TIG Post

Author: Persis

  • NBSSI disburses GH¢37m stimulus fund to creative arts practitioners

    The National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) has disbursed GH¢37 million to creative arts practitioners who applied for loans under the Coronavirus Alleviation Programme Business Support Scheme (CAP BuSS).

    The 24,464 beneficiaries have since invested their share of the fund in their respective businesses to save the sector from the negative impact of the COVID-19.

    The beneficiaries, who received between GH¢1,000 and GH¢200,000, are from 12 creative arts associations which were supported by the Creative Arts Agency (CAA).

    They include people in the garment and textiles sub-sector, photographers, hairdressers and beauticians, musical instruments and electronic dealers, furniture makers, music producers, event and meeting professionals, artisans, smock and Kente weavers, leather dealers and makers, goldsmiths and jewellers, musicians and film producers.

    The CAP BuSS is a special fund set up by the government last year to help cushion MSMEs from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    It was established with seed capital of GH¢600 million and subsequently increased to GH¢750 million.

    The Head of Operations at the CAA, Mr Frank Owusu, made this known in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra last Saturday.

    Context

    Most firms in the creative and tourism space have not been able to generate enough funds to pay their staff, following restrictions placed on social gathering to contain the spread of the COVID-19.

    This has brought financial hardships on practitioners and other businesses, for which reason the government set up the CAP BuSS to help alleviate their plight.

    In spite of the availability of the fund, some industry players, including creative arts practitioners, are yet to benefit from the stimulus package

    Mr Owusu, however, disagreed with that assertion, insisting that majority of the applicants had benefitted from the fund.

    The agency had so far supported 12 creative arts member associations, out of the 15 associations under its umbrella, to access the package.

    “An appreciable number of creative arts businesses and individuals who applied for the stimulus package through the agency have received their share, according to records available to us,” he added.

    According to the National President of the Ghana Hairdressers and Beauticians Association (GHABA), Ms Tina Yirenkyi, about 247 out of the 600 members sponsored through CAA had received their share of the fund.

    The Chairman of the National Fashion Designers Union of Ghana, Mr Tony Kwesi Owusu, also confirmed that out of the 76 members who applied, 71 had received their share of the fund by the close of business last Friday.

    “We validated all our members to ensure that they are in a position to repay the loans before we sponsored them. We also plan to visit the beneficiaries after one year of accessing this package to ensure that they begin the repayment processes,” he said.

    New agency

    The CAA is the umbrella body of all creative arts under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

    The agency was established under the Creative Arts Act to properly manage the sector.

    “Among its duties is to regulate all the creative domains in the country through some identified 15 creative arts associations. As a mother body, we sponsored a number of applications from creative arts practitioners for them to benefit from the package,” Mr Owusu said.

    He said that was to ensure that the agency effectively monitored the system to ensure that beneficiaries paid back their loans within the stipulated period.

    Source: Goldstreet Business

  • Refrain from increasing fares Driver associations told

    The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of TUC has called for a ceasefire on the proposed increase in transport fares.

    National Chairman Nana Nimako Bresiama has pleaded with the various driver association to refrain from increasing the transport fares at least until the government forms his ministers.

    Some driver associations had threatened to increase transportation.

    The National Association of Concerned Drivers with over 150,000 members, for instance, has projected a 10 percent increment in fares by next week as members complain about hikes in fuel prices and spare parts.

    Speaking on Akoma FMs morning show GhanAkoma, GPRTU National Chairman Nana Nimako Bresiama called for ceasefire till the Transport Minister-designate is confirmed and the subsequent consensus is reached met by major stakeholders in the industry.

    He told host Aduanaba Kofi Asante Ennin that “the government has not even finished forming his cabinet and other ministers, so why the rush?”

    “I think the various driver associations must exercise restraint until the Road Minister-designate is confirmed then we can have a roundtable discussion on the situation. As it stands I believe the proposal is premature.”

    Meanwhile, Public Relations Officer for True Drivers Union Yaw Barima believes that government has increased prices of fuel through some means but has always resisted their call to increase fares.

    Spokesperson for the National Concerned Drivers Association David Agboado explained his group is not relenting on the decision to increase the fare.

    “I wish to announce to cherished clients that there will be 10% increment of passenger fare coming Monday,” he said, adding that “this decision was informed by the increment of some taxes at the DVLA and the ports.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Coronavirus: Ghana records 702 new cases and 6 deaths

    The number of COVID-19 related deaths recorded in Ghana has risen by six.

    According to the latest update by the Ghana Health Service, newly recorded cases as at February 13, 2021, is 702.

    This keeps the countries daily infection rate within the 700 average as has been the case over the past week.

    The number of current active cases has further risen to 7,866 with the cumulative number of confirmed cases now 77,748.

    69,321 of the cumulative number of cases are said to have recovered from the virus whiles 561 of the total infections have resulted in deaths.

    See below the regional breakdown of the cumulative case count:

    Greater Accra Region – 45,191

    Ashanti Region – 13,822

    Western Region – 4,559

    Eastern Region – 3,342

    Central Region – 2,697

    Volta Region – 1,386

    Bono East Region – 966

    Northern Region – 862

    Bono Region – 833

    Upper East Region – 814

    Western North Region – 773

    Ahafo Region – 625

    Upper West Region – 307

    Oti Region – 258

    Savannah Region – 69

    North East Region – 61

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Revise your payment plan and we will do better – Local contractors chide Amoako Attah

    Following his comments that no local contractor has the capacity to undertake the design and construction of the Accra-Tema Motorway Extensions Project, the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry (GhCCI), has expressed grave disappointment in the minister-designate for Roads and Highways.

    The nominee, Kwesi Amoako Attah, was answering questions in Parliament during his vetting at the Appointments Committee, on the capacities of local contractors when he made the comment.

    He had told the Committee that the government signed a contract with the Portuguese conglomerate Mota-Engil to construct some interchanges because, unlike Ghanaian construction firms, this company has the ability to carry out the projects.

    But, this has not sat well with members of the industry.

    Speaking with Citi News in a phone interview, the Chief Executive Officer of GhCCI, Emmanuel Cherry blamed the non-interest in such a project by any Ghanaian contractor on the poor payment plan by the government.

    Besides, he added, any of the major projects funded by foreign donors come with terms that prevent them (local contractors) from being contracted.

    “Most of these huge contracts are donor-funded contracts with conditionalities attached. Secondly, most of the local contracts are short-changed because the payment regimes are not favourable to our local contractors to help them build the capacities they require. Whenever a condition is attached to a project, it will be very difficult for a local contractor to go in and win,” he said.

    He further called on the minister-designate to review the payment terms for local contractors when approved by Parliament.

    “All we are expecting from the minister is to try as a matter of urgency to review the payment mode at his ministry so that payment will go according to the contractual terms. If payment is very swift as expected in the contact, most of our local contractors are ready to build the financial, technical and logistical capacity to be able to match up with their foreign counterparts in any bid that may come,” he added.

    Meanwhile, Kwesi Amoako Attah has indicated that it is due to the difficulties brought on the economy by the coronavirus that monies owed contractors in the country have not been paid yet.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • 124 people displaced by rainstorm at Adaklu Kpogadzi

    Some 124 people have been displaced by rainstorm that struck the Adaklu-Kpogadzi area in the Volta Region on Sunday, February 14, ripping the roofs off 30 buildings and causing extensive damage to property.

    The affected persons, now living with relatives and friends, are appealing for support to reroof their buildings. No casualty was recorded.

    Mr Nicholas Amanfu, the Adaklu District Director, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), who visited the community on Monday, advised the people to plant trees to serve as a windbreak.

    He entreated them to always consult the Physical Planning Department of the Assembly for technical advice before putting up buildings.

    Mr Amanfu said 54 bundles of roofing sheets were needed to reroof the affected buildings after damage assessment.

    He appealed to organisations and philanthropists to support the NADMO to resettle the victims.

    Mr Prosper Agbo, a victim, said aside the roof of his building being ripped off, his farm had been inundated, with some electric poles destroyed leaving some areas in darkness.

    Source: GNA

  • NADMO recommends demolition of structures at Tema

    Mr Ebenezer Cudjoe, the Tema Metropolitan Director of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), has recommended the demolition of unauthorized structures around the Tema Community Seven Post Office because of the risk they pose to life and property.

    In a statement signed and copied to the Ghana News Agency at Tema, the Tema NADMO Regional Director stated that the structures were constructed indiscriminately, as a result, obstruct the free flow of water.

    NADMO, therefore, urged the Tema city authorities to pull down the structures to avert a possible disaster in the future.

    The NADMO statement explained that the Community Seven Post Office area was a flood-prone zone due to unauthorized structures blocking the free flow of rain water.

    NADMO, therefore, called for urgent action to remove the structures before the start of the rainy season to avoid flooding.

    Meanwhile, a Ghana Post Office Company Limited petition to the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) copied to the GNA asked the Assembly to be swift with the demolition exercise to prevent the destruction of property.

    The petition, which was signed by the Accra East Head of GPCL, Madam Georgina Donkor, said: “anytime the place floods, the office loses letters, parcels and other valuables and important documents for both the company and customers.”

    Source: GNA

  • Election Petition: I advise petitioner to file a motion to discontinue petition NDC MP

    Rockson-Nelson Este Kwami Dafeamekpor, the NDC MP for South Dayi has said the Petitioner in the ongoing Election Petition at the Supreme Court should file a motion to discontinue the hearing.

    According to him, looking at how the Justices at the Supreme Court are throwing out motions filed by the Counsels for the Petitioner, it clearly shows that the opposition party is endangered in the country and that “Justice emanates from the people” as espoused in the Constitution no longer holds.

    In a post on his Twitter timeline sighted by GhanaWeb, the MP wrote, “I advise that the party files a motion for leave to discontinue or withdraw the petition without liberty to reapply. The NDC is clearly endangered in this Country. “Justice emanates from the People… Art. 125(1)”.

    The seven-member panel of the Supreme Court in its ruling on Tuesday, February 16, said it cannot give the petitioner in the on-going election petition an opportunity to reopen his case for the purpose of a subpoena being issued on Jean Adukwei Mensah, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission.

    Jean Mensa, as the Returning Officer of the presidential election, has the sole responsibility of declaring the election results.

    The court presided over by Chief Justice (CJ) Kwasi Anin-Yeboah is of the view that the petitioner cannot hide under the cloak of new evidence to fill the gaps and lapses in his case.

    The Justices also pointed out that the petitioner has not even adduced any new and compelling evidence in its application and that “petitioner has advanced the same arguments” of his counsel during an earlier oral argument on that matter, the day all parties closed their case on 11 February 2021.

    Tsikata had on 11 February, made the oral submission for reopening of the case since the CJ himself had expressed surprise that the respondents had closed their case suddenly, opting not to call their scheduled witnesses.

    The Chief Justice in an extensive reference to the Poku v. Poku 2007-08 Supreme Court of Ghana case available in the Ghana Law Report, read the unanimous ruling.

    “The rule is intended to assist an applicant who has made a general attempt to look for the evidence and has worked in favour to cause us to be ardent to unmasking attempt by an unsatisfied party coming through the back door and under the cloak of having to come by new or fresh evidence seeking to fill in gaps or lapses in his or her case. The rule is not meant to aid the slothful or indolent, the reckless or negligent litigant whether acting same or through his counsel” the Chief Justice quoted.

    He continued the aforementioned reference: “The application is not granted on compassionate grounds neither is it meant to give [……], particularly a litigant, acting through counsel and who fails at the trial to marshall his facts carefully or fails to conduct his case properly by presenting essential evidence at the trial or through the necessary cross-examination. And also fails to conduct the necessary investigation in which he would have thrown light on or strengthened his case or give him or her a second chance at rebuilding his or her case,” Justice Anin Yeboah quoted.

    According to the Chief Justice, the same point was captured in the case of Annabel versus Owusu 1982-83, Ghana Law Report 585.

    He concluded by referencing a Canadian case cited by Akoto Ampaw, counsel for the 2nd Respondent, and stated that even though the power to grant an applicant the opportunity to reopen their case is at the discretion of the court, it must be used sparingly.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Kelni GVG made savings of US$1.1 million monthly Ursula Owusu

    Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister Designate for Communications and Digitalization has revealed that the introduction of the Kelni GVG platform made a cost saving of US$1.1 million monthly to government.

    According to her all the laws regarding procurement in the Kelni GVG Common platform contract were followed.

    “So Mr Chairman at every stage of the way, all the laws regarding procurement were followed to the letter in this case before the contract was awarded”

    Mrs Owusu-Ekuful made the revelation when she appeared before the Appointment Committee of Parliament on Monday for vetting.

    The nominee who was the first to appear before the vetting committee was the former Minister of Communications and Member of Parliament (MP) for Ablekuma West.

    Mrs Owusu-Ekuful who has been renominated for the same position has been credited for championing the expansion of the telecom sector and digitization agenda of the country.

    Mrs Owusu-Ekuful also explained that the equipment in the Kelni GVG platform is hosted at the National Communication Authority (NCA) and owned by the Government of Ghana unlike the previous case when venders owned and operated the equipment.

    She said by abrogating the previous contract with SUBA Solutions and Afrowave and entering into another contract with KelniGVG alone they achieved a cost-saving US$1.1 million, saying that alone provided less cost but more value.

    She said the common platform unlike the previous contract offers real-time monitoring of 2.5 billion transactions a day within the telecom sector IN calls, SMS, mobile money among others.

    Mrs Owusu-Ekuful further explained that the common platform has four functionalities such as revenue assurance, traffic monitoring, fraud management and mobile money monitoring.

    She announced the NCA and Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) are expected to take over and manage the common platform for their regulatory purposes and to assist them to perform their obligation.


    Source: GNA

  • Rainstorm displaces residents including 97-year-old in Likpe Koforidua

    Madam Aminatu Dramani, a 97-year-old bedridden resident of Likpe Koforidua in the Oti Region is among scores affected by a heavy rainstorm that affected the community.

    A visit to the community by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) saw affected residents salvaging their belongings and trying to rebuild the leftovers.

    Madam Zeibenatu Dramani, a trader and daughter of the nonagenarian, who was almost in tears told GNA that her mother’s health deteriorated after the incident.

    “Lucky for us, I was with her in the room when it was raining and I had no idea our roofs will be ripped up. All of a sudden, the roof went off and we were helpless in the room with our belongings being soaked by the rain.”

    She said their belongings were not only soaked, but their kitchens also brought down to the ground.

    “All we will be doing is to be washing daily while we hope to get help from authorities to come back on track.”

    Mr Anthony Nyabiase, a farmer and a victim said he went to the farm and upon arrival, his building was without its roof.

    He said he was trying to get mud available for masons to raise part of the collapsed walls.

    Another victim, Madam Bashiru Rafira, whose walls also collapsed as the result of the incident said: “We left the bedroom to the hall for safety after the roofs were ripped up.”

    She said the timely intervention of her spouse saved them from harm’s way.

    Mr Tannor David, Mankrado of Likpe Koforidua, who spoke to the GNA on behalf of Nana Kofitse Samba V, Chief of Likpe Koforidua, said although there were no casualties, the rate of damage was unprecedented adding that some electrical connections were also affected.

    He said some of the victims had a problem fixing their roof due to non-availability of wood.

    The Mankrado called for a quick response from authorities and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to enable residents to have a haven to return to normal duties.

    For the likes of Reverend Alphonse Yebbi of the New Testament Ministry and a landlord who had the means, he had begun reroofing some affected rooms occupied by a teacher and some National Service Personnel.

    Madam Florencia Anyangeh, a 96-year-old whose kitchen was not spared by the rainstorm, said the adequate and timely response was all that could save them.

    Mr Kudjoe Julius Ceasar, Assemblyman for the Likpe Agbozome/Koforidua Electoral Area told the Ghana News Agency that the town which was established about 80 years had not experienced a rainstorm that had caused damage to that extent.

    He said the influx of illegal chainsaw operators had led to sawing of trees that would serve as windbreaks for the community.

    Mr Kudjoe said steps were being taken to report the unlawful activities to the appropriate authorities and follow-ups would be made.

    He appealed to benevolent individuals, groups and organisations to support the affected community members.

    The Hohoe NADMO officials had visited the community, and taken inventory of the affected victims and promised to get back to them.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: The Police alone cannot ensure compliance – Dr. Gbene

    The Western Regional Director of Veterinary Service, Dr Simon Gbene, has opined that the police service alone cannot ensure compliance with the COVID-19 safety protocols when there is mass disobedience to these protocols.

    According to him, the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic requires collective effort and as such making the enforcement of the laws on COVID-19 the sole responsibility of the police will make the fight ineffective.

    Dr Gbene told Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show: “When there is mass disobedience it will be very difficult for any enforcement. We must all understand that COVID-19 is not a one-person fight. If we understand it that way then it can work because the police alone cannot ensure compliance. We must continue to educate and involve the community leaders, the assemblymen, the unit committee, and the chiefs. I think this time we have to bring everybody on board. But if we leave it to the law enforcement alone then we are going to see what we are seeing now”.

    He furthered just like any other persons, the police are also humans who can get discouraged by anything or anyone and as such mass disobedience to the safety, protocols is something that can discourage them, thereby, making the enforcement of the laws difficult.

    He charged the media to “intensify their education” on the COVID-19 protocols to encourage compliance to the safety protocols.

    “So this time, I will rather call on the media to intensify their education this is because if the compliance is not there and there is mass disobedience this is what we will see”, he added.

    In his 22nd COVID-19 update to the nation President Akufo-Addo, ordered the Inspector General of Police, Mr James Oppong-Boanuh, to strictly enforce the mandatory wearing of nose masks among the populace as the nation continues to grapple with the Coronavirus pandemic.

    The police in Ghana within 24 hours after the order was made arrested hundreds of people across the country for flouting the health protocol measures instituted to fight the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

    Source: Happy 98.9FM

  • Supreme Court hears Mahama’s application to reopen case today

    After its last sitting on Thursday, February 11, 2021, the Supreme Court will later today, Monday, February 15, 2021, sit to hear an application by lawyers of the petitioner, John Dramani Mahama, to reopen his case in the ongoing 2020 Election Petition case.

    Lawyers for the former president, who is in court seeking a rerun of the election because he believes no candidate won the December polls, had earlier closed their case after cross-examination was done on their three witness.

    They had expected that the respondents in the case would also do same but that may not happen as the Justices of the Court ruled against a petition to force the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa, to enter the witness box for cross-examination.

    Lawyers for the first and second respondents had argued that they were not presenting any witnesses because they had adduced enough evidence from cross-examining the witnesses of the petitioner.

    John Mahama has, through his lawyers, therefore filed a fresh application for leave, expected to be heard today in court.

    Should this application go through, the petitioner will be able to subpoena Jean Mensa to compulsorily testify in the case.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Three perish in accident at Abor Sitsofe Junction

    Three people were on Sunday confirmed dead in a motorbike accident at Abor Sitsofe lodge junction on the Accra -Aflao highway.

    Confirming the incident to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr Augustine Norpe Agbozo , an eyewitness and Assemblyman for Dzogadze electoral area within the Akatsi South Municipality, said the deceased, two males and a female died on the spot when their motorbike with registration number M-2775-11VR which they were using had a head-on collision with a Ford transit vehicle with registration number GE 7866-20.

    Mr Agbozo said, both the motorbike and the Ford transit crushed into each other from opposite directions.

    Eyewitnesses disclosed to the GNA, that the stretch of the road was a long curve noted for recording similar accidents.

    However, occupants of the Ford vehicle were allegedly unhurt.

    The eyewitness told the GNA that the police and personnel from the national ambulance service were yet to report at the scene.

    Source: GNA

  • Okudzeto Ablakwa surprises healthcare workers with free lunch, chocolates

    National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for the North Tongu constituency in the Volta Region, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on Sunday visited the Juapong Health Centre and St. Anne’s Polyclinic in Tagadzi and surprised the healthcare workers on duty with free lunch and bars of chocolate.

    The surprise visit according to the MP, was to show some love for the health workers using the occasion of Valentine’s Day.

    He said “COVID-19 has revealed their great love for us” and that they ought to be showed some love too.

    Mr. Ablakwa presented to them bars of chocolate and hot meals (lunch) from the Royal Senchi Resort, a popular hotel in Akosombo.

    The MP used the opportunity to encourage the staff to give out their best especially in this era of coronavirus and assured his readiness to provide them with logistics to aid them in their duties.

    The healthcare workers thanked Hon. Ablakwa for his kind gesture and the surprise visit. They promised not to relent on their efforts in saving the lives of people in the constituency.

    Source: Ghana Guardian

  • Another judgment debt hits government again

    The government of Ghana faces fresh judgement debt of approximately $120million after GCNET served notice after its contract was shabbily terminated by a team led by Osafo Maafo then Senior Minister, MyNewsGh.com has learnt.

    This latest one comes up at a time the International Court of Arbitration awarded a cost of $134 million and an interest of $30 million against the Government of Ghana over the cancellation of an Emergency Power Agreement with GCGP limited under the former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko as part of several other energy contracts cancelled by the NPP on the basis that the country did not need those power agreements.

    The ruling by the International Court of Arbitration ordered the government to Ghana to pay to “GPGC the full value of the Early Termination Payment, together with Mobilization, Demobilization and preservation and maintenance costs in the amount of US$ 134,348,661, together also with interest thereon from 12 November 2018 until the date of payment, accruing daily and compounded monthly, at the rate of LIBOR for six-month US dollar deposits plus six percent (6%).”

    On the latest GCnet West Blue saga, the government has to cough out US$120 million, as compensation to two companies hitherto managing a port platform. The two companies, the Ghana Community Network Limited (GCNet) and West Blue which were in charge of the Ghana National Single Window (GNSW) platform.

    The two companies, were effectively managing the GNSW when their contract was snatched from them before the expiry period and the job given to Ghana Link/UNIPASS-ICUMS in a politically orchestrated arrangement through the office of the Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo-Marfo.

    The government agreed to pay off GCNet for the unexpired period of the contract and the settlement was valued at an amount in the range of $120 million.

    The government since refused to honour its part of the contract.

    Source: My News GH

  • Why is Ghana budgeting $10 per dose of coronavirus vaccines? Bright Simons asks

    Bright Simons, the President of mPedigree Network and an honorary vice-president-at-IMANI Africa, has questioned why Ghana is paying as high as $10 per dose for COVID-19 vaccines.

    “Kenya is paying $3 per dose for its vaccines (with an additional $0.07 planned for logistics). South Africa paid $5.25,” Bright Simons wrote on his Twitter timeline on Saturday, February 13, 2021. “Most EU countries are paying around $2.16 (but because of volume & bargaining power issues there, let’s discount). Why is Ghana budgeting $10 per dose?”

    Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, the Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service (GHS) revealed to the media on Thursday, February 11, 2021, that the Government of Ghana is expected to spend over 200 million dollars to procure COVID-19 vaccines for the entire population.

    He disclosed that the price of the vaccine available presently ranged from USD 4 to USD 20 and that would be the cost at which every Ghanaian would be vaccinated.

    “The goal is to vaccinate every Ghanaian and presently we are in excess of USD 200 million,” Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe told the Ghana News Agency in a report monitored by GhanaWeb that the first consignment of the vaccine would arrive in the country by the end of February.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Adidase community gets a classroom block and furniture

    The daily task of school children at Adidase Electoral Area who used to walk for a long distance to share a dilapidated school building at Atuahene Krom has come to an end.

    Adidase is one of the farming communities in the Sunyani Municipal Assembly.

    Over the years, this growing farming community with a population of close to one thousand people has been complaining about a school building in the community.

    Children who are of school-going age have to walk to cover a long distance in order to access nursery and primary education at Atuahene Krom.

    As a result of this worrying trend, most children of school-going age opt to stay at home and join their parents in their farms while the few ones who desire to go to school often absent themselves from school due to fatigue as a result of the long miles they have to cover on daily basis from their homes to school.

    Last year, the Adidase community met with the Member of Parliament for Sunyani East, Hon Kwesi Ameyaw Cheremeh, to discuss on how to establish a nursery school for these children.

    On Friday, February 12, 2021, this project, which was initiated by the Member of Parliament was handed over to the community to be used by the school children. The project included a two-unit classroom block with four-seater water closet facilities, a washroom, an office, a kitchen and modern furniture to be used by the school children.

    At a brief handing over ceremony, the former presiding member of the assembly, Mr Ansu Kumi, who represented Hon Kwesi Ameyaw Cheremeh, urged the Municipal Education Directorate to undertake routine maintenance of these facilities.

    The Municipal Education Director, Mrs Theresa Kyere Boakye, expressed appreciation to the Member of Parliament for Sunyani East for such a befitting facility.

    The Gyaasehene of Atuahene Krom, Nana Baffour Konti, in an interview with Ghanaweb’s Regional Correspondence, was optimistic that the Adidase community will produce great intellectuals in the future to contribute their quota to develop their community. Today, our children can go to school without covering any distance, he said. Nana Baffour Konti promised to take good care of the facility in order to last for many years.

    Few mothers, who were at the ceremony, promised to encourage their wards to take advantage of this building to access education. The burden of getting motorbikes to transport our kids to school has now come to an end, they added in joy.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Speaker Bagbin asked to push review of MPs ex-gratia

    Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament has been urged to push the review and subsequent suspension of payment of ex-gratia to Members of Parliament(MPs) to save the national purse.

    According to Mr Yaw Dabie Appiah, a leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the present economic state of the nation amidst surging spread of the Corona Virus Disease required immediate suspension or scrapping of the huge emoluments paid to the MPs.

    Because they are part of Article 71 officeholders whose salaries and emoluments are determined by committees set up by the President, Ms are awarded huge lump sum as ex-gratia after every general election every four years.

    But, speaking in an interview at Odumase in the Sunyani West Municipality, Mr Appiah, a former organiser of the NPP indicated governments around the world were spending hugely to manage and contain the COVID-19 and Ghana could not over-relied on them for assistance to flatten her COVID-19 curve.

    “It’s urgent the nation considers realistic approach and generate more funds locally to tackle the COVID-19 proactively and to make Ghana safe for her people. I strongly believe it is among this and other factors that President Nana Akufo-Addo has reduce his ministerial portfolio to save the national coffers”, he said.

    “You believe with me we are not in normal times and so everybody must sacrifice towards the nationwide fight against this COVID-19 which has potential to devastate and drain the national economy. If we don’t take radical measures the nation will go into huge economic crisis which would be extremely difficult to repair”, Mr Appiah added.

    The former NPP organiser stressed the COVID-19 had had huge impact on the nation and thereby worsened the socio-economic conditions of many Ghanaians who were currently living in abject poverty, saying it would be unfair and unreasonable for the nation to continue to pay the MPs ex-gratia while their constituents suffered economic hardships.

    “I am.not painting the picture that the MPs and other Article 71 office holders don’t deserve the ex-gratia, but my brother you will agree with me that President Akufo-Addo is struggling and spending too much to contain this COVID-19 and a the same time to meet the development needs of the people. I think the MPs must sacrifice if they are truly representing the interest of their constituents in parliament. Other than that I will not feel their nationalistic ideals and lobe for nation”, Mr Appiah stated.

    “But it’s also disheartening the ordinary Ghanaian struggles on the street just to afford three square meal while the MPs who must represent their interest go home every four years with this whopping sum of money. This is unfair and Speaker Bagbin and the house must do something about that”, Mr Appiah added.

    Source: Dennis Peprah, Contributor

  • Military bases to be established in all 16 regions – Nitiwul

    Dominic Nitiwul, the Defence Minister-designate, says efforts were underway to establish military bases in each of the 16 regions to ensure prompt response to any terrorist attacks or external aggression.

    Mr Nitiwul, also a Member of Parliament for Bimbilla, and former Defence Minister, made the disclosure during his vetting by the Parliament‘s Appointments Committee, in Accra on Thursday.

    The Minister-designate gave the assurance that the government was committed to defending and protecting the exclusive economic zone and territorial sovereignty of Ghana.

    Mr Nitiwul further explained that there use to be seven military bases when the nation had 10 regions, however, since the regions were increased to 16, it became imperative to establish military bases in each of the 16 regions.

    “We have put military presence in all the regions but we intend to make it permanent by establishing military bases to allow soldiers to support the police in keeping law and order,” he emphasised.

    The Minister-designate added that the government intended to establish 15 Forward Operating Bases in the northern part of the country to help in combating terrorism.

    “To help fight against terrorism in the country, we have been pitching bases across the borders to ensure that Ghana is safe.

    “The plan is very far advanced to ensure that we have minimum 15 bases across the Northern Region to ensure that we are all safe,”Mr Nitiwul assured.

    Answering questions on the role of the military in the galamsey fight, Minister-designate said soldiers helped immensely in minimising the destruction of forest and water bodies through illegal small-scale mining.

    However, he said, upon assessing the gains made so far following the deployment of soldiers under “Operation Calm Life” in 2019, issued a directive on 31st December 2020, to withdraw them.

    The Ministry, however, allowed soldiers to provide security to only two large-scale mining firms (AngloGold Limited in Obuasi and Azuma Mining Company in the northern part of the country) after it signed a memorandum of understanding with them.

    The Minister-designate noted that some soldiers who were found of wrongdoing during the Operation Calm Life were disciplined, with some dismissed, while others demoted in rank.

    Responding to shooting incidents during the 2020 Elections, Mr Nitiwul said no soldier has been indicted for violent conduct or shooting anyone during the elections, adding that investigation was still underway and should any soldier be found culpable of unprofessional conduct he/she would be sanctioned accordingly.

    Source: GNA

  • Military hospital in Kumasi to be ready March or April Nitiwul assures

    The Military Hospital at Afari in the Atwima Nwabiagya District in the Ashanti Region will be completed by March or April, the Minister-designate for Defence has said.

    Dominic Aduna Nitiwul told the Appointments Committee on Thursday, February 11 that work on the main facility is almost done with.

    It is only the housing project for the nurses and a few works that are left, he said.

    He was answering a question about the delay in completion of the project, which was started by the erstwhile Mahama administration.
    Mr Nitiwul, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bimbilla Constituency, said the project even started in 2008 but moved around four different locations.

    He said from Sofoline, the initially designated location, the project went to Tamale, and then to 37 in Accra, where sod was cut, before finally moving to Afari.

    He said the necessities of the country in terms of health facilities in these times have made government take a keen interest in the quick completion of the project.

    “Mr Chairman, I am happy to report that this project, apart from the electricals, I think by March or April, it will be completed.”

    He said he has been in constant touch with the contractors Euroget De-Invest to have the project commissioned for use soon.

    Source: 3 News

  • Ghana Immigration Service firms up measures to curb illegal migration

    The Upper West Regional Command of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) says it has firmed up measures to ensure that illegal migration into and out of Ghana is dwarfed if not completely ended.

    It said as part of the measures, the Command, led by its Commander, Chief Superintendent William Peter Andoh, has established an inland checkpoint at Ga in the Wa West District.

    This was contained in a statement signed by Assistant Inspector Ibn Yussif Duranah Abdul-Mumin Seidu, Upper West Regional Public Affairs Officer of the Service, and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Wa.

    “We, therefore, urge the general public that it will be impossible to evade the vigilant Immigration Officials even when you successfully sneak into Ghana through the porous borders,” the statement noted.

    It said aside ensuring strict enforcement of the President’s directive on border closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic; the GIS would not relent on its efforts to live its mandate of regulating migration to and fro the country.

    The GIS, therefore, warned persons engaged in facilitating the activities of irregular migration through the borders of the country to desist from the act or face the wrath of the law when apprehended.

    According to the statement, the Upper West Regional GIS, on Tuesday, arrested 20 ECOWAS nationals entering Ghana through unapproved routes.

    The illegal migrants included a Malian and 19 Burkinabe nationals who entered the country through the porous borders at the Hamile Sector Command in the Lambussie District, Upper West Region.

    It said irregular migrants who comprised 18 males and two females were aged between Seven and 47 years.

    The statement said the illegal migrants were busted at the Babile Inland Checkpoint in the Lawra Municipality at about 1154 HRS onboard a VIP Bus with Registration Number AS 1614 – 20 travelling from Hamile to other parts of the country to engage in economic and other activities.

    “It was further revealed that they were journeying to Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, Sampa in the Bono Region, Techiman in the Brong Ahafo Region and Bole in the Savannah Region.

    “They were taken through the health screening process by personnel from the Ghana Health Service before being escorted to the Hamile Border Post, where they were handed over to the Burkina Faso authorities on the other side of the border at about 1002HRS,” the statement said.

    Source: GNA

  • Maiden E-Census to begin in May

    The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) is set to conduct its maiden Electronic Census in May, this year, to collect complete and accurate data of structures, households and person within the borders of Ghana.

    The three weeks exercise, which would cost Ghana, 91 million dollars, would be used to gather about 2.6 million indicators from the national to community level.

    About 70,000 enumerators would be spread nationwide to collect data using a set of questions and geographic positioning on tablets from the about 52,000 Enumeration Areas.

    Professor Samuel Annim, Government Statistician, speaking at a seminar to engage intellectuals and professionals on the process, said the exercise would provide updated demographic, social and economic data to support national development activities.

    He noted that the information gathered would be used to track the implementation of global and continental development goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals, International Conference on Population and Development goals, and Africa’s Agenda 2063.

    Prof. Annim stated that, “The census will produce data on who we are, how many we are, as well as where and how we live. It will be used by stakeholders, including, private sector, businesses, civil society organisations, development partners, special interest groups, academics and media, to generate information for general use.”

    The Government Statistician said in the area of policy and decision-making, the data would inform the distribution of local government funds, plan government budgets, inform decisions on the public infrastructure needed in the localities and provide guidance on the creation of districts based on population size.

    He said the information derived from the Census could be to monitor trends in the economic well-being of the population and create maps to speed emergency services to households in need of assistance.

    In the area of housing, Prof. Annim noted that the Census would provide data on the current housing needs of the population, and obtain information on the proportion of structures with Ghana Digital Post Addresses and guide planning based on the data on uncompleted structures.

    He said it would provide data on residential and non-residential structures to inform policy where there was a deficit in either categories and provide data on the use of structures listed to ascertain the stock of habitable structures.

    Stakeholders who took turns to make a presentation on the different components of the up-coming census lauded the innovative approach adopted by the GSS towards undertaking the exercise.

    Professor Paul Nkegbe, an Associate Professor of Agriculture and Applied Economics and Entrepreneurship Development at the University of Development Studies, said the census was at the heart of development and decision making.

    He said the paper-based data collection was problematic and had an effect on data quality and thus commended Ghana for joining the likes of Malawi, Ethiopia and Mexico to conduct e-census.

    Prof. Nkegbe said the approach would improve data quality, reduce time and cost by eliminating a separate process for data collection, conduct analysis and generate maps and graphs as well as other statistical tables.

    He called for the development of a National Census Dashboard as well as the integration of old national census results to determine the development trajectory of the country.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: Knowledge of disease low among school children in Adansi Asokwa

    Mr. David Kunta, Adansi Asokwa District Director of Health Services, has expressed worry about the low education on the covid-19 among school children in the District.

    He has therefore charged teachers in the District to use a few minutes every morning to educate the pupils on the coronavirus pandemic and its effects to enable them to acquire the needed knowledge and appreciate the importance of adhering to the safety protocols.

    Mr. Kunta made the call when a joint team from the district health and education directorates toured some basic schools to observe and monitor the implementation of covid-19 safety protocols in the schools.

    He was worried about how some school children wore dirty nose masks and advised parents to try as much as possible to wash the nose masks of their children when they returned from school.

    Mr. Kunta said schools had been linked to health facilities in the District to help address and contain possible suspected covid-19 cases in schools in the area.

    Mr. Kwame Oduro Owusu, District Director of Education, noted that his outfit was working closely with the District Health Directorate to ensure that the covid-19 did not enter any school in the District.

    He said the visit to the schools was to ensure that all the COVID-19 safety protocols were strictly observed by pupils and teachers as well as community members.

    Mr. Oduro Owusu stressed the need for community members to undertake self-help projects to rehabilitate dilapidated classroom blocks in their communities.

    He also appealed to parents to support their children with furniture to help address furniture challenges in some of the schools.

    Source: GNA

  • Nose mask prices on the increase in Tema

    The dramatic demand for nose mask following the surge in Ghana’s COVID-19 cases has forced traders for monetary consideration to increase the prices of the protective gear, when demand goes high prices must be increased.

    A tour of some major markets in the Tema Metropolis and along some principal streets by the Ghana News Agency Tema Regional team revealed that residents continue to adhere to the safety protocols as directed by the World Health Organisation and the Ghana Health Service.

    Some traders the Ghana News Agency interacted with said people started rushing in for the nose mask when news came that even children are contracting the Coronavirus.

    Maame Sika, a shop owner in Tema on her part said, “people started rushing to her shop to purchase the mask in large quantities when they heard that both adults and children are contracting the virus”.

    She also said people purchase the nose mask in packs as the prices range between GHC50.00 and GHC55.00 for the children nose mask and GHC30.00 and GHC40.00 for the adult ones.

    Another trader, Aunty Aggie Maafo, said only few people were buying the black nose mask because it was very expensive costing GHC70.00 per pack thereby making people to patronize the lower-priced ones.

    They, however, said that though business was good and they were making money, they wished the virus will subside and finally vanish from the country.

    Source: GNA

  • Election Petition: Supreme Court ruling on petitioners application to cross-examine respondents

    The Supreme Court has in a unanimous decision ruled that the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa, and Peter Mac Manu, Campaign Manager and representative for 2nd Respondent, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo cannot be forced to testify in the Election Petition case.

    The ruling on Thursday, February 11, 2021, on the back of a decision by lead counsel for the Electoral Commission, Justin Amenuvor and that of President Akufo-Addo, Akoto Ampaw, asking for permission not to call any witness.

    Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah, on behalf of the Justices of the Supreme Court, said the judges were not convinced by the contrary arguments made by Tsatsu Tsikata, lead counsel for the petitioner.

    Again, the depositions in affidavits with regards to the interrogatories do not mean the witness can be compelled.

    He explained that no provision in the constitution or statute has been pointed out to show the EC chairperson can be subjected to different rules contrary to established rules of procedure and settled practice.

    Chief Justice Anin-Yeboah also sided with the respondents that the burden of proof lies on the petitioner and can only be shifted when that condition has been satisfied.

    “We are minded to state that our jurisdiction invoked in this election petition is a limited jurisdiction clearly circumscribed by law. We do not intend to extend our mandate beyond what the law requires of us in such petitions brought under Article 64 (1) challenging the validity of the election of a president. Simply put, we are not convinced, and we will not yield to the invitation being extended to us by counsel for the petitioner to order the respondents to enter the witness box to be cross-examined. Accordingly, we hereby overrule the objection raised by the counsel for the petitioner against the decision of the respondents declining to adduce evidence in this petition,” he added.

    Counsels for the Respondents had insisted that the evidence put forth by the petitioner, John Dramani Mahama, does not meet the burden of proof thereby making it unnecessary to put a witness for a counter case.

    Citing Order 36 Order sub-rule 4 and 38, rule 3 (e) sub-rule 1 and 5 of CI 47 as amended by CI 87 as the basis for their decision to close their case and not call a witness, Justin Amenovor argued that the burden of proof in the petition hearing lies on the petitioner and therefore it will be wrong for the lead counsel for John Dramani Mahama to adduce evidence from the Chairperson of the EC, Jean Mensa.

    Justin Amenovor suggested that other parties can treat the witness statement by the EC Chair as a “hearsay”.

    Likewise, lead counsel for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Akoto Ampaw, also argued that the petitioner has not been able to make a solid case in court hence the decision to close their case.

    He further insisted that the petitioner “should rather be happy since his petition would be ruled on by his own evidence”.

    But disputing these arguments, lead counsel for the petitioner, Tsatsu Tsikata said since the lawyers have not made a submission of no case, the burden of proof does not apply as argued by the lawyers for the EC and Akufo-Addo.

    He also explained that the EC Chairperson has a constitutional duty to give accounts of events that led to the December 9, 2020, election declarations and to clarify how some errors were made.

    The Supreme Court then ordered the Respondents to file their addresses for the closure of their case by February 17.

    The hearing has also been adjourned to February 18, 2021.

    Read the full ruling of the Supreme Court as read by the Chief Justice.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • The rules do not allow the military to guard public officers – Kan-Dapaah

    The Minister-designate for National Security, Albert Kan-Dapaah has stated that the rules in the Ghana Armed Forces do not allow the military to be bodyguards for any public official.

    He stated this during his vetting on Wednesday, February 10, 2021.

    He made these remarks when he was asked why armed military officers are providing guard duties for the Electoral Commissioner and other state officials in the ongoing election petition.

    The Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak had disagreed with the assertion that Ghanaians were all secured when armed military men were providing guard duties to these individuals.

    The Chief Whip told him if assertions were true that Ghanaians were all safe, then it would be inconsistent for armed military men to be providing security for public officers.

    He explained that the rules do not allow for military personnel to provide guard duties because only specified persons are allowed to do so.

    He said the Minister of Defence Minister must have given an approval for the scenes we have witnessed on social media.

    Mr. Kan-Dapaah said it would be difficult for the Defence Minister to give such approval unless he sees the need for it.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Accommodation is the biggest challenge facing Armed Forces Nitiwul

    Minister-Designate for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, has described the issue of accommodation as one of the biggest challenges facing the Ghana armed forces.

    Speaking before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Thursday, February 11, 2021, Dominic Nitiwul stated that the ministry is taking steps to fix the challenge.

    He noted that it is the vision of the ministry for all members of the Armed Forces to be accommodated in the barracks and not in rented apartments outside the barracks.

    “Accommodation is one of the biggest challenges members of the armed forces face and we are taking steps to fix it. My vision is for all members of the armed forces to be in the barracks, and not in a rented apartment or even your house outside the barracks,” Minister-Designate for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul told the appointment committee.

    Dominic Nitiwul also called for the need to modernise the armed forces, in terms of weaponry and technology.

    According to him, there is a need to leverage technology to augment the work of the armed forces.

    The Appointments Committee in Parliament on Wednesday, February 10, 2021, commenced the vetting of ministerial nominees for appointments in the second term of the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    Member of Parliament for Assin South and Member of the Appointments Committee of Parliament, John Ntim Fordjour, says the Committee has put in place adequate measures to prevent the committee as well as the nominees from contracting the deadly coronavirus during vetting.

    Source: Atinka Online

  • Supreme Court throws out Mahama’s request to cross-examine Jean Mensa

    Jean Mensa, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission will not undergo cross-examination, the Supreme Court has ruled.

    The court after listening and weighing the submissions of the counsels for the petitioner and first and second respondents has declared that Jean Mensa and McManu cannot be compelled to testify.

    Delivering the judgment, Chief Justice Anin Yeboah submitted that the court has not been convinced by the argument from the lawyer of the petitioner and will be setting a bad precedent if it grants the wish of the petitioner.

    “We are reminded to state that our jurisdiction invoked in this election petition is limited jurisdiction clearly circumscribed by law. We do not intend to extend our mandate beyond what the law requires of us in such petitions brought under article 67 clause 1. Simply put, We are not convinced and will not yield to the invitation being extended to us by the counsel for the petitioner to order the respondents to enter the witness box in order to be cross-examined.

    “Accordingly, we hereby overrule the objection raised by the counsel for the petitioner against the decision of the respondents declining to adduce testimonies in this petition”, the Chief Justice said.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • All high-profile cases have been resolved Kan-Dapaah

    The National Security Minister-designate Albert Kan-Dapaah says all high-profile cases which happened under the first Akufo-Addo administration have been resolved.

    According to him, all other cases, but for the murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale have been comprehensively dealt with.

    “All high profile cases that have happened within the last four years have been resolved. Aside the Suale one, all of them have been resolved, and it is to our credit. The Ghana Police deserves commendation,” the former National Security Minister told the Appointments Committee of Parliament during his vetting Wednesday.

    The Minister-designate downplayed questions over heightened security concerns in the previous administration where he was in charge of security. He, however, declined to share his personal views on the Ayawaso by-election chaos where a member of parliament was assaulted by a national security official.

    He said sharing his view will be unfair considering the fact that government had issued a white paper on the recommendations of the committee that probed the chaos.

    Some of the recent security concerns in the country include the kidnapping and murder of the three Takoradi girls and the killing of some high profile personalities.

    Source: Starr FM

  • National Cathedral: Apostle Onyinah appointed Board of Trustees Chair

    Former Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral project under construction.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo made the announcement at the Presidency on Monday, 8 February 2021.

    The President noted that Apostle Opoku Onyinah is a worthy replacement for founding Trustee Chairman, Most Rev Samuel Asante Antwi.

    Most Rev Samuel Asante Antwi passed away on September 13, 2020.

    In his acceptance remarks, Apostle Prof Opoku Onyinah expressed the appreciation of the Trustees to the President for the privilege to serve as trustees.

    He also expressed gratitude for the honour conferred on him by the President.

    He also hoped that he and his team will work to ensure the completion of the National Cathedral.

    Meanwhile, construction work has resumed on the National Cathedral at Ridge in Accra.

    This comes after work on the site designated for the sprawling edifice, was stalled due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country.

    Demolition works on the houses and offices on the site earmarked for the cathedral has begun as the occupants have vacated the premises.

    Offices including the Passport Office had to be relocated to another building at Ridge.

    The construction of the Cathedral began on Thursday, 5 March 2020.

    The edifice, when completed, will accommodate close to 20,000 Ghanaians during national programs such as swearing-in of presidents-elect, state burials and major Christian programmes among others.

    Source: Class FM

  • Supreme Court to rule on Jean Mensa cross-examination today

    The Supreme Court will be delivering its ruling on whether or not the Chair of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa, should mount the witness box to be cross-examined in the ongoing election petition hearing.

    During proceedings on Tuesday, February 9, lawyers for the 1st and 2nd respondents, Justin Amenuvor and Akoto Ampaw respectively, told the Court that the petitioner cannot compel them to elect witnesses to appear in the witness box.

    During legal arguments on a move by the respondents not to testify in the case, Mr Akoto Ampaw told the Court: “The petitioner cannot compel us to enter the witness box to adduce evidence.”

    He added: “The petitioner has adduced evidence and closed his case. We have taken the position that in our assessment, they have not discharged the burden of proof and the burden of producing evidence and, therefore, we will not give further evidence and the Court will determine the case on the evidence before it

    Lawyers for the two respondents on Monday, February 8 moved to close their cases without their witnesses being cross-examined.

    This was after Counsel for the petitioner Tsatsu Tsikata closed his case.

    Mr Tsikata, for his part, told the court that the chair of the 1st Respondent, Jean Mensa, cannot skip cross-examination.

    He argued that by filing a witness statement, the 1st Respondent has opened her up for cross-examination.

    “It is our respectful submission that by filing its witness statement the first respondent has clearly crossed the bridge as far as opening the witness up for cross-examination is concerned. That bridge has been crossed, the ship has already been sailed,” Tsatsu said in his argument to the bench.

    Asked by one of the justices, Professor Nii Ashie Quartey, whether or not Jean Mensa cannot change her mind to testify, Tsatsu answered “The court has the power to disallow that change of mind.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Afari Gyan mounted the witness box – Jean Mensa told

    The Supreme Court will today give its ruling on whether or not Madam Jean Mensa will be cross-examined.

    The issue of the EC chair mounting the witness box has become a topical one especially between the two main political parties in the country: the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    The NDC says if “indeed the EC chairperson has nothing to hide, she should be willing to mount the witness box”.

    The NPP, on the other hand, insists Madam Jean Mensa can’t be forced into the witness box and that the burden of proof lies on the shoulders of the petitioner, former President John Mahama, and his legal team.

    Kojo Danquah a member of the Communication team of the NDC gave his views on the matter in the video below while speaking on Neat FM.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Police arrest suspects involved in Somanya Ambulance attack

    The Ghana Police Service have arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of Abraham Tetteh, an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

    “The police are working seriously. They tell me they have arrested two suspects. But they are doing their own investigations and taking more leads as to how they can get to the bottom of this issue,” former Eastern Regional Minister, Eric Kwakye Darfour, in a report monitored by GhanaWeb on Citi FM, Wednesday, February 10.

    He indicated that he joined the Eastern Regional Security Council and other officials to visit the accident scene at Aseseeso.

    Eric Kwakye Darfour said the security had an engagement with stakeholders in the area in a bid to find a lasting solution to clamp down on activities of armed robbers operating between Aseseeso and Somanya.

    The team later then moved to the Aseseeso Chief’s palace to pay a courtesy call on Okatakyie Kusi Obuadum Amoyaw V, who stated that persistent armed robbery attacks over the years have affected the development and economic fortunes of residents and the community.

    Abraham Tetteh, a Senior EMT officer who is also trained as an ambulance driver of the National Ambulance Service and stationed in the Eastern Region, was shot by some unidentified armed men in the eye on 4 February at about 1 a.m.

    Although he survived the attack, he subsequently died on the morning of Saturday, February 6, at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital after surgery.

    The eight suspected armed robbers who allegedly shot Abraham Tetteh also extorted money from his colleagues.

    The ambulance team was transferring a woman in labour and her relative from the Akuse Government Hospital to the Koforidua Regional Hospital when the unfortunate incident occurred.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Wife of Director of Communications at the Presidency files for divorce

    Mrs Gloria Assan Arhin, the wife of the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, has formally written to the High Court to file for a divorce.

    Mrs Gloria Assan Arhin in a statement sighted by GhanaWeb alleged that her husband had left home for the past two years and has resorted to engaging in extramarital affairs with one Chantel Kudjawu (Gertrude Gbajo).

    According to the petitioner herein as Mrs Gloria Assan Arhin, the respondent who is Eugene Arhin allegedly has a child with one of his mistresses outside marriage.

    The petitioner who has been married to her husband since 2016 claims, “That prior to leaving the home, the Respondent on some occasions spent the night with these ladies and also did not sleep in the house and when I confronted him on it, he yelled at me and sometimes verbally, emotionally, psychologically and physically abused me in the presence of our children. Respondent told me in one of his verbal abuses that I was not woman enough for him that is why he is involved with these other women.”

    Mrs Gloria Assan Arhin further noted that she had to do extra side jobs to mobilize enough funds for the maintenance and management of the home when their marriage faced financial challenges in the early stages.

    But shortly after becoming the Director of Communications at the Presidency, the Petitioner indicated that her husband started behaving very unusual, claiming he is no longer interested in the marriage. She also stated that all the efforts by the parties and their families for an amicable resolution have all failed.

    Mrs Arhin also alleged that the “Respondent informed the Petitioner that he had to travel to pursue a course at George Town University, a claim which Respondent knew very well to be false and only used it as a means to travel out of the country to spend time with one of his mistresses and his other child.”

    “On one occasion, after Respondent came for the children to spend time with them, the older child informed me that while they were with the Respondent, there was another lady in the house by name Grace whom the Respondent kissed continually in their presence,” Mrs Arhin stated in the petition to the high court.

    Mrs Gloria Assan Arhin, who is a mother of three has prayed the court to dissolve the marriage, order her husband to surrender three of his estate properties and also pay her a sum of GHS2 million as compensation among other things.

    Read the full statements below

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Top American universities chase 2020 best WASSCE candidate from Mfantsipim School

    Cecil Tetteh Kumah, a 16-year-old student of Mfantsipim School, Cape Coast, who emerged overall best candidate in the West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) 2020 has made history as one of the few people in the world to have the luxury of ‘bouncing’ offers from IVY League institutions.

    The 16-year-old, who went out of Kwabotwe’s National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) team to concentrate on his international exams, will also be presented with an award by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) for emerging as the best candidate in Science in a special ceremony on March 11, 2021.

    A congratulatory message shared by Aikins Educational Consult, the institution which helped to prepare Mr. Kumah for SAT, has revealed that all marks scored by the candidate were in the 99% bracket, an exceptional performance which attracted offers from top American universities such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Columbia University in New York.

    BELOW IS THE FULL STATEMENT

    Every year, the mighty Aikins Educational Consult has the peculiar task of grooming, training, and harnessing students’ endless potentials to propel them to the next level of their academic ladder. This is where the colossal giants, undying gods, and hard-boiled immortal brains emerge, and that was where Cecil was discovered – a sixteen-year-old boy who distinctively stood tall among his peers and seniors in both academia and profound maturity, “Efie Nyansa.”

    The beauty of these three months of studies lies in the fact that it is not solely for academic work but also to learn about life in general and coexist with rich, poor, smart, and not too smart. This holistic educational experience bridged every gap of difference and fostered the spirit of unity among students from all walks of life.

    I was surprised when Cecil opted out of 2020 NSMQ to concentrate on his pursuit into any IVY LEAGUE. I knew it was a done deal for Mfantsipim School if he was in, but he had his plans. He left the team to their fate, paving the way for the six, which would have been problematic. LOL

    Months on, SAT(reasoning test) and the subject test came out. My oh my, all scores were in the 99th percentile bracket. (Math 790/800, Verbal 770/800, High math 800/800, and Physics 800/800)

    The next hurdle to jump was to choose between MIT and Columbia. His academic prowess was so admirable, to the point where MIT and Columbia Admission officers had to engage in a tug of war to lure this young man into their prestigious institutions.

    For the past sixteen years, back to back, our students have won this coveted WAEC award and this year. What baffles me is how a teenage boy who had already gained admission into Columbia University in the City of New York months before taking his WASSCE exams was not distracted by his enviable academic milestone and managed to bag this covetous award when nothing was really at stake for him.

    This shows that he is naturally gifted, and we want to congratulate Master Cecil Tetteh Kumah for chalking this proud achievement.

    Source: Lord Kweku Sekyi, Contributor/ ghanaweb.com

  • Details of reliefs Eugene Arhin’s wife is asking the Matrimonial Court to grant her

    Gloria Assan Arhin, the wife of Eugene Arhin, the Communications Director at the Presidency, has filed for divorce at the Matrimonial Division of the Accra High Court against her husband claiming Arhin abused her and among other things committed adultery, GhanaWeb can report.

    The suit was filed on Wednesday, February 10, 2021.

    In the writ available to GhanaWeb, Gloria Arhin through her lawyers stated:

    “The Respondent [Eugene Arhin] shortly after his appointment as the Director of Communications [at the Jubilee House] started behaving in very unusual ways towards the Petitioner [Gloria Assan Arhin] and the Children and continued on this path until the relationship between the parties deteriorated completely.

    “The marriage between the parties has for the past about four (4) years suffered irreparable damage and setbacks and all efforts by the parties and their families at amicable resolution have all failed.”

    Gloria Arhin further stated that Eugene Arhin has on several occasions unequivocally informed her that he is no longer interested in the marriage.

    She said that he showed his disinterest by moving out of their matrimonial residence to some unknown residence.

    She further averred, “That the Respondent has committed and keeps committing adultery, deserted the Petitioner and behaved unreasonably towards the Petitioner and by reason of the said treatment and conducts of the Respondent, the marriage has broken down beyond reconciliation and all attempts aimed at resolving the challenges have proven futile,” adding that “the Respondent has committed and continues to commit adultery”.

    “The Respondent has other women in his life with whom he has extramarital affairs including one Chantel Kudjawu [Getrude Gbajo] whom the Respondent continues to have extramarital affairs with.”

    Eugene Arhin, the wife further states, “has been abusing” her “both physically and verbally at the slightest opportunity for over a year now”.

    He has “repeatedly been comparing” her “with the other ladies in his life whenever there is a dispute or misunderstanding between them”.

    Gloria Arhin claims that during the pendency of the marriage with Eugene Arhin, through their joint effort they acquired and developed some properties including:

    1. A five-bedroom residential property (which was intended to be the matrimonial home of the parties) situate on a two plot of land lying at East Legon in Accra.

    2. A four-storey building comprising 16 separate flats/apartments situated on a parcel of land at Bubiashie in Accra which land was acquired from a family friend of Petitioner.

    3. An ongoing storey building comprising of 16 separate flats/apartments situate at Tuba-Weija in Accra.

    4. A storey building comprising apartments erected on a parcel of land situate at Teshie in Accra.

    5. A residential property situated at AU village at La in Accra.

    6. A residential building situated at Senya Breku in the Central Region where the Respondent comes from.

    7. A waterfront residential property/resort situated at Ada Foah in the Greater Accra region.

    8. 3K barbering shop at Teshie.

    For moveable properties, Gloria Arhin states that they have:

    1. One Ford F150 vehicle

    2. Toyota Avalon vehicle with registration number GR 7108-18

    3. Toyota Lexus vehicle with registration number GE 4646-18

    4. Toyota Tundra vehicle with registration number GE 7108-18

    5. Hyundai Elantra vehicle with registration number GE 4646-19

    Gloria Assan Arhin is among other things praying the Court for 10 reliefs:

    1. That the said marriage be dissolved.

    2. That the Petitioner be granted custody of the three children of the marriage, with visiting right to the Respondent.

    3. That the five-bedroom residential house situated at East Legon be settled in favour of the Petitioner.

    4. That eight of the apartments/flats in the building situated at Bubiashie (representing 50%) be settled in favour of the Petitioner.

    5. That eight of the apartments/flats in the building situated at Tuba-Weija (representing 50%) be settled in favour of the Petitioner.

    6. That vehicles with registration numbers GE 4646-18 and GE 7108-18 be settled in favour of the Petitioner.

    7. The Petitioner be declared a joint owner in equal share with the Respondent in all the other properties acquired in the course of the marriage.

    8. That the Respondent be ordered to pay the Petitioner the sum of two million cedis (GH¢2,000,000).

    9. An order for the Respondent to maintain the children, pay the school fees and health bills of the children of the marriage.

    10. That the Respondent be ordered to pay costs of and incidental to this suit.

    Read below the full writ from Gloria Assan Arhin:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Mental healthcare will be placed under NHIS – Agyemang-Manu

    The Minister-designate for Health, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu has hinted of plans to place mental healthcare under the National Health Insurance Health Scheme.

    The nominee responding to a question by NDC MP for Madina, Lawyer Francis Xavier Sosu if he would consider placing mental health under the Health Insurance, his simpler answer was yes.

    According to him, if there should be an amendment of the law for this to be done, he is willing to take the charge to see to its full implementation.

    Mr. Kwaku Agyemang-Manu said there plans underway for this to happen.

    The legislator raised serious issues on funding in mental healthcare management despite it being free under the Mental Healthcare Act.

    He asked the nominee if he will consider leading a charge to have it placed under the Health Insurance Scheme and in his response he said “the simple answer is yes. It is in consideration. We are talking about it. But simply, I will say yes. If the amendment of the law will solve the problem, I will say yes.”

    It is estimated that of the 21.6 million people living in Ghana, 650,000 are suffering from a severe mental disorder and a further 2,166, 000 are suffering from a moderate to mild mental disorder.

    The treatment gap is 98% of the total population expected to have a mental disorder.

    In 2018, the WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, identified mental health as an area for which action should be accelerated.

    The result was the establishment of the WHO Special Initiative for the Mental Health, covering the 5-year period 2019-2023.

    The goal of the Initiative is that 100 million more people have access to quality and affordable mental health care by 2023.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Ghanas 1st digital census slated for April-May

    A provisional date has been set for the commencement of the 2021 Population and Housing Census in Ghana, according to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).

    At a workshop in Winneba to sensitize journalists drawn from the southern sector of Ghana, Government Statistician and Chief Census Officer Professor Samuel Kobina Annim charged the media to help educate the public on the importance of the census.

    The exercise has been tentatively scheduled for April and May.

    The 1992 Constitution recommends a census enumeration once every 10 years for data to be collated, rather than simply relying on estimates and projections alone.

    Ghana is preparing to undertake its sixth post-independence census after the 1960, 1970, 1984, 2000, and 2010 censuses and its third Population and Housing Census (PHC).

    The 2021 Population and Housing Census this year, however, will be the first digital census in Ghana.

    It will involve the use of Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing devices (tablets) for electronic data capture and Geographic Positioning Systems (GPS) for recording coordinates of structures as recommended by the United Nations.

    Collecting data on tablets and synchronizing that data daily to the server is an efficient data collection strategy that minimizes the time spent on processing data and allows for real-time data quality monitoring while the GPS records ensure that there is complete coverage of all structures, households and localities.

    In his opening address at the workshop on Tuesday, February 9, Prof. Annim advised the journalists to be accurate and factual in their reportage on issues regarding statistical data.

    Member of the Publicity, Education and Advocacy Committee for the upcoming exercise William Addo assured of strict adherence to Covid-19 safety protocols to ensure the safety of the enumerators and the public.

    He also stated that the enumerators will be given identification which will be displayed, adding that the Constitution mandates the Service to enter and count every household, structures, among others.

    In a presentation, the Head of Census Methodology, Owusu Kagya, explained that apart from the foreign missions, nobody would be exempted from the exercise and this includes lunatics and those living in the ghettos.

    He denounced some religious myths that being counted could cause death and encouraged all to make themselves available to be counted.

    Source: 3 News

  • 422 migrants rescued off Libyan coast

    Hundreds of migrants rescued off the Libyan coast in the past few days have arrived in Italy, where they disembarked on Monday.

    The NGO SOS Mediterranee said the 422 migrants were rescued by their ship, Ocean Viking, during several search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea between February the 4th and 5th.

    The NGO said a small number of the migrants, who are mostly from Sub-Saharian Africa, initially tested positive for COVID-19 when tests were administered by the crew on the ship after being rescued.

    They were isolated on the aft deck of the ship while at sea.

    Italy granted permission for the SOS Mediterranee vessel to enter the Sicilian port of Augusta, and the Ocean Viking reached Augusta on Sunday night.

    On Monday, Italian local health authorities conducted more Covid testing aboard the ship before allowing the migrants to disembark.

    SOS Mediterranee said local health authorities informed the crew that overall 49 migrants resulted positive, 41 of them adults.

    The NGO also said that on Saturday one pregnant woman in critical condition was evacuated with her partner by a helicopter of the Maltese Armed Forces and transferred to Malta for urgent treatment.

    Source: africanews.com

  • 146 coronavirus cases recorded among schools in six regions

    146 positive cases of the coronavirus pandemic have been recorded in some schools in six regions in the country.

    The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kumah Aboagye who disclosed this at a media briefing said so far, there have been no fatality or recoveries.

    It has been more than two weeks, since President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced the reopening of all levels of schools, after almost a year of closure, due to COVID-19.

    A total of 146 cases of the virus have been recorded in some schools across the country. The eastern region has 83 cases in 1 school, greater Accra has Fifty (56) cases in some 23 schools, and the central region with 8 cases in some 3 schools.

    23 schools in Greater Accra has so far reported 56 cases and no fatality. And I must say that parents are duly been informed,” Dr. Kuma Aboagye stated.

    Currently, the Senior Secondary Schools with the largest hotspots are within the Upper West, Western, Greater Accra, and Eastern regions.

    Meanwhile, the Ghana health service says there is a surge in the number of workplace infections as it urges compliance with the safety protocols.

    The service is also recording a decline in cases among new arrivals at the Kotoka International Airport.

    The pandemic has claimed 482 lives, with 6,938 active cases.

    Source: 3 News

  • Samuel Antwi stuns Japheth Bagerbaseh to claim 2021 National Ranking Tour title

    The 2021 National Ranking Tour 1 came to a thrilling conclusion Friday, as Samuel Antwi out-dueled Japheth Bagerbaseh to claim his second National Ranking Tour title.

    Antwi, who is affiliated to Atomic Tennis club and Koforidua tennis club won 6-3,3-6,4-1(R) in 3 hours and 30 minutes to add his ranking title he won in 2018 Tour 5. Japheth made a strong start but struggled physically as the game entered the final set.

    Though Japheth came into the match with a 3-2 head-to-head advantage, Antwi delivered the clutch performance on Friday under the scorchy sun at the National Tennis Center, Accra.

    Antwi currently doing his National Services at the Koforidua Ghana Highways Authority took a comfortable 3-1 lead with some beautiful groundstrokes as he took control of the first set 6-3. Japheth found his rhythm to erase the early deficit and went on to win the second set 6-3.

    In the final set, there were early signs of some physical discomfort when Japheth patted over two smashes at 3-0 down in the third set but again, he broke back. At 4-1 Japheth called for two medical timeouts on his Knees, but the stoppages did little to stop Antwi from capturing his second Ranking title.

    After the match, Japheth said: “Congratulations, Antwi. This has been absolutely deserved today. You were the more courageous player in the decisive moment, and he deserves his title.”

    “This is all Hard work, said Antwi, Thanks to my Coach Victor Akwetey Anane and Andrews Adu Appiah (Akaak) for their help.”

    The weeklong Tour was put together Tennis Professional of Ghana and Ghana Tennis Federation with support by Tennis Foundation Ghana, Boafo & Anan Foundation and Mr. Charles Addo-Quaye CEO of Lone Star Gas. Story: Gabriel Amoakoh.

    Source: Gabriel Amoakoh, Contributor

  • Forson Amankwah excited after joining Red Bull Salzburg

    Ghanaian teenager Forson Amankwah has expressed his joy after completing his transfer to Red Bull Salzburg.

    The talented midfielder on Tuesday joined the Austrian giants from Ghana Premier League outfit WAFA SC.

    Taking to his Instagram page to confirm his move, a delighted Forson Amankwah says he cannot wait to commence the new chapter of his career.

    “I am really excited to have signed a professional contract with RB Salzburg until 2025. This amazing opportunity represents a very significant leap in my football career and my life.

    “As such, I promise to be fully committed to this project to the benefit of all involved. I really look forward to forging a great relationship with my new teammates on and off the field,” Amankwah posted on his Instagram page.

    The 18-year-old has thanked WAFA SC officials and his teammates at the club for the support during his stay at the club.

    “Too, I would like to extend my gratitude to WAFA SC, my former teammates and the fans for the great years spent together. I only look back with fond memories,” part of his post reads.

    With the 2020/2021 season already ongoing, Red Bull Salzburg has decided to send Forson Amankwah out on loan at FC Liefering for the rest of the season.

    Source: Football Ghana

  • Enoch Adu Kofi completes move to Swedish club Mjallby

    Ghanaian midfielder, Enoch Adu Kofi, has completed a move to Swedish club Mjallby AIF on a two-year contract, the club has announced.

    The 30-year-old is joining on a free transfer after leaving AIK Stockholm after his contract ended.

    Adu sealed the move on Tuesday after passing medicals and also putting pen to paper to a contract until 2022.

    “Adu is a player who possesses the qualities we are looking for to continue to establish us in the Allsvenskan. A player with extremely important routine and qualities in the central midfield that we are convinced we have great benefit from. He showed last year that he is a very competent player,” sports Director, Hans Larsson said.

    “That Adu now chooses Mjällby AIF also shows that the club’s brand and attractiveness have increased.”

    Adu has vast experience in the Scandinavia having played for FC Nordsjælland and Stabæk Fotball.

    He has played in France for OGC Nice and also Club Brugge and Akhisar Belediye.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Coronavirus: We will comply with Ghana Tourism Authority directives – GTCA

    The National President of the Ghana Traditional Caterers Association (GTCA), Mr Francis Nana Kwasi Owusu Edusei, has assured the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) of the commitment of their members to ensure the adherence to COVID-19 protocols at their workplaces.

    In a news release copied to the Ghana News Agency, Mr Edusei said the Association would soon embark on a regional sensitisation and educational tour to educate members on the need to adhere to the COVID-19 health protocols.

    He said as an Association whose business was to cook for the public, it had a responsibility to make sure staff and clients were safe and would not compromise that duty.

    Mr Akwasi Agyeman, the Chief Executive Officer of GTA, in the statement, assured the Association of his support and encouraged the members to observe the COVID-19 health protocols and help fight the pandemic.

    Mrs Bella Ahu, the President of Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF), advised the Association to find innovative ways of reaching out to their customers in the challenging times.

    The GTCA are members of GHATOF with over 20,000 membership across the 16 regions of the country, preparing different traditional foods for organisations and the public.

    Source: GNA

  • Oil climbs to 13-month highs on output cuts, demand recovery hopes

    Oil prices edged up to their highest in 13 months on Tuesday as supply cuts by major producers and optimism over fuel demand recovery support energy markets.

    Brent crude futures for April gained 48 cents, or 0.8%, to $61.04 a barrel by 0443 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) for March was at $58.42 a barrel, up 45 cents, or 0.8%.

    Both Brent and WTI are at their highest since January 2020. Front-month prices for both contracts are up for the seventh session on Tuesday, the longest win streak since January 2019.

    Additional supply reductions by top exporter Saudi Arabia in February and March, on top of cuts by producers in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies, are tightening supplies and balancing global markets.

    Investors are also pinning hopes on oil demand recovery when COVID-19 vaccines take effect. A weak dollar has also helped shored up prices of commodities.

    “Progress on U.S. stimulus and optimism around the roll-out and effect of vaccines across the remainder of 2021 and a slightly weaker USD help the view (for a recovery) albeit there was mixed news on the impact of the current vaccines formulated on the emerging South African variant,” Stephen Innes, chief global markets strategist at brokerage Axi.

    He cautioned, however, that both Brent and WTI are in overbought territory on technical charts.

    “While I remain a bit cautious at current levels, the medium and longer-term outlook for demand is healthy, and one can understand a willingness to look through some of the near-term uncertainty that remains for oil,” he said.

    Investors are looking ahead to the U.S. weekly oil inventories data due later in the week.

    U.S. crude and gasoline stockpiles likely rose last week, while distillate stocks were seen down, a preliminary Reuters poll showed on Monday.

    Source: reuters.com

  • Present PCR test results or pay US$3,500 per passenger each – Airlines warned

    Airlines that fail to present PCR test results of their passengers before disembarkation at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) will pay a fine of US$3,500 per each passenger.

    Also, non-ECOWAS citizens are required to pay US$150 for COVID-19 testing at the KIA, while Ghanaians and ECOWAS citizens are to pay US$50 each, effective February 8, 2021.

    Information Minister-designate Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, who announced the charges during a COVID-19 Media Updates in Accra on Tuesday, said the new rates formed part of the Enhanced Amendment made on the COVID-19 Safety Guidelines at the country’s airport.

    The Minister-designate said Ghanaian residents departing the country and return within a week will no longer be required to present COVID-19 report, but would be required to undergo COVID-19 testing upon arrival back in Ghana at their own cost.

    He said non-Ghanaian citizens may be refused entry at the country’s airport and returned to their point of departure at the cost of the airline if there is no proof of adherence to COVID-19 safety guidelines.

    Mr Oppong Nkrumah said all arriving passengers who test positive for COVID-19 would undergo mandatory isolation and treatment at designated health facility at their own cost, except Ghanaian citizens.

    He said transit passengers through Ghana would not be required to undergo COVID-19 testing, but would be required to take the COVID-19 Test of the country of destination.

    He said passengers arriving in the country under emergency circumstances due to flight diversion would not be required to undergo COVID-19 testing but would not leave the enclave of the airport unless the person is being isolated.

    Mr Oppong Nkrumah urged Ghanaians travelling outside to get to the airport four hours before departure for the necessary COVID-19 checks before the scheduled departure time.

    He said children under five years would not be required to undergo COVID-19 testing at the country’s airport.

    Source: GNA

  • Minority demands crime records from the police

    The Minority in Parliament has requested the Ghana Police Service to furnish the house with crime statistics in the country for the past three years.

    Haruna Iddrisu, the leader of the Minority caucus in an interview with Citi News revealed that for the last thirty-months, the police have failed to update the house on the crime situation in the country.

    He observed that the failure by the Police to do so has impacted the policy and planning for the country.

    Haruna Iddrisu remarked that the report on the crime situation in the country will help the house make an informed decision on how to tackle the situation.

    “The failure on the part of the police to provide the data has adversely affected public policy and planning. For the Ghana Police service, since 2017/2018, we have not seen that happen [the release of crime data].”

    “For crime statistics we need it. What is the level of crime in Ghana; armed robber, rape, incest, all that. It guides us as a country on how to deal with matters of recidivism and others,” the Minority leader said.

    Haruna’s statement comes on the back of the hike in armed robberies across the country.

    Last week, an ambulance which had a pregnant woman and a nurse was attacked by some armed robbers in the Eastern Region. The driver of the ambulance died in the process.

    The Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service must publish crime figures annually.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus: Speaker suspends Parliamentary sittings for three weeks

    Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin has suspended sitting in the House for the next three weeks effective Tuesday, February 9, 2021.

    This is a result of the surge in cases of COVID-19 that has plagued some Members of Parliament and their staff.

    A communication issued by the Speaker of Parliament noted that some 17 MPs have tested positive for COVID-19 while 151 staff and ancillary workers have also had their results return back as positive.

    Despite this, the Appointments Committee of Parliament will go ahead to conduct its vetting of ministerial nominees slated for Wednesday, February 10, 2021.

    The House, according to a communication by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin will resume business on March 2, 2021.

    Read the Speaker’s communique below.


    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Stop soldiers from bodyguard duties Minority to Akufo-Addo

    The Minority in Parliament has called on President Akufo-Addo to take steps to demilitarize the country.

    According to the NDC MPs, the recent visibility of military men and women across the country serving as bodyguards to individuals is a course for worry.

    Addressing the media in parliament Tuesday, Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu questioned why the police who are responsible for the protection of persons and properties have been sidelined.

    The development comes in the wake of concerns over military personnel detailed to provide protection to the chairperson of the Electoral Commission in the ongoing election petition.

    Touching on the work of the Appointments Committee which commences Wednesday, the Tamale South MP assured the minority side will execute its work without fear or favour.

    The ranking member of the Appointments Committee also disclosed handing over notes of former appointees have been made available to members as demanded earlier.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Facemask wearing inches up from 42 to 47 per cent in Accra – GHS Survey

    The proportion of people wearing facemasks correctly in 43 communities in the Greater Accra Region has increased from 42 to 47 per cent.

    Persons who do not wear facemask at all have declined from 36 to 29 per cent.

    In the latest survey conducted by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) on January 29, 2021, regarding adherence to facemask wearing in Accra, revealed that Ayawaso West District registered the highest proportion of people wearing facemask correctly with 60.3 per cent.

    The Ablekuma Central District, on the other hand, registered the highest proportion of people not wearing facemask correctly with 36.9 per cent.

    Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director-General of the GHS, announced this at a COVID-19 Media Update in Accra on Tuesday.

    The study revealed that facemask wearing was better adhered to, in the morning (52%) but declined to 41 per cent in the late afternoon.

    Fifty-four (54%) of children wore facemask correctly in the morning but dropped to 29.5 per cent in the late afternoon, whilst 51.1 per cent of adults wore facemask correctly in the morning and dropped to 43.7 per cent in the afternoon.

    The research identified top three communities in Accra that wore facemask correctly as University of Ghana, near the Police Station (84.9%), University of Ghana entrance, near Okponglo (83.1%) and 37 Military Hospital Bus Station (80.8%).

    The top three communities that did not wear facemask correctly are Nima Market (67.4%), Glife Lorry Station(66.9%) and Asofan Last Stop Bus Station (62.4%).

    Meanwhile, a survey conducted in 38 churches in Accra between February 6th and 7th this year, revealed that 90 per cent of church members wore facemask correctly, six per cent did not wear facemask correctly and four per cent do not wear facemasks at all.

    Ninety-eight (98%) of members of the large churches wore facemask correctly, whilst 73 per cent of members in small churches wore facemask correctly.

    Eighty-three (83) per cent of Elders and Pastors wore a facemask, four per cent of the churches allowed handshaking.

    Forty-seven (47) per cent of the churches went beyond the two-hour duration allocated for service, whilst 53 per cent complied with the duration.

    The study revealed that less than 50 per cent of churches were not sanitizing their microphones and instruments, which were shared by many people during church services.

    The research further revealed that facemask wearing was significantly low among choristers/singing group- (63%).

    Source: GNA

  • Senior universities’ staff call off strike

    The National Executive Council of Senior Staff Association- Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG) has announced the suspension of its industrial strike action, which was declared on 21st January 2021.

    This has become imperative as a result of your interlocutory injunction secured and served on us, and also after broad and constructive consultations with our legal team.

    In a letter signed by its National Chairman, Zakaria Mohammed and addressed to the National Labour Commission on 9 February 2021 stated that the suspended strike “has become imperative as a result of your interlocutory injunction secured and served on us, and also after broad and constructive consultations with our legal team”.

    “Notwithstanding that, we will continue to engage faithfully with government and other relevant stakeholders in our fight for justice and fairness in the payment of our Tier2 pension contribution arrears and the award of market premium and non-basic allowance to our Union members.

    SSA-UoG therefore asked its members to resume work tomorrow Wednesday, 10 February 2021 “without further delay”.

    It will be recalled that the National Labour Commission secured a 10-day court injunction against the ongoing strike by the Senior Staff Association, Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG) on 3 February 2021.

    The court ordered SSA-UoG “to comply with the directive of the National Labour Commission issued on Wednesday, 27 January 2021 and call off the industrial strike action”.

    Prior to that, the National Labour Commission haddirected Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG) to immediately call off their strike and return to the negotiating table on Wednesday, 27 January 2021.

    They however, did not heed to the directive.

    Source: Class FM