TIG Post

Author: Persis

  • FDA denies approving coronavirus vaccine

    The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has said it has not approved any vaccine for the coronavirus infection in the country.

    The FDA in a statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer, Delese A.A. Darko on Tuesday, January 12 said that some unscrupulous members of the business community are peddling information on the sale of COVID-19 vaccines to hospitals and other health facilities.

    “The information is ostensibly to inform the general public of the availability of these vaccines from well-known pharmaceutical brands indicating their price ranges.

    The general public is hereby cautioned against the patronage of such vaccines since the FDA has not yet approved any COVID-19 vaccine for use in Ghana.

    “In view of the above, the FDA wishes to inform all health facilities and the general public that, peddling of such information contravenes Section 118 of the Public Health Act 2012, Act 851 and constitutes a very serious offence.

    “The Authority wants to assure the general public that it remains committed to protecting the health and safety of consumers.

    “To this end, it monitors social media and online activities pertaining to the products it regulates; therefore, anyone caught dealing with unregistered COVID-19 vaccine will be sanctioned in accordance with the provisions of Section 129 of Act 851, which includes a fine of up to GHC 180,000 or to a term of imprisonment of up to 25 years or both.

    “Please note that when the COVID-19 vaccine is approved for use by the FDA in Ghana, the Ministry of Health will issue a national policy on the use of COVID-19 vaccines throughout the health sector.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Two jailed 24 years for robbery

    Two friends who attacked and robbed a senior high student at Tepa in the Ahafo Ano North Municipality, have been sentenced to 12 years imprisonment each, by the Nkawie circuit court.

    Sadam Yakubu, 19, a driver, and Frank Owusu sliding door maker, were said to have attacked and robbed their victim, who is also a commercial tricycle operator during holidays, with knives and scissors and made away with his mobile phones and money.

    They pleaded guilty to the charges and were convicted on their own pleas by the court presided by Mr Johnson Abbey.

    Police Chief Inspector Jonas Newlove Agyei told the court that the victim was a first year student of the Tepa Senior High School and also operated a commercial tricycle during holidays.

    He said on December 27 last year, at about 8:30 pm, the convicts asked the victim to pick them from the Municipal Assembly offices to Tepa-Beposo.

    On their way, the convicts asked him to stop to enable them to change their footwear.

    Chief Inspector Agyei said after stopping, the convicts attacked the victim with knives and scissors and demanded his mobile phones, cash and other items and bolted.

    The victim alerted his co-tenant who was a mobile phone repairer of the incident.

    The prosecutor said the next day one of the convicts, Yakubu, sent the mobile phone to the repairer for resetting and in the course of the work the repairer saw the picture of the victim and alerted him.

    A report was made to the Tepa police who arrested Yakubu.

    Chief Inspector Agyei said during interrogation Yakubu admitted the offence and mentioned Owusu as his accomplice.

    He was also arrested and after investigations they were charged and brought before the court.

    Source: GNA

  • 2 grabbed for attempting to smuggle wee into prison

    Two persons have been apprehended by the Ankaful Maximum Security Prisons for attempting to smuggle 15 parcels of Indian hemp to an inmate at the Prisons.

    Nana Yaw Pablo, 26, and Opiah Mensah, 17, all unemployed, and residing at Amisano in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) municipality of the Central Region.

    Briefing the Ghanaian Times, the Central Regional Prisons Public Relations Officer, Superintendent (Supt) Vincent B. Ziniel, explained that an inmate at the Ankaful Maximum Security Prisons, appealed to a prison personnel on duty to assist him by working on a project for a fee.

    Upon further discussion, the personnel realise that the inmate had the intention of smuggling Indian hemp into the Prisons, and alerted his superiors about the development.

    Sup Ziniel said the prison officer expressed interest in the deal, and the prisoner gave the contact phone number of the officer to two suspects.

    He indicated that, Nana Yaw Pablo later called the prison personnel to arrange on how the Indian hemp would be passed on safely to the inmate without any trace.

    Sup Ziniel said the suspects arranged to meet the personnel at a guest house in order to receive the parcel for onward delivery to the inmate.

    The prison officer, according to Supt Ziniel, informed the management about the agreed location and a team was dispatched to assist in apprehending the suspects.

    He said that, the suspects were arrested after they handed over the 15 parcels of Indian hemp.

    Supt Ziniel stated that, the suspects attempted to flee when they realised that their cover had been blown.

    The two suspects, he said, have been handed over to the Elmina District Police.

    Source: Ghanaian Times

  • Relocate squatters at Dagombaline to stop recurring fire outbreaks – GNFS

    The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) is calling for the relocation of squatters from Dagombaline, in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi to prevent recurring fire outbreaks.

    This comes after fire swept through some wooden structures serving as makeshift shelters at the slum on Monday, 11 January 2021.

    In March 2020, more than 500 slum dwellers at Dagombaline were rendered homeless after fire swept through their wooden structures.

    Barely a month earlier, fire gutted other parts of the slum, displacing about 13,000 persons, according to the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO).

    Speaking on Kumasi-based Adehye3 Fm, Regional PRO of the fire service, DOIII Desmond Ackah suggested that squatters be relocated from the area to prevent recurring fire outbreaks.

    He said: “The makeshift structures and wooden structures are so close to each other that it became very difficult to gain access but eventually we struggled to manoeuvre our way and then we handled the blaze.

    “These fire outbreaks within this particular location has become an annual ritual and what we will advise the city authorities is to relocate these squatters and slum dwellers from here.

    “When we are able to relocate them and give them decent accommodation elsewhere and then plan for their safety and security, this annual ritual fires will stop.”

    Source: Class FM

  • GNUTS congratulates President Akufo-Addo for a well-deserved re-election victory

    The Ghana National Union of Technical Students (GNUTS) has congratulated President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo following his inauguration as President of the Republic of Ghana for another four years.

    In a release co-signed by its President and General Secretary, GNUTS said that the victory of the president in the December 2020 presidential election was made possible through the large turnout of Ghanaian students and the youth.

    Taking notice of the recorded incidents of violence, death of activists, election petitions and counter-petitions related to the period of the election and its aftermath, GNUTS said it was hopeful that all challenges recorded will be addressed before subsequent elections, and those found culpable made to face the full rigours of the law.

    The student group whilst expressing expectations of the president extending a hand for an all-inclusive government urged other candidates to in the interest of democracy congratulate the president for his victory.

    “No nation can wholesomely survive without giving concentration to the development of its youths, structurally, academically and morally,” parts of the statement read.

    The Union also called on all sides of the newly inaugurated 8th Parliament to work to promote oneness, impartiality and justice in the supreme interest of Ghanaians.

    The group also stressed the need for the government to give detailed concentration to the development of the youth, structurally, academically and morally.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Politics has become an insurance against accountability for criminal politicians Kwaku Azar

    Respected professor and lawyer, Stephen Kwaku Asare, known widely as Kwaku Azar, has lamented the impunity with which politicians commit vices, stressing that even though the impunity can be addressed, it will depend on the readiness of enough people to reject the actions of the politicians.

    Commenting on assertions by Sam Okudzeto that Parliament has become an avenue for making money, Prof Azar noted that it is not only Parliament that has so degenerated buy party politics as a whole, with the perpetrators able to get away with their vices.

    “It is not just parliament. Party politics, which is supposed to be a vehicle for ideas and programs for GOGO, has now become an avenue for making money. Alas, there are too many people who are in politics primarily, if not solely, for their stomach and wallets.

    Further, party politics makes permissible many vices that are otherwise impermissible. For instance, while one cannot discriminate, at least openly, on the basis of gender or tribe, one can not only do so on the basis of party politics but also openly boast about it,” he argued in a post sighted by MyNewsGh.com.

    Prof Azar decried the inability of politicians to adequately address the problems of society while creating millionaires who stash money in foreign Banks and engage in pointless flaunting of their wealth.

    “My uncle, Sam Okudzeto, is right that parliament has now become a place for making money. But I am afraid he does not go far enough.

    It is not just parliament. Party politics, which is supposed to be a vehicle for ideas and programs for GOGO, has now become an avenue for making money.

    Alas, there are too many people who are in politics primarily, if not solely, for their stomach and wallets.

    Further, party politics makes permissible many vices that are otherwise impermissible. For instance, while one cannot discriminate, at least openly, on the basis of gender or tribe, one can not only do so on the basis of party politics but also openly boast about it.

    “… our political parties have become less able to provide solutions to our social problems while creating millionaires whose understanding of investment is parking their ill-gotten wealth in some foreign banks or engaging in some other glamorous non-consequential enterprise,” he lamented.

    Read full post below:

    My uncle, Sam Okudzeto, is right that parliament has now become a place for making money. But I am afraid he does not go far enough.

    It is not just parliament. Party politics, which is supposed to be a vehicle for ideas and programs for GOGO, has now become an avenue for making money.

    Alas, there are too many people who are in politics primarily, if not solely, for their stomach and wallets.

    Further, party politics makes permissible many vices that are otherwise impermissible. For instance, while one cannot discriminate, at least openly, on the basis of gender or tribe, one can not only do so on the basis of party politics but also openly boast about it.

    While competence and meritocracy are virtues everywhere else, party politics allows one to get away with incompetence and nepotism.

    Ballot snatching, bribery, false witness, logic abandonment, etc. are all acceptable when given a party politics gloss.

    Worse still, these people seem to demand silence or acquiescence from others in the party as a condition precedent for recognizing or maintaining their party bona fides.

    As a result, our political parties have become less able to provide solutions to our social problems while creating millionaires whose understanding of investment is parking their ill-gotten wealth in some foreign banks or engaging in some other glamorous non-consequential enterprise.

    Equally disturbing is the skill with which these party politicians have coopted our institutions to facilitate or otherwise not stand in the way of their financial shenanigans. The idealism that characterized NUGS, GBA, APB, TUC, UTAG, CC etc. seem to have completely faded.

    It is not yet a hopeless situation because there are ways to solve the problem. The question is whether enough people can reject this system and call for GOGO.

    #SALL could not happen in the good old days.

    Da Yie!

    Source: My News GH

  • Galamsey and timber merchants destroying cocoa trees Chief Farmer

    Mr Yaw Biredu Boateng, the Chief Cocoa Farmer for New Nsutam in the Eastern Region, has called for the protection of cocoa farms as done for rubber plantations to preserve the trees from destruction.

    He said timber merchants invaded cocoa farms in the area, fell the timber and carted them through the farms resulting in uprooting and destroying some of the cocoa trees.

    He said galamsey operators also used excavators to dig trenches, thereby destroying the trees.

    Mr Boateng said cocoa production was dwindling and if care was not taken, inputs to help increase yield would be a waste through activities of timber companies and galamsey operators

    “Cocoa is the backbone of the Ghanaian economy and therefore the need for ensuring adequate security through laws and regulations for cocoa farms, to help sustain the economy,” he said.

    Mr Boateng said the rubber plantations in the Western Region, to the contrary, were given adequate security, which protected growers from the wanton destruction of their rubber trees.

    Source: GNA

  • Muntaka’s dishonourable accusations must be ignored – Davis Opoku Ansah

    The Member of Parliament (MP) for Mpraeso Constituency, Honourable Davis Opoku Ansah, has admonished the public to disregard the ‘irresponsible’ accusations of Hon Muntaka Mubaraka against the judiciary.

    Mr Opoku, popularly knows as OPK, said the allegations by the Asawase Constituency lawmaker which he described as dishonourable must not be entertained.

    He said if Honourable Muntaka had evidence to his claims he should use the appropriate channels in addressing them rather than sitting on TV to denigrate the judiciary.

    The Mpraeso Constituency MP made these remarks on the back of earlier accusations made by the Asawase lawmaker that a Justice of the Supreme Court attempted to influence an NDC MP in the selection of a speaker of Parliament.

    He said: “Such irresponsible commentary is an affront on the dignity of our judiciary and only aimed at denigrating the Justices of the Supreme Court for apparent yet parochial interests.”

    “As a new member of Parliament, I was somewhat scandalised by the un-parliamentary display and shenanigans orchestrated by no less a person than the Minority Chief Whip,” he added.

    He said it was the duty of all well-meaning Ghanaians to protect the guardian-protectors of the constitution.

    Source: Herman Kwame Kumatsey, Contributor

  • Oppong-Nkrumah, Buaben Asamoa, others to speak for Akufo-Addo on election petition

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has designated a team to speak for and on his behalf on the 2020 elections petition.

    These individuals are Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah Ofoase-Ayirebi MP, and Yaw Buaben Asamoa Esq – NPP National Communications Director.

    The rest are Henry Nana Boakye – NPP National Youth Organizer, Fatimatu Abubakar Deputy Communications Director at the Presidency and Nana Adobea Asante Legal committee.

    Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has in his response to the petition filed by former President John Dramani Mahama described it as incompetent

    The president in his response said the complaints by the former president are weak and inconsistent in 30 out of 35 paragraphs, and that the remaining 5 are empty.

    He has therefore asked the apex court to determine that the petition is incompetent, frivolous, and vexatious, with no reasonable cause of action in terms of Article 64(1) of the Constitution.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Ghana’s UK Visa Application Center closed

    The Accra UK Visa Application Center has been closed, effective today January 11, 2021, until further notice, MyNewsGh.com reports.

    This is because the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel which houses the centre is closing with immediate effect.

    It is unclear whether the place has experienced an outbreak of Coronavirus. The UK is now an epic centre for the second outbreak of COVID-19.

    A mail to some Ghanaians living in the UK or having travelled to the UK indicated that a separate email will be distributed by the end of this week to reschedule the appointment.

    The mail sighted by MyNewsGh.com to the applicant reads “please kindly note that due to circumstances beyond our control, our Accra UK visa application centre at Movenpick Ambassador Hotel will be closed to the public from 11th January 2021 until further notice.”

    It further said, “a separate email will be distributed by the end of this week to reschedule your appointment this week to next week.”

    “We apologize for any convenience caused. Thank you”, it added.

    This means those wanting to travel to the UK soon will have to reschedule their trips because of the closure of the Visa Application Center.

    Source: My News GH

  • Probe Muntakas allegation against a Justice of Supreme Court US-based lawyer

    The allegation made against a justice of the Supreme Court to the effect that the person attempted to bribe National Democratic Congress (NDC) lawmakers to vote for Professor Mike Oquaye during the election of speaker which was made by Asawase MP Alhaji Mubarak Muntaka must be investigated thoroughly, a United States-based Ghanaian professor and lawyer, Kwaku Asare, has said.

    Prof Asare said this is a serious allegation that has been made and must not go unattended to by the investigative bodies.

    During the keenly contested elections in the chamber, the eventual winner, Mr Alban Bagbin polled 138 votes whereas former Speaker Professor Mike Oquaye polled 136.

    There was 1 spoilt ballot.

    Muntaka told Joy News Sunday January 10 while discussing issues regarding the election of a speaker for the 8th Parliament that “There was one that was led by, I mean so shamefully, a Supreme Court judge [who] called a colleague lady, telling her what they will give her, she has children [and] they will take care of her children; she can take fuel from the filling station for the four years.”

    Reacting to this development, Prof Asare said in a Facebook post on Monday Janury 11 that “Hon. Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak bribery allegation involving judges, if true, is extremely serious and merits an immediate, professional and thorough investigation.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, an investigation is a truth-seeking device. It does not presume the allegations to be true or false.

    It merely seeks to uncover the truth, protect the innocent, expose the guilty or falsehood peddling and protect the integrity of the affected institution.

    There is no reason to be against an investigations or to condition it on names being provided, as such names could tend out have no basis.

    At this point, only statements made under oath and subject to examination by experts will suffice and determine the scope of the inquiry.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Fire outbreaks in Kumasi leave variety of property destroyed

    A variety of property estimated at several thousands of Ghana Cedis have been lost as fire gutted some satellite markets in Kumasi on Sunday.

    The unfortunate incidents, which occurred at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and Alabar, had left traders dejected and counting the cost of the losses.

    In the first incident, some section of a privately-owned mini-market, consisting of 10 metal containers and located behind the Republic Hall of the University, got burnt leaving in its wake the destruction to varieties of merchandise.

    A statement issued by the University Relations Office, signed by Dr. Daniel Norris Bekoe, the Officer-in-charge, and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), indicated that the incident occurred at about 1:30 am.

    It said a fire tender stationed on the campus of the University was immediately dispatched to manage the situation, while the authorities evacuated to safety those students who were close to the fire scene.

    “Management wishes to place on record that the Republic Hall was not affected by the fire.

    “Again, Management wants to state that no student or item belonging to any student was affected by the fire,” the statement emphasized.

    It entreated the general public to disregard the misinformation on social media purporting the death of 17 persons, including a porter at the Hall due to the incident.

    The statement said the campus of the University was calm as students went about their routine activities peacefully.

    Meanwhile, when the GNA visited Alabar, the scene of the second incident, some traders were still searching through the rubbles from the fire outbreak to salvage the few undestroyed items left behind.

    “I am lost for words. Only God knows the future,” Alhaji Habib Mohammed, one of the affected traders, lamented in an interview.

    The fire, according to the Ghana National Fire Service, was detected in the early hours of Sunday, destroying everything within its reach for several hours before it was brought under control.

    The intensity of the razing fire was said to have collapsed a section of the storey building housing some units of stores, though there were no casualties.

    Source: GNA

  • Two in police grips over Aboabo station fire

    Two persons have been picked up in connection with a fire incident at Aboabo station in the Ashanti regional capital, Kumasi.

    Both Kofi Gyimah, a 37-year-old electric welder and Paul Kwasi Kwakye, 51, who is a shop owner are being questioned by the Manhyia Divisional Police Command.

    The electric welder was reported to have been contracted by the shop owner to work at his shop and while in the process the fire broke out of the shop spreading to other nearby shops.

    Demolition

    The fire which started just before 11 am Sunday destroyed several properties including plastic chairs, food items and other combustibles.

    More than thirty (30) shops in a two-storey building located at Aboabo station in Kumasi were destroyed by the fire Sunday.

    At least five fire machines were deployed to the scene to the blaze. It took several hours to bring the situation under control.

    Ashanti Regional Spokesperson for the Ghana National Fire Service DOIII Desmond Ackah told reporters that some exhibits have since been retained to assist the police in their investigations.

    The affected part of the building has since been pulled down at the time of filing this report.

    Source: Daily Mail

  • Coronavirus is spreading in town Sam George warns

    The Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Samuel Nartey George has warned Ghanaians of the growing spread of COVID-19 in town.

    His caution comes after the Ghana Health Service some weeks ago announced that the nation’s daily infection rate has been on the increase in the aftermath of the 2020 December general elections.

    In a Facebook post, the Ningo Prapram MP warned that there is an increasing number of recorded infections, with most of the people infected being asymptomatic whiles the number of hospital admissions for the virus is also on the rise.

    He has thus urged the public to observe the COVID-19 protocols seriously.

    “Good evening guys. COVID-19 is spreading in town. Many are asymptomatic. Beds are also getting full in hospitals. Please MASK UP and observe the protocols. Please!,” the MP wrote in his post.

    Ghana as of January 5, 2020, has recorded 55,773 cumulative COVID-19 cases with 336 deaths and 54,438 discharges.

    The number of active cases was 998.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Adwoa Safo opens up on betrayal allegations levelled against her over Speaker election

    Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya Constituency, Sarah Adwoa Safo has denied ever betraying the New Patriotic Party (NPP) during the voting exercise that sought to elect the Speaker for the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic.

    Mrs. Adwoa Safo was one of the names that popped up as NPP MPs suspected to have voted for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) nominee Alban Bgabin instead of NPP’s Mike Ocquaye Snr. as the Speaker.

    Some social media users, particularly, were of the view that Adwoa Safo had done so to revenge after Prof. Ocquaye son’s contested her in the NPP primaries.

    But reacting to the rumors and allegations, the Dome-Kwabenya MP says she feels betrayed about such indictments.

    “I think I feel betrayed. We are all surprised about the outcome of the election and as a parliamentary group. I think that reorganizing ourselves to see how we will be able to carry out government business when the need arises is what is important,” she was quoted to have said in a Mynewsgh report.

    Touching on which side currently has the Majority in Parliament, Sarah Adwoa Safo said:

    “We in the NPP are the majority in Parliament. We have the Fomena Member of Parliament (MP) who went Independent and he has willingly come onto our side and he is now the Second Deputy Speaker of the house. No Matter how slim the numbers are in our constitution there is still a simple majority and for us, we have a simple majority.

    “I think whether it was proposed by the NDC or NPP, you saw where the Member of Parliament sat on the day of proceedings and he sat on the side of the NPP and for me, that is a clear indication of where his loyalty and allegiance is. Moving forward there are a number of seats that are being contested, we believe by the close of all these court cases there will be an outcome that will give us more majority than we have.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Reported fire outbreak on KNUST main campus in Kumasi

    There has been a reported incident of fire outbreak on the Campus of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Sunday dawn.

    Though details of the fire outbreak are sketchy, initial reports on social media were that the fire outbreak happened at the Republic Hall, one of the halls of residence on the campus.

    However subsequent reports on the fire outbreak point out that the affected area is a market close to the hall and that no casualties have been recorded.

    A video of the incident circulating on social media shows some students shouting and calling on their mates to come out of their rooms as the market is seen in smoke and fire.

    GhanaWeb at the moment is not able to confirm the extent of damage caused by the fire outbreak or casualties, if any.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • NDC supporters burn tyres, demonstrate against EC again in Damongo

    Several supporters of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have massed up at Damango, capital of the Savanna Region today, Friday, 8 January 2021, to demonstrate against the Electoral Commission for, according to them, stealing the 2020 elections for President Nana Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    The demonstrators, clad in party colours, held placards and burnt car tyres as they walked through the principal streets of Damongo.

    This is the latest in a series of protests that the NDC has embarked on since the Chairperson of the EC, Mrs Jean Mensa, declared the outcome of the just-ended December 7 elections.

    This comes a day after the incumbent, President Akufo-Addo, was sworn into office for a second term.

    The NDC have publicly rejected the outcome of the elections.

    Former President John Mahama has petitioned the Supreme Court for redress.

    Source: Class FM

  • III not take my second term lightly – Sam George

    The Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram Samuel Nartey George says he will not take his second term as MP lightly.

    The MP after taking his Oath of Office promised to reaffirm his pledge to his best of ability.

    According to the MP, he would place the interests of his constituents above any other thing.

    Read his full post below

    Earlier this morning, I swore the Oath of Member of Parliament and the Oath of Allegiance as the Member of Parliament for the Ningo-Prampram Constituency.

    This is the start of my second term serving my people and it is a responsibility I do not take lightly. I reaffirm my pledge to serve to the best of my abilities and put the interests of my Constituents ahead of any other considerations.

    The overwhelming victory the mandate given me on 7th December 2020 is a testament that my Constituents have reposed faith in me to advocate their demands of central government and I intend to honour that.

    My fidelity shall remain to the people of Ningo-Prampram.

    So help me GOD.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Taxes, levies consume more of phone calls, data Telecom Chamber

    Every 48 pesewas out of one cedi you spent on telephone call or data goes to government as taxes, levies and fees, the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications has said.

    This according to the Chamber was the reason behind the high cost of mobile telephony and data charges in the country.

    Chief Executive of Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Ken Ashigbey in an interview with Joy Business said “there are a lot of levies and fees for every one cedi that you spend. About 48 pesewas goes back to government in taxes, levies and fees even including some of the road agencies charge for allowing us to lay fibre.”

    “Some of the charges from EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), charges from Radiation Protection Institute, charges from the MMDAs (Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies), all of them charging particular fees. If you consolidate all of them, it limits the fiscal space that is available for the industry,” he emphasised.

    “So the telecommunication industry would expect to see a lot more growth with collaborative actions between the new industry and the old. We however want to see some the charges reviewed downwards”, he added.

    Going forward into 2021, the telecom players are calling for more collaboration with government and its institutions before further investments are made.

    Beside the reduction in taxes, telecom players want consumer privacy and fresh review of regulation to enhance the business environment, amongst others.

    Source: Business Ghana

  • SSNIT reviews monthly pension up by 10%

    The management of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has increased monthly pension by 10 per cent for the year 2021.

    A statement issued and signed by SSNIT indicated that the increment was in accordance with Section 80 of the National Pensions Act 2008 (Act766).

    This means that current pensioners on SSNIT Pension as of December 2020 will have their pensions increased by a fixed rate of 9.34 percent.

    An additional flat amount of GH¢6.47 would also be paid per pensioner.

    Accordingly, pensioners on the current minimum monthly pension of GH¢300.00 will have their pensions increased to GH¢334.49, the statement said.

    It added that all fresh pensioners from January 2021 will receive a new minimum monthly pension of GH¢300.00.

    SSNIT is a Statutory Public Trust charged with the administration of the First-Tier Contributory Basic National Social Security Pension Scheme under the National Pensions Act, 2008 Act 766.

    The primary responsibility of SSNIT is to replace lost income of members of the Scheme due to Old age, Invalidity or Death.

    The Trust has over 1.2 million active contributors and over 150,000 pensioners.

    The Trust is currently the largest non-bank financial institution in Ghana.

    Below is the full statement:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Customs Division of GRA designated to issue rules of origin certificates

    Government has designated the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) as the Competent Authority for the issuance of Rules of Origin Certificate under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

    Rules of origin are a “passport” enabling goods to circulate duty-free within a free trade area (FTA) as long as these goods qualify as originating within the FTA.

    This mandates the Customs Division to assess the criteria that must be met for a product to be considered as having its origin in an exporting country within the FTA and qualify for preferential treatment (zero import tariffs) inside the FTA.

    Mr Alan John Kojo Kyerematen, Minister of Trade and Industry, speaking at the Business Forum on the Start of AfCFTA in Ghana: Implementation Arrangements said: “We are also aware that the contribution of the government alone could not guarantee the success of the AfCFTA.”

    The event was organised by the Ministry of Trade and Industry in collaboration with the GRA and attended by Mr Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General, AfCFTA Secretariat, and other Senior Government Officials.

    It is a free trade area founded in 2018, with trade commencing as of January 1, 2021.

    The free-trade area is the largest in the world in terms of the number of participating countries since the formation of the World Trade Organization.

    Accra, Ghana serves as the Secretariat of AfCFTA and was commissioned and handed over to the African Union (AU) by President Nana Akufo-Addo on August 17, 2020, in Accra.

    The agreement was brokered by the AU and was signed by 44 of its 55 member states in Kigali, Rwanda on March 21, 2018.

    The agreement initially requires members to remove 90 per cent tariffs from goods, allowing free access to commodities, goods, and services across the continent.

    He expressed the hope that government could work actively with business associations to enable the private sector to respond to all the interventions put in place.

    He said in Ghana “our focus should be, how we ensure micro small medium enterprises can also take advantage of the programme.”
    He said the Ministry was confident that with such strong collaboration between government and the private sector, Ghana was ready to take up the challenge of Africa.

    Mr Kwaku Nsiah Mensuoh, Chief Operation Manager, Trade Africa Online, speaking on “Opportunities for AfCFTA Trading for SMEs in Ghana using e-Commerce” said there were three factors that could contribute significantly to increased trade on the continent.

    These are market information, connecting buyers to sellers and logistics and distribution management.

    He said while it was possible to address all three factors through physical activities, it was generally acknowledged that e-commerce provided a more effective cost-efficient way of addressing the above factors.

    “This explains why e-commerce is gradually taking over from physical commerce,” he said.

    He said it was against this background that e-commerce has a critical role to play in enhancing intra-African trade.

    Source: GNA

  • 15,228 MSMEs receive coronavirus stimulus packages

    A total of 15,228 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have, so far, benefited from the COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Programme, one of the stimulus packages set up to cushion businesses from the shocks of the pandemic.

    The beneficiaries, mainly micro-businesses, including food vendors, barbers, beauticians and dressmakers received grants totalling GH?2,000 each from the “Nkusuo” programme.

    The GH¢90 million stimulus, package targeted at 25,000 MSMEs, is said to be a collaboration between the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) and the Mastercard Foundation, launched in September last year.

    It focuses on supporting MSMEs and start-ups in sectors including agriculture and agro-business, water and sanitation, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, garment and personal protective equipment, the creative arts industry, manufacturing, food and beverage adversely affected by the pandemic.

    A statement issued by Mrs Kosi Yankey-Ayeh, Executive Director of NBSSI in Accra on Tuesday, said the varying payments were made through mobile money and based on the size, need and repayment capacity of the enterprises.

    “These current disbursements cater for the grant component of the Nkosuo Programme. Those that fall under the loan component are currently being assessed and disbursements will commence this week.

    “We remain hopeful that available funds will be able to serve the target number of beneficiaries and even exceed. We urge beneficiaries to be patient as we work on assessing the applications received,” it said.

    The statement reminded applicants that the interest rate for the loan component was seven per cent per annum with a one-time processing fee of 2.5 per cent of the loan amount (to be deducted from loan amount by the bank).

    It said irrespective of the amount approved, the Nkosuo programme provided for a moratorium period of up to 12 months and a repayment period of up to 24 months.

    “We advise against the actions of persons who may want to defraud unsuspecting applicants. The Board and the Mastercard Foundation have not contracted anybody or group of people to collect charges on their behalf or to bill applicants with any new charges.

    Applicants are, therefore, encouraged to report any suspicious requests or demands to the police or nearest Business Advisory Centre (BAC) in the district of the concerned applicant,” it said.

    Source: Ghanaian Times

  • Parliament needs electronic voting system to avoid more confusion Kwaku Azar

    Following the snatching of ballots by Tema West Member of Parliament (MP) Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah, legal luminary, Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare known widely as Kwaku Azar has advised that the Parliament of Ghana adopt a digital voting system immediately to avoid another ballot-snatching scandal in the house.

    Kwaku Azar noted that the hardware for electronic voting (e-voting) is already available to Parliament and that the software ought to be procured at a minimum cost so that e-voting can be implemented in the house.

    He contended that it is displeasing to see incidents of ballot-snatching in the legislature of the country.

    “Parliament should move to a digital voting age immediately. The hardware is already in place and the software to enable such e-voting can be procured at minimum cost.

    It is not pleasing to the eye to witness ballot-box snatching in parliament…” He argued on social media.

    Background

    The MP for Tema West Carlos Ahenkorah during the election of the Speaker for the Eighth Parliament of the Republic of Ghana snatched ballots and attempted to exit the Chamber of Parliament. He was however restrained by other Members of Parliament who chased after him and succeeded in retrieving the ballots from him.

    Mr Ahenkorah snatched the ballots when it became clear that the candidate of New Patriotic Party (NPP), Prof. AaronMike Oquaye had lost the election to the candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin.

    The actions of Mr Ahenkorah have been widely condemned by Ghanaians from across the political divide.

    Source: My News GH

  • We have hope in next Akufo-Addo’s government – Techiman residents

    Residents in the Techiman municipality have expressed confidence in the next President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s government and hope for improvements in access to quality healthcare and education.

    They also believed creating economic livelihood opportunities for all would greatly make life better for the ordinary citizenry.

    In a random interview during a visit to Twemia, Bamiri,Fanti New Town Goshen and Ahenbroso in the Municipality, the residents told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) they were optimistic President Akufo-Addo’s government would prioritize and create more jobs for the people.

    Mr Solomon Awuni a Teacher at the Techiman Zongo said he expected the government to improve on educational and health infrastructure, build quality road network and create decent jobs for the youth.

    He commended the government for the measures put in place to contain the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) as school re-opened in January 18 and hoped adequate nose masks would be supplied to schoolchildren to stem the spread.

    Mr Justice Effah, a businessman said high unemployment threatened national security and stability and called on the President to strengthen the One-District-One-Factory project to fetch jobs for the teeming unemployed youth.

    In a related development, residents in the Sunyani Municipality have congratulated President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia for their swearing-in, and appealed to Ghanaians to support their next government to achieve vision for the nation.

    Mrs Leticia Amponsah Gyan, a trader told the GNA the government had previously laid a solid foundation for economic prosperity.

    “What is left is for me and you and everybody to support the implementation of government’s social and poverty intervention policies to alleviate the plight of the people”, she stated.

    Mr Augustine Ansu Gyeabour, a policy analyst stressed the government’s Planting for Food and Jobs (PfFJs) programme was laudable saying its successful implementation would spur rapid socio-economic growth and development.

    He expressed the hope that Ghanaians would bury their differences and support the next government towards the implementation of realistic policies and programmes that would enhance the socio-economic livelihoods of the people.

    Source: GNA

  • Election of Speaker and Deputies is a plus for Ghana’s democracy – Franklin Cudjoe

    Franklin Cudjoe, the Founding President and Chief Executive Officer of IMANI Africa, has described the election of the Speaker of Parliament and his two deputies as a plus for Ghana’s democracy.

    Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), was on Thursday, elected the Speaker of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana.

    Whilst Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Andrew Asiamah Amoako, an Independent Member of Parliament for Fomena were elected First and Second Deputy Speakers respectively.

    Mr Cudjoe in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said the election of the three men would go a long way to help address the issue of winner takes all in the body politics of the nation; stating that “somehow, this has been cured”.

    “The election of these three persons have managed to put our democracy in a better light in terms of the constitutionality of winner-takes-all politics.

    “At least these elections have evenly balanced if you like the whole idea that only the winner must take all. We are grateful for what should have been constitutionally done, but it has been naturally done for us.”

    With regards to Mr Bagbin’s election, Mr Cudjoe said: “I think that basically, the lead up to his nomination and the eventual election is a testament to the rancorous nature of our politics, he knows very well what to do, having been there since the last 28 years or so.

    “And he is the only person who can bring the warring side (for the lack of a better term) together and pursue the agenda for the country.”

    The Chief Executive Officer intimated that just after Mr Bagbin’s election, there was the exhibition of cooperation among MPs; after the pandemonium, which was also an attestation of the need for the MPs to work together.

    “I think it is the truest definition of the President’s call on Parliament to work together and make compromises as well,” Mr Cudjoe stated.

    He said whatever happened, the election of the three men were clearly an attestation of the President’s call in his earlier State of the Nation Address (SONA), that MPs should keep compromising and work together.

    Mr Cudjoe added that it was the most immediate and truest form of the definition of what the President want Ghanaians to articulate.

    Source: GNA

  • Hohoe High Court to hear petition on Kofi Adams, EC today

    A Hohoe High Court would Wednesday hear a case against Mr Kofi Adams, National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP-elect for Buem Constituency and the Electoral Commission by some 13 residents from the Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lolobi and Likpe (SALL) enclave in the Oti Region.

    The Petitioners have sued Mr Adams and the EC for excluding them from the December 7 Parliamentary election, which they described as unlawful and infringement on their rights to vote.

    They include Stephen Brempong, Wing Commander (rtd) Emmanuel Kusi Apietu, Johnson Addo, Titus Ayivor, Fuseini Abdul-Rahman and others.

    Ghana News Agency can confirm the suit is among the line-up of cases for today with a strong team of lawyers for the petitioners and respondents waiting patiently for the start of proceedings.

    They are therefore seeking an “order of perpetual injunction restraining Mr Kofi Adams from presenting himself to be sworn-in as MP-elect for Buem or holding himself as such”.

    The petitioners are also seeking a cancellation of the December 7, parliamentary election organised by the EC in the Constituency, and the conduct of a new one to include the 13 electoral areas which will allow them to cast their ballots.

    Mr Kofi Adams was declared MP-elect for Buem Constituency by the EC after securing a total of 18,560 of the valid votes cast to beat Mr Lawrence Kwame Aziale of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who polled 6,854 votes.

    Source: GNA

  • Reach out to Mahama, NDC leadership to build consensus – Minority to Akufo-Addo

    The Minority Leader in parliament, Haruna Iddrisu has advised President Akufo-Addo to go beyond his rhetoric of asking both sides of the House to work together and engage with the opposition to dialogue and find compromising areas to develop the country.

    He said contrary to claims by the president that both sides have an almost equal number is not the case because they all have 137 seats with an independent candidate.

    He opines the 8th Parliament has no majority, and that is something that proves that the Ghanaian people are not happy with the polarisation, partisanship.

    He said Ghanaians want to see the opportunities of this country shared equally.

    At a joint press briefing today, Wednesday, January 6, 2021, he said compromises and consensus-building should not just be word of mouth, but the president should reach out to his opponents.

    “What has he done since the election to reach out to the NDC nad to reach out to His Excellency John Mahama and the leadership of the NDC in the spirit of building consensus and cooperation” It is important he does that”.

    He drew the attention of the president to a situation where he would have to appoint his ministers from parliament and his inability to have the numbers to work with.

    On his part, the Majority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu underscored the need for the 8th Parliament to work in the interest of Ghanaians.

    He said the current situation presents them with an opportunity to work together, set a new standard for improving our democratic governance and indeed the operations of our own parliament.

    He stressed we must see ourselves as one people in one country with one destiny and thus, in everything that we do, we should be informed about the unity and stability of this country.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Volta records 442 roads crashes between January and November 2020

    A total of 442 road crashes were recorded in the Volta Region between January and November 2020, with 22 percent being fatal, 46 percent serious and 32 percent minor.

    The month of October, recorded the highest with 43 reported crashes while July recorded the least, with 29 reported crashes.

    A total of 444 vehicles, made up 200 commercial and 244 private vehicles respectively, and 247 motorcycles and tricycles were involved.

    A total of 120 lives, made up of 90 male and 30 female perished in the crashes within the period.

    The Region recorded 445 injuries through the crashes during the period, with 162 and 87 caused by commercial and private vehicles, respectively, while 196 was by motorcycles.

    There were also a total of 101 pedestrians knocked down, out of which 59 were injured with 42 meeting their untimely death as a result.

    Mr Kwasi Tsibu Yirenkyi, Volta Regional Director, National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), who disclosed this to the media at a press briefing in Ho, said though lives were lost through the crashes, the situation was much better compared to 2019.

    He said the death toll through road crashes in 2019 stood at 137, compared to 120 in 2020, representing a decrease of 39.8 percent.

    Mr Yirenkyi said the Authority achieved the decrease because it undertook several interventions aimed at educating road users on the need to comply with road safety protocols.

    The Director said the Authority in the year under review reached out to a total of 65,808 passengers and 1,240 drivers at 294 lorry terminals and sensitised them on safety on the road.

    He said his outfit would undertake similar activities this year and have frequent media engagements and sensitisation drives to maintain sanity on the road to save lives.

    Mr Yirenkyi called for support from stakeholders to enable the Authority to achieve its mandate including zero-rated road crashes in the Region.

    Togbe Hodzi Dunyo IX, Paramount Chief of Atanvie, called on drivers and other road users to do the needful when using the road to reduce the carnage on the roads.

    Source: GNA

  • US Customs seizes bushmeat from Ghana

    The United States (US) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has seized nearly nine pounds of banned “bushmeat” from a passenger who arrived on a flight from Ghana on Sunday at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

    The passenger, a US citizen, declared the bushmeat (a term for a range of wild animals, including primates, bats, civets and African rodents) to an agriculture specialist at the airport.

    A CBP statement said the Center for Disease Control (CDC) identified the meat as bushmeat and advised the seizure and disposal in accordance with CDC guidelines.

    “CBP Agriculture Specialists made critical interceptions of these prohibited animal products and stopped them from entering the United States before they could potentially cause grave damage to our agricultural and economic vitality,” said Troy Miller, Director, Field Operations, New York Field Office.

    The traveller was not fined because the person declared the meat, a CBP spokesman said.

    Threat

    The statement said bushmeat was likely to cause animal disease outbreaks which are a threat to the United States and can adversely affect public health, cause global trade halts, and destabilize the economy and food supply.

    Source: Class FM

  • Akufo-Addo’s call for consensus mere talk – Minority

    The Minority in Parliament has called out President Akufo-Addo accusing him of all talk without commensurate action in attempts to build consensus in Parliament.

    The President in his final State of the Nation address reiterated that the results of the December 7 elections show Ghanaians want the two main political parties NDC and NPP to work together in the interest of the state.

    But speaking at a final leadership media encounter before the dissolution of the 7th parliament, Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisudisclosed that the president has not made any move to engage the NDC or its flagbearer since the polls.

    The Tamale South MP served notice that the results of the Parliamentary elections put out by the EC can only mean a tough time for the NPP in the next parliament.

    Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, however, insists that the NPP will constitute the majority in the 8th parliament. The Suame MP also urged the NDC to abandon its litigious posture.

    Both the NDC and the NPP have a split number of MPs. The NDC has 137 seats while the NPP also has 137 seats, however, an independent MP for Fomena has indicated his willingness to sit with the ruling NPP giving the party a slim majority in the law-making chamber.

    Meanwhile, Members of the NDC in Parliament have nominated experienced lawmaker and current Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin as Speaker in the 8th Parliament which begins Thursday.

    The Nadowli Kaleo lawmaker will come against his current boss Speaker Mike Oquaye as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has settled on him.

    Both parties have equal numbers in the House 137 each- with the only independent MP-elect opting to sit with the NPP.

    Meanwhile, the 7th Parliament of the 4th Republic will be dissolved at Midnight today Wednesday 6th January 2021.

    The dissolution is in accordance with Article 113(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

    Immediately after 12 am, newly elected members of the incoming session of Parliament will convene to elect a Speaker and two deputies in accordance with Articles 95, 96, and 100(2) of the 1992 Constitution after which the elected Speaker will swear members in as lawmakers.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Lithur, Ampaw and Amenuvor set for election petition hearing

    Lawyer Akoto Ampaw of Akufo-Addo, Prempeh and Co. law firm, has entered appearance for Nana Akufo-Addo in the election petition filed against the Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    Justin Agbeli Amenuvor of Amenuvor and associates is on the other hand, going to represent the Electoral Commission (EC).

    The two are expected to square up the legal battle with Tony Lithur of Lithur Brew law firm, who filed the Petition for and on behalf of the Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama.

    With the appearances filed, the case is almost set to begin, after the exchange of the necessary documents, including the list of witnesses to be called.

    While this is the first time for Justin Amenuvor, Tony Lithur and Akoto Ampaw, were part of the 2013 election petition hearing filed by Akufo-Addo, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the late Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, a former National Chairman of the NPP.

    In the 2013 case, Mr Lithur was the lead lawyer for then President Mahama, while Mr Ampaw, was part of the Akufo-Addo’s legal team led by Lawyer Philip Addison.

    Mr TsatsuTsikata, was counsel for the NDC.

    Unlike the 2013 case which lasted eight months, the Supreme Court in this case, has allotted 42 days to tell Ghanaians, if they must vote again or recognise the NPP’s Nana Akufo-Addo, as the validly elected President.

    The Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin Yeboah, is yet to announce the list of Supreme Court judges to sit on the case.

    Ex-President Mahama, is asking the Supreme Court to compel the EC to conduct a run-off with him and the incumbent, Nana Akufo-Addo, as candidates.

    He also wants an order of injunction restraining President Akufo-Addo, from holding himself out as President-elect.

    Mr Mahama, contends that the results declared by the EC in favour of President Akufo-Addo of the NPP were “made arbitrarily, capriciously, and with bias.”

    The former president, also feels “that the said declaration was made without regard to due process of law.”

    The EC declared the winner of the presidential election when the Techiman South Constituency results were pending.

    But the presidential candidate of the NDC argues that if all the votes of Techiman South Constituency were added to his votes, President Akufo-Addo’s votes, would remain at 6,730,413, now yielding 49.625 percent of the votes, while his would increase to 6,342,907, now yielding 46.768 percent.

    “Therefore, Mrs. Jean Adukwei Mensa’s claim in the purported declaration on 9th December 2020 that adding all the 128,018 votes in the Techiman South Constituency to the votes standing to the name of Petitioner, would not change the results, was clearly wrong,” Mr Mahama said.

    The petition was filed on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, by Mr Mahama’s lawyers, following the party’s audit of the 2020 Presidential results “and extensive consultations with the National Executive Committee and Council of Elders of the party.”

    In a statement, the NDC said the petition details “serious violations of the 1992 Constitution by the Electoral Commissionand its Chairperson and Returning Officer for the Presidential Election, Mrs. Jean Adukwei Mensa in the conduct of their constitutional and legal responsibilities.”

    The petition seeks among others, a declaration from the Supreme Court to the effect that, “the purported declaration of the results of the 2020 Presidential Election on the 9th day of December 2020 is unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.”

    Mr Mahama’s reliefs include (a) “A declaration that Mrs. Jean Adukwei Mensa, Chairperson of [EC] and the Returning Officer for the Presidential Elections held on 7`. December 2020 was in breach of Article 63(3) of the 1992 Constitution in the declaration she made on 9th December 2020 in respect of the Presidential Election that was held on 7th December 1020;

    Mr Mahama’s reliefs include (a) “A declaration that Mrs. Jean Adukwei Mensa, Chairperson of [EC] and the Returning Officer for the Presidential Elections held on 7`. December 2020 was in breach of Article 63(3) of the 1992 Constitution in the declaration she made on 9th December 2020 in respect of the Presidential Election that was held on 7th December 1020;

    (b) A declaration that, based on the data contained in the declaration made by Mrs. Jean Adukwei Mensa, Chairperson of [EC] and the Returning Officer for the Presidential Elections held on 7th December 2020, no candidate satisfied the requirement of Article 63(3) of the 1992 Constitution to be declared President-elect.

    (c) A declaration that the purported declaration made on 9th December 2020 of the results of the Presidential Election by Mrs. Jean Adukwei Mensa, Chairperson of Respondent and the Returning Officer for the Presidential Elections held on 7? December 2020 is unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect whatsoever;

    (d) An order annulling the Declaration of President-Elect Instrument, 2020 (C.1. 130) dated 9th December 2020, issued under the hand of Mrs. Jean Adukwei Mensa, Chairperson of the [EC] and the Returning Officer for the Presidential Elections held 7? December 2020 and gazetted on 10th December 2020;

    (e) An order of injunction restraining [President Akufo-Addo] from holding himself out as President-elect;

    (f) An order of mandatory injunction directing the [EC] to proceed to conduct a second election with Petitioner and [Nana Akufo-Addo] as the candidates as required under Articles 63(4) and (5) of the 1992 Constitution.

    Source: The Herald

  • Galamsey is not a troubling issue to discuss – Law Professor

    Law Professor, Henry Kwasi Prempeh has suggested the issue of galamsey is not one of the troubling issues the government has to discuss.

    The lawyer in a barrage of questions asked the specific areas of galamsey we should be discussing.

    His response follows the call by President Akufo-Addo in his last State of the Nation Address.

    In his address on Tuesday, the president said Ghanaians must have an open discussion on galamsey since it leads to the devastation of our water bodies.

    “There is one subject about which I believe we, the people, need to have an open conversation, and that is galamsey. Should we allow or should we not allow galamsey, the illegal mining that leads to the pollution of our water bodies and the devastation of our landscape? As I have said often, the Almighty having blessed us with considerable deposits of precious minerals, there would always be mining in Ghana,” President Akufo-Addo said.

    “Indeed, there has always been mining in Ghana. The problem we have is the use of modern technology that leads to the illegal mining methods posing serious dangers to our water bodies and the health of our environment. The pollution of our rivers and water resources has been so acute on the occasion that the Ghana Water Company is unable to afford the distilling of water to make for safe drinking. We have to talk about galamsey. We, who are leaders, owe it to the country to take the subject out of the party-political arena, and have an honest conversation about this menace to our future.”

    In reacting, the law Professor quizzed “What exactly is the moral, philosophical, or policy dilemma here, especially after we have been presented with a catalogue of the social and economic costs associated with the activity? Is this the final act of surrender and capitulation by the constitutionally designated fiduciary? Has the lure of illicit gold defeated our official resolve to fight it?”

    Read his full post below

    What national “conversation” is there to be had about “galamsey”? What are the proposals on the table? Decriminalize it? Denationalize state ownership of minerals? Make profiteering and impunity from participation in the illicit activity non-selective and nonpartisan? Regularize the Chinese role?

    What exactly is the moral, philosophical, or policy dilemma here, especially after we have been presented with a catalogue of the social and economic costs associated with the activity? Is this the final act of surrender and capitulation by the constitutionally designated fiduciary? Has the lure of illicit gold defeated our official resolve to fight it?

    Is our perverse party politics standing in the way, as usual? There are conversations to be had about a whole range of very troubling matters in this land. Galamsey is not one of them. We are either fighting galamsey or we are not. (We are not, of course). What other conversation is there to have about it? Or is Galamsey the New Okada?LikeCommentShare

  • Were looking for Kofi Adams to serve him our injunction suit Mac Manu

    The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has said they yet to serve Member of Parliament-elect for the Buem Constituency, Kofi Adams, an injunction suit against his election.

    National Campaign Manager of the NPP for the 2020 polls, Peter Mac Manu, the party is in search of Kofi Adams to be served because the case will take place at the Hohoe court.

    Some Constituents have filed a suit arguing that Kofi Adams cannot hold himself as MP for the constituency since thousands of voters in the Satrokofi, Akpafu, Lolobi and Likpe (SALL) were disenfranchised.

    The petitioners are therefore seeking an “order of perpetual injunction restraining Kofi Adams from holding himself out as Member of Parliament-elect for the constituency and or presenting himself to be sworn in as such.”

    Furthermore, the petitioners are also praying the court to cancel the result of the parliamentary election for the constituency and order the organization of a new one.

    Speaking on Citi News, Peter Mac Manu said the party will not do an ex-parte.

    “We are looking for Kofi Adams to serve him because it [the case] is coming on at the Hohoe High Court. We are not doing ex-parte, it is on notice so on Wednesday we will meet him at the Hohoe court,” he said.

    But the petitioners contend that the total registered voters for the 13 Electoral Areas in the traditional areas of SALL are 17,764 voters.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • My government increased budgetary allocation to parliament, judiciary Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has revealed that his administration has increased the budgetary allocation to all accountability institutions of state including Parliament and the judiciary.

    Due to the increased allocation, the president, the judiciary for instance has received ninety (90) newly constructed courts across the country.

    Delivering his last State of the Nation Address in his first in office, on Tuesday, January 5, Mr Akufo-Addo said “There is no question but that many people got attracted to the unsustainable high-interest rates that some of these financial houses were offering. In all financial dealings, we have to accept what the experts tell us that, whenever whatever on offer sounds too good to be true, it invariably ends up being untrue and unsustainable.

    “Government is committed to paying all validated claims, and I expect the process to be completed soon after the courts grant the liquidation orders for the remaining failed fund management companies.
    “Government, since my assumption of office, has increased annually the budgetary allocations to all the accountability institutions of State, including Parliament and the Judiciary, with the latter, for example, being the beneficiary of ninety (90) newly constructed courts across the country.

    “Our security agencies have been equipped with more personnel and the requisite tools needed to maintain law and order, as well as protect the territorial integrity of our borders. At the 81st Cabinet Meeting, the decision was taken to exclude the security services, i.e., the Police Service, Immigration Service, Fire Service, Prisons Service, as well as other security and intelligence agencies, just like the Armed Forces, from the unification of pension schemes.

    “In other words, all the security agencies will continue to enjoy benefits under the CAP 30 Pension Scheme, and the appropriate legal regime will be put in place by the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations to ensure this.

    “I am pleased to report that our undertaking to bring peace to Dagbon has been successful. For decades, this ancient and proud kingdom had been bedevilled with conflict. Since 2002, when a fresh eruption of the conflict ended in the tragic killing of my friend, Ya Na Yakubu Andani, Dagbon had become designated as a troubled land. A generation of young people had grown up knowing nothing else but Dagbon as a troubled land where there was no peace, and public officials hesitated to accept postings there.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Ill be back in Parliament in 2024 – Ras Mubarak

    The outgoing Member of Parliament for Kumbungu, Ras Mubarakhas hinted at plans to contest the seat again.

    The legislator will no longer be returning to parliament following his defeat in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party primaries.

    Ras Mubarak lost the slot to Dr. Hamza Adam who polled a total of 401 votes while the incumbent MP polled 278 votes.

    Speaking to Kwabena Agyapong on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, Ras Mubarak said he will seek re-election in the future.

    He revealed to the host the possibility of him contesting the seat in Kumbungu is high.

    Ras Mubarak was grateful that his residents voted for him to represent them in parliament.

    According to him, “When you have life, you have everything. God willing, in 2024, I will contest as an MP.”

    The MP said he was hopeful to serve in the 8th Parliament because it is a unique House with a hung Parliament.

    “As somebody who enjoys lawmaking, I would have wished to be part of the 8th Parliament but God worked in different ways. If I am alive in 2024, I will contest,” he added.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Parents express worry over class sizes as schools re-open

    Some parents in Koforidua have expressed worry over the large number of students who occupy a class, especially in public schools.

    They said the class sizes would make it difficult for the schools to observe the social distancing protocol and to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

    The government has announced the re-opening of schools from the kindergarten, primary, Junior High School and Senior High School after the schools were closed in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    Some of the parents, who spoke to GNA in separate interviews, hailed the government’s decision to reopen schools on January 18.

    However, they expressed worry that the government did not ask schools to ensure a reduction in the number of students that occupy a particular class.

    The parents are of the view that social distancing would reduce congestion, which was common in many public schools.

    Mr. Kwame Apati, a parent, told GNA that his children aged six and eight were in public schools with class sizes of 54 and 61 respectively.

    He wondered how such children could observe the social distancing protocol if the class size is not reduced to limit the spread of the disease.

    He said common infections such as cold and cough usually spread quickly in the class due to the congestion and has for that matter appealed to the Ghana Education Service (GES) to find a way to reduce the class sizes to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

    Madam Joyce Yayo, a retired nurse, and a grandmother said she has always expressed worry over the class sizes in her grandchildren’s school and would find it difficult to allow them to go back to school.

    Source: GNA

  • I prefer mobile money business to office work – Masters degree holder

    Mobile Money vender, Priscilla Agyeman has revealed that she prefers the mobile money business to office work even with a Masters degree.

    In a chat with DJ Nyaami on Daily Hustle, Priscilla explained that she began the business four years ago with 2,000gh and has made enough money. Hence, the decision to stay in the MOMO business.

    ”I don’t want to work in the office anymore. Most of my friends who work in offices ask for loans from me. They are suffering but they keep it on the low, ” Priscilla said.

    She added that she settled for the MOMO business after several applications to different institutions.

    Priscilla has a degree in Agricultural Science from the University of Education, Winneba and a Masters degree from the same institution.

    Watch video below

    Source: svtvafrica.com

  • Dont allow yourselves to be compromised Odike warns NDC MPs

    The disqualified 2020 presidential candidate of the United Progressive Party (UPP) and businessman Mr. Akwasi Addai Odike has sent a strong warning to opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) not to compromise against the will of Ghanaians in executing their duties of lawmaking.

    After the December 7, 2020 parliamentary elections under the forth Republic in the history of Ghana, opposition party has been able to tie parliamentary seats with party in power.

    The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) out of the total 275 seats captured 137 with ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) securing 137 seats whiles an independent candidate was able to find his way through.

    However, speaking on the matter on Akoma FM in Kumasi monitored by MyNewsGH.com, Mr. Odike furiously said “we are giving this warning to NDC MPs, if you dare compromise against the sovereign will of the people just as PC Appiah Ofori said MPs have been receiving GHC5, 000 to pass shady bills, if it happens again in this time, you will really disappoint Ghanaians”.

    Mr. Odike further stressed that the tight nature of the parliament would be very helpful in many ways and also eliminates shady deals done by parliament.

    “It is coming to help us in all diverse ways because shady deals that were rubber stumped in parliament will be no more, he said.

    “I am looking for a day when opposition will dominate Parliament, when that happens, checks and balances and separation of Powers will be effective”, Odike added.

    Source: My News GH

  • Tesano Police arrest motorbike robber

    Imoro Shaibu has been arrested by the Tesano Police for allegedly attacking and robbing a man of his motorbike.

    Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Effia Tenge, Head of Public Affairs Unit of the Accra Regional Police Command, told the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Tuesday.

    She explained that on November 28, 2020 at about 1914 hours, Shaibu and his accomplice (now at large) hired the service of the motor rider from the Kwame Nkrumah Circle to Tesano.

    DSP Tenge said on reaching Tesano Bungalow, Shaibu and his accomplice all pulled guns at the victim/complainant and snatched his Royal Motorbike with the registration number M-20 R 7795 valued at GHC3,800.

    They then bolted with the Okada and on Sunday, January 3, 2021, at about 1500 hours, the complainant spotted Shaibu at Agblogbloshie Market and caused his arrest which he also handed over to the Tesano Police for investigation.

    She said he is currently in Police custody assisting in further investigations.

    Source: GNA

  • Seventh Parliament to be dissolved today

    The Seventh Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana will be dissolved today at midnight.

    This is in accordance with Article 113(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

    The dissolution will pave way for the inauguration of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic and the investiture of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the President-Elect on January 7th, 2021.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday, January 5th, delivered his final State of the Nation address in accordance with Article 67 of the Constitution.


    A statement from Parliament said, “Members of the 8th Parliament will convene in the Chamber of Parliament to elect a Speaker and Two Deputy Speakers, in accordance with Articles 95, 96 and 100(2) of the 1992 Constitution, after which the elected Members of the 8th Parliament will be sworn in by the Speaker at the Chamber of Parliament as per Article 100(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.”


    “The President-elect will then be sworn in before the 8th Parliament in accordance with Article 57(3) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.”

    Source: GNA

  • Swearing-In: Only GBC will be allowed access to main chamber

    Government has announced that only the state broadcaster Ghana Broadcasting Corporation would be allowed access to the main chamber of parliament to cover the inauguration of President-elect Nana Addo Dankwa AKufo-Addo.

    It further announced that a media village has been erected at the precinct of parliament to host other media platforms, due to space and security reasons.

    President Akufo-Addo will be inaugurated and sworn in on Thursday, January 7, in Parliament due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

    He is the second sitting president after John Agyekum Kufuor to be sworn-in, in the same manner after being re-elected.

    Speaking to Francis Abban on the Morning Starr Tuesday Deputy Information Minister Pius Hadzide noted: “media personnel will operate within the media village that has been erected in the precinct of parliament.”

    Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Shirley Ayorkor-Botchway indicated that “the inauguration committee has been working with parliament towards ensuring a successful event.”

    President Akufo-Addo is currently delivering his last State of the Nation address for his four-ear stewardship before his new government is formed.

    Source: Starr FM

  • SONA 2021: Mahamas petition good for Ghanas democracy Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has welcomed the election petition filed at the Supreme Court by the Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama.

    Delivering his last State of the Nation Address (SONA) in his first term on Tuesday, January 5, Mr Akufo-Addo said this path is the best option for any aggrieved person in an election.

    Mr Mahama on Wednesday, December 30 filed the petition at the apex court which seeks, among other things, a rerun of the presidential elections, asking the Court for an order to restrain Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Second Respondent, from holding himself out as President-elect.

    He refused to accept the results of the elections because in his view the figures were tampered with by the Chair of the Electoral Commission in favour of President Akufo-Addo.

    He further said Mrs Mensa and the other commissioners should have resigned by now following what he described as a blemished election that they conducted on December 7.

    Mr Akufo-Addo told Parliament that “The constitution demands that we go to the people after every four years to demand their mandate.”

    “We must listen to the voice of the people. I said to you in the election campaign that it is my firm and passionate view that I shall be president in a fairly conducted elections which I believe, the elections of 7th December was.”

    “I recognize that my main opponent in the election Former President John Dramani Mahama has gone to the Supreme Court to seek intervention and be granted reliefs that he believes were compromised in the conduct of the elections.”

    “It is good for the nation that in the end, he chose the legal path instead of the pocket of violence.”

    He further added that “We all have to make a deliberate decision to trust in the rule of law and uphold the integrity of the institutions of our state so that no person or groups of person take the laws into their own hands with impunity,” he said.

    Source: 3 News

  • Trump sends delegation to Ghana for Akufo-Addos investiture

    US President, Donald John Trump has announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to attend the second inauguration of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Thursday, January 7, 2021, in Accra, Ghana.

    A statement by the White House said the Honorable Dr J. Peter Pham, Ambassador, United States Special Envoy for the Sahel Region of Africa, will lead the delegation.

    The Honorable Stephanie S. Sullivan, United States Ambassador to the Republic of Ghana will also be part of the delegation.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo delivered his last State of the Nations Address(SONA) today, January 5, 2021, at the Parliament House.

    Source: 3 News

  • Follow Akufo-Addo’s inauguration on TV if you are not invited Committee to Ghanaians

    The public has been advised to stay away from the precincts of Parliament House where President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is expected to be sworn in for a second term of office on Thursday, 7 January 2020.

    The event, according to the Inauguration Committee, is strictly by invitation.  

    The team, at a press briefing in Accra on Tuesday, 5 January 2021, explained that the decision was taken in consultation with Parliament, taking into consideration the Coronavirus pandemic.

    Chair of the inauguration sub-committee, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, indicated that so far, 12 heads of state have confirmed their participation.

    The ceremony is expected to commence at 11 am.

    Invited guests, apart from Heads of State, will be expected to be seated by 9.45 am.

    Ms. Botchwey said: “Twelve Heads of State and Government have so far confirmed their participation for the Swearing-in Ceremony. More confirmations are expected as the date draw close. Other foreign dignitaries have also confirmed their participation.”

    “The Foreign dignitaries attending the Inauguration ceremony will have the appropriate courtesies extended to them in line with standard protocol. Arrangements for possible courtesy calls and bilateral meetings have also been catered for. I should mention in that regard that the relevant information pertaining to the specific protocol/courtesies have been communicated to the respective diplomatic missions here in Accra.”

    Additionally, she noted that a welcome desk will be set up at the Airport (Terminal Three) which will be manned by designated Protocol/Liaison/Security officers to facilitate the smooth participation of the various delegations in the ceremony.

    The Foreign Minister further noted that the committee has been minded by the COVID-19 protocol of social distancing, which will be adhered to.

    As part of the protocol guidelines drawn up for the ceremony, visiting delegations will be required to provide a negative 72-hour PCR test before they are admitted into the country.

    Participants in the ceremony will be required to keep their face masks on at all times.

    She disclosed that “the need to strictly observe the COVID-19 protocols informed the number of persons which will be accredited to participate in the ceremony.”

    “The committee understands the huge public interest in the ceremony but increasing the numbers will be simply disregarding the COVID-19 protocols, with its attendant dire consequences for the health and safety of everybody.”

    “I will, therefore, wish to plead with the members of the public to follow the ceremony from the comfort of their homes as it will be broadcast live on all major television and radio stations.”

    Source: Class FM

  • SONA: Food is in abundance in Ghana Akufo-Addo

    President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said that there is an abundance of food in the country as a result of the Planting for food and jobs programme initiated by his government.

    Delivering the last State of the Nation Address for his first tenure in Parliament today, the President said the Planting for Food and Jobs program has vindicated his government.

    “Thanks to the Planting for food and jobs programme food is in abundance in our country,” the President told Parliament.

    Planting for Food and Jobs was a flagship agricultural Campaign of the Government, with five (5) implementation modules. 

    The first module PFJ (Crops) aims to promote food security and immediate availability of selected food crops on the market and also provide jobs. 

    This module was officially launched by President Akufo-Addo at Goaso on April 19, 2017, in the then Brong Ahafo Region.

    The five Modules are:

    Food Crops (PFJ)

    •Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD)

    •Greenhouse Technology Villages (3 Villages)

    •Rearing for Food and Jobs ( RFJ)

    •Agricultural Mechanization Services (AMSECs)

    Source: Starr FM

  • Probe death of 8 Ghanaians in 2020 polls – Nyaho, Tarzan, Pratt to Akufo-Addo

    Some prominent Ghanaians have called on President Nana Akufo-Addo to establish an independent body to investigate all acts of violence and threats of violence associated with the December 7, 2020 elections leading to the death of eight Ghanaians.

    According to the renowned Ghanaians namely; Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby and Kweku Adu Gyamfi Opoku, these investigations must lead to prosecution of all those who will be identified as the purveyors of the “senseless violence which characterised the elections.”

    In a statement jointly signed by the four men, they said the state and its organs must demonstrate that the people of Ghana reject vigilantism in all forms.

    According to the four, the culture of silence, especially the erosion of fundamental freedoms of free assembly, free speech and free expression is creeping back into the country and they demand a stop to it because it threatens “the very foundations of our democratic experiment and portend no good for a people struggling to overcome serious economic and social challenges.”

    Read the full statement below:

    BRING BACK OUR FREEDOMS NOW

    Over 25 years ago, we acted together with like-minded Ghanaians, including the current President of the Republic of Ghana, as the Alliance For Change to defend the Rights to Free Assembly & Free Speech guaranteed by the 1992 Constitution. We organised the historic Kumepreko March of May 11 1995 first in Accra and later in other Regional capitals, to assert our right to peaceful demonstrations.

    Today, in the wake of a fiercely competitive general election which has witnessed the killing of innocent citizens and a creeping return of intimidation and acts of state brutalities, we the undersigned, feel compelled to speak out loudly & clearly in defence of the Rights to Free Assembly, Free Speech & Fearless Choice of Leader. We make this statement in these extraordinary times. We are again in dangerous times and how we emerge will depend on the willingness of Ghanaians to stand up and be counted. We have been here before, and we triumphed. So we are confident that Ghanaians will rise again to defeat the forces of repression and gain our basic freedoms.  

    For the very first time in the fourth republican dispensation, as many as eight (8) Ghanaians have lost their lives in election related violence. Since December 7th, 2020, when the people went to the polls to elect a president and members of parliament, national political discourse has been characterized by allegations of electoral fraud and a crazy rhetoric of threats of arson and death. These undoubtedly threaten the very foundations of our democratic experiment and portend no good for a people struggling to overcome serious economic and social challenges.

    From the onset of peaceful protests over the election results, those who have sought to express their concerns publicly have been met with opprobrium by sections of the media, state repression and now death threats from those with a vested interest in preserving the status quo and sweeping the glaring malfeasance of the Electoral Commission under the rug. We note in particular that very high-profile leaders of the governing party have called on their members to burn the houses of leading members of the opposition and to kill their opponents. This development is particularly troubling to the extent that it sets our country on the dangerous path to Armageddon.

    We call on all the political players in the country to pull back from the brink and to find reasonable and practical ways of resolving all the disputes springing out of the December 7th elections. To this end, we welcome the referral of the major disputes & disagreements on the elections, to the Supreme Court & other relevant courts for adjudication and resolution.

    Just as happened in 1995 when 4 Ghanaians were killed at the Kumepreko March, we demand that President Akufo-Addo establishes an Independent body to investigate all acts of violence and threats of violence associated with the elections, especially the cause of the death of eight innocent Ghanaians. These investigations must lead to prosecution of all those who will be identified as the purveyors of the senseless violence which characterized the elections. The state and its organs must demonstrate that the people of Ghana reject vigilantism in all its forms.

    Last but certainly not the least, we demand that the President takes immediate steps to return our dear nation to the practice of democracy we fought for together in 1995. Specifically, we ask for the immediate reversal of the creeping environment of THE CULTURE OF SILENCE, ESPECIALLY THE EROSION OF FUNDAMENTAL Freedoms of FREE ASSEMBLY, FREE SPEECH & FREE EXPRESSION. 

    Mr President, please put the leash back on the totally out of order security apparatus

    LONG LIVE DEMOCRACY, FREEDOM & JUSTICE

    LONG LIVE THE 4TH REPUBLIC OF GHANA

    SIGNED ON MONDAY 04TH JANUARY,2021 BY:

    KWEKU ADU GYAMFI OPOKU DR NYAHO NYAHO-TAMAKLOE KWESI PRATT, JNR DR CHARLES WEREKO-BROBBY

    Source: Class FM

  • Akufo-Addos final State of the Nation Address to be delivered in Parliament today

    In line with Article 67 of the 1992 of the Fourth Republic of Ghana, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will today in Parliamentdeliver his last State of the Nation Address for his first term in office.

    “The President shall, at the beginning of each session of Parliamentand before a dissolution of Parliament, deliver to Parliament a message on the state of the nation,” reads the provision in the constitution.

    Thus, the president will today deliver a review of governments works in the year 2020, as well as give an overall account of his first term in office to parliament today.

    In a statement, the Public Affairs Directorate of Parliament has directed that the event set to commence at 10:00 am is strictly by invitation due to COVID-19 and the need to adhere to required protocols.

    With the 2020 elections out of the way, the current Parliament is set to be dissolved on January 6, 2021 for the inauguration of the 8th Parliament of the Fourth Republic on January 7.

    President Akufo-Addo will also be sworn in as president for another term later that same day having been declared winner of the 2020 presidential polls by the EC.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Akoto Ampaw leads Akufo-Addo lawyers to battle John Mahama at Supreme Court

    It has been revealed that the Akufo-Addo, Prempeh & Co law firm led by respected lawyer, Akoto Ampaw will represent President-elect Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the election petition filed by former President John Mahama.

    According to a Starfmonline report, Mr. Akoto Ampaw who was a key cog in the President’s team of lawyers that challenged the 2012 election results will again represent Nana Akufo-Addo at the Supreme Court.

    The firm filed its notice of appearance informing the apex court of its decision to represent its respondent on January 4, 2020.

    The filing of the “Notice of Appearance”, is in fulfillment of Article 64 of the 1992 Constitution and the Supreme Court Rules 1996, (C. I. 16) as amended by C. I. 74 and C. I. 99.

    John Dramani Mahama on December 30, 2020, filed a petition at the Supreme Court challenging the outcome of the presidential elections.

    In a statement after filing the petition, the NDC which he represented in the 2020 elections said: “The Petition was filed pursuant to the partys audit of the 2020 Presidential results and extensive consultations with the National Executive Committee and Council of Elders of the party.

    The first respondent in the petition case (Electoral Commission) will also be represented by Amenuvor & Associates with its lead counsel, Justin Amenuvor in the case which is set to begin after the inauguration of the President.

    John Dramani Mahama per the suit filed at the apex court will have lawyer Tony Lithur as his lead attorney

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • President Akufo-Addo to open 72nd Annual New Year School

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, will on Tuesday, January 19, inaugurate the 72nd Annual New Year School and Conference at the University of Ghana, Legon, Accra.

    The School, which is scheduled for January 19-20, is being organised by the School of Continuing and Distance Education, College of Education, University of Ghana, on the theme, “Building Ghana in the Face of Global Health Crises”.

    Mr Godfried Kudzo Akpanya, the Coordinator/Prefect of the Annual New Year School and Conference, made this known on Monday in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra.

    He said the Annual New Year School and Conference since its inception in 1948, had been the flagship programme of the University, which always opened at the beginning of the New Year and that it had never been truncated.

    Mr Akpanya said due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which broke out in 2020, the 72nd Annual New Year School and Conference would focus on global health crises; adding that because of the COVID-19pandemic, the annual weeklong programme had been shortened to two days.

    He said participants would be drawn from all sectors of the economy – health, education, organised labour and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

    Mr Akpanya said the Annual New Year School and Conference, since its inception in 1948, had over the years played a crucial role in community development and capacity building.

    He said the School, which had been held regularly since 1948, brought together people from all walks of life to deliberate on topical issues of national and international interest.

    He noted that resolutions from the School were presented in a communique to relevant government and parastatal agencies; which had over the years played a key role in policy formulation.

    Mr Akpanya, said a major challenge facing the organisation of the School was funding and appealed to cooperate institutions for support.

    He also appealed to Government to resource the Secretariat of the Annual New Year School and Conference with a vehicle for its operations.

    Source: GNA

  • GNECC lauds government for reopening schools

    The Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC), has lauded President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for reopening of schools and phasing out the double-track system for Senior High School One and Three.

    It said, “We commend the government for being responsive to the concerns expressed by parents and students about the effects of the double-track and urge that it is completely phased out”.

    A statement issued in Accra by Ms. Veronica Dzeagu, the GNECC National Coordinator, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, has said.

    The President made the announcement on the reopening of schools and phasing out of the double-track system in his 21st address to the nation on measures taken to stem the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

    The GNEC statement urged that additional care be taken to ensure that children, teachers, and non-teaching staff were not exposed to any avoidable risks while in school, based on lessons learned from the selective reopening of schools for the completion of transitional examinations last year.

    It said the government must provide appropriate Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities for schools that lacked them to ensure effective compliance with the recommended COVID-19 protocols, adding that personal protective equipment should also get to all schools on time.

    The statement advised parents and guardians to also ensure that their wards returned to school when they reopened to continue their education and should not leave the safety of their children entirely to the government.

    “Education is a shared responsibility and parents have an important role to play in protecting their children from any potential harm both at home and in school”.

    “They should therefore ensure that their wards wear masks and urge them to comply with the guidelines provided for their safety while in school,” it stated.

    The statement said it would be working together with the Ghana Education Service, UNESCO, and UNICEF Ghana to undertake a #BacktoSchool campaign to ensure that no child was left behind.

    President Akufo-Addo announced that all Basic Schools (KG-JHS) would reopen on 15th January 2021, and Senior High Schools, on March 10, 2021.

    He said SHS Two and Three would reopen on 18th January 2021, whiles all tertiary institutions reopen on 9th January 2021.

    Source: GNA