia), Philemon Baffuor (Dreams FC Ghana)

    Central Defenders: Nicholas Opoku (Amiens SC France), Kasim Nuhu (1899 Hoffenheim Germany), Ganiyu Ismael (Asante Kotoko Ghana), Stephen Ambrosius (Hamburger SV Germany)

    Central Midfield: Kudus Mohammed (Ajax Amsterdam Holland), Mubarak Wakaso (Jiangsu Suning F.C – China), Afriyie Acquah (Yeni Malatyaspor – Turkey), Emmanuel Lomotey (Amiens SC – France), Iddrisu Baba (RCD Mallorca Spain), Gladson Awako (Great Olympics -Ghana), Kwame Afriyie Poku (Colchester United England)

    Left Attacking Midfield: Osman Bukari (Gent Belgium), Joseph Esso (Dreams FC- Ghana)

    Right Attacking Midfield: Kamal Sowah (OH Leuven- Belgium), Fatawu Issahaku (Steadfast FC Ghana)

    Attackers: Emmanuel Boateng (Dalian Professional- China), Emmanuel Gyasi (Spezia Italy), Kwame Opoku (Asante Kotoko Ghana), John Antwi (Pyramids FC Egypt), Kwasi Okyere Wriedt (Willem II Holland), Caleb Ekuban (Trabzonspor Turkey).

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Ibrahim Tanko announces 20-man squad for Uzbekistan friendly

    The Ghana Football Association is delighted to announce an International friendly between Ghana and Uzbekistan on Thursday, March 25, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

    The GFA has therefore decided to honour the match with a chunk of the home-based players who have been preparing in Accra for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers as the Association intends to utilize fully, the opportunity in the March FIFA window with this useful exercise.

    The team will also use the match as a dress rehearsal for the 2021 WAFU Cup of Nations in Nigeria and the upcoming CHAN qualifiers.

    As a result, Coach of the home-based Black Stars, Ibrahim Tanko has named a 20-man squad for the friendly. With a number of these players currently training with the Black Stars in Accra, he has decided to make some few additions for the game.

    Samuel Ashie Quaye, Percious Boah and Afriyie Barnieh of the victorious Black Satellites team have been drafted in.

    Accra Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Richard Atta has also been called up.

    The team will depart Accra on Monday, March 22, play the game on Thursday, March 24 and return on Friday, March 26, 2021.

    The squad:

    Goalkeepers: Joseph Addo (Aduana FC), Richard Atta (Hearts of Oak), William Essu (Vision FC)

    Defenders: Christopher Nakai Nettey (Asante Kotoko), Imoro Ibrahim (Asante Kotoko), Yussif Mubarik (Asante Kotoko), Joseph Adjei (Legon Cities), Yiadom Konadu (WAFA), Dennis Korsah (Ebusua Dwarfs), Samuel Ashie (Great Olympics)

    Midfielders: Justice Blay (Medeama SC), Moro Salifu (Bechem United), Rashid Nortey (Medeama SC), Michel Otou (Great Olympics), Maxwell Nii Abbey Quaye (Great Olympics), Agyenim Boateng (Dreams FC)

    Strikers: Afriyie Barnieh (Hearts of Oak), Percious Boah (Dreams FC), Kwame Pepprah (King Faisal), Diawusie Taylor (Karela United).

    Source: ghanafa.org

  • CK Akonnor names final squad for AFCON qualifiers

    Black Stars Head Coach C. K Akonnor has named a 29-man squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe. The team is a mixture of home based and others who play abroad.

    Coach Akonnor who has been training with home-based players in Accra for the past four weeks has settled on Nine of those players for the two crucial games.

    They include Gladson Awako, Joseph Esso, Ismael Ganiyu, Razak Abalora, Eric Ofori Antwi and Kwame Opoku.

    Black Satellites trio, Danlad Ibrahim, Philemon Baffuor and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku have also been named.

    In the squad are Stephen Ambrosius of Hamburger SV in Germany, Kamal Sowah of OH Leuven in Belgium, Kwasi Okyere Wriedt of Willem II in Holland, Kwame Afriyie Opoku of Colchester United, Osman Bukari of Gent and Emmanuel Gyasi of Spezia FC in Italy.

    Ghana will take on South Africa on March 25 in Johannesburg before engaging Sao Tome and Principe on March 29, 2021 at the Accra Sports stadium.

    The Black Stars sit at the top of Group C with 9 points and are in search of one of the tickets to the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

    The squad:

    Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori (Orlando Pirates South Africa), Razak Abalora (Asante Kotoko – Ghana), Eric Ofori Antwi (Medeama SC – Ghana), Danlad Ibrahim (Asante Kotoko- Ghana)

    Full Backs: Baba Abdul Rahman (PAOK Greece), Gideon Mensah (Vitória de Guimarães Portugal), Benson Annan (MLK Zilina Slovakia), Philemon Baffuor (Dreams FC Ghana)

    Central Defenders: Nicholas Opoku (Amiens SC France), Kasim Nuhu (1899 Hoffenheim Germany), Ganiyu Ismael (Asante Kotoko Ghana), Stephen Ambrosius (Hamburger SV Germany)

    Central Midfield: Kudus Mohammed (Ajax Amsterdam Holland), Mubarak Wakaso (Jiangsu Suning F.C – China), Afriyie Acquah (Yeni Malatyaspor – Turkey), Emmanuel Lomotey (Amiens SC – France), Iddrisu Baba (RCD Mallorca Spain), Gladson Awako (Great Olympics -Ghana), Kwame Afriyie Poku (Colchester United England)

    Left Attacking Midfield: Osman Bukari (Gent Belgium), Joseph Esso (Dreams FC- Ghana)

    Right Attacking Midfield: Kamal Sowah (OH Leuven- Belgium), Fatawu Issahaku (Steadfast FC Ghana)

    Attackers: Emmanuel Boateng (Dalian Professional- China), Emmanuel Gyasi (Spezia Italy), Kwame Opoku (Asante Kotoko Ghana), John Antwi (Pyramids FC Egypt), Kwasi Okyere Wriedt (Willem II Holland), Caleb Ekuban (Trabzonspor Turkey)

    Source: ghanafa.org

  • Baby selling syndicate: EOCO retrieves 3 new babies, arrest 4 more suspects

    An alleged baby trafficking syndicate has been again busted by the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) and the Medical and Dental Council after thorough investigations

    According to the Executive Director of EOCO, COP Frank Adu Poku (Rtd), the buying and selling of babies has been on the radar of the crime office for the past three months and has so far resulted in the arrest of four more persons involved in baby harvesting.

    According to Mr Frank Adu Poku, they currently have in their custody three babies, all safe and healthy in a foster home pending a final determination of the cases.

    He explained that, in February 2020, their outfit received information that two women had allegedly gone to purchase a baby from Susan Clinic located at Lartebiokorshie in Accra.

    The women, Florence Acquah, and Eleanor Ofori Nsiah together with the one Dr Hope Quarshie Mensah of Susan Clinic were all arrested.

    Subsequently, Dr Noah Kofi and Nancy Obayaa Lartey who were also engaged in baby harvesting at Tema General Hospital have been arrested and are currently on EOCO enquiry bail.

    COP Frank Adu Poku (Rtd) also indicated that, as a result of the ongoing investigations on the Baby Harvesting, they have so far received four petitions from victims which one of them is a banker, who in 2016 was rushed to 37 Military Hospital as a result of pregnancy complications.

    One Dr Hope Mensah referred her to his private facility due to no bed but upon delivery, the Dr later told her the baby could not make it but she heard the baby cry.

    He, therefore, cautioned some faceless cowards who are issuing threats to EOCO and Medical and Dental Council officials that, they are not relenting on preventing organized crimes.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Police Operations Vanguard destroys 59 changfang motors in 4 days

    The Western Regional Operation Vanguard 17 Task Force, which assumed operations on 12 March 2021 has destroyed fifty-nine (59) changfang machines built on river the Tano and Bonsa rivers in the Western Region.

    The Western Region Force, commanded by Superintendent of Police Mr. William Kwofie Jabialu, destroyed the machines as part of their mandate to curb illegal mining activities and water pollution in the region.

    The activities of these floating boats on the rivers among others are the main cause of the poor water turbidity.

    Illegal miners are warned to stop the act or be arrested to face the full rigours of the law.

    Source: Ghana Police Service

  • Coronavirus: More than 400,000 persons vaccinated during first phase

    A total of 405,000 persons have been vaccinated against the Covid-19 from March 2 to 18, data from the Extended Programme on Immunization (EPI) of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has shown.

    These are from 43 selected districts in the Greatet Accra, Ashanti and Central regions.

    Those vaccinated include front-line health workers, adults aged 60 years and above, people with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, kidney diseases, hypertension, cancer, frontline security personnel, frontline government officials, the media, and all front-line workers in the formal sector.

    Presently 250,368 persons in Accra, 187,510 persons in Kumasi and 11,293 in the Central Region, have received their first jab of Covishield, the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, under the first phase on the exercise.

    In all, 20 million Ghanaians are expected to be vaccinated against the virus.

    Dr Kwame Amponsa Achiano, Programme Manager of the EPI, in an intervew with the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Thursday, said females formed about 62 per cent of the number vaccinated so far.

    He said about 63,033 persons with underlying health conditions, 91,000 adults aged 60 and above, about 72,332 health workers, 23,000 front line security personnel, and over 48,000 essential service workers have received their first jab.

    Similarly, more than 12,000 members of the Executive, Judiciary, Legislature, 60,000 teachers aged 60 and above, 3,063 media personnel and 87,092 members of the public have been vaccinated.

    Dr Amponsah-Achiano said the EPI would, from next week, begin vaccination of health workers in all the 16 regions and expressed delight with the progress so far.

    He said the country had already taken delivery of 15,000 doses of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine from Russia but it was not in use presently.

    “We have not started using it because that first and second doses of Sputnik V are not the same, the vaccine has a match dosing regimen and unfortunately, we did not get matching quantities, we are putting it on hold for now until we get matching quantities,” he said.

    Dr Amponsah-Achiano said between March and May Ghana would receive additional two million doses of vaccine from the COVAX facility in bits, which could vaccinate three per cent of the population.

    He said Ghana was discussing with the manufactures of Sputnik V to get additional doses, after which they would be administered to the public.

    “We also hope to get additional doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine through other multiple sources including the 17,000 doses announced by the President,” he said.

    Dr Amponsah-Achiano encouraged the public to keep adhering to the COVID-19 safety protocols by wearing a nose mask, observing social distancing, washing hands with soap under running water, or sanitizing hands frequently.

    Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that are common among animals. In rare cases, they are what scientists call zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted from animals to humans, according to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

    It has an incubation period of between four to six days and fatal, especially for those with a weakened immune system; the elderly and the very young. It could also result in pneumonia and bronchitis.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: More than 400k persons vaccinated during first phase

    A total of 405,000 persons have been vaccinated against the Covid-19 from March 2 to 18, data from the Extended Programme on Immunization (EPI) of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has shown.

    These are from 43 selected districts in the Greater Accra, Ashanti and Central regions.

    Those vaccinated include front-line health workers, adults aged 60 years and above, people with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, kidney diseases, hypertension, cancer, frontline security personnel, frontline government officials, the media, and all front-line workers in the formal sector.

    Presently 250,368 persons in Accra, 187,510 persons in Kumasi and 11,293 in the Central Region, have received their first jab of Covishield, the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, under the first phase of the exercise.

    In all, 20 million Ghanaians are expected to be vaccinated against the virus. Dr Kwame Amponsa Achiano, Programme Manager of the EPI, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Thursday, said females formed about 62 per cent of the number vaccinated so far.

    He said about 63,033 persons with underlying health conditions, 91,000 adults aged 60 and above, about 72,332 health workers, 23,000 front line security personnel, and over 48,000 essential service workers have received their first jab.

    Similarly, more than 12,000 members of the Executive, Judiciary, Legislature, 60,000 teachers aged 60 and above, 3,063 media personnel and 87,092 members of the public have been vaccinated.

    Dr Amponsah-Achiano said the EPI would, from next week, begin vaccination of health workers in all the 16 regions and expressed delight with the progress so far.

    He said the country had already taken delivery of 15,000 doses of the Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine from Russia but it was not in use presently.

    “We have not started using it because that first and second doses of Sputnik V are not the same, the vaccine has a match dosing regimen and unfortunately, we did not get matching quantities, we are putting it on hold for now until we get matching quantities,” he said.

    Dr Amponsah-Achiano said between March and May Ghana would receive additional two million doses of vaccine from the COVAX facility in bits, which could vaccinate three per cent of the population.

    He said Ghana was discussing with the manufactures of Sputnik V to get additional doses, after which they would be administered to the public.

    “We also hope to get additional doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine through other multiple sources including the 17,000 doses announced by the President,” he said.

    Dr Amponsah-Achiano encouraged the public to keep adhering to the COVID-19 safety protocols by wearing a nose mask, observing social distancing, washing hands with soap under running water, or sanitizing hands frequently.

    Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that are common among animals.

    In rare cases, they are what scientists call zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted from animals to humans, according to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

    It has an incubation period of between four to six days and fatal, especially for those with a weakened immune system; the elderly and the very young. It could also result in pneumonia and bronchitis.

    Source: GNA

  • African leaders attend funeral of former Ivorian Prime Minister

    A number of African leaders were in Ivory Coast to join the funeral of the country’s former Prime Minister Hamed Bakayoko.

    The event held on Wednesday, March 17 was attended by presidents of Ghana and Burkina Faso as well as vice-president of Equatorial Guinea and Prime Minister of Gabon.

    Bakayokjo died following cancer treatment in a German hospital, President Alassane Ouattara said in a statement announcing his death.

    Bakayoko had turned 56 on Monday. Ouattara called the deceased: “my son and close collaborater, torn from us too soon,” in a statement read on public television RTI.

    Bakayoko took over as prime minister in July last year from Amadou Gon Coulibaly, who died after returning to the Ivory Coast from two months in France where he had been treated for heart problems.

    But Bakayoko, who was also the country’s defence minister, himself travelled to France for health reasons on February 18 and was later transferred to Germany.

    “Given the state of his health, he should remain in hospital for some time,” Ouattara had said on Saturday, asking people to pray for the premier.

    Bakayoko’s office had been filled in his absence by Patrick Achi, previously secretary general to the west African country’s presidency.

    Tene Birahima Ouattara, a younger brother of the president, was named interim defence minister.

    Official results released Tuesday handed Ouattara’s party a parliamentary majority after legislative elections held at the weekend, with observers hoping the peaceful process has broken with past outbreaks of electoral violence.

    Source: africanews.com

  • Who was John Magufuli?

    John Magufuli was the fifth president of Tanzania since its independence in 1961.

    He was elected president for the first time in October 2015, with 58% of the vote and succeeded Jakaya Kikwete – enjoying a high approval rating.

    His party, the Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM), which has been in power since the country’s independence, chose him to represent it among more than thirty candidates.

    Before becoming president, John Magufuli, who comes from a modest family and holds a degree in chemistry, was a minister several times from the early 2000s. He was entrusted with the portfolios of livestock and fisheries, housing and public works.

    His resolute action in favour of housing for the poorest had already earned him the nickname of “Tingatinga”, the Bulldozer in Swahili, in reference to the construction programmes he implemented.

    He stands out for his resolute action in favour of the poorest. He wanted to demonstrate this form of empathy as soon as he was invested, taking a whole series of drastic measures.

    In particular, the sums that previously evaporated in tax fraud will be invested in education and the fight against poverty.

    As head of state, he promised to fight corruption, develop the country and its economy and launch major works.

    As soon as he was elected, he divided his own salary by four, making him one of the lowest-paid African heads of state, cut public spending drastically, cancelled independence ceremonies as too costly, and began sweeping the streets of the capital, Dar es Salaam, himself to set an example.

    Elected on the promise to put an end to corruption, he also put pressure on the big companies present in the country to force them to let the Tanzanian state take a stake in their capital, renegotiated the contracts of certain mining and gas companies, and dismissed local executives deemed corrupt or incompetent.

    No area seems to escape presidential vigilance: to put an end to badly parked vehicles in the capital, it is decided that the police will confiscate their tyres.

    John Magufuli was re-elected last October, in a contested election, with more than 84% of the votes.

    According to the Tanzanian constitution, Ms Samia Suluhu Hassan will become the country’s first female president and will consult with the ruling CCM party on the appointment of a new vice president.

    His death leaves Tanzania in an uncertain political situation, according to Nic Cheeseman, professor of democracy at the University of Birmingham.

    “The news of Magufuli’s death will fundamentally reshape Tanzanian politics. Having dominated the political scene since his election, he leaves a kind of political vacuum,” said Cheeseman.

    “This will trigger a new uncertainty and all eyes will be on the internal politics of the CCM to see what agreements have been reached within the ruling party regarding the balance of power after the transition.”

    Source: africanews.com

  • Traders invade streets near Tema market

    Traders have left designated sheds, invaded the streets near markets in the Tema Metropolis impeding vehicular and pedestrian movement, Metropolitan Assembly authorities called for sanity.

    Mr Charles Kobina Amos, the Coordinator of Tema markets in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Tema on Wednesday noted that the assembly was concern about the development.

    He said, “What traders are doing now is to sell on the street especially along the road that links Presbyterian Church to Ghana Commercial Bank meanwhile lots of them have shed in the market but prefer to sell on the streets”.

    He explained that some of the traders offloaded their wares from big trucks parked along the road which blocked and caused human and vehicular traffic on that stretch of road.

    According to Mr Amos, the assembly had created a satellite market at the Twedaase park, where traders without sheds at the main market were expected to ply their trade yet chose to sell on the road.

    “We have put a signpost and made demarcations as to where they should be and they must use the main and satellite market in order to keep the city clean,” he said.

    Mr Amos said the TMA has directed the traders to vacate the streets immediately in order to avoid any unforeseen accident their actions may cause.

    He said, “The assembly will not wait for trouble before we respond so they must go because, where they are now we don’t know what could happen, within a twinkle of an eye there could be an accident”.

    He said for the past weeks the assembly pleaded with them to leave but their pleas had fallen on deaf ears, “therefore we will go-round with the van to engage them for the last time before applying force to evacuate them.”

    Source: GNA

  • Six persons reportedly drown in Volta Lake

    Six persons made up of two males and four females have reportedly drowned in the Volta Lake after a canoe they were travelling on capsized.

    According to a Daily Graphic report, four other persons survived the accident, however, attempts to rescue the deceased victims by some fishermen proved futile.

    The incident is said to have been confirmed by the police in the area.

    This comes barely two weeks after 13 teenagers aged between 13 and 18 years drowned in the sea at Apam.

    The 13 victims of the Apam tragedy were buried on Tuesday, March 16, 2021.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • NDC demands full scale probe into alleged murder of Sheik Ali

    The leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for a full-scale investigation into the circumstances that led to the death of Sheikh Ali Ahmed Maikano AbulFaili Jallo, son of the late Ghanaian Tijaniyya Cleric, Ahmed Maikano Jallo of Prang.

    The party in a statement signed by its General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia said the situation has been described as a suspected armed robbery attack that occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, March 17.

    “The late Shiekh Ali Ahmed Maikano AbulFaili Jallo was a renowned and devoted Muslim cleric who carried himself with dignity and commanded great respect among the Islamic community.

    “ The NDC considers the news report that the Shiekh met his untimely demise in an armed robbery attack as most painful, suspicious and worrying, as it further goes to deepen the general state of insecurity in the country.
    “We use to this opportunity to urge the President to direct the Ministry of Interior to launch a full-scale investigation into the sad event that led to the death of the Sheikh, apprehend the perpetrators of the dastardly act, and offer true justice to his memory and the bereaved family.

    “We demand, as a matter of urgency, that the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration takes immediate steps to deal with the growing spate of armed robbery attacks, the rampant cases of murder, and the general state of insecurity in the country. There can neither be progress or development in Ghana without peace.

    “The NDC wishes to express its deepest condolences and sincere sympathies to the Jalo family, the Tijaniyya fraternity and the entire Muslim community for their loss.”

    Source: 3 News

  • UPSA lecturer selected for 26th UN Climate Change Conference

    Eric Boachie Yiadom, a lecturer at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), has been selected among top global researchers for the 26th United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference.

    He is one of two Ghanaian researchers named as part of the Commonwealth Futures Climate Research Cohort for the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).

    A statement issued by the UPSA, copied to the Ghana News Agency, said Mr Boachie Yiadom, a lecturer with the Department of Accounting of the Faculty of Accounting and Finance, UPSA, was a trained Chartered Accountant and a Ph.D. candidate with a research interest with a focus on contemporary developments in climate change.

    It said Mr Boachie Yiadom’s most recent research work focused on the role of local financial markets and fiscal policies on the relationship between international capital and environmental risk.

    It said UPSA was also one of only two universities in Ghana to had one of its faculty members selected for the global forum that supported rising-star researchers across the world.

    It said ably supported by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and the British Council, the cohort convenes researchers with expertise in a range of disciplines, and who had a deep understanding of communities disproportionately impacted by climate change.

    It said the 26 members of the cohort were drawn from 25 ACU member universities from 16 countries to reflect the diversity of the Commonwealth.

    The statement said throughout 2021, the unique and diverse cohort would build international collaborations and work with experts to influence issues related to the climate and environment in their communities and beyond.

    It said the 26 researchers would also attend a series of expert-led workshops and design and deliver peer-led research-to-action projects.

    The statement noted that they would be mentored by senior academics and further their engagement with global climate stakeholders.

    It said they would also be travelling to Glasgow in November to attend the landmark COP26 conference.

    Mr Boachie Yiadom offers private consultation for some small and medium enterprises in Ghana.

    His research outputs in some ranked journals provide local solutions to help solve climatic and macroeconomic problems in Africa as well as in other developing countries around the globe.

    Source: GNA

  • Scores injured as youth of Upper and Lower Dixcove engage in bloody fight

    In what has been explained as a reprisal attack, residents of Upper Dixcove in the Ahanta West Municipality were on Monday subjected to severe beatings when some youth of Lower Dixcove attacked the fishing community.

    According to a Daily Guide report, victims of the attack included the mother of the Omanhene of Upper Dixcove Traditional Area, Obrepong Hima Dekyi, a sub-chief and some relatives of the chief were seriously attacked.

    The sub-chief identified as Nana Diako Kra was said to have been stripped naked by the youth who stormed the town wielding clubs and other offensive implements and was made to walk on the streets of Upper Dixcove before he was subjected to severe beatings.

    The actions of the rampaging youth were believed to have been necessitated by a land dispute between Nana Kwasi Agyemang IX and a rival chief.

    Whiles many residents reportedly had to run for their lives, the youth of the town were the focus of the attackers and some were reportedly inflicted with machete wounds.

    It had to take the efforts and presence of the security services to restore calm following the reprisal attack which is said to have been ignited somewhere last year when the youth of Upper Dixcove reportedly attacked Lower Dixcove in a similar manner.

    The similar attack that took place in 2020, the youth of Upper Dixcove reportedly stormed Lower Dixciove and subjected the Paramount Chief of the Traditional Area, Nana Kwasi Agyemang IX to severe beatings. Stripped him naked and abducted him after inflicting machete wounds on him.

    The irate attackers reportedly used dynamite to break into the heavily fortified gate at the palace of the Paramount Chief of Lower Dixcove and took control of the palace.

    They reportedly caused damages to some items at the palace and set an electricity transformer ablaze which resulted in a total blackout in the area.

    DSP Olivia Ewurabene Adiiku of the Ghana Police Service who has confirmed the incident indicates that no arrest has been made.

    She adds that the Police Service is engaging with the youth in both communities to ensure peace prevails in the areas.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Eastern Regional Hospital denies operating cash and carry system

    The Medical Director of the Eastern Regional Hospital, Dr. Arko Akoto Ampaw, has refuted claims that the facility is operating on a cash and carry system.

    He said the facility prefers patients with National Health Insurance Cards to those without it, adding that the card helps them to render their services to patients quickly. Dr. Akoto Ampaw disclosed this at a media briefing on the management overview of the year 2020 in Koforidua.

    He said management introduced new services last year, which comprise speech therapy, audiology services, wellness clinic, appointment system for diabetics, accreditation from the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons for training among others.

    Dr. Ampaw hinted that management is waiting for approval to introduce sickle cell screening for neonatal, COVID-19 testing, orthopaedic services and an Automated Urine Analyzer.

    He advised the public to visit the hospital regularly for checkups.

    Source: gbcghanaonline.com

  • SSNIT OBS scandal: Supreme Court dismisses charges against Ernest Thompson, four others

    The Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that charges preferred against Mr. Ernest Thompson, former Director-General of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and four others by the State were inappropriate

    Thompson and four others are being held for allegedly causing financial loss to the State of over $14.8 million in the SSNIT Operational Business Suite (OBS) project.

    The five member panel presided over by Justice Yaw Appau ruled that the charges preferred against the accused persons did not meet the constitutional requirements.

    The State had gone to the apex court to challenge the decision of the Court of Appeal, which held that the particulars of offence levelled against Thompson and others were inadequate and scanty.

    The five member panel ruled that, it was in agreement with decision of the Court of Appeal.

    It, therefore, dismissed the appeal by the state on the basis that it had no merit.

    The court tasked Mrs Yvonne Atakorah Obuobisah, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) who represented the State to take a look at the charges. Mr Thompson has been charged before an High court with John Hagan Mensah, a former Information Technology (IT) Manager at SSNIT, Juliet Hassana Kramer, the Chief Executive Officer of Perfect Business Systems (PBS); Caleb Kwaku Afaglo, a former Head of Management Information Systems (MIS) at SSNIT; and Peter Hayibor, the lawyer for SSNIT.

    They have denied the various charges before an Accra High Court.

    The former SSNIT boss wanted the charges against him struck out on grounds that the prosecution failed to provide adequate particulars of the offences as required by law.

    Thompson contended that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient particulars of the offences levelled against him as required under Article 19 (2) of the 1992 Constitution and Section 122 of the Criminal Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30).

    He contended that the particulars were scanty and did not afford him any concrete information to enable him mount his defence.

    The prosecution, on the other hand, insisted that the particulars of the offences contained adequate information, and argued that the contention of Mr Thompson when allowed to hold, would amount to the prosecution providing evidence in the particulars of offence.

    The offences levelled against Mr Thompson and the other accused persons included willfully causing financial loss to the State, conspiracy to commit the crime, defrauding by false pretence in contravention of the public procurement act and authoring of forged documents.

    Other Justices on the panel are Agnes M.A. Dordzie, Avril Lovelace-Johnson, Gertrude Torkonoo and Issifu Omoro Tanko Amadu.

    In June 2010, SSNIT initiated the $34 million OBS project to use Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to revamp its operations to enable it to provide a state-of-the-art pension administration system in the country.

    It is the case of the prosecution that between September 2013 and September 2016, the five accused persons engaged in various illegalities that caused financial loss to the State in relation to the said project.

    The prosecution said the contract sum also ballooned from $34 million to over $66 million, even though the OBS system failed to perform efficiently as the project contract had envisaged.

    Source: GNA

  • Ghanaian scholar credits alma mater for her rise

    A Ghanaian scholar domiciled in the UK, Gwendolyn Brown has attributed her career brilliance to the sound basic education she acquired at Seven Great Princes Academy in Accra few years ago.

    A graduate of Southampton University in the UK, Gwendolyn has already settled in her three-year working career.

    She currently works for one of the reputable financial institutions in the UK where she has endeared herself to both her employers and clients due to her high level of professionalism.

    In 2018, the Southampton University graduate’s academic brilliance in the UK drew the attention of many including former Ghana president, Jerry John Rawlings after reading her academic exploits on many media platforms in the country.

    Indeed, that paved the way for a memorable official meeting between the departed statesman and Gwendolyn at the former’s Ridge residence.

    She stated in an interview “I have always believed in getting the basics right. It is like having a strong foundation in building construction, the stronger the foundation, the taller the building and that is exactly what Seven Great Princes offers.

    “l had a great start (Foundation) at Seven Great, and that explains my brilliance from High School through University to where l currently work.”

    Columnist: Kofi Ansah

  • Government will actively engage chiefs for development – Bono Regional Minister

    Madam Justina Owusu-Banahene, the Bono Regional Minister has given the assurance that the government would actively engage traditional authorities in national development processes.

    As the embodiment of the people, Madam Owusu-Banahene noted development could not progress as expected if chiefs and queens were neglected, saying her administration would continue to seek advice from traditional rulers to build a better society.

    The Regional Minister said this when she paid a courtesy call on Barimah Kumi Acheaw II, the Chief of Abesim on Wednesday.

    Some supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), friends, relations and well-wishers, and the various Municipal and District Chief Executives in the region gave the Minister a rousing welcome in the town when returning from Accra, after successfully going through her ministerial vetting.

    She also paid similar calls and interacted with the Sunyani Traditional Council, and the Chiefs of Atronie and told them her administration could not do much without them and rallied their assistance and cooperation to motivate her to work hard to bring the development of the region to the next level.

    The Bono region, Mad Owusu-Banahene observed, had huge economic potentials that could be harnessed and tapped to push the development of the region forward.

    She underlined the need for the people to forge ahead in unity, and help to identify and tackle pertinent development challenges confronting the region, and promised to operate an open-door policy to receive suggestions and constructive criticism from the various political divide and the entire populace.

    On their part, the chiefs congratulated the regional minister for her appointment, and promised to support her to achieve her vision for the region.

    Barimah Acheaw II expressed the hope that everybody in the region would support the regional minister and her administration to succeed.

    Source: GNA

  • Public warned against inserting objects into ears

    Judith Agyeiwaa Donkor, the National Second Vice-Chairperson of the Ears, Nose and Throat (ENT) Nurses Group, has cautioned against the habit of inserting objects into the ears to avoid hearing loss.

    She said inserting items such as cotton buds, match sticks, broomsticks and feathers, among others, into the ear damages the protection of the eardrum and the wax in the ears.

    Madam Donkor said the wax serves as protection by preventing dirt from entering the eardrum and preventing hearing loss.

    Madam Donkor, who is also the Regional Secretary of the Western Regional ENT Nurses Group, said this in an interview with the GNA at a free screening exercise organised for children at the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital.

    She further urged mothers to desist from inserting cotton buds and feathers into the ears of their toddlers in an attempt to remove dirt from their ears since it might damage the eardrum and lead to hearing loss.

    Source: GNA

  • Adansi Asokwa NCCE intensifies coronavirus vaccination education

    As the populace of the county is divided overtaking the vaccination of COVID-19, the Adansi Asokwa Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has intensified public sensitization on the vaccine.

    The NCCE team of Adansi Asokwa is fervently educating its populace about some myths of the vaccine.

    A section of the populace of the country at large has kicked against the vaccination citing a lot of reasons with one being a possible death after the vaccination.

    Others have also kicked against the vaccination because they believe the vaccine could trigger some health problems and may cause them a lifelong ailment to deal with.

    Taking to the streets especially in dressmaking shops, the NCCE team debunked those misleading assertions and Sensitized them on how necessary it is for them to be vaccinated.

    George Amponsah Boateng (SCEO), Frederick Ntiamoah (ACEO) and Lily Ampofoa Annor (PFO) took turns with regards to education.

    Currently, the country is undergoing mass vaccination which will soon be rolled out to the residents of Adansi Asokwa.

    Source: Ghana Guardian

  • Coronavirus: First consignment of 600,000 vaccine doses exhausted

    Almost all 600,000 doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine received from the COVAX facility have been distributed in the first phase of the vaccination exercise.

    Dr Kwame Amponsah-Achiano, the Programme Manager of the Extended Programme on Immunization (EPI), said the first consignment received in February were almost exhausted and, so far, the programme had not received any report of vaccine rejection in any of the 43 districts they were deployed to.

    He told the Ghana News Agency in an Interview in Accra that there was more pressure on the vaccine now than before with less than five per cent wastage recorded.

    Dr Amponsah-Achiano said the EPI would, from next week, begin vaccination of all health workers in all the 16 regions adding that the Ghana Health Service was happy with the outcome of the first phase.

    ”The initial hesitancy was quiet problematic, but between the time we received the vaccine and the time we started the roll out, a lot has changed, the apprehension went down, and so far we have distributed all the vaccines,” he said.

    He said the country had already taken delivery of 15,000 doses of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine from Russia but it was not in use presently.

    “We have not started using it because that first and second doses of Sputnik V are not the same, the vaccine has a match dosing regimen and unfortunately, we did not get matching quantities, we are putting it on hold for now until we get matching quantities,” he said.

    Dr Amponsah-Achiano said between now and May, Ghana would receive additional two million doses of vaccine from the COVAX facility in bits, which could vaccinate three per cent of the population.

    He said Ghana was discussing with the manufactures of Sputnik V to get additional doses, after which they would be administered to the public.

    ”We also hope to get additional doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine through other multiple sources including the 17,000 doses announced by the President,” he said.

    Dr Amponsah-Achino encouraged the public to keep adhering to the COVID-19 safety protocols by wearing a nose mask, observing social distancing, washing hands with soap under running water, or sanitizing hands frequently.

    Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that are common among animals. In rare cases, they are what scientists call zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted from animals to humans, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    It has an incubation period of four to six days and fatal, especially for those with a weakened immune system the elderly and the very young. It could also result in pneumonia and bronchitis.

    Source: GNA

  • My husband left me after I gave him two set of twins – Single mother

    Single mother of four (twin set), Elizabeth Mensah sells water on the streets of Tema to cater for her children.

    According to her, she lived with her baby daddy until after she gave birth to the last set of twins.

    Speaking on SVTV Africa, Elizabeth Mensah explained that for 3 years she has never heard anything from him.

    ”He told me he was going to hustle for our children. But he left and never came back. It’s been five years now and the last I heard from him was two years ago.

    He called to tell me he is with another woman and has children with her too. That was all he said,” Elizabeth told DJ Nyaami.

    She further added that ”I had to come to Accra to work so my children are with my mother.”

    Presently, she has no place to lay her head. Elizabeth hopes to secure a container or single room so she can work efficiently.

    Let’s support Elizabeth through SVTV Africa Foundation. Kindly contact them to do so.

    Watch the full interview below

    Source: svtvafrica.com

  • Three Black Satellites players earn Black Stars call up

    Black Stars Head Coach C.K Akonnor has handed call ups to three players of the victorious Black Satellites squad.

    The trio, Ibrahim Danlad, a goalkeeper of Asante Kotoko who was adjudged the overall best goalkeeper of the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in Mauritania, Philemon Baffuor of Dreams FC who plays at right-back and Fatawu Issahaku, a player of Division One side Steadfast FC who has also adjudged the overall best player of the Nations cup.

    The three players will team up with the rest of the squad on Tuesday, March 16, to continue preparation for the two remaining Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

    Ghana will take on South Africa on March 25 before hosting São Tomé and Principe four days later.

    The Black Stars sit at the top of Group C with 9 points and are in search of a ticket to the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

    Source: ghanafa.org

  • 60 percent of water in supermarkets are Made-In-Ghana – Survey

    A survey conducted by Konfidants, an international business advisory firm, has shown the best performing category of Made-In-Ghana goods sold on selected supermarkets is water.

    According to the survey, 60 percent of all water sold in supermarkets are Ghana made.

    This was then followed by Made in Ghana eggs which showed a performance of 55 percent, fruits and vegetables at 52 percent and spreads placing 44.74 percent for Made in Ghana goods.

    The survey further pointed that despite the positive performances of food product categories, the patronage of Made in Ghana products was still rather low on the market.

    “The research also revealed some disturbing trends in the following products: Only 2% of jams and marmalades on the shelves are Made-In-Ghana, which is worrying given that 58% of Fresh Fruits on the shelves are Made-In-Ghana. (This is one area where there is a clear need and opportunity to add value locally),” the report showed.

    “Over 62% of all rice, salt (65%), fresh meat (66%), fresh poultry (70%), and even chocolate (65%) brands on the shelves were foreign as well. Given these products have very strong production possibilities on the local market, this is quite worrying,” it added.

    The report however recommended an increase in market access and opportunity for locally produced items to thrive in order to add value domestically.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Government committed to revamping Tema oil refinery – Energy Minister

    Energy Minister, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has renewed government intention to revamp operations at the country’s main oil refinery, Tema Oil Refinery (TOR).

    According to him, government will ensure a strategic partnership is in place for an effective revamp of the national asset’s operations.

    “TOR is a strategic national asset, we will keep it so and ensure that TOR grows from strength to strength, anyone working here management or ordinary who thinks his activities will not lead to the promotion of TOR should find himself a better place to work,” Opoku Prempeh told workers at the facility.

    “I said it to the union leaders, and they did not love it, it is not the duty of the workers to tell who manages TOR. It is the duty of the management of TOR to ensure that TOR grows to become a profitable healthy concern, and if they are not up to it, it will be up to the owners of TOR to bring in the necessary change to affect that healthy relationship,” he stressed.

    “And since the government is the only shareholder in TOR, the government will work to bring partnership in TOR that will help TOR grow not to help TOR break, and when those partnerships occur and I know they are going to appear very soon, we will not hesitate in removing stumbling blocks who want the collapse and hide under everything. We cannot understand where on your books people TOR have worked for, owe TOR as much as 13 to 18 million dollars and we cannot find money to pay TOR workers.”

    The Energy Minister made this known when he paid a visit to the Tema Oil Refinery to acquaint himself with operations of the facility.

    Meanwhile, the Tema Oil Refinery over the years has been plagued with numerous operational and managerial setbacks. The most recent being agitation by union workers who have demanded the dissolution of the board of TOR.

    The workers say the board and its management have shown little commitment to the refinery’s operations and a lack of a sense of urgency in improving the fortunes of the refinery.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Only 26% of goods sold in top supermarkets are Made in Ghana Survey Report

    A research conducted by Konfidants, an international business advisory firm, has stated that only 26 per cent of goods sold in Ghanaian supermarkets are made in Ghana.

    These results were reached after the research firm surveyed nine of the leading supermarkets and two fuel stations in Accra on 19 product categories.

    According to Konfidants, the result is an improvement as compared to the 2019 survey when only 18% of goods surveyed were Ghanaian products.

    However, despite a huge growth in the number of multinational supermarkets in the last decade in the country, the invasion is yet to be translated into an avenue to make money for local manufacturers.

    Meanwhile, the leading supermarkets include; two popular fuel station marts in Accra include Shoprite (Accra Mall), Game (Accra Mall), Palace Supermarket (Palace Mall), Koala (Osu), Maxmart (37), City Dia (La), Melcom (North Kaneshie) and Marina Mall Supermarket (Airport), China Mall (Spintex), Baatsonaa Total (Baatsonaa), Airport Shell (Airport).

    The survey

    In all, a total number of 7,983 brands (from the 19 product categories) were counted across all 11 retail outlets included in the survey. The survey was conducted in December 2020. Out of this number, 5,943 (74%) were foreign brands, with only 2,040 (26%) being made-in-Ghana brands.

    Despite the increase in the number of made-in-Ghana goods sold across the selected supermarkets, the best performing category of made-in-Ghana goods is water (with 60% of all water on sale produced in Ghana), followed by eggs (with 55% MIG), fruits and vegetables (52% MIG) and spreads (44.74%)

    The worst-performing categories are biscuits and confectionaries (6% MIG), noodles and pasta (6%) and utensils and cutlery (7% MIG).

    Food products (fresh, processed and manufactured) dominated the 19 categories in which goods are visible in the supermarkets

    “As was the case in 2019, food products (fresh, processed and manufactured) dominate the 19 categories in which MIG goods are visible in the supermarkets. Fourteen (14) of the 19 categories are food products. Consequently, all the best 5 performing categories are food-related,” the report stated.

    The research that more can be done despite the performance of the dominant food product categories.

    “The research also revealed some disturbing trends in the following products: Only 2% of jams and marmalades on the shelves are Made-In-Ghana, which is worrying given that 58% of Fresh Fruits on the shelves are Made-In-Ghana. (This is one area where there is a clear need and opportunity to add value locally). Over 62% of all rice, salt (65%), fresh meat (66%), fresh poultry (70%) and even chocolate (65%) brands on the shelves were foreign as well. Given these products have very strong production possibilities on the local market, this is quite worrying,” it stated.

    Recommendations

    Efforts must be made by policymakers and key stakeholders to review the shelf presence of made-in-Ghana goods, to ensure these efforts are holistic, dealing with the very roots of the problem and ensuring that any results attained are not just at face value but are deeply impactful and sustainable.

    It also noted that the overall competitiveness of made in Ghana products (and manufacturers) need to be improved. Local small producers will need support to make their products more competitive in quality, standards certifications, branding, pricing and financing. Innovative financing options by financial institutions and the supermarkets could provide accounts receivable financing solutions that can assist small suppliers to comfortably adjust to the long payment periods of the supermarkets.

    It further called on the Ministry of Trade and Industry and its agencies such as the Ghana Enterprises Agency (Formerly NBSSI), National Entrepreneurship Innovation Program (NEIP), Standards Authority to collaborate with the FDA and other stakeholders such as industry associations to come up with a holistic policy and program framework to improve shelf space of made in Ghana goods.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Government commits GH¢100 billion to Ghana Cares ‘Obaatanpa programme’ for next four years

    The Government of Ghana, in this year’s budget statement, has announced a more clinical structural focus on President Nana Akufo-Addo’s transformation agenda as the nation builds on economic gains so far made.

    The government therefore would continue pursuing the GH¢100 billion Ghana CARES (Obaatan pa) programme, described as the boldest and biggest economic recovery programme in the country’s history.

    Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Majority Leader in Parliament and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, presenting the 2021 Budget Statement to Parliament, in Accra, said: “In this regard, pursuing the GH¢100 billion Ghana CARES (Obaatan pa) programme, which by far is the boldest and biggest economic recovery programme in the country’s history, will enable us to turn the challenges created by COVID-19 into opportunities for socio-economic transformation.”

    The Budget Statement, themed: “Consolidation, Completion and Continuation “Won Ya Wo Hiee” Budget seeks to return Ghana to a path of fiscal consolidation and sustained growth.”

    The presentation, usually done by the Finance Minister, on the authority of the President, was done this year by the Majority Leader because the Minister-Designate Finance was receiving treatment for COVID-19 related issues overseas.

    The Minister said the Ghana CARES (Obaatan pa) programme would foster closer collaboration with the Ghanaian private sector, labour, the people, development partners and foreign investors.

    The ‘Obaatan pa’ programme is inspired by President Akufo-Addo’s conviction that “what our forebears dreamed of, we will achieve!

    “If we inherited dreams and visions from our founding fathers, we should leave legacies of achievements and realities to our children and their children.”

    He reiterated that the Government cared about the welfare of the people and the need to create wealth

    The Minister said the GhanaCARES programme will expedite Government’s digitalization agenda to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness in public service delivery and revitalize the housing and construction industry to address the severe housing deficit and create job opportunities..

    It would also establish Ghana as a regional Hub, leveraging its position within ECOWAS and as host of the Secretariat of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to focus on manufacturing, financial services, education, healthcare, aviation and logistics, digital services, petroleum, automobile, tourism, hospitality and creative arts.

    The GhanaCARES Obaatanpa programme will also support the private sector and entrepreneurs to become a powerful engine for job creation; and actively promote both local and international investments including use of Public-Private Partnership and upgrade the skills of Ghanaian workers through re-training programmes focusing on technical and vocational skills.

    “Mr. Speaker, the implementation arrangements for the GhanaCARES programme are in place. Clear budgets have been set and milestones developed.

    “We will establish delivery units in the relevant MDAs and partner with the private sector, academia and other practitioners to facilitate and monitor implementation. There will also be regular, institutional engagements to ensure we achieve synergies and track results on a timely basis,” the Caretaker Finance Minister said.

    According to the Minister, the theme of the budget was underpinned by the fact that over the years every new budget invariably contained a host of new projects to be initiated at the expense of ongoing projects.

    “Not only does this puts pressure on our finances but has historically resulted in arrears, with many contractors not being paid on time for work done and thereby escalating the overall cost of these projects.

    ” Government has, therefore, decided to chart a new direction from the wasteful spectre of uncompleted public projects scattered across the country.”

    He harped on the need for Governments to use limited public funds responsibly, declaring that “our goal is to bring to an end to the culture of unfinished projects.

    The Minister indicated that the main focus of the Government for this year is the fulfilment of existing commitment and the completion of existing projects, adding that the Delivery Tracker, which the Government launched last year to track the progress of infrastructure projects, showed over 8,700 ongoing projects across all sectors at the end of 2020.

    “That is why the President has tasked his Ministers and heads of all other relevant institutions to focus the infrastructural energies of Government mainly on continuing and, if possible, completing existing projects in 2021. The era of abandoning viable projects started with public funds must end.

    The Minister said that as a result of the COVID-19 the pandemic year 2020 was a difficult period for Ghana and the rest of the and world and “never before in recent history has a pandemic triggered such dramatic changes to lives and livelihoods simultaneously.

    The ensuing crisis has disrupted supply chains and exerted undue pressure on economic and financial systems, killed businesses and jobs.

    He spoke of Government interventions in the face of the pandemic and said the nation was not out of the woods yet.

    “As such, fiscal consolidation has to be carefully balanced with the provision of some targeted fiscal stimuli to cushion the impact of COVID-19 on businesses and to facilitate a quick and strong recovery of our economy, which we aim to achieve through Ghana CARES “Obaatan pa” Programme.

    The statement was however silent on how much the budget would cost.

    Source: Business Ghana

  • Importers and exporters hail non-introduction of new taxes at ports in 2021 budget

    Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association, Sampson Asaki Awingobite, says the business community is appreciably satisfied with the non-introduction of new taxes at the Ports as stated in the 2021 budget.

    He however indicated that abolishing the 12.5 and 15 per cent Import VAT at the Port or limiting it to the three per cent external tax will go a long way to help mitigate the plight of the business community.

    Mr Awingobite told GBC News it is unfortunate the government did not reduce if not abolish the two per cent special import levy, aside from other taxes at the Port.

    He said though there were no direct tax introductions, the numerous indirect tax increments, will add to the cost of doing business in the country.

    Source: gbcghanaonline.com

  • Sekyere Central NCCE intensifies public education on coronavirus vaccination

    The Sekyere Central District Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has intensified its public sensitization campaign on COVID-19 vaccination.

    The District Director of NCCE, Mr. Gordon Yeboah Opoku noted that the sensitization follows the conspiracy theories that have greeted the mass vaccination exercise.

    With the support of his staff – Mr. Benefor Ofori (SCEO), Mrs. Georgina Amoako (CEO), and Mr. Samuel Heinz Tuffour-Bio (ACEO), the Commission visited some churches and communities along Kyebi, Atonsu and Kwarmang in the Nsuta-Kwarmang-Beposo Constituency to educate and sensitize the citizenry on the importance of taking the COVID-19 vaccine.

    Community members and congregants were made to understand that the vaccines are meant to help build their immune system especially the aged and those with underlined health issues in fighting the pandemic.

    The team also advised them to forgo the notion that the vaccine when taken, could render a man impotent and woman barren.

    They were advised to continue to adhere to the COVID-19 safety protocols even after taking the jabs to protect them from being exposed to the virus.


    Source: Ghana Guardian