Former Finance Minister, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, has said that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is not prepared to hold free and fair primaries election on Saturday.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday evening,Dr Duffuorstated that although the party had promised to address his concerns and the discrepancies with the voters register at a meeting with the Council of Elders, they are yet to do so.
He stated that the party leadership had promised to involve the technical team of all candidates in the flagbearership race to address the issues after he withdrew the suit filed against it.
However, Dr Duffuor noted that “Despite the assurances given to myself and my team by the Chairman of the Party, the executives of the party, in an act of complete and unacceptable breach of faith, went ahead to convene a press conference announcing that the elections would go ahead tomorrow, without having resolved the concerns surrounding the voters register as decided at the meeting of the Council of Elders.”
He said that the party has begun distributing the ballot papers to the various regions and constituencies without his team’s involvement ahead of the elections on Saturday.
This, he stated, contributed to his decision to withdraw from the elections, adding that he cannot compete when the party’s election preparations concerning the register is saddled with flaws.
“My concerns that the party is not ready to conduct a free and fair election is evident for all to see. Taking part in such would be akin to knowingly drinking from a poisoned calabash. I cannot contest in an election which is blatantly fraught with irregularities regardless of all my efforts to draw attention to same.”
Dr Duffour thanked his supporters assuring them that despite his decision he will continue to connect with the grassroots for the betterment of the party.
The former Finance Minister formally withdrew from the National Democratic Congress’ upcoming flagbearership contest on May 12.
His decision came after he withdrew the suit against the party filed on May 9, following what he says are some discrepancies his team has identified in the party’s voters’ register to be used for the exercise.
Subsequently, an Accra High Court, on Monday, struck out Dr Duffour’s injunction after his lawyers withdrew the case.
The National Democratic Congress(NDC) will today, Saturday, May 13 choose a flagbearer and parliamentary candidates for the 2024 general election.
This follows the withdrawal of the injunction case filed by one of the three flag bearer aspirants, Dr Kwabena Duffuor.
However, Dr Duffuor did not only withdraw the case, but also pulled out of the presidential primary, leaving the contest now in a two-man race between former President John Dramani Mahama and former Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly Chief Executive, Kojo Bonsu.
In withdrawing from the elections, the former Minister of Finance yesterday evening in a press conference explained that his decision was based on his grievances with the processes leading to the party’s upcoming primaries; especially the voters register.
He said the exercise had been marred by a lot of irregularities; which had not been resolved by the leadership of the party.
He, therefore, announced that he would no longer vie for the flagbearership of the NDC. However, he would still keep in touch with the grass roots.
“As at this time, the party has begun distributing the ballot papers to the various regions and constituencies without our involvement. I wish to reiterate my commitment to the party and grass roots however, my concern that the party is not ready to conduct free and fair elections is evident for all of us to see.
“Taking part in such an event will be akin to knowing drinking from a poisoned calabash. After consulting with my support base nationwide, I have been left with no choice but to withdraw as I cannot contest in an election blatantly flawed with irregularities regardless of all my effort to draw attention to the same,” Dr Duffour said.
Court action
This came hours after Dr Duffour withdrew the suit he had filed against the NDC following what he said were some discrepancies his team had identified in the party’s voters register to be used for the exercise.
Last Monday, he dragged the party to court, praying that the election should not be held until a complete register was delivered to his camp and the two other presidential aspirants at least five weeks ahead of the election.
The writ said a sizeable number of the eligible voters had no photographs exhibited on the voters register, making it impossible to conduct any meaningful verification exercise on those affected.
He also alleged that the number of constituencies on the hard drive given to his representatives was 220 as against 228 constituencies.
The litany of allegations also included the fact that there were inaccuracies that rendered the photo album unviable for a free, fair and credible election, and that an exceptional list of 74,799 people had been created to take part in the election, while 3,910 eligible voters in the 220 constituencies had been disenfranchised.
However, when the court sat yesterday, his counsel, Opoku Amponsah, said he had instructions from his client to discontinue the case.
“The discussions came up this morning for which reason I could file the necessary processes,” he told the court.
The judge, Mariam Afful, subsequently struck out the application as withdrawn.
Election
Consequently, the elections are expected to go ahead this morning across the country.
The Electoral Commission (EC), which initially declined to supervise the polls due to the injunction process served on the body, has agreed to conduct the polls.
The Chairperson of the EC, Jean Mensa, who made this known to the Daily Graphic, said the commission would go ahead to supervise and conduct the election.
Otherwise, the NDC stated at a news conference yesterday that it would resort to an internal mechanism to conduct today’s election, if the EC declined to supervise it.
The presidential primary will take place in 275 out of the 276 constituencies initially earmarked for the polls except in the Manhyia South Constituency, which will not vote in the parliamentary primaries too.
The parliamentary primaries will, however, be held in 212 constituencies, with 16 put on hold, and 47 going unopposed.
The head of the Elections Committee of NDC, Kakra Essamuah, told the Daily Graphic that a total of 356,624 delegates of the party were expected to vote in the election.
Delegates
They comprise branch, constituency, regional and national executive, former national executive, sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), former MPs and government appointees, NDC-appointed Article 71 Office Holders, and metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives that served under the party’s government.
The rest are NDC-appointed former deputy and ministers of state, former Ambassadors and High Commissioners, former Members of the Council of State, presidential staffers who fall under Article 71 of the Constitution, foreign chapters and members of the NDC Professional Forum.
Some 692 aspirants are contesting the parliamentary primaries, and three in the presidential primary.
With Dr Duffuor’s withdrawal, the two remaining flag bearer aspirants are a former Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Kojo Bonsu, and former President John Dramani Mahama.
According to the breakdown, 259 constituencies will fully participate in both the presidential and parliamentary primaries.
Sixteen constituencies will participate in only the presidential and not the parliamentary, while Manhyia South would not take part in the election at all due to some internal dispute.
CEO of Africa Center for Energy Policy (ACEP), Benjamin Boakye, has asked government to increase investment in oil sector to check flaring of gas.
According to him, he has observed that Ghana lacks the capacity to invest in extra plants to process and store excess gas hence the flaring by industry players.
Parts of the country in recent times have been experiencing intermittent power supply, but the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) blamed the power outages on Ghana’s inability to get gas from Nigeria.
The 2022 annual Public Interest Accountability Committee(PIAC) report disclosed that a total of 25.3 billion cubic feet (bcf) of natural gas worth about $169 million was lost in the upstream petroleum sector through flaring.
The report added that the volume of gas flared in 2022 increased by 19.3 per cent compared to a volume of 21.2 bcf recorded in 2021. This constituted about 10 per cent of the total 253.56 bcf of both Associated Gas (AG) and Non-Associated Gas (NAG) produced from the three oil fields of Jubilee, Sankofa Gye-Nyame (SGN) and Tweneboa-Enyenra-Ntomme (TEN).
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show hosted by Bernard Avle, Mr. Boakye indicated that the issue of Ghana acquiring plants to process gas at the Jubilee Fields has been on the drawing board for many years.
“If there’s no commercial avenue to use gas, you cannot compel them not to flare gas for operational reasons. If there are no commercial applications for the market, they have to flare the gas. We need investment to unlock the gas, once you produce it, you need to process it. We don’t have enough capacity to construct another processing plant. We will need to build a new site to store the additional gas from TEIN and Jubilee Fields”.
“…Once we have the capacity challenge, then we need to flare. That is why we are where we are, we are flaring the gas, and we are looking for liquid fuel,” he said.
He charged the government to diversify fuel sources by implementing policies that will help the country to have processing plants in order to get excess gas for other purposes.
“I always say we are getting the policy action wrong, that is why we are where we are. If we have ENI producing in a more constant way, you could discuss with investors to help you pump in more gas by setting up a new processing plant. We have to think politically along the value change…we haven’t done the policy right,” he suggested. “I always say we are getting the policy action wrong, that is why we are where we are. If we have ENI producing in a more constant way, you could discuss with investors to help you pump in more gas by setting up a new processing plant. We have to think politically along the value change…we haven’t done the policy right,” he suggested.
A woman suspected of being mentally deranged inKumasihas lost her life after a heavy truck loaded with tubers of yam knocked her down.
The truck, a Kia Rhino with registration GE 1869-17, from Zabzugu in the Northern Region was loaded with tubers of yam to Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
A DailyGuide report on Thursday, May 11, 2023, stated that the incident happened near the Maakro near Suame around 7:40am on Sunday, May 7, 2023.
According to the police, the driver of the truck is identified as Jalaldeen Amadu.
“On 07/05/2023 about 0740 hours, suspect driver Jalaldeen Amadu, aged 33, was in charge of a Kia Rhino truck No. GE 1869-17, loaded with yam, with two occupants, driving from Zabzugu to Kumasi.
“Upon reaching a section of the road near Bank of Africa, Maakro, the vehicle knocked down and killed an adult female pedestrian, aged about 40, who was crossing the road and suspected to be mentally deranged.
“Body was conveyed to KATH morgue and deposited for preservation, identification, and autopsy,” the Suame police disclosed in a statement.
The police disclosed that the accident vehicle has since been impounded for testing, adding that the “suspect driver is in police custody assisting in investigations. The almost dismembered body of the woman, believed to be in her forties, has since been deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) morgue in Kumasi,” the report added.
The United States has accused South Africa of sending armaments toRussia in a secret naval operation, creating a foreign policy dilemma for President Cyril Ramaphosa over the country’s links to the Kremlin and its stance on the Ukraine conflict.
Reuben Brigety, US ambassador to South Africa, told local media on Thursday that the US believed weapons and ammunition were loaded on to the Lady R, a Russian vessel under sanctions that docked at Simon’s Town naval dockyard near Cape Town in December.
“Among the things we noted was the docking of the cargo ship . . . which we are confident uploaded weapons and ammunition on to that vessel in Simon’s Town as it made its way back to Russia,” he said, in comments reported by South Africa’s News24.
“The arming of the Russians is extremely serious, and we do not consider this issue to be resolved,” he added.
“The US embassy and South Africa’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Ramaphosa’s office said it would respond “in due course”.
The rand dropped 2 per cent to 19.2 to the US dollar on the reports, its weakest level since April 2020.
South Africa has said it is non-aligned in the war, but Ramaphosa’s government is under pressure over signs it is favouring Russia, for example by holding joint naval exercises this year.
Ramaphosa has also extended an invitation for Russian president Vladimir Putin to attend a Brics leaders’ summit in Johannesburg in August — a move that has backfired on Pretoria after the International Criminal Court indicted Putin for war crimes. South Africa, a member of the ICC, would be legally obliged to arrest Putin if he travels there.
Sydney Mufamadi, Ramaphosa’s national security adviser, recently visited the US to explain South Africa’s stance and to try to preserve trade links.
The scandal over the Lady R is likely to overshadow these efforts.
Owned by Transmorflot, a company placed under sanctions by the US last year, the Lady R appeared to switch off its transponder as it made the stop in Cape Town after a voyage down the west coast of Africa.
After the ship left port, South Africa’s defence minister said it had delivered a consignment for the country’s defence forces, but provided no details on what the vessel may have picked up in Cape Town.
The South African government in January officially denied that it had approved any arms sales from South Africa to Russia since Moscow began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February last year.
The Managing Director of theElectricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Samuel Dubik Mahama, has stated that the recent power shortages in several sections of the country have been dealt with.
Debilitating power cuts have been recorded in parts of the country in recent weeks with residents fuming over the unannounced intermittent outages.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, May 11, Mr Dubik Mahama assured that the situation has been resolved.
“There was a low-pressure power issue that led to us having to dump some power, over 2230 megawatts of power two days ago. Steps have been taken, and some alternative fuel has been brought in”.
“But as we speak the matter has been resolved largely. There is enough heavy fuel with AKSA and there is some diesel with CEM power, so we will not have such problems down the line, but we have to make sure that at every point in time, there is enough fuel for this situation.”
Meanwhile, the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) has blamed the situation on challenges with the gas pipeline from Nigeria.
In an interview with the media, the Corporate Communications Manager of GRIDCo, Dzifa Bampoh assured of efforts to resolve the challenges.
She apologised to Ghanaians for the challenges associated with the power supply.
“We had a gas supply challenge from Nigeria. That has been the fundamental reason, and it has led to a multiplier effect, meaning our generating plants which use gas cannot operate fully.”.
“On Monday and Wednesday, we had challenges getting a full-capacity of power supply and that is why there has been intermittent power supply. We apologise to Ghanaians for it, because ultimately, if there’s going to be any shortage even if it’s for a day, we are obliged to inform Ghanaians.”
The government, lawmakers, giant corporations, and startups in Japan are keen to invest in Africa.
As a delegation from the African Development Bank Group led by President Dr Akinwumi Adesina visited Japan to showcase the enormous investment opportunities on the continent, the Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida, was leading his country’s charge with a tour of four countries, namely Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, and Mozambique.
In Japan, Dr Adesina accompanied by three Vice Presidents, Dr Kevin Kariuki, Dr Beth Dunford and Solomon Quaynor, and Executive Director Takaaki Nomoto, held a series of meetings with senior government officials including the Minister for Finance Shunichi Suzuki, Vice Minister for Finance Masato Kanda and the Director General in the Ministry of Finance Atshushi Mimura.
They met with the top leadership of global mega brands including Mitsui & Co Ltd., Sumitomo Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation and Toyota Tsusho, as well as Japan’s leading business community, the Keizai Doyukai, that brings together more than 1000 business executives.
The result of this high-level engagement could see Japan’s net Foreign Direct Investment to Africa rebounding to pre-Covid19 levels when it amounted to $10 billion compared to $6 billion in 2021.
In this write up we take a look at what the companies are looking for and a keynote message delivered by Bank President Dr Adesina. MITSUI & CO LTD
One of the largest investors in Africa, Mitsui & co Ltd, announced plans to resume the construction of the multibillion-dollar Mozambique LNG project which was stopped in 2021 following an insurgent attack on the facility in the country’s northern region of Cabo Delgado.
A combined deployment of the Mozambican army, troops from Rwanda and members of the South African Development Community (SADC) has since brought the situation under control.
“The security situation has been significantly improved. We want to restart construction work in summer,” announced Koji Asanuma, General Manager, Mozambique Project Dept(link is external).
He said preparatory work was continuing and they will soon be contacting lenders to kickstart construction.
The African Development Bank has invested $400 million in the project.
Mitsui & Co Ltd has five 5 offices in Africa: Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique and South Africa.
In addition to Mozambique’s LNG project, the company has also invested in Mozambique’s Nacala Rail and Transport project and Egypt’s Refining Company. It’s involved in renewable energy projects in Morocco, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda. TOYOTA TSHUSHO:
Toyota Tshusho Corporation is one of the front-runners among Japanese companies doing business in Africa. It is present in all 54 countries with businesses covering automobile, pharmaceutical, beverages and energy. Across the continent it employs about 22,000 people.
The Executive Vice President of Toyota Tsusho Corporation Toshimitsu Imai said the company is looking for more projects for wind power in North Africa, solar energy in West Africa and Geothermal in East Africa. Globally it is aiming to generate 10 GW.
The company is keen to discuss with the Bank the possibility of investing in Green Hydrogen. It’s carrying out studies in South Africa, Kenya and Egypt. “We will come to the Bank to discuss financing,” said Imai.
In terms of local manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, Imai saw possibilities in South Africa which has a huge automobile industry or DRC which has some of the world’s largest deposits of minerals needed for lithium-ion batteries.
The Toyota Tshusho Executive Vice President also expressed interest in the Africa Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation, an Africa-led and Africa-centered initiative that will significantly enhance the continent’s access to the technologies that underpin the manufacture of medicines, vaccines, and other pharmaceutical products. MITSUBISHI CORPORATION
AfDB President’s visit to Tokyo: Meeting with Mitsubishi Corporation
The company is present in 11 countries in Africa: Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa. Tanzania and Tunisia. Since entering the African market in 1954, Mitsubishi Corporation has spread its investment wings mineral and metal resources, automotive & mobility, natural gas, food industry and power solutions.
During a meeting with Dr Adesina, it was clear Mitsubishi Corporation is hungry for more. It’s Senior Vice President Tetsuya Shinohara, said the company had limited activities on the continent.
“Africa is a tough region,” he said, “We are figuring out areas to invest in, in the future. We are asking for suggestions about the way to follow.”
The Deputy General Manager for Global Strategy and Coordination Department Jun Fujino said there are stereotypes about doing business in Africa because of political instability, unpredictability of regulatory frameworks and that the consumer market may take too long to develop. SUMITOMO CORPORATION
AfDB President’s visit to Tokyo: Bilateral Meeting with Sumitomo
Another large Japanese general trading house, Sumitomo Corporation with investments in mineral resources, energy, chemical & electronics, real estate, media & digital, transportation & construction system is eager to expand its business on the continent.
“We want to grow together,” Masayuki Hyodo, President and CEO, Sumitomo Corporation said as discussions with the Bank delegation begun, adding, “We have started new business in Egypt, and we want to expand further.”
And the response was commensurate. “You are in the right place,” Dr Adesina told Mr Hyodo, “You are with the right partner. On infrastructure, we are trying to expand in green infrastructure in terms of roads, water and digital. We are trying to mobilize $10 billion to invest in green infrastructure.”
Sumitomo has offices in Algeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Mozambique, Tanzania and South Africa. ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS
AfDB President’s visit to Tokyo: Roundtable with the Private Sector
During the visit, the Bank delegation held roundtable discussions with about ten Japanese companies and Venture Capital funds operating in Africa. The discussion focused on new technologies related to energy and decarbonization such as next-generation solar power, hydrogen/ammonia, and storage batteries. They also discussed how Japanese technology and innovation can contribute to solving social issues in Africa. The roundtable featured a presentation by the Bank’s Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate Change and Green Growth, Dr Kevin Kariuki.
The second session featured Japanese entrepreneurs and investors with interest in the agriculture sector.
They were joined by venture capital companies to highlight the significant role startups play in the development in Africa. The session had presentations from two Bank vice presidents – VP for Agriculture, Social and Human Development Dr Beth Dunford, and Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization VP, Solomon Quaynor.
The roundtable discussions culminated in a keynote address by Dr Adesina. The roundtable discussions were organized by Keizai Doyukai and the United Nations Development Fund. Keizai Doyukai, a private, non-profit and nonpartisan organization that brings together nearly 1,400 top executives of some 1,000 corporations.
Participating firms included:
Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation: has invested in generation of thermal and hydropower projects across 10 countries.
Hitachi Energy: another global technology leader with significant investments in generation of renewable power including hydrogen. It has a presence in more than 20 countries with main hubs in Cairo and Johannesburg.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd: a manufacturer of motorcycles, aerospace and defense equipment, robots, gas turbines and other industrial products.
Tsubame BHB: is a startup company involved in the production of green ammonia fertilizer for small-scale farmers in Africa.
AfDB President’s visit to Tokyo: Visit of Tsubame BHB
NEC Corporation: began operating in Africa in 1963 delivering technologies behind establishing national ID and biometric authentication systems in South Africa, laying telecommunication infrastructure such as the 6,200-km-submarine cable between Angola and Brazil.
Kepple Africa Ventures: launched in Africa in 2018. It is the largest Japanese Venture Capital fund based in Nigeria and Kenya. It led 15 Japanese companies such as Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Toyota Tsusho Corporation and Yamaha to make direct investment into African startups.
Degas Limited: is a startup company based in Japan and Ghana where it is providing agricultural inputs, knowledge and digitalization support to 3,000 farmers.
Uncovered Fund: established in 2019 in Tokyo, has invested in 26 African startup companies particularly those that provide financial services essential for daily life and economic activities, sales promotion of retail stores, logistics in distribution and supply and urban transportation. It’s based in Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa.
AfDB President’s visit to Tokyo: Bilateral Meeting with AAIC
The Asia-Africa Investment & Consulting (AAIC): aims to invest in fast-growing companies within the healthcare sector in Africa. Among other activities, it is investing and managing agribusiness in Rwanda via the Rwanda Nuts Company.
Sasakawa Africa Association activities go back 36 years when it was established by Japanese Philanthropist Ryoichi Sasakawa, Nobel Laureate Dr Norman Borlaug and former US President Jimmy Carter.
AfDB President’s visit to Tokyo:Bilateral Meeting Sasakawa Africa
The association focuses on agriculture and especially smallholder farmer development in 12 countries across sub-Saharan Africa. President Makoto Kitanaka spoke about the association’s increasing use of technology in the delivery of its services. Dr Adesina meets with University of Tokyo
The University of Tokyo is investing in startups, with more than 400 already up its sleeves. Wassha, one of the startups associated with the University of Tokyo has developed an electrical power service business to reach people in rural Tanzania who do not have access to electricity. Beneficiaries rent LED lanterns which are offered on a Pay As You Go system.
AfDB President’s visit to Tokyo: Bilateral Meeting with President of the University of Tokyo
The University of Tokyo President Dr Teruo Fujii and Dr Adesina discussed ways their two institutions could collaborate including the possibility of establishing a joint Japan Africa Entrepreneurship program. This would bring together venture capital funds, establish joint businesses and establish a staff exchange program between the University of Tokyo and selected universities in Africa.
The two leaders also spoke about the possibility of collaboration between the University’s School of Pharmacology and the Rwanda-based African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation
The Bank delegation also held meetings with Japanese Bank of International Cooperation(link is external) and Japanese International Cooperation Agency(link is external) which signed a $350 million funding agreement with the Bank to support Africa’s private sector.
Before his departure Dr Adesina met with diplomatic representatives of more than 30 countries in Africa. He shared with them the achievements the Bank had made over the past seven years and the urgent need to attract more foreign direct investments to Africa.
AfDB President’s visit to Tokyo: Reception for African Development Bank, African Diplomatic Corps (ADC)
Following the five-day roadshow to showcase Africa’s enormous investment opportunities, the message was clear: The door and the road to Africa for Japanese investors is wide open!
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) has announced that, as part of measures to increase rice seed certification and distribution, a seed monitoring system will be implemented in 2024 to prevent seed adulteration.
The Ministry noted, it has observed over time, that farmers are in need of quality seeds for local rice cultivation as such, the need for a system to trace fake seeds in order to improve yield and harvest.
Speaking at an international symposium on rice seed certification and distribution in Accra, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong announced a consolidated approach to improve the rice seed value chain.
“My Ministry has taken some steps and initiatives to improve the rice seed value chain. We have implemented a seed tracking system on a pilot basis to reduce seed adulteration and faking. We are also building the capacity of seed certification officers and other stakeholders. We are providing improved seed storage and warehousing and cold rooms and also improving the marketing and distribution channels.”
The Minister also disclosed that some notable donor agencies have expressed support for Ghana’s rice sector to increase the harvest.
“It is significant to note that international donor agencies have also expressed their support in the rice sector in some aspects of its value chain to transform it to acceptable standards. Worth mentioning is KOPIA which is going to support the country through the provision of necessary machinery and equipment to further improve the quality of rice seeds in four irrigation schemes.”
Secretary General of the Korean Partnership for Innovation of Agriculture (KOPIA), Dr. Chang Ancheol pledged that it will keep supporting Ghana to become self-sufficient in rice cultivation.
President Akufo-Addohas announced intentions to cease the exportation of bauxite and iron ore ‘in their raw state’.
The move, according to him is aimed at protecting the country’s limited natural resources and learning from the mistake of gold exportation.
Speaking at the opening of a natural resource stakeholders dialogue in Accra, the President said the government will soon initiate laws to ban the wholesale exportation of bauxite and iron.
“We cannot forget lithium and the other green minerals which have been described as the minerals of the future due to the importance of the green energy transition. Fortunately, we have discovered lithium in commercial quantities in occurrence with cobalt, nickel, copper, lead, and zinc in the country.
“We should not do with these minerals what we have done with our gold resources over the years. The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources under the leadership ofAbu Jinaporis finalizing a policy document for the exploitation and utilization and management of these crucial minerals for the consideration of Cabinet in the next few years.
“By section 28 of GIDEC law, in section 30 of the GIFTECH law, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources is empowered to make regulations to ensure that no bauxite or iron ore in their raw state is exported out of the country after five years of coming into force of these laws.”
Ghana accounts for 0.29% of global production, with the other largest producers being Australia (28%), the Republic of Guinea (24%), China (18%), and Brazil (8%).
Exports of bauxite from Ghana increased by 31% to 61kt in 2022 over 2021. Ghana’s bauxite exports are expected to grow at a CAGR of 1% between 2022 and 2026, to 64kt by 2026.
The University of Education Winneba (UEW) has elected Omanhen of the Effutu Traditional Area in the Central Region, Neenyi Ghartey VII as its chancellor.
Neenyi Ghartey becomes the second Chancellor afterAlhaji Asuma Bandawho was appointed in 2010 and ended his tenure in 2015.
At an impressive investiture ceremony fused with academic veneration and culture and graced by the President Akufo-Addo, Neenyi Ghartey was robed as chancellor by the Chairman of the university’s Governing council,Nana Ofori Ansah, the vice chancellor, Prof Mawutor Avoke and assisted by the President.
He was then placed on the seat as chancellor.
Excitement and cheers
The Creative Arts Department of the university brought the assembly to excitement and cheers when they presented the robes for the chancellor in a “deer” in a creative enactment of the famous deer hunt festival of the people of Winneba.
The President Nana Akufo Addo in his remarks said he was certain that Neenyi Ghartey, an outstanding traditional ruler would work to ensure UEW stayed with its core mandate to produce professional educators to spearhead a new national vision of education aimed at redirecting Ghana’s efforts along the path of rapid economic and social development.
He said he was optimistic the university which he described as one of Ghana’s best would continue to produce graduates who were prepared to take on opportunities and possibilities for higher achievement through innovation and creativity in today’s science and technology and knowledge driven economic and champion prosperity for the mass of Ghanaians.
President Akufo-Addo observed that Neenyi Ghartey was taking over from one of Ghana’s notable sons, Alhaji Asuma Banda who for his selfless service to the university helped it be adjudged the third best university in the country in 2016 and the most sustainable university last year.
Worthy chancellor
He indicated that the university could not have picked a worthy successor saying he was hopeful that Neenyi Ghartey, a firm believer in academic freedom would employ his wealth of experience to ensure a seamless transition and further propel the university to greater heights.
Touching on the youth and development, he said he had a guiding principle that leaders had the responsibility to bring up a generation that fulfilled the dreams of the great patriots of the country and who would bring to bear the full meaning of freedom and justice, a generation who would live a new Ghanaian civilization equal to any on the face of the planet and the urged the nation’s youth to work to to embrace the greatness that beckons.
He further gave the assurance that government was steadfast to the commitment of continued support to UEW and all other universities in the country.
Neenyi Ghartey for his part thanked thanked the president and the governing council and management of the university for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to execute the role to the best of his abilities.
Concerted efforts needed
He said the challenging times that contend educational institutions and the global constraints amidst fierce competition from among Ghanaian universities for students necessitated concerted efforts from all stakeholders to achieve the university’s mandate.
He said the opportunity to lead the university filled him with great zeal dedication and commitment and pledged to work to make the university the best teacher education university in West Africa.
Close working relationship
Neenyi Ghartey said he had had close working relationship with the management of the university since it was a college of education saying he would work propel the university to higher heights using all his experience saying it was a university with promise for the government and people of Ghana.
He said he would work with management to put the past behind and reorient the workforce to work to uplift the university, its campuses and the Winneba community.
He thanked the President the management of the university and his predecessor for the successes chalked so far and pledged to build on it.
Nana Ofori Ansah
Nana Ofori Ansah for his part described Neenyi Ghartey as a friend of the university who had made remarkable contributions to the development of the university as a member of the university’s Governing council from 2017-2021.
He pledged the council’s support for the chancellor to ensure he his stewardship successful.
Background
Neenyi Ghartey had his Ordinary and Advanced level certificates from Accra Academy and Winneba Secondary School and then to the University of Ghana where he was he gained a bachelor of science in Agriculture.
He earned a commonwealth scholarship to study in India where he obtained advanced knowledge poultry nutrition and feeding and also undertook further studies in Israel.
He has worked an agricultural officer extensively supporting the farmer development.
He also holds a Master of Philosophy from the University of Cape Coast.
He was enstooled as Omahen of the Effutu Traditional Area in 1996.
VRA/NEDCo’s Upper East Region management has warned the Ghana Police Service and Ghana Health Service (GHS) to pay their debts to the company or else be disconnected from the national grid.
According to VRA/NEDCo, the Ghana Police Service and Ghana Health Service owe the company GH¢18 million and GH¢16 million respectively.
Speaking to Citi News, VRA/NEDCo billing officer, Williams Asare, said, the indebtedness of the two-state institutions threaten their operations and warned that, VRA/NEDCo would not hesitate to disconnect their facilities if urgent measures are not taken to settle their indebtedness.
“The health institutions in the Upper East put together are owing us (VRA/NEDCo) GH¢16 million, and we have engaged the regional health directorate and given them their entire bill. But we have seen documentation from the Director-General of the Ghana health service that, for those facilities that internally generate funds, we should have an arrangement for them to pay. As for the legacy debts before 2021, they will take up with the Ministry of Finance to pay”.
“Some clinics and health facilities have come for us to have some payment agreements where they’re going to pay substantial amount to reduce the debt and commit to paying the current bills, and we’ll be following up on that. Our L.I. allows that, when we serve the bill, after 14 days, if the customer doesn’t pay, you are due to disconnect, so we’re going to ensure that we don’t come there”.
“The police administration in the region are owing us GH¢18 million, we engaged the regional police commander and he has taken up the bill and is putting a covering memo to the police administration at the head office for them to pay. For certain category of officers, they’re supposed to pay their own bills so for those facilities we’re in the process of metering them with pre-paid meters so that they pay”.
Mr. Asare disclosed that over GH¢5 million out of GH¢120 million have been retrieved from customer indebtedness to the company in the ongoing revenue mobilization and disconnection exercise.
He reiterated that VRA/NEDCo will sustain its revenue mobilization efforts to ensure efficient power supply and value for money for its customers.
Mr. Asare appealed to all customers of VRA/NEDCo to settle their outstanding bills or come to the office of the company to negotiate payment agreement plans to settle their indebtedness or risk disconnection.
The Health Minister, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, has revealed that Ghana will be taken from the list of beneficiaries of the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI) to cease supplying free vaccine to Ghana – Agyemang-Manu in the coming days.
According to Mr. Agyemang-Manu, the GAVI initiative will not supply Ghana with free vaccines following its attainment of lower middle-income status.
Gavi, or the Vaccine Alliance, is an independent public-private partnership and multilateral finance structure that aims at increasing worldwide access to the use of vaccines, particularly among vulnerable children.
Speaking at the commissioning of a new office complex of the Ghana Vaccine Institute in Accra, Mr. Agyemang-Manu said Ghana needs to be self-sufficient in the production of vaccines.
“While the GAVI alliance support is about 80 percent of Ghana’s vaccine, our attainment of a lower middle-income status means we will have to transition from GAVI support by the year 2027.”
Mr Agyemang-Manu added that the government has since developed the national vaccine policy to translate President Akufo-Addo’s vision of making Ghana a vaccine manufacturing hub into a reality.
The recurring collapse of buildings in some areas of the country must be addressed with immediate effect, according to the Engineering Council of Ghana.
TheCouncil, which is mandated to regulate the engineering sector, said it had taken the recent disasters seriously and thus, an emergency team would be put in place soon to investigate the causes of the incidents to sanitise the construction industry.
In an interview with Wise Ametefe, the Registrar of the Council, he said the Council would also establish a permanent team that would directly respond to such disasters in the future and offer technical support to Assemblies to enforce building regulations.
The move by the Council follows four cases of collapsed buildings in less than two weeks, leading to loss of lives and injuries.
One person was reported dead on Friday, May 5 after being trapped under the rubble of the collapsed building situated at Nanakrom in theAdentan Municipality.
The tragedy occurred barely four days after a similar three-storey building collapsed at Madina in the Greater Accra Region – which reportedly killed one person and injured three others.
A six-storey building under construction at the city campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale collapsed last Saturday during a rainstorm.
Seven construction workers were injured after a church building collapsed on them at Old Bortianor in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region on Tuesday.
Mr Ametefe blamed the repeated incidents on poor supervision on the part of the Assemblies.
He said preliminary investigations at the disaster sites had revealed that the owners of the buildings either did not obtain permits or extended the buildings beyond what was approved.
“The Council is taking the cases very seriously…we agree that there could be failure in one aspect of the regulation but that could not be attributed to the Engineering Council.
“It is mainly the Assemblies who are responsible for approval of buildings but the professionals in the Assemblies should ensure that buildings submitted for approvals are vetted before permits are granted,” Mr Ametefe said.
In the case of the Bortianor church building incident, the Council said preliminary investigations had shown that there were “a lot of flaws in the construction”.
“Concrete columns were there without reinforcement. Concrete work was done porously…there was very little supervision,” Mr Ametefe said.
The Engineering Council said the outcome of the investigations would make a case for punitive measures to be taken against persons found to have flouted the law.
Director of Electoral Services at the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, has said that the Commission is yet to receive the National Democratic Congress’ presidential and parliamentary primaries voters database.
According to him, “The agreement was that we should have the registers and the ballot papers at least a week to the elections,” however, the NDC’s executives have failed to do so.
Currently, the scheduled date for the presidential and parliamentary primaries is at risk of being rescheduled following an injunction filed by an NDC presidential aspirant, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, who insists that the voters’ register submitted to his team contains discrepancies.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express,Dr. Serebour Quaicoe noted that till the NDC’s injunction is lifted by the court, the EC will withdraw from offering its services to the party.
He said it was to avoid such situations that the EC had urged the party to submit its voters’ register early for all challenges to be addressed timeously.
“So these things should have been made available a long time ago, because we knew that when such things are done you have people petitioning and the rest so we were thinking that if we had gotten it early enough, they would have addressed any challenges that may come out of it.
“There have been instances where we’ll go for the election and at the venue of the election the register will be brought to you and you may have to be making calls so that whilst you’re doing the election new names will be added and subtracted.
“So these things should be a lesson to the political parties that when they’re going to do anything they should [inaudible] ahead of time so that we will not be having challenges in registers…” he said.
The injunction case will be heard on Friday, a day to the scheduled May 13 election day.
Meanwhile, the NDC in a press statement has urged its party faithful and aspirants to keep calm as the party’s legal team handles the situation.
Former President, John Dramani Mahama has advised Ghanaians to refrain from placing their hopes in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for a better economy.
Speaking to National Democratic Congress delegates in the Wa East constituency in the Upper West Region, Mahama claimed that the NPP is not capable of changing Ghana’s fortunes within the remaining one and a half years left for it to leave power.
Mahama opined that the NPP has been in power for almost seven years hence has nothing new to offer.
He thus advised Ghanaians not to expect any miracles from the NPP.
“We have experienced NDC’s administration- after Professor Evans Atta-Mills, I took over from him making it 8 years. And we have experienced NPP for almost 7 years. They are left with one and a half years more, no miracle is going to happen. What they have done is all that they can do, they are not going to add anything to it. So anybody thinking that there will be a miracle is just tickling himself and dreaming. What you have is all there is, there’s going to be nothing more,” Mr. Mahama said.
Mahama’s comments come at a time when the government is engaging the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a $3 billion bailout to help restore the ailing economy.
The government has also rolled out policies and programs aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability.
The government has expressed hope of securing the Paris Club financing assurances within the shortest possible time to enable the $3 billion support from the IMF. The Deputy Finance Minister, John Kumah, assured that discussions towards securing the bailout support from the IMF have been fruitful.
Mahama’s criticisms of the NPP’s ability to revive Ghana’s economy come amidst the ongoing debate about the country’s economic future.
The Eastern Regional Manager of the PURC, Jude Aduamoah -Addo,has revealed that forty-eight (48) Senior High Schools in the Eastern Region owe the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) one million, two hundred and ninety-eight thousand, eight hundred and sixty-seven cedis (Ghc1,298,867).
the Commission has received 324 complaints against GWCL and Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) during the first quarter of 2023, with 311 representing a resolution percentage of 95.98%.
The 13 outstanding complaints are at various stages of resolution.274 of the 324 complaints were against ECG while 50 against GWCL.
The complaints were basically about billing, payment, poor quality of service, metering , disconnection, damaged properties and consumer service.55% of the complaints were received via various WhatsApp platforms created by PURC across the region for utility service providers ,customers and the regulator.
Complaints of disputed bills reported to PURC by three(3) customers against ECG during the period amounted to twenty-seven thousand nine hundred and sixteen Ghana cedis (27,916).
Through the intervention of the Commission, ECG passed an adjustment of twenty-seven thousand two hundred and sixty- eight Ghana cedis (27,268) leaving outstanding balance of six-hundred and Forty-Eight Ghana cedis (Ghc648) for the customers to pay.
PURC has declared 2023 the year of “operational efficiency”aimed at ensuring a balance between quality of service delivery and revenue recovery to help both providers and consumers commit to their social contracts.
The oppositionNational Democratic Congress(NDC) is convinced that the presidential and parliamentary elections slated for May 13, 2023 will take place as planned.
This comes on the back of Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC) indicating that it cannot supervise the NDC’s Presidential and Parliamentary Primaries slated for Saturday May 13, 2023.
The EC says it’s unable to organize the polls because of injunction by one of the Presidential hopeful Dr. Kwabena Duffour.
The Former Finance Minister in his suit against the party says there are some discrepancies his team has identified in the party’s voters register to be used for the exercise.
According to the EC, until the legal issues are resolved it cannot be involved in the polls.
However, in a press statement signed by the General Secretary of the party, Fifi Kwetey urged the party members and the people of Ghana to remain calm as the Party, through its legal team, works to resolve the temporary challenge.
“The National Democratic Congress (NDC), further to a court action on the part of one of the presidential aspirants, wishes to assure presidential, parliamentary aspirants as well as members, supporters, and sympathizers, that the party is taking all legitimate and legal steps to pave way for the presidential and parliamentary primaries on Saturday, May 13, 2023.
“It will be recalled that Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, one of the three presidential aspirants, on Tuesday filed a suit against the party seeking to injunct the primaries,” Mr. Kwetey stated.
He continued: “While urging calm among our rank and file, we wish to assure that the party as at April 20th, 2023 had made available the full Delegates List to all presidential candidates in line with our commitment stated in our guidelines that, this Primary Document, would be furnished to all presidential candidates.
“The party is therefore confident that, this temporary challenge will be quickly overcome to pave way for the holding of the primaries on schedule.
“It is our expectation that we shall all put the larger interest of our great party ahead of all considerations, knowing that the good people of Ghana are eagerly looking up to our party, come December 7, 2024, to rescue this nation from the current national collapse.”
Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) has apologized to Ghanaians who were affected by the recent power outage.
Recently, some parts of the country especially Accra experienced power cuts.
Head of Corporate Communications at GRIDCo,Dzifa Bampoh said the situation was a result of a generational challenge that is out of the control of GRIDCo
Speaking on News 360 on TV3 Wednesday, May 10, Dzifa Bampoh said “Sincerely, we apologize for the erratic power supply that many Ghanaians may have suffered for the last couple of days.”
She added “GRIDCo is a transmitter and we are not a generator however, we do have a view of what the generation is like, that is the generation coming from our power plants whether they are hydro or they are thermal or they are solar.
“Unfortunately, there has been a shortfall in generation capacity, meaning we have not been able to generate as much power as Ghanaians demand.
“That is out of the control of GRIDCo and it is partly because we don’t have enough gas coming in to power some of these plants. That is why we had some intermittent power supply, so there is no load-shedding.
“What has happened is, on some occasions, gas supply has been low and as a result, we have had to reduce supply to ECG.”
The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah has said that securing a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is not the only solution to the current economic issues.
Providing an update on the engagement with the IMF thus far, he said, “the Government of Ghana has had an enhanced programme which has been designed to help us recover from major shocks we are suffering. And to make that programme effectual, we will need some balance of payments support from the IMF. And that is what we have been working on, and all indications suggest to us that we should be bringing that to a closure pretty soon. But that is not all the panacea to our economic challenges, we have other programmes to help us to bring back growth, help private sector kicking and get cost of living under control”.
The government has since July last year engaged the fund for a $3 billion bailout to help restore the economy.
In addition to this, government has rolled out policies and programmes aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability.
Industry players have been relentless in their opinions of government’s role in bringing relief to Ghanaians.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on May 2 courted the support of Japan to help Ghana reach an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Board for the 3 billion dollar balance of payment support.
According to Akufo-Addo, Japan which is a member of the Paris Club has a major role to play in Ghana securing the IMF deal.
Speaking at a meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida who made a stopover at the Jubilee House Tuesday evening, Mr Akufo-Addo said Ghana will repay Japan’s support.
“Ghana is also counting on the support of Japan in reaching a favourable agreement with the International Monetary Fund which will pave the way for the robust recovery of Ghana’s economy,” President Akufo-Addo said.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Joseph Boahen Aidoo, has proclaimed his support for Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia’s presidential ambition, as well as emphasizing the importance of his expertise and vision for the digital era.
According to him, the rapid evolution of the world and the transformative power of technology calls for a leader who can harness the potential of the fourth industrial revolution and drive Ghana’s progress in the digital space.
He added that in an era marked by unprecedented advancements and breakthroughs, the world has witnessed remarkable shifts from the n period to the agricultural and industrial revolutions it is crucial to have a leader who comprehends the possibilities and opportunities that lie ahead.
“For the sake of the future let’s support Dr Bawumia.
“The world is evolving at an unprecedented pace. We’ve come a long way from the Neolithic era to the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions. Now, we stand at the cusp of the 4th Industrial Revolution – the age of digitization. With technology changing the way we work and live, it’s more important than ever to have a leader who understands the potential of this new economic era.
“With his vision, we can build a nation that will be at the forefront of revolutionizing the digital space for the benefit of future generations,” he said in a Facebook post on May 10, 2023.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has declared his intention to contest for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential flagbearership bringing the official number of people who have declared their intentions to contest to nine.
They include the former Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen; the former Minister of Food and Agric, Dr. Owusu Akoto Afriyie; Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong; former MP for Essikado-Ketan, Joe Ghartey; and a former MP for Mampong, Francis Addai-Nimoh.
An 18-year-old Uk-based Ghanaian lady, Princess Owusu Ansah, has allegedly stabbed and poured boiling water on her friend in response to claims of having an affair with her lover.
The distressing episode unfolded when a video clip captured by Owusu Ansah on her mobile phone went viral on Snapchat.
The footage depicted the victim cowering under a duvet, screaming in agony as Owusu Ansah threw a kettle of boiling water over her.
Moments prior to the assault, Owusu Ansah is heard accusing her friend of engaging in relationships with other people’s partners and acting as though she could escape the consequences. After delivering a series of punches, she proceeded to pick up a silver knife, striking it against a radiator before stabbing her victim in the leg.
The attack took place on February 2, 2023, at the victim’s residence in the Dog Kennel Estate, Dulwich. Eventually managing to escape, the injured woman fled into the street and was later treated at Kings College Hospital for non-life-threatening stab wounds.
Members of the public who had seen the disturbing video on Snapchat promptly alerted the MetropolitanPolice.
In March, Owusu Ansah, hailing from Royston, pleaded guilty to charges of grievous bodily harm and criminal damage during her appearance at Inner London Crown Court.
On May 9, during her subsequent court appearance, Owusu Ansah received a three-year prison sentence for the heinous assault.
The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has revealed the hidden circumstances that led to Ghana’s former President John Agyekum Kufuor being confined to a wheelchair.
According to the king of the Ashanti Kingdom, the former president failed to prioritize his health after he survived an accident on his way to the castle while he was president.
He detailed that former presidentJohn Agyekum Kufuor decided to put the country above himself when he had the accident despite his advice to him not to overwork.
Speaking at a dinner in Ransford in the United Kingdom (UK), Otumfuo said;
“He cannot walk and I said to him that it was his own fault. He had an accident on his way to the Castle, he was safe and went to the 37 military hospital and returned to the Presidency to work. I called him from Kumasi and he said [I’m in the office].
I asked what are you doing there, Ofa (Uncle)? and he said [I’m okay, nothing happened to me I’m fine]. I told him Ofa (Uncle) you better go home and rest. And I told him Ghana will still be there if you die. But he stayed in the office till 4pm before he left the office. This is the amount of sacrifice he had for Ghana,” starfmonline.com quoted Otumfuo as having said.
On November 14, 2007, former Ghanaian President John Agyekum Kufuor, also then Chairman of the African Union, escaped unhurt when a private car crashed into his vehicle, rolling it over several times.
‘The car finally rested on the sidewalk and the people around helped his security men to pull him out. The president came out holding his head’, an eyewitness said.
A man using a Mercedes Benz, ignored the siren of the presidential convoy and drove straight into Kufuor’s vehicle at the Opeibea House traffic light Intersection on the Airport – 37 Military Hospital road.
The man who caused the accident was put before a Motor Court in Accra and charged with four counts of dangerous driving, negligently causing harm, driving under the influence of alcohol and failing to give way to the presidential convoy.
Investigations further revealed that the accused was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident, and when tested with an Alco Sensor III, his alcohol level read 0.41% instead of the legal limit of 0.08%.
It was alleged that the accused person admitted to taking at least one bottle of alcoholic beverage before the incident.
The European Union (EU) has revealed that plans are underway to ensure that unemployed Ghanaian youth find jobs.
The initiatives are the EU-Ghana Pact for Skills worth €25 million and the Jobs, Migration and Development project worth €9 million.
Mr lrchad Razaaly, the EU Ambassador to Ghana made this known at a reception and an exhibition event to commemorate the Europe Dayin Accra.
Europe Day held on May 9, every year celebrates peace and unity in Europe.
It is to commemorate the Schuman Declaration in 1950, only five years after the most horrific war in modern history in which 50 million people lost their lives.
The Ambassador said the Union recently inaugurated the Ghanaian-European Centre for Jobs, Migration and Development, together with Germany and the Ghanaian government.
The centre provides direct support to returning migrants and resident Ghanaians looking for jobs and training in Ghana and in Europe.
He said young people were ready to jump at new opportunities and this had been seen through their projects and initiatives, with over €3 billion currently invested in Africa on youth, skills and education at large.
He said in Ghana, “we support over 100,000 young job seekers to gain skills and training through a number of projects.”
He said the Union had seen that young people were open to learning and this was through the ever increasing applications to the EU’s Erasmus+ programme.
Last year, the Union sent off 45 talented Ghanaian students to European universities, the highest number of Ghanaian students eager to start rich academic and cultural experiences.
He said through the same Erasmus+ programme, hundreds of students in Ghana would also benefit from high-quality training and support to enter a competitive job market.
“When we put together all the scholarships served by the EU and its Member States, it is several hundreds of Ghanaians getting the opportunity to acquire world-class knowledge and training, foster long-lasting links between Ghana and Europe and find new opportunities for exchanges and investments,” he added.
The Ambassador said through their GrEEn worth €20.6 million and WACOMP worth €6.2 million projects were jointly supporting over 500 young entrepreneurs and youth-led enterprises and they have seen their innovativeness and creativity.
Mr Mustapha Ussif, Minister of Youth and Sports, expressed gratitude to the Union for their continuous support of the youth in the area of education through the provision of scholarships for Ghanaian students to study in various European universities.
“We are hopeful that other EU projects in the pipeline, aimed at empowering and developing the youth will be launched soon for mutual benefits,” he added.
Member of Parliament for the Dome Kwabenya Constituency, Adwoa Safo, has stated that despite the hardships and obstacles that the party is facing, theNew Patriotic Party(NPP) remains focused on the country’s prosperity and growth.
According to her, the party will not fail its members despite these challenges.
In a Facebook post where she shared a picture of herself and the chief of Staff, Frema Opareshe captioned;
“The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is all we have and it remains the sole platform and vehicle through which the Prosperity and Development of our dear Country Ghana will be realised.”
On Monday, May 1, the Youth Empowerment and Counseling Agency (YECA) made some donations to the Ghana Prisons Service’s Senior Correctional Centre (SCC) in Accra.
This illustrious humanitarian visit was to support inmates of the facility.
A group of medical officers, optometrists, nurses, pharmacists, and other health officers were present to also screen both the Prison Officers and inmates.
Some certified counsellors were available to counsel and model them into becoming better individuals who can collectively contribute to national development.
In addition to the medical screening, YECA in collaboration with Alive Naturopathic Clinic, Momento Eye Centre, and the Accra Technical University-GNAAS Fellowship donated items worth GH¢12,000.00 to the SCC.
These items included ten boxes of medicated soap, seven bundles of T-roll, six packs of carbonated drinks, 15 bags of sachet water, five boxes of toothpaste, a box of toothbrushes, six bags of washing powder, two packs of bathing soaps and two bags of second-hand clothing.
Presenting the items on behalf of YECA, Pastor David Nketiah said it was one of the many social responsibilities adopted by the organisation to support the SCC periodically.
Receiving the items on behalf of the Officer In Charge was DSP James Akolbire, who thanked the team for coming to their aid with the items as well as the timely medical screening.
He assured that the donated items will be used strictly for their intended purposes.
He again prayed that YECA and SCC would continue to have a partnership that would support the inmates there to improve their lives, while giving them hope and vision for a good future.
The Senior Correctional Centre, formerly known as the Borstal Institute, an all-boys establishment of the Ghana Prisons Service, is a receptacle for young offenders and juveniles convicted for various offenses and are under correctional therapy.
Currently, it houses about 256 juvenile offenders.
Former National Democratic Congress(NDC) Northern regional communications officer, Hardi Pagzaa and Mumuni Osman have been fined GH3,600 by the District Court in Tamale for attacking a Radio Presenter at Dagbon Radio, Tamale.
The two who on Monday 8 May, were arrested and kept in police custody for two days appeared before the court on Wednesday.
The accused persons who were charged on four counts pleaded guilty to all charges.
The charges include; Conspiracy to Commit Crime to wit Assault, Assault, Unlawful entry, and Threat of Death.
The 4th Count of Threat of Death was however later withdrawn by the Prosecution.
The defence counsel told the court that the accused persons have shown remorse and prayed for a non-custodial sentence.
Before his ruling, the Judge cautioned the defendants not to repeat such unlawful acts. He further urged hosts of political shows and their guests to be circumspect in their pronouncements and actions.
The magistrate noted that such acts have the tendency of igniting conflicts, citing the Rwanda genocide and its devastating impact on citizens as an example.
The court then sentenced the accused person to a fine of 300 penalty units, amounting to 3,600 or in default, serve 18 months in prison.
On May 3, a radio presenter with a Tamale-based Dagbon FM, Sadiq Gariba was assaulted verbally and physically by a former NDC Northern Regional Communications Officer, Hardi Pagzaa during a live radio program.
In a video that went viral on social media, Mr. Pagzaa andOsman were seen storming the studio of Dagbon FM. The two men held up the presenter who was at the point hosting a show and threatened to slap him if he makes a comment.
The incident happened on World Press Freedom Day.
The host then stood up and in the process went out of the studio with the attackers.
The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), an international non-governmental organization, has guaranteed the government of its willingness to promote agricultural development in the country.
It said it had resolved to work with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and other stakeholders to continue disseminating sustainable agricultural solutions to improve soil health, ensure food security and increase incomes of actors, especially farmers.
The President and Chief Executive Officer of IFDC, Mr. Henk van Duijn, gave the assurance when he led a delegation to pay a working visit to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Bryan Acheampong, in Accra.
The visit formed part of activities to introduce Mr Duijn, who took over office in January 2023 to strengthen existing relationships, build new strategic partnerships and discuss issues of mutual interest relating to ensuring food security.
He said it was IFDC’s aim to develop and transfer improved production technologies to smallholder farmers while connecting them to efficient and profitable markets.
Mr Duijn noted that IFDC had contributed directly and indirectly to the development of agriculture across the country to promote local economic development.
That, he said had been done through increasing food and agricultural productivity through effective and environmentally sound crop nutrient technologies and agribusiness expertise using a bottom-up approach.
IFDC has implemented several projects in Ghana, including the introduction of urea deep placement technology, developing of seed value chain in the northern part of the country.
Mr Acheampong acknowledged the immense contribution of IFDC to the country through MOFA and said the Ministry would continue to work towards making agriculture productive and responsive to the needs of the country.
He recalled that since the companystarted operations in the country in 2002, it had worked with many institutions, including the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Division, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and Savannah Agriculture Research Institute to develop innovations and build capacity of personnel.
Mr Acheampong said, “the deepening of the partnership is most relevant now especially with the new focus of turning around the fortunes of the sector and making it meet the consumption, export and industrial demand of the country”.
Former commander of the Ghana Police Service‘s Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), ACP (rtd) Victor Tandoh, has stated that the Accra-Tema Motorway has exceeded its value.
The 19-kilometre highway that links the harbour city Tema to Accra is replete with deep potholes and road markings have been wiped off.
Several attempts by the government to rehabilitate the Accra-Tema Motorway have over the years proven futile.
Attempts to also use foreign contractors to fix the deplorable motorway have failed due to lack of funds.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, May 10, Tandoh said: “It [the expressway] is no more a motorway, it has become an urban road.”“Dual carriage roads provide safety, and it also provides security, because when you are driving on it, the speed limit is quite different from driving on any other roads, but now I am afraid, I don’t know if we can call it motorway,” the former police chief said.“Seriously speaking, the motorway is no longer safe, the speed at which you can drive on the road has reduced because of the deteriorating [nature],” Tandoh said.
The Accra-Tema Motorwayis an essential artery for Ghana’s economy, linking the largest port in the country with the capital city.However, years of neglect and lack of maintenance have left the N1 in a state of disrepair, leading to accidents and traffic congestion.
In line with #SeeSomethingSaySomething and the government’s efforts to urge all Ghanaians to be active “citizens, not spectators”, the #SafeMotorway4All campaign will identify key challenges to the smooth working of the N1 and push for action to address these.Don’t forget to join the campaign by sharing your experiences, appeals and solutions on social media with the hashtag #SafeMotorway4All.
The Ministry of Employment, Labour, and Relations has cautioned job searchers to be mindful of fake private employment services guaranteeing them work beyond the country.
GWCL disconnected water supply toGuinness Ghana’s site at Achimota in Accra over alleged non-payment of bills.
According to the water distribution company, the beverage company is yet to pay a debt if GH¢6.7 million.
GWCL says it cut supply to Guinness Ghana after several caution letters to get the company to settle its debt failed.
In response, Guinness Ghana accused GWCL of taking the action without recourse to resolutions agreed upon from a meeting on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, chaired by the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources and attended by the Managing Director of GWCL and the leadership of Guinness Ghana.
“The outcome of the meeting was to await the result of the PURC’s investigations and to hold a tripartite meeting between GGBPLC, GWCL and the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC). During this period, no disconnection was to be effected,” the company said in a statement.
The beverage company insisted that it has been fully compliant on all bills to GWCL “based on our classification under the industrial rate, pending a resolution of our petition to the PURC on the arbitrary reclassification by GWCL. Guinness Ghana has openly engaged Ghana Water Company Limited, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources on numerous occasions to resolve its concerns following the arbitrary reclassification of the business in the September 2022 tariff adjustments,” Guinness Ghana added.
Fenis Metal Technology Company, a local electric cable and copper rod production company in Prampram, has been shut down by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) for operating without a valid certificate.
The Chinese-owned company was found to be operating without certification. Its products also lacked important information, including product batch numbers, date of manufacture and expiry, and the name and address of the producer.
The company according to GSA was also deceitful about the origin of its products.
The violations were discovered during a market sweep operation by GSA officers, aimed at removing substandard and inferior products from the Ghanaianmarketto prevent causing significant harm to consumers.
George Anti, Head of Enforcement at the GSA, who led the team during the operation, stressed the importance of manufacturers complying with relevant regulations to ensure consumer safety.
He said the GSA will continue to enforce standards and regulations to protect consumers and ensure a level playing field for all businesses.
President Akufo-Addo has tasked the newly inaugurated Board of the National Vaccine Institute to help prioritize Ghana’s self-sufficiency and reducing the nation’s dependency on external sources for critical vaccinations.
The esteemed Board, chaired by the highly regarded Dr. Anarfi Asamoah Baah, Head of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, was sworn in during a ceremony held in Accra.
In his address, the President emphasized the need for the Institute to accelerate the country’s capacity to manufacture its own vaccines.
President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the critical need for vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine, and stressed that the nation’s over-reliance on foreign entities for vaccine procurement is not a sustainable long-term solution.
He urged the Board to collaborate with other vaccine-producing institutions to ensure the delivery of vaccines with impeccable quality and efficacy.
“Develop a roadmap for vaccine development and manufacturing in Ghana. Support the upgrade of laboratory facility for theFood and Drugs Authority (FDA) to achieve World Health Organisation (WHO) maturity level. Collaborate with international institutions in Senegal, Rwanda,” he noted.
79-year-old Hollywood star, Robert De Niro, has welcomed his seventh child.
He broke the news in an interview with ET Canada about his forthcoming, suitably-titled film About My Father.
When asked about being a dad of six, the Oscar-winning US actor replied: “Seven, actually… I just had a baby.”
De Niro, who has six other children from previous relationships with three women, did not reveal the identity of the mother of his seventh.
The Hollywood veteran has won two Oscars, for his roles in The Godfather, Part II and Raging Bull.
He stars alongside Sebastian Maniscalco in the new film, about a man who takes his slightly embarrassing father on holiday with his fiancée and her wealthy, eccentric family.
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“I don’t think I’ve ever been a cool father,” said De Niro, when quizzed further about his own experiences of fatherhood. “I’m OK. My kids disagree with me at times, they’re respectful.
“My daughter is 11 and she gives me grief sometimes and I argue with her and adore her.”
He added: “With my youngest now there will be more to come but that’s, you know – that’s what it is.”
The star, who has been married twice and is also a grandfather, went on to say that he sometimes has to be “stern about stuff” with his children but admitted that he’d rather not be.
“I mean, there’s no way around it with kids. I don’t like to have to lay down the law and stuff like that. But you just have no choice,” he said.
“And any parent, I think, would say the same thing. You always want to do the right thing by the children and give them the benefit of the doubt but sometimes you can’t.”
Recent reports have linked him to Tiffany Chen, who, according to US publication People, is a martial arts instructor, but neither have publicly addressed their relationship.
De Niro’s six other children include two with the actress and singer Diahnne Abbott – a son, and a daughter from her previous relationship whom the actor adopted.
He also has twin sons with another actress Toukie Smith, and a son and daughter with socialite and philanthropist Grace Hightower.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor(OSP) has received the United States’ Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Todd D. Robinson.
He arrived in Ghana on Tuesday, May 9.
He had a series of discussions with Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebengat the office of the Special Prosecutor in Accra.
The discussions centred on cooperation and shared commitment on detecting and deterring corruption.
Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the US, Todd D. Robinson, has paid a working visit to the OSP.
Discussions with the SP, Kissi Agyebeng, centred on cooperation and shared commitment on detecting and deterring corruption. pic.twitter.com/hZdgOYevYS
— Office of the Special Prosecutor-Ghana (@ospghana) May 9, 2023
Police in Sekondi-Takoradi, Western Region have apprehended a man impersonating as a military officer under the service title WOII Samuel Owusu Dartey.
The suspect, who according to victims always had a pistol and handcuff on him, is said to have been tormenting unsuspecting residents, sometimes even in military uniform.
What blew the lid off was through an encounter with one Clifford Pablo Yakah, a private surveyor at Ntankoful in the Sekondi Takoradi metropolis.
The military imposter had been hired by a family to use his position to intimidate the surveyor who was working for a family head on a land issue.
“I’m a private surveyor working on some documents for a family. I was there one day when the family introduced the suspect to me that he was a military officer (WOII Samuel Owusu Dartey) and also works with the Intelligence Unit of the National Security. They said he will be working with me on the land document,” the victim indicated.
He adds that the suspect started tormenting him to release the land documents to him or face his anger.
“He came to my house one early morning dressed in military uniform with a pistol and handcuff asking me to dress up and follow him. I obeyed and followed him to the Lands Commission but I was suspicious of his behavior so I called my in-law who is in the military. He was trailed and later arrested. Checks indicate he is not a military officer so he is currently at theKwesimintsim Police Stationassisting investigations,” he added.
The victim was speaking in an interview with Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson, the host of Connect FM‘s Omanbapa morning show.
A pistol, military uniform, and a list containing names of people he had reportedly extorted money from to be recruited in the military were retrieved from him after a search.
Sources indicate an identification parade will be arranged for other victims to identify him.
Meanwhile, many victims are popping up day after day since his arrest to share their ordeal in his hands.
A federal jury inNew Yorkhas ruled that former President Donald Trump sexually abused and defamed E. Jean Carroll, a journalist and former advice columnist who accused him of raping her in a department store in the mid-1990s.
The jury of six men and three women awarded Carroll $5 million in damages on Monday, after deliberating for less than three hours.
They found that Trump committed battery against Carroll by forcibly kissing and groping her in a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman, a luxury store in Manhattan. They also found that Trump defamed Carroll by calling her a liar and implying that she fabricated the story to sell her book.
Carroll, who wrote the popular “Ask E. Jean” column for Elle magazine for 26, first made the allegations against Trump in her 2019 memoir, What Do We Need Men For?: A Modest Proposal. She said that Trump attacked her in late 1995 or early 1996, when they ran into each other at the store and he asked her to help him pick out a gift for a woman. She said she tried to fight him off, but he overpowered her and penetrated her.
Trump, who was not present at the trial and did not testify, has denied the allegations. He said he never met Carroll, even though there is a photo of them together at a party in 1987. He also said she was not his type, and suggested she made up the story to boost sales of her. In October 2022, he posted a statement on his website accusing Carroll of being part of a “radical left” conspiracy to smear him.
Carroll sued Trump for defamation and battery in November 2022, under the New York State Adult Survivors Act, which allows victims of sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits even if the statute of limitations has expired. She did not specify an amount in her lawsuit, but asked for monetary damages and a retraction of Trump’s statement.
Carroll celebrated the verdict on Monday, saying she was “overjoyed” and “grateful” to the jury. She also thanked her lawyers and supporters for standing by her.
“This is for every woman who has ever been harassed, assaulted, silenced or spoken up,” she said outside the courthouse. “This is for you.”
Trump’s lawyers said they would appeal the verdict, calling it “a travesty of justice” and “a politically motivated attack” on the former president. They also claimed that Carroll had no evidence to support her claims, and that Trump had a right to express his opinion about her allegations.
A flagbearer candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto has said that majority of farmers want him to become Ghana’s next president.
Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto said majority of NPP delegates who are farmers benefited from the policies and programmes he initiated during his tenure as the Food and Agric Minister.
Speaking to journalists in Accra, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto says his track record makes him the clear favourite.
“Most of these farmers I met in Upper East, Upper West, Savannah regions are also delegates and party constituencies executives. The one million farmers are the ones who will bear witness to me. Just go to any farmer and ask about the impact I have had on their lives when I was Minister for Food and Agriculture. And they will confess to you, they will tell you. They will vote for me to win,” Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto said.
Dr. Akoto officially resigned to focus on his Presidential ambition as he wants to lead the New Patriotic Party into the 2024 general elections.
He served as a Member of Parliament for the Kwadaso Constituency in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region for two terms.
In Parliament, he held the position of Deputy Ranking Member and subsequently the substantive Ranking Member for the Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs until 2017 when he was appointed the Minister for Food and Agriculture.
The former Food and Agriculture Minister is in fierce competition with Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, and Francis Addai Nimo who have declared their intention to contest in the party’s flagbearership race.
The others include former MP for Essikado-Ketan, Joe Ghartey, former General Secretary of the NPP, Kwabena Agyapong, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, and former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko.
The NPP has set November 4, 2023, for its presidential primaries to select a flagbearer for the general elections in 2024.
However, if more than five candidates file to run in the primaries, the party will call a Special Congress on August 26.
The nomination period for the presidential primaries will begin on May 26 and end on June 24, 2023.
The National Council of Private School Teachers has revealed that, some public basic schools are flouting the Ghana Education Service’s (GES) rules by registering final year private students for 2023 BECE.
The National Council of Private School Teachers, led by its Executive Director, Mr. Ackon James, visited some public schools that have been identified by private JHS heads as schools that have poached their final year students for the upcoming BECE in August.
The Ghana Education Service has indicated that it would deal with any school or head teacher found guilty of the offense.
The efforts of thePrivate Schools Teachers Association Councilled by the Executive Director of the association went to some public schools where students who had left prior to the completion of the BECE registration were found in JHS3 of the visited public schools.
Audio recordings of the interactions that ensued on the public premises of public schools and available to GhanaEducation.org proved that the students were in these schools. Some of the said learners were seen in the classrooms in the public schools visited and probably illegally registered for the BECE by the public schools visited.
The National Council of Private School Teachers leadership has directed that the students be released to go back to their mother schools to be registered for the 2023 BECE.
The Council has also taken steps to inform the GES and WAEC of the needed punitive measures to be taken against the public schools and their head teachers caught in the act.
The council will not hesitate to put out the names of the public schools and audio recordings of the conversations that confirmed the illegal practice should the said public schools and their head fail to comply with the directive
Registration of Private School Students for BECE by Heads of Public Schools is illegal yet, head teachers in public basic schools have continued to disregard the GES directive on the illegal act. Headteachers of public basic schools registering private school candidates may have been emboldened by the fact that the GES directive and the associated sanctions have become a yearly ritual by “a dog that barks but can’t bite”.
The registration of private school students by public schools goes a long way to negatively affect private schools that have toiled many years to prepare their candidates for the examination. When such students are registered by public schools and they excel, the public schools take the praise for no work done.
This illegal act must be criminalized and offending schools and leaders dealt with to put a stop to it instead of the lip service of the GES and WAEC in the matter.
The practice of Public JHS poaching and registering Private JHS final-year students has increased in the last few years due to strange failure rates suffered by private schools at the end of each BECE examination. Again, the government’s policy of school placement which places students in public schools ahead of their colleagues from private schools can be cited as being a contributing factor.
Multiple award winning food entrepreneur, Mrs. Chichi Yakubuhas been appointed as the brand ambassador for The WIT School, the first and only Finland Model School in Ghana and West Africa offering the best and world renowned Finnish curriculum.
The school, which has been operating for half a decade since June 2018, chose Mrs. Yakubu for the role due to her dedication and immense contribution to the development of the school over the years, in addition to being the parent of two gifted students.
As the school’s ambassador, Mrs. Yakubu will lead projects aimed at impacting the school and society, such as leading fundraising efforts through the newly launched WIT Endowment Fund (WEF) to support needy but brilliant students in deprived communities across the nation.
WEF aims to bridge the financial gap for enthusiastic, brilliant, but needy students to enable them to attain higher academic laurels. Spearheaded by Mrs. Yakubu, WEF will have its source of funds from a donor group, fundraising, and a percentage from WIT students’ school fees.
The initiative will support beneficiaries through four key categories, including the Genius Scholarship program, which will fully fund or fund a percentage of a brilliant child at WIT School; the Edufund, which will cater to needy students in other schools; TKN weekend community projects; and the Rural Stem Project, which will impact children outside the capital.
Ms Precious K. Bonsu, the founder and director of The WIT School, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Finance in Motion, a German company, for their generous donation that served as the seed fund for the WEF.
She also thanked Mr. Gabriel Addai, a proud donor and member of the advisory board at the school, for presenting the donation and Mrs. Yakubu for accepting the role of brand ambassador and her eagerness to contribute to WEF and the school’s development. Ms. Bonsu is confident that the endowment fund will enable brilliant but needy students across the country to access world-class education.
The event, which was held on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at the forecourt of The WIT School in East Legon, was attended by a variety of notable guests, including media personalities, Miss Denise Addo (rep from UNESCO) TwinsDontBeg (renowned bloggers) Chukwuthepainter (artist), Mr. Farouk Yakubu (husband of the ambassador), PTA President, Mrs. Safoa Graham, Pastor Agnes Hagan (C3 Hope City Church), Rev Steve (School chaplain, Action Chapel Int.), Mrs. Lesley Mensah (Founder and President, Afra K Fashion & WiAfrica), and Mrs. Kesewaa Dotse (proud genius parent of TWS).
Management of the school expressed its warm appreciation to the donors and encouraged others to extend a hand to give educational financial aid to underprivileged children.
Currently, the school has four students who are beneficiaries of WEF and hopes to increase this number to a minimum of 10 pupils each year. For more information on how to support the school and the WIT Endowment fund, please visit www.thewitschool.com.
Ghana has shown its respect and admiration for Britain‘s new monarch, King Charles III, by presenting him with a special gift from one of its talented artists.
Anthony Jefferson Hanson, also known as Ashenso, has created a stunning portrait of the King in his royal robes, framed in gold.
The painting was handed over to Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who attended the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6, 2023, along with the Asante King, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and his wife Lady Julia.
The painting will be delivered to Buckingham Palace through the Ghana High Commission as a gift from Ghana to the King.
Ashenso, whose work has been recognised both in Ghana and abroad, has also painted many Ghanaian heads of state and other prominent figures.
He wrote in an instagram post:
“Always an honor… Presentation of The King Charles III painting to the President, my President His Excellency @nakufoaddo the President of Ghana. The painting will be delivered to the Buckingham Palace through the Ghana High commission as a gift from Ghana to the King of The United Kingdom His Royal Highness King Charles III.”
King Charles III was crowned on Saturday in a magnificent and deeply religious ceremony that was attended by dignitaries from around the world. He succeeded his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September 2022 at the age of 96. She was the longest-reigning monarch in British history. His wife, Camilla, was also crowned as Queen Camilla during the same ceremony.
The reason behind why the Asanteman’s flag was featured on King Charles III’s coronation flyer has been explained by an historian.
Professor Sarfo Kantanka in an interview with the media explained that the Asantehene was invited in his capacity as leader of Asanteman and not as a representative of the Ghana government.
He explained that officially, Ghana was represented by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo “while the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II was invited as the King of the Asante Kingdom, making it impossible to use the Ghana flag to represent the kingdom,” an Opemsuo Radio report noted.
Social media chatter ensued over the weekend when an unofficial coronation flyer posted on Twitter showed the Otumfuo and his wife Lady Julia as part of royals invited to the event at Westminster Abbey.
Whiles all the other monarchs have respective flags of their countries under their portraits, Otumfuo and Lady Julia had the Asanteman flag under their photos.
So, what was the disagreement about?
At the heart of the back and forth that has since ensued is why the Ghana flag was not used with those demanding so, insisting that Asanteman is within Ghana and the Otumfuo is Ghanaian.
Those against the move are of the view that the Asantehene was invited in his capacity as leader of the Ashanti Kingdom which has strong relations with the British monarchy.
What you need to know: The Asanteman flag
The Asantes (Asante Region/Asante Kingdom) are the only people in Ghana with an official national flag, a symbol of authority which they call the Asanteman Flag.
The flag of the Ashanti Region was adopted by the Ashanti kingdom’s Emperor Asantehene Prempeh II in 1935.
It is based on the Ashanti absolute monarchy throne, the Golden Stool, which has been Ashanti’s symbol of unity and soul since 1701, the early-eighteenth century AD, upon the foundation of the Ashanti Empire.
Yellow, black, and green are the colours that signify the Ashanti flag.
All the elements in the Flag have a meaning, and they have been explained below:
1. The yellow part of the flag represents the riches/wealth of Asanteman.
2. The Black part of the flag represents the symbolic image of the Blackman concerning the Asante Nation and the courage of the Asante Nation in facing the challenges of warfare.
3. The Green colour, represents the refreshingly greener vegetation cover in the forest areas of Asanteman.
4. The symbol in the Black at the centre of the flag is called “Gyemirekutu KYƐ” (Hat) which is made up of animal parts coated with gold-coloured paintings: Elephant Tail, Ɔwam ti (Hornbill Head), The Skin Covering the Elephant Kneebone, The Feathers of the Hornbill, Adwera (PortulacaOleracea Leafs).
Also, the flag is beautifully positioned on the hood emblem on the bonnet of the 80-year-old Rolls Royce of the Asantehene.
As the National Democratic Congress(NDC) prepares for its presidential and parliamentary primaries on May 13, 2023, several candidates face little to no competition.
These are candidates whose win is most certainly guaranteed as they are either running unopposed, there are however expected to be declared winners in lieu of being sole aspirants.
Haruna Iddrisu
Former Minority Leader of the current parliament of Ghana, Haruna Iddrisu is set for a for a sixth consecutive term in parliament having joined the contest for the NDC’s parliamentary ticket for the Tamale South Constituency ahead of the 2024 general election.
With a rich history and political influence acquired as a result of his long years in the NDC and parliament, Haruna is expected to shake off competition from his only contender, Bawa Abdul Fatawu on Saturday.
For the MP who has spent almost 19 years in parliament, he is one of only few incumbent MPs whose win is guaranteed beyond their party’s parliamentary primaries.
Clement Apaak
Dr Clement Apaak is currently in his second term as member of parliament for Builsa South in the Upper East Region.
His contesting the NDC primaries with no opposition.
Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba
Lydia Akanvariba is one of few female candidates guaranteed a win the NDC’s upcoming primaries.
She is a first-time MP representing the people of Tempane in the Upper East Region and is running unopposed.
Isaac Adongo
Incumbent MP for Bolgatanga Central, Isaac Adongo has no opponent in Saturday’s primaries.
He is MP for a second term and is seeking a third term to represent the constituency.
Murtala Mohammed Ibrahim
Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed is seeking a third term as MP for Tamale Central after making a come back to the house in 2020 having lost the seat after his first term.
He is unopposed in the upcoming primaries.
Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini
Tamale North MP, Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini goes into Saturday’s internal party polls as unopposed.
He is currently serving his second consecutive term as MP for the area.
Daniel Nsala Wakpal
Daniel Wakpal is the incumbent MP for Kpandai Constituency.
The first term MP is seeking to extend his stay in parliament and is guaranteed the NDC’s parliamentary ticket going into the contest unopposed.
Gizella Akushika Tetteh-Agbotui
She will have to worry about the 2024 election because she is contesting the NDC’s upcoming primaries unopposed.
She first won the Awutu West Constituency seat in 2020 and is seeking a second term.
Cassiel Ato Forson
Former Deputy Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson is currently a major force in the NDC.
The current minority leader is in his fourth term and is running unopposed in the primaries for the NDC ticket in the Ejumako Enyan Esiam Constituency.
Daniel Ohene Darko
Daniel Ohene Darko is the incumbent MP for Denkyira West Constituency.
The first term MP is contesting the NDC primaries unopposed.
Emilia Ankomah
Former Municipal Chief Executive for Denkyira East, Emilia Ankomah is once again making an attempt at entering parliament having previously failed on more than one occasion.
The former MCE was the NDC’s parliamentary candidate for Upper Denkyira East in 2016 and 2020 and will go in the party’s race unopposed.
Nurien Shaibu Migyimah
Shaibu Nurien is getting a free pass to contest the 2024 parliamentary election on the ticket of the NDC in one of the constituencies held by the ruling New Patriotic Party.
The Assin Central seat has been under the belt of Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, who is now moving on to contest for the NPP’s presidential primaries, for five consecutive parliamentary terms.
Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah
Member of Parliament for Ellembelle Constituency, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah is going into the NDC’s primaries unopposed.
The current deputy minority leader is doing his fourth term in parliament and is hoping to extend it to a fifth.
Robert Wisdom Cudjoe
Robert Wisdom Cudjoe is a first term Member of Parliament for Prestea Huni Valley Constituency.
He gets a free pass in the upcoming NDC contest with no opponent to contend with.
Isaac Adjei Mensah
Isaac Adjei Mensah has been elected MP for Wassa East Constituency three consecutive times on the ticket of the NDC.
He will be unopposed on Saturday.
Eric Afful
Eric Afful has been in parliament on the NDC’s ticket since 2012 and is seeking to extend his stay in 2024.
He will be running unopposed for the NDC’s Amenfi West parliamentary ticket.
Dr Emmanuel Okumi Andoh
Dr Emmanuel Okumi Andoh run for the Ahanta West parliamentary seat on the ticket of the NDC in 2020.
He is making another attempt again after suffering a defeat in the 2020 general election. His bid to become the NDC parliamentary candidate is without contest.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa was one of the youngest people to enter the parliament of Ghana in 2012.
After three consecutive terms, the now matured MP is going into the 2023 parliamentary primaries of the NDC in the North Tongu Constituency unopposed.
Charles Agbeve
Charles Agebve is a second-term MP for Agotime-Ziope Constituency in the Volta Region
He is likely to achieve his third term in parliament with his bid to represent the NDC receiving no contest.
Ashanti Region
In the Ashanti Region which, a stronghold of the ruling New Patriotic Party, a number of candidates will be running unopposed in Saturday’s parliamentary primaries.
Their constituencies are mostly safe seats of the NPP thereby limiting their chances in the general elections.
The candidates going unopposed are Samuel Aboagye who will run for the Obuasi East Constituency, Joseph Azumah for Akrofuom and Samuel Prempeh Jnr for Bekwai.
The rest are Kwasi Amankwah who will contest the Kumawu by-election, Shamudeen Mohammed Kamil for Old Tafo and Hamzah Swallah in Manhyia North.
Former President, John Dramani Mahama has slammed the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government for borrowing excessively.
Mr Mahama said when he was leaving office in 2016, the debt of Ghana was GHS120 billion with projects to show for it.
However, he said, at the moment, the debt is almost GHS600 billion with no projects to show.
Interacting with delegates of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Sissala West as part of his campaign to be elected flagbearer of the party, on Tuesday, May 9, Mr Mahama said ” When we were leaving office the debt was GHS120billion. Today, it is almost GHS 600 billion but with no infrastructure projects to show for.
“At least we should have clean drinking water, a hospital built, and infrastructure but unfortunately, that is not the case.”
He further said Ghanaians are calling for the NDC to return to office.
“Ghanaians are asking the NDC to come back because they have realized that what they were told about the NDC, they were all lies,” Mr Mahama said.
A man unintentionally drove by an accident scene that involved his wife.
Bolaji Onifade had been heading to his work inSalford, Greater Manchester, when he noticed emergency services at the scene of a horrific smash.
A pedestrian had been mowed down by a wealthy businessman’s son driving a £200,000 Mercedes G-Wagon at speeds of up to 91mph on October 25, 2021.
The 43-year-old thought little more of it as he drove to work, but just 20 minutes later his whole world was flipped upside down as he learned his wife Ibizugbe Onifade had been the victim.
He had offered her to pick her up from work but she had refused as she was working overtime.
The 38-year-old receptionist had been crossing the road at the time and died from impact of the car, driven by Mohammed Chowdbury.
Chowdbury had been on his mobile phone moments before he ploughed into her, and prior to that had been racing down a busy dual carriageway at 80mph, overtaking and undertaking drivers recklessly.
The speed of his driving was so great that it caused a fellow road users’ car to “shake as he drove past”.
The young man had previous convictions for driving without insurance and having a non-compliant number plate, and in both instances he provided the police with his brother’s details.
Similarly, only three years after he passed his driving test, Chowdbury had to attend a speed awareness course.
In a statement Bolaji Onifade, known as BJ, said: “That day changed my life forever. When I heard the news, I felt like I had come to the end of the world. What will I do without my wife?
“She was a lively and friendly person. We met each other at Salford University and got married later on.
“We had been trying for a baby and were considering IVF before COVID set us back. She would have been a wonderful mother. People should not be able to drive such high-powered cars when they are so young. If he had been driving sensibly, I would still have my wife.”
He added: “We went shopping in the morning and took our little nephew out with us. Then I took her to work, but before leaving I told her, “you haven’t said goodbye to the little one’.
“I offered to pick her up from work later but she said she would take a bus home as she was doing overtime.
“I was on night shift so went to work later. When I was driving along Ashton New Road, I noticed flashing police lights from across the road and thought there must have been an incident.
“Something told me to call my wife, but she didn’t pick up. I got my cousin to try and call her, but she also didn’t pick up.
”When I eventually got to work 20 minutes later, I got a call from my wife’s employer to say that there had been an incident and that police were going to attend my address.
“I thought the police don’t attend your address when it isn’t serious. I left work and came home, where they told me the news.
“We had been together for 10 years. She had studied quantitative business at Salford University and got her masters at a university in Nigeria.
“We enjoyed each other’s company, dong normal things all couples like to do. Going to church and socialising with friends. She also loved watching films. She has four sisters, two brothers and a mother back in Nigeria. I just pray that they are ok.”
At Manchester Crown Court, Chowdhury, of Chadderton near Oldham, whose family run a successful textile company, was jailed for five years and six months imprisonment after he admitted causing death by dangerous driving.
He was also banned from driving for eight years and nine months.
Prosecuting Brian Berlyne, said, “At approximately 8:55pm on Monday, October 25, 2021, Stuart Booth was driving in the Eastlands area of Manchester. Although it was dark, the street was well lit and a 30 mph speed limit was in place.
“The weather was fine, and the road was dry.
“As he drove along the road, a blue 4×4 Mercedes-Benz overtook him from the offside lane. The vehicle was going at such speed that his own vehicle shook as it was being overtaken. The defendant was the driver in question.
“At 9pm, PC Clark, an off duty police officer, noticed the same Mercedes speeding on the road near him. He noted that the car was travelling at excessive speed and over and undertook cars from the inside lanes of the dual carriageway.
“He also saw him doing a number of sharp breaks. He tried to follow the car, but the defendant sped through a red light. From there, PC Clark lost sight of him.
“At around the same time, the victim had just finished her work as a receptionist and made her way towards Alan Turing Way to catch a bus home.
“She crossed the road near the interchange with Ashton Old road and managed to reach the central reservation. She then looked around and believing the second half of the road was clear, she stepped out. She was then almost immediately struck by the defendant’s vehicle.
“Chowdhury immediately stopped and phoned the ambulance, which arrived a short time after. The victim died later in the night from the multiple injuries sustained from the collision.
“Although it was never fully confirmed the speed at which he was driving at the time, a police reconstruction of the incident measured his speed before the collision to be between 79 and 91 mph.
“He did immediately slow down when he saw the victim and was estimated to have been at between 40-50mph at that point.
“The victim was wearing dark clothing, but would have been seen regardless due to the bright road lighting. After being arrested at the scene, the defendant’s phone was seized.
“Analysis found that he had received no less than six calls between 8:51 and 8:57. The last call was taken at 8:57 and lasted for two minutes. At 9am he also used his phone to call the police.
“In interview, he denied driving dangerously and gave no account of his actions.”
In mitigation, Mohammed Nawaz, said, “He acquired an interest in cars at a young age, and by 14 he was spending more time fixing up cars than he was spending at school.
A 22-year-old woman, Grace Arthur, has successfully foiled an attack against her life by some unknown individuals at Lomnava in Twifo Praso.
According to reports, the lady who was training to be a seamstress was given out by her madam to a group of men believed to be family members for rituals.
Per the narrative, the lady was told to join the brother of her madam to drop off some clothes for a client. She however ended up in the house of one pastor who was apparently supposed to spearhead the rituals.
“She was learning how to sew and worked with a woman called Delali Fegah popularly known as Mama. This Mama told her that her brother – Nicholas was in town so she should join him on a motorbike and send some clothes to one of her clients.
“When they got to the place, however, the man went past the client’s house and she began to ask questions but she was scolded by him and told to keep quiet. He later started asking her questions about whether or not she was menstruating and whether she was pregnant till they got to a place close to the nursing training and then she was sent to the house of a pastor there called Emmanuel Awhoi whose church was around the area – Israel House Chapel.
“She saw 5 men waiting for her, all allegedly her madam’s brothers and they took her to a room where they started performing some rites,” the UTV report said.
The incessant loud screams of Grace however saved her. After narrating the incident to her madam upon her return, however, she discovered the woman – Mama was the brain behind her capture.
The case was later reported to the police who referred it to the traditional authorities for judgement.
“Her madam told her that some gold had been lost in the family and they needed her for some rituals to retrieve that gold.
“The family members said after she came back and told Mama and she didn’t say anything, they took it to the police station but were told it was a spiritual matter so they should send it to the traditional rulers for judgment,” the reporter said.
“The case was taken to the Twifo Kaireku palace where theChief, Nana Kofi Nsiako IV who listened and asked for some items to appease the gods and undo the effect of the rituals,” the report further added.
Meanwhile, the final cleansing is expected to take place today; 9th May 2023.
A Professor at theUniversity of Ghana Business School, Goddfred Bokpin, has asked the public not to be concerned about the losses suffered by several Ghanaian banks in 2022.
He explained that the banks have indicated the measures that have been put in place to prevent the losses from recurring.
Major banks in Ghana posted losses in 2022. The county’s move to restructure its local currency and overseas debt resulted in the first loss on record for two of the West African nation’s top banks.
GCB Bank Plc, the country’s largest lender by assets, posted a 593.4 million cedis ($50.5 million) net loss for the year to end-December, its first since 1993 when Bloomberg started maintaining data.
Banks operating in West Africa’s second-largest economy have taken a hit of about $1.4 billion, according to Bloomberg, as Ghana restructures most of its public debt, estimated at 576 billion cedis.
The impairments prompted Guaranty Trust Holding Co., Nigeria’s largest bank by market value, to vow to slow lending and bond trading in Ghana.
GCB Bank took a charge of 1.83 billion cedis after impairing its debt securities, while for Standard Chartered Bank Ghana the amount was 173 million cedis.
Ghana’s lenders were allowed a month’s extension to release full-year earnings.
Speaking to the media on Monday, May 8, Prof Bokpin said “To a large extent, people will be concerned but I want to believe that the worst moment is over.
“If you look at the first quarter results for some of them, even though some of us have a little bit of an issue with the treatment of Treasury Bills in terms of the payment as compared to the medium term because it is the same borrower, but with the foreign banks, they have a very strong balance sheet from the group bank. In the case of Stanbic and the others, you will see the assurance of the group that they are going to recapitalise their banks, so there is no cause for fear, there should be no reason why we should have a run on those banks.
“But when it comes to the domestic banks, if you look at those that have been impacted heavily, GCB and the rest of them, actually that is also on the strength of the government balance sheet, you will see that some of them have capital adequacy ratio that is very low even though Bank of Ghana decided to remove the 3 percent capital conservation buffer in order to accommodate the effect of the DDEP.
“I believe that in consultation with the central bank, there will be a grace period they can adequately recapitalize. I am sure that almost all the banks will be going through the capital planning process to ensure that all their banks are adequately capitalized.
“But I think if you are looking at the effect in the immediate that is where the issue is whether banks are robust enough to be able to support growth and employment generation, that is where the issue is because some have expressly indicated that they will cut back on their lending.”
Former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koku Anyidoho, has stated that the party’s National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, cannot prevent him from casting his vote in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary primaries.
According to the founder of Atta Mills Institute: “6th of May technically we were supposed to be voting a week from today to elect flagbearer and our parliamentarians. I will vote in my capacity as a former national officer and a former appointee. I have a new voter’s ID card and let Asiedu Nketia come and remove my vote from the ballot box.”
He said this when he spoke to journalists at the sidelines of the 10th Eastern Presbytery Synod 2023 at Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana Amenuveve Congregation held in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital.
The NDC former deputy General Secretary said the party Chairman has failed to produce any evidence that he has been sacked and that he is still a bonafide member of the party, hence he will take part in the upcoming primaries scheduled to take place on May 13, 2023.
He explained that “Secondary on that score I am supporting Dr Kwabena Duffuor in the Presidential primaries. I am not supporting John Mahama and that is one of the reasons why they said they have sacked me from the party because I have said I won’t support John Mahama, I am not a slave to John Mahama and I refuse to be a slave to him.”
Mr Anyidoho emphasised that Dr Duffuor’s competency in managing the economy far outweighs that of former President John Dramani Mahama.
“Dr Duffuor was the Finance Minister under John Evans Atta Mills so he worked with President Mills. I worked with him and I know what Dr Duffuor stands for in terms of building the economy that President Mills built.
He said: “32, 34 months single digit inflation, the introduction of the single spine, clearing of the arrears, Infrastructure expansion, three public Universities in three and half years, health facilities all over, I believe that Dr. Duffuor has the potential by training, by competence, by experience both in public and private life.”
The Founder of Atta Mills Institute further urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to take a keen interest in the letter which was written by Dr Duffuor’s campaign team concerning a fraudulent register for the upcoming primaries.
According to him, if the concerns raised by the Dr Duffuor campaign team are not immediately addressed before Saturday, May 13, it will have dire consequences and discredit the EC Chairperson as a bad person or a fraudster.
He said though it is the NDC Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, who is perpetrating the ‘fraudulent’ register, he will turn around to blame the EC when the issue comes up and it is exposed.
Mr Anyidoho threatened that if the concerns raised are not ironed out before next week, he will proceed to the court and put an injunction on the election.
Rescue activities are in full swing to retrieve individuals feared trapped in a rubble after a three-storey building collapsed at Bortianor, Greater Accra Region.
The building which collapsed on Tuesday, May 9 is said to serve as an edifice where Christians gather to worship.
It is reported that some church members were in the building when the disaster struck.
Personnel from the Ghana Police Service have been spotted at the scene. Reinforcement has been called from the Ghana National Fire Service and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
Two foreign nationals and a sub-chief have been arrested by the Akim Oda Divisional Police Command for allegedly engaging in unlawful mining at Akyem Oda in the Birim Central Municipality.
The 3, a Ghanaian sub-chief and two Yemenites who were picked up by the police at the mining site were sent to the Akim Oda Police station before being granted police inquiry bail.
The Akim Oda community mining project Coordinator Nana Owusu Agyekum, who dispelled claims they were engaging in galamsey said the two Yemenites only came to install components of a recycling machine and train his workers on the use of the machines which will be used for the community mining.
He addressed the media at Asamankese shortly after he was released on bail.
“They are Yemenites, we are in a global world and as a businessman if you are able to write a good business proposal, you can lure any investor to your side. That is how we were able to partner them. We have been using so many mechanisms, and it’s not helping. So we decided to team up and buy this machine so that we can get good results in which our water bodies and lands will not be destroyed. No one is using this machine as of now in Ghana. The two Yemenites only came to install components of the recycling machine,” he explained.
On the issue of the galamsey fight, Nana Owusu Agyemang called on the government to permanently ban the importation of chanfans.
“The equipment and everything that they use is very cheap, so anybody at all can go into mining provided they can get a land. Illegal mining is the cheapest way of doing mining. If we want to check the menace of galamsey, government has to stop people from importing chanfan machines, the cheapest machine they use to do galamsey. If you stop them, they will not get machines to do galamsey,” he opined.
On Monday, May 8, some youth in theKaraga District of the Northern Region demolished properties owned by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the area.
The reason for the destruction is suspected to be a result of the arrest of some youth of the town over their alleged involvement in the murder of a sub-chief of Karaga, Issahaku Adam.
The chief who is one of the sub-chiefs under the new Karaga Naa, Kar Naa Natogmah Abdulai was attacked and murdered on April 6.
In total, three persons were arrested to assist with investigations.
A sub-chief believed to be in his late 50s, Issahaku Adam, was on Thursday night, April 6, shot dead by some unknown assailants in Karaga in the Northern Region.
According to the police who confirmed the incident to Citi News, the killing is in connection with the Karaga chieftaincy dispute.
The sub-chief reportedly went to the Karaga Palace to pay homage and on his return, was shot by some unknown persons.
Former Education Minister, Professor Dominic Fobih, has denied claims that he has recently married for the ninth time.
Videos of the colourful marriage ceremony of the 80-year old former Member of Parliament for Assin South went viral on social media over the weekend.
What got tongues wagging was the claim that the young and beautiful wife of the Octogenarian was 27-year-old and the fact that it was the politician’s 9th union.
A video clip from the occasion captured the good old Professor in a kente cloth excited and dancing with his new wife who wore a white and gold beaded-laced corset gown.
The two danced to Dada KD’s love song ‘Fatia Fata Nkrumah’ amid cheers from the audience as the old man was holding his wife’s waist, while the woman had her hands on his shoulders.
But reacting to the claims about his marriage in an exclusive interview on Morning Starr on Starr FM Tuesday, Prof. Fobih stated that the report about his latest marriage is borne out of ignorance as it contains lies which has misled the public.
“I don’t have nine wives, I have one wife, I just got married. I didn’t have a wife before so I’ve just got married. Who inGhana has nine wives. If anybody is commenting on nine wives the person has been misled. Those who are commenting are commenting on what they’ve read and that is borne out of ignorance.”
The former Cabinet Minister also dismissed claims that his young wife is 27-years-old and disclosed that “She’s 31 years now and a Medical Personnel.”
He described himself as a strong-willed person who knows what is best for him.
“I’m a very strong willed person and I’m always convinced about what I decide to do and is best for me. I know why I’m doing this and so they can tell all sort of things. I didn’t marry for anybody, I married for myself,” Prof. Fobih added.
Born on July 16, 1942, Dominic Fobih was a legislator from January 2001 to January 2017 on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party. He was also the Minister of Lands, Forestry. and Mines during Ex-President John Agyekum Kufour’s administration.
