TheGhana Police Servicehas formed a legal team to investigate a viral video in which a candidate for the National Democratic Congress'(NDC) parliamentary elections on May 13, 2023, was caught spraying cash at a polling site.
In the heat of election in the Ejura Sekyeredumase Constituency on Saturday, Juliana Kinang Wassan was captured on video throwing wads of cash from the roof of her car causing a melee amongst ecstatic delegates.
In a statement following at the end of polling, the Ghana Police Service said a legal team is studying the video to establish whether her action is criminal and warrants any further action.
“The attention of the Police Service has been drawn to a viral video in which Madam Juliana Kinang-Wassan, one of the Parliamentary aspirants for the Ejura Sekyedumase Constituency, is seen spraying money at a crowd during the elections at Ejura Sekyedumase, in the Ashanti Region. A dedicated legal team is currently scrutinising her conduct in the video to establish whether there are elements of election-related crime to warrant Police intervention or otherwise,” the statement said.
The police further announced the arrest of eight individuals at various polling stations across the country for election-related offences and disturbing the peace during the primaries.
Read the full statement by the police below:
POLICE ARREST EIGHT PEOPLE FOR VARIOUS OFFENCES DURING THE PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY PRIMARIES OF THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS
The Police have arrested eight (???? suspects throughout the country for various election-related offences and disturbing the peace during the Presidential and Parliamentary Primaries of the National Democratic Congress held on Saturday, 13th April 2023. The suspects, Yaro Burdove, Harrison Martey, Imoro Ibrahim, Arkoli Mensah, Nyarko Richard, Prince Lomotey, Hamidu Dramani and Bejando Emmanuel, were arrested at their various voting centres across four constituencies in the country.
Specifically, suspect Yaro Burdove was arrested during the elections at the Ningo Prampram Constituency for taking a photograph of his ballot paper in the polling booth and also attempting to take photographs of the ballot of other voters, while Harrison Martey and Imoro Ibrahim were arrested for engaging themselves in an unlawful fight at a voting centre at the same constituency.
Suspects Arkoli Mensah and Nyarko Richard were arrested for disturbing the peace by engaging themselves in an unlawful fight at a voting centre during the voting process at the New Juaben South Constituency in the Eastern Region.
At the Mfantseman Constituency in the Central Region, suspect Prince Lomotey was arrested at the voting centre for personation, while at a polling station in the Atebubu-Amantin constituency in the Bono East Region, suspects Hamidu Dramani and Bejando Emmanuel were arrested for causing violence.
Five of the suspects are currently on Police inquiry bail, while the three others are in custody assisting the ongoing Police investigation.
Meanwhile, the attention of the Police Service has been drawn to a viral video in which Madam Juliana Kinang-Wassan, one of the Parliamentaryaspirants for the Ejura Sekyedumase Constituency, is seen spraying money at a crowd during the elections at Ejura Sekyedumase, in the Ashanti Region.
A dedicated legal team is currently scrutinising her conduct in the video to establish whether there are elements of election-related crime to warrant Police intervention or otherwise.
The Police would like to assure the public of its commitment towards ensuring, peace, security, law and order at all times.
Former President,John Dramani Mahama has made his first public statement after emerging flagbearer at the just ended National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) presidential and parliamentary elections.
In a landslide victory, the former president polled 297,603 (98.9%) against his contender Kojo Bonsu who polled 3,181 (1.1%) in the election held on Saturday, May 13, 2023.
The Electoral Commission’s returning officer made the declaration in the wee hours of May 14, 2023.
In his speech, he said he was humbled by the vote of confidence and described the outcome as a victory for the NDC as a whole.
He thanked God for a campaign that was largely incident free as he crisscrossed the country to canvass for votes.
He reserved thanks for constituency executives for their support during his trips across the country.
He also thanked the three contenders in the race, Dr. Kwabena Dufuor, who withdrew at the last minute and Kojo Bonsu who was his only challenger.
Mahama reminded the party that their eyes must be on the ultimate prize which is to win political power come 2024.
John Dramani Mahama became president of Ghana ahead of the 2012 general election after succeeding his boss, John Evans Atta Mills following his demise.
The NDC later put John Mahama up as its presidential candidate in the 2012 presidential election where he clinched victory from his closest contender, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party.
John Mahama in 2016 lost power to Nana Akufo-Addo and subsequently failed to recapture power in 2020 when he was elected flagbearer of the NDC.
Ahead of the 2023 presidential primaries, John Mahama enjoyed wide endorsement within the NDC and was presumed the party’s flagbearer in waiting.
Ahead of the election, Dr Duffuor who is a former finance minister under the erstwhile NDC administration led by John Evans Atta Mills, had sought an interlocutory injunction against the party from going ahead with the election.
At the hearing of his application inAccra High Court barely 24 hours before the election, Dr Duffuor’s lawyers informed the court that they had been instructed by their client to withdraw the application.
Later at a press conference on Friday, Dr Duffuor announced his resignation from the flagbearership contest.
Ghanaian rapper Amerado, is the the firstKumasi rapper to win the Best Rapper awardat 2023 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA).
The award ceremony held last night in Ghana, is one of the most prestigious events in the country’s music industry.
Amerado, born Derrick Sarfo Kantanka, is a Ghanaian rapper known for his unique style of storytelling and rap delivery. He started his music career in 2015 and has since released several hit songs, including “Yeete Nsem”, which has become a popular series in Ghana.
Amerado’s style of rap, which combines witty wordplay with storytelling, has earned him a loyal fanbase in Ghana and beyond.
At the 2023 VGMA, Amerado beat out several well-known rappers, including Teephlow, Medikal, Strongman, and Lyrical Joe, to take home the Best Rapper award. His win was a significant achievement for Kumasi rap and a testament to the talent and hard work of the rapper.
The award was well-deserved, as Amerado has been consistent in his music delivery, with each release showcasing his growth as an artist. His “Yeete Nsem” series, which started as a weekly rap news review on social media, has become a cultural phenomenon in Ghana. The series covers a range of topics, from politics to social issues, and has amassed a large following.
Amerado’s win at the VGMA is not only a personal achievement but also a victory for Kumasi rap. Kumasi, a city located in the Ashanti region of Ghana, has been home to several talented rappers, including Flowking Stone, King Paluta, Strongman and Phrimpong. However, Kumasi rap has often been overshadowed by the dominance of Accra-based artists in the Ghanaian music industry.
With Amerado’s win,Kumasirap has been given the recognition it deserves, and other Kumasi-based rappers can now aspire to achieve similar success. The win also shows that talent can come from anywhere, and artists should not be limited by their location.
A Zimbabwean socialite, Ellen Tsaura, has asked Nigerian artist Burna Boy to marry her after her fiancé dumped her for throwing her bra at the singer.
DAILY POST recalls that Ellen threw her bra at Burna Boyduring his performance at Belgravia Sports Club in Harare, Zimbabwe, last June.
Burna Boy caught the undergarment and continued singing while holding the infatuated fan’s item of clothing.
Sharing a screenshot of a report about her expression of love for the Grammy-award-winning singer via her Twitterhandle, Ellen revealed that her fifth boyfriend broke up with her over the incident.
She wrote, “I broke up with my 5th Boyfriend because of this @burnaboy must just come and marry me kwacho.”
On Sunday, May 14, 2023, Black Kat GH, will perform at a magnificent event sponsored by the Mayor of Swindon, UK, Abdul Amin.
The event that will see the Mayor bring together Swindon communities and raise funds for charity will feature other top entertainers like Shatabdi Roy, and Momata among others.
The event that pulled thousands last year is expected to attract even more patrons with interesting twists of fashion shows, dance performances, intercultural food experiences, and many more this year.
The event organized by the Swindon Bangladesh Association would treat patrons with wonderful performances, headlined by the UK-based Ghanaian rapper.
The afro beats, hip hop and hiplife artist born Albert Tuffour is popular for his soothing vocals and versatility in his music craft.
Black Kat GH is popular for hit songs including ‘KumericaAnthem’, ‘So Much Love ft Kwabena Kwabena, ‘Hustle’, ‘And take a Walk’ ft Ball J, to mention a few.
Some delegates from the Sefwi Wiawso Constituency in the Western North Region have threatened to boycott the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential and parliamentary elections.
These delegates say they have been exempted from a GHS40 package meant for transportation.
The delegates said executives of the party in the constituency are scheming to deny them the said amount which is supposed to be given to them to aid their movement to their various voting centres.
According to the delegates, it’s the responsibility of the party to see to their transportation, however, they received support from former president, John Dramani Mahama which they say has been held on to by some party executives.
“The constituency executives just want to take the money and if they don’t release that money, we are not going to vote,” one delegate said.
The Western North regional secretary for the NDC, George Ofori Danquah however denied the allegations and explained that the said amount will be given to them in addition to what the party would have given them as transport fare.
An entertainment commentator and artiste management, Bullgod, has stated that Shatta Wale’s ‘gringo’ visuals inspired Piesie Esther‘s ‘waye me yie’ video.
Speaking on TV3’s New Day show, Bullgod raised concerns about the similarities of both visuals, calling out for the lack of originality in the music video for her hit song ‘Wayɛ Me Yie’ hitting that the concept was influenced by dancehall art Shatta Wale’s GRINGO visuals.
According to him the lack of originality affected the chances of Piesie Esther’s Waye me yie to grab a win for the Best Music Video Award at the just-ended 24th VGMA
“That video is plagiarism, I told you that video was taken from Shatta Wale’s ‘gringo’, go and look at the Gringo video. There’s no originality in that video, it’s the same video. How do you expect to win with such a video??” he quizzed.
He expressed disappointment about the not-so-original video of the borrowed concept
“We are looking for originality in the art. If the person is not original in whatever they delivered how do you award them?? Go and watch the two videos,”
“She might have spent a lot of money on the video but it wasn’t original,”
His remarks have triggered conversations online about the significance of creativity and innovation in music videos with many industry professionals and fans also expressing their views on the matter.
Professor Godfred Bokpin, an economist at theUniversity of Ghana Business School, has said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Board would accept Ghana’s $3 billion program by Wednesday, after the country received the Paris Club financial assurance.
Speaking on the News 360 on TV3 Friday May 12, he said that the Paris Club financing assurance was all the Fund needed to get the deal approved for Ghana.“It is a very significant breakthrough for Ghana. Practically that written statement is all that the IMF has been waiting for this while.“The detail and all of that will be worked out later but this is enough for the IMF to consider Ghana’s programme, and I think that with this assurance which has been outstanding probably by next week Wednesday or so, Ghana could get its programme.”
President Akufo-Addo also expressed optimism that by next week, the Board of the Fund will meet and approve the deal.Addressing members of the Ghana Catholic Bishop Conference at the Jubilee House in Accra on Friday, May 12, Mr Akufo-Addo said “Today is a very special day in the recent history of Ghana. At along last today, we have been informed that the last hurdle towards our agreement with the Fund has been overcome, which is that the Paris Club met today in Paris with the creditor’s committee co-chaired by China and has okayed and approved Ghana’s request of the IMF.“It means that hopefully, next Wednesday the Board itself will meet and give final approval.”
He further expressed optimism that soon, Ghanaians will see massive economic recovery.“So the sacrifices that the country has to make this last year, it may be that at long last we are going to see the beginning of the recovery, with the approval of the IMF we will be in a strong position then to make other arrangements to help our economy get back,” he said.
China and the Paris Club have asked private creditors and other official bilateral creditors to commit to Ghana’s deal without any further delay after they agreed to provide the debt assurances needed for Ghana to secure the $3bn bailout from the IMF.A press statement issued by the Paris Club on Friday, May 12 said “The creditor committee stresses that the Ghanaian authorities are expected to seek from all private creditors and other official bilateral creditors debt treatments on terms at least as favorable as those being considered by the creditor committee, in line with the comparability of treatment principle.Consequently, it added “the creditor committee urges private creditors and other official bilateral creditors to commit without delay to negotiate with Ghana such debt treatments that are crucial to ensure the full effectiveness of the debt treatment for Ghana under the Common Framework.”
Also, a creditor committee for Ghana has been formed by countries with eligible claims to see to the quick implementation of the resolution. The creditor committee is expected to be co-chaired by China and France.
“The creditor committee examined the macroeconomic and financial situation of Ghana, including its long-term debt sustainability, and its formal request for a debt treatment under the “Common Framework for Debt Treatments beyond the DSSI” endorsed under the Saudi G20 Presidency in November 2020, which was also endorsed by the Paris Club.”
“The creditor committee supports Ghana’s envisaged IMF upper credit tranche (UCT) program and its swift adoption by the IMF Executive Board to address Ghana’s urgent financing needs. The creditor committee encourages Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to maximize their support for Ghana to meet its long-term financial needs,” the statement added.
Some significant actors in Ghana’s film industry have met with personnel from theUS Embassy‘s cultural department.
The aim of the meeting which took place on May 10, 2023, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration was to among other things address issues that emanated during the recent visit by the US Vice President HE Kamala Harris to Ghana where African American Filmmaker Mr Spike Lee who accompanied the Vice President made a blaring comment about the Ghana Film industry.
The stakeholders’ meeting also took a critical look at the potential areas of collaboration between the film industry and the cultural department of the US Embassy in Ghana.
It was convened by Mr. William Manful, the Director of the Americas Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.
President Akufo-Addo has praised nurses for their dedication and sacrifices in improving healthcare in Ghana.
He said nurses were critical for the building of a robust healthcare system and national development, and as such they needed to be commended.
Launching this year’s International Nurses Day in Accra Friday, May 12, the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, said the President was particularly impressed by the sacrificial spirit they displayed nationwide, putting themselves up as frontline workers in the fight against the deadlyCOVID-19pandemic.
“Indeed, you deserve the presidential honour for distinguished service given to all health workers nationwide as part of the country’s 66th Independence Day celebration,” she said.
Day
The global theme for the commemoration is “Our nurses, our future” while the local commemoration was held on the theme “our nurses and midwives our future.”
Marked around the world every May 12, the day is to celebrate and honour nurses for their immense service to humanity while reflecting on their challenges for redress.
It is also to celebrate the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.
Mrs Osei-Opare said indeed a healthy population drove productivity, and that commemoration was an opportunity to reflect on the roles and needs of nurses and midwives.
She said research showed that the global nursing shortage was declining, however, WHO data showed that in the case of Ghana, more nurses and midwives were needed due to the high attrition rate, mostly caused by the search for greener pastures, among others.
“In line with this worrying trend, a more strategic approach towards training and maintaining nurses would help to prepare adequately for any potential pandemic.
“I therefore task the association to urgently sensitise and re-orient it members to the need to remain committed to serving Ghanaians.
“It is an established fact that the wealth of a nation is dependent on the health of its citizens, government is therefore, committed to expanding healthcare infrastructure locally and also to providing the needed resources for the needed output,” she said.
Challenges
The President of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association, Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, said in celebrating nurses and midwives, their challenges should also be looked at urgently.
She said logistical challenge was a major challenge to delivering quality healthcare services.
She said, locally, nurses lacked modern equipment to care for patients adequately, adding that the continuous use of obsolete equipment and limited supply of medicines and other consumables put the lives of patients at risk.
Mrs Ofori-Ampofo mentioned other challenges to include poor working conditions for nurses, low salaries, allowances in arrears and unemployed newly qualified nurses as the other challenges.
She said two and half years on, the book and research allowances of nurse educators had not been implemented.
She appealed to the ministry to fastrack the implementation because the association had presented a detailed data on nurse educators who qualified for that allowance.
She also mentioned that nurses had challenges with study leave and promotion.
Nurses
“For example, the post-basic nurses who have specialised in ophthalmic nursing; ear, nose and throat (ENT) and others have complained over the period about their inability to progress because of the excuse that there needed to be vacancies before they could be promoted and so on.
“I think that at any point in time, there can be only one head of nursing services but they can still receive that promotion to facilitate an improvement in their conditions of service to make life easier for professionals.
The Chairperson for the occasion, the Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsia, said nurses played a tremendous role in the lives of humans, and that every true nurse was not daunted by challenges.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, applauded nurses and midwives for their role in helping to abate COVID-19 locally and globally.
That is an indication that their challenges need to be looked at critically.
There is heightened security presence in theAsawase constituency as a result of misunderstandings between some delegates, party executives, and security authorities at the center.
According to reports, some delegates present at the voting centre were prevented from sitting on the chairs at the centre.
The massing of some delegates at the centre which has resulted in a charged atmosphere, is due to the alleged camping of most of the delegates by the incumbent Muntaka Mubarak.
The Director of Research of the party in the constituency added that some unknown men have invaded the voting centre.
These and other factors are the reason for the beefed-up security in the area.
TV3 reports that there are over 100 police and security officials at the centre to ensure that the situation does not escalate.
Asawase race
One of Ghana’s longest-serving members of parliament, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka is seeking to serve the members of his constituency for the sixth time.
Masawudu Mubarak, a businessman, is hoping to unseat the five-time MP.
Ghanaian singer,Francine Koffie, better known as Fantana, has said that she became interested in reality programs and movies after appearing on the popular reality show Young, Famous, and African for the first time.
Speaking to the media, Fantana shared her experience filming for the show and her future aspirations.
“I was in South Africa for four months filming for the show. They just really loved me,” she said. “After doing that and being on cameras and TV a lot, I feel comfortable and kind of considering doing more movies or probably TV shows as well.”
Fantana also shared how she landed a role on the show. “I developed interest after I watched the first season myself and later sent a casting tape of myself to Peace Hyde, one of the producers on the show. They liked it and I ended up doing a serious one and then I ended up on the show,” she said.
The young Ghanaian musician believes the experience on Young, Famous and Africanhas opened up new possibilities for her in the entertainment industry as she is eager to explore them further.Fantana is however set to release her debut project dubbed, “Pills and Concoctions” in July.
A sex coach,Dzifa Sweetness, revealed that beautiful music is one of the finest ways for individuals to have sex and achieve orgasm.
According to her a lot of ladies including herself, lost their virginity while having sex with music.
She added that “music calms the nerves and it makes you feel relaxed. it also works on the brain and women are mostly moved by what they hear. so, music being a form of communication is a great way to make sex more enjoyable.”
According to her, most men are bad with communication duringsexso sometimes what helps them communicate with women is music.
“the words in some of the songs is what plays a trick on us, and helps us reach orgasm. so, you can’t just play any song and expect good results,” she said.
She emphasized that the music being played should not be loud but should be on a low tune.
“finally, the kind of music that will be used matters because some of songs will never make you reach orgasm when you listen to them whiles making love. so, it is very important to select very good music for love making,” she stated.
A total of 1,235 delegates are scheduled to vote in the Volta region’s legislative and presidential primaries in the Ketu North constituency.
It includes 1,200 delegates from 138 branches in the constituency, 28 constituency executives and 7 former appointees.
The Electoral Commission as at 8am arranged venue for the exercise. The election is taking place at Penyi D/A basic school.
Speaking to the media, Volta Regional chairman of the party Mawutor Agbavitor said voting materials have been dispatched to the various 18 constituencies on Friday, 12 May and election is to start at 9am.
He said, the various election centres will be man by personnel from the Ghana Police Service (GPS) and no private security is allowed.
Agents of the various aspirants have arrived at the venue before 7 in the morning.
A total of 20,721 delegates are expected to participate in the presidential election and 18,695 to vote in the parliamentary race throughout the Volta region.
Cosmetologist and hairstylist, Josephine Jacksonhas explained why it is important to constantly wash your hair with warm water.
According to her, hair care is dependent on the type of hair. She asserts the different types of hair have different products on the market for them.
Speaking with the media, she said, “Each strand of hair under the microscopic view appears the way a roofing sheet is lined up so, when washing your hair, you need warm water to open up that roof ( pores) so all the impurities can come out.”
She revealed that the mistake most hairdressers make is to always use normal or cold water to shampoo which is the wrong way of washing hair.
“The pores need to open to rid the hair of dirt and after the dirt is out, and it is still opened, then the conditioner is used to give the hair all the nutrients it lost while the hair was being washed with the shampoo,” she explained.
She added that it is after all these that cold water is used to lock all the nutrients in the hair, hence cold water should only be used after using the conditioner.
Per her observation, Ghanaians have little regard for hair dressingprofessionalswhich shouldn’t be.
“Due to this, we don’t learn the ethics of the work well. These things are basic things that should be taught in various salons. We shouldn’t wait for it to be taught in beauty school because hairdressing goes beyond just knowing how to shampoo and style the hair,” she emphasized.
Josephine believes that a lot more goes into hairdressing “and it is high time Ghanaians embraced cosmetology so we can understand what it entails that way, it becomes easier to know the products, hair and treatment needed for each type of hair.”
A meeting that was scheduled between the Finance Ministry and the leadership of the group on Thursday, May 11, did not happen after several hours of waiting.
The pensioners have once again gathered at the Finance Ministry on day five of their protest demanding payment of outstanding bonds.
Speaking to the media, Dr Adu Anane Antwi, Convener for the Pensioner Bondholders Forum lamented that they feel disrespected by the attitude of the government.
“After we dispersed from the Ministry of Finance, we were scheduled for a meeting on May 11, for 4 pm, but later it was called for 4:30 pm. It was called upon by the Minister of State at the Ministry, Dr. Amin Adam. We were here, we waited for him to finish his meeting, and we exchanged greetings”.
“We waited till 5:45 pm, the officials we were supposed to meet didn’t show up, so we left. We had to leave for our various houses to eat and take our medications and rest. We are waiting to get a call from them. We are hoping to get a call and have a discussion.
“We are also hopeful that government will borrow the excesses from theTreasury billsto pay us all our outstanding matured coupons”.
A fashion designer and actor,Amma Serwaa, has criticized Ghanaians particularly celebrities for failing to know more about the phrase ‘red carpet’ and what it requiries.
Per her observation at the just-ended VGMA, Ghanaians especially do not understand what it means to be on the red carpet, hence their choice of clothes are always wrong.
She explained the term red carpet as a welcoming color for the ancient Greek gods.
In an interview with Mercy Bee the Ekumfi Princess, Ghana’s ‘Girl Vibes’ show, she said: “As time went by, painters started using red carpet in their paintings because they felt it signified royalty. So, the term red carpet is used to explain elegance and royalty hence, anyone who walks on any red carpet needs to look elegant and like royalty”.
She believes that anyone on any red carpetshould look his or her best, and it should be evident from their head to their feet.
“You need to understand the red carpet when dressing, and also have to take into consideration the details of the dress you’re wearing because it is also very important,” she said.
A Ghanaian singer, DJ Azonto, has revealed that he spent GH20,000 voting in the hopes of emerging winner in the New Artiste category at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) in 2023.
He stated that he expected to win that category.
He informed Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm’s Sokoohemaa Kukua that he expected to be nominated for Artiste of the Year, Gospel Song, and Songwriter of the Year.
“I was expecting to be nominated in ten categories,” DJ Azonto informed the host. My song Fano Fom was a big hit, and I would have gotten an award for it. I recorded the song on my own and would have gotten rewarded for it.”
“I created my own hit. I didn’t need Burna to strike. I personally spent GH¢20,000 to vote for the new artist. I’m not making this up. The song should have been nominated in almost every category,” he continued.
Lasmid won the 2023 VGMA New Artiste award.
Meanwhile, DJ Azonto has claimed that his outfit for the VGMAs employed more than 200 employees.
He stated that the fashion designer who dressed him had gotten other requests to produce gowns for them.
The nine pupils who drowned at Weija-Gbawe will be buried on Monday, May 15, according toGreater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey.
He explained that the burial is coming in early due to the commencement of the ban on drumming and dancing on Monday 15.
He again urged parents in these two communities to ensure that their children are protected before using the estuary or in the interim accompany their children to and from school.
Henry Quartey, Regional Minister
The Regional Minister made this know after he led a team to the area.
“All the deceased parents have agreed that the bodies should be buried on Sunday since the ban on drumming and dancing commences on Monday 15. None of them is doing this under duress. Government will ensure that their children are given a befitting burial. One of the three survivors is very traumatised so I have asked the police to get him a psychologist,” he said.
The Greater Accra Regional Security Council also formed a committee to determine the suitability of habitation atFaana or otherwise.
The council has also pledged the provision of a canoe with an outboard motor to facilitate the transport of school children as it prohibits the operation of canoes by underaged persons.
“We have assured to come back and donate a canoe to ferry the children to school which will be managed by the assemblies. We will deliver life jackets as well. The security agencies has been tasked to come out with a report on the suitability of the area for habitation, the amenities they need here. we are all Ghanaians and everybody needs good amenities to live.
“We want to have data about the people who live here to help us map out a long term strategy. Going forward all operators of canoes shall be registered by the assemblies and should be known. Nobody will be allowed to go to the canoe without life jackets,” Greater Accra Regional Minister Henry Quartey stated.
He also urged the two Municipal Assemblies the Weija -Gbawe and the Ga South Municipalities to collaborate and put the interest of the people within Wiaboman and Faana into consideration before the estuary is opened.
This he believes is one of the ways of preventing another calamity.
The nine children drowned on Wednesday, May 10, after a boat they were in capsized.
8 of the bodies were retrieved on Wednesday while the body of the 9th child was retrieved on Thursday, May 11, after a thorough search.
Former Finance Minister, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, has said that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is not prepared to hold free and fair primaries election on Saturday.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday evening,Dr Duffuorstated that although the party had promised to address his concerns and the discrepancies with the voters register at a meeting with the Council of Elders, they are yet to do so.
He stated that the party leadership had promised to involve the technical team of all candidates in the flagbearership race to address the issues after he withdrew the suit filed against it.
However, Dr Duffuor noted that “Despite the assurances given to myself and my team by the Chairman of the Party, the executives of the party, in an act of complete and unacceptable breach of faith, went ahead to convene a press conference announcing that the elections would go ahead tomorrow, without having resolved the concerns surrounding the voters register as decided at the meeting of the Council of Elders.”
He said that the party has begun distributing the ballot papers to the various regions and constituencies without his team’s involvement ahead of the elections on Saturday.
This, he stated, contributed to his decision to withdraw from the elections, adding that he cannot compete when the party’s election preparations concerning the register is saddled with flaws.
“My concerns that the party is not ready to conduct a free and fair election is evident for all to see. Taking part in such would be akin to knowingly drinking from a poisoned calabash. I cannot contest in an election which is blatantly fraught with irregularities regardless of all my efforts to draw attention to same.”
Dr Duffour thanked his supporters assuring them that despite his decision he will continue to connect with the grassroots for the betterment of the party.
The former Finance Minister formally withdrew from the National Democratic Congress’ upcoming flagbearership contest on May 12.
His decision came after he withdrew the suit against the party filed on May 9, following what he says are some discrepancies his team has identified in the party’s voters’ register to be used for the exercise.
Subsequently, an Accra High Court, on Monday, struck out Dr Duffour’s injunction after his lawyers withdrew the case.
The National Democratic Congress(NDC) will today, Saturday, May 13 choose a flagbearer and parliamentary candidates for the 2024 general election.
This follows the withdrawal of the injunction case filed by one of the three flag bearer aspirants, Dr Kwabena Duffuor.
However, Dr Duffuor did not only withdraw the case, but also pulled out of the presidential primary, leaving the contest now in a two-man race between former President John Dramani Mahama and former Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly Chief Executive, Kojo Bonsu.
In withdrawing from the elections, the former Minister of Finance yesterday evening in a press conference explained that his decision was based on his grievances with the processes leading to the party’s upcoming primaries; especially the voters register.
He said the exercise had been marred by a lot of irregularities; which had not been resolved by the leadership of the party.
He, therefore, announced that he would no longer vie for the flagbearership of the NDC. However, he would still keep in touch with the grass roots.
“As at this time, the party has begun distributing the ballot papers to the various regions and constituencies without our involvement. I wish to reiterate my commitment to the party and grass roots however, my concern that the party is not ready to conduct free and fair elections is evident for all of us to see.
“Taking part in such an event will be akin to knowing drinking from a poisoned calabash. After consulting with my support base nationwide, I have been left with no choice but to withdraw as I cannot contest in an election blatantly flawed with irregularities regardless of all my effort to draw attention to the same,” Dr Duffour said.
Court action
This came hours after Dr Duffour withdrew the suit he had filed against the NDC following what he said were some discrepancies his team had identified in the party’s voters register to be used for the exercise.
Last Monday, he dragged the party to court, praying that the election should not be held until a complete register was delivered to his camp and the two other presidential aspirants at least five weeks ahead of the election.
The writ said a sizeable number of the eligible voters had no photographs exhibited on the voters register, making it impossible to conduct any meaningful verification exercise on those affected.
He also alleged that the number of constituencies on the hard drive given to his representatives was 220 as against 228 constituencies.
The litany of allegations also included the fact that there were inaccuracies that rendered the photo album unviable for a free, fair and credible election, and that an exceptional list of 74,799 people had been created to take part in the election, while 3,910 eligible voters in the 220 constituencies had been disenfranchised.
However, when the court sat yesterday, his counsel, Opoku Amponsah, said he had instructions from his client to discontinue the case.
“The discussions came up this morning for which reason I could file the necessary processes,” he told the court.
The judge, Mariam Afful, subsequently struck out the application as withdrawn.
Election
Consequently, the elections are expected to go ahead this morning across the country.
The Electoral Commission (EC), which initially declined to supervise the polls due to the injunction process served on the body, has agreed to conduct the polls.
The Chairperson of the EC, Jean Mensa, who made this known to the Daily Graphic, said the commission would go ahead to supervise and conduct the election.
Otherwise, the NDC stated at a news conference yesterday that it would resort to an internal mechanism to conduct today’s election, if the EC declined to supervise it.
The presidential primary will take place in 275 out of the 276 constituencies initially earmarked for the polls except in the Manhyia South Constituency, which will not vote in the parliamentary primaries too.
The parliamentary primaries will, however, be held in 212 constituencies, with 16 put on hold, and 47 going unopposed.
The head of the Elections Committee of NDC, Kakra Essamuah, told the Daily Graphic that a total of 356,624 delegates of the party were expected to vote in the election.
Delegates
They comprise branch, constituency, regional and national executive, former national executive, sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), former MPs and government appointees, NDC-appointed Article 71 Office Holders, and metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives that served under the party’s government.
The rest are NDC-appointed former deputy and ministers of state, former Ambassadors and High Commissioners, former Members of the Council of State, presidential staffers who fall under Article 71 of the Constitution, foreign chapters and members of the NDC Professional Forum.
Some 692 aspirants are contesting the parliamentary primaries, and three in the presidential primary.
With Dr Duffuor’s withdrawal, the two remaining flag bearer aspirants are a former Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Kojo Bonsu, and former President John Dramani Mahama.
According to the breakdown, 259 constituencies will fully participate in both the presidential and parliamentary primaries.
Sixteen constituencies will participate in only the presidential and not the parliamentary, while Manhyia South would not take part in the election at all due to some internal dispute.
CEO of Africa Center for Energy Policy (ACEP), Benjamin Boakye, has asked government to increase investment in oil sector to check flaring of gas.
According to him, he has observed that Ghana lacks the capacity to invest in extra plants to process and store excess gas hence the flaring by industry players.
Parts of the country in recent times have been experiencing intermittent power supply, but the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) blamed the power outages on Ghana’s inability to get gas from Nigeria.
The 2022 annual Public Interest Accountability Committee(PIAC) report disclosed that a total of 25.3 billion cubic feet (bcf) of natural gas worth about $169 million was lost in the upstream petroleum sector through flaring.
The report added that the volume of gas flared in 2022 increased by 19.3 per cent compared to a volume of 21.2 bcf recorded in 2021. This constituted about 10 per cent of the total 253.56 bcf of both Associated Gas (AG) and Non-Associated Gas (NAG) produced from the three oil fields of Jubilee, Sankofa Gye-Nyame (SGN) and Tweneboa-Enyenra-Ntomme (TEN).
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show hosted by Bernard Avle, Mr. Boakye indicated that the issue of Ghana acquiring plants to process gas at the Jubilee Fields has been on the drawing board for many years.
“If there’s no commercial avenue to use gas, you cannot compel them not to flare gas for operational reasons. If there are no commercial applications for the market, they have to flare the gas. We need investment to unlock the gas, once you produce it, you need to process it. We don’t have enough capacity to construct another processing plant. We will need to build a new site to store the additional gas from TEIN and Jubilee Fields”.
“…Once we have the capacity challenge, then we need to flare. That is why we are where we are, we are flaring the gas, and we are looking for liquid fuel,” he said.
He charged the government to diversify fuel sources by implementing policies that will help the country to have processing plants in order to get excess gas for other purposes.
“I always say we are getting the policy action wrong, that is why we are where we are. If we have ENI producing in a more constant way, you could discuss with investors to help you pump in more gas by setting up a new processing plant. We have to think politically along the value change…we haven’t done the policy right,” he suggested. “I always say we are getting the policy action wrong, that is why we are where we are. If we have ENI producing in a more constant way, you could discuss with investors to help you pump in more gas by setting up a new processing plant. We have to think politically along the value change…we haven’t done the policy right,” he suggested.
A woman suspected of being mentally deranged inKumasihas lost her life after a heavy truck loaded with tubers of yam knocked her down.
The truck, a Kia Rhino with registration GE 1869-17, from Zabzugu in the Northern Region was loaded with tubers of yam to Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
A DailyGuide report on Thursday, May 11, 2023, stated that the incident happened near the Maakro near Suame around 7:40am on Sunday, May 7, 2023.
According to the police, the driver of the truck is identified as Jalaldeen Amadu.
“On 07/05/2023 about 0740 hours, suspect driver Jalaldeen Amadu, aged 33, was in charge of a Kia Rhino truck No. GE 1869-17, loaded with yam, with two occupants, driving from Zabzugu to Kumasi.
“Upon reaching a section of the road near Bank of Africa, Maakro, the vehicle knocked down and killed an adult female pedestrian, aged about 40, who was crossing the road and suspected to be mentally deranged.
“Body was conveyed to KATH morgue and deposited for preservation, identification, and autopsy,” the Suame police disclosed in a statement.
The police disclosed that the accident vehicle has since been impounded for testing, adding that the “suspect driver is in police custody assisting in investigations. The almost dismembered body of the woman, believed to be in her forties, has since been deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) morgue in Kumasi,” the report added.
The United States has accused South Africa of sending armaments toRussia in a secret naval operation, creating a foreign policy dilemma for President Cyril Ramaphosa over the country’s links to the Kremlin and its stance on the Ukraine conflict.
Reuben Brigety, US ambassador to South Africa, told local media on Thursday that the US believed weapons and ammunition were loaded on to the Lady R, a Russian vessel under sanctions that docked at Simon’s Town naval dockyard near Cape Town in December.
“Among the things we noted was the docking of the cargo ship . . . which we are confident uploaded weapons and ammunition on to that vessel in Simon’s Town as it made its way back to Russia,” he said, in comments reported by South Africa’s News24.
“The arming of the Russians is extremely serious, and we do not consider this issue to be resolved,” he added.
“The US embassy and South Africa’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Ramaphosa’s office said it would respond “in due course”.
The rand dropped 2 per cent to 19.2 to the US dollar on the reports, its weakest level since April 2020.
South Africa has said it is non-aligned in the war, but Ramaphosa’s government is under pressure over signs it is favouring Russia, for example by holding joint naval exercises this year.
Ramaphosa has also extended an invitation for Russian president Vladimir Putin to attend a Brics leaders’ summit in Johannesburg in August — a move that has backfired on Pretoria after the International Criminal Court indicted Putin for war crimes. South Africa, a member of the ICC, would be legally obliged to arrest Putin if he travels there.
Sydney Mufamadi, Ramaphosa’s national security adviser, recently visited the US to explain South Africa’s stance and to try to preserve trade links.
The scandal over the Lady R is likely to overshadow these efforts.
Owned by Transmorflot, a company placed under sanctions by the US last year, the Lady R appeared to switch off its transponder as it made the stop in Cape Town after a voyage down the west coast of Africa.
After the ship left port, South Africa’s defence minister said it had delivered a consignment for the country’s defence forces, but provided no details on what the vessel may have picked up in Cape Town.
The South African government in January officially denied that it had approved any arms sales from South Africa to Russia since Moscow began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February last year.
The Managing Director of theElectricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Samuel Dubik Mahama, has stated that the recent power shortages in several sections of the country have been dealt with.
Debilitating power cuts have been recorded in parts of the country in recent weeks with residents fuming over the unannounced intermittent outages.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, May 11, Mr Dubik Mahama assured that the situation has been resolved.
“There was a low-pressure power issue that led to us having to dump some power, over 2230 megawatts of power two days ago. Steps have been taken, and some alternative fuel has been brought in”.
“But as we speak the matter has been resolved largely. There is enough heavy fuel with AKSA and there is some diesel with CEM power, so we will not have such problems down the line, but we have to make sure that at every point in time, there is enough fuel for this situation.”
Meanwhile, the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) has blamed the situation on challenges with the gas pipeline from Nigeria.
In an interview with the media, the Corporate Communications Manager of GRIDCo, Dzifa Bampoh assured of efforts to resolve the challenges.
She apologised to Ghanaians for the challenges associated with the power supply.
“We had a gas supply challenge from Nigeria. That has been the fundamental reason, and it has led to a multiplier effect, meaning our generating plants which use gas cannot operate fully.”.
“On Monday and Wednesday, we had challenges getting a full-capacity of power supply and that is why there has been intermittent power supply. We apologise to Ghanaians for it, because ultimately, if there’s going to be any shortage even if it’s for a day, we are obliged to inform Ghanaians.”
The government, lawmakers, giant corporations, and startups in Japan are keen to invest in Africa.
As a delegation from the African Development Bank Group led by President Dr Akinwumi Adesina visited Japan to showcase the enormous investment opportunities on the continent, the Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida, was leading his country’s charge with a tour of four countries, namely Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, and Mozambique.
In Japan, Dr Adesina accompanied by three Vice Presidents, Dr Kevin Kariuki, Dr Beth Dunford and Solomon Quaynor, and Executive Director Takaaki Nomoto, held a series of meetings with senior government officials including the Minister for Finance Shunichi Suzuki, Vice Minister for Finance Masato Kanda and the Director General in the Ministry of Finance Atshushi Mimura.
They met with the top leadership of global mega brands including Mitsui & Co Ltd., Sumitomo Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation and Toyota Tsusho, as well as Japan’s leading business community, the Keizai Doyukai, that brings together more than 1000 business executives.
The result of this high-level engagement could see Japan’s net Foreign Direct Investment to Africa rebounding to pre-Covid19 levels when it amounted to $10 billion compared to $6 billion in 2021.
In this write up we take a look at what the companies are looking for and a keynote message delivered by Bank President Dr Adesina. MITSUI & CO LTD
One of the largest investors in Africa, Mitsui & co Ltd, announced plans to resume the construction of the multibillion-dollar Mozambique LNG project which was stopped in 2021 following an insurgent attack on the facility in the country’s northern region of Cabo Delgado.
A combined deployment of the Mozambican army, troops from Rwanda and members of the South African Development Community (SADC) has since brought the situation under control.
“The security situation has been significantly improved. We want to restart construction work in summer,” announced Koji Asanuma, General Manager, Mozambique Project Dept(link is external).
He said preparatory work was continuing and they will soon be contacting lenders to kickstart construction.
The African Development Bank has invested $400 million in the project.
Mitsui & Co Ltd has five 5 offices in Africa: Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique and South Africa.
In addition to Mozambique’s LNG project, the company has also invested in Mozambique’s Nacala Rail and Transport project and Egypt’s Refining Company. It’s involved in renewable energy projects in Morocco, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda. TOYOTA TSHUSHO:
Toyota Tshusho Corporation is one of the front-runners among Japanese companies doing business in Africa. It is present in all 54 countries with businesses covering automobile, pharmaceutical, beverages and energy. Across the continent it employs about 22,000 people.
The Executive Vice President of Toyota Tsusho Corporation Toshimitsu Imai said the company is looking for more projects for wind power in North Africa, solar energy in West Africa and Geothermal in East Africa. Globally it is aiming to generate 10 GW.
The company is keen to discuss with the Bank the possibility of investing in Green Hydrogen. It’s carrying out studies in South Africa, Kenya and Egypt. “We will come to the Bank to discuss financing,” said Imai.
In terms of local manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, Imai saw possibilities in South Africa which has a huge automobile industry or DRC which has some of the world’s largest deposits of minerals needed for lithium-ion batteries.
The Toyota Tshusho Executive Vice President also expressed interest in the Africa Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation, an Africa-led and Africa-centered initiative that will significantly enhance the continent’s access to the technologies that underpin the manufacture of medicines, vaccines, and other pharmaceutical products. MITSUBISHI CORPORATION
AfDB President’s visit to Tokyo: Meeting with Mitsubishi Corporation
The company is present in 11 countries in Africa: Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa. Tanzania and Tunisia. Since entering the African market in 1954, Mitsubishi Corporation has spread its investment wings mineral and metal resources, automotive & mobility, natural gas, food industry and power solutions.
During a meeting with Dr Adesina, it was clear Mitsubishi Corporation is hungry for more. It’s Senior Vice President Tetsuya Shinohara, said the company had limited activities on the continent.
“Africa is a tough region,” he said, “We are figuring out areas to invest in, in the future. We are asking for suggestions about the way to follow.”
The Deputy General Manager for Global Strategy and Coordination Department Jun Fujino said there are stereotypes about doing business in Africa because of political instability, unpredictability of regulatory frameworks and that the consumer market may take too long to develop. SUMITOMO CORPORATION
AfDB President’s visit to Tokyo: Bilateral Meeting with Sumitomo
Another large Japanese general trading house, Sumitomo Corporation with investments in mineral resources, energy, chemical & electronics, real estate, media & digital, transportation & construction system is eager to expand its business on the continent.
“We want to grow together,” Masayuki Hyodo, President and CEO, Sumitomo Corporation said as discussions with the Bank delegation begun, adding, “We have started new business in Egypt, and we want to expand further.”
And the response was commensurate. “You are in the right place,” Dr Adesina told Mr Hyodo, “You are with the right partner. On infrastructure, we are trying to expand in green infrastructure in terms of roads, water and digital. We are trying to mobilize $10 billion to invest in green infrastructure.”
Sumitomo has offices in Algeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Mozambique, Tanzania and South Africa. ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS
AfDB President’s visit to Tokyo: Roundtable with the Private Sector
During the visit, the Bank delegation held roundtable discussions with about ten Japanese companies and Venture Capital funds operating in Africa. The discussion focused on new technologies related to energy and decarbonization such as next-generation solar power, hydrogen/ammonia, and storage batteries. They also discussed how Japanese technology and innovation can contribute to solving social issues in Africa. The roundtable featured a presentation by the Bank’s Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate Change and Green Growth, Dr Kevin Kariuki.
The second session featured Japanese entrepreneurs and investors with interest in the agriculture sector.
They were joined by venture capital companies to highlight the significant role startups play in the development in Africa. The session had presentations from two Bank vice presidents – VP for Agriculture, Social and Human Development Dr Beth Dunford, and Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization VP, Solomon Quaynor.
The roundtable discussions culminated in a keynote address by Dr Adesina. The roundtable discussions were organized by Keizai Doyukai and the United Nations Development Fund. Keizai Doyukai, a private, non-profit and nonpartisan organization that brings together nearly 1,400 top executives of some 1,000 corporations.
Participating firms included:
Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation: has invested in generation of thermal and hydropower projects across 10 countries.
Hitachi Energy: another global technology leader with significant investments in generation of renewable power including hydrogen. It has a presence in more than 20 countries with main hubs in Cairo and Johannesburg.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd: a manufacturer of motorcycles, aerospace and defense equipment, robots, gas turbines and other industrial products.
Tsubame BHB: is a startup company involved in the production of green ammonia fertilizer for small-scale farmers in Africa.
AfDB President’s visit to Tokyo: Visit of Tsubame BHB
NEC Corporation: began operating in Africa in 1963 delivering technologies behind establishing national ID and biometric authentication systems in South Africa, laying telecommunication infrastructure such as the 6,200-km-submarine cable between Angola and Brazil.
Kepple Africa Ventures: launched in Africa in 2018. It is the largest Japanese Venture Capital fund based in Nigeria and Kenya. It led 15 Japanese companies such as Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Toyota Tsusho Corporation and Yamaha to make direct investment into African startups.
Degas Limited: is a startup company based in Japan and Ghana where it is providing agricultural inputs, knowledge and digitalization support to 3,000 farmers.
Uncovered Fund: established in 2019 in Tokyo, has invested in 26 African startup companies particularly those that provide financial services essential for daily life and economic activities, sales promotion of retail stores, logistics in distribution and supply and urban transportation. It’s based in Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa.
AfDB President’s visit to Tokyo: Bilateral Meeting with AAIC
The Asia-Africa Investment & Consulting (AAIC): aims to invest in fast-growing companies within the healthcare sector in Africa. Among other activities, it is investing and managing agribusiness in Rwanda via the Rwanda Nuts Company.
Sasakawa Africa Association activities go back 36 years when it was established by Japanese Philanthropist Ryoichi Sasakawa, Nobel Laureate Dr Norman Borlaug and former US President Jimmy Carter.
AfDB President’s visit to Tokyo:Bilateral Meeting Sasakawa Africa
The association focuses on agriculture and especially smallholder farmer development in 12 countries across sub-Saharan Africa. President Makoto Kitanaka spoke about the association’s increasing use of technology in the delivery of its services. Dr Adesina meets with University of Tokyo
The University of Tokyo is investing in startups, with more than 400 already up its sleeves. Wassha, one of the startups associated with the University of Tokyo has developed an electrical power service business to reach people in rural Tanzania who do not have access to electricity. Beneficiaries rent LED lanterns which are offered on a Pay As You Go system.
AfDB President’s visit to Tokyo: Bilateral Meeting with President of the University of Tokyo
The University of Tokyo President Dr Teruo Fujii and Dr Adesina discussed ways their two institutions could collaborate including the possibility of establishing a joint Japan Africa Entrepreneurship program. This would bring together venture capital funds, establish joint businesses and establish a staff exchange program between the University of Tokyo and selected universities in Africa.
The two leaders also spoke about the possibility of collaboration between the University’s School of Pharmacology and the Rwanda-based African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation
The Bank delegation also held meetings with Japanese Bank of International Cooperation(link is external) and Japanese International Cooperation Agency(link is external) which signed a $350 million funding agreement with the Bank to support Africa’s private sector.
Before his departure Dr Adesina met with diplomatic representatives of more than 30 countries in Africa. He shared with them the achievements the Bank had made over the past seven years and the urgent need to attract more foreign direct investments to Africa.
AfDB President’s visit to Tokyo: Reception for African Development Bank, African Diplomatic Corps (ADC)
Following the five-day roadshow to showcase Africa’s enormous investment opportunities, the message was clear: The door and the road to Africa for Japanese investors is wide open!
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) has announced that, as part of measures to increase rice seed certification and distribution, a seed monitoring system will be implemented in 2024 to prevent seed adulteration.
The Ministry noted, it has observed over time, that farmers are in need of quality seeds for local rice cultivation as such, the need for a system to trace fake seeds in order to improve yield and harvest.
Speaking at an international symposium on rice seed certification and distribution in Accra, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong announced a consolidated approach to improve the rice seed value chain.
“My Ministry has taken some steps and initiatives to improve the rice seed value chain. We have implemented a seed tracking system on a pilot basis to reduce seed adulteration and faking. We are also building the capacity of seed certification officers and other stakeholders. We are providing improved seed storage and warehousing and cold rooms and also improving the marketing and distribution channels.”
The Minister also disclosed that some notable donor agencies have expressed support for Ghana’s rice sector to increase the harvest.
“It is significant to note that international donor agencies have also expressed their support in the rice sector in some aspects of its value chain to transform it to acceptable standards. Worth mentioning is KOPIA which is going to support the country through the provision of necessary machinery and equipment to further improve the quality of rice seeds in four irrigation schemes.”
Secretary General of the Korean Partnership for Innovation of Agriculture (KOPIA), Dr. Chang Ancheol pledged that it will keep supporting Ghana to become self-sufficient in rice cultivation.
President Akufo-Addohas announced intentions to cease the exportation of bauxite and iron ore ‘in their raw state’.
The move, according to him is aimed at protecting the country’s limited natural resources and learning from the mistake of gold exportation.
Speaking at the opening of a natural resource stakeholders dialogue in Accra, the President said the government will soon initiate laws to ban the wholesale exportation of bauxite and iron.
“We cannot forget lithium and the other green minerals which have been described as the minerals of the future due to the importance of the green energy transition. Fortunately, we have discovered lithium in commercial quantities in occurrence with cobalt, nickel, copper, lead, and zinc in the country.
“We should not do with these minerals what we have done with our gold resources over the years. The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources under the leadership ofAbu Jinaporis finalizing a policy document for the exploitation and utilization and management of these crucial minerals for the consideration of Cabinet in the next few years.
“By section 28 of GIDEC law, in section 30 of the GIFTECH law, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources is empowered to make regulations to ensure that no bauxite or iron ore in their raw state is exported out of the country after five years of coming into force of these laws.”
Ghana accounts for 0.29% of global production, with the other largest producers being Australia (28%), the Republic of Guinea (24%), China (18%), and Brazil (8%).
Exports of bauxite from Ghana increased by 31% to 61kt in 2022 over 2021. Ghana’s bauxite exports are expected to grow at a CAGR of 1% between 2022 and 2026, to 64kt by 2026.
The University of Education Winneba (UEW) has elected Omanhen of the Effutu Traditional Area in the Central Region, Neenyi Ghartey VII as its chancellor.
Neenyi Ghartey becomes the second Chancellor afterAlhaji Asuma Bandawho was appointed in 2010 and ended his tenure in 2015.
At an impressive investiture ceremony fused with academic veneration and culture and graced by the President Akufo-Addo, Neenyi Ghartey was robed as chancellor by the Chairman of the university’s Governing council,Nana Ofori Ansah, the vice chancellor, Prof Mawutor Avoke and assisted by the President.
He was then placed on the seat as chancellor.
Excitement and cheers
The Creative Arts Department of the university brought the assembly to excitement and cheers when they presented the robes for the chancellor in a “deer” in a creative enactment of the famous deer hunt festival of the people of Winneba.
The President Nana Akufo Addo in his remarks said he was certain that Neenyi Ghartey, an outstanding traditional ruler would work to ensure UEW stayed with its core mandate to produce professional educators to spearhead a new national vision of education aimed at redirecting Ghana’s efforts along the path of rapid economic and social development.
He said he was optimistic the university which he described as one of Ghana’s best would continue to produce graduates who were prepared to take on opportunities and possibilities for higher achievement through innovation and creativity in today’s science and technology and knowledge driven economic and champion prosperity for the mass of Ghanaians.
President Akufo-Addo observed that Neenyi Ghartey was taking over from one of Ghana’s notable sons, Alhaji Asuma Banda who for his selfless service to the university helped it be adjudged the third best university in the country in 2016 and the most sustainable university last year.
Worthy chancellor
He indicated that the university could not have picked a worthy successor saying he was hopeful that Neenyi Ghartey, a firm believer in academic freedom would employ his wealth of experience to ensure a seamless transition and further propel the university to greater heights.
Touching on the youth and development, he said he had a guiding principle that leaders had the responsibility to bring up a generation that fulfilled the dreams of the great patriots of the country and who would bring to bear the full meaning of freedom and justice, a generation who would live a new Ghanaian civilization equal to any on the face of the planet and the urged the nation’s youth to work to to embrace the greatness that beckons.
He further gave the assurance that government was steadfast to the commitment of continued support to UEW and all other universities in the country.
Neenyi Ghartey for his part thanked thanked the president and the governing council and management of the university for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to execute the role to the best of his abilities.
Concerted efforts needed
He said the challenging times that contend educational institutions and the global constraints amidst fierce competition from among Ghanaian universities for students necessitated concerted efforts from all stakeholders to achieve the university’s mandate.
He said the opportunity to lead the university filled him with great zeal dedication and commitment and pledged to work to make the university the best teacher education university in West Africa.
Close working relationship
Neenyi Ghartey said he had had close working relationship with the management of the university since it was a college of education saying he would work propel the university to higher heights using all his experience saying it was a university with promise for the government and people of Ghana.
He said he would work with management to put the past behind and reorient the workforce to work to uplift the university, its campuses and the Winneba community.
He thanked the President the management of the university and his predecessor for the successes chalked so far and pledged to build on it.
Nana Ofori Ansah
Nana Ofori Ansah for his part described Neenyi Ghartey as a friend of the university who had made remarkable contributions to the development of the university as a member of the university’s Governing council from 2017-2021.
He pledged the council’s support for the chancellor to ensure he his stewardship successful.
Background
Neenyi Ghartey had his Ordinary and Advanced level certificates from Accra Academy and Winneba Secondary School and then to the University of Ghana where he was he gained a bachelor of science in Agriculture.
He earned a commonwealth scholarship to study in India where he obtained advanced knowledge poultry nutrition and feeding and also undertook further studies in Israel.
He has worked an agricultural officer extensively supporting the farmer development.
He also holds a Master of Philosophy from the University of Cape Coast.
He was enstooled as Omahen of the Effutu Traditional Area in 1996.
VRA/NEDCo’s Upper East Region management has warned the Ghana Police Service and Ghana Health Service (GHS) to pay their debts to the company or else be disconnected from the national grid.
According to VRA/NEDCo, the Ghana Police Service and Ghana Health Service owe the company GH¢18 million and GH¢16 million respectively.
Speaking to Citi News, VRA/NEDCo billing officer, Williams Asare, said, the indebtedness of the two-state institutions threaten their operations and warned that, VRA/NEDCo would not hesitate to disconnect their facilities if urgent measures are not taken to settle their indebtedness.
“The health institutions in the Upper East put together are owing us (VRA/NEDCo) GH¢16 million, and we have engaged the regional health directorate and given them their entire bill. But we have seen documentation from the Director-General of the Ghana health service that, for those facilities that internally generate funds, we should have an arrangement for them to pay. As for the legacy debts before 2021, they will take up with the Ministry of Finance to pay”.
“Some clinics and health facilities have come for us to have some payment agreements where they’re going to pay substantial amount to reduce the debt and commit to paying the current bills, and we’ll be following up on that. Our L.I. allows that, when we serve the bill, after 14 days, if the customer doesn’t pay, you are due to disconnect, so we’re going to ensure that we don’t come there”.
“The police administration in the region are owing us GH¢18 million, we engaged the regional police commander and he has taken up the bill and is putting a covering memo to the police administration at the head office for them to pay. For certain category of officers, they’re supposed to pay their own bills so for those facilities we’re in the process of metering them with pre-paid meters so that they pay”.
Mr. Asare disclosed that over GH¢5 million out of GH¢120 million have been retrieved from customer indebtedness to the company in the ongoing revenue mobilization and disconnection exercise.
He reiterated that VRA/NEDCo will sustain its revenue mobilization efforts to ensure efficient power supply and value for money for its customers.
Mr. Asare appealed to all customers of VRA/NEDCo to settle their outstanding bills or come to the office of the company to negotiate payment agreement plans to settle their indebtedness or risk disconnection.
The Health Minister, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, has revealed that Ghana will be taken from the list of beneficiaries of the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI) to cease supplying free vaccine to Ghana – Agyemang-Manu in the coming days.
According to Mr. Agyemang-Manu, the GAVI initiative will not supply Ghana with free vaccines following its attainment of lower middle-income status.
Gavi, or the Vaccine Alliance, is an independent public-private partnership and multilateral finance structure that aims at increasing worldwide access to the use of vaccines, particularly among vulnerable children.
Speaking at the commissioning of a new office complex of the Ghana Vaccine Institute in Accra, Mr. Agyemang-Manu said Ghana needs to be self-sufficient in the production of vaccines.
“While the GAVI alliance support is about 80 percent of Ghana’s vaccine, our attainment of a lower middle-income status means we will have to transition from GAVI support by the year 2027.”
Mr Agyemang-Manu added that the government has since developed the national vaccine policy to translate President Akufo-Addo’s vision of making Ghana a vaccine manufacturing hub into a reality.
The recurring collapse of buildings in some areas of the country must be addressed with immediate effect, according to the Engineering Council of Ghana.
TheCouncil, which is mandated to regulate the engineering sector, said it had taken the recent disasters seriously and thus, an emergency team would be put in place soon to investigate the causes of the incidents to sanitise the construction industry.
In an interview with Wise Ametefe, the Registrar of the Council, he said the Council would also establish a permanent team that would directly respond to such disasters in the future and offer technical support to Assemblies to enforce building regulations.
The move by the Council follows four cases of collapsed buildings in less than two weeks, leading to loss of lives and injuries.
One person was reported dead on Friday, May 5 after being trapped under the rubble of the collapsed building situated at Nanakrom in theAdentan Municipality.
The tragedy occurred barely four days after a similar three-storey building collapsed at Madina in the Greater Accra Region – which reportedly killed one person and injured three others.
A six-storey building under construction at the city campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale collapsed last Saturday during a rainstorm.
Seven construction workers were injured after a church building collapsed on them at Old Bortianor in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region on Tuesday.
Mr Ametefe blamed the repeated incidents on poor supervision on the part of the Assemblies.
He said preliminary investigations at the disaster sites had revealed that the owners of the buildings either did not obtain permits or extended the buildings beyond what was approved.
“The Council is taking the cases very seriously…we agree that there could be failure in one aspect of the regulation but that could not be attributed to the Engineering Council.
“It is mainly the Assemblies who are responsible for approval of buildings but the professionals in the Assemblies should ensure that buildings submitted for approvals are vetted before permits are granted,” Mr Ametefe said.
In the case of the Bortianor church building incident, the Council said preliminary investigations had shown that there were “a lot of flaws in the construction”.
“Concrete columns were there without reinforcement. Concrete work was done porously…there was very little supervision,” Mr Ametefe said.
The Engineering Council said the outcome of the investigations would make a case for punitive measures to be taken against persons found to have flouted the law.
Director of Electoral Services at the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, has said that the Commission is yet to receive the National Democratic Congress’ presidential and parliamentary primaries voters database.
According to him, “The agreement was that we should have the registers and the ballot papers at least a week to the elections,” however, the NDC’s executives have failed to do so.
Currently, the scheduled date for the presidential and parliamentary primaries is at risk of being rescheduled following an injunction filed by an NDC presidential aspirant, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, who insists that the voters’ register submitted to his team contains discrepancies.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express,Dr. Serebour Quaicoe noted that till the NDC’s injunction is lifted by the court, the EC will withdraw from offering its services to the party.
He said it was to avoid such situations that the EC had urged the party to submit its voters’ register early for all challenges to be addressed timeously.
“So these things should have been made available a long time ago, because we knew that when such things are done you have people petitioning and the rest so we were thinking that if we had gotten it early enough, they would have addressed any challenges that may come out of it.
“There have been instances where we’ll go for the election and at the venue of the election the register will be brought to you and you may have to be making calls so that whilst you’re doing the election new names will be added and subtracted.
“So these things should be a lesson to the political parties that when they’re going to do anything they should [inaudible] ahead of time so that we will not be having challenges in registers…” he said.
The injunction case will be heard on Friday, a day to the scheduled May 13 election day.
Meanwhile, the NDC in a press statement has urged its party faithful and aspirants to keep calm as the party’s legal team handles the situation.
Former President, John Dramani Mahama has advised Ghanaians to refrain from placing their hopes in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for a better economy.
Speaking to National Democratic Congress delegates in the Wa East constituency in the Upper West Region, Mahama claimed that the NPP is not capable of changing Ghana’s fortunes within the remaining one and a half years left for it to leave power.
Mahama opined that the NPP has been in power for almost seven years hence has nothing new to offer.
He thus advised Ghanaians not to expect any miracles from the NPP.
“We have experienced NDC’s administration- after Professor Evans Atta-Mills, I took over from him making it 8 years. And we have experienced NPP for almost 7 years. They are left with one and a half years more, no miracle is going to happen. What they have done is all that they can do, they are not going to add anything to it. So anybody thinking that there will be a miracle is just tickling himself and dreaming. What you have is all there is, there’s going to be nothing more,” Mr. Mahama said.
Mahama’s comments come at a time when the government is engaging the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a $3 billion bailout to help restore the ailing economy.
The government has also rolled out policies and programs aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability.
The government has expressed hope of securing the Paris Club financing assurances within the shortest possible time to enable the $3 billion support from the IMF. The Deputy Finance Minister, John Kumah, assured that discussions towards securing the bailout support from the IMF have been fruitful.
Mahama’s criticisms of the NPP’s ability to revive Ghana’s economy come amidst the ongoing debate about the country’s economic future.
The Eastern Regional Manager of the PURC, Jude Aduamoah -Addo,has revealed that forty-eight (48) Senior High Schools in the Eastern Region owe the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) one million, two hundred and ninety-eight thousand, eight hundred and sixty-seven cedis (Ghc1,298,867).
the Commission has received 324 complaints against GWCL and Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) during the first quarter of 2023, with 311 representing a resolution percentage of 95.98%.
The 13 outstanding complaints are at various stages of resolution.274 of the 324 complaints were against ECG while 50 against GWCL.
The complaints were basically about billing, payment, poor quality of service, metering , disconnection, damaged properties and consumer service.55% of the complaints were received via various WhatsApp platforms created by PURC across the region for utility service providers ,customers and the regulator.
Complaints of disputed bills reported to PURC by three(3) customers against ECG during the period amounted to twenty-seven thousand nine hundred and sixteen Ghana cedis (27,916).
Through the intervention of the Commission, ECG passed an adjustment of twenty-seven thousand two hundred and sixty- eight Ghana cedis (27,268) leaving outstanding balance of six-hundred and Forty-Eight Ghana cedis (Ghc648) for the customers to pay.
PURC has declared 2023 the year of “operational efficiency”aimed at ensuring a balance between quality of service delivery and revenue recovery to help both providers and consumers commit to their social contracts.
The oppositionNational Democratic Congress(NDC) is convinced that the presidential and parliamentary elections slated for May 13, 2023 will take place as planned.
This comes on the back of Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC) indicating that it cannot supervise the NDC’s Presidential and Parliamentary Primaries slated for Saturday May 13, 2023.
The EC says it’s unable to organize the polls because of injunction by one of the Presidential hopeful Dr. Kwabena Duffour.
The Former Finance Minister in his suit against the party says there are some discrepancies his team has identified in the party’s voters register to be used for the exercise.
According to the EC, until the legal issues are resolved it cannot be involved in the polls.
However, in a press statement signed by the General Secretary of the party, Fifi Kwetey urged the party members and the people of Ghana to remain calm as the Party, through its legal team, works to resolve the temporary challenge.
“The National Democratic Congress (NDC), further to a court action on the part of one of the presidential aspirants, wishes to assure presidential, parliamentary aspirants as well as members, supporters, and sympathizers, that the party is taking all legitimate and legal steps to pave way for the presidential and parliamentary primaries on Saturday, May 13, 2023.
“It will be recalled that Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, one of the three presidential aspirants, on Tuesday filed a suit against the party seeking to injunct the primaries,” Mr. Kwetey stated.
He continued: “While urging calm among our rank and file, we wish to assure that the party as at April 20th, 2023 had made available the full Delegates List to all presidential candidates in line with our commitment stated in our guidelines that, this Primary Document, would be furnished to all presidential candidates.
“The party is therefore confident that, this temporary challenge will be quickly overcome to pave way for the holding of the primaries on schedule.
“It is our expectation that we shall all put the larger interest of our great party ahead of all considerations, knowing that the good people of Ghana are eagerly looking up to our party, come December 7, 2024, to rescue this nation from the current national collapse.”
Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) has apologized to Ghanaians who were affected by the recent power outage.
Recently, some parts of the country especially Accra experienced power cuts.
Head of Corporate Communications at GRIDCo,Dzifa Bampoh said the situation was a result of a generational challenge that is out of the control of GRIDCo
Speaking on News 360 on TV3 Wednesday, May 10, Dzifa Bampoh said “Sincerely, we apologize for the erratic power supply that many Ghanaians may have suffered for the last couple of days.”
She added “GRIDCo is a transmitter and we are not a generator however, we do have a view of what the generation is like, that is the generation coming from our power plants whether they are hydro or they are thermal or they are solar.
“Unfortunately, there has been a shortfall in generation capacity, meaning we have not been able to generate as much power as Ghanaians demand.
“That is out of the control of GRIDCo and it is partly because we don’t have enough gas coming in to power some of these plants. That is why we had some intermittent power supply, so there is no load-shedding.
“What has happened is, on some occasions, gas supply has been low and as a result, we have had to reduce supply to ECG.”
The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah has said that securing a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is not the only solution to the current economic issues.
Providing an update on the engagement with the IMF thus far, he said, “the Government of Ghana has had an enhanced programme which has been designed to help us recover from major shocks we are suffering. And to make that programme effectual, we will need some balance of payments support from the IMF. And that is what we have been working on, and all indications suggest to us that we should be bringing that to a closure pretty soon. But that is not all the panacea to our economic challenges, we have other programmes to help us to bring back growth, help private sector kicking and get cost of living under control”.
The government has since July last year engaged the fund for a $3 billion bailout to help restore the economy.
In addition to this, government has rolled out policies and programmes aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability.
Industry players have been relentless in their opinions of government’s role in bringing relief to Ghanaians.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on May 2 courted the support of Japan to help Ghana reach an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Board for the 3 billion dollar balance of payment support.
According to Akufo-Addo, Japan which is a member of the Paris Club has a major role to play in Ghana securing the IMF deal.
Speaking at a meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida who made a stopover at the Jubilee House Tuesday evening, Mr Akufo-Addo said Ghana will repay Japan’s support.
“Ghana is also counting on the support of Japan in reaching a favourable agreement with the International Monetary Fund which will pave the way for the robust recovery of Ghana’s economy,” President Akufo-Addo said.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Joseph Boahen Aidoo, has proclaimed his support for Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia’s presidential ambition, as well as emphasizing the importance of his expertise and vision for the digital era.
According to him, the rapid evolution of the world and the transformative power of technology calls for a leader who can harness the potential of the fourth industrial revolution and drive Ghana’s progress in the digital space.
He added that in an era marked by unprecedented advancements and breakthroughs, the world has witnessed remarkable shifts from the n period to the agricultural and industrial revolutions it is crucial to have a leader who comprehends the possibilities and opportunities that lie ahead.
“For the sake of the future let’s support Dr Bawumia.
“The world is evolving at an unprecedented pace. We’ve come a long way from the Neolithic era to the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions. Now, we stand at the cusp of the 4th Industrial Revolution – the age of digitization. With technology changing the way we work and live, it’s more important than ever to have a leader who understands the potential of this new economic era.
“With his vision, we can build a nation that will be at the forefront of revolutionizing the digital space for the benefit of future generations,” he said in a Facebook post on May 10, 2023.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has declared his intention to contest for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential flagbearership bringing the official number of people who have declared their intentions to contest to nine.
They include the former Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen; the former Minister of Food and Agric, Dr. Owusu Akoto Afriyie; Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong; former MP for Essikado-Ketan, Joe Ghartey; and a former MP for Mampong, Francis Addai-Nimoh.
An 18-year-old Uk-based Ghanaian lady, Princess Owusu Ansah, has allegedly stabbed and poured boiling water on her friend in response to claims of having an affair with her lover.
The distressing episode unfolded when a video clip captured by Owusu Ansah on her mobile phone went viral on Snapchat.
The footage depicted the victim cowering under a duvet, screaming in agony as Owusu Ansah threw a kettle of boiling water over her.
Moments prior to the assault, Owusu Ansah is heard accusing her friend of engaging in relationships with other people’s partners and acting as though she could escape the consequences. After delivering a series of punches, she proceeded to pick up a silver knife, striking it against a radiator before stabbing her victim in the leg.
The attack took place on February 2, 2023, at the victim’s residence in the Dog Kennel Estate, Dulwich. Eventually managing to escape, the injured woman fled into the street and was later treated at Kings College Hospital for non-life-threatening stab wounds.
Members of the public who had seen the disturbing video on Snapchat promptly alerted the MetropolitanPolice.
In March, Owusu Ansah, hailing from Royston, pleaded guilty to charges of grievous bodily harm and criminal damage during her appearance at Inner London Crown Court.
On May 9, during her subsequent court appearance, Owusu Ansah received a three-year prison sentence for the heinous assault.
The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has revealed the hidden circumstances that led to Ghana’s former President John Agyekum Kufuor being confined to a wheelchair.
According to the king of the Ashanti Kingdom, the former president failed to prioritize his health after he survived an accident on his way to the castle while he was president.
He detailed that former presidentJohn Agyekum Kufuor decided to put the country above himself when he had the accident despite his advice to him not to overwork.
Speaking at a dinner in Ransford in the United Kingdom (UK), Otumfuo said;
“He cannot walk and I said to him that it was his own fault. He had an accident on his way to the Castle, he was safe and went to the 37 military hospital and returned to the Presidency to work. I called him from Kumasi and he said [I’m in the office].
I asked what are you doing there, Ofa (Uncle)? and he said [I’m okay, nothing happened to me I’m fine]. I told him Ofa (Uncle) you better go home and rest. And I told him Ghana will still be there if you die. But he stayed in the office till 4pm before he left the office. This is the amount of sacrifice he had for Ghana,” starfmonline.com quoted Otumfuo as having said.
On November 14, 2007, former Ghanaian President John Agyekum Kufuor, also then Chairman of the African Union, escaped unhurt when a private car crashed into his vehicle, rolling it over several times.
‘The car finally rested on the sidewalk and the people around helped his security men to pull him out. The president came out holding his head’, an eyewitness said.
A man using a Mercedes Benz, ignored the siren of the presidential convoy and drove straight into Kufuor’s vehicle at the Opeibea House traffic light Intersection on the Airport – 37 Military Hospital road.
The man who caused the accident was put before a Motor Court in Accra and charged with four counts of dangerous driving, negligently causing harm, driving under the influence of alcohol and failing to give way to the presidential convoy.
Investigations further revealed that the accused was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident, and when tested with an Alco Sensor III, his alcohol level read 0.41% instead of the legal limit of 0.08%.
It was alleged that the accused person admitted to taking at least one bottle of alcoholic beverage before the incident.
The European Union (EU) has revealed that plans are underway to ensure that unemployed Ghanaian youth find jobs.
The initiatives are the EU-Ghana Pact for Skills worth €25 million and the Jobs, Migration and Development project worth €9 million.
Mr lrchad Razaaly, the EU Ambassador to Ghana made this known at a reception and an exhibition event to commemorate the Europe Dayin Accra.
Europe Day held on May 9, every year celebrates peace and unity in Europe.
It is to commemorate the Schuman Declaration in 1950, only five years after the most horrific war in modern history in which 50 million people lost their lives.
The Ambassador said the Union recently inaugurated the Ghanaian-European Centre for Jobs, Migration and Development, together with Germany and the Ghanaian government.
The centre provides direct support to returning migrants and resident Ghanaians looking for jobs and training in Ghana and in Europe.
He said young people were ready to jump at new opportunities and this had been seen through their projects and initiatives, with over €3 billion currently invested in Africa on youth, skills and education at large.
He said in Ghana, “we support over 100,000 young job seekers to gain skills and training through a number of projects.”
He said the Union had seen that young people were open to learning and this was through the ever increasing applications to the EU’s Erasmus+ programme.
Last year, the Union sent off 45 talented Ghanaian students to European universities, the highest number of Ghanaian students eager to start rich academic and cultural experiences.
He said through the same Erasmus+ programme, hundreds of students in Ghana would also benefit from high-quality training and support to enter a competitive job market.
“When we put together all the scholarships served by the EU and its Member States, it is several hundreds of Ghanaians getting the opportunity to acquire world-class knowledge and training, foster long-lasting links between Ghana and Europe and find new opportunities for exchanges and investments,” he added.
The Ambassador said through their GrEEn worth €20.6 million and WACOMP worth €6.2 million projects were jointly supporting over 500 young entrepreneurs and youth-led enterprises and they have seen their innovativeness and creativity.
Mr Mustapha Ussif, Minister of Youth and Sports, expressed gratitude to the Union for their continuous support of the youth in the area of education through the provision of scholarships for Ghanaian students to study in various European universities.
“We are hopeful that other EU projects in the pipeline, aimed at empowering and developing the youth will be launched soon for mutual benefits,” he added.
Member of Parliament for the Dome Kwabenya Constituency, Adwoa Safo, has stated that despite the hardships and obstacles that the party is facing, theNew Patriotic Party(NPP) remains focused on the country’s prosperity and growth.
According to her, the party will not fail its members despite these challenges.
In a Facebook post where she shared a picture of herself and the chief of Staff, Frema Opareshe captioned;
“The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is all we have and it remains the sole platform and vehicle through which the Prosperity and Development of our dear Country Ghana will be realised.”
On Monday, May 1, the Youth Empowerment and Counseling Agency (YECA) made some donations to the Ghana Prisons Service’s Senior Correctional Centre (SCC) in Accra.
This illustrious humanitarian visit was to support inmates of the facility.
A group of medical officers, optometrists, nurses, pharmacists, and other health officers were present to also screen both the Prison Officers and inmates.
Some certified counsellors were available to counsel and model them into becoming better individuals who can collectively contribute to national development.
In addition to the medical screening, YECA in collaboration with Alive Naturopathic Clinic, Momento Eye Centre, and the Accra Technical University-GNAAS Fellowship donated items worth GH¢12,000.00 to the SCC.
These items included ten boxes of medicated soap, seven bundles of T-roll, six packs of carbonated drinks, 15 bags of sachet water, five boxes of toothpaste, a box of toothbrushes, six bags of washing powder, two packs of bathing soaps and two bags of second-hand clothing.
Presenting the items on behalf of YECA, Pastor David Nketiah said it was one of the many social responsibilities adopted by the organisation to support the SCC periodically.
Receiving the items on behalf of the Officer In Charge was DSP James Akolbire, who thanked the team for coming to their aid with the items as well as the timely medical screening.
He assured that the donated items will be used strictly for their intended purposes.
He again prayed that YECA and SCC would continue to have a partnership that would support the inmates there to improve their lives, while giving them hope and vision for a good future.
The Senior Correctional Centre, formerly known as the Borstal Institute, an all-boys establishment of the Ghana Prisons Service, is a receptacle for young offenders and juveniles convicted for various offenses and are under correctional therapy.
Currently, it houses about 256 juvenile offenders.
Former National Democratic Congress(NDC) Northern regional communications officer, Hardi Pagzaa and Mumuni Osman have been fined GH3,600 by the District Court in Tamale for attacking a Radio Presenter at Dagbon Radio, Tamale.
The two who on Monday 8 May, were arrested and kept in police custody for two days appeared before the court on Wednesday.
The accused persons who were charged on four counts pleaded guilty to all charges.
The charges include; Conspiracy to Commit Crime to wit Assault, Assault, Unlawful entry, and Threat of Death.
The 4th Count of Threat of Death was however later withdrawn by the Prosecution.
The defence counsel told the court that the accused persons have shown remorse and prayed for a non-custodial sentence.
Before his ruling, the Judge cautioned the defendants not to repeat such unlawful acts. He further urged hosts of political shows and their guests to be circumspect in their pronouncements and actions.
The magistrate noted that such acts have the tendency of igniting conflicts, citing the Rwanda genocide and its devastating impact on citizens as an example.
The court then sentenced the accused person to a fine of 300 penalty units, amounting to 3,600 or in default, serve 18 months in prison.
On May 3, a radio presenter with a Tamale-based Dagbon FM, Sadiq Gariba was assaulted verbally and physically by a former NDC Northern Regional Communications Officer, Hardi Pagzaa during a live radio program.
In a video that went viral on social media, Mr. Pagzaa andOsman were seen storming the studio of Dagbon FM. The two men held up the presenter who was at the point hosting a show and threatened to slap him if he makes a comment.
The incident happened on World Press Freedom Day.
The host then stood up and in the process went out of the studio with the attackers.
The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), an international non-governmental organization, has guaranteed the government of its willingness to promote agricultural development in the country.
It said it had resolved to work with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and other stakeholders to continue disseminating sustainable agricultural solutions to improve soil health, ensure food security and increase incomes of actors, especially farmers.
The President and Chief Executive Officer of IFDC, Mr. Henk van Duijn, gave the assurance when he led a delegation to pay a working visit to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Bryan Acheampong, in Accra.
The visit formed part of activities to introduce Mr Duijn, who took over office in January 2023 to strengthen existing relationships, build new strategic partnerships and discuss issues of mutual interest relating to ensuring food security.
He said it was IFDC’s aim to develop and transfer improved production technologies to smallholder farmers while connecting them to efficient and profitable markets.
Mr Duijn noted that IFDC had contributed directly and indirectly to the development of agriculture across the country to promote local economic development.
That, he said had been done through increasing food and agricultural productivity through effective and environmentally sound crop nutrient technologies and agribusiness expertise using a bottom-up approach.
IFDC has implemented several projects in Ghana, including the introduction of urea deep placement technology, developing of seed value chain in the northern part of the country.
Mr Acheampong acknowledged the immense contribution of IFDC to the country through MOFA and said the Ministry would continue to work towards making agriculture productive and responsive to the needs of the country.
He recalled that since the companystarted operations in the country in 2002, it had worked with many institutions, including the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Division, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and Savannah Agriculture Research Institute to develop innovations and build capacity of personnel.
Mr Acheampong said, “the deepening of the partnership is most relevant now especially with the new focus of turning around the fortunes of the sector and making it meet the consumption, export and industrial demand of the country”.
Former commander of the Ghana Police Service‘s Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), ACP (rtd) Victor Tandoh, has stated that the Accra-Tema Motorway has exceeded its value.
The 19-kilometre highway that links the harbour city Tema to Accra is replete with deep potholes and road markings have been wiped off.
Several attempts by the government to rehabilitate the Accra-Tema Motorway have over the years proven futile.
Attempts to also use foreign contractors to fix the deplorable motorway have failed due to lack of funds.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, May 10, Tandoh said: “It [the expressway] is no more a motorway, it has become an urban road.”“Dual carriage roads provide safety, and it also provides security, because when you are driving on it, the speed limit is quite different from driving on any other roads, but now I am afraid, I don’t know if we can call it motorway,” the former police chief said.“Seriously speaking, the motorway is no longer safe, the speed at which you can drive on the road has reduced because of the deteriorating [nature],” Tandoh said.
The Accra-Tema Motorwayis an essential artery for Ghana’s economy, linking the largest port in the country with the capital city.However, years of neglect and lack of maintenance have left the N1 in a state of disrepair, leading to accidents and traffic congestion.
In line with #SeeSomethingSaySomething and the government’s efforts to urge all Ghanaians to be active “citizens, not spectators”, the #SafeMotorway4All campaign will identify key challenges to the smooth working of the N1 and push for action to address these.Don’t forget to join the campaign by sharing your experiences, appeals and solutions on social media with the hashtag #SafeMotorway4All.
The Ministry of Employment, Labour, and Relations has cautioned job searchers to be mindful of fake private employment services guaranteeing them work beyond the country.
GWCL disconnected water supply toGuinness Ghana’s site at Achimota in Accra over alleged non-payment of bills.
According to the water distribution company, the beverage company is yet to pay a debt if GH¢6.7 million.
GWCL says it cut supply to Guinness Ghana after several caution letters to get the company to settle its debt failed.
In response, Guinness Ghana accused GWCL of taking the action without recourse to resolutions agreed upon from a meeting on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, chaired by the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources and attended by the Managing Director of GWCL and the leadership of Guinness Ghana.
“The outcome of the meeting was to await the result of the PURC’s investigations and to hold a tripartite meeting between GGBPLC, GWCL and the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC). During this period, no disconnection was to be effected,” the company said in a statement.
The beverage company insisted that it has been fully compliant on all bills to GWCL “based on our classification under the industrial rate, pending a resolution of our petition to the PURC on the arbitrary reclassification by GWCL. Guinness Ghana has openly engaged Ghana Water Company Limited, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources on numerous occasions to resolve its concerns following the arbitrary reclassification of the business in the September 2022 tariff adjustments,” Guinness Ghana added.
Fenis Metal Technology Company, a local electric cable and copper rod production company in Prampram, has been shut down by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) for operating without a valid certificate.
The Chinese-owned company was found to be operating without certification. Its products also lacked important information, including product batch numbers, date of manufacture and expiry, and the name and address of the producer.
The company according to GSA was also deceitful about the origin of its products.
The violations were discovered during a market sweep operation by GSA officers, aimed at removing substandard and inferior products from the Ghanaianmarketto prevent causing significant harm to consumers.
George Anti, Head of Enforcement at the GSA, who led the team during the operation, stressed the importance of manufacturers complying with relevant regulations to ensure consumer safety.
He said the GSA will continue to enforce standards and regulations to protect consumers and ensure a level playing field for all businesses.
