TIG Post

Author: Phoebe Martekie Doku

  • Consider unconventional approaches – Lebanese Ambassador tells UniMAC-GIJ students

    Consider unconventional approaches – Lebanese Ambassador tells UniMAC-GIJ students

    The ambassador of Lebanon to Ghana, Maher Kheir, has urged UniMAC-GIJ students to think creatively and aspire to academic excellence in order to make the most of their education.

    The Lebanese diplomat said the evolving challenges confronting of today’s world require expert knowledge to offer solutions.

    He, therefore, urged the students to look beyond just passing their academic examinations and sharpening their problem-solving skills to make meaningful contributions to society.

    He was speaking at a ceremony where the Lebanese Community in Ghana awarded scholarships to 15 students at the GIJ campus of the University of Media, Arts and Communications (UniMAC-GIJ).

    Ambassador Kheir urged the university in its new phase to continue to churn out graduates who will be relevant in the marketplace.

    “The world is evolving very fast and so are the challenges of men. Many countries including Lebanon, are experiencing desperate times which call for desperate measures. Hence it is necessary for institutions of higher learning like UniMAC to innovate and provide education that offers practical solutions to current problems” he said.

    He intimated that communication and arts are bridges that link people and nations together thereby playing a critical role in national development.

    “Media, arts and communication are very powerful tools that can shape any country’s growth” added.

    In pursuit of stronger educational cooperation between Lebanon and Ghana, H.E Maher Kheir stressed that his outfit will work to promote greater collaboration between Ghanaian and Lebanese schools.

    “Lebanon is a leader in the Middle East region in Media and arts. I am confident that we will see a deeper co-operation between Lebanese and Ghanaian schools towards a bright future” he said.

    The Ambassador also congratulated the school on a successful transition from GIJ to UniMAC.Professor Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo Vice Chancellor of UniMAC, lauded the huge investment by the community in journalism students at the university.

    However, following the addition of two other schools, he called for an expansion in the scheme to cover students in the other constituents of UniMAC.

    “It is easy to take this kind gesture for granted because it happens every year. But I would like to assure you that we don’t take it for granted. I would also like to make a request for the scholarship to be extended to our other constituents” he added.

    Professor Eric Opoku Mensah, acting Rector of UniMAC-GIJ praised the Community for being committed to the scheme over the past decade.

    He urged the students to strive for professionalism in their chosen fields and endeavour to challenge yellow journalism.

    Millicent Tiborimor, a beneficiary, thanked the donors for their support. She stated that the beneficiaries remain committed to working hard to make the investment in them count.

    A member of the Lebanese Community Mr. Hishan expressed excitement at the fruits that the scholarship scheme has produced over the years since its inception.

    He noted that the Community sees Ghanaians as family and will therefore continue to contribute to the success of Ghanaian students across many fields.

    In 2013, the Lebanese Community Scholarship Programme was instituted to assist brilliant Ghanaian students to access education at the tertiary level.

    The programme has significantly deepened educational cooperation efforts between both countries.

    Over the past ten years, the programme has produced a number of professionals including practising lawyers, journalists, and public relations officers among others.

    The scheme which began with just four schools, Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), the University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the Ghana School of Law, has now blossomed to include the School of Languages and School of Performing Arts.

    The expansion which happened in 2020, formed part of Ambassador Kheir and the Community’s vision to reach many more Ghanaian students and help them access higher education.

    So far, the scheme has supported more than 350 Ghanaian students.

    The main event to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the scholarship programme has been slated for mid-2023.

  • Double track system will not phase out soon – Eduwatch

    Double track system will not phase out soon – Eduwatch

    The double-track system used in Senior High Schools will not be aborted this year, this is according to the executive director of the education think tank Africa Education Watch, Kofi Asare.

    Speaking in an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show, Mr. Asare explained that the Senior High School infrastructure projects started by government in a bid to end the system have been affected by the country’s liquidity situation.

    “When the double-track system was announced in 2018, government said that it was going to run for five years. Unfortunately, efforts to end the double track have brought financial stress. Ending the double track means putting up more infrastructure. Government went for a loan, the cedi equivalent of 1.5 billion dollars, and later converted it into a bond. 3 years into the loan, only about 3.2 million dollars has been disbursed.”

    “Last year, about another 1.2 billion dollars was supposed to be raised from the bond. But then two things happened last year, the first was high levels of inflation, especially in the construction sector, coupled with the low demand for bonds. This means that financing undoing infrastructure projects across SHSs will be difficult. This means that the double-track system may go on for some time until we see an improvement in the liquidity situation.”

  • Rent Control Department is active – PRO

    Rent Control Department is active – PRO

    The Rent Control Department (RCD) has debunked claims that it is powerless to prevent landlords from taking advantage of tenants.

    Speaking in an interview on GhanaWeb’s ‘The Lowdown’ programme, the Public Relations Officer of the RCD, Emmanuel Hovey Kporsu, said that even though the department has limited resources, it is performing its duty of regulating the rental sector of Ghana.

    He added that most tenants are exploited because they do not seek the services of the Rent Control Department.

    “Despite the fact that we are lacking some physical items to perform our duties to the extreme, I didn’t want to take the opinion out there (that the department is toothless).

    “We get our mandate from the Rent Act, Act 220, and specifically Section 5 (of the Act) lays out the function of the Rent Control Department,” Hovey Kporsu said.

    He said that the department is basically mandated by law to determine the cost of facilities being rented through established assessment criteria and resolve issues between tenants and their landlords.

    According to him, the department provides certificates on the rental cost of facilities to both tenants and landlords, and these certificates can even be requested by tenants at the offices of the RCD so that they are not cheated.

    “Because of our ignorance of the Act, we just capitulate to the landlords’ rents,” he added.

    The PRO, therefore, urged Ghanaians to report landlords who are exploiting them to the department without fear that they will be evicted.

    “…the landlord has no right to evict you… until your tenancy expires. The law says that if you have not contravened any of the provisions in the Act, the landlord has no right to evict you,” he said.

  • I’ll make sure investors have faith in Ghana – Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku

    I’ll make sure investors have faith in Ghana – Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku

    A former member of parliament for the Offinso North Constituency and former minister of trade and regional cooperation, Kofi Konadu Apraku, under President Kufuor Agyekum’s administration, has stated that one of his main goals if elected to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Ghana, respectively, is to restore investor confidence in the nation.

    Kofi Konadu Apraku, also a former chairman of the ECOWAS council of ministers, has joined Alan Kyerematen, Kennedy Agyapong, Kwabena Agyepong, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and Mr. Addai-Nimoh in the race for the presidential candidature of the ruling New Patriotic Party.

    According to him, the most important thing to do when he becomes president is to stabilise the economic nature of the country through programs and policies that will rake in the confidence that the current economic mismanagement has driven away from both domestic and foreign investors.

    He said the plans and programs being proposed by his party colleagues, who are also vying for the presidential nomination, are not the necessary ones needed now, looking at where the country has gotten to.

    He added that the best thing to do is to consolidate what the country has at the moment and make good use of it to stabilise the economy. He added that as part of his plans to stabilise the economy, he will first look at restructuring the government to facilitate cutting down expenses. This, he said, will help build an efficient, robust, and aggressive economy, which will create opportunities.

    Apraku touted himself as the best candidate to lead the NPP to victory in 2024 owing to the fact that he has garnered all the experience and built great relationships with the rank and file of the elephant party.

  • We appreciate your patience and assistance – Government to Ghanaians

    We appreciate your patience and assistance – Government to Ghanaians

    Government has expressed gratitude to Ghanaians for their patience and support shown to the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), which ended on Friday, February 10, 2023, with more than 80% of eligible bonds participating.

    The Finance Ministry in a press release dated Tuesday 14 February 2023 and entitled “Participation in the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme”, noted that government is extremely impressed with and grateful for the high patronage the voluntary programme has received.

    “The Government wants to thank the people of Ghana for their forbearance and support throughout these very difficult times” the press release signed by the finance minister; Ken Ofori-Atta read.

    “The DDEP is being done to help protect the economy and enhance our capacity to service our public debts effectively. The alternative of not executing the DDEP would have brought grave disorder in the servicing of our national debt and exacerbated the current economic crisis.

    “The Government is, therefore, grateful for the overwhelming participation of all bondholders. Your support and contributions have gotten your country much closer to securing the IMF programme” the finance minister’s statement further read.

    Burden-sharing
    The finance minister in his statement further noted that even though the DDEP was a voluntary exercise, under the prevailing economic circumstances in the country and in the globally space, Government had to make “a strong but humble appeal to bondholders to participate in the DDEP;

    “Seeing it as a very critical act of burden-sharing in the ongoing national effort to tackle the economic crisis, bring back macroeconomic stability and guarantee sustainable growth and prosperity for the people of Ghana”.

    “Government in addition, offered alternatives to encourage individual bondholders and retirees to tender for the new bonds which will have wider secondary market circulation.

    “The Government is grateful to those who took part in the advocacy in securing an improved offer for participants” the press release by Ken Ofori-Atta noted.

  • Meet the married Anglican clergyman who was once a catholic priest

    Meet the married Anglican clergyman who was once a catholic priest

    The now married Anglican clergyman, Rev Canon Charles Amankwah, was a catholic priest for 17 years.

    Rev Canon Amankwah said he was mentored by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Coast Charles Palmer- Buckle prior to his formative period as a catholic priest.

    Education

    He holds a Master’s Degree in Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry from the Catholic University College of Ghana, Sunyani, Post Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of Cape Coast and Diploma in Theology from the University of Ghana, Legon.

    Rev Canon Amankwah has so far written quite a number of books including “God has not finished with you yet”. His 15th book will be launched later this February.

    Ministry

    Prior to becoming an Anglican clergyman, he was an assistant parish priest at the Holy Trinity Parish at Agormanya in the Eastern Region. He was later appointed parish priest of the St Barbara Parish at Akosombo in the Eastern Region.

    Rev Canon Amankwah is currently the diocesan evangelism director and also the director for the choir

    Report suggests he left the Catholic church because of his decision to establish a prayer ministry which resulted in some activities that went contrary to the rules of the Catholic Church.

    He subsequently sought permission to take a leave and went to Kristo Buase Monastery in the Bono Region for 50 days to reflect on his live. Upon his return, Rev Canon Amankwah was counselled by Archbishop Palmer-Buckle before taking the decision to leave the Catholic church.

    He will be celebrating 26 years in the ministry later this year.

    Marriage

    Rev. Canon Amankwah got married to Ruth Amankwah, a teacher who came into the union with three kids.

    According to him, it was very difficult proposing to Ruth, so he had to let his father do it on his behalf.

    “Proposal was difficult,” he said. “I couldn’t propose to my wife, it was my father who proposed to Ruth for me.”

    He said he had wanted to marry someone who knew his story as a catholic priest. Rev Canon Amankwah has been married for the past nine years.

    Sexuality 

    “My first night as a married man was not easy,” the religious leader recalled. “I just couldn’t imagine going naked before my wife. I had to pray to muster courage to have canal knowledge of my wife. And since then, anytime we’re going to have an affair, I pray before the act.”

    He said there was no sexual intimacy between him and Ruth prior to their union.

    Rev Canon Amankwah and Ruth recently appeared on The StandPoint show with Oheneyere Gifty Anti where he shared his story and some nuggets on marriage:

  • Check out Ablakwa’s funding for his Philanthropies

    Check out Ablakwa’s funding for his Philanthropies

    Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the North Tongu representative to parliament, has disclosed three sources of funding for his work as an MP.

    Several persons have criticized the MP over his source of wealth. They say the work output and his earnings as a lawmaker don’t match.

    The MP has however disclosed three places he makes his money to support the philanthropy he undertakes.

    According to Okudzeto Ablakwa, his first source of funding is MP’s Common Fund.

    The Second is his own personal contribution and the third is what he described as a network of donors who periodically assist the MP.

    The NDC MP was forced to make the disclosure after the receiver of a philanthropic gesture, Dr. Kofi Effah, questioned the MP how he came by his resources to purchase an SUV for him as a gift.

    Dr Kofi Effah who is the head of the Cervical Cancer Prevention and Training Centre (CCPTC) of the Catholic Hospital in Battor, Volta Region found the answers by the MP as unsatisfactory. The Medical Doctor hencw requested to consult his family before taking a decision.

    The Medical Doctor’s probing question allegedly infuriated Mr. Ablakwa who withdrew the offer.

    MyNewsGh.com chronicles 3 times questions about the source of wealth of the MP has caused controversy.

    Last year, late presidential Staffer Abugri Emmanuel posed a public question to the North Tongu MP to explain how he managed to amass wealth from using a rickety old Golf that had to be pushed to work.

    The Presidential staffer said Hon. Ablakwa now has 3 speedboats in his 6 bedroom Juapong residence alone after entering politics with the green Golf that required pushing.

    READ ALSO: Akufo-Addo gives good speeches but never practises anything he preaches – A Plus
    “The politics of a graduate without any working experience who now has 3 speed boats packed in his 6 bedroom mansion in Juapong because he is an MP, telling a man who started sitting in airplanes before he (Ablakwa) was born as someone who is insensitive?” Abugri asked.

    Ablakwa, we remember your green Golf 2 paaa. We used to push it for you.” He added.

    Salary or Common Fund

    Another Activist of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on social media is alleged that he suspects the North Tongu MP is corrupt judging from the initiatives he is rolling out in his constituency which is far above his salary or Common Fund allocation.

    The NPP’s Kabenlah Muah was reacting to the launch of the furniture and footwear bank by the NDC MP who has twice been voted MP of the year by a local radio station for his various initiatives outside government funding.

    But Mr. Muah who is suspicious of the MP says Mr. Ablakwa is a perfect definition of a “corrupt” politician because the NDC lawmaker has not “worked” publicly or privately before joining politics asking the MP to disclose his source of money.

    “Where did he get the money from? He has not worked publicly or privately before joining politics. This defines who a corrupt politician is.”

    Overnight achievers

    Controversial Lawyer, Maurice Ampaw also said some ‘babies in diapers’ have in a short period become ‘millionaires’ – something they would have struggled to achieve if they did not venture into politics.

    According to him, politics in Ghana has become the fastest way for just any ordinary person to become rich.

    READ ALSO: Kennedy Agyapong not facing judge he “insulted” is some progress – Prof Azar
    Lawyer Ampaw argued that the acquisition of wealth among some young politicians in the country is alarming – he, however, called on the office of the Special Prosecutor (SP) to investigate them to save the public purse.

    “We know them, you don’t need lawyer Ampaw to mention names. Their quest to be MPs and acquisition of properties is mind-blowing. They are overnight achievers; they have not suffered enough.”

    we saw the lavish wedding by Okudzeto Ablakwa in this country. Where did he get the money from as a university graduate with no working experience?”

    “I have known Okudzeto Ablakwa from years back. He couldn’t even afford to pay for his car maintenance. He was nobody but when he entered politics, things changed drastically. As I speak, his new mansion in his hometown is more than a palace,” he claimed.

  • Delay in SHS placement due to ongoing investigations into CSSPS scandal – Carbonu

    Delay in SHS placement due to ongoing investigations into CSSPS scandal – Carbonu

    According to Angel Carbonu, the president of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), the scandal involving the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) is the reason for the delay in the delivery of school placements for qualifying SHS students.

    BECE graduates who have qualified for Senior High School are yet to be placed despite the Ghana Education Service setting a deadline of February 20, for all new students to start school.

    Some parents have raised concerns that parents will be financially stressed should the government decide to go ahead with such a short reporting notice for freshers considering that the GES is yet to release the school placements for the 2022 BECE graduates.

    An investigation by the Fourth Estate, a private Media firm, has revealed that some parents paid between GH₵10, 000 to GH₵20,000 to get their children into Grade A schools in 2022.

    Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, February 14, Mr Carbonu said there is a likelihood that the Ministry of Education wants to streamline the entire placement system to prevent the corrupt activities that allegedly bogged the placement in 2022.

    “You recall that there is an investigation on a report about the placement in what happened last year, and it has really shaken the foundations of certain people in authority, and they would want to put in measures to ensure that we don’t revert to that same thing.

    “Placement in school, why should somebody pay GH₵10,000 or GH₵20,000 to get your daughter to Wesley Girls, I am sure some of these are the things being streamlined hence the delay in placements.”

    Mr Carbonu also questioned the relevance of the free SHS secretariat and also urged the GES to take over the placements of SHS students.

    “Placement to school should be within the ambit of the Ghana Education Service not the Ministry of Education. There is a certain secretariat and I wonder the relevance or importance of that secretariat, the Free Senior High School Secretariat. I wonder why we still have that secretariat because they are not teachers, they are political appointees and they are running the free senior high school but I don’t know what they do and I have a difficulty in why they are found operating in every sphere of education.”

  • Wife of Archbishop of Canterbury visits Rebecca Akufo-Addo

    Wife of Archbishop of Canterbury visits Rebecca Akufo-Addo

    The Wife of Archbishop of Canterbury, Mrs. Caroline Welby and her entourage today paid a visit to the First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, H. E Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo.

    Addressing the gathering about her purpose of visit, Mrs Welby said, she has heard so much wonderful works the First Lady and her Rebecca Foundation is doing to help women and children in the country.

    According to her, she understands the challenges the Rebecca Foundation is facing but urged her to keep using her position to impact lives positively.

    ” I am very grateful to be here and I must confirm that, I have really enjoyed my stay here in Ghana. I hope to come back in future. I understand the plight the Rebecca Foundation is going through in line with helping women and children. I wish the First Lady well in all her future endeavours and I encourage her to keep impacting lives positively “, she said.

    Meanwhile, H.E Mrs. Rebecca Akufo- Addo expressed gratitude to Mrs. Caroline Welby for here visit to Ghana and how the presidency and the citizens are grateful about her coming.

    She added that, she will continue to support the less privileged especially women and children as the Rebecca Foundation started since 2017 .

    ” On behalf of the President of Ghana, H.E Nana Akufo- Addo and it’s citizens, we are extremely glad for your warm visit to our loving country. We hope this visit will strengthen the relationship between Ghana and Canterbury. Once again, we are happy you choose Ghana”, She said.

  • Parliament’s Education Committee urges GES to extend reporting date for SHS 1 students

    Parliament’s Education Committee urges GES to extend reporting date for SHS 1 students

    The ranking member of the Parliament’s education committee, Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, has urged the Ghana Education Service (GES) to postpone the February 20 reporting deadline for freshmen entering Senior High Schools.

    The Akatsi North lawmaker argued that parents will be financially stressed should the government decide to go ahead with such a short reporting notice for freshers considering that the GES is yet to release the school placements for the 2022 BECE graduates.

    Speaking on Eyewitness News, Mr. Nortsu-Kotoe said the February 20 date is further going to disrupt the already stressed academic calendar which the GES is trying to rectify by bringing it back to the usual September to July period from the current January to December.

    “It is going to affect the calendar because even February 20 is not feasible, and I am of the view that the reopening date should be on March 1.”

    He said the prospectus of students varies with respective schools and so ample time should be given to enable parents the time to raise the necessary funds to buy them.

    “What you will buy and need to take to the school depends on the school the student will be attending, and I will advise that time should be given to give parents some relief.”

    He also urged the government to take measures to resolve the accommodation challenges confronting senior high schools across the country so the double-track system can be abolished.

    “Every year, numbers increase, so it should be the priority of authorities to plan ahead and complete all projects on our various school campuses. We should give GETFund enough funds to complete all these uncompleted projects to eliminate the double-track system.”

    Mr. Nortsu-Kotoe was commenting on the decision of the Ghana Education Service to return to the old academic calendar which was adjusted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

  • Births and Deaths Registry launches community population register

    Births and Deaths Registry launches community population register

    The Births and Deaths Registry has started developing plans for the community population registry.

    This initiative is in accordance with Section 12 of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act of 2020, (Act 1027).

    The implementation of the community population register allows people to record all members of their community on the register, as well as all birth and death events that occur in the community.

    These registers are intended to be community assets and will only serve as reference documents for officers of the births and deaths registry when registering birth and death events.

    Sponsored by the Harmonizing and Improving Statistics in West Africa (HISWA), a full implementation of the community population register would ensure that the collection of civil registration statistics on the ground would be seamless and credible, as the data would be produced by community members.

    Against this backdrop, Henrietta Lamptey, the Ag. Registrar of the Births and Deaths Registry is spearheading the implementation of this initiative.

    Officers from the Births and Deaths Registry were sent to the Eastern, Bono East, and Ahafo regions to lay the groundwork for the community population register’s implementation by engaging Chiefs, members of municipal and district assemblies, and general members of communities in hard-to-reach areas.

    The officers educated and demonstrated to the public how to use the community population register.

    The following are the communities visited:

    Ankaase, Ada Subriso, Abuom, Tetekwah, Siso, Fianko, Kwarpretey, and Awewoho are all villages in the Ahafo region.

    Lala, Dadetoklo, Kabonya, Dromankese, Senya, Tailorkrom, Appesika, and Agyina in the Bono East region.

    Avukope, Galelia, Manchare, Akakom, Abrenya, Akortekrom, Oforikrom, Hwewohoden, and Agoaze located in the eastern region.

    The full implementation of this project is expected to propel the Births and Deaths Registry closer to its ultimate goal of universal registration of birth and death events in Ghana.

  • Honor unpaid bond obligations – Bondholders to Ofori-Atta

    Honor unpaid bond obligations – Bondholders to Ofori-Atta

    The government has been urged by the Individual Bondholders’ Forum to honor all coupon and principal payments owing to bondholders of bonds not tendered into the Domestic Debt Exchange Program (DDEP).

    In a statement, Convener Senyo Hosi reminded the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, that payment of coupons and principal for bonds that matured since the 6th of February to date (herein referred to as ‘Due Bonds’) remain outstanding.

    Mr Ofori Atta had earlier promised individual bondholders who refused to tender their bonds into the domestic debt exchange programme will have their existing coupons honoured when the date is due for payment.

    Several pensioner Bondholders have also been picketing at the Finance Ministry for six days now to demand the government completely exclude their bonds from the domestic debt exchange programme.

    In the letter, the individual bondholders stated that honouring payments on due bonds will re-engineer public and investor confidence and trust in the activities of the Finance Ministry.

    Below is the full letter to the Finance Minister

    REQUEST FOR OUTSTANDING PAYMENTS ON DUE BONDS

    We refer to your affirmation of the Government’s commitment to honour all coupon and principal payments due to individuals with holdings of bonds not tendered into the Domestic Debt Exchange programme (DDE).

    We wish to remind you that payment of coupons and principal for bonds that matured since the 6th of February to date (herein referred to as ‘Due Bonds’) remain outstanding. With the DDE deadline of 10th of February over, we trust that Government will be in a clear position to ascertain the total bonds due for payment after the completion of the DDE settlement scheduled for 14th February 2023.

    We hereby request your advice of the date for coupon and principal payments due under the ‘Due Bonds’. It is our expectation that Government will seize this opportunity to re-engineer public and investor confidence and trust, by making the payments not later than Friday, 17th February 2023.

    We count on your cooperation.
    Sincerely,
    Senyo K. Hosi
    Convener

  • Man beaten to death after stealing plantains

    Man beaten to death after stealing plantains

    In the Ajumako Enyan Essiam District, Central Region, a 40-year-old man has been beaten to death for stealing plantains from a farm near Ajumako Bisease.

    The suspect, Kwame Essel, said to be a notorious plantain thief, was caught in the act with his accomplice who bolted after seeing the owner of the plantain approaching.

    Information gathered by Kasapa News’ Yaw Boagyan indicates that the suspect, early Sunday morning February 12, 2023, went to the farm and stole the foodstuff to sell to a buyer.

    But the prospective buyer rejected them after the suspect failed to tell where he got the plantains from.

    He then sold it to some strangers who had come to the town for a funeral.

    Around 4:30 pm the same day, he went to the same farm to steal again but unfortunately, this time round, he was caught.

    He was then made to carry the plantains on his head and paraded through the principal street of Ajumako Bisease while being beaten.

  • Ghana Advertisers Association inaugurates new council members

    Ghana Advertisers Association inaugurates new council members

    At its 8th Investiture ceremony in Accra, the Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG) inaugurated new council members.

    The colourful ceremony which attracted key industry players saw the induction of Mr. Andrew Ackah as its new president. He takes over from Mansa Amoa-Awuah.

    Speaking at the 8th Investiture Ceremony of the Advertising Association of Ghana, new president, Andrew Ackah called on government to speedily pass the advertising bill to help mitigate the instance of the clutter.

    “In Ghana, all the laws governing advertisements are in the Food and Drugs Authority Act, but we need an Act that would look at the entire marketing communication industry and the new digital explosion,” he said.

    He also urged players within the advertising and marketing space to leverage on technology to standardize consumer data to ensure the growth of the industry.

    “With real-time changes in consumer attitudes, behaviour and media engagement, the correct data is more critical than ever. Robust accurate data must be the marketers’ North Star for understanding the consumer and for measurements and attributions that enables the highest returns on the advertising Investment,” he added.

    Other new council members of the Association who were sworn in along with the new president include Clarence Amoatey, Vice president; Russel Eni, Treasurer; Akua Owusu-Nartey, Alhaji Mukaila Ahmed Akuamoah, Orlando Baeta, Bright Ladzekpo, Nash Fenuku, Kwaku Tweneboa Danso-Misa, Grace Adjo Andoh, Abdul-Aziz Amankwa Joseph Andoh and Sharon Naa Odarley Mills.

    The event also provided the platform to reaffirm the oath of the Executive Director, Francis Dadzie.

    Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah assured of government support to pass the advertising bill.

    “The much talked about advertising bill needs to, as a matter of urgency, be passed to be the necessary regulatory backing, standards and framework for the quick advancement of this Industry. I do know how much work you have done already in the preparatory stages and I like to assure you that when all is ready, my doors at the Ministry of Information are opened to help you see the draft bill passed into law,” he said.

  • GJA calls for the passage of Broadcasting Bill

    GJA calls for the passage of Broadcasting Bill

    To purify the Ghanaian airwaves, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is urging Parliament to swiftly enact the Broadcasting Bill.

    GJA underscored the importance and role radio plays in peace and conflict resolution and asked that regulations, specifically, the Broadcasting Bill be urgently passed to prevent using radio as a tool for fomenting trouble.

    As part of activities to commemorate 2023’s World Radio Day, GJA called on broadcasters to be deliberate in their broadcasts to promote peace rather than violence.

    In a presser to commemorate the Day, GJA wrote, “on this occasion, the GJA also wishes to encourage radio broadcasters to be conscious of their obligation towards peace, especially as the 2024 electioneering gathers momentum. The high stakes at the intra-party and inter-party levels of politics, as well as the high-voltage anxiety, tension, and frustration emanating from the country’s current economic challenges, provide good seeds of disorder, chaos, and violence. But under no circumstance must radio provide the fertile ground for the sowing and germination of such destructive seeds. Rather, radio owners, managers and broadcasters must use their platforms for peace-building and conflict prevention.”

    The presser added that “the GJA believes one critical step needed to be taken to sanitize the airwaves is the passage of the Broadcasting Bill which has been going in and out of Parliament for many years. We urge the Executive and Legislature to give maximum attention to the bill and get it passed immediately. In fact, the Executive and Parliament cannot absolve themselves of blame as far as the current state of radio broadcasting in Ghana is concerned, and until they work in concert to pass the Broadcasting Bill immediately, they cannot raise any clean hands against the ills of radio broadcasting in Ghana.”

    Proclaimed in 2011 by the Member States of UNESCO, and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 as an International Day, February 13 became World Radio Day (WRD).

    This year’s Day is celebrated under the theme “Radio and Peace.”

  • Bawku residents warned against using violence to settle disputes

    Bawku residents warned against using violence to settle disputes

    The excessive politicization of the Bawku conflict has been criticized by Emmanuel Bombande, a former executive director of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding and a specialist in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.

    He said the lack of political will to resolve the conflict is a worrying development, stating that the rule of law must be enforced to protect human lives.

    Speaking on GBC’s Current Affairs programme ‘Talking Point’ which discussed the Bawku conflict, Mr. Bombande said a life lost in the conflict is one too many.

    He cautioned aggrieved persons, especially the youth against resorting to violence to resolve their grievances.

    Government Spokesperson on Governance and Security, Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, disclosed that about five thousand military personnel will be deployed to Bawku and its environs to beef up security in the area.

    He said the government is committed to ensuring that peace is restored to the area. Mr. Boakye-Danquah also encouraged the people to appreciate peace and avoid tendencies that could trigger violence.

  • Schools in Nyankpala remain shut due to gunshots

    Schools in Nyankpala remain shut due to gunshots

    Following two gunshot incidents perpetrated by unidentified individuals over an alleged chieftaincy feud, basic schools in Nyankpala, in the Tolon region of the Northern Region, are still shuttered.

    The gunshots started on Thursday, February 9 before the situation was brought under control.

    However, there was more gunfire in the community on Sunday leaving residents worried.

    The identity of the shooters and their motives are unknown, but some residents believe the incidents are connected to the enskinment of a new chief in the community.

    Some teachers who spoke off record said, the schools are closed due to the insecurity situation in the area.

  • Sammy Gyamfi calls for prosecution of BoG Governor

    Sammy Gyamfi calls for prosecution of BoG Governor

    The National Communication Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, has demanded that Dr. Ernest Addison, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, be charged with fraudulently printing more than GH45 billion for the government.

    In a tweet shared on February 9, 2023, Sammy Gyamfi said that the Bank of Ghana has violated the Bank of Ghana (Amendment) Act, 2016 (Act 918) by printing money above the allowed threshold without the approval of parliament.

    He added that, that action by the central bank is criminal, as such, Dr. Ernest Addison and another individual who is involved in the illegality should be dealt with by the law.

    “This statement from the BoG is an admission of criminality and can suffice as a confession statement. The governor of the BoG and all those culpable are candidates for criminal prosecution under section 67 of the ACT 612 for violating section 30 of ACT 612 as amended by ACT 918,” parts of the tweet read.

    The NDC national communications officer was reacting to a justification by the central bank on its decision to print over GH¢40 billion for the government to finance the 2022 budget which is above the required threshold and needs the approval of parliament.

    According to the BoG, it was left with no option but to support the government because it’s (the government’s) access to International Capital Market was closed and the domestic market was also struggling.

    In a statement issued on Thursday, February 9, 2023, the central bank posited that its action was not wrong since the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2018 which was suspended by the Parliament of Ghana, had not been reinstated.

    The statement by the BoG comes after it was heavily criticized by some Ghanaians after a Bloomberg report indicated that it printed GH¢41.9 billion for the government in 2022.

    Broadcaster, Dr. Randy Abbey, who was reacting to the Bloomberg report, said that the BoG, which is supposed to be regulating the country’s financial sector, appears to be breaking all the rules in the sector.

    “The level of seeming recklessness and lawlessness, and irresponsibility when it comes to the operation of the central bank and the lack of transparency is getting worrying,” he said.

  • Pensioners should be exempted from DDEP – CPP to govt

    Pensioners should be exempted from DDEP – CPP to govt

    The political affairs chairman of the Convention Peoples’ Party (CPP), Kwame Jantuah is urging the government to halt the present Domestic Debt Exchange Program (DDEP) and come up with alternate solutions to the ongoing economic crisis.

    According to them, it is insensitive for the government to burden investors, while government refuses to make any fiscal adjustments.

    Ghana’s total public debt stock shot up to GH¢575.7 billion at the end of November 2022, according to new data released by the Bank of Ghana.

    The new debt figure brings Ghana’s debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio to 93.5% from 75.9% in September 2022.

     Government is embarking on a debt restructuring programme in order to enable it access a $3 billion dollar package from the IMF to end the country’s ongoing economic woes. 

    Speaking to Citi News,the president must exempt the pensioners from the DDE.

    “All the political parties stand against it, even the NPP they are not talking about it, it’s only Ken Ofori-Atta and the President, Nana Akufo-Add talking about it. It seems everybody is scared. Those within their partycan’t even say much, why is it only one-sided? Why is the economic management team silent on the subject?

    “I would wish the President would say look, let’s exempt the pensioner bondholders from the DDEP and let’s find an alternative. Parliament should take over and find out which projects should be cut off or suspended,” Mr. Jantuah stated.

    The General Secretary of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Alhaji Frimpong noted that the government must be transparent about what the loans were used for.

    “What is happening in our national discourse over DDEP is as a result of what I would say the people being kept in the dark over a lot of issues in governance. Bondholders are agitating because the sender-messenger relationship is not properly done, people don’t know so much about what is going on,” Alhaji Frimpong indicated.

  • West Hills Mall incident: Shadrach’s money missing when police returned bag

    West Hills Mall incident: Shadrach’s money missing when police returned bag

    The family of the late Shadrach Arloo, has said that the police handed their late son’s bag without his money.

    According to the family, the police lied in their narration about the events that led to Shadrach’s death and are protecting the people who murdered him.

    Speaking in a CTV interview which was monitored by GhanaWeb, an uncle of the Shadrach Arloo, Tawia Nkrumah Hemans, said that his nephew was attacked by the police because of the money he had in his bag which he was using to shop for his sister living abroad.

    He added that the police ceased the bag with the money and gave it back empty to a relation who was in the company of the deceased during the incident.

    “Our brother was not the only person who went to the mall… could you believe that after killing the young man, the bag that was supposed to be the evidence because there was something illegal in it was given to his friend who was in his company when the incident transpired. The friend was arrested by the police and when he was released they give an empty bag to him which he brought to us.

    “He was shopping at the mall for his sister, who had sent him money from abroad. So, he was in constant communication with his sister describing the things he was buying to her. So one of the policemen stopped him and checked his bag and saw a lot of money in it.

    “That was when the attacks started. The police started asking him how he got the money and he kept insisting that it was his. That was when the police started beating him up,” he said in Twi.

    Background

    Perpetual Didier, a gospel musician, alleged that some police officers murdered her brother at the West Hills Mall in Accra, on January 30, 2022.

    She explained that her 32-year-old brother was brutally assaulted by the uniformed policemen, leading to his untimely death, and for this reason, she wanted the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to act.

    “Someone should tag the IGP. I need justice for my brother. Tell him that this is a crime one of his men has done to my family by killing my brother. We are all Ghanaians with equal rights and freedom. Why will you use your position to take someone’s life?” she said in her Facebook Live video, amidst tears.

    The police, after their investigation on the death of Shadrach Arloo, released a detailed statement which said that their findings showed that the policeman in question, did no wrong.

    The statement, dated February 7, 2023, said that the late brother of gospel musician Perpetual Didier resisted arrest by a police officer on duty who was being assisted by private security guards at the scene.

    The statement furthered that the deceased, after swallowing the package, became unconscious and was taken to the Sonotech Clinic for medical attention but was pronounced dead on arrival.

    It added that per a post-mortem examination conducted on the deceased and in the presence of as many witnesses from the deceased’s family and other officials, including MP Dorcas Affo-Toffey, it was confirmed that the cause of death was Asphyxiation and Obstruction of the airway by a foreign body.

  • Ato Duncan receives Peace Ambassador Award

    Ato Duncan receives Peace Ambassador Award

    Prof. Samuel AtoDunan, CEO of COA Research and Manufacturing Company Limited, has been selected for the worldwide humanitarian peace award.

    The award which aims to honour outstanding personalities for their contributions to peace and conflicts resolution as well as poverty eradication is being given by the united international peace and governance council of Africa.

    Prof. Ato Duncan who is also the president general for the center of awareness global peace mission was recognized for his immense contributions to world peace.

    The renowned businessman, philanthropist and researcher has been holding series of lectures on peace and effective leadership to check poverty.

    He allocated $2 million towards a global peace campaign and missions last year in a five-year strategic plan to promote world peace.

    The impact of the initiative was to end world violence, by targeting the campaign through traditional leaders, youth groups, and thought leaders in society with much focus on the political class.

    The International Peace and Governance Council Incorporation, organisers of the award was established for Diplomatic Missions to contribute to the acceleration of Peace, Good Governance and Poverty Eradication across the globe.

    The organization is in partnership with various United Nations organs and Associations for project implementation.

    It aims to consolidate and strengthen efforts of organizations and individuals around the world to handle Civil and ethnic conflicts, inter-state wars, terrorism, poverty eradication among others.

  • Ambulance Service refutes allegations that it neglected a sick boy in Kpetoe

    Ambulance Service refutes allegations that it neglected a sick boy in Kpetoe

    The Ghana National Ambulance Service has rejected claims that it neglected a call to help a sick boy being transported by a public vehicle from Kpetoe to Ho.

    A journalist who bears the name, Gati Promise has said the ambulance service in the region failed to come to the aid of a sick boy despite several calls.

    According to him, the actions of the ambulance service could have adversely affected the sick child.

    But commenting on the allegation on Morning Starr with Francis Abban, spokesperson for the National Ambulance Service, Simon Yussif Kewura says that the journalist’s claims are untrue. 

    “If he calls himself a journalist he should have checked the information before putting up this story. When you need an ambulance, we have two types of requests for an ambulance. First one is dialing 112 that is going to the center. If you are in Greater Accra when you dial 112 it will go to our center in Accra and if you are in the Volta region it will go to Volta Region.

    “The news that he had called an ambulance wasn’t true. He hasn’t called an ambulance per our records we have. There is no record because we have a book that when you call the dispatch center people will record it and then dispatch an ambulance,” Mr. Kewura explained.

    “The purpose of calling the dispatch center is that sometimes you may see an ambulance at a location close to you but this ambulance may not be working. It may either not be having fuel or having a mechanical problem so we have to dispatch an ambulance close to you that is in good condition.”

  • Chief Justice suspends Court of Appeal sittings in four regional capitals

    Chief Justice suspends Court of Appeal sittings in four regional capitals

    The Court of Appeal’s sessions in four regional capitals have been suspended, according to the Judicial Service.

    Tamale, Cape Coast, Ho, and Koforidua are the affected cities.

    As contained in the Public Notice, all appeals from the Northern Sector of the country including the Upper East, Upper West, North East, Northern, Savannah, Bono East, Ahafo, Western North and Ashanti regions would be heard in Kumasi while all appeals in the Southern sector including the Western, Central, Eastern, Oti, Volta, and Greater Accra Region will be heard in Accra.

    “In view of this, all pending appeals in the Court of Appeal listed above are accordingly transferred to Kumasi and Accra respectively”.

    However, in a Twitter post, Minority Chief Whip and MP for Adaklu constituency, Governs Kwame Agbodza has questioned the reason for the closure of the Court of Appeal.

    According to him, it is surprising that such a decision has been taken at a time when there is advocacy for the construction of more courts and the training of more lawyers and judges to bring justice closer to the people.

  • I would sack Ofori-Atta if I were in Akufo-Addo’s shoes – Konadu Apraku

    I would sack Ofori-Atta if I were in Akufo-Addo’s shoes – Konadu Apraku

    Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, one of the leading members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has stated that the finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta would have resigned if he was the current president.

    According to him, it is enough that there are many disgruntled members of the party, mainly their Members of Parliament, who have expressed their no-confidence in the performance of the Minister of Finance.

    He added that were he in the shoes of President Akufo-Addo, what he would have done was to give into their demands and get the finance minister off the job, a report by citinewsroom.com has said.

    “If I were the president [Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo], I would have listened to the MPs and sacked Ofori-Atta,” he is quoted to have said in an interview with GTV.

    It will be recalled that there were over 80 MPs on the Majority side of parliament who recently addressed the press, announcing their disaffection with the Minister of Finance.

    The MPs then called on the president to sack Ken Ofori-Atta or risk having them no longer participate in any government business that would be brought before parliament.

    Although this is yet to happen, as President Akufo-Addo has severally indicated that he finds nothing wrong with the work of his appointee, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku has said that there is the need for the president to examine the sentiments of the MPs and those of the general public.

    “In politics, you have to be sensitive to public opinion. Sometimes, it may not be the truth, but that is the sentiments, and the sentiments of the people need to be examined, and acted upon if it is possible. It’s a great deal for the NPP MPs to come out there to say they don’t want our finance minister, their own Finance Minister that they have worked with in the past.

    “In democracy, we have to be sensitive to the people. Lack of action exacerbates the problem, so you cut it off and cut your losses and I would have cut my losses and said please you have done enough, the environment is hostile to you so go. I would have changed him,” he is quoted to have said.

    The race for the top-spot of the NPP party elections is yet to be officially opened but so far, a number of names have popped up, indicating that they are also interested in the spot.

    Some of the names that come up have been Alan Kyerematen, the immediate-past Minister of Trade and Industry; Dr Akoto Owusu Afriyie, the former Minister of Food and Agriculture; Francis Addai-Nimoh, a former MP for Ashanti Mampong; and the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

  • The conduction of presidential and legislative primaries will determine NPP’s victory in 2024 – NPP National Chairman

    The conduction of presidential and legislative primaries will determine NPP’s victory in 2024 – NPP National Chairman

    The success of the presidential and parliamentary primaries will determine whether the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) will win the 2024 elections, according to National Chairman of the party, Stephen Ntim.

    According to him, the two elections that will elect the party’s Flagbearer and Members of Parliament will largely impact the electoral fortunes of the party, hence the need for the party to conduct itself properly during and after the primaries.

    Speaking at a brainstorming session by the Council of Elders of the Greater Accra Region at Peduase in Aburi, Chairman Ntim on that account made a passionate appeal to all prospective aspirants, their supporters, party members, and all stakeholders of the Party to respect the rules of engagement.

    “We should always be guided by the supreme interest of the party and eschew all acts that have the tendency of dividing our ranks. We cannot have an effective and well-organized party to break the eight if we do not prioritize the party’s interest. Our victory in 2024 will largely depend on how we conduct ourselves in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary primaries.

    “It is in view of the importance of these primaries on our electoral fortunes that the National Council of the Party formulated a Code of Conduct to regulate our conduct during the period preceding the opening of nominations for these primaries. It is also worth reminding all party members that the Code of Conduct is still in force, and as national officers, we will continue to monitor its implementation to ensure maximum conformity. This is crucial to help us close our ranks going into the 2024 general elections and to be able to break the eight,” Chairman Ntim stated.

  • NAGRAT urges government to halt DDEP

    NAGRAT urges government to halt DDEP

    The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) is demanding that government be scraps off the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).

    Since securing a staff-level agreement with the IMF, the government has been working with stakeholders to get them to subscribe to the debt exchange programme.

    Some groups have fiercely kicked against the DDEP arguing that it will affect their livelihoods.

    Speaking to Citi News, NAGRAT President, Angel Carbonu urged government to halt the domestic debt exchange programme and explore alternative means of solving the country’s economic challenges

    “The DDEP shouldn’t have started at all, it’s a non-starter programme, the government should have looked for other innovative means to make up for its own balances. This DDEP thing is strange to our economic lexicon, now look at what is happening. Elderly citizens of this country who have sacrificed their lives are today those who are picketing at the Ministry of Finance. We will call on the government to abort the DDEP all together,” Mr. Carbonu appealed.

    The Finance Minister is scheduled to appear before Parliament on Thursday, February 16, 2023, to brief the House on the DDEP.

  • We’ll successfully deal with Ghana’s challenges – Akufo-Addo

    We’ll successfully deal with Ghana’s challenges – Akufo-Addo

    President Akufo-Addo has said that the government is committed to finding a successful solution to the problems the country is now facing.

    Speaking at the 18th Consultative Council Meeting of the Anglican Church on Sunday, 12th February 2023, President Akufo-Addo indicated that he was aware that these are difficult times in Ghana, just as they are for most people in the world.

    “However, with the help of Almighty God, and backed by a sense of determination, hard work, and collective sacrifices on our part, I am confident that we will successfully confront the difficulties, bring relief to the Ghanaian people, and return the economy back to the high rates of growth that characterised the management of our economy in the three (3) years preceding the COVID outbreak in 2020 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”

    Government, according to the President, “is implementing a number of policy measures to this end, and, sooner rather than later, we shall overcome.”

    Anglican Consultative Council

    Welcoming the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury, Rt. Hon. Justin Portal Welby, and the Anglican Consultative Council, to Ghana, the President told the gathering at the Anglican Church has been a good example of what it means to love one another and give cheerfully to those in need, and it continues to play a significant role in the growth and development of the nation.

    “All Anglicans are extremely indebted to the Primate and Metropolitan Archbishop and his team for the dynamism that we are experiencing in the Anglican Communion in Ghana presently. I have been involved, as well as following up with activities, of which I am proud as an Anglican,” he said.

    Addressing the financial sustainability strategy of the Anglican Church in Ghana, which seeks to move the Church to a position of self-reliance, President applauded the decision by the Church to establish an insurance brokerage.

    “I also wish to congratulate the Bishop, Rt Rev Dr. Daniel Torto, and the entire membership of my Diocese, the Diocese of Accra, for its substantial investment in the area of agriculture, through the cultivation of its one thousand (1,000) acre rubber plantation, the largest, private-owned rubber plantation in the country,” he stressed.

    The President continued, “These and other projects being embarked on by various Dioceses are contributing positively towards Ghana’s economic growth and the creation of jobs in various communities. Government stands ready to partner and support the various initiatives of the Church, especially those in line with the directive principles of state policy, to help develop a progressive and prosperous Ghana.”

  • Driver dead after accident at Apemanim

    Driver dead after accident at Apemanim

    On February 11, 2023, at Apemanim in the Ahanta West Municipality Region, a Toyota car driver died in an accident after colliding with a trailer.

    The Toyota driver with registration number 3040-12, who was the only occupant, clashed with the trailer with registration number AJ 2710, which was moving to Ivory Coast.

    The Toyota vehicle was, however, moving in the opposite direction from the Ellembelle area to Takoradi.

    According to a dailyguide newspaper report, the trailer driver said the Toyota driver ran into his car while he was at top speed.

    An eyewitness also added that they heard someone cry for help, and together with the help of some journalists they managed to overturn the vehicle and find the lifeless body of the driver.

     The body has since been deposited at the mortuary.

  • Man killed over price of fruit juice

    Man killed over price of fruit juice

    On Thursday, a dispute over the cost of fruit juice in a bar in Maakro in the Suame Constituency has resulted in the death of a man.

    The victim identified as Adam Nabil had a heated argument with the bar attendant regarding the exact price of “Don Simon” fruit juice.

    The attendant is said to have called eight heavily armed men to attack and butcher Nabil.

    According to a Daily Guide report, on February 10,2023, at 11am, Moses Ndandon, brother of Adam Nabil called on the station to inform them about the incident.

    A police report on the incident said, “an argument ensued between the drinking spot attendant and his brother about the price of the said fruit juice.

    “In the process, the drinking spot attendant went out and called some young men numbering 8, who attacked and injured his brother with cutlasses,” the police report added.

    The report added that the victim sustained severe injuries on his neck after the attack as he had deep cuts and was rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

    “Photograph of victim lying in hospital bed with plaster on his neck taken,” portions of the police report stated.

    Meanwhile, efforts are being made to arrest the suspects.

  • Gas tanker explodes at Sokoban Ampayoo

    Gas tanker explodes at Sokoban Ampayoo

    At Sokoban Ampayoo, Atwima Kwanwoma District, in the Ashanti Region part a gas tanker has crashed and caught fire.

    According to a report by the Daily Guide newspaper, the accident, which happened on Thursday, February 9, 2023, was as a result of one of the tyres of the speeding gas tanker bursting.

    The report indicated that the tyre burst when the speeding tanker got to a sharp curve which led to the driver losing control of the vehicle and it crashing into a gutter.

    It added that the tanker caught fire after crashing, but the driver and his conductor managed to escape with minor injuries and were taken to a health facility by residents of Sokoban Ampayoo.

    The community members then fled the scene of the accident fearing a possible gas explosion and called for the help of the Ghana National Fire Service.

    An eyewitness, Kofi Boateng, is reported to have said that but for the timely intervention of the personnel of the fire service, the tanker, which was fully loaded with gas, will have exploded.

    “I must confess, the firefighters have done a yeoman’s job today and they deserve to be applauded and appreciated for their hard work,” he said.

    Another eyewitness, Adwoa Konadu, also said “but for the timely intervention of the firemen, surely the blaze would have exploded and caused massive destruction.”

    The report added that the accident caused traffic on the Ampayoo to Sokoban road as cars from both directions had to wait for hours for the fire to be doused.

  • Seeing former Chief Justice protest against DDEP was uplifting – Sylvester Mensah

    Seeing former Chief Justice protest against DDEP was uplifting – Sylvester Mensah

    A former presidential candidate and steadfast member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sylvester Mensah, finds it encouraging to see Sophia Akuffo, a former chief justice, picketing outside the Finance Ministry in support of pensioners and other private bondholders.

    Mr Mensah in a Facebook said he deduces from the CJ’s statements that she understood the voluntary nature of opting onto the DDEP,

    He, however, believes the former Chief Justice only sought to articulate some of the issues “in an effort to bring clarity to how we got here, and government’s inadequate share of the burden of domestic debt restructuring.”

    “She also articulated the government’s arrogant posture and the vain threat of sinking together if bondholders refuse to participate.”

    The former NHIA Boss expected the former Chief Justice to have gone further to say there is a lack of confidence in the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta, “whose poor management and self-interest in the reckless borrowing over the past 6 years have brought Ghana to the edge of a cliff.”

    “How do we re-fuel our bus for the same bad and reckless driver, who has driven us into a ditch to drive us “safely” home? Change the driver, Mr. President!”

    “We applaud former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo for her discerning and distinguished voice in these deeply troubling times in Ghana. It is entirely predictable that NPP apologists and grassroots attack dogs would be unleashed to devour her, but to no effect: Ghanaians have been awoken from their slumber by the super incompetence of the worst government in Ghana’s post-independence history,” he added.

  • Bawumia cuts sod for construction of Liberty Assemblies of God Church Hospital

    Bawumia cuts sod for construction of Liberty Assemblies of God Church Hospital

    On February 12, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia cut the first sod at Akweteyman, Accra, for the Liberty Assemblies of God Hospital.

    The construction of the 50-bed community hospital, is in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Liberty Assemblies of God Church.

    Vice President Bawumia, who has provided financial support as well as 500 bags of cement to the church towards the start of construction, congratulated the congregation on its 50th anniversary and also expressed delight at joining them for the groundbreaking ceremony, which he described as “a manifestation of the goodness of God”.

    “It is really a pleasure and a privilege to be here,” Dr. Bawumia said.

    “Liberty Assemblies of God Church is 50 years this year and I was very privileged to be with you on that day when we celebrated the 50th Anniversary. And the theme was: ‘Declaring the goodness of God’.

    “This (sod cutting) is a manifestation of that theme. We are here today because we are seeing the goodness of God.

    “The church, to thank God for 50 years, has decided to construct a 50-bed hospital for the community of Akweteyman.”

    Dr. Bawumia, having provided the Church his support, also reiterated his commitment towards the project.

    “I am so happy and so honoured to be part of it and I want to assure Reverend that I will be keeping a close eye and participating in the construction of this beautiful edifice,” he said.

    “We want to see the completion in two years by the grace of God so I am one of you as we are going through this project, and we will see, by the grace of God, to its completion.

    “I just want to thank all of you, Reverend in particular for making me a part and an honorary member of Liberty, of which I’m very proud. May God bless this building and may God bless all the people who are going to be working.”

    Church thanks Dr. Bawumia for support

    The Church expressed gratitude to the Vice President for his kind gesture and commitment towards the execution of the project.

    “First of all, we wish to thank you for honouring our invitation to attend our 50th Anniversary in this local church. We also appreciate the fact that you made a giant contribution into the project we intended to undertake,” said the Head Pastor.

    “Mr. Vice President, thereafter, your 500 bags of cement was received and we are grateful again. At the last visit to your home when we made you aware the project was going to begin, you duly requested that you’ll love to be part of the sod cutting.

    “I was personally elated to hear that and I am happy to know that you have a keen interest in the project we are undertaking. We appreciate this,” the Head Pastor added.

  • DDEP: Pensioners continue picketing at Finance Ministry

    DDEP: Pensioners continue picketing at Finance Ministry

    On Monday, February 13, members of the Pensioner Bondholders Forum protested again at the Finance Ministry in order to demand a complete exclusion of their investments from the Domestic Debt Exchange programme (DDEP).

    The government has proposed a 15% coupon rate, but the retirees have stated that they will not accept any haircuts on their investments as their livelihoods depend on the proceeds from these investments.

    The bondholders were on Friday joined by the former Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo who threatened to sue the government if their pension funds are included in the debt exchange programme.

    The government extended the window for bondholders to complete tender processes as part of the controversial domestic debt exchange programme.

    The deadline for signing up for the programme expired on Friday, February 10, 2023.

  • Burkinabes who fled to Ghana due to terrorist activity have returned home

    Burkinabes who fled to Ghana due to terrorist activity have returned home

    The inhabitants of Burkina Faso who fled to Ghana have reportedly returned, according to Tahiru Issahaku Ahmed, Chief Executive for the Bawku West Municipal Assembly in the Upper East Region.

    More than 4,000 Burkinabes fled to Ghana to seek refuge following attacks by suspected terrorists and militants in the country.

    They sought refuge in communities including Kperigu, Natinga and others in the Bawku West Municipality. 

    Updating Citi News on the development, the MCE said calm has been restored to Burkina Faso hence the decision of the immigrants to return. 

    “Those who came from Burkina Faso, now things are calm, and they are now going back. You know some people ran and came to Bawku West because of Jihadist activities in Burkana Faso, they came to Ghana, particularly my district. They are the people who have left, they are left with just a few. I had about 4,058 of them coming into my municipality, but now I have about 195 of them,” Tahiru Issahaku Ahmed said.

    Refugees from neighbouring Burkina-Faso were forced out of the country because of the activities of violent extremists.

    Activities of violent extremists in Burkina-Faso in recent times led to the death of several Burkinabes.

    Those who fled later sought asylum in Sapelega in the Bawku West Municipality.

    They occupied uncompleted structures in the municipality.

  • I’m powering up – Henry Quartey on his silence

    I’m powering up – Henry Quartey on his silence

    The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, has provided explanations for his stunned silence.

    Henry Quartey who has served as the regional minister for the capital of Ghana since 2021, launched the ‘Let’s Make Accra Work’ campaign with a view of helping to bring discipline and sanity to the region.

    Mr. Quartey has through this campaign demolished a number of structures at unauthorised places and waterways, and cleared some major streets of hawkers among others. He also took on persons who had built on Ramsar sites.

    He also introduced the operation clean your frontage to force people living in Accra to keep their environs clean.

    Mr. Quartey also succeeded in relocating onion traders from Agbogbloshie to Adjen Kotoku Market in the Ga West Municipality.

    Meanwhile, the Greater Accra Regional Minister has gone on the quiet in the last few months with rumours rife that he has given up on this ‘Let’s Make Accra Work’ campaign following the massive resistance he encountered from affected persons.

    Speaking for the first time following his supposed self-imposed exile, the Greater Accra Regional Minister said he was charging his battery and will bounce back strong.

    “Maybe I haven’t put much petrol in the car, this is 2023, some people said I have resigned, others also said I am slow, or I have gone to bed, but I am a battery, and I am charging,” he said.

    The Minister made this known when he addressed the 8th Investiture Ceremony of the Advertising Association of Ghana over the weekend.

    Mr. Quartey used the opportunity to call for concerted efforts to accelerate the passage of the advertising bill to mitigate the indiscriminate mounting of billboards.

    “When you go outside of this jurisdiction, billboards are properly done, it’s a system, we have to walk the talk.”

    “The problem is that I need a billboard because I have to campaign and my brother [Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah] also needs a billboard, so we are not able to tell the Goro people to back off. Very soon I am going to strike about this indiscipline about billboards, mark my words; we will do the job,” Mr. Quartey said.

  • Over 1.6 million Ghanaians who are at least 15 years old are cohabiting – GSS

    Over 1.6 million Ghanaians who are at least 15 years old are cohabiting – GSS

    There are 1,622,718 Ghanaians who are 15 years or older are cohabiting or living as married couples informally.

    According to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) 2021 Population and Housing Census report, about 8.2% of the country’s population 15 years and older live together as married couples, but in actual sense are not married.

    Of the 1.62 million cohabiting, 46.2% are males while the remaining majority are females – 53.8%.

    A disaggregation of the data at both urban and rural levels shows about 6.8% of Ghana’s urban population 15 years and above cohabitate while the rate is relatively higher at the rural level- 10.1%, which is significantly greater than the national average of 8.2 %.

    At the regional level, Ashanti region topped with about 348,045 people cohabiting followed by the Greater Accra region with 294,795 while North East recorded the least – 9,239 which is about 37 times smaller than what was recorded in the Ashanti region.

    The latest data from the 2021 Population and Housing Census (PHC) also revealed that 553,065 persons in Ghana have had their marriages dissolved while 405,090 have separated.

  • Gbese Stool is now a significant figure

    Gbese Stool is now a significant figure

    The Gbese community, which makes up the majority of the Ga State, has been given paramountcy status.

    This was announced when the Gbese Mantse, Dr Nii Ayi-Bonte II and five other chiefs whose stools have been elevated to paramountcy were officially introduced to the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs at its first general meeting of the year.

    At the meeting held on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at the Guggisburg Memorial Hall, Dodowa, the Vice President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, Dr Nii Odai Welenstsi II, speaking on behalf of the President, Nene Klagbordjor Animley V, said the newly introduced chiefs have been duly registered in the register of the National House of Chiefs.

    He added that the six have effectively become members of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs and will hence join the meetings of the house as well as perform duties on behalf of the house.

    Speaking to the media after the meeting, the Director of Communications at the Palace of the Gbese Mantse, Theophilus Wilson Edzie, underscored the significance of Gbese Stool becoming a paramountcy while describing it as long overdue.

    “Gbese Mantse who has a laudable land all over the region; 92 villages; the image of the capital and the strength of Ga has finally gone through the processes to become a paramount chief,” he stated.

    According to him, the elevation of the Gbese Stool should make every native “very happy, very elated and confident that we have gotten what we naturally deserve. Therefore, we are united strongly and we going to develop together,” Mr. Edzie added.

    Installed as Gbese Mantse in 2007, the 16-year reign of Dr Nii Ayi-Bonte II has brought great transformation to the Gbese land.

    Under his leadership, the over two century-old Gbese Mantse Palace has been demolished and is being replaced with a new 3-storey Gbese Mantse Palace Complex.

    His initiatives include a scholarship fund which is helping vulnerable persons of Gbese lineage to access education.

    To his credit, Dr Nii Ayi-Bonte II has led several developmental projects for his people and has provided employment to dozens of his natives.

    His position as Adonten of the Ga State bequeathed with the highest number of towns and villages under his authority makes the Gbese Mantse one of the prominent traditional leaders in Ghana’s capital region.

    His jurisdiction covers the Central Business District of Accra which remains key to Ghana’s socio-economic growth.

    Gbese Mantse who is the President of the Gbese Traditional Council, together with Gbese Jaaseitse and the Elders of Gbese promised to promote peace, help the youth, reward persons who have worked hard and have sacrificed for the good of Gbese and finally expressed appreciation to the people of Gbese who came

  • DDEP: Ken Ofori-Atta to address parliament February 16

    DDEP: Ken Ofori-Atta to address parliament February 16

    On Thursday, February 16, 2023, Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta is expected to address the legislature and discuss the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).

    The Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, made this known on Friday, February 10, 2023, when he presented the Business Statement for the coming week to the House.

    This comes after the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin’s ruling, following calls by MPs to summon the finance minister to furnish the House with details of the programme.

    The MPs, earlier this week, argued that it is unacceptable for parliament and the general public not to have been furnished with the full details of the DDEP, a situation they say continues to fuel anxiety about the exercise.

    MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, had earlier noted that the government is acting contrary to what the finance minister had promised in the 2023 budget, announcing the details of the debt exchange programme before its implementation.

    The failure, he said, has led to some challenges in its implementation, including the recent picketing by affected pensioners and individual bond holders at the ministry.

    “Ghanaians are genuinely concerned about their life savings and investments, and this House is yet to be briefed. We have not debated this programme and yet the Ministry of Finance is going ahead to implement this debt exchange programme which they say is a condition for the ongoing IMF engagements.

    “The Minister of Finance must appear before us and we must debate and agree exactly what should be the nature of this Domestic Debt Exchange Programme, who should be exempted and the implications – what are the full ramifications on the Ghanaian economy and on the affected citizens who are currently living in anguish, in pain and great anxiety,” he said.

  • Minority, Majority argue over attempts to “smuggle” new CI into business statement

    Minority, Majority argue over attempts to “smuggle” new CI into business statement

    For the second week of the legislative session, which ends on Friday, February 17, the minority has threatened to vote against the business statement.

    On Friday, February 10, 2023, after the Deputy Majority leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin read the business statement for next week, the minority leader, Caissel Ato Forson, raised concerns that the agenda that was discussed did not include Public Elections (Registration of Voters) Regulations, 2023.

    “… Mr Speaker at the meeting, I have a copy of the draft of the agenda we discussed. But to my surprise, I have seen an introduction of the C1 which was never discussed at the business committee meeting. But the deputy majority leader who did not attend business committee meeting stood here and made a pronouncement that this was agreed upon. Mr Speaker I am deeply disappointed in the Clerks for allowing this to be smuggled into a business statement. This can never be allowed.

    “Mr Speaker if that is the way this administration of the house, Mr Speaker this side of the house is ready for them,” Ato Forson said.

    The Public Elections (registration of Voters) Regulations, 2023 was captioned in page 4 (iii)(e) of presentation of papers.

    The Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Ahmed Banda, who described the business statement as a smuggled report said the house will not entertain it in the chamber.

    Mr. Banda added that the Deputy Majority Chief Whip in parliament, Frank Annor Dompreh, had indicated they would smuggle the CI in the business statement and he truly did.

    He added that the was a directive that the EC chairperson should appear before the house and brief them on the CI which includes the rationale behind the CI.

    Ahmed Banda said the EC chairperson did not appear before the house and yet the issue has still been brought into the business statement.

    In response, Alexander Afenyo-Markin said that the report should not be rejected if the minority merely disagrees but that it should be put on hold.

    “Sometimes when your brother disagrees with you and you believe in a solution, you could grant us a temporal leave. Today is Friday. I will want to yield to the views expressed that we place the issue of the CI on ice for now. In other words, it won’t be part of the report,” Afenyo-Markin added.

    The Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei Owusu in his ruling said the majority did not deny that the CI was not part of the business arranged for the week.

    “So, what has not been agreed should be excluded and if you discuss and you agree. The leader can make another statement on what was agreed. So, lets exclude what was not part of the business arrange of the week and proceed with what has been arranged for the week,” Joe Wise said.

    Engage leadership of Parliament or forget new C.I – Speaker to EC

    In October 2022, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin vowed to stop the laying of a new constitutional instrument (CI) if the Electoral Commission fails to seek audience with the leadership of parliament.

    The commission announced the new C.I which seeks to make the Ghana Card the only proof of nationality for its impending limited registration exercise which will soon be presented to parliament.

    The move has attracted stiff opposition from the NDC and some civil society groups.

  • 72-year-old grandmother charged for 8-year-old granddaughter

    72-year-old grandmother charged for 8-year-old granddaughter

    According to a statement from the Nash County Sheriff’s Office, authorities in North Carolina have charged a 72-year-old grandmother for beating her 8-year-old granddaughter to death.

    Authorities said the fatal incident happened on Tuesday, adding that the Sheriff’s Office was informed about a juvenile who had been taken to Nash UNC Healthcare’s emergency room with severe injuries. Officials also said the minor was pronounced dead upon arrival.

    “Based on the investigation, it was determined that the 8-year-old juvenile was beaten so severe by the grandmother that she died from the injuries,” the Sheriff’s Office said in the statement. “The child had severe injuries throughout her entire body and head.”

    The suspect, identified as Patricia Ricks, has since been charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of felony child abuse with serious injury. Authorities said the victim was one of six children that were staying with Ricks at her residence. She was also their legal guardian. In a news conference, Sheriff Keoth Stone said the other children have since been taken into state custody.

    “The Grandmother was transported to the Sheriff’s Office, where she made no statement,” authorities said. Ricks is being held without bond at the Nash County Detention Center.

  • Hold onto Ofori-Atta to boost the economy – Annoh-Dompreh

    Hold onto Ofori-Atta to boost the economy – Annoh-Dompreh

    The representative for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, believes that Ken Ofori-Atta, the finance minister, can restore Ghana’s economy.

    According to the MP calls by some of his colleagues in parliament for the president to dismiss the finance minister will rather stagnate the efforts of government to restore the economy.

    Speaking in an interview on Badwam on Adom tv, Annoh-Dompreh noted that the finance minister should be allowed to work as he revives the Ghana economy.

    “I think we are making progress. The times dictate that we should be at peace with each other. Before I say anything it means I have spoken to people. Now it appears things are getting better so we have to keep things running,” the Majority Chief Whip said.

    His statement comes on the back of a call by the Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North, Andy Appiah-Kubi for president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to honour his promise to fire Ken Ofori-Atta.

    Ofori-Atta was untouched in a recent ministerial shakeup that saw Akufo-Addo nominate seven persons for ministerial and deputy positions in his government.

    Annoh-Dompreh also called on the NPP in parliament to unite in breaking the 8 in the 2024 election by allowing the finance minister to retain his office.

    “We are ready to break the 8 but we need unity among ourselves, “he said.

    The majority chief Whip who has openly declared his support for the Vice President believes the majority in parliament should look at the larger picture of the 2024 general election, though he respects the views of those calling for the removal of the finance minister.

    The assertions of Annoh-Dompreh have been shared by some members of the majority who are confident the finance minister should be allowed the fix the economy rather than replace him.

  • Tension hits Nyankpala after enskinment of new chief

    Tension hits Nyankpala after enskinment of new chief

    The enskinment of a new chief has caused tension in Nyankpala, in the Tolon District of the Northern Region.

    The Dataling-lana was enskinned by the Ya-Na Thursday.

    But a few hours after the ceremony, sporadic gunshots were heard in the Nyankpala community.

    As a result, security personnel have been deployed to the area to restore calm.

  • Google awards a $30k research grant to a UCC lecturer for artificial intelligence

    Google awards a $30k research grant to a UCC lecturer for artificial intelligence

    A lecturer at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), specifically, the Department of Mathematics has been awarded a $30,000 Google research grant to carry out Artificial Intelligence research (AI) research.

    The award was granted to Dr Stephen Moore, who is also a co-founder of Ghana Natural Language Processing (Ghana NLP), to accelerate research in natural language processing (NLP) in low-resource languages in Ghana and Africa.

    Natural Language Processing is a branch of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that is focused on how computers can process languages as humans do.

    Since 2020, Dr Moore and his colleagues at Ghana NLP have been developing tools for both text and speech translation of low-resource languages including Twi, Dagbani, Ewe, Ga, Guruni, Igbo, etc.

    At the re-opening of Google’s new office in Accra, Ghana, in 2022, Dr Moore presented the state of the art of NLP development in Ghana and the opportunities the country will gain by training and developing young people for the future.

    He presented the first Ghanaian Language translator; Khaya, that has been launched by Ghana NLP together with Algorine (a partner company of Ghana NLP).

    The app uses state-of-the-art language models from NLP with the ambition to create a unified translator for several languages in Africa.

    Google gave the gift in recognition of Ghana NLP’s efforts towards both development of such important tools and the training of volunteers at Ghana NLP. 

    Ghana NLP is a social enterprise seeking to make NLP accessible to Ghanaians through training, workshops and seminars. It is the first of such awards Google has granted to any Ghanaian researcher.

  • Ofori-Atta should start over and revise his plan – Sophia Akuffo

    Ofori-Atta should start over and revise his plan – Sophia Akuffo

    The recently-retired Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana, Sophia Akuffo, has urged the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, to revise his plans and come up with a strategy that will exclude bondholders.

    “The Minister of Finance had better go back to the drawing board and come back with a better proposal, otherwise nobody is going to… I am encouraging people not to agree to sign up for anything, and if need be, we can all go to court,” she said.

    Sophia Akuffo said this when she joined pensioners who are picketing at the finance minister’s office against his decision to include the investment of pensioners in the government’s Domestic Debt Exchange Programme.

    The pensioners have vehemently rejected the move, stating that they do not want their monies included in the programme because they survive on the returns on such investments.

    The former Chief Justice, who clarified that she was not affected by DDEP, said she was there in solidarity with her fellow retirees.

    She stressed that these retirees have served the nation well and do not deserve the treatment they are being given.

    “These are all people who have worked. They have worked very hard. They could have left the country when others were going, but they stayed and worked for the nation. And we’ve had our ups and downs and everything… We have been through times when all your savings have become nonsense due to some government policy… quite a number of people here today when they retired, they put everything in government bonds,” she added.

    Ghana is seeking an IMF bailout of $3 billion, but the Fund wants to be sure that the government’s debts are sustainable, hence the voluntary Domestic Debt Exchange Programme to deal with its domestic debts.

    It has also come up with some measures, including the country joining the Paris Club to deal with its international debts – to have the foreign debts delayed or forgiven.

    With the DDEP, the government is seeking to restructure approximately GH¢137.3 billion of the domestic debts it accrued through bonds it issued, including the E.S.L.A. Plc and Daakye Trust Plc, and per the requirement of the IMF, 80 percent of the country’s total debts must be subject to this debt exchange programme.

  • Two vehicles crash at Lapaz road

    Two vehicles crash at Lapaz road

    Two vehicles have resulted in a gory accident on Lapaz road, today, Friday February 10, opposite the Goil Filling Station in Accra between Lapaz and Flatop.

    The gory accident involved a Toyota Vitz and a Hyundai Getz.

    A video captured by an eyewitness and shared with GhanaWeb showed a completely hammered Hyundai Getz that had somersaulted and was in the middle of the road.

    The Toyota Vitz, on the other hand, had less severe damage, with only its bonnet and sides bent.

    Some onlookers could be seen turning the somersaulted Hyundai Getz and moving it out of the way since it had caused traffic.

    The witness, who spoke to GhanaWeb, said that three people were in the Hyundai Getz, and they sustained various degrees of injuries.

    Two other people were also in the Toyota Vitz, but none of them was seriously injured.

    The Ghana Police Service has yet to comment on the accident.

  • GIFEC deserves praise for its caution and solid liquidity position – – Public Accounts Committee

    GIFEC deserves praise for its caution and solid liquidity position – – Public Accounts Committee

    Hon. Isaac Yaw Opoku, Member of Parliament for Offinso South Constituency and Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament, who supervised the review of GIFEC’s statement of operations and financial position, praised the organization for its strong operational and financial position.

    GIFEC is an Implementing Agency of the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization in charge of programs to close the Digital Divide.

    He observed that GIFEC posted an impressive 7.2% increase in the surplus of income over expenditure, compared to the previous year, significantly improving its liquidity, as a result.

    He concluded that GIFEC’s “financial position is very good. Non-current assets increased by 14.5%, and current assets by 20.1%. Their liquidity position is very strong and (has) even improved over the previous year. In fact, they did well and need to be commended.”

    In the progress of the Ghana Rural Telephony and Digital Inclusion Project (GRT&DIP), GIFEC’s flagship project, Mr. Prince Ofosu Sefah, Administrator (CEO) of GIFEC commented on its unprecedented nature, began in late 2020.

    He mentioned that 473 out of the 1,008 (50% of the planned 2,016 Rural Mobile Sites being deployed by the Project) have completed and are active and delivering voice and data services to citizens.

    He assured the Committee that plans are far advanced and efforts are being expedited to resolve all technical difficulties being encountered, to ensure that the remaining Sites are all built and activated this year.

    He concluded that equipment for the construction of the remaining 50% of the 2,016 Sites is actually in the country, awaiting funding for deployment, which is expected in the near future.

    The GRT&DIP forms part of GIFEC’s flagship Rural Telephony Programme, which is funded by the Government of Ghana (GoG), through a strategic agreement with Huawei and China National Technical Import & Export Corporation (CNTIC), funded by the China EXIM Bank to establish 2,016 Rural Telephony Sites in as many communities across the country, envisioned to provide mobile network coverage to about 3.4 million more citizens.

    GIFEC supervises the implementation of this Project, working with Technical Partners, on behalf of the Government of Ghana, represented by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD). This unprecedented Project has been spearheaded by the Honourable Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, who also chairs the Board of Trustees of GIFEC, position she has held since 2017.

  • My mouth has been ungagged – Sophia Akuffo freely condemns DDEP

    My mouth has been ungagged – Sophia Akuffo freely condemns DDEP

    The immediate-past Chief Justice of Ghana, Sophia Akuffo, has stated that she is able free to share her genuine thoughts without restriction since she no longer occupies a government position.

    Speaking with the media at the forefront of the Ministry of Finance in Accra, Madam Akuffo voiced her displeasure against government’s Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) as she stood with the many pensioners who picketed at the Finance Ministry.

    “Let me see you doing something serious because we’ve seen these sorts of things for a very long time. I’m over 70 now, and I’m no longer a government employee. My mouth has been ungagged and I’m talking and I’m saying what I feel and it is important that, the elderly in this nation…”

    “There are quite a number of people here today, who retired last year, last two years. When they retired, they put everything into government bonds and now all of a sudden, you virtually want to, at gunpoint, force them to agree with you that the repayment of their investment or yields of their investments should be as you dictate it. Why?

    “Why are we in the mess we are in, nobody has fully explained it to us, yes debts, we took debts, what was it used for? Where is the accountability? You are not telling us about how you are going to make things better but just ‘help me and I’ll help you’ no, you help yourself first.

    The immediate-past Chief Justice of Ghana, who was appointed by the sitting president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, explained that she is there with the pensioners out of solidarity.

    She stated that while she is not going to be affected by the government’s DDEP, she finds it wicked for the government to sacrifice the profits of retirees – people who have sacrificed for Ghana, just so that it is able to solve its own problems in managing the economy.

    “This is just by God’s grace that I’m not included and it’s very heart-breaking to see people of, particularly, this age group – some are a bit older than me, some are somewhat a bit younger than me, but these are all people who have worked, worked very hard. They could have left the country when others were leaving, they left, they stayed, they worked for the nation and we’ve had our ups and downs and everything but bit by bit.

    “A lot of us are from the generation where you were encouraged to save for tomorrow. We’ve been through times when all your savings become nonsense because of some government policy. Then over the years, bit by bit, people have become more confident in the economy, in investments and all that,” she added.

    She stressed that it is unlawful for the government to be pushing this agenda, including profits of pensioners who have invested in bonds.

    “I find this wicked; I find it disrespectful; I find it unlawful; I find it totally wrong. Period. Because you don’t solve your problems by sacrificing your aged. That’s the last thing you should do especially when we don’t have any services that are specially geared at the comfort and the relief of the aged,” she added.

  • Sacrificing the elderly is not a way to address your problems – Sophia Akuffo

    Sacrificing the elderly is not a way to address your problems – Sophia Akuffo

    Sophia Akuffo, the first person to be appointed by President Akufo-Addo as Ghana’s Chief Justice, has expressed her displeasure with the leader for attempting to address his financial issues by manipulating the weak.

    She said that it is wickedness for the government to sacrifice the profits of people who have worked their entire lives serving the country, just so that it can solve its own problems of fixing the economy.

    Speaking at the forefront of the Ministry of Finance in Accra, where some pensioners have been picketing since Monday, February 6, 2023, she said the last thing the Akufo-Addo government should have been done was to think of touch pension funds.

    “I find this wicked; I find it disrespectful; I find it unlawful; I find it totally wrong. Period. Because you don’t solve your problems by sacrificing your aged. That’s the last thing you should do especially when we don’t have any services that are specially geared at the comfort and the relief of the aged,” she said.

    The immediate-past Chief Justice of Ghana joined her fellow retirees at the Ministry of Finance on Friday, February 10, 2023, to picket over the government’s intention to involve the bonds of pensioners in its Domestic Debt Exchange Programme.

  • Former Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo joins pensioners to protest against DDEP

    Former Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo joins pensioners to protest against DDEP

    Sophia Akuffo, the recently-retired Chief Justice of Ghana, has joined the pensioners picketing in Accra at the Ministry of Finance.

    The pensioners have been picketing at the premises of the ministry since Monday, February 6, 2023, over the government’s plan to involve their bonds in the Domestic Debt Exchange programme.

    Captured in a front-seat position at the premises of the Ministry of Finance, the former Chief Justice has in hand a wooden placard.

    Her placard read: “We use our bond yields to pay our: rents, medical bills, electricity, water bills.”

  • Expert expects controversy at Trade Ministry after KT Hammond-Stephen Amoah ministerial nomination

    Expert expects controversy at Trade Ministry after KT Hammond-Stephen Amoah ministerial nomination

    A lecturer on governance at Central University, Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah, has expressed his concern for impending instability at the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

    This follows the appointments of Kobina Tahiru Hammond and Stephen Amoah by President Akufo-Addo as Minister of Trade and Industry and Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, respectively.

    The appointments of the two became necessary after Alan Kyerematen, the former minister, tendered in his resignation in January 2023 so that he could focus on his presidential ambitions.

    But reacting to the news of the appointment of the two while speaking on Peace FM and monitored by GhanaWeb, Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah said that knowing Stephen Amoah, the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, the way he does, someone needs to speak with him.

    He said that with the two personalities heading the Ministry of Trade and Industry, if care is not taken, it might result in a very chaotic situation at the ministry.

    “When you take a look at the trade ministry, Sticker is my friend. He is hot; he does not lose arguments. He can go on with you for even three months without stopping. And then KT Hammond is also hot and now the two of them have been sent to one ministry.

    “I plead that if the elders will speak with the two of them, it will help, otherwise, I see fire ahead.

    Stressing that he is not one to wish such people doom, Dr. Otchere-Ankrah said that it is necessary that there is a balance between the personalities and energies of the people asked to be at the helm of organisations, even more so politically.

    “I am not a prophet of doom, but there should be a balance of hot and cold so that must be looked at,” he stressed.

    Among the new appointments made by President Nana Akufo-Addo to his government are Bryan Acheampong as Minister of Food and Agriculture; Stephen Asamoah Boateng as Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Studies; Mohammed Amin Adam, Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance; and Osei Bonsu Amoah as Minister of State for Local Government.