TIG Post

Author: Persis

  • IGP initiates move to check suicide among police, issues direct order to superior officers

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mr. James Oppong-Boanuh has charged superior officers of the Ghana Police Service to make time and listen to personal and family life challenges of their subordinates working under them.

    “At every level of Policing, Station officers, Unit, District, Divisional and Regional Commanders should give an opportunity to their staff to speak to their supervisors about work and personal challenges and also listen to the officers they work with,” he said.

    In view of the recent suspected suicide cases involving some police officers, he indicated that the service has reviewed and assessed its structures on mental health.

    “Where officers find it difficult to approach to their commanders, they can speak to members of the Police Management Board (POMAB) or Inspector General of Police and his team, they can also write to the IGP and his team and commanders are obliged to forward the message”, he charged.

    He revealed that the training and mental health of personnel is paramount to his administration underscoring the need for officers to undergo psychological training.

    “We are also in discussion with the Ghana Psychological Association to operate a sustainable mental health system to boost welfare support for personnel and their immediate family members. We are prepared to partner with organizations to ensure the mental wellbeing of personnel”, he assured.

    Mr. James Oppong-Boanuh however revealed that there are a number of professionally trained psychologists who attend to personnel as when the need arises.

    “Personnel are referred to clinical psychologists and psychiatrists at the Police Hospital or any other accredited health facility. These are culminated by welfare meetings and counselling sessions by officers of our religious affairs directorate”, he pointed out.

    Source: My News GH

  • Government to receive first consignment of coronavirus vaccines today

    The Government of Ghana will today Wednesday, February 24, 2021, receive the first batch of 600,000 AstraZeneca Coronavirus vaccine at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra.

    A press statement issued by the Ministry of Information in Accra, said the Minister for Health Designate, Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, would lead the government delegation to receive the vaccines at 0700 hours.

    It said the brief ceremony would be televised live on Ghana Television (GTV) and also on the Ministry of Information’s Facebook page.

    The statement encouraged media houses interested in the coverage to pick the live feed from the two platforms.

    Source: GNA

  • Ghanas biggest car snatching syndicate busted with 7 stolen cars

    A car snatching syndicate that can pass for the biggest in the history of the country has been arrested in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, MyNewsGh.com has confirmed.

    Police indicated following numerous complaints from residents about their vehicles being snatched at gunpoint by miscreants mostly robbers, they devised a strategy to nib such criminal activities in the bud.

    As a result, a patrol team detailed for this special operation on the dawn of Monday, February 22, 2021, chanced on a black and yellow Kia Picanto taxi cab with registration number AW 319 -20 driven by 38-year-old Yaw Sarkodie of house number P23 Pankrono-Kumasi with two other occupants on board.

    A search was conducted in the vehicle and a sponge was found in the pocket of one of the suspects.

    The team became suspicious as that has been the modus operandi of the car snatchers in the vicinity who usually tie their victims with either nylon rope or sponge to strangulate them before taking the vehicle.

    The suspects were arrested and interrogated and asked to show where they live at Kwapra as they claimed that was the area they stay.

    They later admitted that they came from Sunyani and hired the taxi cab from Asafo market to Kronum Kwapra ostensibly to rob the car from the driver.

    The suspects confessed that they are behind the numerous car snatching cases at Kwapra and other areas

    The Suame Divisional taskforce proceeded to Meduma with the suspects and retrieved four (4) snatched taxi cabs and upon further interrogation the suspects informed police that other vehicles were in Sunyani in the bono region. Police proceeded to the area and retrieved three (3) more taxis.

    Source: My News GH

  • National Security, Police shut down LGBTQ office on Akufo-Addo’s orders

    Amidst the raging controversy regarding the opening of an office by members of the Lesbians Gays Bisexuals Transgender Queer and Intersexed community (LGBTQI), President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has ordered for the swift closure of same at Tesano in Accra.

    Mynewsgh.com reports that a combined team of heavily armed police accompanied by armed National Security officials in mufti trooped the alleged LGBTQI premises and ordered all operations and activities to cease with immediate effect.

    Additionally, all persons occupying the building were also asked to vacate the premises.

    According to mynewsgh, the closure was confirmed by ardent critic of the LGBTQ community who is the Executive Secretary of the National Coalition for Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values.

    Moses Foh-Amoaning had earlier called on the government to close down the newly opened LGBT office in Tesano.

    Further explaining the development, Mr Foh-Amoaning noted that his outfit, which comprises of the Christian Council and the Catholic Bishops Conference, the Muslim community as well as the traditional community would do everything in their power to fight the LGBTQI agenda in the country should President Akufo-Addo fail to heed the numerous calls to bring conclusion to the matter.

    In a related development, the Kwabenya Traditional Council in the GA East Municipality of the Greater Accra Region has threatened to burn a house at Ashongman, a community within the Kwabenya District and under the Traditional Council after the premises allegedly hosted a meeting of Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex community members.

    According to the Public Relations Officer of the Traditional Council who is also the Kwabenya Musuku Manhene, Nii Mensah Dza Nyomo 1 the said house hosted the members of the group on Wednesday, noting that it had not been the first.

    He lamented the occurrence as unacceptable during a press conference addressed by the Traditional Council in Accra.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Man reportedly returns home a week after ‘drowning’

    A young man believed to have drowned in the sea at Goi in the West Ada District of the Greater Accra Region has reunited with family a week after the alleged incident.

    42-year-old Livingston Amornortey Sebi, on February 14, 2020 got missing when he went swimming after attending a funeral but never returned.

    Three days of search for his corpse along the Eastern coast of the region proved futile as only his clothes were found at the beach confirming his drowning.

    Seven days later, on Sunday 21 February 2021 at around 1am, the young man who owns a hotel at Ashaiman was found at the beach with white cloth around his waist and a knife hanging on him.

    The troubled-looking man claims that he was led by two old men from unknown destination who clothed him with the white cloth but deserted him upon reaching the community beach.

    Information has it that he requested to see three relatives for a reason best known to him but the elders declined.

    He has since been taken to his residence at Ashaiman on an unstable mind, while community priests continue to perform rites to stabilise him, and also to unravel the reason behind his mysterious disappearance and subsequent return.

    While some residents say the incident was a well orchestrated plan, others believe the young man had suffered punishment from deities he worships.

    Source: kingdomfmonline.com

  • Tema Psychiatry Departments record increase in registrants

    The Psychiatric Departments at the Tema General Hospital and Manhean Clinic have recorded a significant increase in the number of new registrants (first-time visit) at the facility in 2020.

    The two facilities registered a total of 389 new registrants in 2020 compared with 185 old registrants.

    Mr Pious Tay, Coordinator for Tema Metro Community Psychiatry, disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview in Tema on Monday.

    Mr Tay said the increase in new registrants was an indication that the public appreciated the fact that a visit to the psychiatric department did not mean “one was mad as they handled other illnesses.”

    He said the unit for the past two to three years had intensified its education and sensitization of the public on mental issues, which he said was yielding the needed result.

    He urged persons with any mental related issues to visit the hospital for the needed care even when receiving alternative treatment, including spiritual ones.

    Meanwhile, data from the units showed that a total of 1,992 revisits and reviews were seen at the respective facilities.

    While 168 persons of the registrants reported either schizophrenia, or schizotypal and delusional disorders, 58 had depression, 29 bipolar disorders, 73 epilepsy/seizures and 25 dementia.

    Others were four delirium, 16 mental disorders due to alcohol abuse, six autism, 55 mental disorders due to psychoactive substance use and seven personality disorders.

    Eleven pregnancy-related mental disorders were recorded in the Metropolis while 20 anxiety disorders, 81 non-specified mental disorders, and nine mental retardation, developmental and other childhood mental disorders were cared for.

    Mr Tay said in 2020 psychiatric officials visited 347 home, organised 376 health talks, 31 visits to faith-based healing centres, and 22 school health programmes, among others.

    He called on authorities and organizations to help address some of the challenges facing the units, including the lack of vehicles and funds for transportation during various community activities.

    Other challenges are wrong landmarks and address systems, which made it difficult to trace clients and none supply of some medications for the whole year.

    The psychiatric nurse said the current offices were not suited for safety and privacy, adding that there was a lack of family support, which hindered full care to users.

    Source: GNA

  • Election Petition: What Supreme Court will reportedlyconsider on Judgement Day

    The Supreme Court of Ghana has set March 4, 2021, as the Judgement Day for the 2020 Election Petition filed by John Dramani Mahama, the NDC presidential candidate for the December 7, 2020, election.

    “The petition is adjourned to March 4, 2021, for judgement,” Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah said.

    John Dramani Mahama filed the petition to challenge the December 9 declaration of the December 7 election results by Jean Mensa, the Electoral Commission Chairperson, in favour of the NPP candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    After several days of failing to convince the court to have his case reopened, John Mahama, through his legal team was given permission by the Supreme Court to file his closing address on Tuesday, even though the two Respondents have filed theirs already.

    “We are of the opinion that the petitioner should be granted leave to file his closing address on or before Tuesday, February 23, 2021,” the Chief Justice said, “in the interest of justice”.

    The five issues set out for trial

    The Supreme Court on January 20, 2021, set out five issues for determination after listening to arguments based on the petition and responses from both Respondents.

    The five issues that will inform the judgement are:

    1. Whether or not the petition discloses any cause of action – that is, if there is any legal grounds for the petition.

    2. Whether or not the second respondent [Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo] met the Article 63 (3) threshold of the 1992 Constitution – this constitutional provision states that a presidential candidate must obtain more than 50 per cent of the total valid votes cast to be declared President-elect.

    3. Whether or not the 2nd respondent [Nana Akufo-Addo] still met Article 63(3) of the 1992 threshold by the exclusion or inclusion of the Techiman South Constituency presidential election results.

    4. Whether or not the declaration by the first respondent’s Chairperson (the EC’s Jean Mensa) on December 9 of the presidential election conducted on December 7 was in violation of Article 63(3) of the 1992 Constitution.

    5. Whether or not the alleged vote padding and other errors complained of by the petitioner affected the outcome of the presidential election results of 2020.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • LGBTQ+ debate: Be careful! Leave us out of this – Joe Biden cautioned

    Charles Owusu has commended Adwoa Safo for comments made on the legalization of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Intersex Rights (LGBTQI).

    The Minister-designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Sarah Adwoa Sarfo during her vetting in Parliament said:

    “Mr Chair, the issue of LGBT is an issue that when mentioned, it creates some controversy but what I want to say is that our laws are clear on such practice. It makes it criminal. Section 104 of the Criminal Code prohibits one from having unnatural carnal knowledge with another person. So, on the issue of its criminality, it is non-negotiable. On the issue of our cultural acceptance and norms, these practices are also frowned upon. So, for me, these are two distinct clarities on the matter and that is what I strongly stand for”.

    Prior to this US President Joe Biden has threatened to sanction countries that are yet to legalise LGBTQI.

    A memo from Joe Biden read: “When foreign governments move to restrict the rights of LGBTQI+ persons or fail to enforce legal protections in place, thereby contributing to a climate of intolerance, agencies engaged abroad shall consider appropriate responses, including using the full range of diplomatic and assistance tools and, as appropriate, financial sanctions, visa restrictions, and other actions.”

    “All human beings should be treated with respect and dignity and should be able to live without fear no matter who they are or whom they love.”

    “The United States belongs at the forefront of this struggle speaking out and standing strong for our most dearly held values.”

    Charles Owusu speaking to this, sent a strong warning to Joe Biden.

    Listen to him in the video below:

    Source: Peace FM

  • 2020/21 SHS placement: GES to set up call centres for redress

    Ghana Education Service says that it is preparing to release the computerized school placement for the 2020/2021 academic year.

    This was indicated in a statement signed by the Head of the Public Relations Unit at GES, Cassandra Twum Ampofo.

    “The Ghana Education Service (GES) informs the general public that it is preparing sufficiently to release the computerized School placement soon,” part of the statement reads.

    In view of the Covid situation, the Service has resolved to establish call centres across the country for people who have issues with their placement.

    “It should be noted that due to the COVID-19 situations, Management of the GES is setting up call centres across the Country and other appropriate alternative measures to resolve all placement-related issues.”

    GES has assured parents and candidates that it is “committed to ensuring a smooth, merit-based SHS placement process under established guidelines.”

    The placement will cover candidates, both school and private, who wrote the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in 2020, as well as other re-entrants.

    In all, about 525,000 qualified BECE candidates will be seeking placement into 721 senior high, technical and vocational schools of their choices which have declared about 535,000 vacancies.

    Source: universnewsroom.com

  • Krowor residents appeal to IGP for help

    Residents of the Krowor Municipality of the Greater Accra, have appealed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr James Oppong-Boanuah, to take appropriate steps to intensity patrols, beef up security and protect lives and properties, in the area.

    The residents, particularly those of Regimauel Gray Estates, have raised the alarm that they were living in a state of insecurity and fear as armed robbers continued to harass and attack them, using sophisticated means.

    Some victims, who have fallen prey to the antics of the robbers, told the Ghanaian Times that they were terrorised in the evenings when traffic flow had reduced.

    They said the robbers stood by the road well-dressed, armed with guns tucked under their dresses and knives that look like combs concealed in their hair and waited for potential victims.

    Once the way was clear, they drew closer in a friendly manner towards victims, who include motorists and other road users, and engaged them in conversation. The residents said that as soon as the conversation begun, they robbed victims at gun point.

    One of the victims(name withheld), told the Ghanaian Times that she was walking towards the Nungua Market around 8:00pm when a gentleman neatly dressed engaged her in a conversation as though he knew her.

    She said two more men joined them, and one of them pulled a gun, pointed it at her and demanded her to hand over all her belongings.

    Another victim (name withheld), said she complied with the request of the gang and handed everything, including her mobile phone to them.

    She said that “The most astonishing aspect of the incident is that they warned me not to raise the alarm until they had left the scene or I risk being killed. As if hypnotized, I stood there in awe and watched them escape with my items.”

    Similarly, James Boateng, who also fell victim to the criminals, said he was attacked while walking towards the nearest bus stop from church.

    He said “While walking to the nearest bus stop, I realised two guys were walking behind me. One of them overtook me and blocked me from moving any further. The other person behind me came closer with a knife pointed at my side and ordered that I release my belongings to them.”

    Mr Boateng said without any hesitation he released everything in his possession to the criminals and they fled.

    But when contacted by Ghanaian Times on the issue, the District Police Commander for Nungua, Superintendent Abraham Apusyine, said the situation was yet to come to the attention of security personnel.

    He said stressed that “Interestingly, none of the victims has come to lodge a formal complaint to us.”

    Source: Ghanaian Times

  • Five oldest ministerial nominees by President Akufo-Addo

    Residents of the Krowor Municipality of the Greater Accra, have appealed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr James Oppong-Boanuah, to take appropriate steps to intensity patrols, beef up security and protect lives and properties, in the area.

    The residents, particularly those of Regimauel Gray Estates, have raised the alarm that they were living in a state of insecurity and fear as armed robbers continued to harass and attack them, using sophisticated means.

    Some victims, who have fallen prey to the antics of the robbers, told the Ghanaian Times that they were terrorised in the evenings when traffic flow had reduced.

    They said the robbers stood by the road well-dressed, armed with guns tucked under their dresses and knives that look like combs concealed in their hair and waited for potential victims.

    Once the way was clear, they drew closer in a friendly manner towards victims, who include motorists and other road users, and engaged them in conversation. The residents said that as soon as the conversation begun, they robbed victims at gun point.

    One of the victims(name withheld), told the Ghanaian Times that she was walking towards the Nungua Market around 8:00pm when a gentleman neatly dressed engaged her in a conversation as though he knew her.

    She said two more men joined them, and one of them pulled a gun, pointed it at her and demanded her to hand over all her belongings.

    Another victim (name withheld), said she complied with the request of the gang and handed everything, including her mobile phone to them.

    She said that “The most astonishing aspect of the incident is that they warned me not to raise the alarm until they had left the scene or I risk being killed. As if hypnotized, I stood there in awe and watched them escape with my items.”

    Similarly, James Boateng, who also fell victim to the criminals, said he was attacked while walking towards the nearest bus stop from church.

    He said “While walking to the nearest bus stop, I realised two guys were walking behind me. One of them overtook me and blocked me from moving any further. The other person behind me came closer with a knife pointed at my side and ordered that I release my belongings to them.”

    Mr Boateng said without any hesitation he released everything in his possession to the criminals and they fled.

    But when contacted by Ghanaian Times on the issue, the District Police Commander for Nungua, Superintendent Abraham Apusyine, said the situation was yet to come to the attention of security personnel.

    He said stressed that “Interestingly, none of the victims has come to lodge a formal complaint to us.”

    Source: Ghanaian Times

  • Over 60 health workers test positive for Coronavirus in Savelugu

    Over 60 health workers at the Savelugu Municipal Hospital in the Northern Region have tested positive for Covid-19.

    This follows mass testing of staff of the hospital after an upsurge of cases in the Savelugu Municipality.

    Sources say there are still some samples at the laboratory yet to be tested.

    Ghana has so far recorded a total of 80,253 cases of Covid-19 with 598 new cases recorded.

    73,018 people have recovered and discharged with a total of 577 deaths. Meanwhile, the current active cases have dropped slightly to 6,658.

    Cumulative Cases per Region

    (Case Count from Highest to Lowest)

    Greater Accra Region 46,189

    Ashanti Region 14,046

    Western Region 4,742

    Eastern Region 3,525

    Central Region 2,783

    Volta Region 1,559

    Bono East Region 1,081

    Upper East Region 994

    Northern Region 970

    Bono Region 924

    Western North Region 797

    Ahafo Region 660

    Upper West Region 357

    Oti Region 272

    North East Region 79

    Savannah Region 72

    Source: Starr FM

  • SHS Placement: GES urges calm

    The Ghana Education Service (GES) has urged all stakeholders to remain calm as it prepares to release the computerised school placement “soon”.

    There have been numerous reports about the school placements but by a press release on Sunday, February 21, the GES hinted that the exercise has not been done with yet.

    This comes after an earlier promise to place the over 525,000 qualified students in 721 senior high, technical and vocational schools latest Sunday, February 21.

    “The Service continually assures parents, guardians, candidates and the general public to remain calm as GES is committed to ensuring a smooth, merit-based SHS placement process under established guidelines and look forward to their full cooperation in this regard,” the release signed by the Head of the Public Relations Unit of GES, Cassandra twum Ampofo, said.

    It added that as a result of the Covid-19 situation, call centres will be set up across the country and other appropriate alternative measures will be put in place to resolve all issues connected with the exercise.

    Source: 3 News

  • Techimanhen elected Council of State Member for Bono East

    The Electoral College of Bono East on Saturday elected Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw IV, the Paramount Chief of Techiman Traditional Area to represent the region as a member of the Council of State.

    A High Court in Sunyani on Friday, February 12, 2021, placed an injunction on the conduct of the Council of State Elections in the region.

    Consequently, the region could not partake in the nationwide elections organised by the Electoral Commission (EC) for the 16 politically-administrative regions to elect a representative each to serve on the Council of State.

    Three Assembly Members of the Atebubu-Amantin and Kintampo North Municipal Assemblies sought the court order because their names were excluded from the Bono East Regional Electoral College of the 2021 Council of State Election.

    But the High Court on Friday, February 19, 2021, lifted the injunction for the election process to commence.

    Accordingly, eight out of 10 contestants who had earlier filed nominations to contest the elections later pulled out of the competition, leaving one Mr Agyapong Adu-Baah, a trader and Oseadeeyo Ameyaw IV.

    Two members each from the four Municipal and seven District Assemblies in the region formed the Electoral College of 22 voters and Oseadeeyo Ameyaw IV emerged the winner with all 22 votes.

    In his victory address, Oseadeeyo Ameyaw IV thanked his opponent and those who pulled out to pave way for the smooth process of the election.

    He also expressed profound gratitude to the Electoral College members and entire residents of the region and promised not to betray the confidence reposed in him but would conduct himself as a worthy member of the Council and contribute effectively for the progress of particularly the region and the country in general.

    Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw IV is a banker by profession and works with the GCB Bank Limited. He once worked with the Sunyani main branch of the Bank and also served as its area Manager in Techiman.

    Source: GNA

  • Artisans at Odumasi-Low Cost complain of toilet facility

    Artisans who undergo various trading activities at Odumasi-Low Cost are faced with lack of toilet facility.

    In the year 2007, artisans and residents at Low Cost benefited from a toilet facility which was a project by the then government of Ghana under Highly Indebted Poor Country, HIPC.

    This toilet facility became the first and only public toilet facility, which served the entire residents and artisans at Low Cost.

    For the past four years, this toilet facility, which remains the only public facility, has been in a very poor state and has subsequently, been abandoned by both artisans and residents.

    According to Mr Appiah Manu, a resident at Low Cost, a strong wind in December 2016, ripped off the roofing of the toilet facility and has since not been replaced. This facility used to serve over two hundred households, from those at Low Cost, to those at Yooyooso, he added.

    Mr Baah Twum Emmanuel, a former unit committee member of the Yooyooso Electoral Area indicated that some unscrupulous people in the area, immediately turned the toilet facility into a refuse dump as soon as the roofing sheets were ripped off by a strong wind in December 2016.

    Mrs Elizabeth Adjei, a master hairdresser with seven apprentices, complained that they find it difficult anytime they come to work and have to respond to nature’s call. We have to either beg the landlord of a nearby house to use his toilet facility or we have to take a motorbike to town before we can have access to a public toilet facility.

    A tenant closer to this abandoned toilet facility disclosed that she is faced with a lot of used pampers that she has to sweep every morning. Nursing mothers do not have any place to keep these used pampers and so have to damp them any place they can find. This, she said, has been a bigger challenge for her and her other tenants closer to this abandoned public toilet facility.

    Mr Akapho Stephen, an electrician who has his shop few meters away from this abandoned public toilet facility was not happy at the rate at which some artisans have turned the back of his shop into a urinal. He complained of the bad odour and stink he has to endour anytime he comes to work, especially in the afternoon. Mr Akapho appealed to the assembly to come to their aid to build a urinal and a toilet facility for them.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Savelugu Hospital to be close down due to surge in coronavirus infections

    The Savelugu Municipal Hospital in the Northern Region has announced that the hospital will on February 22, 2021, undergo a 2-week partial close-down due to a surge of COVID 19 infections in the Municipality.

    A memo sighted by GhanaWeb indicates that, the reason for the closure is to afford the hospital the space for a disinfection exercise to take place.

    “The hospital shall render only emergency services” the statement added.

    This according to the memo will enable the hospital to reduce staff-client interaction and pave way for the disinfection of the place, in other to break the chain of transmission.

    They, therefore, entreat the general public to remain calm and co-operate with the management of the hospital.

    They also urged the general public to take the precautionary measures seriously.

    Source: GNA

  • Newly born baby reportedly lying on the floor by mother at Manhyia government hospital

    The obnoxious no bed syndrome in the various government hospitals continues unabated, with patients lying on the bare floor at the various wards to receive medical attention.

    In a recent viral video intercepted by GhanaWeb, a nursing mother who just delivered is seen with her baby on the floor receiving medical attention at the Manhyia government hospital in Kumasi.

    This, according to the narration of the one filming is due to the lack of beds in the hospital.

    The two-minutes-eight-seconds video starts by showing what looks like a congested hospital ward and the corridor of a hospital ward with clothes of patients laid on the floor with some patients receiving IV fluids from the nurses at the hospital.

    “This is very serious, patients lying on the bare floor, no mattress, nothing to receive health. Modern Ghana; this is so serious. Mother and baby on the floor; bare floor no mattress. Newborn baby. Day zero on the floor. This is serious,” the narrator says.

    “Modern day Ghanaian healthcare, something has to be done. Newborn baby and the mom on the bare floor; this is so bad, no mattresses. Someone lying on a bench; on a table. Modern day Ghana healthcare system: something has to be done. This is Manhyia Government Hospital right here in Kumasi. This is bad.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Akufo-Addo, NPP against LGBTQ – Adomako Baafi

    “Nana Akufo-Addo; from his head to toe: we are conservative and we are against it (LGBTQ). It will not be tolerated; right from the presidency to the grassroots” Former Director of Communications for the ruling New Patriotic Party, Lawyer Yaw Adomako Baafi said.

    His comments come after an LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer) office was opened in Tesano, Accra to promote their rights in Ghana. Meanwhile, the government has been called upon to closed down the office.

    Adomako Baafi who was speaking on Kumasi-based Hello FM hinted that the office will soon be closed.

    Listen to him in the video below:

    Source: Peace FM

  • Work on Benchema junction Adjoafua road to be completed on schedule – Project Engineer

    Messers Amandi Investment Ltd, the construction firm working on the 38.3-kilometer Benchema- Junction-Adjoafua road in the Western North Region, has given the assurance that work on the road would be completed on schedule.

    Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on progress made so far, Engineer Justice Addai, Project Engineer, said all the major works including, formation, bush clearing, sub base, surface dressing and drains among others have been completed.

    He said eight out of the 22 new culverts of various sizes to improve upon the drainage on the road have also been completed.

    “We are on course to complete the project on time and we promised to do an excellent work as you can see from the work done so far,” he pointed out.

    He indicated that about 27 percent of the total work have been done and that they were on course.

    The Project Engineer commended opinion and traditional leaders of the area for their support right from day one, which according to him had motivated them to give of their best.

    He hinted that as a company policy and to ensure the implementation of local content, 80 percent of the work force were from the area, this he noted would provide employment opportunities for the youth.

    The Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, on 20th December 2019, cut the sod for the construction of the road, which is expected to be completed in 28 calendar months.

    The road forms part of the cocoa roads being funded by the Ghana Cocoa Board.

    Some of the residents who spoke to the Ghana News Agency lauded the government for starting the construction work on the road, since according to them, successive governments only cut the sod without working on the road.

    Some also commended the contractor for quality work done so far and asked them to speed up work so as to complete it on schedule.

    Mr Collins Nkrumah, Assembly Member for Sayerano Electoral Area, also lauded the government for the construction of the road, which he said linked Ghana and Ivory Coast and would go a long way to boost economic activities between the two countries.

    He also commended the construction firm for reshaping and working on Sayerano and Kantankrubo town roads which were not part of the contract.

    Source: GNA

  • Residents of Chiana speak on the surge in robbery activities

    Residents of Chiana in the Kassena-Nankana West District have for over a year now come under incessant attacks by armed robbers who steal their monies, rape the women and kill them in some cases.

    There have been several frightening reports of how armed robbers blocked major roads in the area and harassed travellers and residents, especially on market days.

    In a very recent incident in the enclave, a livestock trader from Sandema was killed and his money and valuables were taken. A day before that bloody incident, market women were attacked, robbed and raped at gunpoint on the Chiana- Sandema road. There have also been similar reported cases along the Chiana- Katiu, Katiu- Kayoro roads.

    All these incidents have put fear in residents and traders who are gradually losing interest in going to the town for trading activities.

    Today on Eyes on the Ground, GhanaWeb Journalist, Senyalah Castro, who has reported extensively on these robbery activities, speaks to residents on how it is living in a town that is constantly under the attack of gunmen and how the incidents are impacting their daily business activities.

    He also sought to know from residents the suggestions they have for authorities, especially the security apparatus, to help the best curb the incidents.

    Some of the residents who spoke to him lamented the state of insecurity, stressing that they no longer feel safe in the communities. They explained that they could no longer go about their commercial activities as before for fear of being robbed, raped and killed in extreme cases.

    They said the issue of insecurity in the enclave had gotten out of hand and there was an urgent need for a serious approach to be employed in fighting it.

    The residents suggested the siting of Police barriers on major roads in the area and an increment in the number of Police personnel in the area. They also suggested the allocation of Policemen to provide security for market women on market days.

    Residents said the formation of Watchdog Committees in the communities to report to the Police suspicious characters can help fight criminal activities in Chiana and surrounding towns.

    Akoliah Musah, a Teacher and an elected Member of the Kassena-Nankana West District Assembly, suggested to parents to pay more attention to younger children and bring them up properly.

    According to Mr. Akoliah, the current surge in robbery activities in the whole country was as a result of the poor upbringing of younger children by parents. He said poorly raised younger children mostly grow into recalcitrants who are influenced into social vices such as armed robbery.

    He also called for the creation of jobs for the youth to discourage them from engaging in unacceptable lifestyles.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Jasikan road block: Information on contract too scanty – Kofi Adams


    Kofi Adams, the Member of Parliament for the Buem Constituency in the Oti Region has stated that, information on the Jasikan Township Road Contract has been too scanty making it difficult to resolve the challenge.

    The MP made it known that, he had a meeting with the various Heads of Department at the District Assembly to deliberate on trivial issues.

    “On Monday, February 14, 2021, I held a meeting with all Heads of Department in the Jasikan District to deliberate on some trivial issues. We all expected the acting DCE, Hon. Kwame Aziale Lawrence to be present to brief us more on issues relating to the contract but he wasn’t. That has actually made it difficult to get the contractor back to site” he stated.

    Kofi Adams further stated that, it would be a bit difficult to call on Rollider to come in since the main contractor on the road is unknown.

    “Personally, I was of the view that, we get Rollider to come in and clear the heaps of sand and debris on the road but you know, the contractor has not handed over the road so it would be a bit awkward to get another contractor to work on the road” he added.

    The Jasikan Township Road was awarded as contract some few months prior to the December 2020 Election. The road, however, has been abandoned after the election making it difficult to use. The road has been blocked with heaps of sand and debris from the gutters that were excavated in the process.

    A section of the youth on Monday blocked the road over the delay of work but later cleared the road after the intervention of the District Police Command, Chiefs and Elders and Assembly Members.

    Speaking on the next step to take in resolving the issue, the Member of Parliament stated that he will contact the Regional Director for Feeder Roads.

    “Since we have not been able to get enough details on the contract from the District Chief Executive, I will get in touch with the Regional Director for Feeder Roads to get details from there. We will then know what to do after that” he said.

    Currently, information on the whereabouts of the contractor and the reasons for which he has left the site are not available.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Myriad of challenges affecting children with special education needs – NGO

    The Necessary Aid Alliance, a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO), has observed that there are myriad of challenges militating against the performances of children with special needs in mainstream schools.

    Some of the challenges identified, included inadequate teaching and learning materials such as braille and optical devices, inadequately trained teachers with competencies to handle special needs students, mobility challenges as a result of uneven grounds, and general lack of access to mainstream schools.

    Mr Mulumba Ngmenlabagna Songsore, Executive Director for the Alliance, made the observation at an event in Wa to deliberate on the challenges of students with special needs in mainstream schools and the way forward.

    It was organised by the Alliance in conjunction with Plan International under the “Youth Challenge Fund”.

    Mr Songsore emphasised the urgent need for government to pay more attention to ensure that the state of inclusive education in Ghana was improved, which would help the education of children with special needs.

    “Necessary Aid Alliance is using this medium to amplify the challenges students with special needs face in mainstream schools, some of the conditions identified are so appalling and very unfair to people who need our utmost support,” he said.

    He said the commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal on universal education and the provisions in UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Salamanca Accord and the 1992 Constitution of Ghana could not be realised “if children with disabilities or special needs are continually denied and also not motivated to participate in mainstream education system.

    “Inclusive Education is an integral part of the many variables that drive the development of every country hence considered as very important to the realization of the status of a developed world,” he said.

    Mr Michael Tofaatey, a teacher in charge of special needs education at the Wa Senior High School (SHS), noted that it was worrying that at some communities, children with special needs education were not in school.

    He identified lack of embosser machines and recorders as some of the challenges confronting the visually impaired students at the school.

    “If you move to some of the communities, we have children with special needs, how do we bring some of these children on-board, it is a big challenge. …some parents will even tell you that there is no need sending such a person to school. It is a very bad attitude,” he said.

    He appealed to parents, guardians and the general public to help such children in their homes and societies to also be educated.

    Necessary Aid Alliance also distributed over 200 educational souvenirs to students with disabilities in the Region.

    Students with special needs from the Wa SHS and some basic schools in the Wa Municipality and queen mothers attended the event.

    Source: GNA

  • 24 houses burnt in chieftaincy dispute

    Twenty-four (24) houses have been burnt in a chieftaincy dispute between two rival chiefs in Yong Dakpem Yili, a Suburb of Tamale metropolis.

    Food produce harvested by some farmers in the area have also been destroyed in the violence that erupted Thursday evening

    An eyewitness, Noah Nash Hoenyefia, told Starrfm.com.gh that the conflict has forced women and children to take refuge in nearby towns.

    It is unclear what might have sparked the latest disturbances but sources, however, say one of the faction was performing funeral rites which the other faction said they did not have the legitimacy to do so.

    Currently, security personnel have been deployed to help bring the situation under control.

    Source: Starr FM

  • ‘Satellites want to confirm qualification by beating Morocco’ Coach Zito

    Abdul Karim Zito Head Coach of the National under-20 team, the Black Satellites, has said his charges are ready to beat Morocco on Friday to firm up their qualification to the next round of the 2021 Total U-20 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Mauritania.

    Ghana would take on Morocco in their second Group C game on Friday, February 19, 2021, in Nouadibou

    At a pre-match press conference on Thursday evening, Coach Zito, though Morocco seems to have a similar style of play like the Satellites, his players were adequately to face them and overcome their threat.

    “I think it would be an interesting game because we are coming in as Champions of West Africa Zone B and they are champions of their zone as well. We all want to win and confirm qualification so it would be tough. But we are ready for them,” Coach Zito said.

    “Football is football and we all have unique styles of play but Morocco plays quite similar to us. I studied the game based on how the opponent sets up and how they approach the game. So once I see their team tomorrow I would know how to position my players.

    “It would be a crucial match and we know winning the game would depend highly on taking our chances in the game,” he added.

    Defender Emmanuel Agyeman Duah who also attended the press conference expressed confidence that the Black Satellites would emerge victorious against their Moroccan counterparts.

    “We are really prepared and we know they are good tactically but we can assure you of good football tomorrow. We can also assure all Ghanaians that we will be victorious tomorrow” the wing-attacker stated.

    Both Ghana and Morocco won their opening and a win for either side will propel them to the next round of the competition.

    Ghana top the Group with three points, Morocco sits second with three points. While The Gambia and Tanzania occupy the 3rd and fourth positions respectively with no point.

    Source: GNA

  • 615 teenage pregnancies recorded in Wenchi from January to December 2020

    A total of 615 teenage pregnancies were recorded between January and December last year in Wenchi, in the Bono Region.

    The victims ranged between the ages of 10 and 19 years.

    The municipality also recorded 572 cases of teenage pregnancies in 2019 while 580 cases of teenage pregnancies were recorded in the year ended 2018, in 2017, and 2016,577 and 498 cases of teenage pregnancies have been recorded respectively.

    The Wenchi Municipal Director of Health of the Ghana Health Service, Kwaku Bio disclosed this during the 2020 Wenchi Municipal Health Annual Performance Review held in Wenchi Municipal Assembly Hall on Thursday, February 18, 2021.

    He called for the collaborative efforts of stakeholders for drastic reduction and eventual prevention of such unfortunate situation.

    Mr. Kwaku Bio attributed the high rate of teenage pregnancies within the Municipality to “irresponsible parenting” and lack of communication between parents and children.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • TV Licence fee abandoned Oppong-Nkrumah

    The government has abandoned the current system of collecting TV licence Information Minister-designate Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah has said.

    Instead, the proposed Digital Access Fund would be used to replace TV license fee.

    Mr Nkrumah said this when he took his turn to respond to questions from members of the vetting committee of parliament on Thursday, 18 February 2021.

    The TV License Fees which was established by the Television Licensing Act 1966 (NLCD 89) was re-introduced in 2015 to ensure TV owners pay fees.

    The Akufo-Addo led government in 2018 made the payment mandatory and insisted on prosecuting offenders.

    Many Ghanaians kicked against it arguing that the money will be given to the state broadcaster (Ghana Broadcasting Corporation), which provides content they see as less useful.

    Answering further questions on the operations of GBC, Mr Nkrumah said when he took office as Information Minister, GBC was owing GHS 25 million and suggested that the state should bear some of the cost of live broadcast of state functions through the Ministry of Information.

    The status of the Broadcasting Bill and recent attacks on journalists were some of the questions the Committee asked the nominee. Mr Nkrumah assured the Committee that work is being done on the Broadcasting Bill to make it possible for media owners who want to operate websites and other social media networks to register with the National Media Commission (NMC) just like the newspapers.

    On other matters, the nominee hinted that there will be an update on the COVID-19 vaccines and how it would be rolled out today while assuring the Committee that the Presidential Task Force on COVID is working to fight the pandemic.

    Source: Class FM

  • GPL Week 15 Preview: Berekum Chelsea vs Dreams FC

    Berekum Chelsea have been chequered this term and that makes them less fancied to stop the red-hot Dreams FC side at the Golden City Park.

    The 2011 champions had a good result at the same venue last week when they put Eleven Wonders to the sword with a 2-0 scoreline.

    New coach Seth Hoffman’s side continue to blow hot and cold but not losing in their last three matches could be evident that they have rediscovered their form.

    The big question is can they stop Vladislav Viric’s side who are unbeaten in eight matches.

    The Serbian has moulded a strong side capable of demolishing any side in the Ghana Premier League either at home or on the road.

    Dreams FC have not tasted defeat on the road this year as performances have improved.

    The last time they were in the Bono Region, they posted a 2-0 win over Eleven Wonders in Techiman.

    Despite missing Percious Boah and Sulemana Mohammed to the Ghana U20 team for the African championship in Mauritania, the Still Believe lads have not felt disrupted.

    Joseph Esso has rediscovered his scoring boot likewise Agyenim Boateng and that makes them the deadliest duo in the Ghana top-flight.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • CAF U20 Cup of Nations: Ghana coach Zito expects enthralling contest against Morocco

    Ghana coach Abdul Karim Zito expects a giant-screen classic when is side take on Morocco on Friday in their CAF U20 Cup of Nations Group C table-topping clash.

    The Black Satellites will secure early qualification to the next stage of the competition if they add the north Africans to their list of victims.

    On Tuesday, Zito’s side made an electric start with a 4-0 win over Tanzania while Morocco beat Gambia 1-0.

    This has set the stage for a tantalizing contest.

    ”I think it will be an interesting game because we are coming in as champions of West Africa B and they are champions of their zone as well. We all want to win and confirm qualification so it will be tough. But we are ready for them,” Zito told the press at Thursday’s pre-match conference.

    ”Football is football and we all have unique styles of play but Morocco plays quite similarly to us.

    ”I study the game based on how the opponent sets up and how they approach the game. So once I see their team tomorrow I will know how to position my team.

    ”It will be a very crucial match and we know winning the game will depend highly on taking our chances in the game.”

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • We are ready for Morocco – Black Satellites coach Karim Zito

    Ghana U-20 coach Karim Zito says his team is ready for North African zonal champions Morocco for the second Group C match at the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in Mauritania.

    The WAFU Champions Ghana began the tournament with a thumping win against debutants Tanzania with Morocco edging the Gambia.

    Zito is hoping to lead Ghana to a fourth U-20 success but insists they will be taking a game at a time.

    “I think it will be an interesting game because we are coming in as Champions of West Africa B and they are champions of their zone as well. We all want to win and confirm qualification so it will be tough. But we are ready for them,” Coach Zito told the press at Thursday’s pre-match conference.

    “Football is football and we all have unique styles of play but Morocco plays quite similarly to us. I study the game based on how the opponent sets up and how they approach the game. So once I see their team tomorrow I will know how to position my team.

    “It will be a very crucial match and we know winning the game will depend highly on taking our chances in the game,” he concluded.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Black Princesses midfielder Barikisu Abdul-Rahman set for rehab after successful op review

    Ghana U20 ladies midfielder Barikisu Abdul-Rahman has begun rehab after a successful post-surgery review.

    The Pearl Pia Ladies player went under the knife at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to correct a fractured leg four months ago

    She sustained the injury during a friendly match between the Black Maidens and her side the Black Princesses on October 10, 2020 at the Cape Coast Stadium.

    This was after Abdul- Rahman crashed into the Maidens goalkeeper and was diagnosed to have fractured the fibula.

    She was rushed to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital for an initial assessment before being transferred to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

    The Ghana Football Association bore the full cost of the surgery through a newly created Medical Fund.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • ES Setif visit children with cancer ahead of Asante Kotoko Confederation Cup return leg date

    Algerian side ES Setif visited children with cancer on International Childhood Cancer Day ahead of their crunch CAF Confederation Cup clash against Asante Kotoko.

    ICCD is a global collaborative campaign to raise awareness about childhood cancer and to express support for children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors and their families.

    On the landmark 20th edition of the International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day, ES Setif visited children with cancer at the hospital as part of their duty to society.

    The Algerians are sharpening their rough edges ahead of the return leg of the CAF Confederation Cup against the Porcupine Warriors on Sunday.

    ES Setif will go into the match with a 2-1 advantage, having beaten the Ghanaian giants at the Accra Sports Stadium last Sunday.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Emmanuel Kumah recovers in time for Wieczysta Kraków Dubai camping trip

    Ghanaian midfielder Emmanuel Kumah has been cleared to begin group training at Polish side Wieczysta Kraków.

    Wieczysta Kraków are preparing to emplane to Dubai to begin their mid-season training camp.

    The Yellow and Blacks outfit have however been handed a huge boost after Emmanuel Kumah turned up at the training ground on Wednesday.

    Last week, the nimble left-footed midfielder was given a time off after contracting a minor illness.

    The team underwent a mandatory Covid-19 test on Thursday, awaiting the test results before departing to Dubai on Sunday, February 21.

    Kumah joined KS Wieczysta Kraków from Division One club Tudu Mighty Jets on a three deal in 2020.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Tema Presbyterian SHS needs government’s attention

    Reverend Lawrence Kwesi Tete has appealed to government and all educational stakeholders to support the Presbyterian Senior High School at Tema, with infrastructural projects.

    Rev. Tete, who is the Board Chairman of Tema Presbyterian SHS appealed through the Ghana News Agency at Tema said the school, which was a citadel of education had deteriorated and needed urgent refurbishment.

    Rev. Tete, who is also the Minister in charge of Grace Presbyterian Church, Community Eleven Tema said, the Presbyterian SHS in its current state could not boast of any modern infrastructure.

    He said the school must be resourced to perform its role in training the youth within the best resources; although Government provided it with two busses years ago, “we need more resources”.

    He said the main administration block, which was put up by the Tema District of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana started as a private school, housed the headmistress office, the office of their Assistant head, the Accountant, Bookshop, deplorable science laboratory, and staff common room.

    He added that the school had no well-established library, good science laboratories even though they do science as an elective subject.

    The school has no Assembly Hall and therefore used the chapel of Grace Presbyterian Church for their gatherings.

    Rev Tete, therefore, called on the government, past students, Ghana Education Service, Tema Metro Directorate of Education, and Greater Accra Regional Directorate to take a critical look and support the Tema Presbyterian SHS.

    Source: GNA

  • Aggrieved workers of GBC drag PSWU of TUC Ghana to court

    About 150 aggrieved workers of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) have dragged the Public Service Workers Union (PSWU) of TUC Ghana to court, to battle for their constitutional right of freedom of association.

    The aggrieved workers said the PSWU of Ghana which is a third party to their employment relationship at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, has managed to authorized the employer to be deducting 2% of their basic salaries as membership dues without their consent or their knowledge.

    The aggrieved workers said the PSWU, who is a third party to their employment relation, is claiming that they, the PSWU of TUC Ghana, holds the sole and an exclusive right at GBC and that all persons employed by Ghana Broadcasting Corporation are automatic members of PSWU and so the deductions.

    To this acclaimed sole and exclusive right, the PSWU has represented itself as the sole bargaining representative and a protector of workers for their employment conditions at GBC. However, to the plight of GBC workers, for fourteen (14) years, the Collective Agreement of GBC has not been reviewed, workers have being on their grades for ten (10) years or more, for twelve years, the employer is not paying its part of the Tier 3 of their pension benefits (Provident Fund) leading to retirees dying out of shock and frustration immediately they retire; allowances of GBC workers in the collective agreement, are paid based on old old basic pay, just to mention a few; yet each month, the PSWU deducts over 48,000 Ghana Cedis from staff of GBC for such services.

    The aggrieved workers added that, upon investigation, it came out to their dismay that the acclamation of the PSWU of TUC Ghana, to have the sole and exclusive right to all persons employed by GBC, which is expressed in their contract of employment, thereby restricting the staff from exercising their constitutional right is against the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651). Moreover per the constitution of the PSWU, there is condition precedence one must follow to qualify as an eligible member. Thus:

    a. Fill an enrolment form provided by the PSWU

    b. Consent to subscription (2%) deducted from his/her salary

    c. To be issued with a membership card

    According to the aggrieved workers, none of the three conditions above were fulfilled and therefore they (the workers) consider the actions of the PSWU highly fraudulent and unfortunate on the part of management to allow such unlawful deductions.

    In the Supreme Court of Judicature, in the Labour Division of the High Court of Justice Accra, held on the Monday 8th February 2021 and chaired by His Lordship Justice Frank Aboadwe Rockson, the court advised both parties to try settlement, failure of which the motion would be heard on the next adjourned date. The court adjourned the case to 17th March 2021 at 9:30 am.

    Source: Emmanuel Binney, Contributor

  • Ghana loses US$19.8 million through fraudulent activities

    Ghana has lost US$19,800,000 through fraud and criminal activities in 2020 as against at least US$11 million the previous year, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dr. Herbert Gustav Yankson, Director of the Child Protection Digital Laboratory and Cybercrime Unit, has disclosed.

    Additionally, the unit recovered US$101,000, six cars, three plots of land bought with proceeds of fraud.

    ACP Dr. Yankson, in an interview with the Ghanaian Times in Accra, yesterday, said cases reported to the unit included cyber fraud, sex image abuse, child pornography and Facebook account crime, and the victims or complainants were males.

    He said the unit also recorded cases involving charlatan advertisements, illegal sale of examination questions, forgery of documents, sale of pre-registered Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards and publication of false news.

    ACP Yankson stated that the unit recorded an increase of 39 per cent in fraud, due to online transactions in the wake of COVID-19, adding that some offenders were jailed while other cases were pending in court.

    He said the unit arrested 241 fraudsters or criminals in 2020 as against 135 the previous, explaining that “the increase in arrest can be attributed to the establishment of Child Protection and Digital Forensic Laboratory”.

    ACP Yankson expressed worry over want of prosecution regarding some cases because victims refused to testify in court because of stigmatisation.

    He said the unit would intensify its sensitisation of the public and train personnel to be abreast with current methods adopted by the fraudsters, to reduce crime.

    ACP Yankson commended social media partners for their support to the unit in the fight against crime.

    He cautioned the youth against internet fraud and called on institutions, companies and individuals to protect their cyberspace against criminals.

    ACP Yankson stressed “We must all endeavour to improve the culture on cybersecurity in all our transactions”.

    Source: Ghanaian Times

  • FDA issues alert on contaminated pet foods

    The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has informed the general public about the recall of various brands of Pet Foods manufactured by Midwestern Pet Foods, Indiana in the United States of America.

    The FDA in a statement noted that the products were recalled because they contain high aflatoxin contamination which caused the death of 70 dogs and illnesses in some 80 other dogs.

    The products are Pro Pac Originals, Sportmix, Splash Pet Food, Sportstrail Pet Food, and Nunn Better Dry Dog and Cat Foods.

    The FDA has therefore asked persons in possession of these products to return them to the importer, place of purchase, or any of the FDA offices nationwide.

    Read the full statement below





    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Highway robbery shall be combated swiftly IGP assures residents of Upper East

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) James Oppong-Boanuh has pledged that highway robberies, which is on the ascendancy in the Upper East Region, will be swiftly dealt with as the Police Service working with other stakeholders are frantically strategising to curb the unfortunate trend even as the police continue to do their best possible to tackle the matter.

    Mr Oppong-Boanuh made the pledge Wednesday,17th February, 2021, after personally touring the spots where these highway robberies have occurred in the Upper East Region so as to apprise himself of the nature of the places and the measures so far put in place.

    “ I am going to sit down with the Regional Police Command and re-strategise and see what measures to put in place to ensure that these[robberies] do not occur,” he said.

    He continued that he will “sit down with them [the security agencies and other stakeholders] again. And we will review their plans and see what assistance we can give them to ensure that the crimes do not occur again. I can assure the general public that we are doing whatever we can and we will go to whatever length to ensure that the public is made safe.”

    His visit to the region was prompted by reports of several highway robberies within a short range of time, especially involving tomato traders who travel through the region to Burkina Faso to purchase fresh tomatoes.

    The traders who had come under intense attacks suspended their travels demanding that security be beefed up for them to ensure that they are safe as they go about their business.

    Source: My News GH

  • NDC summons Atubiga over Eugene Arhin comment

    The opposition National Democratic Congress has summoned its member Stephen Atubiga over comments he made over the alleged properties owned by presidential spokesperson Eugene Arhin.

    Mr Atubiga is said to have defended the alleged wealth gathered by the presidential staffer over the last four years.

    The party in a letter summoning him said his comments were inconsistent with its values.

    “I write in respect of a news item captioned “Only Useless Politicians Retire Poor”, published on Ghanaweb on Saturday the 13th of February, 2021, which was attributed to you. The report indicated that you have allegedly chided Ghanaians criticizing Eugene Arhin of the NPP for amassing wealth in the space of four years. Excerpts from the statements you are alleged to have made include:

    ” “It is wise that as an individual working, there is the need to amass wealth so you can give back to your parents and society for contributions made to your upbringing” 2. “It is only a politician who led a wayward life who will retire poor”, the summons letter said.

    It added: “FEC finds the above statements unfortunate, especially when they are not consistent with the very principles on which the NDC is founded. Consequently, you are invited to meet FEC on Wednesday the 24th of February, 2021 at the Party Head Office, Adabralca at 2:30pm, to explain to FEC why disciplinary actions should not be taken against you”.

    Meanwhile, Mr Arhin’s wife has since reversed initial claims she made against her husband, presenting revised documents before the divorce court.,

    Source: Starr FM

  • Ghana needs more affordable houses – Government told

    Mrs Karen Evans Halm, Chief Operating Officer, Spektra Global, has reiterated that Ghana needs more affordable houses to meet the housing deficit and the growing upper and lower-middle-class economic demand.

    Mrs Halm said according to the Ghana Statistical Service the nation needs in excess of 100,000 housing units annually to meet the current demand of its population; this indicates a deficit of two million housing units and that a shortage of affordable housing has created a market for technologically advanced, sustainable solutions.

    She said this when Purple Park, the real estate subsidiary company of Spektra Global Limited, launched its brand of luxurious homes: “The Seed Gate,” located at Tema community 25 to contribute to efforts to address the housing challenges in Ghana.

    Mrs Halm said the determination to rise above the norms and challenges in the housing sector led to the establishment of the Purple Park to provide affordable luxurious and convenient homes for all.

    She called on the government to solve land problems and to create systems to curb the multiple sale of the parcel of land to different personalities.

    “Persons can sell lands to more than one person and there is no way one could detect even from the land registry, such practices should be seen as criminal and perpetrators brought to book,” she said.

    She said such activities amongst others makes building houses in the country especially urban areas expensive hence the high cost of buildings.

    She said Seed Gate consisted of two and three-bedroom detached and semi-detached residences featuring plush landscapes, high-speed internet connections, smart automation systems and tarred roads and other modern housing amenities that provided convenience for homeowners.

    Mr Evans William Halm, Chief Executive Officer, Spektra Global said the gated community had around the clock security presence, social amenities and the conveniences of a modern living adding that every detail had been designed to give residents a home they love and a lifestyle they cherish, she said.

    He said the community strikes a good balance between leasing land and providing the facilities needed adding that Interestingly the community is close to the city centre of Tema offering residents access to shopping malls, schools and other social amenities.

    Mr Amos Kevin-Annan, Consultant, Healthy Homes Advocate described the architectural works as impressive adding that space utilization was essential to land use.

    Source: GNA

  • IGP assures Ghanaians of effective security

    Mr James Oppong-Boanuh, the Inspector General of Police, has assured the general public of the commitment of the Ghana Police Service to give effective security and stem crime in the country.

    The IGP acknowledged the high crime wave in parts of the country and the recent upsurge of robbery cases in the Upper East, and said the Police will go to every length to ensure public safety.

    He was speaking to the media at Pusunamongo in the Talensi District, Upper East Region, during a three- day working in the region and to visit recent crime scenes in the area.

    He was accompanied by a team made up of the Director-General in charge of Operations, Commissioner of Police (COP), Kwaku Boadu Peprah, Director, Operation, DCOP Sayibu Pabi Gariba, ACP Joseph Owusu Ansah (Chief of Staff), and the Director, Public Affairs, Mrs Sheila Kessie Abayie- Buckman.

    The IGP said though some interventions had already been put in place by the Regional Police Command in response to the crime situation in the region, he and his team would help review those plans and re-strategize to put measures in place to nib the situation in the bud.

    Mrs AbayieBuckman in response to questions from the media on tomato traders who had suffered attacks from armed robbers recently and other security issues, indicated that, personal safety and security were key and those escort innovations for traders especially tomato sellers from Accra to Kumasi needed to be well organized such that any escort would have to provide security for the fleet of vehicles travelling from Accra to Burkina Faso, “that will give effective escort than travelling individually”.

    Last week two drivers en-route to Burkina Faso were attacked and killed at Pusunamongo on the Bolgatanga Tamale highway in the Talensi District.

    One of the drivers who was on his way to Burkina-Faso with some traders to cart tomatoes was shot and killed and the traders robbed of various sums of money, whilst another driver carrying cement was also killed at the same spot.

    Earlier the IGP and his team visited Katiu, Kalinjilsa No.2, and Sandema in the Builsa North District, where similar attacks on traders had occurred.

    Briefing the IGP on the recent robbery cases that claimed one life in the district, the Sandema District Police Commander, ASP Francis Kwesi Amankwaa, said after the Police had escorted traders from Fumbisi to Chuchuliga in the Builsa North District on a market day and had returned to the station, a message was received that other traders were being attacked but when the Police got to the supposed scene, no one was there.

    The Commander said a dead person was found on the Katiu road with gun wounds and pellets at that scene, and the body had since been deposited at the mortuary awaiting autopsy.

    As part of measures to improve the situation, the Upper East Regional Police Commander, DCOP Osei Kweku Ampofo-Duku has directed that the Police should escort traders to and from market centres.

    Source: GNA

  • Procurement of 307 ambulances cost government $54.3 million – Hawa Koomson

    Government spent $177,000 to procure each of the 307 ambulances under the One-Constituency, One-Ambulance programme, amounting to a total of $54,339,000.

    The procurement processes involved production, distribution and insurance cover on the ambulances.

    Madam Mavis Hawa Koomson, the Minister-designate for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, made the disclosure during her vetting by the Parliament’s Appointments Committee, on Thursday.

    The Minister-designate was the former Minister in charge of Special Initiatives in the first term of the Akufo-Addo-led government, under whose watch the ambulances were procured.

    She said the ambulances were Mercedes Benz brand and that all the six contractors who won the bid received dealer authorisation permits from the Public Procurement Authority in compliance with the country’s procurement laws.

    With regard to the number of dams completed under One-Village,One-Dam, she said, out of the 560 dams targeted, 471 were constructed with 427 fully active and providing all-year round water to farmers in the five regions in the north.

    Also, 50 district warehouses were targeted for construction to store grains and cocoa beans out of which 42 were fully completed, while eight were between 80 and 90 per cent completed.

    She said each warehouse could store up to 1,000 metric tonnes of grains and were constructed in collaboration with the ministries of Food and Agriculture, Ghana Buffer Stock Company Limited and Special Initiatives.

    Madam Hawa Koomson, also the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East in the Central Region, apologised for shooting a gun during the voter registration exercise on July 20, last year.

    The incident generated a lot of public outcry and condemnation from a cross section of Ghanaians.

    The issue is still under Police investigations.

    However, Madam Hawa Koomson insisted that nobody got injured since she fired the warning shots into the atmosphere.

    The Minister-designate answered questions regarding policies to ensure tax waivers on fish feeds, plans to ending invasion of Chinese trawlers on the country’s territorial waters for illegal fishing, trans-shipment (Saiko), and increasing the tonnes of fish produced locally, among others. GNA

    Source: GNA

  • Ghana has not recorded any Ebola case – GHS

    The Ghana Health Service has issued a disclaimer on the news that the country has recorded cases of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), allaying the fears of many.

    In a tweet on its official Twitter handle, the GHS stated that Ghana has not recorded any case of the EVD as has been recorded by some news outlets.

    Earlier, it had issued a notice to all regional directors of health and chief executive officers of the various teaching hospitals about the re-emergence of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in West Africa.

    This followed the news of seven cases of the viral disease confirmed in West African country, Guinea, on Sunday, February 14. Three of the cases recorded there were reported to have died.

    As a result, the Director-General of the Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, charged all health facilities “to initiate preparedness and response plans for EVD”.

    But, this information seemed to have been misintepreted to mean that Ghana had also recorded a case of the EVD.

    To reassure the public, the GHS stated in the tweet that, “Ghana has not recorded any case of Ebola Virus DIsease (EVD). However, the country is on high alert after Guinea, a West African neighbor, confirmed seven cases of EVD.”

    They have therefore asked all to disregard the false information.

    “Disregard the news circulating that Ghana has confirmed a case,” it concluded.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Robbery Attacks: IGP storms Bolga and environs, deploys Special Anti-Robbery commandos

    As part of measures geared towards addressing the insecurity in the five regions of the North, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) is in the Upper East Region for a working tour.

    In recent times, there have been several reports from the Upper East region of robbery attacks on citizens in the region.

    The robberies are both daylight and night robberies on the people at home and even in Church. Worrying is also the incessant attacks on market women who ply the roads to Burkina Faso for tomatoes.

    In the Upper East Region, the IGP according to the Upper East Regional Police P.R.O ASP David Okyere-Fianko will be visiting some Districts which have been earmarked as hotspots of these robbery attacks in the region.

    The Inspector-General of Police is expected to also meet the media in the region in an interactive session on measures put in place to ensure that citizens are provided with the protection they need to keep them safe.

    Meanwhile, the IGP has deployed Special Anti-Robbery Teams to support local police in some of the affected areas, to combat crime.

    Source: My News GH

  • II put in measures to support sexually abused persons – Adwoa Safo

    The Minister-designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection Lawyer Sarah Adwoa Safo has pledged to put in place measures to protect victims of violent crimes including rape and defilement.

    Lawyer Francis-Xavier Sosu, the MP for Madina asked she would do support victims of violent crimes especially girls who are unable to pay for the medical bills in the case of rape and defilement before they seek justice.

    The nominee, in answering said when she gets the nod, she would put in place policies to ensure that the law is fully implemented.

    He said the Domestic Violence Act and the Criminal Code are there to protect victims and punish offenders.

    According to her, the demand for money before, rape and other sexually assaulted victims are examined, is deterring many from seeking justice.

    The nominee wants to leave a legacy behind by impacting the lives of many especially the vulnerable in society.

    Meanwhile, she has pledged to initiate moves to ensure the construction of recreational centres in all the regions we have in the country.

    She further promised to lead the course to have the Aged Bill passed to seek the welfare of the aged in society.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • I was not involved in Frontier airport contract – Adwoa Safo

    Former Minister for procurement Sarah Adwoa Safo says she was not involved in the process that led to the award of government contract to Frontier Healthcare Services the company conducting COVID-19 tests at the Kotoka International Airport.

    Appearing before the Appointment Committee Wednesday, the Gender Minister-designate said the former Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta, who has been renominated for the job, will have information on the contract.

    “I want to state on record that the Public Procurement Act of 2003 was not changed during my tenure as Minister of State for Public Procurement so the supervisory minister which is clearly stated in the law is the Minister for Finance,” she said.

    The Dome-Kwabenya MP is the fourth key government official to deny knowledge of details of the contract. Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman-Manu was first to decline knowledge followed by the former Foreign affairs minister then former deputy Attorney General and then former deputy health minister Bernard Okoe-Boye.

    “It will be very difficult for me to answer this particular question, why because there is a presidential task force that is supporting the ministry to do the Covid battle. This particular arrangement was put in place by the task force that reports to the President. They actually did the procurement,” the former Health Minister said.

    “Were were not in normal times and so there were certain things we had to do and then try to rectify them as we go forward because of the urgency of what we should do immediately. I am not very privy to the initial stages of the procurement because it was a joint operation between the National Covid-19 taskforce and the Ghana Health Service (GHS). By the time it came to my notice, they had finished the arrangements”.

    Government engaged the company to conduct rapid COVID-19 tests of passengers since the opening of the airport to International Passenger flights.

    Watch her vetting below

    Source: Starr FM

  • Eyewitnesses blame potholes for accident on Tema motorway

    An accident occurred on the Tema Motorway today, February, 17 and observers have blamed potholes on the road.

    An eyewitness account indicates that the driver, who is a lady lost control after hitting the pothole and eventually landed in a ditch.

    Speaking on SVTV Africa, the incident which happened at 11 am involved a saloon car with three passengers.

    Thankfully, none was severely injured but was rushed to the Tema General Hospital for treatment.

    The pedestrians pleaded with the government to fix these potholes because they have caused a lot of accidents on the motorway.

    Watch the full interview below;

    Source: svtvafrica.com

  • Ghana Railway Development CEO dead

    Richard Dombo, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Railway Development Limited (GRDA) is dead.

    According to a Joy News report monitored by GhanaWeb, he died of COVID-19 complications on Wednesday, February 17, 2021.

    Since he tested positive for the virus, Richard Dombo, was on self-isolation at his home until his sudden demise.

    Richard Dombo was appointed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as the GRDA CEO in 2017.

    He is the son of the late Chief Simon Diedong Dombo, one of the founders of the Danquah-Dombo-Busia political tradition which gave birth to the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    Dombo, until his appointment, served as the operations manager for southwest rail, one of the largest rail operators in the UK, and has played various roles in the sector since 1994.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • ‘I’ve never seen this kind of vetting since 1992’ – Pratt applauds Appointments Committee

    Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr has applauded the Parliamentary Appointments Committee.

    According to Mr. Pratt, the Parliamentary Appointments Committee has shown maturity in vetting the Ministerial appointees of President Nana Akufo-Addo.

    Kwesi Pratt Jnr, speaking on Peace FM’s ”Kokrokoo” programme, commended the Committee for not seeking their own political interests but rather putting Ghana first, therefore posing legitimate questions to the Ministers-designate with the aim of approving the right persons for the right job.

    “I’m seeing some maturity in our Parliament. The quality of vetting has improved tremendously. I applaud Parliament for elevating themselves to this level and thinking about Ghanaians and the Ministers-designate, and asking questions that concern their work and Ghana’s development. It should not degenerate,” he said.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Ghana Water Company ration’s water in Takoradi

    Management of Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) in the Western Region has begun rationing water in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis due to the low level of water at the treatment plant.

    “Due to the onset of the dry season and its effects on water production and distribution, it has become necessary to ration water in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis until the raw water supply situation improves”.

    Nana Yaw Barima Barnie, Western Regional Communications Manager of GWCL who made this known in an interview with the GNA said plans were currently underway to dredge its intake points at Daboase and Bosomase to increase the quantity of raw water.

    He said, “following this developing incident, the company has provided customers with a rationing schedule through which water will be distributed to customers”.

    According to him, areas to receive water supply on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays are Effiakuma, Effia, Effiakuma Zongo, Bankyease, Sawmill, Lagos Town, Airport Ridge, Kwesimintsim, Dupaul, Apowa, Assakae, Apremdo, New Amanful, Funko, Adwoa, Kajebril, and East and West Tanokrom.

    On Wednesdays, Anaji, West Line, West Anaji Residential Area would also be supplied with water.

    On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Beach Road, Chapel Hill, Dixcove Hill, Esikafuo Ambantem (1, 2 & 3), Kintampo Road, Cape Coast Road, Port Quarters, Accra Road, Amonoo Road, and Bekwai Road would be supplied with water.

    The rest are New Takoradi, John Sabbah Road, Tower Reservoir, Sekondi Road, Nkontompo, Poly Area, CDH, New Site, Harbour Area, Windy Ridge, Kokompe, Air Force and Adakope.

    Nana Barnie appealed to the residents to use treated water judiciously by storing enough water that would last for their next supply of water.

    He also advised against the use of treated water to water lawns and wash cars.

    Source: GNA

  • GH¢1.5 billion saved through KelniGvG rollout – Ursula Owusu

    Minister-Designate for Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has allayed public fears of Ghana approving and activating the 5G Network by telecommunication companies.

    There have been public concerns about the high radiation effects associated with 5G internet with a possibility of Ghana considering it.

    But responding to a question on whether there are plans to activate the 5G internet, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful said Ghana was far from activating it.

    She indicated that if there were plans, stakeholders would have been engaged to look into it.

    “There are a lot of myths surrounding 5G, most of which is untrue. Ghana is far away from 5G yet if approved, we would have discussions with stakeholders,” she said.

    The outspoken Minister-designate made these comments during her vetting in Parliament.

    5G Network

    5G is the 5th generation mobile network. It is a new global wireless standard after 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G networks. 5G enables a new kind of network that is designed to connect virtually everyone and everything including machines, objects, and devices.

    5G wireless technology is meant to deliver higher multi-Gbps peak data speeds, ultra-low latency, more reliability, massive network capacity, increased availability, and a more uniform user experience to more users. Higher performance and improved efficiency empower new user experiences and connect new industries.

    Source: My News GH