Aspiring presidential candidate for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP),Hon. Joe Ghartey, has urged the party delegates to elect a seasoned and reliable candidate for the 2024 general elections.
He said that the party needed someone who was loyal and also had compassion to lead the party. The former Minister of Railways Development, while talking in an interview with Sir John on Fox morning drive on Tuesday as part of his tour of the Ashanti Region, monitored by The Chronicle, urged the delegates to do the needful by voting him if they wanted the party to break the 8 years myth.
Joe Ghartey explained that he had been a member of the NPP since 1992 when the party was formed, and had since touted the ideals and campaigned for the party to move the country forward.
He indicated that Railway Transport was his priority and it was intention to focus on transportation infrastructure to develop Ghana. He stressing that as a country “we must always strive to go forward and not backwards.”
Speaking to the media, Joe Ghartey stated that the Justice for All programme he initiated had decongested Ghana’s prisons.
He said the introduction of the Justice for All programme had reduced the number of remand persons in Ghanaian prisons to 9% from 33%
“Justice for All” was a programme which, among other things, moved the court into the prisons to grant relief to people who were unjustifiably incarcerated. Today, I say this to praise the Lord, that only 9% of our inmates are remand prisoners,” Joe Ghartey educated listeners of Angel FM.
He explained that the decision to introduce such a life-touching programme was realised after visiting theKumasi Central Prison, where he saw that the place was overcrowded, during which he met a young lady who had been jailed in very unfortunate circumstances.
He added that “other African countries like Kenya have adopted the programme to help reduce the number of remand prisoners in their prisons in their countries.”
The lawmaker affirmed that these initiatives made him happy, because it was all about making a difference wherever he found himself in serving the people.
The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has set November 4, 2023 for its presidential primary to select a flagbearer for the general elections in 2024.
Former Attorney General and Minister for Justice Joe Ghartey will face former Agric Minister Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Mr. Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, Former Trade Minister, Mr. Boakye Agyako, former Energy Minister; Mr. Kennedy Agyapong, Mr. Kwabena Agyapong, former General Secretary of the party, Mr. Francis Addai-Nimoh and Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku alongside the Vice. President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who have all declared their intention to contest in the upcoming presidential primary to seek the mandate to lead the party ahead of the 2024 polls.
An economics lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School(UGBS), Professor Godfred Bokpin, has stated that the authorized $3 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) credit facility will worsen the situation for the disadvantaged.
Speaking to the media Prof. Bokpin intimated that it is too early to celebrate the approval of the programme especially as it will likely affect the poor.
“I don’t think that we should jubilate over this because there are painful adjustments ahead of us in order to restore macroeconomic stability. Whether we like it or not, restoring macro stability is going to come at a cost. Unfortunately, the adjustment cost in the programme will not be evenly distributed. The adverse distributional effect will impact the vulnerable more than those who actually inflicted this pain on us.
“If you look at the IMF programme, typically, the fiscal consolidation mix takes the form of revenue enhancement and expenditure restraint, but the IMF lent its support toward government’s approach such that the problem is more revenue than expenditure or corruption or efficiency and that is problematic.”
He further scolded the government’s reckless borrowing and spending which has brought the country thus far needing an IMF programme which demands sacrificesfrom businesses and households.
“You are looking at scaling up your tax-to-GDP ratio to up to 18.2 percent by the next two or three years and that is a lot of sacrifice on the part of businesses and households. And it cannot be solely that the reason Ghana is facing this crisis is because of low revenue because that is not true. If we were efficient with the little we were able to generate, and we were able to deal with corruption, this is not where this country would have been.”
President Akufo-Addohas inaugrated the Public Services Commission board at Jubilee House, charging them with working relentlessly to help Ghanaians achieve growth and prosperity.
He said it was expected that the members who were experienced in their fields of endeavour would bring their expertise to ensure that there was a resilient public service that provided efficient service.
The board, which is chaired by Professor Victor Kwame Agyemang, has Dr Agyemang Frimpong, Dr Prince Edward Darah, Professor Kwame Boafo Arthur, Pauline Adobea Dadzawa and Cynthia Asare Bediako as members.
Constitution
President Akufo-Addo said the commission was a direct creation of the constitution provided for under articles 194 to 199 which specified that the membership and functions of the commission, with the commission being the foremost body responsible for advising the government ON the criteria for appointment to public officers.
He said it was also charged with promoting efficiency, accountability and integrity and undertaking planning of the manpower requirements of public services as well as improving recruitment policies and techniques.
He described the commission as an important national institution, which demanded that persons who had been appointed into positions in its very top echelons were those proven to be tried, tested and with a sense of mission.
“I am confident that the affairs of the commission are in safe hands,” the President said, adding that their predecessors distinguished themselves creditably in that position and that the public expected nothing less than excellence on their part.
Ghanaians
He gave the assurance that the government would support them and reminded them that they were not subject to the direction and control of any person’s authority in the performance of their function.
“The task ahead of you is a challenging one. It is my hope that you will be up to it.
You have my full support and that of my government to undertake all the measures and reforms required to enable you to succeed,” he assured.
Speaking on behalf of the members, the Chairman assured the President that the board would work diligently to ensure that they achieved their mandate and work closely with the government to shape the public service and make it efficient.
The Ghana Standards Authority(GSA) has launched a statewide enforcement campaign to eliminate the market of inferior electrical cables.
This follows GSA’s routine market surveillance exercises that showed an alarming increase in the proportion of substandard cables on the market.
The exercise, which would involve officials of the GSA and theGhana Police Service, is expected to get illegal cable manufacturers and importers arrested and their illegal operations halted.
While the influx of illegal cable on the market poses a risk of domestic and industrial fires when used to wire buildings, their availability on the market is destroying the fortunes of certified local manufacturers of cables.
Substandard cables also lead to losses to our electricity supplying companies the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) and affect the country economically.
Market surveillance
In 2017, the authority undertook market surveillance that involved testing cables for quality and standards.
Of the 22 brands that were sampled for laboratory testing, only two, which were manufactured locally, passed the critical safety requirement test for conductor resistance.
All locally manufactured cables at the time passed all tests.
The cables were manufactured by Tropical Cable and Conductors Limited, Reroy Cables and Nexans Kablemetal Limited, all in Tema.
At the time, the GSA began to educate the public on authentic cables by publishing the names of cable brands that had met critical test requirements.
Even though the GSA still publishes the list of approved cables on its website, the public still patronises unapproved cables because they tend to be cheap. Local manufacturers
The Director-General of the GSA, Professor Alex Dodoo, told the Daily Graphic in an interview that the authority had information on some local manufacturers whose products were not certified by the GSA.
As such, the GSA cannot attest to the safety of these products and has, therefore, cautioned the public against patronising these products.
Already, the GSA has confiscated locally produced cables which are not certified in addition to impounding all imported cables that do not meet national standards.
To protect consumers and to highlight the dangers posed by illegal cables, the GSA will be holding a stakeholders meeting next week to highlight the scale of the problem and to bring all manufacturers and importers into compliance.
“The GSA will, however, press the stiffest applicable sanctions to all non-complying manufacturers and importers in line with the Ghana Standards Authority Act, Act 1078 of 2022,” Prof. Dodoo added.
In the meantime, the GSA is advising all consumers to visit the GSA website (www.gsa.gov.gh) and search for the list of approved electrical cables before making any purchases.
Apedestrianhas been killed at Assin Fosu Masalakyi “Roud About” by an articulated truck filled with hardwood boards.
According to eyewitnesses, the long vehicle with registration number, AS 5942-10 which was moving at a high speed, fell on its side after taking a sharp curve on the Assin Fosu N8 highway.
The wooden load in the vehicle, fell on a man who was using the pedestrian walk way, killing him on the spot.
The body of the victim which has been sent to the St. Francis Xavier Hospital morgue by a joint team from the Ghana National Fire Service and the Police command in Assin Fosu.
The driver of the accident vehicle whose name is currently unknown, has been picked up by the police to avoid a possible mob attack and also help in Police investigation.
As a first step toward full automation, the Ghana Police Service has decentralised criminal clearance services across the country.
In a statement, the Police explained that the decentralisation process is a part of the Service’s transformational agenda to improve the delivery of policing services to the public.
“Effective Monday, 22nd May 2023, persons seeking criminal clearance can do so in any of the 25 Police regions across the country.”
Currently, all criminal background checks are conducted exclusively at the CID Headquarters, Accra, and individuals and organisations who require this service have to travel all the way to Accra just for this purpose.
“In order to ease this burden, the criminal clearance service has been decentralized to all the twenty-five (25) Police Regions across the country and the service can now be assessed from these locations without the need to come to Accra.”
Currently, the Ghana Police Service has twenty-five (25) Police Regional Commands across the country where this service can be assessed. These are: • Ahafo Regional Police Command-Goaso • Bono Regional Police Command-Sunyani • Bono East Regional Police Command-Techiman • Ashanti Regional Police Command -Kumasi • Ashanti South Regional Police Command -Bekwai • Ashanti North Regional Police Command-Mampong • Tema Regional Police Command-Tema • Central Regional Police Command -Cape Coast • Central East Regional Police Command -Kasoa • Central North Regional Police Command-Assin Fosu • Eastern Regional Police Command-Koforidua • Eastern South Regional Police Command-Kibi • Eastern North-Mpraeso • Northern Regional Police Command -Tamale • North-East-Nalerigu • Savanah-Damango • Upper East Regional Police Command -Bolga • Upper West Regional Police Command-Wa • Volta Regional Police Command-Ho • Volta North Regional Police Command-Hohoe, • Oti Regional Police Command-Dambai • Western Regional Police Command-Takoradi • Western Central Regional Police Command-Tarkwa • Western North Regional Police Command-Sewi Wiawso • Accra-Nima Police Station
The decentralisation of thecriminalclearance process is expected to make the service more accessible and convenient for individuals across the country, thereby bringing another policing service closer to the doorstep of the public.
“In taking this decision, the commission took cognizance of the cost of electricity, increased volume cost of chemicals for raw water treatment, the Ghana Cedi/US Dollar exchange rate and inflation,” PURC announced in a statement issued on Thursday, May 18.
“The Commission will continue to monitor the operations of the utility service providers to ensure value for money and quality service delivery,” it added.
During the same period, PURC has increased tariffs for electricity and natural gas by 18.36% across the board.
PURC explained that the decision was taken to balance the prevention of extended power outages and their adverse implications on jobs and livelihoods while minimizing the impact of rate increases on consumers.
The Quarterly Tariff Review Mechanism seeks to track and incorporate changes in key factors used in determining natural gas and electricity tariffs.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has asked President Akufo-Addo to fulfill his pledge to Ghanaians by replacing his cousin, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, after sealing the $3 billion IMF deal.
It is recalled that the Majority caucus in Parliament called for Mr Ofori-Atta to be sacked but after meeting the President, the caucus in a statement dated 26th October 2022, revealed that the President asked them to stand down until Ghana’s negotiations with the IMF were concluded.
On Wednesday, 17 May 2023, the executive board of the IMF approved the $3 billion bailout allowing for an immediate disbursement of about $600 million.
Following the successful conclusion of the deal, Mr Ablakwa is asking if President Nana Akufo-Addo will consider the request of his members of Parliament.
In a Facebook post, the North Tongu MP said “After an embarrassing IMF U-Turn deal, Ghanaians expect President Akufo-Addo to keep his promise by firing his cousin, Ken Ofori-Atta — who is now widely regarded as Ghana’s most disastrous Finance Minister.”
“Will the President attempt in this instance to be a man of his word”? he quizzed.
Prior to this new reminder, several calls on the President from a section of Ghanaians and civil society organisations for Mr Ofori-Atta to be fired due to the difficult economic conditions fell of deaf ears.
Motorists who plied the Kpone Barrier section of the Tema-Aflao N1 roadon Thursday, May 18, were left stranded as a result of the heavy rains.
Some motorists and their passengers complained of staying in gridlocks between two and five hours before making their way out of the situation.
Joy News’ Carlos Calony who toured the affected areas said the floods blocked the road in front of the Bel-Acqua BottlingCompanywhere commuters virtually sailed through running waters.
The main Accra –Tema Motorway did not fare any better, as the rains forced a heavy gridlock that ensured vehicles moved at a snail’s pace.
A number of vehicles with very low clearance had to park for the floods to subside, while some others who braved through had their vehicles break down.
Many suggested the situation could have been dire had it rain for very long hours.
Recent construction works and human activities, including the erection of buildings in spaces that previously accommodated runoff water, are at the base of the flooding.
The National Teaching Council (NTC) has begun issuing licenses to newly certified teachers and teachers who were excluded from theGhana Teacher Licensure Examination(GTLE) across the country.
The exercise, which started on May 15, 2023, would end on June 14, 2023 and would see 19,484 teachers receiving licences.
Centres
The Registrar of the NTC,Dr Christian Addai-Poku, who made this known last Monday in Accra, said the centres had been created in the regions for the teachers to receive their licence on scheduled dates.
He said the Greater Accra Region had the highest number of 5,447 teachers, the Savanna Region had the lowest of 189.
Dr Addai-Poku was upbeat that with the measures put in place, the distribution would go on smoothly to attain the purpose of the exercise.
He appealed to all stakeholders to cooperate with the personnel assigned for the project to ensure a smooth process.
Local offices
The Registrar appealed to all regional, municipal, metropolitan and district directors of education to actively monitor the process to ensure a successful exercise.
Dr Addai-Poku said the NTC would continue to put in place policies and measures to ensure that the right initiatives and procedures were put in place to ensure that teachers work with the right qualification, adhere to required standards and uphold professionalism to enhance effective teaching and learning.
The NTC is an agency of the Ministry of Education mandated by the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023) to promote teacher professionalism in Ghana.
The key mandate of the NTC includes license and registration of teachers, keep up-to-date database of teachers, develop and periodically review professional standards and code of ethics.
It conducts the Teacher Licensure Examination as well as provide framework for Continuous Professional Development (CPD) of teachers.
Objective
The objective of the council is to regulate the teaching profession in the country.
The mission is to promote excellence and professionalism among teachers and managers of schools by ensuring standards at all levels of education system through licensing of teachers.
It is also to monitor and supervise teacher education programmes; promotion of continuing professional development: maintenance of discipline and leading the overall process of transforming education delivery.
The vision is to provide the standards guiding teacher preparation and practice and promoting world class teaching and learning
To achieve its objectives, the NTC advises the Minister of Education on matters relating to the professional standing and status of teachers; and on the education, development and employment of teachers, among other things.
Ghana will host its inaugural National Blue Economy Summit, with the goal of reversing marine pollution and improving management and restoration of the country’s marine and coastal ecosystems on May 31.
Blue economy is a term that refers to the sustainable use of coastal and marine natural resources for economic growth and improved livelihoods and jobs.
It is linked to the exploitation and conservation of the maritime environment, while maintaining the integrity and health of the coastal and marine ecosystems.
The two-day summit, scheduled for May 31 and June 1, 2023, is expected to attract 300 participants, including policy makers, academia, development partners, and local and international champions in the fishing industry.
It will be hosted by the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) Advisory Unit at the Office of the President, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI); the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, the Royal Norwegian Embassy and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Dubbed: “Our Ocean’s Health, Our Prosperity, Our Planet’s Security”, the summit will seek to mobilise collective action to raise awareness of the need to urgently address the critical challenges facing the ocean, and to highlight the opportunities that the ocean offers for the country’s economic transformation.
Activities
Activities during the summit will include high-level dialogues on seven key areas relating to the ocean and addressing of policy gaps.
It will also put a spotlight on plastic pollution, piracy, illegal fishing, innovative financing models and effective partnerships.
Launching the summit in Accra yesterday, the Special Advisor to the President on the SDGs and Ocean Action, Dr Eugene Owusu, said the ocean’s health and productivity were declining at an alarming rate, and posed a threat to humanity.
“The narrative that the ocean is too big to fail is, therefore, a misguided one.
The evidence is clear,” he stated.
Overfishing, climate change and plastic pollution were some of the major challenges of the ocean, he said.
Dr Owusu said the world needed a new ocean agenda anchored on the recognition that the blue economy should be a catalyst for sustainable development. Ocean importance
The Policy Analyst at the SDGs Advisory Unit, Dominic Opoku Manu Asante, said the ocean was important to human existence as the ocean covered 70 per cent of the earth’s surface, served as a vital food source and supported significant sectors.
He said it was essential to conserve the ocean and that if no actions were taken, it would lead to the loss of jobs, depletion of biodiversity and increased vulnerabilities of communities along the ocean.
The Resident Representative of the UNDP Ghana, Dr Angela Lusigi, said: “The threat is huge.
Sea levels are rising as a result of climate change which threatens lives and livelihoods, especially for coastal cities and communities around the world”.
The UNDP, Dr Lusigi said, was committed to partnerships that would spur concrete actions to sustainably utilise the vast resources and services that the ocean provided to transform Ghana’s economy.
The Director, Policy Planning Monitoring and Evaluation of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Doris Yeboah, said the ministry was partnering some agencies to work on marine debris.
“When our fishermen go to the ocean nowadays, they come back with their nets filled with plastics,” she said.
Ms Yeboah said the ministry would collaborate with its partners to promote sustainable practices and management of fishery resources to improve the ocean. Ghana’s marine
Ghana’s marine environment encompasses some 550 kilometres of coastline on the Gulf of Guinea, with over 10 per cent of the population depending on it.
The marine area has important resources, including fisheries, oil and gas reserves and precious minerals, and is an important global reservoir of marine biodiversity, providing important migration and nesting habitats for several marine species.
In recent years, the nation’s coastal wetlands are threatened by high volumes of plastic and metal waste that choke breeding habitats for fish, birds and other wildlife.
The global Ocean Health Index shows Ghana has performed above the global average in the areas of carbon storage, coastal protection, coastal livelihoods and economies, biodiversity and food provision, but that the country lags behind the global average in clean water.
The Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) has scheduled December 15, 2023, as the date for electing the party’s flagbearer for the general election in 2024.
This is in accordance with the constitution of the party which states that when the party is in opposition it will elect its flag bearer a year before the general election.
The General Secretary of the party, Jerry Owusu Appauh, disclosed this in an interview with the Daily Graphic.
With regards to flag bearer aspirants, the LPG general secretary explained that persons interested must be members of LPG and in good standing and also satisfy the 1992 Constitution’s requirement for a President. Visibility
Ahead of the party’s presidential primary, the Daily Graphic has spotted the posters of the 2020 Presidential candidate and founder of the party, Kofi Akpaloo, in the median on the street from Kasoa to Mallam and the Obasanjo Highway (Dzorwulu) in Accra, among other places.
Mr Appauh explained that the poster was for the visibility campaign embarked on by the party towards winning the 2024 general election.
He stated that until the presidential primary was held for a new candidate to be elected as the flag bearer of the party, Mr Akpaloo remained the leader of the party, adding that the party, apart from the posters, also had other branded materials intended to market it for electoral victory in 2024. Reorganisation
Mr Appauh said the party last year embarked on its reorganisation exercise, which led to the elections of the constituency and regional executives of the party across the country in readiness for the 2024 elections. Parliamentary
The general secretary said the filing of nominations for the party’s parliamentary candidates began on Monday, May 15, and was expected to close on July 31, 2023.
Mr Appauh said the nomination forms could be obtained from the General’s Secretary’s Office.
Asked why the party was not decentralising the purchase of the forms, Mr Appauh explained that it was to avoid duplication of the forms.
He said the filing fee for the parliamentary candidates of the party was GH¢2, 000 and the form was going for GH¢500. Qualification
To qualify to become a parliamentary candidate aspirant of the party, Mr Appauh said a person must first satisfy the 1992 Constitution’s requirements for Members of Parliament (MPs).
He added that the individual must also be a paid-up member of the party in good standing and must not be a dual citizen or owe allegiance to any other country aside from Ghana.
Mr Appauh said the party was determined to field parliamentary candidates for all the 275 constituencies in the country for the 2024 general election.
He said the party was on course with its preparations towards the 2024 general election and called on Ghanaians to vote for the party to form the next government in 2025 to implement its human-centred, industrialisation and sound economic policies for the country.
In a tragic incident at the Kantamato Market in Accra, a second-hand clothing trader has been allegedly traditional priest.
Per reports she sought the assistance of the fetish priest to acquire wealth.
The traditional priest, identified as Agbeko Acumalt, allegedly buried the deceased in his shrine in an attempt to conceal the crime, The Chronicle reports.
He was, however, arrested along with a taxi driver, Bless Fiawofie Kwablatsey, and has been arraigned before an Achimota District Courton Monday, May 15, 2023.
In court, the prosecutor narrated that the nephew of the deceased, Emmanuel Ofori Boadi, is the complainant.
The prosecutor, Chief Inspector Margaret Ofori Boadi, told the court that the priest was living together with the deceased at Kasoa-Kuwait.
She narrated that in November 2022, the deceased lost her goods to a fire outbreak at Kantanmanto Market, which caused her financial losses.
However, in March 2023, she confided in the priest to perform some money-doubling rituals for her.
The traditional priest then led her to his shrine at Lente-Wuti, where they met an accomplice named Selassie, who assured her they could perform a ritual to get multiples of the amount she brought to them.
The priest, Selassie, gave the deceased a list of items to be purchased.
The deceased, who could not afford the item, requested to return to Accra.
After this development, the deceased frequently contacted the priest, and there were transfers of monies totalling GHC15,000. But the priest failed to double the money after receiving the said amount, causing the deceased to become furious and also threatening to arrest them as his brother was a soldier.
For fear of being arrested, the traditional priest and his accomplice planned to kill her to end the matter.
The report adds that on March 25, the priest invited the deceased to his shrine for the money but was also warned not to inform anyone about the plan.
“The deceased embarked on the trip from Kasoa-Kuwait to Lente-Wuti the next day, March 26, at about 3:30 a.m.
“Agbeko and Selassie executed their plan by strangling her to death when she reached the shrine to collect her money.
“It was narrated to the court that Agbeko and Salasie secretly burned the deceased inside the shrine,” The Chronicle reports.
However, on April 3, 2023, the family of the deceased lodged a missing person complaint to the police for investigation.
An investigation by the police led to the arrest of the priest on April 5 but claimed he had no idea of her whereabouts.
Further investigations also led to the arrest of Bless, who also claimed he did not know the whereabouts of the deceased.
The police, upon intelligence, located the grave of the deceased in Agbeko’s shrine on April 19, and upon an exhumation order from the Agbozume District Court, the action was executed on April 23, and the body of the deceased was found in a partially decomposed state.
C/Ins Boadi added that the “mortal remains of Alice were deposited at the Police Hospital Mortuary for preservation and autopsy, and on April 26, a postmortem examination was conducted on the body.
“The Police Hospital Pathologist, ACP/Dr. Owusu Afriyie established the cause of death was a result of asphyxiation, strangulation and blood loss from the cubital fossa of the left arm.
“The accused persons were, therefore, charged with the stated offences and arraigned before court,” the report added.
Gregory Promise Bortey Newman, also known as King Promise, has spoken out about his lookalikes and the unusual manner they show him affection.
Speaking to the media, the Ghanaian musician who has been silent about the doppelgängers who have taken over the entertainment industry finally shared his two cents on the issue.
When a fan texted in to inquire about his thoughts on having lookalikes, King Promiseexpressed gratitude for the love and support he receives from his fans, even when they resemble him physically.
He acknowledged that having lookalikes is a testament to his impact on the music industry.
“Listen I have seen it on the Internet. First of all to do what I do and have people see me as their mentor or I inspire them and they want to be like me,” King Promise said. I didn’t choose the situation but it is a blessing that I get to inspire generations which is also like my generation as well.
Over the past few weeks, other several celebrities have decried the motives of their lookalikes and issued threats to them to desist from using their brand and image for performance or attention.
Medikal, Shatta Wale and Kuami Eugene have all joined the discussion however, King Promise is of a different view and believes that his fans may connect with him not only through his music but also through their physical resemblance.
“I have seen people bash them and people are angry at them. I am chill. I am just making my music after all we know who the original is. People are having fun doing their own thing,” he expressed.
King Promise also indicated that in a situation where they overstepped their boundaries ‘what will be done will be done’
He embraced the fact that his fans find joy in identifying with him and being associated with his image.
“They’re just showing love but they’re doing it in a different way cos they’re times you see people and they’re very aggressive, some may even break your windscreen but this one they just want to be like you,” he added.
His response has been with positive comments from fans who believe that this reflects his humility and appreciation for his fans’support.
It also demonstrates his deep understanding that his music has resonated with people in a profound way, resulting in a strong emotional connection just like other Hollywood stars including Micheal Jackson, Elvis Presley and many others who have fans that dress up like them.
The heavy downpour on Thursday, May 18, 2023 in Accra has left the Mamprobi JHS, Mamprobi Sempe classrooms flooded with some students and teachers standing on desks.
Teachers had to abandon classes and seek shelter as the rain entered the classrooms in the early hours of Thursday.
In a viral video some of the teachers and students could be seen standing on desks as they waited for the rain to stop to resume learning.
GhanaWeb gathered that this has been the situation at the school for a long time, with teachers having to put classes on hold to seek shelter for students anytime it rains.
Students sometimes have to use learning hours to sweep and scoop water out of their classrooms whenever it rains before they canresume learning.
The 2023 Green Ghana Day has been officially launched in Kumasiby the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
The event, scheduled for June 9, 2023, aims to encourage all Ghanaians and residents to actively participate in the national tree planting initiative.
He said the Green Ghana Day presents an opportunity to show patriotism, exhibit our commitment to the protection of our forest resources, and to demonstrate our resolve to leave our children with a richer and greener Ghana.
The Asantehene lauded the government for initiating the Green Ghana Project. He underscored the importance of trees to environmental protection, climate change mitigation, and the survival of the planet.
He said it was because these benefits that he committed to plant some 2.5 million trees towards the protection of Lake Bosomtwe, in the Ashanti Region.
The Green Ghana Day was first launched by Government in 2021, under the auspices of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, as part of an aggressive afforestation and reforestation agenda, to restore the lost forest cover of the country.
The maiden edition targeted to plant five million (5,000,000) trees, but over seven million (7,000,000) trees were planted. Last year, over twenty-six million (26,000,000) trees were planted, exceeding the target of twenty million (20,000,000).
The Asantehene bemoaned the wanton destruction of forests due to illegal mining and illegal logging. He said chief and members of the local communities cannot feign ignorance about those involved in this destruction. He promised to drive around the Ashanti Region and call all chiefs whose lands have been degraded to come and answer.
“Government cannot do it alone. We must all get involved and support Government to come to grips with these matters,” Otumfuo said.
On his part, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, said over years, there has not been any concerted effort to restore our lost forest cover.
He said between 2010 and 2015 alone, the country lost one hundred and sixty thousand, two hundred and ten hectares (160,210 ha) of forest. But between 1963 and 2016, only one hundred and fifty-seven thousand, three hundred hectares (157,300 ha) of forest was cultivated.
The Minister said even though government has, since 2017, been taking several measures to restore our lost forest cover, the Green Ghana Project was necessary to create enhanced national awareness of the necessity for collective action towards restoration of degraded landscapes in the country, inculcate values of planting and nurturing of trees in our citizens, particularly among the younger generation, mitigate climate change and beautify communities and the environment.
He thanked all those who have supported the Programme for the past two years and reiterated the call for all residents in the country to come out in their numbers to support the tree planting exercise on June 9, 2023.
Speaking at the launch of the third edition of the Green Ghana Day, the chief executive officer of the Forestry Commission, John Allotey said, for the past two years, Ashanti Region has been planting the most trees on Green Ghana Days.
He said over eighty-one percent of the trees planted in 2021 have survived while seventy-two percent (72%) of the those planted last year have survived.
The event was also attended by the Chairman of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Council as well as the Vice Chancellor of the University.
Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, has stated that the ministry is partnering with stakeholders to guarantee that dumping sites that have been abandoned for long are effectively revamped into recreational centers to boost tourism.
Citing the 20-year-old heaps of refuse at the Korle Dudor site, Old Fadama, she said the heaps of refuse at the site would be re-engineered.
Mrs Dapaah indicated that the mandate of the ministry under the Greater Accra Resilient Integrated Development(GARID) project was to clear unnecessary and illegal heaps of refuse that had the potential of being washed into the Odaw River.
She made this known at Old Fadama as part of her familiarisation tour of the area last Wednesday.
Old Fadama has a population of about 152,000 made up of mainly scrap dealers, mechanics, kayayeis, food vendors and street hawkers.
As part of the tour, she visited the Madina Market and the Ofankor Railway dumpsite, among others.
Mrs Dapaah reiterated that as part of the support provided by the Ministry, heaps of refuse in towns and cities that used to be the phenomenon were no more.
On the issue of waste management within the Odaw Basin, the minister further explained that the approach of sorting out refuse was the way to go since it was also a means of job creation for the youth. In this sense, the washout of refuse into the Odaw River would be eliminated because the river was a living organism.
She added that at the Kpone site, the re-engineered landscape was so airy that people could use it as a recreational centre or a place for weddings for a fee to be used for maintenance and development.
In Dubai, Mrs Dapaah further explained, they used to bury their waste but now they had re-engineered their waste into a complex unit, including recycling plants estimated at the cost of about $1.2 billion. Ministry
She announced that already her ministry had distributed about 8,100 litter bins and was currently taking stock of them to replace and supply the worn-out ones.
Mrs Dapaah, therefore, called on residents of the area to avoid “burning electronic waste as it becomes hazardous and it pollutes the environment”.
The minister said generally during her rounds she was “happy that as a Minister of Sanitation what we used to see as heaps of garbage in towns is no more”.
She further explained that “as a ministry, we are to make sure that refuse or waste is not dumped into the Odaw River because that water body should be a living organism.
What we have seen here is that they have sorted out for recycling some items and I support that as it makes absolute sense to produce jobs for the youth”.
Mrs Dapaah urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and sanitation courts to prosecute those who flouted sanitation laws, including those who leave their stray animals to roam the streets of Accra.
She said when the animals were seized, as an offence, they could be sold and the proceeds used to develop beneficiary communities. Reduce prices
At the Madina market, Mrs Dapaah told traders to reduce their prices to reflect the current reduction of fuel prices and transportation fares.
That was because she noted that some traders had a penchant for increasing prices of foodstuffs at the various markets in Accra and not reducing them even if the government had reduced the cost of fuel and transportation fares.
Mrs Dapaah, who was accompanied by some staff from the ministry, further advised traders at the market to avoid preparing food under unhygienic conditions.
She commended the market women for maintaining good sanitation, which had made the market clean at the time of her visit.
The minister equally entreated the traders to avoid throwing rubbish indiscriminately when dustbins and refuse containers had been provided in the market. Ofankor dump site
At the Ofankor Railway dump site, Mrs Dapaah expressed her displeasure about the inability of the Ga North Municipal Assembly to constantly empty the refuse containers when the sector ministry had distributed soil compactors and refuse containers to the beneficiary assemblies.
On Tuesday (16 May), a high-level team from theChina Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Hunan Sub-council, has made a courtesy visit to Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor.
The visit was to engage the ministry on avenues the two countries can deepen their bilateral relations and ramp up economic and trade ties to the mutual benefit of citizens of both countries.
Speaking during the visit, the minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor disclosed that Ghana’s relationship with China is a great and mutually beneficial one which has gained noteworthy recognition in areas of economic trade, mineral and mining investments, education and social development.
“There is a strong people-to-people relationship between Ghana and China. There are a lot of Ghanaian citizens who travel to China for all kinds of businesses and there are Chinese citizens who travel to Ghana for all kinds of businesses”, he said.
The delegation from the Hunan sub-council made a presentation to the Minister and other officials of the Ministry on the various aspects of the country in which they seek to collaborate with Ghana on.
The key sectors which were highlighted in the presentation include mining, healthcare, industrial growth among other things.
The leader of the delegation, Zhou Shengqiao , deputy inspector, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Hunan Sub-Council through the presentation also outlined various means in which they can collaborate with the Ministry for the responsible and sustainable harnessing and exploitation of the country’s Natural Resources.
The minister noted with satisfaction the detailed presentation offered by the Chinese delegation to partner the Ministry in the area of natural resources exploitation and added that his outfit through the Chief Director will hold further engagement with the council.
He also promised to pay a working visit to the council establishment as part of his Ghana’s participation in the Beijing Mining Conference slated for October this year, 2023.
The Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School (PRESEC), Legon in Accrahas received 50 bunk beds from the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) to aid with some of the school’s furnishing problems.
Professor Abednego Feehi Okoe Amartey, Vice Chancellor, UPSA, presented the 50 bunk beds to Dr Eric Nkansah, the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, who then handed them over to Mr David Odjidja, the Headmaster.
The Vice Chancellor said the donation of the 50 bunk beds, which could accommodate 100 students, was to help address some pressing needs of the school.
The UPSA, a neighbour of PRESEC Legon, he said, had a special interest in the school as well as other schools in its neighbourhood, hence it adopted theLa-Nkwantanang Cluster of Schools in Madina, which it had supported with books and the constructing of a wall round its premises.
“This is because we believe that the future of this country is actually our young ones…Education is a leveler, once you are able to go to school, it is the surest way to end poverty, at least for you, which is why the UPSA takes a lot of interest in seeking to help our neighbours.” Prof Amartey said.
Although PRESEC Legon is a first-class school, it has some challenges that need to be resolved.
After engaging the Management of PRESEC, the UPSA realised that because of the increase in the number of students, more furniture was needed, hence the donation of the 50 bunk beds to the school, he said.
Touching on a request by the headmaster for more furniture, Prof Amartey said they would take the report to the University Council for its perusal.
“My prayer is that schools like PRESEC Legon would be model schools for others to emulate,” he noted.
Prof Amartey appealed to the students to take their studies seriously to excel as, usual, in the West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Mr Odjidja said PRESEC was established in 1938 at Odumase Krobo in the Eastern Region and relocated to its current premises in 1968.
It will be celebrating its 85th Anniversary this year.
He said the school had been one of the best senior high schools in the Sub-region, especially when it came to the sciences.
He said prior to the implementation of the Free Senior High School policy, every year, admission was about 800 maximum, so the entire form one to three population could be about 2,400 or not more than 2,500.
Currently the final year students alone total 1,776, whereas the form two students are 1,930, and the form ones, 1,730.
“So, we are just about 5,500 and because of this growth, obviously some challenges are likely to come along with that,” Mr Odjidja said.
“Seven hundred students are currently without desks in the classrooms. We continue to receive some from the Ministry, but almost every time we receive, the numbers also increase and the cycle continues.”
“We have a similar challenge at the dinning hall, we are unable to sit students at the same time at dinning just because of furniture.”
He said they were preparing for the 2023 WASSCE, and that when all form three students took their tests, the rest of the students would not get desks for classes, therefore, they mobilised benches to the classrooms while some sat beside their classmates.
“In the midst of all these challenges, PRESEC Legon does not allow excuses to compromise its standards and we will continue to do our best till we produce the results, which is our mandate.”
Dr Nkansah, the GES Director General, who commended PRESEC Legon for being the best performing science school in the country, also praised it for winning the National Science and Maths Quiz for the seventh time, which was the highest in the country.
He lauded the UPSA for the kind gesture and urged other stakeholders to emulate the good example.
A visibly elated Master Emmanuel Nukpezah, the Head Boy, on behalf of the students, expressed gratitude to UPSA for the kind gesture with the assurance that they would put the items to good use.
A parliamentary aspirant who was unsuccessful in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) primaries in the Asawase constituency has refuted claims of being sponsored by the party’s leadership to participate in an alleged plot to oust the current Member of Parliament.
Masawudu Mubarick, who received 734 votes during the primaries, was in the race with the incumbent MP, Muntaka Mubarak, at a time when some party supporters in the constituency called for a change.
However, the incumbent Asawase MP sailed through with 1,063 votes and alleged a grand scheme by some party bigwigs to unseat him after he lost his position as the Minority Chief Whip.
But Masawudu Mubarick denied claims that he was used for the purpose and called on his supporters to rally behind the incumbent MP to help the NDC retain the Asawase seat in the 2024 general elections.
In his response, Masawudu Mubarick stated, “The issue about me being a favourite candidate, wow how lucky I am? I remember last year this same establishment barred me from contesting. So I don’t think there’s any iota of truth in these allegations. I wasn’t in any way sponsored. 70 percent of the money I have spent came from my personal coffers, and 30 percent came from people I have empowered in one way or the other. I never had any contributions from any business or party person, I can say that with authority.”
He further added, “Let me once again congratulate my brother Muntaka Mubarak for his success in the just-ended parliamentary candidate elections. I have already communicated and congratulated him. There’s a need for my supporters to stay calm and let cool heads prevail. Let’s all unite and rally around our re-elected parliamentary candidate so that, come 2025, Muntaka Mubarak will return to Parliament. He has all my support, and I’m encouraging my supporters to also support him so that at the end of the day, NDC will come out victorious in the upcoming elections.”
The list, containing the details of three men, was shared on Twitter.
The three men are Ezekiel Mensah Otoo, Nicholas Gyekye, and Derrick Obeng, a.k.a Chilling.
According to the EOCO, Ezekiel is wanted for the alleged offence of stealing and involvement in SIM swap fraud.
In the case of Nicholas, the EOCO did not state what crime he is alleged to have committed but only urged the public to provide it “with information on the said Nicholas Gyekye” through a phone number.
Derrick is being sought after by the EOCO for the alleged offences of stealing, defrauding by false pretence andmoney laundering.
See the photos and further details about the men below:
President Akufo-Addohas paid a visit to Ghanaian troops operating on peacekeeping duty in Guinea-Bissau in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
The president was accompanied by the President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embalo. President Akufo-Addo visited the Ghana Company (GHANCOY 1), which is part of the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB).
The visit took place on Monday, May 15, 2023, as part of President Akufo-Addo’s official two-day state visit to Guinea-Bissau, following an invitation from President Embalo.
The primary purpose of the visit was for the Commander-in-Chief to meet with the ESSMGB-GHANCOY 1 and personally assess the well-being of the troops and their effectiveness in carrying out their mission since their deployment to the operational area in June 2022.
During the visit, several activities were conducted, including a guard of honour, a parade display by GHANCOY 1, and the mounting of a special Presidential Quarter Guard in honor of President Akufo-Addo.
The President also toured the camp, interacted with Ghanaian troops, and commissioned a project undertaken by GHANCOY.
Welcoming the Presidents, Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) David Korsah, the Combat Team Commander of ESSMGB GHANCOY 1, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the entire Ghanaian Contingent. Lt Col. Korsah described the visit as historic and memorable for three reasons.
Firstly, he highlighted that the visit demonstrated President Akufo-Addo’s unwavering commitment to constitutional democracy in Africa, as evidenced by his track record.
Secondly, he added that it showcased the President’s confidence in the GAF hierarchy and personnel.
Lastly, he maintained that it marked the first time in approximately 28 years that a Ghanaian President has visited GAF troops engaged in an external operation.
Lt Col. Korsah assured President Akufo-Addo that he and his troops would continue to proudly represent Ghana, enhance the country’s image, and serve as worthy ambassadors.
President Akufo-Addo, on the other hand, commended the contingent for their discipline and professionalism, assuring them of his full support. At the conclusion of his speech, the President made a donation to the contingent.
The president also commissioned a newly constructed accommodation and office building named after the Chief of Defence Staff Seth Amoama “AMOAMA BLOCK” in honor of the Vice Admiral, who played a crucial role in securing funds for the project.
Notable attendees at the visit included Professor Hamidou Boly, Special Representative of the President of the ECOWAS Commission (SRPC), Brigadier General AM Grema, ESSMGB Force Commander, and Colonel ATM Kore,Deputy Force Commander.
The visit underscored President Akufo-Addo’s support for the troops and his dedication to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
According to the Commission, the decision was taken after its Quarterly Tariff Review meeting for the second quarter of the year 2023.
The PURC blamed the depreciation of the cedi, inflation, electricity generation mix, and the weighted average cost of natural gas as the factors that influenced the latest increment.
Director of Research and Cooperate Affairs at PURC, Dr. Eric Obutey in an interview with Citi News said the Commission was forced to increase the electricity tariff.
“We did only 75 percent of the exchange rate. This means there was a 25 percent under-recovery that we needed to recover. So if you add all this to it, the projected exchange rate that we use currently which is 12.70, all these factors combined led to an adjustment of the tariff and upward review.”
Meanwhile, a Member of the Energy and Mines Committee of Parliament, Dr. Rashid Pelpuo has blamed the government for the incessant electricity tariff increment.
According to Dr. Pelpuo, the government’s inability to effectively manage the country’s economy has compelled PURC to continuously increase utility tariffs.
“You cannot blame the people who do the increases because they want to make sure they continue to produce, that is why, I don’t want to blame the PURC but the inability of the government to maintain a good economic leverage that will give the Ghanaian the capability of paying off without these troubles we are going through.”
An investigation into a violent attack on students and teachers at New Juaben Senior High School in Koforidua is currently being carried out by the Eastern Regional Police Command.
The attack is believed to have been carried out by suspected students of the Koforidua Senior High Technical School (SECTECH).
The incident, which took place on Sunday evening, resulted in injuries to four students from New Juaben and the school’s chaplain.
The school’s management and alumni have strongly condemned the attack.
According to reports, approximately 30 students from Koforidua SECTECH, who share a wall with New Juaben Senior High School, invaded the premises and attacked students.
The police were called to the scene and managed to drive the attackers away.
However, later that night, after the police had left, hundreds of SECTECH students allegedly returned and began pelting stones. The motive behind the attack remains unclear at this time.
During the incident, SECTECH students allegedly vandalized a school bus, damaged the windshield of the headmaster’s Toyota Corolla, ransacked the school’s sick bay, and caused damage to the roofs of three teachers’ bungalows.
They also reportedly destroyed two poly tanks that served the boys’ dormitory and teachers’ bungalow.
The four injured students from New Juaben and the school’s chaplain have received medical treatment and have been discharged from the hospital.
Upon visiting the scene, Citi News observed numerous stones and other objects scattered around.
Mark Ofori Frimpong, the headmaster of New Juaben Senior High School, confirmed that four students have been arrested in connection with the incident.
He also mentioned that the headmaster of Koforidua SECTECH has requested the cost of all the damaged items.
This recent attack is not an isolated incident, as expressed by alumni of New Juaben Senior High School, who are deeply concerned about the safety of the students.
Eugene Oware Koranteng, President of the 1992 alumni association, believes it is crucial for alumni from both schools to intervene and take preventive measures to avoid such incidents in the future.
Efforts to reach the management of Koforidua SECTECH for comment were unsuccessful.
The Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights (ARHR), a non-governmental organization, has emphasized the need for the government to abolish levies on sanitary items.
“The high cost of sanitary products is adding to the discomfort and pains associated with menstrual cycle, which is having a serious toll on hygiene and education of some adolescents,” it said.
Speaking to the media after a two-day training for Adolescent Health Champions in Ho, appealed to the government to support local producers of sanitary products to reduce the cost.
She said sanitary pads were not available in some communities and especially in the rural areas, and asked the government to help the local manufacturers to produce more to make it available and affordable.
Ms Gyawu said adolescents have a lot of potentials that must be developed, hence society must provide them with the enabling environment and proper guidance to explore these potentials.
She appealed to parents to continue to offer the needed physical, emotional and spiritual support to their children to enhance their overall well-being.
The training was to build the capacity of the Adolescent Health Champions on AdolescentSexual and Reproductive Health Rights (ASRHR) to effectively continue their work as peer educators.
A total of 20 out-of-school adolescents from the South Dayi District of the Volta Region benefited from the training, supported by the United Nations Population Fund.
Madam Albertina Alipui, the Acting Programme and Administration Manager, Volta Educational Renaissance Foundation (VEReF), said it was important to educate adolescents on reproductive health rights and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence to protect them.
The programme has empowered most of the adolescents to demand their sexual rights and report those who abused them to the appropriate authorities.
Some of the beneficiaries thanked the organisers for the empowerment on their sexual rights and pledged to carry out their duties as peer educators in their various communities to achieve the desired results.
A 32 year-old woman, Salomey Amuzu Tuglo, has been enthroned and outdoored as the Queenmotherof the Weta Traditional Area.
The new Paramount Queenmother goes by the name Mamaga Ablewor Ashiakpor IV.
Her installation follows the demise of Mamaga Ablewor Ashiakpor III.
After the necessary rites and purifications the newly installed Queenmother was on Sunday, May 14, 2023 outdoored by the Chiefs and people of Weta at a public event held at the forecourt of the Weta Area Council hall.
Taking an oath during the ceremony, Mamaga Ablewor Ashiakpor IV pledged to protect and respect the tradition, values and the history of the people of the Weta Traditional Area while stating her readiness to give the needed support towards the development of the area.
She indicated her that issues of women empowerment and girl child education are dear to her heart and would pursue same throughout her stay on thrown.
Torgbuiga Akpo Ashiakpor IV in his address warned that he and his chiefs would not fathom any attempt by individuals whose major preoccupation is to distort tradition and cause instability within the traditional area.
He said, “I am putting this on record and I want you all to carry this message across town, that today, we have installed Mamaga Ablewor Ashiakpor IV and that is the end. We would not allow anyone to go hide anywhere and claim to be installing a parallel Queenmother for the traditional area.”
“You as mothers, today is mother’s day and this is my gift to you. If you ever allow any of your daughters to be installed somewhere as a Queenmother for the traditional area in an attempt to distort tradition and to cause disturbance, that will be a generational curse for you,” he cautioned.
The Weta Traditional Area in the coming days will also perform the funeral and burial rites for the late Mamaga Ablewor Ashiakpor III.
The Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, has announced that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will publish full details of Ghana’s Economic Recovery programme submitted to the Fund for a bailout request.
He added that the IMF will also outline the necessary conditions associated with the programme, as well as the IMF Staff report on Ghana.
Dr Adam confirmed this to Joy Business in a yet to be aired interview on PM Express Business Edition with host George Wiafe this Thursday May 19, 2023.
Dr Adam stated that government has given its consent to the IMF to release the document after the Fund approves Ghana’s programme.
“Government is committed to transparency in everything that it does when it comes to the IMF programme and Ghanaians are going to get every detail as expected”, he said.
Dr Adam explained that the decision is part of government’s quest to ensure transparency after some Civil Society Organisations and observers demanded for a full disclosure of Ghana’s programme request.
Ghana Programme
The IMF Board is expected to sit on May 18, 2023 to consider Ghana’s programme request.
The Board is expected to review the IMF Staff report on Ghana’s request to approve and advance about $3 billion over the three year period.
This will happen after some conditions are met by the Government of Ghana.
The Board is likely to undertake the exercise after Ghana meets all the pre-conditions.
Fiscal Discipline under Ghana programme
Dr. Adam has assured that government will not compromises on fuscal discipline.
“The Request for an IMF programme is a cabinet decision and every government institution, ministries and agencies must fall in line with it when it comes to being discipline with our fiscal situation” he stressed.
He stated that government is committed to checking the budget deficit.
“We should not’s forget that the IMF programme comes with some clear benchmarks that should be before the country could get the other disbursements from the board”
Government’s expectations
Mr. Adam added that government is hopeful of securing the programme on time to bring back confidence in the economy.
“We are also hopeful that the Rating Agencies will in the coming months respond accordingly to developments in the economy and do something about Ghana’s credit ratings”.
“We will also be working closely with the Bank of Ghana to help stabilize the Cedi” Dr Adam added.
Government must come clear on the current on-going load shedding for Ghanaians, according to minority in parliament.
According to the Minority, they have observed with serious concern, the recent persistent power outages also known as ‘dumsor’ being witnessed across the country, particularly during peak hours.
“This appears to be worsening with many parts of the country experiencing long hours of darkness without prior notice to consumers.
“While most Ghanaians have been witnessing intermittent power outages, others have been experiencing low currents and occasional high voltage leading to damages of their electrical gadgets and equipment in some cases,” the Ranking Member on Mines and Energy Committee, John Abdulai Jinaporstated in press release .
He continued: “It is a well known fact especially, amongst energy sector players that the current outages the country is experiencing is due to gas shortages coupled with serious challenges with the procurement of alternative fuels due the precarious financial state of the Energy sector SOEs.
“Most of the Energy sector SOEs have continued to witness worsening financial positions since the assumption of office of President Akufo-Addo and Dr Bawumia, despite their administration receiving over 20 billion cedis in ESLA revenues and about 40 billion cedis in petroleum revenues.
He stated that more disturbing is the deliberate decision by Government communicators and Energy Sector SOEs to keep mute whilst the ordinary Ghanaian is made to experience this avoidable state of load shedding.
“We therefore call on Government and responsible government agencies to come clean on the current state of power outages as a matter of urgency and provide a schedule if need be to enable the ordinary consumer and industry to plan and avoid damages of their electrical equipment.”
Member of Parliament(MP) for Ho West, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, has expressed intent to surpass Speaker Alban Bagbin’s longevity record.
According to him, he is very young hence the reason he would want to serve eight terms in parliament to break Bagbin’s record.
Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah is one of the incumbent MPs who retained his seat in Saturday’s primary election.
Speaking in an interview, he said “Look at me. I am a young person. I started … very young. My predecessor [Francis Aggrey Agbotse, MP from 1997 to 2009] started when he was 52 years. I am only 54 years now, so I still have three terms more to go.”
“I want to break Bagbin’s record. He did seven terms. I would want to do, at least, eight terms,” Asaaseradion.com quoted Emmanuel Bedrah.
Emmanuel Bedzrah joined parliament in 2009 and has since be retained, he served on parliament’s Works and Housing Committee, House committee and is currently serving on the Government Assurance Committee.
An Accra High Court has directed investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anasto appear before the chamber without a mask in his criminal charges against former President of the Ghana Football Association, Kwesi Nyantakyi.
Anas, who has been extremely reluctant to appear in court without his mask, will now have to remove his mask before he can testify in Chambers.
This comes after the Supreme Court quashed an earlier ruling by a lower court giving permission for Anas to testify in camera.
The journalist, whose investigation led to Nyantakyi resigning from several football posts, claimed his life would be in danger if he testifies in court.
The order of the High Court 2, Criminal Division granted permission to Anas Aremeyaw Anas to testify on camera in the case against Kwesi Nyantakyi.
In June 2018, the former member of Fifa’s executive council was filmed taking $65,000 in cash from an undercover reporter in a film captured by journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas which was aired by BBC Africa’s investigations unit, Africa Eye.
Nyantakyi was pictured placing the “shopping money” into a black plastic bag from an undercover reporter pretending to be a businessman keen to invest in Ghanaian football.
He later agreed to what he believed to be a sponsorship deal for the Ghana FA, which he had presided over since 2005. The bogus deal, invented by the reporters, would have enabled millions of dollars in commission to be paid to a company controlled by him.
This cost him his positions as FIFA Council Member and 1st Vice President of CAF.
Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be embarrassing and unpleasant for you and those around you. It can affect your confidence, your social life, and your oral health.
But don’t worry, bad breath is not a permanent condition. There are many ways to prevent and treat it, and to keep your breath fresh and clean.
What causes bad breath?
Bad breath can have many causes, such as:
Poor oral hygiene. If you don’t brush your teeth, floss, and clean your tongue regularly, food particles and bacteria can build up in your mouth and cause bad odours.
Dry mouth. Saliva helps wash away food and bacteria from your mouth. If you have a dry mouth due to medications, smoking, or dehydration, you may have less saliva and more bad breath.
Foods and drinks. Certain foods and drinks, such as garlic, onions, coffee, alcohol, and spicy foods, can leave a strong smell in your mouth that lingers even after you brush your teeth.
Gum disease. Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is an infection of the gums that can cause inflammation, bleeding, and bad breath.
Medical conditions. Some medical conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, sinus infections, acid reflux, and cancer, can affect your breath due to changes in your metabolism or the production of certain chemicals or gases.
How to prevent bad breath?
The best way to prevent bad breath is to practice good oral hygiene. Here are some tips to follow:
Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Brush for two minutes each time and make sure to reach all surfaces of your teeth.
Floss daily to remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth and under your gum line.
Clean your tongue with a tongue scraper or a toothbrush to remove bacteria and dead cells that can cause bad odours.
Rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash after eating or drinking to freshen your breath and remove any residue.
Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your mouth moist and stimulate saliva production.
Chew sugar-free gum or mints to stimulate saliva production and mask bad odours.
Avoid foods and drinks that can cause bad breath, such as garlic, onions, coffee, alcohol, and spicy foods. If you do consume them, brush your teeth or rinse your mouth afterwards.
Quit smoking or using tobacco products. Smoking or chewing tobacco can dry out your mouth, stain your teeth, damage your gums, and cause bad breath.
How to treat bad breath?
If you have persistent or severe bad breath that does not improve with good oral hygiene, you may need to see a dentist or a doctor to find out the underlying cause and get proper treatment. Some possible treatments are:
Professional dental cleaning. A dentist can remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums that may be causing bad breath. You should have a dental cleaning at least once every six months or more often if recommended by your dentist.
Treatment for gum disease. A dentist can diagnose and treat gum disease with scaling and root planing (deep cleaning), antibiotics, surgery, or other methods depending on the severity of the condition.
Treatment for medical conditions. A doctor can diagnose and treat any medical conditions that may be affecting your breath with medications, lifestyle changes, surgery, or other methods depending on the type and severity of the condition.
Bad breath is not something you have to live with. By following these tips and tricks, you can prevent and treat bad breath and enjoy a fresh smile every day.
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or dental advice. The information in this article is based on data from this link [https://rb.gy/o32pc] and may not be accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
The article does not endorse any products, services, or treatments mentioned by Mayo Clinic. Readers should consult a dentist or a doctor before making any decisions or taking any actions related to their oral health or general health.
The Independent Ghana will not be liable for any damages or losses that may arise from the use or misuse of the information in this article.
Chinedu Ani Emmanuel, known as Nedu, an actor and media figure, has urged women to be wary of males who insist on nosexbefore marriage.
He gave the warning on the recent episode of TheHonest Bunchaudiovisual podcast co-hosted by him.
The controversial OAP said some ladies have opened up to him about their husbands’ abysmal sexual performances which they were unaware of until marriage.
He said, often, when a man insists on no sex before marriage, there could be something fishy.
He said, “If oga is telling you no sex before marriage, find out if he likes it from the other side. One woman don talk for my radio show say, ‘Oga Nedu, I dey cheat on my husband. Not once, not twice. Oga Nedu if na you, you go comot.’
“I said why? She said him prick no dey gree rise. I supported her. Men, I’m sorry. This guy just marry her and he was saying no sex before marriage. Na so the girl enter inside.”
The election of James Gyakye Quayson as Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North in the Central Region has been declared unconstituitional by the Supreme Court.
In a unanimous decision Wednesday morning (May 17, 2023), a seven-member panel of the Supreme Court ordered Parliament to expunge the name of Mr Quayson as MP, reports Graphic Online’s Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson from the court.
The Supreme Court in April 2022 ordered the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, to stop holding himself as an MP until the determination of a suit challenging the constitutionality of his election.
In a 5-2 majority decision on April 13, 2022, the apex court ordered Mr Quayson to abstain from any Parliamentary business and also refrain from engaging in activities pertaining to an MP.
Reasons
In its ruling, the Supreme Court was of the considered view that the High Court in Cape Coast has declared the election of Mr Quayson as null and void, and therefore allowing him to continue as an MP while the constitutional issue was yet to be determined “will be an indictment of the administration of justice.”
“There can be no justification for ignoring the submissions on the continued disregard of the orders of the High Court which have not been suspended or overturned,” the court held.
Also, the court held that the whole country would suffer greater hardship if Mr Quayson was allowed to continue to serve as an MP and the court determines that his election violated the 1992 Constitution.
“This court will be failing in its exclusive mandate and duty to the Ghanaian people to uphold and defend the Constitution if it does not suspend, mitigate or abate an alleged constitutionality illegality if the applicant were to succeed in the end of this suit,” the court held.
The majority decision was authored by Justice Kulendi.
In the dissenting opinions, Justice Dordzie and Amegatcher were of the view that the Supreme Court was not the right forum for the applicant, and that all he needed to do was to enforce the judgment of the High Court.
Plaintiff’s case
In July 2021, Mr Ankomah-Nimfah won a judgment at the Cape Coast High Court nullifying Mr Quayson’s election on the basis that the MP held Canadian citizenship at the time he filed to contest the seat.
He then went to Supreme Court in January, this year for interpretation of Article 94 (2) (a), the same constitutional provision the High Court used to nullify Mr Quayson’s election.
His basis for going to the apex court was that despite the judgment by the High Court, Mr Quayson still continued to parade himself as an MP.
Mr Ankomah-Nimfah is seeking a declaration from the Supreme Court that upon a true and proper interpretation of Article 94(2)(a) of the 1992 Constitution, at the time the EC opened nominations for people to file to contest the Assin North parliamentary seat, Mr Quayson held a Canadian citizenship and therefore was not eligible to contest.
He further wants the court to declare that the EC breached Article 94(2)(a) of the 1992 Constitution when it allowed Mr Quayson to contest the parliamentary election in Assin North when he owed allegiance to another country.
Again, he is urging the Supreme Court to declare the entire process that led to Mr Quayson’s election as MP for Assin North as unconstitutional and, therefore, null and void.
Principal of Ghana International School (GIS), Mary Ashun is among the top 10 finalist for the Africa Education Medal 2023.
Founded last year by T4 Education and HP in collaboration with Microsoft, the Africa Education Medal is Africa’s most prestigious education accolade.
The Africa Education Medal was established to recognise the tireless work of those who are transforming education across the continent – to celebrate the stories of those who have lit the spark of change so others will be inspired to take up the torch. It is given to an outstanding individual who has demonstrated impact, leadership, and advocacy in the field of education.
Mary Ashun is Principal of Ghana International School (GIS), an independent not-for-profit school that provides an internationally diverse experience which instils mutual understanding, promotes holistic development, and teaches life skills to produce responsible global citizens.
Projects she has championed through GIS include support for students from under-equipped schools, teacher training and resource capacity building in remote villages, collaborative international educator visits as well as fostering student efforts to be innovative in the Arts and Sciences.
Dr. Ashun advocates for all children, especially the marginalised in education. In March 2021, she learned about a young man who sat entrance exams and gained admission to the most prestigious public boarding school in Ghana. On checking in to his dormitory he was denied entry because he had dreadlocks. Dr. Ashun wrote a paper titled “The Issue of the Other When it Comes to Admissions” and published it on Ghanaweb. The ensuing heated national discourse on whether a Rastafarian student could be denied his place in a public boarding school put her opinion and that of others of like minds at the centre of a national debate. While the issue raged on in the court of law, a group of committed GIS parents worked with her and a scholarship was arranged for him. She admitted the student in question to GIS, making a statement of inclusion and acceptance. In advocating for his right to an education
irrespective of his religion, she showed her students the power of their voices and the need to live out the school motto of ‘Understanding Of Each Other’.
Prior to joining GIS, Dr. Ashun was a school principal in Canada and also taught Sciences and Maths from K – 12 and lectured at Redeemer University (Ontario) in the Faculty of Education, teaching and supervising pre-service and in-service teachers.
Dr. Ashun created a teacher conference called TIME (Teachers, Inspiring, Motivating & Empowering). At these conferences, researcher teachers are able to share their action research, master teachers share strategies that work well in different kinds of classrooms, and administrator teachers share insights relating to parent engagement, supporting teacher growth and self-care for educators. Each year, a fifth of the spaces are reserved for educators from underserved regions.
As Chair of the Mastercard Foundation Young Africa Works Advisory Board, Dr. Ashun has been a panellist on EdTech Mondays, a programme that showcases technological innovation in schools. This is streamed online and is a key component of Mastercard Foundation’s drive to make learning relevant and accessible across Africa.
Her work with the African Leadership Academy and the Anzisha Fellowship also allows her to mentor the next generation of African entrepreneur educators. Through the programme she has mentored educators from Algeria, Uganda, Zimbabwe, South Sudan, Egypt, Senegal, Nigeria, and Congo, sharing her experiences with them as they transform education in refugee communities or innovate with micro-schools in North Africa.
Mayank Dhingra, Senior Education Business Leader, Southern Europe, Middle East and Africa, at HP said:
“My warmest congratulations to Mary Ashun on being named a Top 10 finalist for the Africa Education Medal 2023. Her tireless work to improve education stands as an inspiration to us all and I hope many others will follow in her footsteps to become leaders in the field.
“HP has a bold goal to accelerate digital equity for 150 million people globally by 2030. Only by joining forces and aligning with NGOs, government, educators and businesses can we truly improve the education environment. The Africa Education Medal brings together all those who are changing the face of African education, whose vital work deserves to be celebrated.”
Vikas Pota, Founder and CEO of T4 Education, said:
“Africa’s teachers and school leaders, and its leaders of governments, NGOs and businesses, all play a crucial part in unlocking the continent’s potential through quality education. African education stands at a crossroads in the wake of the pandemic, but if leaders from across the continent in every field can work together then they can build the lasting change needed.
“I congratulate Mary Ashun on her achievements in leading Ghana International School and I hope her success serves as a rallying cry for changemakers to come forward and make a difference.”
The Top 10 finalists for the Africa Education Medal are:
Mary Ashun, Principal of Ghana International School, Ghana
Laura Kakon, Chief Growth & Strategy Officer of Honoris United Universities, Morocco
Rogers Kamugisha, Country Director of Educate!, Rwanda
Grace Matlhape, CEO of SmartStart, South Africa
Mary Metcalfe, former policymaker and CEO of Programme to Improve Learning Outcomes (PILO), South Africa
Martha Muhwezi, Executive Director of FAWE, Uganda
Jean-Claude Nkulikiyimfura, Executive Director of Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village, Rwanda
Simi Nwogugu, CEO of JA Africa, Nigeria
Sara Ruto, Former Chief Administrative Secretary of Kenya’s Ministry of Education and former CEO of PAL Network, Kenya
Snehar Shah, CEO of Moringa School, Kenya
Nominations for the Africa Education Medal opened in February 2023 for individuals working to improve pre-kindergarten, K-12, vocational and university education who are either educators, school administrators, civil society leaders, public servants, government officials, political leaders, technologists, or innovators.
The winner of the Africa Education Medal will be announced in July. Finalists will be assessed by a Jury comprising prominent individuals based on rigorous criteria.
ABOUT T4 EDUCATION:
We believe every child everywhere deserves a good education. We are building the world’s largest community of teachers and schools to achieve this. Together. Our digital media platform provides opportunities for educators to network, collaborate, share good practices, and support each other’s efforts to improve learning and school culture. We work to amplify teachers’ voices because the world we want to see will only be built by listening to those at the heart of education.
Our global community of over 200,000 teachers and our digital media platform provides an engine for organisations to run education prizes that cut through in both the international media and the public consciousness.
Effective June 1, 2023, electricity tariff will be increased by 18.36% for all customer groups, according to the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission(PURC).
The decision was taken after a review for the second quarter of 2023.
PURC in a statement explained that the decision was taken to balance the prevention of extended power outages and their adverse implications on jobs and livelihoods while minimizing the impact of rate increases on consumers.
The Quarterly Tariff Review Mechanism seeks to track and incorporate changes in key factors used in determining natural gas and electricity tariffs.
Justification
The PURC blamed the Ghana Cedis/US Dollar exchange rate, inflation, electricity generation mix, and the weighted average cost of natural gas (WACOG) as the factors that influenced the latest increment.
“This review has become necessary to maintain the real value of the cost of supply of the utility services and to ensure that the utility companies do not under or over-recover costs.
“While under-recovery has negative implications for the ability of the companies to supply service to consumers, and has the potential of causing outages of electricity, over-recovery unnecessarily overburdens consumers of electricity.
One of Ghana’s top priorities is reaching an agreement with its external creditors, and the International Monetary Fund(IMF) has expressed optimism that progress will be made in restructuring the country’s external debt, particularly with the Paris Club.
Following Ghana’s return to the IMF on July 1, 2022, due to its struggling economy, the government reached a staff-level agreement with the fund in December 2022 as part of the bailout process.
This agreement opens the door for Ghana to secure a $3 billion Extended Credit Facility (ECF) in May 2023 to strengthen its balance of payments.
During a press conference, Julie Kozack, Director of Communications at the IMF, stated, “We have seen strong progress toward creditors delivering on these financing assurances, and we’re hopeful that they can be delivered very rapidly.”
She emphasized that obtaining financing assurances from official bilateral creditors is crucial for presenting the program to the Executive Board.
In December 2022, Ghana and the IMF reached a three-year program agreement worth approximately $3 billion.
Ghana has already successfully completed a Domestic Debt Exchange program with the involvement of key stakeholders such as the Ghana Bankers Association, the Ghana Insurers Association, and the Chamber of Corporate Trustees.
The IMF loan program aims to support the post-COVID-19 recovery of developing countries.
However, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has cautioned that Ghana’s approval from the IMF board may experience delays due to ongoing negotiations for external debt restructuring involving multiple stakeholders.
The EIU also predicts that Ghana will reach restructuring agreements on its public external debt between 2023 and 2024, involving both official and private creditors.
These agreements are expected to involve write-offs, maturity extensions, and interest rate reductions.
Meanwhile, economist Prof. John Gatsi has expressed doubts that Ghana’s first loan tranche of US$600 million from the IMF will be approved by Wednesday, May 17, as announced by the government.
In a remarkable display of medical expertise, a multidisciplinary team comprising surgeons, anaesthesiologists, paediatricians, and nurses, led by Dr Dominic Konadu-Yeboah, Senior Specialist in Trauma and Orthopaedics, carried out a six-hour procedure to address a challenging congenital limb abnormality known as polymelia in a five-month-old infant.
The procedure took place at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) after the hospital was contacted four hours following the baby’s caesarean section delivery at a district hospital.
The infant suffered from multiple health conditions, including polymelia, anorectal malformation, genital fistula, eye vision impairment, and improper location of the right kidney.
Polymelia is a rare limb deformity characterized by the presence of extra or supernumerary limbs attached to a portion of the body.
It affects approximately 6 out of every 10,000 live newborns. Although occurrences mainly involve the lower limbs, there have been a few recorded cases. The condition is believed to result from the inadequate separation of identical twins in the womb during fetal development. When the additional limbs are attached to the pelvis, it is referred to as pyromelia.
Dr. Konadu-Yeboah highlighted that the parents were extensively informed about the baby’s condition before the surgery, praising the team’s extraordinary achievement. Additionally, a group of professionals provided psychological counselling to the family, addressing the surgery, its outcomes, and potential side effects.
The complex surgical repair procedure took place on February 20, 2023, following five months of intensive preparations and pre-operative investigations, including Computer Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), echo, and ultrasound scans to identify any associated abnormalities.
Dr. Konadu-Yeboah stated, “The immediate and intermediate postoperative periods have been managed without any complications, and the baby is steadily recovering as expected. Further minor procedures and surgical interventions will be conducted to completely restore normal functioning to the baby.”
Previously, infants with similar conditions were either abandoned or left to perish, according to Dr. Konadu-Yeboah.
However, he emphasized that immediate specialized interventions offer these infants a chance to live normal lives, given the present medical knowledge available at KATH and in the nation.
The baby’s parents expressed their satisfaction with the results thus far, praising the surgical team and all the staff members involved in their child’s successful operation.
Members of the multidisciplinary team included trauma and orthopaedic surgeons Dr. Obiageli Joan Ofungwu, Johnny Sobotie, Kwasi Twumasi-Baah Jr., and Samuel Twene Boadi, alongside pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists, pediatricians, nurses, and other specialists. Notable contributors to the team included Drs. Boateng Nimako, Prof. Paul Poku Sampene Ossei, Drs. Ebenezer Akomea-Agyin, Anthony Davor, George Osei Prempeh, Sophia Ankrah, Yaw Asiedu Basoah, Gabriel Asante, Abigail Opoku, and Yaw Asiedu Basoah.
Other esteemed members of the KATH faculty, who played crucial roles, were Drs. Michael Amoah, Lynda Akalazu Ogechi, Zulfawu Ibrahim, Helena Okrah, and Seth Agyemang.
Prof. Otchere Addai-Mensah, the hospital’s CEO, praised Dr. Konadu-Yeboah and the entire team for their successful execution of such a complex surgery. He highlighted that this accomplishment showcases the power of teamwork and urged all clinical director.
Member of Parliament(MP) for Sagnarigu, Alhaji A.B.A. Fuseini, has denied reports that his supporters fanned him following his defeat in the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) primaries.
He clarified that he was nowhere near the polling center when the results were announced, dismissing the claim as a mere fabrication.
According to him, he had already left the center with his team to find some food before the results were counted. It was during their time at a restaurant that they received news of his defeat.
Asserting his contentment with the outcome, he dismissed the notion of being in a hysterical state and asserted that such claims were purely imaginary.
During an interview, he addressed the issue, stating, “I want to respond to the statement suggesting that I was in a hysterical state upon the declaration and required assistance from numerous people fanning me. I want to make it clear that no such incident occurred. When the results were announced, I was far away from the scene. My team and I had stepped outside to eat as I had not eaten all day. It was during this time that I discovered the results, and I wasn’t even in close proximity for supporters to fan me since the results had turned against me.
“…I believe it is a product of someone’s imagination. I want to emphasize that I was satisfied with the verdict, and that’s what unfolded during the voting. I urge for this false claim to be debunked as it holds no truth,” he added.
Gunmen in Nigeriahave launched an assault on a convoy of US personnel, resulting in the tragic deaths of four individuals, including two members of the US consulate and two police officers.
During the attack, three additional individuals were abducted before the assailants set their vehicle ablaze.
The incident occurred in the southeastern region of Anambra state. Authorities have promptly initiated a rescue and recovery operation to address the situation.
It is important to note that no US citizens were present in the targeted convoy, and further information regarding the purpose of the convoy’s presence in the state has not been disclosed.
A Nigerian state police spokesperson expressed regret that the convoy entered the state “without recourse to the police in the area or any security agency”.
The US said its mission in Nigeria was working with Nigerian security services to investigate the incident.
“The security of our personnel is always paramount, and we take extensive precautions when organising trips to the field,” the US State Department said.
Violence in the south-east of the country is just one of the many issues facing president-elect Bola Tinubu, who takes the helm of Africa’s most populous nation later this month.
The Member of Parliament for Asawase, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak has blamed the defeat of 17 National Democratic Congress(NDC) Member of Parliament (MPs) on the leadership reshuffle done by the party in parliament.
According to Muntaka, the defeat of 17 MPs in the just-ended NDC primaries is a result of the reshuffling of party leadership. He expressed concerns about the impact this loss of experience regarding the new candidates will have on the minority caucus in the upcoming parliamentary sessions.
“Now in 2023, the NPP is struggling to find its feet. They are struggling to stay above waters, and then you go and lose 17 MPs. Who do you blame? It will be very unfair if you blame the current [Minority] leadership because the primaries were announced before the coup that happened in Parliament, [and that was] very unstrategic.”
“You can do any scientific research, and it would point to you that the timing of that coup was absolutely wrong. It didn’t give the new leadership the opportunity to settle and strategize to save many more MPs,” citinewsroom.com quoted him as saying in an interview.
Muntaka added that it would be unfair to hold the current minorityleadershipresponsible because the timing of the party primaries was announced before the unexpected changes took place in parliament.
He maintained that the timing of the parliamentary reshuffling was ill-advised, as it did not allow the new leadership enough time to settle and strategize effectively to secure more seats.
The NDC held its primaries on Saturday, May 13, 2023, which resulted in significant losses for several incumbent Members of Parliament.
Approximately 17 incumbents lost their seats to newcomers.
As part of ECG’s corporate social responsibility, the management of the Krobo District branch of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has restored some of the roads in the Somanya township in the Yilo Krobo Municipality of theEastern Region in partnership with the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
The workers of ECG, the GAF and the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly, led by the municipal chief executive (MCE), Eric Tetteh, and the acting Krobo District Manager of ECG, Christopher Apawu, worked on the roads at Djaba through Akweteman, both in the Somanya township.
They filled the portholes that were creating major problems for road users.
The Tema Region ECG Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mary Sakyiwa Mensah, who spoke to the media on behalf of the company after the work, stressed the need for roads to be maintained periodically to be more motorable, due to their usefulness to society in general, adding, “without good roads, we all suffer the consequences”.
Cordial relationship
She said the issue that came up last year between the company and the customers in the Krobo area had been resolved and there was, therefore, a cordial relationship existing between the company and its Krobo customers as the prepaid meters were installed for the customers.
She explained that currently, arrangements were being made for customers who did not get the prepaid meters to be served.
She was grateful to all the players, including the Energy Minister, the Energy Ministry, the Ghana Armed Forces, traditional authorities from both Yilo and Manya Krobo, the religious leaders, the ECG Management from the national, the region and the Krobo District, as well as the media, for various the roles they played to bring the issue to an end during the crisis.
The MCE of Yilo Krobo, Eric Tetteh, who fully participated in the event, was full of excitement for seeing the military and the ECG workers, as well as some of the assembly workers, working together on the road.
Political game
He explained that during the power crisis in the Krobo area, the citizens saw the military as people who were in to beat and brutalise them, adding: “Today, the same military persons are helping to fix our road, which is the source of my excitement”.
He lauded the ECG for sponsoring the activity which face-lifted the road in the area and added colour to the May Day event in the municipality.
Payment for power
Mr Tetteh said the power that ECG supplied to the customers anywhere in Ghana was bought from energy producers and he, therefore, advised the customers to ensure they paid for the power they consumed for the company to be in good business.
The MCE, however, pleaded with ECG to reduce the cost of extra meters that it was supplying to the customers in the area for them to afford the payment.
Following the death of Member of Parliament (MP) for Kumawu, Philip Basoah, residents of the area will vote in a by-election on May 23, 2023, to choose a new representative.
While everything now seems set for the election, a development in the names of two out of the four candidates who have been approved by the Electoral Commissionto contest in the election has got political watchers now paying closer attention to the contest.
Prior to the announcement of the notice of poll by the EC, the contest had already generated interest as the elected candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ernest Yaw Anim, was expected to face stiff competition in the bid of his party to retain the seat.
His closest contenders include a former member of the party in the constituency, Kwaku Duah, who chose to run independently against the deceased MP in the 2020 election.
Mr. Duah came second in the 2020 contest with a total valid vote of 11,698, representing 39.96% of the total votes, as against Mr. Basoah who won the race with 14,960 valid votes, representing 51.11% of the total votes.
Aside from having to contend with Kwaku Duah, who has also decided to contest again in the upcoming election, the NPP also has to worry about the candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress, Kwasi Amankwah, who some believe may be able to take advantage of the situation and grab a win, even though the Kumawu Constituency is traditionally an NPP seat.
However, in what some people believe to be a move sponsored by the ruling NPP, another candidate also bearing the name Kwaku Duah has joined the contest as an independent candidate.
Relatively unknown to the electorate until the declaration of his intent to contest in the election, some critics believe the young independent candidate, who hails from Bodomase, is being sponsored by the NPP in a clever strategy to derail the prospects of the leading independent candidate.
Per the rules of the EC, independent candidates, when it comes to their appearance on the ballot paper, only have the advantage of “first come, first serve” after the position of candidates representing registered political parties is determined.
Thus, come May 23, the two Kwaku Duahs will appear in consecutive order at the bottom of the ballot paper.
Strikingly, the new Kwaku Duah chose a dove as his symbol on the ballot paper, just like the senior Kwaku Duah.
Other candidates in the race for the Kumawu by-election are candidates of the Convention People’s Party and the Liberal People’s Party, bringing the total number of contenders to six.
The Executive Director of the National Secretariat, Professor Paul Opoku-Mensah has stated that governmentneeds 120 million dollars to complete the National Cathedral project.
Construction work on the National Cathedral has reportedly stalled for some months.
Foundation works on the multi-million dollar project have been completed and workers have been asked to leave site.
The reason for this development, according to the Executive Director of the National Secretariat is due to lack of funds.
National Cathedral
In an exclusive interview on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem Tuesday, he stated that they have suspended the project to raise adequate resources to continue.
He indicated that the workers had been sent home until there is enough money to continue with work.
Professor Opoku-Mensah revealed that the pre-engineered steel and other materials for the project need to be imported but there is no money.
He noted that once they get the $120 million, the National Cathedral will be completed for commissioning in 2024.
Prof. Opoku-Mensah said given that the Cathedral Project is of historical significance to the consolidation of Christianity and also has economic value to the state, it is important for it to be pursued vigorously.
According to the workers, the fortunes of GIHOC distilleries have taken a turn for the worse under the leadership of Mr. Jumah who has been the MD of the company for six years now.
Clad in red armbands, the workers vented out their frustrations to Citi News and called on the government to immediately relieve Mr Jumah of his duties.
But the Management of the company says the allegations are untrue. Nana Kwesi Adubofour Sales Manager at GIHOC said claims of mismanagement are completely untrue adding that just 30 aggrieved workers out of over 500 workers protested.
“We have 565 workers here and if 30 of them protest against the MD then I don’t know why they are doing that, and I don’t know what they meant by mismanagement. The salary arrears are not three months, we are yet to pay last month which we will pay by next week and this month will be paid by the end of this month.”
A 21-year-old mentally challenged man, Tafari Abednego Thompson has allegedly killed his 59-year-old biological mother, Madam Mwassa Tafari.
The tragic incident happened onMother’s Day, Sunday, May 14, at Obosomase-Akuapem in the Eastern Region.
The suspect, believed to be mentally unstable, fled into the nearby bush immediately after committing the heinous crime.
Upon discovering the lifeless body of Madam Tafari, the local youth quickly organized a search party, knowing that the suspect was the only person living with the deceased.
Led by one David Yeboah, the youth combed the surrounding bush, determined to apprehend the suspect.
Eventually, they found Thompson at the boundary between Obosomase and Dodowa. Shockingly, the young man had used a metal object to inflict multiple wounds on his mother, disfiguring her face in the process.
Tunyejah Tafari Thompson, the elder brother of the suspect, disclosed that his brother had been displaying unusual behavior for the past year, causing significant troubles within the family.
Authorities have taken custody of Madam Mwassa Tafari’s body, depositing it at the Police Hospital mortuary. The police have initiated their investigation into the incident.
Former Jamaican electoral commissioner, Paul Christopher Burke has stated that legalising cannabis in Ghana will bring huge benefits to the country.
According to him cannabis should be endorsed due to its immense therapeutic value.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday May 16, 2023 “the ignorance and superstition that surround cannabis must be killed. More focus should be placed on putting its science to the test.”
“The same way that liquor and alcohol can disorientate, so can cannabis. However, quite clearly that is only when taken-in to certain extents … medically, the positive effects is overwhelming.
“And for countries like Canada, where it has been legalised, there has not been any case which can be pointed that can back any argument against legalisation of cannabis,” Burke said.
Watch the full interview in the attached video clip below: Destruction
Meanwhile, theNarcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has destroyed 50,000 kilogrammes (50 tonnes) of marijuana, worth GHC50 million, at the Bundase Military Camp in the Greater Accra Region.
The two-day destruction exercise, according to the commission, is in line with its mandate to “seize, investigate, and prosecute perpetrators, as well as destroy seized narcotic drugs” after following all legal procedures.
The commission is mandated to destroy seized narcotic drugs after conducting all necessary investigations.
A statement issued by NACOC said “the seizures mainly were made between 2021 and 2023 in the Volta Region and Eastern Region, where suspects escaped arrest while their trucks, vans, and cars were impounded at the commission’s headquarters in Accra.”
The statement said NACOC under normal circumstances “would have used an insinuator to destroy the cannabis, but due to the huge nature of the drugs,” the commission decided to resort to open-air destruction.
The commission further cautioned the general public, particularly drivers, who allow themselves to be used as couriers by smugglers, with or without their knowledge, that their vehicles used in the act will be seized.
On Saturday 13 May, a 15-year-old girl,Evelyn Agyenim Boatenglost her life been pronounced dead after a lightning struck.
The deceased was a student of Odumase Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Primary and JHS in the Sunyani West municipality.
Tenants say the sad incident occurred around 4.30pm when the deceased was preparing a meal for her family. The body has been deposited at a mortuary for preservation and autopsy, eyewitnesses said.
On a visit to the deceased’s family house, her father, Kwadwo Owusu Aduomi, could not control his tears as he narrated the story to the Ghana News Agency.
“I received a distress call that my daughter was unwell, but when I rushed to the hospital, I saw her body lying prostrate at themortuary with multiple bruises around the breast area,” Aduomi said.
Three individuals have been killed in a tragic accident which involved a tricycle and a truck at Adukrom-Akuapem in the Okere District, Eastern region.
The crash occurred on the 16th of May 2023 at about 7:am near the waterworks junction area.
According to an eyewitness, the tricycle locally known as “Aboboya” was loaded with concrete land demarcation pillars descending from Adukrom towards Aseseeso but reportedly failed brake and collided with a Kia truck with registration number GE 7984 coming from the opposite direction.
The two persons aboard the tricycle died instantly but the rider died upon arrival at the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital where eight other victims were rushed to for emergency care.
Assemblymember for Adukrom- Methodist electoral area Hon Ebenezer Obiri Asare, explained that a total of twelve(12) victims were involved.
Five were in the tricycle while seven were in the Kia truck.
He said fire Service personnel, police and civilians worked together to retrieve the bodies and manage the accident situation.
“We were following the tricycle but when it reached Adukrom water works it crashed into the driver’s side of the Kia. The tricycle was descending with speed it seems there was a brake failure. So two of the five persons on the tricycle died instantly while the other three were rushed to hospital. We are told the rider popularly known as Enkase also couldn’t survive.”
