The Department of Forensic Sciences at the University of Cape Coast(UCC) has denied reports that exam questions for its police promotion exam were leaked before its conduction.
According to a statement from the school dated February, 27, the exams were written under the watchful supervision of the University’s skilled invigilators.
“The attention of Management of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has been drawn to a news item aired on ADOM TV, Badwam show, on Wednesday 22nd February 2023, purporting that the questions for the Police Promotional Examination organised by the Department of Forensic Sciences of the University, leaked before the Exams were written.
“No part of the Ghana Police Promotional examination questions written on the 13th of February 2023, were leaked to any candidate,” parts of the statement read.
Additionally, the University denied claims that certain senior police officers acted as exam supervisors during the exams. The institution argued that it is unacceptable that there are reports circulating that some candidates are demanding their scripts be remarked, when the scripts have not yet been marked.
“The Examinations were written under the strict supervision of the University’s experienced Invigilators. The allegation that the exams were invigilated by some Senior Officers from the Police Service is false and should be treated with the contempt it deserves.
“The claim by the Host of the show that some candidates were calling for remarking of their scripts is not tenable because the results have not been released. The allegation of the supposed leakage, therefore, begs the question,” it said.
The Authorities further urged stakeholders and the general public to ignore the malicious publication as it could ruin the school’s reputation.
“The University of Cape Coast is an internationally acclaimed university with competent and credible professionals who have been in the business of conducting examinations since time immemorial.
“Management wishes to assure its cherished stakeholders and the general public that the University holds dear to its acclaimed brand as an excellent academic institution and for that matter, would not do anything untoward to tarnish it hard-won reputation,” it added.
The Police promotional exam measures one’s potential aptitudes for police related jobs. Individuals who pass the exams demonstrate that they are well-equipped to handle their new positions.
Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority(NYA), Pius Enam Hadzide, has condemned recent comments made by the German Ambassador, Daniel Krull, regarding the need for President Akufo-Addo to downsize his government.
Hadzide believes that such comments indicate that Ghana’s development partners, including Germany, do not have the country’s best interests at heart.
During a press conference, Ambassador Krull had questioned why Ghana was pleading for assistance from the international community while still maintaining a government that is larger than Germany’s.
He suggested that there were certain expenditures that could be lowered substantially without hurting economic development, and called on the government to take action in this regard.
Responding to Krull’s comments, Hadzide noted that the government was already committed to finding the right balance between public expenditure and revenue. He also questioned which areas of expenditure should be cut, asking whether it should be in the road sector, education, or health.
Hadzide went on to say that Ghana’s development partners should appreciate the severity of the country’s problems and the need to jump-start development if it is to compete on equal terms.
He argued that if these partners had their way, Africa would be a production force for them to be feeding their economies, and suggested that Ghana should take its own decisions based on its own context.
President Akufo-Addo had appointed a total of 123 Ministers and Deputies during his first administration, but he subsequently reduced the number of Ministers to not more than 85, as promised to Ghanaians.
However, there have been calls for further reductions in light of the current economic situation.
Electoral Commissioner, Jean Mensa, has confirmed that theGhana Card will not be used as a voter ID in the upcoming December 2024 election.
Her statement comes in response to speculation, particularly from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), that the Commission planned to use the Ghana Card for the elections.
“The Ghana Card will not be used for voting in 2024; it will be used to register,” she emphasised.
Mensa made the assertion while responding to questions on the floor of Parliament on February 28, 2023. She had been summoned by the Speaker to appear before the House to discuss the proposed Constitutional Instrument (C.I) that seeks to make the Ghana Card the sole document for registration in the Continuous Voters Registration exercise.
Justifying the draft CI, Mensa said it aims to “promote the continuous registration of voters and advocate for an all-year-round registration of eligible voters at the district offices of the Electoral Commission.”
She further explained that this is a departure from the previous system, where the Voters Registration was done for a limited period.
“Under [the old system], registration of new voters was only conducted for a limited period and not all year round.
As such, persons who turned 18 years old after the registration period, as well as persons who had not previously registered to vote, could not do so when the time set aside for registration elapsed,” she argued.
She noted that under the new C.I, anyone who is eligible to vote can simply walk into any of the EC district offices and register. “Potential voters can register at any time of the year once the exercise begins,” she stressed.
Another significant feature of this draft constitutional instrument, according to the EC, is the proposal to adopt the Ghana Card as the sole source of identification for any person who wishes to register to vote.
Mensa clarified that the guarantor system, which is fraught with various challenges, will no longer be used in the registration exercise.
“The use of only Ghana Card will ensure and guarantee the credibility of the register and elections, prevent enrolment of minors, prevent foreigners from voting, and eliminate the guarantor system, which is prone to abuse,” she emphasized.
“This will reduce the usual pressure at registration centers, thereby reducing the likelihood of conflicts whatsoever. It will prevent minors and foreigners from voting and will take away the guarantor system,” she added.
The draft constitutional instrument, entitled Public Elections (Registration of Voters) Regulations, 2021, has received mixed reactions.
While some, particularly the Minority in Parliament, have vehemently contested it, the EC stands by it as the best option for the country, particularly the part that intends to make the Ghana Card the only form of identification for eligible voters who want to register to vote on the national register.
Also, with the assurance given by the National Identification Authority to the effect that all outstanding Ghana cards will be cleared by August, she is optimistic that there will be no or less challenges with the exercise.
About eight million Ghanaians are likely to have their SIM cards disconnected by March 10, 2023, if they have not completed their SIM card registration, accordingto a statement by the National Communications Authority (NCA) issued on Monday, February 27, 2023.
The disconnection will be in line with a directive issued by the Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu Ekuful, on November 30, 2022.
“The National Communications Authority (NCA) wishes to remind subscribers who have completed stage one (1) but not stage two (2) of their SIM registration, as part of the ongoing SIM registration exercise, to immediately do so or risk having their SIMs disconnected after 10th March 2023,” said the NCA statement.
On February 9, 2023, the Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu Ekuful, revealed in Parliament that the total number of people who had completed stage 1 of the registration, i.e., linking their Ghana Card to their SIMs, was 33,793,132, representing 79.60% of the total number of SIM cards in Ghana.
The number of unregistered SIM cards, i.e., those who had not attempted to link their Ghana Card to their SIMs, was 8,658,164, representing 20.40%.
The number of people who had completed the process of SIM registration, i.e., stage 2 (Biometric Capture), was 25,150,522, representing 59.25%, and the number of unregistered SIM cards under stage 2 was 17,300,774, representing 40.75%.
According to the NCA, there have been additional subscribers who have completed stage one of the registration process but are yet to conclude with the final stage.
The statement also noted that subscribers who begin the registration process (stage 1) and fail to complete their registration within a period of 2 weeks will have their SIM cards deactivated from their networks.
The NCA urged subscribers who are in the stage 2 process to complete registration by March 10, 2023.
The Communications Authority also highlighted the importance of the SIM card registration exercise, stating that it is aimed at developing and building a SIM database with integrity, which will assist in curbing fraudulent activities.
“To reiterate, the importance of the SIM card registration exercise is to develop and build a SIM database with integrity, which will assist in curbing fraudulent activities.
The NCA continues to urge all subscribers to complete their SIM card registrations with their Ghana Cards to avoid deactivation,” the statement added.
The NCA began the re-registration of SIM cards in October 2021 across the country to develop and build a SIM database with integrity, which will assist in curbing fraudulent activities.
A former member of parliament from the Kwadaso Constituency, Samiu Kwadwo Nuamah, has alleged that the success of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections was largely due to the “One District, One Factory” (1D1F).
Speaking in an interview on Wontumi TV on February 27, 2023, he claimed that President Akufo-Addo’s plan for the free SHS introduction had no influence on the Ghanaian electorate’s decision to vote for the NPP in the 2008 and 2012 elections, but Alan’s One District, One Factory ultimately helped the elephant party win in 2016 and 2020.
“In 2008, we went for elections with a free SHS message, but we lost. In 2012, we also went with the same free SHS message and still lost.
“But in 2016, when Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen brought the 1 District, 1 Factory message, what happened? We won the elections. So, if they’ve forgotten, that is what Alan did,” he said.
He added that Alan Kyerematen has contributed immensely to the development of the country as trade minister, adding that he is ready to offer his support to the former minister to ‘break the eight’ for the party.
The former minister officially declared his intention to run for president in 2024 on January 10, 2023.
Addressing the nation on January 10, 2023, days after resigning from the government, Alan Kyerematen thanked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and announced that he would run for the position of flagbearer when the NPP officially opens nominations.
According to Alan Kyerematen, to ensure economic stability for the country, a new plan ought to be put in place, one he intends to introduce.
Describing this plan as the Great Transformational Plan (GTP) of Ghana, he said it will span from 2025 to 2030 when given the chance as president.
He said, “Fellow countrymen and women, let me now provide a brief synopsis of the Great Transformational Plan (GTP). The GTP will be anchored on the following key pillars:
“A Strong Macroeconomic Environment: The success of the GTP will depend primarily on strong macroeconomic fundamentals, which will include, among other things, a stable currency, low inflation, sustainable debt levels, revenue optimization and tight expenditure control to guarantee fiscal balance, low competitive interest rates, strong external reserves backed by high levels of liquidity to support the financial sector.”
On Tuesday, February 28, Speaker Alban Bagbin was justified in ordering the withdrawal of twoMembers of Parliament‘s remarks and submissions.
Incidentally, the two MPs were from the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and they were ordered to retract statements directed at a common subject, that is Jean Mensah, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC).
Jean Mensa along with the Chief Executive Officer of the National Identification Authority (NIA), Prof Ken Attafuah and the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, appeared before the House to defend the sole use of the Ghana Card as proof for registration of new voters.
The NIA, who are in charge of the issuance of the cards have raised logistical constraints which the Minister of Finance has assured is being addressed.
For the EC chair, her submissions were to explain how and why the particular card was chosen for new registrations as per the Constitutional Instrument (CI), the EC has laid before Parliament.
As the EC boss was making her point, the Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, could be heard describing her remarks as shameful.
This infuriated members of the Majority Caucus, who were up in arms, demanding that the MP withdraws his comments. This caused some commotion in the House for about a minute.
The Minister for Defence and MP for Bimbilla, Dominic Nitiwul, who was being chastised by the Speaker, for being out of order could be heard saying: “Mr Speaker, I’m protesting. You cannot invite somebody into your house and insult the person. Mr Speaker why? He is misbehaving too much.”
Bagbin then directed his anger at Murtala and told him that his comments were unparliamentary.
“Honourable Murtala Muhammed, it has long been ruled in this House that the use of the word ‘shame’ is unparliamentary… the guests we have are here to answer to an invitation by this House. The best we can do is to listen to them.
“Again, Honourable Murtala Muhammed, I call on you to withdraw the shame, shame,” Bagbin said.
Murtala Muhammed, before withdrawing his comment, argued that his comments were not made through the microphone and thus cannot be recorded as official.
But Bagbin insisted that during meetings of the committees, every comment made is recorded even if it is not made through a microphone.
The action of the Speaker drew him some applause from members of the Majority Caucus.
Watch the Murtala retraction below:
The Bongo MP in speaking on the floor on the same issue, cited a similar instance of disenfranchisement in the neighbouring Ivory Coast where some citizens were segregated for reasons of being non-citizens which situation he claimed created mayhem.
“Mr Speaker, on elections matters; consensus is key. Côte d’Ivoire is just by us here. By virtue of the fact that laws were passed to create the impression that others were not citizens, it created problems in Côte d’Ivoire.
“Afari Gyan handed over to Charlotte, Charlotte gave it to you, this country was in one piece. If this country goes to war, because of this, it will be on your head,” he cautioned.
However, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin ordered that the particular statement be retracted and expunged from the hansard.
The Ghanaian Genome (GhGenome) project’s director, Professor Fiifi Ofori-Acquah, has urged the government to launch a countrywide program that will screen every newborn for sickle cell disorders.
He said, “The reason we advocate screening of newborns for sickle cell is once you have been identified to have sickle cell, you can be given a medication to protect you from getting infections that can be fatal.”
Professor Ofori-Acquah, who is also President of the Sickle Cell Foundation of Ghana, made the call when delivering a lecture dubbed: “The Ghanaian Genome,” at the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale.
The public lecture, which was to educate the public on genetics and the critical role, it played in health, wellbeing, and diseases, was attended by members of the University community, some traditional authorities, and students from second cycle institutions.
The (GhGenome) project is an initiative of the University of Ghana’s West African Genetic Medicine Centre to improve access to all aspects of genetic health in the country.
Professor Ofori-Acquahbemoaned the fact that while genetic diseases were a problem in the country “It is sad we do not have a national screening programme for sickle cell diseases in the country. That is just not acceptable.”
He spoke about the GhGenome project’s awareness activities on the role genetics played in causing diseases that were currently attributed to many wrong factors.
He mentioned that the project was focused on four main areas, which included nationwide public lecture series on the Ghanaian genome, and free nationwide screening of genetic diseases in partnership with traditional leaders across the country specifically for sickle cell conditions as well as breast and prostate cancers.
The rest were the development of postgraduate genetics training programmes, and financial support to train citizens in genetic health professions, and sequencing of the DNA of 1,000 Ghanaian children with severe genetic disorders including sickle cell disease, cancer, and rare diseases.
He advised people to be aware of genetic disorders and take advantage of public screening events to get screened for them.
In a speech read on his behalf, Professor Seidu Al-Hassan, Vice-chancellor of UDS, said the genetic disorder situation in the country was serious, requiring the need for all to get screened especially when getting married.
Meanwhile, the GhGenome project, as part of its awareness campaign to sensitise the public on genetics, has in collaboration with UDS, organised a free public health screening for residents of Tamale and Sagnarigu on sickle cell conditions as well as breast and prostate cancers.
A total of 365 people comprising 174 children and 191 adults were screened at the event held at the forecourt of the palace of the Chief of Sagnarigu.
Dr Amma Benneh-Akwasi Kuma, Consultant Haematologist at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, who coordinated the free public health screening exercise, said “For adults, some of the diseases we are encountering are those with increased high blood pressure. Some of them know about their situation but they sometimes forget to take their medicine. We have counselled them.”
She added that “For others, this is the first time they have been told that their blood pressure is high. So, we have advised them to go to the nearest health facility for a check up and get treatment for it.”
As thegovernmentsettles a debt owed to creditors in the amount of GH100,000,000, the National Identification Authority (NIA) plans to issue more Ghanaian identification cards.
Printing of the cards was suspended following financial constraints faced by the NIA.
In view of this, more than 3.5 million cards were locked up in a bonded warehouse.
But appearing before Parliament on February 28, 2023, theFinance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta disclosed that an amount of GH¢20 million has been paid to CalBank following the initial payment of GH¢80 million.
“I think that the main question was about the GH¢100 million to be transferred to CalBank IMS and as has been confirmed by the [Executive] Director for the NIA, we have indeed transferred the GH¢80 million and today with swift instructions the GH¢20 million has also been executed. That is the assurance we want to give that we will continue to work with the programme we have agreed with CalBank,” the Finance Minister noted.
The Electoral Commission (EC) is proposing a new constitutional instrument through which it intends to make the Ghana card the sole identification document for voter registration.
Requiring further clarification on the matter, Parliament summoned the officials of the Electoral Commission, NIA and the Minister of Finance.
Also appearing before Parliament to brief MPs on the activity of the NIA, the Executive Director of the NIA, Professor Kenneth Attafuah, assured that the NIA is prepared to print all outstanding cards per the financial clearance by the Finance Ministry.
He said they are now ready to print more cards to support the EC in executing the Constitutional Instrument (CI) if it’s approved by Parliament.
“The number of cards not yet printed, i.e., persons who have registered, whose records are with NIA but whose cards have not yet been printed, stands at 541,529. This figure represents the financial difficulties we have had lately, beginning approximately in July/August of last year,” he said.
However, Prof. Attafuah has assured Ghanaians that NIA can manage the technology to print more Ghana cards.
“We have the capacity, we have over a thousand functional printers, and we have people who are trained, who are professionals who are sitting at home doing nothing and are anxious to work. We will call those people back to work. With 500 printers, we can print 50,000 cards a day,” he assured.
On Tuesday, February, 28, a Sprinter Benz bus and a VW Jetta saloon car crashed on the Accra-Cape Coast highway between Gomoa Kyerekwanta and Gomoa Antaadze, injuring 21 persons.
According to the DistrictFire Officer for Goma West at the Apam Fire Station, Assistant Chief Fire Officer Grade 2, Adolf Ankomah Nuamah, the driver of the VW Jetta saloon car was said to be sleeping due to fatigue when he collided with the rear of the Mercedes Benz Sprinter bus, causing it to somersault and causing injuries.
A similar incident occurred on the same stretch two days ago, resulting in the death of a female victim and the treatment of others who were injured.
“We received a distress call. We rushed to the place and saw the vehicles involved in the accident. Nobody has died but 10 females and 11 males were injured.”
According to Joseph Osei-Owusu, the chairman of the parliamentary appointments committee, some of the president‘s nominees for ministerial positions may be approved by secret ballot.
He said the Minority’s refusal to support the approval process at the Committee level will force a secret ballot when the report is presented to the House this week.
“Our recommendation will be that, the Majority says yes, the Minority says no. If we recommend approval by consensus, then, the decision is taken by voice vote. But when it’s recommended by a majority decision, then the report is adopted by a secret ballot.”
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on February 7, 2023, nominated six members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to replace some outgoing ministers.
They have subsequently been vetted by the Appointments Committee awaiting approval byParliament.
But the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had earlier directed the Minority Caucus in Parliament not to approve the new ministerial nominees.
NDC described the nominations as insensitive and will affect government spending in the midst of an economic mess created by president Akufo-Addo and his Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
The NDC in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey said: “the NDC has long expressed concern over the very large size of the current government and shares the views of most Ghanaians, including civil society, that it must be reduced bearing in mind the current massive economic mess the country has been plunged into by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government.”
The party said it has appealed to the government and president Akufo-Addo on numerous occasions to cut down on the number of appointees, but the president has remained adamant.
It said the option available to the party to attempt to compel the president to cut down the size of his government is to direct members of the party in Parliament to reject the nominees.
Workers at the Kassena NankanaMunicipal Health Directorate in the Upper East Region have alleged that they are forced to work from home since government is unable to finish the renovations to their building.
The staff described the slow pace of renovation work on their office structure as worrying.
In a statement copied to Citi News, the staff alleged that several complaints to ensure the contractor completed renovation works as scheduled have proved futile hence their decision to work from home until renovation work on their office facility is completed.
“We wish to express our displeasure about the slow-paced nature of our office renovation since 2018 which is now a dangerous trap to our lives as staff and health commodities within our care. We have lodged several complaints and have had meetings with the building contractor and the Municipal Assembly team but have proven unsuccessful”.
“We are by this letter informing you about our industrial disharmony (Work from home) due to; the slow-paced nature of the office renovation, overcrowding staff in a small space, and no proper office space to be used as a cold room or storage of life commodities”.
The staff said they will only return to the office after the completion of the renovation work.
“We will be working from our various homes, do our maximum best to function and deliver our core daily duties or responsibilities as prescribed in our job description as staff of the Ghana Health Service. We are sure that we shall be more productive if these issues raised above are addressed”.
But Municipal Chief Executive of Kassena Nankana, Joseph Adongo, expressed surprise at the decision of the staff but assured them that the contractor will soon return to site to complete the work.
Mr. Adongo explained that all outstanding variation concerns which resulted in the contractor abandoning site have been addressed and was hopeful works will soon resume on the office building.
“The project was awarded in 2017 in two phases, however, phase one was completed and there were payments and variations. But we have all agreed to vary the prices of the project except for the wiring part that we are yet to consider and agree on. So, we are expecting the contractor to resume work soon and complete it for use”.
Reports that exam questions for theUniversity of Cape Coast‘s Department of Forensic Sciences’ Police Promotional Examination had been leaked prior to the exams’ administration have been refuted by the school.
The university in a statement disclosed that the examinations were written under the strict supervision of the University’s experienced Invigilators.
The university also refuted allegations that the exams were invigilated by some Senior officers from the Police Service.
According to the university, it is untenable that some candidates are calling for remarking of their scripts since the results have not yet been released.
Below is the full statement
GHANA POLICE PROMOTIONAL EXAMINATION CONDUCTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST DID NOT LEAK
Cape Coast February 27th, 2023:
The attention of Management of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has been drawn to a news item aired on ADOM TV, Badwam show, on Wednesday 22nd February 2023, purporting that the questions for the Police Promotional Examination organised by the Department of Forensic Sciences of the University, leaked before the Exams were written.
The University wishes to refute the allegations as follows:
1. No part of the Ghana Police Promotional examination questions written on the 13th of February 2023, were leaked to any candidate.
2. The Examinations were written under the strict supervision of the University’s experienced Invigilators. The allegation that the exams were invigilated by some Senior Officers from the Police Service is false and should be treated with the contempt it deserves.
3. The claim by the Host of the show that some candidates were calling for remarking of their scripts is not tenable because the results have not been released. The allegation of the supposed leakage, therefore, begs the question.
4. The University is privy to the hand-written extract that was shown to viewers during the programme. A careful analysis of the material exhibited shows some inconsistencies in comparison with the test item that was administered to the candidates during the exams.
The purported material being shown around as a leaked paper, has no question attached to it.
Again, it is strange to note that the material in question appeared two days after the examination. How could this constitute a leaked question?
5. It is regrettable that the media house did not contact the University for its side of the story contrary to the ethics of Journalism.
6. The University of Cape Coast is an internationally acclaimed university with competent and credible professionals who have been in the business of conducting examinations since time immemorial.
7. Management wishes to assure its cherished stakeholders and the general public that the University holds dear to its acclaimed brand as an excellent academic institution and for that matter, would not do anything untoward to tannish it hard-won reputation.
In light of the above, management wishes to entreat stakeholders and the general public to disregard the malicious publication.
The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) is the first institution in Africa to have the newest medical imaging technology installed.
The equipment, known as Nanox.ARC, enhances the early detection of medical conditions that are discoverable by imaging technology based on X-rays.
It had been described as a working prototype of the next-generation digital X-ray technology in the field of medical imaging procedures that produces unique clinical value.
The UGMC has also established a new radiology learning centre to train healthcare professionals from across Africa on the use of Nanox.ARC.
The initiative was in partnership with Forte Medical Limited, a Group Addo affiliate company that specialises in the distribution of cutting-edge medical imaging technology locally and across Africa, and was facilitated by the Israel Economic and Trade Mission to the country.
Significance
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the UGMC, Dr Darius Osei, said the training was critical because it was new to the healthcare delivery sector.
“And the UGMC is proud to be part of this ground-breaking event. With its advanced cold cathode technology, the Nanox.ARC is capable of producing high-quality medical images with unprecedented speed and accuracy, leading to improved diagnosis and treatment of patients.
“This technology is being deployed for the first time in Africa, and we strongly believe its deployment will play a role in making the country the hub of medical tourism in Africa and beyond.
“We also believe that this partnership with Forte Medical will help UGMC continue to make a difference in the lives of not only our patients but patients across Africa,” Dr Osei added.
Shlomit Sufa (2nd from left), the Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, cutting the ribbon for the launch of the training centre. Assisting her are Dr Darius Osei (right), CEO of University of Ghana Medical Centre, and other dignitaries. Picture: ERNEST KODZI
Payment schedule
The CEO of Forte Medical, Nana Addo, said the UGMC would not be paying for the facility in cash.
According to him, the equipment would be managed under a pay-per-scan arrangement until it had recovered its cost and handed over permanently to the health facility.
“The vision of Nanox is to increase the early detection of medical conditions that are discoverable by medical imaging technologies based on X-ray, by improving access to imaging, reducing imaging costs and enhancing imaging efficiency, which is key to increasing early prevention and treatment, improving health outcomes, and ultimately saving lives.
“Nanox is developing a holistic imaging solution, which includes the Nanox System, and is comprised of Nanox.ARC using its novel MEMs X-ray source technology,” he said.
Mission
The Head of Israel Economic and Trade Mission, Yaniv Tessel, said the mission had the responsibility to facilitate partnerships between Ghanaian and Israeli businesses for mutual benefits.
He said health care was one of the priority sectors of the mission, citing the deployment of the Nanox as an addition to the many Israeli technologies adopted locally to support healthcare delivery, adding “this is one of the many success stories as we promote economic and trade relations between Israel and Ghana”.
On Sunday, February 26, President Akufo-Addo traveled to the Gonja Kingdom to partake in Yagbonwura Professor Tuntunba Boressah Jakpa I’s seventh-day funeral rites.
Sam Abu Jinapor, the member of parliament for Damongo, and Justin Kodua Frimpong, the general secretary of the NPP, were among the dignitaries who accompanied the president.
The Overlord of Gonja Sulemana Tuntunba Boressah Jakpa I passed on 5th February 2023 after a brief illness.
National Lottery Authority‘s (NLA) Corporate Social Responsibility division has provided four boreholes for the Abotakyi Village in the Akuapem North District of the Eastern Region.
Over the years, the indigenous people of Akuapem North Districthave survived on the Nyenyeme River as their main source of water, exposing them to water-related diseases.
To promote community health and an easily accessible water supply, the charity arm of the NLA, the Good Causes Foundation, stretched its arms to the people of Akuapem North by providing a healthy and sustainable water supply.
Since it was put in place, it has provided support for the less privileged in society and has contributed immensely to the development agenda of the country.
In February 2022, the Good Causes Foundation donated GH80,000 to the Rotary Club of Accra-Legon East to construct a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the University of Ghana Legon Hospital.
Announcing the gesture, the Director General for the National Lottery Authority, Sammy Awuku, said in a Facebook post: “For a long time, the people of the Abotakyi community depended on the Nyenyeme River as their main source of water.
As part of our commitment to making a positive impact, the National Lottery Authority, through its Good Causes Foundation, has commissioned four boreholes for the people of the Abotakyi community in the Akuapem North District of the Eastern Region.”
The commissioning, according to the post, saw the presence of the “Chief of Abotakyi, Nana Okyekerekuro, Kwame Sakyi Ababio II, Asasewhene of Akuapem Traditional Area, the Queen Mother of Abotakyi, Aburihene, and Adontehene of Akuapem, Nana Otoobour Djan Kwasi II.
“Other distinguished traditional leaders of the Abotakyi Traditional Area and the Assemblyman for the electoral area were also present.”
To honor the memory of late Ghanaian football playerChristian Atsu, the Ada Traditional Council has asked the government to create a monument.
According to the family, Christian Atsu’s contribution to the growth of football and humanity cannot be forgotten.
Speaking with President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House, the Mankralo of the Ada Traditional Area, Nene Agudey III, described Christian Atsu as a philanthropist who helped to improve the lives of many people.
“If your Excellency and the Ministry will lead in the process to ensure that there is a monumental thing done in his honour, to exemplify to all that it is good to be kind to other people in this life, we would like you to do something in the honour of Christian Atsu so that it will serve as an example to all and sundry in this country.”
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said government will offer a state-assisted burial for Christian Atsu, the former Black Stars player who perished in the Turkish earthquake.
In the meeting, the President said the country is devastated by the news of Atsu’s death.
The family of Christian Atsu paid him a visit at the Jubilee House on Monday, February 27, 2023, to officially inform him of the death of the former Black Stars player.
The meeting was also attended by officials of the Ghana Football Association led by its president,Kurt Okraku.
“Our responsibility is to give you enough support that you need. It can never erase the loss of this brilliant man. I want the Chief of Staff…to make sure that we organise a state-assisted funeral for Christian Atsu depending on the date the family and GFA will select. Everything will be done from the point of view of the government to make sure he gets a dignified exit. That is my duty and responsibility as a president to make sure that happens,” President Akufo-Addo added.
The president also urged Atsu’s family to fast-track the burial process.
“I don’t know what your plans are, but I think that the sooner we get this unfortunate episode behind us the better for all of us… With that said, the decision as to when the funeral will take place is still up to the family as our customs demand”.
Christian Atsu was tragically trapped under the rubble of the earthquake that hit some parts of Turkey and Syria on February 6.
Atsu’s lifeless body was recovered on February 18 and brought back to Ghana on February 19.
The Cape Coast School for the Deaf and Blind’s headmaster, Abraham Annang Yemoson, has made a request for laptops or desktop computers to help the institution teach and acquire Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
He indicated that to effectively train the students to be more relevant in a technologically advancing world, teaching and learning of ICT was critical.
However, he stated that the laptops and desktop computers needed for effective teaching were not available.
Mr Yemoson made the appeal when aNational Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary aspirant for Cape Coast South, Thomas Hughes Amissah, donated food stuffs, toiletries, chocolates and street lights to the school.
Three schools
Mr Amissah, popularly known as “Skillful”, visited three schools in his constituency, which were the Cape Coast School for the Deaf and Blind and Aboom School for Special Needs, as well as the school he attended as a child, the Adom Memorial Day Care Centre.
The items donated included customised chocolates, spaghetti, cartons of tin tomatoes, liquid soap, cooking oil, sardine, a bag of rice, box of teabag and biscuits.
He also donated streetlights to the Cape Coast school for the Deaf and Blind.
Mr Yemoson said that the school had a population of 454 students, including 380 hearing impaired students and 74 visually impaired students.
He said another major challenge facing the school was the poor road network, and that the state of the road made it difficult for students, especially the visually impaired, to navigate the campus.
Infrastructure need
He further stated that the school did not have enough infrastructure and water supply.
Therefore, he appealed for additional classrooms and an assembly hall, as well as the provision of water supply to the school.
Mr Amissah said it was very necessary and prudent that love is shown to hearing and visually impaired students, as it helps them to know that they were loved and cared for.
He called on philanthropists and corporate organisations to support schools in the constituency, especially the Cape Coast School for the Deaf and Blind and the Aboom School for Special Needs.
Receiving the items on behalf of the Aboom School for Special Needs, the Proprietress, Mary Osei, stated that their big challenge was lack of infrastructure, and appealed for more classrooms and a school bus.
In the past six years, about 150 experienced nurses and other healthcare workers from thePantang Hospitalhave relocated abroad in quest of better opportunities.
Of the number, 100 are specialised psychiatric and general nurses while the rest consist of doctors, pharmacists, technicians and other experienced personnel in the healthcare delivery chain.
Data sourced from the hospital showed that the number of experienced professionals that have abandoned their jobs started increasing in an alarming manner since the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
This phenomenon is defeating the efforts of the government to reinforce the workforce of the hospital with the recruitment of an additional 179 staff (professional nurses numbering 129) between 2018 and 2022.
An assessment of thedata showed that from a report of eight professionals leaving in 2018, the number gradually jumped to 26 personnel in 2020 and peaked at 64 practitioners resigning in 2022.
The situation became more alarming when 11 experienced professionals, made up of 10 nurses and one doctor, resigned in January this year alone.
Information gathered by the Daily Graphic indicates that the development has been reported to the Ministry of Health (MoH) for redress.
Negative impact
The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Frank Baning, in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra, stated that the situation was negatively impacting on the medical department of the hospital.
“We are now losing the majority of our experienced nurses and other health professionals. In fact, almost every month, about 10 people leave,” he said.
Dr Baning explained that although the government was reinforcing staff strength through fresh recruits every year, the number of people leaving was alarming and needed to be addressed.
He said the situation was putting a huge burden, pressure and stress on the few that remained to work for the hospital and the country in general.
That, the Medical Director said, was already affecting the quality of healthcare delivery at the hospital, given the number of people who abandoned their work in the last two years.
“We have seen the effort of the government to reinforce the workforce but as soon as new recruits are brought on board, the hospital loses more of the experienced hands.
“Last year and this year alone, we have lost 75 people and so, we hope that the government will replace those leaving quickly to ensure efficiency.
“We may see the trend continuing this year as more than 10 professional nurses have already been reported to have left for greener pastures this year,” he said.
Professionals are leaving
The Medical Director noted that the category of nurses leaving fell within the professional level.
Dr Baning said in an ideal situation, the hospital required about 1,000 professional nurses to provide both mental and general services.
However, he said the facility could currently only boast of 286 nurses doing the work of 1,000 people.Two hundred and eighty-six is nowhere near what we call ideal,” the Pantang Hospital Medical Director said.
He added that the vacuum being created by the frequent departure made the additional recruits of the government insufficient.
Other areas
The Administrator of the hospital, Collins Kesse, also told the Daily Graphic that beyond nurses, the hospital had also lost personnel in critical areas such as biomedical engineers, radiographers and pharmacists.
He said due to this phenomenon, the hospital engaged the services of private individuals and paid huge sums of money from its internally generated funds (IGF) to manage its X-ray machines and other equipment.
“And so, we need the right people in the right mix to ensure that the hospital operates in full capacity,” Mr Kesse said.
MoH informed
Multiple sources at the MoH confirmed that the ministry had been adequately informed about the Pantang Hospital situation regarding nurses and other professionals exiting.
However, they said the issue was nationwide as most health professionals were leaving the shores of the country to seek greener pastures.
That is because the outbreak of COVID-19 had created a huge demand for professional health personnel, especially in the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US), the sources maintained.
“The human resource department of the ministry is looking into the issues to see whether there can be any replacement for Pantang and other affected hospitals,” one of the sources added.
Govt taken notice
The Director-General (DG) of Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, in an earlier interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra on the departure of professional nurses, said the government had taken notice of the situation and the vacuum created.
“We are having a lot of professional nurses leaving the country to Europe and other parts of the world. They are taking mainly the professional nurses and so, there is the need to beef up professional nurses across the country,” he said.
As a result, Dr Kuma-Aboagye said the government had adopted a number of measures such as expanding study leave for auxiliary nurses and offering amnesty to auxiliary nurses who obtained higher certificates without prior approval from the appropriate authorities.
The GHS Director-General explained that the amnesty would ensure that nurses who genuinely acquired certificates that befit their skills were upgraded from auxiliary status to professional nurse status. Others include a comprehensive assessment to ascertain the impact of nurses leaving Ghana for greener pastures.
The Akufo-Addo administration was recommended to slash expenditures and the size of the government by the German ambassador to Ghana, Daniel Krull.
But, Daniel Krull has been instructed to be more explicit about the areas in which he wants the government to cut spending.
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority(NYA) Pius Enam Hadzide indicated that the easiest thing to do is to just call for cuts in government spending and not give specifics.
The German Ambassador while addressing the press on Friday, wondered why Ghana has been crying to the international community for help when the country continues to operate a large size government bigger than that of Germany.
“I only can compare with other countries like my own and I can just come to the conclusion that the number is much higher than in my country. So that might bring me to the conclusion that maybe there’s room for improvement.”
“Well, of course, it depends very much on what kind of expenditures you’re looking at… I’m convinced this is true for if I look at the budget of the German Foreign Ministry of the German government, I’m convinced there are important tasks that can be cut without hurting economic development. And I’m convinced without going into details this also is true for Ghana. There are certain expenditures that can be lowered substantially and make an important impact, and it has to be part of the package.
“I mean, I cannot go out to the international community and say I need help, but I’m not willing to cut my own budget expenditures. I have to be careful not to cut the social expenditures that are destroying lives and families. I have to be very careful not to take measures that might negatively impact economic growth.
“But I’m convinced there are many expenditures that could be looked at very carefully and can be lowered substantially,” he said.
But speaking on the Big Issue, on TV3 Tuesday February 28, Mr Hadzide said “First of all, I think that we must understand that there are rules that govern international diplomacy, and as much as Ambassadors and representatives of sovereigns are allowed certain levels of laxity, there are rules within the Vienna Convention that must guide our narrative.
“I have listened to the Ambassador, he said a lot of good things and he had a lot of vote of confidence for what is happening within our jurisdictions.
“It is reported that he said something about the size of the government, I heard him say that we need to cut public expenditure. If it is about cutting public expenditure, we are aligned with that one. Mr President himself has said, members of the government have said and I have said that we need to find the balance for public expenditure and public government revenue. So yes, it is easy to say we should cut our expenditure but expenditure in what [areas]? We should cut expenditure in the road sector because that is public expenditure or expenditure in education or we should cut our expenditure in the health areas?
“So our development partners must appreciate the severity of our problems and the need for us to jump-start if we have to compete on equal terms. It is easy for them to say cut expenditure here, cut expenditure there.
“I hold the view that these our development partners or bilateral partners and so on, they are not really and truly out there in our best interest. If they had their way, Africa would be a production force for them to be feeding their economies, that was the intention that even drove them to come in the first place to colonize us.”
Mr Hadzide further indicated that it is not automatic that the country should implement whatever demands that are made by the partners.
“When they make their subscriptions, we must look at it in our own context and take our own decisions.”
Francisca Enchill, a multi-award-winning Ghanaian investigative journalist with Corruption Watch, has given her open opinion about entrapment.
The reigning GJA best investigative and female journalist of the year averred that trapping people with money in an attempt to expose an officer of corruption is totally wrong.
In an interaction with some student journalists at the Ringway campus of the Ghana Institute of Journalism(GIJ) in Accra on Tuesday, Mrs Enchill said the best way to embark on an investigative report is by natural participation.
“Professionally, investigative journalists are not supposed to use the entrapment method. Ideally, you need to use the natural participation method,” she noted.
The author of the ‘Pay or Die’ investigative report explained that corrupt individuals will surely show their true colours even when they are not trapped.
She stressed that the target may be facing some challenges at home, including an urgent situation for money which may compel the person to accept the bribe.
“If I’m supposed to investigate an individual or an organisation, I don’t have to trap you with money; I need to let you show it willingly if indeed you are corrupt.
“If you identify any person or an organisation which you want to investigate, you need to move to them in a natural way by participating, and if they are corrupt as you detected, they will show it to you, but it is totally wrong to trap them because they may be going through certain challenges at that time, including an urgent need for money, which they cannot reject at that time,” she explained.
In response to another question on whether undercover journalists are free to break certain ethics in their line of work, Mrs Enchill responded affirmatively indicating that it’s for the benefit of the general public.
“Investigative journalists are legally allowed to break certain rules because it is illegal to secretly videotape someone and publish or to invade their privacy, but our line of work permits us,” she asserted.
Over two years after it was finished, the GETFund-built girls’ dormitory block for Asanteman Senior High School is still not open for use.
While the school is grappling with accommodation challenges due to the huge infrastructural deficit it is facing, authorities of the school say they are unable to use the new facility due to security concerns.
The authorities say the location of the new dormitory is outrun by squatters which makes it dangerous to move students there without the necessary measures.
Assistant Headmistress in charge of Domestic, Georgina Osei, said the dormitory has been completed, but a water system is yet to be fixed “but we can make use of thedormitory while we wait for the water to be added.”
“Because of the challenges of space here, we are thinking of sending some of the form ones there. We have spoken to the relevant authorities, and we wrote to the regional director of education and the regional minister but nothing was done about the security concerns that we raised.”
“We will be happy if the authorities can come to our aid so that the place will be secured for us for use,” Madam Osei further appealed.
On his part, the Kumasi Metropolitan Educational Director, David Oppong, said: “the discussions and consultations that we have done with the headmaster indicate that the block is completed, but the problem is that they have to be supplied with water which hasn’t yet been done. The second issue has to do with security because a number of squatters have taken up the place. So before the students can be accommodated in that dormitory, the security must be beefed up. The discussion we had with the management is that while waiting for the government to recruit security personnel to the school, the PTA should step in and hire temporary staff to secure the place, so the students can be moved there.”
Former President John Dramani Mahama announced on February 28, 2023, through a social media post that he will launch his campaign for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer position on March 2, 2023, in Ho, Volta Region.
The event will take place at the Cedi Auditorium, located at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHIA), and the theme of the launch is “Creating the Ghana we want together.”
Mahama will be contesting against three other candidates for the NDC flagbearer position. They includeDr. Kwabena Duffuor, a former finance minister; Kojo Bonsu, a former mayor of Kumasi; and Ernest Kwaku Kobeah, a 43-year-old businessman based in the United Kingdom.
The NDC began accepting presidential candidate nominations on February 22, 2023, and closed it on February 24, 2023. According to the Party’s timetable, submission and filing of nomination forms for the flagbearer position will take place from March 20 to March 22, 2023.
The vetting of aspirants will be conducted from March 27 to March 29, 2023. Aspirants who have issues with the vetting process will have the opportunity to appeal from March 30 to April 6, 2023.
The NDC’s presidential primaries are expected to take place on May 6, 2023. Parliamentary aspirants will be required to pay a GH¢5,000 nomination fee, and the filing fee is set at GH¢40,000.
The NDC is Ghana’s largest opposition party and will elect a flagbearer to contest the 2024 presidential election.
The Electoral Commission (EC) chair, Jean Mensa, has received a severe warning from the National Democratic Congress(NDC) in the North to ensure fairness in the 2024 general elections.
The EC has stated that it’s taking steps to make the Ghana card the only document for registration.
But the party says the steps taken by the EC chair are a recipe for chaos and has thus served notice that the party will not tolerate it.
These comments were made at Yendi in the Northern region by the Regional Organiser of the party, Abdallah Baba Zee, when the party embarked on a health walk in the Yendi constituency.
“We the NDC are sending a word of caution to the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission to be very careful about the steps she is taking. The EC is seeking to use the Ghana Card as the only document for the limited registration. The constituency center is the only place for registration. We are sending a strong warning to the EC chair that we will not sit down for such to happen. It has the potential of disenfranchising many Ghanaians, and we will not accept it,” Abdallah Baba Zee said.
Three people have picked nomination forms to contest for the primaries of the NDC in the Yendi constituency.
The Regional Organiser commended the Regional Chairmen and the 137 MPs who supported former President John Dramani Mahama in the picking of nominations.
He however admonished the constituency executives for purpose of unity in the party not to openly support any of the aspirants and also urge the aspirants to be decorous in their campaign messages.
“I want to admonish the constituency executives here in Yendi not to openly throw their support for any of the aspirants as this could affect the unity in the party. Again to the aspirants, I want to caution that as you go about your campaign, please be mindful of your language. This is an internal election, and we will surely need one another in the general elections. Let’s use language that is not divisive but preach peace and unity,” he said.
The Constituency Communications Officer for NDC in the Yendi constituency, Adam Halid, said the health walk is to re-energize the base of the party for 2024.
He said the party is poised to win the Yendi seat for the NDC and slammed the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for its woeful performance.
“We are re-energizing the party to get ready for 2024. We are very poised to win the seat. The NPP has woefully failed the good people of Yendi. The president himself came and took the Overlord of Dagbon Yaa Naa to the Dagbon state senior high school to cut the sod for the Yendi water project, for three years now, nothing is happening,” he said.
On his part, Fataw Osman Jofa who is in the race again preached peace and unity among the aspirants.
He promised to fix the Yendi water project within six months if he wins.
“I want to call on my brothers who have also picked nomination forms to please let there be peace and unity among us. Our biggest concern is to win the seat from the incompetent government of the NPP.
“I want to say that the president has failed the good people of Yendi because the former President John Dramani Mahama was almost done with the documents of the Yendi water project and this president has failed to deliver. He cut the sod on three different occasions but nothing is being done. When I get the chance, I want to assure the good people of Yendi that within six months we will fix the water challenges,” he said.
The secretary general of the Trade Union Congress, Dr. Anthony Yaw Baah, has backed Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) party member of parliament (MP) for theNorth TonguConstituency in the Volta Region, in his opposition to the National Cathedral’s construction.
It came to light at a forum dubbed ‘Ghana’s Day of Shame’ organised by the Socialist Movement of Ghana on February 24, 2023.
The event saw in attendance many stalwarts in Ghana’s politics including former Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Paul Afoko, founding member of the NPP, Dr. Nyhaho Nyaho Tamakloe, former flagbearer of the Convention People’s Party, Dr Abu Sakara and some members of the diplomatic mission to Ghana, including Cuba’s Ambassador to Ghana, Algeria, China, Namibia and Russia all in attendance.
Addressing the gathering, TUC’s General Secretary reiterated his opposition to the construction of the National Cathedral and called on Mr Ablakwa to do all he can to convert the construction of the cathedral into a hospital if the NDC comes to power.
“We don’t need to use state resources to build a cathedral. What saddens my heart was that when TUC started the campaign against the construction of the cathedral nobody minded.
“We will back our brother here to change the plan of building a cathedral when in fact we don’t need a cathedral.
“We need hospitals and schools, we don’t need a cathedral,” he stated
The National Communications Authority (NIA) has given notice that it would start disconnecting subscribers on March 10, 2023, who have not concluded the SIM re-registration process.
“The National Communications Authority (NCA) wishes to remind subscribers who have completed stage one (1) but not stage two (2) of their SIM registration, as part of the ongoing SIM registration exercise, to immediately do so or risk having their SIMs disconnected after 10th March 2023,” NCA said in a statement.
It further threatened to disconnect such subscribers who fail to complete their SIM re-registration within two weeks.
“To reiterate, the importance of the SIM Registration Exercise is to develop and build a SIM database with integrity which will assist in curbing fraudulent activities. The NCA continues to urge all subscribers to complete their SIM registrations with their Ghana Cards to avoid deactivation.”
The Gonja Kingmakers have chosen Tulwewura Amonebafe Boressah I as the nextYagbonwura.
Amonebafe will succeed the Overlord of Gonja Sulemana Tuntunba Boressah Jakpa I who passed on 5th February 2023.
Citi News Savannah regional correspondent Richard Forgor reported that on Monday, 27th February 2023, at the Japka Palace, the Kingmakers of Gonja went into conclave and pursuant to the traditions and customs of the Gonja, announced the selection of the Paramount Chief of the Tulwe traditional area, Tulwewura Amonebafe Boressah as the next Overlord of Gonja.
This announcement comes after the funeral rites of the late King of the Gonja, Yagbonwura Tuntumba Boresa Jakpa II was performed.
The announcement was made by the Acting Head of the Gonja Sonyowura Kanyiti I.
The kingdom received this announcement with lots of excitement and jubilation from all the Chiefs, youth and the general public across Gonjaland.
According to the Gonjaland Youth Association, they are highly excited about the announcement and commend the Kingmakers under the leadership of Sonyowura Kanyiti I for upholding the culture and tradition of Gonja and indeed.
The group added that the selection of the next king demonstrates the strength of the kingdom to ensure peace and development in Gonjaland.
Mohammed Amin Osman, the President of the Gonjaland Youth Association said he is hopeful the coronation of Amonebafe will be done in less than two months.
In Ghana, people of all ages compete to represent their numerous constituencies inparliament, and being a legislator is a big deal.
But while some people are dying to enter the legislative house, others are getting out voluntarily. As the major political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party have already begun processes in preparation to battle for victory in the 2024 general elections, some sitting lawmakers have chosen to not seek re-election.
Some of them say they have done enough and the time has come to step aside for other people to serve, while others want to run for president.
Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu
Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu
Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs who represents the people of the Suame constituency in the Ashanti Region has indicated that he will not seek re-election. He is currently serving his seventh term in the legislative house after entering in 1996.
2. James Klutsey Avedzi
James Klutse Avedzi
The Member of Parliament for the Ketu-North constituency is retiring from lawmaking. He is serving his fifth term in parliament. He was the former Chairman of the Finance Committee in the parliament of Ghana from 2009 to 2017. He is currently the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of parliament and also the immediate past Deputy Minority Leader for the NDC in parliament.
3.Benjamin Komla Kpodo
Hon. Benjamin Kpodo
He is the Ho central Member of Parliament. He entered parliament in 2013 but reports indicate that he is not seeking re-election.
4. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong
The Member of Parliament for the Assin-Central constituency entered parliament in 2000 and has retained the seat since. He is retiring from parliament because he wants to contest the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearership race to become president.
5. Cletus Avoka
The NDC Member of Parliament for Zebilla Constituency announced during an NDC Youth Wing meeting and dinner ceremony that he will not seek re-election.
He served in the first parliament from 1993 to 2005 before losing the seat to the late John Ndebugri at the time the constituency was known as the Bawku West constituency.
In 2009, he re-entered as the second MP for the Zebilla constituency.
Cletus Avoka was also the MP for Garu Tempane from 2000 to 2004. In the year 2000, he won the general elections as a member of parliament for the Garu-Tempane constituency of the Upper East Region of Ghana. He won as an independent candidate in that election for the Upper East Region.
He would have served his constituents for 24 years in parliament by 2024, so he thinks the time to allow another person to represent the people of Zebilla is now.
TheGhana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has blamed a private contractor working for the municipality for damaging its line for the recent interruption in water supply to households in the Tema district.
Residents in the region have been experiencing water shortage for the past few weeks due to maintenance works including the changing of non-functioning pipes by GWCL.
The development has affected businesses and households.
Appearing on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Monday (27 February) Musah Amidu, the Tema regional manager of the Ghana Water Company Limited said the company has filed a complaint against the private contractor with the Public Utilities and Regulatory Commission (PURC).
“…When you come to HFC side, there is a contractor working since last year on that side, and has been destroying the lines almost everyday,” he added. “We have sent several complaints.”
“But he is not listening to us. So, we have even written a letter to PURC complaining about his attitude, because he is causing inconvenience to our customers. We are waiting for PURC to call us for discussions with him,” he said.
Meanwhile, water has been restored to some areas after the completion of maintenance works by GWCL.
The Director of Research at theInstitute of Economic Affairs(IEA) Dr John Kwakye has asserted that Ghana needs a vibrant third force to eliminate the duopoly of New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The NPP and the NDC have dominated political power since the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1992.
Although other political parties such as the Convention Peoples Party(CCP), Peoples National Convention (PNC) Prphressive Peoples Party (PPP) and others have participated in elections in the Fourth Republic they have not been able to garner the needed votes to enable them to form a government.
This has led the NPP and NDC to dominate the space at the presidential and parliamentary levels.
In a tweet, Dr John Kwakye described the NPP and the NDC as incompetent parties in the management of the economy.
He said “We need a third force in Ghanaian politics to uproot the incompetent NPP-NDC duopoly.”
We need a third force in Ghanaian politics to uproot the incompetent NPP-NDC duopoly.
— J. K. Kwakye (@JohnKwabenaKwa1) February 26, 2023
The Bono Regional Minister, Hon. Justina Owusu-Banahene, has paid a visit to theGhana Airports Company Limited management.
The purpose of the visit was to express appreciation for the support and cooperation, especially in the Management of Sunyani Airport. She commended Management for the facilities put in place and offered suggestions that would improve facilitation and provide a seamless travel experience.
Managing Director of Ghana Airports Company Limited, Mrs Pamela Djamson-Tettey, gave assurances that the Management team will continue to improve facilities at the Sunyani Airport.
The meeting further deliberated on future plans for developing the Sunyani Airport.
It will be recalled that the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo commissioned the Sunyani Airport Runway Project in August last year, paving the way for the resumption of Commercial Operations to the Region.
Passion Air currently operates six flights a week to and from Accra to Sunyani.
The intentions of the overlord of the Akyem Abuakwa State, Okyehene Amoatia Ofori Panin, to install a new Begorohene on Thursday, March 2, 2023, is allegedly causing tension in Begoro in the Fanteakwa North District.
Members of the Asona Royal Family who held a press conference on Monday in Begoro accused Okyehene Amoatia Ofori Panin of trying to circumvent tried and tested customs by imposing one Amfo Amoamaa without the consent of legitimate kingmakers and Abakomahene of Begoro.
According to the Asona Royal Family, even though there is a pending case at the national house of chiefs restraining all parties, the Okyehene through his secretary has issued a notice to still carry out the installation process, a situation they say will threaten the peace being enjoyed in the area.
The late Fanteakwahene and Benkumhene of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, Dasebere Awua Kotoko II who passed away 3 years ago is yet to be replaced.
The Spokesperson of the Asona Royal family Daniel Darko who addressed the media called on the Inspector General of Police, the National Security Ministry, the Chieftaincy Ministry, and President Akufo-Addo to call Okyehene to order.
“He [Okyehene] conveyed a meeting with the sub-chiefs of Begoro on February 21 and asked them to accept the Amfo Amoamaa’s installation but the Abakomahene challenged him and told him that the case was still pending for hearing at the National House of Chiefs but the Okyehene responded that he will cause the installation and that if the Abakomahene has the power, he should bring a case of contempt against him.
The Farouk Aliu Mahama Educational Care Fund (FAMEC-FUND), a scholarship fund established under the patronage of the Member of Parliament for Yendi, Farouk Aliu Mahama, has provided funding to more than 70 deserving yet gifted students enrolled in a variety of tertiary-level courses.
“I am hopeful that this support will cushion you the beneficiary studentsin footing your academic user-fees and other educational expenditure,” the Yendi MP stated as he disbursed the scholarship funds to the beneficiaries.
“As you may remember, prior to my election as MP, I made a commitment to education and since coming into office, I instituted the FAMEC-FUND to support education of particularly needy but brilliant constituents.”
He emphasized that education must be balanced and be accessible to all regardless of one’s status in the society – whether rich or poor, privileged or handicapped, able or disabled.
“Money should not be a barrier to deny any child the access to education and no brilliant but needy child should be left behind. I hold the view that a brilliant child of a peasant farmer in Nakpachei or Oseido or Ngono should have the equal chance to tertiary education as the child of a Minister in Accra will have.”
A beneficiary and Level 200 student of the Tamale campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS), on behalf of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude to the MP for the gesture.
He indicated the support is not only timely, but also enough to pay the fees.
The FAMEC-FUND was launched in 2021 to support brilliant but needy students in the Yendi Constituency.
According to a member of parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority will oppose any attempt by the Electoral Commission (EC) to utilize the Ghana Card as the only form of identity for voter registration.
He says any such move by the EC will hurt the right to vote and be voted for.
Speaking on the Big Issue via telephone on TV3 Monday, February 27, the former Minority Leader indicated that there are 3.5million people who are without Ghana Card.
He questioned whether the EC is going to deny all these 3.5 million people from exercising their right to vote because they do not have a Ghana Card.
“There is the right to vote and be voted for, the NDC will defend that right,” he said.
“We are contesting the use of Ghana Card as the sole reference for purposes of getting registered as a voter,” he said.
He stressed “the right to vote and be voted for is sacred. 3.5 million people don’t have the card, can you tell these 3.5 million persons not to vote?”
The Minority have been raising issues against the proposed CI.
On Thursday, February 23, they rejected officials from the EC and the National Identification (NIA) who were in Parliament to brief the House on the proposed CI.
They were expecting Madam Jean Mensa herself to appear.
But a statement issued by the Commission on Monday, February 27 said “The EC received a letter from Parliament on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 inviting the Commission to brief the leadership of the House on the draft CI on the registration of voters on Thursday 23 February 2024.
“At the time the chairperson had traveled to Nigeria at the invitation of ECOWAS/ECONEC for a peer exchange and election observation mission. That notwithstanding Dr Bossman Asare Deputy Chair for Corporate Service attended the meeting together with other directors of the commission.
“Surprisingly, the meeting was canceled as the Minority side insisted on the presence of the EC Chairperson at the meeting. We wish to state that contrary to the news item that the EC chair has returned to Ghana, the chairperson is still in Nigeria. She has not returned to Ghana.”
The EC added “The Commission, especially its chairperson understands the importance of the institution of Parliament having worked with Parliament for two decades prior to her appointment as Chairperson of the EC.
“The Chairperson upholds the institution of Parliament and will therefore not disrespect it in any way.
“The fact remains that the invitation from Parliament was sent a day before the meeting at a time the chairperson was out of the jurisdiction. Had she been aware of the request prior to her travel she certainly would have prioritized the meeting and attended upon the Honourable House.”
The Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) and other private businesses interested in Ghana’s waste management sector have been asked to consider the prospect of engaging in used vehicle recycling.
The Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, made the call when she received a delegation from Wongpanit Pathong Company Limited, a leading Thailand and global waste management company, at her ministry on Friday, (24 February).
The meeting with the minister and the Wongpanit delegation, led by their president, Dr Somthai Wongcharden, was facilitated by the JGC.
According to Dapaah, recycling of used cars will be a new area for Ghana’s waste management sector, adding that it holds prospects for potential investors.
“It will be very interesting for the Jospong Group of Companies and other interested private companies to explore the possibility of investing in the recycling of used cars,” she urged.
She was very delighted that the Thailand waste management giant was into recycling of used cars and other car products including used batteries.
“We have a lot of damaged cars sitting in the police stations; a lot of used car tyres gathering mosquitoes, especially during the rainy season, and this is a very interesting area,” she said.
She was also happy that the Jospong Group of Companies was forging a new relationship with a global waste management company in Thailand.
“I must say that you are with the right person and the right company (making reference to Dr Siaw Agyepong and his Jospong Group of Companies),” she told the delegation.
She praised the Jospong Group of Companies for its growth in the recycling space of waste management.
“But I am sure you [Wongpanit Pathong] are older and bigger as a company so the mutual working together will be highly profitable,” she optimistically stated.
Dapaah, therefore, appealed to both foreign and local investors to come and invest in Ghana’s waste management space, underscoring that Ghana produces about 7 million tons of waste a year of which about 64% is organic.
She intimated that the collaboration between the government and the private sector was yielding “huge results.”
“…and I must say that we are on the right path,” she admitted.
One of such major collaborations, she said, was the construction of recycle plants in all the 16 regions of the country.
“And as I speak, we have 2 of 3 liquid waste management companies that are also ready. One has been commissioned and we have 2 more coming up,” Dapaah said.
These waste management facilities, she said, were made possible through the government’s collaboration with the JGC.
Dapaah re-affirmed the government’s policy of collaborating with the private sector to spur the country’s growth, insisting that “without the private sector we will not succeed.”
Political parties have been cautioned by the Queen Mothers Foundation of Ghana not to use the ongoing crisis in Bawku, in the Upper East Region, as a political tool for their own purposes.
Bawku has recorded substantial instances of violence, and clashes between residents and the security deployed to the town in recent weeks.
The town has been unstable for decades now following chieftaincy disputes between the Mamprusis and Kusasis leading to the loss of lives and the destruction of properties.
The military was recently accused of killing ten residents which prompted 25 divisional chiefs in the area to petition the overlord of Bawku and the government.
“The government must also endeavour to discharge its responsibilities to ensure the resolution of the conflict. Furthermore, we admonish political parties from politicizing the conflict or stoking the fire for political expediency. Rather, they must work together to douse the fire and restore peace”, the group said in a statement.
The queen mothers, who expressed concern about the conflict’s negative impact on women, children, and economic activity in the area, urged factions in the renewed Bawku conflict to put aside their differences and allow peace to prevail.
“The queen mothers foundation of Ghana appeals to the factions in the renewed clashes in Bawku to bury their differences and embrace peace to move the development of the area forward. We particularly, advise the people to refrain from acts of violence and not to allow themselves to be used as conduits to foment trouble.”
They also urged security forces to work hard to keep the area law and order.
“We also ask the traditional authorities to lead the processes of peace and reconciliation for the good of the people. We endeavour the security agencies to ensure peace and security in the area but in so doing, they must be cautious not to infringe on the human rights of the people”, the queen mothers added in the statement.
Today, Monday, February 27, 2023, President Akufo-Addois scheduled to meet with the family of late Christian Atsu as well as representatives of the Ghana Football Association, and Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif to discuss the final burial arrangement for the deceased.
Following the 7.8 magnitude catastrophe, Christian Atsu was discovered dead under the debris at his residence in the Turkish province of Hatay.
His body was subsequently brought to Ghana with government representatives, members of the football community, colleagues, supporters, and Ghanaians, in general offering their condolences to the bereaved family.
On March 4, 2023, the deceased footballer will be remembered with a one-week memorial observation at Adjiringanor in Accra.
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Yussif told the media that: “We will call on the President on Monday. Once we do that, the plan that the family has tabled before the Ministry and GFA would be made public because it is subject to the confirmation of the president. A funeral planning committee has also been set up to ensure a befitting funeral.”
The government has vowed to fully engage with the family in giving Atsu a proper burial.
Last Friday, discussions were completed between the Atsu family, Ghana Football Association representatives, and Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif ahead of the late footballer’s final funeral rites.
Meanwhile, the family says it is incredibly grateful for the affection and support shown to them in the wake of the tragic passing of their relative in the devastating earthquake in Turkey.
The Twasams are especially appreciative of the assistance received from the government, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and Ghanaians during this difficult time.
Robert Ani, a family spokesman, told Citi News that the family’s gratitude for Christian Atsu’s demise cannot be adequately expressed in words.
“The support of government and Ghanaians has been overwhelming. First, I want to thank President Akufo-Addo for taking a keen interest right from when the incident occurred. The President has been very helpful. We just want to say thank you to him and Ghanaians also. The support has been overwhelming. People have been calling, visiting and offering the support they can. So far, I will say that it has been overwhelming”, he said.
President Akufo Addohas said that the king and overlord of Gonja, Yagbonwura Sulemana Tuntumba Bore-Essah Jakpa I was a remarkable leader as he played a major role in settling the Dagbon Chieftaincy dispute.
Yagbonwura Tuntunba Jakpa I died on February 5, 2023, at the age of 90.
In accordance with Gonja traditions, he was buried at the Royal Cemetery at Mankuma in theBole District.
Speaking at the Jakpa Palace to commemorate the late Overlord’s 7th day Adua, President Akufo Addo, who led the government delegation to the funeral, described the late Yagbonwura as a great ruler.
“He was a great chief not just because he occupied one of the great stools enskinned in our country but by virtue of his own comportment and conduct as a chief. There are two things that always come to my mind when I think of him. One is his role as one of the eminent chiefs in the resolution of the crisis in Dagbon.”
Former President Mahama was a guest at the 3rd-day funeral rites at the Jakpa Palace on 10th February.
The 7th-day funeral rites paves way for other rituals that will lead to the installation of the next Yagbonwura.
The Savannah regional minister, Saeed Muhazu Jibril assured that the next Yagbonwura will be installed without any hitches as he was known by all even before the demise of Boressah.
Other guests at the ceremony on Sunday were members of Parliament, former government appointees, members of the diplomatic community, and Paramount Chiefs among others.
The Election Commission (EC) has debunked reports that its Chairperson, Jean Mensa, rejected Parliament’s invitation.
The EC disclosed in a statement that the letter inviting the Chairperson to brief Parliamenton the draft CI on the registration of voters was received a day prior to the scheduled briefing when Jean Mensa was already out of the jurisdiction.
“The Commission especially its Chairperson understands the importance of the institution of Parliament having worked with Parliament for two decades prior to her appointment as Chairperson of the EC. The Chairperson upholds the institution of Parliament and will therefore not disrespect it in any way.
“The fact remains that the invitation from Parliament was sent a day before the meeting, at a time when the Chairperson was out of the jurisdiction. Had she been aware of the request prior to her travel, she certainly would have prioritized the meeting and attended upon the Honourable House.”
The EC added that the Chairperson, Jean Mensa, is yet to return to Ghana contrary to reports that she had returned from her trip to Nigeria.
A senior lecturer at the C.K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Science, Prof. Kwara Nantomah, has attained full professorship in Pure Mathematics, making him the first Ghanaian to do so.
The new feat chalked by the academic also makes him the youngest Ghanaian to attain full professorship in Mathematics.
Reacting to his promotion in a Facebook post sighted by GhanaWeb, he expressed gratitude to his pacesetters while dedicating his achievement to all the people who have ever taught him.
“Glory be to God! I have been promoted to the rank of Full Professor of Mathematics. I am told that, this makes me the First FullProfessorof Pure Mathematics in Ghana, and the Youngest Full Professor of Mathematics in Ghana.
“Sir Isaac Newton once said ‘If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants’. I want to thank all the giants whose shoulders I stood to obtain this feat.
“It would not have been possible without you. May God richly bless you all. I dedicate this achievement to all my teachers (from Primary up to the University). Shalom!,” he wrote.
Read Prof. Kwara Nantomah’s profile below:
Prof. Kwara Nantomah holds BSc (Mathematics) and MPhil (Mathematics) degrees from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and PhD (Mathematics) degree from University for Development Studies.
He was prior to his recent promotion, an Associate Professor of Mathematics and the Dean of Faculty of Mathematical Sciences at CKTUTAS.
His area of specialization is Mathematical Analysis with particular focus on Mathematical Inequalities and their Applications, Special Functions, Convex Functions, Monotonic Functions, and Classical Analysis.
He has over eighty (80) research publications in international journals of good reputation.
He is also an Editorial Board Member and a Reviewer for several Mathematics Journals.
He has also served as an internal and external examiner to a number of MPhil and PhD theses. Also, he is a supervisor for BSc, PGD, MPhil and PhD candidates.
Furthermore, he is a member of: Ghana Mathematics Society, Ghana Science Association, Nigerian Mathematical Society, London Mathematical Society, American Mathematical Society, Edinburgh Mathematical Society, European Mathematical Society, and Korean Mathematical Society.
Former President, John Dramani Mahama is leading theWest African Elders Forum(WAEF) in Nigeria as the country chooses a new leader on Saturday, February 25.
Interacting with journalists on the eve of elections in the federal capital, Abuja, Mr Mahama said the former West African leaders are in the country to ensure that there is a peaceful outcome to the polls.
He intimated that they were invited by the federal government to witness the polls and so far they are impressed with the commitment of all the 18 candidates to ensure violence-free elections.
“This year’s election is attracting this level of interest because Nigeria’s success and progress in this regard will go a long way in stabilizing democracy, promoting good governance and maintaining peace in the sub-region,” the former Ghanaian President told journalists on Friday, February 24.
“We are pleased with the level of preparedness by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the security forces policing the elections and other stakeholders involved in the elections, towards conducting a free and fair exercise.”
He disclosed that last December, the Forum deployed a three-man delegation to the country to undertake a pre-election mediation mission.
The delegation was made up of former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Vai Koroma, former Vice President of the Gambia Fatoumata Tambajang and former President of the ECOWAS Commission and former Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Head of the UNOWAS Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas.
During the mission, the delegation met with President Muhammadu Buhari, INEC Chair Prof Mahmood Yakubu, National Security Adviser, presidential candidates, political parties, civil society leaders, President of the ECOWAS Commission, development partners and other stakeholders.
Mr Mahama further disclosed that meetings have been held with former Nigeria Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar and other former leaders, all to ensure peaceful polls.
“We are pleased that Gen. Abubakar is a member of our the Elders of Forum, just as we also have former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan as our members.
“We will also visit other key stakeholders just to encourage them in the job they are doing to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections.”
He assured all that members of the Forum will visit a few polling stations in Abuja to observe election day procedures and results collation processes while others will stay after Saturday’s elections “to engage key stakeholders, if need be, towards guaranteeing peaceful outcomes”.
“This means that some of our members will remain in the country until the election procedures are peacefully concluded.”
The ElectionCommissionhas refuted claims that around 200,000 field workers for the 2020 elections were not paid.
In a statement, the EC described the reports as false and an attempt to malign and impugn the integrity of the commission.
“The EC has to date paid all staff who worked during the 2020 elections. For the records the EC in a bid to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public funds, instituted a system whereby field staff were paid through their bank accounts.”
The Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu first made the allegation on the Floor of Parliament on Thursday, February 23, 2023.
“Minister of Finance, the Electoral Commission hasn’t even paid the members it used for the 2020 elections. Go and do what is right for them to pay them,” the former Minority Leader said.
But according to the EC, any person or groups of persons claiming non-payment by the Commission for work done during the 2020 elections do not exist.
Management of the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua has expressed displeasure over how some patients who visit thehospitalleave without settling their debts.
According to the management, patients and their relatives who often arrange with management to have an undertaking to enable them defer the settlement of their debt do not fulfil their part of the bargain and often abscond from the hospital unceremoniously.
Briefing the media on this disturbing development, theMedical Superintendent of the regional hospital, Dr. Arko Akoto Ampaw said the development is affecting the finances and operation of the facility.
“We are contacting the medical social workers unit so that they can be evaluated to see whether they can pay or cannot. And whether they want to have an undertaking to defer payments to another date, they don’t do that. And patients just disappear from the wards without paying their bills, and it’s causing a lot of loss to the hospital,” he bemoaned.
He said management is working around the clock to ensure that security at the hospital is tightened.
“Security around the hospital is also a contributory factor, we hope to tighten security so that such things are minimised,” Dr. Ampaw said.
He also called on the general public who are yet to come for the remains of the relatives at the mortuary to do so in order to help the hospital decongest the morgue.
“The hospital itself, capacity to contain the population size is beginning to decrease. In most cases, our mortuaries are quite full to capacity and may also be that people are not burying early. We would have wished that the population takes note of that. So that they can take their bodies and bury them early to make available spaces. In any case, management is expanding that area in the future,” the Medical Superintendent of the hospital stated.
The late Ghanaian player Christian Astu‘s family has expressed its profound gratitude for the kindness and support received after their loved one tragically perished in the devastating earthquake in Turkey.
The Twasam family is especially appreciative of the assistance received from the government, President Akufo-Addo, and Ghanaians during this difficult time.
Robert Ani, a family spokesman, told Nii Larte Lartey on Citi Prime News that the family’s gratitude for Christian Atsu’s demise cannot be adequately expressed in words.
“The support of government and Ghanaians has been overwhelming. First, I want to thank President Akufo-Addo for taking a keen interest right from when the incident occurred. The President has been very helpful. We just want to say thank you to him and Ghanaians also. The support has been overwhelming. People have been calling, visiting and offering the support they can. So far, I will say that it has been overwhelming”, he said.
Following the 7.8 magnitude catastrophe, Christian Atsu, 31, was discovered dead under the debris at his location in the Turkish province of Hatay last Saturday.
On Sunday, his body was subsequently brought to Ghana.
Since then, government representatives, members of the football community, colleagues, supporters, and Ghanaians, in general, have been offering their condolences to the bereaved family as tributes to the hero continue to pour in.
The government has vowed to fully engage with the family in giving Atsu a proper burial.
On March 4, 2023, the deceased footballer will be remembered with a one-week memorial observation at the Adjiringanor Astroturf.
Discussions were completed on Friday between the Atsu family, Ghana Football Association representatives, and Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif ahead of the late footballer’s final funeral rites.
The parties will meet with President Akufo-Addo next Monday to conclude the rites for the former Chelsea and Newcastle winger, the minister announced.
“It has been agreed that, on the 4th of March, there will be the one-week observation at the Adjiringanor park from 8am. We have been meeting the Sports Minister and GFA officials, and they have agreed. The funeral itself, we are yet to decide because it’s being done in consultations with the government. So in due course, we will update the public on when the funeral will be held”, Atsu’s family spokesperson confirmed.
This was announced by the West African ExaminationCouncil (WAEC).
WAEC disclosed that the entry figure is composed of 20,164 males and 23,578 females. 76 of the candidates also had visual impairment and 2 had a hearing impairment.
901 candidates also had their results withheld for engaging in alleged examination malpractices.
The Council cautioned members of the public to be on the alert for scammers who may contact candidates with the promise of upgrading their results for a fee payable through mobile money transfers.
A former general secretary of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Dr. Titus Beyuo, has said that he has been an official member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) since 2013.
According to him, he started as a student politician and was part of student unions while at the University of Ghana. However, he remained neutral because of the leadership positions he held.
“I became a card-bearing member of the NDC in 2013. Some NDC members, when they heard that I was standing on the ticket of the NDC were shocked because I was very hard on the NDC. But I needed to stay neutral because of the leadership roles I held. The only party card I have ever held is NDC,” he said on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, Friday.
Dr Beyuo disclosed this after he picked forms to contest in parliamentary primaries of the NDC in theLambussie-Karni Constituency in the Upper West Region.
He said the decision was taken after a prolonged period of introspection and extensive consultations with family, friends and critical stakeholders.
“Arriving at this decision was an uphill task, but the support and encouragement received from my family, traditional leaders in the Lambussie Traditional Council, party leadership at the national, regional, constituency and branch levels, and friends during the consultative process, made this less difficult,” he stated.
Dr Beyuo has, therefore, promised to wrestle power from the New Patriotic Party and contribute to the developmental agenda of the next NDC government for the people of Ghana and Lambussie.
On Thursday, February 23, ten people have were detained after a joint police-military operation on Thursday, February 23.
The suspects have been locked up at the Chereponi District Police Station.
Conflicting reports suggest that two to five persons including a 16-year-old girl and a security officer died following the exchange of fire on Thursday.
Three persons, who were also hit by bullets and sustained various degrees of injury, are receiving treatment at the Chereponi District Hospital.
3news.com‘s sources on the ground say health officials and teachers in Wenchiki have fled the area, seeking refuge at the district police station.
Security has also been beefed up by the Chereponi District Security Council (DISEC).
Reports suggest that some level of calm has been restored in the area following the security presence.
The $3 billion bailout requested by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) may not be authorized, the German ambassador to Ghana,Daniel Krull, has warned, if China refuses to agree to a debt reduction plan.
Addressing the media, Mr Krull said Chinahas so far rejected attempts by officials from Ghana to engage them to commit to the setting up of a creditors’ committee for an agreement on a debt package.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Friday, February 3, urged Germany to “encourage” China, an ad hoc member of the Paris Club, to support Ghana’s debt restructuring efforts.
The President made the call when the visiting German Finance Minister, Christian Lindner called on him at the Jubilee House, Accra.
The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, on Thursday, disclosed that the government’s planned high-level meeting with Chinese creditors over Ghana’s debt restructuring has been postponed to late March 2023.
According to him, this is due to the upcoming National People’s Congress of China which is scheduled for early March.
But Mr Krull has disclosed that other creditors will only play their part and help if China – the biggest creditor to Ghana – agrees to the debt relief package.
“We are prepared to live up to our responsibility as one of the major bilateral creditors to Ghana, but we are only ready to implement our solidarity only if certain criteria are met. In this first place, it has to be done in an internationally coordinated fashion, and therefore we have the G20 common framework. The G20 has agreed on how to deal with these kinds of crises, and we feel that it is important that this framework is respected.
“The second condition is that we are ready to take our part when others are ready to do that so all major creditors must be ready to help Ghana. The Big elephant in the room is China. China is the largest creditor to Ghana and so far [China] is not supportive of setting up of a creditors’ committee, where the creditors will sit down and agree on an aid package for Ghana.”
Mr Krull further appealed to MPs and politicians who have business relations with China to encourage their Chinese counterparts to agree to the aid package to help rescue Ghana’s economy.
“The President and the Finance Ministers have appealed to Germany to support Ghana in convincing China to come to the table, and we are ready to do that but at the same time, I want to appeal to all Ghanaians who have strong ties to China, who are doing nice business with China to also engage them and convince them that it is time to sit down with all the creditors and agree on a package. Time is of the essence. Without this agreement, the IMF package is in severe danger.”
The Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery has extended the curfew hours for Alavanyo, Nkonyaand its surroundings in Oti Region until Sunday, February 26, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
The Ministry has expressed its appreciation to the chiefs, elders, opinion leaders, youth, and people of the area for their efforts in ensuring peace in the area and urged them to use the established mechanisms for the resolution of all their conflicts and disputes.
Meanwhile, the government has reiterated that there is a ban on all persons in the two towns and their environs from carrying arms, ammunition, or any offensive weapons, and any person found with any arms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted.
The President was supposed to address the country on Tuesday, February 28.
The postponement was announced by the majority leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, when he delivered the business statement for the third week ending Friday, March 3.
The majority leader did not give any specific justification for the postponement.
If nothing changes, the address will take place two days after the Volta Region’s 66th independence anniversary celebration.
A sitting president must perform the exercise in accordance with Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution.
