TIG Post

Author: Persis

  • My report on Agyapa deal submitted to Akufo-Addo two weeks ago – Amidu

    Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu has announced he has completed his corruption risk assessment in the controversial Agyapa Royalties deal.

    In a statement, Mr. Amidu said he submitted his report on the risk assessment to the Presidency two weeks ago.

    “The analysis of the risk of corruption and anti-corruption assessment was completed and signed by the Special Prosecutor on 15th October 2020. The Special Prosecutor in a letter with reference number OSP/SCR/20/12/20 dated 16th October 2020 conveyed the conclusions and observations of the anti-corruption assessment to H. E. the President and the Hon. Minister of Finance as a matter of courtesy before informing the public.”

    “Two weeks is more than too long for this Office to continue withholding the announcement of the completion of its sixty-four (64) page report to the public. It is important that this Office has the freedom to discharge its anti-corruption mandate and keep the public informed. I have, therefore, decided to bring the facts of the conclusion of the anti-corruption assessment of the Agyapa Royalties Transactions by this Office to the attention of the public and to avoid the continued speculations on this matter,” he said.

    Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu in September called on the Finance Ministry to hold on with its scheduled initial Public Offer (IPO) on the Agyapa royalties deal until he is done with his corruption risk assessment on the transaction.

    “This Office would have wished to complete its corruption risk assessment on the Agyapa Royalties Transaction soonest but for the non-submission of the information and documents pending to be submitted by your Ministry. The information and documents you supplied concerned mainly the processes for and the appointment of the Transaction Advisors which goes to the root of any corruption risk assessment,” Mr Amidu said in a letter to the Finance Ministry.

    The letter added: “Information and documents relating to the identification and recommendation by the transaction advisors to your Ministry for appointment a list of other services providers and or underwriters that may be required to complete the transaction as provided in clause 2.2.1 of the mandate agreement amongst others, that are critical to any through corruption risk assessment are also outstanding. The legal opinions particularly of the principal legal advisor to the government under the Constitution are relevant to ensure compliance with her recommendations as part of any corruption risk assessment.”

    Source: Starr FM

  • Ghana’s ecosystem training must evolve with mix of innovation – Dr Ashigbey

    Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications has said the country’s training of the ecosystem must evolve with a mix of innovation in all educational facets.

    He said learners must cultivate 21st-century skills, capabilities and attributes: The tough to teach intangibles such as cultural intelligence, emotional intelligence, curiosity, creativity, adaptability, resilience, and critical thinking would be most highly valued.

    Dr Ashigbey was speaking at the virtual tech talk forum of the Huawei Seed for the Future, Ghana 2020.

    The Seed for Future programme is a global flagship Corporate Social Responsibility initiative that looks forward to giving 50 university students in STEM the opportunity to expand their scope in ICTs whiles advocating for more female participation.

    The intensive 5-days experience, which will be held online, will introduce students to new technologies, equip them with the necessary skills to enable them to identify and harness new opportunities in ICT whiles offering them the opportunity to meet and connect with top ICT professionals in the tech space.

    “The future is undeniably digital,” he said.

    The CEO said in light of this, the world needed a constant flow of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) graduates to fill the opportunities that would be given life.

    He said STEM provided the acquisition of soft-skills which was not easily gained through just liberal arts and social science subjects.

    These skills are interpersonal and cover everything from communications to attitude, teamwork, and networking abilities.

    He said technology was still moving at an increasingly fast pace, as every facet of life was now linked intrinsically to microchips in one way or the other.

    He said the impact of STEM laid in its role as an engine for global digitalization.

    Dr Ashigbey explained that without qualified graduates of these specialized subjects, there would be no internet, automation, and no wonder surrounding the fascinating development in the field of Artificial Intelligence.

    Mr Derrydean Dadzie, the Co-Founder of DreamOval Limited called on the youth to take advantage of the ‘pregnant’ digital era to develop themselves.

    “The digital era is ‘pregnant’ with a lot of development opportunities,” he said.

    He said some of these opportunities were to provide content to meet the consumption cravings of digital citizens, work in their own time and convenience, selling anything online, and acquire new knowledge for personal development.

    He said the digital era had increased integration of business tools, communication, and social media interaction and organizational systems and structures and it has increased complexity and transparency.

    Mr Dadzie said people were becoming more sophisticated in their request for uniquely gratifying experience and people were aware of their rights.

    The Co-Founder called on the youth to equip themselves with the right tools and applications and spic their life with socio-digital tools like LinkedIn, YouTube, and Online courses.

    “The leveraging on degrees is diminishing,” he said.

    Source: GNA

  • Consumers stranded as gas shortage hits parts of Greater Accra, Central and Western Regions

    Consumers of Liquefied Petroleum Gas have been left stranded as parts of the Greater Accra, Central and Western Regions have been hit with an acute shortage of supply.

    Domestic and commercial consumers of LPG in the affected areas have had no supply since Wednesday, October 28, 2020, after the Gas Tanker Drivers Union declared a sit-down strike on Thursday, October 29, 2020.

    Among the affected consumers include some commercial drivers who use LPG as a source of fuel. The affected drivers have called for an immediate solution to the situation as it has taken a toll on their business.

    In a related development, the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations in a statement released on Sunday, November 1, 2020, said the situation is expected to be brought back to normalcy as the Gas Tanker Drivers Union has resumed full scale working after a stakeholders meeting was held.

    The emergency meeting was held between the Ministry, the Gas Tanker Drivers Union, the Ghana Transport Petroleum and Chemical Drivers Union as well as the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketing Companies.

    The Ministry, whiles expressing gratitude to the drivers for accepting to resume work, also assured the public that government remains committed to ensuring that the matter is resolved with the urgency it deserves.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • World Bank approves US$250 million for Ghana to set up development bank

    The Executive Board of the World Bank has approved an aid package of 250 million U.S. dollars to help Ghana set up a development bank, said a release on Friday.

    The establishment of the Development Bank of Ghana (DBG) would increase access to long-term finance to boost job creation for 10,000 enterprises in critical sectors of the economy, it said.

    Sectors to benefit from the establishment of the bank would include agribusinesses, manufacturing, and high-value services.

    Pierre Laporte, World Bank country director for Ghana, said the support for the DBG is an integral part of efforts by the global lender to promote sustainable growth in the country.

    “By offering long-term wholesale financing, credit guarantees, and other services, the Ghana development finance project will help increase overall lending to priority sectors and market segments,” Laporte said.

    Source: Daily Mail

  • Three daylight highway robbers arrested in Walewale

    Three suspected armed robbers have been arrested by Police in Walewale in a broad daylight robbery operation on the Tamale-Bolga highway.

    The North East Regional Police who confirmed this to JoyNews stated that the police got intelligence of the suspects mounting a roadblock on the highway between Wulugu and Karimenga at 11am.

    The gun-wielding robbers, according to DCOP Kwadwo Antwi Tabi, attacked and robbed several passenger vehicles of their valuables.

    The robbers sort refuge in the bush nearby upon the arrival of the police at the robbery scene but they were pursued and arrested on motorbikes.

    A search conducted by the police at the home of the suspects found a locally manufactured gun as well as cartridges.

    DCOP Kwadwo Antwi Tabi disclosed that the suspects were identified by victims of the robbery attack at the Walewale police station.

    The three robbers have been remanded in police custody while further investigations are being held before they are arraigned before court.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • We want to create equal opportunity for tertiary education through guarantor-free loans Bawumia

    The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia says the newest educational intervention by the NPP, the guarantor-free tertiary students loan, is to create equal opportunities for access to tertiary education in Ghana.

    The Akufo-Addo government has already delivered an unprecedented intervention at the senior high school (SHS) level. In its first year of assuming office in 2017, the Akufo-Addo government fulfilled its promise to make secondary education free, and three years on, over 1.2 million children at all levels of secondary school are benefitting from the intervention, which also includes free meals, uniforms and textbooks.

    As the first batch of the Free SHS graduates await their WASCEE examination results, and many others struggle to access tertiary education, Vice President Bawumia says the visionary government of Nana Akufo-Addo has put in place a policy which will allow qualified senior high school students to access tertiary education without any hindrance.

    “We have a big vision for the education of Ghanaian children and our focus is not to leave them at SHS but to see all qualified SHS graduates progress to the university,” Dr Bawumia said at Dunkwa on-Offin on Sunday, November 1, 2020.

    “If we have brought Free SHS because many parents can’t afford to finance the secondary education of their children, how do we expect the same parents to be able to pay for their children to attend universities? That is why we have a new policy, through which all qualified students can access loans and pay their fees.”

    Dr Bawumia explained in detail, requirements for the tertiary student loan, which will replace the current student loan system.

    “All that is required is a Ghana card. Once you have your Ghana Card, you can access a loan to pay for your tertiary fees and then pay back in instalments after National Service and another one year grace period after national service, by which time you would hopefully be working.”

    “This is new thinking by the visionary Akufo-Addo, which will ensure that qualified Free SHS graduates who cannot pay for their university education won’t be left behind at the secondary level. We want every qualified child to go the university. This is what we mean by equal opportunity.”

    Source: Class FM

  • LPG tanker drivers divided over strike

    There are reports of a partial shortage of LPG products over the weekend, especially in pockets of places around Accra and Takoradi in the Western region, following a decision some aggrieved tanker drivers to down their tools over industry-related issues, including their welfare.

    The union some weeks ago at a press conference accused officials of the NPA, of conniving with some Police officers to harass them on the roads.

    The drivers also wanted approval for more than 80 applications submitted to the NPA to enable them construct LPG station.

    Again, they claim their welfare issues have been ignored, a situation which has forced some of them to hit on hard times.

    But the NPA in a response refuted some of the claims and put out evidence which suggests series of meetings had taken place over the issue which the driver union actively participated.

    After the release, the NPA, AOMC, LPG marketers, Tanker owners and the drivers met, to discuss the issues and find a resolution to the impasse. Another meeting also took place with the Police hierarchy to address the issue of harassment. A source told Starrfm.com.gh that assurances were given in that regard by a senior police personnel, who said any of their men who misconduct themselves in this regard will be dealt with.

    But a source at the meeting says the latest partial strike has come as a surprise to some of them, including some drivers, who believe their concerns are already being addressed, one after the other.

    Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source says the partial strike is the insistence of the NPA to follow the rules governing the granting of construction permits, which some of the leadership of the drivers union are not interested in.

    “ They have already being granted license for 11 stations, but it appears they want more, which is not even right especially when one considers that cabinet in 2017 temporarily suspended the issuance of construction permits, while the NPA looks at the safety concerns being raised by the public,” says the source.

    “These drivers and their collaborators want the regulator to bend the safety rules so they can have their way but should the unfortunate happen, it is the public that will be impacted.”

    Documents available indicate that some leaders of the LPG tanker drivers had even constructed stations without obtaining the required permits from the appropriate agencies, but are seeking for approval to be given them.

    “Is it the money they want at the expense of public safety,? An aggrieved driver who is not in support of the strike asked.

    There are also suspicions that the strike is being used to push government to bend the safety rules because of the upcoming elections.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Eastern Regional Minister Commissions a 92-unit Stores at Asamankese

    Mr Eric Kwakye Darfour, Eastern Regional Minister, has commissioned two-storey-92-Unit stores at Asamankese to enhance local economics in the municipality.

    The Minister, whiles commending the Assembly for the project, tasked the Municipal Chief Executive to ensure that the stores were allocated to the deserved traders to avoid any agitation.

    Mr. Seth Oduro-Boadu, Lower West Akyem Municipal Chief Executive, said the facility funded from the Internally Generated Fund and the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) at a cost of Ghc 6,200,000, would be christened “Nana Hemaa Market Square”.

    Osabarima Adu Darko, Chief of Asamankese, thanked the Assembly for the project and assured that the facility would be put to good use to achieve the intended purpose.

    Source: GNA

  • Global teacher status: Ghana ranked 2nd in the world

    Education Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh has disclosed that Ghana ranks second in the world on countries that have streamlined teachers’ living conditions.

    Speaking in an interview with Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s ”Kokrokoo”, Hon. Opoku Prempeh, also called Napo revealed there was a survey conducted worldwide dubbed ”Global Teacher Status” among 35 countries and Ghana ranked higher.

    This achievement, he said, is due to the great initiatives by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his government for teachers.

    He said President Akufo-Addo, with a good heart for teachers, introduced a program called ”Untrained Teachers For Diploma in Basic Education” (UTDBE) to retrain pupil and untrained teachers, raised the status of teachers holding Certificate A, paid teacher-trainee allowances and also transformed training college into a college of education among other good works aimed at improving the lives of teachers.

    Napo noted that the second-ranking of Ghana on the world map is due to these initiatives and many more that the Akufo-Addo administration has established.

    ”Ghana is second after China worldwide on the Global Teacher Status”, he said.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Frantic search underway in Asuboi for missing policeman

    A combined police search team from Suhum and Accra is on a mission to find a policeman who got missing on Friday.

    The missing policeman was said to have visited his land at Asuboi in the Ayensuano District of the Eastern Region but failed to return home on Friday, October 30, raising suspicions.

    The police vehicle he drove to the place was found at land site.

    Deputy Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) Sergeant Francis Gumado confirmed the incident to 3news.com.

    He said policemen and community police personnel assisted by six personnel from Ghana National Fire Service and four local divers from Mankrong under the supervision of Chief Superintendent Joseph Owusu, the Suhum District Police Commander, and Supt. Amoako Boansi of National Patrol Unit, Police Headquarters, Accra embarked on the search between the hours of 0700 hours and 1500 hours.

    Nearby bushes, as well as rivers and ponds within the catchment area, were thoroughly searched but the Inspector, Charles Adamu, could not be found.

    The police have activated informants response to further assist in the investigation.

    Source: 3 News

  • Alabar robbery: Identities of 2 teenage robbers unveiled

    The Ashanti Regional Police Command has unveiled the identities of two teenage robbers arrested in connection with the daylight robbery incident at Alabar, a suburb of Kumasi on Friday afternoon.

    Suspects Salifu Iddrisu and Ali Razak both 18, were two of three suspects arrested by the police for engaging in the Rambo-style robbery in the garden city.

    Hamza Nuhu aged 22 who is the third suspect was shot in the right thigh during the pursuit and currently on admission at the hospital under police guard.

    According to the police, the gang of about seven, armed with guns and machetes riding on 3 motorbikes robbed some traders of the main Alabar street of unspecified amounts of money amidst firing. Four of the victims sustained injuries with one person pronounced dead at the Manhyia Government Hospital. The deceased has been identified.

    The teenage robbers are on detention to assist with police investigations, while a manhunt has been launched for the arrest of the remaining robbers, the police is urging all persons with information leading to the arrest of the other suspects, to assist.

    Source: My News GH

  • Akufo-Addo has done so much to earn Ghana a 2nd spot in world teacher welfare league table – Bawumia

    Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia has said the Akufo-Addo government loves teachers to the extent that he has put them first in his policies and programmes, which has earned Ghana the second spot in the whole world on the teacher welfare league table.

    Dr Bawumia made the comment when he opened a Training Institute for staff of the Ghana Education Service at Saltpond in the Mfantseman Municipal of the Central region.

    Conceived by the Kufuor administration, construction works began in 2011 but were abandoned in 2012 by the previous administration due to lack of funds. The project was resurrected in 2017 ant taken up by the GETfund through the efforts of the late MP for Mfantseman, Ekow Quansah Hayford.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony on Friday, October 30, 2020, Dr Bawumia said the completion and commissioning of the facility, which has 90 self-contained rooms, 2 large conference halls, training rooms and space to park 50 cars, is further concrete evidence of the Akufo-Addo administration’s commitment to the overall development of the education sector.

    “Since we assumed office in 2017, the Nana Akufo-Addo government has pursued a ‘Teacher First’ policy, which has led to the implementation of policies and programmes geared towards continuous improvement in the numbers and quality of teachers and other stakeholders in education.

    “We have taken concrete measures in the education sector. For instance, we have recruited 93, 274 new teachers since 2017, to clear the backlog of teachers who were qualified but not employed by the previous government.

    “In the past, teachers taught for three, four years but were only paid three months of their accumulated salaries. We have cleared that arrears.

    “We have restored Teacher, Nursing and Arabic Instructors training allowances cancelled by the previous government. We are building massive infrastructure across the country. And as indicated, we are ensuring the continuous professional training of teachers every year. We have also introduced a new and transparent policy for the promotion of teachers”.

    The Vice-President said all of these measures and more had led to Ghana being ranked number 2, behind China, in the league of nations to have improved teacher welfare the most in recent times.

    “President Nana Akufo-Addo is determined to develop the human resource base of Ghana. But he cannot do that without the active participation and input of teachers, hence the priority he has placed on teacher development and welfare. I can assure you of many plans in the works to make the education sector even more vibrant,” he indicated.

    Speaking earlier, Deputy Minister for Education, Gifty Twum Ampofo, shed more light on the Professional Continuous Training programme, which includes at least four days of intensive training per year, and two hours per week of peer learning.

    The Vice President was assisted by the wife of the late MP, who is now the NPP parliamentary candidate for Mfantseman, Mrs Ophelia Mensah Hayford, Central Region Minister Kwamena Duncan, Transport Minister Hon Kwaku Ofori Asiamah and other government officials.

    Source: Class FM

  • We meant no harm – CHASS clears the air on review of free SHS policy

    The Conference of Heads of Assisted Senior High Schools (CHASS) has said it meant no harm when it called for a review of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy after three years of implementation.

    According to CHASS, their call was only to ensure that there was the effective implementation of the policy.

    The CHASS at its 5th Annual Conference held in Cape Coast last week highlighted some key challenges with the implementation of the free SHS and called on the Ghana Education Service (GES) and other stakeholders to consider a review of the policy to ensure effective implementation and positive outcomes.

    It specifically mentioned how PTA activities were gradually dying in the schools and raised concerns over the quality of the buffer stock in the schools.

    Their call had received several reactions from the government, and the general public.

    However, addressing a press in Cape Coast at the weekend, the president of CHASS, Mr Yakub Abubakar said the Association was expecting the government to sit down and dialogue with them to find solutions to the challenges identified.

    “CHASS never meant any harm to any system and like we mentioned in our meeting, are not a partisan Association. We are only looking at issues and seeking redress as they should. This is exactly what CHASS meant and nothing outside it”, he stressed.

    “We are there to implement government policy and for that matter, CHASS will at all times implement the policies of the government of the day”, he added.

    In this regard, he noted, it was only fair for CHASS to be allowed to point out challenges with the policies for effective implementation to achieve a positive impact.

    Mr Abubakar said CHASS recognised the efforts of the government to ensure the success of the free SHS policy and assured that the Association remained grateful and cooperative to work towards its sustainability.

    He said CHASS was ready to sit and discuss issues with the government to find a way forward towards ensuring that the free SHS policy worked effectively for the benefit of all Ghanaians.

    Source: GNA

  • Search continues for missing Police officer

    Police Personnel and residents of Asuboi and nearby Communities near Suhum in the Eastern Region are continuing the search for a 50-year-old Police officer who has been missing for days.

    Charles Adamu, the Police Inspector who is a driver attached to the Police Hospital in Accra reportedly went missing Friday, October 30, 2020 when he visited his plot of land at the Asuboi area in Ayensuano District.

    His wife reported to the Police that her husband did not return to the house.

    Police investigators went to the scene and found a Police vehicle used by the missing officer parked at the roadside near his plot with the ignition key on.

    Kwaku Afari -former Assemblymember for Asuboi electoral area told Starr News there was public announcement Sunday morning where the youth were mobilized to help Suhum Police search for the missing Police officer.

    The Acting Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command, Sargeant Francis Gomado confirmed the incident to Starr News.

    He urged the public to assist Police search for the missing law enforcer.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Election 2020: Nhyiaeso MP predicts 180 Parliamentary seats for NPP

    “NPP is winning 175 to 180 seats in the upcoming elections” predicts the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso constituency, Kennedy Kankam.

    The Ashanti Regional branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has already launched agenda 47/47 ahead of the December general elections.

    The ruling party already has 44 out of the 47 seats and they are hopeful that after the forthcoming elections, they will take total charge of all 47.

    Speaking on Kumasi-based Hello FM, Hon Kankam said apart from taking all the seats in the Ashanti Region, the NPP will have a total of 180 seats out of the 275 in Parliament.

    The NPP currently has 169 seats in Parliament.

    Listen to him in the video below

    Source: Peace FM

  • Brian Bobbey scores first goal for Ajax in comeback win against Fortuna Sittard

    Dutch-born Ghanaian footballer Brian Brobbey scored on his debut for Ajax in their 5-2 win over Fortuna Sittard in the Eredivisie on Saturday.

    The 18-year-old was introduced in the game in the second half and just took seven minutes to score his first goal of the season for the Dutch-giants.

    Fortuna Sittard took the lead in the game through George Fox who was set up by Zian Flemming.

    Ajax were awarded a penalty for a foul on Lassina Traore. Davy Klaassen stepped up but missed his spot-kick before netting on the rebound.

    Klaassen then netted his second from close range just before the break after Traore had hit the crossbar.

    In the 66th minute, Brian Brobbey made his debut for Ajax and the 18-year-old took only seven minutes to score his first goal. David Neres hit the post with a strike and Brobbey was there to score.

    Ajax were awarded three penalties on the day as Dusan Tadic and Quincy Promes scored from the spot-kick to hand the league leaders a 5-2 win in the game.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Great Olympics lose to Attram De Visser Soccer Academy in pre-season friendly

    Ghana Premier League side, Great Olympics lost 3-2 to Attram De Visser Soccer Academy in a pre-season friendly match on Friday at the McDan Park, La-Accra.

    Olympics former player and coach Godwin Attram handed his former team a defeat in their own backyard.

    New Olympics signing Arnold Abbey had a few chances in the opening minutes of the game but was unfortunate to grab a goal.

    After minutes or dominance in the game, Olympics found the back of the net through Micheal Sarpong who picked up a loose ball and brilliantly finished it off to give the Accra Landlords the lead into the first half.

    After recess, Godwin Attrams men warmed up into the game and managed to level up with a goal from Joshua Anim.

    The away team scored again in 59th minute as Bernard Appiah headed home a free-kick to give Attram De Visser Soccer Academy the lead.

    Five minutes later, the away side were awarded a free kick on the flanks and Joshua Sekyi beautifully dispatched it into the net to double the lead for the away side.

    Olympics reduced the deficit in the 97th minute when captain Gladson Awake scored from the spot after he was brought down.

    Attram De Visser Soccer Academy’s goalkeeper, Richard Appiah was a delight to watch as he delivered a number of jaw-dropping saves to deny Oly Dade players from scoring.

    Watch highlights of the game below

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Full list of 2020/21 Ghana Premier League transfers completed by all 18 clubs

    The first transfer window for the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League season closed on Saturday with most of the 18 clubs in the Ghanaian top-flight active on the transfer market.

    Legon Cities stole the headlines by signing legendary striker Asamoah Gyan as well as teenage sensation Matthew Cudjoe and other notable players like Baba Mahama Nicholas Gyan and Elvis Opoku who have thrilled the domestic game.

    Giants Asante Kotoko were unable to provide the money to sign Justice Blay from Medeama but they were able to shrew free transfer deals for Brazilian Fabio Gama and super goalkeeper Razak Abalora.

    Their arch-rivals Hearts of Oak are might not be as rich as Legon Cities but were able to grab experienced players Nuru Sulley, Abednego Tetteh and Patrick Razak to cause some sleepless nights for their opponents.

    Relegation-flirting sides Accra Great Olympics and King Faisal were also heavily involved in the transfer market in their bid to beat the drop by signing top players including striker Mannan ‘Lukaku’ Mudasiru for the Dade Boys and experienced striker Saddick Adams for the InshaAllahu lads.

    Below are the full transfer moves by each of the 18 teams in the league:

    ACCRA GREAT OLYMPICS

    Ebenezer Sekyere, Charles Danso Otu, Mannan Mudasiru, Michael Otoo, Karim Alhassan, Alhassan Sunday, Mujeeb Hakeem, Arnold Mensah Abbey.

    ACCRA HEARTS OF OAK

    Eric Dizan, Ademola Kuti, Abdourahamane Mamane Lawali, Nuru Sulley, Abednego Tetteh, Patrick Razak, Victor Kwaku Aidoo, Isaac Mensah, Enock Addo, Benjamin Nana Yeboah (GK), Franklin Owusu, Daniel Yeboah

    ADUANA STARS

    Zakaria Alhassan, Prince Acquah, Derrick Boateng, Bright Adjei, Sam Adams, Emmanuel Osei Baffour, Alex Asamoah, Kofi Owusu, Richard Mpong, Kenneth Owusu

    ASHANTIGOLD SPORTING CLUB

    Yaw Annor, Kwame Moses, Stephen Bentil, Micheal Ennu, Hans Kwofie, Nathaniel Asamoah, Johnson David Yeboah, Dacosta Boadu, Matthew Agama, Empem Dacosta and Mohamed Bailou, Kamaradini Mamudu, Abdul Bashiru

    BECHEM UNITED

    Alhassan Traoré, Benedict Osei, Listowel Amankona, Francis Twene, Sagacious Opoku, Francis Adjei, Boubacar Doumbia, Moussa Traoré, Stephen Owusu Kaakyire

    BEREKUM CHELSEA

    James Wiafe Iniesta, Alfred Okai Quaye, Edward Kpodo, Stephen Sarfo, Collins Ameyaw, Mohammed Gouni

    DREAMS FOOTBALL CLUB

    Joseph Esso, Abel Manomey, Agyenim Boateng, Philemon McCarthy, Ali Huzaif, Philemon McCarthy, Solomon Twene

    EBUSUA DWARFS

    Leventius Attah, Godwin Adepah, George Asamoah, Richard Amoah

    ELMINA SHARKS

    Anthony Quayson, Daniel Nii Adjei, Rashid Sulley, James Bissue

    INTER ALLIES

    Ali Isah, Michael Kporvi, Emmanuel Adjetey, Taufiq Shaibu

    KARELA UNITED

    Richard Baidoo, Prosper Arvo, Umar Bashiru, Obed Kofi Sam, Yaw Ansah Fufro, Augustine Randolph, Godfred Adotey

    KING FAISAL

    Prince Papa Arkoh, Misbawu Adam Okoronko, Yakubu Wadudu, Saddick Adams, Pius Baffour, Kwadwo Frimpong, Sulley Mohammed, Razak Oga Gariba, Mutawakilu Fuseini, Michael Amoah, Gideon Offei Ofori, Enoch Morrison, Daniel Yemoh, Frank Manu, Daniel Okine

    KUMASI ASANTE KOTOKO

    Razak Abalora, Andrews Kwadwo Appau, Patrick Asmah, Fabio Gama, Mubarik Yusif, Abdul Latif Anabila, Evans Adomako Wiredu, Kwame Opoku, Emmanuel Keyekeh, Emmanuel Sarkodie

    LEGON CITIES

    Asamoah Gyan, Matthew Anim-Cudjoe, Raphael Ocloo, Baba Mahama, Jonah Attuaquaye, Ali Braimah Foster, Nicholas Gyan, Micheal Ampadu, Joseph Adjei, Samuel Norgbey, Vincent Adu Gyamfi, Elvis Opoku, Nasiru Moro, David Cudjoe

    LIBERTY PROFESSIONALS

    Maxwell Kavar, Osman Adams, Emmanuel Paga, Daniel Amissah, Seedorf Asante Afful, Maxwell Ansah, Ben Nash Quansah, Razak Boame, Fuseini Mohammed

    MEDEAMA SPORTING CLUB

    Kwadwo Asamoah, Patrick Yeboah, Frank Boateng, Musah Baba Abdulai, Abdul Basit Adam, Abass Mohammed

    TECHIMAN ELEVEN WONDERS

    Ollenu Ashitey, Jonah Aryetey, Nana Yaw, Perry Addison Rockson, Douglas Nkrumah, Tetteh Nortey, Abdul Zakaria Mugeez, Prince Okraku, Adu Boahene, Abdulai Ibrahim, Samuel Boakye

    WAFA

    Baffour Kyei

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Laws needed to support growth of entrepreneurship

    The lack of law to support entrepreneurship development and job creation is the cause of failure of young entrepreneurs in the country.

    “This failure persists, although there are many scattered policies that are supposed to support entrepreneurs succeed,” Dennis Ofosuapea, Counsel, National Youth Authority Board, said this in Accra on Thursday at the launch of processes towards the drafting of an Act to support entrepreneurship development and job creation in Ghana.

    Christened the “Ghana Start- up Act,” the act when passed into law, will support young entrepreneurs succeed.

    Ofosuapea said a major challenge to young entrepreneurs was change of policies by successive governments and said the sector would become attractive and grow when the policies were passed into law by Parliament.

    “If these scattered policies become law passed by Parliament, they cannot be easily scrapped off just because another government took over,” he said.

    Mr. Franklin Owusu-Karikari, Chairman of the “Start-Up Act” Committee, said the Committee aimed at getting the act drafted to be passed as law by Parliament by the middle of next year.

    He urged the media to be pro-active members of the campaign, because the efforts of journalists with regard to achieving the intended aim was most needed.

    The campaign is being spearheaded by the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme in collaboration with the Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs, the Ghana Start-up Network, the Ghana Hubs Network, i4Policy and the Private Enterprise Foundation, with funding support from GIZ Make IT.

    Source: GNA

  • Q1 2021: Parliament approves GH¢27.4 billion for government expenditure

    Parliament has approved the government’s expenditure in advance of appropriation for January to March 2021.

    The Expenditure in Advance of Appropriation was presented to Parliament on Wednesday, 28 October 2020 by the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

    The budget was referred to the Finance Committee for consideration and report pursuant to Article 180 of the 1992 Constitution and the standing orders of the house.

    Mr Ofori-Atta requested for some GH¢27billion in respect of the period January to March 2021.

    Debating the Minister’s request today, Minority Leader, Haruna Idrissu raised concerns about Ghana’s rising debt stock expressing worry this could spell doom should a new government take over the affairs of the country after the elections.

    But Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said the Akufo-Addo-led government has regardless of the challenges positioned the economy well to forestall any hiccups in 2021.

    The Expenditure in Advance of Appropriation is a standard practice rolled out in election years to prevent transitional challenges in the smooth running of government for the first three months in the year after elections.

    Source: Class FM

  • Chief of Oyoko and Former Council of State member dead

    A former Eastern regional representative of the Council of State and Chief of Oyoko in the New Juaben Traditional area, Nana Kodua Kesse II is dead.

    He died at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra on Saturday where he was on admission receiving treatment according to close sources available to MyNewsGh.com.

    He became Chief in October 1979.

    History

    Oyoko was one of the Sekyere towns which migrated to present-day New Juaben in Eastern Region under the leadership of King Asafu Agyei, when Nana Kofi Karikari (King of Ashantis) and his Kumasi forces in Ashanti Region attacked Juaben which is also in Ashanti Region and its allies in October 1875. The Sekyere towns which formed part of the allies were Effiduase and Asokore.

    Whilst Effiduase and Asokore were led by their chiefs during the sojourn, Nana Adjei Bohyen the Oyokohene (Chief of Oyoko) Oyoko was one of the Sekyere towns which migrated to present-day New Juaben in Eastern Region under the leadership of King Asafu Agyei, when Nana Kofi Karikari (King of Ashantis) and his Kumasi forces in Ashanti Region attacked Juaben which is also in Ashanti Region and its allies in October 1875.

    The Sekyere towns which formed part of the allies were Effiduase and Asokore. Whilst Effiduase and Asokore were led by their chiefs during the sojourn, Nana Adjei Bohyen the Oyokohene (Chief of Oyoko) had died during the onslaught. It was his nephew Kwadwo Kesse who led the migrants from Asante Oyoko in Ashanti Region to present-day New Juaben in the Eastern Region and they came with their sacred stool (Kro and Dabo Stool)

    Nana Kwadwo Kesse became the first chief of Oyoko, New Juaben in 1878, he died in 1908 and was succeeded by Nana Yaw Sempeh, who ruled for 20 years and died in 1928. He was succeeded by Nana Twum Moro who abdicated the stool after 6 months rule. There was some litigation over the choice of the next occupant of the stool until 1930 when Nana Owusu Akromah was installed Oyokohene (Chief of Oyoko).

    He died in 1944 and was succeeded by Nana Kwadwo Kesse II who abdicated in 1948. He was succeeded by Nana Owusu Ansah who also died in 1955 and was succeeded by Nana Sempeh Asare II who ruled until 1976 when he was destooled. Nana Opoku Nkawie II succeeded Nana Sempeh Asare II in 1975 and abdicated in 1979. He was succeeded by Nana Kodua Kesse II in October 1979.

    Source: My News GH

  • NDC wouldve created Oti Region – Okudzeto Ablakwa

    The Member of Parliament (MP) of the North Tongu constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would have created Oti region if they had won the 2016 general elections.

    According to him, the Oti region is no achievement of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) because NDC has promised the creation of the new regions in the 2016 manifesto.

    Speaking during a community engagement held in Abotoase within the Biakoye constituency of the Oti region, where the running mate Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyeman was officially introduced to the constituents, Mr. Ablakwa said the creation of new regions is “no news” but developing it is necessary.

    He said the government should have priorities development of the newly created Oti region but not to create the region only to leave it without developing the area. The MP said, the NPP government should have considered creating of avenues that will give jobs to the youth in the region, bring infrastructure development including water and sanitation.

    He, however, noted that the Oti region have benefited from the NDC government over the past years under infrastructure development such as the E-Block, roads, schools and health infrastructures.

    Mr. Ablakwa, therefore, called on the people to vote for the NDC in the come December 7 elections if they want completion of abandoned projects in the area. He said Mr. John Dramani Mahama is a visionary leader hence they should make history by bringing him back to power in 2021 to enable the next John and Jane government to develop the area and give job opportunities to the people.

    On her part, Prof. Jane Naana urged the constituents not to consider “skirt and blouse” but vote for John Mahama and the NDC Parliamentary Candidate, Kwadzo Aboagye, this to enable the NDC to have majority in parliament to enable smoothness in the course of developing the region.

    She is expected to tour Karachi East, West, Nchumuru, Nkwanta South and North as part of her two-day tour of the Oti region started on Friday, 29 October 2020.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • III win Amasaman seat by 55% – NPP candidate

    The Amansaman parliamentary candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Akwasi Afrifa-Mensa has declared he will win the parliamentary seat by 55%.

    Speaking in an exclusive interview with Rainbowradioonline.com he said he was hopeful of winning the seat because his constituents trust in his leadership.

    Stating his reasons for contesting the race, he said Amasaman has been dominated by NDC MPs over the years but they have not seen development in the constituency.

    He described development in the constituency as low especially when the NDC was in office, and as a candidate, he wants to come and see how best to uplift the constituency developmentally.

    He bemoaned the rate of unemployment and the inability of several youth to continue their education at the tertiary level.

    He plans to assist persons who would want to pursue higher education at the tertiary level.

    He said before joining the race, he was sponsoring his constituents to teacher and nursing training colleges, universities and others.

    “I want to help the larger people and support people in need. I have plans to assist them to pursue their courses at the tertiary level.”

    The candidate is also promising to give artisans capital to start their businesses through the provision of start-up tools.

    He stressed he is expecting not less than 55% of the votes because he has done a lot of analysis, worked hard, and the people will bless him with more than 55% votes.

    The president he added will also get the same margin.

  • US Embassy supports Finance and Economics Clinic for journalists

    The Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy is supporting the next edition of the Finance and Economics Clinic for Journalists (FEC-J).

    The training designed by El de D Consult, a marketing communications firm, aims to train relatively young journalists in basic Finance and Economics.

    About 30 journalists from the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Western and Volta regions are expected to benefit from the training programme, spanning a period of five months.

    Chief Executive of El de D Consult, Fred Avornyo said over 45 journalists had benefited from previous training programmes and the upcoming training workshop is to build the capacity of another cohort of journalists to enable them to report better on business and finance issues.

    Mr Avornyo explained that the training would be largely virtual with only two days of in-person sessions with the participants.

    “We trained over 45 journalists in three editions from Greater Accra and Eastern regions, but this time, we are going to train 30 journalists in one edition from three regions, and with increased contact hours, because we are going virtual.”

    He urged young journalists to take advantage of the opportunity and apply to participate.

    Mr. Avornyo described financial journalism as “the most exciting form of journalism, when people have the requisite knowledge and skill” and said the most participatory teaching methods will be used to ensure that “participants, regardless of their background, will be sufficiently schooled in Finance and Economics required for the job.

    “This is a training for journalists who are not financial reporters but who desire to become one and a good one, and so we will make Finance and Economics easy to understand and love.”

    Mr. Avornyo commended the US Embassy for supporting the programme, saying it would go a long way to improve the quality of journalism in Ghana.

    The workshop will be held in two phases, with the first phase starting this November. The participating journalists will take a break to allow time for election coverage activities and resume for the second phase in January next year.

    The training will be formally launched in the third week of November.

    Source: GNA

  • Ghanaian police officer reportedly missing

    A search has been launched for a police officer, who reportedly got missing on Thursday, 29th October 2020.

    Inspector Charles Adamu, 50, a service driver with the Police Hospital in Accra is yet to be found after he left home on Wednesday, 28 October for Asuboi, near Suhum in the Eastern Region.

    He was said to have embarked on the trip with a service vehicle at about 11 am on that fateful day to visit his parcel of land, his wife had told the police, adding that the service vehicle had been parked on the AccraKumasi Highway, prompting police action.

    Investigators, who were deployed to the scene, however, found the parked vehicle with the ignition key, but could not trace the named officer, sources tell Dailymailgh.com.

    The service vehicle with registration number GP 144 has since been driven to the Suhum Police Station for safekeeping as police and volunteers from Mankrong and Asuboi communities intensify their search for the officer.

    Source: Daily Mail

  • Three Alabar trader killers arrested; manhunt for four others

    Three of the suspected robbers who attacked traders at Alabar in Kumasi for their valuables on Friday have been arrested, the police service said.

    They have been named as Nuhu, 22, who was shot in the right thigh by police during the pursuit and currently on admission at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) under police guard. The others are Salifu Iddrisu, 18, and Ali Razak, 18. They are on detention to assist in police investigation.

    The police said they have launched a manhunt for four others who took part in the robbery.

    One person identified as Nuhu Fuseini aged 54 died following the daylight robbery attack at Alabar in Kumasi.

    The incident, which occurred just after midday also left four others with serious gunshot wounds, witnesses told Dailymailgh.com.

    The gunmen launched the attack at the popular market as they robbed unsuspecting victims of their valuables forcing many to flee for safety.

    “They came with motorbikes and started firing indiscriminately,” one Abdulai Mohammed told Dailymailgh.com as he confirmed his brother Anur Hussein died in the process.

    “So he was confirmed dead at the Manhyia Government Hospital,” Abdulai said.

    The incident brought business to a standstill as some stalls were closed down over safety concerns.

    Source: Daily Mail

  • MMDAs urged to constitute District Fire Service Communities

    The Savannah Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Assistant Chief Fire Officer Kwasi Baafour Awuah, has urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to constitute District Fire Service Committees to help deal with fire-related disasters.

    He said sections 15 and 16 of the GNFS Act 537 required MMDAs to form fire committees to deal with fire-related disasters and environmental issues.

    Mr Awuah, who said this in an interview at Bole, stated that Municipal and District Assemblies in the Savannah Region were yet to form the committees.

    He urged the Assemblies in the Region to provide GNFS with funds to support fire volunteers to help curb bush-fires.

    The Assistant Chief Fire Officer said, that bush fires which were destructive to the environment and human lives, could be stopped if the appropriate authorities supported the GNFS.

    “We have been talking about it but people seem not to realise that climate change is not just happening because the climate just wants to change, but human action is what is inducing climate change,” Mr Daniel Banuoku, Deputy Executive Director, Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Organisational Development (CIKOD) said.

    He expressed worry that northern Ghana was at the peril of all development challenges, including health, nutrition and poverty.

    He emphasised the need for support to help stop the menace and urged traditional authorities to sensitize the communities on the effects of bush fires.

    “I believe that when the Traditional Authorities and community people decide to take action and set an example, arrest somebody and put the person behind bars for burning the bush, people will take this matter much more seriously.

    “We need to intensify the education to appeal to the hearts of the people to let them see the practical impact of climate change and that it is as a result of our actions that we are getting these results to ourselves,” Mr Bnuoku stated.

    The Environmental Activist said they would work with Traditional Authorities, the media and other stakeholders to deepen the sensitisation on the effects of bush burning and to get the people to take the needed action at the community level to stop the practice.

    Source: GNA

  • Alhassan Tampuli promises to invest MPs salary into education

    The Parliamentary Candidate for the Gushiegu Constituency on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alhassan Tampuli has pledged to invest half of the salary he will earn as an MP into an educational trust for the people of Gushiegu.

    Alhassan noted that the fund will be targeted at providing support to people in the constituency who want to further their education at the tertiary level. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Petroleum Authority made this statement in an interview with Samuel Eshun, host of the Happy Morning Show aired on Happy 98.9 FM and e.TV Ghana.

    “In the area of education, I have made the commitment that I will put half of my salary into the Tampuli Education Trust Fund. I will also appeal to other institutions and people to contribute to the fund and make it possible to put the people of the Gushiegu Constituency through tertiary institutions”.

    The politician with a special passion for developing the educational infrastructure of the Gushiegu Constituency indicated that within a year, he will ensure all schools in the constituency have comfortable furniture. “I have already given over thousand (1000) dual desks to the education service in my enclave for onward distribution to the schools”.

    With the increasing rate at which teachers withdraw from schools in the Northern part of Ghana over the lack of social amenities and housing being of high concern to Alhassan, he also promised to build bungalows and connect these communities to the electrical grid.

    “I will construct bungalows, provide electricity and potable water sources to the teachers posted to schools in the constituency. With this available, we can retain teachers who will provide the people with quality education”, he promised.

    \Source: Happy 98.9FM

  • Gushiegu PC promises to double rural electrification within a year

    Parliamentary Candidate (PC) for the Gushiegu Constituency in the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Alhassan Tampuli has promised to connect more communities to the national grid should he be voted to power.

    He promised to double the number of communities with access to electricity within a year if elected as Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency at the December 7 polls.

    Alhassan prior to his emergence as the Parliament Candidate had already supported some areas within the Gushiegu Constituency to get connected to the national grid. This was as far back as April, 2017.

    Showing his commitment to make this one year Gushiegu electrification a reality, the politician has already supplied beneficiary communities with electricity poles.

    Speaking to Samuel Eshun on Happy Morning Show aired on Happy 98.9FM and e.TV Ghana, Alhassan said, “The Gushiegu Constituency has about 400 plus communities but only 35 of them have access to electricity. This is regardless of the constituency being connected to the national grid in 1996”.

    “I have made a commitment to the good people of Gushiegu that within a year, we should have the number doubling”.

    Regardless of not having won the seat yet, Alhassan as selfless as he is, has his team already burying the poles for work to start.

    He noted that his plan to provide the entire Gushiegu with electricity “is building on the work that the sitting MP, Ziblim Iddi, my uncle has done. He started the electrification project in 6 communities and I supported by getting them transformers. Now, we are in the final stages of getting them electricity”.

    Rural communities are suffering from huge market failures as the national grids fall short of their demand for electricity. As of 2017, over 1 billion people worldwide lack household electric power 14% of the global population.

    Electrification typically begins in cities and towns and gradually extends to rural areas, however, this process often runs into obstacles in developing nations. Expanding the national grid is expensive and countries consistently lack the capital to grow their current infrastructure.

    If countries are able to overcome these obstacles and reach nationwide electrification, rural communities will be able to reap considerable amounts of economic and social development.

    Source: Happy 98.9FM

  • Vote based on programs, policies of parties – Jean Mensa to first-time voters

    Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, Jean Mensa has urged first-time voters in the upcoming December 7 polls to pay critical attention to programs and policies of parties before casting their votes.

    According to her, this would go a long way to contributing to the general development of the country.

    While addressing some first-time voters from the Youth Bridge Foundation, the EC Chairperson said “I just urge you, in this election to go out in your numbers to cast your votes in a meaningful way. I think it is important that you look at the policies and programs that political parties have before you cast your votes.”

    Adding that, “…at the end of the day your vote will be meaningful and will lead to the development of our country.”

    The EC Chairperson also encouraged first-time voters to be agents of peace as the country prepares to head to the polls.

    She also cautioned them not to be used as tools to perpetrate acts of violence in the upcoming elections.

    “I would like to use this opportunity to call on the youth not to allow yourselves to be used to foment trouble. Be it on the streets or social media. Just a few days ago we saw some acts of violence in Odododiodoo and I believe there are people who are behind this violence… You must not allow yourself to be used. Let us say no to violence,” she said.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Police criticised for poor investigation before inviting Sinare over guns

    The Ghana Police Service has been criticised for failing to thoroughly investigate allegations against the Second Deputy Vice National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) before charging him with a criminal offense.

    The NDC national executive, Alhaji Said Sinare, was charged with conspiracy to commit crime and possession of firearms without lawful authority but the charges were dropped without explanation on Thursday, October 29, 2020.

    The prosecutor told the Kaneshie District Court that the decision to withdraw the case was as a result of “further development in the matter.”

    Speaking to Citi FM, a former Member of Parliament for Akwatia constituency and a member of the legal team for Alhaji Said Sinare said had the police done a thorough job, the charges against his client would not have been proferred.

    “They charged him together with the person who complained, who was actually in possession of the arms. Because when you come to our client, he was merely mentioned by the person who found the gun as the source of the gun but the law under which they were charging him is a law that talks about possession, but our client did not possess any arms,” Baba Jamal is quoted by Citi News.

    Baba Jamal further explained that Alhaji Sinare was a lawful owner of two guns that went missing three weeks prior.

    “He had a police extract with him, so if someone else finds the gun and tags him as the source and you want to charge him with conspiracy it is interesting. We already knew that that charge would not hold water,” he said.

    At the Kaneshie Circuit Court on Thursday, prosecutors did not state whether they would open the case against Alhaji Sinare again.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • 2020 Polls: Bono Regional Police identifies 7 communities as flashpoints

    The Bono Regional Police Command has identified seven communities as flashpoints in the region ahead of the 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary polls.

    The seven communities are Banda Ahenkro, Nkrankwanta, Drobo and Japekrom, Sampa, Nsoatre and Berekum.

    This came to light during a media engagement organised by the Bono Police Command in Collaboration with the Bono Regional Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).

    According to the Bono Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Inspector Kingsley Augustine Oppong, the police are well prepared for any eventuality that may crop up.

    He disclosed that they are not taking chances as they have different measures in place to ensure that there is peace before, during, and after the elections.

    “As police we have planned far in advance not to allow anything to happen before the command would take a decision. We have despatched some plain cloth men into the communities. From the intelligence we are gathering we are on the right course”.

    He warned that his outfit will deal ruthlessly with trouble makers in these areas and urged residents to be law-abiding in order to preserve the peace in the region.

    “Those Guys who think are bad guys and who are watching should be warned, we are saying let’s go into the elections intact and come and live in peace. Whoever would be recalcitrant would be dealt with according to the law.”

    Meanwhile, the Bono Regional Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Ms Doris Gbongbo, has started sensitization programmes in the various identified flashpoints to ensure there is peace before, during, and after the elections.

    The Ghana Police Service has identified a number of violent prone areas spread across the country ahead of the December 7, elections.

    The 4,098 vicinities categorised into key flashpoints are to guide in the tactical arrangements and deployments in all the 16 regions.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Alleged Volta secessionist dies in police custody

    One of the 100 secessionists who were arrested during a ‘freedom’ fight in September in the Volta region, has been reported dead while in Police custody.

    According to a CitiFM report, this news was confirmed by the Counsel for the suspects, Theophilus Donkor.

    Confirming the development in an interview, he said: “As far as I know, I can confirm to you that one of those persons is no more with us.”

    The Counsel for the suspects further averred that the Police is yet to speak on the issue as well as brief the family of the deceased about the rather bizarre situation.

    He explained that “As far as we know in Ghana, which I know they [police] know, that the dead body belongs to the family so the family should have been consulted by this time, but they have decided, or they are deliberately deciding not to communicate that information to the family.”

    Meanwhile, the name of the deceased is still unknown as Mr. Donkor decided to hold on to the identity of the said person.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Intervene in my disqualification Independent candidate begs Akufo-Addo

    Disqualified presidential candidate for the coalition of independent presidential aspirants has headed to the presidency to compel the Electoral Commission to reverse its decision.

    Presidential hopeful for the coalition Kofi Koranteng has appealed to President Akufo-Addo to call the EC to order in his disqualification from the 2020 race.

    Mr. Koranteng together with four other aspirants were disqualified by the EC over varied reasons including forgery.

    Addressing the media, an emotional Mr. Koranteng wondered why nineteen voters who endorsed his form turned out to be CPP executives at the headquarters of the EC.

    The businessman accused the EC of failing to accept his corrected forms even after it had given him a window of opportunity to effect the required changes.

    Source: Starr FM

  • A/R: Sky petroleum filling station CEO shot dead

    The Chief Executive Officer of Sky Petroleum filling station at Asuadei in the Ahafo Ano South East District of the Ashanti region, Alhaji Abubakar Sadick, has been shot dead by unknown gunmen.

    The incident occurred on Wednesday, 28 October 2020 around 5:00pm.

    The four unmasked men stormed the fueling station with pump action guns, according to a worker of the company, name only given as Eric, who narrated the incident.

    He said the deceased together with him struggled with the armed men before he was shot dead.

    The gun wielded men, he said, made away with only GHS350 sales they had done for the day.

    The body of the deceased has been deposited at the Mankranso government hospital morgue for preservation.

    Superintendent Richard Boahen, the District Police Commander, said investigations have commenced into the crime.

    District Chief Executive for the area who doubles as the Chairman of the District Security Council, Joseph Agyemang Dapaah, said emergency security meeting will be held on the incident.

    He bemoaned the inadequate number of police officers in the district.

    Source: Class FM

  • I want Ghanaians to see me as a man of integrity Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says he is submitting himself for re-election because he has been faithful.

    “I want them to see me as a man of integrity, of somebody who came to speak the truth to them and in whom they can have the confidence and entrust their destiny and the destiny of their children,” Akufo-Addo told Paul Adom-Otchere on Good Evening Ghana on Thursday.

    He added: “The leadership that has enabled us to confront the COVID menace, not that we have overcome it, but we certainly stood up well to it. The statistics indicate that we’ve been able to manage much more effectively in the arrangement of the economy. So, we have a stronger economy than we had five years ago, even with COVID,” he said.

    “We will not become a first-world economy overnight. We need to do many things and do them consistently for some time…but with correct policies, it will take a shorter period for the country to get there,” optimistic Akufo-Addo said.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Use temperate language to reduce political temperature – Togbe Tepre Hodo

    Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, President of the Volta Region House of Chiefs, has admonished the leadership of the various parties to use temperate language to help reduce the political temperature ahead of the general elections.

    He said if politics was about development and service to mankind, the election should be a contest of ideas and not a platform for sowing acrimony and violence.

    Togbe Tepre Hodo, who is also the Paramount Chief of Anfoega Traditional Area, was speaking during a visit by Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman, the Running mate of Mr John Mahama, Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ho.

    He said politics should not be “a do and die” affair, saying there appeared to be no decorum in the way it was being carried out.

    “Take insults, rancour and vilification out of the campaign,” he said, adding that politics was essentially to serve the people.

    “We need every Ghanaian citizen alive, you don’t rule dead people, so we all expect the peace that we are enjoying will continue before, during and after the elections,” he said and urged all to preach peace, unity and understanding.

    Togbe Tepre Hodo commended Opoku-Agyeman for the visit and her call for a peaceful campaign and wished her a fruitful tour of the Region.

    On her part, Professor Opoku-Agyamang said the nation’s quest for accelerated socio-economic growth and development would be a mirage if there was no peace.

    She said peace was an essential tool in the progress of every nation and must be cherished at all times.

    He called on political actors to ensure that their actions and activities during the electioneering period were carried out in a manner to protect the peace of the country.

    Prof Opoku-Agyamang noted that “development is anchored on peace and tranquillity,” and said the NDC was committed to the peace of the country and would do everything to safeguard it.

    She said the next NDC government would improve on the Free Senior High policy, abolish the double-track system, put more emphasis on basic education as it formed the bedrock, and complete all abandoned infrastructure projects to create a conducive environment for effective academic work.

    Prof Opoku-Agyamang assured the Chiefs that the party would deliver on its promises in the people’s manifesto for the effective socioeconomic transformation of the country to improve the well-being of the citizenry.

    Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, National Chairman, NDC, said the party would not discriminate when it came to power, promising that the Volta region would get its fair share of the national cake to accelerate the growth and development of the Region.

    He said when the party got the nod on December 7, it would ensure full operationalisation of the Ho aerodrome to boost economic activities in the Region to improve the lives of the people.

    Mr Ampofo said the administration would create avenues for the youth to develop their skills and put them to good use to become responsible citizens as the future success of the country was dependent on them.

    Prof Opoku-Agyamang also met with Educational Workers Connect and had a dialogue with market women, assuring them that the party would do all it could to address their challenges when it was voted into power.

    Source: GNA

  • CHASS calls for immediate review of Free SHS policy

    The Conference of Heads of Assisted Senior High Schools (CHASS) has called for an immediate review of the Free Senior High Schol policy.

    The conference holds the view that the policy which implementation started three years ago has resulted in the collapse of Parent Teachers Associations in schools across the country which is responsible for many abandoned projects and support for schools.

    Speaking at the 5th annual conference of CHASS at Wesley Girls SHS in Cape Cape, the President of CHASS Yakubu Abubakar asked the Ghana Education Service and relevant stakeholders to look at the possibility of reversing that part of the policy to enable school authorities discharge their duties effectively.

    “Our observation over the period is that PTA activities are gradually dying in our schools. Hitherto, the PTAs were playing very significant roles in our schools. If a policy is in place and for the past three years it is not working then it needs to be relooked at. No wonder you go to many schools and you see PTA abandoned projects at various levels. At present even though there are delays in the release of funds, schools do not have the leverage like PTA to assist them and so making the effective administration of schools problematic. After three years of the implementation of the Free SHS policy, CHASS is calling for a review of the policy.”

    The Conference, further called for a review of the portion of feeding grant given to schools for perishables to be increased from 30% to a minimum of 40%.

    Source: Happy 98.9FM

  • GH¢10bn of Ofori-Attas request to service debt Jinapor

    The Member of Parliament for Yapei-Kusawgu Constituency, John Jinapor, has noted that Ghana is broke at the moment considering the budget statement presented to Parliament by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta for the first quarter of 2021.

    He explained that out of the GH¢27 billion the Finance Minister is requesting from Parliament, GH¢10 billion will be used to service debts.

    This, he said, indicates that the country is broke.

    Mr Ofori-Atta was seeking parliamentary approval for over GH¢27 billion for the first quarter of 2021.

    He said this amount is for the purpose of meeting expenditure necessary to carry on the services of the government in respect of the coronavirus period.

    In his budget statement presented to Parliament on Wednesday, October 28, Mr Ofori-Atta asked the House to approve an estimated GH¢27,434,180,520.00 to be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund.

    “For the purpose of meeting expenditure necessary to carry on the services of the of the Government in respect of the period expiring three months from the beginning of the financial year or on the coming into operation of the Appropriation Act in respect of the 2021 Financial year.”

    But speaking to journalists on the budget presentation, Mr Jinapor said: “In 2016 when Honourable Seth Terkper, the then Finance Minister came here, he requested for about GH¢10 billion.

    “Today Mr Ken Ofori Atta is requesting GH¢27 billion. Out of that GH¢27 billion over GH¢10 billion of that amount will be used to service debts it tells you that this country is broke.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Ghana back to HIPC: Who made that official declaration? – Kweku Baako

    Seasoned Journalist, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako has slammed former President and NDC Presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama over his HIPC comments.

    Engaging some professionals at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra on Monday, 26th October 2020, former President John Mahama was worried about the rate of borrowing by the Akufo-Addo administration.

    Addressing the gathering, he reportedly made an emphatic statement that Ghana is back to the status of a Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC).

    “Even worse, the rate of borrowing by this government has dazed many observers.

    “The IMF in its Sub-Saharan African Regional Economic Outlook forecast the current rate of borrowing and debt at a frightening 76.7% debt to GDP ratio. Officially, Ghana is back to HIPC status under Nana Akufo-Addo and Ken Ofori-Atta administration,” he said.

    Kweku Baako, speaking to sit-in host Nana Yaw Kesseh on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’ programme, has punched holes in Mr. Mahama’s HIPC statements.

    Mr. Baako first wants to know where Mr. Mahama gleaned his information from, asking ”who made that official declaration?”

    ” . . what did President Mahama mean by official, Ghana is back to HIPC status?” he further queried.

    He admitted that Ghana has some debt issues but asserted it doesn’t give credence to the comments made by Mr. Mahama.

    ”I don’t think that any Ghanaian should think that we don’t have a challenge with our debt profile or debt servicing. I don’t think anybody should entertain that idea. We do have as a lower middle income and the borrowing we’re doing, there’s always a risk element there and I think those in charge who are doing the borrowing on our behalf know that. The question really sometimes, when you do a debt sustainability analysis, is to determine whether you’re able, in spite of the profile, the stock, the quantum; whether you’re able to service your debt,” he stated.

    “The IMF hasn’t declared Ghana HIPC,” Kweku Baako called out Mr. Mahama’s lies.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Odododiodio clash very unacceptable; Police must up their game! – C/R Minister

    Central Regional Minister, Kwamena Duncan has condemned the pockets of violence at Odododiodio constituency over the weekend.

    Supporters of the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) violently clashed at Jamestown in the Odododiodio constituency on Sunday, October 25, 2020.

    The supporters were reportedly from the camps of the incumbent MP, Nii Lante Vaderpuiye and NPP Parliamentary candidate Nii Lante Bannerman.

    According to sources, the supporters were embarking on a peace walk when it suddenly erupted into a chaotic situation.

    The supporters were seen, in a video that has since gone viral, throwing stones at one another.

    Speaking on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’, Kwamena Duncan doubted the involvement of NPP supporters in the violence at Jamestown.

    To him, the video that revealed the clash didn’t show any person in NPP colours but rather showed the assailants vividly clad in NDC attire and holding the flag of the party, which to him, indicates it was NDC supporters attacking people in the constituency.

    After making this clarification, the Regional Minister registered his displeasure with the Odododiodio violence.

    He stressed; “It is backward. It is completely unacceptable.”

    Expounding on the issue, he wondered why there was no Police presence during the supposed peace walk which turned riotous.

    He, therefore, called on the Ghana Police Service to step up their game, ensuring law and order before, during and after the elections.

    “There’s no excuse in this matter. You must be vigilant all out to ensure that we sail through the three to four weeks ahead, we’ll sail through safely and have successful elections on 7th December,” he said.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Do as you have promised Kpone Chief advises Mahama

    The Paramount Chief of the Kpone Traditional Council, Nii Tetteh Otu II, has charged former President John Dramani Mahama to fulfil all campaign promises he has made to the people of Ghana should he win the 7 December 2020 polls.

    Nii Tetteh Otu II further asked the presidential candidate of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to refrain from making extravagant promises, “and go by his promises”.

    The traditional leader offered the advice when Mr Mahama paid a courtesy call on the chiefs and people of Kpone Katamanso on Wednesday, 28 October 2020.

    The chief indicated that some political leaders talked the electorate into voting for them prior to the 2016 elections but after they were given the mandate, failed to live by those promises.

    Citing policies like the One District-One Factory (1D1F), Planting For Food and Jobs, One Million-One Constituency, among others, as examples, Nii Tetteh Otu II expressed displeasure at how they were being executed.

    Source: Class FM

  • Filling station owner shot dead at Asuadai

    A staunch businessman and Filling station owner, Alhaji Sadick Abubakar was on Wednesday, October 28, 2020, shot dead by unidentified armed men at Asuadei in Ahafo Ano South District in the Ashanti region.

    Residents of Asuadei woke up this morning to hear the heartbreaking news when filling station owner Alhaji Sadick Abubakar was found dead at his filling station.

    This incident happened on Wednesday evening around 8 pm.

    According to Otecnews reporter, Ebenezer Owusu Ansah, one of the eye witness who saw the incident said there were some four armed men who stormed the facility with a pump-action gun and fired shots in the air.

    Alhaji Sadick Abubakar was subsequently shot dead by the four men.

    They quickly disappeared from the scene without taking anything from the filling station.

    Source: otecfmghana.com

  • Ministry of Health to recruit over 22,000 health professionals

    The Ministry of Health is readying to recruit 22,063 public health officials into various health institutions across the country from November 2, 2020.

    Details of the recruitment schedule were contained in an official statement released by the Ministry, Thursday, October 29, 2020.

    According to the statement signed by Kwabena Boadu Oku-Afari, Ag. Chief Director of the Ministry, the Finance Ministry has given clearance for the recruitment of qualified health professionals in the categories of Pharmacy and Pharmacy Doctors, Allied Health Professionals and 2018 professional nurses with degrees, diplomas and certificates.

    The Ministry further directed prospective applicants to their online recruitment portal for more details about the process.

    In May, Deputy Minister for Health, Dr Bernard Okoe Boye stated that the Finance Ministry has given financial clearance to the Health Ministry for the recruitment of over 20,000 nurses to support the health sector.

    He added the recruitment is to help bridge the nurse to patient ratio as prescribed by the World Health Organization.

    Full statement below:



    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Drunk armed robber arrested after revealing criminal act

    The Nkawie circuit court has remanded an eighteen-year-old boy into police custody for robbing a small scale gold miner at Mpatuam, in the Amansie West District.

    Amidu Salifu was arrested after he got drunk and revealed the heinous crime to some people, including a witness in the case, at a drinking spot.

    His plea was differed by the court presided by Mr Johnson Abbey, to November 12, this year to enable the police carry out further investigations.

    Detective Inspector Anthony Acheampong told the court that Mr Kwame Tawiah, the complainant was a small scale miner at Mpatuam, while the suspect was a resident in the town.

    He said on October 20 this year, at about 1 am, the suspect together with other two accomplices armed with guns and cutlasses, forcibly entered the house of the complainant and demanded gold and money.

    Inspector Acheampong said the complainant managed to give GHC20,000 to the robbers but they became angry and slashed his head and shoulders, dragged him together with the wife and children, into a room and locked them up and fled.

    The prosecution said the victims shouted for help and some people came out to rescue them and sent the injured to hospital.

    Inspector Acheampong said the next day, Salifu got drunk at a popular drinking spot in the town and narrated the incident to some people.

    He said the people arrested and handed him over to the Ahwerewa police where he admitted the offence and after investigations, brought him before the court.

    Source: GNA

  • Infrastructure development set to help turn around economy – South African President

    Infrastructure development projects were set to play an important role in turning around South Africa’s stagnant economy, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday at the opening of a hotel and conference centre in Johannesburg east.

    He said the government planned to focus on new infrastructure developments, a move which would be critical in job creation.

    “Our economy has been plunged into turmoil, people have lost their jobs and many promising investments have been put on hold or shelved,” he said. “Fast-tracking infrastructure projects-both public and private-is critical if we are to get the wheels of economic activity turning again.”

    He said while the economy had suffered due to the pandemic, he was optimistic of growth. “It is vital that we do so to recover the jobs that have been lost during the pandemic and create new ones,” he said, adding that as much as the country needed foreign investment, local investors should take a lead.

    President Ramaphosa earlier unveiled a nine-meter statue of OR Tambo in Kempton Park, where he mentioned that both events would attract tourists to the country.

    “I do not doubt that having now opened your doors, you will soon be attracting business travellers, domestic travellers and residents of the city,” he said.

    Source: GNA

  • 444 candidates to contest in South African by-elections

    A total of 444 candidates from 40 political parties will contest the by-elections in 95 wards on November 11, said the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) on Tuesday when giving an update about the local government by-elections.

    “A total of 444 candidates, including 19 independent candidates, were certified as contestants for the by-elections by the Electoral Commission yesterday. Of the candidates, 305 (69 percent) are male and 139 (31 percent) are female,” said IEC spokesperson, Kate Bapela.

    She said that voters, election staff, and all those entering the voting station will be required to wear a mask at all times. Bapela, therefore, encouraged voters to bring their own pens to mark their ballot papers, although pens will be provided and sanitized after each use.

    “The by-elections will be held under strict new COVID-19 protocols aimed at ensuring the safety of voters, election staff, party agents, observers and other stakeholders. These include implementing strict social distancing practices outside and inside voting stations along with the use of hand sanitisers as voters enter and exit the voting station,” she said.

    The by-elections are held about a year before the local government elections to fill vacant posts resulting from death, resignation, expulsion and other reasons. They were postponed from March because of the COVID-19.

    Source: GNA

  • This is how Ghana will spend GH¢24bn in first 3 months of 2021

    Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has asked Parliament to approve GH¢27.4 billion to spend between January to March 2021.

    The Finance Minister presented the budget statement to cover only three months of 2021 because 2020 is an election year, with the possibility of a change in government, hence the budget for the following year must be limited to just the first quarter.

    This is to prevent possible expenditure challenges in case of a change in government.

    “Mr Speaker, we will require an amount of GH¢27.4 billion to carry on the services of government until the expiration of three months from the beginning of the 2021 Financial Year,” he told Parliament on Wednesday, October 28, 2020.

    Ken Ofori-Atta explained that the total amount will cover government operations, such as:

    1. Compensation of Employees – GH¢7,708,960,148

    2 Goods and Services – GH¢1,595,571,683

    3 Interest Payments – GH¢7,002,221,941

    4 Subsidies – GH¢259,087,194

    5 Grants to Other Government Units – GH¢4,340,216,517

    6 Social Benefits – GH¢41,271,000

    7 Other Expenditure – GH¢813,610,025

    8 Capital Expenditure – GH¢1,903,658,408

    – Total GH¢23,664,596,915

    9 Arrears Clearance – GH¢350,000,000

    10 Amortisation – GH¢3,419,583,605

    – Appropriation – GH¢27,434,180,520

    “For the purposes of the 2021 Expenditure in Advance of Appropriation, we have projected the 2021 first-quarter total revenue and grants at GH¢13.3 billion while total expenditure including the clearance of arrears is projected at GH¢24.0 billion. This results in the projected fiscal deficit of GH¢10.7 billion for the period,” he said.

    He revealed further that to support the 2021 budget and liability management, his Ministry plans to source funding from the international capital market.

    According to the Minister, the sourcing of funds from the international market will include the issuance of sovereign bonds of $3 billion, with the option to increase it to $5 billion, if market conditions are favourable.

    He said out of this amount, $1.5 billion will be used to support the 2021 budget and $3.5 billion for liability management.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Sudanese in Israel fear being returned after normalisation

    Sudanese asylum seekers living in Israel fear being kicked out once ties are normalized between the two countries, though some hope their presence will be seen as an advantage.

    Technically at war with Israel for decades, Sudan on Friday became the third Arab country this year to announce it is normalizing ties with the Jewish state, following the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in August.

    But since the announcement, members of the Sudanese community in Israel have been “very afraid” of being sent back, said 26-year-old Barik Saleh, a Sudanese asylum seeker who lives in a suburb of Tel Aviv.

    Israel counts a Sudanese population of around 6,000, mostly asylum seekers.

    Thousands of others left or were forced to return after Sudan split in 2011 when South Sudan won its independence — only for the fledgling country to plunge into civil war.

    Some of the Sudanese — often labeled as “infiltrators” for crossing illegally into Israeli territory before being granted permission to stay — were minors when they arrived.

    They are not always allowed to work, and they cannot gain Israeli citizenship.

    Saleh, who grew up in West Darfur, was just nine when his family fled the war to neighboring Chad.

    “My parents are in a refugee camp,” said the young man, who arrived after journeying through Libya and Egypt, and has lived in Israel for 13 years.

    “I will be the first one for normalization,” he said.

    “But if I will be deported from here, then I will be in 100 percent danger,” he added.

    ‘Not safe to go back’ – Former president Omar al-Bashir oversaw Sudan’s civil war in the Darfur region from 2003. Some 300,000 people died in the conflict and 2.5 million were forced from their homes.

    Bashir, in detention in Khartoum, is wanted by the International Criminal Court over charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur.

    “We are here because it is not safe to go back to Sudan yet,” said 31-year-old Monim Haroon, who comes from a stronghold region of Darfuri rebel leader Abdelwahid Nour’s Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) faction.

    “The reason why we are here in Israel is not because of the lack of a diplomatic relationship between Sudan and Israel, but because of the genocide and ethnic cleansing that we went through,” Haroon said.

    Sudan’s transitional government, in place after the fall of Bashir in 2019, signed a landmark peace deal with an alliance of rebel groups earlier this month.

    But Nour’s rebel faction was not one of them.

    Some of those in power in Sudan today were also in control under Bashir.

    They include Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, vice president of Sudan’s ruling transitional sovereign council.

    He heads the feared Rapid Support Forces, long accused by human rights groups of committing widespread abuses in Sudan’s Darfur provinces.

    “For me it is very dangerous,” said Haroon, who was previously head of Nour’s office in Israel.

    “Unless Abdelwahid signs a peace agreement, I cannot go back.”

    – ‘Second home’ – In Neve Shaanan, a suburb of Tel Aviv known for its asylum seeker community, stalls and restaurants offer Sudanese food, including a version of the popular bean dish “foul”, served with grated cheese.

    Usumain Baraka, a smartly dressed 26-year-old who works nearby, has finished a master’s degree in public policy at a university in Herzliya, north of Tel Aviv.

    Like Saleh, he too was nine when he fled Darfur for Chad, where his mother still lives in a refugee camp.

    “They (militiamen) killed my dad and my big brother, and they took everything we had in the village,” Baraka said.

    “At one point I had two options: to go back to Darfur to fight for a rebel group, or leave the camp and try to have a normal life.”

    While the young men who AFP spoke to expressed fear that their presence in Israel would be at risk under the normalization agreement, some said they would like the Jewish state to see it as an asset rather than a burden.

    Haroon said Sudanese in Israel could be a “bridge” between the countries, not only in the private sector but to also to help build understanding between the two peoples.

    “I hope the Israeli government will see this potential asset, the important role that we can bring promoting the interest of the two countries,” he said.

    Both Sudan and Israel have said in recent days that migration would be one of the issues on the agenda during upcoming meetings on bilateral cooperation.

    “Israel is my second home,” said asylum seeker Saleh. “There is no language that I speak better than Hebrew, even my own local language.”

    But Jean-Marc Liling, an Israeli lawyer specialized in asylum issues, warned that with the normalization announcement, the return of Sudanese asylum seekers would likely be on the government’s radar.

    “The first thing that comes to the government’s mind is: we’ll be able to send back the ‘infiltrators’,” Liling said.

    Source: africanews.com

  • Government reportedly bans media houses from hosting politicians donning red berets

    The government has banned media houses from hosting politicians wearing the red beret, which was gazetted as attire for the army.

    While addressing media owners, government spokesperson, Mr Ofwono Opondo warned that those who insist on hosting these individuals will be breaching the regulation and will be arrested going forward.

    “Anyone who wanted to stop the process would have sought a court injunction. But since no one has not gone to court, it is illegal to use the beret. Those who are found culpable will be arrested,” Mr Opondo said.

    This was during an engagement between media owners and security agencies at the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence offices on Tuesday.

    In the same meeting, the media owners under their umbrella body, the National Association for Broadcasters (NAB), petitioned security agencies over the arrest and brutality meted out to journalists and panelists.

    In their petition, the media owners said the most fundamental principle defining credible elections entails the expression of the people, transparency, and inclusiveness.

    Their key points in the petition include respect and protection of members of the fourth estate and according them support when executing their duties, refraining from arresting guests of media houses at their premises before, during and after talk shows, and according safe passage to those moving after curfew hours.

    They urged the security agencies to: “Respect and stop interfering with our programmes and desist from issuing unnecessary threats to media houses. In cases you believe, some of the programmes breach any regulations, the issue should be followed up with the relevant regulators and continue to support media houses and our journalists to operate 24/7 during curfew, election period and even after.”

    The Internal Affairs minister, Gen Jeje Odongo, who chaired the meeting, said they had reached a compromise to come up with a committee to monitor the safety of journalists and receive all complaints in that regard.

    “It is unfortunate that these issues have been happening and we have heard them. The security is committed to protecting journalists while in line of duty. We have come up with a committee that will handle the matters during the election period,” Gen Odongo said.

    According to the different leaders, the 10-member committee will be chaired by Mr Ofwono, a representative from Uganda Communication Commission, Electoral Commission, and three members from NAB.

    The other four members will be from the security agencies, including, Internal Security Organisation, External Security Organsation, Chieftaincy for Military Intelligence as well as Uganda Police Force.

    The security in the recent past has been in the spotlight for arresting, brutalising and confiscating equipment of journalists while in the field.

    Source: monitor.co.ug